Here in Houston we have been through Hurricane Harvey. For some of us, the hurricane has passed. We are dry and getting on with our lives.
But for several in our congregation they are still in various stages of dealing with the after effects of the storm. They are dealing with minor to major flood losses. They still need our help to one extent or another. So, we cannot just move on with our lives just yet.
More than that another hurricane, Irma, is raging the Caribbean and a threat to the islands and the mainland of the United States. If Hurricane Irma was not enough to worry about, we also have Hurricane Jose building up steam. While Jose is a long ways out, it is a threat of which it would wise to be mindful.
If hurricanes were not enough to worry about, we also have wildfires raging in Montana and Idaho. As of today, about 118,000 acres have been blackened. This pushes the current wildfire into the category of a mega-fire. Wildfires are not only being battled in Montana, but in California and in the Province of Victoria in Canada.
For us living in Houston, we’ve got our problems to worry about so who cares about disasters going on in other areas?
My point is we should care about suffering and loss going on elsewhere even if we did not suffer loss from Harvey.
From my perspective going through the experience of Hurricane Harvey heightened my sense of empathy and compassion for those going through disasters in faraway locations. Suffering faraway may not impact me directly, but I understand a little bit better what they are going through. Frankly, I don’t want anyone to go through a Harvey.
We have the perfect example of Jesus Christ in regard to man’s suffering. Jesus is far from the suffering that goes on all around this globe and as a spirit being why should He care? Thankfully, He does care and cared enough to become a human being in order to better understand the suffering that goes with being a human being.
Paul wrote of Christ’s experience in Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time
of need.”
Jesus Christ through His human experience understands the ups and downs of human life. He can sympathize with the weakness of mankind and extend mercy and grace to mankind even if they don’t deserve it.
We live in a time when there are a multitude of disasters unfolding or about to unfold. We know what it is to suffer through a disaster. Hopefully, our experience has helped us to be more sympathetic toward those who are suffering.
My hope and prayer is that God would be merciful toward those who could be impacted by the hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. If we cannot help directly, we all have the opportunity to go before the throne of grace to beseech God to help those who are in fear and suffering.
Enjoy the Sabbath rest and pray that all will be able to enjoy the rest that God provides soon.
Gary Smith
Showing posts with label Grace. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grace. Show all posts
Friday, September 8, 2017
Friday, April 7, 2017
Hey Maggot!
Maggots. Few things trigger revulsion like the sight of
maggots writhing through rotting food or decomposing road
kill. While they perform a need function in helping in the
decomposition of dead things, they still leave a negative
impression.
Why begin a Sabbath thought with something repulsive such
as maggots?
We find the answer in Job 25 in a comment to Job by Bildad
the Shuhite. Job in the chapter contends that he is righteous.
Bildad doesn’t accept Job’s contention. He says, “How then
can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who
is born of a woman? If even the moon does not shine, and the
stars are not pure in His sight, how much less man, who is a
maggot, and a son of man, who is a worm?" (Job 25:4-6).
Bildad's view of God's dominion and majesty in the heavens
causes him to devalue mortal man as a maggot or a worm. His
conclusion is that man is so disgustingly sinful, like maggots,
in God’s sight there is no possibility of self-justification like
Job.
While Bildad is right in making the point that human beings of
themselves, corrupt and impure, are morally unworthy to have
anything to do with God, he is wrong in making it seem that
mankind is essentially worthless in God's eyes.
However, as we consider Passover, we are reminded that man
has great value in God’s sight. Mankind has value in God’s
sight not because they are righteous and deserving of God’s
positive valuation. God looks positively on men and women
because each one of them has the potential to become a part of
the family of God.
Men and women have the potential to become spirit beings,
living forever, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 5:7).
The Apostle John was inspired to express our value to God in
John 3:14-17, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into
the world to condemn the world, but that the world through
Him might be saved.”
It is true that by our sinful conduct we are no better than
maggots or worms. But through looking to the Lamb of God,
sacrificed for the sins of the world, we can be cleansed of all
unrighteousness and mature to the very stature of Jesus Christ.
Thank God for His grace and mercy in sending his Son to die
for our sins.
Have a most enjoyable Sabbath.
Gary Smith
maggots writhing through rotting food or decomposing road
kill. While they perform a need function in helping in the
decomposition of dead things, they still leave a negative
impression.
Why begin a Sabbath thought with something repulsive such
as maggots?
We find the answer in Job 25 in a comment to Job by Bildad
the Shuhite. Job in the chapter contends that he is righteous.
Bildad doesn’t accept Job’s contention. He says, “How then
can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who
is born of a woman? If even the moon does not shine, and the
stars are not pure in His sight, how much less man, who is a
maggot, and a son of man, who is a worm?" (Job 25:4-6).
Bildad's view of God's dominion and majesty in the heavens
causes him to devalue mortal man as a maggot or a worm. His
conclusion is that man is so disgustingly sinful, like maggots,
in God’s sight there is no possibility of self-justification like
Job.
While Bildad is right in making the point that human beings of
themselves, corrupt and impure, are morally unworthy to have
anything to do with God, he is wrong in making it seem that
mankind is essentially worthless in God's eyes.
However, as we consider Passover, we are reminded that man
has great value in God’s sight. Mankind has value in God’s
sight not because they are righteous and deserving of God’s
positive valuation. God looks positively on men and women
because each one of them has the potential to become a part of
the family of God.
Men and women have the potential to become spirit beings,
living forever, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (1
Corinthians 5:7).
The Apostle John was inspired to express our value to God in
John 3:14-17, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into
the world to condemn the world, but that the world through
Him might be saved.”
It is true that by our sinful conduct we are no better than
maggots or worms. But through looking to the Lamb of God,
sacrificed for the sins of the world, we can be cleansed of all
unrighteousness and mature to the very stature of Jesus Christ.
Thank God for His grace and mercy in sending his Son to die
for our sins.
Have a most enjoyable Sabbath.
Gary Smith
Friday, May 27, 2016
Why Are Some Able To See The Word of God While Others Can’t See It?
Last week in the Sabbath Thought I talked about “the experts.”
I spoke of the scholars and the brightest minds of this world
that cannot see the truth of God’s word. Sadly, they use their
creativity and exceptional abilities to pick God’s word apart.
They use their creative abilities to speculate on how the
writers of the Gospels put their books together. Their
speculations fit with how their carnal minds feel the scriptures
originated. As one analyzes the conclusions the learned put
forward in regard to God’s word, those called out can clearly
see that they are blinded.
Why is that the case? Why are some able to see the word of God while others can’t see it?
Thankfully the Bible helps us to understand the subject of blindness to God’s word. The subject of blindness to God’s truth is spoken of in a variety of ways and places in scripture.
The Apostle John addresses this issue in John 12. Beginning in verse 37, he points out that Christ walked among the people of Judea and the surrounding territories and performed “many signs before them” and “yet they did not believe Him.” John also points out the reason the people did not believe the signs done before them supported that Jesus Christ was the Christ. In fact, he points out in verse 38 that this outcome was prophesied by Isaiah.
He then quotes the prophet, “"Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them" (John 12:38- 40).
What John is pointing out is that one may be able to actually see, hear, and touch Jesus Christ in the flesh, but one can still not truly see or discern the bigger picture. The same is true for God’s word. One may be able to read it and to understand the words, but it seems there is a barrier imposed that does not allow true comprehension.
Paul also makes the point about blindness in Romans 11:7-8. While pointing to the blindness, the Apostle also points out that there are those to whom God has given understanding. “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written, "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."” Paul not only points out the blindness of Israel, but he points out that “the elect have obtained it”. He is saying that God, through His grace, mercy, and power, has opened the understanding of the elect only, in this age. “The rest,” everyone else besides the elect, “were blinded.”
1 Corinthians 2 reveals how it is that the elect can get beyond the blindness. It has nothing to do with intelligence, intellect, or IQ. It has to do with the spirit of God.
The Apostle writes, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Paul is speaking of God’s wisdom which only the “spiritually” mature can understand. It is not the wisdom of this age. It is not wisdom that the rich, the powerful, the well-educated, or the intellectually gifted can understand. If they had been able to understand it, they would not have crucified Jesus Christ. They were blinded to God’s “hidden wisdom”.
How is it that the elect can see? The ability to see “the glorious light of the Gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4) is a gift given to us by God through His Holy Spirit. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Through God’s Spirit, we can see and hear, and truly understand, Jesus Christ and His word. God has removed the veil of blindness (2 Corinthians 3:14-15).
As the elect of God, God has opened the Bible. The truths of God make sense to those called out. “These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Through God’s calling and election, we can see the word of God, but what of the rest of the world? “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). To put it bluntly, the rest of the world, at this time is blinded.
Thankfully, there is coming a time when the veil of spiritual blindness will be taken away from the world. Only then will those now blind come to acknowledge their blindness and seek God’s help to clearly see.
As you enjoy the Sabbath day, take time to consider that God has opened your mind to see the spiritual things that most of the world cannot see.
Have a most pleasant Sabbath.
Gary Smith
Why is that the case? Why are some able to see the word of God while others can’t see it?
Thankfully the Bible helps us to understand the subject of blindness to God’s word. The subject of blindness to God’s truth is spoken of in a variety of ways and places in scripture.
The Apostle John addresses this issue in John 12. Beginning in verse 37, he points out that Christ walked among the people of Judea and the surrounding territories and performed “many signs before them” and “yet they did not believe Him.” John also points out the reason the people did not believe the signs done before them supported that Jesus Christ was the Christ. In fact, he points out in verse 38 that this outcome was prophesied by Isaiah.
He then quotes the prophet, “"Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?" Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again: "He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them" (John 12:38- 40).
What John is pointing out is that one may be able to actually see, hear, and touch Jesus Christ in the flesh, but one can still not truly see or discern the bigger picture. The same is true for God’s word. One may be able to read it and to understand the words, but it seems there is a barrier imposed that does not allow true comprehension.
Paul also makes the point about blindness in Romans 11:7-8. While pointing to the blindness, the Apostle also points out that there are those to whom God has given understanding. “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written, "God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day."” Paul not only points out the blindness of Israel, but he points out that “the elect have obtained it”. He is saying that God, through His grace, mercy, and power, has opened the understanding of the elect only, in this age. “The rest,” everyone else besides the elect, “were blinded.”
1 Corinthians 2 reveals how it is that the elect can get beyond the blindness. It has nothing to do with intelligence, intellect, or IQ. It has to do with the spirit of God.
The Apostle writes, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-8). Paul is speaking of God’s wisdom which only the “spiritually” mature can understand. It is not the wisdom of this age. It is not wisdom that the rich, the powerful, the well-educated, or the intellectually gifted can understand. If they had been able to understand it, they would not have crucified Jesus Christ. They were blinded to God’s “hidden wisdom”.
How is it that the elect can see? The ability to see “the glorious light of the Gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4) is a gift given to us by God through His Holy Spirit. “But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Through God’s Spirit, we can see and hear, and truly understand, Jesus Christ and His word. God has removed the veil of blindness (2 Corinthians 3:14-15).
As the elect of God, God has opened the Bible. The truths of God make sense to those called out. “These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Through God’s calling and election, we can see the word of God, but what of the rest of the world? “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). To put it bluntly, the rest of the world, at this time is blinded.
Thankfully, there is coming a time when the veil of spiritual blindness will be taken away from the world. Only then will those now blind come to acknowledge their blindness and seek God’s help to clearly see.
As you enjoy the Sabbath day, take time to consider that God has opened your mind to see the spiritual things that most of the world cannot see.
Have a most pleasant Sabbath.
Gary Smith
Friday, November 20, 2015
Thanksgiving Gratitude
In light of Thanksgiving, I began a new book, “Thanks! How
Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert A.
Emmons, PhD. The book provided a quote to begin this
week’s Sabbath Thought on page one.
The quote stood out because it offers us a sure fire get rich
scheme. When you read of a “sure fire” get rich scheme, you
are probably thinking what I’m about to say is not reliable.
But consider the quote before making judgment. After
reading the quote, you will probably see how it really is a
certain scheme to insure you will be rich.
“I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you
how to be rich. But I can tell how to feel rich, which is far
better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich, Be grateful . .
.It is the only totally reliable get-rich quick scheme.”
—Ben Stein, actor, comedian, economist
The author of the book has researched the subject of gratitude
and sees it as helpful to conceive of it in two stages. He says,
“First, gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in your
life. In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things
taken together, life is good and has elements that make life
worth living. . . . Second, gratitude is recognizing that the
source(s) of goodness lie at least partially outside the self.
The object of gratitude is other-directed; one can be grateful to
other people, to God, to animals, but never to oneself. . . .
Thanks are directed outward to the giver of gifts.”
Proper thanksgiving is important. Notice the emphasis the
apostle Paul places on thanksgiving:
Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier” by Robert A.
Emmons, PhD. The book provided a quote to begin this
week’s Sabbath Thought on page one.
The quote stood out because it offers us a sure fire get rich
scheme. When you read of a “sure fire” get rich scheme, you
are probably thinking what I’m about to say is not reliable.
But consider the quote before making judgment. After
reading the quote, you will probably see how it really is a
certain scheme to insure you will be rich.
“I cannot tell you anything that, in a few minutes, will tell you
how to be rich. But I can tell how to feel rich, which is far
better, let me tell you firsthand, than being rich, Be grateful . .
.It is the only totally reliable get-rich quick scheme.”
—Ben Stein, actor, comedian, economist
The author of the book has researched the subject of gratitude
and sees it as helpful to conceive of it in two stages. He says,
“First, gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in your
life. In gratitude we say yes to life. We affirm that all things
taken together, life is good and has elements that make life
worth living. . . . Second, gratitude is recognizing that the
source(s) of goodness lie at least partially outside the self.
The object of gratitude is other-directed; one can be grateful to
other people, to God, to animals, but never to oneself. . . .
Thanks are directed outward to the giver of gifts.”
Proper thanksgiving is important. Notice the emphasis the
apostle Paul places on thanksgiving:
In Ephesians 5:20, Paul admonishes us to give,"thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." In 1Thessalonians 5:18, the same apostle instructs us to give thanks "in everything... for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." In Colossians 2:7, Paul says we are to abound, and to overflow with thanksgiving.
Paul practiced what he preached! Aside from the statements of
thanksgiving that he makes in the bodies of his letters, as in
Philippians 4:6, he opens no less than five letters by thanking
God. You will find that in Romans 1:8, 1 Corinthians 1:4,
Philippians 1:3, Colossians 1:3, and 1 Thessalonians 1:2.
In Colossians 3:17, Paul says that, "whatever you do in word
or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God the Father through Him." Here in this verse Paul
indicates the fundamental benefit of gratitude. Being grateful
to God for all that He has given to us impacts how we
approach every day.
We may be facing adversity, struggles, persecution,
heartbreak, pain, and yet we can approach life as the richest
people on the planet. We may be well off, financially set,
have a nice family and home, and our health is good. But we
realize that our riches are not in this world they are the riches
that come from God.
Our riches are based upon our being called out of this world,
God forgiving us of our sins, opening our minds to His truths
and our being prepared for the soon coming Kingdom of
Heaven through Jesus Christ working in our lives through the
Holy Spirit. God has extended His grace and mercy to us
through His Son. Nothing in the physical world can change
that.
This Sabbath before Thanksgiving take some time to recognize the
blessings God has sent your way and to acknowledge the
Giver of every good gift (James 1:17).
Have a pleasant Sabbath and make this Thanksgiving a day of
gratitude to God.
Gary Smith
Friday, July 17, 2015
God Is Always There
My subject for this week’s Sabbath Thought comes from an event that occurred on Sunday, July 12.
On that date a group of church members met at Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas for a winery tour and tasting. It was a most pleasant opportunity to get together with brethren in a social situation.
As the occasion came to a close we headed back home on Highway 6. About the time we arrived in Alvin, Texas my phone rang. On the line was a woman who was frantic. We had difficulty hearing the caller but eventually deduced that the lady had just arrived back in Houston from the Middle East and was requesting anointing for her son.
We also learned that her son had been in prison for eight months and just been released fairly recently. Upon his release he went back to taking drugs and had taken drugs and gotten behind the wheel of his car. Not being used to the amount of drugs taken, he suffered cardiac arrest and had an accident.
When rescuers arrived at the scene, they did not think that the driver of the vehicle had survived. But they got him out of the vehicle and transported him to the hospital. There he remained unresponsive for three days before his mother arrived.
The mother of this young man was not a member of the United Church of God, but a part of the many “Churches of God” that characterize this age of the Church. She also understood anointing and that God is capable of intervention to heal. She was applying God’s instruction in James 5:14-15, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
We arrived at the hospital and met the mother and father. The mom was especially emotional because the prospects for her son’s recovery were not good.
I anointed the young man asking God to intervene in the situation and as I did so I could see his eyes open a bit. It seemed he was looking at me, but there was no recognition.
After speaking with the mother for a short time, we went home assuring the mother that we would be praying for her son’s healing. As we looked at the seriousness of the situation, we realized that without God’s direct intervention there was little hope. That realization is very hard for a parent to accept.
Interestingly, on Monday, we received a call from the mother in regard to this young man. She told us that the boy had awakened and had become responsive. The doctor was surprised by the outcome, but the nurse and the mother knew why the young man had taken a turn for the better. They knew that God in His mercy had intervened in this tragedy in order to give the youth another chance at life.
Why did God choose to intervene in this particular situation? We know, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). We know God is gracious and He is merciful to all in many ways. It is not always clear why God chooses to intervene in one situation over another.
But we can be assured that when we go to God with our ailment through being anointed by an elder that God hears our prayer and considers our situation. He will then act in the way that is best for us as it relates to eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
We can take comfort in the fact that God is always there for us.
Happy Sabbath,
Gary Smith
On that date a group of church members met at Haak Winery in Santa Fe, Texas for a winery tour and tasting. It was a most pleasant opportunity to get together with brethren in a social situation.
As the occasion came to a close we headed back home on Highway 6. About the time we arrived in Alvin, Texas my phone rang. On the line was a woman who was frantic. We had difficulty hearing the caller but eventually deduced that the lady had just arrived back in Houston from the Middle East and was requesting anointing for her son.
We also learned that her son had been in prison for eight months and just been released fairly recently. Upon his release he went back to taking drugs and had taken drugs and gotten behind the wheel of his car. Not being used to the amount of drugs taken, he suffered cardiac arrest and had an accident.
When rescuers arrived at the scene, they did not think that the driver of the vehicle had survived. But they got him out of the vehicle and transported him to the hospital. There he remained unresponsive for three days before his mother arrived.
The mother of this young man was not a member of the United Church of God, but a part of the many “Churches of God” that characterize this age of the Church. She also understood anointing and that God is capable of intervention to heal. She was applying God’s instruction in James 5:14-15, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
We arrived at the hospital and met the mother and father. The mom was especially emotional because the prospects for her son’s recovery were not good.
I anointed the young man asking God to intervene in the situation and as I did so I could see his eyes open a bit. It seemed he was looking at me, but there was no recognition.
After speaking with the mother for a short time, we went home assuring the mother that we would be praying for her son’s healing. As we looked at the seriousness of the situation, we realized that without God’s direct intervention there was little hope. That realization is very hard for a parent to accept.
Interestingly, on Monday, we received a call from the mother in regard to this young man. She told us that the boy had awakened and had become responsive. The doctor was surprised by the outcome, but the nurse and the mother knew why the young man had taken a turn for the better. They knew that God in His mercy had intervened in this tragedy in order to give the youth another chance at life.
Why did God choose to intervene in this particular situation? We know, “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). We know God is gracious and He is merciful to all in many ways. It is not always clear why God chooses to intervene in one situation over another.
But we can be assured that when we go to God with our ailment through being anointed by an elder that God hears our prayer and considers our situation. He will then act in the way that is best for us as it relates to eternal life in the Kingdom of God.
We can take comfort in the fact that God is always there for us.
Happy Sabbath,
Gary Smith
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