Posts Tagged ‘spiritual disciplines’

17
Nov

Seeing God’s Glory: Beholding as a Means to Becoming

   Posted by: Michael Stalker  in God

We’ve talked so far about seeing God’s glory as a means to change. We first need to state that no one here on earth can see God directly and live (see Exodus 33:18-23). God dwells in unapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16). Only Jesus has seen the Father directly (John 6:46).

But we may still see a measure of God’s glory in this life. Before we look any more at the specific ways we can behold God’s glory, we first need to ask, “Does the Bible teach that beholding the glory of God produces personal change?” Let’s see what Scripture says.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared: but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.

1 John 3:2

Beholding God is a means of becoming like God. But is this the only place Scripture teaches this? What does God say through Paul?

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

We also see this in the gospels when Jesus changed water into wine. Jesus’ disciples saw what he did. What effect did it have on them?

This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

John 2:11

Jesus’ disciples believed in Him when they saw his glory. We know that miracles do not coerce faith. Someone can see a miracle and harden his or her heart. Nevertheless, seeing God’s glory in a miracle like the disciples did when Jesus turned water into wine can be a powerful means of growing in faith.

And who can forget Isaiah’s commission from the Lord?

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train[a] of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” And he said, “Go, and say to this people…”

Isaiah 6:1-9

We see this kind of encounter with Jacob, Job, Peter, and many others. It was often a pivotal moment in their lives. Seeing God’s glory is a powerful way to become like Christ. It undergirds all other means of personal change. Let us pray and strive to behold God’s glory!

For personal reflection:

  • How are you currently seeking to behold the glory of God?
  • What practices can you take up to see His glory more clearly?
  • Is there anything in your life that obscures your view of God’s glory? Any sin you are unwilling to give up? See Isaiah 59:1-2

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19
Oct

Trust God and Do Good

   Posted by: Michael Stalker  in Sermons

This morning Mickey Connolly of CrossWay Community Church exhorted us to trust God and do good when life doesn’t go our way. He showed us the example of David. David trusted God. He never charged God of wrongdoing or demanded an answer from Him. What a man of faith! But how do we get that kind of faith and Christian maturity in our own lives?

Maturity doesn’t happen overnight. It comes in a series of small decisions to trust God with small things. The big decisions people make are often the culmination of a character that they developed over the span of years and decades. So if life isn’t tough for you right now, spend time cultivating godly character. Make a habit of regular Bible reading and prayer. Fellowship with other believers. Share your faith with non-Christians. Serve in any way you can. Months and years of doing this will make a big difference when a crisis hits.

Not every big disappointment waits until we are fully prepared to handle it well, though, does it? So what do you do if you’re currently struggling with a major disappointment in your life? I’d recommend everything Mickey said. Please listen to the sermon if you haven’t, yet. In addition to what Mickey suggested, here are some things that have helped me deal with some pretty big disappointments I’ve had over the past few years.

  • Read Scripture
    Reading my Bible every day has helped me through some times when I thought I couldn’t go on. Scripture helped me get God’s perspective on things. When I suffer, the first thing I lose is a proper perspective.
  • Pray
    Being honest to God and talking to Him about my situation has helped tremendously. It’s never right to be angry at God, since that’s an expression of accusing God of wrongdoing. But the Psalms are full of people expressing themselves to God. God knows what you’re thinking and feeling. Talking to Him about your situation helps you run to God instead of away from Him.
  • Talk to other people about your disappointment
    Telling others what you’re going through does a few things. It has helped others know how to pray for me. It opens me up to receive the insights, encouragement, and even correction from others. I’ve been meeting with a friend on a regular basis to talk about God, growth, how I’m doing, and how I’m responding to my circumstances. This has been a lifeline! One suggestion: make sure you pick one or more people who are wise and mature in their Christian walk. Challenging life situations will only be made worse by bad advice. You need biblical wisdom, not worldly opinion.
  • Read good books
    The ones that have helped me most come in two varieties.

    1. Books about God
      These put my struggles in perspective by helping me realize the immensity and grandeur of God. The Cross of Christ by John Stott, The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer, and God and Creation by Herman Bavinck are three that have been particularly helpful. Desiring God and The Pleasures of God by John Piper are very good, as well.
    2. Books about suffering or disappointment
      You’ve got to be careful with these, since there are some lousy books on this topic. I’ve benefitted from Lost in the Middle by Paul Tripp and Depression by Ed Welch. In Two Minds (re-published as God in the Dark) by Os Guinness has helped me at times when I’ve been tempted to question God. I just started reading How Long, O Lord? by D. A. Carson. It looks like a promising book, and I have only heard good reviews about it.

    Life is short. Read good books.

I’ll try to follow up with some more suggestions that have helped me. What has helped you trust God in the midst of your disappointments?

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