1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."
Today's blog is about how we must follow our unchanging God and not the ever-changing world. I'm sure it's true with all generations, but I am amazed and shocked by how much the world I live in has changed in my short lifetime. The wickedness of our culture in values, morals, tolerance, and behavior is flabbergasting and the acceptance of it is worrisome. We live in a throw-away society, where very few things remain lasting; marriages, jobs, family ties, and the golden rule of treat others how you want to be treated. We do have a safe, unchanging place to go to, Jesus Christ. "In the darkest hours of life, only through the eyes of faith can we see the loving hand of God." [ odb.org]
Even when we feel discouraged and disconnected from God, we can remember that He will help us advance in our faith by making us more like His Son. His Word assures us that “He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). [odb.org]
"One reason we stop following God’s plan is the influence of our culture. Ungodly people are always ready to give believers advice, and too often we find the world’s methods and “wisdom” attractive. Divine direction is needed if we are to set ourselves apart from nonbelievers’ thinking and yet stay close enough to be able to share God’s viewpoint and message of hope with them." [intouch.org]
Our unchanging God, however, has promised that His loving mercy endures forever. In Psalm 136, the singer celebrates this wonderful promise by making statements about God’s wonder, work, and character. He then punctuates each statement about God with the phrase, “For His mercy endures forever.” Whether it is the wonder of His creation (vv.4-9), the rescue of His people (vv.10-22), or His tender care for His own (vv.23-26), we can trust Him because His mercy will never fail. In a temporary world, the permanence of God’s mercy gives us hope. We can sing with the psalmist, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1). [odb.org]
Our trust is also strengthened by God's inviolable, steadfast, never-failing faithfulness. God's goodness inclines him to make his promises, and his faithfulness engages him to keep them. If the Word has once gone out of his mouth, heaven and earth shall pass away sooner, than one iota of it will fail (Luke 21:33). God in faithfulness will make good his promises. He never has and never will fail the man who puts his trust in him (Psalm 9:10). - Thomas Lye
It’s not our responsibility to change our culture. Only the power of God through the gospel can do that! We are good—and we please God—when our hope and faith are in Christ alone, not in our goodness.
Christ frees us from the penalty
And power of our sin,
And He will change society
As hearts are changed within. —Sper
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."
Philippians 3:8
"I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
Today's blog is about how we must follow our unchanging God and not the ever-changing world. I'm sure it's true with all generations, but I am amazed and shocked by how much the world I live in has changed in my short lifetime. The wickedness of our culture in values, morals, tolerance, and behavior is flabbergasting and the acceptance of it is worrisome. We live in a throw-away society, where very few things remain lasting; marriages, jobs, family ties, and the golden rule of treat others how you want to be treated. We do have a safe, unchanging place to go to, Jesus Christ. "In the darkest hours of life, only through the eyes of faith can we see the loving hand of God." [ odb.org]
Even when we feel discouraged and disconnected from God, we can remember that He will help us advance in our faith by making us more like His Son. His Word assures us that “He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). [odb.org]
"One reason we stop following God’s plan is the influence of our culture. Ungodly people are always ready to give believers advice, and too often we find the world’s methods and “wisdom” attractive. Divine direction is needed if we are to set ourselves apart from nonbelievers’ thinking and yet stay close enough to be able to share God’s viewpoint and message of hope with them." [intouch.org]
Our unchanging God, however, has promised that His loving mercy endures forever. In Psalm 136, the singer celebrates this wonderful promise by making statements about God’s wonder, work, and character. He then punctuates each statement about God with the phrase, “For His mercy endures forever.” Whether it is the wonder of His creation (vv.4-9), the rescue of His people (vv.10-22), or His tender care for His own (vv.23-26), we can trust Him because His mercy will never fail. In a temporary world, the permanence of God’s mercy gives us hope. We can sing with the psalmist, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever” (v.1). [odb.org]
Our trust is also strengthened by God's inviolable, steadfast, never-failing faithfulness. God's goodness inclines him to make his promises, and his faithfulness engages him to keep them. If the Word has once gone out of his mouth, heaven and earth shall pass away sooner, than one iota of it will fail (Luke 21:33). God in faithfulness will make good his promises. He never has and never will fail the man who puts his trust in him (Psalm 9:10). - Thomas Lye
It’s not our responsibility to change our culture. Only the power of God through the gospel can do that! We are good—and we please God—when our hope and faith are in Christ alone, not in our goodness.
Christ frees us from the penalty
And power of our sin,
And He will change society
As hearts are changed within. —Sper
I sing of mercies that endure,
Forever builded firm and sure,
Of faithfulness that never dies,
Established changeless in the skies. —Psalter
God’s grace is immeasurable; His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible.
Forever builded firm and sure,
Of faithfulness that never dies,
Established changeless in the skies. —Psalter
God’s grace is immeasurable; His mercy inexhaustible; His peace inexpressible.
Such a wonderful quote from Corrie Ten Boom, reminding us where our gaze should be fixed!!
ReplyDeleteNorth Hills Baptist Church uses a compass as their logo to focus us on our direction, find your direction here. Your blog reminds me to find my true direction and not to be distracted by the things of this world. It is important to find our proper direction, in order to follow Christ. Thanks for the great blog. Love You, Dad
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