Tag: God

A Fresh Start

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 4, 2015

It’s Time to Plant, Water, Nurture, and Prune

A friend recently shared how much she was enjoying spring, of seeing flowers bloom and once dormant grass turn green. I connected with her joy, warmed by the thought of spring and the new life it represents. I was happy for her, but then I grew somber.

I have no green grass in my yard to celebrate: no new life, just the brown of dirt.

Though this gave me pause, it quickly reminded me of opportunity. My yard represents a blank canvas, a chance to create something new. It offers a fresh start.

Soon grass seed will be sown and after that, flowers and bushes and trees will make their appearance.

The brown of potential will give way to the color of life. My yard will come alive, and I expect it will one day look delightful.

I wonder if God considers us the same way, as people of potential, as soil awaiting transformation.

In God’s eyes our past is forgiven and forgotten, our present offers potential, and our future beckons with the hope of something wonderful and amazing to behold.

However, the outcome is not assured. Just as I need to plant and water to transform my dreary brown yard into a pleasant lawn, so too, we need to let God work in us: to plant and water, to nurture and grow, and, yes, to periodically prune.

Then we can grow, becoming much more than who we are today.

God offers us a new beginning. May we open ourselves to his design for us, accepting his plan for our lives. May we allow him to grow us into something new and wonderful to behold.

God offers us a fresh start, beginning today; don’t miss out.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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Tags God, grace

Bible Insights

Are Cherubim Angels?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 19, 2015

Last week we asked if seraphim are the same as angels? We discovered there is no biblical evidence to suggest they are. Now we ask the same question about cherubim.

The Bible mentions cherubim much more than seraphim. In fact, there are 69 verses (in the NIV) with either cherubim (the plural form) or cherub (the singular form).

All but one of these mentions are in the Old Testament, many relating to the construction of the tabernacle and temple.

Just as with seraphim, none of these 69 verses says that cherubim are angels. The dictionary defines them as “celestial beings,” just as it does for seraphim.

Cherubim have wings and fly, but they also have hands. Their wings make a loud sound and can be heard from far away. Some are in heaven, around the throne of God. David even writes about God riding them.

Although cherubim are not angels, they are some amazing supernatural beings.

Next we’ll look at what the Bible teaches us about angels and then archangels.

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Tags God, heaven, King David, supernatural

Christian Living

What Does The Sword of the Spirit Mean?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date February 8, 2015

Understand the Word of God

In the letter Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus he tells them to put on spiritual armor. Included in his list of gear is only one offensive item: “the sword of the Spirit,” which he says is the word of God.

Many people understand this as a reference to the Bible, the written word of God. Until a few years ago, I did, too (even though the Bible as we know it today didn’t exist back when this was written).

We are then to use the words of the Bible to combat evil and the evil one; it is our weapon to fend off the attacks of the devil and his minions. Sadly, too many people do use the Bible as a weapon, but against each other.

They fling Bible verses like rocks, attempting to advance their point and subdue all disagreement. They forget the real enemy is not in the physical world but in the spiritual one. They forget to listen to each other and to love one another.

Other people see this instruction as a reference to the spoken word of God: the words of the Holy Spirit who directs each of us.

Though a bit jarring to many, this understanding seems more consistent with the text, since it says the word of God is the sword of the Spirit, connecting word with Spirit.

While I think this is a correct understanding, it’s also a risky one. What if we hear wrong? What if what I hear contradicts with what you hear? Then we have a problem.

However, we must keep in mind that the spoken word of God should align with the written word of God. If the two are in conflict, then what we think we heard must be in error.

With so much at stake, some people bypass the Holy Spirit and go straight to the Bible. While this might be safe, it falls short of God’s intent.

Instead, we should listen to the spoken words of the Holy Spirit, confirming them with the written words of the Bible.

This is what the sword of the Spirit means to me.

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Tags Bible, God, Holy Spirit, Sword of the Spirit

Christian Living

Are You Being Fed at Church?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 12, 2014

It’s Your Job to Spiritually Feed Yourself

Have you ever heard someone grumble about church by saying, “I’m just not being fed”? Perhaps you’ve even said it. I have. However, we’re not talking about physical food, but spiritual sustenance.

When we say this, we sound so righteous, but what we’re really doing is complaining that church doesn’t give us what we want. Where are you being fed?

We too often look at church through the eyes of the modern consumer, demanding church will meet our needs, to give us something in return for our investment of time and money.

When church fails to meet our expectations, our first impulse is to act like a shopper and take our business elsewhere.

However, the main purpose of church isn’t for us to receive what we want; it’s for us to give. We give God what he desires, and we give people what they need. Our goal at church should be to worship God and to serve others.

It’s countercultural today, but it’s what Jesus modeled for us two thousand years ago. Let’s follow his example today.

Yes, sometimes we are hurting, and sometimes we are in need. Then we should go to church to rest and to receive. But our normal, prevailing attitude at church—and everywhere else, for that matter—should be one of giving.

After all, it is better to give than receive. So don’t go to church to get something out of it but with the intent to give something to it: worship God and serve others.

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Tags church, God, worship

Christian Living

God Never Calls In Sick

For the first time in several years, I have a cold. I’m too wired to sleep but too drowsy to do much else; I alternate between too hot and too cold. I don’t deal with illness well, just ask my wife.

My cold has thrown me off my routine, detracting from the daily rhythms I have with God. Although I know he’s as close as always, I don’t sense his presence; praying is a challenge.

What a wimp I am for letting a minor physical ailment affect my spiritual well-being. Though I may take a sick day or two, God never does.

Unlike me, some people grapple with life-threatening health issues, yet they stay on track spiritually.

I’ve also known people who struggled with the death of a loved one, a failed business, a wayward child, a significant financial setback, or long-term unemployment.

Like Job, in the Bible, their faith remains strong and may even grow. Some will later say they’re thankful for their ordeal because it brought them closer to God.

However, others encounter these same life trials and are quick to blame God. They turn their backs on him and abandon their faith. Their reaction is their undoing. God is still there for them, but they’re not willing to let him.

When life’s major issues assail me, I hope I’ll remain strong and respond like the first group of people, but the way I react to a cold, makes me wonder.

Fortunately for me, God never calls in sick, even when I do.

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Tags God

Christian Living

Don’t Make God Boring

To me, God is a mystery: a beautiful, elusive mystery. I cannot possibly comprehend all there is to know about him. I will never have an answer to every question people ask about him or fathom how he functions.

I’m okay with that. In fact, I celebrate it.

There’s an allure to not knowing.

If a person could fully understand God, that wouldn’t make him much of a god, would it? Complete comprehension of who he is would reduce him to our level.

Who wants to follow a god like that, something only slightly more complex than you or I?

A god we fully comprehend would be boring.

But my God isn’t boring, and I’m quite intolerant of people who try to make him that way. These are the scholarly, intellectual types who write books that attempt to subject God to structure, to force him into a box (or book) they can hold.

They even have a name for this: Systematic theology. I’m not sure if their puny, pitiful efforts amuse God or anger him. What I do know is I don’t ever want to fall into this trap.

I would never try to quantify my wife or attempt to delineate who she is. That would be futile and quite boring. Besides, my efforts would most likely irritate her. I love her and that’s what matters.

I don’t know anyone who would formulate a “systemic theology” of his or her spouse, so why do some people think they need to quantify and delineate God?

Why do some people insist on taking God, with his mystery, illusion, and allure, and make him boring? Please, don’t ever do that.

Today, and every day, may we truly celebrate who God is, embracing his unfathomable depths and his endless layers.

Let’s just love him.

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Tags God, mystery

Bible Insights

Celebrate God

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date January 16, 2014

The prophet Amos had some condemning words for the people of Israel. Through Amos, God unleashed a lament against his chosen people.

He says he despises their religious festivals, and their assemblies are a stench to him. Yeah, I get that.

Those people sure rebelled against God. They deserved his stern rebuke. They went through the motions of worship but forgot to focus on why. To their shame they didn’t really understand who God is.

Yet, I wonder if those words also apply to us today. Does God also despise our efforts at church? Are our gatherings a stench to him?

God continues his stinging reproach. He calls the noise of their song and refuses to listen to their music.

Does God think the same way about our worship music today?
Does our preoccupation with music style, instrument selection, volume level, worship team, and pursuit of excellence repel God?

I hope not, but I fear it might be so.

A couple chapters later God says what he will do. He will turn their religious celebrations into mourning; he will change their singing into tears.

Sometimes (too often) I sit in church and want to cry, at least on the inside. I thought this was because I was bored and disconnected, but now I wonder if maybe God isn’t revealing a bit of his heart to me.

I fear there is more to worship God, so much more, but we largely miss it.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Amos 4-6 and today’s post is on Amos 5:21-23.]

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Tags God, worship

Bible Insights

Is God Your Fortress, Stronghold, Deliverer, and Shield?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date November 14, 2013
2 Comments on Is God Your Fortress, Stronghold, Deliverer, and Shield?

Some of the Psalms are a lament, while others are a rant. (Too many, for my taste.) However, there are also Psalms that celebrate God and affirm the Almighty. (I like those.)

Psalm 144:2 proclaims God is our fortress, stronghold, deliverer, and shield. In short, he keeps us safe from harm and our enemies.

But to realize this, we need to be at the right place. A shield only protects when we stand behind it; a citadel only keeps us safe once we’re inside; and a liberator can only free those who will follow him.

If we’re not in the right place, we may be foolish to assume no harm will befall us. Yes, I believe God wants the best for us, but I also realize I need to cooperate with him to fully realize it.

May we strive to remain where we need to be, so we can fully receive all God has to offer.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Psalm 140-144 and today’s post is on Psalm 144:2.]

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Tags God

Bible Insights

Don’t Help Me, God: Instead Make Me

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 19, 2013

Help Me versus Make Me

As I read the Psalms in the Amplified Bible this week, a curious phrase jumped out. The writer says to God, “Make me understand the way of your precepts.”

Notice, he didn’t ask for assistance by saying, “Help me.” He was direct; he implored God to “Make me.”

The NIV reads, “Cause me to understand the way of your precepts.” That’s not as strong as “make me,” but it’s still much different than “help me.”

I’m dismayed to admit that while I often ask God to “help me,” I’ve never once implored the Almighty to “make me” do anything.

Saying, “help me” suggests I’m in charge and merely want God’s assistance. Saying, “make me” acknowledges his power and relinquishes control to him, letting him be in charge instead of me.

I think I’ll reform my prayers. Instead of asking God to help me, I’ll allow him to make me.

I expect a profound difference.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Psalms 119, and today’s post is on Psalm 119:27.]

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Tags free will, God

Bible Insights

The Bible’s two Testaments

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date June 27, 2013

Transitioning from the Old to New Testament

Consider that the Bible’s two testaments, its two sections.

The Old Testament of the Bible presents God’s original way of interacting with his people (a covenant). It consists of a list of rules and expectations (the law).

The New Testament of the Bible introduces Jesus and a new way to interact with God. Jesus sets aside the old rules and asks people to believe in him (a new covenant).

When does this transition from the old way to the new way occur? It’s simplistic to say the Bible’s two Testaments represent the demarcation. I always thought the switch started in earnest when Jesus died and was completed when he resurrected.

However, Jesus says the old way of doing things applied until John the Baptist began baptizing people and telling them to get ready. This implies the new way begins when John points people to Jesus.

Perhaps John’s preaching is the pivotal point between the old and new ways of doing things.

Regardless of when the transition occurred, it has happened and Jesus provides a new way to connect with God.

[John 5:24, Luke 16:16, and Luke 9:23]

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Tags God, New Testament, Old Testament