Hungry Hungry Hippo Habitat: Thoughts About God

Tossing mountains

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 03:56:31 GMT

In Matthew 21, Jesus and his disciples were walking along the road towards the city when Jesus became hungry. Seeing a fig tree, he examined it more closely only to discover that it had produced no fruit. Jesus then pronounced a curse on the tree, saying, “may you never bear fruit again!” Matthew records that the tree immediately withered, to the amazement of the disciples who still hadn’t quite figured out that Jesus was really God.

They asked him in astonishment, “how did the fig tree wither so quickly?” as though they really didn’t comprehend the fact that the tree had withered only because Jesus had commanded it. Jesus then replied with this famous and often misunderstood statement:

Matthew 21

21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

Jesus is really teaching two lessons here: faith, and fruitfulness.

One remarkable thing stands out over the last two millennia since Jesus spoke these words: nobody has ever been documented as having successfully ordered a mountain to relocate itself into the sea. In fact, history doesn’t record one instance of a man’s command even budging a mountain by a few inches. Does this mean that not one single person since the time of Jesus has “had faith” and “not doubted?” I don’t think this to be the case at all. Rather, I think Jesus was using hyperbole and metaphor to make a point: that nothing is too big for God to handle.

I am sure that for centuries many who claim the name of Christ have tried very hard and prayed very hard for a literal mountain to be moved as proof of their faith. So why has this never happened? Consider this: what purpose would be served by God’s kids throwing mountains around like volleyballs? I’m sure it would be great fun, but how would it advance God’s kingdom? Would transplanting the Matterhorn into the Mediterranean Sea, or moving Pike’s Peak to Oklahoma serve God in any way? In most cases, such a display would serve only to bring reverence and honor to the individual rather than to God – something completely contrary to God’s purposes. So why do we often take these verses at face value rather than looking at the deeper meaning behind Jesus’ words?

When we pray, what are our motives? Are our prayers requesting God’s intervention to exalt his kingdom, or to exalt our kingdoms? Are we seeking our own glory and self-interest, or are we seeking to bring glory to God? Many of our prayers are not answered because we ask with wrong motives (James 4:3).

When we pray for the advancement of God’s kingdom as Jesus instructed us in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10), he will answer our prayers – every time. He will move every mountain that stands before us. He will make straight and level paths for our feet (Isaiah 26:7). He will bring us success, and make us fruitful. This is the only way we can produce fruit for God’s kingdom. We must make ourselves available to him for his purposes. If our prayers are self-seeking, we are not producing fruit for God’s kingdom. If we produce no fruit, we are as useless to Jesus as that fig tree was.

Faith, hope, and love

Fri, 09 Feb 2007 04:53:24 GMT

Paul devotes an entire chapter to this subject in First Corinthians 13. This famous passage ends with verse 13:

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

I always wondered exactly what that meant. Then one day it hit me - the answer was in verse 8:

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

The prophecies that are fulfilled are just that - they are fulfilled, completed, finished. The languages will be stilled (who speaks Hittite or Aramaic anymore?) Knowledge passes away more quickly now than ever (are you Novell certified? Who cares?)

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

Because one day, faith will be made sight. All those who have put their faith in Jesus for salvation will no longer live by faith, but will see him and know him face to face. One day hope also will be fulfilled; our hope of being with Jesus and reuniting with loved ones will be reality, and hope will have served its purpose, for who hopes for what he already has?

But love - love endures forever. The love God showed us when he died on the cross for you and me, he will continue to demonstrate to us richly forever and ever.

Love never fails.

A few thoughts about Christmas

Tue, 13 Dec 2005 19:40:23 GMT

Here are just a few of the prophecies and predictions made about the Messiah hundreds of years before Jesus was born. I've included the reference to the prophecy, the approximate date when it was originally written down, and the reference to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. These prophecies were made by many different people spread out over hundreds of years, and yet they were all fulfilled within a 33 year period between Jesus' birth and his resurrection. It's not a coincidence!

Prophecy about the Messiah	Old Testament prophecy	Date of prophecy	Fulfillment in Jesus Christ
He would be born of a virgin	Isaiah 7:14	~ 700 B.C.	Matthew 1:18-25
He would be from the tribe of Judah	Genesis 49:10	1450-1410 B.C.	Luke 3:23-33
He would be descended from Jesse	Isaiah 11:1	~ 700 B.C.	Luke 3:32
He would be from the royal line of David	Jeremiah 23:5	627-586 B.C.	Luke 3:32
Although he is descended from David, he is David's Lord	Psalm 110:1	1010-970 B.C.	Matthew 22:41-46
He would be born in Bethlehem	Micah 5:2	742-687 B.C.	Matthew 2:1
He would be preceded by a messenger	Isaiah 40:3	~681 B.C.	Matthew 3
He would enter Jerusalem on a donkey	Zechariah 9:9	~480 B.C.	Luke 19:35-37
His friend would betray him	Psalm 41:9	1010-970 B.C.	Matthew 26:48-50
His betrayer would receive 30 pieces of silver	Zechariah 11:12	~480 B.C.	Matthew 26:15
He would stand silent before his accusers	Isaiah 53:7	~681 B.C.	Matthew 27:12
His hands and feet would be pierced	Psalm 22:16	1010-970 B.C.	Luke 23:33, John 20:25
He would be executed with criminals	Isaiah 53:12	~681 B.C.	Matthew 27:38
He would pray for those who persecuted him	Isaiah 53:12	~681 B.C.	Luke 23:34
His clothing would be divided by lot among his executioners	Psalm 22:18	1010-970 B.C.	John 19:23-24
He would be given gall and vinegar for his thirst	Psalm 69:21	1010-970 B.C.	Matthew 27:34
None of his bones would be broken	Psalm 34:20	1010-970 B.C.	John 19:33
His side would be pierced	Zechariah 12:10	~480 B.C.	John 19:34
He was buried among the wealthy	Isaiah 53:9	~681 B.C.	Matthew 27:57-60
He would be raised from the dead	Psalm 16:10	1010-970 B.C.	Acts 2:29-36

The entire story of Jesus was written hundreds of years before he lived it out. The people who were witness to these events didn't even realize at the time that these scriptures were being fulfilled before their very eyes. After Jesus rose from the dead, he met up with two of his friends on the road to Emmaus (this is recorded in Luke 24:13-35). They didn't recognize him, and they were in a state of confusion over the events of the past few days - Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, and news of the empty tomb. Jesus walked along with them and began explaining the scriptures about himself to them. Jesus most likely made reference to these exact scriptures and others like them. Then their eyes were opened, and he disappeared from their sight.

What a comfort it is at Chrismas to know that God has it all planned out beforehand, and that he is faithful and able to fulfill his promises. Remember Jesus this Christmas. Just consider the marvelous way he came to earth and the tremendous sacrifice he willingly endured to rescue us. May you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas!

Potential

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 04:13:25 GMT

Allow me to think out loud for a few moments. I find myself doing this a lot lately.

I know a lot of people. I often find myself thinking about their potential. In particular, I am thinking about people I know who do not have God in their lives.

People who have so much to offer, but nothing to apply it towards. They have such great potential to accomplish worthwhile things, but they can see nothing worthy of their devotion. Or they offer their devotion to things that are unworthy of it.

I have run through daydreams like this many times. I muse to myself, "how would this person's life be different if they were living for Jesus instead of living for... nothing?" Whenever I've stopped to ponder such things about a someone I know, it blows my mind.

One friend is an extremely talented musician, but has no outlet for this gift. What if this person were using his gifts for God? How many lives would be touched as a result (including his own?) His talents would be used for something greater than entertainment or wiling away the time. He'd have a sense of purpose and a joy from bringing glory to God and leading others to do the same. He would be able to accomplish something great by doing what he loves to do. That's the way God intended life to be!

Another friend is a wonderfully outgoing person who lights up the room just by entering it. But I know that in private, her world is in turmoil. How would her life be different if she were living it for Jesus? She'd no longer be living in fear and discouragement. She wouldn't underestimate her value by basing her self-worth on what certain other people have been telling her about herself. She'd find a purpose in life greater than what she is presently chasing. She'd no longer seek fulfullment and validation in all the wrong relationships. God would be able to use her sweet personality to be a blessing to others, and she'd realize just how very valuable she truly is.

I have another friend who is seeking purpose in his life. Sometimes life seems meaningless. He knows there is so much more to life than the day-in day-out. It reminds me of a scene at the beginning of The Matrix. He senses that there is something wrong with the world, but he can't quite put a finger on it. Something is missing. There is a hole that nothing has been able to fill. There is a song by Plumb that says it better than I can:

There's a God-shaped hole in all of us
And the restless soul is searching
There's a God-shaped hole in all of us
And is a void that only He can fill

It blows my mind to imagine how his life would be different if he would turn to God to fill that hole. The day-to-day would be replaced by a sense of eternity. The drudge of daily life would be replaced by a purpose, a reason, a sense of a mission in life. He'd have a sense of identity - as a beloved child of God, and an heir of all the riches of God's kingdom. He'd realize that God has been using the circumstances in his life to bring him here to this point where he can meet God. God does nothing by accident.

My imagination is pretty vivid. The difference that God would make in each of these lives is not a mere fantasy in my own mind, though. It is something that I've seen in the lives of others already, and indeed in my own life. From my own experience, I know that living for God is infinitely better than living for myself. Turning inward accomplishes nothing. Turning to God is the first step on a path that will never disappoint. A life lived for God isn't without pain, but it's secure. Nothing can ever seperate me from the love of God. Not life; not death. In fact, each will only serve to draw me nearer to him.

I want my friends to have that same assurance. Confidence in God's goodness. Faith in his faithfulness. Trust in his love for them. I can't make them turn to Jesus, though. What I can do is live my life in such a way as to show them how much God loves them. I can do my best to tell them what God has done for me and what he will do for them if they would just trust him. I'm certainly not perfect, and I fail at this often. But God always gives us second chances. And third. And fourth... and...

The hope of seeing my friends trust in Jesus, living in joy and victory, and having hope and assurance that there is more to life than just this world - that is what encourages me to continue praying for them. To continue showing them God's love. To step out of my selfishness and seek the best for others.

I see what great potential they have. I've seen how God can change a person's life. I want that for my friends. I want them to have joy, purpose, and a sense of belonging and being loved. I want them to live up to their God-given potential. I want them to realize their potential. I want to live up to my own potential. I by myself am not much. I plus God can do anything. (Although I can't seem to make that sentence look grammatically correct. But you get the point, I hope.)

You know what? God does this same thing. He sees your true potential. He knows the plans he has for you and me. He knows what we are intended to become - he's the one who has made these plans for us:

Jeremiah 29:11-14

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile."

A life lived for God is never wasted, and never regretted.

Thoughts About God - The Love Letter

Fri, 30 Sep 2005 04:24:46 GMT

I've had this photocopied in my Bible for a long time now. I'm not even sure where I got it, but I stumbled across it this week and it is definitely worth sharing. Each phrase is taken from a verse in the Bible, and I have linked them accordingly. Enjoy:

My dear child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit and when you rise. I am familiar with all your ways - I know everything about you. I even know the number of the hairs on your head. I made you in my image. In me you live and move and have your being, for you are my offspring. I knew you even before you were conceived. I chose you when I was planning creation - even before time began. You are not a mistake. All of your days are written in my book. I determined the exact time of your birth, who your parents would be, and where you would live. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I knit you together in your mother's womb, and I brought you forth on the day you were born.

I have been misrepresented by those who do not know me. I am not distant and angry. Rather, I am the complete expression of love. It is my greatest desire to lavish my love upon you, simply because you are my child and I am your father. I offer you more than your earthly father ever could, because I am the perfect father. Every good gift you receive comes from my hand (even though you may not realize it), because I am your provider, and I meet all of your needs. My plan for your future has always been filled with hope, because I love you with an everlasting love. My thoughts toward you are more numerous than the grains of sand on all the beaches of the world. I rejoice over you with singing! I will never stop doing good to you, for you are my treasured possession. I desire to establish you with all my heart, and I want to show you great and marvelous things - things beyond your imagination!

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Delight in me, and I will give you the desires of your heart, for it is I who gave you those desires in the first place. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. I am your greatest encourager - I am the father who comforts you in all of your troubles. When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes, and I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.

I am your father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. It is in Jesus that my love for you is revealed. He is the exact representation of my being. He came to demonstrate that I am for you - not against you. He came to die for you so that you and I could be reconciled, and when we are reconciled, your sins will not be counted against you. His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. I offer my love through my son as a gift to you - if you receive him, you receive me. And once you accept Jesus, nothing will ever - ever - seperate you from my love again. Come home, and I'll throw the biggest party Heaven has ever seen! I have always been God the Father, and I shall be God the Father forevermore. My question for you is: will you be my child? I'm standing at the door and knocking - will you let me in?

I'm waiting for you.

Love,

Your Dad - The Lord God Almighty

Thoughts About God - Omniscience

Thu, 15 Sep 2005 22:03:26 GMT

When I was a young child in Sunday School, one of my teachers was trying to explain God's omnipotence and omniscience to the class. It must have been 3rd or 4th grade, and I can't even remember who the teacher was now, but this has stuck with me for all those years. The teacher said, "God can think about every single person in the world at the same time, and still give you His undivided attention."

I must have pondered this paradox for a long time back then, because it has never left my mind. Even though this statement is a paradox, it is not a contradiction. Much later in life, I was exposed to the joke about how "you're a very special and unique person - just like everybody else." I laughed of course, and have since used the phrase myself jokingly. But when it comes down to it, it's just as true as the first statement, isn't it?

There are two remarkable things I learned from this:

God loves me more than I will ever know, and is constantly watching over me - never more than a prayer away. And God loves you in exactly the same way. Each of these thoughts are humbling. First, that God would love me completely even though I have never done and could never do anything to deserve it. Second, that his love is for everyone. I don't have the right to look down on another person when I know that God created them in his image and loves them enough to die for them as well as me.

So remember, even though God has a big universe to keep track of, he is more than capable. He will never be too distracted by anything to give you his full attention.