At CTV we believe that God speaks to us through the Bible. We hear from God better when we read and interact with his written word together. Below you will find the Bible reading for each week day, along with some initial comments from one of our facilitators. May God meet and shape us through this conversation! Visit us online @ ChurchInTheVineyard.org ~ Pastor Chip
In Psalm 14, David explains that our orientation towards God (do we acknowledge Him in our hearts) impacts our worldview and our behavior towards others. David invites us to view a scene from Earth, replete with individuals who are totally focused upon themselves. Their orientation is not towards God (upward) or toward their fellow man (outward). David depicts men “who do not call upon God” and evil doers who “devour” others and attempt to “destroy the dreams of the poor.”
In startling contrast, David paints a poignant picture of a loving and intentional God, looking down from Heaven, to find any man or woman, who is seeking Him. God’s orientation, we see, is outward and downward. Throughout the Bible, from Adam to Judas, man both hides and turns away from God. Because our orientation is inward, “all we like sheep have gone astray.”
I recently heard a Christian comedian say: Teenagers are God’s revenge on mankind; so we can feel what it’s like to create someone in our own image, love them with our entire hearts, and have them who deny our very existence! I can laugh when I hear this. However, when I consider my precious Heavenly Father who created me and suffered unimaginable pain to pay for my mistakes, I grieve that I have frequently acted according to my own wants and desires, shutting Him out.
When we first read this Psalm, Christians do not identify with the “fool.” After all, we believe in God. However, if our orientation is not consistently upward and outward, we are what commentator called “practical atheists.” Our Faith (orientation towards God) is only made real to the degree we act upon it.
Thankfully, for all of mankind, God’s orientation is downward, outward and personal. In Psalm 14, He promises to be a “companion to the righteous and a refuge to the poor.” This invites Christians to let God change our orientation in an ultimate, personal way. God “with us” changes everything in our lives, and impacts our behavior towards others, both Christians and non-Believers.
So let’s ask ourselves, can true Christians act as fools? If so, how does this happen and what can be done about it? Also, is the way I treat others proportional to the amount of love I have for God?
In Psalm 14, David explains that our orientation towards God (do we acknowledge Him in our hearts) impacts our worldview and our behavior towards others. David invites us to view a scene from Earth, replete with individuals who are totally focused upon themselves. Their orientation is not towards God (upward) or toward their fellow man (outward). David depicts men “who do not call upon God” and evil doers who “devour” others and attempt to “destroy the dreams of the poor.”
ReplyDeleteIn startling contrast, David paints a poignant picture of a loving and intentional God, looking down from Heaven, to find any man or woman, who is seeking Him. God’s orientation, we see, is outward and downward. Throughout the Bible, from Adam to Judas, man both hides and turns away from God. Because our orientation is inward, “all we like sheep have gone astray.”
I recently heard a Christian comedian say: Teenagers are God’s revenge on mankind; so we can feel what it’s like to create someone in our own image, love them with our entire hearts, and have them who deny our very existence! I can laugh when I hear this. However, when I consider my precious Heavenly Father who created me and suffered unimaginable pain to pay for my mistakes, I grieve that I have frequently acted according to my own wants and desires, shutting Him out.
When we first read this Psalm, Christians do not identify with the “fool.” After all, we believe in God. However, if our orientation is not consistently upward and outward, we are what commentator called “practical atheists.” Our Faith (orientation towards God) is only made real to the degree we act upon it.
Thankfully, for all of mankind, God’s orientation is downward, outward and personal. In Psalm 14, He promises to be a “companion to the righteous and a refuge to the poor.” This invites Christians to let God change our orientation in an ultimate, personal way. God “with us” changes everything in our lives, and impacts our behavior towards others, both Christians and non-Believers.
So let’s ask ourselves, can true Christians act as fools? If so, how does this happen and what can be done about it? Also, is the way I treat others proportional to the amount of love I have for God?