Last week I received an email from Thomas Nelson Publishers with the above title. Of course they were referring to a book, but I wondered if the double entendre had missed their attention. Thank God the Bible assures us the grace of God through Jesus is abundant in supply (Phil. 4:19).
Because we are finite creatures occupying a finite world, with finite minds, we are barely able to comprehend the word “limitless.” Perhaps because most of us are so self-consciously aware of our own intellectual and moral weaknesses, we cannot appreciate infinite power. And not only that, we are constantly reminded by evironmentalists that we are living on an earth with dwindling resources. If we live by sight rather than faith, we won't see God's unlimited supply. And worse, we'll live within the scope of our limitations.
The Israelites limited the God of Israel (Ps. 78:40-43) when they were in a desert with limited resources. They focused on their deprivation and forgot that God had just performed miracles and signs in Egypt. They provoked God by doubting His ability to provide (Heb. 3:16). But the same thing can happen to us if we forget that our heavenly Father’s power resides within us “to accomplish infinitely more than we could ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). And we don’t have to worry about supplies running out.
Showing posts with label limits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label limits. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Thursday, September 8, 2011
I Can't Imagine
I’ve been thinking a lot lately—not just randomly, but deliberately—about what God may be calling me to do in the future. It has occurred to me that I have to think out of the box (“my” box), that is, not limited by my own imagination. Shelly Lazarus, former CEO of one of the most prestigious New York advertising firms, says, "If you can think it, you can do it." Normal Vincent Peale said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” Is that biblical? On the other hand, Henry Ford said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.” Well, I don’t want to think more highly of myself than I should, nor be limited by whether “I” think I can. I want to be thinking what God can do.
The apostle Paul said, God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). Though Jesus defied the laws of nature, cast out demons, restored crippled limbs, healed the blind and deaf, and raised the dead, he proclaimed “whoever believes in me will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12). I don’t know about you, but I can hardly imagine doing greater things than Jesus did. But that’s my problem. I’m limited by “my” thoughts and “my” imagination.
The likely interpretation of Jesus’ words is that while He was limited by time and space, we would take the Gospel to the entire world and where the spiritual realm, called the kingdom of God, would have no end. No limitations. Jesus knew the power of God would work through us to accomplish these “greater things” and the “good works” He Himself created us to do (Eph. 2:10), We must be vigilant with ourselves not to be limited by what we can think or imagine. We must have higher thoughts (Col. 3:2-3).
The apostle Paul said, God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20). Though Jesus defied the laws of nature, cast out demons, restored crippled limbs, healed the blind and deaf, and raised the dead, he proclaimed “whoever believes in me will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12). I don’t know about you, but I can hardly imagine doing greater things than Jesus did. But that’s my problem. I’m limited by “my” thoughts and “my” imagination.
The likely interpretation of Jesus’ words is that while He was limited by time and space, we would take the Gospel to the entire world and where the spiritual realm, called the kingdom of God, would have no end. No limitations. Jesus knew the power of God would work through us to accomplish these “greater things” and the “good works” He Himself created us to do (Eph. 2:10), We must be vigilant with ourselves not to be limited by what we can think or imagine. We must have higher thoughts (Col. 3:2-3).
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Unmentionables
I heard a word the other day I hadn't heard in awhile. When is the last time you heard someone refer to underwear as ‘unmentionables?’ If you did, it was probably said as a joke. But you know it hasn’t been that long since undergarments were considered to be ‘unmentionable.’ Of course the larger meaning of the word is anything that is inappropriate or improper to mention in polite conversation. But is there a common definition of “polite conversation?” When did TV advertisers start showing models of women’s (or men’s) underwear? It gets worse. Many formerly unmentionable subjects are common with advertisers pushing the limits of decency. And not only that, but what used to be called “foul” language is no longer. Even some pastors think it's OK to use crude language in the pulpit. Is everyone pushing the limits?
How do we as Christians navigate our way through this crazy culture? Where do we draw the lines? Does the Bible have anything to say about what is and what is not ‘unmentionable?’ Yes, it does.
“Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them…and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Eph. 4:29; 5:4). We can only wonder what David’s culture was like when he says “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD.” (Ps. 19:14)
How do we as Christians navigate our way through this crazy culture? Where do we draw the lines? Does the Bible have anything to say about what is and what is not ‘unmentionable?’ Yes, it does.
“Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them…and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks” (Eph. 4:29; 5:4). We can only wonder what David’s culture was like when he says “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD.” (Ps. 19:14)
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