Monday, April 26, 2010
The Bible is From God, not man
Something that has helped me over the recent years to understand the things that I had, (have) trouble with in the Bible is this. The Bible is from God to us, not from some counsel in the past, not from prophets or disciples. The Bible is God breathed, there are no contradictions, from Gen. to Rev. If I feel I have found a contradiction, then my understanding of Gods word is wrong. The Bible completely harmonizes with it's self. Yes it is difficult to understand sometimes, but if the Bible was an easy read we would read it once, and then put it down just like every other book we read. The Bible is living and alive, and it is Gods word, moving and working in our lives.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
First Draft of the first chapter of my up coming book
Not What I Expected:
Thoughts About Expectations
By Todd Ledbetter
Chapter 1
Introduction
Before the Beginning of Time
All of us, every human on this earth has been born. That's an obvious statement. From the time before we were born, there have been expectations about us, for us and of us. When my wife was pregnant with our son, one of the first things my wife did was to buy the book, “What to Expect When You're Expecting”. The book detailed what an expecting mother could expect through out each of the nine month of pregnancy, as well as what to expect with the babies growth in the womb. That was 19 years ago, now there are books on what to expect from before you are expecting to, what expect the first year, at the dentist, the doctor, at a play date, and when using the potty. There are books and web site dedicated to every expectations you can possibly imagine.
Those books I must say are quite helpful and full of interesting information, especially for a first time parent. The unknown can be a very scary and exhilarating place for many first time moms, for others knowledg is control, knowing exactly what to expect give you a sense of peace and control . But what happens if things go wrong? Wrong during the pregnancy, wrong at birth, wrong in the first year, at the Doctor. I think most parents have experienced what it is like for a play date to go wrong, haha. It is for most, a heart breaking and very difficult time in ones life when something seriously unexpected happens. I am thankful for a healthy child, but we did go through one miscarriage before my son was conceived. It was a sad time, but we got through it and tried again with success.
Many people get what they never expected. I have some friends that live this reality every day. One couple, that I am friends with have a son that has Downs Syndrome, and another couple has a son with Aspergers Syndrome. I will say though, these are wonderful boys. Life is funny that way, you are blessed in so many ways by the unexpected. One of my wifes best friends had a still birth over thirty years ago, and another young couple that are friends had a still birth just few months ago. Again, not what they expected. These are life changing events, but some how we get through the worst things we could ever imagine.
This is not another book about, what else you can expect as you are becoming a parent. I am using the very real example of birth, and child rearing to demonstrate that we have expectations in every area of our lives, and sometimes we don't get what we expected. I could very well make the example with marriage. We don't expect to get a devoice in 5 years from the day of our wedding, we don't expect to get laid off from our job, and worse things like war, murder, and rape.
This is not a book about, why do bad thing happen to good people. Well then was am I talking about? I don't know! No I'm just kidding, of coarse I know. I'm talking about EXPECTATIONS! Why you ask? What is so exceptional about expectations? Well I expect you expect me to answer that. Well I'm going to try.
Expectations is probability more complicated than you may first think, or at least I'm going to try and make it more complicated ;)
I wonder if we even realize how many expectations we have in a single day? I think you will be surprised at how many expectations we have of our family, yourself, your friends, coworkers and even strangers every day of your life. From the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we go to sleep at night, assuming you can sleep. Some of you lay awake half the night planning your expectations for the next day, or replaying the disappointment from unrealized expectations of the day. We spend our entire day living in expectations. I guess this is where I struggle. My question is, are expectations right, wrong, or both. Is there proper application for expectations or do we just set are selves up for failure and disappointment? I have been thinking and studying this question for two and a half years now and I think I am more confused now than I was when I started. It's the “more you know, the less you know” syndrome.
I am going to dissect this word, this action, this feeling, this... whatever it is. It's hard to describe what expectations is. I know what the dictionary says it is. ex•pec•ta•tion \ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən, ik-\ n
1540
1 :the act or state of expecting : anticipation 〈in expectation of what would happen〉
2 a:something expected 〈not up to expectations〉 〈expectations for an economic recovery〉
b:basis for expecting : assurance 〈they have every expectation of success〉
c : prospects of inheritance — usu. used in pl.
3: the state of being expected
How does this apply to our lives? The way I read these definitions, it means different things. For example, the first definition is anticipation (in expectation of what would happen). That is what would happen if every thing went as planned or as you would like it to go, or go wrong if things continued on the same path. It is related to foreseeing or forecasting. What are the first things that come to your mind when you hear those words? I think of Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers, and Weather Men. The second definition is (not up to expectations) and (expectations for an economic recovery). Well as we all know in the last few years, the economy is unpredictable and subject to many forces. The powers that be have been telling us we are in an economic recovery state for as long as we have been in this recession. None of these are a sure thing, predictable or foreseeable. I am certainly not going to put my hope and faith in a bunch of talking heads that can not foresee the future of anything. They may get close, they may have excesses why or why not something is or isn't, but it seem like it is a hit and miss proposition. I petty much expect the weather man to be wrong about everything other than sunny and 70 degrees in southern California.
If expectations seem so unpredictable why do we put so much time and energy into them. I think throughout the day we are almost always in a state of expectation in one form or another. I don't think Websters Dictionaries definitions even come close to accurately relating all the subtle and not so subtle ways we experience expectations.
As I go back and read what I have written, something stands out to me. I used the phrase “hope and faith”. As a Christian, those words are used a lot amongst Christians. I just said, expectations are at best unpredictable, but my understanding of the word hope is, as far as Christians use it is, Confident Expectation, the word Faith is to rely on something not seen. Hear are the Webster definitions.
1faith \ˈfāth\ n
pl faiths \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāṯẖz\ [ME feith, fr. AF feid, fei, fr. L fides; akin to L fidere to trust — more at bide] 13c
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person :loyalty
b (1) :fidelity to one’s promises
(2) :sincerity of intentions
2 a (1) :belief and trust in and loyalty to God
(2) :belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1) :firm belief in something for which there is no proof
(2) :complete trust
3 :something that is believed esp. with strong conviction esp : a system of religious beliefs 〈the Protestant faith〉 syn see belief —on faith : without question 〈took everything he said on faith〉
1hope \ˈhōp\ vb
hoped; hop•ing [ME, fr. OE hopian; akin to MHG hoffen to hope] vi bef. 12c
1 :to cherish a desire with anticipation 〈hopes for a promotion〉
2 archaic :trust vt
1 :to desire with expectation of obtainment
2 :to expect with confidence :trust syn see expect — hop•er n —hope against hope :to hope without any basis for expecting fulfillment
———————
2hope n
bef. 12c
1 archaic :trust, reliance
2a:desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment 〈came in hopes of seeing you〉 also :expectation of fulfillment or success 〈no hope of a cure〉
b :someone or something on which hopes are centered 〈our only hope for victory〉
c :something hoped for
OK, first of all, 2.b. From the faith definition “firm belief in something for which there is no proof” sticks out to me as a slap in the face. Just to simplify my protest about this definition I will say this. There is proof of God everywhere, from His creation, to miraculous healing, to lives transformed by His Spirit. Enough on that for now, we will pick up on this and other themes in future forecasted chapters that I expect to write.
There is something there though, especially from a Christian perspective. Which is defiantly where I am coming from. From a world view, expectations can bring, cause or lead to many things, such as joy, success, disappointment, disaster. It can be good, great, not so great, and bad. Where as the Divine perspective of expectation, confident expectation, HOPE, leads to Jesus. For me thats a great thing, it's everything, it's the only thing that truly matters. Don't take that the wrong way though, I do care about other thing, and people. But without Jesus I could not, did not, and do not truly give love in the way that love is meant to be given.
What is love? Love means a lot of different things to most people at different ages. Here is what the Bible says love is:
I Corinthians 13
“If I speak in the tonguesa of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,b but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”.
a Or languages
b Some early manuscripts body that I may boast
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Co 13:1-14:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Have you ever read that passage before? I mean really read it. Do you understand what it Paul is saying? Go back and read it a few more times. I know you probably wont, but please read it again, even if you have read it a hundred times before, even if you have it completely memorized. Please go back now and read it again, even if these verses were recited in your wedding ceremony, give this verse some serious thought before you continue any further, Selah.
I marvel at the celerity of this chapter about what love is, and what it is not. How many of us truly understand this truth and live it as a practice
throughout our daily lives. Well if you are raising your hand or giving
yourself a mental pat on the back, go back and read I Corinthians 13 again. Pay special attention to, “ it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” then put your hand down Saint, PLEASE INSERT YOUR NAME HERE.
So there it is Faith, Hope and Love, “but the greatest of these is love”. It looks like Love is very important, duh!. How does it relate to expectations? The simple answer is that is relates to everything. Here is something my Seminary Professor, Dr. Troy S. Welch at Channel Island Bible Collage and Seminary said about what love is. It is obviously based on Corinthians 13, and is simplified for those of us Biblically Challenged. It goes like this, “Agape- which is a self sacrificial love that manifests itself in giving and continues to love regardless of the response”. This is defiantly one of the top five truths I got out of seminary. Give that some thought and compare it to I Corinthians 13. This definition of love, and Corinthians 13, have everything to do with expectations. If you, if I, if we, can live this kind of love, Agape love, it will shape how we define expectations.
When I think about expectations, I find a new applications of them that I didn't realize I was using. I am going to outline and detail all of the different applications of expectations I have thought of. Not in every decision I have ever made, this is not a confessional tell all book. I am going to attempt to give some thoughts, insights and perspective on different ways we use expectations. We expect everything and yet not everything we expect has come to fruition. Some how we must change, recover, rethink our expectations. Why do we expect so much, of ourselves for example. We can be our own worst critic, so hard on ourselves that we in turn place expectations on others that will never be met. We even use it as a control mechanism. We use it to control our spouse, our kids, our parents, our friends, our coworkers, our employees, and we even try to control God. Yes it is true that we only want the best for our family and friends and our situation at work, but how much of our expectations fly in the face of True Love as it is laid out for us in I Corinthians 13 and the Agape definition of love I shared with you? How much of our expectations are based in the “is not & does not” part of this verse. Here is what part I am talking about: “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil. I know the word evil seems harsh to describe someones actions, especially our own, we don't like to think of people or our actions as evil, but if you are not behaving good then you are being bad, and some people love being bad. If you or I are living our life in the “is not, does not” part of I Corinthians, then we would be living the exact opposite of love, doing exactly what love is not and does not. We have all done it, but most of us make adjustment, apologies, we ask forgiveness and we give forgiveness, and move on. How much better would it be if we could be content with life, and not rage on people, or hurt them with our words and actions.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:11 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength”.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Php 4:11-13). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
In II Corinthians 12:10 it says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (2 Co 12:10). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
These, I know are hard to comprehend verses for you, especially taken out of there context, Just the other day in discussing this subject, my friends response was, “you are a under achiever without expectations”. I couldn't disagree more. Achievement has nothing to do with expectations in my opinion. These two verses tell us exactly that and are true to Love and an amazing example of expectations in the right perspective.
There is one more element to expectations I will expound on in this book, and that is GRACE! If you are starting to get where I am going here, you are definitely going see how important Grace is to the Expectations equation. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor”, Grace is to receive something you did not earn or deserve. The ultimate example of grace is Jesus. We did not deserve to be forgiven of our sins, but Jesus hung on the cross willingly, and took upon Himself our sin. He died there on the cross carrying upon His shoulders all of our past, present, and future sin. This for anyone else would have been absolutely unbearable. This is one more in my top 5 lessons I learned in Seminary, and I have tried to apply it in my live. Grace has been freely given to us, so we should, without a doubt, give it back. Once again, don't take this wrong. There are consequences to our actions, and we will “reap what we sow”, just to use a little Christian ease lingo. Because God offers grace, so shall I. When developing my expectations, I will also develop GRACE.
Thoughts About Expectations
By Todd Ledbetter
Chapter 1
Introduction
Before the Beginning of Time
All of us, every human on this earth has been born. That's an obvious statement. From the time before we were born, there have been expectations about us, for us and of us. When my wife was pregnant with our son, one of the first things my wife did was to buy the book, “What to Expect When You're Expecting”. The book detailed what an expecting mother could expect through out each of the nine month of pregnancy, as well as what to expect with the babies growth in the womb. That was 19 years ago, now there are books on what to expect from before you are expecting to, what expect the first year, at the dentist, the doctor, at a play date, and when using the potty. There are books and web site dedicated to every expectations you can possibly imagine.
Those books I must say are quite helpful and full of interesting information, especially for a first time parent. The unknown can be a very scary and exhilarating place for many first time moms, for others knowledg is control, knowing exactly what to expect give you a sense of peace and control . But what happens if things go wrong? Wrong during the pregnancy, wrong at birth, wrong in the first year, at the Doctor. I think most parents have experienced what it is like for a play date to go wrong, haha. It is for most, a heart breaking and very difficult time in ones life when something seriously unexpected happens. I am thankful for a healthy child, but we did go through one miscarriage before my son was conceived. It was a sad time, but we got through it and tried again with success.
Many people get what they never expected. I have some friends that live this reality every day. One couple, that I am friends with have a son that has Downs Syndrome, and another couple has a son with Aspergers Syndrome. I will say though, these are wonderful boys. Life is funny that way, you are blessed in so many ways by the unexpected. One of my wifes best friends had a still birth over thirty years ago, and another young couple that are friends had a still birth just few months ago. Again, not what they expected. These are life changing events, but some how we get through the worst things we could ever imagine.
This is not another book about, what else you can expect as you are becoming a parent. I am using the very real example of birth, and child rearing to demonstrate that we have expectations in every area of our lives, and sometimes we don't get what we expected. I could very well make the example with marriage. We don't expect to get a devoice in 5 years from the day of our wedding, we don't expect to get laid off from our job, and worse things like war, murder, and rape.
This is not a book about, why do bad thing happen to good people. Well then was am I talking about? I don't know! No I'm just kidding, of coarse I know. I'm talking about EXPECTATIONS! Why you ask? What is so exceptional about expectations? Well I expect you expect me to answer that. Well I'm going to try.
Expectations is probability more complicated than you may first think, or at least I'm going to try and make it more complicated ;)
I wonder if we even realize how many expectations we have in a single day? I think you will be surprised at how many expectations we have of our family, yourself, your friends, coworkers and even strangers every day of your life. From the moment we wake up in the morning to the moment we go to sleep at night, assuming you can sleep. Some of you lay awake half the night planning your expectations for the next day, or replaying the disappointment from unrealized expectations of the day. We spend our entire day living in expectations. I guess this is where I struggle. My question is, are expectations right, wrong, or both. Is there proper application for expectations or do we just set are selves up for failure and disappointment? I have been thinking and studying this question for two and a half years now and I think I am more confused now than I was when I started. It's the “more you know, the less you know” syndrome.
I am going to dissect this word, this action, this feeling, this... whatever it is. It's hard to describe what expectations is. I know what the dictionary says it is. ex•pec•ta•tion \ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən, ik-\ n
1540
1 :the act or state of expecting : anticipation 〈in expectation of what would happen〉
2 a:something expected 〈not up to expectations〉 〈expectations for an economic recovery〉
b:basis for expecting : assurance 〈they have every expectation of success〉
c : prospects of inheritance — usu. used in pl.
3: the state of being expected
How does this apply to our lives? The way I read these definitions, it means different things. For example, the first definition is anticipation (in expectation of what would happen). That is what would happen if every thing went as planned or as you would like it to go, or go wrong if things continued on the same path. It is related to foreseeing or forecasting. What are the first things that come to your mind when you hear those words? I think of Palm Readers, Fortune Tellers, and Weather Men. The second definition is (not up to expectations) and (expectations for an economic recovery). Well as we all know in the last few years, the economy is unpredictable and subject to many forces. The powers that be have been telling us we are in an economic recovery state for as long as we have been in this recession. None of these are a sure thing, predictable or foreseeable. I am certainly not going to put my hope and faith in a bunch of talking heads that can not foresee the future of anything. They may get close, they may have excesses why or why not something is or isn't, but it seem like it is a hit and miss proposition. I petty much expect the weather man to be wrong about everything other than sunny and 70 degrees in southern California.
If expectations seem so unpredictable why do we put so much time and energy into them. I think throughout the day we are almost always in a state of expectation in one form or another. I don't think Websters Dictionaries definitions even come close to accurately relating all the subtle and not so subtle ways we experience expectations.
As I go back and read what I have written, something stands out to me. I used the phrase “hope and faith”. As a Christian, those words are used a lot amongst Christians. I just said, expectations are at best unpredictable, but my understanding of the word hope is, as far as Christians use it is, Confident Expectation, the word Faith is to rely on something not seen. Hear are the Webster definitions.
1faith \ˈfāth\ n
pl faiths \ˈfāths, sometimes ˈfāṯẖz\ [ME feith, fr. AF feid, fei, fr. L fides; akin to L fidere to trust — more at bide] 13c
1 a: allegiance to duty or a person :loyalty
b (1) :fidelity to one’s promises
(2) :sincerity of intentions
2 a (1) :belief and trust in and loyalty to God
(2) :belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion
b (1) :firm belief in something for which there is no proof
(2) :complete trust
3 :something that is believed esp. with strong conviction esp : a system of religious beliefs 〈the Protestant faith〉 syn see belief —on faith : without question 〈took everything he said on faith〉
1hope \ˈhōp\ vb
hoped; hop•ing [ME, fr. OE hopian; akin to MHG hoffen to hope] vi bef. 12c
1 :to cherish a desire with anticipation 〈hopes for a promotion〉
2 archaic :trust vt
1 :to desire with expectation of obtainment
2 :to expect with confidence :trust syn see expect — hop•er n —hope against hope :to hope without any basis for expecting fulfillment
———————
2hope n
bef. 12c
1 archaic :trust, reliance
2a:desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment 〈came in hopes of seeing you〉 also :expectation of fulfillment or success 〈no hope of a cure〉
b :someone or something on which hopes are centered 〈our only hope for victory〉
c :something hoped for
OK, first of all, 2.b. From the faith definition “firm belief in something for which there is no proof” sticks out to me as a slap in the face. Just to simplify my protest about this definition I will say this. There is proof of God everywhere, from His creation, to miraculous healing, to lives transformed by His Spirit. Enough on that for now, we will pick up on this and other themes in future forecasted chapters that I expect to write.
There is something there though, especially from a Christian perspective. Which is defiantly where I am coming from. From a world view, expectations can bring, cause or lead to many things, such as joy, success, disappointment, disaster. It can be good, great, not so great, and bad. Where as the Divine perspective of expectation, confident expectation, HOPE, leads to Jesus. For me thats a great thing, it's everything, it's the only thing that truly matters. Don't take that the wrong way though, I do care about other thing, and people. But without Jesus I could not, did not, and do not truly give love in the way that love is meant to be given.
What is love? Love means a lot of different things to most people at different ages. Here is what the Bible says love is:
I Corinthians 13
“If I speak in the tonguesa of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,b but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”.
a Or languages
b Some early manuscripts body that I may boast
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (1 Co 13:1-14:1). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Have you ever read that passage before? I mean really read it. Do you understand what it Paul is saying? Go back and read it a few more times. I know you probably wont, but please read it again, even if you have read it a hundred times before, even if you have it completely memorized. Please go back now and read it again, even if these verses were recited in your wedding ceremony, give this verse some serious thought before you continue any further, Selah.
I marvel at the celerity of this chapter about what love is, and what it is not. How many of us truly understand this truth and live it as a practice
throughout our daily lives. Well if you are raising your hand or giving
yourself a mental pat on the back, go back and read I Corinthians 13 again. Pay special attention to, “ it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” then put your hand down Saint, PLEASE INSERT YOUR NAME HERE.
So there it is Faith, Hope and Love, “but the greatest of these is love”. It looks like Love is very important, duh!. How does it relate to expectations? The simple answer is that is relates to everything. Here is something my Seminary Professor, Dr. Troy S. Welch at Channel Island Bible Collage and Seminary said about what love is. It is obviously based on Corinthians 13, and is simplified for those of us Biblically Challenged. It goes like this, “Agape- which is a self sacrificial love that manifests itself in giving and continues to love regardless of the response”. This is defiantly one of the top five truths I got out of seminary. Give that some thought and compare it to I Corinthians 13. This definition of love, and Corinthians 13, have everything to do with expectations. If you, if I, if we, can live this kind of love, Agape love, it will shape how we define expectations.
When I think about expectations, I find a new applications of them that I didn't realize I was using. I am going to outline and detail all of the different applications of expectations I have thought of. Not in every decision I have ever made, this is not a confessional tell all book. I am going to attempt to give some thoughts, insights and perspective on different ways we use expectations. We expect everything and yet not everything we expect has come to fruition. Some how we must change, recover, rethink our expectations. Why do we expect so much, of ourselves for example. We can be our own worst critic, so hard on ourselves that we in turn place expectations on others that will never be met. We even use it as a control mechanism. We use it to control our spouse, our kids, our parents, our friends, our coworkers, our employees, and we even try to control God. Yes it is true that we only want the best for our family and friends and our situation at work, but how much of our expectations fly in the face of True Love as it is laid out for us in I Corinthians 13 and the Agape definition of love I shared with you? How much of our expectations are based in the “is not & does not” part of this verse. Here is what part I am talking about: “It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil. I know the word evil seems harsh to describe someones actions, especially our own, we don't like to think of people or our actions as evil, but if you are not behaving good then you are being bad, and some people love being bad. If you or I are living our life in the “is not, does not” part of I Corinthians, then we would be living the exact opposite of love, doing exactly what love is not and does not. We have all done it, but most of us make adjustment, apologies, we ask forgiveness and we give forgiveness, and move on. How much better would it be if we could be content with life, and not rage on people, or hurt them with our words and actions.
The Bible says in Philippians 4:11 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength”.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (Php 4:11-13). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
In II Corinthians 12:10 it says, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.) (2 Co 12:10). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
These, I know are hard to comprehend verses for you, especially taken out of there context, Just the other day in discussing this subject, my friends response was, “you are a under achiever without expectations”. I couldn't disagree more. Achievement has nothing to do with expectations in my opinion. These two verses tell us exactly that and are true to Love and an amazing example of expectations in the right perspective.
There is one more element to expectations I will expound on in this book, and that is GRACE! If you are starting to get where I am going here, you are definitely going see how important Grace is to the Expectations equation. Grace is defined as “unmerited favor”, Grace is to receive something you did not earn or deserve. The ultimate example of grace is Jesus. We did not deserve to be forgiven of our sins, but Jesus hung on the cross willingly, and took upon Himself our sin. He died there on the cross carrying upon His shoulders all of our past, present, and future sin. This for anyone else would have been absolutely unbearable. This is one more in my top 5 lessons I learned in Seminary, and I have tried to apply it in my live. Grace has been freely given to us, so we should, without a doubt, give it back. Once again, don't take this wrong. There are consequences to our actions, and we will “reap what we sow”, just to use a little Christian ease lingo. Because God offers grace, so shall I. When developing my expectations, I will also develop GRACE.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Jesus Is Baptized and Tempted
Luke 3:1-22; 4:1-13; Psalm 103:1-4; Proverbs 17:28
Jesus has been temped in every way that man has been tempted. How was He able to resist? He had been harassed by satin for 40 days, he was starving and must have been so week, almost to death! It is one of the most amazing accounts of Jesus in the Bible. Sometime I can't resist temptation even on a full stomach, with plenty of rest. Sometimes it is actually the food and laziness that entices me, like a piece of cheese in a mouse trap, I am lead to certain death.
As I reflect on this, I seem acutely aware of how much I don't understand about God's word. I have more questions than answers. Maybe you can help me understand. I ask the question again.
How was he able to resist temptation?
Yes, I know he is Jesus.
Yes, I know He is the Son of God.
Yes, He is God!
But How?
The Bible say's in Luke 3:21-22:
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Yes, of course, the Holy Spirit, that must be it. It goes on to say in Luke 4:1, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,". Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit that lead Jesus to the desert in the first place. But, I still have questions. First of all;
Was this the first time Jesus received the Holy Spirit? The Scripture say's it descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove. Secondly;
If this was the first time Jesus received the Holy Spirit, How was He able to remain sinless for 30 years up to this point?
I know that God's spirit worked different before Jesus ascended to the Father. Again I need your help, so if you don't mind, help me out.
Maybe it was Scripture!!! Jesus was answering satin with verses from His electronic Bible He downloaded to His wireless smart phone! No, wireless communication wasn't that good back then, not to mention no phones. Jesus must have memorized Scripture, and apparently satin had been doing some memorization as well. I wonder, does knowing God's word in your mind and your heart to the point that you use it to resist temptation, and with the help of the Holy Spirit control your actions, have anything to with how Jesus was able to do it?
I know we are not Jesus.
I know we are not the Son of God.
I know we are not God. But,
We are sons of God.
We are Children of God.
We are made in His image.
Here's the last question,
Is it possible we as Christians could resist temptation by living the Scriptures, by being filled by the Holy Spirit in the way that Jesus did? Help me out here!
Rejoice in Jesus,
Todd Ledbetter
Jesus has been temped in every way that man has been tempted. How was He able to resist? He had been harassed by satin for 40 days, he was starving and must have been so week, almost to death! It is one of the most amazing accounts of Jesus in the Bible. Sometime I can't resist temptation even on a full stomach, with plenty of rest. Sometimes it is actually the food and laziness that entices me, like a piece of cheese in a mouse trap, I am lead to certain death.
As I reflect on this, I seem acutely aware of how much I don't understand about God's word. I have more questions than answers. Maybe you can help me understand. I ask the question again.
How was he able to resist temptation?
Yes, I know he is Jesus.
Yes, I know He is the Son of God.
Yes, He is God!
But How?
The Bible say's in Luke 3:21-22:
21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Yes, of course, the Holy Spirit, that must be it. It goes on to say in Luke 4:1, "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit,". Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit that lead Jesus to the desert in the first place. But, I still have questions. First of all;
Was this the first time Jesus received the Holy Spirit? The Scripture say's it descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove. Secondly;
If this was the first time Jesus received the Holy Spirit, How was He able to remain sinless for 30 years up to this point?
I know that God's spirit worked different before Jesus ascended to the Father. Again I need your help, so if you don't mind, help me out.
Maybe it was Scripture!!! Jesus was answering satin with verses from His electronic Bible He downloaded to His wireless smart phone! No, wireless communication wasn't that good back then, not to mention no phones. Jesus must have memorized Scripture, and apparently satin had been doing some memorization as well. I wonder, does knowing God's word in your mind and your heart to the point that you use it to resist temptation, and with the help of the Holy Spirit control your actions, have anything to with how Jesus was able to do it?
I know we are not Jesus.
I know we are not the Son of God.
I know we are not God. But,
We are sons of God.
We are Children of God.
We are made in His image.
Here's the last question,
Is it possible we as Christians could resist temptation by living the Scriptures, by being filled by the Holy Spirit in the way that Jesus did? Help me out here!
Rejoice in Jesus,
Todd Ledbetter
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Jesus the King Is Born
Matthew 1:18-23; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 102:12-15; Proverbs 17:2.
It is good to reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus. We have heard the story so many times in a multitude of ways, ( Sunday School, Christmas programs), But to sit down and reflect on the account that the Bible gives revives my spirit. The amazing circumstances that seemed at first devastating and shameful are reviled as a miraculous blessing to all man kind. It still blows me away how when the Holy Spirit works in our lives, it is unmistakable. My prayer is for me to get out of my way and let the Holy Spirit invade my every thought and action, so that God will be Glorified. God's plans are His, and as a local preacher said in his sermon recently, "God takes responsibility for a life fully devoted to Him", (see Matt 10:16).
Praying for total surrender,
Todd Ledbetter
It is good to reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus. We have heard the story so many times in a multitude of ways, ( Sunday School, Christmas programs), But to sit down and reflect on the account that the Bible gives revives my spirit. The amazing circumstances that seemed at first devastating and shameful are reviled as a miraculous blessing to all man kind. It still blows me away how when the Holy Spirit works in our lives, it is unmistakable. My prayer is for me to get out of my way and let the Holy Spirit invade my every thought and action, so that God will be Glorified. God's plans are His, and as a local preacher said in his sermon recently, "God takes responsibility for a life fully devoted to Him", (see Matt 10:16).
Praying for total surrender,
Todd Ledbetter
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Faith, Obedience, Wisdom
In today's devotional from Luke 1:39-80; Psalm 102:1-3; Proverbs 17:2, It struck me how faith happens with belief and obedience. The Christ is still in the womb, yet Mary and Elizabeth's faith is strong. In obedience Zacharias receives the Holy Spirit. In the Psalm, David has reviled his understanding and God given wisdom that his days are numbered and he can not continue with out the Lord.
The Proverb sums it up nicely,
The Proverb sums it up nicely,
WISDOM
Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding,
But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24
Rejoice in Jesus,
Todd Ledbetter
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
God's Acceptance Over Human Rejection
God's acceptance over human rejection was the them of today's devotional. How timely considering the circumstances. It makes a world of difference knowing God loves me know matter what. I don't have an anger problem like the devotional speaks of but, rejection can attack in many other ways. Being connected to Christ intimately daily, exposes the beauty of a life lived through Him. Thank you Jesus, I trust in you alone.
Hear is an excerpt from the Max Lucado devotional Upwords, A Love Worth Giving
Rejections are like speed bumps on the road. They come with the journey. You’re going to get cut, dished, dropped, and kicked around. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you. How? By letting his acceptance compensate for their rejection.
God will load your world with flowers. He hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come, you won’t be left short-petaled.
Rejoice in Jesus,
Todd Ledbetter
Hear is an excerpt from the Max Lucado devotional Upwords, A Love Worth Giving
Rejections are like speed bumps on the road. They come with the journey. You’re going to get cut, dished, dropped, and kicked around. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you. How? By letting his acceptance compensate for their rejection.
God will load your world with flowers. He hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come, you won’t be left short-petaled.
Rejoice in Jesus,
Todd Ledbetter
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
World War III
Conflict is normal in the Christian life. Frustration and conflict are not something strange to a Christian’s life. You're normal if you face conflict.
Before you became a Christian, you only had the power to do wrong. When you invited Christ into your life, however, you received a new nature—a desire and power to do what is right. But that old nature stayed on. That’s two natures that struggle over everything you think, say, and do. One old preacher said: "It’s like there are two dogs fighting inside you. The one that wins is the one you say 'sick em' to."
But the major reason for the conflict in your life is the second most powerful person in the world—Satan. He’s real and he’s out to stop everything that God wants to do with your life. Before you knew Christ, you were in Satan’s family, and he was pleased because you were on your way to hell. He didn’t bother you at all. He didn’t have to. At that point you had conflict, only you were in conflict with God himself!
When you became a Christian, Satan lost you. You were delivered from his family and born into God’s family. That put you on God’s side and guaranteed that you would be in conflict with God’s archenemy. Satan can’t have you, but he has another plan. He is dedicated to ruining your life as a Christian and embarrassing God by thwarting everything that Jesus died for. That’s why it is so important for you to become like Jesus. When you don’t, you play right into Satan’s hands!
But all of Satan’s attacks on you have one thing in common. They are all based on a lie. John 8:4 says that the Devil is a liar and the father of lies. Any offer he makes is an empty illusion! He can’t and won’t make a good and true offer!
Satan’s strategy for bringing you down usually comes in one of five attacks. There’s a flesh and blood example of each one in the New Testament. In each case, Jesus always helps people face their conflicts squarely, and he gives an answer. This summer we're going to look at these examples of Satan’s attacks.
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