I saw in the New York Times yesterday morning an article about Apple's value. The article said that Apple was the "most valuable company."
Apple was reported to be worth 624 billion. The Wall Street Journal said that Apple is the most valuable company because of it's influence on the economy, the stock market, and popular culture.
Augustine wrote about two kingdoms; the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of man. Which of these two do you think makes Apple the most valuable company in the eyes of the New York Times editor? Do we have the same perspective as God as to what is valuable?
I love Apple products. My family has many of them, and I am the one that supplied those products to my wife and older children. But do they build the kingdom of God, or do they build the kingdom of man?
I think Apple products can do both depending on how each individual uses them. Right now I am typing this blog with my thumbs on my iPhone. I am seeking to write this in order to advance the kingdom of God. I have however used my phone at times that would in no way advance the kingdom of God.
How do you use the things that man has made? Which kingdom do you seek to advance?
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb
Ephesians 1:7-10 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Redemption is the forgiveness of our tresspasses. It is the releasing effect of a ransom that has been paid.
This comes to us through the death of Jesus. When Aslan goes to the stone table for the payment of Edmond's guilt; this is redemption. It was the death of Christ which secured our redemption. This act unites us with God. It unites things in heaven with things on earth.
This act of redemption follows on the footsteps of the previous couple of verses that mentioned predestination. It says in verse 10 that this was a plan for the fullness of time.
Also this was a mystery that was couched in promises, types, allusions, and word pictures in the Old Testament. It was brought forth in the full light during the life and death of Jesus. God has made known this mystery. We can learn and understand and apply this unfolded mystery.
I am redeemed, I am redeemed, I am redeemed by the blood of the lamb!
Redemption is the forgiveness of our tresspasses. It is the releasing effect of a ransom that has been paid.
This comes to us through the death of Jesus. When Aslan goes to the stone table for the payment of Edmond's guilt; this is redemption. It was the death of Christ which secured our redemption. This act unites us with God. It unites things in heaven with things on earth.
This act of redemption follows on the footsteps of the previous couple of verses that mentioned predestination. It says in verse 10 that this was a plan for the fullness of time.
Also this was a mystery that was couched in promises, types, allusions, and word pictures in the Old Testament. It was brought forth in the full light during the life and death of Jesus. God has made known this mystery. We can learn and understand and apply this unfolded mystery.
I am redeemed, I am redeemed, I am redeemed by the blood of the lamb!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Glorious Grace
Ephesians 1:1-6
The highest blessing that one could ever receive is to have been predestined to be a son (child) of God. That God, before the foundation of the world, would determine that I would stand before Him holy and blameless. This is God's highest act of love toward me. This is to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. All of these blessings come to me through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And they all happened because God wanted to, it was according to His will.
Before the world was made, I had not been brought forth. I had not done anything good or evil. Yet God knew me. He determined that I would be an orphan who would be adopted by Himself. He would adopt me, not because I was special, or wise, or good in any way. He adopted me for the purpose of His own choosing. He wanted to, and that is that. This is called in verse 6, "glorious grace."
This glorious grace has given me every spiritual blessing, says verse 3. Am I okay with that? It does not say that God has blessed me with every material blessing. Yet this is what my sinful heart longs for sometimes. Why? Why can I not wait with patience for the hope of every spiritual blessing? This blessing that awaits me in heaven is "holiness," and "blamelessness." Is this enough? What else could I possibly need? My problem is not material, it is moral. And with these spiritual blessings, by moral dilemma is taken out of the way and nailed to the cross. Every spiritual blessing is mine in Christ; rejoice O my soul for Gods glorious grace!
The highest blessing that one could ever receive is to have been predestined to be a son (child) of God. That God, before the foundation of the world, would determine that I would stand before Him holy and blameless. This is God's highest act of love toward me. This is to be blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. All of these blessings come to me through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And they all happened because God wanted to, it was according to His will.
Before the world was made, I had not been brought forth. I had not done anything good or evil. Yet God knew me. He determined that I would be an orphan who would be adopted by Himself. He would adopt me, not because I was special, or wise, or good in any way. He adopted me for the purpose of His own choosing. He wanted to, and that is that. This is called in verse 6, "glorious grace."
This glorious grace has given me every spiritual blessing, says verse 3. Am I okay with that? It does not say that God has blessed me with every material blessing. Yet this is what my sinful heart longs for sometimes. Why? Why can I not wait with patience for the hope of every spiritual blessing? This blessing that awaits me in heaven is "holiness," and "blamelessness." Is this enough? What else could I possibly need? My problem is not material, it is moral. And with these spiritual blessings, by moral dilemma is taken out of the way and nailed to the cross. Every spiritual blessing is mine in Christ; rejoice O my soul for Gods glorious grace!
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