Christianity

Becoming God’s Man Minutes – God is Bigger than the Barriers

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Genesis 10-11 & Acts 2:1-13

We often look at Jesus as the second Adam, we even read this back on day 2 with Paul’s words to the Corinthians. However, I think we tend to oiverlook how through Christ the division of people due to language as we read today regarding the “Tower of Babel” was restored on the day of Pentecost when the gathered crowds heard the apostles preaching the Gospel in their own languages. God through the Holy Spirit removed the language barrier that would have previously kept others from coming to Christ.

Often we tend to use barriers as an excuse for not witnessing to others. We think that circumstances or differences between us and the people we encounter are too big for us to be able to adequately share Christ. Well when the story of the tower of Babel and the day of Pentecost are put into context we see that there are no circumstances too big for the Holy Spirit to use you to share the Gospel with others. So when you are out and about and feel the Spirit prompt you to share Christ with someone don’t let the barriers prevent you from doing so, remember God is bigger than any barrier you may encounter.

If you want to support Becoming God’s Man Ministries and help to fund future Men’s Conferences you can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BS5PGF43PBWEU
Becoming God’s Man Journals*: https://amzn.to/3huEWQc

Video produced and edited by Chuck Gruver
Chuck’s Tip Jar:
Books & Journals*: https://amzn.to/3uG4bXV
paypal.me/gruversolutions
Cash App: $CharlesGruver
Venmo: @Charles-Gruver-2
* Becoming God’s Man Journal all proceeds go to Becoming God’s Man Ministries.

Website: http://www.becominggodsman.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/becominggodsman
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEoFzy5H2bi7YrPkpuhYlfw
Instagran: http://www.instagram.com/becominggodsman

God’s Timing

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Genesis 8-9 & 1 Corinthians 11

Today’s passage was the continuation of Noah’s Ark, and one thing I always find interesting when I first noticed it was Genesis 8:15-17. When we get to this part of the story we always focus on Noah sending out the raven, and then sending out the dove three times, we tend to skip over these three verses where it is God commanding Noah to exit the ark. God sealed them in the ark, and it was God Who told them it was finally safe to come out of the ark. Often times we may be called to do something and are desperate to get it started, or we are impatient to see the answer to our prayers work out; that we will move ahead of God and not wait for His timing. You see this will lead to results that aren’t the best, that is not to say they won’t work out, it just isn’t the best of what God has to offer. You see Noah could have left the ark when he noticed that the ground was dry, or even mostly dry; but surviving woul have been harder as the land might not have been suitable at that time to sustain life, We might not know the why, but we do know that Noah did wait for God’s timing to tell him when to leave the ark.

So, is there anything where you are having to wait on God’s timing? Has there been times when instead of waiting on God, you went and did your own thing? I pray that each of us has the patience to wait on God and His promises. Have a blessed day.

Listen to the warnings

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Genesis 6-7 & Luke 17:27-37

Today was the first part of, probably one of the most well known stories’ of the Old Testament, Noah’s Ark. The story where God sent a flood to kill all life on earth due to their wickedness, violence, and evil (different translations use these words interchangeably). Then in Luke we see one of many instances where Noah is used as an example by Jesus, regarding the Second Coming. How people will be living their lives like normal, ignoring the sign of God’s coming judgement, I mean it would be hard to miss the guy building the large boat, some traditions hold that this took place in an area where no body of water suitable for a boat of such size was close by or in other words this boat was landlocked, and wonder what is going on only to be told to repent due to God’s coming Judgement. You see it isn’t that there aren’t signs of God’s coming judgement, but that many choose to ignore those signs, wanting to be the god of their own life and ignore those who preach the true God.

Genesis 4-5 & Luke 17:1-26

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“In the course of time” vs. “on his part”

Today’s reading had a couple of things that stood out, or some thoughts that when combined just reinforced, but I will just focus on the main one. The first comes out of Genesis 4, when we look at the sacrifices of Cain and Abel, it seems we always focus on what was offered; Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground, while Abel brought the firstborn of his flock..The one thing I never heard anyone talk about though, was not the content of these offerings but their intent. What I mean is when we read this passage read that it was in the “course of time” that Cain presented his offering while Able’s was done “on his part.” It appears Cain may have been reluctant, not doing it out of gratitude but out of duty; while Able’s offering was given not because it was required, but rather because he wanted to give it.

In Luke this is kind of reinforced with the comparison to a servant/slave performing thier duty. We also with the story of the cleansing of the ten lepers, where the nine performed the duty required for being cleansed of leprosy, while the tenth upon seeing he was cleansed returned to Jesus out of gratitude to praise God.

Often when as Christians we talk about giving we focus on the content and not the intent. Giving is our time, talent, and treasure; it isn’t just financial support but the giving of ourselves in service to God. So when you give back to God, no matter how you are able, are you doing so out of a sense of pure duty or are you doing it out of gratitude for what God has done for you?

Genesis 2 & 1 Corinthians 15:45-58

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“helper suitable for” or “helper corresponding to”

The Hebrew words used for this phrase is a picture of one that comes along side to help. The phrase is just about literally one who helps parallel, or opposite, to. Man and Woman are designed to work together as a team, helping each other, supporting each other in their weaknesses, encouraging each other in their strengths, and excelling as a team where they are equally matched. The relationship is not to be one of superiority, or adversity; but to be one of cohesion. This is a concept I think those of us that are part of western individualistic cultures have forgotten, it is also interesting that the word translated in Genesis 2 for “alone” is bad. We were not designed to be alone, we were designed to be part of a family; both spiritually and physically, for those that are single the two are sometimes combined. This is why it is important as believers that we are part of a local church; because that is our spiritual family and at times functions as a stand in for the physical family, helping out during times of need.

So, let me leave you with this. Are you part of a local church? If not, why? What keeps you form connecting with other believers, what is keeping you in the “bad” state of being alone? Just like there is no “perfect” family, there are no perfect churches; but there are churches that will feel like home.

Day 1: Genesis 1 & Hebrews 11:1-3

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Genesis 1:26 LSB “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, so that they will have dominion over the fish of the sea…”

I originally was going to do the daily reading in the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), but one of the benefits of using an app like YouVersion is that you have access to multiple different translations; so I ended up doing the initial reading looking at the Legacy Standard Bible (LSB), which is a newer translation based off of the 1995 New American Standard, and for the first time I saw Genesis 1:26 in a new light where God giving man dominion, or having man rule over, creation was tied to the fact that we are created in God’s image. The other translations I looked at (NKJV, ESV, CSB, NASB 1995, & NASB 2020; all translations I will reference beyond the LSB in my daily readings) didn’t explicitly tie together these two concepts like they were in the LSB.

We often ask, “What is God’s will for my life? What is it that God wants me to do?” However, how often do we also take the time to reflect on what it means to be made in God’s image and how that relates to what we are tasked to do? I mean, for myself, usually when I reflect on being made in God’s image it is more in the theoretical and hypothetical abstract concept for how I should view and treat others and not in any way regarding to my vocation. So, it was interesting to see how God not only told to rule over the earth, but was made in God’s image so that he can rule over the earth. Where because we are made in God’s image we are to serve as His representative/ambassador/steward to His creation.

Let me leave you with this thought to ponder as we go through this next year, “Do my actions, thoughts, and speech present God in a favorable light? Do they present a God that when creating the world, called everything “precious;” or do they reflect poorly on who God is?”

December 31, 2022 – Forward to a New Year

Posted on by chgruver

I thought I would take the time to make this post describing what I hope to do through 2023 and possibly beyond, Lord willing. Starting tomorrow I am working on a Bible reading plan on YouVersion that will take me through the Bible in about 2 years. I know there are 1-year plans out there, but I often find I spend more time trying to get through the reading that I don’t try to absorb and learn from what I am reading. At least starting out I will try to use the Christian Standard Bible (CSB); my choice was between that, the New King James, English Standard Version, and New American Standard Bible (1995 a& 2020 versions). With having a NKJV, ESV, and NASB (1995) study bible close at hand I may still reference them while doing my daily reading.

So, what I will be doing is in the morning as part of my daily routine I will work on that day’s Bible reading, taking notes about what stands out to me and what I feel God revealing to me through His word. I will use these notes to create a daily blog post for the Becoming God’s Man website and try to do a short 1-minute video to go along with it for our social media accounts, if not check out at least our Facebook page and YouTube channel for the videos.

If you want to support Becoming God’s Man Ministries and help to fund future Men’s Conferences, you can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BS5PGF43PBWEU
Becoming God’s Man Journals*: https://amzn.to/3huEWQc

Resolutions – Romans 12:2

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:2 ESV

 

New Year’s Resolutions, many people tend to make them. The top ten New Year’s Resolutions this last year were diet, exercise, lose weight, save more money and spend less, learn a new skill or hobby, quit smoking, read more, new job, drink less alcohol, and spending more time with friends and family. We tend to look at New Year’s resolutions as a form of self improvement goals, things we want to do for ourselves either to fulfill our desires or to make ourselves appear better in some for or another. Now I am not saying there is anything completely wrong with New Year’s Resolutions, I mean half of them are regarding living a healthier lifestyle. The problem with New Year’s Resolutions is how many people actually stick to them? I mean the big joke is if you want to start working out at a gym, start in February after those who made resolutions have quit and the gym becomes less crowded.

 

The question is do we often take a similar approach to our spiritual life? We make promises that we will do things to improve ourselves spiritually only to give up on them after a short amount of time. How many of us made a resolution to read the Bible through in a year, or to do a daily devotional? How many of us have actually stuck to that resolution? One thing I will state New Year’s Resolutions it is said that 80% fail by February and only 8% of people actually achieve their resolutions.

 

The thing is what Paul is getting at here in this verse goes so much deeper than the concept of a resolution. In fact if you look at verse 1 we see that this is a daily intentional decision. To be transformed and not conformed is not something we can do on our own; but it is done by daily giving ourselves to God. It is humbling ourselves before God, looking to Him and seeking His desires, which in turn eventually become our desires as we are transformed. You see being conformed to the world is asking what can we do for ourselves, how can we make ourselves look good; even the most giving person if they are not following God their motives are purely for their own purpose. On the other side to be transformed is to rather ask what can I do to make God look good, what can I do to bring Him glory? You see the reason in the previous verse Paul states we need to present ourselves daily as a living sacrifice is that in order to be transformed we need to kill our selfish desires and humble ourselves daily, as pride is something we all struggle with  and it is turning from our selfish desires and looking towards God and seeking His desires that results in the transformation. One verse I like to look at regarding this is Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Not in that God will be a genie and give you what you want, but as you look towards God, He will change or transform your desires to line up with His desires; or He renews your mind so that “you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Glory to God Alone – Episode 32

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:13-14

Soli Deo Gloria or to the glory of God alone, the last of the five sola statements of the Protestant Reformation. This is a concept that on the surface is instilled into many Christians. The first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is what is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Paul in his writings alludes to the fact that our lives and actions should be bringing glory to God, in fact he is the one that penned the verse, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31) Although I might mention that while a good application of this verse that use does take it a bit out of context, and I would feel uncomfortable applying it in such a way, I blame my seminary professors that hammered in good hermeneutics through exegesis.

So on this fine Christmas day, I figured what better verse to use for talking about to the glory of God alone than the proclamation of the heavenly host to the shepherds that first Christmas morning. You see in God’s plan for salvation the purpose was for His glory. You see this proclamation comes right after the first angel gives the shepherds the good news that a Savior has been born, who is Christ the Lord. This good news is why glory is to go to God, as some might say glory goes to the victor, and since the garden of Eden and the first sin man has been at war with God. It is funny that the Jews in Jesus’s day were looking for a conquering king for a Messiah and got instead a suffering servant. I however believe Jesus did come as a conquering King, it is just he didn’t conquer in the sense they were looking for. They wanted a king that would defeat Rome and reestablish an earthly kingdom for Israel, Jesus is a King that came and defeated sin and brought forth peace between man and God.

Glory is not only a form of honor but also praise and worship. You see in Christ coming as our Savior, he came not to defeat Rome but to bring peace between man and God, before this all mankind was at enmity with God. We were in all out rebellion and wanted nothing to do with Him. Christ’s actions on the cross reconciled the world to God. It opened the door to allow God to offer us grace which we respond to in faith, which without grace we would be unwilling to do. It is once we understand that our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, and due to the work of Christ alone, that we then realize that our praise and worship, all of the glory, goes to God alone. So remember, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Christ Alone – Episode 31

Posted on by chgruver

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14 ESV

Solus Christus or Christ Alone, it is the concept that the only work required for our salvation was done through Jesus’s death on the cross. There are many places throughout the New Testament that makes this point. Paul tends to put it so bluntly as to state that while we were enemies of God, Christ died for us, just read Romans 5 or Colossians 1. The Old Testament also points forward to this, while the Jews of Jesus’s day, especially the religious leaders, missed it many of the prophecies pertaining to Christ’s first coming show a need for Him to be the suffering servant. However, if I just had to pick out one book of the Bible that drives home the point of Solus Christus it would have to be Hebrews. The entire book was written to believers in Rome during a time of great persecution where many were considering leaving the faith, the author seeing the problem wrote to encourage them and illustrate that Christ is far greater than any other option.

The author spends a great amount of time comparing Jesus to the priesthood, pointing out Jesus’s superiority and how the sacrifices offered up by the Levitical priests are not sufficient to cover our sins. The problem is that the Old Testament sacrifices were not perfect sacrifices offered by a perfect priest, therefore they were flawed sacrifices. This required regular trips to the temple and frequent sacrifices to cover one’s sins.

Then Jesus came along, the perfect Lamb of God, he lived a perfect life free from sin and died on the cross serving as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Not only that but in doing so he also took on the role as our High Priest to stand before God in our place acting as our advocate and interceding on our behalf, covering those who have faith with his righteousness. That is why the author of Hebrews can state that those who are being sanctified are perfected once and for all through Christ’s sacrifice, because the blood that was used to cover our imperfections was the perfect blood of Christ applied by a perfect Priest and not the blood of earthly sacrifices applied by earthly priests. It is this sacrifice that makes God’s offer of grace possible; and without grace there would be no faith, and with no faith we would have no hope for salvation. So we have now seen that we are saved by grace, through faith, because of Christ’s work on the cross.