It is right to fear the Lord

Psalm 2 was in my reading list today and it has this to say in v12:

"Kiss the Son,
lest he be angry, and you perish in
the way,
for his wrath is quickly kindled
Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
(ESV)

The IVP New Bible Commentary has this to say about it, quoting Derek Kidner:

"There is no refuge from him: only in him."

Proper fear of the Lord leads us to seek our safety in Him, because we have no need to run from Him. His word says that we are blessed when we take refuge in Him.
We should become humble; "Kiss the Son", in the NRSV it says "kiss his feet". A big act of humility, and a reminder of the reverent fear that God is due.

It is right to fear the Lord.

Wisdom and Youthful ambition

About the quote, bear with me. I felt it important to quote it before commenting (sorry there isn't the greatest context for the passage):

1 Timothy 4
"¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."

I had a conversation with my friend today about churches that are falling by the wayside, and specifically she was talking about her Gran's church. She spoke of a young pastor who came into the church and set about changing everything. Many of the elder members of the congregation left, until it was just my friend's Gran remaining. And her only reason to stay was out of a sense of duty, in essence to be a reminder that the older members of the church needed to be pastored as well. The church community is suffering the loss badly.

And I had a think about that.
And I thought it was concerning and important to think about.
In my youthful ambition, I can have ideas, and they may be good ideas, but without proper spirit-filled wisdom, and bad timing, and most likely a feeling of self-importance, I can find myself hurting Christ's church.

Paul writes to Timothy to set an example to those that are older than he is, through the way he speaks, the way he acts, and the way he loves. But primarily, Paul reminds Timothy to preach the Gospel, and this example is what will come if he applies it (the gospel) to his own life too.

This passage is both an encouragement and a warning.
We may be young and passionate, and we shouldn't be held in contempt because of this, but we are also under the Gospel, the message we wish to preach, and it is just as relevant to us.
Let us be wise, with a wisdom that comes from the Holy Spirit, to teach the word setting an example through our actions, and our attitudes.
If our heart is on the Gospel, I would suggest that it wouldn't result in the migration of the older generation.

Imagine..?

"Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today"

This is the reality of so many people, living life for a 'heaven' in which Jesus doesn't exist.
Where Christ's atoning death counts for nothing as we live our daily lives pretending the biggest moment in recorded history was simply an unfortunate event for a man and his family.
Lennon describes the Atheist's heaven, which becomes the ultimate Hell. Separation from God.

I don't need to imagine John, I can see the people living for today all around me.. and it makes me sad.

Lennon's song was supposed to be one of hope.
The reality is probably better reflected in the cover by A Perfect Circle.

Spurgeon Quotes #1

This is a bit of a funny one..

"Well," says one, "I like to be my own master." Yes, and that involves two things - first, you have a very bad master; and, next, your master has a fool for his servant! But he who takes the Lord Jesus Christ as his Master will be rightly and wisely guided - and hence arises the comfort of such a relationship. - A King Sent in Love (2760)