Damned

by Billy Williams

Luke 13:5 (MSG) ...Unless you turn to God, you, too, will die."

I don’t like reading these words, especially since they were spoken by Jesus. The Bible is supposed to be full of light, hope and great children's stories, isn’t it? Coats of many colors, giant boats filled to the brim with happy animals -- a kind of floating zoo -- cute childlike angels, babies in starlit mangers with big-eyed animals and shepherds looking on. Not death, not actual dependence on God for life.

But truth is truth, no matter how hard it seems, and the thing about this verse is it is not talking about physical death but something much worse -- spiritual death. Physical death is inescapable; spiritual death is a choice. In this we practice God’s greatest gift: free will. We have the choice to turn to God and avoid the death Jesus is referring to. I also think that even after turning to God and receiving His eternal life, we can still die a little each day in our spirit life if we don’t continue to turn to Him. We can let sin and life take small bites of our spiritual life and keep it from being totally alive in Him.

God, thank you for the choice to turn to You for my salvation and life. Keep my face toward You in my daily life, also; don’t let me be robbed of the life You have for me here on earth.

Confidence

by Billy Williams
Psalm 23 (KJV)
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.



I remember having to memorize this chapter in Psalms in 7th grade English. What is more amazing than me actually memorizing something is that I attended a public school. This was in the days before the life-giving words of God were considered offensive. King David had such a wonderful grasp on who God is and even though David had done things that would most surely get most of us asked to leave the local church, he knew the unfailing love and care God had for him despite his failings and sinful nature.

A quick look at the Psalm and we know clearly how David knew God -- as Guide, Comfort and Rest, Restorer, Righteous Lord, Protector and Provider. He knew that God lifted him to a place of wealth in front of his enemies, covered his sin, lavished blessings on him, was merciful, good and would never disown him. I feel in my own walk that to claim these things from God for myself is vanity. I need to remember what David knew in his very soul, that we are all sinner-saints.

God, help me to grasp these things as mine. Give me a confidence that You love and care for me in the exact same way You did King David. Be my Shepherd.

Barriers

by billy Williams

Psalm 8:1,2(MSG) 1 God, brilliant Lord, yours is a household name. 2 Nursing infants gurgle choruses about you; toddlers shout the songs That drown out enemy talk, and silence atheist babble.

My mother always told me that when a baby is cooing and making the noises that babies do, they were talking to God and here it is in scripture. There is something so innocent and yet so unfathomably large when it comes to the faith of a child. When and why do we lose it? At what point do we begin to believe our own criterion of truth and lose the innocent joy of knowing our Creator without prejudice?

To really know God as “Brilliant Lord” and for His name to be a household name, spoken with an innocent and truly unscathed heart like that of a child, should be my daily goal -- to set aside what I think I should say and let my heart and mind embrace who God, as I knew Him at birth, really is.

Heavenly Father, remove the barriers that time and life have built between us. Grant me the great freedom of conversing with You with the intimacy of a child. Allow my heart’s song to rise above the talk of Your enemies and silence the voices of those who would count You as untrue.

These Two Things

by Billy Williams
Genesis 1:1,2 (MSG)

First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

I love this verse, I always have. I love the way it is written -- no explanation of where God came from, no long dissertation on existence, just this: God created the heavens and the earth, period. A few months ago I heard a new take on this verse. The lead singer from Switchfoot posed this question to an interviewer: “What is the very first thing we know about God? Is it that He is holy? Is it that He is just and merciful or that He is all powerful? No, the first thing we know about God is that He is creative. “First this: God created...” I love that! The second thing we learn is that God is a protector. God’s Spirit brooded (verb; 2 To protect (young) by or as if by covering with the wings) like a bird above the watery abyss.

Here in the first three sentences of God’s Word His deep character is revealed as our loving, protecting Creator. And I, created in His image, have these attributes breathed into me, to create and to protect, or brood over, the things that God cares for.

Father, let me be always reminded of Your wonderful creativity. Let me see You in the simple and the complex of my day. Remind me that You are protective of me as Your creation and You still brood over the entire of creation.

What Do You Think?

by Billy Williams

Matthew 26:66 (NIV) “...What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

I find it interesting that the scripture says “He” is worthy of death, not his “offense” is punishable by death. They had left the reason of the law and had made Christ Himself the offense. The question I have for myself is, “Is He worthy of death?” I would have to respond, “Yes!”



Note that the question is not does He deserve death; it is a question of His worthiness. Without knowing, His accusers attested to the fact He alone was worthy -- though I am sure they did not understand the depth of their indictment. I struggle with the fact Christ had to endure punishment and death to reunite me with God the Father, yet I know this sacrifice was necessary and it really doesn’t have to make sense for me to believe in the worthiness of Christ to cover my sins by his death. 1 Corinthians 1:18,23-24 says, “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 23 ...but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.”


God, thank You for the gift of Your Son. Thank You that You do find Him worthy of death, my death, so that I can live with You in eternity.

We Interrupt this Program

by Billy Williams

Matthew 17:4 (MSG)
Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?"

This is so me; I get caught up in what I think I should be doing that I almost miss the moment as it happens, interrupting God before He can complete the thought. I (much like Peter) am a doer. I tend to rush ahead and put my own plan into action to show what God has done. Was it wrong that Peter wanted to build a memorial to what he was seeing happen so that others could know and remember what took place?

The story here is not that Peter’s intentions were wrong -- the story is that we need to see what God is doing before we rush out and start a pile of stones. Always, in the Old Testament, when God did a great thing they would make a memorial or build an altar. But here God was doing a new thing. Verse 5 says God then interrupted Peter: “While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: ‘This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him.’” What Peter and the other disciples almost missed completely was an intimate moment between God the Father and God the Son, with a few close friends thrown in.





God, teach me patience. Keep me from being busy piling rocks while missing the true moment you wanted to share with me. Open my eyes to Jesus, your delight, and teach me to listen to Him.

This Side of History

by Billy Williams

Matthew 9:2,3 (CEV)
2 Some people soon brought to him a crippled man lying on a mat. When Jesus saw how much faith they had, he said to the crippled man, "My friend, don't worry! Your sins are forgiven." 3 Some teachers of the Law of Moses said to themselves, "Jesus must think he is God!"


It is so easy for me to stand on this side of history and say to myself, “Those arrogant fools don’t get it; of course He is God.” But doesn’t that make me just as arrogant? How would I have reacted or, better yet, how would I react now if someone showed up and claimed to be able to do what only God is capable of? It is often harder to believe than not to. Interestingly enough it is those in this story who are not encumbered with the teachings of the law who see Christ for who He is and readily accept His forgiveness and mercy without theological question.

With all of the commentaries and Christian resources available, I need to make sure that I don’t miss “seeing” God because I am focused on what I “know about” God. I have one of the greatest blessings at my fingertips -- the Bible and the ability to see the story of God incarnate in Christ in linear form.

Father, thank you for your Word. Thank you for allowing me to live in this time in history where I can read your story. Guard my heart, that I would stay open to who you are and what you are doing. Increase my knowledge of you but, more importantly, increase my heart.

One Bride for Seven Brothers

by Billy Williams

Mark 12:25 (MSG) After the dead are raised up, we're past the marriage business. As it is with angels now, all our ecstasies and intimacies then will be with God.

For the title of this post to make sense you have to read Mark 12:18-27. I have read this passage of scripture countless times; tonight it hit me totally differently. I enjoy my marriage and the thought of eternity without Brenda as my spouse is a bit unnerving.

We are created as relational beings -- it is the basis of all we do and seek. Is the unsettled feeling in my soul about this passage driven by my fear of or lack of intimacy with God? It is so much easier to hold that intimacy and ecstatic connection with our earthly mate than with God, who we cannot physically touch or see.

The purpose of my marriage on earth is to teach me the intricacies

of love and relationship; at its best it is a shadow of what my relationship with God will someday be. To love my spouse like God loves me, unconditionally. To be loved without boundaries and with no lifespan time limit -- eternally. As we live out each day with each other, we should strive to love and interact with the eyes of God, in preparation and anticipation of being his eternal bride.

God, show me how to live in the now as I will live in eternity -- to love as I will be loved, to bask in the love of my wife and to love her with passion.

The Eyes of The Artist

by Billy Williams

Mark 4:30,33,34 (CEV)

30 Finally, Jesus said: What is God's kingdom like? What story can I use to explain it?

33 Jesus used many other stories when he spoke to the people, and he taught them as much as they could understand. 34 He did not tell them anything without using stories. But when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

I have always found it fascinating and, at times, frustrating that Jesus taught using parables or stories. Why didn’t He just come out and give specific detailed data concerning the Kingdom and God and His purpose here on earth? In some ways it has always struck me as being a bit aloof. But then I have to look at it from the perspective of an artist -- maybe this was Jesus’ way of presenting an Artist’s Statement. Here the Creator of all things presented a glimpse into how and why creation works the way it does. He was taking the obvious and the abstract of his creation and explaining beyond what we think we see.

When I paint or draw an object I don’t always represent it true-to-life, in hard, fast detail; I want the viewer to see more in the object than is really there. I want them to think about the image in front of them, to dig deeper. When I read the stories that Jesus used to explain creation I should look deeper than just the simple facts of the story. I need to see it through the eyes of the Artist, as it were, to grasp more than just the surface.

Jesus, as I read the stories you told about your kingdom, let me see them through your eyes, the eye of the artist. Take me to a deeper place where I ponder and enjoy your works.

"THE VINTNER"
by: Billy Williams
Graphite 11"x17"

Artist Statement:

If the eyes are the window to the soul, then the hands are the canvass on which the soul paints its' life story.

This drawing, with its focus directly on the weathered hands of the Vintner, was inspired by a message David Perez presented in 2007. He made the analogy that our lives are like tools in the garden shed of the Master Vintner. At the end of our days, our hope and prayer should be that we are well used -- scarred, dented, rusted, chipped and worn from our many journeys into the vineyard, working the soil in anticipation of the sweet fruit.

Last One Standing

© Mohsen Beirami | Dreamstime.com
by Billy Williams

Job 19:25-27 (AMP)

25 For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth.

26 And after my skin, even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it I shall see God,

27 Whom I, even I, shall see for myself and on my side! And my eyes shall behold Him, and not as a stranger! My heart pines away and is consumed within me.


What wonderful words of hope and longing from the writer. Interesting how he, without knowing, speaks of Jesus thousands of years before His birth. His assurance is his Redeemer is not dead or false and that in the end the True God will be the last one standing. The writer knows it does not matter if he is dead or alive -- on the day of redemption he will see God, with his own eyes and as a friend.

Even after all the years I have been a Christ follower, I need to remind myself that I will someday see Him face to face. And in that meeting we will embrace not as strangers, but as friends. There can only be one Truth and in the end He will stand again on earth
and on my side.

God, thank you that you are on my side. Remind me daily that I will someday see you face to face - with my own eyes - and you will call me friend.

My Answer

by Billy Williams

HOPE

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

HOPE

I should be ready, always, to tell people about the hope I have in Christ. He is my hope even when I feel hopeless and my depression seems to get the best of me. What does it mean to set Christ apart as Lord?

HOPE

Gods word needs to fill my heart and my mind. I need his word to guide me in setting Him “apart” as Lord. Separated from the things that could distract and even rule in my life. So that in all things, good or bad, I can truly place my hope in him and have Him as the reason when I am asked. Our economy dips and rises. We are constantly battered with bad news and fed a never ending diet of negative. I want my hope to be firmly rooted in the economy of my Fathers kingdom.

HOPE

Jesus, take your rightful place as Lord in my heart. Be above all others and let me have my hope in You. Father, thank you for being the answer for my hope.

HOPE

Conduit

by Billy Williams

1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.


God gifts us all in different ways and His grace takes many different forms. Do I show the many facets of His grace with my gifts or do I only show it in those areas I am comfortable with? Do I only use my gifts for those who are open to His word, doing Christian works for Christian people, or do I show grace to those who are opposed to God, his enemies?

Two of the many facets of grace are divine love and protection bestowed freely on mankind, and unmerited favor toward an enemy. In both cases it is given freely and at great cost. It offers to save, love and protect despite my embracing of or opposition to it. I should look at all of my abilities, no matter how small, as gifts from God and find ways to show His grace to all I encounter--enemy and ally alike.

God, teach me to show grace in all of its forms to those around me. Let me use my gifts for You. Father, make me a conduit of Your grace and mercy.

To Be Called “Friend”

by Billy Williams

Proverbs 22:11(NIV) - He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.

Do I love a pure heart? For that matter, do I have a pure heart? I am sure that my speech is not always gracious. What would my life be like to have the King for a friend?

I should seek people whose hearts are pure and learn from them. I should learn to speak graciously to and about others. Having the King as a friend is having someone of wise counsel, protection and influence in my corner.

God, teach me to tame my tongue and thoughts. Create in me a clean and pure heart; break my heart for what breaks yours. When I speak of others, let me see them as you see them. Grant me the privilege of being called your “friend.”

How Beautiful

by Billy Williams

Titus 2:10 (NIV) – ... So that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

Does my life make the teachings about God attractive? Though I know Paul was encouraging those bound in slavery to live a life like Christ, his words are still true for me. Do I say “no” to ungodly things by the grace that saves me? Would someone who does not know God see His story in me and want what I have?

This is the basis of evangelism, that others would see God in me–that I would live my life in a way that makes the teachings of God attractive. Not to make His teachings conform to my standards, but to love God and love others more than I do, so that others would see me in the image of Christ.

God, help me to show your light, grace, love and care to others so they might be attracted to your teaching.

What I am doing. Read This First

by Billy Williams

OK, so here is what I am doing.

My Church is doing a Life Journal and I want to share (some of) my entries with anyone who happens to come across this page. I am not interested in splitting hairs over my personal theology, but would welcome insightful thoughts and comments concerning the scripture at the beginning of each post and how it applies to your life and relationship with God.

If you are looking for a robust debate on doctrine, hermeneutics, the crusades, Rick Warren, Pope Leo XIII, or the role of the church in post modern America please feel free to post on the myriad of other blogs devoted to these and other topics.

Each post will be simple and will follow the SOAP format:

Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer

A couple of last comments. I cannot spell or punctuate very well. I will try to have my beautiful wife and copy editor check each post before it hits the web. If you find a typo or missing comma it means that I posted without her watchful eye. Please have a good laugh and let it go, in the scheme of things it is not a salvation issue.