Again, today, my blog post is prompted by my lesson from Spurgeon's book of devotionals called "Morning by Morning". Spurgeon is able to dissect scripture in an amazing way an pull out application implications that I would overlook every time. Today, Genesis 7:16: And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded in him. And the Lord shut him in. Now, this scripture comes directly from the account of Noah and the great flood. Having been through the D. Platt curriculum on how to study the Bible, I know that it can be a dangerous practice to assign implied meaning to scripture that is simply telling a story, but Spurgeon eloquently draws a parallel picture without distorting the historical exclusivity of this passage.
When God calls us out, transforms out hearts and souls, and justifies us before the Father, he shuts us in. We are shut in and protected from our former passions. We are shut in, or perhaps ushered into communion with the Father, Son, and Spirit. Yes, the infinitely glorious, ultimate joy-possessing, completely perfect Trinity. We are shut in to the possibility of experiencing joy greater than our old nature could ever know. HALLELUJAH! WHAT A SAVIOR (Bob Kauflin's Hymn Project is playing in my ear as I type). When sanctification begins, we are at war with our former nature. But, like Noah, we are shut in and protected from raging storms. While the winds of trials and temptation blow us off our navigated course, we are protected from the debris that these winds stir up. And flood waters lift us closer to Heaven. God's elect dwell in Him, and Him in us.
I imagine myself in this shut-in state with God the Father. His son, Jesus, my Savior protecting me from the Father's wrath and allowing me to feel their love. The Holy Spirit permeating this fellowship like a cool breeze. Imagine the joy and peace, the satisfaction and true contentment that comes from this experience. I pray for the ability to experience this fellowship daily as Jesus' blood prompts sanctification and a stronger desire/need for it. By faith, let us proclaim victory in Him and own this fellowship daily as we wade through the floods of life.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Preach the Gospel to Yourself
Today's post is going to be rather random, as there are many thoughts that I feel are worthy of imparting on whomever may read this post. Three different thoughts......
1.) As I am in the process of weaning from an antidepressant/antianxiety medicine, it seemed quite appropriate to revisit C.J. Mahaney's little but life-changing book, "The Cross Centered Life." I am reminded of the importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves (C.J. gives credit to John Stott for that terminology), so here is a fundamental scripture to memorize. 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." If you've not already committed this verse to memory, I exhort you to do that with me and revisit it all day long, letting this thought season every activity you take on throughout the day.
2.) Do I live daily with a healthy fear of God? Thank you to my friend and pastor, Scott, who took our flock on a scripture-journey yesterday, speaking truth from the word of God and prompting each of us to dwell on our perception (or misperception) of the Sovereign God of all we know. Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lod is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." This sermon actually piggy-backs so nicely on what God has been revealing to me in my "quiet times" with Him daily. Spurgeon's devotion book, "Morning by Morning" has lately (coincidentally) been dealing with the sufficiency of God and our Savior in the midst of trials. David, a man after God's heart, and Jesus, His own sinless, perfect son did not live on earth without trials. Why on earth do I seek a problem-free existence day after day? There is nothing in His Word that says that I deserve a comfortable life, free of resistance or darkness. As a matter of fact, Paul says that God gave him a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming arrogant. I pray that God will use our struggles to draw each of us closer to Him!
And this leads me to the last truth that God has unveiled recently.....
3.) James 1: 13-16 (Thanks again, Scott), my own paraphrase: No one is tempted by God. I am tempted when I am enticed by myself and my own sinful desires (people pleasing, comfort, satisfaction/joy in inferior objects/practices). Desire breeds sin, and sin becomes spiritual death. Don't be deceived!
This prompts a question: why are my desires more important than seeking God through prayer and scripture?
1.) As I am in the process of weaning from an antidepressant/antianxiety medicine, it seemed quite appropriate to revisit C.J. Mahaney's little but life-changing book, "The Cross Centered Life." I am reminded of the importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves (C.J. gives credit to John Stott for that terminology), so here is a fundamental scripture to memorize. 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." If you've not already committed this verse to memory, I exhort you to do that with me and revisit it all day long, letting this thought season every activity you take on throughout the day.
2.) Do I live daily with a healthy fear of God? Thank you to my friend and pastor, Scott, who took our flock on a scripture-journey yesterday, speaking truth from the word of God and prompting each of us to dwell on our perception (or misperception) of the Sovereign God of all we know. Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lod is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." This sermon actually piggy-backs so nicely on what God has been revealing to me in my "quiet times" with Him daily. Spurgeon's devotion book, "Morning by Morning" has lately (coincidentally) been dealing with the sufficiency of God and our Savior in the midst of trials. David, a man after God's heart, and Jesus, His own sinless, perfect son did not live on earth without trials. Why on earth do I seek a problem-free existence day after day? There is nothing in His Word that says that I deserve a comfortable life, free of resistance or darkness. As a matter of fact, Paul says that God gave him a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming arrogant. I pray that God will use our struggles to draw each of us closer to Him!
And this leads me to the last truth that God has unveiled recently.....
3.) James 1: 13-16 (Thanks again, Scott), my own paraphrase: No one is tempted by God. I am tempted when I am enticed by myself and my own sinful desires (people pleasing, comfort, satisfaction/joy in inferior objects/practices). Desire breeds sin, and sin becomes spiritual death. Don't be deceived!
This prompts a question: why are my desires more important than seeking God through prayer and scripture?
Thursday, May 21, 2009
IF Ye Have Tasted
1 Peter 2:3: "if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good."
Oh, conviction..... Thank you, Jesus, for Your Word, for fellowship with You, Your life and joy giving sacrifice, and Thank You, Lord, that You have given me the fortune of like minded friends, so that "by testing, I may discern what is the will of God." Lord Jesus, allow us to drink more deeply of You! Allow us to "taste that the Lord is good."
IF we have tasted that the Lord is good, then we engage in the practice of self-abandonment, a practice commended by God. Our source of joy is no longer crap and filth of this world. John Piper reminded me last night ("Heat and Light") of something he learned from a book written by C.S. Lewis et al, "Quest for Joy." Self abandonment is not the act of renouncing pursuit of pleasure, but the act of abandoning the pursuit of lesser pleasures in favor of the life-giving, all-satisfying joy that comes from fellowship and friendship in Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of Deity dwells, and to whom we have access to fullness.
Let yesterday's post tie into this one. 1 Peter 2:3 says [we may grow into salvation] IF we have tasted that the Lord is good. Wrestle with this! Let's beg him together for a taste of the joy that He alone provides!
Here is verse 2 of "Jesus, My Only Hope," a Sovereign Grace worship song.
I will not fear Your judgment
for me no wrath I dread
for it was spent on Jesus
poured out upon His head.
When Satan's accusations
make my poor heart afraid
I hear my King declaring
"Father, that debt is paid!"
FEAST ON THAT!
Oh, conviction..... Thank you, Jesus, for Your Word, for fellowship with You, Your life and joy giving sacrifice, and Thank You, Lord, that You have given me the fortune of like minded friends, so that "by testing, I may discern what is the will of God." Lord Jesus, allow us to drink more deeply of You! Allow us to "taste that the Lord is good."
IF we have tasted that the Lord is good, then we engage in the practice of self-abandonment, a practice commended by God. Our source of joy is no longer crap and filth of this world. John Piper reminded me last night ("Heat and Light") of something he learned from a book written by C.S. Lewis et al, "Quest for Joy." Self abandonment is not the act of renouncing pursuit of pleasure, but the act of abandoning the pursuit of lesser pleasures in favor of the life-giving, all-satisfying joy that comes from fellowship and friendship in Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of Deity dwells, and to whom we have access to fullness.
Let yesterday's post tie into this one. 1 Peter 2:3 says [we may grow into salvation] IF we have tasted that the Lord is good. Wrestle with this! Let's beg him together for a taste of the joy that He alone provides!
Here is verse 2 of "Jesus, My Only Hope," a Sovereign Grace worship song.
I will not fear Your judgment
for me no wrath I dread
for it was spent on Jesus
poured out upon His head.
When Satan's accusations
make my poor heart afraid
I hear my King declaring
"Father, that debt is paid!"
FEAST ON THAT!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Our Source of "Fullness"
Colossians 2: 9 - 10 speaks so much truth into my life yesterday and today. Paul says, "For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, (10) and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." Jesus is God in the flesh. I, as a believer, have all fullness..... everything I need in Him! He has smashed every rule and authority and become my only hope.
Paul is speaking to the Colossian church about philosophers in Colossae who were spreading false doctrine. While the word "fullness" has such heavy implications to the believer, my ESV Study Bible tells me that Paul was actually using this term to kind of "poke" at these philosophers, using a term from their jargon to mock their parallel philosophy, rooted in evil and darkness. The question is: Where do I gain my fullness? If Christ allows my union with Him, and He provides the crushing blow to all rules and authorities, why do I seek pleasure, comfort, and joy in things other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Why do my remedies for worldly anxiety or depression trump the all-sufficient Savior?
Charles Spurgeon frequently suffered terrible bouts with "depression." He and I have that in common. Spurgeon applied the all-sufficient balm of the gospel to his life as his sole remedy. Is it double minded (James 1) to embrace contemporary methods for treating anxiety and depression? Is this a parallel teaching rooted in darkness like in Colossians 2: 9-10? When is Christ Jesus enough? Paul says here that Jesus is God manifest in body, and we are filled with Him!
Paul is speaking to the Colossian church about philosophers in Colossae who were spreading false doctrine. While the word "fullness" has such heavy implications to the believer, my ESV Study Bible tells me that Paul was actually using this term to kind of "poke" at these philosophers, using a term from their jargon to mock their parallel philosophy, rooted in evil and darkness. The question is: Where do I gain my fullness? If Christ allows my union with Him, and He provides the crushing blow to all rules and authorities, why do I seek pleasure, comfort, and joy in things other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified? Why do my remedies for worldly anxiety or depression trump the all-sufficient Savior?
Charles Spurgeon frequently suffered terrible bouts with "depression." He and I have that in common. Spurgeon applied the all-sufficient balm of the gospel to his life as his sole remedy. Is it double minded (James 1) to embrace contemporary methods for treating anxiety and depression? Is this a parallel teaching rooted in darkness like in Colossians 2: 9-10? When is Christ Jesus enough? Paul says here that Jesus is God manifest in body, and we are filled with Him!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Joint Heirs with Christ....
Romans 8:17 "and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ......"
Wow! This verse, even out of context (the rest of the passage adds tremendous clarity to the above statement), gives Christian life purpose. The passage of Romans 8:12-17 gives more depth to the main point I've isolated from verse 17. If we are children of God, then we are alive in His Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the flesh. In the Spirit we cry out "Abba! Father!"
Is there a more humbling thought than this? That God has allowed us to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ. I pray that God Himself will reveal to each of us the depth and breadth of all this statement implies. The Sovereign God of all creation allows fallen worshipers to become as His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. WHAT? Oh, yes, God allows us to basque in the beauty of His presence of His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, we can enter into friendship with Him. We are heirs of righteousness and holiness!
Fellow believers, let us cling to this truth for joy when the suffering of this world inevitably strikes a blow to our faith. The person of Jesus Christ took the blow of our Father's wrath. He took our punishment so that we can be fellow heirs. Thank you, Jesus!
Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
Wow! This verse, even out of context (the rest of the passage adds tremendous clarity to the above statement), gives Christian life purpose. The passage of Romans 8:12-17 gives more depth to the main point I've isolated from verse 17. If we are children of God, then we are alive in His Spirit, putting to death the deeds of the flesh. In the Spirit we cry out "Abba! Father!"
Is there a more humbling thought than this? That God has allowed us to be joint heirs with Jesus Christ. I pray that God Himself will reveal to each of us the depth and breadth of all this statement implies. The Sovereign God of all creation allows fallen worshipers to become as His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. WHAT? Oh, yes, God allows us to basque in the beauty of His presence of His Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus, we can enter into friendship with Him. We are heirs of righteousness and holiness!
Fellow believers, let us cling to this truth for joy when the suffering of this world inevitably strikes a blow to our faith. The person of Jesus Christ took the blow of our Father's wrath. He took our punishment so that we can be fellow heirs. Thank you, Jesus!
Romans 8:15 "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What Was I Thinking?
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Saturday, our family's dishwasher caught fire. It had a good life, a number of years of service, and was generally dying a slow death anyway. Saturday night/Sunday I did some research and Sunday afternoon, while at Lowe's to purchase Kelley's Mother's Day flowers (to plant with the kids) we purchased a dishwasher.
Monday after work, Kelley called me to tell me that our brand new dishwasher was just sitting outside our house. How could this be? We paid an addition $105. to have our new dishwasher installed in our house..... No one had called me to set up an appointment to install. You mean to tell me that we dropped $500 on this new dishwasher and these guys had just left it sitting outside my house? Boy, I was livid. So, I headed to Lowe's to "straighten this whole thing out."
I marched straight back to the appliance section of Lowes. Before I was finished telling my story, two sales associates (including the one that had sold me the dishwasher Sunday), the delivery manager, and the store manager were surrounding me. They were captive to my rant. "Someone here has lost their mind," I proclaimed. "Maybe $500 isn't much to you guys, but that's a lot of money to me." I had caused a stir, maybe even a scene.
"Are you sure it's your dishwasher?" they asked. "Yes!" I exclaimed, "but I'll get my wife on the phone to make sure. The group huddled ever closer. "We don't show in our computer that we've delivered anything to your address," they continued.
"Honey, will you go outside and look at the box? Are you certain that it says 'Whirlpool' on there?" "Make sure there is a white Lowes delivery sticker on there."
"Oops, John, I'm so sorry. This box is our new sand filter for our swimming pool."
Red-faced, I apologized, tucked my tail and left embarassed and humbled. I believe there's a lesson for me here......
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
Saturday, our family's dishwasher caught fire. It had a good life, a number of years of service, and was generally dying a slow death anyway. Saturday night/Sunday I did some research and Sunday afternoon, while at Lowe's to purchase Kelley's Mother's Day flowers (to plant with the kids) we purchased a dishwasher.
Monday after work, Kelley called me to tell me that our brand new dishwasher was just sitting outside our house. How could this be? We paid an addition $105. to have our new dishwasher installed in our house..... No one had called me to set up an appointment to install. You mean to tell me that we dropped $500 on this new dishwasher and these guys had just left it sitting outside my house? Boy, I was livid. So, I headed to Lowe's to "straighten this whole thing out."
I marched straight back to the appliance section of Lowes. Before I was finished telling my story, two sales associates (including the one that had sold me the dishwasher Sunday), the delivery manager, and the store manager were surrounding me. They were captive to my rant. "Someone here has lost their mind," I proclaimed. "Maybe $500 isn't much to you guys, but that's a lot of money to me." I had caused a stir, maybe even a scene.
"Are you sure it's your dishwasher?" they asked. "Yes!" I exclaimed, "but I'll get my wife on the phone to make sure. The group huddled ever closer. "We don't show in our computer that we've delivered anything to your address," they continued.
"Honey, will you go outside and look at the box? Are you certain that it says 'Whirlpool' on there?" "Make sure there is a white Lowes delivery sticker on there."
"Oops, John, I'm so sorry. This box is our new sand filter for our swimming pool."
Red-faced, I apologized, tucked my tail and left embarassed and humbled. I believe there's a lesson for me here......
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Healing and the Holy Spirit
As I listen to Paul Baloche sing, "You Have Been So Good to Me" this morning, Spurgeon's devotion book prompts me to meditate on Matthew 12:15. In this passage, the Pharisees are plotting against Jesus, so He goes away from where He is to go out and perform healing. Despite my sin nature and filthy heart, Jesus provides healing to me. He removes the disease of sin from my soul, and through His blood and victory over death, proclaims that I am clean in the sight of the Father! Now that's some healing! Swine flu pales in comparison the sickness of my sin. I believe I'll ask for healing from the disease of John Burroughs!
Even better, in I John 4:13, the Word reminds us that once healed, we may dwell in Him. What a gift! Jesus heals us, then ushers into the 'mansion' of His presence. ".....we abide in Him, and Him in us, because he has given us of His spirit." Too poor for this mansion? His abode has a mortgage that's already been paid. Need furniture? It's already there. What about my shabby old garments? In His presence, he provides new garments and a full armor! The shelter of His Holy Spirit is given to believers so that we may dwell in Him.
Thank you Sovereign God for all the provisions necessary to know and love you.
Even better, in I John 4:13, the Word reminds us that once healed, we may dwell in Him. What a gift! Jesus heals us, then ushers into the 'mansion' of His presence. ".....we abide in Him, and Him in us, because he has given us of His spirit." Too poor for this mansion? His abode has a mortgage that's already been paid. Need furniture? It's already there. What about my shabby old garments? In His presence, he provides new garments and a full armor! The shelter of His Holy Spirit is given to believers so that we may dwell in Him.
Thank you Sovereign God for all the provisions necessary to know and love you.
Monday, May 4, 2009
False Gods
In my heart and in my family we worship our Risen Savior, we worship the one true God, by means of His Holy Spirit. Three of the five of us recognize our sin nature, our need for Jesus' saving grace, and have begun the lifelong journey of sanctification. Thank God for His Word which recently taught me in Hebrews 4 that the Bible is "living and active, .....pierces to the division of sould ad spirit...."
Today Jeremiah 16:19-20 speaks to me:
O Lord, my strength and my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of trouble,
to you sall the nations come
from the ends of the earth and say:
"Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies.
worthless things in which there is no profit.
Can man make for himself gods?
Such are not gods!"
There are no golden calves at my crib, no stone statues, no shrines to other gods. But there is a TV in virtually every room, there are devices and contraptions for all sorts of entertainment. There is food for all occasions, not just necessities, but anything for whatever whimsical desire we muster up.... There are all sorts of idols that lead to lack of time with my God, and a number of distractions for comfort, laziness, and leizure. Especially in my home, my Savior today prompts me to lead my home in a Christ-centered way, removing distractions and any obstacle to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and the living Word.
Today Jeremiah 16:19-20 speaks to me:
O Lord, my strength and my stronghold,
my refuge in the day of trouble,
to you sall the nations come
from the ends of the earth and say:
"Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies.
worthless things in which there is no profit.
Can man make for himself gods?
Such are not gods!"
There are no golden calves at my crib, no stone statues, no shrines to other gods. But there is a TV in virtually every room, there are devices and contraptions for all sorts of entertainment. There is food for all occasions, not just necessities, but anything for whatever whimsical desire we muster up.... There are all sorts of idols that lead to lack of time with my God, and a number of distractions for comfort, laziness, and leizure. Especially in my home, my Savior today prompts me to lead my home in a Christ-centered way, removing distractions and any obstacle to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and the living Word.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
John 17:15
Jesus' last prayer is a thing of beauty. I am so thankful that God brought me to this passage today in my quiet time. "I do not ask that you take them from this world, but that you keep them from the evil one." Jesus is praying for His disciples here, and I am a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ. So, at least as far as my pea brain can discern, this prayer has two obvious practical applications in my life.
1.) Jesus prayer is that God would not remove me from 'this world,' including hardships, sin, and suffering, but keep me from the evil one. For me, this implies that my life should never be about running from trouble (and not necessarily to it either), but wait patiently upon the Lord. My place is to grow in consecration and sanctification, just as He has ordained through hardship, with every trial.
2.) Christians, the body of Christ, should not withdraw from the world as we have in recent history. Jesus' simple words "I do not ask that you take them from this world," are so profound and important for us to cling to. Under scrutiny and condemnation, at a time when Christians are labeled and mocked, I wonder how much of this we have brought onto ourselves by withdrawing from culture? To isolate ourselves, look pompously at others, condemn people, proclaim rules for living (rather than love and mercy) brings about the desire to withdraw and create a Christian subculture. [If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have prophetic power, and understand all mystery and all knowledge, and if I have faith, such as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Cor. 13:1-2] I believe Jesus' words are all the convincing I need to embrace this life as a means to experience Him and DISPLAY THIS to my little earthly circle of influence. Jesus prayed for protection from the evil one in this world, not isolation from the world and the evil one!
Jesus lived in and among the world. I desire that Christians would permeate non believers and ask the Holy Spirit to work through our acts of love and service. And may the church proclaim love and serve our communities with a desire to display the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
1.) Jesus prayer is that God would not remove me from 'this world,' including hardships, sin, and suffering, but keep me from the evil one. For me, this implies that my life should never be about running from trouble (and not necessarily to it either), but wait patiently upon the Lord. My place is to grow in consecration and sanctification, just as He has ordained through hardship, with every trial.
2.) Christians, the body of Christ, should not withdraw from the world as we have in recent history. Jesus' simple words "I do not ask that you take them from this world," are so profound and important for us to cling to. Under scrutiny and condemnation, at a time when Christians are labeled and mocked, I wonder how much of this we have brought onto ourselves by withdrawing from culture? To isolate ourselves, look pompously at others, condemn people, proclaim rules for living (rather than love and mercy) brings about the desire to withdraw and create a Christian subculture. [If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have prophetic power, and understand all mystery and all knowledge, and if I have faith, such as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Cor. 13:1-2] I believe Jesus' words are all the convincing I need to embrace this life as a means to experience Him and DISPLAY THIS to my little earthly circle of influence. Jesus prayed for protection from the evil one in this world, not isolation from the world and the evil one!
Jesus lived in and among the world. I desire that Christians would permeate non believers and ask the Holy Spirit to work through our acts of love and service. And may the church proclaim love and serve our communities with a desire to display the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Battles Lost, the War is Won!
Spurgeons book, Morning by Morning, reminds me today of a John Piper quote that I heard in a sermon, "There is something more sweet about winning a war where a battle or two have been lost." Jeremiah 17:17 says, ".....You are my refuge in the day of disaster." I am convinced by reading the inerrant Word of God that we suffer through "trials" in our earthly life to get rid of pride and self sufficiency while slowly learning to cling to the robe of our Savior for redemption. We gleen greater dependence on God our Rock by knowing that tough times are for-ordained and under the realm of His sovereign rule.
Further, who am I to say that a good God shouldn't allow bad things to happen to me? The depth of pride revealed in that statement alone is shameful! What do I deserve? Has He shown me grace or mercy? How deep is His love for me? Can I sanctify myself?
"I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross......" Thank you, Jesus.
Further, who am I to say that a good God shouldn't allow bad things to happen to me? The depth of pride revealed in that statement alone is shameful! What do I deserve? Has He shown me grace or mercy? How deep is His love for me? Can I sanctify myself?
"I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross......" Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Satisfaction
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." Matt. 5:6.
On my own, I'll never seek His righteousness. Oh God, thank you for Jesus! I beg you, Lord, for deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness, implying a petition for one thing in my life: more Jesus! The more You open my eyes to the righteousness You so freely give, the more I see my need for my Savior. How can my filthy thoughts, my selfish motivations, my self-centered intentions, and my prideful dealings with other people be seen as righteous?
The precious blood.
Ps. 31:3-5 "For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God."
On my own, I'll never seek His righteousness. Oh God, thank you for Jesus! I beg you, Lord, for deeper hunger and thirst for righteousness, implying a petition for one thing in my life: more Jesus! The more You open my eyes to the righteousness You so freely give, the more I see my need for my Savior. How can my filthy thoughts, my selfish motivations, my self-centered intentions, and my prideful dealings with other people be seen as righteous?
The precious blood.
Ps. 31:3-5 "For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; You take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God."
Monday, April 27, 2009
Enough Being Double-Minded
Well, I don't want to blog too much about our church services yesterday at Idlewild Baptist Church because I'm certain you'll be able to read that information at www.convertedbeliever.blogspot.com. However, I would like to share that God is bringing together separate learning events and passages of scripture in my life to drive home one important lesson in my life: He is enough.
On the surface, these three words can seem trite and cliche, but when applied to a consecrated heart in total faith, this scritpural truth finds profound meaning. Last night, Pastor Scott took our little flock to James 1: 5-8. Here's what I take from this passage: To live a life seeking to confront problems or seek wisdom on my own is to be double minded (Js. 1:8). More specifically, to wake up every morning and seek the Spirit in prayer, in reading His word, and studying Spurgeon (et al) is not enough. This quiet time with my Savior is not to be confined to a moment where I seek encounters with Him for spiritual growth. This time should breed wisdom (which is God-given and God-centered straight from scripture), wisdom that finds its way into every situation every day. My dealings with people all day should be scripture lived out! God wants me to ask Him with no doubting. In other words, at work, my actions will be based on the lessons from scripture that He teaches me, not solely on profession-specific books, i.e. "What Great Principals do Differently," etc.
God opened my eyes to this in a lesson on Psalm 95, Hebrews 4:11-13 yesterday morning. It was reinforced in James last night. And guess what? This morning my devotion took me to Psalm 67. Spurgeon uses this Psalm of Thanksgiving for a fruitful harvest to encourage us to seek God in all things, because "God, our God, shall bless us." He will hear our cries and give so freely of Himself. Has He not already demonstrated that?
On the surface, these three words can seem trite and cliche, but when applied to a consecrated heart in total faith, this scritpural truth finds profound meaning. Last night, Pastor Scott took our little flock to James 1: 5-8. Here's what I take from this passage: To live a life seeking to confront problems or seek wisdom on my own is to be double minded (Js. 1:8). More specifically, to wake up every morning and seek the Spirit in prayer, in reading His word, and studying Spurgeon (et al) is not enough. This quiet time with my Savior is not to be confined to a moment where I seek encounters with Him for spiritual growth. This time should breed wisdom (which is God-given and God-centered straight from scripture), wisdom that finds its way into every situation every day. My dealings with people all day should be scripture lived out! God wants me to ask Him with no doubting. In other words, at work, my actions will be based on the lessons from scripture that He teaches me, not solely on profession-specific books, i.e. "What Great Principals do Differently," etc.
God opened my eyes to this in a lesson on Psalm 95, Hebrews 4:11-13 yesterday morning. It was reinforced in James last night. And guess what? This morning my devotion took me to Psalm 67. Spurgeon uses this Psalm of Thanksgiving for a fruitful harvest to encourage us to seek God in all things, because "God, our God, shall bless us." He will hear our cries and give so freely of Himself. Has He not already demonstrated that?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Luke 15:7
"Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
I pray that our Mighty Savior will save me from my pride. Every day I profess my need for repentance aloud, but I pray that Jesus blood runs all the way to the cavenous depths of my sinful nature and prompts authenticity in my request, but furthermore, I pray that He allows me to apply His grace to the sin (not more legalist rules), and the faith to envision and experience this repentance followed through!
Romans 8:37-39, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
When the Spirit convicts me of sin, I must apply faith directly from The Conqueror for victory! Spurgeon said, "The only weapon to fight sin with is the spear which pierced the side of Jesus." I approach repentance from sin just as I did salvation: I came to Jesus as I was, and trusted Him to save me. None of my acts of repentance (conviction, regret, humility, weeping, etc.) have any meaning apart from Jesus. Morale conviction has no place in redemption.
We are more than conquerors [ONLY] through Him that loved us.
I pray that our Mighty Savior will save me from my pride. Every day I profess my need for repentance aloud, but I pray that Jesus blood runs all the way to the cavenous depths of my sinful nature and prompts authenticity in my request, but furthermore, I pray that He allows me to apply His grace to the sin (not more legalist rules), and the faith to envision and experience this repentance followed through!
Romans 8:37-39, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
When the Spirit convicts me of sin, I must apply faith directly from The Conqueror for victory! Spurgeon said, "The only weapon to fight sin with is the spear which pierced the side of Jesus." I approach repentance from sin just as I did salvation: I came to Jesus as I was, and trusted Him to save me. None of my acts of repentance (conviction, regret, humility, weeping, etc.) have any meaning apart from Jesus. Morale conviction has no place in redemption.
We are more than conquerors [ONLY] through Him that loved us.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
God calls Merrell
So.... the first entry. I've got to share with anyone who will read this my reason for entering the world o' blog. God has directly answered my most frequent prayer request to Him. God has opened my oldest daughter's heart, mind, and ears. On Sunday, April 19, 2009, Merrell told me that she is a sinner in need of a savior, and that she wants to "ask Jesus to live in her heart." I've gotta say, God allowed me to see a progression of events that afforded me some opportunities to see His plan unfolding. Quite simply, I'm amazed. I have felt joy like never before.
On Good Friday, Scott Packett (my friend and pastor), decided that at Idlewild Baptist Church, we'd do a very "un-Baptist" thing. We asked people to put Jesus ahead of tradition. We would worship Him, celebrate His precious blood, and praise Him for His sacrifice which was planned before the dawn of time. God had big plans for that night, awaking the dead soul of my daughter Merrell. During the service, Merrell took some notes (please read on).
Now this is profound for several reasons:
1.) It was an 'accident' that Merrell had paper and a writing utensil. We've been studying God's providence in the book of Ruth. Well, I got to see it in a very small way that night. During the service, my 2 year old son, Drew began to act out. Frustrated, my wife placed her Bible and journal in Merrell's lap so that she could wrangle the little satanic booger. Neither of us paid attention to what Merrell was writing during the service, but were humbled, moved to emotion, and driven to our knees by what our eldest had written. I quote, "I am nothing but sin. They nailed Him to a cross. Jesus is my everything."
2.) Every day I pray that my children will see themselves for who they are and see God for who He is. I know and understand that God hears and answers prayers, but this time He chose to work in a tender-hearted, incredibly bright, very curious little 6-year old (who also happens to be my daughter).
3.) This was umprompted by her mother or me. Scott's message that night, as always, was completely gospel driven and centered. As a pastor, Scott sticks true to His Biblical responsibility to instill in the members' hearts a deep understanding of our need for Jesus, and encouragement to constantly, intentionally seek Him...... experience Him. Unbelievably, this is also the reason he is mostly widely persecuted. He tells us we're sinners. Well let me be the first to stand up and scream praises to My Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit, thanking Him for my pastor. While some religious people scowl with disdain, Scott lovingly tells us how desparate he is for Jesus, and seeks to instill this attribute in us, my daughter heard someone besides her mother and me tell her about how desparate we are for Jesus. She picked up on the most important message she could ever hear.
On Good Friday, Scott Packett (my friend and pastor), decided that at Idlewild Baptist Church, we'd do a very "un-Baptist" thing. We asked people to put Jesus ahead of tradition. We would worship Him, celebrate His precious blood, and praise Him for His sacrifice which was planned before the dawn of time. God had big plans for that night, awaking the dead soul of my daughter Merrell. During the service, Merrell took some notes (please read on).
Now this is profound for several reasons:
1.) It was an 'accident' that Merrell had paper and a writing utensil. We've been studying God's providence in the book of Ruth. Well, I got to see it in a very small way that night. During the service, my 2 year old son, Drew began to act out. Frustrated, my wife placed her Bible and journal in Merrell's lap so that she could wrangle the little satanic booger. Neither of us paid attention to what Merrell was writing during the service, but were humbled, moved to emotion, and driven to our knees by what our eldest had written. I quote, "I am nothing but sin. They nailed Him to a cross. Jesus is my everything."
2.) Every day I pray that my children will see themselves for who they are and see God for who He is. I know and understand that God hears and answers prayers, but this time He chose to work in a tender-hearted, incredibly bright, very curious little 6-year old (who also happens to be my daughter).
3.) This was umprompted by her mother or me. Scott's message that night, as always, was completely gospel driven and centered. As a pastor, Scott sticks true to His Biblical responsibility to instill in the members' hearts a deep understanding of our need for Jesus, and encouragement to constantly, intentionally seek Him...... experience Him. Unbelievably, this is also the reason he is mostly widely persecuted. He tells us we're sinners. Well let me be the first to stand up and scream praises to My Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit, thanking Him for my pastor. While some religious people scowl with disdain, Scott lovingly tells us how desparate he is for Jesus, and seeks to instill this attribute in us, my daughter heard someone besides her mother and me tell her about how desparate we are for Jesus. She picked up on the most important message she could ever hear.
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