I was discouraged today to think of all the empty Christians walking around. There just seems to be so many who just breeze through everyday life with little thought as to what God wants. People who are looking for the warm fuzzies of God's word and not the life changing truth that we need.
I was reading a blog yesterday and the Lord laid this thought on my heart. It seems to me so many "Christians" hear the word of God and then do nothing about it. I had to do some serious examination of my own life to make sure that I am not being a hypocrite in writing this! After some prayer and meditation I decided that I am comfortable with what I want to say and that while I am not perfect, I am striving to be like my Savior.
As you may or may not know one of favorite verses in the bible is James 1:22. It says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." I have always referred to this verse as "The Nike verse, just do it!" That was Nike's motto in the '90's. "Just do it!" This verse means that when you become aware of a scripture that says to do something or that there is a change that needs to be made to... JUST DO IT. I know from experience that there are some difficult scriptures out there that stare straight into you soul and reveal sin. Verses that show us something in our comfortable lives that we are unwilling to part with. Self problems. Sin problems. Look at James 1, it says to "consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds." Do you believe that God is using those trials to make you more like Him, or to bring Him glory? We are told to rejoice, not to despair or worry. JUST DO IT! How about Phillipians 3:7, "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. " Do you have pride issues? Do you have a view of yourself that is too high? A view of God that is too low? How about a worldview that polluted by the world? Possessions that are more important then Christ? Count them as loss! JUST DO IT!
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." God's word is supposed to make us uncomfortable. We are supposed to change, to grow, to become more like Jesus. This is a supernatural change that our all powerful sovereign God has planned for us. He wants us to be joyful! He wants to bless us. God is so big and so wonderful and He has plans for us!
The word of God is truth. Absolute truth! Do you believe that? Prove it! The next to you are confronted by a verse that makes you squirm, make a change, no matter how insignificant, no matter how incomprehensible, make some changes. James 1:22 says to JUST DO IT!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Thoughts from the plow truck
Well, as you may or may not know we have had close to 130 inches of snow here in the Adirondacks. You may or may not appreciate all of that snow. Most people I know who move snow for a living are about sick of it! The folks who play in the snow love it. I tend to find myself in the the first group of people. I often find myself thinking that I'm going to cry if we get anymore snow! This winter will be written off as an "old time winter" with the oodles of snow and the ear numbing cold! Ahhhhh, global warming. We saw temps in the negative 30's and I'm looking at a snowbank right now that is about 15' high. God's word has something to say about mans wisdom... "For the wisdom of this world is folly with God." (I Cor 3:19a). I think God is in control. We don't have to worry about global warming.
It is because of all this snow that I have been stuck in a plow truck for hours and hours. It does sometimes get old so I decided to break out the ipod and put that time to good use. It has been a tremendous blessing! I have been getting paid to listen to a theology class, sit under the teachings of Piper, Mahaney, Macarthur, Packer, Linne, and some others too! How cool is that! This morning I was listening to Packer teach about faith, a message he taught back in '88 at a pastors conference. Well, I was about half way through this message and there was a pause and then I was told to flip the tape over to hear the rest of the message! I laughed out loud! Here I sit in '09 listening to my ipod and being told to flip the tape over! Does anybody have a tape player anymore? Well, this got me thinking about how God's word is timeless. I am so thankful for that! God does not change (Malachi 3:6). He has a plan for you, he has a plan for me. How beautiful is that! We are loved by a God that cares enough for us to have a plan for us! "For I know the plans I have for you..." Jeremiah 29:11.
It is so easy to run to the book store and pick up the latest "Christian " book for something to read. I want to challenge you to remember that God does not change. Pick up some of the old stuff. Read some Edwards or Luther, find some Bunyan or Spurgeon. It is often argued that we have access to so much information now that we should be ahead of the curve when it comes to theology. That may be true, but the only thing some of these men had was their bibles and you know what? They knew their bibles. If they knew anything it was their bibles! Some of these guys spent as much as 13 hours a day studying their bibles and praying!!! They were not sidetracked by this or that while they were online researching. We have the writings of these man and many many more! Take the time to get to know them a little. Their God was the same then as He is today.
It is because of all this snow that I have been stuck in a plow truck for hours and hours. It does sometimes get old so I decided to break out the ipod and put that time to good use. It has been a tremendous blessing! I have been getting paid to listen to a theology class, sit under the teachings of Piper, Mahaney, Macarthur, Packer, Linne, and some others too! How cool is that! This morning I was listening to Packer teach about faith, a message he taught back in '88 at a pastors conference. Well, I was about half way through this message and there was a pause and then I was told to flip the tape over to hear the rest of the message! I laughed out loud! Here I sit in '09 listening to my ipod and being told to flip the tape over! Does anybody have a tape player anymore? Well, this got me thinking about how God's word is timeless. I am so thankful for that! God does not change (Malachi 3:6). He has a plan for you, he has a plan for me. How beautiful is that! We are loved by a God that cares enough for us to have a plan for us! "For I know the plans I have for you..." Jeremiah 29:11.
It is so easy to run to the book store and pick up the latest "Christian " book for something to read. I want to challenge you to remember that God does not change. Pick up some of the old stuff. Read some Edwards or Luther, find some Bunyan or Spurgeon. It is often argued that we have access to so much information now that we should be ahead of the curve when it comes to theology. That may be true, but the only thing some of these men had was their bibles and you know what? They knew their bibles. If they knew anything it was their bibles! Some of these guys spent as much as 13 hours a day studying their bibles and praying!!! They were not sidetracked by this or that while they were online researching. We have the writings of these man and many many more! Take the time to get to know them a little. Their God was the same then as He is today.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Pastors Conference
I just have to share with all of my friends in blog world that I will be leaving for the Desiring God Pastors Conference on Sunday! I am uber (that's a Brian word) excited! God is so good. There is no way I could have afforded this trip on my own. God provided it all. Some very special folks provided funds for this trip. It is awesome to see how the Church of God takes care of the people of God! The theme of this years conference is evangelism! Did I mention that I am excited?! 'Cause I am! It will be such a blessing to be surrounded by 1400 other like-minded men praising our God, learning about our God, submitting to our God, and glorifying our God!
It was not too long ago that I would not have been excited about something like this. I may have gone to look like a good Christian, but I would not have been looking to get anything out of it! Sad huh? Now, by Gods grace I want to learn what the Lord has for me. I want to learn more and more about him. I truly hunger and thirst for His righteousness!
Please pray for me and all of the men who will be attending this conference. Pray for the teachers too!
Just wanted to share this with you all because I am (uber) excited! As if you couldn't tell!
Blessings!!!
It was not too long ago that I would not have been excited about something like this. I may have gone to look like a good Christian, but I would not have been looking to get anything out of it! Sad huh? Now, by Gods grace I want to learn what the Lord has for me. I want to learn more and more about him. I truly hunger and thirst for His righteousness!
Please pray for me and all of the men who will be attending this conference. Pray for the teachers too!
Just wanted to share this with you all because I am (uber) excited! As if you couldn't tell!
Blessings!!!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Isaiah
It has become something of a tradition as of late for my family to gather at my parents house for dinner (lunch) on Sundays after church. I am so blessed to have the family that I do! The view from the kitchen table is breathtaking. It overlooks a river with hills and mountains in the background. As of late it is more of an arctic tundra then a river! Beautiful none the less! Today while we were eating we were greeted by both a rather small flock of turkeys and a majestic bald eagle. It is the eagle that brought me to the following chapter in Isaiah. God's creation is amazing. It just screams His name! It is beautiful. I hope that the following blesses you as you read and or meditate on these wonderful words from our Great and Mighty God!
(It seems that as of late I have really been touched by the book of Isaiah. The Holy Spirit seems to be leading my thoughts there often. It has been a blessing and I praise God for it!)
Isaiah 40
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and cry to her that her warfare is ended,that her iniquity is pardoned,that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up,and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level,and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The Word of God Stands Forever
6 A voice says, “Cry!”And I said, “What shall I cry?”All flesh is grass,and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it;surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades,but the word of our God will stand forever.
9 Get you up to a high mountain,O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength,O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not;say to the cities of Judah,“Behold your God!”10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him,and his recompense before him.11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,and gently lead those that are with young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span,enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord,or what man shows him his counsel?14 Whom did he consult,and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice,and taught him knowledge,and showed him the way of understanding?15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,and are accounted as the dust on the scales;behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.17 All the nations are as nothing before him,they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.
18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?19 An idol! A craftsman casts it,and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains.20 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot;he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move.
21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?Has it not been told you from the beginning?Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;23 who brings princes to nothing,and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.
24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
25 To whom then will you compare me,that I should be like him? says the Holy One.26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:who created these? He who brings out their host by number,calling them all by name,by the greatness of his might,and because he is strong in power not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29 He gives power to the faint,and to him who has no might he increases strength.30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.
(It seems that as of late I have really been touched by the book of Isaiah. The Holy Spirit seems to be leading my thoughts there often. It has been a blessing and I praise God for it!)
Isaiah 40
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,and cry to her that her warfare is ended,that her iniquity is pardoned,that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins.
3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up,and every mountain and hill be made low;the uneven ground shall become level,and the rough places a plain. 5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
The Word of God Stands Forever
6 A voice says, “Cry!”And I said, “What shall I cry?”All flesh is grass,and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it;surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades,but the word of our God will stand forever.
9 Get you up to a high mountain,O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength,O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not;say to the cities of Judah,“Behold your God!”10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might,and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him,and his recompense before him.11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,and gently lead those that are with young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span,enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?13 Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord,or what man shows him his counsel?14 Whom did he consult,and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice,and taught him knowledge,and showed him the way of understanding?15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,and are accounted as the dust on the scales;behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.16 Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.17 All the nations are as nothing before him,they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.
18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him?19 An idol! A craftsman casts it,and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and casts for it silver chains.20 He who is too impoverished for an offering chooses wood that will not rot;he seeks out a skillful craftsman to set up an idol that will not move.
21 Do you not know? Do you not hear?Has it not been told you from the beginning?Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;23 who brings princes to nothing,and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.
24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
25 To whom then will you compare me,that I should be like him? says the Holy One.26 Lift up your eyes on high and see:who created these? He who brings out their host by number,calling them all by name,by the greatness of his might,and because he is strong in power not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God,the Creator of the ends of the earth.He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29 He gives power to the faint,and to him who has no might he increases strength.30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary;they shall walk and not faint.
A little piece of eternity
I came across this scripture last night in a book that I am reading. I know that it is a fairly familiar section but it is good. I love a good meal with family and friends! This one in particular will blow away all the best party's here on earth. Come Lord Jesus Come!
Isaiah 25:6-9
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. 7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever;and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. 9 It will be said on that day,“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
We serve a mighty king. His word is true. Cherish it! Rejoice, repent, grow, cry, memorize, harmonize, and glorify the Lord of Lords as we grow in his word every day!
Isaiah 25:6-9
6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. 7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. 8 He will swallow up death forever;and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. 9 It will be said on that day,“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”
We serve a mighty king. His word is true. Cherish it! Rejoice, repent, grow, cry, memorize, harmonize, and glorify the Lord of Lords as we grow in his word every day!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A life worth living
I have been slowly reading through "The Life and Diary of David Brainerd", it has truly been a blessing. It is amazing the love this man had both for his God and for the lost. I read today a brief quote that I want to share with you.
One day I remember, in particular, (I think it was in June, 1740) I walked to a considerable distance from the college, in the fields alone at noon, and in prayer found such unspeakable sweetness and delight in God, that I thought, if I must continue still in this evil world I wanted always to be there, to behold God's glory. My soul dearly loved all mankind, and longed exceedingly that they should enjoy what I enjoyed. It seemed to be a little resemblance of heaven.
I often lack this love that Brainerd felt for mankind. It is easy to look at others and feel anger. Repulsion. It is so inspiring for me to read these courageous words from a dear brother who lived so long ago. A man that knew what it was to love. A man willing to truly give his life to the Lord. It is beautiful. It is lovely. It is God.
One day I remember, in particular, (I think it was in June, 1740) I walked to a considerable distance from the college, in the fields alone at noon, and in prayer found such unspeakable sweetness and delight in God, that I thought, if I must continue still in this evil world I wanted always to be there, to behold God's glory. My soul dearly loved all mankind, and longed exceedingly that they should enjoy what I enjoyed. It seemed to be a little resemblance of heaven.
I often lack this love that Brainerd felt for mankind. It is easy to look at others and feel anger. Repulsion. It is so inspiring for me to read these courageous words from a dear brother who lived so long ago. A man that knew what it was to love. A man willing to truly give his life to the Lord. It is beautiful. It is lovely. It is God.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Great Church
1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
It's easy to look at the above scripture and just breeze through it. It's easy to think that this is not talking about me. It's easy to look around and see where others may fall short in regard to the above verses. It tends to be uncomfortable to think about this scripture as it pertains to self. Meditating on scripture like this sometimes digs deep and points to problems that you either were not previously aware of or not eager to deal with. It is times like these the Holy Spirit uses to purify, mold, and sharpen us, to draw us toward Him.
In our service this morning it was made glaringly obvious that these verses do talk about me. There are many things in this world that are appealing to my flesh. Those things are for the most part all selfish. If you are anything like me you struggle with selfishness and pride. Pastor stated that worldliness and godliness are mutually exclusive. You can't have the (selfish) desires of the world and still hunger after God too. It is one or the other. Do you desire the world or do you desire the King of Kings. Temporal pleasure or eternal? More and more I desire the things of God. More and more the things of God are on my mind and in my heart. We need to keep moving onward and upward.
You may be wondering why I titled this post "Great Church". Well, if you have spent much time on this blog you will know that I love my church. I love my pastors. I love that they stand on the Word. I love that they preach through scripture, even the hard verses. They don't pull any punches for the sake of not offending anyone. Some of what my pastor said today was uncomfortable for me. I thank God for that. I often leave church squirming a little (sometimes a lot!). IMHO that is a very important part of growing closer to my God. I praise God for godly men who want to serve God and not man.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
It's easy to look at the above scripture and just breeze through it. It's easy to think that this is not talking about me. It's easy to look around and see where others may fall short in regard to the above verses. It tends to be uncomfortable to think about this scripture as it pertains to self. Meditating on scripture like this sometimes digs deep and points to problems that you either were not previously aware of or not eager to deal with. It is times like these the Holy Spirit uses to purify, mold, and sharpen us, to draw us toward Him.
In our service this morning it was made glaringly obvious that these verses do talk about me. There are many things in this world that are appealing to my flesh. Those things are for the most part all selfish. If you are anything like me you struggle with selfishness and pride. Pastor stated that worldliness and godliness are mutually exclusive. You can't have the (selfish) desires of the world and still hunger after God too. It is one or the other. Do you desire the world or do you desire the King of Kings. Temporal pleasure or eternal? More and more I desire the things of God. More and more the things of God are on my mind and in my heart. We need to keep moving onward and upward.
You may be wondering why I titled this post "Great Church". Well, if you have spent much time on this blog you will know that I love my church. I love my pastors. I love that they stand on the Word. I love that they preach through scripture, even the hard verses. They don't pull any punches for the sake of not offending anyone. Some of what my pastor said today was uncomfortable for me. I thank God for that. I often leave church squirming a little (sometimes a lot!). IMHO that is a very important part of growing closer to my God. I praise God for godly men who want to serve God and not man.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Pray....a lot
I am sitting here thinking about Bishop Gene Robinson. I pray that the Lord will someday truly grab onto this mans heart and the hearts of all those that are praising his efforts to force the acceptance of homosexuality into the church. It will not be long now and the government will be stepping into our Churches, not bodily but with laws telling us we need to allow unrepentant sinners into our pulpits to spread their poison. More then ever we need to pray for this nation and its leadership. We need to pray for believers to stand firm and to love others the way Christ does. We need reach out to sinners in love, not judgment. We need to reach the lost with the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I once read a C.S. Lewis quote that said, "Odd, the way the less the Bible is read the more it is translated." I think that this is the pulse of many mainstream churches today. Will you join me and covenant with God to pray for our nation every day? Pray that we will be able to stand firm on God's word and not compromise no matter what worldly pressures may be put on us. Pray that the truth of the Gospel will go forth in power. Pray for the salvation of the leadership of this nation. Pray for wisdom according to James 1:5. Pray for discernment.
I once read a C.S. Lewis quote that said, "Odd, the way the less the Bible is read the more it is translated." I think that this is the pulse of many mainstream churches today. Will you join me and covenant with God to pray for our nation every day? Pray that we will be able to stand firm on God's word and not compromise no matter what worldly pressures may be put on us. Pray that the truth of the Gospel will go forth in power. Pray for the salvation of the leadership of this nation. Pray for wisdom according to James 1:5. Pray for discernment.
Friday, January 16, 2009
A cry I will never cry.
It was not too long ago that C.J. Mahaney and John Piper were talking about "the scream of the damned". If you are not familiar with this phrase I will try to give you a brief history. I believe that it was Sproul who first used the phrase in one of his books, it is however C.J. and Piper that made it famous. C.J. and Piper were both speaking at the '08 Resolved Conference last year and they both spoke of this "scream of the damned". If you are interested I am sure that both sessions are available too you to download. There was some disagreement or controversy over the phrase in the blog world. Interesting to think about or look into if you get a chance.
Let us get back on track here! C.J. used Christ's cry in Mark 15:34, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as the "scream of the damned". "The scream of the damned". How terrible that Jesus had to go through a time such as this. Father God turned his back on the Son. The creator of the universe was tortured and died a horrible agonizing death. He was forsaken. I tremble to think about what that must have been like. The scream of the damned. Does that statement make you a little uncomfortable? It does me. It makes me squirm. God loves us enough to forsake his son. 2 Cor 5:21 says, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As uncomfortable as it may be to dwell on this particular scream, as followers of Christ and heirs of God, we will never have to cry out, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me!" We were made the righteousness of God because Him who knew no sin became sin for us. There is one and only one reason that I will never have to cry "the scream of the damned. Jesus. He paid the price in full at Calvary. Why He would do that for me I can not begin to comprehend. I know that I can never repay him. I can only love Him. I can only show Him that love through obedience. I praise Him for a cry I will never have to cry.
Let us get back on track here! C.J. used Christ's cry in Mark 15:34, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” as the "scream of the damned". "The scream of the damned". How terrible that Jesus had to go through a time such as this. Father God turned his back on the Son. The creator of the universe was tortured and died a horrible agonizing death. He was forsaken. I tremble to think about what that must have been like. The scream of the damned. Does that statement make you a little uncomfortable? It does me. It makes me squirm. God loves us enough to forsake his son. 2 Cor 5:21 says, For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. As uncomfortable as it may be to dwell on this particular scream, as followers of Christ and heirs of God, we will never have to cry out, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me!" We were made the righteousness of God because Him who knew no sin became sin for us. There is one and only one reason that I will never have to cry "the scream of the damned. Jesus. He paid the price in full at Calvary. Why He would do that for me I can not begin to comprehend. I know that I can never repay him. I can only love Him. I can only show Him that love through obedience. I praise Him for a cry I will never have to cry.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The Church
I want to try something here. I want to have a blog discussion. That means that all you folks out there who read my blog will have to give their opinion. My goal here is to grow in the Lord. Not just me but you too as we study this topic together. I want to see scripture to back your opinion up. I don't know if it will fly or not, but it is worth a try.
I spent almost an hour and a half today listening to a theology class about the purpose of the church. It got pretty deep and there were a number of different opinions. I want to know what yours is. What is the purpose of the church. Is there more then one purpose? If so, what is the most important purpose? The blanket answer of course is to glorify God. This is not the answer that I am looking for. Look deeper. So I ask you; what is the purpose of the church? This is the part where you have to respond!
I spent almost an hour and a half today listening to a theology class about the purpose of the church. It got pretty deep and there were a number of different opinions. I want to know what yours is. What is the purpose of the church. Is there more then one purpose? If so, what is the most important purpose? The blanket answer of course is to glorify God. This is not the answer that I am looking for. Look deeper. So I ask you; what is the purpose of the church? This is the part where you have to respond!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Perseverance of the Saints
I would like to take a walk with you through the doctrine of salvation. This will be a historical journey of my understanding of what salvation is.
I believe that the first time I had any understanding of the fact that I was a sinner was when I was 9 years old at Deerfoot Lodge (a Christian camp for boys). I remember praying a prayer and ''accepting Jesus''. I think at this point I was scared of hell and didn't want to go there! I was just looking for a way not to go to hell! This was for sure not a life changing experience! I was convinced that I was a Christian because I prayed that prayer and went to church.
I grew up in what I now refer to as a liberal Methodist church. I went to confirmation classes and was confirmed in the church (I think that is when I became a member). I still had no idea what it meant to be saved. I don't recall the doctrine of salvation ever being taught. I do recall things like Gods love being taught, but never anything about His wrath!
As a teenager I went to youth group. This was not a choice. Mom and Dad made me! I did learn there quite a bit more about what it meant to be saved. I learned that I was a sinner and needed a Savior. I also started a relationship with my youth leader that would change my life. My youth leader took me to the Word of Life Bible Institute to show me around, it was the last place I wanted to be but God had different plans and I started shortly after! It was there that I learned that once you are saved you are always saved. I was told that because I prayed a prayer when I was 9 years old that I was a Christian. I was under the impression that no matter what I did after that did not matter. I could live as I pleased, I was eternally secure, no matter what.
Well as you can imagine, that really excited me! I was convinced that I got saved at Deerfoot when I was 9. I prayed the prayer. I was saved. After word of life I got married. Had a kid (the best kid ever). Got divorced. Got bitter. Lived how I wanted. I was not worried. I was saved. I said the prayer. Once saved always saved!
A couple of years after that God started to speak into my life. He put the desire in my heart to read His word, study some theology. I really wanted to know God! I sought to be discipled. This is where my youth leader comes back into the story as he is the guy that ended being my discipleship partner! I started reading some of the Puritan writers, I have read Edwards, Bunyan, Brainard, Spurgeon, Fox, current day writers like Macarthur, Piper, Alcorn, Miller, Vincent. I started to really dig into what I believe and why I believe it. It has been an amazing journey.
Now we come to the final part of our walk. I finally understand what salvation is (at least in part). I am not a Christian because I prayed a prayer. I am not a Christan because my parents are. I am not once saved always saved as I understood it at Word of Life. It is obedience. A willingness to do what God's eternal word says. It is the Perseverance of the Saints. The "P" in T.U.L.I.P. The acronym to help remember the 5 points of Calvinism. I have found on a website called "A Puritans Mind" a great definition of the Perseverance of the Saint that I would now like to share with you. It is written by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon.
Perseverance of the Saints does not mean "once saved always saved". This corruption of the doctrine has been popular in recent years, but has never been a true representation of the doctrine. "Once saved always saved" is more keenly given the name "Perseverance of the sinner" instead of "the saint". For it teaches that man can be saved by Christ and then sin habitually, do whatever he wants, and then still "persevere to the end". Perseverance of the saints does not teach this. Perseverance of the saints teaches that once God has renewed the heart of a sinner through the application of the redemption wrought by Christ upon the cross, he will continue to be saved and show forth the fruits of that salvation. The sinner perseveres because of Christ, but he continually shows himself as one who has been changed by Christ. God has saved the individual and will sanctify him until the end when he is ultimately glorified, and in heaven. It does not mean man has a license to sin. Those who think they have a license to sin are not changed and saved by grace. They are still in sin. Those who are saved by grace and changed, desire to show forth the fruits of that salvation. God motions the heart to good work, and continues that good work to the end.
John 6:37-39, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Phil. 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
1 Thess. 5:23-24, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."
2 Tim. 4:18, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
If you are struggling with why you believe what you believe please pick up your bible. Start reading it! Pray for guidance. Find someone who is mature in the Lord to help you on your journey! Make what you believe your own. Know it. It will make all the difference in the world, and will have eternal significance!
I believe that the first time I had any understanding of the fact that I was a sinner was when I was 9 years old at Deerfoot Lodge (a Christian camp for boys). I remember praying a prayer and ''accepting Jesus''. I think at this point I was scared of hell and didn't want to go there! I was just looking for a way not to go to hell! This was for sure not a life changing experience! I was convinced that I was a Christian because I prayed that prayer and went to church.
I grew up in what I now refer to as a liberal Methodist church. I went to confirmation classes and was confirmed in the church (I think that is when I became a member). I still had no idea what it meant to be saved. I don't recall the doctrine of salvation ever being taught. I do recall things like Gods love being taught, but never anything about His wrath!
As a teenager I went to youth group. This was not a choice. Mom and Dad made me! I did learn there quite a bit more about what it meant to be saved. I learned that I was a sinner and needed a Savior. I also started a relationship with my youth leader that would change my life. My youth leader took me to the Word of Life Bible Institute to show me around, it was the last place I wanted to be but God had different plans and I started shortly after! It was there that I learned that once you are saved you are always saved. I was told that because I prayed a prayer when I was 9 years old that I was a Christian. I was under the impression that no matter what I did after that did not matter. I could live as I pleased, I was eternally secure, no matter what.
Well as you can imagine, that really excited me! I was convinced that I got saved at Deerfoot when I was 9. I prayed the prayer. I was saved. After word of life I got married. Had a kid (the best kid ever). Got divorced. Got bitter. Lived how I wanted. I was not worried. I was saved. I said the prayer. Once saved always saved!
A couple of years after that God started to speak into my life. He put the desire in my heart to read His word, study some theology. I really wanted to know God! I sought to be discipled. This is where my youth leader comes back into the story as he is the guy that ended being my discipleship partner! I started reading some of the Puritan writers, I have read Edwards, Bunyan, Brainard, Spurgeon, Fox, current day writers like Macarthur, Piper, Alcorn, Miller, Vincent. I started to really dig into what I believe and why I believe it. It has been an amazing journey.
Now we come to the final part of our walk. I finally understand what salvation is (at least in part). I am not a Christian because I prayed a prayer. I am not a Christan because my parents are. I am not once saved always saved as I understood it at Word of Life. It is obedience. A willingness to do what God's eternal word says. It is the Perseverance of the Saints. The "P" in T.U.L.I.P. The acronym to help remember the 5 points of Calvinism. I have found on a website called "A Puritans Mind" a great definition of the Perseverance of the Saint that I would now like to share with you. It is written by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon.
Perseverance of the Saints does not mean "once saved always saved". This corruption of the doctrine has been popular in recent years, but has never been a true representation of the doctrine. "Once saved always saved" is more keenly given the name "Perseverance of the sinner" instead of "the saint". For it teaches that man can be saved by Christ and then sin habitually, do whatever he wants, and then still "persevere to the end". Perseverance of the saints does not teach this. Perseverance of the saints teaches that once God has renewed the heart of a sinner through the application of the redemption wrought by Christ upon the cross, he will continue to be saved and show forth the fruits of that salvation. The sinner perseveres because of Christ, but he continually shows himself as one who has been changed by Christ. God has saved the individual and will sanctify him until the end when he is ultimately glorified, and in heaven. It does not mean man has a license to sin. Those who think they have a license to sin are not changed and saved by grace. They are still in sin. Those who are saved by grace and changed, desire to show forth the fruits of that salvation. God motions the heart to good work, and continues that good work to the end.
John 6:37-39, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day."
Phil. 1:6, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
1 Thess. 5:23-24, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."
2 Tim. 4:18, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 1:23, "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
Romans 8:29, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
If you are struggling with why you believe what you believe please pick up your bible. Start reading it! Pray for guidance. Find someone who is mature in the Lord to help you on your journey! Make what you believe your own. Know it. It will make all the difference in the world, and will have eternal significance!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Old friends, Hard times
I had a chance today to catch up with a friend who I had not seen in a while. Our conversation brought me back to a time when I was going through what he seems to be going through now.
When Nancy left 6 or 7 years ago I went through many different emotions. The most destructive was for sure bitterness. I was very angry with life in general. I didn't care about too much of anything (except myself). I lived life as I wanted to no matter who it hurt. Like I said, I just didn't care. I know that I hurt many of my loved ones, friends and family alike. I think that this is where my friend is now. At least this is the road he is on. I hurt for him. I hope and pray that he never goes as far into sin and selfishness as I did.
I now feel horrible about how I lived and how I treated people, especially my Christian friends and family. I know that they were reaching out in love. I hate that I was so wrapped up in myself. You know what though? All of those friends I was so rotten too stuck with me. I praise God for that! I have such wonderful friends that I just do not deserve! I now praise God for all that I went through. I learned so much. We have such an awesome God. A God that loves us regardless. It is awesome to think that God can use even the terrible things in life to bring glory to Him!
We have so much to be thankful for. We deserve hell! Life is way to short to waste on bitterness.
If you think of it please pray for my friend.
When Nancy left 6 or 7 years ago I went through many different emotions. The most destructive was for sure bitterness. I was very angry with life in general. I didn't care about too much of anything (except myself). I lived life as I wanted to no matter who it hurt. Like I said, I just didn't care. I know that I hurt many of my loved ones, friends and family alike. I think that this is where my friend is now. At least this is the road he is on. I hurt for him. I hope and pray that he never goes as far into sin and selfishness as I did.
I now feel horrible about how I lived and how I treated people, especially my Christian friends and family. I know that they were reaching out in love. I hate that I was so wrapped up in myself. You know what though? All of those friends I was so rotten too stuck with me. I praise God for that! I have such wonderful friends that I just do not deserve! I now praise God for all that I went through. I learned so much. We have such an awesome God. A God that loves us regardless. It is awesome to think that God can use even the terrible things in life to bring glory to Him!
We have so much to be thankful for. We deserve hell! Life is way to short to waste on bitterness.
If you think of it please pray for my friend.
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