My son has hit the teen years in overdrive. It seems that we have gone from an easy going adolescent to something altogether different overnight. We now have attitude, angst, anger, and more attitude. Inside all of this is the very real issue of sin. We have had many conversations as of late that deal with some sin issues that concern me greatly. As a Christian father I try to point Ty more and more to the Cross. I try to help him see his sin as God sees it. Through this difficult time the Holy Spirit has been working on me as well. I think it's safe to say that I am learning more about myself and my shortcomings (sin) through this time then my son is. I have been seeking counsel and wisdom from the godly men and women in my life. These people are proving to me again and again what a great God we serve!
I was thinking today about something Milton Vincent said at a men's conference my church hosted back in November. Specifically he was talking about forgiveness in a marital relationship that has been scarred by adultery. He referred to this kind of forgiveness as multi faceted. The sin of adultery can be forgiven but (the sin) can often manifest itself in another way and thus forgiveness is needed again in a different manner. Like a diamond has many facets so can forgiveness.
My struggles with Ty have shown me that sin can often times have many facets as well. As I struggle with the sin in Tyler's life the Holy Spirit is showing me that I have sin in my life that needs to be dealt with too. My sin is multi-faceted. Its ugly face shows up somewhere else in my life and in a different manner.
Today, I am thankful for a multi-faceted Savior. I am thankful that the facets of the forgiveness of Jesus are not finite like my sin but infinite and perfect. I pray that Ty and I will be able to grow in grace together in this strggle.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
One Thing Leads to Another
While I was working on a different post this morning I ran into 2 Tim 2:15.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Lots of meat here. Worthy of some serious meditation.
It is great how God shows you what you need to see when you need to see it. It is almost like he is actively working in my life (Phil 2:13). It is almost like He is sanctifying me. (Phil 1:6) I love that we have a Romans 8:28-30 God.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Lots of meat here. Worthy of some serious meditation.
It is great how God shows you what you need to see when you need to see it. It is almost like he is actively working in my life (Phil 2:13). It is almost like He is sanctifying me. (Phil 1:6) I love that we have a Romans 8:28-30 God.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Self Denial
I have been forced to think much lately about the importance of self denial. Last Sept. I was given a pamphlet by Desiring God on self denial written by Calvin. I was at a men's conference up here in the 'Dacks last November and was given a book called ''The Shadow of the Cross, Studies of Self-Denial'' by Walter J. Chantry. I was also spending time with a friend of mine recently who mentioned how important it is to be able to deny your-self for the sake of evangelism, taken from Paul's charge to young Timothy in 2 Tim 4:5. In preparation for teaching at Boys Brigade tomorrow night I was reading in Philippians 2:1-11-
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
That my friends is self denial. God became man and was killed for the sins of men who deserve hell. I am glad that this account does not stop there but continues to the glorious King Jesus seated where he belongs, highly exalted with a name that is above all names! All of this done for God's glory! Father help me to deny myself and cling to my Savior that denied himself for me.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
That my friends is self denial. God became man and was killed for the sins of men who deserve hell. I am glad that this account does not stop there but continues to the glorious King Jesus seated where he belongs, highly exalted with a name that is above all names! All of this done for God's glory! Father help me to deny myself and cling to my Savior that denied himself for me.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Job 28
When I think of wisdom and scripture usually the first things that pop into my head are Proverbs and James 1:5. This weekend as I was reading through Job I was blessed to read the 28th chapter.
1“Surely there is a mine for silver,
and a place for gold that they refine.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth,
and copper is smelted from the ore.
3 Man puts an end to darkness
and searches out to the farthest limit
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;
they are forgotten by travelers;
they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.
5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread,
but underneath it is turned up as by fire.
6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,
and it has dust of gold.
7 “That path no bird of prey knows,
and the falcon's eye has not seen it.
8 The proud beasts have not trodden it;
the lion has not passed over it.
9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock
and overturns mountains by the roots.
10 He cuts out channels in the rocks,
and his eye sees every precious thing.
11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,
and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.
12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be bought for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
in precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it,
nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;
the price of wisdom is above pearls.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living
and concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Abaddon and Death say,
‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it,
and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Job like Solomon had a very good understanding of the value of wisdom that so many of us seem lack today.
Father help us to understand the value of wisdom as these men did. Help us to seek after it and pray for it as you work through us and sanctify us.
1“Surely there is a mine for silver,
and a place for gold that they refine.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth,
and copper is smelted from the ore.
3 Man puts an end to darkness
and searches out to the farthest limit
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;
they are forgotten by travelers;
they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.
5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread,
but underneath it is turned up as by fire.
6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,
and it has dust of gold.
7 “That path no bird of prey knows,
and the falcon's eye has not seen it.
8 The proud beasts have not trodden it;
the lion has not passed over it.
9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock
and overturns mountains by the roots.
10 He cuts out channels in the rocks,
and his eye sees every precious thing.
11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,
and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.
12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be bought for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
in precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it,
nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;
the price of wisdom is above pearls.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living
and concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Abaddon and Death say,
‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it; he established it,
and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Job like Solomon had a very good understanding of the value of wisdom that so many of us seem lack today.
Father help us to understand the value of wisdom as these men did. Help us to seek after it and pray for it as you work through us and sanctify us.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Unable or unwilling?
I was reading this morning Luke chapter one. I was reading about Zechariah, the soon to be father of John the Baptist. Zechariah doubts the power of God and is struck mute until his child is born. The following is Luke 1:8-20
Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”
As I read this I wondered how many times I have been struck mute, not by God but by my own doubt. My unbelief. My fear. How many times have I not spoken up because I was scared of what man may think. How many times have my lips remained silent when truth should have been spoken? How could I possibly speak truth, I am just a sinful man. I need to remember that although I am a sinful man, I am a man who was chosen by God for salvation to do His work, by His power, and for His glory. Amen and amen!
Monday, January 4, 2010
To God be the Glory
Believe it or not I have a new years resolution that I actually plan on and by God's grace will finish. I am resolved to read through the bible this year in chronological order. I have my friend Mike to thank for his blog post that got me started on this journey. You can read about it over at his blog http://mikeruel.wordpress.com/.
Yesterday at church we had a couple of very reformed messages brought to us out of Romans and Ephesians (and many other scriptures too). I came out of both messages blessed, challenged, and changed. I praise God for my church! Last nights service Kieth spoke on God's glory in regards those He chooses to save. God saves us not because of something we have done or some goodness that is in us. God saves us for His glory. God does all things for his glory.
Now to tie the two together! I got home last night thinking about God's glory and read this morning Job 1-5. Why was it that God allowed such terrible things to happen to Job? For his glory! Why is it that Jobs family was killed? Why is it that Job's possessions were taken from him? Why is it that Job suffered with sores all over his body? For God's glory!
God does allow hardship in our lives. He allows sickness, separation, trial, tribulation, and death. Why? For his glory. He also causes many wonderful things, they are also for his glory.
PS 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
PS 72:19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
Isa. 6:3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Isa 42:8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Isa 48:11For my own sake, for my own sake,
I do it,for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another.
Yesterday at church we had a couple of very reformed messages brought to us out of Romans and Ephesians (and many other scriptures too). I came out of both messages blessed, challenged, and changed. I praise God for my church! Last nights service Kieth spoke on God's glory in regards those He chooses to save. God saves us not because of something we have done or some goodness that is in us. God saves us for His glory. God does all things for his glory.
Now to tie the two together! I got home last night thinking about God's glory and read this morning Job 1-5. Why was it that God allowed such terrible things to happen to Job? For his glory! Why is it that Jobs family was killed? Why is it that Job's possessions were taken from him? Why is it that Job suffered with sores all over his body? For God's glory!
God does allow hardship in our lives. He allows sickness, separation, trial, tribulation, and death. Why? For his glory. He also causes many wonderful things, they are also for his glory.
PS 57:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!
PS 72:19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
Isa. 6:3 And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Isa 42:8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Isa 43:7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Isa 48:11For my own sake, for my own sake,
I do it,for how should my name be profaned?
My glory I will not give to another.
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