This World is Not Enough

Strength for Each Day

2009-04-13T21:28:00.005-04:00

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Lord I pray to you, creator of all things and the source of my help for my every need, that you would just quicken my faith and increase my trust in you in my every day life. I pray that you would help me see your will in my life and help me walk that out in a way that would glorify you. I pray for the strength and tenacity to resist temptation to take the easy roads in life and to see hope and direction in times of cloudiness. Remind me Father that your love is all the hope and strength I will ever need, and that you have never, and will never give me more than I can handle. Thank you for the relationship I have with you and for all of the undeserved blessings you have poured out on my life and continue to do so. Amen

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Hebrews 12:1-2

What Lies Ahead

2009-03-30T21:40:00.005-04:00

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4

Throughout my life, one thing I have always struggled with was looking for my peace of mind in the circumstances of my life. As long as the circumstances in my life were good, I was happy. However it was when things and circumstances in my life turned south or not as I would want them, that I would begin to stay up all night pondering on what to do and try to picture how things would unfold from here. It was during those times where my joy would seem to fade.

As Christians we need something that will help us when we don't know what to do or where to turn. And so we should turn to God, and pray for the solution that we can't seem to find. But God has more for us that just a solution, for He wants to do more for us than just solve a problem or answering a question on our hearts.

One of my memories as a kid, was when my dad would give me an allowance of 25 cents a week. I remember he would never just give it to me unless my mom told him to, but he would hold it tightly in his hand and turn it into a game. I had to pry his fingers open one by one to get it. I remember he would drag this game out and would make me pry with all my might until I had each finger pried back, until I got the quarter. I remember as soon as I got the quarter I would take it a run to my piggy bank, which really was a pig, and count all my money.

As Christians we sometimes when we come to God, we come for the quarter in his hand. God I need a job. God I need to do well. God I need a such and such. When we reach for the quarter, and when God grants our prayer we push his hand away and go on with our lives. But I Must remind myself that God offers us something so more valuable than just the quarter in his hand, but he offers us His hand. God offers us a relationship, not just a solution to the troubles that keep us up at night, but offers us a companionship with himself through his son Jesus Christ, and it is in that friendship that we will ultimately find joy.

That is why in Psalm 37, the Psalmist exhorts us to take delight in the Lord, for it is through friendship with Jesus that we find the desires of our heart met beyond expectation.

"There's no better way to insure a good nights sleep than through knowing God is your friend and knowing that you can enjoy that friendship forever."

Only By Your Grace

2009-03-23T22:10:00.004-04:00

"For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

1 Corinthians 4:7

God I just ask and pray that you continually remind me that by nature, I am no better than others. Remind me Father of what I would be, without the continual influence of your grace in my life. Remind me that whatever I am, that I have nothing to make myself proud. Remind me Father that the only thing I would have been great at in life without you, would have been sinning and living in my own misery. Thank you Father for making me different and for saving me from the trespasses and sins in which I once walked, and for continually pouring out your grace in my life.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us

How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That he should give his only son, to make a wretch his treasure
How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turned his face away
As wounds which mar the chosen one, bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ; his death and resurrection
Why should I gain from his reward? I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart: his wounds have paid my ransom

Gimme Gimme

2009-03-09T21:42:00.004-04:00

"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
- Mark 10:15

As I was reading in Mark I came across this verse which kind of tied into a book I am currently reading titled The Pleasures of God. In the book, one of the main points Piper keeps mentioning is how it is God's pleasure to give us the kingdom. He makes the point that Jesus does not say, sell you the kingdom, or trade you the kingdom, but how it is the Father's pleasure to give you the kingdom.

As a child, most of us our always like gimme gimme gimme. I am so thankful that God is like a mountain spring and not like a watering trough. I am grateful that he delights to overflow, and to give and give and give, and that is why the gospel is the good news that God does not need a measuring cup, but people who will drink. The qualification for receiving his kingdom is not strength but thirst. How great is it that its our Father's pleasure to give us the kingdom, and to give it freely.

Footprints in the Sand

2009-02-23T20:21:00.004-05:00

"One night a man dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. As scenes of his life flashed before him, he noticed that there were two sets of footprints in the sand. He also noticed at his saddest, lowest times there was but one set of footprints. This bothered the man. He asked the Lord, "Did you not promise that if I gave my heart to you that you'd be with me all the way? Then why is there but one set of footprints during my most troubled times?" The Lord replied, "My precious child, I love you and I would never forsake you. For you see, during those times of trial and suffering, when you only see one set of footprints, was when I carried you."

As I look back in my life, seeing how God has carried me numerous and numerous of times, I know I can look to the future without fear, knowing that what ever the future may bring, God will be there. Knowing this there should be no reason for me or anyone to fear the future, but to just trust in the loving arms of God to carry us there.

'Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold
you with my righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 41:10

Biblical Fellowship

2009-02-16T20:17:00.003-05:00

''We should not...think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotion. We should recognize rather that such fellowship is a spiritual necessity; for God has made us in such a way that our fellowship with himself is fed by our fellowship with fellow-Christians, and requires to be so fed constantly for its own deepening and enrichment."

J. I. Packer

Morning Prayer

2009-02-05T06:30:00.000-05:00

Good Morning, VOV

As I cross the threshold of this day
I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to thy care;
Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me.
Incline my heart to thy ways;
Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus,
as a potter forms clay;
May my lips be a well-tuned harp
to sound thy praise;
Let those around see me living by thy Spirit,
trampling the world underfoot,
unconformed to lying vanities,
transformed by a renewed mind,
clad in the entire armour of God,
shining as a never0dimmed light,
showing holiness in all my doings.
Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands.
May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain.
In needful transactions let my affection
be in heaven,
and my love soar upwards in flames of fire,
my gaze fixed on unseen things,
my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility,
mockery of earth and its vanities.
May I view all things in the mirror of eternity,
waiting for the coming of my Lord,
listening for the last trumpet call,
hastening unto the new heaven and earth.
Order this day all my communications
according to thy wisdom,
and to the gain of mutual good.
Forbid that I should not be profited
or made profitable.
May I speak each word as if my last word,
and walk each step as my final one.
If my life should end today,
let this be my best day.

Grace in Trials

2009-02-03T06:27:00.001-05:00

Grace In Trials, VOV

Hear me for Jesus' sake.
I am sinful even in my closest walk with thee;
it is of they mercy I died not long ago;
Thy grace has given me faith in the cross
by which thou hast reconciled thyself to me
and me to thee,
drawing me by they great love,
reckoning me as innocent in Christ though guilty in myself.
Giver of all graces,
I look to thee for strength to maintain them in me,
for it is hard to practice what I believe.
Strengthen me against temptations.
My heart is an unexhausted fountain of sin,
a river of corruption since childhood days,
flowing on in every pattern of behavior;
Thou hast disarmed me of the means
in which I trusted,
and I have no strength but in thee.
Thou alone canst hold back my evil ways,
but without they grace to sustain me I fall.
Satan's darts quickly inflame me,
and the shield that should quench them
easily drops from my hand:
Empower me against his wiles and assaults.
Keep me sensible of my weakness,
and of my dependence upon thy strength.
Let every trial teach me more of they peace,
more of thy love.
Thy Holy Spirit is given to increase thy graces,
and I cannot preserve or improve them
unless he works continually in me.
May he confirm my trust in they promised help,
and let me walk humbly in dependence
upon thee, for Jesus' sake.

The Convicting Spirit

2009-02-02T00:03:00.002-05:00

The Convicting Spirit, VOV

Come, work repentance in my soul;
Represent sin to me in its odious colours that I may hate it;
Melt my heart by the majesty and mercy of God;
Show me my ruined self and the help there is in him;
Teach me to behold my Creator,
his ability to save,
his arms outstretched,
his heart big for me.
May I confide in his power and love,
commit my soul to him without reserve,
bear his image, observe his laws,
pursue his service,
and be through time and eternity
a monument to the efficacy of his grace,
a trophy of his victory.
Make me willing to be saved in his way,
perceiving nothing in myself, but all in Jesus:
Help me not only to receive him but to
walk in him,
depend upon him,
commune with him,
be conformed to him,
follow him,
imperfect, but still pressing forward,
not complaining of labour, but valuing rest,
not murmuring under trials, but thankful
for my state.
Give me that faith which is the means of salvation,
and the principle and medium of all godliness;
May I be saved by grace through faith,
live by faith,
feel the joy of faith,
do the work of faith.
Perceiving nothing in myself, may I find in Christ
wisdom, righteousness, sanctification,
redemption.

Obeying Authority

2009-01-22T06:21:00.001-05:00

Lately, the topic of authority seems to be everywhere in my life, whether it is on the news about the new President, at church, or at my new job. I think it is important as Christians that we remind ourselves that God places a high value on authority because He is the one who created it. The Bible says that all authority comes from and starts with God. He is the absolute source of authority in the universe, and has delegated His principle of authority to us to maintain order in the world.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

Romans 13:1-2

I think it would be safe to say that our attitude toward Christ as our Lord, is directly associated with our attitude toward other authority. Jesus Christ cannot be fully “Lord” over the person who acts in rebellion toward authority figures. The Bible says, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Considering how our attitude toward all authority relates to our submission to the “Lordship” of Christ, we should especially be sensitive to the authority of the Church and spiritual leaders, who have specifically been assigned to lead the Church. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:17, to “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Even more important than secular authorities, Christians must be cooperative with their spiritual leaders, who have been given the responsibility to “watch for their souls.” Another way you could take this verse is that it appears that all Christians are supposed to be under the authority of a spiritual leader. This would also mean that all believers should be a part of a local Church which has spiritual supervision by a pastor and elders.

Self Control

2009-01-15T23:26:00.000-05:00

Throughout the Bible, God calls us to have self-control. In both 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul addresses the requirements for elders and officials in leadership positions. “Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined” (Titus 1:8).

One verse that stood out to me was 2 Peter 1:5-8.

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Peter also mentions self-control as part of our call to holiness. “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16).

Self-control is an attribute of our Creator that Jesus exemplified in His life and that Paul strongly exhorts us to exercise in ours. If we are to be made in our Father's image, we will yield to God in this matter to glorify Him with our moderation in all things and rigid resistance to sin.

The last verse that I really stood out to me was Proverbs 25:28.

"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls"

"The picture is that of a city whose walls have been so nearly destroyed as to be without defense against an enemy; so is the man who has no restraint over his spirit, the source of man's passionate energies. He has no defense against anger, lust, and other unbridled emotions that destroy the personality."

Do Not Expect a Smooth and Easy Path

2009-01-08T06:04:00.001-05:00

By Arthur Pink

Prosperity is often a mixed blessing, and adversity is far from being an unmixed calamity! Alternating spiritual prosperity and adversity, is the lot of God's people on this earth. All is not unclouded sunshine with them--nor is it unrelieved gloom and storm. There is a mingling of both: joys--and sorrows; victories--and defeats; assistance from friends--and injuries from foes; smiles from the Lord's countenance--and the hidings of His face.

By such changes, opportunities are afforded for the development and exercise of different graces, so that we may, in our measure, "know how to be abased--and how to abound . . . both to be full--and to be empty" (Phil. 4:12). But above all, that we may, amid varying circumstances, prove the unchanging faithfulness of God--and His sufficiency to supply our every need.

Ah, my reader, if you are one of God's elect--do not expect a smooth and easy path through this earthly wilderness--but be prepared for varying circumstances and drastic changes. The Christian's resting place is not in this world, for "here have we no continuing city" (Hebrews 13:14). The Christian is a "pilgrim," on a journey; he is a "soldier," called on to fight the good fight of faith. The more this is realized, the less keen will be the disappointment, when our ease is disturbed, and our outward peace harshly broken in upon.

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous," and if 'troubles' do not come to us in one form--they most certainly will in another! If we really appropriate this promise--then we shall not be so staggered when afflictions come upon us. It is written that, "it is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), and therefore we should make up our minds to expect the same, and to "not to think it strange" (1 Peter 4:12) when we are called upon to pass through "the fiery trial." Affliction, tribulation, and fiery trial--are a times, our portion here on earth.

Changing circumstances afford opportunity for the development and exercise of different graces. Some graces are of the active and aggressive kind--while others are of a passive order, requiring quite another setting for their display. Some of the traits which mark the soldier on a battlefield, would be altogether out of place were he languishing on a bed of sickness. Both spiritual joy and godly sorrow--are equally beautiful in their season.

As there are certain vegetables, fruits, and flowers which cannot be grown in lands which are unvisited by nipping winds and biting frosts--so there are some fruits of the Spirit which are only produced in the soil of severe trials, troubles and tribulations!

The Ultimate Hard Thing

2009-01-06T21:41:00.002-05:00

In life we choose to do hard things because Jesus has done the hardest thing. The thing we could never do for ourselves. He died in our place and paid for our sins. Apart from Him, nothing we attempt or accomplish will have any enduring significance. But because He did something of ultimate significance, we can live lives that truly matter, not just for now, but for all eternity.

I must remind myself that this truth allows us to confidently and joyfully do hard things, even at great cost to ourselves, for the honor of the One who saved us. Because we know that the hard things we attempt will make a real difference. Our trust is not in the greatness of our vision or the strength of our effort, but in the grace and wisdom and goodness of God. Our reason for rebelling against low expectations in the world around us is that Jesus tells us He has overcome the world and, through faith in Him, so can we.

2008-12-31T11:28:00.002-05:00

"Divine Providence" By: Authur Pink

"How countless are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures! Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number—living things both large and small. All of them wait for You to give them their food at the right time. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust!" Psalm 104:24, 25, 27-29

The providence of God is His care of and provision which He makes for His creatures; with His supervision and superintendence of them. The providence of God in His government of the world is a subject of deep importance to the Christian, for by proper views thereof, he will learn to see God's activities—in the daily works of His hands. Yet, though Christians assent to this truth, nevertheless they are prone to overlook it in exercise, and thereby to be deprived in great measure of that poise of mind and comfort of heart, which a deep and constant improvement of this doctrine is calculated to impart.

Nothing is more strengthening to faith, stabilizing to the mind, and tranquilizing to the heart of a Christian—than for him to be enabled to discern his Father's hand guiding, shaping, and controlling everything which enters his life; and not only so, but that He is also governing this world, and all people and events in it. Alas, we are living in an age of terrible skepticism, when most of what happens is attributed to natural causes, while God is more and more banished from the world, in the consideration of His creatures. It is not only a fact that God governs the world in a general sense, but He also regulates all its affairs, and controls all creatures in it, "working all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11).

God is not troubled by anything that is now taking place in His world—either in its political, social, or religious sphere; nor should we be troubled. The helm is still in His hand; and Satan himself cannot so much as touch a hair of our heads, without His direct permission.

"We ought to see the hand of God in the most trifling things. Nothing is so small as to be below His attention! Nothing is too great for His Providence to effect!"

Strength for each day

2008-12-29T10:53:00.002-05:00

The Rainbow in the Clouds
by: John MacDuff

"Trouble not yourself regarding an unknown and veiled future; but cast all your cares on God. "Our sandals," says a saint now in glory, "are a proof against the roughest path." He whose name is "the God of all grace" is better than His word. He will be found equal to all the emergencies of His people; enough for each moment and each hour as they come. He never takes us to the bitter Marah streams, but He reveals also the hidden branch. Paul was hurled down from the third heavens to endure the smarting of the "thorn", but he rises like a giant from his fall, exulting in the sustaining grace of an "all-sufficient God."

The beautiful peculiarity in this promise is, that God proportions His grace to the nature and season of the trial. He does not give an 'advance supply of grace', but when the needed season and exigency comes, then the appropriate strength and support are imparted. He does not send the rainbow before the cloud, but when the cloud appears, the rainbow is seen in it! He gives sustaining grace for a trying day, and dying grace for a dying day.

Do not morbidly brood on the future. Live on the promise! When tomorrow comes with its trials, Jesus will come with tomorrow and with its trials too. Present grace is enough for present necessity. Trust God for the future. We honor Him, not by anticipating trial, but by confiding in His faithfulness, and crediting His assurances, that no temptation will He send greater than we are able to bear. Even if you should see fresh storm-clouds returning after the rain, be ready to say, "I will fear no evil, for You are with me!" Insufficient you are of yourself for any trial, but "your sufficiency is of God." The promise is not "Your grace," but "My grace is sufficient." Oh, trust His all-sufficiency in all things."

Hard Things

2008-12-22T10:08:00.002-05:00

"Great faith is the product of great fights. Great testimonies are the outcome of great test. Great triumphs can only come out of great trials."

This morning as I woke up, I could not help but to just smile. Last night before going to bed I read a few chapters in a book I just bought titled : Do Hard Things, which was written by Alex and Brett Harris.

For me, especially in the past few months, it seems like my whole life has been about doing hard things. I do know I have it easier than most, and am maybe just a big baby, labeling some things 'hard' that others may find small and easy, but big or small they were hard for me.

I must remind myself that God isn't glorified when His children limit themselves to what comes easily for them. He isn't glorified when His children aren't willing to do hard things. The Christian calling is hard, but it is also the only calling worthy of such extraordinary effort.

History tells us that our best life is not our easiest life. Those men and women who were of the greatest service to God and to mankind were those who gave the most of themselves; those who endeavored, not to avoid difficulties, but to overcome them; not to seek comfort, but to do what was necessary, no matter how hard.

Our greatest joy and satisfaction comes not from avoiding hard things but from joyfully embracing them. This is how the same Jesus who said, "If anyone would come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me," could also say, "for My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Following in Christ's footsteps is hard, but it's good, and He is the ultimate example to us of a life spent doing hard things for the glory of God.

Help Me Grow

2008-12-17T14:17:00.002-05:00

I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow
By: Arthur Pink

"Make Your ways known to me, Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me. Psalm 25:4-5

There are two ways of learning of Divine things. The one is to acquire a letter knowledge of them from the Bible, the other is to be given an actual experience of them in the soul, under the Spirit's teaching.

Many suppose that by spending a few minutes in a concordance, they can discover what humility is; that by studying certain passages of Scriptures, they may obtain an increase of faith; or that by reading and re-reading a certain chapter, they may secure more love.

But that is not the way those graces are experimentally developed. Humility is learned by a daily smarting under the plague of the heart, and having its innumerable abominations exposed to our view. Repentance is learned by feeling the load of guilt, and the heavy burden of conscious defilement, bowing down the soul. Faith is learned by increasing discoveries of unbelief and infidelity. Love is learned by a personal sense of the undeserved goodness of God to the vilest of the vile. Patience cannot be learned from books—it is acquired in the furnace of affliction! It is thus with all the spiritual graces of the Christian.

Ah, my reader, we beg the Lord to teach us—but the fact is, that we do not like His method of teaching us! Fiery trials, storms of afflictions, the dashing of our carnal hopes—are indeed painful to flesh and blood; yet it is by them that the heart is purified.

We say that we wish to live to God's glory—but fail to remember that we can do so only as SELF is denied and the Cross be taken up. God's ways of teaching His children are, like all His ways, entirely different from ours!"

Lord thank you for helping me grow over the years and especially over the past few months. My prayer is that I grow into the trusting, humble, patient, loving, and God seeking man you want me to be. I pray that I can be the leader that you want me to be in every aspect of life (Job, Future Family, Friends, etc). Thank you for the variety of ways you have taught and showed me your love and direction for my life. Forgive me for ever lacking trust or being inpatient and trying to do things on my own. Forgive me for ever seeking self glory and being prideful and forgetting that without you I have nothing. Forgive me for ever doubting you in times of trials and wondering why. I thank you for this new season in life I am about to enter in which I have looked forward to for some time now as you know, and whatever this new season brings... I pray that I bring glory to you and apply all that you have taught me over the years. I pray this all in Jesus name, Amen.

Persistency

2008-12-10T01:29:00.005-05:00

If you have ever seen the previews for any of the ICE AGE movies, you will know the little guy above named Scrat. One thing about Scrat that you need to know is, that he is the most persistent little guy ever. All he wants is his Acorn and to bury it, and every time he is about to get it something bad happens; whether he causes and then gets caught in an avalanche, or gets attacked by a mob of hungry barracudas, or gets his acorn stolen by an immodest female squirrel that tricks him. However, regardless of what happens he keeps on keeping on, and continues to be persistent in getting his acorn.

"The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running." Among other things, fulfilling God's will for our lives is reaching our total God-given human and spiritual potential. We don't have to be geniuses to do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on keeping on regardless of our circumstances.

God has a plan and life-purpose for each of us. To achieve it, it won't happen without sacrifices, hard work, and persistence. As Paul said, "It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work ... and so we never give up."

Lord I pray that in the midst of waiting, setbacks, and the disappointments of life, please give me the gift of persistence so that I will never give up the goal of becoming all that you want me to be and in the challenge to keep on doing what you want me to do. I also pray Lord that you help me stay persistent in other things as well such as prayer, devotions, and reaching out to others. I thank you for the relationship that I have with you and thank you for never giving up on me. Amen

Shades in the Picture

2008-12-09T02:05:00.003-05:00

It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body is healthy, the business is profitable, and the desires of our hearts are met; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when desires are not yet received, and the light of our Father's countenance is hidden.

"If our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test."

"When "tribulation works patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope," the Lord is honored by these growing virtues. We would never know the music of the harp if the strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the winepress; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of fire if the coals were not utterly consumed. The wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which his vessels of mercy are permitted to pass." Spurgeon

One thing I have noticed is that present afflictions tend to heighten future joy. As the saying goes, "There must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights."

232 Down.... 1 To Go

2008-12-08T00:37:00.004-05:00

Last night as I was trying to study, I could not focus to save the life of me. Earlier my roommate had asked me what were the three biggest things that you will remember about UCF. As I started thinking about that it was then that it started to hit me. This was my last week in college. This day that I have been so looking forward to for the past few months is finally here. After this week I will be graduated and moving to Jacksonville and entering into a new season of life.

So, I decided to put some thought into his question before I answered it and these were the three biggest and most important things that I will remember about my time at UCF.

1. The sports. Flag Football and Intramural sports have been such a big part of my life over the past few years while being here at UCF and have just been a great way for me to have fun. I know that sounds selfish but playing sports is fun for me and I am thankful to God for them. They have also been a great way for me to meet people such as my roommate and other close friends.

2. My friends. My friends are what I will miss most from UCF, but I know that I will stay in touch with them so it will be all good. Being at UCF I have made a lot of friendships that mean a lot to me and I truly am grateful to God for each of those, that he has placed in my life.

3. God's work in me. The one thing that sticks out most to me as I look back is just how God has used this time for me at UCF to grow in my relationship with him. Coming to college I was really not in a good place faith wise. At the beginning I would have seen me as 'Stuck' going to UCF but see it different now. I now see that it was all part of God's plan for me and I was never stuck, but exactly where I was suppose to be. Graduating from UCF will truly be a 'beautiful thing behind a black mask' and I would not have wanted it any other way.

Lord I pray that you give me the strength to get through one more week here at college. I pray that I stay well rested and healthy as I am already starting to feel fatigued. Thank you for all that you have done for me and for saving me from the path that I was once heading down. Forgive me for ever being discontent with being here at UCF and forgive me for ever asking why and thank you for all the work you have done in me, while I was here at UCF. Amen

A Beautiful Face - Under a Black Mask

2008-12-01T10:39:00.003-05:00

Lately I have been seeing all that God is doing in me, all through things that to begin with I would have found 'ugly' or unwanted. I found an article and liked the analogy of a beautiful face under a black mask, because sometimes things that come into our lives we find ugly and don't want, and when these 'undesired' things occur, how we can at first see no good outcome, no beauty, and no reason for the situation at hand. God's Providence has a beautiful face under a black mask. To me that means that even though the trial, affliction, moment of delay, or troublesome may seem ugly to us at first, what we will learn from this will be such a beautiful thing and only bring us closer to God and all work for our good.

"That is a choice artist--who can play well upon a broken instrument. To be impatient with our affliction--and patient with our corruption; is to be angry with the medicine which heals us--and in love with the poison which kills us! Beloved, it is sometimes a mercy to us--that God removes outward mercies from us! He never wounds a saint to kill him--but to heal him! God does but take that out of your hands--which would thrust Him out of your heart!

Too many think that God is cutting down the whole tree--when He is but lopping off its wasteful branches. They imagine that He is demolishing the superstructure, when He is only laying a right foundation. Poor souls, He is not nipping the flowers--but plucking up the weeds! He is not laying your land fallow--but ploughing the field!

God's Providence has a beautiful face--under a black mask! "

Little Things

2008-11-26T01:02:00.007-05:00

J. R. Miller

"Littles make perfection," replied the artist to one
who asked him why he spent so much time in giving
the little finishing-touches to his statue. There can
be no perfection in any kind of workmanship, unless
attention is paid to the minutest details of construction
or finishing. One smallest flaw or incompleteness left
in the work, in any part of it—leaves a blemish on the
finished endeavor.

Life is a mosaic, and each small stone must be polished
and set with greatest care—or the piece will not at last,
be perfect. One whose daily life is careless—is always
weak in Christian character. But one who habitually walks
in right paths, no matter how small and apparently trifling
the things may be—grows strong and noble. Littles make
perfection. "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or
whatever you do—do everything for God’s glory."
1 Corinthians 10:31

:)

2008-11-25T01:23:00.005-05:00

Lord this morning let my prayer be that where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is injury, let me bring forgiveness. Where there is discord, let me bring harmony. Where there is falsehood, let me bring truth. Where there is doubt, let me bring faith. Where there is despair, let me bring hope. Where there is darkness, let me bring light. Where there is sadness, let me bring joy. Thank you God for all of the trials, for all of the tough times, and for all of the things that you have placed in my life that have made me who I am today. I also pray God that from my past I can help others who will face the same trials, or who will face the same temptations, or struggles and sin. Thank you for all you have done and all that you will continue to do for me and for just giving me a peace this morning that everything is all going to work out and be well. Amen

In His Steps

2008-11-24T09:33:00.003-05:00

I found the following article written by J.R. Miller

"Every truly consecrated life, with all its faculties, has been given over to Christ. Faith implies full surrender. "You are not your own." "You are Christ's." Christ owns us first by right of creation, then by right of purchase. We acknowledge His ownership and all that it includes, when we receive Him as our Savior and Lord. The first question, therefore, of the new believer is, "What will you have me to do, Lord?" We want to begin to work for our new Master. A heart of love for Christ, makes the sweeping of a room, the plowing of a field, the sawing of a board, the making of a garment, the selling of a piece of goods, the minding of a baby—as acceptable to God, as the ministry of angels!

One way of working for Christ, therefore, is to be diligent in the doing of life's common daily tasks. The true giving of ourselves to God, exalts all of life into divine honor and sacredness. Nothing is trivial or indifferent, which it is our duty to do. We are never to neglect any work, however secular it may seem—in order to do something else which appears to be more religious. There are some people who would be better Christians, if they paid more heed to their own daily business, attended fewer church meetings and did less religious gossiping.

We need a religion which puts itself into everything we do! The old shoemaker was right, when he said that when he stands before the great white throne, God will ask, "What kind of shoes did you make down on the earth?" We must do all our work for the judgment day—our common everyday tasks—as well as our religious duties. The carpenter must get his religion into the houses he builds; the plumber must get his religion into his plumbing; the tailor must get his religion into his seams; the merchant must get his religion into his sales. All our work—we must do for God's eye!

It is the little things which all of us can do in Christ's name, which in the end leave the largest aggregate of blessing in the world. We need not wait to do great and conspicuous things. A life that every day gives its blessing to another, and adds to the happiness of some fellow being, by only a word of kindness, a thoughtful act, a cheering look, or a hearty hand grasp—does more for the world than he who but once in a lifetime does some great thing which fills a land with his praise. Nothing which is done for Christ is lost! The smallest acts, the quietest words, the gentlest inspirations which touch human souls, leave their impress for eternity! "If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42".......

Intramural Sports

2008-11-17T10:06:00.005-05:00

So today is kind of a bitter sweet day for me. Tonight will be my very last intramural(IM) sports game at UCF. For the past 5 years at UCF, IM sports has truly been a blessing from God to me. From the friends I have made, to the fun I have had, to the accomplishments achieved, but most of all from the ways God has used IM sports and flag football to work in me.

I think the most important thing I have learned and have tired to keep my main focus on was the before I step onto the field or court, as a Christian I must realize this isn't just simply or solely a field or court but, a context for worship. Scripture is clear in that we are to worship and glorify God in all in life, which includes sports. This perspective transforms the playing field into a context to worship and to glorify God, not to impress others or draw attention to myself. This view transforms the game into an opportunity to honor God, express ones love for God, reflect the character of God, and to bring glory to God, which I hope I have done and hope to continue doing.

Thank you God for giving me the opportunity to play flag football and other IM sports over the years. Thank you for giving me the ability to walk so I can play, the ability to see so I can play, the ability to run and so much more. Thank you for all of the people you have placed around me on and off the football fields and for the friendships that I have made from that. I pray that I have set a good example of being humble, patient, a good leader, and all of the things that as a Christian I should be doing. Lord thank you for the opportunities you have given me to reach out to the people I have met through IM sports and flag football, and forgive me for not taking more advantage of those opportunities over the years until now. Most of all Lord thank you for dying on the cross so that I could be saved and thank you for the relationship that I have with you. I pray that tonight no one gets hurt and that everything goes well. Amen.

Self Reliance

2008-11-13T00:45:00.004-05:00

I found the following from one of Spurgeon's old sermons where he was talking about Peter's presumption and self-confidence and how it led to his sin...

"He reckoned that he could never stumble and for that very reason he speedily fell. A haughty spirit goes before a fall. Oh, that we might look to the roots of bitter flowers and destroy them! If 'presumption' is flourishing in the soil of our hearts, we shall soon see the evil fruit which will come of it.

Reliance upon our firmness of character, depth of experience, clearness of insight, or maturity in grace will, in the end, land us in disgraceful failure.

Christians are Christlike. None deserve the name of Christians, who are not Christlike in their prevailing character. True Christians are clothed with the meek, quiet, and loving temper of Christ. They are attended with the lamblike, dovelike spirit and nature of Jesus Christ. They naturally beget and promote a spirit of love, humility, quietness, forgiveness and mercy, as is manifest in character of Jesus."

Strong Faith

2008-11-12T02:24:00.002-05:00

I found the following article titled "The Practical Believer Delineated" written by J. A. James.

"And we know that God causes everything to work
together for the good of those who love God and
are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Strong faith has a firm persuasion of God's over-ruling
Providence—so comprehensive as to include the destinies
of empires and worlds; and so minute as to extend to
individuals. Strong faith believes that God's Providence is . . .
ever active,
ever directing,
ever controlling, and
ever subordinating
all things to His own purposes and plans.

Strong faith is a conviction of this great truth—so deep, so
satisfying, and so tranquilizing—as not at all to be shaken
by the chaotic aspect of human affairs, or the prevalence
of gigantic evils.

A weak faith must give way before . . .
the deep mysteries,
the confounding events,
the defeats of what is good, and
the triumphs of what is evil,
which are perpetually going on in our world's history.

The stream of Providence is . . .
so twisting,
so dark,
apparently so murky, and
occasionally so devastating;
that it requires strong faith believe that it is the
work of God and not of chance; and that if it is the
work of God—it must be just, and wise, and good.

In the darkest dispensations of Providence affecting
ourselves, strong faith realizes that it is all from God;
and must therefore be wise, and just, and good. To be
able really say, "It is well. I am sure it is right. I cannot
tell how it is right. I do not understand why this deep
afflictive Providence came. I can find no key to unlock
the mystery. But I am as confident that it is right, as if
God's whole purpose were transparent to my reason, and
I could see the event in all its connections, bearings, and
results. I cannot see how or why—but I believe that my
deep affliction is for God's glory and my ultimate benefit. I
know that God causes everything to work together for good."

Faith assures us that the darker, the more confounding, the
more disappointing events—are all right and just, and good.

Strong faith walks on amid shadows and darkness, grasping
the arm of God, believing that He is leading us, and will lead
us right. Strong faith gives up all into His hands, saying,
"I cannot even see a glimmering of light! I cannot see where
to place my next step! But I can most implicitly trust in the
wisdom, power, and truth of God! I follow like a little blind
child, grasping the hand of his father!"

Times of great troubles and difficulties, are seasons and
opportunities for the exercise of faith. God is always the
Christian's best refuge—and often his only one!

Seeing Things For What They Are

2008-11-11T00:24:00.004-05:00

How often do we all regard God's dealings in a wrong light and call them by the wrong name? We frequently speak of certain things as 'afflictions' when they are really 'blessings in disguise'. Lately I have been thinking about everything I have been through and how at the time, I would not have seen certain things as blessings, but in the end thats exactly what they were from the things I learned, to how they brought me closer to God, to helping me see how all things work together for good, to delaying things while He works in me, to revealing things in my own heart while I wait, but most of all just reminding me once again of how I serve a faithful and trustworthy God who will never let me down.

Another area of not seeing things for what they are is in that sometimes we, including myself, don't see our sin for what it really is. Reading "The Enemy within" really helped me see sin in a new way. We must not try to 'sugar coat' our sin to make it appear less bad, or ignore it. The bible is very clear on this, and does not have any 'gray scale' areas about sin.

I found the following in an article written by Theodore Cuyler, where he talks about God's light on dark clouds....

"Let us hesitate before we condole with a brother who is under the chastisement of our loving Father in Heaven. Be careful how you condole with a man who has lost all his money—and saved his good name; or congratulate the man who has made a million—at the expense of his piety. When a Christian is toppled over from a "dizzy and dangerous height of prosperity"—and "brought down to poverty," he is brought down to Christ, the solid rock at the same time. In the valley of humiliation he has more of the joy of God's countenance, and wears more of the herb called "heart's-ease" in his bosom, than he ever did in the days of his giddy prosperity.

The adversary tries hard to break our lamp, and to steal our diamonds in those dark passage-ways of trial. We need good eyesight in such times of trouble, so as not to stumble, or to lose sight of the Comforter, or of the bright light which shines at the end of the way.

I have seen people tenderly condole a weeping mother whose godly child has flown away home to heaven. But they never thought of condoling another mother over a living child who was a frivolous slave of fashion, or a dissipated sensualist, or a wayward son, the "heartbreak of his mother." A hundred times over have I more pitied the parent of a living sorrow—than the parent of a departed joy. Spare your tears from the darlings who are safe in the arms of Jesus—and spend them over the living who are yet dead in sin and obstinate impenitence.

Let us learn to see things correctly—and call them by their right names! We too often drape our real blessings with a shroud—and decorate our dangerous temptations with garlands! The sharpest trials this nation ever knew—have turned into tender mercies. President Garfield in his grave has done more for us than Garfield could have done in the presidential chair. Satan outwitted himself when he armed one of his imps to be an assassin.

Let us all pray fervently for spiritual discernment. Lord, open our eyes! Then we shall see this world to be a mere training-school for a better world; we shall see a Father's smile behind the darkest cloud; we shall see in duty done—our highest delight; and at the end of the conflict—we shall see the King in His beauty, and know Him even as we are known!"

Lord thank you for all the blessings you have given me Lord, and forgive me for not seeing things as I should have from the beginning. Please open my eyes to see my sin for what it is and to see my so called 'afflictions' as blessings, in which they are. Amen

Election 08

2008-11-10T10:29:00.001-05:00

"On Sunday I told my church that after the election half the country would be elated, confident that all would be right in the world because their candidate won; the other half dejected and sure that the world had ended because their candidate lost. But Christians should realize that both sides are wrong. If you voted for Obama, he isn't worthy of your ultimate hope. And if you didn't vote for him, don't despair as though Jesus isn't reigning over the world.

Those who call Jesus their Lord can be filled with a quiet peace and confidence in all seasons. Our Savior is never in the White House. Our Savior is Jesus. We must turn to him with joy and faith. And as we do let's pray for our new President Elect that God would give him wisdom and grace to lead our nation in the days to come.

No matter who you voted for--or whether you voted at all--it's important to remember that, as President, Barack Obama will have God-given authority to govern us, and that we should view him as a servant of God (Rom. 13:1, 4) to whom we should be subject (Rom. 13:1, 5; 1 Pet. 2:13-14).
We are to pray for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
We are to thank God for Barack Obama (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
We are to respect Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7).
We are to honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17).

Though I deeply disagree with Barack Obama on certain policy issues (most notably his support of abortion), I am committed to praying for him and his family in the years to come. And I am grateful to God that in his election our country has taken an important step away from its sad history of racism and prejudice."

Joshua Harris

Were You There?

2008-11-06T00:32:00.001-05:00

Here you go Brett...

Sins changing God's plan...? Not so much

2008-11-05T00:54:00.008-05:00

One thing that was on my mind today, is how our sins play havoc with us, and sometimes we wind up eating the fruit of our disobedience for a long time. Sometimes it can seem like we’ve derailed God’s design for our lives and now he’s had to opt for plan B. But I must remind myself that is simply Not true.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28)

ALL things work together for good, including our sins.

God is in no way responsible when we blow it, for God is not the author of sin. God is so awesome he can take our wickedness and use it to accomplish his purposes. When Jacob duped his father and swindled his big brother Esau, God used it to fulfill his prophecy that the older would serve the younger. When Joseph unwisely boasted of his dreams to his brothers, God used his foolishness to provoke his brothers to sell him to slave traders who dragged him to Egypt where God exalted him to spare thousands from starving, including his scheming brothers.

When Jonah fled in the opposite direction from where God commanded him, God used Jonah’s rebellion to reveal himself to pagan sailors on the ship he’d taken. David began his relationship with Bathsheba with adultery, deception and murder. Yet God gave them Solomon, author of Proverbs and one of Israel’s greatest kings. Not even the worst sins can stymie God’s purpose.

Regret can easily slide into self-pity. And excessive regret is an insult to God, because we are saying what Christ did on the cross was somehow not enough to remove all our guilt. Excessive regret is also an insult to God’s sovereignty, because we are saying that our sins are too hard for God to turn to good.

Now I am not saying we should go out and sin, thinking God will use it for good. For sin has painful consequences. But if you believe your sins have ruined God’s plans for you, know that the cross of Christ and the power of God is infinitely greater than your offenses. God hasn’t opted for plan B, and neither should we.

Secret Sins

2008-11-04T00:52:00.002-05:00

"But the Lord said to Samuel, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

- 1 Samuel 16:12

In Romans it mentions that on that day God will judge the secrets of men. In Ecclesiastes 12, it also says that God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. All sin is an assault against God, whether it is done in public or in secret. And God, who beholds even the innermost secrets of the heart, sees our sin clearly, no matter how well we think we have covered it.

I know for me, sinning secretly in the past actually intensifies my guilt, because it adds the sin of hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is a grave sin in its own right. It also produces guilt, because by definition hypocrisy entails the concealing of sin. And the only remedy for any kind of sin involves uncovering our guilt through sincere confession.

Now by saying secret sin, I am not just talking about lust, although that could be a secret sin that one has, but I more so talking about sins that we do in our private life, that no one knows about. These sins could be anything from gambling, to cheating on a spouse, to pornography, to the ways you think, to how you spend your time, to the secret idols of your heart, and so on...

I think our secret life is the real test of our character. We should all take a hard look at our private life and be honest with ourselves and confess to God and ask for help. Having accountability partners helping us with our secret sins is extremely important as well. History repeatedly proves that our sin will find us out. We will never regret being transparent about this issue. The longer we wait the farther we’ll fall. The sooner we confess, the sooner we’ll find freedom. In James, we are told to confess our sins to one another and to pray for one another, that we may be healed. So let us do that.

The Benefits of Affliction

2008-11-03T00:03:00.000-05:00

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness."

- James 1:2-3

"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."

- James 1:12

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I found the following from an article written by John Newton from back in the day, so it is worded a little funny, but still good.

"Afflictions quicken us to prayer. It is a pity it should be so; but experience testifies, that a long course of ease and prosperity, without painful changes—has an unhappy tendency to make us cold and formal in our secret worship. But troubles rouse our spirits, and constrain us to call upon the Lord in good earnest—when we feel a need of that help which we only can have from his almighty arm.

Afflictions are useful, and in a degree necessary, to keep alive in us—a conviction of the vanity and unsatisfying nature of the present world, and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this world is not our rest, and to call our thoughts upwards, where our true treasure is, and where our heart ought to be. When things go on much to our wish, our hearts are too prone to say, "It is good to be here!" It is probable, that had Moses, when he came to invite Israel to Canaan, found them in prosperity—that they would have been very unwilling to move out of Egypt; but the afflictions they were in—made his message welcome. Thus the Lord, by pain, sickness, and disappointments, by breaking our cisterns and withering our gourds—weakens our attachment to this world, and makes the thought of leaving it, more easy and more desirable.

A child of God cannot but greatly desire a more enlarged and experimental acquaintance with his holy Word; and this attainment is greatly promoted by our trials. The far greater part of the promises in Scripture, are made and suited to a state of affliction; and, though we may believe they are true, we cannot so well know their sweetness, power, and suitableness, unless we ourselves are in a state to which they refer! The Lord says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you." Now, until the day of trouble comes, such a promise is like a city of refuge to an Israelite, who, not having slain a man, was in no danger of the avenger of blood. He had a privilege near him, of which he knew not the use and value—because he was not in the case for which it was provided. But some can say, I not only believe this promise upon the authority of the speaker—but I can set my seal to it! I have been in trouble; I took this course for relief, and I was not disappointed. The Lord truly heard and delivered me. Thus afflictions likewise give occasion of our knowing and noticing more of the Lord's wisdom, power, and goodness, in supporting and relieving us—than we would otherwise have known.

Afflictions evidence to ourselves, and manifest to others, the reality of grace. When we suffer as Christians, exercise some measure of that patience and submission, and receive some measure of these supports and supplies, which the Gospel requires and promises to believers—we are more confirmed that we have not taken up with mere notions; and others may be convinced that we do not follow cunningly devised fables.

Afflictions likewise strengthen us—by the exercise our graces. As our limbs and natural powers would be feeble if not called to daily exertion—so the graces of the Spirit would languish, without something which was provided to draw them out to use."

- John Newton

There Will Be A Day

2008-10-31T13:08:00.002-04:00

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."
Revelation 21:4

I know for me, I have been through things in my life that have caused pain, and been difficult, and there have been times that I have felt like I wanted to give up and there is no hope. But there is a promise that God gives us, of that hope of eternity that there will be no more suffering and no more pain. I know we have all gone through trials and we have all gone through tribulations in our life, but we must remind ourselves it is all part of His plan and His way to work in us.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God."
Romans 8:18-19

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience."
Romans 8:25

Making Decisions . . .

2008-10-15T22:20:00.006-04:00

For me, I have always been a go with the flow, I am down for whatever, or satisfied with whatever and wherever other people want to go kind of person. Recently, I have been confronted with a few choices needing to be made where being that 'down for whatever' kind of person, isn't going to work.

I have been praying a lot lately that God would help lead me in the right direction. Just a few of these choices consist of what future Job I will take, where will I live come December, and even dealing with a few family issues that I would rather just avoid.

Writing things out has always been the best way for me to study so today while I was on my lunch break at work, I decided to write out a list of decisions needing to be made. It was during that time today that God gave me a peace and a direction on what I needed to do.

When making decisions I think there are a few things we should consider. For starters, our first priority in life must always be to develop an increasingly intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. In our society, we are concerned with accomplishments; what we do, how we perform, what we produce, how busy we are, etc. We may judge the fruitfulness of a pastor's ministry, for example, by the size of his or her church, the number of books written, tapes produced, the presence of a television ministry, etc. Yet Jesus said that all of this doesn't matter unless the person is intimately connected to Him: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned" (John 15:5-6).

Remember that Christ calls us to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Mt. 6:33) not to seek what we can do for the kingdom of God. Being rooted in Christ is a fundamental "prerequisite" to finding God's will for us. I will not be ready or able to find the career path He has designed for me unless I am seeking Him first. He calls us to love Him with all of our hearts, mind, soul and strength--and to love others as we love ourselves. The more passionately we are pursuing these callings, the better equipped we will be to hear His voice and to be the person we will need to be in order to do the things God has created us to do.

Being a Christian does not exempt us from the responsibility to become wise decision makers. Therefore, it is our responsibility to use our God-given minds to learn how to make good choices. If you wanted to buy a computer, most likely you wouldn't pray about it and then just walk into a computer super-store and see which computer you felt "led" to buy. Most people would agree that to do so would be foolish. Instead, most people would agree that it's best to research information about the different computers on the market, identify their specific needs, investigate prices at different stores for the computers of most interest, and then make a purchase. Certainly prayer should be a part of the process, but God expects us to do our part in making wise decisions, as well.

Learning how to make decisions is a part of developing wisdom and maturity, both of which God desires for us. The book of Proverbs is full of admonitions about the importance of gaining wisdom to live a life that is pleasing to God. The proverbs are given to us "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life..." (Prov. 1:1-3). God desires for us to have not only spiritual maturity and wisdom but also wisdom that relates to making decisions in this life.

Living out God's will for your career, life, and your hearts desires will require that you take risks. One thing we must understand is that God doesn't call us to risk-free living, because we wouldn't need to develop our "faith muscles." The typical way God works is to impress upon our hearts and minds a need, a cause, an issue or an interest that we develop a desire to do something about, and then to lead us one step at a time. Jesus' call to His disciples was for them to follow Him, and become fishers of men. They had no idea what was in store for them. When Jesus called the Saul (Paul), He did not reveal to him all that his ministry would entail or require from him.

Learning to take risks is an essential part of following God and living out His will for our lives. Without risks, a person's life becomes a process of digging an ever-deeper rut in which he or she stagnates and cuts himself or herself off from all that God intends life to be. As Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." We know that, as God's sons and daughters, we have already won in this life. God calls us to live courageously, to take risks in order to use our gifts and bring light to this hurting world. We must remember we have nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Thanking God For Trials

2008-10-14T00:30:00.003-04:00

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in Nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
James 1:2-8

~THANKING GOD FOR TRIALS~

When days were drear, and nights were filled with piercing doubts and fears,
And life seemed hopeless while I shed an avalanche of tears,
I never thought to thank the Lord for trials that I faced,
Or felt the need to praise Him for the strength my heart embraced.

But after all the clouds were past, and calm restored once more,
And Jesus seemed to hold me closer than He did before,
I finally looked in retrospect, without a jaundiced eye,
And found a host of answers to the puzzling question, "Why?"

Those bitter days increased my faith, and drove me to my knees,
And gave me hope, as Jesus listened to my heartfelt pleas.
I felt His love in ways that I had never known before,
And found that I was hungering to get to know Him more.

Then from the ashes I arose with burning strong desire
To share His love with all I met, and build in them a fire,
So they could also know the joy that follows endless pain,
And how God's rainbow full of hope is sure to follow rain.

And now when storm clouds threaten to destroy my peace and rest,
I bow my head and thank the Lord for knowing what is best.
And I remember all the trials I never understood,
And how God worked them all together, only for my good.

Waiting for God's timing

2008-10-07T20:09:00.006-04:00

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;

Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate…

and the Master so gently said, “Wait.”
“Wait? You say wait?” my indignant reply.

“Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!

Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?

By faith I have asked, and I’m claiming Your word.
My future and all to which I relate hangs in the balance and You tell me to “Wait?” I’m needing a ‘yes’, a go-ahead sign.

Or even a ‘no’, to which I’ll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:

I’m weary of asking! I need a reply.
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate

as my Master replied again, “Wait.”

So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,

and grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting…for what?”
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine…

and He tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.
I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.

You’d have what you want, but you wouldn’t know Me.

You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint.

You’d not know the Power that I give to the faint.
You’d not learn to see through the clouds of despair;

you’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there.

You’d not know the joy of resting in Me

when darkness and silence are all you can see.
You’d never experience the fullness of love

when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.

You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,

but you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.
The glow of My comfort late into the night,

the faith that I give when you walk without sight.

The depth that’s beyond getting just what you ask

from an infinite God who makes what you have last.
You’d never know should your pain quickly flee,

what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.

Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,

but oh, the loss if I lost what I’m doing in you.
So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see

that the greatest of gifts is to truly know Me.

For in time of pause, you will surely see my friend
Waiting for desires make them sweeter in the end

And though that My answers seem so terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still ‘WAIT’.”

Flying like and Eagle

2008-10-02T01:12:00.003-04:00

So last night before I was going to bed I was going through a box of old cassette tapes that my mom had sent me that she found in my room. Some were books on tape (since my mom could not get me to read as a kid she would buy books on tape for me :p), some were tapes of me singing and playing music, and some were just random tapes from who knows where they came from. One tape however, which happened to be the last tape I listened to, was a recording of a prophetic word I received from someone at a conference called Xtreme back in 2004 I believe.

In part of the word he gave me he said this, "....God has given you wings to fly Nick. Do not run like a wolf and rely on your own strength, but spread your wings and soar like an eagle."

I remember that year at Xtreme when he told me that, and I remember after I wasn't too sure exactly what he meant. Now it makes perfect sense.

Me being an aminal lover, happen to know a few things about them. One thing I just happen to know is that eagles can tell when a storm is coming and when a storm is coming, they go to some high spot to wait for it. It will set its wings so the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm higher and higher.

Well.... when the storms of life come into our life, we can (and should), rise above them by turning our hearts and minds to God and we can let God lift us above the storms . It's not the burdens of life that weigh us down, its how we handle them. If we hold onto our troubles, and burdens, and our hearts desires they can become an anchor that weighs us down to the point we can't move. Or we can give them over to God, and put our trust in him.

When Times Are 'Rough'

2008-09-30T19:54:00.005-04:00

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2

When we're going through a time of loss, one of the things many of us will loose is our spiritual bearings. We may cry out why me, or what now God? We also may turn away from God completely.

'Adversity' and 'Tough' times help us grow in our relationship with God. People tell me that all the time, and the truth is that in challenging times we Can grow in our faith and in our relationship with God, because we do. I've experienced this myself. I also believe that how we handle adversity or loss, really reveals what type of relationship we actually have with God.

God protected Israel during their difficult times and God promises the same for us. During our times of loss, our times of difficulty, our times of waiting, God is with us. He never abandons us. So depending on God, and not on ourselves, allows us to keep moving while at the same time keeping us from dwelling on our problems, our challenges, our failures, and our hearts desires that we long for. We will experience God's mercy and peace when we humble ourselves before God and place our whole trust in him, and him alone.

Lord forgive me for the lack of trust I have hidden away in my heart over the years. Thank you, for even in just the past few weeks, how you have brought me to peace about so many things which I have failed to trust in you for in the past, and I pray that you continue to work in me. Thank you for the relationship that I have with you and help me continue to grow in your ways and to better glorify you, in all that I do. Amen

Pruning

2008-09-27T02:56:00.005-04:00

The following article was written by J. R. Miller.

"He prunes every branch that produces fruit—so that it will produce more fruit." John 15:2

The gardener prunes the branches—but not without wise purpose. The Master's words, referring to this process in spiritual husbandry, are rich in their comfort for those on whom the knife is doing its painful work.

For one thing, we are told that "My Father is the gardener" (verse 1). We know that our Father loves us and would never do anything unloving or hurtful to His children. We know that He is infinitely wise, that He looks far on in our life, planning the largest and the best good for us, not for today only—but for all the future; and that what He does, is certainly the best which could be devised. In every time of sharp pruning, when the knife cuts deep and the pain is sore—it is an unspeakable comfort to read, "My Father is the gardener!"

Another inspiring thought in all such afflictions—is that it is the fruitful branch which the Father prunes. Sometimes godly people say when they are led through great trials, "Surely God does not love me—or He would not afflict me so sorely!" But it takes away all distressing thoughts about our trouble, to read the Master's words, "He prunes every branch that produces fruit." It is not punishment to which we are subjected—but pruning; and it is because we are fruitful that we are pruned.Still another comfort here is revealed—in the object of the pruning, "He prunes every branch that produces fruit—so that it will produce more fruit."

The one object of all God's pruning, is fruitfulness. The figure of pruning helps us to understand this. When one who knows nothing of such processes sees a man cutting away branch after branch of a tree or vine, it would seem to him that the work is destructive. But those who understand the object of the pruning—know that what the gardener is doing, will add to the vine's value and to its ultimate fruitfulness.

Pruning seems to be destroying the vine. The gardener appears to be cutting it all away. But he looks on into the future and knows that the final outcome will be the enrichment of its life, and greater abundance of fruit.

Unfolding This Rose

2008-09-25T01:18:00.004-04:00

It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of God's design
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine

The secret of unfolding this flower
Is not known to such as I
God opens this flower so sweetly
When in my hands it would fade and die

If I cannot unfold a rosebud
This flower of God's design
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine

So I'll trust in Him for His leading
Each moment of every day
I will look to him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way

The pathway that lies before me
Only my Heavenly Father knows
I'll trust Him to unfold this moment
Just as He unfolds this rose

Life's 'Storms'

2008-09-23T23:44:00.002-04:00

I did not know His love before,
the way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
my pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care,
the "Self-Sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I'd found my place.
But then the way grew rough and dark,
the storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my 'ship',
My anchor would not hold.

The 'ship' that I had built myself
was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
with nowhere else to hide.
I was tired, weak, and lonely
and could no longer run life's race.
I was laying in my college dorm
flat upon my face.

I had no strength or faith to face
the trials that lay ahead.
And so I simply prayed to Him
and bowed my weary head.
His loving arms took hold of me,
and then He helped me stand.
He said, You still must face this storm,
but I will hold your hand.
So through the dark and lonely night,
He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
or when the storm would wane.

Yet through the aches and endless
tears, my faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
but my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
could Jesus' love shine through.

So looking back at that time,
I finally understand.
That time of pain and wandering
was all apart of his plan.
It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered, "Why?"
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.
But Jesus never left my side,
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife,
through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.

And now I saw as never before
how great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong,
how Jesus cares for me.
He worked it all out for my good,
although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
and then He cried, Enough.

He raised His hand and said, Be still
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
and flooded me with peace.
I see His face now clearer still,
I felt His presence strong.
I found anew His faithfulness,
He never did me wrong.

And I know more storms will surely come,
but only for my good.
For pain and tears have helped me grow
as nothing else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
as Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more,
that's where I want to be.

Don't Waste Your Sports

2008-09-20T00:43:00.003-04:00

What will keep us from turning sports... into something ugly rather than beautiful?

I was sent this link from my home group leader a few weeks ago, in which it immediately caught my attention because sports are an interest of mine, and have been a big part of my life growing up. I typed out my notes below but you can listen to C.J. Mahaney give the sermon at this link:

Don't Waste Your Sports sermon by C.J. Mahaney

We must not allow our participation in sports or the viewing of sports to become idolatry, to become a false and functional God, to become a substitute for God, to become something we love in place of God, worship in place of God, and serve in place of God. Sports, is a gift from God, but when you add the human heart to the game itself, its all to easy for the gift to become an idol.

Principal 1

Participation in sports must be informed by the knowledge of God. We have a tendency, when considering the topic of glorifying God in sports, to proceed immediately to practical application and to prematurely consider specific ways we are called to glorify God in sports. But any practical consideration must first proceed from a theologically informed understanding of the character of God as revealed in Scripture and the person and work of Christ. We must begin our consideration of this topic, as well as of every topic, with God. Until we behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ we cannot accurately or authentically glorify God (2 Corinthians 4:6). Before we play sports for the glory of God we must behold the glory of God.

Principal 2

Participation in sports must be done as worship to God. Before we step onto the field or court, the Christian must realize this isn't just simply or solely a field or court but, a context for worship. Scripture is clear in that we are to worship and glorify God in all in life, which obviously includes sports. This perspective transforms the playing field into a context to worship and to glorify God, not impress others or draw attention to myself. This perspective transforms the game into an opportunity to honor God, express ones love for God, reflect the character of God, and to bring glory to God.

Practice 1

We glorify God in sports, by giving thanks to God for sports. If we fail to give thanks to God, we do not glorify God, and instead we cultivate a God ignoring, man centered, idolatress heart and attitude.

Practice 2

We glorify God in sports, by displaying Godly character in sports. We glorify God when we play sports, with humility. The humble athlete is modest when he wins and gracious in defeat.

The Room

2008-09-19T00:32:00.003-04:00

By Josh Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird.
"Books I Have Read,"
"Lies I Have Told,"
"Comfort I have Given,"
"Jokes I Have Laughed at."

Some were almost hilarious in their exactness:
"Things I've yelled at my brothers."

Others I couldn't laugh at:
"Things I Have Done in My Anger"
"Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.

" I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched ," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.

One thought dominated my mind:

No one must ever see these cards!

No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!"

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.

Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With."

The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all.

The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards.

I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments, couldn't bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room.

He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him.

His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

What would your file say?

The Scope of God's Providence

2008-09-18T00:02:00.003-04:00

... continued from previous post

God put away the sin of David. This mean that God was granting remission to David for his sins. But though the eternal guilt of David's sin was remitted he still received temporal punishment for his sin. Through Nathan God announced that the child of the adulterous union would be taken from David and Bathsheba. What follows is a difficult verse to assimilate into our faith but one that bears heavily upon our understanding of the providence of God:

Then Nathan departed to his house. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and it became ill. (2 Samuel 12:15)

Scripture declares that the Lord struck the infant child of David with a mortal illness. This is a hard saying. It is commonplace in the church today to hear vain attempts by preachers to exonerate God from any involvement in human sickness and death. I heard one televangelist declare that God has nothing to do with disease and death. He assigned these human tragedies to the work of Satan.

Such sentiments do violence, not only to our understanding of the providence of God, but to our understanding of the whole character of God. Christianity is not a religion of dualism by which God and Satan are equal and opposite opposing forces destined to fight an eternal struggle that must result in a tie. God is sovereign over His entire creation, including the subordinate domain of Satan. God is Lord of death as well as life. He rules over pain and disease as sovereignly as He rules over prosperity.

If God had nothing to do with sickness or death, Christians, of all people, would be the most to be pitied. It would mean living in a universe ruled by chaos where our Father's hand was tied by fate and bound by the fickleness of chance. His arm would not be mighty to save; it would be impotent. But, the preachers to the contrary, God has everything to do with sickness and death. God majors in suffering. The way of redemption is the Via Dolorosa, the road to the cross. Our Lord was Himself a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. No, God is not removed from or aloof from human suffering; it is contained within the scope of His providence. Our family understood that truth when Sherrie and her husband lost their baby.

And David also understood these things, as is seen by the subsequent narrative:

David therefore pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. So the elders of his house arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he wold not, nor did he eat food with them. Then on the seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said, "Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!"

When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said, "He is dead."

So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate food."

And he said, "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?' But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." (2 Samuel 12:16-23)

Here we encounter the David who was a man after God's own heart. Here the character that resonates throughout the psalms makes himself clear. When God said no to the pleas of David, he immediately went to church, not to whine or complain but to worship. Here we see David living coram Deo, before the face of God. David pled his case before the throne of the Almighty, and lost. yet he was willing to bow before the providence of God, to let God be God.

Such acquiescence before the providence of God is difficult for the world to understand. David's servants failed to grasp it; they saw in their king a spiritual anomaly. His behavior made no sense to them. They sought to rebuke him for his topsy-turvy actions. They thought David should have been in mourning after the child had died, believing that was the time for sackcloth and ashes, not while the child was still alive.

When David explained himself to his servants he gave them a lesson in the doctrine of providence. Though David had clearly heard God's declaration that the child would died and he did no regard it as an idle threat, he was also aware of God's actions in the past when He had relented from promised judgments when the people turned to Him in repentance.

David explained his entreaties by saying, "Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?" The phrase "who can tell?" is the key to understanding David's prolonged fast and importunate prayer. The "who can tell?" calls attention to the Deus absconditus, the "hidden God" whose secret counsel remains unkown to us. David had heard the words of the Deus revelatus, the "revealed" God, but held out hope that it was not the entire story. When he discovered that God had not held any of His plan in reserve it was enough to satisfy his soul and submit to God's "no." In a sense David's struggle foreshadowed something of the agony of Christ in Gethsemane as Jesus wrestled with the revealed will of the Father, but in the final analysis was will to drink of the cup to its fullest measure.

If we understand the providence of God and love the God of providence, we are able to worship Him with the sacrifice of praise He inherently deserves when things occur that bring pain, sorrow, and affliction into our lives. This understanding of providence is vital to all who would worship God. It is a worship of faith that is rooted in trust. David trusted God for his own future, and he trusted God for the future of his son. David realized he had not yet heard the rest of the story and that all the subsequent chapters would be written by God.

We should know like David we too can find a special place in God's Heart. David was not perfect. Like all of us he fell again and again. Yet every time He fell, his response was immediate repentance. This act restored his relationship with God. God knows our short-comings. That is why He sent His Son Jesus.

Bowing Before God's Providence (2)

2008-09-17T00:54:00.004-04:00

Ok so I know this picture has nothing to do with this topic but I liked it and couldn't find another picture so yeah...

...continued from previous post

Obviously panic seized David's heart. He plotted an elaborate scheme to cover up his sin. He decided to grant Uriah a furlough from battle, a respite from war so that he could return for a season to his home and to his wife. This way when the child would be born Uriah could be deceived into thinking that it was his. David heaped the praise of hypocrisy upon Uriah, gave him a gift, and sent him home.

But David underestimated Uriah's loyalty. Uriah was not willing to abandon his post or take advantage of the king's generosity. He was a soldier. No matter how great was his longing to be with his wife, he still felt contrained to give service to his king. Instead of returning home as David had planned. . .

Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house. So when they told David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Did you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?"

And Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are encamped in the open fields. Shall I then go to my house to eat and drink, and to lie with m wife> As you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do this things."

Then David said to Uriah, "Wait here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. Now when David called him, he ate and drank before him; and he made him drunk. And at evening he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord, be he did not go down to his house.

David's scheme was thwarted. His desperate plan of cover-up was frustrated by the loyalty of the very man he had betrayed. At this point one might expect that David would have been awakened from his lustful slumber and would have been led to contrition. On the contrary! With growing desparation David added sin to sin and compounded his guilt with virtual murder. He wrote his general, Joab, a letter that would be revealed to all history by the secret operation of God the Holy Spirit. No shredding machine was available to destroy this evidence and conceal it from public scrutiny. David stopped to the nadir of nefarious conduct by having Uriah himself carry the sealed letter to Joab. In his naive loyalty, Uriah had no idea that the missive he carried to the front contained his own death warrant.

Later a messenger was sent by Joab from the scene of battle to inform David that Uriah had been slain. David thought he was safe, that his secret was hidden from the eyes of men, buried with the body of Uriah. Bathsheba also received the report and immediately went into mourning. But not for long. When David sent for her she went to his house, became his wife, and bore him a son. It seemed that no one would ever know that the child born to them was the son of adultery.

But the God of all providence had his eye upon David. The king's secret did not elude His gaze. What was hidden from human discernment was naked before Him. In classic understatement Scripture says: "But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord" (2 Samuel 11:27)

It was that divine displeasure that prompted the visit of Nathan to David. Nathan was burdened with the weight of the truth of the matter. His task was onerous as he was sent by God to confront a king. That is dangerous business for a prophet, as the experiences of Elijah and John the Baptist well attest. Yet the response of David to prophetic judgment was quite unlike that of Ahab or Herod. David heard the prohet's word and was broken by it. After the bold declaration that David was the man of the parable, God spoke His full indictment against David through the lips of the prohpet Nathan.

In the indictment God rehearsed the blessings He had bestowed upon David. All that David had received he had received from the invisible hand of God's providence. The blessing of that providence was now to be followed by judgment. The hand of God was heavy upon David. Yet the hand was not so heavy that it did not hold grace as well as judgment. Even here the justice of God was being tempered by mercy. God could have invoked the death penalty on David. David's offenses were capital crimes in Israel.

The heart of David melted. His response was that of deep and genuine repentance. His was no attrition born of a fear of punishment; his was contrition, a true remorse for having offended God. In his epic psalm of repentance following this incident, David cried out, "Against You, You only, have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight". This statement must be taken as hyperbole as it is not strictly accurate. David did more than sin against God. He sinned against Uriah; he sinned against Bathsheba; he sinned against his own family; he sinned against the whole nation, betraying its confidence in him as king. Yet ultimately all sin is against God and, in ultimate terms, only against Him, though in a proximate sense it involved others.

To Nathan, David replied before he wrote his lengthy penitential psalm: "I have sinned against the Lord". David's confession of sin, his acknowledgment of his guilt without any attempts at self-justifaction, was immediately met with the announcement of God's pardon:

So David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And Nathan said to David, "The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die." (2 Samuel 12:13-14)

...to be continued

Bowing Before God's Providence (1)

2008-09-16T12:14:00.004-04:00

I am currently reading a book called, "The Invisible Hand", written by R.C. Sproul. This book focuses on those issues and questions that arise with regard to God's providence. Yesterday at work, a co-worker saw me reading this book on our lunch break and it led us into conversation about his faith. He told me he had just started going to church and how he was trying to figure out everything in his life. He said that someone told him to read up on the story of David for whatever reason. It just so happened that the chapter I was reading in this book was telling the story of David. We talked and I shared the story with him which led to more questions and discussion but it was very good. I have decided to type out the story here because I feel we should all be like David in that in spite of his lapses, David usually wholeheartedly sought God's will and he didn't withdraw from the responsibilities of life.

Bowing Before God's Providence

David was stricken, assaulted in his conscience by the searing words of the prophet Nathan. Those words echoed in his ears and pierced his soul: "You are the man." What had begun as a report of egregious wrongdoing by a subject in his kingdom was suddenly turned on the king himself. David thought he was hearing an account of selfish exploitation by an unnamed perpetrator. He was unaware that he was listening to a thinly veiled parable of himself, a prophetic narrative aimed at the king's own conscience. It was a simple tale.

Then the Lord sent Nathan to David. And he came to him, and said to him: "There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had exceedingly many flocks and herds. But the poor man had nothing, except one little ewe lamb which he had bought and nourished; and it grew up together with him and with his children. It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his bosom; and it was like a daughter to him. And a traveler came to the rich man, who refused to take from his own flock and from his own herd to prepare one for the wayfaring man who had come to him; but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him."

So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and he said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity." Then Nathan said to David, "You are the man!"

A torrent of guilt swept over David. The parable hit home, striking his heart. His eyes were opened as he suddenly saw the truth about himself he had been so careful to conceal. This was David, the one who was known as a man after God's own heart. This was the champion of Israel, her greatest warrior. This was Israel's most illustrious king, the author of the psalms. He had ascended to the throne at the death of Saul, whom God had rejected as king over Israel. David was the Lord's anointed one who was elevated after the mighty had fallen. He rued the disgrace of Saul and chafed at the triumphalism of the Philistines who would publish the news in Gath and whose troubadours would gleefully sing, "O how the mighty have fallen."

Now David had joined the ranks of the fallen. His fall was great and is recorded for all posterity. He was living a Shakespearean style hero marred by fatal blemish, marked with an indelible scandal.

David's fall began with a simple thought, an inclination born of lust when he inadvertently spied a beautiful woman at her bath. He didn't start out with a scheme to commit adultery. He was not on the prowl for the first available paramour. One moment of lust had exploded into a compulsive passion. Then David threw righteousness to the wind and gambled his soul in exchange for illicit romance. He put his conscience on hold and hardened his own heart. The biblical record is as revealing of the heart of darkness that lurks in the chest of every man as it is terse:

"It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king's house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” So David sent messengers and took her, and she came to him, and he lay with her. Then she returned to her house." - 2 Samuel 11:2-4

David took another man's wife. Like the rich man in Nathan's parable, David helped himself to the ewe lamb of one of his trusted soldiers. Uriah was married to Bathsheba. Yet while Uriah was serving David with loyalty, David was taking liberties with Uriah's wife. Bathsheba became pregnant, and the child in her womb was not, indeed could not have been, fathered by Uriah.

to be continued . . . .

Why is Trusting God so Difficult?

2008-09-11T00:26:00.002-04:00

The Bible says this about trusting God, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5). Furthermore, it tells us that "He who trusts in himself is a fool. . ." (Proverbs 28:26). Still, I have difficulty trusting God at least at one point or another in my walk with Him.

There are probably many reasons why trusting is difficult. God's ways don't always make sense to us. God told Noah to build an ark. It may have never rained up to this point and the nearest body of water was probably many miles away. It could not have made much sense to Noah at all. We want life to make sense. We always want to set our own terms and timetables.

God works on a different timetable than our minds comprehend. God promised Abraham a son from his own body through his wife Sarah. It was at least 24 some years before this promise was fulfilled in the manner in which God had promised. In the meantime, Abraham and Sarah had difficulty trusting God and tried their own methods to fulfill the promise. We want what we want and we want it now. It is difficult to trust in a plan that requires us to surrender all control of the time for completion.

In order to trust in God, we must totally surrender our will, our ideas, our desires, and our future in to God's hands. Many of us are "control freaks", and I can definitely see my self fall into that category when it comes to protecting things close to my heart and hearts desires. We don't want to give the control of any part of our lives over to another. If you don't believe that God loves you fully and really does have your best interests at heart and desires the very best for you, trusting Him is going to be extremely difficult. It takes a very special relationship to allow that measure of surrender. Most of us have a tendency to claim trust in God. However, at the first sign of any difficulty or trial, we think that God must not love us because He is allowing this difficulty to happen. The trial is exactly what God is using to test the level of trust that we have in Him.

In spite of the trials, we always have God's promise that the trials and tests that we go through are for our good (Romans 8:28, Hebrews 12:2, 2 Corinthians 4:17, James 1:2). We learn that it is through trust that our relationship with God strengthens and our love for Him grows.

We can trust in many things. None, however, offer the protection plan, the long term security, or the benefits that trusting in God offers. All of the other things in which we place our trust can fail. God never fails! In the words of King David, ". . .Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. . ." (1 Chronicles 28:20).

Responding to trials and tribulations...

2008-09-09T16:52:00.005-04:00

Sometimes trials and tribulations come to us as a direct judgment of God. It can be part of the corrective wrath to his children, or the punitive wrath to those who are obstinate in their disobedience toward him.

Sometimes the Lord does send circumstances or people that will help us develop our spiritual muscles and character. It could also be that we are being besieged by the enemy, something Martin Luther frequently spoke of experiencing - what he called "the infection, the personal assault that comes from the prince of darkness."

For me, it's not easy to discern between these causes, whether its God trying to send me a message, or just having 'bad luck' with certain things that come with life. I need to begin by recognizing that God is sovereign over all tribulations. Whether it's a tribulation that follows as a consequence of my sin or God's putting me to a test or my being the victim of another person or the object of Satan's attack, God is sovereign over all of those things.

In the midst of tribulation, instead of losing myself in trying to discern for sure what the cause is and trying to figure out why this thing is happening to me, it's important that I ask the deeper question, How am I to respond to it?

I can begin by searching my heart to see if there are any wicked ways in me that could be legitimate reasons for God to be correcting me. We ought to rejoice that God does this because it is an indication of his love for us. The correction of the Lord is designed to lead us to repentance and to the full restoration of fellowship. When I enter into a trial or into some type of tribulation, I should be saying, Lord, is there something that you're trying to say to me? Is there an area of my life that needs attention or cleaning up?

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

We should remember that Paul does not say that all things that happen to us are good things. In fact, bad things do and will happen to us. Painful things. Things that will crush our spirits. Things that leave wounds and scars. Yet all of these 'bad' things that happen to us are working together for our good. This is to say that ultimately it is good that these things happen to us.

Trusting God

2008-09-08T14:14:00.008-04:00

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33

As I look back through my life up until now, I am reminded of how faithful and trustworthy God really is. Yet even though, He has never failed me, and never will, I still have a hard time trusting Him with everything.

I believe for me trusting God is both easy and hard at times. I think a lot of people can fall into that category of trusting God with the 'little' things in life and then having a harder time trusting him with the 'big' things in life or the things closer to our hearts. I think this is where we need to remind ourselves that God is God, and His grace is bigger than anything we will ever face, and that He will never fail us.

Growing up I have always felt like I have had to fight for what I want and what I need. Whether its happiness, a desire of my heart, respect, or safety and comfort, I always feel like I have to do something to achieve those instead of just giving it to God and moving on with my daily life.

One thing I must remind myself with is that I need to remember that God knows the desires of my heart. He knows the deepest desires of my heart that no one else knows about. He delights in giving His children what they desire - if it lines up with His will and with His plans. But I must keep in mind, if I am trying to live for God in every aspect of my life, then I'm going to desire what God desires. And God will want to give me what I desire if it is His will, even if it has a few bumps and bruises along the way caused by my selfishness, impatience, and lack of trust.

He delights in seeing His children having joy and peace with their life. And even when everything around me seems to be crumbling, that I can and should have peace that I have a God who cares. And I can look up to Him and give all of my burdens, all of my worries, all of my desires, all of my wishes, all of my dreams, to Him. I'm sure that when God sees His children humbly coming to Him and giving Him all of their burdens and all of their deepest dreams in their heart - I'm sure He delights in that. So delight yourself in the Lord. Make Him your number one priority. Put Him above all else. Seek Him and His Kingdom first, before anything, and live in a way that honors and pleases God.

Another thing I have come to realize in my life right now is that found in God's first commandment to us. "You shall have no other gods before me" - Exodus 20:3. We often think of ‘other gods’ as being gods found in other religions or old-fashioned idols. However, recently I have come to learn that God’s intentions are deeper than preventing us from following another religion.

He wants us to put Him first all of the time. He knows that the only way we can be fulfilled is through His love. Putting God first means loving and trusting God first, above all, and with everything we are and have. God has given us every good thing we are and have. Our focus should never be on the gifts themselves in a way that demotes the gift Giver. This would be idolatry. It is easy to see how idolatry occurs given our deadly propensity for selfishly willful control and self-controlled security. We learn the hard way that we cannot provide ourselves with security and safety. On our own we lack the needed power of unselfish love.

It is easy to think that believing in God and having no idols is enough. But God wants us completely in every part of our day and life. If we are not completely focused on Him, we are in danger of worshiping whatever has taken His place as the focus of our life. If we always find our spare moments filled with thoughts of another person or activity, there is a possibility that we have created an idol for ourselves.

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

Wait on the Lord

2008-08-26T11:46:00.003-04:00

By James Smith, of Cheltenham, New York, 1869.

"Lead me in your truth, and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation; on you do I wait all the day." Psalm 25:5

The Lord intends to keep his people dependent upon himself. He has everything they can need. He intends to supply all their needs; but he will be applied to. He will have his people wait on him, and wait for him. In doing so, he will try their faith, fortitude, patience, and perseverance. He will sometimes put them to a severe test, but he will never fail them, forsake them, or leave them destitute. If they trust in him, plead with him, and wait on him, they will be raised to a state of comparative security, for they need not fear any man, or any circumstance, or any state they can be in. The Lord will be to them their God. He will do for them all that God can do; and that is, all they can require, all that is consistent with their welfare and his own glory.

Believer, you may be independent of all creation by realizing your dependence upon your God, and waiting upon him continually. You must believe the love he has to you, his watchful care over you, his delight in you, the promises he has given you, the provision he has made for you, the glory he will get by you, and the honor to which he intends to raise you. In so doing, the fear of man will die, joy in God will spring up, the peace of God will fill your heart and mind, your dependence on creatures will cease, and you will be happy in looking only to the Lord. "My soul, wait only upon God; for my expectation is from him." "Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt you to inherit the land– when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it"

Wait in all CIRCUMSTANCES.

You can be in no circumstances in which the Lord can not help you, in which he will not help you, if you look simply to him, rest on him, and wait for him. For every condition in which you may be placed, there is a promise; by that promise the Lord stands pledged to appear for you and help you; he is ever ready to deliverer you; only he will have you believe his word, exercise confidence in him, plead the promise at his throne, and wait for its fulfillment. Wait, then, on the Lord at all times. Times will change, creatures will vary, but the Lord remains always the same. In youth and health, in manhood and prosperity, in old age and its infirmities, we should wait on the Lord. He will adapt his mercies to us, make all his goodness pass before us, and cause all things to work together for our good. He will never leave us, change his views of us, or withhold his tender mercies from us. He is faithful to his word, true to his character, and full of love to his people.

Whatever change there may be in creatures, there is no change in him. Health may give way to sickness, plenty to poverty, strength to weakness, and life to death, but he is the same. With him there is no variableness, neither shadow of a turn. Therefore, "wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord."

Wait for LIGHT IN DARKNESS.

Dark seasons you will have, for it is the lot of all Christians. A cloud may come over your prospects, and the sentence of death may be passed on many of your comforts. Your gourd may be smitten and wither, and the Lord may take away the desire of your eyes with a stroke. He may seem to turn against you, to turn his hand against you all the day. There may be no sweet intimations of his love, no pleasant communion with him at his throne, no sensible communion with him in his ordinances– all within may be cold, cheerless, and dreary; and all without disheartening and discouraging. Instead of success, there may be losses; instead of comfort, trouble; instead of friendship, enmity and alienation. Business may decline; employment may fail; health may give way; all things may seem to be against you.

But however discouraging your circumstances may be, however dull and dreary you may be in your soul, or cast down on account of the difficulties of the way, still wait on the Lord, nor shall you wait in vain.

Deep and almost overwhelming were the trials, distresses, and soul troubles of David, but though his soul was cast down within him, he waited on the Lord, and he has recorded the result– "I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he has put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God– many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord."

However dark, then, your way, however trying your circumstances, however severe the exercises of your soul, still wait on the Lord; hold fast by the promise; so "shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noonday; and the Lord shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought."

Wait for DIRECTION IN DIFFICULTY.

Difficulties often arise from our ignorance, or relations in life, or the duties that devolve upon us. These difficulties are often great, so that we know not what to do, or which way to take. Our wisdom is swallowed up, and our friends are unable to advise us. One rash step may ruin us. We appear to be impelled and urged to go forward, and yet are afraid to take a step. Every plan we have formed has failed; every effort has been abortive. We dare not go back; we fear to go forward– and yet we feel as if we could not stand still. We imagine that no creature was ever tried as we are. We have been sincere, and yet have gone wrong. We have tried our best, and yet have failed. We are tempted to envy others who succeed, to think that the Lord has dealt harshly with us, and even to become reckless. Before us are difficulties, seemingly as great as the Red Sea before Israel; behind us are obstacles, as fearful as the Egyptians behind them. Besides which, we have no Moses with the rod of God to make a way for us.

What can we do? Do as the prophet of old did, who said– "I will wait upon the Lord, who hides his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him." Yes, wait on the Lord, who has given you this precious promise– "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go; I will guide you with my eye." He will point out the way, he will teach you in the way, he will guide as a loving Father or a faithful friend. There are no difficulties with him. He sees the end from the beginning. He has directed thousands, millions, who have been in as great or greater difficulties than you are. What he has done for others, he will do for you. Hear his own word– "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them." Wait, therefore, on the Lord, and say– "Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us."

Wait for POWER IN WEAKNESS.

The Christian, at best, is but weak; but, at times, his sense of weakness is truly painful. He feels weaker than a bruised reed. And very often he feels weakest when he has the heaviest burden to carry, the most difficult hill to climb, or the most arduous duties to perform. Also, it often happens that the strongest foes are allowed to assault us in our weakest seasons. So that what with foes opposing us, a heavy burden pressing upon us, corruption working within us, and a rough and trying road before us– we are at a loss what to do.

Now is the time to wait on the Lord, and to say with the Psalmist– "Truly my soul waits upon God; for my expectation is from him." Now the promise suits us, and is intended for us– "He gives power to the faint, and to those who have no might, he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Precious promise for a dark day and a trying path! Wait on the Lord, then, however weak, faint, or weary you may feel– and all needful strength and courage shall be given you; for he will strengthen you with strength in your soul.

Wait for PROTECTION IN DANGER.

Every believer is exposed to foes, and is in danger from the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world will injure him, if it can; Satan seeks to worry or devour, to fascinate or terrify; and the flesh ever lusts against the spirit, and has mighty power to injure him. He is in danger from false doctrines, untried paths, and an evil heart of unbelief. He needs constant protection; for unless he is kept by One who is wise and vigilant, watchful and wary, powerful and present, he is almost sure to be overcome. Now the Lord says– "Fear not, I am your shield." And David could say– "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness has made me great." With the eye fixed upon him, the heart resting on his word, and the voice calling to him in every danger, protection is certain. "For as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so is the Lord round about his people from henceforth, even forever."

Nor does it matter what instruments may be devised or employed against them, if they wait on the Lord in faith and prayer; as it is written, "Your enemies will always be defeated because I am on your side. I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. And everyone who tells lies in court will be brought to justice. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Isaiah 54:15-17

Wait, then, on the Lord; let whatever danger will threaten, commit yourself to his gracious keeping, and his powerful arm shall defend you, and his wisdom shall make a way for your escape. So that, however imminent the danger, though in the very grasp of the foe, you shall have to sing– "My soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and I am delivered."

Wait for WISDOM IN TRIALS.

It requires much wisdom to use trials well, so that we may glorify God in the fires, and get only good to our own souls. Every trial, properly directed, will prove a great blessing; but if not well-directed, it may prove a sore evil. James was speaking of the believer's trials when he said– "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him." We can not make ourselves wise; but God can make us so, and he is prepared to give wisdom unto all who devoutly wait upon him. The wisdom that comes from God, used in our trials, will lead us to the strong for strength, will teach us to use the promises aright, and will direct us to seek the deepening of our sanctification, before anything and everything else.

A wise man in trial will be patient and calm, prayerful and hopeful, resigned and humble, and will be more concerned to have the trial made a blessing, than to have it removed. Wait, then, on the Lord for wisdom, and see that you obtain it. You may, for God in the Scripture declares– "If you will receive my words, and hide my commandments with you; so that you will incline your ear unto wisdom, and apply your heart unto understanding; yes, if you cry after knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and seek for her as for hid treasures; then shall you understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding." Hence the exhortation– "Get wisdom, get understanding. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom; and with all your getting, get understanding."

Wait for COMFORT IN SORROW.

You may be sad and sorrowful. Grief may become your companion for a time. Jesus was the man of sorrows, and he was acquainted with grief. We are predestinated to be conformed to his image. We must resemble him in sorrow, before we are filled with his joy. We must be like him on earth, before we shall be like him in heaven. If we suffer with him now, we shall reign with him by and by. A sorrowful saint can sympathize with a sorrowing Savior, and with his fellow-believers in their sorrows. Take heed, therefore, lest, on the one hand, you despise sorrow, or, on the other, are swallowed up with over-much sorrow. Sanctified sorrow is a soul-healing medicine. Yet, dwell not too much on your sorrows; they are only for a time; and when the purpose for which they were sent is answered, then they will be removed.

Your God is "the Father of mercies," and "the God of all comfort." He comforts those who are cast down. Wait, therefore, on the Lord, however deep your sorrows may at present be, and he shall comfort you in all your tribulation. Yield not to despondency, discouragement, or doubt, but remember that the Lord says– "I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you, that you should be afraid?" "As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you, and you shall be comforted." Though cast down at present, he will soon turn and speak comfortably to you, comforting you in all your tribulations, that so you may be able to comfort others with the comfort with which you yourself are comforted of God. Yes, he will give you everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace. Your weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Wait, therefore, on God, and he will make you exceeding joyful in all your tribulation.

Wait for DELIVERANCE OUT OF EVERY TROUBLE.

Deliverance is certain, for deliverance is promised. "The Lord will deliver you in six troubles, and in seven he will not forsake you." Jesus is the great Deliverer; therefore droop not, doubt not, despond not, but call upon him in the day of trouble, and he will deliver you, and you shall glorify him. As a believer, you can have no ground for fear, or reason to despair; your troubles shall not overwhelm you, if you cry unto God. How long your troubles may last, or how low you may sink, is not for me to say; but they will not last long enough to warrant despair; nor will you sink so low, but the everlasting arms will be still underneath you. Remember, in every trouble, that "the eternal God is your refuge;" that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." "The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." "I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him; I will set him on high, because he has known my name." What precious Scriptures are these! Are you in trouble, my friend? Believe them, appropriate them, plead them in prayer, and God will honor them, and make them good. You may have to wait long; you may fancy it too long; but at the very best time, in the very best way, the Lord will arise and have mercy upon you, and will bring your soul out of trouble.

Do not forget David's testimony– "They looked unto him, and were lightened; and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles."

Wait on the Lord, PRAYING.

Prayer is the solace of the soul; therefore the Apostle directs us in everything to pray. Indeed, we can not be said to wait upon God without prayer; for prayer is the fixing of the eye, the outgoing of the heart, the breathing of the spirit, the cry of the soul. In waiting upon God, let your prayers be simple-simple as a child's speech to its father. Let them be direct, going direct from your heart to the heart of God. Let them be comprehensive, comprising all you need or wish, all you fear or dread, all that is needful now, and all that appears desirable for the future. Everything should be turned into prayer; all our concerns should be laid before the Lord. They may be temporal or spiritual, limited to time or run into eternity; but whether they regard the soul or the body, the individual person only or the family, the church, the country, or the world, whether they be great things or only small matters, they should be carried to the throne, and be laid before the Lord. This is the way to enjoy settled, solid, and habitual peace, and to carry out the Savior's admonition– "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me." Anything that troubles us, however small or apparently trifling, interests our heavenly Father, and he wishes to hear of it from his child's own mouth. Hence the exhortation– "Trust in him at all times; you people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."

Wait on the Lord, BELIEVING.

We should live by faith, walk by faith, and constantly exercise faith. Believe, therefore, what your God has said of himself, of his designs toward you, and of his care over you. Believe in the precious promises he has made to you, in the sweet assurances he has given to you, and in the oath he has taken to secure you. Believe God, let men, or Satan, or your own heart, say what they will. Believe God, speaking in his word, let Providence work as it may. Believe God, and then you can concede him time to work, then you can trust him in the gloomiest day and in the darkest night. Believe God, and then you will enjoy perfect peace, as says the prophet– "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is staid on you, because he trusts in you."

Wait on God, believing that he will fulfill his word, confirm your faith, illustrate his character, and secure your best interests. Believe God, and wait on him, that he may perform his promises, answer your prayers, and rejoice over you to do you good. Take God at his word, and endeavor to rest upon it. Grasp the promise firmly, and refuse to let it go. Doubting and fearing can do you no good, but must do you immense harm; but believing God, and staying yourself on his word, will be of incalculable benefit to you. Believe, therefore, and wait. Wait and believe.

Wait on the Lord, WATCHING.

Watch the hand of God as it works in nature and providence; but remember that it is moved by the heart of God, which is correctly represented in his word. You may mistake the meaning of his works much easier than you can the meaning of his word; and therefore let his word dwell in you richly, ruling your judgment, and controlling your thoughts. Watch the working of the Holy Spirit in your heart, and mark the desires he awakens, the graces he quickens, the checks he gives, and the consolation he imparts. Wait on the Lord to carry on his work within you, and watch, expecting him to do it. Wait on the Lord, expecting him to work for you; and watch his hand, expecting him to answer your prayers. Let your conduct be an illustration of that word– "I wait for the Lord– my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord, more than those who watch for the morning– I say, more than those who watch for the morning."

Wait on the Lord, SEARCHING HIS WORD.

All that the Lord has to say to us is to be found in his word. That word is to direct us in difficulty, to counsel us in perplexity, to guide us in danger, to comfort us in trouble, and to encourage us under depression. It is to be a light unto our feet, and a lantern to our paths. Its pages should be daily read, devoutly studied, and heartily believed. We can not become intimate with God but by becoming familiar with his word; and as his word is the chief instrument by which he sanctifies his people, if we wish to be made holy, to be kept safe, and to be truly happy, we should constantly and carefully read his word.

This is at all times important, but was never more important than now, when so many books are written, so many errors are abroad, and religion has become so fashionable. Perhaps few temptations are so common, or more powerful, than the temptation to neglect the devout and frequent reading of God's word; let us therefore be on our guard, and while we profess to wait upon God, let us make much use of his word, and whenever we take it in hand, say– "I will hear what God the Lord will speak; for he will speak peace to his people and to his saints; but let them not turn again to folly."

Wait on the Lord in his ORDINANCES.

They were instituted for you, and, rightly used, will be a real blessing to you. Go to ordinances on purpose to meet with God; for as he said to Moses, in reference to the mercy-seat, so he speaks to us in reference to his own ordinances– "There will I meet with you, and I will commune with you." Ordinances without God are but empty cisterns; and to attend to ordinances without meeting with God, and communing with him in them, is of little account. Yet ordinances should not be neglected, but in every prayer we should seek to draw near to him; in every hymn we should lift up the heart to him; in every sermon we should listen, that we may hear from him. At the table we should see him preside, and seek heart-affecting fellowship with him, and expect to be revived, refreshed, comforted, or reproved by him.

The language of wisdom may be applied to the ordinances of God– "Blessed is the man who hears me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors; for whoever finds me finds life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord." And the language of the Psalmist, we may expect, will set forth our experience, if we attend to divine ordinances from a right motive and in a right spirit– "Blessed is the man whom you chose, and cause to approach unto you, that he may dwell in your courts; we shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, even of your holy temple." Then we may well say with David– "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:4-5

Wait on the Lord in QUIETNESS OF SOUL.

This is sometimes very difficult, especially when the conflict within is severe, and the storms of trouble roar. Yet it is a duty, and not only a duty, but a privilege. Reasoning will do but little good. Resistance will injure us. Therefore David took another course. Hear his words– "Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me. But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me." Here was quiet waiting upon God. The soul was humble; it bowed before God; it lay at his feet, and in stillness of soul, waited for his appearing. This was wise– "The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

Quiet, confiding faith in God is sure to calm the surges of the mind, soothe the ruffled spirit, and bring every thought into subjection to the obedience of Christ. Well, then, may the prophet say– "The Lord is good unto those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." If in patience we possess our souls, quietly plead with God, and look for his delivering hand, we shall be sure to enjoy his paternal mercy.

Wait on the Lord, ACQUIESCING IN HIS WILL.

Men may be wrong; God cannot be. Whatever he does, he wills; and whatever he wills is good. Whatever he permits is for wise reasons– and because he can overrule it for his own glory and the good of his people. All things lie open before him. He sees the end from the beginning. He knows not only what everything tends to, but what everything will result in. In everything he keeps the best interests of his people in view. We may therefore very well submit to his will; not only submit, but feel resigned; not only feel resigned, but acquiesce; not only acquiesce, but prefer his will and way to our own.

Higher than this we cannot get; wiser than this we cannot be. Now all within will be peace, let things be as they may without; all before us in the distance will be bright, let them be as they will near at hand. Happy soul that can bow to God's will, approve of God's plan, be pleased with God's working, and say– "Not my will, but yours be done." "It is the Lord, let him does what seems him good." Oh! for this calm, quiet, all-subduing acquiescence in the will of God, that I may wait on him, wait before him, and wait for him; saying with the prophet– "Therefore will I look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me."

Wait on the Lord in HOPE.

That is, expecting that he will work for you, give good things to you, or effectuate your deliverance. Say with David– "I will hope continually, and will yet praise you more and more." The promises are intended to raise your expectation, and past experience should strengthen it. There can be no reason to doubt, while you wait upon God; nor can doubting do you the least good. Hope will cheer you, brighten your prospects, and save you from despondency and gloom. Therefore hope in the Lord. You may be deeply tried, severely exercised, and at times almost overwhelmed; but at the very worst, you should expostulate with yourself, and say– "Why are you cast down, O my soul? and why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."

However rough your road, however violent the conflict, however severe the trial, still hope on, hope always; for God has said– "They shall not be ashamed, who wait for me." Like a vessel on the ocean, you may have to meet with storms and tempests; you may be tossed and tumbled about, but hope will be as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil, "Therefore, let Israel hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption"

Wait on the Lord with PERSEVERANCE.

Never give up, while you– need a blessing, fear a foe, or groan under a burden. Wait on the Lord, until you obtain all you need, and enjoy all you desire. You cannot wait on him in vain, therefore you can not do better. Satan will suggest– "Why should you wait for the Lord any longer?" Tell him, that your God is a Sovereign, and will work in his own time and way; tell him you are a poor, dependent creature, and must not dictate to the Most High; tell him that he has appeared for thousands before you, and that he will appear for you. Let Satan suggest what he may, let doubts rise ever so thick, let fears come ever so strong, still wait on the Lord.

It is your plain duty, it is your only hope, it is your sure resource. Plead with God, and take no denial, rest on the promise of God, and never give it up. Wait at the throne of God, and let nothing drive you thence. If the Lord seems to be turned against you, and if everything seems to conspire to discourage you, still persevere. Remember the woman of Canaan, how she was discouraged; but she persevered and succeeded. Remember Jacob, how he was discouraged, and yet succeeded. Remember Moses, to whom God said, "Let me alone," but he persevered and succeeded. Remember Hezekiah, what a death-blow he got, but he persevered and succeeded. The Lord will turn again; he will have compassion upon you; for he will cast all your sins into the depths of the sea. Trust, then, in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah there is everlasting strength; and that strength shall be put forth, and be made perfect in your weakness.

Wait on the Lord, for HE IS STRONG TO SAVE.

No case can be desperate that is brought to him. The poor woman in the Gospel had spent all her money, tried all the physicians, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, until she came to Jesus; and then, by only touching his garment, she obtained a cure. So, let your case be as bad as it may, having tried what means you will, the Lord can with one word deliver you, set you up on high, and save you forever. He loves to undertake difficult cases. He gets glory by appearing for poor souls in their extremity. He has so appeared for millions, and he will yet appear for you. Fix your eye on his strength, and your heart on his promise. David did so, and in wondering faith exclaimed– "O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord? Faithfulness is your very character."

All the strength of God, if needed, will be put forth for you, if you wait upon him. Oh! what encouragement to wait upon the Lord, to know that he can help because he is strong, and that he will help because he has promised!

Wait on the Lord, for HE CAN NOT DECEIVE.

He is truth itself. It is impossible for God to lie. He can not change his mind, break his promise, or falsify his word. Heaven and earth may pass away, but his word shall never pass away. Creatures may prove false and fickle, but he is in one mind, and none can turn him. "The Rock of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man that he should repent," or change his mind. O believer! here is strong consolation; you have the promise of the unchangeable God to rest upon, not only his promise but his solemn oath; therefore trust in the Lord with all your heart, and wait on your God continually.

Wait on the Lord, for HE IS KIND.

He is kind even "to the unthankful and evil." His kindness is "marvelous." It is united to mercy, and called "merciful kindness." It is united to love, and called "loving kindness." It is immutable, and therefore called "everlasting kindness." It is "the kindness of God our Savior." The kindness of God is strong and tender, steady and durable, humble and condescending. It rules his heart, shines in his dealings, and is plentifully revealed in his word. It affords the strongest encouragement to the convinced sinner, the seeking soul, the tried believer, and the miserable backslider. How sweet is the thought, that there is something in God's heart that sympathizes and takes part with the poor petitioner at his feet! When we wait upon God, though guilty, polluted, ungrateful, and depraved, his affections are moved for us, and he is determined to have mercy upon us. The kindness of God encourages us to wait on him. Wait on the Lord, for God waits for you, "Therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you– for the Lord is a God of judgment– blessed are all those who wait for him."

The Lord is always prepared to give, but we are not always prepared to receive. We have never to wait until he is ready, but he has often to wait until we are. He waits for us long, and therefore we must not be surprised if sometimes he makes us wait. But the longer we wait for the blessing, the sweeter and richer will it be when it comes. As the Lord is even now waiting for the fittest time to bless us, confer his favors on us, or deliver us, it is but right and reasonable that we should wait on him, and wait for him.

Wait on the Lord, and wait on THE LORD ALONE.

This was David's counsel to his own soul– "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge." In all seasons of affliction and trouble, in all times of temptation and suffering, wait upon God. In the exercise of faith and patience, pleading with him to perform his promises, and deliver your soul, wait upon God. Murmur not, repine not, but wait upon God.

Wait only upon God, for perhaps man can not help you; or if he can, he may not be disposed; or he may raise your expectations only to deceive you. But God can do all you need; he can give all you require; and he can do so at any time. He bids you wait on him, and he is well pleased with the waiting soul. Treat creatures, therefore, as creatures, and trust your God as God. Look to him only and always. Wait upon him and wait for him always. Expect him to act the part of a wise, faithful, kind, and loving Father; and he will never neglect or deceive you. Wait, therefore, upon God as God, and as true to his word; "so shall your peace be like a river, and your righteousness as the waves of the sea."

Prayer

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A. Why does God want us to pray?

God wants us to pray not so that He can find out what we need, because Jesus tells us, "Your Father knows what you need before you ask him", but because prayer expresses our trust in God and is a means whereby our trust in him can increase.
Prayer also brings us into a deeper fellowship with God, and he loves us and delights in our fellowship with him.
God also wants us to pray because in praying we give glory to God. Praying in humble dependence on God indicates that we are genuinely convinced of his wisdom, love, goodness, and power.

B. The Effectiveness of Prayer

James tells us, You do not have, because you do not ask". He implies that failure to ask deprives us of what God would otherwise have given us. Jesus also says, "Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened".
If we were really convinced that prayer often changes the way God acts, and that God does bring about remarkable changes in the world in response to prayer, then we would pray much more than we do. If we pray little, it is probably because we do not really believe that prayer accomplishes much at all.

C. Some Important Considerations in Effective Prayer

Praying according to God's will. John tells, us "This is the confidence which we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him." Jesus teaches us to pray, "Your will be done", and he himself gives us an example, by praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, "nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
Praying with faith. Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours"
Obedience. Since prayer occurs within our relationship with God as a person, anything in our lives that despleases him will be a hindrance to prayer. Not to be misunderstood in that we do not need to be freed from sin completely before God can be expected to answer our prayers. If God only answered the prayers of sinless people, then no one in the whole Bible except Jesus would have had a prayer answered. When we come before God through his grace, we come cleansed by the blood of Christ.
Confession of sins. Because our obedience to God is never perfect in this life, we continually depend on his forgiveness of our sins. Confession of sins is necessary in order for God to "forgive us" in the sense of restoring his day-by-day relationship with us. When we pray, it is good to confess all known sin to the Lord and to ask for his forgiveness. Sometimes when we wait on him, he will bring other sins to mind that we need to confess. With respect to those sins that we do not remember or of which we are unaware, it is appropriate to pray the general prayer of David, "Clear me from hidden faults"
Forgiving others. Jesus says, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"
Humility. James tells us that "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." "Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you". It is safe to say that God is rightly jealous for his own honor. Therefore, he is not pleased to answer the prayers of the proud who take honor to themselves rather than giving it to him. True humility before God, which will also be reflected in genuine humility before others, is necessary for effective prayer.
What about unanswered prayer? We must begin by recognizing that as long as God is God and we are his creatures, there must be some unanswered prayers. This is because God keeps hidden his own wise plans for the future, and even though people pray, many events will not come about until the time that God has decreed. Prayer will also be unanswered because we do not always know how to pray as we ought, we do not always pray according to God's will, and we do not always ask in faith.

D. Praise and Thanksgiving

Praise and thanksgiving to God are an essential element of prayer. The model prayer that Jesus left us begins with a word of praise: "Hallowed be your name". Paul also tells the Philippians, "In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God", and the Colossians, "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

God's Providence

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God's providence could be defined as the thought that God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them. He cooperates with created things in every action, and directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do and directs them to fulfill his purposes.

Our words, our steps, our movements, our hearts, and our abilities are all from the Lord. But we must guard against misunderstanding. God's providential direction as an unseen, behind the scenes, "primary cause" should not lead us to deny the reality of our choice and actions. Scripture affirms that we really do cause events to happen. We are significant and we are responsible. We do have choices, and these are real choices that bring about real results.

God has made us responsible for our actions, which have real and eternally significant results. In all his providential acts, God will preserve these characteristics of responsibility and significance. If we do right and obey God, he will reward us, and things will go well with us both in this age and in eternity.

God has ordained that our actions do have effects. If I go through life and I neglect to take care of my health and have poor eating habits, or if I abuse my body through alcohol or tobacco, I am likely to die sooner. God has ordained that events will come about by our causing them. Of course, we do not know what God has planned, even for the rest of this day, but we do know that if we trust God and obey him, we will discover that he has planned good things to come about through that obedience.

God has also ordained that prayer is a very significant means of bringing about results in the world. When we earnestly intercede for a specific person or situation, we will find that God has ordained that our prayer would be a means he would use to bring about the changes in the world. Scripture reminds us of this when it tells us, "You do not have, because you do not ask", James 4:2.

Creation

2008-07-10T18:30:00.002-04:00

Why, how, and when did God create the universe?

A. God Created the Universe Out of Nothing

God created the entire universe out of nothing; it was originally very good; and he created it to glorify himself.
Because God created the entire universe out of nothing, no matter in the universe is eternal. The mountains, the oceans, the stars, the earth itself, all came into existence when God created them.
God the Father was the primary agent in initiating the act of creation, but the Son and the Holy Spirit were also active. The Son is often described as the one "through" whom creation came about. "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." (John 1:3). The Holy Spirit was also at work in creation. Job said, "The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

B. Creation is Distinct from God Yet Always Dependent on God

The Bible teaches that God is distinct from his creation. He is not part of it, for he has made it and rules over it.
So basically God is far above the creation in the sense that he is greater than the creation and he is independent of it. (We need God, He doesn't need us)
God is also very much involved in creation, for it is continually dependent on him for its existence and its functioning.
The term used to say that God is much greater than creation is the word transcendent.
The term used a lot to speak of God's involvement in creation is the word immanent, meaning "remaining in" creation.
The Bible is the story of God's involvement with his creation and particularly with the people in it.

C. God Created the Universe to Show His Glory

It is clear that God created his people for his own glory, for he speaks of his sons and daughters as those "whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made" (Isaiah 43:7)
When we affirm that God created the universe to show his glory, it is important that we realie that he did not need to create it. We should not think that God needed more glory than he had within the Trinity for all eternity or that he was somehow incomplete without the glory that he would receive from the created universe. We must remind ourselves that the creation of the universe was a totally free act of God.

D. The Universe God Created Was "Very Good"

If God created the universe to show his glory, then we would expect that the universe would fulfill the purpose for which he created it. When God finished his work of creation, he did take delight in it. At the end of each stage of creation, God saw that what he had done was "good." Then at the end of the six days of creation, "God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31)

E. The Age of the Earth (Here's a tough one for me)

The question of the age of the earth, is a question about which Bible-believing Christians have differed for many years. The two primary options to choose from for a date of the earth are the "old earth" position, which agrees with the consensus of modern science that the earth is 4.5 billion years old, and the "young earth" position, which says that the earth is 10,000 to 20,000 years old, and that secular scientific dating schemes are incorrect.
Those who believe old earth theories of creation prpose that the six "days" of creation in Genesis 1 refer not to periods of twenty four hours, but rather to long periods of time, millions of years, during which God carried out the creative activities. They point out that Hebrew word translated "day" is sometimes used to refer no to a literal twenty four hour day but to a longer period of time. Other factors supporting the old earth view include the fact that the genealogies of the Bible contain gaps and are not intended to be used to calculate the age of the earth, and the evidences of antiquity in the universe (such as the continental drift, dinosaurs, and other things).
Those who believe in the "young earth" theories of creation argue that the "days" in Genesis 1 represent literal twenty four hour periods of time, pointing to the fact that each of the days of Genesis 1 ends with an expressions such as, "And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day." Another "young earth" theory is that the tremendous natural forces unleashed by the flood at the time of Noah significantly altered the face of the earth, exerting extremely high pressures on the earth and depositing fossils in layers of incredibly thick sediment all over the earth's surface.
While the various arguments for the two basic views of the age of the earth are complex and our conclusions are tentative, I feel that Scripture seems to be more easily understood to suggest a young earth view, while the observable facts of creation seem increasingly to favor an old earth view.
With the information we have now, it is not at all easy to decide this question with certainty. The possibility must be left open that God has chosen not to give us enough information to come to a clear decision on this question.
For me it is helpful to just admit that God may not allow us to find a clear solution to this question before Christ returns.

The Trinity

2008-07-08T18:06:00.003-04:00

How can God be three persons, yet one God?

A. The Doctrine of the Trinity Is Progressively Revealed in Scripture

The word trinity is never found in the Bible, however is used to summarize the teaching of Scripture that God is three persons yet one God.

B. Three Statements Summarize the Biblical Teaching

God is three persons
Each person is fully God
There is one God

Scripture is clear that there is one and only one God.
The three different persons of the Trinity are one not only in purpose and in agreement on what they think, but they are one in essence, one in their essential nature.
Isaiah 45:5-6, "I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I gird you, though you do not know me, that men may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other."

C. All analogies have shortcomings

People have used several analogies drawn from nature or human experience to attempt to explain this doctrine. Although these analogies can be helpful at an elementary level of understanding, they all turn out to be inadequate or misleading.
To say, for example, that God is like a three-leaf clover, which has three parts yet remains one clover, fails because each leaf is only part of the clover, and any one leaf cannot be said to be the whole clover.
To say, that the trinity is also like the three forms of water (steam, water, and ice) is also inadequate because no quantity of water is ever all three of these at the same time, they have different properties or characteristics, the analogy has nothing that corresponds to the fact that there is only one God, and the element of intelligent personality is lacking.

Summary

"It is important to affirm that each person is completely and fully God; that is, that each person has the whole fullness of God's being in himself. The Son is not partly God or just one0third of God, but the Son is wholly and fully God, and so are the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thus, it would not be right to think of the Trinity with each person representing only one0third of God's being. Rather, we must say that the person of the Father possesses the whole being of God himself. Similarly, the Son possesses the whole being of God in himself, and the Holy Spirit possesses the whole being of God in himself. When we speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together, we are not speaking of any greater being than when we speak of the Father alone, or the Son alone, or the Holy Spirit alone. The Father is all of God's being. The Son also is all of God's being. And the Holy Spirit is all of God's being. But if each person is fully God and has all of God's being, then we also should not think that the personal distinctions are any kind of additional attributes added on to the being of God. Rather, each person of the Trinity has all of the attributes of God, and no one person has any attributes that are not possessed by the others. On the other hand, we must say that the persons are real, that they are not just different ways of looking at the one being of God. Rather, we need to think of the Trinity in such a way that the reality of the three persons is maintained. There is no difference in attributes at all. The only difference between them is the way they relate to each other and to creation. The unique quality of the Father is the way he relates as Father to the Son and Holy Spirit. The unique quality of the Son is the way he relates as Son. And the unique quality of the Holy Spirit is the way he relates as Spirit."

Where are you looking?

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The Doctrine of God (3)

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The "Communicable" Attributes of God

I. Explanation and Scriptural Basis

A. Attributes Describing God's Being

1. Spirituality

People have often wondered, what is God made of? Is he made of flesh and blood like ourselves? Is God made of matter at all? Or is God pure energy? The answer of Scripture is that God is spirit.
This signifies that God is in no way limited to a spatial location. We should therefore not think of God as having size or dimensions, even infinite ones.
We must remember that God's being is different from everything that he has created. To think of his being in terms of anything else in the created universe is to misrepresent him, to limit him, to think of him as less than he really is.
God's spirituality means that God exists as a being that is not made of any matter, has no parts or dimensions, is unable to be perceived by our bodily senses, and is more excellent than any other kind of existence.

2. Invisibility

God's invisibility means that God's total essence, all of his spiritual being, will never be able to be seen by us, yet God still shows himself to us through visible, created things.

B. Mental Attributes

3. Knowledge (Omniscience)

God fully knows himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.
God fully knows himself which is an amazing fact since God's own being is infinite or unlimited.
God's knowledge never changes or grows. If he were ever to learn something new, he would not have been omniscient beforehand. Thus, from all eternity, God has known all things that would happen and all things that he would do.

4. Wisdom

God's wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.
Every day of our lives, we may quiet our discouragement with the comfort that comes from the knowledge of God's infinite wisdom. If we are his children, we can know that he is working wisely in our lives to bring us into greater conformity to the image of Christ.
We can ask God confidently for wisdom when we need it, for he promises in his Word, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him" James 1:5

5. Truthfulness (Including Faithfulness)

God's truthfulness means that he is the true God, and that all his knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth.
If we think the same thing God thinks about anything in the universe, we are thinking truthfully about it.
God's faithfulness means that God will always do what he has said and fulfill what he has promised.

C. Moral Attributes

6. Goodness

The goodness of God means that God is the final standard of good, and that all that God is and does is worthy of approval.
No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Paul writes, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

7. Love

God's love means that God eternally gives of himself to others.
We imitate this communicable attribute of God, first by loving God in return, and second by loving others in imitation of the way God loves them.

8. Holiness

God's holiness means that he is separated from sin and devoted to seeking his own honor.
The idea of holiness as including both separation from evil and devotion to God's own glory is found in a number of Old Testament passages.

9. Righteousness (or Justice)

God's righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right.
We ought therefore continually to thank and praise God for who he is, "for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is he"

10. Jealousy

God's jealousy means that God continually seeks to protect his own honor.
People sometimes have trouble thinking that jealousy is a desirable attribute in God. This is because jealousy for our own honor as human beings is almost always wrong. We are not to be proud, but humble.
It is healthy for us spiritually when we settle in our hearts the fact that God deserves all honor and glory from his creation, and that it is right for him to seek this honor. He alone is infinitely worthy of being praised.

11. Wrath

God's wrath means that he intensely hates all sin.
It is in fact a virtue to hate evil and sin, and we rightly imitate this attribute of God when we feel hatred against great evil, injustice, and sin.
We should feel no fear of God's wrath as Christians, for although "we were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind", we now have trusted in Jesus, "who delivers us from the wrath to come".
God's wrath should motivate us to evangelism and should also cause us to be thankful that God finally will punish all wrongdoing and will reign over a new heavens and a new earth in which there will be no unrighteousness.

D. Attributes of Purpose

12. Will

God's will is that attribute of God whereby he approves and determines to bring about every action necessary for the existence and activity of himself and all creation.
Sometimes it is God's will that Christians suffer, as is seen in 1 Peter 3:17, "For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God's will, than for doing wrong."

13. Omnipotence (or Power, including Sovereignty)

God's omnipotence means that God is able to do all his holy will.
There are, however, some things that God cannot do. God cannot will or do anything that would deny his own character. For example, God cannot lie, he cannot be tempted with evil, and he cannot deny himself. Although God's power is infinite, his use of that power is qualified by his other attributes.

E. "Summary" Attributes

14. Perfection

God's perfection means that God completely possesses all excellent qualities and lacks no part of any qualities that would be desirable for him.

15. Blessedness

God's blessedness means that God delights fully in himself and in all that reflects his character.
We imitate God's blessedness when we find delight and happiness in all that is pleasing to God, both those aspects of our own lives that are pleasing to God and the deeds of others.

16. Beauty

God's beauty is that attribute of God whereby he is the sum of all desirable qualities.
David speaks of the beauty of the Lord in Psalm 27:4

"One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

The Doctrine of God (2)

2008-06-30T12:11:00.004-04:00

D. The Incommunicable Attributes of God

1. Independence

God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation glorify him and bring him joy.
God is absolutely independent and self-sufficient.

2. Unchangeableness

God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and he acts and feels differently in response to different situations.
Psalm 102:25-27

Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but youe endure; they will all wear out like a garment. You change the like raiment, and they pass away; but you are the same, and your years have no end.

God existed before the heavens and earth were made, and he will exist long after they have been destroyed.
The Bible teaches that God is both infinite and personal. He is infinite in that he is not subject to any of the limitations of humanity, or of creation in general. He is far greater than everything he has made, far greater than anything else that exists. But he is also personal in that he interacts with us as a person, and we can relate to him as persons.

3. Eternity

God has no beginning, end, or succession of moments in his own being, and he sees all time equally vividly, yet God sees events in time and acts in time.

4. Omnipresence

God does not have size or spatial dimensions, and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places.
Psalm 139:7-10

Wither shall I go from your Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven , you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

God can be present to punish, to sustain, or to bless.
God is present in different ways in different places.
Herman Bavinck, in The Doctrine of God, writes

"When you wish to do something evil, you retire from the public into your house where no enemy ay see you; from those places of your house which are open and visible to the eyes of men you remove yourself into your room; even in your room you fear some witness from another quarter; you retire into your heart, there you meditate: he is more inward than your heart. Wherever, therefore, you shall have fled, there he is. From yourself, whither will you flee? Will you not follow yourself wherever you shall flee? But since there is One more inward even than yourself, there is no place where you may flee from God angry but to God reconciled. There is no place at all whither you may flee. Will from him? Flee unto him."

5. Unity

God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.
He is the same God always, and everything he says or does is fully consistent with all his attributes.
It is God himself in hiw whole being who is supremely important, and it is God himself in his whole being whom we are to seek to know and to love.

The Doctrine of God (1)

2008-06-19T12:11:00.002-04:00

The Character of God: "Incommunicable" Attributes

A. The Existence of God

How do we know God exists?

First, all people have an inner sense of God.
Second, we believe the evidence that is found in Scripture and in nature.

1. Humanity's inner sense of God.
2. Believing the evidence in Scripture and nature

B. The Knowability of God

1. We can never fully understand God

Because God is infinite and we are finite or limited, we can never fully understand God.
It is not true to say that God is unable to be understood, but it is true to say that he cannot be understood fully or exhaustively.
Psalm 145:3, "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable."
Psalm 147:5, "Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure."
This doctrine of God's incomprehensibility has much positive application for our own lives. It means that we will never be able to know "too much" about God, for we will never run out of things to learn about him, and we will thus never tire in delighting in the discovery of more and more of his excellence and of the greatness of his works.

2. Yet we can know God truly

Although we cannot know God exhaustively, we can know true things about God. All that Scripture tells us about God is true. God is love, that God is light, that God is spirit, that God is righteous, and so on.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

C. Introduction to the Study of God's Character: God's Attributes

Incommunicable attributes

God's eternity - God has existed for all eternity but we have not
Unchangeableness - God does not change but we do
Omnipresence - God is everywhere present but we are present in only one place

Communicable attributes

Love - God is love and we are able to love as well
Knowledge - God has knowledge and we are able to have knowledge as well
Mercy - God is merciful and we are able to be merciful
Justice - God is just and we, too, are able to be just

However, there is no attribute of God that is completely communicable, and there is no attribute of God that is completely incommunicable. God's wisdom for example would usually be called a communicable attribute, because we also can be wise but, we will never be infinitely wise as God is.

The Doctrine of the Word of God (5) ?s

2008-06-16T10:45:00.002-04:00

Review Questions

1. Define systematic theology.

Systematic theology is any study that answers the question, "What does the whole Bible teach us today?" about any given topic.

2. Give four reasons why Christians should study systematic theology.

Studying theology helps us overcome our wrong ideas
Studying systematic theology helps us to be able to make better decisions later on new questions of doctrine that may arise
Studying systematic theology will help us grow as Christians
The most important reason for studying systematic theology is that it enables us to obey the command of Jesus to teach believers to observe all that he commanded

3. Name six attitudes or activities that should characterize or accompany the study of systematic theology.

We should study systematic theology with prayer
We should study systematic theology with humility
We should study systematic theology with help from others
We should study systematic theology with reason
We should study systematic theology by collecting and understanding all the relevant passages of Scripture on any topic
We should study systematic theology with rejoicing and praise

4. Defend the following statement: "All the words in Scripture are God's words."

This is what the Bible claims for itself
We are convinced of the Bible's claims to be God's words as we read the Bible
Other evidence is useful but not finally convincing
The words of Scripture are self-attesting

5. What is meant by the idea that the words of Scripture are "self-attesting"?

Since the words of Scripture are "self-attesting," they cannot be "proved" to be God's words by appeal to any higher authority. If we make our ultimate appeal, to human logic or to scientific truth to prove that the Bible is God's Word, then we assume the thing to which we appeal to be a higher authority than God's words and one that is more true or more reliable.

6. How can we know that God's words are truthful?

God cannot lie or speak falsely
Therefore, all the words in Scripture are completely true and without error in any part
God's words are the ultimate standard of truth

7. Define the term inerrancy and discuss how this idea can be consistent with the Bible's use of the language of ordinary, everyday speech.

The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anything which is contrary to fact. The Bible can speak of the sun rising and the rain falling because from the perspective of the speaker this is exactly what happens. From the standpoint of the speaker, the sun does rise and the rain does fall. Same thing goes for measurements. If a reporter can say that 10,000 men were killed in a battle without thereby implying that he has counted everyone and that there were not 9,999 or 10,001.

8. List and respond to three objections to the concept of the inerrancy of Scripture.

The Bible is only authoritative for "faith and practice."

The Bible repeatedly affirms that all of Scripture is profitable for us and that all of it is "God-breathed" To say that the major purpose of Scripture is to teach us in matters of faith and practice is to make a useful and correct summary of God's purpose in giving us the Bible. But as a summary it includes only the most prominent purpose of God in giving us Scripture.

The term inerrancy is a poor term

The word has been used by scholars for more than a hundred years, and they have always allowed for the "limitations" that attach to speech in ordinary language. Furthermore, it must be noted that we often use nonbiblical terms to summarize a biblical teaching. The word Trinity does not occur in Scripture, nor does the word incarnation. Yet both of these terms are very helpful because they allow us to summarize in one word a true biblical concept.

There are some clear errors in the Bible.

Where? If people will mention one or more specific passages where, they claim, there are errors, a close examination of the biblical text itself will bring to light one or more possible solutions to the difficulty.

9. Name four possible problems that may result from a denial of biblical inerrancy.

If we deny inerrancy a serious moral problem confronts us: May we imitate God and intentionally lie in small matters also? In Ephesians 5:1 it tells us to be imitators of God. But a denial of inerrancy that still claims that the words of Scripture are God breathed words necessarily implies that God intentionally spoke falsely to us in some of the less central affirmations of Scripture.
If inerrancy is denied, we begin to wonder if we can really trust God in anything he says. If we become convinced that God has spoken falsely to us in some minor matters in Scripture, then we realize that God is capable of speaking falsely to us.
If we deny inerrancy we essentially make our own human minds a higher standard of truth than God's Word itself. We use our minds to pass judgment on some sections of God's Word and pronounce them to be in error. That is like us saying that we know truth more certainly and more accurately than God's Word does, at least in these areas.
If we deny inerrancy, we must also say that the Bible is wrong not only in minor details but in some of its doctrines as well. A denial of inerrancy means that we say that the Bible's teaching about the nature of Scripture and about the truthfulness and reliability of God's words is also false.

The Doctrine of the Word of God (4)

2008-06-12T12:20:00.002-04:00

B. The Necessity of Scripture

The necessity of Scripture means that the Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel, for maintaining spiritual life, and for certain knowledge of God's will, but is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws.

1. The Bible is necessary for knowledge of the gospel

2. The Bible is necessary for maintaining spiritual life

3. The Bible is necessary for certain knowledge of God's will

4. But the Bible is not necessary for knowing that God exists or for knowing something about God's character and moral laws

Romans 1:19-21

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.

C. The Sufficiency of Scripture

1. We can find all that God has said on particular topics, and we can find answers to our questions.

2. The amount of Scripture given was sufficient at each stage of redemptive history

3. Practical applications of the sufficiency of Scripture

a. An encouragement to search the Bible for answers

The sufficiency of Scripture should encourage us as we try to discover what God would have us to think or to do .

b. A warning not to add to Scripture

The sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that we are to add nothing to Scripture, and that we are to consider no other writings of equal value to Scripture.

c. A warning not to count any other guidance from God equal to Scripture.

The sufficiency of Scripture shows us that no modern revelations from God are to be placed on a level equal to Scripture in authority.

d. A warning not to add more sins or requirements to those named in Scripture

With regard to living the Christian life, the sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that nothing is sin that is not forbidden by Scripture either explicity or by implication.

e. An encouragement to be content with Scripture

The sufficiency of Scripture reminds us that in our doctrinal ethical teaching we should emphasize what Scripture emphasizes and be content with what God has told us in Scripture.

The Doctrine of the Word of God (3)

2008-06-11T01:27:00.003-04:00

I. Explanation and Scriptural Basis

A. The Clarity of Scripture

1. The Bible frequently affirms its own clarity

Psalm 19:7
Psalm 119:130
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

2. The moral and spiritual qualities needed for right understanding

Scripture is able to be understood by all unbelievers who will read it sincerely seeking salvation, and by believers who will read it while seeking God's help in understanding it.

3. Definition of the clarity of Scripture

The Bible is written in such a way that its teachings are able to be understood by all who will read it seeking God's help and being willing to follow it.
We must also recognize that many people, even God's people, do in fact misunderstand Scripture.

4. Why do people misunderstand Scripture?

The existence of many disagreements about the meaning of Scripture throughout history reminds us that the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture does not imply or suggest that all believers will agree on all the teachings of Scripture.
That tells us that the problem always lies not with SCripture but with ourselves.

5. Practical encouragement from this doctrine

It tells us that where there are areas of doctrinal or ethical disagreement, there are only two possible causes for these disagreements:

On the one hand, it may be that we are seeking to make affirmations where Scripture itself is silent.
On the other hand, it is possible that we have made mistakes in our interpretation of Scripture.

6. The role of scholars

They can teach Scripture clearly, communicating its content to others.
They can explore new areas of understanding the teachings of Scripture.
They can defend the teachings of the Bible against attacks by other scholars or those with specialized technical training.
They can supplement the study of Scripture for the benefit of the church.

The Doctrine of the Word of God (2)

2008-06-10T12:12:00.003-04:00

B. Therefore, to Disbelieve or Disobey Any Word of Scripture Is to Disbelieve or Disobey God

C. The Truthfulness of Scripture

1. God cannot lie or speak falsely.

Titus 1:2
Hebrews 6:18

2. Therefore, all the words in Scripture are completely true and without error in any part.

Since the words of the Bible are God's words, and since God cannot lie or speak falsely, it is correct to conclude that there is no untruthfulness or error in any part of the words of Scripture.

3. God's words are the ultimate standard of truth

John 17:17

4. Might some new fact ever contradict the Bible?

If any supposed "fact" is ever discovered that is said to contradict Scripture, then that "fact" must be fale, because God, the author of Scripture, knows all true facts.
No fact will ever turn up that God did not know about ages ago and take into account when he caused Scripture to be written.

D. The Inerrancy of Scripture

1. The meaning of inerrancy

The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture in the original manuscripts does not affirm anthing which is contrary to fact.

a. The Bible can be inerrant and still speak in the ordinary language of everyday speech.

b. The Bible can be inerrant and still include loose or free quotations

c. It is consistent with inerrancy to have unusual or uncommon grammatical constructions in the Bible.

2. Some current challenges to inerrancy

a. The Bible is only authoritative for "faith and practice"

The Bible repeatedly affirms that all of Scripture is profitable for us and that all of it is "God-breathed."
Luke 24:25
Acts 24:14
Romans 15:4

b. The term inerrancy is a poor term

The word has been used by scholars for more than a hundred years, and they have always allowed for "limitations" that attach to speech in ordinary language.
Also we often use nonbiblical terms to summarize a biblical teaching. The word Trinity does not occur in Scripture, nor does the word incarnation. Yet both of these terms are very helpful because they allow us to summarize in one word a true biblical concept.

c. We have no inerrant manuscripts; therefore, talk about an inerrant Bible is misleading

Think about it like this. The original copy of the United States Constitution is housed in a building in D.C. If that building were destroyed and the original copy of the Constitution lost, could we ever find out what the Constitution said? Of course, we would compare hundred of copies, and where they all agreed, we would have reason for confidence that we had the exact words of the original document.

d. The biblical writers "accommodated" their messages in minor details to the false idea current in their day and affirmed or taught those ideas in an incidental way

God is Lord of human language who can use human language to communicate perfectly without having to affirm any false ideas that may have been held by people during the time of the writing of Scripture.

e. There are some clear errors in the Bible.

Where?

3. Problems with denying inerrancy

a. If we deny inerrancy a serious moral problem confronts us: May we imitate God and intentionally lie in small matters also?

Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be imitators of God.
But a denial of inerrancy that still claims that the words of Scripture are God-breathed words necessarily implies that God intentional spoke falsely to us in some of the less central affirmations of Scripture.

b. Second, if inerrancy is denied, we begin to wonder if we can really trust God in anything he says.

Once we become convinced that God has spoken falsely to us in some minor matters in Scripture, then we realize that God is capable of speaking falsely to us.

c. Third, if we deny inerrancy we essentially make our own human minds a higher standard of truth than God's Word itself.

We use our minds to pass judgment on some sections of God's Word and pronounce them to be in error.

d. Fourth, if we deny inerrancy, we must also say that the Bible is wrong not only in minor details but in some of its doctrines as well.

A denial of inerrancy means that we say that the Bible's teaching about the nature of Scripture and about the truthfulness and reliability of God's words is also false.

E. Written Scripture is Our Final Authority

It is important to realize that the final form in which Scripture is authoritative is its written form.

The Doctrine of the Word of God (1)

2008-06-09T10:46:00.004-04:00

I. Explanation and Scriptural Basis

The authority of Scripture means that all the words in SCripture are God's words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.

A. All the Words in Scripture Are God's Words

1. This is what the Bible claims for itself

2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness"

2. We are convinced of the Bible's claims to be God's words as we read the Bible

Our ultimate conviction that the words of the Bible are God's words comes only when the Holy Spirit speaks in and through the words of the Bible to our hearts and gives us an inner assurance that these words of our Creator speaking to us.

3. Other evidence is useful but not finally convicing

As the Westminster Confessin of Faith said in 1643-46

"We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the Church to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man's salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts."

4. The words of Scripture are self-attesting

Since the words of Scripture are "self-attesting", they cannot be proved to be God's words by appeal to any higher authority.
If we make our ultimate appeal, for example, to human logic or to scientific truth to prove that the Bible is God's Word, then we assume the thing to which we appeal to be a higher authority than God's words and one that is more true or more reliable.

5. Objection: This is a circular argument

We believe that Scripture is God's Word because it claims to be that. And we believe its claims because Scripture is God's Word. And we believe that it is God's Word because it claims to be that, and so forth.

6. This does not imply dictation from God as the sole means of communication

The fact that all the words of Scripture are God's words should not lead us to think that God dictated every word of Scripture to the human authors.
In instances where the human personality and writing style of the author were involved, all that we are able to say is that God's providential oversight and direction of the life of each author was such that their personalities and skills were just what God wanted them to be for the task of writing Scripture. Their backgrounds and training, their abilities to evaluate events in the world around them, their access to historical data, their judgment with regard to the accuracy of information, and their individual circumstances when they wrote were all exactly what God wanted them to be, so that when they actually came to the point of putting pen to paper, the words were fully their own words but also fully the words God wanted them to write, words God would also claim as his own.

Blessed is the man

2008-06-06T16:14:00.002-04:00

Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34

Blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. Proverbs 16:20

Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil Isaiah 56:2

Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days Daniel 12:12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:3

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted Matthew 5:4

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled Matthew 5:6

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:10

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Matthew 5:11

Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me Matthew 11:6

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest Matthew 21:9

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest!" Mark 11:10

Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! Luke 1:42

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh? Luke 6:21

Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you. Luke 11:27

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it Luke 11:28

Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God." Luke 14:15

Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed Luke 23:29

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Romans 4:7

Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him Romans 4:8

Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. Romans 14:22

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him James 1:12

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near Revelation 1:3

Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed Revelation 16:15

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb. Revelation 19:9

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. Revelation 20:6

Blessed Is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book Revelation 22:7

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him Jeremiah 17:7

Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods Psalm 40:4

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. Psalm 41:1

Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage Psalm 84:5

Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law Psalm 94:12

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. Psalm 106:3

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. Psalm 112:1

Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. Psalm 119:2

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate Psalm 127:5

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. Psalm 128:1

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding Proverbs 3:13

Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. Nehemiah 9:5

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. Psalm 1:1

Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth Genesis 14:19

Laziness and the Bible

2008-06-03T14:33:00.004-04:00

Growing up I remember it use to be like pulling teeth for my mom to try to get me to read anything. If it wasn't a book about animals or sports I was not interested. I know that was a poor and ignorant attitude but its how I was. I think for a lot of people they can have the same attitude towards the Bible or 'Christian' books, in that they don't find them exciting or applicable to them.

The book I am reading right now called Knowing Scripture talks about two myths that people give for not reading or studying the Bible. One is the myth that the Bible is too difficult to understand than only highly skilled theologians with technical training can deal with the Scriptures, and the other myth is that the Bible is boring to them.

I think both of those myths can both be pointed to the same problem, ... motivation. This book points out that we fail in our duty to study God's Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not the lack of intelligence or wisdom about the Bible or a lack of passion, but more of a sense of our laziness.

The whole theme of this book seems to be on not how to read the Bible necessarily, but how to study the Bible. Reading is something we can do in a leisurely way, with distractions around, or something that can be done strictly for entertainment. However to study the Bible, suggest labor, serious and diligent work, and a life long work at that.

One thing that Mark Dever said, at New Attitude, was that Bible study is one of the main things that can encourage your faith and I know for me that has been so true.

Packer in his book Knowing Scripture asks the question, "Why should we study the Bible?" and then responds....

"I could cite numerous reasons why you would benefit from a serious study of Scripture. But ultimately the main reason why we should study the Bible is because it is our duty. If the Bible were the most boring book in the world, dull, uninteresting and seemingly irrelevant, it would still be our duty to study it. If its literary style were awkward and confusing, the duty would remain. We live as human beings under an obligation by divine mandate to study diligently God's Word. He is our Sovereign, it is his Word and he commands that we study it. A duty is not an option. If you have not yet begun to respond to that duty, then you need to ask God to forgive you and to resolve to do your duty from this day forth."

Memorization of Scriptures

2008-05-30T10:50:00.003-04:00

When I think of memorization, I think of all of the hours and time spent in the library studying for exams. Blah. This past weekend at New Attitude one of the topics spoken about was the memorization of Scripture and how important that was.

When Scripture is stored in the mind, it is available for the Holy Spirit to take and bring to your attention when you need it most. In Psalm 119 it says that, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you"

It is one thing when you are going through your daily life and a certain temptation pops in your head or you are watching or thinking about something you shouldn't and you realize you shouldn't so you stop. However it is even more 'powerful' against the temptation when a specific verse can be brought to your mind. In Colossians 3:2 it states to set your minds on the things above and not on earthly things.

I think a good illustration is the time Jesus had a confrontation with Satin. Every time the enemy through a temptation at Jesus, He parried it with 'the sword of the Spirit' as Piper would say. I think one way that we would be able to fight against temptations is to do like Jesus did, memorize Scripture so that it's available in our minds when we need it the most.

To me memorization also strengthens my faith because it repeatedly reinforces the truth. In Pipers message he said how every day he would write a Scripture on a note card and stick it in his pocket, and that throughout the day he would pull it out and read it which would help him memorize it.

One area I was convicted on this past week at New Attitude was not just the memorization of Scriptures, but the memorization of the songs we sing to praise him as well. Yes, some of the songs were new to me however, there are sometimes I don't know all the words to songs that I have been singing for years, but yet I know the words to the songs that are played daily on the radio.

Proverbs 22:17-19

Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. That your trust may be in the Lord, I have made them known to you today, even to you.

Only One

2008-05-21T12:04:00.001-04:00

Missing the Mark

2008-05-19T11:19:00.004-04:00

Romans 3:23-24

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

I guess a way you could look at it is, when a person competes in the pole vault, he is focused on doing one thing, jumping higher than the mark where the bar has been set. Once he/she has jumped, there can only be two outcomes. Either they cleared the mark or fell short.

If they failed in their attempt to clear the bar, whether he missed by an inch or a foot it doesn't matter. They still failed.

The same is true with sin. The Hebrew word for sin literally means "to miss the mark." Everyone sins by choosing to go their own way instead of God's way. Some people miss God's mark by an inch; others miss it by a mile. How close you come doesn't matter. Close isn't and never will be close enough.

The moral bar God has set for us to clear is a high one; it is so high that it's impossible to continually clear it on our own. A perfect, holy God can't embrace anything less than perfect. The good news is that this perfect and faultless God is also loving. That's why he provided a way for us to clear the bar more consistently, as well as a means for us to avoid penalty when we do miss the mark.

It is important for us to recognize that everyone sins. We should shift our focus to the future, not to the past. Because of Jesus, guilt and the fear of punishment no longer weigh us down. When we miss the mark, we should ask for God's forgiveness, learn from our mistake, and then keep moving forward.

The Lords Prayer

2008-05-15T12:13:00.002-04:00

Matthew 6:9-13

Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Various Bible translations differ on a word here or there, but we must remember that the heart of the Lord's Prayer remains the same. When Jesus' followers asked how they should pray, Jesus provided this example.

"We should use the Lord's Prayer the way Jesus intended. Let it help us better understand, and put into practice, three things; praise, petition, and confession."

Jesus' prayer began with thanks for who God is, a Father deserving honor. Then Jesus requested help by sharing personal needs, both physical and spiritual. He asked for the basic provision of food, as well as for the protection and the strength necessary to do what God wanted. He also prayed for the needs of others, asking that their lives would align more with God's desires.

Although Jesus had nothing to confess, he knew those listening did, so he modeled how to ask for forgiveness. Confessing where we have failed keeps communication with God honest and open and helps us become more merciful to those who fail us. As Jesus demonstrated, prayer is simply inviting God to play an active role in our life, and we should follow his example every day.

Seeing the good

2008-05-14T10:56:00.004-04:00

Romans 5:3-4

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produce hope"

In several versions of the Bible, the word for suffering is translated "tribulation." This comes from the Latin word tribulum, which was taken from the name of a piece of farm equipment used during New Testament times.

A tribulum was a heavy piece of timber with spikes in it that was drawn over newly picked grain. It separated the valuable grain from the worthless chaff. Tribulation, or suffering, does the same thing to our character. It sifts it, helping us sort out what's truly important in life from whats of little value.

As our character grows stronger, so does our hope. Experiencing firsthand how God can use difficult circumstances in a positive way solidifies our hope for the future as it strengthens our trust in him.

When dealing with tough times we must have faith.

Hebrews 11:1-2

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation."

Faith and belief are two different things. I think lots of people believe in God, but that belief makes no difference in their lives. Faith I feel acts on what it believes. Faith may look like a 'leap' to those who don't want to risk putting their trust in something unseen. But I feel through faith, what is unseen is far from unknown. As I respond to the Bible and God's Spirit, my faith continues to grow stronger. My personal experience confirms that God is everything he says he is.

Leaning on the Cross

2008-05-13T00:57:00.004-04:00

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

In this world if you are going to lean on something, the first thing you want to do is to make certain it can hold you up. The greater the risk the more certain you want to be.

As I look back at the poor decisions and choices I have made in my life, one thing they have all had in common was that I made those decisions based on my own understanding and wisdom... or wisdom I thought I had.

Believing in God is all about risk and trust. It tells you to turn away from what you're accustomed to relying on, your own strategies for making life work, and instead to trust God implicitly, even when what he's asking you to do may not make sense from a human perspective.

As I think about this, I am reminded what God asked of Moses at the Red Sea or of Daniel in the lions' den. Moses and Daniel were able to rely on God instead of on their own understanding because past experience had shown them he was wholly trustworthy. Every past experience was once a present choice. God challenges us to choose wisely today.

We can lean on our own limited understanding and abilities or on a God of unlimited power and love. Only one choice can take us where we really want to go.

Gods Timing

2008-05-09T02:05:00.004-04:00

One thing we must always remind ourselves is that God's timing is always perfect. He parted the Red Sea when his people needed it most, when they were trapped between the rushing waters and an approaching army. God allowed the water to flow again, but only after Moses and the Israelites had made it safely across. God provided what the people needed at the precise moment that it would make the greatest difference.

It isn't always easy to recognize the opportune moment. Waiting for God's answer, when my own internal timer has already gone off can make me feel as if God sometimes isn't listening. This has been a challange for me in life but one thing that helps me is the passage from James that talks about the farmer.

James 5:7-8

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

You can't rush a perfect harvest or an answer to prayer. We must look at it like as a farmer who waits for the fruit of his labor, he doesn't just sit around complaining about how long the growing season is. He continues to work. He trusts God, and his patience grows right along with his fruit.

James advises us to establish our heart. There is a bountiful harvest as certain as the fulfillment of God's promises. The Lord will return, the hard times we face will end, and God will answer our prayers when the time is right.

We must remind ourselves daily that God is in control of all things... including the timing of things to come and the answer to our prayers.

Romans 8:35-39

2008-05-05T10:54:00.004-04:00

Romans 8:35-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation,
or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger,
or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed
all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
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.

Jesus is the ONLY way

2008-05-02T09:50:00.004-04:00

Like our daily lives, our walk with the Lord has its ups and downs, but because we are human, a lot of things can drag our emotion down. The Bible says that everybody struggles and that God is gracious and he will give us the way out. God will not test us beyond what we can handle.

Growing up I have realized that most people believe in God or that "He does exist". But to receive salvation, we must turn to God, form a personal relationship, turn away from our sins, and follow Him. We must trust in Jesus with everything we have and everything we do. The Bible teaches that there is no other way to salvation than through Christ. Jesus says in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."

Jesus is the only way of salvation because He is the only One who can pay our sin penalty. No other religion teaches the depth or seriousness of sin and its consequences. No other religion offers the infinite payment of sin that only Jesus Christ could provide. No other “religious founder” was God become man. Jesus had to be God so that He could pay our debt. Jesus had to be man so He could die. Salvation is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Every person is separated from God by their sin and in need of forgiveness. Because God is just as well as loving, we cannot cross this gulf and have a relationship with Him, unless the penalty for our sin is paid. If God did not judge our sin, He would no longer be just.

Living a good, moral life cannot save a person because good works do not pay the penalty for sin. Being religious cannot save a person either, because religion does not pay the death penalty.

Fortunately, because of His love for us, God sent Jesus to die in our place to pay the death penalty we deserve for our sin. Jesus chose to do this because He loves us, and was the only one able to do this because He is fully God and He is fully man (He had to be a sinless human to pay the penalty for a sinful human). Jesus is not only sinless, but He is 100% God and 100% man.

On the cross, God judged Jesus for our sin so that we wouldn't have to be. That's why He is the only way to God, and only Jesus was willing and able to die for us to pay our death penalty, thus providing forgiveness for our sins. No one other religious leader has done this, no one else could have done this.

We can receive forgiveness and eternal life only through Jesus because only He has taken away our sin and bridged the gulf between us and God. It took His death to pay the penalty for our sin. If there had been any other way, Jesus would not have died (Gal 2:21). Considering the sacrifice Jesus made, we should not think it is unfair that there is only one way, but we should be glad that there is any way at all.

One things I know I use to struggle with and I know others do is what about all of the other religions?

We can believe what Jesus said because He gave evidence that validates His claim. Jesus not only claimed to be the only way to God, but He also claimed to be God (John 5:18; 10:30-33). He then rose from the dead, proving that what He said was true. There is more evidence for Christ's resurrection than any event in ancient history. Buddha, Confucius, Mohammed and all of the other religious leaders of the past are still in their tombs. But not Jesus. For he has risen :)

How to pray for the Soul

2008-05-01T09:59:00.002-04:00

1. The first thing my soul needs is an inclination to God and his Word. Without that, nothing else will happen of any value in my life. I must want to know God and read his Word and draw near to him. Where does that "want to" come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 119:36 teaches us to pray, "Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to gain"

2. Next I need to have the eyes of my heart opened so that when my inclination leads me to the Word I see what is really there and not just my own ideas. Who opens the eyes of the heart? God does. So Psalm 119:18 teachus us to pray, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your Law"

3. Then I need for my heart to be enlightened with these "wonders." I need to perceive glory in them and not just interesting facts. Who enlightens the heart? God does. So Ephesians 1:18 teaches us to pray "that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened"

4. Then I am concerned that my heart is badly fragmented and that parts of it might remain in the dark while other parts are enlightened. So I long for my heart to be united for God. Where does that wholeness and unity come from? From God. Where does that wholeness and unity come from? From God. So Psalm 86:11 teaches us to pray, "O Lord, I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name"

5. What I really want from all this engagement with the Word of God and the work of his Spirit in answer to my prayers is that my heart will be satisfied with God and not with the world. Where does that satisfaction come from? It comes from God. So Psalm 90:14 teaches us to pray, "Satisfy us in the morning with Thy steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days"

6. But I don't want my happiness to be fragile or weak, but to be strong and durable in the face of the worst adversities. I want to be strong in joy, and in persevering during the dark seasons. Where does that strength and durability come from? It comes from God. So Ephesians 3:16 teaches us to pray, "That God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man"

7. I do not want my strength in Christ to simply be fruitful for me, but for others. Clearly "it is more blessed to give than to receive" So I want to produce good deeds and works of love for others, so that the glory of God will be seen in my life, and others will taste and see that the Lord is good. Who produces these good deeds of love? God does. So Colossians 1:10 teaches us to pray, "That we will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord... bearing fruit in every good work"

8. Finally, lest the ultimate aim of it all be missed, I pray day after day, as a kind of banner flying over all my prayers, "Hallowed be Thy name." Lord, cause your name to be known and feared and loved and cherished and admired and praised and trusted because of my life and ministry.

John Piper

The Cross and Criticism

2008-04-30T09:53:00.002-04:00

On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger and its crew embarked on a mission to broaden educational horizons and promote the advancement of scientific knowledge. The most outstanding objective of the Challenger 51-L mission was the delivery of educational lessons from space by teacher Christa McAuliffe. A lesson was, indeed, delivered, but not one which anyone expected.

Just 75 seconds after liftoff, tragedy struck. Before a watching world the shuttle suddenly erupted overhead, disintegrating the cabin along with its crew. The debris of metal, blood and bones plummeted to earth, along with our nation's glory.

What had gone wrong? That was the pressing question everyone asked. As teams of researchers examined the wreckage, the specific cause was soon found. The problem was with the O-rings (circular rubber seals), which had been designed to fit snugly into the joints of the booster engine sections. Evidently, the O-rings had become defective under adverse conditions, and the resulting mechanical failure led to the tragedy. Was that the whole story?

The truth eventually got out. The New York Times put it frankly: the ultimate cause of the space shuttle disaster was pride. A group of top managers failed to listen carefully to the warnings, advice and criticisms given by those down the line who were concerned about the operational reliability of certain parts of the booster engine under conditions of abnormal stress. Just think: heeding criticism could have saved seven human lives.

As a pastor, church leader, and lecturer for Peacemaker Ministries, I am blessed with the opportunity to minister to people and congregations in conflict. Among the many things I've come to learn is the dominant role that giving and taking criticism has in exacerbating conflict. Yet, even more, I've learned that the remedy wonderfully provided by God requires us to return to the cross of Christ. For our present purposes, I want us to look at the problem of taking criticism.

The Dynamic of Defending Against Criticism

First of all, let me define what I mean by criticism. I'm using criticism in a broad sense as referring to any judgment made about you by another, which declares that you fall short of a particular standard. The standard may be God's or man's. The judgment may be true or false. It may be given gently with a view to correction, or harshly and in a condemnatory fashion. It may be given by a friend or by an enemy. But whatever the case, it is a judgment or criticism about you, that you have fallen short of a standard.

However it comes, most of us would agree that criticism is difficult to take. Who of us doesn't know someone with whom we need to be especially careful in our remarks lest they blow up in response to our suggested corrections? Unfortunately, as I travel around the country, the tale is often told that many people would never dare confront or criticize their pastor or leader for fear of retaliation. Many just find another organization to work for or church to attend.

In fact, don't you know of leaders who select those to be nearest to them who are easiest on them? How many times have you been warned to "walk on eggshells" around that person?

As sad a commentary as this is, such people are not much different from me. I, too, do not like criticism. Any criticism is hard for me to take. I'd much rather be commended than corrected, praised than rebuked. I'd much rather judge than be judged! And I do not think that I am alone in this. The more I listen, the more I hear the dynamic of defensiveness against criticism.

In counseling, I see it in the humorous way a couple will be diverted from the issue at hand to debate who said what, when, and where. Or in how people debate back and forth as to whether it was a Tuesday or a Wednesday when they did something.

Why do we expend so much time and energy swatting at these flies with sledgehammers? Why are our hearts and minds so instantly engaged and our emotions surging with great vigor in our defense? The answer is simple. These issues are not minor or insignificant. We defend that which we deem of great value. We think it is our life we are saving. We believe something much larger will be lost if we do not use every means to rescue it. Our name, our reputation, our honor, our glory.

"If I don't point out that I've been misunderstood, misquoted, or falsely accused, then others won't know I'm right. And if I don't point out my rightness, nobody will. I will be scorned and condemned in the eyes of others."

Do you see the idol of self here? The desire for self-justification? But idols have legs. Because of this deep idolatrous desire for self-justification, the tragedy of the Space Shuttle gets played out over and over again in our relationships. It destroys our ability to listen and learn, and it provokes us to quarrel.

Thus, for the sake of our pride and foolishness, we willingly suffer loss of friends, spouse, or loved ones. Some of that destruction comes in the shape of a thin truce. We tolerate a cold war. We make a false peace. We pledge to each other to discuss only those things which have little significance for bettering our souls. We lay out land mines and threaten the other that we will explode in anger if they so much as raise the forbidden subject of my mistake, my error, or my sin.

This is how churches split and factions develop. We surround ourselves with "yes" men—people willing to never challenge, advise, or criticize us. Yet, while we go on defending ourselves against criticism, we find Scripture teaching something different.

Criticism Commended

	Being teachable, able, and willing to receive correction is a mark of the wise.

The ability to hear and heed correction or criticism is commended in Scripture, particularly in Proverbs. Being teachable, able and willing to receive correction, is a mark of the wise. And the wise father or mother will encourage as well as model such an attitude for their daughters and sons.

The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice (Prov. 12:15).

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Prov. 13:10).

A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool (Prov. 17:10).

The ability to take advice, correction, and rebuke is not only considered a mark of the wise, and the inability a mark of the fool, but both the wise and the fool reap according to their ability to take criticism:

He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded (Prov. 13:13).

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning (Prov. 9:9).

He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding (Prov. 15:32).

There is gain in taking criticism. No wonder David exclaims in Psalm 141:5: Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. David knows the profit of gaining wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He knows rebukes are a kindness, a blessing, an honor.

Ask yourself: Is that how you look at a rebuke? Is that how you perceive criticism, correction or counsel? Do you want to look at it that way?

How can we move from always being quick to defend ourselves against any and all criticism toward becoming instead like David who saw it as gain? The answer is through understanding, believing, and affirming all that God says about us in the cross of Christ.

Paul summed it up when he said, "I have been crucified with Christ." A believer is one who identifies with all that God affirms and condemns in Christ's crucifixion. God affirms in Christ's crucifixion the whole truth about Himself: His holiness, goodness, justice, mercy, and truth as revealed and demonstrated in His Son, Jesus. Equally, in the cross God condemns the lie: sin, deceit, and the idolatrous heart. He condemns my sinfulness as well as my specific sins. Let's see how this applies to giving and taking criticism.

First, in Christ's Cross I Agree With God's Judgment of Me

I see myself as God sees me—a sinner. There is no escaping the truth: "No one is righteous, not even one" (Rom. 3:9-18). In response to my sin, the cross has criticized and judged me more intensely, deeply, pervasively, and truly than anyone else ever could. This knowledge permits us to say to all other criticism of us: "This is just a fraction of it."

Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law (Gal. 3:10).

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10).

By faith, I affirm God's judgment of myself, that I am a sinner. I also believe that the answer to my sin lies in the cross.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live (Gal. 2:20).

For we know that our old self was crucified with him [Jesus] so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin (Rom. 6:6).

If the cross says anything, it speaks about my sin. The person who says "I have been crucified with Christ" is a person well aware of his sinfulness. You'll never get life right by your own unaided efforts because all who rely on observing the law are under a curse. "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law" (Gal. 3:10). Thus the cross doesn't merely criticize or judge us; it condemns us for not doing everything written in God's law. Do you believe that? Do you feel the force of that criticism? Do you appreciate the thoroughness of God's judgment?

	To claim to be a Christian is to agree with all God says about our sin.

The crucified person also knows that he cannot defend himself against God's judgment by trying to offset his sin by his good works. Think about this fact: whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10).

To claim to be a Christian is to agree with all God says about our sin. As a person "crucified with Christ," we admit, agree, and approve of God's judgment against us: There is no one righteous, not even one (Rom. 3:10).

Second, In Christ's Cross I Agree With God's Justification of Me

I must not only agree with God's judgment of me as sinner in the cross of Christ, but I must also agree with God's justification of me as sinner. Through the sacrificial love of Jesus, God justifies ungodly people (Rom. 3:21-26).

But the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

My goal is to boast in Christ's righteousness, not my own.

No one will be declared righteous in his [God's] sight by observing the law (Rom. 3:20).

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Rom. 3:22).

Pride breeds quarrels, says Solomon. Quarrels are often over who is right. Quarrels erupt in our idolatrous demand for self-justification. But not if I am applying the cross. For the cross not only declares God's just verdict against me as a sinner, but His declaration of righteousness by grace through faith in Christ.

The cross of Christ reminds me that the Son of God loved me and gave Himself for me. And because of this, God has thoroughly and forever accepted me in Christ. Here is how grace works: Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Gal. 3:13f).

What a sure foundation for the soul! Now, I don't practice self-justification, but boasting—boasting about Christ's righteousness for me.

If you truly take this to heart, the whole world can stand against you, denounce you, or criticize you, and you will be able to reply, "If God has justified me, who can condemn me?" "If God justifies me, accepts me, and will never forsake me, then why should I feel insecure and fear criticism?" "Christ took my sins, and I receive His Spirit. Christ takes my condemnation, and I receive His righteousness."

mplications for Dealing with Criticism

GIVING CRITICISM GOD'S WAY

I see my brother/sister as one for whom Christ died (1 Cor. 8:11).

Keep on loving each other as brothers (Heb. 13:1).

I come as an equal, who also is a sinner.

Are we any better than they? Not at all. For there is no one righteous...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:9,23).

I prepare my heart lest I speak out of wrong motives.

All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD (Prov. 16:2).

The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil (Prov. 15:28).

A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction (Prov. 16:23).

I examine my own life and confess my sin first.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye (Matt. 7:3-5).

I am always patient, in it for the long haul (Eph. 4:2).

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Cor. 13:4).

My goal is not to condemn by debating points, but to build up through constructive criticism.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may give grace to those who listen (Eph. 4:29).

I correct and rebuke my brother gently, in the hope that God will grant him the grace of repentance even as I myself repent only through His grace.

And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth... (2 Tim. 2:24-25).

In light of God's judgment and justification of the sinner in the cross of Christ, we can begin to discover how to deal with any and all criticism. By agreeing with God's criticism of me in Christ's cross, I can face any criticism man may lay against me. In other words, no one can criticize me more than the cross has. And the most devastating criticism turns out to be the finest mercy. If you thus know yourself as having been crucified with Christ, then you can respond to any criticism, even mistaken or hostile criticism, without bitterness, defensiveness, or blameshifting. Such responses typically exacerbate and intensify conflict, and lead to the rupture of relationships. You can learn to hear criticism as constructive and not condemnatory because God has justified you.

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? (Rom. 8:33-34a).

Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it (Ps. 141:5).

If I know myself as crucified with Christ, I can now receive another's criticism with this attitude: "You have not discovered a fraction of my guilt. Christ has said more about my sin, my failings, my rebellion and my foolishness than any man can lay against me. I thank you for your corrections. They are a blessing and a kindness to me. For even when they are wrong or misplaced, they remind me of my true faults and sins for which my Lord and Savior paid dearly when He went to the cross for me. I want to hear where your criticisms are valid."

The correction and advice that we hear are sent by our heavenly Father. They are His corrections, rebukes, warnings, and scoldings. His reminders are meant to humble me, to weed out the root of pride and replace it with a heart and lifestyle of growing wisdom, understanding, goodness, and truth. For example, if you can take criticism—however just or unjust—you'll learn to give it with gracious intent and constructive results. See the sidebar, "Giving Criticism God's Way."

I do not fear man's criticism for I have already agreed with God's criticism. And I do not look ultimately for man's approval for I have gained by grace God's approval. In fact, His love for me helps me to hear correction and criticism as a kindness, oil on my head, from my Father who loves me and says, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone He accepts as a son" (Heb. 12:5-6).

Applying What We've Learned

1. Critique yourself. How do I typically react to correction? Do I pout when criticized or corrected? What is my first response when someone says I'm wrong? Do I tend to attack the person? To reject the content of criticism? To react to the manner? How well do I take advice? How well do I seek it? Are people able to approach me to correct me? Am I teachable?

Do I harbor anger against the person who criticizes me? Do I immediately seek to defend myself, hauling out my righteous acts and personal opinions in order to defend myself and display my rightness? Can my spouse, parents, children, brothers, sisters, or friends correct me?

2. Ask the Lord to give you a desire to be wise instead of a fool. Use Proverbs to commend to yourself the goodness of being willing and able to receive criticism, advice, rebuke, counsel, or correction. Meditate upon the passages given above: Proverbs 9:9; 12:15; 13:10,13; 15:32; 17:10; Psalm 141:5.

3. Focus on your crucifixion with Christ. While I can say I have faith in Christ, and even say with Paul, "I have been crucified with Christ," yet I still find myself not living in light of the cross. So I challenge myself with two questions. First, if I continually squirm under the criticism of others, how can I say I know and agree with the criticism of the cross? Second, if I typically justify myself, how can I say I know, love, and cling to God's justification of me through Christ's cross? This drives me back to contemplating God's judgment and justification of the sinner in Christ on the cross. As I meditate on what God has done in Christ for me, I find a resolve to agree with and affirm all that God says about me in Christ, with whom I've been crucified.

4. Learn to speak nourishing words to others. I want to receive criticism as a sinner living within Jesus' mercy, so how can I give criticism in a way that communicates mercy to another? Accurate, balanced criticism, given mercifully, is the easiest to hear—and even against that my pride rebels. Unfair criticism or harsh criticism (whether fair or unfair) is needlessly hard to hear. How can I best give accurate, fair criticism, well tempered with mercy and affirmation?

My prayer is that in your struggle against the sin of self-justification you will deepen your love for the glory of God as revealed in the gospel of His Son, and that you will grow wise by faith.

by Alfred J. Poirier

Christ our Mediator

2008-04-29T10:20:00.005-04:00

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

In that one sentence, Paul captures the main theme and essence of the entirety of holy Scripture, as well as answering the cry we heard from Job for someone to arbitrate between God and man.

"Father, thank You for the Mediator
whom You both planned for and provided
in Your love and mercy and wisdom and power.

Jesus, You alone could be my substitute
and pay the penalty for my sin!
How can I ever find adequate words to thank
You enough for Your uniquely perfect life
and Your uniquely perfect death on my behalf?
With all my heart and soul and mind and strength,
I thank and praise You for Your sacrifice.
Thank You for this truth that so transcends my emotions.
Continue to allow it to transform my emotions."

C.J. Mahaney

I am the Worst Sinner I know

2008-04-28T00:05:00.004-04:00

We must be reminded that apart from the cross, condemnation is normal. Without Jesus, we all deserve to be condemned and punished for sin. However in Romans 8:1 the Bible tells us, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Knowing this, we don't have to go through life under condemnation.

Condemnation is something that everyone deals with at one time or another. I know from time to time I really struggle with this. We can become condemned over any sin, past or present, great or small. C.J. says that the common element is a sustained sense of guilt or shame over sins for which you have repented to God and to any appropriate individuals."

Mahaney wants us to ask ourselves the following questions:

Do you related to God as if you were on a kind of permanent probation, suspecting that at any moment He may haul you back into the jail cell of His disfavor?
When you come to worship do you maintain a "respectful distance" from God, as if He were a fascinating but ill0tempered celebrity known for lashing out at His fans?
When you read Scripture does it reveal the boundless love of the Savior or merely intensify your condemnation?
Are you more aware of your sin than you are of God's grace, given you through the cross?

God is glorified when we believe with all our hearts that those who trust in Christ can never be condemned.

It is only when we receive his gift of grace and live in the good of total forgiveness that we're able to turn from old, sinful ways of living and walk in grace-motivated obedience.

1 Timothy 1:16

I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.