Not all minds that wander are lost

Accepted

2012-01-22T22:19:00.001-08:00

To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

A man shows up at a fancy restaurant in a t-shirt and shorts, flip-flops clicking across the fine porcelain floors. Unshaven and unbathed the tramp walks up to the hostess and asks for a table. She tells Him that he cannot be seated. When he asks why, assuring her that he has the ability to pay, she says it isn’t that he can’t pay, it’s that he is not dressed appropriately. Even if he were to have the proper attire she assures him that they would never allow him to dine there looking unshaven and smelling like sweat. The only solution is that the man be made fully acceptable. He must have the proper clothes. He must be bathed and he must be shaven. This example is only a feint picture of what has gone on between us and God the Father in the person of Jesus Christ. We cannot even begin to understand what it means to be acceptable before God. Scripture assures us that we were totally unacceptable before God for a number of reasons. Not simply because of our hair or our clothes, but because of something far deeper. God is, as a part of His character, fully righteous and cannot have fellowship with any who are not righteous. We, far from having any righteousness of our own, have only unrighteousness to our name. The only way we can ever be acceptable to Him, is as we are placed in His perfect Son, Jesus Christ.

Any Day Now...

2012-01-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

April is now approaching her due date. Any day now our new son or daughter will be born into this world. I am starting to get to the point where I jump every time April coughs. Labor is imminent and anticipation is high. It makes me think of the reality of the imminent return of Christ. Every believer is to be comforted and encouraged by the fact that our Lord could return for us at any time. At any moment we could be face to face with the Savior who loved us and gave Himself up for us. It places a great value on the present moment, and brings our trials into perspective. Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Established

2012-01-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

"Dear believer, the blessing is indeed within your reach. He who establishes you with us in Christ is God. What I want you to take in is this: Believing the promise will not only give you comfort but will also be the means of obtaining your desire. You know how Scripture teaches us that in all God's leadings with His people faith has everywhere been the one condition for seeing His power manifested. Faith is the ceasing from all our natural efforts and all other dependence; faith is confessed helplessness casting itself upon God's promise and claiming its fulfillment; faith is putting ourselves quietly into God's hands for Him to do His work. What you and I need now is to take time, until this truth stands out before us in all its spiritual brightness: It is God Almighty, God the Faithful and Gracious One, who has undertaken to establish me in Christ Jesus."
-Andrew Murray Abiding in Christ

Knowing and Knowing About

2012-01-02T22:03:00.001-08:00

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Philippians 3:10 NASB

I enjoy biographies. Reading about the lives of people who changed history. Learning about their habits, actions, idiosyncrasies, and abilities simply fascinates me. However, as much as I can know about a person in a biography I will never know them through such reading. Through our faith, through reading the Bible, through prayer and through Christian fellowship, we are not just learning about God, we are coming to know God. This is all given in Scripture in the context of relationship. Knowing Him as the Shepherd, The Savior, Friend, Master, Bridegroom and Father. May this year be marked by more intimately knowing the God who knows us perfectly.

Why?

2011-12-25T20:54:00.001-08:00

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5

"How would you know? You've never been through this?" How often has a well meaning, would-be comforter had these words flung back in their face? Often the honest answer can be little more than an honest admission that the one offering comfort has indeed not experienced that particular trial or difficulty. Our God longs to comfort us in our trials, as the God of all comfort. This comfort comes through our relationship to Christ Jesus. Our trials are an opportunity to grow in our relationship with Christ. They enable us to comfort one another by pointing each other to Jesus with the comfort and confidence of one who found comfort in Him.

2011-12-19T13:11:00.000-08:00

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.

John 1:16 NASB

One of the simplest definitions of the word 'miracle' I have ever heard was, "Supernatural forces interfering with the natural order of things." This time of year we celebrate "The Great Interference". Apart from this Interference man is without hope, lost, and condemned. Yet when God chose to interfere with His creation He chose the most intimate, personal and costly way imaginable. All because of His great love for rebellious mankind. (Romans 5:6-8) Merry Christmas!

The Smell Test

2011-12-11T19:48:00.001-08:00

Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our hearts before Him, in whatever our heart condemns us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:19-22

Before I married April I was a bachelor. As such I had a very complex laundry system. My laundry system started with "the smell test." In this highly scientific analysis an article of clothing was carefully selected from the floor of the room and smelled at arms length for offensive odors. If it passed this test it got the "close up smell test." The results of this test were entered into a larger equation that took into consideration where I would be going that day, who I would be with and how likely it would be that I would be in close enough proximity to be smelled. Marriage is a good thing for people like me. In his first epistle John gives us a "smell test" for our faith. How can you know if you are walking in the Lord? Evaluate your feelings towards your brothers and sisters in Him. If bitterness, envy, frustration, fear and hatred dominate your thoughts towards fellow believers you can know without question that you have taken your eyes off of Jesus.

Simeon

2011-12-04T19:32:00.001-08:00

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Luke 2:25-26

Think of this man, Simeon. He spent his whole life looking forward to this coming Messiah. The Lord let him know that he would get to see the Messiah before he died. When he saw Joseph and Mary in the temple he knew. He held the Hope of all humanity in his arms and he praised the Lord. Having beheld the Lord Jesus Christ, Simeon was ready to die in peace. His entire life was building up to the chance to HOLD the Savior. And this One, whom Simeon rejoiced to cradle in his arms, you and I have the opportunity to KNOW, personally and intimately. Even as we are known and loved by Him. Merry Christmas!

Anticipation

2011-11-28T19:11:00.001-08:00

Turning to the disciples, He said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them."

Luke 10:23-24

Each year I anticipate my first glass of eggnog. So creamy, rich and smooth. I go out and buy a quart of it the minute I find it has hit the shelves. It matters little that I have never (to date) had a second glass from the quart of this holiday beverage, as it really too rich for me. I throw it away every December 28th, knowing full well that I will be bursting with anticipation next November 15th when it hits the shelves again. Certainly, it is a silly example of anticipation, yet how tremendous the anticipation of the event that we are celebrating. To think of the generations of people that waited with eager longing, waiting for the Messiah to come. Spend time this Christmas season in thankful adoration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Parallels

2011-11-20T18:48:00.001-08:00

Remember the word which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, saying, the LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land. Joshua 1:13

Joshua was given a monumental task. The taking of the Holy Land. At the outset of this undertaking God reminds Joshua that He had already given them the land, all that was left to do is for the children of Israel to take it and possess it, trusting in God through the process. There is an interesting parallel in the life of the believer today. It is most interesting that Jesus name, in Hebrew, is also Joshua (Yeshua). God has seated us in Christ (Colossians 3:1-4), He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3) and given us everything that we need for life and godliness in Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). What is left for us to do? Much like Joshua who had only to receive the land which the Lord had given them, we are to lay hold of the life of Christ that has been given to us, trusting in Him every step of the way.

Big Claims

2011-11-13T19:54:00.001-08:00

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1

This always seemed like a large claim to make. Is Paul claiming to be the perfect follower of Christ? Clearly not. He affirms his humility constantly throughout his writing (Philippians 3:12; Romans 7; 1 Timothy 1:15). So what does he mean? Paul obviously continued to struggle with his flesh, with sickness, with physical want, with different people. Yet his constant goal and affirmation was to seek after "walking in the Spirit." Undoubtedly he failed at times, but he would not despair, rather continuing to look to Christ and rely on His grace. This is the example that we need. We need this same example in each other.

2011-11-06T20:09:00.001-08:00

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14

Boasting is ugly. Many people spend their entire lives accruing accomplishments like a resume that no one will ever read. As followers of Jesus we are to be so enamored with Him and His accomplishments that we are freed from our own desire to impress others with our accomplishments. When we understand that we have died to the world, we are free to understand that we are no longer obligated to attempt to impress the world. The mark of our value is found in the fact that Jesus Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us. This frees us to be simple, to respond in love, and to content ourselves with His greatness. That is freedom indeed!

True Love

2011-10-30T19:32:00.001-07:00

Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 1 John 5:1

I love my children. I am enamored with them. I love them when they please me and when they upset me. I don't love them for what they do, I love them for who they are. When we look at our brothers and sisters in Christ we are often tempted to think about all of the reasons we love them. We love them because they encourage us, bless us. Perhaps we are even tempted to love them less when they cost us something, or hurt us. The true love between believers is rooted and grounded in Christ. We love each other, not for what we do for each other, but for what Christ has begotten in each of us. That is the love of Christ - pure, unconditional and undefiled.

Let nothing be done

2011-10-23T19:50:00.001-07:00

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

The first words of these verses are striking: "Let nothing be done". The English translation softens the Greek which reads: "NOTHING through selfish ambition or conceit". Our motives are of the utmost importance. If you are doing some service to God for your own glory do yourself a favor and quit. If you are serving the church for the round of applause you are hoping for, just stop. If you are helping someone with a feeling of disdain for them, don't. The only valuable service to the Lord is the service that is done by Jesus Christ through you, for His glory. Jesus Christ is our example in this, having given up His privileges as God, submitted himself to the humiliating death on the cross to save us. When you are able to serve with His life it will look like His work and you will be glorifying only Him, and it will be good.

Eye Has Not Seen

2011-10-16T19:46:00.001-07:00

But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

This verse is often abused to inspire the hearer to think about all of the great physical wealth that we might be brought into by the television preachers. But we have seen physical wealth. To suggest that monetary prosperity is what is being discussed here sells the cross and power of Jesus Christ hopelessly short. What God has prepared for us in Christ is far greater than anything we can ask or imagine. We are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This reality outdistances any idea of prosperity, any desires in this perishing world completely.

Playing the Best

2011-10-10T19:40:00.001-07:00

For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.

Romans 7:11

On a internet reality show I watched recently the main characters challenged two of the Harlem Globetrotters to a 2 on 2 game. They were slaughtered. Each time a point was scored they got up and tried again until the game eventually ended. Had that game gone on for all of eternity the characters in the show would never have had a chance. In Romans 7 Paul describes a similar situation. His sin nature is the player that he could never beat, the Law is the game that he never could win. In Romans 6 he realized that Christ had won this game for him, in Romans 7 the sin nature temps him back on the court. And he loses, every time. It isn't a flaw in the game (the Law) it is a flaw in the player. The minute we step on "the court" (the Law) with our sin nature we lose. No matter how good our intentions, no matter how strong our resolve. Our only hope for salvation was to look to Jesus, our only hope to be saved from our Sinful Nature now is to keep our eyes firmly fixed on Him and the reality that He already won this game at the cross.

Taking His Place

2011-10-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding"Job 38:4

Success in life depends very much on knowing who and where we are at any given moment. If a linebacker on the football team thinks that he is the quarterback there will be problems in the game. Employees often grumble about their boss's decisions because they lack the perspective of the leadership of the company. Musicians who refuse to follow the conductor can make a beautiful piece of music a complete muddle. This is the problem that Job and his friends fell into. Upon his great trial Job showed perseverance of character and trust in God. Yet, in his more audacious moments (and due to the unjust provocation of his friends) he got too big for his britches and wanted to take his case before the Lord. Job's friends wanted to usurp the place of God and assume they knew everything that was going on in the life of Job. Yet God's rebuke to each of them is similar. He alone is God. Trying to assume His place only brings heartache and trouble.

Pass It On

2011-09-26T19:23:00.001-07:00

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

2 Timothy 2:2

In preparing to run a relay race athletes practice the baton hand-off again and again. A fumbled, or illegal, baton pass can disqualify the entire team from that particular race. Once a very strong runner was substituting the first leg of such a race. Knowing that he could run the whole race faster than any of the opposing team could run their sections he refused to pass the baton. Finishing well ahead of the next place runner he beamed at his coach, looking for approval only to find that he had, single-handedly, lost the race for his team. This is what Paul tells Timothy: "Don't just train runners- Train baton passers." The Church doesn't need more heroes, it needs more believers passionately passing "the baton" of God's word through the day by day process of discipleship.

Looking Past It

2011-09-19T14:25:00.001-07:00

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...

Hebrews 12:2ab

In 4th grade we were taught how to juggle. I worked hard to get proficient at it: practicing at home, reading books, and watching instructional movies. The real breakthrough came when I realized where I was looking. I had been trying to focus on each ball individually as I threw and caught. Being unable to focus on more than one thing at once failure was inevitable. I learned that if I focused on a still point past the balls I could keep them in the air with relative ease. Focusing on our individual problems and situations causes everything else to tumble. As we focus on Christ, in whom we are seated, He is able to do all things through us!

Choosing Sides

2011-09-12T19:57:00.001-07:00

For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?

1 Corinthians 3:4

We so often read this verse with a sort of hypocrisy. We think, "If I had lived then, I wouldn't have been a part of this kind of silliness." We then turn around and talk about the writers and theologians, churches and schools, that we follow. It is comical that with this very verse in the Bible there are yet churches called "Lutheran", "Calvinist", "Wesleyan" and the like. We don't need to hitch our wagon to Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Chafer, Osteen, Warren, or anyone else. We need, as individuals and as a church body, to look to Jesus Christ and His word alone. For He alone was crucified for us.

Not for You

2011-09-05T20:18:00.000-07:00

And He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own authority." Acts 1:7

In examining church history (and even the last two years) this may be one of the most tragically ignored statements Jesus ever made (right behind, "As I have loved you, so love ye one another.") Whether Karesh, Camping, Heaven's Gate, 2012 or anyone else we prove that people are irresistibly drawn to those things that cannot be known. There is, however, another side to the Lord's injunction on His special messengers (the Apostles) as He prepares them to be sent out. They are to focus on what they DO know. That is what a witness is, not one who conjectures about the unknown, but one who testifies to what he has seen. Better news yet...the apostles then, and we today, are not witnesses of what we know, but Who we know.

Who is on your side?

2011-08-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31 NKJV

As humans we are quite easily confused. Stalin became terribly paranoid later in his horrific reign. He suspected everyone of trying to steal his position. When he finally did decide to trust another world leader he chose Hitler, who promptly betrayed that trust. We are easily duped into misinterpreting reality. We mistake our foes for our allies and vice-versa. The Scripture declares that, if we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ the Lord is always our ally. When we walk well and when we fall. He is FOR us. He doesn't want to see us punished or "payed out" (He already punished His Son in our place). He wants to see us turn and rest in what He has already done for us. His goal is to conform us to image of His Son, Jesus Christ, and He will not fail in that goal. When we fail He isn't wagging His finger at us, nor shaking His head. He is holding out His hand. Offering the life of Christ as our provision for every need if we would but trust Him.

Quiet Things

2011-08-22T19:37:00.001-07:00

That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Sensationalism is the message of our society. Gadgets, food and drink are advertised by promising an experience that "out of this world." Movies and television seek to wow us constantly to keep our attention. Gossip magazines keep us abreast to the most intimate details (true and false) of the "great people" in entertainment and politics. If we buy into the world system we may believe that success is measured in such ways. Yet success is quite different from God's perspective. While we are impressed by the affairs of those we think of as "great" our Lord values something else entirely. A simple life, honest work, one that loves others with the love of Jesus Christ. This is valuable, wonderful. This is what would make the front page in Heaven's Daily Gazette.

Not Fearful

2011-08-15T20:56:00.001-07:00

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Fear is one of the most destructive influences on our lives. Fear is rooted in faithlessness, in a lack of trust in the character or ability of our loving Father God. The Lord would have us live a life that is fears nothing on earth. Neither men, nor need, nor government or death. The secret of this fearlessness is keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Christ in whom we are permanently positioned. With our eyes on Him we grow to understand how we can live beyond the limitations of fear.

Making the Very Best of It

2011-08-07T20:12:00.001-07:00

You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.

Gal 4:13 NKJV

A good mystery is tough to beat. It is easy to look at the verse above and get stuck in the question, "What was Paul's physical infirmity?" Rather than concern ourselves too heavily with the unclear parts of Scripture, we have the opportunity to concern ourselves with what is incredibly clear. Paul had some physical pain or difficulty that was certainly an inconvenience to him. God, however, had a plan for that difficulty. God's plan included the gospel going out to people who were ready to hear it. God's plan also included those people giving the occasion for one of the most important letters ever written (the Letter to the Galatians). That's what the Lord did through Paul's infirmity. What will He do through yours?

There WILL be a Test

2011-08-01T19:23:00.001-07:00

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, thought it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV

I have always hated timed tests. My palms and forehead sweating, chest constricted just waiting for the teachers mark to turn over the paper and complete the test in time. Ever since then the idea of someone "testing" me was not something that I appreciated. Yet we are told that God tests our faith in 1 Peter 1. Look closer, God tests our faith as a goldsmith tests gold. That process is interesting. The goldsmith buys gold hoping that it is pure, that he can approve all of it as useful. He heats the gold to the melting point and the impurities rise to the top as "dross" which is scraped off and discarded. This is the picture of how God "tests" our faith: with a view to approval, that we may be useful to Him. He is not looking to "fail " us, but rather to use us as tools for His own glory. This is a description of every trial you will ever have.

Surprise!

2011-07-17T20:33:00.001-07:00

...lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

So many books and movies turn on a good surprise ending. The best surprise endings are the kind that cause you to look back at the story and say, "Of course! Why didn't I see it before?" There are times in life where we, as believers, are surprised when we have no business being taken aback. We are surprised when our health gives out, yet we know that since sin entered the world decay became the norm. We act surprised when the world system is godless, cruel and unjust. We shouldn't be. We know the god of this world (Satan), and we know his goals, power and tactics. We act surprised when trusting in our sin nature causes monumental pain and spiritual loss. We shouldn't be surprised at that, we know that our sin nature is capable of no more than death and destruction. Rather than being surprised by our three fold Enemy (the Flesh, the World and the Devil), let us see them for what they are, and trust Christ and Christ alone as our only hope to escape the power of sin and death.

Posture Problems

2011-07-10T19:28:00.001-07:00

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... Ephesians 3:14

When a superior officer walks into a room all of the soldiers snap to attention. Their posture is one of obedience, alertness and respect.

When you tell your friend about something that is very important to you he leans in, put's his hand on his cheek and locks his eyes on you. His posture tells you that he is listening.

We are Spirits connected to bodies, and when these bodies are gone we will be given new bodies. As long as we have bodies (and Scripture tells us we always will) our posture is important. Paul, the Apostle of Grace, says that he took time to bend his knees and kneel before the Father in prayer. What does this posture say? To kneel is to put one's self in submission, kneeling is a sign of humility. Of course we can pray regardless of our posture. For many of us kneeling may not even be possible, approaching the Lord with the humility and knowledge of our true position is always possible. For Paul prayer was so important that he set everything else aside and knelt on the ground, while chained to a Roman guard. He was unashamed to physically show his humility before his loving Savior God.

A Great Ministry

2011-07-03T18:57:00.001-07:00

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Colossians 3:23 NKJV

So many tasks make up our day. Small tasks like washing dishes, cutting the grass and going about the duties of our various jobs. These duties can easily become familiar, or seem trivial. Yet, the Lord offers us another viewpoint on them. Those tasks before you are exactly what the Lord has for you to do this day. If you do them with the strength He provides, He will be glorified in them. God's glory shining through a repaired sink, a well prepared meal, or some paperwork that is filled out with care! Imagine that! As we go about the small tasks that make up our days this week let us remember that each task is an opportunity for us to glorify the Lord and display the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in us to a dark world. View each task with the dignity that the Lord gives it.

Hope that is Sure

2011-06-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Elie Wiesel survived the Nazi concentration camps. He gives an account of a man who was sure redemption was coming on a certain day. That day passed and his anticipated liberation did not arrive. The very next day that man died. He had endured incredible physical distress, but when his hope was lost, he died. It is clear that humans are not designed to operate without hope. We can endure incredible duress and difficulty, but hopelessness destroys us. God created us with this need for hope, and He supplied this great need for us in Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ alone. Where is your hope? In your pain, in your stresses, in your difficulty there is only one Hope that will not disappoint. That Hope is in Jesus Christ. That is not just hope for the future, it is hope right now in His indwelling Holy Spirit. Hope in Him, and Him alone.

Remain Seated

2011-06-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

"even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus... (Ephesians 2:4-5)

"Please remain seated until the ride comes to a full and complete stop." Boomed the voice overhead as the roller coaster eased its way into the station. I had my doubts as to whether I would be able to get up once the safety restraints were removed. The roller coaster had spun, slammed, whirled and twisted so quickly that all sense of gravity was ripped from me, leaving me quite dazed. I could call it "fun" because there was a safety restraint holding me. Were I to be responsible to hold myself in the cart it would cease to be fun and be only horrible, terrifying and likely fatal. Our relationship with Christ is similar. If we remember in Whom we are seated we can enjoy the ride in faith that we will ultimately arrive at the destination He has set out for us - being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Remain seated in Christ this week.

Healthy Words

2011-06-13T19:35:00.000-07:00

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine...
Titus 2:1

As a culture we are quite concerned with the idea of "health". Many restaurants will have a portion of their menu dedicated to "healthy choices". Many television shows and writers have a steady following in promoting "healthy living." The word translated "sound" in Titus 2:1 carries the connotation of "healthy" and is the basis for our English words "hygiene" and "hygienic". We seek to understand and teach the Bible correctly, not so that we can be "right" or puffed up, but because a correct understanding of the Bible brings about spiritual health. We find that when our words convey the true message of the the word of God a healthy spiritual life flows naturally, both for ourselves and for those to which we speak. May our words be healthy words that spur ourselves and others on to a relationship with the Living God through the completed work of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Ready for Battle

2011-06-06T19:43:00.001-07:00

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:17

Each of us pursues excellence in our respective field (or fields) of expertise. The excellent tradesman is constantly refining his technique, caring for his tools and learning about new products. The excellent parent is considering constantly how they might better "train up a child in the way that he should go." The excellent gardener spends hours watering, weeding and considering what plants will thrive in a given garden. Soldiers spend hours learning how their weapons work, and how to use them with accuracy and control. As we looked at Psalm 19 we saw the wonderful perfection and power of God's word in the life of a believer. It is unthinkable that a painter would show up to a job without brushes, rollers and sprayers. It is yet more unthinkable that a soldier would come to a battle without his weapon. It should be most unthinkable that any follower of Jesus Christ would allow him or herself to be separated from the Scriptures...

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

...do this in remembrance of Me.

Luke 22:19

Happy Memorial Day! I hope you have had some time on this holiday to consider those who fought and died for this country. Those who gave their lives to preserve the freedom that we enjoy deserve our respect, gratitude and admiration. It is hard for humans to remember things aright. For the Children of Israel it was easier to remember Egypt's easy meals, rather than their miraculous deliverance. It is always easy to forget the incredible blessings and character of God when enticed by worldly things. Christ's message to the church at Ephesus was just that, "REMEMBER the height from which you have fallen" (Revelation 2:5). I hope you had an opportunity today to remember the courage of those who died for the sake of this country. However, I hope we take time every day to remember your First Love. He who loves you and gave Himself up for you.

Lover of the Lost

2011-05-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2Peter 3:9

Jesus loves the lost. The Lord's heart for the lost is clearly stated in Scripture (Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:16; Romans 5:8). In order to reach them He is doing amazing things. He draws all people (John 12:32). His Holy Spirit convicts all of sin (John 16:8). He desires that none would perish (2 Peter 3:9). He has given all the witness of His amazing, ordered, beautiful creation (Romans 1:20). Along with all of the other amazing things that He has done to call the lost to Himself, there is at least one other thing. This is a remarkable comfort to those of us who care for the lost who are in our lives. He has placed Himself in their lives, personally and undeniably...in you.

Soil Check

2011-05-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

"Behold, a sower went out to sow." Matthew 13:3b

Today I got to spend most of the day in the garden. Most of my time was spent working different soils. The soil in the far back was hard, thick clay which I broke up with a shovel, and water to softened it. On the side of the yard I spent some good time digging weeds out (all the way to the root, thank you!). In the front planter box, the soil had dried out completely and had almost become sand, so I lovingly massaged in water and more good soil. The real delight was the planter box! I got to plant that with brand new, fresh and springy potting soil. Naturally my thoughts drifted to the parable of the soils (Matt. 13:3-9). How's your soil?

Built Together

2011-05-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

...in whom (Christ) you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:22 NKJV

How many support beams can I take out of your house? Would you be willing to let me remove some of the frames upon which your dry-wall is hung? Okay, if I can't take those, can I take some of your roof away? Not over the master bedroom, but just over the kitchen, or perhaps the living room. Summer is coming up, you probably won't miss it. No? Why not? It is interesting how we would never let anyone take the beams and pieces out of our house, yet we would take ourselves out of fellowship with the Body of Christ, we who are the very parts and pieces of this temple of His Holy Spirit on Earth. That is how much we need each other.

Mother Love

2011-05-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

1 Thessalonians 2:7 NKJV

Nobody had to tell my wife to love our children. An infant does very little but take. Mother's milk, mother's time, mother's sleep and even mother's sanity on some occasions. Yet a mother takes this difficulty on with a courage that would make the soldiers at the battle of Thermopole look faint of heart. A mother's love is one of the pictures that the Lord gives us to show us how great His love is. We see in mother's a love that is insanely self-sacrificing; and we dare to ask, "Lord, is that how you love me?" And the reality is that our Lord's love is so great that a mother's love is a mere shadow of the reality of the perfect love that He has for you. This week thank a mother for boldly displaying an amazing love in a dark world. And realize that He longs to exercise that "much more" love in and through you, as you are in Christ.

Still and Fill

2011-04-25T19:48:00.001-07:00

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 NKJV

Sometimes our heads get spinning so fast we feel like we are caught in a blender. That panicked feeling that we have to keep moving just to keep our feet off of the blades. The world may tell us to "slow down" but offers no real consolation. Yet the Lord calls us to a rest and and to recognize Who He IS. When we find our world is spinning it is often because we have moved to believing we are the center of it all, which we were never meant to be. That is acting as if we were God. The reminder? Be still and realize that you are not God, HE IS GOD. His exultation and glory are sure, and He has chosen to share that glory with you, not the other way around. Take a moment to be still, and move into your rightful orbit around the Son.

Have you been properly introduced?

2011-04-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:8 NKJV

Introductions are an interesting custom in any society. When talking to a person while waiting in line you will very seldom introduce yourself. The relationship you have is based on standing in a line together, and will not likely outlast the wait. However, when you meet anyone in a capacity that implies a long lasting relationship formal introductions take place. The word translated "demonstrates" in Romans 5:8 has the sense of "introduces". God formally introduces us to His love here: at the Cross. He loves you, and He has proven it.

Risky Faithlessness

2011-04-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:11

Imagine a person jumping out of an airplane. He has a parachute strapped to his back and is jumping with a friend. The friend screams, “Pull your rip chord! Release your chute!” to which the first person says, “I don’t trust my parachute!” He then begins furiously flapping his arms like wings, and consequently plummets to his death. This is exactly what Christians do when we try to do battle with our sin nature on our own power or might. We ignore what Christ has already done for us and then wind up as a messy spot on the spiritual pavement.
Have a great week!

Who is in View?

2011-04-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:2

I was talking to one of my dearest friends, who spent some time as a waiter. This man could balance 4 plates (with full servings of food) on one arm and a big tray of food and drinks in the other. It was quite an impressive feat! When I asked him how he did it he replied, "I couldn't do it until I stopped looking at the plates, and my arms, and just looked at where I was going. As long as I keep my eyes locked on my destination the plates and drinks never spill." Undoubtedly, each of our lives is something of a balancing act, when we attend to each of the individual issues everything has a tendency to spiral out of control. However, if we fix our eyes on Jesus, and not on our problems, our fears, or relationships, everything else falls into perspective.

That They would be one...

2011-03-28T22:31:00.001-07:00

The plea for unity in the Church could not have come from a higher source. Christ prayed for the unity of the church, as recorded in John 17. Paul was writing about the same accomplished fact when he penned Ephesians 4: 1-7 ("one Lord, one faith, one baptism..."). But notice, this is a target that the church cannot hit by aiming directly at it. If we aim at unity for unity's sake we invariably end at comprise, and before long all is lost (as occurred with the Quakers, Unitarians and now the "Emergent" Church). The only way for the church to live out the unity that Christ has won for us is to keep our eyes firmly fixed upon Him, as He is revealed to us in His word and His indwelling Spirit (Who, among other things, illuminates the Bible to the believer). We are only truly walking with each other when we walk towards Him.

Show Us...

2011-03-21T20:43:00.001-07:00

In John 14:8 Philip makes an amazing request. Jesus has been doing and saying strange things all night: washing His disciples feet, telling them that where He is going they can't follow, and promising that He goes to prepare a place for them in His Father's house. The disciples are markedly perplexed. Thomas asks for clarification, he wants Jesus to point it out on a map (v. 6). Jesus tells Thomas the HE (Jesus), himself, is the way. Philip asks for the insane. He asks for what Moses was denied: a glimpse of the Father. Was their exasperation in His voice when He responded to Philip? Philip was looking for a sign and was missing The Miracle. Are you holding your breath for a miraculous sign, when all you really need to see is Jesus?

Walking by Faith

2011-03-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

Imagine being Noah and starting the long task of building the ark. Or Abraham, leaving his homeland and everything that he knew because he was called out by God. Moses, walking back into the Pharaoh's court and wondering, "Did that really happen, or did I dream that?" Better yet, imagine being the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant up to the banks of the constantly flooding Jordan. Sure, Joshua SAID the waters would stop, but it's easier to say that when you don't feel your sandal sinking into the mud. How would you like to be Elijah standing in front of a thrice soaked altar and thinking for that one fleeting moment, "This is either going to be the best moment of my life, or the last!" Peter, stepping out of the boat and finding that the water doesn't give way under your feet? Stepping out of our comfort zone seems to be part of the Lord's prelude to doing something amazing. Where will your feet go today?

Draw Near

2011-03-07T21:03:00.001-08:00

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

When Adam and Eve sinned, everything changed. Before God walked with them in the cool of the evening, after that they were driven from the garden of Eden. The rift between God and man was great. And few walked with the Lord thereafter. When God appointed Moses and used him as His tool to redeem the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, he alone had personal fellowship with the Lord God. When he went up on the mountain to speak to God, not one other person was to go near. Not even an animal should be allowed to tread across the mountain and live. God's holiness is too great. The people knew that His perfection would destroy them, so they asked Moses to be the one to represent them to God and God to them. And so it continued.

The Law continued this pattern. Only on very specific occasions was anyone to enter into the Holy of Holies. Only once a year was anyone allowed to go so deep into the temple. The dividing curtain was thick and forbidding, and clearly illustrated the reality: Under Law you are separated. No access. The Ark communicated this repeatedly. When a well-meaning bystander meant to brace the Ark from falling he died immediately. Even in our best intentions access is denied to the Sacred, to the Holy. In the book of 1 Samuel the Philistines capture the Ark and its very presence causes them continual suffering: tumors growing on them. In the end they had to return it. Access denied.

So what changed? Did God become less holy? Surely not! Did He decide to compromise His otherwise perfect standards? Never. How then can we even imagine being able to "draw near with confidence" when so many saints before were destroyed by this Holiness? The answer, of course, lies in the person of Jesus Christ, and our relationship with Him. We may easily confuse confidence with "self-confidence" for the two words are often used synonymously, but in this case, they are antonyms! We draw near with confidence exactly because it is NOT self-confidence! We draw near because it is confidence in Jesus Christ, His character, His nature, His righteousness. If we ever imagine we approach on any other grounds we place ourselves amongst the most deluded and pitiable people alive. Because of what Jesus has done, we may come to the Lord with confidence. Praise the Lord! What a privilege!

On the Red Carpet

2011-02-28T20:53:00.001-08:00

The Academy Awards have come and gone. The striking importance of the Red Carpet to our society is remarkable. Celebrities plan for months, hire advisors, get their hair done, spend amounts of money that could feed a small country for just a few moments in the limelight as they walk into one awards show. Most of them are forgotten, and most of the outfits are forgotten in a few short years. We think of these people as important, their accomplishments as noteworthy, and in a sense, they may be. These "special celebrations" prove beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Scripture is true against all the world's deception.

"For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:24-25

As the glory of mankind is paraded around before us it draws into sharper focus the distinct dependability and perfection of the Lord. Studying the Bible is an eternal investment. Sharing the Gospel is a greater act than any thousand major motion pictures. Loving the people in your life with Christ's love is taking part in the Life of Him who is eternal and will endure forever.

The Real, The False, and the Hyper-Real

2011-02-21T15:28:00.000-08:00

Let no one deceive you with empty words... (Ephesians 5:6a)

From diet, to entertainment, to music, to marriage the world has painted some striking pictures. While media streams forth promises of "the best", "the biggest" and the "real thing" through our lives by TV, billboard and magazine adds we never stop to wonder where the deception stops. Restaurants make impossibly delicious foods, in obscenely large portions and load them down with fat, salt and sugar promising an experience that regular old meat and potatoes simply couldn't provide. Movies offer a view of love, life and marriage that is no where near to reality, and when people stop feeling what the movies promise should always be there, they want out.

Sadly, this is no less prevalent in the modern church. Supped up, hyper-marketed church programs promise results that regular old fellowship, prayer and Bible teaching simply can't provide. Just like that hamburger advertisement, they promise the world and just leave us fat. These programs are like a "12 hour energy drink" being marketed to the people who are rather to be flowing with Living Water! (John 4:10) Perhaps the worst part of this programmatic thinking is that it doesn't add to what we need, it seeks to supplant it. Just as the hamburger advertisement seeks to tell you that the greasy hamburger is far more satisfying than a healthy normal dinner that you could make for yourself, so these super programs promise better results than "the old way."

What was the old way? It was awfully simply, far too simple to market and put a "christian famous" face on and sell for $15.99 at Borders. Beholding the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word. It meant spending time with other believers, looking at Jesus together. It involved knowing each other, befriending each other and walking alongside each other. Spurring one another on towards love and good deeds. It was day-by-day, one foot in front of the other, growth. Like a good solid oak tree, not like an instant breakfast. It meant praying together, sometimes disagreeing and learning how to forgive and love one another through difficulty and disagreement. It is the privilege of being involved in each other's lives, sharing the Good News freely, and growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. God does extraordinary things through the most ordinary means.

Putting Lipstick on a Pig

2011-02-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this, while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

In 1952 E. B. White published one of his best known works: Charlotte's Web. In reading this to my daughter I was struck with something special. Charlotte's Web is the story of a runty pig named Wilbur who was not worth allowing to live, not even worth feeding. But Fern, a young girl, valued his life for no other reason than that she loved him. She believed he was special, even though he had no objective value or ability of his own. He then meets a spider, Charlotte, who befriends him. She writes wonderful things about him in her web. Cryptic messages like "Some Pig" and "Radiant". Wilbur is then objectively judged, and found wanting. He is neither as big or as valuable as the other pigs at the show. However, the final effort of Charlotte achieved it's goal and Wilbur was not made into a Christmas dinner. Wilbur was no great pig, but he was greatly loved.

Perhaps this week you also feel like "no great pig." Heading into this week I hope you learn that you know that you are severely and intensely loved and valued by the Creator of Heaven and Earth. That love was demonstrated for you at the Cross, 2,000 years ago. That love makes you more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus your Lord. That love has placed you in Christ, and identified you with Him in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and seating at the right hand of the Father. That love will see you conformed to the very image of Christ. Though we had not a thing to offer Him, though we were powerless to help ourselves, He as loved us this much. Don't forget.

His Grace is Enough

2011-02-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

It is often far easier to take an inventory of the reasons not to do something, than to find the reason to do it. It is so easy to see our limitations, our difficulties and our challenges as evidence that the Lord can't do anything with us. As we count up all of the reasons "why not" we fall into one of the subtlest traps our three-fold enemy sets out for us: self-centeredness. If our eyes are found looking to ourselves, even to take account of our inability, our eyes are ultimately fixed upon us and our inability and not our Lord, who IS ABLE!

What would the Lord do through you this week? Who would you share the gospel with? Who would you call to comfort or encourage? What would you take part in if failure were not possible? If you know that you could never do this on your own, you are in just the right place to start! Paul penned these words only one chapter after listing off all of his qualifications, he defended himself for the sake of his message that was given to Him directly from the resurrected Christ. But before anyone could wonder if Paul was used of God because of his great qualifications, he gives them a clear illustration of the reality: God uses us in and through our weakness. If we think we can serve from our own strength, our own strength we will waste. The Lord is interested in working through those who know best that is it He and He alone who is doing the work.

The First Lie...

2011-01-31T20:27:00.000-08:00

And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said..." Genesis 3:1

Genesis records the first lie to touch our race. The very bearer of this first lie was himself a lie and a liar. He took the form of a serpent, which was not his created form. Satan came in a form that would not alarm Adam and Eve, nor surprise them, but deceived them even though he did not belong in Eden by a long shot. This liar's first lie started off by challenging the truth, "Did God REALLY say..." This immediately tempted man to take the wrong place as the judge of God. This challenge was meant to draw Eve to a place of believing that she had the right to question God and His command and His character.

In response to this challenge Eve adds something to the original command of God, or it could be that Adam added it in repeating the commandment of God to her. She added the phrase, "nor shall you touch it". This was not in God's original command to Adam and shows that legalism soon followed the original command of love. The fact that Eve didn't know exactly what God said may have been an encouragement to Satan that he could bend these frail humans to his will.

Finally, the denial of God's word and his character. Satan convinces Eve of two things. Firstly, that God isn't capable of carrying out the consequences that were laid out. Secondly, that God is not looking out for her best interests, but rather for His own. And this lie has never left the face of our sin torn planet. Lies have proliferated and continued destroying relationship after relationship, keeping person after person from knowing their loving Savior Jesus Christ. May each of us, this day, live in and behold The Truth and trust in HIM always.

Jesus said to them, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Wonderfully Made

2011-01-24T21:12:00.001-08:00

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14

The complexity of the human body continually defies understanding. Each day that passes new journal articles and books are written charting the latest discoveries and observations about how the human body works and what the different parts do. Doctors of uncharted brilliance spend their entire lives in the study of one organ, piece or part of the puzzle and never fully unravel it's mysteries. As long as the Lord allows us to remain on this planet one thing is clear: we will never fully understand or appreciate the statement of the Psalmist. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

However, as we turn to the New Testament we see further depth and intricacy to this reality. We read in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone is in Christ he is a New Creature, new in kind rather than new in time. If at all possible this new act of creation was more astounding yet. I order for this new creation to occur, Jesus Christ put on a tabernacle of flesh. He lived among us, died on the cross for us, and was raised from the dead. He was then ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father. When we put our faith in Christ we were identified with Christ. This new act of regeneration (Titus 3:5) forever placed us "in the Beloved". The very power used in resurrection Christ is used towards us as the saints (Ephesians 1:18-20), and it is by this very grace that He again is able to call us his workmanship, His beloved masterpiece. We are, once again, fearfully and wonderfully made.

In the Beginning

2011-01-18T10:29:00.000-08:00

"One who really believes Genesis 1:1 will have no difficulty believing the rest of Scripture."

~Morris

Genesis starts the great love story of Earth's History. As we look around at the Earth and the Cosmos we are blown away by all that now exists. The beauty and ferocity of the mountains, the overwhelming power of the oceans, the mind-blowing depth of space and the beauty of the starlight. The more we learn about the symphony of creation and the influence of the moon on the tides and the exact placement of the earth in relationship to the sun we are even more overwhelmed with the power with which everything is held together (Col. 1:17). As we consider it all we realize that when we consider God and His power and ability we are far beyond our ability to comprehend.

This is the God who has promised to save all those who put their faith in Jesus Christ. His power is displayed in the work of creation. The physical world is a toy in His hand, and He can manipulate them as He pleases. It is He who created, He who sustains and He who will consummate this world. It is also He who loves you, He who calls sinful humanity to Himself to forgive and give eternal life. It is He who made the perfect provision because He desires to be in a relationship with us. He alone is able, and we are to be occupied with Him, with Jesus Christ, because He alone is worthy.

The Right Prescription

2011-01-10T21:22:00.000-08:00

Getting the wrong medication can be inconvenient, painful, and even life threatening. Even the wrong dosage of the right medication can be disastrous. Furthermore, many medications come with a list of side effects as long as your arm. What are we to do? Sometimes it seems like the cure is worse than the disease! Fortunately this is not the case in our spiritual life. As we continue to move on towards maturity and growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. His word is a precision scalpel, cutting to the heart of our need (Heb. 4:12). What is more the Lord is able to engineer ever circumstance, every difficulty, every trial to our exact needs. We can look at every day, every trial, every difficulty with the firm and confident assurance that this is the Lord's tool in my life to draw me closer to Him. Whether it is in my life by His permissive will, or His explicit will it is exactly what He is going to use to draw me to Him. That is an assurance, as we never need to ask if our prescription is correct. Praise the Lord, who cares for each of us!

Of Lepers and Leopards

2011-01-04T09:45:00.001-08:00

"While he was in one of the towns, Jesus came upon a man who was a mass of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he prostrated himself before him and begged, "If you want to Lord, you can make me clean." Luke 5:12 (J.B. Phillips)

I don't know how long it took me to figure out that Jesus wasn't a veterinarian. Or at least to learn that veterinary medicine wasn't his primary occupation. Yet, I had to respect a fellow who cared for leopards, but then, who wouldn't heal a talking leopard if the chance was given to him? Then someone explained leprosy to me. I'm quite sure it was my father, he always has been good at straightening out such difficulties without drawing too much attention to the error!

The Law of Moses gives a great deal of information about skin disease. There were procedures for determining if skin disease was dangerous. Once the determination was made that person was ostracized from their life, society and family. Even their possessions had to be ritually cleansed before they could be used by a clean person. How heartless it seems that the Law of God would have these sick people sent out from the camp, separated from everyone else, left to die among themselves. Yet, this is all the power that man has. We cannot heal ourselves. Disease is a result of the fall, a result of Sin. Sin affected everything: physical, emotional and spiritual. Whenever a person was ostracized from camp because of their sinfulness it was not the fault of the Law, it was the fault of the brokenness that entered into the world through Adam. It is a perfect demonstration of our own helplessness.

Yet, the leper of Luke 5 had a hope. Seeing that the religious leaders were helpless to save him, that he was unable to save himself, he knew that he was doomed to a life without community, physical contact or access to God through the temple. Then Jesus came through his town. This leper finds Jesus and his faith is so great that he doesn't ask, "Can you cleanse me?" but, knowing Christ's power, only makes known his great need. Christ's compassion shines through the words, "Certainly I am willing. Be clean." That is why He came. All we could ever manage on our own was to dissociate from sin, sickness and disease. Jesus Christ came and cleansed, healed and forgave. That is who is at work in you.

Know Jesus, Know Peace

2010-12-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

It seems ironic that in the season where we celebrate the first advent of the Prince of Peace we may get very little of it. "Holiday" parties at school and work, shopping to be done, cooking and baking, guests and travel, all of these things can be a recipe for stress, even when we are enjoying them. It is precisely during these moments that we must be most clearly focused on the Lord whose incarnation we celebrate during this time. The word has many alternatives to offer, but only the Lord offers true peace. Peace with God through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (While we were still enemies, he died for us. ~Romans 5:3, 8), Peace with eachother through the grace and patence of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:32), and peace and freedom from our own accusing flesh, that is, our decietful sin nature (Romns 6:11; Galatians 2:20).

The One we celebrate this time of year is the one who said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27. Will you choose to rest in the comfort of His Peace this holiday season? Will you look to Him who loved you and gave Himself up for you and there find the courageous full and brimming life that was won for you at the Cross and there after? Will this be the year where you commemorate our Saviors birth by trusting in Him in a whole new way? I hope for all of us, that it is.

Joy to the World

2010-12-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

"Joy" is a word we hear quite frequently in the holiday season. It is a word that is often written in large glittery letters across shiny Christmas cards and in lights over windows. It becomes so familiar that we often fail to think about the importance of this word. What is joy? How did it come to the world in the person of Jesus Christ? If "joy" is simply a synonym for "happiness" then we find that there was plenty of joy in the world already, however Biblical joy is much more than just happiness.

Like all of the fruit of the Spirit joy is something that is the product of the believer in Christ in spite of any circumstance. Joy is a deeper gladness of heart that cannot be affected by any outward circumstances. The growth of joy in the life of the believer is the mark of maturity that enables the Christian to step into every day with love and good cheer, knowing that the Lord will complete His good work in each of us. And while we can sustain many painful losses in this life, not one force on earth can touch our eternal position in the Heavenlies in Christ. Here is the striking reality: The only way that this world could ever see true joy isn't on a card, or written in lights. It is the burning flame that emanates from the heart and life of every person who is living in fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, each and every day. The Christmas card that really matters is you!

...you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:3

The Way

2010-12-07T08:53:00.000-08:00

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

John 14:6

Last week's devotion was about longing. Not for a thing, or for a possession, but for a Person. Longing for the Messiah. Longing for Jesus. In looking at this week's verse we see why. This monumental statement shows more than we may think. Very often this verse is referenced in the context of salvation. Truly, there is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12), there is no access to the Father, except through the person of Jesus Christ. He bought that privilege for all who receive it by faith in the Him, by His sacrifice on the cross. This verse perfectly identifies our need for Jesus in order to be saved. However, there is more to this verse.

The earliest title given to followers of Christ was "those of the Way."* This way was Jesus Christ. This is one of Jesus' amazing "I am" statements wherein He claims deity with his very grammar and word choice. However, this does lead us to a question: How can a person be a way? It is amazing that Jesus takes many titles for Himself which we may not expect. He tells us that He is the Door in John 10:9. Jesus is the Door by which we enter into a relationship with God. Jesus is the path we walk (the way). We walk this path because He has given us His history, because He empowers and guides us through His Holy Spirit, He leads us by His word, He has given us the fellowship of His body (the Church), and has placed us in an eternal relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the The Way.

In John 14:3 we find that, not only is Jesus the Door and the Way, He is also preparing a place for us. Jesus is the Door. Jesus is the Way. Jesus is the destination. He redeemed you for a love relationship that will last for all of eternity.

*(FYI - In modern times this title has been hijacked by a cult)

Looking for Someone

2010-11-29T10:06:00.000-08:00

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 1 Peter 1:10

As a young child walks carelessly behind his mother though a department store he is almost overwhelmed by the endless rows of tinsel and lights. Dazzled by the blink and blush of lights and advertisements titillating commercialism of the Christmas season it is hard to imagine that there is a better time than Christmas. The thought of toys, candies and cookies weighs heavily on the child's expectations. Suddenly the child wakes from his reverie and finds himself separated from his mother. The panic sets in and the child goes racing through rack after rack of pants, shirts and jeans. Where could his mother have gone? Finally, he gives himself up for lost, falls on the floor and starts sobbing loudly. Not a moment later his mother pokes around the corner, sweeps him up in her arms and chides him for not staying closer to her.

We can identify with the moment of terror and longing. As much as this sensation has befallen all of us, it only gives us a glimpse of the Jewish anticipation for the Messiah. Jewish girls treasured their baby boys because this child may be the promised one; the anointed savior that was yet to come. They comforted each other with the promises that God had given of this great prophet, priest and king that was yet to come: God's anointed, the Messiah.

As we approach this holiday season don't forget to take some time to appreciate how great the Old Testament saint longed to see the Messiah as clearly as we now see Him. That God took on flesh and tabernacled among us. That all of this was promised from the very beginning and God is always faithful to His promises. His promises to humanity to provide a Savior. His promises to Israel of land, seed and blessing which still await their total fulfillment in the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ. His promises to each of us individually who have placed our faith in His Son and have been given eternal life which Paul described by saying: "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) This week lets focus on our God who is THE promise keeper.

Holding Things Together

2010-11-22T21:34:00.001-08:00

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17

We sometimes hear this phrase, "I'm holding things together." By it, of course, we mean that our lives are not falling apart. We are doing alright, if only just. The illusion that this suspends in the air before us is our own importance. We may make this statement, or some variant of it, with the best of intentions. We think of our family, our friends, our work, our commitments, our mortgage, our responsibilities, our church, and we reflect on it all and think we are doing a fine job of keeping it all together. The trouble? We are not keeping it together. This illusion makes us the center of the center of everything. It reduces God to: "a good help to call in if things look shaky", but basically it is all about us.

We often think of self-centered people as the ones who act in their own interests all of the time. We think that the selfish person is the one who takes the last of the turkey before everyone has eaten, however there is another, more insidious self-centeredness that may look far more attractive to others. The busy-body, the workaholic, the people pleaser, the super-mover, the temptation to be self-centered in this way may be just as great or greater than all other temptations combined.

How would life change if, when we were most tempted to see ourselves as the center of the world, we were able to turn our eyes upon the One who actually does hold all things together? Remembering that gravity exists at His behest, and the planets swim through space in their orbit by His will, should readjust our skewed view of reality. Realizing afresh that it is not all about us, but that it is all about Him, is the medicine our weary soul needs when we think we are "just holding together" or when it all seems to be falling apart. Taking responsibility for things that are not ours to control is a sure fire path to frustration and pain, resting in Him is our hope.

Self-Control

2010-11-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Proverbs 16:32

How often is a difficult situation made worse by a knee-jerk reaction? How many times is a relationship hurt or destroyed on the basis of a misunderstanding that quickly explodes? Sadly the stories of influential, famous or powerful people whose quick tempers destroyed their personal lives are known to each of us. The world system doesn't help us as we seek to understand this phenomenon. Some may use their angry, fearful, patterns of their flesh as an excuse to commit great atrocities. Saying, "I couldn't help it, I was just so mad." While our culture may at times accept this excuse it is not in keeping with the Biblical view of maturity...it is not what God is making us into as He conforms us to the image of Christ.

The Proverbs warn us that the person who is controlled by his emotions alone is in danger. This is not to say that anger is bad, but it is an extraordinarily powerful emotion and left unchecked can be incredibly destructive. In Ephesians 4:26-27 we are told: "Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity." So we know that to feel the sensations and feelings surrounding the emotion of anger is by no means sin, but it easily leads to sin. By what means can we hope to control it? Counting to 10 never seemed to work for Donald Duck. Deep breathing and excusing yourself when you feel you are getting to hot? These types of methods may have some value, but the Bible offers us a more lasting solution:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Notice all of these wonderful characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit! How does fruit grow on a branch? Why by remaining connected to the Vine (see John 15). Self-control is the character of someone who is resting in the Lord Jesus Christ. They are not controlled by anger, or the passing winds of any emotion. The one who is walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16) is able to experience anger, not be controlled by it, yet act appropriately to resolve it. On rare occasion it may exhibit itself as it did when Christ turned over tables, but most commonly the appropriate and Christlike response will be lead to a more peaceful conclusion.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

Sovereignty and Shipwrecks

2010-11-08T20:00:00.001-08:00

"'My good children,' I replied, 'we must not despair, although we seem deserted. See how those on whose skill and good faith we depended have left us cruelly to our fate in the hour of danger. God will never do so. He has not forsaken us, and we will trust Him still.'" Johann Wyss in The Swiss Family Robinson

I grew up watching the Disney production of The Swiss Family Robinson. I loved the adventure and the resourcefulness of this family. However, it wasn't until recently that I picked up the book and found something thrilling! The film version glossed over the most powerful and important part of the story*. How was this family able to overcome these great obstacles and difficulties? In the book we see that this family is carried through every trial and triumph by entrusting themselves fully to the amazing sovereignty of God! Thanking God each morning and evening they entrust themselves to His care and go about the business of dealing with the day. Because they trust in the sovereignty of God they are able to live without bitterness towards the sailors who abandoned them, and think upon them in charity. Amazing!

We see this same fortitude and faith in the person of Joseph. How could a man be dealt so many ill turns and still move forward without bitterness, hatred and despair? Even to the point of assuring the very brothers who sold him into slavery that he bears them no ill will. Truly amazing! Yet Joseph was fully convinced of the sovereignty of God, and trusted in that. Assuring his brothers: "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones." (Genesis 50:20-21a)

So the question for you and I is: "How big is our God?" Is our God big enough to work good through every tragedy, difficulty and heartache? Is our God big enough to redress every wrong, and free us from the need for retribution? Is our God big enough to give us assurance in times of political turmoil and financial difficulty? The God of the Bible decidedly is greater than even these meager worries necessitate. So the only question left is whether or not we are willing to trust Him.

*It should be noted that there is some disagreement as to which edition is closest to the "original" and whether certain themes were added in later editions

Of First Importance...

2010-11-01T16:16:00.000-07:00

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received..." 1 Corinthians 15:3a

How many times have you gotten all the way out to your car before you realized that you left your keys in the house? It is frustrating to realize that even though you are in the right place, missing the main point (the fact that you need the keys to run the car) means that you have to go back inside. Modern Christian pop culture has clearly missed the point, and thus Christianity at large is becoming worthless (even if it is moving towards greater "relevancy"). One recent Christian topseller tells us how we should be doing more nice things for people, because THAT'S what the gospel is about (said author neglects to mention what the Bible says the gospel is about in 1 Corinthians 15:1-5). Another trend in pop Christianity is to attempt to come up with a "green Christianity". Based on the error that the Church has replaced Israel, and the assumption that Jesus is not coming back the gospel is warped to involve how we take care of our planet. A popular Christian periodical will do everything to attach the importance to some "experience" that one must have. Other Christian books get believers wrapped up in evaluating God and the Church in terms of self-centered therapeutic methods, rather than remaining focused on the Lord.

The math hasn't changed: Jesus plus anything equals nothing.

The gospel is under attack from every direction, and each of these attacks attempt to take the focus away from Jesus and put it on ourselves. We must be aware that just because something is called "Christian" or is sold in a "Christian Bookstore" doesn't mean that it has anything to do with the faith of the Bible and the Savior revealed therein. It is because of what Jesus did on the Cross that we are forgiven, and created anew. It is because of Him that we have fellowship with our loving Father God, reject anything that takes your eyes off of Him and puts them on the world, the institutional church, the flesh or yourself. Look at Jesus.

A Lamp Unto My Feet

2010-10-25T22:33:00.000-07:00

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. - Psalm 119:105

If you are like me (and I know I am) this verse brings to mind the great song that both Amy Grant and Rich Mullins performed (written by Grant and Michael W. Smith). Catchy melody + great word = a song that I won't forget! What a fantastic revelation that the Scriptures are to be a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path. This may cast our thoughts to the nature of ancient lamps. You may find some pictures of such oil lamps here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_lamp. It is interesting when we consider our "light-polluted" world how dark the night can be without all of the street lamps and neon lights that are currently in place.

Yet imagine the small flame that these little lamps could provide. Could it be much more than a candle flame? When the Psalmist revealed to us that the Lord's word is a lamp unto his feet, the image was of a circle of light that would have only illumined the few feet immediately in front of the one holding the lamp. Compared to our modern flashlights, spotlights and headlights we may not find much comfort in this image. However, the Psalmist did pen it in comfort and trust.

When plagued with big decisions, or a crisis we so often look to the Lord for an immediate solution, cure or answer. We scour His word to find out why this is happening, or what is going to happen if I make this decision. Yet the Bible doesn't always give us the assurance of knowing what the next half mile will hold, it only tells us how we should take our next few steps: in faith. The Bible gives us the wisdom to make the right decision, however the right decision may not be the most comfortable. We must then act out in faith realizing that we only need to concern ourselves with the next few steps - our Comforter with us, our Savior before us, our Father above us

Do You Have a Nose for Jesus?

2010-10-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

The great play Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand tells the story of a man names Cyrano who loves a girl. However, he feels he is unable to approach her because of his incredibly large nose (Remember the movie Roxanne with Steve Martin - same story). Another young man comes into the story who is handsome, though not as good with words, and who does not bear the same authentic love for the female lead. Not realizing that Cyrano loves the girl the handsome captain enlists Cyrano's help to write (and in a particularly comical scene - speak) on his behalf. I won't spoil the drama for you, but the point is plain, neither man counts himself fully qualified for the task of courting this woman on his own.

Is there someone in your life you have trouble loving? Some task that you are certain you are simply not up to? Perhaps there is a person (or more likely a number of people) whom you are simply unable to treat as you know Christ would have them treated. Perhaps their words, mannerisms and actions all make them difficult to love. Often we find ourselves able to be only civil with these people (if even that!). I imagine for many of us the person is already in your mind. Like Cyrano we find ourselves with a desire to love this person, but an inability of some defect within us that makes it impossible. I have some good, sound, Christian advice for you: Stop trying.

Your realization that you can't love them is quite true. Did you come to expect more from your flesh and your "best efforts"? Furthermore, does that person really need YOUR love if they are ever to grow, heal or draw nearer to Jesus? No, they have needed HIS love all along. And now for the great news!

Jesus Christ, who dwells within you, loves them immensely! When you remember that the One who gave Himself up to save you also saved them it will become more clear: you are to rest in Christ and let He who loves you so very much, love them through you. The very hardest part is getting out of the way.
Perhaps something to this effect would be appropriate:

"Lord, I can't love this person, but You DO. To me they are an annoyance, a hindrance, a difficulty. To You they are someone that they loved so very dearly that you sent your Son to die on a cross to bring them into a relationship with You. To me they are unlovable, as I am unlovable, but You are the One who loves us both. Use me as Your instrument, Your letter, Your pen, to show them Your amazing love for us in your Son Jesus Christ."

Perhaps it wouldn't be bad to have this goal for those whom we think we love very easily!

How much Perfection can a day hold?

2010-10-06T12:14:00.000-07:00

I may have to group all of these "perfect day" posts together and hide them under something heavy for another day when I will need them. This has been another one of those days/moments that I simply want to freeze in time.

After a somewhat turbulent night's sleep I awoke, had a great time of prayer. Enjoyed eating eggs with my kids (watching kids peel/eat boiled eggs is a great pleasure that is often overlooked). Then bustled off to church to get some things done there. Praying over the congregation here is such a pleasure and an honor I cannot describe it fully.

I did my morning reading and prepared for my days studies. Providence forced a change of locale and off I went to the local coffee shop. This coffee shop is a nice sized house to which a friend had given us a gift certificate. For just over $2 an "all day cup" is given and since 10:00 I have been sitting listening to my bluegrass music, slowly sipping coffee and building studies for our Sunday evening service, and our Thursday pm. Romans group.

The weather is getting cooler and I am in a comfortable sweater and my favorite hat. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving and supportive wife; and supported by the Body of Christ. But of course I haven't even mentioned my 3 happy, healthy children and the endless love and care with which Christ has filled me for them. How much perfect can you fit in one day? There is only one word to describe such perfection that I have no way of taking any credit for: Grace.

To the Praise of His Glory

2010-10-04T22:27:00.000-07:00

to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. Eph. 1:12

This is a segment from our Sunday Night Service wherein we are studying Ephesians. Ephesians 1:3-14 uses this phrase "to the praise of His glory" repeatedly. These are some thoughts on that phrase.

There are two things here that should be very clear to the modern reader:
1) God is the one doing all of this.
2) It is for HIS glory that it is all done.
Again and again we see that this is all to his glory, not to ours, not for us. We are living in praise and glory of Him. It is our major purpose: To bring HIM glory forever! The amazing reality being that, by trusting in Jesus for salvation by His grace we become living, walking examples of how wonderful and amazing God is. The believer is a billboard simply on the basis of his totally unmerited salvation of God’s amazing character. In the saved believer God is shown to be gracious and loving (for saving an undeserving sinner), just and righteous (as the failures and unrighteousness of the believer were justly dealt with at the cross), holy and set apart (by making us perfect He does not have to compromise his own perfection to have communion with Him), sovereign and powerful (as His salvation cannot be overcome by our own demerit). What a magnificent reality that just by putting our faith in Jesus Christ we already exist as a resounding witness to the full and complete character of Almighty God!

Don't Know Fear

2010-09-27T22:06:00.000-07:00

The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

Media sells to us based, in large part, on fear. Commercials sell us things by trying to convince us that we will not be able to keep up without this, or we will fall behind our neighbors without that, even something you may want or need will be sold with the threat that "this price won't last!" Fear and anxiety have effects traversing the spiritual, psychological and physical realms of life. The negative effects of fear had been seen by medical science. The world can come up with solution after solution about this, but we find the Psalmist has found a solution outside of himself.

The Psalmist fears no one and no thing because he trusts in the character and nature of God. For light, salvation and protection, David chose to look to the Lord and trust in Him. Notice that there is a resolve throughout this psalm. While David's faith is based on the facts of God's Word and built by God's faithfulness to him in the past each instance is a new opportunity to trust the Lord, and be without fear. When David was again surrounded by His enemies the choice to trust the Lord and not fear had to be made again. That trust is a forceful act of will, choosing faith over fear. Trusting that God really is who He says He is, and loves as the Bible tells us He does. There is a dogged determination to this courage that is rooted in the character of God, making the last verse of this psalm poignant and appropriate:

Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 27:14

Identification and Train T's

2010-09-21T11:15:00.001-07:00

Finn is just plain crazy for cars and trains. Nobody told him to be crazy for them, he just loves them. Most every outfit he wears has either a car or a train on it, including pajamas. One of the most difficult things I have to do in a week is to convince him to take off one train outfit for another. He just loves being identified with trains. It is so strange! He is too young to think about advertising for Thomas the Tank engine, and isn't really old enough to think about any desire to be professionally involved with them. He just loves trains. He can't even communicate why he loves them (as he is only 2 years old!).

So aside from cuteness why do I mention it? As humans we do long to be associated with what we truly love. Band T-shirts, bumper-stickers, hobby clubs and interest meetings, sports jerseys regularly turn big profits, and even posters for rooms and fences. We like people to know what interests we define ourselves by. As I write this I am wearing a t-shirt with my kids screened onto the front! (Thank you, April!) So what is the point?

I am not suggesting we all get more magnets, bumper-stickers and t-shirts with Christian messages on them (I'll let you make your own decision about those). I AM suggesting that we remember our close identification with Jesus every day. Finn can't wait to put on a new train shirt, what a great example for us. How thrilling that each day we are found in Christ! This wonderful garment of love, peace, hope and joy. We are to abide in Him, rest in His care, and believe that we are loved beyond our wildest imagination. Are you excited to wake every morning because you are identified, by His grace, with Jesus Christ, the source of love, joy and life? I hope you are...it is wonderful!

Wonderful Words of Life

2010-09-20T21:32:00.001-07:00

There is power in the written word. Certain documents have influenced history, and continue to do so long after they were penned. The Iliad and The Odyssey continue to inspire even the modern imagination. The Republic, The Prince, Les Miserables, Hamlet, and the list goes on and on. These amazing works have a sense of universality. They portray something deeply human, their characters, struggles and themes. However, all of these great books can only go so deep.

Only the Word of God is: "...living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, ad able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12). There is no other book that has that property. The Holy Spirit carried men along as they wrote it, leading them to choose the exact words He wanted. God sovereignly protected the Bible through generations of persecution and difficulty. The Holy Spirit then illumines the believer so that the word may be understood. From start to finish the Bible is miraculous.

Psalm 19:7-10 tells us that God's word is perfect, that it is God's tool for restoring our souls. It is something we can count on and it will make us wise in our foolishness. It causes our hearts to rejoice and enlightens our eyes, the word of God is more valuable than gold, and sweeter than honey to us. The Bible is all of this and more, what an amazing privilege to have this miracle of the Lord at our fingertips each day!

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
let me more of their beauty see,
wonderful words of life;
words of life and beauty
teach me faith and duty.

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.
Philip P. Bliss

Beautiful!

2010-09-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

"...and all the children thought - and I agree with them - that there's nothing to beat good freshwater fish if you eat it when it has been alive half an hour ago and it has come out of the pan half a minute ago." C.S. Lewis The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

I've had a day so nice I must share it. After a productive morning I raced my way up the River to put a line in the water. I don't usually catch many fish and it is mostly and exercise in patience and the enjoyment of nature. This time, however, five beautiful trout chose to grace the end of my line. I will spare you all of the gory details of the fight, and which were caught on dry flies and which on subsurface flies. However, I did decide to keep two of the five. One because it was a nice fish and greedily grabbed at my fly as it floated on the surface. It was a planned attack, and a great moment of victory. The other I kept because he didn't allow me to get the hook from his mouth in time for him to have a chance at survival. That's okay...more fish for me. There are no pictures of the glory moments. However, the memories are strong. There are some pictures, however:

The catching was a riot. It was a bit overcast and gloomy with a mist in the air that almost seems to stand still as you walk through it. The river provides the most fantastic listening experience, it is amazing how you can hear so much and still feel like the words "peace" and "silence" some how apply perfectly. Then came the cooking.

I fished until 7:00 which means I didn't get home until 10 till 8, I really didn't each much today (besides a few donuts in the morning ). So I was ready to eat. Not long after I arrived April got home with the kids who had been spending the day with their grandparents who love them very much. The kids ooh'ed and ahh'ed at my catch (loved every second of that), and then let me put them to sleep without a fight. After they went down the cooking began! Salt, garlic powder, lemon juice and pepper all went into the tin foil pack and the pack went on the grill for 15 min. while the taters simmered. The results were delicious!

My mother was a bit concerned that I didn't "clean" the fish before cooking them. Well they aren't very big, and I don't mind eating around the fish innards nearly so much as I mind blemishing my fresh caught fishes with knife strokes. The fish was perfect. Soft, flaky, moist, and delicious. I am so thankful that our creator gave us fish to catch and eat. They really are a wonder. The taters were boiled and tasted remarkably like boiled potatoes. They were special in that they were grown by a brother in the Lord at our church body. That made them taste even better!

Of course a cup of decaf English breakfast tea had to be drunk with careful appreciation.

And all moves from better to best as my beautiful wife and I chatted about the events of the day over my late supper. She tolerated the fish smells without complaint and worked on the Sunday school lesson for tomorrow. Truly an amazing woman who I am so blessed to have and to hold, to love and to cherish.

Sometimes a day contains so much good that you may just think it will burst and leave even the other days overflowing. This was a day like that.

Pooh-line Theology

2010-09-13T21:37:00.000-07:00

If I had to choose a favorite literary character it would undoubtedly be Winnie-the-Pooh. I have loved A.A. Milne's children's tales my whole life and have continually enjoyed them. And I think there is a very good reason why. Remember the time that Pooh and Piglet were tracking a woozle? As they walked around the spinney in the snow they continued to rediscover their own tracks thinking that they were chasing a whole pack of "woozles" and "wizzles". Finally, Piglet runs home and Christopher Robin comes down out of the tree, having watched the whole thing. After Christopher Robin explains things to Pooh we read:

He sat down and though, in the most thoughtful way he could think. Then he fitted his paw into one of the Tracks...and then he scratched his nose twice, and stood up.
"Yes," said Winnie-the-Pooh.
"I have been Foolish and Deluded," said he, "and I am a Bear of No Brain at All."
"You're the Best Bear in All the World," Said Christopher Robin soothingly.
"Am I?" said Pooh hopefully. And then he brightened up suddenly.
"Anyhow," he said, "it is nearly Luncheon Time." So he went home for it.

This is one instance of what happens in nearly every chapter of Milne's masterpiece. Pooh finds his entire identity, value and importance in Christopher Robin. Though he has been proven "Foolish and Deluded" he wastes no time with his own embarrassment. All self-centered thoughts are wiped away Christopher Robin's evaluation of him. Isn't that grand?

Brothers and Sisters, have you been back to find how your caring Lord sees you? Read John 10; Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 8; and 1 John 4:9-19. Then answer the tough question. Do I believe it? Do I trust in His power, His ability, His character, to love me like the Bible says?

Jesus Loves Me this I know...For the Bible tells me so.

Jesus is your...

2010-09-06T22:51:00.000-07:00

I have a Bible promise book that I treasure. Of course there are countless little volumes like this that aspire to give the reader a quick "at a glance" view of some applicable verses in any given situation. I have several volumes like this that I have received or collected over the years, but this one especially I appreciate. Most of the promise books I have seen jump right into the situations, verse prescriptions for every problem presented in a: "take two of these and call me in the morning" fashion. This promise book (God's Promises for Your Every Need, Word Publishing) starts with 16 chapters entitled "Jesus is your..." These are the 16 chapters that contain only Bible verses filled with Christ's character and care for us, along with a few of the verses referenced in each section:

Savior
Titus 3:5-6; 1 John 4:14; Ephesians 2:4-5

Lord
Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 12:1-2; Romans 14:8

Love
Romans 5:8; John 3:16; 1 John 4:7-12

Peace
Isaiah 26:3; Ephesians 2:13-14; Romans 5:1; John 14:27

Forgiveness
Ephesians 1:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1

Righteousness
2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 3:9

Deliverer
Isaiah 61:1; John 8:32, 36; Romans 8:2; Romans 6:22

Fellowship
1 John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Revelation 3:20

Example
1 Peter 2:21, 1 John 2:6; Ephesians 5:1-2

Companion
John 15:15-16; 1 John 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:9

Brother
Matthew 12:50; Hebrews 2:11; Romans 8:29

Guardian
Psalm 3:3; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Peter 3:12-13

Security
1 Peter 1:3-5; John 10:27-29; Romans 8:38-39

Sufficiency
2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 3:5

Fulfillment
John 6:35; John 4:13-14; Romans 8:32

Everything
Romans 8:37; Ephesians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 1:21

This is only a small sampling of the verses. After reading these chapters (the first 50 or so pages of this little volume) I wondered what the need for the rest of the book could possibly be? Jesus Christ IS the answer. If I am struggling in life it is because I have taken my eyes off of Him. If I remain Christ centered there is nothing that I cannot endure. If I can be convinced to become self centered I am destined for a tumble. I would encourage you this week to roll these terms around in your mind. Look up the verses. Notice these statements are sure, not contingent. "Jesus IS your..." not "could be", "might be" or "will be". This is His grace gift to you as part and parcel to the Saving relationship that you entered into with Him when you placed faith in Christ for Salvation. Roll over these qualities and trust Christ to be all of these things to you, as you are in Him.

I never was terribly handy. In our first home I had to adhere one piece of wood to another. Having no drill I had to drive the screws in by hand. It took a great deal of time and sweat to get the screws in place. The saddest part of the story is that very soon after the job had to be redone...with a powerdrill. How often do we sweat, work, and exert ourselves to get some thing done while Jesus stands over us saying, "You know I am going to have to undo all that you are doing before I can fix it." Even our best intentions result only in loss. We need Jesus.

Lingering Legalism and Forgiveness

2010-08-30T14:17:00.000-07:00

So much difficulty in Bible study comes from knowing who is being addressed. It is a vital principle of Biblical interpretation to understand that all of the Bible is written FOR us, but not all of it is written TO us. That is to say, we grow from studying the whole council of God, but we must understand when something is written to us and when it is not. Obvious examples of this are Paul's request that Timothy bring his cloak and books (2 Timothy4:13). Or perhaps the reader of Haggai may think it is his specific command to rebuild the temple, if he doesn't realize that that direct application is meant for Israel alone. While these examples may seem comical to us, this is the way that much legalism, and error has slipped into many peoples faiths.

A keen example of this is the principle can be found in Matthew 6:14-15: "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." This is a favorite verse in legalistic sermons the world over. It is so tempting to pull this verse out and say, "If YOU don't forgive, then brother, GOD WON'T FORGIVE YOU!" How the human machine loves guilt and law. Some interpreters have tried to relieve the tension by claiming that this is a different type of forgiveness than other places, but it doesn't ultimately matter. Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount to Jews living under the law, clearing up the centuries of tradition and man made rules that had built up on the Law Moses gave. This sermon was given under the law, to people who lived under the Law, directly applying this to ourselves is reading someone else's mail.

So, if that verse is not written to us, do we not need to forgive one another? Who would forgive someone without the threat of eternal damnation hanging over their head? The answer? People who have found their salvation and hope in the grace of God. Ephesians 4:31 was written to church age believers who were living under Grace: "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Why do we forgive one another? Because we are so grateful and overflowing from the forgiveness that we have already received from God. Notice the enormous change from "do so you can be" to "be so you can do"? And that makes all of the difference.

Super Christians?

2010-08-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Are you able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Are you strong enough to bend solid steel? Are you able to open even the most cantankerous of pickle jars? We may be tempted to read this verse and think that perhaps it means that we should all be Christian Superman. With a big red cross on our chest we wonder why we are not out vanquishing evil, or running all day without getting tired. How can this be true when I get winded just walking up stairs? Perhaps there is something we are missing.

This is an incredibly inspiring verse and is featured on a number of pretty plaques, paintings, pictures, bookmarks and all other manner of Christian merchandise. The danger that is present in taking any verse and pasting it on something is taking the verse out of context. The danger of taking it out of context is relying on the Lord for something that His word never promised. An absurd example of this would be the person who lost their faith in the Lord because they weren't able to make the basketball team, become a famous actor or musician, or pass a test they didn't study for using this verse as their excuse. Yet, if this verse is considered out of it context then these are all reasonable expectations. The problem being, that the verse out of context makes no sense at all.

Now that we have established what this verse doesn't mean, we turn to what it does mean. Context provides this answer for us as well! And we will see that what the verse actually means is much better than what it often gets mistaken for meaning. The two verses which precede this verse read:

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11-12)

Think of the profoundness of this statement! There was a great move called Angus made a number of years ago where the protagonist is told (my paraphrase), "Superman doesn't need to be brave, he's invincible. It doesn't take much courage to do things when you know you can't be harmed." Paul here is the picture of courage. This is a true super-humanity. To be able to be content in EVERY situation? What's your secret, Paul? Are you the strongest man who has ever lived? Paul's answer: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Our identity and position in Christ, His life lived in and through us, is the only way that we can live in uttermost contentment and peace in spite of the very worst possible situation. This is a verse of comfort in our most difficult moment, accepting the fact that it is "not I but Christ in me." Gal. 2:20

Staking His Name on It

2010-08-16T21:10:00.001-07:00

"You are going to get a good, honest deal here...I'd stake my name on it!" Sound familiar? While I wouldn't pin this to any specific company, dealership or individual; I would venture a guess that you may have heard a claim like this many times in your life. Often times when we hear a phrase like this uttered we may think, given the person's reputation, that they really aren't putting much on the line. However, when Almighty God stakes His Name on something we really ought to pay attention!

In Isaiah 64 God compares Himself, the Living God, to the dead idols tempting the Israelites. After humiliating the impotent idols of wood and gold God turns to display His own character, which reads in part: "Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,'" (Isaiah 46:9-10)

Notice the argument God makes for His own deity. He tells us that He is the true God, and the idols are false because He declares the future. He tells us what will happen, and has done so from the beginning. The applications of this great truth are limitless. Firstly, we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that heresies that suggest that "God doesn't really know what is going to happen" or "God likes surprises!" are patent errors. Secondly, we can know that God's declaration of the future is firm, being intimately tied to His very character and nature. Thirdly, we know that based on the accuracy of previous predictions (Predictions of which nations would rule, who would rule them, the great detail with which the first coming of Christ was predicted, and the list goes on and on) that His promises to us of salvation, sanctification and life eternal are equally sure.

Finally, we can rest in the clearly revealed fact that God is in control. This fact cannot be reiterated enough to us in difficult or confusing times. When may often find it difficult to understand how God allows this sin ravaged world to continue down its path of hatred, fear, violence, sickness, loss and despair. We cannot let our feelings dominate our perception. We must see it through eyes of faith in the revealed facts of Scripture, trusting that He is able to work all things together for good(Romans 8:28), He will sum all things up in Christ (Ephesians 1:10)and He will work all things together for His glory (Psalm 46:10).

All Used Up

2010-08-09T22:25:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you've noticed it in your every day life, perhaps you only notice when things get really tough. It is a regular occurrence for many of us. We get to the end of our rope, out of energy, out of resources. We find ourselves looking dismally into the mirror and finding that there is nothing that we can do to fix things. We realize quickly how limited our resources are, and how little that we can do. This can even lead us to discouragement, frustration and depression. For some this is the darkest hour that life has to offer. For us, as believers, I believe there is another way to describe this moment: the most glorious moments of our lives.

Is this surprising? Are we shocked and disturbed when we come to the end of OUR resources quickly? Should we have expected more out of our own strength? Why should we expect more of ourselves when we know Apostle Paul understood his own limitations: "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9) Are we so much stronger than Paul that we can do on our own what He had to rest in the Lord's strength for? More to the point - are we foolish enough to believe that we are strong enough to do things on our own?

The moment when we have nothing left, we are used up, we are incapable of any more is the moment when we should realize that we are operating from the wrong power source. That is the moment when we cry out in honesty to the Lord and hear his loving reply, that he never intended us to be operating on our own power to begin with. That moment of darkness is the moment that we must turn "...to Him who is able to exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..." (Ephesians 3:20). We don't have to run out of our own steam to rest in Him, it is our choice. Will you choose this day to spin your wheels, and see how much you can do; or will you rely on His resources and see what He will do through you? There is a correct answer. There will be a test.

Father and Son

2010-08-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

As we continue in our study of our relationship with God, it seems important to remember how we received this new relationship. We must remember that it is nothing that we have done, and it is therefore nothing that we can lose. It is Christ's work on the cross that we take hold of by faith (belief, trust) in the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Of the many ways that our relationship with God is described in Scripture, this is always an amazing amount of assurance in this truth.

The Jews would be comfortable calling God "Our Father" meaning that they corporately were the children of God, but would not presume that they could individually call God "my Father." It seemed too close, too intimate, and placed God too close to man for comfort. Seemingly, degrading God and over-elevating man. So first century Jews would avoid this altogether. Truthfully, they were wise to do so. However, a distinct change has occurred and we can call God "my Father" with confidence because of what we know through the Scripture.

Jesus referred to God as His Father in a special way (John 20:17). The eternal relationship between God the Father and God the Son justified His special and unique address to God as His individual Father. Here is the exciting thing: because we are positioned in the Son of God we have this position of sonship, and can address God as our Father and come to Him boldly, based on the work of Jesus Christ and our position in Him. Paul puts in this way: "For you did not recieve the spirit of bondage again to fear but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out 'Abba Father.'" (Romans 8:15) The word abba is an intimate term and sounds much like our English word "papa", not coincidentally! We can glean so much from this amazing revelation. God wants us to address Him as "Papa" and come to Him with the same readiness that any toddler would run to their loving Father, whether running to show a finger-painting, or to seek comfort for a skinned knee.

One final thought on this Fatherhood of God from Jesus: "If you then being evil know how to give good gifts to your childen how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) A principle of your Heavenly Father is that He will care for you and delights in the moments when you trust in Him. As a father of 3 I think I can see a bit of what God is trying to tell us. Nothing is more beautiful, honoring and pleasing to me when my kids are willing to trust me, that I am looking out for their best good. This gift is amazing, don't forget the great undeserved privilege that we have each and every day to come to our "Papa" and trust in His care.

More Servant Thoughts

2010-07-26T14:49:00.001-07:00

Last week we looked at the relationship between slave and master in the Bible. While there may have been some parallel to the Old Testament institution of slavery in the minds of the Apostles, it would have been the Greek system of slavery that they were most familiar with. The New Testament is filled with references to slavery, and some fantastic truths are illustrated for us using these cultural pictures of slavery. Here is an example:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us--for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-- Galatians 3:13

The word "redeemed" translates the Greek word exagorazo which means to buy for one's self. The root word agorazo is related to the word agora which is the market place. We are said to be purchased, and taken off of the market forever. There is no chance that we are going to be marched back to the market by any stretch of the imagination, we have been bought for Him, by His sacrifice, for the purpose of His glory and pleasure. That is great news! We were bought from that awful and abusive master (the Law) by the grace of God. He paid the price and we are never to be returned to life under the suffocating standards of the Law again. Our new life is one of service to the Master who gave everything to redeem us by grace, he wants us to live the Christian life by relying on His grace and power, and He will glorify us with Him, all because of who He is and what He did at the cross through His Son Jesus Christ.

Doulos

2010-07-19T20:44:00.000-07:00

Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth with accords with godliness... Titus 1:1

In a quick study of Scripture we see that Paul describes himself this way repeatedly, as does Peter (2 Peter 1:1), James (James 1:1) as well as Jude (Jude 1:1). What is this title that they all use to describe themselves? In the New King James Version we have it brought across as "bondservant of God" but could just as well be brought across with the word "slave." When we think of slavery we think of the tragedy that occurred in our own country (and much of the rest of the world) that reached it's peak in the American Civil War. This however was not the context of slavery that Paul and the other New Testament writers lived in.

While many important observations could be made about the system of slavery in Rome, and the systems that occurred throughout the ancient world, I believe their is something directly from scripture that each of these men were thinking of when they described themselves as "slaves of God." Exodus 21:5-6 give us the most beautiful picture of slavery I know: "But if the servant plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,' then his master shall rbing him to the judges. He shall aslo bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."

In this Old Testament picture we see a slave who is scheduled to be free (a clear difference between the slavery that we know about and the biblical system of slavery) but he loves his master, he loves the care that he has received, and he wants to be BONDED to that master for the rest of his life. This process was painful (the ear of the servant was pierced with an awl into the doorpost of the house) and the result was that person was forever bound to that household. This, I believe is the picture that Paul and the others had in their mind when they proclaimed themselves bondslaves of God.

Branching Out

2010-07-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4

As we continue to study the various ways our relationship with God is illustrated throughout the Bible I pray that we are are growing in the understanding of the reality that the Faith of the Bible is a relationship indeed, and one greater than we could ever imagine. This week we get to look at the image that Christ gave us proclaiming us to be branches connected to Him, the vine. The reality of this is easy to understand, as God commonly uses the physical world that He created to display spiritual realities to us.

As we imagine a branch attached to a vine we see that it gets all of its definition from the vine to which it is attached. The branch can only become stronger by being more firmly attached to the vine. The life, energy and power of the branch to produce fruit rest solely, wholly and completely with the vine. Christ speaks so clearly that apart from him we can do nothing, why do we question Him? Why do we waste our energy and spin our wheels trying to produce love, joy, peace, patience, etc. When we really can go only to the source. If those qualities and characteristics are missing from our life we don't need to "try harder" we only need to turn our eyes with Christ and abide, once again, in Vine apart from whom we can do nothing.

More on that Relationship...

2010-07-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."
John 10:11

"Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship." This week we look at a different description of the relationship that we have with Christ, by His grace. This is truly one of the most comforting descriptions for me, Christ calls Himself "the good shepherd." This makes us His sheep. He alluded to gentile believers in John 10:16 Jesus tells the Jews that He had sheep that are not of the fold of Israel. Did you hear His voice? Did you put your faith in the gospel? Then you are one of His sheep. This is a fantastic realization! David wrote Psalm 23 as a marvelous hymn of praise to what it is to be in the care of this Good Shepherd. While many observations could be made about this wonderful relationship we can only mention a few here:

Firstly, a shepherd is in a position of responsibility for the sheep. We can look back to Jacob as he tended Laban's flocks. Whenever Jacob lost one of Laban's sheep he was expected to pay for it. It is the shepherd's responsibility to protect the sheep from disease, famine, predators, and tension within the flock. If a sheep is lost it is by the failure of the shepherd. Fortunately we can say with all confidence, "the Lord is my shepherd!" And we need never even fear the possibility of His failing, because He cannot fail!

As sheep we will live the most healthy, productive possible by trusting in, and remaining near our Shepherd. We never need to worry, concern ourselves, or fear; we need only to fix our eyes on the Shepherd trusting Him for care, protection and provision. I believe it was this relationship that Peter was considering when he penned the words, "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." The idea is that the Lord has taken responsibility for us, we need only to look to Him. If you ever catch yourself wondering how much this Shepherd cares for you as His sheep remember that He would leave the 99 to find the lost one (Luke 15:4-6), remember He laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11). Don't lose sight of the Shepherd.

Religion vs. Relationship

2010-06-28T21:37:00.001-07:00

"No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."

I have know idea who said it first, but I am thankful. I do know that I heard Pastor Dick say it most recently, and I am still thankful. This is the quote the blesses me each time I hear it, "The Faith of the Bible is about a relationship, not religion." In the context of this quote religion is defined as being a set or rules or ordinances that one must follow to please God. I am so thankful for the fact that what God has been after throughout the history of His interaction with humanity has been a relationship with His creatures (us). Yet, we are so often fooled and bamboozled by the world, our flesh, our old ideas of who God is, and what He is about.

The reality of the negative aspect of this statement (not religion) is often more greatly emphasized than the positive aspect (the relationship). We may be tempted to miss the reality of the relationship that we have been given in Christ Jesus. This week I would encourage you to read John 15:15. The Lord Himself has called us His friends. The proof of this friendship: He laid down his life for us. Additionally, He has made known to us what He is doing through His word, and sealed us with His Spirit that we might understand. All by His grace. Not because of anything of value in us, but because of His character which is loving, gracious and merciful. This is the intimacy and closeness that the Lord has invited you into. Do you have anything you need to bring to your Friend today?

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God to prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
(Joseph M. Scriven)

Summer has Arrived

2010-06-21T15:15:00.000-07:00

While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease" Genesis 8:22

Summer is upon us. For some reason I cannot help feeling sentimental regarding the change of the seasons. It seems whenever it has been cold for a while I am ready for it to warm up. I look forward to summer's long sunny days, fishing trips, camping trips, bike rides. I love the smell of of freshly cut grass and colorful flowers. There is so much in each season to appreciate and enjoy. These seasonal changes will even go forward into the Reign of Christ, they are a part of the creation He made. And in each season we get new opportunities to behold His faithfulness and love. As summer wears on and the sunshine continues to bless us we can be constantly mindful that we are loved by our Father and He has made it evident to us that "...He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him." I am thankful that we could all be out in the summer enjoying His continued faithfulness and care for us, and resting in His sovereign plan for the future of this planet and all eternity beside. Have a blessed week!

Who We Were

2010-06-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

Philip Yancey, in his book What's So Amazing About Grace, tells a story about a woman that he knew who was struggling with some major issues, including drug addiction and prostitution. When he asked her if she would like to come to church she replied, "Church? Why would I go there? They would just make me feel worse!" This quote probably reflects the attitude of more people then we know, and it is heart breaking. In the same book Yancey poses a powerful question which I will paraphrase, "Why were tax collectors, drunks, and prostitutes so comfortable around Jesus, yet now so uncomfortable around those who now claim to be His followers?"

Jesus was not sinful in any way, nor was he permissive of sin. Yet He embodied grace and compassion and displayed it freely to these hurting people. Paul wrote: "For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saves us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

May we never forget: Being a Christian is not about what we have done, but about what HE has done. When we see the lowest wretch in the saddest condition, totally by their own doing (or not), we must always remember, "...but for the grace of God, there go I." Other religions of this world may grow because of the greatness of it's adherents, but true Christianity can only grow because of the greatness of our God. There is not one person in human history at whom we can look down our nose and say, "I would never be that bad!" But only confess the greatness of our Lord who saves us at His own expense. We can only confess, that if it had not been for the Grace of Jesus Christ, His sacrifice for our sin and His resurrection from the dead, we would be no better off. We have a great message of love and grace for the lost! We can weep with them and say, with all honesty and humility, "I am no better than you, no stronger, no smarter, but I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ, and HE has saved me." We don't clean up to come to God, we come to God to be cleaned. Do you know someone who needs to hear this message?

Love and Bad Investments

2010-06-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:9

God's love for us is a topic that we will be thinking about, and marveling at, for all of eternity. But there is one interesting point about His love that I want us to be occupied with this week. God's love for us makes very little sense on a human level. When we say we love something we usually say why. I love salty food because it tastes good and speeds the day when I will be with Jesus (if doctors are to be believed), another loves a person for their looks, a person loves their truck because it is so useful or dependable. You may find the one who loved his truck last week hating in this week because it broke down and will now cost them money. You may see marriages falling apart because the "thrill" of attraction that they were built on is no longer there. If something, or someone, is loved for their usefulness the love will only last as long as the usefulness continues. This is the only way natural man is capable of loving, and we often fear that God loves like we love. But the Bible gives us some insight into this:

"We love Him because He first loved us" 1 John 4:9

"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love," Ephesians 1:3

God's love is not, and was not ever based on how valuable, how worthy, or how wonderful you are. It is fully and solely rooted in HIS character, by HIS grace. And that is comforting! You did nothing to earn it, you can do nothing to lose it, God's love for you was demonstrated at the cross and remains at that intense level of love 24 hours a day, when you are good, when you are bad, when you are secure and when you are insecure. That is exciting, and it's available to every person who dares to believe the wonderful message of the gospel:

"...for I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

I go to prepare a place for you...

2010-05-31T20:02:00.000-07:00

"...And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:3

This is part of the "Upper Room Discourse" that is recorded by John in his gospel. Jesus begins using language that may slip by us in our culture. In Hebrew marriage customs of the time that Jesus was speaking there was a process to marriage different from our own. In brief it would usually look like this:

The bridegroom to be would go with his father to the perspective brides home. The fathers would talk and come to an agreement about the marriage and the other details. The couple was then legally engaged. Though they were not allowed to live as a married couple it took a legal divorce to separate them at this point. The bridegroom would return to his father's house and prepare a place for he and his new bride to live. This would take an undetermined amount of time. The marriage would occur when the place was finally prepared. But who gets to pronounce the place "prepared"? In the cultural practice of the day, it was the bridegroom's Father who would say that the place was ready, and send his son to go and retrieve his bride.

Some exciting points about this...it sheds light on what Christ was talking about when He placed it in the Father's hands as to when He would return for His Bride (that's us!). The thing I would have us be most cognizant of this week is the reality that Christ used emotionally powerful imagery when talking about His level of motivation to come and retrieve us. Imagine a young bridegroom, bursting with passionate love for his bride to be, each day preparing the place, anxiously awaiting the moment when his father will come in and say, "It's time! The place is ready and the time is right. Go and get your bride!" No prophecy needs to be fulfilled before He comes to retrieve us, it could happen to day, even before you finish reading this sentence. And I, for one, hope that it's today! And as excited as we are to see Him, I believe He is more excited to see you! Have a great week!

For the purpose of prayer...

2010-05-24T22:09:00.000-07:00

"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8

It is amazing to think how important the end of something is. Movies are a great example of this, if a movie starts off well yet ends poorly it isn't likely to have much of a theatrical run. When Peter opens a statement by reminding us that the end of all things is near I am ready to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say through him. Being mindful of the fact that Jesus could come back for us at any moment should cause us to be of sound judgement and sober spirit. This makes sense, and is expected, but I found the next phrase surprising. Why the sober spirit? So that we can pray. It is striking that in view of the fact of Christ's immanent return we are told to keep ourselves ready so that we can have a vital and active prayer life.

"Above all" is another big attention getter. we are told to "keep fervent" in our love for one another. This is the love that comes from resting in Christ. That's not a bad focus for the week, is it? Let's not let anything inhibit our prayer life, and let's let the fervent love that comes from walking in the Spirit (Gal. 5) characterize our interactions.

Be Still

2010-05-17T15:30:00.000-07:00

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

Way back in the late 1990's a school choir sang a piece using this text. Ever since we sang that tune the verse has stuck with me. I have heard this verse used and abused since then, but the message never goes far from my mind. Some want to emphasize exclusively one part and some exclusively the other, but it is all true, and we need to apply every word of it. The command to be still is only useful when we consider the reason: He is God. We don't need to try to take that role from Him, or take responsibility for His part. We can be still and marvel at who He is. His character will always be more than we can imagine and He will always be better than our wildest dreams of any God that we could make.

Finally, this verse looks forward to a future time when He will be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted on the earth as His Son, Jesus Christ will reign on the throne of David until this earth is done. That's great news! That will happen with or without us. There is nothing that we can do to stop it, it is a part of His sovereign will, and at the right time He will bring it to pass. The great news is: we can concern ourselves with our eternal occupation right now - Being forever Preoccupied with Jesus Christ.

The Old, Old Books

2010-05-13T21:26:00.001-07:00

I was down in the big city this morning and was able to find some treasures. I found three treasures, but alas, could only afford to buy two on this journey. The used Christian bookstore always has some old old books hidden away that have been used for generations to grow closer to Jesus. To draw closer to Him through His word. Today's treasures were two Old Greek Grammars. I only have pictures of one here.

Most of these old grammars are beautiful, well worn books that have seen better days. There are pencil and pen notes in the margins and the bindings rarely look like they will make it through another reading, so you must be very respectful to find the treasures within. Almost every great Greek resource that I have gotten used is in this condition and always seems to have a name on the front page. I must imagine that it was picked up by a seminarian years ago. Money that had been carefully saved and set aside was put forth to buy this treasure for the first time, no investment could be so great as the reward of beholding Jesus more clearly and being able to more confidently share His love and message with others. I sometimes even pray for these saints who went before, and wonder what use the book went to.

This is a shorter version of the larger grammar by A.T. Robertson, which I also treasure (a gift from the beloved saint who has mentored me over the past years, and continues to do so, to the praise and glory of the Lord). This might make it difficult to explain to my wife why I would buy the shorter version of something that I have in the more complete version. I can't clearly answer the question of why, except that I saw this volume having inestimably greater value than the number on the inside cover. Like if you saw real diamonds (and knew them to be real) being sold for a nickel a piece. You would buy them, simply on principle. Now add to that rational viewpoint, that I love these old works and am drawn across time to these men who spend years upon years digging into the word and bring out out treasures, both old and new.

I know you are dying to know more about this book, so I will give you a quote, speaking of the Universality of the Greek of the New Testament: "It was a providential circumstance that Paul could carry the message of Christ in one language and be understood wherever he went. Those who held on to their local language as in Lycaonia, Palestine, Egypt, Italy would know Greek. So Paul wrote to the church in Rome in Greek." (p. 13). What a wonderful affirmation. God planned the timing perfectly. He sent Christ in a time when the world was more prepared than it ever was before to move the message that He had put on skin and come down to earth. Not just the Greek language, but the Roman road system would have aided the Gospel's spread. Furthermore, the Pax Romana would have given the gospel even easier travel, not having to worry itself over all of the lines that it crossed that would once have been cultural and linguistic boundaries that may have been caused great hindrance. God wanted the people of the world to know how much He loves her, and He still does.

What made Jesus Weep?

2010-05-10T20:21:00.001-07:00

The shortest verse in the Bible that I know of is John 11:35: "Jesus wept." Congratulations, you just memorized a new Bible verse (if you hadn't already). Jesus is the "visible expression of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15) and the fact that He was brought to tears here should draw our attention. What makes the God of the Universe weep?

John 11 is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. On the way to the tomb Jesus weeps. The people present had a theory that was put forth in 11:36, that Jesus loved Lazarus so much. That he was mourning. This cannot be the case. Jesus knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, he said so in verse 11. Others have thought that Jesus wept because of the result of sin in the world: death. The reality is that death was not His creation, it was a consequence of man's sin. But he told Mary that he came to undo this as well (11:25-26).

So what made Jesus weep? I believe that the answer is found throughout the story. When Jesus resolved to go to Judea He met with the disbelief of the disciples. When Thomas speaks in verse 16 he doesn't even believe that Jesus will be able to preserve His own life in that hostile environment. Neither Mary nor Martha (friends who knew Him) could demonstrate belief that Jesus could do what He claimed He would do. What made Jesus weep? The people who knew Him best did not have faith in Him. What brings joy to our Savior and Our Father in Heaven? When we have faith in His character, His ability, His love, and trust in Him.

A Relaxed Mental Attitude

2010-05-03T15:43:00.000-07:00

Dr. Troy Welch is president at the seminary I did my academic work through. He is a godly teacher and the Lord's love is evident through His life and ministry. One of my favorite phrases of his that I love to borrow is this phrase, "Relaxed Mental Attitude." It is Dr. Welch's contention that the mature believer should possess a "Relaxed Mental Attitude." Why does he believe this?

Our faith is built on Jesus Christ and all that He has done on our behalf. Once we understand this, we can begin to comprehend Grace. What it means that our salvation is totally of Him and not at all of us. Furthermore, our sanctification is totally by His work and our part is resting, relying on Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross (John 15; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 1:3-14; Hebrews 2-3). Once we understand this reality we are able to trust Him with the major and minor details of our life. It does not mean we are inactive, we actively submit to Him. We actively pursue beholding Him through the Bible. It gives us a peaceful mindset and confidence that knows that there is no room for fear, worry or concern for us who are in Christ Jesus. And that is a great way to go into each and every day.

Rooted, Established, Built Up

2010-04-26T14:46:00.001-07:00

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Colossians 2: 6-7

How do we receive Christ Jesus the Lord? By faith (Eph. 2:8-9, 1 Cor 15:1-5). It was in faith that you and I received Jesus. At that point we are called firmly rooted. This is by his work. We are now being built up, where is that? In Him. We are to conduct our every day in the faith and quiet confidence of Him who loved us and gave Himself up for us. (Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:25) How are we to continue? How are we to go through our days and our weeks? What is this established, rooted, built up life to look?

First we must realize that we must be walking in faith. The term "walk" is a term that means "the way a person conducts their lives". This is the most ground level reality that you can think of. It's how we get out of bed in the morning. It's how we act when we are held up in line at the gas station or at the doctors. It's how we treat our husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, friends and all of the other people we meet in day to day life. That walk is meant to be in faith. Trusting in what he has done. Most often our sinful behaviors are motivated out of fear. Fear that someone may take something from us, fear that we may not get something that we are entitled to, fear that someone will expose us as weak, hopeless, useless or cruel. We must walk every moment in the faith that we are who HE says we are. It is a day by day, moment by moment walk of trust in Him who is able to do more than we can even think to ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20-21)

This walk of faith, what does it yield? Galatians tells us that it yields sanctification (the process by which more and more of us is set apart for God in our daily condition - Galatians 5:16). Ephesians 2:10 tells us that it will produce the good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (see the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23), and our passage today tells us that it will yield a life that is "overflowing with gratitude." Are you overflowing with thankfulness and praise today? Look at Christ Jesus the Lord.

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel

2010-04-26T13:49:00.001-07:00

Romans 1:16 is a powerful passage of Scripture. It is really the theme statement of the entire book of Romans. It reads: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Pages and pages have been written on this simple verse, and pages and pages more will be written. Let's just focus on the first part. Paul tells us that he is not ashamed of the gospel. We may not understand what may have tempted Paul to temptation. Paul preached the gospel in a world where the popular religion of the day was works based. The sentiment being that if you weren't doing well (i.e. physically prospering) then your belief system must be flawed. We can imagine Paul trying to share the gospel with both Jews and Pagans alike and each saying, "How's that working out for you Paul? You've been stoned, imprisoned and impoverished for your faith. Why would I want that?"

We, also, are tempted to shame over the gospel. Our culture has painted Christians (particularly those of us who believe what the word has to say about the Creation) out to be fools and idiots. Additionally, because we believe that Christ is the only way a person can be saved (John 14:6, Acts 4:42) our world will try to make us ashamed of our "intolerance". Modern philosophers will mock us for relying on God to save us, and on and on. Each of these ways we may be tempted to feel ashamed of the gospel has a simple explanation. Each could be argued and shown to be ridiculous. But that isn't Paul's direction here. He doesn't argue with the specific reasons as to why one might feel ashamed.

The reason he is not ashamed of the misconceptions of others of his day is because the Gospel possesses the power of salvation. The Greek word for power here highlights potential energy. Much like an atomic bomb has the potential energy within it to destroy a whole city, or a good medicine has the power to eradicate bad germs, the Gospel of Christ Jesus has the power of salvation to everyone who believes. Share the good news this week! You have nothing to be ashamed of!

Dear John Letter to the Devil

2010-03-26T11:31:00.000-07:00

Living for the Weekend?

2010-03-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

"In the morning you shall say, 'Oh, that it were evening!' And at the evening you shall say, 'Oh, that it were morning!' because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see" Deuteronomy 28:67

This verse is a part of the curses that the Lord promised to Israel if they did not continue in the Love and the remembrance of the Lord and His word. At the heart of the Law was always the core tenet: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." This is the same commandment that Jesus affirmed as the greatest commandment of the law in Matthew 22:37-38. It was the very heart of what Israel was to be about.

We in the church age do not live under the principle of Law, but rather the principle of Grace. Deuteronomy gives Israel a list of physical blessings if they keep the law and curses if they fail to keep the Law. In the church, under grace, we find that we are already blessed with every spiritual blessing and our actions grow naturally out of our unity and fellowship with God through Christ. Yet, there is a principle and an indirect application that we can derive from the verse we are looking at today.

Many Christians seem to live in this constant attitude of "Oh, that it were morning" and "Oh, that it were evening" and this is not the life that Christ has for us. Our abundant spiritual blessings in Christ, right here and right now, preclude that our lives should be lives of thankfulness and praise. Even our trials and suffering are matters for the deepest thanksgiving. When we are under divine discipline we can be thankful that our Father will not let us live lives that are separated from Him. When we experience the trials that are not divine discipline we are to rejoice knowing that trials are the tool by which God is conforming us to the image of Christ!

In an often-quoted passage of Paul we get a great command: "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4) Each day, each morning and evening, is a time to rejoice in the Lord. Each day is a day to be thankful for all that He has done for us. Each day is a day wherein we are to stand in the victory that Christ won or us at the cross. Praise the Lord for all He has done for us in Christ Jesus Our Lord, that in every situation we can say that we too have "learned in whatever state I am, to be content..."

Don't Forget!

2010-03-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

One of the chief threats to the Israelites as they took the land that God had given to them was that they would forget. God warned them about this in Deuteronomy 8:17-19 and 9:4-6. The exhortation of the Israelites as they entered into the land was to remember that it wasn't because of their strength that they were taking the land, and it wasn't because of their holiness or goodness as a people that God was giving it to them. It was because of HIS faithfulness. The second they started thinking about how great they were, how worthy or how strong they would lose sight of the Lord and all reality. This would disrupt their fellowship with God and result in the introduction of divine discipline in their lives.

This is very similar to something that Jesus said in a passage that we will be studying shortly in the main service. When addressing the Church at Ephesus the Lord rebuked them for "leaving their first love." The corrective exhortation that the Lord had for them is as follows: "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place--unless you repent." (Revelation 2:5)

We are a forgetful people, and just as the Israelites were easily seduced to forget that it was God that gave them the land, and placed them in it, we can neglect to remember the wonderful gift of the relationship that God has given us in Jesus Christ. This is why it is so very important to be in fellowship, prayer and Bible study regularly. So that we can be always remembering the love with which is IS LOVING US each day.

This is Your Lullaby

2010-03-12T15:43:00.000-08:00

Some thoughts on Praise and Worship

2010-03-08T11:57:00.001-08:00

"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth" Psalm 34:1

The words "praise" and "worship" have mutated in Christendom since the time that the Bible was written. Both of those words now immediately make the modern Christian think of corporate singing. Though praise is spoken of a great number of times in the New Testament it is only rarely used in reference to singing. Let's think about a practical illustrations.

Imagine that I set aside thirty minutes each week to tell April (my wife) how thankful I am for her, how much I love her, and how much I appreciate all that she is and does. Great idea, right? Now, how effective would it be if I took April completely for granted the rest of the week. What would she have to say to me each week when our set time of appreciation came around if I was rude, dismissive and thankless throughout each and every day? I can speak from experience that my thankfulness and appreciation of April needs to be a day in and day out occurrence or else problems will arise.

Do we sometimes act similarly with our Lord? Thinking that Sunday is the day to thank and worship Him and dismiss Him the rest of the time? I would carefully put forth the statement that if each day is not filled with praise and thanksgiving then our moments of worship on Sunday morning will always be riddled with a hollowness and hypocrisy. We will then find ourselves focusing on the musical style or the many other distractions that are available to us rather than turning our thoughts towards God in praise.

Brothers and sisters, I am writing to myself more so than to you. I pray that our body may be a body that is characterized by thanksgiving and praise to God for His abundant blessings that fill our lives. When we understand our position before God aright there should be no situation in our lives that does not evoke praise and thanksgiving. Our Salvation, our relationship with God, our brothers and sisters in the Lord, the material blessings that He has given us, and even our trials and difficulties are powerful reminders that His praise "shall continually be in my mouth."

If this joyous and thankful attitude is missing from your life the answer is not to try to create it by strength of will. Nothing would be worse for us than to be fake and inauthentic in our lives. The way this natural mindset will flow from us is by beholding our Savior and coming to a deeper and more vital understanding of His great love for us and all that He has done for us.

As an exercise to get you started read this passage of scripture out loud to yourself inserting your name where indicated*:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved , even when was dead in trespasses, made alive together with Christ (by grace has been saved), and raised up together, and made sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:4-7

Have a blessed week, my beloved brothers and sisters!

* I asked you to place your name where the word "us" is used in this passage. Anyone who has put their faith in Christ is one of the "us" being spoken of here. You are richly and personally loved, blessed and favored of God in Christ.