I just read today's entry from OfFirstImportance.org. It states the supremacy of Christ's righteousness and obedience above our own righteousness and obedience, calling us to put all my faith and being under the shed blood of Christ. So that I may be clothed by him, not by what I try to put on.
This past Sunday, I attended the Evening Service at Redeemer Church in New York City. It is always a treat to visit this church and experience the worship and the preaching. I was encouraged by the reading and preaching of Revelation 2:8-11. Abe Cho, that night's preacher, pressed hard the idea that Christ indeed knows all my weaknesses, sufferings, dreams, aspirations... my whole being, because we have a God who allowed himself to come into the world He created to share in all it is to be a human, but without sin. I couldn't help contemplating this truth how Christ has purchased our joy and gives us true satisfaction if I would only come to Christ. He knows everything I go through and knows what is best for me. And though I experience both good and bad, some how, some way, Christ died on that bloodied cross to purchase it all for all people, for me. So I can live life in peace and thanksgiving, whether good or bad, knowing that Jesus eternally says and comforts me when He says, 'I know'.
LORD, may all the joy, love, hate, bitterness, tiredness, hope, all that is in me be washed cleaned by your blood to bring me into correct attitude, posture, and living under my King Jesus. May all this be for Your glory and for the expansion of Your Gospel.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Asking a Hard Question...
Recently I have been encouraged by the writing and preaching of C.J. Mahaney. Listening to him and reading several of his books, I can't miss coming to the cross and finding my only hope and joy there on that day when the Son of God shed his blood for me. The Gospel is never far from his teaching, which has helped me see my life and my struggles in new ways.
A couple days ago, I read an article from 9Marks, titled The Gospel & Deliberate Complementarian Pastors. The article helped me understand that believing in the right faith also meant applying the the right actions, particular in the role of man and women, a husband and wife. The challenge Mahaney poses to the husband is to apply humility in his life by doing something very simple, but also very hard, asking his wife, 'Where do I need to grow in serving and leading you?'
The other day, while I was driving through the city with my wife, I asked her the question above. It was not as bad as expected. She shared her concerns about the way I use my time. She desired that I would evaluate and manage my time with regard to ministry, family, and fellowship.
Since then I have realized how difficult it is to encounter this issue in life. I have been praying that the Lord would 'teach me to number my days' (Psalm 90) and in doing so show me His priorities in my life. I have slowed down in blogging to devote more time with the Lord to evaluate my life. Lord willing, He will reveal other things too.
Lord, I am but dust compared to your greatness, but you have showed mercy and love to your creation and have called me your own through the shed blood of Christ. Please give me true wisdom and true knowledge that will direct me more and more deeply into Your Gospel.
A couple days ago, I read an article from 9Marks, titled The Gospel & Deliberate Complementarian Pastors. The article helped me understand that believing in the right faith also meant applying the the right actions, particular in the role of man and women, a husband and wife. The challenge Mahaney poses to the husband is to apply humility in his life by doing something very simple, but also very hard, asking his wife, 'Where do I need to grow in serving and leading you?'
The other day, while I was driving through the city with my wife, I asked her the question above. It was not as bad as expected. She shared her concerns about the way I use my time. She desired that I would evaluate and manage my time with regard to ministry, family, and fellowship.
Since then I have realized how difficult it is to encounter this issue in life. I have been praying that the Lord would 'teach me to number my days' (Psalm 90) and in doing so show me His priorities in my life. I have slowed down in blogging to devote more time with the Lord to evaluate my life. Lord willing, He will reveal other things too.
Lord, I am but dust compared to your greatness, but you have showed mercy and love to your creation and have called me your own through the shed blood of Christ. Please give me true wisdom and true knowledge that will direct me more and more deeply into Your Gospel.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Setting Your Mind Away from the World (Part 2)
My last post I shared about how I have been wrestling with Mark 8:33 "...For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Then I began to read Colossians 3:1-17. In the epistle to the Colossians, Paul seems to be writing to a church, which is wrestling with their identity in Christ versus tradition and false philosophy, especially tradition derived from the Old Testament.
Paul then exhorts them to focus on the right things. Colossians 3:1-4, tells me that as a believer a radical change has occurred. I have died in Christ, my life is hidden in Christ, and when he returns in glory I will also appear with him in glory. Nestled in these truths is the command, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Paul doesn't leave the reader hanging here with such a command. He commences to tell us what are earthly things in verses 5-10 and that these things must be put to death and put away, because God has given us a new life or new identity in Christ. Having then new life/identity, verses 11-17 describes how as a person of God I am to live my life amongst others, especially other believers.
I find it very interesting that the context of setting my mind of things above is set in a community. I am not to do it alone nor is it to be an effort for self edification only. Rather its to be with other brothers and sisters, where I am to live in Christ-likeness and accept and also give correction and redirection through Christ's word. Even more as I set my mind on the things above, what it looks like is, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Lord, your word is challenging, sometimes it seems impossible, but your promise is that you are near, and that you will never leave me nor forsake me. So please Lord help me set my mind on you, killing all that is sinful in my life and living as I ought to live giving you all honor, thanks, and glory. You are so much better than the world's best. Help me to see this always and to live this always as part member of a body living for you.
Paul then exhorts them to focus on the right things. Colossians 3:1-4, tells me that as a believer a radical change has occurred. I have died in Christ, my life is hidden in Christ, and when he returns in glory I will also appear with him in glory. Nestled in these truths is the command, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Paul doesn't leave the reader hanging here with such a command. He commences to tell us what are earthly things in verses 5-10 and that these things must be put to death and put away, because God has given us a new life or new identity in Christ. Having then new life/identity, verses 11-17 describes how as a person of God I am to live my life amongst others, especially other believers.
I find it very interesting that the context of setting my mind of things above is set in a community. I am not to do it alone nor is it to be an effort for self edification only. Rather its to be with other brothers and sisters, where I am to live in Christ-likeness and accept and also give correction and redirection through Christ's word. Even more as I set my mind on the things above, what it looks like is, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Lord, your word is challenging, sometimes it seems impossible, but your promise is that you are near, and that you will never leave me nor forsake me. So please Lord help me set my mind on you, killing all that is sinful in my life and living as I ought to live giving you all honor, thanks, and glory. You are so much better than the world's best. Help me to see this always and to live this always as part member of a body living for you.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Setting Your Mind Away from the World (Part 1)
In Mark 8: 31-34, we read about Jesus revealing His true mission to sacrifice himself and to defeat death by rising from the dead. What I found interesting was the response from Peter. The scripture said he, Peter, "took Him (Jesus) aside and rebuked him". Peter rebuked God! This is absolutely crazy especially since just verses before Peter confessed to Jesus, "You are the Christ."
Thinking about this interaction with Jesus and Peter, I made two observations. First, I believe Peter didn't understand yet who Jesus truly was and what it meant that Jesus is the Christ. On the other hand, the fact that Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him at least in some way expresses a close relationship with Jesus, especially since it seemed to be out of concern or surprise for his teacher, discipler, rabbi, and friend.
Now the response from Jesus comes strong and hard, "Get behind me, Satan!" Christ rebukes in a way that leaves no room for Peter and his intentions but to accept his place as being wrong and perhaps even demonic if you want to be literal.
Added and what really stuck with me for the past days is the following sentence from Christ, "For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." These verses spoke to me in a way that I can only describe as the Holy Spirit grabbing my attention and gently lifting my chin up to see something more important that what I try to perceive on my own.
Another reason why this verse brought great impact was because the night before I read the passage from Colossians 3:1-17, which I will share about in my next blog entry.
Lord, I thank you for your Word that points us to something more important. Lord, please protect me from any idolatry, focusing my mind and heart on the only God that should be worshiped. Please help me come to you humbly, knowing your plan is good and nothing can be better than your will. May I not dare rebuke you or advice you in any way, but Lord give me eyes to see, a mind to ponder, and a heart to understand the magnificent riches you have given to me by grace through Your Son Jesus Christ.
Thinking about this interaction with Jesus and Peter, I made two observations. First, I believe Peter didn't understand yet who Jesus truly was and what it meant that Jesus is the Christ. On the other hand, the fact that Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him at least in some way expresses a close relationship with Jesus, especially since it seemed to be out of concern or surprise for his teacher, discipler, rabbi, and friend.
Now the response from Jesus comes strong and hard, "Get behind me, Satan!" Christ rebukes in a way that leaves no room for Peter and his intentions but to accept his place as being wrong and perhaps even demonic if you want to be literal.
Added and what really stuck with me for the past days is the following sentence from Christ, "For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." These verses spoke to me in a way that I can only describe as the Holy Spirit grabbing my attention and gently lifting my chin up to see something more important that what I try to perceive on my own.
Another reason why this verse brought great impact was because the night before I read the passage from Colossians 3:1-17, which I will share about in my next blog entry.
Lord, I thank you for your Word that points us to something more important. Lord, please protect me from any idolatry, focusing my mind and heart on the only God that should be worshiped. Please help me come to you humbly, knowing your plan is good and nothing can be better than your will. May I not dare rebuke you or advice you in any way, but Lord give me eyes to see, a mind to ponder, and a heart to understand the magnificent riches you have given to me by grace through Your Son Jesus Christ.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I've Been Yoked
Recently, a friend and I began talking about relationships. Relationships can be a very wonderful thing and at the same time be a very uncomfortable thing. It can be one of the most edifying things and one of the most weakening things. Whether, a relationship is of a romantic nature, a familial nature, a business nature, or social nature. I can't help see it as God's blessing onto mankind, because of the nature of relationship. Ultimately, God created man for relationship with Him, but sin twisted its purposes and blessings.
As I thought about relationship, two passages came to mind; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 and Matthew 11:25-30. A common symbol between the two is of a yoke as it relates to relationship. Looking at an actual yoke, I can't help but squirm a bit, imagining having such a device around my neck, feeling the pressure on the back of my neck and either feeling myself pushing it against my shoulders or feeling it pulling at my head. The scripture compares being yoked, being strapped to this contraption, as being in a relationship.
Reading 2 Corinthians, Paul gives a stern warning against a believer entering into any type of relationship with an unbeliever. What was the problem with the Corinthians Church that Paul had to admonish them in such a way? I can only guess, but it seems that the audience of the letter were having issues with relating to the unbelieving people around them, compromising their first and most important relationship; there relationship with God. He paints a vivid contrast to the spiritual state of a believer compared to an unbeliever and then explaining why such a contrast exists, because God made us vessels that would worship him and be a witness of His Gospel.
Another view of relationships and of being yoked is from Matthew, where Christ pronounces his gracious authority to establish a relationship with the Father by simply coming to Him with all our burdens and misconception about God and receive rest in coming to Christ and following Him. We have a refuge in Jesus from the world's attack by knowing God Father through His Son.
Pondering these two verses, I can't help but be convicted that I am yoked. We are all yoked to someone or something. But are my relationships reflective of how God purposed relationships, characterized by righteousness, restfulness, holiness, worshipfulness, gospel-centeredness, etc.
May God give me the conviction to take my relationship with Him seriously, so that in all I do, say, or think, it may reflect the glory of Jesus Christ onto a world that has not experienced such honor or riches. May I humbly follow Christ and put on His yoke, rather than following my own desires and in so doing rejecting the only truly satisfying relationship with the Creator. May God give me relationships where His purposes are clear and my own purposes redeemed by Christ's blood. May I hold strong to being yoked to Christ.
Reading 2 Corinthians, Paul gives a stern warning against a believer entering into any type of relationship with an unbeliever. What was the problem with the Corinthians Church that Paul had to admonish them in such a way? I can only guess, but it seems that the audience of the letter were having issues with relating to the unbelieving people around them, compromising their first and most important relationship; there relationship with God. He paints a vivid contrast to the spiritual state of a believer compared to an unbeliever and then explaining why such a contrast exists, because God made us vessels that would worship him and be a witness of His Gospel.
Another view of relationships and of being yoked is from Matthew, where Christ pronounces his gracious authority to establish a relationship with the Father by simply coming to Him with all our burdens and misconception about God and receive rest in coming to Christ and following Him. We have a refuge in Jesus from the world's attack by knowing God Father through His Son.
Pondering these two verses, I can't help but be convicted that I am yoked. We are all yoked to someone or something. But are my relationships reflective of how God purposed relationships, characterized by righteousness, restfulness, holiness, worshipfulness, gospel-centeredness, etc.
May God give me the conviction to take my relationship with Him seriously, so that in all I do, say, or think, it may reflect the glory of Jesus Christ onto a world that has not experienced such honor or riches. May I humbly follow Christ and put on His yoke, rather than following my own desires and in so doing rejecting the only truly satisfying relationship with the Creator. May God give me relationships where His purposes are clear and my own purposes redeemed by Christ's blood. May I hold strong to being yoked to Christ.
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