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.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Worship I Want to Experience
Last night, I read a blog entry from Worship Matters, where Bob Kauflin shared an excerpt of a interview he had with Tim Smith asking him questions on worship. I was struck by the content of the interview. Bob Kauflin shared this:
"I said that if worship leaders simply lead people into a desire to repeat what we just did, or the 'worship experience,' we haven’t done what we’re called to do. I make the point that for worship leaders in the church, our job isn’t to lead a worship experience, but to build a worshiping community."
This a convicting statement for me as a person sitting in the pew. If this is the goal of every worship leader to help encourage us to lead a life of worship, not just feeding off an experience, I can't help but be praying for these guys! Its not just about good music or the right song selection, but its about edifying me and the rest of in the pew to live life worshiping God, not just on Sunday, but everyday, even until our Lord returns and then after!
I can't help but be led to the the passage in Romans 12:1-8, where the Apostle Paul writes to church in Rome about worship. Worship is our response to God's mercy, where we live our lives as holy and living sacrifices to God. This looks like, at least in the context, us serving one another with the gifts God has given. This seems to be where Bob Kauflin's worship paradigm is founded, according to the movement of the interview.
May the Lord provide me the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to understand what it means to worship Him. May he bless all the brothers and sisters out there using their gifts to lead the body of Christ into a worshipful lifestyle, not just an experience. May Christ get all the glory.
"I said that if worship leaders simply lead people into a desire to repeat what we just did, or the 'worship experience,' we haven’t done what we’re called to do. I make the point that for worship leaders in the church, our job isn’t to lead a worship experience, but to build a worshiping community."
This a convicting statement for me as a person sitting in the pew. If this is the goal of every worship leader to help encourage us to lead a life of worship, not just feeding off an experience, I can't help but be praying for these guys! Its not just about good music or the right song selection, but its about edifying me and the rest of in the pew to live life worshiping God, not just on Sunday, but everyday, even until our Lord returns and then after!
I can't help but be led to the the passage in Romans 12:1-8, where the Apostle Paul writes to church in Rome about worship. Worship is our response to God's mercy, where we live our lives as holy and living sacrifices to God. This looks like, at least in the context, us serving one another with the gifts God has given. This seems to be where Bob Kauflin's worship paradigm is founded, according to the movement of the interview.
May the Lord provide me the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the heart to understand what it means to worship Him. May he bless all the brothers and sisters out there using their gifts to lead the body of Christ into a worshipful lifestyle, not just an experience. May Christ get all the glory.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Abba! God the Father
Last night, I was up till 12:30 spending time with two brothers in Christ. We shared. We prayed. We fellowshipped. It was a refreshing feeling, where we felt God's presence and love and where I faithfully believe the Lord loosed spiritual bonds that were hindering us from experiencing the relationship Christ promises.
By the end, one of the brothers began encouraging us to experience God the Father as 'Abba' Father, not just that far away 'Dear God' type of prayer life that I know I have gotten used to. Oddly, out everything spoken the whole night, this encouragement/exhortation was the hardest to accept. Perhaps, it because its the most important and critical aspect of my walk that must be rearranged or perhaps just the feeling that I know right now, 'I'm not there yet'. However, I want that relationship.
So, pondering this, the Holy Spirit brought to mind a couple of verses. Romans 8:12-18, tells us of the assurance of the Holy Spirit's change in our being, witnessing to us that we are God's children, being able to call to God the Father as 'Abba' or 'Daddy'. This for me is very challenging. Though I know that this is true, I must confess I need to experience this tremendously more.
Another verse is Luke 11:1-13, where Jesus describes how to pray and the attitude we must have when we prayer; primarily of perseverance, of faith in the Father's character, and of knowing He will provide that which is best and not something fake or dangerous. Even more awesome is that Christ tells us God's desire and intention is to give us the Holy Spirit, if we indeed dare to ask for such a wonderful thing.
Abba, I am poor and weak, but you have called me to yourself through Jesus Christ. Abba, please give me the Holy Spirit to empower me to be your child, to do what your child does, and most importantly to help your child experience you as Your will desires. Please bless your children.
By the end, one of the brothers began encouraging us to experience God the Father as 'Abba' Father, not just that far away 'Dear God' type of prayer life that I know I have gotten used to. Oddly, out everything spoken the whole night, this encouragement/exhortation was the hardest to accept. Perhaps, it because its the most important and critical aspect of my walk that must be rearranged or perhaps just the feeling that I know right now, 'I'm not there yet'. However, I want that relationship.
So, pondering this, the Holy Spirit brought to mind a couple of verses. Romans 8:12-18, tells us of the assurance of the Holy Spirit's change in our being, witnessing to us that we are God's children, being able to call to God the Father as 'Abba' or 'Daddy'. This for me is very challenging. Though I know that this is true, I must confess I need to experience this tremendously more.
Another verse is Luke 11:1-13, where Jesus describes how to pray and the attitude we must have when we prayer; primarily of perseverance, of faith in the Father's character, and of knowing He will provide that which is best and not something fake or dangerous. Even more awesome is that Christ tells us God's desire and intention is to give us the Holy Spirit, if we indeed dare to ask for such a wonderful thing.
Abba, I am poor and weak, but you have called me to yourself through Jesus Christ. Abba, please give me the Holy Spirit to empower me to be your child, to do what your child does, and most importantly to help your child experience you as Your will desires. Please bless your children.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Eagerly Waiting in Grace
Last night at bible study we studied Hebrews 9:11-28. It was very gory passage talking about blood of animals and the blood of Christ and how a will and covenant are enacted only when certain conditions are met, being death or a sacrifice of life. But as it winded down to the end the passage, the words that really help me experience the awe of God's plan of salvation was verses 27-28.
In verse 27, the writer of Hebrews in very simple words lays down the utter hopelessness of man, destined to die and to be judged by a Holy God with a verdict of guilty for sin and thrown into the fire of eternal punishment. But in verse 29 this same God before the world was created planned to become man and planned to die that He may bring salvation to those he had chosen.
The interesting thing is the very last part words from verse 28, which says that Christ brings salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him. I have been hearing the term the 'truth of now and not yet', where there exists a scriptural tension where a concept is true right now, but will realized truly later on. Such is our salvation. I am saved through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone right now, but the true experience of salvation will not occur until the return of Jesus Christ. So the question I've been asking myself is whether I am eagerly waiting Christ's return.
Lord please give me a desire to not just experience you now, but also to desire to see you truly when you return as our Lord of lords and King of kings. Please change my motivations and actions that they may reflect and revolve around your return Lord Jesus.
In verse 27, the writer of Hebrews in very simple words lays down the utter hopelessness of man, destined to die and to be judged by a Holy God with a verdict of guilty for sin and thrown into the fire of eternal punishment. But in verse 29 this same God before the world was created planned to become man and planned to die that He may bring salvation to those he had chosen.
The interesting thing is the very last part words from verse 28, which says that Christ brings salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him. I have been hearing the term the 'truth of now and not yet', where there exists a scriptural tension where a concept is true right now, but will realized truly later on. Such is our salvation. I am saved through faith alone, in Christ alone, by grace alone right now, but the true experience of salvation will not occur until the return of Jesus Christ. So the question I've been asking myself is whether I am eagerly waiting Christ's return.
Lord please give me a desire to not just experience you now, but also to desire to see you truly when you return as our Lord of lords and King of kings. Please change my motivations and actions that they may reflect and revolve around your return Lord Jesus.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Gratitude, Obstacles, and Seasons
Tonight's 4th installment of Soul Care Class taught by Pastor Freddy Baez was again a refreshing time of receiving care and learning more about how to care for others. What was taught was both deeply practical, but also deeply spiritual. The following was what I learned and took from the class tonight.
Expounding from Psalm 119:27, Professor Baez shared that sometimes we fall into situations where we do not feel the truth of God in our own fractured reality. Because of this, as we experience times when things are going against us, we must set our hearts to thank God and worship God for who He is and what He was done. He then shared one very practical way that helps him see the reality of God. Every night Pastor Baez practices what he calls the 'Discipline of Gratitude', where as he is laying down to sleep, he counts and names the blessing God has provided for him this past day. He simply begins this time with God by thanking God for allowing him to come back to his own bed to sleep, not a jail cell bed, nor a cardboard box on the street, nor a friend's couch do to some unfortunate circumstances. He just thanks God for a comfortable bed to sleep in tonight, then continues to thank God for every blessing both big and small.
Another topic shared tonight was 'Obstacles that cause a Non-Growing Spiritual Life'. First was guilt or not having a clear conscience before God, caused by unrepented sin or incorrect understanding of God. Second was lack of personal pray or not spending time with Christ, sharing time in simple deep fellowship with God. Third was a lack of spending time in the Word or not knowing the mind of Christ, where we live life not feeding spiritually from God or still drinking milk even though we should be working on meatier understanding from the Scripture. And lastly was lack of purpose or understanding of our part in God's ministry in the Body, where a believer is not serving God and being part of God's community, using one's gifts.
And the last thing I left with was homework to think about what season of our spiritual walk we are in based on a biblical character. The Pastor shared about whether we might be Nehemiah, where we are working on rebuilding ourselves or helping to rebuild something spiritual. Or perhaps, Jonah, rebelling against God's command and experiencing the repercussions of disobeying God. I have been pondering this and trying to evaluate who I feel I am in the scripture right now.
May the Lord help me to have eyes that see His blessings and give thanks for them. May the Lord help me spot what obstacles lay in from of me in growing closer to Christ. May God help me to understand where I am spiritually in my walk so that I might study and see how God is using me, training me, and/or changing to be more like His Son, my Lord.
Expounding from Psalm 119:27, Professor Baez shared that sometimes we fall into situations where we do not feel the truth of God in our own fractured reality. Because of this, as we experience times when things are going against us, we must set our hearts to thank God and worship God for who He is and what He was done. He then shared one very practical way that helps him see the reality of God. Every night Pastor Baez practices what he calls the 'Discipline of Gratitude', where as he is laying down to sleep, he counts and names the blessing God has provided for him this past day. He simply begins this time with God by thanking God for allowing him to come back to his own bed to sleep, not a jail cell bed, nor a cardboard box on the street, nor a friend's couch do to some unfortunate circumstances. He just thanks God for a comfortable bed to sleep in tonight, then continues to thank God for every blessing both big and small.
Another topic shared tonight was 'Obstacles that cause a Non-Growing Spiritual Life'. First was guilt or not having a clear conscience before God, caused by unrepented sin or incorrect understanding of God. Second was lack of personal pray or not spending time with Christ, sharing time in simple deep fellowship with God. Third was a lack of spending time in the Word or not knowing the mind of Christ, where we live life not feeding spiritually from God or still drinking milk even though we should be working on meatier understanding from the Scripture. And lastly was lack of purpose or understanding of our part in God's ministry in the Body, where a believer is not serving God and being part of God's community, using one's gifts.
And the last thing I left with was homework to think about what season of our spiritual walk we are in based on a biblical character. The Pastor shared about whether we might be Nehemiah, where we are working on rebuilding ourselves or helping to rebuild something spiritual. Or perhaps, Jonah, rebelling against God's command and experiencing the repercussions of disobeying God. I have been pondering this and trying to evaluate who I feel I am in the scripture right now.
May the Lord help me to have eyes that see His blessings and give thanks for them. May the Lord help me spot what obstacles lay in from of me in growing closer to Christ. May God help me to understand where I am spiritually in my walk so that I might study and see how God is using me, training me, and/or changing to be more like His Son, my Lord.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
When Feelings Try to Rule
Today I have been feeling distance from the presence of God. Perhaps its some unresolved sin in my life. I am in the process of evaluating. Things do feel a bit different than before. When I felt this distance from God, there was always this feeling of inadequacy, which would lead me to various addictive vices to try and fill the emptiness. Now, as I try to focus on the cross rather than my feelings, I have found myself running to God's Word, realizing his presence may not be felt, but His Word is a constant reminder of His presence and desire to speak with me.
Today, my men's group went over the 2nd part of the Gospel of John. I couldn't help being encouraged by Christ's promise to give us joy, to give us peace, to allow us to pray, and to give us a relationship with God the Father. We also read Psalm 139 in our weekly church prayer meeting, which helped me see the amazing truth of God's knowledge. Then at the close of the meeting, I felt God lead me to dwell on Psalm 23.
May God help me to persevere and to lean on truth more than feelings. May pour into my heart his peace, love, mercy, kindness, patience, and joy than come from His Holy Spirit.
Today, my men's group went over the 2nd part of the Gospel of John. I couldn't help being encouraged by Christ's promise to give us joy, to give us peace, to allow us to pray, and to give us a relationship with God the Father. We also read Psalm 139 in our weekly church prayer meeting, which helped me see the amazing truth of God's knowledge. Then at the close of the meeting, I felt God lead me to dwell on Psalm 23.
May God help me to persevere and to lean on truth more than feelings. May pour into my heart his peace, love, mercy, kindness, patience, and joy than come from His Holy Spirit.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The Grace of God by A.W. Pink
Chapter 13 of A.W. Pink's The Attributes of God end with the following words:
"God the Father is the Fountain of all grace, for He purposed in Himself the everlasting covenant of redemption. God the Son is the only Channel of grace. The Gospel is the Publisher of grace. The Spirit is the Bestower. He is the One who applies the Gospel in saving power to the soul: quickening the elect while spiritually dead, conquering their rebellious wills, melting their hard hearts, opening their blind eyes, cleansing them from the leprosy of sin. Thus we may say with the late G. S. Bishop, Grace is a provision for men who are so fallen that they cannot lift the axe of justice, so corrupt that they cannot change their own natures, so averse to God that they cannot turn to Him, so blind that they cannot see Him, so deaf that they cannot hear Him, and so dead that He Himself must open their graves and lift them into resurrection."
Pondering and taking in the closing words of the chapter. I see a beautifully vivid picture of God's work of salvation. I also see a most ugly and despicable nature of man, myself included, before being regenerated by the Holy Spirit's power. This passage helps me to see how hopelessly situated I was as an already dead enemy of God. It leaves me no room but to fall on my knees and worship. I can not do nor boast of anything in myself as Ephesians 2:8-10 states. But may I boast in only one thing; the cross (Galatians 6:14).
"God the Father is the Fountain of all grace, for He purposed in Himself the everlasting covenant of redemption. God the Son is the only Channel of grace. The Gospel is the Publisher of grace. The Spirit is the Bestower. He is the One who applies the Gospel in saving power to the soul: quickening the elect while spiritually dead, conquering their rebellious wills, melting their hard hearts, opening their blind eyes, cleansing them from the leprosy of sin. Thus we may say with the late G. S. Bishop, Grace is a provision for men who are so fallen that they cannot lift the axe of justice, so corrupt that they cannot change their own natures, so averse to God that they cannot turn to Him, so blind that they cannot see Him, so deaf that they cannot hear Him, and so dead that He Himself must open their graves and lift them into resurrection."
Pondering and taking in the closing words of the chapter. I see a beautifully vivid picture of God's work of salvation. I also see a most ugly and despicable nature of man, myself included, before being regenerated by the Holy Spirit's power. This passage helps me to see how hopelessly situated I was as an already dead enemy of God. It leaves me no room but to fall on my knees and worship. I can not do nor boast of anything in myself as Ephesians 2:8-10 states. But may I boast in only one thing; the cross (Galatians 6:14).
Monday, June 9, 2008
Family Matters
Lately, I have been feeling an urgency to more clearly define a scriptural family life. It been burning in the back of my mind for quite a while now ever since being married, and yesterday, being at our first family fellowship gathering, brought to surface some thoughts. As we discussed communication, and how critical it is to be able to convey express our feelings, expectation, and our lives clearly, the Lord brought to mind two verses; Genesis 2:24 and Lamentation 3:22-24.
As a couple, my wife and I discussed how our family backgrounds and cultures define how we communicate with one another. I come from a pretty loud family. Arguing or not, we sound like we are yelling at each other. Whereas my wife's family is very quiet. Rarely is a loud uncontrollable laughter ever heard. But if we asked each other, if we experienced happiness and comfort in our mutual families, the answer would be 'yes'. Then we began to discuss how we want our own family to be like. Do we have to bring our old family patterns into our newly found family?
Reading Genesis 2:24, I can't help but feel God is creating something new. While some characteristics from our previous family aren't all bad, the essence is that a new family, a new organism has been created through God's blessing. That means for me that God has allowed us to begin building a new family that can keep to the good experiences and cultural characteristics of our old family, while also throwing away and repenting of unhealthy patterns that hinder my new families present and future health.
Ultimately, I feel like passivity is not the answer to building a family. Christ must be sitting on the throne guiding our every decision and every thought, and we must be responding with urgency knowing that God desires to bless us and make our family a witness to the world. Many times I feel that I wait too much and only respond to the things around us only when the world presents a problem. At the same time, I believe God desires me to be a wise and a hard-working steward of the family he has given us. This means I must think about how to lay foundations and structures in my family to not simply respond to all the world throws at us, but to be able to correctly and efficient manage my family when the storms come rolling in, and they will roll in.
The verse that comes to mind in the process of learning about building my family is the verse from Lamentations. I can't help but feel overjoyed by who our God is reading these verses. Jeremiah shares the overwhelming sadness he feels looking at the present state of Israel, God's chosen people. After years and years of sinning, God brings the nation into exile, leaving the city in waste. But Jeremiah, though faced with the judgment of his kindred, still sees God's love and mercy always new every morning.
In the same way, I feel like many times our pasts tend to define our present state whether it is individually, as a family, and as a community. But God's love and mercy for us as blood washed believers never ends and renews itself every morning as we wake up. This encourages me to rely on God to continue on building, cultivating, and leading my family the way God has envisioned. I may make mistakes; I may miscommunicate with my wife and children; I may find myself feeling hopelessly tired, but God's there providing me with everything I need to repent and continue building and defining our family.
May the Lord have mercy on our family, and continue to provide wisdom, provision, and joy in Jesus as we reform our family and continue on reforming as God convicts us and shows us His most awesome and perfect will.
As a couple, my wife and I discussed how our family backgrounds and cultures define how we communicate with one another. I come from a pretty loud family. Arguing or not, we sound like we are yelling at each other. Whereas my wife's family is very quiet. Rarely is a loud uncontrollable laughter ever heard. But if we asked each other, if we experienced happiness and comfort in our mutual families, the answer would be 'yes'. Then we began to discuss how we want our own family to be like. Do we have to bring our old family patterns into our newly found family?
Reading Genesis 2:24, I can't help but feel God is creating something new. While some characteristics from our previous family aren't all bad, the essence is that a new family, a new organism has been created through God's blessing. That means for me that God has allowed us to begin building a new family that can keep to the good experiences and cultural characteristics of our old family, while also throwing away and repenting of unhealthy patterns that hinder my new families present and future health.
Ultimately, I feel like passivity is not the answer to building a family. Christ must be sitting on the throne guiding our every decision and every thought, and we must be responding with urgency knowing that God desires to bless us and make our family a witness to the world. Many times I feel that I wait too much and only respond to the things around us only when the world presents a problem. At the same time, I believe God desires me to be a wise and a hard-working steward of the family he has given us. This means I must think about how to lay foundations and structures in my family to not simply respond to all the world throws at us, but to be able to correctly and efficient manage my family when the storms come rolling in, and they will roll in.
The verse that comes to mind in the process of learning about building my family is the verse from Lamentations. I can't help but feel overjoyed by who our God is reading these verses. Jeremiah shares the overwhelming sadness he feels looking at the present state of Israel, God's chosen people. After years and years of sinning, God brings the nation into exile, leaving the city in waste. But Jeremiah, though faced with the judgment of his kindred, still sees God's love and mercy always new every morning.
In the same way, I feel like many times our pasts tend to define our present state whether it is individually, as a family, and as a community. But God's love and mercy for us as blood washed believers never ends and renews itself every morning as we wake up. This encourages me to rely on God to continue on building, cultivating, and leading my family the way God has envisioned. I may make mistakes; I may miscommunicate with my wife and children; I may find myself feeling hopelessly tired, but God's there providing me with everything I need to repent and continue building and defining our family.
May the Lord have mercy on our family, and continue to provide wisdom, provision, and joy in Jesus as we reform our family and continue on reforming as God convicts us and shows us His most awesome and perfect will.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Satisfying Sunday... More Conviction
Today was a great Sunday. Even though the day was filled with activities, God brought tremendous rest to my soul. Worship was a huge blessing as I felt the Holy Spirit pushing through my heart and hopefully the hearts of other worshipers too.
Additionally, by God's grace, my pastor shared how he spent his vacation several weeks ago. He described how he left the hustle and bustle of New York City and arrived at his father's farm several hours away. And though he was on vacation he found himself, by the request of his dad, softening soil for the planting of corn and mowing his dad's lawn and the neighbor's lawn too. Was my pastor tired? Probably. Was he disappointed that he didn't get to rest and relax? No! He enjoyed every moment of it, serving His dad, which flowed from a life long relationship built upon God's grace.
I sat in the pew thinking about how God's been convicting me of my own unhealthy relationship with my dad. My pastor's story has given me renewed hope that God can bring to life what is dead and allow me to mend the mutual pain my father and myself have caused each other.
May the God of peace and joy, grant me peace and joy as he brings to light my sin and helps me to be rid those things that keep me away from experiencing more of Christ. My father and I develop a relationship that reflects a healthy relationship with God.
Additionally, by God's grace, my pastor shared how he spent his vacation several weeks ago. He described how he left the hustle and bustle of New York City and arrived at his father's farm several hours away. And though he was on vacation he found himself, by the request of his dad, softening soil for the planting of corn and mowing his dad's lawn and the neighbor's lawn too. Was my pastor tired? Probably. Was he disappointed that he didn't get to rest and relax? No! He enjoyed every moment of it, serving His dad, which flowed from a life long relationship built upon God's grace.
I sat in the pew thinking about how God's been convicting me of my own unhealthy relationship with my dad. My pastor's story has given me renewed hope that God can bring to life what is dead and allow me to mend the mutual pain my father and myself have caused each other.
May the God of peace and joy, grant me peace and joy as he brings to light my sin and helps me to be rid those things that keep me away from experiencing more of Christ. My father and I develop a relationship that reflects a healthy relationship with God.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
As Christ Honored the Father...
This morning as I was playing Hillsong's 'Hosanna' on my guitar, I couldn't help experience the awesomeness and hugeness of God and the ugliness and depravedness my own sin. It really hit when I began to sing the bridge of the song.
'Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity'
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity'
What God exposed through His grace was my lack of love and lack of forgiveness I have towards my father. Some regretful things happened while I was growing up. And to this point, I don't think my father has truly felt he was wrong for anything. He isn't a believer, and since I became a believer its been a constant uphill battle to show respect and love to my father as I see the fruit of his own sin. This sense of hopelessness feeds my unfaithfulness towards God as I wonder why God can't bring my father to faith and repentance. So as I sang the bridge to 'Hosanna' I couldn't help but sense God pointing the sin in my heart with regard to my dad.
I couldn't control my emotions anymore. And I began to beg God to show me how to follow Him through the commandments 'to love our enemies' (Matthew 5:43-48) and 'honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you' (Exodus 20:2-18). And in an instant, in my mind's eye, God brought me to Gethsemane. The Hoy Spirit brought to life Matthew 26:36-45. I gazed at Jesus on His knees praying to the Father, asking for the Father's will to be done, even if it met death to himself. Jesus was honoring His Father and doing what was required to bring atonement for sin. I felt Christ's exhortation to honor my dad, as Christ also honors His Dad. Its something to pray about as Father's Day comes up.
May the Lord give me the strength, wisdom, and love to see my father as God sees my father. To be able to see that God is working even though I may not see it. May God pour into my heart His grace and mercy, so my words, actions, and thoughts would be saturated with the Cross when next I interact with my dad and there after. May I be less and Christ be more.
I couldn't control my emotions anymore. And I began to beg God to show me how to follow Him through the commandments 'to love our enemies' (Matthew 5:43-48) and 'honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you' (Exodus 20:2-18). And in an instant, in my mind's eye, God brought me to Gethsemane. The Hoy Spirit brought to life Matthew 26:36-45. I gazed at Jesus on His knees praying to the Father, asking for the Father's will to be done, even if it met death to himself. Jesus was honoring His Father and doing what was required to bring atonement for sin. I felt Christ's exhortation to honor my dad, as Christ also honors His Dad. Its something to pray about as Father's Day comes up.
May the Lord give me the strength, wisdom, and love to see my father as God sees my father. To be able to see that God is working even though I may not see it. May God pour into my heart His grace and mercy, so my words, actions, and thoughts would be saturated with the Cross when next I interact with my dad and there after. May I be less and Christ be more.
A Bigger Life in Christ
Today's blog entry from 'Of First Importance' (here) was a very telling one. It helped put into words what I have been going through for that past weeks. Ever since beginning this blog, I have been concentrating more on following Christ than trying stop sin in my life on my own, and I have found my temptation to be weakened and powerless.
Tonight's a short one entry. I'm just pondering about the Gospel and how following Jesus is really awesome and satifying.
Tonight's a short one entry. I'm just pondering about the Gospel and how following Jesus is really awesome and satifying.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Healing Regret
Today we learned about regret in our 3rd of six sessions learning about 'Soul Care', a introduction to counseling at OCM Church in Chinatown, NYC, taught by Professor Freddy Baez. I learned a very helpful acronym today to help guide me when I need to admonish, exhort, or encourage someone struggling with regret. The acronym is S.E.R.V.E, standing for 'S' for 'Surrender to God', Matthew 16:24-27; 'E' for 'Enquire/Entreat of God', Psalm 55:1-3,16-17; R for 'Relationship with God and His People', 1 John 2:8-13; 'V' for 'Vulnerability with God and His People or Humbleness', Proverb 16:18, 1 Peter 5:5-7; and 'E' for' Empowerment from God to others', John 21:17.
So far every Thursday, I have been edified more than expected. Professor/Pastor Baez shared that he expected to not only teach us the material, but that the material would also heal us and change us. Today's lesson helped identify and show me some hard facts. As we looked through the scripture I was struck by how the Word of God acts as a mirror to reflect my shortcomings and my sin, but also my only hope. It brought to mine my sin of pride, my sin of self reliance, my sin of anger, and my sin of not caring for my wife as God has called me to.
When I returned home, I reread the passages above. The passage that seem to jump out at me was the verse from John 21. I began reading John 21:15-19. In the passage, we read about the resurrected Jesus interacting with Peter. Just several days ago Peter denies Jesus, his Discipler, his Lord, his God, his friend, not once, but three times. Peter is recorded as weeping bitterly obviously from guilt, sadness, regret. But now, we see Jesus counseling Peter, restoring Peter. Jesus in turn asks Peter 3 times whether Peter loves him. And each time Jesus responds to Peter's professing of love for Jesus with a command to feed/tend to Jesus' sheep. As we read on through the passage, Christ also reveals to Peter the hard road ahead even as an elderly man. And exhorts Peter to 'Follow Me'.
I can't help but think about God's grace and mercy. I have sinned, I am sinning, and I will sin, but as I seek to truly love Jesus, Jesus will forgive us, heal us, change us and empower us. He doesn't promise us an easy life though, but a life worth following Jesus.
Lord, may you continue to mold me as I stick close to your Son. By your Spirit, show me through your word the sin I have committed against you and restore me through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
So far every Thursday, I have been edified more than expected. Professor/Pastor Baez shared that he expected to not only teach us the material, but that the material would also heal us and change us. Today's lesson helped identify and show me some hard facts. As we looked through the scripture I was struck by how the Word of God acts as a mirror to reflect my shortcomings and my sin, but also my only hope. It brought to mine my sin of pride, my sin of self reliance, my sin of anger, and my sin of not caring for my wife as God has called me to.
When I returned home, I reread the passages above. The passage that seem to jump out at me was the verse from John 21. I began reading John 21:15-19. In the passage, we read about the resurrected Jesus interacting with Peter. Just several days ago Peter denies Jesus, his Discipler, his Lord, his God, his friend, not once, but three times. Peter is recorded as weeping bitterly obviously from guilt, sadness, regret. But now, we see Jesus counseling Peter, restoring Peter. Jesus in turn asks Peter 3 times whether Peter loves him. And each time Jesus responds to Peter's professing of love for Jesus with a command to feed/tend to Jesus' sheep. As we read on through the passage, Christ also reveals to Peter the hard road ahead even as an elderly man. And exhorts Peter to 'Follow Me'.
I can't help but think about God's grace and mercy. I have sinned, I am sinning, and I will sin, but as I seek to truly love Jesus, Jesus will forgive us, heal us, change us and empower us. He doesn't promise us an easy life though, but a life worth following Jesus.
Lord, may you continue to mold me as I stick close to your Son. By your Spirit, show me through your word the sin I have committed against you and restore me through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Only Fear That Matters
Today was a pretty stressful day at work. We had inspectors surveying our institution for the past 3 days. And as I thought I wouldn't have to make contact with them, today I was called right smack in the middle. All the big heads were there from my workplace. Honestly, a sense of fear began to sneak into my heart and mind. But God graciously, provided the right perspective. His word reminded where my true fear ought lie; not in man, but in God, as it is proclaimed in Psalm 118:5-7.
So I wanted to share what the scripture has taught me about fear. I should fear God because He is the Creator and the Blesser (Revelation 14:7). I should fear God because He and He alone can help me in my struggles and my fears (Isaiah 35:3-5). I should fear God because he is my Redeemer, who promises to help (Isaiah 41:12-14). I should fear God because he lovingly and purposefully created me (Psalm 139:12-14). And I should fear God because He knows the plans he has in stored for me (Jeremiah 29:10-12).
Isn't it strange? As a believer in Christ, I fear God not because He is a holy watchdog out to hunt me down when I sin, but because he is almighty, loving, merciful, and kind, who has all the right to destroy me for eternity, who doesn't need me, but graciously calls me to himself through His Son and by His Holy Spirit. The ultimate and most awesome fear is the fear of God, which empowers me to fight all other fears. Praise the Lord, our Almighty and Most Powerful God!
So I wanted to share what the scripture has taught me about fear. I should fear God because He is the Creator and the Blesser (Revelation 14:7). I should fear God because He and He alone can help me in my struggles and my fears (Isaiah 35:3-5). I should fear God because he is my Redeemer, who promises to help (Isaiah 41:12-14). I should fear God because he lovingly and purposefully created me (Psalm 139:12-14). And I should fear God because He knows the plans he has in stored for me (Jeremiah 29:10-12).
Isn't it strange? As a believer in Christ, I fear God not because He is a holy watchdog out to hunt me down when I sin, but because he is almighty, loving, merciful, and kind, who has all the right to destroy me for eternity, who doesn't need me, but graciously calls me to himself through His Son and by His Holy Spirit. The ultimate and most awesome fear is the fear of God, which empowers me to fight all other fears. Praise the Lord, our Almighty and Most Powerful God!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Christ, The Knowledge of God
Today more than usual, I found myself running to the Cross to find refuge, safety, and peace. For some reason my thoughts today floated towards sin than towards God. Thoughts of anger, pride, and lust attacked me as I began walking out of the house. But thank God, I felt the Holy Spirit also kick it up a notch to allow me to fight for what is true, good, and satisfying. He witnessed to my heart about the power of the Cross.
The sinful thoughts have died down so far, and I have been left with two pieces of scripture that have really kept me focused on Jesus. The verses are Matthew 11:25-30 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
As I was battling out with the sin present in my thoughts, I tried my best to enact the second part of 2 Corinthians 10:5, 'take every thought captive to obey Christ'. It was vague to me what I was doing though. Only later, in trying to describe the war going on in my mind, did my friend lead me to this verse. And I read it and I never realized that this verse is in the context of inner spiritual turmoil going on in the church of Corinth, surfacing as prideful arguments caused by strongholds of sin. This is in conflict with the knowledge of God, and to fight this I must come to Christ with everything. Christ discerns for me what is true and good.
While pondering this, I also thought about the verses from Matthew 11. I came across these verses several days ago. And what I noticed there that I never noticed before was the fact that before Jesus calls us to come to him to get rest, He thanks God the Father and describes His relationship with the Father and describes our relationship with Himself, where Jesus focuses on the revelation of the knowledge of God the Father, which Christ reveals.
Pondering these two verses together I couldn't help see the common point, which is the knowledge of God. Paul talks about bringing all thoughts to obey Christ that we may not be hindered about the knowledge of God and that we may have the authority to discern falsehood and rebuke it. John talks about coming to Christ to receive rest from our labor and our burdens, where I believe that rest for our souls occurs because Christ reveals to us the knowledge of God. So as I look at these two passages I can't help be spill out in worship for Christ! I know God because of Christ! Wow!
May I continue to see Christ as most awesome, because through him I know God and know what it means then to be a child of God. All glory and honor and praise be unto Him! And may the sweet, awesome knowledge of God through the Holy Spirit continue to change me and make me more a man of God, a husband of God, a brother of God, a child of God... ultimately more like Christ. Amen.
The sinful thoughts have died down so far, and I have been left with two pieces of scripture that have really kept me focused on Jesus. The verses are Matthew 11:25-30 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.
As I was battling out with the sin present in my thoughts, I tried my best to enact the second part of 2 Corinthians 10:5, 'take every thought captive to obey Christ'. It was vague to me what I was doing though. Only later, in trying to describe the war going on in my mind, did my friend lead me to this verse. And I read it and I never realized that this verse is in the context of inner spiritual turmoil going on in the church of Corinth, surfacing as prideful arguments caused by strongholds of sin. This is in conflict with the knowledge of God, and to fight this I must come to Christ with everything. Christ discerns for me what is true and good.
While pondering this, I also thought about the verses from Matthew 11. I came across these verses several days ago. And what I noticed there that I never noticed before was the fact that before Jesus calls us to come to him to get rest, He thanks God the Father and describes His relationship with the Father and describes our relationship with Himself, where Jesus focuses on the revelation of the knowledge of God the Father, which Christ reveals.
Pondering these two verses together I couldn't help see the common point, which is the knowledge of God. Paul talks about bringing all thoughts to obey Christ that we may not be hindered about the knowledge of God and that we may have the authority to discern falsehood and rebuke it. John talks about coming to Christ to receive rest from our labor and our burdens, where I believe that rest for our souls occurs because Christ reveals to us the knowledge of God. So as I look at these two passages I can't help be spill out in worship for Christ! I know God because of Christ! Wow!
May I continue to see Christ as most awesome, because through him I know God and know what it means then to be a child of God. All glory and honor and praise be unto Him! And may the sweet, awesome knowledge of God through the Holy Spirit continue to change me and make me more a man of God, a husband of God, a brother of God, a child of God... ultimately more like Christ. Amen.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
How Fragile I Am
This past weekend was a very awesome weekend. The Lord opened the opportunity for me to share the Gospel with 4 people. However, speaking honestly, though sharing the Gospel gave me a spiritual high, the after effects were not as welcomed. I must confess my biggest weakness in sharing the good news is myself. I must constantly refocus and put all my faith in Christ's work, not my own. I tend to feel very excited, but also very fearful that I might have said the wrong words. I tend to feel an awe about pointing people to the eternal God, but I also feel hopeless when I think about them not accepting His grace. I tend to feel disappointment, wishing that God would call them to himself right then and there, but they don't. However, I also have hope that someone else would reap what God allowed me to sow. I can only find one word to describe my state during and after sharing the Gospel. That word is fragile.
As I prayed, confessing my sin of unfaithfulness, asking him to help me understand all the emotional highs and lows, asking him to help me grow from the tension experienced and involved with sharing the Gospel. The Lord led me to think about clay jars. 2 Corinthians 4, takes us beside Paul as he is describing His ministry of sharing the Gospel and the hope therein. I could not help, but be comforted by Paul's words, as if he were writing to me. I was encouraged as follows:
1) Verses 1-2 tells me that the Gospel truth is to be presented simply and that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
2) Verses 3-6 tells me that if I do not see the Gospel penetrate into the lives of the hearer, I do not need to feel responsible for their rejection of it and that Jesus must continue to be the main focus.
3) Verses 7-12 tells me that I am fragile, but God has given me and all believers a treasure to behold and to share with others. The Gospel shows me that I am weak, but God is strong. That my goal is to be as John the Baptizer said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 2:27-30).
4) Verses 13-15 tells me my only power and hope should come from Jesus' and that as I share I must keep focused on Him. That my goal in sharing God's grace with others is for them to have thankful hearts, so that God gets the Glory
5) Verses 16-18 tells me that all the negativity I experience should be compared to the Gospel to help me understand that this world and myself are not the goal. Heaven and being in God's presence is the goal, which is a promise God has provided through faith in Jesus Christ.
May God help me to be an effective and humble vessel to bring the Gospel to the lost. May God help convict in me that it is not by wisdom, nor by might, but by the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6). May God help me to see Him working and not myself.
As I prayed, confessing my sin of unfaithfulness, asking him to help me understand all the emotional highs and lows, asking him to help me grow from the tension experienced and involved with sharing the Gospel. The Lord led me to think about clay jars. 2 Corinthians 4, takes us beside Paul as he is describing His ministry of sharing the Gospel and the hope therein. I could not help, but be comforted by Paul's words, as if he were writing to me. I was encouraged as follows:
1) Verses 1-2 tells me that the Gospel truth is to be presented simply and that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
2) Verses 3-6 tells me that if I do not see the Gospel penetrate into the lives of the hearer, I do not need to feel responsible for their rejection of it and that Jesus must continue to be the main focus.
3) Verses 7-12 tells me that I am fragile, but God has given me and all believers a treasure to behold and to share with others. The Gospel shows me that I am weak, but God is strong. That my goal is to be as John the Baptizer said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 2:27-30).
4) Verses 13-15 tells me my only power and hope should come from Jesus' and that as I share I must keep focused on Him. That my goal in sharing God's grace with others is for them to have thankful hearts, so that God gets the Glory
5) Verses 16-18 tells me that all the negativity I experience should be compared to the Gospel to help me understand that this world and myself are not the goal. Heaven and being in God's presence is the goal, which is a promise God has provided through faith in Jesus Christ.
May God help me to be an effective and humble vessel to bring the Gospel to the lost. May God help convict in me that it is not by wisdom, nor by might, but by the Spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6). May God help me to see Him working and not myself.
A Holy Appointment with a Train called Grace and Mercy
Do you have a needy people in your spiritual community? One who you dread receiving a phone call from, because you know an inconvenient request will be made by them? Yesterday night, I was presented with an opportunity to serve a elderly believer at church. It would take several hours of my time, so that the person may serve and show love to their own family living a distance away.
I admit I do not have a servant heart. I do WHAT I want to do, not what others may need. I honestly was real annoyed, but as the night winded down, I reluctantly began to give in to the request and made a decision to give the elderly person a call to let them know I was willing to honor their request.
God taught me something huge. When I called this morning, the person said that the favor wasn't needed anymore and that they had to get off the phone, because they were watching a sermon on TV about 'grace and mercy'. Those words 'grace and mercy' echoed in my ears, then into my mind, and then into my heart. It felt like an oncoming train just hit me even though I had seen it coming miles away. To add salt to my wounds the elderly person had a gift for me when I reached church that morning! OUCH!
God taught me something about my attitude and motivations. As I wrote in my last blog, as a believer I am saved by grace through faith, that I may not boast but live a life of humility knowing how awesome it is to be saved and how blessed it is that God served me first before I even had existence on this earth. But not just that, my own life has been changed by Jesus such that it should be identified not just as being saved, but identified also with good works.
I thank God for His mercy to help me see my sin of hypocrisy, my sin of disloyalty, and my sin of pride. May God through His Holy Spirit help me to live not as I want, but as He wants, motivated by His 'grace and mercy'.
I admit I do not have a servant heart. I do WHAT I want to do, not what others may need. I honestly was real annoyed, but as the night winded down, I reluctantly began to give in to the request and made a decision to give the elderly person a call to let them know I was willing to honor their request.
God taught me something huge. When I called this morning, the person said that the favor wasn't needed anymore and that they had to get off the phone, because they were watching a sermon on TV about 'grace and mercy'. Those words 'grace and mercy' echoed in my ears, then into my mind, and then into my heart. It felt like an oncoming train just hit me even though I had seen it coming miles away. To add salt to my wounds the elderly person had a gift for me when I reached church that morning! OUCH!
God taught me something about my attitude and motivations. As I wrote in my last blog, as a believer I am saved by grace through faith, that I may not boast but live a life of humility knowing how awesome it is to be saved and how blessed it is that God served me first before I even had existence on this earth. But not just that, my own life has been changed by Jesus such that it should be identified not just as being saved, but identified also with good works.
I thank God for His mercy to help me see my sin of hypocrisy, my sin of disloyalty, and my sin of pride. May God through His Holy Spirit help me to live not as I want, but as He wants, motivated by His 'grace and mercy'.
A Workmanship of God
Workmanship means to be a product of a workman's effort or endeavor. Tonight at church, we had a special praise night event, where the theme was serving. The worship time was great, and seeing the youth and the young adults working together to get this event going, was very encouraging. What also hit me was the message.
As part of the preaching speaker spoke quickly about Ephesians 2:8-10. These verses from Ephesians has been reoccurring verses for this year. And whenever I hear these verses, I experience both excitement and dread. Excitement because of the familiarity of the section of God's Word, but dread because I wonder what God's trying to tell me.
As I read it, it continues to remind me of God's grace in saving me, not through any of my own doing, but because He was pleased to save me. More than that, my salvation is not just personal experience, but God saved me because he has a plan for me. A plan that involves me doing good works. This is pretty cool. That means my good works aren't what I have to do to gain God's favor, but good works, based on the verses, in my life happens through Jesus Christ and what He has done. May I continue to witnssing all satisfying, all empowering, all merciful, all graceful events that testifies to God's plan to save me and save the whole world...
As part of the preaching speaker spoke quickly about Ephesians 2:8-10. These verses from Ephesians has been reoccurring verses for this year. And whenever I hear these verses, I experience both excitement and dread. Excitement because of the familiarity of the section of God's Word, but dread because I wonder what God's trying to tell me.
As I read it, it continues to remind me of God's grace in saving me, not through any of my own doing, but because He was pleased to save me. More than that, my salvation is not just personal experience, but God saved me because he has a plan for me. A plan that involves me doing good works. This is pretty cool. That means my good works aren't what I have to do to gain God's favor, but good works, based on the verses, in my life happens through Jesus Christ and what He has done. May I continue to witnssing all satisfying, all empowering, all merciful, all graceful events that testifies to God's plan to save me and save the whole world...
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Old and The New
As the church debates and argues over traditional and contemporary, old ways and new ways, the same old and the changes needed, preparing for tonight's Bible study, I read and contemplated Hebrews 8:1-13. The words today really opened my eyes and heart to blessings I never noticed before. From Hebrews 7:26-28 in my reading today, the writer seems to make a very subtle, but important transition. From describing Jesus as a High Priest and expounding on how Jesus is different from the High Priest defined in the Levitical Law, notice in Heb. 8:1, the author declares that as believers Jesus is OUR High Priest, when he explains, 'the point... we have such a high priest'.
What does this imply? What do we get out of Jesus being OUR High Priest? As a believer by faith Jesus brings us into the New Covenant which contains better promises as Hebrews 8:6 declares. Promises talked about from Jeremiah 31:31-34. What does it promise?
1. In Hebrews 6:10, God will, instead of giving us the law on stone tablets, change our minds and hearts that we may be able to live accordingly to his law, not by our own effort, but by God giving us new life.
2. In Hebrews 6:10, God will, instead of us relating to Him through rituals and actions, restore true fellowship with him; true relationship
3. In Hebrews 6:11, God will, instead of limiting His presence to a select few, instead of seperating Himself with His people through a curtain and temple areas and rooms, will make himself known to all, not just the priest, but also shepherd too. His kingdom will be established and no will be ignorant of who is God.
4. In Hebrews 6:12, God will, instead of judging us on by horrid sin, will forgive and forget what we have done wrong. We will receive grace, receive undeserved favor from God.
Awesome what the New Covenant promises us. So am I saying that the Old is bad? Unimportant? Irrelevant? Am I saying that the new is better? Cooler? More Important? 'No, I am not'. Whether it be old or new, Traditional or Contemporary, Habit or Change, if these things are not rooted and empowered by Christ. Then it is all vanity and sin. I thank God that He offers all we need; the shed blood of a perfect and eternal sacrifice that blesses me beyond all blessing.
What does this imply? What do we get out of Jesus being OUR High Priest? As a believer by faith Jesus brings us into the New Covenant which contains better promises as Hebrews 8:6 declares. Promises talked about from Jeremiah 31:31-34. What does it promise?
1. In Hebrews 6:10, God will, instead of giving us the law on stone tablets, change our minds and hearts that we may be able to live accordingly to his law, not by our own effort, but by God giving us new life.
2. In Hebrews 6:10, God will, instead of us relating to Him through rituals and actions, restore true fellowship with him; true relationship
3. In Hebrews 6:11, God will, instead of limiting His presence to a select few, instead of seperating Himself with His people through a curtain and temple areas and rooms, will make himself known to all, not just the priest, but also shepherd too. His kingdom will be established and no will be ignorant of who is God.
4. In Hebrews 6:12, God will, instead of judging us on by horrid sin, will forgive and forget what we have done wrong. We will receive grace, receive undeserved favor from God.
Awesome what the New Covenant promises us. So am I saying that the Old is bad? Unimportant? Irrelevant? Am I saying that the new is better? Cooler? More Important? 'No, I am not'. Whether it be old or new, Traditional or Contemporary, Habit or Change, if these things are not rooted and empowered by Christ. Then it is all vanity and sin. I thank God that He offers all we need; the shed blood of a perfect and eternal sacrifice that blesses me beyond all blessing.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Destroying Power of Good News
Closing up the second of six gatherings, teaching about the ministry of counseling, our professor, Freddy Baez, read Hebrews 12:1-2. This evening he spoke about fear. One of the points he made that struck me was that the sinful secret in my life are secret because of shame. Shame is the fuel and energy of secret sin. Shame tears you and I apart from the freedom and power of God because it chooses to cling, grasp, infest, and ultimately wants to destroy the spiritual life of God's children. Shame tells us not to do as the scripture tells us, which is to confess our sins before God and brothers, but produces a fear that motivates us to hide our sins. Shame paralyzes us and leaves us helplessly alone with our sin.
In the Hebrews 12:1-2, I am encouraged by the words 'looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame'. The verses are telling us that Jesus, the supplier and the completer of our faith, suffered through the anguish of the cross. But notice 'endured the cross' is further described and related to the fact that Jesus also suffered through the shame of the cross. Perhaps another way of saying it is Jesus knew and experienced the shame of the cross, but rejected the effects of shame of the cross. How did Christ rationalize or even fathom doing such a thing? As I understand it, Jesus suffered the cross and the shame for JOY. Jesus knew something way bigger and more important than death and shame.
So as I sit here blogging and pondering my awesome Lord, I understand a bit more about the Cross. I see how God has made a way for me to escape the trap of sin and shame. I see that with joy Jesus by the Cross came to destroy sin, destroy shame, destroy fear, and destroy death, came to destroy all the strongholds and fruit of sin and Satan and the flesh. This is very good news!
In the Hebrews 12:1-2, I am encouraged by the words 'looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame'. The verses are telling us that Jesus, the supplier and the completer of our faith, suffered through the anguish of the cross. But notice 'endured the cross' is further described and related to the fact that Jesus also suffered through the shame of the cross. Perhaps another way of saying it is Jesus knew and experienced the shame of the cross, but rejected the effects of shame of the cross. How did Christ rationalize or even fathom doing such a thing? As I understand it, Jesus suffered the cross and the shame for JOY. Jesus knew something way bigger and more important than death and shame.
So as I sit here blogging and pondering my awesome Lord, I understand a bit more about the Cross. I see how God has made a way for me to escape the trap of sin and shame. I see that with joy Jesus by the Cross came to destroy sin, destroy shame, destroy fear, and destroy death, came to destroy all the strongholds and fruit of sin and Satan and the flesh. This is very good news!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
There's Something Living in There
My wife's is in her 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Today was a special day. I felt our baby moving in her womb for the first time! Feeling this very subtle, almost rhythmic movement felt weird, awesome, crazy, and scary all together in one. A very stupid thought, but there is something living in there!!!! WOWZERS!
Recently, our Men's Group started reading the Gospels. Thinking about our baby, I just realized how incredible it was that God began His journey on Earth in the womb of a woman. That Mary and Joseph may have also experienced the excitement of their miraculous son moving for the first time. I wonder if Mary and Joseph fully understood the Angel's message, Elizabeth's prophetic worship, or the gathering of shepherds and wise men at the birth of the Christ. Having a baby from a virgin mother should have been incredible enough!
Indeed, I am humbled. My God loved the world so much to step down from His glory, majesty, and power to come into the world by starting life in a human being's womb for 9 months.
May God grant our baby good health and grant our baby Christ-like parents to lead and shepherd his/her life to know Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection.
Recently, our Men's Group started reading the Gospels. Thinking about our baby, I just realized how incredible it was that God began His journey on Earth in the womb of a woman. That Mary and Joseph may have also experienced the excitement of their miraculous son moving for the first time. I wonder if Mary and Joseph fully understood the Angel's message, Elizabeth's prophetic worship, or the gathering of shepherds and wise men at the birth of the Christ. Having a baby from a virgin mother should have been incredible enough!
Indeed, I am humbled. My God loved the world so much to step down from His glory, majesty, and power to come into the world by starting life in a human being's womb for 9 months.
May God grant our baby good health and grant our baby Christ-like parents to lead and shepherd his/her life to know Jesus Christ and his life, death, and resurrection.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Dwell Conference New York Audio
The audio from the Dwell Conference NY are up at the Act 29 Network website. I was listening to the Eric Mason talk tonight. He said something challenging about incarnational ministry. He basically said, and I am paraphrasing, for true incarnational ministry to be done at church, the members must be serving out of time spent with, having fellowship with Jesus. If not, the church will only be incarnating humans not Jesus. Because, through Jesus the Father is revealed and we receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Its such a basic truth that I keep on overlooking. I get caught up with the manner of doing, that I forget to evaluate the motivation and the meaning of doing something, which honestly is a fruit of self reliance rather than of Christ reliance.
I am reminded of Matthew 11:27-30. May I continually come to Jesus to take on His yoke to learn from Him, and in result come to know the Father.
I am reminded of Matthew 11:27-30. May I continually come to Jesus to take on His yoke to learn from Him, and in result come to know the Father.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Tomrrow's Struggle
After having such a great weekend, I know that going back to work tomorrow will be dreadful. But should it be? Every new day is a gift of God. Everyday is a day that God has planned out for me in eternity.
Lord, please take my bitter and ungrateful heart away. Help me to be of great faith knowing that you have blessed tomorrow for me through the shed blood of Jesus. Help me not to be discouraged. Help me to love You and others. Help me to serve at the workplace you have provided. Help me to be a witness to You through my words, actions, and thoughts. Please help me to get a full and satisfying rest. Help me Lord for you know my heart and the evil within. Help me to wake up tomorrow and know that you are nearby.
Lord, please take my bitter and ungrateful heart away. Help me to be of great faith knowing that you have blessed tomorrow for me through the shed blood of Jesus. Help me not to be discouraged. Help me to love You and others. Help me to serve at the workplace you have provided. Help me to be a witness to You through my words, actions, and thoughts. Please help me to get a full and satisfying rest. Help me Lord for you know my heart and the evil within. Help me to wake up tomorrow and know that you are nearby.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Satisfying Sunday
My Sunday was a good one. I met up some brothers in our 'Growth Group', where we're reading Humility by Mahaney together. We somehow began to talk about justification and sanctification. It was a good time wrestling with these truths. Its unbelievable sometimes to think by God's grace I've been placed in Christ and his righteousness. While at the same time, the Holy Spirit is also conforming us to Christ.
The sermon was titled 'Replacing Anxiety', preached out of Matthew 6:24-34. My pastor was trying to drive home the fact that God desires at this very moment for us to, by faith, lay our stresses, worries, and cares at His feet. It was very encouraging. And even more I kept on seeing how awesome and loving the Father is to give His Son to defeat the world and defeat how it attacks His people.
Lunch was Thai food with my wife at a nearby Thai placed called Chao Thai. We had roast pork over rice, spicy papaya salad, and spicy bean thread salad.
Then came choir practice, where we practiced the 'Lord is in his Holy Temple', 'Lift High the Cross', and 'A Mighty Fortress if our God'. It was good fun practicing and praising God with brothers and sisters.
My wife and I then went food shopping, came home, and had dinner. And here I am now blogging. Thank God for making this day a day filled with activities, but also filled with constant peace and satisfaction that comes only from Him.
The sermon was titled 'Replacing Anxiety', preached out of Matthew 6:24-34. My pastor was trying to drive home the fact that God desires at this very moment for us to, by faith, lay our stresses, worries, and cares at His feet. It was very encouraging. And even more I kept on seeing how awesome and loving the Father is to give His Son to defeat the world and defeat how it attacks His people.
Lunch was Thai food with my wife at a nearby Thai placed called Chao Thai. We had roast pork over rice, spicy papaya salad, and spicy bean thread salad.
Then came choir practice, where we practiced the 'Lord is in his Holy Temple', 'Lift High the Cross', and 'A Mighty Fortress if our God'. It was good fun practicing and praising God with brothers and sisters.
My wife and I then went food shopping, came home, and had dinner. And here I am now blogging. Thank God for making this day a day filled with activities, but also filled with constant peace and satisfaction that comes only from Him.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
All by Himself
Have you ever felt alone? How does that feel? I have felt a myriad of things. Sometimes it can be very lonely, other times very profitable, other times nerve wracking, and other times pathetic. Honestly, being by myself for the most part seems a bit improper. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy being by myself sometimes, but being around others just seem more enjoyable and sometimes even more natural than being alone.
I bring this up, because I have begun reading A.W. Pink's The Attributes of God. The first chapter is titled 'The Solitariness of God'. Pink tries to direct the reader to the fact that God is on a totally different level than us. That he has always been alone and everlasting in who he is. Without us he still exists and without us he can still be satisfied. That's our God. Many times I hear about God as a relational and loving God. This is true, but that many times we forgot that he is GOD, who is most holy, most just, most forgiving, and even most joyful. We are not necessary to God. This is quite humbling I must say.
To love someone and then know that that person doesn't need us in anyway, can be very depressing. But that's telling only one part of the story I think. Yes, the Lord doesn't need me, but He finds pleasure in me, because He created me out of that solitariness. If this wasn't all true, my God would be based on my sinful self, and then there's no way God could be truly perfect.
Lord, no human can truly understand you, nor explain you, nor know you. But you Lord in your mercy and grace desire to let yourself be known to your children. For the knowledge of the glory of God is seen the face of Jesus Christ.
I bring this up, because I have begun reading A.W. Pink's The Attributes of God. The first chapter is titled 'The Solitariness of God'. Pink tries to direct the reader to the fact that God is on a totally different level than us. That he has always been alone and everlasting in who he is. Without us he still exists and without us he can still be satisfied. That's our God. Many times I hear about God as a relational and loving God. This is true, but that many times we forgot that he is GOD, who is most holy, most just, most forgiving, and even most joyful. We are not necessary to God. This is quite humbling I must say.
To love someone and then know that that person doesn't need us in anyway, can be very depressing. But that's telling only one part of the story I think. Yes, the Lord doesn't need me, but He finds pleasure in me, because He created me out of that solitariness. If this wasn't all true, my God would be based on my sinful self, and then there's no way God could be truly perfect.
Lord, no human can truly understand you, nor explain you, nor know you. But you Lord in your mercy and grace desire to let yourself be known to your children. For the knowledge of the glory of God is seen the face of Jesus Christ.
A Better Hope
I read today's entry from Of First Importance, quoting from John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 3.3.2 . As I see it, Calvin realized something very subtle, but very critical. For me to take repentance seriously, I must truly believe that I belong to God, meaning I have a true relationship with him as father and child, master and servant, husband and wife, shepherd and sheep, tree and its branches. That's something to really think about. Many times, I live out my life repenting of my sin in order to belong to God.
In bible study we read through Hebrews 7. The verses that hit home were verses 18-19. I have a better hope now that brings me near to God. This hope is Jesus Christ, who not only brings me near, but brings me into a relationship that makes me belong to God.
Its kind of crazy, God wants me to be his, not because I have it all right, but because he truly does love me. But at that same time, that love ought not leave me the same, but should change me. I have nothing to give, while God gave His Son as a huge testimony of His love for me. Very cool! How can I stay afar? Lord, help me run to you without tire!
In bible study we read through Hebrews 7. The verses that hit home were verses 18-19. I have a better hope now that brings me near to God. This hope is Jesus Christ, who not only brings me near, but brings me into a relationship that makes me belong to God.
Its kind of crazy, God wants me to be his, not because I have it all right, but because he truly does love me. But at that same time, that love ought not leave me the same, but should change me. I have nothing to give, while God gave His Son as a huge testimony of His love for me. Very cool! How can I stay afar? Lord, help me run to you without tire!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I am Sick in the Head
I think I've come down with something. My head and body ache, especially my head. I was about to cancel from going to a Counseling Class I was registered to attend. But even though I felt like crap, my wife and I went. It was a very encouraging hour and a half. The class is taught by Freddy Baez, a professor at Alliance Theological Seminary, a Professional Therapist, and a preacher. Though I went sick, I still came home sick, but with a very encouraging word of God from Hebrews 13:20-21. This word help see how serving is a result of being saved by Jesus Christ. And that God is working in us to change us and equip us to serve him according to His will.
Lord help me continually come to the Great Shepherd who gracious leads me and helps me to serve you rightly.
Lord help me continually come to the Great Shepherd who gracious leads me and helps me to serve you rightly.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sporadic Thoughts from Alpha to Omega
This evening at prayer meeting, my pastor reminded the gathering about a certain theme in the Gospel of Matthew. When we start in chapter 1 verse 23, it says that Jesus will be called 'Immanuel - God with us' and in perfect closing in chapter 28 verse 20, Jesus tells His disciples that He will be with them forever.
Today, I also read John 5, where in verse 46, Jesus says to the people in Jerusalem, 'For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.' So the Torah, the first 5 books of the Old Testament, written by Moses, points us to Jesus.
Also in my Men's Group, a brother mentioned Isaiah chapter 6, where the prophet sees the Lord in the temple. This section of scripture is awesome, but what made this even more awesome to me is John chapter 12 verses 36-41. Focusing on verse 41, notice Isaiah is witness to who's glory? ---Jesus' Glory! Whoa! Isaiah in the temple saw Jesus! Even more John 1:1-3, proclaims that Jesus, the Word, was the source of all creation tying itself to the creation passage of Genesis 1! And even more, when at the end of the whole Bible, Jesus in chapter 22:13, proclaims himself to be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I don't know why, but I find this all so amazing and exciting. From the beginning to the end, its is all about Jesus! But for what purpose? For me, I believe God really wants us to know Him through one channel Jesus. Everything else is just reflections, shadows. and incomplete views of God. May God the Father allow me to read my bible and seek for Jesus and find Him and Him alone through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today, I also read John 5, where in verse 46, Jesus says to the people in Jerusalem, '
Also in my Men's Group, a brother mentioned Isaiah chapter 6, where the prophet sees the Lord in the temple. This section of scripture is awesome, but what made this even more awesome to me is John chapter 12 verses 36-41. Focusing on verse 41, notice Isaiah is witness to who's glory? ---Jesus' Glory! Whoa! Isaiah in the temple saw Jesus! Even more John 1:1-3, proclaims that Jesus, the Word, was the source of all creation tying itself to the creation passage of Genesis 1! And even more, when at the end of the whole Bible, Jesus in chapter 22:13, proclaims himself to be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
I don't know why, but I find this all so amazing and exciting. From the beginning to the end, its is all about Jesus! But for what purpose? For me, I believe God really wants us to know Him through one channel Jesus. Everything else is just reflections, shadows. and incomplete views of God. May God the Father allow me to read my bible and seek for Jesus and find Him and Him alone through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Are You a Leader?
Continuing on the idea of leadership, a brother in Christ sent me a link from Desiring God. John Piper writes about Marks of a Spiritual Leader. Its a good reading that helps me both evaluate my inner and outer health, while also helping me focus my prayers to allow the Holy Spirit to change, modify, and/or adjust my life accordingly. Reading this also helps me understand more that character and practice are priority before any ministry or service can truly be successful.
I have tendencies to be more pragmatic than theological. Always want to be doing, which sometimes bars me from actually thinking through issues scripturally. Hopefully, through spending time with the Lord and the scripture, with my core group of brothers, while 'doing', and even while blogging, God will bring that balance to me.
I have tendencies to be more pragmatic than theological. Always want to be doing, which sometimes bars me from actually thinking through issues scripturally. Hopefully, through spending time with the Lord and the scripture, with my core group of brothers, while 'doing', and even while blogging, God will bring that balance to me.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
What Type of Leader are You?
A notion that was briefly touched upon at the NYC Dwell Conference was the idea of King, Priest, and Prophet. Mark Driscoll very briefly brought this up in the church planting context. The idea was to help a planter understand his own motivations/strengths better. Here is a broadcast from another conference where Pastor Mark describes these three critical roles in a church and its significance in a multi-site church. (BTW, towards the end he communicates his definition for church, which I must say is extremely thorough while very understandable).
This has really helped me understand more the conflicts I have experienced just being around some close brothers in Christ. Its help me understand that each one of us have certain tendencies when introduced to different situations and has allowed me to encourage and also accept my brothers for being who God made them to be.
Another interesting read is The Triple Cure: Jesus Christ - Our Prophet, Priest and King by Kim Riddlebarger, who briefly runs through Calvin's notion of Jesus fulfilling these 3 offices and the effect it has on us.
So what am I? I love thinking and trying to build structures and work flows that would help the church do the Great Commission. I highly value evangelism and discipleship, which I feel are two sides of the same coin where the coin as a whole is the Gospel. However, I am still trying to figure out how to do it. Anybody doing it? Please comment and post any resources and suggestions.
This has really helped me understand more the conflicts I have experienced just being around some close brothers in Christ. Its help me understand that each one of us have certain tendencies when introduced to different situations and has allowed me to encourage and also accept my brothers for being who God made them to be.
Another interesting read is The Triple Cure: Jesus Christ - Our Prophet, Priest and King by Kim Riddlebarger, who briefly runs through Calvin's notion of Jesus fulfilling these 3 offices and the effect it has on us.
So what am I? I love thinking and trying to build structures and work flows that would help the church do the Great Commission. I highly value evangelism and discipleship, which I feel are two sides of the same coin where the coin as a whole is the Gospel. However, I am still trying to figure out how to do it. Anybody doing it? Please comment and post any resources and suggestions.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Cool Blog - Of First Importance
I stumbled upon a neat blog called 'Of First Importance'. Its premise is to provide a daily shot of Gospel Centered excerpts/quotes . One of the recent posting was an excerpt called 'More Than We Ever Dared Hope' from Tim Keller's Paul's Letter to the Galatians: Living in Line with the Truth of the Gospel. I received this bible study a long time ago, but I never got around to it. I guess it might be time to pick it up.
Regardless, as I was reading this entry, I couldn't help but think how radical and counter intuitive the Gospel can be. Many times I get caught up in what feels good to me not realizing the Gospel's work in my life is suppose to renew me and help me not see myself first, but God first. After I see God, I see myself in my true form, in my very needy form. However, this new vision cost a huge price.
The Cross allows me now to see myself as I should see, but I think I have trouble at times accepting how hopeless I am. But that's not all. The Cross shows me a hope that doesn't focus on me or my improvement, but on Jesus and how he has perfectly done it all.
Early on, when I first believed, this was a big problem I experienced. With every failure, I exerted effort to improve my situation, which ended in another failure, not realizing that the failures ought to have signified to me an ever increasing need for God, not an ever increasing need to find the solution in myself.
I guess we all have to go through something like this, in my case rapidly, until I understood God's grace. But still I need more. Whether its my character, deeds, words, or thoughts, may I not try to 'defend' myself, but accept my sin and come to the Cross and God's grace and believe in what is of first importance.
Regardless, as I was reading this entry, I couldn't help but think how radical and counter intuitive the Gospel can be. Many times I get caught up in what feels good to me not realizing the Gospel's work in my life is suppose to renew me and help me not see myself first, but God first. After I see God, I see myself in my true form, in my very needy form. However, this new vision cost a huge price.
The Cross allows me now to see myself as I should see, but I think I have trouble at times accepting how hopeless I am. But that's not all. The Cross shows me a hope that doesn't focus on me or my improvement, but on Jesus and how he has perfectly done it all.
Early on, when I first believed, this was a big problem I experienced. With every failure, I exerted effort to improve my situation, which ended in another failure, not realizing that the failures ought to have signified to me an ever increasing need for God, not an ever increasing need to find the solution in myself.
I guess we all have to go through something like this, in my case rapidly, until I understood God's grace. But still I need more. Whether its my character, deeds, words, or thoughts, may I not try to 'defend' myself, but accept my sin and come to the Cross and God's grace and believe in what is of first importance.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sunday Thoughts - 'HEY LOOK!'
Sunday Worship preached from Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus' Great Commission to all His disciples then and now. I think about how I would be, standing there with the risen Jesus, and He tells me, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
The verses are a double edged sword to me, it comforts me and it fears me. Jesus tells me something direct, not as some parable, but as a command. Its commanding me to go to all peoples proclaiming the gospel, so that they may be followers of Jesus Christ through baptism and through the learning, understanding, and application of what Jesus has already commanded.
Wondering about what Jesus has commanded, these words come to mind, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matthew 5:17) and "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40).
Honestly, this is where fear creeps in, "How can I even think about making 'disciples' when I can't even live out what Jesus has commanded me? Doesn't Jesus know I can't live them out? Doesn't he know that I am inadequate at best? This is just way too much responsibility!"
So that was the struggle I was going through, pondering these verses this morning. And as I was beginning to feel a bit hopeless, feeling like a 'bad Christian', a failure, I kept on reading. Jesus words, 'And behold', lit up like a spotlight into my soul. Some other words for 'behold' are: gaze, perceive, see, give attention to. In Old English it would mean 'to keep'. In the Greek text, it would mean something like 'HEY LOOK!'
So, 'HEY LOOK!', Jesus will be with me FOREVER. Why is this the very last part of the Great Commission? For me, its really important. Being a Christian is pretty hard, living out the expectations of the Great Commissions can be even harder. But this is my only comfort and I believe the most important part of a Christian's life; 'BEHOLD JESUS!' Look at Jesus. Gaze at Jesus. For what? Because in Him, it is fulfilled. In Him, there is no fear. In Him, I am not my own, and so much more.
I can't help, but feel that my inadequacies in my life are caused simply by the fact that I am not looking at Jesus, at what He has done, at what He is doing, and what he will do. May God give me the spiritual and physical eyes to see Him. When I am doing that correctly, perhaps the Great Commission will not be another command to write onto my legalistic tendencies, but as I look at Jesus, behold Jesus, my life will be changed and I will be more and more a part of Jesus' Great Commission.
(Click on Gaze to read a great chapter in Tozer's Pursuit of God)
The verses are a double edged sword to me, it comforts me and it fears me. Jesus tells me something direct, not as some parable, but as a command. Its commanding me to go to all peoples proclaiming the gospel, so that they may be followers of Jesus Christ through baptism and through the learning, understanding, and application of what Jesus has already commanded.
Wondering about what Jesus has commanded, these words come to mind,
Honestly, this is where fear creeps in, "How can I even think about making 'disciples' when I can't even live out what Jesus has commanded me? Doesn't Jesus know I can't live them out? Doesn't he know that I am inadequate at best? This is just way too much responsibility!"
So that was the struggle I was going through, pondering these verses this morning. And as I was beginning to feel a bit hopeless, feeling like a 'bad Christian', a failure, I kept on reading. Jesus words, 'And behold', lit up like a spotlight into my soul. Some other words for 'behold' are: gaze, perceive, see, give attention to. In Old English it would mean 'to keep'. In the Greek text, it would mean something like 'HEY LOOK!'
So,
I can't help, but feel that my inadequacies in my life are caused simply by the fact that I am not looking at Jesus, at what He has done, at what He is doing, and what he will do. May God give me the spiritual and physical eyes to see Him. When I am doing that correctly, perhaps the Great Commission will not be another command to write onto my legalistic tendencies, but as I look at Jesus, behold Jesus, my life will be changed and I will be more and more a part of Jesus' Great Commission.
(Click on Gaze to read a great chapter in Tozer's Pursuit of God)
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Home Sweet Home
This past week I was in Atlanta, GA for some work training and last night I finally returned home to my beautiful pregnant wife. I had been delayed 2 hours because of rainy weather in New York City, so it made my desire to get home so much more urgent. I reached my apartment door at 1:00 am and to my pleasant surprise, as I was pulling my keys out, I hear the door being unlocked. Even though I had told her to go to sleep first, my lovely wife was waiting for me all that time. Better than that, the smile on her face was priceless and I could see the comfort, relief, and happiness she was experiencing. She's a a tough little lady and to see her like this made me know how much she loves me and missed me this past week.
I wonder how I will be when our King finally returns and brings us home?
I wonder how I will be when our King finally returns and brings us home?
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Confessing My Sin
Have you ever gotten on your face down on the floor to confess your sins before God? I can't help but read Psalm 51, and see King David, after grievously sinning, prostrated, crying, and begging for forgiveness and restoration.
As I continue to return over and over again to this psalm to confess my own grievous sins before God, I always notice something new, whether it be a truer conviction, an encouragement, a truth unnoticed, or a corrected faith. I love coming to Psalm 51, not because I become a better person reading it, but that through the Holy Spirit, I come know God more in His might, mercy, and holiness.
Allow me to share how God revealed Psalm 51 to me the other morning.
Verse 1-5: I come to God knowing that my God is a God of mercy and love, and He alone is capable of cleansing my sin which has contaminated me, which no astringent or soap can suffice. If I haven't recognized it, I recognize it now in God's presence how sinful I am. I have chosen to do, say, and or think those things which express hatred towards God, and by nature I am a hater of God.
Verse 6-10: But a beam of hope shines in. God tells me he looks at my heart and there is where he will change me. Lord have mercy on me for my heart is 'deceitful above all things, and desperately sick'. Only you can cleanse me. Only you can give me comfort and joy from what I have caused myself. May your mercy and love come before your justice. Lord I beg you, please do not just cleanse me but create in me a heart that knows no sin.
Verse 11-13: Please do not leave me. Your presence is my only desire. Let your Holy Spirit continue to teach me who I am and who You are; continue to open my eyes to Your Cross and Your Salvation, giving me hope and joy, showing me how I, a sinner, have need of you. Continue you to show me how good your Gospel is and I will share this Gospel to others, so they may experience your holiness and mercy.
Verse 14-15: I praise you my Lord for you have shed your blood for the blood I have shed. you have done what I do not deserve. Your grace has changed me. It has shown me how incredible your love is for me and I will praise you over and over again!
Verse 16-19: Lord, let me not forget that it is you who saves me. For whatever actions I perform before men and before you, can not satisfy the guilt of my sin. You do not accept mere actions, but you look into my heart and desire humbleness, knowing how messed up I am with no other hope but You and what you have done at that Cross. Then and only then, by the Cross, when you are my only hope and joy, my only peace and portion, my only goal and delight will my actions be pleasing to you.
My heart aches, knowing how awesome God is and knowing what he requires. He simply wants us to need Him. He has provided the Cross as the way for our sins to be forgiven. No actions to prove anything, just run to him and allow his grace to reach the most inner parts and be SAVED! May I preach this to myself everyday.
As I continue to return over and over again to this psalm to confess my own grievous sins before God, I always notice something new, whether it be a truer conviction, an encouragement, a truth unnoticed, or a corrected faith. I love coming to Psalm 51, not because I become a better person reading it, but that through the Holy Spirit, I come know God more in His might, mercy, and holiness.
Allow me to share how God revealed Psalm 51 to me the other morning.
Verse 1-5: I come to God knowing that my God is a God of mercy and love, and He alone is capable of cleansing my sin which has contaminated me, which no astringent or soap can suffice. If I haven't recognized it, I recognize it now in God's presence how sinful I am. I have chosen to do, say, and or think those things which express hatred towards God, and by nature I am a hater of God.
Verse 6-10: But a beam of hope shines in. God tells me he looks at my heart and there is where he will change me. Lord have mercy on me for my heart is 'deceitful above all things, and desperately sick'. Only you can cleanse me. Only you can give me comfort and joy from what I have caused myself. May your mercy and love come before your justice. Lord I beg you, please do not just cleanse me but create in me a heart that knows no sin.
Verse 11-13: Please do not leave me. Your presence is my only desire. Let your Holy Spirit continue to teach me who I am and who You are; continue to open my eyes to Your Cross and Your Salvation, giving me hope and joy, showing me how I, a sinner, have need of you. Continue you to show me how good your Gospel is and I will share this Gospel to others, so they may experience your holiness and mercy.
Verse 14-15: I praise you my Lord for you have shed your blood for the blood I have shed. you have done what I do not deserve. Your grace has changed me. It has shown me how incredible your love is for me and I will praise you over and over again!
Verse 16-19: Lord, let me not forget that it is you who saves me. For whatever actions I perform before men and before you, can not satisfy the guilt of my sin. You do not accept mere actions, but you look into my heart and desire humbleness, knowing how messed up I am with no other hope but You and what you have done at that Cross. Then and only then, by the Cross, when you are my only hope and joy, my only peace and portion, my only goal and delight will my actions be pleasing to you.
My heart aches, knowing how awesome God is and knowing what he requires. He simply wants us to need Him. He has provided the Cross as the way for our sins to be forgiven. No actions to prove anything, just run to him and allow his grace to reach the most inner parts and be SAVED! May I preach this to myself everyday.
An Old Best Friend I Despise.
A preacher once said that my old best friend will take me farther than I'll want to go, leave me longer than I'll want to stay, and will cost me far more than I'll want to pay. You have an old friend like this? I sure you do. This old friend of mine is 'Sin'. You have a old friend named 'Sin'?
Don't you hate sin? When I first became a believer, one unexpected thing I experienced was that the struggle and fight against sin would intensify. You notice that? Before, I didn't know right from wrong. I led my life in ignorance doing everything to make MYSELF happy. Even when my conscious told me that I was doing something immoral, I'd easily brush it aside by trying to do a good 'moral' thing to balance it out. And to be honest, I still find myself rationalizing my sinfulness that way, thinking that doing good would make me right.
But Christ is proclaiming to you and me something different. His blood is our testimony that we can not do anything to make things right. Only Christ can do it, because 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, 'For our sake he(the Father) made him(the Son) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' So God took the penalty of sin which we all deserved and let Christ face the penalty, so that you and I would not have to bear that penalty. What an exchange?!?!
But why do I still sin, if the above is true? Obviously, we all aren't perfect and holy. but something extremely radical has occurred when all our faith is in Christ. 1 John 1:8-10 tells us, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.' God's Word testifies that he knows us and our sin. And right now even if you don't feel like it. Christ is telling us to come to him, confessing and knowing God has come as a perfect man to die and save us from what we deserve, so we can experience a relationship with God as 1 John 1:3 says, '...indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our/your joy may be complete.' What grace is this?
If you struggle with sin of any kind, check out these series sermons from John Piper titled, 'How to Kill Sin'. Message One, Two, Three. These messages have provided me with hope and strength to fight sin through God's ways and not my own.
Don't you hate sin? When I first became a believer, one unexpected thing I experienced was that the struggle and fight against sin would intensify. You notice that? Before, I didn't know right from wrong. I led my life in ignorance doing everything to make MYSELF happy. Even when my conscious told me that I was doing something immoral, I'd easily brush it aside by trying to do a good 'moral' thing to balance it out. And to be honest, I still find myself rationalizing my sinfulness that way, thinking that doing good would make me right.
But Christ is proclaiming to you and me something different. His blood is our testimony that we can not do anything to make things right. Only Christ can do it, because 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, 'For our sake he(the Father) made him(the Son) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.' So God took the penalty of sin which we all deserved and let Christ face the penalty, so that you and I would not have to bear that penalty. What an exchange?!?!
But why do I still sin, if the above is true? Obviously, we all aren't perfect and holy. but something extremely radical has occurred when all our faith is in Christ. 1 John 1:8-10 tells us, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.' God's Word testifies that he knows us and our sin. And right now even if you don't feel like it. Christ is telling us to come to him, confessing and knowing God has come as a perfect man to die and save us from what we deserve, so we can experience a relationship with God as 1 John 1:3 says, '...indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our/your joy may be complete.' What grace is this?
If you struggle with sin of any kind, check out these series sermons from John Piper titled, 'How to Kill Sin'. Message One, Two, Three. These messages have provided me with hope and strength to fight sin through God's ways and not my own.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Prayer is For Lazy People?
I read a quote by Hudson Taylor a couple days ago. He said, 'When we work, we work, but when we pray, God works.' I have been pondering the truth of this statement since. Is working wrong? Should I give up doing everything and just pray that God will do it for me? Does God desire for me to be lazy? But doesn't James 2:17 say, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead?" At the same time doesn't Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God. ...".
Do you experience the struggle to figure this out? My discipler/spiritual mentor once taught me that when I supposedly hear something 'Christian', never accept it until I have wrestled with it. Many times we will read one piece of scripture and find another that seems to contradict the first. My mentor exhorted me to live in the tension of the scripture, because that's where spiritual growth and understanding are acquired.
So I have been pondering Taylor's quote and wrestling with whether prayer replaces work. So far, what I have begun to understand is that it is a matter of trust in either self or God. I read 2 Chronicles Chapter 20 this week . Here, the kingdom of Judah discovers the pending attack it will face from 3 enemy kingdoms, described as 'a great multitude'.
Naturally, Jehoshaphat, Judah's king, is afraid, but what is odd to me is that the scriptures do not tell us that he prepared to evacuate the city, nor did he begin to ready his army, but he 'was afraid and set his face to seek help from the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.' Moreover, the King, before all the peoples, prays to the LORD acknowledging God's power and rule over the kingdom and gives an account of God's promise to His people. God replies through a prophet that He will be with them as they go out to battle, but they will not need to fight. The next morning they go with Jehoshaphat's exhortation to 'believe in the Lord your God'. He also sends them with people who will sing praise to God as they walk to battle. Please read the marvelous thing that occurs in verses 22-24.
Another verse that came to mind is from 1 Samuel 16:7 that God looks at our hearts, which contain what we trust, our joys, our fears, our worries, and our sin. So prayer is not an act by which I force God to do what I should be doing. Rather it is an act of faith, which ought to surrender to God myself, my strength, my wisdom, my intentions, my sin and declare God's Might, God's Authority, and God's Righteousness over whatever I need to do. And then, do it trusting that God is in control.
This sounds to good to be true. I don't fully trust this understanding. I don't have that much faith. I want it though. I want to fully trust that God is in control and I am not. Now, standing here trying to grasp it and live it, all I have is one thing. What's bringing me closer and closer to trusting God is what He did at the cross. My lack of faith comes from the fact that I don't deserve the privilege of prayer. But Jesus died at the cross to buy me that privilege. As the old hymn sings, 'Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.' What grace is this? I owe him my strength that He would give me His strength to live and serve and see His glory. What grace is this I find in my Lord Jesus? So, I will pray not to see my glory, but his glory.
Do you experience the struggle to figure this out? My discipler/spiritual mentor once taught me that when I supposedly hear something 'Christian', never accept it until I have wrestled with it. Many times we will read one piece of scripture and find another that seems to contradict the first. My mentor exhorted me to live in the tension of the scripture, because that's where spiritual growth and understanding are acquired.
So I have been pondering Taylor's quote and wrestling with whether prayer replaces work. So far, what I have begun to understand is that it is a matter of trust in either self or God. I read 2 Chronicles Chapter 20 this week . Here, the kingdom of Judah discovers the pending attack it will face from 3 enemy kingdoms, described as 'a great multitude'.
Naturally, Jehoshaphat, Judah's king, is afraid, but what is odd to me is that the scriptures do not tell us that he prepared to evacuate the city, nor did he begin to ready his army, but he 'was afraid and set his face to seek help from the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.' Moreover, the King, before all the peoples, prays to the LORD acknowledging God's power and rule over the kingdom and gives an account of God's promise to His people. God replies through a prophet that He will be with them as they go out to battle, but they will not need to fight. The next morning they go with Jehoshaphat's exhortation to 'believe in the Lord your God'. He also sends them with people who will sing praise to God as they walk to battle. Please read the marvelous thing that occurs in verses 22-24.
Another verse that came to mind is from 1 Samuel 16:7 that God looks at our hearts, which contain what we trust, our joys, our fears, our worries, and our sin. So prayer is not an act by which I force God to do what I should be doing. Rather it is an act of faith, which ought to surrender to God myself, my strength, my wisdom, my intentions, my sin and declare God's Might, God's Authority, and God's Righteousness over whatever I need to do. And then, do it trusting that God is in control.
This sounds to good to be true. I don't fully trust this understanding. I don't have that much faith. I want it though. I want to fully trust that God is in control and I am not. Now, standing here trying to grasp it and live it, all I have is one thing. What's bringing me closer and closer to trusting God is what He did at the cross. My lack of faith comes from the fact that I don't deserve the privilege of prayer. But Jesus died at the cross to buy me that privilege. As the old hymn sings, 'Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.' What grace is this? I owe him my strength that He would give me His strength to live and serve and see His glory. What grace is this I find in my Lord Jesus? So, I will pray not to see my glory, but his glory.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Have You Truly Embraced the Gospel?
While on the exercise bike this morning, I was reading chapter 2 of God is the Gospel by John Piper (click the link for online version at DesiringGod.org). And again, Piper did the usual thing to me when I read his books. I was thinking, "Man, I need to read this over again". The chapter titled "The Gospel - The Biblical Scope of its Meaning" went over the substance and the promises of the Gospel. Some of the section headings are:
-There is a Living God
-The Arrival of God's Imperial Authority
-Jesus: A Savior Who is Christ, The LORD
-Christ Died for Our Sins in Accordance with the Scriptures
-Jesus, Risen from the Dead...
-...The Promise of the Spirit
-The Promise of Salvation For All Who Believe
-What the Cross Purchased makes the Cross Good News
-The Good News of Peace with God and Each Other
-The Good News Promises Eternal Life
I hope you are getting the weightiness and value of this chapter. However, Piper makes something very clear that there is an awfully dangerous way of 'not knowing' the Gospel. He ends the chapter with this clarification:
"Now the point of this book must be pressed. The point is that the precious gospel events and gospel blessings that I have outlined in this chapter do not suffice to make the gospel good news. What makes the gospel finally and supremely good news has not yet been mentioned. ... But for the most part the good things mentioned in this chapter as essential parts of the gospel are not the final good of the gospel and would not prove to be good for us at all if the unmentioned supreme good were not seen and embraced. That good is God himself seen and savored in all his glory. Focusing on facets of a diamond without seeing the beauty of the whole is demeaning to the diamond. If the hearers of the gospel do not see the glory of Christ, the image of God, in all the events and gifts of the gospel, they do not see what finally makes the gospel good news. If you embrace everything that I have mentioned in this chapter about the facets of the gospel, but do it in a way that does not make the glory of God in Christ your supreme treasure, then you have not embraced the gospel."
Well that final statement is a very telling one. Is the Gospel serving my selfish intentions, or am I embracing God as the ultimate gift of the Gospel? I don't have an absolutely positive answer right now. Lord willing as I learn more and more to pick up my cross and follow Christ, the gospel will be as it should be in my life.
-There is a Living God
-The Arrival of God's Imperial Authority
-Jesus: A Savior Who is Christ, The LORD
-Christ Died for Our Sins in Accordance with the Scriptures
-Jesus, Risen from the Dead...
-...The Promise of the Spirit
-The Promise of Salvation For All Who Believe
-What the Cross Purchased makes the Cross Good News
-The Good News of Peace with God and Each Other
-The Good News Promises Eternal Life
I hope you are getting the weightiness and value of this chapter. However, Piper makes something very clear that there is an awfully dangerous way of 'not knowing' the Gospel. He ends the chapter with this clarification:
"Now the point of this book must be pressed. The point is that the precious gospel events and gospel blessings that I have outlined in this chapter do not suffice to make the gospel good news. What makes the gospel finally and supremely good news has not yet been mentioned. ... But for the most part the good things mentioned in this chapter as essential parts of the gospel are not the final good of the gospel and would not prove to be good for us at all if the unmentioned supreme good were not seen and embraced. That good is God himself seen and savored in all his glory. Focusing on facets of a diamond without seeing the beauty of the whole is demeaning to the diamond. If the hearers of the gospel do not see the glory of Christ, the image of God, in all the events and gifts of the gospel, they do not see what finally makes the gospel good news. If you embrace everything that I have mentioned in this chapter about the facets of the gospel, but do it in a way that does not make the glory of God in Christ your supreme treasure, then you have not embraced the gospel."
Well that final statement is a very telling one. Is the Gospel serving my selfish intentions, or am I embracing God as the ultimate gift of the Gospel? I don't have an absolutely positive answer right now. Lord willing as I learn more and more to pick up my cross and follow Christ, the gospel will be as it should be in my life.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Birth of this Blog
The other day I was pretty discouraged. Sharing this with a brother in Christ, we started trying to flesh out what was wrong with me.
A few weeks ago, I was at the Dwell Conference (www.dwellconference.com). While Mark Driscoll was exhorting and encouraging the audience about the centrality of the Christ, he said something like, "If you are not serving God out of love and passion for Christ, Jesus will oppose you!". I left the conference defenseless before God. This statement has haunted me since, because in all honesty, it forced me to really begin to evaluate my life and my motivations. And I realized that the ground I was standing on was not entirely reliant on a love and passion for Christ.
I guess my discouragement wasn't from knowing my sin or my present condition, but more about 'what do I do now?'. 'Yes! Throw myself at Christ', but what does that look like? And as I continued to chat with my spiritual brother, Revelation Chapter 7 came alive into my thoughts. And instantly, I felt like the Holy Spirit was showing me the goal, the whole purpose of it all. I will be in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ, in all His Glory, worshiping Him, with all those who have put their faith in Him. Him who was slain for our sins that we may be washed clean and white by His shed blood.
So, I am here writing hoping someone might read my entries, peer into my life as a believer in Christ and know that there is someone out there who struggles with his faith. But all this to know of God's grace towards a sinner, and that one day I and everyone who's following Jesus will be clothed in white robes, partying with the Lord.
A few weeks ago, I was at the Dwell Conference (www.dwellconference.com). While Mark Driscoll was exhorting and encouraging the audience about the centrality of the Christ, he said something like, "If you are not serving God out of love and passion for Christ, Jesus will oppose you!". I left the conference defenseless before God. This statement has haunted me since, because in all honesty, it forced me to really begin to evaluate my life and my motivations. And I realized that the ground I was standing on was not entirely reliant on a love and passion for Christ.
I guess my discouragement wasn't from knowing my sin or my present condition, but more about 'what do I do now?'. 'Yes! Throw myself at Christ', but what does that look like? And as I continued to chat with my spiritual brother, Revelation Chapter 7 came alive into my thoughts. And instantly, I felt like the Holy Spirit was showing me the goal, the whole purpose of it all. I will be in the presence of my Lord Jesus Christ, in all His Glory, worshiping Him, with all those who have put their faith in Him. Him who was slain for our sins that we may be washed clean and white by His shed blood.
So, I am here writing hoping someone might read my entries, peer into my life as a believer in Christ and know that there is someone out there who struggles with his faith. But all this to know of God's grace towards a sinner, and that one day I and everyone who's following Jesus will be clothed in white robes, partying with the Lord.
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