Why Do We Pray In Jesus' Name?

It certainly is not to dedicate our prayers to Jesus as the author of this article seems to believe.

In The Silence

Tired of telling you, you have me
When I know you really don't
Tired of telling you I'll follow
When I know I really won't
Cause I'd rather stand here speechless
With no great words to say
If my silence is more truthful
And my ears can hear how to walk in your way

In the silence
You are speaking
In the quiet I can feel the fire
And it's burning, burning deeply
Burning all that it is that you desire to be silent, in me

Oh Jesus can you hear me?
My soul is screaming out
And my broken will cries teach me
What your Kingdom's all about
Unite my heart to fear you,
To fear your holy name
And create a life of worship
In the spirit and truth of your loving ways
-Jason Upton

The law-preaching epidemic

“A sermon that mentions Jesus but still has you driving the verbs is still about you, not Jesus. The Gospel is all about what Jesus does for you. A sermon about what you do for Jesus isn’t the Gospel. For the Gospel to be preached, Jesus must be driving the verbs.”

-Todd Wilken

The indicative of scripture always drives the imperative of scripture. Doctrine drives application. Gospel drives obedience. We should hold truth about God before the people... not pull out life-application from scripture and feed it to the people. That becomes law-driven - which is what a majority of churches do today. Modern day phariseeism: All "how-to, do do do". Instead be gospel driven: "We can't. He did. Behold - Him."

Typical preaching only distills “Biblical Principles” which do not see the text in its redemptive-historical context. Thus it is only natural that the application part of such a sermon will tend to merely exhort people to conform to the principles.

-Tim Keller

The Cradle Led to the Cross

Remember that the cradle that held the baby was the beginning of the path to the cross that held the Savior.



“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).



"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

Christmas is necessary because we are sinners but Christmas is glorious because Christ is the Savior.

...

'why do you wish to understand? why do you want to see? we walk by faith, not by sight. i have known what it is to feel a thrill of sacred joy within my soul when my divine master has sent me a task altogether beyond my strength. i have felt if this work had been only half as heavy as it is i might have attempted it, but now i know that i cannot perform this task in my own strength, so i am cast upon omnipotence. _spurgeon

Quote of the Day: Bryan Chapell

"It's the role of grace in sanctification that sometimes troubles us...People worry that emphasizing grace undermines obedience. Consistently preaching the necessity and the proper motivation for holiness may be the most difficult task evangelical preachers face because we culturally define grace as license rather than the biblical power of holiness...Grace is the power of obedience not the antidote to obedience."

"Most preachers think the goal of preaching is to get people to do what they don't want to do. Yet preachings highest aim and greatest power lays in convincing others of the love of God in Christ that makes the heart willing and able to do what God desires. That's the glory of preaching. [It is] not to strong-arm people into doing what they don't want to do, but to actually have such love in them arise that they want to do and are able to do what God delights in."

-- Bryan Chapel, president and professor of practical theology at Covenant Theological Seminary

Church Discipline: What Think Ye?

I just came across an article on Fox News that deals with a church performing discipline on a sinning member. Just curious what you all think of the article?

Some things to consider:
(1). The story is one-side. The church chose not to air the "dirty laundry" with Fox News.
(2). The journalist may perhaps be Biblically illiterate and uninformed of the necessity of church discipline in relation to the gospel.
(3). The lady doesn't appear to be too ashamed of her sin seeing that she spilled the beans to Fox News.


Florida Woman Says Former Church Plans to Make Her Sins Public

Some questions for possible discussion:
(1). How do we deal with this issue?: there are too many hypocrites in the church....and...church discipline is mean-spirited, unloving and unecessary.

(2). How do we deal with privacy, confidence and trust issues while still acknowledging that at some point church discipline does go public on a certain level?

(3). How do we prepare potential or new church members with the idea/practice of church discpline so that they are not surprised if it ever happens to them?

(4). Does your church practice this? If so, what are some things you have learned that may help other churches?

(5). Why is church discipline a must for churches that are committed to the glory of God in the gospel of Christ Jesus?


This isn't meant to be a bashing of the lady in the aforementioned article. I just thought we could talk through an issue and stimulate some conversation at Christmas-time. So what think ye?

Why It Makes Sense That the Trinity Doesn't Make Sense

The Trinity can be defined as follows: “God eternally exists as three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and each person is fully God, and there is one God” (Grudem 226). In other words, as the common person would understand it, the Trinity is simply that God is both One and Three. It is that He is One God, but that He is made up of Three persons. He is Three in One, and One in Three. All Three are One, and that One is Three. And yes, it is indeed confusing. The Trinity is a matter that the mind cannot comprehend, just as much as the heavens baffle our eyes. It is as crazy as the fact that there are a million million million galaxies consisting of a trillion trillion trillion stars. It is simply beyond us. But many dismiss the Trinity for just this reason. We don't get it. We don't understand. It doesn't make sense. Yet the difference between how the Trinity doesn't make sense and how that there be such a thing as a billion solar systems doesn't make sense, is simply the fact that we think it should. We say the Trinity should make sense even as we say it should make sense like everything should.
Oh, how arrogant are we! Does anything even make sense to us? Is not the essence of fire, of lightening, of electricity but still nonsense to us? Are they not as fantastic as anything? We don't know what they are. We have simply placed names on the unknown. Far from being called the “natural” a more accurate term would be the “magical.” For it seems no less than magic that water should evaporate into air and assimilate into clouds. It is but a wonder of the imagination that there be such a thing as rain in the first place. Or clouds, or air, or sand, or mountains, or the hummingbird, or the dragonfly, or the lightening bug, or the giraffe. Is not this whole world but a sight too wonderful for us even with the grandest of imaginations! Yet we walk about it as if we understood it all. As if we understood how a seed could grow into a 330 foot-tall tree. Or how a small egg could hatch a 20-foot long crocodile. Or why they should even! We gaze at the ocean with little mystery. We watch the ant hold twenty times its weight- hanging upside down. We don't even think twice when a host of fruit flies springs from the bananas on our kitchen table. And everyday we see birds defy gravity. Yet we dismiss it all as if it couldn't be any way else. We are like the person who after living in a cave his whole life walks outside and simply nods his head as if everything is just as he supposed.
It is not the world around us that ceases to be amazing, it is us that cease to be amazed. It is the difference between how the child sees a butterfly and how an adult sees one. It is not that the butterfly is any less wonderful, but the adult who is that much more jaded. We lose our sense of imagination because we forget that everything around us is no less wonderful than a child's bed-time story. The fact that daisies are and that sun-rises exist, that there is such a thing as a rainbow or a tornado or a volcano or porcupines or rhinoceroses or blowfish or chameleons or penguins or seahorses or ostriches or kangaroos or manatees or meerkats or (most strange enough) people! ought to make us wonder what fantasy book we're all really living in. The reality of what is around us is more dreamlike than reality. And probably more absurd than even our dreams! No one could dream up a hippopotamus... We are all fans of magic, because we love to wonder, yet it would be good for us to take a second glance about us. We live in the greatest magic trick that could ever be.
Therefore, let us not question the unfathomable Godhead. Let us not pretend that we can -or ever could- wrap our minds around the Three Persons of the Trinity as but one Unity. We can't even grasp why ice, rain, and vapor should all be the same water. It is just as it should be that we shake our heads and shrug our shoulders when we are asked to explain the Trinity. For what more can we tell of the Trinity than we can of why a fish can breathe in water? Or why our laptops can pick up wireless Internet? So let us rest in the Word of God when we speak of the Trinity, not our reason. Let us listen to the Great Magician, the One who created all things out of nothing. Let us come before Him as children filled with wonder for we are in a world sprung from His imagination. With Him all things are possible.

Let Grace Make Much of God

If there is one thing I love, it is the grace of God. And this grace was supremely revealed at the cross of Christ, where He was slain for the sinful. When I think about my salvation, I always like to put it in its proper context in order to make much of the grace of God. Grace pictured incorrectly diminishes God and makes grace look cheap. So, I don't picture myself standing at the gates of Heaven begging God to let me in. Then, God finally calls my name and I come sprinting through the gates of Heaven breaking the golden ribbon that was conveniently placed there to add drama to my entrance. Upon entrance there is a set of bleachers, you know the kind you see at a little league game, with a group of angels raising signs saying, "You made it," "Go you." No I don't picture my salvation like that, as flattering as it is. I don't picture myself playing a game of hide and go seek with God, one where God is hiding under my kitchen counter and I conveniently walk in as he sneezes alerting me to his position. Then, as I creep up to the counter doors I throw them open yelling, "FOUND YOU." No, when it comes to salvation God is definitely not the one hiding. I don't think either picture even comes close to touching the true reality and depth of the grace of God in a sinner's conversion like me. I like to picture my salvation like this: God is standing at the door of Heaven saying "Whosoever will, may come." But I am deaf to that call because I am running toward Hell with all the strength I can muster up all the while indulging myself in sinful passion along the way. But God overflowing in grace grabs me, turns me around, calls to my dead heart, "ARISE," and displays His infinite glory and worth to me. That is the way I picture my salvation and you should too, because apart from the grace of God you were deaf to God. And apart from the grace of God you were dead to God. Those who understand the reality of their deafness and deadness will picture their salvation like this, because it makes much of the grace of God. When I get to Heaven I am going to blame God for getting me there, because the same grace that grabs me is the same grace that guides me home. And that is how grace makes much of God.

Romans 9:16

"So then it depends not on human will and exertion

but on God who has mercy."

It Was Great...

...getting to see Joey this past Saturday after almost two years. It was great seeing Daniel Neiditch and his family. It was great to be with like-minded believers. But the time was too short. Way too short. Too bad Jeremy wasn't there to make fun of....well, to be certain we poked fun at him even though he wasn't there. Nothing like pickin' on your friends when they aren't there to defend themselves.

Daniel, be sure to thank your dad for me again for all the Shepherd's Conference CD's he gave me. Also, thanks for the copy of The Messiah In The Old Testament. I started reading it today and am almost to page 50. Good stuff, but not a quick read. It will go well with the books I just ordered.

Joey, put on some weight! You're gonna need it for your India trip. Fat reserves can be a good thing when one ventures into a country with different delicacies than we are used to. But seriously...eat a cookie...or two. And I'll try to lose a pound or two.

God bless, guys. I look forward to seeing you again soon...and perhaps maybe meeting some of the other TALIANS for the first time. Later. -- Josh

God's Role and The Believer's Role In the Discipleship Process

I was asked to give an analysis of the following sentence for a class on discipleship that I took as part of my masters program - “Disciples are created in the image of God, yet fallen and choosing to learn.” It was part of a discusssion board. 

There should be no disagreement as to the validity of the first part of that statement. All men are created in the image of God and thus by logical rationalization disciples are created in the image of God. However, the real question lies in how this pertains to the rest of the statement. It would be rather simplistic to divide this statement in two and deal with the first and second parts as individual thoughts. So how does a follower of Jesus Christ, created in the image of God yet fallen, choose to learn more about his Creator? 

I believe you must understand the implications of what it means to be chosen by God unto salvation and therefore chosen unto good works and to also understand the believer's responsibility before God and man to choose to learn and grow. Romans 8:29 states -  "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." The purpose of discipleship is to be in a continual process of transformation that is conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. God has predestined us to this end. This is critical in understanding our own ability to be learners of the things of God. To know that God has called us and set us aside to be conformed to the image of His Son should empower us and motivate us to learn, grow, and desire after Him. 

Prior to verse 29 in Romans chapter 8, Paul defines what it means to be truly free from the power of indwelling sin. Verses 5 -8 state - "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." If we live our lives according to the Holy Spirit that indwells our very being at the moment of salvation, then Scripture teaches that the implications of that are minds that are set on the things of God. Followers of Christ are super-naturally geared towards learning the things of God. That explains how we as fallen human beings can still learn the things of God.

As far as being created in the image of God, Scripture teaches that God has created within us the ability to know Him. But man, in his sinful state, has repressed the truth in his heart. Romans 1:18-19 states - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." It is only the regenerate heart that can come to understand the truths of God.

So where does that leave man in choosing to learn? Paul's letters are filled with exhortations for his readers to grow in the truths of God. Paul's writings clealry implore his readers to take action in their faith implying that it also is of our choosing to learn. It is awesome how God's soveriegnty and our choice to learn about God intertwine and fit perfectly together. Knowing this enables us to teach the truths of Scripture without reservation knowing that the true disciple will be eager to learn them. 

the godly man's picture regarding sin

There is a book I have been reading called "The Godly Man's Picture". It is part of the Puritan Paperbacks written by Thomas Watson. Anyways, it goes through different characteristics which are evident in godly individuals. I wanted to share a little excerpt discussing the confession of sin.

"...a child of God will confess sin in particular. An unsound Christian will confess sin wholesale, he will acknowledge he is a sinner in general, whereas David does, as it were, point with his finger to the sore: 'I have done this evil' (Psa. 51:4). He does not say, 'I have done evil', but 'this evil'. He points at his blood guiltiness."

Let us not come before the Lord's throne and be vague and general about any sin in our lives nor with a "let me rush through this prayer" kind of attitude. May we constantly come before the Lord in prayer and be raw and real with Him in regards to our sin and be thankful and praise Him for His forgiveness.

The Privilege of Being a Father

A lot of people love their birthday. It's often a day when everything is about "me." Perhaps I am "wired" different than others, but it's just another day to me and I don't get that excited when my b-day comes around. Yesterday was my birthday and it was pretty uneventful in regards to the "me" factor. And that was ok by me. But meeting with my brothers and sisters in Christ in worship of our Savior...that's something to be excited about. Having the opportunity to constantly share Christ with your own child...that is something to be excited about. I love those kind of days...and today was one such day.

Today I again had the privilege of reading my daughter the Scriptures. We read the story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus as Jacob's well. In examining the Scriptures I asked her, "Why do we drink water?" Her six-year-old reply was, "Because if we don't drink water then after a certain time we will die. We need it to live."

I said, "Wow, you're right." I explained the Scripture in which Jesus said that there was a such thing as living water which will cause us to live eternally. So I asked some questions to help her figure out what Jesus was saying.

I asked, "What is it that makes us to live forever with God?" She replied, "Believing in Jesus...that Jesus died for our sin and rose again to life."

"So Jesus makes us to live eternally," I replied. My next question was, "What then do you think it means to drink living water and live forever?" She said, "Believing in Jesus."

"Yes!" I said. "But not just believing in Jesus, but believing the truth about Jesus." I went on to explain the rest of the story to her and how it is God who gives us spiritual life so that we can worship Him in spirit and it truth. She was in shock when I told her that there were people who didn't love God and didn't believe the truth about Jesus. She said, "That's crazy that God made this place and they don't believe in Him." I said, "Yeah, they even hate God." It was a blast see her connect with God and His truth.

When we were done, it was time for her to hit the sack. So she hopped up in her bunk bed and it was time to pray. She always asks me to help her pray so I gave her a ton of things that she could pray for and I told her that I'd pray for anything she forgot. Her words were more precious to me than anything I've heard in a long time.

"Jesus, help us to believe the truth about you. Please protect those who get hurt for believing the truth about you."

I don't want to forget moments like these. My memory stinks. So this post is to remind me of the grace of God at work in my child's life.


Lord, save my little girl! Regenerate her litte heart if you have not already done so. Make her an outspoken and unashamed mouthpiece of the gospel. Let her live for Your glory. And when the time comes, let her die in a way that glorifies You. Thank You, Father, for the privilege of raising her. Though I fall radically short of being the perfect dad, work out Your good will in her life and let her always find her highest joy in knowing You. I may fail at a number of things, but let me not fail in leading her to know You. As Your child, Father, I ask these things for my child, for the sake of Your glory!

For the sick

My fiancée and I always wanted to do a mid-term missions trip to India to help spread the gospel. But I could not help but have fear in my heart and second guess my desire in light of the persecutions within the last couple of months and with the recent attacks in Mumbai this week.

Well a friend who has immediate family and loved ones who do mission work in India said something convicting to me this week. He said “These events are even more evidence that the gospel needs to be spread in India!”

My heart broke that instant. I was reminded of a simple yet straightforward verse which I need constant reminder.

And Jesus answered and said to them, It is not those who are well who need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. Luke 5:31-32

Objections To The Works Of Christ

OBJECTIONS TO THE WORKS OF CHRISTS
Matthew 9:1-17

Objections are quite common in life. Students object to the amount of homework teachers give them. Wives object to the absurd things their husbands can do and say. Children object to the amount of chores they get from their parents. Lawyers object in court.

Objection are generally given when one person thinks that another person is doing something or saying something wrong. In Matthew 9 we see that there were some who objected to things that Jesus said and did. The sinless Son of God did and said things that people felt were wrong. Was Christ wrong? Were the objections valid? Why did they object? Is there something we're missing here?

In order to understand why God has given us this passage of scripture we must first determine what it is that is wrong with mankind in this passage: how has the fall affected us. Once we understand that we can better determine what God has done to rescue us from our pitiful condition.


1. Who Is Christ To Forgive Sins?
Matthew 9:1-8, John 10:30-33, John 8:58-59, Leviticus 24:16

Sin can only be forgiven by the person against whom the offense is committed. I can not forgive you of sins committed against another person. When Jesus pronounces forgiveness to the paralytic man He is making the claim that this man's sins were against Him. In other words, Jesus is making the claim that He is God. And that is why there was an objection to what Christ was doing. To those watching Jesus was just a man. Jesus validates His deity by performing a miracle. His point was that if He could raise this paralyzed man and had power to do so, then He surely had the power to forgive sins. His miracle was there to validate that He was God. But those watching gave praise to God because God had given this man (Jesus) great power. In their minds Jesus was simply a man through whom God worked. They failed to see He is God incarnate--God in the flesh.

And this is the condition in which the fall has left us. We do not recognize God--even if He were right before. God must reveal Himself to us. And we must believe what God says about Him and what He says about His Son. It is not enough to simply believe that Jesus was a nice guy and a great leader. We must believe the He is God in the flesh and that He alone is able to forgive us our sin. He does this by His death, burial and resurrection. In God's graciousness He grants us faith to believe in Him and who He really is.


2. Why Does Christ Eat With Sinners?
Matthew 9:9-13, Luke 19:10, Mark 10:45

The self-righteous Pharisees were indignant that Jesus was eating with sinners. Because the Pharisees thought that they were "perfect" they refused to associate with sinners, perhaps fearing they'd be contaminated. Christ's eating with sinners was deplorable to them. They did not understand that God can not be affected by sin. They did not understand that God came to earth to save sinners, not the righteous. Jesus' words to the Pharisees must have stung: I didn't come to save the righteous, but sinners. Being that there is none righteous, Jesus' words seem to carry a bit of sarcastic tone as if to say, "You Pharisees are so righteous, you don't need a Savior." The truth was that they, too, needed a Savior. Scripture elsewhere affirms that Christ came to seek and save the lost. He came to give His as a ransom for many. Christ did not come to heal those who do not recognize that they are perishing and dying in sin under the wrath of God. Only when people realize this will they seek out the good doctor--Jesus!

We do well to show people how they have sinned against God by pointing them to the Law of God. That is what God's commands do. They show people how short they fall from God's glory. They show us our awful condition. They show us the wretched disease of sin and our future without intervention. It is only when we see ourselves as God sees us that will call out to Christ for help. And that is why these sinners and tax collectors came seeking Jesus...because He came seeking them in order to show them their miserable condition so that they'd receive spiritual healing and life from the hands of our good God.

The reason the Pharisees objected is because they thought that obedience to the Law of God merited them righteousness. They didn't understand that the Law condemns. And so when they see the sinners with whom Jesus ate, they have a self-righteous attitude as if they (the Pharisees) were better than the tax collectors and sinners. In truth the Pharisees should have seen themselves as people with whom Jesus needed to eat. But they didn't...and therefore were far from salvation.

3. Why Don't Christ's Disciples Fast?
Matthew 9:14-17, Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting is done for various reasons, one of which is during time of mourning. Jesus explicitly states that now is not the time for the disciples to fast--the Groom is here. In other words, when the Groom arrives to the wedding, it's time to celebrate. You are sad when He leaves. Jesus is saying that since He is among His people there is no reason for them to fast. The time will come when He departs and they will again fast. But for now, there is to be no fasting among His disciples.

Jesus then launches into some metaphoric language to explain further. He uses the illustration of unshrunk cloth and wineskins. Both may seem disconnected to fasting but they are connected if you understand the mind of the Jewish person in Jesus' day. If you take a piece of shrunken cloth with no elasticity and sow a piece of unshrunken cloth to it what will happen? Well, when the new cloth begins to shrink it will pull away from the shrunken cloth which has no more elasticity. This will cause the old fabric to tear and the garment will be useless. Something similar is to be said of wineskins. When you put unfermented wine in a wine skin it will begin to ferment and it will cause the wineskin to expand. Once the wineskin expands it will not shrink back. It will stay in it's expanded state. If you empy out the fermented wine and put in unfermented wine in the stretched out wineskin what happens? Well, the stretched-out wineskin holds more unfermented wine but has no room to stretch when fermentation takes place. The resuls will be a broken wineskin and spilled wine.

The point of all this is to teach the Jewish people (and us) that the Old Covenant/Testament of sacfrices and ceremonies cannot mix with the New Covenant/Testament. It simply will not work. In simplest terms, you can not cling to Mosaic Law and Christ at the same time. You can not practice circumcision + Christ. You can not practice animal sacrifice + Christ. You can not practice the Old with the New. The Old served it's purpose. It pointed the way to Christ. The Holy Days, ceremonies, sacrifices, temple worship, Priests, etc, all were shadows or pictures of Christ. Now that Christ was here, the Old had to go. Consequently that is why we have two "halves" to the Bible: The Old and New Testaments or Covenants. Clinging to both Old Testament rituals while trying to cling to Christ was part of the heresies and false teachings that the Apostles fought against in their letters to the church. The early Jewish Christians had to make a clean break from their Old Testament ways. Now what does this have to do with fasting?

Fasting was done along with the Day of Atonement. In brief that was the day in which sacrifices were made to atone (or cover up) the sins of Israel. It was part of Mosaic Law. Jesus in essence is telling those listening...that's Old Testament. But the New Testament (Jesus) is here. There's no reason to fast...the Savior is before you. Celebrate! "I'm here!"

This is the overall problem with all three objections we see in this passage. The Jews at large did not understand who Jesus was. Scripture teaches that Jesus came unto His own people and they did not receive Him. And in general they still do not receive Him as Messiah, as Savior, as God. Things are no different with the world at large. They do not receive Jesus as God. They do not believe what God has enabled us to believe about Christ. They are blind and in spiritual darkness. Therefore, we need to take the Word of God to them which will cause them to see Christ for Who He is. God has called us and commissioned us to go into the world and make known Christ. As Christ has been made known to you, have compassion on lost souls and go make Christ known to them.

Quote Of The Day: Pilgrims & Calvinism

"In the providence of God, the truths of the doctrines of grace were soon carried across the Atlantic by men searching for religious freedom. The Pilgrims were distinctly Calvinistic, as they brought with them and preached from their Geneva Bibles. The early Colonial leaders were staunchly Reformed. Those who founded the early states--men such as John Winthrop, Thomas Hooker, Roger Williams, Increase Mather, and Cotton Maher--were all Calvinistic. The first American colleges, Harvard and Yale, were Calvinistic, established to train Reformed ministers who would preach Reformed doctrine." -- Steven Lawson

I am glad the Lord has brought me back to my American roots! Happy Thanksgiving and thank the Lord for the Puritan Pilgrims!

Happy Thanksgiving

Have a blessed day everyone.

No Longer the Beholder

I've had the amazing blessing of being able to travel. I've seen most of the country as well as a few others, and can say: there is great beauty out there. But how do I share that with you? It's certainly worth sharing. God's creation is stunning to our eyes (let alone the other senses). Thus, to share it is a blessed interaction that gives Him praise.

I can describe it to you with all the deep founded words of all the languages of the world. Better still, I can show you a photograph in a high resolution that tries to capture all the intricate details. And better still, I can shoot it on motion picture film on a crane or dolly, allowing you to experience the nearly three dimensional aspects of it. To be in its presence, however, would take the cake. Direct interaction. Unimpeded by flawed mediums. You can walk around (environment permitting) and enjoy it more and more, the more perspectives you see and encounter.

That's the best... or is it?

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I agree with this on it's intended scope. The scope of mankind. But we must ask, what is the greatest beauty that can be enjoyed by someone of something? It's certainly more towards the "in person" perspective. But I find that to see that thing or place from all sides over much time is to see its beauty more. Would not God, in his omnipresence, be the greatest beholder to the beauty He has made?

Beauty is no longer fully achieved in the beholder but: the Maker. God can see all amazing attributes, from all sides, through all time. The Grand Canyon... the Great Barrier Reef... the Alps... a nebula... you.

God's most prized creation is, oddly, us. He loves us above all else and finds us most to be enjoyed. Everything else, He's going to destroy. We will be kept aside for His keeping.

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, approach the Lord with a truer perspective of thanks. Strive to see Him in His creation, and praise and thank Him for that which we can't fathom. Like a God who died for the only creation to turn its back on Him.

That is love unfathomable.

Psalm 75:1 - "We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your name is near; men declare Your wondrous works."

Thanks for the Nothings

Philippians 4:13 is probably one of the most widely used verses in the Bible. It is the one that states:

I can do all things through Him who strengthen me

For a Bible verse it is quite ubiquitous. I have seen it on bumper stickers, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and especially during sporting events. I have seen this verse used in the Super Bowl, Olympic Events, and even in UFC caged match tournaments as the guys pummel each other.

Personally, it sticks out as a verse that was stitched in Evander Holyfield towel as he walked down to beat the mighty Mike Tyson in 1996.

Remember that one?

No, not the second one which he got his ear bit off. The first one where he won fair and square.



Now, I do not doubt God gives us the physical strength to endure pain and endurance in sporting competition but in context, I believe that it is a verse that is speaks of our ability to be thankful in times of trails and hardships.

Now, before you call me cynical lets look at the chapter in context.

Paul, who is famous for being thankful in times of despair, writes to the church in Philippi in verse 11 -12

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

During his ministry, Paul, much like our times now, learned how to continue and be thankful despite financial hardships. He did this through being content (in the Greek it was to be self sufficient) and being joyful regardless his humble means which meant minimal food, water, and shelter. Verse 13 gives us the source of his strength.

I can do all things through Him who strengthen me

In lights of recent events such as rescissions, unemployment, fires, and market crashes it is difficult to give thanks in as season where we set apart a day to do so. However, the Bible is clear not only on how we are to manifest this joy but it is also clear on where we get the strength in order to give thanks in a challenging season.

Philippians 4:13 is not just a verse that refers to the physical strength that God provides during sporting events, but also a reminder of the spiritual strength that results in thankfulness that he provides in the midst of trials.

RESPOND WITH YOUR THOUGHTS!! SOME DISAGREE!

I recently posted this as a note on my facebook under the title "My Story". I believe it captures my testimony perfectly- even as accurately as if I were to quote Ephesians 2. I simply cannot get through reading it without being deeply affected.

However, some have disagreed with it. And actually a debate had ensued in the comment sections of what I thought was going to be a harmless if not encouraging note! Please share you thoughts after reading it. I hope this is not as heretical as some have taken it to be. But perhaps it is I who is under the cruel deceitfulness of sin on this one!

In evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear,
Till a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career:

I saw One hanging on a Tree
In agonies and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me.
As near His Cross I stood.

Sure never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look:
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke:

My conscience felt and owned the guilt,
And plunged me in despair:
I saw my sins His Blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.

Alas! I knew not what I did!
But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord have slain!

--A second look He gave, which said,
"I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayest live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.

With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
My spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by Him I killed!

Orphans and Widows

I read James 1 yesterday and could not get away from the last verse which says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

When I read this verse 3 things came to mind:

1. What religion truly is in light of the misconceptions of the Christian culture




2. The importance of mercy ministries




3. And the importance of maintaining purity in the world.

All around us there is the gap between the Christian culture and Biblical culture. Just read your Bible and then go to your local Christian bookstore and see firsthand the chasm of difference. Mark Driscoll address' this problem in more detail, to better understand what I am saying watch this video.

Christian culture would preach that religion is attending church, keeping rules, abstaining from certain things, and fitting into a certain mold. Christian culture can tend to be a religion concerned with appearance, while the religion that is pure before God is a religion of the heart. God wants our hearts, not our offerings, our Sunday's, our Christian lyrics put to contemporary Christian melodies, or our self-help books. God desires our hearts to be on fire for Him, His Word and His people. You want to be religious? Then pick up your cross, help some orphans and widows, love your neighbor, and most importantly love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength.

What I see in this verse is the heart of a Father; our Father. I also see how loving our Father is by mentioning specific types of individuals. Our Father has a heart for those who do not have, those who have lost, those who have need, and those who are afflicted. This is the heart that burns inside our Father and He wants us to burn with the same heart. God knows that if we extend love to those in need it is as if we are doing it unto our Father in Heaven; our love for people is evidence of our love for Jesus. In essence, love is pure and undefiled religion before God.

The last thing that stands out to me in this verse is the fact that we need to keep ourselves unstained from the world. To me this means we must not have a divided heart, we must not have any stains on our hearts that corrupt our love for Christ. We must guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and keep watch over our souls lest our love for God and others becomes stained for the love of the things of this world. Again, it's about the heart here, God desires for us to have a clean, pure heart. If we are stained with the world we do not love, because the world is not love, God is love.

This is what should set apart Christian mercy ministries from non-Christian non-profit organizations; the heart. God doesn't just want good deeds, visiting the orphans and widows, but He wants a heart unstained from the world , meaning we visit the orphan and widow for the Glory of God, the furtherance of the Gospel, and because we love Christ and our neighbors. This is why Abel's sacrifice was more acceptable before God than Cain's sacrifice, because Abel's heart was right before God. Abel gave God his first fruits, he didn't hold back; he put God first. When the unregenerate person visits the orphan and widow it's empty action fueled for the glory of man, when the regenerate person visits the orphan and widow it should be propelled for the glory of God with a heart overflowing with love for God; good deeds without love for Christ and the cross are dead.

Let's remember what true religion is and let's guard it zealously!

Confessions of a Bad Baker

I baked a cake once and it turned out horrible. It was my first attempt at a Black Forrest Cake and it was undercooked and sunken. I tried to remedy the problem by adding more cherries, shaved chocolate, and chattily cream but it was beyond repair.

Honestly, I did not know what I did wrong. I bought the best ingredients, followed the recipe precisely, and double checked the ovens to make sure they were calibrated. All the trouble shooting techniques that I learned in school and culinary apprenticeship could not give me an answer.

I made several attempts at baked goods later and they all turned out awful. All my cookies, breads, and pastries turned out so bad that to this day I am reluctant to bake. I have had several bad experiences in baking and have never mustered up enough enthusiasm to bake since.

Years later, a co-worker from a restaurant came over my house one day and decided to whip up something for dinner. He made an alarming discovery in my kitchen and asked,

Did you know your measuring cups are all off?

It turns out that the measuring cups and spoons which I had purchased at a dollar store were not accurate. 1 Cup was really 1 ¼ Cups, ½ Cup was really 3/5 Cup, and 1 Tablespoon was 4/5th of a Tablespoon. I was working with inaccurate tools which lead to inaccurate facts and therefore giving me debauched products.

To my understanding a measuring cup was a measuring cup regardless where I got it from. I had since learned not all manufacturers of measuring utensils are regulated and often sell tools which give inaccurate measures. Unfortunately this minor oversight in measuring utensils gave me an inaccurate sense of reality and thus resulting in worthless goods.

***

This is a great analogy for the Bible and its truths. Inaccurate or warped views in theology can lead to distorted Christianity or worse, a false sense of salvation. The Bible is clear about preserving its truth and not altering or adding to what it says;

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. 2 Timothy 2:15-16
Much like the Black Forrest Cake we often compensate for errors by adding to the exterior instead of getting to the root of the problem. In order to remedy the problem we need to get to the heart of the problem and replace false doctrine with the truth. We consistently need to examine our actions and align it with what God intended so we carry out His will.

Even within the Christian label, there are various interpretations. Not all of which are accurate. So therefore it is our duties as Christian to handle the word with attention and be careful to preserve its truth.

Think, Show, and React in Love.

What the difference between Reacting and Responding?...a few seconds.

My wife Allie and I stepped away from our busy lives this past weekend to visit a marriage retreat. Over the course of the past year or so, we have become busy with life. Too busy. We had lost the intentionality of our relationship and replaced it with "doing stuff". The Bible gives very clear instruction to Men in response and care for their wives, (Eph 5:25, 28, 29, etc.) and as I reflect back over the weekend I now see where I screwed it up. Rather then responding to my wife and our life, I had been reacting to it. The difference that I have discovered is that key work intentionality.

So how does that look? Well, Have I cherished her? Do I nourish her? Do I Love her as the Biblical model shows? As hard as it may be, my answers to these questions would mostly be...no. Allie and I have put together some practical ideas to help us live out the Biblical model for marriage. So for you Talian's I ask that you pray for us as we attempt to accomplish what seems to be a daunting task.

So I ask, In your daily lives how will you Think, Show, and React in Love?

The State of Today's Church

Here's a video from The White Horse Inn titled The State of the Church.

Quote Of The Week: Dr. Michael Horton

Michael Horton comments on how modern-day evangelicalism has shifted away from what Christianity really is:

"We are getting dangerously close to the place in everyday American church life where the Bible is mined for quotes but largely irrelevant, God is used as a personal resource rather than known, worshiped and trusted, Jesus Christ is a coach with a good game plan for our victory rather than a Savior who has achieved it for us, salvation is more a matter of having our "best life now" rather than being saved from God's judgment by God Himself, and the Holy Spirit is sort of an electrical outlet we can plug in for the power to be all that we can be."

Remorse and Penance vs. Remorse and Repentance

I am writing a paper on this topic for my Biblical Counseling Logos class. The following text is not from my paper, but in my research found this written by a Master's Seminary student. I thought it was a clear idea that helped my own understanding.

Remorse and Repentance

There are three elements all integral to biblical repentance. Intellectually, the sinner comes to a knowledge and an acknowledgment of his sins. After making a conscious choice, he resolves to abandon sin and submit to Christ as Lord. Then emotionally, he feels the sorrow of having offended God.

Is remorse necessary? The Bible contains examples where repentance comes with expressions of distress - the tax collector (Luke 18:10-14) and the city of Nineveh (Jon. 3:6-10).

However, there are also instances where true repentance is unaccompanied by any emotional displays - Jacob after wrestling with God (Gen 32:22-32) and the woman of Samaria (John 4:7-30). Moreover, in not a few instances deep anguish is devoid of repentance - Judas after betraying Jesus (Matt. 27:3-5) and Esau after selling his birthright (Heb. 12:16-17).

John F. MacArthur in The Gospel According to Jesus notes, "Repentance is not merely shame or sorrow for sin, although genuine repentance always involves an element of remorse." That remorse may be quickly overtaken by the joy of forgiveness. In some cases, the repentant may not outwardly display inner feelings.

There is a crucial difference between displays of remorse and remorse itself. Paul says that godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death (2 Cor. 7:10). It is clear that not all grief leads to repentance. And turning from sin always comes with sorrow, but such sorrow may not always be displayed.

Remorse and Penance

In Roman Catholicism, man's first justification occurs at baptism, such justification being granted by God for Christ's sake regardless of the sinner's merit (though his volition co-operates in some way). But justification (not sanctification) is sustained through the sinner's own merit.

Under Roman Catholicism, initial justification can be (and is) annulled by sin, and may be restored only through the Sacrament of Penance as outlined below:
Contrition - grief and hatred of past sins with the intention of stopping the sin;
Confession - self-accusation (with full details, without reserve) to a priest;
Satisfaction - painful work prescribed by the priest, performed by the penitent, as proper payment for sins (after death, satisfaction is achieved through purgatory

Charles Spurgeon says this..."Evangelical repentance is repentance of sin as sin: not of this sin nor of that, but of the whole mass. We repent of the sin of our nature as well as the sin of our practice. We bemoan sin within us and without us. We repent of sin itself as being an insult to God. Anything short of this is a mere surface repentance, and not a repentance which reaches to the bottom of the mischief. Repentance of the evil act, and not of the evil heart, is like men pumping water out of a leaky vessel, but forgetting to stop the leak. Some would dam up the stream, but leave the fountain still flowing; they would remove the eruption from the skin, but leave the disease in the flesh."

Cars & Jesus

There is a point to this. So please follow me to the end.

It may surprise you to hear me write (I have a loud pen) that I work at a car dealership. I don't have to wear leisure suits or snakeskin boots...although I do enjoy wearing gold chains with my chest hair showing. Ok, not really. But I do work at a respectable dealership in Victorville, Ca. The primary reason I took the job two years ago was because they allowed me the freedom to have Sunday mornings off so that we could plant a local church. That remains the one reason I stay at the dealership in spite of all the ups and downs, the stereotypes, the economy, the unsteady pay and the cut-throat competition amongst salespeople.

On a brighter note, our owner has a yearly competition for the salespeople in which he gives away a vacation for two. The last time they had this sort of competition (2006) they gave away a trip for two to Hawaii plus spending money. I had only been at the dealership for two weeks and anticipated one day being in the competition...cause who doesn't want a free trip somewhere. Well, last year because of the economy (I think) they did not have the competition. This year they did! The competition works something like this:

1. All sales people are required to participate.
2. Each week a vehicle is selected and each person must give a three minute presentation of the vehicle. This is known as a walk-around.
3. There are four judges that critique each person. And every week there is a guest judge (Chrysler representatives, other dealership owners, etc). Each judge can award a total of up to 100 points, with a 10 point deduction for going over the time limit.
4. At the end of each week (round), the scores are tallied and they eliminate several people with the remaining contestants moving on to the next round and the next vehicle.

That's basically how it works. We started with 23 contestants. We're now down to 3. I'm one of them. Of course I'd like to win. Even though the trip is only to Las Vegas and not Hawaii, I enjoy getting away with my wife, sleeping in, eating out, shopping and all that jazz. If I don't get eliminated next week I'll finish in at least 2nd place and get a prize of $500. Not bad at all.

Today my wife happened to bring me lunch at the time I was getting ready to present today's vehicle. One salesperson whispered to my wife, "I bet he practices at home all day, huh?" She said, "Actually, he doesn't." It's true. I haven't had much time to practice. Sermon prep time and time with the family come first before these types of things, so I've had to rely on my years of public speaking (preaching) to get me through this. I'm ashamed to admit that moving through the competition hasn't required much more effort than 1/2 hour of practice and preparation each week. The more I prepare, the better I'd actually be at presenting vehicles to a real guest who really wants to buy. That is the whole point of this competition--to sharpen our skills. At that got me thinking...

All the other sales people are preparing and studying to win a prize. They prepare in order to win a vacation. A vacation! I wonder how much effort Christians put into studying God's Word and knowing Jesus so that they can properly and passionately tell others about Christ--in order to win souls. People, Christians included, will work hard and labor to win a vacation. Will they work equally hard in order to bring people to Christ--without any temporal benefit? You see, certain things motivate us to action. For some it's money. For others it's the sheer joy of seeing others know Christ. My aim in life is to know Christ and present Christ. I'll work hard and labor in the Word for that...even if I gain nothing. Studying a car in order to win a vacation...nothing wrong with that...but it'll not consume me. I'd give that up any day to share Christ with a sinner.

I wonder what it would take to motivate you to be involved in the ministry of reconciliation--the ministry of the Word. Would you share Christ with someone for $1,000,000? Would you share Christ for a trip to Hawaii? If you'd do it for money or vacations, yet not simply out of love for God, then who really do you serve: God or money?

Just thinking out loud here.

The Greater Kingdom; The Lesser Wisdom.

I adore how the Word of God describes the greater kingdom: The Kingdom of Heaven. My love for it can at times follow an anti-gramatacal form much like Paul stated in Phil 1:21 "to live is Christ". At times, for me: I zeal the Kingdom. I love, seek, expend, and yearn toward and for it, to as much as God's grace carries me there in His Word and on my knees.

The greatest shocking revelation of truth on the Day of the Lord (just prior to the Kingdom's establishment) to which all will shudder in fear and awe is this: Jesus Christ is Lord. To say He is Lord brings about the infinite truths attached to that (Jesus is God, He is Risen, He is Savior, etc).

Perhaps one aspect of truth that I, at the very least, often neglect to meditate on in the context of the Day of the Lord, the end of this age, the end time, the return of Christ... is the infinite expanse between the Kingdom and what I would call the Lesser Wisdom. The Lesser Wisdom is in fact no wisdom at all. It is the knowledge of the world by the people of the world twisted in a lie that says, "I have attained wisdom." A "wisdom" they boast not of in God, but in themselves (which ironically is knowledge given by God, from His power to reveal knowledge). A "wisdom" that is often used to denounce the approaching Kingdom. Christ had something to say about that... and so does the Holy Spirit through scripture.

The first message preached by Christ in the new testament proclaimed and informed man upon this very thing. In Matthew 3, Jesus tells John the Baptist to baptize Him "to fulfill all righteousness". He spoke to John. In Matthew 4, Jesus rebukes Satan while He Himself is being tempted. He spoke to Satan. But Matthew 4:17 records the to-be returning King's first new testament preaching. His first proclamation, in which, He spoke to all.

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The Kingdom is real. The Kingdom is close. And it's King is coming with all power. When that Day comes, the strength to which the world clings onto (strength founded upon their knowledge and 'wisdom') will crumble and the window of mercy will be shut forever.

Paul continues an exhortation to flee the pursuit of worldly wisdom by saying this in 1 Corinthians 3:19-20.

"...the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God for it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless."

The Kingdom is the opposition to the world. But the Kingdom is also, for a time until the return of Christ, the mercy to the world. Before Christ comes: it is the home of the mercy to be sought after. After Christ comes: it is the courtroom of righteous justice and judgment from which all will seek to flee. Matthew 6:25-34 speaks about anxiety in life: the deep fear in life that one will not be provided for. Jesus offers these words in relation to those necessary life-provisions:

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Christ offers His righteousness to us and even a spot in His coming Kingdom. Seek Him.

The Lord is the Maker of all

"Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?" -Ex. 4:11

During my youthful years in college I took a summer biology course at an Arizona local community college to get ahead in units. (Woop woop on community colleges) It was an exciting course and I learned a lot about the laws and phenomenon of nature. When the textbook chapters "evolved" to the human life section, I found it quite fascinating to learn how our bodies are designed. My class got familiar with genes and DNA. We discovered that "accidental" defects in humans were a result of DNA mutation. For example, when the coding in a person's DNA gets messed up it complicates the rest of the DNA strand causing health issues. I.e. missing an organ, deformation, and a diseases similar to Down Syndrome.

It is interesting to note that the language used to describe the victim's symptoms were a mere "mistake" in nature's design. A child born with Down Syndrome is a result of a "chance" occurrence in the "normal" human race. In a normal human body, we are all made up of 23 pairs of chromatids. All of these pairs tell the body what color of hair, skin, sex, eyes, etc, you'll have. A person born with DS would have an extra chromatid in one of the pairs. Hmmm. Interesting you say? It is...

Modern medicine has not come up with a solution to cure this disease, therefore leaving the sorrowful parent(s) to decide whether they will keep the baby. Adoption and even abortion are common alternatives. Majority of the time the child would be admitted to a children's home to be taken care of by the state. Pro-choice activists arguing "economic weight" these people bring, have opted for aborting children with defects. Their reasoning would be that it "isn't fair" for those children to grow up with their differences. It would be less painful for the parent and child if the pregnancy was terminated, making the number of the disabled lower. Hmmm....

In one study, CDC used data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Social Security Administration to find the number of people with mental retardation in the United States in 1993. The study showed that about 1.5 million children and adults (ages 6-64 years) had mental retardation.

As Christians, let's not forget that all things are God's creation. He is the Maker of all things, nothing is a "mistake" or by "chance" (see above verse). But what about salvation? If we are to be saved by confessing Jesus and believing in our hearts, how can someone who can't think or talk like us be saved? Let's see what the Word says...

3 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. 4 And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” -Mark 2:3-5

Ok, let's now consider the circumstance. Obviously, the paralytic couldn't walk so men (maybe relatives) had to bring him in through the roof (due to the mass crowd). When they lowered the man, it says that Jesus saw the faith of the men and forgave and healed the paralytic. If it was the men's faith that Jesus saw and acknowledged, it seems that the man could probably not talk or even think. Since he was on a bed, his case was probably severe (although I am no expert on the medical practices of the biblical Jews). The men had to carry the paralytic down to see Jesus.

Now applying this to modern disabled. Honestly, we do not know what is going on in the hearts of these people. Obviously since we serve an all Soveriegn Lord, their salvation is ultimately in His hands. However, God uses preordained means to accomplish His will. What if reading the Word and singing worship songs to the disabled, the Lord will look on our faith and forgive their sins? What if while sharing Jesus with these people, that in their hearts they believe unto salvation? We don't know, and it obviously isn't for us to know. And I do not think that it is necessarily "unfair" for those people, God has His ways of making things up to those "cheated." (See 1 Peter 4:19) But instead, I think that those people are created for us who are normal. What if it is a test of God to see if we are going to do what He has commanded us and preach to every person?

Life is the Lord's. He gives and He takes away. The heart belongs to Him, and salvation through His Grace by Jesus Christ. Next time you see someone who is in a wheelchair, or suffering from mental disability, meditate on these passages in scripture and be reassured no one is a mistake.

the beloved.

The Talia member pictures on the right column have been updated with links to mini-bio pages.

Ephesians 1:3-6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

free

Starting today, November 5, 2008, Grace To You has permanently opened it's vaults of every recorded John MacArthur message, for free download.

gaze.

hi. from the newbie. hopefully this will encourage your soul.

Isaiah 55: 6-9

'Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God knows, He sees, He ordains. Trust in the infinite.

election day

Today is election day. Regardless of the outcome, it helps me to remember:

Daniel 2:20-21

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;"

Daniel 4:17

"The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men."

Proverbs 21:1

"The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he will."

Rest in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control of the government. Everything is going exactly how it was planned.

It is also important to remember what kind of attitude to adorn in regards to responding to our government.

1 Peter 2:13-18
"Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

The interesting thing about Peter's letter is that he was writing to Christians living under the rule of Emperor Nero, who was torturing Christians. With this in mind, he tells them to "honor the emperor". This may be tough for us, but if Christians could do that under Nero, then I'm sure it's possible for Christians in America. My question is "are we honoring our rulers with our words?" 1 Peter's emphasis is the Christian's testimony ("Aliens and strangers" 1 Peter 2:11). Are people wondering what the reason is for the hope that is in us? (1 Peter 3:15) Do we look different from the world? Or are we complaining like EVERYONE else? I pray that the Lord takes control of my heart, and that I will always respond with "gentleness and respect" (v.16) I pray my focus will be on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:18
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit"

Praying To Love God for Who He Is and Not What He Gives

As I was praying this morning and expressing my love for God I realized that much of my love for God is because of the things He gives me and not because of Who He is. In a way I was distracted with the gift and not enthralled with the Giver. St. Augustine captured the heart of what I am trying to say when he prayed to the Father and said, "He loves thee too little who loves anything together with thee which he loves not for thy sake." I decided to write out my prayer so that I could share it with you and that it might be a means to examining yourself and the purity of your love for God.

Father, let me love you for who you are and not what you give.

May I see nothing on this earth as more desirable than you

and may I see nothing in Heaven as more worthy than you.

May I treasure you most as I delight in you above all things.

May I count a thousand days on this earth as trivial

compared to one day in your house.

May the presence of others be like a mud pie

compared to the bountiful feast of your presence.

May life on this fleeting earth look like a raindrop

compared to the infinite fountain of your love.

May the treasures of this earth look like tarnish and rust

compared to your unfading and incorruptible glory.

May your gifts not become distractions from you

but avenues that lead me deeper in love with you.

God, you are ever-exceedingly enough.

AMEN.

“Repentance has nothing to do with what man has done. Rather it is man’s coming undone in respect to all human righteousness, followed by his going outside himself in faith to Christ alone for salvation.”
-C. John Miller

Because the Sinless Savior Died...

There is no more important thing to God than God’s glory; and there is no better display of God’s glory than the display of God’s glorious grace; and there is no better display of God’s glorious grace than the display of the gospel; and there is no better display of the gospel than the cross of Christ. If I am to live for God’s glory I must live next to the cross. If my passion for God is to line up with God’s passion for God then I must dwell by where His passion was manifested in this universe unlike any other point in history ever: I must dwell by the cross. If my mission for God is to line up with God’s mission for God, then I must labor in light of that most glorious manifestation of His mission for making much of Himself: I must labor in light of the cross. If I am to live admiring anything, if I am to live motivated by anything, if I am to live passionate about anything, if I am to live reflecting upon anything, if I am to live rejoicing in anything, if I am to boast in anything, if I am to live because of and for anything, let it be Christ and him crucified. Let it be the cross. If I am to live the gospel-centered life, I need to live the cross-centered life. I must get near enough to that blazing fire at which the flame of my love is kindled. I must get near the cross. As Spurgeon said, I must “abide hard by the cross and search the mysteries of his wounds.” This is where getting on board with God’s mission for Himself through the gospel of His Son begins. It begins with riveting my attention on One hanging on a tree. It begins with expending my energies admiring, exploring, expositing, and extolling Jesus Christ. It begins with surveying the wondrous cross on which the King of Glory died. It begins with because the sinless Savior died…

And it always comes back to because the sinless Savior died... It must come back to the cross. It must retain its central place- primary, of first importance. It cannot be displaced to the peripheral. It cannot be shifted even in the slightest degree. It cannot be moved even in the least by any other insights that come to take on far too much attention. We simply cannot take our gaze off it, nor let our eyes ever drift away from it. We cannot move away from it. We cannot move on from it. We can only ever strive to move nearer, to search closer, to inquire further. It is that blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled. We must draw near to that fire ever and always. We must stay close. Otherwise we will become cold- our affections cooled, our passion diminished, our hearts complacent, our focus distorted, and our Christianity nominal. We must, not simply because of it, but because of Him who hung on it. In our place condemned he stood. It was because of our transgressions Christ was wounded, for our iniquities he was crushed. It was because of our sin that he was so marred beyond human semblance. Why is the cross that central element of the gospel that cannot be forfeited even in the smallest degree? Because when we behold the disfigurement of the Son of God, when we find ourselves appalled by his marred appearance, when we see his languid eyes meet ours, we need to reckon afresh that it is upon ourselves we gaze, for he stood in our place.

It is this news, this good news, this amazing news, the news of salvation, the news of Christ and him crucified that fans into flame radical sacrificial, sold-out, supremely satisfied, crazy love for God. And it is with this that God is most glorified. Because it is with this that we are most satisfied in Him. Because when we sit next to the holy flame of God’s grace on the cross, we see God’s unfathomable love for us and are set ablaze by it. It is as this grips us, as this burns within us, we become holy torches. That everything we touch, everything we do, and every person we interact with may also be lit by our fire. And then they burn. And the fire spreads. And as it does that great glacier, this cold world itself begins to melt.

Why God Should Be Questioning Us

Because God doesn't do what we want him to, we so often conclude that He simply doesn't care enough to, and therefore that He simply is not a loving God. We assume when God allows any adversity, or pain, or suffering in our lives it is because he just doesn't have our good in mind, and certainly not our best. For if He did, He wouldn't allow such things. We therefore think of God as still being good and loving, yet because we see our circumstances as those that we assume a good God wouldn't allow, we conclude that he must not be able to sovereignty control them. In other words, because God doesn't do what we think a good God should, we conclude He is not powerful enough to do what a good God would. Beneath it all, it is not so much a question of God's omnipotency that bothers us, but rather a doubt of His goodness. Why trust an all-powerful God if He doesn't want what's best for us? If He doesn't even use his power for our good? Why even believe in such a God? Surely the idea of a God who is by nature good yet not all-powerful is lacking enough, but the idea of a holy and righteous God, unlimited in power and strength and energy, yet not inclined towards our good? This is terrifying! Give me a God that is for my good and lacking in power, but never a God that would seek my harm! Anything but that! We seem quite okay with worshiping a good God that simply may not be able to stop my pain, but to worship a God who could but doesn't? This seems downright outrageous! Certainly such a God doesn't deserve our praise. Therefore, it seems the nagging question among the church today isn't as much "Is God powerful enough to stop this?", but "Is God even good in allowing this?". If He's not, then heck, throw the baby out with the bathwater and live with a slightly less than sovereign God- as long as we still have a good and loving God. However, I believe this is a direct assault on God's very being, and just as outrageous as claiming God is all-powerful but not good. It constitutes both the height of arrogance as well as the shallowness of human reason, and is nothing but the result of a constant preoccupation with that most terrible of oppressors: ourselves.

We say, "Well, everyone wants what's best for them." And I'd agree. However, we are so quick to think we know what's best for us better than anyone. We forget that surely an omniscient God must know us better than ourselves, he would not be omniscient otherwise. And for Him to know us better than ourselves, he must know what's best for us better than ourselves, if indeed He is to be good and all-wise as well as omniscient. Therefore, even by pure reason we can be sure that God does indeed know us better than ourselves. Far better. In fact, God knows us and what is best for us to such an intimate extent that for us to question Him is but to claim our place as fools. Yet we constantly do this. We look at circumstances God has permitted in our lives and immediately jump to the conclusion that He couldn't possibly have wanted them to happen to us. Why? Well, because we wouldn't have allowed them to happen to us. We assume that what God thinks is best for us and what we think is best for us are equivalent. But couldn't the simple fact that what happens to us isn't always what we want to happen to us be an obvious indicator that they aren't the same? To think that for some reason God does allow things to happen to us for our good, even when we don't think so? It seems the real reason why we wouldn't have allowed certain things to happen to us, and thus question God why he would (or did), is ultimately because we think we know what's best for us even better than God does.

It is at this point we must remember who we are, and who God is. We must remember our place. Who are we to question Him? Who are we, finite, imperfect, and simple-minded man, to question the infinite, perfect, and all-wise God? Are we not but here today and gone tomorrow? And is He not eternal, having been forever? Is it our place to question such a One? Should we even be allowed to? No, we should cover our mouths and hide our faces in the dust. This is our place before a Holy God. If anyone is to be doing the questioning, it should be God. If anyone is to give an account of themselves, it should be us. In all reality, when what happens to us does not agree with what we see as in our best interests we should not question God in his apparent display of carelessness, but we should question ourselves in our outright display of doubt. The problem is not with God's apparent lack of concern, but our obvious lack of trust. This is the real problem. It is with ourselves.

A Prayer of Questions About His Church

Father in heaven,
Why do you allow your church to falter? Why does it seem so weak at times? Why is there such a lack of discernment? Why is sanctification so slow? Lord, how long will you tolerate the mediocrity that sits in the pew? Lord, how long will you put up with your children who are ashamed and unlearned to speak of your name to the unbelieving? Why do you permit your shepherds to starve the sheep instead of feeding them? Father, I don't understand. There is so much wrong with your church and to my limited mind it seems like you are slow to act. But I know that nothing escapes your eyes, Father. And to the outsider it may seem that you are complacent towards a church that is filled with hypocrisy and lethargy. But being complacent and patient are not the same thing. You are patient with us even though we don't deserve it. We are forgiven in Christ and the more we sin the more we become aware of the magnititude of your grace. Perhaps that is why you allow us to fail daily--that your grace might be magnified. Lord, my mind cannot grasp your ways. My thoughts are so small. They are so fixed on the temporal that I cannot always see your eternal purposes in the affairs of mankind. I cannot tell whether your people are growing in the word or shrinking in the world. In one moment they have victory over sin and the next they wallow in it. In one moment they are willing to suffer for the sake of Your Son, the next they prefer comfort over conformity to His image. Pondering these things is enough to drive one to insanity at times. Yet your wisdom reigns over all. You are in complete control. You are accomplishing your will. You are glorifying yourself and all of history leads to this great end. It's just that in painful moments we cannot always see this end in sight. Lord, let me rest in your wisdom. Your church is in your hands, not mine. The church is your idea, not mine. The church is your gift to your Son, not mine. The church is yours to sanctify, not mine. It is yours to save, not mine. Remove the self-imposed burden of thinking that it's my job only to ensure the health of the church. Lord, I am but a clay vessel in your pantry and if you see fit to put me on the shelf or if you see fit to use me everyday, Lord it is your choice. Let me be only a clean vessel. Christ Jesus, you are building the church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. Let me rest on the promise of your sure and unchanging word. This I pray in the marvelous, powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

WORD OF THE WEEK #3: Regeneration

REGENERATION

There is a modern-day sense in which the word regeneration is used. If you cut off a lizard's tail it may regenerate. In this sense we would say that the tail grew back to fulness. Once a man tried to use this definition to explain to me that regeneration was the process by which God makes us more like Chirst. In other words, he was saying that regeneration is the same thing as growing in godliness. I begged to differ and told him that regeneration was something different than what he described to me. What he was describing was sanctification.

The root word of regeneration is generation. In a family there are often two, three or four generations alive at one time. Generation has to do with birth, life. One generation generates or gives life to another. Regeneration, in scripture, is the term we use to say that we have been "born again." Both mean the same things. REGENERATION = BORN AGAIN. John 1:12-13 tells us that we are born into God's family at the will of God, not our will: But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

This is hard for some to grasp because mankind can feel as if this is imposing on the will of man or that man has no will in his coming to faith in Christ. The problem from grasping this stems from a lack of understanding the order of salvation and defintion of terms. Being born again or regeneration comes before faith. Faith in Christ then is the fruit of regeneration. We do not cry out to God and say, "Make me born again, regenerate me!" We are regenerated, given life, made to live spiritually....then we cry out to God and say, "Lord, save me by Christ." Regeneration and salvation, while heavily connected, are not exactly the same thing.

It is much like the baby that is born into this world. It was not their decision to have life. Their parents willed it, so to speak. The same is true of our God. He willed our spiritual life (John 1:12-13, John 3:1-15). When a baby is born into this world, the first thing is dies is cry for help. That is what happens to us when we are given spiritual life from God--immediately we cry out to God for help, for salvation.

When you read 1 John 5:4-5 you will see that everyone that has been born of God (regenerated) overcomes the world. It is not saying that when you overcome the world, you will be born again. That is like saying that your deeds, your good works, your law-keeping is what grants you life. That is not true. If that is true, then our deeds give us life, not God. We are given life, we are born again by God and then we, by God's strength, overcome the world. Overcoming the world is the fruit or result of being born of God. Life comes first, then victory over the world.

Now back up to 1 John 5:1. Scripture says "everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him." John expresses a different truth in the exact same way. Whoever has faith in Christ HAS BEEN born of God--that's past tense. It is not saying that whoever believes in Christ will be born again. It says that they HAVE BEEN born again. The being born of God or regeneration comes first. Faith then is the fruit or result of being born again. The order of salvation then looks like this. God causes us to be born again or gives us spiritual life (regeneration). Once we are alive we put faith in Christ and then are saved. That is no way violates the will of man. Man freely puts faith in Christ but cannot until God gives him life and cannot until God gives Him faith and repentance. The natural man cannot understand the things of God. He cannot. No ifs, ands or buts about it. The things of God are spiritually discerned or understood. He must be given spiritual life first in order to grasp scripture in a way that leads to salvation.

Titus 3:4-7 clearly shows us the wonderful truth of how God regenerates and then saves us.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Notice that we are not saved by works. We are saved by the "washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." We are saved because we were first born again or regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us life. And He does not give life apart from the Word of God that He inspired. Therefore, it is most necessary for us, as God's mouthpieces, to share the Word of God abundantly with those who are dead in sin. God will not regenerate them apart from His Word. The same Word which called dead Lazarus from the tomb will call dead sinners to life so that they can believe in Christ and be saved.

The practical applications of this truth are anything by heady. They are not meant to fill our brains with information only. They are meant to fill our minds with knowledge that leads us taking joy and delight in our God. These truths humble us and show our dependence upon God for eternal life. They help us to live a life of gratitude and worship of God. They help us to realize that God who has begun a good work in us will be faithful to complete it...our salvation is secure because it is God who gave us life and faith in Christ. These truths show us that if God had not acted first towards us and regenerated us, then we would still be dead in our trespasses and on our way to hell for our disobedience towards God. These truths show us that if we do not rightly learn the Word of God and do not rightly share the Word of God, then mankind has no hope of being born again to faith in Christ. How serious it is then that you sit under the Scripture and those who teach it faithfully and correctly.

I love the truth and WORDS of God's Word because they cause me to be awestruck by our good and gracious God.