Despising Time-Robbing Distractions

"If God would grant us the vision, the word sacrifice would disappear from our lips and thoughts; we would hate the things that seem now so dear to us; our lives would suddenly be too short, we would despise time-robbing distractions and charge the enemy with all our energies in the name of Christ." -Nate Saint

"The things that seem now so dear to us"......stable careers, affluent living, individualism, surrounding ourselves with things (big houses, better cars, boats, clothes, accessories, etc.), entertainment galore, leisure time...so on and so forth. The list could continue, the "time-robbing distractions" are numerous and become instantaneously infinite...for that's what a distraction is, any activity, object, or relationship that gains our affection over what is the main focus of our attention. If I am honest, I too love a good distraction (even a bad distraction...Netflix, Youtube, Facebook, ESPN, sleeping, talking about the same things over and over again without taking action). Distractions allow me an escape the painful realities of life, offering an immediate sense of relief that covers over any feeling that perhaps I am not focused upon the things I should be.

However, as any and every statistic shows...Americans are not happy people. We hate our jobs (if we have them), we can never get enough entertainment, our houses are never big enough, our cars are never fast enough (or perhaps not as fuel efficient as we want), our clothes are always out of style, we never have enough money, there are never enough restaurants to choose from, we don't have time to do what WE want. Given the distorted view of the Gospel in America, it is no wonder that our churches are no less fulfilled...for we too crave distractions. And not just in our homes like everyone else...in our church relationships, services, programs, etc....we focus on distraction.

Why? Why do we have more resources at our fingertips than any other culture in history, yet find ourselves as unhappy, if not more unsettled, than previous generations? Answer: we have no vision. Point blank: we live for nothing. We strive after nothing, things that moth and rust destroy, things that thieves break in and steal. Our cars break down, our jobs fall through, our clothes go out of style, our houses fall apart, our food makes us fat, our shopping drains our resources, our TV shows get cancelled, our individualism turns into loneliness, etc....no matter what temporal "goals" we set our minds to, we are left unsatisfied.

My suggestion is simply a copy of that of Nate Saint: ask God to grant us the vision. The vision to see Jesus Christ as supremely important. May we be granted a focused heart that desires above every other desire to love Jesus Christ. Many of us don't understand the lives of Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, and the three other missionaries who died at the hand of the Waorani (Auca) tribe in Ecuador in the 1950s; we look at what they did and say "we could not sacrifice that much." But with the vision of God those men had, did they consider themselves to have sacrificed anything? In the sense of giving up something, yes, they gave up the "comfort" or "safety" of a "normal life"....but in actuality, these men died with more fulfillment in their lives than many of us will ever have if we live for 70, 80, or even 90 years. Ask God for the vision, that we may see Christ for who He is and that we may find our satisfaction in Him, for He will never fail to offer fulfillment.

Father in Heaven, we as Your people must repent often, and in this moment there is no difference. We thank You for reaching out to love a people who have so despised Your work. You have remained faithful to Your promises throughout all of time, and we have Your Word as the testament, the witness to Your great patience and mercy. Give us a vision of who You truly are, a vision of who Jesus Christ is, and a vision of who we are in light of those sweet pictures. Grant us purpose, and let us avoid wasting our lives, throwing them away for the continual pursuit of silly distractions that leave us empty-handed. Let us not fall in love with the blessings You bestow upon us in this life, but instead, allow us the grace to love You...to understand that You are the source of all that is good. We are a forgetful people who often live a lukewarm existence. Gives us a vision Lord, of You and Your glory.

--In case you'd like to know more about Nate Saint or the mission I spoke of, check out Elisabeth Elliot's book "Through Gates of Splendor."

How May a Young Man Know Whether He is Called or Not?

This week has been quite difficult for me, and it has been so for many reasons, but the main issue weighing upon my shoulders has been a sense of needing to recapture a vision of my "calling." Most anyone who reads my writings knows that over the past 5 years or so, I have pursued training to become a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having graduated from Bible college after four years of mixed "results," I have had little development in defining my call to ministry (granted, much of this comes from my own sin in lackadaisical efforts and operating in a "denominational system" that doesn't quite match my own theological perspective). So, naturally, since graduation, I have been examining and thinking through my calling unlike any other aspect of my life. As I often do when in a state of questioning and seeking answers, I contacted a few friends and mentors for guidance. One of my most powerful influences, mentor and friend Dale Wallace, pointed me back to Charles H. Spurgeon's classic work "Lectures to My Students," a collection of lectures given to students at his preaching college concerning the ministry. Specifically, I was directed to read chapter 2, "The Call to the Ministry." Let me say that I am so thankful for the direction; in Spurgeon's writing I have gained much comfort and much assurance.

Though there are a dozen or so ideas I would like do discuss, my desire is to present one question raised by Spurgeon, and provide a summary of his answer. The question is this: "How may a young man know whether he is called or not?" Now, this question is not just for the young man first seeking assurance of his call, but is also for every man called to the ministry who struggles with whether or not he is truly following the will of the Lord. So, how does Spurgeon answer such a heavy question, how does a man know he is called?

In numbered form, his answer is four-fold:
1. "The first sign of the heavenly calling is an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work."
2. "In the second place...there must be aptness to teach and some measure of the other qualities needful for the office of a public instructor."
3. "In order further to prove a man's call...he must see a measure of conversion work going on under his efforts."
4. "It is needful as a proof of your vocation that your preaching should be acceptable to the people of God."

Firstly, a man must feel the call, it must be as a "fire in his bones." If anyone feels that they could do anything other than preach, then they should do it; this is not to say that if they are able to do anything else, for our preachers should be wise men who have the ability to do anything they set their mind to. Instead, the idea is that any man who desires to preach, must desire to preach the Gospel above anything else. However, desire is not enough, for in the second place, one who is called should have the gifts to serve effectively as a minister. If a man is a stuttering, stammering fool who slips and stumbles over every word he tries to utter, perhaps it is not best for him to serve in the role of teaching and preaching from one week to another. Also, if a man is not above reproach, nor matches the characteristics described in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 or Titus 1:6-9, he is not qualified nor possesses the qualities needed to minister in the pastoral office. If the desire is there, and the man is gifted, he should preach, but in so doing, be always mindful as to whether or not the Lord is using his preaching for the conversion of souls. Spurgeon acknowledges that there must be ears to hear, but if we are prayerfully seeking the Lord to use our service for His glory, it is doubtful that we should go an entire lifetime without seeing the effects of the Word going out. Along the same lines as this point comes the fourth proof for knowing if you are called; do the people of God approve of your ministry? Is their a local assembly of Christ's body which has been encouraged by your ministry and can fully attest to your usefulness in the Gospel ministry? This is much more than a pat on the back from the blue haired ladies, but are there numerous godly people who can strongly affirm that the Lord has called you to preach His Gospel message?

As I look upon these four points, they do provide quite a bit of support for my own calling, and I can find sufficient evidence to trust that the Lord is working in my life, preparing me to serve when and where He provides. We must always remember, however, that though we are called...we are not necessary. Our God does not "need" us anymore than He needed Pharaoh long ago; for even in his hardened heart, God used Pharaoh for His glory. We are not "special" in and of ourselves, any gift we have to offer Christ's body comes from our Father above. Let us remember that our calling is just that, something we are called to on behalf of the Lord Almighty. Brothers, examine yourself! Firstly, are you called to Christ? If so, have you been called to preach the Gospel in full time service? If you match Spurgeon's four points above, I believe you must pursue that calling above all else in your life. If not...stay away from the ministry. Honor God in a "secular" vocation. Perhaps Tim Keller's article, "Vocation-Discerning Your Calling," will provide some help if this is so for you.

Father, we praise your name for the work you have done through Jesus Christ, for the redemption you offer the world through his sacrifice. For those of us you have called to give our lives to proclaim that message to the world, give us a clear sense of our calling, that we may be emboldened to stand before any man with confidence in the work of Christ. For those who think they are called, but are of little use to you and your Kingdom, rebuke them and help them find their way that they may best honor your name with their lives. You are a gracious God and we thank you for all things, for all things come by your power. In the name of your glorious Son, Jesus the Christ, we pray; Amen.

Do Not Be A Deaf Sheep

The study that follows comes out of a recent, painful experience in my own life. To make a long story short, through what I perceive to be miscommunication, someone I have long respected as a good teacher of the Word questioned my salvation. However, they did not do so directly to me, but to someone I am very close to, so I "heard it through the grapevine." There is much danger in responding to hearsay and taking offense at what someone may or may not have meant. Therefore, let me make it clear that this is not a response to the questioning of my salvation, but is a reflection upon the work of Jesus Christ as presented through his own witness and the witness of the apostles John and Paul.

"So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, 'How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.' Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one'." -John 10:24-30

As John records it, Jesus has been teaching and proclaiming his Christ-ness to the Jews. He has said that the Father has charged him with the authority to lay down his life in order that we might be saved (John 10:17-18); firstly, to the Jews, and then to those not of that "fold" (Gentiles, me and probably you) who too must be brought by Jesus to the Father. Jesus has clearly stated that he is the Anointed One, the Christ, the Messiah, sent from the Father. And yet these Jews (if not Pharisees, a group committed to Jewish tradition) ask him again to tell plainly that he is the Christ.

Jesus says "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me." This is a terrible indictment, and don't be too quick to point fingers at these unbelieving Jews, for this indictment is held against all who do not believe. Jesus' teachings are clear: he declared that he is one with the Father and that he was sent by the Father to give the world eternal life through his death. If you do not believe that, you are not of his flock, you are not his follower. That is the indictment, if you do not believe, you do not belong. Yet, those who do not believe that Jesus is who he claims to be, do not do so because of sufficient logic or reasoning, nor because of deep convictions they formulate, nor for any other reason than this: "[they] are not part of [his] flock." If you do not see the works of Jesus as bearing witness to his relationship with the Father, it is because you do not belong to him. You do not hear his voice. Those who are in the "flock," are those who believe, and they believe because they belong to God. The order here seems unnatural to many; because of our own desire to be sovereign and fully control our lives, we are adamant to say that we belong because we believe, but that is not what Jesus presents here.

Continuing, Jesus says, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." Those who belong to Jesus, those who believe, have eternal life from now unto eternity. It is a present gift, and because it is, they will never perish nor be snatched from his hand, for he is one with the Father, who is "greater than all."

This promise of never being snatched from Jesus' grasp leads me directly to Paul's question in Romans 8:31...

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels or rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:31-39

If we truly belong to Jesus, if we are the sheep of his flock, then we are his. We will follow his voice. If Jesus is our shepherd, if he is for us, and if he is one with the Father, then the Father is for us. How do we know? Because the Father "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all." Who can bring anything against God's people? Could the Jewish leaders condemn Jesus' followers, could their legalistic way of life bring charges against his disciples? No. God has justified his people, those who belong to him, and he has done so through Christ...therefore, Christ is interceding for us. There is no person nor is there any thing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now, you can read this post and debate a number of controversial issues...but what you cannot do is condemn. I hear the voice of my shepherd, Jesus the Christ; I believe because I belong to him. If you can say the same thing, never let your faith be defined by anyone or anything other than Christ. I encourage you to remember that through Christ, we conquer every circumstance that comes our way (tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, etc.). Paul will say in his letter to the Philippians that he "can do all things through him who strengthens me [Paul]." Paul would follow Jesus wherever that led, if it meant doing so with nothing but the shirt on his back or if he was fully supplied with food, water, and shelter; circumstances did not dictate his identity in Christ.

Christian, remember who you belong to, remember who you believe in. Do not let your soul be crushed by condemnation from others, from Satan, or from your own deceitful heart. You are in his flock, you know his voice. We do not heed to call of strangers, for their voice is not the sweet sound of our savior's call.

Father, grant your people that read these words the ears to hear the voice of Jesus calling. Give us the discernment to know when strangers are trying to influence us to follow any other way than behind Jesus. Continue to call us, that we may not stray to the right or to the left, but that we will stay close behind as you draw us to yourself in our conforming to the image of Christ. For those who do not yet believe, we hold onto hope that they do belong to you and have yet to heed your call. Grant us graciousness Father, keep us from being a tool of destruction that seeks to condemn those who belong to you. Your Son died for all who are in your flock, may we always be mindful of that. In that Son's name, Jesus, we pray to you our Father, Amen.

Ministry: Living Humility

So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. -Philippians 2:29-30

In this letter to a church Paul loved, he thanks them for their support in his ministry by way of a man named Epaphroditus. This man took a gift from the church at Philippi to Paul, who was in Rome; at some point Epaphroditus became sick. And that is all we know about Epaprhoditus, as he goes unmentioned throughout the rest of the New Testament. Yet, Philippians 2:25-30 describes Epaphroditus as a "minister" worthy of honor.

Paul has just worked through a discussion of God's glory being shown through the humility of Christ, and he tells the Philippians to have the same mind of humility so they might shine like stars as they hold out the word of life. He depicts good service again through the ministry of Timothy, expounding upon Timothy's humble attitude as a servant of Christ. Paul continues, expressing his plan to send Epaphroditus back to Philippi, but within this little paragraph, Paul lifts up Epaphroditus as one who should be honored.

But why? Who is Epaphroditus? He is not mentioned in the book of Acts as one of the key converts in Philippi, he's not mentioned as one of Paul's companions on missionary journeys, and he's not even mentioned by Paul in any other letter. All we know about Epaphroditus is that he was carrying a message and a gift to Paul from the Philippians, and he got sick.

Paul says "honor such men," because Epaphroditus risked his life for the sake of Paul's ministry, the Gospel ministry. He wasn't worthy of honor because he had given the most money to Paul's work, or because he had been a member of the church for a long time, or because he had converted thousands of people to Christianity, or because he was a morally upright man, or even because he was a Bible college student (You'd be surprised how much "honor" is given simply for attending an institution). No, Epaphroditus was worthy of honor because he counted his life as nothing for the sake of living the Gospel of reconciliation.

We think of Paul as a mighty warrior of the cross, but Paul says Epaphroditus is his fellow soldier, a brother and fellow worker; we would do well to learn two things from this:

1. Ministry is not about holding a position or a name, it's about the work of Christ.
2. We should honor and rejoice in the ministry of those who take risks for the Gospel.

On the one hand, we strive to serve in humility, following the example of Jesus, who gave his own life for the sake of the Father's glory, that all men might be drawn to Him. Epaphroditus ministered through his sickness, humble enough to think his health nothing and service everything. There are people with the title of "Preacher" or "Pastor" or "Minister" who do not deserve honor; they risk nothing and live for the sake of themselves. Do not equate a position with a person. True servants are the doctors who use their vacation time to serve in foreign missionary clinics; the teacher who leaves the comfortable suburban school for the city school known for nothing good ; the firefighter who lays down his life so the community can see a reflection of Christ's sacrifice; the office worker who stands up for integrity in an environment which punishes honesty and rewards results; the white collar worker who gives up their job and moves to Haiti to help the people rebuild; on and on goes the list of those who risk for the sake of God's Kingdom. What is the key to such risk? Humility. Understanding God as glorious and ourselves as a tool of reconciliation in His hands.

The second challenge of this passage is to honor the ministry of others: to encourage the missionary gaining support; to pray for the thousands of persecuted Christians enduring the hatred of the world for Christ's sake; to recognize the single mother working 3 jobs, trying to get her children involved in the church family when it costs her precious hours of sleep; to sit with the dying saints who have lived a full life in a manner that pleases the Lord; to embrace the child who's father died in Iraq while spreading the Gospel in his battalion and among the Iraqi people; to listen to the couple who have not a penny to their name but love each other deeply for the sake of glorifying Christ. Honoring the ministry of others involves opening our eyes to the way God uses their lives to display the Gospel. What opens our eyes? Humility. Understanding God as glorious and others as tools of reconciliation in His hands.

Father, allow your people to be a people who live humbly; who put your desires above our desires. Send your Spirit to guide our thoughts through the day, that we might minister in each and every situation that affords us an opportunity to be an agent of reconciliation. We do not wish to simply be good people, and we do not desire to be honored for something within ourselves, but we do ask that you would use our lives to impact this world in such a way that others would be drawn to You. Help us to be like Christ, to be like Paul, to be like Timothy, and to be like Epaphroditus; who all understood that even one's life is not worth withholding from You. Father, we love You and consider it an honor in itself that we are called to partake in Your work on this earth, allow us to be gracious in honoring others for Your work in their lives. In the name of Christ, we ask for strength and mercy. Amen.

To Depart or To Remain...

The inspiration for this post came from two stories, albeit from Facebook posts, about the life and outlook of two elderly persons. I'll repost them without reference to where the original contributions came from.

1. "Just spent some time with a wonderful 94 year old saint. It is good to see men and women who have run the race well."

2. "An elderly man just summed up life for me: "You live life, love your wife, play with your kids, stay busy raising them to be independent adults...then all of a sudden everyone is gone, time stands still, and it's just you."

Being one prone to depression and a "less-than-positive" outlook on life, I naturally resonate with the second man's summation of life. However, as I have been reflecting quite heavily upon the book of Philippians, my thoughts are drawn to Paul's life summary in his letter to this beloved congregation.

"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because my coming to you again." - Philippians 1:21-26

(The italicized portions are where my focus is to be placed.)

To enjoy the eternal blessing of closeness to Jesus is by far the thing I desire above everything else. How great the thought that I will be forever with my Lord! I say with John, "Come, Lord Jesus!" (And come quickly at that!) But as Spurgeon put it: "The Lord’s 'quickly' may not be my 'quickly'; and if so, let him do what seemeth him good." Christ has not yet returned, and I have not departed, so what is my lot? My lot is to remain in the flesh for others' progress and joy in the faith.

So, how does that play out in the scenarios above...

1: This person has learned to live the life of a disciple of Christ by way of longevity. They ran their race well and have strained and struggled to the glory of God. These faithful saints serve as examples; we are called to learn from them how to run the race well, that Christ will be honored in our body "whether by life or death." Perhaps they are without their spouse, their children, or even a friend in the world (although doubtful, fully possible), yet they strive on towards the "upward call of God." It would be far better for them to depart and be with Christ, for all is gain in that moment, but it is necessary for them to remain, that they may bolster the faith of others.

2: This person sits alone in a room with no comfort other than the occasional nurse or visitor who graces his door. For a vivid picture, think Carl Fredricksen from Disney Pixar's "Up." A man who's identity was defined by his wife and their relationship, it was his source of happiness; but in the loss of his wife, his identity is lost and his purpose is swept away in a matter of moments. Yes, the movie develops and Mr. Fredricksen finds a "new adventure" with the exuberant Russell, but that is a movie. (Also, he never finds Jesus, so the ending isn't complete). My point is twofold: 1, such people have nothing to gain in death and nothing of necessity to live for; 2, myself and other Christians are necessary that this man may find joy in the faith.

Paul's desire was to depart and be with Christ, but it was necessary for him to remain and continue his work for the sake of others, that their faith may progress and overflow with joy. Therefore, we reach the conclusion that although it is gain to die and be with Christ, we remain in the flesh to help others progress in their faith and take great joy in that faith. My heart rejoices in the testimony of the first person in this post, and I weep for the man who lives without joy. Though I may never meet either of these persons, there are people in my life who exemplify both positions.

Father, I long to depart and be forever with You, but I have been reminded by Your Word and the lives of my fellow man that this is not yet my lot. Grant me the grace of strength to find my joy always in You, never looking to my circumstances for a sense of identity or purpose. May I live in such a way that You are glorified and the faith of others progresses as they look to You as the source of their joy. Forgive me, Lord, for I am a selfish man who desires to gain through my death and the coming of Your Son. Thank you for this midday reminder that I am to be poured out as an offering for the sake of others. I lift this prayer in the precious name of Jesus Christ.

Beware, Lest You Forget

And when the LORD your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, then take care lest you forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

- Deuteronomy 6:10-12

Take care, or "beware" in the KJV, that you do not forget the LORD. Surely Israel could remember that they had been brought out of Egypt, that they had been rescued from slavery? Surely it would not be difficult to follow the law Moses handed to the people from their God? Surely this God could never be forgotten...

But the scriptures tell us He was forgotten; Moses' warning is itself within the context of the Israelites finally coming unto the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This land had been offered to the Israelites forty years prior, but they had forgotten the LORD. They had forgotten that He was in control. They had forgotten His promise, and all they could foresee was their destruction at the hands of those who inhabited the lands they were promised. So God led them into and through the wilderness for forty years because of their disobedience.

Flashing forward, the Israelites are victorious over the inhabitants of the land, and they settle as God's people. But it doesn't take long for them to again forget the LORD who had brought them out of Egypt and out of slavery. In fact, the rest of the Old Testament writings (for the most part) describe the unfaithfulness of Israel and the faithfulness of God. While they often forget, He never does. What a shameful people, those Israelites!

But wait, was my bondage to sin any less brutal than the burden of the Egyptians upon the backs of Israel? Was I too not rescued from slavery? Was I not suffering night and day under sin? Am I too not under a promise, am I not living in a grace that I have not produced? Yes, without a doubt, the freedom granted us in Christ has replaced the most suffocating bondage any man can endure.......and yet how quickly we forget? How often we cry out to return to "Egypt" as the Israelites did...we long for the bondage of our past. We seek to be slaves again to idleness, to idolatry, to pride, to coveting, to theft, to lying.....to food, to loneliness and depression, to lust, to hate, to fear. But let us not waiver in this truth, God is faithful.

Therefore, let us remember the Lord as we enjoy the blessings of His grace. Just as the promised land was not created by the Israelites, our blessed state in Christ was not our own creation, but is the promise of our God. Yes, let us enjoy our status as sons and daughters of the Almighty, but let us do so by remembering that He is the one who has called us. "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" says Paul. God was faithful to His promises to the people of Israel, and He is faithful to His promises to us on the other side of the cross.

Lord, forgive me for my forgetfulness that flaunts a false feeling of pride that I am okay on my own. Remind me that I have been brought out of bondage and owe everything to you, the LORD who has freed me from slavery. You, oh Lord, brought your people out of Egypt, and it was you, oh Lord, that called me out of my bondage to sin. What a terrible thing to forget who YOU are. Thank you Father for your scriptures, for Moses and the people of Israel who went before, that you could use them in drawing the world back into your arms. Thank you for reminding me that you are faithful, now and forever. In the name of Christ, who is the greatest sign of your faithfulness.

Happily Hated?

"Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." -Luke 6:22-23

I've been reading through the Gospels over the past week or two and am struck by the radical nature of Jesus' teachings; they are often so counter-cultural that I read over them without fully grasping what has been said. With this text I do not claim full understanding, but it is quite evident that Jesus is not teaching his followers to be "good Christians." The contemporary Christian ideology that we must be "people pleasers" and "seeker sensitive" is blown out of the water here by Jesus' teaching; we are not to be ashamed, saddened, or depressed when people hate us or reject us on account of Jesus. Jesus says we are blessed, a word with the underlying theme of happiness; he is telling us to be happy when we are persecuted for his name. We are told to "rejoice" and "leap for joy" when people hate us. This is not something that the contemporary Church acknowledges very well; we seem so eager to make Jesus and the Church "likable" that if we are ever despised, it is seen as failure...but Jesus is quick to point us to the prophets of old and remember that they too were rejected by men. Jesus himself becomes the most hated man of his day, leading to his own death.

However, why are we to be hated, excluded, and reviled? We are to be rejected on account of the Son of Man, Jesus Christ. If we follow the lifestyle he exemplified and commanded us to follow in the previous two verses, our lives will be lived on his account, for his purposes and glory.

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." -Luke 6:20b-21

Followers of Jesus are happy in poverty, in hunger, and in sorrow; the time for affluence, being satisfied, and laughing is not far off, but it is not yet time. Christ wandered this earth for three years in poverty, with nothing to his name. Often he hungered and went on without being filled. We read of his sorrow over Jerusalem and the pain of death and other examples of the grief he endured. Yet he did it as one blessed, happy to do his will for the Lord. Paul writes that he too rejoices in his sufferings for Christ.

But what about those who are now rich, satisfied, laughing, and spoken well of?

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets." -Luke 6:24-26

Woe to you or "what a miserable state for you," what affliction for you; for who? Those who are rich, are full now, who now laugh, and those who are spoken well of. Why, because you are already receiving your reward. The Christian life is not about the Christian person, it is about Jesus. We are to live our lives in a way that Christ is seen, both in our actions and in our motives. If we accept the praise of this world, that is our reward; while those who give the praise to Jesus, they have a place in the kingdom of God. My challenge in reading this passage can be summed up in this: live your life in such a way that people hate you because you reflect Jesus. The Son of God came and was slain, it should be my desire to follow him unto death.

Father, allow me to reject the treasures of this world and count you as my only need. Let me go hungry often and see to it that others receive their food before I do. Give me the strength to endure weeping and sorrow through this life, receiving the pains and struggles of this life willingly. Allow me to be happy when hated and accept the rejection of men. Grant me these things I pray, but if I fall into the trap of "pleasing people" for accepting their praise, grasp my attention and shake my hands loose of the things of this world. Lord, allow me to let go of my perceived needs and hold tight to Jesus. It is by his name I ask these things. Amen.

What Wondrous Love is This?

"What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!"

This wonderful hymn was brought to my attention once again this morning and it has been in my head all day. What wondrous love is this, o my soul, that caused the Lord of bliss to bear the dreadful curse for my soul? What caused the Creator of all things, God Almighty, the most powerful being in existence, the Righteous One, to bear the curse of mankind and sin for my soul? This question is foolish to many, for they ask, "what curse?" Thousands, hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions live each day with no acknowledgment of a curse, no understanding of sin. It lies right before them in the news if not before their own eyes in their own life; another scandal of infidelity, another murder, another family haunted by abuse, another story of corporate greed, etc. There is no denial that things are not as people think they should be; injustice exists, pain exists, death taunts us.

Why then, do we deny that perhaps we are the problem? Why are criminals only such because of "mental incapacity?" We have all violated the Law of God, therefore, we are all criminals; each one stands guilty before the Righteous Judge. There is no "not guilty" plea successfully defended; each man or woman has their own sin before themselves and before God. What then is the verdict? We are guilty, we are to be sentenced according to a guilty verdict. But wait, there is someone else who takes upon himself our crimes. Who is this one who comes before the judge and pleads to take our punishment upon himself? It is the judge himself. The very one who stands before us, able to rightly judge and sentence us, has taken it upon himself to come and die that our punishment may be taken upon himself. What love is this? That the Righteous One should bear our curse?

Romans 5:6-8
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

What wondrous love is this? That I, guilty of sin and deserving of death, receive the blessings of life through the death of Christ. Oh God, forgive us of our arrogance and our ability to forget what price has been paid for our own law breaking. We are so eager to condemn our fellow men when they transgress human law, but in our own criminal behavior that violates ultimate, righteous law we are quick to declare innocence and cry for mercy. Thank you Lord for taking our punishment, something you had no business experiencing, yet did so willingly. We are blind to your love, even as it sits before us. You Lord are clearly for us, what shall stand before us? "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Lord, may we know that we have been bought with the blood of Christ Jesus, and in this, take strength to endure and conquer whatever we may face in this short life. Be gracious to us Lord, as you have faithfully done for so long; we bless your name for who you are and for what you have done in Jesus Christ, our Ambassador, and in who's name we live and find our identity. Amen.

A Heart Condition

“Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer” -John Bunyan

Words that every God follower must find true in their own heart, Bunyan addresses something that I fear may be a struggle for quite some time in this life I am living. We attempt to assign to this life a cyclical nature; going back and forth through sin and holiness, guilt and forgiveness, or prayer and sin. Yet I struggle to find biblical support for living in this circle of sin and holiness. I find my fickle faith to be stuck in this cycle, however, and with such a cycle comes the uttermost failure and complete guilt. I'm reminded of Paul's writing in Romans, chapters 7 and 8 specifically, as he contrasts the sinful nature versus those with the Spirit. As he comes out of this section, Paul focuses on redemption of all things (man, the earth, etc.). He describes a groaning of the earth as it cries out to God for redemption, and he goes on to say this:

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

At this time in my life I am coming out of a week full of slothfulness, idleness, spitefulness, anger, waste, and forgetfulness. Things I have said time and again will not happen and have prayed time and again to be taken from me; I find myself again in that place of "what do I have to do?" Perhaps my ignorance of true submission is enough to keep me continually grasping for mercy; I hope so, but perhaps not again grasping as I come out of a destructive path. Prayer is not a simple idea, but it's requirements seem so simple in relation to what one must actually "do." As you battle this life and fight through the struggles your old nature attempts to revive within you, pray.

Prayer is not a matter of finding the right words; it is the matter of understanding who holds all words. Your heart is not hidden before God, therefore, what can you say that will make things more real to God? This is not to say that prayer is not necessary, on the contrary, prayer is the moment we acknowledge God as sovereign and bring our heart poured out before Him. There are days of full thankfulness when our hearts are overjoyed with an understanding of God's greatness. However, days come when our souls are downcast and our hearts have been scarred by the pain of this life; perhaps our minds have been tricked into thinking that the world has come crashing in upon us. Prayer is that time of recognition that God is God and we are not. We have been blessed by Him or we have fallen prey to forgetting His greatness; either way there is an opportunity to truly glorify our God for who He is and who we do not have to be.

"Lord I dare not pass this moment without acknowledging your greatness. Your wholeness and completeness without me, but in this I confess I am incomplete and desire again your mercy of blessing in wisdom to grasp who Jesus Christ is and what He has faithfully done. Thank you Lord for the privilege of prayer, thank you for the grace to exist before you openly, without fear of what may be hidden or disguised from your eyes. Search me Lord, and in so doing find in me the things that are unclean and a part of the natural, sinful man that I Christ removed and the Spirit continues to rid me of. Holiness is something I am so far from understanding, but by your grace I discover what I have yet to learn and am eager to be pushed towards that perfection which seems so unattainable. Father, forgive your Son who tarnishes your gifts, lead me in the path of correction as you block my straying into traps of despair. Continue to grace me in Christ and accept my heart by the sacrifice He has made."

Two Months Later.....

It's been two months since my last blog, and to be honest it is a clear representation of how my life has progressed over this period. To sum it up, I have been stagnant and without much growth. However, I'm thankful God's grace is sufficient to pull my ignorant, rebellious heart back to him. This morning I received this devotional in an email; the words are, again, from Charles H. Spurgeon.

"Many of you know more about your magazines and novels--than what God has written! Many of you will read a novel from the beginning to the end, and what have you got? A head full of froth when you are done! But you cannot read the Bible--that solid, lasting, substantial, and satisfying food goes uneaten, locked up in the cupboard of neglect--while anything that man writes, a best-seller of the day--you greedily devour!"

To challenge Spurgeon would be ludicrous, for his words reveal so much truth about the sad state of Christianity. We have the Word given from God, the very Creator has spoken throughout all of history and it is recorded for us to reflect on. The availability of the Bible perhaps works against us; we sit with multiple copies (5 within my sight) and yet rarely open them expecting the Almighty God to speak through the words. Where have I been for two months? I have been hiding from these words; why, because they are boring? No, the reason so many of us hide from this Word of Life is because it is not boring, it calls for a response and a reaction. Our God calls out to us and asks us to call back to him, giving up what else may distract us in order that we may fully be in His grasp, not holding on to other things.

This is not to tell everyone that they must give up all other books and possesions, just holding onto the Bible, but it does present a question we must all answer. What have I not been able to live without today? Television? School? Work? Family? Facebook? Coffee? Sports? Was I able to get through my day without humbly approaching the words of my God? Just ask yourself, what must I have each day that I could not live without? If you must have God, you must have His Word. Please put down the novel, please set aside the remote, close your laptop, put down the food; step into a time of silence, praying for God to reveal to your heart how He wishes to change you! All other things will pass away as froth, His Word will never do so, and it cries out from your desk awaiting your heart's desire!

At Last, Amazing Grace I See

This is a poem I wrote during my senior year in high school as I finally realized that my ways weren't worth much; it expresses the kind of desire I hope to have for God's will and for God's plans. It's not much, but it's an attitude that I need to be reminded of quite frequently.

Why do I do it and what is my reason
I've got to keep going from season to season,
It hasn't been me or my own heart's desire
Every vision I saw only made me a liar,
My new heart's desire is not mine at all
Because if it was then surely I'd fall,
God's path is the way which now I must see
I have to rely on His plans for me,
But that means to give up these things that I do
I have to make sure the repentance is true,
There's only one way through the truth and the light
But it means to stand up and to join in the fight,
My life, it must mirror the beautiful Son
This strength I do ask from only but one,
The Creator creating an image in me
It's now I must say "I give it to thee,"
No longer do I stumble through the loops and holes
I am ready and willing to search for lost souls,
To the Lord I confess the words lost in my mind
"It is well with my soul," Lord your will may I find.

Woeful Without the Word

Charles Spurgeon gave his students this instruction in relation to their call to ministry: "We must feel that woe is unto us if we preach not the gospel; the word of God must be unto us as fire in our bones, otherwise if we undertake the ministry, we shall be unhappy in it, shall be unable to bear the self-denials incident to it, and shall be of little service to those among whom we minister."

If you dare preach the Word, do you do it because you would grow sick if you didn't? Do the scriptures kindle a fire within you that is consuming? When you get up to speak God's message, do you allow the Word to create the spark that sets you on fire so that others may be drawn to the light? Oh that I would be a preacher because there is nothing else left to me God would have me do. If I go a season without preaching may I grow sick and be consumed with a fire unquenchable by any force other than releasing God's message to sinners in need of Truth. If the Word does not provide the power or the spark, may I never stand in the pulpit! God, please keep me away from speaking about you, but instead may I proclaim your name to the world from whatever text you would have opened. Unlock the treasure box that is your Word that I may see the glorious rewards hidden within, sharing them with your people.

Studying: At the Desk or in the Closet?

"Texts will often refuse to reveal their treasures till you open them with the key of prayer. How wonderfully were the books opened to Daniel when he was in supplication! How much Peter learned upon the housetop! The closet is the best study."

This statement comes from Charles H. Spurgeon's work "Lectures to My Students" in a chapter on the minister's personal prayer life. The idea that any man is given the responsibility of preaching is a completely ridiculous idea, but God has chosen this medium to get His Word to the hearts of people. The ridiculousness of it springs from the fact that no man has any right to speak the thoughts that the Almighty God has spoken, but even through our unrighteousness, God has chosen to sanctify certain men for the task. However, no one moment prepares a man to preach. Preaching stems from the study of the Word, the very scriptures that are given through inspiration of man by the Spirit, and it is only by the work of the Spirit that preaching occurs.

A man can sit and read the text again and again, but no matter how many times he reads it or tries to analyze it, nothing will be opened to him until the truth is revealed. To think that we can simply pick up the Bible and find a sermon is such a horrible understanding of preaching, or to come to the Word with our own ideas already formed is no less tragic. The truth of the text can stay hidden as long as we stubbornly avoid the source of the text. If the Word belongs to God, and even IS God, then how foolish to think we can grasp what is to be used as a transforming force first in our own lives and secondly in the lives of those we're entrusted with teaching. Before the text can even be approached we must be humble enough to recognize we have no right to approach it, except for the fact that Christ has redeemed us and we have been called to preach the Word!

May we have preachers bold enough to call themselves nothing; may we have preachers bold enough to fall before God in tears; may we have preachers bold enough to lock themselves in the closet of prayer until the Spirit moves their heart approach the Holy Word passed down through generations! Study the text yes, but study it in the closet well before you make it to the desk! Listen to the Word and hear what it is saying; do not dare to create something out of what you read in ignorance. Give us preachers who spend hours in prayer and minutes in creation!

Deliverance (with a little less banjo)

Reading through the story of Jonah again, I am blown away by some of the things that I have missed before. With such a short narrative, it would seem that studying over it many times would reveal all there is to know, but once again the layers of Biblical study have been opened up. There were quite a few things that stood out, but the most intriguing to me is Jonah's prayer, found in chapter 2.

There have been many children's books telling the story of Jonah, and some of those constructed as pop-up books, but they always focus on that great fish. Perhaps this prayer would be much more appropriate, seeing as it has the power to leap out of the page into the mind with such vivid imagery. However, even the imagery that Jonah expresses is not what hits me in the heart with such conviction. Being a perpetual pessimist, I put myself in Jonah's position of being in the belly of a great fish and I say "wow, this really stinks, God I'm sorry I'm running but I wish you would save me and get me out of here or just let me die."

Jonah does not do this, Jonah applies the past tense, for he "called to the Lord and he answered me." Jonah's focus while he is in the big, stinky, dark fish-belly is not "Lord deliver me now," but instead he is focused on the fact that God saved him from death in the ocean. He recognizes that God is the one who threw him into the water, and then immediately he professes that it was God who saved him. Now I do not believe that Jonah had no desire to get out of the fish, but what he came to realize was that he had done wrong, God called him on it, but God's punishment did not come in the form of death, and Jonah was delivered from his situation almost as quickly as he was punished.

The story of Jonah, as a whole, is actually not as storybook as we like to make it; make sure you read chapter 4 of the book, you won't find it in 9 of 10 children's books or sermons. Jonah completely understood that God is a merciful, gracious God, but Jonah was too unwilling to accept others and so he remained angry at the Lord's compassion after he preached to the people of Nineveh and God saved them. In his prayer, Jonah says that those who "cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs," so Jonah knows that his Saving God is not just another god, but is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. However, Jonah's desire is that God remain angry with those outside of grace, which is ironic because those within God's grace were at once outside of it.

Ultimately, what I take from the story of Jonah cannot be summed up in a single blog, but what I'd like to express is an understanding of grace. When I am in trials, if I look back to previous struggles I can clearly see God and thank Him for where He has brought me to, but looking forward I can trust that whatever happens is within His plan. With that, I look to Paul and admit that my only reason for living is in the fact that I have a life of service dedicated to God. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Jonah got to the point of knowing that he had to live for God, but he missed something. Paul says in Philippians that because of his need to serve his fellow Christians: "I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me."

Paul's service was not for himself and his own gratification; Jonah did not understand completely that his service was for God first, man second, and himself perhaps at a distant third. In my own service, it is my prayer that I understand that I work for God, in order that His grace is shown to other people. Being "delivered" is a wonderful thing, but if every time I'm "delivered" I find myself distressed and worried, what am I learning? Has God not been there in times past, will He not show His face again? Forgive me Lord, for there are times I forget who you are, but with that in mind I ask for strength in service to know who is my master!

Power in the Word

"More important than any amount of grandeur of style to those of us who seek to be listened to with obedience is the life of the speaker." -Augustine, On Christian Teaching

I have just finished Augustine's book On Christian Teaching (Doctrine) and I acknowledge the worth of this text when read with conviction. Although some of the work is tedious and difficult to get through, if you can pick out the information that is useful, you will become a better teacher of the Gospel. The quote above is one which stuck out and acquired no thought on it's validity; instead it causes a person to examine one's life to see if you are demanding obedience through your actions.


The "loss of authority" in the "pulpit" is not due to any one thing, however, the contemporary preacher seems to be in constant danger from opposition. I would argue that this issue lays heavily upon the back of preachers who have fallen into the temptations of their old lives, but even so, the authority demanded by the Bible and by Jesus' teaching is not a suggestive authority. Many times, specifically in the Sermon on the Mount, we find Jesus quoted as saying something along these lines: "You have heard it said....but I say to you." The authority that Jesus held was due to the fact that He was the author of life, He is. We preachers are not God, but we have been charged to present His message with authority. But how is this done? We know that people do not accept hypocrisy, therefore, the greatest way to open the door of the Gospel is to live it! Did Paul not say the same thing to Timothy in his first letter to the young preacher:

I Timothy 4:12 "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

Timothy's authority as a young man was found in his example; Timothy gained the respect and the obedience of the people in Ephesus not because he was the greatest speaker, the loudest yeller, nor was it because he was always quoting Bible verses and condemning people for their lifestyle. No, Timothy was to gain authority through his example, living out what was right, and he only knows what is right because of what God has revealed. People who live their life in a holy, separate way get noticed and people respect that.

The conclusion of this idea is found in this, the authority of the preacher is established in the way his life is lived, and the way his life is lived is determined by the scriptures; ultimately, the authority of the preacher is established in the authority of the Bible. I like the way Albert Mohler Jr. puts it in his book He is Not Silent:

"Preaching will cease to be Christian preaching if the preacher loses confidence in the authority of the Bible as the Word of God..."

God has given us the Word and the Word has been fulfilled, therefore, there is no reason to lack boldness or confidence in what we have to say, if we are saying what is under the authority of the Word. If I do try to preach a message based on anything but the Cross of Christ then I have ceased to preach, but if I preach a message from God, yet do not live out what has been said then what have I really done?

The Severest Thing

"This ethic of Jesus, which does not express itself in small rules, but in great principles; not in a decalogue on stone, but in a requirement in the heart, is the severest thing the world has ever heard." -G. Campbell Morgan

The teaching that Morgan is alluding to in this quote can be found in Matthew 5:27-30; what is so difficult about Jesus' teaching to be called the "severest thing the world has ever heard?" Jesus has taken the 7th commandment, "thou shall not commit adultery," and has extended it to say that if you even look upon a woman lustfully you have already commited adultery with her.


Two things should be noticed:
1. Even the entertainment of lust is adultery
2. The term "woman" in the greek does not allude to a married woman, therefore, this is a teaching for all men and women; it does not matter if you are married or not, the lustful desires are adulteress

So how do we fight our lustful desires? Must we really pluck out our eyes to keep from viewing that computer screen, is it really necessary to cut off that hand which continues to move that mouse around? Jesus is not advocating self-mutilation, but what he is commanding is that the source of sin be cut off in our heart. If you know that woman at work creates desires in your heart that are just not tasteful, then do not dwell on any thought that may involve you and her together.

The power of Jesus' teaching in the essence of what he is doing; he has taken an Old Testament Law and has totally expanded it to include your attitude and heart. Sure, you may never act on the urge to cheat on your spouse or sleep with someone you have yet to marry, but if you have even entertained the thought then Jesus says you have committed evil already.

What then, if we can't help but think bad things should we go ahead and act on them since we're condemned either way? What a rediculous thought, instead we must take our comfort in the Spirit that helps us live the new life brought upon us through Christ's death. Christ's death was the death of our sins if we choose to be his disciple, so our sins have been killed already and we are a new creation. Go back to Matthew 5:27-30 at any point and "read it until it search you and burn you, and know for evermore that this is the ethic of purity in the Kingdom of the great King" (G. Campbell Morgan). Allow Christ's death to cover your sins and allow the Spirit to create a life you live, instead of living a life of flesh.

May all who pledge their allegiance to Christ define themselves not by their morality or ethical stability, but instead may we be "tiny Christs" who live our lives according to His Kingdom. Heed the words of Christ and be radically different by allowing the scriptures to search you and burn the truth into your heart as a permanent sign of Christ's mark upon your life, cutting off the dead weight that is sin.

Then I Will Teach

I must admit that my thoughts today are developed through reading another blogger's thoughts. He released a rough copy of the introduction to his thesis; you can read it under the title "Part of Thesis Proposal" at http://www.savageheartburn.blogspot.com/


My own pursuit of God has lead me to the pursuit of preaching, but after coming through preaching classes and Bible college courses on the development of a sermon, I found myself quite disappointed in where I was going. I struggled with developing sermons according to the guidelines given by my professors, but that was on paper. Each time I had the chance to actually proclaim a message, I was encouraged by the response of my professors. I think that the blog, alluded to above, helps me better understand my struggle.

The thesis statement of the article: "When God is transforming the receptive preacher and establishing His authority in the preacher, then the potential for spiritual transformation in the hearers is increased.”

The key words in this thesis are God/transforming/receptive/establishing/potential/increased. I choose God, transforming, and establishing, as key words because it gives God all of the credit, it is His work of transforming and establishing. I choose receptive because it reveals the activity of the preacher, for he has to be in tune with God and able to catch the waves of God's grace himself. Potential caught my eye because it again reveals the humility necessary to preach the Word, because the best “preacher” in the world can get up every week to bring the Bible, but that does not force the listener into truly hearing what is said. The potential for growth and maturity is always there, but it is only potential from the point of view of the preacher. My job is not to make people grow, but it is to present God's message so that those listening may hear! That is the importance of “increased;” if the preacher's sermon is well crafted, creative, culturally relevant, or whatever else is necessary for “good preaching,” there is no increase in potential for his listener's to hear God unless he is being transformed and having authority established in him.

Many folks question the authority of preachers and preaching, and at one time I thought it a silly thing; however, perhaps those who are given the task of proclaiming God's active Word are the ones who should question themselves. Each time that I get up to present a sermon, am I presenting a sermon based on good writing or creativity? Or have I let God do His work? In preaching, are we writing sermons or are we letting God work. God's work is first in the preacher, and if that work is not done then how can the preacher expect for his listener's to be changed by God's work. I am not limiting God to the words of the preacher, but what I am limiting is the preacher's power if he is not being transformed to the image of Christ.

I do not call King David a preacher, but I believe he understood the importance of God in the work of changing people. I take my role in preaching as David presents it; a man is only qualified to teach others once he himself has been transformed; look at what he wrote in the 51st Psalm and note the position of "then":

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you."

Is My God Real?

It has been quite a while since I made my last post, but I feel a new urge to perhaps share my thoughts with some in hopes that God may move in my life and in others' lives as I release some of what God has given to me. Many things have triggered my re-interest in posting something; specifically this week I have been in a whirlwind of events. So, for this post I would just like to examine some of the things occurring in my life at the moment. A few days ago me and my roommate decided to email a local weatherman; we have come to enjoy watching his broadcast for little to no reason, or at least we thought. However, his reply to our email threw me for a loop; to sum up our email I will just say that we told him we were students at Johnson Bible College, we described some similarities in our positions (meteorology and ministry), and finally asked him to take on a catch-phrase (we threw in some suggestions). I expected a quick, canned email that just thanked us for watching...but what I got was a humbling message that has stuck with me all week. He Wrote...

Lucas/Jacob,
Thanks for the great e-mail. I do appreciate you watching and for the
"catch" phrase suggestions. Those phrases usually come out unexpected
chatter at the set. I've thought about it a few times but never came of
with anything and didn't want it to sound forced.
I'd love to say, "So that is what God has coming your way on Thursday,"
but don't think I would get away with that very long.
As a believer, appreciate your witness and wish you many blessings as
you prepare to share HIS word.
Joshua 1:9

I was surprised by his kind demeanor and the way he encouraged us in our journey in ministry. By his words I was reminded that what I was doing was something that moved well beyond bible college or Sunday/Wednesday services. This man understands the reality of Christ, while I, a man preparing to spend the rest of my life working for the progress of the Gospel, at times forget the role that I have been given. The text he put at the end of his email, Joshua 1:9 says this,

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

I would not have been so impacted by this email if it had not been for our annual awards chapel here at school. During the ceremonies, I was surprised with an award for "Outstanding Student in Homiletics I" which is given to students who stand out in the first year preaching class. I did not expect this award to come my way, for I know that there are better preachers and better men who were just as, if not more, worthy of such an honor. This was a humbling experience for me, but it has only reassured me that God is active in my life.

Basically, I would like to end with recognizing God's living nature; many people question where God is and wonder if He exists, but this week has been such a wonderful reminder that God takes unworthy people and gives them tasks to do, but He is not done with giving us tasks because He gives us the power to perform the tasks given to us. I charge myself and I charge you to be courageous and bold for the our LORD, Yahweh, for He will be with us wherever we go.

It Is Well, or Is It Well?

One of America's favorite hymns of assurance and faith, It is Well with My Soul, has an impacting story of one man's faith through certain events that have caused and will cause many others to come to a place of deep depression and a lack of hope. However, I am forced to encounter this story with a sense of hope; an understanding that my faith, or lack their of, is all that keeps my life together. I, like Peter, in the Biblical account recorded in John 6:68 find myself telling the Lord that I have no where else to go. When things of life consume me and overwhelm me, I am often found in a place of being asked by the Holy Spirit, "will you leave now too?" But I must respond by saying that I have no other place to turn! Faith is not something that I cling to when my life goes as planned, but it is the hope of faith that requires my utter commitment at times when life is not what it is "supposed to be." Anyways, I saw this video from Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington and was again reminded about the wonderful story behing the loved song, I hope you too are encouraged by faithfulness that comes from a clinging to hope for all it's worth!