I read this in The Necessity of Prayer by E.M. Bounds. It is a touching picture of one aspect of prayer. To God Alone be The Glory.
"A dear friend of mine who was quite a lover of the chase, told me the following story: 'Rising early one morning,' he said, 'I heard the baying of a score of deerhounds in pursuit of their quarry. Looking away to a broad, open field in front of me, I saw a young fawn making its way across, and giving signs, moreover, that its race was well-nigh run. Reaching the rails of the enclosure, it leaped over and crouched within ten feet from where I stood. A moment later two of the hounds came over, when the fawn ran in my direction and pushed its head between my legs. I lifted the little thing to my breast, and, swinging round and round, fought off the dogs. I felt, just then, that all the dogs in the West could not, and should not capture that fawn after its weakness had appealed to my strength.' So is it, when human helplessness appeals to Almighty God. Well do I remember when the hounds of sin were after my soul, until, at last, I ran into the arms of Almighty God." -- A. C. DIXON.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The Day After Christmas
Is it just me, or is there a post-Christmas "let down"? Maybe its because deep down we known the shinny toys and cool gadgets (my new netbook included) won't last. Maybe its because we too quickly realized these things didn't actually satisfy what we were longing for. And our friends and relations? While it was nice to see them, they're either gone or packing and we're left asking "Is this it?"
Maybe, just maybe, God has given us each this "let down" feeling to point us to something more. Maybe, just maybe, Christmas is a true appetizer, a small taste of something good to increase our hunger and anticipation for something even better. Maybe, just maybe, what we need on the day after Christmas is not a new diet or credit councilors, but rather a renewed, refocused relationship with the God who loves us and sent His Son to redeem us.
To God Alone Be the Glory
Maybe, just maybe, God has given us each this "let down" feeling to point us to something more. Maybe, just maybe, Christmas is a true appetizer, a small taste of something good to increase our hunger and anticipation for something even better. Maybe, just maybe, what we need on the day after Christmas is not a new diet or credit councilors, but rather a renewed, refocused relationship with the God who loves us and sent His Son to redeem us.
To God Alone Be the Glory
Friday, December 24, 2010
A Non-Typical Christmas Scripture
Many of us are familiar with the typical Christmas passages (Mt 1, Lk 2, Is 9, etc) But with we take Jesus words in Mt 5:17 seriously, we should strive to see Christ (Christmas, Good Friday, Easter and His soon coming return) throughout the Old Testament. I picked one of my favorites, but there are so many. Maybe 2011 can be the year we "discover" Christ in the Law and the Prophets. Have a grace-filled, gospel-centered Christmas!
To God Alone be the Glory.
Isaiah 40 ESV
[1] Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
[2] Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.
[3] A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
[4] Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
[5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
[6] A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
[7] The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the LORD blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
[8] The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
[9] Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
[10] Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
[11] He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
[12] Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
[13] Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD,
or what man shows him his counsel?
[14] Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
[15] Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
and are accounted as the dust on the scales;
behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.
[16] Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
[17] All the nations are as nothing before him,
they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.
[18] To whom then will you liken God,
or what likeness compare with him?
[19] An idol! A craftsman casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and casts for it silver chains.
[20] He who is too impoverished for an offering
chooses wood that will not rot;
he seeks out a skillful craftsman
to set up an idol that will not move.
[21] Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
[22] It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
[23] who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.
[24] Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
[25] To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
[26] Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power
not one is missing.
[27] Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
[28] Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
[29] He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
[30] Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
[31] but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
To God Alone be the Glory.
Isaiah 40 ESV
[1] Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
[2] Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins.
[3] A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
[4] Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
[5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”
[6] A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
[7] The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the LORD blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
[8] The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
[9] Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Behold your God!”
[10] Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.
[11] He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
[12] Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure
and weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?
[13] Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD,
or what man shows him his counsel?
[14] Whom did he consult,
and who made him understand?
Who taught him the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
[15] Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
and are accounted as the dust on the scales;
behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.
[16] Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor are its beasts enough for a burnt offering.
[17] All the nations are as nothing before him,
they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness.
[18] To whom then will you liken God,
or what likeness compare with him?
[19] An idol! A craftsman casts it,
and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
and casts for it silver chains.
[20] He who is too impoverished for an offering
chooses wood that will not rot;
he seeks out a skillful craftsman
to set up an idol that will not move.
[21] Do you not know? Do you not hear?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
[22] It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
[23] who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.
[24] Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown,
scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth,
when he blows on them, and they wither,
and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
[25] To whom then will you compare me,
that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
[26] Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power
not one is missing.
[27] Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
[28] Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
[29] He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
[30] Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
[31] but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
But when he was strong...
And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. (2 Chronicles 26:15-16 ESV)
In reading 2 Chr 26 today I was struck by Uzziah's progression of following hard after God to following hard after himself. The turning point in his life is stated clearly in verses 15 & 16. Uzziah forgot that who he was and what he accomplished was from God and not from himself. Paul echoes a similar caution: "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV)
I am not picking on Uzziah, because his story is rife throughout the Bible. Some men turn it around (i.e. David, while others don't (i.e. Gideon). Furthermore, this pattern repeats itself throughout our lives. God turns our life around and after a few years (or months, or weeks) we think that we have accomplished great things for Him. Worse, we somehow delude ourselves into thinking we can do this Christianity thing on our own. Or, if we're really humbly we think we can do it with "God as our co-pilot".
Into this delusion, Paul speaks emphatically: "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:2-3 ESV). May I make a bold statement? We cannot live the Christian life; We cannot do what Jesus did. We are utterly, completely and eternally dependent on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for salvation, sanctification and for glorification. The Bible is full of imagery, but look at John 15. We are branches, but Jesus is the vine. Branches are completely dependent on the vine, both for their sustenance and for the quality of the fruit they produce.
The bottom-line? If God is causing growth in your life, praise and thank Him. But remember that He is our strength. If we leave Him, we will grow proud to our destruction.
To God Alone be the Glory.
In reading 2 Chr 26 today I was struck by Uzziah's progression of following hard after God to following hard after himself. The turning point in his life is stated clearly in verses 15 & 16. Uzziah forgot that who he was and what he accomplished was from God and not from himself. Paul echoes a similar caution: "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV)
I am not picking on Uzziah, because his story is rife throughout the Bible. Some men turn it around (i.e. David, while others don't (i.e. Gideon). Furthermore, this pattern repeats itself throughout our lives. God turns our life around and after a few years (or months, or weeks) we think that we have accomplished great things for Him. Worse, we somehow delude ourselves into thinking we can do this Christianity thing on our own. Or, if we're really humbly we think we can do it with "God as our co-pilot".
Into this delusion, Paul speaks emphatically: "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:2-3 ESV). May I make a bold statement? We cannot live the Christian life; We cannot do what Jesus did. We are utterly, completely and eternally dependent on God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for salvation, sanctification and for glorification. The Bible is full of imagery, but look at John 15. We are branches, but Jesus is the vine. Branches are completely dependent on the vine, both for their sustenance and for the quality of the fruit they produce.
The bottom-line? If God is causing growth in your life, praise and thank Him. But remember that He is our strength. If we leave Him, we will grow proud to our destruction.
To God Alone be the Glory.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Where Were You?
Sometimes Christmas is painful, not joyful. We are constantly told how perfect our lives should be. Yet we know they aren't. We have mistakes. We have regrets. We may even have the word crashing in on us. When I heard the following song by Matt Maher, I heard the eternal cry of the human heart to God: "Where were You?" Matt's answer (and the Bible's answer)? "You were on the Cross!"
Lost, everything is lost
And everything I've loved before is gone
Alone like the coming of the frost
And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart
And where were You when all that I've hoped for?
Where You when all that I've dreamed?
Came crashing down in shambles around me
You were on the cross
Pain, could you take away the pain?
If I find someone to blame, would it make my life seem easier?
Alone, all my friends are asleep
And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me
Where were You when sin stole my innocence?
Where were You when I was ashamed?
Hiding in a life, I wish, I never made
You were on the cross, my God, my God, all along, all along
You were on the cross, You died for us, all along, all along
You were on the cross, victorious, all along, all along
You were there in all of my suffering
And You were there in doubt and in fear
I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear
Watch a video of the song
To God Alone Be the Glory. Merry Christmas!
Lost, everything is lost
And everything I've loved before is gone
Alone like the coming of the frost
And a cold winter's chill in my stony heart
And where were You when all that I've hoped for?
Where You when all that I've dreamed?
Came crashing down in shambles around me
You were on the cross
Pain, could you take away the pain?
If I find someone to blame, would it make my life seem easier?
Alone, all my friends are asleep
And I can't find anyone to stay awake with me
Where were You when sin stole my innocence?
Where were You when I was ashamed?
Hiding in a life, I wish, I never made
You were on the cross, my God, my God, all along, all along
You were on the cross, You died for us, all along, all along
You were on the cross, victorious, all along, all along
You were there in all of my suffering
And You were there in doubt and in fear
I'm waiting on the dawn to reappear
Watch a video of the song
To God Alone Be the Glory. Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Two thoughts - One theme
First, if I don't write again before the big day, Merry Christmas!
Second, thanks to God and Mike Bullmore of Crossway Community Church in Bristol WI. In his sermon dated 12/12 he compares the rich young ruler to the three wise men. The main focus is on the rich young ruler and his sense of need yet his tenacious clutching of his real god. In the conclusion though, the sermon moves to three rich men who gave much of their selves to honor and worship the new born Messiah. The full sermon is here: matthew-series
Third, thanks to God and Jon Bloom at Desiring God. His blog today (12/21) touched on a similar theme as the sermon and one that keeps pressing on my own heart: Modern day idolatry. Here's an excerpt:
In fighting idolatry we must remember that we are not so reasonable as we might wish. This battle is often not waged on the field of truth, but rather on the field of cravings and fears. The desires of the flesh and the eyes (1 John 2:16) are battles of appetite not reason. And what of your last battle with doubt? Was it really based on a rational, fair comparison of truth claims? Or was it triggered by the fear-laden discouragement of circumstance, cultural consensus, or someone else’s confident contrary assertion?
Full blog entry is here: we-are-not-so-reasonable
So, the theme is idolatry; our personal, 21st century idolatry. Think about the rich young ruler the next time you say "No" to God or choose to sin despite what God's Word says.
But thanks to God! He has given us His Son to not only pay the penalty for our idolatry, Jesus can (and will) deliver us from it as well.
To God Alone Be the Glory!
Second, thanks to God and Mike Bullmore of Crossway Community Church in Bristol WI. In his sermon dated 12/12 he compares the rich young ruler to the three wise men. The main focus is on the rich young ruler and his sense of need yet his tenacious clutching of his real god. In the conclusion though, the sermon moves to three rich men who gave much of their selves to honor and worship the new born Messiah. The full sermon is here: matthew-series
Third, thanks to God and Jon Bloom at Desiring God. His blog today (12/21) touched on a similar theme as the sermon and one that keeps pressing on my own heart: Modern day idolatry. Here's an excerpt:
In fighting idolatry we must remember that we are not so reasonable as we might wish. This battle is often not waged on the field of truth, but rather on the field of cravings and fears. The desires of the flesh and the eyes (1 John 2:16) are battles of appetite not reason. And what of your last battle with doubt? Was it really based on a rational, fair comparison of truth claims? Or was it triggered by the fear-laden discouragement of circumstance, cultural consensus, or someone else’s confident contrary assertion?
Full blog entry is here: we-are-not-so-reasonable
So, the theme is idolatry; our personal, 21st century idolatry. Think about the rich young ruler the next time you say "No" to God or choose to sin despite what God's Word says.
But thanks to God! He has given us His Son to not only pay the penalty for our idolatry, Jesus can (and will) deliver us from it as well.
To God Alone Be the Glory!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
The John 8 Conundrum
In John 8:31, Jesus addresses those who have believed in Him. By the end of the chapter, these same folks are ready to kill Him. What happened between verse 31 and verse 59? More to the point, how can someone who believes in Christ want to kill Him?. It seems totally irrational.
Maybe part of the problem is in the wide, expansive use of the word "believe". In Greek, as well as in English, the phrase can range from the merely factual (I believe the sky is blue) to the philosophical (I believe time heals all wounds) to the theological (I believe that Jesus died for my sins to placate a holy, righteously-wrathful God and present me as a faultless, adopted son).
Since the term "believe" runs the gamut, perhaps John's goal was not to confound us with a belief to heresy free-fall. Perhaps instead he was revealing to us at least one variety of inauthentic faith. The followers in v31 claimed faith. Yet as Jesus presses on their religious system(s), what emerges? The system(s) are more important and are to be defended more passionately than Jesus is. And, as with all idolatry, in the end only one can win. In John 8 the Jews' dependence on their Abrahamic heritage as their means of salvation wins over their belief in Christ.
So the question for us is this: What kind of belief in Jesus do we have? If none, then the place to start is with your standing before God. How can you face a perfectly holy and righteous and just God who can't even look on sin? How can you possibly make yourself right with God when every act, even the good ones, just dig yourself deeper in the hole? Read the book of John. Read the book of Ephesians. And as the Holy Spirit presses on you with all the weight and guilt and shame, take all of that and lay it on Jesus and trust, really trust, life dependingly trust that Jesus died so that you could live.
But, what if your belief is more like what is found in John 8 (or John 6, or the book of Galatians)? In one sense, the answer is the same. You need to see first how bad your offense before God really is. He is not just a grandpa who's upset because you forgot to mow his lawn. The depth of our treason and rebellion and humiliation is beyond what we could conceive. And simply acknowledging a few Biblical truths will not appease Him. Only a complete payment for the crimes you have committed will satisfy Him. An earthly judge cannot wink at a crime and be viewed as a good and fair judge. How much more a perfect, heavenly judge? So, if your faith is simply in a person named Jesus who lets you do whatever you want and in the end is bound to forgive you because you "believe", plead for mercy and trust, really trust, life dependingly trust that His death will cover your sins and that His life will become yours. Ask God to send His Spirit so that you may know who Jesus really is (read Hebrews) and how to grow to be more like Him.
And, if your faith encompasses all of these things? Praise God! He has given you a very precious gift! Do not take it for granted and do not assume that everyone who says they believe has a deep and abiding faith. Rest fully and completely in the promises of Romans 8 and ask God, seriously ask God, how He wants to you to spend the new life that He has given you for the glory and exaltation of His Son.
To God Alone be the Glory!
Maybe part of the problem is in the wide, expansive use of the word "believe". In Greek, as well as in English, the phrase can range from the merely factual (I believe the sky is blue) to the philosophical (I believe time heals all wounds) to the theological (I believe that Jesus died for my sins to placate a holy, righteously-wrathful God and present me as a faultless, adopted son).
Since the term "believe" runs the gamut, perhaps John's goal was not to confound us with a belief to heresy free-fall. Perhaps instead he was revealing to us at least one variety of inauthentic faith. The followers in v31 claimed faith. Yet as Jesus presses on their religious system(s), what emerges? The system(s) are more important and are to be defended more passionately than Jesus is. And, as with all idolatry, in the end only one can win. In John 8 the Jews' dependence on their Abrahamic heritage as their means of salvation wins over their belief in Christ.
So the question for us is this: What kind of belief in Jesus do we have? If none, then the place to start is with your standing before God. How can you face a perfectly holy and righteous and just God who can't even look on sin? How can you possibly make yourself right with God when every act, even the good ones, just dig yourself deeper in the hole? Read the book of John. Read the book of Ephesians. And as the Holy Spirit presses on you with all the weight and guilt and shame, take all of that and lay it on Jesus and trust, really trust, life dependingly trust that Jesus died so that you could live.
But, what if your belief is more like what is found in John 8 (or John 6, or the book of Galatians)? In one sense, the answer is the same. You need to see first how bad your offense before God really is. He is not just a grandpa who's upset because you forgot to mow his lawn. The depth of our treason and rebellion and humiliation is beyond what we could conceive. And simply acknowledging a few Biblical truths will not appease Him. Only a complete payment for the crimes you have committed will satisfy Him. An earthly judge cannot wink at a crime and be viewed as a good and fair judge. How much more a perfect, heavenly judge? So, if your faith is simply in a person named Jesus who lets you do whatever you want and in the end is bound to forgive you because you "believe", plead for mercy and trust, really trust, life dependingly trust that His death will cover your sins and that His life will become yours. Ask God to send His Spirit so that you may know who Jesus really is (read Hebrews) and how to grow to be more like Him.
And, if your faith encompasses all of these things? Praise God! He has given you a very precious gift! Do not take it for granted and do not assume that everyone who says they believe has a deep and abiding faith. Rest fully and completely in the promises of Romans 8 and ask God, seriously ask God, how He wants to you to spend the new life that He has given you for the glory and exaltation of His Son.
To God Alone be the Glory!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas Is For Those Who Hate It The Most
The following is from a Gospel Coalition blog entry by Matt Redmond. I think he nails some of what we can miss about the true realities of Christ and Christmas. SDG
Christmas is really about the gospel of grace for sinners. Because of all that Christ has done on the cross, the manger becomes the most hopeful place in a universe darkened with hopelessness. In the irony of all ironies, Christmas is for those who will find it the hardest to enjoy. It really is for those who hate it most.
christmas-is-for-those-who-hate-it-most
Christmas is really about the gospel of grace for sinners. Because of all that Christ has done on the cross, the manger becomes the most hopeful place in a universe darkened with hopelessness. In the irony of all ironies, Christmas is for those who will find it the hardest to enjoy. It really is for those who hate it most.
christmas-is-for-those-who-hate-it-most
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Theology of Uncomfortable Grace
I heard a profound sermon earlier in the week by Paul David Tripp. In my mind there are categories of sermons. There are poor sermons. There are average / mediocre sermons. There are good, Christ-exalting sermons, but their impact is limited for a myriad of reasons. And there are good, Christ-exalting sermons that are formative and profoundly life-affecting. I have heard too many average sermons. Thankfully, I have heard many good, Christ-exalting sermons. But rarely have these sermons risen to the level of being formative and life-affecting. Admittedly, this categorization is subjective and Holy Spirit driven. But this should not restrict us from sharing those sermons that rise to such a profound level.
Here is a link to the sermon: TheDifferenceBetweenAmazementandFaith
An excerpt:
God will take us where we have not intended to go to produce in us what we could not achieve on our own. Listen, we had better begin to encourage and comfort and teach one another with the theology of uncomfortable grace. Because often on this side of eternity, God's grace comes to us in uncomfortable ways. Oh I long for the grace of relief and I long for the grace of release. But right now what I actually need is the grace of refinement. I need to be changed. I need to be transformed. I need to become a person of faith. That means everything I do is based on a deep and abiding belief that God is and that He's loving and He's glorious and He's kind and He's powerful and I find hope and rest in Him and Him alone. That's what I need to become.
So in love, He will take me beyond my wisdom, beyond my strength, beyond the bounds of my character. That's not God forgetting me. That's not God beating me up. That's not God being unfaithful or inattentive. The Bible calls that grace. I'm being rescued. I'm being restored. I'm being loved. I'm being changed. He loves me and He will not turn from His work and He will continue and continue and continue until that work is complete. That's grace.
God will take you where you did not intend to go to produce in you what you could not achieve on your own. Those times of difficulty in the life of a believer are sure signs of redemptive love. - Paul David Tripp
Here is a link to the sermon: TheDifferenceBetweenAmazementandFaith
An excerpt:
God will take us where we have not intended to go to produce in us what we could not achieve on our own. Listen, we had better begin to encourage and comfort and teach one another with the theology of uncomfortable grace. Because often on this side of eternity, God's grace comes to us in uncomfortable ways. Oh I long for the grace of relief and I long for the grace of release. But right now what I actually need is the grace of refinement. I need to be changed. I need to be transformed. I need to become a person of faith. That means everything I do is based on a deep and abiding belief that God is and that He's loving and He's glorious and He's kind and He's powerful and I find hope and rest in Him and Him alone. That's what I need to become.
So in love, He will take me beyond my wisdom, beyond my strength, beyond the bounds of my character. That's not God forgetting me. That's not God beating me up. That's not God being unfaithful or inattentive. The Bible calls that grace. I'm being rescued. I'm being restored. I'm being loved. I'm being changed. He loves me and He will not turn from His work and He will continue and continue and continue until that work is complete. That's grace.
God will take you where you did not intend to go to produce in you what you could not achieve on your own. Those times of difficulty in the life of a believer are sure signs of redemptive love. - Paul David Tripp
True Worship - part 2
A devotional probably shouldn't start with a disclaimer, but I want to do that, since my title could be misleading. My goal is not to write about any kind of "worship wars" or even probe whether certain songs are better suited as worship songs than others. No, my objective is different, although maybe these meager thoughts can be used by the Holy Spirit to set our minds straight about some of the other worship questions that come before us.
Revelation 5 is soul mate to Revelation 4. One pastor described Rev 4 as the scene, the setting and the stage to Rev 5 action, performance and unveiling. Those descriptions are helpful to me in order to fit the two chapters together. Yet I think there is something in the emotion and enormity of Rev 4 which combines with different emotions and intimacy of Rev 5 to drive us to the very heart of God. And the very heart of worship.
If these two chapters do anything, they drive us away from ourselves and to the glory and grandeur of God. They drive us away from our own salvation, as great as that is, and toward Christ's greater, more glorious plan to redeem for himself a kingdom of priests for God. They drive us away from our light and momentary afflictions and toward a savior who was slaughtered, but is infinitely worthy of our praise, worship and unflinching allegiance.
One last observation: what do you do with the word new in Rev 5:9? Just close your eyes for a moment and ponder how often something new occurs in heaven. To top that, it is a new worship song to a new being at the center of the throne that no other creature could even approach. If words and thoughts escape you, I think that's the point. SDG
[8] And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. [9] And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
[10] and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
[11] Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, [12] saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” [13] And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:8-13 ESV)
Monday, December 13, 2010
True Worship - part 1
A devotional probably shouldn't start with a disclaimer, but I want to do that, since my title could be misleading. My goal is not to write about any kind of "worship wars" or even probe whether certain songs are better suited as worship songs than others. No, my objective is different, although maybe these meager thoughts can be used by the Holy Spirit to set our minds straight about some of the other worship questions that come before us.
Revelation 4 never fails to blow me away. I have to admit, much of my perspective on Rev 4 comes from Francis Chan. Yet, whenever I read it, I'm drawn to the sad reality that this is not my typical view of God. Whatever the images in my mind may be, they are rarely so grand, majestic, holy or awesome. When I pray, I often give creedal assent to what is true about the Father, the Son and the Spirit. I try to acknowledge my immense gratitude for what God has given me in Christ. And, my goal is usually to submit my intercessions to the sovereign, glorious will of God.
But, in saying all that, as I simply, thoughtfully read Revelation 4, I can't help but think I'm missing something. Call it "true worship" or call it something else, I see in these 11 power-packed verses an image and a reality that often escapes me. God is not just holy, He is a sea of glass beyond us holy. God is not just awesome, He is all the creative and destructive power in the universe at one point awesome. God is not just worthy of worship, He is worshiped by those who have already been redeemed and those who stand in his presence day and night.
I could probably go on, but I will close with this: part 2 (i.e. Rev 5) is tomorrow. God is holy, awesome and worthy beyond description. We (or at least I) have no business in His presence. But praise be to God that He sent His Son! If you will, please spend a moment or two and simply reflect on the greatness of our God. Maybe see Him for who He is will lead us to true worship. SDG
Revelation 4 never fails to blow me away. I have to admit, much of my perspective on Rev 4 comes from Francis Chan. Yet, whenever I read it, I'm drawn to the sad reality that this is not my typical view of God. Whatever the images in my mind may be, they are rarely so grand, majestic, holy or awesome. When I pray, I often give creedal assent to what is true about the Father, the Son and the Spirit. I try to acknowledge my immense gratitude for what God has given me in Christ. And, my goal is usually to submit my intercessions to the sovereign, glorious will of God.
But, in saying all that, as I simply, thoughtfully read Revelation 4, I can't help but think I'm missing something. Call it "true worship" or call it something else, I see in these 11 power-packed verses an image and a reality that often escapes me. God is not just holy, He is a sea of glass beyond us holy. God is not just awesome, He is all the creative and destructive power in the universe at one point awesome. God is not just worthy of worship, He is worshiped by those who have already been redeemed and those who stand in his presence day and night.
I could probably go on, but I will close with this: part 2 (i.e. Rev 5) is tomorrow. God is holy, awesome and worthy beyond description. We (or at least I) have no business in His presence. But praise be to God that He sent His Son! If you will, please spend a moment or two and simply reflect on the greatness of our God. Maybe see Him for who He is will lead us to true worship. SDG
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Impartial Power of God
We trample the blood of the Son of God underfoot if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only reason for the forgiveness of our sins by God, and the infinite depth of His promise to forget them, is the death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the result of our personal realization of the atonement by the Cross of Christ, which He has provided for us.
No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ. God does this, not because Jesus pleads with Him to do so but because He died. It cannot be earned, just accepted. All the pleading for salvation which deliberately ignores the Cross of Christ is useless. It is knocking at a door other than the one which Jesus has already opened. We protest by saying, “But I don’t want to come that way. It is too humiliating to be received as a sinner.” God’s response, through Peter, is, “. . . there is no other name . . . by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). What at first appears to be heartlessness on God’s part is actually the true expression of His heart. There is unlimited entrance His way. “In Him we have redemption through His blood . . .” (Ephesians 1:7). -- My Utmost (12/8)
No matter who or what we are, God restores us to right standing with Himself only by means of the death of Jesus Christ. God does this, not because Jesus pleads with Him to do so but because He died. It cannot be earned, just accepted. All the pleading for salvation which deliberately ignores the Cross of Christ is useless. It is knocking at a door other than the one which Jesus has already opened. We protest by saying, “But I don’t want to come that way. It is too humiliating to be received as a sinner.” God’s response, through Peter, is, “. . . there is no other name . . . by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). What at first appears to be heartlessness on God’s part is actually the true expression of His heart. There is unlimited entrance His way. “In Him we have redemption through His blood . . .” (Ephesians 1:7). -- My Utmost (12/8)
A Christmas Comparison
I want to thank John Starke for the insightful blog that spurred me to think more about the wonderful exchange that Christmas represents. Read his blog here: The Most High God Who Became Like Us
Here's my thought: all that's broken in my life and in the world has its roots in this one thing: I (we) want to be God. Not just "like" God because, as Starke points out Adam and Eve were already like God. In fact, they were co-regents in God's newly created, very good. So, the prize they sought was not God-likeness, but Godness, divinity, complete autonomy. No wonder God sees and treats us as traitors and rebels!
However, the majestic, grace-filled irony of Christmas is that the salvation of divinity seeking rebels comes though a humanity-seeking God! We wanted (and often still want) to be God. God of our lives, God of our marriages, God of our jobs, God of our churches. But while we were striving to usurp God, God was condescending to become human. And that is the mystery of the Christ's incarnation, isn't it? "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"
So, this Christmas maybe in addition to reading the Christmas story, we can ponder the great exchange. Our pursuit of Godness, the root of our sin and rebellion has been replaced by God's achievement of humanness. And because of this we will be restored to the God-likeness we were originally created to have. SDG
Here's my thought: all that's broken in my life and in the world has its roots in this one thing: I (we) want to be God. Not just "like" God because, as Starke points out Adam and Eve were already like God. In fact, they were co-regents in God's newly created, very good. So, the prize they sought was not God-likeness, but Godness, divinity, complete autonomy. No wonder God sees and treats us as traitors and rebels!
However, the majestic, grace-filled irony of Christmas is that the salvation of divinity seeking rebels comes though a humanity-seeking God! We wanted (and often still want) to be God. God of our lives, God of our marriages, God of our jobs, God of our churches. But while we were striving to usurp God, God was condescending to become human. And that is the mystery of the Christ's incarnation, isn't it? "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us"
So, this Christmas maybe in addition to reading the Christmas story, we can ponder the great exchange. Our pursuit of Godness, the root of our sin and rebellion has been replaced by God's achievement of humanness. And because of this we will be restored to the God-likeness we were originally created to have. SDG
Friday, December 10, 2010
What Excites Us?
D. A. Carson:
I have been teaching more decades now that I can count and if I have learned anything from all of this teaching, its this: my students . . . learn what I’m excited about. So within the church of the living God, we must become excited about the gospel. That’s how we pass on our heritage. If, instead, the gospel increasingly becomes for us that which we assume, then we will, of course, assent to the correct creedal statement. But, at this point, the gospel is not what really captures us. Rather, is a particular form of worship or a particular style of counseling, or a particular view on culture, or a particular technique in preaching, or—fill in the blank. Then, ultimately, our students make that their center and the generation after us loses the gospel. As soon as you get to the place where the gospel is that which is nearly assumed, you are only a generation and a half from death.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Is Jesus Too Safe?
The following is a excerpt from a blog by Jared Wilson. You can find the full entry here Jesus and Imago Homo and a link to his book here Your Jesus Too Safe. SDG
'It was G.K. Chesterton who, in his defense of Christian orthodoxy, said, "I did not make it. It is making me."
Can we say that of Jesus? Can we say the Jesus we believe in, rest in, trust in is the Jesus who is making us? Or is He the one we'd prefer, the one who's most like us, who's safer and nicer, who reflects all of our personal or political values and idiosyncrasies? Is Jesus making us, or is he the Jesus of our own making?
It is quite possible to make an idol of Jesus. Which is not to say that Jesus is not to be worshiped. He is the only Man worthy of worship. What I mean is, it is possible to project a self-idolatry onto Jesus, to mistake our own satisfaction with ourselves for authentic discipleship, instead of worshiping the real, living God in the real, resurrected person of Jesus Christ.
Here's one personal test I subject my own reading of the Gospels to (which actually works quite well when reading any Scripture): Is it freaking me out? Am I convicted, challenged, impressed, scared, or inspired? Am I moved?
The Word of God -- both the living Word and the written word -- is transformational revelation. If we are not being transformed by the Christ of Scripture and the Scripture of Christ, we are not reading either correctly.' - Jared Wilson
'It was G.K. Chesterton who, in his defense of Christian orthodoxy, said, "I did not make it. It is making me."
Can we say that of Jesus? Can we say the Jesus we believe in, rest in, trust in is the Jesus who is making us? Or is He the one we'd prefer, the one who's most like us, who's safer and nicer, who reflects all of our personal or political values and idiosyncrasies? Is Jesus making us, or is he the Jesus of our own making?
It is quite possible to make an idol of Jesus. Which is not to say that Jesus is not to be worshiped. He is the only Man worthy of worship. What I mean is, it is possible to project a self-idolatry onto Jesus, to mistake our own satisfaction with ourselves for authentic discipleship, instead of worshiping the real, living God in the real, resurrected person of Jesus Christ.
Here's one personal test I subject my own reading of the Gospels to (which actually works quite well when reading any Scripture): Is it freaking me out? Am I convicted, challenged, impressed, scared, or inspired? Am I moved?
The Word of God -- both the living Word and the written word -- is transformational revelation. If we are not being transformed by the Christ of Scripture and the Scripture of Christ, we are not reading either correctly.' - Jared Wilson
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