This may be an on going topic, but I have been challenged lately to view God more as a person and less as an idea or theory. While this may sound basic and obvious on the surface, I have found that it has some radical implications both personally and for the church. For example:
Prayer: If God is a person (especially an omniscient one) how is my "laundry list" praying honoring to Him? If not, how am I to relate to Him through prayer?
Bible study: If God is a person, isn't Bible study really my chance to get to know Him, not just how He wants me to behave (See Phil 3)?
Salvation: If God is a person, isn't salvation His means of permanently restoring a relationship that was irreparably damaged by both my heritage (Adam) and I may sinful actions?
Sin: If God is a person (especially a holy and just one), doesn't sin hurt Him? Not that my (our) sins lessen Him or detract from His deity, but rather in some sense we really do grieve Him when we sin.
Evangelism: If God is a person, shouldn't evangelism be less about what's in it for me (as great as that is!) and more about God's fervent desire to restore what our sin and rebellion has destroyed. See Luke 15. In each of these parables, God is the main character, earnestly seeking to find the lost and give life to the dead so that His relationship with us (and us with each other) may be restored.
My prayer, self oriented first and foremost, is that we begin to see God more as He is. Awesome, Holy and Transcendent, but also Personal, Loving and Compassionate. Most of all, I pray that grasp what it really means to call the Creator and Sustainer of the universe "Abba" (daddy).
SDG
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Prayer – A Holy Occupation
From “Prayer – A Holy Occupation” by Oswald Chambers
- Prayer requires Boldness
- Prayer requires Childlikeness
- Prayer requires Communion
- Prayer requires Concentration
- Prayer requires Desire
- Prayer requires Discipline
- Prayer requires Faith
- Prayer requires Honesty
- Prayer requires Intimacy
- Prayer requires Obedience
- Prayer requires Patience
- Prayer requires Power
- Prayer requires Purpose
- Prayer requires Silence
- Prayer requires Simplicity
- Prayer requires Wonder
- Prayer requires Work
- Prayer requires Worship
Friday, April 9, 2010
Anticipating the Return
I'm not sure how best to describe it, but there is a real sense in which the early church, the New Testament writers in particular, had a strong, overwhelming anticipation for Christ's return. I have to honestly say that my life does not reflect that same excitement and passion; the real, palatable hope that today might be the Day! Rather Christ's return, while real and essential to my faith and theology, seems to have become more of an event on a timeline instead of a homecoming of epic proportions.
Maybe today's the day that 1) my anticipation can be refocused not just on Christ, but on his imminent return and 2) He may in fact return!
SDG
Maybe today's the day that 1) my anticipation can be refocused not just on Christ, but on his imminent return and 2) He may in fact return!
SDG
Quote
There is something inexpressibly pleasing to a justified mind
to know that God has all the honor in our salvation, and we have none;
to know that God's honor is not violated, but on the contrary, shines more illustrious;
to know that God's law is not injured, but magnified and made honorable,
to know that we are safe, and God has all the glory.
M'Cheyne, Robert Murray
to know that God has all the honor in our salvation, and we have none;
to know that God's honor is not violated, but on the contrary, shines more illustrious;
to know that God's law is not injured, but magnified and made honorable,
to know that we are safe, and God has all the glory.
M'Cheyne, Robert Murray
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Rock of Ages
Note: I heard a modern version of this hymn (by Glad) yesterday. I was struck (again) by the Christ-exalting, sinner-humbling imagery. I pray that we can reflect on the gospel truth of what Toplady has to share with us. SDG
Rock of Ages -- Augustus M. Toplady, 1770
1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
2. Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Rock of Ages -- Augustus M. Toplady, 1770
1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.
2. Not the labors of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.
3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.
4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Temptation - Part 2
"In every promise there are three things to be considered: the faithfulness of the Father, who gives the promise; the grace of the Son , who is the content of the promise; and the power and efficacy of the Holy Spirit, who puts the promise into execution.
The faithfulness of God accomplishes the promise (1 Cor 10:13). Though we are tempted, it shall not grow too strong for us. That which comes upon us we shall be able to bear, and that which would be too hard for us, we shall escape. What security do we have for this? The faithfulness of God (Heb 10:23). His faithfulness consists in the discharge of his promises, 'He remains faithful for he cannot deny himself' (2 Tim 2:13). So, being under a promise, we have the faithfulness of God engaged for our preservation.
There is also in every promise of the covenant, the grace of the Son. He is the subject of all promises. He said, 'I will keep you.' How? 'By my grace with you.' The soul that has a part in this promise shall enjoy assistance from the grace of Christ in the hour of temptation. Paul's temptation grew very powerful, but he 'pleaded with the Lord' for help (2 Cor 12:18). The answer he received from the Lord was 'My grace is sufficient for you' (verse 9).
The efficacy of the Spirit also accompanies God's promises. The Spirit is called 'the Holy Spirit of promise' -- not only because he was promised by Christ, but also because he effectually makes good the promises of God, and givens them accomplishment in our souls. The Spirit also, then, is engaged to preserve the soul's walking according to the rules laid down (see Is 59:21).
Thus, whenever we find a promise of God, we have this assistance: the faithfulness of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the power of the Spirit. All three are engaged for our preservation." -- John Owen
The faithfulness of God accomplishes the promise (1 Cor 10:13). Though we are tempted, it shall not grow too strong for us. That which comes upon us we shall be able to bear, and that which would be too hard for us, we shall escape. What security do we have for this? The faithfulness of God (Heb 10:23). His faithfulness consists in the discharge of his promises, 'He remains faithful for he cannot deny himself' (2 Tim 2:13). So, being under a promise, we have the faithfulness of God engaged for our preservation.
There is also in every promise of the covenant, the grace of the Son. He is the subject of all promises. He said, 'I will keep you.' How? 'By my grace with you.' The soul that has a part in this promise shall enjoy assistance from the grace of Christ in the hour of temptation. Paul's temptation grew very powerful, but he 'pleaded with the Lord' for help (2 Cor 12:18). The answer he received from the Lord was 'My grace is sufficient for you' (verse 9).
The efficacy of the Spirit also accompanies God's promises. The Spirit is called 'the Holy Spirit of promise' -- not only because he was promised by Christ, but also because he effectually makes good the promises of God, and givens them accomplishment in our souls. The Spirit also, then, is engaged to preserve the soul's walking according to the rules laid down (see Is 59:21).
Thus, whenever we find a promise of God, we have this assistance: the faithfulness of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the power of the Spirit. All three are engaged for our preservation." -- John Owen
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Temptation - Part 1
Note: This is the bad news part, but I felt it best to be shared separately to wake us to the reality that temptation is always crouching at the door - SDG
"The greatest folly of the hearts of men is shown by a cursed boldness and neglect of the warnings of God, and before their very eyes they watch others run and put themselves under the power of temptation. All who do not seriously consider the danger of entering into temptation do not realize how poor their soul is and how strong the enemy. They walk over the slain who have fallen on this path without regard or trembling. But we are weakness itself, with no power to withstand.
If a castle or fort is very strong and well fortified, yet there is a traitor on the inside who is ready to betray at the first opportunity, that fort is not secure from the enemy. We have a traitor in our very heart, who is ready to unite against us. He will argue for us to give up in the assault; yea, he will solicit and bribe the temptation to do its work. Do not flatter yourselves that you can hold out.
There are secret lusts that lie dormant, lurking in our hearts, temporarily quiet, waiting for the opportunity of temptation to bewail you. It will then rise, argue, cry, disquiet, and seduce, with perseverance, until either they are killed or satisfied. He that promises himself that the frame of his heart will be the same under the power of the temptation as it was before, will be woefully mistaken. He whose heart currently abhors the thoughts of a particular sin, will be powerfully inflamed towards it when he enters into temptation. All contrary reasonings and objections will be overpowered and silenced. He will deride his former fears, cast out his scruples, and condemn his former convictions.
Little did Peter ever think he could so easily deny his Master. When the hour of temptation came, all resolutions were forgotten and the love to Christ was buried. The present temptation untied with Peter's carnal fear and carried him away" -- John Owen
"The greatest folly of the hearts of men is shown by a cursed boldness and neglect of the warnings of God, and before their very eyes they watch others run and put themselves under the power of temptation. All who do not seriously consider the danger of entering into temptation do not realize how poor their soul is and how strong the enemy. They walk over the slain who have fallen on this path without regard or trembling. But we are weakness itself, with no power to withstand.
If a castle or fort is very strong and well fortified, yet there is a traitor on the inside who is ready to betray at the first opportunity, that fort is not secure from the enemy. We have a traitor in our very heart, who is ready to unite against us. He will argue for us to give up in the assault; yea, he will solicit and bribe the temptation to do its work. Do not flatter yourselves that you can hold out.
There are secret lusts that lie dormant, lurking in our hearts, temporarily quiet, waiting for the opportunity of temptation to bewail you. It will then rise, argue, cry, disquiet, and seduce, with perseverance, until either they are killed or satisfied. He that promises himself that the frame of his heart will be the same under the power of the temptation as it was before, will be woefully mistaken. He whose heart currently abhors the thoughts of a particular sin, will be powerfully inflamed towards it when he enters into temptation. All contrary reasonings and objections will be overpowered and silenced. He will deride his former fears, cast out his scruples, and condemn his former convictions.
Little did Peter ever think he could so easily deny his Master. When the hour of temptation came, all resolutions were forgotten and the love to Christ was buried. The present temptation untied with Peter's carnal fear and carried him away" -- John Owen
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