Grateful for the Gospel

For too much of my life I took the Gospel for granted. I didn't realize how blessed I am to be God's child. I think three things have since altered my opinion:

1. Education about the Gospel.
2. Education about my depravity.
3. Education of how few have heard.

Growing up in the Bible Belt, I did not fully appreciate my salvation until I was older. Being Raised in a Christian home,having attended a doctrinally sound church, and knowing several Christian friends as I grew up kept me from realizing the incredibly small number of Christians when compared to the rest of the world's population. Now, I was not in the dark the whole time, knowing of missionaries to countries who did not have a overflowing number of Christian believers. And I probably was grateful during my past years. But I had definitely lost the sense of gratitude. However, as the years have passed and I have visited such sites as Joshuaproject and gone on two missions trips, I have realized how precious is the gift which I must share with those who have never heard(Romans 10). I am compelled to share this valuable message. This recognition increases my gratitude for slavation as I meet people who have no idea what Jesus has done for them.

In addition to learning more about how few people have even heard of the Gospel,I am realizing more and more how much how important and relevant the Gospel is right now to me individually. What does it mean to live applying the Gospel to your life and why do I need it every day? I thought that was just something I learned at the time I turned to Christ from my sin. The book the Cross-Centered Life very skillfully answers those questions.
The Gospel is vibrant and needful. Think about the depravity of yourself when you admitted you were hopelessly lost. Think about the vice of sin from which you were delivered.Then, you will realize your own weaknesses. Also, if you think about your previous state then you will have more of a burning passion to tell others about the Gospel as well.

This gratitude leads me to want to praise God for his mercy, to more readily admit my own weaknesses, and to study how to better defend the Book which tells of the Gospel I love. I do believe the Holy Spirit will help you know what to say, and that God alone brings about salvation(we certainly cannot by our efforts). However, I want to be usable and knowledgeable.

Please take a brief minute or three and check out 2 Corinthians 5:


2Cr 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,3 if indeed by putting it on [fn] we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. [fn] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling [fn] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Set Apart: Glorifying God Matters

I have been consumed with a phrase from Scripture. It's found in Romans' first chapter. Interesting is Paul often opens his epistles with a reference to being an apostle by the will of God. We are called to be God's disciples by the will of God. We are chosen by Him to be His children. I am called by God. A fascinating thought indeed!

I have been reading in Romans lately. This book is so amazing!
Take a look at the first 6 verses:
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,"

Although there are several really interesting facets of these verses, the two words that grab me, from verse one, are: set apart.

This verse reminds me that I am not a Christian so I can live for myself. I want to show the world that my God is alive and that he wants people to come to know Him. I want people to know that He is Creator, Sustainer, Lord of all. A God of compassion, of mercy, of loving kindness, of justice, of holiness, of truth who loves us before we love him (I John 4).

How can I live like I know him? Titus 2 has something to say about that:

(11-14)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

And, Ephesians 2:10
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

The recurring theme is "good works." Now good works do not save us, nor do they cause God to love us more. Nothing can make God love his children more than he alerady does. However, we show the world that we belong to God when we obey God and live righteously.

How do people see me? How do people see my God? My life is not about me because I "have been bought with a price." God is holy. I must be too. (I Peter 1:16).

God is Always Enough

Though the way is long
And the road is rough,
Yet I know that my God
Is always enough.

Though the way is hard,
I can't see each bend,
Still I know that my God
Is there til the end.

Chorus:
God is with me every hour,
By my side he'll ever stay.
And He keeps me by his power
He will never go away.

God is good, he sees
Each moment I cry.
God is good, He'll watch
me close with his Eye.


Verse 2:
Though my life is brief --
I am but a man.
Still I'll serve and I'll act
As best as I can.

Though my heart is frail,
And my strength is small
He gives grace to obey
And helps me stand tall.

Chorus:
God is with me every hour,
By my side He'll ever stay.
And God keeps me by His power.
He will never go away.

This was composed rather early in the morning while housesitting for some friends. They have a keyboard downstairs. I was in the laundry room and I though of a rhyme, so I decided to go see what I could do with it. I made a song and now I'm working on the lyrics. It was kind of neat because earlier that evening I had been thinking about how difficult it is to come up with music. I mean, not borrowing music from other people is so hard. . . So when I composed this song, I thought about that later and how God was being merciful to me. I praise him for it! It's neat to see things from one perspective and then having God help you out.
Soli Deo Gloria

God is not a God of Lipservice

Isaiah 55-58
Notice the context: these are God's words to His people, his people who have rebelled, mainly.
Several verses especially encourage me:
- 55:6-11 Given a chance to repent! Promise of his word not returning empty but accomplishing his purpose and succeeding in the thing for which he sent it.
- 56:6-7 "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath adn does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant--these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their brunt offerings and their sacrfices will be accepted on my alar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peples." God's grace to the Gentiles shown here.
- 57:15-19 God's mercy towards sinners.

(58:6-12, context 1-12)
When referring to fasting, God says:
"Is not this the fast that I choose:
- to loose the bonds of wickedness
- to undo the straps of the yoke
- to let the oppressed go free
- to break every yoke
- to share your bread with the hungry
- bring the homeless poor into your house
- when you see the naked, to cover him
- not to hide yourself from your own flesh

God wants us to be obedient. James says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (1:22).
Chapter 2 talks and gives an example of dead faith, i.e. faith without works.
It is easy to know how to look like a Christian, how to sound like a Christian, and to know what to do. But none of this profits us spiritually or eternally if we do not carry out what we know to do. Nor will it profit if our outward show of "religion" is not issuing from a contrite heart.

James 2:26 "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead also."
Picture this scenario: What if the mayor told the town that the Queen of England was coming and they needed to clean up the town. So he gave everyone a handbook listing particular ways of getting the town ready, with a job for everyone to do. The people respond with a "Of course!" "Certainly," and "We'll get right to it," all the time praising the mayor. But then no one did anything about it. They filed away the instruction books and went right back to playing baseball, the town's favorite sport.
A few days pass. The mayor comes to check on the work and sees that aboslutely nothing has been accomplished. He reproves the lazy town people and reminds them of their responsiblities and the Queen's impending visit. Their reply? "We'll get to it! No worries. We won't let you down again." The mayor returns to his office and the townspeople return to their play.

Though this is not a perfect analogy, it reminds me of what we do with Scripture and what we do with sermons on Sunday. We tell God we'll do all sorts of things, but often do not follow through. True it is that we must turn to him for the grace we need for obedience. However, we must also act with that grace. God does provide it, but we must follow through. Give yourself reminders to obey. Plan it into your schedule. Obedience requires action. God gives grace, but we must ask for it and go with it.
Encouraging is God's forgiveness:
Is. 55:6-11 and 57:15-19

Optional Obedience?

Many Çhristians entertain an unrealistic view of God. They think of him as all mercy and not as holy and just. This misconception leads to grave consequences. It's as if they missed chapters 6-7 of Romans.

I think we so often are not very grateful for our salvation because we forget just how bad sin is: dehabilitating, wrecking, destroying, uprooting, etc. If we focused more on the truth about our sinful condition, then we would realize how much we need to shun it.

Are we not free from the law? Yes, but I'm learning more and more how important obedience is. Think about what you do to people's view of your God when you sin against him. Some testimony we are. We tend to focus so much on God's forgiveness and mercy that we, at times, take advantage of these attributes. Knowing that he will forgive sometimes we choose our idols over him. What a tragedy! Foolish creature that I am to think that anything or anyone is worth going against my Best Friend and Loving Father. But we do.

Focus on truth. Pray Phil 4:8 and Psalm 19:14.

The Portrait of a Pastor

Resolute forehead that may soften but doesn’t crack.
A set chin that handles hard issues and sin of the flock.
Kind eyes that see past the facade and into the heart.
Lips that speak gracious words and that speak God’s words for God and not glory.
Arms that wrap around the smelliest and most rebellious little child.
Hands that give to the poor, comfort the sick, and that reach out unprejudiced to shake any person’s hand.
Feet that do not retreat; feet that are first to move forward to aid; feet that shun evil.


This is a Pastor and his heart is for God.

Nine Reasons Why We Can Believe Scripture - Brian Edwards

Many people attack the authenticity of Scripture in today's "No Absolute Truth" society. Knowing why we believe the Bible constitutes one of the most important weapons in the arsenal of the Christian's defense of the faith.

Brian Edwards says,"We do not believe the Bible is true because archaelogists have proved it. We believe the Bible is true because of far stronger and more certain evidence. It claims to be and is what it claims to be." And after saying, "It's accuracy demonstrates it" (first reason) he says, "It's consistently being proved true. But as I repeat that is not the reason why we trust it. We believe the Bible because of it's own claim."
With that understood, take a moment to peruse his "9 reasons to trust the Bible:"

1. It's accuracy demonstrates it.
2. It's unity supports it.
3. Thinking minds endorse it.
4. Human nature requires it.
5. Our Savior taught it.
6. Revelation confirms it.
- There is too much fulfilled prophecy to overlook.
7. It's own claim demands it.
8. The character of God secures it.
9. Your personal experience illustrates it.

For the full sermon and elaboration on the points (not given here) go to the link at the top of the post.

Do I believe the Bible? Yes, I do. But can I defend this belief? This question spurs one to inward reflection and onward to personal study. Is it not worth defending? Is it not worth memorizing? If the God of all Creation gave us the word, preserved the word, and by the Spirit illumines the word, should it not constitute a significant part of our thinking and time?
May it be that we give the Bible the respect and priority it deserves. May our lives teach the world that we adhere to and believe it. The truth is worth living for and God is worth promoting.

First Response - Christian

First response. To me that means high priority; first importance; requiring an immediate response. When you're injured, you want to be helped immediately, no? Think how you would feel if someone got a call about your situation and said, "Well, I'm kinda watching a movie right now, can you give about half an hour? Then I'll see to it." What would you do? You would be completely frustrated and upset. Don't they know who you are? Don't they care?

I think we do that sometimes with God -- we put him on hold. When convicted about a sin, we don't respond like we should. We don't admit to what we've done and ask forgiveness. Also, we do it to with our time. When we see a need, we don't always jump up to help. We sit there and think about it, waiting for a more "convenient" time. What a lot of it really boils down to is our own laziness and selfishness interfering by putting us at a crossroads between doing what we should be doing and what we want to be doing.

Too often, we miss out on opportunities and on chances to grow because of the hardness of our hearts. God is waiting to grow us, waiting to use us. But sometimes, we say, "Not now; later, God." What if Christ had been that way? He did all that the Father wanted. Sometimes I wish I had the faith of a leper or a blind man. They knew they needed physical healing. I need to realize the depth to which I need spiritual healing.

We need faith, we need change, we need humility. We need God. Choosing Him is worth it, everytime.

A Poem

Looking back in Retrospect
You learn some things you'd not suspect
Since He was with you all the way;
So in your night you still had Day.

God has led us where we'd been
Floundering - He took us in
And didn't say, "That's it; you're done"
But instead, "You're still my son."
- - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - -- - -

Jesus is either Lord of all or he is not Lord at all

Time. We don't have enough of it. I've been reading about commitment to Christ, evangelism, organization, and what to do with my down time. All of it thoroughly convicting. Why? Because God has shown me that I am a self-focused slug who isn't going to accomplish anything with her life unless I change my patterns. Patterns of thinking, patterns of focus, patterns of time spent. I am a very passionate person - why not use that energy to pursue Christ. Well, there's the cost. What cost? Fellowship with God, denial of self, true and lasting peace and happiness, joy during hard times, assurance that my life is counting for something.

I think I have spent a lot of my Christian life looking at things from the wrong spectrum. Not all of my life, granted but some parts. Christ is all that matters. Period. We get this vague concept that we can play around with surrendering different areas of life. I've discovered that doesn't work. You think, sinfully, that God is only concerned about the big areas, but to God all sin is big sin. Unfortunately, I've listened to myself too much and not to the truth of Scripture, which is to "put to death" certain things. We are a new creation.
Unless you surrender all to Christ, then you will never truly live as you ought. You will believe a lie instead of truth. You will be getting power from the wrong power supply. Your flesh. Just like a computer does not work without the correct power supply, so your life will not function properly if you are ignoring the Spirit and drawing upon the flesh. What is it you treasure? What is it you fear which is why you do not surrender? There is a saying that says "At the heart of all sin is unbelief." Your actions and priorities, as I have been learning lately from a counselor, reveal what you believe. So important then is the request by David for God to:
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:24-25

As a side note, this would be good to pray as well. I know I need it!

Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

Psalm 12:9

Trivial Pursuits

Hopelessness. I read it on the face of a teenage girl I saw in City Market. You read in the eyes of movie stars, of politicians, of millionaires: those who seem to have it all in the world's estimation. What do they have going for them than the vain opinions of those around them? While I was camping, I thought about the fact that we have hope. HOPE.

Consider the untold numbers fighting and dying, sweating and bleeding zealously for a cause which contains no hope. None whatsoever. They hold manmade satisfaction thinking that they can find God through rituals, through leaders, through "good" works, but the whole time they miss the whole point. They miss Him. They miss the depravity of self. They miss the hope of the gospel which is that God loves us despite ourselves. We are not worthy. Anything we have came from him any way.

While reading the book, Disciplines of The Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund, one part really struck me. She had been talking about how you should pursue learning about your "special interest" such as "Housekeeping. . .High-diving. . . ." Following her discussion on this she says:

"Most important, every Christian needs to become a specialist in God! Many of your magazines, books, and papers need to
feed your spirit. These lives of ours are to get us ready for eternity, you know!"

Eternity.

If I based my life on the concept of eternal rewards, of an eternity with GOD, of billions dying without correct knowledge of eternity, then how would my priorities change? What would I pursue? God creates this desire to know him more, to be focused on eternity. But we need to feed the flame. Nuture what God is doing in your life. So maybe you know he wants you to spend more time with him. That means getting up earlier so you're not distracted by your siblings. That's hard. That means going to bed earlier, as Dr. Minnick suggested. But wait, that means giving up doing things that sound fun (just one more movie! just one more game of Blitz!). But isn't it worth it?

Does this mean we can't pursue things that we like? Of course we can! God gave us talents and desires, interests and like, ambitions and goals for his glory and our pleasure. But sometimes, when I pursue them, I am missing the point. Or, I let it become a god in my life which leads to the exclusion of loving others like Christ does. It leads to focusing on that passion. Use your passions for God, yes, but don't worship them.

Scripture says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matt 6:21). What am I pursuing? John 4:35 "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." I have to ask myself, Am I preparing myself to pick them? Am I making myself available to pick them? What am I doing with my free time?

Faith

Faith is the wedding band with which we have pledged ourselves to Christ.
Martin Luther.

Fire Alarm

Cooking. Harmless, painless, and usually quite fun. Usually. But some days it doesn't turn out so well. Last week, I was cooking eggs. And I made the fire alarm go off. Let's just say the tortilla and the burner decided to get acquainted. Well, the fire alarm went off. . . which is really embarrassing. But, eventually the smoke cleared out and the alarm quit beeping.

Unlike my kitchen alarm, that has a short duration, there is a fire alarm that has been sounding for years--centuries even. Interestingly enough, the only people who can hear it are the ones who stand no chance of being burned by the fire: the redeemed. Anyone who has turned from his or her sins and trusted Christ as Savior has been saved from an eternity in hell.

But the fire alarm has gone off and it's still sounding. This fire alarm is the alarm ringing of the realities of hell. As Christians, we know about this place of separation from God in a terrible place of punishment. A place where those who have rejected Christ's free gift will stay for eternity.

How loud is the fire alarm to you? What are we doing to tell others of God's grace?


Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 36And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. John 4:35-38

Alexander Whyte

"A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most comfortable and pleasant life that anyone can live in this world."

Poetry Isn't for Wimps

I went to a yardsale about a month ago and got a book of poetry. It is over 70 years old and has "101" poems. Pretty cool. What is interesting is the amount of famous male poets in the book. However, even though many famous poets have been male, try explaining the masculine characterstics of writing poetry to a group of Junior High Schoolers or to High Schoolers. I haven't tried it yet, but my English teaching heart goes out to any teacher who is trying to make poetry appealing to her male students. It's kind of like playing piano or nursing. Although beneficial to the masses, they're both still considered more feminine paths.
Sometimes, we limit ourselves from doing things that we would enjoy or be good at because of the stigma attached to the activity. Influenced by the opinion of others, we decide, "Well, I just won't try that. I mean, I didn't really want to anyway. . ." Not that other people's opinions don't matter, but we tend to take what we think people will think way too far. In addition to being afraid that people will mock us, we might think they will assign motives to what we are doing: "Oh, he is just playing the piano because he wants to win a contest."
You know what, who cares? We need to stop cowering in the shadow of presumed public opinion. If you have a talent or an interest, pursue it! You never know how God will use it. His opinion is the one that truly matters. Seek to glorify him and shine!

Sin is Like a Mess on the Floor

Peanut butter sandwiches. They taste good, but the creation of the sandwich is the creation of a mess. You want the sandwich, but afterwards, it can be easy to be lazy. You don't feel like cleaning up after lunch. Why? Becuase it takes effort. You want to relax. However, as we all know, if you don't clean up the mess, then it is still there at dinner. Now, you can delay cleaning and just leave the bread and peanut butter out, let the crumbs stay on the counter, put the plate in the sink, and make dinner around the mess. But the mess is still there.
Or, instead of working around the mess, you have option number two: hiding the mess. Many single people can attest to that. I know of a man who used to keep some of his dirty cereal bowls underneath the sink. Talk about disgusting. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
Either way, the issue has not been resolved, it has only been avoided. Sin works in a similar fashion. When you have something that needs to be "cleaned up" you have a few options (with only one being the right option). Say you bought a movie you should not have. You can leave it on your shelf and just never watch it, or you can hide it so that you try to appease yourself by not thinking about it. Or you can avoid the evil all together and throw it in the trash. Chances are, if you leave it in your house it will still bother you. Don't let sin have that power. Claim the victory.
Or maybe it's a problem with a person. You have sinned against him/her. The knowledge of that unconfessed sin will keep you from moving forward with that Christian family member because it restricts your spiritual liberty. You feel burdened by it; it's on your mind when you talk to that person. It's on your mind at church. You can get it out or keep it in, but you make the choice to do either.
Don't let the mess control you. Go about it like Christ has commanded. Confess! You want the mess cleaned up.

Be a Taker

Although you have often heard that you should give, which is true, certain instances exist where you should take. And not just a little. Take as much as possible.

When people around you offer words of advice and wisdom, instead of nodding your head politely and simply smiling at them, take them seriously. You never know when their advice might come in handy. So many people have so much to offer. And it's not just adults. Even younger kids have information that is worthy of your time and attention. (It sounds incredible I know, but sometimes they really do have something worth talking about!)

One thing that will stop you from hearing advice is a lack of humility -- thinking you already know. That's what stops me anyway. So don't let pride get in the way.

Another thing that will keep you from being a taker is a preoccupation with other matters. In our society of technologically driven entertainment, being distracted while someone chatters is quite easy. However, you might not get the chance to hear what they have to say again. Moments are like gems, but you have to recognize them for their value in order to glean the dividend. Moments are precious and fleeting. Unless you set your mind to appreciating them, it is easy to let them slip.

Now, back to taking. You can also take people's time. The main focus in taking others' time is love. Love them through the time you give. Invest in them and make them feel worthwhile. Ask them to give you their time to explain how they made that delicious bowl of soup or that snazzy model car. Ask them how long it took them to establish their ranch or set up their Wii system. Will you always learn something you can use? Well, not necessarily, but you will make them feel valued.

How do you know what to take their time with? Well, look around you and see what is important to them. Then, probe them about it. People love talking about their hobbies. You will not only establish a closer relationship with that person, but you will make them feel cared about.

So, take the time to take their time. And take the time to listen. Get as much advice as you can. It might just come in handy one day.