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BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.
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Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
Advent Week 4::Love
"Love is bringing the object of your love to a place where they are entralled with that which will eternally satisfy the soul, namely Jesus."
-John Piper
Under this definition the most loving thing that has ever happened is Jesus coming to our world. Enjoy this reading from Luke and think about the love that came in the person of Jesus.
Luk 1:46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luk 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Luk 1:48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
Luk 1:49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Luk 1:51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
Luk 1:52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
Luk 1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
Luk 1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
Luk 1:55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
Luk 1:56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
-John Piper
Under this definition the most loving thing that has ever happened is Jesus coming to our world. Enjoy this reading from Luke and think about the love that came in the person of Jesus.
Luk 1:46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
Luk 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Luk 1:48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
Luk 1:49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Luk 1:50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
Luk 1:51 He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
Luk 1:52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
Luk 1:53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty.
Luk 1:54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
Luk 1:55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
Luk 1:56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.
Advent Week 4:: Love Tuesday
Love has come to earth in the person of Jesus. Get past the familiarity of this passage and connect with the truth of love coming to this earth.
Luk 1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,
Luk 1:40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
Luk 1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Luk 1:42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luk 1:43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Luk 1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,
Luk 1:40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
Luk 1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Luk 1:42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luk 1:43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
Advent week 4:: Love
Please pardon the lateness of this post...
We have looked into how we Jesus came and brought hope and peace and joy to our world. Foremost in the season of Advent is the coming of Love. You may have read it already this year. I want to lead us this week in reading simply the Christmas story from Luke this week. I want you to read in small pieces and think through the simple fact that God is love and Jesus is God.
Luke 1:26-38
Luk 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
Luk 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
Luk 1:28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
Luk 1:29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Luk 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
Luk 1:33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Luk 1:34 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God.
Luk 1:36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God."
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
We have looked into how we Jesus came and brought hope and peace and joy to our world. Foremost in the season of Advent is the coming of Love. You may have read it already this year. I want to lead us this week in reading simply the Christmas story from Luke this week. I want you to read in small pieces and think through the simple fact that God is love and Jesus is God.
Luke 1:26-38
Luk 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
Luk 1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.
Luk 1:28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"
Luk 1:29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
Luk 1:30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
Luk 1:31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
Luk 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
Luk 1:33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
Luk 1:34 And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
Luk 1:35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God.
Luk 1:36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.
Luk 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God."
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.
Avent Week 3:: Joy Thursday
The prophet Zecheriah writes his oracle in about 530-540 B.C. The Jews had just returned from Babylonian exile about 20 years prior to his writings. The hope that came from return to Jerusalem after exile had almost all gone away. Taxes were high and hope was fading. Jerusalem and the temple were still in ruin.
Zecheriah's main problem to address was discouragement. Here in the 9th chapter he speaks of the Christ to come, the king that is coming. This is the king that we celebrate this advent season. Connect with his words of encouragement and joy.
Zecherhiah 9:9-17
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zec 9:10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Zec 9:11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
Zec 9:12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Zec 9:13 For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword.
Zec 9:14 Then the LORD will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
Zec 9:15 The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.
Zec 9:16 On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.
Zec 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.
Zecheriah's main problem to address was discouragement. Here in the 9th chapter he speaks of the Christ to come, the king that is coming. This is the king that we celebrate this advent season. Connect with his words of encouragement and joy.
Zecherhiah 9:9-17
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zec 9:10 I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Zec 9:11 As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
Zec 9:12 Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope; today I declare that I will restore to you double.
Zec 9:13 For I have bent Judah as my bow; I have made Ephraim its arrow. I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and wield you like a warrior's sword.
Zec 9:14 Then the LORD will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
Zec 9:15 The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour, and tread down the sling stones, and they shall drink and roar as if drunk with wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar.
Zec 9:16 On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.
Zec 9:17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women.
Advent Week 3::Joy Wednesday
In light of the thought of yesterday, read this passage and think of the fear that was in the heart of Abraham as he experienced this. Think of the joy that replaced that fear when God said stop and provided a sacrifice.
Rest in the joy that has been provided and fear not today.
Gen 22:1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Gen 22:3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Gen 22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
Gen 22:5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."
Gen 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
Gen 22:7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
Gen 22:8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
Gen 22:9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
Gen 22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
Gen 22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
Gen 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Gen 22:14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
Rest in the joy that has been provided and fear not today.
Gen 22:1 After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:2 He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Gen 22:3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Gen 22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar.
Gen 22:5 Then Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you."
Gen 22:6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together.
Gen 22:7 And Isaac said to his father Abraham, "My father!" And he said, "Here am I, my son." He said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?"
Gen 22:8 Abraham said, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." So they went both of them together.
Gen 22:9 When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
Gen 22:10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
Gen 22:11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I."
Gen 22:12 He said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me."
Gen 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Gen 22:14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "The LORD will provide"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
Advent Week 3:: Joy Tuesday
God is about replacing fear with joy. That is what happened that night on the hill side with shepherds. Luke 2 says that the "glory of the Lord shone around them", this glory is the presence of God and it cause them to be afraid. The first words of the angel were "fear not", then the angel said "I bring you good news of great joy." The angel is speaking the words of God and essentially they are "I want to replace your fear with joy."
Their fear came from a knowledge of themselves. Every time in scripture when faced with the presence of God, the immediate response is fear. From Abraham to Moses to Isaiah to these shepherds they were all afraid when they encountered God. They were afraid because of their sin. But the message of Christmas is "Fear not, the long expected Savior is here!"
That is joy! Moving from "I am dead" to "I have been completely accepted" is God replacing fear with joy. It is the message of Christmas.
Sin is born in our mistaken thought that we can provide pleasure for ourselves. All sin is a conscious or an unconscious statement to God that I know better how to give myself pleasure. The result is a disconnect from God, from the source of true joy. God has not come to ruin you, He has come to get you back. Our king is here.
Have a good day filled with joy that comes from this season.
Their fear came from a knowledge of themselves. Every time in scripture when faced with the presence of God, the immediate response is fear. From Abraham to Moses to Isaiah to these shepherds they were all afraid when they encountered God. They were afraid because of their sin. But the message of Christmas is "Fear not, the long expected Savior is here!"
That is joy! Moving from "I am dead" to "I have been completely accepted" is God replacing fear with joy. It is the message of Christmas.
Sin is born in our mistaken thought that we can provide pleasure for ourselves. All sin is a conscious or an unconscious statement to God that I know better how to give myself pleasure. The result is a disconnect from God, from the source of true joy. God has not come to ruin you, He has come to get you back. Our king is here.
Have a good day filled with joy that comes from this season.
Advent week 3:: Joy
This week's theme is joy. As you begin this week think about the themes and how they build on each other. Hope has led us to peace and peace has led us to joy and joy will lead us to love.
Today's reading tells us to think things that are true, honorable, just pure, lovely, commenable, excellant and worthy of praise. After you read this passage, think through that list and then write a page full of things that that God has given that bring you joy. Trace those gifts back to the great gift giver, our God.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
If you click on the title of this blog post you will be taken to link for our podcast. We wanted to give you an opportunity to hear a message on the themes. Take some time this week to listen to the messages or at least this weeks message on joy.
Today's reading tells us to think things that are true, honorable, just pure, lovely, commenable, excellant and worthy of praise. After you read this passage, think through that list and then write a page full of things that that God has given that bring you joy. Trace those gifts back to the great gift giver, our God.
Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;
Php 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Php 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
If you click on the title of this blog post you will be taken to link for our podcast. We wanted to give you an opportunity to hear a message on the themes. Take some time this week to listen to the messages or at least this weeks message on joy.
Advent Week 2:: Peace Friday
1Th 5:12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
1Th 5:13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
1Th 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Let the words “be at peace among yourselves” ring in your head this weekend. God has given you great peace through Jesus. Spread that peace. As you drive in traffic, as you walk through the grocery store, as you work, spread that peace.
Pray that God would give opportunities to “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak and be patient with them all.”
Have a great weekend and wait on Jesus!
1Th 5:13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Th 5:14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
1Th 5:15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
1Th 5:16 Rejoice always,
1Th 5:17 pray without ceasing,
1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Let the words “be at peace among yourselves” ring in your head this weekend. God has given you great peace through Jesus. Spread that peace. As you drive in traffic, as you walk through the grocery store, as you work, spread that peace.
Pray that God would give opportunities to “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak and be patient with them all.”
Have a great weekend and wait on Jesus!
Advent Week 2:: Peace Thursday
Luke 1:39-45
Luk 1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,
Luk 1:40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
Luk 1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Luk 1:42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luk 1:43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
"Blessed (in Luke 1:39-45) is to be brought back to full shalom, full human functioning. It makes you everything that God meant for you to be. What Elizabeth is saying is that if Mary believes and owns this incarnation that the angel is speaking to her, she will be totally changed, transformed…blessed." -Tim Keller
This is peace that is offered. We were made to enjoy eternal peace with God. We were made to enjoy Him and His creation and be enjoyed by Him. But the fracture of self dependence and self provision has come. That fracture has taken away our peace leaving us longing for something more and different.
Even the irreligious would admit that there is something within each of us that longs for something more. We are longing to get back this full shalom, this full peace that came in form of a baby. Celebrate this baby today and the peace that He brings.
Luk 1:39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah,
Luk 1:40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
Luk 1:41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
Luk 1:42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
Luk 1:43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Luk 1:44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luk 1:45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."
"Blessed (in Luke 1:39-45) is to be brought back to full shalom, full human functioning. It makes you everything that God meant for you to be. What Elizabeth is saying is that if Mary believes and owns this incarnation that the angel is speaking to her, she will be totally changed, transformed…blessed." -Tim Keller
This is peace that is offered. We were made to enjoy eternal peace with God. We were made to enjoy Him and His creation and be enjoyed by Him. But the fracture of self dependence and self provision has come. That fracture has taken away our peace leaving us longing for something more and different.
Even the irreligious would admit that there is something within each of us that longs for something more. We are longing to get back this full shalom, this full peace that came in form of a baby. Celebrate this baby today and the peace that He brings.
Advent Week 2:: Peace Wednesday
Commentary from John Gill on Isaiah 11
"This chapter is a prophecy of the Messiah, and gives an account of his descent, as man; of his qualifications for his office, as a Judge and King; of his performance of it; of the peaceableness of his kingdom; of the spread of it among the Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel; and of the last and general conversion of the Jews. His original and descent from David the son of Jesse, under the titles of a rod and branch, is described as mean and obscure, expressed by stem and roots, Isa_11:1 his gifts and qualifications for his work, in general and particular, Isa_11:2 the performance of it, both with respect to good men and bad men, in the fear of the Lord, with all equity, righteousness, and readiness, Isa_11:3 the peaceableness of his kingdom is figuratively expressed, by the agreement of savage and tame creatures, the former becoming the latter, and so losing their malignant and hurtful nature, through the efficacy of the Gospel, spreading the knowledge of Christ all over the world, Isa_11:6 particularly among the Gentiles, comparable to those savage creatures, who, upon the exhibition of Christ in the Gospel; should seek to him, and find rest in him, Isa_11:10 which will be followed or accompanied with a collection of the Jews out of all lands, and the conversion of them, which will be brought about by the power and grace of God, all impediments being by him removed out of the way; the consequences of which will be, peace among themselves, and obedience among the Gentiles."
Isa 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
Isa 11:2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Isa 11:3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
Isa 11:4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isa 11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Isa 11:6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
"This chapter is a prophecy of the Messiah, and gives an account of his descent, as man; of his qualifications for his office, as a Judge and King; of his performance of it; of the peaceableness of his kingdom; of the spread of it among the Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel; and of the last and general conversion of the Jews. His original and descent from David the son of Jesse, under the titles of a rod and branch, is described as mean and obscure, expressed by stem and roots, Isa_11:1 his gifts and qualifications for his work, in general and particular, Isa_11:2 the performance of it, both with respect to good men and bad men, in the fear of the Lord, with all equity, righteousness, and readiness, Isa_11:3 the peaceableness of his kingdom is figuratively expressed, by the agreement of savage and tame creatures, the former becoming the latter, and so losing their malignant and hurtful nature, through the efficacy of the Gospel, spreading the knowledge of Christ all over the world, Isa_11:6 particularly among the Gentiles, comparable to those savage creatures, who, upon the exhibition of Christ in the Gospel; should seek to him, and find rest in him, Isa_11:10 which will be followed or accompanied with a collection of the Jews out of all lands, and the conversion of them, which will be brought about by the power and grace of God, all impediments being by him removed out of the way; the consequences of which will be, peace among themselves, and obedience among the Gentiles."
Isa 11:1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
Isa 11:2 And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
Isa 11:3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,
Isa 11:4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.
Isa 11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.
Isa 11:6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.
Isa 11:7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
Isa 11:8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.
Isa 11:9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.
Advent Week 2:: Peace Tuesday
From a commentary by John Gill on Psalm 85
"This psalm is generally thought to have been composed after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon; and yet when they were in some distress from their neighbours, either in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, or in the times of Antiochus; but then this deliverance from captivity must be considered as typical of redemption by Christ; The title of the Syriac version of this Psalm is, 'it is a prophecy concerning Christ;'
it speaks of his dwelling in the land, of his salvation being near, and of the glory of the divine perfections as displayed in it; and perhaps some parts of it may respect the conversion of the Jews in the latter day; and Aben Ezra and Kimchi say, it is concerning the captivity of Babylon, yet also of their present captivity.
Psa 85:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
Psa 85:2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
Psa 85:3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Psa 85:4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!
Psa 85:5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Psa 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psa 85:7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
Psa 85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
Psa 85:10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Psa 85:11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Psa 85:12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Psa 85:13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
May the peace of Christ be with you today.
"This psalm is generally thought to have been composed after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon; and yet when they were in some distress from their neighbours, either in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah, or in the times of Antiochus; but then this deliverance from captivity must be considered as typical of redemption by Christ; The title of the Syriac version of this Psalm is, 'it is a prophecy concerning Christ;'
it speaks of his dwelling in the land, of his salvation being near, and of the glory of the divine perfections as displayed in it; and perhaps some parts of it may respect the conversion of the Jews in the latter day; and Aben Ezra and Kimchi say, it is concerning the captivity of Babylon, yet also of their present captivity.
Psa 85:1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
Psa 85:2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah
Psa 85:3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Psa 85:4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!
Psa 85:5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Psa 85:6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?
Psa 85:7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
Psa 85:8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.
Psa 85:9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.
Psa 85:10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Psa 85:11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.
Psa 85:12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.
Psa 85:13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
May the peace of Christ be with you today.
Advent Week 2:: Peace Monday
Peace is defined in two points
• A state of mutual harmony between parties, the absence of hostility
• Freedom of the mind from an annoyance, distraction, anxiety, oppressive thoughts or obsession…tranquility; serenity
Read the passage below from Isaiah 8:17-9:17. See the lack of harmony in the verses in chapter 8 followed by the full peace in chapter 9. Think today about the peace that came with Jesus Christ. A peace that brings us full shalom, the full peace of intimacy with the Father.
Isa 8:17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Isa 8:19 And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
Isa 8:20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
Isa 8:21 They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward.
Isa 8:22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.
Isa 9:1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
Isa 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
Isa 9:3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Isa 9:4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Isa 9:5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
• A state of mutual harmony between parties, the absence of hostility
• Freedom of the mind from an annoyance, distraction, anxiety, oppressive thoughts or obsession…tranquility; serenity
Read the passage below from Isaiah 8:17-9:17. See the lack of harmony in the verses in chapter 8 followed by the full peace in chapter 9. Think today about the peace that came with Jesus Christ. A peace that brings us full shalom, the full peace of intimacy with the Father.
Isa 8:17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.
Isa 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Isa 8:19 And when they say to you, "Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter," should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?
Isa 8:20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.
Isa 8:21 They will pass through the land, greatly distressed and hungry. And when they are hungry, they will be enraged and will speak contemptuously against their king and their God, and turn their faces upward.
Isa 8:22 And they will look to the earth, but behold, distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish. And they will be thrust into thick darkness.
Isa 9:1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
Isa 9:2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
Isa 9:3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
Isa 9:4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Isa 9:5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
Advent week 1:: Hope Friday
Today's reading come from the New Teastament. Read it a few times. Read it on Saturday and Sunday mornings as well. Each time before you read, stop and ask God to implant hope into your heart and ask Him to allow you to have that hope in the front of your brain all day.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:1
1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1Th 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
1Th 5:5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1Th 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
1Th 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
1Th 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:1
1Th 4:13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
1Th 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1Th 5:1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you.
1Th 5:2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1Th 5:4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
1Th 5:5 For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
1Th 5:6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
1Th 5:8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
1Th 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Advent week 1:: Hope Thursday
All quotes come from the ESV Study Bible Commentary
“In Isaiah 40 God provides a comforting promise of hope for the brokenhearted people of God. God is incomparably powerful over all things and promises strength for endurance to all who will wait for him.”
The book of Isaiah was written about 700 years before the coming of Jesus Christ. There are many references to the coming Messiah in the book. This is one of them. There are several things to connect with about this passage. I write about two of them at the bottom of this page. One thing to connect with before you read the passage is the 700 years of waiting and watching the people of God endured from the writing of this passage until the actual coming of Jesus.
Isa 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Isa 40:2 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.
Isa 40:3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isa 40:4 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.
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isa 40:6 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.
Isa 40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.
Isa 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isa 40:9 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!"
Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
Isa 40:11 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.
“In Isaiah 40:4 These are metaphors—based on the rough terrain as one approaches Jerusalem from the east—for personal repentance and social reformation, remaking the world as a place fit for the coming King.”
Reflect on these concepts and your need for personal repentance and the social reform that needs to take place in your own heart as you prepare for this season. By social reform I mean to say engagement in the culture and making our community a better place to live.
In verses 10 and 11 see the conquering strength, gentleness and generosity of our coming king. Breathe those attributes of our Savior in deep. As you do wait with hope in this season of expectancy.
“In Isaiah 40 God provides a comforting promise of hope for the brokenhearted people of God. God is incomparably powerful over all things and promises strength for endurance to all who will wait for him.”
The book of Isaiah was written about 700 years before the coming of Jesus Christ. There are many references to the coming Messiah in the book. This is one of them. There are several things to connect with about this passage. I write about two of them at the bottom of this page. One thing to connect with before you read the passage is the 700 years of waiting and watching the people of God endured from the writing of this passage until the actual coming of Jesus.
Isa 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
Isa 40:2 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.
Isa 40:3 A voice cries: "In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Isa 40:4 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.
Isa 40:5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."
Isa 40:6 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.
Isa 40:7 The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass.
Isa 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Isa 40:9 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!"
Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
Isa 40:11 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.
“In Isaiah 40:4 These are metaphors—based on the rough terrain as one approaches Jerusalem from the east—for personal repentance and social reformation, remaking the world as a place fit for the coming King.”
Reflect on these concepts and your need for personal repentance and the social reform that needs to take place in your own heart as you prepare for this season. By social reform I mean to say engagement in the culture and making our community a better place to live.
In verses 10 and 11 see the conquering strength, gentleness and generosity of our coming king. Breathe those attributes of our Savior in deep. As you do wait with hope in this season of expectancy.
Advent week 1: Hope Wednesday
We do not follow the teachings of a prophet; we follow God in the flesh. It’s why we’re confident. It’s why we’re confident. And that this God in the flesh has brought with Him life, not existence but life, and that life is the light of men.
–Matt Chandler
Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah. If you did not visit the blog yesterday, go back and check it out for some back story into Jeremiah and then read the following with the same hopeful mindset.
Jer 33:14 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
Jer 33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Jer 33:16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'
Jer 33:17 "For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,
Jer 33:18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever."
Jer 33:19 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
Jer 33:20 "Thus says the LORD: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time,
Jer 33:21 then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers.
Jer 33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me."
Jer 33:23 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
Jer 33:24 "Have you not observed that these people are saying, 'The LORD has rejected the two clans that he chose'? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight.
Jer 33:25 Thus says the LORD: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth,
Jer 33:26 then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them."
–Matt Chandler
Today’s reading comes from Jeremiah. If you did not visit the blog yesterday, go back and check it out for some back story into Jeremiah and then read the following with the same hopeful mindset.
Jer 33:14 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
Jer 33:15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David, and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.
Jer 33:16 In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.'
Jer 33:17 "For thus says the LORD: David shall never lack a man to sit on the throne of the house of Israel,
Jer 33:18 and the Levitical priests shall never lack a man in my presence to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings, and to make sacrifices forever."
Jer 33:19 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
Jer 33:20 "Thus says the LORD: If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night will not come at their appointed time,
Jer 33:21 then also my covenant with David my servant may be broken, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and my covenant with the Levitical priests my ministers.
Jer 33:22 As the host of heaven cannot be numbered and the sands of the sea cannot be measured, so I will multiply the offspring of David my servant, and the Levitical priests who minister to me."
Jer 33:23 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
Jer 33:24 "Have you not observed that these people are saying, 'The LORD has rejected the two clans that he chose'? Thus they have despised my people so that they are no longer a nation in their sight.
Jer 33:25 Thus says the LORD: If I have not established my covenant with day and night and the fixed order of heaven and earth,
Jer 33:26 then I will reject the offspring of Jacob and David my servant and will not choose one of his offspring to rule over the offspring of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them."
Advent week 1: Hope Tuesday
This is taken obviously from Jeremiah. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet. He was know as this because he was the one God chose to speak through during a great time of darkness for God’s people.
The enemies of the God’s people burned down the temple and the city of Jerusalem. They raped and murdered and starved them. They took them as slaves. The people of God were destroyed. He saw friends and family members have their skin rot off of their bones and disease take over their bodies. He was the mouth piece for God during the darkest period in the history of the people of God.
Read the hope in the voice of Jeremiah this passage. Connect with him and the language that he uses. Rest in the hope that is granted by the confident expectation of things to come, of a Messiah to come.
Jer 31:31 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
Jer 31:32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD.
Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Jer 31:35 Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar-- the LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 "If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever."
Jer 31:37 Thus says the LORD: "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD."
Jer 31:38 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the city shall be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
Jer 31:39 And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah.
Jer 31:40 The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the LORD. It shall not be uprooted or overthrown anymore forever."
The enemies of the God’s people burned down the temple and the city of Jerusalem. They raped and murdered and starved them. They took them as slaves. The people of God were destroyed. He saw friends and family members have their skin rot off of their bones and disease take over their bodies. He was the mouth piece for God during the darkest period in the history of the people of God.
Read the hope in the voice of Jeremiah this passage. Connect with him and the language that he uses. Rest in the hope that is granted by the confident expectation of things to come, of a Messiah to come.
Jer 31:31 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
Jer 31:32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD.
Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Jer 31:34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."
Jer 31:35 Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar-- the LORD of hosts is his name:
Jer 31:36 "If this fixed order departs from before me, declares the LORD, then shall the offspring of Israel cease from being a nation before me forever."
Jer 31:37 Thus says the LORD: "If the heavens above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the LORD."
Jer 31:38 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when the city shall be rebuilt for the LORD from the Tower of Hananel to the Corner Gate.
Jer 31:39 And the measuring line shall go out farther, straight to the hill Gareb, and shall then turn to Goah.
Jer 31:40 The whole valley of the dead bodies and the ashes, and all the fields as far as the brook Kidron, to the corner of the Horse Gate toward the east, shall be sacred to the LORD. It shall not be uprooted or overthrown anymore forever."
Advent Week 1::Hope
The theme of the first week of advent is Hope. We place confident expectation in our God and in this season that sense of hope grows. Pause today and reflect on hope in the midst of this season.
Read this passage from Romans 4 and connect with the hope that was in the heart of Abraham and pray that God would allow you to push this hope to the front of your brain this week.
From Romans 4::
Rom 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Rom 4:14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Rom 4:15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
Rom 4:16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Rom 4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Rom 4:18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Rom 4:19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.
Rom 4:20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
Rom 4:21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Read this passage from Romans 4 and connect with the hope that was in the heart of Abraham and pray that God would allow you to push this hope to the front of your brain this week.
From Romans 4::
Rom 4:13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
Rom 4:14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
Rom 4:15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.
Rom 4:16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,
Rom 4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Rom 4:18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Rom 4:19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.
Rom 4:20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
Rom 4:21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
80's party
This Saturday at my house we will have an 80's party filled with great/bad music and great/bad clothing. Dress up in those fantastic clothes and come hang out starting at 7:00 PM.
There will be trivia (with prizes), best dressed contest (with prizes) and kareoke. There will also be a Chik-Fil-A party tray!
There will be trivia (with prizes), best dressed contest (with prizes) and kareoke. There will also be a Chik-Fil-A party tray!
Wisdom from Jonathan Edwards
Jonathan Edwards was a preacher/theologian who lived in American colonies in the early to mid 1700's. He has a sermon with this title:: "The Hearing and Keeping the Word of God Renders a Person More Blessed Than Any Other Privilege That God Ever Bestowed on Any of the Children of Men."
What a great title, I feel inspired and preached to having read the title alone. It is also what I have been harping about in my own head and from my lips for the last bit of weeks. I pray that I would be convinced of the truth of that title, that I would believe God in the beatitudes.
My prayers curiously have great fervor and vigor yet very little hope of being answered. Which leads me to a greater understanding of my weak flesh that wants me to bless me. Digression has brought me away from the point.
The foremost point of this blog entry is that hearing and keeping the word of God brings a level of severely intense satisfaction that is unmatched in any realm. I shout this prayer for me and my hearers.
What a great title, I feel inspired and preached to having read the title alone. It is also what I have been harping about in my own head and from my lips for the last bit of weeks. I pray that I would be convinced of the truth of that title, that I would believe God in the beatitudes.
My prayers curiously have great fervor and vigor yet very little hope of being answered. Which leads me to a greater understanding of my weak flesh that wants me to bless me. Digression has brought me away from the point.
The foremost point of this blog entry is that hearing and keeping the word of God brings a level of severely intense satisfaction that is unmatched in any realm. I shout this prayer for me and my hearers.
Our Greatest Need?
I have been posing this question in my mind for several days. My reading has brought me to it and the unsettling of the last blog post as well. I want to quote two books, one today and one tomorrow, that get into the depth of what I am talking about.
The first is Humility by Andrew Murray. In it he says this, "The Need. When the Old Serpent, he who had been cast out from Heaven for his pride, whose whole nature as devil was pride, spoke his words of temptation into the ear of Eve, these words carried with them the very poison of hell...poison entered into her soul and blood and life, destroying that blessed humility and dependence upon God which would have been our everlasting happiness. And instead of this, her life and the life of the race that sprang from her became corrupted to its very root with that most terrible of all sins and all curses, the poison of Satan's own pride. All the wars and bloodshed among the nations, all its selfishness and suffering, all its ambitions jealousies, broken hearts and embittered lives...have their origin in this hellish pride, either our own or, that of others, has brought us. It is from our pride that we need, above everything, to be redeemed."
We have no greater need than to be redeemed from our pride. All sin flows from this desire to provide for self. Like an idiot trying to carrying books upstairs while on crutches who falls and hurts himself are we. I can do it, I will take care of it, I can provide for myself.
The first is Humility by Andrew Murray. In it he says this, "The Need. When the Old Serpent, he who had been cast out from Heaven for his pride, whose whole nature as devil was pride, spoke his words of temptation into the ear of Eve, these words carried with them the very poison of hell...poison entered into her soul and blood and life, destroying that blessed humility and dependence upon God which would have been our everlasting happiness. And instead of this, her life and the life of the race that sprang from her became corrupted to its very root with that most terrible of all sins and all curses, the poison of Satan's own pride. All the wars and bloodshed among the nations, all its selfishness and suffering, all its ambitions jealousies, broken hearts and embittered lives...have their origin in this hellish pride, either our own or, that of others, has brought us. It is from our pride that we need, above everything, to be redeemed."
We have no greater need than to be redeemed from our pride. All sin flows from this desire to provide for self. Like an idiot trying to carrying books upstairs while on crutches who falls and hurts himself are we. I can do it, I will take care of it, I can provide for myself.
The Discipleship Challenge by Winfield Bevins
There is a lack of biblical discipleship in the North American church. Dallas Willard calls, "Nondiscipleship the elephant of the church."1 The problem is many churches focus on evangelism at the expense of discipleship by seeking to win converts and not making disciples. This is despite the fact that the Great Commission in Matthew chapter 28 is to make disciples not win converts. When Jesus said, "make disciples" the disciples understood it to mean more than simply getting someone to believe in Jesus and they interpreted it to mean that they should make out of other what Jesus made out of them.2 The answer is that we need to focus on keeping people as much as we do reaching people by creating an organic discipleship process that leads people from conversion to becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.
With the rise of the modern evangelical movement in North America in the 20th century, came an over emphasis on evangelism at the expense of discipleship. Bill Hull addresses this issue by saying, "The church has tried to get world evangelization without disciple making."3 The church must once again make discipleship a priority for a new generation of believers. The consequences are evident. Statistics show that the average church in North America losses 74% of people between the ages 18-24.4 According to one of the most recent statistical surveys of the top 25, many of the denominations in North America are in decline rather than growing.5 Not only are churches not growing through evangelism, they are not keeping believers through discipleship. Lack of discipleship and not just evangelism, is one of the growing contributing factors for church decline in North America.
Not only are churches in North America not growing through evangelism, they are not keeping believers through discipleship. One example is The Southern Baptist Convention. They reported more than sixteen million members. Only 6,024,289 or 37 percent of their membership are present for the average Sunday morning worship service.6 Where are the other ten million people? Lack of discipleship and not just evangelism is one of the growing contributing factors for church decline in North America.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges to discipleship is that churches have become complicated and over programmed. If we are not careful, the multitude of distractions and programs will keep the church from fulfilling the call to make disciples. The reality is that 70 to 80 percent of churches in North America are stagnant or in decline.7 Thom Reiner & Eric Geiger demonstrate in Simple Church that one of the major factors for church decline is that many churches lack a simple, straightforward, and strategic discipleship process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. Simple Church offers a basic model for discipleship in the local church.8 When churches need to simplify their discipleship programs in order to effectively make disciples.
There is a clear difference between being a convert to Christianity and a disciple of Jesus Christ. A convert is someone who changes from one faith to another.9 Simply changing one's religion to Christianity does not mean that someone has become a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. A convert is someone who has changed his or her faith but not his or her heart. The result is a cheap grace that cost us nothing. Dietrich Bonheoffer first defined cheap grace in his most famous work is The Cost of Discipleship, first published in 1939. This book is a rigorous exposition and interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, and Matthew 9:35-10:42. He described cheap grace as, "the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ."10
In contrast, the word disciple comes from the Greek word Mathetes, which is found 269 times in the New Testament and means an apprentice, learner, or a pupil. In the ancient times of the Bible, a disciple was a person who left everything that they had to follow the teachings of a master. The word ‘disciple' implies much more than a learner or a pupil, it is someone who has totally committed his or her life to the training and teaching of a master or a school of thought. According to the New Testament, a disciple is a born again believer who is obedient, bears fruit, glorifies God, has joy, loves others, denies themselves, and is committed to fulfilling the Great Commission (John 15:7-17; Luke 9:23-25; Matthew 28:19). In Growing True Disciples, researcher George Barna reports that the church in America is comprised of "many converts, but shockingly few disciples."11 Another survey concludes that only 25% of Evangelicals meet the biblical standard for a disciple.12
Discipleship should be the goal of every Christian and every church in North America. Discipleship is simply the process of assisting others in the Christian faith to become and to continue to be "disciples" of Jesus Christ.13 We should spend as much of our time, resources, and energy focusing on discipleship as much as we do on evangelism. Christians need to revaluate the New Testament model of discipleship for 21st century ministry. Likewise, individual churches should seek to develop organic discipleship models that are biblically faithful and culturally relevant to their particular context of ministry.
Discipleship is essential for the health and survival of a new church. Statistics show that 80% of church plants fail within their first year. Even though discipleship is essential, it is also a challenge for a new church in several ways. First, church growth experts agree that a church planting is one of the best ways to reach unchurched people.14 Therefore, many of the people who come to a new church will reach have not yet been discipled. Discipling new believers requires countless hours of counseling, time, and energy. Second, a new church lacks that mature systems and structures that are needed for effective discipleship to take place. It takes several years to develop mature church systems, which can result in loosing new believers. Third, as a new church grows it will inevitably outgrow its old systems and structures in order to continue to grow. Lastly, many of the books on the subject of church planting do not address the subject of discipleship in a new church. Many of the books written on church planting do not discuss the issue of discipleship after the launch phase.
The conclusion is simple, church planters need to think critically about creating a discipleship process that leads people from conversion to becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. This process should seek to connect new believers to the church and grow them into disciples who will reproduce themselves by making future disciples. If you do not start your church doing the hard work of creating disciples, it will destroy your church in the end. Let us answer the call of Jesus Christ to, "Go and make disciples."
With the rise of the modern evangelical movement in North America in the 20th century, came an over emphasis on evangelism at the expense of discipleship. Bill Hull addresses this issue by saying, "The church has tried to get world evangelization without disciple making."3 The church must once again make discipleship a priority for a new generation of believers. The consequences are evident. Statistics show that the average church in North America losses 74% of people between the ages 18-24.4 According to one of the most recent statistical surveys of the top 25, many of the denominations in North America are in decline rather than growing.5 Not only are churches not growing through evangelism, they are not keeping believers through discipleship. Lack of discipleship and not just evangelism, is one of the growing contributing factors for church decline in North America.
Not only are churches in North America not growing through evangelism, they are not keeping believers through discipleship. One example is The Southern Baptist Convention. They reported more than sixteen million members. Only 6,024,289 or 37 percent of their membership are present for the average Sunday morning worship service.6 Where are the other ten million people? Lack of discipleship and not just evangelism is one of the growing contributing factors for church decline in North America.
Perhaps one of the greatest challenges to discipleship is that churches have become complicated and over programmed. If we are not careful, the multitude of distractions and programs will keep the church from fulfilling the call to make disciples. The reality is that 70 to 80 percent of churches in North America are stagnant or in decline.7 Thom Reiner & Eric Geiger demonstrate in Simple Church that one of the major factors for church decline is that many churches lack a simple, straightforward, and strategic discipleship process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. Simple Church offers a basic model for discipleship in the local church.8 When churches need to simplify their discipleship programs in order to effectively make disciples.
There is a clear difference between being a convert to Christianity and a disciple of Jesus Christ. A convert is someone who changes from one faith to another.9 Simply changing one's religion to Christianity does not mean that someone has become a fully devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. A convert is someone who has changed his or her faith but not his or her heart. The result is a cheap grace that cost us nothing. Dietrich Bonheoffer first defined cheap grace in his most famous work is The Cost of Discipleship, first published in 1939. This book is a rigorous exposition and interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount, and Matthew 9:35-10:42. He described cheap grace as, "the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ."10
In contrast, the word disciple comes from the Greek word Mathetes, which is found 269 times in the New Testament and means an apprentice, learner, or a pupil. In the ancient times of the Bible, a disciple was a person who left everything that they had to follow the teachings of a master. The word ‘disciple' implies much more than a learner or a pupil, it is someone who has totally committed his or her life to the training and teaching of a master or a school of thought. According to the New Testament, a disciple is a born again believer who is obedient, bears fruit, glorifies God, has joy, loves others, denies themselves, and is committed to fulfilling the Great Commission (John 15:7-17; Luke 9:23-25; Matthew 28:19). In Growing True Disciples, researcher George Barna reports that the church in America is comprised of "many converts, but shockingly few disciples."11 Another survey concludes that only 25% of Evangelicals meet the biblical standard for a disciple.12
Discipleship should be the goal of every Christian and every church in North America. Discipleship is simply the process of assisting others in the Christian faith to become and to continue to be "disciples" of Jesus Christ.13 We should spend as much of our time, resources, and energy focusing on discipleship as much as we do on evangelism. Christians need to revaluate the New Testament model of discipleship for 21st century ministry. Likewise, individual churches should seek to develop organic discipleship models that are biblically faithful and culturally relevant to their particular context of ministry.
Discipleship is essential for the health and survival of a new church. Statistics show that 80% of church plants fail within their first year. Even though discipleship is essential, it is also a challenge for a new church in several ways. First, church growth experts agree that a church planting is one of the best ways to reach unchurched people.14 Therefore, many of the people who come to a new church will reach have not yet been discipled. Discipling new believers requires countless hours of counseling, time, and energy. Second, a new church lacks that mature systems and structures that are needed for effective discipleship to take place. It takes several years to develop mature church systems, which can result in loosing new believers. Third, as a new church grows it will inevitably outgrow its old systems and structures in order to continue to grow. Lastly, many of the books on the subject of church planting do not address the subject of discipleship in a new church. Many of the books written on church planting do not discuss the issue of discipleship after the launch phase.
The conclusion is simple, church planters need to think critically about creating a discipleship process that leads people from conversion to becoming fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. This process should seek to connect new believers to the church and grow them into disciples who will reproduce themselves by making future disciples. If you do not start your church doing the hard work of creating disciples, it will destroy your church in the end. Let us answer the call of Jesus Christ to, "Go and make disciples."
Bad Breath and Gum
This week I was in a room of several hundred church planting types and we listened to a respected teacher talk about gospel centered repentance. At the conclusion we were led in a liturgy of spoken corporate repentance. We were then asked to gather in groups of two or three to get real with our confession of sin.
As we were being instructed in the specifics of this the guy in front of me pulled out a pack of gum and popped in a piece. My mind instantly went to these thoughts…I am going to be physically close to another man in just a few seconds, and my breath really stinks, I need some gum, but this moment is too spiritual to ask him for a piece.
The guy that was in my group was a friend I am getting to know. He went first in his confession and said something that was very much on the surface. I went next and said something that was also on the surface. In the awkwardness of the moment God convicted my heart.
I told him about the thoughts I had about gum. I told him that God is teaching my heart about DEEP repentance. We are so good at confessing before God and men the sins that people can see. But we are not very good at getting the core problem of sin. We are good at putting in a piece of gum to cover up our bad breath.
But at the heart of me is this:: I will never quit struggling with lust. I will never quit choosing self. I will never quit getting angry when things do not go my way. I will never empty myself and truly crucify myself. I will always be in the tension of Romans 7:15-20 where Paul says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
At the core of me is sin, death and depravity. I am left with two options. The first is to throw my hands into the air and give up. I will never attain my goal. The second is to embrace the gospel. To fall in love with a grace giving God who loves me in my depravity.
As we were being instructed in the specifics of this the guy in front of me pulled out a pack of gum and popped in a piece. My mind instantly went to these thoughts…I am going to be physically close to another man in just a few seconds, and my breath really stinks, I need some gum, but this moment is too spiritual to ask him for a piece.
The guy that was in my group was a friend I am getting to know. He went first in his confession and said something that was very much on the surface. I went next and said something that was also on the surface. In the awkwardness of the moment God convicted my heart.
I told him about the thoughts I had about gum. I told him that God is teaching my heart about DEEP repentance. We are so good at confessing before God and men the sins that people can see. But we are not very good at getting the core problem of sin. We are good at putting in a piece of gum to cover up our bad breath.
But at the heart of me is this:: I will never quit struggling with lust. I will never quit choosing self. I will never quit getting angry when things do not go my way. I will never empty myself and truly crucify myself. I will always be in the tension of Romans 7:15-20 where Paul says, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
At the core of me is sin, death and depravity. I am left with two options. The first is to throw my hands into the air and give up. I will never attain my goal. The second is to embrace the gospel. To fall in love with a grace giving God who loves me in my depravity.
From Power Through Prayer
This is a paragraph that I read today from the book that is number one on my all time list. The book is Power Through Prayer by E M Bounds.
Praying is spiritual work, and human nature does not like taxing spiritual work. Human nature wants to sail to heaven under a pleasant breeze, and a full, smooth sea. Prayer is humbling work. It abases intellect and pride, crucifies vainglory, and signals our spiritual bankruptcy. All these are hard for flesh and blood to bear. It is easier not to pray for them. So, we come to one of the crying evils of these times, maybe of all times- little to no praying. Of these two evils, perhaps little praying is worse than no praying. Little praying is a kind of make believe, a salve for the conscience, a farce and a delusion.
Praying is spiritual work, and human nature does not like taxing spiritual work. Human nature wants to sail to heaven under a pleasant breeze, and a full, smooth sea. Prayer is humbling work. It abases intellect and pride, crucifies vainglory, and signals our spiritual bankruptcy. All these are hard for flesh and blood to bear. It is easier not to pray for them. So, we come to one of the crying evils of these times, maybe of all times- little to no praying. Of these two evils, perhaps little praying is worse than no praying. Little praying is a kind of make believe, a salve for the conscience, a farce and a delusion.
Beautiful Redemption
Beautiful Redemption
I am broken and you heal
I am lost and you show the way
I am in darkness you provide light
I am confused you give clarity
I fail you overcome
I hate and you love
I cannot speak you provide words
I cannot hear and you open my ears
I am dead you make me alive
I provide folly you provide truth
I stumble you lift
I lie and you are truth
I pretend and you are real
You are the Beautiful Redeemer
Pain, sickness, death, shame, bondage, unbelief, hate, rage, injustice, coldness, darkness…they contend not with you, you are the Great redeemer and I am in awe of your beautiful redemption.
I am broken and you heal
I am lost and you show the way
I am in darkness you provide light
I am confused you give clarity
I fail you overcome
I hate and you love
I cannot speak you provide words
I cannot hear and you open my ears
I am dead you make me alive
I provide folly you provide truth
I stumble you lift
I lie and you are truth
I pretend and you are real
You are the Beautiful Redeemer
Pain, sickness, death, shame, bondage, unbelief, hate, rage, injustice, coldness, darkness…they contend not with you, you are the Great redeemer and I am in awe of your beautiful redemption.
From the blog of Matt Chndler
Inspirations
Matt Chandler
It has been my experience that inspirations are brief, sporadic and rare. By inspiration I mean those moments where our souls are stimulated to a high level of feeling, thinking and doing. I love those brief, sporadic and rare moments. I am addicted to the vitality I have, the love I feel, and the clarity of thought that occurs when I am inspired. I have tried for years to pay attention to these moments, to dig into them, excavate them, and figure them out.
What is it that inspires me?
Who is it?
What stirs my affection…for my wife?
For my children? For life in general?
This to me is one of the major ideas that demand an answer. To solve this arduous riddle means more energy, richer life, deeper relationships and greater self-awareness.
Several years ago I started applying this line of thought to my relationship with Christ. Instead of asking myself what inspired me to be a good man (what’s that anyway?) I started asking what stirs my affections for Christ. What, when I’m doing it, when I’m around it or dwelling on it creates in me a greater hunger for, passion for and worship of Christ and His mission? The first list was a strange one. It looked something like this:
1. Early mornings and hot coffee
2. The writings of John Owen (at the time it was The Mortification of Sin)
3. Listening to Lauren sing
4. Walks through graveyards (I know this is weird but it reminded me of mortality)
5. The book of Hebrews
6. Robust dialogue on ecclesiology or missiology
7. Sermons by John Piper
8. Angst-filled music
I also wrestled with and paid attention to what robbed me of affection for Christ. What, when I was doing it or spending time around it created in me an unhealthy love for this world? The first list was a strange one because the majority of things that robbed me of zeal for Christ and His mission were morally neutral things. It looked something like this:
1. Watching too much TV and spending too much time online
2. Staying up late for no reason
3. Following sports too closely
4. Being physically lazy
5. Empty conversations (talking for hours about nothing)
6. Idleness
For the last few years I have updated this list often. In fact it has changed quite a bit. I want to pay attention to life. I want to be keyed in to what feeds my zeal for our great God and King and what kills that zeal. My hope is that I could flood my life with Christ-exalting, worship-creating things and avoid anything that would rob me of that.
What inspires you?
Better yet, what stirs your affections for Christ, truth and holiness? If we can fill our lives with the things that stir our affections and avoid and flee those things that rob us of inspiration, we have a better shot at dwelling deeply. What and who inspires you? Stirs you? What presses you into holy places? What robs you of joy and vitality? What robs you of your affection for Christ and holiness?
Matt Chandler
It has been my experience that inspirations are brief, sporadic and rare. By inspiration I mean those moments where our souls are stimulated to a high level of feeling, thinking and doing. I love those brief, sporadic and rare moments. I am addicted to the vitality I have, the love I feel, and the clarity of thought that occurs when I am inspired. I have tried for years to pay attention to these moments, to dig into them, excavate them, and figure them out.
What is it that inspires me?
Who is it?
What stirs my affection…for my wife?
For my children? For life in general?
This to me is one of the major ideas that demand an answer. To solve this arduous riddle means more energy, richer life, deeper relationships and greater self-awareness.
Several years ago I started applying this line of thought to my relationship with Christ. Instead of asking myself what inspired me to be a good man (what’s that anyway?) I started asking what stirs my affections for Christ. What, when I’m doing it, when I’m around it or dwelling on it creates in me a greater hunger for, passion for and worship of Christ and His mission? The first list was a strange one. It looked something like this:
1. Early mornings and hot coffee
2. The writings of John Owen (at the time it was The Mortification of Sin)
3. Listening to Lauren sing
4. Walks through graveyards (I know this is weird but it reminded me of mortality)
5. The book of Hebrews
6. Robust dialogue on ecclesiology or missiology
7. Sermons by John Piper
8. Angst-filled music
I also wrestled with and paid attention to what robbed me of affection for Christ. What, when I was doing it or spending time around it created in me an unhealthy love for this world? The first list was a strange one because the majority of things that robbed me of zeal for Christ and His mission were morally neutral things. It looked something like this:
1. Watching too much TV and spending too much time online
2. Staying up late for no reason
3. Following sports too closely
4. Being physically lazy
5. Empty conversations (talking for hours about nothing)
6. Idleness
For the last few years I have updated this list often. In fact it has changed quite a bit. I want to pay attention to life. I want to be keyed in to what feeds my zeal for our great God and King and what kills that zeal. My hope is that I could flood my life with Christ-exalting, worship-creating things and avoid anything that would rob me of that.
What inspires you?
Better yet, what stirs your affections for Christ, truth and holiness? If we can fill our lives with the things that stir our affections and avoid and flee those things that rob us of inspiration, we have a better shot at dwelling deeply. What and who inspires you? Stirs you? What presses you into holy places? What robs you of joy and vitality? What robs you of your affection for Christ and holiness?
From Dietrich Bonhoeffer
I am studying the life of this hero for the sermon this week. His words have inspired me to write something here.
"There are three purposes for which the Christian needs a definite time when he can be alone during the day: scripture mediation, prayer and intercession. All three should have their place in the daily period of meditation."
"In our mediation we ponder the chosen text on the strength of the promise that is has something utterly personal to say to us for this day and for our Christian life, that it is not only God's word for the church, but also God's word four our us individually. We expose ourselves to the specific word until it addresses us personally. And when we do this , we are doing no more that the simplest, untutored Christian does everyday; we read God;s word as God's words for us."
"There are three purposes for which the Christian needs a definite time when he can be alone during the day: scripture mediation, prayer and intercession. All three should have their place in the daily period of meditation."
"In our mediation we ponder the chosen text on the strength of the promise that is has something utterly personal to say to us for this day and for our Christian life, that it is not only God's word for the church, but also God's word four our us individually. We expose ourselves to the specific word until it addresses us personally. And when we do this , we are doing no more that the simplest, untutored Christian does everyday; we read God;s word as God's words for us."
From "Humility" by Andrew Murray
“The lesson is one of deep import: the only humility that is really ours is not that which we try to show before God in prayer, but that which we carry with us, and carry out in our ordinary conduct. The insignificances of daily life are the importances and the tests of eternity, because they prove what really is the spirit that posses us. It is in our most unguarded moments that we really show and see what we are. To know the humble man, to know how the humble man behaves, you must follow him in the common course of daily life.”
I have been journaling and praying and talking about humility and the motivation for wanting it for quite a while now. This morning during a break from studying for the message this week I read the above quote and it nailed the thought that I have been chasing for weeks now.
After reading it this was my prayer that followed and is the vision for me at this moment..."God, I long for this because it is pleasing to you and life giving to me and follow worthy for those I shepherd."
I have been journaling and praying and talking about humility and the motivation for wanting it for quite a while now. This morning during a break from studying for the message this week I read the above quote and it nailed the thought that I have been chasing for weeks now.
After reading it this was my prayer that followed and is the vision for me at this moment..."God, I long for this because it is pleasing to you and life giving to me and follow worthy for those I shepherd."
Savoring God:: A Study in the Psalms
In a world of confusion, the Psalms connect the true emotion of the soul to the true needs of the soul. They ignite our hearts to worship as they bring together emotion and truth.
The apprehended truth of God ignites our hearts and we respond. Apprehended truth about the character of God is genesis of the song we wrote (Steadfast Love) and it is the genesis of each Psalm. I want to lead us in an aggressive pursuit to lay hold of the truth of the character of God. The hoped for result is worshipful lives, clarified minds and true art.
The apprehended truth of God ignites our hearts and we respond. Apprehended truth about the character of God is genesis of the song we wrote (Steadfast Love) and it is the genesis of each Psalm. I want to lead us in an aggressive pursuit to lay hold of the truth of the character of God. The hoped for result is worshipful lives, clarified minds and true art.
Repaying sin with grace
This afternoon I was confronted with selfishness and it made me angry. It made me very angry and I responded to the situation with anger. That sat with me all day. Other situations arose the rest of the day, most of which I responded with anger and other forms of sin. I walked around my house full of pride and resentment and a sense of entitlement and anger all night. I was no fun to be around.
Then in the midst of that sin, I walked outside to throw away a trash bag. On the way back in I was overcome with conviction of my sin. I spoke out loud two simple words, "I surrender".
I have taught much lately in sermons about humility and attiude. Today I repaid selfishness with selfishness. That led to many sins from many people and a miserable night.
We are called to have the attitude of Christ, Christ repaid sin with grace. Lord that I might show that attitude to my family and the church you have called me to lead.
Then in the midst of that sin, I walked outside to throw away a trash bag. On the way back in I was overcome with conviction of my sin. I spoke out loud two simple words, "I surrender".
I have taught much lately in sermons about humility and attiude. Today I repaid selfishness with selfishness. That led to many sins from many people and a miserable night.
We are called to have the attitude of Christ, Christ repaid sin with grace. Lord that I might show that attitude to my family and the church you have called me to lead.
Humility
Some quotes that I have been drawn to from my reading from the Andrew Murray book "Humility"
"Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficent explanation of every defect and failure."
"The call of humility has been to little regarded in the church because its true nature and importance has been too little apprehended."
"Humility is...the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all."
"Let us feel as if nothng but a very determined and persevering waiting on God and Christ will show how lacking we are in the grace of humility, and ho wimpootent to obtain what we seek. Let us study the character of Christ until our souls are filled with the love and admiration of his lowliness. And let us believe that, when we are broken down under a sense of our pride, and our impotence to cast it out, Jesus Chirst himslef will come in to impart this grace too, as a part of wonderous life within us
"Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficent explanation of every defect and failure."
"The call of humility has been to little regarded in the church because its true nature and importance has been too little apprehended."
"Humility is...the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all."
"Let us feel as if nothng but a very determined and persevering waiting on God and Christ will show how lacking we are in the grace of humility, and ho wimpootent to obtain what we seek. Let us study the character of Christ until our souls are filled with the love and admiration of his lowliness. And let us believe that, when we are broken down under a sense of our pride, and our impotence to cast it out, Jesus Chirst himslef will come in to impart this grace too, as a part of wonderous life within us
The Gospel in Relationships
A few weeks ago God began to speak into me through circumstances and people about his intimate involvement in our lives. As time has passed I am still thinking on that. Here is the flowing of my thoughts on that.
I am so thankful that God is good and near. Jesus Christ left perfection to come to this earth and live among us to suffer pain, be lonely, be mocked, be beaten and be forsaken by God the Father. He did this bridge the gap of relationship that existed between us and God. He did it to satisfy the judgement of wrath that had to be poured out if God was to be just.
The result is our redemption which brings us relationship. God is a highly relational being. He desires to be intimate with His creatures. That is you and I. How amazing is that?
As I reflected on this I was reminded of the relationship that I have with my bride. It reminds me of God when I sit and hold her hand and smell her distinct smell or look at her in a crowded room and smile. It me reminds me of God to tuck my son into bed and cover him up and leave his room and pray for his future. It reminds me of God to have a deep connection with a friend, to share hurt and triumph with a buddy.
We have the image of God imprinted on our soul and our craving for a few relationships that we can be who we are with no pretense or judgement is a reflection of that image of God. I do not have to be the best baseball player or be the best at teaching my son to ride a bike for him to think of me as his favorite person. My heart in given life when a friend asks to invest in them. As I lie down with my wife after a day of choosing her and choosing me and failing and succeeding at loving her right, she still wants to hold my hand as we fall asleep.
That is the gospel in relationships and it is beautiful. God is showing you the gospel all the time. Stop and look for it from time to time. Then tell me about it.
I am so thankful that God is good and near. Jesus Christ left perfection to come to this earth and live among us to suffer pain, be lonely, be mocked, be beaten and be forsaken by God the Father. He did this bridge the gap of relationship that existed between us and God. He did it to satisfy the judgement of wrath that had to be poured out if God was to be just.
The result is our redemption which brings us relationship. God is a highly relational being. He desires to be intimate with His creatures. That is you and I. How amazing is that?
As I reflected on this I was reminded of the relationship that I have with my bride. It reminds me of God when I sit and hold her hand and smell her distinct smell or look at her in a crowded room and smile. It me reminds me of God to tuck my son into bed and cover him up and leave his room and pray for his future. It reminds me of God to have a deep connection with a friend, to share hurt and triumph with a buddy.
We have the image of God imprinted on our soul and our craving for a few relationships that we can be who we are with no pretense or judgement is a reflection of that image of God. I do not have to be the best baseball player or be the best at teaching my son to ride a bike for him to think of me as his favorite person. My heart in given life when a friend asks to invest in them. As I lie down with my wife after a day of choosing her and choosing me and failing and succeeding at loving her right, she still wants to hold my hand as we fall asleep.
That is the gospel in relationships and it is beautiful. God is showing you the gospel all the time. Stop and look for it from time to time. Then tell me about it.
Relationships pointing to the Gospel
A few weeks ago God began to speak into me through circumstances and people about his intimate involvement in our lives. As time has passed I am still thinking on that. Here is the flowing of my thoughts on that.
I am so thankful that God is good and near. Jesus Christ left perfection to come to this earth and live among us to suffer pain, be lonely, be mocked, be beaten and be forsaken by God the Father. He did this bridge the gap of relationship that existed between us and God. He did it to satisfy the judgement of wrath that had to be poured out if God was to be just.
The result is our redemption which brings us relationship. God is a highly relational being. He desires to be intimate with His creatures. That is you and I. How amazing is that?
As I reflected on this I was reminded of the relationship that I have with my bride. It reminds me of God when I sit and hold her hand and smell her distinct smell or look at her in a crowded room and smile. It me reminds me of God to tuck my son into bed and cover him up and leave his room and pray for his future. It reminds me of God to have a deep connection with a friend, to share hurt and triumph with a buddy.
We have the image of God imprinted on our soul and our craving for a few relationships that we can be who we are with no pretense or judgement is a reflection of that image of God. I do not have to be the best baseball player or be the best at teaching my son to ride a bike for him to think of me as his favorite person. My heart in given life when a friend asks to invest in them. As I lie down with my wife after a day of choosing her and choosing me and failing and succeeding at loving her right, she still wants to hold my hand as we fall asleep.
That is the gospel in relationships and it is beautiful. God is showing you the gospel all the time. Stop and look for it from time to time. Then tell me about it.
I am so thankful that God is good and near. Jesus Christ left perfection to come to this earth and live among us to suffer pain, be lonely, be mocked, be beaten and be forsaken by God the Father. He did this bridge the gap of relationship that existed between us and God. He did it to satisfy the judgement of wrath that had to be poured out if God was to be just.
The result is our redemption which brings us relationship. God is a highly relational being. He desires to be intimate with His creatures. That is you and I. How amazing is that?
As I reflected on this I was reminded of the relationship that I have with my bride. It reminds me of God when I sit and hold her hand and smell her distinct smell or look at her in a crowded room and smile. It me reminds me of God to tuck my son into bed and cover him up and leave his room and pray for his future. It reminds me of God to have a deep connection with a friend, to share hurt and triumph with a buddy.
We have the image of God imprinted on our soul and our craving for a few relationships that we can be who we are with no pretense or judgement is a reflection of that image of God. I do not have to be the best baseball player or be the best at teaching my son to ride a bike for him to think of me as his favorite person. My heart in given life when a friend asks to invest in them. As I lie down with my wife after a day of choosing her and choosing me and failing and succeeding at loving her right, she still wants to hold my hand as we fall asleep.
That is the gospel in relationships and it is beautiful. God is showing you the gospel all the time. Stop and look for it from time to time. Then tell me about it.
Memorial Day Sunday Night at North Church
The Sunday night of Memorial Day weekend is a Bar B Q night for a lot of folks. This week at North Church it will be the same thing, we will start at 6 pm. Tell your friends and neighbors.
There will be a short time of worship outside and a short teaching time outside. We will also serve food and drink. There will be a washers tournament with a gift card collage as a prize. You will be given the chance to beat the Pastors (Rik and Jeff will be a team). It is probability of anyone actually beating them is extremely remote, but you can try.
All are welcome, come and have fun and celebrate that summer is here.
There will be a short time of worship outside and a short teaching time outside. We will also serve food and drink. There will be a washers tournament with a gift card collage as a prize. You will be given the chance to beat the Pastors (Rik and Jeff will be a team). It is probability of anyone actually beating them is extremely remote, but you can try.
All are welcome, come and have fun and celebrate that summer is here.
First one since march 24
First of all let me say sorry to month of April for not posting to this blog the entire month. But let me back away from complete contrition and say it is partly the fault of April since it only has 30 days in it.
Typically I will write deep theological stuff on this blog, but today I want to throw some stream of conscienceless stuff out there.
Lost thoughts::
-Please do not be a science fiction story, you are much better than that!
-All the dead people talking make me think this might be the case.
-In what way is Ben playing Locke now, you know he is not giving up that simply by just giving to the role of leader to him. By the way, Ben will wind up being someone we root for.
-Episodes seem to be lacking when we don't see much Jack or Sawyer.
-There will be some hard finger banging when the bad guy from the boat gets his, and I would love for it to be Sawyer that finally takes him out in a Sawyer sort of way.
You really ought to listen this guy thoughts::
-Matt Chandler
-Village Church Dallas (you can find him on iTunes)
-You can click on the title of this entry and go to the resurgence.com text and context site for some good stuff, try his Vision of a church planter message.
Other random thoughts::
-I failed to yield yesterday and then got hit because of it and now my neck hurts and my daughters car is jacked up...interesting considering my note from last night that appears on facebook and my comment on 31 Days of Prayer::Day 8. Go check them out.
-Coop and I will be watching Speed Racer today!
-I miss golf.
-Mars Hill Music iTunes Podcast is recommended for free cutting edge worship stuff.
-I want some BJ's pizza and or some Chicken Parm and Potatoes from Maggiano's.
Typically I will write deep theological stuff on this blog, but today I want to throw some stream of conscienceless stuff out there.
Lost thoughts::
-Please do not be a science fiction story, you are much better than that!
-All the dead people talking make me think this might be the case.
-In what way is Ben playing Locke now, you know he is not giving up that simply by just giving to the role of leader to him. By the way, Ben will wind up being someone we root for.
-Episodes seem to be lacking when we don't see much Jack or Sawyer.
-There will be some hard finger banging when the bad guy from the boat gets his, and I would love for it to be Sawyer that finally takes him out in a Sawyer sort of way.
You really ought to listen this guy thoughts::
-Matt Chandler
-Village Church Dallas (you can find him on iTunes)
-You can click on the title of this entry and go to the resurgence.com text and context site for some good stuff, try his Vision of a church planter message.
Other random thoughts::
-I failed to yield yesterday and then got hit because of it and now my neck hurts and my daughters car is jacked up...interesting considering my note from last night that appears on facebook and my comment on 31 Days of Prayer::Day 8. Go check them out.
-Coop and I will be watching Speed Racer today!
-I miss golf.
-Mars Hill Music iTunes Podcast is recommended for free cutting edge worship stuff.
-I want some BJ's pizza and or some Chicken Parm and Potatoes from Maggiano's.
The Gospel
We all have sin in common, but the death and ressurection of Jesus has redeemed us.
That sin that we all have in common makes us enemies of God. It makes us the object of God's vicious wrath. But the great mercy of God has washed us. Ephesians 2 says that God is rich in mercy. I picture the Niagara Falls, and the 6 million cubic feet of water that fall there every minute. That is rich. It is a picutre of God and Him being rich in mercy.
I have met many people who live in the understand that they have screwed up, but it seems as though there is a large leap to fully embracing the second half of the gospel. We are so completely loved and accepted by this God who we have wronged. We are no longer objects of wrath but objects of love. The God who is rich in mercy and grace and kindness is expressing them all to you.
Look around you today for expressions of mercy and grace and kindness. When you see them breath and take refuge in your Father.
That sin that we all have in common makes us enemies of God. It makes us the object of God's vicious wrath. But the great mercy of God has washed us. Ephesians 2 says that God is rich in mercy. I picture the Niagara Falls, and the 6 million cubic feet of water that fall there every minute. That is rich. It is a picutre of God and Him being rich in mercy.
I have met many people who live in the understand that they have screwed up, but it seems as though there is a large leap to fully embracing the second half of the gospel. We are so completely loved and accepted by this God who we have wronged. We are no longer objects of wrath but objects of love. The God who is rich in mercy and grace and kindness is expressing them all to you.
Look around you today for expressions of mercy and grace and kindness. When you see them breath and take refuge in your Father.
Redemption::The Gospel
This Sunday is Easter. Many of us will be reflecting on the death and ressurection that this holiday marks. At North Church this week we will be relecting on the results of that death and resurrection, that is, we will be lookly at the gospel.
The gospel is many things, but simply put it is understanding that we are more messed up than we ever knew and we are more accepted and loved that we ever dared believe.
We will look at a few places in scripture, but we will land on Ephesians 2:1-10. This is the gospel in 10 verses. Take a chance to take a look at it.
The last few days, I have come to grips with my own sin and my own failures. In midst of that I have felt the provision for my sin and fallen deeper in love with our Savior that we celebrate.
The gospel is many things, but simply put it is understanding that we are more messed up than we ever knew and we are more accepted and loved that we ever dared believe.
We will look at a few places in scripture, but we will land on Ephesians 2:1-10. This is the gospel in 10 verses. Take a chance to take a look at it.
The last few days, I have come to grips with my own sin and my own failures. In midst of that I have felt the provision for my sin and fallen deeper in love with our Savior that we celebrate.
Redemption::Lady in the Water
It is the conclusion of Ruth and we can see the hand of God and His providence working through the events. God brings people together and their lives are impacted and He uses events both good and bad to accomplishes His purposes. We can seethe whole of scripture of God’s grand story of the redemption of our lives. The making us whole. All peoples, all generations are made whole through His grand redemption story, Ruth is just a close up beautiful love story that paints that picture with a great metaphor for His grand design.
That brings us to this clip. We see the redemption of Mr Heep in this clip and see how it effects the ultimate redemption. The injured girl in the movie is Story, she is a narf and she is very important. Her redemption is the ultimate redemption. Several people will play a big role in her grand story. Watch the clip and see the redemption close ups of a few that lead to the greater story of redemption. Everyone has a part, everyone is being redeemed and restored and leading to the final grand redemption.
Mr. Leeds has the great line in this clip, "I wanted to believe that was there was something more than this awfulness around us."
That brings us to this clip. We see the redemption of Mr Heep in this clip and see how it effects the ultimate redemption. The injured girl in the movie is Story, she is a narf and she is very important. Her redemption is the ultimate redemption. Several people will play a big role in her grand story. Watch the clip and see the redemption close ups of a few that lead to the greater story of redemption. Everyone has a part, everyone is being redeemed and restored and leading to the final grand redemption.
Mr. Leeds has the great line in this clip, "I wanted to believe that was there was something more than this awfulness around us."
Redemption::Jerry Maguire
You may want to go get some wine or crackers. Better yet, put this clip in the microwave with some chili and get some nachos and chow down.
The point of the clip is a guy with a deep love goes into a potentially volatile situation and lets his feelings be known. He unsure of how he will taken. There is a great potential for humiliation. But the idea of restored relationship is worth the risk.
This is true of Ruth 3 and this clip. Enjoy!
The point of the clip is a guy with a deep love goes into a potentially volatile situation and lets his feelings be known. He unsure of how he will taken. There is a great potential for humiliation. But the idea of restored relationship is worth the risk.
This is true of Ruth 3 and this clip. Enjoy!
Redemption::Band of Brothers-Why We Fight
Be advised there is some potentially offensive language in this clip.
This is a perfect illustration of redemption. These men have lost much. They lost friends and legs, emotional stability and more. Their fighting hits home in this scene. Their suffering and loss and pain is not in vain.
They are made whole. They are restored. They are redeemed.
This is a perfect illustration of redemption. These men have lost much. They lost friends and legs, emotional stability and more. Their fighting hits home in this scene. Their suffering and loss and pain is not in vain.
They are made whole. They are restored. They are redeemed.
Redemption::Lord of the Rings-The Two Towers
The link above is a youtube clip that we showed in the sermon. It part that we actually showed is about 7:30 into the link.
It is a beautiful parallel to the story of Ruth and Naomi. There is hopelessness and bitterness that is all over the story of Ruth and Naomi. In the second half chapter we see a bitter Naomi who is focused on her brokenness and we see a faith filled Ruth who is looking to the coming redemption.
In the clip notice the conversation that happens about 8:00 in. There is no hope. "So much death, what can men do against such reckless hate." Then we flash back to Gandalf's announcement to look the to east on the dawn of the fifth day. Gandalf is the coming redemption in midst of this bleak hour.
Gandalf is the Jesus figure that comes in the midst of hopeless and provides the hope and the redemption. Psalm 130 implores it's readers to wait for Lord and for Israel to place it's hope in the Lord because with the Lord is full redemption.
It is a beautiful parallel to the story of Ruth and Naomi. There is hopelessness and bitterness that is all over the story of Ruth and Naomi. In the second half chapter we see a bitter Naomi who is focused on her brokenness and we see a faith filled Ruth who is looking to the coming redemption.
In the clip notice the conversation that happens about 8:00 in. There is no hope. "So much death, what can men do against such reckless hate." Then we flash back to Gandalf's announcement to look the to east on the dawn of the fifth day. Gandalf is the coming redemption in midst of this bleak hour.
Gandalf is the Jesus figure that comes in the midst of hopeless and provides the hope and the redemption. Psalm 130 implores it's readers to wait for Lord and for Israel to place it's hope in the Lord because with the Lord is full redemption.
Redemption::Pursuit of Happyness
We will be looking at the redemption that appears in the film Pursuit of Happyness. The link that you see is a youtube link to the climatic scene of redemption from the film.
Will Smith plays the real life Chris Gardner who suffers long and hard and through some coincidences, hard work and faith he finds redemption. This is the scene where it all pays off.
We study Ruth Chapter 2 this week. This instance of of redemption in Pursuit of Happyness has much more to do with hard work than faith, but the notions are still the similar. A chance encounter between Ruth and Boaz parallels a chance encounter between Gardner and his future boss that occurs in the back of a limo and involves a Rubik's Cube.
At the time of the two encounters both Ruth and Gardner are down and out and come empty handed and in great need. The redeemer in both cases extends grace. You can come to North Church this week at 6:00 to see the clip and hear the story of Ruth as she encounters Boaz.
Will Smith plays the real life Chris Gardner who suffers long and hard and through some coincidences, hard work and faith he finds redemption. This is the scene where it all pays off.
We study Ruth Chapter 2 this week. This instance of of redemption in Pursuit of Happyness has much more to do with hard work than faith, but the notions are still the similar. A chance encounter between Ruth and Boaz parallels a chance encounter between Gardner and his future boss that occurs in the back of a limo and involves a Rubik's Cube.
At the time of the two encounters both Ruth and Gardner are down and out and come empty handed and in great need. The redeemer in both cases extends grace. You can come to North Church this week at 6:00 to see the clip and hear the story of Ruth as she encounters Boaz.
Jesus as a role model
I am reading a book that used this phrase, "see Jesus as a role model". As I read that I began to think. I thought about what it meant to have a role model. A role model is someone that you watch and pattern your life after.
But Jesus as a role model, what does that mean? Does it bring knew thoughts to our call to be Christ like? What was Jesus about?
Here are some thoughts::
-He was constantly connected to the Father.
-He was undistracted from His mission.
-He came to serve.
-He came to give His life away.
-He invested in the lives of a few, while he encountered many.
There are so many things that I could write here. I encourage you to think through what it means to see Jesus as your role model. As you do think about the things that Jesus was always about. Then ask God for wisdom and strength to be about those things.
But Jesus as a role model, what does that mean? Does it bring knew thoughts to our call to be Christ like? What was Jesus about?
Here are some thoughts::
-He was constantly connected to the Father.
-He was undistracted from His mission.
-He came to serve.
-He came to give His life away.
-He invested in the lives of a few, while he encountered many.
There are so many things that I could write here. I encourage you to think through what it means to see Jesus as your role model. As you do think about the things that Jesus was always about. Then ask God for wisdom and strength to be about those things.
Silos
Imagine several silos. Imagine that each silo is representative of subcultures or interests. You may imagine a silo for politics, one for sports, one for entertainment or one for music. You may get more specific and imagine one for fottbal and another for basketbal and baseball or one for movies and another for theatre and another for television.
The point is to imagine silos. Some are filled all the way up some are partly filled up. Did you imagine a silo for church or religion? I hope that we are never church centric, that the end is people at North Church. I hope that we are not about trying to get people to come to us but instead we would go into the world. I hope that we would climb from the church silo and go get into the basketball silo or the music silo.
There is a single mom in the church of a friend of mine. This mom just had quints. That is right, she had five babies and is single. A lady in the church is coordinating ministry to this single mom. The single mom is not a Christian and does not go to the church. Someone came to the woman who was coordinating the effort to reach out to this single mom and told her that she would like to go and pick this mom up once a week and take her to lunch and disciple her. A great concept. But the coordinator said, why don't you skip the lunch and the discipleship and go and fold diapers and do housework with her. Go to where she is and live life with this woman and physically help her, engage her in real life conversations.
In short why don't you get out of your church silo and go get into her raise 5 kids by yourself silo.
The point is to imagine silos. Some are filled all the way up some are partly filled up. Did you imagine a silo for church or religion? I hope that we are never church centric, that the end is people at North Church. I hope that we are not about trying to get people to come to us but instead we would go into the world. I hope that we would climb from the church silo and go get into the basketball silo or the music silo.
There is a single mom in the church of a friend of mine. This mom just had quints. That is right, she had five babies and is single. A lady in the church is coordinating ministry to this single mom. The single mom is not a Christian and does not go to the church. Someone came to the woman who was coordinating the effort to reach out to this single mom and told her that she would like to go and pick this mom up once a week and take her to lunch and disciple her. A great concept. But the coordinator said, why don't you skip the lunch and the discipleship and go and fold diapers and do housework with her. Go to where she is and live life with this woman and physically help her, engage her in real life conversations.
In short why don't you get out of your church silo and go get into her raise 5 kids by yourself silo.
A Few Questions
Here are a few questions for you to ponder. I have answered the first one to give you an idea about it.
1. What is the mission of your life? The first mission of my life is to daily surrender to my God and worship Him. The second is love and lead my wife in biblical ways. The third is to model a life that is continually being changed by the Gospel for my children. The fourth is to pastor the people of North Church. Last is to build relationship with people who do not know Jesus Christ.
2. Who are you building relationship with inside the church and outside the church?
3. Are you willing to take your life to an uncomfortable place for the sake of someone who is far from Christ?
I would really like for you to respond with answers to the first question.
1. What is the mission of your life? The first mission of my life is to daily surrender to my God and worship Him. The second is love and lead my wife in biblical ways. The third is to model a life that is continually being changed by the Gospel for my children. The fourth is to pastor the people of North Church. Last is to build relationship with people who do not know Jesus Christ.
2. Who are you building relationship with inside the church and outside the church?
3. Are you willing to take your life to an uncomfortable place for the sake of someone who is far from Christ?
I would really like for you to respond with answers to the first question.
Some things on the horizon
Three things that are in the near future of North Church.
1. Forums:: We will do a few of these in 2008, the first coming in late February. Forums will be half day Saturdays with discipleship/missional thinking as the themes. Our first one will be about being intentional in building relationships and be led by John Ryan.
2. Food Drive:: We hope to connect with a North County Food Bank and go into our community collecting food for those in our community who are hungry. Still working on what this look like.
3. Men's Retreat:: This will be a weekend event in the late winter/early spring. There will be outdoor activities (fishing, hiking and golf), unity building and some teaching.
Stay tuned to this blog and the website and in service announcements for dates and more information on these events.
1. Forums:: We will do a few of these in 2008, the first coming in late February. Forums will be half day Saturdays with discipleship/missional thinking as the themes. Our first one will be about being intentional in building relationships and be led by John Ryan.
2. Food Drive:: We hope to connect with a North County Food Bank and go into our community collecting food for those in our community who are hungry. Still working on what this look like.
3. Men's Retreat:: This will be a weekend event in the late winter/early spring. There will be outdoor activities (fishing, hiking and golf), unity building and some teaching.
Stay tuned to this blog and the website and in service announcements for dates and more information on these events.
