32
"Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone ; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Jesus spoke these words prior to going into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray the night before he died.
You will have tribulation, but in Jesus you HAVE peace. Take courage! The Greek word that is translated here as courage here is the marriage of joy and courage. Imagine a boy finished with his homework finished flying out of his front door and bounding down the porch out to play with his best friends on perfect day. Imagine Todd Beamer's state of mind aboard flight 93 and overtaking hijackers.
This is the state of mind that is ours because Jesus has overcome the world.
When hardness of life and uncertainty presses in, remember these words of our Savior.
Take courage, I have overcome the world.
The Gospel and a New Home
I say that intentionally. I say it because we could never afford a new house. When I say new, I mean that everything in it is new. Only the exterior walls and the sub floor remains from the Thursday before Good Friday. The interior walls, the lighting, the electric, the plumbing, the HVAC, the furniture...all of it is brand new and we could never afford it on our own.
All of that reminds me of grace.
I sit in my dining room as I type this. My dining room used to be a garage with a door that rarely worked and cob webs everywhere. There was a big plastic bin with my kids sports equipment, yard work tools and other junk . There was an old tire to a van I no longer own. Now that space is filled with a huge table and 10 chairs and friends and family. I don't deserve it.
Earlier today I sat on my porch. My porch used to be a small concrete surface with steps that were falling apart. Today, the porch is bigger and is covered. It is more than I deserve.
The walls used to be made of plaster that would fall apart if you ever tried to hang something on them. I always had a fresh jar of plaster patch on a shelf in that worn out garage. But I was never any good at using the plaster patch. I was also never any good at sealing the jar, so I had four or five jars of dried out plaster patch. That really sounds like grace to me. The broken walls that fall apart are gone, the need for me to try to patch the brokenness is gone, the jars of dried out plaster patch found their way into the dumpster.
That dumpster sat in our driveway for 9 months and was filled with yesterday's ruined stuff that was torn down and thrown into the dumpster and hauled off to some land fill. That dumpster reminds me of the cross.
Then there is the kitchen. My bride has always wanted a new kitchen. Our cabinets and drawers used to be part metal and part wood. The wooden parts did not quite shut right and splinters would drop into our silverware drawer all the time. The metal cabinet doors had hinges that were slightly off and the wooden doors never seated properly. The sink leaked and the space below the sink was too small and when I would try to get in there to fix the leaks, my back would hurt for a few days after. Jen got her cabinets and all new appliances too. It is more than we deserve.
All of this reminds me of grace. Many times I just stop and think about all of this and exhale and my mind goes to grace. Traces of grace are all around us. Come by sometime and pop in and ask for the Grace Tour.
Thanks for reading.
Tuesday Link of the Week
This week's Link of the Week is to a .pdf of A.W. Tozer's classic The Pursuit of God.
There are two books that I go back to several times a year. Sometimes I read them all the way through some times I read a few chapters. This is one of those books. It is a classic book that drives the heart to worship and the mind to deep thoughts about God.
Bookmark this link on your computer and on your phone. The chapters are short and can be read in just a few minutes. Visit this link often and enjoy this classic work.
There are two books that I go back to several times a year. Sometimes I read them all the way through some times I read a few chapters. This is one of those books. It is a classic book that drives the heart to worship and the mind to deep thoughts about God.
Bookmark this link on your computer and on your phone. The chapters are short and can be read in just a few minutes. Visit this link often and enjoy this classic work.
Tuesday Link of the Week
This week's link of the week is one of my favorites. It is an interlinear bible. With this link you can type in any Bible verse or series of verses or even entire chapters and it will pull up the Greek or Hebrew version of the verses. Many of the words will have clickable links to the Greek words as well as links to verse that word appears elsewhere in scripture.
This is an extremely valuable tool and it is free.
I want to walk you through a practice of using the link. Romans 5:8 is my favorite verse. As you click on the reference, you will be linked to the page for Romans 5:8. When you are there, click on the word "demonstrates". It will pull up the Greek word Sunistao.
Along the left column you will see the transliterated word and phonetic spelling (you can click on the speaker there and it will pronounce the word for you) and the definition of the word.
Through middle is the Word Origin, you will see that Sunistao comes from two root words. You can click on each to examine definitions and uses of the the root words.
Along the right column is a list of the times in scripture where this word is used. You can see that Sunistao is used a total of 15 times throughout scripture. If you click on the particular book of the Bible, it will bring up each verse in that book where Sunistao appears.
This is a great tool, spend sometime with some of your favorite verses and key words.
Thanks for reading!
This is an extremely valuable tool and it is free.
I want to walk you through a practice of using the link. Romans 5:8 is my favorite verse. As you click on the reference, you will be linked to the page for Romans 5:8. When you are there, click on the word "demonstrates". It will pull up the Greek word Sunistao.
Along the left column you will see the transliterated word and phonetic spelling (you can click on the speaker there and it will pronounce the word for you) and the definition of the word.
Through middle is the Word Origin, you will see that Sunistao comes from two root words. You can click on each to examine definitions and uses of the the root words.
Along the right column is a list of the times in scripture where this word is used. You can see that Sunistao is used a total of 15 times throughout scripture. If you click on the particular book of the Bible, it will bring up each verse in that book where Sunistao appears.
This is a great tool, spend sometime with some of your favorite verses and key words.
Thanks for reading!
Be Transformed
A few times each year, my mind will center around a word or a phrase in scripture. Currently, I my mind is camping on the notion of being transformed.
Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed. Transformed is the Greek word Metamorphoo. It is the same word that is used when scripture recounts the transfiguration in Matthew 17 when Jesus literally took on a different physical presence.
The definition of the word is to change into a different form. So to be transformed, as we are called to be, is to take on a different form. If we give more than a cursory look at this idea, we realize that it is not something that we are capable of on our own. It is a supernatural act.
To be transformed is the foremost prayer that I am praying for North Church people.
So what does this mean and how does it happen? Romans 12:2 is a natural response to the grace and mercy of God that appears in Romans 11. But to be changed is not something that starts in us, it is a response to the grace and mercy of God. In order to be transformed, we must press into grace, we must long to be transformed, we must engage God through prayer and scripture, we must think and meditate on grace and mercy.
On the other side of transformation lies the joy that motivated Jesus to endure the intensity of the pain of the cross and to condescend the shame of being alone, broken, naked, bleeding and on display for the world to mock.
I am praying for transformation in our husbands as they lead wives. Men, read scripture to your bride and pray with her. Be the catalyst for the transformation in you and in her.
I am praying this sort of transformation for the single population of North Church. "When Jesus was here on the earth, the crowds would follow Him because they saw He gave good things. But that’s not what He wanted. He wanted their hearts for Himself. So He would turn to them and say things like, “If you don’t love Me so much that every other relationship in your life looks like hate by comparison, you can’t follow Me.”(from gracefortheroad.com)
I am praying for transformation in our wives as they submit and fill the role of "Azur" in their marriages. Women, nurture and pray for your husbands and gently ask them to lead you.
I am praying for us all that God would give us a thirst that only He can satisfy. I am praying for that to be a tangible thirst that we feel deep in the back of our throats that makes us noticeably uncomfortable.
Will you join me in these prayers?
Romans 12:2 calls us to be transformed. Transformed is the Greek word Metamorphoo. It is the same word that is used when scripture recounts the transfiguration in Matthew 17 when Jesus literally took on a different physical presence.
The definition of the word is to change into a different form. So to be transformed, as we are called to be, is to take on a different form. If we give more than a cursory look at this idea, we realize that it is not something that we are capable of on our own. It is a supernatural act.
To be transformed is the foremost prayer that I am praying for North Church people.
So what does this mean and how does it happen? Romans 12:2 is a natural response to the grace and mercy of God that appears in Romans 11. But to be changed is not something that starts in us, it is a response to the grace and mercy of God. In order to be transformed, we must press into grace, we must long to be transformed, we must engage God through prayer and scripture, we must think and meditate on grace and mercy.
On the other side of transformation lies the joy that motivated Jesus to endure the intensity of the pain of the cross and to condescend the shame of being alone, broken, naked, bleeding and on display for the world to mock.
I am praying for transformation in our husbands as they lead wives. Men, read scripture to your bride and pray with her. Be the catalyst for the transformation in you and in her.
I am praying this sort of transformation for the single population of North Church. "When Jesus was here on the earth, the crowds would follow Him because they saw He gave good things. But that’s not what He wanted. He wanted their hearts for Himself. So He would turn to them and say things like, “If you don’t love Me so much that every other relationship in your life looks like hate by comparison, you can’t follow Me.”(from gracefortheroad.com)
I am praying for transformation in our wives as they submit and fill the role of "Azur" in their marriages. Women, nurture and pray for your husbands and gently ask them to lead you.
I am praying for us all that God would give us a thirst that only He can satisfy. I am praying for that to be a tangible thirst that we feel deep in the back of our throats that makes us noticeably uncomfortable.
Will you join me in these prayers?
Tuesday Link of the Week
We are bringing back a new feature. It is our Link of the Week. Each Tuesday we will post a link that we think will help, encourage and/or challenge our readers. Be sure to check back each Tuesday and spend sometime with our Link of the Week.
This week is a video of a conversation between John Piper and Tim Keller about sanctification. In the message on Sunday we talked about the process of being transformed and being sanctified. You can listen to the conversation between Keller and Piper here.
The video is 15 minutes long, but well worth it. Take sometime this week to check it out, you might want to have a pen and paper as you do. There are some very good practical helps that you will find in the video.
Thanks for reading.
This week is a video of a conversation between John Piper and Tim Keller about sanctification. In the message on Sunday we talked about the process of being transformed and being sanctified. You can listen to the conversation between Keller and Piper here.
The video is 15 minutes long, but well worth it. Take sometime this week to check it out, you might want to have a pen and paper as you do. There are some very good practical helps that you will find in the video.
Thanks for reading.
A Masterful God
A few years ago, I wrote a devotional for the season of Advent. It was a series of daily readings about love, joy, peace and hope. Each week was about one of those for things and how at Christmas, we celebrated that Jesus came to bring each of them to this world.
The devotional was called "THE COMING". Here is an excerpt::
Joy is not found in the circumstances of your life. Circumstances can change; health can fade, the economy can fall apart, jobs can be lost. If your joy is found in these things, it can fade, fall apart or be lost. The joy that THE COMING of Jesus brought to this world is deeper than that.
Scripture says in 1 Peter that the follower of Christ has an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. That same passage says that we are strangers in this world and that we were not meant to live in a broken and fallen world. It is a world with death and disease and heartache. But God has given us a hope and a peace that is the epicenter of our joy.
I have a friend named Denny. Denny had a son named Jon who died in a tragic accident just after his junior year of high school. The days and weeks following his death were very difficult on Denny and the rest of his family. I do not remember a father and son closer than Denny and Jon. They were best friends.
As time went by, Denny began to talk about how grateful he was that God gave him the 17 years with Jon and the great memories that would never be lost. He was grateful for the fact they were best friends. There is a lot that Denny likes to talk about in regards to Jon, but this is the most profound for me. Denny doesn’t simply mourn the loss of his son. Denny celebrates his son. Denny celebrates the God who allowed him to spend 17 great years with Jon.
Denny’s joy was not and is not bound by his circumstances. In John 14:6, Jesus calls himself the truth. The definition of the type of truth Jesus uses here is a truth that is unaffected by circumstances. Think of a concrete pillar holding up a great bridge. The waves and boats that pass by do not affect the pillar. This is Jesus. This is the kind of joy THE COMING brought.
If the joy in your life is bound to the circumstances in your life, I invite you to investigate this Jesus that came to bring you real joy that is unaffected by circumstances. Think on that joy – the joy brought by THE COMING of Jesus.
I got a message from Denny's wife (Debbie) tonight saying that Denny had lost his job recently and asked for prayer about it. As she asked me, she found this reading from the devotional.
Take a second to reread the excerpt and thank God for the way he moves in beautiful ways.
May you be blessed tonight with the presence of God.
Thanks for reading.
The devotional was called "THE COMING". Here is an excerpt::
Joy is not found in the circumstances of your life. Circumstances can change; health can fade, the economy can fall apart, jobs can be lost. If your joy is found in these things, it can fade, fall apart or be lost. The joy that THE COMING of Jesus brought to this world is deeper than that.
Scripture says in 1 Peter that the follower of Christ has an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading. That same passage says that we are strangers in this world and that we were not meant to live in a broken and fallen world. It is a world with death and disease and heartache. But God has given us a hope and a peace that is the epicenter of our joy.
I have a friend named Denny. Denny had a son named Jon who died in a tragic accident just after his junior year of high school. The days and weeks following his death were very difficult on Denny and the rest of his family. I do not remember a father and son closer than Denny and Jon. They were best friends.
As time went by, Denny began to talk about how grateful he was that God gave him the 17 years with Jon and the great memories that would never be lost. He was grateful for the fact they were best friends. There is a lot that Denny likes to talk about in regards to Jon, but this is the most profound for me. Denny doesn’t simply mourn the loss of his son. Denny celebrates his son. Denny celebrates the God who allowed him to spend 17 great years with Jon.
Denny’s joy was not and is not bound by his circumstances. In John 14:6, Jesus calls himself the truth. The definition of the type of truth Jesus uses here is a truth that is unaffected by circumstances. Think of a concrete pillar holding up a great bridge. The waves and boats that pass by do not affect the pillar. This is Jesus. This is the kind of joy THE COMING brought.
If the joy in your life is bound to the circumstances in your life, I invite you to investigate this Jesus that came to bring you real joy that is unaffected by circumstances. Think on that joy – the joy brought by THE COMING of Jesus.
I got a message from Denny's wife (Debbie) tonight saying that Denny had lost his job recently and asked for prayer about it. As she asked me, she found this reading from the devotional.
Take a second to reread the excerpt and thank God for the way he moves in beautiful ways.
May you be blessed tonight with the presence of God.
Thanks for reading.
