Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
17 Ἀπῆλθεν δὲ Ἁνανίας καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν καὶ ἐπιθεὶς ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν τὰς χεῖρας εἶπεν· Σαοὺλ ἀδελφέ, ὁ κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με, Ἰησοῦς ὁ ὀφθείς σοι ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ᾗ ἤρχου, ὅπως ἀναβλέψῃς καὶ πλησθῇς πνεύματος ἁγίου.
This is the result of a little argument that Ananias had with the Lord. He rightfully pointed out that Saul was the man who was persecuting the church. He was having folks arrested and killed. And here God wanted him to go and lay hands on him? He was more afraid of Saul laying hands on him to arrest him. This was a completely legitimate fear.
I think in modern terms this would be like receiving a revelation that you should go stand on a street corner in Jakarta and preach with a Bible in your hand. Or maybe in Mecca or Medina in Saudi Arabia. I guarantee that you would not do it for very long before you were arrested. You may or may not be killed, but it would go very badly for you. Ananias knew all about Saul and was afraid for good reason.
But here we see that Ananias obeyed. The lesson here is extremely simple. Do you trust God to be faithful to His promises? If so, then you will obey Him. If it were me, I don't think I would trust a vision I received in a dream to do something like this. However, I do know that God's Word is faithful and true. There is plenty in there for me to obey without having to be shot for preaching the gospel on a street corner in Jakarta.
Our problem is that we tend to confuse temporal and eternal blessings. There is nothing in the Bible that promises us a safe and quiet life. What we do have are lots of promises for eternal security in Christ. That needs to be our hope, not some watered-down prosperity message.
This is really convicting to me. How about you? Anyone reading this who is about to take his family to Liberia is exempted from answering.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Faith to be Healed
Mark 5:29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
29 καὶ εὐθὺς ἐξηράνθη ἡ πηγὴ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς καὶ ἔγνω τῷ σώματι ὅτι ἴαται ἀπὸ τῆς μάστιγος.
This is one of the stories that we cannot really grasp in our 21st century Gentile context. Here was a woman who had some kind of discharge of blood. Nobody is exactly sure what it was, but many think that it was menstrual. This would cause both spiritual and physical problems for this woman. Obviously it is not good if you bleed continually for years and years. The spiritual problem is that the book of Leviticus makes it very clear that this woman was unclean. The time of menstruation made a woman ceremonially unclean. Therefore, she was constantly unclean.
She pressed through the crowd so that she could just touch Jesus' robe. She did and as we see here the flow dried up εὐθὺς. She instantly knew that she was better. I cannot even begin to relate to how elated she must have felt at that time.
This story amazes me on a couple of levels. First, it makes me wonder a little bit about relics. Why was it that she had to touch Jesus' robe? Was there any special power to it? I don't think so. I think that it demonstrates a practical outworking of her faith. She knew that she needed Jesus and this was how she had to express it. In other words, if we could somehow find that same robe I don't think we could take it to Duke and clear out the pediatric oncology ward.
The other amazing thing is that she could touch Jesus and He would not become unclean. Anyone else would have become unclean, but not God. The same goes for when He touches a leper to make him well. The only time the stain of sin touched Jesus was on the cross. We'll of course get to that in a week or two, but for now consider this. Read through Leviticus if you have a few minutes and look at how exacting the laws for purification were. Then consider that Jesus did not have to go through all those machinations.
We truly worship an amazing Savior.
29 καὶ εὐθὺς ἐξηράνθη ἡ πηγὴ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτῆς καὶ ἔγνω τῷ σώματι ὅτι ἴαται ἀπὸ τῆς μάστιγος.
This is one of the stories that we cannot really grasp in our 21st century Gentile context. Here was a woman who had some kind of discharge of blood. Nobody is exactly sure what it was, but many think that it was menstrual. This would cause both spiritual and physical problems for this woman. Obviously it is not good if you bleed continually for years and years. The spiritual problem is that the book of Leviticus makes it very clear that this woman was unclean. The time of menstruation made a woman ceremonially unclean. Therefore, she was constantly unclean.
She pressed through the crowd so that she could just touch Jesus' robe. She did and as we see here the flow dried up εὐθὺς. She instantly knew that she was better. I cannot even begin to relate to how elated she must have felt at that time.
This story amazes me on a couple of levels. First, it makes me wonder a little bit about relics. Why was it that she had to touch Jesus' robe? Was there any special power to it? I don't think so. I think that it demonstrates a practical outworking of her faith. She knew that she needed Jesus and this was how she had to express it. In other words, if we could somehow find that same robe I don't think we could take it to Duke and clear out the pediatric oncology ward.
The other amazing thing is that she could touch Jesus and He would not become unclean. Anyone else would have become unclean, but not God. The same goes for when He touches a leper to make him well. The only time the stain of sin touched Jesus was on the cross. We'll of course get to that in a week or two, but for now consider this. Read through Leviticus if you have a few minutes and look at how exacting the laws for purification were. Then consider that Jesus did not have to go through all those machinations.
We truly worship an amazing Savior.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Accepting Providence
Daniel 3:16-18
(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter.
(17) If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.
(18) But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."
This is one of those stories that even folks who couldn't find Psalms in their Bible have probably heard of. These faithful Jews refused to bow to the idol that Nebuchadnezzar set up and were sentenced to death in the fiery furnace. Here they show their unwavering faith in God. I am always impressed by verse 18 when I read this. They accept the possibility of "but if not."
This is a vital lesson for us here in America. This is the land of Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer. It is the land where God is supposed to give us what we want if we are faithful. I can't help but wonder what a Word of Faith person would do with this verse. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had a faith that went beyond what God would do for them. They were ready to face an excruciating death for their faith. They knew that God could deliver them, but they were under no assurance that God would deliver them. Yet they remained faithful.
This is great comfort to me in times of trial. The goal cannot simply be the resolution of the trial in the manner I think best. The goal must be resolution in a way that glorifies God. That's the focus that these young men had. Is that the focus you have or do you expect God to serve you?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Our Faithful God
Lamentations 3:19-23
(19) Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!
(20) My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.
(21) But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
(22) The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
(23) they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
No study of Lamentations would be complete without treating this passage. Verse 23 would make for a great hymn, wouldn't it?
This passage reminds me of where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going. I remember being stuck in the muck and mire of habitual sin. I remember how I had to go when pornography beckoned. I remember how I would eat out of boredom rather than hunger. I remember what it was like to get winded after climbing a flight of stairs. Those were bitter times indeed.
I certainly am not perfect with my eyes, mouth, or legs. However, I am not where I was. I know that even when I do stumble the Lord is there faithfully showing me mercy. Every morning is a fresh chance to live for His glory. This is amazing to me when I consider how badly I mess up sometimes. Yet He is there and He is faithful.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
(11) The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
(12) if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
(13) if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself.
Praise the Lord!
(19) Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall!
(20) My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me.
(21) But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
(22) The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
(23) they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
No study of Lamentations would be complete without treating this passage. Verse 23 would make for a great hymn, wouldn't it?
This passage reminds me of where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going. I remember being stuck in the muck and mire of habitual sin. I remember how I had to go when pornography beckoned. I remember how I would eat out of boredom rather than hunger. I remember what it was like to get winded after climbing a flight of stairs. Those were bitter times indeed.
I certainly am not perfect with my eyes, mouth, or legs. However, I am not where I was. I know that even when I do stumble the Lord is there faithfully showing me mercy. Every morning is a fresh chance to live for His glory. This is amazing to me when I consider how badly I mess up sometimes. Yet He is there and He is faithful.
2 Timothy 2:11-13
(11) The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
(12) if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;
(13) if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself.
Praise the Lord!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
It Has to be God
Judges 7:1-7
(1) Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
(2) The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'
(3) Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
(4) And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' shall not go."
(5) So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink."
(6) And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.
(7) And the LORD said to Gideon, "With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home."
I know that normally I try to find something more esoteric to post, but this passage goes along with what we discussed yesterday in my small group. We were talking about the Holy Spirit and how we should undertake projects that require His intervention to be successful. In other words, God gets no glory if we could have done something on our own.
The story of Gideon reflects this too. God could have let the Israelite army remain at 32,000 and they certainly would have defeated Midian. However, because of the zeal He has for His glory He reduced the army to 300. He is the one who clearly defeated Midian, though Gideon did have to be faithful.
This story of course also gives us an example of how a man with weak faith was able to do great things for God. However, I also think we need to be careful about using Gideon as a prescriptive example. I don't think it honors God to "put out a fleece" or demand other signs. He gave us what we need in His Word. That should be enough. It sometimes isn't for me, but it certainly should be. His faithfulness is clearly great. Let's remember that as we try to do great things for Him.
(1) Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
(2) The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'
(3) Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.'" Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
(4) And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' shall not go."
(5) So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink."
(6) And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.
(7) And the LORD said to Gideon, "With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home."
I know that normally I try to find something more esoteric to post, but this passage goes along with what we discussed yesterday in my small group. We were talking about the Holy Spirit and how we should undertake projects that require His intervention to be successful. In other words, God gets no glory if we could have done something on our own.
The story of Gideon reflects this too. God could have let the Israelite army remain at 32,000 and they certainly would have defeated Midian. However, because of the zeal He has for His glory He reduced the army to 300. He is the one who clearly defeated Midian, though Gideon did have to be faithful.
This story of course also gives us an example of how a man with weak faith was able to do great things for God. However, I also think we need to be careful about using Gideon as a prescriptive example. I don't think it honors God to "put out a fleece" or demand other signs. He gave us what we need in His Word. That should be enough. It sometimes isn't for me, but it certainly should be. His faithfulness is clearly great. Let's remember that as we try to do great things for Him.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
What of the Unbeliever?
Psalms 73:16-20
(16) But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
(17) until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
(18) Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
(19) How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
(20) Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
Here the Psalmist wrestles with the apparent prosperity of those who do not worship the Lord. How could their lots in life be so much better than his while he remained faithful? It was all confusing until he went into the sanctuary of God. It was then that he was able to get the right perspective. Their end is destruction, while the end for the believer is life.
It's easy to look around at the unbelievers in our culture and envy what they have. The beautiful and rich folks in Hollywood spring to mind as do many corporate executives. I tend to think of Hugh Hefner as the modern-day Solomon. All of these folks seem to have it made now. Yet in the end they are going to end up spending a very long time experiencing God's justice.
I realize that this is not the spin that the popular prosperity folks put on things today. However, I do think that this is the biblical spin. What's interesting is that I read this as well today:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
(18) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
(20) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
I think of this as being more directed toward those who think themselves too smart to believe in God. However, the folks I mentioned before functionally live as if they believe that. Most are either true, professing atheists or functional atheists. I want to be a professing and functional Christian.
(16) But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
(17) until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
(18) Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
(19) How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
(20) Like a dream when one awakes, O Lord, when you rouse yourself, you despise them as phantoms.
Here the Psalmist wrestles with the apparent prosperity of those who do not worship the Lord. How could their lots in life be so much better than his while he remained faithful? It was all confusing until he went into the sanctuary of God. It was then that he was able to get the right perspective. Their end is destruction, while the end for the believer is life.
It's easy to look around at the unbelievers in our culture and envy what they have. The beautiful and rich folks in Hollywood spring to mind as do many corporate executives. I tend to think of Hugh Hefner as the modern-day Solomon. All of these folks seem to have it made now. Yet in the end they are going to end up spending a very long time experiencing God's justice.
I realize that this is not the spin that the popular prosperity folks put on things today. However, I do think that this is the biblical spin. What's interesting is that I read this as well today:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
(18) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
(20) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
I think of this as being more directed toward those who think themselves too smart to believe in God. However, the folks I mentioned before functionally live as if they believe that. Most are either true, professing atheists or functional atheists. I want to be a professing and functional Christian.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Conviction in the Psalms
Psalms 62:5-8
(5) For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
(6) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
(7) On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
(8) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Is it just me, or does reading this bring you conviction too? I read of the deep faith that the Psalmists had in God and I see just how badly mine pales in comparison. I know intellectually that these things are true. However, in my heart of hearts I know that I don't always live like I believe this. I get worried about money. I get caught up in the acquisition of stuff. I become more concerned with getting what I want from Amanda and the kids than from the always-providing God I worship.
It's a good reminder to me of just how pervasive faith should be in life. My prayer is for this Psalm to be my testimony too.
(5) For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
(6) He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
(7) On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
(8) Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Is it just me, or does reading this bring you conviction too? I read of the deep faith that the Psalmists had in God and I see just how badly mine pales in comparison. I know intellectually that these things are true. However, in my heart of hearts I know that I don't always live like I believe this. I get worried about money. I get caught up in the acquisition of stuff. I become more concerned with getting what I want from Amanda and the kids than from the always-providing God I worship.
It's a good reminder to me of just how pervasive faith should be in life. My prayer is for this Psalm to be my testimony too.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Counting the Cost
Luke 14:25-33 ESV
(25) Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them,
(26) "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
(27) Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
(28) For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
(29) Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
(30) saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
(31) Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
(32) And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
(33) So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
It pains me to see the weak and superficial faith of so many in the church. I know that I had a "faith" like that for a long time too. I think one of the reasons is the lack of teaching on this passage. We like to get people to "pray a prayer," "make a decision," or "walk an aisle." However, are these real conversion experiences?
The gospel is sometimes presented like receiving a free house. It is true that a forgiven mortgage is a great metaphor for what happened at the cross with the atoning death of Christ. However, what we sometimes fail to mention is that while we may get a free house, we also become slaves to the person who bought our mortgage.
Now the big difference is that slavery to Christ is a lot different than slavery to Citi Mortgage. Christ is a perfect Lord for our lives, so this is a good thing. However, I think that more needs to be said about this when we present the gospel. Otherwise we are guilty of a terrible bait and switch. It is no wonder that so many "lose their faith" if their faith never had roots to begin with.
(25) Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them,
(26) "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
(27) Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
(28) For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?
(29) Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,
(30) saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'
(31) Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
(32) And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.
(33) So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
It pains me to see the weak and superficial faith of so many in the church. I know that I had a "faith" like that for a long time too. I think one of the reasons is the lack of teaching on this passage. We like to get people to "pray a prayer," "make a decision," or "walk an aisle." However, are these real conversion experiences?
The gospel is sometimes presented like receiving a free house. It is true that a forgiven mortgage is a great metaphor for what happened at the cross with the atoning death of Christ. However, what we sometimes fail to mention is that while we may get a free house, we also become slaves to the person who bought our mortgage.
Now the big difference is that slavery to Christ is a lot different than slavery to Citi Mortgage. Christ is a perfect Lord for our lives, so this is a good thing. However, I think that more needs to be said about this when we present the gospel. Otherwise we are guilty of a terrible bait and switch. It is no wonder that so many "lose their faith" if their faith never had roots to begin with.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Can We Say This?
Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV
(17) Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
(18) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
(19) GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
I'm not sure that I have that kind of faith. However, this is a picture of what saving faith looks like. Wow.
(17) Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
(18) yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
(19) GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.
I'm not sure that I have that kind of faith. However, this is a picture of what saving faith looks like. Wow.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Coming Up
I feel like my spirit is starting to lighten a bit. My daily prayer is for God to soften my heart toward Him. It's not that I'm hard-hearted toward Him so much that I'm just not enjoying Him like I should. I tend to focus on external things like reading the Bible more, singing praise songs, etc. However, I forgot just how much I need to pray for transformation. There are few better things than to have a heart that is soft and enjoying God.
I find that listening to good preaching really helps with this. I've started listening to more podcasts in the car. I've really been enjoying Mark Driscoll's sermons on Philippians and Nehemiah. I realize that much of the Reformed Community doesn't quite know what to make of Mark. On the one hand, he is a good expositor and clearly holds Scripture in high esteem. On the other hand, he makes some off-color metaphors that really rankle the fundie rank and file. I don't find him particularly offensive, but rather I find him quite refreshing. At least I tend to remember what he says when he preaches!
So far, my favorite story is one he tells about a friend who has problems, but is not a believer. Driscoll keeps telling him the answer is Jesus. No matter what problem he brings up Driscoll keeps telling him, "you need Jesus". He talks about problems his kids have and he gets the same line. Eventually the friend got upset and said that he was tired of hearing that and Driscoll told him that he'd better stop asking if he doesn't want to hear that. The point was that we have a choice to make -- do we offend the asker or do we offend God? That should be a no-brainer, right?
I find that listening to good preaching really helps with this. I've started listening to more podcasts in the car. I've really been enjoying Mark Driscoll's sermons on Philippians and Nehemiah. I realize that much of the Reformed Community doesn't quite know what to make of Mark. On the one hand, he is a good expositor and clearly holds Scripture in high esteem. On the other hand, he makes some off-color metaphors that really rankle the fundie rank and file. I don't find him particularly offensive, but rather I find him quite refreshing. At least I tend to remember what he says when he preaches!
So far, my favorite story is one he tells about a friend who has problems, but is not a believer. Driscoll keeps telling him the answer is Jesus. No matter what problem he brings up Driscoll keeps telling him, "you need Jesus". He talks about problems his kids have and he gets the same line. Eventually the friend got upset and said that he was tired of hearing that and Driscoll told him that he'd better stop asking if he doesn't want to hear that. The point was that we have a choice to make -- do we offend the asker or do we offend God? That should be a no-brainer, right?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Paul Byrd
I am now a huge Paul Byrd fan. Check out this interview.
I disagree with his theology about Seventh-Day Adventists, but that's OK. I may actually get my hands on his book. It would be great if the library carried it.
I cannot believe the pressure on Christian athletes. It would be so easy to give in to infidelity and, of course, porn. I imagine that Paul Byrd has been tempted more than once to doctor the ball a little bit. I'll take his word that he hasn't.
All I know that is that he helped the Indians get to where they are right now. He won the game where they eliminated the Yankees and he put the Indians in a great spot to eliminate the Red Sox. Hopefully I'll get to experience one more start from him in game 4 of the World Series.
I disagree with his theology about Seventh-Day Adventists, but that's OK. I may actually get my hands on his book. It would be great if the library carried it.
I cannot believe the pressure on Christian athletes. It would be so easy to give in to infidelity and, of course, porn. I imagine that Paul Byrd has been tempted more than once to doctor the ball a little bit. I'll take his word that he hasn't.
All I know that is that he helped the Indians get to where they are right now. He won the game where they eliminated the Yankees and he put the Indians in a great spot to eliminate the Red Sox. Hopefully I'll get to experience one more start from him in game 4 of the World Series.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Worship
I've had a mixed week spiritually. I think that my focus has been a bit off with the MLB playoffs. I'm enjoying the Indians' run and I do hope that they can win the World Series. I was excited when they won game 2. I clapped and pumped my first when Derek Jeter grounded into a key double-play in the 6th inning of game 4. I was very happy when Borowski struck out Posada to end the series. But I find that I am not bursting with joy like I once would have.
I think this is a good thing. However, I also know that I'm not always bursting with joy about Jesus either. These are the dangerous times. Earlier this week I found myself getting too close to the line while surfing the web. It's time to get refocused on the cross!
I think this is a good thing. However, I also know that I'm not always bursting with joy about Jesus either. These are the dangerous times. Earlier this week I found myself getting too close to the line while surfing the web. It's time to get refocused on the cross!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Tozer -- the Fire
I got this today:
I certainly echo Tozer's prayer. Don't you?
September 28This really speaks to something that has been going on inside of me for a while. On one hand, I don't want dead orthodoxy. On the other, I don't want empty works. I want a faith that is built on the truth of God's Word and that really loves to see the wonder of God's Word. I want that to increase my love for God and to push me into action for His glory. That is the kind of faith I want.
Revival: The Fire Falls
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, "These things says He
who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: 'I know your
works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.'"
--Revelation 3:1-2
For a long time I have believed that truth, to be understood, must be
lived; that Bible doctrine is wholly ineffective until it has been
digested and assimilated by the total life....
We must be willing to obey if we would know the true inner meaning
of the teachings of Christ and the apostles. I believe this view
prevailed in every revival that ever came to the church during her
long history. Indeed a revived church may be distinguished from a
dead one by the attitude of its members toward the truth. The dead
church holds to the shell of truth without surrendering the will to
it, while the church that wills to do God's will is immediately
blessed with a visitation of spiritual powers.
Theological facts are like the altar of Elijah on Carmel before the
fire came, correct, properly laid out, but altogether cold. When the
heart makes the ultimate surrender, the fire falls and true facts
are transmuted into spiritual truth that transforms, enlightens,
sanctifies. The church or the individual that is Bible taught
without being Spirit taught (and there are many of them) has simply
failed to see that truth lies deeper than the theological statement
of it. That Incredible Christian, 92-94.
"Lord, send the fire today. Amen."
I certainly echo Tozer's prayer. Don't you?
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