Monday, October 10, 2011

Sowing, Watering & Reaping the Harvest



This morning during my Bible study reflections, God revealed some Truth to me. My friend Megan & I have discussed this in depth recently also, concerning a friend's spiritual state.

God showed me today that I'm not always the One to harvest the seed (in relationships etc). One person may do the planting of the Word in an unbeliever's life, another the watering (through encouragement, right living etc) & still another the actual harvesting.

God alone knows what my role is in this process. It is my job to rest in His sovereignty & actively work in the Role He has prepared for me. He alone knows the heart of a person. He has gifted each person individually. He knows who will interact with them when & what specific Truth will be imparted to them. Do not strive to accomplish a work that might not be yours for the harvesting. Stay well within God's plan for your life. You will be blessed!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

DO HARD THINGS!


5 Kinds of Hard Things
1) Things that take you out of your comfort zone (taking risks in order to grow)
2) Things that go beyond what is expected or required (pursuing excellence)
3) Things that are too big to accomplish alone (daring & dreaming big)
4) Things that go against the cultural norm (taking a stand for what's right)
5) Things that don't earn immediate payoff (being Faithful & choosing integrity)

Doing hard things are not just for teenagers. We are Called to pursue righteousness, godliness & holiness in all areas of life, in all stages of life. The goal is to become ever more Christ-like. We will never "attain" that in this short lifetime.

What does this look like? How does one do this? By battling complacency, overcoming obstacles, through accountability & mentorship, by raising the bar, stretching comfort zones, pursuing excellence & integrity etc .

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

There are always hard things to do- things God has pre-purposed for us to accomplish & is Calling us to do in His power, His strength & His motivation. What are yours?

For more information, I encourage you to read Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations & Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You're At by Alex & Brett Harris

Monday, October 3, 2011

Priorities


In my grandparents' generation, it was normal to be at Church every time the doors were open. In fact, it was almost expected. Now, we're "lucky" if people even show up on Sunday mornings! I'm not talking about missing Church every once in a while (being out of town or whatever). I'm talking about perpetual grumbling; the state of the heart.

What happened? Where did we go wrong? Is it too late? And most importantly, how do we change the statistics???

While things could be said towards watering down the gospel & a seeker-friendly mindset, I want to focus on our priorities. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21

I emplore you to "fall in love with the family of God" again. Seek to pattern your heart after the hearthrobs of the Father. Let what matters most to Him be of the utter importance to you. God is jealous after the affections of His Bride.

If we can't show up for Church more than once a week (grumbling even then), what does that say about our heart? If you "don't have time" for a regular Bible study (or prayer or devotions or whatever), what does that say about your relationship with God?

We have the banquet table of the King laid out before us. But too often we take it for granted. We are Called to do more than just partake of the food. We are Called to Serve. To learn & grown & the pass that knowledge on to others. We are Called to be Salt & Light (Matthew 5:13-16).

We need a 'heart change.' We must embrace His standard of holiness, His source of power for change (the Cross) & His motive for fighting sin (grace). Let us strive to "think God's thoughts after Him"!

For further information on this subject, I would encourage you to read Stop Dating the Church! Fall in Love with the Family of God by Josh Harris

Sunday, October 2, 2011

REMEMBER! REMEMBER! REMEMBER!


"After that, a whole new generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD & served the Baals. They forsook the LORD, the God of their ancestors' who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed & worshipped various gods of the peoples around them." - Judges 2:10-13

We are Called to REMEMBER what the Lord has taught us. This includes recognizing His sovereignty in our own lives,  tracing His Providential Hand throughout history (planning the future of nations), REMEMBERING our Christian heritage, seeing the role of the Church in history... As well identifying God's Hand of Grace on the lives of us, our parents & grandparents. And passing that knowledge on to the generations to come.

I remember being at the CHEF homeschooling Conference this past June, hearing scores upon scores of strong Christian leaders hammering home the importance of remembering. Our past, what God has done in our lives, who we were, who we are & who we're going to become (by the Grace of God).

We must teach our children about what the LORD has done in our lives. We must pass on our Christian heritage. We must hold on to the Promises. We must not lose our convictions or our sensitivity to the Spirit's touch! Our time on this earth is short. None of us know when our time might come. This is of the utmost importance. Too much is at stake!

"Those who cannot remember the past are bound to repeat it." - George Santyana

Over over again we see the Israelites going through a repetitive cycle of forgetting the Lord, commiting sin again His Name, remembering their God, repenting, being restored & forgetting Him all over again... We do not want these aparent "memory lapses" evident in our own lives...

"My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will utter the hidden things, things from of old- things we have heard & known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendents; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power & the wonders He has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob & established the law in Israel, which He commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, & they would in turn tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God & would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands. They would not be like their ancestors- a stubborn & rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to Him..." - Psalm 78 (especially verses 1-8)

"Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is One. Love the LORD your God with all of your heart & with all your soul & with all your strength. These commandments I give to you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home & when you walk along the road, when you lie down & when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands & bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses & on your gates." - Deuteronomy 6:6-9

"Be very careful then, how you live- not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's Will is." - Ephesians 5:15-17

Friday, September 16, 2011

Familiarity Breeds Contempt?

"Our Primary Calling as followers of Christ is by Him, to Him & for Him. First & foremost we are Called to Someone (God), not to something (such as motherhood, politics or teaching), or to somewhere (such as in the inner city or Outer Mongolia). Our secondary Calling, considering who God is as Sovereign, is that everyone everywhere, & in everything should think, speak, live & act entirely for Him. Secondary Callings matter, but only because the Primary Calling matters." - Os Guinness

WOW. One of those elementary Truths of the Gospel that I've known & regularly take for granted, but never really meditated on or fully realized or appreciated. I especially LOVE the last sentence- "Secondary Callings matter, but only because the Primary Calling matters." EVERYTHING matters ONLY because of Christ & His redemptive work on the Cross!

Tying that in with another quote I read this morning...

"In some ways, it's those of us who are most familiar with the Spirit's Promises who are in the greatest danger. Someone has said that familiarity may not breed contempt, but it takes the edge off of awe. Something like this is true about the rich texts & glory-filled Promises that drop the jaws of newcomers but provoke no more than a raised eyebrow from those who have ceased to dream." - Jim McGuiggan

May we NEVER become so familiar with the Word of God that we become bored by it! May we ever grow in our knowledge & relationship with Him, while still possessing the "new believer's" passion, yearning & desire to ever know MORE of Him!!!

Monday, September 5, 2011

BETTER Hearing the Voice of God


Are you overwhelmed by the mounting pressure? Have you picked up too many responsibilities that God didn't call you to undertake (Luke 10:38-42)? Is too much of your identity bound up in doing great things for God rather than simply enjoying being with Him?

Why do we not hear God sometimes? Sometimes unrepentant, unconfessed sin stands in our way. Sometimes our lives are too loud. Sometimes we are proud & stubborn, unwilling to bow our heads & bend our knees. Sometimes our prayers are too one-sided, focusing more on our "needs" & "wants," rote & routine, without stopping to hear His answer. Sometimes we don't want to hear what He's telling us.

How do we better hear the Voice of God? Repent of all unconfessed sin (both intentional & unintentional). Ask God where you need to change. Be willing to obey, to follow where He leads. Be humble to receive instruction. When in prayer, be in an attitude of waiting on the Lord (Psalm 46:10). Rest in Him. Trust in His grace. Continually be filled with the Holy Spirit. Be ready & willing to be used of God, for His Glory & your Good (Romans 8:28). Take the time to sit at His feet, enjoying His Presence. Remove yourself from the distractions. Quiet the noise. Learn from other people (their decisions, lifestyles, experiences etc). Seek a quiet place to be alone with God. Weigh everything against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Seek confirmation. Grow your prayer life. Read His written Word. Be in relationship with other Christians. Actively look for godly input & influence. Quiet your soul. Actively seek Him. Cut down on the commotion, slow down & really listen to God. He will answer, but not always in the way we were expecting! Return to your first love. Draw near to God & He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Focus on Him; because NOTHING else matters!

Hearing the Voice of God



In my Bible reading the other day, I stumbled across 1 Kings 19:9-13. I have read this passage many times in years past, but this time it really stood out to me. It is the story of God speaking to Elijah, how His voice was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. After all of these displays of His power, He came in a gentle whisper. A still, small voice.

So, this gets me thinking: From the beginning of time, God has desired to dwell with His people. Too often our prayers are concerned with our "wants," "needs" & prayer requests. How often do we sit in silence, simply listening to the Voice of God?

Are you feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Are you sensitive to His touch? Are you in a "constant communion" with the Father? Do you delight in the Lord? Is your heart soft to His moulding? Are you consumed by fulfilling His Will & growing in relationship with Him? Have you entered into His rest & peace? Do you study theology & doctrine ("a right knowledge of God")? Do you tremble?

Are you diligently studying His Word? For it is here that He has most fully revealed Himself & His Will to us.

Mere outward religion does NOT equal real relationship.

Matthew 7:7 talks of seeking & finding, asking & receiving. Both the asking & the seeking mean "actively searching for Him, to be serious about wanting Him." Earnest, intense, passionate, fervent, sincere.

John 10:1-16 tells us that the sheep know His Voice. Do you know the Voice of your Lord? Do you recognize it? But even more importantly, do you follow it?

How will you respond to the Voice of God?

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Forgiven Much, Loves Much

"...Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little, loves little..." - Luke 7:46

He would is loved much, loves much. He who has been forgiven much, forgives much. How can you not be gracious to your neighbor who has wronged you, if you yourself have been forgiven of everything by a most gracious & loving Heavenly Father? We must realize how much we have sinned & how much we have been forgiven before we can truly Love others.

In Luke 7, Jesus tells the Pharisee Simon a parable about a man who loans money to two men- one a large amount & one a small amount. Neither of the men could afford to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Of the two men, which will love him more? Simon answers, "I suppose the one who has the bigger debt forgiven." "You have judge correctly," Jesus tells him.

At the same time, Simon has the audacity to pass judgement on a prositute groveling at Jesus' feet. Unlike Simon, she was aware of who she was without the Messiah. She was overcome by her love for Him. And she was confident of Who He was. If that''s what it takes for me to Love on that level, isn't it worth it?

Do you look like you have it all together, like you have all the right answers? Do we really think that much of Christ? Are you so overcome by your sin that it brings you to tears? Are you aware of who you are apart from Christ? Are you so humbled by God's mercy that you would wipe His feet with your hair? Are you ready to really serve Him? Why do you do what you do? Are you so confident in His power to forgive that you would kiss His feet? Are you so motivated by His love that you would annoint His feet with oil?

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, & God in them... We love because He first Loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates his brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother & sister." - 1 John 4:16, 19-20

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you Love one another." - John 13:34-35

"If all you do is love the loveable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I am saying is grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously & graciously toward others, the way God lives towards you." - Matthew 5:46-48 (The Message translation)

"From everyone who has been given much, much more will be demanded; & from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." - Luke 12:48b

Why is He our Hope & Salvation? Because we are nothing without Him!

Radical generosity demands a Gospel explanation. Live a life of Gospel explanation. Motivated by a heart of passionate Love for your Savior.

*** Text roughly adapted from my sermon notes taken from Jim Schutz's (Risen Lord Community Church) sermon on Sunday, July 12, 2010 entitled "I Love Him More" over Luke 7:36-50 ***

Monday, August 22, 2011

Remembering Those Before Us

Are We Remembering Those Who Came Before Us? Oct 2009

"The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."- Calvin Coolidge

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana

Are we remembering those who came before us?

Do we remember those who gave their lives, their families, their fortune, their future for our freedom?

How did they/are they affecting our lives today?

How would our lives be any different if they didn't exist?

Would they be proud of who you are today?

Would they be proud of what our country has become?

"We are who we are because of those who came before us. We're standing on their shoulders."

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our own lives sublime
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Every nation or a group of nations has its own tale to tell. Knowledge of the trials and struggles is necessary to all who would comprehend the problems, perils, challenges, and opportunities which confront us today." - Sir Winston Churchill

"I shall never surrender or retreat. I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism, and of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid... The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country." - Lt. Col. Wiliam Borrett Travis, Alamo

Friday, August 19, 2011

A Prayer of Sir Frances Drake

 "Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new Earth, we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope & love." - Sir Francis Drake, Vice Admiral, explorer & naval pioneer during the Elizabethan era (Golden Age)

And yet they have the guts to say that the only reasons the explorers came to the New World was their thirst for gold and land (and that America was not founded on Christian principles)... May we continue to proclaim the Truth and stand strong against the waves of historical revisionism! :)

Saturday, August 13, 2011

The Unrepentant Believer (oxymoron)

I have heard “Woe is the unbeliever!” I say to you, “No! Worse is the unrepentant believer.”
As Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23: ““Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven… Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name and in Your Name drive out demons and in Your Name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
They are twice crucifying Christ (Hebrews 6:4-6). He was crucified once in the flesh, they are (figuratively) crucifying Him again in the Spirit- by understanding what He did, but still rejecting Him & holding Him up in contempt, to their own harm. They have tasted the Fruit, partaken of the Banquet Table & have chosen to walk away. This is the WORST. This has many faces, whether they’re walking in sin, are doubting, questioning or just plain lazy.
Much like the Deists operating under the Founding Father’s Christian principles, they are receiving the benefits & blessings of godliness, without ever having been saved themselves. Even if they don’t believe it wholeheartedly themselves. A non-believer, acting like a believer, enlightened, not adhering to the Truth. Tasting, but not digesting the Truth. Seeing & witnessing the Power of God, while never experiencing it themselves & still denying it (like the unbelieving Pharisees). The incredible difference between mere interest & real commitment. Their hearts are hardened, they will not repent. They looked at Grace & said “no thanks.” They cannot lose their salvation because they never had it in the first place.
"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips. They walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." – dcTalk

Argument roughly developed from Marc Sikma’s (Matthias’ Lot Church) sermon over Hebrews 6:1-8 on Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

Better To Be an Unbeliever than a Lukewarm Christian?

It is, in my opinion, almost(disclaimer: see below) better to be an unbeliever than a lukewarm Christian. Let me explain:

Picture for a minute an unbeliever, caught head-over-heels in sin, who has never heard the Gospel preached before and is generally unaware of his Sin. The Gospel is presented to him. He hears for the first time of he depth of his sin, his separation from God, how his good works are worth nothing, how he (in and of himself) can do absolutely nothing to save himself. When his need is revealed to him, he is full of despair, depressed, anguished, humbled, broken, contrite over his Sin. He knows he's wrong and could never be right before God. Then he is told that there IS a way to be saved from the horrors of his sin and the consequences that he deserves because of it. That God, the Creator of the universe, spanned time and space and reached down to save him (a poor, undeserving, wretched sinner). He acknowledges his sin, believes Christ to be the propitiation for the punishment that he deserved, and repents. How the angels sang on that day! He is SO happy, he cannot bear to keep the Good News to himself! He is on fire for God, passionate, zealous, constantly desiring to learn more of God. He cannot hear enough about Him. He devours every book he can get his hands upon, desiring to learn all that he can about Him. He constantly grows in relationship with God. He is in continual awe of this Creator-God, who spanned the gulf to rescue him, the lowest of the low!

Contrast that with the disgusting image of a lukewarm "Christian"-  Possibly one who grew up in the Church, who knows "everything" there is to know about God- full of knowledge, but void of a real relationship with God (that which really matters). He is numb, passionless, apathetic, ineffective, useless, deceived, self-sufficient,  even hampering the spread of the Gospel by his hypocrisy and contradictory witness/lifestyle. His "worship" is empty, hollow, half-hearted, and lifeless. He is overly familiar with the Church and is bored by its traditions, rules, and rituals. He is legalistic and lives life by the rulebook. He can quote the Bible, Church fathers, and theologians left and right. He goes to Church, listens to the "good" music, reads the right books, has Christian friends. It all looks perfect on the the outside, but on the inside... He says that he believes in Jesus, but his life (choices, decisions, values, character etc) screams otherwise. It's all head (knowledge) and not heart (real wisdom). 

Again, it is almost* (disclaimer: see below) better to be an unbeliever than a lukewarm "Christian"

"I know your deeds, that ou are neither cold or hot. I wish you were one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of My mouth... You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked... Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My Voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and they with Me." - Revelation 3:14-20

"'By their fruits you shall know them.' (Matthew 7:16a) You say, 'Wait a minute, I thought we were saved by grace through faith and all of that.' That's right, we are. But whether we are saved or not shows up in our deeds. James says the same thing (James 2:14-26 Your faith is made known by your works. So He says I know your deeds and therefore I know your heart. I can see by what you do who you are," says John MacArthur.

"But I submit to you that Jesus said, 'I would rather have you cold than this. I'd rather you be a prostitute than a Pharisee. I'd rather you be a sinner who knows his sin than a hypocrite who doesn't recognize it. I'd rather you say... God, be merciful to me, a sinner...who feels the coldness of his lostness than a Pharisee who says I thank You I'm not like other men.' Anything is better than lukewarmness!" - John MacArthur

"But there was something worse than being lukewarm and that was their self-deception. They had spiritual pride. They thought they were spiritually rich. They had attained spiritual knowledge. This is the hardest person to reach. The intellectual apostate, the intellectual unsaved hypocrite who stays in the Church. They are religious and damned. This is a person to be pitied." - John MacArthur

"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." - Titus 1:16

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?... Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, 'You have faith; I have deeds.' Show me your faith without deeds and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that- and shudder! You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did... You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone... As a body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead." - James 2:14-26

* Disclaimer- I say "almost," because if a person was genuinely saved, there is always the chance that they have just wandered from the Faith for a time and will be back. In the case of the die-hard unbeliever, there is always the chance that they won't hear the Gospel... In which case, it would be better to be the lukewarm Christian...

Argument developed by myself. John MacArthur quotes taken from a sermon entitled "Laodicea: The Lukewarm Church" (Parts I & II) over Revelation 3:14-20 on 03.06.1992. Found at: http://gty.org/Resources/Sermons/66-14

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Friendship

Sympathy/pity is one thing. Anyone can give that in an instant. But a true friend can do more than that. They can relate & identify, having been there, done that before. Having walked the same road of suffering, you understand. That’s different. And nothing can replace it! This is real friendship, a bonding of the soul. “Kindred spirits,” as one of my friend calls it.
A bond like this is unbreakable. It’s more than doing things together, spending a lot of time together, talking etc. It’s the deep-rooted feeling, knowing that person will always be there for you, no matter what happens. Because they genuinely care.
"Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: There was a man all alone; he had
neither son nor brother... Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can
help the other up. But pity anyone who falls down and has no one to help them... Though
one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not
easily broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Friendship is important. It provides accountability & community, a sense of belonging. An opportunity  to impact the world & be influenced yourself. It is critical also which friends you choose to associate yourself with (see Proverbs 13:20, 2 Timothy 2:22 etc). What your friends look like is who you will become. Therefore choose your friends wisely.
As Christians, we’re called to encourage & build up our brothers & sisters in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11), to be the salt & light in this world (Matthew 5:13-16).
Some friends are surface-deep. We all know what these so-called “friends” look like, being more like acquaintances than real friends. They’re “fair-weather friends”- fun to be with until things get rough. Then they drop you. A real friend doesn’t do this, however, because they’re there to see you through thick & thin.
A good friend is caring, humble, vulnerable, God-fearing, diligent, passionate, motivated, consistent, wise, patient, joyful, purposeful, mature, respectful, trustworthy, honest, full of integrity, faithful, uncompromising, honorable, kind, self-disciplined, etc. Let’s strive to be this kind of friend!
As Jackie Robinson said, “A life is not important except on the impact it has upon other lives.”
 “Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.” – author unknown

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Only What's Done for Christ Will Last

Written in September 2010

"For me as a boy, one of the most gripping illustrations my fiery father used was the story of a man converted in old age. The church had prayed for this man for decades. He was hard and resistant. But this time, for some reason, he showed up when my father was preaching. At the end of the service, during a hymn, to everyone's amazement he came and took my father's hand. They sat down together on the front pew of the church as  people were dismissed. God opened his heart to the Gospel of Christ, and he was saved from his sins and given eternal life. But that did not stop him from sobbing and saying, as the tears ran down his wrinkled face---and what an impact it made on me to hear my father say this through his own tears---'I've wasted it! I've wasted it!' This was the story that gripped me more than all the stories of young people who died in car wrecks before they were converted---the story of an old man weeping that he had wasted his life. In those early years God awakened in me a fear and a passion not to waste my life. The thought of coming to my old age and saying through tears, 'I've wasted it! I've wasted it!' was a fearful and horrible thought to me." - John Piper, in his book Don't Waste Your Life

If Christ is not made much of in our lives, then it's wasted. If our life and death don't show the worth, magnificence, and wonder of Christ, then it's wasted. It is better to lose your life than to waste it. Life is hard and the risks are high, but your joy will be full.

Fame, pleasure, and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfullment of His eternal plans. The men who are putting everything into Christ's undertaking are getting out of life its most sweetest and priceless rewards.

"If I love Christ, how can He be most magnified in my behavior this afternoon, this evening, this week? How can I portray God as glorious in my actions? How can I enjoy making much of Him in this behavior? How will this help me treasure Christ more? How will it help me know or display Him more? How can my life count for the glory of God in my secular vocation?"

Remember: You only have one life. You were made for God. Don't waste it!!!

Roughly adapted from my book notes on Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

Sunday, August 7, 2011

The Tragedy of a Wasted Life

Just one blog post today. Another old note that I ran across, from September 2010. Enjoy!

"I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life. Consider a story from the February 1988 edition of Reader's Digest , which tells about a couple who 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells.' At first when I read it I thought it was a joke. A spoof on the American Dream. But it wasn't. Tragically, this was the dream: Come to the end of your life- your one and only, precious, God-given life- and let the last great work of your life, before you give an account to your Creator, be this: playing softball and collecting shells. Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgement: 'Look, Lord, see my shells.' That is a tragedy. And people today are spending billions of dollars to persuade you to embrace that tragic dream. Over against that, I put my protest: Don't buy it. Don't waste your life!" - John Piper, in his book Don't Waste Your Life

Most people slip by in life without passion for God, spending their lives on trivial diversions, living for comfort and pleasure, trying to avoid sin. Don't get caught up in a life that counts for nothing. I challenge you to live and die boasting in the Cross of Christ alone and making the glory of God your singular passion. Not to be made much of, but to make much of Him in every part of our lives.

"To live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:22) We're dying to self, comfort, security, and reputation. Heath, family, friends, homeland, and wealth may be taken from us at any time on the road of Christ-exalting obedience. We're embracing a life of loss for Christ's sake and counting it as gain. Treasuring Jesus above the gift of life (honoring Him in death) and treasuring Him above life's gifts (honoring Him in life).

It is a tragic waste of a life when people turn away from the Calvary road of love and suffering. All the riches of the glory of God in Christ are on that road, all the treasures of assurance, all ecstacies of joy, all clearest sightings of eternity, all noble comaraderie, all humblest affections, all deepest discoveries of God's Word, all most earnest prayers are found on this road alone.

Some die in service to Christ. This is not a tragedy. Treasuring life above Christ is tragedy. Know what really matters and be willing to live (and die) for these core beliefs. His beauty shines most brightly when it is treasured above health, wealth, and life itself.

Roughly adapted from my book notes on Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Power of the Will (versus fleeting Emotions)

“Remember then that the real thing in your experience is what your Will decides & not the verdict of your emotions... If the  Will is set right, the rest of the natural must come into harmony... Since a man's Will is really the man's Self, of course, what his Will does, he does... Have you thus consented, dear reader, and is your face set as flint to Will what God wills? He wills that you should be entirely surrendered to Him and that you should trust Him perfectly... Do you Will the same? Are you submitting your Will to God? Is it given to God? Is it in His hands?" - Hannah W Smith, in A Christian's Secret to a Happy Life  (1875)

Basically what she's saying is, "If your Will wills it, it will happen." Faith is not built on feelings. The Will supersedes emotions every time. Emotions are temporary & are constantly being replaced with new (often contradictory) feelings. But a person's Will (think values, core beliefs, worldview etc) should be more grounded and is what really matters.

But it is not in our power, strength, motivation or desire that we work for change. Anything done apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ on the Cross & the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is done in vain.

There are times when God may feel far off (our feelings deceive us). This is a lie- God is always near at hand! There are times when our faith might feel empty & void (feelings are fleeting). We all go through the valleys & the mountaintops at one point in our lives or another. They are what make us stronger & give us a clearer perspective. "It's always darkest right before the dawn." (an old adage)

I'm am reminded of William Cowper's testimony (author of the "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"  hymn). Not every Saint's path to Salvation is straight & narrow... Not every Sinner is filled with Joy upon the moment of Conversion. Some must fight, wrestle & war til the very end. And not always is there a happy ending... But God is FAITHFUL none-the-less. His purposes are always accomplished. And His was are GOOD. He is WORTHY of our praise!

Do not give up hope. Continue to press on & fight the good fight. As the Word says, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

The Potter & the Clay


I finished reading a new book today & some of the things he said really stuck out at me.

"You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, You are the Potter; we are all the work of Your hand." - Isaiah 64:8

"You turn things upside down, as if the Potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the One who formed it, 'You did not make me?' Can the pot say to the Potter, 'You know nothing?"- Isaiah 29:16

"Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the Potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'The Potter has no hands?" - Isaiah 45:9

"Who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? 'Shall what is formed say to the One who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the Potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes & some for common use?" - Romans 9:20-21

God IS sovereign. His Will SHALL be accomplished in our lives. Like Job, we can submit to the Hand of Grace without questioning His Will. Job came to an intimate knowledge of the Truth that God reveals about Himself in Scripture:

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

Like Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:21-23, we can cling to the Faithfulness & Goodness of God, even though we might not feel that He's very good at the time. Like Elijah in 1 Kings 18 & Gideon in Judges 7, we can choose to obey. Their obedience was blessed. Or... we can choose the other path. The choice is ours.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness & peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms & weak knees." - Hebrews 12:11-12

God IS good. And His ways are BEST. He is WORTHY of all glory, honour & praise!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Are You Who You SAY You Are?


*** Note: I did not write this article. Article writted by the Generations Church of Granbury). The website link is listed below. I was doing some research for a different topic back in June & I ran across this article. It has some interesting points...***


"Are You Who You SAY You Are?"

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were one or the other! So then, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of My mouth..." - Revelation 3:15-16

Therefore be zealous and repent.

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the Will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name, cast out demons in Your Name, & done many wonders in Your Name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" - Matthew 7:21-23

"Are you who you SAY you are?"

"But I know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" - 2 Timothy 3:1-5

True or False?

In a 2005 Gallup poll 94% of Americans said they believe God exists. In a 2007 Gallup poll, 82% of Americans said they identify with the Christian faith. Pastor Craig Groeschel describes the majority as "practical atheists," who say they believe in God, but act as if He doesn't exist.

"You believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe- and tremble!" - James 2:19
"They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work." - Titus 1:16

"Are you who you SAY you are? ARE you?"

"The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips. They walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable." – dcTalk

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Sunday, July 31, 2011

Prosperity- The Church's Greatest Challege

*** Note: I did not write this article. Article writted by Keith Krell (Timeless Word Ministries). The website link is listed below. I ran across this the other day while doing research on a different topic. It impacted me deeply & I wanted to share it with you...***

 "What is the greatest challenge facing the Church today? Many suggest that it is Christian persecution. Yet persecution is not the greatest challenge. Quite the opposite, persecution is the fastest way to grow a healthy & vibrant Church. The greatest challenge to any Church is not persecution but prosperity.

Consider the situation in America. We are the wealthiest nation in the world. Our currency reads, "In God We Trust." We have more churches, more Bibles, Christian literature, & Christian schools than any other nation in the world. Yet, despite all of these blessings, we are not influencing our society.

Why is this? The answer is simple. American Christians cannot handle prosperity. With freedom and prosperity comes the temptation to trust in our blessings rather than in the Blesser. We become fat, lazy & self-sufficient. If we have plenty, we tend to think that we have need of nothing. If we think we don't have enough looking at the wealth around us we tend to think that we need what others have. Both extremes lead us to seek happiness in things and security in wealth.  The result is that we fail to rely on the Lord and our ministry to the World is blunted.

Why isn't the Church more effective in the World today? Is the problem simply the World? Is it too stubborn and too blind to listen? Or could part of the problem be with us? Have we, because of our materialism and in spite of our religiosity, excluded the Savior? Have we literally shut Him out of our lives so He can no longer flesh out His life in ours to impart His vision, His character, & values into ours?

The Church today needs to repent of the mentality of tolerance and compromise. Churches today are neither hot nor cold. We like moderation and comfort. "Don't disturb me. Don't ask me to move out of my comfort zone." We love moderate temperatures. We want to be as comfortable as possible. Comfort drives our lives. This is very much like the value "peace at all costs." It is possible to attend Churches like this for years and never seriously confront sin. Compromise lies at the core of these Churches. Though people may love these Churches, Jesus rejects them. The Churches may please their community, but do they please their Lord? Public approval dictates the values of many Churches today.

May it not be so with us.

- Article written by Keith Krell, with Timeless Word Ministries. Article cited from: http://bible.org/seriespage/how-make-jesus-sick-revelation-314-22

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

More Sin, More Grace

"But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" - Romans 5:20-6:2

"Here is the great object to grace through faith apart from works of the law. It seems to open the door to rampant sinning. In fact, it seems to invite more sinning, because if grace is God's act to forgive and accept sinners on the basis of Christ's righteousness, not ours, then would not that grace shine all the brighter if we kept on sinning? The more sin there is, the more forgiveness there is. And the more sinning there is, the greater must be the righteousness of Christ to compensate for it. So doesn't Paul's radical teaching on justification open to door to careless living and indifference to holiness? No, it does not..." - John Piper

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* Objection- If justification is on the basis of Christ's righteousness, not ours, by grace through faith alone, then shouldn't we continue in sin that grace might increase?

* Answer- NO!

Reason- Because if you died to sin, you can't go on living in it. Or, to put it bluntly, dead people don't sin.
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Because of Christ, we are dead to sin & alive to God. You died, so consider yourselves dead. You're alive, so consider yourselves alive to God. You are, so now become what you are.

God's grace is transformative. When God completely removes sin, He also gives you a new life.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the Truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar & His Word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10

We aren't promising that we'll never sin. But God's Grace and sacrifice is not a license to be lax in our pursuit of righteousness. It should urge us to desire purity and holiness all the more...

"Sometimes I make my relationship God more about the sin I need to avoid than the good I'm called to pursue. Recently I wrote Galatians 5:22-23 in the front page of my journal: 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self control.' I wrote the words in big bold letters. These are the words that are to define and mark my life. I want them to call out to me every time I commune with God. This is who He's called me to be. This is what His Spirit wants to produce in me. I want to spend as much time seeking to be defined by love, joy, and peace as I do seeking to rid my life of anger, lust, and complaints. Becoming like Jesus isn't just a matter of not doing wrong. It's a matter of actively 'doing' righteousness. It's pursuing obedience." - Joshua Harris

"But just as He who Called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" - 1 Peter 1:15-16

"But, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." - Romans 13:14

Your sin is dead, go and walk in the newness of life!
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June 2011 Book notes from Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe & Why It Matters by Joshua Harris & from notes taken during a sermon by John Piper

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

God Moves in a Mysterious Way Hymn

"God moves in a mysterious way/ His wonders to perform/
He works His sovereign will/ Fearful saints, fresh courage take/
The clouds ye so much dread/ Are big with mercy & shall break/
In blessings on your head/ Judge not the Lord by feeble sense/
Trust Him for His grace/ Behind a frowning providence/
Hides a smiling face/ The bud may have a bitter taste/
But sweet will be the flower" - William Cowper, hymn


I think this might be my favorite hymn of all time. We've been singing it quite regularly at Church recently. About a month ago, our pastor gave a short biography of William Cowper before we sang it. The deep valleys, the depression & suicide attempts this man went through...
It just reminds me that not every Saint's path to Salvation is straight & narrow. ...Not every Sinner is filled with Joy upon the moment of Conversion. Some must fight & war til the very end. And not always is there a happy ending... But God is Faithful none-the-less. His purposes are accomplished. And His ways are GOOD. He is Worthy of our praise!

Life Is But a Vapour

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this city or that city, spend a year there, carry on business & make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are but a vapour that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's Will, we will live & do this or that." - James 4:13-15

Therefore, if our life IS a short as this verse says (in the grand scheme of things), we should, "be very careful, then, how you live--- not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the time, for the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's Will is... Be filled with the Spirit..., always giving thanks to the Father God for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:16-20

We do not know the day nor the hour, both of our Lord's return (Matthew 24:36-44) nor of our own deaths (James 4:13-15). The times are uncertain. Apart from Christ there is no hope. But we, the believers, are unafraid & unshaken. Our hope is sure. We walk by faith (Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7).

This is not a call to despair or melancholy. We must live intentionally, expectantly awaiting His return, making the most of the time that has been given to us (Luke 12:48b, Matthew 25:14-46, Matthew 28:19-20). We have been entrusted with the Light. We no long walk in Darkness (Ephesians 5:8-14). It is our job to shine that Light into a Dark world (Acts 13:47, Matthew 5:14-16).

Only what's done for Christ will last. Don't waste your life. Make the most of every moment. Love the unloveable. Cherish the old. Nurture the young. Take your time. Look for "small" miracles. Thank God every day. Say "I love you." Be forgiven. Rest in God's loving mercy. In the end, this is what REALLY matters.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes on what is unseen, not on what is seen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"I will Walk by Faith/ Even when I cannot see/ Because this Broken Road/ Prepares Your Will for me" - Jeremy Camp ("Walk by Faith")