Being Sent

John 20:21

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

As Christmas approaches I am been thinking a lot about the incarnation of Christ. What has been described as the most amazing miracle of all; Christ coming, being sent, Christ fully God and fully man. J. I. Packer describes incarnation as “the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus.” What a glorious gift this is! 

As Christmas approaches I think of Christ being sent to seek and save the lost, to restore our relationship to God, to complete us...and it is so amazing to me. I am so thankful, I am so in awe, I am so humbled, I am so loved, I am so happy...I think you get the point. And as such my heart is just overwhelmed to the point of being transformed and I just need to share this good news. 

As Christmas approaches I am part of a core group that is preparing to launch a new church. This is a time of mixed emotion for me as it means we leave the church we have known for so many years, a place where we are so comfortable, a place where we have community, a place where we worship, a place where we are loved. Yet, there is such joy in being sent to share this good news. 

Our current church and our core group talk much about being missional. The word mission in Latin actually means sending. So to me as Christians we are always to be in this position of being sent. This can be as a core group being sent to start a new church to reach the lost, to reach those in need, to reach those with the love of our Savior. Being sent can also be right where we are; sent to offer mercy and compassion and to offer love to our neighbors. 

This Christmas as I reflect on the greatest gift of all...”the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus” for the purpose of loving us a people so undeserving. I am so thankful that I will have opportunity to share this good news, to help those in need, to love neighbors. 

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Grace and Peace!

Dirty Dishes

Psalm 118:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

You know we have it so good in America that we (I) take much for granted. We have become a people of more is better. This becomes evident especially during the Christmas season; a season that should be focused on the greatest gift. 

It should be focused on a loving God that sent His Son; it should be focused on the love of Christ who sacrificed all so that we could be restored; it should be focused on the expectant hope of Christ’s return.

We should be a thankful people. We have clean air to breathe, we have clean water, we are able to take showers, and we are able to be free to enjoy life and friends and family. We have food and clothes and there are so many blessings in life; blessings that we sometimes take for granted. Oh, that we could just stop for a moment and “count our blessings.” 

Now I really do not want to sound like the Grinch whole stole Christmas, and there is so much good about Christmas; family gatherings, friends, sharing, giving and I hope we all get to enjoy these things. It is my hope that during this Christmas season that I can participate and enjoy all these things from a position of thankfulness. Thankful to the one through which all things are possible and all things are provided. 

I had a friend tell me we should even be thankful for dirty dishes because that means we have food to eat! 

Father, thank you that you loved us so that you sent your only son; thank you that by grace we are saved and thank you for the tender mercies we are given each and every day. Thank you for the amazing and completely finished work of Christ. Thank you for the comfort and counsel of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your magnificent, beautiful, and incredible plan of redemption. Thank you for your good and enduring love.  Father, thank you for dirty dishes...

Grace and Peace!

Declare Praise

I recently came across 1 Peter 2:9;

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

I have read this many times, but this time a few of the words just jumped out at me and I wanted to know more and more and more – imagine that... 

The first thing that struck me was the word chosen, which means picked, but if you go farther Strong’s defines it as Chosen by God for salvation through Christ. John Piper says of this verse; “what gives us our identity is not race or culture, but choseness.” 

Next is the descriptor royal. In Greek this means kingly and in a kings court; so not only are we chosen, but chosen to be royalty. 

I see also that through Christ we are Holy, which has this deep meaning of separated from sin and consecrated to God. 

This just keeps getting better and better...and finally there is this word belonging. We belong to God and again in the Greek this is preserving the soul, saving, purchased, precious property. 

Wow, how wonderful, how loving, how merciful, how amazing and if we truly come to understand this; no, I mean really understand this what is our response? And there it is...we are chosen, considered royal and holy, we belong to the one true God as his precious property and if we get it, if we truly come to terms with this, we are all these things that we may declare the praises of God; God who called us out of darkness and into his wonderful light. 

Father, thank you for your word. Word so deep, so amazing filled with love and grace. Father, as we begin to grasp just how wonderful you are, how loving, how giving, help us to always declare your praises! 

Praise God! 

Grace and Peace!

Love

My daughter was married just last week. They return from their honeymoon today...Thanksgiving Day! 

Weddings are a roller coaster of emotions for all involved including the old man. In the end as things level out you do realize that your daughter still loves you and now you have added a “son” to the family. I am really thankful this Thanksgiving Day for this young couple. 
 
At their wedding I was honored to be able to read some scripture as part of the ceremony. One of the passages was 1 Corinthians 13: 1-8a: 

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

8 Love never fails. 

As I thought about this passage leading up to the wedding, it occurred to me that Love truly is the key characteristic and ingredient to Christianity. Christ tells us that as believers we are to Love God and Love Others. Love is the only response for the amazing, overwhelming and divine love of the Creator for His children. Love never fails! 

J. I. Packer says of love...”Christianity is essentially response to the revelation of the Creator as a God of love... Believing in and being overwhelmed by this amazing reality of divine love generates and sustains the love to God and neighbor that Christ’s two great commandments require. Our love is to express our gratitude for God’s gracious love to us, and to be modeled on it. The hallmark of Christian life is love.” 

Father, this special day we are so thankful for your amazing, overwhelming, and divine love! 

This Thanksgiving Day; tell someone you love them...better yet show them. 

Grace and Peace!

Psalm 80

I am finding great comfort and encouragement in the Psalms. Recently, I came across Psalm 80. A lament; a crying out and I noticed that a particular prayer is repeated 3 times in this Psalm.
In verses 3, 7 and 19 you find: 

Restore us, LORD God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

This stuck with me and I started to focus on a few of the words in this verse. 

I noticed restore and in Hebrew this word is shuwb and it means to turn back; to restore, to refresh, to repair. Oh, Restore me Lord. Spurgeon says of this; “the best turn is not of a circumstance, but of character.” I notice it is a cry to restore us and not others. 

I then moved on to shine which in Hebrew is owr and it means to become light, to illuminate, to kindle or light up. Couldn’t we all use a little light and illumination in this dark world? And I know there are days (most) when I need a little spiritual spark to keep me going. 

Finally, I look at saved which in Hebrew is yasha and means to be rescued, to give victory, to be liberated, to be delivered from danger or distress. So there is this feeling of not only being set free from danger or distress, but through our great God gaining victory over the woes of this world. 

Father, thank you for your amazing and wonderful word. Words that restore, refresh, repair; words that illuminate and ignite a passion within us; word that set us free! Amen!!! 

Grace and Peace! 

A Study in Faith

I have been thinking a bunch about this concept of faith. In fact, I looked back over all my different blogs and found no less than a dozen occasions that I have written specifically about faith. We know in Hebrews 11:1 that: 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see 

So I see that faith is a confident hope and assurance in things eternal. This is comforting and can certainly help us as we trudge through the swamp of life. 

To continue on in our look at faith we can see that in Greek, faith means: the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ; a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God. 

Further, the Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines faith as belief, trust and obedience to God as revealed in Jesus Christ and that faith affects all dimensions of one’s existence: intellect, emotions, and will. 

And finally, J. I. Packer tells us that “faith is a believing trust or a trustful belief based on the testimony received from God. That it is by faith that Christians are justified before God, live their lives, and sustain their hope.” 

So no matter the condition by faith I can have this confident hope only possible through Christ; I can live with a believing trust that we have a God who loves us; I can move through the obstacles of life with a trustful belief that all things are for the good of those that love Him. 

Matthew 21:21 reminds us: 

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 

Abba Father, increase our faith daily so that for your glory the mountains we climb will reveal nothing but the depth of your love. No doubt! 

Grace and Peace!

Seeking Your Good

In this age of 24/7 communications I recently got some information very early in the morning related to work. It has been a tough time and this was not good news. I abruptly left the house in what could only be described as a foul mood. I was angry, very, very frustrated and looking for answers. 

Fortunately I did not immediately find those answers and as I entered my office I began to angrily and anxiously worry. As I begin to settle, a thought occurred to me...why don’t I open the Bible and just see what God might say to me. 

I opened and was immediately drawn to Psalm 122:8-­‐9:

For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. 

These two verses just stuck with me and as I thought about work and perhaps some individuals I work with; I just felt the power of these two verses. I thought deeply about the statement Peace be within you. Peace being the word shalom meaning completeness, welfare, peace, quiet, contentment, tranquility. Then amazingly the following verse I will seek your good. Not my good, but your good. Not expressing anger and frustration with those I work with, but drawing upon the Shalom only possible from God and seeking good for those I work with. 

This stuck with me for a long while, in fact I read more about this Psalm at lunch, I know it was not really written for a workplace, but I started thinking about how I might apply these verses. Spurgeon tells us that we can find this peace and we can seek this good by: 

1) Prayer
2) Service to others
3) Keeping peace
4) Setting the example 

Great advice; scripture driven...Shalom everyone! 

Grace and Peace!

Glimpses

2013 has been a trying year...both personally and professionally. I am currently in the middle of the longest stretch of working without a day off in over 30 years. It is draining both physically and emotionally. Throughout it all there are times when I am just ready to give up, times when I am totally overwhelmed; times when doubt and anger rise up. It is in those times that I get a glimpse of hope, mercy, and love. 

I see that it is so wonderful that I am not in charge, that I don’t have to be self reliant, but reliant upon Christ. I see glimpses everywhere in creation, in relationships, just people placed in my path. 

Psalm 19:1-­4 reminds us: 

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. 

It is simply amazing that we have a God that cares so much about such a broken person as me. It is amazing that no matter what is going on; there is a place to turn, there is one to trust, there is a hope and peace that surpasses all understanding. 

Let’s end with Psalm 8:3-­4: 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 

Grace and Peace!

Worthy of the Gospel

I have been immersed in Philippians lately; reading and re-­‐reading this encouraging and challenging book. I am beginning to see that this book not only offers great encouragement and love, but also shows us a real picture of maturing as a Christian.

We are challenged from the start. In verse 27 of Chapter 1 we see; 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. 

Now I don’t know about you but being told to live in a manner worthy of the gospel seems like a very tall order. As I started to dwell on this verse I did find that in the Greek this phrase is actually one word: politeuomai. And this word means to act or behave as a citizen. So we are to recognize and act and behave as if we are citizens of God’s Kingdom. 

But how do we do that? Matt Chandler describes it so well!

"What does it look like to live life in a manner worthy of the Gospel? It looks like dying with Christ to one's self and being raised in Christ to walk in the newness of life with our brothers and sisters. It means living grace-­‐filled lives that grant patience and mercy and gentleness for the spiritual journeys of others and a respect for the differences and idiosyncrasies we all bring to the Lord's Table. The ground is level at the foot of Christ's cross." 

So to me we must recognize the radical gift of grace, love and mercy provided by the atoning sacrifice of Christ, we must recognize that the only way we can live a life worthy is in Christ granting the same patience, mercy and gentleness that we have been granted and to me that is maturing as a Christian. 

Father, thank you for your wonderful word, thank you for your grace, love and mercy and Father, help us grant patience and mercy and gentleness with love to others! 

Grace and Peace!

Comfort - More than Cushioning

 2 Corinthians 1:3-­4: 
 
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

I have always been encouraged by this passage.  In this passage, Paul is praising and reminding us of the compassionate mercies and comfort found only in God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is telling us that this comfort is so bountiful, so filling, so amazing that we will be able to help comfort others...we can share this comfort.

In our culture where things are pretty...well, comfortable we can tend to overlook the deep and true meaning of this amazing promise. Over time certain words can become watered down or somehow taken for granted. As such, I do love to dig and find the richness of some words. So guess what; I began to think what is this word comfort and how is it being used here? 

In Greek the word comfort is paraklēsis and while it does mean physical ease and freedom from pain, consolation for grief or anxiety, it also has this deeper meaning of encouragement and refreshment. It is so much more than a mere physical cushioning. 

J. I. Packer describes this passage as follows: 

“This is a far stronger statement than might appear, because the English word comfort, both as a noun and as a verb, has lost so much of its meaning. When, back in the sixteenth century, it was chosen for the translation of these verses, it meant what the Greek verb means, namely, renewal of strength through encouragement. Today, when comfort suggests only some form of cushioning, making comfortable, and reducing pain, it is easy to miss the true thrust of what Paul is saying. Paul is praising God for his endless supply of strength to keep us going and rising to every occasion, and Paul is assuring the Corinthians hereby that though they may think of him as down, he is no out yet.” 

Father, thank you that you are the God of all comfort, that you and you alone are the source for refreshment, our comfort and renewal and strength and encouragement! Help this comfort; this renewal of strength through encouragement, overflow from our lives to others in need; all for your Glory! 

Grace and Peace!

Wisdom

 Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.
 
I have been thinking about the wisdom of God lately. Dwelling on it really. I think that today we have watered down the meaning of wisdom. We ask God to give us wisdom in times of indecision, but don’t we just mean help us make a good decision. Have we watered down wisdom to being smart in a certain circumstance? 

If we truly stop long enough to understand this attribute of God, I think we would be in awe...as we should. 

The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines wisdom as “knowledge of what is good and true; the basis for knowing what is true or false.” I think this a fine technical definition, but to me there is more to God’s wisdom. I think this definition provides for the intellect but perhaps not the heart. 

I am in the middle of re-­reading Concise Theology by J. I. Packer and on wisdom he states; “wisdom in scripture means choosing the best and noblest end at which to aim, along with the most appropriate and effective means to it.” 

So if I combine the two thoughts it might approach a glimpse of this amazing attribute of God...wisdom. Knowledge of what is good and true, with the heart and foundation to always choose the best and noblest end at which to aim and the most appropriate and effective means to it... 

God is so amazing and beyond our comprehension, yet isn’t it so comforting, so encouraging to know our all-­wise God? 

Daniel 2:20

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  

Grace and Peace!

Remind Me Who I Am

I am kind of known around these parts for my singing abilities; not. Anyone that knows me would probably tell you that while I might have some abilities in something, singing would not be one of them. However, I do love music and there is a song out that just sticks with me. It is “Remind Me Who I Am” by Jason Gray. 

While it is a catchy tune, there really is a great message behind it. Ephesians 1:3-­8 tells us: 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. 

To me this is so comforting and so encouraging and so to the point; with the point being that as believers no matter where we are or what we are facing, no matter the struggle or trial, no matter how lost we find ourselves, we can take heart as a much loved child of God. Romans 8:38-­39 reminds us: 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

To use a lyric from Jason’s song as my prayer for us all; Father God, “In the loneliest places when I can’t remember what Grace is, Remind me who I am.” 

Grace and Peace!

Perfection According to God

There is no doubt we have a beautifully and wonderfully perfect God. So much so it actually staggers my mind. Recently, our pastor was giving a sermon on Matthew 5:43-­48: 


“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 

This is Christ speaking as part of the Sermon on the Mount and what a challenge we see. If we start at verse 48, we see the command to be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. At this point our pastor said, “What is perfection according to God?” 

Well this has caused me to think. The dictionary says that perfection is the quality or state of being perfect. Digging deeper in Greek the word perfection is actually teleios and it means brought to its end; finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness, full grown, adult, mature. 

So I see this image of being complete, a finished work, fully mature. Therefore, we must ask what are we lacking? Did you notice that in the middle of verse 48 there is a therefore? I was taught that when you see a therefore, you must ask what is the therefore there for. 

What is Christ telling us? He is telling us to love even our enemies and to pray for them. He is telling us that as believers this should be the difference and if there is no difference then what’s the difference? 

As I continue to think this through I realized that when I was an enemy of God he loved me still. Therefore, to be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect; love must be my foundation – loving God and loving others. 

Glorious and Perfect Father, thank you for your perfect love and your grace, thank you for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit so that we might truly love. Father, help us all to love you perfectly and help us to love others as you so perfectly love us.
Grace and Peace!

Dynamite

Romans 1:16 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 

This is a simply amazing statement that I have been spending some time thinking about and perhaps not in the way you might think. In this verse Paul tells us that as believers we should not be ashamed of the Gospel, because the Gospel is actually the power of God for salvation. 

So the good news of Jesus Christ actually contains the power of God. Dwell on that for a while. In this verse, the word power in Greek is actually Dynamis where we get the word dynamite. It is a rich word meaning an inherent power residing in a thing by the virtue of its nature; a power for performing miracles.  And how amazing is the miracle of salvation. 

And we all know that dynamite is so powerful that it is a power that must be handled with care. Bryan Chapell says of this verse: “The Word’s power to transform lives does not give Christians the right to bypass, manhandle, or abuse the dignity and thought of others. We proclaim God’s word because it is amazing, but not as if it is magic.” 

To try and bring these thoughts all together, we have a tremendous power in God’s word, which must be handled with great care, with compassion and with love. I think 2 Timothy 4:2 provides insight: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 

Father, thank you for the amazing power of your word; a power that in and of itself can transform hearts and lives. Father, help each of us to proclaim the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ with great patience and careful instruction all to your glory! 

Grace and Peace!

Extraordinarily Generous

I have been thinking about what it means to be a Christian. There is certainly a process of learning and growing in scriptures and theology and doctrine, but there is also an outflow of action. It is important to understand that this action comes only after understanding the grace, love and mercy; the free gift of life based on the extraordinarily generous and finished work of Christ, done on my behalf. 

It is understanding that there is nothing I can do to earn God’s favor, but also understanding that since God’s favor was earned for me by the loving sacrifice of Christ, my heart should overflow with love and gratitude. Then and only then does this outflow of action occur; this outflow of love and extraordinary generosity.  I worry sometimes we are so focused on understanding or what I call, theological precision that we fail to love. 

I think this is so beautifully described in the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. 

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. 

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” 

So to me, the outflow is loving God with all we have and loving our neighbors as ourselves...we clearly see that Love is at the core of our Christian DNA and that love extends to our neighbors which is defined in this passage as anyone we come into contact with.  And this love is so much more than words or knowledge, it is emotion, but emotion with a purpose demonstrated by action.
 

J. I. Packer describes it so well in his book “Weakness is the Way”; “The essence of Christian existence is, after all, a matter not of labeling but of loving, and loving is a matter not of words but of action.” 

Father, thank you so much for loving us in such a fantastic and amazing way! Father, help us to grow in your word, but also help us to grow in deed being extraordinarily generous. Father, help us to love you more and more each day and help us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Father, help us to Go and do likewise! Amen. 

Grace and Peace!

Submission

Early in my spiritual journey, I seemed to take exception to words like obedience and submission...I just didn’t understand. I wanted an easy faith; I wanted a friend in Jesus, a savior and not necessarily a Lord. I didn't want to give up my perception of freedom.  I struggled with this for a while and one day it just hit me that submission to one who was willing to forgive anything, to one who loved me steadfastly, to one who gave His life for me was the only thing that made sense.

Only with this submission am I truly free...free not to worry, free to love, free to care, free to worship, free to truly live. Only with this thing called submission can you truly understand relationships and grace and forgiveness and here it comes again freedom. 

I recently read a blog by the daughter of someone famous for apologetics where she has gone from growing up Christian to now claiming the title non­‐believer. It was heartbreaking and probably still is for her parents. In her blog she says that she didn’t regret growing up Christian because; “I wouldn’t understand what freedom truly is — freedom from a life centered around obedience and submission, freedom to think anything, freedom from guilt and shame, freedom from the perpetual heavy obligation to keep every thought pure. Nothing I’ve ever encountered in my life has been so breathtakingly beautiful. 

Freedom is my God now, and I love this one a thousand times more than I ever loved the last one.”

I guess I would just counter that her description of freedom means she is free to live a broken life centered on something of this world. Where I might say I am free to live a life centered on Christ and as such obedience and submission are a natural outcome because Christ first loved me, that I am free to live a life basking in grace free from guilt and shame due to the finished work of Christ on my behalf, free to turn back to the open arms of Christ whenever I mess up and that nothing in my life is so breathtakingly beautiful. 

I guess the thing that bothered me most about this blog was that she was certain she broke her mother’s heart and that she didn’t know the impact to her father as they haven’t spoken. Yet we all know there is hope and as the prodigal son returned to the open arms of the father I will pray for this family, I will pray for restoration and reconciliation and the hope of Christ for them all. 

It just seemed appropriate to end with Colossians 1: 9-­12;

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  Amen.

Grace and Peace!

Faith

Hebrews 11:1 tells us what faith is:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” 

So faith is an overarching trust and assurance in God and his truths as revealed to us in his precious Word. Hebrews 11:2 goes on to say that Faith is “what the ancients were commended for.” 

I have often marveled at the faith displayed by those in the Bible. Hebrews goes on to list a “hall of faith” and many are so obvious, but some require study. I recently came upon Hebrews 11:32 and there are several in the hall of faith that I immediately recognize; Gideon, Sampson, David and the list goes on. However, I was drawn to one name in particular; Barak. 

I must admit I didn’t readily recognize Barak or his story so I started digging trying to determine why he was in God’s hall of faith. To find the story you must go to Judges 4 and 5. If you do you find out he was tasked to lead an Army of 10,000 men against the oppressive king. Barak was a little hesitant to do such a thing and was summoned by Deborah the judge and prophetess. Deborah questions Barak about leading the men and Barak says I will go if you go. Well in this culture it was unheard of to ask a woman to go and lead an army. 

So they go and Deborah tells Barak now is the time the Lord has given to lead the men into battle. Barak goes leading the army and destroys the army of the oppressive king. Yet, I still ask why was Barak listed in the hall of faith and not Deborah? As I read and studied and prayed I saw a couple of things.

1. Even a weak faith can be used for the Glory of God
   
2. Weak faith can be strengthened by trusting in the word(s) of God
   

It seems to me Barak is a great example of both; a weak faith becoming strong by trusting in God’s word and all for the glory of God. Somehow that just encourages me as at times my faith is tested. I think I see more clearly that as we face the challenges of life; it truly is (or can be) a question of faith. 

Father, thank you for your Word, thank your for the example of Barak and the knowledge that our faith and trust and obedience can be strengthened through Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit. All for your Glory! 

Grace and Peace!

The Stupendous Exchange

2 Corinthians 5:17-­21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

I have always loved this passage called the Ministry of Reconciliation and just the wonderful picture of God’s grace it provides. I recently ran across a great explanation of this passage from J. I. Packer in his new book “Weakness is the Way.” In the book, he says: 

“The method of God’s reconciliation is here revealed, then, as a two-­‐way transfer, or exchange. On the one hand, the Lord Jesus as our substitute took our place and tasted on our behalf the penalty – that is the death and banishment into hell – that we deserved. On the other hand, we are made sharers of the Father’s eternal approval of and pleasure in his always loyal, loving and obedient Son, who now has borne, and borne away, the sin of the world. Retributive justice has been done, once for all, and just justification – justification, that is, on the basis of justice thus executed – is now ours for the taking. 

Well may we speak of this double action on God’s part as the great exchange, the wonderful exchange, and as I like to do for maximum emphasis, ‘the stupendous exchange.’ It is overwhelmingly awesome, almost beyond belief. It is holy love in action – the holy love of the Father, who sent his Son into this world to die for our sins; the holy love of the Son, love for everyone whose sins he bore; and the holy love of the Holy Spirit, who works in our hearts to create and sustain the faith that brings the blessing of reconciliation and acceptance home to us as the supreme gift of divine grace.”

Father, we thank you for your ministry of reconciliation and the grace offered divinely so that we might be reconciled to you; that we might be in right relation to you for all eternity. Amen and amen! 

Grace and Peace!

Wolves

I don’t know about you, but at times I feel like there is a war going on in my heart. I know it is the indelible imprint of sin; my broken nature. Galatians 5:17 tells us; 

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

To me this just beautifully describes the conflict; the constant struggle, the cosmic tension and brings to mind a story I recently heard about a grandfather trying to explain this to his grandson. In this story he tells his grandson that he feels like there are two wolves fighting in his heart; one full of anger and hate and the other full of love, forgiveness and peace. The grandson asks; ‘which one will win?’ And the grandfather replied; ‘the one I feed.’ 

Isn’t that so true...again if we look to the Bible I think we can find help. Philippians 4:8-­9 reminds us; 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

Father, God of Peace thank you that you are with us during this battle. And Father as we struggle during this conflict help us to feed the wolves of our hearts the whatevers of your word.

Grace and Peace!

God That Pursues

I have been spending a lot of time in Luke 15 lately. I love it when this happens. I keep getting drawn back to a passage to get more and more and more. I feel like the little girl on the AT&T commercial; “we want more, we want more.” 

This is a famous passage with 3 parables and most people probably recognize these encouraging passages. Lately, however, I am drawn to something more. I am drawn to this image that we have a God that pursues us, a God that loves us no matter what, a God that rejoices when we turn or turn back to Him. 

Of course we have the parable of the lost sheep; a story of the good Shepherd leaving 99 in search of the one lost sheep; the one gone astray. We have the parable of the Lost Coin; a story of the woman painstakingly searching, sweeping, seeking the one lost coin. And we have the parable of the prodigal son; the story of the rebel who turned away, squandered and ultimately realized his need of the Father. Each parable ends with great rejoicing, there is a celebration; because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost, and is found! 

There is so much more in these parables, but can’t you see the seeking, the yearning, the searching of our Great God? So encouraging, so no matter if we find ourselves wandering away, lost, or rebelling we can trust there is an amazing grace looking for each of us. 

I will end with the words from a hymn written by W. Spencer Walton:

In tenderness he sought me, weary and sick with sin, and on His shoulders brought me back to his fold again, while angels in His presence sang until the courts of Heaven rang. 

Oh the love that sought me! Oh, the blood that bought me! Oh, the grace that brought me to the fold, wondrous grace that brought me to the fold! 

Grace and Peace!

Shipwrecks

 Acts 27:23-­24 

Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 

Life can be so overwhelming; it can seem to be moving through one obstacle course to another. Can you relate to that? While I find myself with these feelings on a regular basis, there is something to remember...we have a God who is sovereign and in control. 

This God is also a God who loves and cares and will never let us perish. John Calvin once said: 

“Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.” 

Father I thank you that you are God and we are not! Thank you that you are our Pilot and nothing will ever separate us for your grace and love. Amen. 

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

Grace and Peace!

Line of Sight

Hebrews 12:1 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us 

Line of sight is defined as an imaginary line from the eye to a perceived object. I recently heard Matt Chandler talk and he asked the question what do people see when the look at the church? A great question; one that we should probably use as a guide. 

What do people see when they look at the church? Do they see in fighting, jealousy, strife? Do they see inward focused people; do they see people that show up only on Sunday? Or do they see a people focused on Christ, loving one another, loving their neighbors, serving as “tools in the hands of God”? Do they see an attracting light in this dark and broken world? 

We are truly surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses with Christ as chief, and there is so much positive I see in the local church, but as humans we must be on guard against things that hinder and entangle and insure that we are focused on that which is truly important; the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Any time there are people involved there will be disagreements, there will be concerns, there will be issues. However, Matt Chandler gave some great advice as we encounter these times; act Christianly...Even if we disagree about something within the church or between churches or between ministries; let’s act Christian. Better yet, let’s be Christian. 

Grace and Peace!

Absolute Assurance

I read that someone won the powerball lottery for $590 million (and the ticket was purchased in Florida to boot) – amazing? I am not very good at math this early in the morning but let’s just say a very large number of people had to buy tickets for a 175 million to 1 chance at winning. 

Not good odds, not very assuring; yet some of the poorest areas of the country are flocking to buy tickets...hmmm. Now don’t get me wrong I am not judging; I will admit I think to myself sometimes...what if I won that lottery. However there is something deeper here (at least for me). Where do we turn for absolute assurance? 

Hebrews 13:5-­‐6 says: 

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” 

Of this verse Charles Spurgeon says; “This priceless scripture does not promise us exemption from trouble, but it does secure us against desertion.” 

Lottery ticket $2 dollars; The Lord is my helper...priceless! 

Grace and peace!

Mechanical

Does living the Christian life ever feel a little mechanical to you? At times (at least for me) it can seem that way; it can seem as if we (I) am just going through the motions. I read on a Bible reading plan, pray, do a devotional, pray, study...you get the picture. However, I have found my most meaningful times are when these same things are done with passion, with feeling, with emotion...some might even say with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

I was reading recently and came across this from Francis Schaeffer; “The Christian life, true spirituality, can never have a mechanical solution. The real solution is being cast up into moment‐by‐moment communion, personal communion, with God himself, and letting Christ’s truth flow through me through the agency of the Holy Spirit.” 

That really explains it so well. I know we are broken people living in a broken world and my life, faith, worship, my very relationship with God will at times be tested. However, I do trust that I will always be brought back into that moment-by-­moment communion with God with Christ flowing through me through the agency of the Holy Spirit.... doesn’t that just make you want to shout AMEN! 

Father, thank you that while my side of my relationship with you may not be perfect I can trust that your perfect plan and your perfect relationship with me will always be filled with passion, feeling and emotion. Abba Father, I love you! 

Grace and Peace!

God's Words

I recently started a study on basic Christian beliefs. So far, it has served as great and refreshing catalyst for discussion, contemplation and prayer. The first chapter is simple titled “What is the Bible?” The answer while simple is so magnificent. The Bible is God’s words. 

You have to just let that sink in for a few minutes. 

As our group was studying this simple yet astounding definition, it just hit me how fortunate and humbling it is that we actually have God’s words. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 

I don’t think I have the words for how this impacted me; the realization that what we have in the Bible are the words of the creator of all things, the maker of heaven and earth, the words of the one who breathed us into being. 

Out of His goodness he has given us His actual words, not just truths, but truth itself, revealing Himself to us. Do you understand the implications, the privilege, and the magnitude of this? Psalm 119 reminds us; How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” 

I once heard a young pastor preach and he commented that it is so easy to take this for granted; he said that it seems as if we have lost our awe. And shouldn’t we be in awe knowing the Bibles we hold are the actual words of God! To me the fact that we can actually hold and read the words of God should impact us with the same feeling that we get watching the most beautiful of sunsets or seeing a natural wonder for the first time... 

Reading God’s words; simply amazing...Father, thank you that we have your precious words. Help us to recognize the significance, help us to never take for granted your priceless words. Father, help us to be shaped, formed, transformed, and guided by your incredible words... 

“It is about the greatness of God, not the significance of man. God made man small and the universe big to say something about himself.”

John Piper 

Grace and Peace!

Immense Patience

Our church has been without a senior pastor for over two years. During this time we have also seen the beginnings of an effort to help plant a new church. In both cases I see people (with me leading the way) growing increasingly impatient. 



One morning I was reading the Bible and came to 1 Timothy 1:16

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 

As I read this I was humbled, I was awestruck as I came to see that Christ in dealing with me and my brokenness and my sin, has shown; depending on the translation, His immense, perfect, great, unlimited patience with me. This phrase in Greek means longsuffering, enduring, persevering, showing slowness in avenging wrong. 

Wow – my Savior demonstrating time after time such merciful, perfect and immense patience with me and how do I react? With impatience... 

Henri Nouwen once wrote: 

“Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict. Patience is not a waiting passivity until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are. When we are impatient we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later and somewhere else. Let’s be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand.” 

So patience is not just a sitting and waiting, but a living to the fullest that which God has provided. It is not a waiting for something else, but a trust that we are where we are for a reason – to honor and glorify God right where we are. 

Father, Thank you for your immense patience in dealing with such a broken creature. Help me to see that patience while tough is not just passively waiting, but it is to live to the fullest in the here and now. To be all I can be right now, right where you have placed me according to your all-­‐perfect plan. Father, help me to live to honor, glorify and enjoy you forever. Amen! 

Grace and Peace!

Hard Pressed

I sometimes wonder if busyness and stress and pressure are a function of age. For me it seems that with each year I feel a little more tired and weary. I look around and see a still struggling economy, I see global tensions, I see a politically divided nation, I see unemployment, I see struggles, I see...well, you get point. 

I was thinking the other day that I used to come home after a tough day and say; ‘have you ever had one of those days.' Now, I could come home and say; ‘have you ever not had one of those days.' However, as I progress in my thinking I really do have hope, I really do see the light at the end of the tunnel (and it is not a train). I see the light of the Gospel. 

At times like these I am drawn to 2 Corinthians 4: 

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-­surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed... 16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 

Abba Father, help us to take heart! Help us as things begin to pile up to see the light of your glory in the face of Christ. Father, thank you that even as there are untold pressures we are not crushed, abandoned or destroyed.  Oh great and Glorious God, help us fix our eyes not on the temporary, but that which is eternal. Father, God of Mercy and Grace and Love; help us all.

Grace and Peace!