The Little We Know (Taste and See)

We All Scream for the Supernatural!

2011-09-05T12:34:00.002-04:00

In the movie "Taken" starring Liam Neeson, the main character is the father rescuing his daughter from horrible evildoers that have kidnapped his daughter to be traded as a sex slave. in a nutshell, the father, with just a handgun, and good old hand to hand combat, wipes out five guys at a time, a few more that are waiting for him, and then the top guys behind the whole mess. He then drives backwards in a high speed chase, followed by somehow getting onto a prince's yacht loaded with security, and his daughter. Needless to say, he takes them all on, and wipes them all out, rescuing his daughter. I loved this movie. But if the movie were about a team of fifty men helping to rescue her, it would certainly have been less thrilling and enjoyable. We are all mesmerized, and taken up with a hero. We all crave to see the one man conquer the enemy single handed.
But why? Why is this so much a part of what we want to see? I believe the answer is simple. As C.S. Lewis put it "we were born for another world", a supernatural world. And our finiteness in this life, our mortality just won't satisfy who we are, and what we were made for. Great news for us all! Jesus is real. He is far greater than any super hero or main character in any movie. He has conquered what we all fear, namely death! He is truly supernatural, all powerful,and undefeated! Oh the thrill of what awaits us in eternity! We will indeed, who look to Christ Jesus alone for salvation, be amazed, and blown away by meeting the One Who stands alone in His supremacy. Jesus! He stilled the waves with a word, raised the dead with a word, fed the multitudes with a loaf, and redeemed all those who look to Him alone with His death. Jesus is for real. Jesus is for real.

2011-02-11T10:58:00.001-05:00

THIS POST VIDEO MAY BE THE MOST IMPORTANT VIDEO YOU WILL EVER HEAR AND LISTEN TO...

"Just stop and think"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRi4VwcrYmA

Parents: HOW TO KEEP THE LITTLE TIKE FROM BECOMING A CRIMINAL

2011-01-22T18:09:00.007-05:00

All parents have felt the heart truly ache, AND THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE RISE over their child's behavior.
When a child is born, great hope is also born to the parent. Mom and Dad dream dreams for their little bundle of joy. Before he is three however, some parents are already fearing that jail is in the future for their difficult toddler, and they may not be far off in their assertion. Disobedience, sneakiness, and outright defiance of authority has already taken the stage.
"No," "Mine," and the famous bloody scream express the child's discontent with not being in charge of his life. The good parent better not lose heart over these toddler crimes,but enforce the law. And make no mistake, they are crimes, which, left unchecked, will certainly mature into misdemeanors and felonies.

A number of years ago The Minneapolis Crime Commission, after doing research on prison inmates and their families, made the assertion that every child, if left to himself would end up a criminal and his address would be on in prison.
Pick a day, any day, and walk through Targets or Kohl's, and you will see the miniature criminals in training for their careers as they kick and punch, scream and shout, break loose, and run from those in charge. They do not say "Give me all your money, or your dead," but rather "Get me what I want or I'll torment you, and drive you crazy." Unfortunately, we've all heard children say to their parents "I hate you," but not all parents respond the same. Believe it or not, some buy the criminal a toy as they fear the little monster's threats. Thankfully, some uphold the law, and teach that 30lb troublemaker that crime doesn't pay.
Once the child has learned to obey the law, which is for his good, then peace happiness, and contentment are present for both the parent and the child.
The bible states "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not quickly carried out, the heart of the child of man is fully set and filled with schemes to do evil."(Ecclesiastes)

These are just some thoughts that parents would do well to consider...and even then, there are no promises, but the odds are far better.
One final thought you as a parent ought to consider. In Proverbs 13:24 God, in love for us and our children said "He that spares the rod hates his son,". Consider that if you do "spare the rod", then later on the law and court, fellow prisoners, and finally the Judge of all the earth, will not spare it.

Your greatest preparation is to teach your child that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."(Proverbs 1:7)
PARENTS, LOVE YOUR CHILDREN WITH LOVE THAT CARES ENOUGH TO SAVE THEM FROM DESTRUCTION.

The Brevity of Life...

2011-01-21T11:10:00.003-05:00

"When I grow up, I'm going to school like my big brother," said the little guy as he was trying to figure out how to the zipper worked on his big boy jacket.

"When I graduate high school, I'm going to attend college and get a degree," said the high school senior.

"when I graduate college, then I'm going to start a new career, and make lots of money," said the college student.

"When I make enough money, when I have a house, and money in the bank, I'm going to start a family," said the young entry level businessman.

"When my kids are grown, I'm taking nice vacations with my wife, and I'm going to see the world," said the successful businessman.

"When I retire, I'm going to take it easy, relax, and not worry about anything. I paid my dues," said the soon to retire employee.

"Well, now that I'm retired, when I can I'm gonna...".

What, what are you going to do next? What's next?

Do we really want to put off what matters most in our lives?
Life goes by so quickly. On our deathbed degrees won't make a difference, success in the marketplace won't matter, nice vacations will be forgotten, a restful retirement will mean absolutely nothing at all.

Right now is the time to be asking yourself this question: WHY WAS I CREATED IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHAT AM I HERE FOR ANYWAY? WHY DO I EXIST?

There is only one answer to this question that is correct. You see, the One who creates, it is He alone who determines the original intent and purpose of His design. It is to our Creator that we must and will answer the question
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE GIFT OF LIFE THAT I HAVE GIVEN YOU?

We were created to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever.
Any created thing that defames the name of it's Creator will be deemed worthless in the end.
But that created thing, creature, that honors the name, magnifies the name, glorifies the name of his Creator, showing forth by his life that his Creator is indeed good, loving, kind, just, holy, righteous, merciful, and the true definition of everything good that can be called good, this creature shall indeed be richly blessed with the full knowledge and presence of their Creator Himself.

As human beings, we alone were created in the image and likeness of God, and therefore have the highest privilege and responsibility, and the unique ability as reasoning beings, and affectionate beings, to show forth the grace, truth, and love of our marvelous God and Savior.

So then, what is the chief endeavor of our life to be? To know God!
And the Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the "full radiance of God's glory, and the exact representation of His Being".

Therefore, today is the first day of the rest of your life, and you can stop wasting it, for a life lived without God,a knowledge of God, and a love for God is indeed a wasted life. A purposeful life is achieved by learning about God, and honoring Him whom we learn about. Most specifically, we learn about God by studying and seeking Jesus Christ, the exact representation of God and the full radiance of His glory. Let's begin, shall we? You will not be disappointed.

Why men have no room for the existence of God...(random...miscellanies)

2011-01-18T16:11:00.011-05:00

Let's start our thinking process with these words from John Piper, for these words charge that man is the cause of his own disbelief.
"If our disapproval of God's existence is strong enough, then our sensory faculties and our rational faculties will not be able to infer that He is there."
(John Piper "Think")"

Is this true? Does our disapproval of God's existence blind us from the very reality of His existence? In other words, does our prejudice against our having to submit to God, like Him or not, kick into gear a "refusal to believe" that TRUTH which we do not want to face? Human beings respond to God much like a child who covers his eyes when he sees something scary. "I'll cover my eyes, and then I do not have to accept that reality. Now IT is not there anymore." Of course, the child can cover his eyes all he wants, the scary picture, or dog, or dinosaur IS STILL THERE!

If GOD IS, then ALL MEN must answer to Him. This means that one should acknowledge, should seek the truth, no matter what the cost, for if GOD IS, then surely GOD IS TRUTH.

Now here is the dilemma. WWhat if the individual does not like the TRUTH? What if what he or she learns as truth conflicts with one's own ideas, or one's own way of thinking about life and how it should be lived? John Piper writes "We love man centered error more than Christ exalting truth, and our rational powers are taken captive to serve this adulterous love."

This is the dilemma of all mankind. God is. God created all things. God created man. Man must answer to his Creator. Man does not like His Creator AS HE IS.

What can man do in such a predicament? Well, he either twists truth, creates his own false view of God, and embraces a lie, claims ignorance(though ignorance is not bliss), or he embraces the TRUTH, the very reason for which man was made.

Man loves truth when he feels that it benefits his situation. "Justice!" he cries.
Man hates truth when he feels that it hurts his situation. "What about everybody else?" He cries. "Give me a break!" He pleads.

The Bible says that "men suppress the truth of God for a lie,... and worship and serve created things rather than their Creator..."(Romans 1:18)
What is the "created thing that they worship? Their own lies. Rather than say they disapprove of God, they imagine God to be who He is not. They refuse to accept and embrace Who He(GOD) is. The Man's rational faculties are then no longer capable of inferring, receiving, or embracing the TRUTH. The world, and the Bible call this "depraved".

Are you one who desires truth, even if it means that your whole world will be shaken?
You see, God, Who is Truth, interferes with our corrupt view of life. Our opinions must bend the knee to GOD, WHO IS TRUTH.
Marriage, money, work, sex, relationships, all must be in accord with God, Who is Truth.
Are you one who covers your eyes TO THE TRUTH, as that child sitting on the rug in his living room, covers his eyes from what confronts him?
Only the Truth shall set you free. Jesus said "I AM THE TRUTH". Seek Him...

Remember to K.I.S.S. when sharing the gospel!

2011-01-17T07:53:00.007-05:00

I remember hearing this acronym in school as we were preparing to deliver our first sermons. Over and over the professor would repeat himself to us "Keep it simple stupid." Well, the last "S" for "stupid" I didn't need to hear. But the main point of the professor was that when we are preparing and preaching our sermons, we say it so that even the children could understand, or the uneducated. If the children get it, the others will too.
Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones quotes Martin Luther as saying "When I preach I regard not the doctors or magistrates..., no, I have all my eyes on the servant maids and the children. And if the learned men are not pleased with what they hear, well, the door is open." Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones then adds that if the learned man feels that he is not getting anything out of it, it is because he is not spiritually minded. He is not able to receive spiritual truth because he is puffed up. The same must be true when sharing the gospel. K.I.S.S. "Keep it simple, son."
What are you wanting to share with a person when you share the gospel? It is good news! God is passionate about saving sinful man. He even came to earth to take care of it Himself!
Always keep in mind that a child must understand what you are saying. This takes work. I have a much easier time explaining "justification" and "sanctification" to adults than children. But it must be broken down to it's most basic sense, so that even the uneducated can receive it. If the gospel, and all of God's truth can not be broken down for the average man, then it is an elitist message, one for only the learned, and if that is true, then it is a message that is arrogant, and to be despised.
What is the most important need to understand God's truth? Men, and children must have the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit. One may not be able to read, or write, but if he has heard the truth of the gospel, and has truly been born again by the glorious message of the gospel of God's grace, then indeed he or she has been equipped to understand things that the wise and learned cannot.
Yes, remember the acronym K.I.S.S. or even K.I.S.S.D. "Keep it simple son, daughter". BUT MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE TELLING THE TRUTH! THE TRUE GOSPEL!
"How beautiful are the feet of him who brings...", not complex arguments for the learned and highly educated, but "who brings good news".

Death, Where is Your Sting?

2011-01-05T08:07:00.012-05:00

Well, I'm fifty years old, and soon I will be fifty-one. Some of you who read this may be sixty, seventy, eighty years old, or maybe only thirteen, fourteen, or fifteen years old. Regardless, we only live for a very short time on this earth, don't we?
Grade school for eight years, high school for four, college for four, career for 30-35, and then what? We retire, struggle with an aging and failing body,enjoy our grandchildren, maybe even great grandchildren for a time, and then?
Then we leave this earth behind, we leave our loved ones behind, and all that was precious to us. We leave them, and they grieve for a time over our loss.
That's reality folks. That is what every single human being faces.
I thought about this twenty-four plus years ago, and no matter what I did, this thought did not leave me. More questions arose.
What does it all mean anyway? Does love matter if it ends? Who cares whether a life was lived decent or indecent, if indeed it all ends anyway? How could I, or anyone else live life in peace and happiness, if all we have left is death, and departing from those whom we love, and that which we love? Meaningless, meaningless, all seemed and felt meaningless. Who could give me answers? Forget about counselors, social workers, and psychologists. This is one problem they cannot help fix. They die too, and they have no answer for us because they do not believe that there is an answer. "That's just life" doesn't cut it. "It's the same for everyone" doesn't help. I needed a better answer. Death just didn't fit well with what life was all about. Investing into our relationships would be a waste if in the end death ruled.
If death were just a natural part of life, if death were as much a part of our original nature as breathing is, then we would never question it. We would never fear it, nor have any distaste for it. But all men consider death. Some run from it, drink it away, avoid funerals and memorials because it reminds them of their own mortality. But death follows them all of their lives.
Who could give me answers?

Then I met Jesus Christ! Not religions, but Jesus Christ!
Yes! God came to earth in the person of Jesus Christ,and lived here, on this earth among men. He performed miracles! He loved, He lived, and He faced death, like us. He died as all men do. But it did not end there. Jesus Christ is not on the cross anymore!
The apostle Paul wrote concerning Jesus death "If Christ has not been raised, then our faith is in vain". Then he wrote "but Christ has indeed been raised from the dead." The writer of Hebrews likewise speaks of Jesus Christ who came to conquer death so that "he might free all those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death(Hebrews 2:15).
Oh, how rich the Scriptures are. How precious are the treasures of divine truth that all men must hear and treasure for themselves. If I wrote a thousand pages today of how God has blessed me through knowing Christ, it would hardly even be a beginning.
But know this, that Christ came to die for sinful man, to rise from the dead and offer hope FOR ALL THOSE WHO TRUST IN HIM. Look to Jesus this year. Learn about Him, study Him, cry out to Him. He is truly your only hope. Why? Because He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!
"Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?"
"Those who look to Him will never be put to shame." "Unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". Have you been born again? Jesus said that, not me.

Do you know Jesus Christ? I didn't ask if you know about Him, but do you know Him?

What does Jesus have in mind when He says "Follow Me"?

2011-01-04T08:06:00.003-05:00

A brief thought for today:

In Luke 9:59 Jesus commands an individual to follow Him. After the man's excuses, Jesus rephrases His command to follow Him with "but, as for you, you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Jesus gave the man two commands to "Follow Me" and "proclaim the kingdom of God". Which is it, Jesus? When Jesus speaks of following Him, He is calling proclaimers. Not professionals, but proclaimers who have met and tasted the Good News, namely Jesus. He is the Good News, the Amazing News! Hey,let's make Him our DAILY NEWS.
Jesus said in Luke 10:16 to those he sent to proclaim the kingdom "The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects Him who sent Me". We have work to do.

Will You Be Interrupted?

2011-01-03T08:14:00.004-05:00

Peter was fishing. "Follow Me" Jesus said. James and John were fishing. "Follow Me."
Jesus found Phillip. "Follow Me." He saw Levi at the tax collector's booth. "Follow Me." Each left what they were doing, and followed Jesus.
Their daily business was interrupted. What were the responses of these men? "They left their nets and followed Him." Others "left their father in the boat with the hired servants and rose and followed Him." Jesus called the tax collector, and "leaving everything(his tax booth), he rose and followed Him." All of their lives interrupted, they followed Jesus.
However, this was not the case for everyone. In Luke 9:57 one individual voluntarily said to Jesus "I will follow you wherever you go". Jesus made clear to the man that it would be a life of sacrifice and challenges to follow Him. "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." Jesus wasn't hinting for a place to crash, but was telling this man that following Him would mean interruption of ease and comfort. Jesus called another man to Himself, "Follow Me", and the man realized that this would interrupt his plans. "Lord, first let me bury my father". Jesus knew that this man was not ready to follow, making excuses. Another cried out "I will follow you, BUT...let me say farewell to those at my home.". Jesus let these men know that following Him meant interruption, cost, and commitment. Some were joyfully interrupted, others would not have it.
Are you willing to be interrupted, to have your life as it is now,interrupted? When Jesus calls you to follow Him, things change, lives are interrupted, and there is cost. But Christ does not call us to follow Him in misery!
He is the great Savior and friend of man. He alone is the path of true joy and peace.
So then, are you ready to be interrupted in 2011? Things will change. You will change. First step of following Him? Read His life story, the gospel of John. Now that's a great New Year challenge.
Happy New Year!

One Way To Fish...TELL WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR YOU

2011-01-01T09:31:00.004-05:00

There are many ways to go fishing for men. The following is one way that Jesus commanded. "Return to your home, and declare how much the Lord has done for you."
(Luke 8:39-40) "And he went away, proclaiming how much JESUS had done for him."

What has the Lord done for you? More specifically, what has Jesus done for you?
Are you as amazed as the Samaritan woman was in John 4, or this poor man who was demonized, who was then restored into his right mind?
This is the case with every true believer in Christ. Brought back to sanity from a hopeless state without God. Are you amazed at what Jesus has done for you?
Go and tell, go and tell! Today, go and tell, with those who have heard and those who have not heard. Encourage the believer, astonish the unbeliever with the story of God's grace in Christ, and how He changed and is still changing your life.

Letting Down Our Nets For a Catch...

2010-12-30T08:27:00.008-05:00

As we continue to look at Luke 5:1-11...

The writer tells us that the fishermen were "washing their nets". Interpretation? They were calling it quits. They were punching out their time card,calling it a day.
Have we washed out our nets, called it quits, punched out our time card, called it a day concerning our efforts to catch men for Christ? Tell the truth now. Are you expecting a great catch, or have you given up? This is where Christ steps in and orders the fishermen to let down the nets for a catch! Not when they were doing great, catching fish, but when they had given up! Yes, it seems that the perfect time to step in and do His amazing work is when man gives up trying on his own!

First, we hear the words of Christ "let down the nets for a catch", or "the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few", or "The Son of man came to seek and to save the lost", or "Go, therefore, making disciples...". Listen, this is our work, to let down the nets for a catch. Remember the woman at the well(John 4), after talking with Jesus? She ran into town, and threw out her fishing net!
How did she throw it out?
"Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did!"
Are we throwing our nets out like this? You see, this woman was so excited about Who she met, that she could not keep her mouth shut! Here we see that fishing for men is the natural overflow of an affected heart. What happens when she throws her net out? When someone is excited about Jesus Christ, Who He is, what He has done for them, people are drawn. After the woman told them this "they went out of the town and were coming to him(Jesus)".
Sometimes we Christians expect the fish to jump into our boat, even while the boat is at the shoreline. We expect the town to come running while we are saying nothing at all. The only way for the lost to know that God is interested in "catching" them is if we are interested in catching them. Unfortunately, too often we Christians don't want to get our hands all fishy! I have gone fishing with some who are hoping they don't catch anything, because if they do then they'll have to touch it to release it from their pole! But we must not forget that we were that smelly, yucky, slimy fish that Christ caught and made his own. Let us consider one more thought. What kind of net are we? What do our nets look like to the world around us? Are they overwhelming, tangled and confusing? Are they harsh and fearsome? Or are these nets at least presented as the Great News from God to man?

I am blabbing this blog to myself here...,

Be encouraged to open up your mouth wherever you find yourself this week, and let down your net for a catch!

Jesus, The Great Fisher of Men!

2010-12-29T08:38:00.009-05:00

A few thoughts on Luke 5:1-11, a text in which Jesus Christ illustrates to us what is of great importance to Him. Rescuing men! Redeeming men! Jesus came to earth to die for man! And he has appointed all of His redeemed people to be "fishers of men".

Simon Peter, a fisherman by trade, and one who had his Master's Degree(MDiv)in fishing, put all of his knowledge, all of his skill, all of his experienced energy, into catching fish, but came up with empty nets. And he wasn't alone. The rest of the fishermen came up with nothing that night as well.
What happens next? Jesus comes along, steps into the fishing boat parked at the shore, and after teaching the people, orders the fishermen to head out into deep waters, and to let their nets down "for a catch", not a try, but "a catch". Simon gives his prideful response of "Hey, we busted our backs, toiling all night long and caught nothing", but then obeys the word of Christ and lets down the nets.

Jesus fills the nets up with so many fish that all of the fishermen available are necessary to work together to bring the catch into the boat!
All of the fishermen are "astonished" at the catch of fish! Peter then realizes in some measure Who it is that he is with, and falls on his knees in worship.
Then Jesus, whom Peter was worshiping, the Almighty Who filled the nets to the breaking point, says "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men." He does not say merely trying, fishing for men, but "catching men".

A couple of things to notice here: our Savior ordered a LARGE catch, a ridiculous amount of fish such that both boats began to sink, requiring a lot of help from other fishermen! Most notably, it was not Peter's skill that brought in the fish, but Jesus Christ who brought the fish into the net, Who rules over the will of fish and men.
One word of God and the fish are drawn into the net...

So then, what about us, God's fishermen? One word of God and Manfish will be drawn into the net of salvation. Let us humble ourselves, for we do not have the knowledge, nor the power to be effective fishers of men. What must we do?
First, let us ask God for a catch. Secondly, we let down the nets.

And Jesus wants us to be confident that a great catch is on the way...

Coming soon... "What does it look like to let down the nets for a catch?"

Are You Fishing Yet?

2010-12-21T09:26:00.016-05:00

When I was in my pre teen years, I read all about fishing, all of the time!
Fishing Facts magazine was always in my hand. The magazine taught what, where, when, and how to catch freshwater fish. Cold weather fish, warm weather fish, deep water fish, shallow water fish, all were taught about in this magazine.
I bought special lures, spinners, spoons, plugs, worms, and whatever promised to land me the BIG GUY!
The best part was not reading about fishing however. I went fishing! I went fishing in lakes, in ponds, everywhere, but the BIG GUY knew how to avoid my line much better than I knew how to land him on it!
Even though the BIG GUY was better at the game than me, I still managed to catch a few decent sized fish over the years.

"Okay, so what's with the title?" "Are You Fishing Yet?"

Jesus spoke to two real and experienced fisherman, Simon , and his brother Andrew "Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him." (Mark 1:17). They went fishing with the Master Fisherman.

We believers are the fishers of men that Jesus Christ has appointed.
At least we already know the nature of the manfish. He is in his nature what we were in our nature. We know what manfish likes,what he hates, what he is prone to feed on, where he hides, what he avoids, how he fights, how resistant he is, and how difficult he can be to land. We were the manfish! But even though we know this manfish even as we know ourselves, yet we cannot land the manfish that we know so well!
For we do not know which manfish are looking to be landed! Yet, unlike fish in lakes and rivers, there actually are manfish desperately looking to be pulled in. We do not know which manfish are searching the waters of their world, hoping to find exactly what we have on the end of our line. And even if we knew which manfish were ready for the taking, we must have the proper lure.
How shall we catch them? With God's lure, the gospel lure. The gospel is how they are caught! God rules over the heart of all manfish, and He alone draws out the manfish that will strike at our line as we cast out God's appointed lure, the gospel of grace. This gospel lure must be the real thing. And we will catch them, not with a baited and hidden hook, manipulating and snagging them, but with Jesus Christ. He is the Gospel! Yes, these God appointed menfish have a God given hunger for, and are in search of Jesus Christ. When they see Him, they are attracted to Him, even more so, He is irresistable to them. They hear of Jesus sacrificial, death defying, atoning love, His mercy, His kindness, His full forgiveness, His sure promises, and His altogether immeasurable unearned favor, yes, all of this, pointed toward them, all of Jesus Christ Himself, moving forward to embrace them. And here is the amazing truth about it all. Christ does this through us, His fishermen! These menfish are drawn to Christ through us. For we are Jesus Christ's representatives, and through us they see the character of Christ, and hear and embrace the beautiful good news of Christ, the gospel! Yes, they come and are joyfully caught in plenty.

Jesus said "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." Can we not say with Jesus "The manfish ar plentiful, but the manfishers are few."?

Jesus told them "Come" and they left everything and followed Him, learning how to be manfishers! Are you fishing yet?

Two Life Giving and Heart Rejoicing Works of the Cross

2009-03-24T06:52:00.003-04:00

In a recent book by Dr. John Piper the author states two completed works of what our Savior provided on the cross. Tuck this statement away. Pray through it. Sing it.
Rejoice in it: "The perfection we do not have Jesus provided. The judgment we do not want Jesus bore." (page 74; Finally Alive)

Note: www.desiringgod.org offers all of John Piper's books online to download and read for free.

TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT OUR TREASURE

2009-03-20T07:32:00.003-04:00

In my time with God this morning I was reading in Luke and chapter 12:34 was impressed upon me. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
I asked myself the question that I've considered many times before. "Where is my Treasure?" Of course the Christian answer, the fine sounding answer is "My treasure is Jesus." But Jesus tells us that if we want to know where our treasure is, then we must find where our heart is at. And if we want to find where our heart is at, then we must find where our treasure is at. For they are both in the same place. If we find one then we find the other. In this very text Jesus is saying to us that we live for our treasure. If our treasure is of this world, then we think, act, and spend accordingly. If our treasure is truly in heaven, then we think, act, and spend accordingly.
Today I am looking at what takes my thoughts captive, what takes my money, my time, my energies, my affections. I want to find out what is tapping into my energy and affections, and identify what is stealing that which only belongs to Jesus. I want to again get a much better glimpse of the true Treasure, Jesus Christ my crucified and resurrected Lord, and all that He is, all that He has promised, and I want to find myself and all of my possessions captive to this One Great Treasure, Him Who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Yes indeed, our heart and our treasure are always in the same place. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

One Sure Mark of a Disciple!

2009-03-19T07:32:00.005-04:00

What is one identifying mark of a disciple of Jesus Christ that is unmistakeable and obvious to all who see it? Love? Generosity? Joy? Knowledge? Passion? Compassion? Patience? Yes, but in addition to these...

The church in the west is filled with folks who may be identified with the above list of characteristics. But we may be lacking something else that, unless addressed, we will not grow as disciples, that is, followers of Jesus Christ.
THE QUESTION TO ASK OURSELVES IS THIS: "AM I TEACHABLE?" When I was growing up as a young man my father would tell me quite often "no one can teach you anything. You already know it all." I would get defensive, I really did think that I knew it all, and I wouldn't learn. This has caused much unpleasant hardships in my life.

Are you teachable? Or do you know it all already? In today's world the Christian has access to all kinds of information and instruction on the radio, picks up enough knowledge to be confused, and then thinks that they've got all the knowledge they need. Speaking with many pastors, they wrestle with having unteachable folks in their congregation and on their staff. Yet the greatest mark of discipleship is humility. When we recognize that we have much to learn, and know far less than we think we know, then we are really beginning to learn. "The man who thinks that he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know." (1 Corinthians 8:2)

Bitteness and then Sweetness!

2009-03-17T06:59:00.006-04:00

Great pastor and author Thomas Watson wrote "Until we taste the bitterness of our sin, we cannot taste the sweetness of God's grace."

How true this statement is. Truth that is not regarded as necessary, is truly disregarded. But when we taste the foulness of our thoughts, words, behavior, and actions, in light of what God says, and we taste our own sin as foul, then the amazing message of the gospel, the death of Christ to atone for our sin, becomes very sweet! Then we can begin to understand the many different hymns and verses "Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God, shoulds't die for me" and of course "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me..."

Go and meet with God today, ask Him to make known to you your own sin, and the bitterness of it, and then ask Him to make known to you the sweetness of His death defying love. Then worship God for His amazing love and grace made known to you.

THE ROOM IS CLEAN, BUT WILL IT STAY THAT WAY?

2009-03-12T10:46:00.004-04:00

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking to find rest, and finding none it says "I will return to my house from which I came."
The text continues to explain that the house was "swept and put in order". We see that Jesus is speaking of a person who has been freed from an unclean spirit, or demon. The person looks as though all is now well. He is clean and in order. But we learn in this text that the unclean spirit comes back, and with his friends who are more evil than he is.

WHAT'S MY POINT?
An attempt to clean ourselves by our own effort is insufficient, and so is doing things so as to look like you have your life in order. So many people seem to practice this sort of religion. It is a man made and powerless religion that is unable to keep one's self free from the powers of darkness. You may think "I get cleaned and then I start to get my life in order." But notice that this doesn't stop the unclean spirit from returning. We must be cleansed by the blood of Christ, and have our house, our being, not empty, but full of God and obedience to His word.
Jesus follows up this unclean spirit story with "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it." Yes, that is the way to fill a house and leave no room for the unwanted and evil guests. CLEAN BUT EMPTY IS NOT THE CONDITION WE ARE TO LEAVE OURSELVES IN, BUT CLEAN AND FULL, FULL OF GOD'S WORD, FULL OF OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD AS WE TRUST HIM TO KEEP OUR HOUSE CLEAN.

THERE ARE NO FENCE SITTERS WITH JESUS

2009-03-11T09:55:00.006-04:00

Jesus said very clearly that "you're either with me or you're against me."
"He who is for us is not against us." "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." (Luke 11:23)

John MacArthur's grandpa said this important truth in a simple way that we will all do well to consider. He said "There are only two groups of people in all the world, and everybody is in either one or the other group. The saints and the aint's." Which are you in? There are no fence sitters.

The Disturbing Word

2008-07-16T08:08:00.004-04:00

Most Christians are regularly reading their Bible, right? Wrong!
Forget the polls and what they tell you. Ask your Christian brother or sister what they read in the bible today. The reality is that, for many Christians, they are far more up to date with their cable and tv programs than their Bible.

Here is a thought as to why some at least, are not reading the word of God regularly.

First, most don't regard the Bible as spiritual food that must be eaten daily, and they are starving themselves to death!

Secondly, most don't have a plan, and they give up quickly, for they are opening up a complex variety of literature, divinely inspired as it is, and it can chase away those who are not ready to be persistent.

Thirdly, GOD'S WORD, THE BIBLE IS DISTURBING TO THE READER! GOD'S WORD CONFRONTS OUR SIN, CHALLENGES US TO CHANGE, SHOWS US OUR SHORTCOMINGS, DECLARES THE NEED FOR A SOBER MINDED APPROACH TO LIFE, ETC... GOD'S WORD IS TRULY DISTURBING.

But here is a great reminder. Jesus knows the struggle of man. He knows how much we need to change, how much we fall short, how much help we need. Jesus died that we might not run from God or His word, but approach God's word with the full assurance of grace and kindness from our God. Jesus paid for all that would condemn us. We can come to God's word and hear from God our Father all that might seem disturbing. God speaks to us the hard stuff because He loves us and wants to transform us into the image of Christ.

So, pick up and read, pick up and read. When the Word of God sings or stings, ask God to help you, rejoice in Christ, and thank God for His desire to make known to us His ways.

God speaks to us for our good, for our happiness, for our encouragement.

Epileptic Seizures, Cloudy Pool Water, Imperfect Churches

2008-06-10T08:06:00.005-04:00

Okay, the title may reveal the author's tendency toward some attention deficit, or perhaps not...

Let's talk about epileptic seizures. Recently our dog Piper has struggled with seizures, the sort of epilepsy that is common to men, women and children as well. She is definitely not herself when a seizure is approaching,and now she takes medicine. She is definitely not herself, the dog that she was before. What goes through my mind? I want our dog back, the way she should be! The way that she shines the best!

Well, now lets talk about cloudy pool water. I opened up our pool last week. Cloudy pool water. Not the way it's supposed to be. Uninviting for a swim to say the least, and, well, pools just shouldn't look that way!

Imperfect churches..., instead of practicing love, the church practices toleration, instead of " living in harmony with one another" we butt heads, instead of sinless saints that perfectly represent the Lord Jesus Christ, we still too often reflect the old man inside, the one that was put to death, but his core still smells up the place. Imperfect churches are what we have in this world. They are made up of people like myself, and, well, you too!

Okay, so what do we get when we look at seizures, cloudy pool water, and imperfect churches? Hope! Yes sir! Pheno-Barbitol has at least stopped the seizures for Piper, at least for now. Chlorine cleared up the water beautifully, and it actually sparkles, at least for today. And in the church, where the Holy Spirit is at work, Christians bear in some measure at least,the fruit of the Spirit, and begin to love one another, and begin to show forth the church, the body of Christ, as He intended it to be.

My final thought for now concerning seizures, cloudy pool water, and imperfect churches? God is a perfect Creator, a perfect Redeemer, and a perfect Worker!
One day, no more seizures or medicine, no more cloudy water or chlorine, and no more sin in the church. Perfect bodies, perfect water, perfect church is on the way. Only keep trusting in Jesus Christ. He is faithful, and He will do it.

Do I Build em up, or knock em Down?

2008-06-02T08:21:00.003-04:00

When I was a kid playing with Legos, Lincoln Logs, blocks and things, I had far more fun knocking em down than building em up! I had Matchbox cars and Hot Wheels, and "Johnny Lightning 500" cars. My brother and I had such a blast playing demolition derby with the old cars. We would crack them up on purpose and see how much damage we could do. Oh, those were great days!

But in the church it should be different! As Christians we should be doing everything we can with our words to build up our brothers and sisters. "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only which is helpful for building others up, according to their need, that it may benefit those who listen." That is Ephesians 4:29

Are you a builder or destroyer with your words? Are you a construction worker for Christ's church, or a building inspector with a bad attitude? Are you one who teaches a young man how to swing a hammer, or ridicule him for how he swings it?
Are you one who says "You can do all things through Christ! You'll see! He's going to do great things through you, brother!" Or do you say "What is your problem? Wise up! You are unreliable! Get with it!"
Let's speak words that edify! Let's speak words that build up!

Let's encourage one another in our everyday speech, that we may all rejoice together as we progress in our transformation into the image and likeness of Christ.

O Church, do not have low expectations! God is Big! Christ is Big! The Holy Spirit is Big! Let's expect Big Things from a Big God!

God's Moral Truth speaks to us in movies!

2008-05-20T09:32:00.006-04:00

Last night I watched Spider man 3 with my grandsons.

Here are a few scenes and thoughts from the movie that even the secular world recognizes as wrong behavior, all the while embracing this behavior in our own lives.

Spider man kisses another woman even though he is proposing to his girlfriend.
Spider man shows off at a parade for the sake of his own ego.
Spider man seeking revenge, not justice
Spider man seeing women as sex objects as he is walking down the street.

The movie's theme is that Spider man is overtaken by some "symbiotic" substance, and the nature of the substance is to (overtake those who will not resist it, but embrace it(The Darkness)

The whole idea of the movie is that Spiderman is overtaken by evil, and the fans of Spiderman, what do they want? A worldly Spider man that seeks to respond in a dark way, or the good Spider man that seeks to respond with fairness and justice?
Will he overcome the darkness? Will the darkness overcome and possess him?

The truth is that as a viewer, we kind of like Spider man in his dark suit, for it feels more natural, more like we would want to respond if we had that power!
We relate better to the Spider man who shows no mercy to his enemy.
Yet we also know that this is not the nature of the "red" Spider man. Hmmm...

Every movie plays off of good and evil. Some movies elevate evil and darkness and sin as desirable, while others show the battle between good and evil, building in the viewer a hope for good's victory over evil.

What's my point? Moral truth is written in the heart of every man. Our movies address these truths in the viewer, and either seek to entice their viewer to embrace and take pleasure in the evil, in movies where we identify with the villain, live out our fantasies with the adulterer,or the wealthy, or the vigilante.

On the other side of the coin we are torn emotionally by truth's pain as we identify with loss of loved ones, sad love stories, and sad endings.

We cannot avoid the truth. We can only deny it, suppress it, or embrace it. Truth will never go away. We are all accountable, and truth shall always have it's effect upon us, either to teach us, judge us, or bless us.

Jesus said "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than the light...".

Jesus said "I am the Light of the world".

Too many voices?

2008-05-19T06:58:00.005-04:00

The other day I jumped into my car, backed out of the driveway(of course putting on my seat belt first), turned on the radio, and listened to some sermon on marriage. The preacher was discussing the freedom of the believe to remarry after divorce.

I reached my destination, did a few errands, got back into my car, turned on the radio(again buckling up), and tuned in to another station. The preacher was saying the exact opposite of the earlier preacher.

How confusing for some poor and struggling Christian trying to get some word from God. I then considered the pattern that I have experienced for a long time.

There are many different speakers on Christian radio every day. Often times I hear teaching that conflicts with the program that was on ten minutes before. Now I know that we are to use our minds, weigh what we hear, read for ourselves, attend our local church and sit under those whom God has appointed. However, there are so many voices on radio, television, cable, DVD, and so on, that the young or undiscerning believer can become easily confused and worse, taught inaccurately the word of God.

The listener without discernment receives the voice from radio broadcast, and the other media as though it has much great authority than their local pulpit.

Suggestions:

Talk with your local pastor, who has been given charge to care for your soul, and ask for his thoughts concerning all the many voices.

Listen to a select few that are not in great conflict with each other. You are listening to learn, not to be confused! As one writer put it so well, "one cannot enter a coal mine with a white suit and come out clean". So it also is true that one cannot listen to the many different voices often at odds with each other concerning the word of God, and still have confidence that God is unchanging, and not suffering a split personality!

I am not condemning Christian radio. I believe in Christian radio for the sake of basic gospel evangelism messages, for broadcasting to the hard to reach places. But too many people are relying on the radio and television for their basic instruction, when they ought to be in the local church meeting with their brothers and sisters, excited together about God's speaking His word to them in the local church setting.

Is it wrong to listen to Christian radio? No. I have many times been encouraged by solid Christian teaching via radio. But the radio pastor is not in charge of your soul. Listen, but do so with discernment, and weigh what you hear, with the help of your pastor, and other brothers and sisters in your local church.

Your thoughts?

Read a challenging book!

2008-05-13T12:28:00.008-04:00

I just finished reading a book that was a challenge for me. I must read slowly, and digest a little at a time many of the books that I read. At first I pick up the book, thumb through it, and realize that it is "Greek to me", and it looks more like physics instead of math.

Well, working through the book slowly I begin to learn, and then I am greatly encouraged that I actually understand partially what the author is saying. I press on reading, and the lights go on brighter and brighter! I begin to understand phrases that were way over my head! What a great blessing for us that our Creator has given us the ability to learn new things, to increase in our knowledge and understanding. (Of course, I am also aware that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" and that "the man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know." But the adventure of learning is a really great kindness and grace that has been bestowed upon us.

Yet, let us learn the following:

Learning must be accompanied by humility. Humility is the fruit that is far more easiily cultivated when you read books that are beyond your present scope of understanding. Reading books that are beyond us is good fertilizer for the plant that grows humility!

Read something that is truly worthwhile, something that will increase not only your learning, but your love, your character, your skills, your person, your storehouse of truth! Truth matters in this life, regardless of what others are saying about it. Bus schedules must be true, or they are not worth anything. A man's word must be true or his word is not worth anything. Your savings book must hold the truth of what you have in there or it is not worth anything!
Truth matters. Read books that will increase your knowledge and love of the truth.

(Read the Bible. Jesus said "Thy Word is Truth" as he prayed to the Father. Yes, read the Bible. The Bible teaches us the truth about God, life, death, purpose, heaven, hell, parenting, justice, forgiveness, etc...)

There was a time when I actually thought I knew a good bit of theology. Well, only because I live in a culture where the religious leaders are mostly elementary theologians.

But as I read scholars, godly scholars, I am humbled. One of my favorite speakers, C.J. Mahaney once said at a conference in which he was one of the last speakers, following great and well known speakers
"Well, you've heard Concords take off, and B1 bombers shake the place, all out here with a roar, and now I come out with a little puff, puff, buzzing, like a Cessna two seater."

That's how it is when we read books that humble us, or that should humble us. We learn that we are only Cessnas, but we can learn from and grow into, well, maybe a four-seater!

What to Read!

2008-05-10T08:15:00.002-04:00

Okay, here is something most readers do not practice in their reading.

Grab a book that is over and beyond your present knowledge, a difficult book.

Most people read what they already know! They read what agrees with them, or is just a repeat of their storehouse of knowledge. Their mental library would look more like a specialty bookstore that supplies the same subject, level, and opinion.

Read a book from "the other side", you know, those you disagree with, but have no real idea about the person or their real views.

In other words...read a book that will increase your knowledge, that will teach you something new. You may disagree with the author more than before, but at least it will be based upon knowledge.

Suggestion: Read How to Read a Book, by Mortimer Adler.
There are excellent chapters that teach one how to read any kind of book.
This book should be required reading in all high schools.

"Jesus Christ is Lord" Is Not Necessarily Good News!

2008-05-08T06:48:00.005-04:00

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The good news! Jesus Christ is Lord! Jesus Christ is Lord!

IS THIS GOOD NEWS? Not necessarily. It is terrifying news to an unredeemed, unrighteous world that is still under that wrath of God! Contrary to author N.T. Wright's understanding of Paul in the Scriptures, WE MUST HOLD DEARLY THE DOCTRINE OF IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS.

In John Piper's book The Future of Justification, the author is arguing to defend the historical understanding of the doctrine of justification which is crucial to the nature of the gospel.

Tom Wright is a very sharp scholar who is arguing against the historical interpretation of the apostle Paul . Wright teaches that the message of the gospel is not "how to get saved" or how to be made righteous in the sight of God, but rather "the gospel is a proclamation that Jesus, the crucified and risen Messiah, is the one and only true Lord of the world."

Now this may sound like good news(Gospel), but John Piper rightly reminds us that this is not good news...necessarily. It is not good news because, without justification in that good news we are not saved. If we are not saved, then we are in serious trouble, for we remain under the wrath of the Holy God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe! Piper points out that the announcement that "Jesus is Lord is not good news until we hear the terms of the amnesty." The really good news is that we are saved from the wrath of God through Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. We are "justified", that is, that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, which in reality makes us righteous, through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Remember Paul, knocked to the ground blind? Apart from Christ having chosen to save Paul, Paul was in serious trouble under such an infinitely powerful Being that blinded him, and grounded him. When this happens Paul's first response is not "Hooray, Jesus is Lord of the Universe". He is trembling and fearful, and at God's mercy. The good news is that God chose to deliver Paul from His fierce wrath, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Have you been delivered from the fierce wrath of God? Only if you have repented to God concerning your sinful state, and placed your faith in Jesus Christ. Then Christ has you "covered". Enjoy your Savior.

Worship matters!

2008-05-06T13:25:00.004-04:00

Do you worship? Yes, you do worship. Whether you are an atheist, a Muslim, a Christian, a scientist, you do worship. Worship is the expression of the soul toward that which it loves, finds happiness in. Whatever it is that gets most of your attention, time, and service, is your god.
Now the One true God has said in the Bible that He alone is worthy of your worship, yet Christians are often like the Israelites in the Old testament; they fear God, but practice idolatry.
We worship what our hearts are longing after, running after, expending all energy after.

Who or what do you worship?

Do you enjoy meeting with God in His Word, in prayer, in corporate gatherings? Or do you get more joy out of reading books, buying new flat screens, ipods, pda's, etc...?

Here's a hint...read Bob Kauflin's book, Worship Matters.

Worship includes knowing God's word, singing, practicing our skills on instruments, serving others as we serve God. But we can do all of these and not worship God, and too often that is exactly what we are doing; everything but worshipping God.
An excellent and enjoyable read. Every worship pastor must read this book. MUST!

A brief word on the singing aspect of worship, by the author...

"It's a source of profound encouragement to realize that God gave us music to deepen and develop our relationship with Him. The Father sings, the Son sings, the Spirit sings...

How can we keep from singing?" (pg. 99)

"Big Brother (Elder) is Watching You?"

2008-05-05T07:29:00.005-04:00

Some friends we spoke with recently began attending a P.C.A. church(a fine denomination I might add).

Our friends shared with their church that they had watched American Idol. Oh my!
Immediately, the leadership ordered a meeting with them to discuss this "sin".

Brothers, I am not a TV buff. I personally prefer to read edifying books. But I am not going to judge my brother because he is watching some show on TV. Our Lord says that we will be judged with the measure that we judge others. Let us be careful how we deal with such matters.
A dinner together, a discussion perhaps on what made the show such a big hit, perhaps a conversation on how, or whether a Christian can watch the show to the glory of God, etc..., or better yet, a discussion with a number of healthy pastors to weigh the importance or unimportance of the issue.

Discipline over American Idol? Imagine if we disciplined over music, television, movies, books magazines, and such, that are...okay, shallow, empty perhaps.

How we handle such matters as leaders reflects our understanding of the great grace of the Gospel of Christ.

I am sure that there are BIGGER SIN PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH THAN WATCHING AMERICAN IDOL! (Pride, arrogance, legalism, materialism, lukewarmness, lust, GOSSIP, SLANDER...you finish the list.

We do not want a worldly church, but we do not want a harsh, legalistic, and graceless church either. None of these glorify the Lord Jesus Christ.

Which PDA Do I Buy with Bible on it?

2008-05-02T12:40:00.001-04:00

Okay, I'm no geek, not even close!

Which Pda do I buy? Does it come with the ESV on it? If not, then which software should I get?

I told you that I'm not a geek, not even close! Help me. My family wants to buy me a pda/bible package. Duh, what should I tell them?

God's Transforming Power

2008-05-02T07:17:00.004-04:00

Last night I watched a testimony video of a former male prostitute, drug addict, transvestite that lived on the streets of New York City for years. I was certainly moved by the powerful conversion story of this individual. Repentance, acceptance into the church, true transformation back into a real man. This individual then married, and tasted life as God had designed it.
He then evangelized to others that were trapped in their sin just like he had been. An amazing story. And true. The man ended up dying of aids as a result of his former life, but now he is in the arms of His Redeemer.

What really connected with me were two aspects of his testimony.
The first was the faith and courage of a simple man that would evangelize these troubled men. He would go down to the salt pits, where the city stored their winter street salt. This was where these male prostitutes would hang out and get business from doctors, lawyers, and all types of professionals from Wall Street. Anyway, this man of God cared enough to go there and tell them of the Savior's love, of God's greatness, and of the power of God to save. The story spoke of only the one man that was rescued, while others walked away in their troubles, despair, and sin.
God is awesome, sending his people to the "pit of hell" to rescue His people.

The other thing that really moved me was how the church received this mixed up individual.
You see, he did not embrace Christ at first. The initial sight that the church saw was still the shocking sight of this male prostitute dressed as a woman, enter their church. The first thing he did was come to the worship service. He was in appearance as an attractive, slender blond. He did not know how to be a man, walk like a man, talk like a man or dress like a man anymore. The church met with him and treated him as some woman's son, and a creature of God, and they told him about the love and power of Christ to save.

Over the next few weeks, he was befriended by a small group in the church. He learned how to be a man again. He learned how to be who he was created to be. What an example of the church of Jesus Christ, Who came to save sinners, troubled, wicked, stinking sinners. Jesus did say that he came to "seek and save the lost" not those who had their lives together, or at least think they have it together.

William Cowper reminds us that we, like this troubled man, are vile as he, yet also as clean as he, in his Hymn There is a Fountain, in verse 2
"the dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day, and there may I though vile as he wash all my sins away".
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Putting Sin To Death

2008-05-01T15:27:00.003-04:00

What have you put to death recently? Rather, what sin have you put to death recently?

Right now I am reading Mortification of Sin by John Owen. In this practical and convicting work Owen reminds us that we have a life long calling to "put sin to death" or it will put you to death.

One small note that I walked away with, and I will meditate on "assiduously" is this:
sin never desires to just flirt with an individual. The flirt is meant to seduce, the seducing is meant to allure, and the alluring is meant to give birth to adultery, immorality, greed, or whatever the nature of the sin is. Sin always has in mind the extreme maximum is permitted.
Owen writes that unbelief is aimed to bring about atheism, lust is meant to complete itself in immorality and so on.

Do you remember David and Bathsheba? David's first sin was not adultery! He stayed home at the time when kings go to war. He went up on the roof. He studied Bathsheba with his eyes, he committed adultery, then murder, and self deceiving. Only by God's grace was David redeemed through the prophet Nathan's message.

Keep this in mind. Sin seeks to have it's way with you, to do far more than make yo sick. Sin wants to destroy you, and as a result of crumbling you, to shake the faith of others as they watch you fall.

KILL SIN OR IT WILL BE KILLING YOU!--JOHN OWEN

One final word, for now. We are saved by grace, not by our killing sin. Jesus is our righteousness! But we were saved from sin and it's destructive powers, in order that we would be a holy people! O God, make us to be a people that learn how to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature, by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do we see God as Magnificent?

2008-04-25T08:16:00.006-04:00

I went to Bermuda. It was beautiful. Then I went again. It was still beautiful. I actually went three times to Bermuda with my wife, and have enjoyed it's gorgeous beaches, water, flowers, and weather each and every time.
I've been on cruises, I've been to the Caribbean, I've purchased new cars in my life. I've bought my own home, I've had a boat, I've had my own business. I've had good health, and a great family. YET THERE IS ONE THING OF WHICH I AM CONVINCED. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH in this world to satisfy me forever, for how could anything finite, LIMITED, satisfy forever?

I realize that all that I have in this world is finite. All of my material possessions, vacations, and my relationships are coming to an end on this earth. To everything that I treasure I must one day give my "Good-bye". This makes one swallow hard even thinking about it. This is not good news. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us the same, doesn't he? "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless...".
I do not like knowing that all that I love must come to an end. If it all comes to an end, then it is all meaningless. All that I hold dear comes to an end! What a disaster! I must have something more.
HOW CAN A MAN BE TRULY HAPPY IN THIS LIFE WHEN HE KNOWS THAT ALL HE LOVES MUST COME TO AN END?

I must find something or Someone to love which is eternal, yes, everlasting. This is my only hope of being truly happy forever. And the nature of happiness demands forever by it's very nature.

But then, but then, but then, we have the promise, the sure promise of Christ "the Word made flesh" that "made His dwelling among us". He tells us that there is something far more valuable and precious than all that we have or own or know in this life.

What is that great and eternal treasure? Jesus says it this way in his prayer. " This is eternal life... that they may know You, the One true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." YES, KNOWING GOD IS BETTER, FAR BETTER THAN YOUR GREATEST VACATION, OR YOUR GREATEST LOVE IN THIS WORLD.

This news is often ignored to our own peril...
Hear the words of Jesus...

"For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeit his very own soul?"
In other words, the state of our soul is far more important, significant, than all that we might gain in this life. If we gain it all, yet ignore the state of our soul, then we have nothing, worse than nothing, we have to answer to God for a wasted life..

But is Jesus telling us more? Can we not say with this text of Scripturee in Mark 8:36 that doing the opposite of forfeiting our soul, that is, placing our soul's life and sustenance as primary, then we have much more to profit,to gain than anything this life can ever offer us.

"Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
(Matthew 6:33).

Oh, what a future we have in Christ. All of the islands in the world, all of the gourmet food, all of the mansions, cars, and yes, all of the relationships in this world pale in comparison with what awaits us who trust in Christ. Hear the word of God "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can even conceive of what God has prepared for those of us who love Him." (1 Cor 2:9)

How can I be satisfied knowing that the world around me is finite, a mere vapor passing away?

O God, I speak these truths. They make sense. Your word makes sense. Yet we are slow to seek the treasure. Give us greater faith to embrace Your Majesty and Wonder. May we see You as you really are, infinitely more glorious than all of Your creation.

Seek the Treasure that is Everlasting...Jesus Christ!

Blessings.

"I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."

Religious Leadership Better Speak Up!

2008-04-23T07:08:00.006-04:00

Romans 1:32 "They not only do these things, but approve of those who practice them"
Hundreds of thousands of people had their eyes and their minds glued to the Pope last week. There is something about a powerful religious figure that really attracts the attention of humanity.

Is this attraction the hope of being blessed? The hope of somehow obtaining through osmosis some divine favor or fortune? "O, if only my child can touch his hand" or "if only he would look at me."
This is evidence that in the heart of man there is a strong desire for God's favor, and thus the religious leader, especially this religious leader, is understood by them to be a representation of God. Weak humanity is surely seeking some assurance of God's acceptance and assurance.

Yet the Bible tells us that we can have no such favor, blessing, or kindness from God, no approval from God whatsoever while we are still in wilful disobedience to Him.

We are told by the Bible(unfortunately not by the religious leaders) that God is reaching out with the exact opposite response of what man is looking for. "For the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men, who suppress the truth by their wickedness...".
The evidence speaks for itself
War, crime, rampant adultery, internet pornography, sexual immorality, homosexuality and it's approval, abortion, hatred toward our neighbors, white collar corruption, all speak of God leaving us to our own sin, and we are destroying ourselves. Earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, all sorts of natural disasters, and what is the world singing to herself? "Don't worry. Be happy."

Do we hear the the most popular religious leaders in the world warning humanity of her coming judgement? Or do we hear them proclaiming that all is well? "Your best life now" one tells us.
"Unconditional love" says another. Yet this was not the message of God when his prophet Jeremiah warned against such leaders and rebuked them.

Jeremiah 8:11,12
"They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious..."
"Peace, peace," they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No. They have no shame at all..."

God is not pleased at all with sinful humanity. But we continue to fool ourselves and imagine God as a harmless and friendly Judge that doesn't judge, a harmless and friendly God that doesn't rule, a harmless and friendly Great Power that doesn't act.

Jeremiah speaks of his broken hearted concern for his people, as a speaker of God to His people
"O my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me."

As speakers of God we must tell the truth! Yes, the world is in a serious condition, a terminal state. We are to be sirens for the people!

GOD'S GRACE
What should our message be? "Repent, everyone of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." One writer puts God's message of hope so clearly "Hear ye, hear ye" the king has declared amnesty for all who will look to his Son for forgiveness and salvation."

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all men everywhere to repent, for He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man whom He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30,31)

Now, before you respond, let me tell you what the response was when Saint Peter preached this message to the people. Acts 17:32 "When they heard...some of them sneered, while others said "we want to hear you again on this subject."
Which is your response? Curiosity, contempt, or conversion? Repentance, Rejection, or perhaps a revisitation concerning the subject?

Which do you prefer? The wrath of God's judgement? The everlasting joy of God's blessing freely offered in His Son Jesus Christ?

May the God of all grace offer to you today eyes to see and ears to hear and a heart that will embrace the King's Son, that you may have peace and be saved. God bless you.

Tasting The Printed Buffet!

2008-04-22T10:20:00.003-04:00

Well, I threw out the question to T4G brothers "Which book shall be read first and why?"

I have taken a taste of "Why I am not Emergent", "Piper's book responding to N.T. Wright on Justification, and Mortification of Sin". They are all "very satisfying and challenging to the pallet.

Piper's book will be read slowly, perhaps a portion here and there, for it is meat and must be chewed slowly. One quick note that Piper made was the use of N.T. Wrights definition of justification. You cannot use his definition in other texts. It does not work, and belittles God. Wright defines justification and God's righteousness as the declaration of God's covanent faithfulness. Piper is quick and right to point out that this doesn't work exegetically. "that we might become the righteousness of God" would then read according to Wrights definition "that we might become the covanent faithfulness of God. This does damage to the first part of the verse "He made Him Who knew no sin to become sin for us, so that in Him we might become the (righteousness) of God." "Covanent Faitfulness doesn't make sense or fit here at all.
Anyway, I'll let Piper finish his book.

The "Why I am not Emergent" book was quickly reviewed by me and passed on to a special friend who is learning much of his instruction from "emergent" disciplers in our denomination.

Last night I cracked open Owen's book "Mortification of sin", and of course, it was an icebucket of water on my head. "Always be killing sin, or it will be killing you". This book is an exposition on the text in Romans 8:13 "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." O read this book my brothers. Until later then...

The Real Problem of Pollution

2008-04-21T06:44:00.005-04:00

I live in "treehugger" land. People here in Rockland County might get angry if you kick a rock.

"Earth Day" is celebrated here on April 22nd.

The creation is worshipped here, the Creator ignored.

However, we do have an opportunity to display to our community that we also care about our environment. Yes, we want to preserve, protect, and enjoy creation. We should care about pollution and the ruining of nature. The disregard for recycling, disregard for excess waste of our resources without consideration, these are a testimony to the world that, if we do believe in a Creator, then we certainly do not appreciate His gifts to us.

Now don't label me yet. I do not lose sleep at night because we used paper plates for dinner. But indeed one way of showing gratitude to God for His generous gifts of beauty and resources is to make an effort to take care of it. I know that when I give a gift to someone, the effort that they make to use it wisely speaks to whether they really appreciate the giver.

What is really obvious in this area of treehuggers, is the great disapproval of polluting the land, and yet much greater approval of polluting men's souls. Is it not strange that man makes great effort to clean up the rivers, but even more effort to filthy their minds, pollute their children's minds, etc...?

Jesus said that the real filth was not on the outside of the cup. The religious were so concerned about cleaning their external environment, while, their internal environment was a filthy mess, a cesspool. "for from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks". Well, if Jesus is right, AND HE SURELY IS, then our hearts are a real dumpsite! Listen today to what oozes out of men's mouths, and even your own. Gossip, slander, hatred, cursing God, arrogance, every kind of evil.

Indeed, there is far more filth in our culture and our environment than dirty water and air pollution. Pollution is an illustration of our soul's state in the sight of God. Yes, God cares about the real problem of pollution. he sent His Son to clean it up, all of it.

There will be a day when God finishes cleaning up the mess.

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first earth and the first heaven had passed away.(Revelation 21:1)
"He who was seated on the throne said "I am making everything new.(Revelation 21:5)
"He who overcomes will inherit all this...but the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts...their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfer"
By the way, have you ever smelled burning sulfer? I'll bet it smells worse than than our smelliest rivers.

YES, GOD IS GOING TO PUT AN END TO POLLUTION, OF WHICH OUR SOUL IS THE CAUSE AND STENCH. Well, are you ready to do what most do, and ignore the real cause of pollution, a lack of concern in our own soul?

For now, "repent, and believe the good news", that Jesus Christ has paid for your sin, and recieve God's free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. "in times past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent..." "He has given proof to all men by raising Jesus Christ from the dead." (Acts 17:30,31)

Finally then, let us show our gratitude, not only to our Creator Who has given us the gift of this earth to enjoy. Let us show gratitude to God our Savior, Who has given us One Whose name is Jesus Christ, to clean up a far worse mess that sin has made of our lives.

Walking for your Marriage

2008-04-19T20:29:00.003-04:00

I have a very full house. A small Bi-Level, four grandchildren, our divorced daughter, two dogs, and a very busy front door with lots of traffic from our congregation and friends. My wife cooks for eight every night. We have a single person who lives alone, and eats with us every night.

One daily challenge for my wife and I...talking with my wife alone, and laughing with her alone.

I have found a great way to spend time with my wife regularly.
I needed and wanted and longed to...talk with my wife...so I began to... walk with my wife! We now have forty minutes to talk, pray, work out an issue if necessary, laugh and act silly, make jokes, and if necessary, discuss some difficult issues. Walking is a great way to connect with each other. We used to drive around and talk with a cup of coffee, but walking is a whole lot less expensive, more healthy, and it's easier to focus on my wife rather than the road! We're both getting smaller! We're both enjoying each other more, and we may even get to live longer with each others as a result of good exercise!

Walk with your wife. It's great exercise for your marriage.

Pope's Visit to New York

2008-04-18T09:35:00.003-04:00

To state it simply...
The whole New York world is bending their knee, throwing their cloaks on the ground before the "holy father", and adjusting their world for his visitation.

The major news stations, radio stations, newspapers, government officials from the president of the United States down to the mayor, the leading rabbis, the whole police force all seem to have one major subject on their minds...the pope's visit. Literally millions will come out to see him stadiums will be filled, building are being renovated, and get this, a new chair which only "your majesty" is allowed to sit on, is being constructed for the pope.

Only one thought for today. What did the apostle Paul say to the same "worship" that he received while he visited Lystra and Derbe? The people were amazed at a miracle, and they worshipped Paul as a greek god come from the heavens. Paul then rushed out into the crowd, tearing his clothes and shouting"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, HUMAN LIKE YOU!"

Thank you God for giving us men who knew your grace to them as sinners, as weak and corrupt and unworthy sinners. O Lord, what might occur if the Pope would rend his garments and shout out to the people "Why are you doing this? I too am only human like you."

Dear Lord, You tell us in Your Word "I will not give My glory to another." Glorify Your name O Lord.

The Forgiven Man is the Blessed Man!

2008-04-10T09:40:00.000-04:00

God makes His word clear for His children, those who look to God for hope. Why? Because God wants His children to be blessed by what they read and understand, to know the goodness of God. More importantly that they might know God!

We've all heard the unbeliever say "The Bible is hard to understand". Yet there is enough truth in the Bible that is so very clear and simple that my grandchildren understand, at least, they understand the truth that the Bible states. I am rejoicing in this truth in Scripture this morning, as I did last night with my grandson. What is it? The Lord chooses to forgive the sin of some men, cover the sin of some men, not count sin against some men.

Who are these "some" men, women, and children that are blessed by God?

THOSE THAT KNOW WHAT IT IS TO BE UNDER THE "HEAVY HAND" OF GOD'S CONVICTION
The psalm says that it is those who have been under God's heavy
hand (vs4). "For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me." It is those who have tasted the misery of their own sin, sick over it's presence and rule and drain in their lives. "for when I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long..."(vs.3) and "my strength dried up as in the heat of summer."(4b)

Yet this is not enough. For this does not leave us blessed, but miserable!

What shall I do? I cannot bear to hide my iniquity any longer. I am in agony. I am miserable.
I am desperate. I cannot sleep, I cannot carry on my daily routine, everything seems unimportant now. What shall I do?
Then the psalmist tells us what he did in his misery.
"I acknowledged my sin to You. I did not cover my iniquity."

THOSE THAT ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR SIN AND MISERY TO THE LORD.
They do not hide it, deny it, defend it, or keep it to themselves any longer. They come clean with God concerning their sin. "I said 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.'

THOSE THAT DO NOT DOUBT THE FORGIVENESS OF GOD CONCERNING THEIR SIN.
The psalmist states simply, clearly, and confidently "and you forgave the iniquity of my sin."

PSALM 32:1-2 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!

More Life in Me and My wife...PLEASE!

2008-04-08T10:02:00.000-04:00

My wife has known the Lord for 19 years. She has studied her bible, and supported me in ministry in many various ways. She has a great gift of hospitality and a servant heart.

The cry of my heart has been that we could enjoy studying together on a deeper level. I would try and read to her what I was getting all revvvved up over such as Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, John Piper, etc...

For nineteen years I have hoped for her to taste on a deeper level the goodness of studying and enjoying the Lord of the Word! I have been at peace with God about her walk, but hoping to share in a common passion about the awesome truths of the "doctrines of grace".

A few weeks ago she said "I want more. I want more joy. I want to know God better. I want to have more of the Holy Spirit." Now you must understand that we have been around all the different circles and camps of believers. Now let me digress here for a couple of paragraphs.

I was saved in a locker room in the postal service by a group of mixed up people that read God's word together. Yes, I was born again, saved, redeemed, at that mixed up group of every type of believer. We even had a guy from THE WAY! Yet God saw fit to save me with the gospel, and my sins were forgiven, and I was a new person in Christ Jesus. Then I went to a liberal church, a Wesleyan Seminary, and a Pentecostal Bible Study. However, my wife and I over the years have learned as a result of this path set out for us to not be swayed by another's experience, while at the same time not to take someone's theology without confidence that it is truly in accord with God's word.

We're not liberal, but rather challenged the pastors at our first "church" to come clean with the congregation and tell them what they truly believe. Then when I went to a Wesleyan seminary I didn't even know much about Calvin or Arminius, but I argued with everyone that they were not being honest with the Bible. I couldn't get past any of God's clear "election". So I learned best in the current of Arminianism to study my bible and see for myself. God is so good!
Then we attended the Pentecostal Bible Study, and we were told to just "start babbling" and the gift will come." We tried it! No speaking in tongues. Then we tried to teach the Bible to that study concerning the gifts. They kicked us out! I continued my schooling, graduated, and then I heard Dr. John Piper preach at a C&MA General Council. He pulled my theology together with the Word preached. I read and studied the doctrines of grace, the puritans, and the whole gang.
I am currently a pastor in the C&MA, and yes I am a full blooded, passonate lover of the doctrines of grace, for they have truly brought me to worship God in new and great measure.

So then, what is this all about concerning my wife and the Holy Spirit? She has been reading Lloyd Jones "Joy Unspeakable", and I have been reading Owen's "Communion With God".

What have we been learning? That there truly is far more of the fellowship of the Holy Spirit that is available to us. We are now praying for each other, and trusting God in His Sovereignty and timing to do as He pleases. But the very best of all of this has been that my wife and I together are seeking more of God together in His word, and through wonderful authors as well.

Are you having a concern about your spouse's walk with God? Love her, show her Christ, and trust God that in a week, a month, a year, or maybe 19 years like my situation, God will prove Himself faithful!

Let the Children Worship!

2008-04-07T09:31:00.000-04:00

Yesterday in our Sunday Morning Service two boys age 11 participated in worship by collecting the offerings.
One of the boys prayed so simply, yet so honestly, that all who were present were moved deeply. "Dear Lord, thank you for our church. We are small, but we love each other, and we have a good pastor who teaches us Your word. Please bless our offering and help us to reach our goal for the mission work in Bolivia."

Not all children should be involved, but not all adults should be involved!

If you have children that are showing signs of sincerity, let them worship through participation.
This will also increase their interest in stewardship, missions, worship service planning, etc...

"Let the little children come unto Me..."

Everyday Opportunities

2008-04-03T09:55:00.000-04:00

I get my coffee at the same place everyday. On the weekends Mohammed is there.

Recently he was sick, and missed work. When he came back I told him that I hoped he was feeling better. Then he asked me if I was getting coffee, and I said "No, actually I just came by to see if you're doing any better." He was shocked, and greatly comforted that I stopped by not for myself, but out of concern for him.

He then said that he had no family in the States. He said that back in Egypt everyone stops by to see how sick people are doing, but here in the U.S. he was sick for a week with no freinds or family to bring him a meal, or to run to the pharmacy, or to just talk.

There are opportunities everywhere to show God's kindness and compassion.
Who knows? The Lord may surprise us and allow us to share where the true Source of this love is from...Christ Himself. "We love because He first loved us."

Sitting under Heroes

2008-04-02T12:56:00.000-04:00

Two more weeks til T4G.

I find myself inreasing with anticipation, excitement, restlessness.

I've been to many conferences with great speakers. Yet I find myself in the same state of excitement each time.

Why? As a pastor with weekly preaching responsibilities, it's great to sit and receive for three days from God's anointed.

And to be surrounded by others who know the sweet bankruptcy of spirit, yet at the same time the riches of our inheritance in Christ. Wanting my congregation to taste, savor, and worship God, well, it just doesn't occur as broadly or deeply as I would desire.

When I come together with a few thousand men and get away for a short while, it is truly refreshing, and my soul is encouraged.

As a small church pastor(for now)it is good to be surrounded by a good number of saints singing God's praises, hearing with enthusiasm, sharing with great interest the things we are receiving.

My prayer is to bring my oldest grandson in 2010. See you in Kentucky, the good Lord willing.

My mind is all blogged up!

2008-04-01T19:14:00.000-04:00

Okay, today was my first shot at blogging. And truly, my mind is all blogged up. I went to Wordpress, and Blogger.com. I can't even set up my page. I feel very old indeed. I want a cool blog, but I am "coolless" and "clueless". I shopped around to look at other blogs. Big mistake. It was like trying to look attractive in a room full of models. My effort at blogging burned more calories than my walking. Hmmm...maybe I'll try again tomorrow.