A Life Fully Lived

Why You Need A Vision For Your Life

2011-12-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

Here are reasons I encouraged the young adults at ReGeneration to work on a vision for their lives. Instead of wandering aimlessly or hoping for the best, you need to figure out why you are on the planet and get a vision for your life...

So you don’t waste your life.
So you lead a life worthy of the gospel.
So you can say NO to lesser things.
So you can bring the right people alongside you.
So you can do what only you can do.
So you know where to invest your time.
So you’ll know how to align your resources.

Some of What I Need From Jesus

2011-11-20T05:23:00.001-08:00

"May thy dear son preserve me from this present evil world, so that its smiles never allure, nor its frowns terrify, it's vices defile, nor its errors delude me." -- Valley of Vision

How to Know You Believe in a Different Jesus

2011-07-24T17:35:00.001-07:00

In reading John 2:1-11, when Jesus does his first miracle, turning water into wine, I was struck that this is not the Jesus that I grew up believing in. He actually brought wine to a party. He did a miracle without any apparent means whatsoever -- no magic words, no secret ingredients -- it just happened. Then, I thought, a lot of people probably have misconceptions about Jesus. So I created this list of ten ways to know if you believe in the wrong Jesus (from John 2 only...there are lots of other ways to mistake Jesus). So here it is.

You probably have the wrong Jesus if...

He only operates by natural principles.
He wants you to take yourself extremely seriously.
He is more interested in religion than relationship.
He is always begging; he never has quite enough, but barely squeaks by.
He never asks anything unusual of his servants.
He only does things that make immediate sense.
He is more interested in a good church service than he is a good party.
He gives anyone an inside track with different rules.
He needs to put on a show of power so everyone will notice and believe.
He makes people serious, but not happy.

Psalm 42 Illustrated

2011-07-18T13:30:00.001-07:00

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me-- a prayer to the God of my life.

Why I Got Off Facebook and Why I Got Back On!

2011-07-07T17:20:00.000-07:00

I've been asked a number of times why I deactivated my Facebook account. I thought it would be worth talking about...now what I'm back on.

Let me say it this way -- I used to have the body of a god...Buddha! I looked that way for a reason. I didn't eat junk food. I didn't have a terrible diet. I just had too large a diet. I had too much input. I grazed constantly, especially during candy corn season.

The same thing happened to me on Facebook. I didn't have a terrible diet, I have mostly healthy digital and face-to-face relationships with people. I just had too much of the digital input. I loved keeping up with old friends and people from church and friends from sports and before I knew it I was checking my news feed all the time. My wife wanted me to exchange Facebook for "face time" with her. And she was right.

So I took a couple weeks off and a funny thing happened. I didn't miss it. I missed some things it enabled me to do, but I rather enjoyed quiet nights at home with her. I did not miss getting "tagged", "poked" or any number of other virtual notifications that interrupt life.

Why, then, did I come back? A few things enticed me back...

Facebook really can amplify face-to-face relationships. It helps me as a friend and as a pastor to have occasional glimpses into the lives of my friends. Those glimpses may not be as frequent now, but they will still be helpful. I receive a lot of real life relationship tips from my family, too, that start something like this, "did you see on Facebook?"
I do aspire to be someone who has a positive outlook on life. Facebook gives me a ready-made megaphone for messages of hope and good news that I don't have outside of Facebook.
I don't know how much people from New Life Church are on Facebook, but it is a very helpful tool to communicate with the church. I'm sure more people see the church items in their news feed than migrate to the church's blog or website.

Here then, is my Facebook plan to keep from having too much digital and not enough "real" relationships:

Dump Foursquare. I'm sort of an idiot this way. I quit Facebook and began "checking-in" everywhere I went. The small reward points mean nothing, but they get my eye off the ball.
Blog 2x/week. I haven't written anything longer than a 140-character tweet in months. My goal is to write something here or on the church blog at least twice a week.
Check Facebook 2x/day on computer. I know some of you only check once every few months. I left it on all the time in the background at work and home. It was far to easy to take a quick look so I didn't miss anything...and I spent way too much time on it.
Don’t leave Facebook on. This is the corollary to the previous item.
Post statuses without checking newsfeed. I can change my status without reading everyone else's. I can write when I can write and read when I can read and not let the reading interfere with other things.
Don’t go looking for friends. I have made some fun discoveries of old friends in the "people you may know" sidebar. But, that is probably enough. I don't need to click "see all" to look beyond that.
Never be online for instant messages. I already stayed "offline", but now that Facebook is adding video chatting, I'll be happy to not participate.
Try to be someone people are glad to hear from on Facebook. If anyone has tips on being this kind of person, I'd love to hear them.

I'd love for help with this. If any of you would like to ask me how I'm doing working this plan.

The bottom line is this: I may not be quite so on top of Facebook, but I hope to be on top of my offline life. And, I'm trying to make them play nicely together so they're better together than apart. We'll see.

Happy 400th Birthday, King James Version

2011-05-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

This is an article I wrote for the Oregonian a few years back (12/6/2008; it is no longer in their archives) when a local school board was considering pulling the Bible from their literature curriculum. The called it "Thou Shalt Not Overlook Bible For English Lessons." Enjoy!

Apparently, some people are at their wit’s end and are willing to fight the good fight over the use of the Bible in schools. I think we should beat our swords into ploughshares and realize that blessed are the peacemakers. I, for one, will not cast the first stone.

Children may be the apple of your eye, but you need to know that to everything there is a season. The writing is on the wall, so there is no need for sour grapes. O ye of little faith, the powers that be have decided to be Good Samaritans and for the sake of children’s education have said, “Let there be light.” Hopefully before the children give up the ghost or bite the dust, they will graduate from school, even if by the skin of their teeth, before they are as old as the hills. Then before they eat, drink and be merry while in college, they will understand these and other sayings that come from the Bible into the English language – there are as many as the sand of the seashore. The goal of the Bible as literature is to have young people appreciate the English language, not to make proselytes. That way, as educated young men and women, they can become all things to all men. I will forgive the critics for they know not what they do.

Since it is the holiday season, it would be good not to let the sun go down on your wrath, to remember that the love of money is the root of all evil because we really do reap what we sow. And if you refuse, well, am I my brother’s keeper?

50 thoughts on turning 50

2011-04-09T06:37:00.000-07:00

Up until the last few days I never imagined living to 50! But, it appears I'll make it. And, it is appropriate to stop and reflect for a few moments. In the five decades I've picked up a thing or two that have shaped the way I view life. I thought I'd pass them on here, hoping that it they will help someone be a little smarter than I have been. Here goes, in no particular order:

Give up trying to be perfect.
Everyone is broken and bruised, handle with care.
Every sorrow is mingled with joy and every joy tainted with pain.
Marry over your head!
Read 1 chapter of Proverbs per day every month...for ten years!
If this life is all there is, it's not worth it.
Find a few things you are good at and make a difference there.
You are an original, don't be a copy.
Avoid debt on any depreciating asset like you would avoid drowning!
Cash is king. Keep a reserve.
Life makes more sense when it is about God, not about you.
Don't take yourself so seriously.
Yes, your parents screwed you up -- get over it. (Don't merely toughen up, learn from it so you don't do it to your kids).
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak up and remove all doubt.
The person who doesn't read has no advantage over the person who can't.
You will reap what you sow.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).
Take responsibility.
Live in Quadrant II -- the important, but not urgent.
Seek to understand before you seek to be understood.
Begin with the end in mind.
Take time each week to review your plan and plan your week.
Don't make it harder than it needs to be.
Most things I've worried about never happened.
You will regret not trying more than you will failing.
Separate your hazards.
Money is a great slave, but a horrible master.
You will understand yourself and your life better when you experience another language and culture.
Guard your heart for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23).
Insanity = doing what you've always done and expecting a different result.
Mosquitoes can ruin a big game safari.
If you are not the lead dog, the scenery never changes.
The two most important days of your life: The day you were born and the day you figure out why you were born.
Only do what only you can do. -- Scott Haugen.
Things happen for a reason. If the reasons don't change, neither do the things. -- Pat Clifford.
never trust a man who doesn't walk with a limp.
Christianity, if false is of no importance; if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. -- C.S. Lewis.
The way around is usually through.
The quality of your life is largely determined by the quality of the people around you.
Leadership is a choice. It is a choice not to do nothing!
What does this have to do with the overwhelming supremacy of Christ?
The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object off its love. -- Henry Scougal
Take the long view. We overestimate what we can do in three months and underestimate what can be done in three years.
GIGO: Garbage In, Garbage Out.
Turn off your TV.
God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him. -- John Piper.
You've got to do your own growing, it doesn't matter how tall your grandfather was.
He doesn't waste our time.
20% of your effort produces 80% of your results. -- Paretto Principle
The six most important words: "Well done, Good and Faithful Servant!"

A Jealous God?

2011-04-04T12:05:00.000-07:00

I recently received the question, “If God is love and love is not jealous. How can God be jealous?”

The person who asked me correctly identified the problem:

God is love -- Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8 NIV)
Love is not jealous -- Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, (1 Cor 13:4 NAU)
God is jealous -- You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5 NIV)

While this appears on the face of it to be a contradiction, I think it is fairly easily resolved if we clarify two things. First, what do we mean by “jealousy”? Most of the time we associate the word with a negative emotion that is something like envy or selfishness. And, I think that is how the word is used in 1 Corinthians 13:4. Love isn’t that way. Yet, there is a sense in which jealousy also indicates an appropriate feeling/action that protects the object of love from other rivals. In fact, in that case it would be unloving not to be jealous. For instance, if Marcia started going out dancing with some young handsome cowboy, it would be wrong of me, in fact unloving, not to be concerned or jealous for the special relationship we are supposed to enjoy. So, jealousy would be right, not wrong.

In addition, it also helps to clarify the differences between God and us. When I am jealous I can have mixed motives. Some of my motives are selfish and small, controlling or envious. If someone started talking about another preacher and I got jealous, it would be out of my insecurity not out of my interest in the good of that person. It might be great for them to listen to that preacher. God’s motives are never mixed. The best thing that can happen to those that God loves is for them to love him completely in return. He loves us enough to insist on our best! No other god is as good for us as our God, so for Him to be jealous is a completely loving thing that seeks our best.

While it appears to be a contradiction, it seems that way because we are thinking of the same word in a couple different respects. It applies differently to sinful and selfish people than it does to a perfect and loving God. Great question.

The Adjustment Bureau

2011-04-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Marcia and I went to see The Adjustment Bureau last week. I enjoyed it very much. One review I'd read before I went suggested that I'd have things to think about beyond the movie.

The chief idea of the movie revolves around the conflict between "Fate" and "Free Will". While I believe neither in Fate or Free will, I enjoyed this movie. Fate was treated as a blind script with no purpose or destination, merely an impersonal plan for the universe and your part in it. Free Will was treated as an individual's desire to deviate from the plan. Neither of those correspond to the reality as I understand it from Bible.

Significance

The movie's conflict developed when the central character did not spill coffee on himself by 7:05 like he was supposed to. Think about that, how many things in life change because of something so insignificant as spilling your coffee. What you may deem as insignificant, alters the course of the rest of your life?

A Limited God

One of the agents informs David Norris that they don't adjust the small things, only the big ones...because they do not have enough "manpower". It is impossible to conceive of a God who has the manpower to make a plan happen as he wishes.

In addition "The Chairman," the one who calls the shots, depends on agents who do not have the whole plan. They have only the piece they are told. So, they act without the knowledge of the outcomes of their adjustments. Their lack of knowledge has potentially tragic results.

And, The Chairman continues to revise the plan as he loses control of it! As the fallible agents fail to control the free will of the people a future unfolds that is not what The Chairman had in mind. This makes for a fun movie, but a highly unpleasant reality.

Goodness & Sovereignty

I have not adequately considered the importance of both goodness and sovereignty. Free will turned out just as I expected in this movie. Not only did it result in a proud defiance of the chairman, it led to an immoral sexual relationship. That's why I do not believe the will is free. It is bound to sin (Romans 3:23).

The ability to run the world demands moral perfection and goodness. In the movie, one agent lies. The chairman does not appear to have a problem with that...if it keeps people on plan. The plan itself had no inherent goodness, it appeared to be one among many ways to run the world.

A plan without a good destination is an inadequate plan. If it is not good, run by a good God toward a good end, then it is hopeless determinism and should be resisted.

Individual vs. Societal Planning

The good of the individual and the good of society were at odds in the movie. If David Norris had what would give him greatest happiness he would no longer serve the purpose he was to fulfill in society. It appears unkind for The Chairman to favor the societal good over the individual good. Surely, if The Chairman were good both the big plan and the little plan would work for a common good.

My conclusion:

This is what I've come to after thinking about this movie: We have no idea how God does it!

If God is sovereign and good and works everything according to his purpose (Job 42:2), he does it in mysterious ways. How does He use the good choices of some people and the evil of others to work the good for the individual and for society in a way that ends up where he designs...I have no idea. But I'm glad He does.

Her Name Was Dorothy

2011-01-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

Jim Tressel in his book The Winners Manual (p.181) tells this story:

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely, this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired, and in her fifties, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say, 'Hello.'"

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

A Colloquy on Rejoicing

2010-10-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

I read this yesterday and it merits sharing and revisiting. A colloquy is a conversation you have with yourself. My soul and perhaps yours would be well-served to have a conversation like this...

Remember, O my soul,
It is thy duty and privilege to rejoice in God:
He requires it of thee for all his favours of grace.
Rejoice then in the Giver and his goodness,
Be happy in him, O my heart, and in nothing
but God,
for whatever a man trusts in,
from that he expects happiness.

He who is the ground of thy faith
should be the substance of thy joy.
Whence then comes heaviness and dejection,
when joy is sown in thee,
promised by the Father,
bestowed by the Son,
inwrought by the Holy Spirit,
thine by grace,
thy birthright in believing?

Art thou seeking to rejoice in thyself
from an evil motive of pride and self-reputation?
Thou hast nothing of thine own but sin,
nothing to move God to be gracious
or to continue his grace towards thee.
If thou forget this thou wilt lose thy joy.
Art thou grieving under a sense of indwelling sin?
Let godly sorrow work repentance,
as the true spirit which the Lord blesses,
and which creates fullest joy;
Sorrow for self opens rejoicing in God,
Self-loathing draws down divine delights.
Hast thou sought joys in some creature comfort?
Look not below God for happiness;
fall not asleep in Delilah’s lap.
Let God be all in all to thee,
and joy in the fountain that is always full.

-- from A Vally of Vision.

John Newton on being a pastor

2010-07-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

Read this this morning in my time with the Lord and have already been reminded of the accuracy of his words, "It is a bitter sweet, a sorrow full of joy." He's been a pastor.

Gal 4:19 -- Travailing in birth for souls (Olney Hymns, Book 2, Hymn 26)

What contradictions meet
In ministers’ employ!
It is a bitter sweet,
A sorrow full of joy:
No other post affords a place
For equal honor, or disgrace!

Who can describe the pain
Which faithful preachers feel;
Constrained to speak, in vain,
To hearts as hard as steel?
Or who can tell the pleasures felt,
When stubborn hearts begin to melt?

The Savior’s dying love,
The soul’s amazing worth;
Their utmost efforts move,
And draw their bowels forth:
They pray and strive, their rest departs,
Till CHRIST be formed in sinners hearts.

If some small hope appear,
They still are not content;
But, with a jealous fear,
They watch for the event:
Too oft they find their hopes deceived,
Then, how their inmost souls are grieved!

But when their pains succeed,
And from the tender blade
The rip’ning ears proceed,
Their toils are overpaid:
No harvest–joy can equal theirs,
To find the fruit of all their cares.

On what has now been sown
Thy blessing, LORD, bestow;
The pow’r is thine alone,
To make it spring and grow:
Do thou the gracious harvest raise,
And thou, alone, shalt have the praise.

On Life and Love

2010-07-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

The last ten days have been full of life. It has left me thinking about the beauty of the fabric that God weaves into our lives.

In the past 10 days:

We celebrated a daughter's birthday.
A good friend passed into glory earlier than we would have liked.
A friend broke off her engagement.
Two other friends got engaged to each other.
My parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
We grieved over kids whose parents couldn't stay together.
My softball team won a thrilling game and lost a heart-breaker.
We won a game by the "mercy rule" and we lost a game by the "mercy rule".
The season is over.

In addition, tonight my children will be sleeping in 4 states.

If I stir all this together, what do I get?

Life is a glorious mixture

I get a life that is full of pleasure and pain, joy and sadness, victory and defeat.

Is it what I expect? Not really, I expect only pleasure, only joy, only victory. The pain, sadness and defeat parts of life I pretend will never happen to me. I say pretend because I know for certain they will come. I'm realizing after a substantial time on the planet that I need to realize there are no untainted joys, no pristine victories. Everything in life is mixed.

I have to realize that on both sides. I have no complete pain, with no pleasure. Joy shows up mysteriously in some of the saddest moments. There are always small victories to enjoy in the midst of larger defeats.

Life is about what you love

Life is comprised of what you love. Your life may be defined by what and who you love. I'm sure it's more complicated than that, but love shapes all our experiences.

I realized early as a parent that you play catch with your son, not because of your love for baseball, but because of your love for your son. That perspective transforms my experience of the end of my softball tournament. If I loved softball, I'd have a meltdown at an umpire's bad call; a bobbled grounder would cause me heart burn. But, if I love the girls, those same experiences impact me primarily as they affect the players. If I love myself, well, everything will disappoint me.

The rich fabric of life is woven in the colors of what we love. In life and death, with light threads and dark, what we love is the most important thing about us.

Jesus said this in multiple ways:

Matthew 22:37 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Or in the words of the wise man, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

What Do You Make of Hard Times?

2010-06-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

This hymn by John Newton from the Olney Hymnal beautifully expressed God's purpose in afflictions. I hope it encourages you like it did me.

Love-tokens.

Heb 12:5-11

Afflictions do not come alone,
A voice attends the rod;
By both he to his saints is known,
A Father and a GOD!

Let not my children slight the stroke
I for chastisement send;
Nor faint beneath my kind rebuke,
For still I am their friend.

The wicked I perhaps may leave
Awhile, and not reprove;
But all the children I receive
I scourge, because I love.

If therefore you were left without
This needful discipline;
You might, with cause, admit a doubt,
If you, indeed, were mine.

Shall earthly parents then expect
Their children to submit?
And wilt not you, when I correct,
Be humbled at my feet?

To please themselves they oft chastise,
And put their sons to pain;
But you are precious in my eyes,
And shall not smart in vain.

I see your hearts, at present, filled
With grief, and deep distress;
But soon these bitter seeds shall yield
The fruits of righteousness.

Break through the clouds, dear Lord, and shine!
Let us perceive thee nigh!
And to each mourning child of thine
These gracious words apply.

Preach the Gospel to Yourself

2010-05-12T11:20:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I had more good stuff than I could cram into a sermon. Here are some leftover quotes I would have used if the sermon had lasted 2 hours!

“Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them but they are talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. Who is talking to you? Your self is talking to you. Now this man’s treatment [in this psalm] was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. ‘Why art thou cast down, O my soul?’ he asks. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says: ‘Self, listen for moment, I will speak to you.’” Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1965), 20.

“If I have observed anything by experience, it is this: a man may take the measure of his growth and decay in grace according to his thoughts and meditations upon the person of Christ, and the glory of Christ’s Kingdom, and of His love.” - John Owen

“Sin is therefore fundamentally opposition to God, rebellion against God, which roots in hatred of God.” – Anthony Hoekema

“Reminding ourselves of the Gospel is the most important daily habit we can establish. If the Gospel is the most vital news in the world, and if salvation by grace is the defining truth of our existence, we should create ways to immerse ourselves in these truths every day. No days off allowed. . .Your audience is your own heart. And the message is simple: Christ died for you sins. It’s a matter of sitting down, grabbing your own attention, and telling yourself, “Hey, listen up! This is what matters most: You’re forgiven! You have hope! Your hope is based on the sacrifice of Jesus. So lets’ not view this day any other way. Let today be governed by this one defining truth.” (Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney pg. 132‐133).

“God did not give us His Gospel just so we could embrace it and be converted. Actually, He offers it to us every day as a gift that keeps on giving to us everything we need for life and godliness... We extract these benefits by being absorbed in the Gospel, speaking it to ourselves when necessary, and by daring to reckon it true in all we do.” (The Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent pg 5).

“My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, He is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me.” (Morning and Evening‐Sept 25 by C.H. Spurgeon)

"There is simply no other way to compete with foreboding of my conscience, the condemnings of my heart, and the lies of the world and the Devil than to overwhelm such things with daily rehearsings of the Gospel.” (The Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent, p. 14)

“You are loved and accepted by God through the merit of Jesus, and you are blessed by God through the merit of Jesus. Nothing you ever do will cause Him to love you any more or any less. (Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges, p 73)

“Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee‐it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee‐it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument‐it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to they faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.” (Morning and Evening‐ June 28 by C.H. Spurgeon.)

“Learn to know Christ and him crucified. Learn to sing to him and say, ‘Lord Jesus, you are my righteousness, I am your sin. You took on you what was mine; yet set on me what was yours. You became what you were not, that I might become what I was not’.” (Martin Luther)

“There is nothing in us or done by us, at any stage of our earthly development, because of which we are acceptable to God. We must always be accepted for Christ’s sake, or we cannot be accepted at all. This is not true of us only when we believe. It is just as true after we have believed. It will continue to be true as long as we live... it is always on His ‘blood and righteousness’ alone that we can rest.” (B.B. Warfield)

How Do You Know You've Received Grace?

2010-05-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know if you have ever wondered if you have received grace from God that will save you. I know I've had that question. I have counseled many people who wonder if they are truly saved. This morning the Lord laid a few of them on my heart to pray for specifically...and the very next thing I read was this hymn by John Newton, hymn #119 in the Olney Hymnal, called Lovest Thou Me? I hope it encrouages you.

’Tis a point I long to know,
Oft it causes anxious thought;
Do I love the LORD, or no?
Am I his, or am I not?

If I love, why am I thus?
Why this dull and lifeless frame?
Hardly, sure, can they be worse,
Who have never heard his name!

Could my heart so hard remain,
Prayer a task and burden prove;
Every trifle give me pain,
If I knew a Savior’s love?

When I turn my eyes within,
All is dark, and vain, and wild;
Filled with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?

If I pray, or hear, or read,
Sin is mixed with all I do;
You that love the LORD indeed,
Tell me, Is it thus with you?

Yet I mourn my stubborn will,
Find my sin, a grief, and thrall;
Should I grieve for what I feel,
If I did not love at all?

Could I joy his saints to meet,
Choose the ways I once abhorred,
Find, at times, the promise sweet,
If I did not love the LORD?

Lord decide the doubtful case!
Thou who art thy people’s sun;
Shine upon thy work of grace,
If it be indeed begun.

Let me love thee more and more,
If I love at all, I pray;
If I have not loved before,
Help me to begin today.

Yesterday's Prayer

2010-05-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

I read the following prayer in church yesterday and had people request a copy. Here it is. My attempt to preach the gospel to myself as I pray.

Glorious God of Eternity, open my eyes to the grandeur of your throne. Remind me of the myriads that attend you, of the glory of your kingdom, of your infinite, unmatched and unstoppable power. Not that I may be frightened away, but that I might be the more certain that you are able to accomplish that which concerns me.

Convince me anew of your love for me. Remind my soul of the humility of the incarnation, the inhumanity of the trial, the agony of the cross. I want to know again, that you demonstrated your love in this, that while I was a sinner Christ died for me. I want to rest in the certainty that if you did not spare him, how will you not care for me in more minor details.

And, glory, you are wise beyond words. Your understanding has no limits.

You love me and are disposed to my best interest. You are completely beyond opposition and able to act in my best interest. And, you know, in every possible situation, what that best interest will be.

Cause me to humble myself before an awesome God whose desire for my good has no reservations. Why would I rebel against such a king as this? Why would I not surrender completely to Him? Oh God, let me be completely yours. Make my thoughts, words, actions and beliefs match what I know to be true about you and the gospel!

What Happened When Matthew Henry Was Robbed?

2010-04-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

Matthew Henry, a pastor whose 300 year-old commentaries are still widely used today, was once robbed and left with little or nothing. Upon that occasion, this is what he prayed:

I thank Thee first because
I was never robbed before;
Second, because although they took my purse they did not take my life;
Third, because although they took my all, it was not much;
And fourth because it was I who was robbed, and not I who robbed.

Oh, that my life would be so free and so thankful!

What's So Good About Good Friday?

2010-04-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

What is good about “Good Friday”? Why isn’t it called “Bad Friday”? Because out of the appallingly bad came what was inexpressibly good. And the good trumps the bad, because though the bad was temporary, the good is eternal. God’s love comes to us soaked in divine blood. “Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull... Here they crucified him” (John 19:17-18). – Randy Alcorn.

On Good Friday we gather to remember the death of Jesus. The cross is good for more than "getting someone saved." The events of Jesus’ crucifixion impact us at more levels than we realize:

Do you feel unloved?

Romans 5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Do you feel sad?

Isaiah 53:3-4 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

Do you feel rejected?

Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Do you feel weak?

Romans 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Do you feel forgiven?

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Do you feel broken?

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Do you feel unacceptable to God?

1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Do you feel liek a good person?

2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Do you feel distant from God?

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

Do you feel justified or like you have to justify yourself?

Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Do you worry about facing God’s wrath?

Romans 5:9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Do you feel condemned?

Romans 8:34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Do you feel like God has it out for you?

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.

Do you feel like there are people you don’t want to love?

1 John 3:16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Do you feel guilty?

Do you feel like God forgave you just because he is nice? He did it at the deliberate cost of His Son!

Acts 2:22-23 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know- this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Acts 4:24-28 "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "' Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

DAVID'S COACHING TIPS

2010-03-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

This is the process David Allen goes through in his weekly review. The weekly review is the primary application of GTD, or Getting Things Done.

I'm posting this for myself. If anyone else benefits, great. I need a systematic reminder of the things how to have, as he says, stress-free productivity.

Collect Loose Papers and Materials
Get "IN" to Zero
Empty Your Head
Review Action Lists
Review Previous Calendar Data
Review Upcoming Calendar
Review "Waiting For" List
Review Project (and Larger Outcome) Lists
Review Any Relevant Checklists
Review Someday/Maybe List
Be Creative & Courageous

Weaknesses

2010-03-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

O Spirit of God,
Help my infirmities;
When I am pressed down with a load of sorrow,
perplexed and knowing not what to do,
slandered and persecuted,
made to feel the weight of the cross,
help me, I pray thee.

If thou seest in me
any wrong thing encouraged,
any evil desire cherished,
any delight that is not thy delight,
any habit that grieves thee,
any nest of sin in my heart,
then grant me the kiss of thy forgiveness,
and teach my feet to walk the way of thy commandments.

Deliver me from carking care,
and make me a happy, holy person;
Help me to walk the separated life with firm and brave step,
and to wrestle successfully against weakness;
Teach me to laud, adore, and magnify thee,
with the music of heaven,
And make me a perfume of praiseful gratitude to thee.

I do not crouch at thy feet as a slave before a tyrant,
but exult before thee as a son with a father.

Give me power to live as thy child in all my actions,
and to exercise sonship by conquering self.

Preserve me from the intoxication that comes of prosperity;
Sober me when I am glad with a joy that comes not from thee.
Lead me safely on to the eternal kingdom,
not asking whether the road be rough or smooth.
I request only to see the face of him I love,
to be content with bread to eat,
with raiment to put on,
if I can be brought to thy house in peace.

-- The Valley of Vision, Banner of Truth.

Contentment

2010-03-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

I am not sure I'll use this in my message on Sunday, but loved it when I found it. I hope it reminds you to make the most of today.

It was Spring, but it was Summer I wanted:
The warm days and the great outdoors.

It was Summer, but it was Fall I wanted:
The colorful leaves and the cool, dry air.

It was Fall, but it was Winter I wanted:
The beautiful snow and the joy of the holiday season.

It was Winter, but it was Spring I wanted:
The warmth and the blossoming of nature.

I was a child, and it was adulthood I wanted:
The freedom and the respect.

I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted:
To be mature and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted:
The youth and the free spirit.

I was retired, but it was middle-aged I wanted:
The presence of mind without limitatins.

My life was over, and I never got what I wanted.

-- Quoted by Chuck Swindoll, (Cited in Ryken, Exodus. P. 674).

Congratulations!

2009-12-30T08:29:00.000-08:00

How many of you read through the New Testament in 2009 like I did? I'd love to hear from you about some of the things you got out of it.

Any idea what you'll do next year? Please let me know.

Revelation 22

2009-12-29T05:59:00.000-08:00

The scene around the throne and of the river is so peaceful; my soul is refreshed reading it. We are supposed to remember the opening of the Bible. A garden, a river, a tree of life and the magnificent presence of God remind us of Eden. All is now as God intended it to be in the beginning.

We are told these things will happen quickly (Rev. 22:6-7). Jesus says he will come soon (Rev. 22:20).

These words are faithful and true. If you keep them you'll be blessed (Rev. 22:7).

Revelation 21

2009-12-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

This chapter opens with New Heaven and New Earth. As much as, "In the Beginning," this sentence changes everything. How could so many of the promises, allusions, and hopes be tied together in one sentence. Beautiful.

The beauty of the new Jerusalem is beyond description. The glory of it radiates from and reflects the Lamb. It is HIS city.

The language of God's covenants echoes throughout. "I will be their God. They will be my people."

Revelation 20

2009-12-27T05:52:00.000-08:00

I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I know you want your name written in the book of life! Everyone who does not have their name written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire . . . forever. Get your name in that book!

Revelation 19

2009-12-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

A huge crowd sings Alleluia! The wedding supper is beginning. But all the conflict is not over.

A rider on a white horse assembles an army for the quickest, most decisive battle in history. They fought. The beast and false prophet were seized and thrown into the lake of fire and everyone else was killed by a stroke of the sword wielded by the one on the white horse. No contest!

The rider on the horse had a name known only to him (Rev. 19:12). Then we're told he is called the Word of God (Rev. 19:13). And finally, King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). These names tell us everything we need to know about him.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T05:46:00.000-08:00

I hope and pray you have a blessed and happy Christmas. May the hope of the Savior give you every reason to rejoice.

Revelation 18

2009-12-24T05:42:00.000-08:00

The fall of the great city is sudden and complete. There are no workers, no children and no workers left. The smoke of her destruction ascends to heaven for all to see.

Three groups mourn over her, all related to their economic loss:

Kings, with whom she was adulterous.
Merchants, whom she had made rich.
Sailors.

They watch from a distance because of her torment. The export list of this city is long and impressive.

Revelation 17

2009-12-23T05:34:00.000-08:00

This chapter seems to obscure more than it reveals. He identifies a harlot, horns, heads, beasts and yet for centuries no one has been able to positively identify them -- but, not for a lack of trying.

Everything is now out of control. A harlot riding on a scarlet beast is defiling the nations with her immorality. This seems like one more powerful player lined up to oppose God. She is drunk with the blood of the martyrs (Rev. 17:6), not good. Add to that the sequence of kings that oppose God, Not good either.

They make war with the Lamb, and he conquers them. And, (Rev. 17:17), God puts in their hearts to carry out his purpose. Without their knowing, God directs their opposition toward his own goal. Wow! God is amazing and sovereign to the end.

Revelation 16

2009-12-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

The seven bowls are full of the wrath of God. They are each in its own way unspeakably horrible, though the hail may be the worst.

Three times this chapter says something like, "They blasphemed God because of the plagues, but they did not repent." People who receive the wrath of God receive it because they would rather receive it than to acknowledge God as God (i.e., repent)! Wrath does not fall upon innocent people. Even the fierce wrath of God does not bring about humility and repentance.

Sprinkled throughout this futuristic terror are reminders to be ready, to watch, to stay dressed. Don't pretend God's wrath will never happen. Be prepared.

Revelation 15

2009-12-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

This chapter is a pause in the judgment. Seven angels with seven plagues are introduced. They will complete the judgment.

Those who overcome the beast and his image and his number stood on the sea. Overcoming the beast I understand, overcoming his number and his name must speak to the completeness of their rejection of and victory over the beast. You overcome the image by not worshiping it and overcome the number by refusing it.

They sung the song of Moses and the lamb. It is not the song of Exodus 15, though both songs reflect God's great victory!

Revelation 14

2009-12-19T05:57:00.000-08:00

As soon as the number of the beast is revealed we see the lamb standing on Mount Zion with 144,000 worshipers who learn a new song. They follow the lamb wherever he leads. They are blameless. Are they the same 144,000 as in Revelation 7:4?

Three angels proclaim messages. The first proclaims an eternal gospel for every tribe, tongue, people and nation. That is a recurring phrase throughout Revelation.

Message one: Fear God and bring him glory.
Message two: Babylon the great has fallen.
Message three: Those who accepted the mark of the beast and worshiped his image must face God's wrath. This also a call for the perseverance of the saints (Rev. 14:12).

Interesting summary of the angels' message, "Their works follow after them." (Rev. 14:13).

Then two angels thrust their sickles into the earth and harvest. They harvest to place clusters in the wine press of God's wrath -- devastating judgment.

Revelation 13

2009-12-18T05:49:00.000-08:00

The most striking thing about this chapter is the use of the verb, "It has been given" or "it was given." A leopard-like, bear-like, lion-like beast arises from the sea. He deceives and frightens the whole world, yet he only has power that he 'has been given.'

He rules over every tribe, tongue, nation and people. This is one more clear indication of his direct competition with the Lamb.

Another beast arises from the land and deceived people for 42 months. He made an image of the first beast that came alive and was worshiped. Everyone was forced to get his mark, 666.

Revelation 12

2009-12-17T05:39:00.000-08:00

Here is a Christmas story for you. It really does bear a great resemblance to the first advent. This seems to be a summary of Satan's whole-scale opposition to Jesus! The description of the beast in Revelation 12:9-10 gives some indication of his opposition both to God and to those who follow Jesus (Rev. 12:17).

I love Revelation 12:11. They overcome by him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. Allegience to and faith in Jesus is the way to overcome. If they didn't love their lives even to death, what did they love? They loved the lamb. They overcame because they loved the lamb!

Revelation 11

2009-12-16T17:34:00.000-08:00

John was to measure the temple and discovered two witnesses with unusual powers testifying to the true God. The beast arose from the abyss and killed them. The whole world rejoiced. Their bodies were on display for three and a half days, then they rose to heaven.

A huge earthquake killed 7,000 and those who remained glorified God. I don't expect that would happen today. If a devastating earthquake killed many, the rest wouldn't respond in worship.

Then the seventh trumpet finally blows. This, too, resulted in worship.

Revelation 10

2009-12-15T05:25:00.000-08:00

One powerful, enormous angel appears from heaven with a tiny, opened scroll. His appearance and voice are terrifying. He has one foot on land and the other on the sea, yet John can reach out and take a book from him. Interesting perspective. This angel vowed before God, "There is no more time!"

Eating the scroll, or acting, replaced writing. The voice of seven thunders told him he would speak or prophesy, not read from notes he wrote.

This appears to be a buildup for the 7th trumpet. The end is drawing nearer.

Revelation 9

2009-12-14T05:15:00.000-08:00

This is the worst destruction so far. Demons are loosed from the abyss super-charged to destroy. They themselves are indestructible. They appear to be giant insects from hell -- literally!

One third of the people are killed. Those who remain wish they could die but can't. Even then they do not repent. Murder, witchcraft, sexual immorality and thievery are the predominant sins. The only familiar description is the one of idols, so frequent in the Old Testament.

This chapter contains no worship, no singing, no praise -- just destruction, full of fear and pain.

Revelation 8

2009-12-13T05:34:00.000-08:00

Heaven is silent for a half an hour. That's curious. One half hour seems like nothing next to 42 months or other measurements of time in this book. Yet, to make note of one particular half hour seems important.

Seven angels prepare to sound seven trumpets and anoth3r angel emerges with a golden censer. The smoke from the censer centralizes prayers of the saints. What follows, in some way derives from those prayers. Were the saints praying for judgment to fall on people?

As the trumpets blow, one third of things are destroyed by catastrophes of various sizes. I cannot help but wonder what is going on here. What would a mixture of hail, fire and blood by like? One great star takes out one third of the rivers and springs?

A final eagle announces woes on everyone living on the earth. Yikes!

Revelation 7

2009-12-12T05:23:00.000-08:00

Four angels are set to harm the earth with judgment but are held back until the servants of God are sealed. They were numbered 144,000 from Israel. Beside them he saw a crowd that could not be numbered of those who came from the great tribulation. Why number some and not others? I have no idea. They have had their robes washed and whitened by the blood of the lamb. Blood is not generally considered a whitening agent!

The songs and the scene appear to be a continuation of Revelation 5.

Two other interesting statements of relationship between this crowd and God:

The one seated on the throne dwells among them (Revelation 7:15).
The lamb shepherds them (Revelation 7:17). I cannot help but recall Psalm 23:1-2.

Revelation 6

2009-12-11T11:24:00.000-08:00

The Lamb opened the first six seals. I expected them to have symmetrical results, but they didn't. The four horsemen went throughout the earth. The martyrs received white robes. The heavens and earth shook and began to disintegrate.

The point of all this seems to come at the end, "Hide us from the face of the one on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. Because the day of His wrath is coming and who is able to stand." The point is that the wrath of God is coming and Revelation is written so every person has fair warning!

Revelation 5

2009-12-10T05:33:00.000-08:00

Again this scene appears more vivid than I can imagine. It strikes me as a summary of the redemption story. No law, no prophet, no human, and hero was found to open the scroll and all heaven mourns.

The lamb, the darling of heaven, steps forward to do what none other can do. He is a lion and a lamb. He is conquering and slain! He alone is worthy. That is the central feature of this chapter.

He purchase people from every tribe, nation, language and people. What a triumphant missionary verse. And, not only that, he transformed them into kings and priests. The numbers involved are intentionally staggering -- myriads upon myriads, thousands upon thousands.

All heaven breaks out into a new song -- the lamb is worthy!

Revelation 4

2009-12-09T05:14:00.000-08:00

John is invited into heaven. All kinds of things come into focus for him:

Brilliant and vivid colors -- jasper, carnelian and emerald! This is not an ordinary black and white dream.
The arrangement of the furniture -- a central throne surrounded by 24 others.
Twenty-four elders on those thrones all dressed in white wearing crowns.
Seven lamp stands near the center.
Strange creatures who's chief characteristic is that they are alive!
A crystal sea.

The actions consists of the living creatures saying, "Holy, Holy, Holy," and the elders taking off their crowns and bowing to worship.

I think the seven lamp stands draw us back to chapter 2-3 and the seven churches, even though the immediate reference is the seven spirits of God. The whole scene intentionally reminds us of Isaiah 6. The thunder and lightning from the throne compound the overwhelming aura of glory surrounding God.

What am I to think? Is this a solemn and reverent scene? Is is joyful and celebratory? Is it serene and peaceful? It is so perfect and so intimidating at the same time.

Revelation 3

2009-12-08T06:09:00.000-08:00

These three churches are in serious trouble. Sardis is about to close down. Philadelphia has an open door, but little else going for it, and an hour of testing is on its way. Laodicea is lukewarm.

Both Sardis and Philadelphia are to strengthen what they have (Rev. 3:2, 11). No matter how weak, they are responsible for what is left.

Laodicea is, of course, a warning to every rich church. They didn't know what trouble they were in. They are to buy from Jesus -- gold, white clothes, and eye salve! Christ rebukes and trains those he loves. Therefore, they are to be zealous and repent.

Revelation 2

2009-12-07T05:53:00.000-08:00

Several things stand out here:

Each letter is written to the angel (or, messenger) of each church.
Jesus authors each letter and connects his byline to one of the characteristics in the opening description.
The general format is: 1) "I know. . ." 2) "I have something against you. . ." 3) "This is how to fix the problem. . . " 4) Here are the consequences (good and bad).
The reality of the unseen world leaps off the page. I can't help but wonder how this looked in each church. On the surface, it probably looked like a regular church. But, Jezebel and Satan were there!
The church at Ephesus had left its first love.
The last works of the church at Thyatira were greater than the first.
He had nothing against the church at Smyrna and only a small thing against Pergamum.
"To the one who overcomes." Jesus expects victory!

Revelation 1

2009-12-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

The picture of Jesus is breathtaking. It is so easy to think of him as a baby in a manger, safe and cuddly. Here, however, He oozes power and radiates glory. He is frightening in any sane sense of the word. John's reaction of falling to his feet as dead seems entirely appropriate. And to think, he is walking among the churches!

Twice it emphasizes he was, and is, and is coming. He is living and eternal, the first and last. These are descriptions one would only use of the one true God, not of some created being!

This is a letter written to seven churches. It is not best-selling fiction. God sends this to churches because they need to hear what he says and it will help them.

Jude

2009-12-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

This book has a bunch of weird things in it. Jude, however, draws the same distinctions that all writers do between godly and ungodly. In fact, he uses that work, "ungodly", several times. His main concern is to correct and encourage people not be be ungodly. He lists several bad examples from the Old Testament -- Cain (Genesis 4:1-9), Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24ff), Korah (Numbers 16:1-33), and Balaam (Numbers 22:27ff). He threatens Gods judgment on ungodliness. He encourages godliness with the promise of joy in God's presence.

The benediction is spectacular, one of the most beautiful in all the Bible. God is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless. He's able to do what we cannot!

3 John

2009-12-04T06:01:00.000-08:00

For the third time in as many days we read of the co-mingling of love and truth. Healthy relationships must be important!

It gives John no greater joy than to hear that his children walk in truth. He speaks not of physical children, but of his church. It is a happy thing to see people staying happy in Jesus.

In the life of each congregation there are positive and negative people. Apparently this church had sent out workers and need to encourage and support them -- positive people. And, there was Diotrophes, who loved first place and manipulated people to keep it -- negative people.

The ending says a ton about early church life -- the 'friends' greet you. . .greet the 'friends'. That simple description of a church, "friends", tells us what is normal in church life!

2 John

2009-12-03T05:53:00.000-08:00

The subject matter of this second letter is very similar to the first. The writer is preoccupied with the truth. He's so stuck on it that he instructs believers not to welcome or greet those who are actively against truth.

And, like 1 John, he reminds them of an old command (1 John 5:3), love one another.

I am continually impressed with how love and truth come together. They first meet in the person of Jesus, who is both truth (John 14:6) and love (John 14:15). In that way Jesus embodies the very essence of healthy relationships. Relationships cannot endure without both love and truth. No wonder he is the way to have a relationship with God! The content and flavor of Christian conversation is love and truth(Ephesians 4:15).

1 John 5

2009-12-02T06:08:00.000-08:00

It is possible to know (1 John 5:13-14), to know and not wish, or "hope so", but to know that you have eternal life! The life comes only through Jesus (1 John 5:11-12). If you have him, you have eternal life. Period.

If that is the case, it will change the way you related to God and to others. You will love God and keep God's commands (1 John 5:3) and you will love the children of God (1 John 5:2). Loving God prevents his commands from being burdensome. If you love God you love to do what he says!

If you have Jesus as your savior, you are born again and have overcome the world. Jesus keeps you from the evil one who rules the world, who seeks your destruction (1 John 5:18) and hates God.

Keep yourselves from idols. An idol is nothing more than a God-substitute. Everyone believes in an idol or in God. So, keep yourselves from idols.

1 John 4

2009-12-01T05:56:00.000-08:00

The centrality of Jesus again distinguishes between truth and error. If He is God come in human flesh -- you are from Him. If you deny Jesus is uniquely from God, you deny it all.

God sent him as a propitiation for our sins. That is, he loved us enough to send Jesus to receive and satisfy his wrath that we should have received. This is love, not that we love God, but that He loved us.

It is this love of God that needs to be passed around to one another. The proof that you love God is that you love others.

The love of god casts out fear and if I love him I demonstrate it by keeping his commands. We do not have a lvoe of equals, but of a subject to a master.

1 John 3

2009-11-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

This chapter presents a happy cirecle. It opens reminding us of the great love God lavished on us to make us his children. Just imagine it! We deserved to be crushed as enemies, yet he chooses to set his love on us and make us children. And, were told in 1 John 3:2, that it gets better than this and we don't really know how good it will be.

Having been loved like this, we should love one another. The proof of having received the love of God is that we love one another (1 John 3:14).

God confirms that you belong to him. He does it when you keep His commands. Assurances of belonging to God and being on your way to heaven do not come from wishful thinking, but from submitting to Jesus.

1 John 2

2009-11-29T05:24:00.000-08:00

There is no more happy exaltation of Jesus than 1 John 2:1-2. He is both the "comforter" or "advocate" and the "propitiation".

The sin problem remains unsolved until John explains the role of Jesus. He advocates for us with the Father. He himself is the means by which God forgives sin, satisfying the wrath of God against sin.

The new command is an old one -- Love one another. Your love is the leading spiritual indicator of whether or not you are a believer in Jesus (1 John 2:11).

The Antichrist is not a person, but many persons who deny Christ. The antichrist is anyone or anything that denies Jesus is the Christ come from God. The refusal to bow before the anointed King Jesus is paramount to denying God. To bow before Jesus is to have the Father and the Son and to be confident in judgment. It's that simple.

1 John 1

2009-11-28T06:38:00.000-08:00

John's concrete experience with Jesus forms the bedrock of the authority of this letter. He has first-hand experience and wants us to know that he is passing on to us what he got from Jesus.

Life! Jesus is life. His words bring life. Christianity is not arguments about doctrine, its about life! That life comes in fellowship with God. A relationship with God, unbroken by sin, is what life is all about. Prospectively, walk in the light and you will have fellowship with him.

If you are trapped in darkness, confess your sin and he will forgive and cleanse you. Don't deceive yourself; don't hide or pretend that some how you don't have sin.

2 Peter 3

2009-11-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

The judgment of the world is a present reality. We live under the specter of God's ultimate and final reckoning. The world will dissolve, not unlike described in described in My Chains are Gone. Several verses (2 Peter 3:1, 11, 14) describe the lifestyle that will be prepared for judgment.

God is not slow concerning his promise. He is long-suffering -- a day is like a 1000 years (This is a statement of God's long-suffering more than it is his relationship to time). He desires every person to take hold of repentance. Note: He doesn't just want everyone to have a warm, fuzzy experience in heaven. He wants every person to turn from sin!

He will bring the end like a thief breaks in. Don't be surprised.

2 Peter 2

2009-11-26T05:07:00.000-08:00

This is one of the saddest chapters in all the Bible. It is a description of people who despise authority and break God's commands.

It is better to have not known the commands than to have turned away from them!

2 Peter 1

2009-11-25T05:55:00.000-08:00

What glorious riches are here! God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness. Nothing is left for us to add, on one hand. On the other hand, we are to work hard to add to our faith . . . so that we will be neither barren or unfruitful.

The coming of Christ is a theme that motivates both with accountability and hope.

Peter establishes a level of authority -- we have the word made more certain -- we were eye witnesses. He's not making this up!

1 Peter 5

2009-11-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

The word "elders" starts the sentence in Greek. Clearly, he intends to discuss the role of leadership. The word "elders" is almost a subheading. They should:

Shepherd the flock of God willingly.
Not do it for the love of money, but because they want to.
Not lord it over the flock, but be an example.
Lead as a steward of, and for the approval of, the chief shepherd.

He commands humility first to young men, then to all. Humility takes several forms here: submission, faith that God will exalt, casting your cares on him, being watchful against the devil, the author of pride. I wonder if he doesn't devour peopled by convincing them to be proud and there for to be resisted by God.

How great to cast your cares on Him, because what concerns you concerns Him!

1 Peter 4

2009-11-23T05:22:00.000-08:00

Be armed with the attitude found in Christ, namely that suffering is better than sin. The one who suffers has ceased from sin. It is better to suffer than to go back to the former way of life.

The end of all things is near. (hear, there is a sense of urgency about your life). How do you respond to the urgency? Pray! Be sober and self-controlled about prayer. If you have a sense of urgency you will pray. Love one another. Show hospitality. Steward the grace and gifts of God in a way that your service connects back to Jesus.

Two ways we glorify God: speaking and serving in ways sourced in God's word and power. And suffering undeservedly as Christians.

Two uses of the "strange" (Gk. ="xenizo", from which we get xenophobia). Don't live or settle in the present age as someone dominated by human desires, but by God. Be a "stranger". And, don't think it "strange" if you suffer.

1 Peter 3

2009-11-22T05:14:00.000-08:00

How do wives win husbands? By adorning themselves on the inside, not the outside. It is the attractiveness of the inner person that is God's strategy for winning a disobedient husband. The verb is the same as 1 Peter 2:12. Unbelievers in both cases observe the quality of life of believers, and by observing respond in faith toward God and bring Him glory. This strikes me as important.

Husbands face the threat of God disregarding their prayers if they don't work to understand and honor their wives. Ouch! Is that why men don't pray more?

We were called to inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). But the means to that blessing is to guard your words, to seek peace and to prayer (1 Peter 3:10-12).

Jesus died once and for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. . . will you come?

1 Peter 2

2009-11-21T05:07:00.000-08:00

The expectation is that by engaging God's word (1 Peter 2:2) we will grow in salvation and growing we will be continually formed into the unique people of God. Being the people of God affects our relationship to this world. We are now aliens and strangers, and we make deliberate choices to keep the identity of our true homeland.

The middle of the chapter speeds up with staccato instruction. . . "love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king." These things describe what doing good means (1 Peter 2:15).

The other stunning thing is that we can expect to suffer. Jesus left us a patter so that we can walk in his footsteps.

1 Peter 1

2009-11-20T05:39:00.000-08:00

So much about this chapter is breathtaking! Not only that, as Peter is writing this, he is aware he is writing breathtaking material. Even the angels stoop to look into the salvation brought by the precious blood of the spotless lamb!

This letter is to the displace in the dispersion. . . according to the foreknowledge of God. Certainly the foreknowledge has to do with them being elect to salvation. But, if that's the case, did the foreknowledge of God also account for their scattering and their unpleasant living conditions. The sovereignty of God is an eternal comfort (they are elect), and a temporal comfort (in the dispersion).

I cannot read this without noticing the assertion that faith in and love for Christ are one-in-the-same (1 Peter 1:8-9).

Noticed what looks like a throwaway line in 1 Peter 1:12 -- Jesus came not to serve himself, but you.

How would it change me if I was captivated by God's foreknowledge, grace, the preciousness of Christ's sacrifice and the resurrection of Jesus as Peter seems to be?

James 5

2009-11-19T05:25:00.000-08:00

The expectation of difficulty drives this chapter. Even the rich can expect trouble. You can expect sickness. You will have reason to grumble against one another. A few will have good circumstances. Help one another in these difficult times by confessing your sin.

Problem: Riches do not last. You would think that our economic recession would have taught us that, but the recent recovery has caused us to forget it. Solution: Store up treasure for the last days.

The coming of the Lord is near, establish your hearts. In every circumstance, pray. The prayer of a righteous person, like Elijah, is powerful and effective.

Turn a sinner from the error of his ways and save him from death. A great promise and reason to be involved in people's lives.

James 4

2009-11-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

The connection of friendship with the world to prayer is interesting. Worldly people fail to pray. You have not because you don't ask. And, they pray for their pleasures, so they don't receive. James 1:7-8 tell us the double-minded man won't receive anything from the Lord. Even being half-way worldly kills prayer!

The necessity for humility comes out three times:

With regard to God. God exalts the humble and humbles the proud.
With respect to the law. Do it, don't be a judge of it.
With respect to life. Dont' brag about tomorrow. You are only a vapor!

James 3

2009-11-17T05:02:00.000-08:00

The tongue is out-of-control. If you use it as a teacher, you'll get a stricter judgment. It is small, but has great power, like a bridle, a rudder, and a small flame. It is untameable. Layne asked, "What about God?" Great question! God really is the only hope. God must change it from the inside out.

Wisdom from above causes peace and bears good fruit. You can tell the source of wisdom by the fruit. Not unlike Jesus saying, "Wisdom is proved right by her children. I need wisdom from above today!

James 2

2009-11-16T14:36:00.000-08:00

James writes a stiff warning against partiality, that is against giving people preferential treatment based on external characteristics (like wealth!). When you do this, you misjudge and favor those who actually oppose you. You reveal yourself as an evil judge. You forfeit mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith without works is dead. Faith that does not issue in an active, transformed life is useless. This is a warning to pious, but passive people who think right opinions are sufficient. It should also warn those who do good, but are not motivated by faith. You must believe and have faith that can be seen in your life.

Two things that help this discussion I'd not noticed before:

James 2:18 makes it clear that the issue is the demonstration of faith. "You show. . . I show." In other words, how can you see faith? Only by works. It is primarily a visibility question, how do you see faith.
The relationship of the body to the Spirit is a key to understanding faith and works. Faith is to works and the body is to the spirit. Works animate faith.

James 1

2009-11-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

No wonder I love the book of James! It is so practical. How many problems I've recently experienced would be solved if people would be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry. How much better I'd be if I had wisdom to understand my trials . . . and God promises to provide it. How obvious that being a hearer and not a doer proves your are self-deceived. How great to know that God doesn't even have one small change! How great that God gives perfect and good gifts! How practical that visiting orphans and widows constitutes true religion.

Two themes are prominent in this chapter. The word of God is a great gift! It is able to save your soul. If you remain under it, it will work in you. And second, it is easy to deceive yourself. You can deceive yourself about sin (James 1:16), about passivity (James 1:22), and about false religion (james 1:26).

Hebrews 13

2009-11-13T06:05:00.000-08:00

This chapter is the glorious application of the glory of grace. These are things that people do who have been capture by the beauty of Christ. Even in application he can't get over Jesus. . ."the same yesterday, today and forever." The relationship to marriage, leadership, prisoners, strangers, money and home all stem from your relationship to Christ.

I cannot believe I've never noticed Hebrews 13:5 before. The key to being free from the love of money is knowing that God will never leave us or forsake us. The choice of our heart to trust in the presence of God frees us from the tyranny of trusting in the presence of money!

I cannot read Hebrews 13:7 and Hebrews 13:17 without a twinge of pain at having them so recently ignored. I would love people to enjoy the benefits of imitating the outcome of my life. What is profitable for people is joyful for leaders. Cool -- everybody's happy!

The benediction is glorious (Heb. 13:20-21).

Hebrews 12

2009-11-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

Jesus endured. We must run with endurance. Jesus had joy set before him. We have a race set before us. That's why we look to him! Focus is the key to endurance.

Discipline, though not joyous, is proof of our legitimate sonship to God. He disciplines us out of love. Discipline prompts us to respect God and is designed to protect us from his judgment (Heb 12:29). We dare not despise his discipline.

So many small gems in this chapter. Jesus' blood speaks better things than Abel's (Heb 12:24). Esau did not find repentance even though he sought it with tears (Heb. 12:16-17). Our God is a consuming fire - end of discussion (Heb. 12:29).

Hebrews 11

2009-11-11T05:33:00.000-08:00

This chapter, among other things, displays thatGod's plan from the beginning was to have his people relate to Him by faith. All the exploits sprung from a heart full of faith. The phrases like "considered the promises", "received the promise", "believed God was able", make me want to be more certain of the reality of God's unseen and unexperienced promises. Lord, make me a man of faith!

These illustrations of faith fall into two groups: First, there are those who trusted God and He kept his promise and they are great models of successful faith. The second group, however, motivates me even more. They are the ones who believed God and didn't see the promise. They believed and were hiding in caves. The believed and were sawn in two! They remind me that faith is the substance of what is NOT seen. Faith is at ist best when you can't see the promise fulfilled.

After all this, we have a striking sentence, "God has provided something better for us, that without us they would not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:40). My faith somehow fits in and completes this long line of believers!

Hebrews 10

2009-11-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

This chapter begins the wrap-up. If it is true that Jesus is superior to the angels and Moses, and if he's a perfect sacrifice and a perfect priest, and if it's true that the new covenant is better than the old, and if it's true that the heavenly tabernacle is better than the earthly one, then. . .

Let us draw near to God (Heb. 10:22).
Let us hold fast to our confession of hope without wavering (Heb. 10:23).
Let us stir one another up to good works (Heb. 10:24-25).

If we do this, we will take seriously the warning of God's judgment and the promise of reward. Our willingness to help others out and be helped out, is a measure of how seriously we take God's word on the final judgment and reward.

Hebrews 9

2009-11-09T05:17:00.000-08:00

The argument from the lesser to the greater, which has been going on since the first page of Hebrews, continues here. The earthly place of worship and form of worship is only a dim reflection of heavenly things.

The blood of bulls and goats is only a temporary solution to sin. Ho much more will the blood of Christ cleans our consciences from dead works to serve the living God. The blood of Jesus offered once and for all forgives sin (the problem) and cleanses our consciences (the reminder of the problem).

Jesus offering himself once and for all was more than enough to forgive sin.

Hebrews 8

2009-11-08T05:10:00.000-08:00

As a priest in heaven Jesus administers a better covenant, not bound by earthly conventions. He administrates it in a tabernacle built by God himself!

The most amazing part of this chapter is Hebrews 8:6. The new covenant is built on better promises. They are better because they are unilateral. The quote from Jeremiah 31:31-34 explains what he means. Sins can be forgiven, not just covered. Our performance is not a basis for this covenant. God's performance is the only thing at stake!

Hebrews 7

2009-11-07T05:49:00.000-08:00

It is important for us to have a priest, someone who represents us before God, since we aren't qualified to represent ourselves. According to the law Jesus wasn't able to be the priest since he was from the tribe of Judah not Levi.

Jesus is, however, a different kind of priest, a superior one. He is superior in several respects:

He does not require a tribal genealogy.
He is of the order of Melchizedek, who is greater than Abraham and therefore Levi, because Abraham paid him a tithe (Heb. 7:4-10).
Jesus brings a greater hope (Heb. 7:19).
He does not die, but remains eternally a priest. (Heb. 7:23). He will never need to be replaced.
He is able to save completely those who come to God (Heb. 7:25).
He does not sin. Therefore he doesn't need to offer sacrifices for himself before he sacrifices for people (Heb. 7:27).

The tithing argument is built on the belief that tithing represents the acknowledgment of the greatness of the one who receives the tithe. This, in and of itself, is a good argument for tithing today. How do you acknowledge the greatness of God in tangible ways?

Hebrews 6

2009-11-06T05:39:00.000-08:00

We are expected to grow beyond the basics. What are the basics? Repentance from dead works, faith in God, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection and judgment. How do you get started in the Christian faith? By getting those things figured out.

Apparently, among those who genuinely believe, some grow up to be weeds and not genuine believers and are unable to be turned back. This is a sober warning for anyone playing games with the faith.

The promise of God's faithfulness and love in Hebrews 6:10 seems designed to comfort those who may be shaken by the warning in verses 1-9. If you are fully engaged, you have nothing to fear. God will be able to discern what is right. Have you done good to believers? Have you loved the only one who can save you? These questions are not questions about whether you've been religious, but about whether your heart has been changed.

The word of God is sure because nothing is greater than Him which can prevent Him from keeping it. He himself is our anchor and safe place. Jesus has broken through the veil into the presence of God (Hebrews 6:17-20).

Hebrews 5

2009-11-05T05:25:00.000-08:00

A normal high priest offers sin offerings for himself, because he is subject to the same weakness as those he represents. Jesus is sympathetic (Heb. 4:15), but without sin. He himself is the sin offering.

Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. He brings eternal salvation to all who obey. I don't think Jesus learned in a way that suggests he was disobedient until he learned to become obedient. He learned, or was tested and passed, when he suffered.

You and I have an obligation to grow up to know the Scriptures. God has in mind a trajectory that each person should be on in the same way a healthy child moves from milk to solid food. Apparently, this group was lagging on account of laziness. Growth comes from reason of use. Practice makes perfect when it comes to handling the word and making mature spiritual decisions.

The $64,000 question is this: How can I speed up the process of that kind of growth? This text suggests two things, experience and practice.

Hebrews 4

2009-11-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

This passage can be divided into three clean parts. The first is a further development of the idea of rest. God rested. Jesus rested. We must rest, too. Labor, he says, to enter into that rest (Hebrews 4:11). Faith takes work. Either you believe and res or harden your heart and experience judgment.

The second part shows the means for entering God's rest -- His word. God's word is the hinge between judgment and rest. I love and hate that it is so penetrating. God's word is his surgical instrument to examine me and to do surgery on me!

The third section deals with Jesus as the perfect high priest. We are invited, because Jesus is such a perfect pries, to come boldly into the throne room of God to find grace to help just-in-time. Jesus sympathy, his similar testing, and his sinlessness qualify him perfectly to represent us!

Hebrews 3

2009-11-03T06:01:00.000-08:00

Four observations about this chapter:

Moses served God's house as a faithful servant. Jesus serves it as a Son. Don't rebel against the son of the house like your forefathers did against the servant!
Fighting sin is a team effort. The community needs to encourage one another every day not to be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Sin is deceitful. I have plenty of sins I walk right into, but some sin, I walk into because I don't see what's happening. I'm deceived. There is a hardness about sin.
God designs rest for our souls, illustrated by the promise land, that we fail to enter into if we are unbelieving or disobedient.

Hebrews 2

2009-11-02T05:54:00.000-08:00

The most important question, framed in a most relevant way is addressed to everyone's conscience in Hebrews 2:3, "How will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" Some, I'm sure are hostile toward Jesus, but the majority of people I know simply neglect, or disregard him. That's the problem, passive nonchalance. How will they escape? You must be saved because sin deserves just punishment.

The tough and tender character of Jesus demands my respect and love. He is tender, because of his suffering and temptation; He is a compassionate and faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17-18). On the other hand, through his death he rendered powerless or destroyed the one who holds the most power in the world, the power of death. Because of fear of that power he holds people captive. Jesus is a conquering king and a tender priest.

Hebrews 1

2009-11-01T05:42:00.000-08:00

This chapter contains the thesis statement for the whole book: God has spoken through his Son! Jesus is the exact representation of the essence of God. No wonder people either stumble at or submit to Him! Jesus brought forth everything by the word of his power.

The rest of the chapter is a piling up of Hebrew Scriptures that speak of Christ. They tell us simply, Jesus is in a class by himself. God relates to Jesus differently than he does to angels. Jesus is greater than angels.

Philemon

2009-10-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

Two things stand 0ut:

Philemon refreshed the hearts of the saints (Philemon 1:7, 20). The word is not the normal word for "heart", it is the word for "emotions". Apparently, he had a refreshing, rest-giving effect on the emotions of the saints. I need people like that in my life. I need to be like that.
Paul was confident Philemon would do the right thing. I think that confidence is itself refreshing. The confidence that someone else will do the right thing is golden and comes only when the relationship is deep.

Titus 3

2009-10-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

This chapter beautifully illustrates the differences between those who have received the kindnes and love of God and those who haven't. The love of God comes with transforming power. The moral lives of those who believe the gospel has dramatically changed from what they used to be and from what people live like outside the community of faith.

The constant siren song of arguments, empty talk and religious speculation has shipwrecked many a christian and ruined many a church. He comes back to this sooooo many times!

The emphasis on good works again is unmistakable. Christians must be leaders in good works. The outcome of a life of faith matter, not merely what people claim to believe. Christianity is not privately held belief. It is a changed life that produces a good life. The Cretans are lazy gluttons (Titus 1:12). The hard work advocated here would make a Christian very obvious in that context.

Titus 2

2009-10-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

Relationships matter. Titus, as a church leader, relates to certain people in certain ways and their relationships with one another need to be constructive, too.

The word for "teaching" that older women are to do for younger women is not the normal word for teaching, but derives from the word for "self-control." What older women are to help younger women with is largely willful.

These relationships inside the church must be squared away for the sake of those outside the church (Titus 2:5, 8, 10). Not only is it clearly stated those three times, as he writes about relationships he breaks into rejoicing at the glory of the gospel.

Titus 1

2009-10-28T06:08:00.000-07:00

The best assurance for the future of a church is to have qualified elders who know the truth. Their ability to articulate truth and discern and rebuke errors will keep the church from being capsized. Doctrine, here, is described as healthy (the word from which we get "hygiene.").

The lead characteristic of these leaders is their family. This reinforces for me that each home is a miniature church. Leading at home precedes leading at church. It seems, too, that there are a few things that qualify a leader, but many ways to be disqualified.

We are introduced, too, the theme of Titus -- good works. The problem with bad teaching is not only the teaching itself, but that it produces people unfit for good works. Titus has a results-based view of doctrine.

2 Timothy 4

2009-10-27T06:01:00.000-07:00

This chapter makes pastoral ministry look simple. The exhortations are short, obvious and noble (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

He tells us what it looks like to finish well. He clearly has in view a reward, that in his mind may be only days away.

In stark contrast to the reward is the loneliness and disappointment of ministerial life. Demas left him for the present world. He made an insane exchange. Paul describes Alexander who did him much harm and how he was left all alone at his first trial.

The hope of reward and the reality of life make the simple requests even more personal. Bring my coat, books, and friends before winter.

2 Timothy 3

2009-10-26T05:48:00.000-07:00

The description of the last days is a diagnosis of the context in which a church exists and in which Christians live. The negativity of this list is more obvious in Greek than in English. The same negative prefix is used 8 different times in this list of bad characteristics. "Having the form of godliness, but denying it's power," is a stinging indictment of formal, empty religion. "Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth," has the same force against an education system that ignores God.

The darkness of the context makes all the more glorious the light of God's word at the end of the chapter which is able to change the most corrupt person into a man or woman of God. That word of God is breathed by God is profitable.

The contrast between a life of godliness in submission to God's word and the context that is so dark means that all who would live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer.

Paul's mentoring strategy is first, example (2 Tim. 3:10-11), then suffering (2 Tim. 3:12-14), then Bible (2 Tim. 3:15-17). So simple and so elegant and so practical.

2 Timothy 2

2009-10-25T05:42:00.000-07:00

There is a sobriety and firm resolve about life and ministry throughout this chapter. It starts with a soldier illustration and ends with a gentle servant. Standing strong doesn't happen by accident. Like a soldier chooses which things will please his commanding officer, like an athlete learns the rules, like a farmer works hard, that's what it takes to stand firm.

In two or three paragraphs he warns against getting sidetracked by useless arguments, controversies and quarrels. Apparently they have derailed churches for thousands of years!

In two separate instances the character of God is brought in as support, a foundation upon which to stand firm. "If we are faithless, he is faithful; for he cannot deny himself. . . The Lord knows those that are his."

The last paragraph understands opposition to the gospel to be a trap of the devil.

2 Timothy 1

2009-10-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

This letter feels like a letter from a father to a son. In the greeting Paul says he longs to see Timothy so his joy might be full. . . and at the same time remembers him with weeping. The juxtaposition of joy and sadness in the life of God's servant is stunning, yet standard. They always go together.

Timothy had the privilege of being a 3rd generation Christian. His mother and grandmother passed on to him an unhypocritical faith. Because of their influence he had to fire up the gift of God in him. Were they to soft with him? Clearly he struggled with timidity and deeded to be reminded God gave him a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. Three times it says, "Don't be ashamed."

The confidence Paul is encouraging is found in his salvation which is, in turn, rooted in the eternal purpose of God. The strong language about God's purpose and determination in both his salvation and selection for service takes away an option to cave in or give up. We need to not be so afraid of strong language about the initiative of God in the lives of his people.

1 Timothy 6

2009-10-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

The language in this chapter is so significant that phrases here have made it into secular English vocabulary -- "Fight the good fight" and "Money is the root of all evil."

My chief takeaways from this chapter come near the end. After reminding us of the love of money being a root of all evil (a more accurate translation than the one above), we are told to pursue virtue not wealth and to fight the good fight of faith. It occurred to me that the fitght of faith may be a fight to believe that money is not the greatest and highest good in this life.

This same conflict is made clear in 1 Timothy 6:17. Put your hope, not in deceitful riches, but in God. Your hope is going to be in one or the other. Money is a direct rival for God! That explains why those who desire to be rich, have many trials and fall into a snare and get plunged into destruction. They have worshiped another God!

1 Timothy 5

2009-10-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

Here is another chapter describing the specific relationships within a congregation. Here is some of the practical advice:

Treat church people like family.
Take care of vulnerable widows, making sure they meet certain criteria so you don't do harm to them, the church and the reputation of Christ. Don't give Satan opportunity. Make sure the family fulfills their obligations first.
Honor elders. Don't let anyone say anything they want about them. (Once some things are out, they can't be retrieved).
Be careful not to show favoritism.

Now, some people's sin goes before them. That is, their sin is obvious. Others' sin follows after. Either way sin haunts people. Sometimes people's good works are obvious, too. In other words, what people really are may not be clear now, but it will become evident.

1 Timothy 4

2009-10-21T11:40:00.000-07:00

The reality of a liberal, generous God is one defense against false teaching. God gives good things to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. It is not gospel to recommend earning points with God by giving stuff up. Things, stuff, are made holy as I submit those things to God's word and prayer. This is the opposite of stoics and ascetics.

In almost the next breath (1 Tim. 4:7-8) he says, "exercise yourself to godliness. The generosity of God is not an excuse for laziness or lack of rigor in personal discipline. Such exercise will be eternally profitable.

1 Timothy 4:12 used to be one of my favorite verses and more important to me than it is now. I hardly qualify anymore as a young man. I still hope, though, to be an example worth following.

The priorities in 1 Timothy 4:13 -- Reading, encouragement, teaching and giving close attention to doctrine are the means of saving those who listen. The instruction about reading is generally regarded as liturgical instruction, but seems to me that it is more of a personal development program. I love the idea that your profiting can bee evident to all! That's what I want.

1 Timothy 3

2009-10-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

The desire for church leadership is a good thing. The text uses two strong words for that desire. Who in their right mind would want it if God wasn't prompting them?

The devil is mentioned twice, personally, and once the word is used as an adjective ("slander", same word). Apparently, the devil has an interest in church leadership!

I admit, I generally read this for the qualifications of leaders and quit paying attention after that. Paul said, I wrote so you would know how to conduct yourself in the household of God. This is about how to organize and live in a church family.

The church itself is a type of household community. The church, too, is the pillar and foundation of the truth. How you conduct yourself has important ramifications.

1 Timothy 2

2009-10-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

Again, we read another unmistakable plea to be people of prayer. He piles three synonyms for prayer on top of one another as though he cannot urge us strongly enough. The subjects for the prayer are "all people" and "kings." The reason for the prayer is so that we can live quiet and peaceful lives before God.

Apparently, this quiet, peaceful life is the means for other people coming to faith. God wants all to be saved and has provided one mediator -- Jesus. Jesus brings men and God together. That's why he was sent.

He urges men everywhere to pray, with holy hands lifted and with a good attitude. Do I pray as often as I should? That seems really, really important.

Women should be modest, matching their profession of godliness. They should learn. They should learn and not be disruptive. And, they should not run the church.

1 Timothy 1

2009-10-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

Paul, early and often, contrasts empty thinking and lawless behavior with genuine Christian concern. The goal of the command is a clear conscience, an unhypocritical faith, and a sincere love. Anything less and you are sidetracked. The vices listed in this chapter are the polar opposites of the goal of God's commands. The law of God was being misused and as a result it had no power to control all kinds of bad behavior.

It is a faithful saying that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am first. As he contemplates the mercy and patience of God, he breaks into praise! If we realize we are sinners in desperate need of saving, and understand God has sent Jesus to be that savior, and that He'd do it for me. . . I can't help but breakout in thanksgiving!

He talks about fighting the good fight. How are we supposed to do that? By having faith and a good conscience in the commands. In other words, we fight the good fight with God's word.

2 Thessalonians 3

2009-10-17T05:53:00.000-07:00

Finally brothers, Pray! How simple, yet how important! Pray especially that the word of God may run and be glorified.

The Lord is faithful. Faithfulness looks like establishing you and keeping you from the evil one. It is directing your heart in the love of God and patience of Christ. I need that directing and that is what a faithful God does.

The protestant work ethic springs from the chapter. It is in other places in the Bible, no doubt, but you can't miss it here. If you don't work, you shouldn't eat. Period. The community of faith needs to reinforce this standard.

There are nuances in church discipline, in remedial action a church takes toward those who will not live according to Christ's teaching. This example is to disassociate as brothers, not enemies. The goal is to make them ashamed of their idleness.

2 Thessalonians 2

2009-10-16T09:42:00.000-07:00

The revelation of the lawless one looks a lot like it was happening, had begun, and was describing a current event. It does not look like the end of the age. It also appears they were to endure it.

Four observations:

The man of lawlessness will be the personification of Satan's deception and anti-God activity, and will call himself God. (9)
The failure to obtain salvation was because of a failure to love the truth. I'm sure he could have said, "believe," but he said love. (10)
To those who refuse to love the truth as presented in God's word and preaching, God sent a strong delusion. (11) Without promoting evil, God made it easier to believe falsehood.
The bedrock confidence in deceitful times is the election or choice of God that leads to belief in truth. (13-14).

The combination, in the last paragraph, of standing firm, being strong and being comforted at the same time seems unique to me. This does not advocate for a stoic toughness or a sissy comfort, but toughness and tenderness.

2 Thessalonians 1

2009-10-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

I love this church. In the midst of hard times their faith is growing and their love is increasing. In order to encourage this church, Paul reminds them that justice will be exercised on those who are persecuting them on the final day. Faith that God will make things right is one key to enduring in the face of abuse.

The description of unbelief is especially telling -- They do not know God and they do not OBEY the gospel. This is more true and helpful than they way the gospel is commonly thought of, as an optional add-on to an already full life. It demands to be obeyed. To disobey it is to encounter the terrifying and eternal wrath of God.

The return of Christ will be terrifying and marvelous at the same time, depending on your perspective. The perspective to have, of course, is the perspective of faith. Then, Christ's return will be marvelous and glorious!

1 Thessalonians 5

2009-10-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

They did not need to hear about the day or the hour. Why? Because it was going to come like a thief. What thief sends an RSVP before he shows up? Paul does expect God to be the one who keeps believers in one piece until he comes. . . He, nonetheless, exhorts them with simple and direct instruction about how to live. Our obedience is the means by which he keeps us.

I'd never noticed that, as we are challenged to watchfulness, Paul revisits some of the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6:11ff. Put on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of the hope of salvation.

The staccato nature of the next commands adds to the force like a driving drumbeat intensifies music. Most of them are positive and encouraging, especially 1 Thess. 5: 16-22. God's will for me is to rejoice, to pray and to be thankful. Negative people don't do that.

There is a great greek word here: "oligopsychos" or small-souled. What a descriptive word for discouragement. When I am discouraged my soul shrinks. Encourage the small-souled person!

1 Thessalonians 4

2009-10-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

The clarity and simplicity of this chapter is reason enough to listen to its message. This is the clearest statement of God's will for my life in all the Bible. His will is my holiness -- plain and simple. That is defined here as abstaining from sexual immorality, exercising self-control over my body with honor, not giving in to passionate desires and not being greedy.

Brotherly love is something taught by God. Part of what brotherly love looks like is this, watch over yourself and provide for your own family. It shows love to those outside my family when I provide for my family.

Ignorance about the return of Jesus Christ is not an option. If you are being persecuted or trying to be holy in an unholy context, it is a great comfort to know that you will be instantaneously with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3

2009-10-11T05:47:00.000-07:00

This short chapter, though someone else's mail, is about the joy of ministry. It is about longing to see with your own eyes the work of God accomplished in the lives of those in whom you have invested. It is about confidence in God to continue to work, even though I am absent. There is joy and satisfaction in this kind of ministry.

The chapter culminates in a beautiful prayer. The Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another. . . to establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father in the coming of our Lord with his holy angels. The love itself establishes their hearts and prepares them for Jesus return.