Hannah and I have now been married for six and a half months, and just enjoyed one of many "firsts" together this week: our first thanksgiving together. Since "the two have become one," we also began to figure out how this Thanksgiving would work... Would we spend it with her family? Would we spend it with my familiy? What about Christmas? How are we going to rotate? The list goes on....
What I found to be so great was that we ended up being able to see both sides of the family. Hannah was able to convince my parents and brother to drive out to Deer Lodge, TN to have Thanksgiving lunch with her side of the family. Then after that, we all would head to Jonesborough for Thanksgiving dinner with my side of the family.
Since Deer Lodge is way out there, Dad, David, and I loaded up some guns to shoot once we got there. Once we had filled up our bellies on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and all the other goodies, the men headed outside to shoot paper plates and playing cards. The only problem was that as soon as we stepped outside, the temperature dramatically dropped - and within half an hour we even saw a small snow flurry - but that didn't stop us. We shot our .22 Remington lever action, Smith and Wesson .22, my Ruger, and even got to burn some rounds with a Glock 9mm. Once we cleaned up our mess, our hands were frozen, but it was fun letting my brothers in law shoot my Ruger.
Then, we had to rush off to head to Jonesborough to make it for Thanksgiving dinner. The only problem was... we didn't know there was a time difference when we made it to Deer Lodge. Thus, we showed up an hour late to Thanksgiving with my family. But that was okay - we quickly ate and sat down to enjoy some time with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents - the whole lot. It has been a few Thanksgivings since we have been able to make it, so I really enjoyed getting to see everyone.
We hung out and talked and talked, and (regrettably) had to head back home to Knoxville as it got late. But it was such a blessing to be able to make it out to both Deer Lodge and Jonesborough. I was so blessed this Thanksgiving. Sure, we spend many hours driving, but it was worth it to spend that time with family. Wouldn't trade it for anything.
So now that we've enjoyed our first Thanksgiving together, next month will bring the first Christmas together! And I must say, I'm very, very excited.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why I Love the Old Hymns
I love the old hymns, and have grown especially attached over the last few years to several of them. (Many of them are written below, if you wish to see them) In these particular hymns, the message of the cross, the gospel, is clearly explained. That is, there is only one way to attain righteousness in the sight of God, which is through the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
I could try to be a good person, but I cannot keep it together well enough. Even on my best days, I fall short of God's perfection. But praise God that in His mercy and love He provided a way. While the world was still in sin, God sent His only Son Jesus to be born of a virgin, so that Jesus would live the perfect sinless life we cannot. Then Jesus Christ was crucified, and there he took on Himself the sin of the world. There, He paid the price we could not pay; He paid the debt He did not owe.
As He died, He called out "It Is Finished!" His work was complete, and it is still complete. All that God requires for a sinner to be made righteous is to believe in Jesus. All God requires is that a sinner puts his/her faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and God looks upon their sin no more.
That is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that is the beauty of God's love, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us that we might be restored to a relationship with God. Jesus Christ bore our sin and shame so that we could stand before God the Father without either. And it has nothing to do with our accomplishments, but everything to do with what Jesus accomplished for us.
Will you believe? Will you put your faith in Jesus? You don't have to wait until you're a better person - in fact, you can't even become a better person. The only righteousness that God considers in His perfection - and that is given as a free gift by God Himself. Willl you receive that gift by faith? It is all that God requires, to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead so that you would have life and peace. Only faith in the Son of God can make a person right with God, and God has made that completely free. The blood of Jesus that washes away our sins has been made available - the question is, will you believe and receive it?
========================================
"Jesus Paid It All"
I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all."
(Chorus)
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy power, and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots, and melt the heart of stone.
(Chorus)
For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim -
I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary's Lamb.
(Chorus)
And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died, my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat
(Chorus)
==================================
"Nothing But the Blood"
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other found I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon this I see - Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this I plea - Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
Nothing can for sin atone - Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done - Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
This is all my hope and peace - Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness - Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
=====================================
"Are You Washed in the Blood?"
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Chorus)
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are you garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Savior's side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Chorus)
When the Bridegroom cometh willl your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Chorus)
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
(Chorus)
======================================
"Glory to His Name"
Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His name!
I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His name!
Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in,
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His name!
Come to this fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet;
Plunge in today and be made complete;
Glory to His name!
I could try to be a good person, but I cannot keep it together well enough. Even on my best days, I fall short of God's perfection. But praise God that in His mercy and love He provided a way. While the world was still in sin, God sent His only Son Jesus to be born of a virgin, so that Jesus would live the perfect sinless life we cannot. Then Jesus Christ was crucified, and there he took on Himself the sin of the world. There, He paid the price we could not pay; He paid the debt He did not owe.
As He died, He called out "It Is Finished!" His work was complete, and it is still complete. All that God requires for a sinner to be made righteous is to believe in Jesus. All God requires is that a sinner puts his/her faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross, and God looks upon their sin no more.
That is the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; that is the beauty of God's love, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us that we might be restored to a relationship with God. Jesus Christ bore our sin and shame so that we could stand before God the Father without either. And it has nothing to do with our accomplishments, but everything to do with what Jesus accomplished for us.
Will you believe? Will you put your faith in Jesus? You don't have to wait until you're a better person - in fact, you can't even become a better person. The only righteousness that God considers in His perfection - and that is given as a free gift by God Himself. Willl you receive that gift by faith? It is all that God requires, to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead so that you would have life and peace. Only faith in the Son of God can make a person right with God, and God has made that completely free. The blood of Jesus that washes away our sins has been made available - the question is, will you believe and receive it?
========================================
"Jesus Paid It All"
I hear the Savior say, "Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all."
(Chorus)
Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Lord, now indeed I find Thy power, and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots, and melt the heart of stone.
(Chorus)
For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim -
I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary's Lamb.
(Chorus)
And when before the throne I stand in Him complete,
"Jesus died, my soul to save," My lips shall still repeat
(Chorus)
==================================
"Nothing But the Blood"
What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other found I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon this I see - Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing, this I plea - Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
Nothing can for sin atone - Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done - Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
This is all my hope and peace - Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness - Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(Chorus)
=====================================
"Are You Washed in the Blood?"
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Chorus)
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are you garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Savior's side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Chorus)
When the Bridegroom cometh willl your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Chorus)
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There's a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
(Chorus)
======================================
"Glory to His Name"
Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His name!
I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within,
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His name!
Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in,
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His name!
Come to this fountain so rich and sweet;
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior's feet;
Plunge in today and be made complete;
Glory to His name!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Full Quote From Yesterday
This is taken from the preface of the book God's Pursuit of Man by A. W. Tozer.
"Perhaps a word of warning would not be amiss here: It is that we beware the common habit of putting confidence in books, as such. It takes a determined effort of the mind to break free from the error of making books and teachers ends in themselves.
The worst thing a book can do for a Christian is to leave him with the impression that he has received from it anything really good; the best it can do is to point the way to the Good he is seeking. The function of a good book is to stand like a signpost directing the reader toward the Truth and the Life. That book serves best which early makes itself unnecessary, just as a signpost serves best after it is forgotten, after the traveler has arrived safely at his desired haven. The work of a good book is to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward. Beyond that it cannot go."
"Perhaps a word of warning would not be amiss here: It is that we beware the common habit of putting confidence in books, as such. It takes a determined effort of the mind to break free from the error of making books and teachers ends in themselves.
The worst thing a book can do for a Christian is to leave him with the impression that he has received from it anything really good; the best it can do is to point the way to the Good he is seeking. The function of a good book is to stand like a signpost directing the reader toward the Truth and the Life. That book serves best which early makes itself unnecessary, just as a signpost serves best after it is forgotten, after the traveler has arrived safely at his desired haven. The work of a good book is to incite the reader to moral action, to turn his eyes toward God and urge him forward. Beyond that it cannot go."
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
I Have Returned With A Thought
My beautiful wife and I have finally moved into our townhome. She has turned it from a somewhat stinky and semi-rundown place into a relaxing place to call home. Next week, we will have internet up and running in our home, which will reconnect us with the world!
It really has been 'detrimental' to be removed from the internet. So much of our lives center around technology in this age, it really has a huge impact when it disappears. But now, we will have contact with the outside world via the internet once again - I am hoping to return to the blogging world somewhat consistently during this school semester.
Which reminds me... I wanted to share something I read this morning in A. W. Tozer's God's Pursuit of Man. It was simply in the preface, but powerful nonetheless. I will summarize...
Tozer warned against treating his book as a revelaion in and of itself - warned against taking what a preacher or a book said and treating it as the end of it. Rather, he described his book as an outflowing of what God had done in him, and hoped it served as a signpost - not a destination. For the signpost only helps point you in the right direction, and when you've arrived, which has greater value? The signpost, or the destination? The signpost points towards the valuable, and the destination is the value.
Having read that, I've pondered it much today - and hope to ponder it more. But for now, I will remember the wisdom in the preface. Preachers, teachers, and books can only do so much in ones life - the real change happens when the individual takes the journey for himself/herself. That is when it becomes real - that is how it has happened in my life. Freedom came when I experienced Jesus for myself. Hearing and reading how Jesus changed others - that was a great signpost. But now I have met Him, and long to know Him more.
As the scriptures say (paraphrased), "We run the race to gain the prize" - and the prize at the finish line is Christ Himself. He is the destination, and there is nothing greater.
More to come later!
It really has been 'detrimental' to be removed from the internet. So much of our lives center around technology in this age, it really has a huge impact when it disappears. But now, we will have contact with the outside world via the internet once again - I am hoping to return to the blogging world somewhat consistently during this school semester.
Which reminds me... I wanted to share something I read this morning in A. W. Tozer's God's Pursuit of Man. It was simply in the preface, but powerful nonetheless. I will summarize...
Tozer warned against treating his book as a revelaion in and of itself - warned against taking what a preacher or a book said and treating it as the end of it. Rather, he described his book as an outflowing of what God had done in him, and hoped it served as a signpost - not a destination. For the signpost only helps point you in the right direction, and when you've arrived, which has greater value? The signpost, or the destination? The signpost points towards the valuable, and the destination is the value.
Having read that, I've pondered it much today - and hope to ponder it more. But for now, I will remember the wisdom in the preface. Preachers, teachers, and books can only do so much in ones life - the real change happens when the individual takes the journey for himself/herself. That is when it becomes real - that is how it has happened in my life. Freedom came when I experienced Jesus for myself. Hearing and reading how Jesus changed others - that was a great signpost. But now I have met Him, and long to know Him more.
As the scriptures say (paraphrased), "We run the race to gain the prize" - and the prize at the finish line is Christ Himself. He is the destination, and there is nothing greater.
More to come later!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Only Your Mercy
Here's the lyrics to another song that has been echoing in my soul lately. "Echoing in my soul..." It almost sounds dramatic, but it has been nothing less than reality. It paints the picture of what the Lord has made abundantly clear to me lately, that it is only by His grace that I am saved. I have added nothing to His finished work on the cross - it was sufficient for my salvation.
All He required of me was faith - to believe and trust in the sacrificial love of Jesus, to believe that His blood shed on the cross would pay the debt of all my sin. And by those wounds I have been made right with God - by His wounds I have been healed.
It is only by His doing that I am who I am - a sinner transformed into a saint. Not meaning I am perfect, but that I belong to Him. I am His beloved bride He gave His life for, and in return I have given Him mine. He has proven Himself trustworthy; He withheld nothing in order to purchase my freedom from sin, not even His own life.
It was His life and death that freed me from sin; this song reminds me that it was all because of Him. "We love Him because He first loved us."
(p.s. - this one too sounds much better with music, but the words still speak to me)
Only Your Mercy
Only Your mercy, only Your grace
Only Your Spirit, brings us to faith
O what a wonder that You chose us first
Not by our merit but Your perfect work
Only Your goodness, only Your love
Only Your pardon, poured out in blood
Your righteousnes exchanged for our sin
Oh what a Savior oh what a friend
Jesus we long to worship You
And give You all glory and praise
All that You are
All that You have
We have received by faith
All He required of me was faith - to believe and trust in the sacrificial love of Jesus, to believe that His blood shed on the cross would pay the debt of all my sin. And by those wounds I have been made right with God - by His wounds I have been healed.
It is only by His doing that I am who I am - a sinner transformed into a saint. Not meaning I am perfect, but that I belong to Him. I am His beloved bride He gave His life for, and in return I have given Him mine. He has proven Himself trustworthy; He withheld nothing in order to purchase my freedom from sin, not even His own life.
It was His life and death that freed me from sin; this song reminds me that it was all because of Him. "We love Him because He first loved us."
(p.s. - this one too sounds much better with music, but the words still speak to me)
Only Your Mercy
Only Your mercy, only Your grace
Only Your Spirit, brings us to faith
O what a wonder that You chose us first
Not by our merit but Your perfect work
Only Your goodness, only Your love
Only Your pardon, poured out in blood
Your righteousnes exchanged for our sin
Oh what a Savior oh what a friend
Jesus we long to worship You
And give You all glory and praise
All that You are
All that You have
We have received by faith
Friday, July 24, 2009
At the Foot of the Cross
Here are the lyrics to a song from high school - it has always stuck in my memory, but I could never remember the lyrics. More than that, I could never find them when I searched for them. I had an inclination, and went searching one last time, and I found them. Here they are... (It sounds better with music, but I still love the words)
At The Foot of the Cross
Beneath the cross of Jesus, Lord, I would spend my days
In the shadow of the One who ransomed me
May I not become familiar with its marvelous good news
But live my life with it always in my view, oh
At the foot of the cross, Lord I bow down and worship
Overcome by so great a love
At the foot of the cross I will cherish all Your mercy
All Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your pow’r
At the foot of the cross.
Upon the cross of Jesus, Lord, I would fix my eyes
For it always will remind me of these truths
My iniquity seems endless yet greater still your grace
And I will glory in the cross throughout the ages, oh
At the foot of the cross, Lord I bow down and worship
Overcome by so great a love
At the foot of the cross I will cherish all Your mercy
All Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your pow’r
At the foot of the cross.
At The Foot of the Cross
Beneath the cross of Jesus, Lord, I would spend my days
In the shadow of the One who ransomed me
May I not become familiar with its marvelous good news
But live my life with it always in my view, oh
At the foot of the cross, Lord I bow down and worship
Overcome by so great a love
At the foot of the cross I will cherish all Your mercy
All Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your pow’r
At the foot of the cross.
Upon the cross of Jesus, Lord, I would fix my eyes
For it always will remind me of these truths
My iniquity seems endless yet greater still your grace
And I will glory in the cross throughout the ages, oh
At the foot of the cross, Lord I bow down and worship
Overcome by so great a love
At the foot of the cross I will cherish all Your mercy
All Your goodness, Your wisdom, Your pow’r
At the foot of the cross.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Psalm 121
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
=====================================================================================
(By the way, I wish I could have heard David and the other psalmists play these songs. Wouldn't that be amazing.)
Just like David confesses in Psalm 124, the author of this song declares the Lord is the source of help. The first line, "I lift my eyes up to the hills," is the physical portrait of the psalmists need. In desperation the psalmist is pondering, wondering, searching the skies as he is searching his own heart. In need of help, where can the psalmist turn?
"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." How sure is the psalmist of this help? Listen to this...
"He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Nothing occurs to which the Lord is oblivious to. He takes no break from watching over us; he takes no naps and no coffee breaks. He is constantly watching, keeping in tune with out situations.
Again, "The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night." All twenty four hours in the day are protected by God. Nothing escapes his view, and nothing is out of his reach. As Isaiah 59:1 "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." Twenty four hours of the day, we have a God who knows our situations and deepest needs - and His arm is not too short to save. Anything is possible for our God.
Here's a note from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible - "The Hebrew word for keeps (preserves) is used six times in this song, dramatically emphasizing the care of God (see Jude 24)." The translation I posted here uses the word "watches" instead of keeps or preserves. But the point is still made. The Lord is constantly watching out for his people, to keep and preserve them. "The Lord is my shepherd," David writes in the 23rd Psalm. His aim is to protect and preserve.
Lastly, the Lord's eye is on us forever more. "The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." As the children of God, we have a lifetime, even eternal, shepherd who guards our lives. If only we would lift our eyes up to the hill of the Lord and ask for help, and then it would be given freely! His eye is constantly on us; why don't we simply ask for him to intervene on our behalf. If we thought we needed his help, then surely we would.
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
=====================================================================================
(By the way, I wish I could have heard David and the other psalmists play these songs. Wouldn't that be amazing.)
Just like David confesses in Psalm 124, the author of this song declares the Lord is the source of help. The first line, "I lift my eyes up to the hills," is the physical portrait of the psalmists need. In desperation the psalmist is pondering, wondering, searching the skies as he is searching his own heart. In need of help, where can the psalmist turn?
"My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." How sure is the psalmist of this help? Listen to this...
"He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep." Nothing occurs to which the Lord is oblivious to. He takes no break from watching over us; he takes no naps and no coffee breaks. He is constantly watching, keeping in tune with out situations.
Again, "The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night." All twenty four hours in the day are protected by God. Nothing escapes his view, and nothing is out of his reach. As Isaiah 59:1 "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear." Twenty four hours of the day, we have a God who knows our situations and deepest needs - and His arm is not too short to save. Anything is possible for our God.
Here's a note from the New Spirit Filled Life Bible - "The Hebrew word for keeps (preserves) is used six times in this song, dramatically emphasizing the care of God (see Jude 24)." The translation I posted here uses the word "watches" instead of keeps or preserves. But the point is still made. The Lord is constantly watching out for his people, to keep and preserve them. "The Lord is my shepherd," David writes in the 23rd Psalm. His aim is to protect and preserve.
Lastly, the Lord's eye is on us forever more. "The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." As the children of God, we have a lifetime, even eternal, shepherd who guards our lives. If only we would lift our eyes up to the hill of the Lord and ask for help, and then it would be given freely! His eye is constantly on us; why don't we simply ask for him to intervene on our behalf. If we thought we needed his help, then surely we would.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Psalm 124
Psalm 124
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,
3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
=====================================================================================
I love how David begins this song saying, "If the Lord had not been on our side," and then interjects, "let Israel say - if the Lord had not been on our side."
David knew who was fighting for him, but he longed that Israel would know and declare it for themselves. He knew where his help was, but just because he knew it didn't mean Israel knew the fullness of God's protection over them.
David, however, understood just much God involved himself in their lives. When it came to battles, David declares "when men attacked us ... they would have swallowed us alive." The numerous enemies of Israel surely would have destroyed them, but the Lord was on their side. When it comes to dealings with other humans, we prevail because the Lord is on our side. As it says in Romans 8:31, "When, then, shall we say ... If God is for us, who can be against us?"
What about the flood mentioned? My first reaction was circumstances out of our control. But then I remembered the flood, Noah's flood. What was Noah's flood? It was the consequences of sin upon the earth. Because the sins of men had become so great upon the earth, the Lord sent a flood to eradicate sin and mankind. But the Lord in his mercy found Noah, a man of faith, and through his line preserved mankind.
What does this tell me? If the Lord had not been on our side, the consequences of sin would have swept us away. If the Lord had not been on my side, I would still be dead in my sins. But God demonstrated his love for us in this way: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. While I was in sin, Jesus Christ gave his life that I could be free and made new. The consequence of sin is death, and the Lord gave His life that I could have life, and live in freedom from sin.
The Lord's acts of love towards us are very intentional; it is not by accident. David said, "We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped." The snare has been broken. By who? By the Lord. How was this done? "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." It was by the power of His name that be broke the snare of sin, or any other snare we find ourselves in.
Just to clarify, whose name is it that we call upon to break the snare? The Maker of heaven and earth. It is only by the name of Jesus that we are freed, as it is written, "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:16) Jesus is the creator, and it is only in his name that we have freedom from sin.
David wrote in another Psalm, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." The truth is that Jesus Christ is the only answer, and Jesus will come to save you if you would only call on him. He will break the snare of sin and the power of sin in your life, if you would only call on His name and believe. Jesus Christ gave up his life as a ransom for the world, and only requires that you call on Him, believe Him, and follow Him. Confess your sins to Jesus, and he will not only forgive you, but restore you. He will make you a new creature; as it is written, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to hismelf through Christ... God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
If the Lord had not been on our side, we would not know salvation. But it is freely given to those who believe. Praise the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 If the LORD had not been on our side—
let Israel say-
2 if the LORD had not been on our side
when men attacked us,
3 when their anger flared against us,
they would have swallowed us alive;
4 the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters
would have swept us away.
6 Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird
out of the fowler's snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
=====================================================================================
I love how David begins this song saying, "If the Lord had not been on our side," and then interjects, "let Israel say - if the Lord had not been on our side."
David knew who was fighting for him, but he longed that Israel would know and declare it for themselves. He knew where his help was, but just because he knew it didn't mean Israel knew the fullness of God's protection over them.
David, however, understood just much God involved himself in their lives. When it came to battles, David declares "when men attacked us ... they would have swallowed us alive." The numerous enemies of Israel surely would have destroyed them, but the Lord was on their side. When it comes to dealings with other humans, we prevail because the Lord is on our side. As it says in Romans 8:31, "When, then, shall we say ... If God is for us, who can be against us?"
What about the flood mentioned? My first reaction was circumstances out of our control. But then I remembered the flood, Noah's flood. What was Noah's flood? It was the consequences of sin upon the earth. Because the sins of men had become so great upon the earth, the Lord sent a flood to eradicate sin and mankind. But the Lord in his mercy found Noah, a man of faith, and through his line preserved mankind.
What does this tell me? If the Lord had not been on our side, the consequences of sin would have swept us away. If the Lord had not been on my side, I would still be dead in my sins. But God demonstrated his love for us in this way: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. While I was in sin, Jesus Christ gave his life that I could be free and made new. The consequence of sin is death, and the Lord gave His life that I could have life, and live in freedom from sin.
The Lord's acts of love towards us are very intentional; it is not by accident. David said, "We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler's snare; the snare has been broken and we have escaped." The snare has been broken. By who? By the Lord. How was this done? "Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." It was by the power of His name that be broke the snare of sin, or any other snare we find ourselves in.
Just to clarify, whose name is it that we call upon to break the snare? The Maker of heaven and earth. It is only by the name of Jesus that we are freed, as it is written, "For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:16) Jesus is the creator, and it is only in his name that we have freedom from sin.
David wrote in another Psalm, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." The truth is that Jesus Christ is the only answer, and Jesus will come to save you if you would only call on him. He will break the snare of sin and the power of sin in your life, if you would only call on His name and believe. Jesus Christ gave up his life as a ransom for the world, and only requires that you call on Him, believe Him, and follow Him. Confess your sins to Jesus, and he will not only forgive you, but restore you. He will make you a new creature; as it is written, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to hismelf through Christ... God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
If the Lord had not been on our side, we would not know salvation. But it is freely given to those who believe. Praise the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Some Food For Thought
Galatians 5:6
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Galatians 5:13-14
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:36-40
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Philippians 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Galatians 5:13-14
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Matthew 22:36-40
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Philippians 2:3-4
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
The Obvious Thing To Do
I was going to make a point to stick to discoursing for a bit on grace, as it has taken time for it to start sinking in to both my head and heart. But I came across something along a different topic that I believe is relevant for today.
Many people may not like the current President, feeling his policies and and strategies will do more harm to the country rather than help. Even if that were the case, there is an obvious thing to do...
Pray.
I was reading in Jeremiah, but before I proceed, let me set the stage. Israel is in captivity. And the Lord is planning on keeping them there for a while. False prophets would tell the people, "very soon you will be liberated!" But the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people the truth; they would be held captive for seventy years. As such, this is what the Lord told the people...
Jeremiah 29:4-7
4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
Thankfully, I as an American am not finding myself in bondage to another nation; I am still in the most free country that I know of. But if the instruction for slaves and captives is to pray for their city, to pray for God to prosper where they live... how much more so should we do the same, who live in a free nation!
If the Lord prospers Knoxville, we will prosper. If the Lord prospers Tennessee, we will prosper. If the Lord prospers America, we will prosper... Even though I disagree with the policies of the President (certainly a captive would certainly disapprove of the nation holding them...), the obvious thing is to pray the Lord blesses and prospers our land.
The Lord told His people, in essence, "don't worry about the current state of things... keep growing in number. Build houses for yourselves, raise families and look forward to grandchildren. Don't let the current state of things keep you from continuing to increase! Rather realize that if I bless these cities that hold you, I will be blessing you too!" (Justin's Paraphrase)
So what to do about the current state of things... Sheila said it a while back at church... the saints need to be praying for the Lord to bless Knoxville! That is the will of the Lord. And it is also His will to pray for our leaders, which includes the President.
Sheila said it a while back, but I'm now seeing it myself. This is the will of God, to pray the Lord bless the President and our cities... And plus, it really does seem like the obvious thing to do.
Many people may not like the current President, feeling his policies and and strategies will do more harm to the country rather than help. Even if that were the case, there is an obvious thing to do...
Pray.
I was reading in Jeremiah, but before I proceed, let me set the stage. Israel is in captivity. And the Lord is planning on keeping them there for a while. False prophets would tell the people, "very soon you will be liberated!" But the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people the truth; they would be held captive for seventy years. As such, this is what the Lord told the people...
Jeremiah 29:4-7
4 This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."
Thankfully, I as an American am not finding myself in bondage to another nation; I am still in the most free country that I know of. But if the instruction for slaves and captives is to pray for their city, to pray for God to prosper where they live... how much more so should we do the same, who live in a free nation!
If the Lord prospers Knoxville, we will prosper. If the Lord prospers Tennessee, we will prosper. If the Lord prospers America, we will prosper... Even though I disagree with the policies of the President (certainly a captive would certainly disapprove of the nation holding them...), the obvious thing is to pray the Lord blesses and prospers our land.
The Lord told His people, in essence, "don't worry about the current state of things... keep growing in number. Build houses for yourselves, raise families and look forward to grandchildren. Don't let the current state of things keep you from continuing to increase! Rather realize that if I bless these cities that hold you, I will be blessing you too!" (Justin's Paraphrase)
So what to do about the current state of things... Sheila said it a while back at church... the saints need to be praying for the Lord to bless Knoxville! That is the will of the Lord. And it is also His will to pray for our leaders, which includes the President.
Sheila said it a while back, but I'm now seeing it myself. This is the will of God, to pray the Lord bless the President and our cities... And plus, it really does seem like the obvious thing to do.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
My Thoughts Today - Response to Grace
For months now all Pastor Tim has been preaching and teaching is the doctrine of grace. Having heard nothing but that, my thoughts can't help but ponder what grace truly is and what it means in my life. Today, these have been my thoughts.
First, a definition. Grace is an undeserved gift; it is receiving something even though you haven't earned it or deserved it. More specifically, God's grace is His gift of His righteousness, given to us freely through faith in His Son. "God's love is demonstrated in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
How does one respond to such a gift? That God Himself would give His own life in order to buy our freedom...
To turn back to sin and live there shows this: a lack of appreciation or understanding of the gift given. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free," not that we could continue to do as we please.
Picture this. Imagine a man in so much debt that he could never work his way out of it. He is without hope, without a job, without any resources... he has nothing in and of himself that could contribute to getting himself out of the hole he's in.
But in spite of this, a rich friend freely gives him enough money to pay his debt, and more so. How should the former debtor live? Surely not in such a way as to squander the extra money or to get into debt again. But the man does anyways... And again, the rich man pays the debt in full, and with extra money. And the debtor goes off and squanders it again... What would this say? That the debtor doesn't appreciate the gift of his friend. Or, that the man doesn't appreciate his friend, only his friend's money.
Do we show the same kind of unthankfulness, by trying to take advantage of grace? That we would continue to try to use the relationship with the Father as a means to enjoy sin more? That makes no sense whatsoever!! What great insult that must be to God when we only want to take advantage of his generosity!
So how then should we live? Thankfully.
Thankful for the life that Jesus Christ gave and the blood He spilt for our sins. Thankful that he paid our debt in full, once and for all! Thankful that we have been set free from sin, and set free to live for God. And thankfulness will not take a generous gift in vain, but with gratitude and love for the one who gave it.
I need to dwell further on the Cross of Christ, on the gift of the Father. To make myself feel guilty for my sins? No. But that I may come to better understand and appreciate all the Father has given me.
It has been in hindsight that I've come to appreciate my parents more and more for all their sacrifices. Here again, I will look back at the gift of Jesus Christ, and do it again, and love the Father even more for it.
First, a definition. Grace is an undeserved gift; it is receiving something even though you haven't earned it or deserved it. More specifically, God's grace is His gift of His righteousness, given to us freely through faith in His Son. "God's love is demonstrated in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
How does one respond to such a gift? That God Himself would give His own life in order to buy our freedom...
To turn back to sin and live there shows this: a lack of appreciation or understanding of the gift given. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free," not that we could continue to do as we please.
Picture this. Imagine a man in so much debt that he could never work his way out of it. He is without hope, without a job, without any resources... he has nothing in and of himself that could contribute to getting himself out of the hole he's in.
But in spite of this, a rich friend freely gives him enough money to pay his debt, and more so. How should the former debtor live? Surely not in such a way as to squander the extra money or to get into debt again. But the man does anyways... And again, the rich man pays the debt in full, and with extra money. And the debtor goes off and squanders it again... What would this say? That the debtor doesn't appreciate the gift of his friend. Or, that the man doesn't appreciate his friend, only his friend's money.
Do we show the same kind of unthankfulness, by trying to take advantage of grace? That we would continue to try to use the relationship with the Father as a means to enjoy sin more? That makes no sense whatsoever!! What great insult that must be to God when we only want to take advantage of his generosity!
So how then should we live? Thankfully.
Thankful for the life that Jesus Christ gave and the blood He spilt for our sins. Thankful that he paid our debt in full, once and for all! Thankful that we have been set free from sin, and set free to live for God. And thankfulness will not take a generous gift in vain, but with gratitude and love for the one who gave it.
I need to dwell further on the Cross of Christ, on the gift of the Father. To make myself feel guilty for my sins? No. But that I may come to better understand and appreciate all the Father has given me.
It has been in hindsight that I've come to appreciate my parents more and more for all their sacrifices. Here again, I will look back at the gift of Jesus Christ, and do it again, and love the Father even more for it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The River is Here
Here are the lyrics to the first song on my playlist. I personally love it. I hope you find it most joyfully relaxing.
The River Is Here
Down the mountain the river flows
And it brings refreshing wherever it goes
Through the valleys and over the fields
The river is rushing and the river is here
The river of God sets our feet a-dancing
The river of God fills our hearts with cheer
The river of God fills our mouths with laughter
And we rejoice for the river is here
The river of God is teeming with life
And all who touch it can be revived
And those who linger on this river’s shore
Will come back thirsting for more of the Lord
Up to the mountain we love to go
To find the presence of the Lord
Along the banks of the river we run
We dance with laughter giving praise to the Son
The River Is Here
Down the mountain the river flows
And it brings refreshing wherever it goes
Through the valleys and over the fields
The river is rushing and the river is here
The river of God sets our feet a-dancing
The river of God fills our hearts with cheer
The river of God fills our mouths with laughter
And we rejoice for the river is here
The river of God is teeming with life
And all who touch it can be revived
And those who linger on this river’s shore
Will come back thirsting for more of the Lord
Up to the mountain we love to go
To find the presence of the Lord
Along the banks of the river we run
We dance with laughter giving praise to the Son
Saturday, June 6, 2009
My Thinking Is Turned Upside Down
Before I say what is on my mind, I must begin with this. I, by nature, am a teacher. Furthermore, I also love to learn. It's just a part of me. But what is never all that lovable is having to back-track and re-learn things.
You may ask, "Re-learn what kinds of things?" And if you didn't just ask that, I will answer that particular question anyways.
Growing up, I was always taught, "Jesus fulfilled the law; he never abolished it." But now I am beginning to re-think that statement.
The first part is clear; Jesus fulfilled all the requirements for righteousness found in the law. And that I believe with all my heart. His fulfillment of the law and death on the cross is my only means of obtaining righteousness; and I have received it. But now that I have been made righteous in the sight of God through faith in Jesus, what about the law? Here's what Paul wrote to the church...
Col. 2:13-14 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross."
What is the written code? Isn't that the law, given to men by God through Moses?
What does it mean to be canceled? It has been done away with. It is nullified. On what grounds? The cross of Christ; through Christ all of our trespasses are forgiven, and the written code condemns us no longer if we are found in Christ.
What was I taught was Jesus fulfilled the law, but the law is very necessary. But what I find is that Jesus fulfilled the law, and canceled it and all its requirements. Why? So I could be free to live however I choose? No. Rather, that I may live for God, knowing He has already made me righteous in His sight through His own blood. And this is true freedom, not living for my own pleasures. But I am free to grow in my relationship with God without worrying about my standing with Him. And I'm loving it.
You may ask, "Re-learn what kinds of things?" And if you didn't just ask that, I will answer that particular question anyways.
Growing up, I was always taught, "Jesus fulfilled the law; he never abolished it." But now I am beginning to re-think that statement.
The first part is clear; Jesus fulfilled all the requirements for righteousness found in the law. And that I believe with all my heart. His fulfillment of the law and death on the cross is my only means of obtaining righteousness; and I have received it. But now that I have been made righteous in the sight of God through faith in Jesus, what about the law? Here's what Paul wrote to the church...
Col. 2:13-14 "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross."
What is the written code? Isn't that the law, given to men by God through Moses?
What does it mean to be canceled? It has been done away with. It is nullified. On what grounds? The cross of Christ; through Christ all of our trespasses are forgiven, and the written code condemns us no longer if we are found in Christ.
What was I taught was Jesus fulfilled the law, but the law is very necessary. But what I find is that Jesus fulfilled the law, and canceled it and all its requirements. Why? So I could be free to live however I choose? No. Rather, that I may live for God, knowing He has already made me righteous in His sight through His own blood. And this is true freedom, not living for my own pleasures. But I am free to grow in my relationship with God without worrying about my standing with Him. And I'm loving it.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June is here, and so am I
Welcome back Justin!
May has passed, with all of its glories, and now my mind is returning to me.
I'll go ahead and admit it. Sometimes I tend to have a proud streak. Before the wedding, everyone told me that it would all be a blur. I believed them, partially. Surely I'd be able to remember more than they say... But June is here, and I do believe I hardly remember the month of May.
But that is just fine with me! I am now happily (very happily) married to the love of my life, and we are starting our new adventure together. I couldn't be happier, having reached this stage in my journey with the Lord. This is part of the journey with the Lord.
Right now I am still in school and I work at Chick-fil-a. Hannah lost her job earlier this year before the wedding, so we're still waiting for the Lord to bring the right job for her. It really is a time of faith and growth for the both of us, together. But I wouldn't have it any other way. We are exactly where the Lord wants us.
Sure, we could have waited for me to be totally done with school, or waited til Hannah had the job she wanted. But that's just not where we're supposed to be. The time to get married was May 15th, and my beautiful bride was given to me by her parents. (Thank you thank you thank you!!)
So May flew by, June is here, and I am very excited two and a half weeks into our journey.
==================================================================================
Also, I want to say thank you to our many family members for the beautiful wedding (note, Harvest Church is family; we are blessed with a very large family). We couldn't have done it without you. We are still being blessed by the generosity of everyone.
May has passed, with all of its glories, and now my mind is returning to me.
I'll go ahead and admit it. Sometimes I tend to have a proud streak. Before the wedding, everyone told me that it would all be a blur. I believed them, partially. Surely I'd be able to remember more than they say... But June is here, and I do believe I hardly remember the month of May.
But that is just fine with me! I am now happily (very happily) married to the love of my life, and we are starting our new adventure together. I couldn't be happier, having reached this stage in my journey with the Lord. This is part of the journey with the Lord.
Right now I am still in school and I work at Chick-fil-a. Hannah lost her job earlier this year before the wedding, so we're still waiting for the Lord to bring the right job for her. It really is a time of faith and growth for the both of us, together. But I wouldn't have it any other way. We are exactly where the Lord wants us.
Sure, we could have waited for me to be totally done with school, or waited til Hannah had the job she wanted. But that's just not where we're supposed to be. The time to get married was May 15th, and my beautiful bride was given to me by her parents. (Thank you thank you thank you!!)
So May flew by, June is here, and I am very excited two and a half weeks into our journey.
==================================================================================
Also, I want to say thank you to our many family members for the beautiful wedding (note, Harvest Church is family; we are blessed with a very large family). We couldn't have done it without you. We are still being blessed by the generosity of everyone.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Almost There!
Tomorrow morning I will drive out to campus, walk to my classes, and take my last final exams as a single person. And then, in exactly two weeks, I shall be married to the most wonderful woman in the entire world.
It's such an exciting time... not only am I able to get another semester behind me (and consequently so much closer to being done with school!); I am also on the verge of starting a new life with my soon-to-be bride. And on top of that, the grace of God has been working its way into my life, and bringing freedom as it is revealed. Now, that's exciting. It seems like everything in my life is screaming, "You're almost there! Hang in there!"
Sure enough, I'm seeing more of the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't graduated yet, but I shall finish (and finish strong!). It won't be too much longer.
I can almost see my bride turning the corner, and walking down the aisle so we can start our new life together. Two weeks to go, with more work to do, but I am ever so glad I won't have to wait forever.
Pertaining a revelation of the grace of God in my life, more and more is coming in. As I said, it's bringing freedom: freedom from guilt or shame, freedom from fear, freedom to move forward, freedom from worry, and more...
But it's not as clear as I wish it were right now. The lights are coming on, and the biggest thing is I'm realizing this freedom has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with what Jesus did on my behalf, because I could not and cannot do it for myself. In Jesus Christ, all the promises of God are "Yes." So when God says my sins are forgiven, they have indeed been blotted out. When God says he now sees me without a blemish, in Christ I have been made perfect, a new creation.
It's still coming in; I know I won't be able to see it perfectly while I'm still clothed in this flesh, but I know there's so much more that has been revealed to me. But with each new bit, I feel I'm being drawn closer to the heart of God. Even though I still mess up, I am reminded that "there is no condemnation for those found in Christ Jesus." So that can't keep me from knowing God more, and this wonderful grace that has been given me.
And anything that sets itself up in opposition to me, "if God is on our side, who can be against us?" And even more so, "We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus..." There is absolutely nothing that can remove me from this grace in which I stand. And I long to know more about this security I now possess through Christ. I know more than I did yesterday, and the day before, but I need more.
I feel it; I'm on the edge of something more. I'm almost there, not by my efforts, but the Lord who is speaking this grace to my heart. He is accomplishing this work. I am doing nothing to obtain this; I just get the privelege of receiving it. What a blessed man I am.
It's such an exciting time... not only am I able to get another semester behind me (and consequently so much closer to being done with school!); I am also on the verge of starting a new life with my soon-to-be bride. And on top of that, the grace of God has been working its way into my life, and bringing freedom as it is revealed. Now, that's exciting. It seems like everything in my life is screaming, "You're almost there! Hang in there!"
Sure enough, I'm seeing more of the light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't graduated yet, but I shall finish (and finish strong!). It won't be too much longer.
I can almost see my bride turning the corner, and walking down the aisle so we can start our new life together. Two weeks to go, with more work to do, but I am ever so glad I won't have to wait forever.
Pertaining a revelation of the grace of God in my life, more and more is coming in. As I said, it's bringing freedom: freedom from guilt or shame, freedom from fear, freedom to move forward, freedom from worry, and more...
But it's not as clear as I wish it were right now. The lights are coming on, and the biggest thing is I'm realizing this freedom has nothing to do with me. It has everything to do with what Jesus did on my behalf, because I could not and cannot do it for myself. In Jesus Christ, all the promises of God are "Yes." So when God says my sins are forgiven, they have indeed been blotted out. When God says he now sees me without a blemish, in Christ I have been made perfect, a new creation.
It's still coming in; I know I won't be able to see it perfectly while I'm still clothed in this flesh, but I know there's so much more that has been revealed to me. But with each new bit, I feel I'm being drawn closer to the heart of God. Even though I still mess up, I am reminded that "there is no condemnation for those found in Christ Jesus." So that can't keep me from knowing God more, and this wonderful grace that has been given me.
And anything that sets itself up in opposition to me, "if God is on our side, who can be against us?" And even more so, "We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus..." There is absolutely nothing that can remove me from this grace in which I stand. And I long to know more about this security I now possess through Christ. I know more than I did yesterday, and the day before, but I need more.
I feel it; I'm on the edge of something more. I'm almost there, not by my efforts, but the Lord who is speaking this grace to my heart. He is accomplishing this work. I am doing nothing to obtain this; I just get the privelege of receiving it. What a blessed man I am.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
While I Was Working
I find it amazing how the Lord works, and how the Holy Spirit brings things to our rememberance. For instance, every Sunday morning for a while now my Pastor has been preaching nothing but the grace of God, and that message has been working its way into my heart more and more. It just so happened that Monday (as I was cleaning the lot at Chick-fil-a) a scripture was brought to mind - I remember hearing "...for he cannot disown himself..."
The scripture sounded familiar, and I remembered further, "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." In other words, even if I am not obedient to everything the Lord gives me to do, He remains faithful to me no matter what. Why? Not because I deserve it; everything I know about myself even on my best days is undeserving of such commitment. My own righteousness is as filthy rags in comparison to Him.
But God in His grace sent Jesus to pay the price for my sin, for the sin of the whole world. Even though Jesus lived a sinless life, he bore the punishment of my sin so that the wrath of God towards sin would be satisfied. But the only way to receive that grace is by faith in Jesus; to believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose to life on the third day as He promised.
And on the moment a sinner places their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they are identifying themself with the Lord Jesus Christ. And the amazing thing is that Jesus also identifies Himself with us. His blood completely covers our sins and trespasses, and all that God sees is the perfect righteousness of His son Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus Christ rose to new life, so we are given a new identity as sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty.
So even if I am faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. I am secure where I stand. It is written, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." So neither myself, nor anything else, will be able to undo what the Lord has done for me.
And like I said, that came to me at work - and since then I've been anything but perfect. But nevertheless, the Lord is mine, and I am His, and nothing can change that. It feels good to know such love, and I have a need to know Him more.
The scripture sounded familiar, and I remembered further, "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." In other words, even if I am not obedient to everything the Lord gives me to do, He remains faithful to me no matter what. Why? Not because I deserve it; everything I know about myself even on my best days is undeserving of such commitment. My own righteousness is as filthy rags in comparison to Him.
But God in His grace sent Jesus to pay the price for my sin, for the sin of the whole world. Even though Jesus lived a sinless life, he bore the punishment of my sin so that the wrath of God towards sin would be satisfied. But the only way to receive that grace is by faith in Jesus; to believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose to life on the third day as He promised.
And on the moment a sinner places their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, they are identifying themself with the Lord Jesus Christ. And the amazing thing is that Jesus also identifies Himself with us. His blood completely covers our sins and trespasses, and all that God sees is the perfect righteousness of His son Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus Christ rose to new life, so we are given a new identity as sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty.
So even if I am faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. I am secure where I stand. It is written, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." So neither myself, nor anything else, will be able to undo what the Lord has done for me.
And like I said, that came to me at work - and since then I've been anything but perfect. But nevertheless, the Lord is mine, and I am His, and nothing can change that. It feels good to know such love, and I have a need to know Him more.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Wow... I've been gone for a while...
I can't believe how long its been since I've posted anything here. Actually, I can - and I would have guessed my last entry was in January. So I suppose I'm an overachiever of sorts.
Today marks an official 31 days until May 15th, which will be the bestest day of my life! On that day, I will be waiting up at the front of the church for my beautiful bride-to-be to walk down to me (darling, I know you'll be ready, but you'll have to walk... I can see it now. She turns the corner, and then she breaks out in a full run!... anyways...).
But I just had to post something, and this was the best thing that was on my mind, besides other important spiritual matters. Those will come at a later time. July, August, maybe?
Today marks an official 31 days until May 15th, which will be the bestest day of my life! On that day, I will be waiting up at the front of the church for my beautiful bride-to-be to walk down to me (darling, I know you'll be ready, but you'll have to walk... I can see it now. She turns the corner, and then she breaks out in a full run!... anyways...).
But I just had to post something, and this was the best thing that was on my mind, besides other important spiritual matters. Those will come at a later time. July, August, maybe?
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Strength of my God
For quite a long time, the following two scriptures have been stirring within me... Psalm 62:11-12 and Zephaniah 3:17. I don't remember which one hit me first, and which one came after. But once they both had, they have always been side by side in my mind. Here is what they say...
**
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing
Psalm 62:11-12
One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done
**
I find it amazing. In both of these verses, the strength and love of God go hand in hand. Often, I find it so easy to divorce the two, treating them separately. But the prophets sure didn't do that.
The two attributes of God that David looks to in that Psalm are his strength and his love. Similarly, the prophet Zephaniah points to God's mighty ability to save, and then more than just his love... He even goes as far to say that the Lord delights in His children, and that his abundant love allows his people to rest in his strength. The Lord even rejoices over us with singing (or shouts of joy, depending on the translation)!
In this present day, there seems to be hardship disaster all around us. But this is what I know. That my God is able to fulfill every promise He has given me. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
This is what I know. Even with all my inconsistencies or failures or problems or [fill in the blank], God's love for me is as strong as it was ten years ago. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins... And so we know and rely on the love God has for us."
Two things that I have heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.
**
Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing
Psalm 62:11-12
One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done
**
I find it amazing. In both of these verses, the strength and love of God go hand in hand. Often, I find it so easy to divorce the two, treating them separately. But the prophets sure didn't do that.
The two attributes of God that David looks to in that Psalm are his strength and his love. Similarly, the prophet Zephaniah points to God's mighty ability to save, and then more than just his love... He even goes as far to say that the Lord delights in His children, and that his abundant love allows his people to rest in his strength. The Lord even rejoices over us with singing (or shouts of joy, depending on the translation)!
In this present day, there seems to be hardship disaster all around us. But this is what I know. That my God is able to fulfill every promise He has given me. The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
This is what I know. Even with all my inconsistencies or failures or problems or [fill in the blank], God's love for me is as strong as it was ten years ago. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins... And so we know and rely on the love God has for us."
Two things that I have heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Monday, February 2, 2009
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
There is a song from West Park that I still love, and here's what it says...
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
verse 1
In heavenly armor we'll enter the land,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
No weapon that's fashioned against us will stand,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
chorus
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord.
We sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord.
verse 2
When the powers of darkness come in like a flood,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
He'll raise up a standard, the power of his blood,
The battle belongs ot the Lord.
verse 3
When the enemy presses in hard, do not fear,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
Take courage, my friend, your redemption is near,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
I was reading about when the Israelites came up to the promised land (Canaan), and sent a group out to survey the land. They were gone for forty days, in which they came up with the following conclusion: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large."
In other words, the land was just as the Lord promised, but there were some obstacles. There were some places that looked uncertain. There was even a race of giants living there in Canaan, and that frightened the people. How could a bunch of weary travellers come into Canaan and possibly take possession of the territory?
However, there was a man named Caleb (and also Joshua) who spoke up, saying "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." How could he confidently say such a thing?
We find out a few paragraphs later, after all the people began to rebel against the Lord's command. The people, rather than trusting the Lord, despaired and even spoke of how wonderful it would have been to be enslaved in Egypt! They even began electing a new leader to make the voyage back to Egypt!
To this Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the Lord, and Joshua and Caleb likewise tore their clothes and said this to Israel: "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
In other words, Caleb and Joshua knew the Lord has already delivered the land into their hands. All they had to do was enter it and take it. The Lord had removed the protection of the Canaanites, and the Lord would be fighting for the Israelites. It would be by his hand that they would enter the land. Just as it was the hand of the Lord who delivered them from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord would also be the one to accomplish the victory in Canaan.
But the people would not believe, and they would not enter the land. They missed out on seeing the promised land because they didn't trust the Lord. They didn't trust Him to be the one to fight for them.
And what I love is that the Lord is still the one to fight for us today. It is in His strength that we are able to accomplish things. It is His strength that is made perfect in our weaknesses; it is never our own strength that can accomplish anything. So then, whatever stands in front of a child of God is trivial to the Lord. In fact, because the Lord is on our side, "we will swallow them up." And, "if the Lord is on our side, who can stand against us?"
What He has promised He is faithful to deliver. But we must be willing to walk into the land and see His deliverance. I must be willing to go into a land of giants and fortresses and follow the Lord's commands. We can rest in His hands, and let Him do the fighting for us.
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God wis with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
verse 1
In heavenly armor we'll enter the land,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
No weapon that's fashioned against us will stand,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
chorus
And we sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord.
We sing glory, honor, power and strength to the Lord.
verse 2
When the powers of darkness come in like a flood,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
He'll raise up a standard, the power of his blood,
The battle belongs ot the Lord.
verse 3
When the enemy presses in hard, do not fear,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
Take courage, my friend, your redemption is near,
The battle belongs to the Lord.
I was reading about when the Israelites came up to the promised land (Canaan), and sent a group out to survey the land. They were gone for forty days, in which they came up with the following conclusion: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large."
In other words, the land was just as the Lord promised, but there were some obstacles. There were some places that looked uncertain. There was even a race of giants living there in Canaan, and that frightened the people. How could a bunch of weary travellers come into Canaan and possibly take possession of the territory?
However, there was a man named Caleb (and also Joshua) who spoke up, saying "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." How could he confidently say such a thing?
We find out a few paragraphs later, after all the people began to rebel against the Lord's command. The people, rather than trusting the Lord, despaired and even spoke of how wonderful it would have been to be enslaved in Egypt! They even began electing a new leader to make the voyage back to Egypt!
To this Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the Lord, and Joshua and Caleb likewise tore their clothes and said this to Israel: "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them."
In other words, Caleb and Joshua knew the Lord has already delivered the land into their hands. All they had to do was enter it and take it. The Lord had removed the protection of the Canaanites, and the Lord would be fighting for the Israelites. It would be by his hand that they would enter the land. Just as it was the hand of the Lord who delivered them from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord would also be the one to accomplish the victory in Canaan.
But the people would not believe, and they would not enter the land. They missed out on seeing the promised land because they didn't trust the Lord. They didn't trust Him to be the one to fight for them.
And what I love is that the Lord is still the one to fight for us today. It is in His strength that we are able to accomplish things. It is His strength that is made perfect in our weaknesses; it is never our own strength that can accomplish anything. So then, whatever stands in front of a child of God is trivial to the Lord. In fact, because the Lord is on our side, "we will swallow them up." And, "if the Lord is on our side, who can stand against us?"
What He has promised He is faithful to deliver. But we must be willing to walk into the land and see His deliverance. I must be willing to go into a land of giants and fortresses and follow the Lord's commands. We can rest in His hands, and let Him do the fighting for us.
Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God wis with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Fifteenth
Firstly... wow... it's been almost forever since I've posted something. That's no good... no good at all. Even though I haven't written in a while, today is the perfect day to briefly let everyone in on my happy little life of mine.
It has been a year and five months since Hannah and I started dating, and hence, the fifteenth of each month has been an important date, marking our "monthly anniversary."
(aside)
Yeah... we've kept track of it thus far... but can you blame me?? Hannah's that wonderful!! :)
(back to the blog)
So for seventeen months, Hannah and I have tracked our progress and enjoyed every minute of it. And I'm excited to say the fifteenth will remain an important date in our lives because... (drum roll kicks in...)
...
It is exactly four months away from our wedding! On May 15th I will be waiting at the altar, waiting for that moment when Pastor Tim will walk her down the aisle. She'll be the most beautiful bride ever, while I'll probably be a nervous wreck and sweating profusely :)
I cannot wait for that day, it won't be able to get here too fast.
And now back to homework... I love you, Hannah.
It has been a year and five months since Hannah and I started dating, and hence, the fifteenth of each month has been an important date, marking our "monthly anniversary."
(aside)
Yeah... we've kept track of it thus far... but can you blame me?? Hannah's that wonderful!! :)
(back to the blog)
So for seventeen months, Hannah and I have tracked our progress and enjoyed every minute of it. And I'm excited to say the fifteenth will remain an important date in our lives because... (drum roll kicks in...)
...
It is exactly four months away from our wedding! On May 15th I will be waiting at the altar, waiting for that moment when Pastor Tim will walk her down the aisle. She'll be the most beautiful bride ever, while I'll probably be a nervous wreck and sweating profusely :)
I cannot wait for that day, it won't be able to get here too fast.
And now back to homework... I love you, Hannah.
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