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.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
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.
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Mighty Grace of God
In the gospel of Matthew, chapter twenty, Jesus tells "The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard." The link below will take you to a website if you'd like to read it. Also, I will be referencing
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2020:1-16&version=31
Also, I will reference a blog post from September 15 entitled "Never Too Late." It too is about a parable taught by Jesus. Here is the link for that blog post.
http://equippedforbattle.blogspot.com/2008/09/never-too-late.html
Here's the parable in a nutshell. One day there was a landowner who went to hire some workers. Early in the morning he went and hired some men, and promised to pay them a denarius (or a day's wages) for their work. So they accepted and worked for him all day long.
Hours later, the landowner went out again and found workers standing around with nothing to do. So he hired them also, and promised to pay them what was right. Again and again, the landowner went out throughout the day and found people with no work. He sent them into his fields and promised to pay them what was right. He even went out with only one hour left in the work day and found people with no work, sending them into his fields.
At the end of the day he gathered them and paid them for their work, starting with the men hired last. He gave them a denarius, and likewise to the rest of the workers who were hired after the initial workers. When the landowner got to the workers who had been there from the beginning, they expected to get paid more, but likewise got a denarius.
When they didn't get paid more they were offended, but the landowner answered one of them, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"
This story reminds me of the story of the prodigal son. The brother who didn't run away grumbled because the prodigal son was received so warmly; the brother was angry because his father prepared a feast for the son who squandered his inheritance. But the brother missed the point; the lost brother has returned! The son had come back to be a part of the family!
Likewise, the first workers missed the point. They had been doing the work since the beginning, and others joined them as the day went. Some even worked one hour, but the landowner all paid them one denarius. They all received the same generous blessing.
So what right have I to be envious when a prodigal turns back, or when a new brother receives much or more than I have (as if I'm a good judge of that anyways...).
This speaks of the Lord's generosity. And! He has a great heart of compassion. The last workers "deserved" far less money for their work, but the Lord gave them both the work they needed and the money for it. When Jesus fed the five thousand, he did it because they had need. He healed people because they had great need of it. He is a God of compassion and generosity.
And notice, the landowner keeps finding people doing nothing and sending them to work for him. Even with one hour left in the day, he hires more workers. This tells me, just like in the story of the prodigal son, it is never too late. If there's still hours in the day, or days remaining in life, there is still time to serve the Lord. And! The Lord is a great God, filled with generosity and compassion, and you can still reap a great reward.
What keeps us from His rewards is thinking it's too late. "I've already missed out on most of the day... how could I find work now? Would it even be worth it now?"
Keep your eyes peeled; though you may not be actively pursuing the Lord, that doesn't keep Him from coming to you. Even when the prime hours of the day are spent, and you've nothing to show for it, the Lord may come and call on you to do work in His fields. If you have a mindset of, "It's too late now," or, "What's the point? What could I possibly earn in one measly hour," then you will not be able to receive in full what could be yours.
It is never too late. And the compassion and generosity of the Lord extends to and covers even the last hour of the day. This is the mighty God we serve, and that is His mighty grace at work.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2020:1-16&version=31
Also, I will reference a blog post from September 15 entitled "Never Too Late." It too is about a parable taught by Jesus. Here is the link for that blog post.
http://equippedforbattle.blogspot.com/2008/09/never-too-late.html
Here's the parable in a nutshell. One day there was a landowner who went to hire some workers. Early in the morning he went and hired some men, and promised to pay them a denarius (or a day's wages) for their work. So they accepted and worked for him all day long.
Hours later, the landowner went out again and found workers standing around with nothing to do. So he hired them also, and promised to pay them what was right. Again and again, the landowner went out throughout the day and found people with no work. He sent them into his fields and promised to pay them what was right. He even went out with only one hour left in the work day and found people with no work, sending them into his fields.
At the end of the day he gathered them and paid them for their work, starting with the men hired last. He gave them a denarius, and likewise to the rest of the workers who were hired after the initial workers. When the landowner got to the workers who had been there from the beginning, they expected to get paid more, but likewise got a denarius.
When they didn't get paid more they were offended, but the landowner answered one of them, "Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"
This story reminds me of the story of the prodigal son. The brother who didn't run away grumbled because the prodigal son was received so warmly; the brother was angry because his father prepared a feast for the son who squandered his inheritance. But the brother missed the point; the lost brother has returned! The son had come back to be a part of the family!
Likewise, the first workers missed the point. They had been doing the work since the beginning, and others joined them as the day went. Some even worked one hour, but the landowner all paid them one denarius. They all received the same generous blessing.
So what right have I to be envious when a prodigal turns back, or when a new brother receives much or more than I have (as if I'm a good judge of that anyways...).
This speaks of the Lord's generosity. And! He has a great heart of compassion. The last workers "deserved" far less money for their work, but the Lord gave them both the work they needed and the money for it. When Jesus fed the five thousand, he did it because they had need. He healed people because they had great need of it. He is a God of compassion and generosity.
And notice, the landowner keeps finding people doing nothing and sending them to work for him. Even with one hour left in the day, he hires more workers. This tells me, just like in the story of the prodigal son, it is never too late. If there's still hours in the day, or days remaining in life, there is still time to serve the Lord. And! The Lord is a great God, filled with generosity and compassion, and you can still reap a great reward.
What keeps us from His rewards is thinking it's too late. "I've already missed out on most of the day... how could I find work now? Would it even be worth it now?"
Keep your eyes peeled; though you may not be actively pursuing the Lord, that doesn't keep Him from coming to you. Even when the prime hours of the day are spent, and you've nothing to show for it, the Lord may come and call on you to do work in His fields. If you have a mindset of, "It's too late now," or, "What's the point? What could I possibly earn in one measly hour," then you will not be able to receive in full what could be yours.
It is never too late. And the compassion and generosity of the Lord extends to and covers even the last hour of the day. This is the mighty God we serve, and that is His mighty grace at work.
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