Brothers,
Most of you know I'm in seminary and it has been a fantastic learning experience. I have learned so much. However, it consumes a great deal of my time. I often find myself skipping my devotional time so that I can work on homework or staying up until midnight and not having a chance to wash my wife in the Word at night like I ought to. When this happens, I slowly move further and further away from the Lord until I am empty, vulnerable and unprotected. It's not hard to figure out what happens next. The enemy pounces..."Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 NASB). Well it manifested itself in me today in my lack of patience with my precious garden (My wife) and with a co-worker who knows I'm a Christian and that is how I presented Christ to him. Nobody that loves God, treats people that way.
Brothers if you are finding yourself in a bad place, ask yourself these questions, How is my devotional time? When's the last time I was in the Word? What comes first in your day, time with God or other things? Don't even think you can use the excuse that your involvement in ministry gives you an excuse for not nurturing your relationship with Him. God can care less about the ministry if He doesn't have time with you. Don't believe me...check out this devotional that He led me to read today...this day that I was most effected by my distance from Him.
A Heart That Loves God
For I desire loyalty and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6)
No amount of activity for God will ever take the place of a heart
that is right with Him. Through the ages God’s people have been
persuaded that they could please Him through their service and their
offerings, regardless of their heart condition. King Saul offered generous sacrifice, hoping God would
overlook
his disobedience (1 Sam. 15:22-23). David may have assumed that after
all he had done on God’s behalf, God would overlook his sin (2 Sam.
12:7-15). Ananias and Sapphira thought that their generous gift to the
church would compensate for their deceitfulness (Acts 5:1-11). Paul was
certainly one who had thought his zealousness would please God. Alter
his conversion, however, he concluded that even if he had faith to
remove mountains, gave all he had to feed the poor, and offered his body
to be burned for the sake of God, and yet had a heart that was not
right, it would all be for nothing (1 Cor. 13:1-3).
We are
susceptible to the same misunderstanding as all of these people were. We
can be deceived into assuming God is more interested in our activity
for Him than He is in the condition of our hearts. God has
consistently made it clear that He will not be pacified by even the most
generous offerings and zealous service if our hearts are not right with
Him (Mic. 6:6-8). No matter how much we do in God’s service, regardless
of how active we are in our church, no matter how honorable our
reputation in the Christian community, He will not overlook a sinful
heart. His desire is that we devote ourselves to knowing Hirn and
loving Him with all of our hearts.
Nov 12, 2012
Oct 25, 2012
Guard the Treasure
Men,
I had an assignment this week to make 15 observations, identify the main idea and determine 5 applications/implementations from the passage 2 Timothy 1:14-15. It was a rich time and I could have spent hours on this small passage if I had time to dig into biblical history, word study etc. I thought I'd share with you to give you a head start at really unpacking this passage.
The reason this passage is so important, as if all Scripture is not important, but this country is slowly turning its back on God being more interested in the world; more interested in the easy road due to the growing persecution of Christians. Now I know that we don't experience anything near the persecution at the time Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, but we still need to be just as aware and just as concerned to "Guard the Treasure."
2 Timothy 1:14-15 NASB – 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit
who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. 15 You
are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom
are Phygelus and Hermogenes.
1. Paul is the
author.
2. Paul’s disciple
Timothy is the audience.
3. Paul’s mood is
somber, if not vulnerable.
4. Treasure in
this use is an adjective, not a noun.
Therefore, it is not an object Timothy has to protect.
5. Treasure is the Greek word kalos. It is used 102 times in the NT and 83 is translated good.
6. Therefore, when Paul says "Guard the Treasure" he is telling Timothy to hold on to what is good, namely the "Truth."
7. Timothy is a
believer.
8. Paul must be
concerned for Timothy why else would he be exhorting or urging him to guard the
treasure.
9. Perhaps there
are enemies of the truth where Timothy is.
10.
Since the truth is not an object, the enemies
wouldn’t be able to steal it, but perhaps there is a real danger that they are
trying to lead Timothy astray.
11.
To what lengths should Timothy guard the
treasure?
12.
How is Timothy supposed to guard the treasure,
since it isn’t an object?
13.
Paul is reminding Timothy that he should guard
through the Holy Spirit which implies that Timothy doesn’t have to do it alone…moreso
he can’t do it alone.
14.
Why was the treasure (The Truth) entrusted to
Timothy?
15.
Timothy must be the shepherd of a flock why else
would the treasure be entrusted to him.
16.
Is Paul
referring to all the churches in Asia, all his disciples in Asia?
17.
He
points out two specific people Phygelus and Hermogenes probably because these
two were the strongest of those in Asia and if they have abandoned, things must
be really bad.
Main Idea:
Paul is warning
Timothy to stay strong and protect what is good (Treasure) namely the Truth. There
must be heavy pressure, or persecution, to do so because Paul is making Timothy
aware of all the believers from Asia that is abandoning him particularly two
strong ones.
Application/Implementation:
1. Prepare yourself for persecution.
2. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you guard
against the enemy.
3. We are individually responsible for guarding
the truth.
4. The only way to know and guard the truth is
to be in the word.
5. Despite the fact that others may become weak
and fall away, you can still guard the truth even if you’re alone.
Oct 16, 2012
Aug 13, 2012
The Branches are for Fruit and Fruit ALONE!
And all the branch possesses belongs to the vine. The branch does not exist for itself, but to bear fruit that can proclaim the excellence of the vine: it has no reason of existence except to be of service to the vine. Glorious image of the calling of the believer, and the entireness of his consecration to the service of his Lord. As Jesus gives Himself so wholly over to him, he feels himself urged to be wholly his Lord's. Every power of his being, every moment of his life, every thought and feeling, belong to Jesus, that from Him and for Him he may bring forth fruit. As he realizes what the vine is to the branch, and what the branch is meant to be to the vine, he feels that he has but one thing to think of and to live for, and that is, the will, the glory, the work, the kingdom of his blessed Lord--the bringing forth of fruit to the glory of His name.
The parable teaches us the object of the union. The branches are for fruit and fruit alone. "Every branch that beareth not fruit He taketh away." The branch needs leaves for the maintenance of its own life, and the perfection of its fruit: the fruit itself it bears to give away to those around. As the believer enters into his calling as a branch, he sees that he has to forget himself, and to live entirely for his fellow-men. To love them, to seek for them, and to save them, Jesus came: for this every branch on the Vine has to live as much as the Vine itself. It is for fruit, much fruit, that the Father has made us one with Jesus.
Wondrous parable of the Vine--unveiling the mysteries of the Divine love, of the heavenly life, of the world of Spirit--how little have I understood thee! Jesus the living Vine in heaven, and I the living branch on earth! How little have I understood how great my need, but also how perfect my claim, to all His fullness!
Murray, Andrew (2010-04-24). Abide in Christ (p. 20). Wilder Publications. Kindle Edition.
The parable teaches us the object of the union. The branches are for fruit and fruit alone. "Every branch that beareth not fruit He taketh away." The branch needs leaves for the maintenance of its own life, and the perfection of its fruit: the fruit itself it bears to give away to those around. As the believer enters into his calling as a branch, he sees that he has to forget himself, and to live entirely for his fellow-men. To love them, to seek for them, and to save them, Jesus came: for this every branch on the Vine has to live as much as the Vine itself. It is for fruit, much fruit, that the Father has made us one with Jesus.
Wondrous parable of the Vine--unveiling the mysteries of the Divine love, of the heavenly life, of the world of Spirit--how little have I understood thee! Jesus the living Vine in heaven, and I the living branch on earth! How little have I understood how great my need, but also how perfect my claim, to all His fullness!
Murray, Andrew (2010-04-24). Abide in Christ (p. 20). Wilder Publications. Kindle Edition.
Jun 5, 2012
You can not hide!
Men,
In my study to prepare for my Oral Doctrinal Exam to become a full time missionary, I came across the verse Jeremiah 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" This verse speaks to God's Omnipresence. I just can't get over the enormity of our God in this verse. God tells us that He fills EVERYTHING but NOTHING can contain Him. What a paradox??? Can you even fathom this? No you can't and neither can I but think on it for a second...He is right next to you ALWAYS whether you know it or not. He's in the plane that crashes to the earth; He's in the building that collapsed on 9/11; He is in the delivery room when your first child was born; He was next to you when you made your vows; He is in your room when you are crying; He is smiling when you win the race.
I can go on...and on...and on...and on. I could go on my whole life and never name every instance.
"He sees the depths of my heart, but He loves me just the same." Oh what a great Father is He.
In my study to prepare for my Oral Doctrinal Exam to become a full time missionary, I came across the verse Jeremiah 23:24 "Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?" This verse speaks to God's Omnipresence. I just can't get over the enormity of our God in this verse. God tells us that He fills EVERYTHING but NOTHING can contain Him. What a paradox??? Can you even fathom this? No you can't and neither can I but think on it for a second...He is right next to you ALWAYS whether you know it or not. He's in the plane that crashes to the earth; He's in the building that collapsed on 9/11; He is in the delivery room when your first child was born; He was next to you when you made your vows; He is in your room when you are crying; He is smiling when you win the race.
I can go on...and on...and on...and on. I could go on my whole life and never name every instance.
"He sees the depths of my heart, but He loves me just the same." Oh what a great Father is He.
May 1, 2012
Apr 18, 2012
It is not optional
"A man is the head, master and leader of his home, and there's nothing he can do about that."
"He will either lead effectively, or he will lead poorly, but he will lead."
"A man's failing to lead is actually a man leading in failure."
"Leading, is is NOT optional."
From a sermon by Voddie Bauchum at the 2011 Truth and Life Conference at Master's College.
"He will either lead effectively, or he will lead poorly, but he will lead."
"A man's failing to lead is actually a man leading in failure."
"Leading, is is NOT optional."
From a sermon by Voddie Bauchum at the 2011 Truth and Life Conference at Master's College.
Apr 16, 2012
Pride is the worst viper in the heart...
...it is the first sin that ever entered into the universe, lies lowest of all in the foundation of the whole building of sin, and is the most secret, deceitful, and unsearchable in its ways of working, of any lusts whatever. It is ready to mix with every thing; and nothing is so hateful to God, contrary to the spirit of the gospel, or of so dangerous consequence; and there is no one sin that does so much let in the devil into the hearts of the saints, and expose them to his delusions. I have seen it in many instances, and that in eminent saints. The devil has come in at this door presently after some eminent experience and extraordinary communion with God, and has woefully deluded and led them astray, till God
Edwards, Jonathan (2011-09-04). Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (Kindle Locations 886-891). . Kindle Edition.
Edwards, Jonathan (2011-09-04). Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (Kindle Locations 886-891). . Kindle Edition.
Mar 27, 2012
Is this you???
"...a man who takes up arms from the armory of grace and goes forth strong in the Lord and in the power of His might to contend for the faith."
I'm not sure that this is me. Why??? I'm not equipped enough. I don't want to get in trouble at work. I don't want to cause conflict. It's not the right time. It's not my fight. I'm not "called." and so on and so on.
I'm not sure that this is me. Why??? I'm not equipped enough. I don't want to get in trouble at work. I don't want to cause conflict. It's not the right time. It's not my fight. I'm not "called." and so on and so on.
It's your loss!!
Then He came a third time and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough!" Mark 14:41
If you're like me, you think that Jesus was upset with the disciples for falling asleep because they failed to keep watch while He prayed, but I was given a different more profound perspective while reading a devotional Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby. Have you ever thought that the Lord was disappointed because the disciples failed to share a sacred moment with Him? Me either! Here's the devotional:
It is enough! How these words from the Master stung the disciples! They were given the opportunity to share a sacred moment with Jesus. They failed Him. This time, not even Peter had an answer for Jesus.
Jesus forgave them, and they went on to experience God working powerfully through their lives, but that unique moment with their Lord was lost. The angels had comforted the Savior on that lonely night as He prepared for the cross, not the disciples. Scripture indicates that the disciples later became diligent in prayer, but the memory of that night would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Like the disciples, you receive unique opportunities to serve your Lord. There are times when Jesus will ask you to join Him as He is at work in the life of your friend, family, or coworker. If you are preoccupied with your own needs, you will miss the blessing of sharing in His divine activity.
God is gracious; He forgives, and He provides other opportunities. he will even use our failings to bring about good, but it is critical that we respond in obedience to every prompting from God. God does not need our obedience; He has legions of angels prepared to do His bidding when we fail Him. The loss is ours as we miss what God wants to do in our lives.
Respond immediately when God speaks to you. His will for you is perfect, and it leads to abundant life.
If you're like me, you think that Jesus was upset with the disciples for falling asleep because they failed to keep watch while He prayed, but I was given a different more profound perspective while reading a devotional Experiencing God Day By Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby. Have you ever thought that the Lord was disappointed because the disciples failed to share a sacred moment with Him? Me either! Here's the devotional:
It is enough! How these words from the Master stung the disciples! They were given the opportunity to share a sacred moment with Jesus. They failed Him. This time, not even Peter had an answer for Jesus.
Jesus forgave them, and they went on to experience God working powerfully through their lives, but that unique moment with their Lord was lost. The angels had comforted the Savior on that lonely night as He prepared for the cross, not the disciples. Scripture indicates that the disciples later became diligent in prayer, but the memory of that night would remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Like the disciples, you receive unique opportunities to serve your Lord. There are times when Jesus will ask you to join Him as He is at work in the life of your friend, family, or coworker. If you are preoccupied with your own needs, you will miss the blessing of sharing in His divine activity.
God is gracious; He forgives, and He provides other opportunities. he will even use our failings to bring about good, but it is critical that we respond in obedience to every prompting from God. God does not need our obedience; He has legions of angels prepared to do His bidding when we fail Him. The loss is ours as we miss what God wants to do in our lives.
Respond immediately when God speaks to you. His will for you is perfect, and it leads to abundant life.
Mar 23, 2012
I don't love Jesus like this...
Charles Hodge, professor of Princeton Theology until 1840. Students saw him shed tears in his classes when he talked of the love of Christ. A student once said of Hodge who was announcing a hymn in the Oratory: "As he read he came to the lines: 'That blood can make the foulest clean, that blood availed for me.' But Hodge could not read them, try as he would. 'That blood availed,'--he could not get beyond that. That strong man bowed before the storm of emotion, and, dropping into his chair, he buried his face in his hands."
Brothers, I am not suggesting you don't love Jesus enough if you don't cry while reading or singing hymns, but to be so overwhelmed by the love of our precious savior like this...I will just say that I pray that I come to a relationship with Jesus that causes me to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of His love when I think about that love...EVERY TIME I think about His love.
The above quote is a quote from a book In Pursuit of Purity by David O. Beale. If you've never read about Fundamentalism, you should check it out.
Brothers, I am not suggesting you don't love Jesus enough if you don't cry while reading or singing hymns, but to be so overwhelmed by the love of our precious savior like this...I will just say that I pray that I come to a relationship with Jesus that causes me to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of His love when I think about that love...EVERY TIME I think about His love.
The above quote is a quote from a book In Pursuit of Purity by David O. Beale. If you've never read about Fundamentalism, you should check it out.
Feb 20, 2012
What it is NOT!
Men,
I can't count the times that I have used Romans 8:28 to comfort other believers in their struggles. I'd say "take courage because we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I'm here to tell you that God has informed me, through my Pastor Stephen Davey's Wisdom for the Heart message, that I am misusing that verse. I think it is important for me, and you, to hear/read this message entitled "What It Is Not!" During today's segment of this teaching, he describes what Romans 8:28 does NOT mean.
Here is a brief excerpt Steve teaches Romans 8:28 does not mean:
1. Romans 8:28 is not a precise explanation for suffering. Paul does not provide a quick answer for the grieving. This verse is not a band-aide for you to try to stick on some suffering believer. In fact, this verse does not pretend to solve the riddles of life. Furthermore, this verse does not even attempt to answer the questions that begin with the word, “Why?”
2. Romans 8:28 is not an explanation for suffering and it is, secondly, not a prohibition against sorrow. Have you ever heard a Christian say to another believer, “Now don’t cry . . . remember, Romans 8:28!” The motto of many in the church is, “Deep Christians don’t cry!” Well, if that is the case, then Jesus Christ failed miserably outside Lazarus’ tomb where He wept openly. And the crowd said in John, chapter 11, verse 36b, . . . See how He loved him! This verse in Romans is no biblical prohibition to grieving.
3. Romans 8:28 is not a pretext for avoiding the challenges of life. A believer is misguided who tells another, “Settle down . . . don’t get so excited about your passion for God and zeal for the Lord; He’s gonna do whatever He wants to do anyway, so why bother getting so fired up about accomplishing something for God?! He’s gonna work everything out!”
4. Romans 8:28 is not a permanent ticket to comfortable living. Paul has already reminded the believer in Romans 8:25 that we wait and actively hope with anticipation. Somebody might say, “Well, I’ve been asking God for His will for my life and I just don’t understand why He isn’t coming through.” While we may not know what the will of God is for our future, He has given us more than we are prepared to tackle, right now. Let me give you a few of them:
• obey your parents (Ephesians 6:1);
• if you are single, develop a romantic relationship with a believer only (I Corinthians 6:15);
• raise your children with an understanding of biblical and spiritual truth (Ephesians 6:4);
• provide for the physical needs of your family (I Timothy 5:8);
• work hard in your occupation (I Thessalonians 4:11-12);
• give to the Lord, His church, and His cause (II Corinthians 8-9);
• pray consistently and regularly (I Thessalonians 5:17);
Feeling convicted?? I certainly am
I can't count the times that I have used Romans 8:28 to comfort other believers in their struggles. I'd say "take courage because we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I'm here to tell you that God has informed me, through my Pastor Stephen Davey's Wisdom for the Heart message, that I am misusing that verse. I think it is important for me, and you, to hear/read this message entitled "What It Is Not!" During today's segment of this teaching, he describes what Romans 8:28 does NOT mean.
Here is a brief excerpt Steve teaches Romans 8:28 does not mean:
1. Romans 8:28 is not a precise explanation for suffering. Paul does not provide a quick answer for the grieving. This verse is not a band-aide for you to try to stick on some suffering believer. In fact, this verse does not pretend to solve the riddles of life. Furthermore, this verse does not even attempt to answer the questions that begin with the word, “Why?”
2. Romans 8:28 is not an explanation for suffering and it is, secondly, not a prohibition against sorrow. Have you ever heard a Christian say to another believer, “Now don’t cry . . . remember, Romans 8:28!” The motto of many in the church is, “Deep Christians don’t cry!” Well, if that is the case, then Jesus Christ failed miserably outside Lazarus’ tomb where He wept openly. And the crowd said in John, chapter 11, verse 36b, . . . See how He loved him! This verse in Romans is no biblical prohibition to grieving.
3. Romans 8:28 is not a pretext for avoiding the challenges of life. A believer is misguided who tells another, “Settle down . . . don’t get so excited about your passion for God and zeal for the Lord; He’s gonna do whatever He wants to do anyway, so why bother getting so fired up about accomplishing something for God?! He’s gonna work everything out!”
4. Romans 8:28 is not a permanent ticket to comfortable living. Paul has already reminded the believer in Romans 8:25 that we wait and actively hope with anticipation. Somebody might say, “Well, I’ve been asking God for His will for my life and I just don’t understand why He isn’t coming through.” While we may not know what the will of God is for our future, He has given us more than we are prepared to tackle, right now. Let me give you a few of them:
• obey your parents (Ephesians 6:1);
• if you are single, develop a romantic relationship with a believer only (I Corinthians 6:15);
• raise your children with an understanding of biblical and spiritual truth (Ephesians 6:4);
• provide for the physical needs of your family (I Timothy 5:8);
• work hard in your occupation (I Thessalonians 4:11-12);
• give to the Lord, His church, and His cause (II Corinthians 8-9);
• pray consistently and regularly (I Thessalonians 5:17);
Feeling convicted?? I certainly am
Jan 20, 2012
Chew on this!
Men,
Yes...it's starting again. Classes that is. I've begun my reading for the second half of Historical Theology. It starts with "Post-Reformation." Obviously this means that the Reformation has happened with the likes of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin as the stars of this Reformation. If you're not sure what happened at the Reformation, well in a nutshell...men, specifically Martin Luther, who were tired of the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, broke from it in an attempt to reform it. The result...the Protestant Church. As you can imagine, "man," in his great desire to do his own thing decided that the reform of the Reformed Church wasn't quite "reformed" enough. So, "Protestants" began to divide to reform the Reformed Church. Anyway, one of the topics that caused the reforming of the reformed church is Supralapsarianism. I know...SupralapWhat???
Supra indicates logical priority to something else. lapsarianism indicates reference to the fall of humanity (from the same root as lapse - to "fall"). Thus, Supralapsarianism literally means "something prior to the Fall."
Theologically, Supralapsarianism is a certain way of ordering the divine decrees of God concerning predestination and creating humans.
Check out how Supralapsarianism orders God's decrees. I'd be interested in your take on this.
1. The decree of God to predestine some creatures to salvation and eternal life and some other creatures to damnation and everlasting punishment in hell.
2. The decree of God to create.
3. The decree of God to allow human creatures to fall into sin.
4. The decree of God to provide the means of salvation (Christ and the gospel) for the elect.
5. The decree of God to apply salvation (the righteousness of Christ) to the elect.
"The Story of Christian Theology" Olson
Yes...it's starting again. Classes that is. I've begun my reading for the second half of Historical Theology. It starts with "Post-Reformation." Obviously this means that the Reformation has happened with the likes of Luther, Zwingli and Calvin as the stars of this Reformation. If you're not sure what happened at the Reformation, well in a nutshell...men, specifically Martin Luther, who were tired of the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, broke from it in an attempt to reform it. The result...the Protestant Church. As you can imagine, "man," in his great desire to do his own thing decided that the reform of the Reformed Church wasn't quite "reformed" enough. So, "Protestants" began to divide to reform the Reformed Church. Anyway, one of the topics that caused the reforming of the reformed church is Supralapsarianism. I know...SupralapWhat???
Supra indicates logical priority to something else. lapsarianism indicates reference to the fall of humanity (from the same root as lapse - to "fall"). Thus, Supralapsarianism literally means "something prior to the Fall."
Theologically, Supralapsarianism is a certain way of ordering the divine decrees of God concerning predestination and creating humans.
Check out how Supralapsarianism orders God's decrees. I'd be interested in your take on this.
1. The decree of God to predestine some creatures to salvation and eternal life and some other creatures to damnation and everlasting punishment in hell.
2. The decree of God to create.
3. The decree of God to allow human creatures to fall into sin.
4. The decree of God to provide the means of salvation (Christ and the gospel) for the elect.
5. The decree of God to apply salvation (the righteousness of Christ) to the elect.
"The Story of Christian Theology" Olson
Jan 2, 2012
Tradition or Truth
There is nothing wrong with tradition as long as we do not confuse tradition with truth. As soon as we become more attached to our traditions than we are to truth, we are in VERY deep trouble. The best tradition is recognized for exactly what it is: one that may help us to better worship or serve God, but which is not in and of itself the embodiment of truth. Traditions must be tested, including traditions that touch on the use of particular translations.
As soon as we make our tradition the test of someone else's standing with God (as people have done to Jerome, to Erasmus, and to those who today would use a non-KJV translation), we have elevated it to an anti-biblical status.
An excerpt from "The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations?" By James R. White
As soon as we make our tradition the test of someone else's standing with God (as people have done to Jerome, to Erasmus, and to those who today would use a non-KJV translation), we have elevated it to an anti-biblical status.
An excerpt from "The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust the Modern Translations?" By James R. White