Growing in Faith

Follow me

2011-08-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

I hear Jesus Christ in those words. They are personal and inviting. Scripture is clear as it lays out a life pattern for the true follower of Jesus Christ. I get that it will cost me everything to follow Him. Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:38-39, "And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Its a personal invite to live and share life with the Trinity. Jesus said in John 5:40 many will search the Scriptures for eternal life which bear witness about Him, yet many refuse to come to Him for life. He offers it freely. It is only by God's grace through faith that we are saved. But it is more then being saved, yes Jesus came to save His people from their sins, but He also come that we might have life and life abundantly.

This grace that God extends us through His Son Jesus Christ will unsettle all hearts and lives it touches. It is a costly grace that enables us to pursue God and have Him as our treasure. Once we were selfish and using God's grace to pursue our sinful desires and pleasures, now we use it to become more like Christ in all that we do. We use all means of this life to glorify and enjoy God.

You won't see things the same. It changes how you see yourself, your wife, your children, your family and friends, your church, your work and how you walk in this world. How we use our life, share our life, die in our living and engage the things around us should say something radically different about us. In effect we can bring life or death to those around us.

In our home, in jobs, our churches we can make a huge impact. If you just think of what Jesus Christ's death has accomplished from eternity past throughout all of eternity you will only see much fruit. Not one second of His pain and suffering, not one drop of His blood was wasted. He will get His full reward. He is worthy of our dying as well.

For me to delight in God and enjoy Him is to share in His suffering and death. I don't see my life as precious and deserving of comfort, ease, and life on a silver platter. I deserve hell. But Jesus died that I may have life. For me to follow Him is a life of dying....that He may use it as He pleases to bring life to others. Your stupid to think that your choices and decisions today will not impact other disciples tomorrow.

How is your dying and sharing life bringing life to others? How are you using this life to impact tomorrow's generation? What repentance is needed to change for you to live a life of dying and sharing? 1 John 1:9 tells us "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Don't waste your life living in your sins, confess and be free to live as the best image bearer you can! Live to the glory of God in all you do in dying, sharing and living in this life.

Give your life away....it shows the world something they won't understand. They will be asking, "Why do you live that way?"

Eternal life

2011-06-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. ~ Matthew Henry

I posted this quote on my twitter on January 15th! I can say that I have come to understand more of the truth in this quote. Here are a few of the extraordinary graces God has been so merciful and gracious to teach me over the last 5 months:

1) I have learned that God is faithful in all His ways. Where I am not faithful, God is always faithful. He knows what I need and used a major trial to get to my heart. His main business is my heart. It has over-flowed into my husbanding and parenting. I now am quick to go after my heart and the hearts of those around me. I mean God doesn't care about what I am doing in the church, Bible reading, praying if He does not have my heart. We can get so busy and miss the main point.

2) I have learned that man is fallible. I was guilty of putting more stock into man then God. It was a lesson I needed to learn. I now know that even elders are sheep like myself. We all belong to God and are called to submit our lives to Him fully. To know that God knows are hearts and works I can rest in Him through the hardships of life. But through this lesson I have learned to have compassion on those around me. I understand that God is in control and everyone but God will let me down and fail me. That is fine. I have a solid Rock in Jesus Christ who is infallible 100%, I trust Him.

3) I have learned how to glorify and enjoy God in my family. It is crazy, but enjoying them and loving, leading and serving them I am glorifying God and enjoying Him! I am so excited about finding time to be a family with my wonderful wife and girls! It is very important to me. I am thinking more about protecting them and helping them grow spiritually and asking God to show me His ways. Everyday in my home is another opportunity to disciple my family and keep pointing them to Jesus Christ. It is another opportunity to fail and understand the gospel for myself. I am the elder of my family. This is my main mission field. I have never been so excited to lead, love and serve my family. I am always looking for ways to help Jolie grow in grace and my girls to see their need for Jesus Christ. When we are a family then we get to see the gospel lived out in our home.

4) I have learned that I can't produce any holiness, godliness and righteousness in my life. It is only because of Jesus Christ that these things grow in my life. As I behold Him and His glory (2 Cor. 3:18) my life will be changed and transformed from one degree of glory to the next. I am free to live by faith in the Son of God and enjoy Him. I just want to believe Him more and love Him more. He will be faithful to take care of the rest. I can trust God. Because He has regenerated my heart I can trust that He will make sure to reform my life as I read His Word, be secret in prayer and follow those who submit to Christ. As I delight in Him, He give me the desires of my heart. I want nothing more then to be Christlike in all my ways.

5) I have learned that I am not going to fix everything. I am not God. I see no point in living to get everything fixed and perfect. Life is hard and messy and God is always good in all His ways. No matter what the circumstance is that He ordains for my life (it could be good or evil) He is doing it for my good and His glory. It doesn't matter what God ordains. Whatever it is I know my God is the faithful God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. The day is coming when God will restore all things, but in this life I will only give my best and leave the results up to God. What a blessing and privilege it is to be God's servant here on earth. He uses me as He pleases. I can't change hearts, but He can and sometimes He will choose to use me. Regardless of what works He has planned for me, my only desire is to believe and love Him and get to know Him more and more by meditating and praying over the Bible. It is how He has chosen to reveal Himself to us. I don't know what is better then learning about God. I believe if man is going to live a life that glorifies God and enjoy Him forever he must first have right thinking about God. Right thinking leads to right living. What wonderful lessons of graces God has poured out into my life.

Last I want to share just how life has been so wonderful. I really am enjoying eternal life now. God has been working more then ever. I see Him everywhere around me. I guess that is what happens when you get your eyes of self and others and put them on Jesus Christ. God is enough. If I have Him I am doing just fine. As Lecrae says, "If I don't see Christ anymore then I don't want to be!"

Running after glory

2011-01-22T11:09:00.000-08:00

This life is short. However long this life is for you, it is only a blink in light of eternity. What is our purpose in life? Is it to gain the whole world and all the happiness this world can bring into our life? Is that really the ticket we are after. Think about the fact that when you were born you brought nothing into this world, and the fact that when you die you take nothing with you into the next life. I don't want to waste this life. I really don't want to regret how I lived this life.

Psalm 103:15 tells us that, "As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more." Our days are numbered. We cannot add to them or take away from them. Regardless of how your life ends there are no surprises with God. He is the giver of life and the breath you have now while reading this is from Him. What you do with this life matters more then most people in the world know. What are you living for? How is your soul with God Most High? Because if your not right with God, then no matter what you do, no matter how many "good things" you do, no matter what He will cast your soul down into hell for all eternity. Besides, you can't earn or deserve heaven. It is a free gift of grace from God. (read Eph. 2:8-9)

All of us are running after glory. Think about it! You are either running after your own glory or God's glory. Those are the only options we have in what we are living for. If we chase glory for our name in this life we won't ever get it. If you really understand the human heart you know that we only deserve hell. God is angry with us for our rebellious hearts that are running after glory that does not belong to us. Jesus gives us the most clear warning about running in the wrong direction.

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Man wants to have the whole world and everything in it. He thinks that it is the ticket to the best life. Having all the things in the world and all the fame that would come with such a life is where it is at. That is a lie! The reason man cannot and never will be able to do that is because EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD! Romans 11:36 tells us, "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen." (read 1 Cor. 8:6; 1 Cor. 11:12; Col. 1:16). It is very clear. God created all things and owns all things. He gets all the glory....it is not for us to chase.

Which brings to me to a passage that helped me think and ponder more on about running after glory. Psalm 105:1-4. Here we are called to give thanks to the LORD and call upon His name. Why? Because you only give thanks for things that are done for you. Calling upon His name shows are dependence to the LORD. Giving thanks for the things that the LORD has done for us makes known His glory to those around us. When we are thankful for all that the LORD has done for us....in all things....singing, praising, worship flow out of our hearts. In this we glory in His holy Name, and as we behold and worship His glory our hearts seek Him more and more and rejoice in who He is, what He has done for sinners that are poor and weak in the flesh. When we seek the LORD and His strength we are really seeking His presence continually. This will change us more and more into the image of Jesus Christ!

Rejoice that we can bow before Him in awe. He is everything we need. If only He would give us bigger taste buds for His glory....one reason why He might not be doing this is because we are not asking Him. I am asking as I seek His face and glory....He has been gracious to answer my prayer. I hope your encouraged and that if your His child or if you don't know Him that you would cry out to Him with a whole heart.

May this be my cry today and through eternity:

Psalm 27:4 "One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple."

When His people are satistifed in His glory then they glorify Him in all they do and enjoy Him forever. May that be ture of all His people. Lord bless us and keep us!

Thoughts about fellowship and sharing life

2011-01-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

My heart rejoices in the Trinity. What an example we have of genuine and perfect fellowship. I ponder that for many reasons. I am jealous for that kind of fellowship in a vertical and horizontal sense. I can only imagine what life will be like with perfect fellowship with the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ and all His people around His glorious throne. That will be the day, and until then I still must live life in a fallen world that is filled with sin, suffering and death.

Last Lord's Day, SKH, taught us from 2 Corinthians 3:18. The sermon was absolutely fantastic. I am still pondering all that he said in my own heart and am praying that the Lord works it out into every facet of my life....in my relationship with Him, my wife, children, family, friends, all everyone that the Lord would bring into my path. Thinking about the truth that men are known by their God. This says a lot about our personal relationship with other people. If I am wrong in theology of the living God then I will be wrong in how I live out my life before Him. Right thinking about God will lead to right living before God.

We become like what we worship. If we are beholding and worshipping the glory of the Lord then it is right to assume that we would become more and more like Jesus Christ. It is only as I behold and worship Him that I will be transformed into the same image as Him from one degree of glory to another. That means a Christian will ALWAYS be changing more and more, week by week, month by month, year by year....and I should always be able to look back and be grateful for His work in my life and as I see His work in my life have more faith to trust Him as I go forward. The Christian life should be marked by transformation. If your not changing into His image then something is wrong. It is not like God just changes your heart and keeps the same old cloths on you. His righteousness and holiness will change all Christians to the core.

But the thing we must understand is that the process of transformation is both a personal and corporate participation. The Trinity is our best example of this. The 3-n-1 Triune God has invited us into fellowship with Himself. He was not selfish in doing this, but gave Himself, His very life in the work and Person of Jesus Christ. It encourages me not to be selfish in sharing my life with those around me. When I do this I am imitating Jesus Christ. And the blessing is that the more I do share my life the more He will use that to conform me into His image. My sharing is really an act of worship. As I am beholding and worshipping Him all I do will be to the glory of God.

Don't fool yourself. All Christians are headed in the same direction, and if that is true and for sure it is then that means will be be more like minded in how we walk, talk and act in our daily lives. It is only when we are not beholding and worshipping the glory of the Lord that we become stagnate and apathetic in who we are becoming. That is why we need more life on life sharing with other fellow Christians. This is the process that will keep you from becoming ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If your not increasing in virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love then you are ineffective and unfruitful. That is why Peter urged Christians to be diligent to make your calling and election sure! If Jesus Christ has removed the veil from your heart and given you a new heart then you can know that He will continue the work that He started and as you continue in the faith you will continue to grow more and more by the grace of God into the man or women God called you to be in Jesus Christ. As you grow you become more and more like Christ and you also grow deeper and deeper into fellowship with Him and His people.

May God grant me more grace and I continue in this race towards the goal of the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus! May the Lord Jesus come back today. I am eager and excited about His return. Until then I just want to share more of my life because the Trinity has brought me into fellowship with the 3-1 God. The true and living God. He sought me out. He gave me life in His Son. He gives generously. May I not be grabby in my life, but give as my heavenly Father gives. He is the giver of all that is good and perfect. I have been given too much to not be excited and ready to give back to those around me as I share life that has been given to me.

Thanksgiving thoughts

2010-11-24T10:34:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and the gospel. The Lord gave me a new heart about 5 years ago, and the way that I have lived since is radically different from what I lived before I knew Jesus Christ. When I look back over my life and who I was before God saved me I am just filled with praise and worship for Him. To see the work of His hand in my life and those around me is a joy. To know and understand that I am not getting what I deserve, but that I will have Jesus Christ forever. I'm ok with that. It is exciting to live Christ. In my walking in this world He is always using all circumstances to draw me closer to Him and to make me more like Him. I don't have a desire to sin, but when I do it is grace that He uses it for my good and His glory.

I am thankful for my home. I am thankful that God gave me the responsibility to love, lead and serve my wife and children. It is a joy to talk with them about the things of the Lord and to live out before them the life of a man of God. It is exciting to look back and see all that God has done in my home. I find it a joy to serve the Lord in my home and all that it entails.

I am thankful for all the godly men that God has placed around me. They cause much growth and santification in my life. It is another mercy of God that He would use other sinners in my life and growth in Christlikeness. I am eager as I go through this life to come along side other men and teach them all that God has taught me.

I am thankful for the church God has me at and for the body my family gets to worship with, love, encourage, rebuke, forgive as we fight the good fight of faith. I love everyday, but the Lord's Day holds a dear place in my heart. It is a joy to come together and live life on life....but not only on the Lord's Day but everyday. I find the more we open our lives and share them with others the more we will see God's mercy and grace within our lives. It is blessings upon blessings. May we love God more and as a result love man more.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with the love of God. He has done so much for us.

The Atonement of Christ

2010-11-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

Last night we heard a seriously fantastic sermon by JSarr. I highly recommend you feed your soul and check this out: ATONEMENT

Maybe you don't ever think about it, but without Calvary we would not escape the hell we deserve. Our sin has violated the holiness and character of God. Our sin gives us a practical need of the atonement. The truth is that no amount of hell would change our status. In order for us to be righteous, we need another Person's righteousness.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." The fact that God has made a way for us to be righteous is fantastic. I will never get over the truth that on the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ took my sins (past, present and future) and took the wrath that was meant for me upon Himself and paid the price for my ransom, and credited my account with His righteousness. Now when the Father looks upon me He sees His Son's perfect work on the cross. He looks on me as His beloved.

The truth is that nothing else could take away my sin except the death of the 2nd Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. The only thing man can bring to his salvation is his sin. I can have confidence in God, that those that He elected He provided atonement. May that cause of fire in me to get the gospel out even more. All those that Christ died for will come to faith in Christ. Not one will be lost. Those that come to faith in Christ have their sins paid for in full, their ransom price paid, they are justified by God because of the death of His precious Son, Jesus Christ.

God wrath is real and has to be dealt with. I am eager to share Christ more. What a honor and privilege as I go about this world to take with me the best news possible and share it with others. Christ has propitiated our wrong and made it right. We must get the message of the gospel out to as many as we can. We must be looking at how we are evangelizing the world around us. If we only looked at it as God did, maybe that would put a fire in our souls for other souls.
Piper puts it best by saying, "evangelizing is not making sheep, but gathering sheep" God's elect are out there lost. We have to look at everyone as a possible elect person of God. God is who can change a heart to believe the gospel. He provides them with everything they need. He does the work in the heart. But as Christians we should be serious about talking with others more about the gospel. I am sure we all have many opportunities each and every day to throw seed and water everywhere, trusting that God will be faithful as He wills with the results, and that no matter what He does do He is good and has given us the best in His Son.

My heart is full of thanksgiving, praise and worship because of God. I don't need anything but Christ. He is beautiful. What a blessing to have eyes to see the beauty and Majesty of Christ, who He is, and what He has done. I stand clothed in His righteousness. I am a child of the King.

I will never be able to comprehend the cost. God went to extreme means to bring me to Himself. He first loved me, and showed me His love by dying for me on the cross. I am drawn to love Him and lay down my life for His Name and His gospel and His kingdom. May God do as He pleases. I am content with Him alone. And as long as I have breath I desire others know God Most High.

DGNC: My Think Thoughts

2010-10-05T15:37:00.000-07:00

It was fantastic going to this years Desiring God National Conference. For my own soul I needed it. It was good to get under some other Bible teachers and here what the Lord had put on their heart. The Lord was faithful to encourage, convict and challenge me through out this conference. Here are some of my take aways.

Session 1: The battle for your mind with Rick Warren
I must fight to renew my mind daily. Each moment I must test every thought and take it captive and make it obedient to Christ. Daily I need to feed and think over the Word. I must guard my mind from all trash, and think upon what is true and pure. I need to strive to think more, learn more, and pray more in hopes that I would trust God more, and as I trust and obey God would continue to make my path straight.

Session 2: Kevin DeYoung, Tullian Tchividjian, N.D. Wilson, Matt Perman and John Piper Q&A time
I must think over what I do, say, and think daily! If I am going to be a biblical thinker then I must think and dwell upon the Word of God. I must find others to think and talk with. Basically I need accountability in my life. Moment by moment I should connect my faith in Christ to what I am doing. Loving and knowing Christ more will help me to imitate Him and walk as He did. God fearfully and wonderfully made me, so just be me and find my shape. God will test to see if I am for self or Christ. The point is be real, genuine, open and transparent.

Session 3: Thinking Deeply in the Ocean of Revelation: The Bible and the Life of the Mind with R.C. Sproul
I must trust God, He doesn't need my help. To think that the universe and all man (all that is) was created and moves because of God will help me understand that He doesn't need my works. Yes He did prepare good works for me to do, but its not about me. I can only give myself to be used by God, and He may chose not to use me. God will do all that He pleases. To know that I live, move and have my being in God is reason enough to trust Him in all things. Everything except God is changing. I will never find meaning in reality outside of God, His Son, and His Word.

Session 4: Thinking for the Sake of Global Faithfulness: Confronting Islam with the Mind of Christ with Thabiti Anyabwile I must not fear man, but think upon God's providence and protection and fear Him alone. When fear takes control, thinking doesn't. Thinking is not the same as reaction. I must think through what I believe in doctrine/theology and understand what and why I believe what I believe. Thinking is not the same as feeling. I must submit my heart to the authority of God's Word. I must remember the gospel, the Word of God has power to make one new in Christ. As I live in this world I must be a thinker that is wise and pure. I must remember my reward and what my purpose in this world is, and that is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Because God is sovereign I can throw away my comfort and safety. I can trust Him.

Session 5: The Way the World Thinks: Meeting the Natural Mind—in the Mirror and in the Market Place with Al Mohler
I must be thinking about my thinking. I need to remember where my thinking leads me I am accountable for it. My thinking must be grounded from the Word of God. There is a difference between a regenerate mind and a unregenerate mind. I must strive to renew my mind. I can't trust myself as my reason was corrupted at the fall. I must take every thought to Christ. I must look to Jesus Christ in all my thoughts and put them up against the Word of God.

Session 6: Speaker Panel with Piper, Anyabwile, Chan, and Mohler
In my thinking I must remember that God is in control. God fits us with weaknesses and does what He does to break us. Our theology is meant to flatten us. God is gonna do what He is gonna do. I must concentrate and think in my reading and study of God's Word so that I can learn more about God, and in all my learning not settle for anything less then loving God. I must be a praying people, asking God to grant what He commands!

Session 7: Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride with Francis Chan
I must think about my brothers and sisters, and man in this fallen world. I want to be more mindful of where people are on the Way, and think about others and how I can help them in this life. I hope the Lord will increase the sorrow and anguish for people in my heart for my family, my church family, God's people, all people that they would know Christ for salvation. In all I do I must remember daily that love builds up, not tear down. Knowledge in God's eyes is me loving others for their good. We can know a lot and still be worthless. I must pray that God would grow me in the grace of God, and my love for people. I can stay humble by fearing the Lord and loving others.

Session 8: The Life of the Mind and the Love of God with John Piper
I left this conference knowing that my thinking can cause me to love God more and people more. Thinking is very important. If I am not loving people then I have to ask myself if I am loving God most. My final thoughts are I don't want to waste my mind. I must understand what the Word says about the human being and there condition. How we think is very important because wrong thinking leads to wrong actions. If my knowledge does not grow my love for God which flows out for a love to people then I don't have true knowledge. I must use my mind as a means of treasuring God. Just to think is not the point. Our thinking should lead to action that pleases God. If I really love Jesus it will change my way of life towards God and people. I must focus my mind on the death of Jesus for my sins. May I only boast in Christ and never my self.

On the line living

2010-09-28T14:14:00.000-07:00

We continued onward in Genesis 13:1-18 for part 2 of the sermon about Abram and Lot and their separation from each other.

I feel as if I got the bigger picture from this sermon. As much as I was encouraged by Abram's pursuit of peace with Lot, Genesis 13 is not about Abram. It is about the Lord. Not only does Genesis 13 begin with Abram calling on the name of the LORD, and it ends with Abram building an alter to the LORD.

It's about a man that honors the LORD. His worship is evident in his life. His heart worship towards God causes him to live differently. Abram trusted God in the midst of the strive among his men and Lot's men. He knew that God promised to bless him and make him a great nation. Sean asked the question of "Do you think Abram put enough on the line?" and I have to answer yes I do. I think Abram was more concerned about walking humbly before his God then pleasing man or himself.

It makes me ask how am I living this life? Am I trusting God in the difficult times of my life. I must remember that He has promised me eternal life and a better home that is to come! He has told me that all things will work out for my good. If that is not fuel to put it all on the line then I don't know what is! I have a long way to go because I know I can put more on the line.

Moment by moment in His grace and with His help I will look for ways to live my life on the line. May He grant me wisdom and discernment in that area of my life.

On the line peace

2010-09-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

This morning on my drive into work I was able to listen to our past Lord's Day sermon from Sean titled, "Lift up your eyes". Sean was preaching from Genesis 13:1-18.

I can't help but think about how Abram pursued peace with Lot in the midst of conflict. He put himself and family on the line. He humbled himself as he walked with God. He didn't demand rights because of his position. He was not proud in his heart. His desire was to show mercy and kindness to Lot. His love for the Lord was evident in how he treated and loved his nephew Lot.

When I apply my heart to this passage I can't help but see where I fail to pursue peace in the midst of conflict. I have been in a situation where I wanted to pursue peace with someone and at the same time couldn't get my heart to desire it. And even in situations where others where having conflict I seem to fail to step up and show mercy and kindness to others. It is in these times that I must get on my knees and plead for God's grace and help. I know I can't do it on my own.

But in line of living on the line I must press on to pursue peace no matter if it is strife in my own personal relationships or if it is strife among other souls around me. May the Lord cause me to be bold and strong in Him. I need Thee every hour. I know this theme is going to change who I am, and it starts now with putting my heart on the line and striving to pursue peace where I see a lack of peace. Even if it means giving up my comforts, my desires, my dreams I must put it all on the line.

shepherd commitment, sheep submitting.

2010-09-07T21:28:00.000-07:00

What is your first thoughts when you think about church? I am sure many things come to mind. I love the church. And not for what it does for me or makes me feel. The church is the bride of Christ. The church belongs to God, and He has a way of doing church.

Last Sunday in one28 we got to hear an awesome sermon about the call to shepherd's, sheep, and the body. We studied from 1 Peter 5:1-5, and I thought it was some good truth. For one that has thought and considered going into the ministry, it has made me think about a shepherd's role, a sheep's role, and the coming together of the body of Christ.

The call to the shepherd
Peter is making a call to elders. The role of an elder is pretty clear in Scripture. An elder is more about character approved rather then age approved. Peter is a fellow elder, and also an eye-witness; one who bares, testifies of the work of Christ. Peter makes an urgent call that the elders of the church would shepherd the flock of God. This is a role of stewardship. Elders are ones that exercise oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have them; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in their charge, but being examples to the flock.

The shepherd should not do his work as a job or career. Being a pastor is not about making money and getting as big as you can get in your church. Your purpose as God makes clear in this passage is to shepherd His flock by serving the body. What a high calling a pastor has. For all the sheep out there, what we should labor most in would be praying for our pastor/elders on a weekly basis. They need our prayers more then anything else.

The one thing I think is the most important question for any pastor/elder is "How have you been in the role of stewardship with your family, your wife, your children?" Who cares how well you can preach and put an out-line together if you don't care of your own family. I hope that all churches value more of who their shepherds are at home before what they are on paper. And any church should care, because God cares. 1 Timothy 3:4-6 covers how important the home is for anyone that would want to be a pastor/elder. Read it and get it if your in that role or pursuing that role.

The shepherd is not to drive the flock, but lead. He doesn't drive them from behind, but lead them from the front. This sounds like Jesus. He always was leading the disciples from the front. They are to have an exemplary life. It's God's standard (see qualifications 1 Timothy 3:1-7). Exemplary doesn't mean perfect. I think in anything we do we always must remember that we are sinners, and God is God because we are not.

The blessing in the work of a shepherd is that when Jesus Christ appears those that have been faithful will receive the unfading crown of glory. When the shepherd applies verses 2, 3 they get verse 4. This glory is of no decay. The crown is not as high of a prize as Christ gets from His elders. The glory is what it represents. The same thing is true of our crowns. Our crowns bring God glory because of what they represent.

The call to the sheep
Why does Peter bring up the younger? Jonathan made a connection between age & wisdom. Peter knows that if the sheep will subject themselves to the elders all will work out fine. Even though most elders are older, as a mature Christian the older they are the more wisdom they would have compared to a younger sheep.

Discipleship is always about the mature Christian doing life on life with someone that is not as far along as they would be. Take my life as an example. I have only been saved for 4.5 years. Now I could have the attitude that I am not ready to come along side other believers, but that is just weak sauce. Get involved in others lives and get dirty.

I think if you know who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for you, you are ready to go out and make disciples. God is faithful to continue to grow us in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But its not let go and let God....that will get you no where. We must do something, anything, and in our doing God will be faithful to work in us and through us.

One of the problems in the church is when a sheep or sheep's don't agree with the decisions of the elders. We have to remember that it is God who has placed them in that role, and just like a child is to submit to their parents, a sheep is to submit to their undershepherd. We must be careful not to blow off the counsel of our elders. As sheep we will not have God's blessing if we do not submit to our leadership. The bigger issue is if you will submit to God. It is His command for His flock to submit to His pastor/elders of His church. He made the rules. The question is will you obey or not obey?

The call to the body
We must have humility toward one another. A proud or arrogant sheep will not last long in the body. Peter reminds us that God opposes the proud, and gives grace to the humble. We can be humble by comparing ourselves with Christ and the truth from Scripture.

I know there is no perfect church. We are sinners coming together. I think there is an element of growing the sheep get from life on life. It is messy. It does get dirty. It is hard work to pursue others with gospel truths and gospel principles. But if we count others as more important then ourselves we will be one step closer to doing church the way it was in the early church. I think we can learn a lot from the early church.

We must get back to our roots of the Christian faith. God will bring a church blessing when they are faithful to obey His Scriptures regarding doing church. We as a shepherd, a sheep and a body we must do our best to present ourselves to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. The other thing we must strive for is that as a follower of Christ we would be filled with the Spirit. The result of being filled with the spirit is that we would be submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The place to be....

2010-09-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

This Seminar

It's going to help Christian's in discipleship. Jesus Christ cares about it. He demanded that we make disciples. The Church needs it more then ever. It's something that I have been growing and learning about. The more I get involved in other people's lives the more I love it. Discipleship changed my life and I know it can change your life as well. There is nothing better then life on life with other godly men. As Christian's we all should be passionate at pursuing other believers for the sake of gospel growth and gospel ministry.

But understand that there is a cost to discipleship. It's not for the weak hearted. It's a life being spent for the sake of others. Just like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When you get into discipleship you are actually following in His footsteps. Its a command, and we have no excuse for not doing discipleship. To not do it is to say your life is worth something....and its not. Your just a clay pot made of dust and one day your clay pot will return to dust.

Think about it: God didn't have to reveal Himself to us. He in love came down to earth and took upon Himself a body of flesh, and why? To give His life a ransom for many. If you know He laid down His life for you, why would you not lay down your life for the church?

Here what Jesus had to say about the cost of discipleship;

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

For any Christian's in the Pacific Northwest,I really would like to encourage all of you to come out and be apart of. I also would like to encourage our one28 students at GBC to talk with their parents and come out for the whole day and learn about discipleship. It will be life changing. Its a very important issue in the church, and a great opportunity to equip followers of Jesus Christ in going out and fulfilling the command to make disciples. This will be a sweet time together as we study the Scriptures and see all that Jesus would have to say about this very important topic.

Roll up your sleeves....its time to get dirty!

Happiness is....

2010-07-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

I am sure you have seen this on a billboard or license plate. I have seen it all over the place. Some of the things people find happiness in are sad and other things are not so bad, but I think when we settle for anything of this world for happiness we have souled ourselves short of true happiness.

I guess the first step would be to determine what you think happiness is? What do you think happiness is? One billboard said it was buying a coke or sweet tea for $1. The funny thing is that I have never went to a McDonald's and found them totally out and back ordered of coke or sweet tea. Some lies are easier then others to see. Only a fool would believe that billboard. And if your one of those, I am sorry.

The world is always going to sell short what true happiness is. The world will say it is good health, big house with a five car garage, winning the lottery, going on a vacation, and the list can go on and on. Think about it and you will be surprised what you really think happiness is.

Some think of happiness as no problems in life. Many people are full of happiness when things are going well, and then something bad happens. Maybe its going back to work after the vacation, maybe your child needs a diaper change, maybe you lost your job, maybe your child did something in the grocery store that embarrassed all of you. Life will always get in the way of worldly happiness. I say deal with it. As one has said it, "Life is hard and then you die!"

Happiness goes beyond yourself. Happiness is the Lord. For us its having an intimate relationship with the God that made the world and everything in it. Its knowing that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life! Its living on unseen things rather then on what we can see.

Changed by truth!

2010-05-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a little about truth this past week. I have to say its been a breath of fresh air. I mean Jesus said that the truth will set you free. That freedom should be a Christian's joy. Its their freedom in Christ that should shine a light in and through this dark world. Thinking that as a Christian, I am light in the Lord. My purpose while I sojourner here on earth is to live truth. Paul said it best, "To live is Christ!"

All that I am is Christ. He is my Way, my Truth, and my Life. I am just a sinner in a box ready to jump out and take flight against all that is false. The more truth I get in me, the more I am able to live it out. I started this journey a little over 4 years ago. Least to say is my life has never been the same. Its exciting to look back over my Christian life and see all that the Lord has done and is continuing to do in my life. "Great is Thy faithfulness, great is Thy faithfulness. Morning by morning new mercies I have seen!"

Everyday I will left my voice,
In praise to my King I will rejoice.
The One who sits on the throne is King,
He is the reason I have a new life to sing.
He sits at the right hand as Lord,
every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord!

I mean do you have that in your heart? If your with me then let it come out! We should be full of praise and worship for our King. Jesus Christ has done so much for us. He has chosen to reveal Himself to us. Praise the Lord. The good news of the gospel this sinner embraced, to be a child of the King this sinner graced! Praise the Lord.

When a sinner has received God's truth, you can know for certain they walk away a different person. Now the sinner loves the Truth, fights for Truth, Gives the Truth, is all about the Truth. The transformation of a sinner into a saint is more radical then creation itself. Its a life that will flow with love for others. I have a deep heart for the God's people, and all those that are lost in this world. There is something in me that wants to give away God's gift of the gospel. I mean it is a free gift! I didn't do anything to deserve this gift, and they didn't either. God is using me to get His Truth out. How about yourself?

How are you getting the Truth out to others, or do you not have any Truth in you to get out?

The Truth was never meant to be hidden. Jesus told us how we should look if the Truth has changed us: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Be radical in the way you live. Make sure others know your living for Truth!

Get the Truth, Live the Truth, and Give the Truth away!

How is my 10?

2010-05-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

Back in the start of the New Year I posted "Make it a 10!" and thought it would be a good time to reflect on how my 10 is going so far in 2010.

In order to increase my enjoyment of God, my hope was to spend more time praying and just waiting on the Lord daily. I wanted to do my best to get away for private prayer on my lunch break and also before bedtime. As I feel that my prayer life is getting stronger, I still feel the need to break away from the everyday life to keep my focus on Christ. The times that I have spent in private prayer have pumped my heart full of joy. I continue to press on in this and give more time for my private prayer life.

I also thought the most humanly impossible thing I would ask God for this year was gospel growth in my own life. I can say that God is working gospel growth into my heart and life. His power is increasing in me and I have been making better progress in pursuing Him as my all in all. The Lord has challenged me and grown me, and as I keep my focus on the gospel and each day that He gives me I know He will continue to transform me into His image. I desire to be like Christ, walk like Christ, for me to live is Christ.

My thoughts on the single most important thing I could do to improve the quality of my family life this year was to serve within our church family. This needs more work. As I am writing this, my mind is coming up with a few awesome ideas to go after. I feel the quality of my family life is going in a better direction, but I know it can be better. My main problem with this is losing focus and letting things get in the way of leading my family as I ought to in Christ. I must get all stuff out of the way and continue to lead my family to Christ in all things.

For a spiritual discipline I hoped to make much progress in was my prayer life. I see growth, but I must strive more in this task. I am not content with my prayer life. I plan to strive after more time alone with God each and everyday. For those prayer warriors out there, please pray for me in this area.

This now comes to my biggest struggle of the year. It was question number 5. It asked what my single biggest time-waster in my life was and what I would do about it this year. Well as you know I said the Internet. In all truth, this has been lame. For Monday, Wednesday, Friday it has been a daily fight to keep my commitments. I can do better, and am striving to keep them in full. I would say that I have failed at this one, but I desire not to finish the year that way. I will leave the part of 2010 that has past behind me, and strive towards completing my goal of no Internet on the days that I said I wouldn't use it.

In regards to the most helpful new way I could strengthen my church this year, I thought by prayerfully sharing the gospel with others and sharing the Word as well. What I really wanted to do was get involved with others lives. I am excited about this one. I am so thankful for the opportunities that God has given me to get more involved within others lives. I hope to pursue more relationships with others, but for the most part and really happy with the growth I have seen in pursuing others, but there is much room for improvement. I just want to take the Bible and make disciples. Its my purpose while I have breath!

When asked about whose salvation I would pray for most, and I have a few people in mind. I would have to just say my desire is the same and that is that gospel growth in others and myself is of most importance to me. I want others and myself to grow in grace and knowledge of the truth of God's gospel!

I still continue to make this year a different and special year by meditating and celebrating on God's gospel and keeping my focus on that because it of most importance for my soul. Prayer is my plan and my plan is to continue to grow in prayer. I continue to reach out to my community in hopes of building relationships that will give my family an opportunity to share the best news to mankind!

Sharing God's goodness

2010-05-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

Recently, Chuck had made a challenge on his blog for people to share what God has been doing in our lives. So here is praise to God for the work that He started in the reconciliation in my wife's family. The whole family of 11 is making a trip down to see family in relation to Sandy's side of the family. Its been almost 20 years since my wife has talked with her Uncle's & Aunt's from California. When Jolie's family lived down in California, some family drama unfolded that caused relationships to be broken. God's goodness just shines from this whole thing, and He is worthy of all honor and praise. God cares about our relationships and is always working things for healing and growing in grace.

Back in 1992 Jolie and her family moved up here to Washington. She was at that time around 13 years of age. There was no communication with the family down in California after they had left. Well back in 2003, Jolie had received a letter from her Uncle Ted wanting to get in contact with her or anyone in the family. Jolie talked to her Mother about the letter and her Mother was not interested in anyone contacting her brothers, and so Jolie respected her wishes. She took the letter and put it away.

It is now April of 2010, and at this time Jolie has long forgotten about the letter. She was going through her night stand looking for something and came across the letter from her Uncle Ted. She came down with it and we talked about the letter. After a few conversations with her family, she thought it would be a good idea to try and reach out and get in touch with them. So that night she sent her Uncle Ted an email, not sure what would come about since it had been over 7 years since the letter was sent.

Well her Uncle Ted emailed her back. He was so excited/grieved about the email. He told Jolie that he had been praying for many years for the reconciliation of his family. That was the reason he had sent the letter back in 2003. He didn't know that his sister had passed away back in 2006. And Jolie also learned that her Grandpa had passed away a month after her Mother. Jolie also learned that her Uncle's, Aunt's and Grandpa had all come to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The story from my end can't get any better then that.

We had a family camping trip in June. The Scripture says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9). So all along the camping trip we made has was meant for our family trip down to California so that Jolie and her family would complete the reconciliation of family. I can't wait. I know that God is going to continue to deepen our relationship in Christ. It will be a sweet time, and we are all looking forward to all that the Lord would have for each of us and our progress in the faith. I know that we will all be mutually encouraged by each other's faith and hearing what God has been doing in each of our lives the past 20 years.

To walk more by faith and less by sight!

2010-04-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

In one28, we have talked about faith the past few weeks in the morning service. It has been good to think through the sermons while I examine my own heart. I came up with this and that is I need to walk more by faith and less by sight. To trust God no matter what and in all circumstances. Each day I have an opportunity to show those around me how I trust and obey Jesus Christ. His love for me is beyond words, and until I see His face I won't fully grasp it. And even when I see Him I may never fully grasp His love for me. There is not enough time in eternity for my finite mind to figure it out.

I am excited and eager to walk more by faith. At times I know my faith has been weak, and my heart hurts at the thought that someone watching me noticed me living more by sight then by faith. But by the grace of God, I am becoming what I am meant to be in Christ. As Paul puts it in Philippians 3:14, I press on for the goal of the prize in the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

It is one of the reasons why for me to live is Christ. I want the prize! I'm racing towards that because nothing on earth compares. I want my life to show that truth! I look forward to growing in righteousness and holiness because of Jesus Christ's work on the cross. He paid for my sins and took upon Himself my wrath. I don't deserve the life God has given me. Even in my worst events it would still be grace upon grace. I desire with all I have to live a life of faith seeking God's kingdom and God's righteousness. Its in my blood, and the more I live the more I am eager to be home with Him.

We live in a world that is divided by a line. On one side of the line is the things of this world, and on the other side is the things of the Lord. As a Christian, I should be walking in such a manner that my life shines forth "to live is Christ!" Oh how I long for my life to be lived in that manner. How awesome that would look to not even have to say a word and be known for having radical faith for Christ. I desire to do the will of my Father in heaven. To trust and obey, because there is no other way I want to live my life.

I am thankful that God has revealed Himself to me. He is my everything. I don't need anything else but Him. In faith I believe God in all that He has promised me as His child. Its truly truly amazing grace, that once His enemy, now seated at His table. It is just mind blowing to think about, and oh how I can get lost in the wonder of the cross. May His power increase in me. May His power working in and through me cause me to walk worthy of the high calling He has given me as His child. To live is Christ, and any other way is a wasted life. Striving to keep Him at the center of all that I am in Him!

American Disaster

2010-04-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

And that would be the "American Dream". I have been thinking a lot about what I am doing for my wife and children. How am I coming along side them to disciple them? Am I taking the time to invest in them? Am I bowed down before God in earnest prayer for them and their souls? What is most important for them to me? If it is to give them things that I never had, then I will be wasting much time pursuing the things of this world. Its sad to find myself pursuing things of this world. My hearts desire is to hallow the God that created me and gives me breath and is why I have life. I deserve the wrath of God. I don't deserve the endless grace He gives me.

To pursue the "American Dream" is like selling the souls of my family for a bowl of stew! I have so much in Christ, and pursuing the things of this world instead of Christ is giving up my birthright for a bowl of stew. This world will never satisfy me. Christ on the other hand is the bread of life. Jesus said, " I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." Christ is all I need. Not Him plus something. It is Him and Him alone that I need.

The battle for my heart has been grueling. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" (Ephesians 2:4). By God's grace the battle has been won, and that took place on the cross when Jesus Christ died for my sins and paid for my punishment that I so deserve. It is amazing grace, that Jesus Christ exchanged His righteousness for my sinfulness. It is amazing grace, that Jesus Christ exchanged His perfect obedience to His Father for my disobedience. It is amazing grace, that Jesus Christ exchanged His perfect glory for my deserving wrath.

I am amazed by God's grace and mercy towards me. The good work He started back in January 2006 He is sustaining and continuing to grow me more and more into the image of His precious and glorious Son, Jesus Christ. I can't wait to be with Him, in perfect Christlikeness. I'm pressin in like Philippians 3. God has given my heart eyes to see Christ as the supreme treasure. Because Christ has made me His own, I am pursuing Him to make Him my own.

I love 1 John 3:1-3. It says, "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure." What comfort I get to just ponder that I am a child of the King. He loves me, and showed me His love. My goal is all that I do is that the world around me might see how His love has changed and affected who I am and what I am becoming in Him.

May the fact that Jesus Christ is coming back soon causes me to live differently, and instead of pursuing materialism as the "American Dream", may the Lord give me a big heart to hallow His name and to raise the children God has given me in the fear and admonition of the Lord and to live out Deuteronomy 6:4-9 in my home. If your a parent please prayerfully read Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

How awesome that the gospel continues to change my heart so that I can raise my family for God's name, and His Kingdom, and His righteousness! Oh how I can't wait for heaven and to be with my Lord and my God. I'm ready to die today, but as long as He has me here there is much kingdom work to be done. Thankful for His purposes and desires for my life and family.

A question and thought for you: Have you pursued the "American Dream" of materialism in exchange for the "American Dream" of hallowing God's name? If you have your living a Romans 1:28 life. It is a life that leads to hell. The choices we make for our families today have consequences for tomorrow.

What is a Christian?

2010-02-20T14:48:00.000-08:00

Its a good question to think about. In our family Bible study we are going through Philippians 3:1-6 tonight, and verse 3 should be of good conversation for my soul and the rest of the troops. I would have to say this is the most truth packed verse on what is a Christian.

I do find it lame how many Christians go off of their feelings when salvation is brought up. Some might even think they are born Christians because they don't remember when they said the prayer to ask Jesus into their heart and life. They are so sure of their salvation they don't even doubt it regardless of how contradictory their testimony is to the testimony the Scriptures give of what a Christian is.

Here is verse 3 from Philippians 3"

"For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3)

Now the circumcision is talking about a spiritual circumcision. It goes right in line with Ezekiel 36:25-27 which says,

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

So when Paul is talking about Christians being the circumcision, He is talking about those who have a new heart towards God, Christ Jesus, and their flesh. They no longer walk in darkness, but have been adopted into light and are now children of the King! I can't get over that thought. I belong to the Lord. I am His possession. If your in Christ, excitement and joy should be overflowing your life. Don't take your position for granted.

Here are three things that will mark the true Christian:

They see all that they would do as an act of worship. Their life is a song of praise to the Lord. It could be taking a walk, changing a diaper, taking the wife out on a date, helping your neighbor, going to church, reading your Bible, and everything you can imagine. There is a difference between going to church on Sunday and playing the part and actually living out your faith through every part of your life. It is living a full life that is pleasing to Him in all respects. Your quick to confess and repent because you know sin always gets in the way of your relationship with your King!

Because of their relationship with God the Father, they love the One He sent to redeem us from the curse, sin and death. Jesus Christ is the chosen One, and is precious in the sight of God. They know that without Christ's work on the cross there is no way we would love God. Jesus Christ is the reason why I can love God and walk worthy of His calling for me. The gospel is the glory and power of Jesus Christ. Without Christ's work on the cross life would be pointless and sin would overtake all and leave us with no hope for a better world or life. How amazing that God has something better for His chosen, and that starts with Jesus Christ. He is better then everything. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

And then because of Who God is and what He has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ, we understand that there is nothing worthy in us. In and of myself I have nothing to offer God. If I stand before Him I will only merit hell. It is only because of what Jesus Christ has done on the cross that I am able to have confidence in standing before God Almighty. Why mankind thinks of themselves as something special that brings so much to God is stupid in and of itself. Think about who God is and what Scripture says about Him and then tell me how you think that a fallen sinner is able to stand before Him. If you disagree then go ahead and trust in yourself. Many do and its sad how many "good people" will be in hell. There is only one hope for man. There is only one path for man. If you don't put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ then you have no hope in this life or the next. Life will be double miserable.

So ask yourself what is a Christian?
What does your life say your trusting in?
Is your life a song of praise to the King?

Shout It From The Housetop

2010-02-18T14:56:00.000-08:00

I'm struggling with my joy bucket today, its just so big. I'm gonna need a tow-truck to carry it around. Last night in one28, the message Jonathan Sarr gave brought a huge smile to my heart. It was by far his best message in his series of "Impacting a Dying World While Dying Ourselves". The recap of what he had already gone through was fantastic, and the new teaching from 1 Peter 2:4-10 was amazing!

What has really just blown my joy bucket up, like the seams are busting apart, is letting this stuff marinate in the depths of my heart. Top that with some meditation seasoning and we have been serving up some tasty steaks Wednesday nights for a while. If you are looking for a feast then its time you swing by the one28 website and download the series for yourself. You won't regret it!

Some truths that have taken a deeper root in my heart are:
- That God according to His great mercy has caused me to be born again. How thankful I am that my new birth is from Him. How amazing that God wants me and chose me and gave me a new life in Christ! Shout it from the housetop!

- That God gave me an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Just to taste the goodness of the Lord is enough to know that whatever is beyond this life is better then anything I will ever get ahold of in this life. I want it more than anything, and I am willing to live my life in full pursuit of it, no matter what the cost. Shout it from the housetop!

- That God gives me suffering and trials so that my faith may grow stronger in Christ. At the completion of my faith, it will be perfect salvation for my soul. How amazing it is that God starts the good work in me and that He will sustain it and complete it in His time. He knows what is best for me. Shout it from the housetop!

- That I am apart of something even the angels are not able to have. I am a sinner that is forgiven of his sins. God took my punishment I so deserve and put it on His Son, Jesus Christ. He paid it in full. That God would take thought of me, amazing grace how can it be. Shout it from the housetop!

- That because of Christ, I am free to live a holy life. I am a sinner that is able to approach God. I know the King of kings. I am a child of Him. I am a joint heir with Christ. WOW! Shout it from the housetop!

I can't take these truths for granted. I was lost but now I am found. The treasure of the gospel is priceless. If you only knew what you had in your hands you wouldn't think twice of running into the Saviors arms. May the Lord give all taste buds for such truths. May we taste more and more how good God is to us. Its mind blowing to think of His love for us. Amazing grace, sing it loud! Shout it from the housetop!

All that way of background, let me share about last night.

I learned that each Christian is a living stone. That together we make a spiritual house, and that the cornerstone of it is Jesus Christ. I am a child of the King. I am able to grow in holiness through Christ. I am God's possession. That truth makes me think about how I treat my body and time in this short life. If I waste it then I am stealing from God. I desire God to be pleased with how I live my life for Him. To think that once I was not a people of God, but now I have identity in Christ is amazing all together. I was a child of wrath, but now I am a child of mercy. Sing it! Shout it from the housetop! In my worst times, all I need to do is meditate on who I am in God. Because this world can't take that away from me. I am His forever!

I also learned that Christians come to Christ. We have access to God the Father through Christ. (see John 14:6). I need to go to Christ for fellowship. To be in His presence daily is not something everyone is able to do. What a gift. Not only that, but we proclaim Christ's excellencies before a dying world. It is my delight to sing of the One who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. I love singing worship songs with other like minded sinners. Its awesome to raise our voices to our King!

The reason for who I am and what I do is all because of Christ. God sees His Son as a cornerstone that is chosen and precious. The one thing I can think of to help me when I am down is to think on the truth that it is done. It is finished, and that in Christ I only have Victory. I can't be conquered! I know that Christ is a stumbling block and a rock of offense. For the Christian, living for Him as we should will leave the world around us very uncomfortable. Christ promised that as the world hated Him they will hate us. We should not be surprised when the world hates our message and turns against us. But on the other hand if the world loves you and keeps you as their own then that is a problem because you are probabaly not standing up for the Way, the Truth and the Life that is only found in Christ. Only one path leads to God, and that is through His Son, Jesus Christ. If you have not put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and repented from your sins then your closer to hell then you are to God.

The gospel is your only hope. Strive to get it, live it and give it.

"Pray until you pray"

2010-02-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

I am reading "A Call to Spiritual Reformation" by D.A. Carson. I just finished reading chapter one. My take-a-way: learn and improve my prayer life! This last year our church had a Seminar on prayer. Its been good taking steps towards a life that is devoted to prayer. I am hoping to write down more questions and seek to grow more in my prayer life in 2010. I need to press forward and do something, rather then focus on my faults and do nothing. Above all, I am very excited about this book as I have heard very good things about it. May the Lord bless me in my prayer life and grow me to pray more in line with how I can link my prayers with Scripture.

If I am ever going to pray in line with the Puritan quote of "Pray until you pray", then I will have to give my whole heart to the duty of praying.

At the end of the chapter there are some questions for review and reflection.
D.A. Caron asks this question:

Q2. List practical ways in which you will commit yourself to improve your prayer life during the next six months.

Answer: Keep praying. Keep reading Scripture. Keep asking questions with others about prayer. Learn from watching and listening to other people. And most important would be to learn more about God through Scripture.

Chapter one from this book has good questions through out it, and most of which I hope to see how my prayer life will balance out within those questions. On the front end of this book I am very excited to read through it. May the Lord grant me wisdom and discernment with regards to my prayer life!

Please pray for me. I would be very thankful for them all:)

Behind Genealogies, behind persons, behind me ....

2010-02-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

This past Sunday at one28, SKH gave a sermon on the genealogies from Genesis 10. I have come to know that I find more enjoyment in hearing sermons on genealogies then I do in reading them. Most of the time there is a lot of names and not a lot of information about them. Now some of the people we can learn a lot more from others because of what Scripture says about them, but most of the time I am left wondering who in the world is that person.

Even in our family Bible study, we have been studying in Philippians 2:19-30 about Timothy and Epaphroditus. While Scripture has more to say about Timothy then Epaphroditus, I think in the bigger picture is that behind each genealogy and person mentioned in the Bible and for all of man-kind there is a testimony linked with every soul.

Do you ever wonder what someone else would write about you?

What testimony are we leaving with those around us?

I totally understand that what we do should not be done to please man, but only to please God. But the truth is what others say does matter in regards to our testimony. What would those who are around you everyday say about your life in Christ? Would they see Christ in you or would the see a life without Christ? Because if your playing the part on Sunday your family and friends know.... it never hurts to ask others what they see in you.

What is your testimony?

Leading My Home Homeward

2010-02-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

The war of leading my home daily is a battle of its own. Each day has enough choices and decisions to cause me to want to poke my eyes out. I never thought it was an easy task to lead, and it is one area I have struggled with. I am a man that in many ways felt lost in the task of leadership. How thankful I am that the Lord has not given up on me....He is always faithful to cause gospel growth in my heart. I am finishing up reading Deuteronomy, and found it encouraging when Moses told Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."

In light of leading my home, I can be strong and courageous because of God's gospel. He does have a purpose for my family. With the gospel being at the center of my home I can know that He will not leave me or forsake me. There is no reason to fear. Plus God's power is in the gospel. It has the power that can change my heart to lead my home in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord. May He grant me wisdom and discernment in my task of leading my home.

The Lord wants me to lead my family, and He knows where I am weak. Its awesome how much the Lord is growing me in my leadership. I am enjoying the process a lot more then I have in the past. I know there is nothing in and of myself that can cause me to lead God's way. That is why I must daily take my eyes of myself and keep them on Christ and His gospel. How blessed am I. God has been good and gracious to give me a family, and with all my heart I want to bring Him honor and glory in how I am leading my home. I don't deserve the good gifts I have been given, but His love for me causes me to raise my family His way.

Our Pastor-Teacher has been going through the function of the family for a while now. It has been good stuff, and is giving me plenty of things to think about and apply my heart to as I lead my home. I am sure he has said before that to the world, the Christian home is a huge testimony of the gospel being lived out. Because God's ways are always different from the ways of the world, a Christian home should stand out as an odd duck if we are doing things God's way. If my home looks, acts, and functions like a family of the secular world then as far as I see it something is wrong with that picture.

So as I travel through this foreign land in pursuit of heaven where I will spend eternity forever without sin and with Jesus Christ, I only hope is that my family would show off Christ! May my family be a reflection of His gospel. I thank the good Lord for all He has put in my path, and those people He brought into my life that have come along side of me and my family to help teach and grow us in ways we could have never done on our own. One day I will be singing with my Savior, Jesus Christ! Oh for that day! Until then I won't waste my home, my leadership, my life.

Progressive growth towards Christ

2010-02-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Here am I just one week back from SR10! It was a great time away from the normal distractions of this life to just spend 5 days focusing on spiritual matters. Mainly the Pilgrim's progress and living on unseen things. It was my families first time going.

The Lord used the SR10 to stretch me and grow me in my leadership ability and also for the work of gospel ministry. I was REAL nervous. I mean, working with my co-leader AB was not a problem for me. I love working with him with our JH small group, and have been together for just over a year. The fact that I had to work with HS students I didn't know was why I was nervous. I am sure the root of that is fear of man. Even in that mind set the Lord was gracious to give me strength for the week.

It was encouraging to see God soften hearts and open them up to talk about sin in our lives and how to get progress in our journey towards heaven. For once I just started with where they were at. Instead of thinking they were not saved, the Lord put in on my heart to just talk about the sin issues and work through them together. If I am going to let the Lord work in gospel ministry then I just need to start with were the individual I am talking with is at, and not were I think they might be. I don't know hearts. All I can do is trust that God knows the heart, will work in the heart and will transform the heart through the power of His gospel and His written Word.

Over all there were 6 sessions. The teaching was SOLID and our youth pastor Sean Higgins brought it every session. My favorite day would have to have been Thursday.
It was session 5 with teaching on "All Loves Excelling - The Knowledge of a Pilgrim" & session 6 with teaching on "Seasonable Counsel - The Suffering of a Pilgrim".

I can't tell you how awesome it was being taught on Christ's love (session 5) for His people and how incalculable it is. Pilgrims will never be able to get to the bottom of His love, they will never be able to fly to the height of His love, and they will never be able to cover the span of His love. I learned how Christ's love is eternal, covers our sins, and protects us from the evil one. May a bigger knowledge of Christ's love help me be more risky in my pursuit of obedience and trust in Christ!

I really enjoyed what the Lord taught my heart about suffering (session 6) in the life of a pilgrim. To learn the benefits of suffering was good for my soul. I learned that suffering humbles, it purifies, it prepares, it proclaims. Sean asked does our response in our suffering and trials show off our hope in God? Because God gives us trials to show off Christ! And in our suffering do we proclaim thanksgiving and hope? or do we question and grumble against what God is doing?

I was very convicted in this session, and asked myself at the end why do I fear suffering and trials? I believe that God is sovereign in all my suffering and trials. He has a purpose in it for me, and it is for my good. I have that promise in Romans 8:28. The truth from that session is transforming my heart to take on suffering and trails in a different light. I want those around me to see Christ in and through it. God is in control and because of that I don't ever have to fear anything. God is doing all for my good. How awesome to think that He loves me and gives me precious opportunity to show off Christ! So no matter what, I am praying that when God does bring the rain my heart would be full of grace and thanksgiving for any circumstance He might ordain for my good.

I have already seen things change in my heart and life because of living on unseen things. The Lord has given me a new understanding in His love for me and the suffering He would have for me in this life on earth. I choose to only go harder in Christ and live my life for Him. He has done so much for me, and I really have done nothing for Him. Anything that I am in Christ is only because of what He is doing in me. Why I don't get what I deserve....I will never know. I am amazed at the beauty I see in Jesus Christ. I only want more of Him, and way more less of me. May the dear Lord help me in soul with more gospel growth!

Where do we draw the line?

2010-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about the narrow path and what that means for my soul. I can't help but ask myself what does Jesus mean when He says the path is narrow? How narrow are we talking? Because Jesus is clear that the narrow way is hard and that few find it. Then to top that with Jesus telling some at the gate of heaven "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

I have had a few conversations about the question of "where do you draw the line?" which is basically asking "how far is too far for a Christian?" It seems we live in a culture that likes "line dancing", and I think we are in danger of destruction with that mind set. As Christians we are to be different from the ways and values of this world. Our thinking should be more on God's righteousness and kingdom. Mainly the things above in the 'heavenly places'. It is living on unseen things rather then on what we have in this world. How will I be light in this fallen world or salt of the world if everything I do is just like the people of this world who don't know God personally?

Just take a minute and think about the entertainment we watch and engage in. While this is only one angle to this topic it is worth thinking about. Where do you draw the line in the things we watch with our mind, heart and eyes? Are we allowing our souls to be entertained by something God would find sinful and offensive towards His holiness? Do we view our entertainment from a stand point of what Scripture says about sin? I mean if we we understand that one lie is enough to send someone to hell for all eternity and that God's standard is perfection (just read the Sermon on the Mount and Romans 12 for starters and you will see what kind of life God calls each one of us too live, today) then why would we be ok with watching what would not be profitable for our souls? I mean Paul tells us over and over again to live in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).

So think about it: Why would we want to be entertained by movies that is full of sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these if we are told in Scripture that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God? Is it wrong to practice these things, but ok to be entertained by them?

I don't watch a lot of movies, and its because most of what is on the local "Hollywood Video" shelf is not good for my soul. I don't want to become calloused to sin in my heart and life. I want to make war against sin and all ungodliness in my heart and life. I must be proactive in killing sin and not allow it to grow and fester and take root in my heart. If I am to stand with Christ then it is wrong to become someone that is ok with sin in me or around me. Sin is what keeps me from seeing the importance of the gospel. If I lose sight of that my world is over as I know it. There is treasure in the gospel, and I have seen it and want it more then anything else. My desires are Christlike because of the gospel. I already know the sinner that I am....only the gospel is my hope for salvation from my sins and the wrath that is to come. Christ died for sinners. He took upon Himself our sin and wrath that we might become His people. In light of the gospel we will live differently. Its transforming. It changes hearts towards God.

I need to watch movies in light of what God thinks about sin and ungodliness. God has given me a cross to bear, and that includes that I "abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good". Even thinking about Habakkuk 1;13a which says, "Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You can not look on wickedness with favor". I want my eyes to see the beauty and glory of His holiness. May God give me a heart after His own heart so I can see my sin for what it is. There is no middle ground in this matter. Is it possible to have a divided heart? Its unthinkable in light of Scripture! A disciple of Christ is a new creation, a new man. They no longer walk in the futility of their minds, they put off the old self, and put on their new self. When they say no to sin, they are saying yes to who they are in Christ!

So where do we draw the line? We can't. God has already told us how a disciple of Christ ought to live. From eternity past the line was drawn. It is between good and evil, God and Satan, heaven and hell. There is no middle ground. We are either for God or against Him.

What side are you playing on?

Missionary Found

2010-01-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

Its only been almost 4 years since the Lord Jesus interrupted my life and put me on a different path. It is a path that is bipolar to the ways and life of the world. It is the path of discipleship. And don't look at this event as a negative one. I mean, yes in one aspect it was negative, but on the other side it was more positive. Above all I wouldn't trade the treasure I have in Christ for anything this world would give. My life has never been the same. Each day is a battle of its own, and a striving of its own, and a struggle of its own. Its a life that needs more grace so I can become who I am in Christ.

Over the past 6 months I feel different. I have a new look on life and the Lord has given me new direction in being a disciple that makes disciples. I seem to have a drive that I have never had before. My heart and love for the church is where it has never been. My desire for gospel growth in my life and others has never been so huge. My drive and purpose is all together going in a new direction. How awesome God is to do His work in my heart, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. 2009 was a sweet year, and I only rejoice in where my Lord and Savior is taking me so far into 2010.

I feel like a missionary found. My heart seems to be eager to go after those around me (my family, my church family, my community, my friends, etc) with a purpose for gospel growth in their lives as well as mine. While here on earth I am eager to learn and know how the Good Lord has gifted me so I can be more purposeful and diligent to use it for His kingdom and His people. Its going to be a messy year and I am ok with that. Gospel ministry is going to be that way, its hard work, but the end result is life changing for all that get involved in the process. I think SKH said it best, "Gospel ministry is a death sentence, and out of our death comes life in others" (not word for word, but states the point he was making in his sermon "Death is at work")

I can't help but think about Proverbs 27:17 which says, "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another". And in many ways this could be the theme of 2010 for me. There is much vine work to be done, and I am thankful that the Lord has given me a new heart for gospel ministry. I used to always feel that I couldn't do the work of the ministry unless I was a pastor or a missionary in another country. The funny thing is that why did I ever feel that I would make a difference in those roles if I was not doing it in my own backyard and with those people that the Lord put in my path? There are many around us that need help in gospel growth, which includes myself. Think about what would happen if every Christian viewed themself as a vine-worker and took part in the spreading and working of the gospel? Thinking about the answer to that question just makes me want to go harder in gospel ministry.

Because the good news of the gospel should be transforming our world. When we become a people that understand the gospel and live the gospel in our own lives, and then in turn give it away so that others can have the blessings we have through the gospel, it is going to turn the world up-side down. Our homes will be different, our work place will be different, our church will be different. The world around us would not be able to get over the light of Christ shining in and through our lives. If that doesn't motivate you on to love and good deeds through gospel ministry, maybe start small and examine your own heart. The Lord has done good things, is doing good things and will do good things through His gospel truths. Get it, live it, and give it. Don't waste your life!

Transforming Love

2010-01-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

Last night, JSarr gave a fantastic sermon in one28. The whole series has been fantastic and I highly recommend them for your soul. Check them out here (click on the 1 Peter button): Impacting a Dying World While Dying Ourselves Series by Jonathan Sarr

This morning I was thinking more about love and how this world needs a transforming love. I mean you hear it all the time. The world wants a love that will change us for a better place tomorrow. I totally think we need more love in this world. Be a lover, not a fighter. And yes the world would be a better place with more love, but how do we get a love in our own lives that can change the world to be a better place? Is there something we can do to have this love in and of ourselves? The answer is no, there is nothing we can do. You might be thinking, "how do we have hope then for a better tomorrow if we can't do anything to have this love?" Well let me explain.

First we must understand that this love can't depend on what we have today, because what happens if we lose everything tomorrow? This love can't also depend on what we do. Just look at world history and you will see a world getting worse and not better. Man has never been able to get things right....sin is our problem and in this fallen world it will only keep getting bad. We need a love that is stronger then circumstances, time and our sinful hearts if we are going to change the world! Ask yourself: Can we have a love that is beyond who we are by nature (that would be unloving sinners)? I mean it is so hard to love others.

Take for instance the "golden rule". It says that we are to treat others as they would treat us. In the world that means if someone is a jerk, then be a jerk back. But really, the "golden rule" was always about treating others with love REGARDLESS of how they treat us. Anyone can love another when they are loving us. What about having a love for our enemies and those that persecute us? This is not a normal love for mankind. We need a transforming love. So how do we get this love that is transforming?

If we are ever going to have love that is transforming then we must find what love is. It is a love that is outside of us. No matter how hard we try we will never in and of ourselves produce this love. So for us, we have to start with God's gospel. This is how unloving sinners are transformed into loving saints. There is no greater example of what love is then the love that God showed us in the gospel. The gospel shows us what love looks like.

The gospel:
We are sinners who hate God fully from birth. God's standard for us is perfection. Our sin keeps us from His standard and keeps us from having a personal relationship with God Himself. Because of our sin, God will one day judge mankind and God will pour His wrath out on all sinners who suppress the truth in their unrighteousness. Yet God in His mercy wants a relationship with His people so He sent His Son to die in our place and take upon Him the full wrath that we deserve. Think about this: Jesus lives a perfect and sinless life, takes our sin, gives us His righteousness. This in my eyes doesn't seem fair. But at the same time I am thankful God is not fair. I don't want to get what I deserve. Amazing grace that God gives us life in Christ and that we will live forever with Him in heaven. This really just dips the taste buds into the gospel....there is much for my soul to discover within the gospel. That is why this year I am planning on staying in the deep pool of gospel truths. It is the only way to pursue holiness in my own life.

But back to the post, to the world it is a scandalous love, but to those that are being saved it is the power of God. Our obedience to the truth is what is purifying our souls. It is produces in us a transforming love that will change and transform the world as God works through us. With Christ being the center of this love, we put our faith and trust in Him and follow Him in all we do. We love and obey His commandments because of what He has done for us. His commands are not burdensome to us. And because He laid down His life for us we are willing to lay down our life for others. This is why the Christians love should be more radical then that of a non-believer. We know and understand who we are and what God has done for us in spite of our sins. As Christians we need to be intentional with our love for one another. Our dying in gospel ministry will lead to life in others. The life of a true believer should be different because of God's love. If your Christian then your testimony would be a story of how God's love has changed your heart into something you never were before. Your a new creation!

If you don't know the love that God has for us in Christ than I beg you to put your faith to trust in Jesus Christ today. Repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is our only hope. Paul tells us in Acts 4:12 that "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." The gospel gets our eyes off what this world gives and puts them on the unseen things that God has blessed us with in His Son. The unseen things of tomorrow are of far greater reward then of all the seen things of today. May God open our hearts to His truth that we may know Him more. The gospel is life changing. Get it, live it, and give it. Don't waste your love, love through Christ!

Faith like Job

2010-01-05T10:12:00.001-08:00

My family, along with some friends are in our study of Philippians. We took a long break, but it looks bright for this year to keep the study going stronger then ever before. This Saturday we will dig for gold nuggets of truth in 2:14-18. I already posted on "Do all things...." and I am thinking about it again because of my Bible reading the past few days. I have been in Job for four days and I believe he is a good example of living out the command "Do all things without grumbling or questioning", and it just overwhelms my thoughts. I can't help but think about Job as a man that did just that. He was a godly man that didn't sin or charge God with wrong when life circumstances where the worst in his life. Take a few minutes to think and meditate upon Job 1:6 - 2:10. I linked it so you can read it online or you may just read it out of your own copy of God's Word.

Here are a few questions I asked myself regarding my circumstances in life (feel free to apply your heart to them):
1)How would I handle these circumstances in my own life?
2)What would my thoughts of God be if I lost a child, house, car, etc? Would I sin or charge God with wrong?
3)When my life/health is not going well do you hold strong to my faith in God and trust Him wholly through it all?

I am just in awe of Job's faith. The fact that he didn't sin or charge God with wrong tells me that his faith in God was not due to how life circumstances played out for him. It seems right to think that Job trusted God regardless of what he was blessed with or what was taken away from him. May the Lord make my faith as strong!

In relation to the gospel, I found this section of "A Gospel Primer for Christians by Milton Vincent" to give some hope for us today in regards to our trials;

"More than anything else I could ever do, the gospel enables me to embrace my tribulations and thereby position myself to gain full benefit from them. For the gospel is the one great permanent circumstance in which I live and move; and every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purposes in me. When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize that the gospel is not just one piece of good news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize instead that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life, including my severest trials. The good news about my trials is that God is forcing them to bow to His gospel purposes and do good unto me by improving my character and making me more conformed to the image of Christ.
Preaching the gospel to myself each day provides a lens through which I can view my trials in this way and see the true cause for rejoicing that exists in them. I can then embrace trials as friends and allow them to do God's good work in me."

May 2010 be a year of growth gospel and stronger faith in our King! Psalm 115:3 tells us that "Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." Everything that will happen in our life is only for our good. Gospel growth is what will come out of all the trials that the good Lord has ordained for us while here on earth. To meditate and celebrate Romans 8:28 can and will make a difference of our joy in those trials....not that we will have joy in the trial but that our joy in God and His good for us will be our joy. What God started, He is sustaining, and He will some day complete it. Our salvation is being perfected through everyday trials and circumstances. Get excited. We can walk through our darkest valleys while holding fast to our promises of salvation! Our only hope is in the gospel. That will get us through anything this life will bring us!

Make it a 10!

2010-01-04T12:39:00.000-08:00

As most of you might know, I didn't make any goals or resolutions in my life. The only thing I do desire for 2010 is gospel growth in my own life, and in those around me. I did find this to be an awesome way to think about ways I might pursue gospel growth.

To follow in SKH's footsteps, I’m going to answer Don Whitney’s Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year.

1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
To spend more time praying and just waiting on the Lord daily. I have decided to try my best to get away between my lunch break at work to my private praying time before bedtime, I believe this will increase my enjoyment of God in 2010.

2. What’s the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
To give me gospel growth in my own life.

3. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
We are going to find families within our church family that we can serve together. Whether through prayer or deeds, I feel this will improve the quality of our family life in 2010.

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
Prayer. I want to be devoted to prayer. Whether that is corporate, family or personal I will be intentional about my prayer life in 2010. See #1 about what I have done to take this step.

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
This is going to be Internet. I seem to waste the most time there. I think going with SKH's diet will be the best idea for me, because it will limit my time on the Internet and discipline me for keeping good use of my time. Here is his Internet diet plan for 2010;

I’m going on an Internet diet for the year. I will imbibe from the Internet only three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). That includes all email, tweets, news, and blogs. On the other four days I will send (update, post, etc.), but won’t receive. With email, I’ll triage twice a day in case of emergencies, but otherwise it’s days with less dings for me.

I really don't want to do this, but thinking about it, it would be the best for using my time in the most profitable way. Internet really does get in my way, and if I am not going to waste my life this needs to happen!

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
By prayerfully sharing the gospel with others and sharing the Word as well. Really by getting involved with others lives, whether by having them over for dinner or just doing a coffee time with another man so we can grow together. Just finding the time to help gospel growth in other men and families would strengthen my church family.

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
I am not really sure, but I will pray about this one. But I do know that I desire nothing less for those around me then to come to and grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. That is the reason I am excited about gospel growth in others. Whether that starts with new salavtion for them, or just to have more fire for the things of the Lord, I know I will be praying much for this in 2010. Gospel growth in myself and others is of most importance to me!

8. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?
The thing that is going to make the difference is just meditating and celebrating on God's gospel and keeping that at the center of 2010.

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
I am going to just plan to pray, pray and pray some more. Making a plan to pray and being diligent to go after my plans. To pray that God would give me a bigger heart for my prayer life.

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
Reach those in my neighborhood with the gospel. This is going to mean that my family is going to have to find ways to get involved within our community, and I think Jolie and I are nervous, but more excited to see what God would do as we live the gospel, and share it with those that live on our block!

My goals and resolutions for 2010

2009-12-31T12:25:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the last day of 2009. Its going to be exciting to bring in the New Year with family and friends. I am looking forward to all that this night would have. May the Lord bless it and open our hearts to some sweet fellowship with Him and a eagerness to go after Him more in 2010.

And that brings me to think about what I want to do different next year. And not that I can do anything to change me, but that I don't want to waste 2010. I really hope to see more dying on my part and gospel growth. To know that God's power and glory are in the gospel, and that is the avenue that we have to pursue a personal relationship with Him and for us personal holiness. I mean what can I do to grow in righteousness and holiness? If God started the work in my heart and God is who sustains it and completes it, then I am unable to do anything in and of myself.

The gospel is my daily reminder that all that I am is because of Christ's work on the cross. My right standing before God is from nothing I have done in my own life. And if I come to believe that there is something in and of myself that is good, then what does that say about the gospel of Jesus Christ? Did Jesus die for good people? By no means! He died because we are filthy, vile, wretched sinners and the only way possible for us to be raised to newness in life is through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of Christ's death on the cross I am free from sin, death and the wrath of God. Without Christ death there is no redemption possible.

So my goals and resolutions for 2010 are:
- To find ways to die and live through Christ
- To meditate and celebrate the gospel in my life daily
- To continually pray for God's power to continue to transform my life
- To daily plan to go after a time to get alone with God (it could be on lunch at work or at home in an isolated place) for more personal prayer with Him.
- To be in His presence through prayer and meditation of His gospel and Scriptures
- To love Jesus with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. To keep my eyes focused on Him and His kingdom and righteousness
- To love others as myself, and finding ways to love them through the gospel.
- To share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those around me.
- To live out the gospel in my own life and speak the truth in love as God grants opportunity
- To read the Bible through twice
- To read as many good books as I can
- To continue family and personal Bible study
- above all gospel growth in my life and those around me

Lord willing, I look forward to looking back over 2010 and sharing with you all what the Lord did in my life through my 2010 journey on earth! Please do pray for me. Pray that the gospel would shine in and through all of His people and that our hearts would desire more of Him, being thankful for everything and desire to see gospel growth in those around us. God has entrusted me with this treasure and I don't want to waste it! May the Lord make me strong for His purposes and desires for my life! May He be given all honor, praise and glory forever and ever, AMEN!

Do we have a desire to see gospel growth in others?

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

I have to tell you about this book that I have been reading. It is called "The Trellis and The Vine, by Colin Marshall & Tony Payne" It really is "the ministry mind-shift that changes everything"!

It is giving me new ideas of what gospel ministry looks like. Our youth pastor, Sean Higgins, has given a few sermons from 2 Corinthians 4 over the past few months on ministry work and what that looks like. This book really goes hand in hand with those sermons.

The book goes to show Christians that we are all vine-growers. And that gospel growth is more important then numerical or structural growth. It shares in Chapter 2 that we should go

from running programs to building people, from running events to training people, from using people to growing people, from filling gaps to training new workers, from solving problems to helping people make progress, from clinging to ordained ministry to developing team leadership, from focusing on church polity to forging ministry partnerships, from relying on training institutions to establishing local training, from focusing on immediate pressures to aiming for long-term expansion, from engaging in management to engaging in ministry, from seeking church growth to desiring gospel growth.

The whole point of the book is that gospel growth in people is what matters most in church. This gospel growth takes place in peoples lives as Christians are prayerfully sharing the gospel and God's Word with each other, and not only in the church but in the work place, marketplace, home, neighborhood, etc. It goes through what training is and what that looks like and starting where the people around us are.

I just finished chapter 7, and can't recommend this book enough to all Christians. I am so thankful that SKH brought it to my attention. It has changed how I look at ministry differently. I also would recommend listening to the sermons as well. Because for me they seem to speak the same when it comes to ministry and just getting involved in the disciple making process for Jesus' sake. I am excited to go after those that God has placed in my life and see gospel growth in their lives.

What a privilege it is to take the gospel and not only live it out in my life, but use it to change hearts around me. God's power and glory are in the gospel. God will change hearts when His gospel and Word are shared with others through Christians living it out and speaking it. I agree with Sean that we have to have a balance in gospel living and gospel speaking. They both have to be included in our lives. People are more drawn to ask you about the hope that is in you when you live out the truth in your own life. One of the biggest problems I hear from non-believers is how they see so many Christians speak the truth, but their life is not lived out in the truth they are so quick to proclaim!

I say don't waste the gospel of Jesus Christ. Get it, live it, and give it! Find ways to get involved in the lives of those around you. I am sure you have plenty of opportunity to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. If your normally not into disciple making, I say now is the time to take some big risks for God and allow people to matter most to you. We should be concerned for the souls that God has brought into our paths. They are there for a reason and that is because God wants us to get involved with others. Many souls need to hear the gospel and see it lived out. May we live like we believe the truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ. So in 2010 don't go hide in your home, get out of your box and go hard in Christ. Because as Hudson Taylor put it, "Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith." Now is the time to live on unseen things. Gospel growth is unseen, and how awesome it is to be able to be apart of something bigger then we could ever imagine!

Review of my goals for 2009

2009-12-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

Back in December 2008 I set out on a different journey for 2009, and made some goals/resolutions to go after during this year. Here is what I had posted about what I was hoping for this year:

My first goal/resolution is to be the husband/father that God has called me to be. I desire to be there for my wife and kids no matter what. I want them to know that they are my first priority. I also hope to find new ways to love my wife, as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25). I also hope to find new ways of being involved in my children's life. My main goal is to keep the gospel at the center of my family, and to lead them in the way of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

My second goal/resolution is to grow in my prayer life. My main goal is to pray for things that will bring honor, glory and praise to the Lord. I also want to pray more for my dear brother and sisters in Christ, waiting eagerly for all that the Lord will do in the lives of the people around me while being thankful for everything. And for my own life, I need to “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on me.”.

My third goal/resolution is to work unto the Lord in all that I do (Col. 3:23). No matter if it is at home, work, church or One28 small group. I want to give the Lord my best in all that He has prepared for me to do. It is only because of Him that I can do anything. He gave His life for mine, and I will live my life for Him!

As I look back on 2009, I see much progress. Here are some thoughts on how I felt about my progress.

The Lord really gave me many opportunities to put my heart into my wife and daughters. I learned how to lead and serve them more through the gospel then ever before. I still have a long way to go, but this is a journey and the Lord has shown me some growth in this area and I know He will continue that until He calls me home. It only makes me hungry for more growth in my life in the next year. The one thing I did learn is that the gospel will change a family. God's power and glory are in the gospel. So this next year I want to stay in the deep pool of gospel truths and just be like a sponge in it all. Least to say, I am excited! It will be a grand year. Lord willing, I will be able to make some big risks for God and how I lead and serve my family through out 2010.

The Lord also gave me some growth in my prayer life. I feel like I could have done way more and should have done way more. I plan to have more of an intentional prayer life in 2010. I want to have a daily plan to go after and also want to take more time to get alone on lunch at work or at home in an isolated place for more personal prayer with my Lord.

Now when it comes to my working unto the Lord I feel whether I was at home, work, or church that this was my strongest area of growth. I now understand my purpose in my home, at my job, and in the church, and really anywhere. I still have not arrived by no means, but how awesome it is to look back and see Him change my heart to not being content in those areas of my life to give me a heart that finds joy in Him and the little tasks that He would have me to do. Everything I do is an act of worship and everything I do is an opportunity for ministry work. And the crazy thing is that this is going to explode in 2010 (Lord willing)! Keeping my eyes on Christ and my heart in the gospel is what is making the biggest difference in my life. May He continue to make me stronger in His gospel!

I hope to post my goals and resolutions for 2010 a little later this week.

What’s the Real Story of Christmas?

2009-12-23T08:57:00.000-08:00

That's Christmas (Short Film) HD from St Helen’s Church on Vimeo.

(HT: Justin Taylor)

Living in and through the Gospel

2009-12-23T07:23:00.000-08:00

I am eager like Paul to preach the gospel. Not only to those who come into my life that don't know Christ, but more so to those that are brothers and sisters with me in Christ. I mean if Paul was eager to preach the gospel to those believers that where in Rome, then what does that mean for us with those in our own back yards?

When I think of living for God's glory, I don't normally think of that in connection with gospel ministry. But thanks be to God that He is showing me that it has EVERYTHING to do with His glory. Which means if I am going to be living for God's glory it has to be in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ!

We are as pots of clay with this amazing treasure. The Scriptures are coming alive in my own heart. God's power and glory are in the gospel. He has entrusted me with this gift that is beyond words to express. There is no greater joy then to do the work of the Lord, and that work is to claim and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Yes to those in the world that are lost and need Christ, but even more so for those in the church. We are vine growers for the Lord, and that happens as we bring God's Word and gospel to other believers.

Paul said, "of first importance" (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). So I am making gospel ministry "of first importance" in my life. I am pressing on in the fight of the faith. I don't want my labor to be in vain, and if the work of the Lord is not done in and through the gospel of Jesus Christ then it is in vain. I am a soldier of Christ. I press on knowing that there is a cost. God's power is in the gospel. I can't do anything to save/change hearts, except share the gospel of Jesus Christ. God will use that to save His people and He will continue to use the gospel to change their hearts. The gospel is of daily need for the Christian. We don't put it on the shelf after conversion, but make it "of first importance" in our hearts and life!

May God give me a heart that continues to grow in Him. May I have boldness in Him to declare to everyone His gospel that will change us to be more like Christ. I must speak not to please man, but to please God. I won't waste the work of the Lord that He has given me in and through the gospel.

Gospel Celebration

2009-12-19T11:52:00.000-08:00

Today is a good day, as any day, to think upon and celebrate what the gospel means to me. This Christmas season as been like jumping off a high-dive board into the shallow pool and then busting through the bottom of it to find a deep pool that is full of gospel truth! Its been a grand time and I am and just soaking in all that I can like a sponge. To be filled with gospel truths helps me live a more cross-centered life for Christ. I have found that deep heart meditation is the only way to find the deeper pool of gospel truths. It is changing my life more then I could ever imagine!

I started reading "A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love" and let me tell you how awesome this book is. It is full of meat that you can take days and days to chew upon and still not be able to swallow because you need to chew some more. Good stuff. I recommend every Christian, no matter how long you have been one gets a copy today!

Here is a verse that I have been in deep meditation the last few days.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

I can't stop thinking about the phrase "for it is the power of God"! To think that the gospel is the power of God in all who would believe makes me bust out in praise and celebration! Only the gospel can change our hearts! There is nothing I can do to be more Christ-like in my life. Christ works through me and in me, but that is Him doing the work. I just want to come and minister unto the Lord and let Him take care of the rest. So instead of thinking of doing things, I am just wanting to be continually in His presence. Praying & mediation is what I want more in my life. He will give me opportunity to live out the gospel in front of others, but what He wants most is my heart, not the business of duty. Because if my heart is not right with Him, then the duty means nothing. If its not done for Jesus' sake then its all done in vain. I want my labour to count in the end.

I leave you with this thought. Think about it: If the power of God works through the gospel, then why would we not meditate on it daily? To think that the gospel is for salvation and then you don't need it anymore is a big mistake. That is what the devil wants Christians to think. If your in Christ then their is God's power in the gospel. He can do things through you that you and I would never be able to imagine or think of. To pray and meditate on the gospel and to get heart understanding of the gospel will change your life. Its changing mine and my families. God is going to do some serious big things in 2010....He is already stirring my heart in ways I never thought of. I really am excited to find ways to mediate and celebrate in the gospel. So today through eternity, find the gift of the gospel and wrap your heart in it. There is reason to celebrate this CHRISTmas season! Are you celebrating in Christ alone through the gospel alone? It is the gift to have now and forever, and if you do have it then celebrate your heart out, because there is a celebration you can have down here that you won't have in heaven. Enjoy it!

Precious Life

2009-12-17T07:28:00.000-08:00

Later today, my daughter addison, will have an echo cardiogram done on her heart. It is mainly to check on things and see how they are going. For those that don't know, she has Scimitar syndrome. But even with this condition, addison was fearfully and wonderfully made by Jesus Christ. Jolie and I are so thankful for her and really I wouldn't trade her for any other child in the world. She brings us blessings that we would not get from any other child. I find it amazing what the Lord has taught me through her life, things that I wouldn't learn otherwise. All of it I am thankful for.

Here are some things that I have learned or am learning:
- Life is a gift. It can be so easy to take for granted just one breath. I don't deserve this gift of life, and without Christ I wouldn't want to live this life.

"The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life."(Job 33:4)

- We are not promised life tomorrow. Life can end at anytime. We are here today and gone tomorrow!

"What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and than vanishes." (James 4:14)

- Life is limited. I don't have forever with my children. Regardless of if the Lord takes them early or late in this life, my time with them is limited. I want to use all time that I do have to be faithful to teach them about Jesus Christ and the things of the Lord.

"Man is like a breath;his days are like a passing shadow." (Psalm 144:4)

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8)

- Life is a trial. Life is hard. It is full of suffering, struggles, and sorrow. I am ok with that. This is where I can live on unseen things and trust in gospel promises. Some days can be a struggle to get excited about. Who looks forward to suffering, struggles, and sorrow? To know that God has a purpose through it all makes is easier to get up each morning. And trust me some days it is hard!

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

- Life without the gospel makes no sense. My hope comes out of gospel truths and gospel promises (the unseen things to come). My Father in heaven has promised me a better life and that life is to come. He has given me a taste of His goodness and I can't wait to get the whole prize! So for His sake I am willing to suffer through this life. I count it worthy to do so because no one will ever suffer more then Jesus Christ had to, no not one! To know that I don't get what I deserve in the next life, makes this life become a blessing no matter what would happen. It can't get worse, but only far better then my mind could ever imagine!

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)

If there is one thing I can tell you it is this "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-5). To know and understand God, and all that He has done for us while we hated Him and wanted nothing from Him should bring you to repentance. "God's goodness should make us throw up our white flag. Our souls have a price tag." God paid a huge price to redeem His children. May you get that in this life!

Somewhere over the rainbow

2009-12-14T15:20:00.000-08:00

Last Lord's Day we heard a sermon from Genesis in one28. Many people have a different view about rainbows, and depending on who you talk too is what one might find on the other side of the rainbow. Most might say a pot of gold. I can't help but think about the "Wizard of Oz" because of the countless times my family would sit down and watch it on the once a year TV program.

What do you think of when you ponder over the rainbow?

Many might not want to peek somewhere over the rainbow. Because behind the rainbow you can't help but see God's righteous wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. The rainbow a sign for God to remember (know that God is all knowing and that He doesn't need a reminder, but that God is telling Noah the importance of the rainbow and why it hangs in the clouds, usually after a storm) not to ever destroy mankind with a flood. Just think of what Noah would have thought everytime a rain drop fell from the sky after the flood that destroyed all of mankind except for him and his family?

The rainbow is also a reminder to us of what God did towards mankind because their wickedness was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil continually! Without the flood that destroyed the whole earth and all that was outside of the ark you don't have a rainbow. And to think that God's righteousness was displayed in every death because of the flood is even deeper thought about how God does and will deal with sinful man that won't repent of their wicked deeds!
Its even more crazy to think of all the references to the flood that took place during Noah's time. Read these verses for yourself, and if you are able read them from your own Bible:

"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." (Matthew 24:36-39)

"Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all." (Luke 17:26-27)

"For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly" (2 Peter 2:4-6)

And as much bad news as anyone will find in the rainbow, I think for any sinner, there is hope over the rainbow. That hope is in Christ. He is our ark! God sent His only Son so that many would be saved from the wrath to come. Heaven is God's free gift to give, and He only offers it through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! Any other way will only lead you too hell. If you don't know Christ, my prayer is that you would put your faith and trust in the Son. We don't have forever....come to Christ NOW! When your faith leads to obedience to Jesus and His Word you can know you have found rest for your soul. When your in Christ you have no need to worry about the wrath to come, if your outside of Christ....wrath is at the door step and when your judgment does come tonight or when God would call account from your life you will spend eternity in hell separated from God. Repent for the kingdom is at hand!

A good reason for self-denial

2009-12-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

I was listening to a sermon yesterday. It was so good I did a replay on the way home, but here is a quote from the sermon that is worth our thinking....I do think this can help me live more on unseen things now. It helped me gain a better understanding of what self-denial means.

"Self-denial is not so much an impoverishment as a postponement. We make a sacrifice of a present good for the sake of a future and greater good. Therefore happiness in God is of supreme importance because its the key to a life of love, a life of sacrifice, a life of risk. Whatever be done in the way of giving up, or self-denial, or deadness to the world should result from the joy we have in God" (George Meuller)

Download the sermon here: DG-George Mueller's Strategy for Showing God (Download) by John Piper

Jesus, the universe, my little world!

2009-12-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3)

Today I started reading Hebrews. It is the 4th time this year, and every time I come across chapter 1, verse 3 I have been overwhelmed with joy. It tells us so much about who Jesus is and just how powerful He is. It tells us Jesus is omnipotent! The whole chapter is amazing! This verse allows my soul to to rest in Jesus.

Lets unpack some of the goodies from this verse. It just blows my mind. I love to meditate on this verse;

- This verse tells us that Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. Think about that for a while. All of God's glory shines out from Jesus Christ.

- This verse even gets into who Jesus is. He is the exact imprint of His nature. In simple terms He is God! You can't get anymore clear then that with who Jesus Christ is. That is why what you do with Jesus is the most important thing in this life. It will lead to life or death; heaven or hell. Above all it is life changing to follow after Christ. You can't pursue Him and stay they way you are....if Jesus gives you a new heart then your a new person....not something you never had before, your someone you never was before. Your a new creation and all things are new!

- This verse tells us that Jesus is what holds everything that ever existed together. He is the glue of the universe. Colossians 1:16-17 tells us, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" Even this verse is a feast for the soul. May we all have a hunger for God and all that His Word tells us about Him.

For application purposes I have to think that if Jesus is able to uphold the universe by the word of His power, then He can handle my little world with no problems. He knows where I am in this life. He knows what my heart needs. That is why no matter what He ordains for my life it is only for my good. Romans 8:28 is a promise I believe with all my heart, and no matter what happens in this life I will trust Jesus Christ. I am with Peter when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!"

I don't have anywhere else to turn to. Jesus Christ is my way, my truth and my life. Without Him I have no hope. I need Him every minute of everyday. My heart longs to be with Him....and my homecoming party is just around the corner. Why would I not get excited about my eternal inheritance? Nothing on this earth compares with it. He is giving me the best! So thinking about it keeps my eyes and heart on Christ!

For living on unseen things.....

2009-12-05T22:11:00.000-08:00

a quote worth thinking about....

"Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith." - Hudson Taylor

It will cost you everything!

2009-12-04T22:27:00.001-08:00

Take heed least you fall!
May this burn in our hearts!

Be who you are

2009-12-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

I am reading "Justification & Regeneration by Charles Leiter" and in chapter six he talks about "The new man". The verses that is used much in this chapter (it is a short chapter) is Ephesians 4:22-24 which says;

"to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Within the chapter he gives this popular illustration

"One popular illustration of Christian experience speaks of the believer as having both a "black dog" and a "white dog" living within. These dogs are continually fighting with each other, and "the one that we feed the most is the one that wins." Such a view may be sincere, but it is based on very defective theology. The Christian does not merely have something new within him that he never had before; he is someone who he never was before. The Christian is a new man."

Think about this for a minute. Do you feel like someone new in Christ? Because Scripture affirms that in Christ we are anew creation. One Scripture that comes to mind is 2 Corinthians 5:17 which tells us that in Christ we are a new creation and that the old things have passed away and behold new things have come! Its no wonder after my conversion my life was never like it was before Christ. I am just blown away when I see the man that God has created me to be....He took me out of darkness and made me into a new creation that was created in righteousness and holiness" Now practically speaking I have a long way to go, but daily I am dying to keep going in the direction that God is taking me. My heart now loves the things that the Lord loves and hates the things that He hates. So my life is being who I am. And that is a new creation in Christ!

Charles Leiter adds more to what this new creation looks like. He says;

"The Christian is a new man. That is his essential identity. And because he is a new man, he is called upon to live like a new man. Since the old man has already been "laid aside" and the new man "put on," he is exhorted to believe this fact (to be "renewed in the spirit of his mind") and to live accordingly by "laying aside the old man" (i.e., his deeds -"your former manner of life") and by putting on (in practice) "the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth." This is the New Testament method of teaching growth in grace: "Realize who you really are, and then be who you are." The call to believers in not, "Try to be who you are not," as many Christians suppose, but rather, "Be who you are!".... the essential truth about every Christian is that he is a new man. At the very center of his being he has been "created in righteousness and holiness." When he says "No" to sin, he is saying "Yes" to his true self."

Wow, that really helps me think about my choices in a new light. When I say no to sin, I am really saying yes to my true self! For the Christian that is truly saved, it is only a matter of time before the sins that are attached to our lives will fall away. That won't be until Jesus comes back or takes us home, but you can know that God who started the work of a new creation in your heart will perfect it until the day of Christ!

So until then be who you are in Christ! Excel all the more. If your in Christ you can say no to sin! If you really do desire any sin in your life then confess and repent of it! We must purge all sin out of our life. Seek Jesus. He is our victory....without Him your striving to be something that you are not. Every man was created in the image of God. May we be pressed till Jesus comes out!

Christmas, a shadow of the gift(s) to come!

2009-12-03T08:56:00.000-08:00

Last night we had our one28 worship. Jonathan Sarr gave a great sermon titled "Responding to Salvation" from 1 Peter 1:13-21. He talked about how in salvation we respond with hope, holiness, and honor (fear).

We have been going through the book of 1 Peter this fall, and it has been an awesome journey. We are learning how God has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ! We were once dead and now because of God's great mercy are alive, and not in ourselves, but in Christ! If your a Christian your old self is dead, if not then your not Christian.

Its important to remember that Peter's audience was Christians that suffered much in their time. It is beyond words what they did endure for the cross of Christ, God's gospel. It would have been much easier to taste the joys of heaven in their time. They didn't have comforts to look too. Their life was a living hell, which made looking to the unseen worth all the cost of following after Christ! But here in America it is hard to taste the joy of heaven, let alone get into the kingdom. For most American Christians, America is our treasure instead of Christ and all things that point towards heaven.

I think our problem in America is what we think and ponder on. Jonathan asked a question last night, one that he had asked before in a previous sermon. It is a good question.

He asked, "What would your life look like if you focused on your salvation as much as you should?" Think about it!

I thought about it, and came up with this example of my life to help not only my own heart to keep its eyes on Christ, but also to help give my junior high students a vision of the cross and the inheritance that awaits them in Christ!

As a young child, one of the best times of the year was Christmas! I would get so excited about all the gifts under the tree and wouldn't cease to think about them and what I was getting. The day after Thanksgiving the tree went up, and as each gift that was placed under the tree I couldn't help to consume my thoughts on what my awaited me on Christmas day! Sometimes I got so excited I thought it was in my best interest to take a peek or sneak into my parents room to find out. And when Christmas Day came I would find myself excited to open all my presents and spend the whole rest of the day playing with them. This joy didn't last long....usually by the time my birthday in April came around I was looking for satisfaction in something else....it was an endless cycle that never did find hope worth living for.

Look at Christmas as a way of keeping your eyes on Christ. Your wasting your life if your living for Christmas presents. To settle for junk that looks pretty wrapped up in paper, instead of Jesus Christ, who is God and came down to earth to die for sinners and give us a better way to live this life and in the end eternal life with Him in heaven FOREVER! Get your head out of the broken cistern of materialism, and come to Christ. He is God's gift to sinners. He is a treasure that holds so much more value then any gift you can get at Christmas.

I listened to a sermon this morning by John Piper and in it he made this statement which I will quote:
"You don't know what your leaning on until its taken away!" That is why when we lean on Christ we stand on solid ground. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If your hope is in Christ and the inheritance that is kept for you in heaven, then no evil or suffering of this world would change that. In Christ we can stand firm.

So in the end I answer Jonathan's question with this: A life that will focus its core on the salvation given to us in Christ and all that deals with eternal things is a life that would look rooted in hope for the unseen things, holiness in our duty and conduct, and honor for King Jesus! Its a life worth living will all your soul. It is a life not wasted!

Do all things....

2009-12-02T10:11:00.000-08:00

"without grumbling or questioning" (Philippians 2:14)
I have been thinking upon this for a little while now because of some Bible study that we are doing through Philippians. I can't help but see that I am a poor example of doing all things without grumbling or questioning. So I ask myself "how can I believe that God is sovereign in all things when most often all I do is grumble and complain when things don't go the way I think they should go?"

The answer to that question from my own heart is I am not looking to unseen gospel promises and gospel principles, and only keeping my focus on what is going on around me with the here and now. If I am going to be a light in this world then my walk needs to match my talk. As a Christian my faith and trust should be in God and His plan for my life which would include all the events that go the way I didn't want them to go!

And no matter how this life does play out, I know I can hope in my God. He is always good, all the time, everytime, always! I live for Him, not the here and now. My treasure is in Jesus Christ. I have seen and tasted God's goodness in my soul. I am on the narrow path that leads to life, and nothing in this world will even come close to the treasure that He has prepared for me in eternity, nothing! And what good is grumbling and questioning going to do? If I am going to live on unseen things, then I need to give thanks always and for everything knowing that for those that love God all things work together for good. God proved that at the cross of Christ. Think about it. It will change your life!

Now back to the verse in Philippians, Paul tells us why we are to do all things without grumbling and questioning! He tells us what our reward will be in being obedient with this command! It is awesome and it is living on unseen things. He says,

"that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."

Now that is a gospel promise to live after! Go hard in Christ. There is a way to waste this life, may God grant us each grace to live it for His honor and glory. Keep your eyes on Jesus! He is the Victory!

My Pilgrims Journey

2009-10-06T19:43:00.001-07:00

For those of you that don't know, I started on a journey last August. The journey will take me where this world can't take me. This journey deals with things that are not of this world. Its the path of living on unseen things. Living on unseen things is the official theme for our one28 student ministries.

I am so excited about this journey, and at the same time unsure of what will come out of it. I get excited about my progress in the Christian faith. Some days I dream of being an old man so that I can look back on my Christian journey and see all that the Lord's providence brought my way. I trust my Jesus to do BIG things in the hearts of our staff and also in our students. It really doesn't get any better then this.

So to help me in my journey in living on unseen things, I want to do a few new disciplines to help me look back after my year long travel and praise God because of all that He did in my heart and life. These disciplines will add more to my day to day routine, but I think it will only help me focus on living on unseen things, and it will only give me encouragement to look back next staff meeting and see all that happened!

Here is what I hope to learn to do more as the next year goes by.

- I really don't fast even though Jesus taught us and fasted Himself. I plan to include a fast in my week to week schedule. When I fast my purpose is to use it to strengthen my prayer life, to seek God's guidance, to express grief over sin, to seek deliverance and protection, to express repentance and keep my focus on God, to humble myself before God, to express concern for the work of God, to minister to the needs of others, to overcome temptation and dedicate myself to God, to express love and worship to God. I have been readying "Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life by Donald Whitney" and he gave these as suggestions, and also said it doesn't end there either. But I think just working these will be a good start. Its a learning process and I need to start somewhere, and why not here?

- I also want to work into my schedule the practice of "silence and solitude". As Donald Whitney suggests, this discipline will help with me following Jesus' example, to hear the voice of God better, to express worship to God, to express faith in God, to seek the salvation of the Lord, to be physically and spiritually restored, to regain a spiritual perspective, to seek the will of God, to learn control of the tongue. And it doesn't end here either. I have never practiced "silence and solitude." As I learn this discipline it will only make me stronger in my Christian walk.

- The last item I want to work into my schedule is the practice of journaling. This discipline will help me in self-understanding and evaluation, help in meditation, help in expressing thoughts and feelings to the Lord, help in remembering the Lord's works, help in creating and preserving a spiritual heritage, help in clarifying and articulating insights and impressions, help in monitoring goals and priorities, help in maintaining the other spiritual disciplines. And as I learn this it will only make me stronger in Christ as it will encourage me to be able to look back and see God's hand in my life and where I had victory and where I would be able to see growth.

Above all these disciplines are really for the purpose of godliness in my life. I desire to grow in Christlikeness daily....to practice such disciplines will help me reach that goal and purpose in my life. Please pray for me, and may God help me become a man after His own heart!

The Almost Christian

2009-08-21T07:55:00.001-07:00

This morning I listened to a sermon by John MacArthur driving into work. The sermon is titled "The Distinctive Qualities of the True Christian, Part 4" and is preached by MacArthur from Philippians 3:3. I have been going through the Philippians sermons with MacArthur for a while now. If you get a chance for sure you need to listen to all of the series as there is much good stuff within them. But in this sermon MacArthur talks about a puritan named Matthew Mead and a book he wrote back in 1661 titled "The Almost Christian Discovered". I was so taken back by what MacArthur shared from the book that I will have to find a copy of it for my own.

But here is a little from the sermon MacArthur preached in regards to his book;

He wrote the book because he wanted to address a very significant problem. The problem he wanted to address was the fact that there were many people who thought they were saved and weren't. There were many people who claimed to be saved, and weren't. So he was addressing the problem 300 years ago that Paul was addressing nearly 2,000 years ago that we are now addressing today. Because as I told you last time, in the New Testament where the gospel is presented, it is often followed up by instruction as to how to tell a true respondent to the gospel from a false and deceived one.

I had occasion recently to receive the book with my foreword in it. And by the way, it is now available in the bookstore. And I reread it and I was fascinated as I went through the book, and I want to share just a couple of things with you that came out of it, more than a couple, a list. In fact, I want to distill a hundred and twenty pages into a brief few words.

Matthew Mead has a long section in the book of about 120 pages in which he addresses how far a person can go and still not be a true Christian...how far a person can advance toward heaven, toward Christ, toward God and still not truly be saved. And these are the things he suggests.

"A man may have much knowledge about Christ and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may have a great and eminent gift, yet be but almost a Christian." He means by that a speaking gift, a leadership gift.

"A man may have a high profession of religion. He may be much in external duties of goodness and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may go far in opposing his own sin and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may hate sin and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may make great vows and promises, strong purposes and resolutions against his sin and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may maintain a strife and a combat against sin and yet be but almost a Christian.

"A man may be a member of the church and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may have great hopes of heaven and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may under visible changes, altered life and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may be very zealous in matters of religion and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may be much in prayers and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may even suffer for Christ's sake and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may outwardly obey the commandments and yet be but almost a Christian. A man may perform external worship yet be but almost a Christian. And a man may have faith and yet be but almost a Christian."

Amazing list, isn't it? In fact, if you were to kind of reverse the list and read it another way, it would sound like you were describing Christians, someone who has the knowledge of God and Christ, someone who has great and eminent and gifts, someone who professes true religion, who does duties of goodness, someone who opposes his sin, hates his sin, makes great vows and promises, strong purposes and resolutions against his sin, a man who strives in combat against sin, a man who is a member of a church who has hopes of heaven, whose life has had some visible changes, who is zealous in matters of religion, who praise, who may even suffer because of his association with Christ, who outwardly seems to obey the commandments and performs external worship and believes. You might say, "Well, that's got to be a Christian."

Matthew Mead is right in assessing, however, that you can have all of those things and be but only almost a Christian. These are not enough. These are not enough. Well what does it take? What is the evidence? What is the mark of the true Christian? Well, we go from the outside to the inside when we come to verse 3. And let me just share with you these three simple statements that identify the true Christian. They have nothing to do with his outward conduct, his outward profession, his outward goodness. They have nothing to do with his church membership. They have nothing to do with his religious duties. They have nothing to do with his external professions. They have nothing to do with the fact that he might not like sin in the world, he might not even like sin in his own life. They have to do with what is inside. They have to do with his character, with his nature, with something that no one sees, but eventually that everyone sees because it works its way out. And that's what I want to share with you.

I highly recommend checking out the series of sermons titled "The Distinctive Qualities of the True Christian". There are four parts and they are preached from Philippians 3:1-3. Here is a link to get your mp3 so you can download it to your ipod. It not only will challenge your heart, but it will cause you to examine your heart.

Prayer Seminar

2009-08-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

There are things that will happen in our day to day life that will be transforming....and this is one of those things that I know will forever change me and my family! As a Christian I choose not to hoard good things, so I want to make sure you have the date written down on your calendar in big black marker!

I can't help but look back at the last Seminar, which was on Bible study. The Hall's/Schlattmann's/Waldburger's have never been the same. It has transformed our lives and God has used that seminar to help us understand His Word more clearly! I am more hungry for the Word....and get excited to mine out all the gold I can in a passage of Scripture we might be studying together or just in my personal reading time. Its a blast pulling out the "pinwhackata" stick and beating the good stuff out of the text!

So what can get better than that? Learning and knowing what the Bible says about prayer. Like water is to a fish is prayer to a Christian. It is the breath of our life. If you want to stop growing than one of the fastest ways is to stop praying. Because I know of my inability of doing anything apart of God's grace I need Him more and prayer is a way of asking for His help in this life....through His power and grace I can do much....prayer is one of the keys to growth in holiness! It teaches us to be dependent upon all that our God is! Just think about God being all sovereign and knowing everything while answering prayer....just mind blowing!

I am excited and I hope your with me on this. Last Seminar sold out and I except the same from this event too. I don't know any details but as soon as my home church posts the details you will know. I do know that the event will take place on October 10th! So may you be encouraged and excited about this event. It will change the way I live my life and it will do the same for you! God is doing big things....and I am just so thankful to be apart of these little things that do big things in the lives and hearts of man!

Living Christian (pt1)

2009-08-13T08:29:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what that looks like? I think Paul tells us much about that in Romans 12:9-21. Paul says that living Christian is

1) Christians will have a genuine love for others. This is a sincere love that is free of all hypocrisy. Our love is to be real for others.
2) Christians will abhor what is evil. This is a feeling of contempt or disgust with. If we want to abhor what is evil in this world then we must fear the Lord. This daily practice will give you a heart to turn from what is evil in God's eyes.
3) Christians hold fast to what is good. When you walk in the fear of the Lord you will find that everything you do is good and pleasing to the Lord.
4) Christians love one another with brotherly affection. Matthew Henry says, "it signifies not only love, but a readiness and inclination to love, the most genuine and free affection, kindness flowing out as from a spring."
5) Christians outdo one another in showing honor. We should look for ways to build up, encourage, look out for the interest of others. One way I try to do this practice is by sharing with others what I see God working in their hearts. It is awesome to be able to discern the things that God is doing in hearts. I work on this daily....helps bring the focus on what God is doing and not on what I am doing! Try it.
6) Christians are not lazy in their zeal for the Lord and the things of the Lord. Like Paul Brown's sermon on Psalm 23. We should be shouting from a joyful heart, "THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD!" Be proud of your Shepherd! If your not excited for the Lord then how will you be excited for the things the Lord.
7) Christians are fervent in spirit. If we are not walking in the spirit then we can't live Christian. Only when you walk in the spirit will you be able to serve the Lord with a whole heart.
8) Christians serve the Lord. Everything we do should be for the glory of the Lord. We serve the Lord in our work, home, church and in everything we do. Without number 6 and 7 you won't be able to serve the Lord. It just can't be done in the flesh!
9) Christians rejoice in hope, are patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer. We should hope in God. This shows our dependence and trust for Him. Even in our suffering we are to be patient and wait on the Lord. When we know all we need is Him then we will be more fervent in our prayers to Him because He is our Shepherd and He will guide us and lead us as we read and pray over Scripture.
10) Christians reach out for the needs of others. Whether in the church or in the community we find ways to serve others and help meet their needs. Always looking to show hospitality to others the Lord may bring into our lives.

If you have anything you want to add please feel free to make a comment. While this is only the first half of the list, I will have to post more on this later. This gives me a lot to chew on for now, and I hope you chew on it also. May the Lord work much into our hearts as we seek to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength! Because only He can give us the power and strength to live Christian. Depend and hope in God. He is faithful always!

Anticipating BIG things

2009-08-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

I normally don't share my thoughts on things that I am hoping for, but maybe if I did it might get others around me excited also. Because I am excited about living Christian. My prayer is that God would give me a BIG heart for Him so that I can love others more. It feels like we are in a time when you can look all around and see a lot of knowledge but not a lot of love. And if your thinking with me you know what Paul had to say about this. He said, "without love we are nothing"! A life without love is a wasted life, and this life I will not waste!

God is love and without Him we can't love others. It just won't happen. But for Christians like me and you it can happen! Jesus Christ went to the cross to die for sinners like us so that way we can know love and share that love with others. Christ died for us so that we can live Christ today! We are not just looking to heaven, and trust me heaven will be awesome. But what about how we are to live now? Is our love for others any different then those in this world that don't know Christ?

Jesus tells us "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?" If we Christians are living like those in the world that don't know Jesus then how are we going to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? Is our life shining bright for Christ and His righteousness and Kingdom? Don't be conformed to the ways of this world!

I can love others BIGGER because of Christ's death for me. He paid for my sins in full and has forgiven me of all my debit! Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! I am free. And now as an ambassador for Christ, I have been commissioned to take His love for me and go and share it with the rest of the world. I am unworthy and Jesus still uses me for His name sake. We are gospel spreaders and this can only happen when we are loving God with all our being and then loving man as ourselves! If God is not the source of our love then we are loving in our flesh rather then the spirit.

The thing that helps me love others is seeing Jesus in them. God created us in His image. If we see Jesus in others then we will love others in a different way. Jesus even said to His sheep, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

So I desire to have a bold and radical love for others. If I am seeking God with all my being then this love will transform my life and then in turn spread like gangrene and infect my home, my church, my community, my work, my small group, and everyone that comes in contact with me in this world. May God work BIG things in our hearts....so that we may go out and be bold and radical in our love for mankind! I have to think the church and world would be a different place if everyone would love as Christ loved us. Be proud to live Christian....even more when darkness surrounds you. Get excited....God is doing big things through His people....because that is how He works.

This morning

2009-08-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

I am still on the clock. Today is Friday and while the world says "TGIF", I go strong in Christ. I don't look to the weekend, but to Christ alone! Go Christ!

Loving Vertical, Loving Horizontal!

2009-07-28T12:26:00.000-07:00

A big problem for me is loving others as Christ loves me. I often find myself quick to see other peoples faults or I am quick to judge others when they live a life different from my standard of living. The problem with that is I am not the standard. I must remember God is the standard, and when looking to Him I fall short of His standard. Romans tells us all humans fall short of God's standard. To commit one sin is to fall short of God's holy and perfect standard. When holding my life up to that, it makes it hard to hold others up against me when I know I fall short!

The good news is that the Lord Jesus has given me new light on how this does not please or honor Him. I want to be different, I want to be the salt of the earth and a light in this world. My prayer is that the Lord would continue to make me more radical in my love for others. And also make me more dependant of Him! I can't do it. Loving others is hard, and I will only fail doing it in my strength! I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. I have faith Jesus will grow my love for others and teach me how to love them.

My heart has had a change of direction over the last month or so. I had the privilege of hearing God's Word preached from Romans 13-14. It was the Iantern teaching, and God used his sermons to stir my heart to love others in a Christlike way. I now am not quick to look for faults in others and judge them for there actions. Instead I want to pray for them and accept them because they are God's creation and made in His image. Christian or not, God calls mankind to the high calling of loving others, even our enemies!

The exciting thing is that I know that God is working in hearts and I trust Him, that He will complete the work He starts in the hearts of man. I don't need to worry about it, and why would I waste time doing that. My friend reminded me I can't change hearts. God changes hearts! I know sometimes I wish I could, but again God is working in His time. I just need to have faith in His work.

And trusting God to do the work, and just looking for ways to love others helps me to look out for others best interest. This means I won't be laying any stumbling blocks in front of them. One way I used to do this was by arguing over Scripture and get upset trying to prove my point. That is an ugly way of trying to build up and make disciples. That just makes drama. The family and friends in my life didn't feel the love of Christ through my actions or words. It did more worse for God's kingdom and my testimony then good. But by God's grace, He is teaching me His ways and I am thankful for that.

God calls me to love Him with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Then He calls me to love others as myself. If I get it wrong with the vertical then I will have it wrong with the horizontal. So in order to love others I must first make sure my heart is right with God. That is why I live my life in pursuit of Him. He will make my paths straight! Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Live for the King....there is no other way!

Creating Culture With Purpose

2009-05-27T13:19:00.000-07:00

As a Christian I am creating culture. My prayer is that it would impact many generations to come, or until the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to bring His people home. I want to have culture that has a purpose, not only in this life, but more important in the next life that is to come.

Because I know that a day is coming when I will give an account of my life and the decisions that I made here and now on earth. I am going after my reward that is in Christ Jesus. If you don't think it matters how you work here on earth then let me tell you what Scripture says,

"According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

I want to live life in such a way that I get my reward when I meet Jesus face to face. I also want the world to know who it is that I live for, and that is the King Jesus Christ. There are many in the world that say they live for the King, but their lifestyle says they live for the Devil. If you claim the gospel to be yours as a Christian, please don't create hypocritical culture. We need true worshipers who will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

To create culture without the gospel is to create waste. Don't waste your culture. How you live as a Christian determines the culture you are creating for tomorrow. May we be known as a people that wholly live our lives for the King, and live for Him with all our hearts, mind, soul and strength. Let your kingdom work make a difference for Jesus Christ and His sake. To live a life not worthy of the gospel is a wasted life, and is creating wasted culture. We must be a people that hunger and thirst after God's holiness, God's righteousness, and God's perfection. Get excited about living for the King and lets go hard and create culture that is Christ-centered instead of self-centered!

There's a reason

2009-05-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

I have been listening to a MercyMe CD on my car rides to and from work. There are a few songs that I have come to love on there CD "Spoken for". The one song that makes me want to break out a joy party is "There's a reason" We as God's redeemed do have much reason to celebrate! And not just when we get to heaven, but like right now.

As much as Satan, sin and this world tries to take away our joy, we have so much reason to fight for that joy! Just to understand that we don't get what we deserve in the next life gives us ultimate reason to have joy in this life no matter how rough and tough our day might be!

True, lasting and eternal joy are found in Jesus. In Him we have the best joy. The vanity of this world is of no value compared to Jesus. They are all rubbish! Everything is worth giving up to gain Jesus Christ. May God continue to tear down the idols of our hearts and draw our hearts closer to Him!

This is an album that I recommend for your heart. It will having you worshipping and praising Jesus for what He has done on your salvation. May your affections be raised up for Him. Jesus Christ is worthy of all honor, praise and worship!

I do want to share the lyrics of "There's a reason" with you. May your heart sing this song today and forever!

Now's the time
Let the redeemed celebrate
If you know what I know
You can't wipe the smile off your face
Oh people, stand up and praise

Chorus:
There's a reason to dance
There's a reason to sing
Of the sacred romance
With our Savior and King
We lift up our hands
We fall on our knees
To the Son of Man
The reason we are free

There's a reason

All glory to
The King of Kings, Lord if Lords
Oh the value of Your worth
No worldly treasures can afford

And we praise You forevermore

(Chorus)

There's a reason to stand
There's a reason to shout, to shout Your name on high
So we take up our cross, there's a reason to die
Because Jesus is alive

There's a reason

(Chorus)

There's a reason
You are the reason
The reason we are free

Judgment is coming....

2009-05-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

We are at a time that we must excel all the more. God has spoken to us through His Word. Me must not waste a breath in living our life out for Him. Time is nothing and soon most of us won't be here. Judgment will come upon us fast, and even tonight the Lord will call many to give an account of the life they did live on earth.

My favorite parable is the ten virgins. It is from Matthew 25:1-13 and reads as follows from the ESV:

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Now is the time to be preparing your heart. Jesus is coming back soon to bring His people home. A day I am looking very forward too. It is going to be the best party ever! No sin and Satan....I am totally down for that! But woe to those that don't prepare and get ready for Judgment! They will be cast into outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Don't waste your life pursuing empty cups that only bring vanity is all kinds of forms. The things of this world have nothing good to offer your soul. They are stumbling blocks and you must fight hard to keep them out of your way. Your soul will only find complete satisfaction in God. He is what needs to fill our souls, not the empty cups of vanity this world offers you.

To use the words from Jude, "To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you." Keep your eyes on Jesus and your heart on the gospel. Don't stop now, go for yours!

Being obedient as a husband

2009-04-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

What an awesome year this has been. I am thankful for God's grace in my heart, and enabling me to go after my role as a godly husband. I am growing and it is exciting to see God working in my life. I have by no means arrived, but understand this is a life long goal of mine to go after (at least as long as the Lord has me here on earth). He is preparing a home for me, and that home coming will be an exciting day. But while He has me here I want to live my life in a way that I can say in the end, "I am an unworthy servant; I have only done what was my duty."

There are many verses in Scripture that are challenging. One of my top verses would be, "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." (Eph. 5:25-27)

If there is one thing I do know it is that I don't love my wife as Christ loved the church. But that verse always gets me thinking....how can I love Jolie as Christ loved the church? And here is what I am trying to practice on a moment by moment basis that will enable me to love Jolie as Christ loved the church....

1) Put all my heart, mind, soul and strength vertical. I must be in the Word on a daily basis. Bringing my heart into the Light of Scripture, and being obedient where I am not. If my heart is right before God, then it will flow into how I love Jolie. One of the things I have started to do is get up around 4:30am and spend time in prayer and the Bible.

2) Memorizing Scripture and hiding it in my heart. Psalm 119:11 says, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." The more of God's Word I have in my heart the more the Holy Spirit can use that in times of trouble so that I can please Him in all that I do.

3) Live with Jolie in an understanding way as 1 Peter 3:7 tells husbands to do. I want to learn and know as much about Jolie as I can. I am always thinking of questions to ask her, and always studying her ways so that I can better understand her.

4) As the leader in my home, I have to look at myself as a representative of God. My personal relationship is in knowing Him in a personal way. I can know God better by studying His Word diligently. The better I know Him, the more that will reflect Him through my leadership of my marriage/home. I am to be growing in Christlikeness in all areas of my life. There is always room to grow and excel all the more. Don't stop now....go for yours! I want to be all that God has called me to be, and live my life unto Him as He would have me to do.

5) To put my heart into my wife. Touch her heart and mind before I touch her body. To protect and care for her as God does for me. To be a husband that is growing in self-denial and humility. I memorized Philippians 2:12-13 to help me grow in this area.

The gospel is changing my home. Because of what Christ has done for me, I will live my life for Him. It is hard work, but in the end I know it will be more then worth the effort. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

Thankful for His faithfulness!

2009-04-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
Lamentations 3:22-24

Every breath I take is a reflection of His faithfulness in my life. But today is more special, and that is because one year ago today He healed my heart through surgery. In life itself, what I have really come to understand is that it doesn't matter what might-have-been or even on those things I might have missed out on. What matters is that I know Him. His promises are mine, and I am His child. And not because I did anything, but only because He first sought me.

He raised me up in newness of life, and that life is in His Son, Jesus Christ. Apart from Him, I would spend eternity in hell. He gives me eternal life, and nothing in this life on earth will ever change that. What matters to me is preparing my heart for the next life. Growing in my love for others, a deeper love for Him, and a life of holiness and obedience is what is important to me.

Apart from His faithfulness I am but a vapor. Here today and gone tomorrow. With much joy I can say, He laid down His life for mine, and I will live my life for Him. The gospel changed my heart, and I know it can change your heart. We need the gospel. Because we are dead in our sins. Walking around aimlessly and without purpose, that is until God comes in and takes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. He does this by the means of the gospel message of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4)

The central point of life is this: The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ, this life is pointless! May the Lord allow us to see our sin for what it is, and grant us what He commands....repentance that leads to eternal life! Trust Jesus Christ, He is faithful beyond all measure. I know this because He has worked in my heart and has shown me His faithfulness!

God's providence

2009-04-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

In my life, there are areas I am strong in, and there are areas I am weak in. One of those weak areas in my life is my leadership. Whether in my home or at my job, I seem to always fall short from going after my responsibilities (of serving and leading). It is not that I don't care, but more that I am lazy and don't like hard work. It is a sin issue. Most times I have been more of a spectator then a actual participant.

At this season in my life, the Lord has been so gracious to grow me in my leadership through His discipline and the trials of everyday life. By no means have I arrived. I am just excited about going after my responsibilities and taking ownership of my family and job. God's continued grace in this area of my life is what makes the difference, because apart from that I can't move 1 inch. It has been a joy to put my heart into what the Lord has called me to be as a leader for my family.

My main goal and resolution for 2009 is my family. Looking back over the last 3 1/2 months I can say that the Lord has changed my heart, and we have only scratched the surface. It really all started from a 2-part sermon from our one28 student ministries at church called "What is man?" I listened to it a few times driving back and forth from work. If you have not heard it yet, I recommend you get it and listen. I have not been the same since.

Then over the past few months in big church, our Teacher-Pastor has been teaching the truths from Scripture on "Biblical Headship", and what the new home in Christ should look like under a godly husband. It has been food for my soul. The more we dig the more I understand just how much I fail at my role of a husband, and the more I understand how much more I need to depend on God's grace in my heart.

I am thankful for God's providence in my life. Through reading and obeying His Word, and the study of His Word, sermon teachings from His Word , books about His Word and other godly men, and each moment by moment of life on life experience I see Him working in my own heart. I am always encouraged when looking to the cross I can know that "I am doing much better then I do deserve"!

A godly man is Godlike

2009-04-02T09:11:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be Godlike? and what does that look like walked out in the believers life? The definition of Godlike is: resembling or having the qualities of God or a god.

We live in an age where many people profess belief in God, and we have to remember that even the demons believe (See James 2:19). So it is important to understand that it is one thing to profess God, and another to resemble Him. Because just to know the facts of who Jesus is and what He did is not a saving faith. Many people will miss heaven by 18 inches. They have all the facts up in their head, but it never changed their heart!

First John 2:6 tells us, "whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked." The word "ought" is a very heavy word in the Greek. It means to have an obligation. To claim your in Jesus Christ, the complete God-man, is to be obligated to walk in the same manner He walked. Here is what the Bible says about those that are in Christ;

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Cor. 5:17)

If your in Christ you are a new creation! You can't be a new creation in Christ and have apathy towards holiness and purity. If you honor Jesus with your lips, but your heart is far from Him then your no better then the Pharisees and scribes. Your a hypocrite! And even Jesus said, "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Ask yourself these questions:
What am I doing to become more Godlike in my life?
What can I do to discipline myself to keep going after God with all my affections?
What idols get in the way of my pursuit of holiness and purity? (Ask God to show you and then purge the evil from your heart!)

We reap what we sow, and holiness and purity is a harvest. We must do something to stir up our affections towards God. We can't be lazy in this good fight. These are things worth fighting for. Your soul depends on it, and the result is eternal (See John 3:36).

Don't be ashamed of the gospel. It is the only thing that can transform our hearts! Because it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. Christians are not to act the same as the world, who don't know God. Live life in such a way that the world knows who it is that you live for.

VHP

2009-03-20T08:27:00.001-07:00

My family is due to head down to California for a vacation with not only my family, but extended family as well. We plan to have 10 of us together for 7 days straight. And I am excited about this vacation, but probably for other reasons then one might guess. Its not about going to disneyland for 6 straight days that is exciting. Its not even getting to go on some of my favorite rides either. It goes way beyond getting away from work and the everyday monotonous grind, daily life can bring. What I am excited about most is the life on life, iron sharpens iron experience this type of vacation offers. We have an opportunity to grow in our personal relationships, and more important is our relationship with Jesus Christ!

What is your idea of a family vacation?

The world views a vacation as a way to do the things we most want to do, as in rest (be lazy) and relax (be unproductive), which really just means spending the vacation pursuing our own sinful desires rather then Christlikeness. So I have a battle that has already started within my heart. It is not going to be easy to have a Christlike vacation. It will come at a cost. It starts with me being diligent to serve and lead during this vacation in a Christlike way. Because Satan would rather us run around aimlessly, without purpose or pursuit of a goal. He wants to do everything he can to prevent us to grow in Christlikeness. Because a family that becomes stronger in the Lord, is a family that looks more like Christ. I want the people around us to see Jesus Christ shine bright. I want them to ask us why our family so different? It opens an opportunity to share what Jesus Christ has done in our hearts, and even better what He can do in their heart as well. If we look/act like the world on vacation then how are we going to make a difference for Christ? We may have time off from work and our daily-at-home routines, but is that how we feel about being a Christain? because the narrow path to heaven does not have rest stops.

With that said, I am doing some "vacation heart preparation" for this trip. While some in the group are dreaming of mickey mouse ear hats, cotton candy, and roller coaster rides, I am thinking of how I can serve and lead my family prior to and during this vacation. I want this to be an unforgettable vacation, one that we will remember for a long time, and not because of all the fun we had running around aimlessly at the Disneyland park. I have a purpose and goal for this vacation. I think we can easily get caught up in the "out-of-reality-of-life" that a vacation can bring to us. The problem with that is getting back home and wondering what and why we went on a vacation. So my prayer and hope is for us to have a God-glorifying, grace-filled, relationship-building, memory-making time together.

Some things I am praying for as I do some "vacation heart preparation" for our family vacation is as follows:

- To have a servant heart and have opportunity to work harder in some ways than I do during a normal work week
- To have a supernatural love for my family and those around me
- To have an awareness of indwelling sin, because my sin goes with me on vacation
- To take advantage of the time I get to study and learn more about my family
- To come up with good soul stirring questions/conversations as we wait in hour long lines for thirty-second long rides
- To spend the time together in a way that would honor the Lord, while deepening our relationship with each other
- To use this vacation as an opportunity to express gratefulness to God at all times
- To have a uncommon boldness for Christ with my family and world around us
- To keep the gospel at the center of my heart and this family vacation

The Holiness of God

2009-03-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

I am reading "The Attributes of God" by Arthur W. Pink. Today I was reading the chapter on The Holiness of God and found a section that was worth sharing.

Because God is holy, acceptance with him on the ground of creature-doings is utterly impossible. A fallen creature could sooner create a world than produce that which would meet the approval of infinite Purity. Can darkness dwell with light? Can the Immaculate One take pleasure in "filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6)? The best that sinful man brings forth is defiled. A corrupt tree cannot bear good fruit. God would deny himself, vilify his perfections, were he to account as righteous and holy that which is not so in itself: and nothing is so which has the least stain upon it contrary to the nature of God. But blessed be his name, that which his holiness demanded his grace has provided in Jesus Christ our Lord. Every poor sinner who has fled to him for refuge stands "accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6). Hallelujah!

May our souls delight and taste of His holiness. My salvation is not based on anything I have done, but only on what He has done. That floods my heart with joy. May we sing a new song today and always. Rejoice! Heaven is closer to us today and what a day our homecoming will be! At the feet of Jesus and without sin. It does not get better than that.

Adoration

2009-03-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

God alone is worthy of all our honor, praise and worship. To open my heart to pray better I have been meditating on some Scriptures that focus on adoration to God. I wanted to share them with you. I hope to go through other verses on confession, thanksgiving and supplication in the future. But for the time being I will focus on the adoration part of prayer (ACTS).

Jeremiah 10:6-7
6 There is none like you, O LORD;
you are great, and your name is great in might.
7 Who would not fear you, O King of the nations?
For this is your due;
for among all the wise ones of the nations
and in all their kingdoms
there is none like you.

Psalm 145:10-11
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,

Psalm 18:1-2
1 I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 62:1-2
1 For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalm 57:11
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let your glory be over all the earth!

O man of God

2009-02-27T09:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, on my way home from work, I listened to a sermon by John MacArthur. It was called "4 Marks of the Man of God", and it was from 1 Timothy 6:11-14. The Scripture says,

"11But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ"

I was very encouraged by this sermon. May we stand firm in Him until He returns or calls us home. I pray He would increase our faith as we fight the good fight! There is a battle going on, and regardless of what we go through here on earth, He will be faithful to deliver us into His presence.

Here were my take-a-ways from it.

1) The man of God will flee the ways of the wicked. This can include sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. And more so probably it is talking about those who desire to be rich. Because the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Those that stand for God should be very careful about how they handle and deal with money.

2) The man of God will pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.Two footnotes on righteousness and godliness
* Righteousness = Doing what is pleasing to the Lord and man. If your deeds are righteous you will bring honor and glory to God.
* Godliness = Godward thinking. Your inside is of a clean and pure heart. Your thoughts are pleasing to the Lord. It is hypocrisy to act in a righteous way on the outside, but to be corrupt on the inside. Your deeds will be righteous if they flow from a heart that is focused on God, and from a heart that is right with God.

3) The man of God will fight for the faith! You fight the good fight at any cost for Jesus Christ!

4) The man of God will be faithful to God and his commandments. The Bible says, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him." John 14:21

I would encourage you to read or listen to the sermon yourself. You can find it at the following link: 4 Marks of the Man of God

Alive in Christ

2009-02-26T10:23:00.001-08:00

I don't think it is possible to understand the truth of being alive in Christ, unless you have a clear Biblical understanding of Ephesians 2:1-3

Have you ever thought of yourself as a dead man walking? And not just dead, but dead in your sins. So dead that you would never take Christ over your sins. We would rather keep on keeping in our sinful ways. What is worse then that is a person that claims to be alive in Christ, but is dead in sin.

If you life is marked by habitual patterns of on going unrepentant sin, your not saved! Being a Christian is more then going to church on Sunday, more then saying you love Jesus, more then saying a one time prayer that resulted in no change of your heart. Many religious people will spend eternity in hell.

A true Christian will have a heart change towards spiritual things. They will be penitent towards all sin which would result in true repentance from sin. A turning away from sin to a turning towards what is better, Jesus Christ! They will pursue obedient living. They will have a radical love for God and His Word. They will desire righteousness and holiness in their life.

The good news is that when we understand the truth in Ephesians 2:1-3 which is bad news, does Ephesians 2:4-7 bring the good news....

"4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Oh, how rich His mercy is, how great His love for us is. Even when we were dead in our sins, God made us alive in Christ, and all this by God's grace. Hallelujah, what a Savior! My heart sings a new song. From the start of my day, till the laying of my head, may His name be honored and praised!

Looking towards heaven

2009-02-24T14:53:00.000-08:00

I seem to be thinking a lot about heaven. I get excited thinking about my future home. I don't belong here, and I long to be with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While He has me here I so desire to reflect His image through my life. The problem with that is my sin. It corrupts me to the core. It is the center problem in all areas of my life. The more I strive on the narrow path, the more wretched I see myself.

Just thinking how sinless heaven will be, brings a joyful song to my heart. In heaven, I won't have to worry about my sin, and the stumbling blocks this world lays down at my feet. In heaven I won't have to worry about going astray. Sin is a serious problem for the hearts of man, so serious that it cost Jesus His life. But how thankful I am that God sent His Son to die for my sins.

That is good news. How amazing God's grace is. Jesus Christ took my place on the cross. He took upon Himself the punishment I do deserve. And it is the message of the gospel that the Church is here to proclaim. It is what we need, and not just a one time event. We must live a life of repenting....each day going to the cross and keeping the gospel at the center of our hearts. In Christ we can have victory. We must discipline ourselves to live a life worthy of the gospel, and that starts with repentance. (I linked some good resources on repentance, please fill free to check them out!)

One day the Church will be all that is was to be without Satan and sin. God has promised to complete what He started in His elect (Philippians 1:6). Now that is something to look forward too. Perfect fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Reflecting His image

2009-02-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

I like how Paul said it, "To live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). Man was made to be an image bearer of the One that created him. I don't belong here, but while Jesus has me on earth I want my life to reflect Him. I am thankful that He saved me, and has given me a purpose here on earth. That purpose is reflecting His image.

Yesterday, I prayed that God would "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way."(Ps. 139:23-24). I need God's help to be real in my walk with Him, and in my obedience to His Word. Because unless He changes my heart and allows me to become more geniune, transparent, open and humble in my faith (and through that, in all areas of my life), I will never make an impact on the lost and dying world!

God wants us to be broken vessels. It is only at that place that we become like little children and are dependent only on Him, Jesus Christ. How awesome it is that He uses everyday life to break us down to our core. The Bible says, "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9). The only person that can understand our hearts is God, and that is why we should get down on our knees and plead with Him to search us, and lead us in the everlasting way. Remember that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He knows what we need. May I trust Him more as He continues to work in my heart.

I want to share a quote from K.P. Yohannan. He says in his book, Reflecting His Image, "We must recognize that being born again is just the beginning of God's work in us. Ninety-nine percent is yet to be done. God is continually at work in our lives, breaking us, changing us and putting to death our selfish desires, until His nature shines through." And that is what I so desire while living here on earth....For His nature to shine through me.

I love this video!

2009-02-05T12:49:00.000-08:00

This is a video from our church student ministry, one28. We just had a retreat on repentance and seeing sin for what it is. The retreat was a work of God. The testimonies and reports have been an encouragement. May Jesus Christ be honored and glorified through the work He accomplished in the hearts of many. We had 7 professions faith. Please be praying for these students and the continued work the Lord will be doing in their new life! Because apart from Him we cannot do anything, and that includes repentance from sin!

Repentance Clips and Quotes from one28 on Vimeo.

My thoughts on repentance

2009-01-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

When I look back before the Lord took hold of my heart, I always find it to be amazing how lost my soul was. I really did think I had it all together. I was not looking or seeking for anything. How thankful I am that God's plans where different and sovereign over the plans I wanted in life.

I was headed straight to hell, but thought because I had said a prayer at the age of 9 that I was a Christian, and on my way to heaven. That prayer was my ticket into heaven, and my life was mine to live as I wanted too. I even remember telling Amie (my sister-in-law) once that I am in charge of my life and I do the things that I want to do.

Well in January of 2006, God graciously showed me that He was sovereign in not only my life, and of everything that has ever existed. That is when He granted me repentance. My heart and life have never been the same. It is only by His grace that I was and am able to repent of my sins.

But, before that happened, I must let you know that I loved my sins. I didn't have a problem with my sins. My life showed that I hated God, because the things I did in my life didn't do anything but bring dishonor and shame to Him. I never saw my sin as God sees my sin. When God granted me repentance, my heart and eyes where opened up to the knowledge of the truth that is in Jesus Christ and His ways! And that truth changed me to the core.

Repentance always precedes regeneration. So the one thing you can know is that if God grants you repentance He will also grant you a new heart. One that loves the things He loves and hates the things He hates. As Spurgeon put it, "If the man does not live differently from what he did before, both at home and abroad, his repentance needs to be repented of, and his conversion is a fiction."

The Master and His Plan

2009-01-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

Today I started reading The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman. This is a book that I have wanted to read for a while. I never did find the time to pick it up and read it last year, so I thought that I would dive right on in at the start of 2009.

The testimonies from within the first few pages tell me that I am in for a very good read. I pray that it makes a huge impact in my life with giving my all in the Great Commission from Jesus, Himself.

I am also excited because this book comes with a study guide by Roy J. Fish which will with God's help, enable me to take this book that much deeper. I know anyone that has read this book or does will be blessed.

This book is not just someone sharing their personal opinion about evangelism, but Robert E. Coleman takes it back to the Bible and looks in close detail at the underlying principles that consistently determined what Jesus' action would be in any given situation.

Here are a few nuggets I felt was worth meditation and pondering over:
- When it comes to evangelism, objective and relevance are the crucial issues of our work.
- Everything we do must have a purpose. Otherwise our activity can be lost in aimlessness and confusion.
- Jesus' principles in His ministry are what should determine our methods in evangelism.
- Christ is our perfect example. He always knew what was right, and as the perfect Man, He lived as God would live among humans.
- Jesus' objective was clear. He intended to save out of the world a people for Himself and to build a church of the Spirit which would never perish.
- Jesus planned to win. Not for one moment did Jesus lose sight of His goal. He lived, He died, and He rose again according to schedule.

My enjoyment from reading....

2009-01-01T17:47:00.001-08:00

One of the things I love to do is read. At most points of the day if I had it my way you would find my nose deep in a book, or the Book. As a child and even into my grown-up life, I have never found anything but pure boredom in reading. I am thankful that the Lord changed that.

My goal last year was to read 5 books outside of the Word. I found that I have lost my total and think it is around 10+ books. This year I don't know if I will read as much. Not that I wouldn't want too, but it is just that I want to slow down and allow my heart to really meditate on what it is that I am reading. I desire the meditation to make an impact in my life.

Here is my start up list for 2009. These are books that I have not read, and am looking very forward to getting into. My main focus is to spend more time in the Word of God. I have found a deeper hunger for the Word ever since the "big event". My wife along with some friends decided to go deep into Jude. We enjoy getting together every other week to talk about the fruits of our study. It is encouraging and also challenging.

Well onto my choices for reading in 2009:

1) The Master Plan of Evangelism - Robert E. Coleman

2) Knowing God - J.I. Packer

3) Ashamed of The Gospel, When The Church Becomes Like The World - John MacArthur

4) The Book on Leadership - John MacArthur

5) The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan

6) The Murder of Jesus - John MacArthur

Goals and resolutions I plan to go after in 2009

2008-12-27T16:24:00.000-08:00

As I look back on 2008, I don't see much progress. The fact that I didn't plan any goals and resolutions for this year is more so the reason why. I kinda took this year as it came at me, and that is not a good thing. The Lord gave me much to grow from this year, and I feel like I dropped the ball. The good news is that by God's grace I see that and I want a different result for 2009.

My first goal/resolution is to be the husband/father that God has called me to be. I desire to be there for my wife and kids no matter what. I want them to know that they are my first priority. I also hope to find new ways to love my wife, as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25). I also hope to find new ways of being involved in my children's life. My main goal is to keep the gospel at the center of my family, and to lead them in the way of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

My second goal/resolution is to grow in my prayer life. My main goal is to pray for things that will bring honor, glory and praise to the Lord. I also want to pray more for my dear brother and sisters in Christ, waiting eagerly for all that the Lord will do in the lives of the people around me while being thankful for everything. And for my own life, I need to “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on me.”.

My third goal/resolution is to work unto the Lord in all that I do (Col. 3:23). No matter if it is at home, work, church or One28 small group. I want to give the Lord my best in all that He has prepared for me to do. It is only because of Him that I can do anything. He gave His life for mine, and I will live my life for Him!

While I do have other goals/resolutions, I find that these are the more important ones that I want to go after and own. I am excited about 2009, and Lord willing being able to look back and see how the Lord changed me to be more like Him. May His grace shower upon His people as we all step towards Christ likeness. May growth in purity and holiness be the goal and resolution of everyone that says they abide in Jesus Christ!

A resolution to put my plans into action....

2008-12-17T16:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes a sermon can have a big impact in your life. The Holy Spirit can use God's Word to bring conviction and change. I have to say that listening to the sermons "What is man?", and "What is man? (Part 2)" has really started the snowball rolling in "taking dominion over the earth" in my life.

I ask myself, "What are you doing to change the world?". When I look at my life, I see a lot of planning but not a whole lot of action. I need to take my "taking dominion" more seriously. I think it is ok to plan, but that planning needs to get you two steps forward. When I am finding myself in the same place I was when I made those plans it is not a good thing.

I desire to be the best "image bearer" in everything that God would have me to do. I need take my responsibilities more serious. I need to work harder at my plans. I know this will be hard, but fruit producing.

My goal this next year is to come up with a few plans and go after it. As I cross the goal line of a plan of mine, then I can take two steps forward and go after another plan of mine.

I am excited to see all that God has for me and my family in 2009. This has been a year to be thankful for much. I hope to find time in the following weeks to share my thankfulness of 2008, while also sharing with you my plans for 2009.

DO SOMETHING!

2008-12-17T11:51:00.000-08:00

DO SOMETHING!
By Charles H. Spurgeon

You Christian people with your grand illusive projects, how they melt away! Some of you would have done a great deal that is useful by now if you had not dreamed of doing so much that is imposing. Oh, what wonderful plans for evangelizing London, for converting the whole Continent of Europe to Christ—float in the brain, or evaporate in a speech—and nothing is done! We are like a certain Czar of Russia, of olden times, who always wanted to take a second step before he took the first. We are always projecting some wonderful scheme that proves too amazing to ever be carried out! So we dream of what ought to be and should be—of what might be and as we hope may be! Such “dreams are the children of an idle brain.” The dreamers grow listless and nothing is done. In the name of the eternal God, I beseech you, if you love Him, get to work for Him! Better slay a single enemy than dream of slaughtering an army! Better that you sow a single grain of corn or plant a single blade of grass, than dream about fertilizing the Sahara, or reclaiming from the mighty sea untold acres of fertile land! Do something, Brothers and Sisters, do something! It is high time to awake out of sleep, for “the time is short.”

— Adapted from The C. H. Spurgeon Collection, Version 1.0, Ages Software, 1.800.297.4307—Sermon #2861, Volume 49 — “THE TIME IS SHORT” — Read/download the entire sermon, free of charge at
http://www.spurgeons.org.

O Hallelujah! Now I’m Free!

2008-12-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

Today while looking through this web site http://www.spurgeongems.org/ I found a great hymn that is worth meditation. May the truths of this hymn marinate in your heart and cause you to sing a new song to the Lord today and forever.

O Hallelujah! Now I’m Free!
A hymn by Donald S. Fortner

Though long I walked the rebel’s path
And ran from God, a child of wrath,
The Lord in sovereign mercy came
And pardoned all my sin and blame!
Awakened by the Spirit’s call
From death incurred by Adam’s fall,
God gave me faith! Grace broke my chains!
I trust the Lamb for sinners slain!

I have no righteousness, I know,
By anything that I can do.
But, still, the law gives no distress.
Christ is the Lord my Righteousness!
His righteousness is fully mine.
Imputed by God’s wise design.
And with His righteous garments on,
I am as holy as God’s Son!

Complete in Christ alone I stand,
Who met for me the law’s demands:
When He had brought in righteousness,
Christ died in the poor sinner’s place!
Freed from the law, in Christ I’m free!
Its curses shall not fall on me!
Since Jesus lived and died for me,
O hallelujah! Now I’m free!

Mary did you know?

2008-12-08T16:33:00.000-08:00

3:37 min video

This is one of my favorites. Listen to it and rejoice this Christmas season. One of my favorite parts of this song is the line "When you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God!"

Martin Luther Quote

2008-12-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

"This is the mystery of the riches of divine grace for sinners, for by a wonderful exchange our sins are now not ours but Christ's, and Christ's righteousness is not Christ's, but ours." - Martin Luther

Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?

2008-12-01T19:14:00.000-08:00

Feeding Sheep or Amusing Goats?

by Charles Spurgeon

An evil is in the 'professed' camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted Christian can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years this evil has developed at an alarming rate. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments!

The devil has seldom done a more clever thing, than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out the gospel, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses!

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a Christian work why did not Christ speak of it? 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel'.

No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him. Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people, or because they confronted them? The 'concert' has no martyr roll.

Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the apostolic Church to the world? "You are the salt of the world", not the sugar candy; something the world will spit out, not swallow.

Had Jesus introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His teaching, He would have been more popular. When "many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him," I do not hear Him say, 'Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow; something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it! Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!'

No! Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them!

In vain will the epistles be searched to find any trace of the 'gospel of amusement'. Their message is, "Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them... Don't touch their filthy things..." Anything approaching amusement is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel and employed no other weapon.

After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, 'Lord, grant unto your servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are'.

No! They did not cease from preaching Christ. They had no time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They turned the world upside down; that is the only difference from today's church.

Lastly, amusement fails to effect the end desired. Let the heavy laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment had been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer! The mission of amusement produces no converts!

The need of the hour for today's ministry is earnest spirituality joined with Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.

Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her, and bring us back to apostolic methods!

Spurgeon Quote

2008-11-30T22:14:00.000-08:00

Another proof of the conquest of a soul for Christ will be found in a real change of life. If the man does not live differently from what he did before, both at home and abroad, his repentance needs to be repented of and his conversion is a fiction. [Charles Spurgeon]

The Call To Repentance

2008-11-25T11:07:00.000-08:00

This morning I was reading from, "The Gospel According To Jesus, by John MacArthur". It is a very good chapter on what repentance is.

Three sections into the chapter the question "What is repentance?" is asked. MacArthur starts this section by saying,

"Repentance is a critical element of conversion, but do not dismiss it as simply another word for believing." pg. 177

I run into people on the streets that claim to know who Jesus is and what He did is believing. I say don't be deceived! Many people will miss heaven by 18 inches. They have all the knowledge up in their head, but it never changed their heart.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."

If your repentance does not produce a radical change in your mind and heart that leads to change in conduct and behavior then I would question if you are truly saved.

MacArthur also writes in this chapter that

Real repentance alters the character of the whole man. As D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said: "Repentance means that you realize that you are a guilty, vile sinner in the presence of God, that you deserve the wrath and punishment of God, that you are hell-bound. It means that you begin to realize that this thing called sin is in you, that you long to get rid of it, and that you turn your back on it in every shape and form. You renounce the world whatever the cost, the world in its mind and outlook as well as its practice, and you deny yourself, and take up the cross and go after Christ. Your nearest and dearest, and the whole world, may call you a fool, or say you have religious mania. You may have to suffer financially, but it makes no difference. That is repentance." page 180

My question to you is have you truly repented of your sins?
As MacArthur puts it,

"Where there is no observable difference in conduct, there can be no confidence that repentance has taken place (Matt. 3:8; cf. 1 John 2:3-6;3:17)."

As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 13:5, I ask you too

"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?"

Spurgeon on repentance

2008-11-24T16:07:00.000-08:00

Evangelical repentance is repentance of sin as sin: not of this sin nor of that, but of the whole mass. We repent of the sin of our nature as well as the sin of our practice. We bemoan sin within us and without us. We repent of sin itself as being an insult to God. Anything short of this is a mere surface repentance, and not a repentance which reaches to the bottom of the mischief. Repentance of the evil act, and not of the evil heart, is like men pumping water out of a leaky vessel, but forgetting to stop the leak. Some would dam up the stream, but leave the fountain still flowing; they would remove the eruption from the skin, but leave the disease in the flesh. --Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Paul Washer Quote

2008-11-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

The person who loves you most will tell you the most truth. One of the greatest distinguishing marks of a false prophet is that he will always tell you what you want to hear, he will never rain on your parade, he will get you clapping, he will get you jumping, he will make you dizzy, he will keep you entertained, and he will present a Christianity to you that will make your church look like a Six Flags over Jesus. And keep you so entertained you are never addressed with great issues such as these:

Is God working in my life?

Am I growing in holiness?

Have I truly been born again?

- Paul Washer

(HT: Defending. Contending.)

The Cost Of Following Christ

2008-11-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

I want to share a quote from, The Gospel According To Jesus, by John MacArthur.

Eternal life is indeed a free gift (Rom. 6:23). Salvation cannot be earned with good deeds or secured with money. It has already been bought by Christ, who paid the ransom with His blood. He has purchased full atonement for all who believe. There is nothing left to pay, no possibility that our own words can be meritorious. But that does not mean there is no cost in terms of salvation's impact on the sinner's life. Do not throw away this paradox just because it is difficult. Salvation is both free and costly. With eternal life comes immediate death to self: "Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin" (Rom. 6:6). If Christ died in our stead, then we are counted as dead with Him (2 Cor. 5:14), and we must so reckon ourselves - "dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6:11)
That is what Jesus meant when He spoke of taking up one's own cross to follow Him. And that is why He demanded that we count the cost carefully. He was calling for an exchange of all that we are for all that He is. He was demanding implicit obedience - unconditional surrender to His lordship.

This Morning's Meditation - C. H. Spurgeon

2008-11-13T15:48:00.000-08:00

"The branch cannot bear fruit of itself."—John 15:4.

HOW did you begin to bear fruit? It was when you came to Jesus and cast yourselves on His great atonement, and rested on His finished righteousness. Ah! what fruit you had then! Do you remember those early days? Then indeed the vine flourished, the tender grape appeared, the pomegranates budded forth, and the beds of spices gave forth their smell. Have you declined since then? If you have, we charge you to remember that time of love, and repent, and do thy first works. Be most in those engagements which you have experimentally proved to draw you nearest to Christ, because it is from Him that all your fruits proceed. Any holy exercise which will bring you to Him will help you to bear fruit. The sun is, no doubt, a great worker in fruit-creating among the trees of the orchard: and Jesus is still more so among the trees of His garden of grace. When have you been the most fruitless? Has not it been when you have lived farthest from the Lord Jesus Christ, when you have slackened in prayer, when you have departed from the simplicity of your faith, when your graces have engrossed your attention instead of your Lord, when you have said, "My mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved"; and have forgotten where your strength dwells—has not it been then that your fruit has ceased? Some of us have been taught that we have nothing out of Christ, by terrible abasements of heart before the Lord; and when we have seen the utter barrenness and death of all creature power, we have cried in anguish, "From Him all my fruit must be found, for no fruit can ever come from me." We are taught, by past experience, that the more simply we depend upon the grace of God in Christ, and wait upon the Holy Spirit, the more we shall bring forth fruit unto God. Oh! to trust Jesus for fruit as well as for life.

Certain Hope in Uncertain Times

2008-11-07T11:50:00.000-08:00

We are living in uncertain times. Anxiety and fear are rampant throughout the nation and globe. The economy is gloomy and the future is looking more and more dismal.

And if the problems of the world are not bad enough, just think about your problem with sin and the fact that God is holy and just and hates sin. He will not approve of it. He will judge the world in righteousness (Psalm 9:7-9). Then add to that, that it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Sinners that won't repent are in serious trouble! You will not be able to escape the furious wrath of All-Mighty God!

But rest assured because there is hope. You don't need to have anxiety or fear with the economy and future of this world. While things around us are changing all the time, you can know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. You can put your faith and trust in Him. He is our hope, and without Him we have no hope.

Do not be deceived....no man can bring the peace and security that Jesus Christ can bring. If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, please repent today. Put your faith and trust in Him alone. Get a Bible and read/meditate on it daily and do what it says!

The turn of a new page....

2008-11-05T08:43:00.000-08:00

We have a new President, and for the first time in USA history it is an African-American. I am excited to be apart of such history.

This was the first time I took upon myself the civic duty to vote, and I really had a good time with it. While I did vote for McCain, I am still thankful for the new President that God has put into office for us.

The Bible makes it very clear that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings are to be made on behalf of all men (1 Tim. 2:1-2), and that includes new President Barack Obama. The Bible also says, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." (Romans 13:1)

Regardless of who you wanted for President or didn't want we must pray for our new President Barack Obama. We must thank God for him (1 Tim. 2:1-2), because all government authority comes from God and God is the ultimate authority, not Obama. We must also respect and honor Barack Obama (Rom. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:17)

Only when the government tries to force a Christian to do what is against the law of God explicitly stated in Scripture, should he refuse to submit (cf. Acts 4:18–20; 5:28,29; Titus 1:6; 3:1,2). (John F. MacArthur, Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible, (Dallas: Word Publishing) 1997.)

Free John MacArthur!

2008-10-30T18:03:00.000-07:00

(HT:JT)

There's some great news coming from Grace to You, the ministry ministry of John MacArthur.

I'm told that starting next Wednesday, November 5 (the day after the election), Grace to You will announce a new policy, effective immediately, that all of their mp3 downloads of John MacArthur's sermons will be completely free.

That's 3500 sermons for free--with no strings (like required registration) attached.

Hats off to Grace to You for this generous move!
Make sure to visit the site next Wednesday.

If Your Heart Is Unchanged, You Are Not Saved - Spurgeon

2008-10-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

(HT: PF)

Christ will be master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. If your life is unholy, then your heart is unchanged, and you are an unsaved person. The Saviour will sanctify His people, renew them, give them a hatred of sin, and a love of holiness. The grace that does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not IN their sins, but FROM their sins. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord.
—Charles Spurgeon

Piper: What to Do, and What Not to Do, with Evil

2008-10-25T12:56:00.000-07:00

I have not read this book, but thought for the purpose of application on what we do and not do with evil, it was worth a good read.

----------------

(HT: JT)

From Piper's new book, Spectacular Sins, pp. 50-51:

Eight Things to Do with Evil

On the one hand:

1. Expect evil. “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Pet. 4:12).
2. Endure evil. “Love bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7; cf. Mark 13:13).
3. Give thanks for the refining effect of evil that comes against you. “Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20; cf. 1 Thess. 5:18). “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance . . .” (Rom. 5:3–5).
4. Hate evil. “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Rom. 12:9).
5. Pray for escape from evil. “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:13).
6. Expose evil. “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11).
7. Overcome evil with good. “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).
8. Resist evil. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7).

Four Things Never to Do with Evil

But on the other hand:

1. Never despair that this evil world is out of God’s control. “[He] works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11).
2. Never give in to the sense that because of seemingly random evil, life is absurd and meaningless. “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! . . . For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Rom. 11:33, 36).
3. Never yield to the thought that God sins or is ever unjust or unrighteous in the way he governs the universe. “The Lord is righteous in all his ways” (Ps. 145:17).
4. Never doubt that God is totally for you in Christ. If you trust him with your life, you are in Christ. Never doubt that all the evil that befalls you—even if it takes your life—is God’s loving, purifying, saving, fatherly discipline. It is not an expression of his punishment in wrath. That wrath fell on Jesus Christ our substitute (Gal. 3:13; Rom. 8:3). Only mercy comes to us from God, not wrath, if we are his children through faith in Jesus. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Heb. 12:6).

When we renounce the designs of the devil and trust the power and wisdom and goodness of God displayed in the humble triumphs of Jesus Christ, we fulfill God’s purpose in letting Satan live a little longer. We glorify the infinitely superior worth of Jesus. So I invite you to trust him and to stand in awe of how he saves you and defeats Satan in one great sacrifice of love.

How To Spend The Day With God

2008-10-23T09:16:00.000-07:00

I want to share an article with you that I found very convicting. I received this from a brother at church, Micah Lugg. It is a read that is worth your time, and for anyone that desires more holiness in their life it is worth taking some of these disciplines and applying them to your life. May we live each and every moment to the honor and glory of our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Click on the following link:How to spend the day with God - Richard Baxter (1615-1691)

May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.

The Need for Hard Words in the Life of the Christian

2008-10-22T08:26:00.001-07:00

(HT: Owen Strachan)

Are you an HSP? Are you a “highly sensitive person?” If so, please note that the following book is available to you: Highly Sensitive Person’s Companion: Daily Exercises for Calming Your Senses in an Overstimulating World. Or, you could go with the classic text on the HSP, The Highly Sensitive Person. Parenting an HSP? Check out the website designed especially to assist you and, specifically, to lighten the heavy burden of your wallet.

In all seriousness, we are living in an incredibly sensitive age. The existence–and best-seller status!–of the aforementioned texts shows the prevalence of sensitivity. Don’t believe me? Try telling someone you know a hard truth about them. Tell them, as gently as you possibly can be, that there is something that they need to work on–their parenting, their interaction with the opposite sex, their manner with people, and so on. I can almost guarantee you that they will react sensitively. In a culture that values self-esteem and derides self-control and self-abasement, sensitivity is thoroughly in style. Hard words are out; soft words are in.

Which brings us to a difficulty reality: the Bible places great value on hard but necessary words. Consider Proverbs 26:5-6:

“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend,” the text reads, indicating that a huge part of friendship, surprisingly enough, is to wound, by which we mean rebuking, warning, counseling, even scolding. These aren’t “in” words today. Anything but. But they are thoroughly biblical words. They often bring life, though in our highly sensitive age (HSA, for those of you scoring at home), we think that they bring death. We think that for someone to chastise us is for them to irreparably harm and wrong us. Sure, once in a while, we’ll tolerate a little counsel, a few scattered suggestions here and there, but we have precious little stomach for anyone who wants to sit us down and walk us through a plan for godliness in an area of weakness.

Do a little historical experiment with me. When was the last time that someone really searched your soul? By this I mean, when was the last time that a close friend gave you extended counsel in an area of your life that involved measured rebuke and warning? Or, to extend this into the realm of the truly alien, when was the last time that you personally sought such counsel from a trusted companion? Can you remember the last time you did so? Have you ever done so?

This is not to say that you’re a bad person or some such thing if you never have. Some people are very shy; some people struggle with spiritual confidence; others have difficulty making close friends in a certain life situation; and so on. But many of us, I think, fail to receive such counsel because we are not in any way open to it and, furthermore, because we perceive such talk not to be a matter of life, but of death. If someone criticizes us, that is, we die a little death inside. Our self-esteem is shaken, we’re shown to be fallen and fallible, and sin reveals itself in carefully managed areas we thought to be perfectly clean. Like a disappointed Army recruit after a failed inspection, we experience shame at our poor performance.

And so we structure our lives to receive the least amount of rightful shame and guilt necessary, thinking in doing so that we are helping ourselves to live and flourish. But we are dead wrong. We are helping our souls to rot and fade. We die a little each day, each week, each month, that our patterns of sin go unexamined. And I’m not talking merely about self-examination–I’m talking about the examination of others, particularly members of our local congregations. It is right and good to examine ourselves, to take careful stock of our spiritual lives and sins, but we also very much–one could say desperately without going overboard–need people to speak into our lives and to address areas of our lives where sin is clinging to us like mold on bread. The church is not given to us by God as a venue to laud our impressive spiritual performance, our flawless social bearing, our pleasing physical presentation, but as a means of grace, a great funnel of blessing that lifts us on a weekly basis from listlessness and struggle to life and joy in Jesus.

To bring it all together, if you don’t have anyone pointing out sin in your life, it’s extremely likely that you are proud, not that you are sinless. I catch myself thinking this somewhat regularly–”Man, I’m doing well–no rebukes in 5.6 days”–and thus carry on my merry way. But this is fool’s thinking. The Bible teaches me that even after the Spirit inaugurates the new man in my person, I am still shot through with sin (see Romans 7; if you don’t like that interpretation, consider the struggles of the Corinthian church or 1 John as proof that sin continues to infect the believer after rebirth). The absence of rebuke, of “wounds,” then, likely means not that I’m doing well, but that I’m doing poorly.

We must not be HSPs. We must revolt against the culture and our own flesh and seek out counsel from trusted friends as to sin in our lives. We should not do so in a sensitive way, of course, but should welcome their rebukes and warnings. We should regularly invite evaluation from fellow church members and other friends of our parenting, of the way we’re carrying out biblical gender roles, of our speech, of our academic work, of our job performance, of our church involvement, of our writing, of our blogging (!), of our listening, of our evangelism, of our preaching, of our friendliness, of our devotions, and so on. In a culture that consigns itself to death due to its unwillingness to invite and hear rebuke, we must show another way.

We need to become HSPs, in sum: Heart-Searching People. If that sentence is too cheesy for you, then focus on this one: we need hard words. We need wounds. If we don’t have any, we have to wonder, are we in the fight for purity at all? Have we grown so culturally attuned that we cannot hear the voice of God calling us to repentance and change for the glory of the risen Christ?

Preach What's True and Precious

2008-10-21T11:45:00.000-07:00

(HT: Desiring God)

A word to preachers. Truth and falsehood is a good pair of categories to use when deciding what to preach. Speak truth not falsehood.

But there is another crucial pair of categories. God tells Jeremiah that he must use this pair if he would be faithful:

Therefore thus says the Lord: “...If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth. (Jeremiah 15:19)

In deciding what to preach make these two judgments: Is it true and is it precious? Preach what is both. If it is true, preach it with authority. If it is precious, preach it with passion.

One great reason why some preaching leaves people unmoved is that preachers seem unmoved. Is this precious or isn’t it? That is the question in the hearts of the people. If it is, why don’t you sound like it?

The great battle of preaching is to see what's true and to savor what's precious. Weak seeing and weak savoring are a curse to God’s people.

Brothers, plead for deliverance from this curse. The ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. They are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey (Psalms 19:9-10).

He Took What Justice Demanded From Us

2008-10-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

“The Cross was at once the most horrible and the most beautiful example of God’s wrath. It was the most just and the most gracious act in history. God would have been more than unjust, He would have been diabolical to punish Jesus if Jesus had not first willingly taken on Himself the sins of the world. Once Christ had done that, once He volunteered to be the Lamb of God, laden with our sin, then He became the most grotesque and vile thing on this planet. With the concentrated load of sin He carried, He became utterly repugnant to the Father. God poured out His wrath on this obscene thing. God made Christ accursed for the sin He bore. Herein was God’s holy justice perfectly manifest. Yet it was done for us. He took what justice demanded from us."

- RC Sproul, The Holiness of God

(HT: Vitamin Z)

If you have not taken the time to pick up this book, then I highly recommend getting a copy. It is a very good read.

He Seeks and Saves the Lost

2008-10-15T13:06:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading chapter 8 from the book, The Gospel According to Jesus. It was a very good chapter that talked about the fact that Jesus came to earth to save sinners and what takes place when Jesus redeems a sinner. MacArthur says;

Sinners never seek God on their own (Rom. 3:11). In our natural, fallen state we are dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1), excluded from the life of God (4:18), and therefore totally unable and unwilling to seek God. Only when we are touched by the sovereign, convicting power of God do we move toward Him (John 6:44, 65). And thus it is not until God begins to pursue a soul that the soul responds by seeking Him. (p. 103)

MacArthur goes on to say;

There is something in the heart of every newborn believer that wants to obey. It is a heart of eager, generous obedience, a changed mind, and changed behavior. (p. 106)

This is the purpose of salvation: to transform an individual completely. Genuine saving faith changes behavior, transforms thinking, and puts within a person a new heart. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come." (p. 106)

He ends up finishing the chapter by saying;

When a soul is redeemed, Christ gives a new heart (cf. Ezek. 36:26). Implicit in that change of heart is a new set of desires - a desire to please God, to obey, and to reflect His righteousness. If such a change does not occur, there is no reason to think genuine salvation has taken place. (p. 107)

Rightly Dividing - Review of event

2008-10-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

Wow, this event was very good. I want to give special thanks to Sean and everyone from One28 (and anyone that helped out) that made this event a success. Everything you did made the event a special time. It was good to see many people from church there.

BUT now the ball is in our court. We must apply what we have learned or otherwise it was pointless. If you get knowledge and fail to apply it to your life, you are no better then an unbeliever. A hearer of the Word just collects knowledge and does nothing with it, but a doer of the Word is one that takes that knowledge and finds a way to apply it to his life so he can bring honor and glory to his Lord and Master Jesus Christ!

The wealth of knowledge my family took away from this seminar was worth every penny. My family is so excited about Bible study. We have rolled up are sleeves and have gone after everything in Jude.

We are already looking forward to going more into Bible study. We have just barely scratched the surface here, which means we are hoping for a "Part 2" seminar on Bible study. I could not handle the intake by the end of it. I am thankful for notes, and the fact that Sean has enabled us to get access to the sessions and personal notes in the future.

I did want to share with you some of the things I did take away from this seminar:

- It is very important that we make preparations for Bible study. We need spiritual preparation. We need God's help. 1 Corinthians 2:14. Here are 3 ways for spiritual preparation.

1. Confess any sin. The greatest hindrance to Bible study is not lack of time, or lack of tools, or lack of smarts, but because of sin. (1 Peter 2:1-3) If our heart is full of sin and junk, then how are we going to hunger for God's Word?
2. Acknowledge God's authority. We should not have a take it or leave it attitude. What the Bible affirms, God affirms. Likewise what the Bible condemns, God condemns. All Scripture is God breathed. It deserves our best attention.
3. Seek the Holy Spirits help. As a natural man we cannot understand God's Word without God's help. Scriptures to read about on seeking the Holy Spirits help are, 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ps. 119:18, 33-34, 73, 125, 135, & 169. We need to ask the Author of His Word for help. Only He can give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and open hearts to receive His Word He has for us.

Practical preparation is also important for your personal Bible study. When will you study? Where will you study? What time you will set aside to do your study? DON'T GIVE GOD YOUR LEFTOVER MINUTES! Take preparation seriously, especially spiritual preparation.

- Process for Bible study.

1) Observation; "What do I see in the text?" This is the most important key to Bible study.
2) Interpretation; "What does the text mean?"
3) Application; "What do I do based on what the text means?"

You can't give enough time in observation. The most time in the steps of Bible study have to be in observation. Also remember that a text can never mean what it never meant. God's Word is attached to God's meaning. We have to interpret to apply and figure out what the author/Author wants us to change in our thinking or behavior.

Three important rules of Bible study;
1. Context
2. Context
3. Context

The context is what defines the word. You should NEVER read a verse without at least reading the paragraph. Remember context and paragraphs. The best way to understanding the text is asking questions. You can use the 5WQs when asking questions about the text (Who, What, Where, When, and Why), and remember that reading the text repeatedly, and always in paragraphs or chapters within the text will be a huge benefit.

- The need for application.

1. Its the point of our study. Meditation without application is wrong.
2. It is crucial to our witness. Those who apply God's Word demonstrate the attractiveness of the gospel.
3. It is dangerous not to apply. Be an applier of the Word and live it out.

James 1:19-25
Our biggest problem is not that we don't know enough, but that we don't do what we already know.

"Apply yourself wholly to the text and apply the text wholly to yourself" Johann Bengel

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This is just the tip of the iceberg.I gained so much more from my time at the seminar. The fact is there is just too much good information to share. I wanted to share more, but this post would be way too long.

I do highly recommend next time a seminar comes around like this to sign up and attend. This was well worth the cost and time. I hope your very encouraged. If you didn't attend the seminar and want helpful resources to get you in a better direction for personal Bible study then I would recommend "Living by the Book, by Howard Hendricks & William Hendricks", and "How to read the Bible for all its worth, by Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart"
These are the books that Sean gave away at the seminar.

New Boundless ESV Study Bible

2008-10-10T09:47:00.000-07:00

Watch the video, but it seems like this ESV Study Bible would be worth the purchase. If your interested, www.boundless.org is running a contest for a free copy. Check out the details at http://www.boundless.org/2005/esv.cfm

Here is a quote from the website about the thoughts of a few in regards to this study Bible:

Albert Mohler calls it a "treasure." John Piper calls it "breathtaking," "a dream come true for me." Mark Driscoll considers it "the most important resource that has been given to the emerging generation of Bible students and teachers." Christian author Jerry Bridges sums up what many are coming to find about this book: "The ESV Study Bible is the finest study tool I have seen in fifty years of Bible teaching. The notes, articles, maps, and illustrations are all of the highest quality. It is a great achievement!"

The Importance and Magnificence of Marriage

2008-10-10T07:53:00.000-07:00

3 min video

HT: Take Your Vitamin Z

Straight Up Blog

2008-10-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

HT: Justin Taylor

James MacDonald and a couple of his fellow pastors at Harvest Bible Fellowship have launched a new blog, Straight Up. It's for pastors, by pastors.

Here's a word of invitation from James:

Hey everyone, welcome to our new blog.

Quite a bit of my ministry energy has been directed toward the people in the pews—the end user. But God’s been moving in my heart these last number of years and has been directing my ministry energy toward pastors and ministry leaders. With that vision in mind, I’m excited to launch Straight Up—a blog by pastors for pastors. The content of this new blog will be for those who labor faithfully week after week in the local church—full time pastors not least. In the months to come, we’ll be posting about preaching, leadership, vision casting, staff management, theology, and just about anything else related to pastoral ministry. Blogging along with me is Gerald Hiestand, and my son Luke. Both guys serve at my home church, Harvest Bible Chapel (see below for a little bit about Gerald and Luke).

Cumulatively, we’ve been in ministry over thirty years now, and we certainly don’t have it all figured out. Much of what we’ve learned, we’ve learned from fumbling around and falling over. But by God’s grace we have learned a few things. We want to share some of that here, in hopes that it’ll help keep you out of some of the ditches we’ve been in. As they say, experience is an expensive teacher; let someone else pay the bill!

Glad you’ve joined us, and hope you stick around.

For Him!

James

Respectable Sins - Chapter 5

2008-10-09T12:45:00.000-07:00

I started reading a new book. It is called "Respectable Sins, by Jerry Bridges" I am very challenged by this book, but my desire goes beyond the challenge. It is Christ likeness change that I want in my heart. The Holy Spirit has been faithful to peel back the layers of my heart and expose the evil sin that is in my heart. Sin like my selfishness, my impatience, and my judgmental attitude.

I am very excited about digging through this book and seeing what changes God brings in my life. I want to be faithful in dealing with my sin, because I am responsible for my sin. I wanted to share a quote from the book. It shows that we are responsible for putting our sins to death, and that we need the Holy Spirit to enable us to be able to put those sins to death.

We do have a vital part to play. We are responsible to put to death the acceptable sins in our lives. We cannot simply lay this responsibility on God and sit back and watch Him work. At the same time, we are dependent. We cannot make one inch of spiritual progress apart from Him enabling power. (pg 45)

All Christians need to get in this book. Jerry Bridges does a good job of using Scripture to write this book. It will change your heart. Please pray for me as I read through this book. I want to Holy Spirit to enable me to deal with my sins and become more Christ like in my life.

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Pastor Z always tells us that when we deal with our sins, and repent of our sins, it allows the Holy Spirit to work in us for our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21

May we be encouraged to live a resolved life!

2008-10-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

If you get a chance I would encourage you to read over the 70 resolutions of Jonathan Edwards. May we all be encouraged to live a resolved life for the honor and glory of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Here are a few of my favorites:

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.

52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.

55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.

They are all excellent, and worth your meditation. Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.

God of this city - Chris Tomlin

2008-10-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

5 min video

Awesome song. I hope your just as encouraged by it. Press on for Jesus Christ!

Watching Movies to the Glory of God

2008-10-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share an article with you. It is a long one, but is worth the read when time permits. It is from the www.reformation21.org website. The link below will take you to the article.

http://www.reformation21.org/articles/watching-movies-to-the-glory-of-god.php

Faith and True Discipleship

2008-09-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

From "The Gospel According to Jesus", by John MacArthur. (Page 45-46)

James M. Boice, in his book Christ's Call to Discipleship, writes with insight about the salvation/discipleship dichotomy, which he frankly describes as "defective theology":

This theology separates faith from discipleship and grace from obedience. It teaches that Jesus can be received as one's Savior without being received as one's Lord.

This is a common defect in times of prosperity. In days of hardship, particularly persecution, those who are in the process of becoming Christians count the cost of discipleship carefully before taking up the cross of the Nazarene. Preachers do not beguile them with false promises of an easy life or indulgence of sins. But in good times, the cost does not seem so high, and people take the name of Christ without undergoing the radical transformation of life that true conversion implies.*

* James M. Boice, Christ's Call to Discipleship (Chicago: Moody, 1986), 14.