God's Incommunicable Attributes #1: Unity

Much of these posts are due to the wonderful work previously done by Wayne Grudem in Systematic Theology

Unity: God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.

God is whole. Sometimes, so that we can understand God, we break Him down into pieces. His Holiness, Justice, Knowledge, Mercy, Love, Wrath, Truthfulness, and Wisdom...but in reality all of theses things and many more are wholly God.

God is not all of these separate attributes put together. He also is not a central being that these attach to.

Each and every attribute that God is described by in Scripture is Wholly who He is!
1 John 1:5
"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."
1 John 4:8
"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

Is John contradicting Himself? First He says that God is Light, then God is love...well John which one is it?

Imperfect Analogy:
It is both! Picture a circle and everything within that circle is who God is. Let's say that Light is represented by Yellow. Now the entire Circle is Yellow. Love is represented by Red. Now the entire Circle is Completely Yellow and Completely Red.
This is hard for our finite minds to understand, but God is fully every single one of the attributes that are ascribed to Him in Scripture.

Our capability of understanding these different attributes is limited, this might be a reason that only one or two attributes are described to us at a time. We cannot grasp all that God is, it takes us time to even grasp one attribute of God let alone all of who He is at one time!

"In terms of practical application, this means that we should never think, for example, that God is a loving God at one point in history and a just or wrathful God at another point in history. He is the same God always, and everything he says or does is fully consistent with all his attributes. It is not accurate to say, as some have said, that God is a God of justice in the Old Testament and a God of love in the New Testament. God is and always has been infinitely just and infinitely loving as well, and everything he does in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament is completely consistent with both of those attributes." Wayne Grudem

Every time we see God act we can be sure that each and everyone of His attributes are being fully displayed. Some may be emphasized more than others but there is not any attribute missing.
I.E. in the Cross we see God's Love and Justice. His Love for His creation and Justice that sins be punished. Also we see Wrath in the punishment. But where is Mercy or Jealousy or Blessedness or Wisdom? They are all reflected!!! Take a moment to think about how each and every attribute that you can think of is reflected at the Cross, Creation, and that wonderful moment where God changed your life forever...the moment of surrender to His control...your salvation.

No one attribute of God is more important than another! Some may say that God's love is His most important attribute, however this implies that would suppress or ignore His wrath so that He could show love. This could not be farther from the truth...
At the Cross God showed us Ultimate Love,
John 15:3
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lays down his life for his friends."
1 John 3:16
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers."
At the Cross God showed us Ultimate Wrath,
Read through the Crucifixion accounts, watch the scourging and the Crucifixion in "The Passion", that is what we deserve, not him!
At the Cross God showed us Ultimate Wisdom,
This was His plan from the very beginning...there was no plan B

In everything that God does, each and every attribute is displayed fully. We have a hard time seeing it because we are finite, but God is One and there is no other!

Can you say that you always act according to every single one of your attributes? I know I can't! There are times where I completely suppress my Love for someone because at that moment I am angry...God doesn't act like this, He may be angry and judge us justly, but it is always for our own good. Where when I act in anger it is for my benefit and not the benefit of the one I am angry with.
It is very humbling to know that God always acts according to all of His attributes and that the best we can do and the closest we can come to that is genuine Love. And even that falls short.

In Christ,

David

New Series focused on Humility

I will be beginning a new series with a heavy focus on Humility.

Topics that will be covered are:
1. Part 1: What Sets God Apart: The incommunicable Attributes of God: Infinite, Omnipresent, ect...

2. Part 2: Reasons to be Humble: The Doctrines of Grace: Grace, Election, Calling, Justification, and Perseverance

3. Part 3: 1 More Reason to be Humble: The Doctrine of Sin

There might be times with significant time between posts: I ask that you would continue to check back, as I do the research on these topics I want to be as complete as I can. I am not going to post on a topic everyday...However I will do my best! I do however want to make sure that I post Biblically and with as much Data as I can find all within a reasonable amount of time.
As of right now it is my goal to post 2-3 times for the next couple of weeks.

In the last post, this verse was used...
In the past I have witnessed many people interpret this as meaning that we must earn our salvation. This could not be farther from the truth, God does the work! It is all by His grace that we are conformed into the image of His Son Jesus Christ!

Philippians 2:12-13
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

This "fear and trembling" embraces the godly attitude of humility; it includes the fear of grieving and offending our holy gracious Father, and the awareness of our ultimate accountability to Him. It is our deliberate pursuit of obedience and growth in godliness and is an expression of humble dependence upon God.
We are completely dependent upon God for anything and everything in our lives! The reason you are reading this (your eyes are working), the reason I am typing this (my hands are working), the reason we are alive (our hearts are pumping blood, our lungs are breathing), it is all because of the Wonderful Wonder of God's Amazing Grace!

Thank You Lord that you Love us so much! That you sustain our lives and give us breath to breath. But most of all Lord, Thank You for sending your only Son Jesus Christ to suffer your wrath that should have been poured out upon us, thank you that we can look forward to the resurrection and the removal of the curse and sin. Lord, Let Your Kingdom Come!
In Jesus Holy and precious name, Amen.

In Christ,

David

A Passion for Purity

Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Chapter 16 A Passion for Purity Versus Passive Prayer

A Passion for Purity Versus Passive Prayer

Matthew 5:28-29
"I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell."

When you are enticed sexually, do you fight with your mind to say no to the image and then mightily labor to fill your mind with counter-images that kill off the seductive image? "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live" (Romans 8:13).
Too many people think they have struggled with temptation when they have prayed for deliverance and hoped the desire would go away. That is too passive. Yes, God works in us to will and to do His good pleasure! But the effect is that we "work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12-13). Gouging out your eye may be a metaphor, but it means something very violent. The brain is a "muscle" to be flexed for purity, and in the Christian it is supercharged with the Spirit of Christ.
What this means is that we must not give a sexual image or impulse more than five seconds before we mount a violent counterattack with the mind. I mean that! Five seconds. In the first two seconds we shout, "NO! Get out of my head!" In the next two seconds we cry out: "O God, in the name of Jesus, help me. Save me now. I am Yours."
Good beginning. But then the real battle begins. This is a mind war. The absolute necessity is to get the image and the impulse out of our mind. How? get a Christ-exalting, soul-captivating counter-image into the mind. Fight. Push. Strike. Don't ease up. It must be an image that is to powerful that the other image cannot survive. There are lust-destroying images and thoughts.
For example, have you ever in the first five seconds of temptation demanded of your mind that it look steadfastly at the crucified form of Jesus Christ? Picture this. You have just seen a peek-a-boo blouse inviting further fantasy. You have five seconds. "No! Get out of my mind! God help me!" Now, immediately, demand of your mind--you can do this by the Spirit (Romans 8:13)--demand of your mind that it fix its gaze on Christ on the cross. Use all your fantasizing power to see His lacerated back. thirty-nine lashes left little flesh intact. He heaves with His breath up and down against the rough vertical beam of the cross. Each breath puts splinters into the lacerations. The Lord gasps. From time to time He screams out with intolerable pain. He tries to pull away from the wood and the massive spokes through His wrists rip into the nerve endings and He screams again with agony and pushes up with His feet to give some relief to His wrists. But the bones and nerves in His pierced feet crush against each other with anguish and He screams again. There is no relief. His throat is raw from screaming and thirst. He loses His breath and thinks He is suffocation, and suddenly His body involuntarily gasps for air and all the injuries unite in pain. In torment, He forgets about the crown of two-inch thorns and throws His head back in desperation, only to hit one of the thorns perpendicular against the cross beam and drive it half an inch into His skull. His voice reaches a soprano pitch of pain and sobs break over His pain-wracked body as every cry brings more and more pain.
Now, I am not thinking about the blouse anymore. I am at Calvary. These two images are not compatible. If you will use the muscle of your brain to pursue--violently pursue with the muscle of your mind--images of Christ crucified with the same creative energy that you use to pursue sexual fantasies, you will kill them. but it must start in the first five seconds--and not give up.
So my question is: Do you fight, rather than only praying and waiting and trying to avoid? It is image against image. It is ruthless, vicious mental warfare, not just prayer and waiting. Join me in this bloody warfare to keep my mind and body pure for my Lord and my wife and my church. Jesus suffered beyond imagination to "purify for himself a people for his own possession" (Titus 2:14). Every scream and spasm was to kill my lust--"He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness" (1 Peter 2:24).

Father, have mercy on us in our continual battle with lust.

Oh, how we love the victories You give.

Let us live there more and more.

Grant us the will to say no to every temptation.

Yes, Lord, grant us far more than to say no.

Help us fight.

Give us the will to make war on our impurities.

Show us the infinite and all-satisfying

glory of the crucified Christ.

May Your name be so precious to us

that we absolutely will not defile it.
In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen.

In Christ,

David

Happy Mother's Day -- A little late

Happy Mother's Day

I would like to focus on a Mother today...one whom many of us know of, but most do not know her name! Without her we might not be where we are today. She was a wonderful woman of Faith (mentioned only twice in the Bible) who raised her three children with the knowledge of the One True and Living God!

What she did, is something that we all can learn from and put into practice in our lives.

BASKET CASE:

Numbers 26:59
"The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister."

Exodus 6:20
"Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father's sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years."

If you didn't catch it, her name is Jochebed...she was the mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
The story is found in Exodus 1-2:10
Israel Increases Greatly in Egypt
"These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
Pharaoh Oppresses Israel
"Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, 'Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.' Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves. Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 'When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.' But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, 'Why have you done this, and let the male children live?' The midwives said to Pharaoh, 'Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.' So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, 'Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.'"
Exodus 2
The Birth of Moses
"Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, 'This is one of the Hebrews' children.' Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?' And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Go.' So the girl went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, 'Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.' So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, 'Because,' she said, 'I drew him out of the water.'"

Interesting tidbits: Word Meanings:
Moses = to Birth, to draw out
Basket = Arc

Hebrews 11:23
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict."

We see that this whole story about Moses' birth and how he was raised was a result of the Faith of Jochebed! She trusted God and that He had a plan. So she put her child in a basket.
Moses was a BASKET CASE! He was given to God and place in His care!

GOD is ODD: The Pharaoh was a dictator. What is our reaction today if someone would tell us that we had to through our child into a river? Some of us would want to Nuke the guy, others would be extremely upset and protest, and some might do what the Midwives did and what Jochebed did!
There are 5 women in this story and 3 go unnamed! Yet without them, without their faith, we might not be here today!

We must learn to let go of the things that don't go our way! God is in control. Let God be God!

This is NOT let go and let God!!!
Jochebed didn't quite let go...
She used her head! She trained her kids! Aaron did even speak of his brother...not even to his friends? What young child would not let that slip even once? Hey, guess what? I have a brother!!!
She also trained Miriam to watch after Moses! Miriam was the one who asked the Daughter of Pharaoh "shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?" Umm...I wonder who she is going to go and get?
Jochebed also did some amazing planning! She must have known that the Daughter of Pharaoh frequented a certain area along the banks of the Nile, so she place the basket in that area and in reeds so that it wouldn't float away to fast.
But when things didn't go as she had planned...she let go of her plans and let God be God.
You see Moses was most-likely taken to the palace around age 4. What mother could let her child go? One that trusted in God, that He had a much bigger plan in mind!

Exodus 2:11-15
Moses Flees to Midian
"One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, 'Why do you strike your companion?' He answered, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?' Then Moses was afraid, and thought, 'Surely the thing is known.' When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well."

Acts 7:23-25
"When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand."

Hebrews 11:24-27
"By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible."

So why didn't Moses being taken from His mother at the age of 4 and being brought up in the Palace for 36 years believe in the god's of Pharaoh and "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter"?

Because Jochebed taught Moses who was God!
How? Good question!
Moses wrote the first 5 books of the Bible so how could Jochebed teach him what was in them?
Well, that comes from Genesis 15, where God promised Abraham that many nations would come from him. This promise was passed to Isaac and down to Jacob. Jacob also passed it down to his 12 sons...who we heard about at the very beginning of this post! Jochebed knew of this promise and she knew the God who made the promise!
She prepared the Person for the Path, not the Path for the Person!

She brought Moses up in the knowledge of God. She trained him up as a man who had a special calling on his life. She didn't know what that calling was but she prepared him the best way she could...knowing who God is!

Prepare the Person for the Path, not the Path for the Person!

Happy Mother's Day -- a little late!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful

Be Thankful

Psalm 23
The LORD Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

13 Reasons to be Thankful:

1. Be Thankful: The Lord is my Shepherd --- Vs. 1
Jesus brings us together, protects, and tends to our needs. He cares for, guides and teaches His people!

2. Be Thankful: I shall not want --- Vs. 1
I shall lack no good thing, Christ will Satisfy my every need!

3. Be Thankful: He makes me lie down in green pastures --- Vs. 2
We have rest in Christ!

4. Be Thankful: He leads me beside still waters --- Vs. 2
We do not have to go through this life alone...Christ leads us through it!

5. Be Thankful: He Restores my Soul --- Vs. 3
The depth of our relationship with God brings us Soul Restoration when this world tears our souls apart!

6. Be Thankful: He guides us through life --- Vs. 3
We are lead through this life so that God's name would be Great!

7. Be Thankful: He stays with us through Scary Times --- Vs. 4
Jesus' constant presence with us removes our fear and gives us Confidence!

8. Be Thankful: He protects us from Danger --- Vs. 4
We have someone fighting for us and defending us!

9. Be Thankful: He feeds us --- Vs. 5
We are all Starving...for Christ, He is the Bread of life and the Living Water!

10. Be Thankful: He anoints us with oil --- Vs. 5
We are honored by God through Christ!

11. Be Thankful: My Cup Overflows --- Vs. 5
We are filled to Overflow with God's Love to pour it out upon others!

12. Be Thankful: Goodness and Mercy follow me --- Vs. 6
The Hounds of Heaven wake us up every morning!!!

13. Be Thankful: He invites us to Live with Him forever --- Vs. 6
Eternity in Heaven through Jesus Christ...need I say more?!!!!!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He invites us to Live with Him forever

Be Thankful: He invites us to Live with Him forever

Psalm 23:6
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever."

Doesn't that last part of this verse just make you want to Shout for Joy!!!

David says, "I shall dwell"! Not, I think I will dwell, or I hope that I will dwell. But "I SHALL DWELL"!!!!

There is no doubt in Davids mind, this is not a question!

The word Dwell can also be translated as, shall return to dwell!
Meaning that this is our home it is where our citizenship is and we will return there!

Ephesians 3:20-21
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Ephesians 2:18-21
"For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."

This citizenship in Heaven however is a restored citizenship for some...for others it is broken, they are no longer citizens.

Are you a citizen of Heaven? Would you like to be? Here is how...

All have broken their citizenship:
Romans 3:23
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"
Romans 3:10
"as it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one;'"

We earn eternal death through sin:
Romans 6:23a
"For the wages of sin is death,"

But God has provided for the debt we owe:
Romans 6:23b
"but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 3:24-26
"and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Propitiation is a fancy word that means we couldn't pay the debt we owed because of our sin, so God paid it for us through Jesus Christ.

The payment for our sins on our behalf was only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:8
"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Colossians 2:13-15
"And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him."

This free gift must be accepted:
Romans 10:9-13
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

It is only through God's Grace and Faith in Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Romans 5:1-2
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

And this Free Gift once accepted is ours Eternally...Nothing can take it away! This is because Jesus stands in our place for the Judgment, He has paid our price!
Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Romans 8:38-39
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Do you know that your Cirizenship is in Heaven?

Don't wait to make this decision...it is the Largest and most life changing decision you can and will make!
And if you choose not to make a decision...you've already made the decision!
Don't wait...there may be no tomorrow!

Thank You Jesus that you call us brothers and sons of God with you! Thank you for paying the price that my sins have demanded! I give my life to you and trust in you that you are the Only way, the Only truth, and the Only life! Thank You Jesus!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: Goodness and Mercy follow me

Be Thankful: He pursues us with Goodness and Mercy

Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

“Surely” can also be translated as “Only!”

“Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”

I have heard Goodness and Mercy referred to as, “The Hounds of Heaven”.

One morning at camp I decided to get up early and spend some time with the Lord. I got back to the cabin after the breakfast bell had rung and I was rushing so that I could get to breakfast before it was done. I was in the process of making my bed when I heard someone yelling from across the room, “No, no, get off. Down boy, down!” Now the yelling wasn’t the scary kind of yelling, this was filled with laughter and delight. I asked, “What is it? Is something wrong? Can I help?” He said, “No, nothing is wrong. It is just these hound dogs; every morning when I wake up they are always here to great me hello and good morning by jumping on me and licking me!” I was a little confused, “I don’t see any dogs?” “You don’t? They are right here! This one is Goodness and here is Mercy! My Father gave them to me when I was very young and they have followed me ever since, never leaving my side!” Still confused but now intrigued, “I don’t understand?”

He then proceeded to tell me about Psalm 23:6. How God continually pursues us with His Goodness and Mercy. Sometimes we forget that they are there and sometimes we just try to ignore them! But just like mans best friend they are new and fresh and ready to great us every morning by jumping on us and licking us! They will always be by our side ready to give us comfort and show us love!

Goodness:
In man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right towrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosingand following of all moral good.
In God it is Perfect! There is no conflict between right and wrong, good and evil. It is a Perfect steadfast Love!

Psalm 31:19
“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!”

Psalm 65:4
“Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!”

Mercy:
For man, leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice, a disposition to be kind and forgiving, or the feeling that motivates compassion.
For God, by the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).

Psalm 25:6
“Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.”

Psalm 119:77
“Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.”

Ephesians 2:4
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,”

Take a moment to think about Gods Goodness and Mercy. How have you experienced it in your life? How does it keep coming back in new and fresh ways? Pray to God and ask that He would allow you to see His Goodness and Mercy each day, fresh and new! Thank Him that He continually pursues us!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: My Cup Overflows

Be Thankful: My Cup Overflows

Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

What does "My Cup Overflows" mean?

Well, a cup has a limited amount of carrying space...once that is filled it Overflows.
What do you fill a cup with? Usually some kind of liquid...

But how does this translate into our lives?

In this instance the Cup is our Heart!
And the liquid is actually the Holy Spirit along with everything previously mentioned and every good thing God chooses to Bless us with!

Our hearts a limited and can only hold so much of God...but He doesn't give us just enough to fill us up! He gives us an over-abundance of Himself!!!

Why does God do this? What should we do with this?

They are actually the same question!
God fills us to Overflow so that just like water from a cup spreads out...the Spirit pours out of us onto others!
Matthew 5:16
"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."

If we allow the Holy Spirit to control us and guide us through our day, we will naturally overflow with the Love of God for all men because the Holy Spirit will be pouring out of us onto others like water pours out of an overflowing cup onto a table and runs onto the floor...

We must learn to let go the control of our lives to God, that He may do His work through us!
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

The Spirit of God flowing out from us is what Changes lives, is what will change the world!
See posts for Monday May 1, 2006 and Monday May 8, 2006.

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He anoints us with oil

Be Thankful: He anoints us with oil

Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

So, what is so special about having my head anointed with oil?

To Anoint:
1. To apply oil, ointment, or a similar substance to.
2. To put oil on during a religious ceremony as a sign of sanctification or consecration.
3. To choose by or as if by divine intervention.

The practice of anointing with perfumed oil was common among the Hebrews.
1.The act of anointing was significant of consecration to a holy or sacred use; hence the anointing of the high priest (Ex. 29:29; Lev. 4:3) and of the sacred vessels (Ex. 30:26). The high priest and the king are thus called "the anointed" (Lev. 4:3, 5, 16; 6:20; Ps. 132:10). Anointing a king was equivalent to crowning him (1 Sam. 16:13; 2 Sam. 2:4, etc.). Prophets were also anointed (1 Kings 19:16; 1 Chr. 16:22; Ps. 105:15). The expression, "anoint the shield"(Isa. 21:5), refers to the custom of rubbing oil on the leather of the shield so as to make it supple and fit for use in war.

2. Anointing was also an act of hospitality (Luke 7:38, 46). It was the custom of the Jews in like manner to anoint themselves with oil, as a means of refreshing or invigorating their bodies (Deut. 28:40; Ruth 3:3; 2 Sam. 14:2; Ps. 104:15, etc.). This custom is continued among the Arabians to the present day.

3. Oil was used also for medicinal purposes. It was applied to the sick, and also to wounds (Ps. 109:18; Isa. 1:6; Mark 6:13; James 5:14).

4. The bodies of the dead were sometimes anointed (Mark 14:8; Luke 23:56).

5. The promised Deliverer is twice called the "Anointed" or Messiah (Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:25, 26), because he was anointed with the Holy Ghost (Isa. 61:1), figuratively styled the "oil of gladness" (Ps.45:7; Heb. 1:9). Jesus of Nazareth is this anointed One (John 1:41; Acts 9:22;17:2, 3; 18:5, 28), the Messiah of the Old Testament.

Being anointed is a sign of honor and respect.

If you are in Christ you have been anointed! God has lifted you up, honoring you by anointing you. He has prepared a table before you in the presence of your enemies!

2 Corinthians 1:21
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,"

1 John 2:20
"But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge."

Hebrews 1:9
"You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions."

1 John 2:27
"But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything--and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you--abide in him."

What more do you need to be Thankful for? God has anointed you through Christ!! He has lifted you up! Let us thank God and exult His name for His is good!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He feeds us

Be Thankful: He feeds us

Psalm 23:5
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

Have you ever been hungry? Starving?
And then had someone prepare you a meal?

A few years back a buddy of mine completed a 40 day fast. He said it was one of the most difficult things that he had done. To come out of the fast he ate very small portions of fruit, but He said that the first bit had the most flavor that he had ever tasted in his life! A few days later we went out for Stake and Ribs (the first meat since the fast broke) and again, he was surprised by how much flavor he could taste.

Most of us...ARE STARVING!
We just don't realize it....

We are STARVING for God...for Christ!

Psalm 34:8
"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

John 6:33-36
"'For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.'"

John 6:51
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

Right now, we have the Spirit of God as a guarantee...we also have the word of God!

The word of God is both drink and food to satisfy, to help us grow up and be strong.

1 Peter 2:2
"Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation-- "
1 Corinthians 3:2
"I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,"

The milk to help us grow is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
The solid food -- that is the stuff Theologians have been debating for Centuries!

My point is that God feeds us exactly what we need to grow strong! To grow strong in our knowledge of Him!

With God if we go hungry, it is not because He did not provide for us! It is because we have refused to take what has been offered freely!

God also offers this to us in the presence of our enemies!
Picture this scene:
You enter the palace dining hall and see the long elegant table. You look for a place to sit but see only chairs filled with your enemies. The guy who always stole your lunch money, the girl who cheated off of you and caused you to fail an important test...ect. Finally, you reach the opposite end and you see one spot left at the head of the table. You see a table marker that has your name on it, so you sit. Just as you sit down, the King enters the room! He walks up to the far end of the table with a silver platter in his hand. You are thinking, why am I hear? Why is the King embarrassing me in front of all of these people who don't like me? But the King passes by the guy who stole you lunch money and right by the girl who cheated off you your test...right by all of the people until He reaches you. He gently places the platter in front of you, takes off the cover to reveal....

This is that part that many miss! God not only prepares a table for us, but this table is prepared in the presence of our ENEMIES!!!!

We have a human emotion and response to our enemies...anger and revenge.
What greater statement from God, than to honor us in the presence of our enemies?

Romans 12:19-20
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.'"

Why do we seek our own vengeance here?
Again...we must not fully trust God and what He says He will do!

Beloved: God PROMISES
1. To give us all that we need
2. To sustain us
3. Vengeance is His

Let us live our lives to these simple standards:

Matthew 22:36-39
"'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He protects us from Danger

Be Thankful: He protects us from Danger

Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

How would a rod and staff bring me comfort?

Have you ever picked up a stick infront of a dog, and had the dog back away from you?
Why would the dog back away? It must be scared of something...it wasn't you, it was the stick in your hand.
If a dog would be scared of the stick, why would God's rod and staff bring us comfort?

What did the Shepherd us his rod and staff for?
1. He uses it to fend off wild animals that would attack the flock
2. He uses the curved part at the top to pull us back when we start to wonder
3. Yes He has used it to break my legs (vs. 2), but that was for my own good

His rod and staff are a visible sign of protection!

Psalm 5:11
"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you."

Psalm 20:1
"May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!"

Psalm 91:14
"Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name."

John 10:14-15
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."

If we take refuge in God, we can rejoice because He spreads His protection over us! Even His name will protect us!!! He protects those who know His name, Do you know His name?

Do you want to know His name?

John 1:1-5
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John 8:12
"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

John 14:6
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

His name is Jesus, He is the Good Shepherd, the one who can protect us from all evil!

This is a promise for you, if you believe in Jesus Christ:
Romans 8:31-39
God's Everlasting Love
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, 'For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.' No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 10:13
"For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Romans 10:9-10
"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

Just like Peter in the last post, we must cry out: "LORD, save me!" When we do this we fall into the loving arms of the One and Only Living God our "Abba" (daddy)! And He will protect us from everything!

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He stays with us through Scary Times

Be Thankful: He stays with us through Scary Times

Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

What is the valley of the shadow of death?
What is it to you?
A loved one battling with a life threatening illness? You battling with an illness?
Maybe someone you know puts their life on the line everyday?
A terrible car accident? Your house getting broken into?

Simply put...it is anything that could cause you to Fear!

Why do we fear?

We fear, because we take our eyes off of Jesus Christ! We forget who we are!

Let's look at an example from Peter:

Matthew 14:28-33
"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus."

Peter is the only one of the Twelve Disciples to even dare to walk to Jesus! He started out strong...

"But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'"

...but lost focus! He saw the wind...and waves...he took his eyes off of Jesus and started to doubt who Jesus was...

"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?' And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'"

...but realized he was in trouble and cried out to Jesus, "Lord, save me." And Jesus was right there to take hold of Peter and save him!

Jesus is always there for us...when we loose sight of Him, He is still right by our sides waiting for us to say, "Lord, save me!"

Romans 8:15
"For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'"

2 Timothy 1:7
"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Through Jesus Christ we have the confidence to go through this life without Fear! We see it right in the middle of Psalm 23:4 "for you are with me."

Jesus put it this way in Matthew 28:20
"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Let us focus our eyes and lives on Jesus Christ! In Him there is no reason to Fear. He is Lord of all! And best of all, we have this promise from Romans 8:28
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Even if something seems bad, we know that God is using it for Good, and we can be confident that He has His and our best interests in mind!!!

David wrote this at the very beginning of Psalm 27
Psalm 27:1
" LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

Never Let Go
Matt and Beth Redman c2005 Thankyou Music
(Matt and Beth wrote this song just after the London Bombings)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Your perfect love is casting out fear.
And even when I´m caught in the middle of the storms of this life,
I won´t turn back, I know You are near.

And I will fear no evil,
For my God is with me.
And if my God is with me,
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go -
Lord You never let go of me.

And I can see a light is coming for the heart that holds on -
A glorious light beyond all compare.
And there will be an end to these troubles,
But until that day comes,
We´ll live to know You here on the earth.

(And I will fear no evil)

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on,
And there will be an end to these troubles, but until that day comes,
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You.

O no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm
O no, You never let go,
In every high and every low
O no, You never let go -
Lord You never let go of me.

In Christ,

David

Be Thankful: He guides us through Life

Be Thankful: He guides us through Life

Psalm 23:3
"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

We have already talked about He Leads us! But this is an extension of that thought!

Why does God lead or guide us through Life?

"For his name's sake."!!!!!!!

God leads us, so that His name would be Great...Highly Spoken of!!!!

Remember the Exodus from Egypt?
Exodus 6:7-8
"I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD."

Why did God lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Dessert? Why didn't God just give them Egypt? What was with the whole long drawn out thing with the Plagues?

Romans 9:17
"For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'"

God was showing His power...and His name was proclaimed in all the earth.
As the Israelites wandered the Dessert, they met many different people. Also, when they were moving into the Promised Land under Joshua, they met many different people.
Most of the people that the Israelites met, had already heard of what had happened in Egypt!!!
Many made peace with Israel out of fear that what happened to Egypt might happen to them.

It is the same for us!!!
God leads us! Why? That His name might be spread throughout the World. That He might be glorified in and through His people! And that, "every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11 "and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:11

You see God is "all about Himself"!!!!
Is this a bad thing?
For us...Yes...
For God...NO!!!!!

God must be, "All about Himself!"
Otherwise He would not be God!!!!
Nothing can be above God. "You shall have no other God's before me."
How can God break His own Commandment?

God leads and guides us through this life so that we might be a "Light" pointing to Him, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Isaiah 6:3

In Christ,

David

A Chance to Change the World: Part 2

Life can be an adventure, or life can be a bore. Life can be fruitful, or fruitless. God offers us the chance to do something eternally significant with our lives; to make a difference; to live life on purpose, with vision and vitality. From Romans 16 we get to learn from a man who lived like that. As he closes the letter to the Roman church he expresses four values that shaped his life and work, and are foundational for any healthy, fruitful church.

Romans 16:1-27
Personal Greetings
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you."
Final Instructions and Greetings
"I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you."
Doxology
"Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith-- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen."

3 Values for the Christian Community

1. Affectionate Unity

In this short text (but long goodbye) Paul uses the word Greet 22 times! He could have as he did in other letters said, and Great all the Brethren.
Paul uses the word Beloved 4 times and In Christ 11 times
They were united in 1 common family...they were united through Christ!

Also, in vs 17-20 Paul breaks back into teaching mode...about Unity!!!
Jesus died for the Unity of His Church!
John 13:35
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Ephesians 4 is also a great chapter that talks about Unity in the Body of Christ!

2. Teamwork

Paul listed off 28 people by name!
Paul understood that we are not in this by ourselves and if we go about the work of Christ alone, we will fail and fall flat on our faces!
There are no Superstars!...except Jesus Christ!
Every single person has a calling, a value, a purpose!!!
Still don't believe me?
Paul uses these phrases in writing to the Romans:
A. Fellow workers
B. Fellow Apostles!!!
Paul understood that we are all equal in Christ, but we all have different callings and duties! Each one as important to the work as the other!
We are all on the same level, we just have different jobs!

3. Perseverance

Staying in the Game...Day after Day, Week after Week, Month after Month, Year after Year...
We must continually ask, "Jesus, what is next? Lead us forward in what you have for us!"
The Church should never coast!!
We are workers...that is what we were designed to do.
We must stay engaged!
1 John 5:4-5
"For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

1 Corinthians 15:58
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

Every Church should hold fast to this promise, and use is as one would a life verse!

I heard a story about a woman from Sao Paulo Brazil. A missionary had met her and noticed that she was wearing a small disfigured ring. He asked her about it and what was inscribed on it. She replied, when I was very young the government was in danger of being taken over. They asked people for money and jewelry so that they could afford an army to protect the city. Many gave even their wedding bands. But I as to young, so I offered them a silver brush that I had. In return they gave everyone a tin ring with the inscription: I gave my gold for the good of Sao Paulo, 1932.

We are called to give not just our gold, but our very lives to the cause of Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

David

A Chance to Change the World: Part 1

Are you ever disappointed in Yourself??? In things you haven't done??? Or the Person you haven't become???

God has given us a desire to be Great, to be significant, to change the World!

Paul was used by God to change the World!

Paul understood 4 assignments...

Assignment #1
The Big Assignment

Romans 15:15-20
"But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience--by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God--so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;"

There is one common purpose that we all exist for...
We exist to Point to God (1 Peter 2:9)
We are called as priests and ambassadors to those who don't know Christ! To lead them to Christ!
We are not alone in this work!!! Christ does the work through us!!! (Vs. 18)

Assignment #2
The Personal Assignment

Romans 15:20-24
"and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, but as it is written, 'Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.'"
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
"This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while."

This is our Unique call from God that fits into the Big assignment.
Paul's Unique call was that of a Starter. (Vs. 20) Paul would start a Church where Christ had not been preached, and then move to a new place and start a new Church!
What is Your Specialized Assignment?
Who are the people God has placed in your life for you to talk to about Him?

Assignment #3
The Special Assignment

Romans 15:25-29
"At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ."

Do you see it? The Special Assignment for Paul...
Jerusalem was not on the way to Spain by way of Rome!
Paul was in Eastern Asia, at best straight north of Jerusalem. But mostlikely west as well!
Paul was heading South East to Jerusalem...the exact opposite way of Rome!
But something had changed for Paul, God called Paul on a Special Assignment.
Paul surrendered His wants and desires to go to Rome to the Calling and Prompting of the Spirit.
This Special Assignment could be as short as a Day...week...month...or in Paul's case it took about 4 years to get to Rome. He never did get to Spain.

Are you willing to put your life on hold...and surrender to the Spirit?
Christ has the Right to call us to what ever and where ever He wants us...it is our arrogant Pride that makes us think our life is ours.
We forget that we have been bought by His Blood and we own Him our very lives!!!

Assignment #4
The Warfare Assignment

Romans 15:30-33
"I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

We ARE in a War!!!!

Our enemy seeks to interrupt our assignments!!! To stop us from completing them.
Paul understands this assignment all to well, and he knows how to complete it!
We need each other! We need to pray for each other, that we would all accomplish our Assignments!
We also need to pray for unbelievers, that they would not hinder our assignments, but see our lives and hear the message we preach and turn to God and put their Faith in Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 6:10-20
The Whole Armor of God
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

Assignments:
1. The Big Assignment -- Exulting God in all we do!
2. The Personal Assignment -- Our Unique calling by God!
3. The Special Assignment -- Any other Assignment you are called to by God!
4. The Warfare Assignment -- Praying for Brothers and Sisters and well as unbelievers!

In Christ,

David

The Church by Design

The Church by Design

1 Peter 2:4-12
"As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.' So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

The Church is by Design: Missionary!

The Church is not a Physical Building...It is built with Living Stones, People! And Christ Himself is the Cornerstone! The Foundation Stone!!

1 Peter 1:1-12
Greeting
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."
Born Again to a Living Hope
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look."

It is a great privilege to be a part of the Kingdom of God, but with Great privilege comes Great Responsibility!

Going back to 1 Peter 2:4-12 we find the purpose of the Church in Vs. 5
"you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Also, Romans 12:1
A Living Sacrifice
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Philippians 4:18
"I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God."

And Hebrews 13:15-16
"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

What are Spiritual Sacrifices that are Pleasing to God?
1. Our Bodies...made Holy by the Blood of Christ
2. Monetary Gifts to others to Help them
3. The fruit of lips that acknowledge Christ's name

In short, our entire lives should be a Spiritual Sacrifice!

Worship is not 1 hour on Sunday morning...
Worship is a Lifestyle!!!

A Word of caution:
In 1 Peter 2:8 we see that there are people who will reject God. Indeed they are destined to reject Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. And because they reject God, He also rejects them.

This does not mean that we should not befriend them or share the Good News with them, on the contrary, we should be motivated to share the Good News with them.
Also, this is part of God's Sovereign Plan. Does God desire some to be lost? No, but...we who are saved should be all the more thankful!!!

What does this all mean for those of us who Believe in Jesus Christ...our only Hope of Salvation?

Vs. 9
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

We can claim nothing for ourselves! We owe everything to Jesus Christ!
We can only bow before Him and say, "THANK YOU JESUS!!!!!"

Our Identity as the Church is the same as the Identity that God had for Israel!!!
1. A Chosen Race
2. A Royal Preiesthood
3. A Holy Nation
4. God's own People

Israel was Special and Unique...and Now that Identity is for Us...the Church/Body of Jesus Christ!

Why did God do this?

Vs. 9 second half
"that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."

So are we called to Worship or Evangelism?
BOTH!!!

What is Worship?
It is declaring, How Great God is!!!!

What is Evangelism?
Declaring, How Great God is!!!!

Worship = Declaring How Great God is to and with the Saints (the Body of Christ)
Evangelism = Declaring How Great God is to the Unsaved

We exist so that the World will know, how incredible our God is!!!

Vs. 11-12
"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

We are Resident Aliens!!! Living in a country that is not our own!!!
1. We must abstain from evil
2. We must live honorable lives
3. We must live as Arrows Pointing to God for others!!!

"Only one life, will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last!" John Piper

How are you living your life?

In Christ,

David

Everything to the Glory of God

Pierced by the Word by John Piper
Chapter 5 How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God

When I am asked, "Is the Doctrine of Total Depravity Biblical?" my answer is, "Yes." One thing I mean by this is that all of our actions (apart from saving grace) are morally ruined. In other words, everything an unbeliever does is sinful and thus unacceptable to God.
One of my reasons for believing this comes from 1 Corinthians 10:31. "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Is it sin to disobey this biblical commandment? Yes.
So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything not for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, ect.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.
But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined.
This, of course, raises the practical question: Well, how do you "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?
One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5:

[Some] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

Orange juice was "created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe...the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannot use orange juice for the purpose God intended--namely, as an occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true heart of faith.
But believers can, and this is how they glorify God. Their drinking orange juice is "made holy by the word of God and prayer" (1 Timothy 4:5) The Word of God teaches us that even juice, and even our strength to drink it, is a free gift of God (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:11). The prayer is our humble response of thanks from the heart. Believing this truth in the Word and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God.
The other way is to drink lovingly. For example, don't insist on the biggest helping. This is taught in the context of 1 Corinthians 10:33, "I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved." "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1). Everything we do--even drinking orange juice--can be done with the intention and hope that it will be to the advantage of many that they may be saved.
Let us praise God that we have escaped by His grace from the total ruin of all our deeds. And let us do everything, whether we eat or drink, to the glory of our great God!

Father, every good gift is from You.

Even the ability to receive them is from You.

We love to declare our dependence on

You for the smallest and the greatest things.

Grant that nothing in our lives

will be disconnected from You.

Make us conscious all the time that

everything gets its proper meaning

from how it relates to You.

May it be our joy to join our orange juice --

and everything else -- to Your grace.

With overflowing thanks, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

In Christ,

David