Something Deeper Going On Here

Scripture: Romans 7:23 "But I see then another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin
which is in my members."

Observation:
1. Always be alert because sin and my propensity toward it are not idle or passive entities. It strives, claws, pushes, and struggles for itself. It has desires and it has power (See Galatians 5:16 and 17).

2. Sin's desires are domination, control and for me to be enslaved. It wants "captivity" to be my mindset. To be unaware of my captivity would be even better for it!

3. The only solution is to surrender control to another master, Jesus. That is why Paul uses the same Greek words (transliterated "aichmalotizo") when describing (in the second letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 5) how I am to battle against sin and other spiritual enemies, "casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

4. These two words in the Greek are military language speaking of war. I am engaged in a war here, but I am not the commander of the army.

5. I would never have been able to make this connection if I had not memorized that Scripture (2 Cor. 10:3-6) before. Understanding the Bible is a matter of study and patience.

Those foolish enough to try to make the Bible say what they want it to say, or that want to ignore it, always ride roughshod over texts, disregarding contexts and refusing submission at all costs. They make Scripture into all positives - all freedoms - no restrictions, as though God were some My Little Pony or Rainbow Bright.

There is freedom to be had in God - the greatest freedom - and there is joy and peace to be had in God - there is none better elsewhere - but it is not based on "unstrapping the restrictive laws and rules of God." The same God that has freed me from sin is the same God that said it was sin in the first place. He has not changed.

Application: If I strive to master sin, I will lose. I am not stronger than it (Galatians 5:16 and 17; Romans 7:11). I must set my mind to bring the temptation to Jesus and make it and myself God's servant. That is the only road to freedom because God is the only one stronger than sins's power and strength (see 1 John 4:4).

Prayer: Lord, please speak to me continually about the freedom I now have in Christ. When sin knocks crouches at my door, my first reaction is to grit my teeth for battle. And battle I must, but the victory is not for me to have. You already own the victory; I cannot take it from you. Instead help me to surrender the struggle to You. I love You. Amen.

Wyatt's Baptism

Our youngest has taken the plunge!

I was very excited to get to baptize Wyatt at this morning's church gathering. He's been waiting to do it for some time now. He was nervous but determined. And the water was heated.

God's Grace Is So Easily Cheapened.

Scripture: Romans 6:15 "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!"

Observation: Paul spent a lot of Chapters 1-4 discussing how restricting the law is. The law only brings guilt. All attempts to be good enough for heaven by measuring my goodness verses my badness end with failure - every time.

But grace! Grace brings peace (5:1)! Grace brings life (5:21)! Grace brings joy (5:11)!

Paul points out here that the problem is that all too often I trample on God's grace. I'm lazy about the holy living that God has called me to ... or I try to relegate the usefulness of God's grace to home life, or work, or just my recreation, or Sundays, or around certain people. Paul is clear that I am expected to take full advantage of God's grace and that I should not take it for granted.

Grace freed me (6:18) so that I might serve God, because before I was a slave to sin not by choice.

Application:
1. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the things that I haven't stopped serving sin in.

2. Confess. Repent. Make repairs where possible. Don't just stop the bad.

3. Move past that to the place where I begin replacing it with the good. Intentionally be a slave to God for fruit to righteousness (6:22).

Prayer: Again I ask for Your help. A lot of humility is needed here. Because of my tendency toward sin and rebellion I will try to fight and justify the actions that I want to hold on to. But You are my God, not sin! Teach me, discipline me, guide me. You are better than all other things in this world. All the happiness that I could have apart from You in 10,000 lives is sewage compared to the sweet waters of Your presence. And I don't even have 10,000 lives - I only have this one, so help me not to waste my life by living for myself. I love You! Amen.

How Precious Is The Cross Of Christ?

Scripture: Romans 6:21 "What fruit did you have then [when you were slaves of sin] in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death."

Observation: 

This verse is a key concern for everyone who comes to faith in Christ. Paul uses this whole chapter to instruct the Christians in Rome to eliminate all sin from their lives. Really he means this in the sense that that should be our goal and that it will be a hard-fought, daily struggle. Then here at the end of the chapter he reminds them how shamed we are of the things we have done that are violations of God's law. 

Anyone who has truly grasped his or her salvation has also comprehended how horrible his or her past life was. There is a clear and mournful understanding of his or her lowness, humility, and desperation apart from Jesus' saving work.

Application: I think many would say that to constantly dwell on my sinfulness is counterproductive and even limits the peace, blessing, and freedom that God intends for me to have in Christ. But I say a Christian should never leave the cross. The cross is where I, we, belong. To forget the cross is to freely receive provisions for a long trip and then to leave them at home when I embark.

The truth of my sinfulness and Jesus' suffering and death are the foundation of my new life in Jesus. A house cannot leave the foundation! The cross is the door into the room of freedom and forgiveness. No maturity or growth can be had apart from that room. As I grow in my faith, the room of salvation grows bigger - I don't go to another room! 

The cross of Jesus has a permanent place next to His throne! Jesus is no longer on it nor does He need to return there. His work of dying for me only needed to be done once. Even still, until I am taken to heaven and am finally free of the influence of and tendency toward sin I will always need to cling to that which purchased my freedom - the cross. It is not wrong to remember my shame prior to Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, the cross reminds me of my need, but You are always there to ensure I'm not left there. The vision of the cross is always accompanied by an even greater and stronger revelation of the forgiveness, mercy, grace, love and peace that I have in Christ. And Father, I couldn't have any of it until I made Jesus' cross mine first! Thank You for the truth of the cross. I'm ashamed of my sin, but I love the shame of it because it is an indispensable ingredient in the meal of eternal and abundant life that You have prepared for me! As Paul said, I will glory in my tribulations. I love You! Amen.

Really, It's Just Plain Serious

Scripture: Romans 6:1-2, 4 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ... we were buried with [Jesus] through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Observation:
(1) Clearly, Paul thinks it is ridiculous that anyone who claims to have faith in Jesus would continue to walk in sin or to take it lightly.

(2) Again, sin is our #1 problem as humans. Not in a corporate sense but in an individual sense. Each person must do something to deal with this problem of personal sin or else they must face the just reward of their sin - death, separation from God eternally (see Romans 6:23).

(3) The urgency behind Paul's argument comes from how much Jesus suffered during and before His death. Do I realize what Jesus took because of my every selfish act.

(4) We must understand that we cannot do what Jesus did because He knowingly died as our substitute. We cannot make up for what we've done. Any good thing we do has no power to cancel or balance the evil we've done. The only thing we are capable of doing is to die a death which we are fully deserving of. It is our due for breaking God's law.

Application: My life now should be characterized by the goodness, truth, love, grace, peace, etc. of God. In every way that I am able to replicate God's positive attributes, I should. God is the source of life - that is what I should walk in.

Prayer: Father, I could repeat here all of the ways that I sin, but we've talked about that already today. I just ask You to help me to be led into "newness of life." Make me noticeably different - joyful, a lover of what is good in others, hopeful rather than condemning, a blesser. Amen.

A Treasure That Is Worth The Effort

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5 "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Observation: Paul has an ever heaven-looking eye. He doesn't place his hope or value in this life. Rather he points to the hardness of life and says, "Let's take it for all it's worth."

Difficulties produce in us the strength to endure them. That, in turn, grows in us like a seed and blossoms character (Paul means "high-quality character," not just character of any sort. That is why this paragraph is strictly about someone who places their faith in God during a hard experience. Many people enduring hardship apart from faith in God; however, that results only in character that is useful only for this life and only for dealing with disappointment and loss. It will not strengthen our faith in God and it will not help keep our hope and treasure where it should be: eternal life in heaven with God through the work of Jesus). Character produced from hardship that is endured with an eternal perspective will strengthen and steel our hope in God.

Application: Nobody needs God when all is well (speaking in human terms). The good news of Jesus and faith in God are really put to work in hard times, when we suffer, when hope seems lost or pointless.

Every hard thing in which I have not turned to God has been a lost opportunity for spiritual gym time. My faith grows when I can say with the song, "even so,
it is well with my soul." In every trial, look to God in faith. It will make the difference between "surviving" and "thriving."

Prayer: Remembering that all things are in your hands and that I should praise you in the storm are hard things to do. Teach me steadfastness. You never leave me. Thank you. I love you. Amen.

The Bottom Line

Scripture: Romans 5:21 "so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Observation: Here is another reminder that faith in Jesus Christ CANNOT be lowered to equality with other religions. God is clear on this point.

1. Humans, all humans, have a problem: sin - our constant impulse or desire to violate rules, especially those put in place by God. In other words, I want to rebel and do what I want.

2. Sin results in death physically and, if it is not dealt with prior to that death, eternal separation from God and punishment everlasting.

3. The only remedy for my (and everyone's) undefeatable compulsion to do wrong is belief by faith that Jesus' death was meant to replace my fully-deserved punishment from God.

4. Jesus is the only remedy.

No other religion deals with sin this way, if any way at all.

All paths do not lead to the same place. There is only one path to heaven: faith in Jesus.

There is only one door by which to enter: Jesus.

There is only one thing stopping us from entering into eternal relationship with the greatest thing in the universe, God: our pride.

Application: Ephesians 2:4 "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)..."

God actually did all the application here. I just must believe. Faith is action; its the only action I have that is of any use in this situation.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your grace, mercy and amazing work through Jesus that wiped away all my guilt and condemnation. Without you my life would amount to nothing in the end. Now I am bound for eternal life and have gained you for this life and the next! I love you. Amen.

A Reason To Party... Daily

Scripture: Romans 5:15 "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many."

Observation: On to Chapter 5! The chapters are flying by and there is entirely too much to journal about to fit into a week. I couldn't get to everything even if I gave each chapter a month! How deep and wide are the truths of God in His inspired word!There is no better foundation to build my life on than His unfailing, inerrant, and powerful word.

So, anyway, this verse stuck out today (among many others) because it struck me how silly of a effort it is to compare (or contrast) Adam's actions and God's actions through Jesus.

The decision of Adam effected all of humankind, as did God's decision (which actually pre-dated Adam's) to save us through Jesus' death; however, as soon as God gets involved events and their effects immediately surpass the magnitude and effect that a human's thought, goal, plan, and idea can have. Adam's impact was death for me (and all people... thanks, buddy. Of course, I know myself well enough to know that I would have done the same thing eventually). But God's infinite power directed by his perfect and sinless will defeated the power of sin and then went well beyond mere victory to bring me the possibility of so, so much more.

Application: As Paul wrote in verses 1 through 11, I now have peace with God, access to God's presence for my needs, hope, strength through the Holy Spirit to endure the power of sin, comfort to persevere difficulties and woes, God's very presence in and with me wherever I go, and rejoicing - not only peace but a constant reason for celebration.

Prayer: I am humbled by your grace and I say 'thank you' Lord, my God, my Father, my Redeemer, my Hope, my Comfort, my Rock and Security, my Peace, my Victor and Victory! I love you. Amen.

What Has He Called Into Your Life?

Scripture: Romans 4:17b "God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;"

Observation: This part of the verse seems like a completely random interjection, but I doubt Paul was being random (nor the Holy Spirit who inspired it :-).

So what's the connection? God gave life to Abraham's and Sarah's "dead" body (as we read in verse 19-22). He also gave eternal life to those who had previously not had it.

God also called Abraham "righteous" which he obviously was not. This is an example of God "calling things that don't exist as though they do." These two acts are the two most important acts for me. He brings me back from my deadness in sin (Ephesians 2:1-10) and calls me righteous so that I may inherit eternal life (Romans 3:21-28).

Application:
1. Believe in Jesus Christ by faith for the permanent and complete forgiveness of my past, present and future sins and surrender my life and future to God. Check!

2. Truly, it is only God that can bring life to the dead things in my life as well as call other things that aren't present (or that may be waining at times) in my life into existence: hope, a truly blessed future, security, meaning and purpose, healed relationships, and success in things that really matter.

Prayer: There are so many disappointments in my life, and plenty of failures and regrets. Yet I know that You are able, more than able to bring hope, restore success that matters, and revitalize purpose and then direct me in all things. You know my heart and the things I long for. You know my dreams like no one else. But I also know that You say, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." So, as always, help me to place You at the top of all other desires, love You with all my being and to be satisfied with that.  Then I'll wait in faith for Your plans to come to pass. I love You. Amen.

Words Fail To Do Justice To It

Scripture: Romans 4:16a "Therefore [God's promise to Abraham and to Abraham's 'seed' concerning eternal life] is of faith that I might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed..."

Observation: Without God's grace my salvation, eternal life and peace would not be sure. When left to me the results of menial tasks are always mixed. Perfection is a task that I fail at before I start. God, in his wisdom, removed me from the equation and chose to put the onus of success on the one person that never fails - himself.

Application: Remember today how much God loves me. He is not against me, but rather is far more for me even than I am! In him I find peace, love and acceptance. Believe, have faith in him.

Prayer: Lord, you are good, too good to describe. The truth of this verse causes my spirit to cry out "I love you!" because of your amazing love. You were showering me with grace before I ever realized it and before I gave one care to my rebellion against you or my impending judgment apart from you saving and forgiving me. And now I'm secure because the promise is sure. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

True Riches

I paused during my time with the Lord this morning to take this picture. I'm beyond proud of my son. I'm also so pleased that he wakes each day to spend time in God's word.






 So here's to the realization that these days won't last forever.

Proverbs 23:24-26
"The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad;
let her who bore you rejoice.
My son, give me your heart,
and let your eyes observe my ways."

The Wrath of God and the Work of Christ

This is going to be a long one today.

Scripture: Romans 4:5 "But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness."

Observation: The phrase "who justifies the ungodly" never really stuck out to me until I heard John Piper preach on the subject. My first thought was simply, "Of course He does. He did it by pouring all His wrath on Jesus for all the sins of the world," but after thinking about that statement it is clear that not all of those things are true, at least, not at face value.

So, how did God justify one sinner? 

Common answer: By punishing Jesus for his/her sins. But obviously Jesus died for more than one of us. How much of God's wrath did Jesus take? All of it? No, for only two chapters earlier Paul described the wrath that is revealed from heaven against ungodliness (1:18-20) and in Chapter 3 he says that there is a day in which God's wrath will be revealed against sinners. Plus, if Jesus suffered the wrath of God for all the sins of every person then God would be unrighteous in attributing the same wrath twice - once on Jesus and once on the unbelieving person.

That really only leave two possibilities as I see it.

First, that God, knowing who would come to faith in Christ throughout all of history, laid on Jesus the iniquity of those individuals, or

Second, God inflicted wrath on Jesus, not in a sort of pound-for-pound punishment measured out carefully based on specific, individual sins, but rather the wrath was exacted based on a display of God's wrath to the extent necessary to bring God glory. In a way, God had to be satisfied with the punishment of Jesus (see Isaiah 53:10).

My initial thought against both of those possibilities is that the Bible says that Jesus took the sins of the whole world. Isaiah 53:6 says that Lord took "the iniquity of us all." John 3:16 says that God loved the world so much that he sacrificed His only Son, Jesus. In John 1:29, John the Baptizer is quoted as saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!" Furthermore, 1 Timothy 2:5 and 6 says that Jesus, who is the only mediator between us and God, game Himself as a ransom for all."

After further study though, those seemingly straight-forward and plain interpretations aren't as cut-and-dry as they seem.

1. In Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah is prophesying about the life, suffering and death of the Messiah. His foretelling became a reality completely in Jesus. The question is who is Isaiah referring to when he writes that God will lay on the Messiah "the iniquity of us all." Who is "us all?" In the context, Isaiah has the physical, biologically descending people of Israel in mind. In reality though, that is not how this was  fulfilled. We know that every Jew according to blood has not been saved. Paul makes clear in Romans 9:how we should understand this phrase:

"But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, 'In Isaac your seed shall be called.' That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed." (Romans 9:6-8)

So, "us all" only actually refers to those that have or will be saved by faith in Jesus. This removes the confusion that comes just a few verses later in Isaiah when he writes, "By His (speaking of Messiah) knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:10) 

2. What about the two verses in John and the one in 1 Timothy? The John verses are especially important to this discussion because they are two of the most well known verses throughout the world. In trying to understand these verses I start in the verse and then draw from the literary context of the passage, chapter, book, and Bible as a whole.

In the verse itself the word used for "world" has the following meanings:

I. an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
II. ornament, decoration, adornment, i. e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1 Pet. 3:3
III. the world, the universe
IV. the circle of the earth, the earth the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
V. the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
VI. world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
     A. the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
VII. any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
     A. the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11: 12 etc)
     B. of believers only, John 1: 29; 3: 16; 3: 17; 6: 33; 12: 47 1 Cor. 4: 9; 2 Cor. 5

So the question is, which should be understood here. My first thought is I should trust the language experts and go with VII, B considering they specifically say John 1:29 and John 3:16 are only referring to believers.

What does the context of Chapter 3 say? It begins with Jesus telling one of the Jewish leaders that only specific people can be saved - those that are experience the work of God through faith. It continues with Jesus using an Old Testament reference in which only a portion of the Israelites were saved. Jesus follows verse 16 up by dividing people up based on some that will love evil and perish in their sins, and other who will repent of their sin and live in eternal life. The chapter ends with another distinguishing verse "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

Ultimately, I don't see in John 3:16 the requirement to understand the verse to mean that during Jesus' suffering and death God poured out all the wrath for every sin for every person that has ever lived or ever will live.

First Timothy 2:6 also does not need to imply every person in the history of the world. Word study on the Greek word "pas" shows that it could be understood to mean, especially in this situation, some of all parts (i.e. some people from every nation or people group in the world). While this may be the case, it is difficult to rectify that interpretation considering that the word "pas" is used twice in verses 5 and 6 and the first one doesn't make much sense unless it is referring to all people in the history of the world. But even then, just because God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" that doesn't mean that it is going to happen (clearly it hasn't!) and therefore it is not support for thinking that Jesus' blood covered every sin of every person who ever lived or who ever will live.

I think the conclusion that more aligns with the whole of Scripture, God's character, and God's work to save a people for Himself is the second option from above: The amount of wrath inflicted by God on Jesus was only the amount necessary to bring God glory as the righteous judge of humankind and to adequately establish Jesus as the perfect and eternal sacrifice that could atone for and cover the sins of anyone that had faith in God or that would have faith in God in the future.

Be Unwavering

Scripture: Romans 4:20-21 "[Abraham] did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform."

Observation and Application: I love the word "waver" in verse 20. I find myself wavering often in my unbelief. These verses encapsulate quite nicely the thought process that Abraham maintained and that I ought to maintain:

(1) First, Give glory to God. Seems so simple, but not necessarily easy when life includes disappointment, hurts and offenses from others, failed promises, betrayal or physical limitations or injuries. Regardless, I must always, like Abraham, give glory to God.

(2) Second, Believe God at His word. How big do I think He is? What do I believe about Him? How many times must the Holy Spirit speak to me for it to be certain and true? What is the statute of limitations on something God says? God is able - period. He only needs to say it once, but is also so patient in confirming and encouraging. His promises and purposes never expire or change.

Do not waver.

Prayer: Lord, You have made faith an unremovable aspect of any relationship with You. Please strengthen mine as a smith purifies and reinforces steel. Holy Spirit, please give me faith. Bring to remembrance what You've said and help me to walk in faith, unwavering that I might give You glory in all things. I love You. Amen.

All In One Package Deal

Scripture: Romans 3:22, 25-26 "even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe... [God set Jesus] forth... to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."

Observation: Okay. So this is more (a continuation) from the last two days of SOAPs. I have to slightly change what I concluded yesterday because of what I see today.

Verse 22 clearly makes God's righteousness something that is "shown to" and "put on" believers. Then verses 25 and 26 clearly explain that the gospel does serve the purpose of highlighting both God's wrath and ever-correct attitude toward sin, and God's mercy and grace in over-looking the sin (or just delaying its condemnation) until Jesus could take the brunt of His wrath.

Application: Dale, know that Paul understand God's righteousness in a few different ways.

For me:
(1) God has declared me righteous through faith in Jesus.
(2) God has put His righteousness in me effectually (i.e. He intendeds it to be a powerful force for effecting change in me).
(3) I can look solely and deeply into the gospel to grasp the awesome and unsearchable glory of God's grace.

No wonder Paul made it his point to only preach Christ and Him crucified.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your amazing work in my life. I am your work, your handiwork and I want to give you all the love and praise that you deserve. Amen.

The Gospel Makes It Known and Clear

Scripture: Romans 3:21-22 "But now the righteousness of God part from the Law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God to all and on all who believe..."

Observation: This phrase, the "righteousness of God," is repeated here twice. It was first mention in 1:17. There Thomas R. Schreiner says that the term means both the effective change that occurs by the Holy Spirit's presence in us and also the declaration of "rightness" that God gives to us based on our faith in Jesus. Do those definitions fit here as well?

I have come to understand them simply as a characteristic of God, meaning that the gospel has revealed exactly how high God's holiness is and exactly how endless God's love, mercy and grace are. In the gospel we see that God's being is infinitely separate and excels ours. His perfection is unsearchable because we are incapable of comprehending it entirely.

But does my definition work? I have to stand by my understanding at this point because the rest of this passage (vs 3:21-28) seems to be defining in more detail the support for what exactly God's righteousness IS.

These SOAPs are getting too long in Romans!

Application: Humility. But how do I do it? And how do I go about changing?

Prayer: Father, I need, as always here also, Your help doing this. I'm drawing water from a tainted well. Please help me draw from the well of Your endless power through the life of Jesus in me. I love You. Amen.

Paul Really Didn't Get It Wrong (this is part 2)

Scripture: (continued from the 25th...) Romans 3:4 "Certainly not! Indeed let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: 'That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.' "

Observation: After thinking more, the result or end of both situations (Paul's translation here and the translation of Psalm 51:4) is the same. When I am judged by the Lord concerning sinful actions I am left in the wrong each and every time. When I judge God (as in the instance of Paul's address to the Jews in Romans) I am left in the wrong each and every time. In one situation I have acted and God evaluates those actions. In the other, God acts and I evaluate. Alas, though, I find (1) that God is right, and (2) that I am then "evaluated" by God for my judging of Him and I must confess I must not judge God or presume to be God's judge.

Application: God can be my judge or my shield. The choice is mine. Either way the glory is His!

Prayer: Please reveal to me today where I am standing in judgment of You today. I know pride is ever with me. I presume too much! Renew my mind Father! Soften my heart and make me like Christ. I love You. You are good! Amen.

God Must Have Just Gotten It Wrong (this is part 1)

Scripture: Romans 3:3-4 "For what if some [Jews] did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true (also translatable as "found true") and every man a liar. As it iso written: 'That you may be justified in your words, and may over come when you are judged.' "

Observation: This transition is confusing to me, and I may not figure it out this morning....

First, what does verse 3 have to do with verses 1 and 2 and chapter 2:25-29?

Second, why does Paul "misquote" Psalm 51:4?

First, the "faithfulness" of God must be referring to the fact that God revealed the OT Scriptures even though some Jews did not believe in faith. So Paul's train of thought seems to be that (beginning at the end of Ch. 2):
1. Physical Jewish descent will never lead irrevocably to eternal life.

2. The "chief" blessing or value of being God's chosen nation was the immeasurable blessing of being the bearers of God's holy word and prophecies.

3. Therefore, because some do not continue in faith it doesn't mean that God's faithfulness was useless, but rather it must be understood that eternal life was never guaranteed to every Hebrew.

4. And verse 4 is just Paul saying that a Jew who found blame with God because God appeared to have failed to keep His promise or did not succeed in bringing the promised salvation to the Jews should readjust his or her perspective by remembering that God is always right and man will always be wrong when there exists a conflict between what we see God doing and what we think He should  be doing.

Application: A believer should remember this when dealing with a conflict between our society's current moral standards and the standard(s) laid down in God's word. Many people want to just assume that He didn't mean what His word says He meant.

Remembering this will also protect me from prejudices toward others when I misunderstand portions of God's word because I have forgotten to apply other important and pertinent commands.

Prayer: Lord, I'm glad that You are always right and I will always be found wrong when I disagree with You. I appreciate the times that You convict me of sin. I'm glad when You speak to me about things I need to stop doing... or start doing. I have no desire to be left in the dark so please keep shining Your light into my life. I love You. Amen.

"I Will Not Boast In Anything.. Nothing But The Blood"

Scripture: Romans 2:4, 17-20 "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing hat the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"

Observation: Verses 17-20 are a list of things that the Jews have to boast about, in the flesh anyway. He describes what makes some Jews believe there would be  partiality from God on judgment day. But the response to this way of thinking already came in verses 1-4: All are guilty because everyone sins. 

But God's goodness, forbearance, and patience are a soft floor for us to fall to our knees on. He calls us to "judge rightly" and then be humble regardless of what we may think gives us right or reason to be confident in our goodness.

Application: This chapter does nothing but call for humility! 

What are my boasts? What things do I hold pride over? Verse memorization, degree, consistent Bible study and prayer, personal spiritual growth, homeschooling, family, lifestyle. But for everyone of those things, I violate ten (or a hundred) times the laws and consistently am inconsistent in. Really, I'm broken. I am condemned without the blood of Jesus. I, like every other human, have only one hope - to live by faith in Jesus, who loves me and gave Himself for me.

Prayer: Please teach me. Forgive my pride and arrogance. Help me to love as You love. I love You. Amen.

It's More Of a Heart Surgery

Scripture: (I had intended to journal on Romans 2:4, but God caught my attention with) Romans 2:26 "Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirement of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision?"

Observation: The Jew who is trying to follow God would probably reply to this verse that someone who is trying to follow God and "keep the righteous requirement of the law" would therefore also be circumcised in order that he would obey the law in that area as well. Yet Paul is making the clear point that circumcision to God is more than just a physical sign (explicit in vs. 28-29; Gal 6:15; Deut 30:6).

Deuteronomy 30:6 shows that "circumcision of the heart" is not a N.T. idea only. Paul isn't creating a new idea or even using a vogue or culturally-based imagery; he's again pointing out that the gospel fulfills the O.T. prophecy and that neither the Jewish Law or any other self-made laws will not bring eternal life to anyone.

God is concerned about our heart. Does our heart belong to Him? Is He our treasure above all else?

Application: Like the Jew I mentioned, I often get so wrapped up in rules (or the idea that everyone should apply God's word in the same way) that I forget to honor the genuine heart in others that desires to love God.

Prayer: Father, please help me to be circumcised of the heart toward You! I want to be single-hearted and in real relationship with the Lawgiver, not the Law. I love you! Amen.

The Mirage of Goodness

Scripture: Romans 2:29 "but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not the letter; whose praise [literally "Jew"] is not from men but from God."

Observation: Here at the end of the chapter (though not, it seems to me, at the end of the train of thought) Paul hits the core of the self-righteousness resulting from efforts toward obedience to the law. Always men and women are engrossed in the judging and comparing of themselves with a standard, whether it be their family or friend or co-worker or enemy or teacher or student or politician or the wealthy or the poor. On the other hand, if we are judged by the God's moral standard (the Law) we all fail.

The purpose of all our comparison is to measure up, but we always drive toward the wrong goal. We strive toward some imaginary standard contrived in our own minds which, conveniently, normally declares us "good enough."

Instead we should ask the Author and Origin of all that is morally good (who is Himself the very standard) for His verdict on our lives. Then we could humbly accept our failure toward the true standard and plead for mercy. If we do so, God will immediately and joyously smother us in forgiveness, mercy and grace and then we will have our "praise from God."

Application: Duh! Cease from my unrighteous judgment (Matthew 7:1). Lavish blessing on others, distain on my sins, and praise on my God!

Prayer: May I seek the praise that comes from you today and be a true Jew in the spirit. I love you. You are beyond good to me. Amen.

The Level Playing Field

Scripture: Romans 2:1 "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."

Observation: Paul seems to be addressing self-righteousness and, perhaps, unrealized hypocrisy throughout these passages. Yesterday the SOAP concluded based on verses 6-9 that Paul isn't preaching works-based righteousness or salvation in this chapter.

Beginning in Chapter 1:18 Paul speaks of the wrath to come that will be directed at those stubbornly defiant of God. By the end of Chapter 1 Paul's listeners would be all nodding in agreement. Then for the next 47 verses (through 3:18) Paul turns the tables and directly applies that same wrath and sinfulness to his readers/listeners as well. By the end of it Paul has clearly put all on level ground.

This is also the point of verse 11, "There is no partiality with God." (i.e. The Jews won't be treated special.)

Application: O, how great should be my humility! How deeply should I feel my shame! How sternly do I need to hold to the "goodness, forbearance and long-suffering" of God and be led to repentance!

Prayer: God, I don't even know the extent of my sinfulness and I confess I do the same things that I judge others in. And I confess my judging! Teach me to be free of that, for I know that the greatest shame will come on the day of judgment when you reveal the hidden things. I love you. I fall on your grace. Amen.

The Identity Property of "Nothing"

Scripture: Romans 2:6-9 "who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness - indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil,"

Observation: This portion of the chapter seems to be a "salvation by works" support. But I believe Paul's statements have to be understood in the lens of two things: (1) he's writing to Jews in this chapter, and perhaps all th
e way to chapter 4; and (2) Paul means, when he says "in doing good" (vs. 7 and 10), those that in pursuit of righteousness surrender to the gospel. This is supported by verse 8 "who do not obey the truth" and verses 12-16 in their entirety, which effectively includes all people everywhere and makes them guilty before God and incapable of being justified by works.

Application: "Obey the truth" - surrender to the gospel in its daily application of death to myself (Gal 2:20). Be sober-minded and self-controlled that I may seek "glory, honor and immortality" as it is distributed by God by faith.

Grace + Nothing = Forgiveness, Peace and Eternal Life

Prayer: Father, please continue to work in me. Sanctify me. Chasten me. Purify me. Please do these things all for and to your glory and praise that I may be a witness and have a testimony of your exceeding greatness, power, goodness, and love. I love you! Amen.

A Poem by Nori

Howdy.

I've considered starting up the blog again now that I'm back from Saudi Arabia. There is plenty that I could share from there.

But something else came to me to be the first post-deployment blog.

Tell Me, Flag

by N. R. Sickels

O Flag, waving 'bove the

Land of Liberty, 

Tell me truly, Flag, what 

Is it that you see?

Do your red-and-white stripes

And your star-spangled blue

See a land quite as lovely 

As they once used to?

O Flag, rippling o'er 

Fifty states united,

Has too much freedom 

Left your purity blighted?

Perhaps we burn flags 

Whose cloth touch the floor 

Because the dust of America

Is, by sin, made so poor.

Grease That Even Dawn Won't Cut Through. I'm Going To Need Something Stronger.

Scripture: Romans 2:12-13 "For as many as have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;"

Observations: These verses seem to be the crux of Paul's point from the end of Chapter 1 through Chapter 2: namely, that everyone is guilty and those that have the law, though they are in a better place because they have God's written commands guiding them to righteousness, are not more justified before God because the law condemns each person if he or she breaks it even once. 

Many will say "I did not know such and such was wrong," but we do not need to know all of God's law to be held guilty by Him. We really only need to know one, for our compulsion to do wrong is so complete that we will undoubtedly break even just the one law (indeed, each and every law) that we are aware of.

Application: I cannot have pride in my life. I have no place for pride in my behavior or before God. Pride simply becomes a log in the fire that my conscience stokes for the pending judgment of God. Set my heart to scorn self-righteousness and all boasting that is done in anything but God in Jesus Christ! Be humble about my salvation and glorify and praise God!

Prayer: Your word consistently guides me to my sin and your praise. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I praise you! Thank you for the revelation of your law. I agree that it is holy and right, but today's Application I cannot do without you. Knowing the extent of sin in my life I probably have pride about my pride! Humility isn't a natural action for me. Please make me like Jesus then according to your will! Help me to allow Christ to live in me like your word says that I might be in Christ and so be a new creature. I love you. Your grace and mercy are beyond compare. Amen.

Eomer Was Wrong. This "Hope" is Trustworthy.

Scripture: Romans 1:2 [the gospel of God] "which [God] promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures."

Observation: It is important that Paul opens the letter in the way that he does. I believe this is the only letter written to church that he had never visited.

He immediately establishes himself as an authority and then gets down to the purpose for his letter. "This gospel that I preach is the one that God promised." (So was there doubt about that? Is that a theme in the rest of the letter?) "This gospel is the one promised by God! It has happened and it is exciting and full of life changing hope. I want to tell you about it!"

Paul stresses that this gospel was rooted in the Scriptures and was promised by God. This is not a vogue movement. It's been planned by God since before the creation of the world.

"People of earth - here is your Savior! Do not miss this! Do not take this lightly! It will change your entire life... it will make you want you've always wanted to be."

Application: I think this is a perfect picture of the type of testimony that all Christians can share. The OT recorded predictions and promises of it. Jesus declared its arrival (along with John the Baptist). The apostles and disciples invited all to join, receive the blessing of it, and worked and served to strengthen the faith of believers everywhere.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have such excitement, joy and hope in my testifying that the world would know your love and acceptance. I love you. Amen.

Joseph vs. Moses, Part 1

Scripture:
Genesis 41

Observation: There are several comparisons and contrasts that can be made between Joseph and Moses.

1. Comparisons

A. Both were princes of Egypt.

B. Both had been placed in those positions by the sovereign work of the Lord.

C. Both were used to save the family of Abraham.

D. Both were used to move the family of Abraham.

E. Both went through great trials in order to be a vessel usable to God.

F. Both put God's glory and their relationship with him first.

G. Both displayed God's glory to the Pharaoh and in turn to the entire world.

H. Both rested fully on the power and might of God.

I. Both were saved through some very difficult situations.

Application: God's plans for humanity to bring glory to himself (whether it is in their submission and love for him and they're serving of him and bringing fame to Jesus Christ; or whether it is by and through their willful disobedience, rebellion and idolatry which brings glory to his righteousness, justice and wrathful power) has not changed. I am here today to take part in one or the other. Everyone chooses to praise God's wonder and goodness or, by unfortunate default, to be the instrument by which he shows his rightness and man's wrongness.

Prayer: You alone are the Lord. I am your creation. Use me today to bring glory to your name and to show the world how precious and wonderful Jesus Christ is. I love you God. Amen.

The Lowest High

Scripture: Genesis 40:4 "So the captain of the guard charged Joseph with [the butler and the baker of the Pharaoh], and he served them; so they were in custody for a while."

Observation: The phrased "and he served them" is repeated here and in Chapter 39, verse 4 (where Joseph is said to have served Potiphar). This demonstrates two things:

1. As Jesus said, "Those who would be great among you must be servant of all." Joseph had learned humility and served all put in his care. This is the essence of leadership done God's way.

2. Joseph's perspective on serving God was right. He walked closely with God; that relationship was his identity. It gave him the joy and hope of life. It was that reason that made it possible for Joseph to keep a God-honoring heart and attitude toward his circumstances.

Application: Regardless of the circumstances (1) seek God with all my heart with unwavering faith in His goodness and an untiring desire for God Himself; and (2) serve others - bless them, love them, work to build them up, and be an aid to them.

Prayer: Simply let me be near You always and honor You through my honoring of others because it brings You glory. I love You! Amen.

What Kind Of Fuel Is Running Our Engine?

Scripture: Genesis 39:9 "[Joseph said] there is no one greater in [Potiphar's] house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

Observation: On the heals of two chapters in which God's sovereignty over our actions and even thoughts is emphasized, the narration now comes to a change of pace. Or does it?

I get the sense as I read through Joseph's experience in Potiphar's home and his incarceration that God has "taken a liking" to Joseph. In verses 2, 3, 5, 6 (in a way), 21, and 23 Moses repeatedly shows or states that God poured blessing after blessing on David, but even more so on David's work. Nothing he did failed. All he was responsible for abounded with growth, blessing and praise from those around him. The question I ask is, Why? There's really nothing in the narrative leading up to this that indicates Joseph deserved great blessing for his extreme faithful to God.

I think the answer appears very quietly and is almost mentioned as an after thought. At the end of verse 9 Joseph says "... how can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" If Joseph would have surrendered to Potiphar's wife, I would have normally perceived it to be a sin against Potiphar - not God - but in this response Joseph reveals his heart in two ways:

1. He acknowledged that the fact that Potiphar had given him everything in his house (well, almost everything) only happened because God brought it about. Joseph knew that every blessing, authority, and freedom comes from God's hand. James said it like this: "Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." Paul echoes the sentiment: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God." (Romans 13:1) Peter wrote, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time." (1 Peter 4:6) Joseph knew that God put Potiphar's house under Joseph's rule, not Potiphar.

2. Joseph's work ethic was driven by the glorious worth that he attributed to God and by the joy of serving and loving Him. He could not turn against a God that loved him so much! Joseph knew that sin separated him from his Lord. What joy would a one-night stand have given compared to the Highest Joy in existence? The temporal pleasures of sexual intimacy stolen from its proper abode would have tasted as so much mud, filth and sewage when placed on the same plate as the only true eternally satisfying Feast for man's heart.

Application: Though my body is currently chained to this world, my heart and mind ought to ever be turned to my Lord, the only true Hope. "Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth."(Colossians 3:2; really all of 3:1-4)

Prayer: Father, may I bring You glory always. May You ever be in my mind and heart. May I set, place, establish, build, found my actions on You, my Redeemer, Savior, and Hope. I love You. Amen.

What You Need Is A NapCab.

I recently had a layover in Munich, Germany. I've been in Japan's Naha and Narita airports and one of the Republic of Korea's major hubs. I'm always impressed at how different cultures set up their airports because they each put some focus on different things.

The Japanese, for instance, are serious about their smoking rooms. There were so many people in the little glass rooms that they looked like sardines swimming through foggy water. The Germans had a glass walled smoking room also but theirs looked more like a modern-motifed diner with glass walls. I'm pretty sure they were in there sipping wine with their cigarettes.

Anyway, these pictures are of a quiet spot in Munich's airport. I really wanted to crash out but my connection was rapidly approaching. Doesn't a NapCab sound nice? And from what I hear a lot of Europeans countries are good at mixing their work and rest. I've seen Saudi Arabians, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Pakistanis, and citizens of other middle east countries regularly incorporate naps into the work day. Asian cultures do that really well, too.

Could we Americans learn a thing or two from them? Or are we too progressive of a society? You know, we've probably outgrown such trifles.

Actually, I think that my dad had one of these on the back of his semi when I was growing up. Yeah! He had a NapCab and a DogHouse (I think those are illegal for use now, though). That truck was way cool and, obviously, way ahead of its time.

 

 

It seems they do a lot of bossing around there. Sleep! Work! Relax! Discover napcabs! But then, frankness has always been a virtue of the German people that I have known.

Judah and Tamar

Scripture: Genesis 38:27, 29b "Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in [Tamar's] womb. ... [the first-born child] was called Perez."

Observation: This story about Judah and Tamar brings almost nothing but questions to mind. There are still a few things to note.
1. Judah was the one that had the bright idea to sell Joseph to the Ishmaelites so that his blood wouldn't be on their hands. After all "what profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?" he said. Better to sell him and gain some real profit.

2. Judah continues here to boldly proclaim his lack of morality. The only two "good" things he does is to attempt to bring an heir to his first-born son and then later confess his sinfulness (which is indeed an awesome thing to do). We might think this a selfish thing to do, but in their culture a woman's prize and joy came greatly (if not primarily) from being blessed with children.

3. Through this event God does two things of note:
     A. He demonstrates (again) His love for and valuation of women. Tamar was a widow and was being treated unjustly. It is no little wonder that God would give her twins! He is a good God.
     B. He again worked through the unrighteousness acts of men to bring about His plan to save people from the consequences of those same sinful acts. Tamar's child Perez is in the ancestral line of Jesus.

Application:
1. God will accomplish His purposes and they cannot be thwarted.

2. God will always act on behalf of the outcast, poor, widowed, fatherless, and humbled. And He, in His time, will judge and bring wrath on sinful man for their rebellion and sinful acts.

(Psalm 18:27 "For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks.")

Prayer: I will follow You and trust in Your ways and means even though I do not understand them always. You alone are The Lord. And this is eternal life, that people may know You, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Father, please use me to spread those truths in a country and military that adamantly and forcefully is shutting their ears to You and driving all reminders of You out. We need You. Amen.

Joseph, God, And Making Sense Of It All

Scripture: Genesis 37:5 "Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more."

Observation: The paradox of the story of Joseph is that God gave Joseph dreams, who then increased the hatred of his brothers by sharing the dreams, which drove them to sell him, which resulted in the fulfillment of the dreams. Even more curious is that Rueben saved Joseph from death, which also was key to God's plans for Joseph.

Some may say that God here merely looked into Joseph's future and revealed a portion of it. That conclusion is incorrect, however. God orchestrated these things; He intended all of this. Like it or not, He is sovereign and does as He pleases (see Ephesians 1:11). How can I support that conclusion? I think with two points.

1. The dreams that God gave Joseph are the catalyst for everything that happened to Joseph. The brother had kindling for a fire in their dad's favoritism but the fuel and spark were the dreams (37:19 "this dreamer is coming..."). It wasn't the other way around. God was not just reacting to what the brothers did.

2. Joseph himself testified of this fact (see 45:4-8).

Application
1. God is sovereign over all things. The more I accept that, the greater I am blessed through it.

2. I will make mistakes no matter how hard I try. Rest in God's sovereignty. Joseph's naivety got him into trouble with the jealous brothers. Joseph continued during his enslavement (the consequence of his blabbing) to honor God as best as he could. God accomplished the physical salvation of an entire nation through it.

3. In the end, God spread His great, powerful, righteous name all over Egypt and the rest of the world. It is to His glory and to their shame that within centuries they had turned completely to satanic idolatry.

Prayer: Father, please teach me to trust Your faithfulness to Your own glory and to me. You bless those that diligently seek You. If You are for me, who can be against me. The reality is my Daddy can beat up their daddy. I love You. Amen.

Opinion Bomb

This is too funny not to share. It's also a little too much reality not to share... at least it is to me.

"I have a right to bear arms to protect myself. The government should provide me free firearms since I cannot afford them. The ability to pay should never prevent me from protecting my family from criminals."

Don't know who said it, but I kind of want to shake his or her hand. We should also add for accuracy's sake "from criminals and a reckless, dangerous, or detrimental government."

On the the other hand, President Obama actually ended his speech to Planned Parenthood the other night with the phrase, "God bless Planned Parenthood". I was literally expecting lightning bolts or scaffolding to fall from the ceiling. Folks, the term "reproductive health" is one of the most offensive things I've ever heard.

I pray that everyone using that term to sugar coat the killing of a child for convenience's sake would be blessed with an overwhelming understanding of how infinitely God loves them. I think that perhaps seeing a love so powerful, forgiveness so freely offered, and acceptance so unconditional might just be the thing to heal the hurting heart of someone who pursued "reproductive health" and is now dealing with the crushing, soul-wrenching aftermath of that decision.

Lord, please let your love shine so strongly through your children that it overcomes the darkness.

Mind Your Step, Your Steps Matter

Scripture: Genesis 34:1 "Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land."

Observation: Of all the history in Genesis I think this event to be the saddest. Jacob had one daughter; one daughter among 12 sons. I know the love I have for my only daughter - that I would protect her from anything and everything that seeks to harm her. My greatest concern comes not from the physical dangers, though.

Dinah was raped, but that, like so many other things in life, was avoidable if she would have made different decisions. That doesn't mean she was at fault for Shechem's actions. It means that she was at fault for being in that place at the time. We should not live life so naively that we don't recognize the impact that our decisions have on the experiences we have.

Dinah had some draw to visit the other women of "the land" of Canaan. The purpose of her visit isn't clearly stated but in light of the rest of the Bible, and the Torah especially, I can clearly see there was a drawing of the heart toward the way the "daughters of the land" lived, acted, worshipped, talked, played, mothered, married, dressed, and prioritized their lives. Genesis 34:1 serves no other purpose than to establish the context of the remained of the narrative.

So, Dinah had a heart issue that led her into danger and eventually into heart ache for her, her whole family, and to death for the men of an entire city. She was drawn to fill her heart with either something novel, something relational, or something spiritual. She, like the rest of us, sought to fill that hole in her heart with something other than the Lord.

Application: My concern for Nori is that her heart be totally defended against the draw of the world. People generally do what the people of their environment do. There are few exceptions. The application for me is to:

1. Continue to date Nori so that she values the treatment that godly men give.

2. Continue to encourage her to fill her mind and heart with the mind of Christ by carefully chosing that activities and books that she takes in.

3. Encourage her to love the Lord will all her heart.

4. Encourage her and bless her daily.

5. Help her find her true joy and complete satisfaction in God even while the world around her tells her that it is a waste of time and energy to live solely for His love and glory.

6. Love and support her so well that she will be able to clearly recognize true love when she sees it and so that she can spot fake, self-centered, worldly, sinfully driven  emotion and affections from a mile away; and to reject it on the spot.

Prayer: God, my Lord, I cannot pray strongly enough or more passionately that You teach me to love Nori to the highest degree and to model Your love for her. Please strengthen our relationship so that I can meet her relational needs and so that I would be her knight in armor until the day that she leaves according to Your will to marry according to Your will. I love You. Amen.

Go!

Scripture: Genesis 31:13 " 'I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.' "

Observation: God is announcing that He has done all that Jacob has asked (back in Chapter 28, verse 20-22). The last thing to be completed required Jacob to obey in faith and return to Isaac.

The conflict that had risen between Jacob and Laban may have prompted Jacob's departure, but it didn't determine his next destination. Jacob likely would not have returned to his brother without God telling him to.

God took 20 years (31:41) to fulfill Jacob's request at Bethel. Really that's how long God chose to take to demonstrate His sovereign power. Jacob now knew that God not only does as He pleases, but that He also sets the times and seasons of our lives. Despite the length of his journey with Laban, rather through the completion of all of His promises, God proved His untiring faithfulness.

Application:
1. Granted, Jacob may have lived longer than I will, but God will take however much time He wants in order to do the work in me and my family that He has purposed. Be patient in faith, and persevere through trials.

2. Trust in God's plan.

3. Obey when God says "Go".

Prayer: Lord, please give me the faith of Jacob. I praise You for Your sovereignty and trustworthiness. I love You. Amen.

Is He A Sovereign God?

WARNING! This is a theology post. Proceed at your own risk.

I have been part of a group of men that have been meeting on Friday's at 5am (yawn!) to study theology (double yawn, right?) for the last year and a half, or so. Several times the doctrine of "Sovereign Election" has come up. Some people may know this topic as Calvinism vs. Arminianism (though that is rather a poor generalization, to be historically accurate), or "Double Predestination vs. Free Will".

I post the below extensive quote by Horatius Bonar (19 December 1808 – 31 May 1889) because it contributes to the discussions and considerations that the Wing and a Prayer bible study group have had. Enjoy or loathe. It's up to you, I suppose.

Whether or not you make it to the end, comments are always welcome on the blog of someone who would wake up at 4:10 am to discuss a book call "Systematic Theology" (which I recommend if you're looking for such a book; this one is by Wayne Grudem).

"I do not deny that in conversion man himself wills. In everything that he does, thinks, feels, he of necessity wills. In believing he wills. In repenting, he wills. In turning from evil ways, he wills - all this is true. The opposite is both untrue and absurd. But while fully admitting this, there is another question behind it, of great interest and importance: Are these movements of man's will toward good the effects of the forthputting of God's will? Is man willing because he has made himself so; or is he willing because God has made him so? Does he become willing entirely by an act of his own will, or by chance, or by moral suasion, or because his will was acted on by created causes or influences from outside himself?

I answer unhesitatingly that he becomes willing because of another and superior will - God's, that has come into contact with his, alter its nature and its bent. This new bent is the result of a change produced upon it by Him who alone, of all beings, has the right, without limitation, to say in regard to all events and change, "I will!" The man's will has followed the movement of the Divine will. God has made him willing. God's will is first, not second, in the movement. Even a holy and perfect will depends for guidance upon the will of God. Even when regenerated, a man's will still follows, it does not lead. Much more an unholy will, for its bent must be first changed. And how can this be, if God is not to interpose His power?

The presentation of truth, however forcible and clear, even though that truth were the grace of God, will only exasperate the unconverted man. It is the gospel he hates, and the more clearly it is set before him, the more he hates it. It is God that he hates, and the more closely God approaches him, the more vividly that God is set before him, the more his enmity awakens. Surely, then, that which stirs up enmity cannot of itself remove it. Of what avail, then, are the most energetic means by themselves? The will itself must be directly operated upon by the Spirit of God: He who has made it must remake it. Its making was the work of Omnipotence; its remaking must be the same, in no other way can its evil bent be rectified. God's will must come into contact with man's will, and then the work is done. Must not God's will then be first in every such movement/ Man's will follows. 

Is this a hard saying? So some in these days would have us believe. Let us ask wherein consists the hardness. Is it hard that God's will should be the leader and man's will the follower in all things great and small? Is it hard that we should be obliged to trace the origin of every movement of man towards good to the will of God? If it is hard, it must be that it strips man of every fragment of what is good, or of the slightest tendency to good. And this we believe to be the secret origin of the complaint against the doctrine. It is a thorough leveler and emptier of man. It makes him not only nothing, but worse than nothing, a sinner all over  - nothing but a sinner, with a heart full of enmity to God, set against Him as the God of righteousness, and still more against Him as the God of grace, with a will so bent away from the will of God, and so rebellious against it, as not to have one remaining inclination of what is good and holy and spiritual. This man cannot tolerate. Admit that a man is totally worthless and helpless, and where is the hard saying? Is it hard that God's blessed and holy will should go before our miserable and unholy wills, to lead them in the way? Is it hard that those who have nothing should be indebted to God for everything? Is it hard, since every movement of my will is downwards, earthwards, that God's mighty will should come in and lift it omnipotently upwards, heavenwards?"

- Horatius Bonar

The Shadow Proves The Sunlight

So today we're again facing things that just do not make sense to us.

Apparently it made sense to someone.

It's times like this that we're reminded that there is indeed such a thing as absolute morality, because such a nonsensical act demands justice in our heart (but that topic is for another day). I pray for justice upon these men or women that did this, but I pray even more for the rest of us that this moment will draw us all closer to the Lord.

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings like eagles. They shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14

"I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints, but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him that glory may dwell in the land." Psalm 85:8-9

"Because he has set his love upon me, therefore I will deliver Him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name. He shall call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him." Psalm 91:14-15

Answers we may have none of; confidence and hope for tomorrow are within our grasp if we wait on and call on the Lord who loves us.

I Know Karate. And Like Three Other Japanese Words.

Monday, 8 April 2013 - Christian earned his 2nd degree white belt. He has one more tip before being able to belt up and he should be ready for the belt test in August!

We Come To That Certain Place

Scripture: Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob dreams of the ladder extending to heaven from earth. God promises Jacob to give him the covenantal promises of Abraham and Isaac. Jacob's response.

Observation: This journal will be a bit different. It seems that within this text is a great representation of encountering God, God's revelation, and man's response.


Encounter
1.      
          - Verse 11 says Jacob "came to a certain place". Every person that exists, that has ever existed, and that will exist has a certain place where they meet God. I suppose very few people, if any, have only one place, but all encounter Him somewhere.
          - Jacob came to his place by no choice of his own; circumstances which were in the Lord's control placed him there.
          - Jacob was merely going through his normal daily experience when he met God (vs. 11).

Revelation
2. God comes to us with a declaration of His own character and follows that with a call for us to draw near to Him for the satisfaction of our heart and soul (John 6:35). He promises true and great success as a product of that relationship (John 6:35, 40), (vs 13-15).

The remaining steps only happen to those whom the Lord draws (John 6:44).

Response
3. Jacob chose to respond in faith. He immediately began to praise what he knew of God. He would learn more later (John 6:45).

4. Jacob then chose to set his desires right. He asked that God merely provide for his needs and repair the damage in his life. Jacob had strife on all sides of his life and so he asked that God grant him peace (vs. 20-21).

5. Jacob recognized that all of his material possessions belonged to God and he vowed to honor God with them.

Application: Steps 1 and 2 are God's work; 3 through 5 are for me (and everyone else). It will look different for each person, and yet it will look the same as well.

1. There must always be audible and visible praise to God for who He is, not just for what He does.

2. There must always be a change of heart and mind that results in a demonstration of faith and a declaration to pursuing God (even if only for a time God alone knows of the declaration).

3. There must always be a surrendering of this present life looking unto the life that God promises to give us in replacement and in eternity.

If those three are absent, then faith is not genuine, salvation will be false, and eternal life will not be granted by the Lord.

Prayer: With all that I am able to give, I give my life to You. Please increase my faith. Teach me to fulfill all the law by loving You and those around me. May my praise of You be heard and seen! Lead me and I will follow - by Your grace. I love You. Amen.

Leaving A Legacy

Scripture: Genesis 27:6-8 "So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, 'Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, "Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death." Now therefore my son, obey my voice according to what I command you.' "

Observations:
1. A lot of things have changed since Chapter 24, verse 67 "... and [Rebekah] became [Isaac's] wife, and he loved her."  Isaac pleaded for children and God granted twins.

2. God had revealed His future plans for the younger one. Sadly, rather than sharing that knowledge with Isaac, Rebekah apparently hid it and worked to manipulate circumstances. I see no reason that would provoke Jacob to barter for the first-born inheritance portion (Chapter 25) unless Rebekah had revealed something of God's plans to him. Sadly, Rebekah and Isaac had grown so far apart that they did not share even revelation from God. 

3. Rebekah's deceit of her husband also makes no sense unless there is great division between them. Chapter 25:28 says Jacob loved to eat the food Esau brought home. At the end of Chapter 26 we see Esau refused his parents wishes concerning his choice of wife (wives). Chapter 27:4 again says that Jacob "loved" wild game. Verses 7, 9, and 14 repeat that fact. Verses 19, 25, and 31 directly connect the blessing to the pre-blessing food.

5. To me, much of the family breakdown is Isaac's doing. I see several reasons for this. The only details we are given concerning Isaac is that he favored Esau. At first thought that isn't too surprising because he was a firstborn; however, Scripture records that the favoritism was owed to the fact that Esau was a hunter - the man's man. Second, Isaac repeated Abraham's sin of deceiving the Philistine leader. Third, Isaac overlooked Esau's obvious disregard for faith in God and following God's precepts (evidenced by his choice of wives).

Application:
1. Love my wife. I think it's interesting that two of the last three journals concerned Scripture's admonishment to treasure Candi and seek to bless her and appreciate her. I'm listening, Lord.

2. I think Isaac allowed his physical desires or enjoyment to cloud his discernment over his act of giving the blessing. Had he considered which of his sons were faithful to God he likely would have blessed Jacob by choice. What appetites do I have that cloud my judgment and hinder faithful obedience to my Lord?

Prayer: Father, thank you for providing Your word which is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that I may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Again, teach me to treasure Candi and to follow You whole-heartedly. I love You. Amen.