Monday 5-10-10

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Before the earth and time even existed. God was. God still is. God will forever be. I love the first four words of the bible, "In the beginning God." How powerful, how truth revealing, how true! Note those four words very carefully, it does not say "In the beginning the big bang," it does not say "In the begging amino acids," it does not say "In the beginning a fish sprouted legs." No it says, "In the beginning God."

Reading those four words ought to evoke in us fear, reverence, love and awe. Why? Because God is our creator (Genesis 1:26-27), our redeemer (Hebrews 10:10-12), and sustainer (John 15:16). We did nothing to create ourselves and according to Genesis 2:19 we are but dust, and will one day return to dust (our bodies that is). Just as we have done nothing to add to our existence, likewise we have done nothing to save ourselves in fact Romans 3:11 says "THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD." And lastly it is simply by the grace and power of God that we are set free from sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:56-57). 

"In the beginning God," speaks volumes to me. Because in that one phrase rests the whole entirety of scripture, for if God is either, a liar, and did not create the world, or, He does not exist. Then the whole foundation of redemption, salvation and glorifying God by enjoying Him forever is stripped away, and false. So the very beginning of scripture is just as precious and real as the deepest depths in Romans or Hebrews. We cannot simply look to build upon our knowledge and faith by reading the New Testament, for it is the Old Testament which our whole basis for understanding and believing the New Testament rests. 

Thursday 4-22-10

Jude 24-25 "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

Wow, what awesome and uplifting verses! God our Saviour is He whom is able to keep us from falling into temptation and sin. It is Jesus Christ alone who is able to present us faultless before God the Father's presence. It is Jesus' joy to present me without spot or wrinkle to the Father whole and complete. 

What a relief that I need not rely upon my own strength, power or ability to keep myself unspotted from the world. For truly if it was my power or strength that was being relied upon I would fail time and time again. In fact I have attempted to rely upon my ability to keep from sin, and I can give testament to the fact that I couldn't remain pure for my Savior. So these verses lift a great amount of anxiety that would press hard upon me, if it were not for God's provision for keeping me in Himself. 

As I read verse 25 the thought of "Why would all glory be unto God our Savior?" crossed my mind. Well honestly why shouldn't all glory be unto God? For God is infinitely worthy of all glory, honor and praise! I believe that God loves, redeems, regenerates, rejuvenates, and keeps us for His glory. Some ask a valid questions "Why?" The answer is quite simple I believe, it is: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. Some have a problem with this statement, I believe that is because we do not see Jesus Christ as our ultimate treasure, they think that there is something beyond that. I plead the case that Jesus Christ is all that there can be, otherwise we will time and time again fall short of reflecting and being vessels which bring God glory. 

One last thought, some do not believe that God can or does preserve those whom he regenerates. I cannot help but laugh honestly, for if the God of heaven and earth can rescue sinners from hell but not the bondage of sin then what kind of God is He really? Seriously, cannot God keep those whom He redeems for Himself? I believe He can, and fully embrace that my Lord God, Savior, Redeemer and Friend has all power in heaven and earth. And furthermore I believe that God truly does sanctify those whom He justifies, for His glory!

Wednesday 4-21-10

3 John 9 "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not."

3 John 12 "Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true."

These verses are very interesting, as I have read through first, second and third John in the past several days. You see as I have read each one, I see an element of God willing and working all things for His glory. Particularly as it speaks of God's love, and how His love changes the way we treat others and love them. It has greatly challenged me to review the way and reason I love. 

It has also more given me a more concrete vision for who God is, and why he loves me, and others. As I have read these passages many questions have flooded my mind. Why does God love me? Is my love for others truly from God? Why am I loving this person(s)? Am I fully relying on God's grace and love to love this person(s)? Am I loving this person(s) for God's glory? if not why? 

As I asked myself those questions and meditated over God's word, it has been like a light turned on in a dark room. 1 John 2:27  has proved it's self time and time again in my life this week. So no surprise when this evening as I read 3 John, God pricks my heart and teaches me more about His glory.

So unto 3 John verses 9 & 12. Basically the thought is very short and sweet, the man Diotrephes steals God's glory and seeks to assert himself as the authority, while Demetrius bears good report of the truth. Two men who were both in church, the context leads me to believe that both were leaders in their respective churches. Yet there was a fundamental difference between the two. Diotrephes loved men's applause, he loved to have the feeling of "power" and he wickedly used the church for such. While on the other hand we have less information about Demetrius, I think we can interpret several things about him. I believe Demetrius was humble and sought God's glory and not his own, I believe he lived out the gospel in that he was not self-seeking or hypocritical, and I also believe that Demetrius was a tested and trusted example, because John has no qualms about pointing to him as an example of righteousness. 

I am afraid that there are too many Diotrephes in the church today. Too many pastors and leaders whose hearts are not right before God. I do not want to be as such but rather as Demetrius who "hath a good report of all men,  and of the truth itself."

Tuesday 3-30-10

Galatians 1:23-24

"23  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

24  And they glorified God in me."

God did a mighty work in Paul's life through saving and sanctifying him. When men looked at Paul according to verse twenty-four they glorified God. I believe that this is the reason why God saves us and sanctifies us. There is nothing special or wonderful about me that God should have saved me. It is simply because of his mercy and that he seeks to be glorified through me life. I do not believe it is egotistical for God to seek his own glory, because if I love him and glorify him (which all men fall short of). Then I am fulfilled and happy when God is glorified, that is my joy is made complete in God being brought glory. 

May my life be as Paul's in that as men look at me and see what I was before God's work. Then they see the work that God has wrought in my heart and life may the glorify God

Blessings,

Monday 3-29-10

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 

"9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Just previous to this verse Paul mentions his "thorn in the flesh", and states that he had asked God to remove it at least three times. God tells Paul that His grace is enough for Paul and that His power and grace is made "perfect" through Paul's deficiencies. How Paul responds just is very convicting. Paul says that he "takes pleasure" in being feeble or frail, in rebukes or disapproval's, in daily menial tasks, in being tortured for Christ, in difficult times. 

Just having been reading through some of what Paul went through in the previous chapter his attitude is a great example to me. I'm sure he struggled at times no doubt but his selfless attitude of "if my being puny, or being whipped, or made fun of brings Christ glory.. then bring it on." This attitude and really mindset was no doubt not developed overnight. But I really believe it came from Paul being completely and totally satisfied in God, he didn't need comfort, fame, men's praise.. Christ and Christ alone was who/what I believe Paul longed for. Hence in the face of distressing things he is able to say "therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Please remember in prayer David Velke and his family, they left on a short term missions trip for 6 months with his family this past weekend. They are settling down in their house there and will be getting hands-on-mission-training.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you,

Thursday 3-25-10

1 Corinthians 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

As I read this I thought of years back one particular summer my family did a garden. Months before summer we fertilized it, limed it, tilled it.. tilled it again, fertilized it, limed it, tilled it again. We cut branches off trees that would block out sunlight, we set up schedules for weeding/watering/ect., we put down news papers around the plants so the weeds would be choked back. We got good quality seeds, planted them at the right time, the right depth. We watered them, weeded the garden, there was a lot of work that went into it. But there was almost no crop what-so-ever that year, so much hard work and very little to show for it. Now there were other years in which we got tons of fresh produce but that year wasn't one of them.

I thought of that summer and how it relates to spiritual battles. We can plan out, sacrifice for, work towards a goal such as a church plant or soul to be won. But that is all we can do is labor, I cannot save anyone, I cannot make anyone repent of a sin, I cannot cause anyone to grow in the Lord, I can do nothing but obey God. I need to make sure all my laboring is done as unto the Lord, if I become self-reliant and think I can achieve this or accomplish that on my own strength and not by God's grace I am greatly mistaken. May whatever God calls me to do, may I obey completely and remain totally dependent on his grace and power to accomplish the task he gives me to do. 

May the grace of God be with you,

Wednesday 3-24-10

Romans 8:28-31 

"28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"

I cannot begin to express how these verses and really Romans chapter eight and nine in general impacted me this morning. I do not even know how to begin, so I will leave it at this if anyone wants to deny God's absolute sovereignty they will have to remove Romans chapters eight and nine from their bible. 

From Him, for Him and unto Him,

Monday 3-22-10

Romans 1:14-15 

"14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."

As I read this I really began to think of what my life would look like if,  I was indebted out of joy to the gospel and to lost souls. What would my money be spent on? What would my time be invested in? What would my desires be? What would my goals be? How would my life change?

I do believe our lives would change if we realized the horror of our sin, we realized the love of God, we realized the passion that Christ has for us. I do not want to waste my life, I do not want to waste any part of my life. I have a burning desire to be used of Him and for Him. Nothing held back, nothing to regret. I have been called crazy for removing some things from my life that weren't sin but were sucking my time away from the Lord. I do not believe it is crazy or irradcal to give up the temporal pleasures of this world, and instead invest my time, energies, and resources into Kingdom growth. In fact I believe the opposite to be true. How can one who claims to be bought by the blood of Christ put the temporal trinkets ahead of eternal treasures like souls? 

Please pray for David Gates and his family. Mrs. Beth gave birth to a healthy baby girl. However there are some health issues with Mrs. Beth the extent of them unknown to me. But please join me in prayer for them, they are close to my heart, and have of late weighed heavy on my heart. 

Because of Him, and for Him..

Sunday 3-21-10

Acts 17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

These men had a reputation for living for Christ and doing great things for Him and by His grace. They were not just preaching it up Sunday then not living it out Monday. Their lives had been changed and where preaching, living and discipling others in such a way that others lives where being darasticly changed! I get excited as I read this and think about it. I am also saddened because I can think upon so many (including myself in the past) who wasted and are wasting their lives. 

I do not know how to put into words the burning desire and burden I have to see God's children act like them. Why do we hang onto the things of this world whether it be money, possessions, entertainment; why do we walk in sin loving pornography, men's praise, earthly goods. I want my life to be nothing short of one that is spent up wholly for Christ. I want my time, energy, effort, thoughts, passions, and desires to be set in Christ Jesus. May my life be worth living not because of who I am or what I have done but rather may my life be worth living because of who I am in Christ Jesus and what he has done in me!

Unto Him be all glory, honor and praise,

Saturday 3-20-10

Acts 4:20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

Acts 9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

As I was reading today it really hit me how the gospel changes a life. I mean it seems like such a basic thing to note, but these scriptures and others really brought out the changes that were going on in the early Christian's lives. This changing or transforming from the old to the new should be evident in every person who claims to be a Christian. We should daily be transformed by the Word of God, we cannot grow content to be mediocre Christians, to do so would spell doom on our lives and how they should be lived for Christ. 

In Acts chapter four verse twenty Peter and John are speaking to the Jewish leaders. They basically say "We cannot help but preach the gospel." Why? I believe it was because they were truly repentant of sin, truly grateful for salvation, truly seeking to be Christ-like, their lives were transformed because of the gospel. Likewise in Acts chapter nine verse twenty Paul almost immediately after being converted goes and begins to preach in the 
synagogues. Why? Because the gospel transforms lives. We were not saved so we could grow comfortable in this world, but rather to die-to-self each morning on our knees abandon all else but Christ and pick up our cross and follow Him. I cannot express in words the burning desire I have in my heart to see Christians be just what that word means: Christ-like. I want my life to count, no being filled up with this world, no conforming to the status quo, I want my life to be nothing less than reckless pursuit after my Creator, Savior, and Sustainer!

Please pray the various pastors/missionaries/teachers who will be proclaiming forth the word of God tomorrow. Ask God for his grace and power to be upon their lives, and that He would receive much glory from his people.

In Christ alone our hope is firm,

Friday 3-19-20

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Just a really short thought but powerful one (at least to me). As I read this just the necessity of preaching the gospel and sending others to preach was shown quite vividly. These are some of the last words Jesus speaks unto the Christians gathered there as he ascended into heaven. Jesus' doesn't ask who will go, they don't pick straws to see who is going to have to witness. Jesus says very bluntly "ye shall receive power" and then "ye shall be witnesses unto me". I do not believe he leaves room for debate or second guessing like most American Christians act like. May wherever I go may my life be spent knowing and showing Jesus Christ!

In Christ,

Monday 3-15-10

Luke 22:63-65

"63 ¶  And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

64  And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

65  And many other things blasphemously spake they against him."

What kind of gospel do I preach? When persecution comes what kind of gospel will I preach? Jesus was mocked for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was spit upon for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was beat for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was lied about for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was slapped and humiliated for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was brutally tortured for living and preaching the gospel. Jesus was horrifically murdered for living and preaching the gospel. 

I by no means seek persecution for faith in Jesus Christ. But I do expect it to come, Jesus warns us about it in Matthew 5. He says we are blessed when others revile us, persecute us, and say all manner of evil against us. I honestly do not get why most Christians are content to live nominal lives and never proclaim an offensive gospel. May I never grow content with a "peace-time" mentality and not pick up my cross and follow hard after Jesus Christ. But wherever I go, may I live a life which there is no explanation for except that I be a follower of Jesus Christ. May by God's grace I stand firm the face of persecution, not relenting or recanting, but rather boldly proclaiming Christ's death and love. May I be one who can die for Christ, because I live daily for him!

May grace be with you,

Sunday 3-14-10

Luke 12:21  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Luke 12:31  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

What a fatal error that we could become so busy with this life that we would not be rich toward God. As I look forward in the next month or so to getting a job to support myself as I serve God this summer here at home and at my churches. As I begin for the first time to draw a regular paycheck I want to the basis of why I am working, what I spend my money on and just how I think about money and worldly possessions in general to be based off of Luke 12:21 and 31. 

God is the author of my salvation, the finisher of my faith. God is the source of my joy and fulfiller of all my desires. His glory is the purpose of my existence. May worldly possessions, vainglory, and all the empty promises of sin fade at the beauty of Christ Jesus and his love for me. May my life not be spent laying up treasure for myself here on earth, but rather at crowns which I will cast at my saviors feet!

May we truly be living sacrifices,

Saturday 3-13-10

Luke 5:11  And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Previous to this verse Peter, James and John had just made the catch of their lives. They had so many fish that their boat was fixing to sink.. I cannot imagine how many thousands of fish they had. I do imagine that what they just caught would have paid a very handsome sum. Yet they walked away from it, to follow Jesus! I think of the Israelites when God rescued them from Egypt, they literally walked out of Egypt with the treasures of Egypt. Yet they took what God gave them and made idols of the material possessions. 

How I have been like unto the Israelites; I've taken the possessions that God has given me and used them for my selfish desires and wicked practices. I thank God for working in my heart and convicting me, and rescuing me from sin. It is only by his grace and power that such a feat could be done. As I read this evening it really convicted me to check where my desires where, to make sure that they are set in Christ and not worldly possessions. The words to a old hymn come to mind "My richest gain I count but loss". How true the best thing the world offers cannot begin to compare to what I have in Christ Jesus! 

May you have a blessed Lord's day,

Friday 3-12-10

Mark 10:43-45

"43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Over the past several days through The Word, God has shown me my wrong attitude towards serving. Well particularly serving at home, I find great joy in being used of God to help and minister to others outside of my family. Yet when "rubber meets the road" here at home I often grip and complain, and do my best to keep from serving. How hypocritical! As I read this the Holy Spirit convicted me and I had to repent. I know that it was God's work in my heart that made me grimace at the thought of how stinking selfish and prideful I've been. 

As I read verse 45 my heart just grew heavy at the thought of all that Jesus did to minister unto me.  How he bore insults and false accusations, how he was spit upon and slapped. How the thorns were shoved down upon his skull, and scourging (ie. Roman half-death) he took - some say no doubt that his organs would hang down because his back was ripped open so badly - for me! We have not gone into detail of the agony of the cross or much less the spiritual burden that was placed upon him because of my pride, lusts, lies, hate, and rebellion... Yet whenever there is a small task which needs to be done at home, well it's to much of an inconvenience, or I don't feel like it. Oh may God work mightily in my heart and grant me a true, humble servants heart!

Be in prayer for the various pastors/teachers/missionaries who will be proclaiming the word of God on Sunday. 

Blessings in the name of Christ Jesus,