I recently wrote my testimony out of what God has done in the last 6 years. And how encouraging it was reading it!!! God continued to show is steadfast love and faithfulness to me, even when I wanted nothing to do with Him. How great He is!!!
It's also encouraging to look back on what He has done, and be reminded of that, and know He will continue to provide. Something I think we can all fall short of... but how kind He is to remind us.
"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." John 1:16
I'm currently reading the book Wild Goose Chase. Katie so kindly shoved it in my hand and said I should read it.... little did I know it was something I needed to read right now! (Thanks friend :) )
But one part in it, Mark Batterson is talking about when we have a change geographically, it can change us spiritually. And he gave a simple formula for this;
Change of Place + Change of Pace = Change of Perspective
How true that was when God moved me to Florida. He moved me from what I had known since I was 7. I went from a life full of friends, basketball, and working... to not working, no friends, but lots of time with family (which I wouldn't have traded for anything!) And I truly believe with moving to Florida and not having a lot to do, God really used that in my life. He used that time to bring me closer to Him.
Isn't He great in how He changes our life, when at times we don't really want Him to... but He uses that for our good! How awesome He is!!!
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
June 17, 2012
March 24, 2012
The Everything Became the Nothing
Since January, my Community Group has been going through Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Over Spring Break I was reading chapter 6, and wow, what a chapter I need to be reminded of daily! The chapter is called "News - The Biggest and Best", and Tchividjian is talking about how we really need to be aware of our sin in order to see the greatness of the gospel. I loved what he said in the closing. That whole last page in my book is pretty much underlined. He says;
"The more we reflect on the gospel, the more we let our hearts and minds soak in it, the more we see how the gospel is saturated with the dynamics of nothing and everything. This Jesus who is so infinitely everything -- this same Jesus "made himself nothing" (Phil 2:7) .... The Everything became nothing. Four our sake. On the cross, Jesus took upon himself our sin -- our corrupt, fatal nothingness -- then placed upon us his righteousness, his everythingness. It's what has been called "the glorious exchange." .... "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" (1 John 4:9). A restored relationship with God never happens by our climbing up to him; it happens only in Jesus, who came down to us. Grace is descending, one-way love! .... This vast gospel, in its fullness, is now ours to fully know, to fully experience, to fully embrace."
What a glorious exchange! The moment I read that, I was about to jump out of my skin. He did that for me! He was everything, and became nothing, so that He might place His everything on me. I LOVE the song "We Have Been Healed" on the SGM Risen cd.
"We have been healed, justified. Made alive in the life of Christ. Righteous blood covers every sin." It covers every sin. "Risen Lamb, heaven's light. Crucified and now alive. In Your love You have drawn us in .... All our sin for Your grace. What a glorious exchange."I'm speechless. And it's not cuz it's 2:00am. He did that for me. I was nothing. Nothing. On my way to hell. But He turned me around. All my sin for His grace. What a glorious exchange!!!
February 13, 2012
Keep Moving!
Like I mentioned a few posts ago, I have been reading an amazing book for my Theology class called, Found: God's Will. Find the Direction and Purpose God Wants for Your Life by John MacArthur. An amazing little book! It was definitely a gift from God in this time in my life! Throughout the book, MacArthur tells us that in order for us to know God's will we must be saved, Spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and to do whatever you want.
I loved the whole book, but chapters 6 and 7 I really enjoyed. 6 was on suffering. MacArthur says,
"In the will of God, greatness follows along behind suffering, often far behind. And if a man signs on with Jesus with greatness in mind, he better be aware that suffering comes first. Otherwise, the will of God may begin to look pretty undesirable to him after he's been on the way a short time..... You may say, "But I don't suffer any persecution." Then maybe you're not living a godly life in the face of the world. But if you do suffer, it is a wonderful thing. The Spirit of grace and glory rest on you (1 Peter 4:14)."
To me that is such a comfort. At times, I feel like I have struggled way more than anyone else my age... I look at my siblings, and they seem to be living a "perfect" life. None of us have a "perfect" life. I realize that God used those times to teach me, to challenge me. "Suffering is linked with faith", MacArthur said. I wish I would have been walking in the light during those dessert times... but I hate to say I wasn't. And I wish I could say those suffering times are over. But they aren't. I did fall from God during those times in '07-'10... but what's different from then to now, is that now I'm walking in the light. Now, God has given me a hope, peace, and has opened my eyes to truth. I'm able to see Him at work, when during those 3 years, I couldn't. I still suffer. But God uses these times to make me stronger.
In chapter 7, keep moving (do whatever you want), is the last principle MacArthur talks about in knowing God's will. He says;
"So many people sit around waiting for that celestial crane to move them and saying, "I don't know what God wants me to do." They need to start moving so God can steer them to that area of service He has planned. Knowing God's will may mean pushing down a narrow line until you hit a dead end. At that point, God will open a door so wide, you won't be able to see around it - only through it!... You may bounce off a lot of closed doors but that is God's way of forcing you into His open one. Get rolling! Be persistent."
Keep moving! When suffering comes, don't stop! God is good, and I'm pretty sure He knows what is best for you.
It's sweet how God does things! Chapter 7 led me to my new memory verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV) What a great God He is!
I loved the whole book, but chapters 6 and 7 I really enjoyed. 6 was on suffering. MacArthur says,
"In the will of God, greatness follows along behind suffering, often far behind. And if a man signs on with Jesus with greatness in mind, he better be aware that suffering comes first. Otherwise, the will of God may begin to look pretty undesirable to him after he's been on the way a short time..... You may say, "But I don't suffer any persecution." Then maybe you're not living a godly life in the face of the world. But if you do suffer, it is a wonderful thing. The Spirit of grace and glory rest on you (1 Peter 4:14)."
To me that is such a comfort. At times, I feel like I have struggled way more than anyone else my age... I look at my siblings, and they seem to be living a "perfect" life. None of us have a "perfect" life. I realize that God used those times to teach me, to challenge me. "Suffering is linked with faith", MacArthur said. I wish I would have been walking in the light during those dessert times... but I hate to say I wasn't. And I wish I could say those suffering times are over. But they aren't. I did fall from God during those times in '07-'10... but what's different from then to now, is that now I'm walking in the light. Now, God has given me a hope, peace, and has opened my eyes to truth. I'm able to see Him at work, when during those 3 years, I couldn't. I still suffer. But God uses these times to make me stronger.
In chapter 7, keep moving (do whatever you want), is the last principle MacArthur talks about in knowing God's will. He says;
"So many people sit around waiting for that celestial crane to move them and saying, "I don't know what God wants me to do." They need to start moving so God can steer them to that area of service He has planned. Knowing God's will may mean pushing down a narrow line until you hit a dead end. At that point, God will open a door so wide, you won't be able to see around it - only through it!... You may bounce off a lot of closed doors but that is God's way of forcing you into His open one. Get rolling! Be persistent."
Keep moving! When suffering comes, don't stop! God is good, and I'm pretty sure He knows what is best for you.
It's sweet how God does things! Chapter 7 led me to my new memory verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (ESV) What a great God He is!
August 23, 2011
The outside "J"
Along with I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Crazy Love for small group and school, I am reading Game Day For the Glory of God by Stephen Altrogge. If you don't know who Stephen Altrogge is, he is one of many Sovereign Grace's songwriter and well known songwriter, Mark Altrogge's son. I follow Stephen on Twitter, and really enjoy reading his daily tweets. Anytime I want a good laugh, I can count on Stephen Altrogge! Such as today this is what he said: @stephenaltrogge - For a moment today I thought I was beholding the glory of an angel. Then I realized that it was the brilliance of my dad's white legs.
I could go on and on about the things he tweets... but I'm sure you are wondering what this has to do with the title of this post. So, if you have a Twitter, you should follow Stephen Altrogge, or if not... get one to follow him. He's the best!
Now, on to the book.
In chapter two he was talking about where we get our talent. He uses MJ a lot (which I am not to fond of) as an example. "Michael Jordan's astonishing abilities were given to him by the Maker of all things. He didn't earn them, nor did he do anything to deserve them. They were generous gifts from a generous God. Similarly, any athleticism that you possess has been given to you by God as a gift." And how true that is! Yet, we don't seem to think about it at all. At least I didn't when I played basketball or soccer. The fact that I was able to bend my knees, lock onto the goal, and use my arms to shoot and make the basket, was not me! Nor was running at a rapid speed, toward a goal and goalie, and kicking my feet to make a goal. It was God giving me the gift of talent! What a gift I wish I had been thankful for!
Later he says; "Consider the simple act of shooting a basketball. Have you ever considered all that occurs in that second it takes to shoot the ball? First, the body must be positioned so that it's facing the basketball hoop. Then the brain must make a split-second judgment to determine trajectory needed to get the ball into the hoop. The brain then determines how much arm strength and hand movement are needed to get the ball moving toward the basket. Things become increasingly complex as more variables, such as a leaping defender, are thrown into the mix. All this takes place in the blink of an eye. A fadeaway jump-shot is truly amazing." There is a form to the perfect shot, I learned it on one of the many DVD's I would watch during my non-practice times. And even now, I can pick up a ball, and know exactly how to "fix" my shot if I'm off. But the way he describes this... is amazing! I have never heard it put that way, and I think knowing already what goes into a jump-shot, on top of this, is amazing! This is not something that was formed by goo, or from monkeys, or from a big bang. It's to much detail, it can only be from God! And what a gift such as sports, he has given us!
"If we receive such intense pleasure from sports, what must the One who invented all sports be like? If we receive such joy from watching Michael Jordan play basketball, what must the God who gave Michael his incredible talents be like?" I'm not a MJ fan (at all!!!), but I think about watching Peyton Manning, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Cam Newton, Blake Griffin, Dwight Freeney, Tim Tebow... those guys that my heart starts to pound every time they do something amazing, what must God be like? He gave Peyton Manning the arm to throw a ball across 100 years, what must He be like? He gave Blake Griffin the strength to dunk over three defenders and make the basket, what must He be like? He gave Cam Newton the ability to run and break through 11 guys and make a touchdown time and time again, what must He be like? He gave Lebron James the power to pull a fadeaway feet behind the 3 point and get the ball into a whole that is no bigger than 2 feet wide, what must He be like? I can only imagine! How great is our God!!!
I could go on and on about the things he tweets... but I'm sure you are wondering what this has to do with the title of this post. So, if you have a Twitter, you should follow Stephen Altrogge, or if not... get one to follow him. He's the best!
Now, on to the book.
In chapter two he was talking about where we get our talent. He uses MJ a lot (which I am not to fond of) as an example. "Michael Jordan's astonishing abilities were given to him by the Maker of all things. He didn't earn them, nor did he do anything to deserve them. They were generous gifts from a generous God. Similarly, any athleticism that you possess has been given to you by God as a gift." And how true that is! Yet, we don't seem to think about it at all. At least I didn't when I played basketball or soccer. The fact that I was able to bend my knees, lock onto the goal, and use my arms to shoot and make the basket, was not me! Nor was running at a rapid speed, toward a goal and goalie, and kicking my feet to make a goal. It was God giving me the gift of talent! What a gift I wish I had been thankful for!
Later he says; "Consider the simple act of shooting a basketball. Have you ever considered all that occurs in that second it takes to shoot the ball? First, the body must be positioned so that it's facing the basketball hoop. Then the brain must make a split-second judgment to determine trajectory needed to get the ball into the hoop. The brain then determines how much arm strength and hand movement are needed to get the ball moving toward the basket. Things become increasingly complex as more variables, such as a leaping defender, are thrown into the mix. All this takes place in the blink of an eye. A fadeaway jump-shot is truly amazing." There is a form to the perfect shot, I learned it on one of the many DVD's I would watch during my non-practice times. And even now, I can pick up a ball, and know exactly how to "fix" my shot if I'm off. But the way he describes this... is amazing! I have never heard it put that way, and I think knowing already what goes into a jump-shot, on top of this, is amazing! This is not something that was formed by goo, or from monkeys, or from a big bang. It's to much detail, it can only be from God! And what a gift such as sports, he has given us!
"If we receive such intense pleasure from sports, what must the One who invented all sports be like? If we receive such joy from watching Michael Jordan play basketball, what must the God who gave Michael his incredible talents be like?" I'm not a MJ fan (at all!!!), but I think about watching Peyton Manning, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Cam Newton, Blake Griffin, Dwight Freeney, Tim Tebow... those guys that my heart starts to pound every time they do something amazing, what must God be like? He gave Peyton Manning the arm to throw a ball across 100 years, what must He be like? He gave Blake Griffin the strength to dunk over three defenders and make the basket, what must He be like? He gave Cam Newton the ability to run and break through 11 guys and make a touchdown time and time again, what must He be like? He gave Lebron James the power to pull a fadeaway feet behind the 3 point and get the ball into a whole that is no bigger than 2 feet wide, what must He be like? I can only imagine! How great is our God!!!
August 08, 2011
The Gift of Singleness
The other morning I read the chapter in I Kissed Dating Goodbye about having patience while you are single. This is something I need to work on. Because my time is going to come, when the right guy is going to come into my life. "He wants us to learn the patience and trust necessary to wait for His perfect timing in all things. including our love lives." The part in Lord of the Rings comes to mind when Gandalf says "A wizard is never late, nor is he early, but he arrives precisely when he means to." Isn't that so true with God? He's never early, nor late, but He does things precisely when he means to. It's perfect!
Josh Harris says, "Just as spring's role is different from that of fall, so each of the seasons of our lives has a different emphasis, focus, and beauty. One is not better than another; each season yields its own unique treasures. We cannot skip ahead to experience the riches of another life season any more than a farmer can rush the spring. Each season builds on the one before. God has many wonderful experiences He wants to give to us, but He also assigns these experiences to particular seasons of our lives." As I look back on my life, I can see that He does. My life in the last 3 years has not been a pretty one, heck, it's been far from pretty. But He has used those seasons to bring me closer to Him. It wasn't easy, but I am so thankful for it!
How do we have patience? He says "Waiting for God's timing requires trusting in His goodness and wisdom. We develop patience as we trust that God denies us what we think is good only because He has something better for us--both now and in the future." Later he gives a quote from Elisabeth Elliot that I love; "We were being asked to leave the planning to God. God's ultimate plan was as far beyond our imaginings as the oak tree is from the acorn's imaginings. The acorn does what it was made to do, without pestering it's Maker with questions about when and how and why. We who have been given an intelligence and a will and a whole range of wants that can be set against the divine Pattern for Good are asked to believe Him. We are given the chance to trust Him when He says to us, '...if any man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self.'" I know for me, it's easier to trust on some days that He's got a plan than others, but I've found reading scripture helps. Reminding myself, He is in control. (Jeremiah 29:11) He even tells us not to fear, that He is our helper (Isaiah 41:13). (I bet you can tell what my favorite verses are? haha)
There is so much more from this chapter that I want to blog about but I don't want to bore you, or frighten you with a longer post than it already is. So I would encourage you to read this book, but if you don't have time, atleast read this chapter (#6), and let me know what you think. It's very helpful if you find yourself struggling with this as I do.
"God doesn't use our singleness to punish us. He has created this season as an unparalleled opportunity for undistracted devotion to God. And as a time for growth and service that we shouldn't take for granted or allow to slip by. One person rightly stated, "Don't do something about your singlehood--do something with it!".... Singleness is a gift. Let's rejoice in it and enjoy its opportunities today. Let's practice trusting God by pursuing His kingdom and His righteousness with all our hearts and by leaving the planning to Him."
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1
Josh Harris says, "Just as spring's role is different from that of fall, so each of the seasons of our lives has a different emphasis, focus, and beauty. One is not better than another; each season yields its own unique treasures. We cannot skip ahead to experience the riches of another life season any more than a farmer can rush the spring. Each season builds on the one before. God has many wonderful experiences He wants to give to us, but He also assigns these experiences to particular seasons of our lives." As I look back on my life, I can see that He does. My life in the last 3 years has not been a pretty one, heck, it's been far from pretty. But He has used those seasons to bring me closer to Him. It wasn't easy, but I am so thankful for it!
How do we have patience? He says "Waiting for God's timing requires trusting in His goodness and wisdom. We develop patience as we trust that God denies us what we think is good only because He has something better for us--both now and in the future." Later he gives a quote from Elisabeth Elliot that I love; "We were being asked to leave the planning to God. God's ultimate plan was as far beyond our imaginings as the oak tree is from the acorn's imaginings. The acorn does what it was made to do, without pestering it's Maker with questions about when and how and why. We who have been given an intelligence and a will and a whole range of wants that can be set against the divine Pattern for Good are asked to believe Him. We are given the chance to trust Him when He says to us, '...if any man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self.'" I know for me, it's easier to trust on some days that He's got a plan than others, but I've found reading scripture helps. Reminding myself, He is in control. (Jeremiah 29:11) He even tells us not to fear, that He is our helper (Isaiah 41:13). (I bet you can tell what my favorite verses are? haha)
There is so much more from this chapter that I want to blog about but I don't want to bore you, or frighten you with a longer post than it already is. So I would encourage you to read this book, but if you don't have time, atleast read this chapter (#6), and let me know what you think. It's very helpful if you find yourself struggling with this as I do.
"God doesn't use our singleness to punish us. He has created this season as an unparalleled opportunity for undistracted devotion to God. And as a time for growth and service that we shouldn't take for granted or allow to slip by. One person rightly stated, "Don't do something about your singlehood--do something with it!".... Singleness is a gift. Let's rejoice in it and enjoy its opportunities today. Let's practice trusting God by pursuing His kingdom and His righteousness with all our hearts and by leaving the planning to Him."
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:" - Ecclesiastes 3:1
July 25, 2011
Food for Thought....
Kelsey and my community group is going through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and this past week we went through chapter 6. I'm not quite agreeing with everything he is saying, but I am enjoying it. At the start of the chapter, he talked about something that I have not quite stoped thinking about.
"When you are truly in love, you go to great lengths to be with the one you love. You'll drive for hours to be together, even if it's only for a short while. You don't mind staying up late to talk. Walking in the rain is romantic, not annoying. You'll willingly spend a small fortune on the one you're crazy about. When you are apart from each other, it's painful, even miserable. He or she is all you think about; you jump at any chance to be together.
In his book God Is the Gosple, John Piper essentially asks whether we are in love with God:
'The critical question for our generation--and for every generation--is this: if you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natureal beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?'"
I don't know about you, but what Francis Chan is talking about... I've been there! I know what that feels like, to talk to someone for hours, can't wait to send time with them, drive hours to be together. I've done that! But my quetion is this. If I was like that with my boyfriend, why am I not like that with God? How come I don't wake up early or stay up late to talk with God? How come I'm not longing to spend time with Him in my quiet time? How come I'm buying shoes, rather than buying a book that would teach me more about His sovereign grace? I want to be that way. I want to be satisfied in Christ alone! What would Heaven be without Him???? In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm!
"When you are truly in love, you go to great lengths to be with the one you love. You'll drive for hours to be together, even if it's only for a short while. You don't mind staying up late to talk. Walking in the rain is romantic, not annoying. You'll willingly spend a small fortune on the one you're crazy about. When you are apart from each other, it's painful, even miserable. He or she is all you think about; you jump at any chance to be together.
In his book God Is the Gosple, John Piper essentially asks whether we are in love with God:
'The critical question for our generation--and for every generation--is this: if you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natureal beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?'"
I don't know about you, but what Francis Chan is talking about... I've been there! I know what that feels like, to talk to someone for hours, can't wait to send time with them, drive hours to be together. I've done that! But my quetion is this. If I was like that with my boyfriend, why am I not like that with God? How come I don't wake up early or stay up late to talk with God? How come I'm not longing to spend time with Him in my quiet time? How come I'm buying shoes, rather than buying a book that would teach me more about His sovereign grace? I want to be that way. I want to be satisfied in Christ alone! What would Heaven be without Him???? In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song. This Cornerstone, this solid ground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm!
July 18, 2011
This Is Love
For the first time ever I am reading I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Josh Harris. I read his book Boy Meets Girl right before I entered a relationship, and loved it. Since there are no guys in my sight (other than Blake Griffin, heehee), I thought it would be good to read this.
In the first chapter, he talks about what it truly means to love someone.
"In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul writes:
For the love of Christ controls us, beacuse we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (ESV)
The Bible teaches that if we truly trust in Jesus Christ, we die to our old ways of living. And we can no longer live for ourselves--we now live for God and for the good of others.
Because of that, relationships with the opposite sex can no longer be about "having a good time" or "learning what I want in a relationship". They're mpt tp ne anpit getting, but giving. Every relationship for a Christian is an opportunity to love another person like God has loved us. To lay down our desires and do what's in his or her best interest. To care for him or her even when there's nothing in it for us. To want that person's purity and holiness because it pleases God and protects him or her."
In chapter two he says,
"The best relationships are between two people who care more about each other's good than their own momentary pleasure. The Little Relationship Principle" (The joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment.) "won't make romance risk-free or foolproof. But it can guide and direct us toward healthy, God-pleasing relationships. And it can help us obey the second great command to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). "
In the first chapter, he talks about what it truly means to love someone.
"In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul writes:
For the love of Christ controls us, beacuse we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. (ESV)
The Bible teaches that if we truly trust in Jesus Christ, we die to our old ways of living. And we can no longer live for ourselves--we now live for God and for the good of others.
Because of that, relationships with the opposite sex can no longer be about "having a good time" or "learning what I want in a relationship". They're mpt tp ne anpit getting, but giving. Every relationship for a Christian is an opportunity to love another person like God has loved us. To lay down our desires and do what's in his or her best interest. To care for him or her even when there's nothing in it for us. To want that person's purity and holiness because it pleases God and protects him or her."
In chapter two he says,
"The best relationships are between two people who care more about each other's good than their own momentary pleasure. The Little Relationship Principle" (The joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment.) "won't make romance risk-free or foolproof. But it can guide and direct us toward healthy, God-pleasing relationships. And it can help us obey the second great command to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). "
May 24, 2011
Meant To Be Broken
A few weeks ago, my dad had a Bible study with the fam. He was talking about God's laws, the commandments. He reminded us that God created the laws for us to not keep them... to be broken... so we could identify sin.
Well, for a while, I had been slacking on reading Pierced By the Word every night, really for a few weeks. I wasn't beating myself up about it, but just kinda disapointed that I hadn't been staying on top of it like I was.
I love how God works! Cuz that night after Dad had his talk, I got ready for bed, and picked up the book. And what do you think John Piper was talking about? How does the Law help me know my sin? This very thing happened just a few weeks before this! And it's not luck, or faite, or destiny. It's God! He had a plan for me not reading my book!
At the start of the chapter, Piper puts up a few verses.
"What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no meants! Yes if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, producecd in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law, sin lies dead." -Romans 7:7-8
Apart from the law, sin lies dead. That's right to the point. Think about it. How would you know what was sin if we didn't have the law? How would you know if you saw someone had a new car, and you really wanted that car, and burning inside because you didn't have that car. How would you know if that was sin if we didn't have the law? We wouldn't. Without the law, "You should not covet", we would have no clue.
I don't know about you, but this makes me think, He is in control! He's got everything undercontrol! And what a wonderful thought that is!
Well, for a while, I had been slacking on reading Pierced By the Word every night, really for a few weeks. I wasn't beating myself up about it, but just kinda disapointed that I hadn't been staying on top of it like I was.
I love how God works! Cuz that night after Dad had his talk, I got ready for bed, and picked up the book. And what do you think John Piper was talking about? How does the Law help me know my sin? This very thing happened just a few weeks before this! And it's not luck, or faite, or destiny. It's God! He had a plan for me not reading my book!
At the start of the chapter, Piper puts up a few verses.
"What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no meants! Yes if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, producecd in me all kinds of covetousness. Apart from the law, sin lies dead." -Romans 7:7-8
Apart from the law, sin lies dead. That's right to the point. Think about it. How would you know what was sin if we didn't have the law? How would you know if you saw someone had a new car, and you really wanted that car, and burning inside because you didn't have that car. How would you know if that was sin if we didn't have the law? We wouldn't. Without the law, "You should not covet", we would have no clue.
I don't know about you, but this makes me think, He is in control! He's got everything undercontrol! And what a wonderful thought that is!
April 08, 2011
Not So Little, Four Letter Word
When the word hell is brought up, people try to change the subject. Actually, most people in the world don't believe in hell at all. Even Christians. They think everyone is going to heaven! But I have a question. If everyone is going to heaven, why did Jesus die? Why would God send his only son, if we are all going to heaven. He didn't have to die, He could have just stayed up in heaven. Or... God could have still sent Him, and he could have shown us how to live our lives... He didn't have to die.
This is what I have to say about this.... This is not truth! Pray that God would help you see this. Christ lived a sinless life, died on the cross in our stead, taking all of God's wrath that we were supposed to have, and raised to life on the thrid day! He took our place! He saved us from damnation!
I've been thinking about this alot lately, and then as I was reading Pierced by the Word when I was out of town, I read the chapter called "Dorthy Sayers On Why Hell is a Nonnegotiable". It was one of those things, that you know it was God showing you. An E.G.G.!
John Piper says, "We need to prize truth above temporary successes. Where truth is minimized and people are not rooted and grounded in it, successes are superficial and the growing tree is hollow even while it blooms in the sunshine of prosperity. May God give us a humble, submissive love for the truth of God's Word in the depth and fullness of it.
Listen to Paul's warning about our day: "The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching; but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions (2 Timonthy 4:3). "They are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10)."
"They refused to love the truth." How can you say hell is not real when it is in the Bible? If you say that, then you are going aginst what God has said. Going aginst His Word! John Piper has a quote from Dorothy Sayers, and at the end of it she says, "We cannot repudiate Hell without altogether repudiating Christ."
The definition for repudiate is "1. Refuse to accept or be associated with. 2. Deny the truth".
Wow! So when you refuse to accept or deny the truth of hell, you are also refusing to accept or denying the truth of Christ, and what He did on the cross!!! You are "refusing to love the truth"!
It is only by God's amazing grace that we are able to see this! I pray I never stop believing this wonderful truth! And that I can "prize truth above temporary successes".
In closing I'd like to ask you, what do you believe? Do you believe in hell and what Christ did on the cross?
This is what I have to say about this.... This is not truth! Pray that God would help you see this. Christ lived a sinless life, died on the cross in our stead, taking all of God's wrath that we were supposed to have, and raised to life on the thrid day! He took our place! He saved us from damnation!
I've been thinking about this alot lately, and then as I was reading Pierced by the Word when I was out of town, I read the chapter called "Dorthy Sayers On Why Hell is a Nonnegotiable". It was one of those things, that you know it was God showing you. An E.G.G.!
John Piper says, "We need to prize truth above temporary successes. Where truth is minimized and people are not rooted and grounded in it, successes are superficial and the growing tree is hollow even while it blooms in the sunshine of prosperity. May God give us a humble, submissive love for the truth of God's Word in the depth and fullness of it.
Listen to Paul's warning about our day: "The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching; but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions (2 Timonthy 4:3). "They are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10)."
"They refused to love the truth." How can you say hell is not real when it is in the Bible? If you say that, then you are going aginst what God has said. Going aginst His Word! John Piper has a quote from Dorothy Sayers, and at the end of it she says, "We cannot repudiate Hell without altogether repudiating Christ."
The definition for repudiate is "1. Refuse to accept or be associated with. 2. Deny the truth".
Wow! So when you refuse to accept or deny the truth of hell, you are also refusing to accept or denying the truth of Christ, and what He did on the cross!!! You are "refusing to love the truth"!
It is only by God's amazing grace that we are able to see this! I pray I never stop believing this wonderful truth! And that I can "prize truth above temporary successes".
In closing I'd like to ask you, what do you believe? Do you believe in hell and what Christ did on the cross?
March 17, 2011
OJ and the Glory of God
Monday night, I read the chapter five in Pierced by the Word, called "How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God".
In a paragraph John Piper says:
"So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything not for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, etc.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.
But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined.
This, of course, raises the practical question: Well, how do we "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?
One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5:
[Some] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Orange juice was "created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe... the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannont use orange juice for the purpose God intended-- namely, as an occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true hear of faith."
Later he says;
"Believing this truth in the Word and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God."
I must confess, most of the time I don't pray before a meal, or really offer up any kinda thanksgiving to our Father. This was very convicting. How often do I stop and pray? Not much...
In a paragraph John Piper says:
"So I draw this somber conclusion: It is sin to eat or drink or do anything not for the glory of God. In other words, sin is not just a list of harmful things (killing, stealing, etc.). Sin is leaving God out of account in the ordinary affairs of your life. Sin is anything you do that you don't do for the glory of God.
But what do unbelievers do for the glory of God? Nothing. Therefore everything they do is sinful. That is what I mean by saying that, apart from saving grace, all we do is morally ruined.
This, of course, raises the practical question: Well, how do we "eat and drink" to the glory of God? Say, orange juice for breakfast?
One answer is found in 1 Timothy 4:3-5:
[Some] forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Orange juice was "created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe... the truth." Therefore, unbelievers cannont use orange juice for the purpose God intended-- namely, as an occasion for heartfelt thanksgiving to God from a true hear of faith."
Later he says;
"Believing this truth in the Word and offering thanks in prayer is one way we drink orange juice to the glory of God."
I must confess, most of the time I don't pray before a meal, or really offer up any kinda thanksgiving to our Father. This was very convicting. How often do I stop and pray? Not much...
March 15, 2011
It's All About God
Last night I read this part in Pierced by the Word, and thought I would blog it.
John Piper says,
"That is why we exist -- to display the glory of God. Human life is all about God. That is the meaning of being human. It is our created nature to make much of God. It is our glory to worship the glory of God. When we fulfill this reason for being, we have substance. There is weight and significance in our existence. Knowing, enjoying, and thus displaying the glory of God is a sharing in the glory of God. Not that we become God. But something of His greatness and beauty is on us as we realize this purpose for our being -- to image-forth His excellence. This is our substance."
It reminds me of the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
When I read this, it made me want to jump up and worship our wonderful Creator!
John Piper says,
"That is why we exist -- to display the glory of God. Human life is all about God. That is the meaning of being human. It is our created nature to make much of God. It is our glory to worship the glory of God. When we fulfill this reason for being, we have substance. There is weight and significance in our existence. Knowing, enjoying, and thus displaying the glory of God is a sharing in the glory of God. Not that we become God. But something of His greatness and beauty is on us as we realize this purpose for our being -- to image-forth His excellence. This is our substance."
It reminds me of the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
When I read this, it made me want to jump up and worship our wonderful Creator!
March 12, 2011
Why God's Forgiveness?
I'm reading two books right now. For my morning quite time, I'm reading Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, then reading Pierced by the Word by John Piper before bed. I'm not going to post something from every chapter like I have done before, but I'll post little quote that really stood out to me.
Last night I read meditation 2 in Pierced by the Word. It is called "God is the Gospel", and John Piper starts it off with this.
"Have you ever asked why God's forgiveness is of any value? Or what about eternal life? Have you ever asked why a person would want to have eternal life? Why should we want to live forever? These questions matter because it is possible to want forgiveness and eternal life for reasons that prove you don't have them.
Take forgivenss for example. You might want God's forgiveness because you are so miserable with guilt feelings. You just want relief. If you can believe that He forgives you, then you will have some relief, but not necessarily salvation. If you only want forgivenss because of emotional relief, you won't have God's forgiveness. He does not give it to those who use it only to get His gifts and not Himself."
Later in the chapter he says, "Forgiveness is precious for one final reason: It enables you to enjoy fellowship with God."
Wow! I don't know about you, but I sure have done this. And really, we aren't thinking of God at all. It's all about ourself! Me, me, me. There's a big difference in wanting relief, and wanting fellowship with God. And I hope next time, when I want God's forgiveness, that I'll be able to remember this, and check my motive behind it.
Also, I would really encourage you to read Pierced by the Word by John Piper. It's an amzing book! The chapters are meditations, and they only take 10 -15 minutes to read. But wow! That are so deep, and very convicting. It's a great book of truth!
Last night I read meditation 2 in Pierced by the Word. It is called "God is the Gospel", and John Piper starts it off with this.
"Have you ever asked why God's forgiveness is of any value? Or what about eternal life? Have you ever asked why a person would want to have eternal life? Why should we want to live forever? These questions matter because it is possible to want forgiveness and eternal life for reasons that prove you don't have them.
Take forgivenss for example. You might want God's forgiveness because you are so miserable with guilt feelings. You just want relief. If you can believe that He forgives you, then you will have some relief, but not necessarily salvation. If you only want forgivenss because of emotional relief, you won't have God's forgiveness. He does not give it to those who use it only to get His gifts and not Himself."
Later in the chapter he says, "Forgiveness is precious for one final reason: It enables you to enjoy fellowship with God."
Wow! I don't know about you, but I sure have done this. And really, we aren't thinking of God at all. It's all about ourself! Me, me, me. There's a big difference in wanting relief, and wanting fellowship with God. And I hope next time, when I want God's forgiveness, that I'll be able to remember this, and check my motive behind it.
Also, I would really encourage you to read Pierced by the Word by John Piper. It's an amzing book! The chapters are meditations, and they only take 10 -15 minutes to read. But wow! That are so deep, and very convicting. It's a great book of truth!
March 07, 2011
Humility (Chapters 5)
*I know this post looks long... but it really only takes 6 minutes or so to read. Hope you take the time to read and comment!*
Since finishing Humility last week, I have wanted to pick it up again, and read it over and over. It's that amazing! But I think I'll be moving onto Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, for reasons I'll explain later.
I'm kinda glad I didn't blog about the book while reading it, cuz it's a great "re-refresher" (as Shawn Spencer would say) to blog about what really stood out in the book. God has really used it in my life. I've been able to point out sin I didn't know was there, just living my life I've noticed I need a lot of help from Him who created me!
Chapter 5, As Each Day Begins, he talks about us starting our mornings off with putting our focus on God, and not what the day holds. C.J. gives a list of things that he tries to do daily to "weaken pride and cultivate humility". He gives this list not for you to have, but rather for "recommendations". He goes on to say, "But let me impress this on you: You should have a list. You should be purposeful about this. Each day you should be planning the defeat of your greatest enemy and cultivate your greatest friend."
1) Reflect on the wonders of the cross of Christ. He says this one is "the most consistently helpful item on the list." He gives a quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "There is only one thing I know of that crushe me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God, and especially contemplate the cross. 'When I survey the wondrous cross. Oh which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss. And pour contempt on all my pride.' Nothing else can do it. When I see that I am a sinner... that nothing but the Son of God on the cross can save me, I'm humbled to the dust.... Nothing but the cross can give us this spirit of humility." The following paragraph he goes on to say, "John Stott helps us understand why the cross has this powerful effect: 'Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, "I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying." Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.'"
2) "Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God. Purpose by grace that your first thought of the day will be an expression of your dependence of God, your need for God, and your confidence in God." This is something I fail to do. My mornings tends to look like this; hitting the snooze for the 3rd, 4th, 5th time I think to myself, "I'll sleep for 9 more minutes (till the next time I hit snooze)"...alarm goes off once again, "just 9 more minutes" or "I don't want to get out of my warm bed just yet". Or days I'm off, and Snuggs is still asleep, "when he gets up, I'll get up too." As you can see, I'm not a morning person... never have been. And because of that, it's very difficult to get up and have a quite time for me. Most mornings, I have to sit and drink coffee for 5 minutes or so before I can put my glasses on and read my Bible. C.J starts this section off with "How we begin our morning so often sets the tone for the day. I'm convinced that the most decisive ttime of our day is very often our first waking moments, because they color everything to come. Later he then gives another quote by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Have you realized that most of your unhappieness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" I can totally relate. And I know I listen to myself daily. We need to "acknowledge our dependecne upon God" first thing!
3) "Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God. 'Thankfulness,' Michael Ramsey reminds us, 'is a soil in which pride does not easily grow." Again, something I fail to do. I think I complain more than expressing gratefulness. He asks, "Are you a thankful observer of the countless indications of His provision, His presence, His kindness, and His grace?"
4) "Practice the spiritual disciplines - prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistenly each day, preferably at the day's outset, if possible. If we're properly motivated, this will be a daily demonstration and declaration of our dependence on God and our need for Him." A great book for this would be Spiritual Disciplines, also by C.J. Mahaney. It was the book our small group at Redeemer went through, and I found it very helpful. A book I want to read over and over.
5) Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripute. I don't really have a "commute" to work, but when we would travel an hour and a half to CrossWay and since I get motion sickness, I would listen to Sovereign Grace music, and worship on the way.
6) Cast your cares upon Him. This is something C.J. says not to do just in the morning, but through out the day. He gives the verse in 1 Peter, 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
One of the closing paragraphs he says "I have to remember that whatever I feel buried under care, the real issue is pride and my self-sufficiency. I must deliberately and specifically cast my cares upon Him and thereby humble myself. Don't be mistaken. God hasn't gone anywhere. He's just as sovereign, just as good, just as faithful when I'm buried under care as He was in those early hours of communion. The issue isn't God. It's my pride, that resists trusting in Him through dependence upon Him. In fact, I should also recognize that all the cares coming my way are actually provided by God specifically for the purpose of cultivating humility in my life. I shouldn't act surprised when they come, because there's a reason. God wants me to learn to depend on Him, to need Him, and in the end to give glory to Him with an ever-deepening appreciation for the mighty hand of God." I want to depend on Him... what about you?
Since finishing Humility last week, I have wanted to pick it up again, and read it over and over. It's that amazing! But I think I'll be moving onto Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, for reasons I'll explain later.
I'm kinda glad I didn't blog about the book while reading it, cuz it's a great "re-refresher" (as Shawn Spencer would say) to blog about what really stood out in the book. God has really used it in my life. I've been able to point out sin I didn't know was there, just living my life I've noticed I need a lot of help from Him who created me!
Chapter 5, As Each Day Begins, he talks about us starting our mornings off with putting our focus on God, and not what the day holds. C.J. gives a list of things that he tries to do daily to "weaken pride and cultivate humility". He gives this list not for you to have, but rather for "recommendations". He goes on to say, "But let me impress this on you: You should have a list. You should be purposeful about this. Each day you should be planning the defeat of your greatest enemy and cultivate your greatest friend."
1) Reflect on the wonders of the cross of Christ. He says this one is "the most consistently helpful item on the list." He gives a quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "There is only one thing I know of that crushe me to the ground and humiliates me to the dust, and that is to look at the Son of God, and especially contemplate the cross. 'When I survey the wondrous cross. Oh which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss. And pour contempt on all my pride.' Nothing else can do it. When I see that I am a sinner... that nothing but the Son of God on the cross can save me, I'm humbled to the dust.... Nothing but the cross can give us this spirit of humility." The following paragraph he goes on to say, "John Stott helps us understand why the cross has this powerful effect: 'Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to be saying to us, "I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying." Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size.'"
2) "Begin your day by acknowledging your dependence upon God and your need for God. Purpose by grace that your first thought of the day will be an expression of your dependence of God, your need for God, and your confidence in God." This is something I fail to do. My mornings tends to look like this; hitting the snooze for the 3rd, 4th, 5th time I think to myself, "I'll sleep for 9 more minutes (till the next time I hit snooze)"...alarm goes off once again, "just 9 more minutes" or "I don't want to get out of my warm bed just yet". Or days I'm off, and Snuggs is still asleep, "when he gets up, I'll get up too." As you can see, I'm not a morning person... never have been. And because of that, it's very difficult to get up and have a quite time for me. Most mornings, I have to sit and drink coffee for 5 minutes or so before I can put my glasses on and read my Bible. C.J starts this section off with "How we begin our morning so often sets the tone for the day. I'm convinced that the most decisive ttime of our day is very often our first waking moments, because they color everything to come. Later he then gives another quote by Martyn Lloyd-Jones, "Have you realized that most of your unhappieness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself?" I can totally relate. And I know I listen to myself daily. We need to "acknowledge our dependecne upon God" first thing!
3) "Begin your day expressing gratefulness to God. 'Thankfulness,' Michael Ramsey reminds us, 'is a soil in which pride does not easily grow." Again, something I fail to do. I think I complain more than expressing gratefulness. He asks, "Are you a thankful observer of the countless indications of His provision, His presence, His kindness, and His grace?"
4) "Practice the spiritual disciplines - prayer, study of God's Word, worship. Do this consistenly each day, preferably at the day's outset, if possible. If we're properly motivated, this will be a daily demonstration and declaration of our dependence on God and our need for Him." A great book for this would be Spiritual Disciplines, also by C.J. Mahaney. It was the book our small group at Redeemer went through, and I found it very helpful. A book I want to read over and over.
5) Seize your commute time to memorize and meditate on Scripute. I don't really have a "commute" to work, but when we would travel an hour and a half to CrossWay and since I get motion sickness, I would listen to Sovereign Grace music, and worship on the way.
6) Cast your cares upon Him. This is something C.J. says not to do just in the morning, but through out the day. He gives the verse in 1 Peter, 5:6-7, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
One of the closing paragraphs he says "I have to remember that whatever I feel buried under care, the real issue is pride and my self-sufficiency. I must deliberately and specifically cast my cares upon Him and thereby humble myself. Don't be mistaken. God hasn't gone anywhere. He's just as sovereign, just as good, just as faithful when I'm buried under care as He was in those early hours of communion. The issue isn't God. It's my pride, that resists trusting in Him through dependence upon Him. In fact, I should also recognize that all the cares coming my way are actually provided by God specifically for the purpose of cultivating humility in my life. I shouldn't act surprised when they come, because there's a reason. God wants me to learn to depend on Him, to need Him, and in the end to give glory to Him with an ever-deepening appreciation for the mighty hand of God." I want to depend on Him... what about you?
March 01, 2011
Humility (Chapters 3 & 4)
As of right now, I am on chapter 12 of Humility, but I want to blog about the whole book. I need to just make a point to sit down and blog, rather than letting it build up like this. So, here is chapters 3 & 4.
In chapter 3 he talks about Greatness Redefined. In this chapter, C.J. Mahaney talks about the verses in Mark, when the desciples are descussing who is the greatest out of the twelve. How often have you wondered if you are the greatest? Being involved and consumed in sports as much I was, this was something I struggled with... almost daily. And how often, after serving in any kinda way, do we lift ourselves up? Whether we keep it to ourselves or share it with others. Either way it's pride, and we are taking all the glory from God.
In Mark 10:43-44 Jesus says, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all". Mahaney goes on to say, "As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. Contrast that with the pursuit of true greatness as biblically defined: Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility; this is true greatness as the Savior defined it." Just like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Do ALL! Doesn't say half, or almost, but ALL. That's how I want to live! Doing all for the glory of God!
When he moves on to chapter 4, he talks about Greatness Demonstrated. He starts off in the second paragraph with, "Here's an essential truth: To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What we need is His death. Listen again to what Jesus said in Mark 10:45: 'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' The Savior here is clarifying for His desciples the difference betweenn His example and theirs; He's emphasizing the uniqueness of His own sacrifice. He's telling them not only that true greatness is attained by emulating His axample, but also that true greatness is not even possible for us apart from the Savior's unique sacrifice."
Remember the verse he gave, Mark 10:45? "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." He goes on to talk about the ransom. He gives a quote from Donald English which I loved. "Ransom was a familiar image in the Jewish, Roman, and Greek cultures. It was the price paid to liberate a slave, a prisoner of war, or a condemned person". I've always heard us referred to as that, the ransom, but have never really thought to much about it. But this changed my view of it totally! Me, a slave, a prisoner, someone who is condemned... to what though? Sin. Sin has made me a prisoner. This hit me harder than it has before. I was speechless. But because of the work Chirst did on the cross, I am set free! I've been paid for! "A divine rescue is absolutely necessary" as C.J. says.
Towards the end of the chapter, C.J. gives a quote by Leon Morris.
"God created man, created him to be His own.... God set him in Eden to live in fellowship with Him, but man sinned. Man became the slave of evil. He cannot break free. This is precisely the situation that the ancient world saw as calling for an act of redemption. We who belong to God have gotten into the power of a strong enemy from which we cannot break free. If I can say it reverently, God, if He wants us back, must pay the price.
And the great teaching of the New Testament is that God has paid the price. He has redeemed us. Christ became our Redeemer.... To release the slaves of sin He paid the price. We were in captivity. We were in the strong grip of evil. We could not break free. But the price was paid and the result is that we go free."
We go free! That just makes me want to jump up and worship! What about you?
"By this we know love, that Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16
In chapter 3 he talks about Greatness Redefined. In this chapter, C.J. Mahaney talks about the verses in Mark, when the desciples are descussing who is the greatest out of the twelve. How often have you wondered if you are the greatest? Being involved and consumed in sports as much I was, this was something I struggled with... almost daily. And how often, after serving in any kinda way, do we lift ourselves up? Whether we keep it to ourselves or share it with others. Either way it's pride, and we are taking all the glory from God.
In Mark 10:43-44 Jesus says, "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all". Mahaney goes on to say, "As sinfully and culturally defined, pursuing greatness looks like this: Individuals motivated by self-interest, self-indulgence, and a false sense of self-sufficiency pursue selfish ambition for the purpose of self-glorification. Contrast that with the pursuit of true greatness as biblically defined: Serving others for the glory of God. This is the genuine expression of humility; this is true greatness as the Savior defined it." Just like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Do ALL! Doesn't say half, or almost, but ALL. That's how I want to live! Doing all for the glory of God!
When he moves on to chapter 4, he talks about Greatness Demonstrated. He starts off in the second paragraph with, "Here's an essential truth: To learn true humility, we need more than a redefinition of greatness; we need even more than Jesus' personal example of humble service. What we need is His death. Listen again to what Jesus said in Mark 10:45: 'For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' The Savior here is clarifying for His desciples the difference betweenn His example and theirs; He's emphasizing the uniqueness of His own sacrifice. He's telling them not only that true greatness is attained by emulating His axample, but also that true greatness is not even possible for us apart from the Savior's unique sacrifice."
Remember the verse he gave, Mark 10:45? "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." He goes on to talk about the ransom. He gives a quote from Donald English which I loved. "Ransom was a familiar image in the Jewish, Roman, and Greek cultures. It was the price paid to liberate a slave, a prisoner of war, or a condemned person". I've always heard us referred to as that, the ransom, but have never really thought to much about it. But this changed my view of it totally! Me, a slave, a prisoner, someone who is condemned... to what though? Sin. Sin has made me a prisoner. This hit me harder than it has before. I was speechless. But because of the work Chirst did on the cross, I am set free! I've been paid for! "A divine rescue is absolutely necessary" as C.J. says.
Towards the end of the chapter, C.J. gives a quote by Leon Morris.
"God created man, created him to be His own.... God set him in Eden to live in fellowship with Him, but man sinned. Man became the slave of evil. He cannot break free. This is precisely the situation that the ancient world saw as calling for an act of redemption. We who belong to God have gotten into the power of a strong enemy from which we cannot break free. If I can say it reverently, God, if He wants us back, must pay the price.
And the great teaching of the New Testament is that God has paid the price. He has redeemed us. Christ became our Redeemer.... To release the slaves of sin He paid the price. We were in captivity. We were in the strong grip of evil. We could not break free. But the price was paid and the result is that we go free."
We go free! That just makes me want to jump up and worship! What about you?
"By this we know love, that Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16
February 24, 2011
He Chose Me!
At the moment I am reading C.J. Mahaney's book Humility: True Greatness. I've been meaning to blog about it, but have not really had time lately, or just flat out forget to. But in chapter 8 Mahaney was talking about "Identifying Evidences of Grace", also known as evidences of God's grace, or what I like to call EGGs. In this part of the chapter, he was talking about God calling us to Himself, and gives this Charles Spurgeon quote which I loved!
"I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He shose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards, and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love."
Wow! How true is that?
"I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He shose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards, and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love."
Wow! How true is that?
February 09, 2011
Humility (Chapters 1 & 2)
This past Sunday, I bought Humility: True Grateness by C.J. Mahaney and Pierced by the Word by John Piper. I was pretty excited about getting them. Monday, I started reading Humility, and today I read the 3rd chapter and it's been very humbling. C.J. Mahaney is my favorite auther, I love the way he writes.
I struggle with pride more than anything else. A few weeks ago I posted a post called "Identified in Christ", talking about how I find joy in being known as something other than being found in Christ. In chapter 2 he say "The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it's where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that pride is strongly and dangerously rooted in all our lives, far more than most of us care to admit or even thing about." Pride is in us all, John Stott says "Pride... it is itself the essence of all sin". That is something to think about, and very true. Think about it, if you lie, pride is the root of it because you don't want who ever you are lying to to know what every you know.
He also gave another quote from John Stott. "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend." At every stage. Some are more mature in this area than others, but humility is something that you are always maturing in. Mahaney gives the definition of humility, "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness." Later he goes on to say, " But though He's aware of everything, He's also searching for something in particular, something that acts like a magnet to capture His attention and invite His active involvement. God is decisively drawn to humility. The person who is humble is the one who draws God's attention, and in this sence, drawing His attention means also attracting His grace-- His unmerited kindness. Think about that: There's something you can do to attract more of God's gracious, undeserved, supernatural strength and assistance!" Wow! What a thought! In chaper 1 he says "humility draws the gaze of our Sovereign God". Scripture even says it, like James 4:6 "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." His grace is an amazing thing!
"Why does God hate pride so passionately?" C.J. asks, "Here's why: Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him. Charles Bridges once noted how pride lifts up one's heart against God and "contends for supremacy" with Him. That's a keenly insightful and biblical definition of pride's essence: contending for supremacy with God, and lifting up our hearts against Him." The next page he goes on to say "Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. That's the motive and ultimate purpose of pride -- to rob God of legitimate glory and to pursue self-glorification, contending for supremacy with Him. The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God, thereby attempting in affect to deprive God of something only He is worthy to receive. No wonder God opposes pride. No wonder He hates pride. Let that truth sink into your thinking."
I can totally relate. I played basketball for 5 years. My junior and last year playing was my best year. I was starting point guard, voted team captain, and very prideful. I loved to tell people what I did, just to get their response and most of the time they asked questions about how good I was, and I loved to share. And there is nothing wrong with me telling people I played basketball, because that was what I was into and did, but it was the matter of the heart for me. I looooooved being known as "the basketball girl". But I was robbing God of glory. I really wish I would have read this book back then.
C.J. gives the scripture Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Then he continues with, "The warnings from Scripture about pride could not be more serious and sobering. And they're an expresion of God's mercy, intended for our good." Issues came up, and I was not able to play my senior year, which was always something I dreamed of. Pride comes before the fall. You always here that saying, and pay no attention to it (atleast I did). But I experienced it. This was an "expresion of God's mercy", I see that now. And how thankful I am for it looking back.
I struggle with pride more than anything else. A few weeks ago I posted a post called "Identified in Christ", talking about how I find joy in being known as something other than being found in Christ. In chapter 2 he say "The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it's where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that pride is strongly and dangerously rooted in all our lives, far more than most of us care to admit or even thing about." Pride is in us all, John Stott says "Pride... it is itself the essence of all sin". That is something to think about, and very true. Think about it, if you lie, pride is the root of it because you don't want who ever you are lying to to know what every you know.
He also gave another quote from John Stott. "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend." At every stage. Some are more mature in this area than others, but humility is something that you are always maturing in. Mahaney gives the definition of humility, "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness." Later he goes on to say, " But though He's aware of everything, He's also searching for something in particular, something that acts like a magnet to capture His attention and invite His active involvement. God is decisively drawn to humility. The person who is humble is the one who draws God's attention, and in this sence, drawing His attention means also attracting His grace-- His unmerited kindness. Think about that: There's something you can do to attract more of God's gracious, undeserved, supernatural strength and assistance!" Wow! What a thought! In chaper 1 he says "humility draws the gaze of our Sovereign God". Scripture even says it, like James 4:6 "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." His grace is an amazing thing!
"Why does God hate pride so passionately?" C.J. asks, "Here's why: Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him. Charles Bridges once noted how pride lifts up one's heart against God and "contends for supremacy" with Him. That's a keenly insightful and biblical definition of pride's essence: contending for supremacy with God, and lifting up our hearts against Him." The next page he goes on to say "Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. That's the motive and ultimate purpose of pride -- to rob God of legitimate glory and to pursue self-glorification, contending for supremacy with Him. The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God, thereby attempting in affect to deprive God of something only He is worthy to receive. No wonder God opposes pride. No wonder He hates pride. Let that truth sink into your thinking."
I can totally relate. I played basketball for 5 years. My junior and last year playing was my best year. I was starting point guard, voted team captain, and very prideful. I loved to tell people what I did, just to get their response and most of the time they asked questions about how good I was, and I loved to share. And there is nothing wrong with me telling people I played basketball, because that was what I was into and did, but it was the matter of the heart for me. I looooooved being known as "the basketball girl". But I was robbing God of glory. I really wish I would have read this book back then.
C.J. gives the scripture Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Then he continues with, "The warnings from Scripture about pride could not be more serious and sobering. And they're an expresion of God's mercy, intended for our good." Issues came up, and I was not able to play my senior year, which was always something I dreamed of. Pride comes before the fall. You always here that saying, and pay no attention to it (atleast I did). But I experienced it. This was an "expresion of God's mercy", I see that now. And how thankful I am for it looking back.
August 25, 2010
Isaiah 53
I'm reading through Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney, and in chapter 3 he says "surprisingly, one of the best places in Scripture to reflect deeply on the meaning of Christ's death is not in the New Testament, but in the Old." Isaiah 53.
I have always heard what it was about, but never read it myself. This morning I did and all I can say is wow! I was so amazed! I then read it again, imagining I was reading it when it was written, not knowing what was to come. It was hard to do, and can't think what they must have felt! WOW! I find it interesting he writes it as it has already happened.
A few verses stood out a little more than the rest. Verse 7 says, "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." He knew he was here to die, and He still obeyed His Father!
And also verse 9. "And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth." We are the ones that did the wrong, not Him, yet He took our place!!!
This is something I need to be reminded... daily! I know for me, I get carried away with life, and don't stop to think about what He did for me! This is a great passage to read. I'd encourage you to!
July 12, 2010
Boy Meets Girl... First Post!
At the moment I have started to read "Boy Meets Girl" by Josh Harris. Very good!!! It's about how to handle a God glorifying relationship. Josh Harris calls it Courtship.
Most people freak-out when you tell them you don't really date, but rather Court. You normally get the response, "Isn't that what they did in the 1800's?" I'm not a big fan of the name either. Think about it! It does sound kinda funny to stay your in a courtship! haha I like how Matthew (the youth pastor at Kingsway) called it "dating with a purpose". That's exactly what it is!
One part in the book really stood out to me, I even underlined it! haha Chapter 4 is called "Tell Me How, Tell Me Who, Tell Me When!", and he is pretty much talking about that!
He says in a paragraph;
"Our mindset is: "God, tell me who, tell me how, tell me when -- and then I'll trust you." What God wants us to see is that if He did this, our trust wouldn't be real. We want a definitive answer so we won't feel vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him. But guess what? We are vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him."
This was very eye opening to me! I never thought that was not trusting God!!!!
Most people freak-out when you tell them you don't really date, but rather Court. You normally get the response, "Isn't that what they did in the 1800's?" I'm not a big fan of the name either. Think about it! It does sound kinda funny to stay your in a courtship! haha I like how Matthew (the youth pastor at Kingsway) called it "dating with a purpose". That's exactly what it is!
One part in the book really stood out to me, I even underlined it! haha Chapter 4 is called "Tell Me How, Tell Me Who, Tell Me When!", and he is pretty much talking about that!
He says in a paragraph;
"Our mindset is: "God, tell me who, tell me how, tell me when -- and then I'll trust you." What God wants us to see is that if He did this, our trust wouldn't be real. We want a definitive answer so we won't feel vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him. But guess what? We are vulnerable, weak, and dependent on Him."
This was very eye opening to me! I never thought that was not trusting God!!!!
June 12, 2010
Rejoicing in the Cross
I've been reading "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper, and in chapter 3, he is talking about the Cross.
He says;
"Therefore everything that you enjoy in Christ -- as a Christian, as a person who trusts Christ -- is owing to the death of Christ. And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
One of the reasons we are not as Christ-centered and cross-saturated as we should be is that we have not realized that everything -- everything good, and everything bad that God turns for the good of his redeemed children -- was purchased by the death of Christ for us. We simply take life and breath and health and friends and everything for granted. We think it is ours by right. But the fact is that it is not ours by right. We are doubly undeserving of it.
1) We are creatures, and our Creator is not bound or obligated to give us anything -- not life or health or anything. He gives, he takes, and he does us no injustice (Job 1:21).
2) And besides being creatures with no claim on our Creator, we are sinners. We have fallen short of his glory (Romans 3:23). We have ignored him and disobeyed him and failed to love him and trust him. The wrath of his justice is kindled against us. All we deserve from him is judgment (Romans 3:19). Therefore every breath we take, every time our hearts beats, every day that the sun rises, every moment we see with our eyes or hear with our ears or speak with our mouths or walk with our legs is, for now, a free and undeserved gift to sinners who deserve only judgment."
This just shows how much more great our God is!!! Wow! I pray that I may rejoice in the cross for the gifts I have been given!
He says;
"Therefore everything that you enjoy in Christ -- as a Christian, as a person who trusts Christ -- is owing to the death of Christ. And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
One of the reasons we are not as Christ-centered and cross-saturated as we should be is that we have not realized that everything -- everything good, and everything bad that God turns for the good of his redeemed children -- was purchased by the death of Christ for us. We simply take life and breath and health and friends and everything for granted. We think it is ours by right. But the fact is that it is not ours by right. We are doubly undeserving of it.
1) We are creatures, and our Creator is not bound or obligated to give us anything -- not life or health or anything. He gives, he takes, and he does us no injustice (Job 1:21).
2) And besides being creatures with no claim on our Creator, we are sinners. We have fallen short of his glory (Romans 3:23). We have ignored him and disobeyed him and failed to love him and trust him. The wrath of his justice is kindled against us. All we deserve from him is judgment (Romans 3:19). Therefore every breath we take, every time our hearts beats, every day that the sun rises, every moment we see with our eyes or hear with our ears or speak with our mouths or walk with our legs is, for now, a free and undeserved gift to sinners who deserve only judgment."
This just shows how much more great our God is!!! Wow! I pray that I may rejoice in the cross for the gifts I have been given!
May 20, 2010
Don't Waste It!
At the moment, I am reading "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper. I have finally gotten past the first chapter!!! haha As I was starting to read the second, I prayed that I could understand Piper (because every book I have EVER read of his goes right over my head!) God really helped me!!! It was very cool!!! I understood! But there was a paragraph that really stood out to me. Here it is...
"God created me--and you--to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion-namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. Enjoying and displaying are both crucial. If we try to display the excellence of God without joy in it, we will display a shell of hypocrisy and create scorn or legalism. But if we claim to enjoy his excellence and do not display it for others to see and admire, we deceive ourselves, because the mark of God-enthralled joy is to overflow and expand by extending itself into the hearts of others. The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples."
WOW! Well said Piper!!! =)
"God created me--and you--to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion-namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. Enjoying and displaying are both crucial. If we try to display the excellence of God without joy in it, we will display a shell of hypocrisy and create scorn or legalism. But if we claim to enjoy his excellence and do not display it for others to see and admire, we deceive ourselves, because the mark of God-enthralled joy is to overflow and expand by extending itself into the hearts of others. The wasted life is the life without a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples."
WOW! Well said Piper!!! =)
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