Tried With Fire

ht: DJP via FB

I've been feeling weary lately. I don't know if it's not getting enough sleep, too much on my plate, too much time wasting which makes it seem like I have more to do than I really do, or needless anxiety about the future. So I'm thankful for the refreshment the gospel brings. Last night in small group, we discussed the sermon on the Lord's Table. It was a wonderful time hearing brothers and sisters sharing how they encourage themselves in the gospel, how the table brings conviction of sin but the hope we have in Christ's finished work on our behalf. I was weary when I arrived but spiritually refreshed when I left. I'm still physically tired with a lot to do today, but I've regained perspective. Because of the gospel: God is my Father who loves me. He is neither an indulgent Santa-like figure or a distant detached deity.  The proof of His love isn't my best life now but new life in His Son. God hears my prayers and Jesus is interceding for m...

Congratulations to Ray, providential winner of Night of Weeping and Morning of Joy by Horatius Bonar and the Matthew Smith CD. Thanks to everyone who entered!

Yesterday's sermon by Pastor Ryan was on Mark 14:12-26, the last supper.  There was much to consider, but this point stood out to me: We receive spiritual nourishment when we partake of the Lord's table. We don't believe in transubstantiation, but we are declaring that our souls need Jesus as our bodies need food. Without Him, we will starve. So I ask myself, how's my appetite? This led me to Jeremiah 2:13 where God confronts his people for forsaking the water of life and making broken cisterns that can hold no water. Do I do this? Yes and probably until the day I'm with the Lord, there will be the temptation to find my sustenance from another source. But I also believe in the sanctifying power of God's grace. He ordains circumstances in our lives to expose the things that would slowly starve us to death. We are awakened to our hunger, and in turn He "satisfies our mouth with good things" (Ps. 103:5 KJV).  Once we've tasted the sweetness of C...

122. Q. What does the second request mean:? A. "Your kingdom come" means: Rule us by Your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to You. Keep Your church strong and add to it. Destroy the devil's work; destroy every force which revolts against You and every conspiracy against Your Word. Do this until Your Kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it You are all in all. "[T]he kingdom has come where the King has His way. Faith and repentance, and the godly life that follows in their wake, are unchangeable requirements for membership in the kingdom. We want to live like Christ, show people Christ, and make a difference for Christ, but also call people to renounce their rebellion against God, flee worldliness, and be ready to meet the King when He returns to finally establish His kingdom in full. God is not interested in making us good people apart from making us glory people. That is to say, the kingdom is not about excellence in behavior, It ...

If we are partakers in his resurrection, we are raised up by means of it to newness of life, which conforms us to the righteousness of God. In one word, then, by repentance I understand regeneration, the only aim of which is to form in us anew the image of God, which was sullied, and all but effaced by the transgression of Adam. So the Apostle teaches when he says, “We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Again, “Be renewed in the spirit of your minds” and “put ye on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Again, “Put ye on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Accordingly through the blessing of Christ we are renewed by that regeneration into the righteousness of God from which we had fallen through Adam, the Lord being pleased in this manner to restore the integrity of all whom he appoin...

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Home To Thanksgiving: Currier and Ives Psalm 103, a psalm of David 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,  3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. 10 He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear ...

I'm posting at Out of the Ordinary today: "[L]ife rarely resembles a Norman Rockwell painting. Between the exile from Eden and Jesus' return, our families bear fresh wounds and old scars from this broken world. Hardship, estrangement, divorce, sickness, and death have taken their toll, and it hurts. Holidays like Thanksgiving often make the pain more acute because the longing for all to be well is yet to be met. But even if we could be free from every earthly want, there's a need that goes much deeper." Read more ....

It's time for the last giveaway of 2012! I'll be giving away one copy of Night of Weeping and Morning of Joy by Horatius Bonar, the 19th century Scottish theologian.  In  Night of Weeping ,  Bonar deals with suffering in the life of the believer. He writes from the perspective that this is the family badge of the people of God. But rather than being punitive in nature, our Heavenly Father deals with us in love and faithfulness. "He is too faithful a Father to suffer sin in his children unreproved."  1 In  Morning of Joy , Bonar writes of the consolation we find in the hope of spending eternity with the Lord: "Beyond the death-bed and beyond the grave, she (the church) sees resurrection. Beyond the broken hearts and severed bands of time, she realizes and clasps the eternal love-links; beyond the troubles of the hour, and beyond the storm that is to wreck the world, she casts her eye, and feels as if transported into the kingdom that cannot be moved, as...

Christmas Uncut: What Really Happened and Why It Really Matters  by Carl Laferton, The Good Book Company, 2012, 64 pages. In Christmas Uncut , author Carl Laferton gives us the full scoop on the Christmas story. He begins each chapter with a humorous scene from a children's nativity play and then contrasts it with what really happened in the Bible. But more than information on a historical event, this book leads to the bigger picture - the gospel. If these accounts are true, then we have to deal with Jesus' deity, His Lordship, our sin, and ultimately His death and resurrection. The reader is asked in the end, "What are you going to do about Jesus?" The writing is engaging and accessible, but there's no soft-pedaling the call to repent and believe. I also liked the frequent use of the actual text and the encouragement for readers to check out the Biblical accounts for themselves. This short booklet would be a great way to share the gospel during the holidays...

122. Q. What does the first request mean? A. "Hallowed be Your name" means, Help us to really know You, to bless, worship, and praise You for all Your works and for all that shines forth from them: Your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means, help us to direct all our living - what we think, say, and do - so that Your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised. First, God's passion for His glory is not the same as self-flattery because it does not arise out of weakness or deficiency. Second, we hallow God's name because it deserves to be hallowed ... To recognize that God is the most glorious, most lovely, most powerful Being in the universe is to simply recognize Him for who He is. Thirdly, hallowing God's name is for our good. God's glory and God's love are not at odds... As John Piper says, God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, Or to put it another way...

Wherever this living faith exists, it must have the hope of eternal life as its inseparable companion, or rather must of itself beget and manifest it; where it is wanting, however clearly and elegantly we may discourse of faith, it is certain we have it not. For if faith is (as has been said) a firm persuasion of the truth of God—a persuasion that it can never be false, never deceive, never be in vain, those who have received this assurance must at the same time expect that God will perform his promises, which in their conviction are absolutely true; so that in one word hope is nothing more than the expectation of those things which faith previously believes to have been truly promised by God. Thus, faith believes that God is true; hope expects that in due season he will manifest his truth. Faith believes that he is our Father; hope expects that he will always act the part of a Father towards us. Faith believes that eternal life has been given to us; hope expects that it will one day...

ht: NaNoWriMo via Twitter

I'm thankful for ~ bright blue skies and trees dressed in fall colors. ~ heart-to-heart talks and gospel rubber meeting the road. ~ God's Word and the hermeneutics class. ~ small group fellowship last night. ~ the hope that one day all will be made well. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.  And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-5...

Today is a busy day. Between work, homeschooling, and making two batches of rolls for our small group dinner tonight, I doubt I will have time to write. Real life comes first, which is a lesson I'm learning. So in lieu of a post, here are some links that may interest you: Free seminary-level courses at Gordon-Conwell Seminary.  Free! Can't get any better than that! History Matters according to Herman Bavinck The Gospel Centered Woman by Wendy Alsup, a new book that looks very interesting Pumpkin Oatmeal - looks yummy and healthy The Stormtrooper Shuffle  

Shall the disquieting bustle of this restless life annoy us? Faith tells us of the rest that remaineth for the people of God - the sea of glass like unto crystal on which the ransomed saints shall stand - no tempest, no tumult, no shipwreck there. Shall the lack of this world's honors move us? Faith tells us of the exceeding and eternal weight of glory in reserve. Have we no place to lay our head? Faith tells us that we have a home, though not in Caesar's house, a dwelling not in any city of earth. Are we fearful as we look around upon the disorder and wretchedness of this misgoverened earth? Faith tells us that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Do thoughts of death alarm us? Faith tells us that "to die is gain" and whispers to us, "What, are you afraid of becoming immortal, afraid of passing from this state of death, which men call life, to that which alone truly deserves the name!" Such is the family life - a life of faith. We live upon things unsee...

120. Q. Why did Christ command us to call God "Our Father"? A. At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayers - the childlike awe and trust that God through Christ has become our Father. Our fathers do not refuse us the things of this life; God our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith. 121. Q. Why the words "in heaven"? A. Those words teach us not to think of God's heavenly majesty as something earthly and to expect everything for body and soul from His almighty power. "We are not bowing before a tyrannical despot or a distant deity. We are praying to our Father. He's bigger, better, and stronger than any earthly father. He loves us more fiercely, understands us more deeply, and delights in us more fully. "Though God may discipline His children and lead us through valleys we would not have chosen, we should never doubt that God is on our side... All parents wish to do ...

Faith does not promise us length of days, riches and honors (the Lord not having been pleased that any of these should be appointed us); but is contented with the assurance, that however poor we may be in regard to present comforts, God will never fail us.  Institutes of the Christian Religion  3.2.28, John Calvin, translated by Henry Beveridge, Hendrickson, pg. 371.

After the divisiveness of this election cycle, I'm thankful for brothers and sisters who belong to the human race. The world may try to polarize us based on the color of our skin, but Christ is our peace. He has broken down the wall of separation between us. I'm thankful that one day there will be a great crowd gathered in heaven from every tribe, nation, and language crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Rev. 7:9-10) I'm thankful we are one day closer to that scene than we were yesterday.

When I was standing in line to vote, I noticed the folks who were waiting with me. These were my neighbors, the people in my community. As I saw their faces, I was convicted by how little I pray and share the gospel. Yes, I was using God-given means to choose politicians and laws with the best worldview, but the only permanent change that can come to this city and this nation is through a fundamental change of heart. This article at RedState sums up the problem well: At the end of the day, nothing will change our nation but repentance from sin. No political victory or law passed will do it. If I'm honest, I'm disappointed by the outcome of the election and don't want to minimize the ramifications. But God is still God. I don't want to be disappointed in Him or the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. He isn't bound by the political landscape. Just look at the early church under Roman rule. So I'm praying: For repentance for my own h...

I'm posting at Out of the Ordinary today: There are some days when I can relate to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. I've learned a lesson on the sanctification road, one that had to be repeated several times, mind you. But rather than mastering it and moving on, I quickly forget, so it's time to go around the mountain again. And again. And again. "Will I ever get it? Surely I should know better after being a Christian for x number of years. I even prayed this time..." Read more

Today is election day. I have probably prayed more for this election than any previous race in my adult life. I am very concerned for this country. Very concerned.  It's tempting to vent, but enough ink and bandwidth has already been spent by folks who are more articulate and knowledgeable. I'm going to cast my vote today and continue to pray. But as I exercise my right as an American citizen and wait for the returns tonight, here is something I need to remember not just today but every single day: Who is regulating affairs on this earth today- God, or the Devil? What saith the Scriptures? If we believe their plain and positive declarations, no room is left for uncertainty. They affirm, again and again, that God is on the throne of the universe; that the sceptre is in His hands; that He is directing all things "after the counsel of His own will." They affirm, not only that God created all things, but also that God is ruling and reigning over all the works of His ...

Some good words from the Doctor the day before the election: The world goes round in circles - better, worse; better worse; up and down. Look at secular history and you will see this - a constant cycle, as if we are going to arrive and we never do. And then back we go, with always a dark age following an age of enlightenment - round and round in circles. Is there no hope? There is! And here is the hope, that the triune God is still interested in this world; that God did not abandon it when men fell in his folly and listened to the devil and became the dupe of the devil. God is still interested! The doctrine of deism, which means that God made the universe like a watchmaker making a clock, winding it up, and then putting it down and having nothing more to do with it, is absolutely wrong. God is not only transcendent he is Immanent, and he is concerned and he is involved. Not only that; the whole story of the Bible is that God is still controlling the world. That, far from abandoni...

116. Q. Why do Christians need to pray? A. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness God requires of us. And also because God gives His grace and Holy Spirit only to  those who pray continually and groan inwardly, asking God for these gifts and thanking Him for them. 117. Q. How does God want us to pray so that he will listen to us? A. First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, who has revealed himself in His Word, asking for everything He has commanded us to ask for. Second, we must acknowledge, our need and misery, hiding nothing, and humble ourselves in His majestic presence. Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. This is what He promised us in His Word. 118. Q. What did God command us to pray for? A. Everything we need, spiritually and physically, as embraced in the prayer Christ our Lord Himself taught us. 119....

We expect salvation from him—not because he stands aloof from us, but because ingrafting us into his body he not only makes us partakers of all his benefits, but also of himself. Therefore, I thus retort the argument, If you look to yourself damnation is certain: but since Christ has been communicated to you with all his benefits, so that all which is his is made yours, you become a member of him, and hence one with him. His righteousness covers your sins—his salvation extinguishes your condemnation; he interposes with his worthiness, and so prevents your unworthiness from coming into the view of God. Thus it truly is. It will never do to separate Christ from us, nor us from him; but we must, with both hands, keep firm hold of that alliance by which he has riveted us to himself. Institutes of the Christian Religion  3.2.24, John Calvin, translated by Henry Beveridge, Hendrickson, pg. 371.

I'm thankful for: ~ A roof over my head, heat, and hot water. ~ Sunshine after days of rain. ~ God's safe-keeping during the hurricane as well as the safety of family and friends. There was some flooding and downed trees but nothing as severe as up North. Many are still suffering, so I keep on praying. ~ Access to the Bible and unhindered preaching of the Word. We owe a lot to the Reformers. ~ God's faithfulness. He never fails.