Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Staying Put!

The process of sanctification is rarely easy. Quite often we find ourselves in the midst of trials and hardships, wondering why in the world God has allowed such things to enter our lives. We might be inclined to flee, to simply attempt to leave the unpleasant circumstances behind us, hoping for greener grass over the next hill. But running away is never the solution. Consider these words from James MacDonald, taken from his book When Life Is Hard:

"Do you feel the pressure to cut-and-run in your life? We think a change of scenery will fix the problem. Spouses leave their marriage and then they are shocked to find the same problems in their next marriage! 'You remind me so much of my first wife!' Well, duh, the same guy picked his second partner. Meanwhile, a pastor leaves and moves to a new church and is dumbfounded to find the same problems with different faces. Why? Because the pastor is part of the problem, too, because he didn't stay put and learn the things God wanted him to learn. We think the answer is a new environment when the real answer is a new me...God is working on you and me from the inside."

Monday, February 27, 2012

Spurgeon on Law and Sin

"Law does not make us sinful, but it displays our sinfulness. In the presence of the perfect standard we see our shortcomings. The law of God is the looking glass in which a man sees the spots upon his face. It does not wash you-you cannot wash in a looking glass; but it prompts you to seek the cleansing water. The design of the law is the revealing of our many offenses, that, thereby, we may be driven out of self-righteousness to the Lord Jesus, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sin."

Charles Spurgeon

Monday, February 20, 2012

More Moore Monday!

Here is another excerpt from the teaching ministry of Beth Moore. I hope it serves you well this week. I know I need to be reminded of this truth daily:

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you out of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you out of contentment...because 'you deserve better than this.'
I cheat you out of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you out of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you out of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you out of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you always think I'm looking out for you. Untrue.
I'm looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit. But don't worry...if you stick with me you'll never know.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Bonhoeffer on the Fear of Men

"...Jesus encourages his disciples by saying 'Fear not.' They must not fear men. Men can do them no harm, for the power of men ceases with the death of the body. But they must overcome the fear of death with the fear of God. The danger lies not in the judgement of men, but in the judgement of God, not in the death of the body, but in the eternal destruction of body and soul. Those who are still afraid of men have no fear of God, and those who have fear of God have ceased to be afraid of men. All preachers of the gospel will do well to recollect this saying daily."

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, 1906-1945

Monday, February 13, 2012

Another Lesson from an Atheist!

On Tuesday, 1/24, my blog post referenced atheist and entertainer Penn Jillette. He's one-half of the famous Las Vegas duo Penn & Teller. Today's edition of the national newspaper USA Today features an interview with Jillette that focuses on his appreciation of modern technology. In referencing his use of the electronic reader Kindle and iPad, Jillette is asked what books he reads via these devices. His reading list includes the Bible. In his words, "I read the Bible every day." When questioned as to why an atheist is reading the Bible, he replies, "I've read it three times all the way through. It's a big part of our culture, a big part of our history. I don't just read things I agree with." Why am I sharing this with you? Here is an atheist who is reading his Bible daily. And not only that, he has accomplished a feat that few Christians have: he has read his Bible all of the way through...three times! Granted, he may be lying. And he is certainly not reading the scriptures with a godly intent. But still, it should cause us to examine our own habits concerning our diligent and routine study of the Bible. Or lack thereof. I am not suggesting that we read our Bibles in order to "outdo the godless heathen". My competitive nature may want to suggest such a notion, but I must quickly reject it. I am saying that I find it rather odd that an atheist is doing something that most Christians aren't doing. And I want that fact to stir me in a Christ-honoring way.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Be Strengthened by Grace!

"Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them."

Hebrews 13:9

*The author of Hebrews tells us that our strength is to come directly from grace. Grace is not weak; it does not require help from "foods". Obviously, some within the intended audience of this letter were seeking spiritual strength from various dietary regulations, wrongly thinking that the grace of the gospel was insufficient. While we may not be attempting to draw our strength from our diets, we can plug in a thousand other things for "foods" that are still crazy efforts to empower the grace of the gospel. Grace will do fine on its own. Grace doesn't need our help.

*The author tells us not to be fooled by diverse and strange teachings. This is why we must never compromise the essence of the gospel. There are certainly many issues where we can politely agree to disagree. Baptism. Gifts of the Spirit. Church government. But the message of the gospel? No! When we adhere to diversity leading to the gospel, we err. And tragically so. Diversity may come from the gospel, but diversity doesn't lead to the gospel. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me." Read this entire chapter of Hebrews. Everything is connected to the certainty of Christ, that His sacrifice is truly sufficient for the sinner's salvation. Our hearts are to be strengthened by His grace alone. Don't be fooled by another teaching or opinion. His grace is indeed sufficient.

*The need to be strengthened implies that we are prone to weakness. Every person needs the strength of the grace of the gospel. Don't think you don't. In times of waining strength, look to Jesus. He understands our lives and promises to be our helper. It's not a weakness to admit you are weak. It is a weakness to hide that you are.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Culinary Gratitude...My Top 10

I love food. It is such a blessing from God. And I'm not saying that to be flippant or silly. It really is a great gift from our Creator. Here I have compiled a list of ten favorites. Try making your own list, just for fun. My top ten foods & drinks (and even a smell):

1. Starbucks Coffee. Need I say more?
2. Bacon. See comment for #1.
3. A pecan log from Cracker Barrel.
4. The smell of a freshly opened box of Fruit Loops cereal.
5. Giordano's Pizza (Chicago, IL). It will make you see Jesus.
6. Three letters: BBQ. Ahhh...the wonderful smell of burning hickory.
7. Sour cream & Onion Pringles. My motto: Eat one and the can is gone.
8. Anything from the Cheesecake Factory, but especially the Caramel chicken.
9. Sweet Tea. And serve it like they do at a UT football game: with a big slice of orange.
10. Vanilla ice cream. Boring? Maybe. Delicious? Yes!

Monday, February 6, 2012

It's a Moore Monday!

"I believe I can confidently but reverently say to you that God can put any broken person back together again no matter what he or she has suffered. I'm not just saying that God can cause a person to maintain his or her physical existence after tragedy. Many people live through tragedy. I'll never forget my mother-in-law's response when I asked her how she survived the death of her beloved, blond-headed three-year-old after a house fire. She answered, 'I just kept waking up. I didn't want to live. I simply didn't have much choice.' Many of you know exactly what she meant. My heart still breaks for her. I am thankful I can tell you that she is no longer simply breathing. She is living once again. Physical existence is not what Christ died to bring us. He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. As impossible as this may seem, God can restore abundant life."

Beth Moore, Praying God's Word

"Then Jesus said to him, 'If you can? Everything is possible to the one who believes.'"

Mark 9:23

Friday, February 3, 2012

Quick Exhortations!

"Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Don't stifle the Spirit. Don't despise prophecies, but test all things. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil."

I Thessalonians 4:16-22

Wow! What a way to end a letter. Paul gives the Thessalonians more than a one-two punch; he delivers a spiritual flurry of mandates. There are nine points of thought in these seven verses. But don't miss their significance because of their placement in the letter or their succinct nature. Paul meant business when he wrote these things. Give them due consideration; read them slowly, pondering their immediate and broader meanings. May God bless you as you meditate on His word.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Swindoll on Surrender

"The next time you're feeling sorry for yourself, pause long enough to compare your situation to His. The next time you're unfairly criticized, again, compare; weigh your trouble against what He endured. The next time you have to surrender something comfortable or something familiar for the greater good, compare what you are surrendering to what He surrendered. The next time you're asked to adjust a plan, compare your adjustment to His adjustment. Keep Jesus as your standard. All other human examples are driven by a survival instinct, an internal compulsion to preserve and nurture self. Only Christ modeled godly selflessness throughout His entire life. While others seek to preserve their own lives, He came to lay His down."

Charles Swindoll, So, You Want to Be Like Christ?