I read a quote today by an old preacher named Philip Brooks. He said, " Never allow yourself to feel equal to your work"
Paul echoes this truth in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 when he talks about his ministry and how he felt burdened to the point of death. He says that was so that he would rely of God who raises the dead! In whatever we do, we who call on Christ must cease trusting in ourselves and choose to rely on the God who truly has the power we need to do what He has called us to do!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Let us Draw Near !
http://common.northpoint.org/sacredpathway.html
On Sunday we discussed drawing near to God. Many people want to do just that but do not know how! Just how do we draw near to God? Is there just one way? Gary Thomas has written a book called Sacred Pathways and in this book he has created a test that helps people figure out the best way that they relate or "draw near" Click the link above and take the test. Be sure to write down your answers!
On Sunday we discussed drawing near to God. Many people want to do just that but do not know how! Just how do we draw near to God? Is there just one way? Gary Thomas has written a book called Sacred Pathways and in this book he has created a test that helps people figure out the best way that they relate or "draw near" Click the link above and take the test. Be sure to write down your answers!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
John Calvin Quote
" Let is not take it into our head either to seek our God anywhere else than in His sacred Word , or to think anything about Him that is not prompted by His Word , or to speak anything that is not taken from that Word "
These Words , I believe were written to an audience consisting of people committed to the teaching of His Word ! As I read the quote however, I wondered if it might be applicable and helpful to all of us. This quote, does however presuppose that we are in His Word Often. How often are you in His Word? Do you long to know God through the reading of His Word?
These Words , I believe were written to an audience consisting of people committed to the teaching of His Word ! As I read the quote however, I wondered if it might be applicable and helpful to all of us. This quote, does however presuppose that we are in His Word Often. How often are you in His Word? Do you long to know God through the reading of His Word?
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Ascension Sunday - From Kevin DeYoung
Today is Ascension Day in the life of the church, the 40th day of Easter (or 39 days after Easter Sunday). Celebrating Ascension Sunday (this coming Sunday) is not the issue (though Bucer and Calvin argued for retaining the “Five Evangelical Feasts” in the church calendar: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost). Christians can disagree on how to remember the key events in Christ’s ministry, or if holy days are appropriate at all. But whether we remember Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, ascension, and pouring out of the Spirit-that’s not an option.
And is there any part of Christ’s life on earth that we think about less than his ascension? Everyone knows about his birth—that’s what Christmas is for. His death, burial, and resurrection are pretty well covered by Holy Week. But who cares that May 1 was Ascension Day? Most of us know the stories of his miracles. We’re familiar with his sermons and parables. We could talk about the people he healed, the demons he cast out, and the Jewish leaders he ticked off. We are well-versed in what Jesus did on earth. But who thinks about how he left this earth? Or why it matters?
So how does Christ’s ascension benefit us? The Heidelberg Catechism (Question and Answer 49) mentions three ways.
First, Christ’s ascension benefits because we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Our Lord Jesus in heaven pleading our case, so that whenever Satan accuses us in our conscience or dates to lay a charge against us before the Father, Jesus, Christ, God’s own Son and our flawless advocate, stands ready to defend us and plead His own blood for our sakes. Think about that. Christ is our prayer partner in heaven. He intercedes for us before the throne (Rom. 8:34).
Second, Christ’s ascension benefits us because we now have our own flesh in heaven; our lives are hidden with Christ who dwells in glory above (Col. 3:3-4). Christ’s flesh in heaven is a guarantee that ours will be there too someday. Our hope is not an eternity as disembodied souls but real, resurrected, material human bodies in God’s presence forever. Christ’s body is the first one there, but not the last.
Third, Christ’s ascension benefits us because we get the Holy Spirit as a result. As Jesus Himself explained to His disciples, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). This was no knock on His own earthly ministry, but Jesus understood that as a man He was limited to one place at a time. But once He ascended to heaven, He could send another Helper (John 14:16) to give us power from on high and to be with us forever.
Think about the implications of Christ’s ascension. The ascension means we are in heaven, right now. Through union with Christ, we truly are not citizens of this world. Colossians tells us to set our minds on things that are above, because our lives are hidden with Christ who dwells there (3:2-3).
The ascension also implies that “asking Jesus into your heart” does not mean inviting a kind friend or comforting therapist into your life. It means—if we are using the nonbiblical phrase in a biblical way—that we are expressing our desire to be one with the king of the universe. The Jesus who lives within our hearts is sitting exalted at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
The good news of this holy day is that Jesus Christ is exercising the dominion that man was made to have from the very beginning (Gen. 1:28). The ruin of the first Adam will be undone by the reign of the second. Because of Christ’s ascension, we know that the incarnation continues, Christ’s humanity lives on in heaven, the Spirit lives in our hearts, and a flesh-and-blood, divine human being rules the universe.
And is there any part of Christ’s life on earth that we think about less than his ascension? Everyone knows about his birth—that’s what Christmas is for. His death, burial, and resurrection are pretty well covered by Holy Week. But who cares that May 1 was Ascension Day? Most of us know the stories of his miracles. We’re familiar with his sermons and parables. We could talk about the people he healed, the demons he cast out, and the Jewish leaders he ticked off. We are well-versed in what Jesus did on earth. But who thinks about how he left this earth? Or why it matters?
So how does Christ’s ascension benefit us? The Heidelberg Catechism (Question and Answer 49) mentions three ways.
First, Christ’s ascension benefits because we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). Our Lord Jesus in heaven pleading our case, so that whenever Satan accuses us in our conscience or dates to lay a charge against us before the Father, Jesus, Christ, God’s own Son and our flawless advocate, stands ready to defend us and plead His own blood for our sakes. Think about that. Christ is our prayer partner in heaven. He intercedes for us before the throne (Rom. 8:34).
Second, Christ’s ascension benefits us because we now have our own flesh in heaven; our lives are hidden with Christ who dwells in glory above (Col. 3:3-4). Christ’s flesh in heaven is a guarantee that ours will be there too someday. Our hope is not an eternity as disembodied souls but real, resurrected, material human bodies in God’s presence forever. Christ’s body is the first one there, but not the last.
Third, Christ’s ascension benefits us because we get the Holy Spirit as a result. As Jesus Himself explained to His disciples, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7). This was no knock on His own earthly ministry, but Jesus understood that as a man He was limited to one place at a time. But once He ascended to heaven, He could send another Helper (John 14:16) to give us power from on high and to be with us forever.
Think about the implications of Christ’s ascension. The ascension means we are in heaven, right now. Through union with Christ, we truly are not citizens of this world. Colossians tells us to set our minds on things that are above, because our lives are hidden with Christ who dwells there (3:2-3).
The ascension also implies that “asking Jesus into your heart” does not mean inviting a kind friend or comforting therapist into your life. It means—if we are using the nonbiblical phrase in a biblical way—that we are expressing our desire to be one with the king of the universe. The Jesus who lives within our hearts is sitting exalted at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
The good news of this holy day is that Jesus Christ is exercising the dominion that man was made to have from the very beginning (Gen. 1:28). The ruin of the first Adam will be undone by the reign of the second. Because of Christ’s ascension, we know that the incarnation continues, Christ’s humanity lives on in heaven, the Spirit lives in our hearts, and a flesh-and-blood, divine human being rules the universe.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
"The Lord has need of it"
When Jesus sent His disciples to town to get the donkey on whom he would ride into Jerusalem, He tells them to tell the donkey owner that "He has Need of the Donkey". Apparently this was enough for the owner of the donkey. He immediately releases the donkey. How much he understood about Jesus is not clear, but His response is appropriate. Jesus' request demonstrates His Lordship and ownership of all. In a real sense, Jesus owns everything and anything we have really belongs to Him already. Is there anything in your life that if Jesus said, " I have need of it" you would have a difficulty giving up? You and I must have this same attitude with all of our possessions!" It all belongs to Him and it all must be used for His purposes and His glory.
Friday, March 8, 2013
I ran across this quote on the Southwestern Seminary Website: The quote comes from a pastor in College Station, Texas!
What do you think?
Osborne explained that Jesus’ teaching on eating His flesh and drinking His blood was given to distinguish between true and false disciples. Bringing it to a present-day context, Osborne said, “Let me be clear about something. You are not a disciple because you tithe. You are not a disciple because you go to church … because you clap after a song … because you hold your hand up when you worship … because you weep.”
“You’re a disciple when you understand absolutely who Jesus Christ is, you believe that, (and) you surrender to it. And it doesn’t matter what He says, it doesn’t matter how He says it, it doesn’t matter where He tells you to go, it doesn’t matter how He tells you to go, you are all in. That is a disciple. That is what He’s looking for
Thursday, February 14, 2013
John
I was reading the other day in John 1:18-28, specifically verse 27 caught my eye!
26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
( This activity would have been reserved for the lowest of slaves)
Now religious leaders are questioning John the Baptist. Are you the Messiah? No! Are you The Prophet, again he says No! John defines himself as one that us unworthy to do a task that would have been assigned to a slave. " I am not even worthy enough to be called His slave! Even in John's limited understanding of who Jesus was, he recognized His greatness and His need for humility in contrast. As I was thinking about this, I wondered do I ever think to highly of myself? If you are married to me or even know me, you know the answer is yes. The truth is we are not worthy to be considered even His slaves. Jesus is God incarnate who came to this earth , in part because we are not worthy. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. I wonder how my life would be different of I remembered that outside of Christ I am nothing? It is only because I have received Christ that I am worthy to be called a child of God , John 1:12. Now what does it mean to receive Christ? Well that is a question for tomorrow !
26 John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”
( This activity would have been reserved for the lowest of slaves)
Now religious leaders are questioning John the Baptist. Are you the Messiah? No! Are you The Prophet, again he says No! John defines himself as one that us unworthy to do a task that would have been assigned to a slave. " I am not even worthy enough to be called His slave! Even in John's limited understanding of who Jesus was, he recognized His greatness and His need for humility in contrast. As I was thinking about this, I wondered do I ever think to highly of myself? If you are married to me or even know me, you know the answer is yes. The truth is we are not worthy to be considered even His slaves. Jesus is God incarnate who came to this earth , in part because we are not worthy. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8. I wonder how my life would be different of I remembered that outside of Christ I am nothing? It is only because I have received Christ that I am worthy to be called a child of God , John 1:12. Now what does it mean to receive Christ? Well that is a question for tomorrow !
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Gospel Presentation
I have a quick question that I would like a response to? In your opinion and based on your experience, what is the best way to share the gospel with a non-believer?
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