Your Pastor

It's my body, right?

2012-03-01T15:00:00.000-06:00

Not quite. Your body, your soul, the total you matters to God. What onedoes with one's body/self has implications for this life and the life after. Itis that serious. I Corinthians 6: 9-11

Culture's view

In the sexually charged city of Corinth Paul knew and loved the people of the church so muchthat he confronted them about their sexual practices. But he had to wadethrough their distorted views about the body and sexual practice.

Greek thinking promoted a rather negative view of the body.One Greek proverb went this way: "The body is a tomb." Epictetus (stoic philosopher)said: "I am a poor soul shackled to a corpse."

By denigrating and trivializing the human body the nextlogical step was to believe that what one does in this life with the body is inconsequential. In fact the progressives among them said, “Let’s feast and drink,for tomorrow we die!” I Corinthians 15: 32

God's View

Paul responds, “Don’t be fooled by those who say suchthings, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about whatis right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t knowGod at all. I Corinthians 15: 33-34

Here’s what Scripture encourages as the most helpful way tothink about our bodies:

Your body and sex: But you can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. I Corinthians 6:13
Your body and the after-life: God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. I Corinthians 6:14
Your Body and Jesus: Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! I Corinthians 6:15
Your Body is a worship center: Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? I Corinthians 6:19
Your Body has an owner: for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. I Corinthians 6:20

Until we understand that the body or the self belongsto God, matters of abortion, fornication, homosexuality, adultery, incest, andother sexual distortions will forever be defended as a personal right instead of offered up to God in full surrender.

When Is Indecision Loveless and Sinful? (A Lesson from Bonhoeffer) By Pastor John Piper

2012-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

I would encourage you to also check out the preaching and teaching ministry of Pastor John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis. His ministry has greatly encouraged my life.

Have you ever been paralyzed with indecision? I have. It is not a good trait of leadership.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer breathed the air of crisis most of his adult life. This would eventually make the issue of decisiveness a matter of life and death. And even before that moment it was an issue of love.

Everywhere Bonhoeffer looked in the Europe of 1934 he saw Christian indecisiveness. The “deutsche Christen,” the global ecumenical movement — everyone but Hitler. Nazism’s strangle hold on the church in Germany was almost complete, and no one seemed willing to act.

Bonhoeffer and his friends soon would. A “Confessing Church” would emerge free from the coercions of the Third Reich. A “Barmen Declaration” would be published. But for now Bonhoeffer pleaded for action.

On April 7, 1934 he wrote a letter to Henry Louis Henriod, the Swiss theologian who headed the ecumenical World Alliance. He pled for support for the pastors and Christians in Germany who knew (to their peril) their church was no longer a church. Here we learn a lesson about the perils of indecision. Bonhoeffer wrote:

A decision must be made at some point, and it’s no good waiting indefinitely for a sign from heaven that will solve the difficulty without further trouble. Even the ecumenical movement has to make up its mind and is therefore subject to error, like everything human.
But to procrastinate and prevaricate simply because you’re afraid of erring, when others — I mean our brethren in Germany — must make infinitely more difficult decisions every day, seems to me almost to run counter to love.
To delay or fail to make decisions may be more sinful than to make wrong decisions out of faith and love. (Eric Metaxas, Bonhoeffer, [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2010], 218)

Every pastor, every parent, every leader of any ministry should think and pray earnestly over that last sentence.

If it's too good to be true...

2012-02-27T06:16:00.002-06:00

Finish the sentence...then it's too good to be true! This ishow I feel after reading Romans 8: 1-4.

When God looks at us in Christ we stand completely innocent,free of guilt, free from wrath. We are no longer condemned criminals on deathrow. We are free.

How was this accomplished?

Weakness of the Law

For centuries, the law commanded and the law condemnedlaw-breakers and the law pointed to a Righteousness and a Sacrifice that wouldsomeday come (Romans 3:21), but the law could not removecondemnation from sinners.

If there was to come a time when sinners could experience"no condemnation!" – when the ungodly could be justified by faith –then God would have to do something besides give a law. And what he did wassend his Son in human nature, as our representative and substitute and there onthe cross in the suffering of his Son, God condemned sin!

Jesus paid it all

Whose sin? Jesus had none (see "likeness ofsinful flesh," v. 3). Not his. Ours. This is the Gospel. This isChristianity. All of us were under God's condemnation because of our sin.

But, as Romans 5:6 says,"While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for theungodly." What does that mean – he died for the ungodly? Now we see whatit means in Romans8:3. It means that God poured out on his Son the condemnation that wedeserved. He condemned sin (my sin!) in the flesh (Christ's flesh!). Do youbelieve this?!

Not everyone can say, "There is now no condemnationover my life." Only those "who are in Christ Jesus." Some are inhim and some are not. Paul assumes this everywhere in his writings. There arethose "in Christ" and there are those "outside." Paul isnot a universalist.

He says explicitly in Romans 9:3,with grief, that there are those who are "accursed, separated fromChrist." The opposite of the precious phrase "in Christ" (enkristõ) is the terrible phrase "[separated] from Christ" Where are you? In Christ? Or separated from Christ?

Gospel in a few words

I pray that all who read these words would receive Christ.It does seem too good to be true, but it’s true: Our sin separated us from God;nothing we do could remove us from under the wrath of God; God sent his Son inthe likeness of sinful flesh and he condemned sin in his flesh through death ona cross. Everyone who trusts Christ’s work and reject their work will findforgiveness and deliverance from death. This is the good news of the gospel.

Iranian pastor to die for converting to Christ

2012-02-24T11:00:00.000-06:00

We need to pray for Christians who are suffering death and loss of human rights in many places in the world.

Check out Newsweek's online copy, The War on Christians, for evidence that the Devil is angry with the growth of the church in other parts of the world.

The church in North America has nothing to fear because we have so compromised with the world that the Devil is happy with the American Church. He won't touch us!

Please click the link below to see Franklin Graham's interview with Greta Van Susteren. An Iranian pastor is about to be executed because he converted to Christ. Please let your friends know about this and pray for the salvation of this man, his congregation and his family.

http://gretawire.foxnewsinsider.com/video/the-rev-franklin-graham-on-the-record-3/

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:8-11 ESV)

Some things are worth the struggle

2012-02-24T08:45:00.001-06:00

Like you, Ihave a certain aversion for conflict in the church, especially, when theconflict is driven by low priority concerns: music, clothes, and internalcommittee debates.

But I do enjoythe struggle congregations go through trying to clarify their vision andmission for the sake of the gospel. Some things are worth fighting over.

For example, Acts 15:1-11, the gospel is bearing rich fruit in Antioch. People are coming toJesus by the thousands but some of the Pharisees who had become believers, andwho struggled with the concept of grace wanted to add to the gospel.

They believed in Jesus,but it was Jesus, plus Moses. They wanted new believers circumcised accordingto the Law of Moses. Their demands were not only a distraction from the mission;they were capable of destroying the mission.

In steps Peter: And after there had been muchdebate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Friends, you know that in theearly days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles shouldhear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart,bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, andhe made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts byfaith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke onthe neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able tobear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the LordJesus, just as they will."

Imagine what would havehappened if the herd instinct hadtaken over the leadership. If they all caved in to the need to get along, thinkthe same way, and at all cost avoid conflict. The message of Christ would betainted, rendered impotent and the revival in Antioch would have come to ascreeching halt.

I wonder how many gospelmovements in churches have stopped because the leaders do not have the gumptionto face conflict head on, stand on principle and stand for the gospel.

When do you take astand? Take a stand when it is clear the gospel mission of the church is aboutto be sacrificed for internal, self-centered, consumerist ideals. And when you stand for gospel ideals expect to be criticized, misquoted, rejected; expect peoplewill walk away from the mission, you may even lose your job.

But if this is all thathappens to you be encouraged. The apostles risked their lives for the sake ofthe gospel. Their sacrifice still does not compare to Christ's sacrifice forthe sake of the world.

So my brothers andsisters in the gospel, take a stand; bear the shame, carry the cross, stand forthe gospel. Remember what Jesus said: “A disciple is not above histeacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to belike his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called themaster of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household? (Matthew10:24-25 ESV)

They don't know what to do with it!

2012-02-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Madison Ave,with its ability to sell just about anything, from toothpaste to five dollar foot longs, does not know what to do with Lent, and I love it!

Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving has fallen completely into the ad-man’s hand, manipulated like a piece of putty and reshaped into amassive ad campaign to buy stuff.

But they don’t know what to do with Lent.

Against the clamor to get more, spend, Lent quietly calls those who will listen toprayer, repentance, ashes, renunciation, fasting, a focus on finitude, sin,death, with the goal that we would emerge from this season purged of the world, or at least less saddled by this world and more equipped to live as pilgrims.

This is the most counter-cultural expression of the churchand this is why Christians around the world, around America,around Chicago, around Evanston,

should in droves participate in this journey with Christ

all the way to his glorious resurrection.

If Lent suddenly became chic, cool, popular then I wouldencourage us to put the brakes on and do something else.

The fact that they ignore it means we must celebrate it. Isn't it great that no one will walk up to you uttering banal phrases like, "Happy Lent! Happy Ash Wednesday!"

If you are near First Presbyterian Church of Evanston, andyou are not part of a worshiping fellowship, you are welcome to join us forAsh Wednesday observance and other Lenten practices over the coming weeks. Here's the information:

Weekly Taizé Prayer Services:

Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Ash Wednesday, February 22 - April 4

Maundy Thursday ~ April 5 at 7:30pm

Good Friday ~ April 6

Family Workshop

Service of Darkness: Lux Aeterna by Lauridsen ~ 7:30pm

Our 40 Days of Prayer conclude with the

Easter Celebration

On April 8 at 9:15 & 11 am

God, what are you doing?

2012-02-21T06:39:00.000-06:00

In short, this is what the ancient prophet Habakkuk was asking.God was at work in the world but God’s ways were incomprehensible to him.

Have you ever felt this way? I am sure you have. And I amsure you have heard people in your life express frustration, confusion, anger,disappointment and cynicism about God’s ability or inability to act.

In fact he complained, “Why do you make me see iniquity, andwhy do you idly look at wrong? Habakkuk 1:3

From his vantage point he thought God was either weak, slowto act, or simply did not care.

If you have never read Habakkuk then take a few minutes andread all three chapters. Notice how unlike the other prophets who deliveredtheir message to the people around them, this prophet engaged in dialogue withGod.

The first chapter is a prayer or an extended complaint toGod about the moral and spiritual decline of Judah.

God’s response puzzled him even more: “I am raising up theChaldeans (Babylonians) to take care of the situation.” Habakkuk 1: 6-11

The prophet is shocked. “How could a good and just God use a morewicked nation to punish a less wicked one?” (Habakkuk 1: 12-17)

God makes it clearthat both nations are to be judged and appropriately punished for their evilacts.

Although Habakkuk did not fully understand, he learnedto rely totally on the wisdom and justice of God to bring about the properresolution in ways he could never have imagined. This God is certainly worthyof Habakkuk’s praise and worship, which is how the book ends:

Though thefig tree should not blossom,

norfruit be on the vines,

the produceof the olive fail

andthe fields yield no food,

the flockbe cut off from the fold

andthere be no herd in the stalls,

yet I willrejoice in the LORD;

Iwill take joy in the God of my salvation.

GOD, theLord, is my strength;

hemakes my feet like the deer's;

hemakes me tread on my high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Habakkuk moves from complaint and confusion, to faith andimplicit trust in the goodness and faithfulness of God. Look again at his closing song of praise and ask yourself, could I do what he did? Could I thank God in the midst of my pain, my loss and my problems?

I think so. Walk by faith in God's sovereign grace, trust the Lord, and even when the times are hard you will receive his strength to carry on. My grace is sufficient for you; because my strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Ability...not disAbility

2012-02-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

It's possible that many of you have seen this before. But when I saw this video clip a few days ago, I was speechless.

The life of Patrick Hughes challenges our assumptions about many things:
Beauty
Quality of life
God's Sovereignty
Ability vs. Disability
Abortion
Commitment
Success
Determination
Courage

You might also want to see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkNw0nleVLM
What questions/thoughts does his story raise in your mind?

Are there reliable principles for reading and interpreting Scripture?

2012-02-17T07:58:00.001-06:00

Yes. Thankfully, Scripture is not a book reserved for elites,or an inner circle of “super-saints.” All of Scripture is the word of God forthe people of God.

As you continue reading through Scripture in 2012, as yousit in worship and listen to preaching grounded in Scripture, here are 5 principlesto keep in mind as you love God and keep his commandments.

1. Read the biblewith an attitude of prayer

The human heart is a prolific idol factory. The human heartis easily deceived and is often given to evil (Jeremiah 17:9). The naturalresponse to God’s truth as it is unveiled is to suppress the truth, deny thetruth, excuse it, rationalize it away and sometimesobey it.

Do what David did: pray before, during and after readingand hearing Scripture:

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander

from your commandments! (Psalm 119:10)

Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes! (Psalm119:12)

Pray that the Holy Spirit would unclog your ears, removescales from your eyes, and give you the spirit of humility and a teachableheart that is quick to obey.

2. Remember that thebible points to Jesus
Don’t read the bible as a book to validate your experience or support somenarrow political point. Jesus often reminded his accusers, “You diligentlystudy the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life.These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come tome to have life (John 5:39-40; Luke 24:25-27).

The writer in Hebrews makes this point: Long ago, at manytimes and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, butin these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointedthe heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

(Hebrews 1:1-2)

3. Let Scriptureinterpret Scripture (This is my favoriteprinciple)

What do I mean here? If you believe that all of Scripture isinspired by God and is profitable for the church’s life, and does notcontradict itself, then the passages of Scripture that are less clear should beinterpreted with reference to those that are more transparent in meaning.

I do this all the time. For example, on February 26 andMarch 4^th I will be preaching through I Corinthians 5-6. Paul talksabout avoiding sexual immorality or porne. What does he mean by this? In orderto understand his words, I simply read what the rest of Scripture means bysexual immorality. It is a big word that involves any sexual practice thatdoes not comport with God’s will for God’s people: Fornication, adultery, beastiality,pedophilia, lust, rape, homosexuality, incest, pornography, prostitution, etc.The same thing could be done with just about any subject or teaching. Study allthat the bible says about the subject so as to have the “mind of God on thatsubject.” This avoids slipping over the edge into basing one’s life andexperience on one or two ideas of Scripture.

4. Think deep andlong about Scripture

This means you can’t be in a hurry when reading. Asuperficial reading of Scripture will produce a superficial way of life. Thisis why I decided back in 2008 to begin this blog as a way to think about andwrite about what God’s word says to me. I also keep a journal of prayers thatgrow out of my reading of Scripture. I have found that this method helpsScripture stick to the walls of mymind.

5. Resolve to read AND obey Scripture

This is the litmus test. What good is it to read through theentire bible; have the ability to quote verse after verse so as to dazzle yourfriends, but do not obey it? It profits nothing.

Scripture is not like the Chicago Tribune or the New YorkTimes--read the editorials, the sports page, the Home and Garden section, scanthe headlines-- then recycle the paper. Jesus said, “If you love me keep mycommandments.”

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding itaccording to your word. Psalm 119:9

And then James nails it: But be doers of the word, and nothearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word andnot a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in amirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he waslike. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, andperseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

(James 1:22-25)

Lord, help all who read these weak thoughts of mine, be ledto read your powerful words and in so doing are changed. In the name of theFather, Son and Holy Spirit, amen!

Just in time for Sunday!

2012-02-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

Josh McDowell is coming to First Pres. Evanston this Sunday and will be speaking on the subject, Bible: Fact, Fiction or Fallacy.

Here's a summary of a post I found on Ed Stetzer's site that is worth reading. Click here for the entire article, which by the way was written by New Testament scholar, Craig Blomberg.

The New Testament (NT) contains four biographies of Jesus (the Gospels), one history book of the early church (Acts), twenty-one letters (Romans to Jude), and an apocalypse (Revelation). While the letters and the apocalypse contain references to historical events, the Gospels and Acts are written as straightforward historical narratives. These are the NT books about which it makes particularly good sense to ask the question, "Are they historically reliable?" Twelve lines of evidence converge to suggest strongly that the answer is "yes."

First, we have over 5,700 Greek manuscripts representing all, or part, of the NT. By examining these manuscripts, over 99 percent of the original text can be reconstructed beyond reasonable doubt.

Second, the authors of the Gospels and Acts were in an excellent position to report reliable information. Matthew and John were among the twelve disciples Jesus Himself chose; Mark was a close companion of Peter and Luke (who also wrote Acts) and traveled extensively with Paul.

Third, these five books were almost certainly written in the first century, within sixty to seventy years of Jesus' death (most likely in a.d. 30). Even if one accepts the later dates, the amount of time separating the historical events and the composition of the five books is very short as compared to most ancient historical and biographical accounts, where many centuries could intervene between events and the books that narrated them.

Fourth, ancient Jews and Greeks meticulously cultivated the art of memorization, committing complex oral traditions to memory. Even before the Gospels or any other written sources about Jesus were compiled, Jesus' followers were carefully passing on accounts of His teachings and mighty works by word of mouth. This kept the historical events alive until the time they were written down.

Fifth, the ancient memorization and transference of sacred tradition allowed for some freedoms in retelling the stories. Guardians of the tradition could abbreviate, paraphrase, prioritize, and provide commentary on the subject matter as long as they were true to the gist or meaning of the accounts they passed on.

Sixth, the fact that these writers had distinct ideological or theological emphases does not mean they distorted history, as is often alleged. Oftentimes the very cause that a historian or biographer supports requires them to write their accounts accurately, for they know that their cause will be undermined if they are charged with bias or distortion.

Seventh, Luke's prologue (Lk 1:1-4) closely parallels the form and content of other works of generally reliable historians and biographers of antiquity, most notably Josephus, Herodotus, and Thucydides. The Gospel writers clearly believed that they were writing historically accurate works, not fiction or embellished history.

Eighth, the so-called hard sayings of Jesus support their authenticity. If the Gospel writers felt free to distort what Jesus originally said in order to increase the attractiveness of Christianity, why would they preserve unmodified His difficult and easily misunderstood teachings about hating family members (Lk 14:26) or not knowing when He would return (Mk 13:32)? The fact that they let these teachings stand indicates their faithfulness to recount true history.

Ninth, the fact that the NT does not record Jesus speaking about many of the topics that arose after His earthly life, during the time of the early church, supports its historical accuracy. For instance, early Christians were divided over how or whether the laws of Moses applied to Gentile converts (Ac 15). The easiest way to settle the controversy would be to cite Jesus' teachings on the matter, but the Gospels record no such teachings. This silence suggests that the Gospel writers did not feel free to play fast and loose with history by putting on the lips of Jesus teachings that could solve early church controversies.

Tenth, the testimony of non-Christian writers supports the details of the Gospels and Acts. About a dozen ancient Jewish, Greek, and Roman writers mention Jesus. Taken together, their writings attest to the basic contours of Jesus' life. Many names of people and places, as well as the exploits of first-century political and religious leaders, are attested in other writings of the day.

Eleventh, archaeology regularly confirms details about geography, topography, customs, artifacts, buildings, tombs, inscriptions, and graffiti that are mentioned in NT--the Gospels and Acts in particular.

Twelfth, the portions of the NT that were written before the completion of the Gospels and Acts confirm the historicity of these five books. For instance, Paul, James, and Peter show multiple signs of quoting or alluding to teachings and actions of Jesus in letters they wrote before the Gospels were written.

Craig L. Blomberg
Ph.D. University of Aberdeen

Asleep at the wheel

2012-02-15T14:00:00.000-06:00

Jonah asleep

Jonah makes it to the port of Joppa, finds a ship getting ready to sail to

Spain

; pays the fare, gets into the bottom ofthe ship, finds a comfortable spot and falls asleep. All seems to be going wellso far. Not so fast!

          For [God] commanded and raised thestormy wind,
            which lifted up the waves of the sea.
            They mounted up to heaven; they wentdown to

the depths;

            their courage melted away in theirevil plight;
            they reeled and staggered like drunkenmen
            and were at their wits' end.
          (Psalm 107:25-27)

The sailors try to figure out why the gods are angry with them (Jonah 1:7). Eventually, they determine that Jonah is the culprit. When they questioned him, this is what he said:

I am a Hebrew, and I reverence the LORD, the God of heaven, whomade the sea and the dry land. He is God above all gods. He controls the seaand the dry land (Jonah 1:9).

When the mariners heard this, fear grabbed their hearts. Jonah haddone something to provoke this powerful God. "What have you done?" For the menknew that he was fleeing from the presence of the Lord, because he hadtold them (Jonah 1:10).

Jonah’s confession is theologically sound. He talks about God in a way that the mariners cannot; but unlike thesailors, he does not talk to God. Hequotes theology, but he does not pray. He references God, but does not obey God. He is religious but only in a dead,lifeless way.

Jonah represents you and me. Jonah is the religious, church person. He’s the Methodist, the Presbyterian, Pentecostal, the church attendee. But he doesn’t come across well in this scene. He sleeps while people in the world are drowning. They are seeking after God; he is running away from God.

Cities like Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow are teeming with millions of peopleseeking help, caught in a storm, drowning, calling out for help. Where is JonahChristian? Sleeping. What is our responsibility for the people with whom we rubshoulders? Where in this story are we like Jonah?

Christian on the run

2012-02-15T05:57:00.000-06:00

God at work

It’s hard to miss: the Lord is thefirst to be named in Jonah. The first voice you hear is God's voice and guess whose voice you hear at the end (Jonah 4:11)? Frequent mentions of Lord inJonah indicate that God is the central actor.

LORD, translated as Yahweh is used twenty-five times, God, thirteentimes, LORD GOD, once, for a total of thirty-nine references about God in abook that only has 44 verses! The atmosphere of the book is quite differentfrom say, Ruth, where the narrator mentions the Lord only at the beginning andthe end, or Esther, which makes no mention of God. This is a story about Jonah,but it would be more accurate to say this is a story about God's work in the lifeof Jonah.

God's Call

Try to imagine the bad blood, thevitriol, the hatred that nations felt toward Assyrians. They were known forviolence and terrorism. It is quite understandable that an Israelite prophetwould reluctantly accept a missionary call to this city. This would be likeasking a Jew who lost his family in the Holocaust to now go to Germany just after the fall of the Nazis and bring God’s message.

We are reluctant

God said, Go to this city, Jonah and preach against it because its wickedness has come up to me (literally, in my face Jonah 1:2). This phrase, evil coming up to God demolishes the argument of God-haters who charge that God is not good, God is not great and does not have the power or inclination to address evil and wickedness in the world.

God is good and great choosing to work through his servants to effect change in the world. Unfortunately, God’s servants are unreliable; they injure God’s fame through sinful and disobedient living. Jonah rose up to flee and run away to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord instead of going to Nineveh (Jonah 1: 3).

We are the light of the world

You are the only Jesus some will ever see, the song says. Is this true? Jesus said, let your light so shinebefore others that they may see your good works and glorify your father whichis in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Paul sums it up this way: How thenwill they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they tobelieve in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear withoutsomeone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it iswritten, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans10:14-15)

Do you get it? God is reachingpeople through us! What are we doing to share Jesus with our neighbor? Whomight you bring the good news of Jesus to this week? Or are you like Jonah,scared, running away from God’s assignment to be a witness to those who arelost and dying without Christ?

How then shall we live?

2012-02-13T06:29:00.000-06:00

At First Pres of Evanston this is an important question and not just an academic question that philosophical types debate in university halls. This question gets to the heart of what it means for God's people to be a counter-cultural community seeking to live the gospel's demands.

Lent at First Pres, Evanston, IL

Ash Wednesday and Lent begins in afew short days and a group of men and women within the fellowship of FirstPresbyterian of Evanston, IL, are working tirelessly to prepare ourcongregation to walk through the forty days with our eyes fixed on Christ.

AshWednesday services begin on Feb 22 with Taize worship and Communion everyWednesday at 7:30pm. Furthermore, new small groups are in place tostudy Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. Leaders are trained and folks are registering to study Scripture together.

Lent is a time of self-examination; taking stock of our lives and remembering the set number of our days. We are finite, God is infinite; we are mortal, God is immortal; we are prone to sin and idol making, only God is holy and only God is worthy of worship. Lent is a time to re-calibrate one’s life toward heaven and to listen as God speaks through Scripture.

Scripture vs. culture
February 26 and March 4 brings us face to face with a set of challenging issues facing the Corinthian church: how they used their bodies in intimate ways, and how they failed to hold each other accountable for those intimate practices. These themes are tough. Just like the Corinthian culture, we are living in a very open and sexually expressive society.

How do we live our lives in ways that reflect the priorities of Christ’s kingdom? How do we express purity and holiness in a world that celebrates impurity? Why are God’s people called to be different from the culture?

What we must not do is deny the holistic way God sees our lives. We are physical and spiritual beings. Every good and perfect gift that comes to us from God has being tainted and distorted by sin. Sexualintimacy is one of God’s good and perfect gifts that bear the marks of sin's distortion.

Scripture's road map

Scripture is the guide, the measurement and means to help usdiscern how to live our physical and spiritual lives to the glory of God.Scripture helps us reclaim all the good gifts of God, including sexual intimacy.

Paul said, do not allow the world to squeeze you into its mold; instead betransformed by the renewing of your mind (Ro 12: 1-2). God promises a new heartand new mind and it is through hearing and doing God’s word that Christ isformed within the church. So we dare not minimize God’s word. God told Hosea,“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).”

Many lives are being destroyed daily because of lack of knowledge of God’s truth, or an outright rejection of God’s truth. At First Pres. Evanston, we are committed to loving God, serving people through the gospel so that their lives are transformed through Christ. And the principal way God does this is by taking away our hearts of stone and giving us tender hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26). This change of heart opens up new possibilities for transformation, obedience and faith in Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 6:11).

Increasingly, the challenge before us is how shall we live? Will we live under the authority of Scripture, or will we live according to what seems right in our eyes (Judges 17:6)?

Amos: Mere religion is deadly

2012-02-11T08:49:00.000-06:00

These biting words of Amos 5:18-27 are consciousness-raising. It is so incredibly easy to spend our precious time dawdling on things that do not matter to God. Talk about having a blind spot!Amos would not let the people of his day comfortably gather in their solemn assemblies while the powerful and rich press the poor and weak into the ground.

What happens inside of you when you hear God say: "I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the peace offerings of your fattened animals, I will not look upon them. Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen."

That's right. All the religious religious activities that we so easily fight over might just elicit a yawn from God. As long as justice is denied or ignored and religious activities take priority, God will say, "Stop!"

"Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever flowing stream."

When we read Amos' words we should press the pause button we call ministry and ask ourselves questions:

Why are we here?
Who are we called to serve?
Are we pleasing God or are we pleasing ourselves?
What has God given us that must now be used to change the world for even one person?

If we don't, then our religious activities might really be more about us and peripherally about God. How does a Christian, or a church engage in this kind of honest soul-searching? How do we assess life and ministry in accordance with Amos' challenge? That's the question for all of us.

Transformation takes time

2012-02-10T07:58:00.001-06:00

This Sunday (February 12), my message to God’s people atFirst Pres, Evanston, will be based on I Corinthians 6:1-8, Transformation takes time. If you are able, come and worship withus.

Transformation does take time. The process of change is nota ride on a bullet train. Going from rebellion to full-hearted surrender to Jesusis a process of growth. I like to say that every Christian should carry a signthat says, Under Construction.

In my reading of Joel, I saw three powerful incentives fortransformation of the heart. I commend the three chapters of this powerful bookto you.

Day of the Lord

This is a major theme in Joel. Five times he talks aboutthis coming Day. For Joel, the “day” refers not only to a final day of judgmentupon the nations (3:2) but also to God’s ongoing judgment of Israel, both pastand future (1:15; 2:2, 11), and instances of his intervention between Israeland the nations.

Knowing that the Day of the Lord is coming is an incentiveto carefully live our single, solitary life. One day--we don’t know when--we will be heldaccountable for the lives we have lived before God.

Repentance

In Joel, the whole community must cry out to the Lord (1:13–20) and look to him—not merely withexternal actions but in sincerity with their whole persons. It is here in Joelthat we learn the famous quote, rend yourheart, and not your garment (2:13). Don’t hide behind pretensions and religiousacts. God wants you to repent and turn away from all sin.

Holy Spirit in ourmidst
Joel sees a coming day when God’s Spirit will be poured on people of everyrace, class, and gender. Without the presence and power of God’s Spirit pouredout on all flesh, preparing for the day of the Lord and genuine repentance doesn't happen. The Holy Spirit is THE agent of true change.

Returnto the LORD your God,

forhe is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, and abounding insteadfast love;

andhe relents over disaster.

(Joel2:13)

Lord, continue to remind me that you are Lord of everyheart. Help me remember that I have these moments to live and then one day Iwill stand before you and account for my life. Lord, I repent of all my sin andall the ways I hide my sin. Send your Holy Spirit upon my heart and change mefrom deep within. I pray this for myself, my family, my friends and yourchurch. Thank you for grace and mercy through Jesus Christ! Amen

Question: Which of the three incentives inspire you to live a transformed life?

Josh McDowell preaching at First Pres

2012-02-09T15:16:00.002-06:00

When I was 18 years old (that's many moons ago), I grappled with several tough questions about the integrity of my faith, the reliability of Scripture, the existence for God, the historicity of Jesus and questions about resurrection. Unresolved, these questions would have hindered my growth.

My sister gave me a copy of Josh McDowell's book, Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Historical evidence for the Christian Faith. His book was of immense help to me and my friends. His book also ignited in me a fire to read and develop a Christian worldview. I was able to share Christ and address some of the hard questions people ask about Christianity.

So you can imagine my excitement that he is joining us in worship next Sunday (February 19). I would encourage you to invite your friends and family members who may have questions about faith.

Josh shares the essentials of the Christian faith in everyday language so that youth, families, churches, leaders and individuals of all ages are prepared for the life of faith and the work of the ministry. This included leveraging resources based on years of experiences, new technologies and strategic partnerships.

He is the author or co-author of 127 books, including More Than A Carpenter and New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, recognized by World Magazine as one of the top 40 books of the twentieth century. Josh McDowell Ministry is a division of Campus Crusade for Christ International.

Worship begins at 9:15am. Don't hesitate to contact the church (847-864-1472, 8:00am-5:00pm, M-F) with questions about this event.

What Hosea teaches about marriage

2012-02-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

In fourteen shortchapters Hosea depicts

Israel

’s unfaithfulness with a number of imagesfrom family and nature.

Israel

is like: a promiscuous wife, an indifferentmother, an illegitimate child, an ungrateful son, a stubborn heifer, a sillydove, a luxuriant vine, and grapes in the wilderness.

The big idea ofHosea could be summed up this way:

Israel

’s unfaithfulness and obstinacy will neverbe able to exhaust God’s redeeming love that outstrips the human capacity tocomprehend.

Of all the OldTestament books, Hosea places great weight on marriage as a metaphor for God’srelationship with his people.

The lament inHosea is the lament of God for

Israel

his wife (Hosea 4: 1-3). The Lord wooedher, loved, called, her, and entered into covenant with her. But

Israel

spurned God’s love and faithfulness.

It’s hard tomiss: the story of the bible is one story about God’s love-relationship withus. Scripture begins with a wedding between a man and a woman (Genesis 2: 18-25), and Scripture ends with a wedding(Revelation 21:2-3) between Christ and his bride, the church.

With metronomicconsistency Jesus spoke about marriage this way: Have you not read that he whocreated them from the beginning made them male and female, therefore a manshall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the twoshall be come one flesh? So they are no longer two but one flesh. Whattherefore God has joined together let no man separate (Matthew 19: 4-6). He never deviated.

Similarly, theapostles who followed Jesus and wrote Scripture under the Spirit’s leadingsustained the same description of marriage: one man, one woman, for life.

When Pauldepicted the relationship of love between Jesus and the Church, he imaged thatlove through the lens of marriage (Ephesians 5: 22-33).

Marriage is notfor the faint of heart. Just like the people of Hosea’ day, couples drift,become mired in selfish pursuits, seek fulfillment outside the marriagecovenant, and unfortunately, some marriages fail.

The good news ofHosea is the story of a God who enables us to do and become more than we arecapable of doing or becoming. The good news of Hosea is God’s faithfulness,grace and love.

The very lastverse (Hosea 14: 9) ends with an appeal for wisdom: Whoever is wise, let himunderstand these things; whoever is discerning let him know them; for the waysof the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumblein them.

May God grant uswisdom in a time when the sanctity and purpose of marriage is being reshaped beyond God’s original design.

From Preaching Today: Spiritual Apathy

2012-02-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

A December, 2011, article in USA Today analyzed asurge in a group of Americans called the "spiritually apathetic."They aren't atheists. Instead, according to the article, "They simplyshrug off God, religion, heaven, or the ever-trendy search-for-meaning and/orpurpose. Their attitude could be summed up as 'So what?'"

The article pointed to the following statistics from recent surveys:

44 percent of respondents told a Baylor University study that they spend no time seeking "eternal wisdom," and 19 percent said, "It's useless to search for meaning."
46 percent of respondents told LifeWay Research that they never wonder if they will go to heaven.
28 percent told LifeWay that "it's not a major priority in my life to find deeper purpose."
18 percent denied that God has a purpose or plan for everyone.

One professor of religion concluded, "The real dirtysecret of religiosity in America isthat there are so many people for whom spiritual interest, thinking aboutultimate questions, is minimal."

“For many, 'Losing My Religion' isn't just a song; It'slife," USA Today (12-25-11)

When everybody is doing it

2012-02-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Daniel was amongthe many Jews transported from

Judah

to Babylon. He went from a monotheistic religion toa culture where many gods and idols were worshiped.

He went from aculture that tried to live by the authority of God’s word to a culture wherepeople lived by the word of the king, or the authority of their own lives.

Almost overnightmany things changed in his life: Daniel 1: 4-7

His name

His education

His language

His diet

How does onemaintain biblical values and commitment to God in a majority paganculture? The bible says that Daniel resolved, or made up his mind (Daniel1:4).

He couldn’tchange the fact that he was in Babylon. He couldn't change thefact that he was in captivity; that his name would be changed; that hiseducation would be tilted toward paganism. His captors controlled many things,except one thing, his mind.

They could notultimately control his ability to choose.

They tried toforce him to eat non-kosher foods

They tried totell him and his friends who to worship

They tried to setlimits on when he should pray and to whom he should pray

But theyultimately failed because he possessed something they could not take away:resolve.

To be resolved isto have a committed, determined, unbending disposition that enables a personsay no to the things that defile and yes to the things that glorify God.

At the tender ageof 19, Jonathan Edwards made up his mind to live a radically obedient life forGod (click here toread them). His commitment changed 19th century

America

EveryChrist-follower who wants to impact culture and be salt and light must have asimilar resolve.

What are the boundaries to your life? Who will call the shots in your liferegarding use of time, sexual practices, how money is spent, what is done withyour body, what to watch on TV, what you read, or howto dress modestly? Having a determined, made up mind is critical ifyou are to stand for Christ in a majority pagan culture.

When you chooseto live a distinctly Christian life you will be challenged. You may be throwninto fire, thrown in a den with lions, you may even lose your life. But itsworth it because your witness for Christ shines brightest when you stand up forJesus.

Therefore, I urgeyou, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as aliving sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and properworship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve whatGod’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12: 1-2

Reader: What aresome of the resolutions you have made as a follower of Christ?

Hidden in the heart but exposed to God

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Idolatry defined

What’s an idol? “An idol is something within creation that is inflated to function as God. All sorts of things are potential idols, depending only on our attitudes and actions toward them...Idolatry may not involve explicit denials of God’s existence or character. It may well come in the form of an over-attachment to something that is, in itself, perfectly good...An idol can be a physical object, a property, a person, an activity, a role, an institution, a hope, an image, an idea, a pleasure, a hero - anything that can substitute for God.” Richard Keyes

“The evil in our desire typically does not lie in what we want, but that we want it too much.” John Calvin

These quotes unearth the meaning in Ezekiel 14:1-5. Idolatry of the heart is possibly more corrosive to spiritual health than any physical object.

When the elders came to Ezekiel for wisdom and spiritual direction God rejected their show of piety. They drew near with their lips but their hearts were far from God. They were estranged; God was not the lover of their souls because idols reigned in their hearts.

Your private world

The real you is the hidden you. It’s the part of you that noone sees or knows. Some call it your private world.

The real you is the part of you that fears, loves, broods,makes decisions. All our thoughts and actions begin inside our hearts beforethey become visible.

This is why Jesus must be Lord of everything—our inner and outerworlds. Love the Lord your God with allyour heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The hidden you is often where all the spiritual battles arefought with idolatry.

When idols lie hiddenin our hearts

First of all, you can’t see what’s in my heart. I can playthe religious role, say the right words, do the right things, attend prayergatherings, and you would never know that my heart is captured by a rival king.

People look at the outward form, but God looks at the heart(I Samuel 16:7).

And then Jesus often said that a person is defiled not bywhat comes out of the mouth, but what comes from the heart (Matthew 15:19-20).

Smashing idols of theheart

“Therefore say to the house of Israel,Thus says the Lord GOD: Repent and turn away from your idols, and turn awayyour faces from all your abominations (Ezekiel 14:6).

Acknowledge the fact that a thing or person probably means moreto you than God

Repent and turn to God

Claim the promises that God will give you a new heart tolove and obey his word (Ezekiel 36: 25-27).

Reader: How would you define an idol for 21^st century people?

Bizarre, Bizarre, Bizarre

2012-02-05T13:00:00.000-06:00

What you are about to see is troubling (video taken down). It has no precedent in all of Scripture. This is an example of what happens when churches embrace practices that are foreign to the Word of God.

Bishop Eddie Long has been embroiled in major senate investigations; scandals regarding his sexual abuse and manipulation of young boys; scandals regarding his wife's divorce and her claims of abuse. Despite all these scandals he remains head of this congregation.

Whatever happened to church discipline? What has happened to holiness, brokenness and repentance?

Most troubling of all is the "rabbi's" claim that the bishop is now being raised from the status of "commoner to that of a king!"

I seem to remember Jesus saying, if you want to be great in my kingdom, learn to be the servant of all, not king of all (Matthew 23:11-13). This is very bizarre!

The word of the LORD came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: ‘Hear the word of the LORD!’ Thus says the Lord GOD, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

(Ezekiel 13:1-3)

God's Plan...My Plan

2012-02-03T09:27:00.002-06:00

Why would anyone ask for God’s direction and then reject theanswer God gives? This is question I have been thinking about after reading Jeremiah 42:1-22 and 43: 1-13.

Because of their spiritual adultery, theirrefusal to repent and turn back to Lord, Judahwill now experience God’s judgment and spend the next seventy years exiled in Babylon.

Our plan

Some of the leaders and tribes of Judahhatched another plan to save themselves. What if they aligned their interestswith Egypt totheir south? Conditions were good in Egypt;they could settle there out of the reach of the advancing Babylonians and still sustain their lifestyle. The plan looked good on paper but God was notin the plan.

The leaders came to Jeremiah, asking him to pray that theywould know God’s will (even though their minds were already made up!). God’s will was already crystal clear. You know somethingis wrong when people come asking that God’s clear will be made clearer!

God's Plan

Jeremiah told them, “Do not fear the king of Babylon,of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the LORD, for I am with you,to save you and to deliver you from his hand. I will grant you mercy, that hemay have mercy on you and let you remain in your own land. Jeremiah 42:11-12

But this was not what they wanted to hear. They wanted God toconfirm their plans. This is a dangerous thing to do. Expecting God to agreewith your plans is to place limits on the wisdom of God. God needs our help;so let’s tell God what to do.

Full disclosure: I have done this, much to my own loss. Idevise a plan or decision, fully aware of what God has said, but hoping andscheming God will bless my plans and make an exception. Solomon reminds us: Manyare the plans in the mind of a person, but it is the purpose of the Lord thatwill stand. Proverbs 19:21

Rejecting God's Plan

God rejected their plans and they abused the Messenger: “Youare telling a lie. The LORD our God did not send you to say, ‘Do not go to Egyptto live there,’… So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of theforces and all the people did not obey the voice of the LORD, to remain in the land of Judah. Jeremiah 43:2-4

Why did they behave this way? Let me suggest a few reasons:

Fear instead of faith
Religious pretension instead of genuine devotion to God
Stubbornness instead of a repentant heart
Reliance on self instead of reliance on God
Personal ease instead of the glory of God

The rich young ruler did the same thing: What must I do to inherit eternal life (Mark 10:17)? Jesus gave him the answer and he walked away. Did he really want eternal life? How sad when we try to make God fit our own experience instead of letting God shape us, as the potter shapes the clay.

I can't believe what I just read in Jeremiah!

2012-02-02T06:10:00.000-06:00

My reading plan

I don’t know how many of you know this, and I hesitate toshare this with you for fear of being misunderstood, but I am reading throughthe bible in 90 days. That’s right. I am on a reading plan that is fast andfurious. I started December 5 and will finish the entire bible March 5.

I would not recommend this for everyone. If you have never readthrough Scripture, or you read the bible in a devotional fashion, this is not asmart thing to do. Why am I sharing this with you?

One of the advantages of reading Scripture so quickly is that I am picking upthemes and perspectives that I somehow miss when I read through the bible overone to two years.

One of the stories that stopped me in my tracks a few days ago comesnear the end of Jeremiah.

Jeremiah factoids

Jeremiah is undoubtedly one of the more unsuccessful prophets in the Old Testament. Unsuccessful, becausehe prophesied and pleaded with Judahfor about 40 years. His ministry spanned five kings, and the very thing hetried to avoid, and preached against happened—the destruction of Judahand Jerusalem at the hands of theBabylonians in 587 BC.

Jeremiah is believed to have written, with the help of hisassistant, Baruch, Jeremiah, I and 2Kings, and Lamentations. So this man was a significant prophet and byworldly standards his ministry was forty years of futility.

From heaven’s perspective though, he was a success. Despitebeatings, starvation, imprisonment, character assassination, and people mockinghis preaching, this man kept getting up off the ground, he kept going back intothe eye of the storm, and like a broken record, he repeated those same words, “Thussays the Lord.”

The incident

Read Jeremiah 42: 1-22 and tell me if you can find aparallel in all the sixty-six books of the bible? When was the last time youread a story where a group of a people came to their spiritual leader andasked the leader to go before God on their behalf to help them discern God’swill for their lives? They had a major decision to make but needed clarity.

They even said, “We want to know what the Lord wants us todo and where the Lord wants us to go.”

As a pastor, my heartwould explode with joy if members of my congregation told me such words.

This is what they finally told Jeremiah: “May the LORD be atrue and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the wordwith which the LORD your God sends you to us. Whether it is good or bad, wewill obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it maybe well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.” Jeremiah 42:5-6

Not just what happened; but why?

Well, I think you know what happened. Ten days later theprophet comes back with God’s instructions, and the people did not like whatthey heard. They called Jeremiah a liar. He was misinterpreting God and givinga false message. They did the exact opposite of what they said they would do.It’s one thing to understand what they did. A bigger question is why? Inanswering the why of their actions I had to admit this is a common phenomenonin my life and in the lives of others. More on this another time.

Reader: Give this your best shot: why do you think we dothis? We want help, but when help is given we reject it?

Going against the grain Pt.2

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

False prophets, false teaching, false living, these weresome of the challenges facing Jeremiah.

Popular, self-appointed prophets lacking courage and lovefor God’s truth were calling for sunnydays and seventy five degrees! They refused to see the gathering stormabout to be unleashed against the people of Israel.

In yesterday’s post I suggested that our generation issimilarly afflicted with preachers, teachers, prophets, and leaders who areafraid to announce God’s actual meteorological forecast.

Behold, the storm of the Lord!

Wrath has gone forth,

A whirling tempest;

it will burst upon the head of the wicked.

Jeremiah 23:19

These are not cute words to utter. And I don’t thinkJeremiah was happy to declare such words to his people. But his integrity, hiscall and duty to the Lord demanded this level of honesty. Jeremiah 1: 5-8.

What should we do when confronted with popular teaching thatconflicts with God’s word?

Don’t listen
Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling youwith vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth ofthe Lord. Jeremiah 23: 16

Do your own study

False prophets thrive because of lack of knowledge. Ifsomeone is supposedly teaching, or preaching truth, you are expected to verifywhat they say according to the fixed point of God’s word. Does the teachingreflect the mind of God?

“Who among them,” says Jeremiah, “has stood in the councilof the Lord to see and to hear his word, or who has paid attention to his wordand listened?” Jeremiah 23: 18

But if they had stood in my council, then they would haveproclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from theirevil ways and from the evil of their deeds. Jeremiah 23: 22

Listen to those whofaithfully speak God’s word

Such teachers and preachers will not be the most popular;they will not always be the most eloquent preachers leading influential churches.The standards to use are:

Do they walk what they talk? Philippians 3:17
Do they tremble at God’s word? Isaiah 66:2
Do they love God’s people? Galatians 4:19
Do they hate sin in their own lives? Psalm 119: 104
Are they faithful to God’s word? Jeremiah 23: 27-29
Do they help you think about God or think much of them? Jeremiah 23:27

The pay off

Faithfulness is costly but the eternal rewards are great.Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by sodoing you will save both yourself and your hearers. I Timothy 4: 15-16

Circle this one!

2012-01-31T15:00:00.000-06:00

Every now and then, I come across a quote that helps me go deeper in my walk with Christ. The quote below challenges us to bring the biggest and most impossible things before God in prayer. It comes from Pastor Mark Batterson's newest book, The Circle Maker. You can also visit his blog and learn more about his ministry and teaching.

Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less. If your prayers aren’t impossible to you, they are insulting to God. Why? Because they don’t require divine intervention. But ask God to part the Red Sea or make the sun stand still or float an iron axhead, and God is moved to omnipotent action. There is nothing God loves more than keeping promises, answering prayers, performing miracles, and fulfilling dreams. That is who He is. That is what He does. And the bigger the circle we draw, the better, because God gets more glory. The greatest moments in life are the miraculous moments when human impotence and divine omnipotence intersect — and they intersect when we draw a circle around the impossible situations in our lives and invite God to intervene. Mark Batterson, The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears

Now all glory to God, who isable, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely morethan we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesusthrough all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20

Going against the grain

2012-01-31T07:10:00.002-06:00

A prophet isfirst and foremost God's mouth piece. They are called by God to speak the wordsof God to the high and mighty and to the low born.

They cannot simplyspeak from their mind; the prophet speaks God's words. Sometimes the words arewords of comfort; other times the words are words of rebuke and coming judgment.

No one in theirright mind aspires to be a prophet. Faithful prophets never live long enough tocollect a pension. One becomes a prophet through the call of God.

During times ofnational crisis and moral breakdown the prophet must courageously step to thefront and speak an unpopular word of truth. The prophet is always going againstthe grain of conventional thinking. This is why most people hesitate to havethe prophet over for dinner or desserts. They are afraid that the Servant ofGod might say something that crashes the party.

One of thesaddest cries in Scripture is the Lord lamenting the spineless antics of theprophets in Samaria and

Judah

Among theprophets of Samaria I saw something disgusting: They prophesied by Baal andled My people

Israel

astray. Among the prophets of Jerusalem also I saw a horrible thing: They commitadultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, and noneturns his back on evil. They are all like Sodom to Me; Jerusalem’s residents are like Gomorrah. Jeremiah 23: 13-14

Instead of beingpart of the answer to

Israel

's crisis, they became part of the problem.They gave the people what the people wanted to hear. So the Lord warns, “Thisis what the Lord of Hosts says: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets whoprophesy to you. They are making you worthless. They speak visions from theirown minds, not from the Lord’s mouth. They keep on saying to those whodespise Me, ‘The Lord has said: You will have peace.’ They have said toeveryone who follows the stubbornness of his heart, ‘No harm will come to you." Jeremiah 23: 16-17

These prophetswere concerned about job security and popularity instead of obeying the Lord.Could it be that a similar lack of courage has afflicted today's pastors, preachers,teachers and church leaders? What must be done to turn this around? Tomorrow Iwill continue my reflections on Jeremiah 23 and share the path of faithfulnessto which God is calling all who lead, teach and preach God's word.

What to do when you don't know what to do!

2012-01-30T07:34:00.000-06:00

Have you ever faced apersonal problem that out sized your capacity to solve the problem? If youhave, how did you deal with it?

Some people are energized tryingto find order out of the chaos of life; finding the key to a seeminglyintractable riddle empowers them.

For others it can be anexcruciating experience where a problem backs them into a dead end; theiroptions are limited and hope fades.

What do you do when you don’tknow what to do?

Do what King Hezekiah did inIsaiah 37: 1-20.

Jerusalem was surrounded by the mighty Assyrian army. Thisreigning super-power had never lost a war. For them, defeating

Judah

was a simple thing. Isaiah 36:8

Hezekiah lacked the military firepowerto engage Assyria. He was outmatched, out-sized, defeat and deathseemed imminent. What did he do?

He waited on the Lord: Isaiah 37:1

Waiting is not passivity ordenial of the problem. Waiting is an active process of discernment. The dangerwe all face when dealing with problems is to find quick solutions to as toescape the pain. But a rash solution will often create bigger problems.

Solomon said, “Trust in theLord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all yourways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

He listened for God’s word: Isaiah 37:2-7

Waiting and listening are inseparablepractices. God is always speaking but we must be still long enough to hear whatthe Lord says. God’s words provide sustaining hope; God’s words providedirection and God’s words instill courage for the journey.

Psalm 119: 24 is worthmemorizing: Your testimonies are mydelight, they are my counselors. When you don’t know what to do seekcounsel with the Lord.

He took his problems to God in prayer: Isaiah 37:14-20

One of the things I like todo is read through the prayers of the bible. Hezekiah’s prayer is near the topof the list of great prayers of the bible. In his prayer he does two things:

1. He reminds himself of God’s character and works. Thisis important because when we are overwhelmed by a problem the first casualty ismemory. We forget what God has done, what God is doing, and what God will do.

2. He recited God’s promises. David said in Psalm 103:2 bless the Lord O my soul and forget not allhis benefits.

Whatever you are goingthrough today, or this week, the Lord is saying to you: stand still. Wait onme. I have not forgotten you. I have heard your prayers. Trust me for yourdays. In an acceptable time I will come and save you. Isaiah 35: 3-4

Question: When you are overwhelmed by a challenge,share some of the steps you take to deal with the problem.

Essential: absolutely necessary and indispensable

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

Last Tuesday night at our monthly Session meeting(governing board of our church), we spent significant time praying and thinking about essential tenets of our faith.

The word essential means something that is absolutely necessary, indispensable, or basic.

When our church ordain elders, deacons and pastors we ask them to affirm this question:

“Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed faith as expressed in the confessions of our church as authentic and reliable expositions of what Scripture leads us to believe and do, and will you be instructed and led by those confessions as you lead the people of God?”

Essential tenets of our faith address some of the following themes: GodCreation
Sin and fall
Grace and Redemption
Jesus Christ/Incarnation
Jesus Christ/Redemption
Salvation by Grace
Faith Alone
Authority of Scripture

Essential Tenet #1: Authority of Scripture
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. (2Timothy 3:16-17)

When you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God's word, which is also at work in you believers. (1Thessalonians 2:13)

[Jesus] answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.. (Luke 24:44-45)

Scripture and its inherent authority are indispensable to the growth and preservation of the church.

Healthy congregations never try and bend Scripture to fit their experience, but they humble themselves and seek to conform their lives to the bed rock of God's Holy Word!

Those who lead, teach, preach, must also hold a high view of Scripture.

One of my favorite parts of the worship service comes after the reading of Scripture. The Scripture Reader says, "This is the word of the Lord."

And the people respond, "Thanks be to God!" Within our Reformed heritage we rejoice in the truth and the power of God's holy word.

Question: What role does Scripture play in governing your life?

Loving God with your hands!

2012-01-26T06:00:00.000-06:00

As Isaiah stands in the presence of the terrible and awesome God, he overhears the heavenly council discussing a great need: And I heard the voice God saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? Then I said, here I am, send me. Isaiah 6:8

There is an outward dimension to worship.

Hebrews 13: 13-15 provides a definition of Christian worship: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Notice the balance: adoration or the sacrifice of praise, and also action, doing good and sharing with others.

Along these lines, Miroslav Volf says: “There is something profoundly hypocritical about praising God for God’s mighty deeds of salvation and cooperating at the same time with the demons of destruction whether by neglecting to do good or by actively doing evil." (Miroslav Volf: Reflections on a Christian Way of Being-in-the-World, in Worship: Adoration and Action 203-11)

And then Bonhoeffer’s scathing critique of cowardly Lutheran Christians who sided with Hitler: "Only those who help the Jews may sing the Gregorian chant."

Worship is upward, and inward, but we can’t stop here. Without action in the world, the worship of God is empty and hypocritical and degenerates into irresponsible and godless quietism.

Through this week, take one part from Isaiah 6:1-12 and extend it into your week. Maybe you could focus on worshipping God, praising God, meditating on the holiness of God.

Maybe you need to take the inward section of the text and ask God to search your heart and see if there is any rebellion or sin reigning in your heart.

And then for some of us need to respond this week and serve God beyond this church. You might be too inwardly focused and God now wants you to look at people around you and allow the Lord to send you. Take one part and and expand on it. And then share what you have learned with your fellow believers. Amen

Question: How are you engaged in loving God with your hands?

Take a look inside

2012-01-25T06:12:00.000-06:00

Each week at First Pres time is given in the service to offer a prayer of confession.

Ideally, it’s a time to look inward and examine our hearts before the holiness of God.

We ask the uncomfortable question: God, what do you expect of us? Such a question is step number one in understanding the inward dimension of worship.

Worship involves self-examination. Before the brilliance of God’s holiness we discover gaps; the awareness that we are not doing what God expects of us.

Cornelius Plantinga, in his book, Not the way it’s supposed to be: A Breviary of Sin, talks about what happens when we fail to look at ourselves in the light of God’s holiness. Without an acute sense of the holiness of God,

“... morality is simply a matter of personal taste, that all silences need to be filled up with human chatter or background music; that 760 percent of the American people are victims; that it is better to feel that to think; that rights are more important than responsibilities, that even for children the right to choose supersedes all other rights, that real liberty can be enjoyed without virtue, that self-reproach is for fogies, that God is a chum or even a gofer whose job is to make us rich or happy or religiously excited, that it is more satisfying to be envied than respected, that it is better for politicians and preachers to be cheerful than truthful, that Christian worship fails unless it is fun.”

John Flavel, an old Puritan writer, used to say: "You cannot think highly of God and yourself at the same time." Once you've truly seen God, you must humble yourselves before him.

What's Isaiah’s response after encountering God? Conviction of sin. "Woe is me, for I am undone." The closer we walk with God, the more quickly we feel our sin and realize how much we need God. Isaiah 6:5-7

It's like a huge mirror with a great big light over it. Stand away from the mirror, things look pretty good: suit looks in order; tie looks straight; the hair, what's left of it, is combed.

But move towards the mirror, things begin to show up. The suit has a spot on it. The tie is a bit wrinkled. The hair is out of place. Get closer to the bright light, and the clearer the defects.

Same way when we get close to God. Get close to God, and suddenly we realize how much we need him and how far we are from him. We're convicted of our sin. And to be convicted of one’s sin is a good thing. Remorse over one’s sin is the prelude to repentance and forgiveness. This is what happened to the prophet. He was cleansed of his sin. When was the last time you felt undone in the presence of God?

Question: Has there ever been a time when worship moved you to repentance?

What's your worship style?

2012-01-24T06:29:00.003-06:00

Be honest. Isn't this THE question people like to ask? Or they may ask, what kind of worship does your church have? Blended? Contemporary? Traditional?

Embedded in this question is an inner yearning to experienceworship in a personal and satisfying way. Worship, when framed this way, feelslike going to the movies.

When I hear a buzz about a certain movie, I want to go andsee it because movies are entertaining. So I will ask, "What kind of movie is it?" If it's a chick-flick, no thanks!

I want you to take a different approach. Instead of thinking aboutworship style, think about worship through Isaiah 6: 1-12

Here, the question is not about style, or buzz factor, but about the subject andobject of worship.

In Isaiah 6 worship is about God.

Worship is upward

Worship is not worship unless it has an upward dimension.

What did Isaiah see when he entered the temple?

I don’t think he saw the band’s instruments? Are they going to play organ music or contemporary music?

He wasn't watching the clock. Am I going to be able to get in and out in 60 minutes of less?

When Isaiah entered the temple, he said, “I saw the Lord.” Isaiah6: 1-4

He also noticed that others were worshiping God. Worship is not restricted to human beings. There are others worshiping God right now; and today isn't even Sunday.

Theangels worship God too. And I can guarantee that they are not asking each otherwhat’s your worship style? Revelation 4: 6-11

Inthe courts of heaven God has no rival. In heaven, worship is an unendingexpression of adoration to almighty God.

If there is such a thing as a worship style, Isaiah would say, my style is to see the Lord when I enter the temple; that's all I want. What's your worship style?

To the reader: How would you answer the question if you were asked about worship style?

True Spirituality according to the bible

2012-01-23T17:29:00.000-06:00

Lots of people responded to my sermon on Sunday about being aspiritual person. People are hungry for something more than what the materialworld has to offer. This is the cry of the human soul.

Many in attendance were encouraged to go deeper in their walk withChrist and to set clear boundaries around spirituality.

Others were not so positive; which is quite fine. I have nevertried to present sermons in order to attract positive responses.

Biblical spirituality is markedly different from anygarden-variety spirituality.

Hereare the basic points from Sunday's sermon:

A spiritual personis centered on Jesus Christ I Corinthians 2:3

Ifyou say you are a spiritual person but Christ is not Lord of your life, Lord ofyour tongue, Lord of your money, Lord of your body, question your spirituality.

Aspiritual person is led by the Spirit into all truth 1 Corinthians 2:12

Anyonecan read and understand truth but unless the Spirit of God engenders love forGod’s truth, they can never, ever, know God’s ways. God’s ways are revealedthrough the Spirit who searches the deep things of God.

Aspiritual person is submitted to the things of God 1 Corinthians2:14-15

Oneof the clear signs that you are spiritually grounded is that you have a desireto give more and more of your life to the things of God. You want to knowChrist.

The ultimate goal of the spiritual life is tobecome more like Christ! I Corinthians 2:16

For reader: In what way/s is your church or yourspiritual disciplines helping you become more like Christ?

John Piper: 15 things to consider about abortion

2012-01-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Given that today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, here are 15 things to consider about abortion:

1. Existing fetal homicide laws make a man guilty of manslaughter if he kills the baby in a mother's womb (except in the case of abortion).

2. Fetal surgery is performed on babies in the womb to save them while another child the same age is being legally destroyed.

3. Babies can sometimes survive on their own at 23 or 24 weeks, but abortion is still legal beyond this limit.

4. Living on its own is not the criterion of human personhood, as we know from the use of respirators and dialysis.

5. Size is irrelevant to human personhood, as we know from the difference between a one-week-old and a six-year-old.

6. Developed reasoning powers are not the criterion of personhood, as we know from the capacities of three-month-old babies.

7. Infants in the womb are human beings scientifically by virtue of their genetic make up.

8. Ultrasounds have given a stunning window on the womb that shows the unborn at eight weeks sucking his thumb, recoiling from pricking, and responding to sound. All the organs are present, the brain is functioning, the heart is pumping, the liver is making blood cells, the kidneys are cleaning fluids, and there is a fingerprint. Virtually all abortions happen later than this date.
9. Justice dictates that when two legitimate rights conflict, the limitation of rights that does the least harm is the most just. Bearing a child for adoption does less harm than killing him.

10. Justice dictates that when either of two people must be inconvenienced or hurt to alleviate their united predicament, the one who bore the greater responsibility for the predicament should bear more of the inconvenience or hurt to alleviate it.

11. Justice dictates that a person may not coerce harm on another person by threatening voluntary harm on themselves.

12. The outcast, the disadvantaged, and the exploited are to be cared for in a special way, especially those with no voice of their own.

13. What is happening in the womb is the unique person-nurturing work of God, who alone has the right to give and take life.

14. There are countless clinics that offer life and hope to both mother and child (and father and parents), with care of every kind lovingly provided by people who will meet every need they can.

15. Jesus Christ can forgive all sins and will give all who trust in him the help they need to do everything that life requires.

This post is adapted from Pastor John's article on Desiring God.

Dealing with Conflict

2012-01-21T07:21:00.000-06:00

I am currently leading ourcongregation through a study of I Corinthians during morning worship. Even a cursoryreading of Paul's letter signals to the reader that this church had majorproblems.

The first problem Paul addressedwas the way they handled conflict. This got me thinking about the wisdom ofProverbs in dealing with human conflict.

Conflict can actually be good ifhandled in a godly and honest way. Some of us come from homes and relationshipsthat avoided conflict and fostered a peaceat any cost relationship. This is not a helpful way to live. Likecompressed steam without a release valve, conflict avoidance eventuallyexplodes, destroying a marriage, a friendship, even a church.

Conflict is a given. But how do weprocess our differences in a manner that is constructive? Is this evenpossible? The writer of Proverbs seems to think so.

Anger Management

The greatest source of strife andconflict comes from an inability to control one's feelings. Move your cursorover the following verses and you will see what I mean:

Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 13:10

Proverbs 15:18

Proverbs 17:14 (I love the imagery behind this text)

Being angry is not a sin; butScripture's advises be slow to anger and be quick to listen (James 1:19; Proverbs 16:32).

Filled with the Spirit
Scripture commands us, "Be filled with the Spirit!" Signs that theHoly Spirit is in control are evidenced through attitudinal fruits of the Spirit.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

God did not give us the power to control how another person mightact or react toward us. But God has given us the power to control how werespond in given situations. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and managing ouremotions goes a long way in handling every imaginable conflict.

To the reader: What other steps should be considered whendealing with conflict?

Bringing delight to God?

2012-01-20T06:00:00.000-06:00

Is it grandiose to think that frail mortals can bring delight andpraise to God? After all, God is all together holy, self-existent, and full ofperfect glory. Why would God need us?

However, God who is--self-existing, perfect, andindependent--would nevertheless create and enter into covenantal relationshipswith creatures in freedom and love!

Karl Barth makes the point that the God who is God without us hasnevertheless determined to be God with us.

This sense of Godwith us affords theprivilege of bringing delight to the heart of God. In what way?

First, God’s delight is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

but the LORD takes pleasure in those whofear him,

in those who hope in his steadfast love.

(Psalm 147:10-11)

A related passage cautions,

“Let notthe wise boast of their wisdom
   orthe strong boast of their strength
   orthe rich boast of their riches,
   butlet the one who boasts boast about this:
   thatthey have the understanding to know me,
that I amthe LORD, who exercises kindness,
   justiceand righteousness on earth,
   forin these I delight,”
            declaresthe LORD. Jeremiah 9: 23-24

How might we take ourordinary, every day lives and bring joy and delight to the creator of the endsof the earth? The Psalmist says when we stand in awe of, and put the fullweight of our existence, not in ourselves but in God's steadfast, unfailinglove. In an infinitesimal way, I also feel delight when my three childrentrust me, or come to me for advice, or look to me for help andprotection.

Jeremiah says we bring delight to God by refusing to boast about our accomplishmentsas if we got to where we are by ourselves. God takes delight when we graciouslythank Him for all his gifts. Boast only about the fact that we know God as theepitome of kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth.

Paulasks a provocative question: What do you have that you did not receive? And if you didreceive it, why do you boast as though you did not? I Corinthians 4:7

Today and through thecoming weekend shift the focus from yourself, your problems, your shiny toys,and center your thoughts on delight. Center your thoughts on pleasing God,saying thanks, finding a quiet place to pray, or acting courageously on behalf ofsomeone who needs your help. Bringing delight is reciprocal; we also experiencehappiness and deep, inner joy. Why not try it?

Tothe reader: What are some other practical ways one might bring delight to God?

My Soul's Desire

2012-01-19T06:00:00.000-06:00

Psalm 105: 3-4
Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!

This is the longing of my heart. Something about these words have captured my heart
and thankfully will not let me go.

Seeking the Lord? Is the Lord lost,or is he hiding and now I have to find God, the way I seek for my lost keys? Of course not!

I seek the Lord because he first sought me.

I seek the Lord because his love captured my heart.

I seek the Lord because I am lost.

I seek the Lord and his presence because I am weak. Remember the line in that hymn,
prone to wander, Lord I feel it;
prone to leave the God I love...

I seek the Lord because knowing God keeps my feet at home in his courts.

I seek the Lord because His exquisite joy fills me up.

More than food, more than movies, more than books, more than anything in this world,
I seek the Lord and I am satisfied with good things and my strength is renewed.

I seek the Lord because I am a pastor. And being a pastor is complex.

I seek the Lord because God helps me unravel the complexities of being a pastor,
a husband, and a dad.

I seek the Lord because I love God. Religious showmanship diminishes integrity of heart.
God is not present in those moments when I succumb to religious pretensions.

God is not present when I focus on impressing people.

Seek the Lord and His strength.
Remember the wondrous works that he has done!

To the reader: Why do you seek the Lord? What difference does knowing God and being known by God make in your life?

4 ways to pass faith along in your home

2012-01-18T06:23:00.001-06:00

The family is the central place for nurturing faith. Thisis the place where prayer, reading scripture, and the language of faith is best formed.

What about church school? Discipleship classes at church dohelp but they really only supplement what is happening at home. Think of itthis way: there are 168 hours in the week. Your child will spend at the mosttwo hours per week at church.

If all of the family’s spiritual nourishment happened at thechurch, that family would starve to death!

The church cannot provide all the spiritual nourishment thata family needs. What is happening with the remaining 166 hours in the week?

Families are busy with many pressing demands: career, grocery shopping,sports, dance lessons, attending worship, chores, and many other activities.

Unfortunately, these pressing activities tend to displace faith formation andspiritual rhythms in the home.

I am always saddened when I hear a parent lament their adultchild’s rejection of church and faith. “I don’t understand,” the parent says, “Iraised them in the church.”

Such statements signal an imbalance between spiritualformation in the home vs. faith formation in the church.

So what should you consider as you develop deeper spiritualrhythms at home?

1. Know and modeltruth Psalm 78: 1

Since we can’t depend on the church to supply all thespiritual insight needed to develop faith, it’s very important that parentsinvest themselves in knowing and modeling God’s truth. Faith is more caughtthan taught. Children will treasure what their parents treasure. Psalm 78: 1-3

2. Teach God’s waysPsalm 78: 4

Deuteronomy 6: 5 says that the essence of true faith is tolove God with everything that we have.

Loving God is not a Sunday foray into a sixty-minute worshipexperience. Loving God is an every day, all encompassing relationship.

Notice Deuteronomy 6: 6-9

First, loving God is a priority of the heart; then teachyour children how to love God in the natural ebb and flow of life. When goingon walks; when doing chores; while driving in the car, as you go to bed atnight. Don’t give them twenty minute sermons. They won’t remember yourlectures, but they will remember encountering God’s truth in Scripture and inthe ordinariness of life.

3. Take the long view Psalm 78: 5-6

Here’s the reason why we are committed to passing faithalong to our children: so that they should set their hope in God and not forgetthe works of God but keep his commandments. This is not a quick fix thathappens overnight. Discipleship takes time.

Taking the long view also means influencing the next generation.My good friend asked me years ago, “Ray, how many generations do you want toimpact?” Psalm 78: 6-7 envisions the next generation knowing God, even their children and that even the yet unborn might one day arise and teach their children! That's at least four generations!

4. Remember the grace of God

If you are reading this with sighs and feelings of guilt, youhave missed the point. No parent is perfect. I am asking you to do something asopposed to nothing. God is gracious and can take the seeds we plant at home inour family and cause them grow and bear fruit. May the Lord help us as we reachour families for Christ.

To the reader: Whatelse would you suggest to those seeking to nurture faith at home? Write your thoughts below.

Dr. King's last Speech!

2012-01-16T09:41:00.000-06:00

Be Encouraged

2012-01-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

God is speaking. Are you listening?
God speaks through the wonders of creation (Psalm 19: 1-6).
It's cold outside but take a walk and listen to the voice of God.

The heavens declare the glory of God....
Day to Day pours out speech, night to night reveals knowledge.

The Lord is speaking through his precious word.
You started 2012 with the goal of going deeper with God through Scripture.
How's that going?

Those stubborn, ingrained habits are hard to overcome.
Developing and sustaining a spiritual discipline is never easy.

Be encouraged.
Persist in your desire to dwell in God's word.
God is speaking. He loves when you walk in his will.

Be encouraged.
God desires that you know him.
Ask and you shall receive. Pray for Scripture desire; God will grant it!

Be encouraged.
Remember all the benefits that will be yours when you walk with God
in the light of Holy Scripture:

The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
(Psalm 19:7-11 ESV)

Be encouraged.
The Lord is present for you now.
Ask for ears that actually hear. The rewards are great!

Question: What are you discovering in your reading of Scripture?

Lessons for Christians from Christopher Hitchens?

2012-01-13T06:00:00.000-06:00

Christopher Hitchens, the man who energized the New Atheists movement, died on December 15th. Here's a well written article by Dr. Al Mohler where he outlines 5 key lessons that Christians can learn from Mr. Hitchens.

Here's an excerpt:
In Letters to a Young Contrarian, published in 2001, Hitchens had written that he was “not even an atheist so much as I am an antitheist; I not only maintain that all religions are versions of the same untruth, but I hold that the influence of churches, and the effect of religious belief, is positively harmful.” Hitchens did not want to be confused with amateur atheists or with “the generalized agnosticism of our culture.” No, he was the enemy of religious faith and any claim of belief in God.

Click here for the rest of the article.

Question: Why do you believe in God? What difference does knowing God make in your life?

Goodness, Love and Mercy

2012-01-12T06:00:00.002-06:00

Reading Job raises questions about the goodness, love and mercy of God. Job's story is well known: in a rather short time, Job experienced a virtual tsunami of horrific tragedies that overturned his well ordered life. He lost his ten children, his homes, his health, his reputation, his marriage almost splintered under the strain and he lost his accumulated wealth.

Question of the ages
The question that is asked repeatedly is why? Not just why people in general suffer, but why do the righteous suffer?

No definitive answers are given, even though his "friends," with their "cause and effect" view of morality, insist that Job committed an unrighteous act against God and is therefore suffering for the wrongs he has done. This is view is prevalent in the minds of people today. It's another version of works-righteousness.

His "friends" were supposed to provide comfort to him (Job 2:11), but Job ends up calling them miserable comforters with simplistic answers ( Job 21:34) because they prodded and lectured him with their self-righteous ways. The ignorance of Job’s friends shows how small a part of any situation is the fragment that they see.

Life is hard
The only real answer given is the mystery of God. Job illustrates for the believer that life is tenuous. Every material thing and possession has stamped on it temporary. We live in a fallen world where suffering and pain abounds on every hand but Job reminds us that God is present, not absent; God is redeeming the world through Christ.

Only God has the answer
In the end, only God is constant. Our responsibility is not to unravel the mystery of God's ways but to trust, obey and submit our lives to the eternal plan of God (Job 42:1-6).

Calvin emphasized that whatever God has decreed that has not yet been publicly revealed through God's prophets is beyond our capacity to know. We must not try to figure out God's ways; that's an exercise in futility (Isaiah 55: 8-9). Rather we must trust in the revealed will and ways of God---goodness, mercy, and love. In the end this is only truth that comforted Job.

Question: In the times you have suffered what have you learned about yourself and God?

Get this book to help you pray!

2012-01-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

K.K. Yeo and his family are members of First Pres. Evanston. He is a prolific author, the Harry R. Kendall Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, but most importantly, K.K. Yeo loves God.

His love for God is evident in his most recent book. K. K. just finished a book of prayers centered around parts of the Old Testament. I have been praying these prayers. These are prayers of a man seeking after God. I commend this book to you as a way to pray when you can't pray, or want to pray in fresh and dynamic ways.

I have used this book to pray at home, begin my meetings, and also for personal meditation. Are you interested in deepening your prayers and your love for God? The Spirit Hovers: Journeying through Chaos with Prayers, will help you. K.K., thank you for helping us walk with God! Buy a copy through Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

Dear Lord,
When your children are too consumed with the instant now,
help us to remember the beginning,
so that our narrow vision
might be healed by your creativity and power.

Help us to transform
that which is formless void and darkness
into meaningful existence and beauty
through power of your Holy Spirit.

When your children are too cynical about the future,
help us to know the beginning
that creates the future,
so that our vision and wonder
might be assured by our coming hope

Help us to trust in you,
knowing that you are the God who raises the dead
and the God who creates out of nothing
all that is good, beautiful, and truthful.

speak to us
so that we learn to embody grace,
and view life in the present
but live towards the end.
Amen!

Dr. K.K. Yeo

Question: What are some of the challenges you face with prayer? Post your answer below!

This lesson probably saved my ministry

2012-01-10T06:03:00.000-06:00

If I am to pastor God’s people with integrity and spiritual insight, prayer has to be the foundation of my life.

I wrote these words in my spiritual journal over 26 years ago. I was days into my first pastoral call. I always wanted to be a pastor. From the age of 18 years old I was already discerning a “burden” on my heart to serve God as a pastor. Back then, I thought the main tasks of a pastor centered around leading congregational meetings, doing activities in the community and preaching sermons.

The Problem
But within the first year I was convinced I was not pastor material. I was stressed, overworked, underpaid, busy trying to nurture my young marriage while consumed with growing this wonderful church on the city’s south side.

I expended tremendous amounts of physical, emotional, mental energy but couldn't figure out how to replenish and nurture my inner life. I was busy doing the work of the Lord and forgot the Lord of the work!

Two biblical solutions
Thankfully, the answers started coming. In the book of Acts a potential conflict was brewing (Acts 6: 1):

Now in those days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution (Acts 6:1). What would they do to solve this problem? Instead of panicking or being stressed by the complaints of the people, the apostles devised a plan.

First, clarity: they were not called to wait tables. “And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.” (Acts 6:2 ESV)

It’s not that waiting tables was beneath them. They could have taken on this project. But given limited time, limited resources, and the need for the whole body to share in the duties of the ministry, it was not proper for them to wait on tables. Their priority would be the preaching and teaching of Scripture (It’s not right that we should give up preaching the word of God).

Second, shared ministry: they selected seven proven, trusted leaders to lead this emerging ministry, while they devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6: 4 ESV).
The next verse sealed it for me:
And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith (Acts 6:7 ESV).

By doing less, or better yet, by doing what only they were called to do, they actually accomplished more. The church grew, disciples multiplied, the people were blessed, God’s word was preached with depth of insight and with power. The apostles took a decisive step to not dissipate their energies with many directions and competing tasks. God honored them with growth.

A key question
Would I use God’s methods or rely on my measly plans? Would I shift my timetable so that prayer and time in the word became the cornerstone of my life, or would I continue being dragged along like a tin can at the back of the car of ministry? This is always the question every servant of God has to answer.

Keeping the main thing, the main thing

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-06:00

One of the sad realities of our time is the loss ofconfidence in preaching and teaching Scripture. Not just on the part of thosewho hear, but also for those called to deliver God’s word.

Why is this so? Preaching and teaching Scripture arediminished and muted by the narrative of our own feelings and opinions. Whatwe think or what our favorite authors think is more important than what Godsays.

Nehemiah 8:1-3 is a refreshing reminder of the importance of Scripture forGod's people.

Nehemiah's project was to rebuild the wall and he was successful. After almost6 months of hard, vigilant labor, the walls of Jerusalem were in place. The people had security.

But something was missing. They also need to rebuild their spiritual walls.This is where Ezra comes in.

Having new walls is nice; but having a new heart is more important.

Nehemiah restored the physical walls; Ezra would restorespiritual walls. Nehemiah brought the people back to the land; Ezra would nowbring the people back to God.

How did he do it? He used the Words of God. Are you sure? What about music?What about programs? These things have their place. But they are not central,or even essential.

Here's what Ezra the priest did (See Nehemiah 8: 1-3, 8:

1. He gathered the people as one
2. He brought the book of the Law of Moses, the word of God before theassembly.
3. Everyone, men and women, gathered to hear God's word
4. They took the time to engage with Scripture: from early morning to themiddle of the day (not very Presbyterian if you ask me!)
5. People gave their attention to the Word of God
6. After reading from God's word, the sense, or the interpretation was given,so that people could understand and apply what was read.
7. The response was moving: all the people wept as they heard the words of theLaw.

God’s word, changing lives, restoring spiritual brokenness,and building up God’s people.

Oh that God's word would be as powerful in our midst today as it was in Ezra’sday.

Question: Can you remember a time when God’s word touched your life?

What you think about matters!

2012-01-08T06:00:00.000-06:00

I am slowly reading through Dr. Michael Horton's new book: The Christians Faith: Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the way. This important quote caught my eye and I share it with you because our "what's true for me" culture tends to quickly dismiss doctrine as boring or oppressive.

The main message of scripture is the unfolding mystery of Christ, who reveals his Father and reconciles us to him, theology is a central concern of every believer.

It would be odd if we told our spouse or even loved ones that we wanted to spend time with them and experience their fellowship regularly but did not want to know anything about them...their characteristics, accomplishments, personal histories, like, dislikes, and plans for the future. Yet when it comes to God, people assume they can have a personal relationship with God apart from theology. In fact, some Christians assume that knowing doctrine and practical living are competing interests. The modern dichotomy between doctrine and life, theology and discipleship, knowing and doing, theory and practice, has had disastrous consequences in the life of the church and its witness in the world.

Question: What steps can one take to deepen one's theological understanding?

Don't leave home without this

2012-01-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

vigilance is a greatword. To be vigilant means to be watchful, alert or diligent.

Read Nehemiah 4:21-23 and notice how well he exemplified this word.

Nehemiah and the people of God are working hard to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.Rebuilt walls mean increased security and a semblance of normalcy. After 70years of exile in Babylon thesepeople are ready to live in their land.

Enemies attack
Unfortunately, their enemies were determined to prevent them from accomplishingtheir goal. When Sanballat, the Persian official heard that work on the wall hadstarted, he was angry. Greatly enraged, he mustered other hate-filled people tojoin him in jeering and threatening the people of God (Nehemiah 4: 1-3).

Strong in the Lord
But instead of folding under the pressure of their enemies, Nehemiah and hispeople worked even harder to finish their work.

They also took measures to protect themselves by posting guards to watch forany attacks coming toward them. They strapped on their swords and workednon-stop night and day. They were so determined to resist their enemies thatnone of the men took off their clothes. They did not even have time to get abath or a change of clothes. Desperate times do call for desperatemeasures.

As Christ-followers we also face an enemy who tries to undermine, discourage,and launch sneak attacks against God's people. This enemy is not flesh andblood; the enemy is demonic forces that despise God's handiwork.

And like the people in Nehemiah's day, we are called to vigilance. “Stay alert!Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaringlion, looking for someone to devour (I Peter 5:7-8).

The good news is Christ is our defender. He triumphed over all the plans of theenemy through his death and resurrection. Resist the devil and he willflee!

Question: What other ways does the evil one try to discourage God’s work in people’s lives?

3 Essentials for every leader

2012-01-06T06:00:00.000-06:00

Maybe you are a pastor, elder, or congregational leader. You feel frazzled. There's no clear ministry focus, you feel alone. Take the next five minutes to consider three key ministry priorities that might save your life, the peopleyou lead, and your family.

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law visited Moses in thewilderness; and while he celebrated all that God was doing in delivering thepeople from 430 years of Egyptian slavery, he was concerned about the pace ofMoses life and the way he led the people.

Jethro watched Moses sitting to judge the people, and the people stood around Mosesfrom morning till evening (Exodus 18: 13).He felt Moses’ pace was unsustainable and would surely be a candidate for amajor melt down.

Should this happen, Moses would be of little value to the peopleand the rest of the journey to Canaan. Jethro confrontedhis son-in-law, “Moses, you can't do this alone; you need to set some keypriorities:

3 essentials
1. Focus on prayer (Exodus 18:19): Bring the needsof the people, their lives, their issues, their problems to God. God canminister to his people in far deeper ways than any pastor or leader.

2. Focus on teaching (Exodus 18:20): Many of theissues facing God’s people will be resolved through the rich wisdom of God'sword. The people will be empowered to take ownership for their lives andpractice what God is teaching them.

3. Focus on leadership development (Exodus 18: 21-22):Instead of going it alone, trying to juggle every leadership ball, share the load. Raise upleaders according to their gifts, their devotion to God, their love for people,and their ability to handle various tasks, and let them care for the needs ofthe people.

“Moses (you can insert your name here), If you do this, God will direct you,you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place inpeace".

Moses made the shift in how he led and it made all thedifference. You can read this wonderful story in Exodus 18: 17-23.

O God, help every leader called by your name to personally embrace a love for prayer, scripture and a passion to see your people grow in ministry.

Question: Do youthink these three priorities are adequate or should others be considered? Write your response in the comments box below.

The Prayer God Hears

2012-01-05T06:00:00.000-06:00

Prayer is a challenging spiritual practice. Prayer as friendship with God isvery different from what I call "911 prayers", or even fox-hole prayers, God, if you get me out ofthis I will....

The prayer that Godhears is the prayer of repentance that comes from a broken and contrite heart.

This is the case in 2 Chronicles 7:13-15.Solomon just completed one of the biggest projects in his youngadministration: the building of God's temple. That night, the Lord God came tohim in a dream and said words we would delight in hearing: I have heard your prayer.... God hears our prayer! Doesn't this inspire you to spend timein His presence and seek his face?

Almighty God is omniscient. In other words, God sees and knows allthings before they happen. And in the foreknowledge of God, atime would come when

Israel

would turn aside to false gods.

The consequences of spiritual adultery would be painful: the heavenswould cease to rain, locusts would devour the crops and people wouldgreatly suffer because of sinful rebellion and turning from the Lord. Peopleand land suffering because of spiritual rebellion? You better believe it!

In mercy, the Lord also provides advancesolutions when those days of suffering come. The impact of the solution isnot guaranteed. It is conditional...

if my people who are called by mayname humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wickedways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal theirland. This precious promise applies to peopleand nations.

The wages of sin is still death. Sin quenches the fire of the Spirit. Singrieves the heart of God. Sin separates from God. But Almighty God promises, Ifwe confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and tocleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

Here’s one more promise: I acknowledged my sin to you, and Idid not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”and you forgave the iniquity of mysin (Psalm 32:5).

There you have it: God always hears prayers from a broken and contrite heart.

Question: What's the greatest challenge you face with prayer?

This Scripture changed one area of my life

2012-01-04T06:00:00.000-06:00

I Chronicles 29: 10-13; 16-18 is my dream passage. Dream passagebecause I dream of a day when my children, my friends, members of the body ofChrist will always experience joy and freedom that comes with giving.

Did you know that giving is a burden for some people? It doesn'thave to be this way.

The first job I ever had was working at the post office indowntown Kingston,

Jamaica

, sorting dusty mail bags during the summer of1976. I was excited to be working and making MY own money, I couldn't waiteach day to get back to the dusty, grimy work.

Pay day finally came and I took my check home because I did nothave a bank account. My mother punctured my reverie with a disturbingquestion: "How much are you giving to God?"

She could tell from the puzzled look on my face that herquestion did not register in my narrow teen brain. So she came back again witha slight variation, "How much are you going to give as an offering to theLord's work?"

And I will never forget her next words" "You should giveten percent to the Lord's work; save twenty percent, and the rest you use topay your bills or use as spending money."

Then she opened up the word of God and shared the prayer of Davidfrom I Chronicles 29 with me. I don't know how to explain it, but light bulbsof wisdom and understanding flooded my life. The light from this text illuminates my life to this day.

David said, "Riches andhonor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might,and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
I Chronicles 29: 12

So all those days and weeks I toiled away at the downtown postoffice, it was God giving me strength to work; and all along, I thought it wasMY job, and MY money.

And now we thank you, ourGod, and praise your glorious name…for all things come from you, and of yourown have we given you. O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have providedfor building you a house for your holy name comes from your hand and is allyour own. I Chronicles29: 13, 14, 16

Wow! Since the day I was born, until the day I die, I will forever be indebted to God. I can never and will never be able to out-give God.

From my teen years until now, giving money is not a burden, but asource of joy, because in reality, I don’t own anything.

This Christmas, I gave some money to my children and they turnedaround and used some of the money to buy me a gift. I was so blessed to receivefrom them and they were so excited to give back to me. They didn't have to doit, and I did not require them to give. But they did and we all rejoiced.

I know some will read this and quickly demur, “Oh, but you cangive in so many other ways.” True, but money is a real spiritual test (See IChronicles 29: 17). Talk to me about giving in other ways after you explain tome your ministry of giving money to God’s work!

Question: What informs ormotivates you to give your money to the church?

I have always known this but it feels good reading it again

2012-01-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

The Bible is not in a church leader's hands so he or she can givepeople answers to every question they have and guidance for every situationthey face. Instead, the Bible is in a church leader's hands to transform peopleinto the image of Christ and to get people in touch with the Holy Spirit ofGod, who will not only give them counsel for every situation they face but willalso walk with them through these situations. And when church leaders use God'sWord for this purpose, then church members develop a healthy dependence onGod's Spirit and a healthy admiration of God's glory!

From: RadicalTogether: Unleashing the people of God for the purpose of God by David Platt

Question: Do you agree with this statement? Why?

Tale of two kings

2012-01-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

While reading through 2 Kings I noticed stark differences between Jotham(2 Kings 15: 32-38)and Josiah (2 Kings 23: 25).

What exactly did Jotham do? He did whatwas right in the eyes of the Lord…. Nevertheless, the high places were notremoved. He had the power to remove the high places and direct the people togive themselves fully to the Lord but he didn't go all the way.

Jotham: Compromise

Jotham is an example of compromise. I have heard it said that compromisemay be a way to build relationships with people but it's not a way to build arelationship with God.

Why were high places offensive?As the name suggests, high places were located on hills and mountains.Originally, the people of Canaan wentup to these places to offer human sacrifices, blood sacrifices, and worshipAsherah, Chemosh, Milcom, and other idols. Idol worship is a violation of thefirst commandment.

The people of

Israel

and

Judah

blended worship of God and idols. I guess they were trying to cover all the bases so asnot to offend God or the gods.

Josiah: Devotion

Josiah was the last good kingof

Judah

. Therewas no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and withall his soul and with all his might (2 Kings 23:25). He did not turn tothe right or to the left, but did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

His leadership was impressive.He destroyed every thing that was an abomination to the Lord. He got ridof the male and female temple prostitutes. He removed all pagan images erectedin the temple. He deposed all priests who facilitated worship of false gods. Heeven removed horses that the kings of

Judah

haddedicated to the sun (2 Kings 23:11). Aswe like to say, "He cleaned house!"

As people of the New Covenant, we do not worshipin temples made by human hands. Scripture says we are the temple of the HolySpirit (I Corinthians 6:19). God dwells within us; therefore we arecalled to be holy.

Which king do wemimic? Are we like Jotham, some days we worship God and then other dayswe worship on our High Places?

Or are we likeJosiah, no compromise; no turning to the left or to the right; fully devoted toChrist?

Either way wechoose, there is a price to be paid. May God help us to choose today andthrough this year to serve God and God alone.

Where do you start? Do what Josiah did: he based his devotion to God 100% on Scripture (2 Kings 22: 11-13). You can't go wrong with obedience to God's word.

Question: What are you doing to deepen your relationship to Christ?

Cheap Grace vs. Costly Grace

2012-01-01T06:00:00.000-06:00

Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting today for costly grace. Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjacks’ wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the Church’s inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing.

Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine, a principle, a system. It means forgiveness of sins proclaimed as a general truth, the love of God taught as the Christian 'conception' of God. An intellectual assent to that idea is held to be of itself sufficient to secure remission of sins.... In such a Church the world finds a cheap covering for its sins; no contrition is required, still less any real desire to be delivered from sin. Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.

Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything they say, and so everything can remain as it was before. 'All for sin could not atone.' Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world’s standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin.

Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession.... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and self all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.

Costly grace is the sanctuary of God; it has to be protected from the world, and not thrown to the dogs. It is therefore the living word, the Word of God, which he speaks as it pleases him. Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus. It comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite heart. Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

On two separate occasions Peter received the call, “Follow me.” It was the first and last word Jesus spoke to his disciple (Mark 1.17; John 21.22). A whole life lies between these two calls. The first occasion was by the lake of Gennesareth, when Peter left his nets and his craft and followed Jesus at his word. The second occasion is when the Risen Lord finds him back again at his old trade. Once again it is by the lake of Gennesareth, and once again the call is: “Follow me.” Between the two calls lay a whole life of discipleship in the following of Christ. Half-way between them comes Peter's confession, when he acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God.

This grace was certainly not self-bestowed. It was the grace of Christ himself, now prevailing upon the disciple to leave all and follow him, now working in him that confession which to the world must sound like the ultimate blasphemy, now inviting Peter to the supreme fellowship of martyrdom for the Lord he had denied, and thereby forgiving him all his sins. In the life of Peter grace and discipleship are inseparable. He had received the grace which costs.

As Christianity spread, and the Church became more secularized, this realization of the costliness of grace gradually faded. The world was Christianized, and grace became its common property. It was to be had at low cost.

by Gerhard Leibholz

Bonhoeffer's closest friend and brother-in-law

The dark side of success

2011-12-31T06:00:00.000-06:00

Sometimes success is harder to deal with than failure. Sounds weird doesn't it? Considering that most people long for success.

Who does not want a big job, with a big salary, so they can buy a big house and live a prosperous life?

Solomon had it all. God gave him wisdom, gold, silver, international fame, influence and power. Most of all Solomon had women: 700 wives and princess, and 300 hundred concubines (I Kings 11: 3). Unfortunately too much of a good thing ruined his devotion to God (I Kings 11:4).

For a season, Solomon walked with God, and served God. But overtime he began to drift. A few compromises here and there and before he knew it, he stopped following God and paid more attention to what his many wives desired (I Kings 11: 7-8).

Solomon teaches us that we cannot rest on yesterday's blessings, or even yesterday's obedience. Every day is a new day to walk with God in the light of his word.

Solomon's downfall also teaches us about the enduring nature of God’s word. Remember the "if, then" statements? God said, "If you walk with me and obey my word, my precepts and my statutes as did your father David, then, I will bless you and establish your reign (See 1 Kings 9: 4-5). But the same formula applied if he disobeyed the words of God: if you turn aside from following me, you or your children, and do not keep my commandments...and worship other gods, then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them (1 Kings 9:6-9). God’s word endures forever and does not diminish or change because circumstances change.

Why then did Solomon's season of blessing end? He turned away from the word of the Lord.

Almighty God calls us to daily obedience. May the Lord help us in 2012 to walk moment by moment in full-hearted devotion to his word.

Question: Do you agree that success is harder to deal with than failure? Why is this so?

The church unmasked

2011-12-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

Real people...Real problems...Real answers

The first Sunday of the New Year marks the start of a newsermon series at First Pres. Evanston. I will be preaching through all 16chapters of Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth,a series I am calling Real Church.

This was a realchurch, with real people, grappling with real problems.

If this church was present in our community would you attend achurch racked with so many of the following problems?

Internal conflicts

Lack of confidence in the efficacy of Paul's leadership

Worship problems around the Lord's Supper,

The rightful role of men and women in worship

Spiritual immaturity

Questions about singleness, marriage, divorce

Members suing each other in court

Scandalous sexual practices

Controversies about speaking in tongues and the place ofspiritual gifts

And many more problems

Why study such a negative church? Here are my reasons:

1. Reading Paul keeps us from thinking that the early churchwas perfect, or that the 21st century church has unique problems. I love Paul'shonesty. He does not sugar coat the problems of the church. Where ever God'speople gather, you can be sure problems will follow.

2. Some of the most important NT Christological teachings arefound here. Whenever the church loses its way it is often caused by adiminished view of Christ.

3. Every discouraged leader needs a healthy does of this letter. Paul'soptimism about the future of this church is infectious. Instead of growingweary or becoming jaded by their problems, he points to Christ: The power of his cross is the only means ofsalvation and the glory of the resurrection is the basis for the gospel and thefoundation of the church.

4. Paul speaks the truth in love. We all need tolearn how to do this well. Truth must never be sacrificed in the name oftolerance.

5. What does it mean to be faithful to Christ in a pagan culture like Corinth? Paul gives some important clues for our time!

Pray for us and come and study ICorinthians at First Pres.

Question: What questions do you want answered from I Corinthians?

How to read through the bible in 2012

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-06:00

The good folks at Ligonier Ministries have compiled a wonderful list of bible reading plans that will help you read through the bible in 2012.

Of course, the goal is not getting through the bible in a year; the goal is getting God's word into our hearts so that we will find pleasure in loving and knowing God. So how about it? Are you ready to take the plunge?

If so, click here to find a variety of reading plans that may fit your life-style. There is one more that I use and would commend to you. I use Youversion.com because I not only read through the bible, I can make journal entries of what God word says to me each day. The bottom line is, find something that works for you.

Here's God's promise to us: The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119: 130

Question: What bible reading plan do you use? Share your answer in the comment box.

God sent an evil Spirit on Saul?

2011-12-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

What’s a possible answer to this question: Why did the Lord send an evil Spirit or a harmful Spirit on Saul?

The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul as soon as the Lord’s Spirit came upon David to anoint him for kingship (see v. 13). This statement is not relevant to the issue of whether people can lose their salvation; it is not describing the Holy Spirit’s role in individual regeneration in a NT sense.

Rather, in light of v. 13, it should be seen as being about gaining or losing the Spirit’s empowering for the role of king (see Ps. 51:11). From this point, to the end of his life, Saul will continually make futile attempts to govern without the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

So the harmful spirit sent by the Lord to torment Saul was a form of judgment for his sin of turning against the Lord (1 Sam. 15:22–29). Though God himself never does evil, he sometimes sends evil agents to accomplish his purposes.

Would God still work this way? I think the answer is yes. Rebellion against God's will and word in our lives strips us of inner peace and joy. When we stand opposed to God's will we experience deep levels of unhappiness. In essence, we quench the sweet, sweet Spirit of God in our lives. This is what happened to Saul and yes, the same can happen to us and even to a congregation.

The only way to turn this around is repentance. Come before the Lord; acknowledge the sin of rebellion and beg for his forgiveness. In Psalm 51:11, David prayed like this, "Take not your Holy Spirit from me; restore to me the joy of your salvation, and renew a right spirit within me."

Let the Lord have his way in your life everyday; there's no rest, there's no peace until the Lord has his way. Place your life in His hands; rest secure in God's plan and let the Lord, let the Lord have his way (Old time Jamaican hymn).

Question: Have you ever quenched the Spirit of God in your life? How did you find renewal in your life?

5 Reasons Why Leaders Fall

2011-12-28T06:00:00.000-06:00

Kings Saul and David are sobering examples of why God's leaders stumble and fall, bringing harm to themselves and others. Here are 5 possible reasons why leaders crash and burn.

Three times in 2 Samuel 1: 19, 25, 27, David laments, "How the mighty have fallen." He is of course referring to the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. It was Saul's opportunity to do great things for God but they eluded him due to disobedience.

Later in 2 Samuel 11:27, the chapter ends with this ominous statement ( But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord), regarding his sin with Bathsheba. How the mighty have fallen!

What their failures teach us (in no way an exhaustive list!)

1. All leaders are flawed human beings. Both were kings, anointed with incredible power and authority. I Samuel 10: 1; 2 Samuel 2:4

2. Leaders fail for not stewarding their position and power as gifts from God. Both men abused their power and failed to submit their power to the power of God. I Samuel 13: 9-11; 2 Samuel 11: 1-27

3. All leaders fail when they disobey God. Both men disobeyed the God who anointed and appointed them. I Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel 12:7-9

4. Failure to obey God always incurs loss. Both men suffered loss. Saul lost his life and David lost his reputation and the child that was born to Bathsheba. I Samuel 31: 3-6; 2 Samuel 12:14

5. Leaders fall when they go off mission. Instead of being focused on leading the nation of Israel, Saul spent considerable time trying to kill an innocent David (I Samuel 19:11).

In David's case, instead of leading his army into battle, as most kings do, David stayed home, idle, restless and became the bull's eye of the devil's temptation (2 Samuel 11: 1-5).

The big difference between these men was in their practice of repentance. Saul expressed remorse on many occasions for his sin but he never showed the fruit of repentance (See I Samuel 15: 17-30).

David, when he transgressed God's laws, also showed remorse, but he seemed to turn to God and showed the fruit of repentance (Psalm 51: 1-12).

Question: What in your mind are some of the reasons why leaders fall? How might leaders prevent moral failures?

Jesus the Faithful One

2011-12-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

The confidence we have...

the trust we hold...

the hope we carry...

rest in His Faithfulness.

Every promise He has made

He purposes to fulfill.

He has the authority

to accomplish all

He has spoken

His power is limitless...

His character changeless...

His love endless!

Merry Christmas! Joy to the world...the Lord has come...let every heart prepare him room.

10, 222 days and counting...

2011-12-26T08:03:00.000-06:00

2011 First Pres Advent Workshop

I first met her when I was 14 years old. My good friend Bill Perkins invited me to his Anglican Church youth group in Spanish Town, the old capital of Jamaica. It was a Friday evening in the summer of 1974, when Bill introduced me to Judith Thomson. I was a rather shy kid at that time and did not have the conversational ease like many of my friends. But that was not a problem for Judith. She was kind, friendly, loved to laugh and was very interested in knowing more about me. We became fast friends. Our families were very comfortable with each other and this paved the way for us to become soul mates.

After almost 10 years of friendship and learning how to develop friendship with God, we got married in 1983. We both wanted to do something unconventional and so we married on December 24th. People in America are always shocked when they discover our wedding date. But a Jamaican wedding on Christmas Eve in 1983 was really not a big deal. We did not have a lot of money any way, and we were vehemently against going into debt just to have a splashy wedding. After a simple wedding ceremony at my Pentecostal church, we drove around in a friend's brand new Red Corvette and then went back to my house for our wedding reception.

On Christmas Eve (2011), Judith and I sang a duet in church. I was nervous because we hadn't sung together in quite sometime. Back in the 80's and 90's Judith and I often sang together in churches, weddings, and always at home. But it was still a great feeling to sing in church.

Making music is great metaphor for marriage. In order to perform the duet we had to take several important steps:
1. Agree on a song
2. Practice, practice, practice
3. Allow the other person to make mistakes, then stop and try again
4. Determine who sings melody and who sings harmony.
5. Determine the solo parts and the duet parts

Our twenty-eight years of marriage resembles a duet. Trying to find agreement or unity on everything we do; trying to practice what we preach, not just publicly (that's the easy part), but privately, when no one is home with us, except God. We try to remember that we are flawed human beings. We make mistakes and so we often stop and pray; talk and forgive, and then try again. We have different roles; we go back and forth with all our duties in the home and in life. We are in this covenant for life and for keeps and we do whatever is needed to make things work. Cleaning the bathrooms, washing dishes, caring for our children (especially when they were younger), taking out the trash, raking leaves, or grocery shopping.

People smirk at the thought that God in heaven has a special person for each human being. I know it sounds silly, but I firmly believe that in the plan of God, Judith was destined to be my wife, and I was destined to be her husband. My one desire now is to go the distance; bring glory to God through our lives and continue making "music" that blesses our children and all our friends. Happy Anniversary Judith! With God's help let's go another 365 days!

Question: What do you do to make beautiful "music" in your marriage?

The Right Stuff: Inside out Leadership

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

"But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7

Selecting or electing people for positions of leadership is often based on false premises. In our media saturated culture leaders are often chosen for their looks, their eloquence, their education, their ability to attract support or raise money, or grow a church. But from God's vantage point, the standards for leadership, while it may include all of the above, require one key ingredient without which a leader will not survive. Every leader needs to have an inner life that is intact. Scripture calls it, having heart.

The 20111-12 Republican primaries is proof positive. At first, the tide of popularity rose in favor of Herman Cain. But as his many skeletons tumbled from the closet of his private life, he was disqualified by the huge integrity issues about his character. Now the spot light is on Newt Gingrich. He is clearly a very qualified man, but people are raising questions about his inner life, his integrity and his past choices.

What constitutes fitness for service?

From God's perspective, the process works from the inside out. What is the inner make up of this person? Is there integrity, love, faithfulness, courage, devotion? The person God chooses will always be second guessed, ignored, and even challenged. This is evident when Samuel goes to Jesse's house to choose the next king of Israel. He looked at the impressive stature of Jesse's seven sons and thought the next king would be one of them. But God told him, "Keep looking." David did not fit the typical leadership grid: he was young, small, and inexperienced. But he apparently had something his brothers did not have: heart.

The person God chooses ultimately shines the spotlight on the glory of God rather on himself or herself.

The person chosen by popular vote often shines the spotlight on their accomplishments. They are often insecure because so much is predicated on performance.

May the Lord help us look at each other and those chosen to lead from the inside out. As Jesus said, what's in a person's heart reveals the person's words and character (Luke 6:45).

Question: What are your standards for leadership? Should a person's inner life be more important than their competencies?

My Favorite Christmas Carol

2011-12-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

What's your favorite carol?

Worship Changes with time?

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Why is it so important to adapt our worship? The answer is that the church has to adapt it because modern culture doesn’t recognize the value of worship done as it was in generations past. Each generation is different in what it resonates with. They are different because over time the culture changes. The culture molds each succeeding generation as new technologies and ideas

Standish, N. Graham. In God's Presence: Encountering, Experiencing, and Embracing the Holy in Worship. The Alban Institute.

Overcoming your fear

2011-12-22T10:00:00.000-06:00

I subscribe to a daily devotional from Dr. David Jeremiah. His December 13th devotional was helpful to me and made a lot of sense.

At the Six Flags Over Georgia theme park outside Atlanta, the biggest roller coaster is Goliath: height on the first drop is 200 feet (like stepping off a 20-story building); top speed is 70 miles per hour; length is 4,480 feet spread out over 8.5 acres. For those standing in line to ride Goliath for the first time, fear is the predominant emotion. But for the diehards awaiting their hundredth ride, fear has been replaced by fun.

The difference? Repetition. Doing fearful acts over and over--learning that you will, in fact, survive--is the secret to living in peace. And that's true even in the spiritual life. If the only time you pray or read your Bible is when a life-threatening crisis arises, you're not likely to have a lot of peace in spite of God's promises. But if you are learning to trust God daily by committing everything to Him in prayer--crises big or small--seeing God's faithfulness repeatedly over time leads to a worry-free life: "God has carried me through countless situations before this. I know He is with me."

Whatever happens today, commit it to God in prayer and walk in peace. Then repeat daily for the rest of your life.

What do you do to overcome your fear or nagging, negative thoughts? Share you ideas below!

God Jealous?

2011-12-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24

Jealousy is an ugly word. “It is the green-eyed monster,” said Shakespeare in Othello. It has overtones of selfishness, suspicion, and distrust, and implies a hideous resentment or hostility toward other people because they enjoy some advantage. It is possessive, demanding, and overbearing; and that is repulsive. It stifles freedom and individuality, it degrades and demeans, it breeds tension and discord, it destroys friendships and marriages. We view jealousy as a horrible trait and we hate it. If all of this is true, why is God called a "jealous God?"

God is not jealous in an insecure, human way. God is jealous in that God has claimed us as his own and he will not share us with idols. This is holy love. See also Deut. 5: 9

God is passionate about his relationship with you and will not share you with another. This is why Scripture says the Lord is God. God will not take second place in our lives.

Best Wedding Sermon?

2011-12-03T12:26:00.001-06:00

In my time as a pastor, I have preached plenty of wedding sermons. I honestly believe that the following sermon, given at the wedding of Phillip and Catherine, is one of the best I have read. What do you think? Click here to read the rest of the sermon.

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves.

Christ is King!

2011-11-17T15:00:00.000-06:00

Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

Revival of church life always brings in its train a richer understanding of the Scriptures. Behind all the slogans and catchwords of ecclesiastical controversy, necessary though they are, there arises a more determined quest for him who is the sole object of it all, for Jesus Christ himself.
What did Jesus mean to say to us? What is his will for us to-day? How can he help us be good Christians in the modern world? In the last resort, what we want to know is not, what would this or that man, or this or that Church, have of us, but what Jesus Christ himself wants of us.

The Cost of Discipleship, 1937, (New York: Touchstone, 1995), 35.

Words to live by!

2011-11-13T08:29:00.001-06:00

“If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.”
― Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism

“The early church was strikingly different from the culture around it in this way - the pagan society was stingy with its money and promiscuous with its body. A pagan gave nobody their money and practically gave everybody their body. And the Christians came along and gave practically nobody their body and they gave practically everybody their money.”
― Timothy Keller