New Blog

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Viewing Circumstances with the Mind of Christ

I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, I (speak foolishly,) I am bold also. Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I (speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:21-27

Here, the apostle gives us a list of unchosen circumstances that were undoubtedly hard to deal with. But, thinking over these things, Paul looks back and tells us that he does not regret these trials, he, instead, "glories in them." The only way that we can look past the unwanted situations to reveal the glory that lies therein, is by taking on the mind of Christ and looking to Him. May we see God in our hard times:

In labors, God gives us rest
In stripes, God binds up our wounds
In prison, God gives us liberty in Christ
In beatings, God comforts us
In stoning, God gives us refuge
In shipwreck, God sustains us
In perils of water, God calms our storms
In journeys often, God is our harbor
In perils, God supplies our needs
In weariness, God strengthens us
In painfulness, God soothes us
In hunger and thirst, God satisfies us

Look past the problems, and see the author and finisher of your Faith. He desire to reveal Himself in these things, may our eyes be opened to that revelation.

Love Thy Neighbor

Love thy neighbor. Upon this and the first command to the love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, all thy soul, all thy mind, and all thy strength hung all the law and the prophets. According to Jesus, it was a pretty important mandate (Paul and James also thought a lot of it). These two commands are inseperably linked; our lack of love for our God is evidenced by our lack of love for our neighbor. The intensity of our love for God should be reflected in our willingness to be a fellowhelper. We should obey the command to love our neighbor, just as whole-heartedly as the command to love the Lord our God.

Jesus reflected on these two commands as he spoke to a young lawyer whose intentions, aptly discerned by Jesus, were solely to tempt Him. The young lawyer, pulling from his shallow knowledge of Old Testament law, recited these commands back to Jesus, to which Jesus gave a quick affirmation. In the lawyer's next question, his motives were revealed. The Bible says that he, willing to justify himself, asked "Who is my neighbor?" The answer of the Lord Jesus will take the form of a parable. His story will reveal the true definition of loving your neighbor. In his narrative, He reveals that a neighbor, in Biblical terms, is not someone that is near you; it is someone that is in need of you. We shouldn’t ask, “Who is my neighbor?” We should, though, ask the question, “To whom can I be a neighbor.”

Here are some principles that might be gleaned for Jesus's story and help you as you stive to be a fellowhelper:

1. A Fellowhelper must be more than just religious (10:31)
2. A Fellowhelper must be more than just academic (10:32)
3. A Fellowhelper must do more than see the need (10:31-32)
4. A Fellowhelper must both see and seize God-given opportunities (10:31)
5. A Fellowhelper must be willing to cross social, racial, and cultural barriers (10:33)
6. A Fellowhelper must have compassion (10:33, I Peter 3:8, I John 3:17, Jude 1:22)
7. A Fellowhelper must make contact with those whom he helps (10:33-34)
8. A Fellowhelper must sacrifice (10:34-35)
   Money, Effort, Time, Resources (wine and oil)
9. A Fellowhelper must equip and instruct others to be fellowhelpers (10:35)
10. A Fellowhelper must follow through (10:35)

Let's be doers of the word and get to loving our neighbors. Look for those God has pt you in contact with, and remember that it is not by chance, it is by God. May the Lord fill our hearts with His compassion, and give us a true desire to be a fellowhelper.

if your neighbor has no lamb

Things Every Christian Should Teach Their Neighbors
In Exodus 14, we are given instructions regarding the Passover Lamb. God, in His instructions to Moses makes provision for all of Israel to escape His judgment. In the fourth verse we find a truth that should help us even today. The Bible says, And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. What this shows us is that God, in His mercy, made provision, not only for those who had a lamb, but even for those who did not. God’s provision was to be accomplished by neighbors of the lamb-less families. There is a world today that is void of the Lamb of God, without whom, judgment is certain. God, still today though, has provided for the Lamb-less world. He does this through those who do have a Lamb – those who know Christ and are redeemed by His precious blood. Thank the Lord that He has blessed me with an escape from His judgment through the arms of Jesus into the place of His loving favor. But, what about my neighbors, do they know the Lamb? Or do I need to give them mine? He is a never-ending supply of mercy that is sufficient for the sins of the whole world. Maybe God would use you and I who know Him as a means to our neighbors coming to know Him. In this passage, we find a few things that ever Christian should teach their neighbors.

1. God’s Word is the Startling and Settling point for ever issue of life (11:1, 4, 12:1)
2. Judgment is certain and is for all (11:5-6)
3. God desires for all to see His Glory (11: 9)
4. A lamb is required for all (12:3-5)
5. The Lamb must be slain (12:6)
6. The Blood of the Lamb must be applied (12:7)
7. There must be a union between the lamb and every individual (12:8-10)
8. The Lord is Coming (12:12)
9. A memorial must be preserved by this generation to be observed by the next (12:14)
10. Redemption is the first step in a new life [Holiness (12:15-16), Thanksgiving (12:17), Freedom (12:31), Service to the Lord (12:31), Obedience to the Lord (12:35), New Opportunities to Trust the Lord (see Chapter 14)

May we be very sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as He works through us to reach our neighbors. As we think about this we should take a minute to think about the words of Jesus:
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Why I Love the Lord in the book of Genesis

I love the Lord. I was once taught a great lesson by my sister, Rachael. She told me that if we are ever going to love the Lord like we ought to, as we are commanded to love Him, as He desires us to love Him, we should focus more on his lovely attributes. There are so many of God's attributes that our minds and hearts are given access to that, when they are focused upon, will leave us no other outgrowth than an all absorbing love for the Lord. Where better to study the person of God than in His written word. Rachael, when this truth was settled in her mind, made a list of things she loved about the Lord and continues to add to this list. Naturally, I followed this example, and began making my own list. I would encourage anyone to follow this example. Recently I began reading in the book of Genesis. Here we make our first acquaintance with Elohim - the creator God, with many have come to know intmately. Tracing a relationship back to its initial roots will bring to one's mind some of the sweetest memories that are ever created. And, here, in the book of Genesis we find the world's first encounter with God. As we enter into this book, we find God's manner of acting towards man. In these first encounters we find such great love and mercy, that my heart is overflowed with a greater love for Him. As we begin, we find God's care for man is so great that He scences his need for a fellowhelper, someone to be a help and a comfort to Him. I love the Lord for His cence of intuition into the needs of man, and His willingness to fulfill those needs. Continuing in the story of God and His creation, we find the story of the death of Abel. I love the Lord first of all because He did not judge Cain for His offering. God simply told Cain that He did not bring the right offering. In his anger, He went and killed Cain. This was the cause for His judgment. Often, I questioned in my mind, "Why would God judge Cain for bringing the wrong offering when he may not have known or he may not have had access to a lamb?" But this puts my mind to ease that God did not judge Him for the wrong offering. Secondly, I love the Lord becasue even in His judgment there was a mark of mercy paced upon Cain that represented the protection of God from the world. Though He was a fugitive in the world, He was protected by God. Moving forward, I love the Lord because He was greived by the sin of man, and He even repented in His heart that He created man becuase of their sin. This makes me love the Lord because it shows me that He did not create any man to sin. There are many more attributes that we will see, but just a few for now. I encourage you to begin making your own list.

To Serve and Protect

So, just a quick note, maybe I'll expound a little on this later. I was in a cafe the other day and I saw a little sign with a police officer on it that stated "To serve and protect." I though about this, and thought "Isn't this the whole duty of a pastor?" The pastor of the church mentioned in third John was most likely diotrephes (He had the power to cast people out of the church) - but he desired the preeminence. Gaius, on the other hand, desired to be a fellowhelper. That is the true pastor - the true fellowhelper. Pastors, don't let that position puff you up. Be there to serve and protect - be a fellowhelper.

God is Light and in Him is No Darkness at All

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1John 1:1-5

It seems like anywhere you search into the writings of John, he has one theme - it is Christ, himself. Much like John the Baptist, who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, John the Apostle draws all attention to the Savior and shouts "Behold the Lamb." Here, in the first few verses of John's epistle, John speaks about the Savior who he has come to know personally. He tells his readers that he has heard Christ, seen Christ, even touched Christ. It was this Christ that John desired for all to know. He says to His readers that this relationship with Christ is the bind that draws believers together, and is the key to a fully joyous life.

But this is the thing that stands out in my mind. As John describes the Lord Jesus Christ, and the unity and joy He brings, he sums up the message that was given to Him, and the message that he desires to share to bring all to the Savior in just a few words. He says in verse 5, "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. " This is total equivalent of the message of Christ.

I think we complicate things too much. John kept is simple. Our job is not presenting a new life to unbelievers, it is presenting Christ. It is not intriducing the world to a better way of life, it is indroducing them to the Savior. Our message, as Christian witnesses, is Christ Himself, our duty is to lift Him up infront of the world.

John desired for all his readers to come to know Christ, and in that effort, he tells them that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. It is not our responsibility to show people conviction for their sin; it is not our responsibility to show people how to pray; it is not our responsibility to sho people anything but Christ. When people grow to know Christ, they will naturally come to trust Him. When they find that He is light and that in Him is no darkness at all, they will flee from their sins in order to draw nigh unto Him. Let us just introduce people to the Lord.

Keep in mind that this is not just the effort of reaching the lost. Each of us can draw closer to Christ, and the more we understand about Him, the more we will find that He is light and in Him is no darkness. And the more we learn this, the more we will trust Christ with our lives, and the more we will flee from our besetting sins. Make every effort to know Christ. Make it the pursuit of your life. Read your Bible to grow in your love for the Lord.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all - the message from Heaven.

Fellowhelpers to the Truth

You really ought to take the time to read this little book of III John - if you are going into the ministry you should read it over and over again. We are given here the story of a church, and three of its members. We read about a man named Gaius, who had a good report among the bretheren and among strangers. Then a man named Diotrephes who loved to have the preeminence. And then a man named Demetrius who had a good report of the truth itself. It is, of course John that is writing to this church. It's a great little book.

The key to this epistle, is the phrase in verse number eight, "fellowhelpers to the truth." This phrase, and the principles it implies, has changed my life, and the way I look at ministry.

As John is speaking about Gaius, he says, "Thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers." He says that they had even borne witness of his charity towards them. Gaius had the heart of a pastor. When Paul gave the qualifications for a bishop, he mentions that a bishop must be "given to hospitality." This is what Gaius is known for in the minds of John, the brethren, and strangers - this is the essence of being a fellowhelper.

John, speaking of Gauis' charity to all men, say in verse 6, "Whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well." This is the job of a pastor, or for any Christian who has a heart for their next door neighbor; our life should be a constant sequence of bringing another person along in their journey of meeting the Lord.

John continues and says, "We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth." This is truth that has changed my life. The Lord has put a great desire in my heart to pastor a church. And this changes my outlook into the ministry God will allow me to be a part of. The pastor of any church should be nothing more than a fellowhelper to his members. Being a pastor is about bringing people along in their journey -both strangers and brethren; it is the heart of hospitality.

Diotrephes, the second character of this epistle, was just the opposite of Gauis. His intentions were self-centered, and he refused to receive even John. John said that even more, he prated against him with evil words, and those who would lend a hand - you know be a fellowhelper, yeah he kicked them out of the church. This was Diotrephes, a great example of a Christian. But, the sad thing is, he was probably the pastor of that congregation (he was able to kick people out of the church.)

So the principle is "fellowhelpers to the truth." Let's look at the elements of fellowhelpers.

"BEING"
One of the first things that John says to Gaius is, "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." John, here is commenting on the condition of Gaius' soul. The condition of our soul is the true estimation of our soul. Though Gaius was sick in body, he was stong in soul. Later in the epistle, John says of Demetrius that he had a good report of the truth itself. This is who we are in the eyes of God alone. Demetrius had a good report of the truth. Being a fellowhelper start with BEING, who we are.

"DOING"
John goes on and says that he rejoices to hear that his children are walking in truth. All the actions of his life reflect the truth that is in him. You must first be filled with truth, and then express that in your actions. He says in verse five, "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers." Our life is made up of actions, let us act faithfully in whatsoever we do.

"Appering"
John says of Gaius that "[the brethren and strangers] have borne witness of thy charity before the church." He says about Demetrius that he, "hath good report of all men." This is the appearance part of being a fellowhelper. I never like it when people say that "it is all about appearance," or "appearance is everything" because its not. But, is is part of being a fellowhelper. Make sure you keep these things in order though. If you ARE not right, you will not ACT right; and if you do not ACT right, you will not appear right.

"HELPING"
This is the final step in the process. Yes I know, it seems backwards. The last step of fellowhelping is helping. But it's true. You will never be able to lead right if you are not right in your own soul, if you are not acting right, and if you are not appearing right. John tells the readers that if we receive the brethren and strangers and bring them along on their journey, after a godly sort, we shall do well. This is the helping part of the story. I think one of biggest keys to helping people is doing it, as John says, "after a godly sort." How do we do this? We lead as we are lead by the Holy Spirit. Stay close to his leading, and familiar with God's word and you will lead right.

If you have the heart to help people, the heart of Gaius, the heart of hospitality, these elements must be present in your life. If you want to be in ministry, don't be like Gaius. Don't be someone who desires the preeminance. Step back and realize that ministry isn't about being elevated to a position of authority or status. It is about being a fellowhelper to the truth.

God is For Us

This is a thought that will change your life, and help you to love the Lord more. One of the guy's in my dorm, Josh, reintroduced me to this truth and it helped so much.

Romans 8:28-33
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

In the book of Romans, we are given a glimpse into mind of Paul and a revelation of the heart of God. Paul was a very logical and analytical person; he tended to state the facts and draw conclusions from them (This is way we ought to think, but usually we train ourselves not to – it brings up too many “issues.”). In the eight chapter of Romans, Paul gives us tells us the God is for us. He spends most of His time stating and proving this fact, and then draws some conclusions from the truth he has just proven. Let’s look at some of the truths we learn from this chapter (set aside, for a moment Paul’s method and focus on His message).

First, we are told of our forgiveness. In the first verse Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us “There is now therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” If you look in the third chapter of John, Jesus tells us “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (v.18).” Later we hear Jesus, speaking to the woman caught in adultery, ready to be stoned, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more (John 8:11).” Paul tells us that there is now NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. The law brought condemnation; Christ brought justification. The law said, “Stone her”, The Lord said “Save her.” I am thankful that God’s mercy endureth forever. Just previous to this verse, Paul exclaims, “O wretched man that I am!,” and then he tells us, that there is now therefore no condemnation. How? Why? Because God is for us! Paul tells in his epistle to Timothy, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I (Paul) am chief.” So what does it mean to us that Christ come to be sacrificed to save sinners? It means that God is for us!

In the 11th verse of Romans 8, we read, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Here we see, our freedom. Paul, is his typical way, gives an if…then clause and explains to the readers that our bodies will one day be raised up. In the preceding verses Paul is explaining the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. He tells us in verse number 9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit.” As Christians, we are delivered from the flesh, and brought into the land of the living, and are now to live after the Spirit.

Paul knew of the indwelling Spirit of God living inside of Him. Unlike us, as 20th century believers, early New Testament Christians were not immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Looking at the life of Paul, we are told of his glorious encounter with Christ, the light of the world, the light so bright, Paul was blinded by it. It wasn’t until he was met by Annanias; we don’t know how long it was, but a definite period of time had eclipsed between Paul’s meeting with Christ, and his meeting with Annanias. So this indwelling of the Holy Spirit would have definitely stood out in the minds of Paul and his readers. What Paul is saying though, is that, as believers, we are not in the flesh, we are in the Spirit.

From all this, Paul tells us that, as Spiritual creatures, our fleshly body will not hold us back from eternity. We will be freed from this carnal flesh, and raised, just as Christ was raised, to be with the Father. Our mortal bodies will be quickened, made alive, and we will know the power of the resurrected Christ, through the Holy Spirit. Verse 21 says, “The creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Jesus tells us, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” As a believer, I have true freedom – it is liberation from corruption.” I am made dead unto sin, and alive unto Christ. Resurrection represents a death to one nature, and a life to another. We will be raised up, turning our backs eternally upon sin, death, and Hell, following He, who conquered them into Heaven. What does this show? It shows that God is for us!

We have seen our forgiveness, and our freedom, and in the 15th verse Paul begins to speak about our Father. He tells us that now that those who are led by the Spirit (and He has just told us that, as Christians, we are), they are the sons of God. We have been adopted into His house and we are made His children because God is for us. We were once the orphans of sin, but we are now forgiven, we are given God’s Holy Spirit, and will one day be raised from our carnal grave, and we are adopted into the family of God. This is the story of a Christian - from abandoned to adopted. Paul goes on and tells, that because we are children, we are joint heirs with Christ. All of God’s children – from Christ, to even you and I, may partake in all of the Father’s riches, and they will never run dry. (You might think well, the more believers there are, the more God’s riches will be divided. Well, how many times does Infinity divide? Oh yeah, infinite times, and the number never decreases. Don’t think about that too long, your head will start to hurt. In Ephesians, Paul uses the phrase, “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” And for sure, God’s riches are unsearchable, unexplainable, indivisible, but completely attainable. All of God’s blessings are available to all of His children.)

At the end of the chapter, Paul, in proof of the same truth, that God is for us, now tells us of our future.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39

This is my future, a future of eternal oneness with Christ. It is a relationship that cannot be severed. Christ’s relationship with us as believers is often symbolized in His written Word as a bridegroom and His bride. Most of the time when we hear the words, “What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder,” we think of earthly marriages between a man and his wife. But let’s take in terms of Romans 8., No man, creature, tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, death, life, angel, principality, power, anything present, anything to come, height depth, or anything else anyone could ever think of, will never put asunder what God hath joined together. We are eternally unseparatable from Christ. What a future for the life of the Christian.

Let’s leave the Biblical metaphor of Christ and Believer to a husband and wife. This tie has become much too loose in the eyes of most people in our day and time. Let’s think about the relationship between father and son (Oh yeah, Paul has already mentioned that.) Once a Father begets a child, the relationship will never be broken. Their communication may cease, but the child has the same Father. Fellowship may cease but the child still has the same Father. The father or the son may die, but the child has no other father. As a child of God, we are signed into the most unbreakable, eternal contract ever known by man. What does all of this mean? It means that God is for us.

We have been given sufficient evidence to testify that God is for us – he is for our good. We have been shown our forgiveness that removes condemnation, our freedom that liberates us from the bondage of flesh, our Father that has adopted us, and our future that keeps us forever binds us to Christ and His love for us. Now, Paul draws certain conclusions from this truth that God is for us.

First, we find that out of God’s goodness, all things work together for good for us. This should leave our minds with a sense of peace, no matter what may come in our lives. Why? Because all things work together for good. Without all of the good things, all of the hard times, and all of the unexpected events that God places in our lives, it wouldn’t be all that God intended. Paul tells us that all things work together for good. When things seem to be going wrong, remember that God is for your good, and these things are working together for your good.

Next, we see that “if God be for us, who can be against us.” Paul tells us that any one believer and God makes a majority. If God is for us, no one could ever stand against us. This reminds us of the people of Israel. When they had the Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s presence, none of their enemies could stand against them. With God, no person, creature, or circumstance can stand against us.

Finally Paul tells us, because God is for us, He will not withhold from us any gift. In the 32nd verse, the Bible tells us, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Using his characteristic logic, Paul tells the Romans, that if God is for us, for our good enough to sacrifice even His own Son, then out of that goodness, he will not withhold any good thing from us. Do you think that someone who would give up their own son for another, would not give them anything they asked for. If God would give us His Son, He would give us anything.

This is the principle that God wants us to learn. It is based on solid evidence that we have forgiveness, a new freedom, a Heavenly Father, and an eternal future with Christ. We know that God is for us. And now, what does this mean for us? It means that all the events of life work for our good; it means nothing can stand against us; and that God will not withhold from us any good gift. If we could learn this truth, I mean truly learn this truth, it would change the way we look at things, and would help us to love the Lord as He ought to be loved. May God help us to learn this truth that God is for us.

Let Us Mind the Same Thing

So, it has been a pretty long time since my last post, but it has been a great and busy semester. This semester, more than any other the Lord, Himself, has taught me lessons. Lessons that are not learned in a classroom, lessons that cannot be tested with a pencil, lessons that cannot be graded by a teacher. But every truth the Lord has taught me must be learned, will probably be tested, and will be graded by God himself. I love the Lord because He teaches us these kind of lessons. It is the lessons that we are taught by God, himself, that truly change our lives.

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Philippians 3:15-16

Paul says here to the Philippians that there is no need for one man to try to convince the mind of another man; the Lord Himself will reveal to the seeking soul the next step to take that will draw that soul closer towards Himself. But, he admonishes this group of believers to keep the ground God has given them.

So the encouragement for the day is to keep the ground God has given you - don't draw back from it. In Hebrews, the holy Spirit gives an example of this principle:

"Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward...Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Hebrews 10:35, 38-39

Maybe the Lord has taught you a lesson about faith - keep your confidence in the Lord; don't draw back. Regardless the lesson, the principle is the same - "Let us mind the same thing."

In the gospel of Mark, we are given the story of the disiples' long night on the water. Mark records nothing about Peter walking on the water. But, we learn from Mark the reason for the disciple's distress and fear. In the last verse of Mark 6, the Bible says, "for they remembered not the miracle of the loaves." The cause for their fearfulness was that they did not "mind the same thing." They had just seen Jesus feed the multitude, but they failed to remmber the lessons they should have learned. They should have learned the lesson of God's provision and His faithfulness. They should have learned when God initiates our service, He will fulfill it. They should have learned that Jesus had compassion. But they learned none of these things; they drew back; they failed to "mind the same thing." Again, I say, be careful to truly learn the lessons that the Lord teaches you; Let us mind the same thing.

In the next couple posts, Lord willing, I will share some of the lessons God has taught me this semester. May the Lord help me to mind these lessons for all of my life, so that the Holy Spirit can make full proof of the lessons He has taught me.

God's Mercy at Midnight

As we have traveled through Psalm 136, we have been acquainted with the God of everlasting mercy and his work in creation. Beginning with verse ten, though, the psalmist narrows his scope. Our vision is refocused onto the nation of Israel—the recipients and intended channels of God’s blessings. We see our God, the creator of Heaven and earth, the sun, moon, and stars, and of you and I, now as our covenant whose faithfulness, like His mercy, is unwavering. The narrative of Israel’s history is nothing more than a biography of their God, and His love for all mankind.

God’s Presence in Darkness
We are introduced to the nation of Israel, by the Psalmist, in one of their darkest times. They have been taken captive by the nation Egyptian people, and are living as their servants. But God sends a deliverer by the name of Moses to stand up to Pharaoh, in the name of the Lord, and to deliver the people of Israel from their bondage. God has orchestrated nine plagues in his redemptive plan for Israel, but Pharaoh's heart has just become harder. And now, God’s final plague has come to the forefront—the death of the firstborn.

To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn
For his mercy endureth forever.

It seems an unusual way to celebrate the mercy of God, but as we know God’s mercy endureth forever. Even when the darkness of despair proves too thick a fog through which to see, God is in control. Look to the Savior, he is the Light of the world! And oh, what a view of the Savior we find in this story.

God’s Promise of Destruction
In Exodus 11, God reveals to Moses His plan for the tenth and final plague upon Egypt.
And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt.
God promises that all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, every first born child, every firstborn animal, even the future King of Egypt would die. What a night of terror and utter despair! But, no matter how great the despair, God’s deliverance is always greater.

God’s Provision for Deliverance
In Exodus 12, instructions are given to the people of Israel to take a lamb of the first year, and to slay it. The blood of the lamb was to be painted on the posts of the door, and at the sight of this barrier of blood, the death angel would pass over that house, and spare the firstborn. As was promised, death came upon all the firstborn in Egypt (Exodus 11:29). But that midnight hour proved to God’s mercy hour, for the slaying of the lamb meant the sparing of a life. Just as each plague brought upon the land of Egypt was accompanied by God’s hand of protection upon His people, this plague, too, had no power upon the children of Israel.

We too are haunted by a destroyer—it is sin. But, because God’s mercy that endureth forever, He provides a way of our salvation. And, again the path to life, is along the rails of death. This death is not of a lamb though; it is of the precious Son of God, Jesus Christ. By His death we may have life. It is by faith in the blood of God’s Holy Lamb, that we may escape destruction. When we apply His blood to the door posts of our heart, by trusting Christ, and Him alone, for salvation from sin, we, too will know His deliverance.

God's Great Lights

As we continue in Psalm 136, our minds are again, taken on a trip back to the time of God’s creation on the railway of God’s mercy. The words of Psalm 19 become increasing clear as God continually reveals Himself by means of His creation.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

When we reach the seventh verse of this psalm, we see God’s character in the spotlight of what He calls His “great lights.” We initially read about these “great lights” in the first book of the Bible (Genesis 1:14-19). Here, we are introduced to two great lights—the greater to rule the day, and the lesser to rule the night. And, in what seems to be a side note, the Holy Spirit adds, “He made the stars also.”

It is here that we find a great parallel. Since the foundation of the world, a battle has been raging. The Devil and his forces have labored tirelessly to halt the eternal plan of God. But we know that the greater light, the ruler of the day, our ever-present, eternal God, will be eternally greater than the lesser light. Now, we live in the night, where the lesser light of sin rules, but one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Though we walk in the night , we are given a breath of hope when the Holy Spirit tells us, “He made the stars also.” Even in the dark, when the lesser light rules, we are given the stars also. Out of His mercy, our God will never leave us without some vision of Himself.

The Greater Light
In the book of John, Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world.” It is God that is the greater light. He will always prevail. No matter how dark the night may appear, God is always in control. The universe is in His grip, and so are we.

The Lesser Light
Even since the garden, Satan has been using every means available to stop the plan of God. Sadly, many people have both knowingly and unknowingly been used in Satan’s army. Even as the moon takes its light from the reflection of the son, so the source of all of the Devil’s power is the Lord.

The Stars
As it has been seen, even in the night where the lesser light dominates, we find another source of light—the stars. Each time we look into a star filled sky, it is an evident token of God’s ever-enduring mercy. In God’s mercy, He has given us armor to equip us for this spiritual battle (Ephesians 3:10-17).
- Truth
- Righteousness
- The preparation of the gospel of peace
- Faith
- Salvation
- The Word of God

Our Warfare
The Bible tells us that our battle is a spiritual battle. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This battle is one in which are to be actively involved. We have been given the tools, and now we are responsible to use them. We are the recipients of God’s mercy, and now we must enlist for active service in His army. May we prepare ourselves to serve our Master.

When Wisdom Meets Mercy

The Psalms are a divine picture album by which we learn of God’s love for man, and man’s love for God. Psalm 136 is one of these reflections of our God with its focus on His mercy. The author prefaces this psalm with an exhortation of thanksgiving to the Lord “who alone doeth great wonders.” He then takes our minds on a journey through these great wonders. This journey begins exactly where God chooses to begin His complete revelation —“In the beginning.”

To him that by wisdom made the heavens:
for his mercy endureth forever.
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters:
for his mercy endureth forever.

God’s Wisdom and the Heavens
In verse five, the psalmist tells us that by wisdom, God created the heavens. The “heavens” does not refer to the dwelling place of God in this instance; instead, it refers to the dwelling place of the planets and the stars. A great comparison may be seen between the heavens and God’s wisdom. Explorers, no matter how far they have searched, have never reached the ends of the universe. Similarly, no matter how much one seeks to know the depth of the wisdom of God, it will never be fully known by mortal man. The Bible tells that the wisdom of God is higher than the wisdom of man. God’s wisdom cannot be compared with man’s wisdom. We will never know how far it reaches, just as we will never reach the end of this universe. And as great and vast as the heavens are, we must remember that God is not limited in space, space is in God.

God’s Wisdom and the Heavens
Wisdom is commonly attributed to God concerning His creation, but, like all the wonders in this psalm, it is also connected to God’s mercy. Our God, whose wisdom can be compared to the ever-extending heavens, is also the God whose mercy endureth forever. To the same extent of wisdom displayed in the creation of the heaven, mercy was displayed in the creation of the earth. Out of the vast reaches of the universe, created out of the wisdom of God, He chose to create Earth out of the vast reaches of His mercy; He chose to create man for His own pleasure.

God Wisdom and His Mercy
Here, we are brought to a great crossroads by the psalmist—the intersection of wisdom and mercy. For all of time, man has been the partaker of the mercy of God. But, the wisdom of God is something to which man could never attain. The Bible refers to God’s wisdom as a mystery, or a sacred secret, that was hid in Christ since the foundation of the earth (I Corinthians 2:7, Ephesians 3:9). God’s wisdom, this sacred mystery, that Paul referred to, was actually the basis of his prayers for the new Christians to whom he wrote. He desired that they know the?wisdom that was in God (Ephesians 3:10). We are caused to ask the question then, how is it possible to ever know the unsearchable wisdom of God? Paul answers this question which he sparks in our mind in his epistle to the Colossians.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Colossians 1:27

As New Testament Christians, we are given a link to God’s wisdom, through the path of His mercy. It is by Christ dwelling in us that we can find insight into the mind of God (I Corinthians 1:24). As tiny as the earth is in comparison to all of the universe, so are we in the presence of an eternal almighty God. But out of His ever-enduring mercy, we can know this God personally, through the person of Christ.

God's Miracles of Mercy

As we enter into Psalm 136, we are greeted with a call to praise. We are instructed by the Psalmist to give thanks unto the LORD, unto the God of gods, and unto the Lord of lords. Three distinct titles are ascribed to God in the first three verses, and each is significant.

The title, “God of gods” (v.2) refers to God’s deity, His holiness, and His righteousness. It was by this title that God is described in His work of creation. This is the official title of God, and is actually plural in its Hebrew form (Elohim). Within this title, God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Spirit are reflected.

The Lord of lords (v.3) refers to God’s sovereignty, or His eternal, independent rule over Heaven and Earth. This term means, specifically, “master and owner.” The name Lord refers to His authority over the world as a whole and each individual life he creates.

It is the first title though, that sets the tone for the entire Psalm. The name LORD (v.3), or Jehovah was very significant to the original readers of this Psalm, and most likely, to the Psalmist,himself. When the people of Israel referred to God as LORD, they spoke of the covenant between themselves and their God. It was the most personal and most respected title given for God.

This personal title of God, is also significant for the New Testament believer. It should be understood that the Jehovah of the Old Testament is the Jesus of the New Testament. Just as the people of Israel were partakers in a divine covenant, we too are given part in an eternal covenant with the LORD. An adequate understanding of these titles is enough to cause us to give thanks to God. But the Psalmist goes even further. Beginning with verse four, the Psalmist introduces this very God as “Him alone who doeth great wonders.” It is these great wonders that will be the topic for the majority of the Psalm. They are split into thee distinct groups.

The Miracles of Mercy
The first group of these miracles of mercy is creation (v.5-9). In creation, we immediately see God’s power. Out of nothing, He created the Heavens and the Earth. The Psalmist though, desires for us to see more than God’s power in creation; our minds are pointed to His mercy in creation.

The second group of these great wonders shows God’s mercy in His dealings with the nation of Israel (v.11-22). Once again our thoughts are directed towards the mercy of God in His dealings with the Hebrew people. Over and over God delivered His people, and His mercy is evident in their history.

The third and final group shows God’s mercy in a more personal sense. The psalmist begins to use the personal pronoun “we” in verse 24 and continues through verse 25. As we noted before, the author of this Psalm was probably a recipient of much of God’s mercy. He refers to his “low estate.” Each of us go through low estates, and in God’s mercy, He remembers us. Not only does God remember us, He redeems us. Our redemption is a personal matter. Out of God’s love for man, He sent His son to die for us.

The author reminds us to look past the earthly factors of our life, and to see our life through the eyes of God’s mercy. This will truly make a difference in our outlook on life and our love for the Lord. When we understand the miracle of God’s mercy that is extended into creation as a whole, into his chosen people, and into our own lives, we will begin to love the Lord as we ought.

Cape Hatteras 2008 Pictures

Here are a few pictures from our Vacation to Cape Hatteras.

These are a few of people that we really did not know, but seriously, how do you let these scenes just pass by when you have a camera in you hands.

Here are a few of my dad fishing. In the first picture, he had hooked a BIG ONE. But, it took his bate and his hook, and left him with a "big fish" story that no one really ever believes.

Here are a few of us...

And this is the greatest place in the world. If you've never taken a nap at the beach in a hammick - you really haven't lived to life's full potential.

We had a great time. The Lord was very gracious to us in bringing us there and back safely. We are very grateful for this trip.

His Mercy Endureth Forever

Do you know anyone who likes to start things, but rarely finishes them? Well, if a blog is not the very worst display of that characteristic, then I don't know what is. So, sorry there hasn't been a post in about a month, but better late than never. My summer has been going very well. The Lord has graciously supplied a full time job for my sister and I, and it is going great.

I am teaching a Sunday School class in our church; I am praying and expecting the Lord to work in the hearts of the few guys that attend. We are studying Psalm 136, and what a theme - His mercy endureth forever! It is so exciting simply because it is so personal. The Lord whose mercy enureth forever is the very God who loves me, and out of His ever-enduring mercy saved me. I hope that anyone who reads this will be encouraged in the goodness of the Lord, as I have been.

Exploring the subject of God and His mercy will prove to be a never-ending study, for His mercy endureth forever. The author of this Psalm is not recorded, but it is likely that he was a recipient of much of God’s mercy. Though we fail to give it great consideration, we are all recipients of the mercy of God.

Following the Phrase
The first occurrence of this phrase, “His mercy endureth forever,” is found in I Chronicles 16:34. What a scene is described! The ark, representing God’s presence and power, has entered into the Tabernacle in a great processional, a great sacrifice is offered to their God, and a great choir is formed by David to sing praise to the God of Heaven. David hands Asaph a psalm he has previously written and he instructs the singers to sing it. Their singing is climaxed by one grand and unified “O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good, for His mercy endureth forever.”

Now, after the death of David, we see these words repeated by David’s son, Solomon. It was Solomon that had been given the responsibility and privilege to build the temple for the Lord. Upon its completion, Solomon assembled a great choir, much like his father, and again this song of David is sung to the Lord, “He is good for his mercy endureth forever (II Chronicles 5:13).”

Years later, Jehoshaphat, one of Judah’s eight good kings, appoints singers to praise God’s mercy that endureth forever (II Chronicles 20:21). The scene is one of anticipation of the ensuing battle with the children of Ammon and Moab. As their praises continued, the very God whose mercy they were praising, set ambushments against their enemies, and thus, delivered His people from their attack.

Finally, this phrase appears in the prophetic message to Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33:11). God promises that his people will not always be in captivity. He promises that they will once again have the opportunity to praise their God, and exalt His ever-enduring mercy, and everything God foretells, He fulfills. We hear the praises of God’s people again after their delivery in Ezra 3:11.

Each that uttered these legendary words were partakers in God’s mercy. David knew God’s mercy in His salvation, Solomon saw God’s mercy in his enablement, Jehoshaphat knew the mercy of God in His protection, and Jeremiah learned of God’s mercy in his deliverance. This same mercy that endureth forever, has been extended to each of our lives, and how great a debt we owe to it.

The Voice of the Lord is upon the Waters

This week, my family and I took our yearly vacation to Cape Hatteras on the Outer Banks. Today is our third day here and everything has been great. The weather was a little dreary on Saturday morning, but since then, it has been perfect. Tomorrow is Memorial Day and we are looking forward to a great day (the ribs are already cooking). I am so grateful that God gives our family the opportunity to come to such a great place.

As I look out into the ocean and hear its calm current tones, the words of Psalm 29 ring more vivid than ever. "The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the glory of God thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty...the Lord will bless His people with peace." This description of power, majesty, and peace could so easily be attributed to the ocean's waters. But, the psalmist tells us that, "The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King forever." As powerful, majestic, and peaceful as the seas are, they are far beneath the power, majesty, and peace found in their Creator.

The last verse of this psalm says, "The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace." The wonder of all wonders is the very God of power, majesty, and peace dwells within each believer, and by Him we possess all of these things. This great God, creator of all the universe, is the very God who sent His son to die for the whole world, and by this makes each who believe on Him His children. What a God we are privileged to know and serve.

Thank the Lord for His never-ceasing unveiling of our minds to His glory by His word, by the Holy Spirit, and even by His creation.