Sovereign Grace has put out a lot of good Christian music with strong biblical lyrics. All I Have is Christ is by far my favorite song by them, written by Jordan Kauflin and performed by NaBand. It is a powerful representation of the testimony of one who has been forgiven by God and has had their life changed. I'm always reminded of the work that God did in my life to change me from who I was to who I am today. I want to show you the lyrics and if you want to listen to the song click here.
All I Have is Christ
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father, use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Supreme Please
Our human minds are so finite and need little (or big) reminders of how awesome God is and how insignifacant we are from time to time (or every day). I came across some of these reminders in a Piper book a few days ago and wanted to share them with you. These are some ways that God shows his supremacy:
*The supremacy of his eternality that makes the mind of man explode with the unsearchable thought that Christ never had a beginning, but simply always was; sheer, absolute reality while all the universe is fragile, contingent, like a shadow by comparison to his all-defining, ever-existing substance.
*The supremacy of his never-changing constancy in all his virtues and all his character and all his commitments--the same yesterday, today, and forever.
*The supremacy of his authority over heavan and earth and hell--without whose permission no man and no demon can move one inch; who changes times and seasons, removes kings and sets up kings; who does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay his hand or say to him, "what have you done?" (see Dan. 4:35)
*The supremacy of his word that moment by moment upholds the universe and holds in being all the molecules and atoms and subatomic world we have never yet dreamed of.
*The supremacy of his justice to render in due time all moral accounts in the universe settled either on the cross or in hell.
*The supremacy of his patience to endure our dullness for decade after decade and to hold back his final judgement on this land and on the world, that many might repent
and
*The supremacy of his grace that gives life to spiritually dead rebels and wakens faith in hell-bound haters of God, and justifies the ungodly with his own righteousness.
this wasn't all of them, but oh how wonderful they were to read and soak up such good truths.
Grace and Peace
Sarah
*The supremacy of his eternality that makes the mind of man explode with the unsearchable thought that Christ never had a beginning, but simply always was; sheer, absolute reality while all the universe is fragile, contingent, like a shadow by comparison to his all-defining, ever-existing substance.
*The supremacy of his never-changing constancy in all his virtues and all his character and all his commitments--the same yesterday, today, and forever.
*The supremacy of his authority over heavan and earth and hell--without whose permission no man and no demon can move one inch; who changes times and seasons, removes kings and sets up kings; who does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay his hand or say to him, "what have you done?" (see Dan. 4:35)
*The supremacy of his word that moment by moment upholds the universe and holds in being all the molecules and atoms and subatomic world we have never yet dreamed of.
*The supremacy of his justice to render in due time all moral accounts in the universe settled either on the cross or in hell.
*The supremacy of his patience to endure our dullness for decade after decade and to hold back his final judgement on this land and on the world, that many might repent
and
*The supremacy of his grace that gives life to spiritually dead rebels and wakens faith in hell-bound haters of God, and justifies the ungodly with his own righteousness.
this wasn't all of them, but oh how wonderful they were to read and soak up such good truths.
Grace and Peace
Sarah
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Glory to God
For a child one of the hardest realizations is that not everything is about them. The same is for believers when we find that we are not the cener of everything. God isn’t for our glory. Its not about us at all. in fact in Romans 1 Paul even says in his greeting “1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,”.
We are made for something greater that our minds could ever conger up or dream on its own. Its not like when we were kids realizing that the world doesn’t revolve around us. This message it amazing becaus its the realization that the world has a far better reason for exsisting than if it was all about us.
Here are some sobering beautiful passages.
made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory. (Jeremiah 13:11)
The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (John 7:l8)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16; cf. 1 Peter 2:12)
Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (l Corinthians 10:31
From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out. (Ezekiel 20:l4)
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
A Passion for the Word of God
Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever, and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments,
which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
--Psalm 119:33-48
and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.
Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good
Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;
then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever, and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
I will lift up my hands toward your commandments,
which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
--Psalm 119:33-48
Monday, April 26, 2010
Weird Science
The following is the conclusion (a fairly long conclusion) I wrote to a paper on evolution vs. creationism. I was re-reading it and thought it might be helpful to some.
It is often said that debating an issue doesn’t really open minds to new possibilities as much as it creates more staunch believers on both sides. This seems to be the case (though I hope not for the wrong reasons) in my own study of evolution. As a Christian with a firm understanding of the gospel I have my own convictions about what could or could not have happened at the beginning of life if I am to be consistent. I will briefly summarize these with the understanding that they are based on theology rather than science.
A “normal” reading of the first chapter of Genesis seems to indicate that the Earth was created in six literal days. There have indeed been many attempts to get around this account of creation but I don’t find them adequate. The only possible interpretation that I can imagine holding which does not teach a young Earth is the “framework” view. This is the view that the Bible does not attempt to give an account of creation that is precise at any level. Rather, the first two chapters of Genesis are attempts to teach that God is the Creator in ways that man would have understood. I do not accept this view for reasons that will become clear in succeeding points but I do find it to be a more honest interpretation than other “old Earth” attempts.
Throughout Scripture Genesis is treated as a historical narrative writing which was inspired by God, therefore its account of creation should be taken literally. Probably the best example of this is when Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 and attributes the narration not to Moses but to the Creator.
The central Biblical themes (creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) all find root in the idea that God created life before death entered the world. The framework of biblical theology seems to be that God created a world that was good, Adam’s fall brought the curse (including death) into the world, Christ died to save his people from the eternal curse of the wrath of God, and in the end all of creation will be restored to being good. If death was actually in the world before the fall it turns many biblical arguments on their head.
Because of these convictions I was already predisposed to disbelief in evolution and belief in creationism before I began a scientific study of evolution. However, I believe that this predisposition to disbelief in evolution has mostly had a freeing effect which allows me to examine the “evidence” without already adhering to the system. After reading the most rigid of proponents for both sides of the argument I do not see compelling evidence that can be examined and give us a history of life. Instead it seems that much of the evidence finds meaning only when it is combined with presuppositions about its origin and purpose. For evolutionists all living things have descended from a common cell, for creationists all things were created with a specific purpose to glorify the Creator. If I may make one more theological point, I do not think this is a problem. From a biblical perspective the evidence from creation can be interpreted but not so much in the way we would like to think. Creation is meant to declare the glory of God, show us something of His attributes, and ultimately it will be full of those who know and love Him. We do not find any biblical evidence that the Earth is able to point us to a perfect account of its own beginning.
From a scientific perspective I don’t find evolution as compelling as the secular world because I don’t find their arguments to be as solid as the world seems to. Vestigial organs are far too convenient an argument for evolution as they are a claim from non-knowledge. DNA similarities between species should be expected in the same way that an analysis of the blueprints for several different types of home should have varying levels of similarity. Two-level houses will be more similar to each other than a trailer and an apartment complex. This doesn’t prove that the homes have any more of a relationship to each other than the same school of thought behind the design. Finally, the fossil record, which is admittedly incomplete, seems to be used to fit every theory in existence. What it has not shown, however, is compelling evidence that species have evolved across the boundaries of species or the biblical “kinds”.
What makes creationism vastly more appealing than evolution is that it holds to things which can be proven scientifically (such as microevolution) without the need for experiments that contradict any naturalistic presuppositions. Because they believe in a Creator they do not fret over the gaps in their knowledge, rather, they assume that those gaps are filled in by scientifically explainable systems that have been put into place by a grand Creator. Finally, they are able to hold firmly to their beliefs despite being treated as the outcasts of science by virtually the entire field. It is surely an important thing to study evolution and come to personal conclusions, however, I do not find that the evidence leads to such a sad, impossible faith.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
It is often said that debating an issue doesn’t really open minds to new possibilities as much as it creates more staunch believers on both sides. This seems to be the case (though I hope not for the wrong reasons) in my own study of evolution. As a Christian with a firm understanding of the gospel I have my own convictions about what could or could not have happened at the beginning of life if I am to be consistent. I will briefly summarize these with the understanding that they are based on theology rather than science.
A “normal” reading of the first chapter of Genesis seems to indicate that the Earth was created in six literal days. There have indeed been many attempts to get around this account of creation but I don’t find them adequate. The only possible interpretation that I can imagine holding which does not teach a young Earth is the “framework” view. This is the view that the Bible does not attempt to give an account of creation that is precise at any level. Rather, the first two chapters of Genesis are attempts to teach that God is the Creator in ways that man would have understood. I do not accept this view for reasons that will become clear in succeeding points but I do find it to be a more honest interpretation than other “old Earth” attempts.
Throughout Scripture Genesis is treated as a historical narrative writing which was inspired by God, therefore its account of creation should be taken literally. Probably the best example of this is when Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 and attributes the narration not to Moses but to the Creator.
The central Biblical themes (creation, fall, redemption, and restoration) all find root in the idea that God created life before death entered the world. The framework of biblical theology seems to be that God created a world that was good, Adam’s fall brought the curse (including death) into the world, Christ died to save his people from the eternal curse of the wrath of God, and in the end all of creation will be restored to being good. If death was actually in the world before the fall it turns many biblical arguments on their head.
Because of these convictions I was already predisposed to disbelief in evolution and belief in creationism before I began a scientific study of evolution. However, I believe that this predisposition to disbelief in evolution has mostly had a freeing effect which allows me to examine the “evidence” without already adhering to the system. After reading the most rigid of proponents for both sides of the argument I do not see compelling evidence that can be examined and give us a history of life. Instead it seems that much of the evidence finds meaning only when it is combined with presuppositions about its origin and purpose. For evolutionists all living things have descended from a common cell, for creationists all things were created with a specific purpose to glorify the Creator. If I may make one more theological point, I do not think this is a problem. From a biblical perspective the evidence from creation can be interpreted but not so much in the way we would like to think. Creation is meant to declare the glory of God, show us something of His attributes, and ultimately it will be full of those who know and love Him. We do not find any biblical evidence that the Earth is able to point us to a perfect account of its own beginning.
From a scientific perspective I don’t find evolution as compelling as the secular world because I don’t find their arguments to be as solid as the world seems to. Vestigial organs are far too convenient an argument for evolution as they are a claim from non-knowledge. DNA similarities between species should be expected in the same way that an analysis of the blueprints for several different types of home should have varying levels of similarity. Two-level houses will be more similar to each other than a trailer and an apartment complex. This doesn’t prove that the homes have any more of a relationship to each other than the same school of thought behind the design. Finally, the fossil record, which is admittedly incomplete, seems to be used to fit every theory in existence. What it has not shown, however, is compelling evidence that species have evolved across the boundaries of species or the biblical “kinds”.
What makes creationism vastly more appealing than evolution is that it holds to things which can be proven scientifically (such as microevolution) without the need for experiments that contradict any naturalistic presuppositions. Because they believe in a Creator they do not fret over the gaps in their knowledge, rather, they assume that those gaps are filled in by scientifically explainable systems that have been put into place by a grand Creator. Finally, they are able to hold firmly to their beliefs despite being treated as the outcasts of science by virtually the entire field. It is surely an important thing to study evolution and come to personal conclusions, however, I do not find that the evidence leads to such a sad, impossible faith.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Friday, April 23, 2010
Humility
Today I started the book "Humility & Absolute Surrender" by Andrew Murray. I choose this book next in my list because I am an extremely judgmental and prideful person. God has shown me how selfish my thoughts are most of the time. They are consumed with me, usually in comparing with others. God is gracious to me in two ways when this happens though.
First, He forgives my prideful thoughts and counts me righteous because of Christ's selfless act of salvation on the cross. Secondly, He usually puts me in situations where someone is more talented than I am, therefore I am humbled. These moments are hard, because I don't want people to be better than me, but I praise Him for showing me and adding to my sanctification.
In the preface, Andrew says, "In our ordinary religious teaching, the second aspect has been too exclusively put in the foreground, so that some have even gone to the extreme of saying that we must keep sinning if we are indeed to keep humble. Others again have thought that the strength of self-condemnation is the secret of humility.
"And the Christian life has suffered loss, where believers have not been distinctly guided to see that, even in our relation as creatures, nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, that God may be all; or where it has not been made clear that it is not sin that humbles most, but grace, and that it is the soul, led through its sinfulness to be occupied with God in his wonderful glory as God, as Creator and Redeemer, that will truly take the lowest place before him."
This is a common misconception that I had bought into. I would think about my sinfulness and use that as my humility and to an extent that is good. If we have a healthy view of how sinful we are, it shows us how important the cross is, which increases our view of grace. That doesn't mean that we sin more. It just means that we recognize how sinful we are already.
The cross is the most humbling act in the history of the world, but too often we take it for granted. We continue through our lives thinking we are cooler than others, better than others, and more worthy than others, when reality is that we are all dust. Dust that sinned and deserved eternal punishment. But instead Jesus died so that we might live. This should baffle us.
As a last point, I want to speak to the "super-Christians" in our bible-belt region. Beware of the constant judging and justifying that you do to yourself and others. How many times have you been listening to a sermon and thought "oh, _______ (< insert name) could use this sermon." How many times do you justify the things you do because either, others have done them and so it's ok, or someone has wronged you so it was ok to respond the way you did.
I only bring this up, because these are the things that I do constantly, and God has shown me that I am wrong. Even now I have to battle the thoughts of "oh, I hope so and so will read my blog post." I am a sinful human being that fails, but by God's grace, is forgiven and pointed back to doing the right thing. I thank God for putting up with me and my sinfulness, and I also want to thank my friends, family and mentors for doing the same. You all have been a blessing to me. Thank you.
First, He forgives my prideful thoughts and counts me righteous because of Christ's selfless act of salvation on the cross. Secondly, He usually puts me in situations where someone is more talented than I am, therefore I am humbled. These moments are hard, because I don't want people to be better than me, but I praise Him for showing me and adding to my sanctification.
In the preface, Andrew says, "In our ordinary religious teaching, the second aspect has been too exclusively put in the foreground, so that some have even gone to the extreme of saying that we must keep sinning if we are indeed to keep humble. Others again have thought that the strength of self-condemnation is the secret of humility.
"And the Christian life has suffered loss, where believers have not been distinctly guided to see that, even in our relation as creatures, nothing is more natural and beautiful and blessed than to be nothing, that God may be all; or where it has not been made clear that it is not sin that humbles most, but grace, and that it is the soul, led through its sinfulness to be occupied with God in his wonderful glory as God, as Creator and Redeemer, that will truly take the lowest place before him."
This is a common misconception that I had bought into. I would think about my sinfulness and use that as my humility and to an extent that is good. If we have a healthy view of how sinful we are, it shows us how important the cross is, which increases our view of grace. That doesn't mean that we sin more. It just means that we recognize how sinful we are already.
The cross is the most humbling act in the history of the world, but too often we take it for granted. We continue through our lives thinking we are cooler than others, better than others, and more worthy than others, when reality is that we are all dust. Dust that sinned and deserved eternal punishment. But instead Jesus died so that we might live. This should baffle us.
As a last point, I want to speak to the "super-Christians" in our bible-belt region. Beware of the constant judging and justifying that you do to yourself and others. How many times have you been listening to a sermon and thought "oh, _______ (< insert name) could use this sermon." How many times do you justify the things you do because either, others have done them and so it's ok, or someone has wronged you so it was ok to respond the way you did.
I only bring this up, because these are the things that I do constantly, and God has shown me that I am wrong. Even now I have to battle the thoughts of "oh, I hope so and so will read my blog post." I am a sinful human being that fails, but by God's grace, is forgiven and pointed back to doing the right thing. I thank God for putting up with me and my sinfulness, and I also want to thank my friends, family and mentors for doing the same. You all have been a blessing to me. Thank you.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Hold On!
Sometimes life is crazy. That seems to be the norm for me right now. I don't even want to get a good nights sleep because that means letting go of all the stuff i need to do and i may not remember it all the next day...that is sad. Do you ever get to times in your life that you can't even hold onto God? Not because of disobedience or rebelliousness or lack of desire but simply from being worn out in every possible way. i think about this and it saddens me (im pretty sure its because it means im not super woman, thus a piece of my pride dies) but its so relieving. I love knowing that i am not responsible for holding onto God, my salvation isn't determined by my will nor is my faith. This whole time, and i know that means my existence but i feel it so much right now in this season, God's been holding onto me. Keeping me close, not letting me go out of his sight, not giving me anything i can't handle. He's been there, being constant even when i feel like im going crazy. i think more than anything i like that concept of, I don't have God, he has me. Realizing this (yet again) puts God in the place he deserves, and gives him that glory that he is worthy of. If your stressed out like me, i hope this is helpful. If your not, then i hope this will be helpful at some point because stress will not escape you. And on that note...
grace and peace
sarah B
grace and peace
sarah B
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Theology Of Sleep
The Theology of SleepMark Chapter 4:26-29
John MacArthur preached at Together for the Gospel 2010 on the theology of sleep. I recommend going and checking out the session he did at www.t4g.org.
It puts a good reminder that God is sovereign when reading Mark 4:26-29. When you come face to face with the fact that my confidence is in the Lord & in His power, not in me.
The gospel cannot be spread if it really isn’t the true gospel. The thinking that more persuasive words and ingenuity result in more conversions inevitably result in adjusting (and eventually corrupting) the Gospel. Entrepreneurial types attempt to change the results by changing the message. The wonder of the gospel is this: you sow the seed, you go to sleep, and it grows. (Mark 4:27) We may be the means but we are not the power. We are the secondary agency.
The thief on the cross saw a beaten, rejected, half naked dying man on a cross, and believed. There was nothing impressive or convincing in that moment. The only explanation is the Spirit of God. There is no human explanation for the thief’s change of mind, heart and will. In my mind that is the greatest human conversion moment in the New Testament.
Spiritual regeneration is divinely automatic, but there are certain attitudes that must be present in evangelism: humility, obedience, diligence, confidence.
Humility– in parable of sower there is coming a massive supernatural harvest (100 fold is way beyond humanly possible yields). Note there are no adjectives to describe the sower. No qualifications. There’s nothing in the story about the sower, he just throws the seed. The story is not about the sower.
The seed– the harvest cannot happen without the Gospel. Why did Jesus tell people not to tell people about healings, not to tell people He was the messiah, because the Gospel isn’t miracles, it is the Gospel that Jesus was crucified and risen for our sins, and after that happened Jesus commanded them to preach it to all, for it is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1)
So, the sower isn’t important, you can’t change the seed? What about the soil? Do you try to change the soils? You can’t. So I don’t ever appeal to the emotions or will, because the fallen human soul is a “fertile ground for religiosity”. I always appeal to the mind, to their understanding.
We don’t have the power to change hearts, but we have the responsibility to shine the light that changes hearts. Diligence: those who sow sparingly reap sparingly. Your usefulness and your eternal reward is proportionate to your diligence.
We have confidence because we know that God has already determined the outcome, that the Kingdom will grow & flourish.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What should we think about?
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
--Philippians 4:8
If it is not true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, of excellence, or worthy of praise, then maybe we should think twice about thinking it.
--Philippians 4:8
If it is not true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, of excellence, or worthy of praise, then maybe we should think twice about thinking it.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Rock of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure;
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Not the labor of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I soar to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
-Augustus Toplady
Friday, April 16, 2010
Praise
I just want to glorify and praise God in this post. I have so much to praise Him for and many times I take it for granted.
Most teens my age are caught up in the things of this world; drugs, acohol, sex, money. This is what the average teen (average human) considers important and works to attain. I have seen people of this world and seen thier evil deeds and evil hearts, and one thing always hits me when I see/think of these things:
If God had not moved into my life, I would be as bad and most likely worst than those people. I will look at them and sit in judgement, but then I am broken because I am no better than they. I had just received grace and for that I thank God. I wish that I could express my graditude better.
Jesus has died so that I might not live that life; that I might be saved. And now He has promised that we shall dwell with Him for all eternity. This is an overwhelming abundance of grace which none of us deserve. I challenge you, as I do myself, to thank God more often and to look with pity on those of this world for you are no better.
Concluding I just want to encourage you with thoughts of heaven, our future home. Phil Wickham has written a song called Cielo. It is beautiful musically as well and lyrically. You can listen to the song here and read the lyrics here.
Most teens my age are caught up in the things of this world; drugs, acohol, sex, money. This is what the average teen (average human) considers important and works to attain. I have seen people of this world and seen thier evil deeds and evil hearts, and one thing always hits me when I see/think of these things:
If God had not moved into my life, I would be as bad and most likely worst than those people. I will look at them and sit in judgement, but then I am broken because I am no better than they. I had just received grace and for that I thank God. I wish that I could express my graditude better.
Jesus has died so that I might not live that life; that I might be saved. And now He has promised that we shall dwell with Him for all eternity. This is an overwhelming abundance of grace which none of us deserve. I challenge you, as I do myself, to thank God more often and to look with pity on those of this world for you are no better.
Concluding I just want to encourage you with thoughts of heaven, our future home. Phil Wickham has written a song called Cielo. It is beautiful musically as well and lyrically. You can listen to the song here and read the lyrics here.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
O' Me of Little Faith
A while ago my husband and i decided, we were going to send him to a conference called Together for the Gospel in Louisville Kentucky. Well that time has come and he is currently away having a great time listening to very Godly men and getting some cool books. The night that he left i started getting worried and anxious. It was hard for me to sleep because the pessimist "if anything is going to go wrong it will" in me kept thinking horrible things: what if jonathan gets in a wreck, what if he dies, im too young to be a widow, blah blah blah.
These are obviously bad, but if im not careful and start asking God for peace and faith then i can get myself into a lot of trouble. I start to make my husband an idol and get the idea that i "deserve" a husband and "God wouldn't take away Jonathan from me". I close my fist around this amazing gift God has given me rather than say "God i trust you and my husband is yours".
This is a really hard thing for me and it definitely tests my faith to not be so little and trust in the sovereignty of God.
Even if the worst thing that can happen, does happen it really will be devestating and i would grieve heavily, but God has a plan and his will is much much greater than my own. but i am praying for traveling mercies on the trip back.
Grace and Peace
sarah B.
These are obviously bad, but if im not careful and start asking God for peace and faith then i can get myself into a lot of trouble. I start to make my husband an idol and get the idea that i "deserve" a husband and "God wouldn't take away Jonathan from me". I close my fist around this amazing gift God has given me rather than say "God i trust you and my husband is yours".
This is a really hard thing for me and it definitely tests my faith to not be so little and trust in the sovereignty of God.
Even if the worst thing that can happen, does happen it really will be devestating and i would grieve heavily, but God has a plan and his will is much much greater than my own. but i am praying for traveling mercies on the trip back.
Grace and Peace
sarah B.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Jonny mac
The psalmist wrote, "The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul" (Psalm 19:7). That means Scripture is sufficient. Apart from the truths revealed to us in Scripture, there is no essential spiritual truth, no fundamental doctrine, nothing essential to soul-restoration. We do not need to look beyond the written Word of God for any essential doctrines. There is nothing necessary beyond what is recorded in God's Word.
This, of course, is the Reformation principle of sola Scriptura -- Scripture alone. According to the Bible itself, no supposed spiritual authority outside "the sacred writings" of Scripture can give us wisdom that leads to salvation. No papal decrees, no oral tradition, no latter-day prophecy can contain truth apart from Scripture that is genuinely fundamental.- John MacArthur
This, of course, is the Reformation principle of sola Scriptura -- Scripture alone. According to the Bible itself, no supposed spiritual authority outside "the sacred writings" of Scripture can give us wisdom that leads to salvation. No papal decrees, no oral tradition, no latter-day prophecy can contain truth apart from Scripture that is genuinely fundamental.- John MacArthur
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Psalm 111
Great Are the LORD’s Works Praise the LORD!
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
--Psalm 111
I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
the LORD is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
all his precepts are trustworthy;they are established forever and ever,
to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
he has commanded his covenant forever.
Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!
--Psalm 111
Monday, April 12, 2010
High Five- Solus Christus
Today we continue a discussion of the 5 "solas" of the reformation. The series is available here.
Solus Christus
Salvation is In Christ Alone
"Without fear or hesitation I proclaim the good news- hear my presentation From the Bible, God’s Word- clear revelation You can’t earn paradise with sheer dedication The Great Physician- He’s got your spirit’s medication Christ’s resurrection- not mere speculation Check the evidence- it bears investigation Solus Christus ideas and meditations" -Shai Linne
In order to really understand what salvation is all about we must first understand why salvation is necessary. We cannot know what the remedy to anything is without first knowing the ailment. That problem can be summarized in Romans 3:10-18:
"None is righteous, no, not one;
no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one."
"Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive."
"The venom of asps is under their lips."
"Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness."
"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known."
"There is no fear of God before their eyes." (ESV)
Here Paul quotes the Old Testament to summarize the point he has been making in chapters 1:18-3:9. He has shown that man is utterly opposed to the glory of God, suppressing the truth and loving sin. At this point it seems pretty hopeless for mankind. No man is good, they don't even seek after God. This is, of course, a problem because the wrath of God is coming against such people. God cannot overlook or wink at sin. It must be punished. Therefore, no one can escape hell by their own goodness. It seems that from birth every man is destined to eternal flames.
Now that we know what the disease is we can look at the cure. That cure is spelled out in the next verses of Romans 3:
For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:22-26)So the remedy to the problem, and the nature of salvation, is that God "put forward" His Son, the God-man Jesus Christ, to live the perfect life that we couldn't live and then be punished for sin in our place (also see Colossians 2:13-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:21). For this reason the apostle Peter proclaimed "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
The reason salvation is in Christ alone is because he is the only man who has (or can) bear the wrath of God on our behalf and impart to us a righteousness that is sufficient for us to be in God's presence. Again, Paul tells us, "there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus..." (1 Tim. 2:5).
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
Friday, April 9, 2010
The Destruction of Sin and Death
Last week, I wrote a post about Good Friday (that can be found here ). Good Friday was the day that Christ saved us from our sins. It is a very important day, but equally important was the Sunday after. Jesus saved us on Friday, but, through his resurrection on Sunday, he destroyed the power of sin and death.
This is the reason that "we are no longer enslaved to sin." Jesus has crushed the power of sin and death. I want to share from 1 Corinthians 15, because Paul is way smarter than me:
1 Corinthians 15:12-22
"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
And one more passage; Romans 6:1-10:
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."
This is the reason that "we are no longer enslaved to sin." Jesus has crushed the power of sin and death. I want to share from 1 Corinthians 15, because Paul is way smarter than me:
1 Corinthians 15:12-22
"Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
And one more passage; Romans 6:1-10:
"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus."
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Strong Shoulders
Life is hard. Unexpected things happen that cannot be prepared for, but God still knows best and is completely in control. My work load has just increased in a major way in one day. Jonathans outlook is positive and encouraging "its job security", but that doesn't mean that i will have any less stress. Or heres another example: a good friend of mine was 5 months pregnant and had a miscarriage. Once again life just gets hard sometimes. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people...this is just a major sign that karma is an absolute joke.
Even though hard things happen and life is just something that you can't know how to do perfectly, we still can be firm in christ and know that no matter where life takes us, no matter what good things happen or what bad things happen if we are trusting in Christ we can't go wrong. Jesus can bear our burdens (Matthew 11:28) and we wont be given what we can't handle (1 Corinthians 10:13 -i know it says temptations moreso regarding adultry, but can't it also be a temptation to let too much stress turn into sins of worry and anxiety or a persons problems become consuming and the center of their focus rather than christ?) This "life" process is Gods glorious way of sanctifying us (once we are His), so enjoy it.
Grace and Peace
sarah b.
Even though hard things happen and life is just something that you can't know how to do perfectly, we still can be firm in christ and know that no matter where life takes us, no matter what good things happen or what bad things happen if we are trusting in Christ we can't go wrong. Jesus can bear our burdens (Matthew 11:28) and we wont be given what we can't handle (1 Corinthians 10:13 -i know it says temptations moreso regarding adultry, but can't it also be a temptation to let too much stress turn into sins of worry and anxiety or a persons problems become consuming and the center of their focus rather than christ?) This "life" process is Gods glorious way of sanctifying us (once we are His), so enjoy it.
Grace and Peace
sarah b.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
How Cola is made
This week my brother tweeted about the “Missing Link” that scientist have found and it got me thinking about one of the more interesting gospel tracts that I’ve seen. I think it still holds up well.
Found at www.livingwaters.com
The theory of evolution of the Coca Cola can.
Billions of years ago, a big bang produced a large rock. As the rock cooled, sweet brown liquid formed on its surface. As time passed, aluminum formed itself into a can, a lid, and a tab. Millions of years later, red and white paint fell from the sky, and formed itself into the words “Coca Cola 12 fluid ounces.”
Of course, my theory is an insult to your intellect, because you know that if the Coca Cola can is made, there must be a maker. If it is designed, there must be a designer. The alternative, that it happened by chance or accident, is to move into an intellectual free zone.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Considering Heaven: Some Lyrics
I guess as kind of a "final" post for talking about meditating on Heaven I wanted to post some lyrics from songs about Heaven. There are many I could put, but here are just a few that I really liked.
"We shall all behold the King, and His holy praises sing,
Till the heav’nly arches ring, in that happy world above.
Nor shall sin e’er enter there, neither doubtings or despair,
Shall corrupt those mansions fair, in that happy world above.
Saints and angels in one throng, praise their King in rapturous song,
And the lofty strains prolong, in that happy world above."
--"That Happy World Above" by J.M. Huston
"Sweet paradise! my future home,The place of all the free;
Where never-fading flowers bloom—I long to dwell in thee.
Sweet paradise! where we shall meet, and with our Savior reign,
Beyond the final judgment seat, where comes no sinful stain.
Sweet paradise! no night can fall on thy resplendent shore;
Celestial day shines over all, and shall forevermore.
Sweet paradise! oh, joys untold! ’Tis there I long to fly,
Where worlds of pleasure will unfold, where man shall never die."
--"Sweet Paradise" by Barney E. Warren
"Sweet place; sweet place alone!
The court of God most high,The heaven of heavens, the throne Of spotless majesty!
O happy place! When shall I be, my God, with Thee,To see Thy face?
No tears from any eyes drop in that holy choir,
but death itself there dies, and sighs themselves expire.
There should temptations cease, my frailties there should end.
There should I rest in peace In the arms of my best friend."
--"Sweet Place" by Samuel Crossman
"The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of Heaven breaks;
The summer morn I’ve sighed for—the fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
The King there in His beauty, without a veil is seen
It were a well spent journey, though seven deaths lay between
The Lamb with His fair army, doth on Mount Zion stand,
And glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove,
And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love;
I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned
When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
Soon shall the cup of glory wash down earth’s bitterest woes,
Soon shall the desert briar break into Eden’s rose;
The curse shall change to blessing the name on earth that’s banned
Be graven on the white stone in Immanuel’s land.
They’ve summoned me before them, but there I may not come,
My Lord says “Come up hither,” My Lord says “Welcome home!”
My King, at His white throne, my presence doth command
Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land."
--"The sands of time are sinking" by Anne Cousin
"We shall all behold the King, and His holy praises sing,
Till the heav’nly arches ring, in that happy world above.
Nor shall sin e’er enter there, neither doubtings or despair,
Shall corrupt those mansions fair, in that happy world above.
Saints and angels in one throng, praise their King in rapturous song,
And the lofty strains prolong, in that happy world above."
--"That Happy World Above" by J.M. Huston
"Sweet paradise! my future home,The place of all the free;
Where never-fading flowers bloom—I long to dwell in thee.
Sweet paradise! where we shall meet, and with our Savior reign,
Beyond the final judgment seat, where comes no sinful stain.
Sweet paradise! no night can fall on thy resplendent shore;
Celestial day shines over all, and shall forevermore.
Sweet paradise! oh, joys untold! ’Tis there I long to fly,
Where worlds of pleasure will unfold, where man shall never die."
--"Sweet Paradise" by Barney E. Warren
"Sweet place; sweet place alone!
The court of God most high,The heaven of heavens, the throne Of spotless majesty!
O happy place! When shall I be, my God, with Thee,To see Thy face?
No tears from any eyes drop in that holy choir,
but death itself there dies, and sighs themselves expire.
There should temptations cease, my frailties there should end.
There should I rest in peace In the arms of my best friend."
--"Sweet Place" by Samuel Crossman
"The sands of time are sinking, the dawn of Heaven breaks;
The summer morn I’ve sighed for—the fair, sweet morn awakes:
Dark, dark hath been the midnight, but dayspring is at hand,
And glory, glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
The King there in His beauty, without a veil is seen
It were a well spent journey, though seven deaths lay between
The Lamb with His fair army, doth on Mount Zion stand,
And glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
With mercy and with judgment my web of time He wove,
And aye, the dews of sorrow were lustered with His love;
I’ll bless the hand that guided, I’ll bless the heart that planned
When throned where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
Soon shall the cup of glory wash down earth’s bitterest woes,
Soon shall the desert briar break into Eden’s rose;
The curse shall change to blessing the name on earth that’s banned
Be graven on the white stone in Immanuel’s land.
They’ve summoned me before them, but there I may not come,
My Lord says “Come up hither,” My Lord says “Welcome home!”
My King, at His white throne, my presence doth command
Where glory—glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land."
--"The sands of time are sinking" by Anne Cousin
Monday, April 5, 2010
Be an Expert in the Gospel!
And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." (Exodus 20:1-2)
In a sermon last year R.W. Glenn encouraged his congregation to become "experts in the gospel." The gospel should be the point to which Christians return again and again to find grace, hope, and a reason to live differently in this world. This is especially important with Easter weekend having just passed us by. It's easy to get excited when it's good Friday and your RSS feed is filled with posts like Luke's from last week. But what about the rest of the year? Are you an expert in the gospel then? Are you even a student?
Too many Christians are experts in secondary things while stammering at the mere thought of a coherent presentation of the gospel. If you see yourself as the type of person of which I am speaking you are certainly not alone. However, it's time to stop being that kind of person.
Until you have become an expert in the gospel you have no right to be an expert in morality.
Until you have become an expert in the gospel you have no right to be an expert in conservative politics.
Until you have become an expert in the gospel you have no right to be an expert in parenting philosophy.
Until you have become an expert in the gospel you have no right to be an expert in the direction and values of your church.
I say this because all of these things can only be understood rightly when one has a proper view of the gospel. Consider the verse at the beginning of this post which precedes the ten commandments. The ultimate code of morality is not given as a to do list. It is the proper life of a people who have been mercied by a gracious God.
What about the sermon on the mount? People of all religions (and non religions) love to quote Jesus' words as if a person can become a good person. They just happen to forget that the two books that contain the sermon on the mount are gospels. Their primary purpose is to bring about faith in Christ as Savior first. Flowing from that salvation is the life that follows his teaching.
All that is to say be an expert in the gospel. Remind yourself of what it is and what it has done for you.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
More Posts on the Gospel:
The Gospel in 60 Seconds.
More Thoughts on the Gospel.
Subtraction by Addition.
The Gospel in 6 Minutes (John Piper)
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Worst/Best Friday
I have sung multiple songs that were written from the text in Isaiah 53 and have read from it over the past couple weeks. This has become one of my favorite passages and I want to share a few verses today, because it is speaking about the Friday that we celebrate today.
Isaiah 53:3-5:
"He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and by his stripes we are healed.
This is the gospel story. This is the horrible picture of what happened on that day. Look at how graphic this is. The writer talks about Jesus' relationship to man on that day. We were enemies, yet he took our sin and died from us, while we spit upon and mocked him.
The end of verse four says that Jesus was "smitten" by God. First of all, smitten does not mean what happened to you in the first grade when a classmate ran up and kissed you on the cheek. As it says later in verse four, God crushed Jesus. It is an extremely bold term that emphasizes destruction.
Hidden in that verse is the worst part of that day. When the Bible says that Jesus was smitten by God, it implies the reality that Jesus was cut off from his heavenly Father. The boiling wrath of God that we have raised through every "little" sinful deed was unleashed on that day. Jesus experienced the worst part of hell on that cross; being cut off from God.
But that day wasn't all dark. No! Look at verse 5. "Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his stripes we were healed." Because Jesus went through that, because of his unexplained mercy and his undeserving grace, we are counted as righteous before God! God looks at us and says "you are clean" and He will not judge us!
This is our salvation and we should be excited! We should NOT be passive about our gospel. If you hear this story, and don't get excited, you do not understand the gospel. You do not understand how sinful you are. You do not understand how offensive your sin is to God. And you do not understand your absolute NEED for Jesus Christ as your savior.
When we look at the cross and when we look at this passage in Isaiah, we should be humbled because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. We deserved nothing more than to be tormented in hell away from God's presence for all eternity. But Jesus came down, out of pure grace and love, and said "I'll pay the price, so that you don't have to."
Lord, I deserve nothing, and yet you gave me the best thing I could ever hope for; salvation from sin and death and life with you in heaven. I have nothing to offer and you knew that. You knew that I would sin against you even after I said that I would follow you. Yet, you still saved me out of the goodness of your heart. Lord, this was the worst day for you because of our sin and the punishment that you took for us, but it is the best day for us, because you took it for us. So we praise you! Lord help us to never forget the cross. Help us to never forget what you have done for us. Help us to be grateful and to serve you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Thank you. Amen.
Isaiah 53:3-5:
"He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and by his stripes we are healed.
This is the gospel story. This is the horrible picture of what happened on that day. Look at how graphic this is. The writer talks about Jesus' relationship to man on that day. We were enemies, yet he took our sin and died from us, while we spit upon and mocked him.
The end of verse four says that Jesus was "smitten" by God. First of all, smitten does not mean what happened to you in the first grade when a classmate ran up and kissed you on the cheek. As it says later in verse four, God crushed Jesus. It is an extremely bold term that emphasizes destruction.
Hidden in that verse is the worst part of that day. When the Bible says that Jesus was smitten by God, it implies the reality that Jesus was cut off from his heavenly Father. The boiling wrath of God that we have raised through every "little" sinful deed was unleashed on that day. Jesus experienced the worst part of hell on that cross; being cut off from God.
But that day wasn't all dark. No! Look at verse 5. "Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and by his stripes we were healed." Because Jesus went through that, because of his unexplained mercy and his undeserving grace, we are counted as righteous before God! God looks at us and says "you are clean" and He will not judge us!
This is our salvation and we should be excited! We should NOT be passive about our gospel. If you hear this story, and don't get excited, you do not understand the gospel. You do not understand how sinful you are. You do not understand how offensive your sin is to God. And you do not understand your absolute NEED for Jesus Christ as your savior.
When we look at the cross and when we look at this passage in Isaiah, we should be humbled because of the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. We deserved nothing more than to be tormented in hell away from God's presence for all eternity. But Jesus came down, out of pure grace and love, and said "I'll pay the price, so that you don't have to."
Lord, I deserve nothing, and yet you gave me the best thing I could ever hope for; salvation from sin and death and life with you in heaven. I have nothing to offer and you knew that. You knew that I would sin against you even after I said that I would follow you. Yet, you still saved me out of the goodness of your heart. Lord, this was the worst day for you because of our sin and the punishment that you took for us, but it is the best day for us, because you took it for us. So we praise you! Lord help us to never forget the cross. Help us to never forget what you have done for us. Help us to be grateful and to serve you with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Thank you. Amen.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
T'aint no Foolin' about it.
A girls parent from my office came by today to see their daughter. The dad handed me a trillion dollar bill with obama's face on it and i laughed, then as i turned it over it was a track. They know im a believer but wanted me to have it so i can pass it on. I read the track just to make sure it was a good one, which it was, and then her mom and i had a conversation about how important it is for people to know their sin. She said you can toss a person a life saver but they wont take it if they don't know their drowning.
This is so true. How important is it for people to know they are sinners? EXTREMELY important, how can someone know how desperate their need is for a savior unless they realize how far from God they are. I know the Holy Spirit plays a pretty big part here, which is yet another reason for us to tell anyone and everyone about Christ because we don't know who the elect are or how the Holy Spirit is working in a persons heart. Yes we need to tell people about Jesus but we don't need to butter people up and tell them that they are great people, when we know that our hearts are dark and wicked. Leaving this part out of the gospel makes us liars. And if a person is so "great" without God, why have a need for him. Just something to think about. Please don't leave how sinful humans are out of the gospel.
Grace and Peace.
sarah
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