Journey to the Manger: Part II

Meditation on Luke 2:1-20

"Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them" (NASB95).

Christmas is now basically right around the corner. It is merely a little over 24 hours away. Hopeful you are finished or nearly finished with your holiday shopping. With all the hussle of the season, I hope that you have found time to spend mediating on the true reason for the season in the midst of the choas.

Hopefully you can spend the next two days with friends and family. But more importantly, hopefully you will take time to celebrate and worship Christ's birth. Find time to read the account of Christ's birth with your family this season. Give thanks to God for giving us his only son.

Journey to the Manger: Part I

Meditation on Isaiah 7:10-16

With Christmas right around the corner, it is only fitting to do a mini-series entitled Journey to the Manger. Christmas as become for the most part nothing more than a commercial holiday with nearing no acknowledgment of the true meaning of Christmas. It is sad that the real meaning for the season is over shadowed with commercialism.

It is easy to get got up with all the chaos of the season: the crowds at the malls, traffic being heavier in the store parking lots, the aisles at the stores overflowing with people trying to get those last minute gifts. Are you in the midst of all this chaos? Are fighting the crowds?

While being in the midst of the chaos, are you focusing on the mission at hand? Or are you thinking of the reason for the season? It is for this reason that I am doing this mini-series.

I would like to draw your attention Isaiah 7:10-16: "Then the Lord spoke again to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord!” Then he said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well? “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. “He will eat curds and honey at the time He knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. “For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken" (NASB95).

I want to challenge you to spend some time meditating on the above passage this week.

Call to Worship: Recognize the Priority of Worship

Meditation on Ezra 3:1-7

Have you ever given serious thought to how you view worship in your life? Do you participate in worship, both public and private, on a regular basis? Do you recognize the priority of worship? If you do recognize the priority of worship, do you take time out of your busy schedule to worship?

The background of the passage on which this meditation is based on is crucial to the significance of this text. Ezra begins with the story of God's people returning to the Promised Land after a time of exile. God's judgment upon Judah was over.

Notice what one of the first things that God's people did after they returned to the Promised Land. Read Ezra 3:1-7:

"Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God. So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily, according to the ordinance, as each day required; and afterward there was a continual burnt offering, also for the new moons and for all the fixed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated, and from everyone who offered a freewill offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food, drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa, according to the permission they had from Cyrus king of Persia" (NASB95).

I would like for you to take a few moments to brainstorm for reasons why you think the Israelites gave priority to worship. Now ask yourself, which reasons that you thought of might also be reasons for God's children to give priority to worship today?

Did you notice that the people first responded to God's work by rebuilding the altar at the site of the temple? Did you notice that they rebuilt the altar in accordance with the law of Moses? Did you notice that they worshipped God despite their fear of those surrounding them?

Why do you think regular worship, public and private, is essential for the work God accomplishes through us? How have recent worship experiences enabled you to serve God better?

What reasons do you have to praise God today? Tomorrow?

There are three biblical truths that need to be stressed for spiritual transformation with regards on recognizing the priority of worship in your life.

1. When God gives you opportunities to serve Him, you should respond to them with joy, gratitude, and determination.

2. Since the Lord's work actually is work the Lord accomplishes and since godless people often oppose those in His work, you who participate in His work need to maintain a close relationship with God through regular times of worship, both public and private.

3. You need to participate in corporate worship since public praise glorifies God, encourages believers, and is a witness to unbelievers.

My challenge to you and to myself is this: set aside more time each day for private worship.

Call to Worship: Hearkening His Voice

Often times what is consider to be worship is not truly what worship is. Many consider singing of hymns and praise choruses is the heart of worship. In fact, there are many who would argue that singing is the essence of worship.

As believers we are to sing praises to our Redeemer. But mere act of lift our voice in song does not mean that we have actually worshipped in a God-honoring manner.

Singing is an aspect of getting our hearts ready for true worship. True worship comes in response to the proclamiation of God's Word.

"Let us remember therefore this lesson: That to worship our God sincerely we must evermore begin by hearkening to His voice, and by giving ear to what He commands us. For if every man goes after his own way, we shall wander. We may well run, but we shall never be a whit nearer to the right way, but rather farther away from it. . . .So let us hold to this rule, that all human inventions which are set up to corrupt the simple purity of the word of God, and to undo the worship which he demands and approves, are true sacrileges, in which the Christian man cannot participate without blaspheming God, and trampling his honor underfoot."--John Calvin

Call to Worship: Priority of Worship

To being this series Call to Worship, I want to start with discussing the importance of proper worship and the priority of worship. This posting will not fully develop the each thing mentioned here, simply because much of what I will mention here will be addressed in greater depth later.

Have you spent time pondering upon the first four of the Ten Commandments lately. Read Exodus 20:1-11 (Scripture reference below). After you read the text, spend some time reflecting how these four commandments are related to worship. Re-read the text more than once if necessarily. It is crucial that you understand the significance of this passage.

Importance of Proper Worship

Exodus 20:1-11

"Then 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. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy" (Exodus 20:1-11, NASB95).

Exodus 20:1-3 declares that the Lord is our God and that we shall not have any other gods. We must acknowledge God for who He is and what He has done. Because our God is the one true God, He demands that we do not worship any other gods. Are you worshiping a god besides the one true God? Are putting something in your life before God? Is it work? Is it money?

In Exodus 20:4-6 we are told that we are not to create in idols and that we are not to worship those idols. Have you made something into an idol in your life? Have you created God in your own image instead of recognizing him as the God who is as found in Scripture.

Exodus 20:7 tells us that we are to honor the name of the Lord. Are you honoring the name of the Lord in your speech? Are you are honoring the name of the Lord in your thoughts?

Exodus 20:8-11 informs us that we are to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy. Are you honoring the Sabbath? Are you honoring God in how you keeping the Sabbath?

It is clear that the first four commandments of the Ten Commandments deal with the importance of proper worship. If you do not have a proper prespective of these four commandments, you will not have a proper prespective of biblical worship.

Priority of Worship

1. Our chief responisibility is to honor God above all others. See Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Mark 12:28-30.

2. God claims Lordship over every area of our lives. See Matthew 6:24 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.

3. Westminster Shorter Catechism states that man's chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Spend some time personally reflecting how you view worship. Are you worshipping as God demands according to these biblical passages.

Call to Worship: Introduction

In the last blog posting, I asked the question: what is your purpose in life? I briefly examined the first question of the Westminster Confession as the answer to the posed question. I have been pondering several different options for a new series of postings. Hence, a new series is on the brick. The new series is entitled Call to Worship.

This new series will look at various aspects of biblical worship. The series will also look into some of the great hymns of the faith, along with modern praise and worship choruses.

We are called to worship. Since this is our calling, we must know what biblical worship is and what it is not. Much of what is "labeled" as worship is not worthy of being called worship at all for a facet of reasons, which will be addressed in the series as well.

The purpose of the Call to Worship series is to bring about biblical worship in our lives, both privately and corporately. To God be the glory and honor.

"Doxology"

Praise God from whom all blessing flow,

Praise him all creatures here below;

Praise him above, you heavenly host,

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

What Is Your Purpose In Life?

Our sinful nature gets the best of us at times. Often times when we are in the flesh, we are so self-centered that we forget about others around us. And at times, we are so focused on ourselves that we totally forget about God as well. During these self-centered times, our motto is: It's all about me!

But it should not be about us at all. In fact, the believers motto should be: It's not about me! He is God and we are not.

So what is your purpose in life? Let's look at how the Westminister Confession addresses this question:

Question: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.

Read Psalm 86:9--"All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name" (Psalm 86:9, NASB95).

Read Isaiah 60:21--"Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified" (Isaiah 60:21, NASB95).

Read Romans 11:36--"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36, NASB95).

Read 1 Corinthians 6:20--"For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:20, NASB95).

Read 1 Corintians 10:31--"Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31, NASB95).

Read Revelation 4:11--"Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created" (Revelation 4:11, NASB95).

Scripture clearly teaches that the chief end of man is to glory God.

Read Psalm 16:5-11--"The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever" (Psalm 16:5-11, NASB95).

Read Psalm 144:15--"How blessed are the people who are so situated; How blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!" (Psalm 144:15, NASB95)

Read Isaiah 12:2--"Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation" (Isaiah 12:2, NASB95).

Read Philippians 4:4--"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4, NASB95)

Read Revelation 21:3-4--"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away”" (Revelation 21:3-4, NASB95).

Futhermore, Scripture teaches that we are to enjoy Him forever and ever.

So what is your purpose in life? Are you glorify God with your life? Are others going to see that you enjoy Him forever and ever?

"Glorify Your Name"

Lord, God, when I consider the heavens

And the work of Your hand, what is man

That You are mindful of him

Lord God, when I consider the moon and the stars

And the worlds You ordained, who can say

You are mindful of him

You put all things under his feet

And give him rule over Your creation

Almighty God, how majestic is Your name

Every knee will bow and every tongue will praise and

Glorify, glorify Your name

We will glorify, glorify Your name

And together the redeemed, all forgiven will proclaim

We will glorify, glorify Your name

Oh Lord God, when I consider Your blessing

And the gift of Your grace, I stand amazed

Your merciful eyes fall on me

Oh Lord God, You forgave my transgressions

And You restore my soul, white as snow

Lighting the darkness in me

In the shadows of the valley

I will not fear, You are beside me

Almighty God, how majestic is Your name

Every knee will bow and every tongue will praise and

Glorify, glorify Your name

We will glorify, glorify Your name

And together the redeemed, all forgiven will proclaim

We will glorify, glorify Your name

--Wayne Watson

"You're Worthy of My Praise"

I will worship with all of my heart

I will praise You with all of my strength

I will seek You all of my days

And I will follow all of Your ways

I will give You all my worship

I will give You all of my praise

You alone I long to worship

You alone are worthy of my praise

I will bow down and hail You as King

I will serve You, give You everything

I will lift up my eyes to Your throne

I will trust You, I will trust You alone

I will worship, I will bow down

I will give You all my praise

--Big Daddy Weave

Who Is This King of Glory?

Mediation on Psalm 24

"The earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob.Selah. Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.Selah" (Psalm 24:1-10, NASB95).

The church today longs for a renewal in worship. But what is worship? There is mulitude of ways that this question can be answered. The Hebrew verb "to worship" literally means "to bow down, to prostrate oneself." In other words, it reveals the attitude and position of a person who is subject to a reigning king. In Psalm 95:6 we read the following, "Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker." To truly worship the Lord is to submit and to surrender our entire being to him as the sovereign King of kings and Lord of Lords.

The goal of our worship, when informed by Psalm 24, is the entrance of the King of glory. As we call upon the Lord and as we submit to his lordship, we are inviting God to be present in our midst in all of his glory. Our hearts will be satisfied with nothing less than his glory.

Psalm 24:3-6 gives the qualifications for worship. In order to truly worship, we must enter his presence with clean hands and a pure heart.

Who is this King of glory? He is Jehovah. He is the Lord mighty in battle. He is almighty. He is the Lord of lords and King of kings. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the Captain of our salvation. He is invincible.

"King of Glory"

Who is this King of Glory that persues me with his love

And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words

My conscience, a reminder of forgiveness that I need

Who is this King of Glory who offers it to me

Who is this King of angels, O blessed Prince of Peace

Revealing things of Heaven and all its mysteries

My spirit's ever longing for His grace in which to stand

Who's this King of glory, Son of God and son of man

His name is Jesus, precious Jesus

The Lord Almighty, the King of my heart

The King of glory

Who is this King of Glory with strength and majesty

And wisdom beyond measure, the graceous King of kings

the Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things

Who is this King of Glory, He's everything to me

The Lord of Earth and Heaven, the Creator of all things

He is the King of glory, He's everything to me

--Third Day

Be Thou My Vision

Mediation on Psalm 105:3-4

"Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad. Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually" (Psalm 105:3-4, NASB95).

Have you pondered upon God's glory lately? Is your heart seeking after the King of glory? Are you seeking the Lord and his strength? Are you seeking God's face?

Earlier today a friend reminded me about a Irish hymn that I have not heard in a few years. Take a moment to read its lyrics and then ponder upon its words.

"Be Thou My Vision"

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,

Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.

Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance, now and always;

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's son,

Heart of my heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Can you honestly sing those words as your words? Can you sing them to the Lord?

Do you desire to be in the presence of God? Brother Lawrence writes, "In order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must first apply to Him with some diligence; but after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty."

Read the words of Jeremiah, "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart'"(Jeremiah 29:12-13, NASB95).

The prophet Isaiah tells us to "seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6, NASB95).

Are you allowing your vision to be shaped by God?

I close this posting with a Puritan prayer. . .

My Dear Lord,

I can but tell thee that thou knowest I long for nothing but thyself,

nothing but holiness, nothing but union with thy will.

Thou hast given me these desires, and thou alone canst give me the thing desired.

My soul longs for communion with thee, for mortification of

indwelling corruption, especially spiritual pride.

How precious it is to have a tender sense and clear apprehension of the mystery of godliness, of true holiness!

What a blessedness to be like thee as much as it is possible for a creature to be like its creator!

Lord, give me more of thy likeness; enlarge my soul to contain fullness of holiness; engage me to live more for thee.
Help me to be less pleased with my spiritual experiences,

and when I feel at ease after sweet communings, teach me it is far too little I know and do.

Blessed Lord, let me climb up near to thee, and love, and long, and plead, and wrestle with thee, and pant for deliverance from the body of sin, for my heart is wandering and lifeless,

and my soul mourns to think it should ever lose sight of its beloved.

Wrap my life in divine love, and keep me ever desiring thee,

always humble and resigned to thy will,

more fixed on thyself, that I may be more fitted for doing and suffering.

Lamp to My Feet

Mediation on Psalm 119:105-112

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, And teach me Your ordinances. My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end" (Psalm 119:105-112, NASB95).

How do you view God's Word? Is the Bible a lamp to your feet? Are seeking the Scriptures for wisdom?

Listen to the words of the Puritan pastor Richard Baxter, "it is not the work of the Spirit to tell you the meaning of Scripture, and give you the knowledge of divinity, without your own study and labor, but to bless that study, and to give you knowledge thereby. . .To reject study on pretense o fthe sufficiency of the Spirit, is to reject the Scripture itself."

Are you studying the Scriptures for yourself? Or are you relying on the Spirit solely? Do you think for yourself? Or do you allow others to think for you? "The book to read is not the one which thinks for you, but the one which makes you think. No book in the world equals the Bible for this."--James McCosh

A. W. Tozer writes, "God did not write a book and send it by messenger to be read at a distance by unaided minds. He spoke a Book and lives in His spoken words, constantly speaking His words and causing the power of them to persist across the years." Are you reading the Scriptures from a distance?

As a teenager, one of my favorite choruses was Thy Word.

"Thy Word"

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

When I feel afraid,

And think Ive lost my way.

Still, you're there right beside me.

Nothing will I fear

As long as you are near;

Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

I will not forget

Your love for me and yet,

My heart forever is wandering.

Jesus by my guide,

And hold me to your side,

And I will love you to the end.

Nothing will I fear

As long as you are near;

Please be near me to the end.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet

And a light unto my path.

And a light unto my path.

You're the light unto my path.

Can you honestly proclaim the words in the chorus? Is God's Word a lamp in your life?

Are You Seeking Holiness?

Mediation on 1 Peter 1:14-16

With all the temptations out there in the world, it is at times difficult to strive for holiness. But Christians are to strive for holiness in all things. In fact, we are called to a life of holiness. We are to be holy in our thought life. We are to be holy in our speech. We are to be holy in our business practices.

Read 1 Peter 1:14-16: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance but as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy" (HCSB).

Are you seeking after holiness? Are you holy in all your conduct? What about your thought life? What about your speech?

Listen to the words of the Puritan Richard Baxter, “Remember your ultimate purpose, and when you set yourself to your day’s work or approach any activity in the world, let HOLINESS TO THE LORD be written upon your hearts in all that you do.”

Are you willing to write Baxter's words on your heart each and every morning?

“The pursuit of holiness is a joint venture between God and the Christian. No one can attain any degree of holiness without God working in his life, but just as surely no one will attain it without effort on his own part.”—Jerry Bridges

Are you pursuing after holiness in your life? Have you sought God's help in the matter?

Note the words of Jonathan Edwards, “A true love of God must begin with a delight in his holiness, and not with a delight in any other attribute; for no other attribute is truly lovely without this."

Do you delight in God's holiness? Are able to worship and give praise to God for his holiness? For "the foundation of true holiness and true Christian worship is the doctrine of the gospel, what we are to believe. So when Christian doctrine is neglected, forsaken, or corrupted, true holiness and worship will be also neglected, forsaken, and corrupted," writes John Owen. Do not neglected the holiness of God. Do not forsake it.

Have you cried out the words of the Prophet Isaiah lately? Have you? "Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips, [and] because my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts" (Isaiah 6:5, HCSB).

Have you come to grasps with your sinfulness? Note the words of the theologian J. C. Ryle, “I am convinced that the first step toward attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.” Furthermore, “true holiness does not consist merely of believing and feeling, but of doing and bearing, and a practical exhibition of active and passive grace. Our tongues, our tempers, our natural passions and inclinations – our conduct as parents and children, masters and servants, husbands and wives, rulers and subjects – our dress, our employment of time, our behavior in business, our demeanor in sickness and health, in riches and poverty – all, all these are matters which are fully treated by inspired writers.”

Are you willing to seek to be holy as God demands? Do you long after holiness?

"Holiness"

Holiness, holiness is what I long for

Holiness is what I need

Holiness, holiness is what You want from me

Holiness, holiness is what I long for

Holiness is what I need

Holiness, holiness is what You want from me

So, take my heart and form it

Take my mind and transform it

Take my will and conform it

To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for

Faithfulness is what I need

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what You want from me

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what I long for

Faithfulness is what I need

Faithfulness, faithfulness is what You want from me

So, take my heart and form it

Take my mind and transform it

Take my will and conform it

To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for

Brokenness is what I need

Brokenness, brokenness is what You want from me

Brokenness, brokenness is what I long for

Brokenness is what I need

Brokenness, brokenness is what You want from me

So, take my heart and form it

Take my mind and transform it

Take my will and conform it

To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

--Sonicflood

Prayer Changes Me

The following poem was emailed to me today by a friend. I thought that I would share the poem with you.

Prayer Changes Me

I come into God's awesome presence.
I offer God praise and thanksgiving.
I become humble, forgiving and grateful.

I reflect on God's will for me.
I seek only God's glory in my life.
I strive to be God's faithful servant.

Prayer sustains and strenghens me.
Prayer joins me with others in action
Prayer changes me.

Prayer changes my attitude
Not my circumstances.
I move from control to trust.

I stop trying to manipulate God.
I listen quietly for God's word.
I learn to live with the mystery.

Prayer moves my self centeredness
To God centeredness and My self pity to indifference.

In prayer, I cling only to God
Not people, places or things.
In prayer, I find peace and joy.

--Author Unknown

Reformation Day

October 31, 1517, the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the church door at Wittenberg. When Luther nailed up his Theses, he did not know that his actions were going to have the drastic impact that it did.

Luther's intent was for the Catholic Church to reform some of her improper practices. Luther did not know that God was going to use him and his 95 Theses to bring about a spiritual reformation. Likewise, Luther did not know that his simple act would ultimately be considered the starting point of the Protestant Reformation.

What Luther started on October 31, 1517, is not complete. The church today needs a modern-day spiritual reformation. Remember the following Latin phrase because it is needed in our present day: Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda. The phrase translates into "the church reformed, always in need of being reformed."

Soli Deo Gloria.

Called Home: Tribute to Former College Professor

Last week I learned that one of my former college professors went to be with the Lord. Nancy Wall, associate professor of modern language (French and German) at the University of Mobile, died on Saturday, Oct. 14 after a brief illness.

“Succeeding generations of students moving through the halls of, first, Mobile College, and then the University of Mobile, have since 1969 been under the teaching of Nancy Wall,” said UM President Dr. Mark Foley. “She was teaching until only a few days before her death, and even in the hospital as her illness became more pronounced, she was concerned about arranging her classes. The kind of dedication and influence which Nancy demonstrated to her students and colleagues is a very precious thing, and she will be greatly missed.”

Frau Wall (to those who took her for German) had been teaching full time at the University of Mobile, formerly Mobile College, for nearly 37 years, and continued teaching until Thursday, Oct. 5. While at UM, she was instrumental in the formation of the Modern Language Club, now the International Club, and in increasing student enrollment in foreign language classes. She made frequent trips to Germany and France, and helped plan several international trips with the UM choir.

She will be greatly missed my those she taught through the years! It was Frau Wall renewed my love for the German language while at the University of Mobile. As a young child, I learned German since I lived on a military base in Germany due to the fact that my dad was in the military. I loved the both the country and the language but had forgotten much of what I loved about the language until Frau Wall rekindle the fire.

Frau Wall, auf wiedersehen!

Bible Reading Plan

There are three of my favorite things in this picture. There is the Bible, a hot cup of coffee, and a great pen. When Dr. Don Whitney (http://www.spiritualdisciplines.org/) speaks in churches on the Christian Disciplines he emphasizes Biblical intake. When I was in seminary and sat in his classes he emphasized to us "professional" ministers the absolute necessity of spending time taking in the Word of God. He told us that we should read the Bible through every year.

I don't know about you but every time I have tried to read straight through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, I get bogged down somewhere in the begat section of Numbers. Recognizing this, Dr. Whitney advocates a Bible reading plan from five sections of Scripture. Let me outline the sections.

1. The Law and Writings- Genesis through Esther.

2. The Wisdom Books- Job through Song of Solomon (Canticles for you Puritans).

3. The Prophets- Isaiah through Malachi.

4. The Books of the New Testament- Matthew through Acts.

5. The Letters of the New Testament- Romans through Revelation.

By reading just two chapters each day from each section you can read the Bible through faster and more efficiently than you think. For instance, a good reader can read these ten chapters in twenty to thirty minutes. Let me show you how fast you will read through each section.

The first section will take the longest. Genesis through Esther contains 436 chapters. Two per day will have you reading through that section 1.67 times in one year. Section two moves faster and you will read through the Wisdom Books 3 times in a year. The Prophets will be read almost 3 times in a year.

The New Testament will go even faster. The Books of the New Testament will be read 6 times in a year and the Letters will be read 5 times. Isn't that amazing? Think about what you will do in three years. Look:

In three years you would have read through the first section over 4.5 times. Section two would be read 9 times. Section three also 9 times. And you would have read through the entire New Testament 15 times in three years! Do you see how easy this is? We all can make time to fit in thirty minutes of Bible reading time in our day. You could do ten minutes in the morning, ten minutes at lunch, and ten minutes at night.

Happy Reading and may God bless you through His wonderful Word!

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Mediation on Romans 7:13-25

The Conflict of Two Natures

Do you recall the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? If not, let me recap the story for you. Story tells of a respectable doctor who transforms himself into a savage murderer. Dr. Jekyll seeks to separate his good side from his darker impulses so that he discovers a way to transform himself periodically into a deformed monster free of conscience--Mr. Hyde. Jekyll later reveals that his metamorphosis into Mr. Hyde was beginning to happen without taking the potion. With the notion of a single body containing both the erudite Dr. Jekyll and the depraved Mr. Hyde, the story portrays the struggle between good and evil.

Christians have the same struggle: the desire to do what is right and to do what is wrong. The apostle Paul, himself, had this very struggle and writes about it in Romans.

Read Romans 7:13-25:

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin (ESV).

Despite the fact Christians are redeemed and forgiven, believers struggle with temptation and with sin. The battle over the struggle of sin is going to continue until the Lord completes the our sanctification. Charles Spurgeon put it this way, "sin is sovereign till sovereign grace dethrones it."

We are responsible for our actions. We are not to claim: "the devil made me do it," or "I did not do it." Christians should not ever use the power of sin or Satan as excuses for their given into sin and temptation because they are defeated foes. We must rely of Christ's strength and power, sin is stronger than we are, and we are incapable of defending ourselves against its attacks.

"Our attitude towards sin is more self-centered than God-centered. We are more concerned about our own 'victory' over sin than we are about the fact that our sin grieve the heart of God."--Jerry Bridges

Whose strength are you going to rely on? Are you going to rely on your own strength? Or are you going to rely on Christ's strength?

How are you going to view sin, itself? Is your attitude toward sin going to be self-centered? Or is it going to be God-centered?

Justification by Faith: Worthy is the Lamb!

Mediation on Romans 3:21-26

"But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." --Romans 3:21-26, NASB95

This particular passage of Scripture had a profound impact on Martin Luther. In fact, it was this text that God used to draw Luther until himself. At the heart of Romans 3:21-26 is the notion of propitiation, the penal substitutionary atonement of Christ. James Montgomery Boice states it well "the cross means this: Jesus taking our place to satisfy the demands of God's justice and turning aside God's wrath."

Ponder the words of John Owen.

The Father imposed His wrath due unto, and the Son underwent punishment for, either: (1) All the sins of all men; (2) All the sins of some men; or (3) Some of the sins of all men. In which case it may be said: (a) That if the last be true, all men have some sins to answer for, and so, none are saved. (b) That if the second be true, then Christ, in their stead suffered for all the sins of all the elect in the whole world, and this is the truth. (c) But if the first be the case, why are not all men free from the punishment due unto their sins?

You answer, 'Because of unbelief.' I ask, Is this unbelief a sin, or is it not? If it be, then Christ suffered the punishment due unto it, or He did not. If He did, why must that hinder them more than their other sins for which He died? If He did not, He did not die for all their sins!

Consider the words of J. I. Packer: "Calvary not merely made possible the salvation of those for whom Christ died; it ensured that they would be brought to faith and their salvation made actual."

"Worthy is the Lamb"

Thank you for the cross, Lord
Thank you for the price You paid
Bearing all my sin and shame
In love You came
And gave amazing grace

Thank you for this love, Lord
Thank you for the nail pierced hands
Washed me in Your cleansing flow
Now all I know
Your forgiveness and embrace

Worthy is the Lamb
Seated on the throne
Crown You now with many crown
You reign victorious

High and lifted up
Jesus Son of God
The Darling of Heaven crucified
Worthy is the Lamb
Worthy is the Lamb

Is There More to Life?

Yesterday I was asked a question by someone who honestly wants to know the answer to his question. Yet, any answer that is given as an attempt to his question is ignored. This individual ignores the answers given simply because he desires to find the answers for himself. Yet, he is yearning for answers that make sense.

The question that was posed yesterday was: Is there more to life? The philosophical outlook of this individual is that of Solomon--eat, drink, and be merry. Yet, he realizes that this philosophy is not filling the great void in his life. But he is not to the point to acknowledge that "man cannot find the ultimate explanation of his own being anywhere but in God himself" (Edward Sillem).

But he is starting to come to grasps with the fact that "there is within every soul a thirst for happiness and meaning." This quote comes from the insight of Thomas Aquinas. But he has yet found the source for satisfying his soul's thirst for true happiness and meaning in life. He still feels that the words of Voltaire are true: "Life is a bad joke."

More to come on this individual's journey . . .

Where Are You?--On the Mountaintop or In the Valley

I must admit that I would rather be in the mountains than almost any where else in the world. It does not make a difference whether I am in the United States or Switzerland. Ever since I was a young child I have loved being around mountains. Perhaps, the reason for this is that some of my earliest memories are with my family and I traveling throughout Europe on vacations since we lived in Germany for awhile.

But as I grow in my relation with Christ, there is one thing that I have learned. I do not grow spiritual while staying on the mountaintop too long. Yes, it is nice to experience that "mountaintop experience." I think all of us at some point or other have experienced that spiritual bliss that I am calling a mountaintop experience. As I am typing this blog, several of those mountaintop experiences are coming to my mind.

But it is while I am walking in the valleys of life that I grow the most personally and spiritually. It is while I am struggling with issues that force me to rely on God and his strength that I grow the most. Recall the Psalmist's words: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4, NASB95, emphasis added).

Where are you? Are you on the mountaintop? Or are you walking in the valley? What is crucial is that you are growing spiritually. It is important that you are spending time with God daily. Are you in fellowship with him? Are you fellowshipping with other believers?

Draw Near to God

Mediation on James 4:7-10

"Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you." --James 4:7-10, NASB95, emphasis added

Are you submitting your life to God? Are you submitting every aspect of your life? It is not enough to submit a part here and a part there. We are called to submit our entire being under the lordship of Christ.

Are you resisting the devil? Are you resisting temptation? How are you fighting the urge to give into the temptation to sin? Are you following Christ's method for resisting the devil and temptation? Read Matthew 4:1-11. Notice that Christ quote Scripture. Are you memorizing Scripture so that you can use it against Satan?

Are you drawing nearer to God so that he can get closer to you? Are you spending time with him daily? Are you mediating upon his Word? Are you fellowshiping with other believers? Are you seeking God's face? Are seeking first his Kingdom and his righteousness?

Are you cleansing your hands? Are you seeking forgiveness for your sins and transgressions? Are you seeking a pure heart? Do you desire a pure heart? Do you long for a pure heart?

How is your thought life? Is your mind double-minded? Or are you developing the mind of Christ? Are you growing in holiness? Do you seek to be holy? Have you cried out --"Woe is me, for I am ruined!"-- like the proophet Isaiah?

Are you humbling yourself before the Lord? Are you humbling yourself before others?

"If we seek God for our own good and profit, we are not seeking God."--Johannes Eckhart

Are you seek God for the right reasons? Are you seek God with the right motives? Are you seeking after God with selfish desires? Take a moment and seriously ponder upon this question.

Know this: "There's a God we want and there's a God who is and they are not the same God. The turning point comes when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is."--Patrick Morley

Which God are you seeking after? Are you seek the God you want and desire--the God that you have created? Or are you seeking after the God who is--the sovereign King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

Are You Thirsting?

Mediation on Psalm 63

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;

My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,

In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips will praise You.

So I will bless You as long as I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,

And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches,

For You have been my help,

And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.

My soul clings to You;

Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my life to destroy it,

Will go into the depths of the earth.

They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;

They will be a prey for foxes.

But the king will rejoice in God;

Everyone who swears by Him will glory,

For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

--Psalm 63:1-11, NASB95

Is your soul thirsting after God? Is your flesh yearning for God? With the business of our lives it is easy to ignore our need to spend time daily with the Lord. But it is crucial that we devote time each day to be in communication with the Lord.

"I was dying of thirst. When my spiritual eyes were opened I saw the rivers of living water flowing from his pierced side. I drank of it and was satisfied. Thirst was no more. Ever since I have always drunk of that water of life, and have never been athirst in the sandy desert of this world."--Sadhu Sundar Singh

Are you going to seek after the Living Water? Are you going to seek to spend time with the Lord?

Resource for Theological Sound Music

I am grateful to Jacob Hantla (http://www.hantla.com/blog/) for informing me about a great resource for theologically deep, God-exalting songs that are written and published by Sovereign Grace Ministries. Please check out the various resources available at Sovereign Grace Ministries. You can find Sovereign Grace Ministries at www.sovereigngraceministries.org.

A Mind For God

Over the last fifty years many evangelical Christians have addressed concerns about the lost of the Christian mind. Those concerns need to be heard in 2006 as well. This past week I had the joy of reading James Emery White's lastest book A Mind for God.

In the present day there are so many things that distract our attention away from the things that are crucial and important. "Never before have the 'habits of the mind' mattered more." We are faced with the great challenge to develop our minds rather than simply allowing ourselves to be entertained.

Humans were created in the image of God. And part of being created in the image of God is the fact that we have the capability to think and reason. Thus, to be fully human is to think. James Emery White fears that Christians are failing in their responsibility to take every thought captive for Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). I fear that White among others are correct that Christians are failing in their responsibility to take every thought captive for Christ.

"And even if we do not lose our own minds, we will certainly lose the minds of others. This is the double-edged threat of our day," White writes. "Apart from a Christian mind we will either be taken captive by the myriad of worldviews contending for our attention, or we will fail to make the Christian voice heard and considered above the din. Either way, we either begin to think or lose the fight" (16).

Within its pages, White challenges Christian to become active in pursuing the development of the Christian mind, thus developing a mind for God. White closes his work by providing three reading lists to aid the believer in the development of the Christian mind and list of resources available for additional learning.

I would like to join White in challenging believers to begin to develop their minds for battle.

For more information about James Emery White, please check out his website at: www.serioustimes.com

Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs

Paul tells Christians to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).

Throughout the centuries many Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs have been written. Many are unfamiliar to us for various reasons. Over the past ten years or so, I have been introduced to some of the unfamiliar psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. While being involved with mission work in Central America and in Southeast Asia, I was introduced to psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of other cultures.

In the Fall of 1998, I was introduced to a hymn written by Basil Manly Jr., at a Founders Conference that has had a profound impact on my life. The hymn reminds me that I do not deserve God's grace, as a sinner the only thing that I deserve is his deepest wrath. Yet by God's grace and his grace alone, God allowed his Son, Jesus Christ, to take my place upon the cross. It is only through Christ's penal substitutionary death that I might have life.

Basil Manly Jr.'s hymn is:

"Lord, I Deserve Thy Deepest Wrath"
~ God, be merciful to me, a sinner.--Luke 18:13 ~

Lord, I deserve Thy deepest wrath,
Ungrateful, faithless I have been;
No terrors have my soul deterred,
Nor goodness wooed me from my sin.
No terrors have my soul deterred,
Nor goodness wooed me from my sin.

My heart is vile, my mind depraved,
My flesh rebels against Thy will;
I am polluted in Thy sight.
Yet, Lord, have mercy on me still!
I am polluted in Thy sight.
Yet, Lord have merch on me still!

Without defense to Thee I look,
To Thee, the only Savior, fly:
Without a hope, without a friend,
In deep destress to Thee I cry.
Without a hope, without a friend,
In deep destress, to Thee I cry.

Speak peace to me, my sins forgive,
Dwell Thou within my heart, O God,
The guilt and pow'r of sin remove,
And fit me for Thy blest abode.
The guilt and pow'r of sin remove,
And fit me for Thy blest abode.

Theology in Music

Where has theology gone? The great hymns of yester years where filled with great theology. But the Christian music that is being published and sung today lacks the theological depths of the songs of yester years. Yes, there are songs being published and sung today that contain theological themes in their lyrics. But there are more songs that seem to be lacking the theological substance that is needed to affirm believers in the faith.

Songs are a great method for teaching theology, especially to children. I have several close friends who home school their children. One couple was teaching one of the great hymns of the faith to their children. In the older version of the hymn contains the phrase "wretched worm." The couple's oldest child boldly stated, "I am not a worm!"

Can you imagine the parents response to their child's claim? They couple was presented with a great opportunity to teaching the theology behind the song. The Psalmist in Psalm 22:6 writes, "But I am a worm and not a man, a reproach of men and despised by the people" (NASB, 1995 update). In Isaiah 41:14 Jacob is even called a worm. If these two men are considered worms, what must we consider ourselves to be? Are you feeling a little wormy?

There is a place for the modern-day praise and worship music in our church services, as long as the music is theologically sound. But we must not forget the great hymns of the faith either for their lyrics contain great words of truth that need to be sung today.

One of my favorite praise chorus that we often sing at church is:

"Amazing Love--You are My King"

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken

I'm accepted, You were condemned

I'm alive and well

Your spirit is within me

Because you died and rose again

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken

I'm accepted, you were condemned

I'm alive and well

Your spirit is within me

Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?

That you, my king. would die for me

Amazing love, I know its true

Its my joy to honor you

Amazing love, how can it be?

That my king would die for me

Amazing love, I know its true

Its my joy to honor you

In all I do I honor you

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken

I'm accepted, you were condemned

I'm alive and well your spirit is within me

Because you died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be?

That you, my king would die for me

Amazing love, I know its true

Its my joy to honor you

Amazing love, how can it be?

That you, my king, would die for me

Amazing love, I know its true

Its my joy to honor you

In all I do I honor you

You are my king, You are my king

Jesus, You are my king

Jesus, You are my king

Amazing love, how can it be?

That you, my king, would die for me

Amazing love, I know its true

Its my joy to honor you

Amazing love, how can it be?

That you, my king would die for me

Amazing love, I know its true

Its my joy to honor you

In all I do I honor you

In all I do I honor you

The praise chorus is quite simple, yet rather profound theologically when one ponders upon the words looking at the theology behind the chorus. This particular praise chorus reminds me of the hymn written by Charles Wesley,

"And Can It Be?"

And can it be that I should gain

An int’rest in the Savior’s blood?

Died He for me, who caused His pain?

For me, who Him to death pursued?

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God shouldst die for me?

He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace!

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race!

’Tis mercy all, immense and free,

For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay

Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.

Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray:

I woke—the dungeon flamed with light!

My chains fell off, my heart was free,

I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread:

Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!

Alive in Him, my living Head,

And clothed in righteousness divine,

Bold I approach th’eternal throne,

And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Chorus:

Amazing love! how can it be

That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me!

It is important that we as believers remember the great hymns of the faith. But it is more crucial that we as believers evaluate the music that we listen to to make sure that it is theologically sound and biblical.

The Five Fundamental Doctrines of the Reformation

The Theological Doctrines that Shook the World

Much thanks needs to be given to God for raising up godly men in crucial times throughout history that were willing to faithfully follow his calling on their lives. One such man was Martin Luther who is credited as being the Father of the Reformation. But Luther was not the only godly man that God raised up during this period.

The forerunner of the Reformation, Erasmus of Rotterdam, laid the ground work for the Reformers to do the task God divinely called them. The most noted Reformers of the Reformation are Martin Luther, John Calvin, Phillip Melanchthon, and Huldrych Zwingli.

Out of the biblical, theological thinking of these men of God, a renewed interest in theology arose. There are five fundamental doctrines of the Reformation that shook the world. These five doctrines are still crucial to Christianity in our present age. Furthermore, these doctrines must not be forgotten.

The first doctrine is Sola Scriptura--Scripture Alone. This fundamental doctrine affirms that the Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of the Christian faith and practice. Thus, Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and doctrines of the church must be measured.

Listen to the profound words of Martin Luther:

"Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."

Sola Gratia, salvation by grace alone, is the second fundamental doctrine of the Reformation. Sola Gratia affirms the biblical doctrine that salvation is by God's grace alone, and that we are rescued from his wrath by his grace alone. God's grace in Christ is not merely necessary but is the sole efficient cause of salvation.

The third great doctrine of the Reformation is Sola Fide--salvation by faith alone. Sola Fide affirms that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. It is by faith in Christ that his righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.

Solus Christus, in Christ alone, is the fourth of the fundamental doctrines of the Reformation. Solus Christus affirms that salvation is found in Christ alone and that his sinless life and penal substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father. It is only through Christ's death served as the propitiation that satisfied God's holy wrath towards us. The gospel has not been preached if Christ's substitutionary work is not declared.

The fifth doctrine of the Reformation that shook the world is Soli Deo Gloria--To God be the Glory Alone. This Reformational doctrine affirms that salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God for his glory alone. Furthermore, Soli Deo Gloria affirms that as Christians we must glorify God always and must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone.

The times in which we live are similar to those of the Reformers. If we desire to have a spiritual reformation in our day, we must realize that God and God alone will be the one who brings forth a reformation. The question remains is this, are you willing to be God's vessel if he desires to use you to help bring about spiritual reformation in our day?

Soli Deo Gloria.

The Power of a Simple Sneeze

God never ceases to amaze me. At times it is strange how God gets my attention, while at other times it seems obvious what God is doing.

I can only imagine what is being thought by those who read the title to this blog entry. I must admit the title is a bit puzzling. I will never again think the same way about a sneeze again. Roughly a month ago, my views on the simple sneeze changed forever. With suffering from allegeries for most of my life, I am accustom to sneezing on a regular basis, and frankly I have never given much thought about it before until several weeks ago.

Walking along at my normal pace, I simply sneezed...But this sneeze caused me to stop and think. There was something different about this sneeze. I hoped that the sensation of pain that I was feeling was just a pulled muscle or a strain on a muscle. This past week I learned that the sensation of pain that I have been feeling since that sneeze is going to require the medical attention of a surgeon. Thus, this is the story behind the title of this blog entry.

With being constantly busy and on the go, there are times that God gets my attention in strange and mysterious ways so that he can remind me to be still and know that he is God.

Take sometime out of your busy schedule and be still and reflect of who God is and what he is doing in your life!

Love the Lord with Your Entire Being: Part VI

Meditation Mark 12:28-34

In this posting I am going to list several books that deal with notion of the Christian mind, its importance, and its development. The material found within each book is diffinently thought provoking, so more than others. As with the majority of books that I read, I do not necessarily agree 100 percent with all the content found in the books. Each book listed below is, however, worth the read and does contain insightful information.

Blamires, Harry. The Christian Mind: How Should a Christian Think?

Blamires, Harry. Recovering the Christian Mind: Meeting the Challenge of Secularism.

Blamires, Harry. The Post-Christian Mind.

Boice, James Montgomery. Renewing Your Mind in a Mindless World: Learning to Think and Act Biblically.

Bloom, Allan. The Closing of the American Mind.

Gill, David. W. The Opening of the Christian Mind: Taking Every Thought Captive to Christ.

Holmes, Arthur. The Making of a Christian Mind: A Christian World View & the Academic Enterprise.

Hughes, Richard T. The Vocation of a Christian Scholar: How Christian Faith Can Sustain the Life of the Mind.

Hunt, T. W. The Mind of Christ: The Transforming Power of Thinking His Thoughts.

Kinlaw, Dennis F. The Mind of Christ.

LaHaye, Tim and David Noebel. Mind Seige: The Battle for the Truth in the New Millennium.

Moreland, J. P. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life on the Soul.

Noll, Mark A. The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind.

Sire, James W. Discipleship of the Mind: Learning to Love God in the Ways We Think.

Sire, James W. Habits of the Mind: Intellectual Life as a Christian Calling.

Stott, John R. W. Your Mind Matters.

Veith, Gene Edward, Jr. Loving God with All Your Mind: Thinking as a Christian in the Postmodern World.

White, James Emery. A Mind for God.

Williams, Clifford. The Life of the Mind: A Christian Perspective.

I hope that the books that I have listed are found helpful.

Love the Lord with Your Entire Being: Part V

Meditation on Mark 12:28-34

On account of its inner orientation the fallen mind is in conflict with the mind of God and the mind of Christ. It is nevertheless capable of knowing God, being changed, and renewed by him.

The human mind is the seat of reason and decision making (see Job 12:1-3; 1 Chronciles 17:2; 2 Chronciles 7:11; Nehemiah 5:7; Psalm 19:14; 49:3; Proverbs 15:28; 19:21; Ecclesiastes 2:3; 8:16; Daniel 4:16; 5:12; 7:1; Romans 10:10; 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15; 1 Peter 1:13; Revelation 17:9).

The fallen human mind is fatally flawed by sin (see Jeremiah 17:9; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; 2 Chronciles 12:14; Psalm 5:9; 64:6; 73:7; Isaiah 32:6; Jeremiah 17:1; Romans 8:5-8; Ephesians 4:17-18).

The fallen mind tends to confuse the Creator with his creation (see Isaiah 44:16-18; Romans 1:21-25).

There are consequences of the human mind's sinfulness. (1) Sinful attitudes lead to sinful words and actions (see Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21-22; Romans 1:28-32; Ephesians 4:17-19; Colossians 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:8). (2) Sinfulness leads to death (see Romans 2:5; 6:23; Colossians 1:21). (3) Sinfulness leads to both doubt and instability (see James 1:6-8).

There is, however, great news! God can change the attitudes of the sinful human mind.

The fallen human mind can be convicted of sin (see Psalm 5:13; 1 Kings 2:44; John 16:8-11).

The fallen human mind can be changed (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Chronciles 32:26; Job 42:6; Psalm 119:36; Acts 2:37; 26:17-18).

The fallen human mind is only enlightened by God (see 2 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 29:4; God may withhold understanding; 1 Samuel 10:9; Job 38:36; Isaiah 32:4; Jeremiah 24:7; 31:33; 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; 36:26-27; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 3:14).

It is God who renews the human mind (see Psalm 51:10 and Titus 3:3-7).

Christians have had their minds enlightened, but Christians cannot stop with that. Christians are called to continually renew their minds and to have the same mind as Christ.

The renewal of the mind brings knowledge of God (see Colossians 1:9-10).

Renewal of the mind brings peace (see Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3).

Renewal of the mind leads to obedience (see Romans 8:5; 7:25; 12:1-2; Colossians 1:10; 3:1-2; 1 Peter 1:13; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33).

The believer's mind needs growth and renewal (see 2 Corinthians 11:3; Romans 7:22-23; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9).

Through the renewal of the believer's mind, the Christian's mind should become more and more like Christ's mind.

Christians should have the same mind as Christ in their attitude (see 1 Peter 4:1; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Isaiah 40:12; Philippians 2:5; 3:8; Colossians 2:2-3).

Christians should have the same mind as Christ in their knowledge of Scripture (see Matthew 7:28-29; 22:29; Luke 2:47; 24:27; John 5:39).

Christians should have the same mind as Christ in their awareness of God (see John 8:16, 28, 55; 14:10-11; 17:1, 6).

Furthermore, Christians show the same love that Christ's mind exercised (see Luke 11:42; John 14:23; 1 Corinthians 13:2).

The next posting in this series I will provide a list of books that focus on the Christian mind and its development.

Love the Lord with Your Entire Being: Part IV

Meditation on Mark 12:28-34

The center of Christ's thought, underdstanding, and motivation, is characterized by a total dedication to God. Christians are called upon to have the same mind as Christ.

Since Christians are to have the mind of Christ, it is important that believers know what the mind of Christ looks like.

Christ's mind was pure (see Hebrews 7:26). One can see the purity of Christ's mind being declared by his words and actions, and by his oneness with God, the Father.

Christ used his mind to (1) overcome temptation (Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 27:42; Mark 15:32; Luke 23:37) and (2) overcome opposition (Matthew 22:18-22; Mark 12:15-17; Luke 20:22-26).

The mind of Christ is more than mere intellect. Christ's thinking is supported by prayer (Luke 5:16; 6:12-13; 22:41-43; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35-36). Christ's thinking is tempered by understanding (Isaiah 11:2; Matthew 9:35-36; Luke 4:22; John 2:24-25). Christ's mind experiences anguish (John 12:27; Matthew 26:38; 27:46; Mark 14:34; Psalm 22:1; Luke 12:49-50; 22:44; John 13:21).

Christ's mind is extraordinary. Christ has unusual insight (Mark 2:8; Matthew 9:4; Luke 5:22; Matthew 12:25; Luke 11:17; 6:8; 9:47; John 1:47-48; 4:17-18; 11:4). Christ understands the future (Mark 8:31; Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22; Matthew 26:21; Mark 14:18; Luke 22:34, 37; Isaiah 53:12; John 3:14; 4:49-50; 13:33; 18:4).

Christ's mind did not know all things (Matthew 8:10; Luke 7:9; Mark 9:21; 13:32).

The mind of Christ discloses the mind of God (1) in relation to righteousness, holiness, and the law (John 14:9-11; Matthew 5:17; John 15:10; 1 Corinthians 1:30) and (2) in mercy (1 Timothy 1:15-16; Matthew 9:12-13; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31-32; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 23:23; Jude 21).

The mind of Christ is made known to believers by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:12-15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13).

Knowledge of the mind of Christ leads to holiness (1 Corinthians 2:14-16; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 4:1-2).

This is by far only a brief examination into the mind of Christ. But the purpose of this posting is introduce the topic so that others will be encouraged to dig deeper into Scripture and to grow spiritually.