It's Free.....Take It

I've been reminded a lot recently about the grace of God and His gift to us.  I've also been reminded about how it is a free gift if we simply choose to embrace it and follow Him completely.  These thoughts always come back to a couple verses that illustrate very clearly:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -

 and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -

not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-10

Remember men that this gift of salvation is free but so costly all the same.  Do not waste it.  Do not forget it.  Do not rationalize it.  Do not domesticate it.  Do not marginalize it.  Simply take it.

Take it men.

Pew

Christ the Lord

 "But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy

that will be for all people.

Today in the town of David a Savior

has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:10-11

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on

whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas men and may we each remember what exactly this season means.  It is not about the present under the tree but about the greatest miracle that has ever taken place.  God becoming man in order to save us and show us the way.  I pray that this will not just be another Christmas but a time where we can truly reflect on the best present of all, Jesus Christ. 

Pew

Proverbs 3:3-6

"Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:3-6

Right now I'm working on my last exam for 2010 - my take-home, administrative law exam.  I've been working on it all day, and it may have just been the fatigue but something great just happened.  I was looking through my outline to firm up my research for some points I'm going to discuss on the exam.  I was doubting myself and my ability to construct an effective outline for the test.  I thought, "Man, I'm just going to have to second-guess myself as I write this essay, because I don't think my outline will be all that helpful."

And then, it was!  In fact, every point I placed in my outline fits neatly into one of the discussion points on the test.  I realized it couldn't have been any effort of mine that made that happen.  Trust me, nobody could have anticipated the test that well.  I think that God wanted to remind me that He's in charge, and that, when the time's right, He will come through.

I know that's silly; everything in the Bible points in that direction.  But I think sometimes just being able to see it happen makes it all jump out of the page and reminds me that God is Real.

Acknowledge Him this week!  He will make your path straight for you.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.

I just read Bobby's comment from 'Jesus is Real,' below, and I encourage y'all to read it too.  I think I have a tendency to emphasize effort too much, but Bobby is faithful to remind me (and us) that listening to and abiding in Christ is what the Lord calls us to do, not over-emphasizing our role in that relationship.

Acknowledging Him may take the form of an attitude of prayerful worship.  That type of attitude helps you to recognize one of His good gifts when you see it, and helps to rest, grow, and abide in Him, which I think is the point of the passage above.

Powell

Jesus is Real

Good morning!

I want you to dwell on this truth today:  Jesus is real.

All of those stories you've heard in church are true, and He's sitting with you right now.

Don't take for granted your only chance to live how you were meant to live, how you were created to live.

Jesus is alive and real, and He is good.

Powell

"Give me Jesus"

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world,

Just give me Jesus.

When I am alone,

When I am alone, 

When I am alone,

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world,

Just give me Jesus.

When I come to die,

When I come to die,

When I come to die,

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world,

Just give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, 

Give me Jesus.

You can have all this world,

You can have all this world, 

You can have all this world, 

Just give me Jesus.

Ephesians 4-5

"But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.  For this reason it says,
   Awake, sleeper
   And arise from the dead,
   And Christ will shine on you." - Ephesians 5:13-14 [quoting Isaiah 60:1]

These two chapters of Ephesians shotgun a whole bunch of great principles for us to live by, such as the standard of conduct for marriage, the standards of how to walk - in unity, wisdom, light and love, how to live by the New Man and leave the old man behind, and so on.  It's all great as usual.

I wanted to pull out the passage above to focus on today, just because it reveals a little how God works.

MacArthur encapsulates one of Paul's goals in his heading, "Do Not Grieve the Spirit."  Our goals as Christian men align with the goals of the Spirit.  The Spirit speaks to us, and it is easier to hear when we are willing to obey (this is in John 17, I think).  Therefore, it behooves us not to grieve that Spirit if we want to be able to hear, set, and achieve our goals.  The Lord is the source of our life!  As Rob said, let's be humble to obey so that we may have, and show, life.

It is incumbent on us to conduct ourselves such as to pave the way for the Spirit to do its work in us as one body.

One of the ways we can accomplish that endeavor is to share our struggles, bring them into the light, and pray for and encourage each other.

For example, I thought the passage above fit nicely with Rob's observation of the AA group last week.  He said that in church, they were by far the most animated, engaged group, and he speculated that the reason for their enthusiasm was that they were so open with one another about their struggles and confronted them head-on, as a body.

We are being made one in Christ.  Eph. 4:4,5.  Our struggles are not just our own, but an impediment to our growth together.  Eph. 4:15,16.  Let us follow our Savior's example and make light that which is dark in our own lives, in our own life.

Powell

Philippians 1 and 2

So much good stuff in these two chapters.

"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God." - Philippians 1:11

Paul says that through our relationship with Christ, we are transformed. The righteousness we receive in relationship with him is not only seen by God, as He sees His son in us, but our righteousness is seen by others through our character.

Our character is the "fruit of your salvation." On Monday at Man Group, I mentioned holding Christians to a higher standard than the world; here is why. For if you are in Christ, you are given character that directly correlates in the salvation you are freely given. For if you are truly in Christ--in His word, seeking His heart--He will spill out of you through your actions and demeanor.

Literally, you should be able to see something different about someone who is in Christ.

Certainly this is a challenge for me. Though I am not a jerk to everyone all the time, I can see my selfish tendencies running rampant sometimes.

That is precisely the reason why I need Jesus so much. To save me from myself and refine me through His grace.

He is so good, and Oh how he loves us.

Remember, if you aren't feeling humble

"Jesus humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal's death on a cross." - Philippians 2:8

God himself, was humble.

Walker

All To Us

Precious Cornerstone

Sure foundation

You are faithful to the end

We are waiting on You, Jesus

We believe You're all to us.

Let the glory of Your name be the passion of the church

Let the righteousness of God be a Holy flame that burns

Let the saving love of Christ be the measure of our lives

We believe You're all to us.

Only Son of God sent from Heaven

Hope and mercy at the cross

You are everything

You're the promise

Jesus, You are all to us.

You're all to us

You're all to us

You're all to us

Yes, You are.

When this passing world is over

We will see You face to face

And forever we will worship

Jesus, You are all to us.

"All To Us" by Chris Tomlin

Hopeful words

When lies get a voice in your ear,
And whisper your deepest fear

Well you can either believe,
Or push past those empty things

Acknowledge the hard things as ships that are passing,
Don't let pain destroy your life

Pray that your misses find gentle forgiveness,
As deep as the hue of red wine,
Oh, there is love we can find
We will find

-Jon Black: There is a Love We Can Find

Ephesians 2

[All this stuff about how we used to live in the flesh]..."But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:4-7


"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." - Ephesians 2:13-16


This chapter is unbelievable.  It's worth months and years of study all on its own.  I encourage you to read and reread it and absorb it, because it is the foundation of so much of our beliefs.

Especially interesting in my opinion are the distinctions Paul draws between the blood and the body and the cross.  I would be interested in any theories on that front.

Here's a footnote from MacArthur that I thought was great.  I hope this counts as fair use, haha!
- "This (2:6) spiritual realm is where believers' blessings are (1:3), their inheritance is (1Pe. 1:4), their affections should be (Col 3:3), and where they enjoy fellowship with the Lord.  It is the realm from which all divine revelation has come and where all praise and petitions go."

I'm proud of you guys.

Powell

Ephesians 1

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which he lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which he purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on earth."  -Ephesians 1:7-10


"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe."  - Ephesians 18,19a


It feels good to be ruled by Christ, and to live from and in the Spirit.  Ephesians 1 is worth reading many, many times and I hope that y'all find time to pray through it this week.

Practically, I think if you had to sum up the message of the gospel for somebody, this might be the perfect chapter to do it with.  What do you think?

Powell

Galatians 5

"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." -5:1

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please." - 5:17

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - 5:22-23

This was a funny passage - Paul seems to want so badly to communicate his point that he kind of spits and sputters through his illustrations, only to leave us holding a bag full of fierce admonitions and general proclamations of truth.  I think the emotion and emphasis he displays indicate the importance of his point, though.

I think one key distinction Paul makes is between two possible ways to live life.  One is by the Spirit, and the other is by the flesh.  The flesh is the medium through which most people live their lives.  It entails submission to sin compounded with the guilt of the law.  It is focused, like Bobby was trying to tell us, on a surface-level management of sin.

The second way to live life is through the Spirit.  Paul gives us a good look at what this looks like.  He tells us what the fruits of the Spirit (their manifestations in our lives) are, specifically, and reminds us that "it is for freedom that Christ set us free."  This is perfect for the Man Group.  This chapter is a measuring stick by which we can see our progress in the transition from living in the flesh to living in the Spirit

This weekend, let's focus on praying for each other to live in the Spirit. 

Powell

Galatians 3 and 4

But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying "Abba, Father!" So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. - Galatians 4: 4-6

We are all in the family of God.

And it begins with Christ. When we receive Christ in our hearts, we are able to cry out to God and identify Him as our Heavenly Father, just as Christ did.

And if God is our Father, then we are His children, and He has beautifully adopted us.

He chose us; despite all of our faults, He chose us. Loved us enough to call us His own. To set us a part from others and to have His hand on us. All He wants is for us to have faith in Him and to love Him.

There wasn't a tryout- spelling contest, 50-yard dash, the last one left in "never have I ever."

We did nothing to deserve His adoption, and He has done everything. Sent His Son, in fact, to shrink the gap between God and man. To walk among us, under the law, amidst sin and temptation, persecution, and death.

He conquered it all, so that we may have life through Him.

Gentlemen, we serve an amazing God that loves us dearly, who constantly pursues us and calls us to be a part of His kingdom, for he is a wise and loving king.

"Safe? Oh, he's not safe, but he is good."

Live today as an adopted son of a righteous and loving God.

Walker

Galatians 1 and 2

"I did not receive it [the gospel] from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." - Galatians 1:12

"For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God.  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” - Galatians 2:19-21

These first two chapters of Galatians tells me something right from the start: the Galatians had some sort of issue with Paul.  Whether it be that they did not quite believe him or they just were not sure exactly what to believe.  Paul does acknowledge that before in his ministry and even in Galatia that there were those who were 'perverting' the Gospel.  Sounds like the Galatians had quite a few televangelists running around in their area.  I kid, but seriously, what might be some things that 'pervert' our view of the Gospel?

Let me move to the most uplifting verses in these two chapters.  Christ Jesus came to die for us and give us that righteousness and free gift of grace.  We talked alot at Man Group on Monday about righteousness, actually seems to be a true theme of our goal of studying the Word other than peace through Him, and I think this builds upon what we have talked about.  By having faith in Christ and accepting what He did for us in a loving way He then becomes our righteousness and in God's eyes we are as perfect as Christ.  The act of dying with Christ and 'rising' as a new being, a new humble person, who has been infused with Christ is an awesome moment.  I wish it was that easy to keep that up all the time.  If only our focuses or needs, as Powell brought up last week, did not distract us from righteousness and being as Christ would be as much as they do.  We talked Monday about what that enemy could be for each of us and what can be donw about them.  So I pray now that we may attack those enemies knowing again that Christ is now in us and through Him we can shine with His righteousness and beat the crap out of our worldy, disgusting and perverted personel gospel!

Men, I hope that today and everyday we can clothe ourselves in righteousness and that we would fully deserve to do it.  Live for Him today and do not forget what He did.

Pew

Proverbs 92

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And your faithfulness by night . . . For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands." - Psalm 92:1-2, 4


"A senseless man has no knowledge, Nor does a stupid man understand this:  That when the wicked sprouted up like grass and all who did iniquity flourished, it was only that they might be destroyed forevermore." - Psalms 92:6-7

Since it's coming up on Thanksgiving and we didn't set the reading for this week, I just picked a thankful Psalm.  David was a man after God's own heart and therefore is somebody worthy of emulation.  He exhibited a very thankful, worshipful tone throughout Psalms.  David always focused on what the Lord was doing or had done, and tried to see how it was good (because it's always good).

I think that's a quality that at least I could take to heart a little more (and I know a couple of you could take it to heart too. . . ahem Pew).  I tend to list toward despair because the world sometimes seems to be so much more rewarding than any reward the Lord could give me.

I realize that's a significant deficiency in faith, and I can't wait to outgrow it.

That's why I think David put verses six and seven in there, to give "stupid" men like me a lens through which to see that the world is just a tool for God to demonstrate His greatness.  In the end, that grass is gonna get cut and our faith will be rewarded.

In closing, how about this image for us to pattern ourselves after:

"The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.  They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."


Powell

Proverbs 29 and 2 Corinthians 13

"An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked." - Proverbs 29:27


"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!  Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace.  And the God of love and peace will be with you."


Approval is a hard issue for me.  I've been talking to Kari about how we've struggled with striving after our parents' approval.  It's been a lifelong battle.  I remember in Wild at Heart, John Eldredge talked about the false motivations that men struggle with.  His was performance, but he also pointed to approval and women as other examples of substitutes for Christ.

This verse doesn't seem applicable at first (our parents and jobs or women or whatever aren't necessarily 'the wicked'), but I think it still goes straight to our goals as Christians and as men.  Sometimes we have to make a choice between following after the Lord, seeking the restoration of our souls, and knee-jerking back to the bent of our flesh.  For example, since I'm approval-motivated, that proverb serves as a warning to me that I can't expect to be both righteous and approved-of by everybody.

It's essential for us to recognize the sacrifices we have to make on the way to our full restoration.

I'd like to talk about this a little more on Monday.  Try to make a little mental list of times when you have had to decide between being righteous and doing what everybody else would do so we can compare notes.  It's good to know our enemy.

Powell

Proverbs 28 and 2 Corinthians 12

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions- Prov. 28:1

I don't want what you have--I want you. After all, children don't provide for their parents. Rather parents provide for their children. I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me- 2 Corinthians 12:14-15

This is a great picture of Christ--only wanting your heart, rather than your belongings. Giving himself away "gladly," and unfortunately, loving us much, much more then we love him. Sometimes we get disillusioned to his deep love for us.

Remember men, that you are as bold as lions. You can stand boldly in front of the throne of the Lord. Your confidence in Christ is what sets you apart. There is something different about you--your relationship with God is fully realized. You know what you were destined for before you accepted Christ. Now, you are as bold as a lion.

Be bold today gentlemen. For a mighty and wonderful King has saved you. Reflect his love and his bold and beautiful heart.

Walker

Proverbs 27 and 2 Corinthians 11

^"As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart." - Prov 27:19

"It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." - 2 Cor 11:15

People in Corinth just never seem to fully get it.  Paul needed to go on and on about what he had been through just so that they would see that he was the one that should be listened to.  As in Prov. 27:19, Paul shows exactly what his heart is thinking.  He loves the people of Corinth and wants them to stop all the problems that we have read about all throughout 1 and 2 Corinthians and fully get behind Christ.  I wonder if they ever really did?

I do not think Paul was doing anything to move the spotlight over to him and away from Christ.  I believe he was just trying whatever it took to have people listen and hear that he was doing all this for the people of Corinth so that they might believe.  He wanted to show them that he was not 'masquerading' but that he was simply doing what was in his heart.  Boasting, because that seemed to be the only way Corinthians would listen, not boasting because he just wanted some attention.  Now that is merely my opinion, what say you?

Lord, help us to not be so hard-headed about believing and accepting everything you have and will do for us.  May we believe with open hearts of the love that you have always had for us and not be as blind as the Corinthians.  May we boast in the cross and the enjoy the fact that having faith in you will result in a new life and eternity partying with you and the angels.  Amen.

Pew

Pleasing to the Father

Figured I would pass along a post from earlier today that I put up on the blog we use for our Luke Study.

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as He was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased." - Luke 3:21-22

It is good to see Jesus stepping into the limelight and having God declare who Jesus was.  The final transition, as MacArthur said, to the fulfillment of the prophesy of the the 'Sinless One'.  The whole part of the Trinity together, at one moment in time, showing the glory of God and everything that He has set out to do for us.  And isn't a good thing that they showed up.

These lessons also reminded me of a Louie Giglio sermon I heard once about the type of god we see in God.  Of course, I do not remember the exact wording, but Louie mentioned about how awesome it was to have God step out and do something like this.  This is what everyone wants from their father.  They want their father to step up and say 'I am proud of you and I appreciate you and your decision.'  Not only did God do that for His son but He opened up heaven and made it so that everyone knew exactly what was happening.  Jesus Christ stepped into a muddy and disgusting river and humbled himself, again, and received the love from God and the blessing of what Christ's mission was to be for us.

Always good to have God's love for Christ reinforced in my mind because that does nothing but reinforce in my mind how much God loves me.  Feels good.

Pew

Proverbs 25 and 2 Corinthians 9

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no control over his spirit." - Proverbs 25:28


"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." - Proverbs 25:2


"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7


This is the first time I haven't been able to find any common ground in the two passages for the day, but I did find some important principles.

The first passage was convicting for me, because I feel like a city that has been broken into sometimes.  In v. 28 Solomon puts the responsibility for control over our spirits on our own shoulders.  Bobby's church has some insight into the nature of the body, soul and spirit, so I think it would be interesting to ask him about the nature of the spirit and post it on the trenches.  I have a feeling that sharpening the conscience is a tool by which we can keep control over our spirit.  A sharp conscience, in any case, is desirable.

Proverbs 25:2 is a classic one for man group.  Searching out matters of the Lord is the goal of our group and the goal of this blog.  Thank you Jesus, for an opportunity for glory.

9:7 is really about tithing, but I think you could stretch the principle into advocating generosity in general.  Generosity is a hallmark of following the Lord, because it demonstrates our lack of attachment to earthly things and our love for the object of our giving.  And it's the same kind of love that led our heavenly Father to give his son for us, the same generosity.  To the extent we can reflect those traits of the New Man, we do well.

Happy Manday!  Can't wait to see you guys tonight!

Powell

Proverbs 22 and 2 Corinthians 6

"Do you see a man skilled in his work?  He will stand before kings; He will not stand before obscure men." - Proverbs 22:29


"Behold, now is "the acceptable time," behold, now is "the day of salvation" - giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves a servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things." - 2 Corinthians 6: 2-10


Let's become skilled in our ministry, so that we'll have much to be proud of when we stand before the King.

Powell

2 Corinthians 4

"For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  

So death works in us, but life in you.

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:11-12, 16

The imagery of baptism is always profound to me.  The way we are submerged, symbolizing the death of the old man, and then raised to a new life in Christ is overwhelming.  There is much opportunity for exploration here.

One easy tributary is the "old man."  He is not going to make it.  I heard not too long ago that "life is a fatal disease."  Everybody dies eventually.  I find it interesting that our culture ignores this elephant in the room almost entirely.  Every commercial emphasizes the desirability of youth and stigmatizes the old, warns against disease and attempts to confine our view of the world to where we can spend our money.  Death is game over.  Luckily that is not true for us, just for that old man.

Instead of counting the years as only youth traded for money, we have an opportunity to watch as our life grows in the Lord.  Jesus gave us our new life, and it is bound inextricably to Him.  As He is the source of our life, we can cast off this flesh more and more, "day by day," as we renew our life in the inner man, Christ.  That way, instead of buying in (no pun intended) to culture's view of age and death as terrible things to be avoided, we can look forward to growing deeper into Christ, and living more and more each day.

Powell

Proverbs 19 and I Corinthians 3

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."   I Corinthians 3:17-18

"Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days."  - Proverbs 19:20

Do you ever feel as if you have a long way to go to become what you were meant to be?

I do.  Often.  Many days I wake up and feel like the hare after his nap - fuzzy, lazy and inadequate.  My heart's desire is to look at myself in the mirror and be uniformly proud of what I see.  But I know I can't accomplish that by myself. 

Thankfully, our God also desires for us to become what he intended us to be.  Like a loving father, His desire is not passive.  The Lord takes an active role in shaping us to his pleasure by disciplining us to bear his Son's image.

Solomon advises meting out and accepting discipline three different times in chapter 19.  There are many other proverbs in which he lays out the benefits of using the rod and refusing to spoil your children.  Discipline is consistent with love and good parenting.

I think that part of God's plan for us is to shape us into his image, a continuation of our creation.  Our toils and struggles arise as we disobey or show some character flaw that needs to be chiseled off.  We are being continually chiseled by our loving Father.

Paul gives us a glimpse of the goal of this lifelong process in v. 18, when he refers to our transformation into the image of Jesus. Thank God for our discipline.

Be transformed a little more today, men.  Be proud of your reflection, because you bear the holy image of your heavenly Father.

Powell

Proverbs 16 and 1 Corinthians 16

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

-Proverbs 16

I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

-1 Corinthians 16

We don't plan for moped wrecks. We don't plan for a lot of things that happen in our lives. The world would chalk this up to chance, but we should know better. In fact our lives, our words, even our schedules should actually say "if the Lord permits."

Maybe not those exact words.

Its amazing how hard God has been trying to hammer this concept into my brain and even deeper into my heart. As the leader of my family, I'm in charge of the planning. When things fall apart it falls on me. This can quickly invite a lot of worldly pressure into your life, and if you don't have a godly perspective on planning, you can quickly lose site of the gospel.

Seriously, the gospel?

Seriously, the gospel. Let's take Paul for example. Before his life was radically transformed by Jesus, Paul lived for his own glory. As a religious man, he persecuted Christians to prove his obedience to God and others, however, his self-righteousness was blinding him to God's true purpose for him. He made a plan to go to Damascus to continue this religious act; then God showed up. In fact He straight up knocked him on the ground with this concept. From that point on we see Paul's life radically changed by the gospel into a life lived for the gospel.

The point is; our lives have radically been changed as well. Our plans and schedules should scream "I love Jesus and want to do His will." And this takes seeking His will. So stop and look at your plans. Do they point towards your glory or God's? The truth is, if we surrender our lives wholly to Him, He will do great things for His glory and our good; whether we planned for it or not.

-Tyler

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Proverbs 15 and I Corinthians 15

"So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.  So also it is written, 'the first man, Adam, became a living soul.'  The last Adam became a life-giving spirit." I Cor 15:42-45

"For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality." - I Cor 15:53


"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure and turmoil with it.  Better is a dish of vegetables where love is, than a fattened ox served with hatred."  - Proverbs 15:16-17


Just as you have an earthly body, you also have a spiritual body.  Has that occurred to you lately?

C.S. Lewis talks about it often.  In Mere Christianity, I remember him talking about our spiritual bodies, and how in heaven we will be so glorious that we may be tempted to worship each other, like men did with angels in the Bible.  People pay much attention to their earthly bodies, because they are visible and they say much about us.  It's more difficult to pay attention to our spiritual bodies, to train them and shape them as we do our earthly bodies even though they say much more about us than our earthy bodies.  I think that's one reason why Paul's exhortation is so strong in this chapter, because he knows the stakes of trading a spiritual focus for an earthly one.

More than anything, I Corinthians 15 is about resurrection.  Apparently some members of the Corinthian church were preaching that there is no resurrection of the dead.  Paul didn't take kindly to that teaching because resurrection is central to Christianity:  "and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins" (17).

Of course Jesus' resurrection is the central event of the world's history, the greatest victory ever recorded and the source of our meaning and salvation.  When we think about resurrection, though, we usually think only of Jesus' resurrection and not of our own.  It is extremely important to our right perspective, though, to recognize that we will be resurrected and we will take on a spiritual body someday soon, after the pattern of Jesus, the last Adam.  That right perspective allows us to emphasize less the struggles of today, and have peace looking forward to the future.  "Putting on" the imperishable, recognizing our immortality, gives us the perspective we need to be what Pew wants, to be noticeably different from everybody else.

I encourage you to renew your mind and put on your immortality today.  Try to actively remember that you will live forever with Jesus, and see if it doesn't change how this Friday goes.


Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord!

Powell

Proverbs 14 and 1 Corinthians 14

The wicked really have it coming to them, don't they?

Whether it is evident in this life, or not; ultimately, the wicked will not find peace.

"The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die" -Prov. 14:32

Though it is not always evident, as luxuries, successful business, and a high-lifestyle may mask a person's destruction, considering that people are viewing the wicked through earthly eyes. They may find comfort in only the tangibles of life, rather than the goodness and righteousness of our God.

This is where fearing the Lord, being afraid of his discipline, like a good and loving Father, really comes in handy to check yourself on the world's expectations for you.

"Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death." Prov. 14:27.

And they are snares.

Subtle, imperceptible, hidden, snares. They snag you out of nowhere. You didn't even see it coming. May be it is a pride issue, or greed, but it always is a condition of the heart. Some place where you will let no one else in. Fearing the Lord is a life-giving fountain.

When others buck at the word "fear" because it connotes timidity, submission, and weakness, we as Christians know that fearing the Lord gives you strength, perseverance, and a level-headed outlook.

Pride will lead to destruction. It is the hubris of man that leaves him isolated, bitter, and starving for more.

The Lord is Good! Fear him today men!

-Walker

Proverbs 13 and I Corinthians 13

Proverbs is filled with so many wise does and dont's that sometimes it is difficult to really grasp every one of them.  There was not a specific one that jumped out at me today but the perspective that I got from chapter 13 was about that we should be humble.  Humility from accepting advice (v18) or not taking everything for yourself but leaving some for the love of your children (v22).  What a difficult concept to act upon at all hours of the day.  That kind of leads us straight into 1 Corinthians....

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - I Cor 13:4-7

How many times have we heard that?  Better yet, how many times have we heard this one?
"He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" - Luke 10:27

Love is the biggest part of being a Follower of Christ but it's not just any kind of love it's humble love.  Show others, showing the Lord and even showing yourself humbled love is the key to being closer to God.  Paul talked about how he could preach all these different things and even move mountains but if he was not doing it out of love then how meaningless it was!  Jesus Christ came to this earth, humbled himself into a filthy sty to poor parents and then gave up His life in one of the cruellest ways in history.  Now get this y'all, He did it for the glory of the Lord and because His love for you, with a type of love that we will never be able to replicate or even truly imagine.  Do everything out of love and have faith in Jesus and His love for you and you will be rewarded with the free gift of partying with Him in Heaven forever!

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - I Cor 13:13

Be humble stewards of love today men!
Pew

Proverbs 12 and I Corinthians 12

"But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it." I Cor. 12:24(b)-26


"[N]o one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit." - I Cor 12:3

"A man will not be established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous will not be moved." - Prov 12:3

This morning's reading in Corinthians dealt with spiritual gifts.  Remember last night we talked about how spiritual gifts are one of those possible substitutes for the Lord; if elevated from being a useful tool to something to be coveted, they can get in the way of the most important thing in life: our relationship with Jesus.  That was Paul's point in I Corinthians 12.  We are part of the body of Christ, and our gifts are for the benefit of the body.  It is unnatural for us to work against each other, for anything to come between the body and its head.

On the contrary, it is admirable and good for us to work together, to learn our function and value and rest in it.  Paul launches into a metaphorical description of the parts of the body, talking about how none is more important than the others, but they all serve valuable functions.  Again, obedience is consistent with rest.  I like the idea of understanding my function and being satisfied enough to rest in it.

I think one theme we've developed since we started reading together - and I'd appreciate a reaction to this - is that having understanding of our function in the body breeds confidence and rest, and also frees us up to encourage each other and get behind each other's endeavors, like Jonathan's armor-bearer.  It allows us to have rest because of our excellent foundation (Prov 10:25), precludes jealousy and malcontent among church members (I Cor 12), and allows us to deepen our roots in our relationship with the Lord (12:3 above).

I'm not sure that's a point that hasn't been made many times already, but I thought it was pertinent to today's reading and it was nice to put down a stone for something we've learned so far.

Oh, and I thought that verse in Corinthians was interesting, about calling on the Lord, because we talked about that last night too.

Run in such a way as to win that imperishable crown today!

Powell

Proverbs 8 and I Corinthians 8

"To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men.  O naive ones, understand prudence; And, O fools, understand wisdom.  Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things." - Proverbs 8:4-6

"Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.  If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know, but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him." -I Corinthians 8:1-3

Proverbs continues to speak of the virtues and the continuous call of wisdom.  Solomon strongly advocates seeking wisdom, on the one hand extolling its rewards and on the other issuing a strong warning against ignoring it.  Among the rewards are riches and life, power and righteousness, honor and truth and knowledge.  Despite that long list of virtues, nowhere does Solomon mention love and its relationship to wisdom.

In Corinthians 8, though, Paul tackles that relationship and foreshadows his monologue on love in chapter 13 as he explains one way to use knowledge in love.  I think Paul wants to show the church one important way to act like the church, encouraging and building each other up.  After all, we are the body, and we should function accordingly - in a healthy manner.  A church body that attacks each other's consciences is like somebody with an autoimmune disease.  You can quote me on that.

So this morning we were shown that knowledge is a powerful tool, but that it can be misused.  Since we know God, we know love.  Therefore our knowledge, just like all of our other gifts, can and should be leveraged for the encouragement of the church body.

Have a great weekend.  I look forward to seeing you guys Monday.  Including Bobby and Ryan.

Powell

Proverbs 7 and 1 Corinthians 7

So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims. Her house is the road to the grave. Her bedroom is the den of death.

What a dumb, dumb man. But isn't that all of us?


We get ensnared by all sorts of things that attract or attention, pull us with some cheap allure. And there is another person, a friend, that sees us wandering to our death. They see the trap, see our first steps, and know exactly what's going to happen. This is the "Path Principle," as Andy Stanley calls it.

The power of pornography resonates here. At first, you think there is no harm in it, then it becomes an absolute nightmare. Others can see where you are headed, but you are blinded. Soon, it becomes addicting. Healthy relationships can become strained. Your only deliverance is your dependence on God. That is the Good News.

Lust and infidelity are obviously at the forefront in this chapter, but the text can be taken to show any trivial, flesh-driven desire that takes us off the path we are on, and onto one that leads to destruction.

What is encouraging is that someone normally sees the path you are headed down. So, I invite you, friends, speak up! Rattle the cage. Let me know when I will perish from worldly allure.

It is the strong words from a friends, and the loving hand of God that can deliver you from darkness.

1 Corinthians 7 was a great tie in to focus on the duties of a husband and wife. To stay true to them. To please them. Lust for others will destroy you marriage and what you've created.

Walker

Proverbs 6 and 1 Corinthians 6

Is it just me or does it seem like adultery was running rampant in ancient Israel?  There are those constant warnings to watch out for those kinds of women and that young men should not fall into their trap.  What a different mindset than this one the world has now.  Adultery is looked at as being not that big of a deal today.  Just another means to do whatever makes you happy. 

Too bad God hates that kind of crap.  In fact He hates 6 things and finds one more to completely disgusting.  If I had to narrow down the things I hated into a list of 6 I can guarantee that it would look nothing like that.  Just shows what God's priorities are and how He wishes that we would live our lives.  Too bad we suck at living our lives completely how we should.  Thank Jesus that He gave us a second chance and mercy for our stupidity and unwillingness to truly separate from the world.

Let's chat about Paul for a second.  These Corinthians just don't seem to have ever gotten what Paul was teaching from the beginning.  They seemed to being doing, well, the same things that we are doing today.  What is it with people that have been dead for 2,000 years struggled and failed with the same temptations and sins that we deal with today.  Maybe this time we can learn from them and finally listen to what we should do.

"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. " - 1 Cor 6:11

Be thankful, be humble, be men of God today.
Pew

Proverbs 5 and I Corinthians 5

Hey guys.

I think today was my day this week, but I didn't write anything.  Til now.

I think we can all follow Proverbs 5's advice from this morning.  If not, then tell us and we'll cast you out from our midst:)

I really like the image of the "new lump" without any leaven.  But I'd like to know what you think is leaven in the church.  Obviously in light of the next few verses, Paul probably included willful, unrepentant sinners, but is that list of sins nonexclusive?  When, in your opinion, does somebody cross the line from candidate for rehabilitation and grace to old leaven and now it's time to cast them out and let Satan deal with them? Because obviously the church is important and keeping the body healthy is important.  We want a new lump.

Obey the Lord and have a peaceful, restful day.

Powell

Proverbs 4 and I Corinthians 4

"Let no man deceive himself.  If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God.  For it is written, 'He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness'; and again, 'The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless.'" - I Corinthians 3:18-20

"You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you." - I Corinthians 4:8

"Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." - I Corinthians 4:1

A couple of things in particular stood out to me in this morning's reading.

1) In I Corinthians 4, Paul uses heavy sarcasm to admonish the Corinthians.

I think I'd heard before that Paul was sarcastic, but I never knew exactly where.  It seems hilarious, in light of all those procedures that scribes used to go through to reproduce the Bible, that the original text was written by a grumpy-sounding, sarcastic man in a prison cell.  We shouldn't be surprised, though, in light of the nature of God's rebuke to Job in Job 38-41.  I think God's sense of humor gives rise to a little sarcasm at times.  Please comment if you don't agree.

2) Although the Proverbs reading sets us up to value wisdom above all else, Paul tells us to disregard wisdom "in this age" another time in chapter 3.

I guess Paul is drawing a distinction between the world's wisdom and God's wisdom, because he does teach complete reliance on the Lord.  I just wish he wouldn't use the word "wisdom" when speaking about the undesirable worldly wisdom.  Maybe we could analyze this a little more tonight.

3) We are "stewards of the mysteries of God."

This is an interesting title for us to bear.  I can't remember where the verse is that says that all knowledge comes from the Lord, but I'd like to put that one and this one together.  I love that we have a personal relationship with the creator of all things and the keeper of all mysteries, and that we're devoting time to seeking Him out with all of His mysteries.

Amen, and Happy Manday

Powell

Proverbs 1 and I Corinthians 1

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction." -Proverbs 1:7

"Where is the wise man?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the debater of this age?  Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."  - I Corinthians 1:20-21

There is a clear distinction between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God in both the Proverbs reading and in I Corinthians.  In each case, the wisdom of God leads to life, love and peace, and the wisdom of the world leads to sin, death and destruction.

The problem for us is that they are completely incompatible.  The two wisdoms repel each other and despise each other, and through the lens of one the other looks foolish.

Paul even said that his message was foolish, because God made it that way because it made Him happy.  This makes it very difficult for us when we are try to succeed in the world while still fearing the Lord.  Fearing the Lord, according to McArthur, is a state of being in which you seek to replace your will with the Lord's.  So if we are not completely surrendered to Him on any given day, we're going to experience some psychological dissonance when we act in a way that isn't consistent with the Lord's foolish-looking wisdom.

Putting on God's wisdom, putting on Christ each morning is essential to reorienting our perception of the world's wisdom, because it is so persistent and invasive that when we don't fight it, it soaks in and permeates our thoughts, and then our beliefs.  Reorientation by putting on Christ is a foundation of wisdom.  I know that's easy to say in a vacuum, but we should talk on Monday about the best ways to accomplish that (besides what we're doing already).

Y'all have a great weekend, and fear the Lord!

Powell

Stones

"We don't realize how many people have been sacrificed for us."

I'd like to reach back into Joshua, with the principle of leaving stones to mark the things God has done.  I've been struggling with Saul's torture by a spirit from the Lord, and I think Saul as an example, as a stone makes sense of his experience.

1 Corinthians 10:6-11

1 Samuel 31 and Romans 16

Paul commits suicide so that he will not be tortured by the Philistines. His body is then mutilated and put on display as a sign of victory for the Philistines. But Israel's warriors retrieve Saul's body and give him a honorable burial. And so ends the reign of Saul and begins the Davidic line of kingship.

In Romans, Paul thanks and blesses everyone he knows in Rome by name. Here is the immensely relational side of Paul. His first salutation goes to a woman, Phoebe, and Paul even speaks to the character of every person as well as how he knows them, and what position they have in the early church. Here is the leader: thanking everyone by name, knowing that people have a "church that meets in their home," challenging and warning the Christians who look up to him.

"Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has reveal his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made to known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him." Romans 16: 25-26

The Good News of the gospel not only brings us salvation in the next life, but gives us strength in this life. Reminds me of a Jeremy Camp lyric, "You hung to make us strong."

And this grand plan to save humanity is now revealed, as it was hidden up until now. God has commanded it, the prophets have spoken it, and now the Jews and Gentiles may believe it.

Be strong today men.

Walker

1 Samuel 29-30 and Romans 15

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 15:5-6

What a morning.  David gets thrown out of the camp of the enemies because the Philistine leaders fear that he may turn against them.  He then goes and beats up on a different enemy.  Is it just me or is David a 'Rambo-ish' Old Testament guy? 

There is one thing about the New Testament and most letters from Paul that always hits me rough.  The fact that I'm a Gentile and that most Jews and early Christians didn't feel that we deserved Christ.  Comforting that Paul went really out of his way to preach to our ancestors and give the Good News to everyone.  I remember what Rob said last week about how we cannot recognize a Christian based upon race or appearance.  Isn't that one of the best things about Christ?  He doesn't hesitate to extend His hand to everyone, even Gentiles. 

Yet again, I think God for the fact that He loves me, even if I'm a dirty sinning Gentile.  I think that it would be appropriate to pray and thank God for that everytime we offer up praise, anger or requests to our Lord.

I'll leave you with this great blessing from Paul...
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13

Live for Christ today,
Pew

John Eldredge - the Heart of the King

http://www.ransomedheart.com/more_dailyreading.aspx?id=10/12/2010

This goes hand-in-hand with Pew's post this morning.  It describes the heart of the king, how it should be.  Notice especially the last sentence, and then contrast that with Saul's performance as king and Romans 14's definition of sin.

Side question: since God guides the heart of the king and he sent an evil spirit to torture Saul, is it possible that God guided Saul to become like he was in the end?  Is that even worth getting into?

Powell

1 Samuel 27-28 and Romans 14

Let me start with, quite possibly, the most terrifying statements of the fruition of a promise:

"The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.  The Lord will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines." - 1 Samuel 28:19

No wonder Saul fell on the ground in complete fear!  Samuel's spirit just told him that tomorrow you're dead.  Oh yeah, all your sons and your army are going to be killed as well.  That's rough stuff.  The disobeying of God that Saul had exhibited throughout his reign was finally coming back to get him.  If there is one thing that I can pull away from that it's that God is good and very good at keeping His word. 

Thank God for Jesus though.  Romans is so full of good stuff and challenging to our conciences.  Last chapter about submitting to authorities of all kinds.  Now Paul is telling us that God does not want us to judge others or condemn others.  Yet again, another one of those sins that is not obvious like murder that does, probably, more damage in the heart and to our souls.  Good thing we have something as humbling and comforting as this:

"For none of us lives to himself alone and non of us dies to himself alone.  If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." - Romans 14:7-8

We are His. We need to live for Him and leave the judging to Him, cause it's gonna suck when He asks you point-blank if you were judgemental and you have to say yes.  It seems so simple yet more difficult as you catch yourself passing judgement or just disobeying God in general.  I want to live for Christ and belong to Him and not be like Saul.  "And everything that does not come from faith is sin." (Rom 14:23b).

Live for God gentleman.  Not just today but everyday.  Don't be like Saul and get slapped in the face with punishment but be grateful that He can forgive such a judgemental person like you and me.

Pew

1 Samuel 25-26 and Romans 13

"Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men whose origin I do not know?" - 1 Samuel 25:11


"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." -Romans 13:1-2

"Then David said to Abigail, 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me, and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed and avenging myself by my own hand." - 1 Samuel 25:32-33

"But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him so that he became as a stone.  About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died." - 1 Samuel 25:37-38

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." - Romans 13:14

Yall.  

This was a rough morning for the right-wingers in the MG.  In case you missed the point of chapter 25, it started with Nabal, a businessman, avoiding taxes due to King David.  He rationalized by asking who David was (see 25:11 above), and why he should have to give his stuff up for him.  It sounded like what we say about politicians, things like, "I didn't vote for that guy," or "I don't even know where he was born!  He's probably breaking the law even holding a political office."  As soon as I heard those words out of his mouth about his water and his meat, I knew he and I were both in trouble.  

And then, as if it weren't clear enough, Paul comes in with his gloves off and drives home the message from 1 Samuel, telling us that authorities have been placed there by God (by God) and they therefore deserve our respect and submission.  

I was so convicted.  One of my friends told me once that he heard a sermon on submission to authority and he thought about me, because I so despise being told what to do and being forced to pay taxes and all.  I'm even taking a tax class and considering going into business finding out how to do better what Nabal's heart died for this morning.  I feel like this cornerback must have felt when the quarterback let him have both barrels.  I have been patently rebellious; I have a selfish and defiant heart.

Anyway, the Word says that not only did Nabal die shortly afterward, but his heart died first.  Ten days with a dead heart is ten days too many.  I'd rather have a dead body than a dead heart.

I'm glad the Lord didn't just issue a sweeping rule against rebellion.  Instead he modeled an alternative for us that was very attractive.  Abigail acted with bold submission when she stuck up for her idiot husband against the king and his 400 men.  She was such a strong woman that David asked her to marry him after Nabal died.  This reminded me of Tyler (Daniels') point that women often play a role in leading men to the Lord.  That's why it's so important to date and marry Christians if you are a Christian, but we can talk about that later. 

Submission is central to Christianity.  It is one thing that makes Jesus such a powerful figure, and highlights his divinity.  Like Pew and Rob wrote earlier this week, Jesus allowing himself to be brought low into the world and submitting himself to death was the hallmark of his ministry and our salvation.  If we can't take one step toward being submissive, we can't properly bear his name.

Bold submission is a topic for a book, not a blog post.  Let's talk about it tonight.  

Powell

Wonder of Grace

This past week of my Luke study involved going through the birth of Christ.  Let me share something that MacArthur said about Jesus and the significance of His birth...

"When Jesus came into the world then He came in the most comfortless conditions...smelly, filthy...this is the wonder of grace though, isn't it?  And this is part of the story that when God came down He came all the way down.  He thought His equality with God was not something to be held on to but He gave it up and humbled Himself and He humbled Himself all the way down...not just to a stinking stable but to become a substitute  for stinking sinners and bear the stench of our guilt in His own body.  He came down to the poor and the lowly and the humble and the base and the wicked.  He came down to the common people to bring His glorious salvation.  It was fitting, in a sense, then that He was born in a stinking, smelly stable because what smelled far worse to the nostrils of God than the odor of animals is the odor of sinners.  He sent the Savior all the way down into the lives of the lowly and the whole picture of that scene is a metaphor for the stench of sin which Jesus bore in His own body."

How awesome is that?  He came down into this crap hole to give us hope, bring grace and offer the free gift of salvation!  That's just good stuff guys.

Pew

I Samuel 21-22 and Romans 11

"Then the king said to Doeg, 'You turn around and attack the priests.'  And Doeg the Edomite turned around and attacked the priests, and he killed that day eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod." -1 Samuel 22:18


"You will say then, 'Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.'  Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith." - Romans 11:19


"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?  Or who has first given to Him, that it might be paid back to him again?  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever.  Amen." - Romans 11:33-35

This was not the best day for Israel.  Not only were 85 of their priests slaughtered just for harboring the one man the Bible says was after the Lord's own heart, but the olive branches are getting popped off and discarded only to be replaced with adoptive branches.

So David was on the lam, running from the dethroned king, and took refuge in the temple where he ate the consecrated bread.  I thought that may have had some analog to communion, but I don't think it does.

I thought one interesting image through 1 Samuel this morning was that although God has been such an intervening force throughout David's short career as king-to-be, He doesn't seem to take a lot of action in these two chapters.  To me, it appeared as if the only thing He actively did was grant permission for David to eat the consecrated bread (if that is active).  Contrast that with Goliath's sword, the sign of deliverance of which David was reminded when the priest gave it to him, and if I were David I'd feel like the Lord had abandoned me and disliked me overall.  I would have come to that conclusion.

Instead, David rolled with the punches.  He even heard about the slaughter of the 85 priests, claimed responsibility, and then reaffirmed that his people were safe with him (22:22-23).  He trusted God to deliver him and his men from death, even though he knew good and well that the priests couldn't have done the same.    McArthur says the priests had to die to complete the curse on Eli's house.  Whatever it was, it was ugly.

Romans was a little disturbing this morning, to me.  Although I'm grateful, it's always hard for me to get used to the slight anti-Gentile angle the NT takes.  Even when Jesus compared us to dogs that can't eat at the table, and the lady said yes but even dogs get scraps, I may have been a little put off.  But I like this illustration anyway, where we are grafted onto the church and become its branches.  We'll have to explore this a little further on Manday.  I mean Monday.

The prayer at the end sums us up.  I think it speaks for itself.  I suggest that if you read this far, you'll be willing to pray that prayer at your desk, maybe even under your breath, and just let the Lord know you love him.

Powell

1 Samuel 19-20 and Romans 10

"And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10: 8-9

So much good stuff today. The pact between Jonathan and David, and the way to receive salvation in Christ.

I will focus on the latter, because theologically, it's way better.

There is good news. We are no longer bound by the law, for Christ has accomplished the law. The tedium, walking on egg shells, and justification through behavior is gone. There is nothing you can do to earn it. It is yours for the taking, all you have to do is believe in your heart and confess with your tongue and you will be saved.

MORE good news. This gift from God to the world is not limited to one type of group in one moment in time. God releases this gift to everyone in all corners of the earth. In fact, he will use the people (The Gentiles) who historically have not believed, as examples of his inclusive love.

"I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." Isaiah 65:1.

Can you pick out a Christian walking down the street?
Do they all look exactly the same?

No.

Why?

Because God's love extends to all people, in all cultures, at all times.

If love is the strongest bond, why do we try to earn it? Why do we think it's conditional?

On the "religious" continuum, the left says, "Do good." The right says, "Be good." And in the middle is Christ, who lovingly says, "You are not good. You need me to stand before the throne of God confidently, for your are dead in your sins, but my death has covered your debt."

Rest in the fact that you can not be good enough, or do enough good things to be justified. You are deeply loved the way you are- sinful, but made in the glorious image of God our Creator.



Walker

1 Samuel 17-18 and Romans 9

"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy" - Romans 9:16

That pretty much sums up Christianity right there.  If it was not for God's mercy in this salvation story then none of us, and I mean each and every one of us, would not be worthy of His free gift.  How comforting it is to know that it truly is God and His Son who act on our behalf to save us.  As a man I try day in and day out to prove to myself and to others that I am worthy.  Worthy to be called a 'sports-nut', a 'real man' or even just worthy enough to be called a 'follower of Christ'.  That's all well and good y'all but nothing we do compares to what He freely gives.  Mercy, salvation and eternal life. 

Leads me to a little bit here on Saul, or as I like to call him Wild E. Coyote, and David.  We have all read and heard and colored the little pictures in Sunday School of David versus Goliath.  That is a story that transcends all time and even those who do not follow Christ.  It is such a common story that even Bobby Petrino refered to his Arkansas football team as Goliath leading up to their game against Saban's Alabama.  By the end of the game Arkansas had fallen flat on their faces and were beheaded just like Goliath so I'm still confused as to why Petrino would choose that example, but I digress.  David put his faith in the Lord and was rewarded with victory.  The Lord was with David and Saul noticed such and then started setting up an elaborate set of pulleys and anvils to try and eliminate David.   Even David's brother resented him before he had even won the battle, "I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is" (1 Sam 17:28), talk about a demoralizing pep-talk before battle!  Saul and Eliab's jealousy of David seems so over-the-top but it's something I do everyday.  Somebody else gets more praise at work than I believe they deserve or they just got included in a meeting and I didn't so I resent them for it. 

Hopefully I never get so jealous as to use my daughter as a bargaining chip to try to kill a kid that I don't like. But see, that story of Saul resenting and being jealous of David is exactly why I need the mercy of God.  I fall short everyday but thanks be to God for having hope and mercy on me! May we all keep that in mind when jealousy starts to creep in or when we start bickering about why a certain one was chosen by God or why God allowed something to happen.  We are all chosen by God to follow Him and to put all our faith in Christ Jesus so that in the end we can receive peace, eternal life and a true future!

Rock on for the Lord!
-Pew

Philippians 3:8 Count all things loss that we may gain Christ.

1 Samuel 9-14 and Romans 5-7

"You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver, because they are futile.  For the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." -1 Sam 13:21-22

"His armor bearer said to him, 'Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, and here I am with you according to your desire."  -1 Sam 14:7


"Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." - Rm 6:11

"For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -Rm 6:14

"But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter." -Rm 7:6

"I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.  For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members." -Rm 7:21-22

I got behind in our reading this weekend because my priorities weren't in order, so now I have to skimp on the awesomest part of this week's reading.  :d

Highlights are the appointment of Saul as king, and a description of much of his pre-David term.  Also Jonathan's victory over the Philistines and the first time Saul makes an Ahab-like promise to kill somebody.  Romans, as always, is great.  These three chapters dealt with the nature of sin and our struggle with the flesh, describing one unpleasant effect of the division of the spirit, soul and body.

There are a couple things that stood out that I would like to point out.  First of all, the reappearance of the phrase, "Here I am," this time from the armor-bearer that helped Jonathan strike terror into the hearts of the Philistines by killing twenty of them in open combat.  Week before last we talked about community, and how simply getting behind somebody and supporting them in whatever the Lord is doing in their life is a good way for the body to conduct itself.  The phrase, "here I am" is a perfect example of that principle.  Samuel tells the Lord that he is available to follow Him and the armor-bearer tells Jonathan he is willing to support him.  There is another example from this week's reading that I can't remember.  If someone else does, please post a comment.

Romans spoke early and often about faith and obedience leading to life, and disobedience and sin leading to death.  Paul made clear that he wasn't issuing advice, but simply announcing a syllogism.  Saul's term as king illustrates Paul's point.

After he poorly chose to offer a sacrifice to the Lord without waiting for Samuel, Paul got more and more reactionary and more and more agitated.  His sin of impatience and desire for control over his kingdom became more and more grotesque, and in this passage almost led to his son's death (1 Samuel 14:44).  Saul's disobedience almost directly led to his son's death, and will eventually lead to his own death.

And then, Jesus.  Romans counters all of that sin, death and disobedience talk with the presence and availability of grace from Jesus Christ.  The message of Romans is overwhelmingly one of hope and deliverance from that syllogism through the Lord.  And it was such a relief to read that after reading about the despair that accompanies disobedience apart from Jesus.  It's nice to be on this side of the Old Testament.  Thank you Jesus.

By the way, tonight we're going to create a new page together to transcribe all the good stuff we learn from MG to the site!  That way we won't forget anything, and it'll give us a touchstone next week so we can pick up where we left off.  God bless you, and happy Manday.

1 Samuel 7-8 and Romans 4

"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, and those whose sins have been covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account."  - Ps 32:1-2

"Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." - I Sm 8:7

"Yet, with respect to the promise of God, [Abraham] did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was also able to perform.  Therefore, it was also credited to him as righteousness."  - Rm 4:20-22

This morning, the Israelites rejected Samuel's sons as their judge and demanded a king instead.  Even though the Lord warned them through Samuel in detail of the problems they would definitely encounter - including drafts and taxes - they still did not listen to him.  On the other hand, in Romans, Paul discussed the belief and obedience of Abraham, and how the Lord came through for him and his belief was credited to him as righteousness.

Again there is a convenient juxtaposition of themes between these two books, this time of obedience and disobedience.  Although we know that God had ample room to redeem both parties' mistakes in the future (Abraham got impatient and fathered Ishamel, giving rise to all problems in the Middle East and the kings of Israel were almost always problematic), it is clear in retrospect that listening to the Lord and obeying Him is always a good idea.

1) Listen to the Lord and obey Him, because He knows the future and has a good plan for it.

Romans is so thick with truth that it's hard to pick just one thing to talk about.  I'd like to mention though that in my translation, it says in 4:25 that "He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification."  The word justification pricked my ears, because I've written the last couple days about how our God is a God of justice.  So as in Genesis where we were made in God's image initially, here He remade us in his image by justifying us.  We were unjust, but he made us just through faith.  Amen.

Powell