"More people have been brought into the church by the kindness of real Christian love than by all the theological arguments in the world, and more people have been driven from the church by the hardness and ugliness of so-called Christianity than by all the doubts in the world."
-William Barclay
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Prayer: Knowing God
“I believe…that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” Quoted in J. I. Packer, Knowing God, 17.
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God first. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. There are certain natural attributes of God that set Him apart from His creation:
His omnipresence: He is present everywhere at the same time (Ps 139)
His omniscience: He knows all things (Ps 139)
His omnipotence: He is all-powerful (Ps 139)
His immutability: He never changes (Mal 3:6; James 1:17)
His eternal nature: He has no beginning and no end (Ps 90:2)
His sovereignty: He controls all things (Ps 135:5-6)
His triunity: B. B. Warfield, “…there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence” (“Trinity,” ISBE, 3012). See Dt 6:4; Is 46:9; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14.
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Praise God for His great character!
• Meditate on an attribute or two this week on the character of God.
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God first. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. There are certain natural attributes of God that set Him apart from His creation:
His omnipresence: He is present everywhere at the same time (Ps 139)
His omniscience: He knows all things (Ps 139)
His omnipotence: He is all-powerful (Ps 139)
His immutability: He never changes (Mal 3:6; James 1:17)
His eternal nature: He has no beginning and no end (Ps 90:2)
His sovereignty: He controls all things (Ps 135:5-6)
His triunity: B. B. Warfield, “…there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence” (“Trinity,” ISBE, 3012). See Dt 6:4; Is 46:9; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14.
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Praise God for His great character!
• Meditate on an attribute or two this week on the character of God.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Trusting God in your fear
When I find myself in fear of anything, I am reminded of a Swedish adage which says: “Worry gives a small thing a big shadow.” Fear has a way of gripping our lives; therefore, paralyzing us from any movement. It was Edmund Burke who wrote “No passion so effectively robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.”
Every one of us has some phobia. Whether it is the fear of rejection, failure, commitment, or loneliness, we all struggle with some haunting fear. No one is exempt or immune to fear. The question is not whether you have fears, but how will you respond to the fears in your life. It is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. The reason that fear is so powerful is that it keeps you from trusting and depending on God. Many people refuse to trust God and will either not risk any movement in their life or find ways to make this life work for them.
It is interesting that the most quoted command in the Bible is “fear not.” More times than any other command, God realizes what fear does. He gives you this command because He understands that you will face fear and that fear will cripple you if you don’t trust in God. A well-known example of this type of fear was an occasion where the disciples of Jesus were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Storms in this area approached fast and furious, and while the disciples were rowing their boat, a storm begins to rage against the boat. Matthew tells us that in the “fourth watch of the night” (3-6 am) Jesus came to them while walking on the water (Matt 14:25). The disciples thought that Jesus was a ghost, but Jesus speaks to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). It is interesting to me that the thing that frightened the disciples the most was the thing that Jesus was walking on. You have nothing to fear in the presence of Christ.
The greatest reason that you have nothing to fear is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. You are not alone. The term Holy Spirit is the word “comforter.” It is a legal term which refers to a lawyer or legal assistant who “comes alongside of you in your need of help.” When you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes and dwells within you. You know what that means? You have the very presence of God with you at all times. He will never be caught by surprise by the events in your life. He is never caught off guard. He knows every situation that you are facing. He is with you all the time.
Unless you have a clear understanding of who the Holy Spirit is, you will misunderstand His role in your life. The person of the Holy Spirit is introduced in the first few verses of the book of Acts because Luke wants you to understand the connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Both work in concert together. “Until the day when He (Christ) was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen” (Acts 1:2). Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit will now play a key role in their lives.
Luke is telling us that there is a close connection between the ministry of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What Jesus began to do and teach in His physical ministry He will continue to do through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God has called you to worship Him, serve Him, and tells others about Him. He has not left this task to you to accomplish all alone. No! He has given you His very presence to help and aid you. When you are sharing the gospel with someone and you feel that you will not have the power or words to explain the message about Christ, the Spirit is right there with you and He will guide your every thought and word. All you have to do is pray and ask Him.
Every one of us has some phobia. Whether it is the fear of rejection, failure, commitment, or loneliness, we all struggle with some haunting fear. No one is exempt or immune to fear. The question is not whether you have fears, but how will you respond to the fears in your life. It is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. The reason that fear is so powerful is that it keeps you from trusting and depending on God. Many people refuse to trust God and will either not risk any movement in their life or find ways to make this life work for them.
It is interesting that the most quoted command in the Bible is “fear not.” More times than any other command, God realizes what fear does. He gives you this command because He understands that you will face fear and that fear will cripple you if you don’t trust in God. A well-known example of this type of fear was an occasion where the disciples of Jesus were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee. Storms in this area approached fast and furious, and while the disciples were rowing their boat, a storm begins to rage against the boat. Matthew tells us that in the “fourth watch of the night” (3-6 am) Jesus came to them while walking on the water (Matt 14:25). The disciples thought that Jesus was a ghost, but Jesus speaks to them saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). It is interesting to me that the thing that frightened the disciples the most was the thing that Jesus was walking on. You have nothing to fear in the presence of Christ.
The greatest reason that you have nothing to fear is because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. You are not alone. The term Holy Spirit is the word “comforter.” It is a legal term which refers to a lawyer or legal assistant who “comes alongside of you in your need of help.” When you trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes and dwells within you. You know what that means? You have the very presence of God with you at all times. He will never be caught by surprise by the events in your life. He is never caught off guard. He knows every situation that you are facing. He is with you all the time.
Unless you have a clear understanding of who the Holy Spirit is, you will misunderstand His role in your life. The person of the Holy Spirit is introduced in the first few verses of the book of Acts because Luke wants you to understand the connection between Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Both work in concert together. “Until the day when He (Christ) was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen” (Acts 1:2). Jesus tells his disciples that the Spirit will now play a key role in their lives.
Luke is telling us that there is a close connection between the ministry of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. What Jesus began to do and teach in His physical ministry He will continue to do through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God has called you to worship Him, serve Him, and tells others about Him. He has not left this task to you to accomplish all alone. No! He has given you His very presence to help and aid you. When you are sharing the gospel with someone and you feel that you will not have the power or words to explain the message about Christ, the Spirit is right there with you and He will guide your every thought and word. All you have to do is pray and ask Him.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Adoring God: Part 2
“I feel it is far better to begin with God, to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another. In general it is best to have at least one hour alone with God before engaging in anything else.” E. M. Bounds, Purpose in Prayer
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God first. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. The Bible gives us some names that describe our great God.
Here are some examples:
• Elohim (Strong One) who created and sustains the universe
• Adonai (Master or Lord) who deserves our complete allegiance
• Yahweh (Lord or Jehovah) who has made a covenant with His people
• Ancient of Days who is above time and space (Dan 7:9)
• Yahweh Jireh who will provide (Gen 22:14)
• El Shaddai (God Almighty) who supplies comfort (Gen 17:1; Ex 6:3)
• El Elyon (Most High God) who is supreme and sovereign (Gen 14:18)
• Yahweh Shalom who gives peace to His people (Judg 6:24)
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Praise God for His great character!
• Meditate on a name or two this week on the character of God.
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God first. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. The Bible gives us some names that describe our great God.
Here are some examples:
• Elohim (Strong One) who created and sustains the universe
• Adonai (Master or Lord) who deserves our complete allegiance
• Yahweh (Lord or Jehovah) who has made a covenant with His people
• Ancient of Days who is above time and space (Dan 7:9)
• Yahweh Jireh who will provide (Gen 22:14)
• El Shaddai (God Almighty) who supplies comfort (Gen 17:1; Ex 6:3)
• El Elyon (Most High God) who is supreme and sovereign (Gen 14:18)
• Yahweh Shalom who gives peace to His people (Judg 6:24)
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Praise God for His great character!
• Meditate on a name or two this week on the character of God.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Is there purpose in our affliction?
"Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experience that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my seventy-five years in this world, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my experience, has been through affliction and not through happiness, whether pursued or attained. In other words, if it were ever possible to eliminate affliction from our earthly existence by means of some drug or other medical mumbo jumbo...the result would make it too banal and trivial to be endurable. This, of course is what the cross signifies. And it is the Cross that has called me inexorably to Christ."
- Malcolm Muggeridge
- Malcolm Muggeridge
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Adoring God
“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God first. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. The Bible gives us some metaphors that will help us learn more about our great God
Here are some examples:
• God is characterized as a father (Ps 103:13; Is 64:8; Matt 6:9)
• God is characterized as a mother (Is 66:13; Matt 23:37)
• God is characterized as a husband (Eph 5:22-32; Rev 19:7-9)
• God is our friend (Jer 3:4; James 2:23)
• God is our shepherd (Ps 23; Ez 34:31; Luke 15:3-7; John 10)
• God is an artist (Ps 19; Jer 18:6)
• God is our teacher (Is 2:3; Jer 31:31-34)
• God is the everlasting King (Jer 10:7-10)
• God is our judge (Acts 10:42; Heb 12:23; Rev 20:11-15)
• God is our savior and our redeemer (Ruth; 1 Peter 1:18-19)
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
"Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still." E.M. Bounds
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. Start with some music that reflects the character of God and His goodness. Look at various Psalms that tells us about His love, goodness, faithfulness, holiness, purity, etc.
Here are some examples:
• The Lord is righteous (Ps 11)
• The Lord is strong (Ps 27; 18)
• The Lord is the Creator (Ps 8; 139)
• The Lord is good (Ps 107)
• The Lord is compassionate and gracious (Ps 103; 145)
• The Lord is holy (Ps 99)
• The Lord is forgiving (Ps 32; 103; 130)
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Praise God for His great character!
• Memorize and meditate on a verse or two from the above listed Psalms. Write down the verse(s) on a sticky note. Place the note at a place that you visit often to remind throughout the day.
A tool to help you to pray (A.C.T.S.)
A (adoration): Before thinking of anything else, focus on the person of God. Begin your prayer with praise and admiration of our God. Start with some music that reflects the character of God and His goodness. Look at various Psalms that tells us about His love, goodness, faithfulness, holiness, purity, etc.
Here are some examples:
• The Lord is righteous (Ps 11)
• The Lord is strong (Ps 27; 18)
• The Lord is the Creator (Ps 8; 139)
• The Lord is good (Ps 107)
• The Lord is compassionate and gracious (Ps 103; 145)
• The Lord is holy (Ps 99)
• The Lord is forgiving (Ps 32; 103; 130)
C (confession):
T (thanksgiving):
S (supplication or intercession):
Application:
• Praise God for His great character!
• Memorize and meditate on a verse or two from the above listed Psalms. Write down the verse(s) on a sticky note. Place the note at a place that you visit often to remind throughout the day.
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