J. Berry Looking at Life

Who Completes You?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 11:38:00 +0000

In a climactic scene in the movie Jerry Maguire, Jerry had just closed a big deal for his client without his wife by his side. He makes his way to the living room, where she is hosting a group therapy session with a group of women, and tells her that his successful experience with his client did not feel like it was complete because she was not there to share it with him. He tells her that he loves her and delivers the slam-dunk: “You complete me.” With tears in her eyes, she responds by telling him to shut-up. He looks puzzled and she says, “You had me at hello.” The ladies in the room sit mesmerized as the couple embraces, and then one declares, “This is the best discussion group!”

The idea is certainly romantic, and makes for a great movie scene. But did Jerry Maguire get it right? Could he find completeness in the woman he loved? I love my wife dearly, and after 32 years of marriage, I can’t imagine what my life would be like without her. She loves me, trusts me, believes in me, cares for me, and I am privileged to share my life with her. I wouldn't want it any other way. But she does not complete me, and I do not complete her. It would be extremely unfair for either of us to place that burden on one another. Her identify as a complete person is not found in me, nor mine in her.

We all tend to search for our completeness in places where it cannot be found. As we long to find our complete identity, we often turn to our spouses or other relationships, our careers, homes, status, affluence, and many other things; but all of these things are temporal. If we must find our identity in temporal things, what happens when those things disappear? Many fall into deep depression and make horrible choices when their identify is lost or cannot be found in temporal things.

God created us to have our identity in him. Scripture tells us that man and woman was created in the image of God; as we all have descended from the first man and woman created by God, we all bear the image of God. Genesis 2:7 says that “God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” The very breath of human life is from God, and he is where we find our significance. When we seek our identity from anyone or anything else, that is called idolatry.

Our identity as God’s image bearers has been corrupted by sin. But because of his great love for us, he has provided a way to restore his image in us. When we come to the place of faith, believing in our hearts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and we confess him as our Lord and Savior (Rom 10:9-10), he cleanses us from our sin, and begins to restore the image of God in us. We have new life through Christ, a new identity “which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Eph 4:24).

Christ is where we find our true, complete identity. This is great news for everyone, whether you are married or single, and it is of great importance. You cannot find completeness in another human being. Look only to Jesus to complete you. Your identity is secure in him.

Pray for our President

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 00:04:00 +0000

The RNC has dominated the news this week, and the DNC will begin in just a few days. We are facing an important election in November with significant issues at stake, regardless of whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent. It seems our country is largely dissatisfied with the political landscape and we are ready for a change. The two major parties have chosen their candidates and both will be official by next week. Even so, there is dissatisfaction in both major parties over the chosen candidates.

My Twitter and Facebook feeds are full of political rants, insults of candidates, insults of those who oppose our candidates, and expressions of concern over the state of our nation. I’ve had conversations with many friends who are so disgusted with the choice of candidates, they are contemplating not even voting in November. I admit, I have been a participant in some of the posts and conversations.

This afternoon, I was watching a class lecture on 1 Timothy (yes, Mr. Trump, you can say it that way) by Dr. Mark Yarbrough, one of my professors at DTS, and he made a comment that resonated in my mind and heart. At the beginning of chapter 2, Paul writes, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people --- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all goodness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” (NIV) Dr. Yarbrough then observed, and I paraphrase, “What would our nation be like if the church were to pray for our president instead of making fun of him when he does something we disagree with?”

That landed hard in my heart. I have not prayed for President Obama, Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton; at least not in the way Paul urges the church to pray in 1 Timothy. My natural inclination is to criticize, complain and worry over what our government is doing. We can disagree with our leaders, and I believe we have a responsibility to hold them accountable for the good of our nation. But what would it look like if we prayed for our leaders to seek after God and to act in accordance with his guidance?

I encourage everyone to exercise your right to vote in November. Ask God for wisdom in casting your vote, and don’t sit this one out just because you don’t like the candidates. Choose which you think is the better candidate, even though they might not align with your ideals. And pray for our president, and for those who are in position to take his place next January. Pray that God will work mightily in their hearts that they will seek his face. This is good, and is pleasing to God.

God's Gift of Faithfulness

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sat, 12 Dec 2015 15:59:00 +0000

Tis the season for Christmas carols, gift giving, baking, family, and nativity scenes. It’s a happy, joyful time that stirs memories of childhood innocence and excitement. Even with the stress of Christmas shopping and hectic holiday activities, we love the Christmas season! We draw hope and encouragement through the outpouring of love and charity.

It’s that time of year when we reflect on the birth of Jesus, our Savior and King. The coming of Christ to earth as our Messiah to deliver us from the power of sin is God’s fulfillment of his promise that he made after Adam brought sin into the world. Generations throughout the Old Testament relied on the faithfulness of God’s promise of redemption through the coming of the Messiah. God has faithfully delivered on his promise of redemption by coming to earth in the form of man, living a life without sin, allowing himself to be crucified for our sake, and defeating death by his resurrection. God is faithful to save anyone who believes with the heart and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

This morning as I reflected on God’s faithfulness in sending his Son to us, I was compelled to pray the following words of this great hymn:

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee,

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided –

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

May God bless you as you celebrate his faithfulness this Christmas season!

Confession is Good for the Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 22:38:00 +0000

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 ESV)

1 John is a letter that was written to Christians. If you have received Christ as your Savior, you are forever forgiven, counted as righteous by God and have been adopted into his family. Have you ever wondered why, then, if your sin has been forgiven at the cross, John says to continue to confess your sin to receive forgiveness and be cleansed from unrighteousness?

Before you received Christ, your sin condemned you to eternal separation from God. The only way to redemption was through the blood of Christ which he gave as payment in full for your sin. Now that you belong to Christ, you are no longer condemned because of sin. The penalty of sin has been removed. But you still sin. As much as you wish you didn’t, the fact is that you do. And I do. We all continue to sin because we are still imperfect in our flesh.

When we walk in darkness (sin) we cannot fellowship with God because there is no darkness in him (1 John 1:5-6). It is important to understand that God does not break his fellowship with us when we sin. He also does not require sinless perfection of us because he knows we are not perfect. We break our own fellowship with him when we choose to walk away from him in the darkness of sin. To restore our fellowship with him, we must confess our sin. But what does this mean? We often view confession as something other than what it truly is.

Comedian “Larry the Cable Guy” provides a demonstration of what we sometimes view as confession. He will say something offensive, then immediately “confess” it to God and pray for the missionaries and the Pygmies in Africa. Then he launches right back into another offensive comment. Has your confession ever looked this way? I know mine has, but this is not what John had in mind. Confession is more than saying “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that, please forgive me.”

When we walk in sin, the Spirit convicts us of our sin and brings it front and center so we can deal with it. If we merely acknowledge our sin, ask for forgiveness and continue in the path of sin, we have not confessed it. When John speaks of confession it is in the context of repentance. When the Spirit convicts us of our sin, we must confess it by turning away from the darkness and returning to the light of God’s righteousness.

When we turn away from the path of sin, God is faithful to forgive. He will not turn us away from walking in his light. As a parent would forgive and accept a wayward child, he will cleanse us of the stench and stain of sin and restore us to fellowship with him. We are not restored to fellowship because we ask for forgiveness. Many ask for forgiveness and continue to walk in sin. You cannot have fellowship with God this way. We are only restored when we confess in true repentance and return to walking in the light.

If you belong to Christ but have allowed sin to break your fellowship with God, take comfort in his promise to restore you. Confess your sin to God by turning away from it and walking in his light. You don’t have to earn your way back into his fellowship. His forgiveness and acceptance are there waiting for you.

Walking Through the Valley

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 01:09:00 +0000

You never imagine it will happen to you. Life is going well. You enjoy your job, you and your family are healthy, and you're finally managing to put some money away in savings. You are faithfully attending church, serving in some capacity, and you've increased your giving beyond your tithe. Then BAM! All of a sudden something happens. You find that your job has been eliminated, or you or someone you love is diagnosed with cancer. Life turns in a moment from an easy stroll to a terrifying ride on a roller coaster, and you have no idea how this ride will end.

As a Christian, you've been taught that you shouldn't worry. Have faith in God and it will all work out. You try not to worry, and you feel guilty when you do. You ask your friends to pray but you wonder if God is listening. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, and perhaps months turn into years. It seems as though the journey through the valley will never end.

If you haven't experienced an extended trip through the valley, you probably know someone who has. Trials in life can shake your faith in God down to its very foundation. Some choose to walk away from God out of anger and frustration. Those who choose to move toward God find refuge and strength.

If you are in the midst of a journey through the valley, I encourage you to move toward God. Do this especially when you are tired and discouraged. Here are a few ways that you can draw near to God during difficult times:

Pray for others.

I know how tiring it can be to pray for deliverance and restoration day after day. Change the focus of your prayer. In the midst of your trial it's easy to become consumed with yourself. Pray for your family and friends and ask for God's blessing on them.

Give thanks to God.

One of the most effective ways to draw near to God is to remember times that you have seen him work in your life. In your conversation with God, recall as many of those times as you can and thank him for what he has done for you.

Spend time in the Psalms.

The book of Psalms is filled with prayers of worship, repentance, requests for deliverance and rejoicing in the greatness of God. Read through the Psalms and when you feel compelled, pray them to God. You will be amazed that some of these ancient prayers will apply to your circumstances today.

Humble yourself before God.

I can recall times when I have complained to God and made demands that he change my circumstances. God does not reward the proud and arrogant with deliverance. Humble yourself before God and ask him to use your circumstances for his glory. He may choose to restore you or he may have other plans. Surrender your circumstances to him and trust him. Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for good for those who love God.

A long journey through the valley is never easy. Press into God and trust him through the process. He will not forsake you. He will carry you through.

"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." - James 4:8 ESV

Trusting God to Forgive

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 20:01:00 +0000

Several years ago a friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer, and the deadly disease spread rapidly through his body. He had trusted in Jesus as his Savior and never doubted that he would spend eternity in heaven. But during a visit with friends in his last days, he confessed that he believed God was punishing him for sins he had committed after his salvation. Even after confessing his sins, he continued to struggle with some. He felt as though God had grown tired of his struggle and had decided to inflict punishment on him rather than continue to forgive him.

I think this dilemma is something many Christians experience at some point in life. It’s hard to believe that one can continue to ask forgiveness time after time for sins with which we struggle. We do not doubt the sufficiency of God’s grace to forgive the eternal penalty for sin. But can we trust God to forgive us over and over for sin we have confessed after we have been saved?

In his book, Surprised by the Voice of God, Jack Deere writes, “Many people mistake the condemnation and accusation of the devil (Rev. 12:10) for the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When the devil speaks to us about our sins, he makes us feel worthless and condemned. He nags and whines. His impressions make us feel we have always been this way and will never change. When we confess our sins, he tells us that we are not sincere, that we have done these things before and confessed them, and that we will simply end up doing them again. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, he confronts us with the reality of our sin, but he brings hope through the blood of Jesus.”

God’s desire for us is that we do not sin. He knows that sin drives a wedge between us and God, and as long as we harbor sin in our hearts, we cannot walk in fellowship with him. He has given us instruction in the Scriptures as to how to live, and he has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us and to convict us of our sin. But he knows that we still have a sinful nature, and because of that, we will sin. As we learn to yield to the influence of the Spirit, the struggle will not be as great, but there is no one on earth who is able to live completely free of sin.

I John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God is faithful. He is reliable and can be trusted to do what he says he will do. God is just. As the creator of all that is, God is right in all that he does. God has the right to forgive us and he has promised his forgiveness whenever we confess our sins to him. By confessing our sins to God, we are admitting that we have done wrong and that his way is right. When we do this, he does not stand over us in judgement, waiting to levy some sort of punishment for what we have done. He welcomes us back into his fellowship and washes away the filth that covers us. There is no limit to God’s willingness to forgive us when we come to him in confession.

If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, but are struggling with sin, do not let Satan defeat you with accusations and thoughts of hopelessness. Get on your knees and confess your sins to God. He will forgive you, he will wash away the filth, and will restore you into a right relationship with him. You’ve trusted him with your salvation. Trust God to forgive you of your sin.

One New Year's Resolution You'll Want to Keep

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 00:44:00 +0000

I've never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions. I've made a few resolutions over the years, but by the end of February, they were only distant memories. I'll head to the gym this morning where I expect to find a large crowd of people who have made a renewed commitment to fitness. Most of that crowd will drop out shortly after they go back to work next week. By the end of January, the gym crowd will return to normal. It happens every year.

It's not easy to remain committed to resolutions for an entire year. I think that can largely be attributed to the type of resolutions we make. Weight loss and fitness are worthy goals, but those require giving up foods we crave and actually exercising on a regular basis. Most people know they should do it, but don't really want to commit to doing what it takes. I've been there before.

Reading through the entire Bible in a year is a common New Year's resolution among Christians, and has been on my list a number of times. There are reading schedules that will take you through the Bible in a year, but if you miss a few days, good luck trying to catch up. It quickly becomes a seemingly insurmountable task. At least, it has been for me.

There is one resolution you can make this year that you can actually keep. It's not task oriented, and it's not a goal that you will fully reach. It's not measurable quantitatively. It is not a resolution that will defeat you if you stumble during the process. It is a goal that will motivate you to keep going as you continue to pursue it. This year, why not resolve to get to know God? I'm not talking about an academic knowledge. Dedicate youself this year to get to know God on a personal level. Here are three suggestions to help you in your pursuit of a deeper relationship with God:

Spend time with God in prayer.

Prayer is more than submitting a list of requests to God each day and asking for His blessing over meals. Take the time to acknowledge God as the one true God. See Him in the splendor of His holiness, His righteousness, His mercy, His loving kindness and His grace. Take time to pause and wait for God to meet you in your prayer. Listen for Him to speak to your heart. Ask Him teach you His ways so you may walk with Him.

Read the Bible expressly for the purpose of discovering who God is.

While there is value in following a schedule to read through the Bible over the course of the year, or reading a chapter in Proverbs each day, don't limit your reading to just those things. We often read the Bible to look for ways we can apply it to our lives. Make a new habit of looking for what the Scriptures reveal about God. If you come to a passage you don't understand, don't just skim over it and leave it there. Mark it and come back to it. Do some additional digging to learn what the passage means and what it may reveal about God. There is no reward in heaven for speed reading through the Bible. God has given us the scriptures so we can know Him. The more you know Him, the more you will fall in love with Him.

Exercise your faith in following God's leading.

Have you ever felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do something, but didn't follow through with it for one reason or another? Maybe you felt the urge to start a Bible study group in your neighborhood, but you just didn't feel like you knew enough about the Bible to do it. Perhaps you know of a family with a financial need but you've been hesitant to offer your assistance. One way to get to know God personally is to respond to His prompting in faith. You will learn that He will give you the ability and resources to do whatever He has called you to do. As you learn to trust God, your relationship with Him will grow deeper and deeper.

Whatever resolutions you have made for 2015, I hope you will succeed in keeping them. Making the effort to know God on a more personal level will bring joy to your heart as you grow in an intimate relationship with Him.

Happy 2015 to all!

The Truth of Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:59:00 +0000

It’s the Saturday before Christmas. I’ve bought all the presents I plan to buy this year. I successfully avoided making any trips to the mall or to department stores. Online shopping is a great thing!

Cheri is in the kitchen with our daughter-in-law, Aimee, and her sister and their mom. They’re baking and decorating Christmas cookies and I can hear them talking and laughing as I sit at my desk. I’m thankful that we have Aimee in our family and that our families have become friends. I’m also thankful that Cheri has the opportunity to do girl stuff with them.

As work wound down yesterday, nearly every email I sent returned an auto-responder that the recipient would be out of the office for the coming week of Christmas. I received emails from several contacts wishing me a happy holiday season. I sent out a few emails wishing my business clients a merry Christmas, and so the countdown to Christmas begins.

We’re heading to another Christmas party this evening, and tomorrow evening will be the Christmas service at church with Tyler and Aimee. I’m looking forward to some great Christmas music and a time to worship our Savior. Austin will come home for Christmas and we’ll enjoy some great times together as a family.

The Christmas season is a special time of year, and it has different meanings for many. One of the most common symbols of Christmas each year is the display of the nativity scene. The depiction of shepherds and wise men, a few sheep, and Joseph and Mary watching over the baby lying in a manger brings a feeling of significance to Christmas. It is a reminder that Christmas is more than shopping and decorating and attending parties. Even many who have no thought of Jesus throughout the year experience a feeling of reverence as they acknowledge the birth of the baby Jesus. Perhaps you are among those who wonder what it is that is so special about Christmas. Who was Jesus and why do we celebrate his birth?

The story begins with God, who created the first humans, Adam and Eve. God created them in his image and they had unbroken, unlimited fellowship with him. But they chose to disobey God and brought sin into the human race. Everyone who has descended from Adam has been born with a sinful nature that separates them from fellowship with God.

Because God is a holy God, he does not tolerate sin. In his sovereignty, he proclaimed the penalty for sin is death. He could have obliterated Adam and Eve, but because of his love for them, and for all that would come after them, he made a way to forgive their sin and our sin. He did this by coming to earth, born of the virgin, Mary, and proclaiming to all mankind that if we will only believe in Jesus as the Son of God and accept his forgiveness, we will be restored to fellowship with God forever.

To accomplish this forgiveness, he took the penalty of our sin, the penalty of death, and allowed mankind to crucify him. But the story does not end with his death on a cross. He was buried in a tomb and three days later he arose from the dead! No ordinary man could have accomplished that. Only God has the power over sin and death, and he conquered both for us.

This is why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus came to earth and paid the price of sin for us. The Gospel of John, chapter 3, tells us that anyone who believes in him will not be judged guilty of sin. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn us for our sin. We were condemned already. He came to give his life as payment in full of the penalty of our sin. His only requirement of us is that we believe in him and trust his promise that he has paid the price for us.

This is why we sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king!” This is the truth of Christmas.

Adopted by God

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 01:08:00 +0000

I recently read a book titled Infinitely More, which is the story of Alex Krutov, a Russian orphan who grew up in the Russian orphanage system. Alex tells the story of moving from orphanage to orphanage, never feeling as though he belonged to anyone. The orphanages did not have names. They were simply identified by number. Once each year he was issued a standard set of clothing. He ate his meals in the dining halls and he slept in dormitory style rooms. His caretakers were responsible enough to keep the children in order, but due to the sheer number of orphans, they did not become emotionally attached to the children. Alex’s circumstances were better than living on the street, but he did not have a meaningful relationship with his caregivers.

I think many Christians today view their relationship with God as one of an orphan who has not been adopted. They have been rescued from the penalty of sin through the justification they received when they came to faith in Christ. But beyond justification, there is no evidence of an intimate, loving relationship with God. They try to conform to Christian standards of conduct by attending church, praying before meals and even becoming involved in Christian service. But there is always a fear of rejection if they don’t live up to the standards. They feel as though God is watching their every move, waiting for them to step out of line so He can put them in their place. They view every negative event or circumstance in their life as God’s punishment for not meeting His standard of conduct. It’s no wonder that so many fall away, feeling as though God has abandoned them. They have never realized the fatherly love that God has for them.

John 1:12 tells us that to all who believe in the name of Jesus, He has given the right to become children of God. We are not merely justified (although, this is a significant act of God’s grace). He has not brought us into an orphanage where we simply become one in a crowd of orphans. Much more than that, we are adopted. He has adopted us as His children, and we have the privilege of calling Him our Father. He invites us to draw near to Him and to approach Him “with freedom and confidence” (Eph 3:12). The love that God has for His children is greater even than the love that we have for our own children.

J.I. Packer, in his book, Knowing God, states, “To those who are Christ’s, the holy God is a loving Father; they belong to his family; they may approach him without fear and always be sure of his fatherly concern and care. This is the heart of the New Testament message.” Take hold of that message and grow in a love relationship with your Father. You have been adopted by God. You are His child!

A Heart of Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 00:11:00 +0000

Cheri and I spent a few days last week with my family in the Memphis area for the Thanksgiving holiday. We celebrated my dad’s 85^th birthday as well as the birthday of my sister-in-law, Susan. Our two sons and daughter-in-law made the trip, and the Thanksgiving table included my niece, my two sisters and a friend. As I looked around the table, it was strange to not see my brother there. We all felt the absence of Michael, but we know he was at a much greater table than ours.

As I reflect on the events of this past year, I can see the hand of God on my life and on my family. He has sustained us through the loss of loved ones. He has provided income from unexpected sources. We have had the privilege of sharing the Gospel of Christ with those who are searching for truth. We have been encouraged by dear friends who joyfully walk beside us and we’ve had the opportunity to serve and encourage others as well. We have experienced the grace of God daily, and for that, our hearts are full of thanksgiving!

As we head into the Christmas season, my prayer is that we will continue to give thanks daily for God’s steadfast love. It was His love for us that compelled Him to send His Son to earth to save us from the penalty of sin.

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” - 1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV

A Heart of Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 03:32:00 +0000

I have read a number of articles recently on the pros and cons of contemporary worship music in the church. Some maintain that today’s contemporary songs lack the substance of our traditional hymns. Advocates of contemporary music claim that many traditional hymns are so outdated, their message is lost in translation. Some express the opinion that contemporary music should be obliterated from our worship services while others want nothing to do with traditional hymns.

I grew up in a traditional Baptist church where we sang from the hymnal while the music director stood behind a podium waving his hand to keep time and the choir stood behind him singing to the congregation. I love the old hymns and our church had one of the most talented choirs I’ve ever heard.

In the 80’s to early 90’s I attended churches that sang hymns in the service, but also added “praise songs” to the assortment. These songs were not in the hymn books so the words were projected on a screen. The tunes were more upbeat and current, but toned down enough to satisfy most regular church attenders.

In the early 90’s I was introduced to what we now call contemporary worship music. It was refreshing to learn songs that spoke of the majesty of God and the love and compassion of our Savior in a current rock and roll format. I’ve seen people engage in worship in a way that I had not seen before, with hands raised in praise to our God.

In each scenario, I have been compelled to worship many times, regardless of the music format. In each scenario, I have also merely gone through the motions, completely disengaged from worship. I’ve come to realize that the music format has very little impact on my ability to worship. My ability to worship is directly related to the attitude of my heart.

It seems to me that we have placed an inordinate emphasis on the style of music we use in our worship services. I believe there is value in the traditional as well as the contemporary songs. Both have some great songs and both have songs that are not so great. Some prefer one over the other, some like both, and some like another style of music. My former church began a rotation of rock and roll, gospel, traditional and yes, even country music in an attempt to appeal to everyone’s tastes.

But worship is so much more than singing songs in a worship service. Worship is an attitude of the heart in the acknowledgement of and submission to God “whether by the outgoing of the heart in praise and thanksgiving, or by deed done in such acknowledgement.”[1] If we do not have a heart of worship, the style of music we play and sing in church is irrelevant.

Let’s stop worrying about what kind of music the other churches are playing and place the emphasis where it should be … a heart of praise and thanksgiving for God.

[1] Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, W.E. Vine, 1996

If You Don't Have Something Nice to Say, Shut Up

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sun, 02 Nov 2014 01:00:00 +0000

I just watched Georgia lose to Florida, a team that has struggled the past few seasons. Georgia was expected to win this game. The loss is sure to eliminate them from any consideration of playing for a national championship.

Before the game was over the usual calls for the firing of Coach Richt and Mike Bobo were flying on Twitter. In my frustration, I pounded out a sarcastic post on Facebook blaming Todd Gurley for letting his team down. Gurley is probably the best player in college football this year and is sitting out a four game suspension for making a poor decision to accept money for his autographs. In all truthfulness, he did let his team down. He let his coaches down and he let his fans down. If he had been available to play, there is a good chance Georgia would have won. They are a much weaker team without him.

Shortly after my sarcastic post, my conscience wouldn't let me rest. I began to ask if I would be willing to make such a statement to his face. If not, would I post it on his wall or tag him in a tweet? The answer was a resounding "No!". I realized that if I were to meet him face to face I would extend the grace to him that I would hope others would extend to me in a similar situation.

It's easy to pass judgement on others when we don't have to face them. It's easy to criticize others for their actions when we're equally as guilty of our own offenses. The perceived anonymity of social media tempts us to say things we would never say to others face to face. We do it to be witty, to express our opinions, or as an attempt to elevate ourselves above others. But I have a higher calling than that. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have a higher calling as well.

I deleted my sarcastic post, and even though he will never see it, I offer my apology to Todd Gurley. I want my conduct toward others to be filled with grace.

Husbands, Love Your Wives – Listen to Her Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 00:53:00 +0000

Everyone knows that in many ways, men and women are different. The difference has inspired many country songs. Countless books have been written on the subject. Fortunes have been made conducting seminars on the topic. At times the differences are so significant that it seems we come from different planets.

One of the greatest differences is in the way we communicate. Generally, men are brief and to the point. When Cheri asks how my day went, my tendency is to respond, “Good. Got a lot done today.” After a round of golf she will ask me how my game went. My typical response is, “Same as always. I didn’t play very well but had few good holes.” She will often follow-up with the question, “What did you talk about?” and my mind goes blank. It requires extensive mental effort to try to recall any conversation other than “good shot” or “take a Mulligan.” So, I’ll reply, “Nothing really. Just talked about golf.” Cheri knows there must be more, but she is gracious and doesn’t press for more detail.

Cheri loves to shop for bargains at thrift stores and garage sales. She calls it junkin'. When she comes home, I rarely have to ask her how her time went. She’s excited to share with me the bargains that she found. She will describe in detail the things that caught her attention and why she did or didn’t buy certain items. She may describe where the item was located in the store, what the houses looked like, and then recount her conversations with the people working in the stores or at the garage sales.

I know that this scenario is not unique to Cheri and me. It’s a typical difference between men and women. We have a tendency to accept it as such and leave it there. But men, we can become better husbands if we are willing to change the status quo. When you recount your day with bullet points instead of details, you are merely giving information. But when your wife is pouring out the details of her experience, she is not merely dispensing words. She is seeking to connect with you on an emotional level. She is inviting you to come along and share the experience with her. The only way to complete that connection is to give her your attention and listen to her heart.

This is a practice that will not come easily for most men. We’re accustomed to taking in the information we want or need and filtering out the rest. I began the process of retraining myself to listen a few months ago. It’s a challenge to undo decades of a learned behavior. But I know I can become a better husband and strengthen our relationship if I will learn to listen. Don’t just listen to her words. Learn to listen to her heart.

Where He Leads

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 22:08:00 +0000

Many of my friends know the past few years have been a challenging experience. After more than fifteen successful years in my own business, things came to a screeching halt. I’m thankful that business is finally getting back to normal. But the desert experience has changed me, hopefully for the better.

In February, 2011, I began to write this blog without really knowing what direction it would take. My first post was titled “Bring It”, and I related my increased intensity in my workout routine to my need to go deeper in my relationship with God. I began to write about my experiences in life. As I continued to write, my focus centered more and more on the things that I have learned about God along the way. It has been a great encouragement to me to share my thoughts, and I hope I have encouraged others as well.

During the past several years, Cheri and I have been involved in leading small groups, and during the past two years we’ve led a few Starting Point groups at North Point Community Church. Starting Point is an eight week small group environment where those who have questions about the Christian faith can engage in a conversation about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. I’ve been challenged to face questions that I can’t answer and to share what I know with others who are seeking or are new believers in Christ.

As I’ve negotiated the peaks and valleys of the past few years, my faith has been challenged. I’ve had periods of spiritual growth and periods of stagnation and discouragement. Through it all, God has kept his hand on me and never let me go. As I’ve continued to write (although my frequency has declined), read, pray and serve, I’ve felt the need to deepen my understanding of God and his Word.

A few weeks ago I decided to follow God’s prompting, and I submitted an application for acceptance at Dallas Theological Seminary. I immediately experienced an onslaught of doubt and apprehension about moving forward. My business has increased and I don’t know how much time I’ll have to study. College football season is my favorite time of year and I won’t be able to devote an entire weekend to watching football. I was never a stellar student and the thought of sitting through lectures doesn’t really excite me. But this morning I received notice that I’ve been accepted, and I’ll begin taking online courses in the fall.

I don’t anticipate a career change. I simply want to be better equipped to write with authority and to lead effectively. I ask that my friends will keep me in their prayers as I venture into this new experience. I’m not sure what to expect, but I’m trusting in God to lead me. Where He leads me, I will follow.

The Bear

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 22:50:00 +0000

My brother Michael was 16 months older than me. We played football together for a very short time in high school when he was a junior and I was a freshman. He outweighed me then by about 80 pounds and was an All-Conference offensive and defensive tackle.

Mike was one of those guys that was just naturally strong. When he started weight training for football, he was ahead of most guys on the team in terms of how much he could lift. He was tough and there was no quit in him. He played with broken fingers, a sprained knee or ankle, and a bloody nose. He was determined not to come out of the game and played both sides of the ball. His strength and toughness earned him the nickname “The Bear.”

I always felt safe when Mike was around. I remember a time we were walking home from a local football game and he stood up to an unruly bunch of guys that were taunting us. He didn’t lay a finger on any of them. He just stared them down and they walked away. Then there was the time when I was injured in football practice and the coach told me to carry the medical box from the bus to the locker room. Mike took the box from me and practically carried me to the locker room.

When Mike was in college he drove a group of students every week to conduct a Bible study time for a group of young children in a small rural town in South Carolina. I went with him a few times and enjoyed seeing the little kids crawl all over him. They loved climbing up on “Mike the Mountain’, and he amazed them with his impromptu “magic tricks”. One Saturday he came back to campus and told me there was a girl who had joined his group as a leader that I needed to meet. Her name has been Cheri Berry for the past 30 years.

Last week, as I attended his funeral, I heard stories from his employees about how he would go out of his way to help them whenever they needed help. He was always willing to help my parents and sisters when they needed something done around the house. Even until the very end, he was determined to get his payroll reports finished, because he wanted to make sure his employees were paid.

The apostle James tell us, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” Over the past ten months, Mike endured a difficult trial. But his faith in Jesus Christ never faltered. He remained steadfast in his trust in the love and sovereignty of God. James continues, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Michael stood the test and I believe he will receive his crown.

While we mourn our loss, we find comfort in our knowledge that Michael is with his Savior. For those of us who knew him, and who trust in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, we will see him again. To his wife, Susan, and the rest of our family, perhaps one day the Bear will show us his crown.

Rest in peace my brother Michael, aka, “The Bear”. (September 2, 1958 – June 10, 2014)

The Log in Your Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 23:29:00 +0000

Have you ever had a conversation with a friend or family member about something in their life that truly concerned you because you knew that “something” was harmful for them? It is difficult to discuss those issues when we know we have things in our own lives that may be just as, or even more harmful.

It’s not uncommon to hear someone refer to the passage from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus says, “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye.” We often shrink away from helping someone because we don’t want to be called a hypocrite. We decide to just let it be and walk away. It’s easier to allow others to continue on a path of destruction than it is to look in the mirror and examine our own heart and deal with whatever is there. But that is not what Jesus said to do. He said to first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

I’ve been reading The Deeper Christian Life by one of my favorite authors, Andrew Murray. His book was published in 1895, and even then, he spoke of how Christians are content to be merely converted but not sanctified. We correctly teach in our churches that Jesus will accept us as we are. I was reading one of my own articles today from a few years ago titled “Always Loved” which talks about how God’s love for us never falters, even when we disobey Him. I am grateful for God’s mercy and grace, His unfailing love for me. But if I am content to live with the log in my eye, I will never experience the joy of communion with God. If we are not willing to deal with the log, we are not available to be used by God the way He wants to use us.

After I had surgery a few years ago for a detached retina, the doctor told me that I would continue to see floaters, dark specks in my eye for a while, but eventually, my brain would train itself to no longer see those specks. The specks are still there, but I no longer see them. In the same way, we often train ourselves to dismiss certain sinful habits, behaviors and attitudes as normal. We have logs that we see and ignore, and we have logs that we will only see if we ask God to reveal them once again to us.

Don’t ignore the log in your eye. Take the log out so you can see clearly how to help someone. Be all that God created you to be!

I Love to Tell the Story

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:41:00 +0000

Until the past few years, I didn’t consider it a privilege to share the gospel of Christ. It was more a duty than a privilege. I think I saw it as such because somewhere along the way I had mistakenly learned that my ability to “witness” and “win souls to Christ” was a direct indication of my own spiritual condition. If I wasn’t willing to put myself into uncomfortable situations where I could proclaim the gospel to strangers, I wasn’t living up to God’s expectations. If I wasn’t able to close the deal then perhaps I needed to question the validity of my own salvation because I was not “bearing fruit.”

I remember the time before I went on my first short-term mission trip to Guatemala and I found out that I would have to share the gospel one-on-one with people who came to the medical clinics. I know I’m not alone when I say that the prospect of doing that scared the heck out of me. How would I know what to say? What if I said something wrong or someone asked me a question that I couldn’t answer? What if I totally blew it and nobody accepted Christ? I was afraid of the responsibility for the souls that came through my station.

Now I love to tell the story and here is what made the difference for me. I have done it and I have seen God work beyond my spoken words to draw people to himself. I bear no responsibility to convince anyone to believe in Jesus. The Spirit of God does the convincing, and he uses the words of believers who share the gospel of Jesus to regenerate the hearts of those who are dead in their sinful state. That’s exciting! God allows me to participate in his act of awakening hearts and drawing them to himself. What a privilege it is to share the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ!

Does the thought of sharing the gospel strike fear in you? If so, I encourage you to speak up when the opportunity presents itself and trust God to take your words to someone’s heart. You will be amazed at what God will do through you!

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Who Are You?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 00:48:00 +0000

If you were to look at the About section of my Facebook profile, this is what you would see:

Owner, J. Berry & Company
Studied Accounting at Bob Jones University
Lives in Roswell, GA
From Collierville, TN
Married to Cheri Berry

Those five bullet points tell you some facts about me, but they don’t tell you who I am.

I also have two adult sons. I love being a husband, a father, and now a father-in-law. I like to work out at the gym, play golf and ski. But I still haven’t told you who I am.

A couple of years ago I discovered that I enjoy writing. I also lead a Bible study group and I’m involved in my local church ministry. My father was a deacon in the church where I grew up and my mother sang in the choir and taught children’s Sunday school. I have a brother, two sisters, in-laws, uncles and aunts, nieces and nephews and I’ve had two Golden Retrievers named Sammy. All of that information tells you about me. But that’s not who I am.

After you strip away all of the things that you do, the places you go, the people you’re related to, the church you attend, your job, your career, your hobbies, your sexual orientation, your political persuasion, who are you? What is your identity?

The book of Genesis tells us that we (mankind) were created in the image of God. We were created in righteousness with the ability to reason, the capacity to love, and the freedom to make choices. God breathed his very own breath into Adam and gave him life. At his core, Adam’s identity was “created by God in God’s own image.”

But Adam’s choice to disobey God corrupted the image of God within himself, and he passed his corrupted image on to all his descendants. Romans 5:12 tells us, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, so death spread to all men because all sinned.”(ESV) Our identity is still “created by God in God’s own image”, but also “corrupted by sin.”

But that identity can be changed. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (ESV) Through faith in Jesus Christ, our identity is no longer “corrupted by sin." Our identity is changed to “hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3).

What is your identity? Are you hidden with Christ in God? If so, be who you are. Let your identity in Christ drive everything that you do.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Husbands, Love Your Wives - Go See a Chick Flick

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 20:53:00 +0000

Men are terrified of chick flicks. There’s just something about going to a movie about a sisterhood of traveling pants that makes us feel like we need a prescription for Low-T. I don’t really know why. Women can sit through any version of Die Hard or Terminator and walk out with their femininity intact. We, however, feel like our manhood is threatened if we watch Miss Congeniality.

I’ve been to a few chick flicks with Cheri. I remember one about a devil wearing Prada. The devil was actually a highly successful fashion designer or maybe a magazine editor. I’m still not sure when she wore Prada, because I don’t know what that is. There was another one called Last Holiday or something like that. Cameron Diaz went to some dude’s house in the snow for the holidays. I’m sure at some point during one of those movies I probably got a lump in my throat and maybe a tear in the eye. Those things are easily dismissed as allergy attacks which require a Benadryl and a trip to the restroom. No harm done. Manhood is still intact.

Yesterday I had a mock conversation with a friend (we’ll call him Mark) in which I suggested we take our wives to see a chick flick. His mock response was “Why don’t you stick a hot poker in my eye instead?” For most men, that would be preferred. But for most of those same men, their wives sit through countless baseball, football and basketball games while sweetly letting their husbands command the TV remote. They go to movies like Ironman, True Grit, and Black Hawk Down. They don’t necessarily want to see the movie. They want to spend time with their husbands and they’re willing to do that in a man’s world.

Do you want to show your wife that you love her? Take the initiative and do something with her that you know she will enjoy. Don’t do it because of what you might get out of it. This is not about earning points or rewards. This is called giving of yourself by taking an interest in her and showing her that her world is as important to you as your world is to her. Love your wife. Take her to see a chick flick now and then.

Rejoice in Hope, Be Patient in Tribulation, Be Constant in Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:20:00 +0000

With the expansion of cable television news networks and social media, it is easy to become obsessed with the problems we face as a nation. The problems are real and they deserve our attention. But more and more, I find myself pulling away from all of the negative reporting on television, the constant bickering on radio talk shows, and sarcastic political posts on Facebook and Twitter. I’m not pulling away to ignore the issues. It just seems that dwelling on these things throughout the day and night only serves to increase my level of stress and takes my attention away from the God of hope.

I believe our nation is deeply divided between conservative and liberal ideologies. The contrast between the two is so sharp there is little, if any middle ground. The fight between the two will continue, and one side will eventually win. Seems hopeless, doesn’t it?

For those who are in Christ, we can rejoice in hope. Our hope is not in the future of our nation. Our hope is in the assurance that our lives rest in the hand of God. While it is important to try to preserve the integrity and freedom of our nation, it is infinitely more important that we share the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is our purpose. This is our calling.

We will experience trials and tribulations. Financial hardships, the loss of loved ones, broken relationships, and the stresses of everyday life impact our vision of hope. These tribulations test our faith, and through testing, strengthen our faith. As we grow in faith, we become better equipped to share the hope of the gospel of Christ.

Prayer focuses our attention on the God of hope. If we are constant in prayer, we will not be obsessed with the cares of this world. Prayer frees us to walk in peace with God and allows us to rejoice in the hope of his glory.

Don’t let the problems of our world consume you. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 ESV

Who Do You Say That I Am?

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 01:20:00 +0000

As Jesus was on his way to Caesarea with his disciples, he asked them “Who do people say that I am?” They answered that some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and some say one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Not long after that, as Jesus stood captive before the high priest, Peter denied that he even knew who Jesus was. The Gospel of Luke says that after Peter denied him a third time, Jesus turned and looked at him. Peter had denied Jesus, whom he once proclaimed was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, in his very presence.

After Jesus was crucified, Peter, along with the other disciples, knowing he was dead, had great reason to conclude that Jesus was not who he had claimed to be. If Jesus was truly the Son of the Living God, he wouldn’t be dead. Even his mother and his brother, James had reason to believe he was not God.

Then God did something. He raised Jesus from the dead! When his disciples saw their risen Savior, their faith that Jesus was the Christ was restored!

Who do you say that Jesus is? In part seven of “The Starting Point Series”, Andy Stanley speaks plainly about what faith is and why he believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Check it out at www.startingpointseries.com.

Have Thine Own Way

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 19:16:00 +0000

It's Saturday and I'm looking forward to a great SEC football game at 3:30. I love to watch college football and I'll often start with the noon game and watch football the rest of the day. But today, before football, I felt compelled to watch a sermon that I received via email last night.

The sermon is delivered by Brian Tome from Crossroads Community Church in Cincinnati, and addresses the issue of homosexuality. It is directed to those who profess a belief that Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be in the scriptures ... God incarnate who gave himself to ransom us from the penalty of sin. When we believe in him, we are given a new identity, and we stand before God as righteous because of Jesus Christ. But we still have our old nature, a nature that is predisposed to sin. We struggle to have our own way, even though God wants more for us. We often attempt to ignore or justify our sin and we miss out on the joy of walking in fellowship with God.

We all have sin that we cannot overcome through our own willpower. Homosexuality is a predominant topic in our culture today, which is why Brian focuses on this specific issue. Whether it be sexual immorality, homosexuality, greed, lying, cheating, gossip or any habitual sin, the first step, as believers in Christ, to overcome sin is to acknowledge it and confess it to God. The second step is to surrender to his will and allow the Holy Spirit to mold you into who God wants you to be. We must be willing to say to God, "Have Thine own way."

This message speaks truth and demonstrates grace. Those that are full of truth and no grace may think it is too soft. Those who desire grace at the expense of truth may dismiss it as too dogmatic. If you have questions about what God says through the Scriptures about this issue, this message may speak to you. Here's the link (warning, the message contains some graphic expressions):

http://s3.amazonaws.com/crossroadsvideomessages/goodsex_02.mp4

Love Letters

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Thu, 05 Sep 2013 22:47:00 +0000

There were no cell phones when Cheri and I were dating in college. In fact, our school had a rule against guys and girls calling each other in their dorm rooms. They said it was because the switchboard couldn’t handle the volume of calls. We just thought it was one more rule to try to keep us apart. We were college students. What did we know?

Since we couldn’t talk to each other by telephone, there was an intricate note system that was run by the men’s fraternities (they were actually called societies, but fraternity is a more familiar term). Each dorm had a long wooden box divided into sections designated for each dorm for the opposite sex. If you put a note in the box by 9:00 p.m. it would be delivered to the room of the addressee by 10:00. If you missed the pickup time, it was too bad. Your note would have to wait.

Cheri and I would spend as much time together as possible during our permissible social hours. But alas, the time would come when we would have to go our separate ways. Cheri was a good student and spent most of her evenings studying, so our social time usually ended with our walk to her dorm after dinner. Men and women were not permitted in each other’s dorms, so we would say goodnight and part ways.

Every night I looked forward to getting a letter from Cheri. Even though I had seen her just hours before, I couldn’t wait to get that letter addressed to me in her handwriting. Sometimes she would put some of her perfume on the envelope. She would start each letter with “My Dearest Joel” or “My Dearest Sweetheart” or some other special pet name that would just cause me to melt. She would tell me how much she loved me, how much she enjoyed being with me that day, and write about whatever was on her mind. I wrote letters to her every night as well, telling her how special she was to me and how much I loved her. I would read her letter several times before I went to sleep. I just couldn’t get enough and couldn’t wait to see her the next day.

Her letters never bored me. Even though she rarely wrote something that I didn’t already know, I read and absorbed each word. I read each letter as though I had never heard what she was saying. Her words filled my heart and assured me that she was in love with me.

That is the way we should read our letter from God. It’s easy to skim over the words that we’ve read over and over and perhaps committed to memory. But when we read as though we’ve never read it before, we can see things that we may have missed. God will continue to reveal his love to us and assure us of his presence.

During the past couple of years, I’ve downloaded several of Paul’s New Testament letters into Word documents and organized them into paragraphs, eliminating chapter and verse numbers. It’s amazing what an impact it has made for me to read those letters as letters instead of a collection of chapters and verses.

God has given us his love letter. Take the time to read it as though you have never read it before. Ask him to show you things you have never seen before. You’ll be amazed by what you will learn about him and his love for you.

Without a Doubt

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 01:16:00 +0000

During a recent sermon at North Point Community Church, Andy Stanley confessed that in his youth he had prayed the “sinner’s prayer” on multiple occasions just to make sure he was saved. When he asked if anyone else had done that, hands went up all through the congregation, including mine.

When I was very young I came to faith in Jesus Christ. I didn’t understand all there is to understand about that faith. During my youth and into my college years, whenever I felt as though I didn’t live up to God’s standards, I would have doubts about my salvation. Had I merely accepted Christ as a way to escape eternal punishment? Was my acceptance of Christ as my Savior adequate for God to consider it to be sincere?

I had learned the passage in Ephesians 2 that says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” But my understanding of this passage was this … Because I decided to have faith in Jesus Christ, God extended His grace to me and saved me. I knew I could not earn my salvation by doing good works. But if God’s grace and his gift of salvation depended upon my decision to have faith, how would I ever know if my faith was adequate to receive God’s grace?

We often use the word “faith” in the context of "our decision to believe something". We philosophize the if we believe something strongly enough, i.e. "if we have enough faith", our belief will produce a desired result. But we can believe something without having a basis for our confidence or trust in that belief. I can believe with all my might that I will open my mailbox and find a check for a million dollars, but my belief does not make that check appear. I have nothing to assure me that the check will be there no matter how diligently I assert my belief. Belief can also represent mere mental assent that Jesus was a real, historic person. But the passage in Ephesians 2 does not say “For by grace you have been saved through your belief that Jesus was real.” It says, "by grace you have been saved through faith."

Hebrews 11:1 explains that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” This clarifies the meaning of the statement in Ephesians 2 as follows, “For by grace you have been saved through the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

How do we receive this assurance or conviction? Is there something deep within us that we must summon to the surface so we can have faith? According to Paul in Ephesians 2, until God makes us alive in Christ, we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Our physical body is alive, but spiritually we are dead. There is no life, no assurance of things hoped for, no conviction of things not seen.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, 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 coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Faith, the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen, is given to us by God. By His grace, we are saved through His assurance that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who gave Himself as payment in full of the penalty for our sin. Because He has made us alive and given us faith, we are able to truly believe in Him with full confidence and assurance that He will keep His promise that all who believe in the Son has life. We have the promise that “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Our faith and our salvation is not a result of anything that we can do. It is the gift of God. The faith that God gives is the assurance that He has fulfilled His promise of a Redeemer through Jesus Christ. Because He has given me His assurance, I can trust in His promise. I know I have been saved, without a doubt!

“… for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.” (2 Timothy 1:12, ESV)

Draw Near

noreply@blogger.com (Joel Berry) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:21:00 +0000

I spent the afternoon yesterday playing golf with my youngest son on his 22^nd birthday. At times it’s hard to believe that I have two adult sons. I taught them to play golf. They can both hit the ball farther than me and routinely beat me whenever we play. I don’t mind that. I enjoy the time I can spend with them, and I find satisfaction in the fact that I taught them to play.

There was a time when they needed my help to do many things. I helped them get ready for bed at night, get dressed before church, and tied their shoes several times a day. I carried them on my shoulders when they were tired and we had a long walk ahead. There were times when I would be on the sofa watching a ball game and they would climb up for me to hold them in my arms and make them feel safe and secure. Whether they were happy or sad, obedient or disobedient, smelly or freshly bathed, they didn’t hesitate to draw close and feel my acceptance.

James 4:8 tells us we can do that with God. No matter what we’ve done or what we are going through, he tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” We can draw near to God through confession, prayer, and meditation on his word. When we draw near to him, he will not turn us away. Instead, he responds by drawing near to us, just as when I would wrap my arms around my boys when they came to me for comfort and assurance.

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.