“And Gideon made an ephod of it and put it in his city, in Ophrah. And all Israel whored after it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and to his family.”

No one likes to struggle and everyone wants to climb the ladder and succeed. Yet we fail to acknowledge that success can be difficult, even dangerous. I'm not saying that we should only desire struggle or that success is bad. I am saying that success can become something unintended. The universal desire to succeed is not wrong, but it can become corrupt and ultimately lead to failure. The difficulty arises when improper motives lead to misplaced worship.   

Gideon's initial idea of success was modest – thresh wheat without having it stolen by the Midianites or the Amalekites. This was a modest endeavor and it certainly was not a bad thing to try and succeed at... people need to eat. He was working hard and trying his best to survive. He demonstrated creativity as he worked toward the goal in a wine press which is not the normal location for threshing wheat. It seems that he was succeeding even if it might only be temporary. But, Gideon was about to experience success on a level that he had only heard about and dreamed of (Judges 6:13). God was about to deliver his people once again in spite of their disobedience and he would use Gideon to accomplish his work.

It seems that there was no expectation of success and Gideon was not confident in God or his abilities. He made excuses about his clan and his position. He even put God to the test and asked for multiple signs. This "Man of Valor" did not believe that he would succeed and it seems that he was more comfortable with struggling and suffering. However, this attitude and posture changed dramatically after Gideon experienced success. 

The danger wasn't evident when the vast majority of his army dwindled down to only three hundred men. It didn't manifest even when God gave him confirmation through an enemy's dream. Gideon's failure came after his success in defeating the Midianite army and refusing to rule the people. The success the people experienced was worshiped instead of God. Garments and gold were prized more than God. Gideon made an ephod to commemorate his success and it  became a snare (Judges 8:27). 

If our identity and value is found in success or the praise of peers, the truth is missed and the danger of success becomes deadly. 

What's your motivation for success?  
Are you looking to success for satisfaction and meaning instead of God?

Why You Should Be Praying the Psalms

I’m sure such folks are out there, but I’ve not personally met any Christian who hasn’t struggled with saying the same old things about the same old things in prayer. Before long, such repetitive prayer is boring. And when prayer is boring, it’s hard to pray—at least with any joy and fervency.

The Guilt and the Shame

So many Christians live their lives racked with guilt and shame. They think back to the things they did, the sins they committed, whether two days ago or two decades, and they live under a cloud of shame. This shame hurts, it burns, it incapacitates. It raises this question: What is the place of guilt, what is the place of shame, in the life of the Christian?

I am a Christian, but I don’t follow Christ

By now many of you have no doubt seen the viral video “I’m a Christian, but…” (click the image above to view it). Not only has the video been making the rounds, but the hashtag #IAmAChristianBut is ubiquitous on social media right now.

How to Stay Christian on Campus

But while there may be some truth to the bubble experience, it can be unhelpfully deceptive and give way to a crippling lie: that campus life isn’t real life. My race hasn’t started yet. School is just a scrimmage; the real thing begins after graduation. This is one of the most important myths to dispel for the Christian student.

Poverty and the New Creation

The promise of the new creation reminds us that a day coming when poverty will end—but it won’t be ended by us. Jesus will bring an end to all suffering and sadness, not you and me. And recognizing this is a wonderful gift because it is the only thing that can keep us from being discouraged.

PREACHERS: THOU SHALT NOT BORE PEOPLE

One lady in particular looked like she was just about in full REM sleep before she quickly awoke and checked her watch. Many people, including Donald Trump, have seized this opportunity to poke fun at Bush and even try to discredit him as a candidate. I see it as an opportunity for us who are in ministry or who teach God’s word to be reminded of the importance of honest self-evaluation in view of not being boring.

““But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.””

Apple just announced it's next round of tech gadgets. The "Apple Event" has once again captured the attention and imagination of consumers everywhere. This annual shindig has already caused some to line up at their local Apple retail store just so they can be one of the first to get their hands on the next generation iPhone. It seems that the impatience of shoppers has carriers and vendors changing the way they peddle their wares because let's face it, "Who can wait two whole years for their next iPhone?" The discipline of delayed gratification seems to be fading and consumer debt continues to climb. It is wildly entertaining to watch the news feeds and Twitter explode with each new feature, but how should a follower of Jesus process this kind of information and opportunity?

If you know me, you know that I am just enough of a geek and a nerd to be really dangerous when it comes to electronic gadgetry. I have a tendency to embrace new technology quickly. So please understand, my aim in this post is not to say that you are a bad person if you want a new iPhone or to shame you if you enjoy technology. The point is to remind us that the things of this world cannot satisfy us. Our contentment is found in God. 

The Greek word used for contentment in these verses was used by Stoic philosophers. The idea was that one should be unmoved by external circumstances. Yet, Paul exhorts us to be mindful that everything we receive comes from God and is sufficient. Rather than being driven by the constant pursuit of the newest and fastest, we should be content with God's provision and faithfulness. Paul was affirming that godliness leads to gain and there is great profit (spiritual profit) in the type of godliness that possesses a contentment in the realm of material possessions. True godliness is great gain, for it promises benefits for this life and the next. Adding contentment to godliness promotes gratitude for God’s gracious gifts in this life. 

When we are content, we are satisfied with having the necessities of life. We must strive not to be driven by the desire for technology and possessions. Our greatest aim must be to please God and hear him say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ when we finally stand before him. So, whether you get a new iPhone or not, strive to be content. See Jesus as more beautiful and beneficial. Pair it with godliness and enjoy the gain. 

Robinson Crusoe’s Conversion

Shipwrecked, a castaway, menaced by cannibals and pirates. I'm in! I love history. 

Five Reasons to Keep the Kids In 

Being with the congregation in the worship service from childhood is one of the greatest privileges that God has given to children growing up in a Christian home. That begs the question, however, ‘If our young children can’t understand what is being said from the pulpit, why would we keep them in?’

When You Get the Raw End Of the Deal

Injustice. The world is full of it. Sooner or later, everyone is treated unjustly, in big or small ways. 

My Wife's Plea to Christian Men

We spoke and she told me about reading the news, about seeing more Christian men fall into scandal, and, in the face of it all, her confusion, her despair, the crumbling of her hope. I asked if she would write about it. Here is what she said.

Church Signs of the Week: August 28, 2015

Church signs can be a good thing with pertinent information like service times, the time, the temperature... Sometimes they can be quite amusing.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

It's Monday... that statement alone feels like it should be followed by an apology and a hug. The declaration that it's Monday is generally assumed to be negative because Monday is presumed to be inherently bad. The fact that it is Monday also means that yesterday was Sunday. There you go and you're welcome. I have solved the mystery of "what day was yesterday" and demonstrated a complete understanding of how the days of the week are ordered. Thank you Kindergarten with Mrs. Wisenhunt and mom. But I digress... Many of you gathered yesterday as the church for corporate worship. I pray that you gave yourself to singing, studying the scripture and to the fellowship of the saints. 

Side note– if you are a follower of Jesus and are not regularly gathering with other believers, change that immediately and get thee to a gathering. 

Monday means that it is time to resume our regular activities, which feels like being launched out of a cannon. Our frenetic pace of life is usually something that one just hopes to somehow survive. But, Monday may also bring with it a serious case of amnesia as we lose sight of what we learned during the Sunday gathering. The addition of school, practice, a busy day at work, or stress can cause us to quickly forget God's goodness as the benefits that we enjoyed on Sunday seem to disappear as if nothing ever happened. God has generously given us pastors, teachers, leaders, singers, and other spiritual siblings to aid us along the journey and provided us with music, correction, helpful reminders, and biblical instruction. Don't get Monday amnesia and forget all the wonderful ways that God has blessed. Don't fail to recall the confessions, convictions, and leading you experienced Sunday. Hold fast to the truth that was made clear. Walk in obedience. Remember the Lord who gives benefits, forgives, heals, redeems, crowns with steadfast love and mercy, satisfies and renews us. Never forget that the LORD is good regardless of circumstances and conditions. 

It's Monday...

God is love – what a remarkable thing to read. This is the attribute of God known by most and quickly embraced although not fully understood and often misused. The love of God is used for everything from excusing sin to saying that everyone will end up in heaven. God is love tells us that he is the first and most generous giver for the benefit of others. God's love is evidenced in the eternal love of the Trinity itself – Father, Son and Spirit. Jesus spoke of this love in John 17 when he said, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” (John 17:24, ESV) Before the world was, God was love and there was a mutual giving within the Godhead. God is the origin, the basis, the guide, and source of love. This is why we are exhorted to love others and reflect the character of God.  

The Father has loved us and sent Jesus to redeem us. The Son has loved us, becoming like us, shedding his blood for us, and imparting his righteousness. The Holy Spirit has loved us, embedding eternal life and revealing the glories of Jesus. The powerful love of God can save, to the uttermost, all who are lost in sin. The love of God makes Jesus our brother, our mediator, our bride-groom.

The love of God is summed up well by Frederick M. Lehman when he wrote,

The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell,
It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell,
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win:
His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin.

When years of time shall pass away and earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray, on rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure shall still endure, all measureless and strong:
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—the saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made,
Were ev’ry stalk on earth a quill and ev’ry man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole tho stretched from sky to sky.

Chorus:

O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—the saints’ and angels’ song.

Each day we release a prayer starter which is just a word or a phrase intended to help set a trajectory for your prayers. Our desire is that these prayer starters would serve to keep your prayers from becoming too conventional and repetitious (repetition is not a bad thing but familiarity can bring complacency). Our hope is that these prayer starters would bring a freshness and vitality as we strive to grow in the grace of prayer together. Today, I want to give you an example of how I use these in my own prayer life in the hopes that it would bring clarity and serve as a template for your ongoing use.  

The Love Of Jesus...  

The Love Of Jesus is everlasting and unchanging. It melts my heart and sets aflame my affections. How could I ever have dreamed that infinite would love finite? Can it be that one so beautiful would pursue my deformity? Could one so pure love one so filthy? The Love Of Jesus provides the means for me to be adopted as his brother.  

How can I measure The Love Of Jesus? How far is it from heaven to earth? Is relinquishing equality with God a thing to be comprehended? Can you measure the humiliation of the incarnation? Can pain be assessed in the garden? Can suffering be quantified? Can you calculate the grace I have been afforded through Jesus?  

The Love Of Jesus is the light by which I see, the joy and peace I know and is complete and blessed assurance because of my confidence in Him. The Love Of Jesus makes divine union reality through pardon of sin and guarantees the renovation of my nature because of His faithfulness. The Love Of Jesus is my refuge and hope.  

The Love Of Jesus is water and blood.  It is the fountain for cleansing. It is the foundation on which to build. It is too wise to err, too kind to injure and too tender to crush. It is the fruit I bear. It is the yoke I seek. It is my only hope in life and death. I am His handiwork and a bearer of His image. I am His and He is mine.  

I long for the day when we see the glory of The Love Of Jesus. When we see the pure revelation and it outshines all of creation. When The Love Of Jesus replaces corruption with incorruption, mortality with immortality, natural with spiritual, and shame with glory.  

The Love Of Jesus changes everything. He experienced anguish that I might have joy. He was exiled that I might be made a citizen. He was forsaken that I might be made a friend. He endured hell that I might attain heaven. He was stripped that I should be clothed. He was wounded that I might be healed. He was tormented that I might be comforted. He went into darkness that I might have light.

The Love Of Jesus is beyond compare and it brings me to my knees in both sadness and praise.

Reverb is a list of articles I've read online that I found thought-provoking, fun, strange or serious. Some of these articles might expose you to different ways of seeing the world and thinking.

Dude Perfect: The Super Bowl

Super Bowl stereotypes... you will recognize all of them.

Jonathan Dodson at Gospel-Centered Discipleship: 2 Big Reasons Evangelism Isn’t Working

Rehearsing a memorized fact, “Jesus died on the cross for your sins,” isn’t walking in wisdom... There are some good reminders here for us. We often treat people as projects or try to win arguments rather than truly loving them.

Russell Moore: Abortion and the Gospel

The issue of abortion matters. It is a polarizing issue that can be hurtful in the way it is discussed. Your self-righteousness and condemnation will not change the hearts of anyone. There is solid counsel here about remembering the gospel – all of it including the mercy and grace that comes through Christ Jesus.

Christianity Today: The Most Important Thing About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is sometimes the forgotten person of the trinity or the overemphasized person. How are we to think about His work? There are some helpful thoughts here from JD Greer about what gets missed.

Tim Challies: It Is a Hurrying, Bustling Age

This is a good reminder about self-examination. The discipline of solitude and careful examination of matters of the heart are often left to sentimental and emotional group exercises. We do not need to neglect community or the importance of gathering together, but we need to consider carefully our state and the posture of our hearts.

Thom Ranier: Six Observations about Speaking to Pastors Right Before They Preach

Timing is everything. Sometimes we need to consider the sober task that lies before the preacher when he speaks to a congregation. Stop and think before you speak.

The word study brings with it implications that most students find distasteful because that word is most often associated with being commanded to study by teachers and parents. Our rebel hearts don't like anyone telling us what to do or giving us a deadline and the accountability that forces our hand. Combine this with a potential lack of desire or laziness in the application of our minds upon any academic subject and the word study is viewed negatively. However, upon closer examination, we must confess that if the definition of study is as Webster's says, "A setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence,application of mind to books, arts, or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of acquiring knowledge." then I think we must agree that we love to study.

The barrier to this is that we the things that interest us and what we perceive to be valuable. This week almost every news source is studying how the Packers lost, whether or not the New England Patriots cheated and what every line of the State of the Union Address meant for America. We study in slow motion every sporting event. We study every detail of the outfits worn on the red carpet. We study... a lot. Have you ever watched guys in their study of girls, or a gamer study strategy for a new game or team play, or everyone study social media? We study and we like to study but our study is generally limited to the things that interest us and that is a very subjective practice and potentially unwise approach to study.

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:5–6, ESV)

I think Sir William Temple was correct. If we are to have strength of mind and our conversation is to have grace, then we must set our minds to the study of grace which will be found in the pages of sacred scripture. If we are to know how to speak and how we should answer, we must study the word of God.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, ESV)

Do not let your obligations academically hinder the study of God's word. If you are looking for some encouragement and help in this pursuit, then click here.

For many, this is not just a new year, but a new semester at school. It is the time where we struggle to get back into the regular routine of our schedule and school. It is amazing how a short break can derail almost the entire process of just getting up in the morning, getting dressed and properly groomed. This problem is compounded by the cold weather which makes even the moving of the cover off of us as a first step an uncomfortable exercise. The battle to begin the new semester must be hard fought in order to overcome our lack of motivation and the time we had away from our regular rhythms. As G.K. Chesterton said,

"No man who worships education has got the best out of education.... Without a gentle contempt for education no man's education is complete."

It is the steady discipline of school that is meant to help shape us and affords us the gift that is education. Most do not see school as a gift but rather as an unbearable burden.

However, we must remind ourselves that we are to love God with our minds. I find that it is steady discipline over time that has the greatest effect on us in life. In watching my children, I am reminded that the singing of the alphabet song over and over in the car has led to reading and brought incredible joy and discussion to our family. If you are in school, it is difficult to step back and asses what impact your current studies will have on your future and worldview.

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. – Aristotle

Most students agree with Pink Floyd – "We don't need no education." The grammar alone should point to the need for it... Don't neglect loving God with your mind because you are commanded to so in the scripture. Check your heart and your motivations. Do you neglect your studies because:

• You are rebellious and do not want to submit to authority.

  “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1, ESV)

• You don't like a teacher and withhold your best effort to punish them.

  “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1, ESV)

• You are lazy and desire your personal comfort more than obedience.

  “The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.” (Proverbs 21:25, ESV)

• You are afraid to fail so you don't try.

  “You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.” (Job 5:21, ESV)

• You have a reputation for not applying yourself you are trying to maintain.

  “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1, ESV)

• You are seeking the approval of others.

  “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, ESV)

What kind of student you are does not determine your value. However, the condition of your heart toward school is made evident through your words and actions. How do you speak of school, your teachers and your fellow classmates.

“The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45, ESV)

Love God with your mind and obey those in authority over you. It is a new semester after all...

Reverb is a list of articles I've read online that I found engaging. Some of them are fun. Some are serious. Some will expose you to different ways of thinking. Take a look and see what you think. Send me some things that you have been reading online that you think might be helpful to others as well.

5 Minutes in Church History: Augustine on Friendship

Friendship is something that matters to all of us. We are designed for community and friendship has a tremendous effect on how we look at the world around us. Augustine often liked to quote the famous line from Cicero, who defined friendship as “agreement with kindliness and affection about things human and divine.”

Albert Mohler: Theological Extremism in a Secular Age

Worldview matters and if man is the chief end of all things, then why are we still facing the same problems with all of the education and technology available to us? A good read from Dr. Mohler.

Tim Challies: 5 Reasons We Eat Together as a Family

Eating together is a simple way to stay relationally connected. Perhaps for the new year your family might set a goal to have a meal together a couple of times a week.

Christianity Today: 'Not Forgotten': The Top 50 Countries Where It's Most Difficult To Be A Christian

Remember those who suffer for their faith. We have enjoyed so much favor and freedom that sometimes we forget that there are places in the world where people suffer for their beliefs. This is a good reminder for us.

FaithIt: This Countdown Video of Church Appropriate Dance Moves Is Our New Favorite Thing

If you know me very well, you know I love to dance... I say a resolution for the new year that everyone should make is to dance more (or liturgically move in a rhythmical way if you don't dance). David and Goliath baby!

It's a new year and with that comes resolutions and goals. Everything I see and hear seems to be centered around losing weight or being more organized and taking control of your life. Everyone is joining the gym but I am still eating the last of the Christmas cookies – yum. The turn of a new year is an exciting time that brings hope and fosters many desires to be more disciplined and self-controlled. These desires, while good, can sometimes lead to despair because we lament the many times that these good intentions have fallen by the wayside and not been kept. These desires may also be a dangerous foray into idolatry because they are selfish and the end goal is our glory. What is the motivation for setting your goals? For instance, are you losing weight because you need to repent of the abuse of food and you desire to honor God with your body or are you motivated out of vanity because you want to look good and are struggling with guilt? Don't lose heart, this is not meant to leave you uncertain of every resolution you made this year. The setting of goals and working to see them fulfilled is a good thing. We should be a resolute people.

“To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, ESV)

I love this prayer because Paul is praying that every good resolution would be kept – "fulfill every resolve for good." However, he is making sure we don't miss the fact that they must be rooted in the gospel. It is to be done "by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Check your resolutions. Make some new ones if need be and remember January 1st is not the only time to resolve oneself. May we be a people worthy of his calling, fulfilling every good resolve, doing every work of faith by his power for his glory alone. Happy New Year.

Everyone has expectations about people and circumstances. Expectations can be based on religion, cultural norms, the opinions of others, philosophy, or personal experience. Expectations can determine our experiences. Sometimes expectations are just pure conjecture with no real basis. During the Flipped weekend with Fuel and The Mix, we talked about the way Jesus flipped expectations whether they were religious, philosophical, or cultural.

• Session 1 – Jesus Flipped expectations about God by becoming one of us.
• Session 2 – Jesus Flipped religion by showing that righteousness doesn't come through works.
• Session 3 – Jesus Flipped satisfaction by showing that only God satisfies the soul.
• Session 4 – Jesus Flipped life by showing us that life is not about us and that following Him is costly.

It was a great weekend and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Two Rivers and to make some new friends as well as see some old ones. A special thanks to David, Tim and all the leaders. Well done guys.

"Simply put, Sow and Tether is a group of guys that love Jesus and love to worship him through music. We enjoy using the creativity that we’ve been blessed with to point people to Christ, and we’re very blessed to be part of a church that affirms and cultivates that calling in our lives. Ultimately, when we write songs, we want to write songs that are true to scripture and reflect Christ. When we sing songs, we want to lift His name high. We want people to know the gospel, to sing the gospel, and the praise the Lord."

We talked about some school frustrations...

1. Teachers that are a little too excited about school.  
2. Kids coughing or sniffling during a test.  
3. Being the eighth person to a table that only has seven seats.  
4. People that ask you for gum followed by everyone in class wanting some too.
5. Kids that complain about grades because they made an A- instead of an A+.  
6. When you are called on to answer a question that you really have no idea how to answer. 
7. Kids eating crunchy foods in class.  
8. Someone blatantly disregarding your privacy and continually asking you what grade you made on an assignment.  
9. Remembering that you have a test the period before you have to take said test.  
10. When everyone says, "Oooooooooo" when your name is called over the intercom.  

Many students approach school with an obligatory attitude and see education as punishment and difficulty rather than appreciating the privilege of learning. It was great to look at the scripture and see how it informs us as to the gospel implications for the mind and learning. Let's obey the words of Jesus, 

Let us love God with our minds... look at the Word and ask the Spirit to renew your mind and attitude toward the privilege of education.

A special thanks to @thejohnnix for bringing The Word and challenging our church family this weekend at Breakaway! @bridgepointeIGO

— Adam Morris (@morrisadam) September 1, 2014

Kicked off breakaway last night with @thejohnnix and@bridgepointeIGO.ready for a great weekend fellowship & worship pic.twitter.com/kAsi1LLkNP

— Kyle Bellamy (@bell3978) August 30, 2014

I love the beginning of school... new stuff, new relationships, new professors, everything starts fresh and everyone even starts with same grade. Tribes form in the area of ones interests, hobbies or major and it seems that each year holds such promise. Then, after we receive the syllabus with all the assignments, the new quickly wears off and we lament of too much work to do.

How are we to think of education as Christians? What does it have to do with following Jesus?

Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

– Matthew 22:36–40, ESV

Loving God with everything includes the mind. Students sometimes seem to approach education as a burden and compartmentalize it as if it has nothing to do with following Jesus. The truth of the matter is that the gospel has implications in all things.

A failure of Christian thinking is a failure of discipleship, for we are called to love God with our minds. We cannot follow Christ faithfully without first thinking as Christians. Furthermore, believers are not to be isolated thinkers who bear this responsibility alone. We are called to be faithful together as we learn intellectual discipleship within the believing community, the church.
– Albert Mohler

Student, appreciate the grace afforded you in the privilege of learning. This is not only a gift from God, but it is also a privilege offered in America that is not available in many parts of the world.

He came to my desk with a quivering lip,
the lesson was done.
“Have you a new sheet for me, dear teacher?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
I took his sheet, all soiled and blotted
and gave him a new one all unspotted.
And into his tired heart I cried,
“Do better now, my child.”

I came to the throne with a trembling heart;
the day was done.
“Have you a new day for me, dear Master?
I’ve spoiled this one.”
He took my day, all soiled and blotted
and gave me a new one all unspotted.
And into my tired heart he cried,
“Do better now, my child.”

Author anonymous, “A New Leaf,” James G. Lawson, compiler, The Best Loved Religious Poems (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1961).

That's the prayer starter for today and no matter where you find yourself today whether your circumstances are pleasant or you are drowning there is a God who calms the sea.

In late 1735, a ship made its way to the New World from England. On board was a young Anglican minister, John Wesley, who had been invited to serve as a pastor to British colonists in Savannah, Georgia. When the weather went sour, the ship found itself in serious trouble. Wesley, also chaplain of the vessel, feared for his life.

But he noticed that the group of German Moravians, who were on their way to preach to American Indians, were not afraid at all. In fact, throughout the storm, they sang calmly. When the trip ended, he asked the Moravian leader about his serenity, and the Moravian responded with a question: Did he, Wesley, have faith in Christ? Wesley said he did, but later reflected, “I fear they were vain words.”

In fact, Wesley was confused by the experience, but his perplexity was to lead to a period of soul searching and finally to one of the most famous and consequential conversions in church history.

After speaking with another Moravian, Peter Boehler, Wesley concluded that he lacked saving faith. Though he continued to try to be good, he remained frustrated. “I was indeed fighting continually, but not conquering.… I fell and rose, and fell again.”

On May 24, 1783, he had an experience that changed everything. He described the event in his journal:

“In the evening, I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”

Galli, M., & Olsen, T. (2000). Introduction. In 131 Christians everyone should know. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

The ultimate storm that needs to be calmed is the storm of the soul. St. Augustine articulated this truth centuries ago: “Thou hast made us for Thyself, O God, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.” The good news of the gospel is that Jesus is greater than the storm of the soul and his finished work brings peace to the storm of sin and death. Christ alone saves us from the law of sin and death. Today, look to the God who calms the sea rather than looking at the storm because your greatest storm is still under his feet.

Let's be honest -- musicians love their gear, probably a little too much. Musicians seem to always be looking to trade, buy, or swap out gear to improve sound and gain the ability to do new things. Gear is essential for a musician and every musician has to have some (even singers need a good microphone and some way to hear themselves). It is a "must have" if you want to play in the band and problems with your gear can stop a concert, leaving you in a really bad place.

This year at Camp Electric we are talking about gear. The gear we are discussing is also called the armor of God and is listed in Ephesians 6:10-20. This passage reminds us that there are bigger things going on than what we can see. There is a constant battle raging in the cosmos and we need the right gear in order to stand.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10–11, ESV)

Our theme is Gear Up and if we are not careful we will miss the key to the entire study. This all about God and his provision; not about you and your abilities. We are admonished to be strong – in the LORD and the strength of HIS might. Put on HIS armor. This is the truth of the gospel. We cannot save ourselves and we need an alien righteousness. There is no strength to be had if we are not in HIM and there is no gear unless HE makes the provision for it.

The wonderful thing is that our great God has provided the perfect gear in order to stand even when our enemy rages and attacks.