Praying Through the Bible

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noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:10:00 +0000

You can find the daily prayers at

http://prayingthroughthebible.wordpress.com

Old Testament Revival

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 13:47:00 +0000

Did you notice the revival that Judah experienced in the time of Hezekiah? There are a few things that stood out to me as I was reading; these things have characterized revival in the past. First, revival is never about finding something new but returning to what has always been God's will. That's also why its called re-vival and not discovery. Second, there are some who won't agree, understand, and will mock what is true. Third, revival will involve an increase in obedience to God along with impact on all of life. And finally, 2nd Chronicles 31:21, "And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered."

Father, give me a whole heart to seek after You. You are worthy and strong. That You would send your Son for me is such an amazing gift. That Your Son would die for me is beyond comprehension. Revive my heart to serve you. I don't want to just have some improvement of religion. God I want improvement in all of my life. I want all of me to be changed by Christ. I want all of me to be governed by Christ. I want to live for Christ. Do not let me think about what others will say. Let me think about what Christ has done and how I am given life in Him. Send revival to me. Send revival to my church. Turn our hearts to You.

In Jesus' name
Amen

Don't miss this

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 13:32:00 +0000

Oftentimes in search of the meaning of prophecy we miss the message of prophecy. Don't miss this today from Revelation 12:11

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Father, show me and fill me today with the power of the blood of the Lamb. I don't want to be simply nostalgic about the cross. I want to know the power of His resurrection. I don't want to just make it by. I want to live for You. I want to know the power of faith to conquer. May my testimony of faith be powerful because it's grounded in Christ, fed by Christ, and directed always to Christ. And Father, I want to know Christ to the extent that faithfulness unto death is an easy choice. Do not let me wait for the executioner's sword. May I not love my life even unto service. May I not love my life even unto sacrifice and witness. May I love Jesus Christ and by his blood become a conquerer.

For Jesus
Amen

Pay Attention Don't Drift

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:33:00 +0000

The lesson is the same from the kings of Judah to the end of time: we need to hold fast to Jesus Christ. The product of our depraved natures is to look inward instead of look Godward. Unfortunately this doesn't disappear at the new birth. The residual effects are felt every day while we walk this earth. To put it is as blunt as Scripture does there is the temptation to return like a dog to its vomit (2 Peter 2:22). Joash returned to his vomit. The nations will wallow in the mud. Christ and Christ alone is what cleans us up and keeps us clean. Looking to Christ who is the full display of God's glory brings repentance of sin and sanctification. We must intentionally set Christ before our eyes. After my daily bible reading and prayer this morning I returned again to Philippians chapter 2. This passage has pointed me repeatedly to the glories of Christ and my satisfaction. Search for Christ in His word and you will be satisfied.

Father, shine the light of Your glory today into me and out through me. I want to see Jesus. I don't want to run well for a time and then lose it in the end. I want to run the race, finish well, and win the prize. Oh how I need Jesus. Oh how I love Jesus. I live in a dark land constantly bombarded by the temptations of darkness. Surround me with light. Use me to shine forth the light of Christ. Master, it is my desire to be used by You. Show me Your glory that I might be transformed. Teach me great and wonderful things about my Savior.

In Jesus' name
Amen

Always Reforming

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:55:00 +0000

The nation of Isreal was under a constant need of consistent reform. This was the produce of two ingrediants sinful humanity and leadership turnover. Mankind has an obvious sin problem that unfortunately tends to taint even our best attempts at obedience over time. Mankind tends to die as well thus forcing new leadership into position. I don't say all this because I'm a pessimist but because I'm a Christian. We need Christ today and we long for Christ's return and His complete reform. Christ is not sinful so we must rely on His leadership. Christ will not die so we must rely on His longevity. Jesus can be trusted. Jesus must be trusted. He will lead the way to faithfulness and He will lead raise up faithful leaders. If you're going to be pessimistic just be sure you don't go too far. Maybe it's time to reform our pessimism.

Father, Your wisdom and glory are my hope. Christ is what I need and what the church needs. He has given us our salvation and He has given us our direction. The cross tells us that we need saving, all those who come to Christ will be saved, and there is glorious work to be done. May I grow today. May I be useful to You today. May Christ's obedience and sacrifice guide my every thought.

In Jesus' name
Amen

The king no one wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:34:00 +0000

Today we meet King Jehoram of Judah. His life is a lesson in how to be a person no one likes. First, kill all your family. We're not quite so drastic so we just verbally wound and run off everyone around us who is a perceived threat. Next, Jehoram was a poor leader and military commander. In order not to be liked its a good idea to run everything into the ground. Then, Jehoram set up idols and places to worship false gods. Leading people to hell is ultimately not the best way to care for and look after your family and friends. Finally, abandon God. Jehoram turned his back on God and tasted the earthly discipline for that act. The gut wrenching thing (no pun intended) about Jehoram is that his suffering isn't over; his suffering only just began.

Father, You are the One who holds the four angels at bay. By Your word and Your wisdom they go and stay. Your power is magnificent. Use me today and the rest of my days in a way that reflects Your power. You defeated sin and death through Christ and His glorious resurrection. Nothing is too big for You. Make me useful today. Make me a plant in your kingdom that yields a great harvest of fruit. I want to see people saved. I want to see people changed. I want to see people invigorated by Your glory and honor. I want to see people come to know Jesus Christ. Use me today.

In Christ's name
Amen

Our Eyes are on You

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 13:14:00 +0000

2 Chronicles 20:6-12, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. 7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, [4] or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ 10 And now behold, the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came from the land of Egypt, and whom they avoided and did not destroy— 11 behold, they reward us by coming to drive us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Angelic Worship

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:55:00 +0000

Revelation 4 gives us a glimpse into the daily worship that takes place in heaven. This worship is foreign to us because it involves a holiness of the magnitude we have never seen. There is a grandeur about the throne and person of God that is unthinkable. There are creatures of such marvelous character that we can scarcely comprehend their being. Chapter 4 reveals to us that we worship and seek to know a God that is beyond our imaginations and comprehension. He is worthy of worship. Come let us worship

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created (Revelation 4:11).

The Prayer of Asa

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:48:00 +0000

O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you (2 Chronicles 14:11)

The prayer of the weak and needy

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:42:00 +0000

The churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea were churches who needed Christ. Some needed Christ for strength to continue. Others needed Christ to come and right the wrongs of heart or practice. Either way, their greatest need was to know Jesus Christ.

Father, I am weak and needy. I am prone to sin and choose the easy way. I tend to lay down or stick my head in the sand when it's time to boldly follow You. Wake my soul with Christ! Do not let me be stirred by riches or worldly pleasure. Do not let me wander chasing after self. Open me, stir me, change me so that the desire of my heart is to meet with You. When I'm under the chastening of God give me endurance. When I'm experiencing the blessings of my Father give me humility and gratefulness. I do not want to forget the cross and all the heavenly blessings that are mine. Meet with me today Christ Jesus. Come and eat with me; teach me great and wonderful things.

For Christ
Amen

Praying like Pergamum

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:48:00 +0000

Note: according to tradition Antipas, a leader of the church at Pergamum, was roasted to death inside a brass bull during the persecution by Emperor Domitian.

Father, Your Son is both a warrior and a redeemer. He is both strong and gentle. I long to be with Christ because in His gentleness I have been redeemed. The imagery of the sharpest two edged sword is clear: none can defeat Christ. I long for others to be with Christ. I long to see others saved by grace. I do not want to see judgment. I do not want to see judgment fall on those in Mambrino Baptist Church who compromise. Like the error of Balaam and the error of the Nicolaitans let us not love the world or the things of the world. May we be a people who walk in holiness because we are a new creation in Christ Jesus. The war is coming, the head of which is Christ and His terrible sword. May I taste the hidden manna of His eternal promises. May I receive the stone with my new name given by my strong heavenly Father.

For Jesus
Amen

Praying like Smyrna

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:01:00 +0000

Jesus, You are the first and the last. You died to defeat sin and You rose from the grave as The Victor. As You knew tribulation and difficulty so it appears I will too. Do not let my heart fear what is to come only let me know the power of Your resurrection. Though opposition come from the outside or the inside I pray I will be faithful. I pray I will not be afraid. I long to be found faithful and I know the grade comes only after the test. Prepare me for the test. Prepare my brothers and sisters at Mambrino for the test. Make us strong in You. Make us bold in You. Make us conquerors.

In Your Name
Amen

Praying Like Ephesus

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:56:00 +0000

Father, I come to You in order to repent and find forgiveness and grace. With a reoccurrence of which I am ashamed I go through the motions. Like those in Ephesus I pray, serve, worship, and gather with Your church because that's what I do. There is light but no heat. Their is orthodoxy but not love. May today mark an obvious return to my first love of Jesus Christ. May today mark and obvious return to our first love of Jesus Christ as Your church at Mambrino. We love Your Word and cling to truth. May we with great fervor love Jesus Christ. May we work hard, endure, and seek the redemption of all that is evil. With repentence and faith in Jesus Christ I come praying that You will use me to win the lost and build Your church. Use me Father for Your glory. Restore a passionate love in me for Jesus Christ.

In His Name
Amen

It's all about Him

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:59:00 +0000

Today we start reading through the book of Revelation. There is no way I can answer every question and address every issue so I'll leave that amount of detail to your personal study and questions as they surface. What I want to focus on is how to pray in response to God's Word.

Father, I know that the book of Revelation is Your book. It's not John's book. It's not the church's book. It's Your book and it's Your book about Jesus. This is not a book about the tribulation or the church or Israel. Revelation is first and foremost about Jesus. Make me first and foremost about Jesus. Make me like Him in obedience so that I will keep what is written in Revelation. Make me like Jesus who is full of grace and peace. He is the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. As Christ was always obedient to You make me always obedient to Him and ultimately to all of the Trinity.

I rejoice this morning in the love of Christ. He loves me. He loves his people and I know it because Jesus died to free me from my sin. By dying for me I was freed from my bondage to slavery. I am His kingdom. A Gentile, a sinner, Your enemy, and dead in tresspasses are all characteristics of who I was. Thank You Father that I am no longer those things. I am Your redeemed son.

This morning I praise Jesus Christ. My words cannot do justice to who He is. I pray that my praise is pleasing to You. How can I express my wonder over Christ who is the beginning of all things and the end for which all things exist? He is supreme. Christ walks with me and guides my church. He is royality unlike any earthly king; He's so much greater. Christ is my priest. He is pure. He is the refiner. He is full of power. Christ's word is truth. May I have the awe of the Apostle John who fell like a dead man at the feet of Christ. May I see Christ for who He truly is. May I praise You and know You. I want to know Your power and grace. I want to see Your holiness and feel Your gentle hand.

Christ is my master and my king. He is alive forevermore. He died because of my sin and He lives because of His righteousness. Thank You Father for my great King.

In His Name
Amen

Sin unto Death; 1 John 5:16

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:09:00 +0000

Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death. In 6:23 there is no distinction all sin leads to death. John is not making the same connection. This is seen clearly in the statement, "committing a sin not leading to death."

What we must keep in mind as we seek to understand this passage is the context of prayer. John does not encourage prayer in situations of sin leading to death. This prayer is not prohibited but it is obviously not encouraged. This is nothing foreign to Scripture. Elsewhere we see instances the prohibition of prayer in certain situations or obviously excluding some people from prayer (1 Samuel 2:25; Jeremiah 7:16-18; 11:14; 14:11).

Here is the example of exclusivistic prayer by Jesus, "I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours" (John 17:9).

So what about 1 John 5:16? Here are some explanations from history:

1. Some have claimed a distinction between forgiven sin (not leading to death) and unforgiven sin (leading to death). But it must be explained even further. Are we talking about Christians who die with unconfessed sins or every unbeliever who never seeks forgiveness? Yet this would lead us not to pray for the lost.

2. Sins committed unintentionally (not leading) and sins committed defiantly (leading to death). Yet Jesus prayed on the cross for defiant sin.

3. Sin unto death is heinous sin. Yet this forces the creation of an extra-biblical category defined by the church. This does not explain Scripture it adds to it.

Here's where I fall
4. Sin not unto death is the sin of believers. Sin leading to death is the sin of unbelievers. John has used distinctions throughout the letter in regard to the children of god and unbelievers. Unbelievers deny the incarnation. Unbelievers deny Christ's death was necessary.

The distinction continues: "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."

There are those who are born of God and those who are not. There are those who are protected by God and those who are not. There are those the evil on touches and those he does not. There are those who are from God and those who are not. There are those who have understanding and those who do not. There are those who know Jesus is true and those who do not know Jesus is true. There are those who are in Jesus Christ and those who are not.

Conclusion: we should pray for the specific sin of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are not encouraged to pray for the specific sin of unbelievers. We pray for their conversion, their eyes to be opened, their hearts to be changed. Our prayers for Christians and non-Christians should be different because Christians and non-Christians are different.

Father, I pray for the church. I pray for our faith and our specific sins. Strengthen our love for Christ. Turn our eyes from the world to what truly satisfies. I do not pray for the sins of the world. Instead, Father I pray for a new heart. I pray for their conversion and repentance. Turn their hearts to You. Help the church to be different and make a difference.

In Jesus' name
Amen

The Temple, the Christian, and the Holy Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 13:44:00 +0000

The Old and New Testaments are different but often not as different as we often assume. This is the case in our reading for today.

1 John 4:13, "By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit."

2 Chronicles 5:13-14, "and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, 'For he is good,for his steadfast love endures forever,' the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

The way that God filled Solomon's temple is the way the Holy Spirit fills the Christian. We may not be able to explain every detail or put it eloquently but we know it has happened. There is no true conversion without the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian. We can sound spiritual and do spiritual looking things but if the Holy Spirit is not in us then all our talking and doing is for nothing. So, how do we get the Holy Spirit?

John 3:6-8, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Lord, send Your Spirit. Send Your Spirit to bring the new birth. Send Your Spirit to give strength. Send Your Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Send Your Spirit so that we will know that we abide in You and You abide in us. Master, I pray this morning that Your Spirit will speak to my spirit about my sonship. Comfort me with the truth that I am Your child. Encourage me with the truth that You love me. Equip me with the Spirit so that I will love others. By Your Spirit make me a temple useful to You and full of Your presence.

In Jesus' name
Amen

Hope in Him

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:10:00 +0000

1 John 3:2-3, "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure."

The first epistle of John is a highly practical book. John does not pull punches or sugar coat God's Word. Those who practice righteousness have been born of God. There is every reason to have confidence as we look to Christ's return and there is no reason to shrink in shame. Through the work of Christ all those who have faith in Christ are made to be like Christ.

What that fully looks like we do not yet know but we do know that when Christ returns we will be changed to be like him. The reason? We shall see him as he is. This is an interesting reason because we would expect something more like, "because we will be given glorified bodies." Or, "the old will pass away and the new shall come in its fullness." We do not expect to be changed because we see him as he is. Yet, this is the reason why we will be changed. We are now talking about the Christian's desire to be like Christ. A Christian is not someone who just hopes not to go to hell. A Christian is someone who wants to be like Christ. We want to know God fully. We want to be pure. We want to walk in righteousness pleasing the Father in all things. The glorious truth of the gospel is that when we see Jesus our heart's desire will be met- we shall be like him.

Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Is this your hope? Do you want to be like Jesus? Does your heart long to put on holiness, righteousness, joy in the Father, God-glorifying obedience, and an unhindered relationship with God? These are the greatest passions a person can possess. Do you hope for these things? The person who hopes for these things, the person who hopes in Christ purifies himself as Christ is pure.

Father, in this moment I pray that you would make me like Christ. Give me a mind like His. Give me a heart like His. Give me a purity like His. I want to be like Him so that I may know all three of You, the perfect Trinity. I want you to be pleased with my life and pleased with my death. I want you to be pleased with my thoughts and pleased with my deeds. Purify me this morning through hope. There is much in my life to discourage me. Wash away my sins with the work of Christ. Atone for my sins through Christ. Strengthen me through Christ. Give me hope through Christ. I am Yours my King. I believe in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ and I desire to love others. Through faith in Christ make me like Christ.

In Jesus' Name
Amen

Abiding not blindness

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:31:00 +0000

In 1 John 2 there is a comparison made between those who walk in the light and those who do not. Those who walk in the light are those who the gospel truth abides in as well as those who abide in Christ. To be a Christian is to be fundamentally changed by the good news of Jesus Christ because the Christian has been joined to Christ. This is a supernatural amazing metamorphosis. To not be a Christian is to be blind, unchanged. In 1 John 2 we learn that these people have been blinded by darkness. They do not know that Jesus is the Christ. They do not know that Jesus is righteous.

Like Solomon, those who know Jesus Christ know, "The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods" (2 Chron 2:5). Those who know the greatness of God seek to reflect His greatness in their lives. To do this we must be changed by Jesus Christ, forgiven through Jesus Christ, and abide in Jesus Christ. He is the greatness we need.

Father, today I praise Your great name. I praise the name of Father, Son, and Spirit; three persons and one magnificent God. Show me today the greatness of Jesus Christ. Lead me not into temptation and strengthen my desire to abide in Your Son. I will come into contact today with many people who have been blinded by the darkness. Use me to shine the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ into their lives so that they will be saved. Make me aware of those who are around me. Make me passionate for the needs of those around me. I want to know Christ. I want to honor You. I want people to be saved.

For Christ
Amen

The Rescue & the Punishment

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:13:00 +0000

2 Peter 2:9-10, "then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority."

1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

God rescued Lot by all but dragging him out of town. God rescued Noah by decades of faithful ark building. God rescued Israel from a giant's power through a young man. God rescued mankind through a suffering servant born in a stable. God rescued mankind through His Son who died on a cross. This was God's plan and His Spirit works in us to fulfill that plan.

As we seek His rescue what do we avoid? From our reading this morning, we must avoid the lust of defiling passion and we must avoid the despising of authority; sexual sin and individualism, rampant immorality and "no one can tell me what to do." These both speak of indulging the self. It's all about me. This is not the way of the Christian.

Pray this morning asking God to show you the potential danger in your life of indulging the self. Where are you tempted toward immorality? Where are you tempted to throw off authority? Ask, 'What is Your rescue plan?' and, 'How does the gospel show me the better way?'

David's Census

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:00:00 +0000

1 Chronicles 27:23-24, "David did not count those below twenty years of age, for the Lord had promised to make Israel as many as the stars of heaven. 24 Joab the son of Zeruiah began to count, but did not finish. Yet wrath came upon Israel for this, and the number was not entered in the chronicles of King David."

I knew the census David took was sinful because of the clear teaching of Scripture. But at the same time I didn't know exactly why it was; that it was disobedience was obvious the kind of disobedience was not. 1 Chronicles 27 gives us the kind of disobedience involved in the census sin. When David began counting he did so on the basis that the people could be counted. The people were not like the stars of heaven or the sand of the sea. David's counting revealed his understanding that God was not faithful to his promises.

Before we judge David as the only one who has ever committed sin of this type we must realize that every sin is sin of this type. Every sin is committed because of the belief, either conscious or unconscious, that God is not faithful. Some sin is committed because we do not believe God will take care of us. Some sin is committed because we believe we know better. Some sin is committed because we believe our way and not God's way will bring us joy. We could go on and on. Fundamentally sin is unbelief.

2 Peter 1:1-2, "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: 2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord."

Faith is obtained through the rightousness of Jesus Christ. As our knoweldge of God the Father and God the Son increases so will our grace and peace. Fundamentally faith comes through the righteousness of Christ.

My Lord and Master, I have no righteousness of my own I claim only the righteousness of Christ. Teach me about You my God so that grace and peace will increase in You. I do not want to be a man of unbelief. I do not want to be tossed about by every doctrine of man. I want to hold fast to Christ the steadfast and sure anchor of the soul. Show me Christ's righteousness. Show me Christ's obedience. Show me Christ's sacrifice for me. I want to be forgiven and I want to be faithful. I confess this morning and forever that forgiveness and faithfulness comes only through Christ. Give me faith and help my unbelief.

Through Christ
Amen

Humility

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 14:25:00 +0000

1 Peter 5:5&6- Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another...humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God.

What would it look like for a church, all of it, to clothe itself with humility toward one another? What would it look like for a church, all of it, to humble itself under the mighty hand of God?

The major difference would be the dramatic decrease in personality struggles. All the he said/she said, I want this, and even threats would decrease. The church would stand firm in the faith instead of standing firm on the personality of leaders, the size of the budget, or the success of a particular ministry. Humility says the church is not about programs, budgets, or personalities but about faith, obedience, and standing together against the devil for the glory of Christ.

Father, make me humble and use me to set the example of humility in my church. Bring humility to Mambrino Baptist Church; may each one of us clothe ourselves with humility toward each other. Remove needless and harmful division. Raise up elders who will shepherd the flock willingly and joyfully. Raise up a church body ready to worship, serve, and live joyful lives in Christ. God, you can do amazing things. I pray you do amazing things in us.

In Jesus' Name
Amen

Setting up Success

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:19:00 +0000

What strikes me from today's reading is that David set up the next generation to succeed where he could not. God did not allow David to build the temple. David wanted to build the temple but God told him he would not. There was no pouting only preparation. There was no sulking around like a whipped puppy only storing up for Solomon. Part of all or our ministries must involve intentionally setting up the next generation to succeed. We must be thoughtful concerning today and how we can be serve God in the moment. But we must also be thoughtful concerning the future and how we can best equip the next generation to serve after our deaths.

Father, give us eyes that look to the future and give us hearts that love children and the next generation of leadership. Make us zealous for doing good to all people in all situations.
I thank You for this morning's reminder of Christ. He suffered for sins so that I would not have to. The righteous stood in the place of me the unrighteous. He was put to death and rose to new life so that I, being dead in my sins, could rise to new life. Christ lived, served, and died with his eyes on the needs of others. Thank You Father for providing for my needs. Use me to provide for the needs of others.

In Jesus' name
Amen

Reason to be thankful

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:27:00 +0000

1 Chronicles 17:11-14, "When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever."

Thank God the Father today for Jesus, God the Son. What David, Solomon, and all the kings could not be and failed to do Christ did to the extreme degree. Where human kings failed the God-man succeeded. God the Son was born as a human to do for humans what humans could not do. He fulfilled the law. He obeyed perfectly. He gave Himself as the spotless lamb. Jesus gives us eternal reasons to be thankful.

My Father, I thank You today for Your Son, my Savior. In praise of Jesus Christ I lift my voice to Your strong throne. Christ is my reason for thankfulness. He is my rock and strong tower. He is the one who shepherds me. He is my ransom and my redemption. He is my joy and my song. For Christ I give thanks.

In my wonderful Savior's name
Amen

Start a new tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 13:35:00 +0000

Are you a bit frustrated about the lack of spiritual content in most Thanksgiving celebrations? How about reading 1 Chronicles 16:8-36? Divide it up at the paragraph breaks, pass a bible around, and everyone who wants to read can. Then pray seeking a thankful heart.

Faith, Works, and Justification

noreply@blogger.com (Paul) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 13:05:00 +0000

James 2:17, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

James 2:24, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone."

As I read and live life two different approaches to the Christian life are becoming more prevalent. One approach seeks to define everything about Christianity to the smallest most microscopic degree. For these people Christianity is cut and dry, the different aspects always color inside the lines, and life is like a white long-sleeve button down with heavy starch straight from the cleaners.

The other approach doesn't want to define anything. If you define something you will kill it or worse than that, the church would require it. Christianity here is vague and doctrine doesn't matter. For these people Christianity is nebulus, the different aspects should not be defined, and life is like a college student perpetually living out of his dirty clothes hamper. If it doesn't stink too badly spray some cologne and if it does then just give it time to air out.

Christianity is neither a sterile laboratory nor is Christianity a filthy dorm room. We must define what Scripture defines and we must define it the way Scripture defines it. That's our struggle with faith, works, and justification. We want them to be simple. We do not want them to overlap. But this is not possible.

Faith is believing. I believe God is who He says He is and God will do what He says He will do. This is seen clearly in trusting in the work of Christ but faith does not end at conversion. Christ is my sacrifice; faith believes that. God demands the death penalty of me and Christ has paid with His life what God demands of me. Faith is also believing that Christ is my righteousness. God demands perfect obedience of me and Christ has paid with His life what God demands of me. Christ fulfills what God requires of my life. Christ fulfills what God requires become of my sin. Faith holds eternally to these truths.

Works are the response of a new heart. Works do not produce a new heart. A new heart produces works. Faith that does not produce works is dead because the heart is dead, it is a faithless stone. Do you claim to have faith? Prove it, show me the difference faith makes. Faith made a difference to Abraham. Faith made a difference to Rahab. And this difference came in the Old Testament dispensation.

Now, to justification. With the recent and prevalent attempt to redefine justification the response on many fronts is to define justification so clearly that it is water-tight and impenetrable. So, justification becomes legal declaration and only a legal declaration. It becomes a pronouncement outside of us based on works outside of us and it has little to no influence inside of us. But if a person is justified by works and not by faith alone it becomes clear that this category falls short. Justification IS a legal pronouncement by God on us based on the work of Christ. Because of Christ's perfect life and atoning sacrifice we are rightly declared and practically are not guilty. Faith rests in Christ's work and God's pronoucement. Works reflect our new heart's desire to honor Christ. Logically there is an order: faith, justification, works. Practically we cannot discern a difference or demand progression through verfiable stages.

Father, give me balance in life that honors You and stays always faithful to the work of Christ and the truth of Scripture. Strengthen my faith. Grow my understanding of what it means to be justified. May my life, the work of my hands, reflect true faith and Your righteous pronoucement over me. Do not let me make excuses. Use me to make disciples. Do not let me avoid Your demands. Through Christ may I fulfill Your demands.

In Jesus' Name
Amen