3 Things

Thing #1: The Least of These

On Monday I heard a talk on Matthew 25. Note verse 40, NIV, boldness added:

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Note the bold part. Interesting, eh?

Thing #2: Preaching the Gospel to Yourself

Ashleigh recommended the following links in a comment on the Fresh Brew blog:

Preach the Gospel to Yourself
How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself
A Gospel Primer

Thing #3: Claiming God's Promises

Patrick noted the following in a comment on the Talking Out of Turn blog:

I remember Charles Spurgeon telling the story of an older Christian woman who had written the letter “T” next to every Bible verse she’d had to “claim” (as you put it) for a particular situation in her life. And when the Lord kept his promise and brought it to pass in her life, she’d write the letter “P.” Spurgeon tells us that the “T” was for tried and the “P” was for proven, and that she had many Ts and Ps in her Bible. What a faithful God we serve!

Neat, huh? Reminds of me of something Elisabeth Elliot wrote (you can see the blurb here).

Our Daily Bread

Neglecting The Lord's Prayer

My Appointment With God

Resources...

Wow, you can find lots of resources at a post called: "Resources for living ‘the everday mission’."

A little Octavius...

From my brother's post He restores my soul.

Reviews on cross-centered books

You can find them here: Some lesser-known, Cross-centered books

Memorizing Scripture

3 Reasons To Memorize Scripture

Reason for the Hope, Part II (My Journey)

We can infer from Part I how even in times of doubt, we can know WHO to turn to, and we can reflect upon WHO He is and WHAT He’s done. He is faithful and sustains even when faith or trust quavers (explicitly or implicitly); He remains as the rock to which we can cling.

While I believe the ultimate reason I’m a born-again Christian is that I’ve been predestined and chosen by God (Eph. 1:11), I would like to take some time to reflect upon my personal journey of faith and explore the footprints of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty in my life.

In the beginning…

The sparks began in a conversation between a 3 year old (me) and a 29 year old (my mom). A picture in the newspaper of a burned boy was what fueled this spiritual question and answer session between my mother and I. By the end of the conversation, I knew that I wanted Christ in my life, and that I wanted to be with Him when I died. Although at this point in my life (as is evident from later things I said as a young child), I lacked an understanding of the gospel of grace and an understanding of who Jesus was, I believe that I believed in Jesus as best I knew how with my limited knowledge. (Of course I will never be able to fully grasp some of the seeming paradoxes of the faith, but over the years I have come to understand more of who God is and that salvation is by grace through faith).

What Christianity has meant to me over time…

While along with age comes an increasing sense of confidence in some areas (still heavily lacking in certain areas, though), I wonder if I had more boldness in some ways in the naivety of my younger years. For example, in high school, somehow, schoolwork at times became an outlet for the sharing of my faith. The cover of a portfolio and my “Personal Credo” (evidently explaining the cover) I did for an English class in my Junior year clearly convey the message of salvation (more in the credo, though embedded in my picture on the front cover are the words faith, love, hope, JESUS, complete with a DEAD END sign at the edge of a cliff). In that same portfolio I wrote about the role of my mom in my conversion experience and spiritual growth. My senior year of high school I wrote a paper reflecting upon my experience of the transformation of my mind through the words: That’s why Jesus died. Ah! Found a journal entry I wrote on October 26, 1996 regarding the experience:

Some time ago this swim season, I was torturing myself mentally in a swim practice. I wanted to die because of how I acted or something I did. Then a thought came to me. ‘That’s why Jesus died.’ What a neat thought – knowing that we don’t have to die for our sins but that that’s why Jesus died – so we can go to heaven. God probably gave me that thought. :) Praise God!


That’s why Jesus died…So that we don't have to face eternal punishment, He took the penalty our sin deserves upon Himself and nailed it to a cross. He rose again and is alive today. That same power who raised Jesus from the dead works in us who look to Him as the Savior of our sin. In Him we can have hope in this life and the life to come…

To be continued...

Reason for the Hope, Part I

1 Peter 3:15b: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

A friend’s MySpace blog entry (posted in April of 2006) is entitled “Why do we believe in God?” In her blog, she admits that she doesn’t know why she believes in God: The truth is I don't know, I just do. And this is a friend who has a heart for and experience in missions, and might soon leave for another state to commit herself to sports ministry. In her blog she also writes: But when all is said and done...and thought out, and when it comes to the end of the night when no one else is around but me and God, there is a connection, a hope, a promise, that I cannot deny. Do I always feel that connection, believe the promise...no. But in the end, no matter what thoughts, doubts, anger, confusion I feel, I still choose to believe, God is there.

Even Psalm writers seemed to enter times of doubt. In Psalm 13:1-2, David beseeches God: How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? He momentarily seems to lose hope. He turns to God. By the end of the chapter (verses 5-6), it is evident he holds fast to the hope of who God is and memory of what God has done: But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me. Even David questions God…and ends up clinging to hope. Asaph, another Psalm writer, began Psalm 77 mentioning his cry to God and search for the LORD in his time of trouble. He knew that God would hear him, yet he soul-searchingly questions God’s character and promises in verses 7-9: ‘Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?’ Then what does he end up doing? He acknowledges the invisibility of God’s footprints in the past (verse 19), yet he remembers the wonders God has done, His redemption, His leading. He remembers God’s character – His holiness, His greatness.

In Mark 9, a man whose son was possessed with an evil spirit sought Jesus in verse 22: But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. Notice the continuing exchange in verses 23-24:

" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

When believers have a hard time trusting (explicitly or implicitly), and when the feelings lack, we can still KNOW we have hope in God, and that we can ultimately trust Him. We know WHO has the power to help, WHOSE promises will not fail, WHO will never abandon us, WHO will lead us, WHO HAS led us, WHO works unfathomable wonders, and WHO has redeemed. Clinging to our faith, we can run to our holy, great God even when our trust in Him in certain circumstances falters. Temporary chinks in our trust in Him are not equivalent to a TOTAL absence of faith. Even a small amount of faith is powerful; Matthew 17:20b tells us what even a mustard seed amount of faith can do.

And what is more than our faith is the faithfulness of our God.

"My New Year's Resolution"

Here is a blurb from the blog post "My New Year's Resolution" by Motte Brown:

As you reflect on the goals achieved in 2007 and consider the ones you'll set for 2008, remember God's providence in your life. God has allowed you to see his hand move so that you'll be encouraged in times of trials and humbled in times of plenty.

Studying the Bible Inductively

Into Thy Word "The cheat sheet"
-> This article contains tips for studying the Bible inductively

"Depth" & What really matters...?

In parts of a response to the post at http://www.boundlessline.org/2007/11/balancing-act.html, someone wrote:

One big attraction of legalism is that it allows people to set aside the complicated and uncomfortable process of examining their own hearts and motivations in order to debate externals, while still maintaining the appearance of caring deeply and intelligently about an issue. It can be easier to put in many hours at complicated scripture exegesis than it is to take just a few minutes to ask yourself, "what are my real motivations for doing what I do?".

and also:

it's just good to be aware of one's main motivations. Too often, legalistic debate is mostly about escapism and a need for simplicity.

It's interesting to think that some may consider legalistic debate as a kind of escape. Perhaps desiring to think deeply could also be a surface way of escape. While thinking "deeply" could be a productive pastime, perhaps often the motivations are not pure. While reflecting deeply, what other type of activity might be being neglected as a result? Am I being lazy about taking care of other business that should be taken care of? Even though pondering about life and faith is fun, how do I act in my day-to-day life? Am I honoring God when I'm alone? Am I loving others in ways I ought? Even though I want to grow and become a person of more depth and understanding about the things of God, I should strive for holiness in more holistic ways...

Excerpts from "A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael"

"The girl from the Irish village on the North Sea, standing in the pouring rain beside her pile of luggage on the shore of Japan, laughing. 'All this was part of the going forth unto a land I knew not, and everything was just right, and if things went wrong it was so much the more fun. I knew they would come right in the end. And they always did.' So with the charming lightheartedness of faith she only wondered, What next?" (p. 68)

"During the few days' wait for the lady who was to meet her Amy walked one day along the seashore, talking with one of the Shimonoseki missionaries. A casual remark was dropped which elicited an astonished question from Amy. 'You don't mean to say,' the missionary replied, 'you think all missionaries love one another?' Precisely what she had thought. How coiuld it be otherwise? 'No faintest foreshadowing of the purposes of God was mine that morning,' she wrote, 'but I remember the thoughts that rushed through me then. What of 'See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently'? Was such a life of love lived nowhere?' It was a gray day, with a gray sea, a gray drizzle, and gray thoughts. But it spurred her to prayer, to an earnest beseeching that the Lord would enable her to love as He commanded us to love." (p.68-69)

Purpose in Life verses

Colossians 3:17 -- And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Mark 12:29-31 -- 'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.'

If you have other good 'purpose of life' type verses, please feel free to leave them in a comment...

Hymn chunks

a sampling from a couple of hymns...

"Crown Him the Son of man;
who ev'ry grief hath known
That wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own,
That all in him may rest."
**************************************
" 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved"

"'Thru many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought my safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home."

Spiritual 'pick-up (the conversation)' lines :)

On this link, http://www.spiritualdisciplines.org/pgospelq.html, you can find "Ten Questions to Ask to Turn a Conversation Toward the Gospel"...among them are (with my comments in italics):

"If you were to die tonight, where do you think you would spend eternity? Why? ..."

An alternative might be 'Do you believe in life after death? Why?'

"Do you think much about spiritual things?" I like this one! But...am I brave enough to ask it?

"Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs? If what you believe were not true, would you want to know it? . . . . ", Interesting.

"...how can I pray for you?" This is nice...

Faith finer than gold

Tonight my Bible study group started going through 1 Peter. Here is a snippet from the Scripture we studied:

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:6-9)

One person pointed out the part that said "Though you have not seen him, you love him," and talked about the desire to call someone or something, when going through hard times. It is, indeed, likely oft the case when people automatically desire to draw close to humans in time of need, rather than instinctively pour out their hearts to a more seemingly intangible or more seemingly distant God. Of course God is near, but we can't see him, and these days at least most people don't audibly hear God's voice.

There IS something special about having faith in our God who we've not physically seen. In Jesus' conversation with Thomas in John 20:29b, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

And, another thought. 1 Peter 1:6 says "...though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials" ~

I like how it gives the time reference "for a little while" -- Really this "life is but a breath" (Ps. 39:5b). And only God knows when it is our last breath will be.

My sister mentioned a girl who danced in (and choreographed, I think) the song "Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)" ...part of the song goes like this:

"And with your final heartbeat
Kiss the world goodbye
Then go in peace, and laugh on glory's side...and
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live!"

Anyway... that girl died. However, my sister had mentioned that she had been/felt really close to God in the time leading up to her death.

We just never know when it is our time to go. Even if we don't end up accomplishing anything big, even our faith can be a testament to others. Our faith is, indeed, "more precious than gold." In life, in death. And as believers we have "an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for" us (1 Peter 1:4). How precious is that.

from "Treasury of Sacred Song" (a couple of snippets)

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/palgrave/sacredsong.h027.html

"...But, O my Saviour, Who my refuge art,
Let Thy dear mercies stand 'twixt them and me,
And be the wall to separate my heart
So that I may at length repose me free;
That peace, and joy, and rest may be within,
And I remain divided from my sin."

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/palgrave/sacredsong.h067.html
selection from "THE ELIXIR":

"Teach me, my GOD and King,
In all things Thee to see,
And what I do in anything,
To do it as for Thee.

All may of Thee partake:
Nothing can be so mean
Which with his tincture, For Thy sake,
Will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
Makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws,..."

Tozer

From The Knowledge of The Holy:

"In olden times men looked forward to Christ's redeeming work; in later times they gaze back upon it, but always they came and they come by grace, through faith" (p. 102).

" 'God is over all things,' wrote Hildebert of Lavardin, 'under all things; outside all; within but not enclosed; without but not excluded; above but not raised up; below but not depressed; wholly above, presiding; wholly beneath, sustaining; wholly within, filling' " (p. 80).

Jonathan Edwards' "Personal Narrative"

From Edwards' "Personal Narrative," (http://www.jonathanedwards.com/text/
Personal/PNarrative.htm), & my thoughts (in italics):

"In this sickness, God was pleased to visit me again, with the sweet influences of his Spirit. My mind was greatly engaged there, on divine and pleasant contemplations, and longings of soul. I observed, that those who watched with me, would often be looking out wishfully for the morning; which brought to my mind those words of the Psalmist, and which my soul with delight made its own language, My soul waiteth for the Lord, more than they that watch for the morning; I say, more than they that watch for the morning; and when the light of day came in at the window, it refreshed my soul, from one morning to another. It seemed to be some image of the light of God's glory."

Waiting for God more than waiting for morning...perhaps joy was associated with coming in the morning, because I believe it is also written in the Psalms something like 'Sorrow lasts for the night, but joy comes in the morning.' Maybe we should rely on God MORE than holding out for/expecting greener pastures / better times.

"It has often appeared to me delightful, to be united to Christ; to have him for my head, and to be a member of his body; also to have Christ for my teacher and prophet. I very often think with sweetness, and longings, and partings of soul, of being a little child, taking hold of Christ, to be led by him through the wilderness of this world. "

It's interesting to think of Christ as a teacher ~ (of course I don't mean in place of being the Son of God...)

Tozer quotes

From The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer:

"Just as under certain conditions a tiny point of light can be seen, not by looking directly at it but by focusing the eyes slightly to one side, so it is with the idea of the Uncreated. When we try to focus our thought upon One who is pure uncreated being we may see nothing at all, for He dwelleth in light that no man can approach unto. Only by faith and love are we able to glimpse Him as He passes by our shelter in the cleft of the rock" (p. 33).