Wednesday, February 28, 2007
There and Back Again...
John and I recently returned from another trip to Tucuman in Argentina and what a blessing it was! It really has become like visiting family each time I have a chance to visit. Their love and kindness are remarkable and it is so clear that it is the bond of Christ that unites us. I was so thankful for the time we spent planning for this summer's trip. I am really looking forward to returning with the team to minister there to the church and reach the surrounding neighborhoods. It was also a great time to encourage the church through teaching times and spiritual fellowship. I enjoyed some really great conversations with different individuals about how they came to faith and how their lives have changed since. One man in particular just recently came to know the Lord and came to Bible study with his two sons. It was so encouraging to see Deuteronomy 6:7 illustrated in his life as he sought to have his sons learn God's truth. Pastor Jorge and the leaders of the church were quick to point out various families who had come to the church since the last campaign with our team because they understood the encouragement it would bring us to see the fruit of our labors. Praise God for the work that is being accomplished in Tucuman! I hope for many more years of ministry together as we proclaim Christ in Argentina.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Achieving a Joyful Life of Integrity
I have been reading through Psalm 119 in my daily devotions and it really has been a blessing to my soul! Reading through it carefully has helped to reveal the many comforts and encouragements the Psalmist receives from spending time in the Word. It seems like such a simple thing to be reminded to be in the Scriptures, but I wonder how often we consider the many reasons why we should earnestly seek God’s Word.
Even in the first stanza the Psalmist reveals some of his reasoning. He writes, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” The word “blameless” literally has the idea of being whole or complete and is one of the Old Testament words for integrity. The idea behind the Hebrew word “way,” simply speaking, is one’s manner of life. The complete thought is that happiness belongs to the one whose manner of life is marked with integrity.
But how does one achieve a joyful life of integrity? The Psalmist answers that question in the same breath – by walking in the Torah of YHWH. This reminds me of the thought in Psalm 1, “How blessed [or happy] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked . . . . But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” I found this to be a great reminder of the blessing that is found when one seeks to walk according to God’s Word. This is the one who does no unrighteousness (Ps. 119:3). This is the one who is not ashamed (Ps. 119:6). This is the one who is not forsaken of God (Ps. 119:8).
Even in the first stanza the Psalmist reveals some of his reasoning. He writes, “How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.” The word “blameless” literally has the idea of being whole or complete and is one of the Old Testament words for integrity. The idea behind the Hebrew word “way,” simply speaking, is one’s manner of life. The complete thought is that happiness belongs to the one whose manner of life is marked with integrity.
But how does one achieve a joyful life of integrity? The Psalmist answers that question in the same breath – by walking in the Torah of YHWH. This reminds me of the thought in Psalm 1, “How blessed [or happy] is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked . . . . But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.” I found this to be a great reminder of the blessing that is found when one seeks to walk according to God’s Word. This is the one who does no unrighteousness (Ps. 119:3). This is the one who is not ashamed (Ps. 119:6). This is the one who is not forsaken of God (Ps. 119:8).
Friday, February 02, 2007
Go Dogs, and Eat the Garbage!
I thought this quote from Pastor John's sermon was really good. It comes from "The Soul Winner," by Charles Spurgeon. Especially as we think about how much Christians today desire to indulge in the pleasures of the world, this word is particularly appropriate. Here it is in its entirety:
"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:15
I believe that one reason why the church at this present moment has so little influence over the world, is because the world has so much influence over the church! Nowadays, we hear professors pleading that they may do this, and do that--that they may live like worldlings. My sad answer to them, when they crave this liberty is, "Do it if you dare. It may not cost you much hurt, for you are so bad already. Your cravings show how rotten your hearts are. If you are hungering after such dog's food--go dogs, and eat the garbage!
Worldly amusements are fit food for pretenders and hypocrites. If you were God's children, you would loathe the thought of the world's evil joys. Your question would not be, "How far may we be like the world?" but your cry would be, "How can we get away from the world? How can we come out of it?"
"Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." Philippians 2:15
I believe that one reason why the church at this present moment has so little influence over the world, is because the world has so much influence over the church! Nowadays, we hear professors pleading that they may do this, and do that--that they may live like worldlings. My sad answer to them, when they crave this liberty is, "Do it if you dare. It may not cost you much hurt, for you are so bad already. Your cravings show how rotten your hearts are. If you are hungering after such dog's food--go dogs, and eat the garbage!
Worldly amusements are fit food for pretenders and hypocrites. If you were God's children, you would loathe the thought of the world's evil joys. Your question would not be, "How far may we be like the world?" but your cry would be, "How can we get away from the world? How can we come out of it?"
"Whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
--think about such things." Philippians 4:8
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