The Single Life winter retreat this past weekend was really a wonderful time as we had time to learn, fellowship, pray, and just have some fun together. It was very providential in God's timing that it came this weekend as things had been so difficult for the past several months that I really was in need of some encouragement and the weekend was indeed full of encouragement as there were many, both old and new, who came and made the weekend one that was truly enjoyable.
The message times focused on a number of themes:
1. Dare to Be Truly Spiritual
2. Dare to Hate Respectable Sins
3. Dare to Enjoy Fearing God (Pastor Patrick)
4. Dare to Love God's Way
My hope through the messages was that everyone would really be honest and genuine about where they stood in their relationships with God and the challenge was to really not be complacent or apathetic about it. It was promising to hear that many had taken the messages to heart and I look forward to see the fruit of the application.
Angela and I were quite surprised by the ending of the retreat as Kent Hong came up to share some words of encouragement and present us with a gift so that we could do some things with our family. It was quite overwhelming to have everyone surround us and pray for us. God was truly merciful in encouraging us this way as the past week was one that was pretty difficult in light of recent events. Friday morning of the retreat was probably the most difficult point as I was pretty distraught and discouraged and I think I was at the point where I really was starting to just really wonder why things had happened the way they did. (I know I'm being a bit vague but I hope you understand). My heart was sore (both physically and spiritually) and so preparations for the retreat were a bit difficult to manage all week. But Patrick and JR provided much help and support and the Single Life staff really did their part to make the retreat work out and overall I was just so thankful as I was really a wreck leading into the retreat.
God is indeed merciful as I look back and see how He orchestrates things that ultimately display His grace. I can't help but just really be thankful that God really knows what He is doing and that in time, He brings all things together for good.
Many have been asking about my time off - it's not really a sabbatical but time off from preaching on Sundays and Fridays. I still have much to do with planning things in light of recent changes so it's not as free as I would have hoped for but at the same time it is exciting as God has laid on my heart to really invest in the Children and Youth ministries in laying a vision and direction that will be consistent with an emphasis on Family ministries at our church. So please be in prayer as the next month will really be devoted to developing a vision for those specific ministries.
Thank you for those who pray - it really is the most meaningful thing to me to know that there are faithful prayer warriors who are uplifting this poor undershepherd before the throne of grace.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Take It to the Lord in Prayer
How is your prayer life? It is a question that is often asked in accountability groups. Like with Bible reading, it is sad that so many Christians struggle as much as they do. J. C. Ryle aptly remarks that prayer is a sign of a true believer -- that if someone is truly saved, he will be praying. The fact that so many struggle in their daily prayers shows the spiritual weakness of the church today. Some may be well-versed in theology knowing all the current issues and debates. Others may be experts of the Bible having memorized great portions of it. Still others may be fervent in ministry giving of themselves for the sake of others in sacrificial service. But do they pray? Do you pray?
Certainly, I do not write these things because my prayer life is perfect. (Isn't it funny that sometimes we ask others how they are doing in their spiritual walks just so we can mention how well we are doing?) I struggle very often to pray. It's sad because I know I have access to the God of the universe and that I have a constant help in times of trouble, yet I do not approach the throne room of grace with nearly enough consistency.
I mentioned this in a sermon once but perhaps we do not pray as much as we should because we do not think it will accomplish anything. I know it sounds horrible to admit! I'm sure no good Christian would openly say such a thing. But do the attitudes in our hearts prove this? Isn't this what we preach with our lives when we argue that we are too busy for prayer? Don't we show that we believe prayer is time wasted where we could accomplish more important things? Why pray when you can plan?
"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer."
I took some time to read from Psalm 4 last week and it was a great reminder to me of why we pray. David comes to God in a time of distress and cries out to God to hear his prayer. He is quick to confess, though, that he should not be heard because of who he is (though he was a king!). He appeals to the God of his righteousness -- the God who has saved him. He understands that he has no righteousness in and of himself and freely admits that his righteousness must come from another. The basis of his prayer and reason why it should be answered is because of who God is. He is a God who saves. How appropriate to be reminded of how God saves when we are in times of distress.
David recalls also how God had saved him. He states, "You have relieved me in my distress." He rec0unts the past deliverances of God, and is reminded that if God has saved before, He will save again. His confidence is in the God who does not change. Perhaps we need to memorize that great hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past":
Our God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure
Sufficient is Thine arm alone
And our defense is sure
Is it any wonder that God reminded His followers that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? If He was faithful to help in ages past, He will be faithful to help today. This is why we should pray, because we have seen the help God has given in the past. He is the one who said to Joshua, "Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." He says the same to us.
Finally, David appeals to God's grace to hear his prayer. God is a God who hears prayer and this is because of His grace. He is not obligated to hear us and David recognizes this. He appeals to God's grace. God was gracious to hear him in the past. God was gracious to deliver him from trouble in the past. He thus appeals to God to be gracious once again. Do we keep this attitude in prayer? So often we come to God casually as if God should listen to us! Shouldn't the fear of the Lord drive us to come humbly before Him? Surely we have been granted free access to the throne room of grace, but this does not mean we should enter in with pride. What greater sign of pride than to address God our Creator as if He was our equal?
We need to be praying. This past year has definitely reminded me of that. With all the trials we face and the hardships we endure, we need to appeal to God to help. This is not a time for self-sufficiency and self-reliance. This is a time to lean on the everlasting arms by coming again and again to the God who saves in prayer.
Certainly, I do not write these things because my prayer life is perfect. (Isn't it funny that sometimes we ask others how they are doing in their spiritual walks just so we can mention how well we are doing?) I struggle very often to pray. It's sad because I know I have access to the God of the universe and that I have a constant help in times of trouble, yet I do not approach the throne room of grace with nearly enough consistency.
I mentioned this in a sermon once but perhaps we do not pray as much as we should because we do not think it will accomplish anything. I know it sounds horrible to admit! I'm sure no good Christian would openly say such a thing. But do the attitudes in our hearts prove this? Isn't this what we preach with our lives when we argue that we are too busy for prayer? Don't we show that we believe prayer is time wasted where we could accomplish more important things? Why pray when you can plan?
"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer."
I took some time to read from Psalm 4 last week and it was a great reminder to me of why we pray. David comes to God in a time of distress and cries out to God to hear his prayer. He is quick to confess, though, that he should not be heard because of who he is (though he was a king!). He appeals to the God of his righteousness -- the God who has saved him. He understands that he has no righteousness in and of himself and freely admits that his righteousness must come from another. The basis of his prayer and reason why it should be answered is because of who God is. He is a God who saves. How appropriate to be reminded of how God saves when we are in times of distress.
David recalls also how God had saved him. He states, "You have relieved me in my distress." He rec0unts the past deliverances of God, and is reminded that if God has saved before, He will save again. His confidence is in the God who does not change. Perhaps we need to memorize that great hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past":
Our God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure
Sufficient is Thine arm alone
And our defense is sure
Is it any wonder that God reminded His followers that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? If He was faithful to help in ages past, He will be faithful to help today. This is why we should pray, because we have seen the help God has given in the past. He is the one who said to Joshua, "Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you." He says the same to us.
Finally, David appeals to God's grace to hear his prayer. God is a God who hears prayer and this is because of His grace. He is not obligated to hear us and David recognizes this. He appeals to God's grace. God was gracious to hear him in the past. God was gracious to deliver him from trouble in the past. He thus appeals to God to be gracious once again. Do we keep this attitude in prayer? So often we come to God casually as if God should listen to us! Shouldn't the fear of the Lord drive us to come humbly before Him? Surely we have been granted free access to the throne room of grace, but this does not mean we should enter in with pride. What greater sign of pride than to address God our Creator as if He was our equal?
We need to be praying. This past year has definitely reminded me of that. With all the trials we face and the hardships we endure, we need to appeal to God to help. This is not a time for self-sufficiency and self-reliance. This is a time to lean on the everlasting arms by coming again and again to the God who saves in prayer.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2008!!
To say "Happy New Year!" is not something that I really take too seriously as it seems a bit superficial and even contrived when you look at the harsh realities of life. But I think it is something I have had to address in my heart that I often would be more pessimistic in my outlook toward things rather than hopeful and it just might be because the joy and peace in knowing and trusting in Christ is more in the background rather than in the forefront of my heart condition and it inevitably shows.
When I have heart pains, I usually get concerned because I know that my physical heart condition is not so good. I have allowed the circumstances of life at times to overwhelmingly stress me out to the point where my physical body actually feels the consequences of the emotional and mental distress. My teeth have been grinding for so many years that I didn't realize it until half of my bottom teeth were worn away (don't ask to look - it's not a pretty sight). I actually tore a muscle in my mouth last week while I was sleeping, even with my nightguard in place - I didn't know that was possible. My neck and back are so tense at times it feels like I am sleeping on a rock. All this and more have been more than enough proof to show that my emotional and mental state can have some very severe effects on my physical body and I often am in so much pain that I can't stand it.
Left to myself, I am helpless. I can resort to drugs, physical therapy, and other things, but I realize that what really can bring relief (not necessarily physical) is the shoring up of my spiritual condition. When I am truly experiencing joy and peace in Christ, it really does affect my emotional and mental state to the point where I am reminded of the hope I have in Christ and the anxiety no longer paralyzes me. But when my gaze is not fixed on Christ, I find it so easy to be not only distracted, but to be redirected as to how I live my life.
This new year afforded me the opportunity to do some evaluating of my heart condition and I have come to see that I need to be more resolved in pursuing the hope of my life - Jesus Christ. It really is in Christ alone that I can find the joy and peace that anchors my hope and trust in Him. It is in Christ alone that I can have the right perspective in life amidst the challenges and trials that come and go. It is in Christ alone that I ultimately find my life's purpose and apart from Him, there would truly be no real reason to live.
So while circumstances are not necessarily so "happy", I have found joy in my salvation, I have found peace in the sovereignty of God, and I have found hope in the promises of a faithful God who I know will consistently and daily make manifest His mercy and grace to a sinner like me.
Happy New Year!!
To say "Happy New Year!" is not something that I really take too seriously as it seems a bit superficial and even contrived when you look at the harsh realities of life. But I think it is something I have had to address in my heart that I often would be more pessimistic in my outlook toward things rather than hopeful and it just might be because the joy and peace in knowing and trusting in Christ is more in the background rather than in the forefront of my heart condition and it inevitably shows.
When I have heart pains, I usually get concerned because I know that my physical heart condition is not so good. I have allowed the circumstances of life at times to overwhelmingly stress me out to the point where my physical body actually feels the consequences of the emotional and mental distress. My teeth have been grinding for so many years that I didn't realize it until half of my bottom teeth were worn away (don't ask to look - it's not a pretty sight). I actually tore a muscle in my mouth last week while I was sleeping, even with my nightguard in place - I didn't know that was possible. My neck and back are so tense at times it feels like I am sleeping on a rock. All this and more have been more than enough proof to show that my emotional and mental state can have some very severe effects on my physical body and I often am in so much pain that I can't stand it.
Left to myself, I am helpless. I can resort to drugs, physical therapy, and other things, but I realize that what really can bring relief (not necessarily physical) is the shoring up of my spiritual condition. When I am truly experiencing joy and peace in Christ, it really does affect my emotional and mental state to the point where I am reminded of the hope I have in Christ and the anxiety no longer paralyzes me. But when my gaze is not fixed on Christ, I find it so easy to be not only distracted, but to be redirected as to how I live my life.
This new year afforded me the opportunity to do some evaluating of my heart condition and I have come to see that I need to be more resolved in pursuing the hope of my life - Jesus Christ. It really is in Christ alone that I can find the joy and peace that anchors my hope and trust in Him. It is in Christ alone that I can have the right perspective in life amidst the challenges and trials that come and go. It is in Christ alone that I ultimately find my life's purpose and apart from Him, there would truly be no real reason to live.
So while circumstances are not necessarily so "happy", I have found joy in my salvation, I have found peace in the sovereignty of God, and I have found hope in the promises of a faithful God who I know will consistently and daily make manifest His mercy and grace to a sinner like me.
Happy New Year!!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Looking back at 2007
As the year winds down, there is much to look back and consider. For me it is easy to focus on the negative things and I am often reminded that I need to see what I am thankful for. So here it goes:
1. God's faithful mercies. Romans 11:30-32 and 12:1 has come to mind often when I consider that my calling to be a follower of Christ is not just some duty but it is a gift of God's mercy. When I consider the miserable sinner that I am, it truly is God's grace that gives me hope because there would be none without it.
2. God's gracious gift of my wife. Proverbs 18:22 says "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." In my case, I have found more than just a good thing, I have found a wonderful and beautiful thing in my wife that fears God and seeks to live to His glory and who supports me in all my craziness. She truly is a gift of grace and she makes marriage, which is the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7), one that I treasure and enjoy. This year I was able to enjoy date nights probably more consistently than I ever have and it really was something that I have come to cherish all the more as I grow closer to my precious wife.
3. God's gracious gifts of my four daughters. To have four daughters indeed is a super-abounding gift of grace as I am constantly reminded daily of how blessed and loved I am by my four very unique but equally precious daughters. It is something that I have come to appreciate all the more this year as I realize that I am getting closer to the point where I will have to start releasing them. Each one is precious in their own way and I enjoy having each one of them as they bring a spark and flavor to life that is distinct and yet complementing of each other so as to contribute to oneness in the family.
4. The elders of LBC. To have worked together this long and have gone this far was not without its challenges. Indeed, the past two years have probably brought the biggest tests yet and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with men who have become very dear to my heart as we have had to wrestle through various issues, even to the point where things got very difficult. But God has been faithful to help us help one another and their support and encouragement to persevere have been very helpful, especially in the past several months.
5. The Single Life Ministry. I have truly enjoyed working alongside a growing staff of 20+ who are growing into a team that has been very exciting to work with as the Single Life ministry has been growing significantly over the past year. The staff have particularly been an encouragement through their faithfulness and enthusiasm to serve and minister to the single adults at Lighthouse and their commitment has been contagious. There are many new singles that have become a part of the church family and it has been a blessing to see their hunger to grow in God's Word and take their faith seriously.
6. Meeting with men who desire strong accountability. There are a number of men that I meet with on a somewhat consistent basis because they desire to meet and I can honestly say that I truly look forward to times with them because of their teachability and humble attitude in wanting to learn. One of the greatest traits that I look for in a person is teachability because without there is nothing that I can really do to help them.
7. The faithfulness of godly pastors. I can say that the past couple of years have really tested my resolve in wanting to continue in the ministry but one thing that encourages me to endure and continue are the examples of pastors who are personally encouraging to me. John MacArthur, who was my senior pastor growing up from junior high through college years, has shown an amazing consistency and faithfulness that truly humbles me yet challenges me to continue striving. Ever since first hearing him preach in 1978, he has been a constant in my life and now almost 30 years later he continues to be a role model of what a preacher should be through his preaching ministry but also a shepherd through his personal care. I am amazed that he would even have time to communicate with me but through short conversations and notes and greetings, I am all the more thankful for his influence and impact in my life.
I would also say the same for my junior high and college pastor, Chris Mueller, who has been a mentor and counselor since my 9th grade year (1979). His fiery sermons in college addressing the roles of men and women as well as dating made an enduring impact in my life which has lasted to this day. Through his joys and trials in ministry, he has shared openly with me in such a humble way that I am constantly amazed at his investment in my life. The past couple of years has especially been a blessing as he has moved to Temecula and has become more available to meet with - this was truly God's gift to me as I was sorely in need of counsel and encouragement.
8. Encouragement notes. It seems that when I feel pretty down, God is gracious enough to have someone send a timely note of encouragement, whether through e-mail or on one of the encouragement slips.
Proverbs 15:23 - A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!
Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 25:11 - Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.
The book of Proverbs really does charactize the one who walks in the wisdom of God as one whose tongue is particularly distinct in the character of its contents. An encouraging word goes a long way and I often am amazed at God's grace in providing timely words of encouragement just when it gets to the point where I feel like I'm about to go under with discouragement.
9. Laughter. I know that laughter on its own is useless (Ecclesiastes 2) but when one gets to laugh with those that you love to be with, I think it is a healthy sign. I love it when Angela laughts - it is contagious and just causes me to be happy. I love hearing my girls laugh, even if they are laughing at me. Hearing Olivia laugh is such a joy - it really is so cute that I can't bear it for her to grow older. Being able to laugh with family and friends and partners in ministry - I really value being able to enjoy relationships and I think the absence of laughter is a tell-tale sign that things are not that enjoyable.
10. Overwhelmingly gracious and generous people. The past couple of years has provided some experiences with those who have been just over-the-top generous and gracious to our family by providing things that I know we would never be able to afford on our own. Supporting us on our annual summer mission trips. A family trip to Italy last year. Passes to Sea World. Gift cards to nice restaurants. Being treated to lunch or dinner to anywhere from Sombreros to Soup Plantation to even home-cooked meals. Having our auto maintenance taken care of. Providing nice clothes for our children. Giving gifts in various forms. Others who were willing to make time every week to help my wife and children. People bringing food over to feed our large family. Padres and Charger games. Taking our kids out to places. While I have heard of people doing these kind of things for people like John MacArthur and others, I never thought our family would experience such gracious hospitality and care. It really makes me feel all the more unworthy and that such gifts are truly a reflection of the super-abounding grace of God in a way - I don't deserve and I could never come close.
11. God's Word. While this is mentioned last, it is by no means least. The power of God's Word is truly amazing and I have learned that I need to spend more time to let it do its work in my heart before I preach it to affect others. Going through Romans has especially been challenging as it is really one of the most theological books to go through. I probably have only scratched the surface and will have to go through it again. Studying Titus through the summer was a blessing as well. Reading what others have written concerning the Word of God is helpful as well as I have enjoyed reading works by Jerry Bridges, John MacArthur, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and others. Reading about the lives of those who have been transformed by the Word of God, like George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones especially challenged me this year. I hope that I will humbly submit myself to the truth of God in my life all the more in the upcoming year and be teachable to it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I probably could go on and on but despite the challenges that this year has brought, even most recently, I realize that being thankful really is helpful in giving balance to perspective in life.
Please pray for me to continue practicing thanksgiving in my heart in the days and weeks to come as I trust the Lord to provide healing and recovery in light of recent events. I have hope in the Lord's faithfulness to restore and revive my heart to trust and delight in Him no matter what the circumstances may bring.
1. God's faithful mercies. Romans 11:30-32 and 12:1 has come to mind often when I consider that my calling to be a follower of Christ is not just some duty but it is a gift of God's mercy. When I consider the miserable sinner that I am, it truly is God's grace that gives me hope because there would be none without it.
2. God's gracious gift of my wife. Proverbs 18:22 says "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." In my case, I have found more than just a good thing, I have found a wonderful and beautiful thing in my wife that fears God and seeks to live to His glory and who supports me in all my craziness. She truly is a gift of grace and she makes marriage, which is the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7), one that I treasure and enjoy. This year I was able to enjoy date nights probably more consistently than I ever have and it really was something that I have come to cherish all the more as I grow closer to my precious wife.
3. God's gracious gifts of my four daughters. To have four daughters indeed is a super-abounding gift of grace as I am constantly reminded daily of how blessed and loved I am by my four very unique but equally precious daughters. It is something that I have come to appreciate all the more this year as I realize that I am getting closer to the point where I will have to start releasing them. Each one is precious in their own way and I enjoy having each one of them as they bring a spark and flavor to life that is distinct and yet complementing of each other so as to contribute to oneness in the family.
4. The elders of LBC. To have worked together this long and have gone this far was not without its challenges. Indeed, the past two years have probably brought the biggest tests yet and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with men who have become very dear to my heart as we have had to wrestle through various issues, even to the point where things got very difficult. But God has been faithful to help us help one another and their support and encouragement to persevere have been very helpful, especially in the past several months.
5. The Single Life Ministry. I have truly enjoyed working alongside a growing staff of 20+ who are growing into a team that has been very exciting to work with as the Single Life ministry has been growing significantly over the past year. The staff have particularly been an encouragement through their faithfulness and enthusiasm to serve and minister to the single adults at Lighthouse and their commitment has been contagious. There are many new singles that have become a part of the church family and it has been a blessing to see their hunger to grow in God's Word and take their faith seriously.
6. Meeting with men who desire strong accountability. There are a number of men that I meet with on a somewhat consistent basis because they desire to meet and I can honestly say that I truly look forward to times with them because of their teachability and humble attitude in wanting to learn. One of the greatest traits that I look for in a person is teachability because without there is nothing that I can really do to help them.
7. The faithfulness of godly pastors. I can say that the past couple of years have really tested my resolve in wanting to continue in the ministry but one thing that encourages me to endure and continue are the examples of pastors who are personally encouraging to me. John MacArthur, who was my senior pastor growing up from junior high through college years, has shown an amazing consistency and faithfulness that truly humbles me yet challenges me to continue striving. Ever since first hearing him preach in 1978, he has been a constant in my life and now almost 30 years later he continues to be a role model of what a preacher should be through his preaching ministry but also a shepherd through his personal care. I am amazed that he would even have time to communicate with me but through short conversations and notes and greetings, I am all the more thankful for his influence and impact in my life.
I would also say the same for my junior high and college pastor, Chris Mueller, who has been a mentor and counselor since my 9th grade year (1979). His fiery sermons in college addressing the roles of men and women as well as dating made an enduring impact in my life which has lasted to this day. Through his joys and trials in ministry, he has shared openly with me in such a humble way that I am constantly amazed at his investment in my life. The past couple of years has especially been a blessing as he has moved to Temecula and has become more available to meet with - this was truly God's gift to me as I was sorely in need of counsel and encouragement.
8. Encouragement notes. It seems that when I feel pretty down, God is gracious enough to have someone send a timely note of encouragement, whether through e-mail or on one of the encouragement slips.
Proverbs 15:23 - A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!
Proverbs 16:24 - Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 25:11 - Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.
The book of Proverbs really does charactize the one who walks in the wisdom of God as one whose tongue is particularly distinct in the character of its contents. An encouraging word goes a long way and I often am amazed at God's grace in providing timely words of encouragement just when it gets to the point where I feel like I'm about to go under with discouragement.
9. Laughter. I know that laughter on its own is useless (Ecclesiastes 2) but when one gets to laugh with those that you love to be with, I think it is a healthy sign. I love it when Angela laughts - it is contagious and just causes me to be happy. I love hearing my girls laugh, even if they are laughing at me. Hearing Olivia laugh is such a joy - it really is so cute that I can't bear it for her to grow older. Being able to laugh with family and friends and partners in ministry - I really value being able to enjoy relationships and I think the absence of laughter is a tell-tale sign that things are not that enjoyable.
10. Overwhelmingly gracious and generous people. The past couple of years has provided some experiences with those who have been just over-the-top generous and gracious to our family by providing things that I know we would never be able to afford on our own. Supporting us on our annual summer mission trips. A family trip to Italy last year. Passes to Sea World. Gift cards to nice restaurants. Being treated to lunch or dinner to anywhere from Sombreros to Soup Plantation to even home-cooked meals. Having our auto maintenance taken care of. Providing nice clothes for our children. Giving gifts in various forms. Others who were willing to make time every week to help my wife and children. People bringing food over to feed our large family. Padres and Charger games. Taking our kids out to places. While I have heard of people doing these kind of things for people like John MacArthur and others, I never thought our family would experience such gracious hospitality and care. It really makes me feel all the more unworthy and that such gifts are truly a reflection of the super-abounding grace of God in a way - I don't deserve and I could never come close.
11. God's Word. While this is mentioned last, it is by no means least. The power of God's Word is truly amazing and I have learned that I need to spend more time to let it do its work in my heart before I preach it to affect others. Going through Romans has especially been challenging as it is really one of the most theological books to go through. I probably have only scratched the surface and will have to go through it again. Studying Titus through the summer was a blessing as well. Reading what others have written concerning the Word of God is helpful as well as I have enjoyed reading works by Jerry Bridges, John MacArthur, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and others. Reading about the lives of those who have been transformed by the Word of God, like George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones especially challenged me this year. I hope that I will humbly submit myself to the truth of God in my life all the more in the upcoming year and be teachable to it with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I probably could go on and on but despite the challenges that this year has brought, even most recently, I realize that being thankful really is helpful in giving balance to perspective in life.
Please pray for me to continue practicing thanksgiving in my heart in the days and weeks to come as I trust the Lord to provide healing and recovery in light of recent events. I have hope in the Lord's faithfulness to restore and revive my heart to trust and delight in Him no matter what the circumstances may bring.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Dwelling on the Word
“How is your time in God’s Word?” This is a common question we ask one another in the church when we meet up for accountability or when we want to know how someone is doing spiritually. Typically, the answer to this question is, “I’m doing fine,” or maybe more often, “It’s been a struggle.” Perhaps for many of us, the problem is that even when we are not doing ok, we do not know enough to recognize it. What do I mean by this?
If you’ve known me long enough, you know that I never have liked the term “quiet time” when referring to your time spent in God’s Word. You’ll rarely, if ever, hear me ask, “Have you been doing your quiet times?” The reason is that when I think of “quiet time,” as Christians understand this term, I think of a check off box on a list of accountability questions. You read your Bible for ten minutes in the morning, check off your box, and then move on in the day. Now you can meet with your small group and tell them that your time in God’s Word has been going well or that it has been “consistent.” But this is not the approach to God’s Word that God wants us to have.
Listen to the words of Deuteronomy 6:6-9:
[6] "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. [8] "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. [9] "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Without going into the minute details of this passage, the general message is that God wants His law to be on His people’s hearts. This is to be all day – morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Whether you’re sitting in your house or walking along the way, you should be dwelling on His Word. It is the first thing on your mind when you get up in the morning and the last thing on your mind before you lay down to sleep. If I were to come to you at any point of the day and ask you what you read earlier from God’s Word, it should be readily available on the forefront of your mind. How sad that this is not the experience of most in today’s church.
We think reading God’s Word is all it takes – as if it was like a magic book that you just have to get some time in before the day is over. An apple a day keeps the doctor away? How about a verse a day keeps the devil away? The Bible doesn’t work that way. When we allow Scripture to dwell in our minds, we allow the Spirit to teach us specifically. What does God want me to learn from this passage today? How is it particularly applicable to me? The problem is that we don’t dwell on God’s Word. We just read it and wait for it to work its magic. It’s no wonder so many Christians find their times in the Word dry and unfulfilling.
This is what meditation on God’s Word is all about. It’s emptying your mind of all the distracting thoughts of the day and then filling it with thoughts of God – His character, His works, His ways, and His will. Spending time in God’s Word is more than a duty to be checked off a list. It is supposed to be an encounter with the God of the universe! It sounds so much like sixth grade Sunday school, but maybe it’s just that we’ve forgotten that we are in constant conversation with the Lord. We speak to Him in prayer and He answers us through His Word. He’s given us His Spirit who works in our hearts, but His Spirit works particularly through His Word. We need to get back to the discipline of meditation – to dwell on God and His principles from Scripture so that we can have a more confident trust in His presence and His work in our lives.
When was the last time you were able to say, “I met with God and He taught me through His Word today”? So often instead we say something like, “I read something interesting,” or “I made some wonderful observations today.” While reading God’s Word is invaluable and making good observations is essential, it is critical that we take time to dwell on what we read and observe to understand how it instructs, guides, and challenges us, and how it applies to us.
Are you feeling dry in your walk with God? Perhaps one reason is that although you have been spending time in God’s Word, you have not allowed Him to really teach you what He wants you to learn. One practical way you can cultivate this is by keeping a journal about what you read. Don’t just summarize the passage. Jot down more specifically how the passage applies to you and what you learned from it. This will force you to think about the passage you read because you’ll want to write something worth writing. I hope that you will remember that we seek not only the Word but the God of the Word. Pursue Christ by meditating on His Word day and night.
If you’ve known me long enough, you know that I never have liked the term “quiet time” when referring to your time spent in God’s Word. You’ll rarely, if ever, hear me ask, “Have you been doing your quiet times?” The reason is that when I think of “quiet time,” as Christians understand this term, I think of a check off box on a list of accountability questions. You read your Bible for ten minutes in the morning, check off your box, and then move on in the day. Now you can meet with your small group and tell them that your time in God’s Word has been going well or that it has been “consistent.” But this is not the approach to God’s Word that God wants us to have.
Listen to the words of Deuteronomy 6:6-9:
[6] "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. [8] "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. [9] "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Without going into the minute details of this passage, the general message is that God wants His law to be on His people’s hearts. This is to be all day – morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Whether you’re sitting in your house or walking along the way, you should be dwelling on His Word. It is the first thing on your mind when you get up in the morning and the last thing on your mind before you lay down to sleep. If I were to come to you at any point of the day and ask you what you read earlier from God’s Word, it should be readily available on the forefront of your mind. How sad that this is not the experience of most in today’s church.
We think reading God’s Word is all it takes – as if it was like a magic book that you just have to get some time in before the day is over. An apple a day keeps the doctor away? How about a verse a day keeps the devil away? The Bible doesn’t work that way. When we allow Scripture to dwell in our minds, we allow the Spirit to teach us specifically. What does God want me to learn from this passage today? How is it particularly applicable to me? The problem is that we don’t dwell on God’s Word. We just read it and wait for it to work its magic. It’s no wonder so many Christians find their times in the Word dry and unfulfilling.
This is what meditation on God’s Word is all about. It’s emptying your mind of all the distracting thoughts of the day and then filling it with thoughts of God – His character, His works, His ways, and His will. Spending time in God’s Word is more than a duty to be checked off a list. It is supposed to be an encounter with the God of the universe! It sounds so much like sixth grade Sunday school, but maybe it’s just that we’ve forgotten that we are in constant conversation with the Lord. We speak to Him in prayer and He answers us through His Word. He’s given us His Spirit who works in our hearts, but His Spirit works particularly through His Word. We need to get back to the discipline of meditation – to dwell on God and His principles from Scripture so that we can have a more confident trust in His presence and His work in our lives.
When was the last time you were able to say, “I met with God and He taught me through His Word today”? So often instead we say something like, “I read something interesting,” or “I made some wonderful observations today.” While reading God’s Word is invaluable and making good observations is essential, it is critical that we take time to dwell on what we read and observe to understand how it instructs, guides, and challenges us, and how it applies to us.
Are you feeling dry in your walk with God? Perhaps one reason is that although you have been spending time in God’s Word, you have not allowed Him to really teach you what He wants you to learn. One practical way you can cultivate this is by keeping a journal about what you read. Don’t just summarize the passage. Jot down more specifically how the passage applies to you and what you learned from it. This will force you to think about the passage you read because you’ll want to write something worth writing. I hope that you will remember that we seek not only the Word but the God of the Word. Pursue Christ by meditating on His Word day and night.
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