His Birth

The remembrance of our Saviour’s birth is yet another powerful reminder of how dedicated the Father is to the plan of salvation. The birth is an inspiring reminder of the responsibility Jesus possesses as our Saviour. The birth is a glimpse at a grace which the Spirit revealed through the Scriptures.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said, 
You, who unto Jesus for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
As thy days may demand, shall thy strength ever be.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, 
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Even down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake. 
 ~How Firm a Foundation

Matt Chandler On Suffering

Two Sinners, Two Responses

 Luke 10:25-37

A question is posed to Jesus by an expert in the Law: Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? It doesn’t take much searching to notice that this is not the only time where this question was asked of Jesus. It is interesting to note that Jesus always seems to direct the questioner to the Law: What is written in the Law? How does it read to you? A combination of Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 is the response, which in effect says to wholly love God and to love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus says, Correct; do this and you will live.

I don’t know about you, but for me, there are two ways of looking at this requirement for life. One way requires me to be really shallow and nearsighted, allowing me to emphatically state: “Yes, yes I love God with all my heart! Oh and yep, I love everybody else quite a lot as well.” On the other hand, I might look at this statement and say, “Wow! I might have a couple things in my life in line, but the very idea of actually loving my neighbour as myself is so far beyond my reality that it’s a bit nonsensical- completely contrary to my nature. As for loving God with my whole being, I certainly never could.” It is no surprise that I often find myself quite content to live under the first option.

In verse 29, clearly the lawyer is convicted (join the party). But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Living under the Law, this expert has a prime opportunity to visualize what justice and righteousness really are. He has a clear example of who God is and what it takes to be what God is (righteous). He can see that being on the happy side of justice involves perfection. And finally, he sees that he doesn’t measure up. So what does he do? He seeks to justify himself through a debate of terms. Perhaps if he can uncover the true meaning of neighbour, his acts of piety towards a select group will justify him. Jesus of course solidly removes the lawyer’s argument through the story of the Samaritan. Rather than debating the definition of neighbour (Who do I have to love?), Jesus asks the lawyer which individual acted as a neighbour. It’s no longer a matter of “who is my neighbour?” No, the question is “to whom can I be a neighbour?”

Notice this dialogue does not end with the joy-bringing words this man went home justified before God. Luke 18:14

Isaiah 6:1-7

This passage tells of Isaiah’s vision. It is characterized by a presentation of the magnificence of God.

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

It is believed that the Father, Son, and Spirit were all presented before Isaiah. He could see the glory that is the Trinity. It is particularly interesting for consideration that he saw Jesus. John 12:38-41

Given the splendid opportunity that something like this is, one would imagine that Isaiah’s reaction would be pure amazement and awe. In fact it makes me think of Jesus’ words to His disciples back in Luke 10: Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” 23-24 Jesus is saying that they are blessed because they are able to see all that was prophesied about: David’s seed, knowledge of the Father through the Son, and miracles worked through God’s power. Who wouldn’t want to see God and know His glory? Isn’t that one of our deepest desires as Christians, to one day see the Lord?

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Indeed it must have been a marvelous thing to see! However Isaiah could not help but notice something. He could not help but notice the painful contrast between himself (a miserable, wretched sinner) and the Lord (lofty and exalted, holy, glorious- the Lord of hosts). Isaiah saw that when considering righteousness in the presence of God, he was but an unworthy spec of dust. This is strikingly similar to Abraham’s consideration of his situation in Genesis 18:27.

Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

What a contrast we have, both between God and man, and between the response of sinners!

“Before you can celebrate and rest in Christ's righteousness, you have to be willing to accept the extent of your own unrighteousness.” –Paul Tripp

Anxiety and Matthew 6

Questions in life- you’ve got to love them. I was thinking today about different concerns in my life. Some things weigh really heavily on me and if I’m not careful, they can overcome me freakishly fast. But thankfully God doesn’t leave me to myself too long. The following occurred to me: If it’s God’s will for something to happen, it’s impossible for it not to happen. So seek God; cast your cares upon Him. Let Him be your goal, your desire, your care and concern. Make Him your priority.

The end of Matthew 6 talks about our needs and how we tend to worry about them. It’s important to notice that these things actually are needs (food and drink, clothes, our lives); they are important to us. God certainly doesn’t neglect the fact that these things are important. But there are a couple things to notice. For one thing, we are told that worrying will not get us what we need. Will worrying add even an hour to our lives? Far more important, the passage creates the idea that we are of far greater worth to God than the creatures which He so abundantly provides for. He feeds the birds which do not sow, reap, or gather into barns. He lovingly clothes the flowers in which we find so much beauty. And consider His meticulous work in these plants which are here today just to be scorched by the sun tomorrow. Consider how excessively He has always provided for our needs, far beyond those flowers which last only a day! And He will do even more. Verse 32 says that God knows what we need. He knows! God in His omniscience knows of our needs far better than we can even know.

It is important to note here that God never guarantees absolute physical freedom from all wants and desires. There will be times of hunger, times of sorrow. But the point is God’s will is always accomplished. His will for us will surely be realized. We have a guarantee: Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.

I find it so interesting to note that this passage references Solomon and his ability to please and provide for himself. Sometimes I think that if I could just have everything I really want right now, I would be well provided for indeed! God however says, not so. Even Solomon in all his glory could not clothe himself as completely as the flowers in a field. It takes faith, but we must believe that God knows what He is doing. And He will be successful! 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3

Having Pride Issues?

I sometimes find myself fed up with people. Their attitudes leave much to be desired. They are obviously flying blind, as evidenced by their actions.

Here’s something I’ve been convicted with: I think of the last, less than ideal interaction I had with someone. It’s pretty clear that they made some dumb choices and have a bad attitude. In fact, they could very well be mostly in the wrong. That’s easy to see.

Then I compare myself to Jesus. This part gets a little ugly. If I apply any sense, I can immediately see why my salvation rests in Jesus and not myself. It just so happens that through the other persons faults and failures, I too overflow with filth, egocentrism, and a grossly obvious lack of love. I mean seriously, did I do EVERYTHING I could have done to be selfless? A servant? How does my “everything” compare to Jesus’ everything?

This is what amazes me. Jesus left Heaven to live a mortal life with the end result of torture and death in mind. And he did it for my stupidity, my failures, my selfishness, my ugly life. He did it for me, not for himself. Or if you get really deep, he did do it for himself. This can be true because his desire is for me to be washed clean of myself.

Think maybe I can give a little more?

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior. 1 Peter 1:15

And that brings tears to my eyes, because I know that I will never be holy in all my behaviour. But I know that God’s love reaches beyond justice. That is why I live.

And now perhaps in my interaction, I should seek love rather than justice.

Quotes - Jane Eyre

I have this habit of having to mark tidbits I find fascinating when reading, or when I come across an interesting verse during a sermon or class. Normally, I bend the corner of the page over to mark it. Sometimes however, I tend to fail at returning to the marked passage later on and they pile up. I opened up my Bible to this:

It begins to make finding passages difficult. :P Anyway, I found Jane Eyre to have a lot of noteworthy, page bending content in it. So I figured I’d post some quotes that I like.

99- I don’t think, sir, you have a right to command me, merely because you are older than I, or because you have seen more of the world than I have; your claim to superiority depends on the use you have made of your time and experience.

136- Why can she not influence him more, when she is privileged to draw so near to him? I asked myself. Surely she cannot truly like him, or not like him with true affection! If she did, she need not coin her smiles so lavishly, flash her glances so unremittingly, manufacture airs so elaborate, graces so multitudinous. It seems to me that she might, by merely sitting quietly at his side, saying little and looking less, get nigher his heart. I have seen in his face a far different expression from that which hardens it now while she is so vivaciously accosting him; but then it came of itself: it was not elicited by meretricious arts and calculated manoeuvres; and one had but to accept it- to answer what he asked without pretension, to address him when needful without grimace- and it increased and grew kinder and more genial, and warmed one like a fostering sunbeam.

171- True, generous feeling is made small account of by some, but here were two natures rendered, the one intolerably acrid, the other despicably savourless for the want of it. Feeling without judgment is a washy draught indeed; but judgment untempered by feeling is too bitter and husky a morsel for human deglutition.

228- Still indomitable was the reply- “I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself. I will keep the law given by God; sanctioned by man. I will hold to the principles received by me when I was sane, and not mad- as I am now. Laws and principles are not for the times when there is no temptation: they are for such moments as this, when body and soul rise in mutiny against their rigour; stringent are they; inviolate they shall be. If at my individual convenience I might break them, what would be their worth? They have a worth- so I have always believed; and if I cannot believe it now, it is because I am insane- quite insane: with my veins running fire, and my heart beating faster than I can count its throbs. Preconceived opinions, foregone determinations, are all I have at this hour to stand by: there I plant my foot.”

244- Prejudices, it is well known, are most difficult to eradicate from the heart whose soil has never been loosened or fertilized by education: they grow there, firm as weeds among stones.

267- Reserved people often really need the frank discussion of their sentiments and griefs more than the expansive. The sternest-seeming stoic is human after all; and to “burst” with boldness and good-will into “the silent sea” of their souls is often to confer on them the first of obligations.

287- I know no medium: I never in my life have known any medium in my dealings with positive, hard characters, antagonistic to my own, between absolute submission and determined revolt. I have always faithfully observed the one, up to the very moment of bursting, sometimes with volcanic vehemence, into the other.

302- My spirit is willing to do what is right; and my flesh, I hope, is strong enough to accomplish the will of Heaven, when once that will is distinctly known to me. At any rate, it shall be strong enough to search- inquire- to grope an outlet from this cloud of doubt, and find the open day of certainty.

Pictures

 

Of course an epic song is required.. :)

Sunset. You can actually see the moon if you look closely.

Late night moon.

Early morning. I like how the darkness begins to give way to the morning light.

Wait on the Lord

Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. –Psalm 27

There are probably many good reasons for God's message in Hebrews 10. Verse 24 says to consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. And then verse 25 encourages participation in assembling together for the purpose of encouraging one another, with a growing emphasis as the days pass. This can also obviously be taken advantage of outside the assembly, simply by living a life that seeks to dwell on hope, and which seeks to enlighten our peer’s lives with that hope. I so appreciate my friends who give of themselves to accomplish this. The slightest of words or actions can make all the difference; we can be His workmanship. Ephesians 2:10

The idea of waiting on the Lord was somewhat of a focus last Sunday at church. It was mentioned several different times throughout the service. We also sang a song about waiting on the Lord. At the time, it didn’t leave that much of an impression on me. The idea has been dwelling in my mind though.

It’s interesting because around mid way through the week, I began to grow weary of the ever present discouragements and issues I am constantly faced with. “Why can’t I just be done with it all,” was literally my continual thought. “I’ve had this stuff long enough.” I realized that it has been about seven months that I have been dealing with this excessive pain and issues resulting from the Crohn’s flare last fall. Hasn’t it been long enough? Why hasn’t God’s plan run its course yet?

The idea of waiting on the Lord popped into my head. It was sitting there, waiting to be used. The chorus of the song has been stuck in my head ever since. Wait on the Lord!

I can’t help but look at what a pathetic, bumbling wreck I am. But there is something different in what I see now, as compared to years past- even the “good” years of a relatively blessed health situation. I’m still a wreck, much like I was before. But I am beginning to learn things. I am beginning to grow. By grace, I am finally beginning to learn to wait on the Lord.

Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. –Psalm 31

Love

Do you ever have those moments where you read a passage and you feel so far away from what God defines as good?

  

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails,.. -1 Corinthians 13

There are some mighty scenes of love throughout the Bible. I Think of Moses and how he toiled with Israel his whole life, through all the stumbling and failing that occurred. I can’t imagine how burned out he must have felt at times or maybe all the time.

I think of the brave souls who stood at the foot of our tormented Saviour’s cross as it swarmed with treacherous Jews and murderous Romans. After all the horrible things that happened to Jesus, someone controlled with common sense would have been far away. But their love for Jesus was ever burning, even at that tragic scene.

But our best example of love is indeed manifested in the Godhead. How could God love us at all as we wallow in the muck and mire of our sinful state? How could He love us to the point of allowing life, ridicule, sorrow, mourning, anguish, torture, and death to happen to Jesus? How could a Creator be destroyed by the created? How could hate be the response to love? How could someone who healed the crippled, gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, and raised the dead, be murdered? How could He not be loved?

When Jesus was in the garden, He asked God over and over again for another way. Luke 22:44- And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. It seems absurd for me to try putting this scene into words when one’s imagination can picture Jesus dedication to love so much clearer.

Jesus went to THAT point of “uncomfortable” for us. And what is it He asks us to do? A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35

A very controllable concept behind love is this, I make it happen. My love depends on no one but myself. I make the decision to love or hate based on my will through God’s help. No one else ever dictates what I will do in response to Christ’s commandment. It’s never someone else's fault that I do not love. 

The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 Being a follower of Christ means that we don’t ride the waves. It means we don’t do what is “natural.” And it means that we do things that, in human terms, don’t make sense. It means that we love even the unlovable, or forgive the unforgivable.

Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I have never lived up to expectations in love. But the cool thing is, God always does. :)