Ephesians 1:3-14:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."
SAVED TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY! SAVED TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY! SAVED TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
A Sunday-morning Prayer
Father in heaven, glorious God above all gods, Great and Holy, Your name we praise. We are but the created, and we cry out to the Creator. Enable our feeble minds and feeble bodies to grasp the splendor and majesty of your Being. Give us the faith to fall into your arms without hesitation. We need nothing else but you, God. Our steps are dogged with troubles, worries, fears, and hesitation - we thank you for your Word that serves to light our way. Grant us the strength to trust you in the hard times when our back is to the wall, and we cannot see Your way. When we cannot see your workings, Father, grant us the faith to believe in the things we cannot see. Set our gaze upward, and not on on our surroundings. Give us the patience to follow your lead, and not rush ahead with our own agenda or desires. You are the one who directs our paths, and numbers the days that this vaporish life will linger yet in the air. Let us look to you for direction, and please be patient with us as we learn to bear patience in our life. Your ways are not are ways, nor are your thoughts our thoughts. This is a blessed truth, Father, for we know that any way of Yours, and any thought, will be a thousand times over more beautiful than our own. All the glory be to You, Father of Lights, Sustainer, Friend!
Psalm 62:1-3 "...Lead me to the rock that is higher than I".
Psalm 62:1-3 "...Lead me to the rock that is higher than I".
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The Train Called Worship
One more quote, this time from Desiring God. Next time I'll write something personal. But this is really good.
This quote concerns the old evangelical slogan "Fact, Faith, Feeling"
"In one well-known booklet the slogan appears as a train: The locomotive is 'fact.' The coal car is 'faith.' The caboose is 'feeling.' The explanation reads: "The train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the caboose." But what are the "feelings" the train of Christian living can run without? Do "feelings" refer merely to physical experiences like sweaty palms, knocking knees, racing heart, trembling lips, tearful eyes? If so the slogan is clear and accurate..."
Piper procedes to point out that while physical expression of emotions can be superficial, therefore not entirely necessary, he points to the affections - the response within our hearts that is 100% vital to true worship. Quoting from Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections:
"The definition of these 'affections' (or what most people today mean by feelings) is: 'the more vigorous and sensible excericses of the inclination and will of the soul.' In other words, the feelings that really matter are not mere physical sensations. They are the stirring up of the soul with some perceived treasure or threat...let us make clear that the locomotive of fact is not headed for heaven if it is not followed by a faith that treasures Christ and if it is not pulling a caboose-load of new, though imperfect, affections." [end quote]
Gotta love it!
This quote concerns the old evangelical slogan "Fact, Faith, Feeling"
"In one well-known booklet the slogan appears as a train: The locomotive is 'fact.' The coal car is 'faith.' The caboose is 'feeling.' The explanation reads: "The train will run with or without the caboose. However, it would be futile to attempt to pull the train by the caboose." But what are the "feelings" the train of Christian living can run without? Do "feelings" refer merely to physical experiences like sweaty palms, knocking knees, racing heart, trembling lips, tearful eyes? If so the slogan is clear and accurate..."
Piper procedes to point out that while physical expression of emotions can be superficial, therefore not entirely necessary, he points to the affections - the response within our hearts that is 100% vital to true worship. Quoting from Jonathan Edwards' The Religious Affections:
"The definition of these 'affections' (or what most people today mean by feelings) is: 'the more vigorous and sensible excericses of the inclination and will of the soul.' In other words, the feelings that really matter are not mere physical sensations. They are the stirring up of the soul with some perceived treasure or threat...let us make clear that the locomotive of fact is not headed for heaven if it is not followed by a faith that treasures Christ and if it is not pulling a caboose-load of new, though imperfect, affections." [end quote]
Gotta love it!
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Edwards on the Excellency of Christ
I wish to pass on a quote that I found in TGWOTG
from "The Excellency of Christ,
by Jonathan Edwards
"What is there that you can desire should be in a Savior, that is not in Christ? What excellency is there wanting? What is there that is great or good; what is there that is venerable or winning; what is there that is adorable or endearing; or what can you think of that would be encouraging, which is not to be found in the person of Christ?
Would you have your Savior to be great and honourable, because you are not willing to be beholden to a mean person? And is not Christ a person honourable enough to be worthy that you should be dependent on him; is he not a person high enough to be appointed to so honourable a work as your salvation? Would you not only have a Savior of high degree, but would you have him, notwithstanding his exaltation and dignity, to be make also of low degree, that he might have experience of afflictions and trials, that he might learn by the things that he has suffered, to pity them that suffer and are tempted? And has not Christ been made low enough for you; and has he not suffered enough?
Would you have your Savior to be one who is near to God, so that his mediation might be prevalent with him? And can you desire him to be nearer to God than Christ is, who is his only-begotten Son, of the same essence with the Father? And would you not only have him near to God, but also near to you , that you may have free access to him? And would you have him nearer to you than to be in the same nature, united to you by a spiritual union, so close as to be fitly represented by the union of the wife to the husband, of the branch to the vine, of the member to the head; yea, so as to be one spirit? For so he will be united with you, if you accept him...What is there wanting or what would you add if you could, to make him more fit to be your Savior?" [end quote]
What is there not to worship? Embrace Christ as your treasure.
from "The Excellency of Christ,
by Jonathan Edwards
"What is there that you can desire should be in a Savior, that is not in Christ? What excellency is there wanting? What is there that is great or good; what is there that is venerable or winning; what is there that is adorable or endearing; or what can you think of that would be encouraging, which is not to be found in the person of Christ?
Would you have your Savior to be great and honourable, because you are not willing to be beholden to a mean person? And is not Christ a person honourable enough to be worthy that you should be dependent on him; is he not a person high enough to be appointed to so honourable a work as your salvation? Would you not only have a Savior of high degree, but would you have him, notwithstanding his exaltation and dignity, to be make also of low degree, that he might have experience of afflictions and trials, that he might learn by the things that he has suffered, to pity them that suffer and are tempted? And has not Christ been made low enough for you; and has he not suffered enough?
Would you have your Savior to be one who is near to God, so that his mediation might be prevalent with him? And can you desire him to be nearer to God than Christ is, who is his only-begotten Son, of the same essence with the Father? And would you not only have him near to God, but also near to you , that you may have free access to him? And would you have him nearer to you than to be in the same nature, united to you by a spiritual union, so close as to be fitly represented by the union of the wife to the husband, of the branch to the vine, of the member to the head; yea, so as to be one spirit? For so he will be united with you, if you accept him...What is there wanting or what would you add if you could, to make him more fit to be your Savior?" [end quote]
What is there not to worship? Embrace Christ as your treasure.
Living as an Image-bearer
You my friend...are a worshiper!
So opens Louie Giglio's powerful little book, The Air I Breathe.
Do you see the truth in what he says? Even a careful observation of humanity indicates that every man is an inherent worshiper. No matter how you cut it, everyone worships something. Temples abound in our world. Whether it be the Dome of the Rock or the Astrodome, worship is taking place across the planet. From moshing fans at rock concerts to quiet monks at secluded monestaries, church steeples to neon lights, everyone is worshiping something.
But why? Why is it that we are wired for worship?
Because we were created to worship our Maker.
"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)"
God chose to design us as image-bearers. WE WERE CREATED TO REFLECT THE GLORIOUS IMAGE OF THE CREATOR! But man failed his resposibility. He chose to exalt himself, rather that God. He chose to seek pleasure in his own glory, and as a result, his ability to reflect God's glory was broken like a shattered mirror after a fall. The Fall.
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles... And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:21-23, 28-32)"
Man is not ignorant of God. He has turned away from the worship of "the glory of the immortal God" to the worship of self, satisfying his longings with nature, fleshly pleasures, accomplishments, and all manner of shallow and unsatisfying things. As 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to deep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
But all hope is not lost. God will change the hearts of some, so that they may be restored to their original purpose.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)"
The shattered mirror is being restored, one piece at a time:
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)"
Live as a worshiper, my friend. Fulfill your original purpose.
So opens Louie Giglio's powerful little book, The Air I Breathe.
Do you see the truth in what he says? Even a careful observation of humanity indicates that every man is an inherent worshiper. No matter how you cut it, everyone worships something. Temples abound in our world. Whether it be the Dome of the Rock or the Astrodome, worship is taking place across the planet. From moshing fans at rock concerts to quiet monks at secluded monestaries, church steeples to neon lights, everyone is worshiping something.
But why? Why is it that we are wired for worship?
Because we were created to worship our Maker.
"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-27)"
God chose to design us as image-bearers. WE WERE CREATED TO REFLECT THE GLORIOUS IMAGE OF THE CREATOR! But man failed his resposibility. He chose to exalt himself, rather that God. He chose to seek pleasure in his own glory, and as a result, his ability to reflect God's glory was broken like a shattered mirror after a fall. The Fall.
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles... And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:21-23, 28-32)"
Man is not ignorant of God. He has turned away from the worship of "the glory of the immortal God" to the worship of self, satisfying his longings with nature, fleshly pleasures, accomplishments, and all manner of shallow and unsatisfying things. As 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, to deep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
But all hope is not lost. God will change the hearts of some, so that they may be restored to their original purpose.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)"
The shattered mirror is being restored, one piece at a time:
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)"
Live as a worshiper, my friend. Fulfill your original purpose.
A Quote on Worship in song (from TGWOTG)
I find this quote fascinating. It is from point number two in the introduction of The Great Work of the Gospel. The cross inspires worship in a way unmatched by any false religion. Here is the quote (from TGWOTG):
"The Cross is the greatest surprise of human history. None of the religions of the world could have even have thought of such a thing. Indeed even closest associates of Christ never saw it coming. None understood the plan of it. When one discovers the reason for it and the wisdom of it and the nature of it, one understands why Christianity is "Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23) It is not simply a code of ethics or a set of wise principles for living, like those provided by Benjamin Franklin or Confucius. It is God at work in human life through the cross.
The unique character of Christianity as a religion of music is evidence for this excellence. The cross inspires song. No other religion inspires such a burning passion to put words of praise to music. Hymns, gospel songs, oratorios, choruses pour out of the cross in every language and every ethnomusicological form in a never ending stream. Take the cross out of the mountain of music and you have a molehill. Such is the wonder of God's solution to our sin." [end quote]
May the glory of the cross of Jesus Christ inspire a song of freedom from guilt and devotion to a loving master who "despised the shame" and bore our sins on that tree (Heb. 12:2).
Reflect His glory!
"The Cross is the greatest surprise of human history. None of the religions of the world could have even have thought of such a thing. Indeed even closest associates of Christ never saw it coming. None understood the plan of it. When one discovers the reason for it and the wisdom of it and the nature of it, one understands why Christianity is "Christ crucified" (1 Corinthians 1:23) It is not simply a code of ethics or a set of wise principles for living, like those provided by Benjamin Franklin or Confucius. It is God at work in human life through the cross.
The unique character of Christianity as a religion of music is evidence for this excellence. The cross inspires song. No other religion inspires such a burning passion to put words of praise to music. Hymns, gospel songs, oratorios, choruses pour out of the cross in every language and every ethnomusicological form in a never ending stream. Take the cross out of the mountain of music and you have a molehill. Such is the wonder of God's solution to our sin." [end quote]
May the glory of the cross of Jesus Christ inspire a song of freedom from guilt and devotion to a loving master who "despised the shame" and bore our sins on that tree (Heb. 12:2).
Reflect His glory!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Worship-inspiring Book
I am currently reading an excellent book entitled The Great Work of the Gospel, by John Ensor. In the introduction, Ensor explains that he calls the outworking of God's wonderful grace The Great Work for the following three reasons:
1) Because the problem [sin] is the greatest of all problems.
2) Because the solution is the most excellent of all solutions
and
3) Because the change it produces it the most extreme change possible.
If you have a hankering to read a good book, I give The Great Work of the Gospel a big "thumbs up". It's saturated with Scripture in a way will refresh your soul and lead you into a deeper gratitude of what God has done in His Great Work.
I will be posting further reflections inspired by this book at a later time. Read this book. It's an easy read, and it is well worth your time!
1) Because the problem [sin] is the greatest of all problems.
2) Because the solution is the most excellent of all solutions
and
3) Because the change it produces it the most extreme change possible.
If you have a hankering to read a good book, I give The Great Work of the Gospel a big "thumbs up". It's saturated with Scripture in a way will refresh your soul and lead you into a deeper gratitude of what God has done in His Great Work.
I will be posting further reflections inspired by this book at a later time. Read this book. It's an easy read, and it is well worth your time!
Monday, October 02, 2006
Life Is Not About Accumulation
Life is not about accumulation. Consider Luke 12 for Jesus' word on material possesions.
Luke 12.15 (ESV)
"And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possesions."
To the man who devotes his life accumulating stuff, God says:
"...Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (Luke 12.20)
He who dies with the most toys still dies.
As Christians, we are called to a radically different lifestyle:
"...Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, not about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
"And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12.1-2, 32-34)
God is good to provide for those who are in earnest pursuit of something greater than earthly possesions. He will provide for our physical needs, in order that we may channel our energies into a pursuit of that which is far more satisfying.
Luke 12.15 (ESV)
"And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possesions."
To the man who devotes his life accumulating stuff, God says:
"...Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?" (Luke 12.20)
He who dies with the most toys still dies.
As Christians, we are called to a radically different lifestyle:
"...Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, not about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing."
"And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12.1-2, 32-34)
God is good to provide for those who are in earnest pursuit of something greater than earthly possesions. He will provide for our physical needs, in order that we may channel our energies into a pursuit of that which is far more satisfying.
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