Showing posts with label Christian Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Living. Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2008
All Of Life Is Repentance
I enjoyed reading this essay by Rev. Tim Keller. I especially liked the 'practical application' section, The Disciplines of Gospel-Repentance.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
The Law
"[W]e are saved from the punishment of breaking the law and the burden of the law, but not necessarily the law itself."(Comment by Longing for a Holiday at Sea)I like this because I'm always trying to explain (mostly to myself, for the purposes of explaining to others) how the law is still applicable to us. I guess it means that we are not saved from the law (as in, it still applies and we still need to obey it), but that we are saved from the punishment of breaking the law and the burden of having to follow the law. The law is no longer a burden, yet we still have a responsibility to follow it.
Hmm. I wonder if that makes any sense at all.
Check out Longing for a Holiday at Sea's Blog--it looks really good!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Infinitely Worthy of Universal Obedience
Some intense stuff by A.W. Pink. I like reading stuff like this because it 'keeps me on my toes' so to speak in my Christian walk. : )
Martin Luther on Long Sermons & Other Things
On Long Sermons...
Some plague the people with too long sermons; for the faculty of listening is a tender thing, and soon becomes weary and satiated. ~Luther
And Other Things...
Total Depravity: I am more afraid of my own heart than of the pope and all his cardinals. I have within me the great pope, Self. ~Luther
Worry: Pray, and let God worry. ~Luther
Marriage: There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. ~Luther
Misplaced Affections: Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God. ~Luther
The Law: The law discovers the disease. The gospel gives the remedy. ~Luther
Monday, February 18, 2008
Be Thankful=More Happiness ☺
The following is part of a short message I gave in youth group entitled, Steps* to True & Lasting Happiness (in no particular order). *this list is not exhaustive My four main points were (1) Excercise self control, (2) Enjoy correction, (3) Fear God, & (4) Be thankful. I had a lot of fun speaking this message and I enjoyed the time I spent acting as youth director.
The message was originally entitled something else and was somewhat scattered and unclear. I had all sorts of ideas but couldn't really figure out what I was trying to say. I asked my dad to look over my notes and he said a few simple statements that helped me to direct my thoughts around the simple them of true and lasting happiness. Here is point #4 of the message:
"One of the greatest things I've learned in life is to be thankful in all things. In Romans 1:21 the Bible describes futile and foolish people with darkened hearts as, “neither glorifying God nor giving thanks to Him.” In the Old Testament, God judged the Israelites when they weren't thankful:“Because you have not served the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you”. Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (NLT) God does not like it when we complain.
The definition of complain is: to express grief, pain, or discontent; to make a formal accusation or charge. How bold! When we complain we are saying that God is not good. That somehow He has not done something right for us. We are telling Him that we know a better how He should handle things. Really when I think about it God has given me so much—that he's saved me from eternity in hell should be enough!! I can just stop right there. I don't have to spend eternity in hell. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty so I don't have to. Amazing. And not only that but He offers me His Word to live a good and happy lives on this earth!!
The definition of thankful is kind of neat, it means, conscious of benefit received; aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful; well pleased. David, the Psalmist, I think sometimes had trouble being joyful. In Psalms 103 he tells his soul to rejoice and then he begins to list all God's benefits. I'm sure he was smiling by the end (and so was God!)!! We have been given so much. Make an effort to be thankful and grateful for all God has given you!! If you have trouble, tell your soul to be happy and then start listing all God's benefits to you.
Further, we are even to rejoice and be thankful in the trials and difficulties. We can take hope in difficult times knowing that God is working for our good. We can even be encouraged in suffering and trials. James 1:2-4 (NIV) says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. Maturity, completeness, not lacking anything? Sounds like a pretty happy place to me!
The message was originally entitled something else and was somewhat scattered and unclear. I had all sorts of ideas but couldn't really figure out what I was trying to say. I asked my dad to look over my notes and he said a few simple statements that helped me to direct my thoughts around the simple them of true and lasting happiness. Here is point #4 of the message:
"One of the greatest things I've learned in life is to be thankful in all things. In Romans 1:21 the Bible describes futile and foolish people with darkened hearts as, “neither glorifying God nor giving thanks to Him.” In the Old Testament, God judged the Israelites when they weren't thankful:“Because you have not served the Lord your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received, you will serve your enemies whom the Lord will send against you”. Deuteronomy 28:47-48 (NLT) God does not like it when we complain.
The definition of complain is: to express grief, pain, or discontent; to make a formal accusation or charge. How bold! When we complain we are saying that God is not good. That somehow He has not done something right for us. We are telling Him that we know a better how He should handle things. Really when I think about it God has given me so much—that he's saved me from eternity in hell should be enough!! I can just stop right there. I don't have to spend eternity in hell. Jesus died on the cross and paid the penalty so I don't have to. Amazing. And not only that but He offers me His Word to live a good and happy lives on this earth!!
The definition of thankful is kind of neat, it means, conscious of benefit received; aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful; well pleased. David, the Psalmist, I think sometimes had trouble being joyful. In Psalms 103 he tells his soul to rejoice and then he begins to list all God's benefits. I'm sure he was smiling by the end (and so was God!)!! We have been given so much. Make an effort to be thankful and grateful for all God has given you!! If you have trouble, tell your soul to be happy and then start listing all God's benefits to you.
Further, we are even to rejoice and be thankful in the trials and difficulties. We can take hope in difficult times knowing that God is working for our good. We can even be encouraged in suffering and trials. James 1:2-4 (NIV) says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. Maturity, completeness, not lacking anything? Sounds like a pretty happy place to me!
“Happy indeed are those whose God is the Lord”. Psalm 144:15b (KJV)
Fear God=Happiness
The following is part of a short message I gave in youth group entitled, Steps* to True & Lasting Happiness (in no particular order). *this list is not exhaustive My four main points were (1) Excercise self control, (2) Enjoy correction, (3) Fear God, & (4) Be thankful. I had a lot of fun speaking this message and I enjoyed the time I spent acting as youth director.
The message was originally entitled something else and was somewhat scattered and unclear. I had all sorts of ideas but couldn't really figure out what I was trying to say. I asked my dad to look over my notes and he said a few simple statements that helped me to direct my thoughts around the simple them of true and lasting happiness. Here is point #3 of the message:
"Fear means: respect, reverence, awe. Another definition is the following: “The fear of God is that awesome reverence of the LORD deriving from being sensitive to His glorious, holy and majestic Person resulting in respect and obedience”.
There is a tendency to emphasize the love of God, and how He was humble and became like one of us, and that He gives second chances because that is the most comfortable, but Romans 11:22 (NLT) says, “Notice how God is both kind and severe”. In addition to being loving and forgiving, He is also holy, just, a consuming fire, and righteous judge.
We must respect that God makes requirements of us. Over and over throughout scripture God promised blessings and friendship for those who obeying his Word and curses and trouble for those who disobeyed His Word (see Deuteronomy 28). In our studies in 1 John we learned that “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands”. 1 John 2:3 (NIV) We must have a respect for God and His commandments. We must try to learn them and hide them in our hearts like Psalm 119:11 (NIV) says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. Sin makes God very angry. Though it's difficult to comprehend, people will go to hell for their sins if they do not repent and believe.
Jesus himself said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Mat 10:28 (NIV) It's scary to think that God has the power to throw me into hell! The Bible says in Isaiah 64:6, “We are all infected and impure with sin. And all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” We can never do anything good enough that will save us. Aren't you thankful that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Romans 5:8 (NIV) Thinking of where I should be going and what Christ has saved me from makes me very happy!!
Philippians 2:12 (NIV) urges us to “work out [y]our own salvation with fear and trembling”. The fear of the Lord is also described as “the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:1 (NIV). And in speaking of people who fear God the Bible says in Psalm 25:12-14 (NLT) “Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the Promised Land. Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.” Friendship with the Lord sounds pretty good to me!"
The message was originally entitled something else and was somewhat scattered and unclear. I had all sorts of ideas but couldn't really figure out what I was trying to say. I asked my dad to look over my notes and he said a few simple statements that helped me to direct my thoughts around the simple them of true and lasting happiness. Here is point #3 of the message:
"Fear means: respect, reverence, awe. Another definition is the following: “The fear of God is that awesome reverence of the LORD deriving from being sensitive to His glorious, holy and majestic Person resulting in respect and obedience”.
There is a tendency to emphasize the love of God, and how He was humble and became like one of us, and that He gives second chances because that is the most comfortable, but Romans 11:22 (NLT) says, “Notice how God is both kind and severe”. In addition to being loving and forgiving, He is also holy, just, a consuming fire, and righteous judge.
We must respect that God makes requirements of us. Over and over throughout scripture God promised blessings and friendship for those who obeying his Word and curses and trouble for those who disobeyed His Word (see Deuteronomy 28). In our studies in 1 John we learned that “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands”. 1 John 2:3 (NIV) We must have a respect for God and His commandments. We must try to learn them and hide them in our hearts like Psalm 119:11 (NIV) says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. Sin makes God very angry. Though it's difficult to comprehend, people will go to hell for their sins if they do not repent and believe.
Jesus himself said, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Mat 10:28 (NIV) It's scary to think that God has the power to throw me into hell! The Bible says in Isaiah 64:6, “We are all infected and impure with sin. And all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” We can never do anything good enough that will save us. Aren't you thankful that “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Romans 5:8 (NIV) Thinking of where I should be going and what Christ has saved me from makes me very happy!!
Philippians 2:12 (NIV) urges us to “work out [y]our own salvation with fear and trembling”. The fear of the Lord is also described as “the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:1 (NIV). And in speaking of people who fear God the Bible says in Psalm 25:12-14 (NLT) “Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the Promised Land. Friendship with the Lord is reserved for those who fear him. With them he shares the secrets of his covenant.” Friendship with the Lord sounds pretty good to me!"
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