Are We Interpreting God Correctly?

I recently discovered Alabaster Box and Cross-Eyed (both blogs by the same author) and really find the content to be helpful and insightful. I enjoyed this recent post on Alabaster Box, Sending the Correct Message:

I was recently listening to a man who was preaching overseas to a large crowd using an interpreter. While he was speaking, the thought crossed his mind that the interpreter could (at any time) interpret his sermon incorrectly or misrepresent what he was trying to say. Although this thought was uncomfortable he continued on in faith and the crowd was blessed by his sermon.

Just like this preacher, God is speaking a message to the lost world through us. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God was making an appeal through us.” (2 Cor. 5:20) But are we interpreting God’s message correctly? Are we accurately representing His truth, grace, and character to others? Are our lives an appeal from God to a desperate world?

Read the rest of the article here; it includes some really helpful practical applications.

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.

The Cheering Presence of Thy Spirit

...."I thank Thee for the temporal blessings of this world—the refreshing air, the light of the sun, the food that renews strength, the raiment that clothes, the dwelling that shelters, the sleep that gives rest, the starry canopy of night, the summer breeze, the flowers' sweetness, the music of flowing streams, the happy endearments of family, kindred, friends. Things animate, things inanimate, minister to my comfort. My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible to these daily mercies. Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil. I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces, the full warmth of faith, the cheering presence of Thy Spirit, the strength of Thy restraining will, Thy spiking of hell's artillery. Blessed be my sovereign Lord!"

Puritan Prayers-Evening Praise

Jeremiah, The Intercessor

I've been reading through the book of Jeremiah lately. This is the first time that I will have (hopefully) read through an entire major prophet. I'm doing my reading in The Reformation Study Bible. I've always found the major prophets to be really confusing, but I've found that it is really helpful to reference an outline to understand the themes of each section of reading. I'm really hoping the themes and meanings will be alive and real (or at least make sense) to me.

One particular thing that sticks out to me in Jeremiah is that he is always pleading for the people and begging God to turn away His wrath. He acted as an intercessor for the people, but at the same time he had to bring them really harsh and serious messages. Nobody wanted to hear him--his life was often threatened. In spite of all this and in light of people's obvious wickedness, Jeremiah still pleaded for God to turn away his wrath.

I want to be like that. I want speak God's truth--the whole truth, but at the same time have such a heart for people that I cry for them for God to save them. I find it's so difficult to attain balance in life. In my impatience and imbalance, I often want to speak the truth just one time to a person and then if they don't change, I often get angry or just give up--if I have the courage to say anything in the first place.

I want to speak the truth with a compassionate, 'slow to anger' heart. I want to fear God and not fear man. Thank God that He was (and is) compassionate and slow to anger to me!

Paul Washer: You Are Loved

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

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!

Beautiful Puritan Prayer of Refuge

This is such an articulate, beautiful prayer! I've highlighted some of my favorite parts!

"O Lord, Whose power is infinite and wisdom infallible, order things that they may neither hinder, nor discourage me, nor prove obstacles to the progress of Thy cause. Stand between me and all strife, that no evil befall, no sin corrupt my gifts, zeal, attainments. May I follow duty and not any foolish device of my own. Permit me not to labour at work which Thou wilt not bless, that I may serve thee without disgrace or debt. Let me dwell in Thy most secret place under thy shadow, where is safe impenetrable protection from the arrow that flieth by day, the pestilence that walketh in darkness, the strife of tongues, the malice of ill-will, the hurt of unkind talk, the snares of company, the perils of youth, the temptations of middle life, the moumings of old age, the fear of death. I am entirely dependent upon Thee for support, counsel, consolation. Uphold me by Thy free Spirit, and may I not think it enough to be preserved from falling, but may I always go forward, always abounding in the work Thou givest me to do. Strengthen me by Thy Spirit in my inner self for every purpose of my Christian life. All my jewels I give to the shadow of the safety that is in Thee—my name anew in Christ, my body, soul, talents, character, my success, wife, children, friends, work, my present, my future, my end. Take them, they are Thine, and I am thine, now and for ever."

Puritan Prayer of Refuge