Friday, October 31, 2008

Feeling Rather Feeble

How feeble are our finite words to handle the magnificent words of the One who is infinite.

Having been granted an opportunity to preach on this Sunday evening I've become increasingly aware of my finite-ness. How does one do justice to the magnificence of the Rocky Mountains with words. How does one describe such glory as he stands on one tremendous mountain peak only to be overcome by the multitudes of other spectacular peaks that have now come into view.

I remember when I was about 10 years old and our family lived in Stevensville Montana. Our house sat on one side of the beautiful Bitterroot Valley and faced the magnificent view of the Rocky Mountains several miles on the opposite side of the Valley. From our house we could see a tiny box that sat atop one of those nearby mountains and could be more than covered with the tip of my outstretched thumb as I looked out our living room window. That tiny box was a small cabin that had been used as a fire watch post.

I remember climbing St. Mary's peak with my dad and my cousin (we were able to drive more than half of the way up). Standing on the top of that mountain, near the old fire watch cabin we were able to see for miles in any direction. We could see our neighborhood on the other side of the valley and in the opposite direction was a breathtaking view of the Rocky Mountains. What seemed to us like a monumental accomplishment now seemed ridiculously minuscule as mountains stretched in the other direction as far as the eye could see. Mountain peak after mountain peak, jagged, snow covered, and each more majestic than the next. Needless to say this was an experience that I will never forget.

How does one so small and so insignificant in the course of human history speak of such grandeur. These are the feelings and memories that I've experienced lately as I have attempted to climb the mountain peak of Romans 8:18. Just when I feel like I'm getting a grasp on it I begin to see numerous more magnificent peaks that leave me feeling incredibly small and ill prepared for this task. Almost speechless...

Book Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Kamewh you're the winner of this month's book giveaway, The Discipline of Grace.

Contact me with the address you would like the book mailed to and I'll send it right away.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Simple Yet Helpful

In an effort to better grasp the Scriptures it's interesting how a simple exercise like moving words around on a page can help you see more clearly what is truly there. A friend (Brian) shared this with me a few years ago and it has proved quite helpful in allowing me to see the depth of the text more clearly. I've found this particularly helpful when preparing to give a message on a certain text. It is however also very helpful for study and for gaining a better understanding of a text - even if you won't be preaching on it. If I remember correctly he referred to this as a mechanical layout.

For example read the below passage and then read it in a different lay out and see the difference for yourself (the lines are only used to hold space as the space bar alone in this blog format will not work):


Ephesians 1:4-6
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.


Ephesians 1:4-6

For He chose us
__in Him
_____before the creation of the world
________to be holy
________and blameless
___________in His sight.

In love
__He predestined us
_____to be adopted
________as His sons
___________through Jesus Christ,
______________in accordance with His pleasure
______________and will

to the praise
__of His glorious grace,
_____which He has freely given us
________in the One He loves.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Jeremy Riddle: God of All Glory

A spectacular video combined with an excellent worship song:


Psalm 19:1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

A Christ-Glorifying & Hope Giving Message

Del Fehsenfeld gave another excellent message this morning at FPBC. He spoke on the text of Colossians 1:15-23.

Download it for free here.

Friday, October 24, 2008

More Excerpts from Rutherford

Be content, ye are his wheat growing in our Lord's field. And if wheat, ye must go under our Lord's threshing instrument, in his barn-floor, and through his sieve, and through his mill to be bruised, as the Prince of your salvation, Jesus was (Isa. 53:9), that ye may be found good bread in your Lord's house.

Dry wells send us to the fountain.

Now would to God, all cold-blooded, faint-hearted soldiers of Christ would look again to Jesus and to his love; and when they look, I would have them to look again and again, and fill themselves with beholding of Christ's beauty; and I dare say then, that Christ should come in great court and request with many.

No pen, no words, no image can express to you the loveliness of my only, only Lord Jesus.

- Samuel Rutherford, The Loveliness of Christ

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Seeing Through Pain

'Tis a trying and woeful hour
Which bends the knee and proves weak my power to withstand
'Tis a painful and undesirable thorn
Which prods in directions which might be otherwise forlorn

'Tis the storms and trials of life
Which cause me to awaken in the midst of such strife
'Tis the continual pounding of the waves
Which teaches me to rely completely on Your hand that saves

'Tis sorrows such as these that cause
Us to gaze upon Thy scars and pains
And to consider, ponder, and pause
At Your work upon the cross, which washes away all our dark stains



- A. B. Seal

Hope in the Midst of Storms

Romans 8:35-39

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation,
or distress,
or persecution,
or famine,
or nakedness,
or danger,
or sword?

36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.

38 For I am sure that neither death
nor life,
nor angels
nor rulers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor powers,
39 nor height
nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

"At the cross You beckon me"

When was the last time you meditated on what happened at the cross? When did you last consider what Jesus suffered and accomplished?

I was helped much today by thinking on this as I read of the death of Christ in Driscoll's book entitled, Death by Love.

The below music video is another excellent way to focus on Christ and his work at the cross. It seems that eternity will very likely reveal this event to be the focal point of the history of this world. Christ's message and work are overflowing from the lyrics of this truth saturated song.

Monday, October 20, 2008

When the Righteous Suffer...

Desiring God recently held a regional conference on the theme of suffering entitled, Job: When the Righteous Suffer. The two messages and the Q&A are available to download for free.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Parting, only to Meet Again in Christ

He is not lost to you who is found to Christ. If he hath casten his bloom and flower, the bloom is fallen in heaven in Christ's lap; and as he was lent awhile to time, so is he given now to eternity, which will take yourself; and the difference of your shipping and his to heaven and Christ's shore, the land of life, is only in some few years, which weareth every day shorter, and some short and soon reckoned summers will give you a meeting with him.

Fall down and make a surrender of those that are gone, and these that are yet alive, to him. And for you, let him have all; and wait for himself, for he will come and will not tarry. Live by faith... He cannot die whose ye are.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Passing Pain & Eternal Glory

The sea-sick passenger shall come to land; Christ will be the first that will meet you on the shore.

I pray you learn to be worthy of his pains who correcteth; and let him wring, and be ye washed; for he hath a Father's heart, and a Father's hand, who is training you up, and making you meet for the high hall.

One year's time of heaven shall swallow up all sorrows, even beyond all comparison.

Christ is as full a feast as ye can have to hunger.

- Samuel Rutherford, The Loveliness of Christ

Friday, October 17, 2008

Glimpses of Glory

Our love to him should begin on earth, as it shall be in heaven; for the bride taketh not by a thousand degrees so much delight in her wedding-garment as she doth in her bridegroom; so we, in the life to come, howbeit clothed with glory as with a robe, shall not be so much affected with the glory that goeth about us, as with the Bridegroom's joyful face and presence.

Christ's love, under a veil is love; if ye get Christ, howbeit not the sweet and pleasant way you would have him, it is enough, for the Well-Beloved cometh not our way.

I hope ye are not ignorant, that if peace was left to you in Christ's testament, so the other half of the testament was a legacy of Christ's sufferings (John 16:33).

- Samuel Rutherford, The loveliness of Christ

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Driscoll on Election & Grace



- An excellent illustration of election.

Craving Contentment?

Murmuring, dissatisfaction, discontent
(J. C. Ryle, "Be Content" 1885)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with such things as you have, because God has said--Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

These words are very simple. A little child might easily understand them. They contain no high doctrine; they involve no deep metaphysical question; and yet, as simple as they are--the duty which these words enjoin on us, is of highest practical importance to all Christians.

Contentment is one of the rarest graces. Like all precious things--it is most uncommon. To practice contentment, is very hard. To talk of contentment in the day of health and prosperity is easy enough; but to be content in the midst of poverty, sickness, trouble, disappointments, and losses--is a state of mind to which very few can attain!

The fallen angels had heaven itself to dwell in, and the immediate presence and favor of God--but they were not content. Adam and Eve had the garden of Eden to live in, with a free grant of everything in it excepting one tree--but they were not content. Ahab had his throne and kingdom, but so long as Naboth's vineyard was not his--he was not content. Haman was the chief favorite of the Persian king--but so long as Mordecai sat at the gate--he was not content.

It is just the same everywhere in the present day. Murmuring, dissatisfaction, discontent with what we have, meet us at every turn. To say, with Jacob, "I have enough," seems flatly contrary to the grain of human nature. To say, "I want more," seems the mother tongue of every child of Adam.

Paul's direction ought to come with power to all our consciences: "Be content with such things as you have," not with such things as you once used to have--not with such things as you hope to have--but with such things as you now have. With such things, whatever they may be--we are to be content. With such a dwelling, such a family, such health, such income, such work, such circumstances as we now have--we are to be content.

Ah! reader, if you would be truly happy--seek it where alone it can be found. Seek it not in money, seek it not in pleasure, nor in friends, nor in learning. Seek it in having a will in perfect harmony with the will of God. Seek it in studying to be content.

You may say, that is fine talking--but how can we be always content in such a world? I answer, that you need to cast away your pride, and know your deserts, in order to be thankful in any condition. If men really knew that they deserve nothing, and are debtors to God's mercy every day--they would soon cease to complain.

Let me tell you why there is so little contentment in the world. The simple answer is, because there is so little grace, and true godliness. Few know their own sin; few feel their desert; and so few are content with such things as they have. Humility, self-knowledge, a clear sight of our own utter vileness and corruption; these are the true roots of contentment.

Let me tell you--what you should do, if you would be content. You must know your own heart, seek God for your portion, take Christ for your Savior, and use God's Word for your daily food. Contentment must be learned at the feet of Jesus Christ. He who has God for his friend, and heaven for his home--can wait for his good things, and be content with little here below.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A Plea for Fasting & Prayer

"I appeal to you to seek the Lord with me concerning the place of fasting and prayer in breaking through the darkened mind that engulfs the modern world, in regard to abortion and a hundred other ills. This is not a call for a collective tantrum that screams at the bad people, “Give me back my country.” It is a call to aliens and exiles in the earth, whose citizenship is in heaven and who await the appearance of their King, to “do business” until he comes (Luke 19:13). And the great business of the Christian is to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31), and to pray that God’s name be hallowed and his kingdom come and his will be done in the earth (Matthew 6:9-10). And to yearn and work and pray and fast not only for the final revelation of the Son of Man, but in the meantime, for the demonstration of his Spirit and power in the reaching of every people, and the rescuing of the perishing, and the purifying of the church, and the putting right of as many wrongs as God will grant."

- John Piper

HT:JT

Saturday, October 11, 2008

ESV Study Bible - Available Now

The Westminster Bookstore has the ESV Study Bible available now! And it's 40% off.

The Infinite Christ & Eternal Glory

Every day we may see some new thing in Christ. His love hath neither brim nor bottom.

When we shall come home and enter to the possession of our Brother's fair kingdom, and when our heads shall find the weight of the eternal crown of glory, and when we shall look back to pains and sufferings; then shall we see life and sorrow to be less than one step or stride from prison to glory; and that our little inch of time - suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to heaven.

- Samuel Rutherford, The Loveliness of Christ

Friday, October 10, 2008

Motivating Grace

It is forgiveness that sets a man working for God. He does not work in order to be forgiven, but because he has been forgiven, and the consciousness of his sin being pardoned makes him long more for its entire removal than ever he did before.

An unforgiven man cannot work. He has not the will, nor the power, nor the liberty. He is in chains. Israel in Egypt could not serve Jehovah. "Let my people go that they may serve Me." was God's message to Pharoah (Exod. 8:1): first liberty, then service.

A forgiven man is the true worker, the true law-keeper. He can, he will, he must work for God. He has come into contact with the part of God's character which warms his cold heart. Forgiving love constrains him. He cannot but work for Him who has removed his sins from him as far as the east is from the west. Forgiveness has made him a free man, and given him a new and most loving Master. Forgiveness, received freely from the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, acts as a spring, an impulse, a stimulus of divine potency. It is more irresistible than law, or terror, or threat.

- Horatius Bonar

HT: The Discipline of Grace, by Jerry Bridges
(By the way, this is the best book I've read all year!)

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Hysterical!

Check out Abraham Piper's blog on mondegreen at 22 Words.

This has to be the funniest blog post & collection of comments I've ever encountered in the blogosphere. I repeatedly found myself laughing out loud.

Affliction & Awakening

What will awaken and enliven a sleepy and fatted people?

It seems that suffering and affliction are the lonely remedies to such an apathy. The life of the Christian is to be a life of war! And yet the warfare is hardly anywhere to be seen. However, the warfare language of the Scriptures is inescapable, indeed even bordering on outrageously blunt. Here is a mere sampling of such language:

Php 3:11-14 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 6:11-12 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,


2Co 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

Eph 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Rev. 2:10b
Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Luk 9:23 And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Luk 9:24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.

Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

2Pe 1:5 For this very reason,
make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and …

Joh 12:25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.


Back to the question. What will wake us up and shake us into vibrant Christ exalting life? The Scriptures are not scant on serious language, nor would the reading of such Scriptures lead one to conclude apathetic time wasting is wise nor prudent.

As I ask myself this question I cannot escape the thought that God has arranged many and various wake up calls. In fact it seems that this is one of the main purposes for, if not the main purpose for sufferings and trials. Without them we will simply sleep away and fatten ourselves with comfort upon comfort as we waste our lives into oblivion.

Thank You Lord for granting to us the mercies of sufferings and trials that we might awaken to Christ's glory and to Christ honoring, self-effacing service.

Psalm 119:67
Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

2 Cor 1:8-9
For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.


"God is kind in ways that will not fit your mind."
- John Piper, The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Warren Barfield: Love is not a Fight

Although I've heard this song previously on the radio, I had never really noticed how powerful the lyrics are. This song is appropriately featured in the new movie Fireproof. It was while watching this movie that I was first really impacted by the lyrics. Great song, awesome verbage, very moving. Give it a listen while reviewing the lyrics - see if you notice a difference.

Monday, October 6, 2008

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord"

BBC has an informative article on the worldwide economic mess. While considering the wide spread economic disaster I was reminded of the below verses.

Habakkuk 3:17-18
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

It occurred to me that of all who must endure these economic hardships, Christians ought to hold out the hope that they have as a medicine to those sickened by failing banks and retirement accounts. With our hope firmly fixed like Habakkuk's we may yet become salt and light in a world losing what it holds most dear. We too may have much to lose, houses, material possessions, and maybe more. There is however, One who we will never lose, One who will never crumble, nor ever remotely lose His value. This is He of whom Habakkuk referred, "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." The circumstances surrounding Habakkuk's rejoicing were not those to be rejoiced over, but he saw through those circumstances to the One who has promised to never leave us or forsake us.

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Analogies: Motorcycles & Christianity


It occurred to me that motorcycles do not have a reverse gear (well at least the overwhelming majority of them). Christians are to move forward towards God and not in reverse towards self, we are not to put our hand to the plow and then turn back.

While riding a motorcycle one has a difficult time looking backwards, although there are small rear view mirrors. This reflects the significant need for Christians to keep our focus forward on Christ, for what is behind us is unchangeable and under the blood of Christ.

The faster one travels the less one should be concerned about what is behind. During a Christian’s pursuit of God he or she may experience great times of growth and progress. It is especially necessary that during these times one is focused upon God and not the rear view mirrors, for to do otherwise may result in a significant and sudden de-acceleration.

The nature of motorcycles provides a fairly precarious position for the rider in that there is little to no protection, ie. seat belts, airbags, roll bars, etc. This reminds me of the precarious nature of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. The dangers of sin and temptation surround us continually and safely navigating requires great caution.

There is however safety equipment that one may take advantage of. Helmets and other safety gear may significantly increase safety. We need to use wisdom and the graces that God has provided which would provide a level of protection we would otherwise be foolish to travel without.

Many motorcycles have an intense ability to accelerate and to maintain high rates of speed. Because of the work of Christ, our engines have been tuned to be able to pursue Him at ever increasing rates. He beckons us to pursue Him, and on the race track of the Christian life there are no speed limits. Rather our limitations are due to our experience, boldness, courage to press on, and faith In Him. He leads us to Himself as fast as we are able and willing to go.

I’m reminded of another similarity between motorcycles and Christians. One day all motorcycles will find their way to the junk yard, and one day all Christians will return to the dust from which they were made. We may enjoy both our motorcycles and our loved ones, yet all will perish some day.


Oh, but there is One who will never perish who will never see decay. This is where the similarities between motorcycles and Christians cease. For on that great and final day our God will raise His people to be with Him and to enjoy Him forever. In the meanwhile all of mankind’s innovative creations and enjoyable means of transport and hobby will continue to decay. This will not, however, be reason to despair for His magnificent presence in the midst of His glorious new creation will not be lacking in any way. To be in the presence of the One who has spoken the universe into existence, the One who loves self-sacrificially and died in our place, the One who has never had a beginning and will never have an end – this will be all satisfying to all people for all eternity…


In case you were wondering this is my motorcycle. It's a 2003 Honda VFR Interceptor 800 with about 27,000 miles.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Job: New Illustrated Edition

Desiring God is releasing this new addition of Piper's poetic summary of the book of Job. The book was previously released under the title, The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God.

I must reiterate what I've previously written about this material; this material (book / audio) has had the most significant influence on my understanding of suffering and the sovereignty of God. Again I must highly recommend the audio version (approx. 45 min.) in which John Piper reads his four poems on Job (download for free here). If you've never heard this then I would plead with you to do yourself the tremendous favor.

The audio from the above trailer is merely several different clips from the poems joined together in order to give an audio sample.

October Book Giveaway

This month I'll be giving away The Discipline of Grace, by Jerry Bridges. Amazon has some helpful reviews (There are currently 16: 5 Stars, 3: 4 Stars, and 1: 1 Star).

This has been a very helpful book highlighting the tension between God's grace and our responsibility. Discipline and Dependence are the two wings of the airplane of the Christian life - and the airplane simply will not fly without both wings (illustration borrowed from Bridges' book).

To qualify for the book giveaway just leave a comment on this blog post and at the end of the month I'll draw names from a hat to determine the winner.