Growing Up Christian -- The Blog

Follow Me (Matthew 4:19-22)

2010-06-01T07:24:00.000-04:00

After Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he began his public ministry. In Matthew 4:19-22, he calls his first disciples. To Peter and Andrew he said, “‘Come, follow me…and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”

He made the same call to James and John, and “immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.”

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus calls out to us and beckons us to follow him? He loves us, desires a relationship with us, and asks us to follow him.

The four disciples teach us a valuable lesson through their examples. They heard and responded. They immediately dropped what they were doing and followed him. They stopped their labor, changed their priorities, and focused on Jesus as their teacher, leader, and rabbi. And they were never the same again!

Has Jesus called you to follow him? The main focus of a Christian is Christ, and our main job is to surrender and follow Jesus. We surrender our will to his, our goals to his, and our desires to his. We stop leading ourselves and instead surrender and follow him.

This isn’t easy, and it isn’t our natural instinct. This requires us to humbly say Jesus is better, his ways are better, and his path is best. This requires us to trust that Christ is worth much more than anything we would give up to follow him.

Choose today to surrender your heart to Jesus Christ? Submit your every thought, word, and action to him. Drop everything and follow him.

Be Ready (Matthew 24)

2010-05-21T06:57:00.001-04:00

Jesus’ disciples asked, “…what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3), and then Jesus gives an amazing answer, recorded for us in Matthew chapters 24 and 25.

It is scary as Jesus describes false prophets, earthquakes, wars and rumors of war, famine, and persecution. It is exciting and awe inspiring to read as he then describes himself coming in the sky with power and great glory and with a loud trumpet sound. Angels will join him, all will see him, and he will gather up all Christians.

Then in Matthew 24:36 he makes an astounding statement, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” There is a time appointed for his return, but even he does not know the day.

So what are we to do as we wait? How are Christians supposed to think about the end times and prepare themselves for the end times? The answers are boundless, and many books have been written about this topic. But Jesus keeps it simple for us: “Therefore keep watch…” (24:42) and “So you also must be ready…” (24:44).

Christians should keep watch and be ready. We need to watch our hearts and our actions, watch out for false prophets and guard against being deceived, and anticipated Christ’s return could be at any moment. Christians should be ready for Jesus’ second coming, ready to share the gospel with others, and ready to stand before the judgment seat of God.

As I think about all of this, a range of emotions well up within me. I am both joyful and fearful, I understand and am confused, I am excited and afraid. Let's pray that God will give us strength and wisdom and endurance to keep watch and be ready.

Run with Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2)

2010-05-20T07:01:00.001-04:00

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes called the “Hall of Fame of Faith,” as it lists biblical heroes who demonstrated amazing faith in God. Then in chapter 12 the author turns from looking back to speaks directly at the reader and to us today.

He challenges us to look at the faith of others and be inspired to set aside the things in our lives that so easily weigh us down (our trials, our worries, our sins...) and run hard after Christ.

What weighs you down? How can you lay it down, fix your eyes on Jesus, and run with endurance? Lift your head up and look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. He is the source of our strength, peace, and joy, and he showed his amazing love for us by enduring hardship and shame, as he gave his life for us all.

Let's pray for grace and strength to run with endurance the race that is set before us.

Growing Up Christian -- Video

2010-05-12T06:46:00.002-04:00

Imagine the potential of a generation of teens on fire for God!

Living & Active Word (Hebrews 4:12)

2010-04-09T07:05:00.001-04:00

Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

How do you view Scripture? Do you view it like the author of Hebrews does? Let’s consider this verse and let it shape the way we approach the Word. The Word is from God, Lord Most High. It is living and active and has a real affect on the life of the reader. It is sharp and penetrating and separates truth from error and right from wrong. It is discerning and evaluates our motives and out thoughts.

The Bible is not like all the other books on our bookshelves. Does Shakespeare make claims like this? Does Mark Twain describe his works like this? The Bible makes unique and powerful claims regarding its purpose and nature because it is unique.

The Bible isn’t an irrelevant, old book written in the first century A.D. It is alive and has a purpose for shaping our lives today. The Holy Spirit uses it to reach our hearts and our thoughts. We can discern God's will for our lives. It is active, meant to be active, and forever will be active in the heart of a genuine Christian.

Let’s daily read our Bibles with anticipation that God will shape us through His Word.

God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

2010-03-19T06:57:00.000-04:00

II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

How do you view the Bible? If you are like me you probably have ten or more Bibles in your house and have read through most of the Bible many different times. You know the layout of the Bible, the stories of the Bible, and the facts presented in it. You believe godly men penned the Bible, and you know God helped them write it. Yet knowing the content of the Bible is very different than letting God shape your heart, your thoughts, and your actions through the Word.

II Timothy 3:16-17 inspires me to more deeply treasure the Bible. It is very words of God. He truly inspired the 40 different men who wrote various books of the Bible. He placed the words into their minds as they sat down to write or dictate the pages of the Holy Scripture. When I view my Bible as “breathed out by God,” I approach it with reverent awe, expectancy, and humility.

The Word of God has a purpose for our lives. It isn’t a quaint book for decorating a bookshelf or coffee table. It is a guidebook for the Christian life. It navigates our motives and speaks to our hearts. It comforts and encourages us. It describes the world we live in and the temptations we will face. It outlines the laws of God, which protect us and hem us in. It describes our triune God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And in all of this, it teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, and trains us, making us more like Jesus Christ.

For what purpose? The verse ends by describing the man of God who is “competent, equipped for every good work.” The NIV version states it this way, “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God has a calling for each of us. The Word of God makes us competent and thoroughly equipped for the calling.

Thank you Heavenly Father for providing Your Word for us!

Steadfast Trust (Isaiah 26:3-4)

2010-03-16T06:44:00.000-04:00

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts is in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4

What a promise! The Lord promises perfect peace to those who steadfastly—unwaveringly, faithfully, consistently—trust in Him. Those who trust in the Lord and do not lean on their own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) will experience direction from above. Those who lift out their requests to God, trusting that He will listen and provide for our needs, will experience peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). Those who lack wisdom and cry out to God, believing that He is the source of all wisdom, will understand the source of grace our Heavenly Father is (James 1:5).

As we surrender and as we trust in the Lord, He acts by keeping us in perfect peace.

It can be hard to trust God, hard to surrender to Him. Here are three challenges for me: 1) I tend to quickly trust myself—my knowledge, experience, and gifts—instead of God, 2) I tend to trust others (especially people I respect) instead of God, who is the source of their wisdom and gifts, and 3) I do not directly see God or hear God’s voice, like I do with other people in my life. Do you find it hard to trust God?

Despite our struggles, God never changes, and He is completely worthy of our trust. Have you ever thought about why can we trust God? Think about his attributes: He is all-powerful, all-knowing, holy, just, and loving. He has always existed, always will exist, and never changes. Think about his actions: He created the world, made a covenant with the nation of Israel, came in the flesh as Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, sent the Holy Spirit as a guide for us, and much more.

God has given us Scripture to guide us, encourage us, exhort us, and inspire us to trust Him. Read the Old Testament stories, and watch for God’s faithfulness to countless individuals and to the nation of Israel. Read the gospels and see the amazing life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and see God’s love for each of us. Read the book of Acts to see God’s hand in the early church, especially in the life of Peter and Paul, and understand God’s faithfulness to Christians.

Feed your heart and mind with the promises of God, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you trust the Lord more. Think deeply about the character of God, and understand why He is worthy of our trust. In the end, you will experience the perfect peace that results from steadfast trust in God.

Becoming More Like Christ Everyday - (2 Corinthians 3:15-18)

2010-03-15T07:10:00.003-04:00

“Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:15-18

Conversion is amazing! We go from blinded to seeing, from veils covering our eyes to seeing clearly. When the Lord renews our heart, we are free to live for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our motives change, our hearts change, our goals change, and we long to become more like Christ.

The work of being transformed into the likeness of Christ requires a joint effort. God clearly controls, leads, and enables, yet we need to surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit and follow Christ. We surrender and place ourselves in a position to be transformed by God. We open our Bibles and pray and let God transform our hearts and minds. We allow God to work in us by attending church and youth group meetings. And we can yield to Christ in times of praise and worship.

Our holy God calls us to be holy because He is holy. It pleases Him when we make it our aim to be like Jesus Christ, and He has given us His Holy Spirit to enable us to grow in holiness.

God is all around us, but most importantly Christ Jesus dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. We are in Christ and Christ is in us. He enables us to reflect the Lord's glory and to be transformed into His likeness!

Iron Sharpens Iron (Proverbs 27:17)

2010-03-12T07:06:00.003-05:00

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

This simple proverb speaks of how one person can effect another. It emphasizes the positive shaping ability one person can have on the character of another. We can sharpen others, and they can sharpen us.

We can make this positive impact on others through the example we set for others. When we see a friend struggling to persevere in his studies, we can encourage him to trust God and work hard. When we see a friend deceive her parents, we can encourage her to tell the truth even when it hurts. When we see a friend waiver in his faith, we can remind him about the character of God and share a verse from scripture. When we see a friend wrestle with obedience to God’s ways, we can encourage her to obey God.

We can also look for godly, mature people to sharpen us. It takes humility to admit we need sharpening, but an honest reflection of our lives reveals we get dull, and we need the sharpening effect of a godly influence. We can get plugged into our youth group to be sharpened by our youth leader. We can join a Bible study to be sharpened by individuals in the group. And if we have Christian parents, we can be sharpened by their example and advice.

Who are you sharpening? Who sharpens you?

A Promise for the Weary (Isaiah 40:29-31)

2010-03-11T06:59:00.000-05:00

Are you wiped out physically, emotionally, or spiritually? If you answer yes, Isaiah 40:29-31 is a prescription and a promise for you, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Our God gives strength to the weary and power to the weak. He knows our condition, understands our deficiencies, and comprehends our needs. Plus, He is capable of renewing us with physical strength, renewed focus, grace for the new day, and a fresh passion for living for Him.

Everyone becomes tired and weary. Young and old wear out physically, get to the end of their emotional strength, and go through spiritually dry seasons. This is the human condition. We each need rest, sleep, renewal, and physical healing.

What do we do? What is God’s prescription? It is to hope in Him. We many have limitations, but God does not. We may grow weary, but God does not. We may stumble and fall, but God does not. We may be overwhelmed by our circumstances, but God is not. And when we realize how strong, stable, and firm our God is, we will learn to trust Him and hope in Him all the more.

The result will be a renewal of our strength. We will still have our limitations, but there will be new grace for the new day head. We will be equipped to run again, to walk again. Trusting in God, we will be ready to face the challenges of every day life.

Jesus, help us to hope in you.

Why Obey God? (Deuteronomy 28)

2010-03-10T06:28:00.002-05:00

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you knew what God wanted you to do, but it was hard to obey? Maybe your heart longed for something else or everyone around you acted in a way you knew was contrary to God’s standards.

Obeying God is relatively simple, yet can be extremely difficult. It is relatively simple to know God’s standards, but it is often extremely difficult to make the right decisions and hold fast to His guidelines day after day. This is especially true when the world around us lives according to a totally different standard of right and wrong.

So why should we obey God and His ways?

The book of Deuteronomy outlines many of God’s laws for the Israelites. Rule after rule and standard after standard are listed throughout the book. Then in chapter 28 we are reminded that there are blessings for obedience and consequences for disobedience.

If the Israelites obeyed the Lord they were promised the following blessings:

1. God would set them high above all the nations of the earth (verse 1)

2. God would bless them (verse 3)

3. God would bless their children, crops, and animals would be blessed (verse 4)

4. As they prepared their food, God would blessed them (verse 5)

5. Wherever they went, God would bless them (verse 6)

6. God will defeat their enemies (verse 7)

7. God would bless their land and crops (verse 8)

We do not obey God just to get blessing from Him. He is worthy of our obedience. In response to His unfailing love to us, we should love Him and seek to live in a way that honors Him.

Yet this passage does remind us that we will be rewarded for our obedience. Like the Israelites, we can anticipate God’s blessings that come through obedience. This doesn’t mean there will be only blessings and no trials in our life, but it remind us that God honors those who obey Him. He will even use trials to perfect us (James 1:2-4) and work all for our good (Romans 8:28).

Consider today the blessings that come through obedience. Maybe this will help us all honor Jesus Christ and obey Him this hour, this day, this month.

Peace of God (Ephesians 4:6-7)

2010-03-09T07:07:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to bed with a lot on my mind. Thoughts of projects I need to finish, people I need to call, and tasks I need to be complete filled my mind as I tossed and turned in my attempt to fall asleep.

This morning I woke up with a lot on my mind. The same unfinished work immediately popped into my mind when I opened my eyes. Fighting to get back to sleep, I began to review my to-do list, which seemed to only get longer and longer. I gave up, and I jumped out of bed early, with a lot on my mind.

What do you do when you have a lot to do and a lot on your mind? What do you do when your to-do list is extremely long and overwhelming?

If you are like me, you get anxious and worry. That’s why today and every day like today, I need to live in Ephesians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

In this passage God directs us to turn to him in prayer, lifting up our requests to him with thanksgiving. This means we can counter worry and fears with Jesus and finding peace and strength in him. We need to pause from our thoughts of the day ahead and focus our thoughts on Christ, who is interceding on our behalf at the right hand of the Father.

The promise is amazing – the peace of God, which transcends all understanding. Instead of fretting and losing sleep, we can experience peace from God. Instead of anxiety and worry, we can experience calm from Jesus Christ. This is freeing!

So today join me in living in Ephesians 4:6-7. I need to the one who is Lord over my situations, the one who is all powerful, and the one who knows all. I will experience the peace of God which transcends all understanding to guard my heart and mind.

The Prophetess Anna (Luke 2:25-40)

2010-03-08T17:17:00.002-05:00

In Luke 2:25-40, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple soon after his birth. There they met two remarkable individuals, Simeon and Anna, who testified of Jesus as Savior of the world.

In commenting about their interaction with Anna, J.C. Ryle made the following points about Anna in his book Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Luke):
- Anna was a woman of irreproachable character – The fruit was evident despite experiencing many trials and living so many years as a widow.
- Anna was a woman of great self-denial – serving God in fasting day and night.
- Anna was a woman of much prayer – serving God in prayer day and night.
- Anna was a woman who held communion with other saints – quickly telling others about Jesus.
- Anna received a rich reward for all her diligence in God’s service – seeing the Messiah before she died.

The account of Anna is brief and only found in the Gospel of Luke, but there is much for us to learn from her life.

A Great Series on the Two Lost Sons (Luke 15:11-32)

2009-11-17T20:55:00.005-05:00

My pastor recently lead our church through a six-part sermon series on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (better titled the Parable of the Two Lost Sons). Yes, six weeks...and it was outstanding!

The series was inspired by the book Prodigal God by Tim Keller and the many lessons within this powerful story told by Jesus.

This is a section of Scripture I have read many times. I have even heard multiple sermons on it. But Keller's book and my pastor's sermons unpacked the story in a way I had never known. There is so much to be learned from the characters within the story (the younger brother, the older brother, the father) and the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Check out the series on the church's website. Listen, enjoy, and be inspired!

Can You Relate to the Two Lost Sons? (Luke 15:11-32)

2009-11-06T06:31:00.006-05:00

I recently read The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. It is a wonderful book that studies in detail the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which would be better titled the Parable of the Lost Sons.

Both sons were lost. The younger wanted to get his inheritance early and live it up. He wanted to be free of the rules and restrictions of his home and community, and he traveled to a distant land and lived a life of personal pleasure, a life of sin and spending. He was self-centered and lost.

The elder son was lost too, although he stayed at home. He sought to be moral, live by all the rules, and do all the actions expected of him. He believed he had earned the father’s love and was owed his inheritance. He didn’t like it when his brother came home and received a welcome back party by the father. The older brother was self-righteous and lost.

I see the same heart attitudes of the younger brother in myself. I can be self-centered and want my freedom. I can think real happiness is out there, outside the bounds of God’s laws. Can you relate to the younger brother?

I mostl closely relate to the self-righteous elder brother. I can think I have earned God’s favor and I deserve rewards from him because I obey him. I can be jealous of others when they are honored and I am not. I can refuse to make personal sacrifice for the good of others. Can you relate to the elder brother?

I see myself throughout this parable? Can you see yourself too? How?

Parable of the Lost Sons (Luke 15:11-32)

2009-11-04T06:50:00.004-05:00

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus is surrounded by “tax collectors and ‘sinners’” (verse 1) and tells three consecutive parables: lost sheep, lost coin, and lost sons. We often know the third story as the parable of the “Lost Son” or the “Prodigal,” but really it is the story of two lost sons – the younger son and the older son.

Consider these questions as you read the parable anew:
- What was the longing of the younger son at the beginning of the parable?
- What was his longing in the second half of the parable?
- Why was the older son so upset?
- What was the heart of the father towards the younger son? Towards the older son?
- What would an ideal older brother have done in the first half of the parable? In the second half?
- How are you like the younger brother?
- How are you like the older brother?

Here is the parable:

“Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " (NIV)

Growing Up Christian -- Video

2009-10-04T20:41:00.011-04:00

Imagine the potential of a generation of teens on fire for God!

Marks of True Belief in Christ #6

2009-07-02T10:58:00.002-04:00

Continuing from J.C. Ryle’s Old Paths,

“He that believes on Christ has an inward testimony of his belief. It is written, that ‘he that believes on the Son of God, has the witness in himself.’ (I John 5:10)…I cannot shrink from declaring my own firm persuasion that a true believer always has inward feelings peculiar to himself – feelings which are inseparably connected with his faith, and flow from it – feelings of which unbelievers know nothing at all. He ‘has the Spirit of adoption,’ by which he regards God as a reconciled Father, and looks up to Him without fear. (Romans 8:15) He has the testimony of his conscience, sprinkled with Christ’s blood, that weak as he is, rests on Christ. He has hope, joy, fear, sorrow, comfort, expectations, of which he knew nothing before he believed. He has pocket evidences which the world cannot understand, but which are better to him than all the books of evidence in existence.”

Do you have an inward testimony of genuine faith in Jesus? Deep down within you do you know you are saved?

Learning to Trust Through the Story of Joseph

2009-06-20T15:00:00.007-04:00

Here is another section from chapter 9 of my book.

The story of Joseph, recorded in Genesis chapters 37-50, illustrates how God is firmly in control even when the difficult circumstances of life may indicate otherwise. Joseph learned that God controls everything, despite Joseph’s wrangling with pride, being sold into slavery by his brothers, suffering the lies of Potiphar’s wife, rotting in prison, being forgotten by the cupbearer, and enduring years of famine in Egypt. Joseph powerfully testifies to God’s sovereignty when he says to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

Despite incredibly trying circumstances over many years, Joseph learned that God is faithful, that his ways are the best ways, and that his purposes will be accomplished. He learned to trust God.

I’m sure my attitude would have been quite different from Joseph’s. I probably would have doubted God all along the way, struggling with anger and the temptation to turn my back on God. I can learn a lot from Joseph’s example.

Can you imagine the faith and excitement Joseph experienced when he became second in command of all of Egypt? Can you picture his face when he realized his family was standing in front of him and he had opportunity to sell them the food they needed to survive? Joseph must have laughed with joy as he finally understood God’s purpose and plan. He must have cried tears of gratefulness as he saw how God had used him to save so many, including his own family (the future nation of Israel), from starvation. By persevering in times of trials, Joseph learned what it meant to trust God.

Marks of True Belief in Christ #5

2009-06-15T07:43:00.008-04:00

Continuing from J.C. Ryle’s Old Paths,

“He that believes on Christ overcomes the world. It is written, that ‘whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.’ (I John 5:4) A true believer is not ruled by the world’s standard of right or wring, of truth or error. He is independent of the world’s opinion. He cares little for the world’s praise. He is not moved by the world’s blame. He does not seek for the world’s pleasures. He is not ambitious of the world’s rewards. He looks at things unseen. He sees an invisible Savior, a coming judgment, a crown of glory that does not fade away. The sight of these objects makes him think comparatively little of this world.”

Have you overcome the world? Do you look most to things unseen?

Marks of True Belief in Christ #4

2009-06-15T07:43:00.007-04:00

Continuing from J.C. Ryle’s Old Paths,

“He that believes on Christ works godly works. It is written, that ‘faith works by love.’ (Galatians 5:6) True belief will never make a man idle, or allow him to sit still, contented with his own religion. It will stir him to do acts of love, kindness, and charity, according as he sees opportunity.”

Do godly works mark your life?

Our Tendency

2009-06-14T13:02:00.004-04:00

Here is another section from chapter 9 of my book.

Not only do we have the privilege of growing up in Christian homes, we also live in a wealthy country. We do not face many of the challenges that are common in this world. We eat three meals a day and have no experience with severe hunger. We live in safe and comfortable houses and do not know what it is like to be homeless. Most of us live in safe neighborhoods and do not fear crime or harm as we play in our yards.

The struggles we face are relatively simple compared to those of many people in this world. If we get sick, our parents take us to the doctor. If we struggle in school, our mom or dad help us study for the next test. If we need advice, we stroll into the kitchen and ask our parents for their counsel.

But even minor trials are opportunities to learn to trust God. When we have a big test in Spanish, an interview for a part-time job, a sprained ankle, or just been cut from the basketball team, we have opportunities to learn to trust our heavenly Father. It is through these types of situations that God prepares us for more significant challenges in the future. They provide the first steps in learning to trust God on our own.

The key is to make sure we trust God. As church kids we often trust our parents, our pastors, our teachers, and ourselves more than we trust God. Because we seldom experience significant trials on our own, we tend to look to the godly individuals in our lives for support and guidance to the neglect of looking to God.

Don’t misunderstand. Our parents, pastors, teachers and friends are wonderful resources that God uses to help and guide us. We need to take full advantage of their wisdom and counsel. We would be crazy not to. But we must realize that God is the one we must ultimately trust and God is the one who directs and leads. He uses many different means to do this—the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and godly individuals in our lives—but he controls them all.

Jerry Bridges says, “Another pitfall we need to watch for is the tendency to trust in God’s instruments of provision rather than God Himself. In the usual course of events in our lives, God provides for our needs through human means rather than directly…But these human instruments are ultimately under the controlling hand of God. They succeed or prosper only to the extent God prospers them. We must be careful to look beyond the means and human instrumentalities to the God who uses them.”

We need to develop a personal conviction to trust God above all else. When trials come, our parents’ faith won’t give us enduring trust in God. Likewise, we can’t look to the godly adults in our lives to carry us through every trial. Only God can do that. Trust has to spring from the depths of our own convictions about him. We can be confident that God will use our parents and other godly individuals to help us, but we have to learn to ultimately trust God himself.

The goal of this chapter is to help us learn why God is worthy to be trusted and how to trust him in every circumstance of life.

Marks of True Belief in Christ #3

2009-06-14T12:57:00.005-04:00

Continuing from J.C. Ryle’s Old Paths...

“He that believes in Christ is a holy person in heart and life. It is written that God ‘purifies the heart by faith’ (Acts 15:9) and, ‘Whoso has this hope in him, purifies himself.’ (I John 3:3) A believer loves what God loves, and hates what God hates. His heart’s desire is to walk in the way of God’s commandments, and to abstain from all manner of evil. His wish is to follow after the things which are just, and pure, and honest, and lovely, and of good report, and to cleanse himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.”

Is holiness the longing of your and are you growing in holiness in your daily living?

Marks of True Belief in Christ #2

2009-06-04T16:20:00.006-04:00

I continue with J.C. Ryle’s thoughts from Old Paths…Mark #2

“He that believes in Christ has a new heart. It is written, ‘If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold all things are become new.’ (II Corinthians 5:17) ‘Whosever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God’ (I John 5:1) A believer has no longer the same nature with which he was born. He is changed, renewed, and transformed after the image of his Lord and Savior…True faith and spiritual regeneration are inseparable companions.”

Do you have a new heart? Have you been changed by the power of God?

It’s Hard to Trust

2009-06-04T07:56:00.007-04:00

Here is another section from chapter 9 of my book.

Standing on the edge of the five-foot high platform, Luke wondered if his teammates would catch him as he fell backwards off the platform and into their hands. His eyes were covered, but he could hear his teammates encouraging him to fall back. Although his arms were folded across his chest and his back was to the group, he knew that the eight of them could easily catch him. The real question was could he trust them?

Have you ever participated a team-building activity like this? Each member of the group has to depend on his teammates as he falls backwards into their arms. It builds trust and unity in a group, but it is extremely difficult, even if you are the last person to go and you have seen everyone else safely caught.

It is hard to trust others, whether it is our parents, siblings, teachers, pastors, or friends. It can be especially hard to trust God because we cannot see him or hear his voice, but it is essential that we learn to totally trust him and his promises. It isn’t enough to just know God or believe the gospel. To live the Christian life, we need to trust him; we need to rely on his character and power in every moment of every day. Whether we experience trials or blessings, we need to believe that God is wise, loving, and fully in control of our lives and our world.

I found it hard to trust God as I mourned Trevor’s death, but the more I did it the easier it got. Every day I felt God enable me to trust him and his ways more and more.

The more we choose to trust God instead of our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6) and the more we understand that he is faithful, loving, kind, all-powerful and wise, the easier it is to trust him. As we trust him through difficult trials and important decisions, we will see his constant care, comfort, and guidance for us.

Marks of True Belief in Christ #1

2009-06-04T07:44:00.003-04:00

In Old Paths J.C. Ryle outlines seven marks of true belief in Jesus Christ. He seeks to describe key indicators of genuine faith in Christ. Let’s look at #1.

“He that believes in Christ has inward peace and hope. It is written, ‘Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Romans 5:1) ‘We which have believed do enter into rest.’ (Hebrews 4:3) The believer’s sins are pardoned, and his iniquities taken away. His conscience is no longer burdened with the load of unpardoned [sin]. He is reconciled to God, and is one of His friends. He can look forward to death, judgment, and eternity without fear. The sting of death is taken away. When the great [judgment] of the last day is held, and the books are opened, there will be nothing laid to his charge. When eternity begins, he is provided for. He has a hope laid up in heaven, and a city which cannot be moved. He may not be fully sensible of all these privileges. His sense and view of them may vary greatly at different times, and be often obscured by doubts and fears. Like a child who is yet under age, though heir to a great fortuned, he may not be fully aware of the value of his possessions. But with all his doubts and fears, he has a real, solid, true hope, which will bear examination, and at his best moments he will be able to say, ‘I feel a hope which makes me not ashamed.’ (Romans 5:5)”

Do you experience inward peace and hope?

Summer

2009-05-28T07:02:00.005-04:00

What are your plans for the summer? What goals do you hope to accomplish? What will be your priorities?

Consider these four sections of Scripture:

1) I Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

If we can do simple things (like eating and drinking) to the glory of God, we can do everything to His glory (talking on the phone, Facebook, hanging out with friends and family, going to the beach, working a summer job…). This summer set a goal of living for His glory in all you do.

2) Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

If the Bible is a guide to light our path, we need to read it, know it, and apply it to our lives. This summer make a goal of reading the Bible every day.

3) Ephesians 6:1-3, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’ ”

How do you do in obeying your parents? Do you honor them too? Honoring and obeying your parents will great bless them, and this passage also makes it clear that it will bless you too. This summer honor and obey your parents.

4) Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Our speech matters. This verse clearly speaks of negative speech we need to avoid and positive speech we need to use regularly use. This summer seek to use words that are helpful and build others up.

Finish Strong

2009-05-13T06:56:00.003-04:00

At my school we have 12 days left in the year. We are so close to the end…yet we have so much to complete in the final days.

The NBA playoffs are in full swing, and so many of the games are coming down to the final few possessions. The winners of the final few minutes seem to be the winners of the game.

The NHL playoffs seem about the same. Many games extend into overtime, with the final goal determining the winner.

The end matters! Yes, it does matter how we start and how we labor over the course of the school year. But, it is vital that we end well.

Finish strong! Don’t just coast out these final weeks. Seek to excel to the glory of God. Do your best on your last few projects and papers. Study hard for your final exams. Encourage your friends to do the same.

Stay in God’s word. God to Him for strength as you labor. Lift up your requests and needs to Him in prayer.

Finish strong!

The Mom Video

2009-05-12T07:07:00.003-04:00

Have you seen this video? It creatively highlights the exhausting job of a mom!

Imagine...A Christian Parent Considering the Future

2009-04-30T20:44:00.009-04:00

What do you long for your children? When you think of your child's future, what comes to mind? What will he be like? What will she accomplish? Are you exited or afraid? Are you full of faith or worried?

I would love to get your feedback on this video. What thoughts did it bring to your mind? How did it affect you?

Here is the link to the video on YouTube.

Right and Wrong Views of our Father God

2009-04-30T07:18:00.010-04:00

What is God like? How does He act? What are His attributes?

What has been your working understanding of God? How do you naturally think of Him and His interactions with you and others in the course of everyday life?

What does Scripture say? How do your thoughts and Scripture compare?

Recently I came across a good resource by Neil T. Anderson that included a list of lies we can believe about God and the truth that counters each lie.

It reminded me how easy it is to be deceived, even in something as important as our view of God. I was sobered to think of the potential problems that can stem from a wrong understanding of God and His ways, but I was excited as I considered the truths to counter specific wrong beliefs.

Here is a link to a church website that summarized Dr. Andersons points. Take some time to work through the list and look up the Scripture references.

Have you believed any lies? If so, counter the lie, reject and the false belief, and embrace the truth about our Father God. Let your heart be warmed, your mind at peace, and your faith strengthened as you consider the amazing, loving, powerful triune God who adopts us into His family.

To Him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen!

Fear

2009-04-27T14:45:00.004-04:00

Can fear be good? Yes, fear of poisonous snakes, fear of getting hit by a moving truck, fear of getting burned in a fire can save you a lot of pain and even your life.

Can fear be bad? Yes, fear can totally control us and hold us in its grip (fear of getting cancer, fear of failure, fear of making a mistake in front of a crowd, etc…).

Can fear be holy? Yes, the fear of the Lord is a totally different type of fear. It is a reverent awe of our amazing Heavenly Father.

Recently my pastor has been leading us through a Sunday morning sermon series called Breaking Free. I highly recommend each message. He identifies three different types of fear: Healthy, Hostage, and Holy. The goal of the series is to break free of hostage fears (fear of man, fear of failure, fear over finances, fear of the future) and cultivate a holy fear of God.

What hostage fears do you have? How can you grow in holy fear?

A Life-Changing, Life Shaping Trial

2009-04-23T18:57:00.006-04:00

Here is the opening story to chapter 9 of my book. It tells the story of one of the greatest trials I have faced and how God shaped me through it. It is a testimony of God sustaining me in the midst of great loss, God bringing good out of bad, and God guiding my every step, even when I didn't realize it.

When my father woke me up on the morning of August 14, 1988, I knew immediately that something terrible had happened. I could see it in his ashen face. My mom and brother stood in the doorway behind him, their watery eyes staring right at me. The look on their faces, more than anything, drove me from early-morning grogginess to total and instant alertness. I sat up in bed. A hundred horrible, imagined possibilities flashed through my mind.

Tears welled in my dad’s eyes as he sat on the edge of my bed. I held my breath in anticipation, afraid to ask. After a seeming eternity, he choked out the terrible words. “Trevor has been in a really bad car accident. He didn’t make it.”

For a moment, the full reality didn’t hit me. I pictured Trevor lying in a hospital bed, injured but still joking with the nurses and doctors, complaining about hospital food, and aching to get outside to shoot a few hoops. Then the rest of my father’s words caught up with me, and my stomach lurched. It felt like the floor had just disappeared from beneath me. I fell back onto my pillow and closed my eyes in the sudden confusion and despair.

Not Trevor. Not my best friend.

Trevor and I had been inseparable from the time we were toddlers growing up on the same rural, New Hampshire road. For as long as I could remember, we’d been playing together: battling imaginary spiders or battalions of ferns in the forest behind my house, challenging our older siblings to baseball or basketball, or just sitting around on rainy days playing Stratego or Monopoly. As childhood had given way to adolescence, our friendship had matured and strengthened. We carried our love of sports onto the court and ball field in middle school, where our previous years of teamwork and practice gave us an enduring ability to predict each other’s moves and play off each other’s strengths. Off the field, we spent countless hours discussing school, movies, and sports.

Our last conversation had been at Trevor’s house three weeks ago, the day before I left for a long family vacation. It was the summer before our senior year, and we spent a lazy afternoon hanging out in the sun, talking about our memories of the years gone by and our hopes and dreams for the year ahead. It was a rich conversation, one of the best Trevor and I ever had.

And now, sitting in my bed surrounded by my grief-stricken family, I realized it was the last conversation we would ever have. I broke into tears.

As the days passed, we learned more about the circumstances of the accident. After a night of video games and bowling with some of his coworkers, Trevor had caught a ride back to the restaurant where he’d left his car parked. They were traveling too fast over a narrow, twisting back road, and they failed to make a turn. Despite having their seatbelts on, they were both killed instantly.

In the days and weeks after the accident, sadness and confusion grew in my heart. I didn’t understand why God had allowed Trevor to die. I knew Romans 8:28 and knew God promises to work all things for good for Christians, but I didn’t see how this was good. I’d recall Ephesians 6:1-3 where God says those who honor and obey their parents will enjoy long life. I knew Trevor well, and he honored and obeyed his parents, but he died at the age of 17. I asked, “Why Lord?” but I didn’t get an answer.

I firmly believed God was in control, but I wanted to know why he had let my best friend die. As I mourned, I took long walks in the woods, visited Trevor’s grave, and recounted the many great memories we had together. Many days I returned to the question, “Why, Lord?” Initially I was asking for an explanation, but my question grew to a dangerous demand for God to justify himself to me.

I knew I was headed down a slippery slope, and I realized that I needed to lay down my demands and trust God. Over time I began to notice a surprising change in my heart. Instead of becoming angrier, I found myself experiencing a growing sense of peace. Though God wasn’t fully answering my questions, I felt him gently comforting me.

God spoke to me through Isaiah 55:8-9, which states that his ways and thoughts are higher and better than mine. He gave me faith to believe that he does work all for good, even if I didn’t see the good. He enabled me to trust him and his promises, even though I didn’t know how Trevor’s death fit into his sovereign plan for Trevor, Trevor’s family, or my life.

I still don’t know exactly why God took Trevor to be with him in August of 1988. I do know that God used it to teach me the importance of trusting him, no matter the situation. He used it to give me a greater faith in him, and for that I am grateful.

The Biggest Wake Up Call Ever

2009-04-22T21:10:00.005-04:00

Have you been one of the many millions of individuals to catch Susan Boyle’s Britain’s Got Talent performance on YouTube?

My wife showed it to me, and I’ve watched the seven minute clip in fascination multiple times. What captivates me? What has stunned so many? Why is this story so compelling?

What was your initial impression in the clips leading up to the song? What were you expecting when Ms. Boyle walked on stage and talked with the judges?

…then she sings….

The second judge to speak, Amanda Holden, says something profound and humble. She said that was “the biggest wake up call ever.” She said it right after referring to the entire audience being against Ms. Boyle and all (including the judges and me) being cynical. But what did she mean?

I was challenged to not judge a person by his or her outward appearance and by first impressions. But I do it all the time…the tall person must be good a basketball, the parents with the screaming child in the restaurant are negligent parents, the man in the sharp suit has it all together…

I quickly look at the external and make conclusions. I even assume I’m right. I think the wake up call is that I am frequently wrong.

What does God look at? How does He judge a person? Scripture says He looks at the heart. He cares about the inside – the thoughts, the motives, and the intentions. This doesn’t mean He ignores the external, but it does mean He starts with the heart and cares most about the true person on the inside. And He always gets it right…no wake up calls.

Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!

2009-04-22T20:08:00.002-04:00

“Let your yearly motto be, ‘Onward, Forward, Upward!’ to the last hour of your life.”

This phrase jumped out at me as I read Old Paths by J.C. Ryle. Ryle is one of my favorite authors, and his words consistently inspire me.

Again, Ryle had me thinking. What is my motto, my aim, my focus? What is my pursuit in my faith and my Christian walk? Do I really want more? Do I long to move forward? Do I seek to reach upward?

It reminds me of the end of C.S. Lewis’ book The Last Battle where the children kept cheering in excitement, “Further up and further in!” Joy, awe, and amazement bubbled up from within them, and they wanted more, and more, and more.

It also reminds me of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13-14, “…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul is shouting his motto, “Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!”

Earlier in Philippians chapter 3, Paul reflects on his training as a Pharisee, and in verse 8 he says, “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I might gain Christ.” He again is proclaiming the theme of his life, “Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!”
I long to be like Paul – focused on Christ, finding daily strength in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I long to live “Onward, Forward, Upward in Christ!”

An Overview of Growing Up Christian – Part 3

2008-08-27T06:57:00.002-04:00

As church kids, we can tend to view ourselves as being pretty good and not having sinned much—at least no really awful sins. Although we would never say it aloud, we are tempted to think God got a pretty good person when he chose us to be part of his kingdom. We tend to erroneously see ourselves as having little sin and as having been forgiven of little sin. This way of thinking leads to a second danger church kids face: a lack of appreciation for the saving and forgiving grace of God.

In Transforming Grace, Jerry Bridges defines grace as, “God’s free and unmerited favor shown to guilty sinners who deserve only judgment.” That is us—you and me, guilty sinners who deserve God’s judgment. But do we really believe that we are guilty and deserve judgment? Our appreciation for the grace of God is directly proportional to our understanding of this simple fact.

Our amazement of our Savior depends primarily upon our understanding of the huge separation between us and God and the great work he accomplished on the cross to bridge this great divide. A key to passionately loving God is in knowing that we have been forgiven of many sins.

Ephesians 2:3-5 says, “…we were by nature objects of wrath. But God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Through Christ, we went from objects of God’s wrath to objects of his love; from death to life; and from eternity in hell to eternity in heaven.

This is not a new message to us church kids; if we have heard it once, we may have heard it a thousand times. The problem arises when we don’t truly believe we need to be saved from very many sins and, therefore, don’t really think we need the gospel. We church kids are dead in our transgressions and are daily forgiven much, even though we aren’t always mindful of it.

Amazement of God flows from a heart that deeply loves God. Jesus spoke about this love in Luke 7:36-50. As Jesus ate with some Pharisees, a sinful woman came into the room. She washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed Jesus with perfume. The Pharisees stared in shock. They couldn’t believe Jesus would allow this sinful woman to be near him—let alone do these things to him.

Jesus responded by telling a simple and powerful story followed by a probing question.

“Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them loved him more?” (Luke 7:41-42)

The Pharisees correctly answered that the one with the larger debt would love the moneylender more. Jesus then explained that the sinful woman demonstrated such lavish love for him because she realized how much she had been forgiven. Those who realize they have been forgiven much, love much, and those who think they have been forgiven little, love little (Luke 7:47).

Jesus told this story to challenge the perspective of the Pharisees and to commend the love demonstrated by the woman. At the same moment, he rebuked the self-righteous Pharisees and held up the woman as an example of whole-hearted devotion. Jesus’ words apply just as much today as they did two thousand years ago, and they contain a valuable lesson for those of us who have grown up in Christian homes.

Jesus clearly connects our appreciation of the forgiveness of God with our love for him. When we realize Christ died on the cross for each of our sins, we will love him much. When we understand Jesus experienced the wrath of God in our place, we will love him much. When we realize we have been credited with the righteousness of Christ when nothing in us is worthy, we will love him much. And when we consider God will accept us into heaven for eternity because of this finished work of Jesus Christ, we will love him much.

Jesus also connects our lack of understanding of the forgiveness of God with loving him little. If we fail to see the depth of our sinfulness or we do not think we have much to be forgiven, we will love him little.

Are you amazed at the forgiving and saving grace of God in your life? If you are, don’t ever become dull to it. Christ’s work on the cross is truly amazing. If you are not, seek today to understand your huge debt before a holy God and cultivate a heart that stands amazed.

An Overview of Growing Up Christian - Part 2

2008-08-26T19:29:00.002-04:00

I think the most significant danger church kids face is false assurance of salvation—assuming we are saved even when we are not.

We grow up in a Christian culture with Christians all around us—family, church, and friends. Because we do the things Christians do and we are surrounded by Christians, we tend to assume we are Christians too. But just as standing in a wheat field doesn’t make someone wheat, being raised in a Christian environment doesn’t make someone a Christian.

We tend to believe we are Christians because . . .
- Our parents are Christians
- We believe God exists
- We faithfully attend church and youth meetings
- We pray
- We read and know much about the Bible
- We prayed the sinner’s prayer or went forward during an alter call
- We were baptized
- We sing worship songs
- We listen to Christian music
- We are basically good, moral people, especially compared to the world
- We attend a Christian school or Christian college

What gives you confidence that you are a Christian? The list above refers primarily to external actions. Each could in fact be a fruit of salvation—a good work or action of a believer. But each could also be nothing more than an unbeliever conforming to his environment (to please parents, fit in with peers, etc.) while there is no saving faith in his heart.

Don’t fall into the dangerous trap of false assurance. Take some time to examine your relationship with God. Search your heart. Pray. Don’t make the mistake of basing your salvation upon what you do or your environment. Genuine salvation is a matter of the heart. It is based on faith alone—faith in God’s character, his promises, and the work of his Son on the cross.

Scripture encourages us to examine ourselves, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” (II Corinthians 13:5-6)

To do this we need to look at our actions, our motives, and the fruit in our lives. We need to pray, read the Bible, worship God, attend church, and confess sin. But it is possible to do all of these things and not be motivated from a heart that truly loves God and wants to live for him. There is a difference between saying a simply prayer over a meal and communing with your Lord and talking with your Heavenly Father. There is a difference between reading the Bible just like any other book and reading it as the genuine words of God which breath life and give clear direction to our lives. There is a difference between singing a song and truly worshiping your Sovereign Lord.

When you look at your actions, the motives behind your actions, and the fruit of your actions, what do you learn about your heart? Have you every asked one of your parents their thoughts? How about a friend whom you respect?

If you are saved, I hope this self-examination increases your faith all the more. God is at work in your life and will continue to help you grow in him.

If you are not saved, I want to urge you to pause and pray. Ask Christ to make himself real to you. Ask him to be Lord of your life, transform your heart, and enable you to live all out for him. This is a prayer he is eager to answer.

What a shame it would be for someone to grow up in a Christian home, attend church his whole life, assume he was a Christian, and yet not truly be saved. Sadly, this happens more often than we would like. Don’t let this happen to you.

Believe that “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (I Corinthians 5:21)

An Overview of Growing Up Christian – Part 1

2008-08-24T09:51:00.004-04:00

I thought I’d take the next few days to give a general overview of my book Growing Up Christian.

I have a deep love and burden for young people growing up in the church today. I grew up in a strong Christian family and have personally experienced the blessings and challenges church kids face. I have worked closely with Christian teens over the past 15 years as I have worked in Christian education.

The aim of the book is to urge teens to develop a genuine faith and a walk of their own and seek to love God with all their hearts, souls, and minds. But having Christian parents and attending church every week doesn’t guarantee this.

Have you known anyone who seemed to be a Christian throughout his teenage years, but when he went off to college dropped his faith and stopped following God? Have you known anyone who actively participated in youth meetings and church missions trips, but after high school no longer pursued God or the things of God?

Sadly, I know too many people like this, and you can probably quickly list a few names yourself. Growing up around Christians doesn’t make anyone a Christian. Nor do we inherit our Christianity from our parents. We need a faith and a walk of our own. We need to personally know and respond to the gospel message. We need to personally respond to the call of our Lord on our lives. And we need to personally live for Christ.

Growing up in a Christian home is an amazing privilege. We are taught so much – the stories and truths of Scripture, the basics of the gospel, the attributes of God, and so much more. We are also protected from much – immoral movies and television shows, ungodly friends, inappropriate music. Our parents demonstrate a love for God and us by teaching us and protecting us.

Being raised in a Christian environment – home, church, and often school – is a great blessing, but there are also some dangers that church kids face. Dangers? Yes, I really do mean dangers – tendencies that we need to watch out for and pitfalls to avoid.

I’ll be getting into the details in blogs over the next few days, but let me give you a preview.

Dangers we need to watch out for:
1. Believing we are saved when we are not
2. Lacking amazement of how God forgives our sins and saves us
3. Loving the world more than the things of God
4. Failing to develop personal, biblical convictions
5. Battling our sinful behavior but not our sinful heart

Let me end with one of my favorite quotes. It is from Holiness by J.C. Ryle,

“I ask the children of religious parents to mark well what I am saying. It is the highest privilege to be the child of a godly father and mother, and to be brought up in the midst of many prayers. It is a blessed thing indeed to be taught the gospel from our earliest infancy, and to hear of sin, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and holiness, and heaven, from the first moment we can remember anything. But, oh, take heed that you do not remain barren and unfruitful in the sunshine of all these privileges: beware lest your heart remains hard, impenitent, and worldly, notwithstanding the many advantages you enjoy. You cannot enter the kingdom of God on the credit of your parents’ religion. You must eat the bread of life for yourself, and have the witness of the Spirit in your own heart. You must have repentance of your own, faith of your own, and sanctification of your own.”

Please check back in over the next few days as we continue to discuss the blessings and dangers of growing up Christian.

Learning to Love

2008-07-24T07:12:00.004-04:00

Here is another quote from Andrew Murray’s Absolute Surrender.

“And how can I learn to love? I cannot learn to love until the Spirit of God fills my heart with God’s love, and I begin to long for God’s love in a very different sense from which I have sought it so selfishly – as a comfort, a joy, a happiness, and a pleasure to myself. I will not learn it until I realize that ‘God is love,’ and to claim to receive it as an indwelling power for self-sacrifice. I will not love until I begin to see that my glory, my blessedness, is to be like God and like Christ, in giving up everything in myself for my fellow-men.”

God is love. He is the origin our love. We love because he first loved us. He demonstrates his love to us, transforms our hearts, and enables us to love him and love others.

Christians know we are to love God and to love others. We know love is the fruit of the Spirit. We know we should possess and radiate love. But, as Murray states, we often pursue love first and foremost for selfish reasons, such as personal comfort, joy, happiness, and pleasure. The problem isn’t seeking joy or comfort for ourselves; the problem is when we place the priority on ourselves above God.

The call of the Christian life is self-sacrifice. We are to give up our cravings for our glory and instead seek, above all else, the glory of Christ. We are to seek him, know him, depend on him, and live for him. It is in this type of life that true comfort, joy, happiness, and pleasure come. The giving up of the self-life and the living of the Christ-life leads to amazing joy.

This doesn’t come naturally to man. We need to love of God to transform us – our hearts, our minds, our motivations, our goals. We need God to regenerate our hearts and we need him to continually fill us with fresh love for him and for others.

Let’s pray today for greater love from God, a giving up of the self-life, and a increasing desire and ability to live all of life for God’s glory.

God's Love

2008-07-23T07:30:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite authors is Andrew Murray. I’m currently reading his book Absolute Surrender.

In chapter two Mr. Murray focuses on the fruit of the Spirit love. He talks about God being the source of love and Christ and the granting of the Holy Spirit as being amazing examples of God’s love.

Mr. Murray states, “The Lord Jesus Christ came down from heaven as the Son of God’s love. ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son’ (John 3:16). God’s Son came to show what love is, and He lived a life of love here on earth in fellowship with His disciples, in compassion over the poor and miserable, in love even to His enemies. And, He died the death of Love. And when He went back to heaven, whom did He send down? The Spirit of love, to come and banish selfishness and envy and pride, and bring the love of God into the hearts of men.”

What motivated God the Father to send His Son to earth for us? What motivated God the Son to subject Himself to life as a human and great suffering on the cross for us? What motivated God the Father to send His Spirit to us? What motivates the God the Holy Spirit to work in our lives today? The answer to all of these is love…amazing love.

Our God loves us deeply and demonstrated His love so profoundly in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the granting of the Holy Spirit to Christians today.

Does God’s love encourage you? Does God’s love comfort you? Does God’s love inspire you to love Him more and more? Does God’s love inspire you to surrender all of your life to Him and live all out for Him?

Faith

2008-07-22T07:43:00.003-04:00

In Mark 11:22-23 Jesus said, “Have faith in God”…“I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.”

I’ve been reading J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Mark. I was inspired and challenged by the following two statements Ryle makes.

1) “Happy are they who know how to rest their whole weight continually on a covenant God and to walk by faith, not by sight.”

Faith in God is resting our whole weight on him. He is a covenant keeping God; he is strong and faithful. What he says he will do he does. His love for us is strong and his compassion for us is abounding. He never leaves us or forsakes us. If we fully trust in him, we will find joy and peace whether we experience blessings or trials in this life.

2) “Do we desire to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Do we wish to make progress in our religion, and become strong Christians, and not mere babes in spiritual things? Then let us pray daily for more faith, and watch our faith with most jealous watchfulness.”

We need to daily ask God to feed our faith – to enable us to trust him. When the busyness of life creeps in, we need to pause and lift all to God and trust him to lead us. When the trials of life flood us, we need to remember that God is faithful and present to help and care for us. When we experience success, we need to direct the praise to God, who equipped us and enabled us to accomplish everything.

Let’s seek to grow in our faith in our covenant keeping and awesome God!

Georgia on Our Minds

2008-07-12T07:16:00.004-04:00

On June 20th my family & I moved to Georgia. God called us to leave Maryland and move to St. Simons Island, Georgia to serve at The Whitefield School (TWS), which is a small, independent Christian school that serves families of the Golden Isles of GA.

Anyone who has moved knows the challenges of the task. Moving a family of five 700 miles is a new experience for me! God has been faithful in leading us for many months, but we do miss dear friends from home and familiar streets and parks. (We look forward to two different families visiting from MD in the next three weeks!)

On July 1st, I started working at TWS. After getting my office set up and my “stuff” moved in, I’ve been assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the school, developing a plan of action for the coming months, and getting ready for the new school year.

It has been a joy to get to know many individuals who have been faithfully serving the Lord for many years at TWS. Christ described those who serve others as the greatest in his kingdom. These are the types of heroes I have been meeting. I look forward to seeing the many treasures in heaven they will receive as they make a difference for Christ and his kingdom at TWS.

Please pray that we will quickly settle into our new life on St. Simons Island, develop close friendships, and get connected in our new church.

Good, Right & Faithful

2007-08-01T07:19:00.001-04:00

II Chronicles 31:20-21 says “Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.”

These verses serve as a summary statement of the first part of Hezekiah’s life. They provide us with an example for us and some principles for us to attempt to follow.

Hezekiah did what was good, right, and faithful before God. We too need to see to do what is good, right, and faithful. We need to choose good friendships, good entertainment, and good speech. We need to do what is right at home, at work, and when out with friends. We need to be faithful in our commitments, our personal times with God, and our involvement in our local church. All of these can be beautiful offerings before the Lord.

Hezekiah sought his God and worked with all his heart in efforts to honor the Lord. We too need to seek God and his direction and guidance for our lives. We can do this through reading and studying the Word, through prayer, through hearing his Word taught at church and youth group meetings, and through the wise counsel of parents or other godly individuals.

This takes our whole heart. Truly seeking God and living for Christ require us to pursue him above all else and before all else. Commit today to do what is good, right, and faithful before God with your whole heart.

Desiring Change

2007-05-18T07:04:00.000-04:00

I’m reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, and I am being challenged and inspired on just about every page.

In book 3, chapter 5 Lewis writes about sexual morality. He covers many principles that apply to morality in general. Here are three good quotes from the chapter.

“Before we can be cured we must want to be cured. Those who really wish for help will get it; but for many modern people even the wish is difficult. It is easy to think that we want something when we do not really want it.”

Have you ever prayed to God asking for him to change you, but really there is a side of you that still desires the sin? Examples: relief from conflict with a sibling, but still possess hatred towards him or her; lose weight, but still indulging in certain treats; overcoming lust, but still harboring lustful desires.

We need to truly want to change at the heart level. When we look to God to help us change at this level, we will experience real change.

“After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God firsts helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again. For however important chastity (or courage, or truthfulness, or any other virtue may be this process trains us in habits of the soul which are more important still. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments. And, on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven.”

It is easy to see how God helps us to change in a particular area. We ask him to help us stop being angry and start being patient, or we plead with him to help us resist pride and practice humility. We can often overlook the significant grace God shows us in forgiving us when we sin and enabling us to begin anew in the battle against our flesh. We have the Holy Spirit helping us, guiding us, and giving us strength to continue on even after we fail.

“That is way a cold, self-righteous prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute. But, of course, it is better to be neither.”

It is possible to attend church regularly and not be a Christian. The danger is that most individuals in this situation think they are Christians. Attending church, reading the Bible, and having Christian friends gives some a false confidence that they are Christians. Having knowledge of God and the things of God, but not having a personal faith in Jesus Christ is extremely dangerous. In many ways it would be better to not be involved in the church at all. But, as Lewis states, it is better to be neither.

What is God Looking For?

2007-05-16T06:43:00.000-04:00

In Mere Christianity (Book 3, Chapter 2), C.S. Lewis talks about four important virtues: wisdom, self-control, justice, and courage. “After discussing each he states, “We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort.”

Lewis makes a profound point that we need to remember. God doesn’t call us to just follow a set of rules or commandments; he calls us to have a heart that fears him and wants to live all of life in a way that glorifies him. He wants Christians who are humble in heart, which leads to humble living. He wants Christians who fear him, which leads to holy living. He wants Christians who are wise, which leads to choices that honor him. He wants Christians who are self-controlled at heart, which leads to self-controlled living. He wants Christians who are truthful and just, which leads to honest living. He wants Christians who are courageous at heart, which leads to boldly living for God.

So easily we can want God, our pastors, our parents, our coaches, or our teachers to give us a list of things to do and a list of things to not do. In the short run this may look easy, but in reality this it is extremely difficult to make humble choices if we are not humble in heart or wise choices if we are not wise or self-controlled choices if we are not self-controlled in heart. This type of living is exhausting and drudgery.

God is looking for us to cultivate Christian qualities in our hearts, deep down within us, part of our core. And when we do, we will find living the Christian live is joyful, easier, and more fulfilling because it is more the natural outflow of our love for God.

What do you focus on – your particular actions or your heart? Commit today to focus on your heart first and then the actions the flow out of it.

Plant Us In Your House

2007-05-15T06:41:00.000-04:00

Psalm 52:8-9 says, “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

David writes that he is “an olive tree flourishing in the house of God.” Olive trees lived for hundreds of years, but they were not planted in the house of God. Yet he felt like an unworthy soul abounding in God’s presence.

David’s humility is inspiring. The King of Israel and a man after God’s heart felt unworthy to be in God’s presence. But he craved nearness to God, and he found prosperity in God.

David flourished. There is no better way to prosper than to stick close to God for he know all, control all, and can do all.

Does your soul hunger for, your spirit long for, and your mind desire God above all? This is where we will find lasting joy and peace. He is our source of strength and steadfast courage. In him we will experience deep peace and overflowing excitement.

Then we will praise. A song of great joy will be on our minds and tongues. Our lives will worship God – our prayers, our words, our actions, our melodies. We will give every ounce of energy in devotion to my Lord and Savior. We will smile with glee and dance with joy. We will encourage family and friends.

Where does this come? From our heavenly Father, the source of all.

Dear Lord, plant us securely in your presence; transform our hearts, our minds, our all.

Spiritual Goals

2007-05-11T07:02:00.000-04:00

What spiritual goals do you have in the coming months and years? Where would you like to be in your love for God and your walk with God? What would you like to accomplish for God in the next decade or beyond?

Have you ever thought about spiritual goals?

We often set goals in other areas. We set academic goals of achieving a specific grade in a class, grade point average in high school, SAT scores, attending a specific college, and achieving a specific degree.

We can set athletic goals like exercising a certain number of times a week, playing on a particular team, averaging a specific number of points, playing on a select team, making the varsity team, or competing at the division one level.

We set career goals such as landing a particular job, earning a specific salary, attaining a high level management position, and being able to afford a high standard of living.

In just about every aspect of our lives, we tend to set goals. But do we approach spiritual matters and our personal walk with God in the same way?

When it comes to our relationship with God, he is the ultimate target and the object of our love and admiration. Goals are not an end in of themselves, but they do help us to live more and more in a way that brings glory to God. Let’s seek to love him more and live for him more.

Here are some goals to consider:
- Read the Bible every day, seeking to apply the truths of the Bible to our daily lives
- Read and study a particular book of the Bible in the next month
- Get involved in a Bible-preaching, gospel-proclaiming, vibrant, local church
- Gain a circle of friends who are passionate about God
- Identify one area of sin and battle it with truths from the Bible, faithful prayer, and accountability from a wise Christian
- Read a particular theological book
- Spend regular time in prayer
- Keep a journal, recording specific truths God reveals to you in your personal times with him

What are your spiritual goals?

Daily in the Word

2007-05-10T06:55:00.000-04:00

Do you believe God is real? Do you believe the Bible contains the very words of God? Do you believe the Bible has specific guidance for your life today?

These questions get at fundamental beliefs. If God is real and the Bible contains his words, we need to value them highly. If his words apply to us today, we need to be daily reading and studying them. And this daily reading should not be like the daily reading of the newspaper or favorite websites, but instead be with reverence and an intention to live according to the principles and commands laid out from God for us.

II Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

God is the source of all of the Bible, and he uses it to teach and correct us. He wants to help us in every facet of our lives, and the Bible is a key tool he uses. Do you use the Word as an equipping instrument from God, helping you be ready for the day, the month, and the year ahead?

Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

The Bible doesn’t just speak about actions or the outward behaviors we perform. It also addresses our hearts, our motives, and our thoughts. Do you let the Word of God penetrate your heart? Do you use it to reshape your thoughts and intentions?

I would urge you to be in the Word every day. Read one chapter from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Pray that God would speak to you, and anticipate that he will. Look for one verse and one idea that jumps out at you, and consider what God may be saying to you today. Is there a sin you need to repent of? Is there a motive in your heart that needs to be changed? Is there a specific action you need to start doing.

When we are daily in the Word, we will daily be growing.

Unbelief

2007-05-01T07:07:00.000-04:00

In Mark chapter 6, Jesus traveled to his hometown of Nazareth. There the people saw him as the person who grew up among them, and they rejected him as the Messiah. Verses 5 and 6 summarize his time there, “And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief.”

When I read this passage, I feel a deep sense of sadness. Nazareth had among them the Lord of the Universe, the Savior of the world, and the Messiah they longed for, but they never even knew it. A little boy grew up in their town, matured into a man, and began to work wonders throughout the nation. Then, when he returned home, they did not believe he was the Christ, the Messiah.

The section closes with Jesus marveling at their unbelief. That is, Jesus saw their clear lack of faith in him and who he was.

We can look down on the people of Nazareth and how they missed it completely, but the reality is we are very much like them. In our everyday living we can demonstrate the same unbelief. When we get a low test grade, we can doubt God’s faithfulness. When we have an extremely busy week ahead of us, we can question God’s ability to help us accomplish all we need to do. When we suffer physical trials, we can complain to God. When all is well and we are prospering, we can think we are successful and forget God controls all.

I suspect God looks down and marvels at our unbelief too.

Are there any areas of your life where you tend to struggle in your faith in God and your confidence in him? Confess this to God, and ask him to strengthen your faith in him. Repent of placing your confidence in yourself, your gifts, and your wisdom and lean on him. Turn from trusting others and begin to trust God as he works through others.

Let’s learn from the mistakes of the people of Nazareth, apply this lesson to our lives today, and believe in Christ for salvation and for strength in our Christian walk.

Communication

2007-04-27T08:51:00.000-04:00

What characteristics or qualities should mark a Christian’s communication? How does God want us to talk to our friends? How does Christ want us to listen to and speak to our parents and siblings? What should the e-mails, text messages, or instant messages of a Christian look like?

Communication is essential for life. Every day we are interacting with others, listening to their thoughts and sharing our own. And like any other aspect of our lives, we need to consider how God would want us to act and the direction he has given us through his Word.

We need the same desire as the Psalmist describes in Psalm 119:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Ephesians 4:29 & 32 describes both what our communication should avoid as well as what it should include. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear…Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

How does your communication measure up to God’s Word?

Because of our natural sinful hearts, communication is particularly difficult. Laziness can result in not asking good questions or just giving short answers. Selfishness can lead to talking only with our closest friends and not reaching out to others. Arrogance can prompt us to talk a lot about ourselves and our accomplishments.

This is because “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,” which Jesus taught in Matthew 12:34.

When we understand that our hearts drive our communication, we will seek to develop heart attitudes that lead to God-honoring communication. We need to pursue love, patience, humility, gentleness, honesty, serving others, and many more.

Take time right now to think of one heart change that needs to take place in your life. What are some specific steps you can take to grow in this area and as a result grow in God-honoring communication.

Is God Real?

2007-04-25T06:59:00.000-04:00

Recently I have had two different conversations with two different teenagers in which they each expressed their occasional doubt that God really exists.

The first conversation was with a girl in her early teens. She told me that when she is going through tough times or trials she knows her need for help and turns to God. But when things are going well she begins to wonder if God really does exist and if she really needs help.

The second conversation was with a boy in his early teens. He expressed the opposite. He said that in hard times and struggles he wonders if God really exists. In trials he questions why God would seemingly abandon him and not look out for him or his family. But when times are better he believes God is real and working in his life.

Can you relate to either one of these teens? In many ways I can relate to both of them. I have been caught up in the good and the many blessings of life and have forgotten about God and failed to recognize he is the source of all good. I have also been discouraged in trials and hard times and wondered if God exists and cares for me.

Yet God is real, active, and fully aware of every one of my circumstances. My emotions and feelings may change according to my changing situations, but God is unchanging. My pride grows in good times, and I focus on myself instead of my God. My self-pity increases in hard times, and I focus on myself instead of my God.

The other reality is that in this life we only see in part. We do not see all of God’s actions, purposes, or ways. We do not always know how he works all circumstances for good for the Christian (Romans 8:28). We do not always understand how his ways are higher than our ways and his thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).

Prepare yourself today to have the right view of God in both the good and the bad that you will face in life. He is real, he is powerful, he is ever-present, he is good, he is just, and he is with you. Knowing these truths will help you praise him in the time of blessing and trust him in times of trials.

God

2007-04-24T07:01:00.000-04:00

Take a minute to consider God. What is he like? How does he act? What is he capable of doing?

How did you learn these things? Did you hear this from others? Did you think of them yourself? Did you read a book about God? Did you learn them in the Bible?

There are a lot of different views of God. Some emphasize his love and his mercy. Some highlight his wrath and justice. Some focus on his power and sovereignty.

In Practical Religion J.C. Ryle writes, “Beware of manufacturing a God of your own,—a God who is all mercy, but not just,—a God who is all love, but not holy,—a God who can allow good and bad to be side by side in time, but will make no distinction between good and bad in eternity. Such a God is an idol of your own…He is not the God of the Bible, and besides the God of the Bible there is no God at all.”

The world has a skewed view of God, often emphasizing his love and mercy. Even Christians can manufacture there own view of God, focusing on attributes they like and avoiding those they do not. This is extremely dangerous because the right view of God shapes just about every aspect of the Christian life. Therefore, we need to be sure we know who the God of the Bible truly is.

Bible says a lot about God and his many attributes. He is loving, good, merciful, all-knowing, all-powerful, sovereign, eternal, unchanging, just, holy, and hates sin. He is all of these and more all at once. He is God.

What attributes of God do you tend to focus on? What ones do you tend to forget or avoid?

Seek to learn more about the true God of the Bible. In addition to the Bible, here are two books that could help you: Knowing God by J.I. Packer and Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem. Both of these contain outstanding teaching on the attributes of our glorious God.

Three Marks of a Christian

2007-04-23T07:08:00.000-04:00

I John 5:1-5 speaks directly to those who believe in Jesus – true Christians. Read it and look for three marks of a genuine Christian.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Christians should…
1. Love other Christians
2. Obey God’s commandments
3. Overcome the world

The book of I John has a lot to say to Christians. In fact, in I John 5:13 John states his purpose in writing is to help believers have assurance of salvation and the future gift of eternal life.

The first five verses of chapter 5 list three actions that should be seen in the life of every Christian. Are they in your life?

We always want to read Scripture with the desire to apply it to our lives today. We need to understand what it says, identify the principle taught, and look for specific application and practice in our lives today.

To help with application in I John 1:1-5, answer the following questions and consider what needs to change in your life.
- Do you believe Jesus is the Christ? Have you been born of God?
- Do you demonstrate love for other Christians? If so, how? If not, why not?
- Do you obey God’s commands? Do you joyfully obey? Do you quickly obey? Do you repent when you disobey?
- Do you seek to overcome the world? What do you do or not do to help overcome the world? How are you specifically drawn to the world?

Please pause to praise God for the good fruit in your life. This is a result of the kindness of God in your life. Also pray that God will help you in any area where you are deficient.

Likes & Dislikes

2007-04-19T08:09:00.000-04:00

“Never, never let it be forgotten, that our tastes on earth are a sure evidence of the state of our hearts and the state of our hearts here is a sure indication of our position hereafter. Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. He that hopes to be gathered with saints in heaven while he only loves the gathering of sinners on earth is deceiving himself.” J.C. Ryle in Practical Religion

Our likes and dislikes reveal something about us. Our longings show what we value. Our passions demonstrate what we consider important. The music we enjoy reveals something about us. The time we give to sports demonstrates how we value it. Our efforts in school show how much we consider the importance of education. Our closest friendships express what we want to be like. Our likes and dislikes reveal the values of our hearts.

The same is true in specific spiritual disciplines. Our likes and dislikes regarding worship, Bible reading, prayer, church, and youth group reveal the state of our hearts. Genuine Christians should love God and enjoy things that help them learn more about him and live more effectively for him.

Our dislikes say a lot about us too. Christians should dislike the sin they see in their lives, take it seriously, repent, and seek to change. They should dislike unwholesome language, which is so common these days. They should dislike worldliness in music, movies, television shows, Internet sites, and friendships. Our dislikes reveal the true state of our hearts.

What do your likes and dislikes say about you? Do you like things that God likes? Do you dislike things that God dislikes?

If you are like me, your answer is probably both, but I want to like and hate the things God does. I want to grow in godliness and lessen in worldliness.

Take a minute to think of one area you would like to grow in your love for. Now think of one thing you need to dislike more. Pray that God will help you change; he is eager to answer this prayer.

Our God is Real

2007-04-18T08:22:00.000-04:00

I Kings 18 records one of my favorite Old Testament stories.

Ahab is king over Israel, and he is evil in the eyes of the Lord, worshiping the Canaanite god Baal. God’s prophet is Elijah, who Ahab despises. A famine has come to the land, and Elijah is the mouthpiece of God, communicating God’s anger towards the sin of Ahab and Israel.

Then Elijah issues a challenge to the priests of Baal. He challenges them to a competition in which they and Elijah would make separate altars, place a slaughtered bulls on each altar, and call to their god/God to light it. They would do this in front of many of the people of Israel.

The drama begins as the priest of Baal, all 450 of them, build their altar, gather the wood, chop up their bull, and place them on their altar. They then spend all morning crying out to Baal to light the wood and take their offering. Nothing happens. They continue. Nothing happens. They begin to cut themselves. Nothing happens.

Then Elijah builds his alter to God. He slaughters his bull and placed it on the altar. He then has his assistants pour four buckets of water onto the wood and bull. And then he calls on the name of the living God, asking him to demonstrate his power and reality and bring fire to the altar. God responds with amazing power, sending fire and consuming the offering.

The people respond in faith in the one and only God. They know he is real and Baal is not. They follow Elijah’s command to seize the 450 priests of Baal, and they kill them all.

There is a lesson in this for us today: God is real, powerful, and desires our worship and devotion, and all other gods are false, without life or power.

Christ’s Second Coming

2007-04-17T08:21:00.000-04:00

Christ came as a baby, lived 30 years on earth, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven. This was his first coming and the amazing story of the gospel.

As sure as his first coming, Jesus will come again to earth at the end of the age. He will come to gather Christians to be with him for eternity, and he will gather all non-Christians and send them to hell for eternity.

In Practical Religion J.C. Ryle wrote, “One thing, at any rate, is very certain. There will only be two parties of mankind at the last great day: those who are on the right hand of Christ, and those who are on the left; those who are counted righteous, and those who are wicked; those who are safe in the ark, and those who are outside; those who are gathered like wheat into God’s barn, and those who are left behind like tares to be burned. Now, what will your portion be?”

The second coming is both an exciting and a sobering event to think about. If you are a Christian, you can anticipate great joy and blessing as Christ gathers you to be with him. If you are not sure about your salvation or if you are not a Christian, you can (and should) be terrified of the possibility of eternity apart from Christ.

Scripture makes it clear that in the final gathering – the separation of the saved and unsaved – mankind will either be in or out of heaven. What group will you be in?

Take time to carefully consider this question. Don’t quickly assume you are in. Don’t simply believe the best about yourself and wrongly believe you are in. What a shame it would be to believe you will spend eternity in heaven and in the end be completely wrong.

If we acknowledge that we need a Savior and place our faith in Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we will be saved. Repent and believe today, and look forward to Christ’s return.

A Child of God

2007-04-16T08:38:00.000-04:00

As you can see from many previous posts, I’m working my way through J.C. Ryle’s book Practical Region. God is using it to inspire, encourage, and challenge me.

Towards the end of the book, Ryle writes about what it means to be a child of God. He considers Romans 8:14, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

Let me share two excerpts with a few questions:

“They are lead away from sin – away from self-righteousness – away from the world. This is the road by which the Spirit leads God’s children. Those whom God adopts He teaches and trains. He shows them their own hearts. He makes them weary of their own ways. He makes them long for inward peace…They are lead to Christ. They are lead to the Bible. They are lead to prayer. They are led to holiness. This is the beaten path along which the Spirit makes them to travel. Those whom God adopts He always sanctifies. He makes sin very bitter to them. He makes holiness very sweet.”

What direction is your life headed – towards Christ or towards sin and the world?

“If you are a son of God, I beseech you to walk worthy of your Father’s house. I charge you solemnly to honor Him in your life; and above all to honor Him by implicit obedience to all His commands, and hearty love to all His children. Labor to travel through the world like a child of God and heir to glory. Let men be able to trace a family likeness between you and Him that begat you. Live a heavenly life. Seek things that are above. Do not seem to be building your nest below. Behave like a man who seeks a city out of sight, whose citizenship is in heaven, and who would be content with many hardships till he gets home.”

Is your life worthy of your Father’s house? Are you committed to honoring and obeying God in every aspect of your life? Are you living for your future inheritance in heave?

Be encouraged today that if you are a son of God the Spirit is living and active in your life. And the Holy Spirit will enable you to live for Christ and honor your heavenly Father.

Effective and Fruitful for Christ

2007-04-05T07:05:00.000-04:00

Do you want to live a life that is affective and fruitful for Christ?

The Apostle Peter teaches us about this in II Peter 1:5-8, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Take some time to carefully think about each phrase or term in this passage. Grab your journal, pull out a sheet of paper, or sit down at your computer and in your own words explain what each of these phrases or words means:
- Make every effort
- supplement your faith
- virtue
- knowledge
- self-control
- steadfastness
- godliness
- brotherly affection
- love
- if these qualities are yours
- and are increasing
- they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful
- in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ

Peter assumes that the readers believe in Christ. He wants them to supplement and add to their faith, and he sees their need for growth. He wants them to be effective and fruitful for Christ.

Is this the desire of your heart? Do you want to impact your classmates, friends, and family for Christ? Do you want to be an example of the power of the gospel? Do you want others to see your life and want to have the same God that you have?

If so, consider how you can supplement your faith by adding the godly qualities mentioned here. Look up each term so you know exactly what Peter means. Get practical and identify specific steps you can take to grow in these areas.

Seeking Wise Counsel

2007-04-04T08:18:00.000-04:00

Who do you go to when you need advice? What do you do when you need direction in your life?

In I Kings 12, Rehoboam had just become king after Solomon’s death. The people came to him and asked that he lighten the heavy workload that Solomon had demanded of them. Rehoboam took three days to consider their request. He sought advice from some of the old men and some of the young men. The older men encouraged him to lighten the load and win the favor of the people, but the younger men urged him to not give in but instead increase the burden and decisively exercise his authority. Rehoboam followed the advice of the younger men, the people quickly rebelled, and the nation of Israel split into two kingdoms.

This is a sad story in the history of Israel, yet we can learn from Rehoboam’s mistake.

We all face challenges in life, dilemmas where we do not know what is best. Our friends invite us to go see a movie, and we have to decide if we should go. We find ourselves attracted to a girl at school, and we consider what the best way to proceed. We hear of a new and popular band, and we need to determine if we should download their first album. We are in our last year of high school, and we must decide what college we should attend.

What do you do when you face a difficult decision? Do you rush into the decision? Do you take time and think about it? Do you pray or go to God’s Word? Do you listen to your friends’ perspectives? Do you seek advice from godly, mature individuals around you? Do you ask your parents for their counsel? Do you talk with your pastor and get his guidance?

Each of us needs some trusted, mature, wise Christians to go to for advice. We need help, and we need the perspective of someone who fears the Lord, cares for us, and has lived more of life than we have.

Consider today your practice in making decisions. Commit to seek wise counsel, and experience the grace of God in your life.

The Lure of the World

2007-04-03T08:20:00.000-04:00

We make real choices that have real consequences. In them, we choose to honor and obey God or not.

I Kings chapter 10 describes the high point of King Solomon’s life – wisdom, wealth, prosperity – as the Queen of Sheba comes to see Solomon. She leaves vast amounts of gifts behind her and is completely impressed with the wisdom of the king.

Chapter 11 takes the reader totally by surprise and details how Solomon turns away from God. Despite his amazing wisdom, he decides to disobey God and marry women from the nations that surround Israel – the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites and more. He was captured by them and loved them deeply. They swayed his heart, and he began to worship their gods, even building places of worship to these false gods.

Think about it for a minute. Solomon had directly heard from God on two different occasions in his life, other than Jesus he was the wisest man to live on the earth, and he experienced wisdom, riches, and peace from God. For much of his life, he demonstrated complete devotion to the Lord, even building the temple in Jerusalem. If he can be lured by the temptations of the world, cannot you and I be too?

Yes, we can. It is surprisingly easy and common to become caught up in the pleasures of this world and have our hearts drawn to things other than God. We can want an impressive career and be caught up in study, degrees, and work. We can long for a new car and spend hours surfing the Internet, thinking about it, and talking about it. We can desire a beautiful or handsome spouse and discard biblical values in our never ending pursuit of her or him. We can give ourselves to sports to such a degree that we have little time for God, the church, or Bible reading.

Or we can do all of these things to the glory of God. We can live in the world yet not be attached to it. We can live with God on the throne of our hearts and please him in the daily aspects of life. We can live with a conviction that God is the number one priority and all else is secondary.

In what areas are you lured by the world? Is God #1 in your life? Commit to day worship God alone and let him be Lord over all of your life.

What Should We Do When Someone Sins Against Us?

2007-03-30T08:34:00.000-04:00

Every one of us is sinned against. It is a normal part of life.

Can you think of specific examples in your life?
- Your brother yells at you in anger
- Your sister arrogantly looks down at you
- Your classmate mocks you
- Your friends gossip about you
- Your parents treat you impatiently
- Your teacher critically judges you

Because of the sinful nature within each of us, we sin against others and they sin against us. It is sad to think about, but a reality of life.

What are we suppose to do when someone sins against us. In Matthew 18:15-20 Jesus teaches the following four steps:
1. Go to the person in private.
2. If he doesn’t listen, take one or two others with you and go to him again.
3. If he doesn’t listen, go to a leader in the church and get his help.
4. If he doesn’t listen to the church leader, the church should place the person under church discipline.

Scripture really does apply to real life. God has given us a clear guide to respond when sinned against. The question is will we follow his plan?

What are some common mistakes we can make? 1) We can neglect to take the first step. In laziness or fear we can neglect to even go to the person. 2) After step #1 fails, we can fail to take the matter to the next level. We can wrongly think we have done our part and the rest of the matter is up to God. 3) We can talk with the wrong people. We can talk about the matter with our friends (Scripture calls this gossip) or talk down about the person who sinned against us (Scripture calls this slander).

Someone is going to sin against you – maybe today or this week. Be ready for it. Commit to following the Matthew 18 principle and be ready to forgive the person as God has forgiven you.

Family Traits

2007-03-29T08:16:00.000-04:00

I have a friend who grew up in New York City and loves the Mets. Despite living in Maryland for over 20 years, he is still passionate about the Mets, and he as passed this love on to his sons.

I have a friend who teaches literature, loving Dante, Shakespeare, and Twain. It has been a great joy to watch her inspire her students year after year. This spring her daughter will graduate from college with a degree in English with the goal of teaching too.

My dad works in Christian education. He started a small Christian school years ago and has been working in this field for about 40 years. He passed on to me a love for learning, teaching, and Christian education, and this year is my fourteenth year as a teacher and administrator too.

Our parents influence us. Our family traits tend to rub off on us. The likes and dislikes of our family often shape our desires. The goals and accomplishments of our parents often inspire us to achieve similar feats.

What about being a part of the family of God? What kind of traits are rubbing off on you?

Here are a few to consider:
- Do you love holiness? Do you hate sin?
- Do you pray to your heavenly Father asking for help and lifting up thanksgiving to him?
- Do you go to the Bible for direction and guidance in your life?
- Do you demonstrate love and kindness towards others?
- Do you seek to forsake the sinful values of the world?
- Do you talk about God and the things of God?
- Do you honor and obey authority?

Christianity is a matter of your individual heart, but every member of the family of God should demonstrate similar traits. Take time today to consider your life?

Temptation

2007-03-26T08:24:00.001-04:00

Yesterday morning my senior pastor, Joshua Harris, preached an excellent message on I Corinthians 10:12-13, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The messaged focused on recognizing and rejecting four lies of temptation:
1. I’m beyond temptation
2. My temptation is unique
3. God has left me alone, and my temptation is to much
4. There is no escape from my temptation

I can relate to each of these lies. Can you?

Read again I Corinthians 10:12-13 and identify the four truths Paul lays out for the Corinthian church.

Today stand ready for the temptations you are bound to face. As the Holy Spirit to help you see and choose the way of escape God has provided you. And experience the power of God as you seek to endure in the midst of temptation.

Faith & Works

2007-03-23T15:01:00.000-04:00

James 2:26 says, “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

James gives us a simple illustration to understand the relationship between faith and works – a human body. With a spirit, the body is alive; without a spirit, the body is dead.

Like the spirit and body, true faith and works are inseparably linked. Works demonstrate that the faith we claim is real, living, and active. Works reflect a heart that has been transformed by the gospel. Works reflect the Savior’s effects on our hearts.

If a person claims to be a Christian but he does live like a Christian, we should wonder if he is truly saved. If we do not live in a way that pleases and honors God, we should reconsider our own hearts. Maybe we do not possess genuine faith.

Consider today the works in your life. Do they reflect real faith? If they do, praise God for his amazing work in you. If they do not, pause now and ask God to transform your heart and make you one of his own.

Popularity

2007-03-21T07:26:00.001-04:00

In Practical Religion J.C. Ryle states,

“If you take up heart-religion I cannot promise you the praise of man. Pardon, peace, hope, guidance, comfort, consolation, grace according to your need, strength according to your day, joy which the world can neither give nor take away,– all this I can boldly promise to the man you comes to Christ, and serves Him with is heart. But I cannot promise him that his religion will be popular with man.”

We all want to be popular. We want people to think highly of us, respect us, and seek us out for advice. Whether teenagers, college students, or adults, we want to be known, liked, and admired. Yet this proud and lofty view of ourselves trips us up time and time again.

True faith in Christ and the life of full devotion to the Lord will not win us praise from the majority in the world. But look again at the biblical promises Ryle lists in his second sentence above. Yes, these are true, and they are far, far better than the praise and popularity from men and women of the world.

Be Perfect

2007-03-20T06:56:00.001-04:00

Matthew 5 records the first portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Jesus lays out the distinctive marks of a Christian, and he does this with strong and decisive statements.

Consider these strong words: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” 5:20; “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” 5:48

At a first glance these words can be very discouraging. The Pharisees prized themselves in following every detail of the law. They were considered the godliest ones of their day. And then in verse 48 Jesus raises the bar much, much higher. He says we must be perfect because this is the standard and character of God the Father.

How are we to live up to this standard of perfection? We cannot. None of us can be perfect. None of us can live a life that is sinless of thought, word, and deed. In fact, we cannot go a few hours without sinning, let alone a lifetime.

But we are not without hope. We know the end of the story, something Jesus’ original audience did not know. He became our substitute, our Savior. Jesus fully bore the wrath of God for our sins and God credited us with the righteousness of Christ. When we believe in Jesus’ finished work on the cross this glorious exchange takes place, and God sees us as perfect.

Be encouraged this day by this glorious news.

Run with Endurance

2007-03-19T07:30:00.001-04:00

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “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, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes called the “Hall of Fame of Faith,” as it lists biblical heroes who demonstrated amazing faith in God. Then in chapter 12 the author turns from looking back to speaks directly at the reader and to us today.

He challenges us to look at the faith of others and be inspired to repent of our sins, lay them aside, and run hard after Christ.

What weight and sin clings closely to you? Are you ready to lay them aside and run with endurance? Look up to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of your faith. He set the example for enduring hardship and shame, as he gave his life for us all.

Let’s let Christ’s example inspire us today. Let’s commit to running with endurance the race that is set before us.

In Name Only or In Reality?

2007-03-16T10:06:00.000-04:00

In Practical Religion J.C. Ryle states,

“When a man is a Christian in name only, and not in reality,– in outward things only, and not in his inward feelings,– in profession only, and not in practice,– when his Christianity in short is a mere matter of form or fashion or custom, without any influence on his heart or life,…He possesses indeed the form or husk or skin of religion, but he does not possess its substance or its power.”

Christianity is personal. God desires to have a personal relationship with us, and we respond individually to him. We are not saved because our family heritage, we are not regenerated because of the town we live in, and we are not converted because of the church we attend. We either have a personal relationship with God or not.

Christianity is internal. Our hairstyle, clothing, jewelry, car, boat, and home do not make us Christians. We cannot put on a Christian coat and become a believer. We need to have the power of God living and at work in our hearts. Our hearts need to be subordinate to Christ, and our motives and desires must be devoted to all he wants and commands.

Do you have a personal relationship with Christ? Do you have the power of God within you? If you do, praise God for his kindness to you. If you do not, pause right now and pray to God, asking for him to transform you this very moment.

A True Christian

2007-03-15T08:33:00.000-04:00

In Practical Religion J.C. Ryle states,

“What do I mean when I speak of a true Christian? Do I mean everybody who goes to church or chapel? Do I mean everybody who professes an orthodox creed, and bows his head at the belief? Do I mean everybody who professes to love the Gospel? No: indeed! I mean something very different. All are not Christians who are called Christians. The man I have in view is the Christian in heart and life. He who has been taught by the Spirit really to feel his sins,–he who really rests all his hope on the Lord Jesus Christ, and His atonement,–he who has been born again and really lives a spiritual, holy life,–he whose religion is not a mere Sunday coat, but a mighty constraining principle governing every day of his life,–he is the man I mean, when I speak of a true Christian.”

Take time to consider this quote by answering the following questions:
- Are you a Christian in heart and life?
- Have you been taught by the Holy Spirit to feel conviction for your sins?
- Do you really rest all of your hope in Jesus Christ?
- Have you been born again and really living a spiritual, holy life?
- Is your Christianity guiding you every day of the week?

Choose today to believe in Jesus Christ your Savior and surrender every aspect of your life to Jesus Christ your Lord. Come experience the joyful, fruitful, and satisfying life found in Christ.

The Lord, the God of Hosts

2007-03-14T10:02:00.000-04:00

II Samuel recounts David’s ascent to the thrown, first in Judah and then all of Israel.

I greatly admire David. He clearly had the Spirit of God in him from the days of defeating Goliath with a sling and a stone. He loved to worship God, he lived with a God-ward mindset, and he turned to God in his need. He expressed both his weaknesses as well as his worship in the many songs recorded in Psalms. He demonstrated godly sorrow and repentance when he sinned.

II Samuel 5:10 states, “And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts, was with him.”

This is a wonderful summary of a great man becoming greater and greater because of the MUCH greater Lord of his life. David prospered – in wealth, in land, in family, in faith – not because of his own wisdom and own strength, but because of the Lord who was with him. The God of hosts guided, protected, and lead David. The all-mighty Lord won battles for him, gave him favor in the eyes of other leaders, and prompted the people of Israel to revere their king.

We may never have the responsibilities and wealth of David, but we too desperately need the Lord, the God of hosts, to be with us. We need strength for the tasks of this day, week, and month. We need discernment in the decisions we will make. We need wisdom as we interact with others. We need perseverance to study hard and complete our school work. We need peace as we think about the future. All of these come from the God of hosts.

Pray that God will be with you today and every day. Ask him to help you with every aspect of your life. Seek to develop a mindset that looks to him and leans on him. And enjoy the Lord, the God of hosts, with you.

Happiness – Joy

2007-03-12T08:16:00.000-04:00

In Practical Religion J.C. Ryle addresses the topic of happiness. He warns, “You might as well try to make an elephant happy by feeding him with a grain of sand a day, as try to satisfy the heart of your’s with rank, riches, learning, idleness, or pleasure.”

We look for joy, excitement, and lasting satisfaction in so many ways. We seek a high rank, power, and prestige; we seek riches, money, and wealth; we seek knowledge, education, and degrees; we seek free time, hobbies, and leisure; we seek pleasure, excitement, and euphoria. But none of these yields true joy, lasting happiness, and soul-satisfying pleasure. These pursuits are as futile as “feeding an elephant with a grain of sand a day.”

True joy doesn’t come from things here in this world. It comes as a result of the Spirit’s work in us. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and results in our souls being satisfied in Christ and reflecting that in life. Then we can even consider it pure joy when we face trials. We can be happy in Christ even when all is not well in our lives.

How do you seek to find joy? Where do you go to find lasting happiness?

Praise for Salvation

2007-02-14T11:41:00.001-05:00

In I Timothy 1, Paul urges Timothy to stand strong against false teachings in the Ephesian church and lead in accordance with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul cannot hold back his praise and adoration of God for the precious gift of salvation, and in verse 17 he burst out praises, “To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Paul is keenly aware of his past life apart from a true knowledge of Jesus Christ. He remembers being humbled and transformed on the road to Damascus. He knows his fierce persecution of the church. He pictures where he would be apart from salvation. He knows his past and present sin. A02340202.3.nd he deeply appreciates his saving Lord.

I am inspired and challenged by Paul’s example. Do I understand my natural and pervasive sinful nature? Do I truly value God’s freeing me from the rule and power of sin in my life? Do I treasure my Savior and my salvation? At times I do, but often I take these for granted.

What about you? Join me today in praying for more gratefulness for salvation? Let’s pray that God would help us to understand the depths of our sin and the amazing salvation we enjoy.

Is Your God Active or Passive?

2007-02-05T08:21:00.000-05:00

In Basic Christianity John Stott states, “Many people visualize a God who sits comfortably on a distant throne, remote, aloof, uninterested, and indifferent to the needs of mortals, until, it may be, they can badger him into taking action on their behalf. Such a view is wholly false. The Bible reveals a God who, long before it even occurs to man to turn to him, while man is still lost in darkness and sunk in sin, takes the initiative, rises from his throne, lays aside his glory, and stoops to seek until he finds him.”

How do you view God? Do you think of him as distant and unaware of your circumstances? Do you think of him as passive and waiting for you to call on him?

Because we cannot see God, it can be easy for us to forget about him or to think he is not always present. But believing he is indifferent or uninterested is wrong.

The Bible describes God as all-knowing, everywhere, and sustaining all. He is an infinite God who cares about individual, finite beings like you and me. He created the world, including mankind. He initiates a relationship with individual humans. He calls us to be his sons and daughters. And he conforms us to the image of his Son.

We serve an active God, which should give us peace and joy. We can pray to him with confidence that he hears us and will act according to his will. We can trust him because we know he is up to the task and will guide and comfort us in life.

What an amazing God we have!!!

Devotion to God

2007-01-25T07:54:00.000-05:00

In Growing Your Faith, Jerry Bridges writes, “Devotion to God is not an activity; it is an attitude toward God. God is the focal point of the godly person’s life. He or she seeks to practice the presence of God, to enjoy fellowship with God, to do all things to the glory of God, and to see God’s name hallowed or honored on earth as it is in heaven.” (p 131)

We do not do devotion to God; we have devotion to God. It is a quality within us, an attitude of our heart, a bent deep down within us.

What does it mean to be devoted to God? Bridges sums this up as God being “the focal point” or a person’s life. This means God is at the center of a person’s life, the most important thing. He is on our minds, on our lips, and in our actions.

Is God the focal point of your life? Do you understand your need for him in the tasks at hand and the decisions you need to make? Do you comprehend your need for direction from his Word? Do you think frequently about God? Do you speak of him? Do you consider his perspective on the simple and complex situations in your life? Do you have a healthy fear of him?

As you consider this topic, please understand that we can always grow in developing a more God-ward mindset. Due to our natural sinful nature, no one is perfectly devoted to God. But we can grow in this area. In fact, this is part of growing in our Christian faith.

Consider today your heart. How can you grow in your devotion to God?

Our View of the Word

2007-01-17T21:48:00.000-05:00

In his book Growing Your Faith, Jerry Bridges states, “One who delights in the law of God sees the Bible not just as a book of rules that are difficult to live by but as the Word of his or her heavenly Father who is the God of all grace and deals with him or her in grace.”

The Bible contains many rules and instructions for life. Many of them are difficult to obey because of the world we live in and the natural bent of our hearts. But the Bible is much more than a rule book. It is the very words of our eternal, sovereign, loving God.

Consider what it would be like to know all of the rules of the game of basketball but never play it. You would know you have 10 seconds to bring the ball up over half court, 3 seconds in the offensive lain under the basket, 5 seconds to pass the ball in bounds, etc… What if this was all head knowledge, but you never played the game of basketball and experienced the excitement and thrill of the game? I think this would be lifeless and lacking true joy for the game.

Viewing the Bible as just a rule book would be much worse. The Christian life would be about following the rules, checking off items on a to-do list, and staying in line. It would lack life and meaning. It would be far from the genuine Christianity God wants for us.

God is full of grace and truth. He has bestowed on us undeserved kindness in many forms – sending his Son to die for us, calling us to be his son or daughter, continuing to conform us to the likeness of his Son. He does speak the truth to us, love the truth, and outline the truth in his Word. Our God is full of grace and truth, and we need to be too.

Commit today to view the Bible as words from your Heavenly Father. Seek a vivacious Christian faith and life that is motivated by love for God and views the Word as God’s grace to you.

Who's Following Who?

2007-01-16T22:14:00.000-05:00

“I find, very often, that the God I’m looking for is the God who follows me…But I fear the God who becomes concretely personal in Jesus, who confronts me with a start command, barren of option: Follow Me.” Mark Buchanan Your God Is Too Safe.

Two young children play, one the lead and the other following. Maybe the oldest game known to man, with the exception of tag. It’s follow the leader. But both of them want to lead and neither wants to follow. Call them type A personality or Alpha kids. Call them whatever you want, but don’t say they are playing follow the leader.

Biblical Christianity is about following first. We follow the gospel call of our heavenly Father and we repent of our sins. We abandon our former ways and our worldly goals and follow His standard for living. We read and absorb the content of Scripture, seeking to grasp his design for our living. He leads, we follow.

But this goes against our natural tendencies. How many of our mothers said, “Follow the crowd”? How many of our fathers dreamed of us being a follower when we grew up? From a young age, we have been warned against the dangers of following peer pressure and the masses. We have been pushed to lead, prodded to step out and stand up for righteousness.

Christ beckoned the disciples to drop their nets and follow him, which they did immediately and with joy. They followed him for three key years of training and instructions. Then they became leaders of the early church, apostles of the Way.

Christ extends his arms to us. We are the ones standing at the shores of the Sea of Galilee holding the nets. We hold our toys, our goals, our possessions, our pride. And he urges us to throw them down and follow him.

How long with our three years of training be? We do not know, but as we follow him we will grow in our love for him and our convictions will strengthen. He will prepare us for the day we lead others.

Following Christ, never leading Christ. Preparing to lead and follow other believers.

Book Recommendation

2007-01-16T22:03:00.000-05:00

Recently I’ve been reading Growing Your Faith by Jerry Bridges. I highly recommend anything by Mr. Bridges, and I have found this book to be inspiring. It is a collection of chapters from previous books. He has written a good deal about spiritual growth in his other works, and NavPress decided to bring them all together in this one title.

Are you interested in understanding grace, living according to the Word of God, balancing personal discipline and dependence on God, growing in holiness, and trusting God? Then pick up a copy and begin reading it.

Mr. Bridges writes in a clear and concise format, and he draws his points from Scripture. I recommend this for anyone who wants to strengthen their faith and walk.

Evidence of Salvation

2007-01-11T09:19:00.001-05:00

In his book titled Assurance, J.C. Ryle discusses the ways we can identify if a person is genuinely saved.

He asks, "How are you to know whether you have the Holy Spirit? What are the evidences by which a man may discern of the grace of the Holy Spirit in his heart?"

He then gives the following five answers:

Where the Holy Ghost is, there will be...
1. Deep conviction of sin, and true repentance
2. Lively faith in Jesus Christ as the only Savior
3. Holiness of life and conversation
4. The habit of earnest private prayer
5. Love and reverence for God's Word

Our salvation is the most important issue of our lives. Our eternal destination is a stake.

I bring these items to your attention and ask that you examine the fruit of your life today to determine if you are genuinely saved. Probe your heart, look at the evidence in your life, ask others what they see, and determine if you are truly saved.

If you are not, today may be the day God is drawing you to himself. Acknowledge your need for a Savior. Repent of your sin and place your faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ. Believe in him.

If you are saved, take time to praise and thank God for his work in your heart. This truly is a miracle from your Heavenly Father, and he is worthy of your adoration.

Intentional Wisdom

2006-12-14T07:05:00.000-05:00

In the book Craftsmen author John Crotts makes a strong point, “You will never accidentally run a marathon. You will never just happen to become a doctor. In the same way, you will never accidentally become wise.” (p 142)

A runner trains for months, even years, to run a marathon. A person studies years to become a doctor, logging many hours in libraries, labs, and hospitals. For both the runner and the student, the future goal drives the current behavior. Decision after decision is shaped by what is best to accomplish the goal.

The pursuit of wisdom is similar. It requires a young person to be very intentional. No one stumbles into becoming wise. No one accidentally loses his folly and gains wisdom. No one simply wakes up wise one day. To grow in wisdom we must intentionally pursue it.

It starts with a healthy fear of the Lord. We need to know who God is and how he acts and stand in reverential awe of him. We are to understand his all-knowing and all-powerful ways and live with a fear of him. We are to know his unchanging nature and his sovereign control over all and stand in awe of him. This is the essential first stage of growing in wisdom and requires us to study the attributes of God and think carefully about who he is.

We need to study the Word of God and conform our lives to God’s standards. This requires faithful reading and studying of scripture with the goal of applying it to our lives today. “How does this apply to me right now?” should be the question on our minds as we read. This is intentional growth in wisdom.

We need others – the many godly individuals around us. We need the advice and wisdom of our parents for us to grow in wisdom ourselves. We need the example of godly pastors, teachers, and coaches to help us understand how to live in a way that is pleasing to God. We need to intentionally ask others about their convictions and seek to grow in wisdom ourselves. When we hang out with the wise we will become wiser ourselves. This is intentional growth in wisdom.

What can you do to day to grow in wisdom?

Being a Christian Student

2006-12-07T09:29:00.001-05:00

If you are in middle school, high school, or college, God has called you to be a student. This is your main “job” in this season of your life.

What are the essential qualities of a Christian student?

Here are a few thoughts:

1. Humility – As a student, you are under authority and learn from your teachers. To learn you have to acknowledge your ignorance of a topic or principle and listen carefully. Humility helps you learn from your mistakes, ask questions when you do not understand, and pursue help when confused. Humility prompts you to study because you do not assume you have mastered all the material the first time.

2. Perseverance – The school year is more like a marathon than a sprint. It requires you to work hard day after day, night after night. Perseverance enables you to be diligent over the long run and to pace yourself throughout the year. It helps you work hard and do your part as you trust God for help.

3. Faithfulness – Faithfulness means doing your best in the time that you have. Is God more pleased with an A or a B? Neither, God measures our faithfulness. Do we come prepared for class, do we listen carefully and take good notes, do we review our notes and study, do we seek to understand the concepts and not just get the homework done, do we keep track of all the details and stay organized. These all relate to faithfulness.

4. Long-term thinking – Christians need to be always thinking about God’s will for their lives. Students need to see today as a chance to prepare for the future calling God has for them. Learning isn’t just for today. It will affect us as husbands & fathers, wives & mothers, members of our local church, and our influence in the workplace & our neighborhood. We are to be stewards of the gifts God has entrusted to us.

These are just four qualities that come to my mind. What are some that come to your’s?

Living All Out for God

2006-10-13T07:23:00.000-04:00

Psalm 119:1-2 says, “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart.”

Psalm 119 contains 176 verses about the importance and power of the Word of God. Without question the Psalmist loves God’s Holy Word and calls us to know it, love it, and live it. Blessings flow from God to the man who walks according to the law of God. He honors those who know and keep his testimonies.

The last phrase of verse two catches my eye, “who seek him with their whole heart.” God blesses those who seek him with all of their heart. But what does this look like? What does it mean to seek God with your whole heart?

Yesterday I attended a varsity boys soccer game where my school’s unbeaten team was competing against the only other unbeaten team in the league. #1 and #2 were meeting to determine who would be regular season champion and get the #1 seed in the playoffs. They guys on my team, and just about everyone at school, had been talking about the game for almost a week. The players thought about the game, planned for it, practiced for it, and looked forward with great excitement. Then they played with all their heart and strength, battling for every loose ball, jumping for every high cross, sprinting to beat the other team on a break. Despite losing 1 to 2, they prepared and played with their whole heart.

I think this gives us a good picture of what it looks like to seek God with our whole heart. We need to think regularly about him, talk frequently about him, prepare ourselves for his service, and live all out for him. We need to think about his character and ways, we need to talk about his working in our lives with our friends and family, we need to pursue him daily by reading his word, we need to serve those around us who are in need, we need to worship him as Lord over every part of our life and every part of our world.

The varsity guys are already looking forward to the playoffs and an opportunity for a rematch with the #1 team. They’ll be seeking a championship and play with renewed focus.

Let’s commit today to seek God with our whole heart.

Why Obey?

2006-10-11T07:17:00.001-04:00

Do you obey the authority in your life – your parents, teachers, coaches, pastors? What percent of the time – 75%, 90%, 95%?

Okay, now for the hard question: Why do you obey? Pause and reflect upon the thinking behind your obedience, your reason you comply, your motivation to do what is right.

Some individuals obey their parents to make sure they get their weekly allowance. Others are motivated to keep some of the “toys” they have – cell phone, video games, car. Some want to avoid discipline, such as being grounded, not being able to go out with friends, or limited television privileges. Others want to be praised and seek public recognition for their public obedience. Some truly want to honor their parents and please the Lord.

As you can see the motives of our hearts can vary greatly when it comes to obedience. In fact, our motives are at best mixed – both good and bad.

If your parents are involved in your life, they probably faithfully discipline you when you do wrong. As a result, avoidance of discipline can be a primary motivator for many of us. But, remember that some day you will move out of you house, be on your own, and no longer be under the direct oversight of your parents. What will motivate you do then?

We need to be motivated by a deep desire to please God. This is the mindset and attitude that will equip us for life. We will never move out of God’s domain. We will always be under his authority and rule.

We need a healthy dose of the fear of the Lord. Knowing his character and ways, we need to respect his holiness, power, and rule. Remembering he is always present and just, will shape our decisions. Knowing he calls us to be holy because he is holy will inspire us to obey his Word. Understanding his commands and the love behind each of his commands will encourage us to trust his way as we obey.

Why do you obey? At the least I hope you are thinking more about this subject. Talk it over with a godly friend or with your parents. What would they say motivates you?

True Joy

2006-09-22T08:43:00.000-04:00

My cable company recently sent a pamphlet to me. The title on the front says, “Happiness is only a power button away.”

This is quite a promise: happiness when I turn on my TV and cable box, joy when I watch my favorite sports team, contentment when I catch the latest installment of a sitcom, happiness when I catch a movie, joy when I see the latest reality show, etc…

My cable company promises something that they cannot deliver, yet they do describe a lie that I have often embraced. They cannot deliver true, lasting happiness, nor can I find the source of joy through my TV. I will not find enduring joy in any one of the 70 or more channels I can surf. I will not find soul-satisfying pleasure and contentment from anyone except the living God.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus encourages us to find joy in obedience to him (John 15:11) and consider trials to be joyful (James 1:2). God gifts us great gifts to bless us: material blessings, wonderful friendships, closeness with siblings, a spouse, children, etc. Joy may come through a variety of means, but the source of joy is the God who gives each of every good thing.

God may be glorified, and should be glorified, through the television programs we watch. He can feed our hearts and increase our joy in him through a quality program. But remember that happiness is a matter of our hearts and not just simply the result of turning on the power button to our TV. It isn’t found in the new car we get, the clothes we wear, the friends we hang out with, or the boy friend or girl friend we want.

Look around at the advertisements on TV, in magazines, or on websites. Observe the messages of the marketing pros. They want us to think we will find happiness in things. But don’t believe the lie. Recognize the false message and reject it. Look to God for true and lasting joy.

Rich Christians?

2006-09-15T07:23:00.000-04:00

Does God want all Christians to be wealthy? Does salvation change the heart and lead to financial prosperity?

The cover story of the September 18, 2006 edition of Time magazine talks about a growing emphasis on financial prosperity in some churches.

Have you ever thought about this?

Take a few minutes to check out Dr. Al Mohler’s comments on the Time article. As usual, Dr. Mohler addresses the heart of the matter and provides biblical insights that should shape our thinking and our heart attitude towards God and money.

…and by the way, God does not promise financial riches, but he does promise spiritual riches and the presence of the Holy Spirit, which are far, far greater!

The Word & Friendships

2006-09-13T07:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we looked at Hebrews 4:12 and discussed how Scripture is a living and active tool that God has given us to shape our lives. Today I want to look at one verse and use Scripture to begin to shape how we view friendships.

Proverbs 13:20 states, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

The book of Proverbs contains general principles that apply to life. This particular verse addresses our friends and companions. It makes the simple point that our friends influence us. We may be inclined to think we are strong and we influence those around us, but the reality is that more often than not our friends influence us.

We begin to dress like those around us, like the same bands that our friends like, play the same sports our friends like, watch the movie that the group wants to see, and enter into the discussion the group is having.

The issue isn’t whether or not our friends influence us, but instead the types of friends we have. We can control the individuals we chose to hang out with. We can focus on spending time with friends from work, or friends from church, or friends from school, or friends from our sports team.

Take a minute and think about your closest friends. With whom do you spend the most time? Picture their faces, your topics of conversation, and the activities you commonly do with them.

Now comes the hard part: Would you classify them as wise or foolish?

Scripture is clear: the companion of the wise become wise and the companion of the fool will suffer harm. Let this truth pierce you thoughts, your motives, and your actions and today consider what it means to pursue wise friends.

The Living & Active Word of God

2006-09-12T07:19:00.000-04:00

Hebrews 4:12 states, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

How do you view Scripture? What is your mindset towards the Bible? Do you view it like the author of Hebrews does? Let’s consider this verse and let it shape the way we approach the Word.

The Word is from God, Lord Most High. It is living and active and has a real affect on the life of the reader. It is sharp and penetrating and separates truth from error and right from wrong. It is discerning and evaluates our motives and out thoughts.

The Bible isn’t like all the other books on our bookshelf. Does Shakespeare make claims like this? Does Mark Twain describe his works like this? The Bible makes unique and powerful claims regarding its purpose and nature because it is unique.

The Bible isn’t an irrelevant, old book written in the first century A.D. It is alive and has a purpose for shaping our lives today. Use it to evaluate your heart. Examine what it says and measure your thoughts by its standards. Read it to discern God’s will for your life. It is active, meant to be active, and forever will be active in the heart of a genuine Christian.

Let’s commit to daily read our Bibles with anticipation that God will shape us through his Word.

Heavenly Care

2006-08-31T07:16:00.000-04:00

Psalm 68:19 says, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.”

Every day we have a new set of challenges, obligations, and work to complete, and more often than not we face more than we can accomplish before the day is over. We need the help of others, but more than anything else, we need God to bear us up as the psalmist describes.

We have a sovereign Lord who controls all. We have an omniscient Father who knows everything. We have an omnipotent God who is all powerful. And he knows and loves us personally, ready and able to care for us in our daily burdens.

He gives us peace as we see the mounting tasks ahead. He gives us joy despite the hard work we face and the challenges we encounter. He gives us strength and perseverance to complete all that we can. He surrounds us with people who will encourage and support us – our parents, godly friends, pastors, and teachers.

We need to form a mindset and a heart attitude that looks to God for our strength while we are faithful to work hard and do our part. We need to lean on his understanding instead of our own. We need to trust his ways and seek to follow them.

I believe this mindset and heart attitude is most reflected (or not reflected) in our prayer life. Do you regularly pray, looking to God for help? Do you lift up your daily needs and commitments to him? Do you start your day with a declaration of your need for the Holy Spirit to be at work in your heart and life? Do you praise God for daily bearing your burdens?

Let’s commit today to look up to our Lord who provides heavenly care for his sons and daughters. And let’s praise him for daily bearing us up.

Christ Backward, Upward, and Forward

2006-08-30T07:27:00.000-04:00

In the book Practical Religion J.C. Ryle states, “The ancient Christians made it a part of their religion to look for His [Christ’s] return. Backward they looked to the cross for the atonement for sin, and rejoiced in Christ crucified. Upward they looked to Christ at the right hand of God, and rejoiced in Christ interceding. Forward they looked to the promised return of their Master, and rejoiced in the thought that they would see Him again. And we ought to do the same.”

Christ backward, Christ upward, Christ forward should be the motto of every Christian.

Christ backward – Jesus’ sinless life, death on the cross, resurrection from the dead, and ascension into heaven comprise the glorious and powerful gospel message. Those who believe it and place their faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning work will be saved, their hearts made new.

Christ upward – Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and intercedes for us. This is amazing! The living Son of God speaks on our behalf, pleading before the Father for us. There could be no better person for the task of knowing us – our needs, motives, desires, pleas.

Christ forward – Almost all of us will meet Christ within the next 80 years. We will either pass away and meet him in heaven, or we will witness his second coming. Looking forward to the day when we come face to face with Christ should motivate us to life for him now and look forward with anticipation to that glorious moment.

Look backward today and see your Savior and his atoning work on the cross for you. Look upward today and praise him for interceding for you. Look forward to the day you will see him face to face. Let Christ backward, Christ upward, and Christ forward be the cry of your heart.

Real Faith

2006-08-23T09:07:00.000-04:00

This summer I have been reading Practical Religion by J.C. Ryle. J.C. Ryle lived from 1816-1900 and was a pastor in England. Despite the simple and bland title, “Practical Religion,” this book is profound and pierces the heart.

In the third chapter of his book, Ryle focuses on the difference between real religion and unreal religion – the difference between genuine faith and fake faith. He ends the chapter with five ways to evaluate your faith and determine if it is real or not. Here they are in my own words:

1. Does your faith flow out of your inner most being? It isn’t enough for your faith to just be on your lips, or thoughts in your mind, or emotional feelings. The Holy Spirit must be in your heart.
2. What is your view of sin? Genuine faith will always take sin seriously – as a grievous offense to our Holy God.
3. What is your view of Christ? Real faith glories in Christ as the Son of God, Savior, and Redeemer without whom we have no hope.
4. What is the fruit of your faith? Real Christianity always shows itself in godly thoughts, words, and actions that flow from the heart.
5. What are your thoughts and habits towards public prayer, worship, and preaching and towards private Bible study, prayer, and worship? Genuine faith demonstrates itself in a person’s desire to pursue and praise God in public and private ways.

There is such a think as false assurance – believing you are saved even though you are not. Please take some time to consider the five questions above. There is a difference between real and fake faith, and it is imperative that we evaluate ourselves.

Finishing Strong

2006-08-22T07:23:00.000-04:00

Scholars believe the book of II Timothy is Paul’s last letter, written while in a Roman prison awaiting trial and probably death. This context helps us understand the urgency and importance of the letter. Paul loves Timothy as a son and wants to communicate some closing remarks and ask Timothy to come see him as soon as possible.

In II Timothy 4:7-8 Paul states, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

Paul knows his days are numbered, and he is reflecting on his life and faith. He sets a great example for us in how to live and to finish strong. We need to follow his example and fight the good fight of the Christian life. We need to finish the race – the many years ahead of us where we can live all out for Christ. We need to keep the faith and passionately follow our Lord all the days of our life.

We do this because our triune God – Father, Son & Holy Spirit – is glorious, gracious, and loving. He first loved us and is worthy of our love. He awakened our hearts and desires the full attention of our hearts. He is all-wise and all-knowing and should be the main focus our thoughts.

And at the same time, we can look forward to “the crown of righteousness” that our Lord will award us on the day we meet him. There is great reward for the Christian – in this life and especially in the future when we are with God in heaven.

How are you currently fighting the faith? Are your determined to run the race all out for God? Are you committed to finishing strong? Are you faithfully praying for help from the Holy Spirit to do this and to keep the faith?

God’s Word

2006-08-21T07:32:00.000-04:00

II Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (ESV)

How do you view the Bible? How does it shape they way you live?

If you are like me you probably have ten or more Bibles in your house and have read through most of the Bible many different times. You know the layout of the Bible, the stories of the Bible, and the facts presented in it. You believe godly men penned the Bible, and you know God helped them write it. Yet knowing the contents and background of the Bible are very different than letting it shape your heart, your thoughts, and your actions.

II Timothy 3:16-17 inspires me to more deeply treasure the Word of God. It is very words of God. He truly inspired the 40 different men who wrote various books of the Bible. He placed the words into their minds as they sat down to write or dictate the pages of the Holy Scripture. When I view my Bible as “breathed out by God,” I approach it with reverent awe, expectancy, and humility.

The Word of God has a purpose for our lives – teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness. It isn’t a quaint book for decorating a bookshelf or coffee table. It is a guidebook for the Christian life. It navigates our motives and speaks to our hearts. It describes the world we live in and the temptations we will face. It outlines the laws of God, which protect us and hem us in. It describes our triune God – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And in all of this, it teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, and trains us, making us more like Christ.

For what purpose? The verse ends by describing the man of God who is “competent, equipped for every good work.” The NIV version states it this way, “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” God has a calling for each of us. The Word of God makes us competent and thoroughly equipped for the calling.

How can you let the Word of God equip you today?

Teen Testimonies

2006-07-04T12:31:00.000-04:00

In June, teens from First Baptist Church in Beaumont, Texas studied Growing Up Christian with their pastor, Justin Childers. The teens then sent me their thoughts regarding the book, which blew me away. Thanks guys!

Here are their comments::

Thanks for helping me in Growing Up Christian. It was the most inspirational book I have ever read. Bree F.

Thanks for writing Growing Up Christian. It helped me realize what I have been taking for granted. I just want to say thank you. Toria D.

This is a great book you took very deep thought and made them understandable at the teenage level not many books are like that. Thank you very much. Rachel M.

Hey man! (Karl) I am really liking the book. Its making me think about stuff ya know, which usually doesn’t happen, so anywho, thanks a lot. Dustin M.

Hey Karl, I really appreciate you writing this book, I really understand how growing up in a Christian home can be a blessing and dangerous at the same time. You have really covered some deep things that make me think a lot. Thanks again for writing this book. Allison C.

Hey Karl! Thank-you so much for writing this book! It’s really helped me understand things like humbleness & being thankful for being able to grow up Christian! I’ve never really thought about some of this stuff before! Thanks again! Lauren D.

Hey Karl, I want to thank you for writing that great book! It opened my eyes to look at everything as a blessing and that it is in God’s hands. Also, it made me think about how serious sin really is. I should battle sin and repent to live a life that is according to the Bible. Thanks for everything. Clint G.

eHey Hi Karl, I want to thank you for making this book. My favorite things in the book was ch. 10 out of all the chapters it was my favorite why because I was more talkative in this chapter then all of them the other thing is that I didn’t even know that loving the world was a sin thank you for putting that in the book I have been more careful about the things that I love in this world. You have been the best author out of all the devotion books that I have ever read. I have even been watching everything God has blessed me with I have been more thankful and I have been more humble. Well thank you and God bless you. Hannah A.

Correction

2006-07-02T15:31:00.000-04:00

I recently became aware of a mistake in the opening story of chapter 7, which is the story of Jeff Matovic and the remarkable medical procedure that helped him overcome the Tourette Syndrome he suffered from for most of his life.

Below is the letter I sent to Jeff and Debra Matovic on June 24th. It expresses my respect for them, my regret for referring to their marriage as “on the rocks,” and the plan to change the wording in future printings.

Karl

Dear Jeff and Debra,

I first saw your story on Good Morning America, and I was deeply moved. I am so glad that the DBS surgery was successful and you can now do the many things so many of us take for granted.

Debra, thank you for taking the time to call me this week and sharing your concerns about the wording used in describing Jeff’s story and your marriage in chapter 7 of my book. It took great courage to call, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you as well for clarifying that your marriage has always been strong.

Although I do not know you personally, I respect you both for the way you have endured significant trials. Please know that I in no way intended to harm you or your reputation. I apologize for referring to your marriage as “on the rocks”, and I am truly sorry that this phrase was included in the story.

P&R Publishing has agreed to change the wording in future printings. I also plan to post a comment on my website, and I plan to provide a link to your future book when it is available on Amazon.com.

I trust that as people read future copies of your book and mine, they will look to you both as heroes who have endured physical trials, promoted the needs of those with Tourette Syndrome, and demonstrated great love and commitment to each other.

Sincerely,

Karl Graustein

Tested and Approved in Christ

2006-06-22T07:18:00.000-04:00

In the closing chapter of Romans, Paul takes time to greet many individuals. Just names to us, but individuals Paul carried on his heart.

In the first part of verse 10, Paul states, “Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ.” This is the only time Apelles in mentioned in Scripture, and Paul describes him as “tested and approved in Christ.” This is a high complement, something I desire for myself and all Christians.

I teach Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus at my Christian school, and at the end of the year my students take a thorough and challenging Calculus exam. It takes them over three hours to complete the exam, which assesses their knowledge of all areas of Calculus I. When my students get their scores, they are declared tested and approved to get college credit for Calculus I or tested and not approved for credit. They endure a test and a judgment is made about their individual qualifications.

With Apelles, we are not told anything about his test, but we are clearly told by the Apostle Paul that Apelles was approved in Christ. He may have been faithfully laboring in the Roman church, enduring persecution, caring for the sick and needy, or preaching the gospel. Whatever he was doing, he proved to be a devoted follower of Christ.

Have you been tested and approved in Christ? When you go through a particularly challenging week, like final exam week at school, you are being tested. Did you rely upon God for help and endurance during the time? Did you pray to him seeking to lean on his wisdom and strength instead of your own? Did you prove to be a faithful steward of your time and gifts? Did you see how God used this time to refine you, to make you more complete? Are you a stronger Christian as a result?

The tests we face can be small or large, but they do reveal the state of our hearts. If they reveal impatience, anger, jealousy, or laziness in our hearts we have work to do. If they reveal a heart that patiently endures, trusts in God, and understands our limitations, we have much to rejoice in.

Remember, we don’t earn our salvation by what we do or how we respond to trials. Salvation is by faith alone; once saved, always saved. But we are all at different places in our walks with God and our growing as a Christian. Tests, trials, and challenging situations reveal where we are at and can identify sins we need to repent of and practices we need to grow in.

Let’s strive to be like Apelles, who was “tested and approved in Christ.”

Sin or God?

2006-06-02T06:52:00.000-04:00

Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Total opposites – death and life, bad and good, destruction and blessing. This verse makes is clear that the choice to pursue sin or pursue God has two completely different outcomes.

The wages of sin are damnation. When we live in a way that gives attention and effort to the desires of our hearts, we store up for ourselves the wrath of our holy God. Although this is natural for us, we are accountable for every sin we commit. We deserve death and separation from God for just one of our many sins.

“But” is a glorious word in the Bible. In this passage it contrasts death and life – the sinful life and the life lived by faith in Christ.

But God gave us an incredible gift in Jesus Christ our Savior. He provided a way out of our sins and a solution to the problem within each or our hearts. He sent his only Son to live a sinless life, to die on the cross, to bear the full wrath of God for our sins, and to rise from the dead. Through faith in Christ we are credited with his righteousness and can approach our holy God. Ultimately, our relationship with the Lord is restored, and we can anticipate eternity with him in heaven.

Thank you Lord for providing a way out of our natural sinful state, which leads us all to death. Thank you for sending your Son to die for us. Thank you for the glorious gift you provide to us if we believe in you. Help us to rejoice in our salvation and long for heaven – eternity with you.

The Test of Prosperity

2006-05-17T07:13:00.000-04:00

Hosea 10:1, “Israel was a spreading vine; he brought forth fruit for himself. As his fruit increased, he built more altars; as his land prospered, he adorned his sacred stones.”

As Israel prospered more and more, they turned further and further from God. They failed to see that God was the source of every good thing that had happened to them, and they seemed to look to themselves and false gods instead of the true God.

Have you ever considered prosperity to be a test? It is easy to see how a trial is a test of our faith or perseverance, but we often overlook the tests we experience when things are going well.

When our basketball team wins the league championship, we have a test of our pride. Will we give the glory to God? Will we honor our teammates and coach? Or will we promote ourselves and boast of our individual accomplishments?

When we get our first car, we have a test of responsibility. Will we be wise on the road? Will we honor God in the music we listen to and the conversation we have while in the car? Will we use the car to serve others or serve ourselves?

When we get into the college we have always dreamed of attending, we have a test of stewardship. Will we seek to develop our gifts and our mind to the glory of God or to the glory of ourselves? If we are going away to school, will we get quickly involved in a local church and Christian organizations on campus?

When things go well, we can get comfortable. When everything falls into place, we can assume we can take it easy. But instead of taking prosperity for granted, we need to see the opportunity God provides us in these times. Will we be grateful to him? Will we be others-focus? Will we use our prosperity to help others?

Let’s pray for prosperity for each of us, but let’s even more strongly pray that we will pass the test of prosperity when it comes.

The Faithful Holy One

2006-05-10T07:22:00.000-04:00

Hosea 11:12 refers to God as the “faithful Holy One.”

Do you know God’s faithfulness? Do you know it in your head as a truth? Have you experienced it in your life? Have you embraced it in your heart?

Scripture says that God uses suffering to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5), yet in the midst of suffering it can feel like God has forgotten us. Therefore we need to prepare now for the future trials we will encounter. We need to drill into our heads the reality of our faithful God who will never leave us nor forsake us (Joshua 1:5). Then when trials come we will be ruled by truth instead of our feelings. We will be comforted but the truth of God ever with us instead of overwhelmed by our current situation.

Ironically, when trials have passed we can look back and see God at work at every step along the way. Although we tend to not be faithful to him, he is always faithful to us. He uses these types of situations to humble us and to make us complete (James 1:4). He reminds us of our weakness and his strength. Ultimately he equips us for future situations we will encounter. He is a faithful God!

Hosea also refers to God as the “Holy One.” He is unique and separate and above all. He is sinless and pure. He delights in righteous, holy living, and he calls us to be holy because he is holy (Lev. 11:44-45). He can have nothing to do with sinners or sin, except punish sinners and pour out his wrath on them due to their sin.

The holiness of God should prompt us to fear him. He is so far above us we cannot fully understand it. And when we consider our natural sinful state, we should tremble at the wrath of God we deserve.

Yet our faithful God is faithful when we are not. Our holy God has provided a solution to our sinful state. In love, he sent his only Son to the earth to die in our place. Jesus became the perfect sacrifice on the cross. He bore the full wrath of God for us. When we place our faith in the finished work of Christ, God grants us the righteousness of Christ in the place of our sin. What an amazing exchange! Jesus takes our sin and we are given his righteousness!!!

So today, let’s remember that our God is the faithful Holy One.

An Unwise Exchange

2006-05-04T06:56:00.000-04:00

The book of Hosea details the unfaithfulness of the nation of Israel and describes the punishment of God. All the while, God’s faithfully loves the Israelites despite their rejection of the one true God.

Hosea 4:7 states, “The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful.”

This verse paints the picture of the Israelites, and I believe serves as a warning for us today.

Despite more spiritual leaders (priests), the Israelites sinned even more. They exchanged the glory of God and the worship of the one and only God for something else. They gave up the best and pursue disgrace. They gave up first class to travel by foot. They gave up true riches for poverty and shame.

Where do we exchange the glory of God for something far less? How does this passage apply to us today?

This week I saw the headline of an article that said Internet use can lead to self-destructive behavior. The article focused on one particular self-destructive behavior, but I see how it leads to many. Hours spent surfing can lead to a neglect of important relationships. Sitting in front of a computer for countless hours can result in poor physical health. The ever present temptation to view inappropriate images can lead down a slippery slope into more and more sin. Joining exclusive Internet groups (like MySpace) can lead to gossip and compromise. The Internet is one arena where we have the potential to either glorify God or exchange his glory for a disgraceful lie.

What are other areas? Here are a few: athletics, musical gifts, friends, money, music, friends, movies, cars, girl friends or boy friends, sleep, etc… Is there any area in your life that you have exchanged the glory of God for something less? Is there any aspect of your life where you pursue something or someone to the neglect of God?

If you are like me, you will easily identify multiple areas of compromise? Due to our natural sinful nature, we will worship ourselves, our possessions, or our friends when we should be worshiping God. The first step in change is to confess to God our sin and experience his wonderful forgiveness and power to change. Then talk about this with someone wiser and more godly than you – a parent, pastor, or godly friend. Explain your situation and ask for help.

Let’s commit today to hold fast to the glory of our God. Let’s strive to pursue him first and foremost. Let’s aim to never exchange his glory for something or someone else.

Much to Rejoice About

2006-04-29T15:37:00.000-04:00

Isaiah 60:10 states, “I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Do you rejoice greatly in the Lord? Deep down within you, do you delight in God?

When our basketball team wins a big game, we shout with joy. When we earn an A on a science test, we smile with sincere delight. When we pick up our paycheck, we take pride in the fruit of our labor. Joy, delight, and rejoicing are often the result of something done to us or by us.

Isaiah speaks of the greatest event that can ever happen to a person – our great salvation brought by the finished work of Jesus Christ. Although we were sinful from birth, Christ came to earth to save us. He lived a sinless life and died on the cross, bearing the full wrath of God in our place. When we believe in Christ, God grant’s to us the righteousness of Christ – he sees us as if we have never sinned. We have been robed in the righteousness of Christ. How amazing! How wonderful!

What is our response to this astounding news! Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, in our loving heavenly Father and in our selfless Savior. Delight that through his work on the cross we are no longer alienated from God, but instead we have been adopted into the family of God.

We truly do have much to rejoice about!

Heart & Actions

2006-04-18T07:23:00.000-04:00

In Mark 7 Jesus corrected the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. He made it clear that their hearts were far from pleasing to God, even though they said things that appeared to be godly. Jesus knew their thoughts and motives, and he rebuked them for acting godly but lacking godliness of heart.

Over and over in the gospels, Jesus corrected the Pharisees – the respected, religious leaders of the day. Despite their position as spiritual leaders and their attempts to follow the law, Jesus expressed his displeasure in them. Why did Jesus feel this way about this group, a group that would have been revered by Jews in Israel?

I believe it is because Jesus is much more concerned about our hearts than our actions. This doesn’t mean he overlooks our actions, but it does mean that he first and primarily is concerned for our hearts. Do we desire to please God? Do we want to follow his ways? Do we yearn to live for him? Do we seek to honor him in all our words and actions? Do we have a genuine love for him? Have our hearts been transformed and regenerated by the truth of the gospel?

A person doesn’t become a Christian by simply acting like a Christian. We cannot earn our salvation just by deciding to speak like a Christian and behave like a Christian. Ultimately, we cannot get right with God and please him simply by doing good things or speaking in a godly manner. We need our hearts transformed from stone to flesh – unbelieving to believing in him.

Once our hearts are regenerated, we can and should expect to see godly thoughts, words, and deeds in our lives – not to earn salvation but the fruits of salvation. A changed heart leads to fruit that is pleasing and honoring to God.

Growing up in a Christian home, we can easily be focused mostly on our words and actions. Our parents and church have specific rules and expectations. We can learn to talk like a Christian and act like a Christian simply because of what we see around us. We can even act this way to try to avoid disciple or correction. We can learn to live the Christian and fail to examine our hearts.

But what a shame it would be for us to learn to live like a Christian but not be a Christian at heart. We need to make sure we know and love Jesus personally. We need to examine our hearts to make sure we have genuine affections for Christ and desire to live all of life for him. We need to pause and examine our hearts to see if we possess true, saving faith.

Let’s learn from the mistake of the Pharisees and let the challenge Jesus gave them pierce our hearts. Let’s learn to focus first on our hearts and look for godly fruit in our lives to follow.