Sometimes it's ok to take a break and simply laugh. God made us with a sense of humor. Enjoy.
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2Co 4:6 ESV)
Friday, January 15, 2010
Tim Hawkins - Things you don't say to your wife (simply funny)
I will probably be in trouble for this one. Oh well. I couldn't resist a little break from the studies on the church to simply have a chuckle.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Does Your Church Look Like This?
From Thabiti Anyabwile's blog 'Pure Church' five related articles on how mere the church was and yet so full of power.
Does Your Church Look Like This?
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Does Your Church Look Like This?
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The Mereness of Church: Her Singing
From Pure Church another excellent article The Mereness of Church: Her Singing
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The Mereness of Church: Its Mission
From Pure Church I found this article on a subject that has been near and dear to my heart of late. I continue to be concerned and pray for today's church. The Mereness of Church: Its Mission
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Monday, January 11, 2010
He Was No Fool
One of my favorite missionary biographies is the story of Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint, and Roger Youderian who were martyred in Ecuador, killed by the Wadoni Indians (then known as the Auca Indians). January 8th was the 58th anniversary of this incident. The story of how the Auca (Wuaorani) indians later responded to the Gospel is wonderful demonstration of God's power. The stories by both Elisabeth Elliot and Steve Saint are compelling and marvelously inspirational reads. If you want to read a riveting historical account of a true missionary story these books and the videos based upon them will definitely bless you. Pick them up at your favorite book store or look for them at your public library.
You may want to read:
Through Gates of Splendor - by Elisabeth Elliot (the widow of Jim Elliot) or Beyond Gates of Splendor by Steve Saint (the son of Nate Saint) or The End of The Spear by Steve Saint.
More about Jim Elliot can be found in this post from Justin Taylor- He Was No Fool
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Sunday, January 10, 2010
Quote of the day
Since God gives grace and strength
through fellowship, without fellowship you will be a spiritual
weakling, fantasizing in private about your spiritual prowess, but
powerless when it really counts.” (Donald Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines Within The Church p. 153).
through fellowship, without fellowship you will be a spiritual
weakling, fantasizing in private about your spiritual prowess, but
powerless when it really counts.” (Donald Whitney - Spiritual Disciplines Within The Church p. 153).
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Good Mystery- By Mike T.
I love a good mystery. A good writer will craft a story that cleverly shares little by little the pieces of a puzzle and brief glimpses of some hidden truth. They keep you seeking more clues and guessing till the end when the truth is finally revealed. They finally tie together all of the fragments that by themselves could only lead to speculation and guessing and a partial deduction of the actual truth. In the end the mystery is revealed and it all makes perfect sense.
In a similar vain the Old Testament presented a mystery. God revealed Himself through the Old Testament prophets. But in some ways a carefully crafted story was being presented and brief glimpses and foreshadows laid the foundation for what one day would be fully explained. In the New Testament what could not be fully understood is fully tied together. The mystery is revealed and makes perfect sense.
It is the answer to this great mystery that works its way out in the pages of the Bible that the church exists to tell. There is a message that it is charged to deliver, to preserve and hold dear. Paul takes this message seriously. In Colosians he states that God assigned him to be a steward of this truth. He struggled and toiled with all his energy for this very message.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
(Col 1:24-29 ESV)
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
(1Ti 3:14-16 ESV)
At the center of this message is how Jesus Christ makes it possible for God's people to be presented mature, holy and godly. It is here that the church often fails to recognize and proclaim what is most basic and important. We must remember that godliness is only possible for sinful people through the intervention of God through the Cross. Why is so much of what we proclaim to the world have nothing to do with this message? We have a great truth. The mystery has been revealed and all of the pieces fit together. There is no other means that the church can present people that will be mature and holy. It all goes back to what God has done for us on our behalf in Christ on the cross of calvary. A living God has worked out a great plan through all of eternity and established the church to be a pillar and buttress of the truth. Simply put that means to support and hold up and bear the load and weight of the gospel. We must make sure that our message to the world begins and ends in this great mystery. Then we will begin to see people changed and respond to the Gospel.
In a similar vain the Old Testament presented a mystery. God revealed Himself through the Old Testament prophets. But in some ways a carefully crafted story was being presented and brief glimpses and foreshadows laid the foundation for what one day would be fully explained. In the New Testament what could not be fully understood is fully tied together. The mystery is revealed and makes perfect sense.
It is the answer to this great mystery that works its way out in the pages of the Bible that the church exists to tell. There is a message that it is charged to deliver, to preserve and hold dear. Paul takes this message seriously. In Colosians he states that God assigned him to be a steward of this truth. He struggled and toiled with all his energy for this very message.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.
(Col 1:24-29 ESV)
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
(1Ti 3:14-16 ESV)
At the center of this message is how Jesus Christ makes it possible for God's people to be presented mature, holy and godly. It is here that the church often fails to recognize and proclaim what is most basic and important. We must remember that godliness is only possible for sinful people through the intervention of God through the Cross. Why is so much of what we proclaim to the world have nothing to do with this message? We have a great truth. The mystery has been revealed and all of the pieces fit together. There is no other means that the church can present people that will be mature and holy. It all goes back to what God has done for us on our behalf in Christ on the cross of calvary. A living God has worked out a great plan through all of eternity and established the church to be a pillar and buttress of the truth. Simply put that means to support and hold up and bear the load and weight of the gospel. We must make sure that our message to the world begins and ends in this great mystery. Then we will begin to see people changed and respond to the Gospel.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Family of God and Prayer
This week I have witnessed God working first hand to answer prayer. In my own life I have seen a prayer answered in an unexpected way as God clearly opened up a door that had been closed for a long while. Today at church a young man gave testimony to the power of the Gospel to give us strength during trials. God never walks away from us even when we try to walk away from Him. Jesus Christ still changes lives and the Gospel still turns sinners from sin.
As I have been reflecting on the church this week the concept of the church as the household of God kept appearing in my studies. The great and marvelous fact that God has adopted us into His marvelous family with Jesus Christ as the head and we his sons and daughters. The church is indeed a family and like a family must care for and support one another. When one hurts, all hurt. When one rejoices, all rejoice. Today we have rejoiced together celebrating the blessing of a young man who has returned to his family. The church is a family. Let us continue to pray for one another. God hears the prayers of his children and answers them. Praise God!!!!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Church's Great Message - By Mike T.
I have been blessed today with a study of the Church that has brought to light many common themes that appear in Scripture. Some of what I learned today is:
* Christ established the church with His blood. The church is His Bride and Treasure.
* The Church is the assembly of the Living God where He is present.
* The Church is the household of God.
* The Church is charged with preserving and proclaiming the Gospel.
* God has placed us in this family. He has chosen and adopted us as sons and daughters to an inheritance in Christ.
* God is present and we meet Him in the church.
* Christ is the head, builder, foundation and sustainer of the Church.
* The Church is to proclaim the truth of God that is the Gospel which is the Treasure of the Church.
* The Church calles the people of God to holiness.
The theme that I want to commend to you today is the church's message as found in scripture. 1 Peter reminds us that the church is responsible to 'proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness." That is Jesus Christ.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9 ESV)
Some other New Testament verses with a similar theme include Eph 3:10, Col 1:24-29 and 1 Tim 3:14-16. All these verses emphasize that the church has a unique and special truth that no other institution can offer. This truth, this message, this Gospel that the church proclaims and witnesses to is that by which we are saved and become the assembly of the LIVING GOD.
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Eph 3:10 ESV)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Col 1:24-29 ESV)
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
(1Ti 3:14-16 ESV)
Take some time to study the message of the church proclaimed in these and other New Testament verses. Then begin to look at the other themes that were found at the top of this post.
* Christ established the church with His blood. The church is His Bride and Treasure.
* The Church is the assembly of the Living God where He is present.
* The Church is the household of God.
* The Church is charged with preserving and proclaiming the Gospel.
* God has placed us in this family. He has chosen and adopted us as sons and daughters to an inheritance in Christ.
* God is present and we meet Him in the church.
* Christ is the head, builder, foundation and sustainer of the Church.
* The Church is to proclaim the truth of God that is the Gospel which is the Treasure of the Church.
* The Church calles the people of God to holiness.
The theme that I want to commend to you today is the church's message as found in scripture. 1 Peter reminds us that the church is responsible to 'proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness." That is Jesus Christ.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9 ESV)
Some other New Testament verses with a similar theme include Eph 3:10, Col 1:24-29 and 1 Tim 3:14-16. All these verses emphasize that the church has a unique and special truth that no other institution can offer. This truth, this message, this Gospel that the church proclaims and witnesses to is that by which we are saved and become the assembly of the LIVING GOD.
so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Eph 3:10 ESV)
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. (Col 1:24-29 ESV)
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
(1Ti 3:14-16 ESV)
Take some time to study the message of the church proclaimed in these and other New Testament verses. Then begin to look at the other themes that were found at the top of this post.
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