Recently I was in a group session at a Christian conference that was focused on "God". "God" took on many names - some Biblical and some from other religions. After writing out all the names on the chalkboard, we began to call out character traits that we attached to "God". The group had varied responses. I was genuinely curious to see how this session would turn out because the speaker was called a Christian. As it progressed the ideas about "God" presented by the speaker were not Biblically accurate although there was a bit of truth in there. My daughters and I sat in that room amazed at what we were hearing.
As I shared in an earlier post, we are studying through I John. John was writing to the church in response to the gnosticism that was infiltrating the church from within. What a timely study for us and how soon we were exposed to false teaching! With our I John study is a DVD to watch after each lesson - we watched that DVD 3 days after we had this experience. Several times we stopped the DVD and had quite animated conversations. How grateful I am that we have been in the Word together and that we recognized the errant things that we heard.
I share this because truth is from the Word of God and if we do not dig in to the Word of God, we will not know truth. We will be easily deceived. Our minds and spirits are quickened by the Holy Spirit as we meditate on the Word daily. It's a lot like training for a marathon: runners must run every day, eat the right diet, and stay on their training circuit in order to be able to successfully complete the marathon. As true believers we must run the race every day, feed on the Word of God, and stay on course (the narrow path) in order to successfully complete the race set before us. Let's put on our running shoes and diligently run after truth!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Set apart for His good purpose
This past Sunday morning in our adult fellowship group our teacher talked about how we have been chosen for a purpose (Ephesians 1:3-6). For what purpose? To be holy and blameless before Him, to be conformed to the image of His Son, and to bring Him glory.
While we are positionally sanctified in the eyes of God at the point of salvation because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, in order to accomplish His good purpose we who are His children go through practical sanctification in this life (I Peter 1:15, Heb. 12:14). According to Romans 12:1-2, it is presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, dying to our own will and be transformed into the image of His Son.
Webster's dictionary defines sanctification this way:
1. The act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God.
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 2Thess. 2. 1Peter 1.
God has chosen us (Eph. 1:4), God has redeemed us by Christ's blood (1:7), and God has sealed us by His Holy Spirit (1:13). His Holy Spirit is the sanctifier:
~He abides in us (John 14:17)
~He is the One who teaches us (John 14:26)
~He guides us in all truth (John 16:13)
~He reveals the things of Christ (John 16:14)
~He reveals the things of God (I Cor. 2:10-13)
Praise God for the Holy Spirit. Because of Him, practical progressive holiness is not left up to our own devices. Yes it is a constant yielding of our will, desires, and plans to God. Yes we must daily build altars upon which we burn those things that would draw our hearts away from our Lord. This is all made possible by the grace of God through the inner working of the Holy Spirit. We are more than conquerors as we fully rely on Him to take these weak vessels and affect change.
While we are positionally sanctified in the eyes of God at the point of salvation because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ, in order to accomplish His good purpose we who are His children go through practical sanctification in this life (I Peter 1:15, Heb. 12:14). According to Romans 12:1-2, it is presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, dying to our own will and be transformed into the image of His Son.
Webster's dictionary defines sanctification this way:
1. The act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God.
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. 2Thess. 2. 1Peter 1.
God has chosen us (Eph. 1:4), God has redeemed us by Christ's blood (1:7), and God has sealed us by His Holy Spirit (1:13). His Holy Spirit is the sanctifier:
~He abides in us (John 14:17)
~He is the One who teaches us (John 14:26)
~He guides us in all truth (John 16:13)
~He reveals the things of Christ (John 16:14)
~He reveals the things of God (I Cor. 2:10-13)
Praise God for the Holy Spirit. Because of Him, practical progressive holiness is not left up to our own devices. Yes it is a constant yielding of our will, desires, and plans to God. Yes we must daily build altars upon which we burn those things that would draw our hearts away from our Lord. This is all made possible by the grace of God through the inner working of the Holy Spirit. We are more than conquerors as we fully rely on Him to take these weak vessels and affect change.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Assurance of salvation
My girls and I just started an inductive bible study through the book of I John. We've only done one lesson but it is an awesome way to study the bible! Inductive bible study includes reading and re-reading the text to identify key words and phrases, book and chapter themes, what kind of literature it is (letter, prophetic, etc.), who wrote the book, as well as the historical setting. At first it is a lot to do but starting with prayer puts your feet on the right path. It's amazing how much information you can gather without any extra study tools.
What we have learned so far is that the book of I John is about assurance of salvation. In I Jn. 5:13 that purpose of the book is clearly stated, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
The author gives us a measuring rod to test if we are truly saved.
Chapter 1: we can't be in fellowship with God and walk in darkness (1:6)
Chapter 2: we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments (2:3)
Chapter 3: we are born again if we do not habitually practice sin (3:9)
Chapter 4: we are His if we confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God (4:2)
Chapter 5: we have a witness living within us, the Holy Spirit (5:10)
Isn't that awesome? God has given us His Word to show Himself to us and to give us the tools we need to stand firm in our faith. The Word of God is truly living and powerful (Heb. 4:12); it is given by inspiration of God for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instructions in righteousness so we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). Dig in to the Word, taste and see that the Lord is good!!
NOTE: For further information and a clear understanding of inductive bible study, I would encourage you to read "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur.
What we have learned so far is that the book of I John is about assurance of salvation. In I Jn. 5:13 that purpose of the book is clearly stated, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
The author gives us a measuring rod to test if we are truly saved.
Chapter 1: we can't be in fellowship with God and walk in darkness (1:6)
Chapter 2: we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments (2:3)
Chapter 3: we are born again if we do not habitually practice sin (3:9)
Chapter 4: we are His if we confess that Jesus Christ is the son of God (4:2)
Chapter 5: we have a witness living within us, the Holy Spirit (5:10)
Isn't that awesome? God has given us His Word to show Himself to us and to give us the tools we need to stand firm in our faith. The Word of God is truly living and powerful (Heb. 4:12); it is given by inspiration of God for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instructions in righteousness so we may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work (II Tim. 3:16-17). Dig in to the Word, taste and see that the Lord is good!!
NOTE: For further information and a clear understanding of inductive bible study, I would encourage you to read "How to Study Your Bible" by Kay Arthur.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Names of Jesus, the Messiah
As I looked through an old journal I found a list I had made of the names for the Messiah, Jesus. I found them to be encouraging so I thought I would share them with you. What an awesome Savior I have!
Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9:6
Mighty God Is. 9:6
Everlasting Father Is. 9:6
Prince of Peace Is. 9:6
Son of Man John 6:27
Bread of Life John 6:35
Light of the World John 8:12
Door of the Sheep John 10:7
Good Shepherd Ps 23:1; John 10:11
The Resurrection John 11:25
The Way John 14:6
The Truth John 14:6
The Life John 11:25, 14:6
The True Vine John 15:1
The Lamb of God Rev. 5:8
The Root Rev. 5:5, 22:16
The Offspring of David Rev. 22:16
The Bright and Morning Star Rev. 22:16
The Son of God John 20:31
Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9:6
Mighty God Is. 9:6
Everlasting Father Is. 9:6
Prince of Peace Is. 9:6
Son of Man John 6:27
Bread of Life John 6:35
Light of the World John 8:12
Door of the Sheep John 10:7
Good Shepherd Ps 23:1; John 10:11
The Resurrection John 11:25
The Way John 14:6
The Truth John 14:6
The Life John 11:25, 14:6
The True Vine John 15:1
The Lamb of God Rev. 5:8
The Root Rev. 5:5, 22:16
The Offspring of David Rev. 22:16
The Bright and Morning Star Rev. 22:16
The Son of God John 20:31
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Names of God
Have you ever done a study of the names of God? It's a pretty amazing study. Here are a few of the names of God found in scripture and what they mean. Hopefully this will be as much of a blessing to you as it is to me. What an awesome God!
Abba - Father Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6
Adonai - Lord, Master Num. 14:17; Deut. 3:24; Ps. 30:8
Jehovah Jireh - Jehovah Will See to it Gen. 22:14
Elohim - God Supreme
El Roi - God the Almighty, the God Who Sees Gen 16:13
Jehovah - self existent, eternal Lord Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isaiah 12:2, 26:4
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is my Barrier Ex. 17:15
Jehovah Rapha - God Who Heals Ex. 15:26
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is my Peace Judges 6:24
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is There, He is with us Ez. 48:35
Jehovah Tsidkenu - the Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23:6
El Elohe Israel - God, the God of Israel Gen. 33:20
Eloi - My God Mark 15:34
Jah - sacred name, the Lord, most vehement Ps. 68:4
El Shaddai - God Almighty Gen. 17:1
I AM Ex. 3:14
Alpha - the First Rev. 1:8,11, 22:6,13
Omega - the Finality
Abba - Father Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6
Adonai - Lord, Master Num. 14:17; Deut. 3:24; Ps. 30:8
Jehovah Jireh - Jehovah Will See to it Gen. 22:14
Elohim - God Supreme
El Roi - God the Almighty, the God Who Sees Gen 16:13
Jehovah - self existent, eternal Lord Ex. 6:3; Ps. 83:18; Isaiah 12:2, 26:4
Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is my Barrier Ex. 17:15
Jehovah Rapha - God Who Heals Ex. 15:26
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord is my Peace Judges 6:24
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is There, He is with us Ez. 48:35
Jehovah Tsidkenu - the Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23:6
El Elohe Israel - God, the God of Israel Gen. 33:20
Eloi - My God Mark 15:34
Jah - sacred name, the Lord, most vehement Ps. 68:4
El Shaddai - God Almighty Gen. 17:1
I AM Ex. 3:14
Alpha - the First Rev. 1:8,11, 22:6,13
Omega - the Finality
Thursday, September 4, 2008
An Interesting Exercise
In "7 Habits of Highly Effective People", the author challenged the reader to try a very interesting exercise. Look down the corridors of time and imagine yourself at a your own funeral. Picture the room full of friends and family, business acquaintances and school friends. Of those present, four people will stand up and share what they remember about you and your life.
Therein lies the exercise... imagine what they would say. Consider what you would want them to say. Here are some of the questions posed plus a few of my own:
What is it that you would want those people to say?
What character did they see in you?
What difference did you make in their lives?
What difference did you make within your sphere of influence?
What kind of friend were you?
What kind of daughter?
What kind of wife?
What kind of mother?
What kind of sister?
What kind of qualities were you remembered for?
What adjectives would they use?
If you were a business owner, how did you handle your business?
In what way is the world different because you were in it?
As you mull these questions over, write down your answers. For me it was very fascinating to look at life in the reverse. I spent some time journaling my thoughts and impressions. It was a mixed bag of course... there were some things that I did not want to hear at my "funeral", things I knew I wanted to change. Yet there were glimmers of things that I wanted to hone and further develop.
Purpose... that is the point... to live life with purpose. Looking at life with a definite plan - if you will - so that you can live effectively. How different would my life look if I consistently thought about the end result of my choices and the use of my time? This exercise sort of built some personal accountability into my life because I set the bar myself (especially since I wrote it down). Keeping that bar in front of me motivates me to strive to accomplish it.
Therein lies the exercise... imagine what they would say. Consider what you would want them to say. Here are some of the questions posed plus a few of my own:
What is it that you would want those people to say?
What character did they see in you?
What difference did you make in their lives?
What difference did you make within your sphere of influence?
What kind of friend were you?
What kind of daughter?
What kind of wife?
What kind of mother?
What kind of sister?
What kind of qualities were you remembered for?
What adjectives would they use?
If you were a business owner, how did you handle your business?
In what way is the world different because you were in it?
As you mull these questions over, write down your answers. For me it was very fascinating to look at life in the reverse. I spent some time journaling my thoughts and impressions. It was a mixed bag of course... there were some things that I did not want to hear at my "funeral", things I knew I wanted to change. Yet there were glimmers of things that I wanted to hone and further develop.
Purpose... that is the point... to live life with purpose. Looking at life with a definite plan - if you will - so that you can live effectively. How different would my life look if I consistently thought about the end result of my choices and the use of my time? This exercise sort of built some personal accountability into my life because I set the bar myself (especially since I wrote it down). Keeping that bar in front of me motivates me to strive to accomplish it.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Fellowship
It is interesting how much I enjoy time with friends and how little time I actually make for them. With that in mind, I decided to invite some women from church to join me at a popular walking place a couple of times a month. We've been meeting about twice a month for the past three months.... the main reason is fellowship, the sneaky reason is exercise! It's much easier to walk (gradually) uphill for 2 1/2 miles then back down again if you have someone pleasant to talk to and walk with. Along the way I've made some new friends as well as deeper ones.
Isn't that how it is in life? When joys arise, they are much sweeter when we have someone to share them with. In the same way, when the trials of life bear down on us, the presence of friends helps to lift that burden. Along the path of life these experiences serve to deepen relationships and build new ones, that is if I let them.
So often I get so busy that I don't make time for those people that I love to be with. I just muddle along in life moving from one thing to the next and before I know it months have passed! To be fair, life is busy but is it maybe too busy? Fellowship is a God-given lifeline that we all need. We are relational creatures who were created to interact with one another and sharpen one another.
My life is so much richer because of the people God has brought into my path. Hopefully this blog will be one way that I can meet new people and deepen relationships already in place. I do hope you enjoy the time you spend here with me... and thanks for taking the time to hald my hand and walk a while : -)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
