"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12"
I read on Thursday night from the book The Heart of the Bible by John MacArthur and will paraphrase his comments on this particular passage from Hebrews.
Do you think of the Bible as just a group of religious stories? Or maybe just a comforting book, an encouraging book. If so, then you haven't read what the Bible says about itself: it is a sword, a surgeon's knife, cutting between "joints and marrow". Here is a quote from MacArthurs's book: "...[W]hen we are up--elevated by pride or human wisdom--the Bible knows how to bring us down by uncovering our sin, unmasking our hypocrisy and demolishing our willfullness. Reading the Bible is not a safe thing to do. It can be a frightening experience. But wherever God cuts with His Word, He heals."
We need to be grateful that He loves us enough to use His word to shape us into beings that He can use.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Spiritual Discipline
One of the spiritual disciplines that I am lacking is in the area of scripture memory. I remember as a child I could rattle off the books of the Bible in order and had a litany of verses that I had memorized from school and Sunday school. I guess I didn't always know what they meant, but I could recite them along with their references. These days I have a better understanding of the verses because of my life experiences, but I don't always know where to find them. Or I have conversations with people who say 'Well, doesn't the Bible say .....' and I know that I should know!
So, I am going to challenge myself to learn a few verses over the summer. I am hoping that members of the Praise Team and other members of my circle of friends will join me in this.
At practice last night, I shared that one verse I love is Galations 2:20 'For I have been crucified with Christ. I know no longer live, but Christ in me.' That is a life verse of mine. Others that were shared were Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 3:7 and Psalm 139.
I would love to hear some of your favorite verses so I can add them to my list of verses of memorize.
So, I am going to challenge myself to learn a few verses over the summer. I am hoping that members of the Praise Team and other members of my circle of friends will join me in this.
At practice last night, I shared that one verse I love is Galations 2:20 'For I have been crucified with Christ. I know no longer live, but Christ in me.' That is a life verse of mine. Others that were shared were Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 3:7 and Psalm 139.
I would love to hear some of your favorite verses so I can add them to my list of verses of memorize.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Wishy-washy Christians
Our great sermon this morning touched on a semi-controversial topic in American Christianity in the 21st century: how do we share our faith while still being tolerant of people who may share different religious viewpoints? I do not have all the answers, but I do know that we are called to be unashamed in our faith. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16a)."
Before church this morning, I read through the headlines and found this article. When the sermon started, I was just beside myself--these thoughts had been on my mind all morning, and God reinforced them to me through the sermon. (What's ironic is that I wanted to shout 'Amen', but since I'm uncomfortable doing that (maybe ashamed?), I stayed quiet!)
Let's just remember Jesus' words in Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this sinful generation, the Son of Man will be also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Before church this morning, I read through the headlines and found this article. When the sermon started, I was just beside myself--these thoughts had been on my mind all morning, and God reinforced them to me through the sermon. (What's ironic is that I wanted to shout 'Amen', but since I'm uncomfortable doing that (maybe ashamed?), I stayed quiet!)
Let's just remember Jesus' words in Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this sinful generation, the Son of Man will be also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Of Tragedy and Hope
At worship team practice last Thursday night I read an article from Chuck Colson called Death Where is thy Sting: The Virginia Tech Massacre.
I think that during times like these, we as the Body of Christ, need to show the greater population that we know the only way to find peace--the love, grace and mercy of God through Jesus. The Amish school shooting last October is a perfect example, in my opinion. That community pulled together, forgiving the shooter--which does not condone the act--and embraced the families of both the victims AND the shooter. That is love in all its facets and, I believe, Christianity at its core.
I think that during times like these, we as the Body of Christ, need to show the greater population that we know the only way to find peace--the love, grace and mercy of God through Jesus. The Amish school shooting last October is a perfect example, in my opinion. That community pulled together, forgiving the shooter--which does not condone the act--and embraced the families of both the victims AND the shooter. That is love in all its facets and, I believe, Christianity at its core.
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Glorious Resurrection!!!
What a wonderful thing it is to celebrate the glorious Resurrection of our Lord! I heard on the radio the other day that the calendars of the Eastern and Latin churches generally do not agree, but this year, Christians around the globe would be celebrating the Easter holiday at the same time. Does that just astound anyone else? To think that we lift our voices with others around this globe, as well as those who through the centuries have already gone to Glory, in praise of our Saviour--amazing!!
Let us remember, as well, that we are people of the Resurrection. Live your life like you believe that Jesus is ALIVE FOREVER, AMEN!
Let us remember, as well, that we are people of the Resurrection. Live your life like you believe that Jesus is ALIVE FOREVER, AMEN!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
The Bible
I found an article at Crosswalk.com called The Bible: God's One and Only Published Work and it made me stop short. The basic point Selwyn Hughes makes in it is this: the way we view the Bible will determine what priority the scriptures take in our lives. If we believe that the Bible is a bunch of nice stories, but is no different than any other book, we will treat it as such. This point was convicting to me. Even though I am working on building a daily habit of Scripture reading and study, I'm not sure that I have prioritized the scriptures the way that I should.
I certainly believe "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17), but I don't know it like I should. I have read probably 90% of that Bible, but I've never taken a year or two and read it from start to finish. I wonder if I have begun to teach my children to hold the Word sacred and above all other books?
How do we as Christians show the rest of the world the hope that we have when we can't even find a Scripture verse to back it up? Can we answer the questions that our unbelieving generation poses to us? Do we have the tools to counter the attacks of the Enemy? Unless we begin (or continue) to study the Bible, allowing it to change us into the people that God can use, just going to church, singing praise songs and smiling at one another is superficial and an insult to one we claim to serve.
I certainly believe "all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16-17), but I don't know it like I should. I have read probably 90% of that Bible, but I've never taken a year or two and read it from start to finish. I wonder if I have begun to teach my children to hold the Word sacred and above all other books?
How do we as Christians show the rest of the world the hope that we have when we can't even find a Scripture verse to back it up? Can we answer the questions that our unbelieving generation poses to us? Do we have the tools to counter the attacks of the Enemy? Unless we begin (or continue) to study the Bible, allowing it to change us into the people that God can use, just going to church, singing praise songs and smiling at one another is superficial and an insult to one we claim to serve.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Going Fishing
We had a fantastic sermon this morning based on Luke 5--the calling of Peter. One verse in particular really spoke to me. After Jesus tells Peter to cast his net out again, (Luke 5:5) Simon answered, "Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets." I love the phrase "Yet if you say so...". I think one of the other translations is "Because you said so...".
How many times do we completely doubt the ability of God simply because we have worked frantically in our own meager way and have not succeeded? Shouldn't we realize that the God who crafted the Universe has a few more capabilities than we can even imagine? Remember that we do NOT need to understand the plan in order to help it be fulfilled. We may NEVER realize the extent of the scheduling that God does so that certain events will take place. We simply need to be available, ready and waiting for God to tell us what to do, so that even if we are skeptical (which I admit to being sometimes) we will answer 'Okay. I'll do it because you say so".
How many times do we completely doubt the ability of God simply because we have worked frantically in our own meager way and have not succeeded? Shouldn't we realize that the God who crafted the Universe has a few more capabilities than we can even imagine? Remember that we do NOT need to understand the plan in order to help it be fulfilled. We may NEVER realize the extent of the scheduling that God does so that certain events will take place. We simply need to be available, ready and waiting for God to tell us what to do, so that even if we are skeptical (which I admit to being sometimes) we will answer 'Okay. I'll do it because you say so".
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