Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Edification, Uplifting
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find myself suffering from a sense of over-familiarity with God and the gospel.
Reading my Bible doesn’t excite me. Listening to sermons becomes routine. Even worship feels common and mundane. At times like these I crave something new and compelling to jolt me out of my spiritual rut. I figure that if I only had a better devotional book, a more powerful preacher, or a worship band with slightly more musical gifting, then my heart would become responsive again. Sin makes us stupid like that.
Of course, I’m not denying that there are better devotional book or more powerful preachers. We should read great books, not mediocre books. We should look for churches where God’s Word and the gospel are faithfully preached. But I often find myself dissatisfied with truths, however poorly presented, that should thrill me.
“A mature Christian is easily edified.”
Two weeks ago I stumbled across that statement by Dr. Harold Best — and it hit too close to home. Easily edified? That doesn’t sound like the Brian Preston I know. Too often an accurate assessment of my life would reveal that I am easily annoyed, easily irritated, easily impatient, easily hurt, easily angered, easily distracted, easily arrogant. Over the past few months God has been working in my heart to restore a sense of awe and excitement to ignite the idle sticks of my heart into a roaring blaze but I am still God’s work in progress. Pray for me, as I pray for all of you, that we would grow together into men and women after God’s own heart.
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:14-16
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Lost, Parable of the Sheep
Picture this: A love of your life (Your child, Your spouse, or even a friend) goes missing. You would do anything to get them back. You aren’t sleeping, you aren’t eating, and you are spending every moment devoted to finding that loved one!
You start gathering all your friends, neighbors, family members, and anyone you can get ahold of. You begin to search, and like already said, you aren’t sleeping or eating till you find that person. You are checking every nook and cranny. You search for days. By this time, people are searching with you determined to find the one you seek. There is a huge reward for finding the lost person. Someone comes up on an alley and sure enough they shine the flashlight right on that loved one. They found them! Next thing is to get everyone’s attention and bring them home, right? But instead of picking them up and bringing them home, they turn the flashlight off and move on. Wait? Leave them there? Why would they do that? You can’t believe it! Why would anyone turn and walk away! They are right there, bring them home!
This parallels another story. The story of God. God is the father, His children our lost. God breaks for his children, God desires to see His children found, and in Glory with Him! Maybe you are a Christian and have been called to help find the lost and take them help (The Gospel). God wants everyone to search for His lost loved ones. They are missing and in order to be reconciled back to Him they need to be found and they need Jesus. This is the whole point of Evangelism for us as Christians. Maybe you aren’t, maybe you never made the commitment to Christ and you are the Lost. You are in the dark, most of the time not knowingly, and you need to be found. You need the help of Christ. This is the hope that we have in the Gospel.
Luke 15:1-7 says, a shepherd had 100 sheep, one sheep went astray. What then? The shepherd left the 99 sheep and went after the 1! Why would he do that? Because the one who was lost is now found. Then the shepherd finds the sheep puts it on his shoulders and heads home. He calls for celebration. God celebrates in full over one lost person who becomes found in Him.
How much more do you want to seek and find those who are lost? Do you want to be found in Him if you are lost? Don’t allow today to pass without being found in Him and seeking others to find.
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Glory, His plan, time, When God delays
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was (JN 11.5-6).
These two sentences seem to contradict each other. The first says that Jesus loved his friends. Yet when he hears of Lazarus’ serious illness, rather than responding, he waits two days longer, and Lazarus dies. That doesn’t sound like love to me. Wouldn’t it have been more loving for the Great Physician to rush to the aid of his friends?
But Jesus delays precisely because of his love for them, for he has something far better in mind than simply healing Lazarus. He aims to display his glory by raising Lazarus from the dead. He will demonstrate that he is the Resurrection and the Life, the omnipotent God who speaks a word and raises the dead, just like he spoke and created the galaxies.
Sometimes God delays to answer our requests because he intends to reveal his glory in a greater way than we can imagine.
I recently heard the senior pastor of a large church share that when he was a teen he rejected his parents and their faith. “All I wanted was to be left alone,” he said. One family reunion he refused to leave the family van, but sat there in a black funk all day in the cold rather than join the family. Even when his grandmother cajoled him to come in he rebuffed her.
Yet in time, God led him to the cross. Now he’s leading a church.
I’m sure his folks prayed for his salvation from birth and would have preferred that Jesus save him as a child. But by rescuing him later in life, Christ displayed his almighty power to redeem the hellbound and hardened, giving hope to hundreds of parents.
So whatever you’re praying for, don’t give up, even if it seems like nothing’s happening. Jesus is planning something greater than you can imagine.
(Via – theblazingcenter.com)
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Carried to the table, Mephibosheth
“Don’t be afraid, David said to him, “For I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table!” Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant that you should notive a dead dog like me?”
“So Mephibosheth ate at David’s table like one of the King’s sons.”
Seems to me we parallel Mephibosheth in our lives too. Picture this Mephibosheth becomes crippled. He is outcast by society. He spends most his life running because he was ordered to be killed at a young age. He is crippled, weary, living a terrible life because he is outcasted by everyone. What then? King David sends for him. Could you imagine having spent your whole life running and here David summons you to come where you have been hiding from. What does he initially want to do? He probably thought he was going to be killed, but somehow manages to go with the king’s men. Remember he is crippled and has to be carried to the king’s place. He finally reaches the king’s court and the table is set. David calls him to sit right beside him when there were all these high ranked officials in the kingdom there. Mephibosheth is baffled. He doesn’t understand. He was carried to the table and despite everything in his life he still was given a place at the table.
We have a sin problem. It cripples us and leaves us much like Mephibosheth. We are crippled and have been running from God our King. Our sin draws us away from God. Our sin cause us to hide from Him. But the King calls for us. King Jesus carried us. Despite our past, despite our sin, despite everything that weighs us down, Christ bore our crippleness and took us and carried us the the table. We don’t belong, we don’t deserve it but He redeems us and seats us at His table.
What an amazing story and sweet picture the story of Mephibosheth is! See yourself as Mephibosheth and know that Christ has restored your crippleness called sin by carrying you to the table!
2 Samuel 9:1-12
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Sexuality, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Biggest Sinner in the House, Sin
Not only did Jesus knock Paul off his horse on the road to Damascus, he knocked the self-righteous stuffing out of him as well. The proud Pharisee came to see himself as the worst sinner he knew.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost (1 TI 1.15).
Was Paul exaggerating for shock value? Or was he some kind of self-loathing Eeyore who needed a big dose of self-esteem?
No. Paul realized that every sin is infinitely evil, because it is against an infinitely holy God, and requires the infinitely perfect blood of Christ to remove it. He simply had a realistic view of his own sinfulness.
When I view myself as the foremost of sinners, it’s so much easier to forgive others, because no matter what they may do to me, I’ve done worse to God, yet he saved and forgave me.
I crucified Christ.
My sins ripped the flesh off his back, rammed the thorns into his head and hammered the spikes into his hands and feet.
I’m the biggest sinner in the house.
I’m the foremost sinner in my future marriage: How can I not forgive my future wife when God has forgiven me for slaughtering Jesus, the apple of his eye?
Foremost sinner in my family: How can I fume at my cousins, siblings, or even my parents, when I’ve jilted God since I began breathing, and still do despite all the years I’ve read the Bible, listened to sermons and received innumerable blessings?
Foremost sinner in my church: How can I smolder against my brother’s sins, when my mountains of iniquity have been washed away by Christ’s blood?
Maybe people have hurt you deeply and you’ve suffered much. Though it may be difficult, ask Jesus today for grace to see yourself as the foremost of sinners, and for grace to forgive, as he has forgiven you.
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Fence me in
We should be grateful for God’s providence in delivering us from sin and temptation.
Sometimes God gives us an affliction to prevent us from sinning. He gave Paul an excruciating “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from pride.
Sometimes the Spirit himself speaks to us to avert us from derailing. I remember one time, an attractive unbeliever invited me to go horseback riding and hang out with her at her home. But the Spirit spoke the verse “Do not go near the door of her house” (PR 5.8) to my heart, and mercifully, I declined. God spared me from potential disaster.
Sometimes God withholds wealth or success because of the many temptations they can bring. For me this is continually being humbled. Someone once told me there is nothing like a rebellious child to keep us from congratulating ourselves on our parenting. Nothing like being needy to keep us from self-sufficiency.
We have no idea of the thousands of times God has spared us from falling into the devil’s snares. Spend a few minutes today thanking Jesus for his providence that hems and hedges us in and keeps us from the pit of destruction.
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Glory in the Details
Have you ever had an “I see it!” moment while reading scripture?
You start seeing connections. This verse to that verse, this chapter to that chapter. A picture starts to emerge, like a 3-D “seeing eye” panorama. You start to understand why the author wrote what he did, when he did, where he did. The Word of God becomes crystal clear. It’s glorious.
This usually happens when we notice the details. There’s glory in the details.
Mark 4:35-5:43 is one of those passages where the details make all the difference. Look at how this section of scripture is laid out:
- 4:35 – 4:41 – A storm arises and the disciples panic because death is at hand. Jesus speaks, the storm dies.
- 5:1-20 – Jesus encounters a screaming, demon possessed man. No one has been able to cage this man. Jesus speaks, the demons panic and flee.
- 5:25-34 – A woman has been hemorrhaging blood for twelve years. Doctors are useless. She touches Jesus’ garment and the bleeding stops.
- 5:35-43 – A little girl lies dead in her father’s house. “Talitha cumi”. Life springs back into her body.
There’s a theme that runs through these verses: the authority of Jesus.
Jesus speaks and nature obeys. Pressure systems change, clouds shift, water currents move, and winds die at the sound of his voice. Authority over nature.
Jesus speaks and demons obey. These demons rule a man. They manipulate his voice, electrify him with supernatural strength, and dominate his life. They were unstoppable. Until they meet Jesus. Authority over demons.
Jesus heals a woman without speaking a word. She touches the edge of his cloak and encounters healing power. Blood congeals. Tissue is repaired. The incurable has been cured. Authority over sickness.
Jesus stands over the corpse of a precious little girl. Her life has been snatched away, cut short. Death, the great enemy of mankind, has stolen another life. It is relentless, merciless, ruthless, always winning, always killing, crushing the hopes of men and women. But even death buckles before the Savior. He has authority over death itself.
When you read scripture, look for the details. Linger over the passage. Put pen to paper and record your thoughts. Try to answer this question:
Why did the author put this passage here and not somewhere else?
The glory is in the details.
Filed under: Doctrine, Inspirational, Life Application, Pressing Issues, Sexuality, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Jesus Wants the Rose, Sexuality
A powerful reminder that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. No matter where we come from, what we have been through, or what lies ahead, Christ wants us in spite of who we are as sinners. Our rose is tattered, torn, broken, bruised, ugly, and useless but Christ wants it anyway.
Romans 3:23-24; “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
We all have fallen short but God has reconciled us back to Him by the death of Jesus. Jesus loves us so much that He came and died for the lies, the idolatry, and the sexual sin. That we might be redeemed and washed clean by His blood. He renders us spotless and blameless.
It doesn’t matter what your past holds and the shame that presses on you, what matters is the future that Christ holds and joy that we have in what He has already overcome for us. It doesn’t matter who looks down on you or who isn’t okay with your past, Christ bore it all when He went to calvary and Jesus wants your rose.
Romans 5:8; “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus wants the rose
listen to the entire message from Matt Chandler “Shepherds and Unregenerate Sheep”
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Keep Out
And you shall keep guard over the sanctuary and over the altar, that there may never again be wrath on the people of Israel. (Numbers 18:5,7)
The priests of Israel were given a solemn charge by the living God: do not let an outsider near the sanctuary. Don’t let them near the holy things, keep them out of the holy places.
An Israelite couldn’t simply waltz into the tabernacle and present a sacrifice on the altar. Unless they wanted to die. The holiness of God kept the sinful Israelites out of the holy places.
The Levites and priests kept guard over the sanctuary and the altar. There could be no playing around on the job. Life and death were on the line. If an unauthorized person managed to bust into the temple the results could be disastrous. Wrath.
So how is that you and I draw near to God with such ease? There are no guards stationed at the doors of my church. No one monitors me to ensure that I don’t offer unauthorized prayer. What’s the deal?
Hebrews 4:6 reads, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Those are astonishing words. Unlike the Israelites, we’re commanded to draw near to God, not hold back. In Jesus, we have a high priest who brings us into the presence of God. At all times. In all places. Nothing keeps us out of the presence of God.
Aren’t you grateful for Christ, our high priest?
Filed under: Doctrine, God's Word, Inspirational, Life Application, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: Christ, Cross, He Feels My Pain
In the midst of trials there’s something very comforting about sharing your experience with someone who has also endured deep sorrow. They understand the heartache you’re enduring, and they can comfort you as only someone who has suffered can. We find solace in knowing that someone else has passed through the fires.
It’s this simple truth that makes Jesus Christ the perfect savior. Listen to the words of Philip Ryken, speaking of the fact that Jesus was forsaken on the cross:
The forsaking of the Son of God on the cross is a fearful thing, but it is good news for sinners who repent. It is good news because it means that when you meet Jesus Christ at the cross you are meeting someone who has experienced the full measure of the tragedy of human existence. Out of his own experience of physical suffering and spiritual rejection Jesus not only sympathizes with your pain, he empathizes it.
Isaiah 53 describes Jesus as being, “…a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Ponder the depths of those words. King Jesus, the most joyful person in the universe, became a man of sorrows and grief. He experienced the full range of human pain. He felt the grief of losing a loved one, being deserted by friends, and being betrayed by one he loved. He was buried under the excruciating agony of being beaten to a pulp, pinned to a cross, and then hoisted into the air to die a slow, suffocating death. Worst of all, Christ absorbed and endured the hatred of God for sin. He was crushed by the one who loved him most.
Christ endured more agony than you and I could endure in ten lifetimes. His grief? Immeasurable. His pain? Unimaginable.
But here’s the glory of it all: Jesus is the perfect person to help you in the midst of suffering. He knows more than anyone what it’s like to suffer, and he knows better than anyone how to comfort you in your afflictions. Because he suffered, he knows exactly what you need to endure your sufferings. He knows how much grace you need, and exactly when you need it. No one else may know exactly what you’re enduring, but Jesus does, and you can lean your full weight on him.
