Tuesday morning took the T to Gary's hacienda (Harvard). Got into Romans 8, looking particularly at what God has done for us in Christ as revealed by verses 31 to 39. God not only gave us His only Son, but all things. He has elected and justified us, and both Jesus and the Holy Spirit intercede for us before the Father. What better prayer partners could one ask for? And nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. That's wonderful news.
Wednesday evening had the privilege of fellowshipping with Brazilian believers in Topsfield. They gave me a handout of a ten plus page Bible study that they are embarking on, saturated with Scripture. These are married couples, some with children, who are willing to set aside a midweek evening after having worked all day, travel up to an hour if necessary, in order to study and apply the Bible together. I wonder how many American Christians one could persuade to do the same.
Thursday the Holy Spirit orchestrated a full day of visiting with three different brothers, one young, one middle-aged, and one seasoned veteran. Josh and I are working through 1 Timothy, and examined the passage on deacons in chapter 3, leading to a good discussion on this and related topics. I was very blessed to learn that he is ministering to others in the spirit of 2 Tim. 2:2.
Tom and his wife Carolyn are life long missionaries who ministered in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Russia. They continue to fight the good fight, to finish the race and to keep the faith. ( 2 Tim. 4:7) through forty-eight years of marriage. There aren't many like them. Bill is a friend of many years. I am thankful for his hospitality, serious questions, and perseverance in the light of the most prolonged physical suffering that I have ever witnessed.
"And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness." ( 2 Tim 2:24-25a ESV)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Accelerating
As the New Year continues I have a sense of acceleration in the Spirit, that He is moving on people's hearts and making things happen. Saturday morning had an opportunity to fellowship with M. T., with prayer and Biblical discussion of some points pertaining to eldership. Always a treat to get into the Word with someone like him.
Sunday morning visited a group in Dorchester. Warm fellowship and a good word and a nice collation. In the evening I visited a group in Quincy who are experimenting with a once a month outreach at the library of a local school. They also serve at a homeless shelter. Taylor preached on the gospel, a neglected topic sometimes. Meanwhile our group in Cambridge enjoyed a rich time in the Lord looking at the theme of trusting in Him.
This morning had the pleasure of breakfast with our brother Chris from CT. He is a reflective thinker, willing to look at things from different angles. I appreciate his fellowship.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 ESV)
Sunday morning visited a group in Dorchester. Warm fellowship and a good word and a nice collation. In the evening I visited a group in Quincy who are experimenting with a once a month outreach at the library of a local school. They also serve at a homeless shelter. Taylor preached on the gospel, a neglected topic sometimes. Meanwhile our group in Cambridge enjoyed a rich time in the Lord looking at the theme of trusting in Him.
This morning had the pleasure of breakfast with our brother Chris from CT. He is a reflective thinker, willing to look at things from different angles. I appreciate his fellowship.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13 ESV)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Truth & Love & Memorization
Since I have probably discussed these topics in prior postings I'll spare you the song & dance. It's just that the Lord is laying these themes on my heart again. Emphasizing truth (the word of God cf. John 17:17) without love leads to dessicated doctrinal arguments, and oftentimes, condescending elitism ("I know what the Bible says, and you don't.) Emphasizing love without truth tends to lead to moral anarchy. The Bible shows a balance between the two. Ephesians 4:15 says we are to "speak the truth in love." "I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady-- not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning--that we love one another." (2 John 4-5 ESV) "Love rejoices with the truth." (1 Cor. 13:8)
Over the past twenty years I have probably spoken to a hundred individuals or groups, urging, appealing, suggesting that they consider memorizing portions of the Word of God. Where do I get this idea? "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Ps. 119:11) "Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips." (Prov. 22:17-18) How did Jesus respond to the devil's temptations in the wilderness after fasting forty days? "It is written. Cf. Verse 4,7 & 10. Each time Jesus responded with memorized Scripture.
One I am currently working on is Jude 20-21. "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
Over the past twenty years I have probably spoken to a hundred individuals or groups, urging, appealing, suggesting that they consider memorizing portions of the Word of God. Where do I get this idea? "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Ps. 119:11) "Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips." (Prov. 22:17-18) How did Jesus respond to the devil's temptations in the wilderness after fasting forty days? "It is written. Cf. Verse 4,7 & 10. Each time Jesus responded with memorized Scripture.
One I am currently working on is Jude 20-21. "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life."
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Door Opening God
"Life up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in." (Ps. 24:7 ESV) And where the King enters, His disciples may follow. It seems a short time ago that I was lamenting closed doors and underemployment in the Kingdom. But God is faithful. He has opened a door in R. I. with a precious couple who desire to start a ekklesia. He has opened another door with a group of Brazilian believers close to my current abode. He has opened a third door with another group in Cambridge. He is doing good things all around the Boston area. Thank you, Jesus.
Experienced a wonderful time of mutual edification (cf. Romans 1:11-12) yesterday. We were blessed with many visitors including Jim & Marilyn from Memphis, Ross and Trina, an itinerant couple in ministry, my friend Russ, and our faithful brother Freddie. Each one had something to give to us from the Lord.
Reading in 1 Peter I came across a verse that i have certainly read at least a hundred times. Yesterday it jumped off the page. At one time I got excited by doctrinal verses. This one speaks to the heart that we need to have in Christ.
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind,sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8 ESV) May it be so in our lives, Lord.
Experienced a wonderful time of mutual edification (cf. Romans 1:11-12) yesterday. We were blessed with many visitors including Jim & Marilyn from Memphis, Ross and Trina, an itinerant couple in ministry, my friend Russ, and our faithful brother Freddie. Each one had something to give to us from the Lord.
Reading in 1 Peter I came across a verse that i have certainly read at least a hundred times. Yesterday it jumped off the page. At one time I got excited by doctrinal verses. This one speaks to the heart that we need to have in Christ.
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind,sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." (1 Peter 3:8 ESV) May it be so in our lives, Lord.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Allowed to Worship
When I contemplate the infinite holiness, grandeur, majesty, and awesomeness of God and contrast that with the finite, sinful, "dust and ashes" of myself and the rest of humanity, it is incomprehensible that God allows us to worship Him. It seems He would be perfectly justified in saying there is no way that I am going to give you people this privilege. And yet we know that He delights in our praise, adoration, reverence, and worship and encourages us to do so, something that we often take for granted. "Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted, his majesty is above earth and heaven." (Ps. 149:12-13 ESV) "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!" (Ps. 150:6 ESV)
I believe that His encouragement for us to praise Him fits into His ultimate purpose, that He be glorified. Something which would be the height of hubris for any created being to receive is His due. If the scenes of worship depicted in the Book of Revelation in chapters 4.5,7,11,14,15 & 19 provide any clue, then a central part of what we will do in the eternal state is praise and worship. I suspect that John 17:3 builds a foundation for this. "And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." If I am interpreting this correctly then we will receive a continually unfolding revelation of who God is throughout eternity. Our only possible response will be worship.
I believe that His encouragement for us to praise Him fits into His ultimate purpose, that He be glorified. Something which would be the height of hubris for any created being to receive is His due. If the scenes of worship depicted in the Book of Revelation in chapters 4.5,7,11,14,15 & 19 provide any clue, then a central part of what we will do in the eternal state is praise and worship. I suspect that John 17:3 builds a foundation for this. "And this is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." If I am interpreting this correctly then we will receive a continually unfolding revelation of who God is throughout eternity. Our only possible response will be worship.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
God's Right
As I reflect on the question of why God does or does not do certain things, I am brought back to the truth that God is the Creator, and that He can do what He wishes. Psalm 24:1 is a clear statement of ownership. "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein." (ESV) When Job questions God, His response (over the course of several chapters) boils down to "have you created all these things?" Job responds, "I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." (Jb. 42:3a ESV)
When Peter questions Jesus about John's ultimate fate, the Lord responds, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:22 ESV) Finally Paul asserts clearly in Romans 9 God's right to do what He wishes with what He has made. "But who are you, o man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory..." (Romans 9:20-23 ESV)
If I have basic freedom to write whatever in this blog, then surely an infinitely holy and righteous God has complete freedom to do what He wishes with humanity.
When Peter questions Jesus about John's ultimate fate, the Lord responds, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:22 ESV) Finally Paul asserts clearly in Romans 9 God's right to do what He wishes with what He has made. "But who are you, o man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this? Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory..." (Romans 9:20-23 ESV)
If I have basic freedom to write whatever in this blog, then surely an infinitely holy and righteous God has complete freedom to do what He wishes with humanity.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Praying For Us
While studying a portion of Romans 8 with a brother on Thursday, I was reminded of the wonderful news that both the Holy Spirit and Jesus pray (intercede) for those who have placed their trust in Christ. What wonderful news! "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." I am reminded of the verse in Psalm 103 that says, "For He knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. (v.14 ESV)." Even in our weakness we are supported in prayer. We often ask others to pray for us, and it is one of the most loving and best things that we do for one another, but the reality that divine prayers are going to the Father on our behalf is of vast encouragement and consolation. Romans 8 goes on to say that "Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." (v.34 ESV) Jesus at the right hand of the Father, praying for you and me; it doesn't get any better than that. We also read that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us because He has a permanent priesthood (Hebrews 7:24-25, and that he serves as an advocate for us before the Father. (1 John 2:1)
A exhilarating example of Jesus praying for us is found in John 17, especially starting in verse 20 where he says, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word..." (v.21) That's us. He goes on to ask that we might enjoy the same unity and depth of relationship that He and the Father revel in.
Celebrated the coming of the New Year with some gracious Brazilian brethren last night.
A exhilarating example of Jesus praying for us is found in John 17, especially starting in verse 20 where he says, "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word..." (v.21) That's us. He goes on to ask that we might enjoy the same unity and depth of relationship that He and the Father revel in.
Celebrated the coming of the New Year with some gracious Brazilian brethren last night.
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