My Verse for Today

Let me start by saying thanks to those sharing in this blog. The posts and comments by Bruce and Peter and John and Tom and others have been consistently great and in some cases so full of thought that there is enough to bless the soul for days, just through them alone.

If you haven't been keeping up on these you may want to spend some time reviewing.

As for me, I've got days of study and writing ahead of me. Here's my verse for the day: Acts 6:4.

Please pray for me as I have much ministry of the Word to do:
1. A Sunday sermon to prepare.
2. An important study I'm doing, and paper I'm writing on the very critical matter of what the Bible says about children and birth control. The pastoral implications of this are huge.
3. Ten messages I need to have outlined for my July 12-17 week of camp ministry up in Maine; followed by Sunday preaching ministry on the 19th at a church up in Massachusetts.
4. Counseling and mentoring in the Word to do (at least one appointment today and each day, through Friday).

And then pray for me that in the middle of all of this and throughout all of this I will pray. Pray for me that I will pray for you!

Just a glimpse into my week. I appreciate and love all of you who stand alongside in the work of the gospel.

A Culture on the Verge of Hunger?

I believe we are in the "perilous times" of 2 Timothy 3. Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, men would be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, and unholy, etc. Increasingly, this seems to describe our time.

A couple of years ago, I heard a pastor relate an incident that created a strong reaction in me. He told of an encounter he had with an unbeliever who made no bones about his doubts and denials, ending the conversation with this pastor by saying, "Look, I just don't believe in God."

It was the pastor's reply that got my attention. Upon hearing the words "I just don't believe in God" the pastor said, "That's OK, God believes in you." As I reflected on this my stomach churned. I felt that, had I been in the same situation, I might have answered quite differently. Perhaps like this: "Friend, if you persist in this unbelief, you will one day answer for yourself before this Almighty Creator whose holy law you have broken, and whose existence you boldly deny. You are in danger of eternal damnation."

What's the point of relating this story? I believe the day is coming when we will not feel the need to give insipid answers to keep people from being offended or otherwise pushed away from the Gospel. I believe that as sin, selfishness, and unbelief increase, there will come to be a great spiritual void. This, in turn, could lead to a new hunger and a new receptivity for the Good News of the Gospel. For now, Christianity continues to be pushed to the margins of society, but with this comes a corresponding moral bankruptcy. I believe we may soon see the day where life for many has become so dark and hopeless, that folks may begin to long for the Gospel.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring light to those in the darkness of these "perilous times" by simply telling the story, and presenting the wonderful news? To reintroduce the light, to a culture where many have become keenly aware of the prevailing darkness, and of their own deep need? No "soft-peddling" or "editing" of the gospel, no more need for "seeker sensitivity," just a bold and ready witness to the Good News-- the offering of a healing balm... the gospel, clearly proclaimed, and eagerly grasped by desperate hearts!

Lord, hasten the day!

Sovereign Election--Making Us Bold For Christ

My entries for the past several weeks, as I have shared with you excerpts from my reading, have been focusing on some of the ways in which the truth of the Biblical doctrine of election practically applies to our lives. It is vital we see that all of the truths revealed to us by God in His word are meant not only to be believed, but also to have their sanctifying effects upon us. This is no less true regarding the doctrine of election. So, before leaving this subject there are a few additional implications of this truth, and how it should affect us, that we should note, and which I will point us to in this post and the next two.

The Reformed or Calvinistic position concerning God’s sovereignty in salvation is often criticized as undermining and being contrary to evangelism. Yet, the reality is just the opposite. The truths of God’s sovereignty and election unto salvation, rightly understood and genuinely embraced from the heart, actually serve as powerful motivators to evangelism. Listen to this very helpful statement:

Election compels evangelism, for all the elect must be saved by the Word brought to them. When Paul feared to go to Corinth, God sent a messenger to assure him: ‘Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city’ (Acts 18: 9b-10). What an encouragement this was for Paul and for us today to spread the gospel.

We do not know how many people God has elected in our cities. We trust there are many. But many or few, they are the Lord’s, and He has given us means to find them. So we must faithfully pray, speak, and visit people, always abounding in Christ’s work and always ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us to anyone who asks (1 Peter 3:15).

Election gave courage to the great Calvinist missionaries of the past to press on with the Lord’s work, even in danger and self-sacrifice, because they were confident that the Lord would bring in His chosen ones. Election gave courage to David Brainerd, William Carey, John Elias, Adoniram Judson, John Paton, and a host of missionaries who gave their lives for the gathering in of the elect. They believed, as Blanchard says, that "in the Bible, election and evangelism meet with joined hands, not clenched fists" (Acts 13:44-49).

What courage election still brings to evangelism today. It makes us bold for Christ, removing our fears, our shyness, and our indifference. It drives us to prayer, confident that the elect are in God’s hands, and He will use evangelism to draw them in. And it makes us patient, reminding us that while evangelism is an urgent work because sinners are dying and going to hell every, it is not a desperate work, for God, in His way and in His time, will gather in all of His elect. (Living for the God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism, pgs. 70-71)

I think it might be helpful for us who are theologically Calvinistic in our understanding of the Bible to ask ourselves how deeply we are really believing these things. Are we believing them to the point that their radical God centered effects are becoming increasingly evident in our lives? In the area of evangelism, are we demonstrating courage because of our confidence in a saving God? Are we in fact, because God is sovereign, becoming bold for Christ, overcoming our fears, our shyness, our indifference, driven to prayer, confident that God will use evangelism to draw the elect to Himself?

Joyful Austerity

One person commented after a recent post on materialism and true need, asking that I not back off from pressing you folks on this matter. I appreciated the openness, and have had God continue to press in on me. I've been mulling over the whole question of need and giving and related matters and came upon a John Piper statement that further rocked my world (it's from his book, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals):

Very few of our people have said to themselves: we will live at a level of joyful, wartime simplicity and use the rest of what we earn to alleviate misery. But surely that is what Jesus wants. I do not see how we can read the New Testament, then look at two billion unevangelized people, and still build another barn for ourselves [a reference to Luke 12:13-21]. We can only justify the exorbitance of our lifestyle by ignoring the lostness of the unreached and the misery of the poor.

In August, by the help of God I'm going to be doing a joyful austerity/simplicity experiment. Don't read this as anything really spiritual; it's more like a sincere experiment and learning lesson. Here's what I'm going to try to do.

I'm going to attempt to live for thirty days as close to bare bones and needs only as I can get. That'll look like one helping of healthy food, no hot showers(only luke-warm ones lasting only as long as it takes to suds and rinse), no Starbucks or Wawas coffee, no in-between meal snacks, no entertainment except what seems needed for family and relational benefit, no condiments on my food, or butter or half-and-half, paper backs instead of hard covers (if any books at all), no Ritas, no meals out (unless ministry or relationship required), etc.

I'm aiming for as close to wartime austerity/simplicity as I can get--just to see what it's like, and to see what I learn in the process! You see: the problem seems to be that unless and until we actually do without we never really learn what we can do without!

And besides, I've got a feeling that I'll learn some new things about the sufficiency of God and grace, as well as how I might be able to give a little more to alleviate the misery of a fallen world rather than build another barn.

Biblical Fellowship: Live Together or Die Alone (6)

Questioning Questions

There is no one way to do fellowship. The Bible presents many approaches to personal care for each other’s souls. One very effective method relies heavily on the use of questions. Now you may find yourself questioning the use of questions: “Is there a biblical precedent for this? How is this helpful? Will this feel oppressive and intrusive for the one being questioned?”

“Where Are You” Adam?
In the first ever personal ministry and counseling time (Genesis 3:9-13), we find God searching for Adam following Adam’s act of disobedience. As God approaches this hiding sinner (which describes all of us to some extent), He approaches him with questions, questions the answers for which God already knew.

God asks Adam a series of questions in order to give Adam an opportunity to come out of hiding and to see issues of his heart in ways more helpful than if God had simply come to Adam with a series of corrections or pieces of advice.

The use of questions to help people see the needs and issues of their hearts is a common biblical approach to personal care and correction.* It is not the only valid approach but it is an extremely effective one. One of its advantages (in contrast to a more informational and advice-giving approach) is that it allows people to hear their own thoughts and attitudes without having to be told them by others. In this way, under the blessing of the Holy Spirit, the process of conviction goes on more personally and directly.**

If you obtain my full booklet on this topic (Live Together or Die Alone: a Call to Radical Fellowship), you will see an example from my own life of when I was led into seeing my own heart through a brother’s effective use of questions. In that situation, I do not think I would have seen my heart as clearly if I had been approached by someone loaded with observations and words of wisdom or correction to bring to my attention. The use of gentle questions was effective in opening my heart to see my own issues without proud defensiveness or argument.

Here is a list of questions that can be useful for our conversations/fellowship together:
1. What evidences of grace are you experiencing these days (i.e.-clear signs of growth in Christ and joy in the gospel)?
2. What is one specific truth you gained from that sermon or study or book?
3. What is one specific application of it that you plan to make in your life?
4. What are you struggling with these days?
5. What are biblical terms for this struggle?
6. Why do you think you are struggling with it?
7. How might your view of God affect this struggle?
8. How does the gospel affect you in this battle?


* For a sampling of other examples see God’s questioning of Cain in Genesis 4:6, 9, 10 and of Job in Job 38-41; Samuel’s probing of Saul in 1 Samuel 15:14; Jesus’ use of questions in John 6:5, 6; Luke 24:17, 19; apostolic deployment of questions in James 4:1f; 1 Corinthians 4:7.

** Another fruit of the practiced use of specific questions is an ability to self-assess and self-counsel. Individuals can ask themselves questions which aid in their awareness of the issues and state of their own hearts, so that even when others are not present, the work of sanctification can proceed at full speed.

Biblical Fellowship: Live Together or Die Alone (5)

Hebrews: A Model of Gospel Centered Correction

As stated earlier, the book of Hebrews is both a call to warning and exhorting fellowship, and an example of it. It calls us to warn each other and it is itself an extended warning. So it models what it commands.

If space allowed we could unpack various aspects of such ministry that the author utilizes in this letter.* We would see that he uses a variety of tools in his exhortation appeal to his readers: fear, hope, the love of God our Father, promises, historical examples of what happens to people who do not persevere in faith, and then examples of what God does for those who do.

More than anything, the author proclaims the surpassing worth of Christ (Hebrews 1-4) and the surpassing work of Christ (Hebrews 5-10) as the chief means to inspire his readers to keep on keeping on in the faith of Christ. This is another reminder that all ministry—even warning and exhortation ministry—must always remain gospel ministry. All one anothering in the body of Christ must always be thoroughly Christ and cross centered, or it will not be effective ministry at all.

This is truth for life. I’m reminded of 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 where the ongoing process of being saved (i.e.-the process of perseverance in faith) is maintained through a never ending commitment to the gospel of a crucified and risen Savior. Hebrews models this wonderfully.

All ministry, all fellowship, all correction and wounding grace must be lived out in an atmosphere saturated with an everyday focus on the Person and Work of Christ. Never correct anyone without giving them Christ. Never receive correction without receiving Christ in a fresh way along with that correction.

Correction, the harder work of fellowship, will do only harm unless it is accompanied by reminders of the free justifying, adopting, preserving, and forgiving promises of the gospel—all guaranteed for us through the redeeming work of the Savior.

The writer of Hebrews knew that; so should we.



* For a more complete understanding of the Hebrews’ call to radical fellowship you may obtain a spring, 2008 series of messages presented by TFC, entitled, Live Together or Die Alone. Visit our website to order or download this series.

** For more on cross centered living see our Cardiphonia entitled, Gospel Centered Living from A-Z as well as C.J. Mahaney’s Living the Cross Centered Life and Jerry Bridges’ The Gospel for Real Life.

Loving Truth

"Truth is so obscure in these times, and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it."

Blaise Pascal
Pensees
17th Century

Lord, please give me a love for the Truth, and an obedient heart..

The Encouragement of Electing Love

Another way that the Biblical doctrine of election has very practical implications for our lives and should deeply affect us, is in the strong encouragement and comfort we can draw from it as those who belong to Jesus Christ, even when we sin. Again, from Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism, Joel R. Beeke, pg.70:

Election is profoundly encouraging and comforting for believers. It tells us that God chose us rather than that we chose Him (John 15:16), and that He chose us even when He knew all about our sin. He knew our personalities, our flaws, our hypocrisy, our depression, and our coldness, and yet He loved us and determined to make us like Christ.

Think of Peter, whom Christ knew so intimately. Jesus knew that one night Peter would warm his hands by a fire and swear that he had never known Christ. He knew that one day Peter would stumble again in trying to compromise the gospel in Paul’s presence. He knew Peter would struggle with hypocrisy all his life. Yet Christ still chose Peter, setting His love on such a sinner.

Dear believer, Christ continues to choose sinners. That is good news. But the greatest news of all is that Christ chose you and me, knowing our entire life ahead of time and knowing how disobedient we would be. How encouraging this electing love is to help us press on and to be "steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58b). Election does not discourage us from well-doing, writes Calvin, but makes us "devote ourselves to the pursuit of good as the appointed goal of election" (Eph. 1:4).

I don’t know about you, but for me, the greatest sinner that I know-- though sin no longer reigns over me, it nevertheless does remain in me-- the fact that the infinite/personal God, fully knowing from eternity every one of my sins (even those I would commit after trusting the Savior) and all the ways that I (still) fall short of His glory, nevertheless set His love upon me to rescue me in Christ from my deserved doom and does not, indeed will not, give up on me--well, in the words of the apostle: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

How great is the encouragement and comfort that the implications of this great doctrine brings to us--and what an impetus to holy living!

Biblical Fellowship: Live Together or Die Alone (4)

Live Together or Die Alone

In Hebrews the stakes are high. Read Hebrews 3 and 4 carefully and see that it is so (see also Hebrews 10:26-31 and 12:25-29). Sin takes no prisoners. It deceives, then debilitates, then damns. “When sin is fully grown it brings forth death” (James 1:15).

John Owen used to say, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” Hebrews would indicate that this mortification of sin is a community project;* a matter best handled by something akin to a wartime band of brothers, rather than by a loose association of lone rangers. We either live together or we die alone.**

Do We Save Each Other?

We are not redeemed by each other’s ministry, but we cannot stay redeemed or endure in faith without it.*** Passages like Hebrews 3:12, 13 indicate that if we do not encourage/exhort each other daily, people will be hardened and will fall away from the living God. The redeeming and meritorious means by which we are saved is the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ alone (that’s what Hebrews 5-10 are all about). But the human and here-and-now means by which we are kept saved is the fellowship of other believers. Elsewhere, Paul says that through his life and teaching, Timothy would “save” both himself and those who heard him (1 Timothy 4:16). That’s a startling statement, but a true one.

The role that the church plays in the salvation of each member is similar to that played by parents in their children’s lives. Parents are not the ultimate life-giver or provider for children; God is. But God gives and preserves life in a child by means of the care and provision of parents. He is the Ultimate means of our children’s safety; we are the secondary means.

Likewise as God gives and preserves life in a child by means of the care and provision of parents, so He saves and preserves the salvation of the believer by means of the care and provision of fellowship within the body of Christ. God saves people, but He keeps them saved through us.


* I must be clear to say that the Bible doesn’t endorse an intrusive community approach to every sin in every believer’s life. There are many sins that Christians commit that are occasional and episodic rather than habitual and enslaving. These occasional sins need only be confessed to God, and, if one desires, to others for additional care and prayer. What the community of faith must be attentive to in one another has more to do with habits of sin—sin patterns that threaten to harden a brother or sister in a way of disobedience and unbelief, or harm another person in any way. As a means of grace for one another we must care enough to step into each other’s lives and to invite one another in, so that we can help keep each other from the deadening effects of sin habits and patterns.

** “Perseverance of the saints is a community project. Being together in smaller settings, exhorting one another day in and day out over the phone, in person, face to face, in notes, in e-mails. This is not the icing on the cake! We won’t survive and go to heaven without it” (John Piper).

*** I would want this statement to be nuanced carefully. Fellowship is one of God’s normal means for keeping people in the faith. Of course there are unusual circumstances in which people are isolated from other believers through no fault of their own, and there may be individuals whose view of the church is so distorted that they neglect seriously the biblical call to fellowship, whom God, in His mercy will preserve in faith anyway. Still, Hebrews and other scriptures make it plain that fellowship is one of God’s normal means to keep believers persevering in faith, without which perseverance they will not be saved (Matthew 24:10-12). They would also make clear that when believers neglect such fellowship they will be unfruitful and unblessed, even if saved in the end.

Biblical Fellowship: Live Together or Die Alone (3)

There is much about fellowship, that could be said, but I can’t draw this series out for too long so I’m going to have to zero in here on a few matters that I think need focus because they are areas of weakness in contemporary fellowship.

Where We Are Not So Strong

As we encounter the one another commands of Scripture we are not given the luxury of selective obedience; we have to pursue faithfulness in all that fellowship involves. With this in view we realize that there are aspects of fellowship in which most Christians are not so strong. Particularly I would identify the aspects of biblical correction, warning and admonition. We’ve yet to fully embrace the Bible’s teaching that we are to seek out and offer a ministry of mutual accountability and warning care, such as is encouraged in Proverbs 27:5, 6, 17:

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs isn’t calling us to a ministry of criticism or to a witch-hunt in the church. Rather God is challenging us to notice when brothers and sisters in Christ are caught up in patterns and habits of sin, and to do what we need to, to lead them into the forgiving and transforming grace of God.

Fellowship’s Harder Work

This is what I would call fellowship’s harder work. I say it’s harder, because, well, other things are easier. If anyone finds this work easy, I’d suggest a heart transplant. Frankly, anyone who enjoys wounding a friend is disturbed. People who love find no immediate pleasure in speaking correction or rebuke into the lives of those they love. Parents will know well the experience of disciplining their kids, and being compelled to say to them in the process; “This hurts me at least as much as it hurts you.” Why? Because it does.

Hebrews: A Mandate for Wounding Fellowship

The New Testament letter called Hebrews serves at least two functions. It is both a wounding and warning letter, and it is also a call to wounding and warning fellowship. In this letter the Holy Spirit warns us to stop sinning against, and wandering from Christ,* and He also commands us to warn one another, lest any of us should so wander. Here are three key texts commanding the latter:

“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin…”

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; that no one is sexually immoral or unholy like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal” (Hebrews 3:12, 13; 10:24, 25; 12:12-16).

Hebrews makes it clear that we are our brothers’ (and sisters’) keeper. What matters to you should matter to me, and nothing matters more than that you (and I) keep on keeping on in the way of Christ.

Next time we'll look at what's at stake in all this.


* See Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:12; 4:5-13; 10:26-39; 12:18-29; 13:22. In Hebrews 13:22, the author calls his whole letter an exhortation/warning: “I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.”

Biblical Fellowship: Live Together or Die Alone (2)

One Anothering

Biblical fellowship is fleshed out through a series of New Testament one anothering commands.* Numbering over 50, these commands define the breadth, depth and scope of fellowship as revealed by God. Through these one anothers we see that biblical fellowship cannot be reduced to one-dimensional conversationalism, but must be pursued as a multi-faceted and multi-layered enterprise of love. In order for a church to care faithfully and fully for its members, it needs to embrace all these dimensions of fellowship and practice them with intentional focus.

Selective Fellowship

My experience has been—as I witness my own inclinations and those of others I love—that we tend to be selective in our practice of fellowship. We define and do fellowship in commitment terms with which we are most at ease. We choose aspects of fellowship that fit our personality most readily, make our friends most comfortable, or avoid the tasks most unpleasant.

But the thing about one anothering commands is that they are one anothering commands. All of them are imperatives which mean that none of them is optional. So practicing the one anothers is not a matter of personality or spiritual gifting; it’s a matter of obedience. All of us must do all these things in whatever sphere of fellowship and responsibility God entrusts to us. God calls us to step into this work with faith that He will enable us as we go.

God Gives What God Commands

Sometimes we avoid certain duties because we fear we cannot do them. When obedience is neither comfortable nor easy nor natural, we are tempted not even to try. It was this battle with moral paralysis that led the early church father, Augustine to pray: “Lord, give what you command, and command what you will.”

Augustine prays for grace from God so that he might be obedient to God. He asks God to give what He commands. Then in the confidence that God will do just that, this early Christian pastor boldly invites God to command whatever He wills. And he does so backed up with biblical promise:

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:8-11, emphasis added).**

It is this confidence that God gives grace whenever God gives duty that can liberate us to enter the world of true fellowship with believing hope.


* For example: Romans 13:8; 12:5, 10, 16; 15:5-7, 14; 16:16; Galatians 5:13; 6:1, 2; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9; 5:11, 26; 1 Peter 1:22; 5:14; 1 John 3:11; John 13:34, 35; Acts 2:46; 4:32; Ephesians 4:2; 5:21; Philippians 1:27; Hebrews 3:12, 13; 10:24,
25; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; Colossians 3:12, 13.

** See also Philippians 2:12, 13; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, especially v.11

Biblical Fellowship: Live Together or Die Alone (1)

I’ll be away on vacation for a few days, but in my absence I’ve prepared a few posts that are excerpted from my booklet: Live Together or Die Alone: A Call to Radical Fellowship. I hope you are stimulated to love and good works by them.

Introduction

The Greek words for fellowship appear twenty-seven times in the New Testament, and speak of something shared or held in common or partnered in. Fellowship, a shared life of faith and love, is an essential dynamic of the Christian life. It is essential in that it is part of the essence of life in Christ: we cannot be in Christ without sharing the life of His body (1 Corinthians 12:12, 13).* And it is essential in that none of us can get along without it.** Literally it is true: we live together or we die alone.

Going Beyond “How Are You?”

It’s been observed often that we Christians know well how to dilute the idea of fellowship. We reduce it to little more than chit-chat, being masters of the superficial, engaging in the equivalent of a social dance with a stranger, synchronizing our conversational steps so as to move slightly in each other’s direction without stepping on each other’s toes or getting too close.

We ask each other “How are you?” but then don’t wait around for anything resembling a real answer. If anyone answers with anything but a smiling-faced “I’m fine!” we don’t know how to respond and we’re quite sure we don’t want to. We know that we’re supposed to go beyond how are you, but we seldom seem to get there.

I wish these last two paragraphs exaggerated churches’ fellowship deficiencies, but as I re-read them, I’m startled by how precisely they describe much of my own flawed interaction with others. I’m guilty of the sin of shallow fellowship.

May I encourage you to feel bold enough in God’s forgiving grace in Christ to look hard at yourself to see if you have been guilty of fellowship neglect as well? Let’s realize that grace covers even our failures to love one another in the church as we ought, and with that knowledge let’s stare sin in the face so we can see where we need to grow.


* “All believers share a common life in Christ, whether or not we recognize it. We are in fellowship with literally thousands of believers from every nation of the world. Although we have never met most of them, yet we are in fellowship with them. We disagree with many of them over various issues of faith and practice, yet we are still members of the same Body. Even though we struggle to like some of them, that does not alter the fact that we share together a common life in Christ. Neither our attitudes nor our actions affect this objective sense of koinonia (fellowship). We are in fellowship with all other believers, whether we like it or not--or even recognize the fact. This objective truth of koinonia is meant to provide the foundation for the experiential aspects of fellowship. The realization that we do in fact share a common life with other believers should stimulate within us a desire to share experientially with one another. This is the whole thrust of New Testament teaching on koinonia" (Jerry Bridges).

** "We should not...think of our fellowship with other Christians as a spiritual luxury, an optional addition to the exercises of private devotion. We should recognize rather that such fellowship is a spiritual necessity; for God has made us in such a way that our fellowship with himself is fed by our fellowship with fellow-Christians, and requires to be so fed constantly for its own deepening and enrichment” (J.I. Packer).

God’s Electing Grace – Humbling Us To The Dust

What are the practical implications of Calvinism, particularly the doctrine of election? God’s sovereign electing grace, like all Biblical truth properly understood and responded to, should and will have powerful applicatory sanctifying effects upon the heart and mind. The end of all Biblical instruction is the transformation of our lives, to the supreme end that God Himself is glorified. And one of the effects of unconditional election upon the life of those who have experienced it and realize its significance, is humility--it should humble us to the dust.

The following quote speaks pointedly to this:

Rather than promoting pride and elitism, election is a profoundly humbling doctrine for believers. It keeps us from trying to reverse roles with God (Rom. 9:6-23). It persuades us to let God be God by teaching us there are some things that God has not revealed to us because they are not good for us to know, such as who is elect and who is reprobate (Deut. 29:29) or what tomorrow might bring (James 4:14). Election teaches us not to occupy ourselves with matters too difficult for us (Ps. 131).

Election also humbles us by making us realize that we owe everything to God’s grace. If our eyes have been opened, we see that our salvation is entirely due to the sovereign love and pity of our God, and not to any merit of our own. Electing grace initiates our salvation, accomplishes it, and preserves it. Peter says in (1 Pet. 1) verse 5 that we are “kept by the power of God.” Thus, we can boast of nothing. "A proud Calvinist is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms," Robert Peterson notes.

Dear believer, in electing you, God has given you everything. He has given you His Son, and through Him a new heart, a new status, and a new life. Humble yourself quietly before your electing God, remembering that you owe everything to Him. (Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism, pgs. 69-70)

Is humility a grace that we are genuinely pursuing, and in some real way exhibiting, both in response to God and in relation to each other? I don’t mean merely that we recognize it as a good idea. But rather, is the reality and awareness of God’s absolute and comprehensive sovereignty, a sovereignty that extends even to our personal destiny--both in this life and for eternity--having its prostrating, dust encountering effects in how we live each day? In what specific ways should this posture of humility be increasingly evident in our lives?

And remember, a proud Calvinist is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms.

How Defining Need Biblically Helps Us

Having defined need biblically as we did yesterday, we're brought to the question of significance; does this definition matter? Can I suggest three ways a biblical definition of need should affect our life?

1. It will neutralize our complaining. God has promised to meet our need, and nothing more. Therefore we have no real grounds for murmuring discontent when we are "deprived" of anything other than food and shelter. Also, if we think about such texts as Philippians 4:11-13 and 2Corinthians 11:25-27 we'll realize that even when God chooses to withhold physical need for a greater spiritual cause we have no reason to murmur.

Too often our wealth producees a sense of entitlement in far too many Amercian Christians. And an entitlement mindset yields discontented hearts which only a biblical doctrine of need can cure.

2. It will maximize our gratitude. Realizing that God has met our needs--and given a whole lot more--is easier to do when you define needs as He does. When we are mis-defining luxury and extra as need, we fall easily into ingratitude. When we see that anything more than food and clothing is luxury (and it is) then we feel overwhelmed with the mercies of God!

3. It will radicalize our giving. God gives us more money than is necessary to pay for our needed food and shelter, not so we can spend it on ourselves, but so that we can give it away. There may be some overstatement and absence of needed nuancing in his words, but I cannot help but believe that John Wesley's view of these matters is far closer to truth than is ours.

If I leave behind me £10 pounds, you and all mankind bear witness against me that I lived and died a thief and a robber...Christians should give away all but the plain necessaries of life – wholesome food, clean clothes and enough to continue their business. Anyone who keeps more lives in open, habitual denial of the Lord.

Friends: someone has said that while God ordains that there be rich Christians, he does not intend that there be rich living Christans. If the work of the church and its mission to the lost and needy both locally and globally is in want, and we are spending money on things we do not need, I cannot help but wonder what God thinks of it.

Before we spend money on anything beyond our basic needs we should at least ask ourselves and ask God: "What would God have me do with this money? After all, He's entrusted me with resources for a reason; am I fulfilling that purpose?"

I know there really are biblical qualifiers and nuances touching on this subject, but let us beware lest we miss the clear biblical mandate and allow it to die the death of a thousand qualifications.

If we are thinking biblically, we will give radically. People will see the cars we drive, the homes we inhabit, the food we eat, the decorations we do not have, the simple styles and clothes we wear, the gadgets we refuse, the meals out we forego, the fine landscaping we resist, the expensive vacations we say no to, and they will think: "These people are living for something (the kingdom of God), somewhere (heaven), and Someone (the Lord and Owner of All) different than everyone else."

Do they think that about you right now?

What Is Need, as Biblically Defined?

Anonymous #3 spoke of not wanting to "build new rust piles" (what a vivid word picture!). I think we can be helped to avoid that futile and even sinful way of life by considering this thing we call need.

I'd like you to think with me about need: just what is it? Let's sift through all the things we have come to possess or desire or enjoy, and try to discern which of them is really need and which is extra. Let me begin by mentioning some of the Scriptures that help us define need as God does.

In Matthew 6:25-33 Jesus defines food, drink,and clothing as things the Father knows we need (Matthew 6:31, 32). This would seem to sharpen our focus when defining physical/material need (the kind of need I'm talking about here; spiritual need is another matter) to two basic provisions: adequate nutrition and adequate shelter(clothing is a form of shelter) to nourish our bodies' health and protect our bodies from the elements.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 lends support to this narrow definition of need. In this text Paul speaks explicitly of food and clothing as all we need for contentment. Basic and sufficient food to nourish the body and just enough clothes to cover and shelter the body. Nothing more is required. James 2:14-16 also seems to define need in terms of these same two basic provisions.

In Proverbs 30:7-9 the wise man asks God to preserve him from the kind of luxury that tempts us to forget God. Instead he asks simply for "the food that is needful". There's a parallel here to Jesus' encouragment to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). In essence this prayer says: "Lord we ask for nothing more than today's bread for today's bread is all we need."

All I'm trying to do in mentioning these texts is to help us define physical/material need biblically, as God defines it. And it seems clear that need is to be seen simply as enough food and clothing/roof shelter to keep me alive today (for however many todays God plans to give me). Read that again and give it thought.

To help you gain perspective let me list ten things I have enjoyed, used, and desired in the past 24 hours that I have not needed:
1. Television/internet for entertainment purposes.
2. Sweets (and the second hamburger I had for dinner last evening).
3. A hot shower (or any shower for that matter; a simple gallon bowl of cold water would have sufficed).
4. Sports (I really did not need for my Red Sox to beat the Yankees yet again!)
5. A razor (is it really necessary that I shave?)
6. My easy chair (this is a comfort, not a need).
7. My dog and the dog food she eats (this is a luxury, not a necessity).
8. My chiropractor visit (I really do not need relief from pain, though I do like it).
9. Toothpaste (I could have brushed with water only, and baking soda would do just as good of a job as Crest).
10. The fan blowing on me right now to cool me off.

Stop to think: none of these things is a need as biblically defined. How does this clearer perspective affect your attitudes; your expectations from God; your contentment quotient; your spending plans?

Now what I'd like to ask is that you comment and in your comments help us list many of the things we have enjoyed, desired, and used in the past 24 hours which we may have considered to be necessary or important, but which simply are not.

Go ahead, submit 5-10 suggestions.

Where Moth and Rust Corrupt

It hit me yesterday that everything breaks or rusts or corrodes or wears out. Now you say that this is no real groundbreaking insight, and I readily admit it. But think about it: we live in a world where nothing apart from God and what's done for God lasts.

In the past couple of months, here's some of what's broken or worn out at the 52 Clayton Ave. Shorey homestead: fans have fallen and broken, truck brakes have worn out and been replaced, van "Service engine lights" have gone on for who knows what, teeth have developed cavities and been filled, fences have rotted, tires have flattened, bench supports have come unglued, nails have bent, weed-wackers have frozen in mid-use, lawn mowers have needed repair, pipes have sprung leaks, paint has been marred, toothbrushes have worn out, bulbs have blown, thumbs have scarred, footbones have gone out of joint, couches have ripped, hoses have sprung leaks, pens have run dry, shirts have stained, shoe soles have torn off, shoe-strings have snapped, backs have strained, knees have creaked, necks have ached, arms have hurt, heads have pounded, wood stoves have taken a beating, dishes have shattered.

This is not to mention the hundred things that need constant care, like: hair needing cutting, dishes needing washing, clothes needing laundering, floors needing sweeping, grass needing mowing, oil needing changing, ad infinitum (hey I got some Latin in but it's probably not spelled right since I didn't check my Latin dictionary).

Now I now that you know all about these things; after all you have had to fix them all yourself (ad nauseum) this past month or two. There's nothing new or unique here. We all live in the same fallen and broken world.

Jesus warns about securing our hearts to the stuff of this world since it never lasts (Matthew 6:19-21), and He challenges us to treasure the things that are above.

Stop and think about all you've had to fix lately, and let it affect your goals and aspirations. Don't set your heart on anything, and I mean, not anything here below. It's not worth it. It'll always break apart, wear out, or die away. That's not pessimism or negativism; it's healthy realism that helps us lift our eyes to that which matters most and lasts forever.

Set your hope and love in God, alone.
Period.

Desolation, Doom, and Desperate Prayer

In my devotions this morning I read the last two chapters of Jeremiah which describe the invasion of Jerusalem and its destruction. Then I read all of Lamentations which expresses the prophet's grief over that destruction. As I read I found my heart crying out to God for mercy on His church today and in coming generations.

Jerusalem had once been a city of great joy and holiness as it was the place of God's dwelling and blessing. She was a place of worship, of prosperity, of the real and felt presence of God. The temple was there. The kings lived there. The manifold grace of God was there.

But sin crept in, and it hadn't taken long. David had ruled Jerusalem with a whole heart for God; His son Solomon had ruled with half a heart; his sons and grand-sons with no heart. And from there, with only a few periods of revival mixed in, each generation had become more evil than the ones before. Finally God had enough and allowed Babylon to come in and destroy.

Jerusalem was laid to ruin. And as Jeremiah walked the desolate streets of the once happy, once glorious, once filled-with-God city, he mourned what once was, but was no longer.

This past Sunday, our church building was filled with the glories and beauties of God. Worship was sweet and glad and holy. The Word was preached. The hurting were comforted; the faithful were honored; the lost were found; the glory of God was among His people.

But what will become of this in years to come? As I read this morning, God moved me to cry out for coming generations; for this generation. How quickly we can wander! How quickly we can stray! How quickly we can become complacent! How quickly we can grow spiritually fat and forget God! And how quickly God can remove His favor so that the city, the church once glorious can become a ruin.

I pictured the building in which we worship, and imagined it desolate. I imagined it silent, with no songs of praise, no preaching of the gospel, no celebrations of God's grace, no holy transactions between God and His people; a place desolate and doomed. And I realized that there is an enemy still who seeks to destroy and devour the people of God as he always has.

Lifting my eyes from the page of Scripture this morning I raised them to a picture of my children that rests in the little room where I meet God each morning, and I cried out for each of them and for all their peers: "O God keep them faithful to the covenant; keep them faithful to Your truth; keep them faithful to Your gospel and to Your law--so that Your church will not be a desolation in years to come."

Friends, whatever church you attend can become a desolation in a few short years. It can become a desolation in your lifetime. It's possible for it to happen so quickly that before you die you could walk the halls of your church building and mourn the loss of what once was.

I do not mean to spoil your day with gloom and doom. But I do mean to call you to vigilance and prayer. O pray for your church. Pray for your pastor/shepherds. Pray for your own soul that you would have no delight but in God, no truce with any sin, no infatuation with the world, no compromise with any error.

Pray for this and the coming generation, that we would not see in our day or in any day to come, the doom and desolation caused by the enemy, or by a God who has had enough with the church.

Pray that the halls of Trinity Fellowship Church--both spiritual and physical--would always be filled with the songs and sounds of a holy people who are passionate for their God, who hate sin, and who love nothing but His Name.

The Wonder of Rain

It rained all day last Friday. I was at my desk much of the day, and found myself glancing often through the window... at millions and millions of raindrops.

Ever since pastor Tim used the following illustration in his sermon, I have looked at rain with a new sense of wonder. What follows below should end the debate between those who think the universe is randomly ordered, and those who believe in Intelligent Design. Check this out; copy it off, and have your children bring it to school for an interesting discussion in the science classroom!

"But as for me, I would seek God, And I would place my cause before God; Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number. He gives rain on the earth, And sends water on the fields." (Job 5:8-10)

Is rain a great and unsearchable wonder wrought by God?

Picture yourself as a farmer in the Near East, far from any lake or stream. A few wells keep the family and animals supplied with water. But if the crops are to grow and the family is to be fed from month to month, water has to come on the fields from another source.

From where?

Well, the sky.

The sky? Water will come out of the clear blue sky?

Well, not exactly. Water will have to be carried in the sky from the Mediterranean Sea, over several hundred miles and then be poured out from the sky onto the fields.

Carried? How much does it weigh?

Well, if one inch of rain falls on one square mile of farmland during the night, that would be 27,878,400 cubic feet of water, which is 206,300,160 gallons, which is 1,650,501,280 pounds of water.

That's heavy. So how does it get up in the sky and stay up there if it's so heavy?

Well, it gets up there by evaporation.

Really? That's a nice word. What's it mean?

It means that the water sort of stops being water for a while so it can go up and not down.

I see. Then how does it get down?

Well, condensation happens.

What's that?

The water starts becoming water again by gathering around little dust particles between .00001 and .0001 centimeters wide. That's small.

What about the salt?

Salt?

Yes, the Mediterranean Sea is salt water. That would kill the crops. What about the salt?

Well, the salt has to be taken out.

Oh. So the sky picks up a billion pounds of water from the sea and takes out the salt and then carries it for three hundred miles and then dumps it on the farm?

Well it doesn't dump it. If it dumped a billion pounds of water on the farm, the wheat would be crushed. So the sky dribbles the billion pounds of water down in little drops. And they have to be big enough to fall for one mile or so without evaporating, and small enough to keep from crushing the wheat stalks.

How do all these microscopic specks of water that weigh a billion pounds get heavy enough to fall (if that's the way to ask the question)?

Well, it's called coalescence.

What's that?

It means the specks of water start bumping into each other and join up and get bigger. And when they are big enough, they fall.

Just like that?

Well, not exactly, because they would just bounce off each other instead of joining up, if there were no electric field present.

What?

Never mind. Take my word for it.

I think, instead, I will just take Job's word for it. I still don't see why drops ever get to the ground, because if they start falling as soon as they are heavier than air, they would be too small not to evaporate on the way down, but if they wait to come down, what holds them up till they are big enough not to evaporate? Yes, I am sure there is a name for that too. But I am satisfied now that, by any name, this is a great and unsearchable thing that God has done. I think I should be thankful - lots more thankful than I am.”

John Piper:
The Godward Life

The Personal Electing Love of God

In continuing my focus on the theme of God’s sovereign and gracious election, and it’s warm, pastoral application to our lives, I think it will serve us well to reflect on the individual, personal nature of this expression of the love of God. An expression of love, I might add, to sinful people who are utterly undeserving of this mercy; in fact quite to the contrary, it is expressed to those who are positively deserving of nothing except perishing in the eternal burning as eternal monuments of God’s holy wrath (Eph. 2:1-3).

So, to help us think about this very individual, personal dimension of God’s electing love, here is an excerpt from my reading for our blessing and edification:

The personal nature of God’s election is warm, paternal, and relational. God treats His millions of children as if each were His only child. The minuteness of His loving, fatherly concern is staggering. The hairs of our heads are all numbered. Our names are engraved on the palms of Jehovah’s hands and carried in the heart of the Savior, the Lord Jesus. He whispers our blood-bought names into the ears of His Father in heaven as He makes intercession for us.

Personal election is an incredible comfort in today’s impersonal, computerized society. Many people feel lonely and insignificant, like creatures clinging desperately to a little planet in a vast universe. But the believing Calvinist finds his identity in the infinite God of this vast universe. He confesses with the psalmist, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" (Ps. 23:1). He who has chosen us graciously will never abandon us. All things will work out for our good (Rom. 8:28-39).

No Calvinist who has a personal relationship with the God of unconditional election ever need say, "No one cares; I do not matter." Rather, God grants him to say, "God cares for me so much that He has given me His own Son. He loves me and gave Himself for me" (Gal.2:20). How wondrous to confess that "Christ gave Himself for me, meeting all the conditions of God’s justice for me. He obeyed the law perfectly on my behalf in active obedience, loving God above all and His neighbor as Himself for thirty-three years in this world; for me, He suffered immense agony and cruel rejection; for me, He did not come down from the cruel tree, because I was on His heart as He hung under the curse of God. He fully paid the penalty of my sin, even to death, in passive obedience. For me, He declared that salvation is complete (John 19:30). Now He who rose for me lives to make intercession for me" (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25).

How intensely personal is God’s election. It involves the great heart of the living God. (Living for God’s Glory: An Introduction to Calvinism, Joel R. Beeke, Reformation Trust, 2008, pgs. 66-67).

How comforting to know that in this increasingly impersonal and cruel world we do not relate to the infinite-personal God as part of a nameless faceless mass of humanity. No, instead, the living God of the Bible has set His love upon us from eternity-- individually, personally, by name.

Manna and Miracles: How God Saved an Eye and Saves Souls

Alina was seven years old when the eye doctor she'd had her whole life noticed that her left-eye retina was detached. She'd had issues with this eye since birth. It was stricken with glaucoma congenitally, and was virtually blind from her earliest days. At one, she underwent surgery at the hands of one of the world's best eye surgeons to relieve the pressure and salvage the eye, though not its sight (BTW-pictures of the inside of Alina's eye from that operation have been seen across the world by people attending this doctor's lectures on eye surgery. Undoubtedly, the inside of Alina's eye is one of the most famous eye insides in the world!).

But as if blindness in the eye was not trial enough this new report in her seventh year was not good. A detached retina leads to screaming pain, the only remedy for which is removal of the eye and the implanting of an artificial eye, a trial on top of her other trials that we simply longed that she would not need to bear.

She was sent to the Wills Eye Institute in Philly, where surgeons tried to laser-rivet the retina back in place just to keep it there so it would not cause any more problems or pain. But a week after surgery when we followed up at the doctors, they grieved to report that the surgery had not worked. The retina was still detached, and they did not have any real clue what to do next. They told us to return in a week and they would give us any options they might suggest.

We'd been praying all along, as had hundreds of friends, family, and perfect strangers (who loved and trusted the same Savior we did). So we prayed on for God to save Alina's eye. Seven days later we returned to Wills Eye and awaited the doctors' advice. They took her in, examined her eye, and then hurried out to tell us what they had found: the retina was re-attached. That's right: that which was humanly, naturally and physically impossible and therefore unheard of, had happened. The retina had returned to where it belonged "on its own" and there it has stayed to this day.

In this case our doctors were humble and honest enough to say, and they do to this very hour, that they have no explanation for what happened except that it had to be a miracle. It was God. Retinas do not re-attach any more than the mute talk or the deaf hear or a dog flies. It just does not and can not happen.

But it did.
Friends this is the hand of God.
God is; God cares; God moves; God heals; God saves eyes.

And by the way: God saves souls too. He saves them from hell, from sin, from bondage to fear and drugs and anxiety and depression and anger and soul-hollowing despair. God saves eyes to remind us that He is God and that He is a Savior whose arm is not so short that it cannot deliver (Isaiah 50:2).

I invite you today to come afresh to Him to seek His salvation of your soul from your sin and need, for your joy in your God.

Manna and Motor Cars

"Let us tell to coming generations the glorious deeds of our God" (Psalm 78:4).
How God provides!
Morning by morning new mercies we see.

If you want further evidence of this be sure to read Peter and Brooke's testimonies responding to yesterday's post. Then read on here.

One Friday afternoon in the spring of 2000 Gayline and I spent a few minutes discussing our car situation. Once again we are not the type who sit around often talking about such things (it had been years since our last such conversation), but this moment seemed to demand it. You see, we had a Chrysler "K" car, which, as my old readers will remember, was not a particularly stylish make. Besides, our "K" was arKaic (sorry). It was old and it seemed diseased; at least it looked leprous. And of course most of all it was a mechanical mess; we weren't sure how long the old leprous thing would keep running.

So the talk revolved around whether to try to get another car. But how? We could pay cash for one, except that we didn't have the cash. We could pursue a second income, but in doing so we would have to neglect both family and church needs. We could borrow money for one but we really wouldn't have the money to pay it back. We could charge it on a credit card, but we just didn't think it wise to do life that way. We could beg for one, but I wasn't sure how that would reflect on the reputation of my Father above. We could steal one, but I wasn't sure how the morning headline "Local Pastor Caught Hot-wiring BMW" might affect church attendance and community good will. So we decided to pray and wait on the Lord.

We didn't have to wait long. Forty five minutes later the phone rang and on the other end of the line a friend asked if I was home. Since he had called me at home, it made no sense to deny it. He then asked if he could swing by to show me something, to which I of course said yes. Ten minutes later he pulled into the driveway in a car I did not recognize which turned out to be a one year old like new vehicle of which he had taken possession through a business deal.

Getting out he asked me if I thought our family could use a car like this. Unsure of what he was getting at, and inwardly wrestling with how to tell him that no matter how good of a car or deal it might be, we probably would not be able to afford it, I hesitated. "Yes, I'm sure we could," I replied tentatively . He said "Good!" and reaching into his pocket he pulled out the key, placed it in my hand, and said, "It's yours!"

A gift. Free. No costs. No payments.

It turned out that there was another option besides the paying cash, getting-a-second-income-and-neglecting-family-and-church-in-the-process, borrowing, charging it on a credit card, begging from others, or stealing alternatives I'd thought of: God could just give us a car. In fact, God could foresee months in advance the need for a car that we would have that Friday afternoon and long before that day set in motion a business deal for my friend that would end up including a car thrown in, a deal that would end up being closed on this particular Friday so that he would come into possession of the car the very day we were forced to talk about our need for a new one so that he would actually be driving our new car to our house while we were talking about our need for it, so that it could be delivered within 45 minutes of when we discussed that need so that we would have one more opportunity to experience God's jaw-dropping love in action.

"God knows even before we ask," Jesus said (Matthew 6:8). So why ever panic (Matthew 6:25-34)? And why not pray, and then wait and see what God does?

Two questions:

Does God always act so quickly? No, God's children often have to wait what feels painfully long as their Father makes sure not only to provide for their needs but also, in the process, to build their character. Sometimes to teach us patience, God drizzles His blessing over a long period. Other times to teach us awe, He sends a quick downpour! Be thankful for both.

Does God advocate passivity when it comes to our needs? No; if a man will not work neither shall he eat, He inspires His apostle to tell us (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12).

But here's the truth: if you are a Christian who works as hard as you can at a God-honoring job which He has provided, working with strength that you know comes from Him and which you daily and prayerfully depend on Him to give; and if you work hard without sacrificing time with God or commitment to the other priorities of life (like church and family), making sure never to neglect the kingdom and righteousness of God for the sake of work or physical concerns (Matthew 6:33), and if you still have needs that go beyond what your income can meet, then it's time to pray and wait on God to do His wondrous deeds.

Don't start by thinking about how you can work harder or borrow more or swing a better deal.

Start by asking your heavenly Father, and waiting on the good hand of the One Who provides.

Then, when He does provide, whether it be by drizzle or downpour, be sure to be amazed and grateful and in awe of Him.

And finally be sure to tell this and the coming generations of the wonders done by your God.

Manna and Moccasins: Reflecting More on the Blessings of God

I've only got a short post today because I want to ask for more reflections on yesterday's entry. I'm interested to know what further experiences or insights or questions you may have about living life by faith in the way described yesterday. What do you think/feel about it? Does it raise any concerns? What experiences of remarkable provision have you had?

Let me prime the pump. Awhile back, I had a rare moment in which I actually had a craving for a certain style of shoe, a kind of upgraded moccasin-type look. I mentioned to Gayline that maybe my next pair of shoes could be that style. Within a week someone gave us a bag of hand-me-downs, at the bottom of which was a pair of size twelve shoes, just the size I needed and style I wanted. No one but Gayline and God knew about this desire/need. But clearly even before I asked, God was making provision.

About 4-5 years later when that pair of shoes was worn out I mentioned to Gayline around Christamastime that if the kids wanted to chip in and get me another pair for Christmas, I'd be cool with that. Three days later someone gave us another bag of hand-me-downs and yes, in the bottom of it was another pair of the same style shoes provided for me. And yes again, only God and Gayline knew of the need.

Twice, separated by 4-5 years, in response to a single comment about shoes, and to bless our simple reliance upon Him, my Heavenly Father heard and answered and gave manna/moccasins from heaven.

So, have you had this kind of experience? If you can't think of many do you think it's because you haven't received them or haven't noticed them?

Go ahead: click Commments; type your thoughts in the box; type in the key letters/word; click anonymous if you'd like(if you're willing type your first name in the box with your comments; it's more fun that way); and then click to post your comments.

Friends: take time to see and taste the manna today.

Of Brooms, Blessings, and God's Wondrous Deeds

Late Saturday was spent trying to make my back yard presentable for a BBQ on Sunday afternoon. As I wrapped up my labors I realized that my patio was covered with dirt but that I had no broom adequate for the task. So as has become my way of life, I thought Godward in the moment and wondered how my Heavenly Father might provide me with a good broom to get this done.

Sunday morning arrived and since I was not preaching I decided that I could spare the energy to take our dog Heidi for a walk; something I had never done on a Sunday AM before. And what do I find in the neighborhood, but buried curbside under a pile of garbage a high quality sturdy patio broom. I threw it over my shoulder with heart rejoicing in God and headed on home.

You might think this a happy or lucky coincidence, but I know it to be the hand of God. After all it's the kind of thing that's happened hundreds of times in our family's life ; too many times to be unguided coincidence.

Sunday afternoon I talked with my son Tim who, with Brooke, had just moved into a new place. T and B are living examples of a couple sold out to Christ and the church, and choosing to live simply so that they might aerve and give liberally to the cause of the gospel. So needless to say I'm confident that God will provide their every need, too .

Anyway, TW mentioned that he would be needing a desk for his office at home (he works three days a week from home). I told him--partially joking, but with real faith, that on my way over to visit him in his new home, I'd be looking for God to provide a desk. We laughed--not a laugh of unbelief, like Sarah in Genesis 18:10-12--but a laugh of knowing, trusting glee. We knew that if not within the next hour, somehow and sometime God would provide.

Within the hour, as Gayline and I drove down Rt. 37 to T and B's here's whatI see: a desk on the side of the road, being thrown out by others, being provided by God. Gayline and I loaded it up, and delivered it to T and B, not one hour after the need had been made known.

Folks, this is God. I could fill up a hundred blog posts giving examples of God's care of us in meeting needs in stunning ways (the two I've mentioned are but small and inconsequential examples!). Whenever we drive and walk and pray and decide on how needs in our life are going to be met, Gayline and I look for God's provisions. Call me a scrounger or call me a man looking for manna from heaven. As best I know my heart, the second description fits me more closely than the first.

I am aware that God loves to provide in amazing ways. He's done it so often for Gayline and me that we've come to see it as the norm, not the exception. I could tell of cars provided, shoes from heaven, cancer treatments prepared beforehand, clothes given, furniture supplied, bills paid, a daughter's retina reattached by miracle, food delivered, and a whole lot more.

It would blow your mind. But then, that's what God loves to do: blow our minds. He loves to do things that make us stop and wonder and worship.

What has He done for you lately? I'm sure He's done as much for you as He has for me, or anyone else who's walking faithfully with Him. Stop and notice, and it'll fill you with wonder!

Pauline Peace!

It's been my priviledge to contribute to this blog each Monday. This is an especially good slot because I get to reflect on Sunday's preaching while it is still fresh in my mind.

Yesterday's message was taken from the life and example of the great apostle Paul. There's no one quite like Paul! It's no wonder or Lord chose him to be the one who would unveil the mystery of the ages... salvation to the Gentiles, a righteousness that comes by faith, and "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Brian skillfully preached about a man, (Paul) who lived a holy and joyful life inspite of sufferings, privation, persecutions, overwhelming responsibilities, and imprisonment-- and who managed to do all this without complaining!

The wonderful and practical conclusion we collectively drew from Paul's example was this: That we, like Paul, could live holy and joyful lives today! There was this almost palpable sense of relief as the point of the sermon began to hit home. It was a message that took a profoundly important truth, and managed to crystallize it in a simple, practical, and believable way.

We were reminded, through Paul's example, that that no matter what difficulties come our way, we (like Paul) can obediently rejoice our way through life, because of a confident faith that tells us our loving and sovereign God is in absolute control, working out all things in us, for his good pleasure.

Brothers and sisters, this is liberating! This means there is never a time for me to worry, or fret, or fear, or doubt, or be dismayed by circumstances. God is always at work! My sole responsibility is to walk with him, trust in him, and obey him.

God grant that as we reflect on what Brian preached this week, we may enter into a new rest, and that our hearts and minds would remain guarded by the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding... a Pauline peace!