2018

Why do we celebrate a new year? Perhaps it’s a chance to have a fresh start, make reforms or resolutions, or to set new goals. While these opportunities are real, they can be seized all year round!

As Christians, we are called by God to live for Him. This calling is for our whole lives, that means all the time in everything! To quote Romans 12:1-2, "1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." I encourage you to do this in 2018 and beyond. Prayerfully give yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ in every way, every day!

It has been a blessing to share encouragements in Christ this past fall. In prayerfully thinking through 2018, I am going to focus energy elsewhere. Perhaps I will write again in the future. :) Thank you for reading, and may you have a blessed new year being built up in Christ!

- Jordan

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ro 12:1-2). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The Glory of God

Preparing for Christmas and to sell our house has kept me busy the last few weeks! I am thankful that I am finally writing another post. Thank you readers, for your patience!

During breakfast, my little brother and I listened to Exodus 33-34 on BibleGateway's audio Bible. I was awestruck at the glory of the LORD (who God is) as revealed in this passage. Recent struggles with sin, and God's gracious providing of victory through faith in Christ were fresh in my mind. Part of the struggle was, "How could God be so patient, gracious, merciful and compassionate (not to mention loving) towards me? I fail. I know He is faithful. I know He is just and holy." It is in these prideful thoughts that the Lord, by His Spirit through the Word, gives His grace: "...the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." (2 Cor. 4:4).

This leads to another reality that struck me: God's interaction with His people in the Old Testament as compared with the New Testament. The New Covenant is totally "new" (unheard of), because of Jesus Christ. I think of Hebrews and the focus there on Jesus being better than old way of doing things. In Exodus we see Moses interceding on behalf of Israel. In the New Testament (Romans 8 and Hebrews), we see Jesus' High Priestly ministry.

After looking over Exodus 32-34 (I highly recommend you read this passage), I read 2 Corinthians 3:7-18:

          7      But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,
          8      how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?
          9      For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.
          10      For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it.
          11      For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
          12      Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,
          13      and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.
          14      But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.
          15      But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;
          16      but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
          17      Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
          18      But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

To tie this up, let's go to John 1:14-18:


          14      And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
          15      John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’ ”
          16      For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
          17      For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
          18      No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

What is our response? Worship and thanks to Yahweh!


New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (2 Co. 4:4, 2 Co 3:7–18, Jn 1:14–18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Scripture Memory

When I think of love for the Bible, Psalm 119 comes. Verse upon verse about the awesome wonders of God! Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You."

Psalm 1:1-3 says,

1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.

I recently started a Scripture memory schedule with my girls' Bible study. We're memorizing and meditating on one Scripture passage a week for the next 52 weeks. (We even snuck in a few extra favourites). Though some passages may be familiar, they are excellent truths! And when we meditate on them, we're getting to know God more. We as believers, want to live pleasing lives before our loving Creator. It is my prayer that as we study, memorize and meditate on Scripture, His truths will go from our head to our hearts to our hands (Col. 3:16).

Below is the schedule. I hope you join in!

Week 1: Gen. 1:1
Week 2: Jn. 1:1
Week 3: Jn. 1:14
Week 4: Rom. 3:23
Week 5: Rom. 5:8
Week 6: Rom. 6:23
Week 7: Rom. 10:9-10
Week 8: Ps. 119:11
Week 9: Heb. 4:16
Week 10: 1 Jn. 4:18
Week 11: 1 Jn. 5:14
Week 12: 1 Jn. 5:15
Week 13: Jn. 14:6
Week 14: Jn. 14:27
Week 15: Is. 26:3
Week 16: Is. 53:5
Week 17: Is. 53:6
Week 18: Rev. 4:11
Week 19: Matt. 6:33
Week 20: Rom. 8:28
Week 21: Pr. 3:5
Week 22: 1 Cor. 10:13
Week 23: Ps. 55:22
Week 24: Rom. 12:18
Week 25: Pr. 1:7
Week 26: Eph. 5:18
Week 27: Eph. 5:19
Week 28: Eph. 5:20
Week 29: Eph. 5:21
Week 30: Gal. 5:22-23
Week 31: Jas. 1:3-5
Week 32: 1 Thess. 5:16-18
Week 33: Eph. 2:8-9
Week 34: Gal. 2:20
Week 35: Gal. 3:15
Week 36: Rom. 1:16
Week 37: Ps. 56:3
Week 38: Ps. 4:8
Week 39: Matt. 28:18-20
Week 40: Acts 1:8
Week 41: Ps. 23:1-3
Week 42: Ps. 23:4-6
Week 43: Is. 9:6
Week 44: Lk. 2:10
Week 45: Lk. 2:11
Week 46: Lk. 2:12
Week 47: Rev. 22:20
Week 48: 2 Cor. 4:6
Week 49: 2 Cor. 4:7-9
Week 50: Ps. 100:1-3
Week 51: Ps. 100:4-6
Week 52: Col. 3:15
Extra: Pr. 15:1
Extra: Ps. 103:8


New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ps 119:11, Ps 1:1–3). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Praying the Proverbs

In my personal devotions, I'm currently doing an in-depth study of the book of Proverbs. Slowing down has helped me really meditate on the text and work through difficult passages to understand. During this time, I have also found a great opportunity to pray the Proverbs. Before we dig into an example of how one might pray the Proverbs, let’s get a little background on the book.

 

Proverbs chapter 1 speaks about the purpose in verses 1-6:

 

               1      The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

               2      To know wisdom and instruction,

         To discern the sayings of understanding,

               3      To receive instruction in wise behavior,

         Righteousness, justice and equity;

               4      To give prudence to the naive,

         To the youth knowledge and discretion,

               5      A wise man will hear and increase in learning,

         And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,

               6      To understand a proverb and a figure,

         The words of the wise and their riddles.

 

In verse 7, we see the launch point for the remainder of the book: the wise and the foolish. Verse 7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Before I started into studying Proverbs, I referenced the MacArthur Study Bible’s “The Book of Proverbs”, the BKC’s “Proverbs by Sid S. Buzzell” and Dr. Abner Chou’s OT Survey lecture on The Book of Proverbs to try and wrap my arms around this rich book. For further study, I also recommend looking into Prof. Bruce Waltke’s works here: https://www.biblicaltraining.org/proverbs/bruce-waltke.

 

Proverbs 1 and 4 tells us the value of wisdom. 4:7 says, “The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom (Or the primary thing is wisdom); and with all your acquiring, get understanding.”

 

We must remember Who the source of wisdom is. 2:6: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

 

It is my prayer that you will know God deeper as you study His wisdom in Proverbs. And may praying the Proverbs bring you to an even more intimate place of worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ!

 

I am currently in the first 5 verses of chapter 13, so let’s read them, and then I’ll give a sample prayer for verse 1a:

 

               1      A wise son accepts his father’s discipline,

         But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

               2      From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good,

         But the desire of the treacherous is violence.

               3      The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;

         The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

               4      The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing,

         But the soul of the diligent is made fat.

               5      A righteous man hates falsehood,

         But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully.

 

A wise son accepts his father’s discipline, Heavenly Father, I pray that as Your children, by the grace of Christ, we would readily accept Your discipline (Pr. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:4-11); knowing that such discipline is “… for our good, so that we may share [Your] holiness.” (Heb. 12) And “… to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Heb. 12) May we also respect our earthly fathers, who “disciplined [discipline] us … as seemed best to them ….” (Heb. 12). We ask in faith for wisdom (Jas. 1:5-8), and we thank You that You graciously grant this! Thank You for the grace we have in Christ, who is the ultimate wise Son (Matt. 3:17; Col. 2:3). Thank You for being our perfect Father, who disciplines us. Thank You for Your Word, which gives us wisdom. We pray all these things in Jesus’ precious name, amen.

 

Your prayers may not be this intricate for each line. With reference to verse 1b, it may be something more like, Father, I pray that You would have mercy on the scoffer. May we abhor his way. And so on and so forth.

 

On a final note, as you are studying and praying, remember to always use proper hermeneutics! You don’t ever want to add or take away from the text (Pr. 30:5-6; Rev. 22:18-19). Rather, may your time in the word be a time of worshipping the Word, Jesus Christ!

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Pr 1:1-7, 2:6, 4:7, 13:1–5; Heb 12:4-11). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The Gospel Vs. Legalism - Part 2

What does the word “sanctification” mean? Merriam-Webster defines it, “1: an act of sanctifying; 2a: the state of being sanctified, b: the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion”. The first two definitions of “sanctify” are, “1: to set apart to a sacred purpose or to religious use: CONSECRATE; 2: to free from sin: PURIFY”. In the Bible, we see that it means “to set apart unto God.” We see that believers are sanctified by God (set apart to God from sin at the moment He saved them – see last week’s post, “The Gospel Vs. Legalism”) and are being sanctified by God (this salvation is continually being worked out until glorification).

Last week’s post talked about the initial act of God saving sinners. This one-time event is seen in Ephesians 2:1-10, where spiritually dead people are brought to life in Christ. (Other passages speak of this as believers being “crucified with Christ” [Rom. 6; Gal. 2; Col. 2] and “raised up with Christ” [Col. 3]). They are securely saved forever (Jn. 10; 17). So sure is this salvation, that our final transformation, or, glorification is stated in the past tense (Eph. 2:4-7; Rom. 8:28-30). We’re not perfect yet though.

We are works in progress, and this process of setting us apart from sin is our sanctification. God is doing this! Among many others, there are a few passages in Romans and Hebrews to look at regarding this:

Romans. 5:8-11:

          8      But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
          9      Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
          10    For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
          11    And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Romans 8:28-34:

          28      And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
          29      For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
          30      and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
          31      What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
          32      He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
          33      Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;
          34      who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Hebrews 7:23-25:

          23      The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing,
          24      but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
          25      Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

Finally, Hebrews 10:11-14:

          11      Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins;
          12      but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
          13      waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.
          14      For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

Notice Jesus, alive and interceding for His saints! Rather than working to be holy, let us live by faith in Him. Thanks be to Him (1 Cor. 15:57)! If you want to read more about sanctification, read Galatians. These people were struggling with legalism. We see a sampling here as Paul writes in 2:20-3:3:

    20      “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
    21      “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

Chapter 3

Faith Brings Righteousness

          1      You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?
          2      This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?
          3      Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
          4      Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

Lastly, 2 Cor. 5:14-15 sums up believers lives well: “14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.” What amazing love!

In response, I think of two hymns. “I need no other argument, I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me” (“My Faith Has Found A Resting Place”) and “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand…” (“On Christ The Solid Rock”).

Yes, we “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12-13), but we fix our eyes on Jesus, "the author and perfecter of faith" (Heb. 12).

“If our primary goal is love Jesus, everything else will fall into place…when we’re tempted to let our failures overwhelm us, let us look at the greatness of Christ – He lived perfectly, and He died for us. When God looks at us, He sees Jesus, because He’s filling us.” - Rachel Clifford

To God be the glory!

For further reading see 1 Thess. 4:1-12; 5:23-25.


Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 
New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ro 5:8-11; 8:28-34; Heb 7:23-25; Heb 10:11–14; Ga 2:20-3:4; 2 Co 5:14-15). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The Gospel Vs. Legalism

Many believers and non-believers today are confused about God’s salvation. In this two part series, we will look at “The Gospel Vs. Legalism” concerning salvation. Part one will touch on the initial salvific act of God on a sinner’s behalf. Part two will touch on “The Gospel Vs. Legalism” concerning sanctification. Presently, we’ll define the Gospel and how God saves a sinner initially. Since October 31^st is next Tuesday (the Reformation anniversary), let’s briefly look at some history.

In reflecting upon the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation, we remember a return to the true Gospel. The Church, at the time, was promoting works righteousness in order to get to God. God in His grace, worked in many instrumental people’s lives to proclaim His truth rebutting man’s faulty ways. We thank God for them!

The word "Gospel" is a translation of the Greek word euangelion, meaning "good news". That's exactly what it is: God's Good News on how to be saved! There is no other "good news". In other words, there is no other way to be saved, other than by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4:

          1      Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand,
          2      by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
          3      For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
          4      and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

This is the Gospel! Paul writes in Romans 1:16-17: “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”

Read Ephesians 2:1-10 carefully:

          1      And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,
          2      in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
          3      Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.
          4      But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
          5      even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
          6      and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
          7      so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
          8      For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
          9      not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
          10    For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

There’s no need for further explanation on these two passages. They clearly proclaim that “Salvation belongs to the Lord…” (Ps. 3:8). This passage in Ephesians will serve as a launching point for next weeks’ part two: “The Gospel Vs. Legalism” concerning sanctification. One more passage on today’s topic:

Titus 3:3-8:

          3      For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.
          4      But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
          5      He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
          6      whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
          7      so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
          8      This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

In closing, may we heed Paul’s words in Philippians 3 when he dealt with the legalists of his day:

          1      Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
          2      Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
          3      for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,

Thanks be to God!

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Co 15:1–4, Ro 1:16-17, Eph 2:1-10, Tt. 3:3-8, Php 3:1-3). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

“Wait for the LORD…”

We were created to work (Gen. 1-2). Believers are specifically created unto “good works” (Eph. 2:8-10). Waiting is a difficult task. One might think of waiting as an inactive or passive state. The Bible speaks otherwise. Thoughts have crossed my mind, “God, I want to do something for You…but I can’t.” Waiting is doing something for God.

Life is full of instances where we are waiting for specific things (an unsaved child to come to Christ, healing in a broken relationship, fruit to be born in ministry – you fill in the blank). Really, the whole Christian life is in a waiting state as we eagerly await the return of our Lord Jesus (Tit. 2:13; Heb. 9:28; 2 Pet. 3:20; Jude 21). We are not, however, idle during our waiting. For the Lord is working in us through the waiting, for His glory!

In Psalm 27, we are called to “Wait for the LORD; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the LORD.” Our waiting draws us to dependence upon Him, who “…is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” (2 Cor. 9:8). Paul tells the Corinthian Church, who have been transformed (and are being transformed as they await the future and final transformation): “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor. 15:58). Read this verse again. (See Rom. 8:18-39 and Heb. 11-12 and context). We see this all over the Bible where saints are to live in perseverance of doing good, awaiting the blessing of the Lord.  

In both the Old and New Testaments, people waited in expectation of something. Noah waited for the dove to return with a sign of dry land (Gen. 8:10-12). The Psalmists repeatedly tell of waiting for the LORD (Ps. 27; 37; 62; 130) and the people of God waited for Messiah’s coming. There are many more examples of waiting in the Bible. But I want to highlight that we are being prepared in our waiting unto the sure hope that the Lord has promised – eternal life (Tit. 3:4-8)! Don’t waste your waiting-filled life. Live for the Lord, anticipating eternal life with Him (Jn. 10:10).

The Lord does bless us in this life (Ps. 103). We praise Him and thank Him for this, including the greatest blessing of knowing Him (e.g. Ps. 100)! This blessed life with God foretastes the reality of our hope and will only increase until that day – come Lord Jesus!


New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ps 27:14; 2 Co 9:8; 1 Co 15:58). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.