Helpless Without God

I don't know about you, but I love to see God's truth expressed in the "hands-on" aspects of life. I mean, don't get me wrong, I enjoy abstract theological discussions as much as anyone, but I beleive God's Word was given for us primarily to demonstrate as opposed to debate.

I was reminded of this again this morning in my reading from a few verses in Psalm 44. For example, verse 1 says, "God, we have heard with our ears - our forefathers have told us - the work YOU accomplished in their days..." (HCSB, emphasis added). Also, verse 2 explains, "[T]o plant them, YOU drove out the nations with YOUR hand; to settle them, YOU crushed the peoples" (HCSB, emphasis added). Again, verse 3 reads, "For they did not take the land by their sword - their arm did not bring them victory - but by YOUR right hand, YOUR arm, and the light of YOUR face, for YOU were pleased with them" (HCSB, emphasis added).

Are you getting the picture? I think it's pretty obvious, but let's keep going for just a little bit longer...

Verse 4 plainly teaches, "YOU are my King, my God, who ORDAINS victories for Jacob" (HCSB, emphasis added). And now check-out the clarity of verse 5: "Through YOU we drive back our foes; through YOUR name we trample our enemies" (HCSB, emphasis added). Lastly, just in case we missed it, the Psalmist wraps-up verses 6-8 with the obvious point that God alone is our hope: "For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword does not bring me victory. But [note the contrasting conjunction here] YOU give us victory over our foes and let those who hate us be disgraced. We boast in GOD all day long; we will praise YOUR name forever" (HCSB, emphasis added).

So the point here is pretty plain, right? God alone is our Hope, Strength, Victory, Shield, Fortress, Power, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, Shepherd, Shelter, Strong Tower, etc. In a word, God is our EVERYTHING! Jesus says that without Him we can do NOTHING (see John 15:5). I once heard a guy explain that "nothing" is a zero with the rim knocked off of it. Now that's nothing!

If you want to catch just one little historical glimpse of what this looked like in Israel's conquest, for instance, read Joshua 10:1-14. In these fourteen verses, we find a reference to Jericho in verse 1. By the way, who demolished the walls of Jericho as Israel shouted? God did. The Israelites didn't build a seige ramp nor use a battering ram to break through the walls. Also, notice what verse 11 says: God sent hailstones on the fleeing enemy, and more of the opposition was killed by the hailstones than the swords of Israel! Isn't this an obvious reference to the fact that God was fighting this battle? Lastly, after we read how God held the sun still for a while, the end of verse 14 simply reads, "Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel" (NIV)!

So let me close this blog with a simple but probably obivous question at this point: Who or what are you really trusting in today?

I read a statement a long time ago in The Complete Green Letters that I never forgot. I'm not sure I'm quoting it verbatim, but this is very close if it isn't exact: "To be disappointed with yourself is to have believed in yourself."

WOW! Everytime I read or remember this quote, I'm convicted of how much I do rely on myself - my strength, my wisdom, my training, my personality, my resources, my, my, my!

God, help me grow and consistently live according to the truth of Your Word: Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (NIV).

May we live this day and everyday completely, consistently, and joyfully dependent on the Lord for His glory alone!

Blessings...

Truth for the Trenches of Life

While I've not been posting blogs on my daily Bible reading lately, I'm currently in the book of Psalms. My focus for today was Psalms 34-36, and I wanted to share this thought which came to me after I finished my reading.

Check out the "title" for Psalm 34: "[A Psalm] Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left."

The historical background for this Psalm is very likely to be 1 Samuel 21:10-15 which chronicles how David fled from Saul to Achish, the Philistine king of Gath. The NIV Study Bible explains that the name "Abimelech" rather than "Achish" appears in the Psalm's title because "perhaps Abimelech was a traditional dynastic name or title for Philistine kings" (see the commentary note in the NIV Study Bible Psalm "34 title").

But here's the main question: Don't you find this title interesting? I certainly do. I think this title (and many others) show how God's Word is truth for the trenches of life. In other words, the Psalms are prayers, praises, pleas, and petitions offered to God in all seasons of life - times of worship and war, community and conflict, deliverance and disaster, pleasure and pain, triumph and tragedy, etc.

And here's the comfort and confidence this truth breeds in my life: The truth of God's Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, indeed! Isn't this the self-proclaimed testimony of the Psalter? Sure it is. The Psalmist declares to God in Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (NIV).

I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that the truth of God's Word is for the trenches of life. It's not flowery sentiments locked away in the unreachable heights of stained glass windows in the sanitary confines of cathedrals. Rather, it's truth you can sink your fingernails into as you navigate every season and situation of life's oftentimes stormy journey.

I've personally sung through many Psalms and sweated through many others. I've celebrated through many Psalms and cried through many others. I've shouted "Amen" at times when my heart agreed with the Psalmist's proclamation of praise originally uttered thousands of years ago, and I've whispered my own "questions" to the Lord from my heart filled with pain as I saw a reflection of myself in the pleas of a Psalmist who was suffered thousands of years ago as well.

"Truth for the Trenches of Life." I guess, I could use this title for any blogs on the Scripture because this is what all of God's Word, Genesis through Revelation, is: Truth for the Trenches of Life.

May we always thank God for His inspired, inerrant Word! And may we always seek to be doers of His Word by the power of His Spirit and not just hearers of His Word (see James 1:22-25). By doing this, we'll build our lives on a rock which will stand through every storm of life (see Matthew 7:24-27).

Blessings...

Reaching the Next Level Is Available through SonLife Christian Bookstore in Hammond, LA

Great news! Reaching the Next Level is available through SonLife Christian Bookstore in Hammond, LA. So now you have more options than ever on how you can get your copy today. You can get the books directly from the publisher by clicking on the book ad located on the right column of this blog, from major online bookstores (like www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com), or through our very own local Christian bookstore right here in Hammond!

SonLife Christian Bookstore is located at 1417 West Morris, Hammond, LA 70403, and you can reach the store at 985-345-6576.

The hours of operation for the store are as follows:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

You can access the Hammond store's website at:

http://www.sonlifechristianstore.com/Hammond-Store.html.

If you chose to go by SonLife to order your copy, please let the owner Whit know how much you appreciate his service to our local community and for ordering your copy of Reaching the Next Level through his store.

Blessings!

The Centrality of the Cross

Here's another quote from Pendleton's Christian Doctrines (see my last blog post). Actually, Pendleton takes these words below from a Dr. Edward Payson.

I can't help but reflect on Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 as I read this quote. In these verses Paul says things like:

1 Corinthians 1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" (NIV).

1 Corinthians 1:23-24, "[W]e preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" (NIV).

1 Corinthians 1:30-31, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord'" (NIV).

1 Corinthians 2:2, "I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (NIV).

Seems pretty clear that the centrality of the cross should be proclaimed in every aspect of our life and message.

So here's Dr. Payson's thoughts on the centrality of the cross as Pendleton quotes them. Of course, please remember that this language and manner of expression is from a by-gone century! Enjoy...

"To the cross of Christ all eternity has looked forward; to the cross of Christ all eternity will look back. The cross of Christ was, if I may so express it, the first object which existed in the divine mind; and with reference to this great object all other objects were created. With reference to the same object they are still preserved. With reference to the same object every event that takes place in heaven, earth, and hell is directed and overruled. Surely, then, this object ought to engage our undivided attention. We ought to regard this world merely as a stage on which the cross of Christ was to be erected and the great drama of the crucifixion acted. We ought to regard all that it contains as only the scenes and draperies necessary for its exhibition. We ought to regard celestial luminaries merely as lamps, by the light of which this stupendous spectacle may be beheld. We ought to view angels, men, and devils as subordinate actors on the stage, and all the commotions and revolutions of the world as subservient to this one grand design. Separate any part of this creation, or any event that has ever taken place, from its relation to Christ, and it dwindles into insignificancy. No sufficient reason can be assigned for its existence, and it appears to have been formed in vain. But when viewed as connected with him every thing becomes important; everything then appears to be a part of one grand, systematic, harmonious whole - a whole worthy of him that formed it. It was such a view of things which led the apostle to exclaim, 'God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.'"

[This quote is taken from Dr. Edward Payson as it appears in James Pendleton, Christian Doctrines: A Compendium of Theology (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1878), 103-104.]

All I can say to this is "Amen!" May we all live every moment of our lives in light of the centrality of the cross.

Blessings!

It's All About God's Glory

I'm reading a couple of books these days. One of them is by James M. Pendleton, and it's entitled Christian Doctrines: A Compendium of Theology. It was originally published in 1878. The other book I'm reading is by Joshua Harris, and it's entitled Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters. It was originally published in 2010! Both books are basically systematic theology books - they're attempting to systematize what all of Scripture says on particular theological subjects like God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Humanity, Sin, etc.

Of course, everything you and I read must be measured against and filtered through the truth of God's Word. Only the Scriptures are inspired and inerrant (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

So here's a little "nugget" from Pendleton's book which I thought I would pass along to you concerning what Scripture says about the supreme priority of God's glory in all things. I love the message in these words, and I must say I also love the 1878 language, too! Enjoy...

"God in willing to create the universe designed thereby to promote the glory of his own name. It is needless, and indeed it would be untrue, to say that he had no other object in view; but manifestly his supreme purpose was the glory of his own name. All other purposes are inferior and subordinate to this. For men to seek their own glory is selfish and culpable, because in this case they seek a low and insignificant object; whereas the highest and most important object - namely, the divine glory - should ever be had in view. Hence there is a positive command: 'Do all to the glory of God' (1 Corinthians 10:31). But how is it with God himself? The divine intellect in the boundless range of its contemplations finds no object of such exalted importance as the divine glory, and God is therefore under the blessed necessity of acting with a view to his own glory, and of subordinating everything to its promotion. He had his glory supremely in view in the creation of all things; and as the purpose of creation is executed in providence and redemption, we see that is one and the same. We therefore learn from the Old Testament that 'the Lord Jehovah hath made all things for himself' (Proverbs 16:4), and that his glory he 'will not give to another' (Isaiah 42:8); while in the New Testament it is said of Christ that 'all things were created by him, and for him' (Colossians 1:16)."

[The above quote is taken from James M. Pendleton, Christian Doctrines: A Compendium of Theology (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 1878), 102-103.]

Well, I think the message here is clear, don't you? May we live everyday for the purpose for which we were created - To glorify God!

Blessings...

"Silent" But Not "Still"

Well, it's been about two weeks or so since I've posted on the blog. Although I've been "silent" during this time, I've certainly not been "still"! The Lord has done some really neat things over the last few days, and I can summarize His work with four words...

1. Replicate

I was honored to be a part of the Replicate conference in New Orleans on October 29-30th. I led a breakout session on Reaching the Next Level, and God encouraged me greatly with the response I received toward the books.

Let me share a little background about why I was so encouraged. You see, some time ago (a couple or so years ago, I guess), my wife and I participated in another conference at New Orleans Seminary called Kaleo (basically, Greek meaning "to call"). This is a conference NAMB (or the North American Mission Board) puts on for Juniors and Seniors in high school and college students who are exploring the possibility of a call to ministry or missions. I spoke in one of the large sessions at this conference, and I also led a couple of breakout sessions.

Well, for my second breakout session, no one showed up! Listen, I mean, NO ONE showed up! I was sitting in my designated room at the appointed starting time with the door opened, and no one arrived. It was just me, my Bible, and Jesus - which is more than enough for any and every situation in life, by the way.

But I must confess, I was feeling pretty discouraged at the time. Then a college student walked by my room. I don't think he was coming to my session because he first walked past my room, then he took a couple of steps backward to check on me. I explained no one was in my session so he asked if he could talk with me. I told him that would be fine - all I had was time!

We had a very good conversation sharing about all God was doing in our lives both through the seasons of spiritual "plenty" and seasons of spiritual "pain". After we talked, we went our separate ways. We talked again either personally or via email since that time, and it always amazed me how this student would refer back to that conversation at Kaleo as a special time God used to encourage him. By the way, he's now serving the Lord through missions in Canada.

Okay, now fast forward to a couple of weeks ago to Replicate in New Orleans. When I arrived early on Saturday morning, I was planning to connect with one of the conferenece leaders to find a place to set my "books" up with order cards so that anyone who was interested in the books could glance at them and take an order card. But I really second-guessed this plan when I arrived. I mean, all the other exhibits were on big tables with tons of info, banners, decorations, candy, brochures, etc. I was going to have a set of printer proofs of the books with a typed-out flyer saying they were not for sale and a stack of business-sized order cards! I decided I wasn't going to worry about it. So feeling a bit discouraged and foolish, I kept the books with me.

I must tell you at this point, I was remembering my empty room at the Kaleo conference and wondering if anyone was even going to show up for the breakout session on Reaching the Next Level. And so after a busy morning connecting with folks and finding out my breakout assignment, I set things up in the room and put everything in God's hands.

Then when the time came to begin the session, I was amazed. People started coming through the door. They filled every seat, stood against the back wall, sat on the floor, and (I found out later) one person said she was sitting in the hallway, I believe! While things were pretty rushed because of time constraints, we had a great time overviewing the books and sharing a few questions and answers.

After the session, folks were coming up to me to get order cards and ask questions about using the books. One youth pastor was interested in maybe using it with his students, another leader was curious about using it for a new members orientation class, one Dad asked about using it as a discipleship tool for his family, etc! I don't know if anything will come from these inquiries, but it was nevertheless very encouraging to me to see how people were responding to the books.

2. Rest

After the Replicate conference, I preached at our Fellowship and led the Lord's Supper the next day (Sunday), and then our family took-off for a few days of vacation. We traveled to Hope, Arkansas to visit some friends. I was able to relax and watch the second half of the Sunday Night Saints game - WHO DAT! We had a great time sleeping in, hanging out, and sharing with our friends about the Lord's work in our lives.

Then we traveled to Missouri and stayed at the Big Cedar Lodge just outside of Branson, Missouri. Man, this place was amazing! The sights were unbelieveable. I've never been to the Ozark Mountains before, but I definitely hope to go again.

You might ask what we did while we were there - we took things day by day! Some of our sweetest friends were with us on the trip, and we just enjoyed sleeping in, taking naps, checking things out around the Big Cedar Lodge area and Branson, and eating some fabulous food. It was so much fun and such a wonderful time of rest!

3. Release

When we returned home from the vacation time, Reaching the Next Level was already officially released. The books are now available through the main distribution channels (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.).

However, I must say that I still think the best deal, at least from what I can see, is to get them through the publisher's website by using the book ad located on the right column of my blog. It seems the prices for the books "fluctuate" on Amazon, for example, but they are the same on the publisher's site. So while you may get one version of the book at a lower price on Amazon, for instance, the other version may be listed higher. Whereas on the publisher's site, the prices for both books are listed at the same discounted amount and set at a certain price which has remained the same since the pre-order phase.

4. Revivals

The Lord also opened a couple of doors to preach for two revivals in the last few days. First, I was with my dear Brother Kevin and his wife Beth (and their precious little son, Silas) at FBC Lockport for a "Discipleship Revival".

Wow! This was a sweet and special time of ministry for several reasons. One reason was that I was sharing preaching time with Bro. Tim, my "father in the faith" and one of my key mentors. What an honor it was to serve in this way.

And another reason was that some of the men who attended the revival were used by God in very special ways in my life over the years. For example, one of the men who attended all the services was another "Bro. Tim" who encouraged me to return to school during a time when I was out of Bible College for a season. And another man was "Bro. A.J" who was the Deacon who used to take me and my older brother to the nursing home to preach on Thursday nights soon after I was converted. Both of these men attended the services on the last night I was preaching which happened to focus on the practical need to invest in others for God's Kingdom purposes. Their lives are an excellent illustration of obedience to Christ's command to make disciples of all nations (see Matthew 28:18-20). I will always be personally thankful for the ways they invested in my life!

Second, I was honored to preach on Tuesday night (11/9/10) at FBC Kentwood. Pastor Joey there was such a wonderful host, and the fellowship with the Believers was very special. One of the men from our Fellowship in Hammond offered to drive me up to the meeting since he was a former member of FBC Kentwood, and we had a delightful time visiting together during the round-trip drive and a late-night breakfast at Cracker Barrel on the way back.

Again, as you can easily see, while I've been "silent" on the blog, God's not been "still" in my life! By the way, I think here's a great principle to always remember: When God is "silent", He's not "still". You know, there may be times when you feel like God isn't "saying anything" to you, but when God is "silent", He's not "still" because He's always working to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect timing for the glory of His great name (see Romans 8:28)!

Blessings...