Greater Love Hath No Man Than This...

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Jesus said that a man could make no greater sacrifice of love in his life than to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). On the evening of September 26, 2007, firefighter Michael D. Reagan Jr. did just that when he answered call #286 at the Sharon Hill Fire Company in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Joining his volunteer company and three other fire stations, Michael helped fight a blazing garage fire and ended up being severely injured in the blaze. Three days later on September 29, at the tender age of 19, Michael Reagan died from the injuries that he sustained. 

Saving Beginnings

When Michael was growing up, he and his family came to church. He learned to love Jesus Christ and His Word and while attending church accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. His friends all knew that he was different. They called him "Bible boy." While this was meant as an insult, it did not change him or his passion for serving Jesus and others. This passion led him to multiple jobs that involved helping and, quite frankly, saving others. In a statement submitted by his parents, they listed some of these jobs: 

"Michael was a nineteen-year-old [volunteer] fireman for the Sharon Hill Fire Company and the Holmes Fire Company. He was attending college‚ where he was studying law enforcement. He worked at the police station as a turnkey‚ watching the prisoners in their cells. He was also a lifeguard many summers at the pool."(1)

No matter what he did, Mike Reagan was concerned with saving lives. Whether being a lifeguard at the local pool, volunteering for two different fire departments, or simply sharing his faith, he wanted to see people saved. He carried this mentality with him throughout his whole life. 

Saving Endings 

Michael's life ended in tragedy, but his influence did not. In the largest event in the Sharon Hill Fire Company's history, with over 1,000 people in attendance and more watching via tv and the internet, his fellow firemen marched through the streets with his casket- hailing him as a fallen hero. All of the people who attended his funeral that day heard the message that Michael had heard as a child. The message that gave him the confidence to charge into a burning building. The message that his God had saved him. The message that meant no matter what fate his life met here on earth, the fate of his soul was eternal life.

As Pastor John Cartwright preached the message that day, I am sure that there were those in attendance who were asking themselves, why? Why would this young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him be taken at such a young age? The answer is not a simple one. Here on earth, we may never know why. God has plans that we will never understand in this life. What I do understand is this: God's plan for the lives of all who attended his funeral was for them to hear the truth of the Bible. How God sent his only Son into the world to live a perfect life and then, just as Michael gave his life to save the lives of the family who owned the property and his fellow firemen, Jesus died on the cross for their wrongdoings- to save their lives. 

It has been 10 years since the event (known simply as Call #286) that took Michael Reagan's life. But the message that he set forth still applies for us today. Michael D. Reagan Jr. gave his life in service to his community, while still serving his God. Jesus Christ was killed by His own country while proclaiming to them that he IS God. This voice still proclaims- Jesus Christ is God! What will you take from His sacrifice? Will you remember Him as the hero who gave His life to save yours? Will you allow Him to do that today? 

If you would like to, it's very simple. First, you must admit that you have done wrong-  that your life is one of burning down destruction like the garage that was ablaze that night. Because of our sins, our lives are headed for that end. We deserve to go to a real place of fire and torment called Hell. God does not want to send us there, but His perfect righteousness cannot be associated with our sin (Romans 3:10, Romans 6:23). 

Second, you must believe that Jesus Christ to save your life (Romans 5:8). When He came to this earth, it was like He was the one rushing into the burning building to grab you out of it. He gave up everything He had in Heaven because God "made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (I Cor. 5:21)."

Thirdly, you must call on Him and ask Him to save you. The Bible says, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (Romans 10:9)." Jesus came to this earth, he ran into the burning building where you were, or maybe still are perishing to save your soul. Will you take the hand that He is offering to you and let Him lead you out into life? He loved you enough to die for you. Will you love Him enough to now live for Him?

JOHN 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

(1) https://www.firehero.org/fallen-firefighter/michael-d-reagan-jr/

Book Review: 100 Names of God Daily Devotional

PICTURE OBTAINED FROM ROSE PUBLISHING

Beginning this year, I am going to review different Christian books that I come across. I would like to begin with this daily devotional by Christopher Hudson on 100 names of God that we see in the Bible.

This devotional book, while in no-wise an exhaustive commentary on the names for God used in the Hebrew and Greek languages, provides an excellent look at 100 different names that we see for God, many of which are based in 2 of the initial words for God that we see in scripture: El, meaning God, and Jehovah (Yahweh), meaning LORD.

I enjoyed looking at each day and seeing how a different aspect of God's character was recognized through His names. So often, our perspective of God can become dry if we only see Him in a couple of ways throughout the stories of Scripture. But God, with all of His attributes cannot be described in just one way. As said by the author in his introduction, "It takes more than one name to do justice to someone who is larger than life. And if that’s true with regard to exceptional athletes and beloved politicians, how much more is it true of God? (Hudson, 4)" This is why I started the Portrait of Christ Bible study on my blog. Seeing who God is in a deeper sense brings a deeper appreciation for all that He has done for us.

Following each daily devotional reading, there is a question of application which makes us really think about our relationship with God in accordance with the character trait mentioned in the lesson. A final prayer followed by other readings about the name is included, allowing for even more study on the character of God. He also includes a weekly guide for studying more general characteristics through a week and getting specifics each day (pp. 205-207)

There are only 2 negative things that I would have to say about this book, and they, I believe, are more minor in nature. First, the art included can sometimes be distracting to the reader, as he can find himself looking at the pictures rather than focusing on the character of the God he is reading about. Secondly, he uses a less-reliable translation of the Bible, but he counters this by using the names of God from the original language, and including an index on those names (pp. 198-204). As I mentioned, these are merely minor negative characteristics in this book.

The 100 Names of God Daily Devotional is an excellent resource for the Christian who wishes to know more about His God on a daily basis. The simple nature of this text allows even some who may be young in their faith to both read and understand it, yet deep enough that the seasoned Christian may learn something new almost every day.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THIS BOOK:

Hudson, Christopher D. 100 Names of God Daily Devotional. Torrance, CA: Rose Publishing, Inc., 2015.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL: I received a complimentary copy of this book through the Rose Reviewer book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

The National Anthem, Bathrooms, and Disney: Why I Believe What I Do

PICTURE OBTAINED: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States

Many of you read my Facebook post on Sunday, September 24, 2017. This was when the movement for the NFL players to protest the National Anthem came to one of its strongest weekends, right after President Trump called out the NFL teams and owners for keeping players who protested on their teams. Here is what I wrote that afternoon as I sat watching the Philadelphia Eagles play the New York Giants:

Some may disagree with me on this, but here is where I stand: I am not going to overly politicize the game that I love. I will always continue to stand for my national anthem of my country, and I will do so out of respect for the flag and the men and women who died to protect my right to stand.

BUT

Those same men and women died to protect every right we have, which include the rights of free speech and free assembly, ultimately the inferring of the right of a peaceful protest. I will not agree with those who kneel. But they are as much in their constitutional rights as those who I religiously disagree with. Our rights as men and women in this country are greatly varied. If we condemn the men who kneel here, are we any better than the atheist who would condemn us for our religious beliefs in court? Let us look to Matthew 7:1 for a principle here: "Judge not lest ye be judged." This verse encourages us to first look within before judging the actions of another. So let me ask you this: do we perfectly honor the men and women who have fought for our rights? Do we, by condemning people who are 100% within their rights show forth the example of Christ? Let us not be guilty of this grave mistake. My eyes will continue to be on the NFL when I can because I enjoy the sport and will continue to believe in and support the rights that all Americans possess.

I still stand by exactly what I wrote that day. But as I write today, my purpose is different. I would like to offer some clarification as to why I stand where I stand. 

PICTURE OBTAINED: https://www.charismanews.com/us/64114-target-ceo-admits-bathroom-policy-announcement-was-huge-mistake

Last year, I found myself between a rock and a hard place. I was working at Target, caught up in the middle of the transgender bathroom decisions that were being made. Christians were boycotting Target and encouraging others to do the same. I was advised by some to leave the job because of it and advised by others to not worry about that and to stay. I prayed over this decision for weeks before finally coming to the conclusion to stay on as a Target team member. Did I agree with what Target did? No. Did I support what they did? No. But could I live as a Christian within the Target community and honor and glorify God? Yes. I believe that God was able to use my testimony at Target as an influence on the lives of others, whether I will know that ever or not remains to be seen in His time. 

PICTURE OBTAINED: http://www.refinery29.com/2017/03/145881/beauty-and-the-beast-gay-scene-lefou-gaston-what-happens

This past year we also saw the influence of the homosexual community on the world of entertainment. Disney was said to be releasing a homosexual character into a role in their live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. As Christians flooded social media with posts about boycotting Disney, I thought to myself, should we really be surprised at this? This is Disney! They have never once expressed a Christian testimony in their movies or corporate dealings. But did Christians boycott Disney when John and Michael smoked a pipe in Neverland, when Jasmine and Ariel dressed immodestly in their respective movies, or through any of the other messages that Disney proposed that were blatantly against the Scriptures? No. 

I Corinthians 2:14 reads, "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Here we stand as Christians. Now we expect a certain standard when it comes to the National Anthem, bathrooms, and what has been wholesome entertainment for years in Disney. But should it surprise us when the natural man--the man who has not received the Spirit of God--doesn't receive the teachings of God's Word? That the men who live such lavish, wasteful, and to be quite honest sinful lifestyles will not respect the flag? That a corporation that has not honored God in the past would choose to not honor His order of one gender for life? That a company which has been openly against Christ in the past would choose to defy Him again by creating a character who is openly against His design for sexual boundaries?

What I am trying to say here is that we are living in a sin-cursed world. A world that views what the Word of God says as foolishness. They do not honor its precepts, they scoff at its teachings, and mock those who would desire to follow them. Yet how did Christ respond when they did all that to Him?

Did He not say, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"? 
Did He not write in the dirt while the religious leaders brought before Him a woman caught in adultery and then set her free to sin no more? 
Did He not go into the home of Zacchaeus, a vile publican and show Him the love of God? 
Did He not sit with publicans and sinners? 
Did He not save you?

I've grown up in a Christian home. I never experienced the worldliness that some who have come to Christ from a different background have. But I've seen it. And as I've seen it, I've longed for it to be cut off from this earth forever. I've desired for Christ to take me home to never have to hear one more filthy word or know of one more despicable act. But alas, He yet tarries. So now I--we as Christians must live in this world--yet somehow be not of it. We must somehow show the love of Christ to sinners without being tainted by their sin. So what do I encourage? Rather than disrespecting the man who kneels for the National Anthem, let us kneel in prayer for Him at night after the games are all over. Rather than leaving a company with no Christian witness let us take the Gospel into corporate chains, stores, and restaurants around the world. Rather than being surprised by an entertainment company's sinful decisions, let us teach future generations about God's design and show them that we can show Christ's love to those same people who would ignore His Word now. 

PICTURE OBTAINED: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2481662/posts

I am calling for us to look inside our own hearts and lives to see if we be in need of transforming to the image of Christ. I am calling for God to be honored in our hearts and lives so that those who would call what we do foolishness would see that what they have done in their lives has turned them into fools and that they would turn to the wisdom of the cross. 

Blog Schedule Changes

Due to the busy demands of the college schedule, I have decided that for the time being it is best for me to stay off of a set schedule of when I will be making blog posts. I still will be continuing the series "A Portrait of Christ," as well as sharing some song stories throughout the year, but most posts will be written as God leads me. I pray that this blog will continue to inspire and encourage for the good of the kingdom of Heaven.

The Cross and Christian Wisdom

Earlier this week, I listened to a sermon by Dr. David Platt. This sermon, "The Cross and Christian Wisdom" was both an encouragement and a challenge to me. In tonight's Refuel, I am posting the link to that sermon and notes from it. I hope that it encourages and challenges you as much as it did me. I would also encourage you to look into this entire series: "The Cross and Christian Community," as Dr. Platt and the other pastors at his church look at I & II Corinthians from the point of view of seeing the cross and what Christians response in various areas of their life should be because of the cross.

http://www.radical.net/resources/sermons/the-cross-and-christian-wisdom

Dr. Platt's outline:

“THE CROSS AND CHRISTIAN WISDOM”

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Two Foundational Truths...

• The cross of Christ is the pinnacle of wisdom: God purposed to glorify Himself by saving undeserving sinners through the sacrifice of His one and only Son.
• The cross of Christ represents God’s predetermined affection for sinners.
• The cross of Christ represents God’s past substitution for sinners.
• The cross of Christ represents God’s present execution of sinners
• Wisdom is not found in devotion to power, prestige, position, possessions, pleasures, and prosperity. 
• Wisdom is found in death to pride.
• The cross of Christ represents God’s future glorification of sinners.
• Such wisdom is not invented or discovered by man; such wisdom is graciously revealed by God.
• Only by the mercy of God…
• Behold the choice of God the Father.
• Behold the crucifixion of God the Son.
• Behold the call of God the Spirit.
• Unquestionably, man is morally accountable.
• Ultimately, God is sovereignly gracious.
• We have the mind of Christ.
• Revealed by the Spirit…
• Through the Word…
• To our hearts.

Four Inevitable Exhortations...

• Let’s be desperate for the Spirit in order that we might know God’s glory.
• Only the Spirit of God knows the fullness of the glory of God.
• If we want to know God, then we need the Spirit to reveal Him to us.
• Therefore, people who are desperate to know God will be desperate for His Spirit.
• If we are not desperate for His Spirit, it is a sure indicator that we have grown content with knowing little about God.
• When we are desperate for His Spirit, we will grow to know God with the very perspective of Christ.
• Let’s seek discernment from the Spirit as we trust God’s generosity.
• The limited wisdom of man…
• We lack knowledge, perspective, and experience.
• The limitless wisdom of God…
• He has perfect knowledge, eternal perspective, and infinite experience.
• Let’s live different by the Spirit as we reflect God’s goodness.
• Worldly wisdom results in selfish living.
• Godly wisdom results in selfless love.
• Let’s go with dependence on the Spirit as we proclaim God’s gospel.
• The wasted life keeps the message of Christ crucified hidden…
• For fear of rejection.
• In neglect of the lost.
• The wise life makes the message of Christ crucified known…
• With confidence in reception.
• No matter what it costs.

By David Platt. © David Platt & Radical.

Website: Radical.net

Song of Solomon: Our Loving Bridegroom

The forbidden book. Intimacy 101. So many names given to the book of Song of Solomon intended to "help" us avoid it, yet we often forget that it was put into the Bible for a reason. God had a purpose in including Solomon's "Song of Songs," as it is sometimes titled, in the Biblical canon. So where can we find Him and His Son here? As the loving bridegroom. 

Song of Solomon is really a collection of songs and choruses strung together, talking mostly about love, romance, marriage, and other "mushy" things. But it is truly beautiful in its language. Song of Solomon 6:3 says, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine:" While this reference is between Solomon and the Shulamite woman, it can go so much deeper than that.

The Bible often refers to the marriage relationship as a parallel between Christ and the church. Paul admonishes husbands to love their wives just like "Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" The book of Revelation refers to a coming banquet with the church and Jesus as the marriage supper of the Lamb. But perhaps no story of a bridegroom is more poignant than the parable told by the heavenly Bridegroom Himself in Matthew 25.

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

When Jesus told this parable, He was in the middle of the Olivet Discourse. In this discourse, He is describing the events to come in the future. He compared His coming to the coming of the bridegroom to a wedding, where He is preparing to meet His bride. At the site, there are 10 virgins, attendants for the bridegroom and the bride as He prepares. Here, 5 are ready to meet the bridegroom with their candles full of wax and 5 are not. As the 5 wise who have prepared meet the bridegroom, the 5 foolish desperately try to prepare themselves after the announcement of the bridegroom.

But it is too late.

These 5 who professed to be attendants of the bridegroom and carriers of light for Him are not prepared for when He comes. They have no light in their candles to show Him or to help keep light while they attend to Him. He wants them at the marriage supper, but because they were not prepared, He is not able to have them there. 

Let's think about what's happening here: this bridegroom is about to marry his bride, his love. He wants her to have as many people there as possible. He wants to be able to say, you are welcome to the wedding. But when these are not prepared, they are not able to come. This is a call to all of us in the church to be prepared. Verse 13 there says, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." The bridegroom is coming. Will we be ready to meet Him?

EVENT COMING UP: See You At the Pole

Coming up on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 is this year's See You At the Pole Rally. SYATP has been an event since 1990, when ten students decided that they were going to pray on their school property within the laws of our country. Since then, it has grown into a national event, with millions of students from all across the country participating in this event of prayer on the fourth Wednesday of September, right in the middle of the Global Week of Student Prayer. It starts at 7:00 AM whatever your local time may be.

This year's theme is "Fix Our Eyes" with the theme verse being Hebrews 12:2-- "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." By looking unto Jesus and "fixing our eyes" on Him, we are taking a stand that many in our country will not take today. 

I want to encourage everyone to get involved with this event and this special week. This event is a statement that teenagers and kids alike can make by saying that we still believe in prayer. That we still believe with God on our side, nothing is impossible.

For more information on this event, check out their website at http://syatp.com/. They have a large number of resources there, including a store with clothing items and posters, and free documents, pictures, and videos that you can download to help set up and promote the event.

Let's fix our eyes on Christ this year as we pray for our classmates, our teachers, our schools, our government officials, and our country!!

Higher Ground

The story of the song "Higher Ground" is more the story of its writer, Johnson Oatman Jr. Oatman was born and raised in a devout Christian home in the mid-1800's. His father, Johnson Oatman Sr., was a towering man with a booming voice and was very much in demand as a gospel singer. As a young boy, Oatman Jr. wanted nothing more than to be just like his father. As the years went on, he became a part of the family firm- Johnson Oatman & Son. 

But something was missing from his life. 

Oatman felt God's call to be in some form of full-time ministry. After years of study, he was ordained as a Methodist minister. But he never was able to realize his two biggest passions, even through ministry. He desperately wanted to sing like his father. But he didn't have the booming voice that his father had, let alone the singing talent in general to become a much-wanted gospel singer. 

His other passion was to witness to all he came across. But in a small Methodist church, there were many restrictions on him and his time that prevented this. He became a circuit-riding preacher for years, going from church to church and across denominational lines preaching and teaching. But he was never a great preacher, even though he did still feel called to minister in some fashion. 

At the age of thirty-six, he found his calling. In 1892, Johnson Oatman Jr. began to write hymns. He wrote hymns for years, with songs like "No, Not One" and hundreds more being sung in churches around the world by 1895. For years, he continued to write, including songs like "Count Your Blessings" in 1897. He wrote over 5,000 songs in his lifetime. 

In 1898 he wrote the song that we are looking at today- Higher Ground.

V.1
I'm pressing on the upward way,/New heights I'm gaining every day/Still praying as I'm onward bound:/Lord plant my feet on higher ground

C.
Lord lift me up and let me stand/By faith on heaven's tableland./A higher plane than I have found,/Lord plant my feet on higher ground.

V.2
My heart has no desire to stay/Where doubts arise and fears dismay;/Though some may dwell where these abound,/My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

V.3
I want to live above the world,/Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;/For faith has caught the joyful sound,/The song of saints on higher ground.

V.4
I want to scale the utmost height/And catch a gleam of glory bright;/But still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found,/“Lord, lead me on to higher ground.”

Oatman reached his "higher ground." He found what God had called him to do. It was not to be the next great gospel singer. It was not to be the next great preacher/soul-winner. It was to do both through the songs that he wrote. His songs have been a blessing and an inspiration to so many. This one, in particular, has blessed my life in a special way. Will you continue to pray with me to God the words of Oatman- "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground!"? 

I Dare You!

"I dare you!"

"I double-dog dare you!"

"I triple-dog dare you!"

The highest form of peer pressure experienced on the elementary school playground. If you were triple dog dared to do something, you did it no matter what it was, or you were regarded as uncool. Some of us may not have understood what we were saying or doing, but we would dare each other to do anything and everything! You would think that as we get older that this form of peer pressure wouldn't have as much of an effect on us.

And yet, as I have grown older, daring someone to do something has never lost its effectiveness. 

We still dare each other to do stupid things, we just aren’t as forthcoming to say the word. We'll say "I bet you can't jump over that fence" or "I bet you can't eat a whole pizza." That challenging of who we are and what we can do pushes us to extremes. A popular book a few years ago was "The Love Dare," challenging married people to learn how to truly love their spouse. So why is this dare concept so effective, and are there principles in the Bible that we should follow concerning taking on a dare?

I believe that as humans, our natural inclination is to take on these dares for our own pride and self-esteem. Like many things in life, there can be both good and bad dares.

The main point that drives these dares is peer pressure. Peer pressure is defined simply as being influenced by one's peer group to do something. Again, like anything, there can be good and bad peer pressure. So how do we know when we are experiencing good or bad, and how do we deal with that? The answer can be summed up in Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1. 

In Psalm 1:1, we read, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Proverbs 1:10-16 says, "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, 'Come, with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:' My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood."

These 2 passages set forth principles of avoiding bad peer pressure at any age. When we think of peer pressure, we often think of those dares on the playground in elementary school or something stupid that we did on a school bus in high school. But peer pressure exists at any age of our lives. Peer pressure could come from a boss telling us to do something wrong to advance our job. Peer pressure could come from a co-worker making unwanted advances. I ask the question again, how do we deal with these influences?

1.  We must listen to Godly counsel. 

Who is the Psalmist in Psalm 1? Why the man after God's own heart- King David. Who is the write of Proverbs 1? Why it's the wisest man who ever lived- King Solomon. These two men, despite all of their flaws and all of their mistakes still honored God with their lives. They were kings that God used to execute justice and keep Israel safe from its enemies. And they wrote words down that God gave them for the people of Israel and for their own children. 

Unfortunately, Solomon's son, Rehoboam did not follow this advice from his grandfather, father or his father's Godly counsellors. He had all of the Godly influences he could have asked for. His father had built a temple to God and had written books and proverbs and songs that would lead someone to follow God. But he chose rather to listen to his peers. He chose to foolishly say, "I will crush these people under my iron fist because I deserve to be feared," rather than saying, "I will respect these people because I want to be respected by them and feared by all other peoples around us."

Is there someone in your life who is experienced as a teacher/studier of God's Word? Is there someone that you can go to for advice who has lived for God for years? If there is, you must most certainly listen to their advice above someone who is not following after God. 

2. We must be careful who we walk with.

Rehoboam was to be the next king of a full kingdom of Israel. He was approached by the elders of the people and was asked if he would be a king who would care for them or if he would crush them like his father did. Rehoboam went to his father's counsellors first, like we saw above, but just as we also saw above, he went to his friends as well. And after he did both of these, he followed the advice of his friends.

These "friends" who did not honor God with their lives. These "friends" who had no desire to serve Jehovah. Because Rehoboam followed this advice, he saw the kingdom split. He listened to  those who he thought were his friends, but rather they just caused him trouble.

Who are your friends? Who do you walk with? The Bible presents a very clear progression for us in Psalm 1:1. If we start walking with someone and keep heading down a path with them, eventually we will stand with them. Pretty soon standing won't be enough, and we will be sitting with them, committed to that same lifestyle. If we are not careful about who we walk with, who we are friends with, we may find ourselves in the counsel of the ungodly, the way of sinners, and the seat of the scornful, rather than in the counsel of the godly, the way of believers, and the seat of the righteous. 

Take these principles from God's Word. This advice that was given to Rehoboam by his father and grandfather. He didn't listen and it cost him many blessings from God. If you want to receive God's blessing you must take it.

I dare you!

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes: Our Wisdom

Proverbs 2:6

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

When one thinks about wisdom in the Bible, his mind almost automatically goes to the book of Proverbs. The author of most of this book, as well as Ecclesiastes, Solomon, is known as the wisest man who ever lived. And while this fact is true, there is only one reason why Solomon was able to be this great wise man: God gave him that wisdom.

If you know the story, Solomon had taken over the throne from his father, David. He was now preparing to lead the great nation of Israel. He was very nervous and overwhelmed with the great task that stood before him. But God appeared to him in a dream. God asked Solomon what the young king wanted. Whatever Solomon asked for, God would give it to him. Solomon came, by his own admission, as a little child. He wasn't ready to lead a country! So he asked God for a wise and understanding heart. Because he asked for this good thing, God promised him so much more, including that none would ever have arisen or would ever rise who would be wiser than Solomon.

God was the source of Solomon's wisdom. We credit Solomon with so many great sayings, such as:

"5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (PROV. 3:5-6)."

"13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (ECC. 12:13)."

Solomon was so wise, yet even he, with all of his intellect, with all of his wisdom, with his great understanding heart, was nothing without God. When we look at these two books, it is like apples and oranges- two completely different men, yet it's the same author. The words of Solomon in Proverbs come from the heart of a man who is wise in the things of God. Yet the words of Solomon in Ecclesiastes come from the mind and the heart of a man who has been wise in the things of the world.

So what happened? Why did Solomon, who had gained his great wisdom from God, turn away from that wisdom- turn away from that God? Well, Solomon disobeyed his own words in Proverbs 3:5-6. He didn't trust in the Lord anymore. Rather, he relied on his own understanding. He married foreign women, some with countries that could have tried to wipe out Israel. And while marrying the daughter of the ruler of his largest neighbors to form an alliance may be smart or wise in man's eyes, in God's eyes, it was downright wrong! He had commanded the Israelites not to inner-marry with foreigners. He knew that these women would turn the hearts of Israel away from God. And that is exactly what they did to Solomon. He took his eyes and trust off of the one who gave him wisdom, and trusted in his own understanding.

This is why Solomon came to the end of his life and wrote, "2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity." That word vanity there means emptiness or unfulfilling. Solomon used that word in 29 different verses. Several times he used it multiple times in the same verse! He had lived through the world's wisdom and came to the realization that life without God is empty, it's unfulfilling, it's pointless! In Ecclesiastes 2:26, Solomon writes, "For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God." You see God is the only one who gives good wisdom. And because God is wise in all matters, because God is all-knowing, we as Christians can know that he is wisdom. And when we trust in Him, we can know that he is our wisdom!

 

Still, My Soul Be Still

Click the above picture to listen to this song on Spotify

Music is so versatile.  Think of any emotion or movement that you want to describe better than words can  There is always a sound or harmony of sounds that will match it exactly. Moving from one end of the spectrum to the other, today we transition from the fired-up rally cry to stand for a biblical cause to the quiet whisper-call for biblical rest.

Keith & Kristyn Getty are yet another husband/wife music duo that I am sure many of you have heard before.  They are best known for writing the very popular worship song, “In Christ Alone.”  But what sets them apart is that they are one of the few groups out there today trying to make NEW, original hymns – songs meant to capture the rich truth of the Christian faith, but set to modern music.  Their success is warranted and their philosophy is admirable:

“There are two reasons we write modern hymns,” explains Keith.  “First, it’s to help teach the faith. What we sing affects how we think, how we feel and ultimately how we live, so it’s so important that we sing the whole scope of truth the Bible has given us. The second reason is to try to create a more timeless musical style that every generation can sing, a style that relates to the past and the future.”

The song, “Still My Soul Be Still” isn’t entirely original, since it is inspired by the old Katharina von Schlegel hymn: “Be Still My Soul” (1752).  The spirit of both songs is an encouragement to believers to cling to the unique and unending peace of Christ.  The Getty’s song pairs Kristyn’s gentle, angelic voice with Keith’s masterful orchestration.  The result is a marriage between good artistry and the ageless message of being still within God’s rest:

Still, my soul be still and do not fear 
Though winds of change may rage tomorrow 
God is at your side 
No longer dread the fires of unexpected sorrow

God, You are my God, and I will trust in You and not be shaken 
Lord of peace renew a steadfast spirit within me 
To rest in You alone

Still, my soul be still. Do not be moved 
By lesser lights and fleeting shadows 
Hold onto His ways with shield of faith 
Against temptations flaming arrows

Still, my soul be still. Do not forsake 
The Truth you learned in the beginning 
Wait upon the Lord 
And hope will rise as stars appear when day is dimming

My favorite part of these lyrics are the pictures from nature that illustrate the magnitude of God’s rest.  Dwelling upon the rages of fierce wind and roaring fire can be terrifying, but God considers these to be “lesser lights and fleeting shadows” compared to His greater offer of supreme shelter and safety.  While we are still dwelling in this land of fearful night and doom, we must look up and remember that “hope will rise as stars appear.”

Beyond physical anecdotes in nature, the Scriptures offer us a solid invitation to the bountiful Rest that God offers through Jesus Christ.  Listen to these excerpts from Hebrews 4: “…the promise of entering His rest still stands…For we who have believed enter that rest…Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God…Let us, therefore, strive to enter that rest…let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest [Jesus] who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

These pieces of biblical text do not unpack the entire meaning of Hebrews 4, but rather isolates the language of God’s rest.  The idea is to help us better see that Christian peace is different and better because it is based on promises, the finished work of God and the orientation of God’s grace towards sinners. We don’t deserve rest and we don’t live in a world that allows us to enjoy complete rest, but our hope is strong and our confidence is based on the sure character of God in Christ.

Therefore, we can enter His rest and hold fast to His grace. We are called to strive for rest (which sounds like an oxymoron) because God does give us a measure of Heaven and a taste of future full rest in our hearts as God’s Spirit dwells within us today – activating God’s truths from the inside out.  God’s rest is tremendously useful and vital towards every aspect of our lives and no other religion offers anything like it.

Today, let this song (and it’s truth) be a balm over your anxiety and a soothing agent of trust in God over your doubts and fears.  Still.  My soul be still.

This story originally appeared on Truth in Tunes. See this story and more at https://truthintunes.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/still-my-soul-be-still-keith-kristyn-getty-2009-awaken-the-dawn/

The Saving of the Magician

No fan of the Philadelphia Eagles was happy this past week, as the team traded fan favorite player, Long Snapper/Magician Jon Dorenbos. Up until this past year, no one outside of Philadelphia would have known who he was. He plays one of the most seemingly insignificant positions on the football field. But he was a leader in the community and in the locker room. When he went on America's Got Talent and showcased his skills as a magician, along with telling his story, the whole country knew his name. Jon had a rotten childhood- he testified in the trial of his father's murder of his mother when he was twelve years old! But he pushed through all of that. Magic and football became safe havens for him. He signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent and spent some time with the Tennessee Titans before signing on with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, where he has been playing and performing ever since.

Fast-forward to August 2017. The Eagles trade Dorenbos to the New Orleans Saints for a 7th round pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Outrage ensues. People were flooding social media with questions like, "Why did we trade this leader in our locker room?" and "Why did we only get a 7th rounder for him?" All signs pointed to him losing his job as long snapper, but Eagles fans didn't care. We loved this guy. He was the longest tenured Eagles player at 15 years of service for them. We loved his magic, his humor, his story, his commitment. But that all went away in a matter of moments.

Now, on Friday, September 8, 2017, we hear more news from Jon Dorenbos. After a follow-up physical to the one Dorenbos took to complete the trade, the Saints announced that Dorenbos has an aortic aneurysm. He will require open heart surgery that will end his season, and could possibly end his career. 

Would the doctors have caught this at a routine physical at the Eagles facility? Probably not. The Saints were doing checks on him as he was a new player and that is why they caught it. This trade, while Eagles fans have hated it, saved their magician's life!

Just as Eagles fans (myself included) did not understand this trade when it took place, it was done for a purpose. Did Coach Doug Pederson of the Eagles know of an aortic aneurysm when he made this trade? He says he did not. I don't believe that General Manager Howie Roseman did either. But God worked the timing of this trade out so that the doctors would find this major health issue in this man.

I don't know if Jon Dorenbos is a Christian or not. But I do know this: God is working in our lives the same way he has worked in this situation. It may not be something as life threatening as an aortic aneurysm. It may be His simply helping a student bring a D up to C in a class or leading us to that special someone when we had no idea who that person was before that day. One of the most quoted verses on this is Romans 8:28 -- "For all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." When we love God, when we exhibit a lifestyle that is responding to His calling, He will help all things -- the good, the bad, the ugly -- work together for good. All of the circumstances in our life will come together and work out His plan. His will. 

Approved unto God

It's that time of year: the beginning of the school year is upon us all. Many of us college students started school over a week ago, while many pre, elementary, and high schools are beginning this week. Some of you reading this would have started even before that. Tonight, I would like to offer you an encouragement and a challenge as you begin a year of learning.

As you go throughout this year, there is no doubt that you will be doing a lot of studying. In the Bible, the word study is specifically used five different times. Here are those five times:

Proverbs 15:28
28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 24:1-2
1 Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
2 For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.

Ecclesiastes 12:12
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

I Thessalonians 4:11
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

What principles can we take into this school year from these five Bible passages?

1. Study so you are able to give an answer.

When we study, we should be studying so we can give an answer. What is the point of studying otherwise? But this is more than just studying for the purpose of giving an answer. This is studying so that we do not look like fools when we have not studied.

I was a student who didn't have to study much in elementary or high school. But when it came to my final exams, I had to study hard so that I did not look like a fool when the test was placed in front of me and when the grade came out. Even now in college, there are times when I do not have to study as much- because I have studied something out or know it already- but there are still times when I absolutely need to study, or I will look like a fool.

2. Study what is right.

What is the point of studying if what we are studying is wrong? We have already seen that we need to study to give an answer. If we study the wrong material though, we will be giving the wrong answer. 

In the context of this passage, the wrong "material" is the way of the wicked. The wicked desire to do just that- wickedness. Mischief. Evil. If we study to be like them, we will be on a path that is leading to destruction. But if we study the right material, the righteous way, we can live on that righteous path for all our lives.

3. Study the Word of God above all else.

Now I know what many of you thought when you read Ecclesiastes 12:12-- "MOM!!! THIS GUY JUST SAID TOO MUCH STUDYING ISN'T GOOD FOR ME!!!" But we have to realize where Solomon, the author, is coming from here in this book. This is the same author and book where it is said, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" And obviously, everything is not emptiness. What Solomon is saying here is that much studying of topics outside of God's Word without finding and reading the commandments of God, along with obeying them, is not good for a follower of God. It makes us weary- tired. It's why PCC insists that all students take a Bible class every semester. The Bible refreshes us when we are in the middle of studying other topics and is the most important book for each of us to study.

4. Study quietly and diligently.

We may hate to do our studying quietly and diligently, but there are definite benefits in doing this. Verse 12 of I Thessalonians 4 explains these benefits, one of which we have already somewhat looked at.

Benefit number 1 is that we "may walk honestly toward them that are without. . ." This verse is referring to those people who are unbelievers- without, or outside, the body of Christ. When we have diligently studied, especially God's Word, we can honestly answer unbelievers and help them understand God's Word.

Benefit number 2 is that we "may have lack of nothing." When God says this, He is saying that He will supply for all of our needs. He expresses this throughout the Bible. This is the principle found in Matthew 6:33: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." When we focus on our study of  God and His Word, He is more than able to supply our needs.

5. Study to be approved by God.

II Timothy 2 speaks of how we should study. We should study in a way that God approves of us and our actions, specifically in how we study His Word. We should be "rightly dividing the Word of Truth"- or rightly going through the Bible, taking its teachings, and learning to apply them to our lives in a way that's honoring and pleasing to Him.

So this school year, take these principles on studying from God's Word to heart as you looked to be approved by God as good workmen and students.

Constant through Craziness

The above picture, taken from a boat in the rising floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey by my uncle, is just a part of one example of the craziness that our world--our country--has gone through in the last few months. From the Charlottesville riots to terrorist attacks to great natural disasters, there is no doubt that many are wondering how to respond. Many Christians see this and think, "How do I act now that something has happened?" The truth is that as Christians often are this way and this should not be the case. The Bible says in I Peter 3:15, "Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" So how do we do this? How do we look at our crazy world and show people what it means to be a Christian through everything that we go through?

1. We must act like Christ.

Now I know what some of you are thinking: This guy is doing a series all about pictures of Christ and how we should be like him. Why is he bringing that into this topic? To be quite honest it's because we need to hear it. I need to hear it. As Christians, we are called by our very title to be "little Christs." And how did Christ respond to things like we are going through now? Well, for starters, he calmed storms on the sea of Galilee and walked on water. He took Peter's hand and raised him up from drowning. He quieted a mob that was trying to kill a woman and then took compassion on her. 

Where does his example leave us? We can't walk on water or control the weather. We can't always reach down and pick someone up off the edge of the water to save them from drowning. And calming a mob with simple words is not going to be everyone's forte. But what did Jesus have and give during each of these situations that we can emulate? He gave hope and he gave peace. He gave the disciples hope that they could make it through the storm and peace once the storm was gone. He gave Peter hope that he could walk on the water and peace when he lifted him from the waves. He gave the woman caught in adultery peace that there were no more accusers around her and hope that she could live a life that honors God. We can give people that same hope and peace through Christ. 

2. We must maintain our testimony.

So often we look at our world and it causes us to lose our testimony. It may be in an expletive-laden rant on social media. It may be in how we approach someone on the street in the middle of a crisis. It may even be in what we don't do for someone- not helping an unbeliever who knows we are a Christian when they need it can damage the cause of Christ. It is unfortunate in our day and age when the children of God do nothing to help. James 1:27 reads, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." The first part of what God sees as pure and undefiled religion is doing just that- helping those who are in great need. And the second part of pure religion is taking this whole point and living it out by keeping our testimony clean. 

3. We must watch for Christ's coming.

"Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch (Mark 13:35-37)." 

In this passage, Jesus was talking with the two sets of brothers in his inner circle: Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They had asked him, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" They wanted to know what would happen in the future. Through the whole chapter, Jesus told them of many events to come. His one admonition to them through it all was said in two different ways: "take heed" and "watch." Take heed is basically our modern "look out!" It was a warning to be looking for those who would attempt to decieve them. But the watching is specifically mentioned four times in the final five verses of the passage. Jesus wanted his disciples then and now to watch for Him to come back. Verse 37 shows that He wanted them to watch, and He wanted everyone else to watch. 

Jesus is coming soon. As each day comes and goes with all of its craziness, we should become more like Him. We should maintain our testimony before God and the world. We should watch for His coming.