Be Armed

The brilliant words of Bishop J.I. Ryle, written over a century ago:

You live in a world where your soul is in constant danger. Enemies are round you on every side. Your own heart is deceitful. Bad examples are numerous. Satan is always laboring to lead you astray. Above all false doctrine and false teachers of every kind abound. This is your great danger.

To be safe you must be well armed. You much provide yourself with the weapons which God has given you for your help. You must store your mind with Holy Scriptures. This is to be well armed.

Arm yourself with a thorough knowledge of the written Word of God. Read you Bible regularly. Become familiar with your Bible... Neglect your Bible and nothing that I know of can prevent you from error if a plausible advocate of false teaching shall happen to meet you. Make it a rule to believe nothing except it can be proved from Scripture. The Bible alone is infallible... Do you really use your Bible as you ought?

There are many today, who believe the Bible, yet read it very little. Does you conscious tell you that you are one of these persons?

If so, you are the man that is likely to get little help from the Bible in time of need. Trial is a sifting experience... Your store of Bible consolations may one day run very low.

If so, you are the man that is unlikely to become established in the truth. I shall not be surprised to hear that you are troubled with doubts and questions about assurance, grace, faith, perseverance, etc. The devil is an old and cunning enemy. He can quote Scripture readily enough when he pleases. Now you are not sufficiently ready with your weapons to fight a good fight with him... Your sword is held loosely in your hand.

If so, you are the man that is likely to make mistakes in life. I shall not wonder if I am told that you are having problems in your marriage, problems with your children, problems about the conduct of your family and about the company you keep. The world you steer through is full of rocks, shoals and sandbanks. You are not sufficiently familiar either with lighthouses or charts.

If so, you are the man who is likely to be carried away by some false teacher for a time. It will not surprise me if I hear that one of these clever eloquent men who can make a convincing presentation is leading you into error. You are in need of ballast (truth); no wonder if you are tossed to and fro like a cork on the waves.

All these are uncomfortable situations. I want you to escape them all. Take the advice I offer you today. Do not merely read your Bible a little - but read it a great deal... Remember your many enemies. Be armed.

Referenced from 18 Words by J.I. Packer

A century later John Piper repeats a similar message for us:

The Authority of Scripture

Through the words of Paul's second letter to his beloved disciple, Timothy, God states:  

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)

These words boldly stress the divine origin and thus the authority of Scripture.  Paul does not point to the human authors of Scripture as inspired people but says that the writings themselves are the words spoken (“breathed out”) by God!  Why is Paul addressing the origin and authority of Scripture?  It seems that Paul and Timothy's opponents (false teachers) stressed certain aspect or portions of Scripture and Paul stresses the authoritativeness of all of Scripture.  Because Scripture comes from God himself, “all” of it is profitable in a range of ways, ultimately leading to righteousness. 

Another author, almost 1800 years later addressed the question of the authority of Scripture from a much different lens.  America's 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson, in making good on a promise to a friend to summarize his views on Christianity set to work with scissors, snipping out every miracle and "inconsistency" he could find in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  Then, using a cut-and-paste technique, he reassembled the excerpts into what he believed was a more coherent narrative and pasted them onto blank paper.  

In a letter dispatched from Monticello to John Adams in 1813, Jefferson said his "wee little book" of 46 pages was based on a lifetime of inquiry and reflection and contained "the most sublime and benevolent code of morals which has ever been offered to man."  He called the book "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth." Friends dubbed it "The Jefferson Bible."  

Jefferson said, "I have performed the operation for my own use," he continued, "by cutting verse by verse out of the printed book, and arranging the matter, which is evidently his and which is as easily distinguished as diamonds in a dunghill."

Percival Everett, commenting on Jefferson's editing of the Bible said, "He decided that the rules of the club to which he wished to belong were not the rules he wanted to play by. So instead of changing clubs, he changed the rule book by literally cutting and pasting together only the sections that he found relevant to his interpretation."

What an offensive and sinful view of God's Word, that "diamonds" must be dug out of a "dunghill"!  Jefferson attempted to  nullify God's authority of writing and binding together Scripture because of what he believed in an attempt to create his own god.  What a weak and worthless god Jefferson worshiped once we reduced the God who created the universe to one of his ignorant and worldly liking.  Yet, are we much better than Jefferson when we pick up the Holy Scriptures? 

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 

1 Timothy 2:8-14 

These words are weighty for any woman, especially one called to ministry.  I continue to find myself faced with the question: How do I handle this passage of Scripture?   In a culture breathing liberal and feminist air, what should I do in response to "I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quit"?  Should I respond as God commanded through Paul, that I am meant to be taught, corrected, and trained by these words?  Or shall I follow in Jefferson's footsteps and get out my scissors -- snip -- snip -- snip -- choosing what I want or don't want to view as authoritative? 

Each of us make this decision every time we open the Bible.  Today, many churches and ministries choose to ignore or personally interpret 1 Timothy 2:8-14.  When God's Word is disregarded and a woman is given the authority to corporately teach from the Scriptures to men, a stance is not just taken on gender roles or personal liberties - but a stance is taken on the authority of the Holy Scriptures.  (There is much more to this conversation about a woman's role in ministry which I will not breach today.  Currently, my focus is on the foundational issue: one's view of the authority and inerrancy of Scripture.)

As John Frame says, "Since the Word is powerful, it never leaves you the same."  Therefore, we are either changed in accordance with 2 Timothy 3:16 or we are hardened against it.  I pray that I never, by God's grace, follow in Jefferson's footsteps as I read 1 Timothy 2:8-14 or any other passage of Scripture!   I pray that God will guide me as as I seek the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Attempting to be an Avid Reader

The books I aspire to read/finish over Christmas break:

Future Grace by John Piper

Death by Love by Mark Driscoll

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

18 Words by J.I. Packer

Overcoming Sin & Temptation by John Owen

Keep In Step with The Spirit by J.I. Packer

Humility by C.J. Mahaney

That's a staggering number of pages, but I can smile because I already know that the content will be beautifully rich and refreshing. Here's to sitting by the fire with a glass of eggnog and a stack of books as I take it one page at a time...

Taste and See

Here's why much of our generation reads Joel Osteen, Rob Bell, Erwin McManus, and other such authors. They have not yet read the soul shaping works of Jonathan Edwards.

“True virtue never appears so lovely as when it is oppressed; and the divine excellency of real Christianity is never exhibited with such advantage as when under the greatest trials: then it is that true faith appears much more precious than gold, and upon this account is “found to praise and honour and glory.” –Jonathan Edwards, Religious Affections

They are unfamiliar with John Owen, George Whitefield, and Charles Spurgen.

"...God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ's property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them He will have them....Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God." -Charles Spurgen

They misunderstand the beauty of John Calvin's teachings. They overlook to wisdom of John Piper. They have not known the life of William Carry.

"When I left England, my hope of India's conversion was very strong; but amongst so many obstacles, it would die, unless upheld by God. Well, I have God, and His Word is true. Though the superstitions of the heathen were a thousand times stronger than they are, and the example of the Europeans a thousand times worse; though I were deserted by all and persecuted by all, yet my faith, fixed on the sure Word, would rise above all obstructions and overcome every trial. God's cause will triumph." -William Carey, after 3 months in Kinmen

Most of our generation is yet to read truly BEAUTIFUL thoughts upon the Lord!

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"
Psalm 34:8

They have not tasted and seen what is good. They are far too easily pleased. In Weight of Glory C.S. Lewis said it beautifully:

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."

The ability for man, drink, sex, and ambition to stroke the cords of your heart is not difficult. Writing a book which catches your eye and relates to your soul cravings takes *some* talent. But I beg you, do not be so easily pleased with what you read. Raise the standards of who and what you allow to teach you.

In His hands

God spent two months tearing apart my life plans, breaking my heart for missions, shattering the worldliness in my heart, pushing me to cry out 'I will go ANYWHERE!'... and then he closed the door for me to go. Did God just want me to be available where I'm at? Does He have another course to direct my steps? I'm upset at this inability to go... to do ministry in a place that, two months ago, was a personal hell for me to even consider going to... but now, I'm broken and willing to go.

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Romans 9:20-21)

I am a finite human being without the right to rebelliously question God's ways. His knowledge is as far superior to mine as His holiness is to my sinfulness. I am a lump of clay in the hands of a holy holy holy Creator, and He will choose a shape and purpose for me at His own good pleasure. My true joy is found at the center of His shaping, not in my attempts to self-create or mold my own future. "But by the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Corinthians 15:10). Ohh that I might continue to trust more deeply in the beauty of God's sovereignty over my identity and life. I am thankful for the moments that tested and sanctified me this past day... although my heart did feel that it exploded through my throat at moments, I praise God in his infinite love. He is a God worth worshiping. I would freely give my life for His glory, yet it is already His.

A Video from Matt Chandler

This video was taped of Matt Chandler a few days before his surgery and it was aired this weekend at The Village Church worship services. I pray your heart is challenged and encouraged by it; mine was.

Video from Matt

I am grateful for the men of God in my life, namely John Piper who taught me to hold my life cheap and to join with Paul in saying “I don’t count my life of any value or as precious to myself if only I might finish my course and complete the work that He gave me to do to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. I’m nothing, I just have a job. God keep me faithful on the job and then let me drop and go to the reward.” Without this strong view of God’s sovereign will, I’m not sure how you don’t despair in circumstances like mine.

-Matt Chandler

Please pray for Matt Chandler and his family

Matt Chandler, preaching pastor of The Village Church in Dallas, TX, suffered a seizure Thursday morning while at home, was taken to a nearby hospital and is now at home resting with his family. Please pray for Matt, Lauren, the kids, and the congregation.

The Village Church
The Village Church continues to post updates and opportunities to join in prayer

An update from the elders
The Village Church elders provide an encouraging update about Matt's health

Them Chandlers blog
Lauren shares about walking with the Lord in the midst of Matt's seizure

Turning to a different gospel

Joel Osteen's church, which recently relocated to the former arena of the Houston Rockets, boasts the largest congregation in the history of America, averaging more then 30,000 a week. Osteen took over the church in 1999 and has increased the size of the congregation almost five-fold since then. His book, "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living Your Full Potential" has sold almost 3 million copies and is a New York Time's best seller. Yet, the brand of Christianity Osteen is offering is mild, shallow, and seems to be a kind of dim-witted boosterism simply designed to get you through the week. He has been called "prosperity gospel's coverboy," and John Piper speaks strongly against the "Health, Wealth, Prosperity Gospel" which Joel Osteen is known for (see John Piper on The Prosperity Gospel).

Although Osteen can boast the largest congregation in America his impact is not ultimately determined by church attendance or book sales but by the content of the Gospel he preaches. So I care little for Osteen's popularity (my only concern to the shudder and pray for his soul and for the thousands he has led astray), but I care much more about the content of his Gospel. In his letter to the Galatians Paul is a model of forthright frankness when central gospel issues are at stake.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)

The gospel is unchanging. No pastor can rightly add or take away from the Gospel - it is an objective truth. Thus Paul pronounces a curse of final judgment on those who proclaim or receive a different gospel. Even if he himself, or an angel from heaven, were to preach such a gospel, the Galatians should reject it. Paul doesn't take this lightly and neither should we. So why do 30,000 men and women regularly put on their Sunday-best to hear Osteen's preaching?

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

The "Health, Wealth, Prosperity Gospel" pleases man in his greediness, and I don't doubt that Osteen knows that by now. A pastor who seeks the approval of man can quickly grow his church, while simultaneously revealing that he is not truly a servant of Christ. It is obvious that Osteen's congregation will fill the arena seats, buy copies of "Your Best Life Now", and rejoice as God provides. But try to find men and women in Osteen's church who desire to pick up their cross daily, who embrace persecution for the sake of the Gospel, who cry out "To live is Christ, To die is gain!"... because you won't find them there. Only the true Gospel brings about true disciples of Christ - because there is no other Gospel.

My Sense of Humor

Reasons to Laugh Out Loud...

Great Christian Pick-up Lines:
I could not help but notice you were exegeting me instead of the text during the sermon.
Your name must be grace, because you are irresistible.
Nice braclet. What would Jesus date? I mean "do"
Can I buy you a non-alcoholic beverage?
Do you believe in Divine appointment?
Now i know why Solomon had 700 wives... Because he never met you.
What?! Friends listen to Amazing Grace in the dark.
Hi, my name's Will...God's Will
What's your name and number so I can add you to my "prayer" list?
You put the "cute" back in persecution!
Hey.. i would work 7 years for your sister.. But I would work 7 more years for you.
How many times do I have to walk around you to make you fall for me?
How would you like to join my Purpose Driven Life?
I'm interested in full time ministry, and not only that... I also play the guitar.
So, my parents are home, you wanna come over?
You're totally depraved but I'd still like to go out with you...
Mark Driscoll takes up 35% of my ipod memory.
Me. You. Song of Songs: the remix.
I have familiarised myself with all 5 love languages, in fact, I invented 4 of them.

The heretic
I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump off. So I ran over and said, "Stop! Don't do it!" "Why shouldn't I?" he said. I said, "Well, there's so much to live for!" He said, "Like what?" I said, "Well, are you religious or atheist?" He said, "Religious." I said, "Me too! Are your Christian or Buddhist?" He said, "Christian." I said, "Me too! Are you Catholic or Protestant?" He said, "Protestant." I said, Me too! Are your Episcopalian or Baptist? He said, "Baptist!" I said, "Wow! Me too! Are your Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord? He said, Baptist Church of God!" I said, "Me too! Are your Original Baptist Church of God or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?" He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God!" I said, "Me too! Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?" He said, "Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915!" I said, "Die, heretic scum!" and pushed him off.

Church Sign Ideas:
"PRAY NOW! Avoid Christmas Rush!"
"Sign broken, some inside for message."
"This is a ch--ch. What's missing? U R!"
"Wal-Mart's not the only savings place."

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, ‘Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait.’ Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus!”

How many people does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A Presbyterian Pastor responded, “None. If God wants the bulb screwed in he is sovereign and will do it himself without human effort.”
A Charismatic Pastor replied, “None. The bulb doesn’t need to be changed. We should pray that it be healed.”
A Pentecostal Pastor said, “None. We simply need to cast out from the bulb the demon of darkness.”
The Fundamentalist Pastor stated, “None. We shouldn’t even enter the room because we need to keep ourselves separate from all darkness.”
A Baptist Pastor responded, “None. If we allow physical contact between a person and the bulb it might lead to dancing.”
The Wesleyan Minister replied, “None. If we just show the bulb its need, it already possesses the power to screw itself in.”
A Non-Denominational Pastor said, “None. We don’t want to make the bulb feel unwanted or uncomfortable.”

Hymns of the Lukewarm church:
"I Surrender Some"
"Take My Life and Let Me Be"
"Where He Leads Me, I will Consider Following"
"Just as I Pretend to Be"
"Above Average is Thy Faithfulness"
"By Thou My Hobby"
"Praise God from Whom All Affirmations Flow"
"Self-Esteem to the World! The Lord is Come"

A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"
One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."

A Way of Behaving

Love is not essentially a feeling or affection, but a way of behaving, and if it starts as a feeling, it must become more than a feeling if it is truly to be love. Love does something; it gives; that is how it establishes its identity. "By this we know love, that he [Jesus] laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:16-18). Again: "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God... In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loves us, we also ought to love one another" (4:7, 10-11).

-J.I. Packer. Keep In Step With The Spirit. p 94.

Christ makes suffering purposeful

Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord is the upholder of my life. (Psalm 54:4)

I continue to be in a place where I NEED God daily. I can do little but depend upon Him through-out the ache of my heart and the confusion of my life. O, what a sweet place to find myself.

My heart is in anguish within me…
But I call to God,
and the Lord will save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I utter my complaint and moan,
and he hears my voice…
Cast your burden on the Lord,
and we will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:4, 16, 22)

Praise the Lord that anguish may lead to the Lord’s provision and that in this season I have the blessing of learning purposeful suffering.

Fear God - not man

Even as I sit in Oxford, Ohio I experience the weight of these dark and demonic words from India:

“[Christianity] is a problem and we will deal with it. We will get all Hindus together, the whole Hindu nation, and whoever stands against the rights of Hindu’s - we will finish them” – Hindu radical

“They want to eradicate the Christians of India. They want to turn this country into a Hindu nation. A goal that extreme Hindu leaders say is worth fighting for…. Hindus have fought for this nation and for their religious rights. India has always been, is, and forever will be a Hindu nation.”

“Conversions and Christianity missionaries are a threat to India” – Hindu radical

Even as I shake, God does not. He knows these men.

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

in their path are ruin and misery,

and the way of peace they have not know.

There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Romans 3:15-18)

I am hungrily amazed as our brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer this extreme persecution respond in Gospel-centered perseverance. God, in His grace, preserves them… resulting in praise and glory and honor today and at the revelation of Jesus Christ. They have not seen Him, yet they love Him. “We may have lost everything, but we will never turn our backs on Christ.” They do not now see Him, yet they believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. “I still have joy and I’m thanking God despite my circumstances.”

These brothers and sisters have joined with Esther in saying, “If I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16)

They have joined with Paul, who said, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

So let us say with our Indian brothers and sisters “If we live, we’ll live for Christ. If we die, we’ll die for Christ. Whatever happens, we worship the Lord.” That is their cry, and they are our brothers and sisters. Let us join with them in joyful mourning and fervent prayer as we ask the Lord if we need to do more.

A footnote of God's story

My own story is so real to me. Yet, it's really a footnote of God's story. A much larger, more beautiful story of God's entire creation being redeemed to Him.

Here's just one more footnote...

The Miami Quarterly BOLD Miami

I pray it can bring more glory to the real story, God's story.

As SIN REIGNED IN DEATH

Almost three years ago...

April 30, 06

All day long I’ve needed an outlet … I wanted to run – to get outside and get away from everything, just to let go and feel my feet pound on the pavement. Or I wanted to drink, to take a few shots and feel it burn down my throat… It’s as if I don’t feel anything, I’m not really alive … I want to feel close to something… I need someone else… to make me feel wanted... That is what I crave; to be controlled. I want to be thrown down and pleased, to let go of every inhabitation, and to enjoy myself fully…. I feel satisfied, in control, amused, and entertained with my own ability to have so much fun in any way I please. It fulfills a certain void in me… yet, I’m starting to discover that I’m not in control of every situation… these insignificant acts do not give me any control. I think I need to get up tomorrow morning, and go… I need to stop… And I need to remember… I need to… ?

“Do you not know… you are SLAVES to the one whom you obey… of SIN, which leads to DEATH…” (Romans 6:16)

Four months later, the Lord saved my soul.

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once SLAVES OF SIN… having been set free from SIN, have become SLAVES of righteousness... For just as you once presented your members as SLAVES to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as SLAVES to righteousness leading to sanctification” (Romans 6:17-19)

“For the wages of SIN is DEATH, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Almost three years later I continue to be in awe of God's beautiful, irresistible grace!

A grace far from common

I find weather so romantic and enchanting. Weather is obstinately outside of our control, and yet it has such command over us. Tonight as I sit on my porch in jeans and a light sweatshirt I can’t help but breathe in deeply and enjoy it. I’m not even sure what I’m enjoying. There’s a fragrance in the air that no man could ever create. There is a cool crispness that’s almost intoxicating. There’s a freshness that stirs up life as if it hadn’t been there before. There’s something about weather – even though everyone under the sky is touched by it – it feels as though an intimate moment between the Lord and me has been created. It makes me not want to go to sleep – least I wake-up and this spell is broken. What a majestic expression of the Lord that we oh-so commonly over look. I feel as though every breeze, every sent, every blade of grass, every light in the sky is filled with so much more grace and blessing than I could ever deserve. Ohh, that we call it “common grace” while there is nothing common about it. It is a majestic and scintillating grace that we experience every day. And yet He adds to it through grace upon the cross. That I might worship Him for eternity in a place far more beautiful than this is more than any mind can fathom. Every delightful thought I have upon the Lord is muck compared to the moment I first lay eyes on Christ Jesus when He calls me home. Ohh, His infinite grace.