Tonight in my Bible study we talked about Acts 17 - the differences in how the Gospel message was received in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens - and what it looks like for us to share Jesus with people in our culture today. We found that we were a lot like Athens in that people like to "talk the talk" and entertain everyone's idea all day long, but rarely do we see many people firmly stand up for any particular thing, because our society is all about being politically correct and not hurting anybody's feelings.
So, what does it look like for us to share our faith in our world? Well, it looks like we're going to have to offend some people. OH NO! But wait... Jesus definitely offended His fair share of people - religious leaders, even - and His message was clear: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me." We need a Savior, and most people are offended by that. We are in the midst of the "Me" generation (and by 'we' I mean the 20/30 somethings and younger) and we want to think we can do everything on our own. We don't need anyone's help, and if you show even the slightest hint of weakness, you're considered less of a person.
Well, I'm here to tell you that the Gospel is going to hurt the pride of all of us who think that way. We are not good people. It is in our nature to sin and do bad things and only look after ourselves. Paradoxically, it is also in our nature to be drawn to and seek community. Hmm...
The truth is, we need someone to save us. We need someone to care for us, to give us strength, to love us unconditionally, to accept us for everything we are (and everything we're not), to forgive us in abundance, and to extend everlasting grace for everlasting life. This is the tragedy of our humanly finite situation.
BUT HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS: Jesus is all those things we need. God is sovereign above all our hopes and dreams and best laid plans. Praise Him! The hardest part about sharing this with others is that they don't think they need it. Who doesn't need Hope? We are in desperate need of it. We are battling the constant forces of pride that reside in us all. But God is bigger, stronger, more powerful that it all. Praise!
On that note, I'm going away on a retreat this weekend to spend lots of time with God, in community with people who love Jesus, and refocusing my heart and mind on this Gospel Truth. I can't wait to share what I take away, and I pray that God is glorified in our gathering this weekend.
Thanks be to God!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
1 Corinthians 1 (part 3)
I want to let the Scripture do most of the talking tonight. It's really beautiful.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are migthty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'"
Dude. This gives me so much hope - hope in the fact that God will use me for His glory despite the fact that I am not worthy, not good enough, can't do anything on my own. Not that just that He will use me, but He will use me because I am weak but trust in Him. His strength is perfected in my weakness because I am humbling myself to Him and not boasting in my own abilities.
It takes me back to the book of Judges which we studied at the BCM for part of last semester. Each judge we encountered was weak, doubted God, failed, stumbled, and yet God used them to bring salvation to the Israelites. The parallel, of course, was that one day God would send The Judge to redeem the sins of all people so that there was no other name by which anyone could be saved. This man, Jesus Christ, was perfect and yet was humbled to a sinner's death. That humility that was modeled for us by the only being worthy of boasting in Himself, therefore who are we to say we are mighty in ourselves?
God is humbling me daily, and blowing my mind all the time. Be encouraged, that we never grow where we're comfortable, and God will use those who humbly seek Him and yearn to glorify Him.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are migthty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.'"
Dude. This gives me so much hope - hope in the fact that God will use me for His glory despite the fact that I am not worthy, not good enough, can't do anything on my own. Not that just that He will use me, but He will use me because I am weak but trust in Him. His strength is perfected in my weakness because I am humbling myself to Him and not boasting in my own abilities.
It takes me back to the book of Judges which we studied at the BCM for part of last semester. Each judge we encountered was weak, doubted God, failed, stumbled, and yet God used them to bring salvation to the Israelites. The parallel, of course, was that one day God would send The Judge to redeem the sins of all people so that there was no other name by which anyone could be saved. This man, Jesus Christ, was perfect and yet was humbled to a sinner's death. That humility that was modeled for us by the only being worthy of boasting in Himself, therefore who are we to say we are mighty in ourselves?
God is humbling me daily, and blowing my mind all the time. Be encouraged, that we never grow where we're comfortable, and God will use those who humbly seek Him and yearn to glorify Him.
Monday, October 21, 2013
1 Corinthians 1 Part 2
Tonight I focused on 1 Corinthians 1:10-25 - totally blew my mind, regardless of the fact that I've read several times.
It brings up an interesting point about denominations in my mind. It's not that they're a bad thing, but Paul is saying that divisions within a church body are bad. Instead, we're supposed to come together as an entire body of Christ when it comes to defending the big things (or the one thing) that we all agree on, namely, that Jesus Christ is Lord and the only way to the Father is through Him. The secondary stuff comes into play when you're identifying with denominations, but that's not the point of this passage.
I love the idea of joining together with other believers from different backgrounds of faith and culture to unite in the love of Christ. At the church I worked at this summer, every service was ended by singing a song called "The Bond of Love" that said, "We are one in the bond of love; we are one in the bond of love; we have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God; we are one in the bond of love." I think it embodies this idea that Paul is talking about perfectly. Why quarrel over things that are not doing productive things to further the Gospel and show grace and love and mercy to people in the name of Jesus?
The next section is AWESOME and I love it. It's about the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God. I just need to write out verse 18 for you - "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." HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT? We have this power given to us by God because we believe in Jesus' death and resurrection and His ability to save us from ourselves and give us eternal life. But to other people that makes NO SENSE. The next part of this passage, verses 19-25 explain that we truly know nothing compared to the omniscience of God the Father. The only true wisdom we have is given to us by the Holy Spirit, and is inspired by Scripture and gained from a relationship with Jesus. The things the world knows are foolish.
This is mind-blowing to me. It's crazy that in a world where education is valued so highly and intellect is necessary to be successful or to not be looked down upon, that really all those things are foolish when you think of the majesty of God and the depths to which He knows everything, including each of our hearts. Worldly intellect will try to tell us that we don't need a Savior, that this world makes sense without a higher power, i.e. God, and that anything we have the ability to do is because we worked for it and we can make it on our own. That is all false! We need a Savior because we are so wretched and sinful. We need grace every single day, especially when we get prideful about the things we know. If there's one thing I do know, it's that there's no way I can make it on my own. I don't know how other people do it - people who don't know the Hope of Christ and can find joy in salvation. How do people think they can handle it all? On a more general level, how does anyone expect to try and do things without people helping them or supporting them or encouraging them? I HAVE NO IDEA!
Anyway. I was thinking about wisdom while I was taking a shower before I read this, so it's cool that I ran into this tonight. If I ever boast, it will only be in my weaknesses and the power of the cross. Any wisdom you hear from me was given to me by God. In my weakness He is made stronger. Praise be to God!
It brings up an interesting point about denominations in my mind. It's not that they're a bad thing, but Paul is saying that divisions within a church body are bad. Instead, we're supposed to come together as an entire body of Christ when it comes to defending the big things (or the one thing) that we all agree on, namely, that Jesus Christ is Lord and the only way to the Father is through Him. The secondary stuff comes into play when you're identifying with denominations, but that's not the point of this passage.
I love the idea of joining together with other believers from different backgrounds of faith and culture to unite in the love of Christ. At the church I worked at this summer, every service was ended by singing a song called "The Bond of Love" that said, "We are one in the bond of love; we are one in the bond of love; we have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God; we are one in the bond of love." I think it embodies this idea that Paul is talking about perfectly. Why quarrel over things that are not doing productive things to further the Gospel and show grace and love and mercy to people in the name of Jesus?
The next section is AWESOME and I love it. It's about the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God. I just need to write out verse 18 for you - "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." HOW INCREDIBLE IS THAT? We have this power given to us by God because we believe in Jesus' death and resurrection and His ability to save us from ourselves and give us eternal life. But to other people that makes NO SENSE. The next part of this passage, verses 19-25 explain that we truly know nothing compared to the omniscience of God the Father. The only true wisdom we have is given to us by the Holy Spirit, and is inspired by Scripture and gained from a relationship with Jesus. The things the world knows are foolish.
This is mind-blowing to me. It's crazy that in a world where education is valued so highly and intellect is necessary to be successful or to not be looked down upon, that really all those things are foolish when you think of the majesty of God and the depths to which He knows everything, including each of our hearts. Worldly intellect will try to tell us that we don't need a Savior, that this world makes sense without a higher power, i.e. God, and that anything we have the ability to do is because we worked for it and we can make it on our own. That is all false! We need a Savior because we are so wretched and sinful. We need grace every single day, especially when we get prideful about the things we know. If there's one thing I do know, it's that there's no way I can make it on my own. I don't know how other people do it - people who don't know the Hope of Christ and can find joy in salvation. How do people think they can handle it all? On a more general level, how does anyone expect to try and do things without people helping them or supporting them or encouraging them? I HAVE NO IDEA!
Anyway. I was thinking about wisdom while I was taking a shower before I read this, so it's cool that I ran into this tonight. If I ever boast, it will only be in my weaknesses and the power of the cross. Any wisdom you hear from me was given to me by God. In my weakness He is made stronger. Praise be to God!
An Introduction to a Personal Bible Study - 1 Corinthians
I've been extremely flaky in my quiet times.
I figured I should be pretty honest about that from the get-go.
But I've been semi-reading through 1 Corinthians over the last week or so, and I wanted to actually READ it. So basically, critical reading, analytical thinking, practical application based understanding.
I'm just going to start over from the beginning of 1 Corinthians.
I'm also in the middle of Acts and Daniel as parts of series the BCM is currently doing. Acts is what we are studying in family group Bible studies, one of which I lead once a week, and Daniel is what we are hearing about at 6:33 - our large group weekly worship gathering. So I may from time to time throw in snippets from those two books.
Hear me out - if you want to learn alongside me, I am ecstatic. Just know that I do this for myself, so not everything I say is probably going to make sense. Also I don't follow through very well, so who knows how long this is going to last...
That being said, I'm ready to dive into 1 Corinthians chapter 1.
Divisions in the Church Condemned
v. 1-3
In the first few verses, I like that Paul is already putting emphasis on the importance of unity in Christ - that Jesus Christ died for all people, and all who will believe in Him have eternal, and because of that we (believers of that) have a love for Christ in common.
v. 4-9
This is such a cool mini Gospel in a few short verses. It tells the story of God's grace, the fact that each of our lives are a testament to God's grace and well all have an important story to share; community is essential in growth as a believer, and endurance to keep the faith will glorify God so much.
Tangent: this reminds me of what we talked about studying Acts 17 tonight. How do our lives look different as Christians, in a culture that is so nonchalant about everything? How do our actions show that we are trustworthy and set us apart - make us holy? I think endurance is a huge part of that, and something I struggle with. I get burnt out too easily, because I don't commit to the hard parts of life as well as the initial easy/ glamorous parts. But doing a job well, when asked, without grumbling or complaining, to the best of my ability, will be a way that the world looks at me and sees something different. That's what I'm striving for in order to share the Hope I have in Christ with people.
I think I'll stop here and pick up later. Until then...
I figured I should be pretty honest about that from the get-go.
But I've been semi-reading through 1 Corinthians over the last week or so, and I wanted to actually READ it. So basically, critical reading, analytical thinking, practical application based understanding.
I'm just going to start over from the beginning of 1 Corinthians.
I'm also in the middle of Acts and Daniel as parts of series the BCM is currently doing. Acts is what we are studying in family group Bible studies, one of which I lead once a week, and Daniel is what we are hearing about at 6:33 - our large group weekly worship gathering. So I may from time to time throw in snippets from those two books.
Hear me out - if you want to learn alongside me, I am ecstatic. Just know that I do this for myself, so not everything I say is probably going to make sense. Also I don't follow through very well, so who knows how long this is going to last...
That being said, I'm ready to dive into 1 Corinthians chapter 1.
Divisions in the Church Condemned
v. 1-3
In the first few verses, I like that Paul is already putting emphasis on the importance of unity in Christ - that Jesus Christ died for all people, and all who will believe in Him have eternal, and because of that we (believers of that) have a love for Christ in common.
v. 4-9
This is such a cool mini Gospel in a few short verses. It tells the story of God's grace, the fact that each of our lives are a testament to God's grace and well all have an important story to share; community is essential in growth as a believer, and endurance to keep the faith will glorify God so much.
Tangent: this reminds me of what we talked about studying Acts 17 tonight. How do our lives look different as Christians, in a culture that is so nonchalant about everything? How do our actions show that we are trustworthy and set us apart - make us holy? I think endurance is a huge part of that, and something I struggle with. I get burnt out too easily, because I don't commit to the hard parts of life as well as the initial easy/ glamorous parts. But doing a job well, when asked, without grumbling or complaining, to the best of my ability, will be a way that the world looks at me and sees something different. That's what I'm striving for in order to share the Hope I have in Christ with people.
I think I'll stop here and pick up later. Until then...
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Weird Things Are A-Brewin'
Okay so apparently I haven't posted since June. AWKWARD. I'm sorry. To myself mostly because I'm the only one who cares about what I have to say. So, this post is actually for myself because I want to look back on it and remember.
Reason I say things are weird is because I'm 20, and last night I went to the Ring Premiere to see the unveiling of my COLLEGE class ring. Because I'm a junior. And graduating in 2015 (theoretically). So I feel strange because this article actually applies to me. Which is why I'm sharing. I'm sure anyone of any age will be able to get something out of it, but it is explicitly written for "20-somethings".
So read, and enjoy. :)
"20 things every 20-something should know how to do"
Reason I say things are weird is because I'm 20, and last night I went to the Ring Premiere to see the unveiling of my COLLEGE class ring. Because I'm a junior. And graduating in 2015 (theoretically). So I feel strange because this article actually applies to me. Which is why I'm sharing. I'm sure anyone of any age will be able to get something out of it, but it is explicitly written for "20-somethings".
So read, and enjoy. :)
"20 things every 20-something should know how to do"
Friday, June 21, 2013
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
I had a thought just a minute ago about people.
We are competitive by nature. It can be good. It can also be very destructive and horrid.
There's a bad habit of comparing people to other people. As if, somehow, one is better than the other.
Don't hear me wrong - I think sometimes healthy competition is good. If you have the right heart about it, it's a way to celebrate one's accomplishments - demonstrating their work, worth, discipline, and dedication - and can also be very humbling causing one to realize that they are indeed not the center of the universe and that every human being on the planet for the entire history of existence MESSES UP AND IS NOT PERFECT. Winning is good. Losing is good. All things (I will say, most things) have the potential to be good if they are done with grace, thanksgiving, a pure heart, a sound mind, love, mercy.
All that to say, I think it's important to be the "best 'you' you can be". What does that mean? I don't really know. I desire to live a life "worthy of the calling with which [I was] called" (Ephesians 4:1). To me that requires striving to look more like Christ, and that requires improving the way I act, think, speak, love to try my best to accomplish these things. If I'm trying my best, I am content. God is always good, perfect, loving, fair, sovereign, abounding in love and grace, and doesn't change. I falter and am weak, inconsistent, flawed, human. God still loves me and requires my all. I want Him to have it.
Even if those around me are not striving toward this same goal, I need to remind myself, and them as well, that if I'm giving my best, and they're giving their best, there isn't a need to compare and compete in that. No one's "best" is "better" in the Kingdom of God. We are all His children and loved equally by Him, because He has the capability to love perfectly and completely, unlike we do. We are in part, He is complete. We can be complete in Him.
That was definitely a rant, but I needed to get that out of my brain. Comparison is the thief of Joy.
Brothers and sisters, be content with RIGHT NOW. Strive to better yourself in the name of Christ for the glory and honor of God, but live with an attitude of thanksgiving, servitude, humility, and peace for where you are in this very moment. And this moment. And this one.
To Him be the eternal glory, Amen!
&
We are competitive by nature. It can be good. It can also be very destructive and horrid.
There's a bad habit of comparing people to other people. As if, somehow, one is better than the other.
Don't hear me wrong - I think sometimes healthy competition is good. If you have the right heart about it, it's a way to celebrate one's accomplishments - demonstrating their work, worth, discipline, and dedication - and can also be very humbling causing one to realize that they are indeed not the center of the universe and that every human being on the planet for the entire history of existence MESSES UP AND IS NOT PERFECT. Winning is good. Losing is good. All things (I will say, most things) have the potential to be good if they are done with grace, thanksgiving, a pure heart, a sound mind, love, mercy.
All that to say, I think it's important to be the "best 'you' you can be". What does that mean? I don't really know. I desire to live a life "worthy of the calling with which [I was] called" (Ephesians 4:1). To me that requires striving to look more like Christ, and that requires improving the way I act, think, speak, love to try my best to accomplish these things. If I'm trying my best, I am content. God is always good, perfect, loving, fair, sovereign, abounding in love and grace, and doesn't change. I falter and am weak, inconsistent, flawed, human. God still loves me and requires my all. I want Him to have it.
Even if those around me are not striving toward this same goal, I need to remind myself, and them as well, that if I'm giving my best, and they're giving their best, there isn't a need to compare and compete in that. No one's "best" is "better" in the Kingdom of God. We are all His children and loved equally by Him, because He has the capability to love perfectly and completely, unlike we do. We are in part, He is complete. We can be complete in Him.
That was definitely a rant, but I needed to get that out of my brain. Comparison is the thief of Joy.
Brothers and sisters, be content with RIGHT NOW. Strive to better yourself in the name of Christ for the glory and honor of God, but live with an attitude of thanksgiving, servitude, humility, and peace for where you are in this very moment. And this moment. And this one.
To Him be the eternal glory, Amen!
&
Saturday, June 1, 2013
You will be called Blessed
I need not expect; I need only to pray, to trust God, and to live.
God is so good. He is sovereign, and I have to remind myself of that frequently. There are times where my plans and ideas just so happen to fall in line with His ("Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4) but I'm reminded again and again that God's name is to be praised in the highest, given all glory and honor, regardless of what I go through or any unfortunate shenanigans that occur.
And oldie but a goodie, the song "Blessed Be Your Name" still speaks to me. Mostly the two verses:
God is so good. He is sovereign, and I have to remind myself of that frequently. There are times where my plans and ideas just so happen to fall in line with His ("Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." -Psalm 37:4) but I'm reminded again and again that God's name is to be praised in the highest, given all glory and honor, regardless of what I go through or any unfortunate shenanigans that occur.
And oldie but a goodie, the song "Blessed Be Your Name" still speaks to me. Mostly the two verses:
"Blessed be Your name in the land that is plentiful;
where your streams of abundance flow, blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name when I'm found in the desert place;
though I walk through the wilderness, blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name when the sun's shining down on me;
when the world's all as it should be, blessed be Your name.
Blessed be Your name on the road marked with suffering;
though there's pain in the offering, blessed be Your name."
That everything in this life is a blessing when your faith is in Christ is something I believe. Since He works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), we can rest assured that by continuing to put our faith in Him and trying to live a life worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) we will be blessed. We will be called the sons and daughters of God.
He is able to do immeasurably more than we will ever be able to understand or even ask for. That is why I have full confidence that the things that happen in my life will be according to God's plan. I only pray that I live humbly so as to leave a legacy of Christ and not of myself.
A recent occurrence in my life has shown me that prayer and supplication are effective, and that God is faithful. Something I once desired selfishly, but now desire to the glory of God, was denied to me when I sought it for my own purposes. But when I gave it over to God and trust Him, praying about it fervently, my prayers were answered unexpectedly and where I wasn't expecting. The details aren't important (yet), but I pray that you, friends, can be encouraged that God is working everywhere, in everything, through everyone who believes in Him and even those who don't. The Holy Spirit is mysterious and wonderful.
I praise God on high for His marvelous works, and for the very nature of His being. His love for me is astounding, and I cannot comprehend His grace. I am humbled by the mercy He has shown by making the ultimate sacrifice of His only son. That is truly beyond my understanding. And I love it.
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.
&
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