Hi friends, this is a speech that I used in the NCFCA (National Christian Forensics Communications Association) this past year. I wanted to post it because I never want to forget the Great Commission, and I thought the more I did to remind myself of it, the harder it would be to forget! I hope it inspires or at least encourages you to keep spreading the gospel and supporting those who do full-time!
Baron Van Welz was a German nobleman; he was privileged and wealthy. Yet when he died, he was little known; little cared for; and filled a mere humble grave in Dutch Guinea. How could this happen to someone of such great wealth, titles, and influence? The Baron deeply wanted people to go to the mission field, yet many of his contemporaries preached that missions should be local rather then international and even taught that it was wrong to bring heathens the gospel. Because he saw the need for missionaries when many other Christians and theologians of his day did not, he renounced his title, land, and money so that he might serve God in Dutch Guinea. He said these words, “What to me is the title 'well-born,' when I am born again in Christ? What to me is the title 'lord,' when I desire to be a servant of Christ? What to me to be called 'your grace,' when I have need of God's grace and help? All these vanities I will away with, and everything besides I will lay at the feet of Jesus, my dearest Lord, that I may have no hindrance in serving him aright.” (Welz)
According to the article “A Signal of Need” by Michael Bronson, about 149,000 people who have never asked for Christ’s forgiveness will die today. (Bronson) God has called us to reach these lost people for His glory; yet all too often we allow trivial things to become hindrances from serving Him. Sometimes I wonder if we allow security and wealth to become poor substitutes for the joy of serving Christ. However, as Baron Van Welz realized, there is no title, nor riches, nor comfort that could ever compare to the precious treasure that comes from serving Christ. Today, I would like to talk about the command to be mission minded, the cry for missionaries, and the call that every Christian has toward missions.
The first reason that we should be concerned with missions is because God has commanded us to be. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (NIV, Matthew 28:19) Though this verse is well known, most Christians fail to live it out to the radical and life changing extent that Jesus intended it for. Here, Jesus commands all His followers to go and tell others how wonderful it is to be His disciple! But why does God command us to spread the gospel to the rest of the world? I believe God places Christians willing to follow Him on the mission field for two main reasons: to save the lost, and to glorify Him. First, God has called people to the mission field for the unsaved. John Keith Falconer said, “I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.” (Falconer) You and I, too, have only one candle to burn. Our whole lives will be lived for a purpose. What do you want that purpose to be? Do you want to use your life to show a dying people the gospel? That is one purpose of missions. Another reason for missions is for the glory of God. Because ultimately, missions is about showing people God’s grace so that they will praise God; we should show others the gospel because God so deserves to hear praises from every person that He created in His image. That is why God has commanded missions.
The second reason we should be concerned with missions is because there are millions who are crying for the gospel and perishing without ever having heard it. In fact, according to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, “It is estimated that 28% of the world’s population has still not heard the Gospel in a way that they can respond to it affirmatively or negatively. In other words, over 1.8 billion people today have not been presented with the Gospel message.” (Orthodox Christian Mission Center) That cry is painful, isn’t it? That cry that takes place every single second from someone who is dying without the love of Christ? That cry that we as Christians just don’t hear because we just don’t care enough. Most of the time we just don’t think about the global spread of the gospel. We’re so concerned with living our own lives here and now that we don’t think about how Christ will be spread among the nations. About six months ago, my family and I returned from Nagoya, Japan after living there for almost a year. We attended an international church. Our pastor there, Michael Oh, missionary and President of the Christ Bible Seminary, said these words that changed how I thought of missions: “Think about it – you could JUST AS EASILY have been born in the slums of New Delhi or as the son of a Shinto priest. If you had, knowing what you know today, would you not have wanted someone to cross oceans, lands, and cultures to bring YOU the Gospel?” (Oh) All too often, people who have never heard the gospel become just a statistic to those of us who have. We forget that they are real people who are crying for the gospel, and we forget to care. About a year and a half ago, my parents and I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Haiti. We stayed at God’s Littlest Angels Orphanage, a Christian orphanage that cares for about 170 children. The children there are hungry for attention. Several of them have AIDS or other diseases. While at the orphanage one day, we were upstairs with one of the young American missionaries, and the toilets began to overflow because of a plumbing problem. We were standing there in sewage water when she turned to us and said, “Even after living at the orphanage for six years, I still wake up every morning thinking what a blessing it is that I can be here.” At first, I actually couldn’t believe it when she said that. I mean, I could see realizing that God wanted her there. But she said that she was in awe of the fact that God had allowed her to go to Haiti, the filthiest and dirtiest place I’ve ever seen. How could she say that? I believe it’s because she had her eyes so fixed on Jesus that His love for the children became her love for those children. She had heard the cry of children who needed to hear about God’s love; and she chose to respond to that cry even if it meant giving up earthly comfort and treasures. She knew God had called her to Haiti and she responded to that call willingly. And that leads us to my final point today—the call to missions.
There’s a story of a young girl who shamelessly told her Aunt one day, “I don’t have much interest in missions at all!” Her patient Aunt replied, “No, dear, you can hardly expect to. It is just like getting interest at the bank. You have to put in a little something first before you get any interest. So it is with missions, the more you put into it of your time, or money, or prayer, the more your interest grows. But something you must put in-- or you will never have any interest.” (Elbourne)
If you don’t have any interest in missions, it may be because you haven’t given enough towards it to receive interest, and right now I would like to discuss with you the call that every Christian has towards missions, towards prayer, and towards giving. First of all, I’d like to ask you a question: if God so called you, would you give up everything here in America to be a missionary where few know the true Savior? Another call we have is the wonderful privilege of praying for foreign missions. Please pray every day for missionaries that you know, and for the spread of the gospel all over the world. Praying for foreign missions helps align our hearts with what God wants for missions—the more we pray for missions, the more our hearts desire to spread the gospel the way God’s heart does. Finally, every Christian is called to give to missions. Let us be like the widow in Mark 12:42, who gave her only two copper coins. The point was not how much she gave, but that everything she had she was willing to give up for the Lord. He didn’t need her gifts, and likewise, doesn’t need our gifts. He allows us to give so we can step out in faith and sacrifice. When we give to the point of sacrifice, that’s when we can say, “As much as I want this, it absolutely pales in comparison to how much I love you, Lord.” I would encourage you to give to the point of sacrifice—just like the widow.
Baron Van Welz made a decision that would be considered by many a foolish one. He chose to abandon his wealth, titles, and success to bring the gospel to heathens. Yet he showed no sorrow in doing that—rather, he was joyful that he had rid himself of those “hindrances” from serving Christ. Comfort and security in America are such alluring things. It is so easy to be distracted by them. But as Baron Van Welz realized, the sacrifice of them is so worth it. By all means, I would ask you to pray and give toward missions. But would you also pray and ask the LORD if He is asking you to go? We all have only one candle of life to burn. Would you rather burn your candle in a land already filled with light or a land that is flooded with darkness?
Showing posts with label Bible verses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible verses. Show all posts
Friday, September 23, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Reality Check
There was pounding on the door.
Seconds later, the authorities had broken into my home. They took our Bibles, and now we're left completely without God's word. What is more, all of our friends' Bibles are gone, too, so no one else can share a copy with us. We now have no way to read the Bible; no way to share it with others.
It's gone.
Even thinking about such an experience puts fear in my heart. Yet for much of the world, that nightmare has become a reality.
If you're like me, you take for granted the fact that we are able to read the Bible whenever we want. I mean, honestly, how awesome is that?!? I said, how awesome is that?!?
Seriously? Is that how I usually approach it?
Maybe sometimes. But most of the time, I'm guilty of this:
"Oh. Yah. I need to read my Bible today. That's what every good Christian does, every day. And a good Christian wouldn't ever, ever miss a day. So I have to do it, other wise I'm not giving God the kind of commitment He deserves." Sometimes this results in rummaging the house for my Bible before bed when I left it in a different room earlier that day; or trying to remember if I had read the Bible for "long" enough earlier that day; or reading the Bible when my eyes are closing before bed and checking the clock every minute and eight seconds to see how long I've been reading.
Oh, yah, that's definitely giving God the devotion He deserves.
I kid.
Seriously?!? As I read back over this I cringe at the truth of it. Do I really think that the almighty, sovereign, loving, holy Lord of the universe wants that from me? Is that how I should approach His word-- as an obligation? No. Never.
Seriously? I mean, what on earth is wrong with me?
Of course, I'll admit, as Christians we do have a sense of 'duty' or 'responsiblity' to reading the Word. I'm not one to say, "Well, if you don't feel like reading your Bible, don't!" We should read the Bible every day, whether or not we "feel" like it. But there should be a sense of longing, yearning, and urgency that accompanies that "duty." It should be our highest and first goal to pursue Christ with reckless abandon! Reading Scripture is the first step in glorifying God.
So, I'll go back to the opening. What if that happened to me-- today? Or tomorrow? Or next week? Would I be ready? Would I have His word in my heart so that I might not sin against Him? Or would I simply quote one or two verses that I vaguely remembered off the top of my head? I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be nearly prepared.
So, here lies the bigger question: am I doing anything to change that? I am pleased to announce that as of the day before yesterday, I have a large goal for myself: to memorize all the epistles besides Romans and 1&2 Corinthians before I turn nineteen. Before June 28, 2013, I want to have everything from Galatians to Jude memorized.
Is anyone with me? I could really use some accountability. Please leave a comment if you're in! And then, at least if we fail we fail together!! :) No, but seriously. I think the rewards will be infinitely greater than anything you can imagine.
Behold the greatness of God!
Seconds later, the authorities had broken into my home. They took our Bibles, and now we're left completely without God's word. What is more, all of our friends' Bibles are gone, too, so no one else can share a copy with us. We now have no way to read the Bible; no way to share it with others.
It's gone.
Even thinking about such an experience puts fear in my heart. Yet for much of the world, that nightmare has become a reality.
If you're like me, you take for granted the fact that we are able to read the Bible whenever we want. I mean, honestly, how awesome is that?!? I said, how awesome is that?!?
Seriously? Is that how I usually approach it?
Maybe sometimes. But most of the time, I'm guilty of this:
"Oh. Yah. I need to read my Bible today. That's what every good Christian does, every day. And a good Christian wouldn't ever, ever miss a day. So I have to do it, other wise I'm not giving God the kind of commitment He deserves." Sometimes this results in rummaging the house for my Bible before bed when I left it in a different room earlier that day; or trying to remember if I had read the Bible for "long" enough earlier that day; or reading the Bible when my eyes are closing before bed and checking the clock every minute and eight seconds to see how long I've been reading.
Oh, yah, that's definitely giving God the devotion He deserves.
I kid.
Seriously?!? As I read back over this I cringe at the truth of it. Do I really think that the almighty, sovereign, loving, holy Lord of the universe wants that from me? Is that how I should approach His word-- as an obligation? No. Never.
Seriously? I mean, what on earth is wrong with me?
Of course, I'll admit, as Christians we do have a sense of 'duty' or 'responsiblity' to reading the Word. I'm not one to say, "Well, if you don't feel like reading your Bible, don't!" We should read the Bible every day, whether or not we "feel" like it. But there should be a sense of longing, yearning, and urgency that accompanies that "duty." It should be our highest and first goal to pursue Christ with reckless abandon! Reading Scripture is the first step in glorifying God.
So, I'll go back to the opening. What if that happened to me-- today? Or tomorrow? Or next week? Would I be ready? Would I have His word in my heart so that I might not sin against Him? Or would I simply quote one or two verses that I vaguely remembered off the top of my head? I hate to say it, but I wouldn't be nearly prepared.
So, here lies the bigger question: am I doing anything to change that? I am pleased to announce that as of the day before yesterday, I have a large goal for myself: to memorize all the epistles besides Romans and 1&2 Corinthians before I turn nineteen. Before June 28, 2013, I want to have everything from Galatians to Jude memorized.
Is anyone with me? I could really use some accountability. Please leave a comment if you're in! And then, at least if we fail we fail together!! :) No, but seriously. I think the rewards will be infinitely greater than anything you can imagine.
Behold the greatness of God!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Today, I Fell in Love
Looking at the title again, it is, admittedly, a bit deceptive.
However, you are reading this, am I not correct?
Okay, so I really didn't fall in love today. It's more that I've been thinking about the love I'm already drowning in. But no, for those of you who are still wondering, I'm not actually in love. At least, not in the traditional sense. But while we're on the topic, why is 'falling in love' so important to us? Have you ever noticed that when someone gets engaged, or even just starts dating, it seems to be the juiciest news?
Why are we (human beings in general) so concerned with people's 'love lives'?
Because we are relational people. We need to love. We need to feel loved. It's the way God made us.
But I look around at so many young people who are already involved in dating relationships, and even at my own heart dreaming about what it'll be like 'some day' after I get married, and I can't help but think that God must have had something better in mind. He must have had a better reason for making us people who need to be loved. Of course, He does. He has given us a 'God-shaped hole' if you will-- a need to be loved by Him. Listen to Romans 5:18-21:
"Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."
Just to say it now, I love these verses! Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. That's the way God saved us. The same way that we first sinned against Him.
And listen to Ephesians 3:17-19:
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
How wide! How long! How high! How deep is His love! In the presence of such love, how could anything else even seem important? John Piper once said, "Following Jesus is first and foremost not heroic!" Following Jesus isn't something that should deserve accolades and awards. I'm often tempted to think that I'm doing something great by simply following Christ; as if I'm so much better than those who don't follow Him. But it's not heroic-- it's the natural and reasonable response to such great love!
I agree with C.S. Lewis when he said, "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."
We'd rather have 'true romance' than this eternally wonderful, satisfying love that's right here. We're so easily satisfied!
So, I guess all in all, I didn't fall in love today. Sorry if I disappointed you. :) But I have found the greatest love ever, and I can't wait to worship Him forever and ever. And I pray that I would never think of following Him as heroic. But that instead, I'd follow Him as what I truly am: a sinner, desperately clinging the cross and seeing how deep, how wide, how long, and how high His love is.
However, you are reading this, am I not correct?
Okay, so I really didn't fall in love today. It's more that I've been thinking about the love I'm already drowning in. But no, for those of you who are still wondering, I'm not actually in love. At least, not in the traditional sense. But while we're on the topic, why is 'falling in love' so important to us? Have you ever noticed that when someone gets engaged, or even just starts dating, it seems to be the juiciest news?
Why are we (human beings in general) so concerned with people's 'love lives'?
Because we are relational people. We need to love. We need to feel loved. It's the way God made us.
But I look around at so many young people who are already involved in dating relationships, and even at my own heart dreaming about what it'll be like 'some day' after I get married, and I can't help but think that God must have had something better in mind. He must have had a better reason for making us people who need to be loved. Of course, He does. He has given us a 'God-shaped hole' if you will-- a need to be loved by Him. Listen to Romans 5:18-21:
"Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more."
Just to say it now, I love these verses! Just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. That's the way God saved us. The same way that we first sinned against Him.
And listen to Ephesians 3:17-19:
So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
How wide! How long! How high! How deep is His love! In the presence of such love, how could anything else even seem important? John Piper once said, "Following Jesus is first and foremost not heroic!" Following Jesus isn't something that should deserve accolades and awards. I'm often tempted to think that I'm doing something great by simply following Christ; as if I'm so much better than those who don't follow Him. But it's not heroic-- it's the natural and reasonable response to such great love!
I agree with C.S. Lewis when he said, "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."
We'd rather have 'true romance' than this eternally wonderful, satisfying love that's right here. We're so easily satisfied!
So, I guess all in all, I didn't fall in love today. Sorry if I disappointed you. :) But I have found the greatest love ever, and I can't wait to worship Him forever and ever. And I pray that I would never think of following Him as heroic. But that instead, I'd follow Him as what I truly am: a sinner, desperately clinging the cross and seeing how deep, how wide, how long, and how high His love is.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Back to the Heart
These last few months, I've been particularly convicted about my motives for doing things.
I mean, it's one thing to do the right thing. Sometimes it almost seems like a lot of disciples of Jesus almost "have that down." Not that most strong Christians I know appear to be perfect, but sometimes it can seem pretty close.
To take it a step further, it seems as if lots of us "good-little-church Christians" who have been raised in homes with the gospel know all the right things to do. We've read the entire Bible. We've memorized Bible verses. We've been involved in the church, Bible studies, mission trips, teaching Sunday School/AWANA/VBS, and tons of other things. We know we're supposed to be holy, because God is holy. We're not supposed to be involved in things that most teenagers are. I mean, God called us Christians to be different! C'mon. We already know that.
But we've become Christians in a little box. We've become immune to the amazing, life-changing power of Christ. It's as if we think that because we've studied the Bible and we're trying to live like Jesus, that's enough.
However, I recently took a trip to Washington (AMAZING!) and I had a blast. A few days after getting there, I spent the night with these incredible girls:
(Me, Hannah, Grace, Sophia)
Now, I can honestly say that these three girls are a few of the most exceptional Christian young ladies I know. (Of course, I do know lots of others!) But these girls are such godly encouragements to me.
And before we went to bed that night, we started talking about some struggles in our Christian walk. One thing that particularly stuck out to me was the aspect of motives.
Sure, you can do all the right things (to an extent). But it's completely different to them simply because you see Christ's love. We say that Jesus is all we want, but don't we sometimes contradict that in the way that we live our lives? I know I do. I say I only want to please Christ, yet I find myself longing for things such as praise, admiration, and even flattery. My heart isn't always right, because I'm longing for the praise to go to myself rather than the ultimate purpose of my life: to glorify God and serve Him only.
The Lord speaks against those who claim to love Him but whose love goes no deeper than lip service in Isaiah 29:13, "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.'" (NIV)
Here's a specific example. In His book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Joshua Harris wrote about how he and his wife saved their first kiss for marriage. I don't have the book, but he said something to the extent of 'Saving kissing for marriage is another act that, if done without the intention of glorifying God, is completely useless.' It all depends on your motive. Many things, if not done only to glorify God, can become sources of spiritual pride. I mean, I often say "Well, all the glory goes to God," but in my heart I'm congratulating myself for giving God the glory, or, even worse, hoping that some of the glory still goes to me.
Dr. John Piper said,
"There is no doubt that man could perform more evil acts toward his fellow man than he does. But if he is restrained from performing more evil acts by motives that are not owing to his glad submission to God, then even this 'virtue' is evil in the sight of God."
I mean, it's one thing to do the right thing. Sometimes it almost seems like a lot of disciples of Jesus almost "have that down." Not that most strong Christians I know appear to be perfect, but sometimes it can seem pretty close.
To take it a step further, it seems as if lots of us "good-little-church Christians" who have been raised in homes with the gospel know all the right things to do. We've read the entire Bible. We've memorized Bible verses. We've been involved in the church, Bible studies, mission trips, teaching Sunday School/AWANA/VBS, and tons of other things. We know we're supposed to be holy, because God is holy. We're not supposed to be involved in things that most teenagers are. I mean, God called us Christians to be different! C'mon. We already know that.
But we've become Christians in a little box. We've become immune to the amazing, life-changing power of Christ. It's as if we think that because we've studied the Bible and we're trying to live like Jesus, that's enough.
However, I recently took a trip to Washington (AMAZING!) and I had a blast. A few days after getting there, I spent the night with these incredible girls:
(Me, Hannah, Grace, Sophia)
Now, I can honestly say that these three girls are a few of the most exceptional Christian young ladies I know. (Of course, I do know lots of others!) But these girls are such godly encouragements to me.
And before we went to bed that night, we started talking about some struggles in our Christian walk. One thing that particularly stuck out to me was the aspect of motives.
Sure, you can do all the right things (to an extent). But it's completely different to them simply because you see Christ's love. We say that Jesus is all we want, but don't we sometimes contradict that in the way that we live our lives? I know I do. I say I only want to please Christ, yet I find myself longing for things such as praise, admiration, and even flattery. My heart isn't always right, because I'm longing for the praise to go to myself rather than the ultimate purpose of my life: to glorify God and serve Him only.
The Lord speaks against those who claim to love Him but whose love goes no deeper than lip service in Isaiah 29:13, "The Lord says: 'These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.'" (NIV)
Here's a specific example. In His book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Joshua Harris wrote about how he and his wife saved their first kiss for marriage. I don't have the book, but he said something to the extent of 'Saving kissing for marriage is another act that, if done without the intention of glorifying God, is completely useless.' It all depends on your motive. Many things, if not done only to glorify God, can become sources of spiritual pride. I mean, I often say "Well, all the glory goes to God," but in my heart I'm congratulating myself for giving God the glory, or, even worse, hoping that some of the glory still goes to me.
Dr. John Piper said,
"There is no doubt that man could perform more evil acts toward his fellow man than he does. But if he is restrained from performing more evil acts by motives that are not owing to his glad submission to God, then even this 'virtue' is evil in the sight of God."
I can try to live like Christ, but the real question is do I let Christ rule my life... and my heart?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Pretty First Place
Recently, my friend Hannah wrote something on her blog (http://xian-na.blogspot.com/2010/10/pretty-ball-for-louis.html) in which she talked about "Pretty Things" in our lives that we often don't want to lose or give up to God. She says it so so well that you should probably go read her post before using your valuable time reading this. Anyway, lately, I've realized how many 'pretty' things appeal to me-- how many things I desire other then God. The song "Pretty Things" (which, the most observant of you will have noticed, was recently added to my play list) by Tenth Avenue North says it so well.
Look at all the pretty things
That steal my heart away.
Wow. Not a long section, but so so powerful! The things that I love the most besides God are the things that have the most power in pulling me away from God. The things that look the best on the outside can be the most harmful, because they steal my heart away from my best friend, God.
The strange thing about it is that the things I desire other then God are the things I expect Him to give me! If I'm distracted by other things (and I am), and He is the sovereign of the universe (and He is) then isn't it within His perfect rights and power to take away all those things that don't bring Him the glory He deserves?
Now, I can't even tell you how I've wrestled with this. How many times I've thought (in my wicked, sinful heart) "If I do this right, then God won't have to do this and that and then things can go back to the way they were! So I just need to trust Him in this and then *maybe* He'll reward my trust and make things easier later." Of course that isn't how it works at all! Do I actually think that God would ever, ever be tempted to change His amazing plan because I trusted Him? No, that's what He wanted in the first place. Only He doesn't want me to trust Him out of my selfish motives, but because I really, really do trust and love Him with my own heart.
Do I really, really trust Him?
Do I really, really love Him?
Do I really, really want Him to have everything?
yes.
yes.
yes.
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are be renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Oh, how I love these verses! Oh, how I wish that these verses might be exemplified in my life-- so that I wouldn't fix my eyes on either troubles nor pleasures of this life, but on Christ, Who is my Joy, my Life, my Love.
I think the best thing to sum it up is a story told by Leslie B. Flynn, one of my favorite illustrations of what the gospel is.
"An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy’s cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck. Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town’s wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home. But as they talked, the lad’s eyes remained focused on the floor. Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hands from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them. As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man’s neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue. The boy was convinced of his rescuer’s great love because of the great sacrifice he made."
Today, there are many things that may try to pull us away from God. But there is One whose nail-pierced hands remind us that He did not come to pull us away from God, but to draw us near to Him.
I want no other 'pretty thing' or 'substitute' then Jesus Christ: the One who doesn't steal my heart away, but deserves my whole heart-- and my everything.
Look at all the pretty things
That steal my heart away.
Wow. Not a long section, but so so powerful! The things that I love the most besides God are the things that have the most power in pulling me away from God. The things that look the best on the outside can be the most harmful, because they steal my heart away from my best friend, God.
The strange thing about it is that the things I desire other then God are the things I expect Him to give me! If I'm distracted by other things (and I am), and He is the sovereign of the universe (and He is) then isn't it within His perfect rights and power to take away all those things that don't bring Him the glory He deserves?
Now, I can't even tell you how I've wrestled with this. How many times I've thought (in my wicked, sinful heart) "If I do this right, then God won't have to do this and that and then things can go back to the way they were! So I just need to trust Him in this and then *maybe* He'll reward my trust and make things easier later." Of course that isn't how it works at all! Do I actually think that God would ever, ever be tempted to change His amazing plan because I trusted Him? No, that's what He wanted in the first place. Only He doesn't want me to trust Him out of my selfish motives, but because I really, really do trust and love Him with my own heart.
Do I really, really trust Him?
Do I really, really love Him?
Do I really, really want Him to have everything?
yes.
yes.
yes.
"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are be renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Oh, how I love these verses! Oh, how I wish that these verses might be exemplified in my life-- so that I wouldn't fix my eyes on either troubles nor pleasures of this life, but on Christ, Who is my Joy, my Life, my Love.
I think the best thing to sum it up is a story told by Leslie B. Flynn, one of my favorite illustrations of what the gospel is.
"An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy’s cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck. Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town’s wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home. But as they talked, the lad’s eyes remained focused on the floor. Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hands from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them. As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man’s neck and held on for dear life. The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue. The boy was convinced of his rescuer’s great love because of the great sacrifice he made."
Today, there are many things that may try to pull us away from God. But there is One whose nail-pierced hands remind us that He did not come to pull us away from God, but to draw us near to Him.
I want no other 'pretty thing' or 'substitute' then Jesus Christ: the One who doesn't steal my heart away, but deserves my whole heart-- and my everything.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sold out for Jesus
A few months ago, I was thinking about Vacation Bible School. That's not so strange. You think to yourself. She's ALWAYS talking about VBS. Why shouldn't she think about it? But bear with me a moment. This was one of the rare times that I was thinking of VBS in a non-positive way. In fact, you might almost call it a negative way. Why? Well, because, I bought into this lie that you and I both have heard everywhere. I was thinking that the lie was truth. I was thinking one day, that if only someone else would lead this VBS, he or she could do such a better job than I could. For instance, if someone who was really musically talented led the VBS, the kids could sound like a professional choir! Or if someone who was really talented at crafts led the VBS, she could help us save a ton of money on crafts and they would look great! Or if someone who knew his neighbors well led the VBS, we could have more neighbor children join in. These thoughts went on in my mind, and as you can probably imagine, I thought of more and more scenarios in which people who had talents that I don't have led the VBS, which would help it be better.
This, my friends, is not only ridiculous considering I can't really help the fact that I don't live around here and know neighbors here or that I'm not very great with crafts, but it's also one of the worst lies that Christians could ever believe! Think about it. If we believe that God can only use us when we have certain talents or abilities, we'll think twice about volunteering both in the community and in the church body. You'll stop telling people about God if you don't think you're a great evangelist. You'll stop teaching Sunday School if you don't think you're a natural-born teacher. If you're not incredible with toddlers, you'll stop volunteering in the nursery. If you don't have a "passion" for cooking, you might stop setting up snacks after church or for Bible Study. You don't think you're great at traveling, so you stop going on mission trips. Imagine, even, if everyone who didn't think that he was a great listener stopped attending the Sabbath day service!
These may sound like extreme cases, but it's the truth. What if we waited for God to give us the full dose of talent that we would like before serving Him? Listen to the wise words of the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:26, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thing-- and the things that were not-- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." God has chosen those who are FOOLISH (me) and WEAK (me again) so that He can show His perfect power clearly, if I am only willing to be used by Him. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
If God can delight in using my insufficiency to show His aptitude and sovereignty-- then the least I could ever do is be willing to serve Him.
I don't just want to serve God-- I want to be sold out for Him. I want to be so sold out for the Lord that, no matter what else, my talent doesn't matter, my resources don't matter, my strength doesn't matter-- but that all these things pale in comparison to how great and awesome my God is!
I suppose I made it sound above as if I don't think it's important to have gifts. That's not it at all! God is the giver of all good gifts. He gives us all talents and abilities to SERVE HIM. But. If we're always concerned with waiting for someone with more talent to step up to the plate, we'll stop serving God where He wants us. One of my favorite verses is 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
I don't think the author is saying that being able to speak well is bad, but rather that it's not where our faith should be. Our faith shouldn't rest on the fact that someone says or does things well, or in our abilities, or even how well we think some ministry opportunity will go.
Where, then, shall we put our faith?
In Christ Alone.
This, my friends, is not only ridiculous considering I can't really help the fact that I don't live around here and know neighbors here or that I'm not very great with crafts, but it's also one of the worst lies that Christians could ever believe! Think about it. If we believe that God can only use us when we have certain talents or abilities, we'll think twice about volunteering both in the community and in the church body. You'll stop telling people about God if you don't think you're a great evangelist. You'll stop teaching Sunday School if you don't think you're a natural-born teacher. If you're not incredible with toddlers, you'll stop volunteering in the nursery. If you don't have a "passion" for cooking, you might stop setting up snacks after church or for Bible Study. You don't think you're great at traveling, so you stop going on mission trips. Imagine, even, if everyone who didn't think that he was a great listener stopped attending the Sabbath day service!
These may sound like extreme cases, but it's the truth. What if we waited for God to give us the full dose of talent that we would like before serving Him? Listen to the wise words of the apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:26, "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised thing-- and the things that were not-- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him." God has chosen those who are FOOLISH (me) and WEAK (me again) so that He can show His perfect power clearly, if I am only willing to be used by Him. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
If God can delight in using my insufficiency to show His aptitude and sovereignty-- then the least I could ever do is be willing to serve Him.
I don't just want to serve God-- I want to be sold out for Him. I want to be so sold out for the Lord that, no matter what else, my talent doesn't matter, my resources don't matter, my strength doesn't matter-- but that all these things pale in comparison to how great and awesome my God is!
I suppose I made it sound above as if I don't think it's important to have gifts. That's not it at all! God is the giver of all good gifts. He gives us all talents and abilities to SERVE HIM. But. If we're always concerned with waiting for someone with more talent to step up to the plate, we'll stop serving God where He wants us. One of my favorite verses is 1 Corinthians 2:4-5, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
I don't think the author is saying that being able to speak well is bad, but rather that it's not where our faith should be. Our faith shouldn't rest on the fact that someone says or does things well, or in our abilities, or even how well we think some ministry opportunity will go.
Where, then, shall we put our faith?
In Christ Alone.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The Last Four Years...
I remember when it started. I remember it was just over four years ago, and I was sitting on the big rock across the street from what was our home in Marysville. I remember looking at what was potentially going to be our new house. I remember thinking that finally, we had found the place that we were going to live. Finally, we had found our home.
We left Renton, Washington when I was about eight years old. I had lived there almost my entire life, except for one year that we lived in New York. I didn't want to leave, but I don't remember hating the idea so much because I thought that we would come back. We left for Georgia, but after six months there, my dad was transferred to California. So we moved there. After a while in an apartment in Ranchos Palos Verdes, we moved to our new house in Valencia. And we all loved it there. After we found our church, Placerita Baptist, I remember thinking that I hadn't felt so at home since we had left Washington, which by that time had been more than year ago. However, my dad still talked about going back to Washington some day so we could grow up knowing our grandparents well, and so he wouldn't have such a long commute. Besides those things, both my parents grew up in Washington and we already had so many good friends there. So a move would serve three fold.
Needless to say, after two and a half years living in California, when I found out that we were moving again, I was upset. I'm pretty sure I cried. I don't remember the day that we came back to Washington, but I remember the days following. We were constantly looking for a house, a church, and probably tons of other stuff too. Finally, we found our home, and as I was saying a minute ago, I was sure we would never move again. I was sure that was home. Shortly after we found our home, or maybe it was not so shortly, I don't remember, we found our church, Coram Deo Fellowship. I cannot even begin to tell you how many incredible people I met at that church. Coram Deo was probably the greatest church family that I have ever been in, and I've probably met more incredible people there than at just about any other church (and believe me, I've been to my fair share of churches.) God just used that church to bless me and my family so much!
I was so sad six months ago when I had to leave Washington for Japan, however, I looked forward to what I thought would be six months later, when we would move back to Washington. But I don't think any other sadness of moving even compares to the sadness that I felt about three months ago when I found out that we are not moving back to Washington, but to South Carolina instead. I guess it's because I just don't want to leave all the wonderful things that God has taught me these past four years behind. Maybe it's because I don't want to forget any of the memories, or lose friendships with people who I met in Washington. But looking back, I see how incredibly blessed these past four years have been. And even if I do have to leave everything in Washington behind, I wouldn't trade this time for anything. I've spent some incredible time with my best friend, Haley, who has been the greatest and even puts up with all my excessive moving :), I have spent some great time with my grandparents, met other amazing people, been challenged in different ways, and most importantly, I have grown closer to my amazing God then I think I would have anywhere else. He truly did have the perfect timing and the perfect plan.
Also, a special shout out to everyone at Coram Deo Fellowship and to the Frye family and everyone at Lynnwood Apologetics group, as those things have been two great blessings during this time. I think God has taught me more these four years than just about any other time of my life.
It's funny to me now that I thought when I was sitting on that rock, that I had finally found my home. Because no matter how 'comfortable' the world is, it will NEVER be my home. I have a home waiting, but it's in Heaven. One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:13-16, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
And so now, as I sit in my bedroom in Japan and look out the window into the city, I realize that I'm only about a month away from closing this chapter of my life, too, and only about two and a half months away from moving to South Carolina. And as I think about all this, I can't help but be excited to see what God has planned for these next four years.
We left Renton, Washington when I was about eight years old. I had lived there almost my entire life, except for one year that we lived in New York. I didn't want to leave, but I don't remember hating the idea so much because I thought that we would come back. We left for Georgia, but after six months there, my dad was transferred to California. So we moved there. After a while in an apartment in Ranchos Palos Verdes, we moved to our new house in Valencia. And we all loved it there. After we found our church, Placerita Baptist, I remember thinking that I hadn't felt so at home since we had left Washington, which by that time had been more than year ago. However, my dad still talked about going back to Washington some day so we could grow up knowing our grandparents well, and so he wouldn't have such a long commute. Besides those things, both my parents grew up in Washington and we already had so many good friends there. So a move would serve three fold.
Needless to say, after two and a half years living in California, when I found out that we were moving again, I was upset. I'm pretty sure I cried. I don't remember the day that we came back to Washington, but I remember the days following. We were constantly looking for a house, a church, and probably tons of other stuff too. Finally, we found our home, and as I was saying a minute ago, I was sure we would never move again. I was sure that was home. Shortly after we found our home, or maybe it was not so shortly, I don't remember, we found our church, Coram Deo Fellowship. I cannot even begin to tell you how many incredible people I met at that church. Coram Deo was probably the greatest church family that I have ever been in, and I've probably met more incredible people there than at just about any other church (and believe me, I've been to my fair share of churches.) God just used that church to bless me and my family so much!
I was so sad six months ago when I had to leave Washington for Japan, however, I looked forward to what I thought would be six months later, when we would move back to Washington. But I don't think any other sadness of moving even compares to the sadness that I felt about three months ago when I found out that we are not moving back to Washington, but to South Carolina instead. I guess it's because I just don't want to leave all the wonderful things that God has taught me these past four years behind. Maybe it's because I don't want to forget any of the memories, or lose friendships with people who I met in Washington. But looking back, I see how incredibly blessed these past four years have been. And even if I do have to leave everything in Washington behind, I wouldn't trade this time for anything. I've spent some incredible time with my best friend, Haley, who has been the greatest and even puts up with all my excessive moving :), I have spent some great time with my grandparents, met other amazing people, been challenged in different ways, and most importantly, I have grown closer to my amazing God then I think I would have anywhere else. He truly did have the perfect timing and the perfect plan.
Also, a special shout out to everyone at Coram Deo Fellowship and to the Frye family and everyone at Lynnwood Apologetics group, as those things have been two great blessings during this time. I think God has taught me more these four years than just about any other time of my life.
It's funny to me now that I thought when I was sitting on that rock, that I had finally found my home. Because no matter how 'comfortable' the world is, it will NEVER be my home. I have a home waiting, but it's in Heaven. One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:13-16, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
And so now, as I sit in my bedroom in Japan and look out the window into the city, I realize that I'm only about a month away from closing this chapter of my life, too, and only about two and a half months away from moving to South Carolina. And as I think about all this, I can't help but be excited to see what God has planned for these next four years.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Godly Femininity
My friend Haley, over at Singin' in the Rain, recently wrote a post on godly femininity vs. feminism. In a way, it inspired me to write this post. I hope that you'll enjoy and that you'll leave a comment with your thoughts. I'd give you a penny for your thoughts, but, that might be a little hard over blogger. :)
No matter where you are, if you are a young, teen aged lady-- in particular, a Christian one, then you are probably surrounded by many different expectations. On one end of the spectrum, you're probably bombarded with the world's standards of true 'beauty' (You know, you have to look like all of the actresses in Hollywood), and the idea that if you don't have a boyfriend when you're sixteen that you're missing out on all the 'fun' of your teenage years. Even if you're not in public school, you can hear these things from neighbors, movies, just about anywhere. Sadly, these ideas are everywhere. On the other end of the spectrum, you may be from a conservative Christian home (as am I) but are sometimes overwhelmed because it seems that many Christians deem it 'ungodly' if you wear pants or don't know how to sew or that you need to marry or you're not obeying God's commands.
Is there something wrong with both of these pictures? Yes. Do they need to be addressed? Certainly. I want to talk a little bit about our world's feminist movement that is growing alarmingly quickly; and I'd also like to look at how some Christians view femininity and what the problems are with that view.
Now, first off, I would like to tell you a story. This took place about four years ago, shortly after my twelfth birthday. I was with my dear friend Haley lying on her bunk bed and thinking carefully. We were having one of our long, serious discussions about life, God, things we would do when we grew up, etc. and I told her that I wasn't sure if I would ever get married. At the time, I couldn't really see myself in a wedding dress and saying "I do" mostly because I was so sure that I would be a missionary (something I still feel called to, and will do, if God leads) and being a missionary who was--single. I had thought about this before, but I don't think I had ever voiced it in so many words.
"Oh, don't worry, dear." She said (or something to that extent.) "I'm sure you will."
I looked at her. "Why?"
"Well..." she reasoned, "because I think most girls do."
I nodded contemplatively.
Now, I have changed my mind quite a bit since that time, and now I can definitely see myself getting married. I want a family, I want to be a homeschooling mom who teaches her children to love the Lord, as my mom has done.
But I share this story because I want to write this not just as someone who wants women to have a husband and children, but also as someone who wants young ladies and women of all ages to serve the Lord first and remember what He says about marriage, femininity, and the distinctions between men and women. If you think you'll never get married, I understand where you are coming from. I'm not a girl who thinks that if you do not get married you're not following God's plan for your life (yes, I really HAVE heard things like that before). So, with that in mind, please read on.
I think one of the main problems with the modern feminism movement is that women are always saying they want "equality" with men. The problem is, we were made to be different.
Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. "
And Colossians 3:18 "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord"
Notice that God never gives the command for husbands to submit to their wives. No, that was not His plan in marriage. His plan was, and is, for women to submit to their husbands. Women have different and distinct roles from what men do. At the same time, we are all equal in our value to God.
Galatians 3:8 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus, in God's love and forgiveness, we are equal in worth. So I guess that you could say the main problem with the feminist movement is that feminists want women to have their value expressed in the same way as men's value. The main point that they're missing is that we can be of equal value without doing all the same things. A quick example. In 1 Timothy 2, women are forbidden from being Pastors, spiritual leaders and teachers, etc. over men. “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” However, I do not believe that this means women should never evangelize or minister to others, rather, she should leave the spiritual teaching and training of the church to men. Here is a paragraph from http://www.gotquestions.org/women-pastors.html if you have time, I would encourage you to read the whole article. But I will only quote the second-to last paragraph.
No matter where you are, if you are a young, teen aged lady-- in particular, a Christian one, then you are probably surrounded by many different expectations. On one end of the spectrum, you're probably bombarded with the world's standards of true 'beauty' (You know, you have to look like all of the actresses in Hollywood), and the idea that if you don't have a boyfriend when you're sixteen that you're missing out on all the 'fun' of your teenage years. Even if you're not in public school, you can hear these things from neighbors, movies, just about anywhere. Sadly, these ideas are everywhere. On the other end of the spectrum, you may be from a conservative Christian home (as am I) but are sometimes overwhelmed because it seems that many Christians deem it 'ungodly' if you wear pants or don't know how to sew or that you need to marry or you're not obeying God's commands.
Is there something wrong with both of these pictures? Yes. Do they need to be addressed? Certainly. I want to talk a little bit about our world's feminist movement that is growing alarmingly quickly; and I'd also like to look at how some Christians view femininity and what the problems are with that view.
Now, first off, I would like to tell you a story. This took place about four years ago, shortly after my twelfth birthday. I was with my dear friend Haley lying on her bunk bed and thinking carefully. We were having one of our long, serious discussions about life, God, things we would do when we grew up, etc. and I told her that I wasn't sure if I would ever get married. At the time, I couldn't really see myself in a wedding dress and saying "I do" mostly because I was so sure that I would be a missionary (something I still feel called to, and will do, if God leads) and being a missionary who was--single. I had thought about this before, but I don't think I had ever voiced it in so many words.
"Oh, don't worry, dear." She said (or something to that extent.) "I'm sure you will."
I looked at her. "Why?"
"Well..." she reasoned, "because I think most girls do."
I nodded contemplatively.
Now, I have changed my mind quite a bit since that time, and now I can definitely see myself getting married. I want a family, I want to be a homeschooling mom who teaches her children to love the Lord, as my mom has done.
But I share this story because I want to write this not just as someone who wants women to have a husband and children, but also as someone who wants young ladies and women of all ages to serve the Lord first and remember what He says about marriage, femininity, and the distinctions between men and women. If you think you'll never get married, I understand where you are coming from. I'm not a girl who thinks that if you do not get married you're not following God's plan for your life (yes, I really HAVE heard things like that before). So, with that in mind, please read on.
I think one of the main problems with the modern feminism movement is that women are always saying they want "equality" with men. The problem is, we were made to be different.
Ephesians 5:22-33 "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church — for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."[This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. "
And Colossians 3:18 "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord"
Notice that God never gives the command for husbands to submit to their wives. No, that was not His plan in marriage. His plan was, and is, for women to submit to their husbands. Women have different and distinct roles from what men do. At the same time, we are all equal in our value to God.
Galatians 3:8 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
In Christ Jesus, in God's love and forgiveness, we are equal in worth. So I guess that you could say the main problem with the feminist movement is that feminists want women to have their value expressed in the same way as men's value. The main point that they're missing is that we can be of equal value without doing all the same things. A quick example. In 1 Timothy 2, women are forbidden from being Pastors, spiritual leaders and teachers, etc. over men. “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.” However, I do not believe that this means women should never evangelize or minister to others, rather, she should leave the spiritual teaching and training of the church to men. Here is a paragraph from http://www.gotquestions.org/women-pastors.html if you have time, I would encourage you to read the whole article. But I will only quote the second-to last paragraph.
"God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers, or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching men or having spiritual authority over them. This logically would preclude women from serving as pastors/preachers. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them."
On the other hand, some Christians are combating the feminist movement by having many rules that are not necessarily Biblical. Sometimes this can feel discouraging as well, because young ladies in Christian homes that read Christian books will come across these somewhat legalistic rules at some point or another, and even if they love the Lord and serve Him and try to obey Him, they might feel discouraged by their lifestyle from the words of legalists. This is not healthy, either, and I have one comment about it before I wrap up. I think that as Christians, we need to be careful that the rules we have come from God and that we are not being 'old-fashioned' simply for the sake of being old-fashioned, and calling it godliness. What do I mean? Well, just because it's old-fashioned does not make it godly. Some things that are godly will be labeled 'old-fashioned' by the world, i.e., Christians who wait to have a relationship with the opposite sex until they are older so that they can protect their hearts will often be called 'old-fashioned' or things to that extent-- but it's important that we are determining what our convictions are and not just doing things because they seem old-fashioned and therefore we assume they are Biblical. In the simplest terms, godly things may be called old-fashioned, but old-fashioned things are not necessarily godly. I hope that makes sense.
In closing, I would like to encourage all the young ladies that read this blog to keep aspiring after godliness and biblical femininity. God is so awesome, and He loves you so much. I appreciate all the wonderful, godly young ladies that I know who are aspiring to do His will for their lives. I'll close with a Bible verse,
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." ~ Titus 2:3-5
Friday, June 18, 2010
Your First Love
I wrote this post a while ago, but it still rings true. Let my love burn with passion for you, Lord!
Billy Graham said this prayer for our nation:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your word says, ‘Woe to those Who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we’ve done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that. ...
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;
...We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism;
...We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;
...We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
...We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;
...We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
...We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
...We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
...We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self- esteem;
...We have abused power and called it political savvy;
...We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;
...We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; ...We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will, to open ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Is our society really one that is ambitious, pluralistic, and enlightened? Or is it simply one that does not properly fear God? My heart is saddened by the words of Matthew 24:12 “Because of the increase of wickedness the love of many will grow cold.” Sometimes I wonder if our love as Christians is growing colder. Oh, I’m not saying that we’ve deliberately or completely stopped loving the Lord. As Christians, that is our greatest command! But I do think we have stopped loving Him completely in different ways that may seem to us very small, but indeed are not. Think about it. Whenever sin seems "normal" to us, our love has grown cold. Whenever we are not bothered by things strictly forbidden in God's holy Word, our love has grown cold.
In my devotions a few days ago I was reading Revelations, and I was struck by this verse (2:4), "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Have we, too, left our first love, Jesus Christ, by letting our love grow cold? This sincere cry of my heart: Let not my love grow cold, oh Lord!
Billy Graham said this prayer for our nation:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your word says, ‘Woe to those Who call evil good,’ but that is exactly what we’ve done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We confess that. ...
We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;
...We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism;
...We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;
...We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
...We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;
...We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
...We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
...We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
...We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self- esteem;
...We have abused power and called it political savvy;
...We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition;
...We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; ...We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent to direct us to the center of Your will, to open ask it in the name of Your Son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Is our society really one that is ambitious, pluralistic, and enlightened? Or is it simply one that does not properly fear God? My heart is saddened by the words of Matthew 24:12 “Because of the increase of wickedness the love of many will grow cold.” Sometimes I wonder if our love as Christians is growing colder. Oh, I’m not saying that we’ve deliberately or completely stopped loving the Lord. As Christians, that is our greatest command! But I do think we have stopped loving Him completely in different ways that may seem to us very small, but indeed are not. Think about it. Whenever sin seems "normal" to us, our love has grown cold. Whenever we are not bothered by things strictly forbidden in God's holy Word, our love has grown cold.
In my devotions a few days ago I was reading Revelations, and I was struck by this verse (2:4), "But I have this against you, that you have left your first love." Have we, too, left our first love, Jesus Christ, by letting our love grow cold? This sincere cry of my heart: Let not my love grow cold, oh Lord!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
"I am your Shield, and Reward, and Righteousness"
"Whether you go to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'this is the way; walk in it.'" Many Christians would recognize or could even quote this verse, found in Isaiah 30:21, from memory. But I wonder how many people who claim to be Christians live this verse out in their day-to-day lives? It's a hard thing to have faith, really. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as, "Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
That, my friends, is faith. And it has been a struggle for all of mankind down through the ages. Even Christians often have doubts about whether or not God really exists or whether or not they are truly saved. Having faith can be so difficult!
Yet, as we look closer in scripture, there are few things that are spoken of as highly as having faith. What an amazing thing! Simply believing God is one of the most highly spoken of virtues in the Bible. In Hebrews, chapter 11, the passage that I quoted earlier, there are verses about many different Biblical heroes throughout the Bible. Yet no one person was spoken of more in this chapter than the patriarch Abraham.
11:8-12, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-- and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." 17-19, "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."
James 2:23 says, "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend."
Galatians 3:6-9, "Consider Abraham: 'He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' so those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
Abraham lived during the Old Testament times, yet he was mentioned again and again in the New Testament. Why? Because his faith was counted unto him as righteousness.
That, my friends, is faith. And it has been a struggle for all of mankind down through the ages. Even Christians often have doubts about whether or not God really exists or whether or not they are truly saved. Having faith can be so difficult!
Yet, as we look closer in scripture, there are few things that are spoken of as highly as having faith. What an amazing thing! Simply believing God is one of the most highly spoken of virtues in the Bible. In Hebrews, chapter 11, the passage that I quoted earlier, there are verses about many different Biblical heroes throughout the Bible. Yet no one person was spoken of more in this chapter than the patriarch Abraham.
11:8-12, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith Abraham, even though he was past age-- and Sarah herself was barren-- was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore." 17-19, "By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death."
James 2:23 says, "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend."
Galatians 3:6-9, "Consider Abraham: 'He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' so those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
Abraham lived during the Old Testament times, yet he was mentioned again and again in the New Testament. Why? Because his faith was counted unto him as righteousness.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
He Is My Portion
Lately, I've been reading a lot in my devotions about how God is all we need.
Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, 'the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"
Exodus 15:2, "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."
1 Chronicles 16:11, "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek His face always.
Psalm 28:8, "The LORD is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one."
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 105:4, "Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always."
Isaiah 12:2, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."
Is that true of you? I think of how often we, even as Christians, try to come before God bringing Jesus plus something else. But we cannot in any way be justifiable before our Lord with Jesus plus anything else. It is either Jesus that we depend on for everything, or it is not. Either God will be one's portion, or something else will have first priority in life. This is sometimes a very hard concept to grasp. We think that we understand that Jesus is all we need, yet sometimes we are not willing to make Jesus all that we have. As Corrie ten Boom once said, "You can never know that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have." It really is easy to think that we can approach God's throne bringing something of our own. But we cannot. It's either Jesus, or something else.
God is jealous for our affections...
Is He your portion?
Lamentations 3:24, "I say to myself, 'the Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'"
Exodus 15:2, "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."
1 Chronicles 16:11, "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek His face always.
Psalm 28:8, "The LORD is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one."
Psalm 73:26, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Psalm 105:4, "Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always."
Isaiah 12:2, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."
Is that true of you? I think of how often we, even as Christians, try to come before God bringing Jesus plus something else. But we cannot in any way be justifiable before our Lord with Jesus plus anything else. It is either Jesus that we depend on for everything, or it is not. Either God will be one's portion, or something else will have first priority in life. This is sometimes a very hard concept to grasp. We think that we understand that Jesus is all we need, yet sometimes we are not willing to make Jesus all that we have. As Corrie ten Boom once said, "You can never know that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have." It really is easy to think that we can approach God's throne bringing something of our own. But we cannot. It's either Jesus, or something else.
God is jealous for our affections...
Is He your portion?
Monday, April 19, 2010
To My Best Friend
Miss Haley Christine, I just wanted to let you know that you are the greatest friend ever. I'm so happy that I know you, and your family! Some of my best memories are from being with you and Curtis, or just you, or you and anyone else! I really miss you right now, and I can't wait to see you!Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Thank you for always being there to help me up!
Because of your love of Winnie the Pooh, I think I'll quote him in conclusion.
"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you." -- Winnie the Pooh
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Safe, at Last
Lately, I've been worrying a lot about the future. For those of you who don't know me very well, I'm sort of a planner. I like to be prepared for the future... I don't really like to just leave things up in the air until the last minute. I like to have a plan. A purpose. A direction.
This has proved a struggle for me over the last few years (actually, longer, but why push it? :) Because my family moves around quite a bit. So whenever I think about making plans for the future, the Lord gently shows me that those plans might not work out by-- how else?-- moving us somewhere different. Our most recent move has landed us in Nagoya, Japan, and while we were planning on going back to our home state after this move, there is a slight chance that we will move to a different state in a few weeks instead. Last night, I cried for a good while with my mom about it. However later that night, I was reading in my devotions about worry, trust, and trouble. I read Matthew 6:25-34,
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry a bout clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
It's so true. Even if I don't worry about what I'll be doing tomorrow or next week or next year, Jesus Christ has granted me today to live for Him! I have enough struggles, enough work, enough everything just for today, because that's all I'm guaranteed. I can live right now for God's glory, or not. The choice is mine. A little later on in my devotions, I read a beautiful promise, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken." - Psalm 37:25
God never forsakes those He calls! Jesus also promises us, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
I was also listening to Phil Wickham's song 'Safe' recently. I won't quote the whole song, but the chorus says,
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms
Even if everything falls apart in the world; even if there isn't anything else I can rely upon, I know this: I don't need to know where I'm going, as long as I know the One that I'm following and I'm willing to give everything up for Him.
This has proved a struggle for me over the last few years (actually, longer, but why push it? :) Because my family moves around quite a bit. So whenever I think about making plans for the future, the Lord gently shows me that those plans might not work out by-- how else?-- moving us somewhere different. Our most recent move has landed us in Nagoya, Japan, and while we were planning on going back to our home state after this move, there is a slight chance that we will move to a different state in a few weeks instead. Last night, I cried for a good while with my mom about it. However later that night, I was reading in my devotions about worry, trust, and trouble. I read Matthew 6:25-34,
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry a bout clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
It's so true. Even if I don't worry about what I'll be doing tomorrow or next week or next year, Jesus Christ has granted me today to live for Him! I have enough struggles, enough work, enough everything just for today, because that's all I'm guaranteed. I can live right now for God's glory, or not. The choice is mine. A little later on in my devotions, I read a beautiful promise, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken." - Psalm 37:25
God never forsakes those He calls! Jesus also promises us, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
I was also listening to Phil Wickham's song 'Safe' recently. I won't quote the whole song, but the chorus says,
You will be safe in His arms
You will be safe in His arms
'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart
This is the promise He made
He will be with You always
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms
Even if everything falls apart in the world; even if there isn't anything else I can rely upon, I know this: I don't need to know where I'm going, as long as I know the One that I'm following and I'm willing to give everything up for Him.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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