Interesting question, isn't it?
Am I weak enough for God? Our culture asks another question: Am I strong enough? Our culture worships strength and self sufficiency. Books are overflow the shelves of your local bookstore about greater productivity, greater influence, how to have an unshakeable will, do it yourself, and on and on they go. The world looks down upon those who are weak and laughs. The weak are viewed as the unfortunate, the exiles, and the unwanted. If you want to be great in the world, do it yourself and give the credit to no one. God isn't like this. In God's Kingdom, weakness is not powerless, it's powerful. God loves weak people. Time and time again we see in the NT that it is those that are weak in the world's eyes that get grace and those that are strong and well-off that get rebuked. Why? Because God works through weakness. He loves it. God doesn't stiff arm weak people, He lifts them up to display His power (Phil. 4:13). What is weakness, you ask? Weakness is viewing oneself the way God views us. In God's view, we are broken, weak, and can do nothing without Him (John 5:19). When I look at myself through the lens of the Bible with the help of the Spirit, I see a weak man who can do nothing well without God. Is this depressing? In the world's eyes, it's crushing. What hope do we have if we are weak? What can we hope to accomplish? God says we have everything to gain (Phil. 1:21). Are you weak enough for God? How can I get weak before God? Perhaps the better question to ask is not how can I get weak, but how can I have a greater perception of what I already am? I am already weak, I just need to realize it more, everyday. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." This is something we will never understand fully. Sure, we can know we are weak today, but tomorrow God may graciously grant you the ability, through the Spirit, to see how much weaker you really are. God telling us "My grace is sufficient for you" is not something we experience all at once and than 2 Corinthians 12:9 is no longer applicable to us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 is the Christian life. We do not grow outside of God's grace. We need it. And we see it's power and effects through weakness. Are you weak enough for God? Let's be weak, together and see His power made known through us for His glory.
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It seems obvious, does it not? That Jesus is better than Facebook. We know this. We've tasted this. We've experienced this.
So why do we live like this isn't true? Why do we constantly feel the pull of hitting that little blue square to scroll through the endless status updates, shared pictures, and many comments? Why do we put our foot on the gas pedal of our minds when thinking about Jesus but seemingly slam on the brakes when browsing Facebook? Could someone look at the way you spend your leisure time and conclude "They don't just SAY Jesus is better than Facebook, they REALLY believe it!" Friends, let's not allow our minds to wander to the short-lived pleasures of scrolling through Facebook. Let's fix our minds on the pleasures of Christ. Let's press into the Gospel of grace and have our hearts awakened from our dull mindedness. I need this. You need this. So let's stumble towards it, together. Jesus is better than Facebook. God, help me to remember and live like this is true. Psalm 119 is possibly my favorite chapter in all of the Bible. The Psalm is full of beautiful allegory and language that washes over my heart with a new love for God and His Word every time. Recently, I began reading a commentary on Psalm 119 by Charles Bridges (highly recommend) and was struck by what Bridges had to say about verse 15 which says "I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways." Here is what Bridges said: "Our rejoicing in the testimonies of God will naturally flow in a habitual meditation in them. The thoughts follow the affections... But this meditation not only includes the stated times of thought, but the train of holy thoughts, that pass through the mind during the busy hours of the day. This maintains an habitual flow of spiritual desires, and excites the flame of love within, till at length the Psalmist's resolution becomes the inwrought habit of our minds." What is Bridges talking about? He is talking about Godward thinking in everyday life. Notice that he says a habitual meditation on the Scripture is not something that should happen at set times in the day (though that is helpful and certainly recommended), but that even in the "busy hours of the day" holy thoughts, as Bridges calls them, should pass through the mind. This is convicting. The reason being that in the busiest hours of the day, I often fail to have Godward thinking. In fact, sometimes my thinking in the busiest hours of the day can have a sinful bent to it. Rather its anxiety, a bad attitude because I have so much to do, or just plain worry because I'm not sure how I'm going to complete all I have to do, my thinking cannot be described as Godward. So how are you and I to have Godward thinking in the everyday life? Three things... 1. Memorize the BibleWe need to do this. We cannot have our minds renewed without it. We cannot be a strong tree planted by streams of flowing water (Psalm 1) without this. So let's do it. Find an app (Fighter Verse, Memverse, etc.), write a passage down on a note card, memorize a whole book like Philippians, Colossians, or 1 John, but whatever you do, memorize the Bible. For when we do, the Spirit brings to memory His Word in our minds when we need it most. 2. Pray the BibleEvery time you read the Bible you should be praying the Bible. I have referenced it before, but Donald Whitney's book Praying the Bible is so helpful in this regard. When we pray the Bible, the Spirit applies it to our lives and minds. We remember it easier. How much Scripture goes in and out of the mind without ever reaching the heart through prayer? 3. Study the BibleGodward thinking is produced on the ground of diligent, thoughtful study. Study the Bible. Buy a Bible reference book or commentary to help guide you into the depths of the Bible. I personally love the Geneva Bible Commentary series by Banner of Truth.
Memorize, pray, and study the Bible. Let's trust God and see Him flood our minds with great thoughts of Him by committing ourselves to these things. What do you do when your spouse disappoints you? How do you respond? What do you think, say, do? In the video below, taken from the True Marriage retreat put on by Acts29, Ray and Jani Ortlund answer the question many of us are asking: How am I to respond in a Gospel-centered way when my spouse disappoints me? I've recently been reading a book entitled Thoughts for Young Men by J.C. Ryle. In one part of the book he writes, "Determine as long as you live to make the Bible your guide and adviser." Amen... But how? Luckily J.C. Ryle knew that his readers would ask such a thing, so he gives three things that we can to make our Bibles our guide and adviser: 1. Read It With Prayer."A man may as soon read the letter of Scripture without eyes, as understand the spirit of it without grace." Scripture should be read through the lens of prayer so that the Spirit might help us understand what the Scripture is actually saying to us. I have found Don Whitney's book on Praying the Bible incredibly helpful in this regard. 2. Read It Reverently."Read it as the Word of God, not of man, believing implicitly that what it approves is right, and what it condemns is wrong." Ryle reiterates this point throughout many of his books. God's Word is not to be read like any other book, it is to be read as God's Word. 3. Read It Regularly."That is the only way to become 'mighty in the Scriptures' (Acts 18:24). A hasty glance at the Bible now and then does little good. At that rate you will never become familiar with its treasures, or feel the sword of the Spirit fitted to your hand in the hour of conflict. But get your mind stored with Scripture, by diligent reading, and you will soon discover its value and power." Ryle liked to emphasize the importance of Bible intake (reading large chunks of the Bible). The reason for this is because the Spirit can use the Word that you read to change you, comfort you, and help you in a time of need.
We would do well to adhere to Ryle's words and treasure the Bible. Don't waste your cancer. This is the message John Piper wanted to get across when he wrote his 18-page book with that very title. Maybe you or someone you know and care for is in a season of trial called cancer. How are you/they to use this trial for the glory of God and the good of others? Below are 11 ways that Piper says cancer can be wasted. I encourage you to read his explanation of these points in his book below (you can read it below or download it to read later). 1. We waste our cancer if we don’t hear in our own groanings the hope-filled labor pains of a fallen world.2. We waste our cancer if we do not believe it is designed for us by God.3. We waste our cancer if we believe it is a curse and not a gift.4. We waste our cancer if we seek comfort from our odds rather than from God.5. We waste our cancer if we refuse to think about death.6. We waste our cancer if we think that “beating” cancer means staying alive rather than cherishing Christ.7. We waste our cancer if we spend too much time reading about cancer and not enough time reading about God.8. We waste our cancer if we let it drive us into solitude instead of deepen our relationships with manifest affection.9. We waste our cancer if we grieve as those who have no hope.10. We waste our cancer if we treat sin as casually as before.11. We waste our cancer if we fail to use it as a means of witness to the truth and glory of Christ.
2016 is upon us and maybe you have set a goal in your mind to read the Bible all the way through. If you have (which I think you should), I have a couple of tips that will help you not only get started but also follow through with your ambition. There are three things that are needed to follow through with reading the entire Bible this year: 1. Have A Set Time & PlaceMuch Bible reading is not done because it is not planned to be done. I suggest finding a regular (if possible) time everyday to sit down and read your Bible. I have found that the early morning hours work best for me since I am most attentive and alert. On top of finding a regular time, find a place that you can read your Bible regularly. For me, it's in my office. For others, it may be in their living room, Starbucks, etc. Having a regular time and place to meet with God in His Word is helpful in getting in the routine of reading the Bible. 2. Get A Reading Plan You LikeThis is important. Find a reading plan that you like. Justin Taylor recently wrote a huge post for the TGC blog on a variety of different plans (you can read the post here). For me, I enjoy using the reading plan laid out in D.A. Carson's For The Love of God. There are a lot of plans out there. So be sure to find the one that you like the most! My church is going through the Bible this year and has a great reading plan put together that you can download here. 3. Read Out LoudThis may seem strange, but I read my Bible out loud. I have found that when I read out loud, I am not prone to wander off in my mind or get distracted by other things. Instead, I am focusing on each word I am saying. This helps me not only truly read, but meditate at the same time. Give it a try!
2013 will forever be etched into the fabric of my memory as the year in which I stumbled upon the Valley of Vision. Perhaps you have never heard of this book, so allow me to introduce it to you. The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan prayers bound together in one book. The Banner of Truth published it in 1975 and eventually it was republished several times. The book contains 'themed' prayers written out by a variety of Puritans such as Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, Charles Spurgeon, Henry Law, among many others. The themes include Redemption and Reconciliation, Needs, Approaching God, and many others. You may ask the question 'why would I want a book filled with written-out prayers from hundreds of years ago?' I have three reasons: 1. They Awaken My Dull HeartThe Valley of Vision has been used by God to raise my affections in prayer when I often feel my heart is dull. I cannot begin to count how many times I have stumbled into my office at home in the early hours of the morning, gotten down on my knees to pray and have felt as though my heart was indifferent towards God. It has been in those very moments that The Valley of Vision was used by the Spirit of God to raise my affections and inject passion into my heart for God as I pray through that book. 2. They Cultivate Creativity In My Prayer LifeI don't want a boring prayer life. I just don't. I want a prayer life that is real and moving. 'What do you mean by boring?' Here is what I mean: If someone were to be a fly-on-the-wall in my office at 6:00a on Tuesday morning and heard me pray, I don't want them walking away uninspired to pray themselves. I once read that an unbelieving man who was prayed for by Charles Spurgeon one night walked away telling his friends 'That man prays as if the Living God hears him!' I want that. The Valley of Vision moves me to be creative in my prayers. Praying the Bible in ways that are fresh and powerful. It has been an immense help in this area. 3. They Challenge Me To Devote Myself To PrayerThe prayers recorded in this book spur me on to faithfulness in my prayer life. As I read the prayers of the Puritans of old I am humbled because I realize how devoted those men were to prayer. I want to be like that. With every page you turn you cannot help but see the years of experience these men have at dining with God on their knees. I pray that God would continue to teach me and push me to pray as I flip through the pages of this priceless book. Enter for a chance to win a copy of The Valley of VisionBecause I love the Valley of Vision so much, I want to give away a copy to one person on January 4th. To enter, fill out this form:
For the first time in my life, I am writing out some initiatives that I want to have in the upcoming year. These involve a whole host of things such as losing a certain amount of weight, reading an allotted amount of books, and spending more time with Clarissa. I want to encourage you to do the same! To help you, I want to walk you through the process I went through this year to determine what my 2016 initiatives should be. 1. Ask The Right QuestionThe first thing I did this year before planning out initiatives was ask myself this question: What do I want to see God accomplish this year in my life and in the lives of those around me? I wrote down several things from getting healthier to going on more dates with my wife. Do that. Sit down and ask yourself that question. Then write down all the things that flood your mind on a piece of paper. 2. Sort It OutAfter asking the right question, take the things you have written down and divide them up in categories. I divided mine up into four categories: Mental, Physical, Spiritual, and Relational (see my attached file at the bottom of this post). Dividing those things into categories make it easier for you to organize that list. 3. Pray and PurgeAfter dividing everything up into categories, pray and purge. I did this for about a month with a list I had made in October. I had around 50 things that got dwindled down to around 10. Ask God to give you direction in the things you have written down. Which things are self-gratifying and self-serving? Which things are centered around God getting glory? Ask questions like this and scratch out any initiatives that you feel God leading you away from. 4. Get SpecificThis is my favorite part. Now that your list is dwindled down, get specific about what you want to see accomplished in 2016. For example, if you wrote down 'I want to lose weight' get specific. How much weight do you want to lose? How are you going to accomplish that. You will see on my Leadership Initiatives sheet that I was very specific about how I wanted to go about losing some weight I had gained this year. Do the same for each category to give you direction and clarity. 5. Stick To ItThis is by far the hardest part: sticking to it. I printed out my Leadership and Ministry Initiatives sheets on nice paper and laminated them. I placed a set in my office at home, in my office at church, and in my briefcase that I carry everywhere. I do this so that I don't forget what I have committed to. This helps me focus and realign my schedule to try and accomplish the things that I have written down at the beginning of the year. My Leadership Initiatives For 2016So what about you? What are some things that you want to see God do in your life this year? How do you go about setting goals for the new year? Comment and let me know! There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Christianity. From the validity of the Bible to the purpose of the church, people have thoughts that can tend to be too far left from the real truth. A misconception that I have seen in my own life for many years is that the Christian life is full of big moments. Let me step back for a moment to give you a glimpse of what I mean... The Old DaysWhen I became a believer in 2010, I had the misconception that the Christian life is full of the extraordinary. I had thoughts that I would pray and see God move in incredible ways (with hardly any need to "wait upon the Lord" of course), feel God's presence every time I pray or read the Bible, and that every time I shared the Gospel with someone they would be converted within a week. I am now wiser enough to know that God never promised any of those things. In fact, the more I live the Christian life, I am finding that God works more in ordinary ways than He does extraordinary ways. Ordinary Isn't BadThis realization came to me about a year and a half ago when I read Michael Horton's book Ordinary. In the book, he talks about how God is at work through the ordinary means of grace. God pours out His grace into our lives and is at work in us as we do the ordinary things of everyday life. So what does this look like practically speaking? A couple of months ago I committed to doing more around my home so that my wife could be freed up to do things that she enjoyed and found refreshing after she got off at work. This meant that the first thing I do when I get home is take out the trash, do the dishes, wipe the counters, vacuum, change light bulbs, and a host of other tedious things. I have seen God change me through committing to do something so ordinary like things around the house. He gave me a greater care for my wife and appreciation for all she does in and outside of our home. He instilled in me a greater work ethic and discipline to do things even when I don't feel like it. He taught me the discipline of slowing down and breaking away from my constant non-stop pace. God met me in the ordinary. But this is not easy for us. Because we are so oriented to want to 'change the world', we bypass the ordinary. As Horton says, "Everyone wants to change the world but no one wants to wash the dishes." So what are we to do? "The Christian life is this: doing ordinary things through the extraordinary power of Jesus Christ." Commit Yourself To The OrdinaryWe desperately need to view life in light of what it truly is: small moments. Our lives are made up of small moments. There may be a handful of big moments in our lives, but for the majority, we live in a world made up of small moments. Therefore, there is no such thing as an insignificant moment. There is no conversation that is 'too ordinary'. We must view every moment as a God-given opportunity to bring Him glory, regardless of how small it may seem. Zack Eswine wrote about this in his book The Imperfect Pastor:
"As you enter ministry, you will be tempted to orient your desires toward doing large things in famous ways as fast and as efficiently as you can. But take note. A crossroads waits for you. Jesus is that crossroads. Because almost anything in life that truly matters will require you to do small, mostly overlooked things, over a long period of time with Him. The pastoral vocation, because it focuses on helping people cultivate what truly matters, is therefore no exception." The Christian life is this: doing ordinary things through the extraordinary power of Jesus Christ. That's it. We cannot lose sight of this, because if we do, we lose sight of what matters most: Bringing Him glory in all that we do. So do those dishes, clean the house, teach the kids, watch a movie with your spouse, go on a walk with a friend, and do it all for the glory of Him who has called you to something extraordinary: Himself. |
About MeI am a Husband to Clarissa, Pastor at Liberty Baptist Church, reader of many books, and tweeter at @brad_merchant. Archives
July 2016
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