Well, when Spurgeon and others in the past used a pipe while they contemplated the glories of God in the face of Jesus, they were able to be still and silent before the Lord, dwelling on the deep truths of Scripture, the glories of God and His Son Jesus.
However this might look in your own life, I would encourage you to be quiet before the Lord, figure out what that looks like for you, and enjoy being exhorted and challenged by God "making much of you" as He ultimately makes much of Himself!
HERE is the link to Piper's recent sermon at Mars Hill Church on this very topic. All I can say is it makes me look small (right where I should be) and reminds me of how BIG my God really is! Please, please take the time to listen to this one!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Of Community Groups and Canadian Borders
Ha! What a blast this past week! I got to zoom up to Canada to visit my sis, her husband, and all her kids right after my weekend of working overnights! I know. It's just me being crazy once again. The great thing about this trip was what God had planned that I didn't know would be in store for me. But much happened when Canadian borders and Community Groups mix!
So the story goes, I had way too much stuff in the trunk of my car (one of those important things I overlooked before trying to enter into Canada), let alone the things I had packed for the 3 1/2 days I'd be up in Surrey, BC visiting my sis Kristin. That stuff also filled the back seat of my car. So to make a long story short, and to spare you the LITERALLY 50 questions I was asked (after being asked to park my car so it could be thoroughly inspected), Canada had concluded that I was trying to cross their borders so I could set up my tent and live off their land for an unknown amount of time (oh did I mention I also had my hiking backpack stowed away in my trunk with its tent, sleeping gear, and dried food containers). If you're not laughing now, you should be.
So you could probably understand why I was asked to pull over, get the full inspection and be interrogated for about 50 minutes. All fun, and all coming after an overnight of work! Isn't God funny! Of course I share all this, and entitled my blog the way I did, because ultimately I got to talk to my interrogator all about Mars Hill, Community Groups, the Connect Group I serve alongside, the Discipleship Training Program, my brother-in-law being a pastor, my love for the church, and I'm pretty sure Jesus was in the conversation as well.
I guess at the end of the day it was awesome! I think God turned a really crazy (and yes, crummy) situation to bring forth His glory and to let this interrogator know about God's church and God's people, and that I'm just one crazy dude who loves God and was trying to "make it look like" I was moving to Canada. It reminds me of Peter's exhortation: "...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (especially to Canadian interrogators, emphasis mine) (1 Pet 3:15).
In the end God was gracious, as the interrogator graciously still let me into Canadia (of course after a phone call to my sisters to verify my whole story), I got to spend three crazy days with all 6 of my crazy nieces and nephews, and I got to spend some sweet time with my sister, Kristin and her husband Bryan. I can't wait to visit again, though I think I've learned a valuable lesson about packing for trips to Canada: LESS IS MORE!
So the story goes, I had way too much stuff in the trunk of my car (one of those important things I overlooked before trying to enter into Canada), let alone the things I had packed for the 3 1/2 days I'd be up in Surrey, BC visiting my sis Kristin. That stuff also filled the back seat of my car. So to make a long story short, and to spare you the LITERALLY 50 questions I was asked (after being asked to park my car so it could be thoroughly inspected), Canada had concluded that I was trying to cross their borders so I could set up my tent and live off their land for an unknown amount of time (oh did I mention I also had my hiking backpack stowed away in my trunk with its tent, sleeping gear, and dried food containers). If you're not laughing now, you should be.
So you could probably understand why I was asked to pull over, get the full inspection and be interrogated for about 50 minutes. All fun, and all coming after an overnight of work! Isn't God funny! Of course I share all this, and entitled my blog the way I did, because ultimately I got to talk to my interrogator all about Mars Hill, Community Groups, the Connect Group I serve alongside, the Discipleship Training Program, my brother-in-law being a pastor, my love for the church, and I'm pretty sure Jesus was in the conversation as well.
I guess at the end of the day it was awesome! I think God turned a really crazy (and yes, crummy) situation to bring forth His glory and to let this interrogator know about God's church and God's people, and that I'm just one crazy dude who loves God and was trying to "make it look like" I was moving to Canada. It reminds me of Peter's exhortation: "...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (especially to Canadian interrogators, emphasis mine) (1 Pet 3:15).
In the end God was gracious, as the interrogator graciously still let me into Canadia (of course after a phone call to my sisters to verify my whole story), I got to spend three crazy days with all 6 of my crazy nieces and nephews, and I got to spend some sweet time with my sister, Kristin and her husband Bryan. I can't wait to visit again, though I think I've learned a valuable lesson about packing for trips to Canada: LESS IS MORE!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Faces and Veils and Tents?
Amazing... I just can't get over this passage that speaks of God's glory. Of course I'm thinking right now of one particular passage among MANY that continually speak of the glory of God. Here's been the one the God has recently directed me to.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart...
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 3:18-4:1, 3-7)
Wow, I have not the time nor want to take up all the space to speak of every truth found in this passage, but what a revelation this is! I am continually beholding the glory of God! If Christ is mine, I have this Light that is now shining within me in my proverbial jar of clay (my body). The Light is the knowledge of the glory of God seen in the face of Jesus Christ! So how am I beholding the glory of God continually? Through keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, the Light! What is ALREADY true of me? I am displaying the glory of God!!
But how so, you might ask? Well, my face has already been unveiled through the saving work of God the Spirit, therefore I AM beholding the glory of God! Not only am I beholding this heavy, brilliant weightiness called GLORY, but this brilliance, this Light, is shining in my heart!! I am carrying it about in this tent (see chapter 5) the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God!
The "tent" is a great picture to put in your mind. You remember (hopefully you've experienced this) times when someone has turned a light on inside a camping tent? It creates a glow that can be seen a good distance away. Even the smallest of light that is lit within the tent hits the walls of the tent and creates a glow that is visible from the outside. Do you see the parallel now? I am like a walking tent (yeah, maybe this is a funny picture to think of, though I do remember walking around with a toy tent over my head when I was young!), and whatever is shining inside this tent of mine is what is hitting the walls and creating a glow that is visible to those looking at me! What is this glow? It is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This is what is SHINING in our hearts! It's a reality for those with unveiled faces!
Listen to Jesus' prayer for us in John 17 (this just blows me away!) The GLORY that you (God) have given to me, I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one (v.22). Jesus prayed with a promise, that we have been given the glory that was also given to Jesus the Son from the Father! This is amazing truth!
So what? What's the point of all this GLORY talk? Please be blown away with the gift given to us, with the stewardship placed upon us in being "tents" that shine forth the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ! You are no more deeply loved than this! You have direct access to God's glory, you are now vessels carrying about God's glory, you are now lights SHINING in darkness! There couldn't be a sharper contrast. You stand out amidst this world! You just do! You have the Light within you!
Lastly, not only do I have the glory of God within me, but I am made specifically to bring God glory! In being a tent that displays God's glory I am bringing glory to my Creator! I was created for this purpose!
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
(Isaiah 43:7)
Yikes, so this became longer than anticipated! What do I want to leave you with? In all of this, I think it's still important to realize that we cannot give out what we haven't first received ourselves. Truly receive this truth for your own heart. Believe it in your own life before letting others know! Let it be seen in your life before you tell others to display the glory that is within them! Receive this truth first I pray, before you give it to another!
And for the one who may be reading this and is lost in darkness? Come to Jesus! Come to the Light, who is Jesus! Come, quench your thirsty soul! He has paid it all, taken every sin of yours upon Himself; died in your place! Now He freely offers you streams of living water! (Revelation 22:17)
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart...
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (2 Corinthians 3:18-4:1, 3-7)
Wow, I have not the time nor want to take up all the space to speak of every truth found in this passage, but what a revelation this is! I am continually beholding the glory of God! If Christ is mine, I have this Light that is now shining within me in my proverbial jar of clay (my body). The Light is the knowledge of the glory of God seen in the face of Jesus Christ! So how am I beholding the glory of God continually? Through keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, the Light! What is ALREADY true of me? I am displaying the glory of God!!
But how so, you might ask? Well, my face has already been unveiled through the saving work of God the Spirit, therefore I AM beholding the glory of God! Not only am I beholding this heavy, brilliant weightiness called GLORY, but this brilliance, this Light, is shining in my heart!! I am carrying it about in this tent (see chapter 5) the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God!
The "tent" is a great picture to put in your mind. You remember (hopefully you've experienced this) times when someone has turned a light on inside a camping tent? It creates a glow that can be seen a good distance away. Even the smallest of light that is lit within the tent hits the walls of the tent and creates a glow that is visible from the outside. Do you see the parallel now? I am like a walking tent (yeah, maybe this is a funny picture to think of, though I do remember walking around with a toy tent over my head when I was young!), and whatever is shining inside this tent of mine is what is hitting the walls and creating a glow that is visible to those looking at me! What is this glow? It is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. This is what is SHINING in our hearts! It's a reality for those with unveiled faces!
Listen to Jesus' prayer for us in John 17 (this just blows me away!) The GLORY that you (God) have given to me, I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one (v.22). Jesus prayed with a promise, that we have been given the glory that was also given to Jesus the Son from the Father! This is amazing truth!
So what? What's the point of all this GLORY talk? Please be blown away with the gift given to us, with the stewardship placed upon us in being "tents" that shine forth the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ! You are no more deeply loved than this! You have direct access to God's glory, you are now vessels carrying about God's glory, you are now lights SHINING in darkness! There couldn't be a sharper contrast. You stand out amidst this world! You just do! You have the Light within you!
Lastly, not only do I have the glory of God within me, but I am made specifically to bring God glory! In being a tent that displays God's glory I am bringing glory to my Creator! I was created for this purpose!
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
(Isaiah 43:7)
Yikes, so this became longer than anticipated! What do I want to leave you with? In all of this, I think it's still important to realize that we cannot give out what we haven't first received ourselves. Truly receive this truth for your own heart. Believe it in your own life before letting others know! Let it be seen in your life before you tell others to display the glory that is within them! Receive this truth first I pray, before you give it to another!
And for the one who may be reading this and is lost in darkness? Come to Jesus! Come to the Light, who is Jesus! Come, quench your thirsty soul! He has paid it all, taken every sin of yours upon Himself; died in your place! Now He freely offers you streams of living water! (Revelation 22:17)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Thank You Lord for Sickness and Overnights
Interesting title for my post tonight (or should I say this morning)! Well, it is completely true. This week was filled with a cold that wouldn't leave me and an overnight that was one of the worst I can remember. And yet, I thank the Lord. What?? I have to, as I laugh inside, cause ironically this blog was created for these exact things in mind. In my weakness, His glory is made perfect! In my weakness His strength can shine through!
I thank the Lord mostly because during my sickness and during these overnights I have had much time to talk with Him and think things through about where my life is going, what passions I have, who I am in Christ and how God has made me tick. Crazy how some of these questions I've never asked of myself, or asked in such particular ways and in this season of my life (which I'll never have again!). Of course God has a timing for everything, and it seems His timing for me to evaluate these things is NOW :-) And He is timely, as I have the opportunity now, with long overnights and a few restful days during the week to step back and evaluate where He has brought me thus far and where I need to keep moving ahead, by faith and only by faith! You know, the working ON your life part, and not always working IN your life. I've always been good at the latter and not so much with the former.
So, yeah. Has sickness and overnights been a rough going? This is certain! Is God bigger and better and sovereign over all these things? More so!! So what have I to complain about? What have I to be anxious or fearful about? Absolutely nothing. If anything, I can rejoice! I have a glorious Savior, Jesus and a glorious God and Father. I am a child of the King and am deeply loved and cherished by Him. And the story of my life unfolding is not about me as the climax (what a huge burden to not carry), but ultimately is about me standing with Jesus in heaven beholding His very glory! (John 17:24)
So, Jesus... may You be seen strong in my weaknesses. May I not go to despair, but hope in what You are caring out through me, Your servant. May I receive the greatest joy in all of life knowing you are being glorified, and I get the privilege of giving you all glory.
I thank the Lord mostly because during my sickness and during these overnights I have had much time to talk with Him and think things through about where my life is going, what passions I have, who I am in Christ and how God has made me tick. Crazy how some of these questions I've never asked of myself, or asked in such particular ways and in this season of my life (which I'll never have again!). Of course God has a timing for everything, and it seems His timing for me to evaluate these things is NOW :-) And He is timely, as I have the opportunity now, with long overnights and a few restful days during the week to step back and evaluate where He has brought me thus far and where I need to keep moving ahead, by faith and only by faith! You know, the working ON your life part, and not always working IN your life. I've always been good at the latter and not so much with the former.
So, yeah. Has sickness and overnights been a rough going? This is certain! Is God bigger and better and sovereign over all these things? More so!! So what have I to complain about? What have I to be anxious or fearful about? Absolutely nothing. If anything, I can rejoice! I have a glorious Savior, Jesus and a glorious God and Father. I am a child of the King and am deeply loved and cherished by Him. And the story of my life unfolding is not about me as the climax (what a huge burden to not carry), but ultimately is about me standing with Jesus in heaven beholding His very glory! (John 17:24)
So, Jesus... may You be seen strong in my weaknesses. May I not go to despair, but hope in what You are caring out through me, Your servant. May I receive the greatest joy in all of life knowing you are being glorified, and I get the privilege of giving you all glory.
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