Spying Out the Land of Floripa

This morning as I contemplated the thought of taking the Gospel to this city of Florianopolis, I felt overwhelmed. I felt incapable of such a great task. God, in His sovereign wisdom, led me to read Numbers 13, on spying out the land of Canaan. The story is well known. 10 spies come back saying that it is a good land, but there are giants in the land. 2 spies, Joshua and Caleb, agree to these facts but have more to say. Notice the difference in what these 2 groups actually said.

The 10 spies said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are." (v.31)

Caleb said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." (v.30)

So, what is the big difference between Caleb's response and the other men's? At first, it may seem like Caleb had more self-confidence than the 10 men. Maybe they had low self-esteem. I don't believe that is the case though. I believe that Caleb's confidence came from knowing who God is and believing in Him. The other men's lack of confidence came from ignoring who God is and not believing Him. The spies were right in saying that the giants in the land were stronger than they, but they were focusing on the wrong thing--themselves. Here are 3 things the Lord impressed upon my heart today from this story:

1. There is a self confidence in doing a BIG JOB which amounts to pride.
I need to be aware of this and careful not have this attitude. I have noticed many times in ministry how I seem to trust in my ability to get things done.

2. There is a lack of confidence in God which leads to a lack of action.
Many people are so afraid of BIG JOBS (like evangelism or missions), they never try anything for God and His glory. They are missing out on great blessings, I believe.

3. There is a right sense of confidence which says, "We are well able to do this in the ability of God."

I don't know about my brother David, but there are many times in my life when I do not feel "able" to do the task that God has called me to do here in Brazil, and possibly in Florianopolis someday. I am encouraged today by this story to be confident that I am "well able" in the ability of my Omnipotent God.

I look forward to "spying out the land" of Florianopolis with David next month. Pray for us that we would "be of good courage".

JT

Preaching in the Spirit

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says this in Preaching and Preachers: "There is but one thing that gives a preacher authority, and that is that he be 'filled with the Holy Spirit'."

I read Numbers 11 today and noticed a strong contrast between the Spirit resting on certain individuals and the people of Israel giving in to their "strong craving" of the flesh. The main truth that God has shown me in this text is that you cannot have the strong cravings of the flesh and also have the Spirit of God resting on you at the same time. Galatians 5:16 is very clear on this:

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

One great reason why one would want to have the Spirit of God resting on him is to be able to bear one another's burdens. Galatians 6:1 states that only those who are spiritual, meaning who walk in the Spirit, should restore a brother. I believe that there are many blessings to be had when we are walking in the Spirit, and many pains to be had when we are seeking to satisfy the cravings of our flesh. Let us look at Numbers 11 more closely.

In Numbers 11:17, God says: "I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them." The "them" here is the 70 elders which God chose to help Moses to bear the burden of the people of Israel. Right away I see that having the Spirit to help with others' burdens is a must. Now I realize that God's giving of His Spirit in the OT is a bit different than it is today. I still believe that the principle of needing the Spirit to rest on us is valid today. We call that the "filling of the Spirit".

We are told in Numbers 11:25 that "as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied." Now I realize again that prophesying in the OT was a little different. As I remember in college, it involved foretelling and forthtelling God's message, or in other words, giving prophecy of future events and simply preaching God's already revealed Word. What strikes me here as important is that the Spirit resting on these elders enabled them to preach. Sometimes we preachers forget about the absolute necessity of having the Spirit rest on us as we preach.

Later in Numbers 11:29, Joshua tells Moses to stop the elders from continuing to prophesy and Moses says, "Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit on them!" This expresses how good it would be if all God's people had the Spirit. In a sense they do, if they have believed in Jesus as their Savior. They are now indwelt by the Spirit. But the filling of the Spirit, being controlled by the Spirit, is another thing. Would that all God's people, who are indwelt by the Spirit, also be controlled daily by His Spirit!

On the flip side of all this, we see in Numbers 11 that the people of Israel are giving in to their "strong craving" for meat and the foods of Egypt that they complain to Moses. God then tells Moses that He would give them meat till it came out of their nostrils and it became loathsome to them. (v.18,20) God then sheds some light on their real problem: "because you have rejected the Lord who is among you." (v.20) They were not satisfied with God's presence and wanted the inferior pleasures of their flesh.

In the end, we see the true end of choosing the strong craving of the flesh. God struck them down in His anger while the meat was yet between their teeth. (v.33) The place was called Kibroth-hattaavah which means "graves of craving". So, in the end, their craving killed them. Is that not the truth of what our flesh will do to us? Sure, the pleasures of our flesh are enjoyable to some degree, but in the end they kill us in many ways. And at the same time, we miss the blessings that God wants to give us if we allow His Spirit to rest on us. We cannot have both the Spirit resting on us and be feeding the "strong cravings" of the flesh.

I want more than anything to be effective when I preach and teach God's Word. I also want to help people in their Christian walk and lead other to Christ. God has made me realize the importance of walking in the Spirit moment by moment if I am going to have this kind of eternal effect on people for God's glory.

JT

All or Nothing

I just started reading through the book of Numbers in my devos. I cannot say that I was jumping up for joy to begin with. Numbers is one of those books of the Bible that you put off reading usually. However, I had made a Bible reading plan a few months back, and this was my next book to read. I thank God for making His Word alive and powerful to me. Here is just what I have learned in chapter 1 and 2.

Both chapters entail God giving Moses some specific command which may seem a bit too detailed and tiring. The first chapter contains the command to number all the men who were of fighting age. (20 years or older). Chapter 1 tells us exactly how many men were counted from each tribe. (603,550) The second chapter is a command of how they are to arrange the camps of all the people. Obviously, they do it by tribes and the Levites camp in the middle of all the people with the tabernacle.

What challenged my heart was the response of the people to God and His commands. Both chapter 1 and 2 end with the same phrase:

"Thus did the people of Israel; they did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses" (1:54;2:34)

This may not seem that important to you, but I believe that it was important to God and it should be important to us. Despite these seemingly trivial commands, the people obeyed all that God commanded them to do. Why was this important to God and why should it be important to us, to do according to all that the Lord commands us?

1. God's commands are for our greatest good.

Taking a census of all of Israel was preparing Moses and the people to be ready for the battles that were ahead of them. Imagine Moses and the people marching off to war without knowing their number exactly and having a battle plan.

2. God's commands obeyed ensure His presence in our lives.

This may seem wrong to say, since God is omnipresent, as the Bible clearly teaches. I believe God is present everywhere, but not His presence of blessing. I even believe He is present in Hell, not to bless, but to punish. He specifically commanded Israel how the people were to encamp and march. The Levites along with the tabernacle, which I believe represented God's presence, were supposed to encamp in the middle of all the tribes and march in the middle as well (2:17). If they chose to disobey what seemed like an unimportant detail of God's command, they were hindering God's presence of blessing in their lives.

This last truth greatly challenged me. I see myself constantly asking for God's blessing on my ministry, my family, and personal issues. However, there are many times when I am not doing all that the Lord has commanded me to do. I want God's blessing in my life. I want to have personal victories over certain addictions. I want to lead people to Christ. I want my ministry at church to grow numerically and spiritually. BUT I do not want to obey Him in all things. I want Him at my terms. What I believe God is saying to my heart today is that if I really want Him in my life, I must accept His commands as well. If I refuse to accept His commands, I lose the power, the blessing of a powerful, wise, loving God. It is All or Nothing--all His blessing and commands or none of them.

JT

My Comments on Cross-Referencing Truth

I believe God's Word is one. This includes unity and diversity at the same time. There are 66 books or sections or divisions, or whatever you may want to call them. These books must be studied within their historical and cultural background to capture the truth that God intended to convey. However, they must also be studied within the bigger picture of the whole Bible since they are God's Word. Your comments were excellent in pointing that out to me.

The last blog was treating the issue of "correlation", which I do believe to be of great value. I agree with Mayhue's statement: "So it is important when we study a text that we ask what else has God said about a certain theme or subject." It is important that we ask, but I'm not so sure that it is important that we search for every cross reference on the passage we are studying. Since God's Word is one, we will find that the cross references many times are innumerable and we end up preaching 5 or 6 messages in 1.

I also agree with this statement from Mayhue: "Correlation allows us to see the part (the text we study) in the light of the whole (the entire Bible)." This is obviously important and I think that with time one will improve on his ability to study the parts of passages in the light of the whole. Mayhue suggests cross referencing to make sure that correlation is done. The danger in cross references is preaching the whole Bible in one message. This is exhausting! Not to mention impractical, because the people will not benefit from this much knowledge. We are finite beings. This picture of this man who ate a 15 pound burger is a great illustration of this. It took him 4 hours to down all that meat, but did it profit him? I think it probably hurt him more than helped him.
So, here is my view on how to use cross references. They certainly have their place.

1. If no cross references come to mind, don't seek them.
2. If cross references come to mind or there are some in the margin of your Bible, look them up.
   
3. If the passage uses a cross reference, for example from the OT, then definitely study it out and very possibly use it in the message.
4. If the cross reference strongly supports the passage you are studying and in fact says something in a different way or stronger way that would enhance your passage, use it.
   

I have learned a very awesome truth about God's Word as a whole, but especially the parts. The parts are much clearer than we think, more powerful than we can imagine, and self-sufficient in many cases. Therefore, not always, but many times these passages do not need or warrant help from other passages, despite the fact that they are all connected.

Haddon Robinson says, "Since the Bible stands entire and complete, no passage should be interpreted or applied in isolation from all that God has spoken." I certainly agree with that as well, but when we give the message of God's Word to people in the congregation, I want to give them something they can chew and enjoy and profit from. I would much rather give them a quarter-pounder than a 16 pound burger.

JT

Preparing to Preach Truth

I have just begun reading "How to Interpret the Bible for Yourself" by Richard Mayhue. It is one of my Bible college books that I never really read very carefully, and I want to improve my interpretation skills a lot more. I read a section entitled, "Correlation" and I really wanted to know your thoughts on this.

"In reality the Bible is actually one Book, not sixty-six. All thirty-nine books of the Old Testament and twenty-seven of the New are parts of the "The Book" we call God's Word.
So it is important when we study a text that we ask what else has God said about a certain theme or subject. How else has a certain word been used in Scripture? What else has happened in a location in biblical history? Is there anything else about the passage I can learn elsewhere in the Bible?
Correlation allows us to see the part (the text we study) in the light of the whole (the entire Bible). It provides the way to gain a proper biblical perspective--to major on majors and minor on minors. Once the whole is understood, the part will take on added meaning.
One of the best ways to do this is by using the cross references in your Bible to get a broader understanding. Chain reference Bibles are also helpful. The ultimate in tools to do this is the The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Revell).
Psalm 13 raises the question, Is David the only person to question God with doubt? By correlation we discover David is in good company.
The prophet Habakkuk called out, "How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and Thou wilt not hear?" (Habakkuk 1:2). John the Baptist despairingly queried, "Are You the Coming One, or shall we look for someone else?" (Matthew 11:3). Even Christ anguished, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46).
David was not the only saint who had to wait a considerable time for God's plan to fully unfold. He joined the elite ranks of Noah, who waited 120 years for the judgment of the flood (Genesis 6:3); Abraham, who waited 25 years for Isaac (Genesis 15-17); Moses, who waited 40 years to be rescued (Exodus 2:23-25; Acts 7:30); Joseph, who waited over a decade to be vindicated (Genesis 37:2; 41:46); Job, who waited an indefinite period for restoration (James 5:11); and Daniel, who waited 70 years for God to intervene in Israel's history (Daniel 9:2).
If you want to expand on the idea of death's appearing to be like sleep, you can look at Jeremiah 51:39; Daniel 12:2; John 11:11-13; 14:12; I Corinthians 11:30; and I Thessalonians 4:14.
Correlation helps flesh out the text. It provides depth and is a great source of illustration. Also it prevents us from drawing wrong conclusions from only part of what the Bible says. This expanded or theological emphasis constantly allows us to understand the part in light of its whole."

Agree or Disagree? And on what points exactly? Please explain your answers. I will be giving my thoughts on this section later after I have heard your thoughts. Thank-you for helping me.

JT

Subordination to the Truth

sub·or·di·nate: Subject to the authority or control of another. Paul warns Titus that there are many who are insubordinate to the truth. (1:10) Paul mentions that some of these people were of the circumcision party and then tells Titus to rebuke these people so they will avoid turning away from the truth. He says something interesting about how a person comes to turn away from the truth, which is possible for believers and unbelievers alike. Titus 1:15 says, "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure (specifically the knowledge of the truth); but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

John MacArthur says, "If the mind is defiled, it cannot accurately inform the conscience so the conscience cannot warn the person." Paul says these people are "unfit for any good work." In case you have not noticed, good works is a huge theme in the book of Titus.

• "zealous for good works" (2:14)
• "be ready for every good work" (3:1)
• "be careful to devote themselves to good works" (3:8)
• "learn to devote themselves to good works" (3:14)

So, I see a process here which is crucial to the life of a disciple of Christ and it involves truth, which is what we say we are about. Here it is:

1. The mind must subordinate (subject to the control of) to truth.
2. The conscience uses this truth to control us.
3. The knowledge of the truth (1:1) embraced qualifies us for every good work.

What we must admit and remember is that just because we read about and listen to truth, does not mean that we have subordinated to this same truth. We still have to make a choice--subordinate or not subordinate to the truth.

JT

"The Long Silence"

"At the end of time, billions of people were scattered on a great plain before God's throne.
Most shrank back from the brilliant light before them. But some groups near the front talked heatedly--not with cringing shame, but with belligerence.
'Can God judge us? How can he know about suffering?' snapped a pert young brunette. She ripped open a sleeve to reveal a tattooed number from a Nazi concentration camp. 'We endured terror...beatings...torture..death!'
In another group a Negro boy lowered his collar. 'What about this?' he demanded, showing an ugly rope burn. 'Lynched...for no crime but being black!'
In another crowd, a pregnant schoolgirl with sullen eyes. 'Why should I suffer' she murmured, 'It wasn't my fault.'
Far out across the plain there were hundreds of such groups. Each had a complaint against God for the evil and suffering he permitted in his world. Hos lucky God was to live in heaven where all was sweetness and light, where there was no weeping or fear, no hunger or hatred. What did God know of all that man had been forced to endure in this world? For God leads a pretty sheltered life, they said.
So each of these groups sent forth their leader, chosen because he had suffered the most. A Jew, a Negro, a person from Hiroshima, a horribly deformed arthritic, a thalidomide child. In the centre of the plain they consulted with each other. At last they were ready to present their case. It was rather clever.
Before God could be qualified to be their judge, he must endure what they had endured. Their decision was that God should be sentenced to live on earth--as a man!
'Let him be born a Jew. Let the legitimacy of his birth be doubted. Give him a work so difficult that even his family will think him out of his mind when he tries to do it. Let him be betrayed by his closest friends. Let him face false charges, be tried by a prejudiced jury and convicted by a cowardly judge. Let him be tortured.
'At the last, let him see what it means to be terribly alone. Then let him die. Let him die so that there can be no doubt that he died. Let there be a great host of witnesses to verify it.'
As each leader announced his portion of the sentence, loud murmurs of approval went up from the throng of people assembled.
And when the last had finished pronouncing sentence, there was a long silence. No-one uttered another word. No-one moved. For suddenly all knew that God had already served his sentence." (Taken from "The Cross of Christ" by John Stott, pg. 327-328)

The Life of a Disciple

In relation to my last blog, God has been challenging my heart in the area of discipleship and what it really means to be a disciple of Christ. In studying all the gospels, but especially Mark 8, here are 7 characteristics that I found should be true in the daily life of a disciple of Jesus:

1. A Life of Suffering (Mark 8:31)
In teaching His disciples, Jesus spoke about how it was necessary that He must suffer many things. Peter did not like this and Jesus rebuked him and called him Satan! Why? I believe that Peter's thoughts on suffering were wrong and were actually Satan's thoughts on suffering. Satan would have us avoid suffering at all costs. This idea of suffering is setting our mind on the things of man and Satan, and not on the things of God. (v.33)

2. A Life of Rejection (Mark 8:31)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, "There is a distinction here between suffering and rejection. Had he only suffered, Jesus might still have been applauded as the Messiah. But in the passion Jesus is a rejected Messiah." So, as I understand it, to "take up his cross" has this idea of both suffering and rejection, which means that Christ was not talking about the normal difficulties of life which everybody has. I believe that Christ was talking about taking radical risks for His cause and the gospel's which would incur suffering and rejection upon us. Therefore, if I'm not experiencing suffering and rejection ever, then it must mean that I am not living as a disciple of Christ. Of course, the kind of suffering and rejection that each disciple faces varies, depending on what God sovereignly chooses.

3. A Life of Complete Imitation of Christ (Mark 8:34)
A true disciple of Christ seeks to follow Christ in every area of his life. This will look different for each disciple, based on the amount of knowledge that he possesses. The question here is, Are you doing and being all that Christ would do and be, if He were you? Many Christians are picking and choosing in what areas they want to follow Jesus, but this means they are not true disciples of Christ.

4. A Life of Hate Toward Ourselves (Mark 8:34-35)
"Let him deny Himself." How is this going to happen? He must hate himself. "Whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (John 12:25) I appreciate Jesus' words here, because they indicate an all-out war on our old nature which seeks to love itself and preserve itself. Mark 8:35 says that "whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it." This is the 2nd expression most used by Jesus in the gospels. The old nature fights against losing one's life for Jesus and seeks to preserve itself. "Whoever seek to preserve his life will lose it..." (Luke 17:33)

5. A Life Without Shame (Mark 8:38)
"For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed..." A true disciple is not ashamed of Christ and His words, but is actually bold and proud of His Master.

6. A Life of Love for Christ (Mark 8:35)
"For my sake..." This is the key to being a true dedicated disciple of Christ. My love for Christ is the only way I can suffer and be rejected for His sake. My love for Christ is the ultimate motivation for following him completely. The reason I hate myself is because I love Him so much and I don't want myself to get in the way of my love for Him. I am not ashamed of the One that I love more than anything and anyone. Matthew 10:34-39 is an interesting text because it states that Christ came to "set a man against his father". Basically He has come to cause division. Why so? He explains that "whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me..." In other words, the reason why He would cause division is that He calls for us as His disciples to love Him more than our family, which can cause division. In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus uses even stronger language to emphasize our love for Him. "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sister, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." Obviously He is not teaching us to hate our family, but that our love for Him should be so strong that our love for family seems like hatred.

7. A Life Without Regret (Mark 8:35)
"For whoever would save his life WILL LOSE IT..." If we are not willing to pay the actual costs in following Christ we will lose our life. I believe this is saying that we will waste our lives. I like how Luke 9:25 puts it: "For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself." I have forfeited many opportunities for Christ and the gospel and I regret this. I don't want to look back at my life anymore and have more regrets. The life of a true disciple of Jesus Christ is a life without any regrets because of how it was lived. It is a life well-lived.

JT

Challenged by My Own Message

This morning I had the opportunity to speak to about 100 teenagers about being a "Hot Christian", taken from Revelation 3:14-22. This was one of those times when I really felt like I did a poor job of communicating the message which God had burdened my heart with. But I am not so concerned about how I did as much as I am concerned that I really live this message that I preached. Most of us as preachers know how easy it can be to preach a message but not live it. This message was so convicting that I want to share it, not to preach again at you, but to ask you to pray for me that the reality of this message would be actively present in my life. I say this with the most sincerity that I have ever asked anyone to pray for me.

The Author of these Words:

• "the Amen, the faithful and true witness" (v.14)
• "beginning [origin] of God's creation"

The Opinion of Jesus about these Christians

• "neither hot nor cold" (v.15-16)
  
• "you are lukewarm" (I believe this describes me)
• "I will spit you out of my mouth" (disgust and sickened)

Part of the Problem

• You say, "I need nothing." I am fine spiritually and do not need more of Christ. (v.17)
  
• They said this because of the riches and stuff they possessed and how much value they put on such things instead of Jesus Christ.
• The real truth according to Jesus: "You are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked"

The Counsel of Christ

• "Buy from me" (v.18)
• So, how can we buy anything from Christ, especially when we are "poor"?
• Christ already paid for it through his body on the cross, so we can be "overcomers" and apply the benefits of His sacrifice.

• Buy "gold refined by fire" [I Pet.1:7-speaking of trials that purify our faith like gold]
• Buy "white garments" so that you will be clothed and not naked [I think this refers to practical righteousness]
• Buy "salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see" the glory of Christ!

The Love of Christ
The love of Christ is demonstrated in that He rebukes us for our lukewarmness. But not only that; it also is demonstrated in that Christ tell us what is for our greatest good--zeal for Him.

Christ's Solution
Let Christ come into your heart and dominate your heart. In other words, seek an intimate relationship with Christ which will give you a heart on fire for Him, a "Hot Christian".

My problems to pray concerning:

• I am lukewarm toward Christ
• I am spiritually ignorant of my condition and spiritually satisfied with Christ and my walk with Him
• I run away from difficulty and when I encounter it, I do not allow God to purify me.
• There is much righteousness that I do not put on daily.
• I am blind to the glories of Christ because I have my eyes fixed on the inferior pleasures of this world.
• I do not have the intimate relationship with Christ of which I spoke today.

I want to be a zealous, hot Christian because of who Christ is--Supremely Valuable!

JT

What Kind of Fasting does God Require?

Throughout the years, I have heard of Christians who have fasted for one reason or another. While I do not criticize those who choose to do such, I have always questioned what God thought about fasting for the day in which we live. As I read Isaiah 58 today, I think I saw a little of God's thoughts on fasting. The people of Israel were fasting but God was not taking notice of them. "Why have we fasted, and you see it not? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you take no knowledge of it?" (v.3)

Q. Why was their fasting not acknowledged by God?

"Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure and oppress all your workers." (v.3)

The Israelites were simply "going through the motions" of religion. Their fasting was just one more religious ritual that they did, but at the same time they were fighting with each other.
God then asks a question which reveals what kind of fasting He really requires:

"Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the Lord?" (v.5)

The answer is no. God then goes on to answer what kind of fasting He really requires.

"Is not this the fast that I choose?" (v.6-7)

• "to loose the bonds of wickedness"
• "to undo the straps of the yoke"
• "to let the oppressed go free"
• to break every yoke?"
• "to share bread with the hungry"
• "to bring the homeless poor in your house"
• "when you see the naked, to cover him"
• "not to hide yourself from your own flesh"

Q. If they fasted this way, what would be the result? (v.8-9)

• "light breaking forth"
• "healing springing up speedily"
• "righteousness going before them"
• "glory of God be their rear guard"
• When they called, God would answer, "Here I am"

God explains again the proper way of fasting: (v.9-10)

• "take away the yoke from your midst"
• "take away the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness"
• "pour yourself out for the hungry"
• "satisfy the desires of the afflicted"

Again God shares the results of such fasting: (v.10-12)

• "your light would rise in darkness"
• "your gloom be as the noonday"
• "the Lord will guide you continually, satisfy your desires, and make your bones strong"
• "you shall be like a watered garden, springs of water whose waters do not fail"

So, what kind of fasting does God require? The kind that reaches out to people in love and helps them be freed from the bonds of wickedness and share what we have with those who do not have it. I still believe there may be a place of fasting that involves private communion with God in prayer and the Word, but if this kind of fasting does not "pour itself out for the hungry", then God will not acknowledge it as worthy.

JT

Conversion vs. Discipleship

In preparation for a sermon on discipleship, I was convicted by its true meaning. Discipleship has become a bit of a glamorous word right at the top with Conversion. But there seems to be a disconnect between these words. It sounds like this: "Now that he has been converted, we need to disciple him". This has been my understanding of these ideas for years. One follows the other one, but never had I stopped to think that there is a strong connect between the two.

Luke 9:23-26

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

Conversion begins at the moment that we understand the basis for discipleship - self denial, as we see in this text. I was listening to a message by John MacArthur in which he addresses the "starting principle of discipleship" - Self Denial. Jesus says you want to come after me - you come on my terms and that means the opposite of what you think. MacArthur says: "Discipleship is not about self-fulfillment, it is about self-denial. It's not about exalting me, it is about slaying me". This is what must take place at conversion, and this is what must follow conversion. Sharon found an ad on Craigslist that depicts many in our churches today who are seeking self-fulfillment. Read it here. Lord help me to die to self today in the same way Christ took up His cross for me.

This saint of old had it right:

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,

where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;

hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox that

the way down is the way up,

that to be low is to be high,

that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,

that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all,

that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

that to give is to receive,

that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;

let me find

Thy light in my darkness,

Thy life in my death,

Thy joy in my sorrow,

Thy grace in my sin,

Thy riches in my poverty,

Thy glory in my valley.

The Great Compassion and Mercy of Jesus

These last few weeks, I have been amazed at the huge compassion of Jesus toward others and the huge lack of compassion in my life. I have been teaching through the gospel of Mark to the teens and noticed the multitude of people who came to Jesus for healing but wanted nothing else to do with Jesus. They simply wanted to use Him for what they could get out of Him and then were out of His life, probably even involving themselves in a life of sin. Where I notice the compassion of Jesus is that, although He knew these people's heart and future, He still proceeded to heal them any way. Love with no strings attached. How many of us love unconditionally? That is, without expecting any love in return. How many of us would love a certain individual if we knew he was only using us, taking advantage of us in some way? I do not think I would show this man compassion and mercy.

It seems that God is working in my heart to make me a more merciful and compassionate person toward others. This last Thursday prayer meeting, I taught a devotional from James 2 on the importance of showing mercy to others without partiality. If you remember the passage, James mentions a scenario where a rich man and a poor man walk into the church. The rich man is shown great mercy by giving him the place of honor. The poor man is treated with dishonor and lack of mercy and compassion. James goes on to say that we should show mercy to all without separating whom we should love or how we should love. Right before I got up to share this teaching, guess what God decided to do to me and for me?

He gave me a hands-on application of that very teaching. Right before I got up (literally seconds), one of our regular drunkards of the neighborhood walked in the door and sat in the back row. He has a deep, loud voice which he obviously cannot control. As soon as I saw him enter, I thought, "God, get rid of this idiot. He's just going to ruin this whole Bible study." And God worked in my heart by reminding me exactly what I was teaching on at that moment. He was the poor man whom I was dishonoring in my mind. So I was challenged by God that I needed to show the great compassion and mercy of Jesus at that time, not just outwardly but inwardly. After all, "has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love Him?" (James 2:5)

What Think Ye Of Christ - John Newton

A pastor friend of mine in the area was given a hymnbook dated back to 1843. The hymnbook is dripping wet with theology that glorifies God. My friend pointed this one out to me. Lord help me to think much of you!

What think you of Christ, as the test
To try both your state and your scheme?
You cannot be right in the rest,
Unless you think rightly of Him.
As Jesus appears in your view,
As He is beloved or not;
So God is disposed to you,
And mercy or wrath are your lot.

Some take Him a creature to be,
A man or an angel at most:
Sure these have not feelings like me,
Nor know themselves wretched and lost.
So guilty, so helpless am I,
I durst not confide in his blood,
Nor on his protection rely,
Unless I were sure He is God.

Some call Him a Saviour, in word,
But mix their own works with his plan;
And hope He his help will afford,
When they have done all that they can:
If doings prove rather too light,
(A little, they own, they may fail),
They purpose to make up full weight,
By casting his name in the scale.

Some style Him the pearl of great price,
And say He's the fountain of joys;
Yet feed upon folly and vice,
And cleave to the world and its toys;
Like Judas, the Saviour they kiss,
And while they salute Him, betray;
Ah! what will profession like this
Avail in this terrible day?

If ask'd what of Jesus I think?
Though still my best thoughts are but poor,
I say, He's my meat and my drink,
My life, and my strength, and my store;
My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend,
My Saviour from sin and from thrall;
My hope from beginning to end,
My portion, my Lord, and my All.

What Is Your Strength?

In the 7 months that I've been in Brazil as a missionary, I have noticed that there are at least 2 kinds of missionaries. The first kind of missionaries are the people and project-oriented missionaries. These seem to be the majority of the missionaries I know. The second kind of missionaries are the study and office-oriented missionaries. It seems implied that the first kind have a certain "strength" in dealing with people and getting big projects accomplished, and the second kind have a "strength" in studying and intellectual matters. I am not criticizing either one of these kinds of missionaries, but simply analyzing what kind of missionary I am and what kind of missionary God wants me to be.

Isaiah 30:15 says, "...in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." I am certain that God wants me to be the kind of missionary that quietly trusts in Him daily. It is easy to be a missionary who trusts in his people strengths or intellectual strengths to get the job done, but even if the "job" does get done, God will not be exalted in this effort. I'm convinced, though, that the job will not actually be accomplished effectively and consistently if I am not quietly trusting in God for such.

The people of Israel had the problem of trusting in their supposed strength of Egypt. Listen to what God said about Egypt:

"Everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit..."
"Egypt's help is worthless and empty." (Is. 30:5-7)

These people said they did not want to hear no more about the Holy One of Israel, and despised the Word. (Is. 30:12) Why? Because they trusted in their "strengths". I wonder if I don't do that as well. I trust in all the intellectual powers I get from reading so much (now you know what kind of missionary I am: :), that I don't quietly wait on Him for the results. I also see myself wanting to be more of a people oriented missionary, which can be good, as long as I don't trust in my visitations and evangelistic efforts to ultimately get the job done.

In conclusion, I realize that God has appointed to do His work through people and their hard work. I am simply stating the danger of trusting in your hard work, your "strengths", to accomplish successfully what God has called you to do. Your greatest strength is in quietly trusting in your GREAT GOD!

God is Worth the Wait

God spoke to my heart this morning through Isaiah 25. Isaiah starts by saying,

"I will exalt you, God" Why?
"For You have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure."

He mentions that strong peoples would glorify God and fear Him. Why?

"For You have been a stronghold to the poor and needy"
"A shelter from the storm and shade from the heat." (v.4)

Isaiah goes on to prophesy what is still to come in the future and how God will "swallow up death forever". He mentions that people in the future will say,

"Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us" (v.9)

What I noticed is that these people waited and trusted in God, their stronghold, and in the end, they will be proud to call Him their God and will exalt Him. We always exalt what we are proud of. Are you proud of your God? I think that one way that we show we are proud of our God is to wait for Him. By waiting for Him, we show our trust in the fact that His plans are "formed of old, faithful and sure." By waiting on Him, we will become more proud of Him when we see the "wonderful things" that He will do, and therefore we will exalt Him even more. God impressed upon my heart that He is worth the wait. In the end, I will "be glad and rejoice in His salvation", and He will be praised.

Christ is Superior

Tonight I was reminded of why I am here in Brazil. It is because Christ is superior to all things and all people. This conviction is what will keep me here as well. Our missionary conference started tonight and Doug Brown (teacher at Faith Baptist Bible College and Seminary) was our speaker. I just want to share my notes of what he shared tonight from Hebrews 1:1-4.

4 Ways Christ is Superior:

1. Christ is Superior in His Agency
As an "agent" of God the Father, Christ is superior because He is the pinnacle of God's revelation to man. As an agent, He is superior because He is the "heir" of all things, specifically the future kingdom to come. He is the appointed King, for which we are simply waiting for the coronation. He is superior as an agent because He created all the worlds or ages, which include the past as well as the future ages to come.

2. Christ is Superior in His Essence
Christ does not simply reflect the glory of God. Somehow I think this would detract from His deity. Christ radiates the glory of God because, as Hebrews says, Christ is the "exact imprint of His nature". This makes Him superior because He is 100% God.

3. Christ is Superior in His Actions
Christ upholds the universe and everything in it by the words of His mouth. He has purged our sins and "sat down" at the right hand of God. Have you ever noticed that in the Tabernacle, there were many items and furniture, but there are no seats, chairs, or couches to sit on? Why so? Because the priests' work was never finished. What makes Jesus Christ superior is that what He did was once and for all finished at the cross. How do we know this? Because He "sat down".

4. Christ is Superior in His Apelation(not sure of correct spelling)
Apelation means name and Hebrews 1:4 says that Christ is superior because He has a more excellent name than the angels. What is this name? I think v. 5 answers this question. I think this excellent superior name is "Son of God". "So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth," (Phil. 2:10)

He concluded with a superior thought to have. Christ is superior to all things and all people. Let's give Him His place!

JT

What You Feel vs. What is Real

Excerpt from Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

And this is how serious it gets: In our arrogance, we invest our feelings (or lack therof) with final authority rather than recognize that our emotions tend to be unstable, unreliable, often governed by pride, and riddled with lies - lies that "feel" like the truth.
I've watched people yield to such lies repeatedly. It's a frightening experience to sit with individuals who actually insist that what they feel is ultimately more authoritative to them that what's written clearly in Scripture. They even somehow assume God is sympathetic to this attitude. But He is not. He would, in fact, identify it as the height of arrogance - which is something He's unalterably opposed to: "God opposes the proud," His Word declares.

How subtly true this is in our lives. Lord help us to rely on Your objective truth.

David

More Worthy Resolutions

21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)

22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.

24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.

26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.

27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.

31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.

32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.

33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.

34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.

35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.

36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.

37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.

39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.

40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.

I really like resolution #22 and #25. Trusting in a greater happiness and love that is found in God alone.

James

Worthy Resolutions

With the new year here, I've read many blogs and articles which discourage new year resolutions because they tend to exalt man and his accomplishments. I agree that resolutions can result in the exaltation of man, but at the same time I think they could go in an opposite direction and result in the exaltation of God. I think that Jonathan Edwards' resolutions are an example of how resolutions can be a good thing which benefits man the most and glorifies God the greatest. Here are just a few of his resolutions:

THE RESOLUTIONS

of

Jonathan Edwards

---

BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT
GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.

10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.

12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.

13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.

14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.

15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.

16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.

19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.

20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.

In the next few weeks, I will post the rest of his resolutions. They are such Godward thoughts and aspirations to aim for.

JT

2008 Devotions

My plans are to read the Chronological One Year Bible in the the mornings. To suppliment the morning reading Sharon and I are going to read John Stott's Through the Bible Through the Year. Please pray for us and let us know of your intentions for Bible Study this year!

David