If You Were To Ask Today, "If You Were To Die Tonight..."

Here are a few of my random thoughts about this question. To remind you, the question to consider from a previous post is this:

If you were to die tonight and stand before God and He were to ask you, "Why should I let you into My Heaven?", what would be your answer?


My questions about this question were these:

Is this a good question? Is this a good "evangelistic tool?" Do you use this when you witness to people? Why or why not?

Now, my thoughts - as I said - VERY random and VERY brief.

1. The dangers I find with this question:

A. The whole scenario of God asking this question of the deceased at the gates of Heaven is found nowhere in Scripture.
B. I agree with Tami (read her comments here), that it's often associated with less than biblical evangelistic efforts which tend to focus on the sinner more than the Savior.

2. The benefits I find with this question:

A. It is a good question to determine in what/whom the person is trusting. If the person begins his answer with the words, "Because I..." then it lets me know that they may very well be trusting in something they have done. They may not necessarily be trusting in any good works or behavior, they may understand that salvation is "not of works of righteousness", but they might be putting an unrealized, and yet dangerous trust in their decision to trust Christ. I've heard a dear friend - who claims to know the Lord - say exactly the same thing that Tami mentioned, "Because IIII chose Christ." This question cuts right to the heart of the object of one's trust and hope.

B. It is a good question to set up a great answer. Again, Tami has stole my thunder by giving the right answer. "Why should I let you into My Heaven?" Answer: "You shouldn't. But because of what CHRIST has done (notice, not me, but Christ) in my stead and because His merit has been credited to me, I stand in the righteousness of Christ."

Now, let me end with one other thing.

Do I expect a new believer to be able to articulate this concept of imputation when asked the "If you were to die tonight..." question? Absolutely not. And, perhaps when they give the answer, "Because I..."; that's not necessarily a sure indicator that they're not regenerate. After all... would you have answered that question correctly during your early years of faith? I wouldn't. So whereas I personally have and will continue to use this question in evangelism, I will also continue to probe and ask questions to help me discern, by God's Spirit, just in what or in Whom one's hope is resting. That perhaps, is the more pressing question:  

Wherein lies your hope for Heaven?

Bless You Aaron

Not always, but on occasion when I put my children to bed, before then slip off to sleep, I'll place my hand upon their soft forehead, and pray with them something like this...

May the Lord bless you and keep you,

May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you,

May the Lord show you favor and give you peace - through His Son Jesus, Amen.

Sound familiar? It should, it's Aaron's blessing, given by God, through his brother Moses to pronounce on God's children. It's found in Numbers 6:22-27:

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”

Should I be praying this OT prayer for my children? 
Is it vain repetition? 
Why do I put Jesus' name at the end of it...that's not in the Numbers passage? 

Don Whitney has written a short and helpful article about this prayer, answering some of these very questions. He's formatted his commentary into a bulletin insert, which you may download for free and distribute at your church - perhaps this coming Father's Day.

May the Lord bless you...

Evidence of God's Grace in Others

I'm a part of a small men's Bible study at our church on Friday mornings. For over a year we've been studying & reading through books that consider different portions of the Scriptures on the subject of prayer.

We began with Dr. Wayne Mack's Reaching the Ear of God, which is his elaborate study and exposition of the model prayer (aka Lord's Prayer) in Matthew 6 and this past fall read T.M. Moore's God's Prayer Program, and learned how to use the psalter in prayer. Both were very helpful, and I have much to continue learning and practicing in my prayer discipline.

This year we've begun D. A. Carson's book, A Call to Spiritual Reformation. If you're not familiar with Carson...wow... um... go here . Or go here and search for "carson". OR the motherload looks to be right here. You gotta hear him before you read him. He has two very approachable books - For the Love of God (Vols. 1 & 2). They're devotional books actually, that are structured around McCheyne's Bible reading program. Anyway...enough about Carson, on to Paul.

We read chapter 2 this week where Carson begins a look at Paul's prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:2-12.

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4 Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. 5 This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— 6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Emphasis added)

In this chapter, before getting into the prayer itself (vs. 11) Carson helps us consider the foundation and mindset Paul has as he prays. It's found in vss. 3-10 and it involves two primary subjects:


1. Gratitude to God for signs of His grace in the lives of believers

a. For a growing faith
b. For an increasing love
c. For a perseverance under trial

2. Confidence in God's Vindication

a. Believers will receive vindication
b. Unbelievers will receive retribution

I just want to comment on a practical application for point 1a above - gratitude to God for the growing faith of believers.

Our group of men was asked to think of someone we knew in who's life we have seen evidence of God's grace as they've grown in their faith. I thought of several almost immediately. We prayed for these people, doing as Paul did - "giv[ing] thanks to God... because [their] faith is growing abundantly" (vs. 3). It was a sweet time of prayer.

I was also motivated to do something else. I got a couple of blank note cards & wrote notes of encouragement to a couple of people who fit this description. I told them that I praised God for them and was encouraged by the evidence in their lives of God's grace.

Now, to the point of this post:

~Who do you know that is displaying evidences of God's grace in their growing faith?
~Have you thanked God for that grace in their lives? Why not do it now?
~Also, why not write them a note praising God for the growth in godliness that you see in their lives? Who knows, they might just need such encouragement right now.
~How about praising God right here for that person? Paul made his boast to God before the churches, so why not make your boast before fellow bloggers? Go on, just click on the comments link and give God praise.


Looking forward to praising God with you.

He Paid A Debt He Did Not Owe

I was doing a bit of preparation to teach our church's 1st thru 6th graders about the practical application that comes from our month's study of redemption. It wasn't difficult to find divine commentary on the practical outworkings of our redemption as I read several verses beyond the key verses our children were given during this study. For example:

Key Verse:
Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”
Application:
Ephesians 4:1-3 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. "

Key Verse:
Hebrews 9:12 “he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
Application:
Hebrews 10:19- 25 "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. "

Key Verse:
1 Peter 1:18-19 “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Application:
1 Peter 2:13-21 "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for your sake, who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

(emphasis mine)

We find this pattern often in Scripture (cf. Deuteronomy 7:6-11) - God tells us what He's done, then what He expects of us. We're given doctrinal truth, then practical application - or, as many like to say, "Doctrine and Devotion" or "Theology and Methodology".

Neat, huh?!

Oh, and I found this quote over at Monergism by Octavious Winslow

What shall we say of the ransom price? It was the richest, the costliest, that Heaven could give. He gave Himself for us! What more could He do? He gave Himself; body, soul and spirit. He gave His time, His labor, His blood, His life, His ALL, as the price for our ransom, the cost of our redemption. He carried the wood and reared the altar. Then, bearing His bosom to the stroke of the uplifted and descending arm of the Father, paid the price of our salvation in the warm lifeblood of His heart!"

And one more thing...anyone know what song the sheet music represents?

Psalm 10

Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,and the one greedy for gain curses [1] and renounces the Lord.

4 In the pride of his face [2] the wicked does not seek him; [3]all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5 His ways prosper at all times;your judgments are on high, out of his sight;as for all his foes, he puffs at them.

6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”

7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

8 He sits in ambush in the villages;in hiding places he murders the innocent.His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;

9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;he lurks that he may seize the poor;he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.

10 The helpless are crushed, sink down,and fall by his might.

11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;forget not the afflicted.

13 Why does the wicked renounce Godand say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?

14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,that you may take it into your hands;to you the helpless commits himself;you have been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;call his wickedness to account till you find none.
16 The Lord is king forever and ever;the nations perish from his land.

17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Psalm 10 gives us David’s vivid picture of the wicked man – the persecutor of the poor (vs. 2).

Just as I read the list of the wicked man’s deeds (does not seek God, cursing, deceit, oppression, murder, etc.) and think myself to be above these “outward” manifestations of sin, I come to vs. 11 and 13 which reveal the wicked man’s root problem “He has said in his heart…” – this is simply wrong thinking, unbiblical thinking about God. In other words: bad theology!

If I’m not careful, this is where I can be like the wicked man who thinks “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see…[God] will not require an account” (vs. 11 & 13). Wrong thinking (bad theology) deceives us into thinking that we can live and do as we please, and because we often do not experience immediate judgment or discipline from the hand of God, we assume that God doesn’t see and will not hold us accountable.

Not so says David, “But you have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand…You will cause Your ear to hear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed.” (vss. 14 &17 &18). God is watching and will bring about justice.

Two quotes sum up these thoughts. First, from D. A. Carson quoting A. W. Tozer, “The wheels of God’s justice grind exceedingly slow, but they grind exceedingly fine.” And I’m uncertain who originated this one, “Sin would have fewer takers if its consequences were experienced immediately.”

Pieces of Proverbs - Asteroids

Continuing in a short series of simple observations regarding sin found in Proverbs

Proverbs 5:7-8
And now, O sons, listen to me,and do not depart from the words of my mouth. Keep your way far from her,and do not go near the door of her house...

"Do not go near the door of her house": in other words, avoid putting oneself in positions where one will be tempted to sin. The statement is not simply, "don’t go in her door," but rather, "don’t even go near her door."

This is likely a testimony to the very strong attraction that such temptations have over one, much like (to wax astronomical) the gravitational pull of a planet on passing asteroids. If the asteroid stays far enough away, it is unaffected by the strong gravitational pull, but if it comes closer, its course is inevitably altered—and if it comes close enough, it is pulled into the planet, becoming annihilated as it burns up in the planet’s atmosphere.

Sexual sin is like this in that one should not flirt with the temptation; to do so is already to have been defeated.

Pieces of Proverbs - The Path

Continuing in a series of insights and observations in the Proverbs...

Proverbs 5:5-6
Her feet go down to death;her steps follow the path to Sheol; she does not ponder the path of life;her ways wander, and she does not know it.

In verse five, the author states that the feet of the adulteress "go down to death, her steps take hold of Sheol," with the consequence (in verse six) that "her ways are unstable [but] she does not know it."

Like the "lip" motif in verses one through three, this description of the adulteress’ feet and "ways" is set over against the advice (or wisdom) given by the author at the end of the previous chapter. There, the author has already admonished the reader to "watch the path of your feet," with the consequence that "all your ways will be established."

So the author appears here to be contrasting 1) the wise man’s self-knowledge, mindfulness and attentiveness to his lifestyle and careful, intentional consideration of the effects of his behavior on his life to 2) the adulteress’ lack of self-knowledge and inability or unwillingness to "ponder the path of life."

The wise man’s ways are "established" as a result, while the adulteress’ ways are "unstable". Since stability is much to be preferred over instability, the truly good option is here obvious.

Pieces of Proverbs - Honey

A friend has recently been doing some meditating in Proverbs and recording some of his thoughts and observations. I found them to be so helpful, that I asked for his permission to post them here. They're simple, yet profound insights, that I think will be helpful to all of us.

I'm not sure how many I'll post, but I've got at least three sets of verses for this week. I'll call them "Pieces of Proverbs". We'll begin in Proverbs 5.

Proverbs 5:1-4
My son, be attentive to my wisdom;incline your ear to my understanding, that you may keep discretion,and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey,and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood,sharp as a two-edged sword.

In the first three verses, there is a "lip" motif.

The author advises the reader to cultivate discretion so that one’s "lips may preserve wisdom." This is set over against the lips of the adulteress, which initially seem abundantly delightful—the author expresses this by saying that her lips "drip honey," seeming to indicate such a promising abundance of pleasure. This promise is true, but dangerously lacking in full disclosure, however, for verse four says that "in the end she is bitter as wormwood." It is interesting here that the author does not claim that her lips are bitter but that she is bitter. This seems to be a reference to the character of the adulteress considered as a whole.

The author does not deny that there is genuine pleasure to be had in the lips of the adulteress; to deny this would be radically implausible. Rather, he seems to be claiming that one’s delight in such pleasure is inextricably linked to the experience of a greater bitterness that is hidden from view at the outset.

The promise of such pleasure is so dangerous because it seems to capture all of one’s attention, preventing one from observing discretion in these matters.

Born With A Yellow Stripe?

Not everyone that I know holds to the precious doctrines of grace. The word "calvinism" is repulsive to many, and regrettably so, for those to whom it is repulsive rarely understand just what the Bible teaches about God's sovereign grace in our salvation.

I think it boils down to an issue of pride, to be honest, and it has nothing to do with it being a "difficult" doctrine. Think about it, how many people do you know who reject the doctrine of the Trinity because it's difficult? Or what about the virgin birth...or the incarnation? No, the doctrines of grace (also known as Calvinism), offends not because of it's difficulty, but because it strikes at the very pride of our sinful hearts. We want to have some claim...some participation...some CHOICE in our salvation - even though we wear proudly the Ephesians 2:8-9 banner of a no-works salvation.

It would only be fair to say - and confess - that pride also becomes an issue often for any new "convert" to the doctrines of grace - in that he tends to be puffed up with knowledge when he has "arrived" at this "deeper" level of Truth. We would all do well to remember that any knowledge and insight into the things of God is only by the grace of God opening our eyes to such things.

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.

2 Corinthians 4:6

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Anyway, I have friends - distant though they are - who are opposed to such doctrines. One of those friends - I'll call him "Jacob" :o) - said something to another friend of mine - we'll call him "John". Now, I should say that this is a third generation account, you know - a "he said...she said" kind of deal (actually, a "he said...he said"), but I trust the source, and it's good enough to intro this blog entry. So let me continue...

John was talking to Jacob and said to him (with some excitement), "Hey, did you know that Aaron & Anita had their baby?" (this was five years ago, referring to our first child - aka "Haircut Boy").
Expecting a mutual response of joy, John was caught off guard by his response. Jacob said with dripping sarcasm, "Does he know if he's one of the elect?"

I happen to know that his sarcasm was an outward manifestation of a demon - uh, I mean a strong disagreement with me and my views concerning Calvinism. Jacob is one of those guys...one of those who do not hold to the biblical doctrines of grace...one of those whose salvation ultimately rests in his own choice. Sad. But that's another blog.

Now, I mention this cute story to introduce the subject Jacob brings up. Sarcasm withstanding, it's still a great question. How do I know if my son is one of the elect. For that matter, how do I know if I'm one of the elect?

Well, as usual, I can't say anything that hasn't already been said, and certainly not as well, so here's a few resources, beginning with a great sermon one of our pastors, Tim Senn, recently preached called: How to Know You are Chosen by God" taken from 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 (click on sermon dated 2-5-06, preached by Tim Senn). From this text, Tim draws a clear outline containing 5 "marks" or "evidences" that we are chosen by God based on Paul's observations of the Thessalonican church. His outline goes like this:
We can know we are chosen by God because of the Thessalonians':

1. Joyful reception of the Word of God (v. 5)
2. Humble desire to imitate Christ (v. 6)
3. Courageous zeal to evangelize (v. 8)
4. Undisputable conversion (v. 9)
5. Hopeful expectation and longing for the return of Christ (v. 10)

Here's a related blog from musician/theologian Steve Camp where he quotes from A.W. Pink, where he "gives seven points of reflection that I would urge you to use as a thermometer to take the temperature of your spiritual health."

First by the Word of God having come in divine power to the soul so that my self-complacency is shattered and my self-righteousness is renounced.

Second, by the Holy Spirit convicting me of my woeful, guilty and lost condition.

Third, by having had revealed to me the suitability and sufficiency of Christ to meet my desperate case and by divinely given faith causing me to lay hold of and rest upon Him as my only hope.

Fourth, by the marks of the new nature within me - a love for God; an appetite for spiritual things; a longing for holiness; a seeking after conformity to Christ.

Fifth, by the resistance the new nature makes to the old, causing me to hate sin and loathe myself for it.

Sixth, by avoiding everything which is condemned by God's Word and by sincerely repenting of and humbly confessing every transgression. Failure at this point will surely bring a dark cloud over our assurance causing the Spirit to withhold His witness.

Seventh, by giving all diligence to cultivate the Christian graces, and using all diligence to this end. Scripture encourages healthy self-scrutiny.

Hopefully these thoughts will better help you to be obedient to 2 Corinthians 13:5 , "examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? --unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Or, you could hopelessly look for that "yellow stripe" painted on the back of all God's elect, to which Charles Spurgeon sarcastically referred.

**BTW, I've found several references to Spurgeon's quote about the yellow stripe, but I have been unable to find the original source/sermon from which it came. I've even googled Phil Johnson's Spurgeon Archive, but to no avail. Can anyone tell me where this yellow stripe reference is found? Thanks!

Thoughts on Christmas

I remember doing a short skit in our youth group several years ago in which the main character was a young man celebrating his birthday. He was having a party, and so he invited over all of his friends. As soon as the guests arrived, they rushed right past the birthday boy and on to the food and drinks. The guests immediately entertained themselves with each other’s company, all to the neglect of the one who invited them. They were carrying on lively conversations and even playing party games. When the birthday boy tried to join in the fun and games, he was quickly rebuked with the words: “Hey, do you mind? We’re trying to celebrate here!”

Sounds a bit silly, doesn’t it? Though sadly enough, there is much truth beneath the silliness of this skit regarding the Christ of Christmas. Many celebrate the birthday without acknowledging Jesus Christ, the One whose birthday Christmas was meant to celebrate. The largest celebrated holiday in the country is simply that, a holiday – a far cry from a true Holy Day. Even when we see the popular Christmas slogan, “Jesus is the Reason for the Season,” the eternal implications wrapped up in this phrase go too often unnoticed. I want to take a few moments now to remind us all of some of those eternal implications surrounding the Christmas miracle. And it was indeed a miracle! God in the flesh…the Creator becoming created…the mother Mary, having been made by her own Son. Incredible isn’t it? But this is just the beginning.

In Luke 19:10, Jesus tells us why He came, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Paul also confirms this in 1 Timothy 1:15 “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” So the reason Jesus Christ was born in the flesh was to seek and save lost sinners – lost sinners such as you and me. Isaiah 53:6 says that ”All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way.” And Romans 3:10-12 tells us “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” These verses further clarify the need for God to come after us – for in our stubborn sin, we will not and cannot seek after the true God Who saves. So Christ comes into the world seeking and saving, but to do this He must come dying. You see, the wages (the cost, the price) for our sin is death (Romans 6:23). We must die not only a physical death, but an eternal death because of our sin. This is the only way a holy and just God can respond to sin. Sound like bad news? Here’s the good news, “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).” That is, in our place or, as a substitute. Christ came to seek and to save and to substitute Himself for sinners. Christ was born…to die. Christ gave His life as a sacrifice to God for sin. This sacrifice was a peace offering between a holy God and sinful man. The peace that we often sing about at Christmas time isn’t a warm, cozy feeling of peace. No, it’s a peace between God and man, and that without Christ as our peacemaker, we remain at war with God.
So, how can we have peace with the God of the universe? How can we be saved from sin by Christ the Savior? Allow me to end with probably the most well known verse in the Bible, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” You see, because God loved, God gave. He gave the ultimate Gift of His Son to us, so that we might have eternal life and not eternal death.

So how do we obtain this gift of eternal life? The way we obtain any gift – we receive it. Receive the gift of Christ’s sacrifice by faith, believing Christ to be God in the flesh, Who was born in the manger to soon die on the cross to be the sufficient payment for your sins. Confess your sins and seek God’s forgiveness for them, and repent. Repentance is a conscience decision to turn from your sin, toward God. That’s faith in Christ and repentance towards God. What a great Christmas this would be if you received the eternal Christmas gift from God Himself, salvation from sins and everlasting life! If you have already received the gift of eternal life through Christ alone, remember to include Him in your Christmas celebration this season.

The Simple Ministry of the Word

My grandmother (aka "Mamaw") is currently in a residential nursing home in the area receiving physical therapy for a compression fracture in her back. This will be a temporary stay (Lord willing) until she's able to walk on her own without assistance and can return to her home. A request for your prayers would be appropriate here.Since she lives 40 miles away, I don't see her as often as I'd like, so, in God's kind providence, I've had opportunities to visit her almost every weekday before I go into work. We visit, talk about the family, talk about the Lord, talk to the Lord, and read His Word.
I have been greatly encouraged by this ministry - this ministry of reading God's word to my mamaw. It's such a simple thing...reading the Scriptures...allowing God's Word to minister to us. Our reading together this morning in Psalm 19 reminds us why:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

(Psalm 19:7-11)

In the margin of my Bible, I have written the title of a sermon I heard on this passage: "The Irrisistable Efficacy of the Word of God in Salvation"...had to be a Dr. Zemek sermon! Simply put, God's Word is able in and of itself to produce the desired result - salvation. And we can say, because of numerous other passages (a few being: John 17:17, Ephesians 5:26, 1 Thessalonians 2:13 & 1 Peter 2:2) that God's Word is sufficient in our sanctification - our growth in godliness as believers. And that's why I've been reading Scripture to Mamaw during our visits (not to mention the fact that she's developing glaucoma and can't read very well any more). We have such a great time fellowshipping in God's Word. I know she is blessed by receiving, but I think I am even more blessed in the giving. Doing this directs and allows our conversation to revolve around spiritual things...things that matter.
Over the past few days we've read through Psalm 119. In case you're not aware, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in God's Word (176 verses) and all but 7 verses directly mention God's Word - the remaining seven indirectly mention it. Depending on your translation, you'll see several different terms used for God's Word, such as: commandments, testimonies, ordinances, precepts, judgments, law, word, statutes, etc. Though each term has it's unique nuances & shades of meaning, you could easily replace any of those terms with "God's Word" and not lose the value of the verse. Here are some of the verses that were particularly special in ministering to Mamaw during this season of her life:

Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and I keep Your law.

Psalm 119:54-55

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

Psalm 119:71

My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word.

Psalm 119:81

I am afflicted very much; revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

Psalm 119:107

I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.

Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your judgments help me.

Psalm 119:174-176

It's been good having this time with Mamaw. It's been good to be reminded that God's word is sufficient for "life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). I can only pray that a love for God's word will continue to grow in her heart and mine, so we may say with the psalmist, "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day." (Ps 119:97)

Mamaw's 84th Birthday, May 7, 2005

A God-Centered Look At Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is known by many within the church and without. My grandmother has already asked for this Psalm to be read at her funeral. It is dear to many people.
As I read through it once or twice, I noticed the many things that God, as our Shepherd, does for us. Almost sounds too anthropocentric [Man-Centered] (I just read that word in a book the other day, so I thought I’d use it!). Example being verses 2 & 3: He makes me to lie down…He leads me…He restores my soul…He leads me in the paths of righteousness. But then the end of verse 3 gives us a right jerk back to the ultimate purpose of this, “For His name’s sake”. Is this not the purpose of any of God’s works? Ephesians 1 is a great example. Three times in the long list of “spiritual blessings” we are given is the reason: “to the praise of His glorious grace” (vs. 6, 12 & 14; see also vs. 5, 7, and 9).
As I teach my children about God’s creation (Who created the heavens and the earth... the trees...the flowers...the moon...the rocks...the mud...the anteater...the lightning...and you? I must be sure to teach him also, “WHY did God create these things? For His own GLORY!”
Lord, my Shepherd, help me to stay theocentric [God-Centred] in every minute aspect of life. As the saying goes, It’s all about You.