Encouragement

Well, this has been an encouraging week for me. Many of my close friends probably feel the same way. How else are we supposed to feel when we see the work of God so vividly? I am still somewhat awestruck and speechless when I think about how it began. Chuck, Teresa, and Grant stopped by the school today! He is looking so good! He looks much better without the tube down his throat! I am overwhelmed with joy at the work of God! He is indeed good.

I really wish words could capture our feelings! My soul feels like an eruption of praise! What a wonderful work of God!

Well, I have also been encouraged by a song entitled Beautiful, Scandalous Night:

Go on up to the mountain of mercy
To the crimson perpetual tide
Kneel down on the shore
Be thirsty no more
Go under and be purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountain
Sinner sorry and wrecked by the fall
Cleanse your heart and your soul
In the fountain that flowed
For you and for me and for all

CHORUS:
At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious tree
On that beautiful, scandalous night you and me
Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white
On that beautiful, scandalous night

On the hillside, you will be delivered
At the foot of the cross justified
And your spirit restored
By the river that poured
From our blessed Savior's side

I have been listening to the album "Give Yourself Away" by the Robbie Seay Band. You can listen to a couple of tracks from the album here. On the website there is a link to the album if you like what you hear. I really dig the song "New Day." It is a nice little jingle. "Rise" is a pretty good tune as well! I hope you enjoy them!

I love Robbie's version of Beautiful Scandalous Night! He has this knack for taking songs of Scriptural Truth and playing them in a way that touches the soul. I would highly recommend you spend the money for that song at least. It is available at the itunes music store.

Here is a link to the original writers of the song. They have two versions available on the site. I prefer Robbie's, but I have also listened to that song alone for about 8 hours.

I hope the Lord uses it to encourage and motivate you as much as He did me!

The Foolishness of Man

This past Resurrection Sunday, our Pastor preached a fabulous message on The Foolishness of The Cross. You can listen to it here. Al Mohler posted an interestingly laughable display of human wisdom that complements John Zimmer's sermon well.

I would encourage all to read his post. It is a spiritual smoothie of laughter, sadness, and disgust. What else can the spiritually dead do with God? They cannot discern the truth. The following paragraph written by Al Mohler is important:

Count on this study to gain a great deal of media attention. "Explaining Religion" is yet more evidence that naturalism just doesn't work as a worldview. The "natural" order is just not self-explanatory. Do we really believe that morality is just a matter of brain chemistry? If so, why lock up criminals? Thankfully, most people have sufficient sense to realize that a biochemical explanation of morality means the end of personal responsibility. Want to live in that world?

I love the line about sufficient sense. Regarding these "wise" academians, he seems to imply they would be better off without all of their "knowledge." I would whole-heartedly agree. However, this is where the world is headed. Again quoting Mohler:

"Keep your brain chemistry on alert."

Waves of Grace

Last week, I was ready for Resurrection Sunday! All week I was thinking about Christ and what He was doing on what day. Palm Sunday He was entering Jerusalem. Later that week, possibly Monday, He was cleansing the temple of the money changers. Thursday night was the Last Supper and His arrest. All through the night on Friday He was on trial, being mocked, beaten, and prepared for The Cross. Around 9am on Friday, He was crucified. I remember thinking at lunch on Friday that Christ was still on The Cross. Then as school let out at 3pm, He would have cried "It is finished."

As I awoke on Saturday my thoughts were still on Christ -- He is still in the tomb, but not for long! About two and a half hours later I learned that Grant Weinberg's heart had stopped beating and he was on his way to the hospital. I was shocked. These are the kinds of things you read about. They don't happen close to home. However, The Lord has plans I know nothing about! Saturday was mostly discouraging has our church family huddled in one wing of the fourth floor, praying for the Weinbergs and providing any comfort we could. I still was thinking, "Christ is in the tomb."

Sunday came! As I awoke I began thinking about Christ and His Resurrection. I thought of Grant and the Weinbergs, praying for The Lord to intervene. It was rainy and overcast, not an ideal day to celebrate The Resurrection.

The first service brought no new reports on Grant's condition. However, at the beginning of second service, our youth pastor relayed some great news -- Grant was responding to instructions! As many people prayed for the family, love poured out from hearts through words and tears. My wife later relived through teary eyes the joyous announcement from Chuck, "Grant is moving," or something close.

Our afternoon was spend with family, savoring the tantalizing feast my wife's parents had prepared. After some of the best potato casserole mankind has ever known, I read about how Grant's breathing tube had been removed! What an answer to prayer!

Upon arriving at church, I was blessed to be able to witness two baptisms. What an awesome testimony to God's work and His glory! He changes lives uniquely. No one can duplicate His works! After some singing, Pastor Zimmer shared the latest on Grant! He was living on his own -- no machines! He was awake and responsive! He was pretty stinking tired, but doing far better than any expectations! What a weekend!

I have had the opportunity to read through all of Chuck's posts. Only one sentence fits:

God is Amazing!

We could spending the rest of eternity describing that sentence. Grant was dead. You only do CPR on dead people. On the day Christ was in the tomb, Grant died. Praise God for giving Grant more life!

Saturday morning was bad, especially for the Weinbergs. I was personally humbled. Our only hope was God. No one in our church family could do anything to help. God along could heal or simply work through the doctors as He saw fit.

Since then every report has been encouraging! On Saturday Grant was stabilized -- God's Grace. On Sunday he was responding -- God's Grace. The tube came out -- God's Grace. He is able to converse -- God's Grace! He is able to lift his appendages -- God's Grace! He cannot not remember what day it is -- God's Grace (he doesn't want to know how much school work he will have to make up!) My heart is filled to joyous overflowing -- God's Grace. I have again been reminded of the value of life -- God's Grace. I have seen firsthand how God answers the prayers of His people -- God's Grace. I have seen the very hand of God at work in people's lives -- God's Grace. My love for my wife and kids has multiplied -- God's Grace.

The list is endless, but I will stop there. The list is simply from my small perspective and describes nothing of what God is doing in the lives of the Weinbergs! I am sure their joy is exponentially greater than mine!

God takes one supposed tragedy and creates a fountain of joy, bringing glory to Himself for His mighty hand! The road ahead is a difficult one for Grant and the Weinbergs, but the endless joy of the Lord will see them through!

God's Grace & Grant

The last 48 hours have been amazing. The intense journey on which the Lord has taken the Weinbergs has brought about some timely reflection on God, His Sovereignty, His plans, and His goodness. It has also been an outstanding opportunity to reflect on their son Grant. God’s plan can be so unexpected. Just Friday night I said goodbye to him as they were leaving church. We shook hands and even did some cool handshake. I gave him a pat on the side of his arm, my patented way of showing some affection. Then on Saturday morning I was informed he was in the hospital. Brutal, completely brutal!

Well, Grant’s ordeal has caused me to remember what it is I like so much about him. I spent some time with him when he was in junior high. It is always a bit frustrating when one of your eighth graders is taller than you, jumps higher than you, throws harder than you (especially in dodge ball), and is an all around better athlete. I mean, the kid was only fourteen years old and he was blocking all of my shots! He was one of the more quiet guys; but when he spoke, he added some good thoughts. His words confirmed what we suspected – Grant was thinking!

As he has matured over the last three years, he has been a joy to watch. He became interested in running the One28 sound system and has developed into a rock of consistency. He is faithful and dependable. The last two or three times we have spoke, Grant has had such a beautiful spirit about him. I can tell he is maturing. Where I used to have to carry the conversation, Grant is now in the habit of returning questions and comments as we share a good chuckle. He has a smile that puts you at ease. His smile is warming and encouraging, enabling you to feel at home wherever you are.

At times I have wondered exactly what this young man is made of. Well, it seems that the Lord has put His refining work on display in Grant’s life. This young man is a fighter! In less than 48 hours he has showed us all what he is made of! I pray the Lord would continue His refining work to completion, using Grant to advance His Kingdom and amplify His Glory!

Grant on Saturday
Grant on Sunday

In light of Crucifixion Friday and Resurrection Sunday, Grant's weekend has given me much to think about. Nothing is so sobering as tragic events where a life is in jeopardy. Without Christ giving peace, hope, and joy, how would could anyone get through such events? Praise Christ for His work on the Cross for all who believe!

The Simplicity of Sin

Today is a good day! It is the anniversary celebration of the death of The Lord and Master Jesus Christ. It is Good Friday. As I was meditating on this day, the cause of Christ's death rushed to the forefront of my mind -- sin. Perhaps sin is not the ultimate cause for The Crucifixion. God's glory is the ultimate end and the reason God sent His Son to become sin for us.

Yet sin is part of the reason Christ died. He is the atoning sacrifice for all who believe. The unbeliever has no sacrifice with which to satisfy God's unrelenting wrath. Without proper propitiation, the condemned unbeliever will pay for his or her sins in hell for eternity. Yet the very Son of God became our sacrifice, assuaging the wrath and condemnation of The Father, providing righteousness leading to eternal life for all who believe.

I was struck this morning with the simplicity of the sin. Simply put, the greatest command in Scripture is love the Lord your God with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your mind, and all of your strength. If you have ever failed to obey this command, you have sinned against The Creator! Such an offense has eternal consequences. One sin, the sin of Adam, was enough to provide eternal, spiritual death to all of humanity! Because Adam's sin plagued his posterity, each of us are born sinful. We do not have to wrestle with the question of whether or not we have ever sinned against God. We were offensive to Him when we were conceived. Since then, every succeeding moment of our lives has provided God with the stench of sin in His nostrils.

Just as sin is simple, so is The Solution. God ordained that His Son, incarnated in human flesh, would die as the perfect, perspicuous, and perpetual sacrifice, atoning for all the sins of all who would ever believe! Today is the day we celebrate that death. Today is the day we thank God for His Grace in the salvific work of His Son.

Master and Lord

I recently attended the Shepherd’s Conference. It is impossible to describe the level of excellence of the Shepherd’s Conference. We were served as much as six hours of preaching on any given day! And that does not even include the worship in song!

John MacArthur preached an outstanding sermon on the word “doulos” or slave. He said the only thing ‘doulos’ can mean is slave, although almost every Bible translates it servant, bond-servant, or bond-slave. It is tough to understand the significance, having never participated in slavery. However, the principle in question is one that effects us all every day of our lives. It is the principle of submission.

MacArthur pointed out that much of Scripture is “slave talk.” We are slaves of Christ, not simply servants. While a servant is paid for services rendered, a slave is owned. He is property of the Master. As Christians, we need to know our place.

While it is essential to think of ourselves as slaves, it is more important to think of Christ as Master and Lord. While no Christian should deny Christ as Lord, it seems as though familiarity with God and the Gospel has taken the edge off of this term. Because ‘Master’ is a term less frequented, it still connotes all of the ideas of slavery. It eliminates any idea of will on the part of the slave, bowing him before the Master and Lord.

I confess I have used the term Lord with far too much familiarity. Our (and my) sinful nature wants to have the lines of authority blurred. We prefer Jesus to be our friend. After all, in John 15:12-17 Jesus called us His friends. But we are slaves; and HE OWNS US! He has been gracious enough to share Himself with us, but that does not change His position. He is our Master.

The greatest result of this truth is humility. What great pride we muster if we say we work for the Master. But how many people would say, “HE OWNS ME?” It is humiliating to the unbeliever. A fallen creature does not want to be owned. After all, we have free will don’t we?

The fact of our fallen state aids the argument dramatically. We are not holy, the Master is. He is infinitely greater than the sum total of all humanity. Mankind in his pomp is but fodder compared to our Master; and that is even a stretch. For all of the mathematicians, think of a number line centered around zero. Using it to compare God’s holiness to man’s holiness, we would place God at infinity, the ever-increasing right. Man however would not simply be at zero. He would be at negative infinity, the ever-decreasing left. Sin corrupts us to such an extent. He is holy, we are defiled.

Another pride-crushing truth is that we are created. The Master made us! He has the ultimate authority to do whatever He wants. We are created beings who must obey. If we do not obey, we will be punished. He is holy therefore it is right for Him to punish disobedience.

Examine for a moment what the Master actually did. He created man to worship Him. Man rebels, introducing sin to all of creation. Instead of wiping out creation the Master chooses to send His only Son to die as a propitiation for our sins. For all who believe, Christ’s death purchases us from the slave market and places us in His care. He owns us. What humility this should bring. The Inquisitor wrote:

"It strips us of any sense of credit or glory that we would covet for our salvation. It lends us a proper perspective as to where we ought to be focused. Christ is LORD. We are slaves. If we are to be good slaves, then we must know and do the will of our Master."

As if His purchasing sacrifice was not enough, the Master then shares His will with us through His Word, calling us His friends! We are mutinous mercenaries serving Satan when Christ saves us. He then calls us, not slaves, but friends! It is unfair - to Him. We deserve death, but He gives His Grace, that is His unmerited undeserved favor, to His slaves! What a glorious God!

He is Master and Lord!

Reflections

I sit here in North Hollywood, California. I have been bountifully blessed to have enjoyed solid biblical teaching, teaching that explains the Word of God, for three days. I am anticipating two more excellent sermons tomorrow. I cannot express the depth of gratitude to my Lord for how He has provided for me this week. From the beginning of the trip until the end I find myself drowning in God's Grace. I am eternally thankful to Him and to all of those whom He uses to make this trip possible! I am not able to communicate the profound gratitude filling my soul.

While my extreme thankfulness is heavy on my heart, there is something else that continues to haunt my thoughts. While listening to a session on how a pastor should prepare his heart for studying a sermon, the Lord was again faithful to convict me of feeble, bland, sterile affections for Him. I remember the first three months of 2007 quite vividly. The Lord blessed me with inexplicable joy for over three months! It was indescribable! It is as if I were more concerned with the joy given than the Joy-Giver. Looking back on those wonderful months, the results were obvious. People saw Christ overflowing from my heart. I wonder where the joy is now.

Don't get me wrong, life is a continual blessing. I see the Lord's hand in every facet of my being. Yet, I am not satisfied that I know Him as He commands. During this particular session, the Lord used His Sword to cut deep into the center of my heart, revealing the selfishness, jealousy, and odiously revolting sin that daily barrages my heart. It is encamped outside my heart's walls, daily waging war against me to capture and enslave me. Praise God that He has purchased me from the slave market, enlisting me to obey Him, fighting for His glory. While His truths are reassuring, I cannot escape the knowledge that my Master and Lord has much more waiting for me. He is pleading for me to know Him, sometimes gently and other times tenaciously.

I have recently been taught about the importance of continually filling my mind with things that focus my thinking on Christ. As I fill the reservoir of my mind with thoughts of His glorious majesty, the overflow of my life will be the life-giving water He supplies. I will be a vessel made for His glory!

Yet that reservoir is so suspicious. It shimmers in the sunlight, reflecting the clear blue skies and brilliant sun of a perfect day! As I look through that reflection I notice some scary things. Sin still contaminates the depths of that reservoir. A slimy muck seems to line the entire floor. Some areas even seem overgrown with weeds. It is not a reservoir from which I would want to drink. I cannot understand why the Lord would waste time on it. He has worked so long to teach me how to care for this reservoir and yet this is how I care for it.

Praise God for His love, mercy, and grace! Praise God for His Son who bore the wrath for my sin and gave me His righteousness in return. Someday that reservoir will reflect Him. The sooner the better.