ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

Christians do not live in someday but today!
    The mistakes of the past are forgiven.
    The needs of today are promised, and
      our hopes for tomorrow are secured,
        all through Jesus Christ our Lord.
                    - M.L. Herring

Just Passing Through ...

Psalm 119:19 reminds me that I am a guest on earth, or as I remind myself, I am just passing through. I have to face the fact that I have no control over the time I spend here. As a guest I must also remember I have no right to a house of my own or posessions. I must receive with graditude what my host provides and not complain.  I am a guest.

As a guest I am subject to the rules of my host, for it is his house that shelters me and his provision that sustains me. It is not my place to disparage my host, interject my own rules, or code of conduct. I am a guest and owe my loyality to my host.

Many today walk this world without accepting the hospitality of its host. They walk in despair and fear, trying to find shelter from the storms of life. They look to their own strength to sustain them instead of looking to its gracious host who has the power to sustain all.

In this world I am nothing more than a guest. I am weak and having nothing of my own. Yet, God himself shares all that he has with me. He has sacrificed his precious Son for me so that I may be accepted as even more than his guest, as an heir. Many on this earth may look upon me as an unwanted guest, weak, with nothing to offer. But to our Gracious Host, the One who holds this world and all who walk upon it in His hands, I am the favored guest.

Through my Gracious Host, I will find my way through this world, my rights in injustice, my support in times of uncertainity, my strength when I am weak, my hope when I am discouraged. Through my Glorious Host I will find my way home.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

    Christians are made, not born. 
                                  - Tertullian

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

Of all things, guard against neglecting God 
        in the secret place of prayer.
                              - William Wilberforce

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

A man who is eating or lying with his wife or preparing

       to go to sleep in humility, thankfulness and 

        temperance, is, by Christian standards, in 

            infinitely higher state than one who 

                is listening to Bach or reading 

                     Plato in a state of pride.

                                                      - C. S. Lewis

Walk As You Have Been Called

What religion are you? I am sure you have been asked this question more than once in your life. Yet I believe it is not an easy question to answer. I often stumble over the word "religion." The word religion can be defined as the observance of a faith or practice of a system of beliefs. It can mean the service and worship of God, a god, or the supernatural.

Yet "religion" that has no practical impact on our daily lives is as useless as the definitions above. Religion can become vague or abstract, it can encourage empty professions of faith, it can become focused on works, loosing its true identity and purpose.

In 1 Corinthians Paul reminds us to "lead the life that the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him."(1Corinthians 7:17 ESV) In other words, walk the life you have been called to walk. In your home, in your work, and in your church, walk the walk you have been called to. There is little room in the Christian life for hypocrisy. Too many people today want to seek their own way; they promote their own opinions over seeking the call of God. They will tell you in a very religious tone how important God is in their life and then go on to explain their wants, their needs, and their desires. In the process, seeking God's will and walking as he has called us to walk falls out of the discussion. For these people serving their religion is far more important than seeking the one, true, living God.

Christianity is not, in the truest sense, a religion; it is a relationship. It is not based on a system of steps to follow but founded in a real, life giving relationship. Jesus did not promote a system of works, he reached out personally to those who needed him most.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

In the Church of Jesus Christ there can 
   and should be no non-theologians.
                                  - Karl Barth

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Cowards never won heaven. Do not claim that you are begotton
   of God and have His royal blood running in your veins unless
          you can prove your lineage by this heroic spirit;
             to dare to be holy in spite of men and devils."
                               - William Gurnall

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

In prayer it is better to have a heart without 
      words than words with out a heart.
                                       - John Bunyan

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ,
accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, 
 for justification, sanctification, and eternal 
           life by virtue of God's grace.
                                    - Charles Spurgeon

Grace is Not a Blue Light Special

Grace is not a blue light special that can be purchased with your credit or debt card. It is never to be traded or sold at a discount. Yet many today seek to do just that. They promote cheap grace. I am sure you have heard of or even had encounters with this form of grace. It is easy to obtain, it is usually offered at a price that will cost you little and comes with all kinds of guarantees.

The warning has been sounded since the founding of our faith. Cheap grace is one of the deadly enemies of the church of God. Some churches, denominations, and ministers use cheap grace as a means to increase membership, giving, or attendance. It is presented as a form of grace with no sacrifice and no commitment.

In a number of his writings Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who coined the phrase "Cheap Grace", spoke often about this type of grace. Bonhoeffer said, "Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without Church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."

This is not the pearl of great price that we are to sell all our possessions for in order to obtain. This is the discounted blue light special that can be had for little or nothing. It is peddled by those who covet position, popularity, and gain with no thought of what it will ultimately cost those who accept this imitation over the real thing. Bonhoeffer reminds us that true grace is costly: "It is costly because it cost a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son."

This costly grace that Bonhoeffer so passionately speaks of is grace that calls us to follow Jesus Christ and place our lives in his hands. It is grace that demands commitment and submission, not out of duty or guilt, but out of love and gratitude. It is real grace, costly grace, grace that is able to help each of us recognize our true self and our true need. It is the kind of grace John Newton wrote about - it is amazing grace because it has the ability to save a wrech like me.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

 I have held many things in my hands, 
and I have lost them all; but whatever 
     I have placed in God's hands, 
           that I still possess.
                            - Martin Luther

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"A true love of God must begin in a
         delight in his holiness."
         - Jonathan Edwards

One of Those Days

Ever had one of those days? You know the kind of days I am talking about. Those days when everything seems to be a struggle, a bit more difficult, evn a challenge. When life moves from moments of enjoyment into survival mode. You know, one of those kind of days.

During the days of the prophet Micah, Israel was having one of those days, which turned into a number of those weeks, then many of those years. The people were reeling from the weight of their own disobedience and sin. It was during those days Micah spoke these words, "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for my God my Savior. My God will hear me." (Micah 7:7)

As I was having one of those days this morning, I was also reading Micah's words. During a time of great disappointment, misery, and sorrow, Micah was able to watch in hope for the Lord. He was willing to wait on God to act. He believed, with no doubt, that his God would hear him.

As I read Micah's words I felt a bit unsettled. My difficulties are nothing in comparision but neither is my response to God. In both areas I have shown my weak faith and a bend towards self-centeredness. I do not watch in hope and I have shown no willingness to wait for God to respond. All I have done is to try and convince myself that God has turned a deaf ear to my request or rather, my complaints. Even though the Scriptures clearly show he has not.

So today, even though I may be having one of those days, I can be thankful. For once again, God has spoken to me through his word. He has encouraged me to take the events of this day and look at them through his word. I have been given yet another opportunity to take a step back and watch in hope and wait for my Lord to act. For through his word he has assured me that he will hear me.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

Christianity is not a theory or speculation, 
      but a life; not a philosophy of life, 
        but a life and a living process. 
                            - Samuel Taylor Coleridge

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

I am a historian, not a believer, but I must confess
   as a historian that the penniless preacher from
      Nazareth is irrevocably the very center of
         history. Jesus Christ is easily the most
               dominate figure in all history.
                         - H.G. Wells

This Morning

Merciful Lord,

This morning, as I look upon your creation, I am reminded of your power, your glory, and your holiness.

This morning, I come before you as a sinner whose fall and brokeness cannot be questioned.

This morning, I pray that you would forgive my sins, those of commision and omission.

This morning, I ask you to forgive my unfaithfulness, my hard-heartedness, my pride, everything that may stand between us.

This morning, I seek your pardon of my sins, those I have confessed and those I have forgotten, those I have felt and those I have ignored, those known and those I have hidden.

This morning, Lord hear my prayer. This morning, forgive your child.

Lord, this morning, may I experience the exceeding wonder and joy of your grace, knowing with full assurance, that I am a sinner but I am saved by an even greater Savior.

In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

To be silent does not mean to be inactive; 
rather it means to breathe in the will of God,
  to listen attentively and be ready to obey. 
                   - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

If Jesus Christ were to come today people would 

not even crucify him. They would ask him to 

          dinner, and hear what he has to say, 

                      and make fun of it.

                       -Thomas Carlyle

The Ultimate Question

Questions are a part of life. Each day we respond to a number of questions. They come from family members and friends, even strangers we might pass on the street or in the market. Can you tell me how I can get to Willow Avenue? Did you pick up the dry cleaning? Would you mind taking out the trash? Are you watching the kids? Will you take the dog for a walk? We all ask and answer questions on a daily basis. But are we asking the right question?

Who is Jesus Christ? I believe this is the ultimate question we must all ask and answer in life. In the New Testament, everything revolves around this question. In the Old Testament, everything points to this question. It is the one question we can never push aside because it is woven into the fabric of our lives.

We read about Jesus in the scriptures and in books. He is discussed on television and across the internet. We here his name on the street, standing in line, at work, and at school. He is presented in a positive light by some and a negative light by others, but the discussion continues, as it has for over 2,000 years. Who is Jesus? This is and will remain the ultimate question in our lives. How we answer it will determine life itself.

The Apostle Paul was confronted with this question while on a trip to Damascus. His answer changed his life and would start a chain reaction of events that are still being felt around the world today. Paul went from being a Pharisee to a promoter of Jesus Christ. For him, Christ became his all and all. The New Testament is full of Paul's writings about Jesus Christ - his answer to the ultimate question.

In his message to the Colossians Paul gives us an example of his answer. He tells the Colossians Jesus is the true knowledge they have been searching for in life. He is the embodiment of wisdom and understanding. The truth dwells in Christ alone and the very power of God is found in him. Paul goes on to remind us that Jesus is the incarnation of God and if we want to experience God's love and bear true spiritual fruit in our lives we must grab hold of Jesus.

Jesus, who is Jesus, this is the ultimate question we must answer in life. Paul was confronted with this question. Colossians 3:11 gives us insight to Paul's answer "Christ is all and in all." We can go through life and accept or reject Jesus Christ but we cannot change the question. For Paul the answer to the ultimate question was simple. Jesus is all in life and all of life is in Him.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

There are two kinds of people: those who 
   say to God, "Thy will be done," and 
     those to whom God says, "All right, 
            then, have it your way."
                    - C.S. Lewis

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is 
      the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, 
        baptism without church discipline, Communion without 
         confession.... Cheap grace is grace without  discipleship, 
                      grace without the cross, grace without 
                         Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”
                                    - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

The first call which every Christian experiences is the call 
         to abandon the attachments of this world. 
                         - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Whole Word

The German Theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, once remarked during an address "We want to give the world the whole word, not a half word - a courageous word, a Christian word." It would seem if ever the whole word was needed, it is today.

As a Pastor, I am continually amazed by the audasity of the culture we live in, a worldy culture. I am also equally amazed at the lack of courage we as Christians often exhibit in our struggles with this culture. We continually absorb the challenges of our cultural misnorms with very little resistance. We refrain from discussing the word of God because we have been told over and over again that some folks find it offensive or feel disconnected because they feel its moral direction constricting. We ecco the words of Paul, who told us to not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind without guarding our minds.

As believers, we need the whole word of God but we must also be ready to take on the worldly culture we are immersed in. We must do so with courage and commitment. We must also remember the word we take forward must be a Christian word. It must be focused on Jesus Christ, his birth, his ministry, his death, and his resurrection.We must share what Christ is doing in our lives, the encouragement he brings, and the changes produced by a life of faith.

A Christian word, centered in Jesus Christ, not what is often culturally acceptable. We are not called to be offensive, hurtful, or brutish to others. We are called to bring forth the "good news" that Jesus saves sinners, changes lives, comforts the hurting, brings peace in the most difficult moments of our lives and that salvation can only be found through our relationship with him. This is what people want to hear and this is what the world needs to hear. So remember Christian, we want to give the world the whole word, the full story, not just half or bits and peaces. It takes courage to share the whole word of God because it is a Christian word, a Christ-centered word, but now more than ever, it is the word the world needs to hear.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

Faith is not belief without proof, 
 but trust without reservation.
                   - D. Elton Trueblood

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"It is not the man decked out in morality or philosopcical virtues who
    will repel a full charge of temptation sent from Satan's cannon;
             it is the man suited up in armour - that is, in Christ.
                                      - William Gurnall

Lord, where we are wrong, make us willing 
         to change; where we are right,
            make us easy to live with.
                 - Peter Marshall

A Simple Question

Recently I was asked a simple question, "Pastor, what are some of the priorities you have set for your ministry?' As I pondered my response a number of possible answers crossed my mind. I thought about preaching and teaching, things ministers are supposed to do. These are high priority areas of responsibility that must surely be considered. What about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with others? Yes it is normal for a reformed pastor to be evangelistic, and this also could be another possible priority. Then came the idea that a pastor must be a leader within the church, important and another area to consider.  So on and on, one responsibility after another, I continued to examine “my ministry” and ask the simple question: is this a priority?

I would like to say the process was quick and decisive, but it was not. Days later I was still working my way through what was supposed to be a simple question. This morning as I spent time with God, an answer came to me. While all the things I mentioned above are important and are priorities, I can think of something I did not mentioned, yet feel it may be the ultimate priority - worshiping God.

I am sure this sounds a bit unusual for a reformed minister, even a bit charismatic, but I believe this answer is sound. We as God’s people are here to worship and glorify God, to celebrate our relationship with him through Jesus Christ our Lord. Yes, hearing the Word and preaching the Word are cornerstones of the reformed faith. And yes, the sacraments help unify us believers. However, it is our worship, our time together, where we come into the presence of the one true God, that make us unique. God is holy, he is powerful, he is righteous, and we as his people seek him out. For only in his presence do we feel complete. This is why worship may be the ultimate priority within the boundaries of what I define as ministry.  

Much of Psalm 96 reminds us of our need to worship. ”Oh sing to the Lord a new song; Sing to the Lord, bless his name; Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the people! For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness!”

I think we get the psalmist’s idea – worship!

Priorities are important! But ultimately one priority must top the list. So let us all seek to worship the Lord while he may be found, let us come together as his people and lift up his holy name. For he is our God and we are his people. 

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

 In faith there is enough light for those who 
want to believe and enough shadows to blind 
                    those who don't.
                    - Blaise Pascal

The Importance of Truth

Truth is an important word within the scriptures. It is a word mentioned over and over, in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. The scriptures teach us that we are changed or sanctified by the truth. It is truth that brings us to God as we recognize we are all sinners, unable to achieve righteousness outside of a true relationship with God.

As believers we are to practice, live by, the truth (1 John1:6). Paul says it this way: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24). The latter part of verse 24 is more literally translated “in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” This would line up with what many commentators say, that truth should be seen as a source of the righteousness and holiness that is being created in the new person.

The idea here is simple; truth has a direct connection to righteousness and holiness in our lives. The opposite would also be simple; a lack of truth will have a direct connection to the lack of righteousness and holiness in our lives. Truth is directly connected to our spiritual lives and is required in our day-to-day walk as believers in Jesus Christ.

With all of this comes the reality that we often do not know the whole truth. We may hear information first or second or third hand. It may be passed on by those who have only heard only one side of the story or who want to pass themselves off as the appointed representatives for a specific opinion or group. Yet, in the end, this kind of behavior is not what God requires of his people.  

As believers we must remember that our old self has been crucified with Christ and we are called to a higher level of behavior. Truth is not always connected to those who make the most noise or claim to represent the greatest numbers. So we are called to seek the truth, live in and by the truth, and speak the truth in love. Our sanctification, our change from our old self to a new creation, is based our understanding of eternal truths.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. 
         Aim at earth and you get neither.
                       - C.S. Lewis

Reality Check

One of the greatest changes and challenges the church faces today is in the area of information, or more specifically, access to information. The continual emergency of digital tools and new technologies is moving at an unimaginable pace. “Well that’s o.k. If you’re into that sort of thing,” I often hear folks say.

Reality Check Number One: You may not be interested in this, but the vast majorities of people thirty and under are.

Reality Check Number Two: Personal computers, tablets, mobile devices, and smart phones are providing our society with almost unlimited access to people, information, and their ideas. This is especially true for generations of people born after 1960 (the last birth year for those who qualify as Baby Boomers).

Last year when I was preaching in a church in Wichita I gave a children’s sermon before the “real sermon.” In it I ask the kids what they enjoyed doing the most in their spare time. A very precocious little girl, about seven, answered with “I like to text me friends.”

Reality Check Number Three: Technology is fueling rapid change in our society and generational disconnections. This is especially true of the current generation (who have been labeled Mosaics) and the previous one (labeled Busters), to some extent. These generations have been born into and raised up in this age of overwhelming technological change. In fact, an argument could be made that the current generation not only continues to adapt to change but also now expects continual change. They look forward to the latest or newest version of a game, product, app, or technology.

Reality Check Number Four: In the midst of these new technologies and the access they bring, the church struggles to connect and minister. While our message of change, grace, and eternal life through Jesus Christ is alive and even viewed as “edgy” by many young people today, the church itself is often viewed as outdated, stiff, boring, and unable to change. Yes, it is here where the battle rages and challenges must be met.  

We know our message is relevant but we must also address the necessary changes that will allow others, especially younger generations, to see the church itself as vital and relevant in their lives. This might be the greatest challenge before us.

Technology, information access, and change are part of the current generations self-identity. It affects how they view the world around them and previous generations’ views on culture, politics- and especially their view of religion in general and Christianity specifically.

Bottom-line, the church today must address the necessity of change if it expects to remain relevant in a changing world or as the Apostle Paul would remind us, we must be in the world but not of the world.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Wherever we see the Word of God purely preached and heard,
there a church of God exists, even if it swarms with many faults."
                                   - John Calvin

In the Dark

Some people are in the dark, they just don't get it. Over and over in the Word of God sin is identified with darkness. Yet so many people refuse to acknowledge even the existance of sin in the world, much less in their own lives. So, in a very real spiritual sense, they are in the dark.

Most Christians would agree that Satan is the great promoter of sin. He is the prince of darkness and the external cause of sin within the world we live. However, the internal cause of sin is the natural darkness of our souls, a consequence of the Fall and the sin nature that came with our decent into darkness. The darkness of our condition continues to lead us deeper into sin.

Many today have grown accustomed to this darkness, even prefering it. People who choose to walk in darkness shun the light. To a sinner, one in darkness, the light of truth is blinding and confusing. In John 1:5 we read, "The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." Here John is refering to Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, who came to shine the light of truth on the darkness of our condition. God has also given his Spirit to illumiate and expose the sin in our lives. But many today still prefer darkness to light.

Those who reside in darkness have no power of their own to resist sin. They are blinded by their condition and do not have the ability to see clearly. They live in fear, whether they choose to admit this or not, because they fear a hopless eternity.

Yet there is hope for everyone because Christ died for all and, as the Scriptures remind us, the darkness can not over come the light.

So today take the opportunities God gives you and mirror his light in a world of darkness. Be an example for those around you. Let them know that you, too, once shunned the light for darkness. But because of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you now understand the light.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"He who will not reason is a bigot; he who cannot is a fool;
                   and he who dares not, is a slave."
                              - John Drummond

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"All our progress and perserverance are from God."
                             - John Calvin

A Stranger to Your Holiness

God is holy! This is not a point of contention for Christians, we believe God is holy. However, as a Christians I struggle with the idea of holiness, especially when I am trying to apply it to myself. Holiness in Christian belief is always connected to the word sanctify. We are holy because as believers we have been sanctified, set apart, for God's purpose.

God is holy! I am not! I must admit I often feel like a stranger to God's holiness, always struggling, to hang on to the few gains I have made. It is never easy for me to be holy.  I have a temper and at times my anger gets the best of me. I struggle to love others as I would have them love me, not very holy on my part. I admit I have spoken when I should have held my tongue, said unkind things and thought unkind thoughts. A stranger to God's holiness, I believe the phrase would fit me.

God is holy and by my own admission I am not. I struggle with my familar sins, the ones I know all too well and those who seem to know me. So I believe I am qualified to say I am a sinner, and again, a stranger to God's holiness.

Yes, God is holy! Yet even in the moments when I struggle with my unholiness, God is holy. And here is the bottom-line: because of my relationship with God through Jesus Christ, God sees me as holy. That's right, he sees even a sinner like me as holy. This is not because I have done anything on my own to merit this, it is because my relationship with Christ has changed the way I am seen by God. God sees the obedient sacrifice of his Son on the Cross, and because of his sacrifice, my sins are forgiven. I may view myself as a stranger to God's holiness but God sees me as his holy child. Because I am a child of God I am called to be holy and I believe God will continue to strengthen me for this call.

So let me find hope and encouragement in the words of 1 Peter 1:15, But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. For it is written: "Be holy for I am holy."

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Truth is loved and prized only by those who recognize it
                        and know it personally."
                          - William Gurnall

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over
          which Christ, who is Soveregin over all, does not cry "Mine."
                                          - Abraham Kuyper

Shake Me, Wake Me

Most of us would agree that life can be a challenge. We may often relate to a line from a song performed by the Four Tops "shake me, wake me, when it's over." We may have economic success at one moment and failure may come a short time later. We may go to bed feeling on top of the world and wake up the next morning with an illness. We try to take precautions but we all know things can happen. In reality, life appears to offer no guarantees, at least of our own making.

In 2 Samuel, David experienced the fickleness of life, its people, and day-to-day events. One minute he was supported and things are going well, a short time later, support had vanished and he was to blame. At that time I am sure David's confidence was shaken. The truth is life has the ability to shake us all up at times. It can be confusing, people can be difficult, and events can seem so unfair. Yet, for the believer,  life does come with some guarantees.

One: Salvation is a free and gracious gift. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ. This fact cannot be shaken and it does not change. In this life you may experience times of loss, times of disappointment, painful struggles, yet our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. He is our rock and our mighty fortress, in him we have eternal security.

Two: Heaven is a kingdom that cannot be shaken. As believers we at not citizens of this world but of heaven. Buy the grace of Jesus Christ and through our faith in him, we have been guaranteed access to this kingdom. This world may be a place of dispair and disappointment but it is not our final destination. Christ has purchased our passage beyond this world and into the kingdom of God. It comes with a guarantee that cannot be resended. There are no additional charges, no late fees or weight limits. It is not based on any religious belief but on our relationship with him.

Three: This life is not permanent but our life with Jesus Christ is eternal. It has been purchased with his blood and will be perfected with his love. So I will continue to remind myself that life may shake me but God has chosen to wake me and give me his unconditional guarantee, through Jesus Christ my Lord.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"God has not thrown me away. I am in his mind day and night, and
                      his thoughts are at work to do me good."
                                     - William Gurnall

Possess What You Profess

I recently posed a question to a friend of mine, when does a half truth become a full lie? I have heard people use the phrase "half truth" as a sort of bridge between the truth and a lie as if it were an acceptable compromise. To be honest, I find this kind of moral quibbling very disappointing, and I view it as a proverbial slippery sloop. It is easy to profess variations of what might resemble the truth but much more difficult to possess what is the truth.

As followers of Christ we are encouraged by the scriptures to speak the truth. Our credibility is founded on truth, spoken with love, for the good of the listener, as well as the speaker. There is no place in the christian life for half truths, three quarter truths, partial truths, or fragments of the truth. This is especially true for those in positions of authority, clergy, elders, deacons, teachers, etc..

So here is the plain truth. The half truth does not exist; it is just a phrase used to disguise a complete lie. If one decides to withhold part of the truth then one has taken it upon oneself not to tell the truth. Half truths are the less sophisticated cousins of innuendo and gossip, but all are liars at heart.

In Zechariah 8:16-17, God spoke these words to Zechariah: "These are things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgement in your courts; do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, I hate all this," declares the Lord.

As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in a faithful and loving manner so that it may benefit the one who hears and the one who speaks. It may be uncomfortable, difficult, or even a painful task to complete but it is what we are called to do. God encourages us to never be afraid to question or examine the words of others. We are to hold them up to the sound guidance of scripture where truth and lies are easily seperated.

So do not be afraid to seek and speak the truth, the whole truth. In doing so you will be one step closer to living the life you seek. Possess what you profess, for the truth will set you free.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"God always gives his best to those who leave the choice to him."
                                        - Jim Elliot

The Cross is My Anchor!

A Roman philosopher once said, “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing.” I think I would have to agree because it seems I grapple more than tango through the days of my life. I often feel that my days spring forth with more challenges than moments of celebration. Yet, I know I am not alone in in my view. Another wise Roman was a bit more specific in his assessment when he said “Life is warfare!”  Well, I don’t know if I would carry it that far but I would say life can be difficult and challenging. 

However, trying to build my philosophy of life on either one of these phrases would be depressing. I know life can be difficult but I want to enjoy it and I want it to have meaning. So let me suggest another phrase, one that carries some meat on its bones.

The cross is my anchor! These words are translated from a Latin phrase I often use in e-mails and writings I send to friends. It reminds me my life is anchored in the Cross of Christ and all it stands for.


Carrying one’s cross has nothing to do with a servile submission to difficulty or disaster. It has nothing to do with a passive resignation to the pain and difficulties we all face in this life. Instead, it has everything to do with a joyful abandonment to doing the will of God. Fulfilling the will of God in our lives always involves putting the concerns of God’s kingdom before the pursuit of our own passions, security, possessions, status, or power.  The Cross of Christ is our constant reminder that we are to seek God’s will in our daily lives, just as Jesus did in his life. The world regards this as a foolish way to live life. People we know may even challenge us over the wisdom of our beliefs. They may regard the cross as a symbol of weakness. However, our daily lives can testify to the power of the cross and all that it stands for. 

In Hebrews 6:19 we read these powerful words, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. “ The verse refers to the certainty of God’s promises to us. God’s purpose and his promises are certain and our lives and hope are anchored in the cross, the ultimate symbol of his will. So we all can resonate with the phrase “the cross is my anchor.” May it always be and may we never forget.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Christ is the candle that light's the way out of man's darkness."
                                   - William Gurnall

A Fool's Coat

In the scriptures Paul reminds us that we are not to be conformed to this world. Translation, we are not to compromise ourselves with the corrupt customs of our culture. We are to be different, or as Paul likes to say, “in the world but not of the world.” This is a task even the most dedicated believers struggle with.

The Puritan Minister, William Gurnall, echoed Paul’s reminder saying, “The Christian must not be such a complaint tailor as to cut the coat of his profession according to popular fashion.” Gurnall’s words are on target, even more so when we consider they were penned 1600’s.

“The coat of our profession” is a wonderful phrase. It’s like saying you are what you wear. It shows that we are not of this world but citizens of heaven. We therefore should be clothed in the garments of truth and not dressed in what is popular or the most current fashion. Popularity and fashions change about as often as the direction of the wind in Kansas.

It is difficult at times to stand out. Nonconformity is never trendy or popular. It is a difficult task to take a stand for truth, to choose to make decisions based on the word of God instead of what is popular. Yet many people struggle to stand up to the pressure to conform. They do not want to be labeled fools by those whom they view as more knowledgeable in worldly matters. They are afraid to be seen in what the world might call the fool’s coat. They choose, what we might describe as a self-tailored, yet fashionable, coat of conformity. A coat that is more stylish and colorful, more attractive to their pride. But in doing so, they turn their back on plainer yet more costly garment, the coat of truth. They have exchanged the truth of the scriptures for the praise and customs of the world. As Gurnall would say they “lose heaven because they are ashamed to go there in a fool’s coat.”

Truth is not always popular or fashionable. Truth is often difficult to discover and even more difficult to embrace. Individuals or our culture may seek to redefine truth based on their perceived needs, what is comfortable for them, or the opinion of a specific group.  However, truth is not based on the opinion of an individual or the group, or even a custom or fade. Truth is found in and based upon the word of God. To many this might be “a fool’s coat,” but to those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ it is, and will always be, in style. 

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"Possess what you profess."
        - ReformedRev

When I Call ...

Life is full of difficulties, and difficulties come in all shapes and sizes. We all have faced difficult situtations and will again. We all know difficult people and will never be completely free of them. Events, times, people, situtations- difficulties come in all shapes and sizes.

In Psalm 138:3 the David says, "When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and stouthearted."Translated: When I called to you God, you answered me, and gave me the encouragement I needed to stand up and deal with the difficulties I faced.

We all need to be bold in difficult times, and stouthearted is even better.

Too many times I have given into doubt. I have questioned my own ability by asking myself if I have the heart to stand fast. Often I have tried to lean on others, hoping they might help me with the load I bear, but finding they were not dependable or trust worthy. Yes, I have struggled and I will continue to do so.

Yet, I have learned where to seek encouragement and comfort. Psalm 138:8 David continues,"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me." Yes, there will be difficulties, but my God is not confined by the difficulties of the world. He is the creator of all things, he holds my life and all that is connected to it in his hands. I am reminded in his word that his love endures forever and he will not abandon the works of his hands - that includes me!

So, like David, I will continue to call to him for I know he will answer and he will have his way. He will not abandon me but will reach out his might hand and make me bold and stouthearted.

RefRev

ReformedRev's Quote of the Day

"To the one who has faith, no explaination is necessary.
   To the one without faith, no explaination is possible."  
                           - Thomas Aquinas

People of the Book

         

Christian are people of the Book. That is to say as believers we believe the Bible is a living Book. Living in that God speaks through his Word and his Spirit works with power from the Word of God, which is contained in the sixty-six books of the Bible. So Christians, those who have come to God through Christ by faith, are people of the Book.

As people of the Book we are a Scripture based movement, for in the Scriptures we find doctrine, direction, guidance, and grace, just to name a few of the benefits. For us, the Book is our lifeline to God and from it our relationship with God is nourished on a daily basis.

The Puritan pastor Thomas Watson, speaking over 200 years ago about the Word of God said, “Come to the Word with a holy appetite and a teachable heart. Sit under the Word attentively, receive it with meekness, and mingle it with faith. Then retain the Word, pray over it, practice it, and speak it to others about it.”

It is the calling of a pastor to be a person of the Book and feed upon the Word of God.  It is the first duty of a pastor to feed the flock by the diligent preaching of the Word of God from the Book. We would call this biblical preaching.

For Puritans like Watson, biblical preaching was not just hinged to Scripture; it quite literally existed inside the Word of God; the text is not the sermon but the sermon is the text. So listening to a sermon was being in the Book. They pondered the rich truths revealed in the Scriptures as a gemologist examines a ruby or a diamond.

We can all learn a great deal from this approach. The Puritans sounded a clarion call, as people of the Book; we should strive to become Word-centered in our faith and its practice. Then all those we touch will know we are people of the Book.

RefRev

Pluck Up

Pluck Up

How do you handle the difficulties of day-to-day life? This is a question I have often asked others and it is a question I often ask myself. After all, life does have its difficult moments, and none of us can expect to be completely spared.

There are difficulties that fall upon us that we cannot control. Yet there are also others that come from poor decisions we have made and these are the ones I am speaking about, the ones we have brought upon ourselves.

Some folks get angry, feeling they deserve a life free of difficulties, and struggle to cope when hard times fall upon them. Others take a more pessimistic view, believing they have somehow been assigned to failure, by a divine presence that cares little about them. Still others seek to place the blame on the perceived callousness of their environment or society as a whole.

Today there is little talk of the fall of mankind and the sinfulness that entered the world at that moment and continues today. We are often tempted to blame the difficulties we create by the choices we make on anything or anyone but ourselves, even God himself. It often seems the act of taking responsibility is not a popular course of action to follow. I believe we have all been guilty of this type of thinking at times.

Stepping up, taking responsibility, and acknowledging our failures is always the right way to go. It is a huge part of our maturing process as Christians. It keeps us balanced and on the straight and narrow path. It reminds me of some of my favorite lines in John Bunyan’s classic book, The Pilgrim’s Progress. As Christian begins his climb up the Hill of Difficulty he recites these words to himself,

“The Hill tho’ high, I covet to ascend,

 The difficulty will not me offend;

 For I perceive the way of life lies here:

 Come, pluck up, Heart, let ‘s neither faint nor fear;

 Better, tho’ difficult the right way to go,

 Than wrong, though easy, where the end is wo.

Pluck up and keep moving, it’s always the right way to go.

RefRev