The Friars Club

Freiday Devotional: Galatians 5:22

2009-02-27T12:06:00.002-06:00

Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control... (NASB)

Doctors and nutritionists constantly tell us that we need to include more fruit in our diets. That's because fruit has many healthy benefits. They are full of vitamins, anti-oxidants, and fiber. Plus, they just taste good. A variety of fruits help the body fight off infections, disease, and clean out the system. Fruits help us maintain healthy bodies which in turn leads to a more fulfilled life. In similar fashion, Paul describes a fruit that will provide nutrition and healing for our souls.

In the verses before v. 22, Paul lists several ailments that are derived from living an ungodly (unhealthy) life: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, and carousing (vv. 19, 20). These ailments cause great havoc in the lives of many people. If not attended to, these ailments will eventually cause the (spiritual) death of the person.

However, Paul gives us the remedy for such ailments in v. 22. That remedy is the "fruit of the Spirit." This fruit is the treatment for such ailments. It is not a quick fix after a weekend of debauchery, but a lifelong remedy that is incorporated into the lifestyle of a believer. The fruit is multifaceted and combats the ailments that Paul discussed in the previous verses. The remedy to these ailments provided by the fruit is as follows:

(6tbs) love - self-sacrificing affection for others;
(4tbs) joy - deep seated gladness regardless of circumstances;
(4tbs) peace - inner quietness and repose regardless of circumstances;
(4.5tbs) patience - forbearance even under provocation;
(4tbs) kindness - benevolence and graciousness;
(5tbs) goodness - constructive action reaching out to others;
(5tbs) faithfulness - reliability, trustworthiness;
(4tbs) gentleness - acquiescence to authority and consideration of others;
(5.5tbs) self-control - ability to master oneself. (from Dr. Constable's notes).

This remedy is provided by the ultimate healer and doctor, Christ Jesus, to those who believe in Him. Partake of the fruit which is provided for you through faith in Jesus. Remedy those ailments that beset you and cause so much turmoil. The fruit is available; just open yourself to the Great Physician. One dose of this fruit is enough for a lifetime of good healthy living.

Application:
What ailments have befallen you? How did they come about? Have you accepted the remedy? How have you shown love, joy, peace, etc. recently? Do people recognize the fruit in your life? If not, how could this be changed? If so, continue to pray that God would strengthen you.

Freiday Devotional

2008-11-14T11:38:00.003-06:00

The Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13
"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people." (NET)

Exposition
This passage follows the Beatitudes, which describe the attitude a disciple of Christ is to have. The previous verses (vv. 10-12) are particularly concerned with persecution against the followers of Jesus Christ. This persecution is due to the fact that followers of Jesus are different from everyone around them. That is why Jesus calls us, His followers, the "salt of the earth." Why does He make this analogy? I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with how salt is easily distinguished from other minerals and seasonings. It has a distinct taste. Therefore, as salt is distinguished by its flavor, followers of Christ should be distinguished by their attitude and actions. As salt enhances the flavor of food, Christians are to enhance the good in the world.

But, if Christians are no longer distinguished from the rest of world, what good are we? That is the point Jesus makes when He says, "if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again?" This is obviously a contradiction, for salt cannot lose its saltiness. If it were possible, then it would no longer be salt. Thus, it would no longer be useful. This indictment against Jesus' followers is serious. For, if we lose our distinctiveness and usefulness, we are to be discarded. This is a challenge to true discipleship. "Tasteless salt lacks value, and so does a professed disciple who lacks genuine commitment" (Keener, 173). In other words, a disciple of Christ cannot be a nominal Christian.

Application
Salt has many useful purposes. However, it can be hurtful as well if poured into a wound. Let us not be salt in the wound of a hurting person. Instead, let us give flavor to the world. Let us preserve morality and ethics. Let us be useful and flavorful to those around us. Let us share the good flavor of the Gospel with our co-workers, family members, neighbors, and friends.

I leave you with quote from Chrysostom (c. 347-407 A.D.): For by saying, "You are the salt of the earth," Jesus signifies that all human nature itself has "lost its taste," having become rotten through sin. For this reason, you see, he requires from his disciples those character traits that are most necessary and useful for the benefit of all. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 15.6.

Freiday Devotional

2008-09-19T12:06:00.002-05:00

Running a 10k called Life

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Exposition
This passage applies well to the Christian life. But more particularly, I find it applies well to the 10k run that Amy and I will be participating in tomorrow morning. In the previous chapter, the author of Hebrews has discussed the many Old Testament figures that ran a good race of faith. Now, these Old Testament witnesses are cheering us along in our Christian life, just like the crowd will be cheering us runners on at the race.

Like any race or athletic event, there is some preparation required. This preparation gets us physically ready for the event so that we may play at our best. The author of Hebrews calls us to do the same in life when he says to "lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us." In other words, exercise your spiritual muscles. How do we do this? We accomplish this by reading the Word of God; attending church; having an accountability partner, etc. This is not easy, nor is any other exercise, but it is necessary to the well being of the Christian life. I admit that I have not exercised enough for the race tomorrow, so I will be sore and tired. But, I hope that my walk/run with Christ is not of the same caliber as my run tomorrow.

The author exhorts us to "run with endurance." This will be difficult tomorrow as I am huffing and puffing, but I will endure to the end. In the race of life, there will be hurdles, struggles, and side-aches, yet we are called to continue. We must not give up, for Christ never gave up. The author of Hebrews makes this apparent when he says "fix your eyes on Jesus."
By keeping our eyes on Jesus, we are less likely to be distracted by what's going on around us. And He will encourage us to the finish line.

Jesus finished His race with excellence. I will not be able to say that of the race tomorrow, nor of my life. But I will be rewarded with prizes tomorrow just for participating in the race. The prizes won't be anything like Jesus received: sitting at the "right hand of the throne of God." Our Christian race ends at the throne of God. It is there that we will meet our maker and worship Him forever. Our prize is eternal life for our faith in Christ.So, lets keep running.

Application
How is your race going? Are you running/walking with endurance? Are you exercising by reading God's word; going to church; praying, etc? Or have you been lazy and sleeping in on Sundays, watching too much TV, etc? Have you taken your eyes off of Jesus and been distracted by other things/people in life? What do you need to do to get back into the race? How can others encourage you in your run/walk with Christ? Let those around you know what you need, otherwise they cannot help.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2008-08-22T17:05:00.003-05:00

One Year of Marriage

As many of you know, Amy and I celebrated our one year anniversary last week. It is hard to believe it's been one year already. My fellow friends that have recently been married kept telling me how fast the first year goes by. Guess what, they were not lying. This first year of marriage just flew by like a rocket to the moon.

Another comment made by several of my friends was that they have come to realize just how selfish they were before (and during) being married. I did not think much of these comments, as I considered myself to be pretty selfless. I was always willing to help a friend. And I really did not exert my opinion on too many things and just went with the flow. However, this truth has made itself know through the first year of marriage. I have come to realize just how selfish I am. I do not always want to walk the dog, take out the trash, unload the dishwasher, etc., especially if I'm doing homework, playing video games, or watching a favorite TV show. I want new books, videos, cds, and any other techy-gadget. But I must ask myself during those times, is this an attitude of love? Am I truly loving Amy by having this selfish attitude?

I am reminded of Ephesians 5:25 where Paul states, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her...." We husbands are to love our wives, which seems like a "no-brainer," but as you and I well know that is not always the easiest thing to do. Yet, Paul exhorts us to love our wives. He does not give any conditions when it is alright to not love. In fact, he does just the opposite and calls husbands to follow in the likeness of Christ. Christ loves His church as exemplified by His sacrifice on the cross. He gave His life so that those of us who are part of His church may have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Our love is not based on selfishness, but on selflessness. Christ put the church before Himself. As husbands, we are called to do the same for our wives. Our love should be a sacrificial love. That is my prayer every night, that I would love Amy as Christ loves His church.

This sacrificial love has not been easy to learn. It does not come naturally to me, or to anyone. Yet, that is what Christ has called us to. And for the wives that may be reading this, do not think for a moment that you are exempt from this. For just a few verses later Paul writes, "and the wife must respect her husband" (v. 33). Note again, that Paul does not leave any wiggle room. Wives are to respect their husband to the same extent that husbands are to love their wives. Funny how that all circles 'round.

So...how are you treating your wife/husband? What can you do differently to show your love/respect? What should you do differently to show your love/respect? What, if anything, has taken the place of the love/respect for your wife/husband? How can you fix that?

May God's peace and love be upon you.

A Vote for Obama?

2008-08-13T09:53:00.002-05:00

Freiday Devotional

2008-08-01T17:03:00.003-05:00

So You've had a Bad Day

Earlier today I was reminded of a song by the O.C. Supertones entitled "Jury Duty." The song describes one bad day in the life of the singer as he has to be up early for jury duty; gets stuck in traffic; his car stalls out; and he forgets his sister's birthday. Definitely not a good day for him. Well, my day was not as bad, but I could have done without some of it. My car did not stall out, but I did leave the garage-opener in the car, which was of course in the garage. So, I got to work late. While at work, I stamped the wrong date on the due-date-cards. So, I had to go through and stamp them all over again. And to top things off, my foot is swelling and itchy from an ant bite that I received yesterday. As I told my manager at work, "This is Friday! Things like this should happen on Mondays."

I'm sure we can all commiserate about certain days that we'd like to forget, or perhaps even call "do-over!" But, that's not possible and we must continue through with the day we have been handed. The great king of Israel, David, had his fair share of bad days, too. Many of which he expressed in a psalm, such as Psalm 13:

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,
And my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.

As one can tell by the words of this Psalm, David was in much distress. He felt that God had forgotten him or was intentionally hiding from him. Because he was not hearing from God, he had to resort to looking inside himself, to his own reason. This, he felt was inadequate. He pleads with God to answer his cries or he will be depressed to the point of death. If that wasn't enough torture, David's enemies were taunting him. If God did not answer, David thought his enemies would be victorious over him. This victory would put David to shame, and in David's mind, God as well.

However bleek it looked for David, he managed to find comfort and solace in remembering God's loyal love. He remembered the past times when God had vindicated him from his enemies. He remembered the saving grace of God's hand. And because of this, he was able to sing praises to the Lord.

So...
How do you handle the tough times in life? Do you moan and gripe to others? Or do you sing praises to the Lord? What troubling issues are you dealing with that you just need to lay before the throne of God? What good things has God done for you recently? What has He done for you in the past? What good things can you focus on during the bad day?

When we have troublesome days, we should focus on the good in life. For God is loving and gracious, and we often quickly forget this when things don't go our way. At those times it may seem like God is far off, but could it be that we are far off from God? Instead of shaking our fists at Him, maybe we should try reaching for Him. For as James 4:8 declares: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

The refrain in the song "Jury Duty" goes on to say: "You know I haven’t had the best of days, but I want to stop and thank you anyway." And with that in mind, may we give thanks for each day that God blesses us with.

PS: In case you were wondering how I got to work today, my lovely and extremely gracious wife left work for a brief moment to come home and open the garage for me. I thank God for her!

Creative Liberty

2008-07-23T17:18:00.002-05:00

How much creative liberty should be granted to Christian authors? Or more particularly to the genre of Christian fiction?

"The Shack" by William P. Young has been making the rounds among Christians for several months now. Depending on who you talk to, people either love it or hate it. Those that love it claim that the book helped strengthen their faith. Or it opened their eyes/mind to see God in a different way. Those that hate it see the heretical theology in the story. But should one hate a book because it is not necessarily theologically correct? After all, it is a fictional book. So, doesn't the author have the right to take liberty with his/her portrayal of God? Of the Church? Of the Atonement?

It is my opinion that Christian authors have creative liberty in so far as they do not meddle with the tenants of the Christian faith as prescribed by the Christian creeds (i.e. Nicene, Chalcedon, etc). Therefore, Young is free to write a murder mystery. However, he is not free to redifine the Trinity. Take liberty in the setting, plot, and characters, but leave the Christian tenants of faith alone. Once, one starts to meddle with the tenants, they leave the reader and themselves open to heresy. And Lord knows, we've got enough of that going around already.

Freiday Devotional

2008-07-19T09:23:00.001-05:00

Passage: For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Exposition: This passage reminds me of a story that one of the Profs at DTS likes to tell to the new students in his Bible Study Methods course. It goes something like this: "I met a lady once who informed me that she had read through the Bible 30 times. I said, 'Great! But how many times has the Bible been through you?'"

Now, I don't know how many of us could say that we've read through the Bible 30 times, let alone once. But when was the last time you let the Bible, God's Word, speak to you? As the author of Hebrews points out, God's word is "living" and "active." This is not to say that the Bible is going to run a marathon or blow you a kiss. But it is saying, that God's Word has the power to change lives, and it is in the process of doing so. If we would all spend more time in God's Word, we would see our lives change, and the lives of those around us.

The author of Hebrews not only describes the Word of God as "living" and "active," but as a "two-edged sword." This sword is not only sharp, but sharper than any other sword. This metaphor conjures up images of God's judgment, and that is what the author is talking about. Many people view this passage as proclaiming judgment on unbelievers, however, given the context (vv. 11-15), this passage is talking to believers. So, Christians will be judged by God's word. This is not a judgment unto hell or heaven, but of spiritual rewards.

This judgment, as illustrated by the sword, pierces deep into the person. The "soul and spirit" and "joint and marrow" illustrate the depth and severity of God's judgment. His Word is able to judge the smallest difference between what is spiritual and what is natural. Beyond that, it is able to judge the "thoughts and intentions of the heart." Therefore, God knows every conscious or subconscious thought one has had, whether for good or evil. There is no bluffing with God; no secrets hid from Him.

Therefore, shouldn't we all spend a little more time with God? Perhaps reading through that He has given us? As stated earlier, God's Word has the power to change lives, so I ask, is it changing yours? If it's not, why not? What could you do differently?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your word, which guides us and leads us into truth and righteousness. We thank You for the sacrifice of Christ, that we may have a restored relationship with You through Him. Now, we ask that You help us get into Your word, that we may know and love You all the more. May Your Holy Spirit teach us and instruct us in the ways of holy living. In Jesus' name and by the Spirit we prayer, Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2008-06-27T16:37:00.002-05:00

Believing in the Unseen

I am currently reading through Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion, in which he tries to assert, like many New Atheists, that God does not exist. I have not finished the book yet, but so far I do not find his claims all that convincing, in fact they are nothing new. It's kind of like getting a used car with a new paint job. The old stuff is still inside, barely working, but the outside looks great and flashy. In Dawkins' case, he repeats many of the old charges against religion, and Christianity in particular, that people of his caliber have done since the Enlightment of the Eighteenth Century.

At the outset, Dawkins stated: "If this book works as I intend, religious readers who open it will be atheists when they put it down." What sets Dawkins apart from previous atheists, is his vitriolic approach to religion. Take for example this opening line: "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser;a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully." That sure is a mouthful, and a dirty one at that. It is a shame that that is all Dawkins sees when he sees the God the Bible. Notice, he does not mention any positives: loving, kind, generous, just, faithful, patient, peaceful, gentle, forgiving, righteous, holy, etc. Perhaps, if he would allow himself to see these attributes of God, he would be a believer, or at least sympathetic to theism in particular, and religion in general.

However, that is not the case as it rests today. So my question to you is, how strong is your faith? If someone like Dawkins, or just a co-worker, asked you why do you believe in an unseen (and presumably unknowable) God? What would you tell them? I, myself, being a seminary student, will often wrestle with my faith, and the knowability of God. If you commiserate with me on this issue, then may I suggest two passages of Scripture that I always fall back on when I feel overwhelmed by uncertainty.

The first passage is Romans 1:20, which states: "For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes– his eternal power and divine nature– have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse." In this passage, Paul asserts that nature testifies to the existence and supremacy of God. Therefore, all one needs to do is take a close look at nature to see proof of God's existence. There are many scientists -- biologists, physicists, astronomers, etc -- that believe in God because they see his handiwork in what they study, namely creation. This should provide some consolation for the doubt we may experience as we traverse this world; knowing that people studying the created world can see the handiwork of God, and do not prop it up to evolution.

The second passage is from 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, where Paul says: "For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received– that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep." I believe, like Paul, that Jesus was raised from the dead after being crucified and buried. The interesting thing in this passage, besides the resurrection of Christ, is that there were numerous witness to verify this account. If what the Apostles were preaching was untrue then there would have been more than enough witnesses to testify against them. But, that is not the case, as no one has been able to refute the resurrection of Christ no matter how hard they try. They still cannot produce a body.

Therefore, even though I may go through periods of doubt, it is reassuring to know that my faith rests, not on the presupposition of an atheist, but on the indisputable fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as testified by numerous witnesses. So, may I encourage you, if you are going through a period(s) of doubt, read Romans and 1 Corinthians 15, and the Gospels. May you find the risen Christ there!

Are We Really Post-Modern?

2008-06-25T20:46:00.001-05:00

In the most recent Christianity Today (July 2008), there is an article by William Lane Craig on the state of Christianity vs. the New Atheism. The article is more or less a rehashing of Christian philosophical proofs of the existence of God, but in truncated form. It is a good summary of the proofs, but nothing new is really stated or asserted. However, Craig does make one claim that I thought was interesting, and had never really considered until now.

His claim is that America, and the Western world in general, is more "post-Christian" than "post-Modern." He asserts that our culture is more ingrained in modernism than we care to think. He asserts that we are post-moderns in the sense of morals and ethics, but everything else is deeply modern, since we still require verification of any truth claim made. We are however, living in a post-Christian era as our culture becomes more and more secularized.

This seems to make sense. It just seems odd since there is a lot of literature out there that talks about the state of our post-Modern culture, and just assumes or takes for granted this notion of living in a post-Modern world.

I am still thinking this one through, but I was curious as to what you all thought about this? Are we only post-Modern in our morals and ethics? Or does post-Modernity stretch beyond that realm?

Freiday Devotional

2008-06-21T08:23:00.000-05:00

How Big is Your Christ?

Passage: Then I saw heaven opened and here came a white horse! The one riding it was called "Faithful" and "True," and with justice he judges and goes to war. His eyes are like a fiery flame and there are many diadem crowns on his head. He has a name written that no one knows except himself. He is dressed in clothing dipped in blood, and he is called the Word of God. The armies that are in heaven, dressed in white, clean, fine linen, were following him on white horses. From his mouth extends a sharp sword, so that with it he can strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod, and he stomps the winepress of the furious wrath of God, the All-Powerful. He has a name written on his clothing and on his thigh: "King of kings and Lord of lords." (Rev 19:11-16; NET)

Exposition: In the previous section (Rev 19:6-10), we get a picture of the wedding feast where the church is united with Christ. From the image of Jesus as the Bridegroom, we then move to an image of Christ as a warrior. John sees a vision of heaven opening up, and Christ riding on a white horse. As many of you may already know, in the ancient days, the horse was a symbol of power and war. Therefore, when Christ entered Jerusalem before his crucifixion, he road on a donkey for he was not bringing war at that time, but redemption. However, in this image, Christ is seen as the powerful judge as he rides to war against his enemies. "His eyes like a fiery flame" describe his ability to pierce through the sin of humanity and individuals. There is no escaping him. The crowns upon his head indicate his authority. Christ has been given all authority as judge and ruler.

It us unclear as to what the unknown name is referring to. It does not seem to indicate that we will never know what the name is. Instead, it could be that John was not privy to this name, but that we will find out at the Second Coming. His blood soaked clothing is quite disturbing, given the image of Jesus in the Gospels. In their portrayal, Jesus was not a warrior; quite the contrast compared to this last book of the New Testament. Jesus does not come alone, but is followed by an army. It does not appear that these soldiers are angelic beings, but probably human beings. Their dress is quite similar to that of the Lamb's bride in v. 8.

Jesus used the power of words during his life on earth. The image of the sword protruding from his mouth indicates his ability to slay with the power of his word. He will bring judgment upon his enemies by his word. What he speaks will not be comforting to those on the wrong side. Christ will not be moved by the cries and pleas. As the "iron rod" indicates, Jesus will stand firm in his duty and judgment. There will be no appeal, only sentence. The stomping of the winepress is an image from Isaiah 63, where God judges Edom by stomping on the people and having their blood splash on his robe (not the typical image of our all-loving God!).

This section ends by John reasserting the kingship of Jesus. He is King of Kings. There is none higher than him; none more powerful than him; and none more righteous than him. He is Lord!
As a side note: For those of you that are against tatoos, notice that Christ has a tatoo on his thigh. Hmmm...

With all that said, what is your perspective of Christ? Is Jesus just meek and mild to you? Or does he encompass more than that? Is he the redeemer and warrior? The Jews were expecting a warrior; the world got a redeemer. Christians got a redeemer; but are we expecting a warrior? Also, who's side are you on? Christ's? Or...?

Prayer: God: Give us a deeper trust, that we may lose ourselves-to find ourselves in you, the ground of our rest, the spring of our being. Give us a deeper knowledge of yourself as Saviour, Master, Lord, and King. Give us deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in your Word, a more steadfast grip on its truth. Give us deeper holiness in speech, thought, and action; and let us not seek moral virtue apart from you. We have no master but you, no law but your will, no delight but yourself, no wealth but that which you give, no good but that which you bless, no peace but that which you bestow. We are nothing apart from what you make us. We have nothing apart from what we receive from you. We can be nothing apart from your grace which adorns us. Quarry us deep, dear Lord, and then fill us to the point that we overflow with living water. (A Puritan Prayer).

Freiday Devotional

2008-06-14T08:33:00.001-05:00

Romans 7:18-20: I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-- this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. (Romans 7:18-20; NIV)

Exposition: As with nearly every passage of the Bible, there are differences of opinion when it comes to interpreting this passage. It lies within the context of Paul's discussion on the law; typically understood as the Mosaic Law. So questions have been raised what Paul is asserting. Is he claiming that this experience is something that only Jews experience under the law? Did Paul write this as a flashback concerning his pre-Christian years? Is it just a personal experience that Paul has after his conversion to Christianity? Or is it something that all Christians experience in their walk with Christ? For our purposes today, we will follow the line of thinking concerned with this last question.

It would be no surprise, as Christians, that we are able to commiserate with Paul about his experience with wanting to do good and not doing it. As he states, the problem arises from the lack of good that "lives in me." This assertion is known in the theological realm as "total depravity." It is the belief that, as humans, from birth we are utterly sinful creatures, hell-bent against our Creator. This theological belief was propounded by Augustine (335-430 A.D.) against Pelagius (354-ca. 420 A.D.), and picked up again in the 16th century by the Reformers, esp. Calvin & Luther.

This depravity keeps us from doing the good that we desire to do as Christians. That is why we are in desperate need of help from the Holy Spirit. It is by God's grace through the Spirit that we are able to do anything good. When Paul says, "I cannot carry it out," he proclaims that he is unable to do good by the power of his own strength. When we rely on our own strength, is when we do the evil we do not want to do.

(Remember the last time you were tempted? Did you try to confront that temptation on your own? How did you fair? Or did you say a prayer to God for His strength to see you through? I know the good that I am supposed to do when tempted. But if I meet that temptation head on, without seeking God's help, is when I lose the fight.)

Paul makes a slight dichotomy of himself in the last phrase. He asserts that it is not him, as a Christian, but the sin that still dwells in him that causes him to do evil. This dichotomy is slightly unusual for Paul, as he typically views the person as a single whole. However, for his purposes here, and for emphasis, he asserts this dichotomy to show the struggle that Christians still have after conversion and through their sanctification.

This passage may be of some comfort for us as we continue our walk with Christ, knowing that one of our greatest Christian leaders struggled just as we do today. However, let us not take too much comfort, for Paul and Christ do not want us to stay where we are, continuing in our sin. Instead, let us seek help from the Holy Spirit to enable us to do the good that we desire and are called to do.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we give you thanks for helping us to do good by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Without His help, we would not be able to do the good that is required of us or that we desire to do. We are ever grateful for the grace bestowed upon us through our faith in Christ. For it is by this grace, that we are able to love our neighbors as ourselves. Help us, Father, in our efforts to do good. May you lessen the sin in our lives, and elevate the good, so that You may be honored and glorified. In Jesus name and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2008-06-07T13:27:00.003-05:00

John 1:14a: "And the Word became flesh..."

This is a familiar passage to most, if not all of us. However, have you ever really sat back and just thought about what that statement means? Did you realize that this statement, as simple as it is, is chalked-full of meaning?

Take, for example, the term "Word." What do you think of when you see that term? Do you think of Jesus Christ as the true God-man? Or are you like Arius (ca. A.D. 250-335), who thought that Jesus was a creature--the first created being of the universe? Be careful, for if you agree with Arius, you are treading into heresy. For Arius and his teachings were condemned at the Council of Nicea (A.D. 325). As John 1:1 asserts, the Word is divine. Therefore, it had no beginning; it always existed.

Now proceed to the following word, "became." What do you make of this term? Do you agree with Apollinarius, another heretic, that Jesus merely indwelt a human body (kind of like an astronaut in a space-suit)? Or perhaps, you follow in line the with Docetists, who believed Jesus only appeared to be human (another heresy!)? The term "became" denotes a change in the subject that it was not before. Therefore, Jesus, being fully God, changed into a human, which He was not before. He left what was truly His, to become truly like we are, except without sin.

And as for the word "flesh," what do you think of? Do you think that the divine Logos and human flesh retained their separate identities as the Nestorians (more heretics) believed? Or do you agree with Chalcedon that the flesh and divine were combined into one person, Jesus Christ? Flesh does not just denote the outer layer of skin, but here it gathers together all that a person is; it consists of the meatiness, soul, and reason of a person. Therefore, Jesus was truly human, as much as, you and I are.

By these three words, John was able to describe the incarnation succinctly. But the question still remains: What are you going to believe? Are you going to believe as the heretics? Or are you going to see Jesus for who he really is--the God-man?

Prayer: Holy Father, thank you for the incarnation of Your Son, Jesus Christ. For by becoming like we are, He was able to experience all that we experience as humans, yet He did not sin. Father, help us to be like Christ. Help us to be human, and to live as humans free from the bondage of sin. We thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus upon the cross, that we may have life eternally. Now, help us to live in that life, refreshed and renewed, and able to love You and neighbor more completely. In Jesus name, and by the Spirit, we pray. Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2007-12-07T16:23:00.000-06:00

1 Peter 1:22-25
Scripture: You have purified your souls by obeying the truth in order to show sincere mutual love. So love one another earnestly from a pure heart. 23 You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off, 25 but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you. (NET)

Exposition: Peter starts off by talking about the believer's purification, which occurred at conversion when the convert obeyed "the truth." The "truth" most likely is a reference to the gospel. They were purified when they accepted the truth of the gospel and put their faith/trust in Christ. In so doing this, they exhibit "sincere mutual love." The term "sincere" has the force of being "unhypocritical." Our love is to be like a two way street. There should be none of this "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." It should flow freely among God's people. Peter urges believers to exhibit this love from a "pure heart" -- a heart that is clean, undefiled, and has the best of intentions for its brothers and sisters in Christ.

Peter affirms the regeneration of the believers: "You have been born anew" (cf. John 3:3). Again, this new birth is due to the person trusting in Jesus. Peter draws on the theme of perishable and imperishable again when he talks about the seed. He uses the seed as a metaphor for the "word of God." We see this metaphor of the seed else where in the NT, as in Matthew 13:20 and Luke 8:11. The word of God is like a seed in that when it is planted it grows. When a person takes hold of God's word, he is changed from the inside out. He grows more and more into the image of Christ. However, unlike a seed that perishes, the word of God will continue to grow.

Peter uses a quote from Isaiah 40:6-8. "All flesh" refers to humanity. So, all humanity is like grass in that we are numerous. And the flower is our "glory," basically what we've accomplished as a race. And like grass, humans are frail and eventually die (whither) and in death humanity's glory fades. However, that is not the case for the word of God. Nope, God's word will "endure forever." It never goes out of fashion and is always relevant. This word of God that never ends is the same that was preached to Peter's audience and to us!

Application: How are you treating your family and neighbors? Are you showing love or being hypocritical in what you say and do? What do you need to do differently to show love to them? Have you responded to God's word? How has His word changed your life? Or has it? If not, what do you think the problem is?

Prayer: Holy God, we thank you for Your word that is able to change lives. Your word is a spring of life giving water if only we would drink from it. Make us thirsty for Your word, so that we may know You more. We thank you that we are able to freely read of Your word without fear of persecution. But we ask that You be with our brothers and sisters throughout the world that are not as privileged as we are. Father, grant peace and strength to those in persecuted countries. May Your word sustain them. May Your Spirit comfort them. And ultimately, may Your Son save them. In Jesus name and by Your Spirit we pray. Amen.

Charge My Carbon Credit

2007-11-01T21:07:00.000-05:00

With all the people that are in debt because of credit cards, I don't think we need another "credit" to intice spending by Americans. Granted, this "carbon credit" is a different type of credit, but still, you're spending money on something that does not exist in hopes of countering global warming. Instead of buying more credit, why not take that money and get out of debt.

Now, I'm all for saving the planet. Well, at least being good stewards of what God has set us in charge of. I don't think we can actually save the planet, because there are too many forces bigger than us to contend with. And given our track record of trying to fix things, I think we'd only make it worse. I think "carbon credits" are right up that alley of making things worse.

How in the world is purchasing "carbon credits" going to save the planet? Let's see, a company purchases carbon credits to "offset" their carbon emission. This money then goes to "evironmental education (indoctrination)" or planting more trees. However, nothing is actually done about the output of CO2 by the company. So, even though more trees are being planted the amount of CO2 being pumped into the atmosphere remains the same, if not more. It seems best to me that the money spent on carbon credits could have been spent to upgrade the machinery at the company in order to produce less emissions.

Why not put the money into something that is actually going to benefit the company and the world? So, save your money and spend it wisely, which is not in carbon credits.

Freiday Devotional

2007-10-26T14:13:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 1:17-21

Scripture: If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 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. (NASB)

Exposition: Peter begins this section with an "if" clause. Now, if I may get a little technical on you, this is a first class conditional clause, which basically means that the premise (You address as Father...) is assumed to be true for the sake of argument. So, he's basically stating that his audience does address "as Father the One who impartially judges...." Here we get a glimpse of God's character as one who judges. And unlike human judges, who may be influenced by prejudices, bribes, religion, politics, etc, God is not influenced by such things. Instead, He is impartial in his judgments. This means that our works will be judged on their merit alone. We are unable to persuade in any fashion the judgment that God will bestow. It is up to His own judgment what the reward/punishment of our work will be.

The reasonable conclusion of this "if" clause is that we will conduct ourselves in "fear during the time of your stay on earth." Peter is basically saying, "If you believe the premise (which you do!), then do the following." The "fear" that Peter speaks of is not just an emotion of being afraid, but a holy reverence and trembling that comes from being in the presence of God. Our conduct should be such that we are ever concious of God's coming judgment, and with regard to that, our behaviour should be of the utmost quality (see v. 16). Our stay on earth is only temporary, so we must make the best of the time that God has given us.

The fact that God judges should not be the only factor influencing our conduct, but our knowledge of redemption should be a factor as well. Our conduct should also be based on our "knowing" that redemption was paid, not by gold and silver, but by the blood of Christ. The term "redemeemed" has the force of "ransom" or "paying a ransom to someone." In this sense, our redemption was paid for by Christ. Christ's blood is by far more precious than the metals of silver and gold. Just like today, these precious metals had monetary value in the biblical times, but Peter reminds us that the blood of Christ far suprasses the value of these metals. These metals will perish over time, but the blood of Christ never loses its value. The redemption paid for by Christ's blood bought us out of our "futile way of life." We were powerless living in a state of sin, but Christ's blood bought us out of a state of sin that was inherited from previous generations (all the way back to Adam).

Peter ends this section with a statement concerning the theology of Christ (Christology). He affirms the eternality of Christ in that He was before the world began. Christ has always existed as part of the Trinity. There never was a time when He was not. But, He made Himself physically known to the world at His incarnation and following ministry. This manifestation of Christ was for our sake, and the disciples', and all believers' every where. We are able to "trust in God" because of what Christ did for us. He died on a tree and shed is own blood in order that we may have eternal life. In return for such obedience, God raised Christ "from the dead and gave Him glory." Because of what Christ did for us (redeeming us), and what God did for Christ (resurrecting him), we can put our hope and trust in God. God was faithful to Christ, therefore, our hope and trust are not futile since He will be faithful to us as well.

Application: Salvation is secure in God because of what Christ did for us. However, our conduct should reflect the price that was paid for our redemption. Does your behaviour show your appreciation for Christ's payment? Do you take seriously the blood of Christ? Or do you use it as an excuse to sin all the more?

Prayer: Most holy Father, you deserve our reverence, worship, and praise because You have redeemed us by the blood of Your Son, who is far more precious than gold or silver. Help us in our faith, that we may look up on Jesus' blood as being more precious than these metals. Help us in our unbelief and insecurity. God, we desire to do good and live in righteousness, but we need Your help and grace and doing so. Our conduct is so unbecoming at times it is a disgrace to even be considered part of Your family. But, we have faith that you will judge us according to Your good will, and that our salvation is secured in Christ who redeemed us from sin. God help us to love You and one another. It is in Jesus name and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2007-08-31T14:56:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 1:13-16
Scripture: 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." (NASB)

Exposition: In the previous section, Peter was concerned with Christians having a right perspective. In the proceeding section, Peter's focus is on right living. "Therefore" connects this current section (vv. 13-25) with the previous one (vv. 3-12). Peter is basically saying, because we now have a right perspective of salvation, especially concerning hope, we are now to walk (live) in holiness, love, and reverence.
His readers are to "gird up their loins," which basically means "roll up your sleeves" in our culture, and take hold of these following attitudes as a means of Christian living. To have a sober spirit, describes a Christian who is in full control of themselves. This includes their speech, actions, and thoughts. They are not to let the lusts of the flesh (sin nature) rule their lives. Christians are to live with an unwavering hope. This hope is grounded in the return of Christ. Peter is basically saying to his readers at that time to endure the persecution with sound judgment, in full control of yourself, and in the hope of Christ's return.

As part of Christian living, we are to be obedient to God as children are (should be) to their parents, only better. Peter exhorts his readers to stay clear of their "former lusts," for that is not in accordance with obedience. It is not stated, but Peter assumes that these readers have been transformed by Christ, for he states the reversal of such an action when he says, "do not be conformed." To be conformed to their former lusts, would imply that they have already been transformed from such lusts. These "former lusts" were part of their habits before they came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, which replaces their previous ignorance.

To emphasize his call to holy living, Peter focuses on God's holiness. Holy means that something/someone is set apart from sin to God. Our behavior should reflect our standing with God. If one claims to be Christian, their behavior should reflect such a claim. In their behavior, they should strive for holiness and not sin. Peter backs up his call to holy living with Scripture when he quotes Leviticus 11:44: " YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." What other imperative does Peter need to give for his readers to live holy lives? God has blatantly stated it right there.

Application: What areas of your life are not holy? How are you still living in ignorance? Are you in control of yourself (i.e. speech, thoughts, actions)? Are you being obedient to God's call on your life? What do you need to do to live a holy life? What does God need to do for/through you so that you are able to live a holy life?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are such a holy God that we will never be able to accomplish what You ask of us. And for that reason, we are grateful that You have provided a means of holiness for us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Help us in our endeavors to walk according to Your desires. Help us to be obedient to Your will and not live in ignorance of Your grace. You have called us to be holy, and only by You can we be as You desire. May Your desires be the desires of our hearts as well. Grant us the strength, wisdom, and grace to live according to Your Word. In the name of Jesus, and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2007-08-23T22:30:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 1:10-12
Scripture: 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look. (NASB)

Exposition: This salvation that Peter has been discussing was prophesied by the prophets in the Old Testament. These prophets prophesied that Christ would suffer and be glorified ( e.g. Isa 61:1-3). However, they were not sure how to put the suffering and glorification together. That is why many of the Jews during Jesus' time (and today) missed the mark. They expected Messiah to be glorified, but not to suffer. That was beyond their understanding. This is evident when Peter says that the prophets "made careful searches and inquiries." The prophets searched the scriptures to understand this paradox, but were unable to obtain any understanding. Only after the resurrection of Jesus is one able to comprehend the suffering and glorification of Christ, and then not completely.

Just like many Christians today try to understand the timing of Christ's return, the Old Testament prophets sought to know the timing of Messiah's arrival. Even though the prophets had the Spirit of Christ in them, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit, they still were not privy to the exact times and events, only that these things were going to happen. Take notice, too, that here we have a distinction between the Divine author and his human writers. The Holy Spirit was doing the indicating and predicting; the prophets were writing these revelations down. This is known as "inspiration." The prophets were penning what was being revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. The prophets did not fully comprehend what they were writing, and thus sought to know the "person or time" and "sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow."

The prophets knew that what they were seeing and writing down was not only for them. The revelations they were receiving would be partly fulfilled in their time, but more importantly in the future. The same is for Peter; not all of the revelations had been fulfilled in his day. The suffering of Christ happend, but the glorification was not and is not complete. That is still a future event, one that we await with anticipation. We, however, are not the only ones awaiting the fulfillment of revelation, for we are joined by angels. They, too, are mystified by the grace of God and are waiting to see how it all plays out in the end.

Application: The grace of God is a deep mystery. The prophets of old prophesied about it, yet did not understand it. The angels, who have direct access to God, are completely mystified by His grace. How much more should we be in awe? Let us search the Scriptures to gain a better understanding of grace, but more importantly a deeper love for the One who provides that grace. Let us praise God for his grace. Let us join with the angels declaring: "Holy, holy, holy, is The Lord God, the Almighty, Who Was and Who Is and Who Is To Come" (Rev 4:8).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are abounding with grace. We don't always understand grace, but are thankful that You grant it to us through our faith in Jesus Christ. May You help us in understanding Your revelations, not that we may predict upcoming events, but so that we may fall ever more in love with You. You inspired men of old to write down Your word, and we thank you that we are able to access Your word still today. May You continue to lift us up in order that we may praise, glorify, and honor You. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.

The Plunge

2007-08-23T22:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I am no longer a "husband-to-be," but am now just a husband. Yep, Amy and I were married on August 12th, at 2:00pm. It was a great ceremony with family and friends there to witness the union. Our pastor did a great job leading the ceremony, and the Cappella Court staff did a great job setting things up and serving. We could not have asked for a better place to have the wedding and people to attend the service.

For the honeymoon, Amy and I headed south of the border to Rivieria Maya. It is just south of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula. The weather was great. It rained almost every day, but just for a couple of minutes and then the sky would clear. The resort was great. We stayed at the Secrets Capri all-inclusive resort. I found the all-inclusive resort to be a great way to vacation. I would totally recommend the resort and the Rivieria Maya to anyone looking to do a vacation.

We did get away from the resort for a little while. We took an excursion to Chichen Itza (above picture), which is one of the several Mayan ruins that you can visit. It was a scorching hot day with little wind, but the ruins were well worth the heat and the 2.5 hour drive from the resort. After walking around the ruins with our guide, as part of our tour package, we were able to take a dip in an underground spring. The water was refreshing after a hot afternoon, but it did take some getting used to --it was cold!

All in all, it was a great vacation. We could have stayed longer, but alas, duty calls and we had to come back to Dallas. Now, we are just looking forward to getting the apartment in order, which has been a grueling endeavor. But, we'll manage to find a place for everything. We're looking forward to a lifetime together. And I could not have asked for a better wife than Amy. :)

Freiday Devotional

2007-08-03T11:01:00.000-05:00

1 Peter 1:3-9
Scripture: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (NASB)

Exposition: "Blessed" can also be understood as "praise" to our God and Father. It is right for us to praise God, for as Peter illuminates, it is by His mercy that we have been born again. Our rebirth comes with a certain hope that is only made possible by the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. As Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 15, our faith is futile if Christ was not raised from the dead. In a similar way, our hope is in vain if Christ was not raised from the dead.

God's great mercy has not only given us hope and rebirth, but also an inheritance. Just like the Jews of the Old Testament waited on the Lord to fulfill their inheritance of the Promised Land, we Christians are awaiting our inheritance, namely Christ himself. But unlike the Promised Land, which is subject to loss and decay, our inheritance is "imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away." This is because our inheritance is not subject to the atrocities of this world, but is stored safely in the realms of heaven.
Peter tells us, not only is our inheritance protected but we Christians are as well, by God's power. It is our initial faith that grants us salvation and eventually an inheritance. It is God's power that keeps us saved, not our own. In essence, it is through His faithfulness that we can have assurance of salvation, not our faithfulness. For, we know how unfaithful we can be, but this has no effect on God's faithfulness towards us. Our salvation that is "revealed in the last time" refers to our glorification. This is the finalization of our salvation. We will be glorified at our death or the Rapture, which ever comes first.

Before this glorification can take place, we will go through many trials. This is nothing new, just the truth of the matter. We live in a world that is plagued by sin, hardship, and evil. And as such, we will endure such things until Christ returns. However, inspite of such trials we are able to rejoice, for we know that our salvation is in Christ and not of this world. We rejoice for our inheritance is sercured in heaven. We rejoice for we know the future will be a bright place, beyond the darkness of this world. Persecution may/will come and Peter encourages us to remember the hope that he has just talked about.

These trials that Peter is concerned with are means of testing our faith. The testing is a means of purification. Just like fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith. The trials display the measure of faith and where it truly lies. Peter goes on to illustrate that our faith is more important than gold, for it (faith) leads to eternal life. Our faith is proved genuine when we are able to give praise, glory, and honor to God, and especially when Christ returns.

We are able to rejoice because we have hope, faith, and love. However, our rejoicing will be magnified when we come into the presence of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Through these trials, along with faith, hope, and love, we will obtain salvation. The term for "souls" literally refers to the whole person, not just the spiritual aspect. Peter tells us that at the end of the trials our salvation will be complete; that our faith will be purified; and the whole person will be glorified. All of this accomplished through the grace of God as stated in v. 3.

Application: In what specific ways has God been merciful to you recently? How have you thanked God for his mercies? What are you holding on to in this life that you can't take with you when you die? Or what perishable items have taken the place of God in your life? Do you praise God when you're facing a trial, temptation, or persecution? In what ways can you express joy through your trials?

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, your mercies are great and wonderful. We thank you for your provision and protection in our lives. Without you evil would run wild through the world, but you have restrained it for a little while, and have placed your children under your protection. Although, we may not always understand the trials in our lives, we have faith that you will see us through. And we will praise your Name forever. For our inheritance is with you and not of this world. We thank you for the forgiveness of our sins through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is in His name and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.

Freiday Devotional

2007-07-27T16:40:00.000-05:00

I have decided to try something new. I have decided to send out a devotional on Fridays. Ideally, this will take place every week, however, as the new semester approaches this may not be feasible every week. In that case, I will try to send something out as consistently as possible as time, marriage, and assignments allow. This idea came about as my desire to read God's word has increased, and my realization that my desire was not being met (mostly because of apathy). So, I figured if I were to share my studies with family and friends, then that would force me to get into God's Word and create an excitement within me to share my findings with others. I hope and pray that through this my faith, love, and knowledge of God would increase and your's too.

I will start this experiment off in 1 Peter. I have picked this letter mainly because we will be going through it in our Sunday School class. I figured I could kill two birds with one stone this way, since I will be teaching portions of this letter during our Sunday hour over the next couple of months. Without further ado, lets dive in!

1 Peter

Background: As many of us know, Peter was an apostle of Jesus. He was among one of the twelve disciples, and within that group was one of the three in the inner-group. In the Gospels we get a picture of Peter as one that was hot tempered and a little on the slow side (but most of the disciples are portrayed that way). However, in this letter and in 2 Peter we see a different side of him. Here we get a glimpse of a more thoughtful and caring Peter. One that is concnered with Christians throughout the world (at that time the Roman Empire). We get to see that the crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus have made a mark on Peter. This letter reflects his theological contemplation, which undoubtedly came from a sincere love and appreciation for his Saviour. The letter is eschatologically focused, that is, it looks towards the end times. It is not necessarily stating what will happen, but calling on Christians to persevere and remain in the faith until the Day of the Lord comes.
This letter was most likely written in the A.D. 60's. There is dispute concerning the timing of Peter's death, but most scholars place it around A.D. 64. Peter was in Rome at this time awaiting martyrdom under the reign of Nero. As tradition tells us, Peter was crucified upside down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.

Scripture
1 Peter 1:1-2: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Exposition: Peter establishes his authority right from the beginning by claiming to be "an apostle of Jesus Christ." It is under this authority that he writes the letter to the aliens residing in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (these states comprise what is known as Asia Minor). The term "aliens" refers to their sojourning status. They are not originally residents of those areas as most of them are diaspora Jewish Christians. They were forced out of Jersusalem, and Israel at large, by the Romans. Despite their current position in foreign lands, these aliens can take solace in knowing that they are "chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." They are now part of God's community. They may be aliens in the world, but as we will see later, they have a place of their own in God's Kingdom.

"Sanctifying" refers to setting something or someone apart. These Christians were being set apart by the Spirit. They were distinct from the surrounding pagans due to the Spirits work in their lives. As the chosen ones, these Christians were to obey Jesus Christ and his teachings. The phrase, "sprinkled with His blood," most likely alludes to the Jewish ritual of sprinkling blood on people and objects in order to consecrate them for God's use. The sprinkling language, also, ties into the New Coventant which has come about by the blood of Christ. One who is figuratively sprinkled with the blood of Jesus receives cleansing and the same benefits that the priests and royal families receieved under the Old Covenant.

*Note that verse 2 points to the doctrine of the Trinity. All three persons of the Trinity( Father, Son, and Spirit) are present and each one appears to be equal in God-ness and yet distinct in function. *

Due to his recipients' condition (persecution), Peter prays that God would pour out His grace and especially His peace upon these Christians. They needed the "fullest measure" possible, which we will see why in the proceeding verses.

Application: In what ways do you feel like an alien in a foreign land? How can you show God that you are thankful for His choosing you to be apart of His family? In what areas of your life are you not obeying Christ? How can we as fellow believers help you in that area? How are you working against the sanctifying work of the Spirit?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your saving grace. Thank you that we are able to approach you through the work of your Son and by your Spirit. God look on us with favor and give us peace. We ask these things in the name of Jesus and by the Spirit. Amen.

Free Healthcare...Ha!

2007-07-24T14:21:00.000-05:00

Piggy-backing off of the last article, here are two articles concerning national health care which would be worth your time reading. One is by John Stossel about an interview he did with Michael Moore in preparation for a 20/20 segment. The other article is about Wisconsin's democratic plan for a state version of national health care. Take a read and be informed:

"Where Michael Moore is Wrong"

"Cheese Headcases"

Two Bad Ideas

2007-07-19T20:03:00.000-05:00

I saw an article the other day that said Hillary, Obama, and Edwards are pushing for national healthcare that would cover abortion procedures. I can't say that I'm surprised, but this does upset me for two reasons. One, I'm not for national healthcare. Yes, I think we do need to make changes to our health system, but I don't think higher taxes is the route to take. And second, with a system like they are proposing that would cover abortions, I can only see the number of abortions rising. That would not be a good thing.

I also don't think teaching kindergartners sex-ed is a benificial idea either, as Obama has claimed to be in favor of. I may be long removed from my days in kindergarten, but I do remember not having a clue about sex, and I was o.k. with that. What happened to the days that girls had coodies? And boys were gross? I personally think we need less government in the family, and allow families to do the education, especially when it comes to the "birds and the bees." Plus, I don't think kindergartners are mentally ready for their first dose of sex talk. There was a reason why Jewish families did not allow their sons and/or daughters to read the book Song of Solomon (also known as Song of Songs) until they were a certain age, and it's in the Bible! Now, I don't want our kids to be naive when it comes to sex, but lets leave that at least until they start hitting puberty.

Amazed by what?

2007-07-15T17:01:00.001-05:00

"AMAZED" by Lincoln Brewster

You dance over me while I am unaware
You sing all around but I never hear the sound

Lord I'm amazed by You
Lord I'm amazed by You
Lord I'm amazed by You
And how You love me

You paint the morning sky with miracles in mind
My hope will always stand
For You hold me in Your hand

How deep, how wide
How great is Your love for me

This song was sung today during our church service. It is a catchy tune, but I find it quite contradictory, at least in the first verse: how can one be amazed if they can't see one dancing or hear one singing? I don't mean any disrespect to Mr. Brewster, but seriously it makes no sense. It seems to me that our "evangelical" worship music has become too watered down. We are too focused on bringing people into the church with our upbeat tempos and guitars that we've forgotten the deep meaningful lyrics. It reminds me of the old commercial with the geriatric lady when she says, "Where's the beef?" There is none!

I don't think we're loving God with our music as He has commanded us: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matt 22:37). Where's the mind in today's contemporary worship music? Has it gone out to pasture? The point is we need to start focusing on what we say and less on how we say it. The heart and soul are present, so let's bring back the mind and actually think about who we're praising, worshipping, discribing, loving, lifting up, blessing, etc.

The Beginning

2007-07-14T15:43:00.000-05:00

Nothing of substance yet, but hopefully in the future something will come about.