Thirsting for God

David had a deep longing for God.  In Psalm 42 he describes the longing as that of a thirsty deer.  Yet,David’s longing was frustrated.  He was in exile and couldn’t worship with God’s people at God’s house (42:4).  He was discouraged and in despair.  But, he refused to stay there.Instead of letting his circumstances rule him, David turned to God in faith.  He reminded himself to “hope in God” (5,11).  He reminded himself that God would deliver Him.  God’s lovingkindness will not fail.  He would praise Him again.

Read Psalm 42 today.  Ask yourself, do I have this type of passion for God?  Am I disturbed when I can’t be with God’s people in God’s house?  When I am discouraged, do I turn to God, or to something else?

May give you a thirst that can only be satisfied in Him.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Psalm 38

In Psalm 38 we find both the personal cost of sin and the solution.  We don’t know the specific sin, but we know that David is suffering greatly.  He feels the weight of God’s anger (38:2).  His health is affected (38:3).  He feels isolated even from friends and loved ones (38:11).  His enemies are rising up against him (38:12).  Make no mistake, there is a cost to sin.  It may offer pleasure for a time, but the pain that follows far overshadows any passing pleasure.

But, David also gives a wonderful example of how to hope in God after we have sinned. First, he appeals to God’s mercy.  He asks God not to rebuke and chasten Him in anger (38:1).  Next, he remembers that his hope is completely in God (38:15).  He doesn’t need to fight his opponents, listen to their attacks or defend himself.  Instead, he does what all of us must do.  He confesses his iniquity (38:18).  He doesn’t try to hide it.  He takes it to God and asks God to help him and save him (38:22). 

How do you handle your sin?  Do you simply try to hide it and go on with life?  Or, do you follow the example of David and seek God’s mercy and salvation through humble, trusting confession?

Bible Reading: Numbers 3, Psalm 38, Song of Solomon 2, Hebrews 2

Living in the Last Days

In 2 Timothy 3 Paul reminds Timothy that the last days will not be pleasant.  The last days is a broad term that can (and in this context does) encompass the entire period from Jesus’ first coming to His second coming.  Paul makes it clear that things are not going to get better before the return of Jesus.  In fact, they will probably get worse.  Men will be marked by selfishness, rebellion, hate and treachery.  Interestingly, they will make claims to godliness (2 Tim 3:5), but really be lovers of pleasure (3:4).  Paul’s description certainly matches life in America today.  We should not be surprised by what we see in our culture and unfortunately even in the church, the Bible predicts it.

How it Timothy to respond to this?  How are we to respond?  First, we are to avoid these men.  When men profess to know God, but deny Him by their deeds, we are to avoid them.    They are like an infectious disease.  Paul is confident that these men will be exposed in time. Second, we are to continue in godliness and the Scripture.  It is the Scripture that will bring wisdom, salvation and equip us for every good work.  We may suffer and be persecuted, but we will be found faithful if we remain rooted in the Scripture in the midst of a decaying culture and church. 

Bible Reading: Leviticus 24, Psalm 31, Ecclesiastes 7, 2 Timothy 3

Opposing Error

In 2 Timothy 2, Paul continues his instruction to Timothy. One of Timothy’s tasks is to make sure he remembers Jesus Christ, risen from the dead. He is to remind those he preaches and teaches of the resurrection. This is important because some are already spreading lies about it and these lies are upsetting the faith of some. Timothy is to gently but firmly oppose the error that our resurrection has already come. It hasn’t. We will rise when Jesus comes again (1 Corinthians 15:23). The danger of denying or misrepresenting the resurrection is clearly laid out in 1 Corinthians 15.

How he opposes this error is critical. He must handle the Bible accurately (2 Timothy 2:15). He must avoid irreverent, foolish talk and quarrels. And he must pursue holiness, gently, faithfully teaching the truth, praying that God will grant people repentance.

There is an important and delicate balance here. We are to oppose error and lies. But, we are not to do it by entering every argument and discussion. Timothy is told to “have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.” (2 Timothy 2:23). Instead, Timothy, and we, should focus on accurate consistent teaching of God’s Word. We are to focus on patiently teaching God’s word, gently correcting error, and waiting on God to turn peoples’ hearts to the truth.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 23, Psalm 30, Ecclesiastes 6, 2 Timothy 2

Don’t Be Ashamed

One of Paul’s encouragements to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1 is not to be ashamed of either God’s Word or of Paul. There would be many reasons to be ashamed humanly speaking. The message of the gospel was an offense to the Jews and foolishness to the Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:23). Preaching about Jesus frequently led to beatings and imprisonment. As Paul wrote, he sat in prison awaiting death. Yet, he encouraged Timothy not to be ashamed.

The reason Timothy was not to be ashamed is clear. The same reason applies to us. God has acted in our lives. God has acted in grace to save us for His purposes. We are not to be ashamed because the gospel is the message of life. We are not to be ashamed because we know Jesus and we know that He is able to keep our lives until the day of resurrection, when death will be completely abolished. We are not to be ashamed because we know the power, grace and faithfulness of God.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Bible Reading Plan: Leviticus 22, Psalm 28-29, Ecclesiastes 5, 2 Timothy 1

The Resurrection

Here is a quote from John Calvin regarding the absurdity of the resurrection, were it not revealed from God:

There is nothing that is more at variance with human reason than this article of faith. For who but God alone could persuade us that bodies, which are not liable to corruption, will, after having rotted away, or after they have been consumed by fire, or torn in pieces by wild beasts, will not merely be restored entire but in a greatly better condition. Do not all our apprehensions of things straightway reject this thing as fabulous, nay, most absurd? (John Calvin, Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, 2:46)

Praise God that we have a God who reveals truth we would not know otherwise. Praise God we have a God who has conquered death through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and offers life in His name.

In Christ

Pastor Mike Walters

Calvin on Scripture

Scripture has its authority from God not the church.

But a most pernicious error widely prevails that Scripture has only so much weight as is conceded to it by the consent of the church.  As if the eternal and inviolable truth of God depended upon the decision of men! (1:75)

The apostles had authority prior to the church because the apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church [see Ephesians 2:20] (1:75)

In order to accept Scripture as Scripture we need the witness of the Holy Spirit.  Calvin does acknowledge that there are rational proofs that God speaks in Scripture – proofs that should be accepted by all but the most hardened.  Yet, he clearly states that without the work of the Holy Spirit, no proof will be enough to convince them.

The testimony of the Spirit is more excellent than all reason.  For as God alone is a fit witness of himself in his Word, so also the Word will not find acceptance in men’s hearts before it is sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, who has spoken through the mouths of the prophets must penetrate into our hearts to persuade us that they faithfully proclaimed what had been divinely commanded. (1:79)

Calvin concludes that Scripture is “self-authenticated” by the Holy Spirit and not by proof and reasoning. 

And the certainty it deserves with us, it attains by the testimony of the Spirit. (1:80)

Bonus word regarding “new revelation”.  This is not set in a context of modern claims that God still gives prophecy, but it seems to apply.

Now daily oracles are to sent from heaven, for it pleased the Lord to hallow his truth to everlasting remembrance in the Scriptures alone [cf. John 5:39] (1:74)

Success

Most (if not all) of us long to be successful and significant.  In Genesis 39 you will find the story of Joseph, who is called a successful man.  He prospers in all that he does.  He is consistently elevated to “management.” (39:2-6, 8, 22-23).  God blesses those who are associated with him.

The key to Joseph’s success is simple.  It is mentioned at both the beginning and end of the chapter — “the Lord was with Joseph.” (39:2,21).

What is interesting about Joseph’s success is his situation.  If you are unfamiliar with the story, Joseph has been sold into slavery by his brothers.  This successful man is a slave in Potiphar’s house.  He will eventually be thrown in prison on false charges of attempted rape (because he refused Potiphar’s wife’s advances).  Most of us would not think of this as a situation of success.  Nor would we naturally conclude that the Lord was with us.  Yet, that is what the Bible says.

What lessons can we learn from this?  First, our definition of success is frequently wrong.  Second, success is not dependent on our cirucmstances, but our faithfulness.  Most importantly, success is a result of God’s presence in our lives.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Be Different

We live in a world that values conformity. We face relentless pressure to be like the people around us, to fit in.

The Bible calls Christians to something very different. 1 John 3:1 tells Christians that they are children of God. It also tells them that the world will not recognize them. Why? Because it does not recognize Jesus (1 John 3:1). As a follower of Jesus, there should be something very different about your life.

If you continue reading 1 John 3 you will discover a few of these differences. You will characteristically practice righteousness (1 John 3:7). You will not characteristically practice sin (1 John 3:8). You will show love to your brother in tangible ways.

Ultimately, the world will hate you for this (1 John 3:13). Why? Because your deeds are righteous and the its are evil.

So, as you go about your day today, be different! Don’t blend in. Make people scratch their heads and even hate you as you do deeds of righteousness and love to others.

In Christ

Pastor Mike

Why are there difficult passages in the Bible?

Here is a link to a quote by William Whittaker in regards to why there are difficult passages in the Bible.

HT: Tony Reinke