Here is the link to that blog, hope to see you there!: http://evangelismman.blogspot.com/

In the clip James (that’s right, first name basis) was saying how Christ should be our hope of the future, and that got me to thinking how much stock we put in things as well as people. Think about it. Over two million iPads have been sold in just 60 days, and I wonder how many people were thinking that this device was THE ONE that was finally going to satisfy them. That iPod was great, but the screen was just too small (of course they did not know that the screen was too small until they saw that iPad screen!). That iPhone that they had was wonderful with all those apps, but they were sure that the iPad would have more apps that they could use ( I mean, do you really want to keep tweeting using that tiny three inch screen?).

Obviously, there were people who bought the iPad who truly had a need for one, I’m sure. I am just pointing out that so often we strive for what will not satisfy. We keep thinking that if we could just get this or just be friends with that person or just get to go to some event we will be satisfied finally, but I am here to say that they just won’t. You have an infinite desire as a human being, and iPods, friends, or concerts just are not infinite; they cannot satisfy. You need something infinite…hm…let me think…oh yeah! Christ! He is the only One that can satisfy, for He is the only thing that is infinite in this universe.

Now, I want to make this clear: this post is for Christians. If you are not a Christian, and you are thinking “Hey, I’ve tried all these good things and have not been satisfied, let me give this Jesus thing a go”, you have the totally wrong attitude. You have a much bigger problem than being bored. You have offended God by breaking His laws with your lying, stealing, disobedience to parents and blasphemy. God will not let sin enter His presence in heaven. The punishment for sin, even one, is eternity in hell. But, sinner, I have good news for you. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to live a perfect life on your behalf, then died on the cross, taking your penalty for your sin so you could go free. Then, unlike anyone else, He rose again from the dead, triumphant over death, and this day commands you to repent (ask for forgiveness for your sins then turn from them) and trust in His work alone to be saved from the judgment!

Satisfaction is a fruit of your salvation, not the reason for salvation.

So today, let us worship and enjoy what a Savior we have!

Soli Deo Gloria!

This particular thought was something that my father and I were talking about last night that really ties in with my last post (don’t you love it when that happens?). We were speaking about what the new heaven and new earth might be like when we die. We thought about what it would be like to see God in His glory, about what a world would look like without sin, and how that would feel for all eternity.

Aside from this topic being interesting, it is also very encouraging to me in this life for a number of reasons. First, keeping in mind what is to come, I don’t have to worry about what will happen in this life. I don’t have to worry about the state of things in this world because this is not my permanent home. This doesn’t mean that I become a bad steward of what I have here, but it does mean that I don’t have to lose any sleep over it.

Secondly, focusing on what is to come keeps me thinking about what truly matters. Not only am I not losing sleep over the state of the world, but I am pursuing what God would have me do because that is what will last. I could spend my life trying to gain as much money as I can for the sake of money, which will all be lost when I die, or I can spend my life giving God glory that will follow me into eternity! Think of it: we spend a lot of time, energy, money, and stress trying to accomplish something that will not matter in a year from now, but we are so hesitant to do something that will have an eternal impact!

Thirdly, no matter how bad things get here, I can rest knowing that I have something that is far more valuable than anything here just on the other side of life. If I lose everything here, I have lost nothing there. Yes, even if I lose my LIFE I have gained! (Yes, it’s true! Even Paul agrees with me! read Philippians 1:21.)

What is truly amazing is that I did nothing to deserve any of that. Based only on what Christ did FOR me is the way that I can be in this place. Since that is the case, I can be sure that I will never lose my place in heaven because Christ has built it! He is my One Foundation upon which my house in heaven stands! Praise to His name!!

So don’t worry in this life, Christian! You have something wonderful to look forward to!

Soli Deo Gloria!

“I already know that”, you may say. “I learned that since childhood”. Then why do you worry? Why do you doubt, Christian? God knows exactly what you are going through and already has a plan and purpose for it.

Do you know what that plan is if you are a Christian? To make you more like Christ. That is the best thing He could do for you, to make you more like the loveliest Being in all the universe. This doesn’t mean the process will be easy or pleasant, or that you won’t dispar at times, but rest assured that God knows exactly what is best for you! How can we think that we know better than God does?

Does this mean that we become emotionless stones because we know that God is working everything out? No! When someone we know leaves this earth, even if it is to heaven, we still are sad that we will not see them for a while. However, we do not grieve as if we had no hope. We know God is faithful, so we don’t grieve completely out of control for extended periods of time. That’s the difference.

So the next time you run into trouble (and, believe me, you will) know that it is for Gods glory. Use the time to pray, repent of sin, and if you are not a Christian, to repent of your sin and trust in Christ for salvation.

Soli Deo Gloria

What do I mean by that? Well, today, there are many people who think that they are living their lives for Jesus. They said a prayer, signed a card, walked an isle at an evangelistic meeting one time, but their lives have not been changed. They never saw their sin for what it was, a terrible offense to a perfectly holy God. They never saw their need for repentance. They never knew that there would be a cost to follow Christ. Of course they could have found out all about that if they had read their Bible, but they never took the time. They had figured that the pastor had done all the necessary study so they did not need to bother with it.

If they had been reading they might have seen that passage in Matthew 7 where those people would call out “Lord, Lord!” thinking they were saved only to hear “Depart from me. I never knew you!”

In their case “Jesus” was the broad way. They did not find the true Jesus who said that if you set your hand to the plow and look back you were unworthy of Him.

Are you following the true Jesus? The Jesus that brings about change in your life? The Jesus that causes you to hate your sin? The Jesus that is not only your Savior but your Lord? Read your Bible and find out.

Soli Deo Gloria

Do you realize that we were actually made from dust? (Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19) That is a humble origin! Dust is something that most people can’t stand. It is something that we are constantly brushing off the table because we are embarrassed to have it in our homes. When we breathe it in, we sneeze and cough and make all efforts to rid ourselves of it.

In sum, dust is a curse to us. We may have been made from it, but we are a lot better now, right? Well, let’s think about that question for a  moment. Has dust caused that fall of the universe through sin? Did dust require the death of the Son of God to redeem it? The answer to those questions is “No, we did.” Let’s ask some more questions. Does dust always do as it is told to by its Creator? Is every molecule of  its being perfectly in line with God’s will at all times? The answer to that question is yes. Dust has always done exactly as it is supposed to do. I wish I could say the same for man.

You could sum up this post by saying that we were made from the dust and things went downhill from there.

But the story doesn’t end there. Though we were made from such an insignificant piece of the earth and then went downhill from there, God had a plan from the beginning. He would pick up this “dust” of human beings and breathe into their nostrils the breath of spiritual life. What glory this brings God to take such wretched beings and take away their sins so they could could free on judgment day!

Dear Fellow Dust, this offer of freedom from sin is extended to even you. Jesus Christ has died to take pay for your sins of lying, stealing, lusting, and further disobedience to God. Then after three days He rose from the dead because He defeated death, and this day He commands you to repent (turn from your sins) and trust in Him to forgive you of your sins.

Just something to think about as you clean.

Soli Deo Gloria

Here is where this story gets interesting. During one of the breaks at the conference, I went to go to one of the many bathrooms of the large church. As I was drying my hands, there was a boy standing in front of me also drying his hands. I decided to see where he was from so I took a look at his name tag which would say what city he was from. To my utter shock it was the exact city that my family was moving to in Alabama.

Turning the clock forward a few months, my family found ourselves looking for a new church to settle into. We had forgotten where the guy I met at the conference attended in the move, so I was not expecting anything too amazing when we pulled into the parking lot of a local Presbyterian church. As I looked around the building, I saw a face that seemed oddly familiar to me. I went over to the boy to see if, perhaps, he recognized me. Remember, I wasn’t sure who he was, but as time went on, we both recognized one another: we met each other at that Ligonier conference in 2009!

As I was thinking about that story I thought to myself, “Wow! That was such an act of God”. However, when you think about it, everything is an act of God. We usually give Him credit when things go especially well or when we have experiences like I just described to you, but we are less likely to praise Him for the “mundane” stuff in our lives like daily health, or nice commodities like our car.

Perhaps we should give God glory even in the mundane things in life.

Want a test of your humility? Here’s one that a pastor told me: whenever you are offended by something someone told you, it’s pride. Even if the comment is false. Remember, all we deserve is hell, anything less than that is mercy.

Soli Deo Gloria

That is a thought provoking question. Specifically, does God need us to accomplish His will? The short answer is, no. That might shock some of my readers (all three of you), but if God is really all powerful, holy, and infinite, why would He need weak, sinful, and finite beings to accomplish His purposes? Obviously, He does not need us so why do we even bother to serve Him? After all, God could always use someone else, right? It does not have to be me. You know what? You’re right. You don’t need to pass out that tract or give to the poor.

While we can ask why should we, however the real question is why wouldn’t we? God is allowing you to serve Him! It is a gift to be able to serve God! Imagine, the God that made the universe is going to let you do something with His helping hand all the way!

What an amazing God we serve!

Soli Deo Gloria

I don’t know if you realize this, but God knew this bill would pass. There is nothing that goes on that He doesn’t know (Luke 12:6-7). What’s more, God was in control of it! We don’t have a God that REACTS to things! From the beginning of time He knew there would be a health care bill! He didn’t have to catch the news report! He is not paniking and neither should we.
Now, I am not saying that we should just kick back and “let go and let God”. Just because God is in control over this does not mean that it is okay to be a bad citizen. We vote, we stay informed, but not worry.

Rest in the fact that the God Who takes care of the world will take care of healthcare.

I thank You, Great Physician for all Your care
for You took the burden of sin I wear!
You’ve placed on me a yoke much lighter,
Thank You! Oh Merciful Provider!