Category Archives: Bible

Toward a More Thankful 2008

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Generally speaking, the human race contains too many griping, ungrateful goons. I deeply regret being one of them.  We fail to appreciate the hard work or hardships of others while often feeling unappreciated. Sometimes the best we can do is realize we’re not thankful and tactfully hold back our whining, but thankless sentiments rarely disappear due to mere lack of expression. Another step is still needed, namely, the positive, intentional cultivation of a thankful heart.

The Scriptures say that we should:

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)

Moreover, we are reminded to:

“[Give] thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20 (NKJV)

Now that’s a pretty far cry from where I am when I first get up each morning. Nonetheless, some deliberate effort on my part, in time, might pay off. Here’s to an intentionally more thankful 2008.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” – Psalms 103:1- 2 (NKJV)

 

Bible Reading Plan

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With 2008 just a few days away, I put our Cover-to-Cover Bible reading plan on its own page off to the right. I may leave it there to stay. And now, some counsel from John Wesley to another minister:

“What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear, to this day, is want of reading. I scarce ever knew a preacher who read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety; there is no compass of thought. Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian. Oh begin! Fix some part of every day for private exercises. You may acquire the taste which you have not; what is tedious at first will afterwards be pleasant. Whether you like it or no, read and pray daily. It is for your life; there is no other way; else you will be a trifler all your days, and a pretty, superficial preacher. Do justice to your own soul; give it time and means to grow. Do not starve yourself any longer.”

John Wesley, quoted in D. A. Carson and John D. Woodbridge, Letters Along The Way, page 169.

Discovered on the blog Pure Church, written by a pastor in the Cayman Islands.

The Source of Our Courage

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Everyone probably struggles with fear in one form or another. I’m not really speaking of a serious phobia nor suggesting anything like paranoid behavior. I’m only pointing to the nervousness, doubt or hesitation that holds us back from that which we know deep down to be good. It can be revealed in our unwillingness to take the next step to advance our career, our reluctance to introduce ourselves to the new guy at work, or our inability to share an important struggle with a close friend who most likely would be happy to help us bear the burden.

We can learn a vital lesson from the life of Moses. Here was a man – a confessed murderer, no less – who fled from Egypt 40 years before. He then returned as a wilderness shepherd, staff in hand, and had the chutzpah to demand that Pharaoh release into his custody a large chunk of the Egyptian labor force. Courage exemplified.

So where did he get it? Was he just that kind of a guy – the kind of person I am not? Not hardly. If we journey to Exodus 3 to spy him at the moment God revealed this great calling upon his life, we find him just as fearful or hesitant as we might be – drowning, it seems, in a tank of inadequacy:

… Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” – Exodus 3:11 (NKJV)

But he was the guy to do it. So the Lord responded with:

… “I will certainly be with you…” – Exodus 3:12 (NKJV)

And that made all the difference. Moses, doubt intact, still did what he had to do. Later, Joshua received a similar command/promise:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)

And what was true for them is true for us as Christians:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. – Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)