"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me." - Psalm 86: 5-7
Our God is so good. I feel ashamed to think how I let so many little things that go wrong completely affect my mood. Yesterday was one of those days. You know how you have days when stupid things go wrong all day? That was my day. I overslept, broke my travel coffee mug, dropped the telephone into the trash can so it was covered in coffee grounds, and dumped a pencil sharpener FILLED with shavings all over the floor. There were other things too, but you get the idea. The culmination of all these things put me in a grumpy mood. Why? There is no good reason why. All I had to do was look at all the things the Lord has done in my life. He has heard my prayers over and over and answered me. He has loved me, protected me, and provided for me. All my needs are met, and even some of my wants! Paul exhorts us in Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, Rejoice!" He also goes on to say a few verses later (11) "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content . . ." Oh, how I wish I could reach the point in my spiritual walk when I am content in all situations! But even as I stumble and fall, the Lord reaches out, helps me up, and starts me on my way again. For He is also ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy. What a mighty God we serve!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Pray for One Another
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
This is such a wonderful blessing. More and more I realize that there is a tremendous amount of need in this world. Not only physical needs, but every person has emotional and spiritual needs, and faces trials in this life. May we continue to pray for one another, encouraging one another with the love of our Savior.
"Pray for me, and I'll pray for you." - Michael W. Smith
This is such a wonderful blessing. More and more I realize that there is a tremendous amount of need in this world. Not only physical needs, but every person has emotional and spiritual needs, and faces trials in this life. May we continue to pray for one another, encouraging one another with the love of our Savior.
"Pray for me, and I'll pray for you." - Michael W. Smith
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Controversial Conversations
"For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." - 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10
Recently I have had a couple of different conversations with people regarding predestination vs. free will. Now I have to tell you, the first time I ever heard of this controversy, I was in my late twenties living in Northern Virginia. I was attending a Bible Study for the single young adults, and we came across Romans 8:29-30. As I read these verses, they struck me for the first time. I asked someone sitting at my table, "Wait, does that mean God predestined us to be saved?" My friend laughed not at my question, but at the controversial can of worms I was about to open.
Afterwards, the Calvinist vs. Armenian debate was explained to me for the first time. I was shocked at this new viewpoint and didn't know what to think. How could God choose some for salvation and some for destruction? Isn't salvation a free gift we can either choose or reject? I spent the next months studying Scripture, trying to find a definitive answer to these questions.
Now for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, let me briefly explain. The Calvinist view, named after the theologian John Calvin, believes that because man is totally depraved, he is unable to choose God, and therefore God chooses some to be saved, but not all. (For we know not all are saved). There is much more to it than that, but that is the basic gist of it. The Armenian viewpoint believes that God knew before He even created us whether or not we would choose Him, therefore He "predestines" us based on our free-will choice. Again, there is much more to it, but that is the basic tenet.
Apparently, this controversial topic is discussed in churches everywhere. I'm fairly certain that my church in VA held the Calvinist view, and I know for a fact that my pastor here in Honduras holds the Calvinist view. So what did my personal studies show? Well, based on the influences I was receiving, I leaned more heavily towards the Calvinist view - God chooses us in His sovereignty. Even the verse above says that God appointed us to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. But there are also Scriptures that support the opposing view. So what do I think? I believe our finite minds cannot possibly truly know the mind of God. We can have theories and ideas, but all fall within the limits of our knowledge. I believe that somehow, and I have no idea how, God's sovereignty and man's responsibility come together in unity.
So why am I sharing this? Last week, I somehow got into this conversation with my coworker, Amanda. She had never heard the Calvinist view before, and so I shared with her the Scriptures that are frequently used to support that view. I also assured her that my purpose was not to confuse her, only to encourage her to search the Scriptures. Any time we spend more time in God's Word, we draw closer to Him, and that's what it is really about anyways. Then tonight in my girls' Bible Study, the girls that attend a Sunday School class at the church shared that their teachers, who obviously hold the Armenian view, told my girls that the Calvinist view was wrong, and the Scriptures do not support that view. I was not happy that these teachers told the girls they were wrong. I would prefer they shared their view and why, and then cncouraged the kids to search the Scriptures themselves. When it comes down to it, really only God knows His ways. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" - Isaiah 55:8-9.
It seems funny to me how this conversation seems to cycle in my life about every year or so. This week has been the time for it again. I love it not because it is controversial, but because it causes us to reflect on Christ and our salvation in Him. Any conversation that points us to Christ, is a conversation worth having, no matter how controversial.
Recently I have had a couple of different conversations with people regarding predestination vs. free will. Now I have to tell you, the first time I ever heard of this controversy, I was in my late twenties living in Northern Virginia. I was attending a Bible Study for the single young adults, and we came across Romans 8:29-30. As I read these verses, they struck me for the first time. I asked someone sitting at my table, "Wait, does that mean God predestined us to be saved?" My friend laughed not at my question, but at the controversial can of worms I was about to open.
Afterwards, the Calvinist vs. Armenian debate was explained to me for the first time. I was shocked at this new viewpoint and didn't know what to think. How could God choose some for salvation and some for destruction? Isn't salvation a free gift we can either choose or reject? I spent the next months studying Scripture, trying to find a definitive answer to these questions.
Now for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, let me briefly explain. The Calvinist view, named after the theologian John Calvin, believes that because man is totally depraved, he is unable to choose God, and therefore God chooses some to be saved, but not all. (For we know not all are saved). There is much more to it than that, but that is the basic gist of it. The Armenian viewpoint believes that God knew before He even created us whether or not we would choose Him, therefore He "predestines" us based on our free-will choice. Again, there is much more to it, but that is the basic tenet.
Apparently, this controversial topic is discussed in churches everywhere. I'm fairly certain that my church in VA held the Calvinist view, and I know for a fact that my pastor here in Honduras holds the Calvinist view. So what did my personal studies show? Well, based on the influences I was receiving, I leaned more heavily towards the Calvinist view - God chooses us in His sovereignty. Even the verse above says that God appointed us to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. But there are also Scriptures that support the opposing view. So what do I think? I believe our finite minds cannot possibly truly know the mind of God. We can have theories and ideas, but all fall within the limits of our knowledge. I believe that somehow, and I have no idea how, God's sovereignty and man's responsibility come together in unity.
So why am I sharing this? Last week, I somehow got into this conversation with my coworker, Amanda. She had never heard the Calvinist view before, and so I shared with her the Scriptures that are frequently used to support that view. I also assured her that my purpose was not to confuse her, only to encourage her to search the Scriptures. Any time we spend more time in God's Word, we draw closer to Him, and that's what it is really about anyways. Then tonight in my girls' Bible Study, the girls that attend a Sunday School class at the church shared that their teachers, who obviously hold the Armenian view, told my girls that the Calvinist view was wrong, and the Scriptures do not support that view. I was not happy that these teachers told the girls they were wrong. I would prefer they shared their view and why, and then cncouraged the kids to search the Scriptures themselves. When it comes down to it, really only God knows His ways. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" - Isaiah 55:8-9.
It seems funny to me how this conversation seems to cycle in my life about every year or so. This week has been the time for it again. I love it not because it is controversial, but because it causes us to reflect on Christ and our salvation in Him. Any conversation that points us to Christ, is a conversation worth having, no matter how controversial.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Meditate on These Things
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8
God has given me many good things on which to meditate. When we focus on the positive things and stop looking at the negative, we can enjoy life more and the rich blessings that God gives to us.
This week I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday. I don't usually like to make a big deal of it, but it is nice to be treated special once in a while. Although, shouldn't we treat others special every single day? Why do we wait for a "special day" to show an abundance of kindness to people? If only we would treat everybody as if everyday was a special day. Think how much more loving this world would be.
Ok, I got a little sidetracked there. My birthday was lovely. My coworker, Abby, made apple muffins to share with the teaching staff to celebrate. The primary school students made me a card that they all signed and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. In the afternoon, I went to the city and had a nice afternoon with my "novio" Michael. He treated me to a wonderful dinner and gave me two beautiful typical Honduran paintings. Overall, it was a really great day.
As far as school goes, it is just flying by. Report card grades were due to me this week, and I am proud to say that quite a few of our students made the A-B honor roll! I am so proud of them! Just seven and a half more weeks before we graduate two more seniors! Where does the time go?
As I share these positive things, I think back on the Scripture above. We need to learn to control our thoughts. I received an encouraging e-mail from my Shepherd Group leaders back in the States. They reminded me about our forgiveness in Christ and how so often Satan lies to us and reminds us of our past shortcomings. When we are able to control our thoughts, and to meditate on the things that are pure, lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy, we are able to shut down the lies of the Enemy. May we always meditate on the blessings from the Lord. Of course, the greatest blessing we have received is His gift of salvation. Of all our needs, that was our greatest. Earlier I was listening to a teaching by Carolyn McCulley that my friend Courtney gave me several years ago. She points out in her message that if God has met our greatest need of salvation, will He not also meet our lesser needs? Matthew 6 tells us not to worry. When we are able to meditate on the goodness of the Lord, there is never a reason to worry about anything. So may we obey this command in Scripture, and meditate on these things!
God has given me many good things on which to meditate. When we focus on the positive things and stop looking at the negative, we can enjoy life more and the rich blessings that God gives to us.
This week I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday. I don't usually like to make a big deal of it, but it is nice to be treated special once in a while. Although, shouldn't we treat others special every single day? Why do we wait for a "special day" to show an abundance of kindness to people? If only we would treat everybody as if everyday was a special day. Think how much more loving this world would be.
Ok, I got a little sidetracked there. My birthday was lovely. My coworker, Abby, made apple muffins to share with the teaching staff to celebrate. The primary school students made me a card that they all signed and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. In the afternoon, I went to the city and had a nice afternoon with my "novio" Michael. He treated me to a wonderful dinner and gave me two beautiful typical Honduran paintings. Overall, it was a really great day.
As far as school goes, it is just flying by. Report card grades were due to me this week, and I am proud to say that quite a few of our students made the A-B honor roll! I am so proud of them! Just seven and a half more weeks before we graduate two more seniors! Where does the time go?
As I share these positive things, I think back on the Scripture above. We need to learn to control our thoughts. I received an encouraging e-mail from my Shepherd Group leaders back in the States. They reminded me about our forgiveness in Christ and how so often Satan lies to us and reminds us of our past shortcomings. When we are able to control our thoughts, and to meditate on the things that are pure, lovely, virtuous and praiseworthy, we are able to shut down the lies of the Enemy. May we always meditate on the blessings from the Lord. Of course, the greatest blessing we have received is His gift of salvation. Of all our needs, that was our greatest. Earlier I was listening to a teaching by Carolyn McCulley that my friend Courtney gave me several years ago. She points out in her message that if God has met our greatest need of salvation, will He not also meet our lesser needs? Matthew 6 tells us not to worry. When we are able to meditate on the goodness of the Lord, there is never a reason to worry about anything. So may we obey this command in Scripture, and meditate on these things!
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