Archive for June, 2014

Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 06/29/2014

Get to know wisdom better through some of the words at Proverbial Thought.

When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
Genesis 5:21-24, ESV

 

And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.
2 Kings 2:11-12, ESV

 

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58, ESV

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:17, ESV

 

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20, ESV

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

how deeply can we know You

how far in love can we go

is it possible on earth

is it possible to walk with You

can we see Your face here

can we touch Your hands

if we walk within truth

if we strive to be with You

will Your glory be seen now

will Your presence fully be here

what is the depth we can go

what length can we travel

are You closer than we think

are You just waiting on us

2014
06/29
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Laughing or Asking?

Asking for wisdom? Go to Proverbial Thought for some help!

How do you respond when God speaks?

Perhaps you say, “God does not speak to me.”

First, you are wrong; you simply are not used to listening. At the very least, He speaks to you through the Bible or through your pastor. There is also prayer, friends, and circumstances. For example, I was recently offered a teaching position in an elementary school, but I do not have a teaching license. How would you respond?

Here are three examples of how others have responded to God:

In Genesis 17-18, God told Sarah and Abraham that they would have a baby.

WP_20140621_001Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?”
(18:11-12, ESV)WP_20140621_002

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”
(17:17, ESV)

Sarah basically rolled her eyes and was sarcastic. Abraham laughed in joy and sought understanding.

Likewise, in Luke 1 elderly Zechariah was told he and Elizabeth would have a baby, and young Mary also was told she would have a baby.

WP_20140621_001And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.”
(1:18)WP_20140621_002

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
(1:34)

Zechariah basically rolled his eyes and was sarcastic, but Mary wanted to more understanding!

In John 1 Nathanael and Philip were called by Jesus to be His disciples. When Jesus said, “Follow me” to Philip, he jumped up immediately to tell his brother.

WP_20140621_002Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good WP_20140621_001come out of Nazareth?”
(1:45-46)

Nathaniel’s basically rolled his eyes and was sarcastic, but Philip got excited!

When God speaks, when amazing opportunities arise that seem impossible, when you are expected to do something that seems crazy, how do you respond?

Do you laugh it off as nonsense, or do you get excited about what God might do through you?

2014
06/24
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 06/22/2014

Give your weary mind some refreshing wisdom from Proverbial Thought!

Perhaps you are struggling through something.

Maybe you have lost a loved one.

Maybe you have suffered through addiction.

Maybe you have suffered through prolonged illness.

Maybe you have received the news of disease or illness.

Maybe you deal with bullying.

Maybe you come out of abuse.

Maybe you live with depression, fear, or hatred.

As trite and cliché as it may sound, Jesus is the truest answer and ultimate Healer for all that burdens our weary souls.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30, ESV

Healing may not come immediately. Physical healing may never come in this life. But trust in the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and you will find hope and peace. It may not come fully until the next life, but His resurrection proves His promises are true. We may suffer now, but we have the promise of eternal rest and peace.

 

as dawn breaks

on the weary soul

as dawn breaks on the weary soul

awakening the stillness of God

what the weary traveler has sown

will be reaped in the precious blood

as new light pours over this one

and eyes are opened for the first time

those eyes see the image of the Son

and see through the power of that Christ

as dawn illuminates this person

becoming more aware of deep filth

this weary one comes undone

and gives in to the Higher Will

as dawn breaks on the weary soul

and this weary one awakens to love

and realizes it is okay to let go

it is finally known that God is more than enough

2014
06/22
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Despair
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From Slaughter to Redemption

Redeem your mind and find some wisdom over at Proverbial Thought!

I have a mental exercise for you. Please consider the following:

15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birth stool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” . . . 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
Exodus 1:15-16, 22, ESV

And then Moses, the one who led the Israelites to redemption out of Egypt, was coming.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
Matthew 2:16

And all because Jesus, the One who would redeem Israel and all who would believe in Him from their sins, was coming.

Now consider this (from Number of Abortions and as of Monday, June 16, 2014):

  • The United States aborts between 3,000-4,000 babies every day.
  • This year (as of June 16) about 500,000 abortions have been performed in the US.
  • Since the ruling of Roe v. Wade in 1973, there have been almost 57 million abortions in the US.
  • There have been over 100,000 abortions today globally.
  • There have been nearly 19 million abortions this year (as of June 16) globally.
  • Since 1980, nearly 1.5 BILLION abortions have been performed globally. (That is 1/6 of our current population!)

Is something getting ready to happen?

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
Revelation 22:20-21

2014
06/17
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 06/15/2014

It is my prayer you find wisdom, and perhaps you can find some help at Proverbial Thought!

The poem today is a prayer that was originally inspired by Proverbs 30:7-14. There is a mix of, well, everything else from God’s Word that is good and leads us toward holiness. I think it is rather appropriate for Father’s Day, as all fathers (all parents) should pray this!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

 

 

 

 

 

a simple prayer

 

O God

   give me enough today
that i need not steal

O Lord

   give me patience to stay
that i get through ordeals

O Savior

   clean up my mouth and mind
that i not lie or lust

O Friend

   clean out my heart and life
that i love and be just

O Father

   hear my cry of despair
that my soul be made holy

O Daddy

   hear my simple prayer
that my soul be filled with your peace

2014
06/15
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The Virtuous Bride

As I mentioned the other day, over the past weekend I officiated a wedding for some friends. Tuesday was my parents’ anniversary. Tomorrow (Friday) is our anniversary!

In honor of all of these marriage celebrations, here is an excerpt from the message I shared at my friends’ wedding this past weekend. It is slightly tweaked for their sake, and I did not include the bulk of the text, just the gospel part with chosen readings!

 

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-12

Scarcely had I passed them when I found the one my heart loves. I held him and would not let him go till I had brought him to my mother’s house, to the room of the one who conceived me.
Song of Solomon 3:4

Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.
Ruth 1:16

 

God also sought a virtuous one to trust and “do Him good”. Romans chapter three tells us that there has never been anyone who was able to perfectly live up to God’s standard of holiness and goodness.

Therefore, God did not wait to find a perfect companion. He came Himself, in the Person of His Son, Jesus of Nazareth, to live the perfect life of obedience and faithfulness. Jesus then died a horrific death on a cross to bring about the forgiveness of sins for all who believe.

Those who believe become members of His Church, the Bride of Christ worth more than all the riches of the world, to live with Him as that perfect companion for all eternity. At Jesus’ return, he will bring His Bride to Him at the Wedding Banquet! He will be our God, and we will be His People!

2014
06/12
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A Response to the John MacArthur Controversy (I Can Hold My Tongue No Longer)

I would like to hear thoughts on this as well.
As for my thoughts, I agree with Kent.
Go check out his thoughts.

2014
06/11
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Taking It to the Streets

Take yourself to Proverbial Thought for some thoughts on wisdom!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses …” (Hebrew 12:1, ESV)

The context of Hebrews chapter 12 is that the Preacher has just finished going through the “Hall of Faith” of all (from our Old Testament) who were considered righteous for their faith in God. This is the immediate meaning of “so great a cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. This verse can also be taken as a call to a holy life to share the gospel.

At the Purphill Altar

Photo courtesy of Jackie Moore

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely …”

I have seen many street preachers in my life. Some were okay, some were downright mean, and a few have been great. This past weekend I helped bring two friends together in marriage in New Orleans, LA.

 

After the ceremony and reception there was an after party on Bourbon Street. Immediately outside our venue were some street preachers from a local church.

WP_20140607_028I liked them because of their difference. They did not merely condemn those partaking in Bourbon Street’s offerings. Instead, they called others to follow their example of following Christ by laying aside every weight and sin which can cause someone to stumble.

Were they perfect?

No, but at least they were trying to fulfill our calling to take the gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20).

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV

We are surrounded by many witnesses: those who have gone before and call us to continue, the angels who minister to us as we minister to others, and watchful world. We may stumble, and they may use it against us, but this is why we strive to lay aside every weight and sin which so easily causes us to stumble. Then we can run for the glory of God, bringing the lost to Him!

2014
06/10
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Weekend Words & Sunday Stanzas – 06/08/2014

Have a devoted love to wisdom and read the thoughts at Proverbial Thought!

Please join me in celebrating with my friends, Dr. and Mrs. Steven & Amanda Churchill! Yesterday they blessed me with the opportunity to join their lives together in holy matrimony! (It was also my first time in New Orleans, LA!)

Now that we have adequately praised God for love and covenants, please note that the poem has absolutely nothing to do with their relationship! It was simply next in the line up!

There has been a systemic problem in the Western Church for a while, one that is gradually (and thankfully) being approached once again with fervor!

There is a rampant biblical and theological illiteracy amongst the faithful in our culture. We have been creating a people blind and deaf to the things of God, giving them instead a steady diet of fluff and half-truths.

Fortunately for us, God always has a faithful remnant whom He empowers to lead in strength and wisdom. May we be such a people as we await His return!

   blind and deaf
what is the church
have we become
as blind and deaf
as everyone
whom we try
to lead to Him
Who can heal us
and forgive sin
what do we have
that is different
from this world
and all in it
are we merely
the blind leading
the blind all while
we are screaming
to a whole world
who cannot hear
and we ourselves
cannot bear
to face the truth
that we are blind
that we are deaf
and lack insight
from God above
about our state
that looks just like
a world depraved
we must stop
our calling out
to those who are
wandering about
but see ourselves
in the light of truth
misguided
and destitute
then our Lord will
send us to them
that we might lead
them straight to Him
then the blind and deaf
will see and hear
and Jesus will wipe
all of our tears

2014
06/08
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Plumb Deserving of God’s Love

Your soul deserves to be fed wisdom, so head over to Proverbial Thought!

It is time for another song! As much as I like this song, I cannot fully stand behind it. I disagree with part of its main point!

I do not care for the fact that there is no direct mention of God/Jesus anywhere in the song, but I can let that go knowing so many of their other songs do. I will look at this as an opportunity to get into secular radio stations to pique the interest of someone who may not believe in God, yet. That being said …

The song is Plumb’s “Don’t Deserve You”, which I find an excellently orchestrated song and one I would suggest many people listen to.

My issue is specifically with one (repeated often) line, “I don’t deserve your love …”

Here is my issue with it: If God created you, then He has declared you worthy of His love. Every single person on this planet not only deserves His love, but, as the song says, “You give it to me, anyway.”

I think that is one of the hardest things for us to fight in our world: convincing others that they can and should be loved. I think singing about it like this can be detrimental. However, putting these lyrics to music could be the very thing that helps some people repent of this thinking and turn to God and His love. This is why I still like the song! (The thing we do not deserve is His grace, but that is the very reason it is grace! It is giving something undeserved!)

May you grow in the love of Christ and come to understand how vast His love truly is for us!


Plumb – Don’t Deserve You

You’re the first face that I see
And the last thing I think about
You’re the reason that I’m alive
You’re what I can’t live without
You’re what I can’t live without

You never give up
When I’m falling apart
Your arms are always open wide
And you’re quick to forgive
When I make a mistake
You love me in the blink of an eye

[Chorus]
I don’t deserve your love
But you give it to me anyway
Can’t get enough
You’re everything I need
And when I walk away
You take off running and come right after me
It’s what you do
And I don’t deserve you

You’re the light inside my eyes
You give me a reason to keep trying
You give me more than I could dream
And you bring me to my knees
You bring me to my knees

Your heart is gold and how am I the one
That you’ve chosen to love
I still can’t believe that you’re right next to me
After all that I’ve done

[Chorus]

I don’t deserve a chance like this
I don’t deserve a love that gives me everything
You’re everything I want

2014
06/03
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