ResponsiveReiding

Doing Battle

March 28th, 2012

Ephesians 6:10–11 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

One of the key realities of the Christian life is that sinful and troubling thoughts and impulses must be fought against, not merely lamented or relief sought for.

It does us no good to simply complain of the woe, nor to seek an emotional anesthetic.

It is under these circumstances that the Believer must begin to tackle the offensives launched against them. Panic, doubt, fear, gloom, discouragement, despair, lust, greed, sloth, suspicion of God and man, etc. – these are enemies to be fought, not conditions to be treated or corrected.

If we do not appropriate the fitting response, we will remain under the influence of these things – in effect running from them rather than gaining victory over them. But make no mistake, they can attack again at any time. And attacks may be shorter or more sustained, weaker or more violent. Heavenly Father, give us courage, wisdom and insight.

The inhabitants of Canaan have to be challenged, not hidden from, nor plugging our ears to their taunts nor closing our eyes to pretend they are not there. We must gird ourselves like men and fight.

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Separated at Birth #3

February 29th, 2012

Academy Award winning actor Jim Broadbent, best known for his portrayal of Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge.

D. A. Carson – noted theologian and author. Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

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Separated at Birth #2

February 27th, 2012

Retired Bishop of Durham, N. T. Wright of “the new perspective on Paul” fame.

Richard Schiff – American actor best known for his role as Toby Ziegler on The West Wing.

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Separated at Birth #1

February 25th, 2012

Jeremy Brett – Star of British television’s “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes”

J. Ligon Duncan III – Theologian, Pastor, and John R. Richardson Chair of Systematic Theology at RTS Jacksonville.

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Away on Sabbatical – And NOT happy about it!

February 22nd, 2012

Its not what I expected. And it is not what I want. But it appears that I have my limits after all.

Bummer.

After months of escalating and debilitating fatigue – after tests upon tests upon tests from my Dr. – the diagnosis is in: Seriously pooped.

No doubt you’ve noticed (or perhaps you haven’t) the drastic drop off in my being able to post. Two of my great loves, preaching and writing, at this juncture are beyond my ability to indulge in without severe consequences afterward – requiring days just to be able to function at a low level again.

Sounds like the problem of a weenie. It’s not me. I don’t like it and I don’t want it. Give me a serious disease, something I can sink my teeth into: Leprosy of the lung or the creeping ephizutti. SOMETHING!

Not “pooped”.

Wimp!

But as I mentioned above, after running all the tests, (heart, blood, lungs, endoscopies, colonoscopies, yada, yada, yada) the results of Celiac, Barrett’s disease and who knows what else with just having the bow bent too far for too long – his expert medical opinion is I’m seriously pooped. Enough that if there is no break, something’s gonna give. Guess I have to turn in my S, the red cape and the blue tights. I never looked good in the tights anyway. NO COMMENTS!

And in an overwhelming show of love and compassion, the congregation at ECF has made it possible. I do not how to be grateful enough for their willingness and that of the Corporate Board and the Elders to arrange it all.

So I’ll be on this break – against my will but wanting to do what it takes to get fully well so I can labor freely once again – until Aug. 15.

And it is making me seriously uncomfortable. Antsy. Thus it appears that while I can formulate a sound theology of “rest’ – I cannot yet abide by it emotionally. As issue of personal sanctification to be worked out in the process.

But as I rest, and study, and nourish my own soul, I’ll be posting along the way. Some. No promises. Missing the joy of it. But indulging as much as I can without jeopardizing getting back on both feet.

Keep tuning in.

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The thing about faith is…

February 14th, 2012

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

There are two parts to this very familiar verse. The first part having more to do with the one having faith – it is internal if you will. The other, has to do with the witness of faith – its external component. Let’s look at the first.

Faith is the “assurance” of things hoped for: This is for the Believer. When I am believing God, trusting in His person and promises, I have true assurance.

The “evidence” of things not seen: This is for the Unbeliever. That Believers DO have faith, is the evidence of the unseen work of God in their hearts, and of the reality of the the things they testify to, and to the reality of God’s being.

Faith is – in the Believer – that ground or assurance we have that the things which God has promised, are true and actual. The word assurance comes from a root which has a picture of something underneath, holding something else up or being its foundation. As those who are in Christ, faith in us gives us an assurance.

But note that our assurance is not a naked or abstract assurance. It isn’t that Christians are just confident people, as

though being born again makes us cocky or self-confident. It is not an attitude as much as it is a persuasion. An inward grip on truths that others do not and cannot use to understand reality. When some scientists began to think in terms of germs, microscopic organisms which were behind the spread of diseases and such – others, who could not conceive of such things, could not function within a paradigm of medical treatment that worked as though these little critters actually existed and had to be dealt with.

This is how the unregenerate feel when we talk about spiritual realities. To us, they have been discovered to our souls. We see them. So the the way we think and the things we do reflect this understanding. To them, our actions, opinions and reactions can be undecipherable. It is as though we are a cluster of seeing people in a world of blind men. Our descriptions of what we see can only be grasped in the most rudimentary way by those still unable to actually see color and shapes. Even though they can trade on the language and catch some of the concepts.

It is this dynamic which is alluded to by the Apostle Paul when he says that: “The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.” (1 Cor. 2.15) Those who have not been born again, simply cannot conceive (in terms of grasping as real fact) precisely who and what we are and how or why it is we think and are the way we are. At the same time, because we can see these things, we can and do make judgments and assessments about things that make perfect sense to us. The sun has risen on our horizon in a way which sheds light on everything.

I say all this by way of reminder in terms of how it is we interact with unbelievers in the communication of the Gospel. Bear in mind the natural limits imposed upon the fallen heart and mind. Once, these things made little sense to you too. Think of the task then of translating for them. Of speaking to them in ways which seeks to bridge the gap not expand it.

Christ Himself is the bridge between us, and His own transcendence. He stoops to us. Condescends to our level. He takes upon Himself the form of sinful flesh. No, He does not become sinful, but comes to us neither like Adam in his pre-fallen glory, nor in His own unveiled and intrinsic glory. He comes looking, talking, and functioning like any other son of Adam’s race. So that He might take the self-revelation of the Father – and bring it to us. (John 17.8) So must we. In patience He explains His words to those who ask. He labors the central truths over and over – awaiting the Spirit’s work of illumination. Teaching, opening, explicating, announcing, warning and repeating.

This is a Biblical paradigm for Gospel evangelism.

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Murder is NOT a reasonable campaign plank!

January 26th, 2012

Murder is not a reasonable campaign plank.

Jer. 17:9-10 / “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

UPI reported today: JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 26 (UPI) — Mitt Romney said in Florida Wednesday if he is elected president, former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro would “finally be taken off this planet.”

Romney made the remark at a forum held by the U.S.-Cuba Democracy Political Action Committee, while his main rival for the Republican presidential nomination, Newt Gingrich, said he would go after Castro and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

“If I’m fortunate to become the next president of the United States, it is my expectation that Fidel Castro will finally be taken off this planet,” Romney said.

“I doubt he’ll take any time in the sky,” he said. “He’ll find a nether region to be more to his comfort.”

You can read the entire article HERE:

Politics aside (i.e. Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal etc.) – to wage a campaign for the Presidency of the United States, which includes a promise to see to it that another human being is killed, is as morally reprehensible as anything I’ve heard in my 58 years.

Take a good look at total depravity in action.

It is precisely why politics can never save us.

Put us in the nicest suits.

Educate us in the finest institutions.

Give us economic advantages beyond the reach of all previous generations put together – and when we want what we want, be it power, or pleasure, or more things – we will…

Multiply and justify our wives and mistresses; excoriate anyone who disagrees with us in the slightest; rage indignantly when our morality is questioned; take King’s ransoms working for the very people we vilify later; say God, Mom & apple pie – all while promising to murder heads of state we don’t like.

Make no mistake beloved – such things have absolutely NOTHING to do with Christianity or the spirit of Christ in any way, shape or form.

We do not need to replace one kind of moral bankruptcy with another.

We need national repentance.

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The Gift

December 17th, 2011

Luke 2:12 “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

1.

A baby in a manger

Three Wise Men, bearing gifts

Shepherds, tending flocks

Make hills look white with snowy drifts

Angels singing heralds

Of The newborn, Christ and King

‘Twas the first Christmas

Of which all men would sing

2.

But the Gift wasn’t opened

By thankful finger tips

Instead, it was ripped and torn

By cruel, mocking whips

Instead of scarlet ribbon

Nicely tied and neatly bowed

‘Twas laced with blood

That from His wounds had freely flowed

Chorus:

The Gift of life was given

With His death at Calvary

And although so freely given

It cost The Savior everything

An Old Rugged Cross

Was the first of Christmas trees

Where the Royal Gift was given

Eternal life,

For you and me

Eternal life – Will you believe?

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Be sure your sin will find you out

December 7th, 2011

“Be sure your sin will find you out”. So says the latter portion of Numbers 32:23. And I have proof.

This Word to the wise – DO NOT swallow your gum just before you preach (having forgotten to spit it out earlier) ESPECIALLY if you are having a colonoscopy the next day!

I know!

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Confessions of an Ingrate / A Thanksgiving Prayer

November 23rd, 2011
Colossians 2:6-7 “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Maybe its only me, but have you ever found yourself just so ungrateful that no matter what God has done for you, some negative speck seems to cloud the entire horizon? It is one of the ongoing effects of sin on the human psyche – still evident even in the Redeemed.

Maybe the following will help put a few small things back into perspective.

Maybe, as we contemplate Thanksgiving Day here in the US, for 2011, we can step back and drink in the goodness of God, unsoiled for just a minute. I need to do this more.

Heavenly Father –

You give me life

But it really is hard

You give me mercy

But you don’t stop me from sinning

You give me grace

But it robs me of my sense of pride and accomplishment

You give me family

But there are others whose friendship I would prefer more

You give me those who love me

But they do not love me enough, or the way I want them to

You give me work

But its not what I’m best suited for

You give me an opportunity to earn a living

But its never quite enough

You give me children

But they are troublesome at times, and embarrass me

You give me parents

But they failed me and sinned against me

You give me laws

But they hamper my freedom

You give me freedom

But then make me responsible for what I do

You give me your Word

But its work to study it

You give me prayer

But its boring and awkward

You give me your People

But they are broken and hurt me

You give me your Church

But it takes up most of one day a week, has bad music and needs to be supported

You give me promises of Heaven

But its so far off

You give me extended life

But I get old, weak and sick

You give me vacations

But they are too short

You give me Christian friends

But they sin and I have to forgive them

You give me grace for trials

But that means I’ll have to endure them

You give me limitless love

But then you give it to others too

You give me the honor of being conformed to Christ’s image

But then I have to die to sin

You give me salvation

But only through the Cross

Now, may I ask you for one more thing?

Please grant me a grateful heart, so that I can freely and rightly rejoice in all you have already given – without these sin-stained glasses of mine.
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