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December 20, 2008

The words that often fall on our deaf ears?

These past few weeks have been insightful, particularly on Gods providence over me and how he uses his word to manifest much greater glory. After suggesting to Becky to read up on the book of James with steadfast keenness and sincerity, she is now posting and updating her blog to certain verses and passages that convey exhortation and words that sometimes seem to fall on deaf ears. It strikes me, how easily is it for us to fall victim to skimming verses and words in the bible. Do we skim the book and only cease to extract meaning only on sentences that seem more important to us?

Certain verses from James have been coming to my attention lately, from Becky posting verses (and also from 'random' places) such as:

"But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors" (Jas 2:9)

"Count it all joy my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. For you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and let it have it's full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jas 1)

"So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (Jas 4:17)

It strikes me how odd it is that only now do these verses implicate more meaning and conviction to me than before. How awful is the thought of missing out on others? My thirst for his word grows even more, knowing that I failed to inscribe depth unto my heart when I read from the word. I find great pleasure to confide in a God who is eternal and never changing, and the one who ordained each and every word in the bible. How ignorant would it be from us to skim even a period from it?

I'll Be Honest

December 8, 2008

Christian Perseverance (An Exposition of Hebrews) A.W. Pink

spiritual faith eyes the Promiser, and is assured that He cannot lie. A spiritual hope embraces the promises, esteems them above all silver and gold, and confidently anticipates their fulfillment. But between the present moment and the actual realization of our hope lies a rugged path of testing, in which we encounter much that wearies, disheartens and retards us. If we are really walking in the path of God’s appointment, there will be oppositions to meet, fierce persecutions to be endured, grievous troubles to be borne. Yet, if our valuation of God’s promises be real, if our anticipation of their fulfillment be genuine, the comfort and joy they afford will more than offset and over-balance the effects of our trials. The exercise of hope will alone deliver from fainting and despondency under continued afflictions.

An Exposition of Hebrews - A.W. Pink

December 7, 2008

Boss or Father

“How can the inner workings of the heart be changed from a dynamic of fear and anger to that of love, joy, and gratitude? Here is how. You need to be moved by the sight of what it cost to bring you home. The key difference between a Pharisee and a believer in Jesus is inner-heart motivation. Pharisees are being good but out of a fear-fueled need to control God. They don’t really trust him or love him. To them God is an exacting boss, not a loving father. Christians have seen something that has transformed their hearts toward God so they can finally love and rest in the Father.”

- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God (New York, NY: Dutton, 2008), 86.