In the Good Times, in Real Life, in a Shrinking Economy... : Are You a Called Servant or an Expendable Employee?

So, I was speaking with someone who moved from coast to coast in search of job security. This should be fine right? Wrong! The individual was a full-time minister at a church plant on the west coast; due to the tight economy, his position got chopped to part-time. Because of the "risk" he pulled up stakes and moved to the east coast, in search for what I assume to be something "low risk".

WHAT IS WRONG WITH TODAY"S MINISTERS?!?!

We are not looking to be CEOs, we are not developing career plans, we are not searching for the next steping stone on the path to power, we are not in this for financial security, we are not counting on this world's wealth for survival, we are not trying to find the hottest market to which we can sell ourselves, we do not adjust our plans when the piggy bank gets low, we do not enter one position to set ourselves up for the next, we do not choose our geographic area based on the demographic of income and we do not judge security, success or situation by the world's sinful, earthly, selfish, faithless, atheistic standards!

I am sick to death of hearing ministers and Bible school students worrying about their "employment" due to the bad economy.

We are called by a Holy Calling, we are supplied by the Creator of the Universe, we have been redeemed from the things of this earth, we trust in God to supply our needs, we seek first the kingdom of God, we are ministers of the ministry of reconciliation, we are servants of all - not servants of money, we go because He has commanded us to go, we find that our citizenship is in heaven, we go after souls - not job security, we humble ourselves even to the point of death as Christ did, following His example - not looking for a higher position of power, we will deny ourselves of all things if God has called us and deems it neccessary to reach the poorest or most wicked sinner, we embrace poverty and trials with all joy since it brings glory to our Redeemer, we find comfort in the Lord who gives us breath - not the god of the 401k, we are willing to give up all things and to sell all that we posses and pick up our crosses and follow HIM!

The minister of God enters this ministry, ministers in a specific area and proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ to specific people because the holy, living God has called him through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. No other reason is acceptable or will stand the test of time.

A Study of Psalm 119: Part 2 - Finding Purity through God-Dependant Meditation v.9-16

Doctrine: God-dependant meditation on the Word of God is necessary to bring about pure hearts in the Saints.

9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
13With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
14In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Commentary:

"How can a young man keep his way pure?" This is the big question and it reveals the battle that rages in all men, including David. Thankfully we get the answer in the very next statement. "By guarding it [his way] according to your [God's] word." But what does this mean? It seems to say that we guard our hearts. We control what enters/influences our hearts. In this way, we are responsible to filter what enters by the grid of the Word. God's Word is what should be influencing the core of our being.

When we guard our hearts according to God's word, we will be able to say with David, "with my whole heart I seek you" v.10. This is the fruit that comes when we focus on His word. Yet, David does not become arrogant and prideful because of his correct behavior. Instead he remains humble and prays "let me not wander from your commandments." The natural man will see the success that God has produced and attempt to claim it as its own. This arrogance is the death of dependence and the sure road to disaster! Dependence will characterize those who truly seek God with their whole hearts and it is essential to purifying ourselves through meditation on His Word.

David sums up why he dependently meditates on God's word. He states "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." David spends time memorizing and thinking on the word of God - Why? - so that he does not sin against God! So that he can "keep his way pure!" We must do this! This is the path to holiness and righteousness! This is our responsibility! Yet, here is the great paradox. David declares that he has filled his heart with the word of God, but then in v.12, after blessing God's name, David cries out "teach me your statutes!" David forever recognizes that it is God who gives him knowledge, wisdom and the ability to meditate and obey His word. Man is not capable of keeping the law of God, but with God all things are possible! We are forever dependant upon God for all things, including purity which comes through His word.

In the closing verses of this section, David reveals what will happen when God answers his cry of dependence. David will declare with his lips all of God's rules, he will delight in God's testimonies in the same way that a person delights in great riches, he will meditate on God's precepts, he will fix his eyes on God's ways, he will delight in God's statues, and finally, he will not forget His word! This is what will happen in the life of a saint that is dependent on God: His heart will become pure and he will delight in the things of God!

Application questions:

#1 - How are you displaying your dependence on God to understand His word and obey it? Follow David's example and pray "Let me not wander from your commandments" and "Teach me your statutes."

#2 - Are you so dependent on God that all your life issues qualify to be brought before Him?Oh, how we must pray! We can enter boldly into the throne room of God, into the presence of the Creator! Amen!

#3 - When are you meditating on God's word? Is it enough to counter all the negative influences towards sin?

#4 - Are you lacking desire to/joy in studying the Word or obeying it? Pray for God to change your heart!

http://brockjamieson.wordpress.com

Some encouraging truth from the newsboys!

Here are some great lyrics for anyone who has been or currently is beaten down by life and sin. Stay strong!

Song: Stay Strong

You're in the moment now
A bitter root
A wandering eye and then
The ties that bind start wearing thin, thin

You're in the moment now
When all you've been blessed withIs not enough
Here's where the ground gets loose
Here's where the devils call your bluff

Chorus

Stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
There's a new dawn to light our day, our day
You've gotta stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

v.2
We've seen the tragic flaws
The tortured souls
The saints with feet of clay
Here's where sin becomes cliche'

We've come through wilderness and watched
The cloud by day
The burning sky into dawn
Have you forgotten who you are?
Did you forget whose trip you're on? (Chorus)

Bridge

Get up, there's further to go
Get up, there's more to be done
Get up, this witness is sure
Get up, this race can be won
This race can be won

We've gotta stay strong
You are not lost
Come on and fix your eyes ahead
Our Father's dawn will light our day, our day
Come on and stay strong
His grip is sure
And His patience still endures
There'll be no letting go today, no way
Come on, and stay strong
You and I run
For the prize that lies ahead
We've come too far to lose our way, our way

*Listen to almost all of the newsboys songs legally for free! http://newsboys.com/v09/radio_standalone.php

Critical Review of the Shack by Mark Driscoll

This is an excellant evaluation of the book The Shack. I pray that it will help you discern the times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK65Jfny70Y

A Study of Psalm 119: Part 1 - Obedience that Brings Blessing v.1-8

Doctrine: God requires us to keep His commands, but it is not a burden; it is a blessing!

- In order to fulfill our duty of obedience to God's law, which leads to a blessed life, we must throw ourselves on Him in complete dependence and work diligently as we study His word.

1Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!
2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!

Commentary:

David begins this Psalm with declaring that those who conform their lives to God's law will be blameless and will be blessed (v.1). Contrary to the world's opinion, following the way of the Lord and living a blameless life is actually the blessed life or truly the BEST* life! Sin, immorality and living in the freedom of making your own autonomous choices is NOT the road to the best life. This will cause the individual to struggle both spiritually and culturally as he or she clashes against the accepted and expected norm. Although it will be difficult, this best*/blessed life is specifically characterized by actions that reflect a saturation of the Law of God which will lead to blamelessness. V.2 reflects much of the first verse, but als adds the statement, "who seek him with their whole heart." Here we see that it is a complete devotion to the Lord that brings blessing to the saint. It is interesting to note the maxims that are used; words like "blameless", "whole" and "no wrong" (v.3). Things are not happening in part, but in totality. Focusing on "no wrong" in v.3, we see that this is a strong statement, but this is the result in the lives of those who seek the Lord and walk in His Law. In light of this, let us pursue knowing Him and His Law!

David switches gears in v.4 and emphasizes the divine command of God to His saints to keep His Law. Previously David has emphasized the blessing that comes with keeping Gods law. Why would we not want to do somthing that blesses us? Now he is pointing out that God requires us to keep His law. Plainly stated, God has commanded and we obey. As creator of the Universe and the only self-suffiencet, omnipotent being, God has all the right to demand obedience. But remember this is the way of being blessed. We praise Him that in His goodness and mercy He has made obedience a blessing as well!

By the time v.5 arrives, the reader could/should be overwhelmed by all the walking, keeping, seeking and doing. How can a person keep the laws, ways and testimonies of the Lord? David reveals the source of our strength: Prayer. "Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!" Here we see David crying out to God for the ability to keep His statutes. The God who has decreed that we keep His commands also will give us the strength to obey. This will be further dispalyed later on in the psalm, but it is also hinted at in v.8b.

V.6 and 7 reveal to us two results of God answering the prayer of David by energizing him to keep His commands. The first result is honor. By keeping his focus on the Word of the Lord, David knows that he will not be shamed. Those who break God's laws are shamed when it becomes public and also will be ashamed when they stand in God's presence. Thankfully the Lord has provided so that we can obey Him. The second result is praise. David will be able to praise God with an "upright heart" when he knows and obeys God's word. You cannot praise with an upright heart when you are ashamed. We will be in a proper position and have a proper heart in worship when we are walking in God's word. David closes out this section a commitment to keep God's commands and a cry for help in v.8. "Do not utterly forsake me!"

Application questions:

#1 - Are you praying to God for help since He is the source of your strength to be able to obey His commands?

#2 - When do you study His Word?

#3 - Are you studying it diligently?

#4 - What part of His law are you not obeying because you have believed the world's lie that obeying God's law is not the path to truly the BEST*/most blessed life?

* This should not be understood as the "Best" life that is defined by the prosperity movement. God has chosen to use persecution in order to display His glory in the life of His saints. The BEST/most blessed life may (possibly will) include persecution and suffering. See scripture below:

Matthew 5:10-12 "Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

John 15:18 "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."

See also - 2 Cor. 4:7-18

Another Test - Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

When I heard that the first Transformers movie was coming out about two years ago, I was pumped! I even got together with my four brothers and planned a sweet movie night. Unfortunately, all I had after the movie was a bad taste in my mouth and a few images that I wished I could delete from my mind. My primary issue with the movie was its portrayal of the female protagonist. Her only purpose in the film was to serve as eye candy to feed people's lust. I can't remember if any of the reviews of Transformers 1 made a big deal out of it, but they sure haven't missed it with #2!


Here's some quotes from a couple of reviews I read: (warning - crude content)


http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Movies/06/23/review.transformers.revenge/index.html

"Here's a sample of what Bay throws at the wall in the hope of generating some
stray laughs: small dogs humping. Hysterical middle-aged women. Autobots with
effeminate voices. A miniature Decepticon dry-humping Fox's leg. John Turturro
improvising. Tasers. A cowardly Latino. A short Arab. Snails. None of these
things is funny. Not in this movie, anyway. The truth is, Bay is a rotten fit
for this assignment; he's much too self-important to recalibrate his approach
for the younger audience this material demands. Memo to Michael: It's a toy
movie. Your audience is predominantly teen and pre-teen. My kids don't need to
see your salivating soft-porn fantasies or your reactionary militaristic
politics."

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2009/06/24/f-transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen-review.html

"The funny stuff also gives us a chance to appreciate the stone-cold Fox. True,
she's mainly here to serve as wet-dream fodder for the picture's predominantly
male demographic — we first see her in tight jean cutoffs, provocatively
straddling a motorcycle like something out of a Maxim photo spread. But she
brings a saucy edge to Sam's spunky trailer-park dreamgirl. And, after she
blithely dissed this movie in a recent EW interview, you have to love her even
more."

I hope this aids you in discerning whether or not this movie will bring you to glorify God in Christ Jesus and promote your sanctification. I have decided that this movie will not be an aid to me. Here are a couple items that did not influence my decision and a couple that did,


Non-influencers:


#1 - An expectation that Hollywood will produce God-honoring films did not influence my decision - It does not shock me when Hollywood produces immoral movies. I won't be leading any national protests to make the film industry "Family Friendly." But we do need to use discernment since Hollywood can turn a kid's cartoon into an immoral film. However, our depravity is so pervasive that I thank the Lord that He gives common grace that enables Hollywood to produce some decent family films.


#2 - The moral base provided in these reviews from CNN.com and CBC.ca did not influence my decision - I chose these reviews to act as a shocker, to reveal that the unregenerate can pick up on the immorality in this film (how much more then should we?). The Word of God and His Spirit provide far superior wisdom and light to guide the Christian in this decision than any review ever can.


Influencers:


#1 - Matthew 5:27-28 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Here is a clear command from Christ. This is what we are NOT to do. If someone can sit through this movie and not break this commandment, he is a better man than me.


#2 - Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." - Here is what we ARE to do. It will be hard to fit Transformers 1 or 2 through this grid. Paul gives us some strong motivation to "practice these things" - "the God of peace will be with you" if you do!

#3 - The example of femininity portrayed in Transformers is not biblical - This is not the model that fathers want to see their daughters follow, that young men want to use to find a wife, that women want to follow to be a wife or that young women want to follow in general. Scripture gives a completely different model that produces God-glorifying femininity. For example, in Titus 2 Paul instructs Titus to encourage the women to be reverent, self-controlled, lovers of their husbands and children, pure, kind, hard workers in the home and submissive to their husbands. This is the model we want to follow.

22 part study of Psalm 119?!

Alright, so I have been working through Psalm 119 and it has been a blast! The whole thing will be in 22 parts because I'm taking one section (one Hebrew letter) per day for my devotion. This Psalm may seem long and repetitive, but it displays many important doctrines concerning the Christian's walk before God, God's Character, His Word and our relationship with it etc. The reason I choose the word "display" vs. the word "describe" when speaking of these doctrines is due to the fact that we are observing David's prayers and interactions with God; not a doctrinal statement. Psalm 119 reveals how these great doctrines were thought of and lived out by David. This gives us a real-life model of how we should interact with these doctrines that is extremely practical. I hope that your walk with the Lord is strengthened and deepened though this Psalm in the coming days!