"The word of God is the greatest, most necessary, most important thing in Christendom. Without the external Word we would not know one spirit from another...Let the man who would hear God speak, read Holy Scripture." - Martin Luther

Thursday, July 28, 2005

Superlatives are too small for God!

Psalm 145:5 says:

On the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works, I will meditate.

I was thinking of this verse in light of an upcoming prayer meeting on Friday with my church family and a thought grabbed my attention. In prayer we actually get to be with God! Get that, be... with... God! Be with the One who defines majesty. Not only majesty…but glorious majesty…not only glorious majesty...but the glorious splendor of His majesty! One superlative piled on top of another to attempt to capture a glimpse of the Person of God. W.O.W.

So next time you, I, or anyone else partakes in “being” with God, consider this verse. Better still, when we contemplate on being with this God, consider the greater fact that He desires to be with us. What condescending love…what grace…what a Savior!

There remains then the wondrous... works... of God...unsearchable riches in Christ...!
Now doesn’t that make prayer appear to be as precious as it is? Christian, enjoy your God, Redeemer and Friend!

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Big Words About a Big God!

This past Sunday I had the privilege of addressing the congregation of TruLife Christian Fellowship in Lynnfield, MA. To this small and dedicated band of (mostly) seniors, I sensed my heart knit together with theirs in Christian love as we worshipped side by side.

Although small in number but large of heart, this group of seniors (some into their 90’s) found encouragement, I pray, that in God’s eyes there is always 100% attendance. Imagine that, 100% of those God has ordained to be among them for that day! What a sovereign God! I’m sure for them, as well as many in our country, there is such a huge temptation to despair or rejoice in our worship of God depending on sheer numbers alone. But O how worthy is God of our worship – even our highest praise – regardless of any external circumstances we may face. He is God, and thus worthy of all praise if big, small, medium, hurting, happy, young, old…you get my point. Remember Job! The LORD is GOD and there is no other! How blessed He is when by grace we count Him as precious as He really is! And how good it is for us to acknowledge that. It does the heart good to worship its Maker. There is so much in God, like a bottomless ocean, in which our worship can swim. In the passage I spoke on notice big words worthy of a great God. Words like "created", "heaven" and "earth", "Lord", "everything", "all things", "everything else". Try listing a few of those "everythings". Read again Acts 17.16-31 and think for a minute about God as He is heralded with a “hear-ye, hear ye” by Paul. The truth is: God is so much more great, majestic, beautiful and holy than we think He is. After unfolding God to the “very religious” idol worshipper of Athens, Paul then warns them to think rightly about God – to think in a manner according to the truth about God. Their gods were as able to stand before God as Dagon was (1 Sam. 5.1-5). After giving them no shortage of substance in which to sink the teeth of their minds into, he calls them to change their thinking - to repent. Forsake their puny thoughts about God and see Him for who He really is. We can have such big thoughts about the creation (anything created) and little ones about the Majestic Creator and Redeemer. God commands all people everywhere to believe according to what is true, because if they don’t, God has already proved He will judge justly one day. Want proof He will do this? Try to find the bones of Jesus in a tomb in Palestine. More truth is that there are no bones there. He was raised from the dead. There is the proof God will judge justly the puny thoughts of a Mighty God! I’m sure those in Athens, nor you, nor I, want to be in that seat.

This is weighty stuff, huh? Weighty because God is so glorious! Psalm 24 announces:
Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

In tender mercy God condescends in His Son to show us better things. Things that will glorify God and bless our lives. A great God produces great worship. Great worship includes blessing God and other people in His Name. O how desperate we are in our day to get a glimpse of God. May God lead us to greener pastures and more still waters. I look forward to joining together with these precious folk again in August... We covet your prayers.

Monday, July 11, 2005

Though dead...they still speak!

Hebrews 13.7 says: Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

This coming Saturday morning the men of King of Grace Church (and friends) will be meeting in my garage for the second of 18 installments, listening to yet another biographical study of one of the "redwoods" of the Christian faith given by pastor John Piper. This resource is unique. A must listen. Come if you can. Last month was Martin Luther, this month, John Owen.
We will then fellowship around this message, pray and seek God for His smile like never before! I have linked the manuscripts on this post, although I would really recommend listening to them. I would be happy to send you an mp3 copy of all of them, as Desiring God Ministries has ok'd reproduction if given away! Get that!
As we breath the air of superficiality of our day we are in desperate need of substance...gracious, joyful, truthful substance...worth living for, and dying for. This you will find in these messages.
Glory to God in the Highest!
DAO