All posts tagged: Theology

What does it mean to Gain Christ?

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“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8 When my oldest daughter was about three years old, I would pick her up from preschool and bring her back to the office every week day. We had a little play area at work for kids to hang out until parents were done working. So she would just play in that space until it was time to go home. One day, as she played and I sat in my office putting finishing touches on my weekend message, I kept hearing this noise coming from the play area. It sounded like someone was tapping on a table with a hard object. So took a little peek to see what she was doing. Well, she was playing with one of those educational toys that help children learn different shapes. I noticed that she was forcefully trying to …

Got a Cabin in Manolo

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I bought this album a few days ago and “cabin in manolo’ has been on repeat since. I discovered something very special when I decided to research the word Manolo – because I didn’t know what in the world Manolo was. Here is what I found: “The song is primarily about comparing the Bible, the unchangeable Word of God Himself, to a firearm, a weapon that can be used offensively and defensively on a daily basis to change the world for the greater good. The name “Manolo” is a variant Spanish translation of the name “Emmanuel”, meaning “God with us”. This song is about the reassurance God gives us through His Word, something that we can actually use to change the world around us for His will. The name Manolo also implies a “high life” of wealth and fame, and the artists admit in the song that, not only are there critics out there that are trying to bring them down if they slip up, but they are also admitting that they are normal sinful …

Context is Everything

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Context is everything. I heard a story about a guy who had a very unique way of reading the Bible. In his effort to hear what God would say to him for that day, he would hold a closed Bible in his hands, close his eyes, than open the Bible with his eyes still shut, drop a pointing finger on the page of the bible, open his eyes, than read the verse on which his finger landed. Well, one morning, his first attempt landed him on a verse that said,”and Judas hang himself.” Feeling unsatisfied, he dove in for something else and his finger landed on another verse that said, “go do likewise.” Well you can imagine that was the last day he played Russian Roulette with the Bible. Come to think about it, most Christians I know approach the word of God Just like that. They reach in for something, than pull it right out of its context. But it’s important that we read and interpret the word of God by taking into consideration …

One Word that should define your entire life

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Consecration “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man or woman, who is totally dedicated to Him.” What is Consecration? The word first and foremost means to “be set apart.” It is the act of separating from a common to a sacred use, or of devoting and dedicating a person or thing to the service and worship of God. The Hebrew words kadosh and Greek  hagiazo are translated by several different English words: holy, consecrate, hallow, sanctify, dedicate. In the Old Testament God is said to be kadosh or “holy.” The Hebrew word originally meant “to be separate.” The Holy One of Israel is separate because He is God. “I am God, and not man; the Holy One in your midst” ( Hosea 11:9 ). Hosea pointed to both the otherness or separateness of God and His nearness. The holiness of God came to mean all that God is. To the prophets, God’s holiness included justice, righteousness, and many ethical concerns. “God who is Holy shall be sanctified in righteousness” (Isaiah 5:16 ). When people or things were “consecrated,” they …

With the Word and the Spirit together, you grow up.

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Too much Word and not enough Spirit you puff up. Too much Spirit and not enough Word you blow up. With the Word and the Spirit together, you grow up. – Anonymous How you seek this kind of balance in ministry is what this post is about. Just before I went to seminary for a four and a half of preparation for ministry, the Lord impressed on my heart a verse from Luke chapter 4. I started meditating upon it, but didn’t get it until the end of my first semester. I went to church at least five different times during the week. I lived on campus, so I attended our school chapel time, midweek bible study, Friday nigh prayer meetings, than both Sunday morning and Sunday evening services. I had wonderful, Spirit filled professors,  great prayer meetings and church services, but my personal prayer time, bible reading and meditation and my personal evangelism gradually came to a standstill. My passion, my fire was going out little by little. I thought to myself, I’m in the right place, …

How Should a Reformed Pastor Be Charismatic?

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The message by U.K. Pastor Tope Koleoso is entitled “Sovereign Grace, Spiritual Gifts and the Pastor: How Should a Reformed Pastor be Charismatic?” He encouraged church leaders not to sidestep the supernatural in the Christian faith and ministry, but to rightly understand and exercise the gifts of the Holy Spirit while shunning fanaticism. The freedom in Spirit must not surrender to fanaticism, our openness to the Spirit must never violate the Word of God, and our expression of joy must never degenerate into mere excitability.     Video via Joshua Harris

11 Signs that show you’ve fallen from Grace

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You are hoping that works will get you what only faith can secure for you. Galatians 3:2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? You deliberately tolerate and indulge the sinful nature. Hebrews 10:26 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, You have forsaken your first love Revelation 2:4, 5/ You walked away from your first love—why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? Turn back! Recover your dear early love. You do not trust God, the scripture nor the church You are completely isolated from everything. That includes God and His people You have an unhealthy pursuit of money and material things You are vengeful and unwilling to forgive  You have no desire for worship, prayer, obedience and church fellowship You no longer feel His presence, hear His voice, or fear Him You demand perfection of others Yet, you are longing, …

listening: a greater service than speaking.

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Christians, especially ministers, so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. Many people are looking for an ear that will listen. They do not find it among Christians, because these Christians are talking where they should be listening. But he who can no longer listen to his brother will soon be no longer listening to God either; he will be doing nothing but prattle in the presence of God too. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end there is nothing left but spiritual chatter. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together (New York: Harper & Row, 1954), pages 97-8.