Monthly Archives: January 2018

Words matter.

What we say, Jesus taught us, shows us the state of our heart. So, we should be mindful of the words we use.

There are no more important words about Jesus than these:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (John‬ ‭8:58‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

In these words Jesus, the man born of a woman, provides a statement as to His very being: He is God.

The perfect God-Man.

Without mixture. Without sin. Humble. Always obedient.

The ONLY fitting sacrifice for us.

Thanks be to God. Jesus was able.

He made to way to God possible, not through our attempts at religiosity but through Him alone. He is the only way.

Thanks be to God. Jesus did.

Now, for we who are IN Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation.

Thanks be to God for these powerful words.

From the Psalms, I’m reminded: “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalms‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

God is omnipotent, God is sovereign, all is for my good. Why should I fear? Whom shall I fear? No one, for my enemy is either God’s servant to correct me or is powerless against me. Thanks be to God!!!

This thought is the result of my following a plan that is new to me. You may find it a profitable exercise.

The plan is on YouVersion: The Psalms With Timothy And Kathy Keller

On Wednesday I gave a teaching in Szeged

on HOW we might invest an hour in prayer using 12 – 5ish minute segments.

You can watch the YouTube video here…

https://youtu.be/2ITsbrqOEXU

Notes are here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_IEgMHzmjg35bSAtwgcwCOfJ32vjIbCddPBTKPQq-L8

In my life, work and travels, I may be having lunch with a democrat today, breakfast with republican tomorrow, coffee with an independent the next day, all dear friends and fellow disciples. I may meet with a Presbyterian today, a Baptist tomorrow, a Pentecostal the next day. We are fellow disciples who are urging one another on toward a stronger personal discipleship.

I try (and fail, but keep trying – I am such a sinner) to be careful so as to make the conversations I’m a part of worthwhile. It is my hope that conversations will be focused upon those things that will give glory to God.

This is confirmed for me by the following:

“So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” ‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:21-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

May our conversations find meaning as we point one another to the greatness of God rather than the allegiances of men. May we focus on Christ who unified rather than things that divide.

… is hard. Now I must wait another year to gather with groups of brothers in the village of Mátrakeresztes. Here’s an early morning view of the village.

But wait we must.

Waiting is harder from some of us than for others of you.

Consider the psalmist:

“But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” (Psalm 38:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

I think that waiting is good for our spiritual development because is helps to develop our trust in God.

In fact, it would seem that there is a direct connection between our ability to wait and the level to which we trust God.

“But for you, O Lord, do I wait; it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.” (Psalms‬ ‭38:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Trust and wait.