No Sunglasses in Heaven

What?! I know it seems silly, but I will explain. A friend of mine, was complaining of a headache and how the sunlight only intensified his pain. Then he remarked, "Thank God for sunglasses." The more I have thought about that statement, the more I have realized, "Thank God I won't need sunglasses in Heaven."

The sun is the most massive and majestic object in creation. The light that it gives the earth is so intense, even from such a great distance, that staring into it can cause serious optical damage. Our eyes are sensitive to the sun's light that we must shield and protect our eyes from its damaging brilliance. The only way we are able to actually enjoy and appreciate the glory of the sun is in its veiled glory (i.e. sunsets and sunrises). This is no different than God's glory.

Read 2 Corinthians 4:6. The reason Jesus came in human form was to display the glory of God in a way that our eyes (both physical and spiritual) could take it in. He is now glorified at the right hand of God, waiting to come again. It is this coming that I am anticipating. 1 John 3:2 says that when He comes we will "see Him as He is." We won't be blinded like Paul or afraid like Peter, James, and John. We won't have to shield our eyes or need sunglasses. We will be able to see and comprehend and enjoy His beauty and glory. We only see veiled glimpses, but one day we will see fully. I can't wait for that day, when I can see. So, I long to see Jesus today and everyday, but even more I long for the day when there will be no separation, no limitation, and no desperation. I will be face to face with Glory and rejoice!! Come quickly Lord Jesus!


- Rickey

Desiring God App

If you have an ipod, iphone, or ipad and want to have an amazing app that gives you access to an amazing variety of resources and information on God. Then click the link below to find out to get it.

Announcing the Desiring God App

Valentine's Day Gift Idea

What are you giving your sweetheart for Valentine's day? Chocolate? Diamonds? Both? What about a blessing? My Pastor and Father (Rick Dees) preached a sermon on blessing your family during Christmas, and I would like to share with you his outline for blessing those you love this Valentine's Day.

Reasons to give Blessing as a Gift
1. It is what those you love desire most - We crave blessing, commendation, and assurance that we are loved by the one's we love.
2. It carves a path - Blessing give direction to the lives of others. Blessings set them on a course with confidence, knowing that no matter the outcome, your love will always be strong for them.
3. It displays God's own transforming work in you - Naturally, we are selfish. Supernaturally by God's grace we become givers rather than takers.

Steps in developing a blessing

1. Think about the persons qualities
2. Think about God's will
3. Think about your hopes for them
4. Point them to Jesus

I hope you will consider giving blessing as a gift today, it will last much longer than chocolates, it will be far more cherished than diamonds, and it will strengthen your bond with your sweetheart.

Beware: The Bible Is About to Threaten Your Smartphone Focus

Thought this was worth sharing

Beware: The Bible Is About to Threaten Your Smartphone Focus

Our Days Are Numbered

"O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! (Psalm 39:4 ESV)

Have you ever considered the brevity of life? In the thousands (some would argue millions) of years of history you almost certainly will not even occupy a century of it. Is there a benefit of being consciously aware of the shortness of life? I believe there is.

We are faced everyday with reminders of how fragile our lives are. There are numerous dangers and perils that threaten our lives on a daily basis. Big things like car crashes and natural disasters to even microscopic strains of viruses and cellular abnormalities threaten to wipe us out at any given time. These dangers are largely beyond our control. Although, life is short and filled with uncertainty, one thing is certain: death. Death does not discriminate, it is no respecter of age, position, class, or gender. Sometimes it is slow in coming and sometimes it seems to come to soon. It comes nonetheless. This is depressing. Please don't stop reading. Although this is a depressing reality, that we often avoid thinking and talking about, behind the gloom lies hope.

This life we live is full of pain and brokenness, true, but there is a life that is full of joy and satisfaction in the presence of God. His Word promises an eternal life for those who will forsake their former treasure of sin in exchange for the Most Excellent Treasure, Jesus. Listen to His words from the book of John, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 ESV)" Trouble and pain are to be expected, but if you will hope and trust in Jesus, who said He has overcome the world (including death), you should remain aware that trouble is only temporary. Read what Paul writes, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV)" How does he characterize our troubles? Light and Momentary.

David's hope is firmly in a God who is permanent and eternal. When men live and die, God remains. His hope was in the promise of God to give new life to His children. If you are in Christ this is your hope also. You need not worry about the cares of this world (money, fame, beauty, entertainment), but instead grow in anticipation of leaving trouble behind and being forever united with the all-satisfying, life-giving, love-abounding God.

Why You're Not Happy

Happiness is something that can easily be defined by a dictionary, however it seems to be a different thing entirely to actually (and permanently) experience. We spend countless hours on vacations, at parties, playing video games, watching movies, fiddling with our smart phones, hanging out with friends, and whatever else we can find that we think will bring us happiness. We play Angry Birds, Call of Duty, Farmville, Solitaire, slow pitch softball, bowling leagues, and fantasy sports. We pursue boyfriends, girlfriends, best friends, close friends, family, spouses, and children. We seek fulfillment and happiness from all kinds of relationships. We work and study our way to a degree that will put us in a position to make a fair amount of money so we can afford vacations, 4-wheelers, new cars, nice homes, big TVs, and the latest electronics. All of this is done in our pursuit of happiness. Only to discover that all of these things we pursue turn out to come up short of totally satisfying us. No wonder we are doped up with anti-depressants. So what is the answer?

I believe that deep in the heart of every person there is a fundamental longing for true and lasting joy. We have been created by a happy, joyful, and exuberant God. The Bible tells us that God was satisfied with what He created, delights in the praise of His people,and ultimately was "well pleased" in His Son, Jesus Christ. So we have a happy God who created people with the deep desire to be happy. Unfortunately we live in a world of depression, anxiety, brokenness and pain. Where did we go wrong? Where I believe we have veered off course is that we have delighted in other things except for God. We have "exchanged" the truth of a happy God who desires to satisfy us with an intimate knowledge of Him, for the lie that His desire is to keep us from joy by making us follow a strict and overbearing list of "do's &don'ts". We have bought into the idea that God is an angry and condescending tyrant who will strike you down just for whistling. So what is the solution?

Read Psalm 16.11, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." God has proven Himself as the only eternal and satisfying source of joy. Where do we find this joy? In His presence. Have you been battling unhappiness? Have been growing weary of the pursuit of temporary satisfaction? Let me be clear, I am not saying that if you forsake the deceiving pleasures of sin and pursue holiness in God, you will always be in happy situations. That is simply not rue. You will however, be able to look beyond those trying times, to a day in which you will no more be pursuing God, you will have Him right before you. The deep longing of every man's soul is realized in the presence of God. Abandon your pursuit of happiness, and take up a real pursuit of the happy God.

Who Are You?

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." (Genesis 32:24-28 ESV)

"What is your name?" We meet new people everyday and the very first thing we learn about them, usually, is their name. There is a lot in a name. Who you are, where you may be from, who you are related to, etc. Some people don't like their name. They think they are boring, unimaginative, and ugly. There was a time when a name was more than a way to get your attention. Names used to be a reflection of a child's personality. Such was the case with Jacob.

In this biblical story we encounter Jacob wrestling with a man, who many believe to be the Lord Himself. This takes place on the eve of his reunion with his brother Esau. This was a huge stressor for Jacob, because 20 years prior he had tricked their father, Isaac, into blessing him instead of his older brother, Esau. From that point, Esau had vowed to kill Jacob. So Jacob ran. Now he is about to be face to face with a brother whom he had betrayed and cheated, and he believed his days were numbered.

Jacob's name as you may know means, deception. He was a deceiver, he tricked his brother out of his birthright, tricked his father for a blessing, and tricked his father-in-law by manipulating the breeding of his flocks. (another story for another time) Every relationship in Jacob's life was marred by deception. So when God asks Jacob, "What is your name?" Jacob's answer is important for us to examine. Why? To answer that lets look in Gen. 27.18-19:
So he went in to his father and said, "My father." And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?" Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn. I have done as you told me; now sit up and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me."
Did you see Jacob's answer? He lied, he would not admit who he was, a deceiver. Now asked directly by God, "What is your name?" Jacob finally after deceiving everyone he came into contact with, at the breaking point where any man finds himself before God he admits his identity. "Deceiver!"

"Who are you?" Have you been lying about your identity? Have you been pretending to others? You may have them fooled; you're not fooling God. He knows who you are at your very core. You may say you love Him and demonstrate that in ways others can see. Maybe you serve in your church in some way, feed the poor, love neglected children, or give money to charity. Those things are amazing and if you are doing those things keep doing them, please, but if you are only doing those things for your gain and praise from men your deceiving them and yourself. We need to be honest before God and admit we are weak, poor, unclothed sinners in need of blessing. When we do look at what happens:
"What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

When we seek the Lord's blessing instead of the praise of man, He changes us and blesses us richly beyond what we can even ask or imagine, or deserve. Jacob was a bum, plain and simple. So am I. So are you. But there is a blessing just an admission away. Skip the wrestling match and tap out, then tap in to the blessing of an honest and satisfying relationship with the undisputed champion of Heaven.

The Pain of Rejection

 

 

When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. And Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben, for she said, "Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me." She conceived again and bore a son, and said, "Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also." And she called his name Simeon. Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "This time I will praise the Lord." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing. (Genesis 29:31-35 ESV)

This was one of my assigned readings today on the ESV Study Bible Yearly Plan. (To download the mobile app visit: m.youversion.com/mobile) As I read this, I thought about some fears that I have (which oddly enough was inspired by another assigned reading this morning). One of those fears is rejection. Rejection of friends, family, acquaintances, even strangers. This rejection was the dominating theme of Leah's life. Jacob had come to Laban's house to escape the wrath of his cheated brother Esau, and upon arrival fell deeply in love with Leah's younger sister, Rachel. For seven years Jacob labored for the opportunity to marry Rachel and in an ironic twist, Laban replaced Rachel with Leah in a style that the master trickster Jacob had to secretly admire. This happened because according to custom the firstborn had to married before the second was given in marriage. So not only was she not Jacob's first choice seven years prior, but in those seven years, she was no one else's either. To make matters worse Jacob immediately, after discovering it was Leah and not her sister, set out to serve seven more years for Rachel. Leah was utterly and callously rejected and no one seemed to notice or care, or so it seemed.

The rejection and neglect of a spouse is a common practice of our day and time, also. Men, women and children are routinely neglected and rejected by their spouses, their peers, their subordinates, their students, their parents, and their children. This is even true in the church. To those who suffer from this rejection and neglect, there is a dark and lonely cloud that hangs over them. Many may wonder, "Does anybody see?" "Does anybody care?". My emphatic answer is, "Yes!". If you will, I want to examine this selected passage and show you that God sees and knows your suffering.

When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren...
God saw Leah's plight, and in love bless her with fertility. This is important because in this culture, bearing children was a sign of blessing directly from God. In and of itself this would have been enough for Leah to be satisfied her suffering was seen by God. But the amazing thing about God is that when He chooses to bless, He blesses richly.

Leah will eventually bear Jacob four sons. Each are important, but two in particular I want to point out.

Again she conceived and bore a son, and said, "Now this time my husband will be attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore his name was called Levi. And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, "This time I will praise the Lord." Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she ceased bearing.

Levi. Levi was the father (many generations later) of Moses. God greatly used Moses to redeem his people, Israel (the name given to Jacob) from the land of Egypt. More importantly, Moses was a foreshadowing of Jesus. His redeeming Israel is a direct parallel to Jesus' redemption of believers. Also, the tribe of Levi was chosen to be priests to God and minister to the people, to offer sacrifice and atone for the sins of Israel. All of this was a result of God's blessing on a woman who was rejected and neglected by her husband.

Judah. Judah was the father (many generations later) of David. God used David in many mighty ways. To defeat Israel's enemies on every side, lead Israel in following God's decrees and statutes, and to gather the materials for a temple in which God would dwell. David also (many generations later) would become the father of Jesus. So, Judah, born to the rejected Leah, by the grace of God was the father of the One who would rescue and redeem all who have been rejected, ignored, hated, and neglected, Jesus Christ.

How amazing that from one rejected and unloved woman, God raised up so many instrumental men and women to accomplish His purpose of glorifying His self in Jesus? He sees your pain, He knows your suffering. All He asks from you is to lay it down. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)

 

Unashamed (Rom. 1.16-17)

This week in SS, we will be looking at Romans 1.16-21.  I encourage you to read the whole 1st chapter of Romans a couple of times, as your daily bible reading.  As you read I would like you to honestly answer the following questions:


1.  Has there ever been a time when you knew that the Lord was leading you to share the gospel and you were afraid of a potentially awkward situation if you did?


2.  Have you ever doubted that sharing the gospel would actually change someone? Why or why not?


3. Is that wrong?  Why or why not?


I would like for you to think about these questions and be honest with yourself, I know I am having to be, and just so you know; not lovin' it.  But this kind of self examination (as well as Holy Spirit examination) is critical to our obedience to God.  We must be bold and consistent in sharing the gospel.  I would like to share a story of Penn Jillette. He is the “talkative” half of Penn and Teller, the Las Vegas comedy-illusion team.  Penn is a very outspoken atheist. 

"At the end of the show as I’ve mentioned before, we go out and we talk to folks, you know, sign an occasional autograph and shake hands and so on.  And there was one guy waiting over to the side in what I call the “hover position”...he had been the guy who picks the joke during our psychic comedian section of the show.  So he had the props from that in his hand because we give those away, the joke book, the envelope, and the paper, and stuff...

And he walked over to me and he said, “I was here last night at the show, and I saw the show and I liked the show...” he was very complimentary about my use of language and complimentary about honesty and stuff.  He said nice stuff, no need to go into it, he said nice stuff. 

And then he said, “I brought this for you,” and he handed me a Gideon pocket edition.  I thought it said from the New Testament but also, Psalms is from the New Testament right?..Little book...And he said, “I wrote in the front of it and I wanted you to have this, I’m kind of proselytizing.”  And then he said, “I’m a business man.  I’m sane, I’m not crazy.”  And he looked me right in the eye and did all of this.  And it was really wonderful. 

I believe he knew that I was an atheist.  But he was not defensive.  And he looked me right in the eyes.  And he was truly complimentary,...it didn’t seem like empty flattery.  He was really kind and nice and sane and looked me in the eyes and talked to me and then gave me this Bible.  And I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize.  I don’t respect that at all.  If you believe that there is a heaven and hell and that people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think that, well, it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward...How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize?  How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? 

I mean if I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you and you didn’t believe it, but that truck was bearing down on you, there’s a certain point where I tackle you.  And this is more important than that.  And I’ve always thought that and I’ve written about that and I’ve thought of it conceptually. 

This guy was a really good guy.  He was polite, and honest, and sane and he cared enough about me to proselytize and give me a Bible.  Which he had written in it a little note to me...just like, liked your show and so on.  And then like five phone numbers for him and an email address if I wanted to get in touch.  Now, I know there’s no God.  And one polite person living his life right doesn’t change that.  But I’ll tell ya, he was a very, very, very good man.  And that’s real important.  And with that kind of goodness its ok to have that deep of a disagreement.  I still think that religion does a lot of bad stuff.  But man, that was a really good man who gave me that book.  That’s all I wanted to say.” 

http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/dr-james-emery-white/the-gift-of-a-bible-11603130.html
Courtesy: Elizabeth Ponder

can the gospel cause shame?

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. - (Rom 1:16 ESV)
 I am not ashamed...hmm.  Ashamed...isn't the gospel a good thing?  Then, why shame?  Why would Paul say this?  Does the gospel bring us shame?

 To answer these questions we must answer one very important question, what is the gospel?  The gospel is simply the good news that God reigns (Is. 52.7).  God reigns.  That's it?  Yep.  But what about us?  Isn't the gospel about us, also?  Sure.  The good news is that although you have belittled and rejected His reign and glory (Rom. 1.23, 25), He has brought you out of that darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2.9b).  So that now you may bring glory to Him by your glad obedience.

  The gospel tells sinners who think they are god; they are not.  You see Satan got Adam with this lie and has been fooling men and women for all time.  Satan told him and tells us that if we would just step out from under the reign of God we could be our own god.  This is idolatry and is punished by God with eternal, literal torment in Hell.  That makes people mad.  It has for centuries, more like millennia.  It will continue, until all of God's enemies, that includes those who refuse to trust Him are destroyed.  This is offensive to sinners.  Light offends darkness (John 1.5). 

 Ok, but where do I get all this stuff about shame?  Well, when people are offended, they will lash out at the one who has called them out.  Sometimes violently, sometimes they will use some form of verbal abuse.  This is a source of shame.  Open and public ridicule and opposition is a terrifying concept for many.  The fact is that if you speak out against anything that is honored above God, you will be put to open shame.  It is the scare tactic of Satan.  I think I could say with confidence that it is the number one reason many believers do not share their faith.  Even so, we have a command from Christ to preach the gospel, despite the crippling terror of open shame it may cause.  But how? 

 How can we say together with Paul, "I am not ashamed of the gospel..."?

   1. We must know the object of the gospel.
      a. The Object of the gospel is God.
      b. God is sovereign (Is. 52.7; Is. 46.9-11)
      c. Because God is sovereign His plans cannot fail (Job 42.2; Dan. 4.35)
   2. We must trust that even in the worst of circumstances that God is sovereign, everything that          takes place has been allowed and planned by God and that God works everything for the good of  those who love Him (Rom. 8.28).
   3. We must understand and acknowledge that without Jesus we can do nothing(we can't breathe, we can't speak, we can't be unashamed of the gospel without His power). (John 15.5)
  

Go, now in the power of Jesus and be bold in your workplace, in your home, in your school, in your social circles, and be unashamed of the gospel, because in the gospel is the power of God to save sinners. 

Do you desire Community?

If you have been following the posts, you will know that I have begun a study of the book of Romans.  Over the last week I have discussed at length Romans 1.5 which is the key verse in the greeting.  It highlights God's aim and our mission with the gospel.  That by grace we "bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations..."  One thing we must understand concerning the "obedience of faith" is that this is not a one time decision.  No, this is a process, a process that takes the rest of your life.  So, one may ask, after we have brought someone to Jesus and they have been born again, what now???

Our job as a servant of the Lord is not over when we see some one brought into obedience.  We must continue on with that person and every believer in the body of Christ.  Read Romans 1.8-13. 

1. Why does Paul thank God for the Roman believers?

2. Why does Paul thank God for (answer to #1)? 

3. How often does Paul pray for the Roman believers?

4. What does Paul pray for?  (2 things)


What if we longed to be among the people of God as much as Paul did?  He desired community, we desire privacy.  Why is that?  Why have we moved away from the biblical concept of community?  Is your desire to share your gifts with those of the body of Christ?  If your answer is no, then I ask you, why not?  Think hard about these questions.  Be honest. 

I would love to hear your perspective regarding these questions.  Please leave a comment or send me an email : rickey.dees@gmail.com. 

Are you feeling distant from God?

Have you ever felt distant from God?  You may feel distant from God as you are reading this post.  You may have felt this way for a long time.  You don't have to stay there.  God desires that all who are His to be near Him.  Over and over again through the Old Testament prophets, God pleads with Israel to not forsake Him, and warns them of the consequences.  Jesus calls to the crowds, "Come to Me...". The fact that you are reading this post is a way of God reaching out to you, to draw near to Him again.  So, how can we close the gap? 

1) Confess and repent from your sin of desertion. 
               a.  If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. - (Ps 66.18)
     You have moved from God.  At some point along the way, you began following your commands.  We all do this, and when we do, we need to stop.  We need to confess, accept by faith God's forgiveness and move on.

2) Pray to see the glory of God.
               a. Moses said, "Please show me your glory." - (Exd 33:18)
               b. One thing I have asked of the LORD,...to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD... - (Ps. 27.4)
     The only way we will be able to see the glory of the LORD is He revealing it.  We cannot with human eyes see and comprehend the beauty of God.  We must ask and ask often.

3) Seek the glory of God.
               a. One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
                                                                                                                                             (Ps. 27.4)
    We must not be idle in prayer, but we must pray in expectant longing, combined with seeking after the Lord.  God is not going to play a cosmic game of "hide and seek".  Read what He says through the prophet Jeremiah:
                       You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. - (Jer 29:13 ESV)

You clicked on this post for a reason.  My prayer is that you will follow these 3 steps and by the grace of God, find your way back to Him. 

Grace-Driven Effort

In our study on Romans this morning we discussed the relation of grace, faith, and obedience.  Let's get our bible and review. 1) Grace is given by God, through the obedient death and resurrection of Christ.[Rom. 1.4-5]  2)  Along with this grace we have received a specific calling[i.e. preaching, teaching, hospitality, parenthood, giving, singing, encouragement] from God to be lived out in the power of the grace supplied [Rom. 1.5; 12.6].  3) This grace also enables us to have the faith necessary to obey God, even in the midst of hardship, because our calling is sure.  4)  Our general calling is to receive the grace(power) to fulfill our specific calling in order to bring the nations into obedience and glad submission to the God, for the glory of His name.  [Rom. 1.5] 

To remained focused on this goal, I would encourage you to memorize this verse. 
    For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.                                                                                                                                  (Rom 11:36 ESV)

Is this blog, helpful?  Please feel free to leave your comments below.  I would love to hear your feedback!!

Thanks

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Romans 1.1-7

As we have moved through the week I hope that you have continued to read Romans 1 everyday.  This Sunday our focus will be on vv. 1-7 in chapter one (1).  I want to post a few questions for you to engage your mind and then I want to ask some questions to engage you in the text.  It is so important that as you read a text of scripture that you bombard the text with questions, it is a useful tool to understanding the concepts that you are reading, also it helps with retaining what you have read.  Ok...


In your mind, why has God chosen to save us?(Please answer this before reading the next questions)














What is the aim/purpose of the gospel?
















What does Paul tell us about the gospel of God? (v. 2)




Who is the gospel about? (v. 3&4)




What has the gospel done for us? (v. 5)




For what purpose have we been saved? (v. 5)




I want you to notice a phrase in verse 5.  "...we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations..."

"for the sake of His name".  The goal of missions/gospel is the glory of God.  God has set into motion the wheels of salvation in order to make His name great and glorious.  This is His ultimate purpose.  Let me quote on of my favorite men of God, John Piper in his book on missions, Let the Nations Be Glad!:

Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church(what?!?!, its ok, keep reading).  Worship is.  Missions exists because worship doesn't.  Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man.  When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. 

...Worship is therefore the fuel and goal of missions.  Its the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God's glory.(compare with Romans 1.5)  The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God. (see Ps. 97.1; 67.3-4)   

But worship is also the fuel of missions.  Passion for God in worship precedes the offer of God in preaching.  You can't commend what you don't cherish.  Missionaries will never call out, "Let the nations be glad!" who cannot say from the heart, "I rejoice in the Lord...I will be glad and exult in You, I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." (Ps. 104.34; 9.2)  Missions begins and ends in worship.

I know that was really long, but did you see that the ultimate purpose of God in the gospel is to be glorified above all others.  This will be our discussion on Sunday.  I encourage you to read Romans 1 as many times as you think about it, answer these questions and lets have a wonderful discussion on Sunday. 

Rickey

Romans 1.1

Yesterday we started our study of Romans by reading the first chapter of the book. I would encourage you read it again today, before you read pray this verse back to God, "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. - (Psalm 119:18 ESV)".  As you read, make notes of any questions you may have and try to search the Bible for answers.  Make notes of truths that you will apply to your life.  Active reading is very important to understanding what you read.  If you feel like you have read a great deal and don't remember what you just read, do not get down, just go back and reread.  I know many of you have children, I would suggest doing this during their nap or later in the evening when they are asleep, as they will be a distraction.  It is of great importance that those who have been redeemed by God and who are called to be conformed to the image of God, understand the instruction of God revealed in His self-revelation.  We must do everything we can to avoid being distracted as we encounter the Word of God.  After you have read the first chapter and made your notes, I would encourage you to read and answer some questions that will help apply the Word of God to your life.  I aim to show you how a simple phrase can hold great meaning to us who are believers. 

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus...(Romans 1.1)
1. What is a servant/slave?

2. What kind of tasks does a servant/slave perform?

3. Suppose you hired a servant, and you gave him/her an assignment, under whose authority is that servant acting, their own or yours?

4. So when Paul says he is a servant of Jesus Christ, whose authority is He under?

Did you know that every person on the face of the Earth is a slave? 

Read Romans 6:16

1. Paul mentions two (2) masters.  Who are they?

2. What are the results of being a slave to sin?  to obedience?

What does vv 17-18 have to say about those who are born again?

We are to be servants/slaves to righteousness, namely to Jesus Christ. 

I would like you to open a new tab in your web browser.  In the address bar type http://www.blueletterbible.org (this is a wonderful Bible study tool, I would suggest adding to your favorites)  In the search bar type in the words, "servant of the Lord", click on the version drop-down menu and select ESV, click "Search".  (a screenshot has been provided for you to make sure you are in the right place)

Find four (4) people who were called "servants of the Lord".

The highest honor for any believer is to be a servant of the Lord.  However, a common misconception exists between serving and being a servant.  When you are serving the Lord, you choose where you are willing to serve.  When you become a servant of the Lord, you are at the command of God.  You have given up your will.  This is what Paul had done, there was no way that he could have (or would have) gone through all the hardships he did without being totally resigned to do not his will, but the will of God.  We must be willing to humble ourselves, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6). 

Moses, Joshua, David, Isaiah, Mary, James, Paul, _____________.  Could you put your name there?

You must, if indeed your desire is to be like Christ, "who though He was in the form of God...made Himself nothing, taking on the form of a servant."(Phil. 2.5-6). 

Rickey

Anticipation

Tonight will be the start of many long nights.  Tonight, I'm laying on a faux leather sofa five feet away from my soon to be non-pregnant wife as the two of us are being serenaded by the muffled sounds of our daughter Madelyn's rapid heartbeat.  Tonight the anticipation has reached its apex, for months we have looked forward to so many things, like finding out her gender, picking out her name, buying her crib, painting her room.  Now in a few short hours she will be here, and as best as Laura and I know how, we have prepared ourselves to be loving, responsible, Godly parents.  This whole scenario has reminded me of a very dear chapter in the book of Romans. 

In chapter 8, Paul has been talking about life in the Spirit, in verse 18 Paul begins to talk about our future glory at the coming of Christ and compares (actually he notices that there is really no comparison at all) to the present sufferings of our lives.  He likens this to childbirth. 

Laura and I have talked a great deal about how painful this birth will be for her and possibly for me ;).  But one way I have tried to comfort her and relax her is by talking about Madelyn.  What she will look like, how I hope that she has Laura's eyes, or her hair, or smile.  How we can't wait to hold her, to kiss her, to love her and care for her.  Unfortunately before we can do any of those things there is pain.  However the pain Laura thinks will last forever will be only momentary and light compared to the joy she and I will experience when we hear Maddie's first cry.

This is what Paul is trying to convey.  In fact he says just that in 2 Cor. 4.17, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison"  In comparison the suffering and affliction we experience in this life is momentary, but in the moment it seems more than we can stand.  But I would encourage you to look beyond this life, look beyond this world, look beyond yourself...and see the weight of glory that Christ will deliver to us.  This glory that we will share with Him for eternity.  Make Christ your treasure, and watch your pain turn to pleasure. 

Rickey

Holy Requirements

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good? (Deuteronomy 10:12, 13 ESV)

What a list!! Lets go over it again.
1. Fear the Lord your God.
Does this mean literal fear? I don't think that it literally means the idea of walking on eggshells because at every turn God is just waiting to smack you down. I do think however that we should be very well aware of the fact that it could actually happen though and that God would be entirely right to do so. After all, does He not tell Adam, "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eatt of it you shall surely die." (Genesis 2:16, 17 ESV).
2. Love the Lord.
This is a hard thing to do. We are flighty and fickle. We love one day and hate the next. We grow tired and bored. So how do we love the Lord in a way that is real and lasting. One way is by obedience. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15 ESV) This obedience however is also a constant ebb and flow, back and forth. So how do we consistently love the Lord and consistently obey. We must ask God to do something in us to change our desires toward Him.
3. Serve the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
From the deepest part of you must come an all consuming passion to serve the Lord with gladness and joy.
4. Keep the statutes and commandments which have been given to us by God.
Have you ever thought about how wonderful it is that God has given us the commandments found in scripture? My guess would be that you have probably wished that He hadn't. The beauty of the giving of the Law is that it shows us that we have sinned. You may say, "why is that so wonderful?". Because without our knowledge of our sin we cannot repent. If we cannot repent we cannot have eternal life. The knowledge of sin, although it causes great guilt on our part is so instrumental to our salvation.
Note the last phrase in verse 13. It says that all these things are for our good. God has given us these requirements not for harm or to cause us grief, but for our benefit. We often find His commands burdensome. Our trouble is that we misunderstand and misinterpret the meaning of good. Like a child whose idea of fun is sticking their finger in an electrical socket or putting there hand on the hot stove. When they are told, "No." they burst into a fountain of tears and throw a huge tantrum. But is not your command to them for their good? As the parent you know better than your child what is good for them and what will harm them. Just think of how much more the Creator God knows what is for our good. Let's acknowledge His sovereign understanding and will above our own.

-Rickey

Location:W Point Tap Rd,Palestine,United States

Finishing

I have three different journals that I have written on about a handful of pages each. I have projects around my house that are halfway completed. I have started to read my bible through in a year for the last five years of my life. These things are really great things to set out to do in life. Journaling is a very profitable practice. Also profitable is the goal to read through the bible. The only problem with these things is that I have not completed a single one. I have not finished. This deeply saddens me.
However, as I was beating myself up, I remembered a verse in the book of Hebrews that calls Jesus the beginner and finisher of our faith. (Heb. 12.2) Jesus is the ultimate finisher. Elsewhere in the book of Isaiah, God says that He will accomplish all that He sets out to do. (Isaiah 46.10)
Here is where these two paths cross. Me the non finisher has been indwelt by the Spirit of the One who begins a good work and sees it to completion. (Phil. 1.6) So I have here resolved to become a finisher by the power (grace) of God and to be a faithful servant who, when my life is through, hears the Divine accolade, "Well done, good and faithful servant...enter in to the joy of your Master." (Matt. 25.21)
Will you do the same?

Location:Palestine,United States

Intimacy

There have been so many times in my life (in yours as well, I'm sure), where you felt a longing to draw near to God.  Those times are quickly followed by a sense of ignorance as to how to exactly do this.  You may bow your head to pray and your phone rings or the images and conversations of the day distract your mind.  You may sit to read your Bible and your daily reading plan has directed to read the first three chapters of 2 Chronicles.  You seem to be getting no where.  If this is you, I would like to share with you a lesson that I taught ("Those who can't do; teach." Someone said that, not sure who, but it fits here.  Although I am in the process of practicing what I am going to preach) last week to a group of college students.  So take your Bible and turn in it to John 6:1-15.  The focus will be on verse 15.  The title of this lesson is Intimacy with the Almighty.  Hope this can help.  Verse 15 Says this:  " Perceiving then that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by Himself."  This verse contains the 3 principles we must discipline ourselves to practice in order to experience intimacy with God.

Intimacy With the Almighty

Three Principles from the Life of Jesus

John 6.1-15

I.                    Solitude & Silence

a.       Jesus experienced many times of solitude and Silence.

                                                               i.      Luke 6.12-13 (Chooses 12 disciples)

                                                             ii.      Luke 5.16; 9.18,28

                                                           iii.      John 6.15

b.       In OT & NT God encounters many people on a one on one level.

                                                               i.      Abraham – Gen. 12

                                                             ii.      Jacob – Gen. 28.13; 32.24-32

                                                           iii.      Moses – Ex. 3, 19

                                                           iv.      Gideon – Judges 6

                                                             v.      Elisha – 1 Kings 19.11-18

                                                           vi.      Peter – Acts 10

                                                         vii.      Paul – Gal. 1.17

c.       What is the importance of being quiet and alone before God?

                                                               i.      It is Biblical

1.       Psalm 37.7; 46.10; 62.1

2.       Hab. 2.20

3.       Zeph. 1.7

4.       Lam. 3.25-28

                                                             ii.      To follow the example of Jesus.  (If He needed time alone with God, how much more do we need to spend time silent before the Lord?)

                                                           iii.      To express worship to God.  (Silence and time alone before Him is an act of worship.  You are communicating to Him how important being in His presence truly is.)

                                                           iv.      To seek the will of God.

                                                             v.      It is a good practice to not just come to God and dump all your prayers and leave.  Come before Him in silence and reverence and fear.  Yes, I said fear.

II.                  Prayer

a.       Many times when Jesus withdrew to be alone it was His sole purpose to spend time (at times very large chunks of time) in prayer to God.

b.       What are some things we need to know about prayer:

                                                               i.      Prayer is expected and commanded.

1.       Matt. 6.5-9 (Note “when you pray….” Followed by a command)

2.       Col. 4.2 “(You) Devote (imperative) yourself to prayer….be alert. (Remember for III. Focus)

3.       1 Thess. 5.17

“As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and of cobblers to mend shoes, so it is the business of Christians to pray.”  - Martin Luther

                                                             ii.      Prayer is learned

1.       By praying

2.       By meditating on Scripture

a.       Psalm 19.7-10, 14

b.       Psalm 119

                                                           iii.      Prayer should be intentional

1.       You must plan to pray.

III.               Focus

a.       Jesus understood that His mission was not to be an Economic Messiah, a Political Revolutionary or a Bread King.

b.       John 18.36 He speaks to Pilate and declares that His reason for coming was to establish a Kingdom that was unseen.  The Kingdom of God.

c.       So what is our mission/focus?

And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith. [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]  That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]. Phil. 3.9-11 (AMP)

For Christ and His Kingdom, 

Rickey

FOLLOWship

As some of you know, we have been studying about the life and person of Jesus, as told to us by the apostle John. We have learned that Jesus came to the world as God's Son or King. Not only did He come to "explain" God to us, (John 1:18), He declared that He was in fact God. Jesus' claims were very controversial and stirred up alot of excitement as well as resentment. As I have read through John, in preparation for each week, I notice that Jesus is a very self-sufficient guy. He has no need of man or of man's approval. For instance, John 2:24 says that He didn't trust man, because He knew what was in the heart of man (evil). In John 5:41 there is this statement, "I do not receive glory from man." He sought no praise from man, only that of His Father.



As I have read I have also noticed one other interesting thing. Jesus has asked men to participate in what He was doing. He calls 12 men to FOLLOW Him. So here are these uneducated, simple tradesmen, following a guy around who claims to be God. What an staggering 3 years these guys spent with Jesus. As I read the things that Jesus says, I can only think that there would be similar reactions in our churches today that the Jews had in their day. Things like, "Whoever is of God, hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." John 8:47. Who says that to people and expects a good response? Not Jesus. Why? Because Jesus is seeking a certain kind of follower. Some one who will completely surrender their opinions, their dreams, their goals, their careers, their finances, their health and well being, and ultimately their life. This is why thousands quit following Him in the 6th chapter of John. This is why milllions reject Him today. G.K. Chesterton a writer and philosopher at the turn of the 20th century observed, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting (or unfulfilling); it has been found difficult and left untried." FOLLOWship is Costly.


The sad thing is this, we believe that Jesus is the only way, we trust in Jesus, and believe that He is God, yet we still often think or say, "Jesus didn't REALLY say that, did He?" Do we really believe that Jesus is who He says He is? Do we really believe that Jesus meant the things He said? How about this, if He didn't mean them then He was a liar. Now I don't say that light heartedly. I want you and I to seriously consider this. Did Jesus really mean what He said? These are important questions because of the implications that exist for us. If Jesus really meant the things He said, then we have horribly missed the mark. We are so concerned with comfort and ease that following Jesus becomes an easy walk in the park. We care more about the temperature of the worship center than we do about keeping a homeless man warm in the winter. We care more about our iPods and laptops. Than we do about feeding someone who is hungry. And above all we care more about our self esteem and how we are perceived by others more than we do about faithfully and boldly speaking to lost people about the Good News of the Kingdom. What cost Jesus His life, cannot be cheap for us.


Jesus did not hang on that cross so that you could be comfortable. He didn't hang on that cross so that you could continue in your sin and live your life without any regard for Him. He died on that cross because you were God's enemy, and God's wrath was intended for you, but Jesus took the hit. He sacrified, He gave all, He suffered, He obeyed God, He sought the glory that comes from God more than the glory that comes from man. And He wants you to follow Him. Will you?



I am.

 Join me.

 Lay your life down.