Here is the first of 5 video presentations by the Presbyterian Church in America. Bryan Chapell, president of Covenant Seminary, explains where the recognized leadership of the denomination see our faults, gifts, and mission moving forward.
I post this because, this is the denomination under whose authority I serve. So these issues are important to me and many who follow my path to pastor. What do you think about the presentation? What do you think God is telling our denomination?
Seeking to know Jesus better,
Dwayne
30 June 2010
23 June 2010
The Curse and Hope
This entry is based upon the Robert Morris Cheyne Bible Reading plan for June 23 (Deuteronomy 28; Psalm 119:25-48; Isaiah 55; Matthew 3). - check out the blog calender for daily readings.
Friends ,
In Deuteronomy, we read about the blessings God will give us if we obey. Note that obedience doesn't mean perfect living, it means living, knowing the law and that knowledge will drive us to repent and restore your relationship with God. Then God goes on to tell us the consequences of not living in that manor. The list is long and the curse is great. You can understand why the Pharisees created rules that would prevent one from sinning. But we know any such law or rule only leads to a false hope and self righteousness.
Psalm 119 continues to tell us to know, love, and meditate on God's law. When you think about it, is there really anything more important then knowing what God has told us to do. Then we come to Isaiah 55, one of the best chapters in the Old Testament. We are told again and again what God has to offer cannot be purchased. The food and drink God is offering is not practical but spiritual food. Seek this refreshment now while Jesus can be found. Praise God, Jesus can still be found.
Finally, the reading in Matthew paints a picture of the previous three readings. We have John the Baptist, calling the people to repent of their sins. Then come the religious leaders of the people, representing the wrong way to live. They also claim to love the law, but they do not call you to repent. Friends we have just finished reading the laws of God. It is impossible to live life without the need to repent. Then we have Jesus (who loves God and knows the law), the one man who doesn't need to repent, shows us, examples for us, how to live and love. The chapter ends with God telling us He is pleased.
Friends, true joy can only be found in trusting in Jesus and following Him. What does that look like? Psalm 119 is painting a good picture. Revelations 3:19 does a good job as well.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Pray for me, I am preaching at DaySpring on Sunday June 27th. Passage Isaiah 35.
Friends ,
In Deuteronomy, we read about the blessings God will give us if we obey. Note that obedience doesn't mean perfect living, it means living, knowing the law and that knowledge will drive us to repent and restore your relationship with God. Then God goes on to tell us the consequences of not living in that manor. The list is long and the curse is great. You can understand why the Pharisees created rules that would prevent one from sinning. But we know any such law or rule only leads to a false hope and self righteousness.
Psalm 119 continues to tell us to know, love, and meditate on God's law. When you think about it, is there really anything more important then knowing what God has told us to do. Then we come to Isaiah 55, one of the best chapters in the Old Testament. We are told again and again what God has to offer cannot be purchased. The food and drink God is offering is not practical but spiritual food. Seek this refreshment now while Jesus can be found. Praise God, Jesus can still be found.
Finally, the reading in Matthew paints a picture of the previous three readings. We have John the Baptist, calling the people to repent of their sins. Then come the religious leaders of the people, representing the wrong way to live. They also claim to love the law, but they do not call you to repent. Friends we have just finished reading the laws of God. It is impossible to live life without the need to repent. Then we have Jesus (who loves God and knows the law), the one man who doesn't need to repent, shows us, examples for us, how to live and love. The chapter ends with God telling us He is pleased.
Friends, true joy can only be found in trusting in Jesus and following Him. What does that look like? Psalm 119 is painting a good picture. Revelations 3:19 does a good job as well.
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
Pray for me, I am preaching at DaySpring on Sunday June 27th. Passage Isaiah 35.
20 June 2010
Jesus is Everywhere....
Happy Sabbath and Father's Day! How do you celebrate this day in your home? Is it breakfast in bed? Does your family take you out to dinner? If you are the orchestrator of the Father's day celebration, thanks you. Whatever you do this day, I hope it brings you great joy!
The readings today seem to all remind me of Christ. I know every part of scripture points to Jesus, but when I read these passages this morning, Jesus just seemed to jump out at me. In the Deuteronomy we read about what happens to those accused of a crime. Fast forward to what happened to Jesus. Pilate found him without guilt, yet Pilate punished Jesus with 40 lashes. The greatest punishment a guilty party could be given. Then the Psalm is full of how Jesus responds to my cry for salvation and responds with amazing love. In Isaiah, we see Jesus as the Good News and we respond in song. Later in the chapter we read how Jesus would be beaten and treated as less than a human for me. Finally, in Revelation we read about what a sin free creation will look like and how everyday we will be spending time with Jesus, someone who loved us when we where ugly and dead in our sin. Can you imagine spending time with someone who loves you and you find amazing. That is what I think spending time with Jesus will be like. We will be working with Jesus enjoying Him in the mist of that work. We will be resting with Jesus and enjoying Him as we recline and enjoy food, drink, and entertainment. We will be worshiping Jesus and standing in awe of Him.
Looking forward to that day!
Dwayne
Tomorrow is the first day of summer. So that means I get to shave off my mustache and start reading the New Testament from the beginning. If you do not have a reading partner. Join this blog and we will read this book of love and salvation together.
The readings today seem to all remind me of Christ. I know every part of scripture points to Jesus, but when I read these passages this morning, Jesus just seemed to jump out at me. In the Deuteronomy we read about what happens to those accused of a crime. Fast forward to what happened to Jesus. Pilate found him without guilt, yet Pilate punished Jesus with 40 lashes. The greatest punishment a guilty party could be given. Then the Psalm is full of how Jesus responds to my cry for salvation and responds with amazing love. In Isaiah, we see Jesus as the Good News and we respond in song. Later in the chapter we read how Jesus would be beaten and treated as less than a human for me. Finally, in Revelation we read about what a sin free creation will look like and how everyday we will be spending time with Jesus, someone who loved us when we where ugly and dead in our sin. Can you imagine spending time with someone who loves you and you find amazing. That is what I think spending time with Jesus will be like. We will be working with Jesus enjoying Him in the mist of that work. We will be resting with Jesus and enjoying Him as we recline and enjoy food, drink, and entertainment. We will be worshiping Jesus and standing in awe of Him.
Looking forward to that day!
Dwayne
Tomorrow is the first day of summer. So that means I get to shave off my mustache and start reading the New Testament from the beginning. If you do not have a reading partner. Join this blog and we will read this book of love and salvation together.
01 June 2010
Love Often Comes when I'm Vulnerable and Humbled...
I hope each of you had time to rest over the weekend. At some point we should discuss what sabbath rest means to us. In Deuteronomy, the sabbath rest is something we can invite others to be part of. So I guess it might not be napping in my room. Anyway, just something dancing around in my brain.
Psalm 88 is one of the few psalms that only discuss being in a dark place. There is little hope seen in this Psalm. What an honest expression of what we feel at times. The Word is so willing to be honest and up front. I hope you are that honest with God and with a few other members of the body of Christ.
There is a verse in Revelation, I wanted to bring to your attention.
Revelations 3:19. Those whom I (Jesus) love, I (Jesus) reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
First, the part where Jesus shows His love for us by reproving and disciplining us. Part of God loving us is by His discipline. Growing up I never liked that phrase or idea. But those who love us, will take the time to express concern (tag sticking up, bad breath, drinking to much, etc.) and if in a position of authority discipline. All those expressions are for my good and when it comes from one I love or I know loves me, it doesn't hurt as much. For me that discipline comes in the form of a painful back and sore knees linked to walking around with so much extra weight. So often I pray that God would stop the physical pain without asking for Him to address the sin that drives me to that idol.
When our sin is revealed, a work of the Holy Spirit in combination with the law, and our eyes are opened to what harm it has caused. How are we to respond? The rest of the verse... become zealous, having great enthusiasm in the pursuit of repentance. I am not one who gets excited about going to God or others concerning the ways I have sinned against them. So I do not have a tool or plan to help address this struggle. But is seems when we are aggressive in this area, we will see the Holy Spirit work all the more clearly?
Praying you will see God's discipline as the expression of love He intends it to be. Rejoice in how that disciple is used by the Holy Spirit to grow the family of Christ.
Psalm 88 is one of the few psalms that only discuss being in a dark place. There is little hope seen in this Psalm. What an honest expression of what we feel at times. The Word is so willing to be honest and up front. I hope you are that honest with God and with a few other members of the body of Christ.
There is a verse in Revelation, I wanted to bring to your attention.
Revelations 3:19. Those whom I (Jesus) love, I (Jesus) reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.
First, the part where Jesus shows His love for us by reproving and disciplining us. Part of God loving us is by His discipline. Growing up I never liked that phrase or idea. But those who love us, will take the time to express concern (tag sticking up, bad breath, drinking to much, etc.) and if in a position of authority discipline. All those expressions are for my good and when it comes from one I love or I know loves me, it doesn't hurt as much. For me that discipline comes in the form of a painful back and sore knees linked to walking around with so much extra weight. So often I pray that God would stop the physical pain without asking for Him to address the sin that drives me to that idol.
When our sin is revealed, a work of the Holy Spirit in combination with the law, and our eyes are opened to what harm it has caused. How are we to respond? The rest of the verse... become zealous, having great enthusiasm in the pursuit of repentance. I am not one who gets excited about going to God or others concerning the ways I have sinned against them. So I do not have a tool or plan to help address this struggle. But is seems when we are aggressive in this area, we will see the Holy Spirit work all the more clearly?
Praying you will see God's discipline as the expression of love He intends it to be. Rejoice in how that disciple is used by the Holy Spirit to grow the family of Christ.
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