Sometimes I just need to close my mouth

Ok, when I read the Word, I find myself comparing people from Scripture to my personality. I like to think I'm like Paul who has a passion to preach Christ crucified (just read Galatians). I like to think I'm like John the Baptist who is preparing the way for my younger students to know Christ (Mark 1). I like to think I'm like Luke, (who in Colossians 4:14), was faithful to Paul, even when he was beat. I like to think I'm like James, who tries to live the Christian life in such a practical way (James 1-3). There are many people from Scripture that I like to compare myself to. Lately, I've realized that I'm alot like Peter as well. Please permit me to explain.

Read this passage from Mark 9:1-8 "And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” 2 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified. 7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” 8 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone"

Do you see what happened here? Jesus led Peter, James and John up a high mountain to reveal to them His Glory. In the midst of being terrified, instead of falling down in worship, Peter opens his mouth and tries to figure out a response on his own. I love what the passage reads. God basically tells Peter to "Shut Up"! Peter tries to build 3 tabernacles (as if Elijah and Moses were the SAME as Christ.) The tabernacle held the glory, the presence, the revelation of God. It was not found in men. Christ was the only one worthy to have a tabernacle set up, (however, in John 1:14, we see that He is the tabernacle of God!!!) Anyways, Peter opened his mouth and made a fool of himself. Can you relate?

Yesterday, my staff and I were eating some king cake in celebration of Mardi Gras week. The king cake is a tradition that many people in New Orleans hold on to. Inside the cake, there is a tiny plastic baby. Whoever eats the piece with the baby inside has to bring the cake for the following year! (It's a strange tradition, I'm sure there is more to it). Well, one of the ladies in the office was concerned about how she would know if she got the baby. In quick response, another lady in the office made the comment, "You'll know when the baby goes inside your mouth." To which I replied, "Or, when it comes out!" Yup, it was a Peter moment. I should've just kept my mouth shut.

In fact, I have made many Peter moments in my life. I encourage you not to follow suit. In order to save my dignity, I'd rather just end it here.

Whats my point? I'd encourage you to think before you speak.

Just in good humor,

Dave

Student Ministry: a place for theology?

I wonder what goes through the minds of people when they hear the words; "student ministry?" I bet many thoughts enter, such as: lock-ins, pizza parties, summer camp, ski trips, concerts, games, etc. I wonder if anyone things of student ministry as a place where students can learn theology? I believe what has happened in the circle of many youth groups across this country is the promotion of "Cotton Candy Youth ministry." Let me explain.

I attended a conference not too long ago in Jacksonville, FL. During this conference, I had the blessing of meeting many youth ministers from across the nation. During one of our sessions, the speaker introduced to us the term, "cotton candy youth ministry." At first, I was thinking, SIGN ME UP! I love cotton candy! Ok, I respond before I think, at times. I'm working on it! Anyways, the idea was actually to warn us of what has happened in many churches. (I would even go as far as to say that churches do this.) The idea is simple; to get as many students into the doors and into the "program," by any means as possible. Lets hire a band, bring in the fog machine, sell tons of goodies at the door, feature massive halls of games, and even raffle off door prizes for their attendance. This phenomenon has indeed worked in many churches. I can think of some that probaly have outgrown their facilities....and loving it. Well, those things are fine in of themselves as long as they are preaching the Gospel. However, from what I've seen and observed, many youth ministers have made the mistake of entertaining that they failed to teach and preach the theology of God.

Theology sounds like a bad word to some. I love it. "Theos" (meaning God) and "ology" (study of or science of). So, in other words, it simply means, "the study of God." Whats wrong with that? For example, what if we took all the fun, the games, the lights, the music, etc...and in doing so, teach theology? Start with sin. (Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7), go to salvation (Romans 1-8), then go to baptism/Lord's Supper, etc. (Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 26:26-29, etc.) and then go to providence (Psalm 139). And so on... Why not teach a generation of students...GOD, from His Word...while having fun?

I love to have fun. Sometimes, I have way too much fun. However, I'd rather not take God out fo the picture and just have fun. I'd rather not babysit teenagers and please their church parents...and NOT teach them theology. I am under the beautiful conviction that students need to know God. I believe the only way is not to start new programs, or bring in better bands, or buy more games...I believe the only way for them to know God is through the study of His Word (Colossians 3:16..WOW).

Going back to "cotton candy youth ministry." The term describes the food. Think about cotton candy. It is BIG, however with little to no substance. Once it is in your mouth, it is gone. What would I prefer in youth ministry? A big program with little to no substance? Or would I prefer a ministry that is passionate about God's Word, passionate about proclaiming His Word, and passionate about DOING His Word? I'll say NO to cotton candy. I'd rather have the prime rib of God's truth.

The Necessity for Light

I love natural light. Right now, the sun is beaming through my living room window. It is providing enough light for my eyes to see the screen and type these words. I love the light. I love the natural light that is a daily gift from the God Most High. Within my love and appreciation for His light, I am overwhelmed with a desire for people to walk in His marvelous Light. I have to confess, I'm typing this a bit annoyed with His name; MOCKED, because of some that walk in the darkness and cannot comprehend the light. I am annoyed, because I want His light to shine, I want His glory to radiate, I want His truth to be proclaimed.

Look at this rich text with me, "This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us." (1 John 1:5-10). Before I begin to sound like a self-righteous, arrogant person, please know from the beginning that I am nothing more than a wretched man saved by the marvelous grace of my Father in Heaven. I am nothing, He is everything. Every attempt to do good on my own, apart from Him, is nothing but filthy rags in His sight (Isaiah 64:6). I truly believe that I have been redeemed by the blood of His Son (John 1:29, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Colossians 2:13-15, Romans 3:23-25, 5:5-10, Hebrews 1:3, 7:25, 10:12-14, etc...MANY MORE!). I believe that I have been sanctified (set apart for His glory, 1 Cor 6:11, Romans 8:30, etc.), and I am awaiting the day to be glorified in His presence. Please know, I am nothing...He is everything (John 3:30).

This is my issue. I've seen way too much darkness in some that claim to have the light. I look at 1 John 1:9, and truly believe that daily confession of sin shows a true sign of Biblical repentance, regeneration (John 3:3, 5, 8). I believe that the evidence of confession and hatred toward sin from the heart of an person shows sign of God's salvation. Here is my problem today; when will people that believe they are saved, wake up and crave the light? When will I go on facebook and not see filth that seems to be mixed in with "child of God" (John 1:12)? When will I see parents rise up and lead their teens, and not drop them off and expect others to do it (and try to pass off to others that they are born again)? When will the church rise up, boast only in the cross, sing songs to praise the King, and live for Him daily? When will we hate sin so much that confession becomes part of our language?

I need to make this short. I pray today, that we will desire the light, acknowledge that there is indeed sin that still tries to devour like a wolf, and repent to the only One that gives the light? Friend, please join me today as we strive to daily walk in the Light, as our King is in the Light. Please join me today as we reject conformity to this world and receive transformation through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

Thank you for reading my rambling.

Dave

Amazed by His Word

Last night at our basement Bible study, we were blessed to sit together and watch a sermon preached a few years ago by David Platt. In the sermon, David expressed the importance of desiring the Word and allowing ourselves to trust in it above anything in this world. During the sermon, David shared a story about a time in his life in which he felt the Lord was calling Him to be passionate about the Word. Right after he shared the story, he went on to cite Romans 1-8, all be memory! Yes, he memorized the first eight chapters of Romans! We sat there, completely amazed by the Word of God; hidden in the heart of a young preacher. Afterwards, many of us were speechless; to say the least. What power.

Today, I have this verse on my mind after last night: " Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You" (Psalm 119:11). I love this verse. I believe this verse perfectly communicates what we experienced last night in our basement. The Word, hidden in our hearts, leads us to treasure it more. We treasure His Word, by allowing it to take residence in our hearts! Today, I've made a goal to try to memorize as much as Hebrews as I can. I realize this is a very lofty goal, but one that I believe is worth pursuing. What else would I want to study as much as the Word of the Living God? I treasure His Word. I'm grateful for faithful preachers like David Platt who remind me of the power of the Word. May my words be His Words, and my thoughts be His thoughts.

Today, what do you treasure? Are you amazed by His Word? I encourage you to take time to begin treasuring His Word in your heart. Trust me, it's the best book that will ever touch your hands.

Reflections of the day: Mark 1:7

So, today I got to teach the middle school students a lesson from Mark 1:1-8. Together, we studied the life of John the Baptist. We studied his proclamation of the Gospel, his passion for the Gospel, and his humility in declaring the Gospel. It was a powerful study. It blessed my soul to prepare it. One verse still is on my heart...which makes that the verse I want to "reflect" on.

Look at this verse with me. Mark 1:7, "He kept proclaiming, "The one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to bend down and untie his sandal straps." Do you see the greatness of Christ reflected in the life of John the Baptist? He was the messenger, foretold from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3...he was the one that prepared the way for the Messiah! Yet, here, we see the entire spotlight placed on Jesus. WOW... what a testimony. This isn't an abused humility that some like to teach. I've heard humility taught as if I'm completly worthless, hopeless, and having no value... It's hard to think that humility is ONLY that. I see humility simply as the desire for us to decrease as we increase the glory of Christ (John said this in John 3:30). I see humility as our proclamation of HIM, our passion for HIM, and our weakness compared to HIS greatness. John the Baptist had many reasons, I'm sure, to brag. However, he proclaims the glory of Christ in these powerful words...What kind of message do we send? Do we live this message in our daily lives? (For your information, John the Baptist was the only person that Jesus ever said this about, "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.) Wow!

Please don't get me wrong...I'm a guilty sinner that types this. I believe that pride is an ugly monster and it can truly sneak up on us if we aren't careful. I did a little experiment today. There is a certain shirt that I like to wear. I've only worn it twice now. Both times that I've worn this shirt, I've received several compliments from people in my church. I admit, I put it on today because I liked it when people complimented me. I know, I'm bad! It kind of reminds me of Genesis 37:1-6, when Joseph was given a nice shirt, hopeful future plans...and perhaps bragged about it? Even out of fun, we can see how easy it is to place the spotlight upon ourselves!

Let us all join together and purposely live our lives in efforts to glorify the One that has come and will come again! Let us decrease, so that He may increase.

Reflections from the day: Romans 8:1

Well, maybe if I make my blog posts seem to be part of a series...I can be better organized with my thoughts? Or, maybe it will look cooler to read? I don't know...but I want to see what happens. So, here you go today: this is my first contribution to Reflections from the Day: Romans 8:1. Please permit me to share with you the joy I experienced today with this text. I love it. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"(Romans 8:1).

This morning, my pastor preached from this text. It was a refreshing sermon and time of corporate worship with my church family as we celebrated together this powerful truth. From Romans chapters one through seven, we get this powerful introduction in chapter 8...THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS! Nothing can seperate us from this truth! It's a truth that has been shaping the church since her birth. I wonder if we proclaim this truth daily? I wonder if we can join Romans 10:15 " How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!". I pray our feet take this good news to all the nations! I pray that my life will reflect to others the light of the Gospel, the beauty of freedom and the privilege that I have been justified (Romans 5:1), and sanctified (1 Cor 6:11), and glorified (Romans 8:30); all at the same time...being adopted as His own! (John 1:12). I pray we can not just walk away after hearing a message about NO CONDEMNATION and simply think to ourselves, "hmm, that was a nice reminder." I believe it must go farther than that. I believe we should proclaim it in such a way that people see the evidence of that promise, living in us! For example, do they SEE that there is no condemnation for us, who are in Christ Jesus. Or, are we living so like the rest of the world that this verse is weak and meaningless? Oh Father, please transfer us daily to your marvelous light and continue to sanctify us by Your Word. Please lead us to be a people, a chosen priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), adopted children, that seek to honor you. Father, please lead us to share with others the glorious truth that through Your Son; Jesus Christ, there is now NO condemnation!

I like this song by Shane and Shane. It's called I want it all. I want to close with its lyrics:

To starve is to feast
And less of me is more of Jesus
Lord, I want it allLord, I want it all
If i lose my lifeI gain everything
And at the cross Away with all death's sting
Lord, I want it all Lord, I want it all
There is power in the blood
There is victory in Jesus
Come in power, wash me clean
Overwhelm me with Your presence
There is power in the blood
There is victory in Jesus
Help me glory in the cross
Help me find my gain in loss