I think this makes a big difference. Rather than just reading something, I'm given some insight. This in turn makes it more fascinating and exciting, because I learn something new about our awesome God!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Bible Reading Tip #1
One thing that has helped me has been to pray as I start to read that the Holy Spirit would illumine the Word to me.
Bible Reading Tips
Several people have expressed desire to read regularly in the Word. Sometimes it's just so hard to get going!
I thought perhaps we could all share things that have helped us in reading the Bible. Things that have helped us get started, be consistent, be motivated, understand what we read, and just get more out of that time.
My thought is to make a separate post for each idea, and call it "Bible Reading Tip #_" with the next number. I imagine some of the ideas will be contradictory, since we're all wired differently. And I'd say don't worry about whether it's a universal principle or not. Just write about something that you've found helpful at some point.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Do Hard Things
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Serve Where He Set You...
Man, it's crazy how these things line up so often...
Truth for Life Daily
June 3, 2009
These were the potters [who] lived there in the king's service.
Potters were among the ranks of manual workers, but the king needed potters, and therefore they were elevated to royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. In the same way we also may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord's work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for the King; and therefore we will play our part, hoping that, although we live among the pots, we will soar in the service of our Master.
These people dwelt among plants and hedges and had rough, rustic hedging and ditching work to do. They may have wanted to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their assigned places because they were doing the king's work. There is no ideal place for us to serve God except the place He sets us down. We are not to run from it on a whim or sudden notion, but we should serve the Lord in it by being a blessing to those among whom we live. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they lived with the king, and although among hedges and plants, they lived with the king there.
No lawful place or gracious occupation, however menial, can keep us from communion with our Lord. In hovels, run-down neighborhoods, and jails, we may keep company with the King. In all works of faith we can count upon Jesus' fellowship. It is when we are in His work that we may reckon on His smile. You unknown workers who are serving the Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have often been found among rubbish, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ugly weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell with the King and do His work, and when He writes His chronicles, your name shall be recorded.
Devotional material is taken from "Morning and Evening," written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright (c) 2003, Good News Publishers and used by Truth For Life with written permission. Today's Bible Reading material is taken from McCheyne Bible reading plan and used by Truth For Life with permission. Scripture quotations are taken from Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright (c) 2001, Good News Publishers.
Soldier Slain By Militiant Muslim
On June 1st Private William Long was shot and killed, and Private Quinton Ezeagwula was terribly wounded and is still in the hospital outside a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas. All we've been hearing in the news is how Dr. Tiller's murderer reflects on the entire Christian faith and pro-life movement, but the only thing you'll hear about Carlos Bledsoe, who now goes by the name Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad, is how he was a lone gunman. Not that he was a recent convert to Islam. Not how he studied in Yemen.
This double standard is something we've all grown use to, but it is no less shocking and disgusting. And while President Obama wasted no time in making a statement about the murder of Dr. Tiller, he still has yet to comment either on the domestic terrorist Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad or offer his condolences to the family of Private William Long. My heart goes out to Long's family, as well as Private Ezeagwula. I'll be praying for his speedy recovery.
Here's an interview with the father about the shooting. I was unable to watch it without crying. He is a former Marine, as well. God bless the men and women of the armed forces who gladly put on the uniform to defend our very lives, and pray for those who pay the ultimate price in our stead.
-Matt
This double standard is something we've all grown use to, but it is no less shocking and disgusting. And while President Obama wasted no time in making a statement about the murder of Dr. Tiller, he still has yet to comment either on the domestic terrorist Abdul Hakim Mujahid Muhammad or offer his condolences to the family of Private William Long. My heart goes out to Long's family, as well as Private Ezeagwula. I'll be praying for his speedy recovery.
Here's an interview with the father about the shooting. I was unable to watch it without crying. He is a former Marine, as well. God bless the men and women of the armed forces who gladly put on the uniform to defend our very lives, and pray for those who pay the ultimate price in our stead.
-Matt
Monday, June 1, 2009
Late-Term Abortion Provider Slain at Church
The whole story is here, care of the Washington Post.
Anna and I talked about this last night, and I'm am curious to see what the rest of you think. I believe that the person who did this is a murderer, and certainly has hurt the pro-life movement with their actions. They were wrong to do it, and there is nothing in their actions that reflects Christ or His love for the lost.
However, I cannot say that I am surprised by this crime. This man had been aborting babies (read: killing unborn children) since the 1970's. It made me think about the verse in the Bible about those that live by the sword. Is this an example of God's justice, or simply one misguided person being taken down by another misguided person?
Another thing that really makes this case interesting is the fact that he was shot attending church, specifically the Wichita Reformation Lutheran Church in Kansas. That link goes to their mission statement page. I have to wonder how the pastor there felt about his famous parishioner; after all, Dr. Tiller was a well-known figure and had been in the center of the right-to-life controversy for some time, having been shot before. Is abortion something that is sanctioned by reformed Lutherans? Was the pastor trying to reach out to Dr. Tiller and convince him to change his ways? If Dr. Tiller was a Christian, how did he reconcile his actions with his beliefs?
These are just some of the questions that I'm struggling with now. My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family and friends, and I hope that in this tragedy the love of God can work in their lives to draw them all close to Him. Having said that, my heart is also with all of the children whose lives were ended by the doctor in the name of "a woman's right to choose."
-Matt
Anna and I talked about this last night, and I'm am curious to see what the rest of you think. I believe that the person who did this is a murderer, and certainly has hurt the pro-life movement with their actions. They were wrong to do it, and there is nothing in their actions that reflects Christ or His love for the lost.
However, I cannot say that I am surprised by this crime. This man had been aborting babies (read: killing unborn children) since the 1970's. It made me think about the verse in the Bible about those that live by the sword. Is this an example of God's justice, or simply one misguided person being taken down by another misguided person?
Another thing that really makes this case interesting is the fact that he was shot attending church, specifically the Wichita Reformation Lutheran Church in Kansas. That link goes to their mission statement page. I have to wonder how the pastor there felt about his famous parishioner; after all, Dr. Tiller was a well-known figure and had been in the center of the right-to-life controversy for some time, having been shot before. Is abortion something that is sanctioned by reformed Lutherans? Was the pastor trying to reach out to Dr. Tiller and convince him to change his ways? If Dr. Tiller was a Christian, how did he reconcile his actions with his beliefs?
These are just some of the questions that I'm struggling with now. My heart goes out to Dr. Tiller's family and friends, and I hope that in this tragedy the love of God can work in their lives to draw them all close to Him. Having said that, my heart is also with all of the children whose lives were ended by the doctor in the name of "a woman's right to choose."
-Matt
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