Hosanna!

Offend God or Man?

Live with a fear of offending God rather than a fear of offending man. -- Todd Friel

This is such a simple little quote but it has quite an impact when you really think about it.  When we sin we are offending God and much of the way we live today is sinful and offensive to God.  I want to live in a way that is pleasing to the LORD, and if I offend men in the process, then so be it! Easier said than done, I know.  

Be a Biblical Theologian

This morning I read an article on Christianity.com titled:

A Healthy Church Member is a Biblical Theologian

We can attend church for years without truly knowing God. I think the writer of this article is exactly right by saying that a healthy church member is a biblical theologian. If you do not have a thorough understanding of what the Bible says about God you are living with an ignorance of truth. God wants us to know Him and not just know of Him.

We can know God! I think its amazing how quickly we forget that God is not supposed to be just a part of our life, he is the central figure, the ruler in our lives. The Bible was written to help us understand and know Him. The Bible would not be here if God did not want us to know Him.

We can all be Biblical Theologians by:

- Reading God's Word. That means reading it from start to finish to accurately gain an understanding of who God is. This will help us to discern what is true and what is false regarding what our culture teaches us about God.
- Maintain a good understanding of biblical, historical, and systematic theology.
- Obeying His commands given to us in the Bible.

"Without a well-formed theology, including an accurate understanding of how God’s commands are to be understood in their historical development and context, it is difficult indeed to obey the Lord’s command to teach others to obey. What shall we teach? What shall we obey? How shall we know what to apply to our lives? These questions are better answered when Christians are knowledgeable of biblical theology and know their God." - from the article above.

It used to bother me that I had no idea what I believed in many areas of theology. I remember a friend of mine who had a statement of faith written out on an AIM profile and I thought to myself, "That's a great list. He really knows what He believes. What DO I believe?" Instead of living in ignorance, I chose to devote my life to understanding what the Bible says about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. There is no knowledge more important than the knowledge of God.

The Value of Wisdom

I have often heard people speak of life verses - a verse that stands out to you and is particularly meaningful that you commit to memory and you keep it with you all the days of your life. Today I read Proverbs 2: 1-5 and these verses on the value of wisdom really struck me. I'm not sure if I would label this passage as my life verse but I will definitely commit to memorizing it.

My entire worldview must be shaped by the things of God, and not this world. The only way to understand the fear of the Lord and to gain any knowledge of God is to constantly seek wisdom through His word. Without the knowledge of God we know nothing, just the lies that men have created. Without understanding God's purpose and will for His people, we are literally hopeless. Wisdom is key to surviving :)

Proverbs 2: 1-5 -

My Son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

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Oh How I Agree!

John Adams
2nd U.S. President and Signer of the Declaration of Independence

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the Bible for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty God ... What a Eutopia, what a Paradise would this region be."

_{--Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, Vol. III, p. 9.}

Wait on the Lord

But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31

Trusting in God's plan and waiting on Him has got to be one of my biggest struggles. I worry, worry, and worry and what good can ever come of it? The only way to find strength is to wait on Him always and trust that He is in control of the situation no matter what it may be - whether it be a national issue or a personal issue, I need to let go of my desire to be in control and allow God to do what He will with my country, with my state, with my marriage, with my daughter, and with me. It is my focus this year to wait on the LORD in every situation that arises, especially those things which physically are out of my control.


Interesting enough, my favorite song for the past month has been this:

While I'm Waiting by John Waller


I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait

I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I'm waiting on You, Lord
Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve you while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You, Lord

You can hear the song and the rest of the album by clicking here. You can also hear it in the movie Fireproof.

A New Year of Resolutions

With it being a new year and me being a wretched sinner and all, I have been thinking quite a bit about personal resolutions lately.

What could I resolve to do better this year? What aspects of my personality need to be completely reformed? What sins do I commit regularly? What will improve my walk with the Lord? What things that I could pray for, what are things that I could do that would be beautiful in the sight of God (and not in the world)? I sin so many times a day and God forgives me for each of these sins. He is SO merciful towards me and how do I repay him? All I can do is repent daily and choose to make my decisions based on his standards. I repent - but not nearly enough; I endeavor to do better, but not nearly enough.

To my amazement, our pastor on Sunday referred to Jonathan Edwards 70 Resolutions that he would read each week. The sermon wasn't even about resolutions, it was about prayer and encouragement and the sermon was derived from Romans 15:30-33. I couldn't help but wonder though, 70 resolutions by Jonathan Edwards? What are these resolutions? I did not know about these resolutions before Sunday (I know, shocker!) and as I read them today I could not help but be amazed with every resolution.

From now on, I resolve to create my own list of resolutions that I will read on a regular basis, in addition to reading Jonathan Edwards resolutions from time to time. Every time God teaches me some way I can glorify him with my life, I will write it down. This will serve as my own personal reminder to keep God the central focus of my life, and not myself.

As for your average New Years Resolutions list, I did resolve 20 tasks to accomplish this year and you can find this on my Biblical Homekeeping blog - you can my list here.

You can read the full list of Jonathan Edwards resolutions here. I highly recommend it!

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