There are days when I feel that being a Captain of Lives is a noble calling. There are also days when I feel overwhelmed by the challenge. They may be the same days.
But the question is not what I feel about being a uniformed prison officer. The question is whether it is God's will for me to be a uniformed prison officer. And the answer is yes.
Sunday 28 November 2010
Saturday 27 November 2010
According to Plan
I'm doing an after action review for something at the moment and it's amazing (though not at all surprising) how nothing ever goes according to plan.
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)
As much as we plan for things to happen, we cannot control what happens all the time. But we can trust the One who knows the future and works all things for His glory and our good, according to His plan.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:13-15 (NIV)
As much as we plan for things to happen, we cannot control what happens all the time. But we can trust the One who knows the future and works all things for His glory and our good, according to His plan.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." - Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Friday 26 November 2010
Prayer Changes Things
We had an interesting discussion at cell group this evening on whether prayer changes things.
Does prayer change things? One view is that prayer doesn't change things - it simply changes us and aligns us to God's will. But this assumes that our prayers and God's will are mutually exclusive.
(Then why pray? Because God commands us to pray? Of course, God commands us to pray. But surely God commands us to pray precisely because prayer changes things, not in spite of the fact that prayer doesn't change things!)
Why assume that our prayers and God's will are mutually exclusive? Why not rather say that our prayers and God's will are related? In particular, our prayers are the means by which God accomplishes His will - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
For example, it is God's will that 'we may gain a heart of wisdom' (Psalm 90:12, NIV). At the same time, God commands us to ask Him for wisdom.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Praying for wisdom is the means by which God gives us wisdom. This is not to say that God only gives us wisdom when we ask for it. Certainly, God in His sovereignty and mercy also gives us wisdom even when we do not ask for it. The point is that God hears our prayers when we ask Him for wisdom.
Indeed, James goes on to say that 'you do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures' (James 4:2-3, NIV).
An Objection
One might object that this view - that our prayers are the means by which God accomplishes His will - makes God dependent on us. However, there is a difference between a) God changing His mind based on His latest knowledge of our free choices as they come to pass and b) God working all things for His glory and our good based on His infallible foreknowledge of our free choices from eternity. The first position is the open theist position and the second position is the middle knowledge position.
The open theist position holds that the future is open (hence the name "open theism") because God cannot know the future. On the other hand, the middle knowledge position holds that God is in control of all things because He knows the future and works our free choices - including our prayers - for His glory and our good. (Calvinism holds that God is in control of all things because He causes our choices, which are not free.)
Personally, I believe that prayer changes things. Not because God depends on our prayers, but because God responds to our prayers!
The Middle Knowledge Position
God's knowledge of what we could freely choose to do in all possible worlds is His natural knowledge, His knowledge of all things by the very nature of who He is.
God's knowledge of what we will do in this particular world - the world which God has created and we live in - is His free knowledge, His knowledge of the world which He has freely created. And this particular world is the best possible world in which all things work 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV). In creating the best possible world, God works our free choices for His glory and our good.
God's knowledge of what we would freely do in all possible worlds is His middle knowledge, His knowledge of what happens between His natural knowledge and His free knowledge (hence the name "middle knowledge").
*Knowing what we would freely do in all possible worlds, God freely creates the best possible world in which our free choices only ever work for His glory and our good.*
Links: Prayer According to God's Will (5 Dec 10), A Molinist View of Prayer (31 Dec 10)
Does prayer change things? One view is that prayer doesn't change things - it simply changes us and aligns us to God's will. But this assumes that our prayers and God's will are mutually exclusive.
(Then why pray? Because God commands us to pray? Of course, God commands us to pray. But surely God commands us to pray precisely because prayer changes things, not in spite of the fact that prayer doesn't change things!)
Why assume that our prayers and God's will are mutually exclusive? Why not rather say that our prayers and God's will are related? In particular, our prayers are the means by which God accomplishes His will - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
For example, it is God's will that 'we may gain a heart of wisdom' (Psalm 90:12, NIV). At the same time, God commands us to ask Him for wisdom.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Praying for wisdom is the means by which God gives us wisdom. This is not to say that God only gives us wisdom when we ask for it. Certainly, God in His sovereignty and mercy also gives us wisdom even when we do not ask for it. The point is that God hears our prayers when we ask Him for wisdom.
Indeed, James goes on to say that 'you do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures' (James 4:2-3, NIV).
An Objection
One might object that this view - that our prayers are the means by which God accomplishes His will - makes God dependent on us. However, there is a difference between a) God changing His mind based on His latest knowledge of our free choices as they come to pass and b) God working all things for His glory and our good based on His infallible foreknowledge of our free choices from eternity. The first position is the open theist position and the second position is the middle knowledge position.
The open theist position holds that the future is open (hence the name "open theism") because God cannot know the future. On the other hand, the middle knowledge position holds that God is in control of all things because He knows the future and works our free choices - including our prayers - for His glory and our good. (Calvinism holds that God is in control of all things because He causes our choices, which are not free.)
Personally, I believe that prayer changes things. Not because God depends on our prayers, but because God responds to our prayers!
The Middle Knowledge Position
God's knowledge of what we could freely choose to do in all possible worlds is His natural knowledge, His knowledge of all things by the very nature of who He is.
God's knowledge of what we will do in this particular world - the world which God has created and we live in - is His free knowledge, His knowledge of the world which He has freely created. And this particular world is the best possible world in which all things work 'for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose' (Romans 8:28, NIV). In creating the best possible world, God works our free choices for His glory and our good.
God's knowledge of what we would freely do in all possible worlds is His middle knowledge, His knowledge of what happens between His natural knowledge and His free knowledge (hence the name "middle knowledge").
*Knowing what we would freely do in all possible worlds, God freely creates the best possible world in which our free choices only ever work for His glory and our good.*
Links: Prayer According to God's Will (5 Dec 10), A Molinist View of Prayer (31 Dec 10)
Monday 22 November 2010
Nov 15 to 21
Nov 15: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." - Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
Nov 16: "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)
Nov 17: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Nov 18: "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways." - Psalm 128:1 (NIV)
Nov 19: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." - James 3:13 (NIV)
Nov 20: "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:15 (NIV)
Nov 21: "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." - James 5:11 (NIV)
Nov 16: "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:20-21 (NIV)
Nov 17: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." - James 1:5 (NIV)
Nov 18: "Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways." - Psalm 128:1 (NIV)
Nov 19: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." - James 3:13 (NIV)
Nov 20: "Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."" - James 4:15 (NIV)
Nov 21: "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." - James 5:11 (NIV)
Monday 15 November 2010
Nov 8 to 14
Nov 8: "The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" - Hebrews 9:13-14 (NIV)
Nov 9: "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!" - Ezekiel 18:32 (NIV)
Nov 10: "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." - Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)
Nov 11: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Nov 12: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Nov 13: "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." - Psalm 124:8 (NIV)
Nov 14: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Nov 9: "For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!" - Ezekiel 18:32 (NIV)
Nov 10: "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." - Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)
Nov 11: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)
Nov 12: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
Nov 13: "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." - Psalm 124:8 (NIV)
Nov 14: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Sunday 14 November 2010
Training and Development
I'm reading the Bible in one year and the New Testament reading for Nov 14 is Hebrews 12:1-13.
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
I'm about to embark on my 4th week of residential training at the Home Team Academy and this is a timely reminder that training involves discipline.
If security is the foundation for rehabilitation, how much more is discipline the foundation for personal development!
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." - 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
Links: Discipline and Security (23 Oct 10), True Training (25 Oct 10), Training vs 'Tekan' (3 Dec 10)
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
I'm about to embark on my 4th week of residential training at the Home Team Academy and this is a timely reminder that training involves discipline.
If security is the foundation for rehabilitation, how much more is discipline the foundation for personal development!
"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." - 1 Corinthians 9:25 (NIV)
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)
"But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
Links: Discipline and Security (23 Oct 10), True Training (25 Oct 10), Training vs 'Tekan' (3 Dec 10)
Saturday 13 November 2010
More on Baptism and Covenant Theology
What do we mean when we say "covenantal"? In Scripture God's covenant is his self-giving to his family among humanity. As the means by which he promises salvation and restoration, the covenant is a life-and-death kind of bond signified and sealed by physical symbols. This covenant involves two parties, but it is neither a contract drawn up by nor an agreement reached between two parties. It is sovereignly and unilaterally disposed.
God establishes his covenant with his people. His people receive it, but they do not contribute to its construction. God's covenant is complete as such, prior to any response to it. In this sense God's covenant is unconditional, but this unconditional covenant operates in a carefully conditioned fashion since its grace carries in its wake obligations for the covenanted party.
In the Mosaic covenant Yahweh presents himself as having kept his covenant as the Lord who would bring his people out of bondage in Egypt (Exodus 20:2). The people do not complete the covenant by having "no other gods before" the Lord (Exodus 20:3). Rather having no other gods represents one way they are to respond to the already completed covenant - by fulfilling the obligations and implications of this redemptive grace.
The redemptive covenants of Scripture all have this structure. Given to people already under the curse, they offer the blessing of salvation to those who trust and obey. If the people spurn the covenant in unbelief and disobedience, the curse remains. This is the pattern with Noah (Genesis 5:29; 6:13; 8:21), with Abraham (Genesis 15:7-21) and also with Moses (Exodus 6:2-8; 34:10-28; Deuteronomy 28-30). The pattern finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. He enters into humanity's accursed situation and bears the divine anathema so that the blessing promised to Abraham might come to the Gentiles (Galatians 3:13-14; cf. the cry of dereliction Mark 15:34).
Baptism is now the inaugural symbol of what God does in this new covenant in Christ, in which those who are united to the covenant curse-bearing Saviour enter into every spiritual blessing in union to Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14).
Interestingly the two "baptisms" in the Old Testament to which the New Testament makes reference are both water ordeals related to God's forging of a "new" covenant relationship through Noah (ie. the flood, 1 Peter 3:20-21) and Moses (ie. the passage through the Red Sea, 1 Corinthians 10:2). Like Noah and Moses, Jesus Christ had a baptism (water ordeal) to be baptised with to forge his covenant between God and man (Luke 12:50).
- Sinclair B. Ferguson in David F. Wright (ed.), Baptism: Three Views
It could be argued that if grace were resistible, then we would be contributing to our salvation - by choosing to receive or resist grace. Hence, grace must be irresistible for salvation to be by grace alone.
However, the nature of grace is such that the graciousness of grace lies in how grace is given, not in how grace is received. In other words, grace is grace simply and solely because it is graciously given by God. It is not any more if we receive it; nor is it any less if we resist it. Whether we receive or resist grace, grace is still grace! Therefore, grace need not be irresistible for salvation to be by grace alone.
Sinclair B. Ferguson himself writes that 'God establishes his covenant with his people. His people receive it, but they do not contribute to its construction. God's covenant is complete as such, prior to any response to it.' If we do not contribute to the construction of God's covenant by obeying it, how much more do we not contribute to our salvation by receiving (resistible) grace!
Just because God's covenant is unconditionally given does not mean that it is unconditionally received. Rather, God's covenant is unconditionally given (by God) and conditionally received (by us).
Again, just because God's grace is irresistibly given does not mean that it is irresistibly received. Rather, God's grace is irresistibly given (by God) and resistibly received (by us).
*****
Total Depravity - Yes
Unconditional Election - Unconditionally Given and Conditionally Received
Limited Atonement - Unlimitedly Given and Limitedly Received
Irresistible Grace - Irresistibly Given and Resistibly Received
Perseverance of the Saints - Yes
Link: Baptism and Covenant Theology (14 Aug 10)
God establishes his covenant with his people. His people receive it, but they do not contribute to its construction. God's covenant is complete as such, prior to any response to it. In this sense God's covenant is unconditional, but this unconditional covenant operates in a carefully conditioned fashion since its grace carries in its wake obligations for the covenanted party.
In the Mosaic covenant Yahweh presents himself as having kept his covenant as the Lord who would bring his people out of bondage in Egypt (Exodus 20:2). The people do not complete the covenant by having "no other gods before" the Lord (Exodus 20:3). Rather having no other gods represents one way they are to respond to the already completed covenant - by fulfilling the obligations and implications of this redemptive grace.
The redemptive covenants of Scripture all have this structure. Given to people already under the curse, they offer the blessing of salvation to those who trust and obey. If the people spurn the covenant in unbelief and disobedience, the curse remains. This is the pattern with Noah (Genesis 5:29; 6:13; 8:21), with Abraham (Genesis 15:7-21) and also with Moses (Exodus 6:2-8; 34:10-28; Deuteronomy 28-30). The pattern finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. He enters into humanity's accursed situation and bears the divine anathema so that the blessing promised to Abraham might come to the Gentiles (Galatians 3:13-14; cf. the cry of dereliction Mark 15:34).
Baptism is now the inaugural symbol of what God does in this new covenant in Christ, in which those who are united to the covenant curse-bearing Saviour enter into every spiritual blessing in union to Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14).
Interestingly the two "baptisms" in the Old Testament to which the New Testament makes reference are both water ordeals related to God's forging of a "new" covenant relationship through Noah (ie. the flood, 1 Peter 3:20-21) and Moses (ie. the passage through the Red Sea, 1 Corinthians 10:2). Like Noah and Moses, Jesus Christ had a baptism (water ordeal) to be baptised with to forge his covenant between God and man (Luke 12:50).
- Sinclair B. Ferguson in David F. Wright (ed.), Baptism: Three Views
It could be argued that if grace were resistible, then we would be contributing to our salvation - by choosing to receive or resist grace. Hence, grace must be irresistible for salvation to be by grace alone.
However, the nature of grace is such that the graciousness of grace lies in how grace is given, not in how grace is received. In other words, grace is grace simply and solely because it is graciously given by God. It is not any more if we receive it; nor is it any less if we resist it. Whether we receive or resist grace, grace is still grace! Therefore, grace need not be irresistible for salvation to be by grace alone.
Sinclair B. Ferguson himself writes that 'God establishes his covenant with his people. His people receive it, but they do not contribute to its construction. God's covenant is complete as such, prior to any response to it.' If we do not contribute to the construction of God's covenant by obeying it, how much more do we not contribute to our salvation by receiving (resistible) grace!
Just because God's covenant is unconditionally given does not mean that it is unconditionally received. Rather, God's covenant is unconditionally given (by God) and conditionally received (by us).
Again, just because God's grace is irresistibly given does not mean that it is irresistibly received. Rather, God's grace is irresistibly given (by God) and resistibly received (by us).
*****
Total Depravity - Yes
Unconditional Election - Unconditionally Given and Conditionally Received
Limited Atonement - Unlimitedly Given and Limitedly Received
Irresistible Grace - Irresistibly Given and Resistibly Received
Perseverance of the Saints - Yes
Link: Baptism and Covenant Theology (14 Aug 10)
Friday 12 November 2010
The LORD is Peace
Gideon went in, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to [the LORD] under the oak.
The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. When Gideon realised that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!"
But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die."
So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
- Judges 6:19-24 (NIV)
Shalom is a Hebrew word, so much richer in its range of meanings than the English word "peace", which usually refers to the absence of outward conflict or to a state of inner calm. The concept of shalom includes these ideas but goes beyond them, meaning "wholeness", "completeness", "finished word", "perfection", "safety" or "wellness".
Shalom comes from living in harmony with God. The fruit of that harmony is harmony with others, prosperity, health, satisfaction, soundness, wholeness, and well-being. When you pray to Yahweh Shalom, you are praying to the source of all peace. No wonder his Son is called the Prince of Peace...
Yahweh Shalom is a title rather than a name of God. Shalom is a common term for greeting or farewell in modern Israel. When you say shalom, you are not simply saying "Hello" or "Have a Good Day". In its deepest meaning, it expresses the hope that the person you are greeting may be well in every sense of the word - fulfilled, satisfied, prosperous, healthy and in harmony with themselves, others and God.
Shalom is a covenant word, an expression of God's faithful relationship with his people.
- Ann Spangler, The Names of God
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27 (NIV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so. With the tip of the staff that was in his hand, the angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared. When Gideon realised that it was the angel of the LORD, he exclaimed, "Ah, Sovereign LORD! I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!"
But the LORD said to him, "Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die."
So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
- Judges 6:19-24 (NIV)
Shalom is a Hebrew word, so much richer in its range of meanings than the English word "peace", which usually refers to the absence of outward conflict or to a state of inner calm. The concept of shalom includes these ideas but goes beyond them, meaning "wholeness", "completeness", "finished word", "perfection", "safety" or "wellness".
Shalom comes from living in harmony with God. The fruit of that harmony is harmony with others, prosperity, health, satisfaction, soundness, wholeness, and well-being. When you pray to Yahweh Shalom, you are praying to the source of all peace. No wonder his Son is called the Prince of Peace...
Yahweh Shalom is a title rather than a name of God. Shalom is a common term for greeting or farewell in modern Israel. When you say shalom, you are not simply saying "Hello" or "Have a Good Day". In its deepest meaning, it expresses the hope that the person you are greeting may be well in every sense of the word - fulfilled, satisfied, prosperous, healthy and in harmony with themselves, others and God.
Shalom is a covenant word, an expression of God's faithful relationship with his people.
- Ann Spangler, The Names of God
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." - John 14:27 (NIV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 5:1 (NIV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Monday 8 November 2010
Nov 1 to 7
Nov 1: "Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity." - Joel 2:13 (NIV)
Nov 2: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Nov 3: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." - Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
Nov 4: "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
Nov 5: "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." - Hebrews 6:15 (NIV)
Nov 6: "Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." - Hebrews 7:26 (NIV)
Nov 7: "I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me." - Psalm 120:1 (NIV)
Nov 2: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." - Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
Nov 3: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin." - Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
Nov 4: "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." - Hebrews 5:14 (NIV)
Nov 5: "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." - Hebrews 6:15 (NIV)
Nov 6: "Such a high priest meets our need - one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens." - Hebrews 7:26 (NIV)
Nov 7: "I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me." - Psalm 120:1 (NIV)
Friday 5 November 2010
Remember, remember the 5th of November
405 years ago, Guy Fawkes - who was baptised as an infant in York no less - tried (and failed) to blow up the House of Lords.
4 years ago, I completed my NS on 5 Nov 06.
What do you remember? The affliction and the wandering? The bitterness and the gall? Or the LORD's great faithfulness, mercy and love?
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."" - Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV)
Do Not Forget the LORD
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." - Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day." - Deuteronomy 8:10-11 (NIV)
"You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." - Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV)
4 years ago, I completed my NS on 5 Nov 06.
What do you remember? The affliction and the wandering? The bitterness and the gall? Or the LORD's great faithfulness, mercy and love?
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."" - Lamentations 3:19-24 (NIV)
Do Not Forget the LORD
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." - Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)
"When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day." - Deuteronomy 8:10-11 (NIV)
"You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today." - Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV)
Thursday 4 November 2010
Setting the Standard
Today I was reminded to set the standard in what I do. Not just for others, but for myself. To be a captain in the lives of offenders committed to your custody, you must first be a captain of your own life.
Before you lead others, you must first lead yourself. Before you lead yourself, you must first follow faithful men and women and above all, 'follow the example of Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV).
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Before you lead others, you must first lead yourself. Before you lead yourself, you must first follow faithful men and women and above all, 'follow the example of Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV).
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Monday 1 November 2010
Oct 22 to 31
Oct 22: "My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word." - Psalm 119:81 (NIV)
Oct 23: "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)
Oct 24: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Oct 25: "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." - Psalm 119:97 (NIV)
Oct 26: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Oct 27: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour." - Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)
Oct 28: "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." - Titus 3:14 (NIV)
Oct 29: "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." - Philemon 6 (NIV)
Oct 30: "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." - Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
Oct 31: "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." - Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)
Oct 23: "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)
Oct 24: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Oct 25: "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long." - Psalm 119:97 (NIV)
Oct 26: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." - Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Oct 27: "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour." - Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)
Oct 28: "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives." - Titus 3:14 (NIV)
Oct 29: "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." - Philemon 6 (NIV)
Oct 30: "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." - Lamentations 3:40 (NIV)
Oct 31: "Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." - Hebrews 2:18 (NIV)
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