Pro 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
It is always good to evaluate our trust in the Lord. Is there any way in which I am not fully trusting in Christ? Is there some area of my life in which I am leaning on my own understanding instead of leaning on the wisdom of the Lord?
True faith in God will manifest itself in obedience to Him. If I trust Him and believe his word then doing what He says will be the natural result.
My own understanding is flawed by sin. Pro 28:26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Jesus said the following, Mar 7:21-22 "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness". These are the natural tendencies of my flesh therefore my flesh is not to be trusted.
However if I acknowledge (intimately know) Him in all my ways I have the promise that He will direct my path.
Fear God Hate Evil,
Nathan
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
1 Timothy 1
1Ti 1:1-6 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Titus 2:11-12
Tit 2:11-12 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
We as a family recently finished memorizing this passage. Here we see two functions of the Grace of God.
The first purpose of grace is to be the vehicle through which God has brought salvation to us. Cross reference: Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Secondly we see the sanctifying function of the grace of God. It is our trainer. Webster described the word training in the following way. "The act or process of drawing or educating; education. In gardening, the operation or art of forming young trees to a wall or espalier, or of causing them to grow in a shape suitable for that end."
God's grace is our trainer, our discipliner. Through the sanctifying word of God (John 17:17) it forms us and shapes us into that which will best serve the master. 2Ti 2:19-21 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
I ask myself, "do I view the correction of the Lord as an act of His grace? Am I grateful for the training and discipline of His grace?"
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
We as a family recently finished memorizing this passage. Here we see two functions of the Grace of God.
The first purpose of grace is to be the vehicle through which God has brought salvation to us. Cross reference: Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Secondly we see the sanctifying function of the grace of God. It is our trainer. Webster described the word training in the following way. "The act or process of drawing or educating; education. In gardening, the operation or art of forming young trees to a wall or espalier, or of causing them to grow in a shape suitable for that end."
God's grace is our trainer, our discipliner. Through the sanctifying word of God (John 17:17) it forms us and shapes us into that which will best serve the master. 2Ti 2:19-21 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity." 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
I ask myself, "do I view the correction of the Lord as an act of His grace? Am I grateful for the training and discipline of His grace?"
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Monday, October 20, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Fear God
How often do we see people that we love, who have professed faith in the Lord turning from the Lord to serve idols. We are grieved at the dishonor that is brought upon the name of the Lord and saddened to see the suffering which will certainly ensue. I think that the Sermon that we heard in our church this morning addressed the root causes of sin and how to climb out of it (or keep out of it to begin with for that matter).
The crux of the matter is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs chapter 2 gives us a game plan for how to obtain the Fear of the Lord. It tells us to :
Receive God’s word.
Treasure up his commands.
Give ear to His Wisdom.
Incline our hearts to understanding.
Call out for insight .
Raise our voice for understanding.
Seek it like silver.
Search for it like hidden treasure.
Pro 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Throughout this passage there is a sense of fervor and urgency. We have no time to waste. Moments of temptation abound. If we are solely reactive toward sin in place of being proactive against sin then we will soon be overcome by sin and give in to the temptation.
Fear of the Lord is gained through receiving and treasuring God’s Word. Am I constantly taking hold mentally of God’s word and placing the highest value upon his commands? If I do not love what he has mandated that I do, then I will not understand the fear of the Lord or the knowledge of God.
Secondly I need to cry out for it. James wrote, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." And, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Wisdom is gained through asking fervently. It is obviously not an idle asking but rather an active one. Ask while you dig for the hidden treasure.
Finally, diligence is required in this labor of love for the Lord. Seeking it like silver, searching for it like hidden treasure. Treasures of any value don’t sit on the serfice for all to take. They require patient labor over a long period of time. So is our finding of wisdom. We will not just wake up some morning and realize that out of nowhere we are suddenly wise and have a perfect fear of the Lord. Do I have a passion for the fear of the Lord and a zeal to obey His law? Is it my all consuming drive to see Him honored and glorified?
If you find resistance in this pursuit realize that the world, the flesh, and the devil hate righteousness and can’t stand the fear of the Lord. But what does God say?
(Pro 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Pro 1:29) For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
(Pro 2:5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
(Pro 8:13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
(Pro 9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
(Pro 10:27) The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
(Pro 14:26) In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
(Pro 14:27) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
(Pro 15:16) Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
(Pro 15:33) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
(Pro 16:6) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
(Pro 19:23) The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
(Pro 22:4) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
(Pro 23:17) Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
(Pro 29:25) The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
If the fear of the Lord is our way of life then Proverbs 2 tells us we will be delivered from the perverted man and the strange woman.
So…
Love God Hate Sin,
Nathan
The crux of the matter is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs chapter 2 gives us a game plan for how to obtain the Fear of the Lord. It tells us to :
Receive God’s word.
Treasure up his commands.
Give ear to His Wisdom.
Incline our hearts to understanding.
Call out for insight .
Raise our voice for understanding.
Seek it like silver.
Search for it like hidden treasure.
Pro 2:5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Throughout this passage there is a sense of fervor and urgency. We have no time to waste. Moments of temptation abound. If we are solely reactive toward sin in place of being proactive against sin then we will soon be overcome by sin and give in to the temptation.
Fear of the Lord is gained through receiving and treasuring God’s Word. Am I constantly taking hold mentally of God’s word and placing the highest value upon his commands? If I do not love what he has mandated that I do, then I will not understand the fear of the Lord or the knowledge of God.
Secondly I need to cry out for it. James wrote, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." And, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Wisdom is gained through asking fervently. It is obviously not an idle asking but rather an active one. Ask while you dig for the hidden treasure.
Finally, diligence is required in this labor of love for the Lord. Seeking it like silver, searching for it like hidden treasure. Treasures of any value don’t sit on the serfice for all to take. They require patient labor over a long period of time. So is our finding of wisdom. We will not just wake up some morning and realize that out of nowhere we are suddenly wise and have a perfect fear of the Lord. Do I have a passion for the fear of the Lord and a zeal to obey His law? Is it my all consuming drive to see Him honored and glorified?
If you find resistance in this pursuit realize that the world, the flesh, and the devil hate righteousness and can’t stand the fear of the Lord. But what does God say?
(Pro 1:7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(Pro 1:29) For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
(Pro 2:5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
(Pro 8:13) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
(Pro 9:10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
(Pro 10:27) The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
(Pro 14:26) In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
(Pro 14:27) The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
(Pro 15:16) Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.
(Pro 15:33) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
(Pro 16:6) By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
(Pro 19:23) The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
(Pro 22:4) By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.
(Pro 23:17) Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
(Pro 29:25) The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
If the fear of the Lord is our way of life then Proverbs 2 tells us we will be delivered from the perverted man and the strange woman.
So…
Love God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Sunday Sermon.
Here are the bare bones of the sermon outline for this Sunday. May God give us the grace to apply.
Background: The Book of Deut was written by Moses close to the end of his life. The years of wondering were over and the people of God were preparing to enter the land of promise. The book is a recounting of the law of Jehovah to a new generation who would enter in and posses the land which there fathers would not enter because of unbelief. It is a series of discourses given by Moses to the people of Israel.
1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’
Notice:
1st The purpose of the commandment - Obedience,
2nd The motivation for the commandment - Fear of the Lord.
3rd The result of the commandment - It will be well with you.
1. The purpose of the commandment - Obedience
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
2. The Motivation for the Commandment - Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is that respect, awe, and reverence for God which drives us away from sin and toward the Savior.
Deut 4:10 especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
Ecc 12:13 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
3. The result of the commandment - It will be well with you.
Psa 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night.3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Obedience to God is:
1. Based on an understanding of who God is.
Duet 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
Elijah on the mountain demonstrates to us what happens when we don't know the Lord.
1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.
God’s position gives him all the right in the world to tell us what to do. He deserves to be honored, glorified, and obeyed by us.
Example: Jonah
2. Motivated by a love for God.
Duet 6:5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
We recognize love for God in obedience to his commands. I love God to the degree that I am willing to obey.
John 14:21.
3. Perpetuated through:
A. Personal meditation in the word.
Duet 6:6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
MacArthur says “The people were to think about these commandments and to meditate on them so that obedience would not be a matter of formal legalism, but a response based upon understanding.”
Ref. Rom. 12:1-2
B. Discipleship of the next generation.
Duet 6:7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Speak his word. "Don't let it depart out of thy mouth."Joshua 1:8
C. Constant reminder. Public and private
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Background: The Book of Deut was written by Moses close to the end of his life. The years of wondering were over and the people of God were preparing to enter the land of promise. The book is a recounting of the law of Jehovah to a new generation who would enter in and posses the land which there fathers would not enter because of unbelief. It is a series of discourses given by Moses to the people of Israel.
1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’
Notice:
1st The purpose of the commandment - Obedience,
2nd The motivation for the commandment - Fear of the Lord.
3rd The result of the commandment - It will be well with you.
1. The purpose of the commandment - Obedience
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
2. The Motivation for the Commandment - Fear of the Lord
The fear of the Lord is that respect, awe, and reverence for God which drives us away from sin and toward the Savior.
Deut 4:10 especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
Ecc 12:13 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.
3. The result of the commandment - It will be well with you.
Psa 1:1-3 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,And in His law he meditates day and night.3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Obedience to God is:
1. Based on an understanding of who God is.
Duet 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
Elijah on the mountain demonstrates to us what happens when we don't know the Lord.
1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.
God’s position gives him all the right in the world to tell us what to do. He deserves to be honored, glorified, and obeyed by us.
Example: Jonah
2. Motivated by a love for God.
Duet 6:5You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
We recognize love for God in obedience to his commands. I love God to the degree that I am willing to obey.
John 14:21.
3. Perpetuated through:
A. Personal meditation in the word.
Duet 6:6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
MacArthur says “The people were to think about these commandments and to meditate on them so that obedience would not be a matter of formal legalism, but a response based upon understanding.”
Ref. Rom. 12:1-2
B. Discipleship of the next generation.
Duet 6:7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Speak his word. "Don't let it depart out of thy mouth."Joshua 1:8
C. Constant reminder. Public and private
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Our New Baby Boy
On September 11, 2008 the Lord blessed us with the birth of our first son. Andrew Lansdon Marr was born at 1:00 AM. What a blessing this young man has the potential to be. If we are faithful to raise him in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, I believe that he will carry on our name and our legacy of faith to the honor and glory of Christ.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Should a Woman be Vice President
I just finished reading some more from Brother Voddie Baucham. Here is an excerpt from his blog that I thought was great.
Not only do I believe that a pro-family candidate would prefer to see Mrs. Palin at home taking care of her children, I believe a pro-family candidate would also avoid validating and advancing our culture’s desire to completely erase gender roles. Much of the discussion about Mrs. Palin’s candidacy centers around her opportunity to “break through the class ceiling” and be a “role model for young women.” The same was said of Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy in the Democratic primary. But what does this mean?
Are we really saying that we want to completely erase the distinctions between men and women. Do we really believe that it is good for our country to promote the view that women are merely men who happen to be biologically capable of having children (when it does not interfere with career advancement, of course)? I don’t think so. What do we do with the Bible’s admonition in Titus chapter two? Are Christian conservatives saying that Paul’s instructions concerning women’s duty to be “keepers of their homes” has somehow been overturned in light of recent discoveries? Or are we saying that pro-family means one thing when we’re in church, but something else when we’re trying to beat the Democrats?
Let me be clear. I am not arguing that it is always wrong for a woman to be engaged in affairs outside the home. I agree with Albert Barnes who wrote:
This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties, and become “busy-bodies” in the concerns of others. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
My point is simple. The job of a wife and mother is to be a wife and mother. Anything in addition to that must also be subservient to it. There is no higher calling. Moreover, I believe Paul’s admonition should lead us to reject any notion of a wife and mother taking on the level of responsibility that Mrs. Palin is seeking.
My heart breaks for her. She has been blessed beyond measure with five incredible children, but she is running hard after what the world says is ‘something more.’ I fear she will regret this some day. In fact, I believe she already does. I can’t imagine her going to sleep at night without a nagging doubt in the back of her mind as she thinks about the time with her children that she will never get back.
My heart breaks for her children. Their mother, by all reports, is an incredible, intelligent, energetic woman with a great deal to offer. Unfortunately, right now she is offering it to the people of Alaska, and the people of the United States of America when her first priority is to offer it to them. God designed them to flourish under the nurturing care of their mother, not some surrogate.
My heart breaks for her husband. Mrs. Palin is not even supposed to be the head of her own household (Eph. 5:22ff; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7), let alone the State of Alaska, or the United States Senate (The VP oversees the Senate). He should be shepherding her, but instead she is ruling over him (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17). How difficult it must be for him to walk the fine line of bowing to the culture that is stealing his bride while still trying to love his wife and lead his family.
My heart breaks for the so-called Christian right. All the usual subjects have been falling all over themselves to praise Mr. McCain and justify their blind allegiance to the Republican Party in an effort to secure more “pro-family” judges. They want to protect marriage from redefinition by the homosexual movement, and they are willing to redefine marriage (and motherhood) to do it.
Ironically, the Neocons are merely using Mrs. Palin as a political pawn. She is beloved because she gives them the coveted “moral high ground” in the upcoming debates. Read recent articles and the goals become clear. We must win on abortion. She makes it hard to argue for it. We must win on the race/gender issue. She gives us a woman to their ethnic minority. We must win on being young and hip. Obama is 47; Palin is 44. We must win the “change” argument. Obama is new to Washington; Palin has never served there. Checkmate!
Thank you Dr. Baucham for your perspective.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Not only do I believe that a pro-family candidate would prefer to see Mrs. Palin at home taking care of her children, I believe a pro-family candidate would also avoid validating and advancing our culture’s desire to completely erase gender roles. Much of the discussion about Mrs. Palin’s candidacy centers around her opportunity to “break through the class ceiling” and be a “role model for young women.” The same was said of Mrs. Clinton’s candidacy in the Democratic primary. But what does this mean?
Are we really saying that we want to completely erase the distinctions between men and women. Do we really believe that it is good for our country to promote the view that women are merely men who happen to be biologically capable of having children (when it does not interfere with career advancement, of course)? I don’t think so. What do we do with the Bible’s admonition in Titus chapter two? Are Christian conservatives saying that Paul’s instructions concerning women’s duty to be “keepers of their homes” has somehow been overturned in light of recent discoveries? Or are we saying that pro-family means one thing when we’re in church, but something else when we’re trying to beat the Democrats?
Let me be clear. I am not arguing that it is always wrong for a woman to be engaged in affairs outside the home. I agree with Albert Barnes who wrote:
This does not mean, of course, that they are never to go abroad, but they are not to neglect their domestic affairs; they are not to be better known abroad than at home; they are not to omit their own duties, and become “busy-bodies” in the concerns of others. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible)
My point is simple. The job of a wife and mother is to be a wife and mother. Anything in addition to that must also be subservient to it. There is no higher calling. Moreover, I believe Paul’s admonition should lead us to reject any notion of a wife and mother taking on the level of responsibility that Mrs. Palin is seeking.
My heart breaks for her. She has been blessed beyond measure with five incredible children, but she is running hard after what the world says is ‘something more.’ I fear she will regret this some day. In fact, I believe she already does. I can’t imagine her going to sleep at night without a nagging doubt in the back of her mind as she thinks about the time with her children that she will never get back.
My heart breaks for her children. Their mother, by all reports, is an incredible, intelligent, energetic woman with a great deal to offer. Unfortunately, right now she is offering it to the people of Alaska, and the people of the United States of America when her first priority is to offer it to them. God designed them to flourish under the nurturing care of their mother, not some surrogate.
My heart breaks for her husband. Mrs. Palin is not even supposed to be the head of her own household (Eph. 5:22ff; Col. 3:18; Titus 2:5; 1 Peter 3:1-7), let alone the State of Alaska, or the United States Senate (The VP oversees the Senate). He should be shepherding her, but instead she is ruling over him (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17). How difficult it must be for him to walk the fine line of bowing to the culture that is stealing his bride while still trying to love his wife and lead his family.
My heart breaks for the so-called Christian right. All the usual subjects have been falling all over themselves to praise Mr. McCain and justify their blind allegiance to the Republican Party in an effort to secure more “pro-family” judges. They want to protect marriage from redefinition by the homosexual movement, and they are willing to redefine marriage (and motherhood) to do it.
Ironically, the Neocons are merely using Mrs. Palin as a political pawn. She is beloved because she gives them the coveted “moral high ground” in the upcoming debates. Read recent articles and the goals become clear. We must win on abortion. She makes it hard to argue for it. We must win on the race/gender issue. She gives us a woman to their ethnic minority. We must win on being young and hip. Obama is 47; Palin is 44. We must win the “change” argument. Obama is new to Washington; Palin has never served there. Checkmate!
Thank you Dr. Baucham for your perspective.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
I was thinking about this verse this evening and quoting it to my daughters. We frequently refer to and think about meditation in the word as being vital to our success as Christians. But I had frequently thought of meditation as being almost exclusively an internal discipline, i.e. figuratively chewing up the word in my brain. This is an accurate understanding, however, if we look at the first clause of the verse "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth" we will see that the application of meditation involves the use of the mouth which indicates communication with others. Here our Lord is commanding Joshua to talk about his word. To quote his word. Presumably, not merely for personal edification, but also for the benefit of others.
My Application
His word is to be an important part of my every day conversation. If I am to have good success in my christian walk, both internal meditation on the word and verbal expression of the same, are vital.
Love God Hate Sin,
Nathan
I was thinking about this verse this evening and quoting it to my daughters. We frequently refer to and think about meditation in the word as being vital to our success as Christians. But I had frequently thought of meditation as being almost exclusively an internal discipline, i.e. figuratively chewing up the word in my brain. This is an accurate understanding, however, if we look at the first clause of the verse "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth" we will see that the application of meditation involves the use of the mouth which indicates communication with others. Here our Lord is commanding Joshua to talk about his word. To quote his word. Presumably, not merely for personal edification, but also for the benefit of others.
My Application
His word is to be an important part of my every day conversation. If I am to have good success in my christian walk, both internal meditation on the word and verbal expression of the same, are vital.
Love God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Just a Start
Hello Friends,
Let me introduce you to my blog.
The book of Jude was written in a day when deceptive teaching and sensuality were rampant in the society and infiltrating the church. God spoke to the faithful through his servant Jude exhorting them to struggle earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
That is what I want to typify my life. Faithfulness to the Lord and an earnest contending for the faith. May God grant me the wisdom to accomplish this.
In Contend for the Faith you will find a journal containing many of the lessons that God is teaching me in this journey of knowing Him.
I have also added an audio feature to which I will upload music for your listening pleasure. Tune in frequently to hear new songs.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
Let me introduce you to my blog.
The book of Jude was written in a day when deceptive teaching and sensuality were rampant in the society and infiltrating the church. God spoke to the faithful through his servant Jude exhorting them to struggle earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
That is what I want to typify my life. Faithfulness to the Lord and an earnest contending for the faith. May God grant me the wisdom to accomplish this.
In Contend for the Faith you will find a journal containing many of the lessons that God is teaching me in this journey of knowing Him.
I have also added an audio feature to which I will upload music for your listening pleasure. Tune in frequently to hear new songs.
Fear God Hate Sin,
Nathan
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