The Simple Truth

Every Need Met...

This morning as I read through the fifth chapter of the gospel of Mark I was struck by the similarities and consistencies within the three miracles performed by Jesus in this chapter.  There are three different people with differing needs but in each instance Jesus is the answer.

• Demon Possessed Man (v.1-20) - He has a spiritual need.
• Woman with Issue of Blood (v.25-34) - Has a physical need.
• Jarius with sick/dead daughter (v.21-24, 35-43) - Has an emotional need.

Let me share some of the consistencies I observed between these stories...

• They involve the number 12. The woman had her issue for 12 years. Jarius' daughter is 12 years old. The possessed man's story doesn't specifically mention the number 12 but when the demon is asked his name by Jesus he responds "Legion" because their were multiple demons - might there have been 12? I say very likely given the consistency of God's word. Why twelve? The use of this number most likely points to spiritual condition of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus is illustrating Israel's need for him through these healings.
• In each story the people in need are desperate for help. They had tried other alternatives and nothing was able to resolve their issue.  The possessed man had been bound with chains many times but simply broke free. The woman with the issue had spent all her money going to doctors and had only gotten worse.  You can be pretty certain that Jarius, a ruler in the synagoge had tried every other option before turning to Jesus. The fact Jarius finally turns to Jesus for help shows how desperate he is. Sadly, sometimes desperation is what it takes to drive us to the Lord.
• In each instances the participants worship Jesus. Even the demonic man comes and falls at the feet of Jesus worshipping (v.6). This blew me away. The demons find their proper place before Jesus, why do we struggle so much with this. After her healing the woman falls at the feet of Jesus and confesses all to him. Jarius comes with an attitude of worship and falls at Jesus' feet. After the healing, Jarius and all other present are astonished at what Jesus has done.
• Fear must be replaced by faith. Each stories involves a person who is afraid (or feared) and who finds faith in Christ. Fear and faith cannot occupy the same place at the same time.  If I'm fearful I don't have faith. If I have faith, I will not fear. Another way of looking at it is my fear is shifted from my circumstances to a healthy fear of God.  Jesus tells Jarius in v.36 "Do not be afraid; only believe." That's his advice to us as well.
• Every need is met by Jesus.  Whether you have a spiritual need, physical need, or an emotional need. Jesus can provide the healing you need.  Come to him in faith and receive his healing.

Control

This week I've been applying the "Pronounce It" method of devotional Bible study to particular passages in scripture.  The Pronounce It method forces you to concentrate on each word of a verse by placing the emphasis on a different word during each subsequent reading.  One of the passages I "Pronounced" this week was Colossians 3:15...

"...let the peace of God rule in your hearts..."

Two words jumped out of this short passage and challenged me - "let" and "rule".

The word "let" shows me that having the peace of God in my life is a choice. I have to allow it to happen. Too often we choose the opposite of peace and continue to live in constant turmoil, worry, anxiety, and stress.  Each day, in every situation, I have to actively choose God's peace.

The word "rule" shows me that the peace of God is a matter of control. Who is ruling my life? Who is in control of my life? Me or God? The world or the word? My circumstances or my Christ? As long as I battle God for control I will never experience peace.  Peace requires surrender. I need to actively relinquish control of my life to God.

My prayer is that I would make the CHOICE to allow God to CONTROL my life. Each decision to do so causes the peace of God to flood into my heart.

40 Days In The Word

This Sunday PBC is starting a new spiritual growth campaign called "40 Days in the Word".  I'm so excited about this I can hardly contain myself. The campaign will involve 7 weekend sermons about the word of God (see below for the series blurb and weekly topics), a 6-week small group curriculum where we'll learn how to more effectively study God's word, a daily personal online devotional, and a weekly memory verse pertaining to the word of God.

As with anything in life, you will get out of this campaign what you invest in it. So, I encourage you to attend the services every Sunday, get involved in one of our small group studies, and take the time to watch/listen to the daily devotions. Let's go "all in" during this campaign and watch God do something really special.

In Amos 8:11 the prophet describes a famine, not of bread or water, but of hearing God's word. Sadly, we live in a time when the word of God is readily available but scarcely read. Frankly, too many of God’s people don’t know God’s Word, don’t really believe God’s Word, and don’t ’do’ God’s Word. Our church is participating in "Forty Days in the Word" with hopes of being transformed into people who are ’doers’ of the word. During this seven week campaign we will explore the authenticity, reliability, power, comfort, interpretation and doing of God’s Word.  Join us as we learn God's word, grow in our love for God's word, and begin living out God's word.

1/29   How do I Build My Life Upon the Bible?

2/5     Can I Trust the Bible?

2/12   What is the Purpose of the Bible?

2/19   How Can I See What God Wants Me to See?

2/26   How Do I Know What it Means?

3/4     How Do I Integrate God's Word into my Life?

3/11   How Can I Use God's Word Effectively?

Simple Truth Devotions

I'm looking for some feedback from those of you in the blogosphere/tweetville/facebooktopia.  Should I continue producing the Simple Truth Devotions?

For the past several years I've been doing a twice weekly devotional podcast called "Simple Truth Devotions".  It's a five to ten minute audio devotional based upon some portion of God's word.  Is anyone listening?  I am more than happy to continue producing the podcast but I want to make sure it is the best use of my time.  Here's your chance to voice your opinion.

If you want the ST devotions to continue what are some topics/books you'd like me to address in the coming months?

A Link in the Chain

The weather in NJ this past summer was brutal.  It was hot and dry.  The good news - I didn't have to mow a lot.  The bad news - a lot of my grass died.  This fall I decided to reseed the dead portions of my lawn and so there were a number of things that had to happen...

• I prepared the soil (a little raking to turn over the soil and prepare it to receive the seed)
• I sowed the seed
• I watered the seed (it's important that the soil is damp when the seed germinates)
• I watched and waited - I did my part, but the actual growth of grass was out of my hands.  Only God can cause the seed to germinate and the growth of grass to occur.

In I Corinthians 3:5-8 Paul likens the process of evangelism to that of growing a plant/crop.  He sowed the seed, Appolos watered, but God had to give the increase. We do our part as we faithfully sow and water, but ultimately God has to do the work in a persons heart.

We put way too much pressure on ourselves when it comes to evangelism. We think we are responsible for sowing, watering, and increasing.  We feel we have to be the one to lead the person across the line of faith.  That's simply not the case.

It helped me when I began to view a person's journey to faith as a chain.  My role in someone coming to faith is simply a link in the chain.  Sometimes I'm the first link in the chain.  Other times I get to be the last link and see them come to faith.  Most of the time we are a link somewhere in the middle.  Don't concern yourself with what link you are in the chain, just be the best link you can be. 

Whether God is asking you to sow or water, be faithful and do it to the best of your ability. Let God work in the persons life and hopefully bring them to the place of faith in Jesus.  Concern yourself only with what God is asking you to do and don't overestimate your role in the entire process.  Notice I Corinthians 3:5-8 ends by saying if we faithfully sow and water that God will reward us for our efforts.  What a blessing to know that God allows us to play a role in the salvation process and even rewards us for our part - however, ultimately He is the one who deserves all the glory.

God's Blank Check

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought, "I am in over my head!"?  Maybe it was with a project at work, a relationship challenge you faced, or a ministry obstacle you had to deal with.  Whatever the case, you felt overwhelmed with the situation and didn't know what to do or where to turn.

In 2 Chronicles 1:7-10 we see King Solomon facing a set of circumstances for which he feels ill equipped.  He's a young guy who has just taken over leadership of the most powerful kingdom in the world.  He's following in the footsteps of an icon - his dad, King David, was incredibly popular and accomplished so much for God.  If that weren't enough, he's also been charged with constructing an elaborate temple for the Creator of the universe.  How's that for pressure!?  One night God appears to Solomon in a dream and gives him a blank check.  God invites Solomon to ask anything of him.  Solomon's response is awesome - he asks God to give him wisdom and knowledge to rule his people.  Solomon admits he doesn't know what he's doing.  He's in over his heard and needs God's help.

Solomon's request for wisdom and knowledge begins with humility.  Solomon has to admit a need.  He has to come to the end of self and say I can't do it alone.  Once he's at the end of self, God can demonstrate His power through him.  Not only does God grant Solomon's request for wisdom and knowledge but he also says he'll give him wealth, peace, and long life.

I love this prayer of Solomon.  It is such a great example of how we should approach difficult situations.  It all starts with humility.  Admit your need to God.  Stop try to figure everything out on your own.  Humble yourself before God and ask for His wisdom and knowledge.  Tap into the resources at your disposal and ask God to give you the wisdom you need to work through whatever situation you are facing in life.  

God gave Solomon a blank check.  I believe he makes us the same offer.  Take God up on his offer and seek His wisdom in every circumstance of life.

OBX

 A few days ago I returned from a little vacation with the family.  It was our first time to vacation in the OBX - that's the way cool people refer to the Outerbanks in North Carolina.  We had a wonderful time - very relaxing.  Lots of beach, books, and bed (as in naps) - just what the doctored ordered.

The first morning I was in OBX I took a walk on the beach.  As usual I was in awe of the ocean! The sound of the crashing waves is mesmerizing.  The power of water crashing into the shore is unbelievable.  The vastness of the ocean itself is incomprehensible.  After returning to the house where we were staying I opened my Bible to do my daily reading and the very first passage I read was Psalm 93:4 - I immediately began to praise God for his unparalleled might. God's creation is mighty but nothing compares to the might of the Creator God.  I pray that I can remember this great truth whether I'm at the beach or 1500 miles from the nearest shoreline. 

Rules of Bible Study (Part Three)

 As we continue on our little Bible study course, blog style.  Here is rule number three when studying the Bible.

Rule #3:  All scripture has three applications:

1. Historical:  the Bible is a history book which can be trusted in the events of human history.
2. Doctrinal: this is the specific teaching of a particular passage of scripture. Some might refer to this application of scripture as "prophetical". The reason for this is that most doctrinal teachings are yet future - prophetic in nature.  Each passage but one doctrinal teaching.
3. Inspirational:  as the name suggests, this is what the passage inspires in me.  What I can glean from it for my personal life. The inspirational application for a passage of scripture are numerous.

Let me give you an example of these three application toward a particular passage of scripture.  Let's use a famous passage of scripture for our example - Psalm 22 (often referred to as the Messianic Psalm).

• Historical: This Psalm was historically written by King David as he struggled through a tough portion of his life.
• Doctrinal: this Psalm points us to the crucifixion of the Messiah - Jesus.
• Inspirational: personally I can come to this Psalm for guidance and comfort when I'm going through a tough time in my life. 

Simple Truth Devotions

A couple of years ago I started doing the Simple Truth Devotions Podcast.  You can check them out on the Princeton Bible Church website or thru the podcast section on iTunes.  Two times each week I do a recorded 5-10 minute devotion from a particular chapter in the Bible.  People frequently tell me how much they enjoy listening to the devotions during their commute to work.  I'm thrilled that people find them helpful.  

Since it's inception we've made our way thru Genesis, Matthew, Proverbs, many of the Pauline Epistles, and Psalm 119.  After finishing up Psalm 119 I took about a month off from doing the podcast and now I'm looking for the next book or subject to tackle in the devotions.  I need your input - let me know if there is a particular book or subject that you'd like to see covered.  I hope to start writing and recording the Simple Truth Devotions again next week.  I hope you'll tune in.  

Presence or Presents

So often in life I find myself seeking God's presents rather than seeking His presence.  I come to Him asking for provision, or longing for Him to work out a particular situation, when what I should be doing is simply seeking more of Him in my life.  This is the principle conveyed in Matthew 6:33.  I am to first seek His kingdom and His righteousness (His Presence) and all the "presents" will be added unto me - they will work out.  I will be provided for.  A perfect example of this is my prayers regarding the size of the church.  For years I asked God to build a big (or at least bigger) work at PBC.  Now I simply desire for Him to be big (bigger) in my life and leave the size of the ministry to Him. 

Does your prayer life consist of a laundry list or requests, like...God give me this or that (of course we would never say "give me" - that sounds too selfish. We would use more spiritual words like "provide for"), heal this situation, take this out of my life, handle this situation, etc.  If so, you may be seeking God's presents rather than His presence.  I'm not suggesting that God isn't interested in hearing our specific prayer request - He most definitely is.  However, we must be careful of the tendency to use Him like the genie in the lamp.  How about praying..."God become more real to me.  Become bigger in my life. Help me to walk continually in your presence. Do a mighty work in my life and help me to become more like you."  These are "presence" prayers!

Seek Him and not only what He can provide for you.