Loving God's word is loving God

During the second, third, and fourth centuries Christianity was under heavy persecution. Christians were not only being put to death but mercilessly tortured. You could say it was because of their nonconformity or the threat they posed to the unity of the Roman empire, but the real reason they were ready and willing to die was for their faith! Faith in Jesus Christ crucified and raised again! Faith that Jesus is, was, and always will be Lord, Master, and Savior! Faith that comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Ro. 10:17). It is the word that is able to bring this gift of faith into wretched, lifeless, souls such as we are. And Psalm 138:2 says You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word. In all the universe there is nothing to be esteemed higher than the name of God and His word.

We all know not to blaspheme the name of the Lord, or to use it in vain. I mean come on, it's the third commandment. We will even encourage others to obey this commandment. And should we profane the name of God we will no doubt feel a deep sense of conviction, hopefully. But where is the encouragement and conviction when it comes to exalting above all things His word by spending time with Him daily in the bible?

John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Since John 1 tells us the Jesus is the Word, then loving His word is loving Him. Therefore loving God's word is implied in every one of His commandments! Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before Me. How are we able to discern between God and other gods? What is the basis of comparison? His word. You shall not make for yourself an idol. Again how do we know what God's attributes are so that we may not construct anything contrary to Him in our lives? His word. If someone does not desire to love God by attempting to keep His commandments, then they do not love His word. Likewise if someone professes to love God, then they must love His word.

When I first got saved I read the bible in order to receive instruction from God. After a while I found this to be utilitarian, I was using God's word to get the answers I wanted. So I began to read in order get to know God, hoping that with a proper perspective of who He is in comparison with who I am, I might be more inclined to worship and serve Him more. While on the right track I found this to be a way in which I was dictating to God when and what I wanted to hear from Him. I was in effect saying, "alright God, here I am. Show me who You are because I've only got 15 minutes and You can't do it any other way than this, so let's have it." Now I read with a goal of spending time with God in His word, and if He chooses to instruct me, great, I would love that. And if I learn something about Him during this time, what a joy that would be, but regardless I enjoy God's word and have faith that God the Holy Spirit is leading me and will use that time however He likes. I still come with expectation but it is secondary to my communion with God. One of the expectations I always have is that when I read I will come across commands of God that I've never seen before, in order that I may love Him by first recognizing and then keeping them, for His glory.

Steve Lawson on Church History

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So join in reading with me reading history so you'll be free from the nonsense that captures so many people as though something new had arrived in this poetic, ambiguous, unsettled, no corners talk that sounds so free coming across and as new to our poor unbenighted twenty somethings who don't know that there was anything that happened before 1975. John Piper

Our Response to the Incarnation

While we come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus we are reminded that the Transcendent Omnipresent Lord of all stepped into time and space, allowing Himself to be confined to a sinful fallen human's womb. The Word became flesh.

Jesus told Pilate that He came to testify to the Truth, the Truth of God's character and attributes. God is Perfect, Just, Righteous, Holy, Holy, Holy and we are not. We all have acted in disobedience and fallen short of God's righteous standards, the punishment of which is death, a deserving eternal separation from God, in subjection eternally to His wrath.

But while we were yet sinners, dead in our trespasses, at war with God, children of wrath, God sent forth His son to die for the sins of many. Jesus did just that as He suffered the wrath of God upon the cross, propitiating (satisfying) God for the sins of all who would believe. The poor, the mourning, the meek, you, and I.

So we celebrate the birth of He who was born to die. Born to die for your sins. So the simple mention of the message of our salvation should illicit an immediate and powerful response of praise. Like the shepherds in Luke 2:20 we should rejoice over what we have heard and seen. Not only that but we can rejoice in what we have felt and experienced, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The true believer has received the Helper that Jesus spoke of. The seal of our inheritance. With the Spirit's enablement we are able to, for the first time, confess Jesus as Lord.

This confession, this profession, this act of adoration is why we were created. To glorify and enjoy Him.

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

There is no greater act or expression of love than to praise and obey our Lord, Master, Savior, Prophet, Priest, King, God-man who was born to die.

Biblical Responses to the Incarnation

Take a look at how those involved in Jesus' birth responded to the message of the Saviour begin born.

Joseph, Matthew 1:24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife.

John, Elizabeth, and Mary, Luke 1:39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 "And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 "For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45"And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord." 46 And Mary said: "My soul exalts the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

The Shepherds, Luke 2:15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Simeon, Luke 2:25 And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, 28 then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 "Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation, 31 Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, And the glory of Your people Israel."

Anna, Luke 2:36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Magi, Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." . . . 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Consider the examples of those who responded negatively to put things into perspective:

Zacharias, Luke 1:17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18 Zacharias said to the angel, "How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years." 19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 "And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time." . . . 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God.

King Herod, Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. . . 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him." . . . 16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.

The bible talks a lot about praise but how can we apply these example to our lives? Praise can be expressed in many different ways but let's take our que from the manifestations in each of these passages. 1) John leap for joy at the sound of the Lord, 2) Elizabeth acknowledged God's blessings upon mankind, 3) Mary exalted and rejoiced through poetry and song, 4) The Shepherds marveled in wonder at His works, 5) Simeon blessed God for His faithfulness, 6) Anna gave thanks to God, 7) The Magi humbled themselves before the Lord.

How have you responded to the message of "God with us" this CHRISTmas season?

The Triumphant Incarnation

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

The shepherds were in their fields, already terribly frightened because they were in the presence of an angel of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord was shining all around them. They had just been told that their Savior, Messiah, and Lord had been born in Bethlehem. Then suddenly a multitude of angels appeared praising God.

What was to primary purpose of the angels appearing? The angels presence was not for shock value, the shepherds were terrified enough by the one angel. Their presence was not military related, there was no battle to be fought. It was not to give a message, the lone angel was able to do so himself. It was not to aid in any way as angels often did in Old Testament passages. John MacArthur has said:

In verses 13 and 14 we come to the transcendent pinnacle of all thought and action. . . This is the highest of all truths. This is the reason for everything. . . We've come to the highest point of thought and action, the highest truth of all truths. What is it? It's the glory of God. What you see here is the highest thing that can occur in the created universe. The highest thing that can occur in the created universe is that God is glorified by His creatures. And that's exactly what you see the angels doing.

Specifically why are they praising? What is it about this particular moment? Just after creation the angels had seen the peace God and Man experienced, but they had also seen the departure of peace when sin entered the world through the fall of man, and the separation from God that it caused. The angels knew that there would come a Savior who, while maintaining perfect righteousness and holiness, would also vicariously bear the curse and the punishment of sin. They knew that the Holy Spirit would condescend to convict sinners and bring them to salvation, regenerate them and then take up residence in that sinner's heart. They were seeing God's salvation plan come to its glorious fruition. They were thanking God for His undescribable gift, the gift of peace through Jesus Christ.

With regards to the anticipation of the angels this was a game 7 of the World Series, bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, full count kind of scenario. Just as when a batter hits the pitch out of the park and the players rush the field, in the same way the angels suddenly burst onto the scene and proclaim glory to God. This is just an analogy, which can only be taken so literally, especially since this is the proclamation of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe being sent forth when, as stated in Galatians 4, the fullness of time had come. Just as suddenly as they appeared, the angels having fulfilled their duty, disappeared.

General Revelation

There are two reasons why human beings cannot on their own arrive at a knowledge of God:

1) The nature of God Himself, His infinity, His absolute character and qualities, and His utter holiness, make it impossible to obtain any knowledge of God by means of reason or intuition.

2) The sinful character and nature of men and women. The human mind is too small to span or grasp God and to realize Him, making any endeavor to know God completely impossible.

Consequently, our only hope of knowing God truly is that He should be graciously pleased to reveal Himself to us through personal revelation. Revelation is the act by which God communicates to human beings the truth concerning Himself. His nature, works, will or purposes, and it also includes the unveiling of all this - the drawing back of the veil that conceals this, in order that we may see it. According to the Bible, God has revealed Himself in two main ways, general revelation and special revelation. Under general revelation we can include these acts:

1) Creation and nature, through which God has revealed Himself in general. Psalm 19:1 Acts 14:15, 17 Acts 17:24 Romans 1:19-20. Everything that has been made is in itself a revelation of God.

2) Providence, which is the ordering of things in this world, their maintenance, their sustenance, and the fact that everything keeps on going and continues in life.

3) History. The whole history of the world, if we could but see it, is a revelation of God. If men and women had not been sinners, by looking at the miracles and the works of God in creation, in providence, and in history, they would have been able to arrive, by a process of reasoning, at God.

You Are in Your Mission Field

I used to have this sign I made hanging by the front door of my apartment, it read "you are now entering your mission field". I put it there to remind me that everywhere I go and everyone I talk to is needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. However I was saddened many times when people would just laugh and think it was a cute saying, instead of taking seriously the encouragement.

For years now I have been amazed by Christians, and specifically their leadership, who feel that to be considered and mission trip you need to go out of the country. Recognizing the outward focus of American Christians, with little emphasis on the internal, it was no surprise to here these statistics during a Westminster Morning Devotion:

1) There are 195+ million non-churched people in America. Only China, India, & Indonesia have more non-churched people.

2) There are no counties in U.S. where more people go to church now than did ten years ago.

3) In the last 10 years the combined membership in Protestant churches has declined by 9% while population grew by 11%.

4) Every year 3,500-4000 churches in the U.S. close. Last year 3,500 closed and only 1,500 opened.

Still think you're not a missionary?

God's servant, the deacon

Last Sunday Pastor Rob preached a sermon based on the two classic text outlining the qualifications and requirements for deacons, 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

Pastor Rob first gave us an overview of what Scripture has to say about servants. Psalm 84:10 I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Isaiah 53:11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; by His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities.

Philippians 2:6 although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Mark 10:45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

These are just a few of the many examples Pastor Rob gave us. His second point was to illustrate for us the work of deacons. Their primary role and function was, and is, to aid elders primarily by helping with practical needs (Acts 6). Included in our bulletin was a short article by John Piper entitled "What Did Deacons Do?" Piper says that 'from Matthew 25:44 we could include dire needs arising from hunger, thirst, alienation, nakedness, sickness, imprisonment. That would imply that the basic notion of "serving" in the sense of being a deacon is to help meet the needs for food, water, acclimatization, clothing, health, and whatever needs arise from emergencies (like imprisonment)."

Lastly Pastor Rob helped us to further understand the qualification of deacons by putting it into terms we might better be able to understand. He said that the Bible says deacons are to be respectful and respected in the community, honest and consistent in speech and action, sober with alcohol and drugs, not greedy or abusive of power, orthodox in their beliefs and practice, and go through a period of testing before being assigned office.

The reason that I have chosen to write about this is that I feel that all Christians everywhere should strive to possess these qualifications and qualities. Look at the present deacons in your church and imagine if the entire congregation were like these servants. And why not? Isn't that the point of our Christian walk, to grow in the grace and knowledge of Him so that we can glorify God in all that we do.

The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

Taken from The London Baptist Confession of Faith 1677/89 printed by Chapel Library:

The London Baptist Confession of 1677/89 played an important role in Baptist history. The Act of Uniformity of 1662 made the new Anglican Prayer Book mandatory for use in all Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Baptist churches in England. Moreover, the Anglican church abandoned the Westminster Confession and returned to the Thirty-Nine Articles as its official confession of faith. Consequently, with the restoration of the Monarchy, the English Baptists suffered persecution for their faith. In 1677, a group of Particular Baptists met for the purpose of producing a more expansive confession than the previous Baptist confession of 1644. They modeled the Second London Confession on the Westminster Confession, but with significant theological differences regarding church government and baptism. Persecution kept the 1677 document from being officially endorsed by Particular Baptist until 1689, when the Toleration Act was passed. This act enabled religious freedom to co-exist alongside the established churches in England and Scotland. As a result, representatives from over 100 Particular Baptist churches met in London from July 3-11 to discuss and endorse the 1677 document. Though the confession was published in 1677, the General Assembly of Particular Baptist Churches adopted it in 1689; hence it is commonly known and "the 1689." The Westminster Confession, the Savoy Declaration, and the London Baptist Confession of 1677/89 are considered the most important Reformed confessions arising from the English-speaking world.

Did you Remember?

Has your Mom ever asked you if you remembered to take out the trash?

I'm sure you never replied like this:

Yes I did.

Well the trash can is still full!

You asked if I remembered, and I did.

Then why wasn't it done?

I said I remembered , I didn't say that I actually did it.

WHACK!

You wouldn't respond like this because saying that you remembered to do something implies that you took action. Likewise remembering what God the Father has provided for you, what God the Son has done for you, and what God the Holy Spirit is doing in you should invoke a response.

God said, "I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh. . ." Genesis 9:15

God said He would remember His covenant and He acted on this promise in many ways, one of which was by sending His son Jesus to die for the sins of many.

In Exodus 20:8 we are called to Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. This is just one example of the many things that we are called to remember that should stir use to action. The law was put in place to show us that even if we could remember all that God called us to do it, we could never accomplish it all. Now out of loving obedience and a desire to see God exhausted and glorified through our lives we should strive to remember what Jesus has done for us and what we can, and should, do for others.

Remember the cross. Remember who you are. Remember your role in the church. Remember how and it what ways you are blessed. Remember to pray. Remember to brush your teeth. Remember the poor. Remember the wisdom and lessons you've leqrned. Remember to share your faith. Remember the word. Remember you're loved. Remember to love. Remember His sacrifice.

Bible Study

Wednesday night at bible study we took a look at Psalm 37. For me I really felt the Lord impressing upon me the importance of verses 3 through 7: Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him. This spoke to me about my personal walk with God an my need to acknowledge my utter dependence upon Him and act in humble obedience when the time comes, which is specific to my current circumstances.

Pastor Rob taught us that there are four majors themes to look for (or question to ask yourself)

when studying any given passage, keeping the context in mind of course. The examples following the questions are mine.

1) What does the text tell you about God's character? ex. What can you see about His character and our contrary nature that would help us worship Him more truly? Maybe it's something about the way God is spoken about or the way He deals with someone. His wrath, justice, mercy, sovereignty, etc. It may be either explicit (outright and obvious) or implicit (subtle and between the lines).

2) What from this passage can you pray about? ex. Maybe a trait you desire to posses, a particular person you need to pray for, a sin you need to confess, a question about something in the reading you don't understand, an area you could use the Holy Spirit's guidance, or something that you can be thankful for.

3) What sins or behavior does the text tell you to avoid? ex. It could be a particular circumstance or person to be wary of, a struggle that you need to surrender to God, a specific sin that you need to repent of, or a biblical example of failure or ill-gotten gain.

4) Lastly taking you back to the finished work of Jesus the Christ on the cross, what positive behavior should you capitalize on? ex. Is there a mindset or mentality that would be edifying to those around you, an attitude of Christ that would help you be more like Him, a gift or talent that would be edifying to the church, or maybe it's a encouraging word to continue persevering in an area you're unsure about?

Keep in mind that all of the New Testament books from Romans to Jude were epistles, that is they were letters to churches or individuals, and you wouldn't just read the introduction to a letter from your mom, or just memorize the 3rd paragraphs and 16th line would you? In the same manner most of the NT books were meant to be read from beginning to end in one sitting, yes all 16 chapters of Romans and 1 Corinthians. So always read the preceding and following verse and try to keep the historical context in mind, especially with the Psalms.

Reverence

Hebrews 12:28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.

I went into the Christchurch Cathedral the other day and was taken aback by the size and sheer beauty of the architecture and design. You hear the jokes about the stain glass windows and the solemn looking Jesus but I think I know what the Catholic Church is going for (and not just Catholics, many Lutheran and Presbyterian churches have similar worship halls). I think that these church are trying to display the majesty and splendor of meeting with the King of kings and Lord of Lords and in so doing create a great reverence of and for God.

In Exodus 3 when Moses approached God He told Moses "Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."

In Isaiah 6 upon having a vision of the Lord Isaiah lamented "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

In Nehemiah 8 Ezra the scribe stood behind a wooden podium when he read from the book of the law so that the speaker (God) would be the focus and not the reader. Many people who greatly revere the Bible refer to pulpits or podiums as "The Throne of the Word of God."

But why should we have this same sort of reverence when we meet with the Lord? Because "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory." Because when you pray you do so by the power of the same Holy, Holy, Holy, God the Spirit who humbled Himself to dwell inside of you so that your prayers could be mediated by the finished work of the Holy, Holy, Holy, God the Son who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Holy, Holy, Holy, God the Father who sovereignly attends to all of our needs for His glory.

Reverence for God is what Proverbs 9:10 aptly describes as a fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. Think about, what kind of wisdom is being described here? The worst people in history have manifested some sort of wisdom. Wisdom here is referring to an understanding of our relationship with God and the application of His Holy Word, which is only possible until one fears what God is capable of and what we as sinners deserve. But God has instilled this fear, or think of it as humility, in us so that we can rightly see Him and His will for our lives. If then humility is where it begins, then pride is the great hinderance of a continued growing relationship with the Lord, and that is the point I'm trying to make.

Many people nonchalantly enter into a time of informal prayer or a casual reading of the bible. Church services can be unprayerfully attended. Christian service can be view as not directly unto the Lord but to men and women. I could go on but I believe I've made my point and I would rather you seek for it's application through prayerful reflection.

Be encouraged that you can boldly, and yes reverently, go before the throne of God and speak to Him as a baby cries out to their mother in time of need with utter and total dependence, and faith.

2 Chronicles 7:1 Now when Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the house. 2 The priests could not enter into the house of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD'S house. 3 All the sons of Israel, seeing the fire come down and the glory of the LORD upon the house, bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave praise to the LORD, saying, "Truly He is good, truly His lovingkindness is everlasting."

Grace Baptist Church!

I spent a lot of time in prayer last week for the fellowship I would be involved in here in NZ. At times I worried Grace Baptist Church was too far away from the Brandt's house for me to make it to services. Other times I worried that I wouldn't be well received or that I would disagree with important matters of practice. In the end my first Sunday at Grace Baptist went even better than I had prayed for.

The first person through the door that I introduced myself to just happened to be the pastor (Rob Harrod). We talked shop for just a few moments before me introduced me to his son-in-law (Dwayne). We chatted for a bit before I asked him who the guy would be to talk to about hiking/camping/surfing etc. and he pointed out the young guy walking through the door (Jono) carrying an ESV Reformation Study Bible. Johnny is the Pastor's son and happens to be a very good photographer seeking to establish a profession. Check him out: http:jonathanharrodphotography.blogspot.com.

We had a guest speaker who preached a sermon from Matthew 9:35-10:16 about Christian work and service. Our speaker highlighted verse 38. Ask the Lord of the harvest and then act in faith. GBC takes communion on the first Sunday of the month and before administering the sacraments Pastor Rob issued a solemn warning to those about to take communion about the seriousness of identifying with Christ's broken body and shed blood and the need to be in a right standing with God before taking part. This act instantly gave me greater respect and appreciation for the ministry of GBC because I feel that far too many Christians casually participate in communion and much too many unbelievers are allowed to take communion without being reminded of the symbolic nature of the act.

The first Sunday of the month GBC also has a potluck. I was without a pot but in luck. This afforded me an opportunity to meet many of the members and I felt very welcomed and invited.All in all it was a great first service and I must take this opportunity to give thanks for God's goodness and provision and thank you to all who petitioned on my behalf in the regard, thank you.

Staying in First Grade

Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

This excerpt was taken from a devotional on Christian Leadership by A.W. Tozer:

There are Christians who grow up and have no relish for anything spiritually advanced. They're preoccupied with their first lessons. The average church is a school with only one grade and that is the first one. These Christians never expect to get beyond that and they don't want to hear a man very long who wants to take them beyond that. If their pastor insists they do their homework and get ready for the next grade, they begin to pray that the Lord will call "our dear brother" somewhere else. . . . All he's trying to do is prepare them for another grade, but that church is dedicated to the first grade, and the first grade is where it's going to remain.

Paul said some of them went up into the second grade and gave it up, and said, "It's too hard here," and they went back to the first.

"How long have you been in first grade, Junior?"

"Twelve years.". . .

Paul said, "forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the mark" (Philippians 3:13-14). There was a man not satisfied with the first grade.

My prayer is that all the saints everywhere would daily seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord, Master, and Savior who alone has the words of life which are contained within the page of our bibles, with the end goal being to participate with the Holy Spirit in our sanctification so that we might become more obedient servants and disciples thus honoring and glorifying God with our lives which have been bought with a price.