Ok, so I'm not the most patriotic of Americans. It's true that I didn't watch the inauguration the other day. But looking back over the speeches on youtube, I found one video that made me very thankful for the nation that I live in. This opening prayer refreshed a gratitude for not only a free nation that many "reformers" and "protestors" sought in the chaos of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, but for the God who has so richly blessed us. I have not always spoken kindly of Rick Warren and of this I repent. The more I grow in wisdom, godliness, grace, and brotherhood (not to say that any of these areas are even close to being locked down) the more I appreciate men who truly love God even though they may not do things the way I would.
Rick Warren prayed to God on behalf of and before an entire nation. Furthermore, this prayer was not ambigous by any means. He quoted Deuteronomy 6:4, where Moses says, "Hear, O Israel! Jehovah is our God, Jehovah is One!" He concluded his prayer honestly and lovingly acknowledging Jesus Christ. He prayed in the name of the One who changed his life, Jeshua, Isa, Jesus Christ.
I am very thankful for men who stand up in public and declare the name of Jesus Christ. I greatly desire to stand and give glory to Jesus' name whenever called on and before any who listen. God bless Rick Warren and may Jesus Christ richly bless, and transform :), the administration of our new president, Barak Obama.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Free To Be A Slave
I Corinthians 9:7-23
Paul sets up one of the most evangelistically prolific sentences in Scripture with a conversation concerning freedom and slavery. You see, freedom requires that work earns one pay, or compensation. If I serve in the army, the government promises to pay me for my time. I desire to fight and, if necessary, lay down my life for my people, but I don't do it for free. I sacrifice my time, my skills, and my comforts and am equally compensated. If I plant a vineyard, the end result is fruit. The work I put into the vineyard results in food, drink, and money in return for the excess that I sell. The work of a free man results in a paycheck.
Beyond logic, the Law can be consulted on this matter. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 which commands, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." As the ox works, he should not be muzzled in order to allow him to eat of the grain at his convenience. The ox works, the ox receives compensation. Personally, I'm very thankful that God is looking out for my oxen, but you know as well as I do that God's point here has little to do with oxen. If the ox earns his share of the fruit, how much more do the men that work the land earn theirs?
This idea even applies to the spiritual realm. Labor is labor whether it is done by the farmer, soldier, or priest. Priests are assigned specific duties just the same as the farmer and the soldier. Their compensation is also written in the law. Levitical law gives a number of types of sacrifices of which a portion typically goes to the priests for their share of the labor. So there you have it, free men who work, whether physical or spiritual work, logically and lawfully deserve compensation for the fulfillment of their duties.
Paul makes a compelling case. The work he does amongst the churches is important work. It is difficult work. It is a sacrificial work and earns him the compensation that all other free workers receive. But he doesn't take his pay. Never has, never will. Paul is a volunteer of the Corinth branch of the renowned Trinity & Associates, Incorporated.
With this said, he has two points to make: 1. He must make the gospel known. 2. He has freely chosen slavery.
Paul writes, "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." Paul is compelled to preach this gospel. He is not encouraged to preach the gospel. He is not enticed, forced, or commanded to do it. He is compelled. A man who has not eaten for many days is compelled to find food to nourish his body no matter the cost. Few distractions enter his mind; food is his main concern, his primary need. The thought of it drives him. He wakes thinking of food. He falls into an uneasy sleep craving food. He searches all the day long for the smallest crumb that may ease his hunger. Finding a scrap of food takes full priority.
Paul must preach this gospel, nothing else matters. He is compelled to preach the gospel "in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger..." (II Cor 6:4-5). Because there is nothing else for him but the preaching of the gospel, he has no boast. He cannot take credit for the desire, the words, or the opportunities. He cannot boast of his pay or his luxurious commodities. He cannot boast of this world and the paycheck it has to offer him as the greatest evangelist to walk the earth after Christ.
Woe to the starving man who does not seek food to nourish his body. Woe to Paul if he does not preach the gospel. Woe to me if I do not fulfill my mission on this earth. Until I am compelled to fulfill the work God has called me to in the same way I am compelled to eat for survival, I am not walking by the Spirit. When my desire for church planting, evangelism, and discipleship overseas becomes the very nourishment that my soul craves, then I have finally begun to understand what worship truly is. Paul's mission was a work of apostleship and establishing the church; mine is overseas service. What is your mission? Does it consume you and compel you to sacrifice everything to see it accomplished?
Secondly, Paul was a free man who deserved compensation for his work. Paul enslaved himself to those he loved. He worked for free, giving of himself to all. Putting aside all his rights in this work, he gave away the gospel at no charge. He made himself a slave to the gospel work among the Jews by becoming like a Jew. He became like one under the Law in order to enslave himself to the gospel work of those under the Law. He became weak for the weak. He became all things to all men. He sacrificed all. He gave all. Paul left nothing for himself so that he could have the opportunity to see just a few saved. His whole life and ministry for a handful of new believers.
Freedom is not an option. Paul argues in Romans 6 that we are either slaves to God or slaves to sin. He gave everything to become a slave and mostly fail. Paul, the second greatest evangelist of all time sacrificed all he had to see just a remnant saved. This is the believer's duty: sacrifice everything, save a few. It's worth it.
Paul sets up one of the most evangelistically prolific sentences in Scripture with a conversation concerning freedom and slavery. You see, freedom requires that work earns one pay, or compensation. If I serve in the army, the government promises to pay me for my time. I desire to fight and, if necessary, lay down my life for my people, but I don't do it for free. I sacrifice my time, my skills, and my comforts and am equally compensated. If I plant a vineyard, the end result is fruit. The work I put into the vineyard results in food, drink, and money in return for the excess that I sell. The work of a free man results in a paycheck.
Beyond logic, the Law can be consulted on this matter. Paul quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 which commands, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing." As the ox works, he should not be muzzled in order to allow him to eat of the grain at his convenience. The ox works, the ox receives compensation. Personally, I'm very thankful that God is looking out for my oxen, but you know as well as I do that God's point here has little to do with oxen. If the ox earns his share of the fruit, how much more do the men that work the land earn theirs?
This idea even applies to the spiritual realm. Labor is labor whether it is done by the farmer, soldier, or priest. Priests are assigned specific duties just the same as the farmer and the soldier. Their compensation is also written in the law. Levitical law gives a number of types of sacrifices of which a portion typically goes to the priests for their share of the labor. So there you have it, free men who work, whether physical or spiritual work, logically and lawfully deserve compensation for the fulfillment of their duties.
Paul makes a compelling case. The work he does amongst the churches is important work. It is difficult work. It is a sacrificial work and earns him the compensation that all other free workers receive. But he doesn't take his pay. Never has, never will. Paul is a volunteer of the Corinth branch of the renowned Trinity & Associates, Incorporated.
With this said, he has two points to make: 1. He must make the gospel known. 2. He has freely chosen slavery.
Paul writes, "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel." Paul is compelled to preach this gospel. He is not encouraged to preach the gospel. He is not enticed, forced, or commanded to do it. He is compelled. A man who has not eaten for many days is compelled to find food to nourish his body no matter the cost. Few distractions enter his mind; food is his main concern, his primary need. The thought of it drives him. He wakes thinking of food. He falls into an uneasy sleep craving food. He searches all the day long for the smallest crumb that may ease his hunger. Finding a scrap of food takes full priority.
Paul must preach this gospel, nothing else matters. He is compelled to preach the gospel "in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger..." (II Cor 6:4-5). Because there is nothing else for him but the preaching of the gospel, he has no boast. He cannot take credit for the desire, the words, or the opportunities. He cannot boast of his pay or his luxurious commodities. He cannot boast of this world and the paycheck it has to offer him as the greatest evangelist to walk the earth after Christ.
Woe to the starving man who does not seek food to nourish his body. Woe to Paul if he does not preach the gospel. Woe to me if I do not fulfill my mission on this earth. Until I am compelled to fulfill the work God has called me to in the same way I am compelled to eat for survival, I am not walking by the Spirit. When my desire for church planting, evangelism, and discipleship overseas becomes the very nourishment that my soul craves, then I have finally begun to understand what worship truly is. Paul's mission was a work of apostleship and establishing the church; mine is overseas service. What is your mission? Does it consume you and compel you to sacrifice everything to see it accomplished?
Secondly, Paul was a free man who deserved compensation for his work. Paul enslaved himself to those he loved. He worked for free, giving of himself to all. Putting aside all his rights in this work, he gave away the gospel at no charge. He made himself a slave to the gospel work among the Jews by becoming like a Jew. He became like one under the Law in order to enslave himself to the gospel work of those under the Law. He became weak for the weak. He became all things to all men. He sacrificed all. He gave all. Paul left nothing for himself so that he could have the opportunity to see just a few saved. His whole life and ministry for a handful of new believers.
Freedom is not an option. Paul argues in Romans 6 that we are either slaves to God or slaves to sin. He gave everything to become a slave and mostly fail. Paul, the second greatest evangelist of all time sacrificed all he had to see just a remnant saved. This is the believer's duty: sacrifice everything, save a few. It's worth it.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
The Winds Are Changing
The past 6 months have been difficult, to say the least. Frustration has risen in a number of areas of my life and seems only to grow. There are times that I feel trapped. It seems as though the walls are closing in on me and I have nowhere to go. At times my stomach feels like it's all a mess and my head is going to explode. Suffice it to say that 1. I'm not crazy and 2. I don't really have a peace about the path my life is currently taking.
But praise the Lord for my friends. I have been blessed with wonderful friends. In fact, my friends have been such a comfort and joy in my life that when I'm around them I can push all my struggles to the back burner and just be me. And honestly, me is just who I need to be.
I finally started to open up about these things to Daniel and AnneMarie about a week ago. I think they were a little surprised at the extent of how I've been feeling the past month or two, but they offered the suggestion that I've been needing to hear all along. Almost simultaneously they offered this answer: Journeyman. I believe AnneMarie said it this way, "I can't see you not being overseas for 7 years, that's so depressing for you it hurts me to hear it!" Later that night, Daniel advised me to make sure there was a peace; it needs to be of the Lord. Truth be told, the next day was the most peaceful day that I've experienced for a long time and a week later I still have a great peace about the decision.
Allow me to break down the decision. I don't believe that God has a specific will for my life that I have to follow exactly to experience the abundant life Jesus talked about. Biblically, that is ridiculous and something that I will soon write about. But here are the basics: 1. It doesn't violate God's moral will (the Bible). 2. This desire to serve overseas church-planting is very Biblical. 3. This desire lines up with His desire, which the Bible says will happen if I'm seeking Him. Therefore, my decision is perfectly in line with God's will. Furthermore, the peace I have comes through the Comforter that Jesus sent to us, yeah thats right, Mr. Holy Spirit.
So, here is the plan with a Lord willing attached to the fine print. I put in my 2 weeks notice at work this past Saturday, shifted all my classes to the late afternoon, and am seeking a full-time, normal job where I don't work third shift, I'm not tired and irritable all the time, and I'm not constantly out in the freezing cold all night. As an aside, my ideal morning looks like this: wake up early, read my Bible, go for a run, eat breakfast, and go to work. Yeah, that hasn't happened for a looooong time and I feel like I need it to function properly, or at least joyfully.
The Journeyman application has 3 parts. The first two parts must be reviewed before they email you the full application with all the bells and whistles. This is the stage I'm at now; I'm waiting for the full application. For all to go according to plan I need to have this application completed by February 6. My plan is to go to the Journeyman interview conference being held April 20-24. If I don't get the application done in time, it's not a big deal and I'll just go to the May 10-14 conference. Basically this is a 4 day deal where we do group interviews and solo interviews so that the IMB can determine whether or not they want to send us. Also during this time I'll have the opportunity to pick an assignment. If they bring me on I'll attend the July 27-Sept 24 Orientation and leave for my destination probably by October 1. This is subject to change, but at the present moment this is my goal.
This desire has been driving me for 4 years. I'm ready to go. Please pray for me as I go through this process.
But praise the Lord for my friends. I have been blessed with wonderful friends. In fact, my friends have been such a comfort and joy in my life that when I'm around them I can push all my struggles to the back burner and just be me. And honestly, me is just who I need to be.
I finally started to open up about these things to Daniel and AnneMarie about a week ago. I think they were a little surprised at the extent of how I've been feeling the past month or two, but they offered the suggestion that I've been needing to hear all along. Almost simultaneously they offered this answer: Journeyman. I believe AnneMarie said it this way, "I can't see you not being overseas for 7 years, that's so depressing for you it hurts me to hear it!" Later that night, Daniel advised me to make sure there was a peace; it needs to be of the Lord. Truth be told, the next day was the most peaceful day that I've experienced for a long time and a week later I still have a great peace about the decision.
Allow me to break down the decision. I don't believe that God has a specific will for my life that I have to follow exactly to experience the abundant life Jesus talked about. Biblically, that is ridiculous and something that I will soon write about. But here are the basics: 1. It doesn't violate God's moral will (the Bible). 2. This desire to serve overseas church-planting is very Biblical. 3. This desire lines up with His desire, which the Bible says will happen if I'm seeking Him. Therefore, my decision is perfectly in line with God's will. Furthermore, the peace I have comes through the Comforter that Jesus sent to us, yeah thats right, Mr. Holy Spirit.
So, here is the plan with a Lord willing attached to the fine print. I put in my 2 weeks notice at work this past Saturday, shifted all my classes to the late afternoon, and am seeking a full-time, normal job where I don't work third shift, I'm not tired and irritable all the time, and I'm not constantly out in the freezing cold all night. As an aside, my ideal morning looks like this: wake up early, read my Bible, go for a run, eat breakfast, and go to work. Yeah, that hasn't happened for a looooong time and I feel like I need it to function properly, or at least joyfully.
The Journeyman application has 3 parts. The first two parts must be reviewed before they email you the full application with all the bells and whistles. This is the stage I'm at now; I'm waiting for the full application. For all to go according to plan I need to have this application completed by February 6. My plan is to go to the Journeyman interview conference being held April 20-24. If I don't get the application done in time, it's not a big deal and I'll just go to the May 10-14 conference. Basically this is a 4 day deal where we do group interviews and solo interviews so that the IMB can determine whether or not they want to send us. Also during this time I'll have the opportunity to pick an assignment. If they bring me on I'll attend the July 27-Sept 24 Orientation and leave for my destination probably by October 1. This is subject to change, but at the present moment this is my goal.
This desire has been driving me for 4 years. I'm ready to go. Please pray for me as I go through this process.
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