Deity and Lordship of Christ

Mark 3, Romans 3

I slept a little later this morning, so I drove to a bus park-and-ride that is a little further south to save some time.  I got there about 30 seconds too late, so I read a little of the Scriptures as I waited.  Well, the Lord in His Sovereignty, answered my prayer this morning to give me opportunity to share the Gospel because He sat me down next to Mark, a Jehovah's Witness.  I wasn't in the seat two minutes before Mark handed me a pamphlet about the supremacy of the name Jehovah.  Within a few minutes of talking to this guy, I was amazed at how terribly deceived and confused he was.  He would ask me a question, I would give the Biblical response, and then he would try to give a rebuttal, but he would start stammering mid-sentence and then say in exasperation, "Oh, I forgot what I was going to say!".  I had my Bible open, and he called my attention to a few verses in Psalm and Revelation, but it became clear to me in our discussion that his most fundamental confusion was regarding the Deity of Christ.  He stated that Jesus was just a man, but I kindly corrected him.  I opened to Matthew 28 (which I read recently) and pointed to verse 9 where Jesus accepted worship from Mary and Mary.  This proves that He is deity!

I resumed my reading when I got to my office, and with the aforementioned conversational context, I was especially impressed by the Lordship of Jesus:

¹¹ And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, "You are the Son of God!"

The Deity of Christ and His Lordship over Creation is so profound that evil spirits in His presence are compelled to confess His identity!  It's like a violent knee-jerk reaction!  I wish I had thought to read Philippians 2:9-11 to Mark:

 ⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
      and gave him the name above all other names,
 ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

I think the Lord gave me this idea:  The Father and the Spirit reveal the person and work of the Son so that the Son can reveal the person and work of the Father and the Spirit.  It all hinges on Christ!

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing the person of Jesus to me.  Jesus, I praise you for your Lordship over creation.  I humbly bow before you.  Lord, please use me as your servant.  Holy Spirit, please empower me to boldly preach the truth of the Gospel, and please continue to use me to set people free from captivity.  I ask in the powerful and supreme name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

healer and judge

Mark 2, Romans 2

Too many times, I forget to keep in mind this question as I read the Scriptures:  "What is God revealing about Himself through this passage?"

Jesus Christ has authority to forgive sins because He is God:

^{M 2:9} Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk'? ¹⁰ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ¹¹ "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"

Jesus Christ is the Good Doctor, and He heals those who come to Him humbly:

^{M 2:17} When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners."

Jesus Christ is the final Judge:

^{R 2:16} And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life.
^{R 2:7} He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. ⁸But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

It is interesting to me that it does NOT say that He will give eternal life to those who have "accepted Christ."  It says that He will give eternal life to those who live by faith in Jesus Christ and persist in doing good.  I did a little word search in several English translations, and the only verses that had the words "accept(ed)" and "Jesus/Christ" were about God accepting us because of Jesus, NOT us accepting Jesus.  I think some evangelicals have overemphasized the point of justification by faith that we have lost sight of sanctification that is proven by the perseverance of faith.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my warped perspective of you and your Word.  Lord, please continue to reveal yourself to me so that I may live rightly.  Lord, thank you for forgiving me and healing me through the person of Christ.  Lord, I want my life to please you so that on the day of judgment, you will be blessed by my life.  Please help me walk in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that I will be an overcomer.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

engagement

Mark 1, Romans 1

^{M 1:25} Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered. ²⁶ At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. ²⁷ Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" ²⁸ The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. ...  ³² That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door to watch. ³⁴ So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. ...  ³⁸ But Jesus replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came." ³⁹ So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Why doesn't the Church engage hurting people and the enemy with the authority that Christ has given us (e.g., Matthew 28, Acts 28)?  Instead, we have created a false christianity of knowing ABOUT God instead of the true Christianity of KNOWING God and His Lordship (authority, power, and presence).  If we know Him, and He is in us and working through us, then wouldn't the operation of His Church emulate His own ministry?  Only, the primary advantage being that Christ's humanity limited Him to a single point in time-space, but since Christ is replicated in every Believer, He spans the geographical breadth of the world through His Church!  So, why don't we see droves of sick, crazy, and demon-posessed people healed at every Church meeting?  I mean, if word got around that people were regularly healed at a particular location, I can guarantee you that people would come out of the woodwork to give it a try.  Surely, it is not for lack of them (sick people or Church meetings).  No, instead we resort ourselves to practicing isolationism and fancy rhetoric.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the way we currently operate, especially in America.  Holy Spirit, may we be moved by your presence and power to carry on the minstry of Christ - engaging people at the point of their needs, physical and spiritual.  Lord Jesus, may we seek to know you and express you to those who do not know you.  Lord, by your grace and mercy on the Cross, please use your Church to continue recovering what the lost.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, who has all authority and power.  Amen.

authority

Matthew 28, Acts 28

The first thing I think the Lord gave me this morning was that the angel rolled the stone away from Christ's grave so that we could see in, not so that He could get out.  (Recall His special mode of presence demonstrated in several instances after His resurrection.)

But the thing that really impressed me this morning was the authority of His Kingdom.  It is what He taught about during His three years of ministry, so this should be the quintessential teaching and function of the Church:

^{M 28:18} Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Notice that the Apostle Paul understood the importance of the authority of Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom:

^{A 28:21} [The Jewish leaders in Rome] replied, "We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. ²² But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere." ²³ So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul's lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. ... ³⁰ For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, ³¹ boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, you are the Sovereign Creator, and I worship you.  You are worthy of all the praise I can give you because you are so good.  Lord, please let me commune wit the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit today, and please help me humbly and devotedly obey all your commandments.  I humbly submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ; please show me your kind and patient guidance.  Thank you for the promise of your presence.  Please help me seek first your Kingdom and righteousness and trust you to take care of all the other details.  Lord, please use my life to lead others into the practice of the Lordship of Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray.  Amen.

ironies

Matthew 27, Acts 27

I am amazed a the the saturation of irony every time I read the account of Christ's betrayal, arrest, trial, torture, and crucifixion:

• Caiaphas, the high priest, demands Jesus "in the name of the living God" to tell if He is the Son of God.  Of course He is the Son of God, and He is God!  So, they demanded Him to swear by Himself.  Then, when He gave a true testimony, the high council screamed "Blasphemy!" as if they knew the truth.  Can you imagine screaming in God's face that He is not God?!  It is especially disturbing because these guys were supposedly the experts on knowing God.
  
• With a guilty confession, Judas returned the 30 pieces of silver, but the leading priests wouldn't put it in the treasury because it was "blood money".  Somehow they thought it reasonable to murder Jesus, but it was wrong to use the returned money because it bought His murder.
• The leading priests convince the people to ask Pilot to release Barabbas and crucify Jesus.  What?!
  
• Most of the people observing the crucifixion were mocking Jesus and suggesting that if He was really the Son of God to climb down of the cross.  Can you imagine the absurdity of the creation mocking the Creator?!  Can you imagine the magnitude of the love and patience of Christ to obey the will of the Father and give up His spirit on the cross so that the wrath of God's perfect justice could be absorbed by the only possible solution?!

Heavenly Father, your mercy is tremendous, and your love is extravagant.  As I consider the passion of Christ, I am amazed at how you could be patient enough to delay our punishment of sin and how you could love us so much to sacrifice your own Son to absorb our punishment.  Father, may I live in response to your love.  Please fill me with your love, and use me to pour your love into others.  May you be glorified in my life today.  Lord, may my attitude be the same of Jesus Christ - that my life is a sacrifice to you and that you will spend me as you choose - in accomplishing your good will.  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O God, my Rock and my Redeemer.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my holy Sacrifice.  Amen.

the end in mind

Matthew 24, Acts 24

This passage is always sobering to me, especially this section:

^{M 24:9} "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. ¹⁰ And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. ¹¹ And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. ¹² Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end will be saved. ¹⁴ And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

Heavenly Father, I trust your sovereignty.  Please forgive me for being distracted in the world instead of engaging people with the Gospel of your Kingdom.   May the Lordship of Jesus Christ be evident in my life today, and may my life be a humble reflection of your infinite love.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

humility

Matthew 23, Acts 23

Jesus condemned the Pharisees and teachers of the law for two fundamental problems: pride and hypocrisy.  I think most people are consciously aware of most of their own hypocrisy, but pride is so stealth!

As I consider Paul's experience of being kept in prison, though he did no wrong, I am reminded of Christ's own experience.  I can only imagine the humility gained through such an experience.  This humility comes not from internal self depreciation, but from growing awareness of the Lordship of Christ - His authority, power, and presence:

^{A 23:11} That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me through your Word.  Lord, please forgive me for the pride and hypocrisy in my life.  Lord, I need your deliverance.  Please deliver me from being proud of my religious exercises, like the Pharisees were.  I pray that I will tithe, pray, read the Word, and exercise my Spiritual Gifts so that I can know you more and advance your Kingdom - for your glory, not mine.  Lord, please clean my mind and heart so that I will be a pure vessel for you to flow through.  And as you allow trial and testing, may I have a proper attitude of seeking you and trusting you so that I will grow in humility.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, my example and source of humility.  Amen.

wedding clothes

Matthew 22, Acts 22

^{M 22:11} "But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn't wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. ¹² 'Friend,' he asked, 'how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?' But the man had no reply. ¹³ Then the king said to his aides, 'Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

It is the righteousness of Christ that covers us and makes us acceptable before a Holy God.  While the judgment of God is strictly enforced, it should not be considered harsh because He sent His own Son to die so that He may be merciful to those who respond in faith.

Heavenly Father, you are so kind.  Thank you for giving me the proper clothes for the wedding feast.  Lord, help me live in anticipation of that feast today.  I want to honor you and bless you.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, my righteousness.  Amen.

Messiah

Matthew 21, Acts 21

As Jesus rode into Jerusalem in the middle of the Triumphal Entry, I think a lot of people suspected Him of being the Messiah.  But they thought that the Messiah was going to overthrow the Roman occupation and restore the political sovereignty of Israel.  Actually, Jesus came to overthrow the occupation of Sin and Death, and by His own Death, restore fellowship between God and man.

I imagine it happened something like this: the procession was headed down the main street through Jerusalem, and as they rounded the corner next to the local tax office, the crowd was certain that Jesus was going to kick out the tax collectors.  But surprisingly, He didn't.  "OK, but only a two blocks down is the Roman army headquarters; Jesus will probably start there, right?  Well, no; I guess not.  Wait, I think Jesus is headed up to the Temple.  Oh, I get it.  He is going to have a freedom pep-rally for all of the Israelites at the temple, and then we will all bust out of there and tell the Romans to get lost! ... What is He doing?! Why is Jesus starting a riot INSIDE the Temple?!

Jesus did two distinct things when He got to the Temple.  First, He threw out the merchants and money changers.  Second, He healed the blind and the lame.  He removed false religion and implemented true religion in the house of worship.   As I consider the New Testament significance of my body as the Temple, I am challenged to consider how the Lord wants to remove false religion from within me, and how He wants to restore my ability to see Him and walk with Him.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for my false religion and for situations where I reject the authority of Christ.  Lord, please help me see Jesus as the Messiah in every aspect of my life.  Jesus, please give me eyes to see you and show yourself to me.  Please give me strength and guidance to walk with you.  Lord Jesus, I love you, and I want to worship you.  May you be glorified among the nations, and may I have opportunity to share your love today.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

blessings

Matthew 20, Acts 20

Well the AMTA conference was very helpful last week.  They had two workshops and two conference tracts that were very helpful in providing context and details for my research.  On Tuesday and Thursday I was able to speak from the podium and express my gratitude to the Lord and the organization for my research fellowship.  The Lord also blessed me with the great opportunity to have extended discussion with some very knowledgeable individuals about my research topic.

Brandi and I spent one evening in San Antonio at the end of last week to celebrate our anniversary.  It was very nice.  I am continually amazed at how the Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful wife.  She is dedicated, hard working, intelligent, joyful, and beautiful.  Even more amazing to me is that she continues to grow!  Brandi is so encouraging to me - tender, compassionate, and sincere.  I love hearing her sing hymns and praises, and I love laughing with her.  The Lord has blessed me with such a wonderful helpmate.

^{M 20:28} For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."

^{A 20:24} But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God

This is not my life.  The Goal is for Christ to live and me to die, daily.

Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing me with salvation through Jesus Christ.  Thank you for giving me and every Believer the vocation of making disciples.  Lord, thank you for giving me the interests, intellect, and avocation of researching desalination.  Father, thank you so much for blessing me with such a sweet wife.  I know that you have given me a treasure!  Please help me die to my self today; may Christ live through me.  Lord, help me give my life away for others - like Jesus did.  Please leverage the investments you have made in me for the advancement of your Kingdom.  I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, my King.  Amen.

touch from Jesus

Matthew 14, Acts 14

³⁵ When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. ³⁶ They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

If I could simply touch Jesus!

The Lord has blessed me with an academic fellowship from AMTA, and I have the opportunity to say a few words at the annual conference.  I pray that I will give God glory in a way that is genuine and sincere.

Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing me with the opportunity to study and learn.  Lord, thank you for providing for me financially.  Lord, please humble my heart so that I will always acknowledge your sovereign goodness.  As the worship song says, I want to know you, and I want to touch you because I know that you are life.  Thank you for your love.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

simple life

Matthew 10, Acts 10

It is amazing how conceptually simple the Christian life is: we are simply witnesses of the reality of Christ.  The practice is challenging, though.  The Lord had to throw a pebble in Peter's theological pond so that he would be willing to visit with Cornelius's family.  But once he got there and figured out that the Lord gives salvation to all nations, Peter preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ - His life, ministry, death, resurrection, and eternal authority.

Heavenly Father, please help me see the simplicity of knowing you and doing your will.  Lord, I know I am a heretic and a hypocrite; please deliver me.  Help me preach the Gospel.  May I know you so well that others see your reality.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

like our experience

Matthew 9, Acts 9

I Saul/Paul's experience typifies the Believer.  Before we know Christ, we are proceeding with life according to our own warped perspective, which in fact is damaging to us and others.  But the Lord graciously interrupts us and rescues us from further disaster.  We don't know exactly what's going on, so the Lord sends older Brothers and Sisters to help us grow.  And before long, we are sharing the truth of Jesus Christ with others, and of course, we experience spiritual conflict.  So, what is the key to overcoming spiritual conflict?  Some would say, "Name it, and claim it!", but I think if you look at the stories in the New Testament, the answer is humility.  As we are humble with our Brothers and Sisters and humble before God, He shows the strength of His might.  Salvation belongs to the Lord.

This summer we have a couple of students from France working with us in our lab, and yesterday I had the great privilege of sharing the Gospel of Christ with them.  I am praying that the Lord will plant the seed, water it, grow it, and bring it to a harvest of salvation in their hearts.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the beautiful morning.  Your grace is new every morning, which is so good because I need it every morning.  Lord Jesus, I want to hear you and know the voice of my Shepherd.  Holy Spirit, please continue to help me be a witness of the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return of Jesus Christ.  Please use me to continue ministering to my coworkers.  May I be humble with all.  I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

healing

Matthew 8, Acts 8

Jesus healed a man with leprosy, a Roman officer's servant, and Peter's mother-in-law, and a bunch of other people.

 ¹⁴ When Jesus arrived at Peter's house, Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. ¹⁵ But when Jesus touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.

Perhaps one of the reasons that God heals us is so that we can serve Him.  How many Americans profess to be "Christians" but are too lazy to serve?

 ¹⁶ That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick.

It seems to me that a significant aspect of Christ's ministry was healing people.  Even the early church was characterized by the Lord's healing:

 ⁴ But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. ⁵ Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. ⁶ Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. ⁷ Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So there was great joy in that city.

So, why isn't the Church today known to be a conduit of healing from the Lord?  Why don't we have people with all kinds of sicknesses (physical, mental, emotional, relational) lined up for prayer and healing at church meetings?  Why isn't the church a spiritual hospital instead of a country club?

Heavenly Father, please heal me so that I can serve you.  Lord, please heal me of my leprosy of pride.  Jesus, please forgive us for our warped and selfish perspective of what the Church is.  God, please get a hold of us so that we will be authentic with you and others.  I pray that you will do great and mighty miracles of healing in us and through us so that people will know you and your reputation will be honored everywhere.  I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

poser

Matthew 7, Acts 7

I think Matthew 7:13-27 is basically one principle stated four different ways (path, tree, religion, and construction): obedience is the proof of an authentic relationship with Christ.

As I read Stephen's reply to his accusers, I saw for the first time today the three-fold illustration of Christ and His Church through the stories of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses.  Not only was he defending himself by reciting true history, but he was also challenging their self-righteous idolatry.  It is amazing how these two passages are coupled; it sure is easy just to be a poser.  Dying to your self is hard.

Heavenly Father, please help me stay on the right path.  Holy Spirit, please produce your good fruit in me.  Jesus, please let me know you and practice true Christianity.  Father please build me on the solid-Rock foundation of Christ.  Father, my life is yours; may I  have the devotion of Stephen that I would follow Christ to death if you call me to that.  I pray in the most wonderful name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Boston summary

Matthew 6, Acts 6

I think the most valuable aspect of this trip was for me to get a wider perspective of the Body of Christ by interacting with dear Brothers and Sisters of an entirely different language and culture.

I learned a lot about working with children this week - mainly that consistent, balanced discipline is appropriate and effective.  But the fundamental basis of discipline must be love, and that love must be communicated through words, body language, and quality time.  It was amazing to see how the children we watched for only a couple of days came to love and appreciate us.

I am impressed with three distinct theological developments from this week. 

A.  On Friday night after the parents picked up all of their children, Brandi and I went to a concert (already in progress) for the youth.  When we arrived, the band wasn't playing, and the lead singer was preaching.  He read an article that described the pain, darkness, and eternal futility that a person will experience in hell.  As he described their agony and screaming, I was reminded of the intensity of the piercing cry of one of the children I held as we waited for his mother to return.  In a split second, the image of some of my coworkers screaming with that intensity drove me to consider how I must do everything in my power to lead them to the loving salvation of Jesus Christ.

B.  On Friday and Saturday afternoon, I was able to hear the translation of Dr. Ashraf Azmy's wonderful teaching on the subject of Pain and Suffering.  The five subtopics were:

1. the origin of pain and suffering (Gen. 3)
   
2. the end of pain and suffering (Rev. 20-22)
   
3. the suffering of the righteous (Job)
4. the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man
   
5. the suffering of Christ
   

Pain and suffering are perhaps the most efficient instruments in our sanctification, and they are in fact, a wedge between our flesh and spirit.

C.  On Sunday evening, Samy (the director of the conference) invited our team and the other conference leaders/administrators to his home for dinner and fellowship.  Not only was the authentic Arabic food delicious, but the fellowship was so sweet.  I had the chance to visit with one of the Arabic Brothers about what the Lord had revealed to him during the conference.  He shared with me that the most impressive teaching was regarding the river in Ezekiel 47:3-5.  He related that our experience with the Lord is analagous to the progression in the river.  When we first begin our walk with the Lord, we are only ankle deep, which symbolizes our learning the Christian behaviour.  As we grow deeper, we come to the knees, which represents our growth in prayer.  As we progress, we are drawn to service according the Holy Spirit's gifting, which is symbolized by the waist.  But of course, as the scripture indicates, their is no limit to the depth we can go - only we must loose our footing and be totally immersed in Christ.  All that shows is the head, which resembles the very head of Christ!

Heavenly Father, Oh that I may go deeper with you!  Lord, please take me deeper still!  I know that I need to grow so much in the discipline of prayer; please help me.  Father, may I faithfully trust your Divine care and sovereignty, especially related to my experience of the suffering of Christ.  Lord, you are so good. Thank you for allowing me to participate in this conference.  Lord, please bless the Arabic speaking Brothers, and grow their ministry.  Father, please anoint us fresh with the Holy Spirit to worship you and serve you as you accomplish your will.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.  Halelujah!

Boston update

Matthew 4, Acts 4

 

We have had a great time working with the Arabic Believers here in Boston.  We are able to visit with some of the people at the meals, and we are privileged to serve them by watching their children.  Yesterday afternoon and last night, Brandi and I were able to attend some of the conference.  It is really fascinating to be the minority.

observances

Matthew 1, Acts 1

Our congregation had a patriotic service on Sunday morning, and the decorators hung a giant USA flag in front of the baptistery.  You could just make out the illuminated cross behind the flag, and I just thought it was symbolic.  I'm afraid most americans can't see the cross clearly because of the magnitude of our patriotism.

On Sunday night our congregation had a business meeting to vote on adopting replacement constitution and bylaws.  Members were able to speak their concerns, and I thought it went really well until one lady got up and made some derogatory comments.  It's amazing how easy it is to say something mean when emotions flare; but once spoken, you can never take those words back.

Brandi and I flew up to Boston on Monday to visit some friends for a couple of days before we help out with the annual Arabic conference.  We went to Keith's softball game, and several children of the players were running around.  I overheard one little girl say, "I can't find my daddy anywhere."  If only we would be so set on finding our spiritual daddy.

Heavenly Father, I want to know you and walk with you.  Lord, please help me demonstrate the person of Christ, especially in what I say and how I say it.  Lord, please give me the desire to seek you because you are life.  I love you, and I ask in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.