“Give Thanks in All Circumstances”

12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

-1 Thessalonians 5:18 (in context)

Let me tell you a story about Anne Steele, a young woman who faced a great trial in her life. She was a devout Christian, a woman who praised God both in times of joy and in times of sorrow.

She was engaged to be married to the love of her life and she was eagerly looking forward to her wedding day when she and her love will be united as one before their parents, family, friends, guests, and more importantly, before God.

Unfortunately, when her eagerly awaited wedding day had finally come, her love, the husband to be, the groom, was missing. After waiting for about an hour someone brought the news to her that no bride wants to hear, that no father of the bride would want his baby daughter to hear, that no friend of the bride would want her to hear, the news that her fiancé was found drowned.

She had eagerly waited for this day and the news was too much for her to bear. No wedding. No marriage. No husband. No future family. This was truly a tragedy.

Some who face similar hardship would curse God to His face. Some would abandon the faith. Some would give up on life. Not so with Anne Steele. Why? Because God kept her!

Later she penned a song with these words:

"Father, whate’er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies,

Accepted at Thy throne of grace, let this petition rise:

Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free!

The blessings of Thy grace impart, and make me live to Thee. 
"

Did you read that carefully?

"Father, whate’er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at Thy throne of grace, let this petition rise:
Give me a calm, a thankful heart, from every murmur free!

The blessings of Thy grace impart, and make me live to Thee."

But of these beautifully penned words that arose out of a mixture of genuine heartfelt sorrow and a deeply dependent heart on the one and only sovereign God, it is her words, “Give me a calm, a thankful heart,” that stands out this Thanksgiving season. Such are biblical words. Such is a God-glorifying request. Such is right!

When we read 1 Thessalonians 5:18 some may wonder, “Now, how in the world can I do that? How in the world can I possibly be thankful for so long and so consistently?” The answer is we can’t in and of our own!

But if we look to God as Anne Steele looked to God. If we see the importance of being thankful before God as Anne Steele saw the importance being thankful before God (even in her most unfortunate situation). If we (from our hearts) cry out to God, “Give me a thankful heart,” as Anne Steele (from her heart) cried out to God, “Give me a calm, a thankful heart,” I promise you this: The God who kept Anne Steele will prove Himself faithful and give us a thankful heart (if He can regenerate our souls and save us from our sins, can He not make us His thankful people? You bet He can!), thereby, enabling God’s children to give thanks in all circumstances!

Now, there are thousands of biblical reasons as to why we can give thanks to God in all circumstances. I wish to focus on just one. Here it is: We can give thanks in all circumstances because God keeps us saved.

Jn 10:22-29 reads: [22] At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” [25] Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, [26] but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock. [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one.”

“My sheep; My followers; My chosen ones; those who believe that I am the Christ; those who believe in My works; those who are part of My flock; their life is eternal; their life is imperishable; their life… let Me put it like this, ‘No one will snatch them out of my hand.’” This is essentially what Jesus is saying.

We might prone to wonder. We might prone to leave the God we love. But God takes us and seals us and safeguard us and protects us and preserves us.

Christ is not like a hired hand. He is no substitute keeper, protector, shepherd, etc. Just several verses earlier, Jesus states in Jn 10:12-13, “He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.”"

Again, Jesus is not like the hired hand. For us He came; for us He suffered; for us He fulfilled all righteousness; for us He died; for us He resurrected. If we are His (i.e., His servants) and He is ours (i.e., our Master), for all sinners who trust in Christ, there is absolute-eternal-you-can-bet-your-life security. In other words, He who saves sinners keeps those saved sinners saved. No one will snatch us out of His omnipotent (all-powerful) hands. And for this we can give thanks in all circumstances.

Now, think about that? Think about what that implies? If Jesus saves sinners and Jesus keeps those saved sinners saved, then what am I guaranteed? Glory!

We can get a glimpse of that glory, the glory promised to those will never be snatched out of Jesus’ hand in 1 Thess 4:13-18 and Rev 21:1-4. These are some of my favorite passages in the Holy Writ!

So, Jesus saves sinners; Jesus keeps saved sinners saved; Jesus comes back for saved sinners; Jesus glorifies saved sinners. Here then is my question, “How can we, as God’s children, not give thanks in all circumstances?”

The Best Bible Reading Plan EVER!

Here is, in my opinion, the best Bible reading plan ever devised. It is the "Never in January" reading plan by Noel Piper, Pastor John Piper's wife. Click Here for a Bible reading record that will work well this reading plan. Enjoy!

"A year ago I set out to read the whole Bible. That's nothing new; I've begun to read the whole Bible every other year for about 28 years-emphasis on 'begun.' But with all the best intentions, I was never able to finish my annual program of Scripture-reading-until this year. A few months ago, I closed my Bible with a feeling of immense satisfaction: I had finally read it through, all 66 books, all in a year.

This time I can truthfully say that I never dragged myself dutifully on to the next chapters. I loved it and it pulled me back day after day. What made this attempt different? I'm certain God's Spirit provided the inspiration, because I was the same stumbling Christian I have always been. But I did decide to take a more creative approach to my 'walk through the Word.'

I didn't begin in January. I simply let the Spirit push me into it 'any time now.' I began in July.

I started in Hosea and read to the end of the Old Testament. I knew what had become of my efforts before when I had started quite literally, 'in the beginning.' I also knew there were chunks of the minor prophets I had never laid eyes on. There's something intriguing about unknown territory.

I didn't try to read books in sequence. After Leviticus, I was ready for some adventure in Acts. I completed one book before I began another, except for the Psalms and Proverbs which I read in scattered chunks whenever I wanted to.

I felt free to skim repetitive sections (like genealogies and censuses). But I did skim carefully enough to catch any unusual information that might have been stuck in unexpectedly.

I didn't divide the Bible into 365 equal segments. Sufficient to the day was the amount I could make time for. I have discovered when using daily reading guides that nothing kills my incentive like falling a few days behind and feeling under pressure to 'catch up.'

I kept my Bible handy. I often dropped it in my purse if I thought I might have reading time while I was out. At home, the Bible belonged on the kitchen counter, opened to the right place. Many times it called me away from dishwashing and into my easy chair.

I often took along only the Bible as reading material. This has been true for times as short as a ten-minute wait in the doctor's office and as long as a week's vacation. A bookaholic needs no encouragement to pick up something, anything, to read. And when there's only one book at hand, the choice is clear. And who can resist it?

All of those helped, but here was the most important difference from other efforts to read through the Bible. This time, I became a hunter, and my blue highlighter was my weapon. The prey was God's attributes. I set out to underline everything the Bible says about God (didn't want to set my sights too narrow!). I made blue stripes through all the names of God, word pictures about him, what he likes and dislikes, how he reacts to faithfulness and to sin. I was on my third pen when I finished.

This 'hunt for God' was irresistible to me. It drew me like a magnet. And once I was inside the pages, it kept my mind moving-no more drowsing and waking up two chapters later.

My Bible's flyleaves are filled with lists. As I read, I found I didn't want to lose what I was finding out about God. I made lists of God's names (I found over 200 names, phrases and variations that referred to him), Jesus' names (about 140), and the Spirit's names (about 35). There is also a list of pictures used to describe God (shepherd, potter, eagle, farmer, husband, nursing mother . . . ). Another list is of references for passages so beautiful I knew I'd want to find them again.

I used my 'finds' to focus my thoughts on God. From my daily reading, I could choose a name or description of God and think of him in those terms all day. For instance, on a vacation afternoon when my four boys had been out of school one day too long, it helped to know God as a Rock who cannot be shaken. Or when we couldn't see our way clear toward a decision we had to make, we still knew that God is our Light and our Salvation.

This year? I recently picked up an inexpensive paperback Bible and a new pink marking pen. This year I think I'll hunt for God's presence—all the times and circumstances when he promises he will be with us, that he will not leave us."

Note: you do not have to skim through the geneologies and censuses if your consicence tells you to read them just as carefully as you would say other portions of Scripture. It is still the Word of God!

Credit: Desiring God

Carson on God Videos

Check out these three videos from The Gospel Coalition blog (Click Here). Dr. D.A. Carson answers the following three questions:

1. How do I know God exists?

2. How can God be loving and yet send people to hell?

3. How can God allow suffering and evil in the world?

May your faith be strengthened!

Be Strong and Courageous

Wow! My goodness! The video you see above is absolutely powerful. It's a sermon entitled "The Call to Courage" by Crawford Loritts from the 2008 Desiring God Conference for Pastors. It's over sixty minutes of pure passion and conviction and unction. There is never a dull moment and frankly, there are times when it's so convicting that you might be tempted to turn in off. If you are a pastor, I beg you to listen to it for the sake of being a better pastor. If you have a pastor, I beg you to listen to it to better understand the pressure he is under. Long? Yes! Worth the time? Oh Yes! Spiritually beneficial? Absolutely yes! You can't find the time? Yes you can! Listen to it while you're exercising. Listen to half today and the other half tomorrow. Sacrifice your favorite TV show or ESPN Sportscenter or internet browsing or a day's worth of Facebook time and just listen. It's that good! One of the best that I've heard all year! Super-highly recommended!

To download Click Here.

My Conscience is Captive to the Word of God!

In light of the Reformation Day (10.31.1517), here is a little something-something for my fellow Protestants:

"Unless I am convinced by Scripture and by plain reason and not by popes and councils who have so often contradicted themselves, my conscience is captive to the Word of God. To go against conscience is neither right nor safe. I cannot and I will not recant. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me."

What boldness! Thank God for the Reformation!

He Freely Gave Me This Coat!

The doctrine of justification is increasingly attractive and pleasing whenever it is expressed. Here is what "Christian" says to "Formality" and "Hypocrisy" in Pilgrim's Progress, the latter two of which attempts to reach the Gate through a shortcut and the keeping of laws and ordinances:

"You'll not be saved by laws and ordinances since you didn't come in through the Door. And as for this coat on my back, it was given to me by the Ruler of the place where I'm going. And, as you say, it is for the purpose of covering my nakedness. Furthermore, I take it as a token of His kindness toward me; for I had on nothing but rags before. And besides, as I go, I comfort myself with the thought that when I come to the gate of the City, the Ruler of the City will easily recognize me since I have this coat on my back--a coat He freely gave me the day He stripped me of my rags" (John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress in Modern English, p.52).

An Eschatology Discussion from Desiring God

Recently, I finished listening to "An Evening of Eschatology" from John Piper's Desiring God Ministries. Being that the whole round-table discussion is over two-hours long, I had to listen to them in chucks. Three positions are represented by three able and respectable men: (1) Amillennialism by Sam Storms (Enjoying God Ministries); (2) Premillennialism by Jim Hamilton (Southern Seminary); (3) Postmillennialism by Doug Wilson (Christ Church). Piper was the moderator. Click Here to read his review on the whole discussion. Long? Yes! Very informative? Yes! Worth listening to (even in chucks)? Yes! Unlikely that a church layperson will hear this elsewhere? Yes! Important? Yes (eschatology is important)! Check it out!

God Won't Let You Jump Out!

Yes, take my heart oh Lord and seal it with a chain--with superglue! Great preaching! I absolutely love it!

William Perkins' LIfe & Ministry and Preaching Ministry Conclusion

Here is my conclusion to my series on William Perkins, both the "William Perkins Life & Ministry" series and the "William Perkins Preaching Ministry" series.

CONCLUSION

This short study on William Perkins’ sermon methodology calls attention to several noteworthy matters. His precondition to preaching reveals the concerns that he and the variegated movement known as Puritanism shared and ideas that the modern preacher needs to remember again and again: deep commitment to Scripture because it is the supremely authoritative word of God; constant emphasis on Christ as the center of Scripture that translates into soul-saving preaching; incessant reliance on the Holy Spirit for He is the power behind the sermon; and a passion for holiness outside of the pulpit for it is the mark of God’s spokesperson.

Perkins’ preparation for preaching also calls attention to ideas that the modern preacher must bear in mind over and over again: complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit’s guidance in interpretation; vigilant dedication to study the Scriptures; watchfully interpreting Scripture with consideration to and consistently with the entire biblical text; unremitting belief in the authenticity of Scripture despites its numerous difficulties; preparation of law and Gospel preaching to expose sin and provide its solution in Christ; commitment to consider all types of listeners to prepare most extensively and relevantly; commitment to discover and teach doctrine solely from Scripture; dedication to preach applicatory sermons, both mental and practical, to produce results; and a passion for holiness in the pulpit for it is the mark of God’s spokesperson.

Perkins’ sermon methodology is not without several problems, however. Both his precondition to and preparation for preaching revealed several disagreeable ideas: a narrow view that only believers who hunger for the word of God can be impacted by it; atypical division of the OT books that limits the teaching of doctrine from the foundational books of the Bible; extension of the analogia fidei to the Apostles’ Creed; lack of emphasis on exegesis despite his personal practice of it; and a possible limitation of analogies drawn from Scripture only. Yet, Perkins’ was thoroughly Scripture-centered and wanted nothing more than souls justified and sanctified though his biblical preaching. Unfortunately, Christendom will never appreciate Perkins and his contributions the way he was once appreciated, but it would surely do well to produce more preachers of such caliber.

Notes:

• Schaefer, 49.

Yes, They Are!

Who is the top NBA coach of the recent decade? This list from Yahoo! Sports gets it absolutely right (Click Here)! Here's an excerpt from the online piece about this coach:

"He's just the perfect coach for our times. He gets on with the stars and slumpers, he piles on the self-deprecating tone without making it seem like an act..."

Who is the top NBA player in the recent decade? This list from Yahoo! Sports again gets it absolutely right (Click Here). Here's an excerpt from the online piece about this player:

"... has led his team to four championships, three during the decade in question. He scores efficiently on either block, is a monster defender, rebounds like few others, draws huge amounts of attention when he has the ball offensively (something Kobe and KG, for all their gifts and for all the double-teams sent their way, just can't compare to), and he wins games."

Note: This player has three championship rings within the recent decade. In total, he has four.

Who is likely to come out on top of the NBA Western Conference and to the NBA Finals for the 2009-2010 season? Tim Legler is wise to select this team (Click Here).

Give respect where respect is due!