The voyage–is long, waves high, storms pitiless but my helm is held steady...

Today, right now, with the cross before me, I embrace this magic moment with a heart on fire. Leave all the rest behind, because tomorrow I may exist no more, or I may exist yet again. To God be the glory. Don't live apathetically.

O Lord of the oceans,

My little bark sails on a restless sea,

Grant that Jesus may sit at the helm and steer me safely;

Suffer no adverse currents to divert my heavenward course;

Let not my faith be wrecked amid storms and shoals;

Bring me to harbor with flying pennants,

Hull unbreached, cargo, unspoiled.

I ask great things,

expect great things,

shall receive great things.

I venture on thee wholly, fully,

my wind, sunshine, anchor, defence.

The voyage is long, the waves high, the storms pitiless,

but my helm is held steady,

thy Word secures safe passage,

they grace wafts me onward,

my haven is guaranteed.

This day will bring me nearer home,

Grant me holy consistency in every transaction,

my peace flowing as a running tide,

my righteousness as every chasing wave.

Help me to live circumspectly,

with skill to convert every care into prayer,

Halo my path with gentleness and love,

smooth every asperity of temper;

let me not forget how easy it is to occasion grief;

may I strive to bind up every wound,

and pour oil on all troubled waters.

May the world this day be happier and better because I live.

Let my mast before me be the savour’s cross,

And every oncoming wave the fountain in his side.

Help me, protect me in the moving sea

Until I reach the shore of unceasing praise.

-The Voyage, Prayer from The Valley of Vision

Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up!

Remember when movies about the Bible were considered cheesy? But you watched them anyway and they were pretty good?! Now they seem to be more cinematic, very appealing & riddled with visual effects, some depend more on the VFX than the context of the story. Bible films aren't new, I'm sure we've all seen the 10 Commandments and many Jesus' films. However, this year be prepared! A trend has hit the theaters with Bible films! A lineup is waiting for you with Jesus, Mary and even Noah! It's ironic how each portrayal and rendition of the characters and stories have been developed towards our liking. The Jesus's keep getting more handsome, the Mary's more attractive and apparently the Noah's are getting buffer–or becoming more like a gladiator than a servant of God. What baffles me is the Bible's description vs. Hollywood's depiction. Take Isaiah's description of Christ:

He had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows,and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:2

Essentially, the real Jesus, whom existed in an era of no photography (which is very interesting to me and loving of our Father, because we would most definitely forsake the Man and worship the pixels) was a man in which other men were ashamed of. A man who was unappealing, unattractive & filled with pain. I don't want to be a debbie downer about the Bible movies, and I'm not saying to watch these films is inherently sinful. I Just want to remind you that these films, they're not Scripture, and it's not Christianity. If you're going to watch them, take them for what they are, movies, not a hermeneutic to Scripture. Be cautious in allowing a movie to give you "better biblical understanding". That would be like depending on Peter Jackson's adaptations of The Hobbit to provide a clear understanding of the books. Many Tolkien disciples would shudder at the sound of that! Everyone agrees that the best way to understand any story is to go directly to the source and read it yourself. Like wise, Christianity isn't understood on the big screen, it's understood through Christ. And Christ is known through Scripture, lived through sinful men & women, who've been redeemed by Christ who humbly follow Him to the end. His word gives life, not a movie, His people paint His love, not a studio production armed with pixels and shadows of lights projected to a screen to stirr you emotionally for a dollar (or 10). They may serve their purpose for our amusement–but that's the danger isn't it? Christ is not an amusement, He is musement. They are nothing more than films for amusement. They are made because they make $$$$. The film industry are experts at manipulating stories to pull our emotional strings. We pay them to feed our emotions, as if we don't have a healthy dose of feelings, or perspective, or something. If pulling our feelings makes the industry profit, they will do it. So I'm writing this as food for thought. Rather than be fueled by shadows on the wall, go out into the world and do something for real because of Scripture. Be fueld by the Holy Spirit, not a movie. Find someone to pray for, find a shepherd to serve, preach the Magnitude of Christ–that is far greater than any Hollywood film–even with all their VFX, it can't compare with the reality of someones passion for Christ! To God be the glory!

For your amusement:

Get Involved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n1Dix4vRaI#t=2

This video was very inspiring to me but also very sobering in that I don't get involved in the community as much as I should. I don't reach out to my brothers and sisters as much as I should. I don't proclaim about the place where Jesus is worshipped and praised eternally as much as I should. I don't show the eagerness of one day entering into the place in which I await to give my all as much as I should. But I do spend an awful lot of time ensuring my safety, comfortability and convenience. I do spend a lot of time pursuing happiness more than I do pursing His kingdom. Lord forgive us.

What's stopping us from getting involved with the space and lives around us? What's stopping us from rising up from mediocrity and pursuing conviction in the glory of God. Be light to the world, be the fragrance and aroma of the grace of God today!

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 2 Timothy 1:7-11

A Journey Of A Thousand Miles...

There's an old adage that says, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." But what that famous adage didn't reveal was the why? Fortunately, this wise saying was literally lived out by three men documented in Scripture. Matthew 2 tells the epic journey of three wise men, and their journey of thousands of miles propelled by faith, and inspired by love for the promised Messiah.

Scripture says the three wise men hailed from the far east, and it is believed that they traveled thousands of miles in search of the Messiah! However, the reasons why they journeyed is where the true wisdom lies. They traveled so far with much risk, not only to pay tribute to a miraculous birth, but also to praise and worship the Messiah foretold in Scripture.

It's no exaggeration that Scripture calls them wise men either! Think of all the years of careful Scriptural study, historical research, prayer, cartography and astronomical mastery that went into preparing for such a journey to find the Messiah! It's ironic that these three gentiles displayed more insight about the coming of the Messiah, and displayed more zeal and expectation for Christ's birth, than most Hebrew Scholars and experts of their day. They also displayed great faith by relentlessly following a star which led them to Jesus. Their gifts to the young Jesus symbolize Christ's identity and mission: gold for a king, incense for God, and myrrh, used to anoint the dead. Further more, God honored the wise men by warning them in a dream to go home by another route and not to report back to King Herod.

Jack Zavada says on the lessons we can learn from the three wise men,

"When we seek God with sincere determination, we will find him. He is not hiding from us, but wants to have an intimate relationship with each of us. These wise men paid Jesus the kind of respect only God deserves, bowing before him and worshiping him. Jesus is not just a great teacher or admirable person as many people say today, but the Son of the Living God. After the Three Kings met Jesus, they did not go back the way they came. When we get to know Jesus Christ, we are changed forever and cannot go back to our old life."

In our journey to God, let us never waiver to the goal of attaining the eternal glory of Christ! For His glory, let us endure and persevere until, like the wise men did, see Christ face to face!

Merry Christmas!

A God who is free

Christmas is right around the corner, a time of festivities and joy. And although there is much joy in my heart for this time of year, I've been probing the theme of God's Glory and Lordship over all things.

The reality and implications of this study has been nothing short of frightful and humbling. Embracing the severity of God, that is His strict judgment as documented through out Scripture, is perhaps the most frightful thought I've ever had. Much more frightful than a Hollywood film, much more frightful than any evil in this world, is the understanding that God is free to do whatever He wants! Paul exposits this reality of God in Romans 9.

For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy...So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?" But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? Romans 9:15 & 18-21

In my recent reading of Francis Chan's book Erasing Hell, Chan comments on Romans 9 with

It's a passage that isn't preached often, so when believers come across it, many find themselves confused. We find ourselves asking, "Is this saying what I think it's saying? If this is true about God, why hasn't anyone told me this before? Is it because we are embarrassed? Maybe we don't want to admit that we believe in a God who is so free to do whatever He wants.

Chan's book helped me beg the question, how high is my view of God? And maybe this is exactly what we as believers need to probe more often, just how lofty is our view of God? Do I believe who God claims to be? Do I believe that God is free to do whatever He wants? To save or condemn whom He wills? Or as it says in Romans 9:21, "Has the potter no right over the clay?"

For more on Erasing Hell:

A Little Perspective

Many times we forget how fast life fades away. We forget how quickly our time on this earth is running out. If we could only muse on the severity of God's holiness more than what form of entertainment we will dabble in, or behold the miracle of God's kindness more than focusing on how much my neighbor annoys me, then maybe we can start living lives that impact the world for Christ rather than our own comforts and pleasures.

Tonight while I was writing this small note, in just 5 minutes, todays death toll rose from 152,539 to 153,536! In 5 minutes of writing this post, 1,000 people breathed their last somewhere in the world, and the number is still rising. As a believer, I wondered how many of those 152,000+ who past away today were destined to hell? Or how many of those lives were wasted on minuscule priorities or vanities and chasing after the wind? I most definitely can't say, but my heart weeps at the thought of many of them being unmarked by the blood of Christ. Further more, how is it that we can sleep at night, and not once consider the hundreds of thousands of lives that are perishing daily? Life is sacred, but to be honest, it doesn't look like most of us treat it as such.

If you are tempted to complain, please consider the Lord and be still. If you are tempted to hate, please fight more to love one another than to strike each other (verbally or physically). Be slow to anger and quick to forgive one another, pursue each other to Godliness, and utter often, "To God be the glory" not mine, because the clock is ticking and time is running out!

Can't we apply the same energy we use to be on time to work, also to our spiritual lives by being eager to serve the Lord?

Please pray for each other and pray for the unknown. We need more perspective in our lives.

To God be the glory.

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 5:44-48)

Who do you really worship?

I read a compelling statement today about the American evangelical church that humbled me greatly. I thought it was worthy of sharing, but also I encourage you, if you are humbled as well, to examine your heart before the God revealed in Scripture. Personally speaking, I need to examine the reality and severity of being a Christian.

We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with. A nice, middle-class, American Jesus. A Jesus who doesn't mind materialism and who would never call us to give away everything we have. A Jesus who would not expect us to foresake our closest relationships so that he receives all our affection. A Jesus who is fine with nominal devotion that does not infringe on our comforts, because, after all, he loves us just the way we are. A Jesus who wants us to avoid danger altogether. A Jesus who brings us comfort and prosperity as we live out our Christian spin on the American dream...We are molding Jesus into our image. He is beginning to look a lot like us because, after all, that is whom we are most comfortable with. And the danger now is that when we gather in our church building to sing and lift up our hands in worship, we may not actually be worshipping the Jesus of the Bible. Instead we may be worshipping ourselves. David Platt

For more book info:

The Lessening

"Though He slay me, I will hope in Him..." - Job 13:15

The defeated Job, broken and weeping over the loss of his household wrongfully accused by his closest friends, deserted by his wife, with agony cries out to the LORD, 'Though God slays me, I will hope in him!' This is true faith my friends. This is love.

How often do we complain and weep over the miniscule things in life that bear no significant importance in light of loving God with as the Savior uttered, 'all your heart, mind and soul.' The reality of our faith isn't found in emotional highs or lows, nor is it found in riches or status, but it is found in loving the LORD even when all else screams not to. Even when all around is dark, cold and lonely. When everything seems helpless, we yet cry out to Him and long to see the radiance of God's perfect imprint, our Savior's face. We yet long to be in His courtyard, by His side. The mark of true believers is best seen in the light of real affliction. As Spurgeon so rightfully said,

In Job's utterest extremity he cried after the Lord. The longing desire of an afflicted child of God is once more to see his Father's face. His first prayer is not 'O that I might be healed of the disease which now festers in every part of my body!' nor even 'O that I might see my children restored from the jaws of the grave, and my property once more brought from the hand of the spoiler!' but the first and uppermost cry is, 'O that I knew where I might find Him, who is my God! That I might come even to His seat!' God's children run home when the storm comes on. It is the heaven born instinct of a gracious soul to seek shelter from all ills beneath the wings of Jehovah.

Children, run home! Run to the Father! Run to Him who is sweeter than honey, to Him who is more precious than gold. Nothing teaches us so much the preciousness of the Creator, as when we learn the emptiness of all besides.

Further reading:

Petty Wars

Our days are few, and are far better spent in doing good, than in disputing over matters which are, at best, of minor importance. The old schoolmen did a world of mischief by their incessant discussion of subjects of no practical importance; and our Churches suffer much from petty wars over abstruse points and unimportant questions. After everything has been said that can be said, neither party is any wiser, and therefore the discussion no more promotes knowledge than love, and it is foolish to sow in so barren a field. Questions upon points wherein Scripture is silent; upon mysteries which belong to God alone; upon prophecies of doubtful interpretation; and upon mere modes of observing human ceremonials are all foolish, and wise men avoid them. Our business is neither to ask nor answer foolish questions, but to avoid them altogether; and if we observe the apostle's precept (Titus 3:8) to be careful to maintain good works, we shall find ourselves far too much occupied with profitable business to take much interest in unworthy, contentious, and needless strivings...Let us be peacemakers, and endeavour to lead others both by precept and example, to 'avoid foolish questions'.

- C.H. Spurgeon, from Morning and Evening - Matt Tan/ Burgundy

The Dawn

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Every morning is special, I’m very grateful to see the darkness fade at the brightness of a warm sun. I wish I could bottle up this very special moment. A moment that reminds me the beauty of God and the preciousness in every breath of life.

In a heart of wisdom, open your eyes today to the faithfulness of God to sustain a new day. May you make the most of your day, since they are precious and few. And remember, no day is for granted, in a real sense every day is miracle.

Much grace and to God be the glory!

NEWS FLASH!!!

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit" -- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:13-17

News Flash!

100% of all Americans will die at some point in their lives. Yes, despite popular belief, despite social status, technology, medicine, wealth or power, people will die at some point in their lives. With time so precious and life so fragile, it's my hope that we will live a life after the Lord's will.

So next time, when someone or something disrupts the flow of your desires, let us consider the Lord's desire over our own. When someone cuts you off on the highway, when someone offends you, when someone makes you upset, or when you sin against another, step back and consider the will of the Lord.

May you ever boast in the cross of our Lord Christ Jesus. To God be the glory!

At The Table of Christ

Spiritual nourishment doesn't come from bread & wine. It comes from understanding what Christ did on the cross. As followers of Christ, by eating the bread and drinking the wine we partake in a special moment both physically and spiritually. Physically because we do so corporately side by side with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Physically because we eat and drink. Spiritully, because we worship the Lord as we remember, acknowledge and meditate on Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world. So when we eat and drink, remember there is more going on than a crumby piece of bread and grape juice. There is a closeness we have with God through Christ, and we get to remember and experience that through communion. What happens at the table is a means of grace, not that it brings salvation, but rather a means of grace where the saved gather together and celebrate what the Lord has done!

You see, the Table is a special place and time where those who have already received Christ by faith are able to "taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Psalm 34:8)

The table is a place and time where we corporately remember who we take refuge in and how, "this poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:6)

The table is a place where we remember that Christ is with us right now as we speak, and He will continue to be with us until we see Him face to face! "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."" (Matthew 28:20)

Today, remember what Christ has done for you and love the Lord with all your heart, mind and strength. And the second is like it, love your neighbor as yourself!

1 Corinthians 11: 24-26 "...and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Who then is this?!

...And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, "Where is your faith?" And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?" — Luke 8:25

Forbidden pleasure...the ultimate weapon against desiring God

http://vimeo.com/67614403

"All we can do is encourage the humans to use the pleasures in ways and degrees he has forbidden. So always try to work any pleasure towards that which is least natural therefore least pleasurable. An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure is the formula! Get the man's soul, give him nothing in return, this is what really gladdens our father's (Satan) heart!" - Screwtape the demon

We have a ruthless enemy, an enemy that does not rest but roams like a lion looking for whom to devour. An enemy that has seen the development of man from its conception. Our enemy knows us well, perhaps even better than you know yourself. Not only is our enemy ruthless, but it is also crafty and deceptive. We have an enemy that takes truth and makes it appear "subjective." The enemy takes the good, tworts it, mangles it and sells it as a hot commodity. Appealing to the eyes, soothing to the flesh, detrimental to the soul, and deathly to our relationship with the Lord.

Friends, be on guard! Our Father is good, and He has given us the wisdom and guidance to fight the good fight and to live abundantly!

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Related articles

• Preserve me, O God (chasinggodblog.wordpress.com)
• Stages of Sin from St. Bernard of Clairvaux - Fasten Your Seatbelt! (adw.org)

For more on The Screwtape Letters:

Whoever keeps...

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. "Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. Proverbs 21:23, 24

How often do we find ourselves careless with our speech and further yet, how careless are we with the way we express our speech to others? Friends this should not be so, and that's why this passage in Proverbs 21 is so precious and practical for me. It reminds me to "keep" my mouth. But what does it mean to keep ones mouth?

In the original Hebrew translation of this passage the word used for keep is שָׁמַר (shamar), which contains a plethora of definitions including:

• To watch
• To observe
• To guard
• To be careful
• To be aware
• To cling to
• To observe oneself

And much more! This one word in the old Hebrew testifies to the beauty and depth of the Hebrew language. Although the word שָׁמַר is small in spelling, even smaller than its english contemporary keep, it packs meaty implications. That one word is a treasure chest of wisdom, and when you consider we have an entire Bible filled with millions of words like it, we realize we have much to learn, and we are all in progress! It's no wonder the Scriptures make the simple wise as said in Psalms 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

The point I'm making is, to follow any one of the definitions in the word "keep," would be enough to transform my speech, however, we are given many definitions to consider making our maturity process even more dynamic! You would think that knowing the implications should change ones speech and yet, knowledge is not enough to transform speech. Infact, I have found that some of the most insensitive people I've encountered in my life have been other Christians with a lot of knowledge! I've been amazed of what has come out of the mouth of "Christians." However, it realy shouldn't be all that surprising, considering that knowledge puffs up..

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that"all of us possess knowledge." This"knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 

As the passage in Proverbs continues to unravel, we see that humility is at the core of a person who keeps his mouth by pointing out that it is the scoffer who is arrogant and prideful, and in return do not examine themselves. Jesus exposited on the root of humility when he was asked which was the greatest commandment in the law:

 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:35-40

Perhaps we can learn a thing or two of humility, if we learn to love our Lord. From love of the Lord stems love for our neighbor and the fulfillment of all the commandments! All that is righteous, good and pure, depends on loving the Lord. So if you love the Lord, meditate on His words, hear His commands, let them echo in the depths of your mind, and maybe you will "observe" words that are gracious, and then edifying speech will be kept on your tongue, and flow from your mouth!

That my joy may be in you...

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."  John 15:11

It's positively amazing to understand what joy means in the passage of John! It’s also depressingly amazing how this passage is misinterpreted and often taken out of context in the prosperity gospel messages throughout America. I’ve heard my share of teachers say, "Jesus just wants you to be happy!" It certainly aligns with the American constitutional philosophy, “the pursuit of happiness.”  But is this what Jesus really meant?

"That your joy may be full…"

The original greek word for joy in this sentence is χαρά (Chara) which means delight. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, delight means :

• a high degree of gratification
• joy
• extreme satisfaction

More than a feeling of happiness, this passage in John talks about an extreme/divine satisfaction that originates from Christ Himself!

"That my joy may be in you…”

Christ essentially said that He wants His extreme satisfaction to be in us and He wants our extreme satisfaction to be full. So if you are like me, and find yourself downcast, stressed, worried, or doubtful, simply remember the words written long ago. Words that testify to Christ giving His people--not only salvation, but also an extreme, divine and overflowing satisfaction for all circumstances! Paul talks a lot about this in Philippians.

It’s important to remind ourselves we not only have access to the fruits of the spirit, but we also posses them daily– a gift from Christ to you, to help you persevere and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord. Through Christ, we’ve been given an understanding of joy, not only an emotional joy, but also an extreme form of gratification.

So no matter how hopeless your situation might “feel/appear" like, the reality of Christ-like joy tells us we have satisfaction right now, and we have plentiful gratification. Even death itself becomes a grateful reward for us who long to see Christ Jesus face to face. To God be the glory. And may your day be filled with JOY!