day no. 13,227: Christians are sinners‏

1 John 1:8-10

⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

We are sinners.

And sinners sin.

Many of us are quick to admit that we are sinners and imperfect people.

Many of us are slow to confess our specific sins and imperfections.

We are commanded here to confess our specific sins, not merely admit we are sinners in general.

He is faithful to forgive those who confess.

Let us who call ourselves Christians continue to be defined by the fact that we admit and freely confess our shortcomings.

Far too often Christians form communities that require outward conformity and hypocrisy because to confess one's sins is to be equated with being lost or immature.

The Lord saves sinners, let us never forget.

Let's stop pretending to be healthy and admit our sickness so that our Physician may get the credit for any health others observe.

day no. 13,226: spinning slavery and salvation

2 Peter 2:19

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.

No one markets slavery.

But everyone hopes you become a slave to their product.

They sell freedom.

They pray for slaves.

Anyone selling you anything other than Jesus is a slave-trader.

That which they offer promises freedom.

Freedom from bad hair, slow streaming, fat rolls, loneliness, ugliness, boredom, etc...

But they are slaves to lesser things.

They are free only in that they give no concern as to what Jesus has done, is doing and will do someday.

day no. 13,225: gift givers‏

1 Peter 4:10

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

If you are a child of God by faith in Jesus, you have been given the gift of salvation, but also spiritual gifts for the purpose of glorifying God and serving others.

So what has He given you?

Time?

Skills?

Talents?

Money?

Hope?

Love?

USE IT TO SERVE OTHERS!

God did not give these gifts to you to spend exclusively on yourself.

Glorify God. 

Serve others.

day no. 13,224: a look back at the books i read last year

1. New Testament - Holy Spirit
2. My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers (perennial favorite)
3. Biblical Eldership - Alexander Strauch
4. Dangerous Journey - John Bunyan
5. Sticky Church - Larry Osbourne
6. Church Membership - Jonathan Leeman
7. Just Do Something - Kevin DeYoung
8. A Light in the Attic - Shel Silverstien
9. Harry Potter: The Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling
10. 300 - Frank Miller
11. Where the Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silversteien
12. Jesus Story Bible - Sally Lloyd Jones
13. Warfield on the Christian Life: Living in Light of the Gospel - Fred Zaspel
14. Date Your Wife - Justin Buzzard

It was fun to get acquainted with B.B. Warfield.  I have a feeling we'll be buds going forward.

It was also fun reading so many books to my kids.  Look forward to reading many of these again in addition to some new material (Chronicles of Narnia, perhaps?)

day no. 13,223: as we wait for revelation

1 Peter 1:8-9 
You love Him, though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:13

Therefore, with your minds ready for action, be serious and set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ will soon be revealed in full at His return.

Even though we don't see Him now, we worship Him.

Like the wind, we do not see Him, but we see the affect He has on the world we do see.

Some day soon faith will be made sight.

In the meantime, let's devote our minds to teeing us up to act faithfully out of the overflow of our faith.

This isn't a game.

Take this seriously and set you hope fully on the One who is coming by serving Him whole-heartedly now.

day no. 13,220: the wisdom test‏

James 3:13

Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.

The wisdom test is not administered in a classroom, but in a living room. If you are wise and understanding, show it by your kind works and gentleness of counsel. 

day no. 13.219: a faith that saves not‏

James 2:14

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him?

No.

That kind of faith cannot save.

Because it is not faith at all.

Faith saves completely, entirely, sufficiently.

But faith is defined by something

And the definition is not decided by you.

It is full of faithfulness and devotion to the Object of its faith.

If you have faith in Jesus, it looks like something. Not something in general, but something specific: godliness, Christlikeness, fruits of the Holy Spirit.

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Oh yeah, by the by, Happy New Year e'erybody!

Welcome to the party 2015.

Adios 2014.