Do Not Depart

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God Is God

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Today and tomorrow we are talking about the attributes, or qualities of God. First we will look at what are generally known as the incommunicable attributes of God. These are qualities of God that He does not share with creation. They are unique to Him. I like to think of these as the reasons God is God (and of course, the reasons I am not God!).

  • God is independent. God does not need us. He created us for His glory–to worship Him. But He didn’t create us because He was lonely or bored. What is truly amazing is that even though He doesn’t need us, He uses us! He allows us (even specifically gifts us!) to partner with Him in His work. “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:24–25).
  • God is immutable. God never changes. (Oh, this blesses me today!) He is the same forever. His mood does not depend on the weather, how much sleep He got, how obedient His children are, or even what others say about Him. You can always trust Him. You can always trust His love. No matter how crazy your life feels, God never changes.“For I the Lord do not change” (Mal. 3:6).
  • God is eternal. He was, is, and will be. He wasn’t born and He won’t die. He is the great I AM. And as believers, we will spend eternity with Him after our lives on earth end. Such an amazing gift from our creator to His beloved. “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God” (Ps. 90:2).
  • God is omnipresent. God is not bound by space or geography. This brings peace and comfort to believers. God is as much with me here in Pennsylvania as He is with the son we are adopting in Ethiopia. There is no where I can go that He is not. “’Am I a God at hand,’ declares the Lord, ‘and not a God far away? Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the Lord. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’” (Jer. 23:23–24).

There are other qualities that are considered incommunicable, but this list gives me enough qualities to praise Him all day long! That is the “so what” moment of our study today. Our doctrinal beliefs on the attributes of God matter because these are reasons God, and God alone, is worthy of our praise.

Please take a minute now, even in the busyness of your day, to praise God for being God. Choose one attribute that speaks specifically to a need in your life at this moment, or take time to praise Him for each one.

“Shout for you to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; give to him glorious praise!

All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.”

Psalm 66:1 & 4

Are you there God?

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Have you ever stood on the shore with the waves lapping around your feet and felt insignificant due to a sense of something – or Someone – much greater than yourself? Have you ever gazed up at a mighty mountain peak only to become overwhelmed with the need to worship the One who formed it? That was your soul correctly responding to the glorious Creator as revealed in His creation.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3).

This world and all the vast expanse of the heavens stand as an eloquent testimony to their powerful Creator. Their praise for the One who made them crosses all language barriers and cultures. Their declaration alone is enough evidence for the existence of God.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Even though the existence of God “is plain to them” (Romans 1:19), some humans refuse to recognize the Creator. Here are a few things that Paul writes about them in Romans chapter one:

  • They have invoked God’s wrath.
  • They suppress the truth by their wickedness.
  • They know God but refuse to give Him glory or thanksgiving.
  • Their thinking is futile and their hearts are foolish and dark.
  • They have chosen to worship created things rather than the Creator.

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  Psalm 14:1a

Without God whispering to our hearts, without God wooing us to Himself, we would all be “fools” denying His existence. The Scriptures tell us that no one seeks after God on her own; we each turn to our own way (Psalm 14:2-3). Even with the mighty testimony of creation we are sinful creatures who would choose to worship something other than the Creator. But praise God, He draws us to Himself and gives us the faith to believe (Eph 2:8).

Many who refuse to believe the testimony of creation would tell us that everything exists by chance. That life began in a puddle of primordial ooze and then evolved over time to become the intricate, complicated, wonderful world we live in today. Speaking from their “scientific intellect” and worldly “wisdom” they tell us that anyone who believes in a Creator is “simple” and just ignores all the scientific evidence. What they fail to acknowledge is that they do not speak for all of the scientific community.

Every reputable scientist does not believe evolution holds all the answers to the complexities of life. In fact, over 700 scientists holding Ph.D.s  in a wide range of scientific fields, have signed an official statement entitled “A Scientific Dissent from Darwinism.” The statement reads:

“We are skeptical of claims for the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life. Careful examination of the evidence for Darwinian theory should be encouraged.”

You can find out more about the statement, why it has been published, and who has signed it here.

Belief in the existence of God is the beginning point for a life of faith and relationship with Christ. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him, must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb 11:6). His creation is the foundational testimony to His existence. But it is just the beginning! Seek God. He promises to make Himself known to you. He will confirm His presence in your heart and mind. You will see Him at work all around you.

How does God personally confirm His presence in your life? How do you know that He exists?

God Said It … Do I Believe That’s Enough?

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May I just begin by saying I am not a biblical scholar nor a theologian?  I confess that when Sandra sent out the list of topics for this month my first response was, “I am not qualified to write about a single one of these!”   I finally asked for the simplest ones … and even with these “easy” doctrinal issues, I still feel in way over my head.

So, if you were tempted to skip this month on Scripture Dig, I can totally understand why!   It seems overwhelming to contemplate “doctrine.”   But, please don’t miss these posts!  We want to give you (me!) some basic understanding of what can be complex ideas and, as Sandra explained so well yesterday – our doctrine affects everything else we do.

Our doctrine for today is … inerrancy.

You might have heard this word in sermons.   I grew up hearing a pithy sound bite concerning the accuracy of God’s Word, “God said it.  I believe it.  That settles it.”     However, that overused statement is actually two sentences too long.   Inerrancy is rooted in one simple truth:  God said it.

Inerrancy:  Free from error; infallible.  {dictionary.com}

Regarding Scriptural inerrancy I found this definition most understandable:

By this word we mean that the Scriptures possess the quality of freedom from error. They are exempt from the liability to mistake, incapable of error. In all their teachings they are in perfect accord with the truth. {E. J. Young, Thy Word is Truth, 113}

The apostle Paul explains this idea to Timothy this way:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.  {2 Timothy 3:16, ESV emphasis added}

Quite simply, the inerrancy of the Bible is the solid foundation for all our other doctrines. That God’s Word is breathed out by Him, entirely inspired by Him, is absolutely necessary!  If the accuracy of the Bible is in question, then beliefs such as redemption, salvation, holiness of God, the Trinity … all of the other doctrines we espouse are rooted in error.

Our first doctrine must be that God’s Word, our Bible, is entirely true, free from error … breathed out and inspired by Him and brought to us through His power.

What is your understanding of biblical inerrancy and why do you think it does or doesn’t matter?

Recommended Reading:

What Does It Mean that the Bible is Inerrant, or without Error?

Does God Really Say to Stone our Kids?

Scripture Dig posts on Bible Basics

 

So What Doctrines in February

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John Piper writes, “Wimpy theology makes wimpy women.” Because we here at Scripture Dig agree with him, we’re tackling a deep topic this month–doctrine.

Even though you  may not use the word “doctrine” every day, your doctrine affects you every day. Your doctrine of Scripture is evident when you spend time in His Word. Your doctrine of church is obvious when you make it a priority to join with fellow believers each week. Your doctrine of grace flows from your lips when you discipline your children or interact with your coworkers. Your doctrine matters.

In February we will be discussing the doctrines of God, the Bible, Christ, the Holy Spirit, humanity, and salvation. We’ve titled this study “So What Doctrines.” We want to show how what you believe is evident in what you do, say, believe, and how you act.

We want to be faithful to the command Paul gave Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, as a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

We, friends, are theologians. We study God. We study doctrine. We are not wimpy women. We hope you will join us this month as we continue to dig deeper, think through our beliefs, and fall deeper in love with God our Father.

Let’s Celebrate

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After several minutes of spontaneous clapping, cheering, hugging, and even jumping up and down, a reverential hush fell over those of us packed into the small sanctuary. God had done it! He had provided abundantly more than we could even think or imagine.

God had led our small, but quickly growing congregation to embark on a new building project. We needed a pretty large sum of money to get started. Our church, in a small town outside Calgary, Alberta, included many seminary students and young families. Very few members really had any money, yet we stepped out in obedience.

We set a “loaves and fishes” date. The church would bring their offerings – money and pledges – and lay them on the altar. Then we would share a meal together while the offerings were counted. Children drug sacks of coins down the aisle, others committed their Christmas or vacation money, some gave education savings, but all gave. Even though the church gave sacrificially, logically there was no way we could give enough. But we stepped out in obedience and trusted God to provide.

We gathered after dinner to hear the report. When the pastor shared the amount of the offering the church verbally and physically celebrated over the amazing thing God had done. And when the awe of our incredible God came over us, worship joined our celebration.

To be honest, I never thought of celebration as a spiritual discipline until reading Richard Fosters Celebration of Discipline. Foster says:

“joy is the end result of the Spiritual Disciplines’ functioning in our lives.”

God’s transforming work produces joy in our lives. So, we will experience it as we obediently practice the spiritual disciplines.

However, joy or celebration is also itself a spiritual discipline. God commands us to be joyful. (See Philippians 4:4-9.) Those of us who have been redeemed have much to rejoice about. Celebrating what God has done for us honors Him and acknowledges His mercy towards us. We do not deserve what He has given us but still He lavishly poured out every spiritual blessing in Christ.

The ancient Israelites had regular celebrations to give God thanks for all He had done and provided. These kinds of celebrations not only turned their hearts toward God, it pointed others to Him as well. Today, we don’t always celebrate enough. It’s okay to let loose and celebrate all God has done! Sing, cheer, and clap. Applaud the One who is worthy of our praise.

Our small church in Alberta, Canada had reason to celebrate. God had blessed our obedience. And celebrate we did! We also told others about God’s goodness and many joined in our joy resulting in more glory to God.

Do you have something to celebrate today? How can you celebrate God and what He has done in your church and in your life?

The Discipline of Disciple-ing

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I used to think the life of a nun in a silent monastery was pretty appealing. Nothing but praying, reading, studying, sleeping, and eating. A smile each day to my silent sisters, but then back to our Bibles!

But that’s not God’s plan for our lives. That wasn’t the model of the first generations of Christians. The book of Acts says the first church members hung out every day (Acts 2:46-47). They did life together. We continue to do life with other believers. So how do we do life together? Why does God call us to communities of Christians (the church)?

The answer is the answer to most questions about God’s purpose–for our sanctification and His glory. He is molding us into the image of His Son. And like Christ, we are called to encourage, edify, and equip others. It is the discipline of guidance, or as Teri Lynne explained it to me in an email discussion, the discipline of disciple-ing.

In your church, there are members whose “job” it is to disciple, your pastor, ministry staff,  Sunday School teachers and small group leaders. But as a believer it’s also your “job” to disciple and be discipled.

  • Hebrews 3:13, “Exhort one another every day…”
  • Galatians 6:1-2, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens.”
  • Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.”
  • Romans 15:1-2, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”
  • 1 Corinthians 16:14, “Let all that you do be done in love.”
  • And the most direct to us as women, Titus 2:3-5, “Older women….are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their husbands, that the Word of God may not be reviled.”

Scripture is clear–we responsible for each other, to encourage and also to correct. We don’t do this on our own. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” When we are obedient to disciple others, we do so with His power. All things that pertain to life and godliness are found in His Word. When we counsel people with His Word, we cannot go wrong.

Let’s get personal now. Do you have people in your life who will tell you the truth? Who will point to Scripture to encourage you? To correct you? If not, look at yourself first. Do you not take criticism well? Are you too prideful to listen to the advice of a friend? Have you been hurt in the past and in an effort to protect yourself, you don’t let anyone get close enough to encourage or correct you? Are you being discipled? Prayerfully answer those questions. Then prayerfully look for a woman who will disciple you. It’s not east to put yourself “out there.” But as we have seen, we are to live life together.

If you can name one (or five) friends life who disciple you, it’s time to find someone for you to disciple. As Titus 2:3-5 tells us, it is expected. You are “an older woman” to someone. Look for someone in a different life stage than you are in to get to know. I call this “organic mentoring“–natural friendships that become disciple-ing opportunities. (As Erin Davis at True Woman Blog says never grocery shop alone!)

At the end of the day, I’m glad I’m not a silent nun in a solitary place. I’m smack dab in the middle of life. I have older women who model godliness for me. I have friends who encourage and correct me. And I have younger women who call me (ok, so really they text me or send me a message on Facebook) for advice.  The discipline of  guidance isn’t always easy (to give or get), but it is worth it for the ultimate goal of all the spiritual disciplines–to grow in godliness.

Recognizing and Responding to Who God Really Is

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The Bible is full of references to worship. Narrative accounts of individuals and groups offering worship to God. Commands to worship. Instructions for how and where to worship. The Psalms brim with references to praising and worshiping God… and yet we often seem to have a very fuzzy, if not distorted, understanding of what worship really is.

The word “Worship” is used 13 times in the Psalms.

  • The Hebrew word “Sachah” is used 12 of the 13 times – it means ‘to prostrate oneself (in homage to royalty or to God), to bow oneself down as an act of respect before a superior being. It meant to honor God with prayers, even without prostration of the body. However, those who used this mode of salutation often fell upon their knees and touched the ground with their foreheads. In short, it was a way of showing submission.’
  • The Hebrew word “Abad” is used once, and carries the idea of serving a master.

From Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Worship is described as “both an attitude and an act.” Referring to Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well in John 4, it goes on to say,

All true worshipers must worship God in “spirit and in truth.” That is, true worship takes place on the inside, in the heart or spirit of the worshiper (cf. Psalm 45:1; 103:1-2). Worship pleasing to God must be unfeigned and transparent, offered with a humble and pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4; Isa 66:2).

But this is not enough. Worship “in truth” connects the heart or spirit of worship with the truth about God and his work of redemption as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures. David understood the importance of worshiping in truth and the necessary linkage between “truth” and the Word of God when he wrote, “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear [i.e., worship] your name” (Psalm 86:11; cf. Psalm 145:18). Here both the Old and New Covenants agree! The true worship of God is essentially internal, a matter of the heart and spirit rooted in the knowledge of and obedience to the revealed Word of God.

In my words, I like to define worship as recognizing and responding to Who God really is.

We often think of worship as an experience, a feeling, a service we attend. Worship is much, much more than that. Worship begins as I understand truth about my God – as I study His Word, as I walk with Him and learn more of who He is and what He has done. As I learn more of Him, an attitude forms in my heart – an attitude of reverence, of submission, of humility and awe in His presence. True worship then turns this attitude into an act. I bow myself before Him, internally and possibly even externally, I offer Him myself as a sacrifice and obey Him!

What does this look like? In Celebration if Discipline, Foster suggests some steps into worship that are challenging to me. Consider with me how we might:

  • Learn to practice the presence of God daily. Pray continually throughout our days. Make a conscious effort to praise, thank, adore Him in the quietness of our hearts. Foster says, “All this will heighten your expectancy in public worship because the gathered experience of worship just becomes a continuation and an intensification of what you have been trying to do all week long.” Ann Voskamp continually challenges me along these lines – she has so much encouragement on her site if you struggle with this like I do!
  • Prepare ourselves for large-group worship. How often do we drag through the church doors on Sunday morning tired from staying up far too late the night before, distracted by rushing around finding missing kids’ shoes, frustrated by conflict with our spouse on the way? How much more would God move in our midst if we took the time to really prepare ourselves to worship with the Body, to treat that time as a truly sacred hour that must not be rushed through or slapped together haphazardly that day?
  • Get our eyes off of ourselves, our tastes, our preferences in corporate worship. Foster points out, “as an individual I must learn to let go of my agenda, of my concern, of my being blessed, of my hearing the word of God. The language of the gathered fellowship is not ‘I,’ but ‘we.’ There is a submission to the ways of God. There is a submission to one another in the Christian fellowship.” He challenges that we should accept even distractions and interruptions and give them back to God in praise rather than allowing them to cause us to be anxious and put off.
  • Understand that worship is an act of sacrifice. Sometimes we just don’t feel like it. Remember that worship is not about us and how we feel – it is about who God is and how worthy He is of our adoration and submission! No matter how I might feel, God is no less deserving of my attitude and act of worship both individually and corporately.

Are there certain habits or practices that have helped you focus on worship as an attitude rooted in Truth and an act of submission before Him?

Tell Each Other What?

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Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16 ESV

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 ESV

The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works. Augustine of Hippo

 

Corporate Disciplines … spiritual practices exercised within the Body of believers.   Those habits and methods that grow us together to function in unity.    And we start with Confession.

Confession:  (n) acknowledgment, avowal; admission.  {from Dictionary.com}

Why is it necessary to engage in corporate confession?

I love what Richard Foster says about this in Celebration of Discipline:

But if we know that the people of God are first a fellowship of sinners, we are freed to hear the unconditional call of God’s love and to confess our needs openly before our brothers and sisters.  We know we are not alone in our sin.   The fear and pride that cling to us like barnacles cling to others also.  We are sinners together.  In acts of mutual confession we release the power that heals.  Our humanity is no longer denied, but transformed.  (145-146)

We need to confess to one another … not for redemption or absolution, but for healing! It is in sharing our failures – as well as our successes – that we are bound together in the depth of His grace.   And it is in receiving the sincere confession of others and offering our willing voices of grace and counsel without judgment or condemnation that we experience the fullness of bearing one another’s burdens.

It’s a scary thought, though, to look someone else in the eyes and confess the blackness of our hearts.   Opening ourselves up to that level of vulnerability forces us to assume a great risk.    Equally hazardous to our hearts is the hearing of another’s vulnerabilities and sins.

So how does this Discipline of Confession work?

  1. Discernment is vital! We do not confess to one another randomly or without great prayer beforehand.   Generally speaking, confession as a discipline functions best within the framework of a mentoring, discipling relationship.
  2. When we confess, we are specific … and when we pray over one another, we do not add to nor take away from the confession that has been offered.  Honesty is necessary for a sincere confession.  HOWEVER, this is not a time for unnecessary explanation or gratuitous details.
  3. Like fasting, confession is not commanded. We offer you information about these Disciplines not to add burden to your faith.   Rather, as with fasting, confession to one another is discussed in Scripture and therefore is a topic we must explore and seek the will of God in our own lives.

Exercising the disciplines of fellowship and confession will take us into relationships and situations that will challenge our faith and test our love for God and his people.  It is good to remember that God gave us these disciplines to aid us in our growth toward Christlikeness … they are aids for training us to live free of artiface and bondage to appearances. {Jan Winebrenner, Intimate Faith: A Woman’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines}

Perhaps you have experienced the grace found in confessing both to God and to another the burden of sin in your life … maybe you have difficulty believing the fullness of God’s mercy and grace and living in the freedom of His forgiveness … or maybe you struggle with being open with others about the sin in your life … the Discipline of Confession can be a powerful tool in our spiritual formation.

What are your experiences with confession to or from others?

How have you seen it benefit or harm the Body?

Image by:  suds4565


The Corporate Disciplines – Doing Life Together

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As we enter our last week of study on the Spiritual Disciplines, we look at those that involve the Body.   These last Disciplines are certainly to be practiced privately but they are also to be shared practices.

 

Why does it matter if we practice these Disciplines in the collective?  What difference does it make? This week we will explore Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration … visible, audible, hands-on, feet-to-the-pavement putting into practice the foundations laid through the Inward Disciplines of Prayer and Study, Fasting and Meditation, and then nurtured and grown through the Outward Disciplines of Simplicity and Solitude, Submission and Service.

 

These Corporate Disciplines guide us into functioning as the early church … doing life together.   As we learn the richness of Confession and the depth of Worship, the necessity of Guidance and the joy of Celebration, our understanding of the beauty of the Church, the vibrant Body of Christ, will undoubtedly grow and our recognition of our need for fellowship with one another will be increased.

Join us?

Duty or devotion?

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God began softly tapping at my heart early this past year about His call to follow His example and be a servant. So I’ve been praying and watching for opportunities to serve. I’ve even acted on many of them and thanked God for using me. However, God has used my preparation for this post to correct my thinking even more.

There is a difference between doing acts of service and being a servant. The first is accomplished on a case by case basis out of a sense of duty. The second is a life attitude; a change of nature resulting from devotion to Christ.

True discipleship – a life of following Christ – is not simply a set of actions or behavior. True disciples adopt His mindset, His attitudes, His very nature, and then live it out. Jesus was a servant; He did not merely do acts of service. As disciples, we too should be servants by nature, not simply Christians who serve others.

Acts of service are often motivated by a sense of duty. A true servant is motivated by love for Christ. We become servants because Jesus was a servant and calls us to be like Him. We obediently serve because of our love for our Savior and our desire to be like Him.

Jesus clearly defined His role as a servant. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Matthew 20:26-28. Reflecting on Matthew 20:28 in his classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote:

If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.

The practice of the spiritual discipline of service – literally becoming a servant – positions us to experience tremendous spiritual growth. In her book The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life, Quaker Hannah Whitall Smith (1832-1911) wrote:  “There is, perhaps, no part of Christian experience where a greater change occurs, upon entering into this life hid with Christ in God, than in the matter of service.”

Why is that? How does becoming a servant promote such great spiritual growth? Dying to ourselves in order to become slaves of Christ requires that we push aside our pride. And our pride is the source of so much of our sin and disobedience. When we slay our pride in order to become a slave of Christ we defeat one of Satan’s most powerful tactics. Now we are free to live for Christ and others, not for ourselves.

Simply doing acts of service out of human effort can even feed our pride. This kind of service seeks external rewards and grateful acknowledgement. Richard Foster elaborates in his book Celebration of Discipline:

Self-righteous service requires external rewards. It needs to know that people see and appreciate the effort. It seeks human applause – with proper religious modesty of course. True service rests contented in hiddenness… the divine nod of approval is completely sufficient.

When we become a slave to Christ then we become a servant to all. We won’t pick and choose who and when to serve. Our devotion to Christ will guide our service. Our emotions and calendars will not dictate our service. Instead our love for Christ will naturally express itself in service to others. And in that there is freedom. Freedom to love. Freedom to serve.

Am I looking for ways to serve or am I seeking to be a servant? Is my service motivated by duty or devotion?

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