Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism

Posted July 3, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Conferences, SBC, evangelicalism
Tags: , , ,

Southern Baptists Evangelicals and the Future of Denominations

Union University, under the leadership of Dr. David Dockery, continues to lead the discussion in Southern Baptist life by putting together the best conferences about Baptist issues in the country.  In recognition of the 400th anniversary of the Baptist movement, the R.C. Ryan Center of Biblical Studies along with the Office of Church Relations is hosting “Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism“ on October 6-9, 2009 on the campus of Union University. This conference is being billed as “one of the most significant conferences to be found anywhere addressing some of the most vital issues facing Southern Baptists and Evangelicals as we prepare to move into the second decade of the 21st Century.”

Conference speakers include Timothy George, Al Mohler, David Dockery, Ed Stetzer, Danny Akin, Nathan Finn, and many more.  Cost of the conference is a reasonable $85, and you can register by downloading this form and mailing it in to UU (online registration coming soon).  Below is the schedule of the conference, including the topics being addressed.

Tuesday, October 6

  • 5:00 p.m. Ed Stetzer: Denominationalism: Is There a Future?
  • 6:00 p.m. Dinner
  • 7:00 p.m. Jim Patterson: Reflections on 400 Years of the Baptist Movement: Who We Are. What We Believe.

Wednesday, October 7

  • Continental Breakfast
  • 8:30 a.m. Harry L. Poe: The Gospel and Its Meaning: Implications for Southern Baptists and Evangelicals
  • 10:00 a.m. Timothy George: Baptists and Their Relations with Other Christians (G. M. Savage Chapel)
  • Noon Luncheon Address – Duane Litfin: The Future of American Evangelicalism
  • 2:00 p.m. Ray Van Neste: The Oversight of Souls: Pastoral Ministry in Southern Baptist and Evangelical Life
  • 7:00 p.m. Corporate Worship: Robert Smith: Preaching (G. M. Savage Chapel)

Thursday, October 8

  • Continental Breakfast
  • 10:00 a.m. Daniel Akin: The Future of the Southern Baptist Convention
  • Noon Luncheon Address – Michael Lindsay: Denominationalism and the Changing Religious Landscape in North America
  • 2:00 p.m. Jerry Tidwell: Missions and Evangelism: Awakenings and Their Influence on Southern Baptists and Evangelicals
  • 6:00 p.m. Banquet
  • 7:00 p.m. David S. Dockery: Denominationalism and a Global Evangelical Future
  • 8:00 p.m. Mark DeVine: Emergent or Emerging: Questions for Southern Baptists and North American Evangelicals

Friday, October 9

  • Continental Breakfast
  • 8:30 a.m. Nathan Finn: Southern Baptists and Evangelicals: Passing on the Faith to the Next Generation
  • 10:00 a.m. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.: Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism (G. M. Savage Chapel)

Comments: Be the first to comment

The Christian Minister by William Carey

Posted July 2, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Excerpts, Missions
Tags: , , ,

This coming Sunday, I will be preaching on a difficult passage from Matthew 10 dealing with being persecuted, hated, and some even killed because of Jesus.  This is hard for several reasons, not the least of which is that we are living in a country where real persecution, hatred, and martyrdom is seldom if ever found.  Additionally, it is tempting to read such passages of Scripture and not feel the weight of what Jesus is saying.  The “hard” passages are not hard because we have so easily dismissed them and made ourselves the exception to what Christ tells us all who follow Him are expected to experience.  Finally, I believe there is has been a wrongful separation of mission from discipleship so that one can be a listener or learner of Christ without be a laborer in the harvest fields or lead in the mission.

In any case, I think William Carey rightly understood the expectations all believers should have when on mission to make Christ known.  Consider these words, which I believe are consistent with the sending of Christ and rather inconsistent with the status-quo that both he faced then and we face today, and may our lives be wrecked by the realities of missional life in the advancement of the kingdom of Christ.

“A Christian minister is a person who in a peculiar sense is ‘not his own’ (1 Cor. 6:19); he is the ’servant’ of God, and therefore ought to be wholly devoted to him.  By entering on that sacred office he solemnly undertakes to be always engaged, as much as possible, in the Lord’s work, and not to choose his own pleasure, or employment, or pursue the ministry as something that is to subserve his own ends, or interests, or as a kind of bye-work.

He engages to go where God pleases, and to do, or endure what he sees fit to command, or call him to, in the exercise of his function.  He virtually bids farewell to his friends, pleasures, and comforts, and stands in readiness to endure the greatest sufferings in the work of his Lord, and Master.

It is inconsistent for ministers to please themselves with thoughts of a numerous auditory, cordial friends, a civilized country, legal protection, affluence, splendour, or even a competency.  The slights, and hatred of men, and even pretended friends, gloomy prisons, and tortures, the society of barbarians of uncouth speech, miserable accommodations in wretched wildernesses, hunger, and thirst, nakedness, weariness, and painfulness, hard word, and but little worldly encouragement, should be the objects of their expectation.” (emphasis mine)

- William Carey, An Enquiry into the Obligation of Christians to Use the Means for the Conversion of the Heathens

Comments: 3 Comments

Creeds, Deeds, and the Great Commission: Dr. Danny Akin at the 2009 Founders Breakfast (MP3 & Video)

Posted July 2, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Conferences, Evangelism, MP3's, Resources, SBC
Tags: , , , ,

On Tuesday, June 23, 2009 Founders Ministries held their annual breakfast at the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  Dr. Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, was guest speaker and addressed the 200+ in attendance with a message from 3 John entitled “Creeds, Deeds, and the Great Commission.”  Akin concludes his excellent exposition with words of appreciation and caution for future partnership in a Great Commission Resurgence which I encourage all my Calvinist brothers to hear.  The breakfast concluded with by Akin answering a few questions, including one from Tom Ascol about working with non-Calvinists for the cause of gospel consensus and reaching the nations.

The audio and video was produced from my hip pocket – literally.  I ripped the audio from my Livescribe Pulse pen and the video is from my Kodak Zi6 handheld HD Camcorder.  This breakfast was a warm and rewarding time of fellowship, encouragement, instruction, and godly exhortation, and I hope you enjoy it as well.

Here’s the MP3: Founders Breakfast with Danny Akin

Here’s the video:

Note: It is best to play and pause the video until the entire message is buffered for better viewing.

Comments: 2 Comments

Why Are You Hopeful About the SBC?

Posted July 1, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: SBC
Tags: , , ,

Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with 13 brothers along with Dr. David Dockery to talk about the gospel, SBC, and the future.  I was really excited to see what was originally a meet up with some old friends turn into such a fruitful and encouraging time of gathering a solid group of guys with Dr. Dockery to share our hearts and speak candidly about  important matters ranging from burdens to blessings.  As we began talking, I realized that I should be recording some of the comments of my brothers, and I only captured the last four, namely Ben Dockery, Nathan Akin, Trevin Wax, and Jedidiah Coppenger–concluded with a strong word of encouragement by Dr. Dockery.

The restaurant obviously was not well lit, so the video quality leaves something to be desired, but nonetheless, I thought I’d share a portion of last night’s discussion as each person took a moment to answer the question, “Why are you hopeful, or, what do you find encouraging right now about the SBC?”

Comments: 2 Comments

Reflections on My First SBC Annual Meeting: 10 Lowlights

Posted June 30, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Responses, SBC
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

At the SBC 2009 in Louisville, there were far more highlights than there were lowlights, as seen in my previous post.  However, there were some significant moments and observations I came away with from my first SBC Annual Meeting that were rather discouraging.  Here are some that I jotted down:

1.  Morris Chapman

What Morris Chapman did as a part of the Executive Committee report should be enough to bring about his resignation.  It was that bad.  Seriously.  Whether he claims ignorance or spoke with such ill-informed knowledge, the level of incompetence and grandstanding for political agendas as the most influential bureaucrat in the SBC is appalling. There is too much power and pulpit for one man among a convention of autonomous, local churches to continually say such things without accountability to the convention he is positioned as the Executive Committee CEO.

2.  Motions & Moralism

It has been pointed out already by several that motions can be made by any credentialed messenger at the SBC and that the motions do not necessarily represent the common voice of the SBC populace.  While that is true, I do believe the motions reveal a lot about the ongoing need for the recovery of the gospel in the SBC.  The Pastor’s Conference centered a great deal on gospel unity, passion for mission, and a commitment to seeing renewal in our local churches.  The motions, however, focused on education, boycotts, homosexuals, drinking, cussing, flags, etc., all of which leads me to the next lowlight.

Read the rest of this post »

Comments: 28 Comments

Where Extraordinary Grace and Celestial Joy Meet

Posted June 28, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Church Discipline, Ecclesiology, Life With Grace
Tags: , , ,

Tonight, I participated in something that I have never been a part of in the 22 years that I have known Jesus Christ.  The reason for this is twofold: I have never been in a church before that took seriously the biblical practice of church discipline, and I have never been in a church where the pastor has faithful discharged his duties of gospel preaching and pastoral ministry for over two decades.  So what happened, you might ask?

In 1988, God saved a man named Steve who soon became a baptized member of Grace Baptist Church (where I serve).  A few years after his conversion, Steve fell into sin and came under the discipline of the church which he refused to accept.  As a result, the most severe decision a church body could ever make was practiced as Steve was excommunicated from the membership of Grace. For the next 14 years, Steve spent his life committing immoral acts, including drugs and alcohol.  At one point in his life, Steve said he spent an entire month in seclusion drinking alcohol with the jaded hopes that he could die in his own misery and insanity.

It was during this time that he found an old Bible as he was reminded of what Tom had told him when he first came to Christ, “Read the Gospel of John.”  After six months of prayer, Bible reading, and personal repentance, Steve emailed Tom because he struggled to believe that there would be a church who would accept him.  The first person he knew he could to turn to, the person whom he said he trusted the most, was the very person who 14 years ago committed the most severe act of discipline–his former pastor, Tom Ascol.

Read the rest of this post »

Comments: 19 Comments

Reflections on My First SBC Annual Meeting: 10 Highlights

Posted June 26, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Responses, SBC
Tags: , , ,

As usual, I’m one of the last people to get around to writing a summary of their experience at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Louisville, KY.  I mentioned in my previous post that this was my first time ever attending one of these, so I was eager to make the most of it.  Each day began around 4:45am and did not end until midnight, and due to the high volume of tweeting, texting, and emailing, I was recharging the iPhone 2-3 times a day.

Generally speaking, this was an off-year and expected to be a down year in attendance as a result.  However, the news of the Great Commission Resurgence task force coupled with the strategic location where there is a higher concentration of informed and interested younger Southern Baptists, the economic recession and off-year scheduling could not keep back the 8,500+ messengers, many of whom were in my generation.  This is significant because it is over a thousand more than last year when a key Presidential election was taking place.

During the flight back, I took some time to bullet point some of the highlights and lowlights of my first SBC experience.  In this post, I want to mention some highlights to be followed by some lowlights in a follow-up post. Now for some highlights.

Read the rest of this post »

Comments: 18 Comments

My kingdom is not of this world.

Posted June 25, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Jesus
Tags: , ,

Michael Jackson is dead.  Jesus is alive.

The king of pop, Michael Jackson was pronounced dead less than three hours ago this day, and at this very moment, the throngs of worshipers who cried, shouted, fainted, and memorized every last word to his countless hits are experiencing the gravitas of life’s final breath of one who seemed by everyone around the world to be larger than life.

At this moment the praises of Michael Jackson are being lauded from celebrities to news correspondents while millions, perhaps billions are preoccupied with the seemingly day-altering announcement of his passing. The life and death of Michael Jackson is a tragic story, one that we are all too familiar with as our fallen world has no shortage of footage regarding Jackson’s fallen nature.

While the king of pop is being remembered by all those who sang his songs and danced his dances, my mind is taken back to the King whose praises redound with an anthem through the ages.  When he died, there were no songs or dances but casting of lots and twisting of thorns, and while this was going on, death was being defeated through his death. His kingdom was not of this world, and everyone who has this eschatalogical hope and confidence should recognize that our songs of praise are but a refrain in the eternal chorus with angels and the redeemed proceeding unto the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world.

For all those who call upon the name of Jesus, times like this should cause us to transcend this worldwide moment of mourning of one of its kings with a fixation on the resurrection reality and the eternal reward that comes from having been united with him who conquered death and lives forevermore.  There is never a time where Michael Jackson is more famous than Jesus, and though his songs would be sung as fitting for the king of pop, those rescued by sovereign grace should find it ever fitting to worship him who alone is the king of glory.

There are lessons for us to learn as we watch the world turn their attention to their king.  Consider their worship, their reverence, their attention and affection.  Consider the round-the-clock news coverage.  Consider that currently 30% of all updates on Twitter around the world are paying respects to Michael Jackson.

And then turn your attention to our king and know that the story of his glory is not over beyond the grave.  His kingdom is not of this world, and his praises do not cease when death has taken center stage.  Jesus has upstaged death, and therefore should not our worship be all the more radical, hopeful, and global?  Feel the weight of those who mourn with no hope, and lift up your hearts and offer your lives to the King of kings whose praises will have no end.

Comments: 7 Comments

SBC – Louisville

Posted June 21, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Conferences, SBC
Tags: ,

Today I leave for Louisville, KY to participate in my first ever SBC Annual Meeting.  That might surprise some of you, but after this week, I will have walked the aisle and accepted fried chicken into stomach.  But seriously, I am really looking forward to seeing many friends (too many to mention here) and meeting other folks for the first time.

I will not be live-blogging the deal, but I am thinking about posting a little video journal if I’m given the opportunity.  I will try to keep the Twitter birdie active for those who want to get the sights and sounds of my travels.  I promise to keep it light-hearted and fun (and plenty of pictures). I might even give you the scoop on how I am single-handedly marshaling the GCR from the smoke-filled room behind the security guards. ;)

For those wanting to watch what goes down live, you can catch the live feed here.  I’ looking forward to being in the city where I spent four years of my life and being enriched with godly influences.  And no, Joe Thorn, I will not have an Olan Mills picture taken with you.  Sorry.

See you in Lou-ah-vul.

Comments: 3 Comments

The Backstory to the Great Commission Resurgence

Posted June 17, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Compilations, SBC
Tags: , , ,

Three months ago, I took the time to collect the digital paper trail regarding the development of a Great Commission Resurgence (GCR) that has dominated denominational news in Southern Baptist life.  For many Southern Baptists, the talk of GCR has just hit their ears, and yet the impetus for the GCR began nearly five years ago.  Let me explain.

I. Dr. Thom Rainer (May 2005)

In 2004, Dr. Thom Rainer, then Dean of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Missions & Church Growth at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, conducted a study to examine the evangelistic effectiveness of Southern Baptists since the Conservative Resurgence.  The results revealed that although evangelism would have been much worse without the CR, Southern Baptists since 1979 were failing in evangelism.  The analysis of Dr. Rainer was eventually published in the Spring 2005 edition of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology in an article entitled “A Resurgence Not Yet Realized: Evangelistic Effectiveness in the Southern Baptist Convention since 1979.”  It was in this article that Dr. Rainer argued,

“When we are passionately obedient about Christ’s commission to share the Gospel in all that we do, then the resurgence will have taken its full course.”

Through the sober realization and honest analysis of our current state, the battle cry for a Great Commission Resurgence sounded forth from a leading voice in the SBC.  For more background info, check out the following articles:

Read the rest of this post »

Comments: 87 Comments

Our Truest Interest, The Exaltation of the Messiah’s Kingdom

Posted June 13, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Excerpts, Missions
Tags: , , ,

Over the past week, I have been reading over William Carey’s Enquiry as provided in Daniel Webber’s Wiliam Carey and the Missionary Vision. Carey’s short but very significant piece in church history is once again landing on me with conviction, especially as it relates to the mission of the church.  Toward the close of his argument for the duty of all Christians to promote the advance of Christ’s kingdom, he adds this illustration:

When a trading company have obtained their charter they usually go to its utmost limits; and their stocks, their ships, their officers, and men are so chosen, and regulated, as to be likely to answer their purpose; but they do not stop here, for encouraged by the prospect of success, they use every effort, cast their bread upon the waters, cultivate friendship with every one from whose information they expect the least advantage. They cross the widest and most tempestuous seas, and encounter the most unfavourable climates; they introduce themselves into the most barbarous nations, and sometimes undergo the most affecting hardships; their minds continue in a state of anxiety, and suspense, and a longer delay than usual in the arrival of their vessels agitates them with a thousand changeful thoughts, and foreboding apprehensions, which continue till the rich returns are safe arrived in port. But why these fears? Whence all these disquietudes, and this labour? Is it not because their souls enter into the spirit of the project, and their happiness in a manner depends on its success? Christians are a body whose truest interest lies in the exaltation of the Messiah’s kingdom. Their charter is very extensive, their encouragements exceeding great, and the returns promised infinitely superior to all the gains of the most lucrative fellowship. Let then every one in his station consider himself as bound to act with all his might, and in every possible way for God (emphasis mine).

It is tragic, is it not, that we have to use illustrations of secular organizations with exceedingly trivial enterprises as a standard that ought to be of those identified with the church of Jesus Christ.  We have a far greater mission–one that is guaranteed to be accomplished–that should cause us to risk all, go hard, and employ every lawful means in the spirit of being sent and spent for the advancement of the Church Jesus promised to build.

May the spirit of Carey that provoked such an Enquiry then be alive in the hearts of those who are entrusted with the same mission and message he was so faithful to live and proclaim.

Comments: 1 Comment

Living with Regrets

Posted June 11, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Personal Commentary
Tags: , , ,

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on my first year of ministry among the wonderful people of Grace Baptist Church.  A lot has changed over the past year–two months homeless, had another baby, first gray hair, etc.  One of the recurring things in my day has been lying in bed with thoughts having to live with regrets.  The more responsibilities that come in life, the the greater the challenge to balance them and live with the end in view. Here are some that come to mind.

I regret that I have not taken as many pictures of my children or made a ton of family videos, and yet I do not regret the time instead of cherishing each moment with them.  I find myself more caught up in the moment rather than trying to capture it.  I consider this a good thing that unfortunately has no record except in my memory.

I regret not being able to blog as much as I would like.  Thoughts of blog posts and series are constantly running through my head, but I am pleased to know that the firstfruits of my labors are devoted to my church and the precious people I’ve been entrusted by God to serve.  While my blog traffic is down a bit, my love for God’s people is up a lot.  This, too, is a really good thing.

I regret that I have not been as disciplined in my daily exercise as I would have liked, and yet the interruptions such as membership interviews, mentoring meetings, and family worship times have been worth it.  I don’t want to pit exercise against spiritually profitable matters as they are both important, but I don’t mind letting the former go in order that the latter may grow.  Indeed, this is a good thing.

Here’s my point. We are going to regret some things in life.  It’s unavoidable.  The issue is living with regrets that you know ultimately pale in comparison with the far weightier matters that should rightly occupy our lives.  Sadly enough, there are some regrets that I have which, by God’s grace, my repentance will kick to the street, such as inconsistent witnessing, paltry commitment of Scripture memory, and an undisciplined reading schedule.

The biggest regret is to look back at life and realized that you just wasted it.  You’ve got one shot at life.  There’s no do-over.  And the time to examine what regrets you might have that should bring about repentance is now.  Don’t let a future regret be that you did not regularly examine your life and the regrets that should have been addressed with repentance and resolve.  This is the kind of thing I’m preaching to myself right now.

One of the precious mercies God has given us is the ability to remember and reflect on life, and the tragic commentary is that we do so little of it.  We are overwhelmed with information and yet underwhelmed by our ability to live skillfully and wisely.  Five to ten minutes of reflection can spare you from five to ten days of wasted living.  Without an active, aggressive approach to living our God-ordained purposes, we will find our lives packaged with goods with an imminent expiration date and no eternal value.

So pick the areas of life you can living regretting.  Don’t let them be your time with Jesus, your spouse, and your children.  Don’t tether yourself to the virtual world more than the real world.  Have in mind “this one thing I do” and learn to say “no” to things that are often well-intentioned but not profitable in the end.  Don’t regret that you heart was never broken for the lost, passionate about the gospel, and convicted of its own idolatry and unbelief.  Don’t regret your mind was never led to dream about God’s kingdom come, meditate on God’s glory been displayed, and remember the promises of Jesus that should have set you free.  And be the kind of Jesus follower who has no regrets for losing his life for His name’s sake because of the glorious, vindicating reality of the resurrection.

Here are a couple of clips from Piper and Keller that are short but speak about this very thing:

Comments: Be the first to comment

The infinite value of knowing Christ – treasure Him!

Posted June 10, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Jesus
Tags: , ,

Comments: 1 Comment

Denominations Don’t Fulfill the Great Commission – The Christian Index Confesses

Posted June 4, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Responses, SBC
Tags: , , ,

Over the past two months, there has been a major push for a Great Commission Resurgence in the SBC.  For the record, I am in favor and advocate others to sign on to this vision for the future of Southern Baptist life.  However, unlike years past, I have not been as informed or interested in all the chatter on the internet from blogs and punditry for a myriad of reasons.  Nevertheless, I have tried to stay tuned into the ongoing flurry of articles about the small corner of the evangelical block that is the SBC.

What I want to call your attention to in particular is an interview published by Baptist Press about Jerry Vines and his caveats regarding signing the GCR document.  Last week, SBCToday guys shared that Vines “has allowed his name to be added” to the document with “caveats” (it should be noted that 3100+ other Southern Baptists “allowed” their names to be added without fanfare).  But the media hype behind Vines’ caveats has served a great purpose by affording The Christian Index to make a wonderful confession.

Read the rest of this post »

Comments: 16 Comments

Unacceptable Failure – Don’t Live There

Posted June 3, 2009 by Timmy Brister
Categories: Personal Commentary
Tags:

One of the most popular blogs on the internet these days is the fail blog–a website dedicated to humorous depictions of everyday failure.  In fact, the usage of “FAIL” has become popularized through the advent of highlighting such failure.  The fact is that failure is inevitable because we live in a fallen world.  In light of that, I’ve been thinking about the kinds of acceptable and unacceptable failure in the Christian life.  Can a case be made for this distinction?

Another popular phrase comes from John Piper’s message at OneDay 2000 where he shared the story of a retiring couple spending the last chapter of their lives fishing on their boat and collecting sea shells.  Subsequently, one of Piper’s most popular books, Don’t Waste Your Life, was published only to be followed by a website campaign, blog, additional resources, YouTube channel, Facebook, and Twitter.  The theme is crystal clear: you’ve got one life to live – don’t blow it!  The implication is that you spent your life on something that does not matter or count for eternity.  It was a poor investment, a failure of stewardship with this one life granted to you by God to make much of him.

I think one of the greatest ways to waste your life is to live in fear of failure–a fear of messing up and making a fool of yourself.  It’s a fear that paralyzes you of being fulling convinced of something, of going “all in” with the chips of your life, and being complete sold-out with no recourse or plan B to fall back on.  It’s a fear that predisposes you to status-quo and squeezes you into a hermeneutic of the cloudy can’t.  Indeed, it is a fear that prizes pessimism as a virtue and prefers inaction in keeping with personal traditions.  It is the path of least resistance and minimal requirement where the eventual outcome of atrophy become a trophy for the almighty rut, having persuaded ourselves that we are far more secure in stagnation than we are confident in any change that carries with it the potential of failure.

The most common path to unacceptable failure is to live in fear of it. Keep focusing on what you can’t do rather than what God can do through radical, risk-taking faith.  Continue the practice of a functional atheist with enough understanding of the sovereignty of God to justify your disobedience and not enough understanding to live under the domination of God’s sovereign rule.  Convince yourself that the past is always better than the future and live with regret rather than repentance, holding on to maintain rather than letting go to be on mission.  Develop a theology of contentment where holy ambition and zeal for the glory of God is suspect if not sin and drive yourself into deeper levels of comfort and disengagement.  When Jesus tells you that having a mustard seed-sized faith can move mountains and “nothing will be impossible for you,” rationalize it away refined unbelief and soothe your conscience with the absence of rebels to such mediocrity around you.

All throughout the Bible we find men and women who risked it all, including being an abject failure, pursuing the God who is bigger than life itself.  And it is to no one’s surprise that the smile of the Sovereign satisfies the faithful and stings the skeptical whose pride refuses to see God for who He is and take Him at His word.  Whether it was Abraham with Isaac on the altar, the Hebrew boys in the furnace, Elijah on Mt. Carmel, David before Goliath, Peter on the water, or the woman with outstretched arm for the garment of One passing by, I want to be found in the train where my request is sized and suitable for the Lord Omnipotent.  I want to live where I feel the weight of my dependence and desperation for God in that if He is not present and powerfully working, my life and dreams would utterly crumble.  Then I will sense and know Him as the one who sustains me as my portion in the land of the living.

Life is too short to try to escape from experiencing failure, and the mission of God is too important to surround yourself with people who encourage you to live that way.  Find those who are rebels to mediocrity and sell out to Him on whom they have set their sights.  Nothing great was ever accomplished by those who feared failure more than they feared God.  I am praying that God would expose in the unbelief in my heart and never allow me to hide behind theological constructions that discourage bold, aggressive plodding for His glory or dampen the fire being fanned into flame by His Spirit.

Lord, remove the props until I’m face first in repentance and faith believing the promises of your Word in pursuit of Your kingdom’s advance. Lift me from the rut and routine to experience genuine reformation and renewal as You open my eyes to see how great You truly are and so eager to bless those who have nothing to hold onto but Your unfailing hand.

Amen.

Comments: 4 Comments

« Previous Entries
Next Page »