Lack of Community

There are sadly many uneasy situations in church gatherings. One that I have often seen is when people are asked to share a testimony of what God has done in their lives or of what God has been teaching them lately. Then there is an eerie silence as people are looking down at their feet to avoid this uncomfortable situation. To be sure, I have done this myself. I am also sure many pastors get frustrated at the lack of response from their people. I think this sample scenario is actually indicative of a much more serious problem.

The problem is the lack of genuine community in the local church. There is scarcely the interconnectedness that should pervade the local church. There is not the necessary investment in each other lives. This is clearly not what the new covenant community should look like. The New Testament picture of the local church is one where all believers encourage and exhort one another with much frequency.

Thus, when believers, for example, are asked to share in front of a group of fellow believers, there is immense timidity to do so. Why? Because, they are accustomed not to do so. In fact, there are none or very few avenues within the local church to develop relationships with fellow believers that are eternally helpful to one another. As a result, people are not likely to share personal information in front of others whom they scarcely know, and thus, trust to care about and safeguard the content of their testimony.

Church leaders cannot expect “testimony” times to be robust if they do not promote and model real community within the local church. No doubt, this is extremely difficult. The people will often demonstrate tangible resistance. However, pastors and other leaders must relentlessly press on to establish an atmosphere in the local church where people truly, truly love one another and thus glorify God in a very radical way.

I often pray for initiative and boldness in proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers. Even more so, I am beginning to pray more for initiative and boldness in creating and sustaining relationships with other believers that God clearly demands of us for our good, the good of others, and for His glory.

Kudos to Pastor Sam Storms

I really appreciate Sam Storms, who is a pastor at Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. He has penned helpful books on the Christian life, the doctrine of election, the theology of Jonathan Edwards, and “devotional” books on Psalms, 2 Corinthians, Colossians, and Revelation 2-3. Sam Storms has a fascinating blend of theological convictions. Most notably, he is fully Calvinistic and Charismatic. One rarely sees this combination. Many Calvinists are tragically part of the “frozen chosen.” Not Sam Storms! He steadfastly believes that if worship in heaven is uninhibited (Rev 4-5), then we should surely experience glimpses of it here on earth. In the same vein of John Piper and Jonathan Edwards, Sam Storms pursues Jesus Christ as his greatest Treasure and Satisfaction in this life as the greatest means of glorifying God.

However, the thing I most admire about Sam Storms is his willingness and labor in mentoring young men for the Christian life and future ministry. I have noticed that He has had an internship program at his church for the last two years. Specifically, he has picked seven young men to spend profuse time with in reading and discussing theology, the Christian life, and church ministry. There are also opportunities for hands-on training. This is a fantastic endeavor. I would recommend this type of training over Bible college or seminary in a heartbeat. Kudos to Sam Storms for his eternally helpful work here.

The question is: why are not more pastors today doing the same thing? Sadly, the answer is that most are either clueless or selfish. They either do not see the immense benefit of such labor or they do see it, but they would rather do other things. All these pastors are doing a real disservice to the Body of Christ because of their negligence. And what a blessing they are missing out on.

Personally, if God grants me a pastorate in the future, I would make this type of mentoring one of my top priorities. To be sure, there are great preachers out there who are worth imitating. I indeed want to improve constantly on my preaching and teaching. Nevertheless, I would rather want to imitate someone like Storms, who not only is a good preacher, but also is actively discipling men and training them for ministry.

The Theology of Golf

I have played lots of golf in my life. Have I played too much? Maybe. Nevertheless, I have immensely enjoyed many facets of the golfing experience. However, like anything in life, the most crucial question is: Has this truly glorified God through Christ? Have I played golf at times when I did not glorify God? Absolutely! Thankfully, all those sins are covered as I embrace Christ as my God-given substitute. Golfing can indeed glorify Christ. I suggest the following ways that it can magnify God in my life.

1. Golfing can be a worshipful experience of our majestic Creator. Being outside in various weather patterns basking along side the green grasses, lush vegetation, and different forms of water can all excite the soul to praise our wonderful God.
2. Golfing can be great exercise. It is obvious, that while we are able, we should be very active with our bodies. The good effects are plentiful. While renting a golf cart is sometimes unavoidable, walking can be sheer pleasure. Walking 18 holes (hopefully straight down the fairway!) is usually a 4-5 mile walk.
3. Golfing can be a meaningful time of reflecting on God and on myself. That is, occasionally, I golf by myself. As I have 2-4 hours of quiet time, this can be a perfect time to think about glorious truth and pray earnestly to our all-sufficient God.
4. Golfing can be a meaningful time to interact with others. I have played much with friends and strangers. To be sure, during the 2-4 hour time span, there is some actual talk of golf, but there is certainly a limit to that discussion. Thus, the conversation can often take a Godward direction. This takes initiative on my part. Do I always do this? Sadly, no. That is to my shame. God has appointed these times with friends and strangers. I can’t waste these precious opportunities.
5. Golfing can surely be a means of growth in our maturity in the Christian life. In playing golf, I have very tangible opportunities to grow in humility, patience, self-control, and other traits that are the fruit of the Spirit working in me. In addition, the many aspects of the golf game are a terrific analogy of our life experience.

If these things are transpiring while I play golf, I can definitely glorify God through Christ, which is the ultimate aim of life.

Where is Ben Davis?

This is the wife of Benjamin Davis...wondering when Ben will post again???????  I suppose I will use this opportunity to say a few words about my husband since he has neglected to post in almost FOUR months!

This list is in no particular order:
1.  Ben is always on time.
2.  Ben is light-heartedly humorous, yet heavy-heartedly serioius about sin.
3.  Ben is growing a goatee for me - thanks Ben!
4.  Ben is a fan of the Oregon Ducks, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Portland Trailblazers.
5.  Ben is interested in sports and politics.
6.  Ben is a great communicator.
7.  Ben is a man humble before his God.
8.  Ben is careful with his words.
9.  Ben is faithful to take care of and look after his parents into their old age.
10. Ben is a golfer who has a handicap of 6 on a good day.

There is much more to say about Ben, but I will leave that for future posts.  We miss you Ben!

A Tribute to My Wife, Elizabeth

Today, February 23, is the third anniversary of my marriage to my wife, Elizabeth. It would only be fitting to publicly affirm and praise her. Like all living followers of Jesus Christ, she has much remaining sin. However, God’s saving and transforming grace is surely evident with her. And I am confident that the Spirit of God will continue to change her more into the image of Christ through the rest of her days in this life.

Here is simply a sampling of the things that I find immensely desirable about her (in no particular order):

• Elizabeth strongly embraces the sovereignty of God in all of life, including the salvation of sinners. This can, by no means, be underestimated. It is so essential to a strong and enduring marriage. My wife, Elizabeth, is one of the very few men and women who are humble enough to adhere to this precious reality. I am so thankful to God!
• Elizabeth is so diligent in the so-called, “spiritual disciplines.” She is disciplined enough to get up before 6:00 am on the weekdays to read the Word of God and to pray. (I am sure she looks at Facebook, too!). I am so thankful to God that He inclines her to nourish her soul with His awesome Word. She doesn’t speak about it much, but she also memorizes lots of Scripture. God will certainly bless her profusely for such diligence.
• Elizabeth possesses intense love for her family. She surely honors her parents and has a healthy relationship with her siblings and their families. If needed, she would do whatever it would take to provide for them and to protect them physically and spiritually.
• Elizabeth deeply cares for the lost. I often see her anguish over those who are rejecting Christ and are on a path to hell. Her passion for the glory of God in the salvation of sinners is such an inspiration to me.
• Elizabeth exemplifies biblical submission to me, her husband. I can scarcely remember a time where she has challenged my leadership. In fact, when I fail in leading her, she often exhorts me to pursue the biblical mandate for a husband.
• Elizabeth is independent enough, by nature, and content enough in the Lord, by a supernatural work, that I am confident that she would be more than okay, if God caused me to die early in our marriage.
• Elizabeth is an absolutely gorgeous woman. Her face, smile, hair, skin, and other features J are so satisfying. Most men would envy me because of the beautiful woman that God has given to me.
• Elizabeth is such a hard-worker. Whether at work or at home, she represents Christ very well in her excellence and organization.
• Elizabeth is so frugal for the glory of Christ. Unlike many wives, I have complete trust in her in her handling of money. In fact, I occasionally have to prod her a little to indulge in various God-ordained pleasures.
• Elizabeth loves children. In this age where many women have abandoned God’s will for their femininity, Elizabeth joins many other Christ-following women through history in her delight and care for children, including the unborn. I have no doubts that she would be a fantastic mother.
• Elizabeth enjoys God’s spectacular creation. She puts me to shame with her energy in going on hikes, bike rides, or other activities in this dazzling world that God has made. At the same time, she always directs this wonder to the God behind all this beauty.
• Elizabeth is amazingly creative and romantic. Before we got married and during our marriage, Elizabeth has surprised me often with creative and thoughtful presents that have extremely touched me. I want to strive to just have a measure of her creativity, so that I can reciprocate all the satisfaction she has given me these last three plus years with her thoughtfulness. 
• Elizabeth shows much patience with me. Even though I disappoint her often, she is careful in voicing her disapproval. I am sure she is aware of God’s continual work in me. I am also certain that she earnestly prays for me that God will strengthen me to be a more obedient follower of Christ and to be a husband who leads, protects, and provides for her for her ultimate good and for the glory of Christ.
• Elizabeth demonstrates her genuine love for other believers in a variety of ways. For instance, she is deeply concerned about the welfare of a former boyfriend that she had a long and deeply emotional relationship with. While others might harbor irresistible bitterness in such a scenario, I see the love of Christ radiating through her.
• Elizabeth is constantly battling sin which blocks greater affection for Jesus Christ in all of life. She understands the gravity of sin and the terrifying prospect of the hardening of her heart if sin is left unchecked in her life.
• Elizabeth is not afraid to die. She knows that death is simply a gateway to paradise with Christ. She is not so attached to the things of this world, that she would hesitate to give it all up (including me) if it meant being in the literal presence of Jesus Christ.

Again, this is a sampling of the things that I commend Elizabeth to my readers. I could definitely list more. May the Spirit of God continue to powerfully work in Elizabeth as she passionately pursues Jesus Christ as her all-satisfying Treasure.

Happy 3^rd Anniversary My Luscious One!

The Theology of Pets

To have a thoroughly Christ-entranced worldview, nothing must be excluded from its sway. Everything must be filtered through the lens of coming from satisfaction in God, through the will of God, and for the eternal good of others and the ultimate glory of God. Is this difficult to accomplish? Absolutely yes! My remaining sin is so evident in regard to failing in possessing a thoroughly Christ-immersed worldview. Others believers in Christ fail constantly, too. One area that is often overlooked is the category of pets.

So, what would a theology of pets entail? First, there is no indication that pets are prohibited by God. There are indeed benefits from owning and caring for pets. For instance,

• Pets could provide some measure of companionship to those who are lonely, especially for the elderly.
• Pets can be useful for children in teaching them about responsibility of things outside of themselves.
• Pets can certainly serve pragmatic purposes such as dogs protecting people and property and cats controlling rodents.

However, as is the case with most things in our fallen world, there is a flip-side to owning pets. What are the downfalls? They would include,

·    Pets are often an escape route in the difficult world of relationships with fellow human beings. Most pets adore their masters and they never talk back. Nevertheless, this is utterly unrealistic in the real world. The real world is tough! We cannot use pets (or, for that matter other things, such as computers, video games, hobbies, leisure, etc) to seclude ourselves from others who are actually made in the image of God.

·    Pets can surely be a strain on a person’s financial resources and time. It is simply astronomical to see how much money people will spend on their pets. Just as I need to learn how not to waste my money for the glory of Christ, others need to do likewise with their pets. Also, the maintenance of pets should never impede on serving others. For example, if one cannot go out for the evening, invite others over to their home, or take an extended trip because of their pets, then they should rethink their priorities.

·    Pets can sometimes be a litmus test of how we literally love our neighbors. A follower of Christ should always look out for the interests of their neighbors above their own. Pets can often be an immense irritation to neighbors. To remedy this, if this means having no pets or curtailing the activities of their pets then, this must happen at all costs.

These are a few of my thoughts. Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with having pets. However, it deeply saddens me when people, especially Christ-followers, do not have a Christ-exalting worldview concerning their animals.

O Sovereign Lord, may you convict your children (myself, included) of lacking a worldview that is completely enthralled with you in all aspects of our daily lives.

Glorifying Jesus Through My Work

I have been pondering much lately about how to glorify Jesus Christ through my employment. This is indeed a huge issue! Our work simply cannot be a parenthesis in our daily life from the so-called really big issues on our lives (marriage, family, friends, ministry, church, leisure, etc.). This stems from the obvious conclusion from Scripture that God created us men to work. If God created us for His glory, and if He created us to work, then God intends to be glorified through our work. Any man who is able to work and is not working, then surely his masculinity should be rightly questioned.

Thus, how can I make Jesus Christ look great through my work? Here are a few of the ways that I am striving to accomplish this:

• I should be diligent in my work. In short, I must be a hard worker for the glory of Christ! A simple reading through the book of Proverbs makes this crystal clear. Anything short of hard-work is outright disobedience to God. Our hard work will do much in backing up our verbal witness about Jesus Christ.
• No matter whether my job is mind-consuming or not, I must be spiritually-minded throughout my work experience for the glory of Christ. Jesus Christ must be the centerpiece of my thoughts. To be sure, no one sees this but God and me. It is so easy to fall on the extremes of thinking entirely about my job or of unceasingly day-dreaming during the brain-dead portions of my job.
• My hard work is not enough. It might get the praise of superiors and it might get a raise, but to be really eternally helpful to others, I must speak the truth of God’s Word for the glory of Christ. Except for rare job scenarios, I should eagerly find appropriate opportunities to speak the truth of God to all the people I encounter through my work. There can be no excuses here.
• There are many ways to seek the good of others in our work for the glory of Christ. For instance, in a sales atmosphere, it can easily be a “dog eat dog” mentality among the employees. However, even in the midst of a competitive climate, I do not have to win at all costs, and I can genuinely rejoice when others succeed.
• My employment is meaningful and has the potential for great eternal reward. If I perceive my current employment to be a little thing, then I must be faithful in this little thing for the glory of Jesus Christ. This does not mean that I must stay at the same job indefinitely. It does mean, however, that I must trust God’s eternal purpose for my work here and now. God is in charge and He is definitely working out everything for my ultimate good.

O, Sovereign Lord, may you enable me to glorify you at my job by working hard, being spiritually-minded, speaking your truth, seeking the good of others, and trusting you during your appointed time for my job.

Matthew and Government Employees

To be honest, it is easy to rant against government employees in the current environment that we live in today. A bureaucracy as large as the United States government is surely going to breed incompetence, inefficiency, a lack of motivation, and a sense of entitlement among its workers. These and a host of other negative results are simply what bureaucracies produce. I even fell prey to some of these traits when I was a government employee during my college years. I am certain I would have exemplified these characteristics in even greater measure if I were still employed by the government. This indictment is not only true for the government, but also many other institutions and organizations. Just take a look at many local churches and their deeply imbedded bureaucracies.

My aim in this post is not to unceasingly rant against the government or to even suggest solutions for a better government. Instead, I want the Spirit of God to protect me from the joining the chorus of other people who sin in their thoughts, words, and actions in regard to their distaste for the government. In short, how do I respond to this reality of bad government in a way that pleases God? I have a few thoughts.

First, in a practical manner, there are surely exceptions in the government workforce. Not everybody fits the profile of a lazy government worker. For instance, a few weeks ago when I went to the DMV, the woman there was super helpful and even saved me some money on my car registration.

Second, I must make every effort not to join family members, friends, co-workers, and radio & television hosts in their derision of the government. Even if the content of what they are claiming is correct, I must not mimic their oftentimes mean-spiritedness in their tone. I want to find ways to agree with their assessment without giving approval to their wrath and bitterness.

Finally, I want to actually demonstrate the love of Christ to these government employees. I sense that these workers will be held in more contempt by the taxpayers in the future as our economic woes continue. Should I join in this contempt? Absolutely not! My mind now turns to the Apostle Matthew. Matthew was a government employee (tax-collector) when the Son of God came in the flesh and called him to leave his life of sin and to follow Him. At the time, these officials were greatly despised by the Jewish people. Yet, what did Jesus do? He was their friend. He talked and ate with them. What an example to us!

So, yes, we should desire an environment where government workers are hard-working, efficient, and content with decent wages & benefits paid for by the taxpayer. However, in the absence of this ideal scenario, may we, as followers of Jesus Christ, honor the good government employees, resist the mantra of anti-government screams, and truly be a friend to, “tax-collectors and sinners.”

The Terrifying Reality of Apostasy

I was recently reminded of the terrifying reality of apostasy. There have been at least three friends that I have encountered on Facebook who have clearly abandoned their faith in Jesus Christ. At one time, each one of these men seemed to show signs that they were passionate followers of Jesus Christ. Upon thinking about these men, I have a few observations.

• The path that these friends have taken is not simply sad. It is downright frightening! If these people assumed room temperature at this moment, they would spend eternity experiencing the wrathful presence of Jesus Christ.

• This terrifying reality sends healthy fear up my spine. Left to my own devices, I could just as easily follow in their footsteps. Fear of not truly believing in Christ is surely Biblical (Hebrews 4:1).

• I have to be diligently watchful that my determination to persevere in standing firm in Christ does not become a work of self-righteousness that I could boast about. I persevere only because of the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ on my behalf and applied by the Holy Spirit on my behalf.

• It takes great discernment to know how to respond to these men. Should it be with a rod or with gentleness? I have to admit that my first inclination is to verbally spank them. However, this might not always be the wisest route to take. If I am moved to confront these friends, I need to surely ask God for the wisest approach to take.

• This turn of events among these men does not shake my robust belief in the sovereign preservation of God toward the elect. Jesus plainly declares that some people can show signs of salvation who are not truly saved (Luke 8:4-15). When the time of testing comes, they fall away. Only those who persevere until the end will be saved. Persevering believers are indeed the elect. It will be undoubtedly evident that God has protected these from apostasy. These friends of mine who have discontinued their faith in Christ are not the elect, that is, if they do not repent and come to true faith in Christ.

Lord, may I work out my own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is You who works in me, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. Protect me from the evil pride of thinking myself superior because I am standing firm while others are forsaking you. My only hope is for You to keep me believing all my days in the saving work of Jesus Christ on my behalf.

Brokenhearted Joy

Joy in Christ is an absolutely essential component for salvation. Delight in Jesus Christ is created at the new birth when the Spirit of God breathes spiritual life into us. Happiness in Jesus is then continually commanded to us as we progress through our daily lives. This ecstasy is then consummated when we enter eternity into the joy of our Master. This gladness in the glorious Lord Jesus Christ is an everlasting gladness, and will, in fact, increase throughout eternity. It is simply mind-boggling!

However, to enter into eternity with this everlasting and ever-increasing joy in God, we must earnestly pursue this deep and lasting joy that has been bought by the blood of Christ. One common and true motto is, “No holiness, no heaven.” Equally true would be, “No joy, no heaven.” I assert this by the full authority of Scripture regardless of the many professing Christians who try to justify their joylessness by maintaining that it is merely optional in the Christian life, or, at best, less essential than other components of salvation and the Christian life.

One look at an exhaustive concordance will undoubtedly demonstrate that joy in God is a dominant theme in Scripture with broad ramifications. We neglect it at our own peril. It is indeed the God-appointed way to make much of Jesus Christ in all of life. It genuinely draws all attention to Jesus, our beautiful and all-satisfying Treasure in this age and in the age to come.

Nevertheless, as the title of this blog indicates, this joy is surely a brokenhearted joy in this present life. That is, while our joy in Christ should be inexpressible and full of glory, there are, in reality, a plethora of impediments to a full and lasting joy in God on this side of eternity. That is, this emphasis on the necessity of delighting in Jesus Christ takes in account the massive reality of sin and suffering in this world.

The apostle Paul bluntly stated in 2 Corinthians 6:10, that he was, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” Why this paradox in the Christian life? I can attest from my own life that, by God’s transforming grace, I want to glorify Him by being completely satisfied in Him. Yet, there are so many obstacles in this quest to honor Him. Foremost, there is the grim reality of my own remaining sin. This causes so much blockage for vibrant affection for Jesus Christ. I, and I alone, bear the full responsibility for this result. Then, of course, other people’s sin can hold my joy hostage. Finally, the rampant suffering in this world combined with all the other effects of the curse on creation prevent my full and lasting happiness in Jesus Christ. May you come quickly, Lord, and create a new heaven and new earth where there will be no impediments to an everlasting and ever-increasing jubilance in you!

Am I content with a brokenhearted joy in this life? That is a tough question! I want to indeed strive to feast more and more at the banquet table of the glories of Jesus Christ. This will, no doubt, increase my happiness in God, and thus, glorify Him more, and I, in turn, can be more eternally helpful to others. Nevertheless, to whatever degree of joy I attain in this life, it will be mingled with much sin and sorrow. That is the harsh truth!

Enable me, Father, to glorify you by rejoicing in you always. Thank you, Father, for sending your Son to bear my outrageous sin on the cross in order that I may have the right to delight in you. And thank you, Father, for leaving your Spirit here in order that I may have the power to delight in you, even though, for the moment, it is a brokenhearted joy, in advance of the unimaginable delight that will be mine for all eternity. Wow!

The Profuse Benefits of the Word of God

One of the premier battles of the Christian life is to be spiritually-minded. That is, to have our thoughts unceasingly fixated on the Word of the God throughout the day, even in the midst of the rigors of our daily duties. Sound hard? Yes, indeed. Yet, it is doable, in measure, by the enabling grace of the Spirit of God. This, in turn, flavors our affections and stirs our obedience for our joy and for the glory of Jesus Christ.

As I ponder the benefits of the Word of God richly dwelling in my mind, I see at least four results. I use an alliteration to help me remember.

Worship. If the Word of God is the dominate theme of my thoughts, I can have the pleasure of exploding into satisfying worship of the God of the universe throughout the day.

Warfare. If the Word of God is foremost in my fallen but renewed mind, I can successfully war against sin in my moment-by-moment life as it attempts to pummel me with relentless temptations.

Wisdom.  If the Word of God is controlling my mental faculties, my decision-making throughout the day will be profoundly grounded with the wisdom of God.

Witness. If the Word of God is saturating my brain processing, my words can be in sync with the Word of God as I witness to others about the beauty of Jesus Christ and His saving work.

As God brings me into the new year of 2011, I desire to be filled with the Word of God in order that I may worship God, kill sin, make wise decisions, and be eternally helpful to others. Lord, I desperately need you to incline me to your Word from the moment I awake until the time you put me to sleep in the evening.