He Has Put Away My Sins

"Well, before we ever start talking about the cross showing us the love of God, we ought to take the time to define what took place on the cross so as to explain why the death of Christ shows us God's love. Surely the first thing to say is that the achievement of the cross was the putting away of our sins. Had that not happened through the wisdom of God who put His Son in our place, we would have had to pay the price for our sins and that would have been eternal spiritual loss. Thus, the meaning of the cross is that a God, who was my stern judge, has become my loving heavenly Father because He has put away my sins. The Father, through the Son, redeemed the world. So our relationship with God becomes the most important issue we can ever face and the cross of Christ becomes the most momentous event in history, because we have a loving heavenly Father and the Judge who fully satisfies the account of us for our guilt. This is the God-centered way of looking at the cross."- J.I. Packer

Piper Quotes on Missions

Quotes from John Piper that have struck me lately as I prepare for Thailand...

"Missions exists because worship does not."

"Worship is the fuel and the goal of missions."

I never thought of the way that I looked at missions before as far as the language I use to think about it or describe it. These two quotes, though they are simple, really gave me a new perspective on missions, one more grand. I am going to Thailand because worship of the one true almighty God does not exist there. And I must prepare myself for this by spending time worshiping God. God- may You be worshiped in Thailand and all over the globe because You are worthy!!!

downhere

Anyone out there a downhere fan? If you're unfamiliar with their music I encourage you to pick up one of their CDs. The first one is especially good. Anyway my Sharptooth got me their latest CD for Mother's Day (via my fantastic husband). The chorus in the first song called, "The More" has a line which says, "And the more You show me, the more You grow me, the more Your glory becomes all there is." So true!!! This line reminds me of the series I have been listening to by John Piper called "The Story of His Glory" which is an awesome study about God's glory. I wish that God's glory was the focus of the church today instead of man. Focusing on God and His glory is absolutely transforming!

Scripture in Action

This morning while trying to share the Gospel over coffee with my co-workers I was reminded of the truth of John 3:19 where Christ says, "This is the judgement, tha the Light has come into the world , and men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil" and Proverbs 16:25 which says, "There is a way that seems right to a man but its end is the way of death." Seeing how much unregenerate man hates God's truth, rejects the Gospel and insists upon his own righteousness is so sad and so frustrating! The only positive thing out of such situations is the confirmation of God's truth that you see, or as I refer to it; Scripture in action. God said it will be a certain way and it truly is.

Pointing out to unregenerate man that he is making up God how he wants God to be (idolatry) does not get you anywhere. Nor does telling unregenerate man that he is a sinner (there are so many worse than him) and that God rejects self-righteousness (I ask -if you have a righteousness of your own then why did Gods send His one and only Son to die?). I am reminded yet again that the only hope for man is the sovereign grace of God and how thankful I am that He opened my eyes!

As an affluent American Christian...

Once again I am blessed beyond belief by a book regarding saints on the other side of the globe. A few years ago I read "Totured for Christ" by R. Wurmbrand (who started Voivce of the Martyrs) which I cannot recommend enough. This man's testimony and the stories the suffereings of the saints across the globe defintily challenged my own faith. Reading about the lives of saints in third world countries and what they go through for their faith left me feeling like a waste of a Christian. These are modern day examples of men of whom the world is not worthy! Presently, as I am preparing for a missionons trip tp Thailand, I am reading "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan (who started Gospel for Asia). Like the Wurmbrand book this book is also challenging my faith. On top of the stories of the saints and God's amazing works this book also will convict you as an affluent American Christian and challenge you to take a look at your life and your faith. To read Yohannan's impression of America and American Christians is causing me to repent and ask for God to change me!

Officially A Member

I am officially became a member of my new church today. I have always gone to very large churches where it was almost impossible to get to know people. I have yet to experience being a part of the body the way God designed. I am so excited to see how God will use my new church home to grow and shape me. Praise God for another one of His awesome designs and plans!

New Church Home

This weekend I am officially joining my new church home. I am so excited to be a part of the body of Christ in a fellowship that is so loving and in a church where God is glorified and exalted and where the truth is proclaimed boldly. Praise God for this answer to prayer!

18 Inches

My pastor made a comment this weekend that many people will miss heaven by 18 inches-the distance from your head to your heart. Yikes! How many people are self-decieved with only a head knowledge of the gospel that never penetrates their heart. God save me from being one of them!

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