Living between "Once upon a time" and "Happily ever after".

This is not a fairy tale. It is completely and totally true. And its wonder far surpasses that of a child's bed time story. It contains the majesty of the very power of God Almighty.
"Once upon a time..." I was drowning in my sin. Shackled in a prison cell I could not escape the dragon. I had been enslaved me from birth and my end was destruction. There was no hope. And the worst part was that I was unaware of these things.
Then came Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Lovingly He opened my eyes to my bondage and led me towards His light. Heroically he payed the ultimate price to rescue and to pardon me. In awe, though His grace I responded in faith and begged forgiveness. Instantly the eternal work of the cross was applied to my account, my name was written in His book, I was washed of my sins, I was adopted into His heavenly family, eternal life was breathed into me, all condemnation was removed, the Holy Spirit was given me as a "down payment" of more to come, all the riches of His grace were bestowed upon me, I was eternally predestined to be conformed to the Image of Himself, made co-heir, and so much more that it will take eternity to discover all that happened when I believed.
All of these wonders happened without me ever literally laying eyes on my Prince. Though I felt His presence with me and have His Holy Spirit, His physical body is seated at the right hand of God. His word tells me that I will see Him when He returns for me; but until then I am living between "Once upon at time" and "Happily ever after." Don't get me wrong; it is not that I am unhappy or think He did something wrong!Living between is a privilege, a high calling. He could have taken me straight to be with Him but instead He chose to use me! Me! The helpless blind idiot. He said through His power I would become strong to do the impossible task He had for me. With Him all things are possible.
And so living between "Once upon a time" and "Happily ever after" is exactly where I will stay until He comes for me. I will be content in this circumstance and even thrive!  For though I long to be with my Lord ( can I say that again? I LONG TO BE WITH MY LORD)  in His "Happily ever after" kingdom, I have unfinished business here. What about you? Will you live wishing for "Happily ever after" to come sooner? Or will you be content to live between  "Once upon a time" and "Happily ever after" for now?

The private devotions of Lancelot Andrewes

"For all that He suffered,
 in Gethsemane,
 in Gabbatha,
 in Calvary,
 For the pain,
the shame,
the curse,
of the cross,
That He deigned to be betrayed
and that by His own disciple,
 That He deigned to be sold,
and that for thirty pieces of silver;
to be troubled in His mind,
to be weary,
to be exceeding sorrowful,
even unto death,
to be in agony,
with strong crying,
 and tears,
to sweat great drops of blood,...
 to be left alone,
and denied b Peter,
and that with an oath,
and a curse;
to be laid hands on,
taken as a thief,
bound,
carried away,
hurried to Annas,
Caiaphas,
Pilate,
Herod,
Pilate the second time,
the Praetorium,
Gabbatha,
the cross.
Thou that wast silent before the judge, restrain my tongue.
Thou that didst deign to be bound, restrain my hands....
In that Thou was struck with the palm of the hand before Annas,
accused before Caiaphas,
attacked by false witnesses condemned for blasphemy...
 stricken,
spit upon,
reviled,
blasphemed: Thy head was crowned with thorns,
 and struck with the reed,
Thine eyes dim with tears,
Thine ears filled with reviling,
Thy mouth given to drink of gall and vinigar,
Thy face marred with spitting,
Thy back ploughed with the scourge,
Thy neck bent with the cross,...
Thy feet pierced with nails,
Thy heart oppressed with grief,
Thy side pierced with the lance,
Thy Blood flowing...
and Thy cry of agony "Eli, Eli!"...
Thou who didst deign that Thy glorious head should be wounded,
forgive thereby whatever, by the senses of my head,
I have sinned.
That Thy holy hands should be pierced,
 forgive thereby whatever I have done amiss by unlawful touch or illicit operation.
That Thy precious side should be opened,
forgive thereby whatever I have offended by lawless thoughts, in ardor of passion.
 That Thy blessed feet should be riven,
forgive thereby whatever I have done by means of feet swift to evil...
And I, too, Lord am wounded in soul; behold the multitude, the length the breadth, the depth of my wounds; and by Thine, heal mine."
-The private devotions of Lancelot Andrewes

The Gospel

The very ugliest of ugliness (besides the tempter) is the human soul without Christ. Entirely apart from God it is apart from all light, goodness, and beauty. It is the epitome of selfishness, laziness, greed, etc. and is utterly deceitful and desperately wicked.
But God in His great mercy loved us while we were yet enslaved in the muck, and sent His righteous son to impute that righteousness to out account. Through His act of  sacrifice (death on the cross)  we become dead to our old enslaved self and through His victory, (rising from the dead)alive in Him! Hallelujah!
The most Beautiful thing in the universe is God. The creator of beauty chose to turn the ugliest into a reflection of His beauty. He has brought us out of the darkness and into the light! And now we are bond-slaves  to the epitome of goodness  and loveliness to the only one who will never fail, fall, or change! What better life could we ask for? http://www.ellerslie.com/The_Gospel.html

What is a biblical Father?

The father’s first duty is to be an image of Christ as with all believers so this section will focus on what is commanded specifically to fathers, not the father’s responsibility as a believer. That being said everything that the father is commanded to or that is expected of him is building on his relationship with Christ.

The father is the head of the family, laid out in 1 Corinthians 11:3.[1] He is head of the marriage, and head of each son until the young man is of age, and daughter until his headship is transferred to another man. As the head he is morally responsible to God for his family.

The husband is the spiritual leader in the marriage and if God should bless them with children the leader of the family also. As such he has the highest priority to lead his family spiritually.[2] To lead his wife spiritually is his very highest and first priority as leader. As he leads her closer to the savior their marriage will grow closer and they will continue to become one in Christ. As he leads her he will also be leading their children. Though the job of spiritual teaching is a joint effort by the parents the husband is responsible to lead. 

“As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 1:11-13

The Apostle Paul desired extremely that his spiritual children grow and learn spiritually; even in the same way fathers should desire the spiritual growth and maturity of their children. It cannot be emphasized enough that this goal of spiritual maturity for his children should be the highest priority, the most prayed and hoped for wish.

 A father is responsible to teach his children by example to walk in the light.[3] In the Old Testament the Lord commanded:

“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.  Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”[4] 

As he acts as head, teaching his wife and children, the husband/father is also responsible to provide for the family God has blessed him with. The Apostle Paul says:

“Command this, so that they won't be blamed. Now if anyone does not provide for his own relatives, and especially for his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”  1 Tim. 5:7-8

The woman is the weaker vessel, through the man God provided a way for her and the children to be provided for. This does not mean that man is put this priority above following God’s call. A husband must remember that he cannot provide for his family without God. God is the ultimate provider, working through the husband and church.

In the same way husband/father cannot fully protect his family without God. His responsibility is to protect his family from harm and to help them to “remain unstained by the world”.[5] But as before, a father must remember that God is the ultimate protector[6]and he cannot do anything without HIM.

A final word to Fathers:

As all these principles are exercised keep in mind that the way it is gone about so as not to arouse anger[7], cause discouragement[8] but rather to inspire respect and honor. Also it must be remembered to use discipline[9] so that the child is ready to hear the word of the Lord.

---

[1] Lit. “Husband head of wife.”

[2] No matter the action of a man he is leading. As a man he can simply not avoid it. The difference is whether he is leading well. So the man’s greatest responsibility more clearly defined is to lead the family correctly and well spiritually.

[3] 1 John 1:7

[4] Deuteronomy 6:6-9

[5] James 1:27

[6] Psalm 91:1-16

[7] Ephesians 6:4

[8] Colossians 3:21

[9] Proverbs 29:15, Proverbs 13:24

The Corrupted Family

The picture painted of God’s family is not only perfect, but it appears perfectly ridiculous. Why is this so? The perfect example of family was marred when Adam and Eve chose to rule themselves instead of submitting to God’s rule. This world has never seen a perfect family since. The very concept of a perfect family is foreign to sinful human kind. It is also completely unattainable. Since sin entered the world families have become, even in the best situations, horribly marred by sin.[1] Now the world is filled with dysfunctional families, single parent families, divorced couples, homosexual families, and many other perversions of God’s perfect intent.[2]

 In a world that accepts any definition of family that allows for its own desires to be placated and openly scorns God’s best, how can a perfect family be discussed and what is the purpose? The reason for discussing the perfect family is found in the discussion itself, namely to become aware of the goal/ standard/hope to have for families.

“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” [3]

What the Apostle Paul desired for his spiritual children, and that the good work[4] will be completed in families is the hope.    That is the hope to pray towards, to work towards, and to change towards. That is the purpose of learning God’s perfect intent for the family.

---

[1] Romans 5:12

[2] Leviticus 18:22, Ephesians 6:1-4,

[3] Philippians 1: 8-11

[4] Philippians 1:6

The Perfect Family

“Family” is a very ambiguous[1] term in the modern world. It can mean any of these things:

“A group of individuals living under one roof”

“A group of persons of common ancestry”

“The basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children”

“Any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family”[2]

But what is the does God mean when referring to “Family” in the Bible? What is God’s definition of a family?[3] What does that family look like?

Drawing solely from the scriptures (God’s word), Family means: One man married to one woman for one lifetime, (Gen. 2:24) blessed with children (Psalm. 127:4).

This family looks like Christ. More specifically: Man leading his wife and loving her as Christ loves the Church; (Eph. 5:25, 1 Cor. 11:3) woman reverencing her husband and submitting to him as the Church submits to the Christ; (Eph. 5:24) the children being trained up in the fear of the Lord, to become Christ-like adults (Prov. 22:6).  The unit of the family provides an environment for “iron to sharpen iron”[4]as each member grows toward godliness.

A biblical definition of the family is a perfect one, the highest goal, the ideal. God is perfect, His word is inerrant; therefore, when God created the family, he created something perfect, and called it “good”. God’s intent for the family was perfect, and His definition of the family is nothing less than perfect.

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[1]Lit. “undefined or hard to define”

[2] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/family

[3] Not to be confused with the Family of God.

[4] Proverbs  27:17

When I say "I'm a Christian"...

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living.
I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!
-Author Unknown

Ezra 3

  "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
   But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy." Ezra 3:11-12
I got really excites while meditating on this passage. If you've never read the book of Ezra, you wouldn't understand.
The people of Israel were captive in Babylon/Medo-Persia for 70 years. They were out of hope. They had deserted God, and it seemed He had deserted them. Then Cyrus said they could go back , so they went! And in Chapter three, the culmination of their deepest hopes is realized. They gather in Jerusalem to worship their God!  Finally they have a restored relationship in which they can communicate with and worship their God! Can you imagine what it must have been like for them to watch their one link to God go up in flames when the temple was burned? Can you imagine what it would be like NOT to be directly connected to (through Jesus) to God? That is what they had lived with (besides the pressures of being slaves in a foreign land). Then to top it all off The foundation is FINISHED!!!!! Jerusalem! They city of Israel's heart! The city they loved, was being rebuilt. If you've never read about or known any Jews than it may be hard to understand what Jerusalem meant to them. I cannot fully understand it myself. All I know is that this mean so much to them that they were laughing and crying and going crazy with joy! Wow. That's cool! 

Thoughts on the Bible

"The Bible is not such a book a man would write if he could, or could write if he would." 

-Lewis S. Chafer

 "We might as well put our shoulder to the sun, and try to stop it on its flaming course, as to attempt to stop the circulation of the Bible."

-Unknown

 "A thousand times over, the death knell of the Bible has been sounded, the funeral procession formed, and committal read. But somehow the corpse never stays put."

-Bernard Ramm

"The Bible presents the highest ideals known to man, ideals that have molded civilization."

-Geisler & Nix

"If he (the biblical critic) tells me that something in a Gospel iis legend or romance, I want to know how many legends and romances he has read, how well his palate is trained in detecting them by their flavor; not how many years spent on that Gospel...I have been reading poems, romances, vision-literature, legends, and myths all my life. I know what they are like. I know that not one of them is like this."

C.S. Lewis

"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education."

-Theodore Roosevelt

"An inspired work, the Bible is also a source of inspiration. Its impact has no equal, whether on the social and ethical plane or on that of literary creation...Its characters are dramatic, their dramas timeless, their triumphs and defeats overwhelming. Each cry touches us, each call penetrates us. Texts of another age, the biblical poems are themselves ageless. They call out to us collectively and individually across and beyond the centuries."

-Elie Wiesel

Rest

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

-Jesus in Matt.11:28 (Italics mine)

Rest. What comes to mind at that word? A pillow, maybe, a good book. For some a few minutes in front of the TV. But what is true rest?

Rest for those who have believed in Jesus Christ is a time to draw near to Him, and for Him to draw near to you. True rest cannot be attained unless it is given by its Creator. So you cannot have true rest unless you know Jesus. Also, you must "come away" from the noise and rush of life. Many people have called this coming away a "Quiet Time". "But, you may say, a quiet time is not required to be a christian!" That is correct. But requirements for salvation is not what is being discussed. Though it is not required, to truly grow in Christ there must be fellowship. At its core that is what true rest is, simple closeness to your Creator. It does not require a physical separation from your surroundings (though that does help).  To rest in close fellowship with your Creator is the sweetest relaxation known to man. 

You may at this point be wondering "Is it even possible to be that close to God?" The answer is "YES!" That question brings us to what true rest requires. 

First of all, rest requires that all sin be confessed. Close fellowship with God is always marred by unconfessed or unforsaken sin. 

Second, it requires focus. You must be fully focused on God. That is way being alone and undistracted is important.

What are the results of rest? 

Perfect Peace (John 14:27)

A Closer Walk (James 4:8) 

Rest is essential to the Christian walk. Without rest the follower will simply become burned out, worn down and altogether exhausted.  You cannot effectively serve without rest.