Posts Tagged ‘Pride’

DailyTheocentrism: Satan speaks 5 “I wills” and God Speaks 5 – only one set comes to pass . . .

DailyTheocentrism:

Satan speaks 5 “wills” in Is. 14:13-14;

You said to yourself,

“I will climb up to the sky.

Above the stars of El

I will set up my throne.

I will rule on the mountain of assembly

on the remote slopes of Zaphon.

I will climb up to the tops of the clouds;

I will make myself like the Most High!” (NET Bible)

God speaks 5 in Luke 1:32-33.

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end.” (NET Bible)

Only One was able. Only One could bring them to pass.

Rich churches, camels and such (redux)

I have been thinking a lot lately how grossly rich our churches are here in America – and how we are ok with that. We are driven to the next novelty and the next programmatic push, simply because we can. We have redeemed our tickets at Pleasure Island and we do not even know what we have made of ourselves – mainly because most everyone else looks just like us.

We want.

That is the nature of us – we want.

more lights

more electronics

more leather

more space

more numbers

more control

more praise

more me

I am reminded that Jesus said, “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Then, I wonder about a whole caravan of them . . . Read the rest of this entry »

It’s not funny . . .

I had heard of this video (Click here) that is on desiringgod.org. I know that Justin Taylor has blogged about it, as well as many others.  You need only to listen to about the first 8 minutes to get it.

My curiosity took the better part of me to look it up, not just because I am a ridiculously curious person, although I am, rather it was because I have experienced this all too often. Here, it is on video with John Piper. Here, it is clear that something is wrong. Here, it is a caricature – a cliche – because these are counselors – so-called, Christian, counselors. This reminds me of some of the conversations I listened to as a young pastor when the older guys would “let their hair down.” I have had to learn how desperately we all need grace, especially those of us that the Lord allows to sit so close to watch Him work – that is pastoral ministry after all, front-row seats to see Him work.

The video tagged above illustrates something I have wanted to say, but have never found/taken the opportunity to say it AS I WAS EXPERIENCING it, for fear of crushing or disproportionately rebuking those I was teaching, or sitting with while another was teaching – or listening with as others were confessing, or reading with as God’s Word was speaking. This is the great anesthesia of the Enemy – to make light of that which matters most and much of that which matters little. We need to wake up, listen – be sober and vigilant – to watch and pray, for our laughter betrays us.

The reality is:

Sin – it’s not funny.

The lost going to hell – it’s not funny.

The heresy of a wolf – it’s not funny.

A sinner getting caught and punished – it’s not funny.

The wrath of God – it’s not funny.

The sacrifice of Christ – it’s not funny.

The weakness of our flesh – it’s not funny.

The tears of a brother – it’s not funny.

In Ezekiel, God, speaking of the greatness of His name and the greatness of Israel’s sin, often asks, “Is it too slight a thing? . . . ”

Is it?