Last week was midterm week here @ SEBTS so I was unable to keep up with my new years pledge: a post/ a week.
The title for this post comes from life in living color. I've been in the word as of late and have really been giving a lot of thought on the matter of saving faith what that truly looks like and is. I was really struck by a message by John Piper who during the course of his sermon series on unbelief said that "walking an aisle", "signing a card", "praying a prayer" does not get it done in terms of faith that is salvific. Where my thought process has been taking me lately is wondering whether or not my faith is more than just some "prayer prayed" or some "aisle walked"
That saving faith is a matter of heart and mind not just the mind. When you truly treasure, love, and trust Jesus that is when your faith becomes salvific.
This Blog will be my personal monologue of my thoughts feelings and experiences whenever the inspiration strikes feel free to join in on the conversation. Little bit about me, my name is Jared Lucas and I'm a 29 year old graduate of Carson-Newman College. I currently reside in West Columbia, SC with my wife Katie. I am in my last year of my MDIV in Christian Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Fighting the Fight.....
With such titles as Your Best Life Now, and Become A Better You Which preach of a Gospel of "Think happy thoughts and you and Jesus will be best buddies and everything will be alright" It's wonder why so many us are and get discouraged from time to time. (But, why I thought that if I thought good, positive thoughts about my faith that I would be secure and life will be easy).(I know I'm picking on a single individual here but it's so easy sometimes, and if I'm wrong let be proven so)
*Snap Back to Reality* (for all you Slim Shady fans)
The almighty inspired word of God doesn't refer to this life as a "fight of faith"(1 Tim 6:12) and mentions the likes of armor such as shield of faith, and helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:16-17a) Just for kicks. The Christian life is not easy I know the more advance theologians in my particular part of the blogosphere would say something along the lines of "Elementary my dear Lucas" but I speak of these things only because of recent experience. I've recently been seeking the face of God and asking him to show me my heart and the deepest and darkest parts of it. Asking him to reveal any sin that I might still be harboring within. He did not fail in doing so. But at the same time the Enemy was working double time and vigorously at that to try and convince me that the conviction that the Holy Spirit was bringing about was no big deal.
In the end it was my desire to be right fellowship and once again on the straight and narrow path led to to repentance, confession and forgiveness and grace.
The Christian Life is a fight but you are not helpless in this war against the enemy and unbelief
-just word of encouragement from my own life this early A.M.
*Snap Back to Reality* (for all you Slim Shady fans)
The almighty inspired word of God doesn't refer to this life as a "fight of faith"(1 Tim 6:12) and mentions the likes of armor such as shield of faith, and helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:16-17a) Just for kicks. The Christian life is not easy I know the more advance theologians in my particular part of the blogosphere would say something along the lines of "Elementary my dear Lucas" but I speak of these things only because of recent experience. I've recently been seeking the face of God and asking him to show me my heart and the deepest and darkest parts of it. Asking him to reveal any sin that I might still be harboring within. He did not fail in doing so. But at the same time the Enemy was working double time and vigorously at that to try and convince me that the conviction that the Holy Spirit was bringing about was no big deal.
In the end it was my desire to be right fellowship and once again on the straight and narrow path led to to repentance, confession and forgiveness and grace.
The Christian Life is a fight but you are not helpless in this war against the enemy and unbelief
-just word of encouragement from my own life this early A.M.
Labels:
Armor of God,
Encouragment,
Faith,
Fight,
Fluff Theology
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Meaning and Significance
I can remember a very bitter time in my life. The time was during my years of study @ Carson-Newman. Mind you that all that time I was single and searching for that one woman that would be the one with which I would spend the rest of my life with. 2 1/2 or 3 years in I really can't recall the night that my friend Whipple and I were having one our in-depth talks. I can remember vividly talking about my disdain that I had yet to find the one that I was to spend the rest of my life with. I recall vehemently expressing my disgust at the false notion that I felt that everyone around me was finding success with regard to relationships when all I could find was rejection and "lets just be friends". Mind you actual attempts at "love" and relationships were few and far between but the ones that were attempted ended in the aforementioned results.
It was during one of these talks that Whipple suggested that I listen to a song that at the time had just recently been recorded and released by Derek Webb a song called "Wedding Dress" I listened to it and thought how cute its talk about a man and wife. How sadly was I wrong, only to after many years of listening to and falling in love with the tune, and actually learning how to play it recently did I finally discover and realize the truth & significance behind it.
What my friend was so wisely trying to show me is to view and have Jesus Christ as the ultimate lover of my soul before anything else. As it is referred to in the song and as Derek explains on another album called the "The House Show" because of my unbelief in the gospel, the word that Christ saves me and also says that God will provide for me in every facet of my life I would seek to be woo(ed) by lovers less wild attempting to substitute them or whatever it was for Christ. So first I should make Christ the center of my life and then other things would follow as blessing from the Lord.
I can say now more than ever and without any doubt that I finally have Christ in view as the ultimate and wildest lover of my soul.
Thank you Adam for starting me on the long journey so many moons ago. I'm finally walking with Christ in the right way.
It was during one of these talks that Whipple suggested that I listen to a song that at the time had just recently been recorded and released by Derek Webb a song called "Wedding Dress" I listened to it and thought how cute its talk about a man and wife. How sadly was I wrong, only to after many years of listening to and falling in love with the tune, and actually learning how to play it recently did I finally discover and realize the truth & significance behind it.
What my friend was so wisely trying to show me is to view and have Jesus Christ as the ultimate lover of my soul before anything else. As it is referred to in the song and as Derek explains on another album called the "The House Show" because of my unbelief in the gospel, the word that Christ saves me and also says that God will provide for me in every facet of my life I would seek to be woo(ed) by lovers less wild attempting to substitute them or whatever it was for Christ. So first I should make Christ the center of my life and then other things would follow as blessing from the Lord.
I can say now more than ever and without any doubt that I finally have Christ in view as the ultimate and wildest lover of my soul.
Thank you Adam for starting me on the long journey so many moons ago. I'm finally walking with Christ in the right way.
Labels:
bible,
Derek Webb,
THe House Show,
Walk w/ Christ,
Wedding Dress
Saturday, February 09, 2008
A Charge For Daily Encouragement
The source of this post comes straight from my time with"The Word and The Father" of all places...
I've being reading steadily through books of the bible as of late. I read from both the OT and NT more or less just I just pick something that I'm really interested in or really want to read. I started with the Psalms for my OT book and have been reading 2 a day. The psalms are awesome such a sweet picture of our savior is captured between the pages. Meanwhile for my NT book I started with a Pauline epistle of Galatians and was just reminded that Christ is set us free and in Christ we are free so why on earth would we want to return to the yoke of slavery that is check-list Christianity. Which in fact if you think about it, it's not Christianity but rather legalism.
I've been reading as late last week through the book of Hebrews which is yet another awesome book. The gospel; the good news of the redemption that is in Christ so apparent in the book it has blessed me so much. To know that Christ himself is so much more able to help me when I am struggling against temptation cause he himself was tempted and yet without sinning.
But, all that to say I read over very significant thing about what it means that we are the body of Christ and we should be involved in each other's lives on a daily basis. Its come from Hebrews 3.12&13
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from God. But, exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today" that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (ESV)
The writer here is clearly calling its audience to daily encouragement and involvement in the lives of fellow believers. Sin is very deceitful. It can really mess you up. It can lead you into places and states of mind that are really hard to get back from. However with "daily" encouragement and accountability on is able to become and strong weapon for the cause of Christ.
The best thing that you can do is to surround yourself with good, rock-solid friends who are sure to keep you on the straight and narrow.
I've being reading steadily through books of the bible as of late. I read from both the OT and NT more or less just I just pick something that I'm really interested in or really want to read. I started with the Psalms for my OT book and have been reading 2 a day. The psalms are awesome such a sweet picture of our savior is captured between the pages. Meanwhile for my NT book I started with a Pauline epistle of Galatians and was just reminded that Christ is set us free and in Christ we are free so why on earth would we want to return to the yoke of slavery that is check-list Christianity. Which in fact if you think about it, it's not Christianity but rather legalism.
I've been reading as late last week through the book of Hebrews which is yet another awesome book. The gospel; the good news of the redemption that is in Christ so apparent in the book it has blessed me so much. To know that Christ himself is so much more able to help me when I am struggling against temptation cause he himself was tempted and yet without sinning.
But, all that to say I read over very significant thing about what it means that we are the body of Christ and we should be involved in each other's lives on a daily basis. Its come from Hebrews 3.12&13
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from God. But, exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today" that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." (ESV)
The writer here is clearly calling its audience to daily encouragement and involvement in the lives of fellow believers. Sin is very deceitful. It can really mess you up. It can lead you into places and states of mind that are really hard to get back from. However with "daily" encouragement and accountability on is able to become and strong weapon for the cause of Christ.
The best thing that you can do is to surround yourself with good, rock-solid friends who are sure to keep you on the straight and narrow.
Labels:
bible study,
Christianity,
Hebrews,
NT,
OT,
Psalms
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Get LOST buddy
Well the moment that all us LOST fans have been waiting for is here. The first episode of season 4 is almost upon us. Finally we'll start making progress towards getting questions answered: Who's on the other end of the Satellite phone?, Who or what is Jacob?, What's Walt doing back?, How is it that Locke is not dead after being shot by Ben?, Did Charlie in fact die?(he can hold his breath for long time if you remember)
The only unfortunate thing is that I'll have to catch on ABC.com video player cause my duties @ UPS prevent me from watching any Prime Time television, in other words I miss all the good shows even the news for crying out loud; I guess that's where reading a newspaper comes in handy.
I had myself a "Come to Jesus meeting" early last week in which the Holy Spirit really got a hold of me, finally getting my attention( in an Apostle Paul/Damascus Rd way) about my attitude towards schoolwork, reading, studying. Those of you who are really close to me know the story behind all this. Those of you who would like to know feel free to e-mail me and I'll be glad to fill you in. May God get the glory in all this including my sincere change of attitude, repentance, and study habits. The ministry and training for that are both two serious issues not to be taken or entered into lightly. That was just one of things that the Holy Spirit made very apparent to me.
In all of this I am most thankful for the unconditional grace and mercy that was bought for me through Christ's sacrifice, as well as my rock-solid friends (you know who you are) that were there to talk things out and pray with me @ a moment's notice.
The only unfortunate thing is that I'll have to catch on ABC.com video player cause my duties @ UPS prevent me from watching any Prime Time television, in other words I miss all the good shows even the news for crying out loud; I guess that's where reading a newspaper comes in handy.
I had myself a "Come to Jesus meeting" early last week in which the Holy Spirit really got a hold of me, finally getting my attention( in an Apostle Paul/Damascus Rd way) about my attitude towards schoolwork, reading, studying. Those of you who are really close to me know the story behind all this. Those of you who would like to know feel free to e-mail me and I'll be glad to fill you in. May God get the glory in all this including my sincere change of attitude, repentance, and study habits. The ministry and training for that are both two serious issues not to be taken or entered into lightly. That was just one of things that the Holy Spirit made very apparent to me.
In all of this I am most thankful for the unconditional grace and mercy that was bought for me through Christ's sacrifice, as well as my rock-solid friends (you know who you are) that were there to talk things out and pray with me @ a moment's notice.
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