“The vigor of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts.” – George Mueller
I believe that those who have truly tasted the riches of the Word of God would agree with Mueller’s statement. May the Lord help us to long for His Word.
News reports of the young African leaders forum in Washington, D.C. this week have likely turned the thoughts of many to the economic and political issues of the continent. Though any sincere desire on the part of the U.S. to partner with African countries to seek to solve problems is commendable, I am reminded that true change in Africa, America and all other nations must come with renewed hearts and minds.
It’s been enlightening in recent months to learn more about a ministry that’s seeking such a change among young Africans. The leaders of this ministry, African Christian University, have the desire to empower young African leaders with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ that they would be used by God to bring true cultural transformation to the continent.
Add to: Facebook | Digg | Del.icio.us | Twitter |
Periodically I plan to post quotes I’ve read or heard that I have found challenging and encouraging. I hope they will be just as edifying to those read them here.
“Christian contentment is the direct fruit of having no higher ambition than to belong to the Lord and to be entirely at his disposal.” – Alistair Begg
What might it mean for your life and mine if we assumed this kind of perspective? Such a view of contentment and ambition should be taught to every young person and every adult who wants to maximize life for Christ.
Do you recall in John 1, when Philip finds Nathaniel and tells him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph”? Then Nathaniel responds, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Later, Jesus tells Nathaniel, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” And Nathaniel responds, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.” Jesus replies, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these?”
Many of us, like Nathaniel, have declared that Jesus is the Son of God. We too have seen something of the activity of Christ in our lives, and that has led us to proclaim this truth. Yet, I wonder if, also like Nathaniel, our declaration is based upon a limited experience of Christ and His work. Meanwhile, God is desiring to show us even greater things about Christ – things that will deepen our knowledge of Him.
I believe one way God desires to deepen our intimacy with Him and thus show us greater things is by turning our focus to the testimony of Scripture regarding Jesus Christ. Passages like Psalm 110, a Messianic Psalm of David, can help us affirm even more boldly that Christ is who He says He is. It also can help us better appreciate His redemptive work as well as anticipate His future reign.
I would encourage you to take some time to study Psalm 110, looking for how Christ is revealed.
I am confident that if you consider how Christ is portrayed in this Psalm and meditate upon these truths, you’ll appreciate Him more as Savior. But you’ll see “greater things” as you learn of Him as Ruler, Priest and Judge. Such insight allows our Christian existence to take on a perspective that’s greater than what God has done for us as individuals. We’ll begin to see more of His eternal plan as we see the Person of Christ more completely.
Well, after a couple years of consideration, I have decided to start blogging. My primary purpose is to hopefully be used by God to proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day, as Psalm 96 exhorts. Thus the blog name, Proclaim 96.
I figure there’s no better way to initiate this blog than by posting the Psalm that has inspired me in this regard.
1 Sing to the LORD a new song;
Sing to the LORD, all the earth.
2Sing to the LORD, bless His name;
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
3Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
4For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods.
5For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the LORD made the heavens.
6 Splendor and majesty are before Him,
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
7[Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
Bring an offering and come into His courts.
9(Worship the LORD in holy attire;
Tremble before Him, all the earth.
10Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns;
Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
12Let the field exult, and all that is in it
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy
13Before the LORD, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth
He will judge the world in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.
Proclaim 96 
