April 28, 2014

Discipleship: The Forgotten Means

By Jason

The Gospel According to Matthew has multiple purposes. We should see the Great Commission at the end as giving us one of these purposes (possibly the most important one). That purpose is “go and make disciples.” Making disciples consists of “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that [Jesus] commanded and that he is with them always.”

It is in this Gospel (and the others) which gives us our understanding of baptism. It is here that we see more clearly the doctrine of the Trinity. The teachings of Jesus are abundant. However, not only do we read what Jesus taught but how he taught it. If we are to teach the disciple all that Jesus commanded we need to look back to what preceeded the Commission.

In discipleship, content and method are the essential elements. We see Jesus teaching and then showing the disciples how to do it by way of example. So, teaching the disciple to observe is not merely repeating facts. And this cannot happen if the teacher is not with the disciple. By this I think I mean two things: (1) The teacher with the disciple and (2) The Teacher (through the Holy Spirit) with the teacher and disciple.

Over the next few months, we will walk through the Gospels attempting to see various aspects of discipleship. Now let’s observe the content and methods used by Jesus. I hope to point out the big picture items and the methodology of Jesus beginning in Matthew.

Here are a couple observations from Matthew 1:1-17 (written by one of Christ’s disciples)

  1. This is not the beginning but the revealing of the Promised One. Therefore, we should work hard at teaching fulfillment in Christ.
  2. This is proof enough that disciples should read the whole counsel of God. Reading and hearing the word is vital in discipleship.

Acts 19:9-10 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

This is our hope and desire of discipleship.

~Jason
 

Leave a comment | posted in Discipleship, Family Time, Pastoral Ministry

April 17, 2014

Encouragement from The Horse and His Boy

By Jason

More encouragement from Narnia! A little while back I shared my favorite quotes from The Silver Chair. We have now finished reading The Horse and His Boy and I’d like to share my favorites from it as well. (In case you are wondering why we read this one after The Silver Chair, we are reading them in originally published order instead of chronological story order. We listened to this when making this decision.)

“I have now lived a hundred and nine winters in this world and have never yet met any such thing as Luck. There is something about all this that I do not understand: but if ever we need to know it, you may be sure that we shall.”

-Just a good reminder of the sovereignty of God!

“I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you would reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight to receive you.”

-This made me think how God is always with us. He gives guidance, comfort, and strength to name a few. And, as in this story, there are countless ways that God is at work that we never see.

“What luck that I hit it!– at least it wasn’t luck at all really, it was Him.”

–Again, God is sovereign-no luck!

“‘Your majesty would have a perfect right to strike off his head,’ said Peridan. … ‘It is very true,’ said Edmund. ‘But even a traitor may mend. I have known one that did.’ And he looked very thoughtful.”

-Reminds me of this Bible verse: Titus 3:3-7

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

~Kimberly

Leave a comment | posted in Family Time, Homeschool

April 15, 2014

Resurrection Resources: Resurrection Tree

By Jason

Part of decorating our house for Resurrection Sunday includes our Resurrection Tree. This is similar to what we do at Christmas with a tree; we put on ornaments that remind us of the biblical account of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This year we have a small artificial tree, about 2 feet tall. One year we attached small tree limbs to a board so that it resembled a cross. All our ornaments are homemade. The kids have drawn pictures and then attached yarn to them to hang up. You can write Bible verses on index cards, poke a hole in them with a hole punch and hang them up with yarn or ribbon.  We’ve used popsicle sticks, foam stickers, whatever we have on hand. My point is that you don’t have to go to the store and buy expensive items for this to be a special decoration. Be creative and really make it your own!

~Kimberly

Leave a comment | posted in Family Time, Holidays, Homemaking

April 13, 2014

Resurrection Resources: Resurrection Rolls

By Jason

Here is a recipe and devotion we have done with our children as part of our Resurrection Sunday celebration. I got the recipe and only slighted adapted it from here.

Resurrection Rolls

  • One can crescent rolls
  • 8 marshmallows (one for each roll or 2-3 minis)
  • Melted butter
  • Cinnamon sugar (1 part cinnamon to 3 parts sugar)
  • Bible

 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Read John chapter 19.
  2. Unroll the crescent rolls.
  3. Take a marshmallow, symbolizing Jesus: pure and without sin, and roll it in the butter. This represents the embalming oils.
  4. Then roll the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon sugar, symbolizing the spices used in burial.
  5. Wrap the marshmallow in a crescent roll, securely covering it. This represents verse 40, “they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths.”
  6. Put the rolls in the oven. Bake according to the package directions. This symbolizes Jesus being laid in the tomb.
  7. While the rolls are baking, read John 20:1-18.
  8. When the rolls are finished baking and have cooled enough to handle, break one open to discover what happened to “Jesus”! He is not there!

  

 

He is risen indeed!

~Kimberly

Leave a comment | posted in Family Time, Holidays, Homemaking

April 11, 2014

A Seven Year Old’s BIG Answer

By Jason

During family devotion last night, I intended to ask some hard questions about a familiar story–Daniel and the lions den. My first question was, “Who is the hero of this story?” Answer: “God.” (If any of you are familiar with Desiring God Curriculum for children, you know the emphasis is to regain a God-centered telling of the Bible. I highly recommend this curriculum to you.)

The next question I asked (a 6 & 7 year old) was, “If God was able to shut the lions’ mouths then why didn’t He just keep Daniel from going to the lions’ den?” Answer from my 7 year old: “Because it is impossible for a man to be thrown into a lions’ den and not be eaten and God wanted to reveal Himself to everybody by doing the impossible.” Of course, that answer made a dad very thankful to the Lord.

I then asked, “Why did God save Daniel and not the others thrown into the den?” Answer: “Because Daniel trusted the Lord.” I would encourage you not to withhold hard questions from your children. Certainly, this is not the first day we have had devotion. So that is where to start. Teach your children. Equip them to follow the Lord in this world. Don’t shelter them from everything. And don’t think they will figure out how they ought to do things (you even have to teach them how to PLAY with each other in a God-honoring way…they don’t know). Equip them.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Leave a comment | posted in As I Read the Word to my Daughter, Devotions, Family Time

April 10, 2014

Resurrection Resources: Scripture Reading & Candle Lighting

By Jason

Last year we used this resource from Desiring God as we prepared for Resurrection Sunday. As you will read in the introduction, these can be done weekly beginning at Lent, or daily beginning on the Saturday of Palm Sunday weekend (the weekend before Easter). This article also gives instructions for lighting candles along with the reading if you choose to add that to your devotion time. I highly recommend using the candles because it is a helpful visual aid. As you get closer to Good Friday, there will be less and less candles lit. The last one gets blown out on Friday. None are to be lit on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning, all are relit!

~Kimberly

Leave a comment | posted in Devotions, Family Time, Holidays

April 9, 2014

Amazing Grace

By Jason

Joseph (a type of Christ) was sold into slavery by his brothers to save them. Jesus was nailed to a cross by his brothers in order to save them. He  died to save. If he saved his life he could not save ours too. As Joseph’s brothers, unknowingly, bowed down to him and then his identity was revealed, so too everyone (even those who pierced him) will bow down to Jesus. A cross should have been reserved for us. We should have been thrown into a hole and sold into slavery. Yet amazing grace is that the Innocent One took the death we deserved and we the guilty go free. Amazing Grace!

Leave a comment | posted in Meditations

April 9, 2014

Resurrection Sunday Resources

By Jason

For years it seemed as though the holiday of Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, was upon us without taking much time to prepare. Certainly nothing like we did for Christmas. So, a couple of years ago we tried to be more intentional about celebrating this important holiday. I’d like to share over the next few days some different ideas we have enjoyed and hope to continue as traditions in our home.

One resource that has been helpful is the book, Treasuring God in Our Traditions, by Noel Piper. She includes not only activities for Resurrection Sunday, but also other holidays and ways to make any day special.

                 Image

~Kimberly

Leave a comment | posted in Family Time, Holidays, Homemaking, Uncategorized

April 7, 2014

The Blessing of Memorizing Scripture

By Jason

A while back I began using this plan to memorize the book of Colossians in a year. I am about half way through chapter three. It has taken much more than a year to even get this far, much less finish in one year, but I am excited to even have done this much. (I should say that if you are interested in the plan, the problem with not finishing in a year was me, not the plan! It is very doable.) God has been kind to keep me motivated, help me to remember, and bring it to mind when I need it. For example, on this Monday morning, I prayed from chapter three of Colossians that I would have a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience because the old self has been put away and the new self is being renewed in knowledge after God’s image. What a glorious thought!

~Kimberly

Leave a comment | posted in A Mother's Musings, Uncategorized

April 3, 2014

Sifted But Strengthened

By Jason

In the text below I am so glad of the “when” instead of an “if.” This is huge for us as believers. For if Satan is sovereign there would be no mercy. His intent is to kill and to destroy. Yet, he is subject to Jesus who is sovereign. One might ask why does God who is sovereign allow Satan to remain? My first statement would be, “He will destroy Satan.” However, for now God has a purpose for him. In this text, God uses Satan to strengthen Peter and Peter strengthened his brothers. Satan demanded but his demand is limited by the sovereign Lord. Not only does Jesus limit the demand, He prays for Peter and had determined that he would not be destroyed. For Jesus says, “when” not “if” you turn again. But for now there will be sifting and interceding for the strengthening of the saints.

Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

1. Take courage that Satan is not sovereign

2. Take courage there is purpose in suffering

3. Take courage that Jesus intercedes for His own

4. Take courage that God alone is all-powerful and sovereign

Leave a comment   |  tags: , , , | posted in Meditations, Theology Musings