The Word Is Not Imprisoned

April 1, 2014

Encouragement from The Silver Chair

This year as part of our homeschool, we are reading The Chronicles of Narnia as a family. Our oldest daughter is using this study guide for accompanying activities. (We used one by the same author last year as we read through The Hobbit and The Lord the Rings trilogy.) We have just finished The Silver Chair, which was excellent. Here are some of my favorite quotes:

“Aslan’s instructions always work: there are no exceptions.” -A reminder that God’s instructions always work-there are no exceptions! “There are no accidents. Our guide is Aslan; and he was there when the giant King caused the letters to be cut, and he knew already all things that would come of them; including this.” -A reminder of God’s sovereignty. He has always been in existence and knows all things-even whatever it is you are going through right now. “‘Courage friends,’ came Prince Rilian’s voice. ‘Whether we live or die Aslan will be our good lord.'” -A reminder that whether we live or die on earth, when we trust in Jesus Christ, He is our good Lord and there is hope! ~Kimberly

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March 29, 2014

Abounding in Hope!

By Jason

In the Word this morning, encouragement spread through my mind as I read these words:

Romans 15:1-13 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. 8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Trinity highlighted)

Observations:

1. Thankful for those who bear with me in my weaknesses.

2. Thankful for Christ who did not please himself.

3. Thankful that my reproaches fell on him…Praise be to Your Name!

4. Thankful for the Scriptures giving me hope.

5. Thankful that the God of endurance and encouragement grants endurance and encouragement.

6. Thankful for unity among the body…this is glorifying to God. (Be encouraged! Don’t think unity is a small thing.)

7. Thankful that tomorrow (hopefully) a family will be visiting our church and they will be welcomed as Christ has welcomed us…this is glorifying to God.

8. Thankful for God keeping His promises and we have the Scriptures to confirm this (three examples given) which leads to hope and perseverance. Therefore, praise the Lord!

My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope, for our hope is in the Root of Jesse, Jesus Christ our Lord!

Leave a comment | tags: encouragement, Lord Jesus Christ, the Scriptures | posted in Meditations

March 24, 2014

Comforted By The Word

By Jason

I am so thankful that God is kind and patient with us. I recently had a hard day due to a situation in my family. As I attempted to spend time with the LORD that morning, I couldn’t concentrate on what I was reading in my Bible. One of those times when my eyes were reading the words but I had no idea what I was reading because my thoughts were elsewhere. But, I could pray. I thanked God that even though I couldn’t seem to concentrate and study His Word at the moment, He was with me. I knew He understood that I was troubled for those I love and that on another day I would be back studying again. The next day as I journaled this, I thought, “How did I know that?” Because I had been reading His Word before. When I needed it, the Spirit used it to comfort me. I was reminded of the verse, John 14:26 where Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Jesus was speaking to His disciples in this passage, but would the Spirit not help us in the same way as His disciples? Absolutely!

~Kimberly

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March 23, 2014

My Blogging Restart!

By Jason

When we changed the name of this blog to “Together as Vessels of Mercy,” our intention was for this to be a husband and wife collaboration. I, the wife, have been silent for a while. Taking care of a family is a full time job! I am really interested in writing and hope this blog can be an outlet. So, let’s call this my re-introductory post! I hope to share what the LORD is teaching me and how He is encouraging me as His child in the roles He has given me as a wife and mom.

Kimberly

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March 19, 2014

Dark Days Beget the Dawn!

By Jason

Are you bitter about the “various trials” that happen from time to time? I am. I am because I forget they have purpose. I’m not necessarily saying love the trials. But rather love the result of the trials. Long for the result of the trials. As a follower of Christ, all that happens to us is worked out for good! Longings and anticipations are needed in our life. Where would you be right now without them? If you are a follower of Christ you should be longing for his coming. What would that coming be like if there were no longing? How would Christmas be without Advent? Easter without Palm Sunday? These longings, trials, and dark days are serving a purpose in our life. Here are a couple journal entries that I pray will encourage you. Can you imagine where you would be and what you would do if you knew the date of Christ’s coming?

Friday, March 15, 2013

Life is fragile. We can have it “together” one minute and the next it is “falling apart.” I write today from the “together” side. It’s not often that I write about depression on a day that I’m not depressed. But it is fitting to do so because it may encourage me some day soon–or later. The Lord uses them. He brings me through tough times (undetermined length from our perspective; determined exactly by His perspective). May His grace be sufficient.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The longing to preach/pastor will be all the more sweet when it happens because of the longing. So too, our longing for the coming of Christ will be exceedingly sweet if indeed we have longed for his coming. Anticipation is built into our lives as part of the consummation. We see it in Advent-Christmas, Palm Sunday-Easter. The anticipation is as much needed as the end. So also, our daily struggles cause us to long for his coming like one who is stuck in a long winter longing for spring. Dark days beget the dawn. One day he will come! Cherish the longing for the Bridegroom will satisfy!

James 5:7-8 7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

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March 5, 2014

A Glimpse Into the Heart of a Struggler

By Jason

I know one will need much more context to fully understand this post. However, the glimpse is all I prefer to reveal. There are all kinds of factors involved. Some I am aware of and some that are not on my radar. Needless to say, I am not going to attempt explaining those either. I think this post might be helpful to the fellow struggler. It might be helpful to the pastor mentoring younger men sensing a call to ministry. It might help anyone who thinks they have it all together and exhibits little compassion for the slowness of others. Be patient with people like me. Slowness does not mean faithless.

This is a journal entry from Monday, March 4, 2013. I am in the same place as I was one year ago. Stronger I believe. But the thorn is still there. Quick short context: Began following Christ almost 12 years ago; committed to follow a call to preach simultaneously; youth pastor for one year; went to seminary 8/04 to 5/09; moved back home…still waiting.

I wonder if the call to preach is over? I don’t know if I can live out the rest of my days knowing this is so. My heart aches. I set out to follow the Lord selling home and leaving family and possessions behind. I’ve endured five years of seminary under the Lord’s care–still very hard. Many have given, even sacrificed I’m sure, to pay my way through seminary. And here I sit, back in my hometown hoping to plant a biblical church and God has already done it and is doing it. Where do I fit into this day? I do not desire to remain at the hardware store. If I were to choose something different it would be that which puts me at home. I want to help teach…my children. What am I not seeing? Would someone point it out to me. Do I just need to be honest with myself? But I don’t know. Most people do not desire full-time ministry–I do! I don’t think this is from me. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to follow Christ. But the Lord pursued me and saved me and called me. It seems that I’ve not been sent yet. I need encouragement. Judson found himself in darkness during his missionary quest. The Lord sent encouragement and got him out of the grave. Lord please pull me out of this pit.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Going to ask again! He hears. He is faithful. He will do what’s best.

Romans 4:18-25 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

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February 18, 2014

Teaching My Children Mercy!

By Jason

Recently I was preaching in our county jail and trying to explain the gospel and its various implications. I told them what Jesus did on the cross was “Substitutionary Atonement.” Of course, they were not familiar with this theological truth, nor did I expect them to understand it. That is why I was there explaining the gospel right?
You might be thinking, “I thought this post was about teaching his kids mercy.” Well, the following is how I taught my daughter mercy and the previous is the context to which I used the teaching of my daughter to explain the gospel. So, I have two agendas here. One, to help you teach your sons and daughters mercy (showing them the gospel) and proclaiming the gospel to others; whether that be through experiences at home or however.
Now, the teaching of mercy. The other day one of my daughters broke one of the rules in our home. The one who received the breaking of the rule came to me in order to inform me of this violation. So, I called the one who broke the rule to come and speak to me about it. She was quick to admit her wrong and I was thankful for that. Nevertheless, she was less reluctant to admit her need for punishment. I began to explain how God cannot look over sin. He is holy and just, therefore he must punish sin. So, I asked her, “If your brother hits you, do you think it is necessary that I punish him for hitting you?” And she replied, “Yes!” Again, I asked, “If your sister takes your toys away from you, should I punish her?” Again she emphatically replied, “Yes!!!” Now I turned the question to her, “Is it fair that I let you get away with no punishment for breaking the rule you have admitted to?” She then (with understanding) replied, “No, I do need to be punished.”
With that having been established, I then proceeded to teach her mercy. I explained to her that mercy is NOT getting what you DESERVE. But, in order to remain just (like God) someone must take the punishment for the crime. So I began drawing conclusions about this foundation. I indicated that she had admitted the breaking of our rules. She agreed that God is holy and just and cannot NOT punish sin. (I know I used a double negative but it was needed.) And she understood her need for punishment.
In light of this, I then moved to the substitute. I told her that I was going to take the punishment for her and that she would be the one who was to deliver the punishment. It broke her heart that I was to receive the punishment for her sin and that she had to do it. Human pride rose to the surface as she discovered my innocence and her guilt. She did not want to do it. She wept with tears as she lightly tapped me with our paddle. I then began to tell how Jesus Christ had done this for her sin and if she placed her trust in him, for her punishment, she would be saved.
As I shared this with the guys at the jail, they sat there with amazement and hopefully a clearer understanding that God had to punish sin and he did on his Son. But, it is not yours unless you repent and believe in Christ. We will see as I twice a month preach to these guys.
So, have you ever shown your children mercy (the gospel)? Do you now understand the gospel better…substitutionary atonement, propitiation? Maybe you yourself need to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In him you will find mercy. In him you will have your sins forgiven and receive his righteousness. Praise be to God for reconciling himself to us!

Leave a comment | posted in Family Time, Meditations, Theology Musings

February 14, 2014

Fighting the Fight of Faith Together

By Jason

It is Valentine’s Day. I have to be honest. I don’t know what it means–past or present. How one participates in such things may or may not reveal knowledge of the event. Nevertheless, we do use it in our family to think of others in a special way. In particular, my wife and I take time to focus on each other with a gift and letter to each other.

It is particularly important that you think and plan what you will do on Valentine’s Day. The gift is important but the thoughtfulness of the gift and the planning of the gift are more important. It says something when you go pick out flowers (or whatever) days in advance rather than stopping by after work to get them. You might ask, “How will they know?” They know. Okay. They know.

I recently watched a promotional video for a book by the Ken and Joni Tada. I have not read the book but I imagine it is great. In the video, Ken mentions that he has realized more clearly that they are in a spiritual battle. Then he says something like this, “I cannot imagine fighting this battle with anyone else in the world except my wife Joni.” She is a gift to Ken to fight the fight of faith together.

I applaud this. That night, after watching the video, we are on our way to church and I reach for my wife’s hand then tell her about the statements made by Ken Tada. I then tell her the same. Marriage is an army that fights the battle of sin together. She is my eyes at the mall to protect me from seeing things I don’t need to see for example. I was glad to read last years journal entry. It revealed my joy in walking WITH my wife in the journey. Here is entry:

Valentine’s Day is not very significant in our home. It is a day to help us think of others. And that is simply what we do. A break for my wife–out for dinner. A small gift of flowers to show that I thought of her yesterday (everyday). They should be delivered today to “my earthly dearest.” May she know how special and loved she is to me. Thank you Father for the gift my wife is to me. She is a means of growth and perseverance. She has (and for more that I could imagine) kept me from a multitude of sin. Grace. More grace. Father please strengthen and grow our marriage.

Hebrews 13:4 “Let marriage be held in honor among all.”

1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

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February 4, 2014

Weekend Opportunities

By Jason

I must say, discipline during the week is easier for me. I have a set schedule. I get up and go to bed pretty much the same each day. I know what I can do with each minute. However, the weekends often fall apart for me. The schedule changes. There are different things that need to be done. You cannot plan when things around the house will break. Therefore, I usually fit time in with the Lord when I can. Now, you know what that means. Sometimes I miss it altogether.

Those weekends that are void of time with the Lord are not fruitful. I need a daily diet of truth from God–especially on the weekends. It seems I was struggling with this a year ago. I wrote:

Lord help me with weekends. I desire more discipline in the word and prayer. Forgive me Father. I need you.

I can say there has been some progress since asking for help. One of the things that I miss is the praying for members of our church. I have specific people divided over each day of the week to pray for. I noticed those who I pray for on the weekend were being missed. My relationship with them was off. I had not been setting my mind to think about them and their needs. Therefore, this has been a motivation to be more diligent on the weekend.

There are multiple opportunities to have a deeper and unhurried time with the Lord. As good as the weekdays are I still have to stop and go to work. But, on the weekend I could spend much more time and see many more wonderful things in God’s word. So, let me encourage you with this if you struggle like I do. One of the elders of our church suggested that I keep the same schedule of going to bed and getting up as the weekdays. This is the key for quality time everyday. I could say much more but this is by far the main reason I miss it. He is worth sitting down with on the weekends–and everyday of your life!

Psalm 143:8 “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

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February 1, 2014

A Prayer of the Needy

By Jason

From my journal Feb. 1 2013

LORD,

Please use me, your adopted child, today for your glory. May I live as a child of the King and proclaim your rule. All that is allotted to your children is not yet but let us live in anticipation of it. Come Lord Jesus. Come.

2 Peter 3:3-9 “…knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

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