TopekaStew

Our memory verse this week is Jer. 29:11-14a. In it God says that his plans are for the shalom of his people. His plans are to "prosper" his people. What does that mean? It does not necessarily mean health, wealth, and material prosperity. Consider this really intense video . ~ Chris

I don't know. Maybe. But I do know two things: 1) There is no "self" in Christian self-control. I mean that literally. The Greek word ( egkrateia ) translated as "self-control" does not include the word "self."* So, as I make my plans to live out my resolution in 2009, I need to think about exercising self-control not by my own power, but by the power of the Spirit of God. 2) God might not be inclined to help those who help themselves, but He clearly says that he helps those who wait on him: "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him." ~ Isa. 64:4 "The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him." ~ Lam. 3:25 May God give us strength to wait on him for help in 2009. - Chris *Philip Kenneson suggests that an alternate translation, one that carries slightly less baggage in our culture of self help, would be "continence." ...

Yesterday I talked about the biblical call to a ferocious faith: "Strive ( agonizomai ) to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." ~ Lk. 13:24 - "Fight the good fight of faith ( agonizou ton kalon agona ). Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called...." ~ 1 Tim. 6:12a "And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell." ~ Mt. 5:28-30 This morning John Piper reminded me of this truth in his blog post, "Swords Are for Killing." Swords, Piper suggests, are not made for digging, or for whittling. Swords are made for killing. So, when I pick up the "sword of the Spirit" (Eph. 6:17), what am I to do with it? Whittle? Dig? Or kill? And if Piper is right that I'm to wield the Bible to kill, who am I to kill? Paul gives the answer in his letter to the Romans: ...

I want to be more like this in 2009: "Many a night I woke to the murmur of paper and knew [Dad] was up, sitting in the kitchen with frayed King James--oh, but he worked that book; he held to it like a rope ladder. I remember creeping out once... and there he was, holy Bible on the table top and himself bent to it, his back cupped as a weasel's; when I tapped his arm he sat up straight, his breath seizing a moment as if the motion hurt." (Leif Enger, Peace Like a River , p. 103) I want to grow increasingly thirsty for God and his word this year. - Chris