Eastwoodtulsa’s Weblog

For God louede so the world that he yaf his oon bigetun sone, that ech man that beliueth in him perische not, but haue euerlastynge lijf.

Do you recognize the verse?? It is John 3:16 from a later version of the Bible translated from Latin to English by John Wycliffe.

John Wycliffe (1330-1384) was an English theologian, lay-preacher, translator and reformist. Wycliffe was an early dissident in the Roman Catholic Church during the 14th century.

He is considered the founder of the Lollard movement, a precursor to the Protestant Reformation (for this reason, he is sometimes called “The Morning Star of the Reformation”).

Wycliffe was also an early advocate for translation of the Bible. He completed his translation directly from the Vulgate into vernacular English in the year 1382, now known as the Wycliffe Bible.

In an earlier post I commented that it is good we don’t have to know Greek and Hebrew to read the Bible. I’m glad that I don’t have to read it in Wycliffe’s version either! Can you imagine Ezekiel?

Gordon

The following verse is our Scripture memory verse for January 2009. I want to remind you of the importance of making Scripture a part of your life. Hopefully you will remember the verses and not how annoying my reminders can be!

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double‑edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ESV

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. NASB

Ζῶν γὰρ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐνεργὴς καὶ τομώτερος ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον καὶ διϊκνούμενος ἄχρι μερισμοῦ ψυχῆς τε καὶ πνεύματος ἁρμῶν τὲ καὶ μυελῶν καὶ κριτικὸς ἐνθυμήσεων καὶ ἐννοιῶν καρδίας TR

Gordon

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . . No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified” (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61). Chuck Swindoll

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have challenged the staff and a few others to memorize Romans 7 with me. Not so we can say it quickly and later forget it or only remember a few verses. My desire is that we remember it AND understand it.

The purpose of memorizing Scripture is not just to get a spiritual merit badge or to be able to quote verses. The purpose is to honor God and grow in Christ likeness. As you memorize, pray that God would give you insight and understanding.

“Receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21b

Gordon

I love this quote:

“A girl should get so lost in God that a guy has to seek God to find her”

-Dannah Gresh

Imagine if this were true in the lives of our students!

Why did I do that? I knew better. I even told myself to be careful but I blew it anyway. I really want to do what is right but I don’t. I end up doing what I don’t want to do too much of the time.

I blow up at my wife, my kids.

I think the same negative thoughts.

I tell myself to focus on Scripture but I end up worrying about the same stupid thing.

I make up my mind to put a spiritual discipline in practice and I don’t come through.

I feel like I’ve lost control.

I say harsh things and later regret it; but the damage is done.

I want to stay on that diet but everything looks so good and I’m sooo hungry. Then I eat and feel guilty.

I make promises and then break them.

I know what I’m doing is wrong but I do it anyway.

Does any of they above seem remotely familiar? You could fill in your own struggles.

You may be STUCK in what is described in Romans 7. The struggle can be with the LAW of God or your own “Christian LAW”. Romans 7 teaches us that we are dead to the law (7:4). The Law of God is not our means of right standing with God (Romans 3:20; Phil 3:9). Keeping rules whether they are yours or God’s can’t make you right with God or keep you right with Him.

The Holy Spirit is our power for living the Christian life. The Law of the Spirit has set us free from the Law of sin and death (Romans 8). The Holy Spirit will always produce in us far more that merely trying to keep all the dos and don’ts! He will always take us to a higher level.

I told our congregation that if a person was to memorize Romans 6, 7, and 8 and understand the principles taught in these three chapters they would have very few problems in their Christian life. I’m not talking about the problems of life; Paul did not have an “easy life”. I’m talking about the struggles mentioned above in this post. Paul went through the struggle; chapter 7 of Romans is autobiography.

I challenged our staff to memorize Romans 7. I want to be able to recite it by memory. I want to have the Scriptures to be such a part of my life that they flow out with ease. I’ve already lost you? You can’t do it? Why? There is no law or rule that say’s you HAVE to do this. Scripture memory is a discipline that is life altering.

More later…

Gordon

Oh, to have politicians like this…

“My beloved Christian brethren, my endearing believers in the Holy Spirit, we cannot remain impotent, indecisive, and mute spectators.”  Thus said the Governor of Maharashtra — where Mumbai is located, scene of the recent bombings – in an impassioned speech at Bangalore.  The Governor went on to say this:

“We cannot remain closeted in our prayers and our personal comforts and turn a blind eye to the persecution and the assailing of Christianity. . .  At such a criticual juncture, woe is unto us if we do not preach the gospel and spread the light of holiness and righteousness in our society. . . . We must gather and command all our resourcse — material, intellectual, and spiritual — and employ them with zeal, determination and vigor, for the glory of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and the expansion of His Kingdom. For if we fail in our sacred duty and holy obligation to glorify Christ and exalt him, woe is unto you if you do not preach the gospel.”

The Governor was also crystal clear on what he meant by the gospel: “The words ‘preach the gospel’ are not restrictive or limiting in scope and significance, but have far-reaching and multi-dimensional ramifications. . . . No word or sentence or doctrine or meaning enshrined in God’s words should be withheld; and all persons entrusted with the sacred duty of preaching the gospel should dedicatedly and devotedly venture out to reach as many sinning, struggling, and suffering people as possible, so as to salvage them from eternal hell and fire and brimstone.”

J

(HT: Phil Ryken)

Found this today…a great challenge to memorize scripture:

You may doubt that you can do this, especially if you are older. But ask yourself this question, If I offered you $1,000 for every verse you memorized in the next week, how many do you think you could memorize? Yet God says of his word in Psalm 19:10-11, “They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” The real value of the word is far greater than $1,000 a verse. The question is, Do you believe this? Believing this will be the crucial motivation you need.

I think this is from an old John Piper sermon….

J

Just a reminder that tomorrow is a special day. In the morning Jeff will be preaching a missions message to coincide with our Week of Prayer for International Missions. I will be preaching  at the Hispanic church “Agape”.

In the evening Pastor William Jaimes will preach in our PM service and I will translate into English. He also hopes to baptize some new believers!!!

See you on Sunday. Dios les bendiga, God bless you.

g