Wednesday's Word

Bittersweet [bit·ter·sweet]: Both pleasant and painful

A real tearjerker today, as well as a pleasant surprise! I had a full day over at ASU - meeting with advisors, meeting with a professor, study sessions, and chats with friends. In between one of the meetings I had some time so I went to the Memorial Union to get a bagel. Sitting all alone I looked up from my bagel to notice that there was not a single person in the MU. Outrageous...not quite; it is the end of the semester. As I about teared up a smile of joy permeated my face...the semester is over! Only 3 more semesters to go!

Wednesday's Word

For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
declaring the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, "My counsel shall stand,
and I will accomplish all my purpose."
- Isaiah 46:9-10

The Joy of Laughter

Hope you find these questions as humorous as I did!

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."

-Bill Cosby

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"

Sanctification - A simple man's ramblings

This week my life group leader presented this question:
Describe sanctification.

My response may seem sarcastic, but it is not meant to be and it is truly what I have been experiencing lately.

Brian's response - "Sanctification: it hurts like hell, but you end up with heaven."

Thinking about this comment, I think I would now re-phrase it as,
"Sanctification: hurts like hell during this life (God continually pruning you and continually transforming you into the image of His son), and the process finds its completion in heaven. (glorification)

Tell me your thoughts!

Wednesday's Word

Persevere

Webster's Definition: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

Ahh, Romans 5!
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

How I would love to continue on in this chapter because it is so rich with gospel truths!

Yesterday I was encouraged to persevere through school (only 3 semesters left!) If you are currently in school and feeling down, stick with it! The payoff is worth it, just ask any adult who either did not finish school or never started. I was also reminded that there is a prize to those who finish...a diploma. I know, I know - a diploma doesn't sound all that great right now, but think about the opportunities having a diploma opens up for you! Work hard today and you will be rewarded later!

My Debt - Paid In FULL

The other day someone in one of my classes asked me why I became a Christian. Thoughts quickly raced through my head. My response was: Before I became a Christian I was a self-righteous puke who thought by living a certain way I would be accepted by God. I repeatedly failed to meet that standard – my own standard. Oh, how much more did I fail to meet God’s standard – Holiness/Righteousness. I was reminded that Jesus Christ paid the full penalty for the sins of those who would believe in Him. I gave my life over to Christ because I saw what my life was like when I had control; it was a mess. I realized the things that I thought were “messed up” or “marred” are actually sin against a holy God. Pride, Deceit, Lust, Un-forgiveness, Self-Righteousness, Disobedience; all of these sins stemmed from me dethroning God of his proper place as ruler and King and exalting myself to that place. I asked God to forgive me for living so long with Brian being king and to change my heart to one that desires to long after Him. I then explained that God exposed me as a sinner and the only one who could measure up to God's standard is his son, Jesus. Through Christ’s death – my sin was poured out on Jesus and his life and righteousness covered me. So now when God looks at me, he sees Christ’s righteousness.

Because of what Christ did on the cross and God’s love, I read the bible to get to know the God that called me into adoption as His son, I pray to grow closer to Him and ask that He will continue to expose sin in my life, I have fellowship with His people (the Church), and tell people about His saving grace. I am accepted by Him, therefore I work towards seeing Him glorified. I still sin and I hate it more than ever. And yes, I daily need a savior more than you can imagine. All praise be to Jesus Christ.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Passive vs. Active Righteousness

Over the past week I have been studying Martin Luther's Introduction to his commentary on Galatians. I've enjoyed reading Luther's commentary and feel many convictions that I'll share with you here. Please take time to read and comment as I would like to hear what you think!

ACTIVE VS. PASSIVE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Webster's Definition of Active and Passive
Active- engaged in action; characterized by energetic work, participation; involved in physical effort and action.

Passive- not participating readily or actively; inactive; not involving visible reaction or active participation.

Luther's explanation of active and passive Righteousness
Luther states that most Christians have a hard time understanding passive righteousness, to which I shout, "AMEN!" But, I must admit that I do not fully understand nor grasp the full concept of passive righteousness. If I did, my life would look completely different - ALL the time.

Active righteousness is just as the definition states, it is identified by YOU, US, WE, ME, I. What I mean by that is active righteousness is my doing; it is my physical effort, energetic work, or participation that makes me righteous. I would normally stop here and think to myself about the many religions and people who are trying to please God with their actions, their good works, their righteousness. Groups that come to mind are mormons with all of their striving and trying to attain a position or follow an estate (right path), catholics with their worship towards Mary and good deeds, and muslims with their peaceful bowing and reverence towards Allah. What I have realized is that I often participate in active righteousness.

I'll let Luther explain passive righteousness, also titled Christian righteousness: But the most excellent righteousness of faith, which God through Christ, without any works, imputeth to us, is neither political, nor ceremonial, nor the righteousness of God's law, nor consisteth of works, but is clean contray to these; that is to say, it is a mere passive righteousness, as the others are active. For in the righteousness of faith, we work nothing, we render nothing unto God, but we only receive, and suffer another to work in us, that is to say, God.

A little later Luther continues...
I seek not active or working righteousness, for if I had it, I could not trust in it, neither dare I set it against the judgment of God. Then I abandon myself from all active righteousness, both of my own and of God's law, and embrace only that passive righteousness, which is the righteousness of grace, mercy, and forgiveness of sins.

On the next page Luther offers what I would call a pattern for evangelism and/or a call to fellow believers to continue in the gospel that was taught to them: righteousness by faith. Since Luther's commentary is on Galatians his writing concerns the latter more than the former, but can still be applied (Maybe a future blog post!).

Luther continues explaining Christian righteousness as us doing nothing. At church we are studying God's Plan for Salvation. The statement that God saved us not because he looked down the corridor of time and saw that we would "accept" him and be of value for his kingdom, but in spite (in disregard of our doing anything), he saved us.

Luther: Why, do we then nothing? Do we work nothing for the obtaining of this righteousness? I answer, Nothing at all. For this is perfect righteousness, to do nothing, to hear nothing, to know nothing of the law, or of works, but to know and believe this only, that Christ is gone to the Father, and is not now seen; that He sitteth in heaven at the right hand of His Father, not as judge, but made unto us of God, wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption; briefly, that He is our high priest intreating for us, and reigning over us, and in us, by grace. In this heavenly righteousness sin can have no place, for there is no law; and where no law is, there can be no transgression. (Romans 4:15)

Christian/passive righteousness brings peace. Why? Good question! It brings peace because we have no part in it! Our conscience does not fear and will not become depressed, because it is NOT of us! Luther explains it better: Although I am a sinner by the law, and under condemnation of the law, yet I despair not, yet I die not, because Christ liveth, who is both my righteousness and my everlasting life.

Brian's final thought
As I continue to preach the gospel to myself and realize that my position with God is not based on what I do, but what Christ did, I move towards a better understanding Christian righteousness. Both Christian (passive) righteousness and active righteousness will remain while I live here. I'm not out to find a happy medium because passive and active are at separate poles. When the law creeps into my conscience, overstepping its bounds as to intice me towards active righteousness, my prayer is that through reading, studying, and meditation, I might be able to rise against and say: conscience, you do guide my behavior, but you are not my Savior and Lord, for HE is my righteousness and peace.

HE...CREATED

HE...DIED

HE...LIVES

HE...SAVES

HE...IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Wednesday's Word

"There is one free thing in the world, and that is the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ."

"Capitalism is the only market system that recognizes our sinful nature"

"All of us are born sinful, greedy, and want to do whatever it is to please ourselves, that is what sinful nature is"

"The Bible is TRUE; for the love of money is the root of all evil."

-- Economics Professor Stephen Happel
Fellow Partaker in the Gospel and Grace of Jesus Christ

Wednesday's Word

If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Here it comes...A Beautiful Collision

In a couple of days over 52,000 students will converge on the Tempe campus of Arizona State University. There will people of every race, creed, and religion. There is going to be a great diversity at the University. Why a beautiful collision one might ask as the title states.

I have been thinking about the converging among all people groups, classes, races, religions on campus that will happen on Monday. I thought about my brothers and sisters in Christ and the temptation, ridcule, and total opposition we may face. I began to pray that God would band us together and ASU students would see true unity between Christians. The unity spoken of in Acts 2:44-46, Acts 2:32-35, and Philippians 2:1-8 (all of which are written out at the end of this blog).

Then a scripture came to mind...the Christian man or woman is to be a light to an utterly dark campus. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Then the thought of "how can one person's light be seen in such a dark place. It is like glow stick when a maglite is needed." God has us Christians at ASU for a reason. We have been placed at ASU for a definite cause and if you are thinking it is to get the degree and get out, you're severely wrong. Our light comes from the fact that we have a Savior whose love transforms sinners into saints who love God and other people.

A Beautiful Collision - God placing Christians at ASU to be lights to a dark campus colliding with unbelievers and pointing them towards Christ.

Acts 2:44-46 44And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-35 32 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.

Philippians 2:1-8 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

"For everyone whose [school] mascot is the devil, you need Christ!"

Jesus, NOT programs

This blog can be summed up in one sentence, so here goes. Jesus SAVES, programs don't!

Lately I have been convicted that instead of sharing Jesus with people, I have been sharing programs. Programs don't save!

Take for example an unbeliever at work. He says, "so you attend East Valley Bible Churh." To which my quick reply is "yes!" and then I dive into what areas of ministry I am involved in at EVBC. He was not asking me to explain what attending a service would be like or what ministries I am in. Yes, his statement "so I hear you attend East Valley Bible Church", does allow for conversation, but as a believer the answer that needs to be given is: Yes, I attend East Valley Bible Church, let me tell you about Jesus who is at the core of our church and the reason we have the ministries I am involved in.

Programs and ministries get people in to hear and learn about Jesus, but programs don't save! Jesus does!

Believer - are you taking the opportunity to tell your unbelieving friends about Jesus or are you stuck in a rut of telling them about programs that provide fun and friends but not salvation?

My First Blog

I decided that I should finally try this whole blog thing out. The purpose of my writing madness will be to explain the many experiences of being sanctified. My biggest desire is to glorify God in this dark, yet very useful place called cyberspace.

Besides studying God's word I enjoy studying economics, business, politics. Besides writing about the radical transformation God has caused in my life, I desire to write about movies, economics, societal issues, and books I am reading.

My prayer is that this blog will:
- Encourage others to think deeper
- Encourage others to know that they are not alone in their pursuit of God

Ephesians 1:7-10
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 which he lavised upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. (ESV)

This is redemption - that Christ would die for me.