this is me running

Jonah: the Lord desires...

2011-10-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

...to save a guilty, sinful, and unholy people. In the first couple verses of Jonah, God commissions Jonah saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." A few things stick out to me here:
First, Nineveh is a great city and with a lot of great cities comes great iniquity.
Second, their evil has come up before the perfectly holy LORD who's wrath comes against all ungodliness and unrighteousness (Romans 1:18)
Third, God's response to their evil is not pouring out his just wrath, but graciously sending a prophet to call out against that city, warning them of the judgement to come.

God desires to save a sinful people. He desires that all men come to a knowledge of the truth, that all men repent and return to him, and that none should perish. It's is not because we are worth saving, but because he is merciful and abounding in steadfast love.

The Law is Keeps us Imprisoned

2011-07-08T07:51:00.000-07:00

To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.
Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

(Galatians 3:15-29 ESV)

I can do all Things Through Christ | Apart from Him, I can do Nothing

2011-07-07T11:01:00.001-07:00

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

(Philippians 4:10-20 ESV)

Christian Freedom

2011-07-06T06:46:00.000-07:00

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 2:21-3:14 ESV)

Remember the Covenant

2011-07-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

This is our wedding ceremony and vows in text:

Tim’s Part: Intro: Piper book, Doing of God for the Display of God. John and Chassidy and I have met many times for pre-marital counseling. The very first time we met was the first time I met Chassidy. We met at a Starbucks and John and Chassidy gave me a gift. It was this book by John Piper called “This Momentary Marriage”. Now, that sounds like a strange title, (which many of John Piper’s books have strange titles), but his point is that while Marriage is to last a lifetime here, it is Not eternal. It is, as Kent stated a picture of our ultimate marriage to Jesus, and our wedding to him will take place when He calls us to Heaven to be with him forever. Now, I often give couples books to read to prepare for their wedding, but this is the first time that a couple has given me a book to read. And I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, John and Chassidy. One of the things that John Piper stresses over and over again in this book is that “Marriage is the Doing of God and the Display of God. As Kent shared, it was God’s doing in the beginning with Adam and Eve and it is the Display of the relationship between Christ and the Church. John and Chassidy, Kent and I are performing the ceremony today, but it is not “our doing”. It is God’s doing. It is God’s doing in designing each of you. I wish each of you could have been with us last night at the rehearsal dinner as one by one, people rose to share what they loved and admired about John and Chassidy and how they had seen God work in their lives. John’s leader in the Forge: Matt’s comments: John you have a sensitive heart to God that is willing to sail off after every dream you feel He’s placed on your heart, but Chassidy is your rudder that keeps you charting a straight course. What a beautiful way to say that God has designed you each uniquely as individuals and that He has also uniquely designed you to fit together as a couple. It is God’s doing: He has made you unique and He has brought you together. You are to be allies or partners, like Eve was to Adam, which means snuggling together and struggling together. John, it’s been such a joy to watch you grow from a boy to a man. And, as a child of God into a man of God. I’ve noticed the change in you as you’ve taken steps of maturity in following Jesus as his disciple. John, Becky and I have so many fond memories of you as she shared last night, of being one of Nate’s little buddies, even though in Little League you and Robert played for the enemy. We remember you in the youth group, growing through those awkward stages of physical and emotional maturity, and showing good signs of responding to Christ. We remember, as Becky said last night, you and Robert and our son, Nate, crammed in the back seat of a small vehicle all the way to Florida and back, singing along to the Garth Brooks Greatest Hits CD over and over and over again. It was God’s doing as you were growing. [Meanwhile: there was a girl named Chassidy… tell her story of growth: [Girls sharing last night, going on missions trips to Japan, Africa, ETBU then experience at “I-Go”]. John: [going to DBU, beginning to lead worship, working at Pine Cove, joining the Forge, growing in discipleship and learning leadership skills]. Last year, I got the word, John that you were asked to be the Program Director at Pine Cove and I thought to myself, “Wow! Someone has witnessed John’s maturity and growth to the point that they see him as a strategic leader, with faithfulness and maturity. [Talk about John’s faithfulness and maturity in his friendship to Nate]. John, as Matt said those words last night I remember a time when we had many talks about…showed your sensitive heart for the Lord and your desire to serve Him, but also the weakness of being a bit impulsive, jumping from one thing to another…, but Chassidy is your rudder. She helps you think through and pray through those dreams, and to ask the tough questions. Is this really of God? What are the practical implications of this? How much will it cost? Chassidy, on the other hand, God wants to use John in your life to bring you joy. John likes surprises, Chassidy likes steadiness. John likes to be spontaneous. Chassidy likes to prepared. You are to be gentle with each other, like Bath and Body Works lotion, but you are also to be “iron sharpening iron”, and sometimes when iron sharpens iron, sparks fly. Snuggling and struggling. There is another quote In Piper’s book, from Dietrich Bonhoffer: “Up until this time, love sustains marriage, but now marriage sustains love”. In other words, there may be times when, believe it or not, you may not feel as “in love” as you do right now. But, as those feelings of being “in love” ebb and flow, it is important that you remember: they do not sustain your marriage. But, it is your marriage—the promises you are about to make to one another that sustains your love. That is why it is of utmost importance that you make and we, as friends and family, witness these vows to one another. Will you please turn to face one another and join your hands together? VOWS: Tim: John, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of Matrimony? Will you seek to love her as Christ loves the church and as part of your own body? Will you lead her in godliness and seek to understand and comfort her? Will you provide for her needs? Will you honor, praise and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live? JOHN: “I will.” Tim: Chassidy, will you have this man to be your wedded husband to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Will you seek to be his competent helper in serving your heavenly Father together? Will you comfort, support, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live? CHASSIDY: “I Will.” TIM: John, will you please repeat after me? I John, take you Chassidy, to be my wife. And I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband—in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live. TIM: Chassidy, will you please repeat after me? I Chassidy, take you John, to be my husband . And I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful wife—in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live. EXCHANGE OF RINGS Tim: May we have the rings please? In God’s covenants with us, He loves to use symbols to picture His relationship with us. For example, baptism is an outward symbol or picture, of what happens inwardly when a person gives their life to Christ. Communion is another picture, where the bread symbolizes Christ’s body which was given for us, and the wine pictures His blood shed for us. In our culture, we choose to symbolize our love and commitment to our spouse through the use of a ring. Chassidy and John, every time you look at these rings I want you to see this precious metal and remember the preciousness of your relationship. I want you to see a circle, a perfect unity, and the home it symbolizes should be a unified circle of love. It never ends; and the love it represents should be an enduring love. John, will you place this ring on Chassidy’s finger and repeat after me, please? Chassidy, This ring is a symbol of my promise to love, honor, cherish and serve you all the days of my life. Chassidy, will you place this ring on John’s finger and repeat after me, please? John, This ring is a symbol of my promise to love, honor, cherish and serve you all the days of my life. COMMUNION: [Tim moves to top of stage, John and Chassidy turn to face him]. Tim: In John Piper’s book, John and Chassidy, he states that marriage is God’s doing and is for His Display. As Kent shared earlier, your marriage is to represent or display the relationship that Christ has with His church. Friends and family, it is with this in mind, that John and Chassidy have chosen that their very first act together as husband and wife, is to participate together in Communion with our Lord and Lover of our Souls, Jesus Christ. In I Corinthians 11:23-26 , we read: 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." Tim prays: Lord, we take this bread and this cup, which represents your body, and like you, we give thanks, grateful thanks, for the fact that you allowed your body to be broken for us, and John and Chassidy, now take this bread and this cup signifying that they wish for their union together to be founded on the union that we, as your church have with you. Tim hands John and Chassidy the bread and says: John and Chassidy, please take this bread in remembrance of Him. Tim: In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Tim hands John and Chassidy the cup and says: John and Chassidy, please take this cup in remembrance of Him and proclaiming the Lord’s death until He comes. TIM: PRONOUNCEMENT OF MARRIAGE: For as much as John and Chassidy have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have therefore given and pledged their faith one to another, I pronounce that they are husband and wife in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together let not man put asunder. TIM: “AND NOW, JOHN, YOU MAY KISS YOUR BRIDE” PRESENTATION OF BRIDE AND GROOM: It is now my privilege to present to you Mr. and Mrs. John David Rogers.

Praise the Lord!

2011-07-05T08:32:00.000-07:00

To remind believers:
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

(Ephesians 2:1-10)

The Wage of Sin is Death

2011-06-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

This passage led me to Christ this morning.

And behold, a man of God came out of Judah by the word of the LORD to Bethel. Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make offerings. And the man cried against the altar by the word of the LORD and said, “O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: ‘Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.’” And he gave a sign the same day, saying, “This is the sign that the LORD has spoken: ‘Behold, the altar shall be torn down, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out.’” And when the king heard the saying of the man of God, which he cried against the altar at Bethel, Jeroboam stretched out his hand from the altar, saying, “Seize him.” And his hand, which he stretched out against him, dried up, so that he could not draw it back to himself. The altar also was torn down, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign that the man of God had given by the word of the LORD. And the king said to the man of God, “Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored to me.” And the man of God entreated the LORD, and the king's hand was restored to him and became as it was before. And the king said to the man of God, “Come home with me, and refresh yourself, and I will give you a reward.” And the man of God said to the king, “If you give me half your house, I will not go in with you. And I will not eat bread or drink water in this place, for so was it commanded me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water nor return by the way that you came.’” So he went another way and did not return by the way that he came to Bethel.
Now an old prophet lived in Bethel. And his sons came and told him all that the man of God had done that day in Bethel. They also told to their father the words that he had spoken to the king. And their father said to them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him the way that the man of God who came from Judah had gone. And he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” So they saddled the donkey for him and he mounted it. And he went after the man of God and found him sitting under an oak. And he said to him, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” And he said, “I am.” Then he said to him, “Come home with me and eat bread.” And he said, “I may not return with you, or go in with you, neither will I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place, for it was said to me by the word of the LORD, ‘You shall neither eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by the way that you came.’” And he said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the LORD, saying, ‘Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.’” But he lied to him. So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water.
And as they sat at the table, the word of the LORD came to the prophet who had brought him back. And he cried to the man of God who came from Judah, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have disobeyed the word of the LORD and have not kept the command that the LORD your God commanded you, but have come back and have eaten bread and drunk water in the place of which he said to you, “Eat no bread and drink no water,” your body shall not come to the tomb of your fathers.’” And after he had eaten bread and drunk, he saddled the donkey for the prophet whom he had brought back. And as he went away a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his body was thrown in the road, and the donkey stood beside it; the lion also stood beside the body. And behold, men passed by and saw the body thrown in the road and the lion standing by the body. And they came and told it in the city where the old prophet lived
(1 Kings 13:1-25 ESV).

The Lord reminded me this morning of the seriousness of sin, God's hatred of it, and his wrath that comes against sinners. The wage of sin is death. BUT, God...

Truth over Feeling

2011-06-28T06:36:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Matt Lantz, for teaching me truth over feeling. You have no idea how vital this teaching has been for Chassidy and I as we continue to be forged by the Lord.

May God bless you,
John

Conditioned to Cynicism

2011-06-27T06:55:00.000-07:00

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
(Philippians 4:8-9 ESV)

Yesterday in church the Lord spoke through these verses to convict me of my constant attitude of cynicism. I have been conditioned to critique or to find flaws in people, systems, philosophies, theologies, songs, or books before I find the positive things-the things of God that are true, honorable, just, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Paul gives this challenge to the Philippians after he entreats two Christian women, "...who have labored side by side with [Paul] in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of [Paul's] fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life (4:3)," to "agree in the Lord (4:2)." When we have this attitude of cynicism, we are blinded to the things of God, nothing is ever good enough, and we disagree in the Lord. We, as believers, are in the Lord, many members of one body (Christ), called to maintain the unity given us in Christ (Ephesians 4).

As redeemed (justified), recovering (being sanctified)sinners, we will have disagreements. Sometimes it is necessary to disagree and sometimes it is unnecessary to disagree, but we must always agree in the Lord. The way we do this is to think about and look first for the things in Paul's list. Because Jesus is true, honorable, just, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise, anything that bears any of these qualities is of God and, therefore, must be celebrated and enjoyed.

"What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
(Philippians 4:9)

The Whole Great Commission

2011-06-24T08:11:00.000-07:00

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
(Matthew 28:16-20 ESV)

I saw the Great Commission in a new way this morning. I saw it first as a whole made up of two parts.
The whole: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."
Part one: "...baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
Part two: "...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

These two parts have to be done in order to make disciples. We must first make converts and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. This is justification. Then we must teach the new converted people all that Jesus has commanded. This is sanctification.

If we only seek to make converts, we get people who "prayed the prayer" but bear no fruit. If we seek only to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded, then we get legalistic "dead trees" with duct-taped fruit.

We have been sent on a mission not to make prayers of prayers or pharisees, but disciples. This is much harder work and most glorifying to God.

Help us, Jesus. He is with us always, "to the end of the age."

Currently Reading

2011-06-23T06:35:00.000-07:00

Currently I am reading "Engaging God's World" by Cornelius Plantinga Jr. It is a great read for any Christian seeking purpose behind their education or vocation. Plantinga encourages the reader to look at everything in the world through the meta-narrative of Scripture (Creation, Fall, and Redemption), and challenges the elected (Christians) to faithfully take part in the gracious opportunity to be an agent of reformation. Plantinga's running challenge through the whole book is, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, to strive and pray for the Lord to bring the Kingdom of God.

Similar read would be one of my favorite by Albert Wolters, "Creation Regained."

Sanctification and Reformation

2011-06-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Sanctification is not an antiseptic affair. It is raw, rough, and not for the faint of heart. To please the Lord, we do not "let go and let God"- we reach out and kill the sin that threatens to kill us. This sacred responsibility is not offered to us as an option." -Strachan

On Reformation: "I had rather see coming toward me a whole regiment with drawn swords, than one lone Calvinist convinced that he is doing the will of God." - unknown

"But the Christian life is subjectively living out the implications of what has already been objectively achieved." - The Resurgence

Sanctification is staying the course to where you are going and already are in Christ. It is becoming restored back into the perfect image of Jesus. The threshold of this journey is justification and the finish line is glorification. All this is from God to the praise of his glorious grace.

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12-13 ESV)

I am not my own

2011-06-17T14:10:00.001-07:00

I am not my own. I was bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ. I am to honor my master with my body and everything in it.

Prayer

2011-06-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
(Matthew 21:18-22 ESV)

Huge prayers answered today. Thank you Father!

Do not Grieve the Holy Spirit of God

2010-11-16T06:48:00.000-08:00

A good word from Dr. Jim Denison:

Scripture warns us: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30). When we choose to sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit who indwells us this moment, who sees everything we see and knows everything we know.

By contrast, when we choose to reject temptation and live by our Father's word and will, we gladden the heart of our Lord. There is "rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7). God knows our inner feelings and genuine motivations. He delighted to say, "I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do" (Acts 13:22).

What is your glory?

2010-10-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Psalmthree helped me walk this morning:

O LORD, how many are my foes!
Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul,
there is no salvation for him in God. Selah

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the LORD,
and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

I lay down and slept;
I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, O LORD!
Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
you break the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the LORD;

What is your glory? I was convicted that my glory is not the Lord alone. It is either my beautiful wife, my accomplishments, or people I know. My glory must be the Lord alone.

Family Value 3: Giving

2010-09-22T14:36:00.000-07:00

Giving is another one of our family values. I wont give specifics and I want to be careful in writing about this because I want to keep it secret. Let me just say that our Father in heaven is a lavish giver. He gives and gives and gives. Chassidy and I have made this a value and a discipline because we have experienced how generous God is. We are stewards of everything we have; everything is His. Therefore, we want to continue giving him the reputation of a generous giver.

Rogers' Family Value 2: Prayer

2010-08-25T10:06:00.001-07:00

"Prayer is not the pre-work of God. Prayer is the work of God."

Chassidy and I have adopted prayer as one of our family values because prayer is precisely the work of God. We pray to The Lord, our creator, sustainer, our savior, and Father for wisdom, direction, healing, provision, deliverance, and strength. He is our Daddy, and we ask him for things as a child asks their daddy for a piece of bread. We ask with confidence (con-fide (with faith), knowing that he loves us and loves to give good gifts to his children. We aren't afraid of what He will give because we know that He is completely good and he is not out to trick us. Jesus spoke of our Father when he said:
"Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"
(Matthew 7:9-11 ESV)
Our Father loves us and desires to "give good things to those who ask him" not just for our blessing, but for his glory and for his ultimate purpose. Tommy Nelson said, "Prayer is the thin nerve that flexes the muscle of omnipotence." Chassidy and I recognize that this has to be our first ministry. This is the first step in completing the work the Lord has given us. For example, Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few...therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest..." We have been commanded to sow seeds of the gospel in the hearts of people all over the world, but what good is that if we don't plow up the soil by prayer. It is the good soil that receives the seed that grows to produce a crop one hundred, sixty, or thirty fold, so we view prayer as oxygen for our ministry and every other area of our life.

The past few months we have found some ways to deepen our prayer life together and would love to share those with you if you are interested. Just ask.

John

The Lord is working everywhere

Rogers Family Values

2010-08-21T08:43:00.001-07:00

Well I have a new design for my blog. If you know me, you know that I love coffee. Thank you Father for coffee.

This post is to share with you the values that Chassidy and I build our house upon. We got this idea while visiting her boss' house and by noticing their family values written on a tablet near the dinner table. So we decide that this was something that we wanted to do as an newly established family. We have come up with three values so far that the Rogers house is built upon. The Rogers' family values so far are:
Truth
Prayer
Giving

I'll spend this blog and the next two blogs covering each one of these values.

Value 1: Truth
Chassidy and I hold fast to the teachings of the Holy Bible, The Scriptures, The Word of God. The Bible is God's revelation to man of the truth. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? Who is God? Who are we? What is good and what is evil? These are some questions that have been asked since God created Adam. These are questions that lead to an infinite amount of questions. These are questions that people search their whole lives to get answered. Some graciously find and some do not. God has revealed himself and helped us answer these questions through graciously speaking to us through his Word.
Our faith came through hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). We came as babies to know our Father through His Word. Our lives have been sustained and we have grown because of the pure spiritual milk of God's word. We have, and still, become stronger and more developed through chewing on the meat of God's Word. We are taught, rebuked, reproved, corrected, and trained daily by His Word. We are also reminded daily of who he is, who we are, and our relationship status with him through his Word. We love his Word, his Truth.
In the greatest sermon ever preached, Jesus said, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." (Matthew 7:24- 25) Chassidy and I have, unashamedly, chosen to daily build our house on the steady, unchanging, non-shifting rock of God's Word. If we fail to do this, we are fools...and so are you. Because the rain does fall, the floods do come, the winds does blow and beat on our house, but on God's Word we will not fall.

If you want to talk to me more about this, I would love to!

John

Faith

2010-08-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

I have been learning a lot about faith lately. My friend Andrew quoted Tony Evans when he said, "Faith is trusting that what God has said is true." That quote is very simple but so rich. My wife (that's still so cool to say) are trying to finally read through the Bible in a year. I'm not so concerned with the year thing. I just need to do it. So I am in Genesis studying about Abraham and the man of faith he was. God told Abe to go. Abe faithfully went. God made a covenant with Abraham saying that his number of offspring will be like the stars in the sky. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham had a son when he was very very old. God is faithful. God tests Abraham and tells him to go kill his son. The same son Abraham waited so long for. The same son that through whom were Abraham's offspring going to come. Abraham faithfully took his son up the mountain, bound him, took the knife and God stopped him. God faithfully provided a sacrifice that was not Isaac. So this is where I am right now. God is faithful and Abraham is faithful. I was reading Romans 4 and something that jumped out at me was,
"No distrust made him [Abraham] 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."
(Romans 4:20-23 ESV)

There's more:
"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.
(Romans 4:23-25 ESV)

God has said that this is the way of salvation.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
(Romans 3:23-25 ESV)

I am chief doubter because I think this is too easy. Why would God make it so easy? I want to make it harder and think that there is more I have to do. But if God said this is the way, then this is the way.

Its True

2010-04-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

"If all men were blind, light would still exist."

Spoken by my friend John. He's an unbeliever, but he speaks truth.

Father, I pray that you would open his eyes to see the light and he would put his confidence in you.

Building my House

2010-01-21T13:01:00.000-08:00

Jesus says, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand."

This carries a lot more weight since being married. I am now building my house.

Newest Update

2010-01-16T18:57:00.000-08:00

I married my best friend.

2010-01-04T06:51:00.000-08:00

Taken from Joshua Project:
"Converts did not easily forget the Christian convert who was sewn into a fresh yak skin by merciless shaman priests and placed in the broiling sun until the contraction of the skin squeezed the life out of his frame."

We need to pray for those who are being persecuted and for those who persecute.

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. 10:28

To God, be all glory through our suffering. He is the Prince of Peace.

2009-12-21T19:24:00.001-08:00

All to thee, my blessed savior. I surrender all.

2five

2009-12-10T08:05:00.000-08:00

I have been alive 25 years. Thank you Lord for your sovereignty and how you have guides my steps over the last 25 years. Thank you for my parents, sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. Thank you for my education. Thank you for my salvation. Thank you that I am a citizen of a free country. Thank you for the mentors you have put in my life: my dad, Tim Wallace, Matt Lantz, Kevin East, Chris Legg, and Andrew Bacon. Thank you for my friends. Thank you for my beautiful fiance who is going to be my wife in 30 days! Thank you for her. Thank you for all of my accomplishments and my failures. You have never stopped teaching me and guiding me in the path of righteousness.
"For you formed my inwards parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are you works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was not of them. How precious to me are you thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you." Psalm 139:13-18.
I was only going to write a small part of that but I had to keep going. How beautiful and wonderful is our God! I will marvel at your thoughts for me, Father! I will marvel at your purpose for my life! I was created and given life by HIM to know HIM and to worship HIM.

For His glory is our pleasure!

Father, be glorified.

We have an obligation...

2009-12-08T08:19:00.000-08:00

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Cause We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hepeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Peace

2009-12-06T13:34:00.000-08:00

Luke 1:76-79
"And you, child, [John the Baptist] will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
This is prophesied of John the Baptist.

Later when Simeon held the babe, Jesus, "he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen you salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
Luke 2:28-32

God's salvation is Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

...

2009-12-04T14:12:00.001-08:00

Dogs have furr and they can't read.

http://www.facebook.com/#/photo.php?pid=31087446&id=79800959&fbid=523457934739

They shall know.

2009-12-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

"They shall know that I am the Lord." I keep seeing this all throughout Ezekiel. Because of their whoring heart that has departed from him and their eyes that have gone whoring after their idols, God promises to pour out his wrath on them so that they shall know that He is the Lord.
I've also noticed that when Ezekiel falls on his face the Lord picks him up and sets him on his feet.

"Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life
Is the very same voice that calls you now to rise" - Phil Wickham ("Safe")

He redeems so that you will know Him.

The Way

2009-12-01T06:21:00.000-08:00

"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the was is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." Matthew 7:13-14

I remember noticing while I was in Israel that the roads that went into the pagan cities were wide and usually paved because of the heavy flow of traffic. But the way to life is narrow, rocky, difficult and with fewer travelers.
Screwtape told Wormwood, "Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one-the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." -C.S. Lewis.

Brothers and Sisters, let us help each other on the narrow Way when the easy way seems so enticing.

Thanksgiving Feast

2009-11-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Psalm 105, 106, and 107 tells us to give thanks the Lord because of his wondrous works. These Psalms remind us how the Lord has worked in the lives of his people and our response should be to praise him. I kept seeing that Israel kept backsliding because they forgot. So don't forget! Remember what the Lord has done. Remember who he is. Remember who you are because of him. Remember. I remember:
How the Lord did not provide a way to go to Denver Seminary
How the Lord took me to the Forge
How the Lord has provided life-long brothers and sisters in Jesus...a family. Matt, Suzanne, Chris L., Wade, Andrew, Chris H., Micah, Ben, Adam, Stephen, Chance, Jimbo, Mallory, Britney, Haleigh, Mandi, Lauren G. and Lauren S. I love you all and am thankful for you.
How the Lord took me to ETBU with Matt one January night and I met my now fiance who I plan to marry in 44 days!
How the Lord has given me an awesome job to help me provide for my bride
How the Lord has given me wonderful future in-laws
How the Lord has allowed me to continue my education and succeed.
How the Lord has sustained me this past year with food, shelter, health, and life.
How the Lord has strengthened my faith through continual testing. Thank you Lord.

For all you have done, Lord, thank you.

"Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things."
Psalm 107:8,9

Maybe this is why we feast on Thanksgiving.

Remember

2009-11-25T07:17:00.001-08:00

"But this I call to mind, and therefore have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. ...You came near when I called on you; you said, "Do not fear!" You have taken up my cause, O Lord, you have redeemed my life.

Lamentations 3:21-26, 57-58

This he has done so that we will know that He is the Lord. I called upon the Lord last night and He came near.

Sing David:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord."

Piper said, "Our "pit time" is preparation for evangelism."

As you lament and wait on the Lord...

remember.

Jesus

2009-11-24T14:33:00.000-08:00

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. And He will fulfill the desire of those who fear."

I miss Jesus. I think the Lord is hammering out of me every bit of following him by feeling. Well keep hammering Lord because I want to walk by faith and obedience.

ZakariahBotros

2009-01-18T13:21:00.000-08:00

This was on Joel Rosenberg's Blog and it is very exciting!

SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
EXCLUSIVE: AL QAEDA TARGETS ARAB EVANGELIST FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL TO MUSLIMS

Father Zakaria Botros reaches 50 million Muslims a day

You have probably never heard of Father Zakaria Botros. But you need to know his story. He is far and away the most-watched and most-effective Arab evangelist reaching the Muslim world, and by far the most controversial. He is funny, feisty, brilliant, opinionated, and provocative, and he is preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. And his enemies do not simply want to silence him. They want to assassinate him.

Last week, I had the honor of interviewing Botros by phone from a secure, undisclosed location. He told me that he had just learned that an al Qaeda website had posted his photograph and named him one of the “most wanted” infidels in the world. The Radicals have even put a bounty on his head. The Christian Broadcasting Network reported the figure was as high as $60 million. Botros does not know for certain. But just to put that in context, the U.S. bounty on Osama bin Laden’s head is “only” $25 million.

Why are the Radicals so enraged by an elderly Coptic priest from Egypt who is in his 70s? Because Botros is waging an air war against them, and he is winning. Using state-of-the art satellite technology to bypass the efforts of Islamic governments to keep the gospel out of their countries, Botros is directly challenging the claims of Muhammad to be a prophet, and the claims of the Qu’ran to be God’s word. He systematically deconstructs Muhammad’s life, story by story, pointing out character flaws and sinful behavior. He carefully deconstructs the Qu’ran, verse by verse, citing contradictions and inconsistencies. And not only does he explain without apology what he believes is wrong with Islam, he goes on to teach Muslims from the Bible why Jesus loves them and why is so ready to forgive them and adopt them into His family, no matter who they are or what they have done.

If Botros was doing this in a corner, or on some cable access channel where no one saw him or cared, that would be one thing. But his ninety-minute program – a combination of preaching, teaching and answering questions from (often irate) callers all over the world – has become “must see TV” throughout the Muslim world. It is replayed four times a week in Arabic, his native language, on a satellite television network called Al Hayat (“Life TV.”) It can be seen in every country in North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia, as well as all throughout North America,Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. And not only can it be seen in so many places, it is seen – by an estimated fifty million Muslims a day.

At the same time, Botros is getting millions of hits on his multiple web sites in multiple languages. There, Muslims can read his sermons and study through an archive of answers to frequently asked questions. They can also enter a live chat room called “Pal Chat” where they are not only permitted but encouraged to ask their toughest questions to trained on-line counselors, many of whom are Muslim converts to Christianity who understand exactly where the questioners are coming from and the struggles they are having. ult, Botros – on the air only since 2003 – has practically become a household word in the Muslim world. An Arabic newspaper has named him Islam’s “Public Enemy #1.” Millions hate him, to be sure, but they are watching. They are listening. They are processing what he is saying and they are talking about him with their friends and family.

When Botros challenges Radical clerics to answer his many refutations of Islam and defend the Qu’ran, millions wait to see what how the fundamentalists will respond. But they rarely do. They prefer to attack Botros than answer him. Yet, the more the Radicals attack him, the more well-known he becomes. The more well-known he becomes, the more Muslims feel compelled to tune in. And as more Muslims tune in, more are coming to the conclusion that Botros is right and in turn are choosing to become followers of Jesus Christ. Botros estimates at least 1,000 Muslims a month pray to receive Christ with his telephone counselors. Some of them pray to receive Christ live on their air with Botros. And this surely is only the tip of the iceberg, as it represents only those who are able to get through on the jammed phone lines. There simply are not currently enough trained counselors to handle each call.

Many leading Arab evangelists I have interviewed for Inside The Revolution say God is using Botros to help bring in the greatest harvest of Muslim converts to Christianity in the history of Christendom. Botros refuses to take any credit, saying is just one voice in a movement of millions. But he is certainly excited by the trend lines. He does see more Muslims turning to Christ than ever before, and he told me he has cited my book Epicenter at least three times as evidence of the enormous numbers of conversions taking place. What’s more, he vows to keep preaching the gospel so long as the Lord Jesus gives him breath. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” That verse – John 3:16 – is the verse that drives Botros. He believes passionately God loves the whole world, including each and every Muslim. He believes that “whosoever” believes in the Lordship of Jesus Christ – Jew or Muslim – will, in fact, receive eternal life.

He does not believe all Muslims are Radicals, but he does believe all Muslims are spiritually lost, and he wants desperately to help them find their way to forgiveness and reconciliation with the God who made them and loves them. “I believe this is the hand of God,” Botros told me. “He is directing me. He shows me what to say. He shows me what to write on…the web sites. He is showing me more and more how to use the technology to reach people with his message of redemption.”

[Please pray for Father Zakaria's safety and continued effectiveness as a minister of the gospel.]

ForgeUpdate

2009-01-03T11:20:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all of you,
I hope this letter finds you well. First of all, let me just again thank you for
your support prayerfully, as well as financially while I am here in The Forge. How to
sum up this last semester in one letter seems near impossible but I shall try my
hardest.
Well, where to begin? I guess I’ll start from the beginning...it’s a very good
place to start according to Fraulein Maria [Sound of Music]. September 6th I
moved into a house to live with nine guys for eight months. I have never lived with
that many guys. I grew up with one sister in the house and, in college, the most I
ever lived with was five guys and we came and went as we pleased so I was
nervous about how this living situation was going to go. Having lived in this
community, the Lord has brought a lot of character flaws to the surface for me to
see and confront. He has used this community to teach me how to love others, and
not just those others I choose to love, but those I am commanded to love. Had I
had my own choice, I would have picked nine guys like me to live with. That would
make living with other people easier and more comfortable. But the Lord has put
nine guys with nine different personalities together to live, to sharpen each other,
and to grow together. I am learning a ton about how to live with and love people
who aren’t like myself.
The Forge is rightly named. I am definitely being refined and when I think
the refining is over, I get put back in the fire to be refined some more. When
people ask how The Forge is going I usually can only respond by saying, “It hurts,
but it’s good [Hebrews 12:11].” The greatest realization I have had is that I am no
better than anyone else. We are all sinners saved only by the same grace of Jesus
Christ. Jesus has brought sixteen people together and it is through spending every
waking moment together that we are being refined. Community means that we
have everything in common. I am constantly learning this.
This semester mainly focused on learning how the Lord has designed me. I
am learning about my personality type and how to relate to other people’s
personalities. I am also learning that the Lord has given me certain gifts to be used
for Him. Knowing my spiritual gifts is huge while seeking how the Lord can best
use me after The Forge. God has given many different gifts to many different
people for only one purpose, the glory of God. “For as in one body we have many
members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though
many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having
gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them...Romans
12:4-6” This semester I have also got to surround myself with amazing men of
God. He has also used them to refine me and show me great examples of what a
godly man looks like.
Let me wrap up this update by saying, “Thank you.” Thank you for your
continued support and prayer. I honestly could not be in this program if it wasn’t
for your generous support. I am honored and privileged to be in this program. I
am part of the few who get the amazing opportunity to take a year out of the
busyness of life and focus solely on their relationship with the Lord. I am learning
so much about myself and the Lord and sometimes it is overwhelming. Like I said,
“It hurts, but, it’s good.” I still lack $2,764.64 for the cost of the program and
would love for you to consider continuing to invest in my time here. I am not
worried about raising the funds or if I am being prayed for. The Lord is faithful and
he is using you! Thank you! I ask God’s blessing on you in return for your
investment in His kingdom. I hope 2009 is a great year for you and once
again...Thank You!
Peace,
John Rogers
P.S. I would love to send you email updates throughout this next semester. Email
me at johnfifteen@gmail.com so I can have your email address. Thanks.
If you would like to give online:
Go to www.pinecove.com
click on Forge Leadership Training
click support a student
under designated giving, choose a fund and select support a Forge
Student
then follow the directions from there. Itʼs easy!

I apologize for what I said in my last blog about Seminary being for people who can't do anything else. I refute this statement and am sorry if I offended anyone. After dwelling upon this statement I have come to find it ridiculous. I have seen some of the most gifted men and women come from seminary and I hope to follow in their footsteps and get the experience of seminary. So I ask forgiveness.

His grace is sufficient for us all,
John

2008-11-27T18:55:00.001-08:00

.This is my second update on The Forge. I don’t really know what to say. The Forge is so hard to explain and I learn so much that I don’t think I can fully get out what I want to say. I will try anyway. That leads perfectly into the first thing I want to talk about that I have learned lately. I have learned that whatever seems hard, uncomfortable, and scary should be tried anyway. I have had several opportunities come up where this was the case but we had to do it anyway. To my surprise the fruit that came out of it made the difficulty, the discomfort, and the fear seem so small compared to what we got out of it. Trust me when I say that it is worth stepping out into the unknown and trying it. If you fail, you fail. But when you succeed, what a joy.
What I have also learned lately is to stop assuming. It really gets me nowhere with people and the future’s events. Usually when I assume what we are going to do I’m usually wrong. Or when I assume that someone is the way they are…I’m always wrong and then I get humbled real quick.

The past month has been insane! I can’t share too much because someone reading this might want to do The Forge someday and I do not want to ruin a great surprise for you. Let’s just say that we got a lot closer this last month. I am feeling like we are towards the end of the honeymoon faze and all of our true character is about to unleash. I can’t wait.

I asked a man the other day, “Who is seminary for?”
He replied, “Seminary is for people who can’t do anything else.”

I thought that was a great answer. I feel like after being here that I would not like seminary. I would be bored. Maybe The Forge should be a three-year program. That would be insane. I’m learning a lot about how God has designed me: my temperament, my skills, my gifts are becoming more revealed to me. Knowing these things is so great. I want to live out my life the way God has designed me. I don’t want to be a screwdriver used as a hammer. I want to be John David Rogers used how God intended John David Rogers to live. Myers Briggs says I’m an extrovert. Others say I am an introvert. I have been more introverted since I have been in The Forge. It usually takes me a good while to warm up and be open with people. I’m still seeking this out. It’s not something to lose sleep over but it is definitely something to think about.

The workload is a beating but I’m getting by. I need to be more disciplined with my time.

I love The Forge and I am so blessed to be here. I remember last year when I was working at Starbucks I started to miss learning. I would do some on my own but I missed being pushed and challenged to learn, and not just in the classroom, but EVERYWHERE. Right now I am at home for Thanksgiving and I have quickly learned how much I already miss my guys and girls I spend every day with. I am being challenged to learn in whatever situation I am put in. I challenge you to do the same. Keep praying for me that I would have this mind wherever I am led. Pray that I would be intentional with my all of my time and that I would never stop learning…even after The Forge.

God IS Love,
John

Gospel

2008-10-23T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well a month has gone by since I have been in The Forge. This is an open blog [apparently spell-check thinks this word is misspelled. Just for that I’m going to misspell spellchek. How do you like that?]. This blog is mainly so I can communicate to my supporters how my time here is going. So here we go!
First off, let me just gratefully thank everyone who is supporting me financially and also those who are supporting me through prayer. I could not be here if it was not for you guys. When I was faced with the finances I had to raise for this program, I was not worried. God honestly gave me a peace in knowing that I know Him and that He always provides and He has put people in my life who love me and desire to see me follow the Lord’s calling for my life. Thank you.
I said in my support letter that my desire in The Forge is to find out who I am. I am definitely learning this…but I don’t like it. The Lord is showing me that I am not what I think I am. I think I am better than people. I think I am more impressive than I think I am. I think my sin is not a great as others. I think I can do anything. I think my desires or my dreams are better than theirs. This is my confession of my sin and I am learning that confession is a beautiful thing. It brings to light your sin and makes it harder for that sin to have any control over you. You now know this. You now have the invitation to hold me accountable. Learning this about myself does not make me feel good. It is not enjoyable to have these things revealed about you but this sin of self-centeredness is being brought to light as I run closer and closer to the light of Jesus Christ. Because He is, I am. I only exist because He created me. I am only saved because He died for me. I am not as impressive as I think I am. Having this mind set makes my God more impressive. Ephesians 2 tells me that I am no better than anyone else. I am by nature a child of wrath, “like the rest of mankind. But God, being right in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED – and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. FOR BY BRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH. AND THIS IS NOT YOUR OWN DOING; IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, SO THAT NO ONE MY BOAST [Ephesians 2:3-9].” Read this verse again before reading the rest of the letter. Because of HIS GREAT LOVE, mercy, and grace, we are made alive. Alive. Alive. He has made me alive. I used to be dead but now I am alive! He has made me alive! I cannot proclaim that enough. This verse reminds me that I am in great need of Jesus Christ. I cannot live without him. Since we are all sinners saved by the gift of grace that is GIVEN to us and that no man can earn this gift we are no better than anyone else. This is the gospel.
Have you shared the gospel today to anyone? Since we are all equal and this gift has been freely given to us, why are we hoarding it? SHARE IT! This is another thing the Lord is teaching me. I have been merciful to you, and I have given you the free gift of my grace, and I have made you alive. So do what I command you and share me. Are you worried what they will think of you? If so, then it’s about you. But its not about you John, it’s about me and my glory. The Lord has been confronting me more and more about sharing the gospel and teaching me and guiding me in doing this. He is showing me that I am not doing this enough…actually, that I am never doing it. He is teaching me what it means to be bold, loving, trusting, faithful, and obedient in sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16-17 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.” What an awesome verse. There is Holy Spirit power in the gospel. Your job and mine is not to save, it is to love. If I truly love someone I will share with them the greatest news that has ever been and will ever be. The gospel is God’s power for salvation. We plant the seed. God makes it grow. We must remember this! Do you believe this? This verse says that in the gospel “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith.” We proclaim this gospel because we believe this gospel. I am talking to myself as much as you all. When I started this paragraph I asked if you have shared the gospel today to anyone. When I say anyone I mean yourself too. The Lord has been teaching me that I need to hear the gospel daily or I start to forget what I believe. Get up in your mirror in the morning and preach it to yourself. Share it with fellow believers…maybe they have forgot. Share it with others because when you share it, you hear it too! One of the first things all of us ever learned in life was that sharing is right. We are sharing more than cookies and crayons. We are sharing Jesus.
Because of your support I can learn these things! THANK YOU!

Love,
John