New Year's resolutions are nothing new. And for almost every single one of us unfortunately failed New Year's resolutions are nothing new as well. Have you ever started a new year not wanting to lose weight? Obesity is one of our national sin's. Many times we simply get tired of feeling like we are failing at our intended change so we just stop trying. We don't even make "resolutions" any more because why get our hopes up after we have failed to follow through so many times before? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "How bad do you want it!? New Year's resolutions can't just be about will power." (Jn 15:5) [tweet this] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I want to give some tips, not of what your New Year's resolutions should be, but how you can ensure greater victory with those decisions. Fully count the cost Many of the things that we want to change or achieve are going to come at cost, and most of the time it is going to be a pretty steep cost because let's face it, if it didn't cost us much, we would have already done it right? Do a sunset review ​A lot of times we don't have a system to help us stay on track of our goals and intentions. At the end of every year before the New Year comes, I will do what I call a 'sunset review' of the past year to see how I have done. It's a time to reflect and assess whether I stayed on track, take an account of what I did well in and made significant progress in, and what I didn't. This is also the time that I will look forward to the next year and set new goals (or re-set old goals) in many of the large areas of my life; personal, spiritual, marriage, career, etc. Have some form of accountability ​None of us can do life on our own. At least not very well. Not only do we need divine help and intervention to carry out our good desires (c.f. Rom 7:21-25; Jn 15:5) but we also need some healthy and helpful accountability from a friend. Talk to someone close to you that you have consistent contact with and employ them to help you on your journey to change this year. Check-in throughout the year​ ​A key component to being able to follow through with our goals is to have markers along the way to the destination. Goals are great to have, for "if you aim at nothing, you are bound to hit it every time", but we also need to remember to keep the goals in front of us over time because all of our memories are fairly weak. Let's face it, you have until about mid-Feb at the latest before you are going to need reminding, and perhaps re-inspiration, to stay on track. Don't Give Up​ ​One thing is for sure, this is going to take perseverance. We can't give up, no matter how badly we fail at achieving our goals. Re-adjusting, re-evaluating, re-defining, sure ... but quitting? NEVER. No one can ever take perseverance from you. #spirituality #biblestudy

"You then my son, be strong in the grace that is in Jesus Christ." (2 Tim 2:1) Why would Paul tell his young protégé to be "strong in the grace"? This implies that Timothy had a tendency to not be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Why was that? Was he strong in his own performance? Was he confident in his own abilities or the fact that he had a strong spiritual pedigree? (cf. 2 Tim 1:5). From the text we don't know why exactly Paul exhorted Timothy, we only know that he did. I believe this is very helpful for us, as we need reminding to be "strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" Day 1. What is grace to you? How do you define it? Read Phil 3:7-9 - How does this scripture impact your understanding of your righteousness before God? What role does your faith play on your righteousness before The Lord? (and your personal holiness?) Day 2. Read Eph 2:6-10 How comfortable are you with saying that we are saved by grace along? Is there a quickness to juxtapose that statement with something about discipleship and commitment to following Jesus? If so, why is that? Where is that coming from? Day 3. How strong are you? How strong are you when it comes to the marriage of faith and deeds? (cf. Jam 2:14-26). What about when you give into to temptation and sin against The Lord and others? Do you struggle to find Godly sorrow in your heart? Do you feel guilt, regret, and condemnation? (cf. Rom 8:1-2) How does your understanding of grace affect your pursuit of holiness? How does it affect your repentance after you have fallen? (cf. Rom 3:23) Day 4. How reliable are you? Read 2 Tim 2:2 - are you able to reliably (and accurately) transmitted these difficult concepts to others? We stand little chance of helping others to stand strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, if we ourselves consistently struggle to stand strong in that grace. Day 5. What does it look like to stand strong? Standing strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus might look different for different people at different times. However I believe there are some universal truths to how God's grace shown to us through Christ Jesus, if properly understood and believed, would shape us. It would cause us to feel confident, not condemned, to get back up when we sin. It would cause our hearts to be vigorous in our fight against sin and pursuit of holiness, not because our vigor (effort) in and of itself is making us holy, but because we have already been made holy through the blood of Jesus and thus by our faith in that blood are motivated. (cf. Eph 2:13, Heb 10:19, Phil 3:16). #spirituality #biblestudy

Once Saved, (Not) Always Saved? There is a common Christian doctrine often called "once saved, always saved" primarily found in Calvinistic wings of the Christian faith, although it can be found elsewhere throughout Protestant Evangelical wings as well. For a helpful introductory article on the subject, read here. ​Day 1. Consider these passagesJohn 8:31-32; Rom 2:4-8; 1 Cr 15:2; 1 Tim 4:16; 2 Tim 2:12; Heb 3:6, 14; 6:4-6; 10:26-27, 36; Jam 2:21-22; 1 Pet 4:17-18; 2 Jn 8; Rev 2:25-26; 3:11 Day 2.How do you view you own salvation? Is it something that can be 'lost'? Why or why not? Day 3.If you believe that your salvation is something that can be 'lost' or that you can turn away from persevering in your faith, how do you remain confident in your salvation? Day 4.Are you striking a balance between the realities of turning from the faith and yet trusting completely, and confidently, in your faith in Jesus for the assurance of your slavation? Day 5.In what ways does your understanding of grace interplay with your daily walk and perseverance in the faith? #spirituality #biblestudy

Fall Away vs. Wandered Away Perhaps you are noticing a theme in these weekly bible studies ... language matters. Language for us carries meaning, definition and power (Jam 3:1-12). For most of my readers, the church culture has defined some things incorrectly. Take for example the term “fall away”. I believe this term has been quite misconstrued as it has come to mean primarily someone who left a specific church fellowship. But is that really what the bible teaches? Day 1. How do you currently think of the concept of someone 'falling away'? Day 2. ​Falling Away: Heb 6:4-6 The bible teaches us here that when someone 'falls away' (using this biblical language here) it is technically impossible for them to be restored to repentance and return to God. Of course, the natural question is begged; when does that happen. The bible is not clear on that, and I think for good reason. I believe God might not want to give us clarity on exactly where the line of no return is, because it is quite likely we would try to get as close to it as possible. The point is that there is a line, and we should have a healthy fear of that, "seeing to it that we do not have a sinful unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God". (Heb 3:12) *Is there someone that you have witnessed leaving the fellowship? Have they fallen away? How do you know? We would be wise to leave this judgment to God, and yet try to win our bothers and sisters over back to the Lord. (cf. Jd 1:22-23) Day 3. How do you currently think of the concept of someone 'wandering away'? Day 4. Wandering: Jam 5:19-20 The bible teaches that someone can wander away from the truth, but still be brought back (presumably to repentance). I believe this to be reminiscent of Jesus' parable on the lost son in Luke 15:11-32. God is a gracious God, willing to forgive and to show mercy, yet the question begs again; how do we know when we have 'wandered' and when we have 'fallen away'. To me I think a person's desire to be brought back, or not, is a key indicator. *Do you know someone that has wandered away from the truth? How are you trying to be involved? (cf. Jd 1:22-23) Day 5. Contemplate how these two differing (but equally true) concepts play into your own understanding of sin and repentance in your life, as well as how this shapes your approach to those around you in the varying places of their spiritual journeys. *Consider how your own language needs to change to reflect a more accurate "biblical language" in these matters. #spirituality #biblestudy

Hell is one of those things for us as Christians (and non-Christians) that can be so overwhelming, vague, mysterious, and just down right scary that we tend to try to push it aside and squirm away from it as much as we can. Yet the scriptures teach that our final destination could be so awful that we should rather give up all things on this earth and in this life than to reside there. Interestingly hell was a topic in Jesus' ministry that he spoke about as prominently as others. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. Mat 5:29-30 Many will discuss the different possibilities of what exactly hell will be like, whether it will be eternal, conscious, etc.. However without getting into all of that, what is clear is that Jesus taught that hell was not only real, but was something he wanted us as humans to avoid at all costs. Day 1. Read Mat 3; 5; 7; 10; 18; 23; 25; Mrk 9; Lk 12; Jam 3, 2 Pe 2; Rev 20 Day 2. Does your view of hell have God in view? Consider whether you primarily don't want to go to hell because of the personal torment that awaits you there, or because it is a place that God will not reside and you desire chiefly to not be cut off from him? There is of course nothing wrong with being adverse to the personal affliction and torment in hell, but if there is no consideration of being with God, our aversion falls short and is incomplete. Day 3. Is hell a constant fear of yours as a Christian? Hell is very real, and Jesus preached about it quite often, teaching us to not take it lightly by any stretch. However, he also taught that he was able to fulfill perfectly the requirements of God (Mat 5) and that we should have great confidence when approaching God (Heb 4) because Jesus has incurred God's wrath against our sin for us and has quenched it in totality (Rom 5; 1 Thes 1; 5). We can therefore stand confidently in faith of Christ's finished redeeming work (Heb 1; 8; 10; 12). Day 4. As a Christian, is hell a real possibility? Just as we should not walk in an unhealthy fear of hell as Christians, but instead in faith as we follow Christ and trust in his redemption, we are also taught from the scriptures to have a sober estimate of ourselves (Rom 12) and to be ware lest we back slide, and turn away from the living God (Heb 12; 3). We should not take an attitude that is lackadaisical, but instead make every effort to remain in Christ (Heb 4; 12; Lk 13; 2 Pet 1; 3). Day 5. Talk to someone about the realities of hell. Today. #spirituality #biblestudy

Heaven is one of those things for us as Christians that can be so overwhelming, so vague and mysterious that we rarely ever think about it. Yet the scriptures teach that it will be our final destination and that it will be glorious and splendid. So why do we not think about it very often? Why do we talk about it even less often? Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thes 4:13-18) Many will discuss the different possibilities of what exactly heaven will be like, however without getting into all of that, what is clear from this passage above is that being with the Lord forever (in heaven) is something that should encourage us in this life! With that in mind I want to discuss how our view of heaven shapes our daily walk. Day 1. Your understanding of heaven? How does being with God in heaven eternally excite you? In what ways does it seem lack luster? Day 2. Your desire to share heaven? Obviously we do not deserve God's forgiveness and pardon of our sins. Yet he has given it to us in Christ, enabling us to reside with him in perfection, remade anew with him (Rev 21-22). Is the kingdom of God that you now reside in through Christ something that you feel intrinsically selfish about, that you want to keep to yourself, or is it something that you desire to share with others? Why or why not? Day 3. Read 1 Cr 15:50-58 Do you often wonder if your work in the Lord is in vain? Why would Paul tell them (us) to stand firm, to let nothing move them (us)? What tends to move you away from standing firm in the confidence of heaven? Day 4. How does heaven change your perspective? If you belive firmly in the reward of heaven and have confidence in the work of Christ to bring you there (Jn 14), how should it change your daily perspective? Does it? Day 5. Talk to someone about heaven. Today. #spirituality #biblestudy

Grace & Truth Michael Sam, a defensive end just graduating from the University of Missouri and about to enter the NFL draft came out last week that he was gay. NY Times did a short piece about it. Sam so far has seemingly been very accepted by the community and society at large. Of course questions swirl about how receptive they will be behind close doors, especially those of the NFL locker room that he will likely find himself in, as he is expected to be an early round draft pick this next season. My concern is not chiefly how Michael Sam will be received in an NFL locker room, but how the Christian community will view him. Will we turn our faces away ashamedly when we are watching and he comes on our screen, and his sexual orientation comes into our mind? As Christians will we watch a fairly brutal sport for our entertainment and enjoyment and think not of the players safety and well being, but instead primarily of their sexual orientation? Often as Christians we struggle to know what our response should be when it comes to the topic of homosexuality. How do we help people feel loved and accepted, yet not send a message condoning something we believe is wrong? I am certainly not saying it is an easy topic to tackle, primarily because we have next to nothing from the scriptures in terms of how to deal with it on a societal and public scale, especially with the advent of governmental acceptance of homosexual marriage, except that homosexual acts are explicitly sinful as outlined by the scriptures (Rom 1; 1 Tim 1; etc.). But the scriptures outline heterosexual sins such as lust and adultery as well, not to mention pride, selfishness, idolatry, jealousy, envy and many, many other things (Gal 5; 2 Tim 3; etc.). So why do we as Christians tend to single out homosexuality and get uncomfortable in how to respond when we don't feel the same level of un-comfortableness when dealing with people steeped in other sins? For instance we have no problem 'supporting' (or watching) another one of our favorite sports athletes that is a publically known adulterer or 'playboy'. Now certainly if Michael Sam or the 'playboy' example are claiming Christ and belonging to Him while living an openly unrepentant life, then the scriptures would instruct us in how to respond (1 Cr 5; etc.). But to my knowledge, that is not what we are discussing. I believe the apostle John's words about Christ can give us insight into the question of how we as Christians are to respond in a way that we balance helping others to feel loved and 'supported' while not compromising our convictions about the word. Christ is said to have come in 'grace and truth'. He was able to manage dealing with sinful people so comfortably, that the religious people around him condemned him for it (Lk 7) and yet he was able to maintain righteousness and calling them to repentance (Jn 8). And many times, repent they did! A frame of reference that helps me in discerning my dealings with the LGBT community is to think about how I would deal with a heterosexual not following Christ in the same circumstance. Would I watch them on T.V.? Would I go to their wedding? Would I have lunch with them? Would I try to share my heartfelt beliefs about Christ and His redemptive work and power to set captives free, both in my life and in theirs? I cannot allow the secular influence of discrimination and the singling out of the homosexual community infiltrate my own mind and heart, most especially not in the name of Christ. #spirituality #homosexuality #culture #LGBT

In my cirlces we tend to speak of 'discipling' (someone) quite often. As my previous WBS recognized, I believe language to be significant. And since 'discipling' is not a recognized congugation in the English languge (yet, but perhaps that will change with our pervasive usage) I thought I would share about a N.T. greek word; 'noutheteô', that can help to shape our thinking biblically as we go out 'disicpling' everyone. NoutheteôVerb : to admonish, warn, instruct, counsel, exhortNous (mind) + Tithçmi (to set, put, place) = Lit. “Put in mind”*Nouthesia (feminine noun form) = admonition, exhortation Occurrences in the N.T.: Acts 20:31 – “So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Rom 15:14 – “I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” 1 Cor 4:14 – “I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.” *1 Cor 10:11 – “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.” *Eph 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Col 1:28 – “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” Col 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your heartsto God.” 1 Thess 5:12 - “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.” 1 Thess 5:14 - “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 2 Thess 3:15 - “Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.” *Titus 3:10 – “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.” Noutheteô: typically translated in the English as admonish, instruct, and warnAdmonish:1. Warn or reprimand someone firmly.2. Advise or urge (someone) earnestly. Day 1. First, we must make sure we are humble toward God and willing to be corrected, warned, admonished, and instructed by Him! Pray, along with David, that God would show any offensive way in you. (Psalm 139:24) Day 2. How do we recieve God’s correction? From His word: Heb 4:12-13; 2 Tim 3:16-17 From His Spirit: Jn 14-16; 1 Cr 2:6-16 From others in His kingdom: Col 1:28, 3:16; 1 Thes 5:12 Day 3. How we should feel when God corrects us? Loved: Heb 12:5-11, Prov 3:11-12, 1 Cr 11:32, Rev 3:19 Thankful: Prov 6:23, Heb 12:28, 1 Th 5:18 Day 4. Why we want God to correct us: We are secure in God's love for us and our love for Him: 1 Jn 4:19 We want to mature: Eph 4:13, Jam 1:4, Col 4:12 Day 5. From/With others: Who is warning, instructing, and admonishing you? Someone older, a peer? If this is not a pattern in your life, consider seeking after it with great vigor. Who are you warning, instructing, and admonishing (teaching to obey)? – Mat 28:18-20 What are some possible reasons we shrink back from this with one another? ​Discomfort in speaking the truth – Eph 4:15-16, 25, 1 Jn 3:18 We don’t love the truth – Jn 18:37, 2 Th 2:10 We are not humble – Eph 4:2, Jam 4:6-10, 1 Pet 5:6 If you have not, or are not consistently embracing this concept of "noutheteô" in your life, what steps are needed for you to start implenting these passages in your life soon? #spirituality

Communion: it is something that we tend to practice quite often in the religious world, and as Christians it can be something we do so often and partake in so regularly that it loses meaning. If you have been a Christian for ten years you have likely taken the Lord's Supper somewhere in the ball park of 500 times. Like any repetitive thing, it can become rote. Or perhaps we were never set on a firm foundation of biblical teaching and theology in the first place concerning the Lord's Supper, so we feel stunted and stuck as we continually participate in this sometimes mysterious practice. Historical accounts of the institution of the Last Supper: Mat 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:17-20 Day 1. It is a memorial to Christ Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me" (1 Cor 11:24), but this is not just a memorial to his death, but also to his everlasting life. For Jesus did not die and stay in the grave as all other man, he rose and ascended and now sits at the right hand of God interceding for us (Eph 1; Heb 4). We remember Christ, not only in his suffering and death for our sins, but we also remember and rejoice at the good news of his resurection. Day 2. It is a pledge of the new covenant Jesus said, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20; cf. 1 Cor 11:25; Mat 26:28). As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are reminded that the new covenant is greater than the Mosaic covenant (2 Cor 3:6-18; Heb 7:22; 12:24) and of the perfect forgiveness we have in Christ's blood, as well as completion and finality of the new covenant. Day 3. It is a proclamation of Christ's death Paul writes, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Cor 11:26). The significance of Jesus' death is proclaimed to the world as His body partakes of the meal together. Day 4. It is a prophecy of Chrit's coming Paul writes, " you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." (1 Cor 11:26) meaning that we are to practice the Lord's Supper until he returns, implying that we are looking forward to his return! Communion is a time when the believers are together reminded of the joyful reunion and uneding jubilation which await us when we meet the Lord. Day 5. It is fellowship with Christ and His own Christ said, "For where two or three have gathered in my name, I am there in their midst." (Mat 18:20).. Jesus is present spiritually with his believers and followers in the Lord's Supper and the disciples have fellowship with one another through Him. *Note: the person that can participate in the Lord's Supper is only someone who is regenerated through Christ and living a life of obedience to Him. The believer is asked to examine himself as the his fitness to come to the Lord's table (1 Cor 11:27-29) and is warned to not eat and drink judgement on themsleves by participating when they are unfit. #spirituality #biblestudy

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" Heb 13:5 In a recent blog post on CNN, Rachel Evans discusses some potential pitfalls to the popular Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace" program. I thought the article was very insightful and causes a closer look to be taken (especially to us here in the wealthy West), a perspective I think is biblically rooted. While I agree with Ms. Evans that much of Dave Ramsey's principles and strategies are effective, "particularly for middle-class Americans struggling with mounting credit card bills", however I do see that my own perspecitve on money, even the motives for living debt free (which of course living debt free is a good thing, and I am taught by the scriptures to live in such a way - c.f. Rom 13) are actually often rooted in my own desires for comfort and pleasure, not in the love of God and others. We must be ever vigilant in recognizing and combating the pressures of our culture and context, that teach us unceasingly that we are to buy more, have more, do more, and live ever more comfortably, luxuriously, and 'happily'. We must also be aware of the somewhat more subtle occurances where perhaps we wish to be debt free to these same ends. But is this indeed what Jesus teaches life will be like for us here on the earth who follow Him (c.f. Jn 16:33; Jn 15:18-25)? Comfortable? Amazing vacations? Big screen TV's? Large retirement portfolio's? Or is this simply a veil over our hearts and minds ever pulled by the 'ruler of the air' (c.f. Eph 2:1-2)? Jesus was and is counter-cultural. This will always be true, for He intiates a culture and kingdom not of this world, that will always be counter to any and every kingdom of this earth (c.f. Phl 3:20). "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Tim 6:10 #money #biblestudy