The Stromwall's

[From Justin Taylor]

From a new sermon by John Piper on humility, summarizing what humility is and does:

1. Humility is glad that God gets all the credit for choosing us so that we boast only in him and not man.
2. Humility happily admits that everything we have is a free gift from God, so that we can’t boast in it.
3. Humility is glad to affirm that God sovereignly governs our heartbeats and safe arrivals, or non-arrivals.
4. The root of Christian humility is the gospel that Christ died for our sins. That’s how sinful I was. That’s how dependent I am.
5. Humility gives itself away in serving everyone, rather than seeking to be served.
6. And humility is glad to affirm that this service is true greatness.

He also answers three worldly objections to humility:

1. Humility makes a person gloomy, dismal, downcast, unhappy
2. Humility makes you fearful and timid
3. Humility makes you passive and removes the driving motor of achievement

I especially appreciated this quote:

Gospel humility frees you from the need to posture and pose and calculate what others think, so that you are free to laugh at what is really funny with the biggest belly laugh. Proud people don’t really let themselves go in laughter. They don’t get red in the face and fall off chairs and twist their faces into the contortions of real free laughter. Proud people need to keep their dignity. The humble are free to howl with laughter.

I struggle with this so much – living for the American Dream instead of the Kingom. This is a great article that helps you investigate your heart motive for why you are living, and what for!

Check it out

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/8/2524_Whats_the_difference_between_living_for_the_Kingdom_and_living_for_the_American_dream/

[Desiring God]

It is hard to avoid the conclusion that there is something fundamentally wrong with the world. According to Christianity our biggest problem is sin. Yet the concept of “sin” is offensive or ludicrous to many. This often because we don’t understand what Christians mean by the term.

- Tim Keller
The reason for God

Siding with God

“The difference between a Christian and a non-Christian: when a non-Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with his sin. When a Christian is convicted of sin, he sides with God, against himself.”

- Mark Dever, The 2009 Desiring God Conference for Pastors

“The Number one responsibility of a husband is to lead with the Word of God. And when a 1000 reasons are being accumulated and moked over to why we are sad, it’s my job to rise and call down some of the wonders deeds of God, some of the thoughts of God, Proclaim them and tell them!
- John Piper

unbelievable…

“The stone will be rolled away for each of us …”

read more:

My grandmother likes sending me newspaper articles, this was from 1971

“I would very like much to find the will of God for my life. I have prayed that I might find it, but I still am not sure that I am doing what He would have me do. Are there any “rules” for finding the will of God? F.Q.

There are no “rules” as such. But, the Bible does give us some hints about how to ascertain the will of God.

Most of us want what “we want”, and not what God wants. In seeking the will of God, our own will often gets in the way. So, the first thing to do is to yield your will to God. Say, “Lord, your will be done in my life.”

Second, search the scriptures, for contained therein is the will of God, given in general and specific ways to all people. The Bible outlines what is best for the individual and the best for the race. You can be sure that His will will never be contrary to His word.

Third, as you have already done, earnestly pray that you may know the will of God for your life. As I said before, sometimes in our prayers we have preconceived notion about what God ought to do. Remember, you are seeking HIS will and not your own.

Fourth, be patient. The Psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord.” Don’t be in too much of a hurry, God never is. Just say, “Lord, I want to do your will, but until you reveal it to me, I’m just going to wait patiently and in peace.”

Fifth, expect God to work. Look for providential happenings and open doors of service.

“I have found there are three stages in every great work of God. First, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done.”

- missionary to Chian, 1965