Science Daily takes after Paul

Musing on this quote from Science Daily:


"It's always been known that people have internal dialogues with themselves, but until now, we've never known what an important function they serve," says Tullett. "This study shows that talking to ourselves in this 'inner voice' actually helps us exercise self control and prevents us from making impulsive decisions."


How did Paul know what he knew?  In light of this scientific age that gives us more and more knowledge how could a 1st century disciple of Christ know so much.  Hmmmm.  Yes I know how, he had the infinite God working through him that would destroy the wisdom of the wise through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  See some of the verses below and compare it to the above, it is truly amazing how much God's knowledge is ahead of man's knowledge.


II Corinthians 10:5


"We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to  obey Christ..."


Or Philippians 4:8


"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."


Also, lets never forget who's control that it truly is, as Galatians 5:22 says:


" But the fruit of the Spirit is  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law. "


I don't think it is ever wise to forget that our brains are not in neutral, they are either being lied to or talked to.  This matters in light of the gospel because it is true and knowing truth regards defending and knowing how to talk to ourselves in light of that truth.  These internal struggles will never go away but let us learn to have the courage to be truthful with our own thoughts one at a time.


Your boasting friend,


Tim

Eschatalogical round table

This was good to hear the perspectives and enjoy diversity within the Body.

Only Jesus

click on the link above and enjoy. :)

God is the Gospel (part 1)

So what do I mean when I say, Gospel?  It was a question that I posed to a hotel rep the other day as we had lunch in downtown Dallas.  "Well", she said, "I know it has to do with some books of the bible and how we live our lives."  I thought it was a pretty good answer, comparatively to other answers that you would get.  So we discussed the gospel as "good news".  Well, why do we need good news?  I went on to share about our sin and God's righteous wrath toward it and how He came down in human form to "take away" that enmity between us and so we can come and worship God freely.  Notice that I say "worship God", what makes that so provocative today?  Especially in the church.  Why should the worship of God be central to the gospel?  Is it not the very place where God starts, namely himself?

I would say yes.  That is precisely what makes the good news, good news!  God is the gift of the Gospel, not healing, not circumstantial joy, not perfect health, not financial windfall.  God is the good news and that is what I want my life to be about, my marriage, my kids, my home, my work, my friendships, I want them to be about what is contained in Christ himself.

John Piper has written a book about this precise thing and I wanted to share some lines from it for your meditation.  Here are a couple of them:

- "It is stunning how seldom God himself is proclaimed as the greatest gift of the gospel." (Intro., p 11)
    When was the last time you reflected on the gospel and did not think about the things that it has brought you, even spiritually, but just thought about Him?  Not even justification, forgiveness, glorification, etc... just Him.

- "The acid test of biblical God-centeredness-and faithfulness to the gospel is this:  Do you feel more loved because God makes much of you, or because, at the cost of his Son, he enables you to enjoy making much of him forever?  Does your happiness hang on seeing the cross of  Christ as a witness to your worth, or as a way to enjoy God's worth forever?  Is God's glory in Christ the foundation of your gladness?
    I would encourage you to take some time and think about this.  I don't encourage deep introspection just what the Spirit brings about.  Ask yourself, why did Christ become a servant and die on a cross, was it truly just so I would happy, is that shallow to you?  Why?  Why not?  If my happiness is the center of God's affection how does that work for others, if my happiness or joy is not for the good of others?

Your boasting friend,

Tim