Category Archives: Encouragement

Jan
09
2012

What did I learn?

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In the last two posts (here and here), I asked my two friends to discuss their experiences with memorizing Scripture over the last few months (and back to Philippians). I appreciate what they said and agree as well. Memorizing Scripture with them over this last year has been a growing time for me.

Yet, I came away from the Sermon on the Mount with a different set of feelings than Philippians. With Philippians, there was one major theme that impacted me more than others: the “long perspective”. Paul constantly and consistently spoke about aiming for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. He strove and worked and poured himself out to attain the resurrection from the dead, even desiring to share in Christ’s sufferings. Why would he do that? He saw Christ doing it for him, becoming a servant, obedient to death. I determined to work that perspective into my daily life, into my choices.

But my feelings are different after going through the Sermon on the Mount for the last four months. I came away from this passage cut to the quick. I realized how needy I am of grace – every day even! I found (and still find) my heart to be desperately wicked. When Jesus spoke of the “new righteousness” demanded by kingdom life, I found new crevices within my heart full of sin. Jesus spoke of right motives in our acts of piety, and I found selfish motives abounding in even my smallest actions. Jesus tells us to prioritize the eternal – the heavenly treasure – with a focused, healthy eye, serving the right master. My priorities often still focus on my stuff and my needs. Our judgments must be accompanied by a ruthless, internal dealing with our own sin; I judge wrongly (and too often), ignoring my own sin. The “golden rule” seems a higher sacrifice than I ever realized. And that “rule” sums up the Law and the Prophets – loving others interdependent with loving God.

I have been driven more to prayer. “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” I have asked for God to continue pouring out his grace on my sin. I want to build on the rock of obedience to be established for any weather.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
(The Valley of Vision, opening prayer)

 

Dec
31
2011

There Is No Sin That I Have Done

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I found this song through another website. I was greatly encouraged by the lyrics and the reminder that we are Christ’s.

A Christian is one who has been set free from the power and penalty of sin, both in this life and in the next, through the only means that God has given for such redemption, the substitutionary death of Jesus who took the awful punishment for sin that we deserved. (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2) This central message of the Christian faith is our deepest delight and surest anchor and deserves to be on our hearts and lips every day.

via There Is No Sin That I Have Done | Reformed Praise.

Dec
28
2011

Satisfied with each of us individually

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What is … amazing is that our Lord and Saviour will himself be thrilled as he looks at us in heaven. Gazing upon his people, he will be filled with affection and delight. “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied” (Isa. 53:11).

That will be true of his redemptive work in general. Christ will see all his sheep safely gathered in, everyone of the elect in glory. There will be no empty spaces, no one missing or lost. He will feel no sense of incompleteness or regret. He will be satisfied with the results of the labor of his soul.

But the Lord Jesus will also be satisfied with each of us individually. We may find that hard to believe, because we are far from satisfied with ourselves. All too aware of our weaknesses and limitations, we are often discouraged with ourselves, ashamed of what we are. We do not see ourselves as loveable, so how could Christ love us? A nagging fear enters our minds that, although he will be gracious and kind as he welcomes us into heaven, he will at the same time feel a distinct sense of disappointment. We may not be what he hoped for.

We need not be afraid, for we will by then be changed, conformed to his likeness. God’s work of grace in each and all of us will have been brought to such a pitch of perfection that the Lord will be ravished with love for his bride, “a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Eph. 5:27). We will be all he wants, everything he desires. We will be the people he chooses to be with him for ever. “Behold, you are fair, my love!” he will exclaim (Song of Sol. 1:15). We will then be able to say with joyful assurance, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” That will be heaven.

It is himself that Christ will see in us, himself that he will love in us. That is why we are promised that “we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). For it is nothing other than his own holy beauty that he will admire.

via We Need Not Be Afraid | Challies Dot Com.

Dec
15
2011

The Light of the World

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During this last year, there’s been one song that I’ve listened to more than any other. It’s by Stuart Townend and J.K. Jamieson, entitled “The Light of the World,” set to an Irish-sounding melody. This wonderful song recalls the work of Christ in creation, his work among people up to his death on the cross, and his continued work shining on the earth with “gifts of forgiveness.”

Every time I hear the song, I am struck by the contrasts of the second verse:

The Light of the World
Now shone as a man,
And walked through the valleys
He’d carved with His hands.
A servant to those
He’d breathed into life,
He felt our injustice
And shared in our strife.
 

Jesus was working in creation to make everything we see. He is the image of the invisible God and by him all things were created. Yet he walked as a man through the hills and valleys that he so much enjoyed making. All things were created through him and for him, but he walked here on the earth.

And he didn’t just walk around admiring the views! He became a servant to those he “breathed into life.” What could be more incomprehensible than Jesus Christ coming to serve us – not counting equality with God something to be grasped but emptying himself by taking the form of a servant. Jesus became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This Christmas season, as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, let us marvel in holy reverence at the Creator of the world walking among us, sharing in our hardships. Let us follow his example of servanthood among our church and also with those on the outside – even among our enemies. Let us deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. Let us wait expectantly for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

 

Nov
13
2011

Are you not of more value than they?

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Matt. 6:26Sometimes when I read the Bible, I can get “fuzzy” on the details of what I’m reading since it’s something I’ve seen much of my life. Jesus’ parables and teachings can become too familiar when I allow my brain to think “I’ve seen this before; got it; next topic.” Yet, the Spirit breaks through my fog now and again. He shows me new things from old verses.

That’s what happened to me this week as I was reading and learning Matt. 6:22-26. I found myself drawn to verse 26 as if I’d never read it before. It says, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

When you read that question, I hope you pause to answer it. It’s a rhetorical question from Jesus. The answer is “yes, we are more valuable than the birds.” Now instead of moving on to the next verse, pause and think about all that the verse implies. The holy, transcendent God values you.

Your true worth is not determined by what you eat or what you wear. Your true worth is bound up in how valuable you are to your Father in heaven. If you are a human being, then look and see your value in what God gave in love to the world – his one and only Son, Jesus. If you are a Christian, then see your value in your adoption as a son or daughter of your Father in heaven. See your value as part of the larger Christian community, the church, in that Christ is the groom and the church, his bride.

 

Nov
11
2011

Generosity as a means of Christian fellowship

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The Philippians exhibited generosity in large degree in their relationship with Paul. Although he was in jail and far removed from their presence, Paul’s need was something they kept in mind. They were prepared to help Paul whenever the opportunity presented itself. That’s why the church in Philippi sent Epaphroditus with their gifts to Paul.

Paul did not desire their gifts. He tells them that he’s learned to be content in any and every circumstance through the power derived from Jesus Christ. Yet Paul also describes how grateful he is for their gifts. He is “well supplied” with gifts that are “a fragrant offering.”

Paul says something even more incredible than that – generosity produces the fruit of righteousness! That’s what Paul wanted, an increase in their good works, their fruit, their profit – not necessarily their gifts.

Paul’s words remind us of several things as we enter this time of year focused on thanksgiving:

  • The needs of others cannot be a remote thing. We must be prepared to sacrifice for others when the opportunity presents itself.
  • Generosity builds up our treasure in heaven. God is well-pleased with costly devotion to him.
  • Generosity is a means of Christian fellowship. It connects our hearts and minds with others in our church, our community, our country, and our world.

 

Oct
11
2011

Harder than I imagined …

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Posting on a regular basis to this blog has turned out to be harder than I imagined. I was hoping to post twice weekly for each section of Scripture that we’re learning, yet I haven’t made that schedule. Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount are challenging. They demand study and then synthesizing all the ideas that come from studying. (They also demand lifestyle changes!)

Of course, working during the week and spending time with family have taken priority over making posts. I’ll continue to post as I can. I don’t expect to post twice a week though.

Keep memorizing the Sermon on the Mount! I’ll catch up with you around church.

 

Sep
01
2011

Blessings in Sufferings

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Jesus under arrestJesus expands his teaching on suffering for righteousness’ sake with the next two verses (Matt. 5:11-12). He appears to be directing this to his disciples (and to us) with the form “blessed are you”. He creates a picture of persecution that goes beyond the physical oppression we normally imagine and adds in verbal assaults. Jesus also links himself with the path of righteousness by changing the reason we would be persecuted – from suffering for righteousness’ sake to suffering on “my account”. Allegiance to Jesus also includes following the path of righteousness.

What strikes me most about this teaching is what my response is supposed to be: “rejoice and be glad”. With verbs so similar, it seems Jesus is being emphatic about what our response is to be. Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail seemed to be rejoicing – “about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25 ESV). Paul said in Philippians 3:10-11 that he wanted to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection, and to share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death. Why does Paul want to share Christ’s sufferings? “That by any means possible I [Paul] may attain the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul had an eternal perspective that he used to view his suffering. Jesus puts a similar perspective forward here – “your reward is great in heaven”. The reason for joy and gladness is due a change in what we value. We now value being “counted worthy” to suffer (Acts 5:41); we are sharing a special union with Christ through it. We know “that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us … into his presence” (2 Corinthians 4:14 ESV).

Aug
19
2011

Practical Helps for Extended Scripture Memorization

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Practical Helps for Extended Scripture Memorization (by Dr. Andy Davis, FBC Durham, compiled by Tim Brister)
  1. Review old verses: Always give priority in your mind to the retaining of old verses even over the learning of new ones. You should begin every day’s work with review of old verses.
  2. Repetition over time: The absolute key to successful Scripture memorization is repetition over a long time period. This is how you retain old verses while learning new ones.
  3. Memorize the verse numbers: Memorize the verse numbers as if they were part of each verse. This will help prevent you from dropping out verses or even whole paragraphs when you’re reciting the book all the way through. It actually makes memorization easier in the long run! (Note from Heinrich: I did not do this with previous passages I have learned. I learned section by section, chapter by chapter. There are downsides with not knowing chapter and verse. I was concerned it would not flow as well with the text as I spoke it.)
  4. Photograph the verses with your eyes: Read each new verse ten times, covering each word as though photographing it with your eyes. Burn each verse into your brain with your eyes.
  5. Say it out loud: Another help in memorizing is to say the verse out loud to yourself. This helps the memorization process. It doesn’t have to be very loud, just loud enough so you can hear it. Also, try putting some feeling and interpretation into reciting the verses. This is actually a form of meditation on the verses as you are learning them.
  6. Recite the entire section of Scripture from memory for 100 consecutive days: If you have done your work well, after about the second week you probably won’t even need the Bible anywhere near you while reciting. This can be done anywhere. It will add no extra time to your busy schedule.
  7. Weed the garden: Simply take one of your Monday morning times after the 100 days (perhaps every other month) and just read the section by sight all the way through. This will correct errors, and thus “weed the garden.”
Aug
19
2011

Past experience learning Philippians

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Many of us carry devices that can access the Bible with the touch of a button or the slide of a finger. Having God’s word so readily available in so many translations is a great gift. Yet, as readily available as the Bible is, God still calls us to hide His Word in our hearts. We get spiritual power from memorization, and it strengthens our faith by repeatedly reinforcing the truth.

This year, I tried to take up God’s call in a way I had never done before – with a period of concentrated memorization. From the first week of January to Easter, four of us from church spent time memorizing the book of Philippians. It was based on Tim Brister’s “partnering to remember” blueprint. We learned a new passage from Philippians each week, about six to eight verses. We tried to meet once a week to say the verses out loud to one another. The spiritual discipline of saying the new verses aloud each week and rehearsing the previous weeks’ verses was a time of focused study of God’s Word for all of us. It was a very spiritually rewarding time for me.

My time studying Philippians was also a very meaningful time of private worship. I used a notebook with the Scripture passage on the left and a place for notes on the right. I took notes on the weekly passage as I meditated and pondered what God was saying, looking for the major themes in Paul’s letter. I used some additional resources to help me better understand what Paul was saying.

I am planning to memorize the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. It seems feasible to accomplish in 18 weeks, starting at the end of August and wrapping up on Christmas Eve.

I would like to invite others to partner with me in memorizing this passage. I’m hopeful that this focused memorization project will be of interest to others in the church. It’s open to anyone of any age interested in teaming up to remember. Focusing on Jesus’ words over several months will sharpen our vision of the kingdom life we are to be living.