From Whom Does My Praise Come From?

     When Paul was addressing the matter of Jews vs. Gentiles, circumcision vs. uncircumcision he writes:

But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.  Romans 2:29 ESV

     That last sentence has stuck with me today.  "His praise is not from man but from God."  It's stuck with me in a convicting way.  From whom does my praise come from?  So often I'm worried about what others think about me.  I look for their approval - their praise.  But God's Word is very clear about fearing God vs. fearing men; seeking praise from God vs. praise from men.  God is a jealous God.  Does He not deserve all my fear?  Isn't His approval the only one worth seeking?
     The thing about being a Christian is that, while I receive amazing spiritual blessings, I seemingly become more and more despised by those of this world.  It's so tempting to try and compromise - to get spiritual benefits while still doing things that this world esteems.  But that's not the way Christianity works, and it is only when I abandon all that I will truly gain Christ.
     It's really humbling to realize that even if I want to give up all passions of the flesh, ONLY God can save me from it.  I myself do not have the ability to choose to follow God and abandon all worldly desires.  ". . . apart from Me [Jesus] you can do nothing" (John 15:5 ESV).

     Here are some verses on this topic:

• 2 Chronicles 19:7
• Joshua 4:24
• Job 28:28
• Psalm 19:9
• Proverbs 2:1-5
• Proverbs 8:13
• Proverbs 14:26-27
• Proverbs 15:33
• Proverbs 16:6

     These are only a handful of verses.  Consider doing a further Bible study on this topic.  Or consider writing these verses out on cards to meditate on (like I did).

Christian Books That Are Worth Reading

     There's so many books in our Christian bookstores today, but as the Church goes downhill so do the books.  How do you know if a Christian book is truly worth reading (or any Christian teaching worth receiving)?  Here are some things that come to mind:

1. The book must be centered on God's Word
God's Word is truly worth reading, therefore an easy way to start is to see if the book is founded on and saturated with Scripture.
     This also means that the ideas in a book must be in complete accordance with God's Word.  Scripture is our authority, and if a book claims that the Bible defines something as good or true it must be accurate.  Building off of false truth means your foundation for Christianity is not solid.  The ideas must be in complete accordance with God's Word.  It can't just build off of one part of Scripture but off of Scripture as a whole.
     Here's an example:  God says in Matthew 7:7 to ask and He will give it to us.  Hebrews 6:18 says that it is impossible for God to lie.  Fact: God does not lie.  Someone could make a case for why God doesn't give us everything we ask for.  But to suggest that God goes against His Word would not be true, because God cannot lie.  If you dig deeper in Scripture you'll also find verses like, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith" (Matthew 21:22), "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:14), and, "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions" (James 4:3).  So in conclusion, yes, God promises to give us what we ask for, but we must take Scripture as a whole, and not in part.

2. The book should be about God - not you
Much of the teaching in today's Church is about how Christ/Christianity benefits someone, but not how one must "deny himself and take up his cross daily" to follow Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23).  It usually becomes obvious very soon in any book which point the author is coming from.   If they are coming from the point of how Christ or "Christianity" benefits you, then the book is going to be about you.  But if they come from the other perspective then they want to tell you all about who God is, and it will reflect the need to crucify the old-self with its passions and desires.

3. The book shouldn't satisfy you
The best Christian books I have ever read are those that got me so intrigued and excited about God and His Word that they inspired me to seek God more.  Those authors didn't claim to know all the answers to my questions, problems, or needs, but through their book they point me to God and His Word.  As a result I'm not only pointed to the One Who has every answer but I gain a deeper understanding of Who God is.  Those books don't leave me satisfied.  Instead they make me yearn to know God more deeply.  They point me to the One Who satisfies.

The Way We Reflect Jesus

     Perhaps the way we reflect Christ in our lives . . . His love, boldness, peace, joy, gentleness, and self-control (egkrateia) is the best picture or representation that God has of Himself upon this earth right now.

No pressure.  ;)

Only in the power of Christ is this possible . . .

"Egkrateia"

Egkrateia:  Translated often in the Bible as "temperance" or "self-control;" meaning "to have control of oneself."  Context in the Bible is not implying that I have control over myself, rather that there something or someone has a conquering type of control over my body and sin nature.  Small but important distinction.

"The Egkrateian Growl" is a a good sermon explaining the Biblical truths surrounding this topic.  Even the definition given above is not fully accurate, but perhaps it will help when I reference the word.

"My Soul is in the Midst of Lions"

     In the Psalms David always poured out his heart before the LORD (Psalm 62:8).  Whatever situations David was in, whether good or bad, he always turned to praise God.  The truth is that God is always good, always love, always perfect and holy, always patient, always just, always sovereign, always faithful, and always here with me.  Even if my circumstances aren't great God is still worthy to be praised.  So when I'm found in a desert place spiritually may my heart still sing, "Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Psalm 57  Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

I will cry unto God Most High; unto God that performeth all things for me.

He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and his truth.

My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth.

They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations.

For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds.

Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth.

(underline mine, KJV)