Monthly Archives: May 2010
Crazy Love by Francis Chan
Westminster Shorter Catechism – Q3
Q. 3. What do the Scriptures principally teach?
A. The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God,[5] and what duty God requires of man.[6]
5: Genesis 1:1; John 5:39; John 20:31; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:15
6: Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:105; Micah 6:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Sight Walking Faith
Of sight walking faith
Instead of believing the Lover of my soul
I believe the one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy
I surrender certain victory in Christ
For continuous daily defeat
I swap the strength of the Lord
For my weakness
I exchange the truth of God
For a lie
I trade the peace of God that passes all understanding
For worry, anxiety and stress
I substitute praying to God in faith
With meditating on my problems
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 18, 2010
Grace Expectations
Have you ever noticed that expectations…both great and small…can be a huge source for unhappiness and discontentment? Discontentment with family, friends, work, home and church to name a few.
After running smack dab into the wall of expectations…I think perhaps there’s a better way.
That’s not to say we should do away with expectations all together. It’s reasonable and even godly to expect our spouse to be faithful and fulfill wedding vows. It’s reasonable for parents to expect a child to be obedient and respectful. It’s reasonable…but goodness knows it doesn’t always happen.
I don’t think having low expectations is good thing. God doesn’t have low expectations of us. He commands our love and requires our obedience and there are consequences when we fail. God’s expectations, unlike ours, are not motivated out of sin or selfishness.
Sometimes we’ll say we have no expectations in an effort to spare ourselves the hurt and disappointment that we feel when other people or circumstances fall short of our expectations.
So what’s a better way? I believe that God is challenging me…to run my expectations through the grid of His will. Is what I’m expecting in line with God’s will for the people and circumstances in my life? When it is, then I can freely and boldly bring my requests to God in prayer.
That’s not to say that God will impose His will upon each person and that everything will turn out the way I want. But it means that I can pray with confidence.
When my expectations don’t line up with God’s will…it’s often because my expectations are motivated out of selfishness, fear or wanting to be in control.
When others fall short…and circumstances don’t measure up to my expectations…it’s imperative that I deal with people graciously. God has been gracious and merciful to me. I’m also motivated to be gracious because I’m well aware of my own sinful nature and past failures.
Perhaps the key is to have “grace expectations”. Expectations that line up with God’s will and grace given generously to those who fall short.
The Power of Praise
It’s through praise and worship
I’m ushered into Your presence Lord Jesus
When I glorify Your holy Name
Life comes into perspective
As Your power and strength are manifest
My problems and concerns diminish
The One who is mighty to save
Is able to deliver me from all my afflictions
The cares of this world fade away
As I behold Your glory
It’s through the power of praise and worship my soul is strengthened
My heart and mind are stayed on Thee
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
May 11, 2010
Westminster Shorter Catechism – Q2
A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments,[3] is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.[4]
3: Matthew 19:4-5; Genesis 2:24; Luke 24:27, 44; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Peter 3:2, 15-16
4: Deuteronomy 4:2; Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 8:20; John 15:11; John 20:30-31; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; and 1 John 1:4