John Calvin on Self-Denial - Part IV

We will meet many difficulties as we try to dutifully seek the good of our neighbors. We won't make any headway in this regard unless we lay aside concern for ourselves -- indeed, unless we somehow lay aside our very self. For how, unless we forsake ourselves and commit ourselves wholly to others, can we bring forth those works that Paul identifies as love? "Love," he says, "is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on it's own way; it is not irritable;" and so on. That single command that we not insist on our own way -- with what force must we resist our own nature to pursue it. Our very nature inclines us to self-love. As a result, we don't easily deny ourselves or our desire in order to see the good of others. Even less are we willing to give up our right to something and give that right to another.

In order to lead us by the hand to such self-denial, Scripture warns us that whatever we have freely received from the Lord is given to us on the condition that it be used for the common good of the church.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)

The proper use, then, of all the good gifts we have received is the free and generous sharing of those gifts with others.

John Calvin on Self-Denial - Part III

The denial of ourselves is partly in reference to men and is partly--indeed, chiefly--in reference to God. Scripture orders us to live with men in such a way as to prefer their honor to our own and to devote ourselves in good faith to promoting their welfare (Rom.12:10).

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (Phil 2:2)

Thus it gives us commands that our souls are incapable of fulfilling unless our souls are emptied of their natural inclination. Each of us thinks we have just cause for elevating ourselves and despising all others in comparison to ourselves--our self-love ruins us with such blindness. If, in fact, God as gifted us with something that is good in itself, we immediately make it the basis for praising ourselves to such a degree that we not only swell up but almost burst with pride.

We carefully conceal our abundant vices from others--and we pretend they're small and insignificant. In fact, we so delude ourselves that we sometimes embrace our vices as virtues. When others possess gifts that we would admire in ourselves--or even better gifts--we spitefully ridicule and degrade their gifts, refusing to rightly acknowledge them as gifts. Similarly, when others possess vices, we're not content merely to point them out and harshly and sternly reproach them, but we wickedly exaggerate them. Thus our arrogance grows as we seek to exalt ourselves above others, as if we were different from them. Truly, there's no one who does not flippantly and boldly disregard and despise others as inferiors. Yes, the poor outwardly defer to the rich, common people to nobles, servants to masters, the unlearned to the educated. But there's not one who does not nourish a high opinion of himself within.

Calvin on Self-Denial - Part II

After a brief break, here is more from John Calvin. We left off with Calvin exhorting us to forget ourselves and our own interests:

Rather, we are God's. Therefore, let us live and die to Him. We are God's. Therefore, let His wisdom and His will govern all our actions. We are God's. Therefore, let us - in every way in all our lives - run to Him as our only proper end. How far has he progressed who's been taught that he is not his own - who's taken rule and dominion away from his own reason and entrusted them to God. For the plague of submitting to our own rule leads us straight to ruin, but the surest way to safety is neither to know nor to want anything on our own, but simply to follow the leading of the Lord.

Let then our first step be to abandon ourselves, that we may apply all our strength to obedience to God. When I say "obedience," I don't mean giving lip service to God; but rather, being free from the desire of the flesh, turning our minds over completely to the bidding of the Spirit of God. The philosophers are ignorant of this transformation (which Paul calls the "renewing of the mind") even though it constitutes the very beginning of life (Eph. 4:23). They enthrone man's reason alone as ruler, and they think it alone should be listened to. Indeed, they grant and entrust government of conduct to human reason alone. But Christian philosophy, on the other hand, orders human reason to give place - to submit and yield - the Holy Spirit. For it's not now we who live, but Christ who lives and reigns in us (Gal 2:20).

13 Reasons Why: Seasons 2 (Part 2)

I apologize. I thought this was a 4-part series but it is only two. Here is the second installment:

Season 2 of the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why was released last week. This series is based on a novel written by Jay Asher. After classmate and love interest, Hannah Baker, commits suicide, Clay Jensen is left reeling to understand why. He returns home from school to find a package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside, he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah. She tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life, and Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why.

What we know of season 2 thus far is that it will continue the story and do so using some of the same themes. It will depict lives full of secrets, poor decisions with grave consequences, sexual assault, violence, guns, substance abuse, and the on-going impact of suicide. It will also encourage a resurgence of curiosity in the first season.

People have very strong opinions regarding the benefit and potential harm of this series. Some argue it is beneficial to bring to light hard topics that face youth today and believe it encourages conversation on these important topics. Others argue it glamorizes the worst of teen culture and portrays rape, liberal sexuality, substance abuse, lies, and violence as normal in the lives of teens. Many families would find this far from normal, while for others, it may hit close to home. What I hope we all agree on is this: while it is good to encourage healthy conversations on tough topics, we also do not want our kids to accept as normal the culture this show describes, nor do we want their choices/decisions to mimic what might be seen there.

If there was anything positive in the message of the first season, it was that choices have consequences (at times, very serious ones) and that we all must take responsibility for our own actions. That, however, was not enough to sway the opinion of the National Association of School Psychologists. They acknowledge the potential for more harm than good by stating: “We do not recommend that vulnerable youth, especially those who have any degree of suicidal ideation, watch this series. Its powerful storytelling may lead impressionable viewers to romanticize the choices made by the characters and/or develop revenge fantasies.”

Should your child choose to watch the series or you choose to watch it with them, it is essential that you discuss the program together. Here are some of the themes, some obvious, and some not so obvious, that you may find in the series:

Partying, substance abuse, and liberal sexuality are portrayed as normal, common, and expected.

Lies, deceit, and secrets are commonplace and inevitable.

Powerful, suggestive scenarios depict life choices that were once off-limits (such as suicide, violence, revenge) as now possible for a young person.

Violence, sexual assault, bullying/ threatening behaviors and suicide are frequent topics (and this may contribute to the emotional struggles in more vulnerable kids).

Young people are depicted as the competent ones and must find solutions to problems amongst themselves.

Parents and other adults are seen as incompetent or incapable of handling the truth and are therefore kept in the dark.

Teen culture is characterized with a permeating sense of vanity and desperation.

There is no reason for hope; there is no reason to live or confidence expressed that life will get better beyond present sufferings.


These false messages must be exposed, discussed, and bridges built with young people. They need to know that if they open up to their parents or another competent adult, there is help and support and understanding. We can, and must, do a far better job of engaging young people on these topics than any TV show.

Regardless of what you think of the series, realize this: kids need reasons to live. They need to know that they can face hard things, even traumatic and insurmountable things, and get through them with God’s help. They need to have hope and know they are not alone. We can offer them that hope. We have someone even greater and more intimately involved in their struggles: their Creator and Savior. In my blog from season one, I offered a list from the Bible of 13 reasons why life is worth living. Use them to help kids connect the dots from God’s promises to their struggles. Show them that God knows what is going on in their lives—that he longs to interact with them personally and offers them an abundant, rich, hope-filled life. In fact, do this even if your kids aren’t watching 13 Reasons Why. It’s something we all need.

13 Reasons Why: Season 1 (Part 1)

I want to pause with thoughts from John Calvin on self-denial to share four blog posts from Julie Lowe on the Netflix series, 13 Reasons Why. This series explores teenage suicide and has been a topic of many conversations among teenagers and young adults. Here are Lowe's reflections on Season 1. She writes from a parent's perspective, but I think non-parents can benefit from her words, too. I usually do not use long blog posts like this and when I do use them, I link to them instead of posting the entire content. However, for the ease of email subscribers I will post the entire essay below. The link to the original post is here.

“Have we talked with our children this week about the delights of living more

than the disciplines of living? Have we inspired and guided them more

than we have corrected them?”

– V. Gilbert Beers

Many of you are familiar with a Netflix series that is capturing the attention of middle and high schoolers alike. 13 Reasons Why is based on a novel written by Jay Asher. After classmate and love interest, Hannah Baker, commits suicide, Clay Jensen is left reeling to understand why. He returns home from school to find a package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside, he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah. She tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why.

Clay becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah’s pain, and as he follows along with her taped words, he uncovers the people that impacted her decision—and their secrets. Clay is conflicted with guilt, confusion, and a desire to right the wrongs that have been committed.

The haunting question left for the living is this: “Did I kill Hannah Baker?” Guilt and shame quickly wreak havoc on a group of students whose lives are thrown together by the secrets they are each trying to hide. It ends with a heart break, some secrets being revealed, and some not. If there is anything positive in the message, it is that choices have consequences (at times, very serious ones) and that we all must take responsibility for our own actions.

However, this valid message is greatly overshadowed by the graphic brutality, sexuality and corruption that is displayed as fairly “normal” for kids this age. The program reflects the underlying themes present in many other teen dramas: licentiousness, do what feels good, look out for number one, recreational sex and drug use—all with little redemptive guidance in the drama that unfolds. Parents and other adults are depicted as incompetent, ill-informed people who interfere with what teenage reason knows to be the better way. And though these activities and beliefs may be normal for some adolescents, these programs create a distorted sense of what is typical for American teen culture and set a bad precedent for the average teen/preteen who is watching.

I could rail on the reasons this series should not be targeted to young people and the risks it creates for other youths to take steps similar to Hannah Baker. However, there is something valuable I took away from this story. It is this: Kids need reasons why they should live. They need to find meaning and identity in things that genuinely fulfill. They need hope. And they need to learn how to live.

Have we given our kids 13 reasons why life is worth living? Have we fostered conversations about hard topics? Have we convinced them that no subject is too hard for us to hear, no issue is off limits, and that we can handle even the most intimate details of their lives with genuine love and concern? We must be proactive and foster connections with our young people. When they are tempted to believe what we have to say is inconsequential or inadequate, we must work tirelessly to engage them, proving our value in their lives.

Let teens know they are not alone. Be proactive in addressing hard topics when they are young, before the issues even enter their world. Be a redemptive guide speaking into the corruption they will be forced to wade through. Let them know there is One who fights on their behalf.

Here are 13 reasons you can give your children for why life is worth living:

1. You are not alone. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

2. You have value. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” “Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.” (1 Peter 2:9; Matthew 10:31)

3. God cares about your tears. “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

4. You can find help. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Psalm 46:1; Hebrews 4:15-16)

5. Your life has purpose. “I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

6. What you are going through is temporary. “Do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

7. There is a good way forward, even when life is hard. “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

8. You are more than your outward appearance. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

9. You cannot imagine what good lies in store for you. “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man—the things which God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

10. You will not always feel this way. “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9; Psalm 30:5)

11. You are greatly loved. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” “How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” (Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 3:18)

12. You will not be put to shame. “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For he himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Isaiah 54:4; Hebrews 13:5-6)

13. God is up to good in your life. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28)

As parents, live out these 13 reasons yourself! When you talk with your kids, put these reasons into your own words, adorned with your life experience and theirs. And, as appropriate, point them to Scripture where God gives these reasons. Help them to connect the dots from God’s promises to their struggles. The goal is not to quote Scripture at our kids, but to bring truth to life in relevant words and actions. We want to help them see that the Bible speaks of far more than correction and rules. It speaks of life and freedom and personal relationship with a God who knows what is going on in their lives. The challenge is to winsomely and convincingly speak such truths into their experiences. And, when God is present, you will find that there are far more than 13 reasons life is worth living. So keep looking and listening to our living, loving God!

This is part one of a two part series: Part 2

Calvin on Self-Denial: Part I

John Calvin in his Institutes wrote about the Christian life. From his writings, I will be sharing his thoughts on self-denial. Here is how he introduces the subject:

The law of the Lord is the best and most suitable instruction for the proper ordering of our lives. Nevertheless, it seemed good to our heavenly teacher to conform us by an even more precise rule than what's given in the precepts of the law. This is the sum of that rule: It is the duty of believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. And in this consists genuine worship of Him. From this rule is derived the exhortation that believers not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of their minds, so that by testing they may discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

This is a marvelous thing -- we are consecrated and dedicated to God to the end that we might not think, speak, meditate, or act unless it be to His glory. The sacred can't be put to profane use without injustice to God.

If we are no our own but the Lord's, it's clear what errors we must flee, and what we must direct our whole lives toward. We are not our own; therefore, neither our reason nor our will should dominate our plans and actions. We are not our own; therefore, let us not make the gratification of our flesh our end. We are not our own; therefore, as much as possible, let us forget ourselves and our own interests.

Costly Grace

In contrast to cheap grace, Bonhoeffer defines costly grace:

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God....

Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." [Matthew 11:30]

Remember, all you have, all the goodness in your life, every breath you have...came at a great cost. Appreciate what has been given to you and let it make a difference in this life, not just the one to come.

Cheap Grace

Continuing a bit with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we will look at one of his best known themes or principles - cheap grace/costly grace. From The Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer writes the following:

Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting to-day for costly grace....Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine, a principle, a system. It means forgiveness of sins proclaimed as a general truth, the love of God taught as the Christian "conception" of God. An intellectual assent to that idea is held to be of itself sufficient to secure remission of sins. The church which holds the correct doctrine of grace has, it is supposed, ipso facto a part in that grace. In such a Church the world finds a cheap covering for its sins; no contrition is required, still less any real desire to be delivered from sin. Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God.

Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything, they say, and so everything can remain as it was before.

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross [and suffering], grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

If this is "cheap grace" what is the anti-thesis? Costly grace. More on that tomorrow.

Who am I?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German minister who resisted Nazi oppression, wrote his famous work, The Cost of Discipleship, in 1937.

In 1945, the year he was executed for treason, he wrote the poem, "Who Am I?" It portrays a man who struggles with the flesh and the spirit. One day he gave expression to this conflict in his soul in this moving poem written from his prison cell:

Who am I? They often tell me
I stepped from my cell's confinement
calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
like a Squire from his country house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I used to speak to my warders
freely and friendly and clearly,
as though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I bore the days of misfortune
equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I myself know of myself?
Restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
struggling for breath, as though hands were
    compressing my throat,
yearning for colours, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
thirsting for words of kindness, for neighborliness,
tossing in expectation of great events,
powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
faint, and ready to say farewell to it all.

Who am I? This or the Other?
Am I one person to-day and to-morrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
and before myself a contemptible woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army
fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of
mine.
Whoever I am. Thou knowest, O God, I am thine!

Proverbs 3:1-8

One of my favorite passages that puts life into perspective:

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

And one of my favorite songs.

Welcome Home

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. - Robert Frost

Welcome home, Ryan.

Our Emotions and the Lord - Final Thoughts

God hears and cares

Alasdair Graves offers some final thoughts on the top to close this series on emotions:

Like the psalmist, you can come to God with a raw heart and lay your burdens before him (Matt 11:28–30). He will receive you in your pain and walk with you. When your emotions feel overwhelming, turn toward God and put those feelings into words. You will be heard by the God who hears. And when you don’t have words, read Psalm 22 and ask God for help. Know that when you do, you will find your father in heaven feels great joy for the opportunity to embrace a child he loves.

Our Emotions and the Lord - Part III

Bring Your Emotions to God

At this point, you might be wondering, “But what does it actually look like to bring our emotions to God?” Let me give you an example from a passage that has been especially powerful for me.

Look at Psalm 22:1. My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Here is a man in deep distress. He is in trouble and groaning. Worse, he is also alone and abandoned. Stop for a moment and consider the nature and intensity of emotions he’d have to be experiencing to write something like that. Panicky fear. Deeply confusing disappointment. A shocking sense of betrayal. Tangible grief.

Now look at what this man does with these painful emotional experiences: he takes them to God. He is apparently free to engage God—with loud cries no less—even about being abandoned by God. He calls this God, from whom he feels so distant, “My God,” and speaks directly to him, not about him in the abstract. “Why have you forsaken… Why are you so far?”

Of course we know from other passages that God will never leave or forsake his people— the psalmist’s feelings in this moment are not the whole story. The psalmist knows that, too, because the psalm ends with an affirmation of God’s faithfulness. Yet this psalm and many like it come to us without a swarm of footnotes about how God hasn’t really abandoned us. And, importantly, this psalm doesn’t direct this person (or us) to ignore his feelings because they don’t reflect the truth about God. Instead, we are shown a path that forges endlessly toward God, even through the center of emotional storms.

Our Emotions and the Lord - Part II

Understand your emotions

If you are surprised to hear that God actually wants you to draw near to him when you feel like you are an emotional mess, remember this: the Bible views emotions as fundamentally good. How do I know this? Because we are image bearers of God and he has emotions. His joy, hate, wrath, compassion, jealousy and love are the model for ours.

We are more than computers cataloging facts. He made us both to “taste and see that the Lord is good” and to “hate what is evil.” He commands us to “rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn” because he is a God who is moved by his children (eg., Hosea 11:8), a God who commands feasts and celebrations in Israel’s law (e.g., Lev. 23), a God who weeps at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11).

God doesn’t call us to avoid or squash our emotions (as Christians often suppose). Neither does he call us to embrace them unconditionally (as our culture often urges). Rather, he calls us to engage them by bringing our emotions to him and to his people. I like the word engage because it doesn’t make a premature assumption about whether the emotion is right or wrong, or how it might need to change. Instead it highlights what the Bible highlights: our emotions (good and bad) are meant to reveal the countless ways we need God.

Our emotions invite us to see the world as God sees it—both broken and beautiful—rejoicing where he is redeeming it and yearning for the full redemption that is yet to come. Only in the safety of his strength and patience can we face our visceral reactions, name them honestly, and talk about them with God and others.

Our Emotions and the Lord - Part I

Continuing with our theme of emotions, the next few posts are from an essay by Alasdair Graves. In this first part, Graves introduces how emotions are addressed in the Scriptures.

What does the Bible have to say about emotions? The Bible doesn’t talk about emotions quite the way we do. We’d like Romans to lay out a theology of emotions, or Proverbs to include a section beginning “Here are six ways to manage your feelings, seven to feel as you should…,”but they’re not there. However, Scripture frequently does exhort us to feel certain things and not to feel others. We are to consider our trials joy (James 1:2). We are to put off rage and bitterness (Eph. 4:31). We are to have compassion for each other (1 Peter 3:8). We are to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Deut. 6:5).

I’ve spent a great deal of time reflecting on God’s call to us to have a whole array of emotional responses to his world, from awe-filled delight (e.g., Ps. 8) to vehement hatred (e.g., Ps. 139:21–23). How can we live up to this? Does God expect us to have perfect, instantaneous control over our emotions? No. God does not stand at a distance and command emotions we can never fully attain. Instead, he meets us with countless mercies, transforming our hearts and character, which always influences our emotions.

Throughout the Bible God continually encourages, comforts, convicts and reorients us. Instead of handing us a manual on emotional self-transformation, he patiently and tenderly invites us to simply come to him with all our feelings. This makes our emotions one of the premier opportunities to deepen our relationship with him!

Tomorrow, we'll explore ways to better understand our emotions from God's perspective.

Psalm 40

In yesterday's post, we left David in his confusion, fear, and anguish before a holy God. Later in Psalm 22, David - despite his emotions - expresses his trust in God. He expresses this trust at the end of Psalm 22, but instead I chose Psalm 40 to convey this trust; it's the same sentiment, but I just love the way David expresses his trust in God in these verses.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.

Psalm 22

Here is another passage from David expressing anguish and looking to God for answers:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day,
but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises[a] of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb you have been my God.
Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.

Ever feel like this? Tomorrow we'll see how David resolves these feelings of trouble, fear, and pain.

Psalm 13

How should we talk to God when it comes to our emotions? How do we express fear, anger, frustration, and hopelessness to our God? As believers, should we even experience these emotions? Shouldn't we have control over these emotions...have "victory" over them? The Bible shows us that even those who are filled with His Spirit struggle with emotions. King David - a man after God's own heart - expressed his emotions to God and not always with restraint. This week, I'll have a few posts on this topic, but I wanted to start with Psalm 13.

David speaks plainly - to say the least - to the Lord:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;
light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord,
because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Living for Jesus

This is another Puritan prayer and devotion on being grateful for God's grace.

O Saviour of sinners,
Thy name is excellent,
  thy glory high,
  thy compassions unfailing,
  thy condescension wonderful,
  thy mercy tender.
I bless thee for the discoveries, invitations,
  promises of the gospel
 for in them is pardon for rebels,
  liberty for captives,
  health for the sick,
  salvation for the lost.
I come to thee in thy beloved name of Jesus;
 re-impress me thy image upon my soul;
Raise me above the smiles and frowns of the world,
 regarding it as a light thing to be judged by men;
May thy approbation be my only aim,
 thy Word my one rule.

Assurance of Salvation

In the Christian life, we can sometimes come to a point when we think that we are beyond God's love and eternal care. The following is a beautiful Puritan prayer that provides assurance of eternal life.

I am loved with everlasting love,
clothed in eternal righteousness,

  my peace flowing like a river,

  my comforts many and large,

  my joy and triumph unutterable,

  my soul lively with a knowledge of salvation,

  my sense of justification unclouded.

I have scarce anything to pray for;

Jesus smiles upon my soul as a ray of heaven

  and my supplications are swallowed up in praise.

How sweet is the glorious doctrine of election

  when based upon thy Word

  and wrought inwardly within the soul!

I bless thee that thou wilt keep the sinner

  thou has loved,

 and hast engaged that he will not forsake thee,

 else I would never get to heaven.

I wrong the work of grace in my heart

 if I deny my new nature and my eternal life.

Discontent and Gratitude - Part III

To close this set of posts, Julie Lowe recommends two additional ways that we can foster a sense of gratitude in ourselves and in exhortation to others.

Expression. "Give voice to what is good and lovely in your life. Remind yourself and speak it out loud to others. Write it down; thank someone. The more we...express appreciation and gratitude, the more it takes root and deepens....[and] see what is good and... outwardly name it."

Service. "There is immense benefit to focusing on the needs of others. We all need to see the world outside of ourselves—a world that needs our care. To find satisfaction in caring well for others is deeply rewarding. It is loving others in ways that image Christ and makes him known. There are multitudes of ways to serve. To bring gifts, offer your time, or engage in acts of service (such as babysitting, yard work, an unexpected meal) to the disabled, elderly, disadvantaged, lonely, homeless, or overwhelmed parent serves Christ but also generates gratitude for what you already have. An awareness that others live with far less materially, and sometimes with far more suffering, brings greater perspective and remembering of what we do have."

If discontent starts to settle into your life, repent, come back to these posts, and remind yourself of how to be thankful to God for his care and provisions in your life.

Discontent and Gratitude - Part II

This post is a continuation from Julie Lowes' essay. In some places I added a few words of my own, but most of the post is from her. Here are her recommendations for facilitating gratitude:

Perspective. "Life is about who God is, not what we own. His presence is always the answer to every need, every fear, every suffering. This is true not because it removes the challenges of life or gives us what we want, but because it gives us perspective." When we are tempted to turn to other things to address life's problems and challenges, we are essentially saying, "God is not enough." If we believe that God is not enough, then gratitude slips away and discontent settles in.

Remembering. "[Nurture and practice] a regular ability to look for and notice good things, to value them. Psalm 77:11 is one of a multitude of passages that call us to remember the deeds God has done. The practice of looking for and treasuring the good in everyday life deepens the pleasure in what we already have. It reminds us that God is our provision and has provided for our every need. This kind of gratitude is invaluable.

"Remembering can be done in a variety of ways: lists, journaling, creative expressive exercises, memory boxes, gratitude jars, etc. Gratitude itself is not the end goal, but we aspire to gratitude that points to the Lord, our Provider. He is enough. He is our source of contentment, pleasure, satisfaction. All else is icing on the cake."

Tomorrow, we'll wrap up this series with two more recommendations.

Discontent and Gratitude - Part 1

The next few posts will be on gratitude and how to cultivate within ourselves and our families. Admittedly, I have a hard time expressing gratitude and being content with life. I this series will help me, too. These posts are from an essay by Julie Lowe from CCEF. She sets out with two thoughts:

First, our society cultivates discontentment. Consistently, we hear a message of want. Mass media, advertising, and holiday seasons all capitalize on the misconception of necessity and the hungering for more. There are quite literally thousands of images, commercials, and marketing ploys that are meant to create a sense of need. I “need” this new phone to be satisfied, or this new product to be fulfilled. Advertising develops a feeling of deficiency within us. It seeks to convince us that without the latest beauty product, invention or gadget, we are lacking. In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul rebuffs this message by challenging us to be content in any circumstance—in plenty or in want.

Second, discontentment is easily triggered in us because we have an underlying sense of entitlement. We believe that we are inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. I deserve that new electronic device, or that vacation, or peace and quiet when I come home after working all day. Entitlement justifies whatever self-focused response pours out of my mouth or actions. Entitled desires quickly become demands that excuse putting myself first and the needs of others last (if at all). These things, no matter how much I desire them, are not innate human rights but wants that have risen to a level of necessity in our hearts and minds. In contrast, Scripture tells us that our goal is not to look for what we deserve but to be poured out as an offering to others (Philippians 2:17). We are to “walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2).

Recall yesterday's Bible verse. Putting off discontentment requires us to put others first.

John 15:12-13

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."