August 1 Reading: 2 Corinthians 2

“so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” – 2 Corinthians 2:11

Church family, DO NOT be “outwitted” by Satan. His design is to devour us. Satan loves to use our unforgiving attitudes to destroy the church. Forgive one another as Christ has abundantly forgiven us.

George Whitefield, a prominent traveling preacher during colonial America, provides this understanding: “Satan wants the church to be unforgiving and to be the vehicle that drives the repentant sinner to despair, thereby representing you, the church, as being merciless and cruel, and to cause the Holy Name of Christ to be blasphemed, by which you are called; "for we are not unaware of his schemes:" we know very well how many subtle ways Satan has to distract and deceive unguarded and unthinking men.” [“Satan’s Schemes” available www.biblebb.com]

Father, don’t let Satan use us. Keep us forgiving one another as Christ forgave us.

August 2 Reading: 2 Corinthians 3

“who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Cor. 3:6

Martin Luther (1483-1546), the Protestant Reformer, comments saying, “human thought goes no farther than the Law and the Ten Commandments [the letter]. Laying hold upon these it confines itself to them. It does not attempt to do more, being governed by the principle that unto him who fulfils the demands of the Law, or commandments, God is gracious. Reason knows nothing about the wretchedness of depraved nature. It does not recognize the fact that no man is able to keep God’s commandments; that all are under sin and condemnation; and that the only way whereby help could be received was for God to give his Son for the world, ordaining another ministration, one through which grace and reconciliation might be proclaimed to us.” [“The Twofold Use of the Law & Gospel:” online ccel.org]

We are ministers of a new covenant that works; one that doesn’t bring condemnation but brings “life.”

Spirit, help us to be faithful ministers of this new covenant. Help us to show all people that you cannot be saved by works, but only by grace through faith.

August 3 Reading: 2 Corinthians 4

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 4:6

Every morning, God testifies to us the grace we have received. Every morning, when the sun shimmers through the cracks in our window blinds, we get a reminder that God has given us the opportunity to behold His glory “in the face of Jesus Christ.” Don’t grow complacent church. See every morning God’s new mercy; mercy that filled our hearts with the knowledge of God.

The great pastor C. H. Spurgeon preached this verse on September 1, 1879, and exhorted: “What, then, has happened to us? To eternal Grace be endless praise! God Himself has shined into our hearts—that same God who said, “Light be,” and light was, has shined into our hearts! You know creation’s story, how all things lay in black darkness? God might have gone on to make a world in darkness if he had pleased, but if he had done so, it would have been to us as though it had never been, for we could not have perceived it. Therefore He early said, “Let there be light.” Now, God’s Glory in the face of Jesus Christ might have been all there and we should never have discerned it— and as far as we are concerned it would have been as though it had never been if the Lord had not entered into us and the thick darkness and said, “Let there be light.”” [THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST NO. 1493 online spurgeongems.com]

Father, thank you for the light. Shine in our hearts daily. Show us JESUS!

August 4 Reading: 2 Corinthians 5

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

“God making his appeal through us.” This is why preaching is important. Every Sunday when we gather to hear the Word preached, God is making his appeal. As pastor and scholar Russell Moore states: When the preacher brings to the people an accurate and passionate rendering of the Word of God, the Spirit of Jesus is there, applying the Word to the hearers. The act of preaching then carries with it, if it is biblically faithful gospel preaching, the authority of Jesus himself. That’s the difference between the act of preaching and the act of lecture delivery – the difference between “Thus saith the Lord’ and ‘It seems to me.’” [Adopted for Life. Crossway, 2009, p. 170]

Spirit, Speak O Lord through the preaching of Your Word. May we hear and obey.

August 5 Reading: 2 Corinthians 6

“as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing…” 2 Corinthians 6:10a

The Christian life is full of seemingly contradictions: blessed but broken; died to live; poor but rich. These are seemingly contradictions because the greatness of the gospel draws the believer to meekness. This is how we can minister “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.”

Jonathan Edwards (the pastor who God used to spark the first Great Awakening Revival in America) captured this idea more than anyone. He writes: All gracious affections that are a sweet odor to Christ, and that ill the soul of a Christian with a heavenly sweetness and fragrancy, are brokenhearted affections. A truly Christian love, either to God or men, is a humble brokenhearted love. The desires of the saints, however earnest, are humble desires: their hope is a humble hope; and their joy, even when it is unspeakable, and full of glory, is a humble brokenhearted joy, and leaves the Christian more poor in spirit, and more like a little child, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behavior. [Religious Affections, p. 348-349]

Father, through our sorrows, may we still rejoice!

August 8 Reading: 2 Corinthians 7

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

2 Corinthians 7:1

This verse is crucial in understanding the doctrine of progressive sanctification or more plainly God making us like Jesus. Since God has promised to make us a holy church, we therefore by the Spirit, daily cleanse ourselves to live holy before God.

How is this done? Biblical Counselor Paul David Tripp rightly answers, “What are the means that God employs to sanctify his children? The three that are most prominent in the New Testament are the Word of God, God’s providence, and the edifying ministry of the body of Christ.” He then applies it to how we should counsel believers, “Counseling is the ministry of the Word from believer to believer in the context of what God is doing in a person’s situation. Biblical counseling at once recognizes the Word’s authority, God’s sovereignty over circumstances, and the body of Christ’s call to person-to-person ministry.” [IRH, p.326]

Spirit of Christ, use the Word, our circumstances, and this church to make us holy

August 9 Reading: 2 Corinthians 8

“and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” 2 Corinthians 8:5

The Macedonian church’s giving emanated from their love for God to the starving Jerusalem church (8:1). In other words, they gave first to God (through worship) leading them to give abundantly. They knew that all their stuff belongs to God, they were stewards, and that they love HIM MORE THAN STUFF!

Writer and Pastor Ligon Duncan exhorts, “The one thing in this world that perhaps tempts more people than any other to trust in it is “stuff”— material possessions, financial resources. We are tempted to find our security in them…We need to learn how to use the stuff wisely, but not to love the stuff like we love God. In giving in worship, we are literally practicing that week by week. As we give week by week, we’re saying ‘Lord, we love You more than the stuff. That’s why I’m giving some of the stuff away. All the stuff comes from You; You own it; I’m just Your steward. But I love You a lot more than I love the stuff, and even if You took all the stuff away from me, I’d still love You.’ [“What the Bible Says About Christian Giving” fpcjackson.org]

Father, May our giving flow from a heart of worship!

August 10 Reading: 2 Corinthians 9

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7

Author Donald Whitney provides a helpful illustration for this verse: Suppose I came to Caffy [his wife] on Valentine’s Day and pulled out from behind my back a dozen of her favorite yellow roses and said, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” And she says, “Oh, they’re beautiful! Thank you! You shouldn’t have spent so much money.” I respond neutrally to her joy with, “Don’t mention it. Today is Valentine’s Day and as your husband it’s my duty to get a gift for you.” How do you think she’d feel? Probably like sticking every rose up my nose, thorns and all! Now suppose I do the same thing but say instead, “There’s nothing I’d rather do with my money than use it for you because I love you so much.” Same money. Same gift. But one gift is motivated by law, the other by love. And it makes all the difference in the world. [Spiritual Disciplines for a Godly Life. Navpress, 1991, p.147-148]

Father, teach us to give abundantly from a heart filled with Your love.

August 11 Reading: 2 Corinthians 10

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5

The church today is faced with many fundamental false teachings that threaten the church’s mission. Many so-called churches can espouse teachings contrary to sound doctrine more rapidly because of the increase access to the internet and availability of television. The church has to be on guard to “destroy” these false teachings.

“Without sound doctrine,” states John MacArthur, “you will not be able to protect your own heart from the many doctrinal errors that exist today. But looking to the Scripture (as your ultimate authority) for a right view of God and a right view of the gospel, you can safeguard your mind.” [Fool’s Gold? Crossway, 2005, p. 193-194]

There are three fundamental areas as a church we must hold with a tightly closed fist: The Bible, God, and the gospel.

Teach us, O Lord, to follow Christ who is the only way, truth, and life.

August 12 Reading: 2 Corinthians 11

“Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 2 Cor 11:29-30

It is easy to read of Paul’s struggles and stand amazed (11:23-27). However, that is NOT how the Roman would have understood his testimony. They would have viewed him as a weak fool.

Scholar D.A. Carson explains, “We must not read this with Western Christian eyes as an exciting saga of endurance under pressure. We read Paul’s sufferings and admire his faithfulness and steadfastness, his conformity to the Christ who went to the cross. But his opponents would see all these boasts as signs of weakness and even stupidity: he does not even have enough sense to keep himself out of trouble. But Paul is determined to invert human boasting; he will boast about the things that display his weakness…In what ways do you boast of your weakness?” [For the Love of God. September 22 reading]

Our weakness displays Christ’s power in us. It pictures the nature of the gospel that we are dependent on Christ for everything.

We need you, Christ our Lord, to make us humble.

August 15 Reading: 2 Corinthians 12

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven – whether in the body of out of the body I do not know. God knows.” 2 Cor. 12:2

This is a difficult passage, so I will attempt to break it down. First, the “man in Christ” is Paul. He is speaking of himself to downplay the vision and keep from boasting.

Second, the boasting of “visions” (12:1) is to repudiate the claims of the false teachers in the church that were boasting about visions. Paul in essence is saying that visions are nothing to boast about, for I have even had them and they’re not that helpful.

Third, the third heaven mentioned is not a different area of paradise, but rather a common reference to where God resides. The first heaven would be the sky. The second heaven would be space, and the third heaven God’s paradise.

The exhortation Paul is giving is to find contentment in Christ and His Word over visions. When we hear stories about people visiting heaven (or hell) after (usually) a near death experience, we should NOT rejoice in the story, but in the Scripture, which is MORE accurate.

Keep Carver passionate about Your Word. May it be our guide and source of joy!

August 16 Reading: 2 Corinthians 13

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14

Dear Triune God, I rejoice that you are beyond my comprehension. I celebrate that you are mysterious and no image can be fashioned in your likeness because You are above all imagination.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your grace - a grace that that chose to leave the joys of heaven and live a lowly life in order that God will be with us. Thank you for grace that saved our wretched souls by taking ALL our sin and nailing it to a cross.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love - Your steadfast love that is with this church - a love that planned our rescue in order that we may be your children.

Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for filling us – being our helper in times of need – being our comforter when we hurt – praying with groaning to deep for words.

So may your grace, Jesus…your love, God…and your fellowship, Spirit be with us!

August 17 Reading: Galatians 1

“who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” Galatians 1:4

Martin Luther commenting on this verse said: “When the devil accuses us and says, ‘You are a sinner and therefore damned,’ we should answer, ‘Because you say I am a sinner, I will be righteous and saved.’ ‘No,’ says the devil, ‘you will be damned.’ And I reply, ‘No, for I fly to Christ, who gave himself for my sins. Satan, you will not prevail against me when you try to terrify me by setting forth the greatness of my sins and try to bring me into heaviness, distrust, despair, hatred, contempt and blasphemy against God. On the contrary, when you say I am a sinner, you give me armor and weapons against yourself, so that with your own sword I may cut your throat and tread you under my feet, for Christ died for sinners. . . . As often as you object that I am a sinner, so often you remind me of the benefit of Christ my Redeemer, on whose shoulders, and not on mine, lie all my sins. So when you say I am a sinner, you do not terrify me but comfort me immeasurably.’”

Church, heed this exhortation! When Satan comes down to remind you of your sin, rejoice that it is a reminder of Christ’s completed work

Remind your Church, O Our God, Show us Your completed work!

August 18 Reading: Galatians 2

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

I LOVE Charles Spurgeon’s summary of this passage:

“Christ first, me last—nothing between but love.”

Those words are very sweet to me. I read them somewhere and they cling to my memory. “Who loved me,” the first word is, “who.” The last word is, “me,” and there is “nothing between but love.” Oh, that is a blessed position for anyone to be in! Christ shall be first—I will be glad to be anywhere, to be nothing, to be last—so long as there shall be this sweet link of love between my soul and my Savior—“Who loved me and gave Himself for me.”[Sermon #2370 online spurgeongems.com]

Christ, be first at Carver! May we seek you first in all that we do!

August 19 Reading: Galatians 3

“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." Galatians 3:11

How are we confident that we (or someone else) are saved? It is “evident” of a life living by faith – daily walk with God mortifying our former sinful desires.

I like how John Calvin applies Galatians 3:11 to the Christian life:

“Let us, therefore, learn the following lesson: the more a man fears God, the more he will be ashamed of his sin. Consciousness of sin is not something that should last for a mere three or four months — we ought to detest our sins for the rest of our lives. After all, let us remember that the mouth of hell is open, ready to swallow us up unless God supplies the grace we need so desperately and plucks us out of the pit of death. This is why it is written that ‘the just shall live by faith’ — not as a doctrine that applies for three or four months only; nor is it written for those whose lives are less holy than others. God addresses these words even to the very noblest amongst us.” [sermon “We All Stand Condemned by the Law” online reformationfiles.com]

Sanctify us Spirit, keep us living daily by faith – a faith that hates sin

August 22 Reading: Galatians 4

“to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” 4:5

J.I. Packer in the Christian classic, Knowing God, commented that if he were asked to summarize the entire New Testament in three words, it would be “adoption through propitiation” (p.214) meaning that we become children of God through Christ’s sacrifice taking God’s wrath and giving us God’s favor forever. I wholly agree! Packer is right on.

If you are suffering or want to help someone suffering, take them to the doctrine of adoption. Spend your entire life soaking in the great cost, exchange, and benefit of Christ rescuing us into God’s family calling us in essence brothers and sisters. As J.I. Packer further explains, “The adopted status of believers means that in and through Christ God loves them as he loves his only-begotten Son and will share with them all the glory that is Christ’s now” [Concise Theology. Tyndale, 1993, p.167].

CHURCH, please meditate on that gem. God loves you as He loves Jesus. As God’s child God looks at you and says, “I am well pleased!”

Father, thank you for adopting us through the propitiation of Christ.

August 23 Reading: Galatians 5

“But I say, walk by the Sprit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” 5:16

“We should be led by the Spirit even though the sinful nature doesn’t like it. When you feel this conflict, go with the Spirit.” These wise words from author Tim Chester need our attention. He further explains:

It’s as simple as that. Often I get nervous as I entrust young Christians to the Spirit’s promptings. I’m not sure it’s good enough. I want to give them some rules or wall them in. But that’s legalism…Some ethical issues are complicated, but most of the time it’s clear what’s wrong (“sexual immorality, impurity,” and so on) and what’s right (“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”). Love is the summary of it all (v.14). The Christian life is not as complicated as we sometimes make it. Only two commands matter: to love God and to love others. Everything else is there simply to flesh out what this love involves. The Spirit gives us a desire to love and opposes our selfish desires. [You Can Change. Crossway, 2010, p. 52-53]

Spirit, may we walk daily with you. Show us how to live, talk, and walk like Jesus.

August 24 Reading: Galatians 6

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.” Gal. 6:18

Paul begins and ends this letter with the same prayer wish; that the Galatia church would be covered in the grace of God.  Grace according to the Scriptures means God’s favor based on His steadfast love to those who do NOT deserve favor. Therefore, when Paul prays for God’s grace in their lives, he is asking the Spirit to humbly amaze the church to see God’s continued blessings. He is praying that they would not grow complacent, but see and experience God’s favor.

We see this truth in verse 18. Paul first says “our Lord Jesus Christ” providing assurance that they are children of God (thus the true children of Abraham). He further calls them “brothers and sisters” (“brothers” in this context means the faith family) signifying that they are genuinely a part of God’s family. Paul concludes by saying, “Amen.” This does not mean that he is saying a formal statement so everyone will know that he is done. He is declaring his desire that everything he has written in the letter will be confirmed in their lives.

Give us Grace Lord. Amaze us with Your favor in our lives.

August 25 Reading: Ephesians 1

“as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” Ephesians 1:10

“Do not think that salvation comes to sinners because God has a cosmic purpose for the universe and individual sinners happen to be a part of that universe,” says Pastor Kevin DeYoung. “The movement of salvation is not from everything to individuals, but from individuals to everything…The creation is waiting to experience the freedom and glory we already experience as the children of God. The next time you are tempted to feel sorry for yourself, or feel unappreciated, or imagine yourself ignored by God, remember: In Christ, you have what the universe is after. [“The Cosmic Gospel and the Cross Gospel” online thegospelcoalition.org/blog/kevindeyoung]

Church, God has a plan. You are in and a part of that plan. He is going to restore all things according to His timetable. Do not fret. He is in control. For now we suffer, but we suffer WITH CHRIST.

Father, keep Carver hungry for Christ to return AND rejoicing in Your promises.

August 26 Reading: Ephesians 2

“even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:5

There is no simpler description of Christ’s work than Ephesians. Paul simply states, you were dead and Christ made you alive. This is a cause for celebration, but to truly celebrate, we must understand fully what our “deadness” entailed.

Pastor John Piper is wonderfully helpful when stating, “This is one of the terrible things about spiritual deadness. Our deadness is not unresponsive to the devil. It is perfectly in tune with the devil. Look at the way Paul describes our deadness in Ephesians 2:1–2: “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” In other words, the mark of unregenerate persons is that their desires and choices “accord with” the prince of the power of the air. The unregenerate may scoff at the very idea of a devil. And of course, nothing is more in line with the father of lies than the denial that he exists. [Finally Alive. Christian Focus 2009, p. 57]

We are alive, thank you God, thank you for changing our response to the Devil.

August 29 Reading: Ephesians 3

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think” Ephesians 3:20

C. H. Spurgeon meditates on this verse saying, “Not above some things that we ask, but all. Not above some of our dimmer conceptions, our lower thoughts, but above all that we think. Now just put together all that you have ever asked for. Heap it up, and then pile upon the top thereof all that you have ever thought of concerning the riches of divine grace. What a mountain!...High as this pyramid of prayers and contemplations may be piled, God’s ability to bless is higher still.” [The Treasury of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, 1950), III:419.]

O Church, Heed these words! May this change your prayer life! May we pray with such passion understanding that God’s love is abundant. In those times that you think God is silent, remember, HE IS DOING FAR MORE FOR HIS CHURCH.

I REJOICE, O OUR GOD, that even this simple prayer will stretch farther than I can imagine. Change our passion as a church when we pray.

August 30 Reading: Ephesians 4

“Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” Eph 4:17

Jesus explained clearly that we must love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength – or more succinctly; COMPLETELY. We are changed from the inward out.

In this verse, Paul intricately weaves the “minds” to “walk” or conduct. Our new knowledge of God affects our actions (or “walk”). As Scholar D. A. Carson brilliantly explains:

The reason for this comprehensiveness lies in the nature of God. The God of the Bible, the God who is there (as Francis Schaeffer taught us to say), is God of everything. He is not the God of thoughts only, or of some spiritual or religious realm exclusively. He is God. As our Maker and providential Ruler, his interests and writ extend to every aspect of our being, beliefs, utterances, and conduct. Thus to preserve some horrible tension between our belief systems and our conduct is not only an invitation to schizophrenia, it is also an insult against God, a horrible rebellion no less ugly for being selective. [“For the Love of God” October 4 reading]

August 31 Reading: Ephesians 5

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” Ephesians 5:25

Nothing convicts me more than this verse. I beg for the Spirit’s help in carrying out this command. Marriage is paramount in God’s eyes because it reflects the love Christ has for His Church. Carver, especially Carver Men, work hard at displaying Christ’s supremacy in your marriage.

One really helpful advice that I read is from C. J. Mahaney, in his book Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God. He provides a thoughtful application stating:  

So I made a practice of pulling the car over a few blocks from home so I could take a couple of minutes to make an effective transition in my soul. There on the side of the road, I meditated on Ephesians 5 as well as on some other passages. I confessed to God my sinful tendency to be selfish and sought to prepare my heart to serve my wife and children when I arrived home. In this way I learned to see my home as the context where I have my greatest privilege and opportunity to serve. This practice had a transforming effect, allowing me to walk through the front door with the mind and heart of a loving servant-leader. By God’s grace, I found it an excellent help in building a loving marriage, enjoying my family, and minimizing regret. [Crossway, p. 49-50]

Father, I pray that grace would be on our Men. Apply Eph 5 to their hearts.

September 1 Reading: Ephesians 6

^“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Eph 6:10

“The ultimate battle is the battle between God and the devil between heaven and hell, between light and darkness” says, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. “That in turn should make us realize a further truth, that this campaign cannot fail, because God’s honour is involved in it…You see the might and the power of the enemy and you are conscious of your own weakness. But say to yourselves, ‘This is God’s battle, we are given the privilege of being in it and of fighting as individual soldiers, but God’s honour is involved in it all. He cannot allow this to fail because His character, His glory, and His honour are involved at every point.’ ‘Be strong in the Lord’; remember that He is there, and that it is His battle. This cannot be emphasized too much.” [“God's Battle, Not Ours” online monergism.com]

September 2 Reading: Philippians 1

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Many years ago, I read a book by Dr. John Piper that changed my outlook on everything. The book’s thesis (and title) was “Don’t Waste Your Life!” We, as God’s church can live in NO fear. There is nothing that we cannot handle because Christ took everything on the cross – shame, ridicule, suffering, sickness, death, and much more.

John Piper later applied this thesis to his personal struggle through cancer. He chronicles saying:

Satan’s and God’s designs in your cancer are not the same. Satan designs to destroy your love for Christ. God designs to deepen your love for Christ. Cancer does not win if you die. It wins if you fail to cherish Christ. God’s design is to wean you off the breast of the world and feast you on the sufficiency of Christ. It is meant to help you say and feel, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” And to know that therefore “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 3:8; 1:21). [Suffering and Sovereignty of Christ. Crossway, 2006, p. 211]

Help US, O LORD, to never waste our lives. May we always look to the cross and see how in Christ we have everything. May we live boldly knowing that this world has NO SAY on our inheritance in Christ. Keep us passionate for your Glory. AMEN!

September 5 Reading: Philippians 2

“work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” Phil. 2:12b

“Salvation! Salvation! SALVATION!,” says the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, “Nothing on earth can match it, for the merchandise of it is better than silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold! The possession of the whole universe would be no equivalent to a lost soul for the awful damage it has sustained and must sustain forever. Pile up the worlds, and let them fill the balance—yes, bring as many worlds as there are stars, and heap up the scale on the one side. Then in this other scale place a single soul endowed with immortality, and it outweighs the whole! Salvation! Nothing can be likened unto it. May we feel its unutterable value, and therefore seek it till we possess it in its fullness!” [sermon #1003 Spurgeon archives]

To “work out your own salvation” means the believer needs to actively pursue obedience to Christ in the process of becoming like Jesus (called sanctification). We do this in “fear and trembling” meaning that we have an attitude of righteous awe and respect. The goal is to be so amazed by salvation that we want the fullness of it in our lives.

“Father, Help us to daily be amazed by our Salvation and desire its full benefit of being like Jesus. Amen.”

September 6 Reading: Philippians 3

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Phil. 3:8a

Is Christ worthy to you? Is he the supreme joy in your life? One of the best questions that I use to test my joy in Christ is to ask myself, “Would I want to go to heaven and Jesus not be there?” In other words, would I desire the benefits of heaven (i.e. reuniting with deceased saints, perfect paradise, no more sickness, etc.) without Jesus being there, would I still want to go?

The great American preacher, Jonathan Edwards, in 1731 preached a sermon explaining this topic saying: “The glorious excellencies and beauty of God will be what will forever entertain the minds of the saints, and the love of God will be their everlasting feast. The redeemed will indeed enjoy other things; they will enjoy the angels, or each other, or in anything else whatsoever, that will yield them delight and happiness, will be what will be seen of God in them.” [Sermons of Jonathan Edwards: A Reader, Yale University Press, 1999, p. 75]

“Father, make us like Paul who believed that knowing Jesus is far superior to anything else in this life. Help us to find Christ worthy in our lives. Amen.”

September 7 Reading: Philippians 4

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything,” Phil. 4:5b-6a

It is easy in our fallen state to get anxious. But throughout Scripture, we are commanded to do two things. First, understand that the Lord is always with us, and secondly, to take everything to Him in prayer.

Editor and writer Justin Taylor provides eight helpful reminders in an article titled, “Arguments Against Anxiety”:

1. God is near me to help me. Phil. 4:5b “The Lord is at hand;

2. God cares for me. 1 Pet 5:7 “…he cares for you.”

3. My Father in heaven knows and will supply all my needs. Matt 6:31-33

4. God values me more than birds and grass, which he richly provides for and adorns; how much more will he provide for all my needs! Matthew 6:26-30

5. What can man do to me? Rom. 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

6. Anxiety is pointless. Matthew 6:27 “Which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

7. Anxiety is worldly. Matthew 6:31-32 “Do not be anxious, saying,…‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things. . . .”

8. Tomorrow doesn’t need my anxiety. Matthew 6:34

“Father, help us to wholly lean on Jesus knowing He controls the future. Amen.”

September 8 Reading: Colossians 1

“Him we proclaim,” Colossians 1:28a

Here Paul provides for me the goal I have for Carver; “Proclaim Christ!” Pastor Dr. Ray Ortlund provides a great commentary on this verse saying:

Him. Paul summarized his ministry in one word: “Him.” Not “Christ + _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _” but Christ as the only focus. All other topics of interest had to fit in around Him and promote Him and make Him clearer. If they didn’t serve that purpose, Paul got bored quickly.

We. Whatever others may do, this is what we do. Whatever message others may shout out, we’ll shout louder about Jesus Christ. We are responsible to Him and will give an account to Him only and finally.

Proclaim. Not beg, as if He were poor. Not suggest, as if He were doubtful. Not propose, as if He were the premise of something larger. But proclaim as the only life that is truly life, accessible to everyone on terms of grace, received with the empty hands of faith, giving all, demanding all. [blog entry: February 23, 2010. thegospelcoalition.com]

“Keep us passionate, O LORD, to see Christ supreme and exalted in all that we do at Carver. Help us to always proclaim Him in everything.”

September 9 Reading: Colossians 2

“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Col. 2:3

In 2001, hymn writers Keith Getty & Stuart Townend joined to write a marvelous modern hymn titled, “In Christ Alone.” It is a remarkable song filled with Scripture. The first line of the hymn says, “In Christ alone my hope is found; He is my light, my strength, my song;”

This amazing lyric describes the central theme of Colossians, “In Christ,” and chapter 2 is filled with this truth:

·       2:3 – “in whom are hidden all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge”

·       2:6 – “walk in him”

·       2:7 – “rooted and built up in him”

·       2:9 – “in him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily”

·       2:10 – “you have been filled in him”

·       2:11 – “you were circumcised in him”

·       2:12 – “in him you were raised up”

·       2:15 – “triumphing over them in him”

Church, as believers we are in Christ! We therefore participate in a relationship of unity with Christ. We now have the ability to join in the fullness of God because we are found in Christ.

“Christ, thank you for making us fellow heirs with you. Amen.”

September 12 Reading: Colossians 3

“and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Col. 3:10

Pastor Colin Smith devotionally makes a wonderful comparison of Colossians 3 with the creation account in Genesis 1. He states:

God came into the world to fulfill His own promise. At the creation He said, “Let us make man in our image,” (Genesis 1:26). Christ came so that you should be renewed in the image of your Creator (Colossians 3:10). Think about that: The Savior came so that you would reflect the beauty of God’s holiness and live in the joy of His love as you reflect the full glory of His image forever. That’s your future in Christ. So live today in anticipation of it. [“The Plan: God’s Design For the Universe and Your Place In It.”]

Church, we were created in the image of God, but sin has broken this image. We were created as mirrors of God, but a shattered mirror doesn’t reflect the right picture. The Spirit of Christ is restoring the broken pieces, but this will only be ultimately realized in glory. Live now anticipating glory! Live with such passion to reflect God’s holiness and splendor today.

September 13 Reading: Colossians 4

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” – Col.4:12

Epaphras had a deep love and concern for the Colossian Church. Most likely, he started the church (Col. 1:5-7) after being converted by Paul in Ephesus (Acts 19).

After the church was formed, false teachers came in espousing heresy jeopardizing the unity of the church. Epaphras’ concern caused him to travel to Rome where Paul was in prison seeking his help. Paul then writes this letter to warn the Colossians of the dangers of following false teachers.

However, Epaphras’ compassion didn’t end with his visit to Paul. He struggled in praying that the church would “stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.”

OH, how we need prayer warriors with this similar focus! We need to be a church that is praying that each of us stand for Christ mature and confident that God is in control. We need to be active in praying for each other that we would not be tossed around by false doctrine, but that each of us would have a solid foundation.“KEEP us MATURE and FULLY assured in Your will, O Lord Our God!”

September 14 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1

“you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,” – 1 Thess. 1:9

Every person is born an idol worshipper. Our idols may not be wood carved statues, but more hidden idols of the heart such as greed, envy, lust, pride, etc. Dr. Tim Keller defines an idol as, “anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” [Counterfeit Gods, Penguin, 2009, p.xvii]

Accepting Christ changes everything, but what does “accepting” mean? Pastor Ray Ortlund helpfully explains:

“[A] person can “accept Jesus” in either of two ways. One way is to invite him onto the committee. Give him a vote too. But then he becomes just one more complication. The other way to “accept Jesus” is to say to him, “My life isn’t working. Please come in and fire my committee, every last one of them. I hand myself over to you. Please run my whole life for me.” That is not complication; that is salvation.

“Accepting Jesus” is not just adding Jesus. It is also subtracting the idols.”

“Spirit of Christ, cleanse us of those hidden idols that keep us from Jesus!”

September 15 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2

“who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God’s wrath has come upon them at last!” 2:15-16

The Thessalonica church faced the same issue the Judea church faced; both were persecuted for coming to faith in Jesus. There are only two types of people in the world; friends of God or foes.

Pastor John MacArthur, Jr. preaching this passage wisely exhorts: “And, beloved, we should be zealous to show the love of Christ to Jews and lead them to the knowledge of their Messiah. We should desire to do the same thing for Gentiles. The choice is the same. Will you be a person who receives the Word? That's salvation. Who imitates the saints? That's sanctification. Who perseveres to the end? That's glorification. Or will you be a person who rejects the Word? Who hinders the saints and the work they set out to do? And who will endure only punishment? That's condemnation. The choice has always been the same...blessing/cursing...never different.” [sermon 52-8 “A People to Be Sad for” gty.org]

“Spirit, proclaim Christ at Carver. May we all be found as God’s children!”

September 16 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3

“For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.” 1 Thess. 3:8

Pastor Charles Spurgeon rightly explains my heart for Carver when reading this verse:

MINISTERS who are really sent of God greatly rejoice in the spiritual prosperity of their people. If they see God’s Word prosper, they prosper. If the Church of God is blessed, they are blessed. Their life is wrapped up in the spiritual life of their people. Never is the servant of God so full of delight as when he sees that the Holy Spirit is visiting his hearers, making them to know the Lord, and confirming them in that heavenly knowledge. On the other hand, if God does not bless the word of His servants, it is like death to them! To be preaching and to have no blessing makes them heavy of heart—the chariot wheels are taken off and they drag heavily along—they seem to have no power nor liberty. They get depressed and they go back to their Master with this complaint, “Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” [sermon #1758 Spurgeon Archives]

Church, I desire EACH of you to STAND firm on God’s promises! It is the reason I preach, it guides my prayers, and is the reason I am here.

Father, fill me to lead them Carver to STAND FIRM in Christ Alone! Amen.

September 19 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Thess. 4:13-14

The Gospel applies to every situation in life. The Gospel is not just the “diving board” into the Christian life; it is the entire “pool.” Dr. Tim Keller is constantly quoted saying, “The Gospel is not the ABC’s of Christianity, it is the A to Z of Christianity.”

Every day we need the Gospel. It changes how husbands treat their wives (Eph 5:22ff), how employees treat their employers (Eph 6:5ff), how you give (2 Cor 9:13ff), how you sing in church (Col. 3:16ff), and much more. We need to continually preach the Gospel to ourselves daily because it is the power of God to mold us into the image of Jesus.

In these two verses, Paul is applying the Gospel to grieving over deceased saints. He instructs that we should grieve with hope BECAUSE of the Gospel. Because Jesus has risen from the dead, we have HOPE that our deceased loved ones are with Him and will one day rise in a new body just like His.

Church family, NEVER assume the Gospel, NEVER skew the Gospel, and NEVER leave the Gospel. Go back to it daily for strength.

“Thank you Lord that we have hope in the Gospel. Keep us passionate about it.”

September 20 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5

“Do not quench the Spirit.” 1 Thess. 5:19

What does it mean to “quench the Spirit?” I believe the great English preacher Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones has the most thorough explanation:

‘Quenching’…is more applicable to what Christians do when they are gathered together and the Spirit moves upon a meeting or upon an individual in a meeting. It can happen when you are by yourself, as well as in the gathering of the saints. But this has often happened: in a meeting, when the Spirit is dealing with us in general, rather than in details, you begin to be afraid as to what is going to happen and to say, ‘If I do this what will take place?’ That is quenching the Spirit. It is resisting his general movement upon your spirit. You feel his gracious influence, and then you hesitate and are uncertain or you are frightened. That is quenching the Spirit. [Joy Unspeakable. Harold Shaw Publishers, 1984, p.206]

Church, this is the reason during our invitation time I always state, “This is a time to let the Spirit work through the Word.” The Scripture illustrates the Spirit with the Word as a sword. Let the “sword” carve you into God’s person.

September 21 Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1

“To this end we always pray for you,” 2 Thess. 1:11a

One of the central reoccurring themes in 2 Thessalonians is prayer. Paul begins with prayer (1:2-12), prays a blessing over them in the middle (2:16-17), and concludes asking for prayer (3:1-5). He never ceased living a life dedicated to praying for the Thessalonica church. We too should have this same passion in praying for Carver!

Sometimes, it is difficult to know what to pray for your church, so I want to apply Paul’s prayer in 1:11-12 for our church:

1.    Father, make us “worthy of [Christ’s] calling” (1:11a). Christ has bought us with His blood, saved us – therefore rear us to reverence Him.

2.    Spirit, by Your power “fulfill” our “work of faith” (1:11b). Lead us to establish and work towards a new Christ exalting purpose in our lives.

3.    Lord Jesus, be glorified at Carver! Keep us as a church ascribing Your adoration and Your acclaim!

4.    O Lord Our God, glorify Carver in Christ (1:12 – ‘and you in him’)! Transform us “into his likeness with ever-increasing glory (2 Cor. 3:18).

September 22 Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.

2 Thess 2:8

2 Thessalonians is one of the most difficult chapters to understand in the Bible. Many great God-fearing Bible-believing Christ-followers differ on its meaning. One difficulty is understanding the “man of lawlessness” (v.3) or “antichrist.”

 Throughout church history people have been trying to identify the “man of lawlessness.” In Roman times it was Nero then Domitian. In recent eras it has been Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin.

Most likely the “man of lawlessness” hasn’t come (in past times), but we do know that he is coming. I don’t positively know if the church will face him or if we’ll already be in the rapture (I lean towards the latter). HOWEVER, Scripture is clear that there are many “antichrists” that the church needs to guard themselves against (cf. 1 John 2:18, “as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come” and 1 John 4:3). We shouldn’t be trying to figure out who might possibly be the “antichrist,” RATHER we should be equipping the church against ALL forms of persecution. We equip by reminding everyone of Jesus’ power that He is coming again and His simple breath will kill the “Antichrist.”

September 23 Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3

“For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,” 2 Thess. 3:7

God created and honors work. It was in His original design that we work and He is the prime example (He worked 6 days and rested on the 7th). The Thessalonica church faced a problem in that some members had grown accustom to the sin of idleness. Scholar D.A. Carson explains:

We do not know exactly what prompted a number of the Thessalonian believers to be lazy. Perhaps some were simply sponging off the generosity of Christians. Certainly some were less interested in being busy than in being “busybodies” (2 Thess. 3:11). But Paul will not have it… [This] is a case of Christians needing to crack the whip against those who claim they are Christians but who disobey the apostle’s explicit injunctions (2 Thess. 3:12) and ignore his remarkable personal conduct (2 Thess. 3:7–9). He worked (i.e., at his trade), precisely to teach the point: “If a man will not work, he shall not eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Now Paul goes a step farther: responsible Christians are to shun these shysters, to keep away from them entirely (2 Thess. 3:6). That way they cannot corrupt the church. More importantly, outsiders will not confuse the conduct of such people with the conduct of Christians who happily take on apostolic instruction.

Thank you Father that we have jobs to sustain us. Keep us thankful. Amen.

September 26 Reading: 1 Timothy 1

“Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” 1:15

Here we find the succinct Gospel, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” It’s a simple message with profound eternal truth. I love the way the great preacher Charles Spurgeon expounds this passage:

 “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” There is no adjective before the noun! There is no sort of qualification except that they are sinners…He came to save sinners who have no good thing in them. “If you have any merit,” said one to another, “if you have any good thing about you, it is like a drop of rose water in a sea of filth.” But, truly, there is not even that one drop of rose water in our nature—nor need there be in order that Christ may save us! He came to save sinners—that is all Paul says. I dare not limit what is left unlimited. I dare not qualify what is left unqualified. “Sinners”—that is all the Apostle says. What? If they have no trace of goodness, no mark of anything excellent? Yes. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” [sermon #2300 Spurgeon Archives]

“Show us, O Lord, that there is NO one whom you cannot save! Amen.”

September 27 Reading: 1 Timothy 2

“Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” 1 Timothy 2:15

This is a difficult verse to understand; therefore careful attention needs to be given to provide clarity.

Paul is not advocating that a woman can be saved by having children. This would contradict his teachings elsewhere that salvation is by grace and not by works (cf. Eph. 2:8-9). Paul is most likely stating that woman have a unique calling as Christian women being the primary disciple maker of their children. Although a woman, Eve, was a transgressor in the beginning (Gen. 3), all women can reverse that stigma by raising godly children.

Paul then teaches how a Christian woman is to raise (or a better word, ‘disciple’) godly children. They are to demonstrate stick-to-itiveness to following Jesus. They are to continually be faithful, loving, and striving for holiness mothers. When our children see parents radically committed to following Jesus, they will desire to follow Christ as King.

“Father, I pray that you will strengthen the mothers in our church. Give them a passion to be missionaries to their children.

September 28 Reading: 1 Timothy 3

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” 1 Timothy 3:1

First Timothy 3:1-7 along with Titus 1:5-8 contain Paul’s profile for pastors (bishop, overseer, elder, and under-shepherd are all synonymous in the NT). In these passages, we receive a comprehensive quality checklist for the church’s leadership. They must be: above reproach, devoted to their wives, temperate, prudent, gentle, respectable, just, devout, hospitable, lovers of good, able to teach, not self-centered, not quick-tempered, not a lover of money, managing his household well, high reputation among outsiders, and not a recent convert.

This is a list that I (as your pastor) take extreme care to maintain (and I plead for your prayers in this regard). Dr. John MacArthur presents this challenge to the pastor’s qualifications: “Do those seem like extremely high standards? Yet those are the qualifications that Scripture establishes. Churches that ignore those guidelines set themselves against God’s design and forfeit His blessing. To compromise on the issue of leadership is, as Charles Spurgeon would say, “The most suicidal act that a church can commit.” [Ashamed of the Gospel. Crossway, 2010, p. 192]

Father, I pray that I as pastor will be the pastor that this church deserves. Amen

September 29 Reading: 1 Timothy 4

“For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” 1 Timothy 4:4

In commenting on 1 Timothy 4:1-5, Pastor John Piper states, “Notice that Paul predicts the coming of false teachers who have a very negative view of the physical world, particularly sex and food (which together involve all five of our senses). So these false teachers “forbid marriage” and “require abstinence from foods” (v. 3). Paul regards this as rebellion against God, because God’s purpose for his good creation, Paul says, is that “nothing is to be rejected” (v. 4). Instead of rejecting God’s creation, Paul says there are two things we should do with it: receive it with thanksgiving (vv. 3-4), and sanctify it (sanctify = make holy, v. 5). Consider how each of these connects the physical world with our joy in God.” [When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy. Crossway, 2004, p. 184-185]

God created all things for our enjoyment to glorify Him. We can now eat an apple to His praise by valuing its nourishment, intricacies, taste, and beauty. Church, look at His created world and marvel at our magnificent creator God who made only mankind in His image and the crown of His creation.

Father, thank you for displaying your glory in all things, and allowing us to enjoy good things to Your praise.

September 30 Reading: 1 Timothy 5

“Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:19

Why does Paul ask for two or three witnesses before accepting a charge against an elder? Protestant reformer John Calvin explains commenting on this verse:

“The more sincerely any pastor strives to further Christ’s kingdom, the more he is loaded with spite, the more fierce do the attacks upon him become. And not only so, but as soon as any charge is made against ministers of the Word, it is believed as surely and firmly as if it had been already proved. This happens not only because a higher standard of integrity is required from them, but because Satan makes most people, in fact nearly everyone, over credulous so that without investigation, they eagerly condemn their pastors whose good name they ought to be defending.” [Second Corinthians, Timothy, Titus and Philemon Commentary. Online]

Paul previously describes the intense qualifications it takes to be a pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 providing the basis for this command. Church, we need to remember that we are always in spiritual warfare. The enemy wants nothing more than to stifle the church’s mission by causing factions within.

Father, I pray that we would be a church that strives for unity always.