This evening we will consider Matthew 7:13–14 as we near the end of our Righteousness Redefined series. There are only two gates, two paths, two crowds, and two final destinations. We would love to have more options or, better yet, be able to combine our favorite parts of all the options, but Jesus has not left us that option.
Hope to see you tonight at 5 pm!
A few days ago, Kevin DeYoung posted some great questions for husbands in light of Valentine’s Day from the Song of Solomon. Here are a few excerpts:
“Question 1: Do you gush over your wife? I mean, do you really pile on the compliments? No need to ration here. The more you speak them the freer they come. So why so stingy in telling your bride she’s more stunning than elegance wrapped in sweetness covered in perfection?”
“Question 2: Do you pursue your wife? Words are wonderful, but pursuit may be even more powerful. Now listen, guys, don’t get all weird and stalker-like. Remember, you should pursue her as she likes to be pursued, not as you do. So surprise her. Woo her. Take her away (without the kids for heaven’s sake).”
You can read the whole post here, and I believe he is writing one for the ladies today. Guys, whether you do anything particularly special for Valentine’s Day or not is not the issue with me. Any loser husband can pick up a bouquet of flowers and a card one day a year. I want to know if you are gushing over and pursuing your wife the other 364 days a year. I know I still need to be challenged and held accountable to loving and pursuing Kendra all year long, and I hope these questions will serve you well as you do the same for your wife.
The second chapter of Living the Cross Centered Life is entitled, “The Divine Order: What You Feel vs. What is Real.” In the chapter, CJ Mahaney demonstrates that most of us make evaluations and base decisions on feelings rather than on objective facts, namely the truth of Scripture. He states, “Our common tendency is to habitually begin with the internal, the subjective, the experiential, then use those feelings and impressions to determine what we’ll accept as being objective fact. We let our feelings tell us what’s true, instead of letting the truth transform our feelings” (32–33).
I think all of us would agree with his assessment. Mahaney goes on to say that every day we have to make a choice between listening to ourselves and our constantly changing feelings or talking to ourselves about the unchanging truth of who God is and what he has accomplished for us through his Son. To that end, here are some questions you may use for personal application and reflection or for discussion in your Life Group this week. Many of them come straight from the chapter.
1. How often do you make decisions and evaluate reality based primarily on your emotions at the moment?
2. In what area(s) of your life do you feel that you most consistently struggle to evaluate reality on truth instead of on your emotions?
3. The Gospel is the Good News that God has done for us what we could not and would not do for ourselves; namely, that he has chosen to reconcile us to himself through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. How does the Gospel speak to the way we normally evaluate our circumstances?
4. Mahaney notes that emotions are a wonderful gift from God (41), though some believers seem to treat them with contempt. How can our emotions help us to honor and obey God rather than dishonor and disobey God?
5. What practical measures can you take to help you evaluate your circumstances based on truth instead of feelings?
Next week, we will consider chapter three, “Searching the Mystery: A Captivating Picture of His Love.”
Our Spring 2010 Membership Process begins tonight! If you believe God is calling you to join New Life, you need to:
1. Attend both Membership Classes, which are from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. tonight and next Tuesday, February 16th.
2. Read through our membership materials, which include our membership book and What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti Anyabwile.
3. Sign-up for and attend a Personal Meeting with one of our pastors on Tuesday, February 23rd. If it is your intention to join New Life at the end of this meeting, you will be asked to sign our Statement of Faith and Church Covenant, which are included in your membership book.
4. Attend the business meeting on Tuesday, March 9th at 6:30 p.m. where you will be affirmed and recognized as a member of New Life.
Even if you are still checking out New Life and aren’t sure if you are ready to join, feel free to attend our classes. You are not committing to anything by coming, and we trust that you will have a better grasp on who we are and what we believe by attending these classes. We look forward to seeing you tonight!
Yesterday, we were encouraged to persist in prayer with confidence that God will answer us because he is good and always keeps his word to his children. You can listen (or listen again) to the sermon here.
Here are a few quotes from the message that you can continue to meditate on as you apply the message this week:
“Sometimes a failure to persist in prayer proves that we were not serious about our request in the first place. At other times God wants us to persist in prayer in order to strengthen our faith in him. Faith would never grow if all prayers were answered immediately” (Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, 81).
“The great fault of the children of God is, they do not continue in prayer; they do not go on praying; they do not persevere. If they desire anything for God’s glory, they should pray until they get it” (Roger Steer, George Muller: Delighted in God!, 310)
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19–22).
Enjoy and pursue God’s grace this week. He delights to give it to those who ask!