So far so good ( No news is good news)

In my post of January 2 below, I mentioned that my job and department at work was about to be subcontracted out and that I would be going through transition this year. That all still may happen. However coming back to work yesterday nothing was said to us by management and the rest of the employees were not told about the intentions of the new General manager. Our supervisor did not give me any indication of this taking place and by his silence the last two days makes me wonder if it will ever happen. Now, I may be wrong but for now, so far so good because no news is good news to me.

The Sovereign Triune LORD will do all His Perfect Holy Will and work all things according to His good pleasure (Ephesians 1:11).

A Blessed Privilege

This month, I will have the blessed privilege to teach at my church for the 16th time in 9 years, the course, Justification By Faith Alone. When I first really understood the biblical doctrine of Justification through the teaching of Dr. R.C. Sproul, I always thought that if there was only one course to teach the rest of my life, it would be Justification By Faith Alone (JFA). Well, the Lord, by His grace has allowed me to teach several other essential biblical doctrines , as well as New Testament epistles, New Testament Greek, Defending the Faith in the 21st Century and many many others. But none as many as JFA. It is my passion for the Church to understand the Gospel and the meritorious grounds as well as the instrumental means by which we are able to stand Righteous in the presence of God for eternity.

I will soon start making some posts on JFA to refresh and reinforce my understanding on this essential Christian doctrine which Luther said was the "Article upon which the Church stands or falls."

My Word for 2009

Our Pastor has asked each of us in the congregation to ask the Lord what His Word for us individually is for 2009. He did the same last year. This is really a new concept for me. I have asked in previous years under our former Pastor what verse in Scripture was most impressed on my heart for the New Year. This is what I always thought, asking for a Word from the Lord meant. Not just a single word like "make","faith","appreciation" or "restore" which is what our folks are doing now, but a Word meaning a verse of Scripture.

I asked the Lord in prayer over the last few days what His Word for me is. I was led to choose the Greek Word "DIOKO" which means "I pursue" from Phil.3:14. I am now in a state of transition with my job soon coming to an end and I purpose to pursue the Lord in whatever and wherever He leads me. I will forget the sin and worries of my unsaved life and remember that I am a child of the King and belong to Him forever. Whatever happens to me this year, God will be glorified. AMEN!

Bible reading for 2009

Folks in the church have often asked me how I read the Bible. I usually use various approaches but also continue reading a few books constantly. The last two years I read the entire Bible out loud which I enjoyed, especially all those tough and almost impossible to pronounce names in the Old Testament ;). I also started last year and continuing this year, to read a chapter of the book of Revelation out loud each day. I started this because I wanted to become very familiar with the content of this very important book especially since we are in the last days as stated in Hebrews 1:2. There is also a blessing to those who read aloud and hear and keep the things contained in the book (Revelation 1:3). I will also attempt to memorize the book of Revelation this year.
I have also for several years now read a chapter of Proverbs a day and five Psalms a day. So I read through Psalms and Proverbs each month which is so practical (Proverbs) and also very devotional(psalms). As one who loves doctrine and systematic Theology, the above reading plan keeps me balanced with devotion, doctrine and duty. Both my mind and my heart is nourished and fed daily.
For 2009, I have just started reading three chapters a day in the Old Testament and a chapter day of the New Testament in my Greek New Testament . I also read a chapter a day in my English Bible as well. So I get into the original language which is edifying and sharpens my knowledge and vocabulary of New Testament Greek as well as read the English translation in my favorite version which is the KJV. I love the ESV as well and will use that as an alternate version.
In addition to all this, if I am teaching a particular book in the Bible, I will read that book repetitiously every day to prepare for my teaching during the weeks and months that I teach the book. This will often bring me to a total of at least twenty or more chapters a day. I find the time. It is not always easy to do. I get up early to do this or find time somewhere in the day and also at night. I have discovered that the things that I set my heart on doing will somehow get done. I love God's Word. I love the Truth. I discover Truth in my reading and study of it and I hunger for it. It brings me joy. It convicts me to the core of my being. It brings me to confession and repentance. It exhorts me, corrects me and instructs me.
I try to keep a book of my thoughts on this. I am not always diligent to write them down but I am working on that this year. Perhaps next year I will start reading the Old testament from my Hebrew Bible. I want to be the man in Psalm One who meditates in the Word day and night(Psalm 1:2).
Thy Word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it(Psalm 119:140 KJV).

2009- A Year of Transition

Well, I made it to a new year. 2009 is here with hopes and dreams yet to be fulfilled. I purposed to be more diligent the last couple of years on the first of January and failed miserably.

My dept and job at work is about to subcontracted out because of the severe recession. I have enjoyed almost 20 years of employment with one company. It looks to be coming to an end.

2009 looks to be a year of transition.

I come to it with Faith Alone in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. HE will see me through this year spiritually, emotionally,vocationally and financially. Amen!