Why Pride and Future Grace cannot exist with one another!

I'm reading a book called Future Grace by John Piper. It has really helped me in my personal walk with Christ and my transition to stepping out on Faith by coming to Southern Seminary. Piper talks about how easy it is to trust God in the grace that He has already given to us in the past but when it comes to our future, how much do we really trust in His grace? I love hearing about people's testimonies on how God supplied them with grace in specific situations and areas in their lives, but what I'm not used to hearing as much is how people are rejoicing in the things to come. If you really stop and think about it, how many times have you heard certain people say they are incredibly overjoyed in what God has in store by the grace that will be given. I mean don't get me wrong its not completely absent but its not always a constant theme. Our pride is very dangerous to our Christian lives! Piper points out that humility isn't the most sought out thing in this world. Even within the confines of the church there can be a sense of haughtiness and prideful hearts! "Look at what I have done Lord!" A congregation member comes up and compliments on how well the worship was and before we know it we get a big head and take credit for it. We preach in front of a congregation of 500 to 1,000 or teach a Sunday School class and we walk out of the church thinking of our own strength and how well we did. Even when we walk out wondering how well we presented a sermon or lead a worship service, can take away from God's glory. Now don't get me wrong we want to yearn to present the Truth to its fullest and lead a congregation to the Throne of God in complete adoration and praise! But that also has a lot to do with whether or not our hearts were clean and pure before we step foot in the church. If the answer is yes to our hearts having been cleansed then we move to how focused we have been in Christ and how deeply rooted we have placed our lives in the Lord. Finally, when both of those things are true, we then must move to the investigation of how much we trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to work through us! Okay so I might have gotten off track a little bit but those things are crucially important! Now back to our pride. Romans chapter 8 verses 1 through 17 talk about the battle between our flesh and The Spirit.

Piper quotes a local newspaper that published the following words.
"There are some who naively cling to the nostalgic memory of God. The average churcgoer takes a few hours out of the week to experience the sacred... But the rest of the time, he is immersed in a society that no longer acknowledges God as an omniscient and omnipotent force to be loved and worshipped... Tody we are too sophisticated for God. We can stand on our own; we are prepared and ready to choose and define our own existence."

Piper goes on to reveal that this very published article proves that the atmosphere we breathe is hostile to humility. Our humility and brokenness is essential to the way we live our lives unto God. If I can just be honest and I know that this is a local newspaper but even so, if that kind of statement is made about the church, which claims Jesus to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, then that breaks my heart! The world embraces a Prideful and Haughty spirit but we are called as the church of Christ to be set apart from the world! Piper defines pride as a turning away from God specifically to take satisfaction in self. So in reality, pride is a specific form of unbelief because we are not placing our hope and trust in God; therefore, proving we do not trust in His promises and grace!

Piper uses Deuteronomy Chapter 8:11-17 to reveal what God warns us about pride
"Beware... lest, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery... In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Otherwise, you may say in your heart, 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.'"

In the book Future Grace, Piper makes the statement, Future grace, not military force, is the final hope of kings and warriors-and everyone else.

"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His loving kindness... He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name." (Psalm 33:18, 20-21)

So the question we need to think upon is this, Where do we place our boasting in? In ourselves or in Christ? As a child of God, cleansed by the blood of Christ I would like to answer by claiming Jeremiah 9:23-24.

"'But let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and rightousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord."

For His Kingdom,
Twiga

Acts Chapter 3: Our Expectations are Way too Low!

So I have now officially been a citizen in Louisville, Kentucky for 2 weeks! Last Sunday and today I have visited a church by the name of Highview Baptist. The church has 7 different locations and I have visited the Fegenbush campus both weeks. Dr. Russell Moore teaches at this particular campus and I have really enjoyed it so far! Dr. Moore is so good at preaching the Word of God! He presents it with such authority, clarity and victory. In service today we focused on all of chapter 3 in Acts. I'll just set up the scene for you.

Peter and John are making their way to the temple for prayer and discover a lame man begging for alms in front of the Beautiful Gate. This lame man had several people carry him to the gate every day because it was a place where a huge crowd would make their way to every day. This lame man would beg for gold and silver, you know material things that seems to bring significance in many people's lives. So, as Peter and John make their way to the gate they take notice of the lame man and makes eye contact with him. The two disciples of Jesus even calls out to the man saying, "Look at us." The lame man looks at Peter and John and automatically expects a gift of the form of materials. However, John reveals to the man that neither of them have any gold or silver to give him. Now before I move on and share the rest of the scripture with you lets meditate on what's going on here. Here is a lame man looking for help because he obviously needs it but the man is looking for help in such insignificant ways! I mean the gold and silver that he might find himself recieving from day to day is only going to get him so far. His mind can only grasp so much spiritually! He obviously limits his expectations to currency and materials. The man is obviously not expecting the biggest need which is to be able to walk and move. Now why am I pointing this out? Because what happens next is such an incredible event that even the one's witnessing it are completely stunned! Now back to the story. John looks at him and tells him that he has no gold or silver but what he does have is way more! "In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" And then John takes the lame man by the hand and helps him up. The lame man finds himself completely whole again, able to walk, even dance!

How often do we find ourselves in the same situation. Spiritually, we find that we are in desparate need of help. While we look for help by way of material and things offered by the world, Jesus is right there in front of us offering His hand showing us that He is all we need! Many times we find ourselves becoming prideful, stubborn and content in our flesh and all of a sudden our expectations become way too low! Oh how the offer of Jesus' hand is so much more. Why do we depend on things that do not last! How unfaithful we can become while we have such an amazing and providing God calling out our name filled with grace and love.

Back to the story. John and Peter take the lame man into the Beautiful Gate where many people could see the glory and splendor of God. Now what doesn't suprise me, is that the people look to the disciples as if it were done by their hands alone. Peter then asked the people why they were giving all the credit to him and John. Peter goes on to tell the people that the mighty work was done by the very man that they placed on the cross! Well its really best just to quote the scripture from here!
"God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."

Peter also reveals, that by the name of Jesus, which by faith in that very name, has made the lame man strong to whom the crowd has been made witnesses to.

So much had been offered and yet the crowd didn't want to have anything to do with it or Him(Jesus) in that matter. Jesus came to offer life and they chose things! They chose death instead of life. We all chose death through the one man Adam and completely deserve death and yet Jesus offers Life! My prayer over this specific scripture is that we would all examine our life and ask where we exclude Jesus from because our expectations are so poorly low. Jesus, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords has everything we need! Why would we lower our expectations in money, fame and possessions when God gives us all things we need according to His knowledge and grace! I pray that this encouraged and challenged you. May we live fully in Christ and completely die to our wicked and depraved states.

For His Kingdom,
Twiga

Greek Lesson #1

Hey everybody! I attended my first Greek class this morning. We covered the syllabus and then the Greek Alphabet. I thought that I would give you a little insight on how the Greek alphabet works. I don't know how to post the actual Greek alphabet on the blog, so I will just write out the pronunciations okay!

The Greek Alphabet
Alpha
Beta
Gamma
Delta
Epsilon
Zeta
Eta
Theta
Iota
Kappa
Lambda
Mu
Nu
Xi (Prounounced ksi)
Omicron
Pi
Rho
Sigma
Tau
Upsilon
Phi
Chi
Psi
Omega

Well, there you have it! From Beginning to end. I will enlighten you on how it works a little deeper as we continue through the class. Hope this blog has been a little educational for you now. I will try to figure out how to place the actually alphabet on the blog.

For His Kingdom,
Twiga

Dr. Mohler, A Spades Card Game & Greek Class

So last night I was playing Spades with some of the guys I live in the dorm with. I am very competitive, so me and my spades partner cleaned house to say the least. It was loads of fun. The dorm I live in is called Wittsit and it is connected to the Manly dorm. We have all already connected so well. So, as we were playing Spades, I felt something brush up against my leg and it startled me! It was a dog. Now the real interesting part was the person at the other end of the leash. None other than Dr. Albert Mohler! It was like 10:30 p.m. and Dr. Mohler was just taking his dog out for a walk and thought he would check up on everyone in the Male Dorms. He only stopped to chat with us for a few minutes but we were all a little startled to say the least! I thought it was really cool though. I have heard a lot of people talk about how accessible the Professors make themselves to the students here at Southern Seminary. I for one am estatic about that! This morning started the new fall semester at the Seminary. I am only taking one class and that would happen to be Greek. I am very confident that I will do well because I have already been in the process of learning Greek on my own within the last 3 1/2 years. Of course there will be times where the class will bring difficulties but nontheless, I am looking forward to understanding Greek in a much more developed way! Tomorrow around 1:30 p.m. I will be meeting with a Christian Radio Station about a job opportunity. The HR director sounded pretty confident that they had something to offer. Well I just wanted to give a quick update on how things were going. Plus, I thought it was pretty funny that the President of the Seminary showed up at our Spades Card game last night! May everyone rest in the grace of God and abide in His love!

For His Kingdom,
Twiga

Southern Seminary Orientation

Hey again everybody! I wanted to separate the job opportunities blog from the Seminary Orientation blog. So, we had Orientation at Southern Seminary this morning. We had an incredible time of Worship. I tell you, there is something about hearing several hundred men singing to the Lord in worship that gives me the chills! We were also introduced to Dr. Mohler's wife this morning which was awesome. She layed out the opportunities for all the wives and ladies on campus. I think my favorite time in chapel this morning was most definitely Dr. Russell Moore's preaching on Ephesians 5. Without hesitancy I do believe that his presentation of Marriage and the family was so impacting, I had to rethink my overall view of what I have conceived family life entails when it comes to the Gospel. I am obviously not married or even dating right now in my life but I walked away with an incredible insight to what it means to Love your wife as Christ loved the church! Dr. Moore challenged us to really meditate on how much we even love the church. He mentioned that many people love the idea of what a church should look like but the fact is that they don't really love the church; flaws and all! Obviously the message he presented was not giving the okay to accept heresy when it is presented by others but more on the lines of We are called to Love the Church! He also made the statement that Marriage is formed after the model of the church. Paul wrote to Ephesus, "Husbands love your wife as Christ loved the church." Jesus poured His life out on the foundation of the church (His disciples). Do we pour our lives into the church? How much do we focus on tearing down the body of Christ rather than building it up in Love? How much do I do that? I'll tell you. The message really convicted me! Dr. Moore was not building this line that says we should accept false Gospels or lies that cover God's truth. He was trying to point to the example Christ set for us in His ministry to the foundation of the Church. I was really challenged and I hope this challenges you as well. I pray that we examine more carefully the call Christ has given us to Love the Church! I pray that I will examine myself more carefully the call Christ has given me to Love the Church! I pray God's grace will pour into all of you and then overflow into others!

For the body of Christ,
Twiga

God's Faithfulness

Hey everybody! I just wanted to update y'all on job opportunities. Throughout most of the week every place that I filled out an application for never contacted me. A little unnerving, but God is faithful and we abide by His time and not ours! Today right after 5 p.m. I was contacted by all the places I am interested in and I am very excited. I am awaiting to here about an opportunity from Chick fila on Tuesday. The Christian Radio Station that I have been talking with for the last 3 weeks asked me to come in and chat with them on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. There is also an opportunity to work in the president's office area as a secretary to Special Projects on Campus, in which I will be taking a Clerical test on Monday to see if I fit in the description they are looking for. Please keep me in your prayers as all of these opportunities work themselves out throughout the next week. God is in control and He will open up the right doors for my needs to support myself through Seminary. I think it is always great when things work out in a speedy manor but It is always best when we have to completely and totally rely on God to open that door at the last minute. I am truly coming to know God more and more as my provider. As much as I need the finances in order to support myself through school, it is way more important for me to see the bigger picture. I think as the weak, miry people we are, it is so easy for us to worry about how things will be provided when The Provider is right here with us! I am learning to grow and trust in Him more and more each and everyday. Praise God for His kindness and His mercy, that He would even consider me to be a vessel for the advancement of the Gospel! He is SUCH a Great God!

For the Advancement of His Kingdom,
Twiga

Seminary Update #1

Hey everybody! So I was meaning to update earlier this week but I had to buy an ethernet chord in order to get connected to the internet. I have been really busy trying to locate a job and getting things ready for next week as classes begin next Tuesday for me. I'm loving Louisville so far. The city is beautiful and is definitely nothing like Atlanta. The layout of Southern's campus is really great and has got a great atmosphere. I have made a handful of friends so far in the dorm I live in and we have had some great conversations. I am getting a little tensed up about not finding a job as of yet but I am putting my trust in God and keeping my eyes on Him. He will Provide! Oh yeah in the last few days I have already passed Russell Moore and Dr. Albert Mohler in the Cafeteria. I thought that was pretty cool! I really appreciate everyone's prayers and support within the last few weeks! Trust me I can since the Lord's grace and peace raining down upon even though I haven't landed a job yet. I am learning to lean on Him heavely! I was reading the 1st Psalm this morning for my quiet time and felt it was quite appropriate for my circumstances right now!

"Happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners, or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers..... For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin."

I know that as long as I follow Him and stay in step with His call in my life, then He will guide and sustain me! Praise God that He takes care of those who call on His name and surrender in brokeness. I truly believe that brokeness is the only way to life, found in Christ. We obviously have victory in Christ but we cannot have victory outside of Christ. We have nothing to offer but our surrender and broken state.

Tomorrow is Orientation for the new students enrolling in the Seminary here. I trust I will make many more friends then and I am so looking forward to it! Accountability is such a crucial role in our Christian walk! Well that's all I have for you right now. I will continue to update as things progress. I am also looking forward to taking Elementary Greek this semester. I will take portions of what I learn in class and blog about what I am learning as I progress through the class this semester. It ought to be fun. I miss all the people I left in Atlanta and Maryville already! I am so grateful for friends that I have made throughout my life. This is a crucial time in my life and I have been blessed to have had such wonderful and godly friends at my side! Thank you all for investing your life into me. It will most definitely make an impact as I make my way through Seminary and as I plug into ministry opportunities here in the beautiful state of Kentucky. I will try to update everyone at least twice a week, if not three times. I love you all and I pray God's blessings on every single one of you! I would like to leave you with one exhortation and that is: Preach the gospel every chance you get and Live every moment for His glory!

In Christ,
Twiga

P.S. GO CATS!

Moving to Southern Seminary

So in about a week, I will officially be leaving for Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky! I am excited yet nervous because of the big move to Kentucky and finding a new job. I am looking forward to taking Elementary Greek the first semester. I have mentioned to many people that I am taking Greek this first semester and I have heard the same response from many: "Well, It's all Greek to me" I don't believe that line will ever die. Haha.... I cannot wait to get to the campus and start meeting new people. I have visited the campus and I am really impressed with the layout of the grounds. I will most definitely miss everyone that I have grown to love in Atlanta! I have already witnessed God's faithfulness by receiving support through other people's giving. I am so thankful to all the prayers and support that everyone has given me! Thank you so much and I know God will bless you for your love and support as I continue to make this transition in my life. I am still looking for job opportunities and a little nervous because I haven't found anything yet but God is faithful and He will provide! I would like to continue to ask for everyone's prayers. Please pray for job opportunities, peace throughout this transition, discernment in decision making and to be diligent in my studies as its been 2 1/2 years since college. I will most definitely present updates on any new job and ministry opportunities. Until my next blog, I pray that God would be glorified in all we do and say. Go in God's karis (grace)!