Sacrificial Obedient Love

Another day, another post, yesterday (Saturday) was interesting because I went to a friend’s engagement party. It was a taste of good old bush dance. Totally embracing and uncomfortable lol, but I it was good. I was especially encourage during the speeches to see that my friend, in that companionship, quiet early into it, established that Christ should be the focus of it. It was also good to get the 4 CBM presidents together, Ironical how we were all their.
I Love church, church was awesome, because it is built up and rooted in Christ!
My friend spoke on treasures that we might gain on earth. They are worthless & seem to hurt us more then the gain. So do not peruse worldly treasures, but peruse God’s Kingdom, the true treasure, Christ living within us, and do this with Love.
Exercise this love with a sacrificial obedient love, in loving God with all your heart, mind, sole and strength. Also show this love to one another in the way we do relate to one another, and in our evangelism.
My Friend from uni which came up to bush dance, I managed to get him to come along to the church service. And afterwards went down to echo point.
I also met up with a friend of mine, who I’ve been going through mark with him. I am very encouraged that he has a great zeal to know more and more about God. And I am happy to see that he is really improving in his reading, and reading the bible. Please pray that he might continue to grow in Christ and be bold in telling his friends about Jesus as Lord As well.
Anyways continue praying for my loneliness, for me to be content and trust in the sovereignty of God. I hope someone actually reads this blog lol.

Martin Luther - “O how great a thing, how marvellous, a godly Christian’s prayer is! How powerful with God; that a poor human creature should speak with God’s high Majesty in heaven, and not be affrighted, but on the contrary, know that God smiles upon him for Christ sake, his clearly beloved Son.”

Laurence.

The Implications of the Trinity

Onces again, i am posting lol. This is short talk i did for our committee meeting today, which went well by the way. Here it is:

The trinity, God himself is an awesome subject. God is the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity and whose name is holy. The doctrine of the trinity is the glory of the Christian faith. It is drawn entirely from revelation. And it depends on the absolute truth of the sentences through which the scriptures teach us about God and his nature, his character, his purpose, his actions and promises. It was also believe by the Christians church from the beginning, for from the beginning believers acknowledge Jesus as their Lord and their God and prayed to him, though he had prayer to the father. Perhaps Matthew 28:19 best sums up the doctrine of the trinity. Go therefore and make disciple of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.
The name of the Lord remains one name, yet now God is to be known as father, Son and Holy Spirit, Being distinct, personal and equal.
Now what are the implications of this in our personal relationship?
Well firstly personal relationship in ultimately reality and the basic requirement for establishment and maintenance of true personal relationship is other-person-centeredness. That is a genuine interest in the other person and his or hers welfare and the forwarding of that welfare by every appropriate means at one’s disposal. We see this in the trinity; God’s other-person-centeredness is complete, and active in conferring benefits on the other person all the time.
For example the father always gives the son everything, the son responds to the father; his response springs from his other-person-centeredness. The spirit too, is also other-person-centeredness within the trinity. He does not glorify himself but glorifies the son, just as the son does not seek his own glory but the fathers. This complete other-person-centeredness and mutual self-giving one to the other makes personal knowledge to each other possible.
Thus God’s centre of his activity is in the welfare of the other. It is also not just confined to the relations between the persons of trinity, but being basic to his nature of relationships, it also extends to his creation as we read in Psalm 145:9, “The lord is good to all and his tender mercies are over all that he has made”.
This absolute other-person-centeredness is also the ground of our salvation, as we read Romans 5:8, “God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Therefore it is a great assurance to know that God is infinitely concerned with our welfare and with advancing it. His whole infinite being is absolutely and always centred on each of us, and he is always engaged in advancing our benefit.
Now since God is in personal relationships within himself it follows that true personal relationships is blissful and is the basis of happiness. This truth is confirmed in human experience. We find enjoyment is deepened when it is shared. We are to imitate God in being absolutely other-person-centeredness or another way of saying this, is LOVE, love in its biblical meaning.
While preparing this talk, personally it has rebuked me, and I grieve of my own sinfulness to be self-centred. But Friends lets make sure we are other-person-centred. And while this being the ground for our salvation; let’s make sure we show this love to our non-Christian friends.
Well, stayed tuned for our next exciting episode of the implications of the trinity in our next meeting.

We also had a guest speaker come in today who was a refugee from Iran, and became a Christian in villawood detention centre. It was really amazing how God work in people, in order for them to know him. He had a magnificant story which involved, going through jungles, crossing rivers of crocidiles, and converting from Islam to Christianity. It bring me Joy to see God working through people to bring about his promises, for the gospel to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth.
Also been encouraged at church on sunday. We are really blessed to have faithful men and women in sydney who faithfully proclaim the Gospel. Prayers were really good, very scriptual and Christ focused :). Sermon was on stewardship, And it reminded us to serve :).
Please continue praying for my loneliness. It something i do struggle with..

May we delight in your purpose, and work to bring all things to their true end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Laurence.

The Battle of the Flesh

I’ve been thinking about a lot of things over the past few months. And so many things have grieved me, especially sin. The battle of the flesh, is really hard, and I don’t know if it’s me growing as a Christian, or I am just getting more sinful, but I seem to notice that I do sin a lot, and it grieves me. How I long for the day when every tear will be wiped away, and the glory of God might be revealed to its full.
Some of the things I have noticed are that I am self-centred which in other words does not love, God is completely other person centred, and we can see this in the trinity in relationship with the father, son and Holy Spirit. Sometimes I guess it is done not intentionally and other times it is, but it does grieve me that I am such and it does break relationships. I also know that I am not quick to listen but quick to speak, and this kinda does fall into the self-centeredness.

Please do pray that I can be more loving to people in everything I do.
The other thing I do struggle with is loneliness. I’m not sure if this has to do with most of my friends being married or in a relationship or if it has to do with my situation at home, lacking Christian love to one another, and my sin towards that, or if it has to do with me being alone a lot of the time. Sometimes I wonder if I will ever find someone to be other-person centeredness to in the context of companionship, and it grieves me, because every time there is hope for a relationship, I get hurt. And I guess my self-centeredness hinders friendships. If I am wrong, please do pray for a change of my heart, for contentment in my singleness. It grieves me seeing the world’s view of companionship, and how it even invades our Christian circles. How guys have to be men of fists and looks (which I am not), and how girls have to dress immodestly in the context of companionship. It breaks my hearts reading statistics of failed marriages and relationships. Men, make sure you are men of prayer and are faithful to God. Women make sure you dress modestly and love your husbands and are also faithful to God. And if you are in companionship or not, make sure the central part of your lives is Christ, who is Lord over all.

Why do I and we Christian continue fighting this good fight of faith?
Well, I just can find the words in me to explain the joy, and peace that is in Christ Jesus. To know that In Christ, we can come back into a relationship with God, and live under his rule. How great is his love, grace and mercy, that while we were sinners, He sent his son to die, so that we might have forgiveness. And it brings me great joy that Jesus has rightly dealt with the punishment that I deserve, the sinful rebellious nature that I am. And it brings me joy that God is a personal God, who loves us, which we as Christian should imitate in our interactions with one another, serving one another in Love.
I find it that every time that I have an opportunity to proclaim the gospel and serve others in love, from either something up front like preaching or even encouraging someone in the pews, it brings me joy and tears to see someone growing in Christ. We should also remember it is God, who out of his mercy and grace reveals himself to people.
And this should be our focus, pointing to Christ, in everything we do.
If this is your first time hearing about Jesus, or have not made a decision to trust and obey him, then I encourage you to please do. And visit your local church or chaplaincy and find out more. Again it is not easy, but the hope that is in Christ Jesus, out weights the struggles.

Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and live this day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Laurence.

Jézus a Úr!

A new day, a new post :). Not much to post really. Had lots of uni work, and things due in, but i managed to get them done.

Church on Sunday was interesting, had a missionary talk to us about Islam. Was good, gave a great incite into what they believe, referred to Romans 9:30-10:21 where Paul mentions Israel, and his heart goes out to them because they have zeal without Knowledge. Without knowledge that righteousness comes from faith in Jesus Christ as Lord (Jézus a Úr!) - Jesus is Lord!).

Monday, looked at Hinduism, again it was a great incite into what they believe. Had a couple who lived in India who were very nice, and gave us some incite into what Hinduism is like. Interesting how they believe that we are in a cycle of death-rebirth, and if we managed to get enough karma, we will eventually be released out of this cycle and return to a greater source, the Brahman. It is interesting contrasting it back to Christianity. The Christian faith, God takes the initiative and reaches down to us. so 1 John 1:3 - In his great mercy, he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Through God's mercy & Love, God has given us new life, and reconciliation through his son. But looking at other Ideas of religions, It seems we have to work for our salvation, work for life, which because of our rebellious nature, we can't achieve.

From Reading Knox's book, one of chapters remind us that God's power in creation also extends to Judgement. Jesus will come back to judge the living and the dead. Peter reminds us that those who suffer righteously for God's sake should commit their cause to God, the faithful creator and the one who judges righteously, and we will be vindicated as we serve him and bring this eternal gospel to every tribe, nation, tongue and people. So lets continue to proclaim faithfully Jesus as Lord

Tomorrow we are having a talk on boy/girl relationships, which is going to be interesting. Growth groups have been going well this semester. Most groups are finishing up learning two ways to live and moving on to looking at the book of Malachi. I'm really looking forward to NTE this year, Uni gets tiring and stressful after a while, and NTE is a highlight of the year. This year we are looking at Eschatology (Looking at the end times), lol probably a hobby horse of mine for a while :). Continue praying for our uni group, that we can be bold in proclaiming Jesus as Lord & that we can continue to grow in the likeness of Jesus.

God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Laurence.

Jesus is Lord, Lord of the future, present & past

Finally my next post. This one is exciting, Below is a short talk, actually to start off our committee meeting. I was going to post it tommorrow, but its really exciting, so i decided to post it today. It is on the dominion and kingdom of God.

In the beginning, God purposed that the dominion should be given to mankind. However, since mankind has rebelled, man has lost this dominion.
In the New Testament, we see this purpose of God being fulfilled in Jesus, in the dominion that he had received through the cross and at his ascension.
So some passages such as 1 Corinthians 15, Ephesians 1 and Hebrews 2, make it clear that the narrative of Genesis 1 which also is taken up in Psalm 8, is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the one to whom all things have been subjected, and God’s purposes for mankind have been fulfilled in him and in those who are in him.
He is the image of God, and he is the one to whom dominion has been given and so the words of Genesis 1 are fulfilled. “Let us make man in our own image after our likeness and let them have dominion”.

Now salvation comes to sinners by the acknowledgement of this dominion of Jesus. To acknowledge Jesus as Lord is the touchstone of being a Christian (Romans 10:9). Therefore in the New Testament, when it is said that salvation comes from faith in Jesus, it means faith in Jesus as Lord. Our acknowledgement of this dominion of Christ, should not only look back to the cross, though it is our basis, but it takes in its scope the present and future as well. As Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 15, Jesus is reigning and must reign until every enemy is put under his feat.
This dominion of God is also a very different sort of dominion from what we understand by the word in ordinary human relationships. We exercise dominion over one another by force, but this dominion of God is a dominion which flows from righteousness and love. This is how God exercises his dominion in Heaven, and therefore also on earth. Christ in his earthly life followed and expressed this kingdom or dominion of God. Christians also share the dominion of Christ. Therefore this reign upon the earth is a present reality, and we share in the victory that Jesus had won over sin.

So as we have heard, The Lordship of Christ is manifested not only in the past at Calvary and in the present through the victory that his servants win by suffering righteously in the world of sin, but it will also be manifested at the last day.
Consequently the acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord comprises not only the past and present, but also looks forward to the future. Our way of thinking should be an Eschatological way of thinking, which is looking to future, and this way of thinking characterised the Christians of the New Testament. They were awaiting their Lord to return, and they lived by hope, as we should too.
1 Thessalonians 1 also makes it clear that Jesus is Lord, Lord of the future, as well as the Lord of the present and the past.
Friends, I am very encouraged that you would give up your time, and go out of your way to come to this meeting, and contribute to the proclamation of the Gospel. We should remember however that Jesus will eventually return. We don’t know the date, but we do know God has delayed that day, so that as much people as possible will come to know him. We have a big mission field here, so let us continue to proclaim Jesus as Lord, and remember that, we are in it together, to Glory.

The talk is based from Knox's book, and challenge Conference. I recommend the book to anyone who hasen't red it, Doctrine is such a cool thing to discuss. Anyways please pray, that the meeting will go well tommorrow.
Church on sunday was great :). We looked at how God speaks to us. Through his word, his living and God breathed word. The spirit carried the writers, and God Breathed & inspired the words which they wrote.
Anyways Lots of uni work, lots of stress, so please continue praying, & thank God that we can pray and read his word, and out of his own mercy and grace we can be reconiled back to him :)

Glory to God; Father, Son, & Holy Spirit: as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.

Laurence.

Keep it up guys, In Christ!

Hey. My friend continuely posts on a journal, and i think they are doing a great job in proclaming Christ. It is the Australian Christian Cartoonists Community's Journal, and talented Christians are using their gifts in art to proclaim Jesus as Lord!
I've added it as a Link, or u can just simple click here
Check it out.
I've also added a link, to a quiz, which tells you what kind of Theologian you are.
This week has been long, lots of work. I have a semi assignment due on monday, and i'm struggeling with it as we speak. I'm also struggeling with other matters which are resulting in feelings of fustration and sadness, so please continue to pray for me guys :).
I must get back to work, so see you next post.

God Bless
Laurence

Doctrine of God insight by D.B Knox

Gold, Gold, Gold!, A recommended Book. Doctrine of God, selected works of D.B Knox. I've only red a few chapters, however it is really Good. Heavy, but good. So far it has explained Deity, Infallibility of Scriptures, and a touch on the Trinitarian God.
I've been really encourage and Joyful, lately, We are so privilege here in Australia, to have faithful men and women who faithfully teach the Gospel.
The Word being central to all teachings. I think sometimes we take it for granted, and we need to be praying for places where Gospel teaching is not clearly proclaimed!
We are in it together, to Glory, Keep at it, keep running the race, and continue to faithfully proclaim God's word!
In other news Uni was okay, Got some work done which was nice lol. Also put up some pictures of Challenge Conference and Bushwalking yesterday on bebo Site, Here!

Anyways Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
Laurence

Minni Ha Ha, Delightfulness in God's creation

Today was sadly last day of KC+ (October Convention). We finally tied up everything. Be ambassadors of Christ, we are in it together to Glory. Also looked at the fall in Genesis 3, That the punishments given to us, are meaningful and not random. However, even due to the bad things that happened in the fall, God gives us hope, Eve's womb was not in curse, Descendents could go on. Just as through one man, the fall happened, one man, who was Jesus, brought Life. And this life is better then the first Eden, It even has a city :P.
Anyways after that, friends came up from Sydney, and we went bushwalking. Visited Leura Cascades and Minni Ha Ha falls in Nth Katoomba. Was good to time to catch up, we even had pizza later together :P.
Anyways Uni Tomorrow, Tired...., and lots of uni work that i'm not looking forward to and am struggling in.

Good Night, God Bless
Laurence

Delight in Prayer!

Today was a long day, preached at 2 services, did the rest of my ministries at night service, and went to October convention. However enough of me, because it’s not about Me, It’s about wanting to see Glory and Sovereignty of God proclaimed to the ends of the earth. I put it up on my website, I hope it challenges you in prayer, to bring out thoughts away from ourselves and focus on God and his promises, as much as it has challenged me. Anyways here it is:
http://dabible.webtized.com/Prayer.htm
The comments I got are that, It was great that I started off with the Sovereignty of God, and that I really wrestled with the scriptures, and remained faithful to the text. Some things I noted was that, I looked too much at notes, however having the short amount of time didn’t help, but I need to improve in this, and that my nervousness can mess up my sentences. My friend for night service, also preached faithfully and preached the Gospel :). KC++ (October convention) was good, I could only make it to the night session only. But it encouraged me that we are saved by grace and how mission is to proclaim the Gospel faithfully, and actually live in it. Have an obsession for the Gospel.
Anyways, I am off to sleep, final day of Convention tomorrow, and friends are coming up to visit :)

The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen

Laurence.