I was sharing with a brother in the Lord today about J.I. Packer's book "God Has Spoken" and his words concerning biblical revelation "A truly staggering answer which the Bible gives to the question of why does He speak to us through His word is to make friends with us." That's God's purpose in revelation! To make friends with us.
Both of us thought about that for a while and realized that we really don't have any place to fully grasp the significance of that promise or the importance that places on just our being with God.
So often I think of God as someone I go to for things or someone I try to serve by doing things and I don't recognize that He simply wants to be with me so that we can enjoy the companionship that He designed for me to share.
I expect that's true of a lot of other "friendships" but it's a wholly other experience when it comes to being a friend of God.
You might want to think of your own times with the Lord and maybe evaluate yourself in terms of how you see those times together.
Blessings in Jesus!
Dr. Jay
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
God In Three Persons
This morning was one of those experiences that happens just because the Lord has been invited into my day.
One of our team pastors lead our worship time in the devotional for our staff this morning and his hymn of choice was "Holy, Holy, Holy" which includes the phrase "God in three persons, blessed trinity."
This very morning I'd had time with the Lord where He had reaffirmed to me the importance of studying with passion the doctrine of the Trinity because of the amazing revelation of true fellowship, community, love and purity it represents. (See Mark Driscoll's new book "Doctrine" for more on this topic.)
I marvel at how the Lord weaves experiences like that in my life. I had no idea that our pastor was going to choose that song and I really wasn't sure what I was going to share until the moment I stepped up and opened my heart about the importance of this truth.
It's a wonderful journey and especially great when you can follow the flow of the Spirit!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
One of our team pastors lead our worship time in the devotional for our staff this morning and his hymn of choice was "Holy, Holy, Holy" which includes the phrase "God in three persons, blessed trinity."
This very morning I'd had time with the Lord where He had reaffirmed to me the importance of studying with passion the doctrine of the Trinity because of the amazing revelation of true fellowship, community, love and purity it represents. (See Mark Driscoll's new book "Doctrine" for more on this topic.)
I marvel at how the Lord weaves experiences like that in my life. I had no idea that our pastor was going to choose that song and I really wasn't sure what I was going to share until the moment I stepped up and opened my heart about the importance of this truth.
It's a wonderful journey and especially great when you can follow the flow of the Spirit!
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Good Report!
In preparing for a special meeting of the "faith leaders" of North Way this evening, I was struck by the clear choice that every believer has when it comes to what we say about circumstances and situations.
In the powerful story of the "twelve spies" that Moses and Aaron sent into the Promised Land, it is said that ten of the spies gave a "bad report" (Numbers 13:32), which essentially infected the people of God and turned them against the will of God and therefore resulted in their banishment from the Promised Land.
This sounds very harsh, but it is the reality of what unbelief can do in our lives.
On the other hand, because Joshua and Caleb chose to believe God they were given favor and ultimately went into the Promised Land and planted the seed of faith for the next generation.
I want to examine everything about my life and decide to give a "good report" despite the obstacles. This isn't sugar coating problems or overlooking real issues. However, it is choosing to believe God rather than circumstances when an opportunity for faith is on the line!
Perhaps you're in just such a situation right now. I urge you to consider the impact of a "good report" and how it can sow faith in the hearts of others.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
In the powerful story of the "twelve spies" that Moses and Aaron sent into the Promised Land, it is said that ten of the spies gave a "bad report" (Numbers 13:32), which essentially infected the people of God and turned them against the will of God and therefore resulted in their banishment from the Promised Land.
This sounds very harsh, but it is the reality of what unbelief can do in our lives.
On the other hand, because Joshua and Caleb chose to believe God they were given favor and ultimately went into the Promised Land and planted the seed of faith for the next generation.
I want to examine everything about my life and decide to give a "good report" despite the obstacles. This isn't sugar coating problems or overlooking real issues. However, it is choosing to believe God rather than circumstances when an opportunity for faith is on the line!
Perhaps you're in just such a situation right now. I urge you to consider the impact of a "good report" and how it can sow faith in the hearts of others.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
Monday, September 27, 2010
Seizing Moments
This weekend was an amazing challenge on many levels. In the personal column, we were celebrating the birth of our first granddaughter with my son David and his wife Corrie and we had family in town as well; we enjoyed many wonderful moments together.
In the North Way column, we had the launch of the Sewickley Valley campus on Sunday morning and I was responsible for the message on the topic of “Too Messy for Jesus?” (You can watch or listen to this message on our website at www.northway.org.)
Without going into great detail, all those things could have piled up on my spirit and caused a lot of tension. Instead, as the Lord seems to do in my life, He used the convergence of all these events to create a ‘moment’ of obedience to His Spirit.
Rather than giving the full message that I had spent many hours preparing, the Lord had me basically “step off the script” and just bring the highlights of the message to allow His Spirit to use the time to minister to people at all the different campuses.
The results of this were incredibly refreshing, according to all the campus pastors, and I know certainly at Wexford. Most important, I felt the favor of God for being willing to take the risk to trust Him along with the all the teams that had to adjust as well in order to make this happen.
It’s not often that we have to trust God and step out into unknown territory with many people who could be affected. However, there’s great joy and fruitfulness which can’t be seized any other way.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
In the North Way column, we had the launch of the Sewickley Valley campus on Sunday morning and I was responsible for the message on the topic of “Too Messy for Jesus?” (You can watch or listen to this message on our website at www.northway.org.)
Without going into great detail, all those things could have piled up on my spirit and caused a lot of tension. Instead, as the Lord seems to do in my life, He used the convergence of all these events to create a ‘moment’ of obedience to His Spirit.
Rather than giving the full message that I had spent many hours preparing, the Lord had me basically “step off the script” and just bring the highlights of the message to allow His Spirit to use the time to minister to people at all the different campuses.
The results of this were incredibly refreshing, according to all the campus pastors, and I know certainly at Wexford. Most important, I felt the favor of God for being willing to take the risk to trust Him along with the all the teams that had to adjust as well in order to make this happen.
It’s not often that we have to trust God and step out into unknown territory with many people who could be affected. However, there’s great joy and fruitfulness which can’t be seized any other way.
Blessings,
Pastor Jay
Friday, September 24, 2010
It's Go Time!
As many of you who read this blog know, the Sewickley Valley campus of North Way Christian Community is going to have it's official "launch" this Sunday, September 26 at 11:00 a.m.
This is the culmination of 18 months of prayer, study, hard work and the building of great relationships to form the foundation of what I believe will be a powerful and loving expression of the church to take it's place in that community.
There are other good churches in the area and the Lord knows there is a great need for many more churches in years to come, just as we would say about the North Hills and other areas that are experiencing a renovation of generations.
I'm excited to see what God has in store as I've had so many other matters on my plate that it's strictly up to Him to see that the launch is a success! I'm really comfortable with that in a responsible sort of way.
When you wake up on Sunday morning pray for Pastor Curt Coffield and his team, that this launch date will mark a turning point for the Sewickley Valley and be an encouragement to the believers as well as a weekend of hope for those who have yet to discover Jesus' amazing grace.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
http://www.northway.org/secondary/campusVenues/sewickley/sewickley.aspx
This is the culmination of 18 months of prayer, study, hard work and the building of great relationships to form the foundation of what I believe will be a powerful and loving expression of the church to take it's place in that community.
There are other good churches in the area and the Lord knows there is a great need for many more churches in years to come, just as we would say about the North Hills and other areas that are experiencing a renovation of generations.
I'm excited to see what God has in store as I've had so many other matters on my plate that it's strictly up to Him to see that the launch is a success! I'm really comfortable with that in a responsible sort of way.
When you wake up on Sunday morning pray for Pastor Curt Coffield and his team, that this launch date will mark a turning point for the Sewickley Valley and be an encouragement to the believers as well as a weekend of hope for those who have yet to discover Jesus' amazing grace.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
http://www.northway.org/secondary/campusVenues/sewickley/sewickley.aspx
Thursday, September 23, 2010
The Miracle of New Life
Early this morning, at 2:30 a.m., I became a grandfather once again! My son David's wife Corrie gave birth to a beautiful 8lb. 6oz. baby girl, beautifully named Elizabeth Claire Passavant.
Though I could spend pages and pages talking about the impact of the birth experience on one's understanding of life, all that really needs to be said is "we are created in the image of God" and that is not just a physical thing. As miraculous as the physical birth is, the "eternal" dimension of us, the unseen part, is what lasts forever and yet that too is initiated in this amazing gift of new life.
I lost a little bit of sleep last night and I'm sure that my son David and his wife will be adjusting in a big time way over the next several months. However, every parent knows that it's worth the sacrifice because the blessing is incalculable compared to anything else that one can experience in life's journey.
Thanks to all of you who pray for our family. I recognize that many of you "cover us" with your prayers and I believe that having four healthy grandchildren at this stage of my life and service to our church is, in part, an answer to your prayers!
Blessings in Jesus,
Dr. Jay
Though I could spend pages and pages talking about the impact of the birth experience on one's understanding of life, all that really needs to be said is "we are created in the image of God" and that is not just a physical thing. As miraculous as the physical birth is, the "eternal" dimension of us, the unseen part, is what lasts forever and yet that too is initiated in this amazing gift of new life.
I lost a little bit of sleep last night and I'm sure that my son David and his wife will be adjusting in a big time way over the next several months. However, every parent knows that it's worth the sacrifice because the blessing is incalculable compared to anything else that one can experience in life's journey.
Thanks to all of you who pray for our family. I recognize that many of you "cover us" with your prayers and I believe that having four healthy grandchildren at this stage of my life and service to our church is, in part, an answer to your prayers!
Blessings in Jesus,
Dr. Jay
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
The Inside and the Outside
Yesterday was a beautiful day, for most people.
However, I wasn't feeling well and those of you who read my blog know that there wasn't anything posted yesterday.
The reason was that I just had to take some time off to recover from something that was attacking my "insides."
It's really a bit odd when there's beauty all around you on the outside, but some sort of undefined "ugliness" on the inside!
Now the reality of this analogy is that that can be very true of familes, marriages, and even churches. What God looks at is always the heart, the inside and the outside is simply the "covering" that God uses to help us engage one another. (One day we'll no longer have these bodies, we'll simply be spiritual beings! I Cor. 15)
So, though today isn't quite as beautiful, I feel better and that means on the inside I'm going to have a great day and the outside will take care of itself.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
However, I wasn't feeling well and those of you who read my blog know that there wasn't anything posted yesterday.
The reason was that I just had to take some time off to recover from something that was attacking my "insides."
It's really a bit odd when there's beauty all around you on the outside, but some sort of undefined "ugliness" on the inside!
Now the reality of this analogy is that that can be very true of familes, marriages, and even churches. What God looks at is always the heart, the inside and the outside is simply the "covering" that God uses to help us engage one another. (One day we'll no longer have these bodies, we'll simply be spiritual beings! I Cor. 15)
So, though today isn't quite as beautiful, I feel better and that means on the inside I'm going to have a great day and the outside will take care of itself.
Blessings,
Dr. Jay
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