Addie's Evil Heart of Unbelief

A constant struggle in the Baird household is making our oldest daughter (Addie Leigh) stay in bed. Tonight she got out of bed four (make that five) times. We disciplined her three times, and talked with her each time. I explained to her that by getting out of bed she was being disobedient, but even worse, she didn't trust me. When she gets out of bed she believes that by getting out of bed it will be better for her than if she obeys me and stays in bed. Here we have a little atheist in the making. Wanting to "do what is right in her own eyes." I asked her who knew what was better for her... Addie or daddy? To which she responded (rightly) "daddy." Maybe it was just lip service, but at least she knew the right answer.

As parents it is our job to instill confidence (in us as parents) in our children so that obedience becomes a matter of trust.

Ok, so while you're thinking about how your kids don't trust you, I'm going to throw it back in your (my) own face. Think about how many times that we, by our actions, disbelieve God. We think that by lying on our resume (don't try to get sophisticated on me and say you are embellishing), or covering up our mistake at work, or eating those two (or four) extra donuts, or (men) lingering a little longer at the Victoria's Secret store, or (women) watching the soap opera or reading the trashy romance novel, that somehow by doing these things, we will be better off than if we take God at His word when He says "do not lie," or when He says "do not be a glutton", or when He says that there shouldn't even be a hint of sexual immorality among us (I need Scott Dunn to help me construct this extremely long sentence properly). All sin can be traced back to the root of unbelief. We don't take God at His word and believe that by sinning we will be better off than trusting and obeying God. When are you (am I) going to grow up and believe our Father?

We Should Struggle Like Jill

I am currently scanning Jill's journal and it makes me feel like a spiritual midget ("little person" if you want the PC terminology). Jill had spiritual struggles like we all do, but she handled them so biblically. It was said of John Bunyan by Charles Spurgeon that his blood was bibline. "Prick him anywhere and he bleeds scripture." The same could certainly be said about Jill. In her journal there are segments of Scripture and segments of her personal thought, but sometimes it's hard to tell which is which. Her mind was saturated with God's word. I want to be like that, I want to bleed Bible.

The Inner Consistency of Being a Wretched Christian

It gives me hope and comfort that it is not inconsistent with Christianity to be a sinful and doubting Christian. However, it is never ok to be doubting or sinful, nor am I ever to be at peace with my sin or my doubt. It is the nature of humanity to be sick, but this doesn't take away the impetus to fight against sickness.

Ultimately my hope and comfort is found in Christ alone, but it is good to be reminded of our indwelling sin as believers so that we will have a sober understanding of ourselves, and not fall into pride, and so that when we sin, we will not fall into despair.

Goodsearch

This is on the Wyatt Baptist Church website. Go support our church by searching through our website!

How many times a day do you search for something on the internet? What's your favorite search engine? Can we make a suggestion? GoodSearch allows you to search the internet and find what you're looking for in seconds, just like Google, Yahoo, etc. But with GoodSearch there's one difference. For every search you make on GoodSearch, they will in turn donate one cent to Wyatt Baptist Church. Here's all you have to do. Just click on the GoodSearch link above or type it into your browser window and off you go.

Here's the important part! When the GoodSearch homepage opens and you are ready to type in your search, look at the drop-down box located under the words "Who do you GoodSearch for?" In that box type in "Wyatt Baptist Church" and click the "Verify" button. Now you are ready to search and the church just got a penny!

Shopping for something online? Why not GoodShop? Click the GoodShop box below the search window and choose from more 700 great stores. GoodShop will in turn donate a percentage of your purchase to the church, some as high as 37%. GoodSearch or GoodShop today!

Peril

(A Prayer entitled "Peril" from The Valley of Vision book of Puritan prayers.)

SOVEREIGN COMMANDER OF THE UNIVERSE,

I am sadly harassed by doubts, fears, unbelief, in a felt spiritual darkness.
My heart is full of evil surmisings and disquietude, and I cannot act faith at all.
My heavenly pilot has disappeared, and I have lost my hold on the rock of ages;
I sink in deep mire beneath storms and waves, in horror and distress unutterable.
Help me, O Lord, to throw myself absolutely and wholly on thee, for better, for worse, without comfort, and all but hopeless.
Give me peace of soul, confidence, enlargement of mind, morning joy that comes after night heaviness;
Water my soul richly with divine blessings;
Grant that I may welcome thy humbling in private so that I might enjoy thee in public;
Give me a mountain top as high as the valley is low.
Thy grace can melt the worst sinner, and I am as vile as he;
Yet thou hast made me a monument of mercy, a trophy of redeeming power; in my distress let me not forget this.
All-wise God, Thy never-failing providence orders every event.
Sweetens every fear, reveals evil’s presence lurking in seeming good, brings real good out of seeming evil, makes unsatisfactory what I set my heart upon, to show me what a short-sighted creature I am, and to teach me to live by faith upon thy blessed self.
Out of my sorrow and night give me the name Naphtali - “satisfied with favour” - help me to love thee as thy child, and to walk worthy of my heavenly pedigree.

Pithy Comments

Never underestimate the power of words. What are some of your favorite (short) quotes from books, sermons, heros, parents etc? If it's a really good one I'll post it.

I like this one by John Bunyan:

"Do you see more worth and merit in one drop of Christ's blood to save you, than in all the sins of the world to condemn you?"

(Keep in mind this is poetic language, Jesus could not have ransomed us with a paper cut).

The Great Eight

Romans is probably the most complete (and therefore the most important) book in the Bible. Romans Chapter 8 is probably the most important chapter in the Bible. Romans 3:23-26 is probably the most important paragraph in the Bible. Romans chapter 1 verse 16 is probably the most important verse in the Bible. (Notice my epistemological humility by using the word "probably").
I have mentioned this before but I go back to Romans 8 over and over again. The puritans called it "The Great Eight" and for good reason. It is massively helpful in thinking through the Christian life.
I would encourage you all to meditate deeply on this remarkable chapter. Drink heavily from it's meaning and comfort that it brings.

Question: What Was Jill's Study Bible?

Answer:
She had the "Reformation Study Bible" which is a great resource. You can find it here at the Westminster Bookstore.

While the Reformation Study Bible is a great resource, an even better resource that only recently came out is the ESV Study Bible. The scholars that worked on it are more broad than the Reformation Study Bible and it has more content. This study Bible can be found here at a cheap introductory price.

Why I Quote John Piper Often

Some may not know who John Piper is, but he has been extremely influential in my life. About 10 years ago I was introduced to him through the book "Desiring God" from my father-in-law, and I have never been the same since. He helped me to see God in all of His glory by unfolding the Scriptures to me and showing that my desire to be joyful and God's desire to be glorified are not at odds. The maxim by which he lives is biblical and helpful- "God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him."

I have been criticized for my seeming "devotion" to this man, and perhaps that criticism has not been completely unfounded, but one of the main things I have learned from John Piper is that God is my rock, my shelter, and my hope. No created person or thing can be that for me.

One of the reasons that I quote John Piper so much in times like these is that he is one of the few people who constantly talks about suffering. So when I'm suffering and I want to hear some biblical, encouraging words, he is who I go to. In addition to "Christian Hedonism" his ministry is probably most closely associated with enduring suffering. I am never not helped by what he has to say and am thankful to God for his servant John Piper.

I said all that to say that in the area of preaching to yourself it is good to have examples of this, and John Piper preached this sermon after being diagnosed with cancer and having his prostate removed. In it he gives some good counsel on preaching the gospel to yourself.

Preach To Yourself

I have been familiar with the concept of preaching to myself for a while now. It has recently become even more important. As I have been able to read through Jill's notebook, she was constantly preaching to herself. Her devotional life is a great example of a radical, realistic, and persistent dependence on Jesus.

Here are five reasons to preach to yourself:
1. We are stupid- It takes at least 5 times of us hearing something for it to get into our heads and even more to get into our hearts.
2. God's Word is powerful- If we truly believe the Bible to be what it claims to be we should hide it in our hearts and one of the best ways to do that is to constantly remind yourself what it says.
3. The Psalmist does this over and over.
4. It means that you recognize your dependence on God for sustaining your spiritual life.
5. It's a good way to redeem the time and gives you opportunity to reflect on your many imperfections.