ESV Gospel Transformation Bible

I love Bryan Chapell. I love the English Standard Version of the Bible. I love the Christ-centered, gospel-grounded understanding that I've come to have of the overarching narrative of the Scriptures.

For all these reasons and many more--including (but not limited to) the involvement of Dane Ortlund and Scotty Smith--I can't wait to see the ESV Gospel Transformation Bible. Check out the video below.

Get the Word Out!

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you may be familiar with the Smith family. Friends of mine back in Webster Groves, Missouri, and one of my favorite families on earth, I've mentioned them before (here, here, here and here).

Karen created a missionary organization called Get the Word Out, Inc. Its underlying goal is to distribute Bibles with the understanding that God's Word changes lives, replacing despair with hope, conflict with peace, and hurt with healing. Much of their ministry has taken place in Kenya where they have also been able to help people through such projects as digging fresh-water wells, building an orphanage and a school, and even bringing children with cancer back to the United States so that they receive medical treatment which otherwise would have been impossible.
  
They are preparing to send a team to Kenya in a little over a week, and just the other day, the resale shop they started to help fund the ministry was featured on KSDK Channel 5's Show Me St. Louis. Check out the video below. And please consider how you might be a part of the wonderful work they're doing!

If you live in St. Louis and are interested in visiting the GTWO Store, their address is 10050 Manchester Rd. in Glendale and their phone number is 314-368-8184. You can also reach them via email at gtwothrift@gmail.com.

 

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Scotty Smith on Conduits of Compassion

"We are redeemed to become conduits, not merely receptacles of God's love and compassion. The river of his affections will not only flow into all of our relationships, but it will also take us into the dark places where poverty, ignorance, racism, oppression, hunger, nakedness, homelessness, and hopelessness thrive--or as the hymn writer has said, 'far as the curse is found.' It is God's plan to use you and me to give his fallen world a significant taste of what it is going to be like when "no longer will there be any curse' (Revelation 22:3). Indeed, our merciful and mighty Father boldly proclaims, 'I am making everything new!' (Revelation 21:5)."

Scotty Smith
Objects of His Affection: Coming Alive to the Compelling Love of God

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom...Scotty Smith on God's Story

"(W)e are made to live in God's Story...for God's glory...with God's joy. It's only within God's Story that our stories find their true meaning and destiny. This is the story that we have in common with God's people of every generation.

"Think about it: though we spend much of life relegating God to bit parts in our little autobiographies of self-fulfillment, God generously 'enfolds' us into His cosmic Story of transforming love! Could any of us possibly want or hope for more out of life?

"We are called into a story that enfolds our own stories in a grander narative--a story that is going somewhere, a story that is taking us with it. There really is a Great Story that goes on forever, in which each chapter gets better than the one before. We dwindle or we grow. Which will you choose?"

Scotty Smith
Restoring Broken Things: What Happens When We Catch a Vision of the New World Jesus is Creating

Every Nation Day of Prayer

I recently received Scotty Smith's book Everyday Prayers. It is a compilation of Scripture-centered and gospel-saturated prayers that Scotty has written through his personal study of and meditation on God's word. With this being National Day of Prayer, I found Scotty's prayer for today to be extremely helpful. It is adapted from a prayer posted a couple years ago at the Heavenward, his blog hosted by The Gospel Coalition, and further adapted (as I found after posting this) in today's post. Here's how it reads in the book:

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10

Loving Father, on this “national day of prayer” it's easy to think of several things to bring before you. First of all, I praise you for heavenly citizenship. Thank you for making me a citizen of the realm from which I eagerly await the return of the true King, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He's already reigning, and one day he will return to transform all things—including my body to be like his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). What comfort and what joy that good news brings!

Secondly, as broken as our country is, I’m very thankful to be an American citizen. I praise you for the many freedoms we still enjoy and the multiplied privileges that go with being a citizen of this great nation. I bring our sitting president before the occupied throne of heaven, and I ask you to be at work in his heart and through his hands.

As with all “kings,” you set them up and you sit them down at your discretion, so I trust you for the accomplishment of your sovereign purposes through our president, in keeping with the eternal wisdom of your heart. I don’t look for a lasting city in our country but for the City builder and maker is God—that would be you!

Lastly, the more I understand the gospel, the more I find it easy to pray in light of John's vision of the "every nation" day of prayer. Oh, for the day when men and women from every nation, tribe, people and language will be wearing the white robes of grace-secured salvation, while waving palm branches of praise and shouting in perfect harmony, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10).

Because that day is coming, free me to be a better citizen of two countries until the kingdom of God arrives in fullness and the King of glory arrives in splendor. I pray in his sovereign and saving name. Amen.

Update: Get the Word Out

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you may recall Karen Smith and a missionary organization which she started called Get the Word Out, Inc.  I first introduced you to GTWO in March of 2010 in a post that included the following story from Kenyan national news:


I also wrote a post back in October which chronicled the story of how they had helped save the life of a little girl named Esther who was suffering from cancer, and were attempting to do the same for an 18-year-old young man named Koech, who literally had only weeks left to live if untreated.

Long story, short, Koech has since successfully undergone treatment for his cancer, and returned this week to Africa with a team from GTWO.  I just received an email from Karen's husband Mike, with the following information:

God richly blessed the Get The Word Out team on the trip to Koech's home village, and the trip to Uganda. Want to know how excited the villagers in Kasae were to receive Koech, the 18-year-old who was dying when he left them last November for treatment in St. Louis? They actually posted a child as a "lookout," and when the child saw the team's vehicles approaching the village, he ran back to alert everyone. About 50 women ran out to the vans, and were jumping up and down, clapping and shouting for joy, when they got to them. The women danced alongside as the team drove to the edge of the village, where hundreds of people were waiting to see Koech and to welcome him in celebration. Karen said Koech's mother, Dorcas, was "beaming, just so happy" that her son had returned healthy.

As I read the email, I had the following thoughts:

First, what an amazing thing it is that as a result of Karen's love for Christ and her obedience to his command that we love others, two children on the edge of death have been restored to health and to their parents.  I am reminded of the many times in Scripture that we read of Jesus healing people (even those who were dead) and restoring them to their families.

I also couldn't help but think of the story of the woman living in Joppa who (like Koech's mother) was named Dorcas.  In Acts 9:36-43 we read that she became ill and died.  The disciples there called for the Apostle Peter who came and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, raised her from the dead.  "And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord."

What a joy it is to see the Body of Christ still bringing health and life to the sick and dying.  We have no idea the degree to which the Lord might use this to draw countless others to himself, but we do know that sickness is a result of the Fall and that death is our ultimate enemy (1 Corinthians 15:26). The ultimate "death of death" of course comes only through Christ's work on the cross, but as we work to bring both physical and spiritual healing and life to others, we are surely imaging the one who is our Savior!

Second, the scene that Mike described of the "lookout," the people going out to meet the vans, and then dancing in celebration as they followed them back to the village reminded me of the return of Christ.  We too are to be watchful as we await the coming of the Lord (Matthew 24:36-44).  We are further told about this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord."

According to the ESV Study Bible, the Greek term translated here as "to meet" (and similarly used in other places such Matthew 25:6 and Acts 28:15) "is often used of an important dignitary's reception by the inhabitants of a city, who come out to greet and welcome their honored guest with fanfare and celebration, then accompany him into the city."  Sound familiar?

May we all be watchful as we await our Lord's return.  And as we do, may our lives be lived in such a way that as we interact with others, they might celebrate his presence in us!

Update From Kenya

Monday I posted about my friend, Karen Smith, who was attempting to help a young boy in Kenya named Koech who is suffering from cancer.  You may recall that they had lined up a doctor and a hospital to provide care for him, but that they were experiencing difficulties with getting him a visa issued so that he could come here for treatment.

In case you were wondering, I wanted to pass along a portion of the update that I received from Karen's husband earlier today:

"Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."
-- Psalm 124:8

Should any of us doubt whether our LORD is ever-present and working on behalf of those who love Him and who are faithful to Him, please talk to Karen about the events at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi earlier today. The Lord moved in the lives of everyone involved, including the Embassy agent who at first was unwilling to budge, and ultimately Koech was approved for a visa.

To say it was a remarkable story does not do justice to the details that God covered and the obstacles He removed. 

Karen will be flying out of Nairobi tonight, and Koech will leave Kenya on Tuesday (his visa will not be ready until then) with Peter Kendagor accompanying him to St. Louis...  

I look forward to hearing more details from Karen.  To all who have been praying, I thank you, and ask that you continue to keep Koech in your prayers in the days and weeks to come.

An Opportunity to Help

Some of you know my friends back in Webster Groves, Missouri, the family of Mike and Karen Smith.  If you don't know them, I guess there's a (slight) chance you might remember them from a post I did back in March when it was announced that they would receive the Froebel Gaines Family Award, which by the way was presented to them October 16th at the 2010 Statesmen Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Congrats again, Smiths!

As I mentioned in that previous post, the Smiths have been very active in ministering to the people of Kenya through Get the Word Out, Inc., a missionary organization founded by Karen.  One of the really neat things I didn't mention in that post was the impact that GTWO and the Smiths have had on the life of Esther Tudo. Here is a story about Esther that ran on KSDK Channel 5 in St. Louis early this year:

The good news is that this summer, Esther returned home to Kenya, doctors having successfully treated the cancer that had been so imminently life-threatening.  The bad news is, as Karen says in the TV story, Esther is the face of so many other children in need.  Yesterday, I got a message from Karen about one other such child.  I don't normally use this space for things like this (in fact I don't think I ever have), but I wanted to forward her message on so that as many people as possible could prayerfully consider if they might be able to help out.  Here is the body of the message Karen sent:

Here’s the deal… there’s a young boy in Kenya whose name is Koech (James Koech Lokwakapel).  He has been diagnosed with cranial sarcoma and the doctors after treating him for over 2 years (for malaria, tuberculosis, even removing his spleen) can do nothing else to help him.

Enter Dr. Rob Hanson and St. John’s Mercy Hospital… both are ready, willing and able to treat Koech and attempt to save his life.  Awesome God, mighty servants!

The problem… the US Embassy in Nairobi is refusing to give him a medical visa because of “a spelling error of his mother’s name.”  The error has been corrected, everything verified, but no one will respond.  US Senators have attempted to help but without success.

So…I’ll be traveling to Nairobi on Monday, Oct 25^th,  to  go personally to the US Embassy as Christ’s ambassador and to stand in the gap for Koech – my hope is to bring him back by Friday, Oct 29^th.

What can you do?  PRAY, PRAY, PRAY.  Pray for favor, pray for justice, pray for victory in Jesus’ Name!  And you can help financially – we need to raise $3000 for plane tickets, and for expenses to bring him back for treatment.

As you know…all contributions are tax-deductible by IRS guidelines as we are a 501(c )[3] organization. 

Thank you for your partnership -  we work together against Satan’s plan to destroy and have the honor to bring help to a child and glory to God!  He is MIGHTY TO SAVE!

If you're interested in helping, here is their contact information:

Get the Word Out, Inc.
PO Box 190242
St. Louis, MO 63119

Get the Word Out, Inc, is a 501[c](3) and all donations are tax-deductible under IRS guidelines. Contributions should be made out to Get the Word Out, Inc. and should be mailed to the address above.

Heavenward Prayers

If you don't already visit there regularly, let me recommend that you make Scotty Smith's blog, Heavenward, a regular stop as you make your journey through the week.  Each day, Scotty shares a prayer for the day that is dripping with gospel sensibility.

For instance, today's prayer is inspired by Psalm 119:71 which reads, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees."  This is not the way I naturally think, but it's the way I ought to.  And the way Scotty prays is not the way I naturally pray, but it's the way I'd like to.

Check out his daily prayers.  I've been blessed immensely by them and I'm sure you will be too.

Discerning God's Will For My Life

Have you ever been faced with a major (or not so major) decision and been paralyzed with fear that you might not rightly discern "the will of God," and in the process, you might be relegated to a life that is somehow less than the best life God has planned for you? If so, I have the following two pieces of advice:

1. Read Kevin DeYoung's great little book, Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will.
2. Watch the this short, very helpful video.

(HT: Challies)

Restoration, Not Replacement

Scotty Smith comes through with this nugget today via Twitter:

We're in a story of restoration, NOT replacement. Jesus said, "I am making all things new," not, "I am making all new things."

Scotty Smith's Prayer for the Battle

One of the great blessings of my time as a student at Covenant Theological Seminary was my opportunity to take a couple courses taught by Scotty Smith. Scotty is the Founding Pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, and a man whose heart truly beats to rhythm of the Gospel.

Every day he posts a prayer that he has composed on his blog, Heavenward. I have been richly blessed by many of the prayers, as have countless others. As I prepeare to preach on the armor of God this Sunday (Ephesians 6:10-24), today's prayer resonated with me even more than usual:

It is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s. 1 Samuel 17:47

This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15

Dear heavenly Father, I love it when you’re selfish with things I don’t really want anyway. So I’m gladly reminded today that you claim ownership of any battle into which you place me. Though you call me into spiritual warfare and though you give me armor to wear (Ephesians 6:10-18), it is you that I must trust in as the Divine Warrior. You’re not calling me to be a disengaged passivist, but a fully engaged worshipper—beholding the salvation of the Lord.

Whether we’re talking about a mere skirmish or an all out assault from the powers of darkness, the battle belongs to you. Fear and discouragement are not the order of the day, faith and peace are.

When I’m afraid of events in world history—when it seems like evil and terror will triumph, once again, let me hear the laughter of heaven. Let me see your installed King, the Lord Jesus. Show me the occupied throne of heaven and it will shut up my fears. (Psalm 2)

When I’m under attack by the seducer, accuser and condemner of the brethren, once again, let me see Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Jesus, you have become all the wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption I need (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). My boast is in you, not in anything in me.

When I’m in the presence of evil people… keep me thinking, feeling and choosing with gospel sanity. When I’m in broken circumstances with broken people (which is most of life)… let me see Jesus more clearly than the storm and waves. When my own divided, duplicitous, easily-distracted heart wages war inside of me, give me confidence in your commitment to bring to completion the good work YOU began in me.

When the biggest and most fierce opposition… when the most present and garish enemy… when “hugest” and most daily battle is actually against all the non-gospels and anti-gospels with which this world is filled… keep showing me more and more and more of the glory and grace of Jesus. So very Amen, I pray, in his tender and triumphant name.

What exactly is the Gospel?

Tullian Tchividjian, Senior Pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, posts today on his blog a series of thoughts on the gospel, as related to him by Scotty Smith, the Founding Pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee. While in seminary, I was blessed to take a couple of courses Scotty taught, and he is a man who loves the gospel. I think that comes through clearly when he says:

• The gospel is God the Father’s irrepressible commitment to redeem his pan-national trans-generational family, and restore his broken creation through the person and work of Jesus, and the power and presence of his Holy Spirit
  
• The gospel is the glory-story of how God the Father is redeeming a people from every single race, tribe, tongue and people group for a life of worship service in the new heaven and new earth. All of this is being accomplished through the person and work of his Son, Jesus, and the power and presence of God the Holy Spirit.
  
• The gospel is the doxological drama in which Jesus, the second Adam, servant-Savior and loving Lord, is redeeming his pan-national Bride and making all things new, to the glory of God.
  
• The gospel is the unfolding story of God’s contra-conditional love for an ill-deserving people, and for his beloved and broken creation-a story which has Jesus as its hero, the nations as its characters, the world as its storyboard, and the new heaven and new earth as its goal.
  
• The gospel is like a great song: It has a lyric to be known (theology), a music to be loved (doxology) and a dance to be learned (mission). Indeed, the gospel calls for informed minds, en-flamed hearts and engaged feet.
  
• The gospel is God’s passionate, joyful, covenant commitment to make all things new through the person and work of his Son, Jesus, and by the power and presence of His Holy Spirit. “All things” include both a people and a place-the Bride of Christ, and the new heaven and new earth. We dare not emphasize one of these to the exception of the other.

The only thing I would add to Scotty's great reflections is to explicitly state what I think he implicitly is saying when he refers to "the person of work of Jesus," namely, "that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).

Congrats to the Smith Family!

Webster Groves High School (my alma mater) recently announced its 2010 class to be inducted into the Statesmen Sports Hall of Fame. The induction banquet will be October 16 and at that banquet, one of the special awards given out will be the Froebel Gaines Family Award. This year’s (very deserving) recipients are the family of my dear friends Mike and Karen Smith.

Mike and Karen have five children who have graduated from WGHS, with numbers six and seven graduating this year and next. The 2010-11 academic year will be the 17th consecutive year that at least one of their children has been a student at WGHS.  Each of those children has been involved with athletics, but more important than that is the Christ-like love that the whole family has shown to countless students over the years who have come to consider the Smiths as their adopted family.

In addition to this, in recent years this love has been extended to the country of Kenya, where Karen has ministered through the missionary efforts of Get the Word Out, Inc., which she founded. To learn about the wonderful work being done there, watch the video below taken from a Kenyan national newscast in 2009.

I am thankful to know them and am blessed to be able to consider them my friends. Congrats to the Smiths!