CaseyJones1979

Today I began a new book. The title of the book is "A Call to Spiritual Reformation." It is by D.A. Carson. The challenge in the book is that the greatest need of the church today is a call to a deeper knowledge of God. Carson challenges us that if we have a deeper knowledge of God that there will be a triple down effect to the other area of our lives. This is a book that will go through the prayers of Paul from the New Testament. It is good stuff so far.

I got this idea from a friend of mine. He blogs his daily reading activity. He just gives a brief commentary on what he read for that day. I have been using the Robert Murry Mcheyne Bible reading calendar this year. This particular calendar will take you through the New Testament and Psalms twice in a year and the Old Testament once. Today I read Leviticus 2-3, Proverbs 18, John 21, and Colossians 1.

I would have to say that some of the most challenging verses I read today were, Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." The first thought I have on these Proverbs is with the name of the Lord. This writer says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower," When I think of a tower I think of something like the Eiffel Tower. It is a massive structure. It has a solid foundation. It is very tall. It has something of permanence. It is a fixed structure. It seems like it is almost shakable. But the thing about this tower is that the name of the Lord is a strong tower! So we can have comfort in God's name and trust in him. If we run into a literal tower we will be knocked down. If we run hard enough we will actually get knocked out. But because God's name is a strong tower, if we run into it we will be safe. That is the righteous who run into will be safe. I don't know about you guys today, but I need a steady, safe structure, to guard and protect me. I need someone to help me in my darkest hour and need. Fortunately for us we do have a strong tower in the name of the Lord. We can run into him and be safe.

The other challenging passage out of Proverbs 18 deals with the tongue. Words can kill and words can heal. The question is for us, which will we be? Will we be a unifier or a divider. Will we bring death? Or will we bring life? Someone has said it takes 3 times as many words of encouragement to replace one negative word! I hope that this encourages and challenges you as it does me to live a life that is honoring and glorifying to the Savior Jesus Christ.

In a few weeks I will be leaving Texas and heading back to Alabama "God's Country." I have had the privilege of pastoring two churches. Its frustrating for me because I had planned to be at both places longer than I was. There have been times when I wanted to get out of the pastorate all together and do something else. I had to go back during that time to when God called me to pastor and ask myself "why?" When I went back to the reason why I realized that I must depend on God for these issues. It will be interesting to see how God works out this calling. I am excited that when I return home I will be preaching at two different churches that Sunday. One church is a traditional Southern Baptist Church and another church is an idependent non denominational church. The pastor there is a supporter of the Reformed Blacks of America. Which by the way there are Southern Baptists among this group. I have had the privilege of being given a gift by the Lord to get along with all kinds of people. God has truly been gracious to me, I will miss Texas, but look forward to the journey back in God's country in Alabama.

for the sake of the elect.