I LOVE the truth!!!!!!! I looooveeee!!!!!!!! it :)
Posted by James MacDonald on November 10, 2007 12:22 PM | Comments (27)My life verse is Jeremiah 15:16: Your words were found unto me and I did eat them, and theybecame in me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.
A large burgundy, Scofield reference Bible. I purchased it at a bookstore I can't remember the name of at a mall I can't remember the name of about a mile from the house I lived in for my first 19 years. I walked to the store, took out my very own hard-earned, and somewhat scarce cash and plunked it down so the cashier would release me to leave with my very own Bible. I took it home, and sat at a table in a quiet corner of an upstairs bedroom and began to pour over the pages. I had NEVER done it before--not like that, not for myself, to feed my soul and satisfy my longing. I love God's Word. I love the truth I find there. Truth, ( I am fond of saying) that has satisfied the greatest minds in human history. Truth that has stood the test of time and been supernaturally preserved by God Himself.
The older I get the more laid back I get about more things, but not about the truth, not about the Scriptures, not about the Bible. I am more and more casual about people and politics; I really have no idea who should win the big election next year. I am increasingly laid back about sports teams and other meaningless allegiances. I'm so much more easy going when my kids see things differently, or I can't make it work, or I don't get my way, etc.
But MORE AND MORE AND MORE, I have no patience for people who distort and deny God's Word. I just can't take it. I can sit back and smile about a lot of things, but I can't take preachers, or practitioners, who think they are somehow helping the kingdom of God by distancing themselves from or diluting the explicit statements of Scripture. I hate it when I hear it because I love the truth. Here's a quote from an article I wrote some time ago for Christianity Today:
"We are expected to obey our Master and to accept His Word without equivocation. Cavalier questioning of the explicit statements of Scripture regarding the necessity of the new birth, the priority of biblical proclamation or the binding authority and God's eternal Word cannot build a stronger, more Christ-honoring church no matter how sincere the messengers. Critiquing the church is good; disregarding or diminishing the revealed truth of our Founder is not good, no matter how ‘nice’ the people are who do it."
I love the truth of God's Word, and so should you! Even when I don't fully understand it, even when I fail to live it, even when I tragically ignore it . . . Not for long, God's Spirit always brings me back. He loves God's Word too!
John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak;
I LOOOOOOVEEEEE IT!!!!!!
james
Comments
Posted by: Mike Lovely | November 11, 2007 08:07 AM
Like you, Pastor James, my life calling is the proclamation of The Truth. Thank you for the great reminder that we do not deliver messages based upon "good literature" or just "some nice ideas", but The Truth!
Preachin the Truth!
Mike Lovely
Posted by: Amber | November 11, 2007 10:20 PM
So, wait--I don't understand how you feel about the truth. ;OP
Posted by: Cherie Hill | November 12, 2007 07:51 AM
Amen! My life was transformed by the Word...God continually whispered (okay, maybe screamed) to me "The Truth will set you free!" We ALL need to be free from ALOT of things in this world. As I began to believe Truth, instead of the lies of the enemy... God set me on fire for His Word...hence my ministry, ScriptureNow.com. I have seen the miracles of sending out God's Word, and I stand in awe. Brother, I applaud your passion....it's not just "Good News" it's "GREAT NEWS!"
Posted by: Ken Paulsen | November 12, 2007 03:52 PM
Pastor James,
Thanks for standing for truth and preaching the Word of God without compromise. Why is it so hard to find churches in America that do not preach the Word for fear they may offend someone.
Keep preaching!
Posted by: Lewis | November 14, 2007 12:08 AM
Speaking of the truth, what is the real truth? I'm currently in a small group studying your Downpour series. My wife and I had a debate regarding your use of Proverbs 1:24-31 on pg 72 She thinks you've taken it out of context. She says God was issuing this caution to NON-BELIEVERS, but I think God could just as easily be saying this to BELIEVERS WHO HAVEN'T YET TURNED AWAY FROM SIN SINCE COMING TO FAITH. She says her God would never mock her or laugh at her calamity. Would he?
Dear Commentor
Your wife needs a fuller view of the holliness of God and his total distain for the action of rejecting His ways. Gal. 6:7 says that God is not mocked, you reap what you sow. This means that while God forgives us the penalty of our sin, he does not remove the consequences. That is what the Proverbs 1 passage is talking about. I'll let you tell your wife that, :)
james
Posted by: Tanisha | November 14, 2007 01:43 AM
Love of the Word...I like it in you! You remind me so much of my late pastor, Jaffus L. Haley. He drew many people to the Lord-standing on the Word (after they got done being mad at him.) If I didn't know better I'd swear you two were best friends. Our church mantra/scripture is "Desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow by it." Anyway, he went home with the Lord exactly a year ago and you're quenching my thirst for truth! Blessings on you! So, ever think about moving to Las Vegas???
Posted by: Bill | November 15, 2007 08:26 AM
I agree totally with you Pastor James. As a pastor, I find it increasingly "pressing" to make sure that what I preach/teach is truth...God's truth. I would truly like to hear your take on the Emerging Church and its approach to truth. Meanwhile, keep preaching and encouraging other pastors/teachers to make God's truth what we stand upon.
Posted by: Francisca Villanueva | November 15, 2007 11:27 PM
James,
I want to just tell you how much I enjoy listening to you tell the truth.I listen to you on the radio every chance I get on kkht in Houston. May you Be blessed with all that God has given you.
In Christ,
Francisca Villa
Posted by: leslie | November 16, 2007 07:47 AM
TELL THE TRUTH
THE WHOLE TRUTH
AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!!
SO HELP ME GOD!
Posted by: Don | November 17, 2007 11:32 AM
Josiah A Great Example:
2 Chronicles chapters 34 & 35
For those of you who Love God and His Word, Josiah is a great example of passion for God above all other gods. The Bible says that Josiah, at the age of 16, tore down the altars of false gods and crushed them to powder. WOW! And then, he made the people God restore their covenant relationship to the one true God, Yahweh.
Clearly, in these chapters Josiah's passion was a result of seeking the Lord and the reading of His Word.
Posted by: Ron and karen | November 17, 2007 11:54 AM
your obedience for the Lord and urgency and passion for spreading THE WORD is a blessing to us!
Praise the Lord!!
Posted by: Dave Earley | November 17, 2007 12:23 PM
Pastor James, your passion has truly rubbed off on me. This week, I have been mocked for giving pofanity the thumbs down, and listening to Christian radio! The ways of this world are wicked and lost, and I begin to see the cost of following Christ. I do not compare what I face to those whom VOM tells us about, but the hatred in here as well. I see what you say more and more, "Be passionate about anything and the world claps; give your life to Christ, and here it comes!"
Posted by: Dave Earley | November 17, 2007 01:34 PM
I love Walk in the Word. It is awesome because God is awesome! "Press On!"
Thanks Walk in the Word, and Pastor James!
Posted by: Kelly | November 18, 2007 10:50 AM
HI Pastor James! I just have to say I join you in the love for TRUTH!! :) Just started reading The Truth War! Oh and my license plate? Says SPKTRTH
Posted by: Lisa McFaul | November 19, 2007 01:57 PM
Dear James,
Thank you! Thank you for not backing down, not wussing out, for standing strong and firmly set on screaming the truth into my heart, even when I don't want to hear it. Thank you for not making it sweet or pretty or adding your own 'spin'. There are too many deceitful teachers out there, who tell people what they want to hear, thinking it will 'grow' the church, not realizing how much harm they are really doing. Preach God's Word, even when we don't like it. And let God do the rest.
Posted by: sharon | November 20, 2007 02:53 PM
My pastor wanted us to go to an 'interfaith gathering' Tues night for Thanksgiving. I asked him how the worship goes since it is combined with the Jewish synagog. He said that we believe in the same God so it's not an issue. I asked him 'what about Jesus? Do you begin or end your prayers in His name? Do you feel free to preach out of the new testament?" He said he sticks with the old testament and in his heart prays to Jesus but with his voice prays to Yaweh. I so disagree. Am I splitting hairs?
Posted by: Ellen | November 20, 2007 08:25 PM
Hi Pastor James,
I am so happy to know that there are those like you who are standing strong for Truth in these days of Emerging Church nonsense. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus, Sola Scriptura, Soli Deo Gloria! Without Truth, there can be no love, because our enemy, the father of lies is also the enemy of love. It is only Truth that will set us free of him. When he dwelt among us in flesh like ours, our Lord Jesus used Scripture as His only weapon against Satan.
Posted by: Don | November 20, 2007 09:40 PM
Sharon,
Is.42:8 I am the Lord, That is My name; And My Glory will I not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.
Is.43:11 I, even I, am the Lord. And besides Me there is no Savior.
Is.46:9 For I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like Me.
Is.43:10 Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.
Is.44:6 I am the First and I am the Last, Besides Me there is no God.
Exodus 20:5 For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.
Posted by: Anne Richardson | November 21, 2007 01:39 AM
Sharon , Remember who Jesus prayed to in that way your pastor is right but Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father but by me"
God through Jesus gave us the holy spirit who gives us the truth to speak as we grow and know more of God`s word the truth comes more easily. Cherish it. Love it. Speak it.Trust God no Matter what!
Posted by: sharon | November 23, 2007 07:49 PM
Anne,
I feel my pastor is being tolerant on a major tenant of our faith. Almost the pharisee's but in reverse: "honoring with your heart but NOT your lips" I made a stand to not go and participate in a service where the name of Jesus was shut out...My pastor is a good leader yet Im finding things i just can't agree on. I teach Sun school and was told we don't have the kids memorize verses. I don't get it. The only weapon we have is the Sword of Truth so what protection will they have.
Posted by: Don | November 24, 2007 03:35 PM
Sharon,
Deut. 11:18-20 Fix these words of mine in you hearts and minds, tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on you foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give to your forefathers..
IMORTANCE OF SCRIPTURE MEMORY!
Posted by: Sheila Bair | December 2, 2007 02:23 AM
Dear James, 2 Tim 3:16 is mine, and I was so amused when I found the cross ref to it at Deut 29:29 (NASB) settling everything we can't figure out. I try to apply the Five Love Languages to loving God. When I handle my Bible of 23 years, it's one way I experience "physical touch and closeness" with God. I also LOVE the TRUTH! May God protect, heal, strengthen, bless, and USE you (and your family and ministry) as you do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.
Posted by: Sheila Bair | December 3, 2007 11:44 PM
Purusing your site a little more, reading the story behind "Indescribable," the Deut 29:29 reference, you said, "It was so SETTLING for me, that God could be trusted, that He is greater, more infinite, than I could ever understand or know." I said about Deut 29:29, "SETTLING everything we can't figure out." VERY FUN! I am challenged and exhorted by your current series, and I desire to "Live life on purpose"...for God's purposes. Thank you!
Posted by: Mary Kaye | January 29, 2008 02:28 PM
James, As my husband and I read your daily devotional I wanted to be sure of your stand on the emergent church. We have been born again for 13 years and have attended Calvary Chapel from the beginning. I am troubled by Bob Coy's involvement in the emerging church movement and he is a regular contributor in your monthly devotional. You sound "right on" but I am concerned about the direction he is taking.
Bob Coy is not involved in the emerging church. He is a close friend of mine and I have never heard anything in this regard from him. Why are you saying this?
james
Posted by: Mary Kaye | February 1, 2008 10:34 AM
I was reading Lighthousetrails.com after listening to Pastor Chuck Smith gave this website as a good place to get info on this emergent church movement. I wanted to be sure no one I was listening to was in fact involved. When I read about Bob Coy being part of a conference last fall and I was concerned (but not totally surprised)and this is why I wanted to know where you stood. His services are more like a production (the worship especially)than a gathering of the brethren. That's why I'm asking
Mary
I am going to publish your comment, but I do not agree that Bob Coy's church is 'like a production' or anything else that communicates a motive of compromise to such a Godly and passionately biblical servant-leader as Bob Coy. I know what's it like to be stereo-typed simply because your church is large. Not fair, can't support it. :)
james
Posted by: Mary Kaye | February 1, 2008 11:26 PM
My intention wasn't to stereotype large churches. I apologize. My comment about a production was not about the size of his church. Many Calvary's have large congregations. I certainly have nothing personal against Bob Coy either. My concern was in regard to what I read on the website. Thank you for getting back to me.
Posted by: Chris | March 8, 2008 12:12 AM
Pastor James,
Thanks for posting Mary Kaye's comments. I agree with her to some degree, but I don't think that we could make a judgment call just because we read an article on a website.
I appreciate the stand that you took concerning the EC. I'm sure that it stirred things up a little, but the church needs to know the dangers of a false doctrine, so that they could spot it and avoid it.
Why would do you think pastors choose to avoid teaching their congregations about the EC?