Six Books on American Evangelicalism

In my Spring 2023 semester as a student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, I took what came to be one of my favorite classes: American Evangelicalism. It was taught by Dr. Albert Mohler—so, a wonderful opportunity. I want to share with you the books that were assigned for class and my reflections that resulted from this class reading.

Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction, by Kevin DeYoung

DeYoung does a thorough and convincing job on the main points of his book: women are not to teach/ preach for men in the local church, and there are differences between men and women that cannot be overlooked. We can celebrate the differences between men and women as God’s design and creation. I appreciated the insight that women are to grow up into full beauty, while men are to grow up into full strength. Further, in broad strokes, I appreciated his insight that men are the cultivators of the soil, while women are cultivators of the womb. I felt affirmed in my womanhood and femininity through reading this book because pure stereotypes were avoided.

It felt, at times and especially in the section on teaching/ leading in the church being reserved for men, that men have a level of importance that is not shared by women. Men seemed to have an air of significance not garnered by women in their roles. Women are to sit aside while men figure out the important tasks of governing and leading. However, I see that Jesus places great importance upon the words of a woman in that, for example, a woman was the first to see Christ resurrected. Women may have just as important of thoughts and ideas as men, even while men take on the important mantle of leadership in church and home (Acts 6:2). Men do best to want and desire women’s buy-in prior to decisions, and that pertains to the most important tasks of leadership and direction.

The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism, by Carl F. H. Henry

Here’s my personal takeaway: We can look to Jesus’ example of bringing order, healing, and peace in society wherever He went—through His healing and miracles. Jesus was continually speaking of His kingship—that place where He is honored as King. And, that kingdom has bearing upon society, wherever Christians are engaging.

Christianity and Liberalism, by J. Gresham Machen

This was my second time through Christianity and Liberalism. Perhaps not my last! Machen’s main argument is that liberalism is a completely different religion than Christianity. This is true despite the fact that liberalism uses much the same language as Christianity. Liberalism is ultimately a failed attempt at “rescuing” Christianity from naturalism and the scientific age.

Dr. Mohler expressed in class that evangelicalism is an argument. While personal conversion experience is necessary to the faith, defending that evangelicalism is based upon true historical facts and events is essential. Personal Christian experience is based upon that history and those events (most prominently, the truth of the cross). Doctrine and history run together because evangelical doctrine is based upon historical fact. That’s a main argument of American evangelicalism.

We Cannot Be Silent: Speaking Truth to a Culture Redefining Sex, Marriage, & the Very Meaning of Right & Wrong, by Albert Mohler

I’m glad I read this book. It’s packed with insight.

In the eyes of society, Christians have moved—due to the sexual revolution—from being seen as the caretakers of social ethics to being “immoral” for their views of homosexuals, transgender people, and more. This cultural shift did not start with cultural acceptance of homosexuality, but with evangelical response to contraceptives, divorce, reproductive treatments, and cohabitation. What this will ultimately mean for the religious liberties of believers remains to be seen in full—God knows. But, Mohler charts the course of liberties being removed. Regardless, God has shown us what sin is, what we need to be saved from—indeed what He died to save us from. We, thus, cannot allow the gospel to become empty by remaining silent on today’s sexual revolution.

“Fundamentalism” And the Word of God: Some Evangelical Principles, by J. I. Packer

This book was extremely helpful in defining for me exactly what liberalism holds to and why.

I learned about the basic tenets of liberalism: 1.) God’s love does not have measurable standards for people or beings; 2.) There is a bit of the divine in all of us as people; 3.) Jesus Christ is the perfect example for us—and only in this way is He Savior; 4.) Christianity is merely the highest religion of all the religions of mankind; and 5.) the Bible is a human record relating man’s experience of religion (not being God’s authoritative Word).

Fundamentalism differs from liberalism in the basic doctrines that it upheld: 1.) God does have measurable standards; people must personally respond to His offer of salvation with repentant faith; 2.) Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, meaning we are inherently sinful and needy; 3.) Jesus is God, being born of the virgin Mary; 4.) Only through personal faith in Christ does one get to God (not through other religions); 5.) the Scriptures are inerrant and infallible—the very Word of God.

Furthermore, evangelicals are not obscurantists in terms of abandoning progress, reason, the scientific method—rather, the evangelicals use these (progress, reason, and science) under a consistent framework of thinking. Evangelicals believe in what Christ and the Scriptures teach about the Word of God (that it is our authority) and we subject ourselves to it as such; this is wholly reasonable.

Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice, by Thaddeus J. Williams

Here are my main personal takeaways: There is good evidence that flies contrary to many of the claims about racial and economic inequality—i.e. inequality is not necessarily due to discrimination. There is much seemingly compassionate activity that contradicts the actual goal of helping people—i.e. sending shoes to poor countries undermines local shoemakers and their livelihoods. There is much in terms of definitions that are not what they seem—i.e. the very meaning of racism has changed to include a necessary power on the side of the racist. Instead of helping young people, many are transformed into fearful and continually “victimized” people because of the culture of social justice that is taught at universities. Marxist-based theories promote a false gospel of social constructs to help people, which steal hearts and minds away from the true gospel.

Like a Covering

My Father in Heaven,

I thank you for the Son—the beauty of heaven come to earth, to share our dust and dirt. I think you for the promises that he spoke. He spoke of glory, and of things to come. He spoke of all things being put under his feet. He spoke of a day when there will be no more sin—no more lies, no more evil, no more being led astray by my own desires. I thank you for promising a day to come when glory would reign and the King would be Jesus himself. There is nothing greater on my heart than dwelling upon that future day. And to think—one day, I will have the Savior of the world in my arms, just like he is in my heart. I want to embrace him, if I may. I want to thank him and bless him and place my arms around him. My dear God, I desire to be near to you; I thank you that I am never alone. I am never wanting for you; you are here, with me. Even now, you are here with me. And even now, I embrace the coming chill of the days of winter, knowing that I am wrapped in your love like a covering. It keeps me warm. It sends its cloak over my soul, letting me know that I am kept and held and beloved of God. Yes, there is a passage of Scripture that spreads itself over my very soul: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” I’ve repeated these words to myself in the darkest nights of my soul. And they have been true. The Lord is my Shepherd. And, they are true again. Come to bless me, King of heaven. I wait for you and you alone. I long for your appearing.

Amen

Jesus Has My Affections

Jesus has my affections. I love to think of the tenderness of Jesus. He corrects me without the sting. He welcomes me closer without judgment. He molds me without shaming me. He is careful with my spirit, the spirit that He created.

He is love, and all that He does is done in great love. He is a marvel, the one who does no wrong. He stands alone, and His work in me is flawless. He accepts me—right now, in this moment, with weaknesses, flaws, and imperfections. I am surprised that He would even interact with me, but He goes further, deeper: He loves me.

Have you experienced the life-changing love of God? Have you experienced the love that is beyond all other loves? Some stand at a distance from Christianity because it can be hard, for myriad reasons, to recognize we are sinners and to choose to repent of our sins. But right on the other side of that repentance is the best relationship you’ve ever had, the best love you could ever know, and the biggest welcome you can fathom. God loves to welcome His children home. Don’t wait. Don’t wait one more minute to love Jesus, for the first time—or to be restored to Him.

Jesus has my affections. The world or others might try to woo them. But, they are fastened on Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.

Quiet Awe

Have you recently taken a moment for repose? A time to consider, dwell upon, all that God has done in your life? Perhaps you might consider writing a list. Perhaps a mental list of praise suffices. Either way, I think we all do well to consider the way salvation has touched us uniquely.

Some categories I think in:

• How has God uniquely unveiled Himself to me?

• How have I learned more about who He is?

• In what way(s) has my behavior changed because of the work of God in my life?

• How has my countenance been lifted by God?

• How has God shaped the course of my life, the concrete steps from place to place and the intangible activities of life and time?

• What would my life be without God, if that can even be imagined?

• How is God preparing me for eternity with Him?

• Who has God brought into my life for encouragement, aid, blessing, protection, knowledge, etc.?

All of these questions can provide for reflection in thinking about the work of God in our lives. Most of all, however, as I reflect, I am brought to a sense of awe. I think about the holy ground God designated with Moses. I think of the ornate and intricately designed Tabernacle, and then the Temple. And now, I think about how we are temples of the Holy Spirit. God is truly at work in His place, this temple of His. It is a holy place of His presence, and I want to keep it as such—to grow to regard it as such. His work is here. His mark is here. His presence is here. This, my body, is, as it were, holy ground.

As I reflect upon the work of God in my life, I have a quiet awe. He is here. And, the progress of my life is good because He is good. And, the progress of my life is holy because He is holy. And the progress of my life is based on knowing Him more in my spirit. He does this work with His children—lets us know Him more and walk with Him. Hushed, quieted, holy awe.

I Sin

Jesus is glad when I acknowledge the truth: I sin. I can feel the heart of Jesus being pleased when I own the wrong that I do. I find this ownership of sin the entrance point to experiencing and tasting His mercy and grace. 1 John 1:8 preaches: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” So, confession of sin is one of the signs that the Spirit of God is with us, that we love Christ, and that the truth of God is the foundation of our thought.

What about you? Do you find confession of sin difficult? My tendency is to be self-righteous, to show God the good that I have done, rather than the wrong that I have done. But I find the frequent passages in Scripture to search ourselves and to ask God to search us instructive. That is a renewal prayer for my spirit: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24). Self-righteousness is, thankfully, a stain that the blood of Christ can remove. And, He is drawing me closer through my on-going acknowledgments that I sin, again and again. I find myself abiding in this place of neediness before Him—and it is a blessing to me.

You see, when I notice that self-righteousness rise in my heart, I search myself for the truth. I find within me that I have made correct confession to God. “I sin.” I start there with Jesus once again. And, that confession is freedom because the truth sets us free. Jesus is kind to remind me that the journey to admission of my sinfulness is the journey to freedom.

God Pursues Us

Throughout the narrative of Abram/ Abraham in Genesis, we see God frequently reminding Abraham of His promises to him. We see God testing Abraham with Isaac and reiterating the covenant. We see God requiring circumcision of Abraham and those of His clan. We see the smoking fire pot and flaming torch. We see God calling him to a new place, new land. We see God visiting Abraham with words of promise, pertinent to God’s covenant with him.

How is God pursuing you? What is He reminding you of? Lately, God has been reminding me that I am [part of] the bride of Christ. The New Testament calls the church Jesus’ bride. Jesus has been visiting me with this metaphor and reality. He has been pursuing me with it. And the result? I feel wanted and desired by God. I feel His kind protection over me. I feel His delight in me. I feel His watchcare over me. I feel tucked in on all sides by Him and His kind will for my life.

It is wonderful to feel the husbandly protection and care of the Almighty God. What area of the new covenant is He pursuing with you? Perhaps it is reminders of the full forgiveness of your sins. Perhaps you are feeling adopted into His family. Perhaps you are considering the indwelling of the Spirit. Maybe you are gaining courage to know that we are a priesthood of believers. Whatever it is, may you be blessed to know that God pursues us and reminds us of the beautiful truths that are ours throughout the new covenant in His blood.

Faith Has Never Failed Me

Pay close attention to that title. My faith has failed—yes. But, faith in Jesus Christ has never failed me. I am learning how vital to Jesus faith is. It is, I believe, part of the purpose of us who believe remaining here on earth prior to being taken and transformed. I have often wondered: Why does Jesus have such patience with those He has saved being still capable of sinning against Him? What has He appointed this in-between time when we are still capable of such failures?

I think part of the answer (surely missions is an answer), is that Jesus Christ is glorified by the faith of His saints. One day, faith will be made sight. But here and now, the one who believes even when He hasn’t seen is blessed.

And, what greatly encourages me about faith is that Jesus responds to our faith. We are taught to ask and believe that we will receive what corresponds to His will. We are taught in the gospels to pray with faith and belief. We are taught to pray with the understanding that God wants to answer us. He wants us to approach Him with the confidence of belief in His power and willingness to answer us.

I have believed in the Lord for support, for strength, for healing—and He has answered these prayers so beautifully in my life. God loves our faith. We won’t have opportunity to give Him faith-instead-of-sight in glory. We have the opportunity now.

'22 Reads

The books below are not ranked; you’ll not find here “the best books of the year according to Lianna,” “a list of books I endorse,” or even “my favorite books I read this year.” Instead, my list is comprised of a handful of books that drove themselves into my thinking—in the assorted ways described below—and changed me this year.

Let Me Be a Woman, by Elisabeth Elliot

Elliot pursued exquisite truths about being a woman in this work. Though I did not agree on every point, she elevated womanhood in a way that made me feel blessed to be counted among this sex’s ranks.

The End Times in Chronological Order, by Ron Rhodes

Here was a fascinating look at end times events, and I do happily recommend this book. His thinking is categorically and near-dogmatically biblical—while being thorough and organized.

The Imperfect Disciple, by Jared Wilson

Wilson confessed that he woke up every day for a season not feeling like a Christian. As someone who has struggled with assurance of salvation, I believe I needed to read this book purely for this sentence.

Devotions from the Song of Solomon, by Charles Spurgeon

This book was my lasting delight for weeks, for I listened to it on repeat. The love of Jesus is magnified.

Hinds Feet on High Places, by Hannah Hurnard

Much-afraid’s journey helped me with my own. But I will never forget that in this work, the Lord Jesus leaves Much-afraid while Jesus bounds ahead. And this is simply not what I see Jesus doing with me. He is there, showing himself in the sorrow and suffering. I am afraid that Much-afraid would have had reason for fear if the Lord were not her ever-present help. If anything, this book made me all the more grateful for the presence of Jesus.

Rejoice & Tremble, by Michael Reeves

This book promotes fearing God for His awesome goodness. That every attribute of God calls forth awe for him is what I will remember. God’s goodness is so good, we fear Him.

The Christian Lover, by Michael A.G. Haykin

I adored this little series of letters between Christian lovers across history; it was good for a short Sunday afternoon read. Simple and sweet, the letters provoked reflections on the beginnings and closings (in death) of Christian marriage. “Rejoice with those who rejoice”—so says the Scriptures. And these letters made me rejoice in the gift of marriage evidenced in faithful saints, a source of comfort and friendship and God-facing joy and more. My complaint for this work: too brief.

A Week in the Life of Corinth, by Ben Witherington

I found this book’s depiction of Paul utterly unconvincing. I don’t imagine Paul fading into the background of his own life, even if he is mild in person. Otherwise, quite a few facts were learned that will enrich my studies of 1 and 2 Corinthians and the corresponding times.

The Things of Earth and Strangely Bright, by Joe Rigney

My reflection as I concluded these books: I do sometimes withhold myself from enjoyment because withholding symbolizes the present fallen reality of this earth (that is, we are kept apart from the full experience of God’s presence and joy here). That practice is, perhaps, keeping me from rendering due gratitude to my God for life on this earth.

George Müller: Delighted in God, by Roger Steer

This was a fascinating account; it shows how deeply God honors our faith. In fact, I am moved by this book to see that God loves the faith of his people. Müller’s story will stay with me—it made a deep impression.

Jesus Is Precious

When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect Jesus to lead me to see ways I’m unfaithful to Him. But He did. And that is His love.

The afternoon commenced with a renewed, steadfast pledge to do better. When I see Him, I want Him to know that I gave it my all. That I sought with everything in me to be His and His alone. That’s what I want. And today, Jesus called me to act on it. “Faith does.”

I have come to long for His love, the kind of love that makes me better, holier, and more righteous. It’s a pure, exquisite love. And, like all with Jesus, it makes me fall in awe.

Moving deeper into faithfulness to Him is a way to show Him that He is the most precious to me. That there is no one like Him. That He is my one and only. It is a way to protect my relationship with Him against any tear or break.

Frankly, I didn’t know I had the power to choose the start of this faithfulness. But He told me it’s what He wanted, what He needed, from me. And, I found the power. For Jesus is precious to me.

Jesus Is My Future

Jesus controls the future. We may know what we want. Or, know what we think we want. But Jesus knows better. He truly does work all things out for our good and His glory. If we can be assured of that, then we can have peace with regard to the future.

I have some questions in to Jesus, questions about the future that He sees fit not to answer. I seem to always have questions for Jesus about the future. And here’s what I am learning to see: Jesus is my future.

If I can be assured that the future will be for my good, that the future will be for Jesus’ glory, and that Jesus is my future, I can have great rest.

I think I used to view the future as a frightening unknown. And I am not saying that I still don’t. My mind travels there. But more deeply than ever, I believe that Jesus being my future means that I need not fear.

When has He ever failed me? Never. Never. Never. And, He won’t. He won’t. Why, friends, do I even need to remind myself of that? It should be a superfluous, redundant thought. But I think in a human way. And, He sees fit to allow reassurances that I shouldn’t need. It is His mercy.

Jesus is my future. That’s all I need to know.

When We All Get to Glory

“When we all get to glory, what a day of rejoicing that will be/ When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory”—so goes the popular hymn. Can you imagine the victory shouts of glory? Can you imagine the day when sinning will be no more? Can you imagine the day when all will be pure and glorious at last? God has given us the victory in Christ Jesus. We have victory over sin, the devil, lies, hurt, pain, death, and hell. We have victory over ourselves, our own carnal ways. We have victory in our relationships. We have victory in our eternal trajectories. We have victory in enjoying God forever.

Think about how it will feel to finally see Jesus. I think that He’ll rejoice with each of us over the fruit, the good Christian fruit, in all of our lives. So merciful is He. I think He’ll welcome us with open arms. And then, we’ll be so happy to praise Him, the only Savior, forever. Can you imagine looking into His eyes? I’m drawn in by the thought—how beautiful His eyes will be to gaze into! How beautiful simply to observe Him and see how He acts and what He does! How majestic to see Him praised by myriad people shouting “great is the Name of the Lord!” For His Name is very great, even as He is perfect.

God Is Near

God is near through our trials and tribulations. Do you know the friendship of God? He is ever-loving toward us. And there is nothing that can separate us from Him. No temptation can ever ultimately pull us from Him, who believe. He is most lovely and long-suffering with us. His love and goodness fill us.

I have known the nearness of God in my lowest moments, in my darkness moments, in my moments of fiercest battle with sin. I have known the presence and help of my God when in gravest trials. And I have known the nearness of my God through the day-to-day difficulties of a life not at all what I expected or hoped.

I have known the presence of my God, and His continual care and leadership of me. How good it is to be in the care of the Almighty, who fiercely protects, who does all for His own. How good it is to be a living sacrifice, and tell God we would go wherever and do whatever he pleased. God is near, friends. God is near.

Thankfulness

What freedoms I have! I have the freedom to pursue God, to learn from my mistakes, to gain closer fellowship with Him. I have freedom to choose Him and learn about Him more through books and schoolwork. I have the freedom to write here, and express what He is doing within me. I have freedom to read the Bible, journal, and pray—and reach out to Him from the depths of my being.

From where I stand, I have a very wonderful life. I have a happy little life, right here is a country town where the snow lays over the bare tree branches as the pines are replete with tree-glory in the winter shade. I have a beautiful little life with my family and daughter who is daily delighting me with who she is becoming and what she is learning.

I have my God, who is so very patient with me and my progress. And I have many gifts from Him—not excluding a cozy home that already feels like mine just a few months after moving in. And, I have a schedule that lets me linger, truly linger, in prayer with Him both in the mornings and in the afternoons.

I am looking with thankfulness to my life, and I see much reason for gratitude.

Wretched Woman That I Am

“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). I am in agreement with the Apostle Paul. Wretched woman that I am! Jesus has to remind me to steer away from the same sins repeatedly. And then, I tend to minimize my sins before Him. Finally, doubts enter my mind. And all of that adds up to my pronouncement.

Paul would not have written it if it were not true. Oh, I am glad to find a friend in Paul—not glad that we both consider ourselves wretched or that we have existed in such states. But I am glad to know that Jesus saves those in our condition. How kind and gentle a Savior He is. Truly. He firmly steers me aright.

And from this view, acknowledging more and more of my real need for Jesus, the cross appears absolutely marvelous. That God would die for sinners, while still sinners! That God would die for me! It is beyond my understanding.

How I Love Jesus

Oh, how I love Jesus! He is all. Wonder of wonders. Master and Savior. Friend and Counselor. Guide and Companion. King and Lord. Ruler of all. Gentle Shepherd. He speaks to my soul with a calming voice. He arouses my attentions with commands. He enlivens my senses with His interactions. How I love Jesus.

There is no one like Him. There is no one who approaches His warmth, kindness, His power and majesty. Eternity will be marvelous—bowing before the one who condescended to love us.

I think about how God regretted that He made man (Genesis 6:6). But still, He came to die for our sins, to save us from wrath, for the joy! He is ever giving me the reorienting truths of His Word, and comforting applications of His kindness.

Jesus is my sweet melody. He is my reason. He is my Word. He is the one I marvel at. How I love Jesus!

Queen of Fears

Have you ever known someone with more fears than me? I would venture to say you have not. It is my fear that keeps me from greater closeness with Jesus. It is my fear that keeps me from communing with Him as I so desire to do.

Will you join me in condemning fear? Jesus did not give us a spirit of timidity—but of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7). I can sometimes fear that I am not solidified enough in who I am, or that I will be swept away down a foolish path. But I put my faith in Jesus, who has led me out of every pit. I put my faith in Him that He would redeem me from anything that comes upon me, or any ways I am misled. He is the Shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep—and that lost little sheep is me.

I don’t fear losing my salvation because Jesus is my Shepherd. He has promised me eternal life. And, that is the future I have. I don’t fear being lost to sin, because I have a Shepherd who plucks me from the grip of the enemy. I don’t fear that I will develop a wrong pattern of thinking that will alienate me from God. For, Jesus is my perfect, never-failing intermediary with the Father. And Jesus straightens my paths—even my paths of thought. Isn’t He good? May I not be the queen of fears anymore. Amen.

With Jesus, I don’t need to fear.

He Wants Me

Jesus wants me. This, the foundation for life and living. He wants me in relationship with Him. He wants me to know Him. He wants me near to Him. He wants me to know that He rejoices over me with singing. He wants me to know that I am the apple of His eye.

Thinking about Jesus wanting me, wanting a relationship with me fills me—as with elation. Nothing is better than this: to know that the God of all creation, the eternal one with matchless name, wants me. And He wants me to know Him more; He wants to unveil more of Himself to me. I am wrapped in Him, in His wanting of me. It’s so good. Oh, I am happy in Jesus.

Do you know the sweetness of the presence of Jesus? Do you find yourself satisfied with Him every day? Cherish no sin in your heart, become a living sacrifice, live by faith and give all to find the sweetness of knowing Jesus and being known by Him. And I will keep these before my eyes too. Still, I know that He has wanted me from before all time, and that hasn’t changed through sin and doubt. He wants me.

He Honors our Faith

Jesus will never leave or forsake me. It’s what I know, deep down. Sometimes, the events of this world pull at me. And resultantly, I have less clear an image of Jesus with me, watching over me, and leading me. I fight to keep my sense of Him as near, as if before my eyes. I am richly blessed to know Him. And I want no enjoyments of earth to make my sense of Him and His goodness less crystal. I need faith.

My mind can also sometimes ache with anxieties. I ask Jesus for His comfort. He gives it. And I remember to put my faith, all my confidence of faith, in Him. How my mind is relieved at the exercise of faith! How near He is to my enlivened senses! How He honors faith! Never can we be disappointed by putting our faith completely in Jesus. He works through our faith. And many gifts come to us when we exercise it. How many saints of old have known this, lived by faith in the Master? And we can know it too.

He Calls Me Higher

I sat with Jesus this morning, near to His heart—where He tenderly and so graciously keeps me as His own. I sat and felt Him call my thoughts of Him higher. And my mind lifted; my disposition lifted. Who I am is so directly connected with who He is; I am in Him, united.

He wanted my mind to think of Him as noble, great, wise, high and lifted up. These thoughts should immediately follow from thinking of Him and His name. How much help my mind needs with regard to all things spiritual! But this is who He is—my mighty King.

So, I reflected today on Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. And I read about the millennium, in which He will reign for 1,000 years on this earth. I read about how He will shepherd with an iron scepter—in Revelation. He will establish righteous order on the earth. And, I read in Psalm 72 about His fame, and how the nations will glorify Him with gifts, and how He will reign from sea to sea and over all the earth. And I read about how He alone is the one who works wonders. No one is like our God.

Do you not long to see that day—when the whole world will give Him glory and will contribute to the greatness and fame of His name? What a contrast to this day! But the enemy is running out of time—and the day will soon come when our God will be glorified in His world and by the people He has made. How great is our God! Every knee will bow.

Lift, lift, lift my thoughts of You.

Nothing, But Crowned with Everything

When I imagine going to glory, I think of the song “Rock of Ages,” which says, “Naked, come to Thee for dress.” I think of flying to Jesus with absolutely nothing of my own. And then, I think of Him crowning me with everything precious and good. And this is His choice—to take me and my nothingness and crown me with this everything. May this precious image stay with me always. May I ever remember that I offer Jesus nothing. I come to Him naked, empty, lost, and vile—and He clothes me, fills me, finds me, and makes me clean.

My Jesus, my Jesus. Look what you have done for helpless me. Thank You, thank You, thank You for the welcome to glory that you are planning for me. I accept because it pleases You for me to accept your good gifts, for me to accept that You crown me with faithful love and compassion. And I accept because I am so needy for You. Thank You for wanting me.