Many years ago, my father and I hiked through Big Bend in Texas. It’s a national park now, but in those days it was rough country.
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/_q6nsvav9nk/
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Snapping, Snarling Thoughts
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/_q6nsvav9nk/
Thought for the morning of Thu August 1, 2013
Verse
"Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn."
— ru 2:2
Thought
Downcast and troubled Christian, come and glean to-day in the broad field of promise. Here are abundance of precious promises, which exactly meet thy wants. Take this one: "He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax." Doth not that suit thy case? A reed, helpless, insignificant, and weak, a bruised reed, out of which no music can come; weaker than weakness itself; a reed, and that reed bruised, yet, he will not break thee; but on the contrary, will restore and strengthen thee. Thou art like the smoking flax: no light, no warmth, can come from thee; but he will not quench thee; he will blow with his sweet breath of mercy till he fans thee to a flame. Wouldst thou glean another ear? "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." What soft words! Thy heart is tender, and the Master knows it, and therefore he speaketh so gently to thee. Wilt thou not obey him, and come to him even now? Take another ear of corn: "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." How canst thou fear with such a wonderful assurance as this? Thou mayest gather ten thousand such golden ears as these! "I have blotted out thy sins like a cloud, and like a thick cloud thy transgressions." Or this, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Or this, "The Spirit and the Bride say, Come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will let him take the water of life freely." Our Master's field is very rich; behold the handfuls. See, there they lie before thee, poor timid believer! Gather them up, make them thine own, for Jesus bids thee take them. Be not afraid, only believe! Grasp these sweet promises, thresh them out by meditation and feed on them with joy.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/BRI6UsK24-o/0801-am.html
Thought for the evening of Thu August 1, 2013
Verse
"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness."
— ps 65:11
Thought
All the year round, every hour of every day, God is richly blessing us; both when we sleep and when we wake his mercy waits upon us. The sun may leave us a legacy of darkness, but our God never ceases to shine upon his children with beams of love. Like a river, his lovingkindness is always flowing, with a fulness inexhaustible as his own nature. Like the atmosphere which constantly surrounds the earth, and is always ready to support the life of man, the benevolence of God surrounds all his creatures; in it, as in their element, they live, and move, and have their being. Yet as the sun on summer days gladdens us with beams more warm and bright than at other times, and as rivers are at certain seasons swollen by the rain, and as the atmosphere itself is sometimes fraught with more fresh, more bracing, or more balmy influences than heretofore, so is it with the mercy of God; it hath its golden hours; its days of overflow, when the Lord magnifieth his grace before the sons of men. Amongst the blessings of the nether springs, the joyous days of harvest are a special season of excessive favour. It is the glory of autumn that the ripe gifts of providence are then abundantly bestowed; it is the mellow season of realization, whereas all before was but hope and expectation. Great is the joy of harvest. Happy are the reapers who fill their arms with the liberality of heaven. The Psalmist tells us that the harvest is the crowning of the year. Surely these crowning mercies call for crowning thanksgiving! Let us render it by the inward emotions of gratitude. Let our hearts be warmed; let our spirits remember, meditate, and think upon this goodness of the Lord. Then let us praise him with our lips, and laud and magnify his name from whose bounty all this goodness flows. Let us glorify God by yielding our gifts to his cause. A practical proof of our gratitude is a special thank-offering to the Lord of the harvest.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/bNRwshI5ghI/0801-pm.html
Psalm 119:114
“You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Psalm+119:114
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Psalm+119:114
How are we led by the Spirit? And how does that intersect with the Word?
There is a confusing position among some, that there is either obeying 'only God's word.' Those who don't are in effect 'running around with a divining rod' by listening to interior whispers, engaging in mystical practices, and elevating personal experience as equal to the word.
I agree that the holy word is the only benchmark by which we determine truth, walk in the world, and follow Christ. It is the sole inspiration for all we are and all we do.
Before I go on, I want to mention that I am fully aware that this kind of blog entry, an interior musing ripped open to the world, peppering myself with questions and meanderings, also exposes me to misunderstanding. So be it.
I'm puzzled by how far to take the strict stance of "only God's word." Stay with me.
Are we not convicted? Are we not led? Are we not burdened for people? I have pondered for a long time, the way that the Holy Spirit helps us. We know He indwells, and He is inside us. He is part of our biology. He transforms our mind and the mind is where the battle is. Many scriptures present these things as fact. So how does the Spirit transform us from craven, evil-thinking people into wholesome people with holy desires? Where does He begin and I leave off?
I am thinking of the how. I am strict on being in submission to the word, but then again, the word becomes absorbed in us and since it is living and active, we do have an inward experience. How does it all work?
In an example, there was a woman at church at Christmas, she was giving out five little bags of homemade jam to her friends and then she came over and gave me one also. I was amazed. I didn't have any relationship with her to speak of. The small act of surprising generosity touched me deeply and kept her on my mind for 6 months. Our relationship didn't really change but there was this jar of jam in my fridge and every time I used it I thought of her.
Well 6 months later we were talking about the jam. It came up because our relationship had blossomed by then in an unexpected way and for an unusual reason. I related to her how the gift affected me in such a good way. She said that it was funny, that when she had prayed, she felt strongly that she should give me one of the few jars, even though she didn't know me really well either. We didn't know that our relationship would turn to friendship months later, but the Spirit did. We both identified the jam as the beginning even though it took 6 months to start. Her gift was consistent with the bible, because we are supposed to give, but she had only five, so as to who to give her gift to, she felt led by the Spirit that it should be me. I believe that is where the intersection of the bible and the inward experience of the Spirit intersect.
I completely believe that the Spirit leads us in this way. Romans 8:14 says "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." So...HOW does He lead us? I believe He does this by putting thoughts into our mind, burdens on our heart ... the fear of God into our knees.
Now, here is the difference, in my opinion, between 'word of God only' and 'divining rod Christianity'.
First of all, I don't wait for a sign. I do what the bible says to do: love my neighbor, give to widows and orphans, meet needs, help others. But in the specifics, when I 'get a burden' to do something to help a certain person, I pray and seek wisdom from the word. It could be a worthless personal desire, after all. For example some Sundays I get a strong feeling to stay home. I feel burdened that this is what I should do. But I don't listen to that (most times, lol) because I know the bible says not to give up meeting regularly. The 'burden' or 'thought laid on my heart' was not consistent with the bible and would not be edifying to Jesus.
But if it is consistent with the word then I go forward. Our pastor who is also a counselor said last Sunday that there are couples who seek divorce for non-biblical reasons, and use the Spirit as their justification. "I felt the Spirit leading me into this divorce because He wants me to be happy." Pastor said, "This is a lie. The Spirit does not lead you away from Christ and His commands but toward them." So it is dangerous to be led by feelings.
The issue is, where does He begin and I leave off? He is inside me, after all, transforming my mind, instilling wholesome desires, and convicting me of my sins. This is an inward experience. It isn't divining rod experience, but it is a legitimate inward experience that the Spirit is prompting me to help this person in particular. After all, I can't help every widow in the county, it isn't feasible.
But it's important to check- is this act that I feel burdened to do, or say, or even think, consistent with the word? If no then it stops right there. If yes, then I go forward.
Now here is the intersection of Providence. I work in a fairly impoverished community in GA where there are many needy kids. Many are "orphans" in the sense that they are in foster care, or have only one parent due to illegitimacy or jail issues, abandoned and living with an exhausted grandma, or simply are in desperate need. There are 600 kids at our school and many thousands in the county. There are many single women here too, widows through death, abandonment (divorce) or simply are single and struggling. So the bible commands me to help orphans and widows. Can or should I help ALL of them? No, that's impossible. Even Bill Gates with all his money can't help every malaria patient in Africa, even though he is trying. That's social justice.
The bible says to help. So how do I know who to help and when? The ones the Spirit leads me to. The ones where if I know of a need, I meet that need. If there is a widow in my sphere of church or work, the bible says to meet their needs. Same with orphans. If there is a widow or orphan within my reach that I don't know about, I trust Providence to send people into her life to help her. Can I help every orphan in the school? No that is impossible. I help the ones whom the Spirit has sent me in the sphere in which He has planted me. I do my part to stay alert to needs and really listen and pray for opportunities. He makes me aware of them when they come along.
I have a range and a sphere and gifts. Thus equipped, I live out my faith. That's it, it is simple. Just do what the bible says and listen for needs and act according to what the bible says we do. There is nothing mystical. Just Christian life. :)
This is kind of a crude visual but think of a dog chained to a stake. There is another dog chained other there. His leash is longer than mine, he has more range (more means, wider sphere). So the Spirit has planted me here, and sent people into my life and me into theirs. My job as a Christian is to be alert and aware of needs, listen for them, pray for opportunities to witness for Jesus through them. I can only submit, know that the Bible's commands urge me to do, and listen to the leading of the Spirit as part of that living and active word to work out my salvation in fear and trembling within the range He has planted me and with the means He has sent me. For example, I don't have a lot of money but He has given me a job where I have a lot of time. That is means. I can't help everybody or interact with everybody or witness to everybody in the world or the nation or the county but the Spirit leads me within my sphere. Providence takes care of the rest.
Back to Romans 8:14 and being led by the Spirit. Pulpit Commentary remarks on the Christian's 'inward experience.'
"In verse 14 is introduced a further ground for the assertion in ver. 13, the felt sonship to God of those who have so received his Spirit as to be led (i.e. practically actuated) by it. We say "felt" because, though in this verse the sonship is alleged as a fact, yet, in the following verses (15,16) the inward experience of true Christians is appealed to as evidence of such sonship. "
I liked their phrase 'practically actuated'. The actuation is my prayer and reading the word and submission. His is the enactment of ability and transformation of mind through knowledge of the word and practical actions with the word as the basis. I'll never know where the two meet but I think it is important not to discount that there is the other half of the sanctification process where the word becomes actualized by an inward experience we can't really explain.
I think the preachers we listen to who are so strict on this should be. It is charismania out there. People take this delicate balance of inward leading versus word of God to heretical extremes. Give them an inch and they take a mile. They wait to do anything at all because they 'don't feel led'. They proclaim private prophecies upon people. They use this inward leading or burden thing as an excuse to be busybodies, the opposite of the paralyzed Christian who fails to work out their salvation because they are still waiting to be led and too scared to make a move without a sign. Worse, they don't do anything until they "feel a peace about it' which is one of the stupider things I hear the people say.
Gill's Exposition explains the Romans 8 verse this way
"the Spirit of God leads them from sin, and from a dependence on their own righteousness, in paths they formerly knew not, and in which they should go, in the paths of faith and truth, of righteousness and holiness, and in a right, though sometimes a rough way; he leads them to the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, and to the fulness of grace in him; into the presence of God, to the house and ordinances of God; into the truths of the Gospel, from one degree of grace to another, and at last to glory; which he does gradually, by little and little he leads them to see the iniquity of their hearts and natures, to lay hold on Christ and salvation by him, into the doctrines of grace, and the love and favour of God, and proportionally to the strength he gives:"
So it is ridiculous to deny that there is an inward experience. There is. But we needn't worry if we are reading the word, desiring what God desires, and looking for opportunities in our lives to obey the commands of God. He does the rest. Like Nike says, Just Do It!
I agree that the holy word is the only benchmark by which we determine truth, walk in the world, and follow Christ. It is the sole inspiration for all we are and all we do.
Before I go on, I want to mention that I am fully aware that this kind of blog entry, an interior musing ripped open to the world, peppering myself with questions and meanderings, also exposes me to misunderstanding. So be it.
I'm puzzled by how far to take the strict stance of "only God's word." Stay with me.
Are we not convicted? Are we not led? Are we not burdened for people? I have pondered for a long time, the way that the Holy Spirit helps us. We know He indwells, and He is inside us. He is part of our biology. He transforms our mind and the mind is where the battle is. Many scriptures present these things as fact. So how does the Spirit transform us from craven, evil-thinking people into wholesome people with holy desires? Where does He begin and I leave off?
I am thinking of the how. I am strict on being in submission to the word, but then again, the word becomes absorbed in us and since it is living and active, we do have an inward experience. How does it all work?
In an example, there was a woman at church at Christmas, she was giving out five little bags of homemade jam to her friends and then she came over and gave me one also. I was amazed. I didn't have any relationship with her to speak of. The small act of surprising generosity touched me deeply and kept her on my mind for 6 months. Our relationship didn't really change but there was this jar of jam in my fridge and every time I used it I thought of her.
Well 6 months later we were talking about the jam. It came up because our relationship had blossomed by then in an unexpected way and for an unusual reason. I related to her how the gift affected me in such a good way. She said that it was funny, that when she had prayed, she felt strongly that she should give me one of the few jars, even though she didn't know me really well either. We didn't know that our relationship would turn to friendship months later, but the Spirit did. We both identified the jam as the beginning even though it took 6 months to start. Her gift was consistent with the bible, because we are supposed to give, but she had only five, so as to who to give her gift to, she felt led by the Spirit that it should be me. I believe that is where the intersection of the bible and the inward experience of the Spirit intersect.
I completely believe that the Spirit leads us in this way. Romans 8:14 says "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." So...HOW does He lead us? I believe He does this by putting thoughts into our mind, burdens on our heart ... the fear of God into our knees.
Now, here is the difference, in my opinion, between 'word of God only' and 'divining rod Christianity'.
First of all, I don't wait for a sign. I do what the bible says to do: love my neighbor, give to widows and orphans, meet needs, help others. But in the specifics, when I 'get a burden' to do something to help a certain person, I pray and seek wisdom from the word. It could be a worthless personal desire, after all. For example some Sundays I get a strong feeling to stay home. I feel burdened that this is what I should do. But I don't listen to that (most times, lol) because I know the bible says not to give up meeting regularly. The 'burden' or 'thought laid on my heart' was not consistent with the bible and would not be edifying to Jesus.
But if it is consistent with the word then I go forward. Our pastor who is also a counselor said last Sunday that there are couples who seek divorce for non-biblical reasons, and use the Spirit as their justification. "I felt the Spirit leading me into this divorce because He wants me to be happy." Pastor said, "This is a lie. The Spirit does not lead you away from Christ and His commands but toward them." So it is dangerous to be led by feelings.
The issue is, where does He begin and I leave off? He is inside me, after all, transforming my mind, instilling wholesome desires, and convicting me of my sins. This is an inward experience. It isn't divining rod experience, but it is a legitimate inward experience that the Spirit is prompting me to help this person in particular. After all, I can't help every widow in the county, it isn't feasible.
But it's important to check- is this act that I feel burdened to do, or say, or even think, consistent with the word? If no then it stops right there. If yes, then I go forward.
Now here is the intersection of Providence. I work in a fairly impoverished community in GA where there are many needy kids. Many are "orphans" in the sense that they are in foster care, or have only one parent due to illegitimacy or jail issues, abandoned and living with an exhausted grandma, or simply are in desperate need. There are 600 kids at our school and many thousands in the county. There are many single women here too, widows through death, abandonment (divorce) or simply are single and struggling. So the bible commands me to help orphans and widows. Can or should I help ALL of them? No, that's impossible. Even Bill Gates with all his money can't help every malaria patient in Africa, even though he is trying. That's social justice.
The bible says to help. So how do I know who to help and when? The ones the Spirit leads me to. The ones where if I know of a need, I meet that need. If there is a widow in my sphere of church or work, the bible says to meet their needs. Same with orphans. If there is a widow or orphan within my reach that I don't know about, I trust Providence to send people into her life to help her. Can I help every orphan in the school? No that is impossible. I help the ones whom the Spirit has sent me in the sphere in which He has planted me. I do my part to stay alert to needs and really listen and pray for opportunities. He makes me aware of them when they come along.
I have a range and a sphere and gifts. Thus equipped, I live out my faith. That's it, it is simple. Just do what the bible says and listen for needs and act according to what the bible says we do. There is nothing mystical. Just Christian life. :)
This is kind of a crude visual but think of a dog chained to a stake. There is another dog chained other there. His leash is longer than mine, he has more range (more means, wider sphere). So the Spirit has planted me here, and sent people into my life and me into theirs. My job as a Christian is to be alert and aware of needs, listen for them, pray for opportunities to witness for Jesus through them. I can only submit, know that the Bible's commands urge me to do, and listen to the leading of the Spirit as part of that living and active word to work out my salvation in fear and trembling within the range He has planted me and with the means He has sent me. For example, I don't have a lot of money but He has given me a job where I have a lot of time. That is means. I can't help everybody or interact with everybody or witness to everybody in the world or the nation or the county but the Spirit leads me within my sphere. Providence takes care of the rest.
Back to Romans 8:14 and being led by the Spirit. Pulpit Commentary remarks on the Christian's 'inward experience.'
"In verse 14 is introduced a further ground for the assertion in ver. 13, the felt sonship to God of those who have so received his Spirit as to be led (i.e. practically actuated) by it. We say "felt" because, though in this verse the sonship is alleged as a fact, yet, in the following verses (15,16) the inward experience of true Christians is appealed to as evidence of such sonship. "
I liked their phrase 'practically actuated'. The actuation is my prayer and reading the word and submission. His is the enactment of ability and transformation of mind through knowledge of the word and practical actions with the word as the basis. I'll never know where the two meet but I think it is important not to discount that there is the other half of the sanctification process where the word becomes actualized by an inward experience we can't really explain.
I think the preachers we listen to who are so strict on this should be. It is charismania out there. People take this delicate balance of inward leading versus word of God to heretical extremes. Give them an inch and they take a mile. They wait to do anything at all because they 'don't feel led'. They proclaim private prophecies upon people. They use this inward leading or burden thing as an excuse to be busybodies, the opposite of the paralyzed Christian who fails to work out their salvation because they are still waiting to be led and too scared to make a move without a sign. Worse, they don't do anything until they "feel a peace about it' which is one of the stupider things I hear the people say.
Gill's Exposition explains the Romans 8 verse this way
"the Spirit of God leads them from sin, and from a dependence on their own righteousness, in paths they formerly knew not, and in which they should go, in the paths of faith and truth, of righteousness and holiness, and in a right, though sometimes a rough way; he leads them to the person, blood, and righteousness of Christ, and to the fulness of grace in him; into the presence of God, to the house and ordinances of God; into the truths of the Gospel, from one degree of grace to another, and at last to glory; which he does gradually, by little and little he leads them to see the iniquity of their hearts and natures, to lay hold on Christ and salvation by him, into the doctrines of grace, and the love and favour of God, and proportionally to the strength he gives:"
So it is ridiculous to deny that there is an inward experience. There is. But we needn't worry if we are reading the word, desiring what God desires, and looking for opportunities in our lives to obey the commands of God. He does the rest. Like Nike says, Just Do It!
Economist Pitches Plan to Reverse Decline of UMC Before It 'Ceases to Exist As We Know It'
An economist volunteering at the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church has proposed a plan to help reverse the membership and financial decline of the denomination.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/economist-pitches-plan-to-reverse-decline-of-umc-before-it-cease-to-exist-as-we-know-it-101262/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/economist-pitches-plan-to-reverse-decline-of-umc-before-it-cease-to-exist-as-we-know-it-101262/
Saudi Prince: Fracking Is Threat to Kingdom
via Bible Prophecy Blog http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2013/07/saudi-prince-fracking-is-threat-to.html
Music Alleviates 'Poverty of the Soul' Says Christian Group Giving Instruments to Poor
A Nashville-based Christian organization that equips orphans and impoverished aspiring musicians in the developing world with quality instruments says the gift of music alleviates "poverty of the soul."
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/music-alleviates-poverty-of-the-soul-says-christian-group-giving-instruments-to-poor-101223/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/music-alleviates-poverty-of-the-soul-says-christian-group-giving-instruments-to-poor-101223/
Kong Hee's 'Apology' From God Taken Out of Context, Says City Harvest Church
Kong Hee, the founding pastor of City Harvest Church in Singapore, who is accused of mishandling church funds, is at the center of more controversy this week after a statement he made at a conference was interpreted by some as an apology.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/kong-hees-apology-from-god-taken-out-of-context-says-city-harvest-church-101154/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/kong-hees-apology-from-god-taken-out-of-context-says-city-harvest-church-101154/
Cardinal Dolan Clarifies Pope Francis' Remarks on Gay Priests, Reaffirms Church Stance
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York recently clarified that Pope Francis and the Roman Catholic Church still consider homosexuality wrong.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/cardinal-dolan-clarifies-pope-francis-remarks-on-gay-priests-reaffirms-church-stance-101248/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/cardinal-dolan-clarifies-pope-francis-remarks-on-gay-priests-reaffirms-church-stance-101248/
Kenyan Lawyer Takes Israel to Court over the Death of Jesus
via Bible Prophecy Blog http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2013/07/kenyan-lawyer-takes-israel-to-court.html
Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit to Draw 170,000 People Worldwide
Willow Creek Association's 2013 Global Leadership Summit, which was designed to equip church leaders but has also drawn others from a variety of different fields, is expected to be attended by 170,000 people globally beginning with the live event in the U.S. next week.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/willow-creeks-global-leadership-summit-to-draw-170000-people-worldwide-101204/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/willow-creeks-global-leadership-summit-to-draw-170000-people-worldwide-101204/
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Thought for the morning of Wed July 31, 2013
Verse
"I in them."
Thought
If such be the union which subsists between our souls and the person of our Lord, how deep and broad is the channel of our communion! This is no narrow pipe through which a thread-like stream may wind its way, it is a channel of amazing depth and breadth, along whose glorious length a ponderous volume of living water may roll its floods. Behold he hath set before us an open door, let us not be slow to enter. This city of communion hath many pearly gates, every several gate is of one pearl, and each gate is thrown open to the uttermost that we may enter, assured of welcome. If there were but one small loophole through which to talk with Jesus, it would be a high privilege to thrust a word of fellowship through the narrow door; how much we are blessed in having so large an entrance! Had the Lord Jesus been far away from us, with many a stormy sea between, we should have longed to send a messenger to him to carry him our loves, and bring us tidings from his Father's house; but see his kindness, he has built his house next door to ours, nay, more, he takes lodging with us, and tabernacles in poor humble hearts, that so he may have perpetual intercourse with us. O how foolish must we be, if we do not live in habitual communion with him. When the road is long, and dangerous, and difficult, we need not wonder that friends seldom meet each other, but when they live together, shall Jonathan forget his David? A wife may when her husband is upon a journey, abide many days without holding converse with him, but she could never endure to be separated from him if she knew him to be in one of the chambers of her own house. Why, believer, dost not thou sit at his banquet of wine? Seek thy Lord, for he is near; embrace him, for he is thy Brother. Hold Him fast, for he is thine Husband; and press him to thine heart, for he is of thine own flesh.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/tFVhQUZvWYw/0731-am.html
Your Flight Is Confirmed
A heavy thunderstorm delayed our flight to Frankfurt, causing us to miss our connecting flight. We were told that we had been confirmed on another flight the next evening. But when we arrived at the gate, we were told that we were on standby. The flight was full.
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/J2RxmNf8tG4/
Thought for the evening of Wed July 31, 2013
Verse
"And these are the singers ... they were employed in that work day and night."
— 1ch 9:33
Thought
Well was it so ordered in the temple that the sacred chant never ceased: for evermore did the singers praise the Lord, whose mercy endureth for ever. As mercy did not cease to rule either by day or by night, so neither did music hush its holy ministry. My heart, there is a lesson sweetly taught to thee in the ceaseless song of Zion's temple, thou too art a constant debtor, and see thou to it that thy gratitude, like charity, never faileth. God's praise is constant in heaven, which is to be thy final dwelling-place, learn thou to practise the eternal hallelujah. Around the earth as the sun scatters his light, his beams awaken grateful believers to tune their morning hymn, so that by the priesthood of the saints perpetual praise is kept up at all hours, they swathe our globe in a mantle of thanksgiving, and girdle it with a golden belt of song.
The Lord always deserves to be praised for what he is in himself, for his works of creation and providence, for his goodness towards his creatures, and especially for the transcendent act of redemption, and all the marvellous blessing flowing therefrom. It is always beneficial to praise the Lord; it cheers the day and brightens the night; it lightens toil and softens sorrow; and over earthly gladness it sheds a sanctifying radiance which makes it less liable to blind us with its glare. Have we not something to sing about at this moment? Can we not weave a song out of our present joys, or our past deliverances, or our future hopes? Earth yields her summer fruits: the hay is housed, the golden grain invites the sickle, and the sun tarrying long to shine upon a fruitful earth, shortens the interval of shade that we may lengthen the hours of devout worship. By the love of Jesus, let us be stirred up to close the day with a psalm of sanctified gladness.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/L6pUQCklaUk/0731-pm.html
John 1:12-13
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=John+1:12-13
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=John+1:12-13
Is your house founded on sand? It is time to get it in order
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| Photo: Venice Beach at sunset, by Elizabeth Prata |
Christian Publisher Removes Loch Ness Monster From Biology Textbook
A Christian education publisher based in Tennessee has removed references to the existence of the Loch Ness Monster from a biology textbook.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-publisher-removes-loch-ness-monster-from-biology-textbook-101187/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-publisher-removes-loch-ness-monster-from-biology-textbook-101187/
Mark Driscoll Announces Plans to Launch Mars Hill Church Phoenix
Seattle-based Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll announced plans for a 15th regional church in Phoenix to be launched to the sometime in late January or early February of next year.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/mark-driscoll-announces-plans-to-launch-mars-hill-church-phoenix-101128/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/mark-driscoll-announces-plans-to-launch-mars-hill-church-phoenix-101128/
Monday, July 29, 2013
A Person Of Influence
If you Google “person of influence,” the search will take you to various lists of “the most influential people in the world.” These lists usually include political leaders; business entrepreneurs and athletes; along with people in science, the arts, and entertainment. You will not find the names of cooks and cleaners who work for them. Yet those in so-called lowly positions often influence the people they serve.
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/3Qrmu-3IE4w/
Thought for the morning of Tue July 30, 2013
Verse
"And when he thought thereon, he wept."
— mr 14:72
Thought
It has been thought by some that as long as Peter lived, the fountain of his tears began to flow whenever he remembered his denying his Lord. It is not unlikely that it was so, (for his sin was very great, and grace in him had afterwards a perfect work. This same experience is common to all the redeemed family according to the degree in which the Spirit of God has removed the natural heart of stone. We, like Peter, remember our boastful promise: "Though all men shall forsake thee, yet will not I." We eat our own words with the bitter herbs of repentance. When we think of what we vowed we would be, and of what we have been, we may weep whole showers of grief. He thought on his denying his Lord. The place in which he did it, the little cause which led him into such heinous sin, the oaths and blasphemies with which he sought to confirm his falsehood, and the dreadful hardness of heart which drove him to do so again and yet again. Can we, when we are reminded of our sins, and their exceeding sinfulness, remain stolid and stubborn? Will we not make our house a Bochim, and cry unto the Lord for renewed assurances of pardoning love? May we never take a dry-eyed look at sin, lest ere long we have a tongue parched in the flames of hell. Peter also thought upon his Master's look of love. The Lord followed up the cock's warning voice with an admonitory look of sorrow, pity, and love. That glance was never out of Peter's mind so long as he lived. It was far more effectual than ten thousand sermons would have been without the Spirit. The penitent apostle would be sure to weep when he recollected the Saviour's full forgiveness, which restored him to his former place. To think that we have offended so kind and good a Lord is more than sufficient reason for being constant weepers. Lord, smite our rocky hearts, and make the waters flow.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/tkMSXA-I0ow/0730-am.html
Thought for the evening of Tue July 30, 2013
Verse
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
— joh 6:37
Thought
No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as he will not do it at first, so he will not to the last.
But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but he will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; he will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them."
"Once in Christ, in Christ for ever,
Nothing from his love can sever."
"I give unto my sheep," saith he, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but he will receive thee and make thee his bride, and thou shalt be his for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out."
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/Lrh0tkfW9IU/0730-pm.html
Matthew 5:14,16
““You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Matthew+5:14,16
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Matthew+5:14,16
Iran: Armageddon at hand, prepare for war
Some interesting links for you.
False Conversions: The Suicide of the Church, A Conference Message by Mark Dever. Mark Dever diagnoses the problem of false conversions in the church and prescribes biblical solutions in his message from Together for the Gospel 2012.This link leads to an audio message.
Reaction is growing to John MacArthur's upcoming Strange Fire conference . The conference's purpose is stated as follows:
"The Lord calls His people to honor Him, to treat Him as holy. Leviticus 10 pictures the consequences of not doing so—of offering to Him strange fire. For the last hundred years, the charismatic movement has been offering a strange fire of sorts to the third Person of the Godhead—the Holy Spirit. And evangelical churches have chosen to be silent or indifferent on the matter. This hasn’t served the church or the Spirit of the church with honor. So what should be our response? Strange Fire is a conference that will set forth what the Bible really says about the Holy Spirit, and how that squares with the charismatic movement. We’re going to address in a biblical, straightforward manner what many today see as a peripheral issue. On the contrary, your view of the Holy Spirit influences your relationship with God, your personal holiness, and your commitment to the church and evangelism."
The Charismatics do not like this. Dr Michael Brown wrote two articles published in Charisma Magazine responding to the conference's purpose, here, and calling MacArthur out.
"John MacArthur, Strange Fire and Blasphemy of the Spirit ”
and here
An Appeal to John MacArthur to Embrace God’s True Fire
Fred Butler wrote this on behalf of Dr MacArthur:
A Mess in the Maternity Ward?
Annnnd ... Dr Brown responded. Again.
Time to Talk, Not Fight: A Response to John MacArthur's Ministry
Proclaiming the Gospel has a great blog essay titled-
Christians are Exhorted to Judge
"Many Christians are unaware of their responsibility to judge and test all things. Paul exhorted: "I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:9-10). Christians need to take judgment seriously in this life because of the great responsibility that awaits us in the future."
Iran: Armageddon at hand, prepare for war
"Iran is again asserting that Armageddon is at hand and that the Islamic regime’s followers, indeed all of Islam, must prepare for a monumental change in the world. Officials of the Islamic regime last month held their annual conference on the Mahdism Doctrine to prepare for the coming of the last Islamic messiah, the Shiites’ 12th Imam, Mahdi. ... Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, said at the conference that, “I hope (Iran’s) Islamic Revolution is that of the righteous government before the coming,” according to Fars News Agency, the regime’s media outlet run by the Revolutionary Guards. “Righteous government” is a key to Mahdi’s return, the Shiites believe."
Mideast peace talks to begin this week. But why did Israel approve release of 104 terrorists?
"But why are they beginning with the Israelis agreeing to release 104 convicted Palestinian terrorists? Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas refused to agree to the talks unless Israel made a big concession. Abbas pressed hard for the release of convicted terrorists as one of those concessions. But why? Do you convince your interlocutors — or the rest of the world — that you really want peace by insisting on the release of Arabs who have murdered Israelis? Hardly. That said, it’s bad enough that Abbas insisted on such a thing, but why exactly did the Israeli government say yes?"
False Conversions: The Suicide of the Church, A Conference Message by Mark Dever. Mark Dever diagnoses the problem of false conversions in the church and prescribes biblical solutions in his message from Together for the Gospel 2012.This link leads to an audio message.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reaction is growing to John MacArthur's upcoming Strange Fire conference . The conference's purpose is stated as follows:
"The Lord calls His people to honor Him, to treat Him as holy. Leviticus 10 pictures the consequences of not doing so—of offering to Him strange fire. For the last hundred years, the charismatic movement has been offering a strange fire of sorts to the third Person of the Godhead—the Holy Spirit. And evangelical churches have chosen to be silent or indifferent on the matter. This hasn’t served the church or the Spirit of the church with honor. So what should be our response? Strange Fire is a conference that will set forth what the Bible really says about the Holy Spirit, and how that squares with the charismatic movement. We’re going to address in a biblical, straightforward manner what many today see as a peripheral issue. On the contrary, your view of the Holy Spirit influences your relationship with God, your personal holiness, and your commitment to the church and evangelism."
The Charismatics do not like this. Dr Michael Brown wrote two articles published in Charisma Magazine responding to the conference's purpose, here, and calling MacArthur out.
"John MacArthur, Strange Fire and Blasphemy of the Spirit ”
and here
An Appeal to John MacArthur to Embrace God’s True Fire
Fred Butler wrote this on behalf of Dr MacArthur:
A Mess in the Maternity Ward?
Annnnd ... Dr Brown responded. Again.
Time to Talk, Not Fight: A Response to John MacArthur's Ministry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Proclaiming the Gospel has a great blog essay titled-
Christians are Exhorted to Judge
"Many Christians are unaware of their responsibility to judge and test all things. Paul exhorted: "I pray that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:9-10). Christians need to take judgment seriously in this life because of the great responsibility that awaits us in the future."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Iran: Armageddon at hand, prepare for war
"Iran is again asserting that Armageddon is at hand and that the Islamic regime’s followers, indeed all of Islam, must prepare for a monumental change in the world. Officials of the Islamic regime last month held their annual conference on the Mahdism Doctrine to prepare for the coming of the last Islamic messiah, the Shiites’ 12th Imam, Mahdi. ... Ali Larijani, the speaker of Iran’s parliament, said at the conference that, “I hope (Iran’s) Islamic Revolution is that of the righteous government before the coming,” according to Fars News Agency, the regime’s media outlet run by the Revolutionary Guards. “Righteous government” is a key to Mahdi’s return, the Shiites believe."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mideast peace talks to begin this week. But why did Israel approve release of 104 terrorists?
"But why are they beginning with the Israelis agreeing to release 104 convicted Palestinian terrorists? Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas refused to agree to the talks unless Israel made a big concession. Abbas pressed hard for the release of convicted terrorists as one of those concessions. But why? Do you convince your interlocutors — or the rest of the world — that you really want peace by insisting on the release of Arabs who have murdered Israelis? Hardly. That said, it’s bad enough that Abbas insisted on such a thing, but why exactly did the Israeli government say yes?"
ISRAEL NATIONAL TV NEWS VIDEOS
KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
VIDEOS FROM MPS - ISRAEL -JULY 28,2013-AMERICANS SUPPORTING ISRAEL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXBYKBbDlV8&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iJh1fceUIU&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw (WSH PEACE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFU8QcJRJxs&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H28YfKoMcbM&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbluvZJe44Q&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3wYAnOmn-0&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmWMUMGjXhk&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
NEW IMMIGRENTS TO ISRAEL-ALLIYA-NEW OLIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfnzSJk5P5g&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naZRXQHsQqU&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzlqwZfi2qg
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjweCsWnrRs&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
VIDEOS FROM MPS - ISRAEL -JULY 28,2013-AMERICANS SUPPORTING ISRAEL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXBYKBbDlV8&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iJh1fceUIU&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw (WSH PEACE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFU8QcJRJxs&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H28YfKoMcbM&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbluvZJe44Q&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3wYAnOmn-0&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmWMUMGjXhk&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
NEW IMMIGRENTS TO ISRAEL-ALLIYA-NEW OLIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfnzSJk5P5g&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naZRXQHsQqU&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzlqwZfi2qg
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjweCsWnrRs&list=UU7DjcEEX7zUSvS3IWWX_nmw
via EVENTS IN TIME (BIBLE PROPHECY LITERALLY FULFILLED)(BY GOD) http://israndjer.blogspot.com/2013/07/israel-national-tv-news-videos.html
The Last Trumpet
via Bible Prophecy Blog http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2013/07/the-last-trumpet.html
NC Church Packages 10,000 Meals for the Needy in 1 Day
A church in North Carolina has packaged approximately 10,000 meals for those in need in developing countries in one day.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/nc-church-packages10000-meals-for-the-needy-in-1-day-101088/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/nc-church-packages10000-meals-for-the-needy-in-1-day-101088/
Kerry to Open a New Mideast Peace Effort—With an Iftar
via Bible Prophecy Blog http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2013/07/kerry-to-open-new-mideast-peace.html
Disconnect to connect: How today's phones make Christ invisible
I don't own a cell phone, so perhaps I have a perspective that others don't. Sitting at lunch with other people, even if we are in the middle of a conversation, if the phone buzzes they stop talking to answer it. If there is even a half-second lull in the conversation, they turn to it. The phones are part of cutlery now. When sitting down, they take out the phone and lay it in place next to their lunch plate, napkin, fork, knife. While talking, their eyes don't meet other peoples' but glance down at the phone every few seconds. The phone threatens to distract even if they are not talking on it that moment. I quite talking at lunch because I know I don't have their attention anyway, and I stopped listening because I know they will stop talking to me even if I do listen to them- to answer the phone. Eventually I stopped socializing at lunch because of the phone issues (among others). In a room with six other people, at one point all five were on the phone. I was completely invisible.
Even talking one-on-one to a person means 50% of the time they will turn away from our conversation to do something on the phone.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
I know phones are important devices these days, especially for parents to keep in touch with kids, especially if there is an emergency. I am no Luddite. I know that sometimes people are waiting for an important doctor return call. Or for a check-in from the teenager. or for results of a job interview.
But consider, my fellow brethren, the verses above. When we meet with others who are in Christ; at work, at the playground, at church, for a meal ... we are meeting with a purpose. Every time we gather with others it is for a biblical purpose: to build each other up. We have an opportunity to encourage each other. There is nothing more encouraging than to look into someone's eyes as they talk with you and they know that you are devoting your full attention to them, even if it is for one minute, or five minutes or half an hour over a lunch. It's the way we connect through Christ.
So as for the second verse, when we neglect someone, or dismiss them while they are standing right in front of us in favor of chatting or texting on the phone with a "better" person, we are actually neglecting Christ. Please ponder that as you watch this good little video about how we make our loves ones (Christ) invisible.
Even talking one-on-one to a person means 50% of the time they will turn away from our conversation to do something on the phone.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)
I know phones are important devices these days, especially for parents to keep in touch with kids, especially if there is an emergency. I am no Luddite. I know that sometimes people are waiting for an important doctor return call. Or for a check-in from the teenager. or for results of a job interview.
But consider, my fellow brethren, the verses above. When we meet with others who are in Christ; at work, at the playground, at church, for a meal ... we are meeting with a purpose. Every time we gather with others it is for a biblical purpose: to build each other up. We have an opportunity to encourage each other. There is nothing more encouraging than to look into someone's eyes as they talk with you and they know that you are devoting your full attention to them, even if it is for one minute, or five minutes or half an hour over a lunch. It's the way we connect through Christ.
So as for the second verse, when we neglect someone, or dismiss them while they are standing right in front of us in favor of chatting or texting on the phone with a "better" person, we are actually neglecting Christ. Please ponder that as you watch this good little video about how we make our loves ones (Christ) invisible.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
What’s Love?
When asked “What’s love?” children have some great answers. Noelle, age 7, said, “Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.” Rebecca, who is 8, answered, “Since my grandmother got arthritis, she can’t bend over and polish her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even after his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Jessica, also 8, concluded, “You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget.”
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/_-_FFRVGChU/
Thought for the morning of Mon July 29, 2013
Verse
"Nevertheless I am continually with thee."
— ps 73:23
Thought
"Nevertheless,"-As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings "nevertheless I am continually with thee." Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!" By this is meant continually upon his mind, he is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before his eye;-the eye of the Lord never sleepeth, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in his hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on his heart, worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon his heart for ever. Thou always thinkest of me, O God. The bowels of thy love continually yearn towards me. Thou art always making providence work for my good. Thou hast set me as a signet upon thine arm; thy love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace! Thou seest me in Christ, and though in myself abhorred, thou beholdest me as wearing Christ's garments, and washed in his blood, and thus I stand accepted in thy presence. I am thus continually in thy favour-"continually with thee." Here is comfort for the tried and afflicted soul; vexed with the tempest within-look at the calm without. "Nevertheless"-O say it in thy heart, and take the peace it gives. "Nevertheless I am continually with thee."
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/GTM6Uz5xlJE/0729-am.html
Thought for the evening of Mon July 29, 2013
Verse
"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me."
— joh 6:37
Thought
This declaration involves the doctrine of election: there are some whom the Father gave to Christ. It involves the doctrine of effectual calling: these who are given must and shall come; however stoutly they may set themselves against it, yet they shall be brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light. It teaches us the indispensable necessity of faith; for even those who are given to Christ are not saved except they come to Jesus. Even they must come, for there is no other way to heaven but by the door, Christ Jesus. All that the Father gives to our Redeemer must come to him, therefore none can come to heaven except they come to Christ.
Oh! the power and majesty which rest in the words "shall come." He does not say they have power to come, nor they may come if they will, but they "shall come." The Lord Jesus doth by his messengers, his word, and his Spirit, sweetly and graciously compel men to come in that they may eat of his marriage supper; and this he does, not by any violation of the free agency of man, but by the power of his grace. I may exercise power over another man's will, and yet that other man's will may be perfectly free, because the constraint is exercised in a manner accordant with the laws of the human mind. Jehovah Jesus knows how, by irresistible arguments addressed to the understanding, by mighty reasons appealing to the affections, and by the mysterious influence of his Holy Spirit operating upon all the powers and passions of the soul, so to subdue the whole man, that whereas he was once rebellious, he yields cheerfully to his government, subdued by sovereign love. But how shall those be known whom God hath chosen? By this result: that they do willingly and joyfully accept Christ, and come to him with simple and unfeigned faith, resting upon him as all their salvation and all their desire. Reader, have you thus come to Jesus?
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/hFyK4NkhFTg/0729-pm.html
Psalm 119:93
“I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Psalm+119:93
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Psalm+119:93
Sunday Martyr Moment: Ignatius
Foxe's Book of Martyrs. According to this summary from Christian Book Summaries ,
Writing in the mid-1500s, John Foxe was living in the midst of intense religious persecution at the hands of the dominant Roman Catholic Church. In graphic detail, he offers accounts of Christians being martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ, describing how God gave them extraordinary courage and stamina to endure unthinkable torture.
From the same link, the book's purpose was fourfold:
The Third Persecution, Under Trajan, A.D. 108
In the third persecution Pliny the Second, a man learned and famous, seeing the lamentable slaughter of Christians, and moved therewith to pity, wrote to Trajan, certifying him that there were many thousands of them daily put to death, of which none did any thing contrary to the Roman laws worthy of persecution. "The whole account they gave of their crime or error (whichever it is to be called) amounted only to this-viz. that they were accustomed on a stated day to meet before daylight, and to repeat together a set form of prayer to Christ as a God, and to bind themselves by an obligation-not indeed to commit wickedness; but, on the contrary-never to commit theft, robbery, or adultery, never to falsify their word, never to defraud any man: after which it was their custom to separate, and reassemble to partake in common of a harmless meal."
In this persecution suffered the blessed martyr, Ignatius, who is held in famous reverence among very many. This Ignatius was appointed to the bishopric of Antioch next after Peter in succession. Some do say, that he, being sent from Syria to Rome, because he professed Christ, was given to the wild beasts to be devoured. It is also said of him, that when he passed through Asia, being under the most strict custody of his keepers, he strengthened and confirmed the churches through all the cities as he went, both with his exhortations and preaching of the Word of God. Accordingly, having come to Smyrna, he wrote to the Church at Rome, exhorting them not to use means for his deliverance from martyrdom, lest they should deprive him of that which he most longed and hoped for. "Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ Jesus!" And even when he was sentenced to be thrown to the beasts, such as the burning desire that he had to suffer, that he spake, what time he heard the lions roaring, saying: "I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread."
Trajan being succeeded by Adrian, the latter continued this third persecution with as much severity as his predecessor. About this time Alexander, bishop of Rome, with his two deacons, were martyred; as were Quirinus and Hernes, with their families;
Zenon, a Roman nobleman, and about ten thousand other Christians.
In Mount Ararat many were crucified, crowned with thorns, and spears run into their sides, in imitation of Christ's passion. Eustachius, a brave and successful Roman commander, was by the emperor ordered to join in an idolatrous sacrifice to celebrate some of his own victories; but his faith (being a Christian in his heart) was so much greater than his vanity, that he nobly refused it. Enraged at the denial, the ungrateful emperor forgot the service of this skilful commander, and ordered him and his whole family to be martyred.
At the martyrdom of Faustines and Jovita, brothers and citizens of Brescia, their torments were so many, and their patience so great, that Calocerius, a pagan, beholding them, was struck with admiration, and exclaimed in a kind of ecstasy, "Great is the God of the Christians!" for which he was apprehended, and suffered a similar fate.
Many other similar cruelties and rigors were exercised against the Christians, until Quadratus, bishop of Athens, made a learned apology in their favor before the emperor, who happened to be there and Aristides, a philosopher of the same city, wrote an elegant epistle, which caused Adrian to relax in his severities, and relent in their favor.
Adrian dying A.D. 138, was succeeded by Antoninus Pius, one of the most amiable monarchs that ever reigned, and who stayed the persecutions against the Christians.
What a fellow believer Ignatius was. Oh, Lord, may I be always reminded of Ignatius: strengthening others even as a death sentence lay over his head. May I learn to serve You better through edifying other believers, not thinking of myself, but only of Your glory.
Writing in the mid-1500s, John Foxe was living in the midst of intense religious persecution at the hands of the dominant Roman Catholic Church. In graphic detail, he offers accounts of Christians being martyred for their belief in Jesus Christ, describing how God gave them extraordinary courage and stamina to endure unthinkable torture.
From the same link, the book's purpose was fourfold:
- Showcase the courage of true believers who have willingly taken a stand for Jesus Christ throughout the ages, even if it meant death,
- Demonstrate the grace of God in the lives of those martyred for their faith,
- Expose the ruthlessness of religious and political leaders as they sought to suppress those with differing beliefs,
- Celebrate the courage of those who risked their lives to translate the Bible into the common language of the people.
The Third Persecution, Under Trajan, A.D. 108
In the third persecution Pliny the Second, a man learned and famous, seeing the lamentable slaughter of Christians, and moved therewith to pity, wrote to Trajan, certifying him that there were many thousands of them daily put to death, of which none did any thing contrary to the Roman laws worthy of persecution. "The whole account they gave of their crime or error (whichever it is to be called) amounted only to this-viz. that they were accustomed on a stated day to meet before daylight, and to repeat together a set form of prayer to Christ as a God, and to bind themselves by an obligation-not indeed to commit wickedness; but, on the contrary-never to commit theft, robbery, or adultery, never to falsify their word, never to defraud any man: after which it was their custom to separate, and reassemble to partake in common of a harmless meal."
In this persecution suffered the blessed martyr, Ignatius, who is held in famous reverence among very many. This Ignatius was appointed to the bishopric of Antioch next after Peter in succession. Some do say, that he, being sent from Syria to Rome, because he professed Christ, was given to the wild beasts to be devoured. It is also said of him, that when he passed through Asia, being under the most strict custody of his keepers, he strengthened and confirmed the churches through all the cities as he went, both with his exhortations and preaching of the Word of God. Accordingly, having come to Smyrna, he wrote to the Church at Rome, exhorting them not to use means for his deliverance from martyrdom, lest they should deprive him of that which he most longed and hoped for. "Now I begin to be a disciple. I care for nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross, let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding of the whole body, and all the malice of the devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win Christ Jesus!" And even when he was sentenced to be thrown to the beasts, such as the burning desire that he had to suffer, that he spake, what time he heard the lions roaring, saying: "I am the wheat of Christ: I am going to be ground with the teeth of wild beasts, that I may be found pure bread."
Trajan being succeeded by Adrian, the latter continued this third persecution with as much severity as his predecessor. About this time Alexander, bishop of Rome, with his two deacons, were martyred; as were Quirinus and Hernes, with their families;
Zenon, a Roman nobleman, and about ten thousand other Christians.
In Mount Ararat many were crucified, crowned with thorns, and spears run into their sides, in imitation of Christ's passion. Eustachius, a brave and successful Roman commander, was by the emperor ordered to join in an idolatrous sacrifice to celebrate some of his own victories; but his faith (being a Christian in his heart) was so much greater than his vanity, that he nobly refused it. Enraged at the denial, the ungrateful emperor forgot the service of this skilful commander, and ordered him and his whole family to be martyred.
At the martyrdom of Faustines and Jovita, brothers and citizens of Brescia, their torments were so many, and their patience so great, that Calocerius, a pagan, beholding them, was struck with admiration, and exclaimed in a kind of ecstasy, "Great is the God of the Christians!" for which he was apprehended, and suffered a similar fate.
Many other similar cruelties and rigors were exercised against the Christians, until Quadratus, bishop of Athens, made a learned apology in their favor before the emperor, who happened to be there and Aristides, a philosopher of the same city, wrote an elegant epistle, which caused Adrian to relax in his severities, and relent in their favor.
Adrian dying A.D. 138, was succeeded by Antoninus Pius, one of the most amiable monarchs that ever reigned, and who stayed the persecutions against the Christians.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What a fellow believer Ignatius was. Oh, Lord, may I be always reminded of Ignatius: strengthening others even as a death sentence lay over his head. May I learn to serve You better through edifying other believers, not thinking of myself, but only of Your glory.
Rick, Kay Warren Give Message of Hope During First Sermon Back Since Son's Death
Pastor Rick Warren, author of the best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, and his wife, Kay, spoke about their grief after the loss of their son, Matthew, and their unfailing hope in God during the Saddleback Church founders' first time back at the pulpit since their son's suicide nearly four months ago.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-kay-warren-give-message-of-hope-during-first-sermon-back-since-sons-death-101020/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-kay-warren-give-message-of-hope-during-first-sermon-back-since-sons-death-101020/
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Thought for the morning of Sun July 28, 2013
Verse
"So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast before thee."
— ps 73:22
Thought
Remember this is the confession of the man after God's own heart; and in telling us his inner life, he writes, "So foolish was I, and ignorant." The word "foolish," here, means more than it signifies in ordinary language. David, in a former verse of the Psalm, writes, "I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked," which shows that the folly he intended had sin in it. He puts himself down as being thus "foolish," and adds a word which is to give intensity to it; "so foolish was I." How foolish he could not tell. It was a sinful folly, a folly which was not to be excused by frailty, but to be condemned because of its perverseness and wilful ignorance, for he had been envious of the present prosperity of the ungodly, forgetful of the dreadful end awaiting all such. And are we better than David that we should call ourselves wise! Do we profess that we have attained perfection, or to have been so chastened that the rod has taken all our wilfulness out of us? Ah, this were pride indeed! If David was foolish, how foolish should we be in our own esteem if we could but see ourselves! Look back, believer: think of your doubting God when he has been so faithful to you-think of your foolish outcry of "Not so, my Father," when he crossed his hands in affliction to give you the larger blessing; think of the many times when you have read his providences in the dark, misinterpreted his dispensations, and groaned out, "All these things are against me," when they are all working together for your good! Think how often you have chosen sin because of its pleasure, when indeed, that pleasure was a root of bitterness to you! Surely if we know our own heart we must plead guilty to the indictment of a sinful folly; and conscious of this "foolishness," we must make David's consequent resolve our own-"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel."
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/UHAARNbY4as/0728-am.html
Thought for the evening of Sun July 28, 2013
Verse
"Who went about doing good."
— ac 10:38
Thought
Few words, but yet an exquisite miniature of the Lord Jesus Christ. There are not many touches, but they are the strokes of a master's pencil. Of the Saviour and only of the Saviour is it true in the fullest, broadest, and most unqualified sense. "He went about doing good." From this description it is evident that he did good personally. The evangelists constantly tell us that he touched the leper with his own finger, that he anointed the eyes of the blind, and that in cases where he was asked to speak the word only at a distance, he did not usually comply, but went himself to the sick bed, and there personally wrought the cure. A lesson to us, if we would do good, to do it ourselves. Give alms with your own hand; a kind look, or word, will enhance the value of the gift. Speak to a friend about his soul; your loving appeal will have more influence than a whole library of tracts. Our Lord's mode of doing good sets forth his incessant activity! He did not only the good which came close to hand, but he "went about" on his errands of mercy. Throughout the whole land of Judea there was scarcely a village or a hamlet which was not gladdened by the sight of him. How this reproves the creeping, loitering manner, in which many professors serve the Lord. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, and be not weary in well doing. Does not the text imply that Jesus Christ went out of his way to do good? "He went about doing good." He was never deterred by danger or difficulty. He sought out the objects of his gracious intentions. So must we. If old plans will not answer, we must try new ones, for fresh experiments sometimes achieve more than regular methods. Christ's perseverance, and the unity of his purpose, are also hinted at, and the practical application of the subject may be summed up in the words, "He hath left us an example that we should follow in his steps."
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/UxS69hrOrMA/0728-pm.html
The Wisdom Of Crowds
The online description of The Wisdom of Crowds reads, “In this fascinating book, New Yorker business columnist James Surowiecki explores a deceptively simple idea: Large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliant—better at solving problems, fostering innovation, coming to wise decisions, even predicting the future.”
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/9znOXK_DWbw/
Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Philippians+3:14
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Philippians+3:14
Desmond Tutu Says He Would Prefer Hell Over A Homophobic Heaven And God
"Desmond Tutu has said he would rather go to hell than worship a homophobic god. The retired archbishop was speaking at the United Nations' launch of its gay-rights program in Cape Town, South Africa, a country where there is still much prejudice against gay people. He said: "I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place. "I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this. "I am as passionate about this campaign as I ever was about apartheid. For me, it is at the same level." (source )
On another topic, the blogger Ecclesiophilist wrote,
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols (Acts 17:16, NASB)
In describing Paul’s reaction, Luke uses a Greek word which means “to be irritated or provoked to wrath.” John Stott says that this word “originally had medical associations and was used to describe a seizure or an epileptic fit (Stott, The Spirit, the Church, and the World, IVP, p. 278).” As Paul closely observed the city of Athens, he found it overwhelmed by idolatry. One ancient source sarcastically said it was easier to find a god in Athens than a man. Such idolatry moved Paul to the core. He was provoked in his spirit by the situation.
Henry Martyn, the 19th century missionary to India and Persia, understood quite well the response of Paul to idolatry. When Martyn saw a picture of Jesus bowing down and grasping the robes of Mohammed, he responded, “I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified. It would be hell to me if He were always thus to be dishonored.” Martyn was provoked in his spirit by idolatry. His heart burned with the desire to see the preeminence and glory of Christ understood and embraced by all peoples.
It certainly resonates when we read of the saints in their torment in seeing Jesus besmirched. I am tormented by this unholy world. TOrmented daily, I often cry out in my praer closet for the Day to come when all will recognize Jesus is His perfectness and glory. O, what a day! But that day is not yet and we swim through the filth of a world that is piling up with sin, even my own.
Desmond Tutu is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop. He is allegedly a religious man, but he has created a god in his own image. A.W. Tozer said, "Grace will save a man... but it will not save him and his idol." Tutu has remade God into a person who represents Tutu's own thoughts and evil desires, and openly and flatly rejects the Holy God of Israel, Yahweh, the great Ancient of Days. I AM.
It is a hard thing to watch the world crumble. It is harder to watch men crumble. Tutu's destiny is all but certain, and having had to watch this dreadful state these terrible declarations that consign men to a hell they know not how terrible, is is agony.
However, I love my Christ and I worship Him. I do not worship my own philosophies and I do not reject His clear word and plan as shown to us by the holy writ of the bible. It is an agony these days to see Jesus so dishonored.
What a day when all peoples will bow to Him, and the ones whom He has chosen to be His elect, standing before Him, no, falling down to worship, will be all the more glorious. This Jesus whom Tutu rejects is this Jesus:
"The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. " (Mark 6:30-34.)
He loves His sheep!
But make no mistake: God is not to be trifled with. He demands holy living through Christ, and He will exact vengeance for all unholy acts, for they are a blot on His name.
"when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:7b-8)
It is a serious thing to wantonly seek hell, and not heaven. God in His just mercy, will grant it.
On another topic, the blogger Ecclesiophilist wrote,
Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was being provoked within him as he was observing the city full of idols (Acts 17:16, NASB)
In describing Paul’s reaction, Luke uses a Greek word which means “to be irritated or provoked to wrath.” John Stott says that this word “originally had medical associations and was used to describe a seizure or an epileptic fit (Stott, The Spirit, the Church, and the World, IVP, p. 278).” As Paul closely observed the city of Athens, he found it overwhelmed by idolatry. One ancient source sarcastically said it was easier to find a god in Athens than a man. Such idolatry moved Paul to the core. He was provoked in his spirit by the situation.
Henry Martyn, the 19th century missionary to India and Persia, understood quite well the response of Paul to idolatry. When Martyn saw a picture of Jesus bowing down and grasping the robes of Mohammed, he responded, “I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified. It would be hell to me if He were always thus to be dishonored.” Martyn was provoked in his spirit by idolatry. His heart burned with the desire to see the preeminence and glory of Christ understood and embraced by all peoples.
It certainly resonates when we read of the saints in their torment in seeing Jesus besmirched. I am tormented by this unholy world. TOrmented daily, I often cry out in my praer closet for the Day to come when all will recognize Jesus is His perfectness and glory. O, what a day! But that day is not yet and we swim through the filth of a world that is piling up with sin, even my own.
Desmond Tutu is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop. He is allegedly a religious man, but he has created a god in his own image. A.W. Tozer said, "Grace will save a man... but it will not save him and his idol." Tutu has remade God into a person who represents Tutu's own thoughts and evil desires, and openly and flatly rejects the Holy God of Israel, Yahweh, the great Ancient of Days. I AM.
It is a hard thing to watch the world crumble. It is harder to watch men crumble. Tutu's destiny is all but certain, and having had to watch this dreadful state these terrible declarations that consign men to a hell they know not how terrible, is is agony.
However, I love my Christ and I worship Him. I do not worship my own philosophies and I do not reject His clear word and plan as shown to us by the holy writ of the bible. It is an agony these days to see Jesus so dishonored.
What a day when all peoples will bow to Him, and the ones whom He has chosen to be His elect, standing before Him, no, falling down to worship, will be all the more glorious. This Jesus whom Tutu rejects is this Jesus:
"The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. 33 Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. 34 As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. " (Mark 6:30-34.)
He loves His sheep!
But make no mistake: God is not to be trifled with. He demands holy living through Christ, and He will exact vengeance for all unholy acts, for they are a blot on His name.
"when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:7b-8)
It is a serious thing to wantonly seek hell, and not heaven. God in His just mercy, will grant it.
The Eternal Decrees of God, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The best sermon I've ever heard on the "Eternal Decrees of God", and one of the best sermons I've heard on any topic, ever. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, 50 min. Please take a listen, I know you will be edified.
"Scripture: The character of God's activities; antinomy explained; the importance of understanding the harmony of the Biblical doctrines; God's unchanging plan; the decrees of God are unconditional and sovereign; problems in understanding this doctrine; God is not unjust."
The Eternal Decrees of God
"Scripture: The character of God's activities; antinomy explained; the importance of understanding the harmony of the Biblical doctrines; God's unchanging plan; the decrees of God are unconditional and sovereign; problems in understanding this doctrine; God is not unjust."
The Eternal Decrees of God
Friday, July 26, 2013
Thought for the morning of Sat July 27, 2013
Verse
"Exceeding great and precious promises."
— 2pe 1:4
Thought
If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press; if you will tread them the juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the prelude to their fulfilment. While you are musing upon them, the boon which you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise has found the favour which it ensured gently distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise near his heart.
But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in thy soul to receive them as being the very words of God. Speak to thy soul thus, "If I were dealing with a man's promise, I should carefully consider the ability and the character of the man who had covenanted with me. So with the promise of God; my eye must not be so much fixed upon the greatness of the mercy-that may stagger me; as upon the greatness of the promiser-that will cheer me. My soul, it is God, even thy God, God that cannot lie, who speaks to thee. This word of his which thou art now considering is as true as his own existence. He is a God unchangeable. He has not altered the thing which has gone out of his mouth, nor called back one single consolatory sentence. Nor doth he lack any power; it is the God that made the heavens and the earth who has spoken thus. Nor can he fail in wisdom as to the time when he will bestow the favours, for he knoweth when it is best to give and when better to withhold. Therefore, seeing that it is the word of a God so true, so immutable, so powerful, so wise, I will and must believe the promise." If we thus meditate upon the promises, and consider the Promiser, we shall experience their sweetness, and obtain their fulfilment.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/M7q5aUcUXH8/0727-am.html
Thought for the evening of Sat July 27, 2013
Verse
"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect?"
— ro 8:33
Thought
Most blessed challenge! How unanswerable it is! Every sin of the elect was laid upon the great Champion of our salvation, and by the atonement carried away. There is no sin in God's book against his people: he seeth no sin in Jacob, neither iniquity in Israel; they are justified in Christ for ever. When the guilt of sin was taken away, the punishment of sin was removed. For the Christian there is no stroke from God's angry hand-nay, not so much as a single frown of punitive justice. The believer may be chastised by his Father, but God the Judge has nothing to say to the Christian, except "I have absolved thee: thou art acquitted." For the Christian there is no penal death in this world, much less any second death. He is completely freed from all the punishment as well as the guilt of sin, and the power of sin is removed too. It may stand in our way, and agitate us with perpetual warfare; but sin is a conquered foe to every soul in union with Jesus. There is no sin which a Christian cannot overcome if he will only rely upon his God to do it. They who wear the white robe in heaven overcame through the blood of the Lamb, and we may do the same. No lust is too mighty, no besetting sin too strongly entrenched; we can overcome through the power of Christ. Do believe it, Christian, that thy sin is a condemned thing. It may kick and struggle, but it is doomed to die. God has written condemnation across its brow. Christ has crucified it, "nailing it to his cross." Go now and mortify it, and the Lord help you to live to his praise, for sin with all its guilt, shame, and fear, is gone.
"Here's pardon for transgressions past,
It matters not how black their cast;
And, O my soul, with wonder view,
For sins to come here's pardon too."
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/79ycL889Src/0727-pm.html
Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Hebrews+12:1
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Hebrews+12:1
Exodus Ministry Continues in Latin America Despite Shutting Down in US
Exodus Latin America continues to operate despite the North America-based Exodus International closing its doors in the United States last month.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/exodus-ministry-continues-in-latin-america-despite-shutting-down-in-us-100963/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/exodus-ministry-continues-in-latin-america-despite-shutting-down-in-us-100963/
Jeanne Robertson: Why men shouldn't go to the grocery store
A Christian comedian, this particular clip made me laugh so hard! Watch the whole thing.
Hispanic Christians Among Thousands at Pro-Israel Summit in D.C.
Hispanics have emerged as a voice for Israel in the United States in recent years and they were among the thousands who came out to show their support at the eighth annual Christians United for Israel (CUFI) summit this week in Washington, D.C.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/hispanic-christians-among-thousands-at-pro-israel-summit-in-d-c-100911/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/hispanic-christians-among-thousands-at-pro-israel-summit-in-d-c-100911/
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Thought for the evening of Fri July 26, 2013
Verse
"That he may set him with princes."
— ps 113:8
Thought
Our spiritual privileges are of the highest order. "Among princes" is the place of select society. "Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." Speak of select society, there is none like this! "We are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood." "We are come unto the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven." The saints have courtly audience: princes have admittance to royalty when common people must stand afar off. The child of God has free access to the inner courts of heaven. "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." "Let us come boldly," says the apostle, "to the throne of the heavenly grace." Among princes there is abundant wealth, but what is the abundance of princes compared with the riches of believers? for "all things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Princes have peculiar power. A prince of heaven's empire has great influence: he wields a sceptre in his own domain; he sits upon Jesus' throne, for "He hath made us kings and priests unto God, and we shall reign for ever and ever." We reign over the united kingdom of time and eternity. Princes, again, have special honour. We may look down upon all earth-born dignity from the eminence upon which grace has placed us. For what is human grandeur to this, "He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus"? We share the honour of Christ, and compared with this, earthly splendours are not worth a thought. Communion with Jesus is a richer gem than ever glittered in imperial diadem. Union with the Lord is a coronet of beauty outshining all the blaze of imperial pomp.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/mNmvdHEi0P8/0726-pm.html
Thought for the morning of Fri July 26, 2013
Verse
"Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge, etc."
Thought
If thou wouldest enjoy the eminent grace of the full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit's influence, and assistance, do what the Scripture tells thee, "Give diligence." Take care that thy faith is of the right kind-that it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ, and on Christ alone. Give diligent heed to thy courage. Plead with God that he would give thee the face of a lion, that thou mayest, with a consciousness of right, go on boldly. Study well the Scriptures, and get knowledge; for a knowledge of doctrine will tend very much to confirm faith. Try to understand God's Word; let it dwell in thy heart richly.
When thou hast done this, "Add to thy knowledge temperance." Take heed to thy body: be temperate without. Take heed to thy soul: be temperate within. Get temperance of lip, life, heart, and thought. Add to this, by God's Holy Spirit, patience; ask him to give thee that patience which endureth affliction, which, when it is tried, shall come forth as gold. Array yourself with patience, that you may not murmur nor be depressed in your afflictions. When that grace is won look to godliness. Godliness is something more than religion. Make God's glory your object in life; live in his sight; dwell close to him; seek for fellowship with him; and thou hast "godliness"; and to that add brotherly love. Have a love to all the saints: and add to that a charity, which openeth its arms to all men, and loves their souls. When you are adorned with these jewels, and just in proportion as you practise these heavenly virtues, will you come to know by clearest evidence "your calling and election." "Give diligence," if you would get assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting very naturally go hand in hand.
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/lvwSLDJVQ4Q/0726-am.html
Taking Root
A small area of my yard just couldn’t seem to get going. The grass always seemed sparse in that spot, no matter how well I watered it.
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/MbuyyoUSyek/
Hebrews 11:1
“[Faith in Action] Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Hebrews+11:1
via Bible Gateway's Verse of the Day http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NIV&search=Hebrews+11:1
Pakistanis hoard food, Australia stikes big oil, Syria crumbles, US mulls military intervention
If the Aussies become self-sufficient, or a global oil power, that might make Russia more jealous for the remaining oil in their neck of the woods. Remember the Gog Magog war begins because they come to take a spoil. (Ezekiel 38:12).
Oil find 'can fuel Australia'
"SOUTH Australia is sitting on oil worth more than $20 trillion, enough for Australia to become a self-sufficient fuel producer. The Advertiser reports Brisbane company Linc Energy yesterday released two reports, based on drilling and seismic exploration, estimating the amount of oil in the as yet untapped Arckaringa Basin surrounding Coober Pedy ranging from 3.5 billion to 233 billion barrels of oil. At the higher end, this would be "several times bigger than all of the oil in Australia", Linc managing director Peter Bond said. This has the potential to turn Australia from an oil importer to an oil exporter."
I feel terrible about people who don't have enough to eat! Imagine the hoarding and fighting when famine is in the land, and a loaf of bread costs a day's pay! (Revelation 6:6, Revelation 6:8, Matthew 24:7).
Hoarding drives up food prices in Pakistan
"Prices of food usually rise during the month of Ramadan. But in Pakistan, it is not so much supply shortages that are causing the inflation, but hoarding by criminal gangs. Prices of food usually rise during the month of Ramadan. But in Pakistan, it is not so much supply shortages that are causing the inflation, but hoarding by criminal gangs. With the onset of Ramadan in Pakistan, the Nawaz Sharif government has set up special food markets across the country to provide affordable food items to all. However not all are satisfied with what is on sale, with some complaining about the quality of products and the range of items on sale."
Oh, Syria! Syria! What is to be done? (Isaiah 17:1-3a), "Damascus will be destroyed, The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid. The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus")
Syrian rebels capture key village near Aleppo city
"Syrian rebels seized a strategic village on the edge of the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, activists said, just a day after opposition fighters sustained some of their heaviest losses in months in battles to the south near Damascus. Government troops killed at least 75 rebels in and around the Syrian capital on Sunday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday. It was one of the deadliest single-day tolls for opposition fighters recently."
Who do we root for?? No one! Joel Rosenberg's analysis:
"Who exactly would we arm and assist? We’re talking about a civil war that is pitting Shia radicals (Assad’s regime, Iran and Hezbollah) against "the rebels," most of whom are Sunni radicals (including al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood forces). I don’t want any of them to win. Are there small numbers of rebels who might be better if they could really come to power? Perhaps. But the fact is they have very limited chances of getting to the top of the greasy pole. Indeed, if the wrong people seize control of Syria, the situation for the Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and the West could actually become much worse."
Joel Rosenberg again from a different article,
Iran, Hezbollah are actively moving to take over Syria, says new Israeli report.
"A new analysis by an Israeli national security think tank argues that Iran not only sees Syria as strategically vital to the mission of the Islamic Revolution in the Middle East, and is determined not to let it fall into enemy hands, but is thus actively planning to take over the nation of Syria and effectively make it part of sovereign Iranian territory. The report, “Iran’s Plans To Take Over Syria,” suggests upwards of 150,000 troops from Iran, the Hezbollah terrorist movement in Lebanon, and some Shia forces from the Gulf states, are involved in the take over. The report was written by retired IDF Brigadier General Dr. Shimon Shapira and was recently published by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs."
And yet, there is still talk of military intervention.
General outlines options for U.S. intervention in Syria
"As the U.S. begins to wind down the war in Afghanistan, some members of Congress are trying to pressure President Obama to take more direct action to stop the bloodbath in Syria. More than 100,000 people -- mostly civilians -- are believed to have died in the civil war. In a letter to the Senate Armed Services committee, America's top military officer outlined several possible plans for U.S. intervention. But each plan comes with a heavy price."
I can't remember a time when the headlines were so sick, depraved, atrocious. I know there has always been bad news, but not to this level. And no, these aren't the worst. I choose not to read or publish the worst.
SHOCK VIDEO: Students sign petition to legalize abortion AFTER childbirth...
Neuroscientists plant 'false memories' in brain...
FEDS demand firms turn over passwords...
Small plane crashes into house in Indiana...
Dead body falls from plane preparing to land in Niger...
Train derailment kills 77 in Spain...worst disaster in 40 years...
North Korea floods leave 23,000 homeless, crisis worsens...
I don't have any prophetic insight, all that is contained in the bible, so you know what I know and I know what you know. But the spiritual pregnant pause is excruciating. The pressure is intense, it seems to me. Does it feel like something big is about to happen, or what?
Jesus has it all in hand. He is on His throne. Blessedly, we were given a glimpse of it! Truly, I can't stop thinking about this scene
The Throne in Heaven
"After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald."
You know, WE WILL SEE THAT! If you are in Christ, born again and thus saved from the wrath of God, you will be in front of that throne, and Jesus will smile at you and say, "well done good and faithful servant, welcome home."
Oil find 'can fuel Australia'
"SOUTH Australia is sitting on oil worth more than $20 trillion, enough for Australia to become a self-sufficient fuel producer. The Advertiser reports Brisbane company Linc Energy yesterday released two reports, based on drilling and seismic exploration, estimating the amount of oil in the as yet untapped Arckaringa Basin surrounding Coober Pedy ranging from 3.5 billion to 233 billion barrels of oil. At the higher end, this would be "several times bigger than all of the oil in Australia", Linc managing director Peter Bond said. This has the potential to turn Australia from an oil importer to an oil exporter."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel terrible about people who don't have enough to eat! Imagine the hoarding and fighting when famine is in the land, and a loaf of bread costs a day's pay! (Revelation 6:6, Revelation 6:8, Matthew 24:7).
Hoarding drives up food prices in Pakistan
"Prices of food usually rise during the month of Ramadan. But in Pakistan, it is not so much supply shortages that are causing the inflation, but hoarding by criminal gangs. Prices of food usually rise during the month of Ramadan. But in Pakistan, it is not so much supply shortages that are causing the inflation, but hoarding by criminal gangs. With the onset of Ramadan in Pakistan, the Nawaz Sharif government has set up special food markets across the country to provide affordable food items to all. However not all are satisfied with what is on sale, with some complaining about the quality of products and the range of items on sale."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Oh, Syria! Syria! What is to be done? (Isaiah 17:1-3a), "Damascus will be destroyed, The cities of Aroer are deserted; they will be for flocks, which will lie down, and none will make them afraid. The fortress will disappear from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus")
Syrian rebels capture key village near Aleppo city
"Syrian rebels seized a strategic village on the edge of the northern city of Aleppo on Monday, activists said, just a day after opposition fighters sustained some of their heaviest losses in months in battles to the south near Damascus. Government troops killed at least 75 rebels in and around the Syrian capital on Sunday, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Monday. It was one of the deadliest single-day tolls for opposition fighters recently."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Who do we root for?? No one! Joel Rosenberg's analysis:
"Who exactly would we arm and assist? We’re talking about a civil war that is pitting Shia radicals (Assad’s regime, Iran and Hezbollah) against "the rebels," most of whom are Sunni radicals (including al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood forces). I don’t want any of them to win. Are there small numbers of rebels who might be better if they could really come to power? Perhaps. But the fact is they have very limited chances of getting to the top of the greasy pole. Indeed, if the wrong people seize control of Syria, the situation for the Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and the West could actually become much worse."
Joel Rosenberg again from a different article,
Iran, Hezbollah are actively moving to take over Syria, says new Israeli report.
"A new analysis by an Israeli national security think tank argues that Iran not only sees Syria as strategically vital to the mission of the Islamic Revolution in the Middle East, and is determined not to let it fall into enemy hands, but is thus actively planning to take over the nation of Syria and effectively make it part of sovereign Iranian territory. The report, “Iran’s Plans To Take Over Syria,” suggests upwards of 150,000 troops from Iran, the Hezbollah terrorist movement in Lebanon, and some Shia forces from the Gulf states, are involved in the take over. The report was written by retired IDF Brigadier General Dr. Shimon Shapira and was recently published by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs."
And yet, there is still talk of military intervention.
General outlines options for U.S. intervention in Syria
"As the U.S. begins to wind down the war in Afghanistan, some members of Congress are trying to pressure President Obama to take more direct action to stop the bloodbath in Syria. More than 100,000 people -- mostly civilians -- are believed to have died in the civil war. In a letter to the Senate Armed Services committee, America's top military officer outlined several possible plans for U.S. intervention. But each plan comes with a heavy price."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't remember a time when the headlines were so sick, depraved, atrocious. I know there has always been bad news, but not to this level. And no, these aren't the worst. I choose not to read or publish the worst.
SHOCK VIDEO: Students sign petition to legalize abortion AFTER childbirth...
Neuroscientists plant 'false memories' in brain...
FEDS demand firms turn over passwords...
Small plane crashes into house in Indiana...
Dead body falls from plane preparing to land in Niger...
Train derailment kills 77 in Spain...worst disaster in 40 years...
North Korea floods leave 23,000 homeless, crisis worsens...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't have any prophetic insight, all that is contained in the bible, so you know what I know and I know what you know. But the spiritual pregnant pause is excruciating. The pressure is intense, it seems to me. Does it feel like something big is about to happen, or what?
Jesus has it all in hand. He is on His throne. Blessedly, we were given a glimpse of it! Truly, I can't stop thinking about this scene
The Throne in Heaven
"After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald."
You know, WE WILL SEE THAT! If you are in Christ, born again and thus saved from the wrath of God, you will be in front of that throne, and Jesus will smile at you and say, "well done good and faithful servant, welcome home."
Ex-Porn Star Leaves Sex Industry for New Life in God
Brittni, a former porn star, committed her life to God and left the adult entertainment industry after a member from XXX Church preached to her at a porn convention. The Gospel message ultimately led her to find the love she was searching for during her seven years as an adult entertainer.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/ex-porn-star-leaves-sex-industry-for-new-life-in-god-100872/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/ex-porn-star-leaves-sex-industry-for-new-life-in-god-100872/
Palestinian Official: Abbas Is a Dictator
via Bible Prophecy Blog http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2013/07/palestinian-official-abbas-is-dictator.html
NRB Conference to Focus on Issues, Concerns for Christian Media
The National Religious Broadcasters association plans to host a conference focused on the issues, concerns, and opportunities facing media professionals involved in Christian ministry, broadcasting, and electronic media that is planned for next month in Plano, Texas.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/nrb-conference-to-focus-on-issues-concerns-for-christian-media-100825/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/nrb-conference-to-focus-on-issues-concerns-for-christian-media-100825/
Theological Seminary Graduates Aim to Close Gap in Biblical Understanding
Four Dallas Theological Seminary graduates who formed a non-profit publishing group aimed at closing the ever-widening gap in biblical understanding between scholars and laymen, recently released their fourth installment in a series of Bible studies through the 66 books of the Bible. The publishers say that "Philippians: Displaying God in Godless Times" encourages Christians to do what they were called on to do during Biblical times – live out their faith in a primarily secular society.
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/theological-seminary-graduates-aim-to-close-gap-in-biblical-understanding-100826/
via The Christian Post Church & Ministries http://www.christianpost.com/news/theological-seminary-graduates-aim-to-close-gap-in-biblical-understanding-100826/
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
Wisdom is the beauty of holiness. James says wisdom is reasonable; flexible; forgiving; peaceful; caring; given to friendly visits, small acts of courtesy, and kind words. It is humble, transparent, simple, gentle, and gracious to the core (James 3:17).
via Our Daily Bread http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/odb/feed/~3/mFUN9lJ5hKw/
Thought for the morning of Thu July 25, 2013
Verse
"He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out."
— ge 39:12
Thought
In contending with certain sins there remains no mode of victory but by flight. The ancient naturalists wrote much of basilisks, whose eyes fascinated their victims and rendered them easy victims; so the mere gaze of wickedness puts us in solemn danger. He who would be safe from acts of evil must haste away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant. Who would wantonly enter the leper's prison and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He only who desires to be leprous himself would thus court contagion. If the mariner knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.
This day I may be exposed to great peril, let me have the serpent's wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me to-day than the jaws of a lion. It is true I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin. The devil I am to resist and he will flee from me, but the lusts of the flesh, I must flee, or they will surely overcome me. O God of holiness preserve thy Josephs, that Madam Bubble bewitch them not with her vile suggestions. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil, never overcome us!
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-morning/~3/zGv6RKb3kYQ/0725-am.html
Thought for the evening of Thu July 25, 2013
Verse
"In their affliction they will seek me early."
— ho 5:15
Thought
Losses and adversities are frequently the means which the great Shepherd uses to fetch home his wandering sheep; like fierce dogs they worry the wanderers back to the fold. There is no making lions tame if they are too well fed; they must be brought down from their great strength, and their stomachs must be lowered, and then they will submit to the tamer's hand; and often have we seen the Christian rendered obedient to the Lord's will by straitness of bread and hard labour. When rich and increased in goods many professors carry their heads much too loftily, and speak exceeding boastfully. Like David, they flatter themselves, "My mountain standeth fast; I shall never be moved." When the Christian groweth wealthy, is in good repute, hath good health, and a happy family, he too often admits Mr. Carnal Security to feast at his table, and then if he be a true child of God there is a rod preparing for him. Wait awhile, and it may be you will see his substance melt away as a dream. There goes a portion of his estate-how soon the acres change hands. That debt, that dishonoured bill-how fast his losses roll in, where will they end? It is a blessed sign of divine life if when these embarrassments occur one after another he begins to be distressed about his backslidings, and betakes himself to his God. Blessed are the waves that wash the mariner upon the rock of salvation! Losses in business are often sanctified to our soul's enriching. If the chosen soul will not come to the Lord full-handed, it shall come empty. If God, in his grace, findeth no other means of making us honour him among men, he will cast us into the deep; if we fail to honour him on the pinnacle of riches, he will bring us into the valley of poverty. Yet faint not, heir of sorrow, when thou art thus rebuked, rather recognize the loving hand which chastens, and say, "I will arise, and go unto my Father."
via Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hl-devos-spurgeon-evening/~3/uOrdI_F12Vs/0725-pm.html
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