"So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8
I thank my God for all of you and all that He has blessed me through every single one of you. Really wished I could have continued on with you all through O levels, JC and even Uni.
But make my joy complete by holding on to Christ and His Gospel. And He will indeed carry you through to glory.
For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
Of all relationships of life, none ought to be regarded with such reverence, and none taken in hand so cautiously as the relationship of husband and wife.
In no relationship is so much earthly happiness to be found, if it be entered upon discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. In none is so much misery seen to follow, if it be taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly, and without thought.
From no step in life does so much benefit come to the soul, if people marry "in the Lord." From none does the soul take so much harm, if fancy, passion, or any mere worldly motive is the only cause which produce the union.
There is, unhappily, only too much necessity for impressing these truths upon people. It is a mournful fact, that few steps in life are generally taken with so much levity, self will, and forgetfulness of God as marriage. Few are the young couples who think of inviting Christ to their wedding!
It is a mournful fact that unhappy marriages are one great cause of the misery and sorrow of which there is so much in the world. People find out too late that they have made a mistake, and go in bitterness all their days.
Happy are they, who in the matter of marriage observe three rules:
The first is to marry only in the Lord, and after prayer for God's approval and blessing.
The second is not to expect too much from their partners, and to remember that marriage is, after all, the union of two sinners, and not of two angels.
The third rule is to strive first and foremost for one another's sanctification. The more holy married people are, the happier they are.
Imagine if you can, Jesus having people bow their heads after hearing the Sermon on the Mount, and then very slowly and softly (while Bartholomew plays “How Great Thou Art” on the accordion) saying to the crowd, “While your heads are bowed and your eyes are closed, if you really want to be My disciple tonight, if you really want to show My Father and I that you truly mean to follow this sermon I have given, then I want you to slip your hand up slowly, so that I may see it. There now…yes…yes…I see that hand…and that one…and the one way back by the fig tree…yes! Now, please, while Bart plays another chorus, I’d like you to start moving down through the center of the crowd…yes, those who raised their hand. I want to know if you really mean business. I’d like to lead you in a prayer…”
I realize that there are some who will see such an illustration as sacrilegious. And that’s just the point. They think that making fun of the “altar call” is making fun of God. But it isn’t. Traditions die hard, because they take so long to form. Once I received a very intense letter from the pastor of a church who had sponsored me in a city-wide concert in his area. He was upset that I had “let several hundred souls go ungathered” because I had not given an altar call. He said, “It seems you have no burden for souls.” (Nothing could be further from the truth.) But because I had not given the recognized “official invitation,” this pastor could see no value in my presentation of the Gospel. Or as Tony Salerno (director of “The Agape Force”) recently remarked, “If you don’t give an altar call, they think you have committed the unpardonable sin!’”
Believe it or not, the altar call was invented only about 150 years ago. It was first used by the American evangelist, Charles Finney, as a means of separating out those who wanted to talk further about the subject of salvation. Finney called the front pew “the anxious seat” (for those who were “anxious” about the state of their souls) or “the mourner’s bench.” Finney never “led them in a prayer,” but he and a few others would spend a great deal of time praying with and giving specific instructions to each, one by one, until finally, everyone was sent home to pray and continue seeking God until “they had broken through and expressed hope in Christ,” as Finney would say.
The early Salvation Army, going a bit further on Finney’s innovation, developed what they called “the penitent form” or “the mercy seat.” After a rousing time of singing and preaching, they would invite any sinner present who wanted to confess his sins to God and repent, to come to the front, and they would be prayed for individually. I have met a few older Christians who used to attend some of these early meetings, and they said that sometimes people would stay there all night, and on a few occasions, even a few days, weeping and confessing their sins with broken hearts. There were always some who would stay right there to instruct them further, encouraging them to make a clean sweep of sin from their lives.
This is what the early “altar call” was like. But gradually, it began to become a fixed part of every meeting, and like all other traditions, it began to lose its original spirit. The “coming forward” part started to be more important than the “sorrow, confession, repentance, and instruction” parts. Eventually, anyone who would “come down the aisle” was excitedly proclaimed “a new believer in Christ!” No matter how they felt, they still were told, “Your sins are forgiven, brother! Rejoice in Christ!” How many a miserable, defeated, and confused person has come away from a meeting like this? (Jer. 6:14).
This year can be basically summed up like this, "putting your theology into practice". It's just amazing how throughout this year, God has been sovereignly arranging situations and circumstances that has called me to recall, believe and carry out all that He has taught me in previous years.
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."
Saw this verse reference at the end of a HeartCry missionary report and it is just so beautiful.
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises One day when sin was as black as could be Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin Dwelt among men, my example is He Word became flesh and the light shined among us His glory revealed
Living, He loved me Dying, He saved me Buried, He carried my sins far away Rising, He justified freely forever One day He’s coming Oh glorious day, oh glorious day
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain One day they nailed Him to die on a tree Suffering anguish, despised and rejected Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree And took the nails for me
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer One day the stone rolled away from the door Then He arose, over death He had conquered Now He’s ascended, my Lord evermore Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him From rising again
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming One day the skies with His glories will shine Wonderful day, my Beloved One, bringing My Savior, Jesus, is mine
Just have too many thoughts about so many things that I fear I may lose some of them due to my increasingly failing memory.
1) This is one camp where I felt such a lack of grace to minister to others. Whether it be out of fear or weakness, I simply felt without strength when asked to pray for others. However, a couple of dear brothers did pray for me which was refreshing. A sister sort of "confirmed" it today when she mentioned how she often the leaders are called to pray for others, but who then prays for the leaders? Are we not men (and women) of like passions and of the same weak flesh?
2) This was a camp that defied my expectations and chastened me for my cynicism. While there are areas which are "questionable", God truly works in ways we do not see nor understand at times. Who would have thought that children of 14, 15 years could stand up and testify that God does not show Himself or work merely through "tears" and overt displays of emotions, but His Spirit works in a way that leaves a heart in no doubt of His Presence. While much work remains to be done, and the fruits of this camp still awaiting to be brought forth, one is left with much more optimism than before.
3) I had my doubts over what direction the camp would take after hearing about some stuff that happened prior to the camp, perhaps due to some "bad" experiences from before. However, this was a camp where much was made of Christ and His Cross. The exhortations and messages were simple, clear and direct (something that I truly hope to be able to do).
4) However, there was some disappointing behaviour that I observed in the service right after breaking camp. It left my heart somewhat grieved that people would still show such partiality even when they have just received grace from the One who judges all impartially. May the Lord forgive them in their immaturity.
5) There is gonna be some change in my ministry in church that has left me truly in a very emotionally hard position. While the arguments on paper might seem sound and good, one finds it incredibly harder in reality. But the Lord will take care of them, for no man is indispensable. The sermon today really spoke a lot about the situation, but Lord, it is not easy to just let go for they have become very dear to me. But because You say so, I will go wherever you have ordained for me. Let me not be found complaining, but always in everything trusting in Your Plan and the grace that You provide without measure.
To You alone belongs the glory, honour and power. Forever and ever.
The beautiful thing about Casting Crowns is that one can so easily relate to their songs.
To know you is never worry for my life, and To know you is to never to give in or compromise To know you is to want to tell the world about you Cause I can't live without you
To know you is to hear your voice when you are calling To know you is to catch my brother when he is falling To know you is to feel the pain of the broken hearted Cause they can't live with out you.
More than my next breath More than life or death All reaching for, I live my life to know you more I leave it all behind, you are all that satisfies To know you is to want to know you more To know you is to want to know you more
To know you is to ache for more than ordinary To know you is to look beyond the temporary To know you is believing that you will be enough Cause there is no life without you
More than my next breath More than life or death All I'm reaching for, I live my life to know you more I leave it all behind, you are all that satisfies To know you is to want to know you more To know you is to want to know you more
All this life could offer me, could not compare to you Compare to you And I count it all as lost, compared to knowing you Knowing you
Christ- supreme, glorious, magnificent, personal and precious is that reward. He is God’s final revelation. He is the heir of all things. He is the creator of the world. He is the radiance of God’s glory. He is the exact imprint of God’s nature. He upholds the universe by the word of his power. He made purification for sins He sits at the right hand of the Majesty He is God, enthroned forever, with a scepter of uprightness. He is worshiped by angels. His rule will have no end. His joy is above all other beings in the universe. He took on human flesh. He was crowned with glory and honor because of his suffering. He was the founder of our salvation. He was made perfect in all his obedience by his suffering. He destroyed the one who has the power of death, the devil. He delivered us from the bondage of fear. He is a merciful and faithful high priest. He made propitiation for sins. He is sympathetic because of his own trials. He never sinned. He offered up loud cries and tears with reverent fear, and God heard him. He became the source of eternal salvation. He holds his priesthood by virtue of an indestructible life. He appears in the presence of God on our behalf. He will come a second time to save us who are eagerly waiting for him. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
When you hear and see people having much more passionate discussions and conversations on football and fashion instead of on Christ and His Kingdom....
Christ is sufficient, Christ is all. Christ is Ruler, King and Lord
Here at Your feet, I lay my past down My wanderings, all my mistakes down And I am free
Here at Your feet, I lay this day down Not in my strength, but in Yours I’ve found All I need, You’re all I need
Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet Oh, to dwell and never leave Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet There is nowhere else for me There is nowhere else for me
Here at Your feet, I lay my future down All of my dreams, I give to You now And I find peace, I find peace Here at Your feet, I lay my life down For You my King, You’re all I want now And my soul sings…
‘Cause I am free (here at Your feet) All I need (is at Your feet) I find peace We’re at Your feet We’re at Your feet
And I am free (here at Your feet) All I need (is at Your feet) I find peace We’re at Your feet We’re at Your feet We’re at Your feet We’re at Your feet
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
- 2 Timothy 3: 1-5
Who can deny the inspiration of the Apostle Paul as he wrote these words as he was moved by the Holy Spirit so many years ago. Paul's words above are an ever increasing indictment against much of what passes for religion today. In order to assuage his conscience, Man is willing to take up all the trappings of religion especially in its display. Pageantry and aesthetics appeal to his senses and gives him much supposed assurance of his spiritual state. Oh but how much he despises the secret and hard things of Christianity.
I have seen a much greater emphasis on prayer, bible reading and daily communion with God in recent months and while it is good, I fear lest we fall into formalism and doing things "just because we have to". Every man born again of the Holy Spirit is a new creature, with a new heart of flesh that is sensitive and desirous of the things of God. One does not need to force a sheep to act like a sheep because it does so naturally. But the carnal and unsaved man does not truly desire the things from above. He may agree begrudgingly to do them, and indeed persist for a time, but he will soon find no appetite for them. For it is not in his nature to desire these things.
Oh how we need all the more urgently today to ensure those around us, who profess faith in Christ, are well and truly born again. How much more do we need to examine our own hearts to see if we are merely dabbling in the formalities of religion without knowing any of its true power to save, especially in these times of increasing religious fervour. We can try to dress up a goat as a sheep with all the duties of a Christian, but at the Judgement Seat all appearances will be removed and how great will be the anguish and regret on that Day.
I say on Sunday how much I want revival But then on Monday, I can’t even find my Bible Where’s the power The power of the cross in my life
I’m sick of playing the game of religion I’m tired of losing my reason for living Where’s the power The power of the cross in my life
I’m not content just to walk through my life, giving in To the lies, Walking in compromises now We cry out as a generation that was lost But now is found in the power of the cross
Chorus: We believe in You We believe in the power of Your Word that is true We believe in You So we lay down our cause That our cross might be found in You
I’m not satisfied doing it my own way I’m not satisfied to do church and walk away I’m not satisfied there’s no love in my life but You I’m not satisfied living in yesterday’s hour I’m not satisfied to have the form but not the power I’m not satisfied, Lord I am crucified in You
But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, therefore I will hope in him." The LORD is good to those who wait for him,to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust— there may yet be hope; let him give his cheek to the one who strikes,and let him be filled with insults.
For the Lord will not cast off forever, but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men.
============================ Who has spoken and it came to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come? Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: "We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgiven."
Every time I am overcome with sin, shame and doubt, this song never ceases to give hope.
The gates and doors were barred And all the windows fastened down I spent the night in sleeplessness And rose at every sound Half in hopeless sorrow And half in fear the day Would find the soldiers breakin' through To drag us all away
And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall The gate began to rattle And a voice began to call I hurried to the window Looked down into the street Expecting swords and torches And the sound of soldiers' feet
But there was no one there but Mary So I went down to let her in John stood there beside me As she told me where she'd been She said they might have moved Him in the night And none of us knows where The stone's been rolled away And now His body isn't there
We both ran toward the garden Then John ran on ahead We found the stone and empty tomb Just the way that Mary said But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in Was just an empty shell And how or where they'd taken Him Was more than I could tell
Oh something strange had happened there Just what I did not know John believed a miracle But I just turned to go Circumstance and speculation Couldn't lift me very high 'Cause I'd seen them crucify him Then I saw him die
Back inside the house again The guilt and anguish came Everything I'd promised Him Just added to my shame When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His name And even if He was alive It wouldn't be the same
But suddenly the air was filled With a strange and sweet perfume Light that came from everywhere Drove the shadows from the room And Jesus stood before me With his arms held open wide And I fell down on my knees And I just clung to Him and cried
Then He raised me to my feet And as I looked into His eyes Love was shining out from Him Like sunlight from the skies Guilt in my confusion Dissappeared in sweet release And every fear I'd ever had Just melted into peace
He's alive He's alive He's alive and I'm forgiven Heaven's gates are open wide
There is something that is increasingly disturbing to me even as I go through this current phase in life. You look at the culture of a place and sometimes you wonder, 'Can it be changed? Why do we put up with it in resignation and acceptance despite knowing that it is so deplorable and saddening? Have we been so influenced by the godless culture of this society that we simply lose the will to resist and accept it as an "unavoidable fact of life"?'
It was a most uncomfortable conversation in my spirit as we sat there talking. How can it be that such an important matter could be discussed so nonchalantly? Do we not consider it a serious thing? Should not our spirit recoil at the thought of it?
"They will have to go through it and experience it for themselves; you can't control a person's biology; They have the right to choose for themselves." Such are the commonest responses when one dares to broach the topic of Boy-Girl relationships (BGR) today, and more specifically, the educating, warning and restraining of such relationships among young people today."Live and learn" is the mantra for this issue of immense importance. But I remember Paul Washer roughly saying this once, "The Devil tells you to live and learn, the Bible tells you to learn and live." Is there not warrant and place for our young people to be warned and prepared for such an important issue?
It is really saddening to hear the number of "partners" people have gone through in their lives (and this even before the age of 30!). People hop from one partner to another with seemingly little regard for the damage it does to themselves and to others. Relationships exist for the "here-and-now" and little or no thought is given to oneself or the other's preparedness and maturity for such a relationship. Is it no wonder then that we see such BGRs breaking and forming at such an incredible rate? (And this even in church!)
Perhaps this is one of the reason that the Lord took me out for those ten to eleven years, lest in my weakness I should face such temptation and heart-break. Even today I can feel how prone I am in my flesh to fall into such temptations.
Some might say to me, "But you have never ever gotten into a BGR. You do not know what it is like and hence, are not qualified to talk and advise on such matters." That may be true, but I have never taken drugs before as well. Does that then disqualify me from warning people about it? (This is not to say that BGRs are in essence bad, but rather the casual approach to it.)
Have I been in such error? As I look back over this one year plus, I realize how often in my desperation and unbelief I myself have been committing the very same errors. How little thought have I given to God and His promptings. How little I have trusted in His faithfulness and providence (all the more unforgivable considering all the things He has brought me through in life). How seldom have I considered my own lack of maturity and preparedness to take up such a heavy responsibility. How rarely have I been found on my knees in prayer and supplication for a prudent wife, that the Lord alone provides? (cf. Prov 19:14)
Oh Learn and Live!
My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.
Alas, how vain is man! What a contradiction is a believer to himself!
If I were to describe him from the Scriptural portrait—I would say that he is one whose heart is athirst for God, for His glory, and for His presence; that his affections are fixed upon an unseen Savior; that his treasures, and consequently his thoughts, are on eternal realities, far beyond the bounds of sense. Having experienced much God's forgiveness, he is full of mercy and forgiveness to all around. Having been often deceived by his own heart, he dares trust it no more—but lives by faith in the Son of God—for wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification, and derives from Him grace upon grace; sensible that without Him—he has not sufficiency even to think a good thought! In short—he is dead to the world, to sin, to self; but alive to God, and lively in His service. Prayer is his breath, the Word of God is his food, and Christ is more precious to him than the light of the sun. Such is a believer—in his judgment and prevailing desires.
But was I to describe him from his actual experience, especially at some times—how different would the picture be!
Though he knows that communion with God is his highest privilege, he too seldom finds it so; on the contrary, if duty, conscience, and necessity did not compel him—he would leave the throne of grace unvisited from day to day!
He takes up the Bible, conscious that it is the fountain of life and true comfort; yet perhaps, while he is making the reflection, he feels a secret distaste, which prompts him to lay it down, and give his preference to a newspaper!
He needs not to be told of the vanity and uncertainty of the world, and all beneath the sun; and yet he is almost as much elated or cast down by a trifle—as those who have their only portion in this world!
He believes that all things shall work together for his good, and that the most high God appoints, adjusts, and overrules all of his concerns; yet he feels the risings of fear, anxiety, and displeasure, as though the contrary was true!
He owns himself to be ignorant, and liable to be deceived by a thousand fallacies; yet he is easily betrayed into flattering views of himself, and self-conceit! He feels himself to be an unprofitable, unfaithful, unthankful servant—and therefore blushes to harbor a thought of desiring the esteem and commendations of men—yet he cannot suppress it!
By these exercises of sin and grace—the Lord teaches us more truly to know and feel the utter depravity and corruption of our whole nature—that we are indeed defiled in every part! His method of salvation is hereby exceedingly endeared to us! We see that it is and must be of grace, wholly of grace; and that the Lord Jesus Christ, and His perfect righteousness, is and must be—our all in all.
God's power likewise, in maintaining His own work, notwithstanding our infirmities, temptations, and enemies—is hereby displayed in the clearest light; His strength is manifested in our weakness!
Satan likewise, is more remarkably disappointed and put to shame—when he finds bounds set to his rage and wiles, beyond which he cannot pass; and that those in whom he finds so much evil to work upon, and over whom he so often prevails for a season—escape at last out of his hands! He casts them down—but they are raised again! He wounds them—but they are healed! He obtains his desire to sift them as wheat—but the prayer of their great Advocate prevails for the maintenance of their faith!
Further, by what believers feel in themselves—they learn by degrees how to warn, pity, and bear with others. A soft, patient, and compassionate spirit, and a readiness and skill in comforting those who are cast down—is not perhaps attainable in any other way!
I believe that nothing more habitually reconciles a child of God to the thought of death, than the wearisomeness of this warfare with sin and temptation. Death is unwelcome to human nature. But the Christian knows that not until death—will the conflict cease! Then we shall sin no more! The flesh, with all its attendant evils, will be laid in the grave. Then the soul, which has been partaker of a new and heavenly birth, shall be freed from every encumbrance, and stand perfect in the Redeemer's righteousness before God in eternal glory! When we see Jesus, we shall be transformed into His image—and be done with sin and sorrow forever!
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
- Psalms 139 :16b
All the Way my Saviour Leads me
vs.1 All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide? Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well; For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
vs.2 All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living Bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.
vs.3 All the way my Savior leads me O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above. When my spirit, clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day This my song through endless ages— Jesus led me all the way; This my song through endless ages— Jesus led me all the way.
Much has been made about inculcating a sense of self-esteem or self-confidence in modern society that it is no surprise that such thinking has infiltrated into much of the church today. " We mustn't hurt their self-esteem" and " We must help them gain confidence in themselves" are common refrains in many churches and one wonders how biblical that truly is.
I am increasingly convinced such thinking only serves to do incredible damage to the spiritual walks of many believers, for it is only the man who has lost all confidence in himself who is able to come humbly before the Throne of Mercy to beg for grace. It is only when a man can say with all conviction that "I know that in my flesh no good thing dwells" (cf. Rom. 7:18) is he then able to say "salvation belongs to the Lord" (Jonah 2:9).
Is it not little wonder then that "God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise [and] what is weak in the world to shame the strong" (1 Cor. 1:27) so that the one who boasts, boast[s] in the Lord." (1 Cor. 1:31 )He who has had all his self-confidence and esteem crushed is far more ably suited for use in the Lord's hands rather than the one who remains reliant on his own strength because he realizes all the more his utter weakness apart from God.
Oh let us not seek to raise the self-esteem and confidence of those under our charge, but rather to utterly obliterate it so that they may turn to Christ with all their hearts and cling desperately unto Him who is our Source and Life.
"For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3:3)
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
- Mark 4:39
One wonders at the words of our Lord here whether they were merely meant for the wind and waves crashing about them, or were they meant as well for those terrified disciples in the boat.
For many of us today, peace is seen as that time when we get onto that jet plane and take off to some far away place for a vacation. Or when we take our annual leave to spend some time in our own leisurely pursuits. But is that true peace? Is true peace found in suppressing or escaping from our worries and anxieties through holidays abroad or spending wantonly on our desires? Yet that is what modern society has indoctrinated us thoroughly with. We put aside the worries of tomorrow by drowning it in the activities of the present.
And so do we not find that even though we may fly to the furthest reaches of the Earth, our worries still tag along for the ride? No matter how much we spend on things to distract us from the problems of this life, sooner or later the reality of them return and with even greater force?
Where then can we find the "truest" peace? It is found here, in the nature of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. He who commands nature commands us to be at peace. And on what basis does He do so? It is based on this, His manifold promises to us as shown in His own Word, and upon His own station as Lord and Sovereign over all.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:28
In my own life it is such a constant struggle for peace. Fear and anxiety for the future seeks constantly to cloud the view of God's faithfulness and goodness. Has not the Lord seen me through all these years? Has He not provided even in the darkest days? Yet such unbelief! Such murmuring and complaining against God. Does He not provide everything in due season?
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
- Psalm 145: 15-17
If He were not Sovereign over all I would have every reason to despair. But He is the Lord on High, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, and His eternal decrees have been made for my good. Oh to cast oneself with abandon into the Hand of God and to trust the Rock which never fails. "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." (Psa 62:5 NIV)
True peace is not found in suppressing anxieties or problems through mere activity, but it is found in looking unto Him who holds your future in His hands and who is able to provide for us more than we can ever ask or imagine.
Eve was not taken out of Adam's head to top him, neither out of his feet to be trampled by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected by him, and near his heart to be loved by him.
"Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish."
- Psalms 146: 3-4
As I was meditating in the office today (sort of), I thought back to this Psalm which I read today. How much of what we do in Youth Ministry, or any ministry for that matter, is all about looking for the latest fad or "messianic" youth leader to come and raise us up from our doldrums. Where or whom do we ultimately place our trust in with regards to the salvation of the souls of the youths in our youth mins.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever
- Psalms 146: 5-6
While we come up with activities and programmes to attract and engage youths, let us beware of putting our faith in fads and trends that come today and are gone tomorrow. And while we thank God for leaders who have been blessed with charisma, let us be watchful lest they draw youths unto themselves rather than point them towards Christ.
The Lord is faithful and He has promised to build His Church. "Remember Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:8)
"The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made....The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing."
Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. He rebuked the Red Sea, and it became dry, and he led them through the deep as through a desert. So he saved them from the hand of the foe and redeemed them from the power of the enemy. And the waters covered their adversaries; not one of them was left. Then they believed his words; they sang his praise.
But they soon forgot his works; they did not wait for his counsel. But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert; he gave them what they asked, but sent a wasting disease among them.
- Psalm 106: 6-15 (Bold mine)
Oh to wait upon the Lord and for His timing. How wildly do my desires and temptations rage. Surely he who acts in haste will repent at leisure. The Lord will provide, has He ever failed? He gives His children good gifts, and not one spiritual blessing does He withhold.
Will you not tame my wandering eye and lustful heart? Indeed my flesh is too weak. So often have I wandered off that narrow path and into the castle of Giant Despair. Will the Lord forgive again? Surely you are slow to anger and abounding in love and mercy.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
“Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God” (Psa. 55:19). As there are some people who uniformly enjoy good health, so there is a class of religious professors who appear to maintain one steady level of experience. There is no rise and fall of their emotional thermometer, no ebbs and flows in the tide of their energy, no ups and downs in their history. Their faith (such as it is) does not flag, their “assurance” is never eclipsed by the dark clouds of unbelief, their zeal continues lively to the end. Are such people to be envied or pitied? Perhaps such a question seems senseless. Does not the timid and trembling believer, whose case varies as often and as radically as the weather, frequently wish that his experience approximated far more closely to that which we have just described?
Surely such a uniform level of experience is greatly to be coveted. What more desirable than unruffled peace, unbroken confidence, uninterrupted joy. Ah, but all is not gold that glitters, and much that passes in the churches for the coin of Canaan lacks a genuine ring to it. We must needs inquire, Is such a peace that of the graveyard or the peace of Heaven? Is such confidence a carnal one, or the fruit of the Spirit? Is it a delusive or a substantial joy? In order to ascertain this, the question has to be raised, Is the fear of God upon such characters? Do they furnish any clear evidence that it is so? The solemn declaration of our text demands an impartial answer to these queries.
What “changes” the real Christian experiences in his conflicts with sin! At conversion it often seems as though the believer is completely delivered from all his spiritual enemies. His heart has been so melted and drawn out Godwards, his sense of Christ dying on the Cross in his room and stead has imparted such a hatred and horror of evil, that he is filled with a desire and determination to live henceforth unto the pleasing of his Lord. He feels that the Song of Israel on the farther shores of the Red Sea (Exo. 15) is exactly suited to express his case. But how soon he discovers that the Wilderness of Sin lies between him and the Promised Land, and that though the Egyptians be dead there are Amalekites to assail him (Exo. 17:8). True, God grants him many a token of His favour along the way, and at each gracious reviving indwelling sin appears to slumber; but soon after it awakens and rages worse than ever, and, “I am carnal, sold under sin” (Rom. 7:14) becomes his cry.
Monday, June 28, 2010
I used to think I was a shy person. Actually I've come to realize that it is rather a case of not being a "personable" person rather than actual shyness. Maybe that's why I can never be close to anybody, because the closer you get to people, the more people see you for who you are and the more people will realize the rampant hypocrisy in your own life.
"Stained Glass Masquerade" - Casting Crowns.
Is there anyone that fails Is there anyone that falls Am I the only one in church today feelin' so small
Cause when I take a look around Everybody seems so strong I know they'll soon discover That I don't belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything's okay If I make them all believe it, maybe I'll believe it too So with a painted grin, I play the part again So everyone will see me the way that I see them
Are we happy plastic people Under shiny plastic steeples With walls around our weakness And smiles to hide our pain But if the invitation's open To every heart that has been broken Maybe then we close the curtain On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who's been there Are there any hands to raise Am I the only one who's traded In the altar for a stage
The performance is convincing And we know every line by heart Only when no one is watching Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free If I dared to let you see The truth behind the person That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open Or would you walk away Would the love of Jesus Be enough to make you stay
It's been a couple of days since I've returned from Cambodia and have finally found some time to write some thoughts down.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul,"therefore I will hope in him."
- Lamentations 3: 22-23
It was in many ways better than expected. There were no real big disruptions or problems there and the Lord blessed us mightily with really excellent weather. How often do we despise such little mercies instead of praising God for them. While there may be some issues with the church, it is incredibly encouraging to see the progress of some of the leaders and villagers since I was last there.
Will our efforts have any eternal significance? Whatever is to come, one can be sure that Christ will build His Church.
It is now common practice in most evangelical churches to offer the people, especially the young people, a maximum of entertainment and a minimum of serious instruction. It is scarely possible in most places to get anyone to attend a meeting where the only attraction is God. One can only conclude that God’s professed children are bored with Him, for they must be wooed to meeting with a stick of striped candy in the form of religious movies, games and refreshments.
So we have the strange anomaly of orthodoxy in creed and heterodoxy in practice. The striped-candy technique has been so fully integrated into our present religious thinking that it is simply taken for granted. Its victims never dream that it is not a part of the teachings of Christ and His apostles.
Any objection to the carryings on of our present gold-calf Christianity is met with the triumphant reply, “But we are winning them!” And winning them to what? To true discipleship? To cross-carrying? To self-denial? To separation from the world? To crucifixion of the flesh? To holy living? To nobility of character? To a despising of the world’s treasures? To hard self-discipline? To love for God? To total committal to Christ? Of course the answer to all these questions is no. (Man: The Dwelling Place of God, p. 136)
In a number of circles today 'expository preaching' is in vogue, and it is being urged on preachers as the way to preach. If this means that the preacher's one business is to confine himself to the text of Scripture, and to make the sense plain to others, there is nothing more to discuss; who can disagree save those who do not know that the Bible is the word of God. But 'expository preaching' has often come to mean something more. The phrase is popularly used to describe preaching which consecutively takes a congregation through a passage, or book of Scripture, week by week. This procedure is compared with the method of preaching on individual texts that may have no direct connection with each other from one Sunday to the next. The latter is discouraged in favour of the 'expository' method.
Why has this view of 'expository preaching' become comparatively popular? There are several reasons. First, it is believed that the practice will raise the standard of preaching. By a consecutive treatment of a book of Scripture, it is said, the preacher is taken away from any hobby-horses, and congregations are more likely to be given a broader, more intelligent, grasp of all Scripture. The preacher is also delivered from a constant search for texts - he and the people know what is before them. These reasons are perhaps confirmed for younger preachers by the fact that at our main conventions and conferences the well-known speakers commonly deal with one passage in a few addresses, and when these find their way into print they are taken as models of the best way of preaching. Published sermons of any other kind are few and far between for publishers definitely favour the 'expository' on the grounds of their popularity.
In our view, however, it is time that the disadvantages of this view of preaching are at least considered:
“The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” -Matt 11:12
The exercises of the worship of God are contrary to nature; therefore, there must be a provoking of ourselves to them. The movement of the soul toward sin is natural, but its movement toward heaven is violent. The stone moves easily to the center. It has an innate propensity downward, but to draw up a millstone into the air is done by violence because it is against nature. So to lift up the heart to heaven in duty is done by violence and we must provoke ourselves to it. What is it to provoke ourselves to duty? It is to awaken ourselves and shake off spiritual slothfulness. Let us then examine whether we put forth this holy violence for heaven. Do we set time apart to call ourselves to account and to try our evidences for heaven? “My spirit made diligent search” (Ps. 77:6). Do we take our hearts, as a watch, all in pieces to see what is amiss and to mend it? Are we curiously inquisitive into the state of our souls? Are we afraid of artificial grace, as we are of artificial happiness? Do we use violence in prayer? Is there fire in our sacrifice? Is the wind of the Spirit filling our sails, causing unutterable groans (Rom. 8:26)? Do we pray in the morning as if we were to die at night? Do we thirst for the living God? Are our souls enlarged with holy desires? “There is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee” (Ps. 73:25). Do we desire holiness as well as heaven? Do we desire as much to look like Christ as to live with Christ? Is our desire constant? Is this spiritual pulse ever beating?
Are we skilled in self-denial? Can we deny our ease, our aims, our interests? Can we cross our own will to fulfill God’s? Can we behead our beloved sin? To pluck out the right eye requires violence. (Matt. 18:9). Are we lovers of God? It is not how much we do, but how much we love. Does love command the castle of our hearts? Does Christ’s beauty and sweetness constrain us? (2 Cor. 5:14). Do we love God more than we fear hell? Do we keep our spiritual watch? Do we set spies in every place, watching our thoughts, our eyes, our tongues? When we, have prayed against sin, do we watch against temptation? Do we press after further degrees of sanctity? “Reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Phil. 3:13). A good Christian is a wonder; he is the most contented yet the least satisfied. He is contented with a little of the world, but not satisfied with a little grace.
How violent Christ was about our salvation! He was in agony; He “continued all night in prayer” (Luke 6:12). He wept, He fasted, He died a violent death; He rose violently out of the grave. Was Christ so violent for our salvation, and does it not become us to be violent who are so intimately concerned in it? Christ’s violence was not only satisfactory, but exemplary. It was not only to appease God, but to teach us. Christ was violent in dying to teach us to be violent in believing.
And I had thought that serving in church would have been a lot easier compared to BB.....
Brothers, pray for us.
- 1 Thess 5:25
It is just so hard at times. The pitfalls in Christian ministry seem so numerous and in every avenue the evil one prowls, seeking whom he may devour. (cf. 1 Pet 5:8)
Was reading a very convicting blog post (found in five parts here) Who then is sufficient for ministry? (cf. 2 Cor. 2:16) Out of own strength we can do nothing. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8)
It is hard, so so hard. Eyes that see without comprehending. Ears that hear without understanding. What hope is there for this generation? Is it in stories and songs and entertainment? Is it in drama and plays and general merriment? Where is the sober reality of God and His Judgement? Where is the realization that all that we can now see will one day be pushed out and burned in the fire?
To look at their faces every Sunday and know that there will be some who will spend an eternity in a Christ-less Hell just as surely as there will be some who will be with You in a Christ-filled paradise. Who then is sufficient for these things? The heart and the flesh fails before such realities. Lord, is my heart so hardened that it cannot feel? Has it been so deadened by my lusts that it cannot weep anymore?
Where is my anguish over sin O Lord. The despising of my iniquities and lusts. Are they not dishonouring to You? Was it not because of them that Your Son went to that wretched tree? Surely Man is like a brute beast, unable to comprehend even the slightest glory in You apart from the Holy Spirit's power.
Lord will you not come by and into us once again? Save us from our frivolities. Save us from our dead traditions. Do not take your candlestick away from us. Grant us repentance that we may turn back to You and pour scorn upon our earthly ambitions. Lord, keep us faithful to your Gospel always.
Let us not despise the disciplining of the Lord, for He disciplines those whom He loves. Let us cast aside all earthly philosophies and methods and cling to the Rock of the Word of God. For you O Lord are mighty to save, and by Your Hand you will redeem for Yourself a people for Your Holy Name's sake.
Lord have mercy on my weakness. In all the problems and trials, show Yourself strong and able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. (Eph. 3:20)
For Your Glory alone. May the Lamb receive the the reward of His suffering.
""Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to" what? According to His sovereign pleasure? According to His eternal decree? According to His secret will? "According to the power that worketh in us." Say what we may, plead as plausibly as we please of our uncertainty about God’s willingness to show Himself strong on our behalf, at the bottom it is our wicked unbelief, our doubting of His power, our secret questioning of His ability to extricate us from such and such a predicament or furnish a table for us in the wilderness. At that point the faith of Zechariah failed—doubting the power of God to make good the word He had given through the angel (Luke 1:18-20). Peter’s questioning of Christ’s power caused Him to chide Peter with "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). Because the apostles lacked confidence in Christ’s omnipotence, none of them expected Him to rise again on the third day. It was not His willingness but His power which they doubted. So it is with us."
It is the common for us to either trust in God's sovereignty, but doubt His willingness or to believe in His willingness, but doubt His power to accomplish. The Calvinist errs commonly in the former, while the Arminian errs commonly in the latter.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
- Colossians 3:1-3
It has often been said to Christians not to be "too heavenly minded such that they are of no earthly good". But how true is that statement? Can a man who is truely heavenly minded ever be of no good in this world? Is this statement true of our own Lord and Saviour, the Perfect Man?
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name." Then a voice came from heaven: "I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again."
- John 12: 27-28
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
- John 4:34
And this was the same heavenly minded Saviour who "[w]hen he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)
Too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good? Surely there was no man more heavenly minded than Christ and yet He brought the greatest earthly good to Man, peace with God. Looking around today, surely the converse is more true. Many are too earthly minded to be of any heavenly good.
It is extremely discouraging that many in churches today, and many of the leadership in such churches, should look upon heavenly-mindedness as a trait to be restrained rather than as an attribute that should be inculcated and grown in all her members to the largest possible degree. To have high and beautiful thoughts of the God who ransomed them and who demands/deserves the highest praises of His Creation.
Now of course there is a need to communicate truth in a way that is understandable to each and every generation, but the mind is always "set on things above and not on things below." For what else could satisfy, motivate and sustain a man for the calling he has received?
Thinking about the role of "application" in churches today, I am increasingly convinced that the question is not so much "how does this Word of God apply to me", but rather "how can I apply and conform myself to the Word of God which has been revealed and preached".
The former esteems the self and sees the Word of God as an addition to self, while the latter esteems God's Word and seeks to adjust himself to that Revelation.
My God is sovereign over all. That is the hope that keeps me going day by day.
============================================== Other people seem to get things so easily; but whenever I am tempted to complain, I know whom I have believed. And I am convinced that He is able to guard me till that Day.
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
"There is an amazing ignorance of Scriptures among many, and a consequent want of established, solid religion. In no other way can I account for the ease with which people are, like children, "tossed to and fro, and carried about by every wind of doctrine." ( Ephesians 4:14.) There is an Athenian love of novelty abroad, and a morbid distaste for anything old and regular, and in the beaten path of our forefathers. Thousands will crowd to hear a new voice and a new doctrine, without considering for a moment whether what they hear is true.--There is an incessant craving after any teaching which is sensational, and exciting, and rousing to the feelings.--There is an unhealthy appetite for a sort of spasmodic and hysterical Christianity. The religious life of many is little better then spiritual dram-drinking, and the "meek and quiet spirit" which St. Peter commends is clean forgotten. ( 1 Peter 3:4.) Crowds, and crying, and hot rooms, and high-flown singing, and an incessant rousing of the emotions, are the only things which many care for.--Inability to distinguish differences in doctrine is spreading far and wide, and so long as the preacher is "clever" and "earnest," hundreds seem to think it must be all right, and call you dreadfully "narrow and uncharitable" if you hint that he is unsound! Moody and Hawies, Dean Stanley and Canon Liddon, Mackonochie and Pearsill Smith, all seem to be alike in the eyes of such people. All this is sad, very sad. But if, in addition to this, the true-hearted advocates of increased holiness are going to fall out by the way and misunderstand one another, it will be sadder still. We shall indeed be in evil plight."
As we deal with the issues surrounding "Experiencing God" and His Will and Purposes for us, we must always ask ourselves the question, "What is it that I seek?" As with His gifts, we are all too often caught up in chasing an "experience" rather than the Person. An emotional high that we can then use to justify or validate our faith.
Read the account given in John 6 about Jesus' feeding of the five thousand.
When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, "This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!"
- John 6:14
On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
- John 6:22-26
The only reason why these people sought Jesus, even willing to go across the Sea of Galilee to find Him, was so that they could get another free meal after witnessing the miracle of the previous day. Let us examine ourselves; Do we only follow Jesus because of the blessings He has given us?
"Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal." Then they said to him, "What must we do, to be doing the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." So they said to him, "Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."
- John 6:27-34
Notice the astonishing demand of the people. Having already witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, they yet demand a further sign from Jesus so that they may believe His words. For those who continually seek after signs and blessings in order to validate their faith will never be satisfied.
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."
So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"
- John 6:35-41
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?
- John 6:60
Let us beware lest we be like those people with Jesus that day. When finally faced with the reality of who Jesus Himself was and His all-satisfying nature, many turned and walked away. (cf. John 6:66) Let us desire Him because He is the One who satisfies us. Let us desire Him for who He is and not what He gives, for that is the difference between a Christ-centred Christianity and a Man-centred sub-Christianity.
Now I am in no way denying or downplaying the role of emotions, for how can one remain "dead" and cold in his spirit when one comes into contact with the One who is Life Himself? (cf. John 14:6) Nor am I saying we should deny or flee from encounters with God, for such times are extremely helpful in building up our faith and showing that God is a God who is with us and does not remain aloof and unconcerned with His creation. But we must always be cautious and circumspect in what we do and why we do it, because it is so easy for us in our flesh to desire what God gives rather than God Himself as well as to build our faith on shaky subjective experiences rather than on the secure nature of God as revealed in His Word.
This is a copy post from what I posted on my Sec 3 CG blog.
================================ One fundamental aspect of God seen throughout scripture is the fact that God is transcendent i.e. He is so completely different and superior to us in substance, power, wisdom, etc....
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
- Psalm 113: 4-6
He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
- 1 Timothy 6: 15b-16
And yet the great mystery is that this infinite God makes Himself known to finite Man. Have you ever wondered why did God create human beings? Was it because of some need He had for companionship? Surely not.
For thus says the LORD,who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): "I am the LORD, and there is no other. I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness; I did not say to the offspring of Jacob, 'Seek me in vain.' I the LORD speak the truth; I declare what is right.
- Isaiah 45: 18-19
The Lord desires people to seek Him out. This presupposes of course that God has also revealed Himself sufficiently to be sought out and known. Out of His overflowing abundance God created the world in order to reveal Himself through nature (Psa 19:1-4, Rom 1:20) , through His Word and, most importantly of all, through His Holy Spirit. He has, in essence, condescended to make Himself knowable to His Creation and this is no better illustrated than in the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Consider what this means. That God, while being so fundamentally different and superior to us, does not remain afar but willingly and graciously comes down to us so that we can glory and delight in His Presence.
Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said,"The Lord rebuke you." But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
- Jude 8-10
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Just not particularly inspired to write anything nowadays. I know I'm not spending my time wisely and it's wrecking havoc on my spiritual life.
Something that I read in the last chapter of Tozer's book, Rut, Rot or Revival.
"I would like to see our young people feel the call of God on them until they have to leave us and begin preaching. I would like to see the Spirit of God move upon us until our young people cannot afford to sit and figure out who they are going to marry and when. That will come in its time, but they will be thinking, Where can I serve God? Then one day, suddenly, the hand of God will be laid on their shoulders and off they will go."
For your sakes he became poor
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