All the temporal blessings and accommodations which God provides to sweeten life and make our passage through this wilderness more agreeable will fail and disappoint us, and produce us more thorns than roses, unless we can keep sight of His hand in bestowing them, and hold and use the gifts in some due subservience to what we owe to the Giver.
But, alas! we are poor creatures, prone to wander, prone to admire our gourds, cleave to our cisterns, and think of building tabernacles, and taking our rest in this polluted world! Hence the Lord often sees it necessary in mercy in the lives of His children . . .
- to embitter their sweets, - to break their cisterns, - send a worm to their gourds, and - draw a dark cloud over their pleasing prospects.
His Word tells us, that all here is vanity compared with the light of His countenance. And if we cannot or will not believe it upon the authority of His Word, we must learn it by experience. May He enable you to settle it in your hearts, that 'creature comforts' are precarious, insufficient, and ensnaring; that all good comes from His hand; and that nothing can do us good, but so far as He is pleased to make it the instrument of communicating, as a stream, that goodness which is in Him as a fountain.
Even the bread which we eat, without the influence of His promise and blessing, would no more support us than a stone. But His blessing makes everything good, gives a tenfold value to our comforts, and greatly diminishes the weight of every cross.
The Creator, not the creature comforts He gives, is the source of true joy.
- John Newton
Friday, August 15, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Great Attraction of Heaven
"Let not your heart be troubled. Be believe in God, believe also in Me; in My Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you and will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also!" John 14
"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better!" Philippians 1:23
The great attraction of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ. He Himself is the object chiefly enjoyed. To be with Jesus and like Jesus, and to behold His glory, constitute the heaven which true believers desire! They long to behold that blessed face which was buffeted for them! Their eternal anthem is, "All praise to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us! Give to Him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen!"
- W. S. Plumer
"I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better!" Philippians 1:23
The great attraction of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ. He Himself is the object chiefly enjoyed. To be with Jesus and like Jesus, and to behold His glory, constitute the heaven which true believers desire! They long to behold that blessed face which was buffeted for them! Their eternal anthem is, "All praise to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us! Give to Him everlasting glory! He rules forever and ever! Amen!"
- W. S. Plumer
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Has Grace come to You?
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age." - Titus 2:11-12
Saving grace is an educator- that is, it teaches its recepient something of major importance. It teaches us that we cannot live as if grace hasn't come. If a person lives as if grace hasn't come- living just the way they always have, no different than they were before- no different than a worldly person-- then it is a sure sign that in their life and experience grace indeed has not come yet. If a person lives as if grace hasn't come, it is because in their life grace hasn't come yet.- Stuart Olyott
It does not matter how many times a person makes a "decision for Jesus"-- they can wear the church carpet out walking down the isle making decisions-- but if there is no change of life, no repentance evidencing real change, no heart-felt love for God that is genuine, no newness of life-- then there is no true salvation; a decision for Jesus is not the same as true and radical salvation which comes from true regeneration and conversion. The gospel is not, "Repeat this prayer after me and if you are sincere, you are saved"; the call of the gospel according to the New Testament is, "Repent and believe the gospel, take up your cross and follow Me." A cheap, shallow, inadequate, and false gospel message has sent more people to hell than drugs, immorality, and atheism ever did.
There's a new hymn that has recently been released, sung to the old chorus, "I have decided to follow Jesus." It goes something like this:
I never wanted to follow Jesus,I never wanted to follow Jesus,I never wanted to follow Jesus,He rescued me, He rescued me.
That is the truth.
- Mack T.
Saving grace is an educator- that is, it teaches its recepient something of major importance. It teaches us that we cannot live as if grace hasn't come. If a person lives as if grace hasn't come- living just the way they always have, no different than they were before- no different than a worldly person-- then it is a sure sign that in their life and experience grace indeed has not come yet. If a person lives as if grace hasn't come, it is because in their life grace hasn't come yet.- Stuart Olyott
It does not matter how many times a person makes a "decision for Jesus"-- they can wear the church carpet out walking down the isle making decisions-- but if there is no change of life, no repentance evidencing real change, no heart-felt love for God that is genuine, no newness of life-- then there is no true salvation; a decision for Jesus is not the same as true and radical salvation which comes from true regeneration and conversion. The gospel is not, "Repeat this prayer after me and if you are sincere, you are saved"; the call of the gospel according to the New Testament is, "Repent and believe the gospel, take up your cross and follow Me." A cheap, shallow, inadequate, and false gospel message has sent more people to hell than drugs, immorality, and atheism ever did.
There's a new hymn that has recently been released, sung to the old chorus, "I have decided to follow Jesus." It goes something like this:
I never wanted to follow Jesus,I never wanted to follow Jesus,I never wanted to follow Jesus,He rescued me, He rescued me.
That is the truth.
- Mack T.
Monday, July 28, 2008
The Blessing of Pain
There is a Christian art of enduring pain, which we should seek to learn. The real goal is not just to endure the suffering which falls into our life; to bear it bravely, without wincing; to pass through it patiently, even rejoicingly. Pain has a higher mission toward us than just to teach us heroism. We should endure it in such a way as to get genuine and lasting spiritual blessing out of it.
Pain brings to us some message from our sovereign and loving Heavenly Father, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer.
Pain is furnace-fire, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way--to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.
- Anonymous
Pain brings to us some message from our sovereign and loving Heavenly Father, which we should not fail to hear. It lifts for us the veil which hides God's face, and we should get some new glimpses of His beauty, every time we are called to suffer.
Pain is furnace-fire, and we should always come out of this furnace, with the gold of our graces gleaming a little more brightly. Every experience of suffering ought in some way--to lift us nearer God, to make us more gentle and loving, and to leave the image of Christ shining a little clearer in our lives.
- Anonymous
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Usefulness
Like some books, some tools, and some furniture, the non-Christian is useless to God, as was Onesimus, Philemm 1:11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.
In Christ, it is such a privilege, such a blessing to be useful in any way, Heb 6:7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God. Like the soldier, the ballplayer, or the son, it is such a privilege to be sendable in the kingdom of God. Do you feel it? Isaiah did, Isa 6:8 Then said I, Here am I; send me. What words of honor are spoken of Mark, 2Ti 4:11 Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
In the physical realm, usefulness depends on qualifications. So it is also in the spiritual. Here is a great promise, but there are conditions, 2Ti 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Take the weeds out of your patch and you will be more useful. Improve your serve and you won't be so much on the bench. Get up and you will find the father has plenty of work that could be done. Strengthen yourself and you will be given heavier work and greater privileges – labors that are not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor 15.58.
- Bob Jennings
In Christ, it is such a privilege, such a blessing to be useful in any way, Heb 6:7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God. Like the soldier, the ballplayer, or the son, it is such a privilege to be sendable in the kingdom of God. Do you feel it? Isaiah did, Isa 6:8 Then said I, Here am I; send me. What words of honor are spoken of Mark, 2Ti 4:11 Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
In the physical realm, usefulness depends on qualifications. So it is also in the spiritual. Here is a great promise, but there are conditions, 2Ti 2:21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Take the weeds out of your patch and you will be more useful. Improve your serve and you won't be so much on the bench. Get up and you will find the father has plenty of work that could be done. Strengthen yourself and you will be given heavier work and greater privileges – labors that are not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor 15.58.
- Bob Jennings
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A Good Gospel Dinner
Tonight was the best dinner I've had in a long time.
I invited our son David to dinner tonight; its just me, David, and his younger sister, Cristina, at home this week, as the rest of the family is at a family reunion. So I said, "David, I'll buy you a burger- let's go." And we went.
I had one desire and one goal in going- not to talk about sports, friends, work, or even life, though we did talk about his finishing up his college hours that he still needs to graduate.
Rather my goal was to pursue him lovingly about where he feels he is spirtually and to talk to him about his soul. This is always scary, isn't it? Fear tries to come and your words get stuck in your throat. You don't know where to begin. But I felt far too deeply about it to not begin, so I did.
As we munched down, I simply said, "David, you already know that I feel concern for you in my heart and I'm just wondering where you feel you are with the Lord?" His reply both surprised me and pleased me- "Well, I know I'm not a Christian because I know you can't live like I've been living and still think you are a Christian. I have told friends of mine, 'How can you think that you and I are Christians when we've been living like we live?' One of them said, 'Well, because you can simply confess your sins and repent whenever you want', to which David replied, 'No, that is not right; at least that's not what the Bible says; it says that you can't live in sin and really be a Christian."
"So I know that I'm not and I am not going to trying to say or act like I am; I'd rather be honest."
I was moved in my heart and I realized what the Lord had opened up for us to discuss as we sat there. It became the best conversation we have had together in years. I told David that Ioved him and that he was correct in what he said. I then began to talk to him about his own need, purpose, and every person's true need of the Saviour; I told him that sin is the issue, and that every person will perish in their sin if they are not in a saving relationship with Christ; I told him that we both knew that this world will never satisfy anyone and it will never satisfy him. We talked about the brevity and uncertainty of life, about repentance, and about truly knowing Christ. We then talked further as we drove home.
How thankful I am for the grace the Lord gave me to pursue him about his soul. I have never been good or consistent about talking with our older children individually in this way. And I have only myself to blame for that. But tonight the Lord made the way and I am thankful.
Please, please, please pray regularly for David; I believe he may be nearing the kingdom; I believe he is in the process of being drawn; pray for conviction, pray for the drawing of the Holy Spirit, pray for grace to get him and bring him from death to life.
If all of us who have unconverted children would bond together and pray very regularly and specifically for their salvation and then speak to them lovingly as God leads, I am convinced we would begin to see the Lord do more wonderful things among our families. May God give us new praying ground for the true salvation of our children.
- Mack T.
I invited our son David to dinner tonight; its just me, David, and his younger sister, Cristina, at home this week, as the rest of the family is at a family reunion. So I said, "David, I'll buy you a burger- let's go." And we went.
I had one desire and one goal in going- not to talk about sports, friends, work, or even life, though we did talk about his finishing up his college hours that he still needs to graduate.
Rather my goal was to pursue him lovingly about where he feels he is spirtually and to talk to him about his soul. This is always scary, isn't it? Fear tries to come and your words get stuck in your throat. You don't know where to begin. But I felt far too deeply about it to not begin, so I did.
As we munched down, I simply said, "David, you already know that I feel concern for you in my heart and I'm just wondering where you feel you are with the Lord?" His reply both surprised me and pleased me- "Well, I know I'm not a Christian because I know you can't live like I've been living and still think you are a Christian. I have told friends of mine, 'How can you think that you and I are Christians when we've been living like we live?' One of them said, 'Well, because you can simply confess your sins and repent whenever you want', to which David replied, 'No, that is not right; at least that's not what the Bible says; it says that you can't live in sin and really be a Christian."
"So I know that I'm not and I am not going to trying to say or act like I am; I'd rather be honest."
I was moved in my heart and I realized what the Lord had opened up for us to discuss as we sat there. It became the best conversation we have had together in years. I told David that Ioved him and that he was correct in what he said. I then began to talk to him about his own need, purpose, and every person's true need of the Saviour; I told him that sin is the issue, and that every person will perish in their sin if they are not in a saving relationship with Christ; I told him that we both knew that this world will never satisfy anyone and it will never satisfy him. We talked about the brevity and uncertainty of life, about repentance, and about truly knowing Christ. We then talked further as we drove home.
How thankful I am for the grace the Lord gave me to pursue him about his soul. I have never been good or consistent about talking with our older children individually in this way. And I have only myself to blame for that. But tonight the Lord made the way and I am thankful.
Please, please, please pray regularly for David; I believe he may be nearing the kingdom; I believe he is in the process of being drawn; pray for conviction, pray for the drawing of the Holy Spirit, pray for grace to get him and bring him from death to life.
If all of us who have unconverted children would bond together and pray very regularly and specifically for their salvation and then speak to them lovingly as God leads, I am convinced we would begin to see the Lord do more wonderful things among our families. May God give us new praying ground for the true salvation of our children.
- Mack T.
Friday, May 9, 2008
The Problem of Evil, Pt. 2
It's easy to wax philosophical on the topic of evil in the universe and the world, but that will ultimately lead nowhere. The Bible, and the Bible alone, gives the complete answer. Here are three other aspects of the biblical teaching that I feel help us to understand this more:
1. Without an absolute standard of "good", there can be no such thing as "evil" in the world. Biblically speaking, something is evil only because it is a contradiction of the absolutely good character of God. For the unbeliever to raise the "problem" of evil, without an absolute standard of good as their reference, is foolishness.
2. God is not a passive bystander who watches the evil that occurs in this world from a distance. He is not like the selfish king who sits idly by in his castle feasting, while the people of his land starve to death. Part of the glory of the biblical perspective is that God himself has come down into this world and experienced the evil of it firsthand. For someone to say that "God doesn't know what I've suffered" is to deny the reality of the incarnation.
3. There will be a day when every wrong in this world is put right; a day when every evil will be punished to the full extent of justice. There will not be one sin that is left unpunished, not one "little white lie" that is not called to account. (In fact, it seems right biblically to say that that punishment often times begins even in this life.) The doctrine of hell is the answer to the oft heard inquiry of "Why doesn't God do something about the evil in the world?" In fact, he has done, is doing, and will "do something". The person who brings this particular objection up is often the unbeliever who seeks to ridicule God; but what they are really asking for (unwittingly) is the biblical reality of hell. In addition, this statement from them confirms the existence of "the law written on the heart", and the inherent sense of righteousness and justice that every person, created in the image of God, possesses.
- Garrett Holthaus
1. Without an absolute standard of "good", there can be no such thing as "evil" in the world. Biblically speaking, something is evil only because it is a contradiction of the absolutely good character of God. For the unbeliever to raise the "problem" of evil, without an absolute standard of good as their reference, is foolishness.
2. God is not a passive bystander who watches the evil that occurs in this world from a distance. He is not like the selfish king who sits idly by in his castle feasting, while the people of his land starve to death. Part of the glory of the biblical perspective is that God himself has come down into this world and experienced the evil of it firsthand. For someone to say that "God doesn't know what I've suffered" is to deny the reality of the incarnation.
3. There will be a day when every wrong in this world is put right; a day when every evil will be punished to the full extent of justice. There will not be one sin that is left unpunished, not one "little white lie" that is not called to account. (In fact, it seems right biblically to say that that punishment often times begins even in this life.) The doctrine of hell is the answer to the oft heard inquiry of "Why doesn't God do something about the evil in the world?" In fact, he has done, is doing, and will "do something". The person who brings this particular objection up is often the unbeliever who seeks to ridicule God; but what they are really asking for (unwittingly) is the biblical reality of hell. In addition, this statement from them confirms the existence of "the law written on the heart", and the inherent sense of righteousness and justice that every person, created in the image of God, possesses.
- Garrett Holthaus
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