The gospel of the grace of God takes the stain of memory from a worker, not by making him ignore the past, but by enabling him to see that God can make it of service in His work for God. "...unless we know the Cross of Christ as the power which takes the stinging stain out of memory and transforms it, we are of no use to others.
The gospel can never be preached by sinless lips, but only the lips of those who have been saved from sin by Atonement.
Angels cannot preach the gospel.... Oswald Chambers
"I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.“ Philippians 3:13-14
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. " Matthew 24:37-39
Life went on as usual. For 120 years the work and message of Noah brought ridicule but no repentance. Busy lives, filled with activity; daily routines with schedules and deadlines. With little concern for their soul they lived day by day without a thought for their tomorrow.
Warnings came, but none believed.
And so it is today for those who refuse to heed the warning. In their wildest imagination, none can conceive the enormity of what lies ahead.
Then one day, without further notice or announcement, Noah and his family went inside the ark - the animals had come and The Lord Himself had closed the door.
Suddenly, a streak of light streamed forth from the sky, calamitous heaves rocked the Earth, the seas and the oceans roared. In rapid succession came sonic booms and catastrophic crashes, the rumble of a great earthquake could be heard from deep within the Earth. The ground began to rise and fall, pitch and roll, the air filled with hot moist vapor. The sound of explosions were heard, fiery meteors and asteroids impacted the Earth and the fountains of the deep broke apart.
The ark, undisturbed and motionless, was illumined by sheets of lightning. The giant boat stood as a monument to HIS Truth.
Jesus [The Ark] makes it quite clear: “As it was in the days before the flood, so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
Torrents of water converged on the hillside, crowds gathered and the foolish were swept to their deaths.
Noah and his family did not escape the flood, but they did escape destruction because of their faith.
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:44
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13
Life went on as usual. For 120 years the work and message of Noah brought ridicule but no repentance. Busy lives, filled with activity; daily routines with schedules and deadlines. With little concern for their soul they lived day by day without a thought for their tomorrow.
Warnings came, but none believed.
And so it is today for those who refuse to heed the warning. In their wildest imagination, none can conceive the enormity of what lies ahead.
Then one day, without further notice or announcement, Noah and his family went inside the ark - the animals had come and The Lord Himself had closed the door.
Suddenly, a streak of light streamed forth from the sky, calamitous heaves rocked the Earth, the seas and the oceans roared. In rapid succession came sonic booms and catastrophic crashes, the rumble of a great earthquake could be heard from deep within the Earth. The ground began to rise and fall, pitch and roll, the air filled with hot moist vapor. The sound of explosions were heard, fiery meteors and asteroids impacted the Earth and the fountains of the deep broke apart.
The ark, undisturbed and motionless, was illumined by sheets of lightning. The giant boat stood as a monument to HIS Truth.
Jesus [The Ark] makes it quite clear: “As it was in the days before the flood, so shall it also be at the coming of the Son of Man.”
Torrents of water converged on the hillside, crowds gathered and the foolish were swept to their deaths.
Noah and his family did not escape the flood, but they did escape destruction because of their faith.
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:44
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” Matthew 25:13
Monday, February 14, 2011
“Blessed is he that watcheth.” - Revelation 16:15
Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon 1834-1892
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We die daily,” said the apostle.
This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We are not in this day called to pass through the same fearful persecutions: if we were, the LORD would give us grace to bear the test; but the tests of Christian life, at the present moment, though outwardly not so terrible, are yet more likely to overcome us than even those of the fiery age.
We have to bear the sneer of the world - that is little; its blandishments, its soft words, its oily speeches, its fawning, its hypocrisy, are far worse. Our danger is lest we grow rich and become proud, lest we give ourselves up to the fashions of this present evil world, and lose our faith. Or if wealth be not the trial, worldly care is quite as mischievous. If we cannot be torn in pieces by the roaring lion, we may be hugged to death by the bear. The devil little cares which it is, so long as he destroys our love for Christ, and our confidence and faith in Him.
I fear that the Christian church is far more likely to lose her integrity in these soft and silken days than in those rougher times. We must be awake now, for we traverse the enchanted ground, and are most likely to fall asleep to our own undoing, unless our faith in Jesus is a reality, our love for Him a vehement flame.
Many in these days of easy profession are likely to prove tares, and not wheat; hypocrites with fair masks on their faces, but not the true-born again children of the living God.
Christian, do not think that these are times in which you can dispense with watchfulness or with holy ardor; you need these things more than ever, and may God the eternal Spirit display His omnipotence in you, that you may be able to say, in all these softer things, as well as in the rougher;
“We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."
Pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon 1834-1892
"We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
2 Corinthians 4:8-10
We die daily,” said the apostle.
This was the life of the early Christians; they went everywhere with their lives in their hands. We are not in this day called to pass through the same fearful persecutions: if we were, the LORD would give us grace to bear the test; but the tests of Christian life, at the present moment, though outwardly not so terrible, are yet more likely to overcome us than even those of the fiery age.
We have to bear the sneer of the world - that is little; its blandishments, its soft words, its oily speeches, its fawning, its hypocrisy, are far worse. Our danger is lest we grow rich and become proud, lest we give ourselves up to the fashions of this present evil world, and lose our faith. Or if wealth be not the trial, worldly care is quite as mischievous. If we cannot be torn in pieces by the roaring lion, we may be hugged to death by the bear. The devil little cares which it is, so long as he destroys our love for Christ, and our confidence and faith in Him.
I fear that the Christian church is far more likely to lose her integrity in these soft and silken days than in those rougher times. We must be awake now, for we traverse the enchanted ground, and are most likely to fall asleep to our own undoing, unless our faith in Jesus is a reality, our love for Him a vehement flame.
Many in these days of easy profession are likely to prove tares, and not wheat; hypocrites with fair masks on their faces, but not the true-born again children of the living God.
Christian, do not think that these are times in which you can dispense with watchfulness or with holy ardor; you need these things more than ever, and may God the eternal Spirit display His omnipotence in you, that you may be able to say, in all these softer things, as well as in the rougher;
“We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us."
Saturday, February 12, 2011
A.W. Tozer
1950
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies ..." 2 Peter 2:1
Whatever it may be in our Christian experience that originates outside of Scriptures should, for that very reason, be suspect until it can be shown to be in accord with them.
If it should be found to be contrary to the Word of revealed truth no true Christian will accept it as being from God. However high the emotional content, no experience can be proved to be genuine unless we can find chapter and verse authority for it in Scriptures. "To the word and to the testimony" must always be the last and final proof.
Whatever is new or singular should also be viewed with caution until it can furnish scriptural proof of its validity. Thoughout the twentieth century quite a number of unscriptural notions have gained acceptance among Christians by claiming that they were among truths that were to be revealed in the last days.
The truth is that the Bible does not teach that there will be new light and advanced spiritual experiences in the latter days; it teaches the exact opposite! Nothing in Daniel or the New Testament epistles can be tortured into advocating the idea that we of the end of the Christian era shall enjoy light that was not known at its beginning.
Beware of any man who claims to be wiser than the apostles or holier than the martyrs of the Early Church. The best way to deal with him is to rise and leave his presence!
1950
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies ..." 2 Peter 2:1
Whatever it may be in our Christian experience that originates outside of Scriptures should, for that very reason, be suspect until it can be shown to be in accord with them.
If it should be found to be contrary to the Word of revealed truth no true Christian will accept it as being from God. However high the emotional content, no experience can be proved to be genuine unless we can find chapter and verse authority for it in Scriptures. "To the word and to the testimony" must always be the last and final proof.
Whatever is new or singular should also be viewed with caution until it can furnish scriptural proof of its validity. Thoughout the twentieth century quite a number of unscriptural notions have gained acceptance among Christians by claiming that they were among truths that were to be revealed in the last days.
The truth is that the Bible does not teach that there will be new light and advanced spiritual experiences in the latter days; it teaches the exact opposite! Nothing in Daniel or the New Testament epistles can be tortured into advocating the idea that we of the end of the Christian era shall enjoy light that was not known at its beginning.
Beware of any man who claims to be wiser than the apostles or holier than the martyrs of the Early Church. The best way to deal with him is to rise and leave his presence!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
"...the whole world is under the sway of the evil one." 1 John 5:19
Be Prepare:
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...." Ephesians 6:10-18
Be Prepare:
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...." Ephesians 6:10-18
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Word of God declares "Israel Will Be Restored" --- but before that time arrives, the Jews must pass through a season of sore trouble and affliction, during which God severely chastises them for their sin of disobedience.
Dreadful indeed have been the past experiences of "the nation of the weary feet" but a darker path yet lies before them. Their cruel bondage in Egypt, their captivity in Babylon, and their grievous handling by Titus, were but a faint foreshadowing of what they shall yet be called upon to undergo.
"And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the Time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:4-7
But our LORD will not only discipline Israel, but all who have disobeyed His commandments, rejected His Word and chosen to walk their own way. Do not expect Godly grace if you have filled your hearts with worldly wisdom. Do not expect His acceptance when your days and nights have been filled with...
“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for My direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.
For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes, everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace... For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord;” Isaiah 30
Will you pass through your season of sore trouble and affliction, being severely chastised for your sin of disobedience? That is up to you ---
"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." Isaiah 30
Dreadful indeed have been the past experiences of "the nation of the weary feet" but a darker path yet lies before them. Their cruel bondage in Egypt, their captivity in Babylon, and their grievous handling by Titus, were but a faint foreshadowing of what they shall yet be called upon to undergo.
"And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the Time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it." Jeremiah 30:4-7
But our LORD will not only discipline Israel, but all who have disobeyed His commandments, rejected His Word and chosen to walk their own way. Do not expect Godly grace if you have filled your hearts with worldly wisdom. Do not expect His acceptance when your days and nights have been filled with...
“Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not Mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for My direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.
For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes, everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them, that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace... For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord;” Isaiah 30
Will you pass through your season of sore trouble and affliction, being severely chastised for your sin of disobedience? That is up to you ---
"Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him." Isaiah 30
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Written by the 18th century pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. Robert Robinson penned the words at age 22 in the year 1757 -
Quoted here in their original text, I pray these words will stir within the reader a sense of praise at all that He has done for us and a sense of urgency to draw ever closer to our LORD.
Time is short -- we must be about our Father's business.
'Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I'll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer [I Samuel 7:12];
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
3. Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
4. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
5. O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.'
Quoted here in their original text, I pray these words will stir within the reader a sense of praise at all that He has done for us and a sense of urgency to draw ever closer to our LORD.
Time is short -- we must be about our Father's business.
'Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,
Till released from flesh and sin,
Yet from what I do inherit,
Here Thy praises I'll begin;
Here I raise my Ebenezer [I Samuel 7:12];
Here by Thy great help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
3. Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood;
How His kindness yet pursues me
Mortal tongue can never tell,
Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me
I cannot proclaim it well.
4. O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
5. O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.'
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