Now the moment I hear the words “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” (Acts 16:31) I can hear my old self protest: “But I can’t just believe.” Or maybe you are sharing the gospel with someone and that is their response. How do you respond?
“It may be that the reader feels a difficulty in believing. Let him consider. We cannot believe by an immediate act. The state of mind which we describe as believing is a result, following upon certain former states of mind. We come to faith by degrees. There may be such a thing as faith at first sight; but usually we reach faith by stages: we become interested, we consider, we hear evidence, we are convinced, and so led to believe. If, then, I wish to believe, but for some reason or other find that I cannot attain to faith, what shall I do? Shall I stand like a cow staring at a new gate; or shall I, like an intelligent being, use the proper means?
If I wish to believe anything, what shall I do? We will answer according to the rules of common sense.
Evidence weighed and knowledge obtained lead up to faith. It is true that faith in Jesus is the gift of God: but yet He usually bestows it in accordance with the laws of mind, and hence we are told that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. (Romans 10:17)
If you want to believe in Jesus, hear about Him, read about Him, think about Him, know about Him, and so you will find faith springing up in your heart, like the wheat which comes up through the moisture and the heat operating upon the seed which has been sown.
If you would know Jesus, get as near to Him as you can by studying His character, and appealing to His love.
Be much in reading about the Lord Jesus. The books of Scripture are the lilies among which He feedeth. The Bible is the window through which we may look and see our Lord. Read over the story of His sufferings and death with devout attention, and before long the Lord will cause faith secretly to enter your soul.
Be much in hearing concerning Jesus. Souls by hundreds come to faith in Jesus under a ministry which sets Him forth clearly and constantly. Few remain unbelieving under a preacher whose great subject is Christ crucified. Hear no minister of any other sort. Go to the place of worship to see Jesus; and if you cannot even hear the mention of His name, take yourself off to another place where He is more thought of, and is therefore more likely to be present.
If hearing and reading suffice not, then deliberately set your mind to work to overhaul the matter, and have it out. Either believe, or know the reason why you do not believe. See the matter through to the utmost of your ability, and pray God to help you to make a thorough investigation, and to come to an honest decision one way or the other. Consider who Jesus was, and whether the constitution of His Person does not entitle Him to confidence. Consider what He did, and whether this also must not be good ground for trust. Consider Him as dying, rising from the dead, ascending, and ever living to intercede for transgressors; and see whether this does not entitle Him to be relied on by you. Then cry to Him, and see if He does not hear you.
When enquirers accept the Bible as literally true, and see that Jesus is really given to all who trust Him, all the difficulty about understanding the way of salvation vanishes like the morning’s frost at the rising of the sun.
The change which comes over the heart when the understanding grasps the gospel is often reflected in the face, and shines there like the light of heaven. Such newly enlightened souls often exclaim, “Why, sir, it is so plain; how is it I have not seen it before this? I understand all I have read in the Bible now, though I could not make it out before. It has all come in a minute, and now I see what I could never understand before.”
The fact is, the truth was always plain, but they were looking for signs and wonders, and therefore did not see what was nigh them.
How unprofitable is the diligence which busies itself in finding out reasons why faith in our case should not be saving! We have God’s word for it, that whosoever believeth in Jesus shall not perish, and we search for arguments why we should perish if we did believe.
But you fear that you may not be one of those for whom the promise is intended. Do not be alarmed by that idle suspicion. No soul ever came to Jesus wrongly. No one can come at all unless the Father draw him; (John 6:44) and Jesus has said, “Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
No soul ever lays hold on Christ in a way of robbery; he that hath Him hath Him of right divine; for the Lord’s giving of Himself for us, and to us, is so free, that every soul that takes Him has a grace-given right to do so.
If you lay hold on Jesus by the hem of His garment, without leave, and behind Him, yet virtue will flow from Him to you as surely as if He had called you out by name, and bidden you trust Him.
Dismiss all fear when you trust the Saviour. Take Him and welcome, He that believeth in Jesus is one of God’s elect.
Did you suggest that it would be a horrible thing if you were to trust in Jesus and yet perish? It would be so. But as you must perish if you do not trust, the risk at the worst is not very great.
“I can but perish if I go;
I am resolved to try;
For if I stay away,
I know I must for ever die.”
Now, troubled seeker, if it be so, that your minister, and many others in whom you confide, have found perfect peace and rest in the gospel, why should not you? Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened? Do not His words do good to them that walk uprightly? Will not you also try their saving virtue?
Most true is the gospel, for God is its Author. Believe it. Most able is the Saviour, for He is the Son of God. Trust Him. Most powerful is His precious blood. Look to it for pardon. Most loving is His gracious heart. Run to it at once.
Thus would I urge the reader to seek faith; but if he be unwilling, what more can I do? I have brought the horse to the water, but I cannot make him drink. This, however, be it remembered—unbelief is willful when evidence is put in a man’s way, and he refuses carefully to examine it. He that does not desire to know, and accept the truth, has himself to thank if he dies with a lie in his right hand. It is true that “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”: it is equally true that “he that believeth not shall be damned”." C.Spurgeon
Monday, October 30, 2017
One Way
There is only one way we can be saved. It is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. That is what God has decreed. It may not make sense to us and we may not understand it but God’s thoughts and ways are not ours.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
This is the gospel:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:14-18
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. John 1:14-15
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. (Jesus) John 14:1
And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? (Jesus) John 11:26
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:30b-31
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. John 20:31
“Alas! There are many, many souls that say, “We are bidden to trust in Jesus, but instead of that we will attend the means of grace regularly." Attend public worship by all means, but not as a substitute for faith, or it will become a vain confidence. The command is, “Believe and live;” attend to that, whatever else you do.
“Well, I shall take to reading good books; perhaps I shall get good that way.” Read the good books by all means, but that is not the gospel: the gospel is “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Suppose a physician has a patient under his care, and he says to him, “You are to take a bath in the morning; it will be of very great service to your disease.” But the man takes a cup of tea in the morning instead of the bath, and he says, “That will do as well, I have no doubt.” What does his physician say when he inquires – “Did you follow my rule?” “No, I did not.” “Then you do not expect, of course, that there will be any good result from my visits, since you take no notice of my directions.”
So we, practically, say to Jesus Christ, when we are under searching of soul, “Lord, thou badest me trust Thee, but I would sooner do something else! Lord, I want to have horrible convictions; I want to be shaken over hell’s mouth; I want to be alarmed and distressed!” Yes, you want anything but what Christ prescribes for you, which is that you simply trust Him. Whether you feel or do not feel, cast yourself on Him, that, He may save you, and He alone.” C. Spurgeon.
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
This is the gospel:
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:14-18
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. John 1:14-15
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. (Jesus) John 14:1
And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this? (Jesus) John 11:26
Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:30b-31
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:11
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name. John 20:31
“Alas! There are many, many souls that say, “We are bidden to trust in Jesus, but instead of that we will attend the means of grace regularly." Attend public worship by all means, but not as a substitute for faith, or it will become a vain confidence. The command is, “Believe and live;” attend to that, whatever else you do.
“Well, I shall take to reading good books; perhaps I shall get good that way.” Read the good books by all means, but that is not the gospel: the gospel is “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
Suppose a physician has a patient under his care, and he says to him, “You are to take a bath in the morning; it will be of very great service to your disease.” But the man takes a cup of tea in the morning instead of the bath, and he says, “That will do as well, I have no doubt.” What does his physician say when he inquires – “Did you follow my rule?” “No, I did not.” “Then you do not expect, of course, that there will be any good result from my visits, since you take no notice of my directions.”
So we, practically, say to Jesus Christ, when we are under searching of soul, “Lord, thou badest me trust Thee, but I would sooner do something else! Lord, I want to have horrible convictions; I want to be shaken over hell’s mouth; I want to be alarmed and distressed!” Yes, you want anything but what Christ prescribes for you, which is that you simply trust Him. Whether you feel or do not feel, cast yourself on Him, that, He may save you, and He alone.” C. Spurgeon.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Incomprehensible
Someone asked me this question recently:
Somewhere you alert your readers to the crucial difference between ‘rejecting and receiving or accepting’ the gospel. Of course, that’s very true. Yet, it made me wonder if we end up in heaven, whether we perhaps deserve a pat on the shoulder? After all, we didn’t reject but accept the gospel.
This was my response: The terms receiving the gospel or rejecting the gospel are very biblical and found throughout the Bible. However there is nothing good or special or praiseworthy about me for receiving a free gift. If someone came to me and offered me a million dollars would I brag about how I was so great for accepting it? No, instead I would be extremely humbled that I had done nothing to deserve the gift. And even that is a poor example in comparison to the great gift God gives us by giving us Jesus.
After finishing the email and sending it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Going back to my example, what if I had been personally responsible for the torture and death of this man’s only son? What then? Would I still feel like there was something praiseworthy about me for receiving his gift of a million dollars?
And even that is a poor example because what God did was so much greater!
He made us. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; Psalm 100:3a
We were perfect, sinless people, created in His image. We had a perfect relationship with Him and He provided everything for us. But what did we do? We rebelled against Him. We purposefully disobeyed Him. We were more interested in wanting to be like Him then loving and obeying Him.
From then on the whole human race was tainted with sin. From the moment we were born, we cared not for God or for others, but only for ourselves. Although everything we needed to live came from Him, we refused to thank Him or even acknowledge Him.
And then, when He sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins we despised His Son, rejected Him and tortured Him and ultimately murdered Him; the only Son of God.
God used even the death of His only Son to our advantage so that by His death we could be healed, our relationship with Him could be restored, and we could have eternal life with Him.
And so He gave the command to spread the good news of the gospel throughout the whole world. And He said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16
Not only were we who believed saved from the eternal damnation we justly deserved through the amazing sacrifice of His only Son, God adopted us and loved us and treasured us and inscribed us into the palms of His hands! With His Son, He freely gives us all things, including His Holy Spirit to teach and comfort us. (Romans 8:32, John 14:26)
It is so incredibly amazing that the angels themselves long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12)
I think part of being in hell is coming to the realization of how you spent your whole life rebelling against the One who created you and on top of that how you neglected and rejected the amazing gift of His Son that He had provided to rescue you through His incomprehensible mercy and grace.
O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 7:24
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
And I know for one, that I definitely won’t be standing in heaven one day, patting myself on the shoulder for believing and receiving Jesus. How could I? I don’t think there are any words in the human language that can fully express the amazement and gratitude to God for what He has done for us.
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
Somewhere you alert your readers to the crucial difference between ‘rejecting and receiving or accepting’ the gospel. Of course, that’s very true. Yet, it made me wonder if we end up in heaven, whether we perhaps deserve a pat on the shoulder? After all, we didn’t reject but accept the gospel.
This was my response: The terms receiving the gospel or rejecting the gospel are very biblical and found throughout the Bible. However there is nothing good or special or praiseworthy about me for receiving a free gift. If someone came to me and offered me a million dollars would I brag about how I was so great for accepting it? No, instead I would be extremely humbled that I had done nothing to deserve the gift. And even that is a poor example in comparison to the great gift God gives us by giving us Jesus.
After finishing the email and sending it, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Going back to my example, what if I had been personally responsible for the torture and death of this man’s only son? What then? Would I still feel like there was something praiseworthy about me for receiving his gift of a million dollars?
And even that is a poor example because what God did was so much greater!
He made us. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; Psalm 100:3a
We were perfect, sinless people, created in His image. We had a perfect relationship with Him and He provided everything for us. But what did we do? We rebelled against Him. We purposefully disobeyed Him. We were more interested in wanting to be like Him then loving and obeying Him.
From then on the whole human race was tainted with sin. From the moment we were born, we cared not for God or for others, but only for ourselves. Although everything we needed to live came from Him, we refused to thank Him or even acknowledge Him.
And then, when He sent His only Son to pay the price for our sins we despised His Son, rejected Him and tortured Him and ultimately murdered Him; the only Son of God.
God used even the death of His only Son to our advantage so that by His death we could be healed, our relationship with Him could be restored, and we could have eternal life with Him.
And so He gave the command to spread the good news of the gospel throughout the whole world. And He said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16
Not only were we who believed saved from the eternal damnation we justly deserved through the amazing sacrifice of His only Son, God adopted us and loved us and treasured us and inscribed us into the palms of His hands! With His Son, He freely gives us all things, including His Holy Spirit to teach and comfort us. (Romans 8:32, John 14:26)
It is so incredibly amazing that the angels themselves long to look into these things. (1 Peter 1:12)
I think part of being in hell is coming to the realization of how you spent your whole life rebelling against the One who created you and on top of that how you neglected and rejected the amazing gift of His Son that He had provided to rescue you through His incomprehensible mercy and grace.
O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Romans 7:24
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
And I know for one, that I definitely won’t be standing in heaven one day, patting myself on the shoulder for believing and receiving Jesus. How could I? I don’t think there are any words in the human language that can fully express the amazement and gratitude to God for what He has done for us.
Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Obedience
Ever since moving back to Canada, the land of plenty, I’ve been struggling with my desire for pretty things. Whether it’s a new necklace, a pretty scarf, or a piece of clothing; the moment I had a little money in my hand from one of my two cleaning jobs, I had the urge to spend it. I was rightfully ashamed of this and really disliked this about myself, so I prayed and asked God to take away these desires that I had.
But He didn’t.
Instead He directed me to the words of Matthew 6:19-21.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
As I pondered the familiar words it struck me that these words were not a suggestion but really a command. So although I didn’t necessarily feel like it, I obeyed. I made the decision to put aside half of what I earned and give it back to God. The first time it felt a little painful as there really wasn’t much left, but after a few times it began to feel natural.
Do you know what happened? By that one step of obedience, God granted what He promised and I so desperately wanted. My heart also followed. I lost all desire and interest in frivolous things and now have more money left in my wallet at the end of the week then before, even though it’s only half of what it used to be!
As I shared this experience with some of the ladies from one of the Bible Studies I’m part of, one of them turned and looked at me and said. “You know what? That’s just like the gospel!” After asking her to explain and then spending some time thinking about it, I could definitely see the comparison.
You see, the gospel is really a command to believe in Jesus and we will be saved.
But what do we do instead? We come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses how it could possibly not be that simple.
I remember as a child, instead of believing in Jesus, I prayed for a new heart. God did not give me one then because like James 4:3a says Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
Imagine that after Moses made the brazen serpent like God commanded him to, the Israelites' response was: “No, we won't look, we will just pray for healing instead.” Would not God have been rightfully angry with them? Why? Because that is not what He told them to do! They were to look at the brazen serpent and live and it was to be an example of Christ!
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. Matthew 13:14-15
And you know why people end up in hell? It’s not because they weren’t chosen or not in the Book of Life, even though that is true. It’s because they foolishly refused to obey the gospel.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thes 1:8
The gospel is so simple.
“To believe what God says, to do what God commands, to take that salvations which God provides—this is man’s highest and best wisdom. Open your Bible. It is the pilgrim’s guide, in which God describes the glory yet to be revealed. This is the one message of the gospel, ‘Believe and live.’ Trust in the incarnate Saviour, whom God appointed to stand in the place of sinners. Trust in Him and you shall be saved.” C. Spurgeon
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31
And you know the amazing thing that happens when we obey the gospel? God gives us His Holy Spirit and a new heart!
In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13-14
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
“The command is, “Believe and live;” attend to that, whatever else you do. Whether you feel or do not feel, cast yourself on Him, that, He may save you, and He alone.” C. Spurgeon
Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:24b
But He didn’t.
Instead He directed me to the words of Matthew 6:19-21.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
As I pondered the familiar words it struck me that these words were not a suggestion but really a command. So although I didn’t necessarily feel like it, I obeyed. I made the decision to put aside half of what I earned and give it back to God. The first time it felt a little painful as there really wasn’t much left, but after a few times it began to feel natural.
Do you know what happened? By that one step of obedience, God granted what He promised and I so desperately wanted. My heart also followed. I lost all desire and interest in frivolous things and now have more money left in my wallet at the end of the week then before, even though it’s only half of what it used to be!
As I shared this experience with some of the ladies from one of the Bible Studies I’m part of, one of them turned and looked at me and said. “You know what? That’s just like the gospel!” After asking her to explain and then spending some time thinking about it, I could definitely see the comparison.
You see, the gospel is really a command to believe in Jesus and we will be saved.
But what do we do instead? We come up with all kinds of reasons and excuses how it could possibly not be that simple.
I remember as a child, instead of believing in Jesus, I prayed for a new heart. God did not give me one then because like James 4:3a says Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,
For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. Isaiah 55:8
Imagine that after Moses made the brazen serpent like God commanded him to, the Israelites' response was: “No, we won't look, we will just pray for healing instead.” Would not God have been rightfully angry with them? Why? Because that is not what He told them to do! They were to look at the brazen serpent and live and it was to be an example of Christ!
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. Matthew 13:14-15
And you know why people end up in hell? It’s not because they weren’t chosen or not in the Book of Life, even though that is true. It’s because they foolishly refused to obey the gospel.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thes 1:8
The gospel is so simple.
“To believe what God says, to do what God commands, to take that salvations which God provides—this is man’s highest and best wisdom. Open your Bible. It is the pilgrim’s guide, in which God describes the glory yet to be revealed. This is the one message of the gospel, ‘Believe and live.’ Trust in the incarnate Saviour, whom God appointed to stand in the place of sinners. Trust in Him and you shall be saved.” C. Spurgeon
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31
And you know the amazing thing that happens when we obey the gospel? God gives us His Holy Spirit and a new heart!
In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13-14
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26
“The command is, “Believe and live;” attend to that, whatever else you do. Whether you feel or do not feel, cast yourself on Him, that, He may save you, and He alone.” C. Spurgeon
Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:24b
Monday, October 23, 2017
Only One Life
I listened to a sermon recently where the pastor asked what we were doing with the treasures, time and talents God has given us.
One day, we as believers will stand before God and have to give an account of what we did with what He gave us.
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
I think for me personally, the hard part is not so much not knowing what God wants me to do with what He has given me, but rather that I let myself get so easily distracted and side tracked.
God has given me the talent of writing and I believe with all my heart that He wants me to use it to share the truths of His Word and the good news of the gospel.
He so fills my heart and thoughts with His Word that often I simply have to drop whatever I’m doing and let it flow out into my journal or behind the computer. Since I have experienced the joy of His salvation, and that there is no better way to live but with Him as my Lord and Guide, I have no greater desire than to share it with others and point others to Him.
Every time I talk to someone who believes the Bible is the Word of God and that Jesus is the Son of God, but neither the Word of God or the Son of God is meant for them, my passion and purpose and resolve is renewed to share the truth with them.
I may not be able to open their eyes to the truth, but I have full confidence in God and His Word who can.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6
By nature we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but that’s not where the story ends. God has made a way, whereby we can once again be reconciled to Him.
There is hope for us, and His name is JESUS.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
There are only two responses to the unspeakable gift that God has given us. We can either receive Him or reject Him.
He came unto his own, and his own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:11-12
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15
I so want to use my treasures, time and talents for His honour and glory and under His direction that when my life draws to a close, I can say with Paul:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7
And let it be said of us:
Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:23
What we do, whether good or evil, can have a much greater impact then you think. For example, according to blogger statistics, one of the top countries that consistently reads my blog is Russia. I don't personally know anyone in Russia, but who knows what God is doing there? What I do know is that God’s Word is alive, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, Hebrews 4:12a
And it never returns to Him void.
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
And although it may at times feels discouraging and fruitless when we don’t see any immediate results with our own eyes, God encourages us with these words:
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6
What are you doing with the treasures, time and talents God has given you? Remember, we have only one life and it will soon be past and only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
Poem by C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
I think for me personally, the hard part is not so much not knowing what God wants me to do with what He has given me, but rather that I let myself get so easily distracted and side tracked.
God has given me the talent of writing and I believe with all my heart that He wants me to use it to share the truths of His Word and the good news of the gospel.
He so fills my heart and thoughts with His Word that often I simply have to drop whatever I’m doing and let it flow out into my journal or behind the computer. Since I have experienced the joy of His salvation, and that there is no better way to live but with Him as my Lord and Guide, I have no greater desire than to share it with others and point others to Him.
Every time I talk to someone who believes the Bible is the Word of God and that Jesus is the Son of God, but neither the Word of God or the Son of God is meant for them, my passion and purpose and resolve is renewed to share the truth with them.
I may not be able to open their eyes to the truth, but I have full confidence in God and His Word who can.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6
By nature we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but that’s not where the story ends. God has made a way, whereby we can once again be reconciled to Him.
There is hope for us, and His name is JESUS.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
There are only two responses to the unspeakable gift that God has given us. We can either receive Him or reject Him.
He came unto his own, and his own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:11-12
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:15
I so want to use my treasures, time and talents for His honour and glory and under His direction that when my life draws to a close, I can say with Paul:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7
And let it be said of us:
Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Matthew 25:23
What we do, whether good or evil, can have a much greater impact then you think. For example, according to blogger statistics, one of the top countries that consistently reads my blog is Russia. I don't personally know anyone in Russia, but who knows what God is doing there? What I do know is that God’s Word is alive, and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, Hebrews 4:12a
And it never returns to Him void.
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
And although it may at times feels discouraging and fruitless when we don’t see any immediate results with our own eyes, God encourages us with these words:
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6
What are you doing with the treasures, time and talents God has given you? Remember, we have only one life and it will soon be past and only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past
Poem by C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
Monday, October 9, 2017
The Death Sentence
“Do you know that by nature we are all under a death sentence?” I turn to my oldest son, and he frowns. “I don’t like thinking about it!” he quickly responds.
“The Bible actually tells us it’s good to think about it.” I reply. "Solomon writes: It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
The truth is, it is much better to take some time and think about it now, then have to experience it for yourself later.
Outside of Christ we are all in extreme danger. Although you might not believe it your life can be over in a blink of eye. It may be a car crash, a heart attack, choking, an aneurism, a home invasion, or Jesus’s return.
The Devil loves it when we are oblivious to the danger we are in, oblivious to the death sentence hanging over us, oblivious to the fact that at any moment our lives here on earth may be over and we need to stand before the judgment seat of God.
And we all have sinned.
We are all guilty.
We are all deserving of eternal death.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
And outside of Christ there is only everlasting torment and destruction.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:44
If we would but for a moment hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth of those in hell, would we not be filled with fear and horror?
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:50
Would we not take all our time and energy and not rest till we had found a way of escape?
The Philippian Jailer, when faced with his imminent death had the correct response when he cried out: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30b
The people in the book of Acts when they heard of their sin against God and their impending judgement had the correct response when they cried: Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37b
Spurgeon says:
“If I were doomed to die, and I had a hint of mercy, I am sure I should not set my wits to work to find out reasons why I should not be pardoned. I could leave my enemies to do that: I should be on the look-out in a very different direction. If I were drowning, I should sooner catch at a straw than push a life-belt away from me.
To reason against one’s own life is a sort of constructive suicide of which only a drunken man would be guilty. To argue against your only hope is like a foolish man sitting on a bough, and chopping it away so as to let himself down. Who but an idiot would do that? Yet many appear to be special pleaders for their own ruin. They hunt the Bible through for threatening texts; and when they have done with that, they turn to reason, and philosophy, and scepticism, in order to shut the door in their own faces. Surely this is poor employment for a sensible man. “ (Spurgeon, Around the Wicket Gate)
There is only one way we can be saved:
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:11-12
Don’t neglect your only Hope. Don’t reject Him. Believe in Him! Receive Him!
Are you afraid that is presumptuous? Then remember, you can’t steal a free gift! You can however neglect Him and reject Him and pay eternal consequences.
For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
For How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; Hebrews 2:3a
And for those of us who have received Him and believe on Him what better way to spend thanksgiving than reflecting on this unspeakable Gift. The unspeakable Gift that changed everything.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
“The Bible actually tells us it’s good to think about it.” I reply. "Solomon writes: It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2)
The truth is, it is much better to take some time and think about it now, then have to experience it for yourself later.
Outside of Christ we are all in extreme danger. Although you might not believe it your life can be over in a blink of eye. It may be a car crash, a heart attack, choking, an aneurism, a home invasion, or Jesus’s return.
The Devil loves it when we are oblivious to the danger we are in, oblivious to the death sentence hanging over us, oblivious to the fact that at any moment our lives here on earth may be over and we need to stand before the judgment seat of God.
And we all have sinned.
We are all guilty.
We are all deserving of eternal death.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 1 Thessalonians 5:3
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
And outside of Christ there is only everlasting torment and destruction.
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Mark 9:44
If we would but for a moment hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth of those in hell, would we not be filled with fear and horror?
And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:50
Would we not take all our time and energy and not rest till we had found a way of escape?
The Philippian Jailer, when faced with his imminent death had the correct response when he cried out: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30b
The people in the book of Acts when they heard of their sin against God and their impending judgement had the correct response when they cried: Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts 2:37b
Spurgeon says:
“If I were doomed to die, and I had a hint of mercy, I am sure I should not set my wits to work to find out reasons why I should not be pardoned. I could leave my enemies to do that: I should be on the look-out in a very different direction. If I were drowning, I should sooner catch at a straw than push a life-belt away from me.
To reason against one’s own life is a sort of constructive suicide of which only a drunken man would be guilty. To argue against your only hope is like a foolish man sitting on a bough, and chopping it away so as to let himself down. Who but an idiot would do that? Yet many appear to be special pleaders for their own ruin. They hunt the Bible through for threatening texts; and when they have done with that, they turn to reason, and philosophy, and scepticism, in order to shut the door in their own faces. Surely this is poor employment for a sensible man. “ (Spurgeon, Around the Wicket Gate)
There is only one way we can be saved:
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: John 1:11-12
Don’t neglect your only Hope. Don’t reject Him. Believe in Him! Receive Him!
Are you afraid that is presumptuous? Then remember, you can’t steal a free gift! You can however neglect Him and reject Him and pay eternal consequences.
For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
For How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; Hebrews 2:3a
And for those of us who have received Him and believe on Him what better way to spend thanksgiving than reflecting on this unspeakable Gift. The unspeakable Gift that changed everything.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15
Friday, October 6, 2017
Pursue the Knowledge of God
I’ve been studying the book of Job these past weeks and am now nearing the end. The deeper I dig into the Word of God the more fascinating it is and the more I learn about God. Yet, God is so great, that we as human beings can only comprehend a small whisper of Him.
Job 26:14
Lo, these are parts of His ways: but how little a portion is heard of Him? but the thunder of His power who can understand?
The New King James Version translates it like this:
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” Job 26:14
Job himself also gained a much deeper understanding about God through his trials and it was really striking to me what Job says to God in the last chapter of the book:
Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee. Job 42:1
Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42:2b
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6
All of Job’s feelings and frustrations and even anger and confusion evaporated when God revealed Himself to Job. Instead he becomes so shaken by how great God is that he abhors himself and repents in dust and ashes.
The same goes for us. When we pursue the knowledge of God and God reveals Himself to us by His Word and Spirit, we too become shaken by the contrast.
Spurgeon says it so well when he writes:
"Note that contrast; note it always.
Observe how weak we are, how strong He is;
how proud we are, how condescending (great) He is;
how erring we are, and how infallible He is;
how changing we are, and how immutable He is;
how provoking we are, and how forgiving He is.
Observe how in us there is only ill, and how in Him there is only good.
Yet our ill but draws his goodness forth, and still he blesseth.
Oh! What a rich contrast!"
Let us purse the knowledge of God and follow on to know the Lord.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:3
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24
And then the more we know Him, the more our trust in Him and our love for Him grows.
Psalm 18:1-2
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 131
Lord, my heart is not haughty,
nor mine eyes lofty:
neither do I exercise myself in great matters,
or in things too high for me.
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself,
as a child that is weaned of his mother:
my soul is even as a weaned child.
Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.
Job 26:14
Lo, these are parts of His ways: but how little a portion is heard of Him? but the thunder of His power who can understand?
The New King James Version translates it like this:
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” Job 26:14
Job himself also gained a much deeper understanding about God through his trials and it was really striking to me what Job says to God in the last chapter of the book:
Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from Thee. Job 42:1
Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Job 42:2b
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6
All of Job’s feelings and frustrations and even anger and confusion evaporated when God revealed Himself to Job. Instead he becomes so shaken by how great God is that he abhors himself and repents in dust and ashes.
The same goes for us. When we pursue the knowledge of God and God reveals Himself to us by His Word and Spirit, we too become shaken by the contrast.
Spurgeon says it so well when he writes:
"Note that contrast; note it always.
Observe how weak we are, how strong He is;
how proud we are, how condescending (great) He is;
how erring we are, and how infallible He is;
how changing we are, and how immutable He is;
how provoking we are, and how forgiving He is.
Observe how in us there is only ill, and how in Him there is only good.
Yet our ill but draws his goodness forth, and still he blesseth.
Oh! What a rich contrast!"
Let us purse the knowledge of God and follow on to know the Lord.
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:3
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24
And then the more we know Him, the more our trust in Him and our love for Him grows.
Psalm 18:1-2
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
my God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.
Psalm 131
Lord, my heart is not haughty,
nor mine eyes lofty:
neither do I exercise myself in great matters,
or in things too high for me.
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself,
as a child that is weaned of his mother:
my soul is even as a weaned child.
Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
You Can Go Your Own Way - But Don't.
When I was young I used to listen and sing along to a popular pop sang that went like this:
And I intended to do exactly that.
Plus, I was Will. And where there’s a Will there’s a way right?
When I wanted something I didn’t let anything slow me down or stop me.
One example of this was my first car. I knew exactly what I wanted and I was not going to rest till I got it. I wanted a Honda Civic hatchback and it had to be red. It also could only be the 1995 model. The 96 and up model was different and I didn’t like it and any older was too old. It also had to be a standard not an automatic.
(You see, I had just turned 17 and wanted to be cool and fit in so I went to river parties. Now I would drink a few swigs here and there of some girly alcoholic beverage but the truth was it was more of a pretense than anything else, as I simply couldn’t stomach alcohol that well.
Since I was one of the few with the least to drink I was often given the role of designated driver for one of my much more inebriated friends. The problem was that I couldn’t drive standard so more than once I was in the passenger seat steering a vehicle that one of my drunk friends was driving at incredible speeds, hoping that somehow we would both make it home alive. So for this reason, learning to drive standard was a must for me.)
After much scouring of newspaper adds and Buy and Sell magazines I finally found exactly what I was looking for. The problem was that it was nowhere near where we lived and my Dad refused (for good reason too) to drive for hours to look at a car with me when there was plenty of good options nearby. I didn’t let that stop me though. Instead, I talked my brother-in-law and my boss at that time, and between the two of them I found a way to get the car I wanted.
Where there’s a Will there was a way.
And that’s just one small example of my incredible willfulness.
But God.
Looking back now I am so thankful that God didn’t leave me to continue on my own way. Because you know where that way would have lead me?
To destruction.
Matthew 7:13b Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
And if God didn’t intervene in my life I would still be happily running down that road – blissfully and naively unaware of the danger I was in.
Why am I sharing this now? To make myself look good? Obviously not, because there is nothing attractive about extreme willfulness. And the truth is that left to ourselves there is none good, no not one.
Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
The reason I feel compelled to share this is that God commands us to make know His deeds among the peoples and I love to share about God and how great He is!
Psalm 105:1-5a O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His Name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and His strength: seek His face evermore. Remember His marvellous works that He hath done;
Because of Him, I no longer desire to go my own way. Instead one of my favourite verses that I now live by and cling to is Proverbs 3:5-6
You notice it doesn’t say He might direct our paths. It says He shall.
And He will.
And He does.
And although it is true that God’s way is narrow, it is also straight. And I so much rather walk a straight and narrow path that leads to life than the broad way of my own wilful foolishness, that ends only in everlasting destruction.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And you know what is so great about doing things God’s way? His way is perfect.
Psalm 18:30a As for God, His way is perfect:
You can't really go wrong with perfect can you?
He is the one who calls us out of darkness into His marvellous light!
1 Peter 2:9b That ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;
And you know what? He not only called me. He’s calling you too. Right now.
Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Isaiah 65:2
I have stretched out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
His arms are open.
James 4:8a
Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.
There's no maybe. If He says He will, He will.
God doesn't lie or make fake promises.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?
He sent His own Son to save us.
John 3:17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And yes, that whosoever includes you.
“You can go your own way,
Go your own way,”
And I intended to do exactly that.
Plus, I was Will. And where there’s a Will there’s a way right?
When I wanted something I didn’t let anything slow me down or stop me.
One example of this was my first car. I knew exactly what I wanted and I was not going to rest till I got it. I wanted a Honda Civic hatchback and it had to be red. It also could only be the 1995 model. The 96 and up model was different and I didn’t like it and any older was too old. It also had to be a standard not an automatic.
(You see, I had just turned 17 and wanted to be cool and fit in so I went to river parties. Now I would drink a few swigs here and there of some girly alcoholic beverage but the truth was it was more of a pretense than anything else, as I simply couldn’t stomach alcohol that well.
Since I was one of the few with the least to drink I was often given the role of designated driver for one of my much more inebriated friends. The problem was that I couldn’t drive standard so more than once I was in the passenger seat steering a vehicle that one of my drunk friends was driving at incredible speeds, hoping that somehow we would both make it home alive. So for this reason, learning to drive standard was a must for me.)
After much scouring of newspaper adds and Buy and Sell magazines I finally found exactly what I was looking for. The problem was that it was nowhere near where we lived and my Dad refused (for good reason too) to drive for hours to look at a car with me when there was plenty of good options nearby. I didn’t let that stop me though. Instead, I talked my brother-in-law and my boss at that time, and between the two of them I found a way to get the car I wanted.
Where there’s a Will there was a way.
And that’s just one small example of my incredible willfulness.
But God.
Looking back now I am so thankful that God didn’t leave me to continue on my own way. Because you know where that way would have lead me?
To destruction.
Matthew 7:13b Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
And if God didn’t intervene in my life I would still be happily running down that road – blissfully and naively unaware of the danger I was in.
Why am I sharing this now? To make myself look good? Obviously not, because there is nothing attractive about extreme willfulness. And the truth is that left to ourselves there is none good, no not one.
Romans 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
The reason I feel compelled to share this is that God commands us to make know His deeds among the peoples and I love to share about God and how great He is!
Psalm 105:1-5a O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His Name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy Name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and His strength: seek His face evermore. Remember His marvellous works that He hath done;
Because of Him, I no longer desire to go my own way. Instead one of my favourite verses that I now live by and cling to is Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct thy paths.
You notice it doesn’t say He might direct our paths. It says He shall.
And He will.
And He does.
And although it is true that God’s way is narrow, it is also straight. And I so much rather walk a straight and narrow path that leads to life than the broad way of my own wilful foolishness, that ends only in everlasting destruction.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
And you know what is so great about doing things God’s way? His way is perfect.
Psalm 18:30a As for God, His way is perfect:
You can't really go wrong with perfect can you?
He is the one who calls us out of darkness into His marvellous light!
1 Peter 2:9b That ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light;
And you know what? He not only called me. He’s calling you too. Right now.
Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Isaiah 65:2
I have stretched out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
His arms are open.
James 4:8a
Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.
There's no maybe. If He says He will, He will.
God doesn't lie or make fake promises.
Numbers 23:19
God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?
He sent His own Son to save us.
John 3:17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
And yes, that whosoever includes you.
Monday, October 2, 2017
But God,
I got an email today.
It asked if Jason and I could speak at a senior’s morning. As I thought about this, it struck me how my response was so different than it could’ve been. So different then it would’ve been. So different except for One.
God.
Twelve years ago I would have reacted in horror. Me speak? No way! Of course I wouldn’t have written those words. But I sure would have thought them in my mind! And then, maybe the next day or the day after that, I would have written a nice email back signing my husband up, but politely refusing to be part of it. I did not and could not and would not speak in front of a group about anything. End of story.
Or so I thought.
But the story didn’t end there.
Two little words, changed it all.
But God.
God, who took this fiercely stubborn, independent, yet incredibly reserved girl and slowly, step by step and little by little transformed her by His Holy Spirit.
The results don’t lie. Only He could change this stubborn, independent girl into someone who became wholly dependent on Him. Only He could strip away my layers of shyness and reserve and fill me with a love so great for Him that my whole being brims with excitement over the thought of sharing about Him with others.
This God who fearfully and wonderfully made me, and with His Holy Spirit living in me, continues to mold and shape me every day makes all the difference.
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14
But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand. Isaiah 64:8
The change in me is truly a miracle.
I need only to close my eyes and I can still feel the heat rushing over my face as the teacher in high school asked me a simple question.
How could it be then that today, I am happy and excited and eager to say “Yes, Jason and I would be honored to talk at the Senior’s morning!” ?
Because the truth is that with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
And He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27
He delights to take the foolish things in the world and amaze the wise.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 1 Corinthians 1:27
He has loved me with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness He draws me to Himself.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
And I will sing of His love forever.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1
How great is our God!
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
It asked if Jason and I could speak at a senior’s morning. As I thought about this, it struck me how my response was so different than it could’ve been. So different then it would’ve been. So different except for One.
God.
Twelve years ago I would have reacted in horror. Me speak? No way! Of course I wouldn’t have written those words. But I sure would have thought them in my mind! And then, maybe the next day or the day after that, I would have written a nice email back signing my husband up, but politely refusing to be part of it. I did not and could not and would not speak in front of a group about anything. End of story.
Or so I thought.
But the story didn’t end there.
Two little words, changed it all.
But God.
God, who took this fiercely stubborn, independent, yet incredibly reserved girl and slowly, step by step and little by little transformed her by His Holy Spirit.
The results don’t lie. Only He could change this stubborn, independent girl into someone who became wholly dependent on Him. Only He could strip away my layers of shyness and reserve and fill me with a love so great for Him that my whole being brims with excitement over the thought of sharing about Him with others.
This God who fearfully and wonderfully made me, and with His Holy Spirit living in me, continues to mold and shape me every day makes all the difference.
I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14
But now, O Lord, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand. Isaiah 64:8
The change in me is truly a miracle.
I need only to close my eyes and I can still feel the heat rushing over my face as the teacher in high school asked me a simple question.
How could it be then that today, I am happy and excited and eager to say “Yes, Jason and I would be honored to talk at the Senior’s morning!” ?
Because the truth is that with men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
And He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27
He delights to take the foolish things in the world and amaze the wise.
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 1 Corinthians 1:27
He has loved me with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness He draws me to Himself.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
And I will sing of His love forever.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 89:1
How great is our God!
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
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