Just sharing.

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“It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man.”

Psalm 118:8

Doubtless the reader has been tried with the temptation to rely upon the things which are seen, instead of resting alone upon the invisible God. Christians often look to man for help and counsel, and mar the noble simplicity of their reliance upon their God. Does this evening's portion meet the eye of a child of God anxious about temporals, then would we reason with him awhile. You trust in Jesus, and only in Jesus, for your salvation, then why are you troubled? “Because of my great care.” Is it not written, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord”? “Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make known your wants unto God.”

Cannot you trust God for temporals? “Ah! I wish I could.” If you cannot trust God for temporals, how dare you trust him for spirituals? Can you trust him for your soul's redemption, and not rely upon him for a few lesser mercies? Is not God enough for thy need, or is his all-sufficiency too narrow for thy wants? Dost thou want another eye beside that of him who sees every secret thing? Is his heart faint? Is his arm weary? If so, seek another God; but if he be infinite, omnipotent, faithful, true, and all-wise, why gaddest thou abroad so much to seek another confidence?

Why dost thou rake the earth to find another foundation, when this is strong enough to bear all the weight which thou canst ever build thereon? Christian, mix not only thy wine with water, do not alloy thy gold of faith with the dross of human confidence. Wait thou only upon God, and let thine expectation be from him. Covet not Jonah's gourd, but rest in Jonah's God. Let the sandy foundations of terrestrial trust be the choice of fools, but do thou, like one who foresees the storm, build for thyself an abiding place upon the Rock of Ages.

 

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What The Bible Says About Judging Others



It’s so easy to judge others and others to judge us, but we can be wrong, and so can they, so here’s what the Bible says about judging.

Judging Others
When Jesus was speaking about judging others, He wasn’t saying we don’t make judgments about people. For example, we make judgments about whether someone would be a good spouse or not by the way they treat their mother, how they are around children and pets, and other situations, and if we see enough red flags (especially about violent tendencies or drug or alcohol abuse), we make a judgment that this person would not be a good spouse, so judging people from this standpoint is not only good…it helps us avoid big trouble down the road. Judging in itself is not a bad thing, but it’s not the same thing as judging someone in a condemning way. This is what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 7:1-2, telling us, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Jesus went even further, saying, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Luke 6:37). The Apostle Paul put it in no uncertain terms: “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things” (Rom 2:1-2). God’s judgment falls on those who practice sinful things…not our judgment. They will not be judged by our words, but by the Word of God. That judges them.

Judging Ourselves
It is not for us to judge whether someone is saved or not. Even if their behavior appears less than Christian, we are all on a different journey and the Spirit of God may have more difficulty in working in some people’s lives than others. Why some people are immediately able to overcome alcoholism after conversion while others struggle their whole lives with it, is a mystery to me. Both may be saved, but one may have a radically different upbringing than the others. There are so many factors, and most of them are unknown by us, so James is right in saying, “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor” (James 4:11-12)? Only God can see a person’s heart. The Lord told Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Sam 16:7). If there is any judgment to be made, it is “for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God” (1 Pet 4:17)? The Apostle Paul asks a rhetorical question: “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge” (1 Cor 5:12).

The Word’s Judgment
Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but rather to save it. John 3:17 says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Judgment is coming, but it won’t be we who judge the world, but Jesus Himself. Those who brought a woman to Jesus who was caught in adultery had a double standard. They forget about the man! What about him? Wasn’t he just as guilty!? Jesus “stood up and said to them, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). What happened?

One by one they all left, for there are none without sin. This is why James says, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door” (James 5:9). Jesus even uses hyperbole to make a point about judging others, asking them, “how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matt 7:4-5). If we have greater sin in our own life, we can’t even see well enough to help our brother or sister deal with the sin in their life. That’s like someone stealing funds from their employer while lecturing another for taking a paperclip home.

The Final Judgment
The Last Judgment by Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel, 1541.
If we are trying to get even with those who have hurt us, we are not leaving it to the justice of God. That means we’re trying to sit on God’s throne, but it’s a one-seater! He alone is the Just Judg. We’re trying to usurp God’s authority, and we’re not qualified or capable to judge what’s inside a person’s heart. Paul warns us to “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom 12:17-29). They will give an account before God and not us, since “each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Rom 14:12). We will not give an account before others, or they before us. It is before God they and we will fall or stand, but if you’ve trusted in Jesus Christ, you will stand. Otherwise, it’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God (Heb 10:31).

Conclusion
I hope these Bible verses help you understand that we can trust God and leave judgment up to Him. Remember how Jesus Christ responded? “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Pet 2:23). What we must do is “Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb 12:3). Even when (not if) people hurl insults at you because of your faith in Christ, “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing” (1 Pet 3:9). Even when (not if) unbelievers judge you as being insane, don’t’ judge them back. God will judge them, so “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you” (1 Pet 4:14). It is good to be blessed by being insulted for His name’s sake (Matt 5:10-12).

 

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Parents' Responsibilities "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up." Deuteronomy 6:4-6 NKJV __________________ We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. Psalm 78:4-7 NIV __________________ Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NASB __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“She called his name Benoni (son of sorrow), but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand).”

Genesis 35:18

To every matter there is a bright as well as a dark side. Rachel was overwhelmed with the sorrow of her own travail and death; Jacob, though weeping the mother's loss, could see the mercy of the child's birth. It is well for us if, while the flesh mourns over trials, our faith triumphs in divine faithfulness. Samson's lion yielded honey, and so will our adversities, if rightly considered. The stormy sea feeds multitudes with its fishes; the wild wood blooms with beauteous florets; the stormy wind sweeps away the pestilence, and the biting frost loosens the soil.

Dark clouds distil bright drops, and black earth grows gay flowers. A vein of good is to be found in every mine of evil. Sad hearts have peculiar skill in discovering the most disadvantageous point of view from which to gaze upon a trial; if there were only one slough in the world, they would soon be up to their necks in it, and if there were only one lion in the desert they would hear it roar.

About us all there is a tinge of this wretched folly, and we are apt, at times, like Jacob, to cry, “All these things are against me.” Faith's way of walking is to cast all care upon the Lord, and then to anticipate good results from the worst calamities. Like Gideon's men, she does not fret over the broken pitcher, but rejoices that the lamp blazes forth the more. Out of the rough oyster-shell of difficulty she extracts the rare pearl of honour, and from the deep ocean-caves of distress she uplifts the priceless coral of experience. When her flood of prosperity ebbs, she finds treasures hid in the sands; and when her sun of delight goes down, she turns her telescope of hope to the starry promises of heaven. When death itself appears, faith points to the light of resurrection beyond the grave, thus making our dying Benoni to be our living Benjamin.

 

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How Shame Can Prevent People from Repenting



For so long, Christians have tried to conjure a guilty conscience in the minds of those who hear the gospel. Until recently, few people typically spoke of shame and evangelism in the same sentence. This is unfortunate because shame is a far bigger obstacle to people coming to saving faith than are guilt-feelings.

In this post, I explain three reasons that shame fosters inaction and hinders people from changing in their lives.
Why Shame Kills Change

1. Fear

Shame concerns a person’s identity, not only one’s actions. It leaves an indelible mark on a person. Shame says, “I am unworthy of love.” It so scars the heart and mind that a person defines him or herself by that sense of shame.
Consequently, shame instills fear. It whispers, “I cannot change. I will always be unworthy of others’ acceptance.” Why?
A person in the throes of shame experiences waves upon waves of memories that reinforce the belief that they will always be a flawed, unlovable person. Every glimmer of hope and opportunity for change is tamped down with another memory of failure or rejection.
Guilt focuses on wrong-doing. We can isolate behaviors. Wrong actions can be corrected. We can often make reparations. But how do we rectify the problem when the problem is “who we are”?

1. Grief

Shame produces grief and regret. A person feels such intense grief that he cannot bear to face the reality of his wrong-doing. Why would one want to look back to reflect on the cause of one’s shame? Doing so would only intensify further the pain of one’s past.
As a result, a habit of denial emerges. The mind finds excuses and forges them into reasons. By adding a little rational, the mind reconstructs the past such that repentance and genuine remorse become difficult and, in some ways, virtually impossible. This is one strategy we use to hide shame.
How else do people hide their shame?
June Price Tangney, in her seminal book Shame and Guilt, identifies two of the most common responses to shame––withdraw and blame. Certainly, blame could be misplaced, a way of dodging responsibility. But not always. In reality, shame quite often is the consequence of several people’s sin, not one person’s alone.

1. Anger

Tangney mentions another effect of shame. She writes,

“externalized blame can serve to reduce painful awareness… the accompanying feelings of self-righteous anger can help the shame person to regain some sense of agency and control. Anger is an emotion of potency and authority. In contact, shame is an emotion of the worthless, the paralyzed, the ineffective.” (p. 93)

Anger is a secondary, derived emotion. It stems from fear and the felt-need to protect oneself.
Ironically, such anger perpetuates problems. Those who are enslaved by shame alienate other people. Relationships are poisoned. Family and friends distance themselves from the anger individual, whose anger prevents others from showing them compassion.
Shame thus creates a vicious cycle. Shame manifests as anger. Anger divides relationships and perpetuates a sense of isolation. The world seems to confirm a shame-filled person’s fear that they lack worth and will never find a place to belong.

Allow Shame to Adjust our Approach
As I mentioned in my previous post, evangelism seeks to evoke more than guilt feelings. When a person sees a pattern of sin and one’s alienation from God, shame is the natural response. This is why I hope many people will listen to Chris Flanders’ EMS presentation.

Yet, we must be mindful to know shame’s potential for destruction. Fire has its use when it stays within proper boundaries. In the same way, shame both destroys people and leads them to repentance. We need a right sense of shame. A shameless person is to be despised. This balanced perspective of shame is evident throughout the Bible.

I hope you will consider how you have understood shame and how that understanding affects your own ministry.

 

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All Under Sin All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. Isaiah 64:6 NIV __________________ But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Galatians 3:22 KJV __________________ For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NASB __________________ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 NKJV __________________ "There is no one so good that he can save himself; Neither is there any so bad that God cannot save him." __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Abide in me.”

John 15:4

Communion with Christ is a certain cure for every ill. Whether it be the wormwood of woe, or the cloying surfeit of earthly delight, close fellowship with the Lord Jesus will take bitterness from the one, and satiety from the other. Live near to Jesus, Christian, and it is a matter of secondary importance whether thou livest on the mountain of honour or in the valley of humiliation. Living near to Jesus, thou art covered with the wings of God, and underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Let nothing keep thee from that hallowed intercourse, which is the choice privilege of a soul wedded to the well-beloved.

Be not content with an interview now and then, but seek always to retain his company, for only in his presence hast thou either comfort or safety. Jesus should not be unto us a friend who calls upon us now and then, but one with whom we walk evermore. Thou hast a difficult road before thee: see, O traveller to heaven, that thou go not without thy guide. Thou hast to pass through the fiery furnace; enter it not unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thou hast the Son of God to be thy companion. Thou hast to storm the Jericho of thine own corruptions: attempt not the warfare until, like Joshua, thou hast seen the Captain of the Lord's host, with his sword drawn in his hand. Thou art to meet the Esau of thy many temptations: meet him not until at Jabbok's brook thou hast laid hold upon the angel, and prevailed.

In every case, in every condition, thou wilt need Jesus; but most of all, when the iron gates of death shall open to thee. Keep thou close to thy soul's Husband, lean thy head upon his bosom, ask to be refreshed with the spiced wine of his pomegranate, and thou shalt be found of him at the last, without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing. Seeing thou hast lived with him, and lived in him here, thou shalt abide with him for ever.

 

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If You Were at the Party at Matthew’s House, Would You Be Inside Partying or Outside Judging?




If you read the gospel of Matthew, you’ll see that John the Baptist and Jesus both came out swinging against the Pharisees. Why? Well, Matthew 9 gives us an idea of how the Pharisees had shifted and twisted from their laudable beginnings:
As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9
Let’s stop just for a moment and understand how scandalous this was. We have the IRS today, I know no one loves handing their money over to the government but many folks have jobs because of the federal government, so everyone has to play their part.
In first century Jewish society, tax collectors were especially hated. No one democratically elected the Roman government, it was against their will. They couldn’t necessarily protest against the Roman soldiers, because they would likely be imprisoned or kill. So they had to take that hatred out somewhere and on someone.

And that someone was the tax collectors, Jews who sold out their own people to work for the Romans. Tax collectors were notorious for extorting the people and taking more than they needed and skimming off the top for themselves. They were enemy number one for the people, and here Jesus went and called one to be his disciple. It was scandalous!
If you want to feel the angst the people must have felt, it would be like if a conservative evangelical pastor began associating with a known leader in the LGBT movement or the pro-choice movement. Do you think any eyebrows would be raised by religious folks today?
So who protested? The Pharisees.

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Matthew 9:10-11
In the minds of the Pharisees, hanging out with the unrighteous was a blatant endorsement or condoning of their lifestyle. How could someone who claimed to be righteous like Jesus hang out with tax collectors and sinners? And we don’t get the idea from the text that Jesus was with them to judge them and preach at them and condemn them and threaten their souls with hell. He was having dinner with them!

Thankfully we don’t do that, do we? I mean, if someone in a conservative church had a friend that was gay, that would never be a cause for judgement today, would it? If a church leader had a child that was gay, that child would never be shunned today, would they?
So today, if you could take a modern American church back to Matthew 9 when Jesus hung out with people who were scandalous to be around, would more churches be on the inside with Jesus or on the outside judging and condemning? Is anyone else uncomfortable? I know I am, because when I start to dig into it I see too much of myself and the churches I grew up in landing on the side of the Pharisees, not Jesus.

It absolutely infuriated the Pharisees that Jesus would willingly associate with people who were sinners. But Jesus did it anyways, and he did it in a way that didn’t compromise what he believed. Jesus liked people that were nothing like him, and people who were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus. Most churches today have chosen a different way. Should it be at all surprising why people are walking away from the church in record numbers?

 

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Pride Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud. Proverbs 16:18,19 NASB __________________ To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. Proverbs 8:13 NIV __________________ He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. Proverbs 28:25,26 KJV __________________ You rebuke the proud - the cursed, who stray from Your commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies. Psalm 119:21,22 NKJV __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Man ... is of few days, and full of trouble.”

Job 14:1

It may be of great service to us, before we fall asleep, to remember this mournful fact, for it may lead us to set loose by earthly things. There is nothing very pleasant in the recollection that we are not above the shafts of adversity, but it may humble us and prevent our boasting like the Psalmist in our morning's portion. “My mountain standeth firm: I shall never be moved.” It may stay us from taking too deep root in this soil from which we are so soon to be transplanted into the heavenly garden.

Let us recollect the frail tenure upon which we hold our temporal mercies. If we would remember that all the trees of earth are marked for the woodman's axe, we should not be so ready to build our nests in them. We should love, but we should love with the love which expects death, and which reckons upon separations. Our dear relations are but loaned to us, and the hour when we must return them to the lender's hand may be even at the door. The like is certainly true of our worldly goods. Do not riches take to themselves wings and fly away? Our health is equally precarious. Frail flowers of the field, we must not reckon upon blooming for ever. There is a time appointed for weakness and sickness, when we shall have to glorify God by suffering, and not by earnest activity.

There is no single point in which we can hope to escape from the sharp arrows of affliction; out of our few days there is not one secure from sorrow. Man's life is a cask full of bitter wine; he who looks for joy in it had better seek for honey in an ocean of brine. Beloved reader, set not your affections upon things of earth: but seek those things which are above, for here the moth devoureth, and the thief breaketh through, but there all joys are perpetual and eternal. The path of trouble is the way home. Lord, make this thought a pillow for many a weary head!

 

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What is Common Grace?



We know we are saved by the grace of God, but what is “common grace?”
Gift of Grace
The Bible is clear that we cannot save ourselves by doing good works. Our works are nothing more than filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6), so “all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them” (Gal 3:10). Over and over again, we are told that “no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith” (Gal 3:11). It is only “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). Several of the other world religions base their rewards on the works they do. Of course, if there are no works in a believer’s life, then someone who claims to be a believer has a dead or useless faith (James 2:14-26). We are not saved by works, but saved for works…works that God has planned for us to do from before we were born (Eph 2:10). We are not saved by those works, but those who are saved, will work. Genuine saving grace will bear fruitful works for God’s glory, but the grace of God is what we receive that we did not deserve.

Common Grace
Common grace is the world, sinners and saints, all sharing in the blessings this life on earth. Some of the blessings of common grace include family, food, sunshine, rain, pleasure, laughter, and so many other things that we all enjoy in this life. Even if the sinner is unaware of God’s provisions, they are still recipients of God’s common grace. It is grace that is common to all, as it is poured out on all. Jesus told the crowds that God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45), so God blesses those who don’t even acknowledge Him with all of the general blessings that are found in the world, but even though “favor is shown to the wicked, he does not learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:10). It doesn’t matter…God still “gives food to all flesh” (Psalm 136:25a).

Uncommon grace is the idea that God blesses the world in general, and does not withhold blessings based upon a person’s character. Both a man who hates people and treats them in a harsh manner, and a man who loves people and is generous and kind, will receive the same amount of rain for their gardens. God’s uncommon grace is showered upon the rich and the poor, the sick and the well, and the good and the bad. Only God’s saving grace is specifically given to those who have been brought to repentance and faith in Christ. The greatest blessing of all is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. There is no greater blessing than the grace of God, but even this is a free gift of God.

Uncommon Grace
The grace of God is different from the common grace given to all. To begin with, Jesus tells us to do things that are contrary to our own nature. For example, Jesus says some of the most uncommon things known to man. Radical things like, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). That is not something you’ll find much of in the world, and it’s certainly not in the ways of mankind to respond in this way, but we are not children of this world, but the children of God. The Apostle Paul writes that “while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6).

He didn’t wait till we’d be strong, because He’d have had a very long wait for that…like, forever. By God sending Jesus Christ, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). To go even further, even “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Rom 5:10). This is exceedingly rare, since “one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die” (Rom 5:7), but to die for ungodly, wicked enemies of God!? That’s an uncommon grace…an infinite love. That’s the grace of God.

Conclusion
Christ died for the ungodly, so that means He died for all of us. At one time, we were all an enemies of God (some still are), but God sent His Son to die for all who would repent and trusted in Him. Jesus has shown His love by living a sinless life and dying for us so that we might be “reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Rom 5:10). If ever there was a time to be saved, it is today. Tomorrow may not come for some…and that means judgment will have come before they had the chance to repent and believe (Heb 9:27). There is still time today…today is the best of days to be saved (2 Cor 6:2). None of us can say with 100% certainty, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” (James 4:13), so it’s not wise for us to “boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Prov 27:1). Today is the day of salvation.

 

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Pray for Our Leaders I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV __________________ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:1-3 NIV __________________ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7,8 NASB __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Thou shalt be called, Sought out.”

Isaiah 62:12

The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire: we were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found.

Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we wandered hither and thither, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!

The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous are the ways which God used in their case to find his own. Blessed be his name, he never relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought to-day and cast away to-morrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be called, “Sought out!” That any should be sought out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it but God's own sovereign love, and can only lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of “Sought out.”

 

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Does Your Child Have a Match or a Torch Temperament?




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My son was sitting in his car seat as we drove home from daycare at the end of a long day. He was holding his lunch bag in his hand. He always has to have something in this hand… Then, something about the lunch bag suddenly annoyed him, so he frantically threw it down, it landed on his legs, and he kicked vigorously to make sure it ended up on the floor of the car. Then he was quiet. We listened to music in silence for the rest of the 15-minute drive home.
This happens a lot with Little Vinny. He is a bundle of emotions, needing only the slightest prompt for him to erupt into an emotional – happy, sad, angry, annoyed – storm for the next… 5 seconds.

Yes, it is true. My son has the shortest emotional outbursts I have ever seen in a human being. He is a “match.” Doesn’t take much to light it, it burns bright and hot for a few seconds, and then it is out, with little sign that anything ever happened.
I have only had one two-year-old son in my life, and I have never spent more than a few minutes with any other two-year-old, so I am certainly not an expert on toddler temperaments. But my guess is that there are lots of two-year-olds like mine.
But I have also heard stories of two-year-olds who are not matches, but “torches.” They are not set off too easily, but when they are, they burn for a long time. They stew and fuss and are moody and unbearable for minutes or hours.

I am not sure what is “better,” a match or a torch. The good thing about my son is that he rarely is in a bad mood for more than a few minutes. But he can go from being in a good mood to a bad mood so quickly and for the silliest reasons. On the other hand, he can go from bad mood to good mood quickly, too.
A torch on the other hand would be “easier” in that his or her moods would be more stable. No emotional roller coasters from minute to minute. “Oh, Johnny is in a good mood today. Great.” At our house, it’s, “Vinny is in a good mood right now. Great.” But with torches, I would imagine it could be stressful to know that your child is in “one of his moods” that may last for hours. We never have that problem with Vinny.
What is your child – a match or a torch? What do you think is easier to handle for parents?

 

[beensetfree]

The God of All Comfort I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 NIV __________________ Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV __________________ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NASB __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

[beensetfree]

“To whom belongest thou?”

1 Samuel 30:13

No neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight his battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. “To whom belongest thou?”

Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been “born again”? If you have, you belong to Christ, but without the new birth you cannot be his. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. “Birds of a feather flock together.” What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master? — for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

We press the question, “To whom belongest thou?” Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ's you are in a hard service — Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are Christ's let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus — obey him; let his word be your law; let his wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love him; let your heart embrace him; let your whole soul be filled with him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow, all will know to whom you belong.

 

[beensetfree]

4 OPTIONS WHEN THE CULTURE MOCKS AND OPPOSES YOUR FAITH: A Study in 1 Peter



Like so many college students who are weary of being mocked by their professors for being Bible-believing Christians and getting their grades reduced, husbands who are mocked by their buddies for not looking at porn or partying with their coworkers after work, wives who forego a professional career to stay at home to be a wife and mother, virgin singles who are the punchline of jokes at the gym for waiting until marriage to have sex, and net surfers who can’t stomach one more nasty blog or negative news story about their faith and church, the resolve of those who first received 1 Peter was tried. Various people were pulled in a variety of directions:

1. Some were enticed by the liberal route of compromise to not eliminate their Bible as much as edit it. They wanted to cut out—or at least explain away—the parts of the Bible that they were being criticized for believing. In our day, this would be most typified by the mainline liberal Christian denominations with pastors who endorse all religions and spiritualities and officiate marriages between any genders, under the oversight of unsaved bishops who appreciate their tolerance, pluralism, and minds so open that their brains fall out. This is one of the central issues at the heart of 2 Peter.
2. Some were compelled to privatize their faith. Sure, in private they would pray to and worship Jesus. But in public they would shut their mouths and keep their faith to themselves so as to not be considered the weirdo for Jesus. Some were closet Christians.
3. Some were considering abandoning their faith altogether. They were tired of being the butt of jokes in the press and on the late-night talk shows and wearied of being the laughingstock Jesus Freaks. Why? Because most people simply do not like being the oddball, misfit, and outcast—especially those who are young and want to be cool and those who are old with privileged social positions to uphold and lifestyles to fund. Our day is like theirs. Carrying a Bible around is about as socially acceptable as walking around with your underwear outside your pants.
4. Still others were attracted to the fighting posture of religious fundamentalism. They were preparing to separate from the culture, set up their own subculture, defend themselves, and talk trash about the non- Christians who were criticizing them, all in the name of a culture war. In the fight or flight cycle, these are the fighters who declare Jihad for Jesus.

If any of these four options were chosen by the churches Peter writes to, it would have simply died in one way or another. The work of Jesus would have stopped in that region and so Peter had to help them navigate living their faith in a hostile culture. So, Peter opens by calling Christians “elect exiles”. Elect meant they were chosen by God. Exiles meant they were far away from their Heavenly Home. Sent as missionaries, although hated by the culture, they were to bring the culture of Heaven to lost people in hopes that love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness would see people saved and culture changed. Our mission and message remain the same. Peter’s constant message through 1 Peter is that Christians should expect to get treated like Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit respond with the loving humble courage of Christ so that they see Christ through us without us getting in the way.

 

[beensetfree]

He Makes Us Prosper Obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today. Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:8-11 NIV __________________ And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 KJV __________________ How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 NASB __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

[beensetfree]

“Then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.”

Genesis 8:9

Wearied out with her wanderings, the dove returns at length to the ark as her only resting place. How heavily she flies — she will drop — she will never reach the ark! But she struggles on. Noah has been looking out for his dove all day long, and is ready to receive her. She has just strength to reach the edge of the ark, she can hardly alight upon it, and is ready to drop, when Noah puts forth his hand and pulls her in unto him.

Mark that: “pulled her in unto him.” She did not fly right in herself, but was too fearful, or too weary to do so. She flew as far as she could, and then he put forth his hand and pulled her in unto him. This act of mercy was shown to the wandering dove, and she was not chidden for her wanderings. Just as she was she was pulled into the ark. So you, seeking sinner, with all your sin, will be received. “Only return” — those are God's two gracious words — “only return.” What! nothing else? No, “only return.”

She had no olive branch in her mouth this time, nothing at all but just herself and her wanderings; but it is “only return,” and she does return, and Noah pulls her in. Fly, thou wanderer; fly thou fainting one, dove as thou art, though thou thinkest thyself to be black as the raven with the mire of sin, back, back to the Saviour. Every moment thou waitest does but increase thy misery; thine attempts to plume thyself and make thyself fit for Jesus are all vanity. Come thou to him just as thou art.

“Return, thou backsliding Israel.” He does not say, “Return, thou repenting Israel” (there is such an invitation doubtless), but “thou backsliding one,” as a backslider with all thy backslidings about thee, Return, return, return! Jesus is waiting for thee! He will stretch forth his hand and “pull thee in” — in to himself, thy heart's true home.

 

[beensetfree]

How to Keep a Courageous Focus



What we choose to focus on can make a significant difference in our outcomes. We can concentrate on the positive aspects of our situations or embrace a negative viewpoint. We can adopt a worldly focus or choose to focus on our faith and hope in Jesus Christ. No matter what life circumstance we are facing, it’s important to always exercise faith-filled courage when determining our focus.
“Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2

There are many times in life I feel as though I’m setting off into uncharted waters not knowing if I were going to sink or sail. I often feel like Peter in Matthew 14:22-31, brave but afraid, trusting but questioning, walking on water one minute and sinking below the surface the next.

Jesus, walking on the sea in the midst of gale-force winds, came toward the disciples and asked them to take courage and not be afraid. Jesus then commanded Peter to step out of the boat and onto the raging sea, the same sea that was battering the boat he and his fellow disciples were holding onto for dear life. Peter, having faith he could do Christ’s will with Christ’s help, took a giant leap of faith. He placed one leg and then the other over the side of the plank-board boat, stepped out onto the water, and began making his way to Jesus (cf: Matthew 14:22-31).
In that moment of decision, I believe, Peter, being human, took a few steps in faith, heard a voice of doubt in his mind that began to recite a familiar tune: Are you crazy? You can’t do this! You’re going to get hurt, you are much better off to stay right where you are! and chose to focus on the world’s voice rather than Christ’s.

Oh, how I can relate to Peter. How about you? Whether our inner voices whisper, cajole, or scream there’s no doubt we listen to them. As soon as Peter took his eyes off Christ and focused on the bad things that might happen, he began to sink. Can we really choose to tune out these inner voices of doubt? I believe we can.
When we courageously choose to focus on God’s voice and His desires for our life, we can override our inner voices that accuse, judge, and threaten with messages from God that empower, encourage, and support.

In learning to make courageous choices, I’ve found it critical to keep my eyes on Christ. Unless I completely trust the loving arms of my Savior to hold me when the waters get rough, I will be forever susceptible to listening to my inner judge or accuser who is constantly standing by just waiting to bury me in fear.
So how can we keep a courageously focus, one that is on Christ and not the world?
Here are 3 daily practices I incorporate that help me maintain a positive, godly focus:

• Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to spend in prayer and communication with God.
• Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to read and study God’s Word.
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• Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to talk with a friend who offers godly counsel that is focused on positive aspects and is grounded in God’s Word.

By setting aside at least 30 minutes each day to incorporate these three practices, we can choose to maintain a godly focus that prepares us to face life with courage.
What steps will you take today so you too can keep a courageous focus?