What would you say of a man journeying through the desert with a full flask of water, if he has a travelling companion with no flask, and yet never offers him a drink? What then if he were to stand by and watch that man die of thirst? Would we not say he was of the cruelest stock - hard hearted and altogether unloving - a man deserving of great punishment? Suppose he appeases his conscience by reasoning the man with no flask could have asked for a sip?
Anyone capable of doing such a thing, we would say, is truly a wicked, wicked man!
Will not the same be said of those who carry within themselves a well of living water yet offer it not to their colleagues, friends, family, even strangers?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Is Your Faith In Rags?
Franz Reichelt, "The Jumping Tailor", sadly put his faith in fabric and jumped to his death on February 4, 1912.Reichelt designed an overcoat to fly or float its wearer gently to the ground like the modern parachute. To demonstrate his invention he made a jump of 60 meters from the first deck of the Eiffel Tower. The parachute failed and Reichelt fell to his death.
Though employing all his skill to create a bat wing style cape that would catch the air in its folds and deliver him safely to the ground, Franz did not stand a chance against the universal law of gravitation.
In the same way, many people today are hard at work sewing together complex overcoats of self righteous works in the vain hope it will carry them to safety when they jump from time into eternity. Instead of trusting in Jesus Christ, who has promised to save to the utmost all who come to him, they hope in themselves. Instead of putting on the rich garments of salvation, freely given by our God, they choose rather to wear robes made from filthy rags.
Their end will be the same, they do not stand a chance against the universal law of God’s justice!
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Gospel Is The Sacrificing Knife!
"Only the Gospel can form a plaster to draw out the very core of contention from the heart. The apostle Paul testifies how he and his brothers were healed of malicious attitudes: "We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another" (Titus 3:3). And then Paul writes in some detail how that healing came: "But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:4-5). He was saying, "If this love of God to us in Christ had not appeared, if we had not been washed by His regenerating Spirit, we would still be paralyzed under the power of our lusts."
Mortification is a work of the Spirit. "If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Romans 8:13). And the Gospel is the sacrificing knife in the hand of the Spirit, the "sword" God uses to kill sin in the hearts of His people (Ephesians 6:17).
Just as the Gospel lays the axe to strife and digs it up by its bitter roots, so it fills the hearts of men who embrace it with principles, leading to peace and unity. Some of these tenets are self-denial, long-suffering, and gentleness. Self-denial prefers that another be honored before himself. Long-suffering is that which makes one not easily provoked. And if gentleness is pushed by a wrong, it holds the door open for peace to come in again.
We can see a whole bundle of these sweet herbs growing in one bed: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). Now this fruit does not crop up in just every hedge, but only from Gospel seed."
-From The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare Published by Moody Press Chicago 1994 First Published in 1655
Mortification is a work of the Spirit. "If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Romans 8:13). And the Gospel is the sacrificing knife in the hand of the Spirit, the "sword" God uses to kill sin in the hearts of His people (Ephesians 6:17).
Just as the Gospel lays the axe to strife and digs it up by its bitter roots, so it fills the hearts of men who embrace it with principles, leading to peace and unity. Some of these tenets are self-denial, long-suffering, and gentleness. Self-denial prefers that another be honored before himself. Long-suffering is that which makes one not easily provoked. And if gentleness is pushed by a wrong, it holds the door open for peace to come in again.
We can see a whole bundle of these sweet herbs growing in one bed: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23). Now this fruit does not crop up in just every hedge, but only from Gospel seed."
-From The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare Published by Moody Press Chicago 1994 First Published in 1655
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Sea Of Damnation!
"Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:4-5
Oh! who will pity you who would not pity yourselves--when you are damned--when you are howling and roaring in hell?
If the day of mercy leaves you graceless--the day of judgment will find you speechless!
There is no standing before Christ--but by standing in Christ.
Ungodly men fear no wrath--because they presently feel no wrath.
Because their sin is now unpunished--they think there is no punishment for their sins!
Because God continues to spare them--they go on to provoke Him!
Because He adds to their lives--they add to their lusts!
Because He is very merciful--they will be very sinful!
Because He is very good to them--they will be very bad to Him!
Because His justice now winks--men think He is blind!
Because He does not reprove them for their sins--therefore they think He approves them in their sins!
But JUSTICE will soon avenge the quarrel of abused mercy!
Oh! sinners, though the patience of God is lasting--it is not everlasting!
If by the warnings of God, you are not alarmed--you shall be consumed by His wrath!
The longer God is in raising His omnipotent arm--the heavier will be the blow when it comes!
The day that begins in mercy--may end in judgment!
God is silent for only so long; but know, that God has vials of wrath filled with indignation--for vessels of wrath fitted for destruction!
If God's mercy does not draw you to repentance--God's judgments will drive you to destruction!
The sea of damnation--shall not be sweetened with one drop of compassion!
"How will we escape--if we neglect such a great salvation!" Hebrews 2:3. If you neglect the great salvation--you cannot escape the great damnation!
Oh! sinners, think of this--before the bottomless pit has shut its mouth upon you!
(William Dyer, "Christ's Famous Titles")
Oh! who will pity you who would not pity yourselves--when you are damned--when you are howling and roaring in hell?
If the day of mercy leaves you graceless--the day of judgment will find you speechless!
There is no standing before Christ--but by standing in Christ.
Ungodly men fear no wrath--because they presently feel no wrath.
Because their sin is now unpunished--they think there is no punishment for their sins!
Because God continues to spare them--they go on to provoke Him!
Because He adds to their lives--they add to their lusts!
Because He is very merciful--they will be very sinful!
Because He is very good to them--they will be very bad to Him!
Because His justice now winks--men think He is blind!
Because He does not reprove them for their sins--therefore they think He approves them in their sins!
But JUSTICE will soon avenge the quarrel of abused mercy!
Oh! sinners, though the patience of God is lasting--it is not everlasting!
If by the warnings of God, you are not alarmed--you shall be consumed by His wrath!
The longer God is in raising His omnipotent arm--the heavier will be the blow when it comes!
The day that begins in mercy--may end in judgment!
God is silent for only so long; but know, that God has vials of wrath filled with indignation--for vessels of wrath fitted for destruction!
If God's mercy does not draw you to repentance--God's judgments will drive you to destruction!
The sea of damnation--shall not be sweetened with one drop of compassion!
"How will we escape--if we neglect such a great salvation!" Hebrews 2:3. If you neglect the great salvation--you cannot escape the great damnation!
Oh! sinners, think of this--before the bottomless pit has shut its mouth upon you!
(William Dyer, "Christ's Famous Titles")
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Walking Along The Narrow Way!
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction--and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life--and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
Walking along the Narrow Way, means for the heart and life to be constantly regulated by Christ's holy teaching. It denotes a steady perseverance in faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus; overcoming all opposition, rejecting every temptation to forsake the path of fidelity to Him. It is called the "Narrow Way" because all self-pleasing and self-seeking is shut out.
It is right here that the testing point is reached. Unto the natural man, it is much easier and far more pleasant--to indulge the flesh and follow our worldly propensities. The Broad Road, where the flesh is indulged--is easy, smooth, and attractive! But it ends in "destruction!" Though the "Narrow Way" leads to eternal life--but only FEW tread it.
Multitudes make a profession and claim to be saved--but their lives give no evidence that they are "strangers and pilgrims" here on earth, and that their "treasure" is in heaven. They are afraid of being thought narrow and strict. Satan has deceived them--they imagine that they can get to heaven by an easier route, than by . . .
denying self,
taking up their cross daily,
and following Christ!
There are multitudes of 'religionists' who are attempting to combine the two "ways," making the best of both worlds and serving two masters. They wish to gratify self in time--and enjoy the happiness of Heaven in eternity. Crowds of nominal Christians are deluding themselves into believing that they can do so--but they are terribly deceived!
The reason why so few will enter Eternal Life--is because the multitudes are not seeking it in the way of God's appointing! None seek it aright--but those who pass through the Narrow Gate--and who, despite many discouragements and falls, continue to press forward along the Narrow Way.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction--and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life--and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
(Arthur Pink, "The Narrow Way")
Walking along the Narrow Way, means for the heart and life to be constantly regulated by Christ's holy teaching. It denotes a steady perseverance in faith and obedience to the Lord Jesus; overcoming all opposition, rejecting every temptation to forsake the path of fidelity to Him. It is called the "Narrow Way" because all self-pleasing and self-seeking is shut out.
It is right here that the testing point is reached. Unto the natural man, it is much easier and far more pleasant--to indulge the flesh and follow our worldly propensities. The Broad Road, where the flesh is indulged--is easy, smooth, and attractive! But it ends in "destruction!" Though the "Narrow Way" leads to eternal life--but only FEW tread it.
Multitudes make a profession and claim to be saved--but their lives give no evidence that they are "strangers and pilgrims" here on earth, and that their "treasure" is in heaven. They are afraid of being thought narrow and strict. Satan has deceived them--they imagine that they can get to heaven by an easier route, than by . . .
denying self,
taking up their cross daily,
and following Christ!
There are multitudes of 'religionists' who are attempting to combine the two "ways," making the best of both worlds and serving two masters. They wish to gratify self in time--and enjoy the happiness of Heaven in eternity. Crowds of nominal Christians are deluding themselves into believing that they can do so--but they are terribly deceived!
The reason why so few will enter Eternal Life--is because the multitudes are not seeking it in the way of God's appointing! None seek it aright--but those who pass through the Narrow Gate--and who, despite many discouragements and falls, continue to press forward along the Narrow Way.
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction--and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life--and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14
(Arthur Pink, "The Narrow Way")
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Entering The Narrow Gate!
"Make every effort to enter through the narrow gate, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Luke 13:24
Entering the Narrow Gate signifies the heart's acceptance of Christ's holy teaching. Ah, my friend, to really and actually enter this "Narrow Gate" is no easy matter! These words do not picture salvation as a thing of simple and easy attainment. That Jesus should utter such a statement, clearly implies that there are formidable difficulties and obstacles to be overcome, and that slothful nominal professors will surely not enter in.
Why is such striving necessary to "enter" the narrow gate?
First, because SATAN is striving to destroy your soul. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8
Second, because natural appetites of the FLESH are striving to destroy you: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims--abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11
Third, because the whole WORLD is arrayed against you. It will seek to draw you by its alluring promises, its Delilah-like deceits, and fatal enticements. Unless you overcome the world, the world will overcome you to the eternal destruction of your soul.
From what has been before us, we may plainly discover why it is that the vast majority of our fellow-men, yes, and of professing Christians also, will fail to reach Heaven--it is because they prefer ...
sin, to holiness;
indulging the lusts of the flesh, to walking according to the Scriptures;
self, to Christ;
the world, to God.
Men refuse to ...
deny self,
abandon their idols, and
submit to Christ as Lord
--and without this, none can take the first step toward Heaven and enter through the narrow gate!
(Arthur Pink, "The Narrow Way")
Entering the Narrow Gate signifies the heart's acceptance of Christ's holy teaching. Ah, my friend, to really and actually enter this "Narrow Gate" is no easy matter! These words do not picture salvation as a thing of simple and easy attainment. That Jesus should utter such a statement, clearly implies that there are formidable difficulties and obstacles to be overcome, and that slothful nominal professors will surely not enter in.
Why is such striving necessary to "enter" the narrow gate?
First, because SATAN is striving to destroy your soul. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8
Second, because natural appetites of the FLESH are striving to destroy you: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims--abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." 1 Peter 2:11
Third, because the whole WORLD is arrayed against you. It will seek to draw you by its alluring promises, its Delilah-like deceits, and fatal enticements. Unless you overcome the world, the world will overcome you to the eternal destruction of your soul.
From what has been before us, we may plainly discover why it is that the vast majority of our fellow-men, yes, and of professing Christians also, will fail to reach Heaven--it is because they prefer ...
sin, to holiness;
indulging the lusts of the flesh, to walking according to the Scriptures;
self, to Christ;
the world, to God.
Men refuse to ...
deny self,
abandon their idols, and
submit to Christ as Lord
--and without this, none can take the first step toward Heaven and enter through the narrow gate!
(Arthur Pink, "The Narrow Way")
Sunday, August 30, 2009
He Will Do Right!
Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25
When God saved Noah in the ark and destroyed the rest of the world’s inhabitants - He did right!
When God saved Lot and his daughters and destroyed Lot's wife and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah - He did right!
When God saved the first born of Israel during the Passover and destroyed the first born of all Egypt - He did right!
When God saved Peter who denied Christ and destroyed Judas who betrayed Christ - He did right!
When God redeemed one thief on the cross and destroyed the other - He did right!
When God judges everyone and convicts all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him - He will do right!
When God justifies the wicked that cast themselves upon Christ and destroys the wicked that reject Christ - He does right!
Whether God saves you or destroys you - He will do right!
When God saved Noah in the ark and destroyed the rest of the world’s inhabitants - He did right!
When God saved Lot and his daughters and destroyed Lot's wife and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah - He did right!
When God saved the first born of Israel during the Passover and destroyed the first born of all Egypt - He did right!
When God saved Peter who denied Christ and destroyed Judas who betrayed Christ - He did right!
When God redeemed one thief on the cross and destroyed the other - He did right!
When God judges everyone and convicts all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him - He will do right!
When God justifies the wicked that cast themselves upon Christ and destroys the wicked that reject Christ - He does right!
Whether God saves you or destroys you - He will do right!
There's Dust Enough!
"There is dust enough on some of your Bibles to write 'damnation' with your fingers." - Charles Spurgeon
Friday, August 21, 2009
Do You Wish To Be Made Clean?
Jesus Christ did not come into the world to show sinners how to save themselves, he came to save sinners who could not help themselves.
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8
We so often want to rid ourselves of the leprosy of sin by the power of our own corrupt flesh, but in doing so we cut ourselves off from the only arm of Salvation - Jesus Christ. Can an Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard his spots? Can a dead man raise himself up, or a blind man restore his own sight? Neither can a sinful man purify himself! It is a physical impossibility!
Is the leprosy of sin still eating at the flesh of your soul? Do you wish to be made clean? Then see now leper in Mark 1:40 running to Jesus and join with him in his plea! Fall to your knees and beg Jesus saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Why will you not do that? Have you not seen what Jesus did for the leper? Have you not read that it was with compassion that Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man saying, "I am willing, be clean!" and immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:41-42. Will he not also do that for you?
If you would but call on his name, if you would but run to him and cast yourself upon his mercy, you would see that he is a kind and compassionate saviour - both willing and able to make you clean!
How many lepers where there in Jesus day who would not come to Him out of pride?
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8
We so often want to rid ourselves of the leprosy of sin by the power of our own corrupt flesh, but in doing so we cut ourselves off from the only arm of Salvation - Jesus Christ. Can an Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard his spots? Can a dead man raise himself up, or a blind man restore his own sight? Neither can a sinful man purify himself! It is a physical impossibility!
Is the leprosy of sin still eating at the flesh of your soul? Do you wish to be made clean? Then see now leper in Mark 1:40 running to Jesus and join with him in his plea! Fall to your knees and beg Jesus saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Why will you not do that? Have you not seen what Jesus did for the leper? Have you not read that it was with compassion that Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man saying, "I am willing, be clean!" and immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Mark 1:41-42. Will he not also do that for you?
If you would but call on his name, if you would but run to him and cast yourself upon his mercy, you would see that he is a kind and compassionate saviour - both willing and able to make you clean!
How many lepers where there in Jesus day who would not come to Him out of pride?
Saturday, August 15, 2009
These Are The Signs And Evidences!
"Sense of sin and deep hatred of it, faith in Christ and love to Him, delight in holiness and longing after more of it, love for God’s people and distaste for the things of the world, – these are the signs and evidences which always accompany conversion." - J.C. Ryle
Friday, August 7, 2009
The Great Malady Of Sin!
Sin is transgression of the law. In 1 John 3:4 we read "everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact sin is lawlessness". Now if that were a mere transgression of some abstract rule that God set forth for men to keep it would be bad enough, but we must rightly understand what the law is, more importantly who gives it, so that we may see the hideous nature of sin. The exceeding sinfulness of sin! Now the moral law of God, the commandments given to Israel on Sinai – the law which our consciences bear witness to - is not some arbitrary thing that God has created for us to live under – as if it were below him. Nor is it some higher overarching constraint above him which he himself must live up to. No, this law proceeds from the very being of God. It comes forth from the very character, the very nature of God. The law is what the law is because God is who God is. It is a tangible expression to us of his holy nature, his righteous character, his perfect will.
So when we say sin is transgression of the law we are saying that sin is disobedience to his perfect will, a disagreement with his divine character - a crime against God himself.
Sin is an affront to God. He distains it! It is a usurping of his will. It is a clench fisted, openly defiant rebellion against his rulership, his authority, his being. It is a joining with his enemies to tear him off the throne. It is evil intent and wicked practise.
Sin turned angels into devils, toppled our first parents in the garden of Eden and brought down a curse on all mankind. It brought down the great flood on Noah's generation, fire down on Sodom & Gomorrah, laid waste to a generation of Israelites in the wilderness, and will lay waste to us. As the scripture says, "the soul that sins shall die". Sin digs every grave!
Sin is the committal of the will to the principle and practise of pleasing self! I WILL DO WHAT I WANT TO DO! I will lie when I need to, steal what I want to, hate who I choose, lust for what I like, live how I please, get drunk when I want, sleep with whoever I will, spend what I get on my pleasures. It is the result of a heart that says "I will be the God of my own life. I will not bow down to you, Oh God, and I will certainly not do what you tell me to do!"
Sin has made its home in the heart of every man! We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are hell deserving sinners.
But Beware! God has promised that he will punish sin wherever it is found, and in whomever it is found. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord.
So when we say sin is transgression of the law we are saying that sin is disobedience to his perfect will, a disagreement with his divine character - a crime against God himself.
Sin is an affront to God. He distains it! It is a usurping of his will. It is a clench fisted, openly defiant rebellion against his rulership, his authority, his being. It is a joining with his enemies to tear him off the throne. It is evil intent and wicked practise.
Sin turned angels into devils, toppled our first parents in the garden of Eden and brought down a curse on all mankind. It brought down the great flood on Noah's generation, fire down on Sodom & Gomorrah, laid waste to a generation of Israelites in the wilderness, and will lay waste to us. As the scripture says, "the soul that sins shall die". Sin digs every grave!
Sin is the committal of the will to the principle and practise of pleasing self! I WILL DO WHAT I WANT TO DO! I will lie when I need to, steal what I want to, hate who I choose, lust for what I like, live how I please, get drunk when I want, sleep with whoever I will, spend what I get on my pleasures. It is the result of a heart that says "I will be the God of my own life. I will not bow down to you, Oh God, and I will certainly not do what you tell me to do!"
Sin has made its home in the heart of every man! We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are hell deserving sinners.
But Beware! God has promised that he will punish sin wherever it is found, and in whomever it is found. "Vengeance is mine, I will repay" says the Lord.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Heart Of The Gospel!
"I have found, my brethren, by long experience that nothing touches the heart like the cross of Christ. When the heart is touched and wounded by the two-edged sword of the Law, nothing heals its wounds like the balm that flows from the pierced heart of Jesus." -The Heart of The Gospel, July 1886 by Charles. H. Spurgeon
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Their Condemnation Is Deserved!
We have many men today who preach fact as though it were fiction, and fiction as though it were fact.
Sir, if you do not believe what you preach - get out of the pulpit! I don't care how popular you are! Popularity is not a benchmark of spirituality! Preach the truth or step down!
How many false prophets do we have who stand up and say "Thus saith the Lord" and then call bitter sweet and sweet bitter? Woe to them! They lead sheep astray and scatter the flock!
Their condemnation is deserved!
Sir, if you do not believe what you preach - get out of the pulpit! I don't care how popular you are! Popularity is not a benchmark of spirituality! Preach the truth or step down!
How many false prophets do we have who stand up and say "Thus saith the Lord" and then call bitter sweet and sweet bitter? Woe to them! They lead sheep astray and scatter the flock!
Their condemnation is deserved!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
We Need A Revival In The Pulpit!
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen". I am convinced that this is the reason why the gospel is so little preached from many pulpits in this day and age! How can we preach about the One we have not believed in, or the One we have never met? Oh God, we need a revival amongst the people in this land, but more than that, we need a revival in the pulpit!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Am I A Soldier Of The Cross?
Am I a soldier of the cross,
a follower of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own his cause,
or blush to speak his name?
Must I be carried to the skies
on flowery beds of ease,
while others fought to win the prize,
and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
supported by thy word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
shall conquer though they die;
they see the triumph from afar,
by faith they bring it nigh.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
and all thy armies shine
in robes of victory through the skies,
the glory shall be thine.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
a follower of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own his cause,
or blush to speak his name?
Must I be carried to the skies
on flowery beds of ease,
while others fought to win the prize,
and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
supported by thy word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
shall conquer though they die;
they see the triumph from afar,
by faith they bring it nigh.
When that illustrious day shall rise,
and all thy armies shine
in robes of victory through the skies,
the glory shall be thine.
Isaac Watts, 1674-1748
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
All You Could Do Was Look Up!
Last night I took the kids down to feed some ducks by the river. While we were there a flock of a few hundred sulphur crested cockatoo's flew low overhead with a great chorus of screeching. It was breath taking! The sight was amazing and the sound deafening! All you could do was look up!
I couldn't help but think though of the Lord's return and the passage in Jude:
"See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts that they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words that ungodly sinners have spoken against him!"
Some will be filled with rapturous joy at the sight of their Lord and with the thought of dwelling with him for eternity, others will call to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
A Timely Warning For Hillsong!
Concerning 'Handel's Messiah' John Newton wrote:
How shall we view the people of our times? I see the great mass of people involved in one common charge of high treason against the omnipotent God! They are already in a state of imprisonment, but have not yet been brought to their trial. The evidence against them is so plain, strong and pointed, that there is not the least doubt of their guilt being fully proved--and that nothing but a free pardon from God can preserve them from their deserved eternal punishment!
In this situation, it would seem in their best interest--to avail themselves of every expedient in their power for obtaining God's mercy. But they are entirely heedless of their imminent danger, and are wholly taken up with contriving methods of amusing themselves, that they may pass away the term of their imprisonment with as much cheerfulness as possible!
Among other resources, they call in the assistance of music--and they are particularly pleased with 'Handel's Messiah'. They choose to make:
the solemnities of their impending judgment,
the character of their Judge,
the methods of His procedure, and
the dreadful punishment to which they are exposed
--the themes of their musical entertainment!
And, as if they were quite unconcerned in the outcome--their attention is chiefly fixed upon the skill of the composer, in adapting the style of his music--to the very solemn subjects with which they are trifling!
The offended King, however, unasked by them, and out of His great mercy and compassion towards those who have no pity for themselves, sends them a gracious message. He assures them that He is unwilling that they should eternally perish; and that He requires, yes, He entreats them to submit to Him! He points out a way in which He offers them a free and a full pardon!
But, instead of taking a single step towards a compliance with His undeserved and gracious offer--they set His message to music! And this, together with a description of their present hopeless state, and of the fearful doom awaiting them if they continue obstinate, is sung for their entertainment, and accompanied with every kind of music!
Surely, if such a case as I have supposed, could be found in real life, though I might admire the musical taste of these people--I would certainly commiserate their stupidity and hardness of heart!
How shall we view the people of our times? I see the great mass of people involved in one common charge of high treason against the omnipotent God! They are already in a state of imprisonment, but have not yet been brought to their trial. The evidence against them is so plain, strong and pointed, that there is not the least doubt of their guilt being fully proved--and that nothing but a free pardon from God can preserve them from their deserved eternal punishment!
In this situation, it would seem in their best interest--to avail themselves of every expedient in their power for obtaining God's mercy. But they are entirely heedless of their imminent danger, and are wholly taken up with contriving methods of amusing themselves, that they may pass away the term of their imprisonment with as much cheerfulness as possible!
Among other resources, they call in the assistance of music--and they are particularly pleased with 'Handel's Messiah'. They choose to make:
the solemnities of their impending judgment,
the character of their Judge,
the methods of His procedure, and
the dreadful punishment to which they are exposed
--the themes of their musical entertainment!
And, as if they were quite unconcerned in the outcome--their attention is chiefly fixed upon the skill of the composer, in adapting the style of his music--to the very solemn subjects with which they are trifling!
The offended King, however, unasked by them, and out of His great mercy and compassion towards those who have no pity for themselves, sends them a gracious message. He assures them that He is unwilling that they should eternally perish; and that He requires, yes, He entreats them to submit to Him! He points out a way in which He offers them a free and a full pardon!
But, instead of taking a single step towards a compliance with His undeserved and gracious offer--they set His message to music! And this, together with a description of their present hopeless state, and of the fearful doom awaiting them if they continue obstinate, is sung for their entertainment, and accompanied with every kind of music!
Surely, if such a case as I have supposed, could be found in real life, though I might admire the musical taste of these people--I would certainly commiserate their stupidity and hardness of heart!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Believer's Riches In Christ (From A-Z)
I was greatly encouraged today by meditating on the following:
Accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)
Born of God (I John 5:1)
Crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
Delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)
Enriched in everything in Him (I Corinthians 1:5)
Forgiven for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32)
Grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
Instructed in the way of the Lord (Acts 18:25)
Justified by His grace (Titus 3:7)
Kept by the power of God (I Peter 1:5)
Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
Made nigh by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
Nourished in the words of faith (I Timothy 4:6)
Ordained to eternal life (Acts 13:48)
Perfected forever (Hebrews 10:14)
Quickened together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
Redeemed from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)
Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13)
Translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13)
Unreproveable in His sight (Colossians 1:22)
Victorious through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57)
Washed from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5)
X-alted in glory (Luke 18:14)
Yearned over by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26)
Zealous of good works (Titus 2:14)
From Higher Ground May 2008 Volume 3, Issue 2
Accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6)
Born of God (I John 5:1)
Crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)
Delivered from the power of darkness (Colossians 1:13)
Enriched in everything in Him (I Corinthians 1:5)
Forgiven for Christ’s sake (Ephesians 4:32)
Grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3)
Instructed in the way of the Lord (Acts 18:25)
Justified by His grace (Titus 3:7)
Kept by the power of God (I Peter 1:5)
Led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
Made nigh by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)
Nourished in the words of faith (I Timothy 4:6)
Ordained to eternal life (Acts 13:48)
Perfected forever (Hebrews 10:14)
Quickened together with Christ (Ephesians 2:5)
Redeemed from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13)
Sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:13)
Translated into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13)
Unreproveable in His sight (Colossians 1:22)
Victorious through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:57)
Washed from our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5)
X-alted in glory (Luke 18:14)
Yearned over by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26)
Zealous of good works (Titus 2:14)
From Higher Ground May 2008 Volume 3, Issue 2
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