Last night we played a few game of basketball against another area "Christian" school. I was reminded of something my dad told me a long time ago. He taught high school at a public school, when I was in grade school, and that school played a "Christian" school as part of their regular schedule. One time we had traveled to their school and had beaten them. When the guys came out of the locker room to return home, they went to get on the bus and all the tires had been slashed. Another time one of the moms had threatened the life of one of the officials. He said that school had the worst reputation in the league.
Last night's game was not that bad, but there was certainly room for improvement. I am glad to be associated with Grace Academy and the reputation that the school has in the community. This includes how the other schools view GA, how officials view GA and how GA parents view the kids and faculty of GA.
Last night the girls lost and the boys won, but the actual score that counts is not on the score board. I believe that we should play to win, but not at the expense of our testimony. When our guys come off the floor and say that the other team was swearing the entire game, what do the officials think? Is this what Christianity is all about? If so, why would anyone be drawn to it? They already have that at every other school in the state, and public schools are "free."
Way to go GA students who are living for Christ in a very tough environment. Thanks be to God for students that He has changed to the likeness of His Son, and may He have the grace to change the lives of the students at the other school, so they can see what the real score.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
New Jerusalem Trading
Eph. 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For 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. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
The Righteous man is of a more Excellent Spirit, Thomas Watson
"He is of a sublime spirit; he savors the things of God. A person sublimated by grace sets his feet where others set their hearts. He, being clothed with Christ the Son of righteousness and crowned with the graces as glittering stars, has the moon under him. The world may have his look but Christ has his love; he dwells below but trades in the Jerusalem above. A true saint is taken up about higher matters: getting the love and favor of God. He aspires after glory and immortality; he looks no lower than a crown; he feeds as the birds of paradise on the dew of heaven; he is employed about angels' work, lifting up God's name in the world; he is a living organ of God's praise."
I am challenged, yeah verily agitated and irritated Heb. 10:24, by those few around me who seem to really get this. These 2 paragraphs above have many provoking thoughts to ponder.
We were dead and followed our earthly passions, but God made us alive in Christ, by faith we can be made alive, so that we might show the riches of His grace by doing the work He has prepared work for us to do while we are here on earth. Even as we do those God ordained works we can have our eye on Heaven and be the organ of His praise.
Some questions;
Do I savor the things of God, or is my heart so inclined to the things of earth that higher things lose my attention?
Am I sublimated- or changed- by the grace that God has given me?
Is Christ the love of my life, even while I am living on earth?
Is my chief aim to get the love and favor of God?
Do I aspire after glory and immortality, or something much lower?
Is my main employment lifting up God's name in the world?
Am I a living organ for His praise?
The Righteous man is of a more Excellent Spirit, Thomas Watson
"He is of a sublime spirit; he savors the things of God. A person sublimated by grace sets his feet where others set their hearts. He, being clothed with Christ the Son of righteousness and crowned with the graces as glittering stars, has the moon under him. The world may have his look but Christ has his love; he dwells below but trades in the Jerusalem above. A true saint is taken up about higher matters: getting the love and favor of God. He aspires after glory and immortality; he looks no lower than a crown; he feeds as the birds of paradise on the dew of heaven; he is employed about angels' work, lifting up God's name in the world; he is a living organ of God's praise."
I am challenged, yeah verily agitated and irritated Heb. 10:24, by those few around me who seem to really get this. These 2 paragraphs above have many provoking thoughts to ponder.
We were dead and followed our earthly passions, but God made us alive in Christ, by faith we can be made alive, so that we might show the riches of His grace by doing the work He has prepared work for us to do while we are here on earth. Even as we do those God ordained works we can have our eye on Heaven and be the organ of His praise.
Some questions;
Do I savor the things of God, or is my heart so inclined to the things of earth that higher things lose my attention?
Am I sublimated- or changed- by the grace that God has given me?
Is Christ the love of my life, even while I am living on earth?
Is my chief aim to get the love and favor of God?
Do I aspire after glory and immortality, or something much lower?
Is my main employment lifting up God's name in the world?
Am I a living organ for His praise?
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Same strings, new tune
This first section is out of Thomas Watson's book "A Plea For the Godly
"There is a righteousness imparted, which is infusing the seed and habit of grace in the soul, making a person internally holy. And so he is said to be righteous who has a change of heart wrought in him and is transformed by the renewing of his mind, Romans 12:2. Such a one, though he is not another man, yet he is a new man, 2 Corinthians 5:17. The faculties are not new but the qualities are, as the strings of a violin are the same but the tune is altered."
2 Cor. 5:16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What grace has been lavished on those who are saved. There is a double transfer that has taken place;
1.Christ, who was sinless, was made to be sin.
2.We, who were never righteous, were made to be righteous.
Paul encourages the readers to remember where this gift comes from, what the purpose of the gift is and then to whom the gift was given.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
So Christians are chosen, by God, to be messengers, to the world, that Christ has come to reconcile the world to Himself. But why would He choose us to be the messengers? When we are forgiven and made righteous there should be so much joy and gratitude in our hearts that it spills over into every part of our lives.
If you have just watched an amazing movie, eaten the best food you have ever tasted or whatever else you want to put into this category, you always want to tell someone else about it. The telling doesn't have to be forced on us, you want to share the good thing you have just experienced. Well, if we can get excited about a movie, good food or whatever else, should we not be infinitely more excited about Christ's ministry of reconciling us, who were once His enemies, to God? And if we are excited about the telling, this should be a great vehicle for the message to go out.
Even though we spend lots of money on advertising, at PG our greatest form of advertisement is through word of mouth; a referral from someone who has already seen how good of a job we have done and they are excited to share what they have found with others. Well, it seems like we should be the excited, "previous customers" that can't wait to tell others about what God has done for us, and wants to do for others. Why do we get more excited about the trivial things of this life then we do about the best gift that has ever been given?
I like the line at the end of the first quote from Thomas Watson, "The faculties are not new but the qualities are, as the strings of a violin are the same but the tune is altered." It reminds me that we are the strings that need to be tuned with a Heavenly tune and by the Heavenly Tuner. Without God granting an interest for us to be tuned to His Word and the eternal things, we will have no interest. We need to ask Him to tune our hearts to the things of Heaven and then to give us a love and excitement for eternal things, and to make "the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
A side note here; A fiddle and a violin are the exact same instrument but played totally different. Yet there are many who like fiddle music that don't enjoy the violin, and vice versa. This seems like a good analogy, that maybe we were once fiddles, but the orchestra of Heaven has violins, and so we are being "tuned" to different music.
I want to have my heart tuned to eternal, Heavenly music and to be singing the praises of the One who reconciled me to Himself, who took my sin that I might be righteous and who loves to hear the praises of the redeemed.
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
"There is a righteousness imparted, which is infusing the seed and habit of grace in the soul, making a person internally holy. And so he is said to be righteous who has a change of heart wrought in him and is transformed by the renewing of his mind, Romans 12:2. Such a one, though he is not another man, yet he is a new man, 2 Corinthians 5:17. The faculties are not new but the qualities are, as the strings of a violin are the same but the tune is altered."
2 Cor. 5:16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What grace has been lavished on those who are saved. There is a double transfer that has taken place;
1.Christ, who was sinless, was made to be sin.
2.We, who were never righteous, were made to be righteous.
Paul encourages the readers to remember where this gift comes from, what the purpose of the gift is and then to whom the gift was given.
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
So Christians are chosen, by God, to be messengers, to the world, that Christ has come to reconcile the world to Himself. But why would He choose us to be the messengers? When we are forgiven and made righteous there should be so much joy and gratitude in our hearts that it spills over into every part of our lives.
If you have just watched an amazing movie, eaten the best food you have ever tasted or whatever else you want to put into this category, you always want to tell someone else about it. The telling doesn't have to be forced on us, you want to share the good thing you have just experienced. Well, if we can get excited about a movie, good food or whatever else, should we not be infinitely more excited about Christ's ministry of reconciling us, who were once His enemies, to God? And if we are excited about the telling, this should be a great vehicle for the message to go out.
Even though we spend lots of money on advertising, at PG our greatest form of advertisement is through word of mouth; a referral from someone who has already seen how good of a job we have done and they are excited to share what they have found with others. Well, it seems like we should be the excited, "previous customers" that can't wait to tell others about what God has done for us, and wants to do for others. Why do we get more excited about the trivial things of this life then we do about the best gift that has ever been given?
I like the line at the end of the first quote from Thomas Watson, "The faculties are not new but the qualities are, as the strings of a violin are the same but the tune is altered." It reminds me that we are the strings that need to be tuned with a Heavenly tune and by the Heavenly Tuner. Without God granting an interest for us to be tuned to His Word and the eternal things, we will have no interest. We need to ask Him to tune our hearts to the things of Heaven and then to give us a love and excitement for eternal things, and to make "the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."
A side note here; A fiddle and a violin are the exact same instrument but played totally different. Yet there are many who like fiddle music that don't enjoy the violin, and vice versa. This seems like a good analogy, that maybe we were once fiddles, but the orchestra of Heaven has violins, and so we are being "tuned" to different music.
I want to have my heart tuned to eternal, Heavenly music and to be singing the praises of the One who reconciled me to Himself, who took my sin that I might be righteous and who loves to hear the praises of the redeemed.
Come, thou Fount of every blessing,
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
mount of thy redeeming love.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Can God Be Challenged?
Phil. 3: 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 1et those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Our God is the Creator and Sustainer of ALL things. He is the only One who brings light into darkness, refreshment from trials, rest to the weary, sorrow over sin, repentance and forgiveness, love for others, kindness from selfishness and joy in the struggle.
As I am thinking and praying about the up coming snow retreat I am struck by the fact that maybe I am praying too small; maybe God REALLY wants to be asked to do amazing things, not just good things.
If God can change my heart's desires, if He can make me want to read His Word and desire to be more like Him, then He certainly can do that for others, including our students. He can take the darkest soul and with a spark turn it into a bright light for the Kingdom of His marvelous light. He can turn a heart that is as hard as stone and transform it into the softest, kindest heart. The exciting part about this entire thing is that He would much rather give His mercy to His creation than demonstrate His strong arm of punishment.
I am going to start praying that God would want to show off His amazing power this year at the S/R by showing how many hearts HE can change in 5 days and how dramatically He can change them. God wants to work in the lives of His people, He wants us to be conformed to the image of His son, we wants us to love His Word and revel in His Goodness, He wants to bring His light to a dieing world and He chooses to do that through His chosen people. We need to pray that He would show just how strong He really is in our midst. It is His will that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I don't want it to be because I have not labored for the students in prayer, and that I have not asked for all that God wants to do on our behalf that He does not work. It seems strange to say this, but I want to "challenge God to show off His power in the lives of our students.
Please pray for the staff and students of 128 as the S/R is now right around the corner.
Pray Sean would have rich, deep times in the Word and that he have clarity as he weeds things out and plants in other things.
Pray that the students would have their hearts softened to the Word and that those who are believers would be repenting even now.
Pray that we would love the students and that they would love and serve each other.
Pray that God would do an amazing work in the hearts and lives of the students, and staff, and that He would want to show off His power in the transforming work of regeneration and sanctification of all who are at the S/R. He can do this.
Pray, Pray, Pray.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Our God is the Creator and Sustainer of ALL things. He is the only One who brings light into darkness, refreshment from trials, rest to the weary, sorrow over sin, repentance and forgiveness, love for others, kindness from selfishness and joy in the struggle.
As I am thinking and praying about the up coming snow retreat I am struck by the fact that maybe I am praying too small; maybe God REALLY wants to be asked to do amazing things, not just good things.
If God can change my heart's desires, if He can make me want to read His Word and desire to be more like Him, then He certainly can do that for others, including our students. He can take the darkest soul and with a spark turn it into a bright light for the Kingdom of His marvelous light. He can turn a heart that is as hard as stone and transform it into the softest, kindest heart. The exciting part about this entire thing is that He would much rather give His mercy to His creation than demonstrate His strong arm of punishment.
I am going to start praying that God would want to show off His amazing power this year at the S/R by showing how many hearts HE can change in 5 days and how dramatically He can change them. God wants to work in the lives of His people, He wants us to be conformed to the image of His son, we wants us to love His Word and revel in His Goodness, He wants to bring His light to a dieing world and He chooses to do that through His chosen people. We need to pray that He would show just how strong He really is in our midst. It is His will that none should perish, but that all should come to repentance. I don't want it to be because I have not labored for the students in prayer, and that I have not asked for all that God wants to do on our behalf that He does not work. It seems strange to say this, but I want to "challenge God to show off His power in the lives of our students.
Please pray for the staff and students of 128 as the S/R is now right around the corner.
Pray Sean would have rich, deep times in the Word and that he have clarity as he weeds things out and plants in other things.
Pray that the students would have their hearts softened to the Word and that those who are believers would be repenting even now.
Pray that we would love the students and that they would love and serve each other.
Pray that God would do an amazing work in the hearts and lives of the students, and staff, and that He would want to show off His power in the transforming work of regeneration and sanctification of all who are at the S/R. He can do this.
Pray, Pray, Pray.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tangible Goodness
This is some good stuff that I have been reading and thought you might gain some encouragement from a guy who was much further up the road from me.
Thomas Watson's instruction on the Goodness of God from "The Divine Cordial".
God's attributes work for good to the godly.
(1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. 1:11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect.
God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. " Underneath are the everlasting arms " (Deut. 33:27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah in the whale's belly? The three Hebrews in the furnace? Only the power of God. Is it not strange to see a bruised reed grow and flourish? How is a weak Christian able, not only to endure affliction, but to rejoice in it? He is upheld by the arms of the Almighty. " My strength is made perfect in weakness " (2 Cor. 12:9).
The power of God works for us by supplying our wants. God creates comforts when means fail. He that brought food to the prophet Elijah by ravens, will bring sustenance to His people. God can preserve the " oil in the cruse " (I Kings 17:14). The Lord made the sun on Ahaz's dial go ten degrees backward: so when our outward comforts are declining, and the sun is almost setting, God often causes a revival, and brings the sun many degrees backward.
The power of God subdues our corruptions. " He will subdue our iniquities " (Micah 7:. 19). Is your sin strong? God is powerful, He will break the head of this leviathan. Is your heart hard? God will dissolve that stone in Christ's blood. " The Almighty maketh my heart soft " (Job 13:16). When we say as Jehoshaphat, " We have no might against this great army " ; the Lord goes up with us, and helps us to fight our battles. He strikes off the heads of those goliath lusts which are too strong for us.
The power of God conquers our enemies. He stains the pride, and breaks the confidence of adversaries. " Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron " (Psalm 2:9). There is rage in the enemy, malice in the devil, but power in God. How easily can He rout all the forces of the wicked! " It is nothing for thee, Lord, to help " (2 Chr. 14:11). God's power is on the side of His church. " Happy art thou, O Israel, O people saved by the Lord, who is the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy excellency " (Deut. 33:29).
(2). The wisdom of God works for good. God's wisdom is our oracle to instruct us. As He is the mighty God, so also the Counselor (Isa. 9:6). We are oftentimes in the dark, and, in matters intricate and doubtful know not which way to take; here God comes in with light. " I will guide thee with mine eye " (Psa. 32:8). " Eye, " there, is put for God's wisdom. Why is it the saints can see further than the most quick-sighted politicians? They foresee the evil, and hide themselves; they see Satan's sophisms. God's wisdom is the pillar of fire to go before, and guide them.
(3). The goodness of God works for good to the godly. God's goodness is a means to make us good. " The goodness of God leadeth to repentance " (Rom. 2:4). The goodness of God is a spiritual sunbeam to melt the heart into tears. Oh, says the soul, has God been so good to me? Has He reprieved me so long from hell, and shall I grieve His Spirit any more? Shall I sin against goodness?
The goodness of God works for good, as it ushers in all blessings. The favors we receive, are the silver streams which flow from the fountain of God's goodness. This divine attribute of goodness brings in two sorts of blessings. Common blessings: all partake of these, the bad as well as the good; this sweet dew falls upon the thistle as well as the rose. Crowning blessings: these only the godly partake of. " Who crowns us with loving-kindness " (Psalm 103:4). Thus the blessed attributes of God work for good to the saints.
How good it is of God to care for us in the many ways He does, some observed and others totally unnoticed, yet He is still working all things together for our good. As I look around me, here in Hawaii, I am reminded of all the beautiful things He has made just for us to see, smell, hear and taste of His goodness in a most tangible way.
Thomas Watson's instruction on the Goodness of God from "The Divine Cordial".
God's attributes work for good to the godly.
(1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. 1:11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect.
God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. " Underneath are the everlasting arms " (Deut. 33:27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? Jonah in the whale's belly? The three Hebrews in the furnace? Only the power of God. Is it not strange to see a bruised reed grow and flourish? How is a weak Christian able, not only to endure affliction, but to rejoice in it? He is upheld by the arms of the Almighty. " My strength is made perfect in weakness " (2 Cor. 12:9).
The power of God works for us by supplying our wants. God creates comforts when means fail. He that brought food to the prophet Elijah by ravens, will bring sustenance to His people. God can preserve the " oil in the cruse " (I Kings 17:14). The Lord made the sun on Ahaz's dial go ten degrees backward: so when our outward comforts are declining, and the sun is almost setting, God often causes a revival, and brings the sun many degrees backward.
The power of God subdues our corruptions. " He will subdue our iniquities " (Micah 7:. 19). Is your sin strong? God is powerful, He will break the head of this leviathan. Is your heart hard? God will dissolve that stone in Christ's blood. " The Almighty maketh my heart soft " (Job 13:16). When we say as Jehoshaphat, " We have no might against this great army " ; the Lord goes up with us, and helps us to fight our battles. He strikes off the heads of those goliath lusts which are too strong for us.
The power of God conquers our enemies. He stains the pride, and breaks the confidence of adversaries. " Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron " (Psalm 2:9). There is rage in the enemy, malice in the devil, but power in God. How easily can He rout all the forces of the wicked! " It is nothing for thee, Lord, to help " (2 Chr. 14:11). God's power is on the side of His church. " Happy art thou, O Israel, O people saved by the Lord, who is the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy excellency " (Deut. 33:29).
(2). The wisdom of God works for good. God's wisdom is our oracle to instruct us. As He is the mighty God, so also the Counselor (Isa. 9:6). We are oftentimes in the dark, and, in matters intricate and doubtful know not which way to take; here God comes in with light. " I will guide thee with mine eye " (Psa. 32:8). " Eye, " there, is put for God's wisdom. Why is it the saints can see further than the most quick-sighted politicians? They foresee the evil, and hide themselves; they see Satan's sophisms. God's wisdom is the pillar of fire to go before, and guide them.
(3). The goodness of God works for good to the godly. God's goodness is a means to make us good. " The goodness of God leadeth to repentance " (Rom. 2:4). The goodness of God is a spiritual sunbeam to melt the heart into tears. Oh, says the soul, has God been so good to me? Has He reprieved me so long from hell, and shall I grieve His Spirit any more? Shall I sin against goodness?
The goodness of God works for good, as it ushers in all blessings. The favors we receive, are the silver streams which flow from the fountain of God's goodness. This divine attribute of goodness brings in two sorts of blessings. Common blessings: all partake of these, the bad as well as the good; this sweet dew falls upon the thistle as well as the rose. Crowning blessings: these only the godly partake of. " Who crowns us with loving-kindness " (Psalm 103:4). Thus the blessed attributes of God work for good to the saints.
How good it is of God to care for us in the many ways He does, some observed and others totally unnoticed, yet He is still working all things together for our good. As I look around me, here in Hawaii, I am reminded of all the beautiful things He has made just for us to see, smell, hear and taste of His goodness in a most tangible way.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Kindness Leads to Repentance
Romans 2:1 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. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
The 2009 snow retreat is right around the corner and yesterday in our staff meeting we talked about Repentance- the subject of the S/R.
It is ONLY by God's granting grace to us, and that through His kindness, that any are interested in, or come to, repentance. We are all in need of His grace to pour onto our hard hearts and cause them to become soft. Only then we can begin to show signs of repentance. Until He begins that work in us, we will have hearts of stone, we will love our sin and entice others to follow us in our destructive ways.
But why does He chose for some to repent and many others to reject? Why has He chosen some to be vessels of honor and some for destruction? It is His purpose, as He is the Potter and we are clay. But those who are chosen for honor should live like we have been chosen for honor.
When God chooses to take His "vessels chosen for honor" through testing we often complain. Do you know that the firing temperature for pottery is around 600F and for china appr. 2000F. So when God is choosing to take us through what seems to be more than we can bear remember that He is both sufficient for all our needs and He knows exactly what it will take to finish us.
This post is a little random, but we must remember that we can't bring ourselves or anyone else to repentance, we need to be thankful that He has brought us to repentance and thankful for the "firing" that He puts us through so we will be vessels for honor, rather than vessels for destruction and remember also that we who have been chosen for honor were chosen not because of anything is us, but that He chose us because for whatever strange reason He Loves us. We have as much to brag about that process as the pot does.
He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
The 2009 snow retreat is right around the corner and yesterday in our staff meeting we talked about Repentance- the subject of the S/R.
It is ONLY by God's granting grace to us, and that through His kindness, that any are interested in, or come to, repentance. We are all in need of His grace to pour onto our hard hearts and cause them to become soft. Only then we can begin to show signs of repentance. Until He begins that work in us, we will have hearts of stone, we will love our sin and entice others to follow us in our destructive ways.
But why does He chose for some to repent and many others to reject? Why has He chosen some to be vessels of honor and some for destruction? It is His purpose, as He is the Potter and we are clay. But those who are chosen for honor should live like we have been chosen for honor.
When God chooses to take His "vessels chosen for honor" through testing we often complain. Do you know that the firing temperature for pottery is around 600F and for china appr. 2000F. So when God is choosing to take us through what seems to be more than we can bear remember that He is both sufficient for all our needs and He knows exactly what it will take to finish us.
This post is a little random, but we must remember that we can't bring ourselves or anyone else to repentance, we need to be thankful that He has brought us to repentance and thankful for the "firing" that He puts us through so we will be vessels for honor, rather than vessels for destruction and remember also that we who have been chosen for honor were chosen not because of anything is us, but that He chose us because for whatever strange reason He Loves us. We have as much to brag about that process as the pot does.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Starting at the Beginning- of 2009
A PRAYER FOR THE GRACE OF DEVOTION
Thomas a Kempis
"O Lord my God, You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to You? I am Your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and I can do nothing. You alone are good, just, and holy. You can do all things, You give all things, You fill all things: only the sinner do You leave empty-handed. Remember Your tender mercies and fill my heart with Your grace, You Who will not allow Your works to be in vain. How can I bear this life of misery unless You comfort me with Your mercy and grace? Do not turn Your face from me. Do not delay Your visitation. Do not withdraw Your consolation, lest in Your sight my soul become as desert land. Teach me, Lord, to do Your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight, for You are my wisdom Who know me truly, and Who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it."
I know not what today, or tomorrow, holds only that I desire to do your will. I dare not trust my own selfish desires for they bring me only grief and pain. You alone are my good, You alone are life to me, You alone are the Giver, the Sustainer, the Fulfiller and my greatest Treasure. When I desire you above all earthly joys, You allow Yourself to be found and in finding there is great joy, as one finding a hidden treasure. I am slow in pursuing the Eternal, and quick to chase the fleeting. Continue your faithfulness to me, show Yourself tangibly to me, that I grow not weary in following You. Give me wisdom to understand things beyond my years. May I suffer long with others as You have with me. Give me strong convictions for Your purposes, grace in my preferences and clarity of distinction. May I live with others peacefully, in an understanding way, and yet fight for Your Word.
This prayer is too much for me to become, yet You will accomplish your purposes in those who humbly seek Your will. May this year be a year of growth, marked by humility, unity, sacrifice, steadfastness, prayer for Your will to be done in my life and in the lives of others and a clear focus on the Prize; The Prince of Life, my Ransom, The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, The Great I Am, the Joy of Heaven. May I have my eyes and heart focused on You and my hands doing the work that You have ordained.
2 Puritan Prayers
The Deeps
Lord Jesus, give me a deeper repentance, a horror of sin, a dread of its approach. Help me chastely to flee it and jealously to resolve that my heart shall be Thine alone.
Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as Saviour, Master, Lord, and King. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee.
Plow deep in me, great Lord, Heavenly Husbandman, that my being may be a tilled field, the roots of grace spreading far and wide, until Thou alone art seen in me, Thy beauty golden like summer harvest, Thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty.
I have no master but Thee, no law but Thy will, no delight but Thyself, no wealth but that Thou givest, no good but that Thou blessest, no peace but that Thou bestowest. I am nothing but that Thou makest me. I have nothing but that I receive from Thee. I can be nothing but that grace adorns me. Quarry me deep, dear Lord, and then fill me to overflowing with living water.
Devotion
God of my end, it is my greatest, noblest pleasure to be acquainted with Thee and with my rational, immortal soul; it is sweet and entertaining to look into my being when all my powers and passions are united and engaged in pursuit of Thee, when my soul longs and passionately breathes after conformity to Thee and the full enjoyment of Thee; no hours pass away with so much pleasure as those spent in communion with Thee and with my heart.
O how desirable, how profitable to the Christian life is a spirit of holy watchfulness and godly jealousy over myself when my soul is afraid of nothing except grieving and offending Thee, the blessed God, my Father and friend, whom I then love and long to please, rather than be happy in myself! Knowing, as I do, that this is the pious temper, worthy of the highest ambition, and closest pursuit of intelligent creatures and holy Christians, may my joy derive from glorifying and delighting Thee. I long to fill all my time for Thee, whether at home or in the way; to place all my concerns in Thy hands; to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own. Help me to live to Thee for ever, to make Thee my last and only end, so that I may never more in one instance love my sinful self.
Thomas a Kempis
"O Lord my God, You are all my good. And who am I that I should dare to speak to You? I am Your poorest and meanest servant, a vile worm, much more poor and contemptible than I know or dare to say. Yet remember me, Lord, because I am nothing, I have nothing, and I can do nothing. You alone are good, just, and holy. You can do all things, You give all things, You fill all things: only the sinner do You leave empty-handed. Remember Your tender mercies and fill my heart with Your grace, You Who will not allow Your works to be in vain. How can I bear this life of misery unless You comfort me with Your mercy and grace? Do not turn Your face from me. Do not delay Your visitation. Do not withdraw Your consolation, lest in Your sight my soul become as desert land. Teach me, Lord, to do Your will. Teach me to live worthily and humbly in Your sight, for You are my wisdom Who know me truly, and Who knew me even before the world was made and before I was born into it."
I know not what today, or tomorrow, holds only that I desire to do your will. I dare not trust my own selfish desires for they bring me only grief and pain. You alone are my good, You alone are life to me, You alone are the Giver, the Sustainer, the Fulfiller and my greatest Treasure. When I desire you above all earthly joys, You allow Yourself to be found and in finding there is great joy, as one finding a hidden treasure. I am slow in pursuing the Eternal, and quick to chase the fleeting. Continue your faithfulness to me, show Yourself tangibly to me, that I grow not weary in following You. Give me wisdom to understand things beyond my years. May I suffer long with others as You have with me. Give me strong convictions for Your purposes, grace in my preferences and clarity of distinction. May I live with others peacefully, in an understanding way, and yet fight for Your Word.
This prayer is too much for me to become, yet You will accomplish your purposes in those who humbly seek Your will. May this year be a year of growth, marked by humility, unity, sacrifice, steadfastness, prayer for Your will to be done in my life and in the lives of others and a clear focus on the Prize; The Prince of Life, my Ransom, The Wonderful Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, The Great I Am, the Joy of Heaven. May I have my eyes and heart focused on You and my hands doing the work that You have ordained.
2 Puritan Prayers
The Deeps
Lord Jesus, give me a deeper repentance, a horror of sin, a dread of its approach. Help me chastely to flee it and jealously to resolve that my heart shall be Thine alone.
Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as Saviour, Master, Lord, and King. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee.
Plow deep in me, great Lord, Heavenly Husbandman, that my being may be a tilled field, the roots of grace spreading far and wide, until Thou alone art seen in me, Thy beauty golden like summer harvest, Thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty.
I have no master but Thee, no law but Thy will, no delight but Thyself, no wealth but that Thou givest, no good but that Thou blessest, no peace but that Thou bestowest. I am nothing but that Thou makest me. I have nothing but that I receive from Thee. I can be nothing but that grace adorns me. Quarry me deep, dear Lord, and then fill me to overflowing with living water.
Devotion
God of my end, it is my greatest, noblest pleasure to be acquainted with Thee and with my rational, immortal soul; it is sweet and entertaining to look into my being when all my powers and passions are united and engaged in pursuit of Thee, when my soul longs and passionately breathes after conformity to Thee and the full enjoyment of Thee; no hours pass away with so much pleasure as those spent in communion with Thee and with my heart.
O how desirable, how profitable to the Christian life is a spirit of holy watchfulness and godly jealousy over myself when my soul is afraid of nothing except grieving and offending Thee, the blessed God, my Father and friend, whom I then love and long to please, rather than be happy in myself! Knowing, as I do, that this is the pious temper, worthy of the highest ambition, and closest pursuit of intelligent creatures and holy Christians, may my joy derive from glorifying and delighting Thee. I long to fill all my time for Thee, whether at home or in the way; to place all my concerns in Thy hands; to be entirely at Thy disposal, having no will or interest of my own. Help me to live to Thee for ever, to make Thee my last and only end, so that I may never more in one instance love my sinful self.
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