A devotional prayer based on 1 John 1
Lord God, I stand amazed again that You desire fellowship with me. So much so that You came among us in human flesh. To be heard by ears, beheld by eyes, and touched by hands. Real God in real human flesh. You did this for me to have a real relationship, real intimacy, real fellowship with You. I do not deserve to even be known by You, but You have made it so.
You desire for me to walk as one whose sins are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. To walk as a child of light. Strengthen me. Make me wise that my life would reflect my fellowship with You. O Lord, let me not be found a liar. Give me the grace to keep short account of my sin with You.
O God, draw to Your side those who think they have fellowship with You but walk in the darkness. There are many. Shed Your light on their deeds of darkness. Expose the gap between You and them. Bring them to confession of their sin and to swee fellowship with Your the God of Light. In Christ. Amen
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
FEEDING AND KILLING
A devotional prayer based on Matthew 5:29-30; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 4:17-32
Lord God I need your grace. I find myself feeding what I ought to kill, and killing what I ought to feed, loving what I ought to despise, and despising what I ought to love.
I am to crucify the flesh with its sinful desires. I am to flee immorality. I am to put off all iniquity and the sin which so easily entangles. I am to pluck out the eye and cut off the hand that causes me to sin. But yet I let sinfulness remain alive in me. What is worse, I feed it, I fuel it, and I give it life. I do not cast it aside, but put it on.
Still worse than this, as I give Satan a foothold and remain chained to sin's enslavement, I kill righteousness and holiness. I ought to feed it, to fuel it, to give it life. O Lord, that I would feed righteousness and holiness with the same passion and vigor that I once, and still often, pursue wickedness. Give me the strong desire to seek Your kingdom and righteousness, just a deer pants for water, and an infant craves milk.
Make me into a fighter, not a quitter. Make me into a worker, not a slacker. Make me into a lover of Your ways, not a lover of sin. To the glory of God and in the name of the savior. Amen
Lord God I need your grace. I find myself feeding what I ought to kill, and killing what I ought to feed, loving what I ought to despise, and despising what I ought to love.
I am to crucify the flesh with its sinful desires. I am to flee immorality. I am to put off all iniquity and the sin which so easily entangles. I am to pluck out the eye and cut off the hand that causes me to sin. But yet I let sinfulness remain alive in me. What is worse, I feed it, I fuel it, and I give it life. I do not cast it aside, but put it on.
Still worse than this, as I give Satan a foothold and remain chained to sin's enslavement, I kill righteousness and holiness. I ought to feed it, to fuel it, to give it life. O Lord, that I would feed righteousness and holiness with the same passion and vigor that I once, and still often, pursue wickedness. Give me the strong desire to seek Your kingdom and righteousness, just a deer pants for water, and an infant craves milk.
Make me into a fighter, not a quitter. Make me into a worker, not a slacker. Make me into a lover of Your ways, not a lover of sin. To the glory of God and in the name of the savior. Amen
Monday, December 18, 2006
HUMILITY
This is another prayer/devotional offering. This one is based on Philippians 2:1-11
Lord Jesus, You did not hold tightly to the rights of your divinity, but willingly gave up those rights in humility, and in taking on human flesh. A human form that is full of limitations, and subject to temptation and judgment. Your humility led You to death on the cross on my behalf. You subjected yourself to humiliation, so that You name might be exhalted, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to Your glory, O God.
You have called us to be of the same mind. Not that we could even make atonement for our sins by way of humiliation and sacrifice, but that we might reflect Your purposes and heart. Remove from my heart rivalry and deceit. Let me not look at my needs, but also at the needs of others. Work in your church that we would live in the unity that you have called us to. May You use us to bring tongues to You that will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus, You did not hold tightly to the rights of your divinity, but willingly gave up those rights in humility, and in taking on human flesh. A human form that is full of limitations, and subject to temptation and judgment. Your humility led You to death on the cross on my behalf. You subjected yourself to humiliation, so that You name might be exhalted, so that every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to Your glory, O God.
You have called us to be of the same mind. Not that we could even make atonement for our sins by way of humiliation and sacrifice, but that we might reflect Your purposes and heart. Remove from my heart rivalry and deceit. Let me not look at my needs, but also at the needs of others. Work in your church that we would live in the unity that you have called us to. May You use us to bring tongues to You that will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
THE SHEPHERD OF OLD
The prayer/devotion is based on Micah 5:1-5
We are a people who are under siege by the enemy. He desires to destroy us, to take us captive, and to bring shame to Your Name, O God.
But from of old, from ancient days You have come. Lord Jesus, You stand firm for us. You shepherd us as you feed, protect, and lead your sheep. You lead in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of His name for you are God. You are our peace.
Grant us, Lord, grace and strength to withstand the siege of the enemy. O Lord, that we would stand firm in You. Let us be submissive sheep. Let us receive our daily bread from Your hand. Let us remain fast under Your protection. Let us follow Your wise leading with grace and humble heart. In the name of Our Great Shepherd. Amen.
We are a people who are under siege by the enemy. He desires to destroy us, to take us captive, and to bring shame to Your Name, O God.
But from of old, from ancient days You have come. Lord Jesus, You stand firm for us. You shepherd us as you feed, protect, and lead your sheep. You lead in the strength of the Lord and in the majesty of His name for you are God. You are our peace.
Grant us, Lord, grace and strength to withstand the siege of the enemy. O Lord, that we would stand firm in You. Let us be submissive sheep. Let us receive our daily bread from Your hand. Let us remain fast under Your protection. Let us follow Your wise leading with grace and humble heart. In the name of Our Great Shepherd. Amen.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
TOO OFTEN
The Valley of Vision is a collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions put out by Banner of Truth. I have been inspired by it to put some of my prayers and thoughts in written form. Here is my first offering. May it be a blessing to you.
TOO OFTEN
Ephesians 6:10-18
Too often Lord I take no stand against the wiles of the devil. Too often I do not wrestle against the powers of darkness, but give into their wicked ways. Instead of wearing Your armor I think I do not need it, or do not want it on.
I set aside Your belt of truth in favor of lies. I set aside the breastplate of righteousness, and put on wickedness. My feet do not go in the gospel, but walk away from it. The shield of faith is too often at my side, instead of being raised in defense against Satan’s darts and accusations. The helmet of salvation not found on my head, but cast aside. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, left in its sheath while I remain in defeat. Watchless and prayerless I stand in the fight.
Forgive me, Lord for my lack of fight. Strengthen me by Your Word and Spirit once again for the fight. Let me be strong in You Lord and the strength of Your might. Let me once again be one who stands, one who perseveres, and one who is bold in obedience and proclamation. Amen.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Too often Lord I take no stand against the wiles of the devil. Too often I do not wrestle against the powers of darkness, but give into their wicked ways. Instead of wearing Your armor I think I do not need it, or do not want it on.
I set aside Your belt of truth in favor of lies. I set aside the breastplate of righteousness, and put on wickedness. My feet do not go in the gospel, but walk away from it. The shield of faith is too often at my side, instead of being raised in defense against Satan’s darts and accusations. The helmet of salvation not found on my head, but cast aside. The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, left in its sheath while I remain in defeat. Watchless and prayerless I stand in the fight.
Forgive me, Lord for my lack of fight. Strengthen me by Your Word and Spirit once again for the fight. Let me be strong in You Lord and the strength of Your might. Let me once again be one who stands, one who perseveres, and one who is bold in obedience and proclamation. Amen.
The Crucible of Grace
Steve Camp always has great thoughtful articles. This one is comes from his heart and ministry. "The Crucible of Grace" is also one of my favorite songs of his. If you have not heard it, check it out on http://a1m.org/library.php?libid=e40db1de10f9fd854ec8c64916848d59 . This gives you the whole album. Many wonderful songs on there.
Pastor Sloan
Pastor Sloan
Friday, December 08, 2006
A GOOD RESOURCE GONE BAD
I recently purchased the 2003 edition of How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart. I am planning a class on the subject coming up soon. I was shocked to discover that in their chapter on translations they ENDORSE the TNIV! Stuart is a professor at Gordon Conwell, a seminary that I thought was trustworthy on such matters. Use this work with your people with extreme caution. If this edition is in your church library, you may want to remove it or put a warning with it. I had read a previous edition of this work and found it to be very helpful, so I am upset at this new edition. By the way, this book is published by Zondervan, the same publishing house that puts out the TNIV. Coincidence?
Pastor Howard
Pastor Howard
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
GOD IS NOT SHORTHANDED
Isaiah 59:1-2 (ESV) Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; [2] but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
God's great concern is for His own glory. It is for His glory that He reconsile a people to Himself. We are far from Him because of our sin. The great news it that God is not shorthanded to accomplish His purposes. It is He who acts to save. What great news.
God's great concern is for His own glory. It is for His glory that He reconsile a people to Himself. We are far from Him because of our sin. The great news it that God is not shorthanded to accomplish His purposes. It is He who acts to save. What great news.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Spurgeon's Morning Devotion Today
"I have much people in this city." Acts 18:10
This should be a great encouragement to try to do good, since God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ's property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them he will have them. God is not unfaithful to forget the price which his Son has paid. He will not suffer his substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God.
Nay, more, these ungodly ones are prayed for by Christ before the throne. "Neither pray I for these alone," saith the great Intercessor, "but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." Poor, ignorant souls, they know nothing about prayer for themselves, but Jesus prays for them. Their names are on his breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace. "The time of figs is not yet." The predestinated moment has not struck; but, when it comes, they shall obey, for God will have his own; they must, for the Spirit is not to be withstood when he cometh forth with fulness of power-they must become the willing servants of the living God. "My people shall be willing in the day of my power." "He shall justify many." "He shall see of the travail of his soul." "I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong."
This should be a great encouragement to try to do good, since God has among the vilest of the vile, the most reprobate, the most debauched and drunken, an elect people who must be saved. When you take the Word to them, you do so because God has ordained you to be the messenger of life to their souls, and they must receive it, for so the decree of predestination runs. They are as much redeemed by blood as the saints before the eternal throne. They are Christ's property, and yet perhaps they are lovers of the ale-house, and haters of holiness; but if Jesus Christ purchased them he will have them. God is not unfaithful to forget the price which his Son has paid. He will not suffer his substitution to be in any case an ineffectual, dead thing. Tens of thousands of redeemed ones are not regenerated yet, but regenerated they must be; and this is our comfort when we go forth to them with the quickening Word of God.
Nay, more, these ungodly ones are prayed for by Christ before the throne. "Neither pray I for these alone," saith the great Intercessor, "but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." Poor, ignorant souls, they know nothing about prayer for themselves, but Jesus prays for them. Their names are on his breastplate, and ere long they must bow their stubborn knee, breathing the penitential sigh before the throne of grace. "The time of figs is not yet." The predestinated moment has not struck; but, when it comes, they shall obey, for God will have his own; they must, for the Spirit is not to be withstood when he cometh forth with fulness of power-they must become the willing servants of the living God. "My people shall be willing in the day of my power." "He shall justify many." "He shall see of the travail of his soul." "I will divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong."
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
FROM ANGER TO COMFORT
Isaiah 12:1-6 (ESV) You will say in that day:"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. [2] "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." [3] With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. [4] And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. [5] "Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. [6] Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
These are beautiful words that should stir up our hearts. How often do we give thanks that God turned from anger to comfort. God has every right to be angry with our sin. It is extremely offensive to Him. Yet because of the "root of Jesse" He has turned His anger away from us. And as if that is not enough, He now gives us comfort. Comfort in the form of salvation. Comfort in the form of trust. Comfort from the fear of His wrath and hell. We have been spared. When we trust in Christ who has become our salvation, shouldn't our hearts gain strength? Shouldn't our heart break forth into song? Whate'er comes our way, the LORD GOD is our strength and our song and our salvation. Come and let us "Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously, let this be made known in all the earth." Raise you voice, child of God. Let His praise extend to all the earth.
Pastor Sloan
These are beautiful words that should stir up our hearts. How often do we give thanks that God turned from anger to comfort. God has every right to be angry with our sin. It is extremely offensive to Him. Yet because of the "root of Jesse" He has turned His anger away from us. And as if that is not enough, He now gives us comfort. Comfort in the form of salvation. Comfort in the form of trust. Comfort from the fear of His wrath and hell. We have been spared. When we trust in Christ who has become our salvation, shouldn't our hearts gain strength? Shouldn't our heart break forth into song? Whate'er comes our way, the LORD GOD is our strength and our song and our salvation. Come and let us "Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously, let this be made known in all the earth." Raise you voice, child of God. Let His praise extend to all the earth.
Pastor Sloan
Sunday, November 26, 2006
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We are admonished in the scriptures to give thanks, and not just when things are going well. Paul tells the Thessalonians to give thanks in all. When we fail to give thanks there are certain dangers that can result.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST
JOY DISAPPEAR
1 Thes. 5:16-17 (ESV)
Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing,
Thankfulness always leads us back to the Father.
Ephes. 5:20 (ESV)
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
A thankless person has taken their eyes off of the source of their joy.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST ... HOPE & FAITH DISAPPEAR
Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
We ought to long to have a heart that sees God at work in the midst of the darkest of nights.
Because a heart that sees God at work can not help but be thankful.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST ... LOVE DISAPPEAR
Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV)
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
What a great danger this is. While Jesus does not talk about being thankful here, the thought certainly applies. Christians who are not thankful risk having their love for the LORD and for other die and grow cold. A thankful heart cultivates and stirs up the affections toward God. The affection of love being foremost in that. But this passage points out another danger as well.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST ... HOLINESS DISAPPEAR
1 Peter 1:16
since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
If we are not thankful for what God has done for us and continues to do in and for us, why would we want to listen to His commands? Why would we want to be holy? The answer is clear, likely we will not.
So even though Thanksgiving is over, let us cease to give thanks because it is a vital part of our Christian life.
Pastor Sloan
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18
We are admonished in the scriptures to give thanks, and not just when things are going well. Paul tells the Thessalonians to give thanks in all. When we fail to give thanks there are certain dangers that can result.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST
JOY DISAPPEAR
1 Thes. 5:16-17 (ESV)
Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing,
Thankfulness always leads us back to the Father.
Ephes. 5:20 (ESV)
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
A thankless person has taken their eyes off of the source of their joy.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST ... HOPE & FAITH DISAPPEAR
Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, [4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, [5] and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
We ought to long to have a heart that sees God at work in the midst of the darkest of nights.
Because a heart that sees God at work can not help but be thankful.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST ... LOVE DISAPPEAR
Matthew 24:9-14 (ESV)
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. [10] And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. [11] And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. [12] And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. [13] But the one who endures to the end will be saved. [14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
What a great danger this is. While Jesus does not talk about being thankful here, the thought certainly applies. Christians who are not thankful risk having their love for the LORD and for other die and grow cold. A thankful heart cultivates and stirs up the affections toward God. The affection of love being foremost in that. But this passage points out another danger as well.
WE OUGHT TO BE THANKFUL LEST ... HOLINESS DISAPPEAR
1 Peter 1:16
since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Matthew 24:12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
If we are not thankful for what God has done for us and continues to do in and for us, why would we want to listen to His commands? Why would we want to be holy? The answer is clear, likely we will not.
So even though Thanksgiving is over, let us cease to give thanks because it is a vital part of our Christian life.
Pastor Sloan
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Are We Equipped?
In our Sunday School class we have been looking at Spiritual Gifts. This week we are looking at the spiritual gift of evangelism. Of course, we are going to look at the responsibility of every believer in this area. This got me thinking about how well equipped the people of God are to speak the good news to a lost and dying world. Yes, they are saved but can they even explain the basic message of the gospel. And even if they can, are they equipped to answer the most basic of questions and objections such as how do we know the Bible is reliable, how could God allow suffering, etc? Those in the Reformed camp ought to have those answers. Too often we rely on "the sovereignty of God" or the preaching of the pastor to reap the spiritual harvest. We need to be equipped. We need to be ready to give account for the hope that is within us. Not only with this type of equipping make us ready for every occassion, but it will advance and solidify our own faith as we wrestle with the tough questions ourselves.
Pastor Sloan
Pastor Sloan
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Charles Spurgeon on Gratitude
"0 Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Lamentations 3:58
Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, "I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer, that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own merit; but it is "thou"-"O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which is called "Lamentations," clear as the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to heaven-"Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly.
From Morning and Evening, morning November 20th
Observe how positively the prophet speaks. He doth not say, "I hope, I trust, I sometimes think, that God hath pleaded the causes of my soul"; but he speaks of it as a matter of fact not to be disputed. "Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul." Let us, by the aid of the gracious Comforter, shake off those doubts and fears which so much mar our peace and comfort. Be this our prayer, that we may have done with the harsh croaking voice of surmise and suspicion, and may be able to speak with the clear, melodious voice of full assurance. Notice how gratefully the prophet speaks, ascribing all the glory to God alone! You perceive there is not a word concerning himself or his own pleadings. He doth not ascribe his deliverance in any measure to any man, much less to his own merit; but it is "thou"-"O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." A grateful spirit should ever be cultivated by the Christian; and especially after deliverances we should prepare a song for our God. Earth should be a temple filled with the songs of grateful saints, and every day should be a censor smoking with the sweet incense of thanksgiving. How joyful Jeremiah seems to be while he records the Lord's mercy. How triumphantly he lifts up the strain! He has been in the low dungeon, and is even now no other than the weeping prophet; and yet in the very book which is called "Lamentations," clear as the song of Miriam when she dashed her fingers against the tabor, shrill as the note of Deborah when she met Barak with shouts of victory, we hear the voice of Jeremy going up to heaven-"Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life." O children of God, seek after a vital experience of the Lord's lovingkindness, and when you have it, speak positively of it; sing gratefully; shout triumphantly.
From Morning and Evening, morning November 20th
Friday, November 17, 2006
CASTING OUR BREAD ON THE WATERS
CASTING OUR BREAD-IN TRUST
Eccles. 11:1 (ESV)
Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
“The time for sowing seed in the Nile delta in the years before controlled irrigation was to wait until the annual inundation and then, as the waters went down, to cast the see onto the waters. It would disappear into the soil then being deposited. But, in due course, it germinated and produced a rich harvest.” - Keddie
We as Christians must be willing to put ourselves out there. We must be willing to "cast our bread", whatever time, treasure, or talent that might be, and see what the Lord will do in return to our faithfulness and trust.
Are you afraid you have nothing to contribute? You do
Are you afraid you lack the gifts and graces? God has given you what you need.
Are you waiting for someone else to do it? Don't wait
Does this seems like a big risk or gamble? It is no gamble at all.
GIVING A PORTION- WITH ABUNDANCE
Ecclessiastes 11:2-3
[2] Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
[3] If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
I think the Reformation Study Bible notes at this point are pour, compared to what other commentators say.
Give and serve freely, generously. Because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. You opportunities may be gone, or you may even be the person in need of grace.
Ecclessiastes 11:4
[4] He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
Don’t wait around for the right opportunity.
SOWING OUR SEED – IN SEASON AND OUT
Ecclessiastes 11:5-6
[5] As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
[6] In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
Hosea 10:12 (ESV)
Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
2 Tim. 4:2 (ESV)
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Mark 4:18 (ESV)
And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV)
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
[6] He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
“Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom-not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface-but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind-in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this-that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus.” – Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Evening, Nov 7.
You might still be afraid saying to yourself “I can’t do this.”
You would be right.
Philip. 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
CHALLENGE
Invitation challenge
Pray and invite.
Sow broadly and leave the results to the Lord. Give all you can. Speak what you can.
Eccles. 11:1 (ESV)
Cast your bread upon the waters,
for you will find it after many days.
“The time for sowing seed in the Nile delta in the years before controlled irrigation was to wait until the annual inundation and then, as the waters went down, to cast the see onto the waters. It would disappear into the soil then being deposited. But, in due course, it germinated and produced a rich harvest.” - Keddie
We as Christians must be willing to put ourselves out there. We must be willing to "cast our bread", whatever time, treasure, or talent that might be, and see what the Lord will do in return to our faithfulness and trust.
Are you afraid you have nothing to contribute? You do
Are you afraid you lack the gifts and graces? God has given you what you need.
Are you waiting for someone else to do it? Don't wait
Does this seems like a big risk or gamble? It is no gamble at all.
GIVING A PORTION- WITH ABUNDANCE
Ecclessiastes 11:2-3
[2] Give a portion to seven, or even to eight,
for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
[3] If the clouds are full of rain,
they empty themselves on the earth,
and if a tree falls to the south or to the north,
in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
I think the Reformation Study Bible notes at this point are pour, compared to what other commentators say.
Give and serve freely, generously. Because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. You opportunities may be gone, or you may even be the person in need of grace.
Ecclessiastes 11:4
[4] He who observes the wind will not sow,
and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
Don’t wait around for the right opportunity.
SOWING OUR SEED – IN SEASON AND OUT
Ecclessiastes 11:5-6
[5] As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
[6] In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
Hosea 10:12 (ESV)
Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
2 Tim. 4:2 (ESV)
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Mark 4:18 (ESV)
And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word,
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV)
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Psalm 126:5-6 (ESV)
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
[6] He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.
“Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom-not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface-but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind-in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this-that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus.” – Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, Evening, Nov 7.
You might still be afraid saying to yourself “I can’t do this.”
You would be right.
Philip. 4:13 (ESV)
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
CHALLENGE
Invitation challenge
Pray and invite.
Sow broadly and leave the results to the Lord. Give all you can. Speak what you can.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Spurgeon on Prayer
"Men ought always to pray." Luke 18:1
If men ought always to pray and not to faint, much more Christian men. Jesus has sent his church into the world on the same errand upon which he himself came, and this mission includes intercession. What if I say that the church is the world's priest? Creation is dumb, but the church is to find a mouth for it. It is the church's high privilege to pray with acceptance. The door of grace is always open for her petitions, and they never return empty-handed. The veil was rent for her, the blood was sprinkled upon the altar for her, God constantly invites her to ask what she wills. Will she refuse the privilege which angels might envy her? Is she not the bride of Christ? May she not go in unto her King at every hour? Shall she allow the precious privilege to be unused? The church always has need for prayer. There are always some in her midst who are declining, or falling into open sin. There are lambs to be prayed for, that they may be carried in Christ's bosom? the strong, lest they grow presumptuous; and the weak, lest they become despairing. If we kept up prayer-meetings four-and-twenty hours in the day, all the days in the year, we might never be without a special subject for supplication. Are we ever without the sick and the poor, the afflicted and the wavering? Are we ever without those who seek the conversion of relatives, the reclaiming of back-sliders, or the salvation of the depraved? Nay, with congregations constantly gathering, with ministers always preaching, with millions of sinners lying dead in trespasses and sins; in a country over which the darkness of Romanism is certainly descending; in a world full of idols, cruelties, devilries, if the church doth not pray, how shall she excuse her base neglect of the commission of her loving Lord? Let the church be constant in supplication, let every private believer cast his mite of prayer into the treasury.
From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening
If men ought always to pray and not to faint, much more Christian men. Jesus has sent his church into the world on the same errand upon which he himself came, and this mission includes intercession. What if I say that the church is the world's priest? Creation is dumb, but the church is to find a mouth for it. It is the church's high privilege to pray with acceptance. The door of grace is always open for her petitions, and they never return empty-handed. The veil was rent for her, the blood was sprinkled upon the altar for her, God constantly invites her to ask what she wills. Will she refuse the privilege which angels might envy her? Is she not the bride of Christ? May she not go in unto her King at every hour? Shall she allow the precious privilege to be unused? The church always has need for prayer. There are always some in her midst who are declining, or falling into open sin. There are lambs to be prayed for, that they may be carried in Christ's bosom? the strong, lest they grow presumptuous; and the weak, lest they become despairing. If we kept up prayer-meetings four-and-twenty hours in the day, all the days in the year, we might never be without a special subject for supplication. Are we ever without the sick and the poor, the afflicted and the wavering? Are we ever without those who seek the conversion of relatives, the reclaiming of back-sliders, or the salvation of the depraved? Nay, with congregations constantly gathering, with ministers always preaching, with millions of sinners lying dead in trespasses and sins; in a country over which the darkness of Romanism is certainly descending; in a world full of idols, cruelties, devilries, if the church doth not pray, how shall she excuse her base neglect of the commission of her loving Lord? Let the church be constant in supplication, let every private believer cast his mite of prayer into the treasury.
From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening
Monday, November 13, 2006
PRAYER GUIDE FOR YOUR CHURCH AND PASTOR
May the LORD use this list and article to embolden our prayers.
Pastor Howard
Pastor Howard
INVITATION SUNDAY
This Sunday will be Invitation Sunday at St. Paul's. I have made a plea to the congregation to invite friends, family, neighbors, etc. to our Sunday morning service this week. I will be giving a strong gospel presentation as well as a call to repentance. Please pray.
Pastor Howard
Pastor Howard
Thursday, November 09, 2006
THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND OBEDIENCE
Exodus 20:20 (ESV) Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin."
I was reading the 10 Commandments to my son, and this stood out to me. I have been contemplating the relationship of obedience to gospel faith. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. This is not in doubt. Even after coming to faith in Christ, we are still called to Gospel obedience. Or as Moses sees it "that the fear of him may be before us so that we may not sin."
Even in the gospels and epistles we see that call to continue to keep the commandments. Throughout Deuteronomy the "Keep the whole commandment that I command you today." appears.
I think that the relationship between obedience and faith can best be seen in the concept of repentance. We are to Repent and Believe. Following the commandments adds nothing to our salvation, but it does reveal a heart of repentance and faith. Obedience demonstrates allegience. Obedience demonstrates commitments. Obedience demonstrates a changed heart. That is why we are called to put sin to death because our obedience is part of our discipleship.
But what is the essence of our obedience. 1 John 3:23 (ESV) And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
Pastor Sloan
I was reading the 10 Commandments to my son, and this stood out to me. I have been contemplating the relationship of obedience to gospel faith. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. This is not in doubt. Even after coming to faith in Christ, we are still called to Gospel obedience. Or as Moses sees it "that the fear of him may be before us so that we may not sin."
Even in the gospels and epistles we see that call to continue to keep the commandments. Throughout Deuteronomy the "Keep the whole commandment that I command you today." appears.
I think that the relationship between obedience and faith can best be seen in the concept of repentance. We are to Repent and Believe. Following the commandments adds nothing to our salvation, but it does reveal a heart of repentance and faith. Obedience demonstrates allegience. Obedience demonstrates commitments. Obedience demonstrates a changed heart. That is why we are called to put sin to death because our obedience is part of our discipleship.
But what is the essence of our obedience. 1 John 3:23 (ESV) And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
Pastor Sloan
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
SPURGEON ON THE DEFINITE CHALLENGE FOR DEFINITE PRAYER
This is extracted from The Definite Challenge of Definite Prayer by Charles Spurgeon
Mark 10:51 (ESV) And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight."
No doubt our Lord’s disciples imagined that he was going up to Jerusalem to establish the Kingdom. They hoped that they would be partakers of that earthly grandeur which they had fondly pictured would glitter around the person of the Son of David. Therefore, when the blind man ventured to vehemently cry out to him, whom they esteemed to be a great King, they thought it was daring intrusion. Who was the son of Timaeus that he should say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me”? They were all anxious to quiet the voice of misery in the presence of so much majesty.
But our Lord Jesus Christ did not spurn the blind man’s prayer as intrusive or impertinent. He was not angry with him. He did not even pass by without taking any notice. What he did was to stand still, and command the man to be brought to him.
This poor man was not allowed to pray in general. “Son of David, have mercy on me”; a very proper prayer, and a very blessed prayer, but certainly it was a very broad prayer. So he was encouraged to be more specific in his request. “What do you want me to do for you? You ask for mercy; what form of mercy do you need? In what particular shape will the bountiful hand dispense the mercy to you?” The blind man immediately replies, “Rabbi, I want to see.” He hits the mark with precision. It is sight he wants, and so for sight he asks. This is the right way for believers to pray. I wish we had more of it in our prayer meetings;
A man, who was noted for his great earnestness in prayer, was once asked how it was that, whenever he prayed, he seemed to be so earnest, and he said, “Because I always have a specific purpose when I go to the King; I always have a specific purpose; I go to him knowing that I want something, and I ask him for it, and I don’t stop until he gives it to me; and if he does not give it to me, I ask him again and again, for I know what I need.”
In offering our petitions to God, a helter-skelter approach does not become us. We must never rush into His presence without thinking about what we are going to say to Him. The decorum which is due to a king’s court should cautiously remind us of the reverence due to the King of kings. Although we enjoy the privileged familiarity which permits us to say “Our Father,” as dear children of the Lord of heaven and earth, let us never forget to be humble and in honor to bow as subjects of the great King. Tenderly he asks; devoutly may we answer, “What do you want me to do for you??”
What promise is there that you would wish to have fulfilled to you today? It is a good exercise to sit down before your time of private prayer, and look up the promise that seems most suitable, or to ask the Lord to look it up for you, and apply it to your soul. So, dear friends, when praying for others, I think it is very necessary, in order to keep up our own interest in it, that we should have distinct things to pray about.
When pleading with God, do let us come straight to the point, stating our case clearly in answer to the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” May the Lord teach us to pray in this distinct manner! There is no limit to the Savior’s ability. Nor does he put a limit on the petitioner’s freedom to command the favor he desires.
Oh! believer, do you have a desire in your soul, do you have a longing in your heart, then Christ does not say that he will give you this mercy, if it is possible, but that he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. I hear that text still quoted by some of my brethren, “More than all that we can ask or imagine.” I beg their pardon; that is not a faithful quotation of Scripture. It says, “More than all we ask or imagine” - more than all we ask. God can open a person’s mouth as wide as his mercies, and he can make us ask for anything, but he generally does for us more than all we ask or imagine. Never keep your mouth closed because you think the mercy you want would be too great. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Do not restrict yourself. Enlarge your desire. Open your mouth wide, and he will fill it. He gives you carte blanche; ask for what you want. He puts it before you, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” So may it be to us, according to our faith, and his will be the glory. Amen.
Taken from Bible Bulletin Board© 2000 by Tony Capoccia.
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Mark 10:51 (ESV) And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight."
No doubt our Lord’s disciples imagined that he was going up to Jerusalem to establish the Kingdom. They hoped that they would be partakers of that earthly grandeur which they had fondly pictured would glitter around the person of the Son of David. Therefore, when the blind man ventured to vehemently cry out to him, whom they esteemed to be a great King, they thought it was daring intrusion. Who was the son of Timaeus that he should say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me”? They were all anxious to quiet the voice of misery in the presence of so much majesty.
But our Lord Jesus Christ did not spurn the blind man’s prayer as intrusive or impertinent. He was not angry with him. He did not even pass by without taking any notice. What he did was to stand still, and command the man to be brought to him.
This poor man was not allowed to pray in general. “Son of David, have mercy on me”; a very proper prayer, and a very blessed prayer, but certainly it was a very broad prayer. So he was encouraged to be more specific in his request. “What do you want me to do for you? You ask for mercy; what form of mercy do you need? In what particular shape will the bountiful hand dispense the mercy to you?” The blind man immediately replies, “Rabbi, I want to see.” He hits the mark with precision. It is sight he wants, and so for sight he asks. This is the right way for believers to pray. I wish we had more of it in our prayer meetings;
A man, who was noted for his great earnestness in prayer, was once asked how it was that, whenever he prayed, he seemed to be so earnest, and he said, “Because I always have a specific purpose when I go to the King; I always have a specific purpose; I go to him knowing that I want something, and I ask him for it, and I don’t stop until he gives it to me; and if he does not give it to me, I ask him again and again, for I know what I need.”
In offering our petitions to God, a helter-skelter approach does not become us. We must never rush into His presence without thinking about what we are going to say to Him. The decorum which is due to a king’s court should cautiously remind us of the reverence due to the King of kings. Although we enjoy the privileged familiarity which permits us to say “Our Father,” as dear children of the Lord of heaven and earth, let us never forget to be humble and in honor to bow as subjects of the great King. Tenderly he asks; devoutly may we answer, “What do you want me to do for you??”
What promise is there that you would wish to have fulfilled to you today? It is a good exercise to sit down before your time of private prayer, and look up the promise that seems most suitable, or to ask the Lord to look it up for you, and apply it to your soul. So, dear friends, when praying for others, I think it is very necessary, in order to keep up our own interest in it, that we should have distinct things to pray about.
When pleading with God, do let us come straight to the point, stating our case clearly in answer to the question, “What do you want me to do for you?” May the Lord teach us to pray in this distinct manner! There is no limit to the Savior’s ability. Nor does he put a limit on the petitioner’s freedom to command the favor he desires.
Oh! believer, do you have a desire in your soul, do you have a longing in your heart, then Christ does not say that he will give you this mercy, if it is possible, but that he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. I hear that text still quoted by some of my brethren, “More than all that we can ask or imagine.” I beg their pardon; that is not a faithful quotation of Scripture. It says, “More than all we ask or imagine” - more than all we ask. God can open a person’s mouth as wide as his mercies, and he can make us ask for anything, but he generally does for us more than all we ask or imagine. Never keep your mouth closed because you think the mercy you want would be too great. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Do not restrict yourself. Enlarge your desire. Open your mouth wide, and he will fill it. He gives you carte blanche; ask for what you want. He puts it before you, “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” So may it be to us, according to our faith, and his will be the glory. Amen.
Taken from Bible Bulletin Board© 2000 by Tony Capoccia.
Websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Friday, November 03, 2006
JOY OF SALVATION AND SORROW FOR SIN
"There is a kind of direct proportion between sorrow for sin and joy in the Holy Spirit. Those who feel the worst about their sins, feel the happiest about forgiveness. It is just at this point that some modern preaching robs Christians of their fulness of joy. Sin is soft-pedeled, and so then is the joy of salvation. ... Here again we would all be happier if we took sin seriously." - John W. Anderson, The Fruit of the Spirit, P&R Publishing, 1972.
This really struck me. How could there be a connection between joy and sorrow. it seems inpossible, but yet it is true. We lack joy and the motivation it brings because we fail to see the seriousness of our sin. I am as guilty of that as anyone else. Should we begin to study our wretchedness to increase our joy? Maybe it would do us some good. Maybe we would have less artificial joy and more real joy.
Pastor Howard
This really struck me. How could there be a connection between joy and sorrow. it seems inpossible, but yet it is true. We lack joy and the motivation it brings because we fail to see the seriousness of our sin. I am as guilty of that as anyone else. Should we begin to study our wretchedness to increase our joy? Maybe it would do us some good. Maybe we would have less artificial joy and more real joy.
Pastor Howard
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
THE DAYS OF DISCONTENT part 2
Eccles. 9:7 (ESV) Go, eat your bread in joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
Discontent - the great disease of our day. In my previous post, I spoke of discontent as it relates to our marriages. Now I will speak of discontent in a more general way. And I want to bring in another theme with it - covetousness.
The author of Ecclesiastes gives us wise counsel here. Eat and drink with joy. This implies that you are happy with what you got. More often that not, we would rather have something else. There is a word for that - discontent. There is also another word - covetousness.
Exodus 20:17 (ESV) "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
We live in a time when if you don't like what you got, get a new one. If something does not work right, don't fix it - get a new one. And there is always something bigger, small, faster, stronger, better, etc. And even if there is nothing wrong with what we have, we are made to feel like what we have is inadequate. Even with our most basic of supplies, food and drink. We are to learn as Thomas Watson called it "The Art of Divine Contentment."
But yet that is not enough. Because it is not just about learn to accept what we have. The author of Ecclesiastes says "for God has already approved what you do. " Our true contentment comes not by learning contentment in the things of earth, but in the things of heaven. Our contentment is related to our acceptance. And our acceptance in found in Christ.
Romans 5:10 (ESV) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
This is the most precious of our possessions - our salvation. Nothing else satisfies the longing of our hearts like being accepted by God Himself in the death and resurrection of His son. This is the great longing of our heart. We can be joyful in whatever we have, because we have that which matters most.
Pastor Sloan
Discontent - the great disease of our day. In my previous post, I spoke of discontent as it relates to our marriages. Now I will speak of discontent in a more general way. And I want to bring in another theme with it - covetousness.
The author of Ecclesiastes gives us wise counsel here. Eat and drink with joy. This implies that you are happy with what you got. More often that not, we would rather have something else. There is a word for that - discontent. There is also another word - covetousness.
Exodus 20:17 (ESV) "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
We live in a time when if you don't like what you got, get a new one. If something does not work right, don't fix it - get a new one. And there is always something bigger, small, faster, stronger, better, etc. And even if there is nothing wrong with what we have, we are made to feel like what we have is inadequate. Even with our most basic of supplies, food and drink. We are to learn as Thomas Watson called it "The Art of Divine Contentment."
But yet that is not enough. Because it is not just about learn to accept what we have. The author of Ecclesiastes says "for God has already approved what you do. " Our true contentment comes not by learning contentment in the things of earth, but in the things of heaven. Our contentment is related to our acceptance. And our acceptance in found in Christ.
Romans 5:10 (ESV) For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
This is the most precious of our possessions - our salvation. Nothing else satisfies the longing of our hearts like being accepted by God Himself in the death and resurrection of His son. This is the great longing of our heart. We can be joyful in whatever we have, because we have that which matters most.
Pastor Sloan
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
THE DAYS OF DISCONTENT part 1
Ecclesiastes 9:9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
I think we live in an age of great discontent, and it has infected even Christians. The book of Ecclesiastes is largely about one man's search for contentment in life "under the sun." He is only able to find fleeting glimpses. Only in the Lord is he able to find any meaning, but yet we still search.
One of the greatest areas of discontentment that I see in our time is in the area of marriage. I have watched marriages crumble. It is not a pretty sight. Why does this happen? Discontentment. Not with our spouses so much ... but with God! You may be saying "wait a minute! How is that discontentment with God." Let's look at the words of Ecclesiastes.
The author of Ecclesiastes tells us to "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life" The command and advice are clear. Our spouse is to be a source of joy for us. Some may say, "Wait a minute, you don't know my wife (or husband)." And you are right, I don't. I may not know all of the circumstances. But this is not about the circumstances, this is about the heart. Too often failure begins when our joy comes to an end. We stop enjoying for a multitude of reasons - time, distance, our crowded lifes, etc. It may not come to a screeching halt, it may just slowly coast to a stop, but it stops. And we let it. Then we wonder what happened. Only once the troubles start do we notice that we lost momentum. The writer of Ecclesiastes says to do this "all the days of our vain lives" It does not have time limits to it. yes, he describes them as vain lives, but that's is looking at life under the sun without God.
He goes on to say "...that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." Here is where the discontentment with God comes into the picture. When we fail to see that our wife or husband is given to us by the hand of God, we will never cherish them as we ought. When we see our selection of a mate only as some decision that we made, we can later think that we are later entitled to change our minds. That is bad enough. But what is even worse, with that kind of thinking we spit in the face of God's providence and provision. The Lord our God has given us all that we have and has made each choice with great care and for HIS GLORY. Our spouse is our "portion in life." A portion is a good thing. It is an inheritance. If we begin to see our wives and husbands as gifts from the Lord and treasure them as such, we are much less likely to be discontent. But instead some how we think we know better that God, and that we know what will really fill our empty hearts. Then we chase after wind, and wonder why it does nothing for us and we need more.
What are we to do when our spouses are no longer content, but we desire contentment and joy in God's provision. That is a little harde to answer. I am still working on that one. I think the answer has something to do with learning to be content with God Himself, and not just the things He provides. Things change. Circumstances change. New things come along. New providences happen everyday. But our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
On a personal note, I want to say THANK YOU to my wife. Though I don't express it nearly enough. You are a source of joy to me. As I watch others fall apart around us, you remain faithful. Michele, I love you, and I enjoy life with you.
Pastor Sloan
I think we live in an age of great discontent, and it has infected even Christians. The book of Ecclesiastes is largely about one man's search for contentment in life "under the sun." He is only able to find fleeting glimpses. Only in the Lord is he able to find any meaning, but yet we still search.
One of the greatest areas of discontentment that I see in our time is in the area of marriage. I have watched marriages crumble. It is not a pretty sight. Why does this happen? Discontentment. Not with our spouses so much ... but with God! You may be saying "wait a minute! How is that discontentment with God." Let's look at the words of Ecclesiastes.
The author of Ecclesiastes tells us to "Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life" The command and advice are clear. Our spouse is to be a source of joy for us. Some may say, "Wait a minute, you don't know my wife (or husband)." And you are right, I don't. I may not know all of the circumstances. But this is not about the circumstances, this is about the heart. Too often failure begins when our joy comes to an end. We stop enjoying for a multitude of reasons - time, distance, our crowded lifes, etc. It may not come to a screeching halt, it may just slowly coast to a stop, but it stops. And we let it. Then we wonder what happened. Only once the troubles start do we notice that we lost momentum. The writer of Ecclesiastes says to do this "all the days of our vain lives" It does not have time limits to it. yes, he describes them as vain lives, but that's is looking at life under the sun without God.
He goes on to say "...that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun." Here is where the discontentment with God comes into the picture. When we fail to see that our wife or husband is given to us by the hand of God, we will never cherish them as we ought. When we see our selection of a mate only as some decision that we made, we can later think that we are later entitled to change our minds. That is bad enough. But what is even worse, with that kind of thinking we spit in the face of God's providence and provision. The Lord our God has given us all that we have and has made each choice with great care and for HIS GLORY. Our spouse is our "portion in life." A portion is a good thing. It is an inheritance. If we begin to see our wives and husbands as gifts from the Lord and treasure them as such, we are much less likely to be discontent. But instead some how we think we know better that God, and that we know what will really fill our empty hearts. Then we chase after wind, and wonder why it does nothing for us and we need more.
What are we to do when our spouses are no longer content, but we desire contentment and joy in God's provision. That is a little harde to answer. I am still working on that one. I think the answer has something to do with learning to be content with God Himself, and not just the things He provides. Things change. Circumstances change. New things come along. New providences happen everyday. But our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
On a personal note, I want to say THANK YOU to my wife. Though I don't express it nearly enough. You are a source of joy to me. As I watch others fall apart around us, you remain faithful. Michele, I love you, and I enjoy life with you.
Pastor Sloan
Jonathan Edwards on Prayer
The spirit of prayer is a holy spirit, a gracious spirit. We read of the spirit of grace and supplication: Zech. xii. 10. “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and supplications.”—Wherever there is a true spirit of supplication, there is the spirit of grace. The true spirit of prayer is no other than God’s own spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God to converse with him by prayer. Therefore the Spirit is said to make intercession for the saints with groanings which cannot be uttered, Rom. viii. 26.
The Spirit of God makes intercession for them, as it is that Spirit which in some respect indites their prayers, and leads them to pour out their souls before God. Therefore the saints are said to worship God in the spirit; Phil. iii. 3. “We are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit;” and John iv. 23. “The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” The truly godly have the spirit of adoption, the spirit of a child, to which it is natural to go to God and call upon him, crying to him as to a father. ...
It is natural to one who is truly born from above to pray to God, and to pour out his soul in holy supplications before his heavenly Father. This is as natural to the new nature and life as breathing is to the nature and life of the body. But hypocrites have not this new nature. Those illuminations and affections which they had, went away, and left no change of nature. Therefore prayer naturally dies away in them, having no foundation laid in the nature of the soul. It is maintained awhile only by a certain force put upon nature. But force is not constant; and as that declines, nature will take place again. ...
The spirit of a true convert is a spirit of faith and reliance on the power, wisdom, and mercy of God, and such a spirit is naturally expressed in prayer. True prayer is nothing else but faith expressed. Hence we read of the prayer of faith; James v. 15. True christian prayer is the faith and reliance of the soul breathed forth in words. ...
(The true convert) sees himself still to be a poor, empty, helpless creature, and that he still stands in great and continual need of God’s help. He is sensible that without God he can do nothing. .... A true convert is sensible that his grace is very imperfect; and he is very far from having all that he desires. Instead of that, by conversion are begotten in him new desires which he never had before. He now finds in him holy appetites, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, a longing after more acquaintance and communion with God. So that he hath business enough still at the throne of grace; yea, his business there, instead of being diminished, is rather increased.
Sinning and praying agree not well together. If a man be constant in the duty of secret prayer, it will tend to restrain him from wilful sinning. So, on the other hand, if he allow himself in sinful practices, it will restrain him from praying.
From the sermon "Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer, part 1" The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol 2.
Visit here to read the whole sermon http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/works2.iv.viii.html
The Spirit of God makes intercession for them, as it is that Spirit which in some respect indites their prayers, and leads them to pour out their souls before God. Therefore the saints are said to worship God in the spirit; Phil. iii. 3. “We are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit;” and John iv. 23. “The true worshippers worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” The truly godly have the spirit of adoption, the spirit of a child, to which it is natural to go to God and call upon him, crying to him as to a father. ...
It is natural to one who is truly born from above to pray to God, and to pour out his soul in holy supplications before his heavenly Father. This is as natural to the new nature and life as breathing is to the nature and life of the body. But hypocrites have not this new nature. Those illuminations and affections which they had, went away, and left no change of nature. Therefore prayer naturally dies away in them, having no foundation laid in the nature of the soul. It is maintained awhile only by a certain force put upon nature. But force is not constant; and as that declines, nature will take place again. ...
The spirit of a true convert is a spirit of faith and reliance on the power, wisdom, and mercy of God, and such a spirit is naturally expressed in prayer. True prayer is nothing else but faith expressed. Hence we read of the prayer of faith; James v. 15. True christian prayer is the faith and reliance of the soul breathed forth in words. ...
(The true convert) sees himself still to be a poor, empty, helpless creature, and that he still stands in great and continual need of God’s help. He is sensible that without God he can do nothing. .... A true convert is sensible that his grace is very imperfect; and he is very far from having all that he desires. Instead of that, by conversion are begotten in him new desires which he never had before. He now finds in him holy appetites, a hungering and thirsting after righteousness, a longing after more acquaintance and communion with God. So that he hath business enough still at the throne of grace; yea, his business there, instead of being diminished, is rather increased.
Sinning and praying agree not well together. If a man be constant in the duty of secret prayer, it will tend to restrain him from wilful sinning. So, on the other hand, if he allow himself in sinful practices, it will restrain him from praying.
From the sermon "Hypocrites Deficient in the Duty of Prayer, part 1" The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol 2.
Visit here to read the whole sermon http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/works2.iv.viii.html
Saturday, October 28, 2006
The History of Reformation Day
This article by R.C. Sproul presents a brief history of Reformation Day. By the way, if you have not checked out the new Ligonier website, do so.
Pastor Howard
Pastor Howard
Friday, October 27, 2006
What are we afraid of
Do you ever get the sense that Reformed community doesn't really want revival or reformation because they are worried about what that might look like? Or maybe it is because they know that will mean a change? Sometimes I think the church is just happy where they are ... a faithful reminant. But how can we sit idly by and watch God's name be profaned among the nations and in our nation? We see churches in our towns that reject the Bible and the Word of God as the only rule of faith and practice. We see Jesus being reduced to an example of sacrifice for us, while his deity, authority, and atoning work are called in to question or ignored outright. God is reduced to a by-stander, who does not act to bring about salvation. He simply waits to see what man will do. When man can contribute something to his own salvation, God's grace becomes unnecessary.
When I think about these things I think about the churches that are coming out from years of being subject to liberal and heretical theology. This is happening around our country. We must pray for them. Pray that these churches, people, and ministers who are being awakened to their errors by God's grace would have the wisdom and strength to continue on to recover the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. This is a different kind of reformation than the one begun in 1517 by Luther. This war is different, but the battles are the same: Scripture Alone, By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, Because of Christ Alone, To God's Glory Alone.
Pastor Sloan
When I think about these things I think about the churches that are coming out from years of being subject to liberal and heretical theology. This is happening around our country. We must pray for them. Pray that these churches, people, and ministers who are being awakened to their errors by God's grace would have the wisdom and strength to continue on to recover the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. This is a different kind of reformation than the one begun in 1517 by Luther. This war is different, but the battles are the same: Scripture Alone, By Grace Alone, Through Faith Alone, Because of Christ Alone, To God's Glory Alone.
Pastor Sloan
Steve Camp on Revival and Reformation
If you are not reading Steve Camp's blog on revival and reformation, you should be. What he has to say to the church is stirring to the heart and soul. Why don't we desire revival? Why don't we desire reformation?
Monday, October 23, 2006
GOD ACTING FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE
Ezekiel 20:9 (ESV) But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, ....
When we desire revival and reformation, what do we really want to happen? Why do we want it? This passage from Ezekiel declares what the heart of revival ought to be. God acting for His name's sake. God acting that His name no longer be profaned among the nations.
As I ponder the current landscape of the thing that is calling itself the church. (Most of which is far from it!), all I see is God's name being profaned. People declaring wrong to be right in the name of God. Unspeakable practices being endorse by bodies claiming to be part of Christ. Churches that have long abandoned the great tenants of the Reformation.
We are in need of a new Reformation. Let us cry out to God that He act for His name sake. Let us cry out to God that His name no longer be profaned among the nations and in our nation. This is going to be the theme of my sermon this Sunday. Let us stand up and be jealous for God's glory and His name.
When we desire revival and reformation, what do we really want to happen? Why do we want it? This passage from Ezekiel declares what the heart of revival ought to be. God acting for His name's sake. God acting that His name no longer be profaned among the nations.
As I ponder the current landscape of the thing that is calling itself the church. (Most of which is far from it!), all I see is God's name being profaned. People declaring wrong to be right in the name of God. Unspeakable practices being endorse by bodies claiming to be part of Christ. Churches that have long abandoned the great tenants of the Reformation.
We are in need of a new Reformation. Let us cry out to God that He act for His name sake. Let us cry out to God that His name no longer be profaned among the nations and in our nation. This is going to be the theme of my sermon this Sunday. Let us stand up and be jealous for God's glory and His name.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
What ought we desire:
We can not just want a society, country, or town that is full of good people. We must work and pray for a people that are changed from the inside out by the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word at work in them. It is possible to see a government that is transformed – The Center For Christian Statesmen founded by D. James Kennedy is praying and working with leaders in government to transformation in our government by first of all seeking transformation in our leaders by the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can not sit around and wait for our governments to bring about transformation, only God can do that. And when we does, He really does.
This is what God is doing around the Globe:
Uganda: At the invitation of the President & First Lady of Uganda, thousands of believers gathered at the turn of the millennium to celebrate the transforming hand of God upon their nation. They dedicated their nation back to God from decades of the bloodshed and evil with this public proclaimation.
“We are conscious that we have put other gods before you and worshipped them … We renounce idolatry, witchcraft and Satanism in our land … Covenanting our nation Uganda to the purposes of God and to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Vanuatu: On the island nation of Vanuatu, in a public ceremony on October 20, 2002, the Prime Minister dedicated the nation to the Lord.
Almolonga, Guatemala: The jails have closed, the police no longer carry guns, churches have grown, crops were healed are a growing in abundance.
Fiji: Christians gathered in repentance. God healed lives, and their society. Leaders of a coup came to faith in Christ while in jail. A stream whose waters were dark and bitter was healed.
These are just a few examples. Examine your heart. What do you desire?
When we speak of revival and transformation, we are not talking about a bunch of people weeping or increased numbers of church members. We are talking about a massive moving of God’s Spirit in the Word to change lives. And it must begin with us. We must be willing to be changed and moved by the Holy Spirit.
Lives are changed, towns are changed, countries are changed when they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sins, they seek God in repentance, they are shaken down to their core, and surrender to Jesus Christ.
We need to be moved of heart. Do you want to be moved of heart? Are you happy right where you are? Ask the Lord to have His way in your live?
This is what God is doing around the Globe:
Uganda: At the invitation of the President & First Lady of Uganda, thousands of believers gathered at the turn of the millennium to celebrate the transforming hand of God upon their nation. They dedicated their nation back to God from decades of the bloodshed and evil with this public proclaimation.
“We are conscious that we have put other gods before you and worshipped them … We renounce idolatry, witchcraft and Satanism in our land … Covenanting our nation Uganda to the purposes of God and to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Vanuatu: On the island nation of Vanuatu, in a public ceremony on October 20, 2002, the Prime Minister dedicated the nation to the Lord.
Almolonga, Guatemala: The jails have closed, the police no longer carry guns, churches have grown, crops were healed are a growing in abundance.
Fiji: Christians gathered in repentance. God healed lives, and their society. Leaders of a coup came to faith in Christ while in jail. A stream whose waters were dark and bitter was healed.
These are just a few examples. Examine your heart. What do you desire?
When we speak of revival and transformation, we are not talking about a bunch of people weeping or increased numbers of church members. We are talking about a massive moving of God’s Spirit in the Word to change lives. And it must begin with us. We must be willing to be changed and moved by the Holy Spirit.
Lives are changed, towns are changed, countries are changed when they are convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sins, they seek God in repentance, they are shaken down to their core, and surrender to Jesus Christ.
We need to be moved of heart. Do you want to be moved of heart? Are you happy right where you are? Ask the Lord to have His way in your live?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Walt Chantry on Revival
May churches pray till the earth is swept with powerful preaching of the Word that searches men, breaks hard hearts, and carries with it the Spirit of regeneration, repentance, and faith! Let us petition the sovereign throne of our holy Lord until we receive from him those most magnificent works of the Spirit – the bowing of hearts to his lordship, the renovation of character, and that turning of the world upside down which savours of the abundant fruits of the Spirit! (p 92)
“Oh that he would pour forth his Spirit of regeneration to quicken whole nations by his grace – to the praise of his infinite glory! Oh that holiness to his church, that her purity might glisten and that she might appear beautiful on the earth! Oh that the might Monarch of our world would issue more of his Spirit of truth that understanding might deepen and proliferate through all the earth! Oh that the Spirit of worship would mightily humble assemblies before his face and draw us near to the holiest!
Pray for the Spirit. Pray for the Spirit who makes hearts love the doctrines of free and sovereign grace. Pray for the Spirit who expands hearts with a holy and reverent love for the Savior. Pray for the Spirit who makes men ready for battle against sin, patient in tribulation, zealous for the honour of God. … Pray for the Spirit of solid and Biblical revival.” (p 127)
From Signs of the Apostles: Observations on Pentecostalism Old and New by Walter J Chantry
“Oh that he would pour forth his Spirit of regeneration to quicken whole nations by his grace – to the praise of his infinite glory! Oh that holiness to his church, that her purity might glisten and that she might appear beautiful on the earth! Oh that the might Monarch of our world would issue more of his Spirit of truth that understanding might deepen and proliferate through all the earth! Oh that the Spirit of worship would mightily humble assemblies before his face and draw us near to the holiest!
Pray for the Spirit. Pray for the Spirit who makes hearts love the doctrines of free and sovereign grace. Pray for the Spirit who expands hearts with a holy and reverent love for the Savior. Pray for the Spirit who makes men ready for battle against sin, patient in tribulation, zealous for the honour of God. … Pray for the Spirit of solid and Biblical revival.” (p 127)
From Signs of the Apostles: Observations on Pentecostalism Old and New by Walter J Chantry
welcome
This is my first post. I am the Pastor of St. Paul's Reformed Church. I hope to use this blog spot as a place to post articles and links to things that will stir us up to love and good deed as well as to a lively faith
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
