Complete In Christ

October 27, 2009 By

In our life struggles, many times we cry out for “more grace” or “more mercy” to help us overcome.  Whether it is victory over a besetting sin, or help in an impossible situation, victorious living cannot be experienced until we have fully understood what God has already given us in Jesus.

Some Christians seek God for a “new revelation” in much the same way as unbelievers read their horoscope to find answers.  But, the mystery of life has already been revealed to us in the written Word of God.  This truth ought to spur every Christian on to make the study of the Word of God a matter of first importance.  Colossians 2:10 says that God has made us “complete in Christ.” Likewise, Peter tells us that “his divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

My prayer for you, and me, is that the eyes of our heart be opened wide to the fact that God has already provided everything we need in the person of Jesus Christ.  This is the secret to true victory.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength,” (Ephesians 1:17-19).

Filed Under: Devotional

What To Do When You Can’t See

October 24, 2009 By

I remember the first time I heard the hymn “Be Still My Soul.” (You can read the lyrics here.)  I knew that whoever penned that hymn knew what it was like when the nightmare becomes the reality.  In my own life, I was right on the cusp of a long trial.  As I watched the thick, deep clouds form on the horizon, the best I could do was remain in a posture of prayer.

Times like this are bound to come into all our lives.  But, as Christians, we have a blessed assurance.  King David knew it.  And, we can too.  With confidence he prayed, “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psalms 139:12.)

If you are walking in the dark today, God commands that you trust Him. You don’t have to scheme, or manipulate your way out of trouble.  God has rejected that. Resist the temptation to light your own fire, and warm yourself by it’s light.  Instead, trust in the Name of the Lord.

“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” (Isaiah 50:1)

Filed Under: Devotional

Nicolae Gheorghita

October 22, 2009 By

The following devotional is from “Open Doors USA.”  Open Doors is a ministry which serves the persecuted Church.   I was particularly moved by this short piece as it is a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness to the church in times of crisis.  Moreover, it is a powerful statement that God, despite our weaknesses and shortcomings, will override our wills in order to accomplish his eternal purposes.

Nicolae Gheorghita

 When asked to do something we do not like, our first reaction is often negative. In 1981 I went to visit a church that had just lost its pastor. Joseph Ton was “asked” to leave the church by the government. I had to preach in that church that same evening. I saw sadness and confusion and many empty seats … because of fear. I started by asking a question. “Has Joseph Ton left?” They answered, “Yes.” Then I asked another question. “Has the God of this congregation left along with Joseph?” My question fell like thunder. They all answered, “No.” “Then let us give Him glory,” I continued.

A week later, the church committee called me on the telephone to make an appointment with me to meet with them. I realized straight away that they wanted to ask me to become their pastor. I told them that I was not interested and that I could tell them “no” over the phone. “But we still want to visit you.” Of course I could not refuse that request.

The church was fasting and praying for our meeting. The members of the committee came and we talked for a long time. All of a sudden I heard myself say “yes” to their request to become their pastor. When I realized it was not me saying yes, it was from God, peace filled my heart. “Father, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).

“Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” “I will not” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. (Matthew 21:28-29)

Filed Under: Church, Persecution

Faith that Weapon Strong – A Ballad by Anne Askewe

October 19, 2009 By

I am convinced that Jesus liked a “nervy” woman.  Scriptures repeatedly give us examples of women who broke human tradition to lay hold of eternal life.  In 1546 Anne Askewe was martryed in England for refusing to recant her faith.  If you are interested, you can read more about her here.  Anne was sentenced to the “rack” where she was brutally tortured.  Every limb in her body was so mangled and disjointed that she was brought to the stake in a chair because she could not walk.  When given one last opportunity to recant and receive a final pardon Anne responded by saying, “I would rather die than break my faith.”  

The following is a ballad composed and sung by Anne Askew in Newgate Prison:

Like as the armed knight,

Appointed to the field,

With this world will I fight,

And Christshall be my shield.

Faith is that weapon strong,

Which will not fail at need:

My foes, therefore, among

Therewith will I proceed.

As it is had in strength

And force of Christe’s way,

It will prevail at length,

Though all the devils say nay.

Faith in the fathers old

Obtained righteousness;

Which make me very bold

To fear no world’s distress.

I now rejoice in heart,

And hope bid me do so;

For Christ will take my part,

And ease me of my woe.

Thou say’st, Lord, whoso knock,

To them wilt thou attend:

Undo therefore the lock,

And thy strong power send.

More enemies now I have

Than hairs upon my head:

Let them not me deprave,

But fight thou in my stead.

On thee my care I cast,

For all their cruel spite:

I set not by their haste;

For thou art my delight.

I am not she that list

My anchor to let fall

For every drizzling mist,

My ship substantial.

Not oft use I to write,

In prose, nor yet in rhyme;

Yet will I shew one sight

That I saw in my time.

I saw a royal throne,

Where justice should have sit,

But in her stead was one

Of moody, cruel wit.

Absorbed was righteousness,

As of the raging flood:

Satan, in his excess,

Sucked up the guiltless blood.

Then thought I, Jesus Lord,

When thou shall judge us all,

Hard is it to record

On these men what will fall.

Yet, Lord, I thee desire,

For that they do to me,

Let them not taste the hire

Of their iniquity.

From  “Select Works of John Bale” (1849 Edition).

Filed Under: Anne Askewe, Persecution

From Prison to Praise

October 19, 2009 By

One of the greatest displays of God’s power is the testimony of a saint who is praising God in the midst of a dark trial.

In Acts Chapter 16, Paul and Silas are stripped, beaten, and thrown into “the inner cell” of a Roman prison.  Their feet were shackled and a jailer was commanded to “guard them carefully.“  The scriptures tell us that, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.”

Paul and Silas could not know what was in their immediate future.  But, they did know that God would not leave them in that cold, dark prison cell all alone.  His Holy Spirit would be with them.  As they called upon their God and sang praises out loud with hearts full of faith something very beautiful was taking place. The joy of the Lord was welling up in them.  Trapped in a crowded, damp, and dark prison, Paul and Silas, with nothing external to provide comfort, proclaimed the goodness of God over their circumstances.  They did all of this in the presence and hearing of those who needed to hear that “Jesus saves.”

The scriptures go on to say that,“Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. “ (Acts 16:26).  Imagine that.  Foundations are shaken.  Prison doors are flung open.  Chains fall to the ground.  Nothing can hold back the power of God.   A few verses later, the miracle of new life takes place and the jailer, once charged with guarding them so carefully, comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Maybe you are like Paul and Silas facing your own “midnight.”  Perhaps you are stuck in a situation that you think has you bound.  Maybe you feel like your prison cell is your own mind.  Do what Paul and Silas did.  In holy defiance, pray to your Father.  Declare His praises out loud.  Remember the goodness and the faithfulness of your God and move, like Paul and Silas did, from prison to praise.

“”In the night I remember your name, O Lord” (Psalms 119:55a)

Filed Under: Devotional

Take the Forgiveness Quiz!

October 8, 2009 By

unpacking-forgiveness-thumbnailBesides the Bible, there have been two books in my Christian walk that have changed my life. They are, The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, and Unpacking Forgiveness, by Chris Brauns.

Earlier this year I wrote a review for Unpacking Forgiveness. On this important topic, many Christians suffer for lack of right teaching. I was one of them.

I can speak to the author’s qualifications at length. But, the best thing that I can say about him is that he loves the Lord and loves the people of God.

Pastor Brauns will be giving away a Flip Camera and ten books to randomly selected quiz takers. See here for the details. You can take the quiz here. I urge you to take this quiz, and follow up every Friday (October 30th through December 4th) on his  blog to get solid biblical teaching on this most important topic.

And, if you can, purchase the book! I believe it ought to be required reading for every Christian! If nothing else, get it to have on hand for someone else.

I promise you. You will NOT find a better teaching on this important issue.

Filed Under: Forgiveness

A Trustworthy Messenger

October 7, 2009 By

Recently I heard someone inaccurately recount something I said. While completely unintentional, the message that I delivered to him was not the same message that he was passing on. In the grand scheme of things this was not a big deal and I chose not to address it.

However, the incident got me thinking about the importance of trusting the messenger. More specifically, it got me thinking about the message of the Gospel that every Christian (not just the preacher) has been entrusted with. In this day of political correctness and cultural relativism, the temptation to preach a “watered down” version of the gospel can be very strong. When we preach a gospel of love and peace only and neglect the equally important wrath and judgment of God, we convey an inaccurate Gospel message.

The other night my husband and I listened to a preacher. He reminded his audience that Jesus did not condemn the woman caught in the act of adultery. God, he argued, sent Jesus to “save the world not condemn the world.” This is true. However, this is only half the story. This preacher conveniently neglected to add that Jesus also told the woman to“Go now and leave your life of sin.” (Read John 8:1-11 to see how this beautiful story unfolds.) The Gospel of Jesus Christ, if it is to be preached faithfully, must include repentance from sin.

When we compromise the truth of the Gospel for the purpose of being accepted an unholy presumption takes place. Thomas Wilson, an English Puritan Preacher put it best:“To pretend to preach the truth without offending carnal men, is to pretend to be able to do what Jesus Christ could not do.”

Lord, give us the grace to be trustworthy messengers.

“A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.” (Proverbs 13:17)

Filed Under: Devotional

Thanking God for Unanswered Prayer

October 5, 2009 By

God has a trackrecord of faithfulness with me. I can say most assuredly that, to me, He is the great “I AM.” He is my father, my husband, my pastor, my brother, my friend, my teacher, my doctor, my lawyer, my defender, my protector, and my provider. He is all of this, and more. After reading this prayer, I couldn’t help but think of all the times that God “refused” or “rejected” certain prayers. Romans 8:26 says that, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”

Bless God, the cleanser of our souls, who in His holy and sovereign knowledge, is content to leave some of our prayers unanswered.

Confession and Petition
Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Go on to subdue my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind bring my spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power.

I thank Thee that many of my prayers have been refused. I have asked amiss and do not have, I have prayed from lusts and been rejected, I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness. Go on with Thy patient work, answering ‘no’ to my wrongful prayers, and fitting me to accept it. Purge me from every false desire, every base aspiration, everything contrary to Thy rule. I thank Thee for Thy wisdom and Thy love, for all the acts of discipline to which I am subject, for sometimes putting me into the furnace to refine my gold and remove my dross.

No trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin. If Thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure and keep my sins, or to have them burnt away with trial, give me sanctified affliction. Deliver me from every evil habit, every accretion of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of Thy grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in Thee. Then I shall bless Thee, God of Jeshurun, for helping me to be upright.

The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

Filed Under: Devotional, Valley of Vision

An Honest Assessment

October 4, 2009 By

“For, as for me, I am not worthy to be called Thy servant; much less am I worthy to be Thy son; for I am the vilest of sinners and the worst of men; a lover of the things of the world, and a despiser of the things of God; proud and envious, lustful and intemperate, greedy of sin, and impatient of reproof; desirous to seem holy, and negligent of being so; transported with interest; fooled with presumption and false principles; disturbed with anger, with a peevish and unmortified spirit, and disordered by a whole body of sin and death. Lord, pardon all my sins for my sweetest Saviour’s sake; Thou, who didst die for me, Holy Jesus, save me and deliver me; reserve not my sins to be punished in day of wrath and eternal vengeance; but wash away my sins, and blot them out of Thy remembrance, and purify my soul with the waters of repentance and the blood of the cross; that, for what is past, Thy wrath may not come out against me; and, for the time to come, I may never provoke Thee to anger or to jealousy. O just and dear God, be pitiful and gracious to Thy servant. Amen.”

by Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living and Dying.

Filed Under: Holiness, Jeremy Taylor

Take Up Your Cross

October 4, 2009 By

Our Women’s Bible Study Group is studying 2 Timothy. Yesterday we learned how Paul urged Timothy to remain strong in the midst of great trial and persecution. Indications are that Timothy, a young pastor, was starting to cave under the weight of great hardship. The opposition was great. It came from within and without. The temptation to “shrink back” was no doubt rising up and starting to appeal to Timothy. But Paul, imprisoned and in chains, urged his spiritual son on. “Don’t be ashamed!” he told Timothy, “Fan into flame the gift of God!” (2 Timothy 1:6).

If anyone had the kind of weight and authority to give this kind of counsel, it was Paul. No one practiced what he preached better than he did. For Paul, the message of the cross meant sufferings, imprisonments, beatings, desertions, and ultimately the loss of his own life. Yet, it was by the power of God that he would suffer. “Timothy,” Paul would tell his son, “He has given you everything that you need for the battle. Walk in the power you have already received!”

True discipleship is costly. This is true. But, by God’s grace we can join Paul and Timothy in “suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1: 8-9).

Whatever cross God has purposed for you to endure, heed the words of God through the Apostle Paul, and do it for the glory of God and by the power of God! For if we endure, there is a sure reward for us in heaven.

“Only a man thus totally committed in discipleship can experience the meaning of the cross. The cross is there, right from the beginning, he has only got to pick it up there is no need for him to go out and look for a cross for himself… Every Christian has his own cross waiting for him, a cross destined and appointed by God. Each must endure his allotted share of suffering and rejection.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Filed Under: Devotional