Monday, October 28, 2019
What did David Understand? Ed Bulkley
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
(1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Thanksgiving is ultimately a statement of faith.
It is tangible evidence that we believe in the goodness of God regardless of the circumstances of life. That's why we are urged to "give thanks to the LORD for He is good; His love endures forever" (1 Chronicles 16:34).
God is good. He doesn't want your suffering to be meaningless; he will reward the faith of the person who said, "though he slay me, yet will I hope in him (Job 13:15).
What can you thank the Lord for right now?
Your health? Or perhaps a child who has been a source of joy for years? A car that works?
Get a sheet of paper and start writing a list of things to thank God for. Do it right now. Put this heading on it: Things I thank God for.
Look around you...the miracle of good vision, good friends, family members, running water, the refrigerator, hands that work, feet, indoor plumbing, birds, trees, sunshine, snow, rain, a hot shower, good roads, a job, the ability to read, songs, a child's laughter, mountain streams, love, a roof over your head....
Thank God out loud! Tell others how good He is. David learned the joy of thanking God in the presence of others.
He wrote, "I will give you thanks in the seat of assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you" (Psalm 35:18)
Gratitude is a healing medicine. It is almost impossible to overflow with thanksgiving and to remain wounded at the same time. Make thanksgiving a habit by practicing it constantly.
-- From Only God Can Heal the Wounded Heart,
by Ed Bulkley
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Voices from Above
I ran across some reminders of Christ's last days on earth. John 12. I hadn't read these words in some time and the picture before me astonished me, as always, with the glorious truth of the incarnation.
Jesus had been speaking of His death. There was a crowd present -- including maybe "the Greeks" who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover and who had told Philip, "We would like to see Jesus."
(Philip went to Andrew and then both of them told Jesus. But apparently there were many others around).
Christ says: "My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
It is easy to recall the voice from heaven when Jesus was baptized by John. "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
And at the Mount of Transfiguration, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
The first time we are told about the Voice was at the beginning of Christ's ministry. The second time was during his ministry. Now this third time is at the end.
I had to re-read the words in John12 several times. They are packed with meaning.
There is no way we can ever comprehend the cost of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
So often we think of it in terms of what is cost to save us. But here we get a glimpse of the higher purpose -- "Glorify your name."
I think we often forget that Christ's final goal was not our salvation, but the glorification of His Father.
It's the same for us. The famous Westminster Catechism Question #1 - "What is the chief end of man?" Answer: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
Another reminder that Jesus' cruel death not only saved us, but "glorified His Father's name."
He was deeply troubled, and yet the glorification of His Father was uppermost in His mind.
Isn't there a message for us here? When we are in the depths of trouble and crying out to God, shouldn't we be praying "Father, in this matter, glorify your name."
"In this time of great sorrow, Father, glorify your name."
"In this time of great anxiety and fear, Father, glorify your name."
Father, glorify your name in me.....through me.....today....right now....always....Father, glorify your name. Wherever I go today and whatever I do -- do as you will with my life -- just please, in me, glorify your name!
Jesus had been speaking of His death. There was a crowd present -- including maybe "the Greeks" who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover and who had told Philip, "We would like to see Jesus."
(Philip went to Andrew and then both of them told Jesus. But apparently there were many others around).
Christ says: "My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!"
Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
It is easy to recall the voice from heaven when Jesus was baptized by John. "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
And at the Mount of Transfiguration, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"
The first time we are told about the Voice was at the beginning of Christ's ministry. The second time was during his ministry. Now this third time is at the end.
I had to re-read the words in John12 several times. They are packed with meaning.
There is no way we can ever comprehend the cost of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
So often we think of it in terms of what is cost to save us. But here we get a glimpse of the higher purpose -- "Glorify your name."
I think we often forget that Christ's final goal was not our salvation, but the glorification of His Father.
It's the same for us. The famous Westminster Catechism Question #1 - "What is the chief end of man?" Answer: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."
Another reminder that Jesus' cruel death not only saved us, but "glorified His Father's name."
He was deeply troubled, and yet the glorification of His Father was uppermost in His mind.
Isn't there a message for us here? When we are in the depths of trouble and crying out to God, shouldn't we be praying "Father, in this matter, glorify your name."
"In this time of great sorrow, Father, glorify your name."
"In this time of great anxiety and fear, Father, glorify your name."
Father, glorify your name in me.....through me.....today....right now....always....Father, glorify your name. Wherever I go today and whatever I do -- do as you will with my life -- just please, in me, glorify your name!
Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Memoir of McCheyne
From Memoir of Rev. Robert McCheyne (1813-1843)
This letter from Rev. McCheyne to "My dear friend" was written in March, 1840.
Look at Romans 5:19: For just as through the act of disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man many will be made righteous.
We had no hand in Adam's sin, and yet the guilt of it comes upon us.We did not put out our hand to the fruit, and yet the sin and misery has been laid at our door.
In the same way, "by the obedience of Christ, many were made righteous." Christ is the glorious One who stood for many. His perfect garment is sufficient to cover you. You had no hand in His obedience. You were not alive when He came into the world and lived and died; and yet, before God in His perfect obedience, you may stand before God righteous. This is all my covering in the sight of a holy God.
I feel infinitely ungodly in myself--in God's eye, like a serpent or a toad--and yet, when I stand in Christ alone, I feel that God sees no sin in me and loves me freely.
This same righteousness is free to you. To be as white and clean on your soul as on mine. O do not sleep another night without it.
I must not weary you. One word more. Look at Revelation 22:17. Sweet, sweet words. "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."
The last invitation in the Bible -- Christ's parting words to a world of sinners.
Anyone that pleases may take this glorious way of salvation. Dear friend, be persuaded by a fellow-worm not to put off another moment. Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.
You are sitting, like Hagar, within reach of the well. May the Lord open your eyes, and show you all that is in Christ. I pray for you, that you may spiritually see Jesus, and be glad--that you may go to Him and find rest.
Farewell, Yours in the Lord.
This letter from Rev. McCheyne to "My dear friend" was written in March, 1840.
Look at Romans 5:19: For just as through the act of disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man many will be made righteous.
We had no hand in Adam's sin, and yet the guilt of it comes upon us.We did not put out our hand to the fruit, and yet the sin and misery has been laid at our door.
In the same way, "by the obedience of Christ, many were made righteous." Christ is the glorious One who stood for many. His perfect garment is sufficient to cover you. You had no hand in His obedience. You were not alive when He came into the world and lived and died; and yet, before God in His perfect obedience, you may stand before God righteous. This is all my covering in the sight of a holy God.
I feel infinitely ungodly in myself--in God's eye, like a serpent or a toad--and yet, when I stand in Christ alone, I feel that God sees no sin in me and loves me freely.
This same righteousness is free to you. To be as white and clean on your soul as on mine. O do not sleep another night without it.
I must not weary you. One word more. Look at Revelation 22:17. Sweet, sweet words. "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."
The last invitation in the Bible -- Christ's parting words to a world of sinners.
Anyone that pleases may take this glorious way of salvation. Dear friend, be persuaded by a fellow-worm not to put off another moment. Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world.
You are sitting, like Hagar, within reach of the well. May the Lord open your eyes, and show you all that is in Christ. I pray for you, that you may spiritually see Jesus, and be glad--that you may go to Him and find rest.
Farewell, Yours in the Lord.
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
Life Lesson from Beauty and the Beast
From Beauty and the Beast
The main thing:
Sometimes
something or someone
has to be loved before
he can become lovable.....
and we know that from personal experience...because...
He first loved us
(I John 4:19)
and so that's the way we love others....
and so that's the way we love others....
Monday, October 14, 2019
-Sarah Young - The Great Reversal
As you wait attentively in My Presence, the Light of the knowledge of My Glory shines upon you.
This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding.
It transforms every fiber of your being: renewing your mind, cleansing your heart, invigorating your body.
Open yourself fully to My Presence: be awed by My glorious being.
Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby.
I set aside My Glory so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions -- a filthy stable.
That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming "Glory!" to awestruck shepherds.
When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience.
As you identify with Me heaven's vistas open up before you -- granting you glimpses of My Glory.
I became poor so that you might become rich.
Sing hallelujahs to My Holy Name!
-- From Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young
This radiant knowledge transcends all understanding.
It transforms every fiber of your being: renewing your mind, cleansing your heart, invigorating your body.
Open yourself fully to My Presence: be awed by My glorious being.
Try to imagine what I gave up when I came into your world as a baby.
I set aside My Glory so that I could identify with mankind. I accepted the limitations of infancy under the most appalling conditions -- a filthy stable.
That was a dark night for Me, even though angels lit up the sky proclaiming "Glory!" to awestruck shepherds.
When you sit quietly with Me, the process I went through is reversed in your experience.
As you identify with Me heaven's vistas open up before you -- granting you glimpses of My Glory.
I became poor so that you might become rich.
Sing hallelujahs to My Holy Name!
-- From Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young
The Son is the Radiance of the Father, the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. Hebrews 1:3
Friday, October 11, 2019
The best deal in the universe -- Ann Coulter
These lines are from Ann Coulter's column 01/06/2010. The article was written in response to the wide criticism of Brit Hume when he told Tiger Woods that he could find forgiveness and redemption in the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
By Ann Coulter.....
Someone mentioned Christianity on television recently and liberals reacted with their usual howls of rage and blinking incomprehension.
On a Fox News panel discussing Tiger Woods, Brit Hume said, perfectly accurately:
Hume's words, being 100% factually correct, sent liberals into a tizzy of sputtering rage, once again illustrating liberals' copious ignorance of Christianity. (Also illustrating the words of the Bible: "How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words." John 8:43)
Most perplexing was columnist Dan Savage's indignant accusation that Hume was claiming that Christianity "offers the best deal--it gives you the get-out-of-adultery-free card that other religions can't."
In fact, that's exactly what Christianity does. It's the best deal in the universe.
God sent his Son to get the crap beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you--sins even worse than adultery!--because of the cross.
"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14.
Surely you remember the cross, liberals--the symbol banned by the ACLU lawsuits from public property throughout the land?
Christianity is simultaneously the easiest religion in the world and the hardest religion in the world.
In the no-frills, economy-class version, you don't need a church, a teacher, candles, incense, special food or clothing; you don't need to pass a test or prove yourself in any way. All you'll need is a Bible (in order to grasp the amazing deal you're getting) and probably a water baptism, though even that's disputed.
You can be washing the dishes or walking your dog or just sitting there minding your business hating Susan Sarandon and accept that God sent His only son to die for your sins and rise from the dead...and you're in!
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
If you do that, every rotten, sinful thing you've ever done is gone from you. You're every bit as much a Christian as the pope or Billy Graham.
No fine print, no "your mileage may vary," no blackout dates. God ought to do a TV spot: "I'm God Almighty, and if you can find a better deal in the universe than the one I'm offering, take it!"
The Gospel makes this point approximately 1000 times. Here are a few examples at random:
"For God so loved the world he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies--no doing what all the other kids do.
And no more caring what the world thinks of you--because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals--The world will hate you.
With Christianity your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.
By Ann Coulter.....
Someone mentioned Christianity on television recently and liberals reacted with their usual howls of rage and blinking incomprehension.
On a Fox News panel discussing Tiger Woods, Brit Hume said, perfectly accurately:
The extent to which he can recover, it seems to me, depends on his faith. He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, "Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."
Hume's words, being 100% factually correct, sent liberals into a tizzy of sputtering rage, once again illustrating liberals' copious ignorance of Christianity. (Also illustrating the words of the Bible: "How is it you do not understand me when I speak? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my words." John 8:43)
Most perplexing was columnist Dan Savage's indignant accusation that Hume was claiming that Christianity "offers the best deal--it gives you the get-out-of-adultery-free card that other religions can't."
In fact, that's exactly what Christianity does. It's the best deal in the universe.
God sent his Son to get the crap beaten out of him, die for our sins and rise from the dead. If you believe that, you're in. Your sins are washed away from you--sins even worse than adultery!--because of the cross.
"He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14.
Surely you remember the cross, liberals--the symbol banned by the ACLU lawsuits from public property throughout the land?
Christianity is simultaneously the easiest religion in the world and the hardest religion in the world.
In the no-frills, economy-class version, you don't need a church, a teacher, candles, incense, special food or clothing; you don't need to pass a test or prove yourself in any way. All you'll need is a Bible (in order to grasp the amazing deal you're getting) and probably a water baptism, though even that's disputed.
You can be washing the dishes or walking your dog or just sitting there minding your business hating Susan Sarandon and accept that God sent His only son to die for your sins and rise from the dead...and you're in!
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
If you do that, every rotten, sinful thing you've ever done is gone from you. You're every bit as much a Christian as the pope or Billy Graham.
No fine print, no "your mileage may vary," no blackout dates. God ought to do a TV spot: "I'm God Almighty, and if you can find a better deal in the universe than the one I'm offering, take it!"
The Gospel makes this point approximately 1000 times. Here are a few examples at random:
"For God so loved the world he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
Christianity is also the hardest religion in the world because, if you believe Christ died for your sins and rose from the dead, you have no choice but to give your life entirely over to Him. No more sexual promiscuity, no lying, no cheating, no stealing, no killing inconvenient old people or unborn babies--no doing what all the other kids do.
And no more caring what the world thinks of you--because, as Jesus warned in a prophecy constantly fulfilled by liberals--The world will hate you.
With Christianity your sins are forgiven, the slate is wiped clean and your eternal life is guaranteed through nothing you did yourself, even though you don't deserve it. It's the best deal in the universe.
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