I read the following this morning in a sermon written by the Rev. Charles Spurgeon:
"I have heard of one who preached much against certain errors, but there was another servant of the Lord who never preached against those errors, but who always proclaimed the gospel right out straight; and when one asked him why he did not attack the errors, he said, 'I do preach against them most effectually. If there is a crooked stick about, and you want to show how many crooks there are in it, you need not do anything except lay a straight one down by the side of it, and the crookedness of the other stick will be detected at once'."
Lord, may I take great care to speak your Truth, knowing full well that the Spirit will "take it from there."
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Do not fear the world
We were reminded recently during a study of Ecclesiastes that we are born into a life "under the sun," and without Christ that life is nothing but "vanity."
Our pastor reminded us that it is God's desire that we shine His light in the world, which repeatedly calls for us to do the "uncomfortable," seek relationship with the "difficult."
I was inspired mid-study to pray the following: "Lord, I pray that the lost -- the 'pre-saved' -- including the children of the church(!), would have the courage to express their doubts about You, to ask the hard questions (NEVER characterize a question about Christ as 'stupid!'). At the same time, I pray that we (your surrendered servants) would extend your grace, giving those who question the Truth the freedom to do so without fear of our reaction. Crush my fear of such conversations/relationships. Inspire me to lean entirely on You to convict those with the hole in the heart that only you can fill."
1 Thessalonianas 5:19
"Do not quench the Spirit."
Our pastor reminded us that it is God's desire that we shine His light in the world, which repeatedly calls for us to do the "uncomfortable," seek relationship with the "difficult."
I was inspired mid-study to pray the following: "Lord, I pray that the lost -- the 'pre-saved' -- including the children of the church(!), would have the courage to express their doubts about You, to ask the hard questions (NEVER characterize a question about Christ as 'stupid!'). At the same time, I pray that we (your surrendered servants) would extend your grace, giving those who question the Truth the freedom to do so without fear of our reaction. Crush my fear of such conversations/relationships. Inspire me to lean entirely on You to convict those with the hole in the heart that only you can fill."
1 Thessalonianas 5:19
"Do not quench the Spirit."
Friday, October 14, 2011
Rubber crutch
I had a pleasant surprise today when I typed "rubber crutch" into a search engine. That surprise follows:
Everyone has a crutch. Will yours hold you up?
By Gregory Koukl
When people ask me, “Isn’t Christ just a crutch?” I have a simple reply. I tell them, “You’re right. Christ is a crutch. But you’ve asked the wrong question.”
No one makes fun of a lame person who uses a crutch. So the real question is, “Am I lame; am I crippled?” because crippled people need crutches.
The fact is, everybody leans on something. As a Christian I lean on Jesus, because He’s a crutch that can hold me. What about you?
When I was a kid and someone told a dumb joke, we’d say, “That’s as funny as a rubber crutch.” The point is “rubber crutches” aren’t funny. As it turns out, though, a lot of people are leaning on rubber crutches.
The real question is not whether you have a crutch or not. Everybody does. The real question is, “Can your crutch hold you?”
What’s your fancy? What is it that makes your life work for you? A relationship? A secure job? Your bank account? Your health? Power? All of those are rubber crutches.
If whatever you’re depending on for security and significance can be here today and gone tomorrow, then you’re in trouble. You’re leaning on a rubber crutch. And that’s not funny.
Yes, Christians lean on Christ. Call it a crutch if you want, but our crutch can hold us.
One person put it this way: A Christian is one who has come to the end of his rope. He admits his deep need. He knows he’s crippled in many ways, and needs help. When you finally come to your senses and realize you’re deeply crippled and dying, Christ isn’t “just” a crutch—He’s an iron lung.
Everyone has a crutch. Will yours hold you up?
By Gregory Koukl
When people ask me, “Isn’t Christ just a crutch?” I have a simple reply. I tell them, “You’re right. Christ is a crutch. But you’ve asked the wrong question.”
No one makes fun of a lame person who uses a crutch. So the real question is, “Am I lame; am I crippled?” because crippled people need crutches.
The fact is, everybody leans on something. As a Christian I lean on Jesus, because He’s a crutch that can hold me. What about you?
When I was a kid and someone told a dumb joke, we’d say, “That’s as funny as a rubber crutch.” The point is “rubber crutches” aren’t funny. As it turns out, though, a lot of people are leaning on rubber crutches.
The real question is not whether you have a crutch or not. Everybody does. The real question is, “Can your crutch hold you?”
What’s your fancy? What is it that makes your life work for you? A relationship? A secure job? Your bank account? Your health? Power? All of those are rubber crutches.
If whatever you’re depending on for security and significance can be here today and gone tomorrow, then you’re in trouble. You’re leaning on a rubber crutch. And that’s not funny.
Yes, Christians lean on Christ. Call it a crutch if you want, but our crutch can hold us.
One person put it this way: A Christian is one who has come to the end of his rope. He admits his deep need. He knows he’s crippled in many ways, and needs help. When you finally come to your senses and realize you’re deeply crippled and dying, Christ isn’t “just” a crutch—He’s an iron lung.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Was lost, but now am found
I was impressed recently when I spotted a T-shirt that read: "I am the wretch the song talked about."
The reference, obvious because we were at a Christian conference, was to the beloved song "Amazing Grace" by John Newton.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
When I shared the T-shirt message with a friend back home, however, she immediately suggested a more accurate alternative:
"I WAS the wretch the song talked about."
How true! Thank you, Lord, for your love and grace -- and for the invitation you extend to all to be born again into an eternal life that includes an earthbound journey with you. Thank you for healing that leads from darkness to light; for the "death" that leads to life.
1 Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 Peter 1:23
"... for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God."
The reference, obvious because we were at a Christian conference, was to the beloved song "Amazing Grace" by John Newton.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me,
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.
When I shared the T-shirt message with a friend back home, however, she immediately suggested a more accurate alternative:
"I WAS the wretch the song talked about."
How true! Thank you, Lord, for your love and grace -- and for the invitation you extend to all to be born again into an eternal life that includes an earthbound journey with you. Thank you for healing that leads from darkness to light; for the "death" that leads to life.
1 Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 Peter 1:23
"... for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God."
Monday, October 10, 2011
All have sinned ... but do not despair!
It was a seaside blessing with ripple effect...
A couple of weeks ago one of our daughters took her two children to the beach where, in the midst of a busy "mom" time, the Father manifested His presence. While the children played, Mom had begun to collect stones, and soon settled upon the goal of gathering white stones.
At some point in the collection process, she discovered a particularly beautiful stone, pearly white and shaped to perfection by years of tidal action. She held this stone in one hand, and then examined a stone in the other hand. Upon close inspection, she saw that this "white" stone actually had spots and veins of gray and black. It was irregularly shaped, and ragged to the touch.
"This is me, rough and spotty," mom thought to herself.
"No, my precious one," the Lord responded immediately, directing her attention back to the beautiful white stone in her other hand. "THIS is you!"
In that moment, with children scrambling and giggling at her feet, mother experienced a special opportunity to see herself through God's eyes. In His love, the Father chose that simple time of family adventure to remind His beloved child that she is forever washed clean and pure in the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In essence, mom was correct when she saw herself in the imperfect stone. There is no way, after all, that we can understand and accept God's perfect grace without first coming to the end of ourselves ... without coming to grips with the fact that left to our own works, we are hopelessly lost in sin.
It is critical, however, that we also accept fully the amazing gift of His grace ... life "in and through Jesus Christ" on "the other side of the cross." Surrendered to Him, we step into the promise of eternal relationship as part of His family. In this life, to be sure, we will stumble on our walk toward eternity. But thanks be to God for His blessed assurance! For the promise that because of His Son's sacrifice on our behalf, we are free from the enemy's lie that we must "perform" to perfection to "earn" His love and a place in His eternal home.
Thank you, Father, for this supernatural expression of your love in the midst of "routine" -- and for the shared blessing this experience will yield for all who hear about it.
Psalm 103: 12
"...as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD. "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
Song of Songs 4:7
"All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you."
A couple of weeks ago one of our daughters took her two children to the beach where, in the midst of a busy "mom" time, the Father manifested His presence. While the children played, Mom had begun to collect stones, and soon settled upon the goal of gathering white stones.
At some point in the collection process, she discovered a particularly beautiful stone, pearly white and shaped to perfection by years of tidal action. She held this stone in one hand, and then examined a stone in the other hand. Upon close inspection, she saw that this "white" stone actually had spots and veins of gray and black. It was irregularly shaped, and ragged to the touch.
"This is me, rough and spotty," mom thought to herself.
"No, my precious one," the Lord responded immediately, directing her attention back to the beautiful white stone in her other hand. "THIS is you!"
In that moment, with children scrambling and giggling at her feet, mother experienced a special opportunity to see herself through God's eyes. In His love, the Father chose that simple time of family adventure to remind His beloved child that she is forever washed clean and pure in the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
In essence, mom was correct when she saw herself in the imperfect stone. There is no way, after all, that we can understand and accept God's perfect grace without first coming to the end of ourselves ... without coming to grips with the fact that left to our own works, we are hopelessly lost in sin.
It is critical, however, that we also accept fully the amazing gift of His grace ... life "in and through Jesus Christ" on "the other side of the cross." Surrendered to Him, we step into the promise of eternal relationship as part of His family. In this life, to be sure, we will stumble on our walk toward eternity. But thanks be to God for His blessed assurance! For the promise that because of His Son's sacrifice on our behalf, we are free from the enemy's lie that we must "perform" to perfection to "earn" His love and a place in His eternal home.
Thank you, Father, for this supernatural expression of your love in the midst of "routine" -- and for the shared blessing this experience will yield for all who hear about it.
Psalm 103: 12
"...as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD. "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
Song of Songs 4:7
"All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you."
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