Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? -James 2:22
"Faith and morals are two sides of the same coin. Indeed the very essence of faith is moral. Any professed faith in Christ as personal Saviour that does not bring the life under plenary obedience to Christ as Lord is inadequate and must betray it’s victim at the last.
The man that believes will obey; failure to obey is convincing proof that there is not true faith present. To attempt the impossible God must give faith or there will be none, and He gives faith to the obedient heart only. Where real repentance is, there is obedience; for repentance is not only sorrow for past failures and sins, it is a determination to begin now to do the will of God as He reveals it to us." - A.W. Tozer, Man, The Dwelling Place of God
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wisdom Wednesday 08/26
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ~ Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days. Instruct us to set store by time, mourning for that time past wherein we have wrought the will of the flesh, using diligently the time present, which is the accepted hour and the day of salvation, and reckoning the time which lieth in the future to be too uncertain to allow us safely to delay any gracious work or prayer. Numeration is a child's exercise in arithmetic, but in order to number their days aright the best of men need the Lord's teaching. We are more anxious to count the stars than our days, and yet the latter is by far more practical.
That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Men are led by reflections upon the brevity of time to give their earnest attention to eternal things; they become humble as they look into the grave which is so soon to be their bed, their passions cool in the presence of mortality, and they yield themselves up to the dictates of unerring wisdom; but this is only the case when the Lord himself is the teacher; he alone can teach to real and lasting profit. Thus Moses prayed that the dispensations of justice might be sanctified in mercy. "The law is our school master to bring us to Christ", when the Lord himself speaks by the law. It is most meet that the heart which will so soon cease to beat should while it moves be regulated by wisdom's hand. A short life should be wisely spent. We have not enough time at our disposal to justify us in misspending a single quarter of an hour. Neither are we sure of enough life to justify us in procrastinating for a moment. If we were wise in heart we should see this, but mere head wisdom will not guide us aright.
~ Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David
So teach us to number our days. Instruct us to set store by time, mourning for that time past wherein we have wrought the will of the flesh, using diligently the time present, which is the accepted hour and the day of salvation, and reckoning the time which lieth in the future to be too uncertain to allow us safely to delay any gracious work or prayer. Numeration is a child's exercise in arithmetic, but in order to number their days aright the best of men need the Lord's teaching. We are more anxious to count the stars than our days, and yet the latter is by far more practical.
That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Men are led by reflections upon the brevity of time to give their earnest attention to eternal things; they become humble as they look into the grave which is so soon to be their bed, their passions cool in the presence of mortality, and they yield themselves up to the dictates of unerring wisdom; but this is only the case when the Lord himself is the teacher; he alone can teach to real and lasting profit. Thus Moses prayed that the dispensations of justice might be sanctified in mercy. "The law is our school master to bring us to Christ", when the Lord himself speaks by the law. It is most meet that the heart which will so soon cease to beat should while it moves be regulated by wisdom's hand. A short life should be wisely spent. We have not enough time at our disposal to justify us in misspending a single quarter of an hour. Neither are we sure of enough life to justify us in procrastinating for a moment. If we were wise in heart we should see this, but mere head wisdom will not guide us aright.
~ Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Textual Tuesday 08/25
“But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That is was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:5
Paul tells us in Galatians 2:4 who these of the sect of the Pharisees were. He calls them “…false brethren… who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage.”
It appears that these ‘false brethren’ were trying to pervert the gospel. They were teaching grace + law. They taught that believing in Jesus was not enough to be saved, you must also be keeping the law. (vs. 1)
These men professed to be acting with the commission and authority of the apostles, though in truth, they were not. ( vs. 24) They had slipped in among the brethren to spy out their freedom in Christ Jesus and try to persuade them to go back under law….which Paul called bondage. (Gal. 2:4)
When considering these passages, I took a few minutes to look through scripture in the New Testament and consider the Pharisees. I found that they were always confronting Jesus about the law. They were concerned about such things as: keeping the Sabbath, fasting, tithes and offerings, divorce, traditions of the elders, tribute to Caesar, long impressive prayers, making converts, etc. (Jn 9:16, Lu 6:2, Mk 2:18, Mt 23:23, Mt 19:3, Mk 7:3-5, Mt22:5-21, Mt 6:5, Mt 23:15)
Yet, Jesus said to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, that is their doctrines. He said they looked good on the outside, but they were dead on the inside. (Mt 16:11-2, Mt 23:27)
The Pharisees were so law minded, they missed grace. They failed to learn what the law was given to teach them, that is, their need for a Savior. ( Ro 7:7, Ro 3:20-21, Ro 8:3, Ga 2:16, Ga 3:24, Jn 1:17)
Sadly, there are many today who still seek to be justified by the works of the law. They will say, “Yes Jesus saves, but, you must be keeping the law or you will not be saved.” They may word it a little differently, but the doctrine is still the same. They would bring us back into the bondage of the law. They do not truly understand our Lord’s words when He said… “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (Jn 8:36)
When confronted by modern day Pharisees consider Paul’s admonition to the Galatians…
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. O, Foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Ga 2:21; 3:1-3)
And remember what he said about those Judaizers…
“For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.” (Ga 6:13)
So go and “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Ga 5:1)
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Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Fellowship Friday 08/21
“In the providence of God, after my conversion in 1974, I met an old man that nobody wanted. His name was Mac. He lived in an abandoned house near the junkyard that I passed each day on my way to work in the Capitol building. I gave him a ride one day into town and he told me about his life. He was dirty and unkept and had no one in this world to care about him except his friends, five big dogs. My family and I befriended Mac and God taught me many lessons from that man’s life.”
Read more about The Missionary Penny at Jewels for His Crown.
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Thursday, August 20, 2009
Thoughts Thursday 08/20
"If I am going to know who Jesus is, I must obey Him. The majority of us do not know Jesus because we have not the remotest intention of obeying Him." - Oswald Chambers
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Wisdom Wednesday 08/19
Wisdom Speaks:
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
“Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”~ Proverbs 8:1-11
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
“Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”~ Proverbs 8:1-11
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Fellowship Friday 08/14
Arguing...
bickering...
fussy...
...unkind siblings?
Check out this idea at The Moore the Merrier
bickering...
fussy...
...unkind siblings?
Check out this idea at The Moore the Merrier
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wisdom Wednesday 08/12
Don't Be Foolish...Get Wisdom!
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul. He that keepeth understanding shall find good.
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
(James 1:5; 1Corinthians 3:19; James 3:17; Proverbs 4:7, 4:5, 19:8, 3:13, 8:11)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fellowship Friday 07/31
A beautiful, Biblical idea from Fish With Trish… Check it out!
Feeling down? Why don’t you take an hour and do this…
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Feeling down? Why don’t you take an hour and do this…
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Thursday, July 30, 2009
Thoughts Thursday 07/30
In the matter of holiness, how is it with our souls? "How do we do?"
It is as certain as anything in the Bible that "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). It is equally certain that it is the invariable fruit of saving faith, the real test of regeneration, the only sound evidence of indwelling grace, the certain consequence of vital union with Christ.
Holiness is not absolute perfection and freedom from all faults. Nothing of the kind! The wild words of some who talk of enjoying "unbroken communion with God for many months, are greatly to be deprecated, because they raise unscriptural expectations in the minds of young believers, and so do harm. Absolute perfection is for heaven, and not for earth, where we have a weak body, a wicked world, and a busy devil continually near our souls. Nor is real Christian holiness ever attained, or maintained, without a constant fight and struggle. The great Apostle, who said "I fight,-I labor,-I keep under my body and bring it into subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27), would have been amazed to hear of sanctification without personal exertion, and to be told that believers only need to sit still, and everything will be done for them!
Yet, weak and imperfect as the holiness of the best saints may be, it is a real true thing, and has a character about it as unmistakable as light and salt. It is not a thing which begins and ends with noisy profession: it will be seen much more than heard. Genuine Scriptural holiness will make a man do his duty at home and by the fireside, and adorn his doctrine in the little trials of daily life. It will exhibit itself in passive graces as well as in active. It will make a man humble, kind, gentle, unselfish, good-tempered, considerate of others, loving, meek, and forgiving. It will not constrain him to go out of the world, and shut himself up in a cave, like a hermit. But it will make him do his duty in that state to which God has called him, on Christian principles, and after the pattern of Christ.
Such holiness, I know well, is not common. It is a style of practical Christianity which is painfully rare in these days. But I can find no other standard of holiness in the Word of God,- no other which comes up to the pictures drawn by our Lord and His Apostles. In an age like this no reader can wonder if I press this subject also on men's attention. Once more let us ask--In the matter of holiness, how is it with our souls? "How do we do?" - J.C. Ryle Practical Religion
It is as certain as anything in the Bible that "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). It is equally certain that it is the invariable fruit of saving faith, the real test of regeneration, the only sound evidence of indwelling grace, the certain consequence of vital union with Christ.
Holiness is not absolute perfection and freedom from all faults. Nothing of the kind! The wild words of some who talk of enjoying "unbroken communion with God for many months, are greatly to be deprecated, because they raise unscriptural expectations in the minds of young believers, and so do harm. Absolute perfection is for heaven, and not for earth, where we have a weak body, a wicked world, and a busy devil continually near our souls. Nor is real Christian holiness ever attained, or maintained, without a constant fight and struggle. The great Apostle, who said "I fight,-I labor,-I keep under my body and bring it into subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27), would have been amazed to hear of sanctification without personal exertion, and to be told that believers only need to sit still, and everything will be done for them!
Yet, weak and imperfect as the holiness of the best saints may be, it is a real true thing, and has a character about it as unmistakable as light and salt. It is not a thing which begins and ends with noisy profession: it will be seen much more than heard. Genuine Scriptural holiness will make a man do his duty at home and by the fireside, and adorn his doctrine in the little trials of daily life. It will exhibit itself in passive graces as well as in active. It will make a man humble, kind, gentle, unselfish, good-tempered, considerate of others, loving, meek, and forgiving. It will not constrain him to go out of the world, and shut himself up in a cave, like a hermit. But it will make him do his duty in that state to which God has called him, on Christian principles, and after the pattern of Christ.
Such holiness, I know well, is not common. It is a style of practical Christianity which is painfully rare in these days. But I can find no other standard of holiness in the Word of God,- no other which comes up to the pictures drawn by our Lord and His Apostles. In an age like this no reader can wonder if I press this subject also on men's attention. Once more let us ask--In the matter of holiness, how is it with our souls? "How do we do?" - J.C. Ryle Practical Religion
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wisdom Wednesday 07/29
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
It shall be health to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.
-Proverbs 3: 5-8
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Textual Tuesday 07/28
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
~ John 3:5
Some will teach the water mentioned here in John 3:5 is referring to the practice of water baptism for remission of sins. Some say this teaches water baptism which places you into the local church body. Others will say that the water spoken of in this verse is referring to man’s physical birth, noting that Nicodemus had made reference to such.
Which interpretation is correct? Or is there another?
My gleanings:
Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. He is a teacher of the law. He comes to Jesus to examine him and his ministry. Immediately, Jesus tells Nicodemus that for a man to see (understand) the kingdom of God, he must be born again. We know Jesus is speaking of a spiritual things, but Nicodemus is thinking after the flesh. We see that in his response about a man entering into his mother’s womb a second time. Jesus expounds further to Nicodemus about the new birth when he says that "unless a man is born or water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Jesus continues to address the spiritual, not the physical.
Scripture shows us that Holy Spirit is represented in the similitude of water. Jesus himself used the symbolism of water when speaking of the Holy Spirit.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38-39)
“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Corinthians 12:13)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)
As physical water can spring up, flow, quench thirst, wash and cleanse, so is the spiritual work of the Holy Spirit likened.
Is therefore the water Jesus speaks of in John 3:5 referring of a ‘physical’ birth or a ‘physical’ water baptism? Probably not.
Consider the following verses.
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3)
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" (Isaiah 44:3)
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:25-28)
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29)
Did Jesus chose his terminology purposively in his conversation with this ruler of the Jews? I think so.
As a teacher of the law, Nicodemus would have been familiar with these passages. They should have come to his mind and he should have understood the spiritual things Jesus was speaking of when he spoke of the water and the Spirit. However, he did not understand.
Why?
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)
And as Jesus said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (vs. 6)
In order for Nicodemus to see (understand) and to enter the kingdom of God, he needed to be born of the Spirit of God. For…“It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63)
Conclusion: There is at least one other possible interpretation to consider regarding verse five of John chapter three.
~ John 3:5
Some will teach the water mentioned here in John 3:5 is referring to the practice of water baptism for remission of sins. Some say this teaches water baptism which places you into the local church body. Others will say that the water spoken of in this verse is referring to man’s physical birth, noting that Nicodemus had made reference to such.
Which interpretation is correct? Or is there another?
My gleanings:
Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews. He is a teacher of the law. He comes to Jesus to examine him and his ministry. Immediately, Jesus tells Nicodemus that for a man to see (understand) the kingdom of God, he must be born again. We know Jesus is speaking of a spiritual things, but Nicodemus is thinking after the flesh. We see that in his response about a man entering into his mother’s womb a second time. Jesus expounds further to Nicodemus about the new birth when he says that "unless a man is born or water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Jesus continues to address the spiritual, not the physical.
Scripture shows us that Holy Spirit is represented in the similitude of water. Jesus himself used the symbolism of water when speaking of the Holy Spirit.
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38-39)
“But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1Corinthians 12:13)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)
As physical water can spring up, flow, quench thirst, wash and cleanse, so is the spiritual work of the Holy Spirit likened.
Is therefore the water Jesus speaks of in John 3:5 referring of a ‘physical’ birth or a ‘physical’ water baptism? Probably not.
Consider the following verses.
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3)
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" (Isaiah 44:3)
"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." (Ezekiel 36:25-28)
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit." (Joel 2:28-29)
Did Jesus chose his terminology purposively in his conversation with this ruler of the Jews? I think so.
As a teacher of the law, Nicodemus would have been familiar with these passages. They should have come to his mind and he should have understood the spiritual things Jesus was speaking of when he spoke of the water and the Spirit. However, he did not understand.
Why?
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5)
And as Jesus said, “that which is born of the flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (vs. 6)
In order for Nicodemus to see (understand) and to enter the kingdom of God, he needed to be born of the Spirit of God. For…“It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63)
Conclusion: There is at least one other possible interpretation to consider regarding verse five of John chapter three.
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