Quick Update....
What struggle we face but should I be suprise at them?
What praise will I sing? What song is in my heart?
Although the pain does not stop, I am I to stop praising His name?
Although there is no call for prayer, will I stop praying?
Although few will gather will my fire die?
Although few will gather and few will come. Few will understand and few will weep. Will I then stop my tears? Is this it I would ponder, we came we met and wept we left? But if then our fire dies then it was in vain? But if we are stired and will not give up until in he Comes then Amen.
For hearts that are stired to praying yet I have seen soon fire fades. But why? Life seems to be answer. We come busy and caught up in other things. Oh may it never be, but this day our would grow hoter for love of Christ. Our depth and understanding of prayer would grow.
Indeed there there is a greater meeting still. Who is eager for such a day?
Eager for God can and will do today in our lives? What grace he has given us, praise his name. He is worthy of our lives. our ways our hearts. Our everything, why then hold back, but give all and die at the cross..
So wherever you are, prayer meeting or not, don't give up press on.
Whom do we pray too? Is he able to make a praying Church?
But don't give up, but learn to wait and pray alone. Or maybe this what God keeps telling me. I have struggle what part do I have here at this Church? All I know for the last three years was prayer, and serving the Church in that manner. But they in some ways to hold off for big prayer meeting. I was upset and didn't understand the reason in it all. I still struggle with this, trusting God is more then able. And just need wait and pray.
My heart so heavy, if I be here please let there be a few I can meet with and pray.
And indeed today he blessed my prayer. and brought three lady who will meet on Saturday at 10 am. but before and even now, sometimes I fail to see Gods grace working. There is hope. I find my the best place to be is to thanking God, and praiseing him for what he will do and is doing now.
God has been showing the real and applyable ways to encourage my Church family to prayer. But the task seem hard and I am weary just thinking about it. But God grace can help me. I need his grace to walk and obey and to see what is he doing.
I read some great verses...
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified" 1 Corn 9:24-27
Two keys things for me.. Self- Control .. and discipline. With what I eat.
Some times I think I have the right to eat what I want. Or I can as long as I do in under control. I seen that the lust of my flesh for sugar and other things I shouldn't eat all, has taken over and given birth to sin and lack of self - control. I know the facts and effects of even slipping once here and there. ( Note I am not eating it everyday. But even once is deadly in some ways) Why I say one time can be deadly is it open the door for more times, and soon it grows.
As John Owen says "" you must always be at it while you live; do not take a day off from this work ; always be killing sin or it will be killing you."
As part of my reason, just a rest here and there, but putting to death my ways it seems it needed everyday.
This hits home in such a real way. My sin of eating these food here and there I sure will not kill me this day, but the cause and effect it can have my body can be big. So idea or thought of sin killing us. Is so real to me this week. What I sometimes call little or not important is in fact big.
"When sin lets us alone, we may let sin alone; but sin is always active when it seems to be the most quiet, and its waters are often deep when they are calm." John Owen
This again is so true for me this week. I can't give up. I must be at war always. but I am always thankful God showed that I can't do this with out Christ.
"Sin’s expression is modest in the beginning but, once it has gained a foothold, it continue to take further ground and presses on to the greater heights. This advance of sin as it continues to grow." John Owen
" To neglect of this duty makes the inner mad decay instead of renewing him" John Owen
So I reason that I can eat this if I give more Med. What wrong thinking. a cover up for what I shouldn't have in the frist place. For some reason, if I could make so My blood sugar dosn't go up then I can eat. But I fail to remeber that is hurts others things that sometimes can't be seen. Same in my life I can't sin and use grace to cover it up. The heart motive is still there.
Anyways I had made a cake thing. I left in the house I was going to eat the next day. But brother gave it to the dogs. I was upset at frist then saw Gods grace for me. How weak we are at times.
Blessing in The Lord
charlene
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Priorities and the Mysteries of God
Christians everywhere are locked in battle over the proper view of the end times, the proper interpretation of the millenium, the pros and cons of the charismatic gifts etc., etc., etc. I have struggled over the past year with how much time and energy should be expended in searching out answers on these issues. In the closing months of this year it became painfully obvious that I could dig my heels in on any one of these issues and spend huge volumes of time trying to discern answers to so many of these questions. While I fret and study and pray for enlightenment, I am blissfully unaware that I am neglecting the Great Commission that stands apart from these divisive arguments and commands that we simply share the "good news" of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us and, when this seed takes root and regenerates the lost, we are simply to be about the business of discipleship.
It believe Satan is quite happy and content to have us spend hours and days and months and years trying to search out the mysteries of God. Every hour spent in this pursuit keeps us away from the lost who are headed to eternity with him in hell. We have the one thing they need to be saved. The following quote by Spurgeon sums this up quite well.
Preaching on the subject of the "Second Advent" at The Metropolitan Tabernacle in December of 1884, he stated this:
"Some Christians are very curious, but not obedient. Plain precepts are
neglected, but difficult problems they seek to solve. I remember one who used to be dwelling upon the vials and seals and trumpets. He was great at apocalyptic symbols; but he had seven children, and he had no family prayer. If he had left the vials and trumpets and minded his boys and girls, it would have been a deal better.
I have known men marvelously great upon Daniel and specially instructed in Ezekiel, but singularly forgetful of the twentieth of Exodus, and not very clear upon Romans the eighth. I do not speak with any blame of such folks for studying Daniel and Ezekiel, but quite the reverse; yet I wish they had been more zealous for the conversion of sinners in their neighborhoods, and the more careful to assist the poor saints. I admit the value of the study of the feet of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's vision, and the importance of knowing the kingdoms
which make up the ten toes, but I do not see the propriety of allowing such studies to overlay the common-places of practical godliness. If the time spent over obscure theological propositions were given to a mission in the dim alley near the good man's house, more benefit would come to man and more glory to God.
I would have you understand all the mysteries brethren, if you could; but do not forget that our chief business here below is to cry, "Behold the Lamb!" Charles H. Spurgeon
Your brother in this battle, Steve
It believe Satan is quite happy and content to have us spend hours and days and months and years trying to search out the mysteries of God. Every hour spent in this pursuit keeps us away from the lost who are headed to eternity with him in hell. We have the one thing they need to be saved. The following quote by Spurgeon sums this up quite well.
Preaching on the subject of the "Second Advent" at The Metropolitan Tabernacle in December of 1884, he stated this:
"Some Christians are very curious, but not obedient. Plain precepts are
neglected, but difficult problems they seek to solve. I remember one who used to be dwelling upon the vials and seals and trumpets. He was great at apocalyptic symbols; but he had seven children, and he had no family prayer. If he had left the vials and trumpets and minded his boys and girls, it would have been a deal better.
I have known men marvelously great upon Daniel and specially instructed in Ezekiel, but singularly forgetful of the twentieth of Exodus, and not very clear upon Romans the eighth. I do not speak with any blame of such folks for studying Daniel and Ezekiel, but quite the reverse; yet I wish they had been more zealous for the conversion of sinners in their neighborhoods, and the more careful to assist the poor saints. I admit the value of the study of the feet of the image of Nebuchadnezzar's vision, and the importance of knowing the kingdoms
which make up the ten toes, but I do not see the propriety of allowing such studies to overlay the common-places of practical godliness. If the time spent over obscure theological propositions were given to a mission in the dim alley near the good man's house, more benefit would come to man and more glory to God.
I would have you understand all the mysteries brethren, if you could; but do not forget that our chief business here below is to cry, "Behold the Lamb!" Charles H. Spurgeon
Your brother in this battle, Steve
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Another Year Draws to a Close
Brothers and Sisters,
As another year draws to a close and we contemplate and evaluate the activities of the past 365 days, I wonder how many more holiday seasons we have left. Don't worry, I have no doomsday prophecy for our blog but, I have attended numerous funerals this year for men and women who, last year at this time, had no idea they would be in eternity today. What would they say if they could speak to us this day?
Will our group be intact for another year or will 2008 be the year that someone in our union, or in our immediate family will enter eternity? There are no guarantees and when I evaluate the past 12 months, I am so thankful for the way each one of you have challenged me to press on and press in. The let-down after Canton was inevitable but should this be so? Do we not have a far greater event and a far greater reunion coming? 2008 could be the year that I meet my Savior face-to-face. It could be the year that one of my brothers or sisters in this union will make that final journey. Since we poured out our hearts in prayer and fasting leading up to Canton, how can we slip back into the "ordinary" now, knowing that a far greater meeting is on the horizon?
In the same way that we would have been embarrassed to show up in Canton unprepared, let's press on and challenge each other to greater and greater faithfulness in 2008, as this could be the year we make our own journey into eternity. How embarrassing it will be to stand before our Savior and confess we were just too busy to pray, too busy to share the gospel, too busy to read the Word, too busy to love our spouses and children. Let us strip away anything that is weighing us down in this fight.
My prayer for 2008 is that I would finally begin to love Christ more than I love my own flesh. I pray that I would care more for the gospel than for my own beloved image in the eyes of sinful men. I pray that I would invest in the priceless treasure of souls that walk by me every day, blissfully unconcerned that they are headed to an eternity in hell.
Let us continue pressing on and pressing in!
Your brother, Steve
As another year draws to a close and we contemplate and evaluate the activities of the past 365 days, I wonder how many more holiday seasons we have left. Don't worry, I have no doomsday prophecy for our blog but, I have attended numerous funerals this year for men and women who, last year at this time, had no idea they would be in eternity today. What would they say if they could speak to us this day?
Will our group be intact for another year or will 2008 be the year that someone in our union, or in our immediate family will enter eternity? There are no guarantees and when I evaluate the past 12 months, I am so thankful for the way each one of you have challenged me to press on and press in. The let-down after Canton was inevitable but should this be so? Do we not have a far greater event and a far greater reunion coming? 2008 could be the year that I meet my Savior face-to-face. It could be the year that one of my brothers or sisters in this union will make that final journey. Since we poured out our hearts in prayer and fasting leading up to Canton, how can we slip back into the "ordinary" now, knowing that a far greater meeting is on the horizon?
In the same way that we would have been embarrassed to show up in Canton unprepared, let's press on and challenge each other to greater and greater faithfulness in 2008, as this could be the year we make our own journey into eternity. How embarrassing it will be to stand before our Savior and confess we were just too busy to pray, too busy to share the gospel, too busy to read the Word, too busy to love our spouses and children. Let us strip away anything that is weighing us down in this fight.
My prayer for 2008 is that I would finally begin to love Christ more than I love my own flesh. I pray that I would care more for the gospel than for my own beloved image in the eyes of sinful men. I pray that I would invest in the priceless treasure of souls that walk by me every day, blissfully unconcerned that they are headed to an eternity in hell.
Let us continue pressing on and pressing in!
Your brother, Steve
Monday, December 10, 2007
please pray
sorry I am writing again.
I just wanted to ask for prayer for my health
I have been in lots of pain this last week.
It was a really hard day.
Please pray that doors for the Gosple will be open
and God will use to speak of Christ wisly and fearless
I will have much joy in this trail.
Also those around would have a heart to pray, I was in tears today
who wants to come and pray?
Please pray my faith will be strong and my eyes on Christ
thanks
charlene
I just wanted to ask for prayer for my health
I have been in lots of pain this last week.
It was a really hard day.
Please pray that doors for the Gosple will be open
and God will use to speak of Christ wisly and fearless
I will have much joy in this trail.
Also those around would have a heart to pray, I was in tears today
who wants to come and pray?
Please pray my faith will be strong and my eyes on Christ
thanks
charlene
Saturday, December 8, 2007
no rest
A friend sent this to me. I have been battle my health for some time. I have in out of this trail. This really was a blessing. To know in heaven there will such perfect rest.
Blessing in Christ
charlene
This is not your resting-place(Thomas Brooks, "A String of Pearls" 1657)This life is full of trials, full of troubles, and full of changes. Sin within, and Satan and the world without, will keep a Christian from rest, until he comes to rest in the bosom of Christ. The life of a Christian is a race--and what rest have those who are still a-running their race? The life of a Christian is a warfare--and what rest have those who are still engaged in a constant warfare? The life of a Christian is the life of a pilgrim--and what rest has a pilgrim, who is still a-traveling from place to place? The fears, the snares, the cares, the changes, etc., which attend believers in this world, are such that will keep them from taking up their rest here. A Christian hears that word always sounding in his ears, "Arise, for this isnot your resting-place, because it is polluted." Micah 2:10.A man may as well expect to find heaven in hell--as expect to find rest in this world! Rest is a jewel very desirable on earth;but we shall not wear it in our bosoms until we come to heaven.
Man's sorrows begin when his days begin, and his sorrows are multiplied as his days are multiplied; his whole life is but one continued grief:
labor wears him,
care tears him,
fears toss him,
losses vex him,
dangers trouble him,
crosses disquiet him,
nothing pleases him.
he rest reserved in heaven for believers is a universal rest--
a rest from all sin;
a rest from all sorrow;
a rest from all afflictions;
a rest from all temptations;
a rest from all oppression;
a rest from all vexations;
a rest from all labor and pains;
a rest from all trouble and travail;
a rest from all aches, weaknesses, and diseases.
"Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials!" Rev. 14:13
Blessing in Christ
charlene
This is not your resting-place(Thomas Brooks, "A String of Pearls" 1657)This life is full of trials, full of troubles, and full of changes. Sin within, and Satan and the world without, will keep a Christian from rest, until he comes to rest in the bosom of Christ. The life of a Christian is a race--and what rest have those who are still a-running their race? The life of a Christian is a warfare--and what rest have those who are still engaged in a constant warfare? The life of a Christian is the life of a pilgrim--and what rest has a pilgrim, who is still a-traveling from place to place? The fears, the snares, the cares, the changes, etc., which attend believers in this world, are such that will keep them from taking up their rest here. A Christian hears that word always sounding in his ears, "Arise, for this isnot your resting-place, because it is polluted." Micah 2:10.A man may as well expect to find heaven in hell--as expect to find rest in this world! Rest is a jewel very desirable on earth;but we shall not wear it in our bosoms until we come to heaven.
Man's sorrows begin when his days begin, and his sorrows are multiplied as his days are multiplied; his whole life is but one continued grief:
labor wears him,
care tears him,
fears toss him,
losses vex him,
dangers trouble him,
crosses disquiet him,
nothing pleases him.
he rest reserved in heaven for believers is a universal rest--
a rest from all sin;
a rest from all sorrow;
a rest from all afflictions;
a rest from all temptations;
a rest from all oppression;
a rest from all vexations;
a rest from all labor and pains;
a rest from all trouble and travail;
a rest from all aches, weaknesses, and diseases.
"Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed, for they will rest from all their toils and trials!" Rev. 14:13
Thursday, December 6, 2007
be watchful on praying
Why do people not prayer? Others things have taken there time. Sin is what keeps from praying? If a man has a right veiw of sin, he will have a right veiw of God. Therefore he will
desire to pray. I am starting think revile and sin go together in many ways. Without turning from it we stay in the place, but with hunger and turning we grow and go deeper. Maybe it really is as easy as that, the hunger in our hearts for holiness? I guess I still have many questions. Do you think what was written off track, may I ask why?
But as for my Church and the struggle I see with prayer, really is a deeper root. Being I can't call a prayer meeting. But I can go to one house at a time and pray with them. I can pray for them. I can speak of Gods words with them. I have been meeting with two sister alone and praying. I have talked with the pastor. There are things that keep people from praying.
I am finding that speaking and praying on the matters of Holiness, from it comes a deeper heart for prayer. I agree we must be praying, but if they don't then go to them. Have people in or Homes. Don't give up.
Blessing Charlene
Watchful PrayingBy Dave Butts
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2).Devotion to prayer was one of the marks of the early Church. In Acts 2:42, Luke lists four areas of devotion that marked the Jerusalem church: Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. The rest of Acts demonstrates their devotion, as a praying Church breaks out of Judea and embarks upon its mission to the world.God’s call to His people today is for nothing less than that demonstrated by the first believers. Through dependence upon His power through prayer, we establish His kingdom in the lives of men and women everywhere, seeing Christ’s kingdom advance among the nations.In Colossians 4:2, Paul’s command for us to be devoted to prayer is sharpened by the phrase, "being watchful." Watchful praying is a more intense, more kingdom-focused type of prayer. All too often our prayers can be a reflection of an unfocused, bland faith. We ask little, expecting little, and what we do ask for is more about our own desires than the purposes and plans of God.Watchful praying takes effort. It is an aggressive sort of prayer life, recognizing that life is lived out in the midst of a battleground. Watching and praying is a lifestyle focusing on seeing the kingdom of Christ advance and knowing that our prayers are a vital part of what God is doing on planet earth.To watch and pray first of all means that we watch God. As we draw near in intimacy and see how God is moving, we pick up divine cues from Him as to how we should pray. Scripture speaks much of keeping our eyes on the Lord:
• "O my Strength, I watch for You; You, O God, are my fortress…" (Psalm 59:9).
• "But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7).
• "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint" (Habakkuk 2:1).
• "It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’" (Mark 13:34-37).God’s Word also tells us to watch what is happening around us, and sometimes even within us. There is to be an awareness of our surroundings and what God might be doing in them, so that we can pray with greater effectiveness. Here are just a few of the Scriptures that point to this way of watching and praying:
• "Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told" (Habakkuk 1:5).
• "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42).
• "Then He said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.’ Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.’ Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?’ He asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak’" (Matthew 26:38-41).
• "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them" (Deuteronomy 4:9).One of the most fascinating aspects of watchful praying is how closely it ties us to the very nature and activity of God Himself. God is a watcher! Again and again in the Bible we read of how He watches over the affairs of both nations and individuals. He calls us to join Him on His watch…to devote ourselves to watch and pray that we might participate with our Lord in His purposes. What an amazing privilege! Carefully consider these Scriptures that point to God on His watch:
• "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you" (Genesis 28:15).
• "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" (Psalm 32:8).
• "He rules forever by His power, His eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against Him" (Psalm 66:7)
.• "The LORD will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" (Psalm 121:7-8).
• "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).Would you today join with a watching God? He is calling His people to such an intimate place with Him that we begin to see some aspects of what He is seeing as He allows us that privilege. Our watching is for the purpose of praying into our world the purposes and plans of God. How amazing is the grace and calling of God that He would grant us the joy and favor of laboring alongside Him through watchful praying!
desire to pray. I am starting think revile and sin go together in many ways. Without turning from it we stay in the place, but with hunger and turning we grow and go deeper. Maybe it really is as easy as that, the hunger in our hearts for holiness? I guess I still have many questions. Do you think what was written off track, may I ask why?
But as for my Church and the struggle I see with prayer, really is a deeper root. Being I can't call a prayer meeting. But I can go to one house at a time and pray with them. I can pray for them. I can speak of Gods words with them. I have been meeting with two sister alone and praying. I have talked with the pastor. There are things that keep people from praying.
I am finding that speaking and praying on the matters of Holiness, from it comes a deeper heart for prayer. I agree we must be praying, but if they don't then go to them. Have people in or Homes. Don't give up.
Blessing Charlene
Watchful PrayingBy Dave Butts
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (Colossians 4:2).Devotion to prayer was one of the marks of the early Church. In Acts 2:42, Luke lists four areas of devotion that marked the Jerusalem church: Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer. The rest of Acts demonstrates their devotion, as a praying Church breaks out of Judea and embarks upon its mission to the world.God’s call to His people today is for nothing less than that demonstrated by the first believers. Through dependence upon His power through prayer, we establish His kingdom in the lives of men and women everywhere, seeing Christ’s kingdom advance among the nations.In Colossians 4:2, Paul’s command for us to be devoted to prayer is sharpened by the phrase, "being watchful." Watchful praying is a more intense, more kingdom-focused type of prayer. All too often our prayers can be a reflection of an unfocused, bland faith. We ask little, expecting little, and what we do ask for is more about our own desires than the purposes and plans of God.Watchful praying takes effort. It is an aggressive sort of prayer life, recognizing that life is lived out in the midst of a battleground. Watching and praying is a lifestyle focusing on seeing the kingdom of Christ advance and knowing that our prayers are a vital part of what God is doing on planet earth.To watch and pray first of all means that we watch God. As we draw near in intimacy and see how God is moving, we pick up divine cues from Him as to how we should pray. Scripture speaks much of keeping our eyes on the Lord:
• "O my Strength, I watch for You; You, O God, are my fortress…" (Psalm 59:9).
• "But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7).
• "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what He will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint" (Habakkuk 2:1).
• "It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’" (Mark 13:34-37).God’s Word also tells us to watch what is happening around us, and sometimes even within us. There is to be an awareness of our surroundings and what God might be doing in them, so that we can pray with greater effectiveness. Here are just a few of the Scriptures that point to this way of watching and praying:
• "Look at the nations and watch – and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told" (Habakkuk 1:5).
• "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42).
• "Then He said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.’ Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.’ Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?’ He asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak’" (Matthew 26:38-41).
• "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them" (Deuteronomy 4:9).One of the most fascinating aspects of watchful praying is how closely it ties us to the very nature and activity of God Himself. God is a watcher! Again and again in the Bible we read of how He watches over the affairs of both nations and individuals. He calls us to join Him on His watch…to devote ourselves to watch and pray that we might participate with our Lord in His purposes. What an amazing privilege! Carefully consider these Scriptures that point to God on His watch:
• "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you" (Genesis 28:15).
• "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you" (Psalm 32:8).
• "He rules forever by His power, His eyes watch the nations – let not the rebellious rise up against Him" (Psalm 66:7)
.• "The LORD will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" (Psalm 121:7-8).
• "The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).Would you today join with a watching God? He is calling His people to such an intimate place with Him that we begin to see some aspects of what He is seeing as He allows us that privilege. Our watching is for the purpose of praying into our world the purposes and plans of God. How amazing is the grace and calling of God that He would grant us the joy and favor of laboring alongside Him through watchful praying!
Lets get back to REVIVAL PRAYER
Brothers and Sisters,
This blog is a Prayer Union. Remember the purpose. Remember the agreements you have made to participate with this blog.
Sin is sin.
Jeremiah 32:38,39 "They will be my people,and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart AND ACTION, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them."
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Are we still praying for revival ?
I have waited for a while to put my thoughts into this blog. I have read of concerns over the conference and discussions on sin. Our job is to be on our knees. The men who organized the conference and spoke were men of God with a great passion for revival. If revival has not started in your area, ask God to start with you. Are you still praying ? Many times at the conference when several of us went to prayer, many of our "union" were no where to be found. Corporate or group prayer or individual prayer will all be heard by God. Be responsible for what YOU must DO !!
It has been 10 weeks now since a "revival Prayer meeting" was started at my church. We are still yet to see the pastor or any of the elders or leaders of the church attend. We start at 8:30 am and pray untill the early service starts at 9:30. The pastor has "popped in" twice. I am so fustrated , angry and bewildered. We have only 3 of us who show up. One is only 14 yers old. I am praising God for the promise that where 2 or 3 are gathered.... God is teaching me to trust Him. I should not be frustrated. He is at work. I should not be angry. He is at work. I should not be bewildered. He is at work. God is faithful, and will continue to be at work. I believe God will bring revival. Gods promise and instructions come from His word.I am constantly brought back to:
2 Chronicles 20:17 "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions: stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you,..."
1. It is not my battle (or yours)
2. My position is on my knees (and yours)
3. My job is to stand firm (and yours)
4. The result will be that we will see God work ( is that your desire ?)
I must continue to pray. Let us get back to what we (GOD) started. Let us get back to sharing what God is teaching us in regards to revival. The one thing that I can tell you is that God has told me that He has heard my prayers. That is what I KNOW. Revival will come at Gods time and place. "when His people who are called by His name...."
Your brother, still in the battle,
BILL
This blog is a Prayer Union. Remember the purpose. Remember the agreements you have made to participate with this blog.
Sin is sin.
Jeremiah 32:38,39 "They will be my people,and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart AND ACTION, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them."
Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Are we still praying for revival ?
I have waited for a while to put my thoughts into this blog. I have read of concerns over the conference and discussions on sin. Our job is to be on our knees. The men who organized the conference and spoke were men of God with a great passion for revival. If revival has not started in your area, ask God to start with you. Are you still praying ? Many times at the conference when several of us went to prayer, many of our "union" were no where to be found. Corporate or group prayer or individual prayer will all be heard by God. Be responsible for what YOU must DO !!
It has been 10 weeks now since a "revival Prayer meeting" was started at my church. We are still yet to see the pastor or any of the elders or leaders of the church attend. We start at 8:30 am and pray untill the early service starts at 9:30. The pastor has "popped in" twice. I am so fustrated , angry and bewildered. We have only 3 of us who show up. One is only 14 yers old. I am praising God for the promise that where 2 or 3 are gathered.... God is teaching me to trust Him. I should not be frustrated. He is at work. I should not be angry. He is at work. I should not be bewildered. He is at work. God is faithful, and will continue to be at work. I believe God will bring revival. Gods promise and instructions come from His word.I am constantly brought back to:
2 Chronicles 20:17 "You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions: stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you,..."
1. It is not my battle (or yours)
2. My position is on my knees (and yours)
3. My job is to stand firm (and yours)
4. The result will be that we will see God work ( is that your desire ?)
I must continue to pray. Let us get back to what we (GOD) started. Let us get back to sharing what God is teaching us in regards to revival. The one thing that I can tell you is that God has told me that He has heard my prayers. That is what I KNOW. Revival will come at Gods time and place. "when His people who are called by His name...."
Your brother, still in the battle,
BILL
a talk about moives
So from the question I ask, I went to talk a with the leader for prayer at the Church, Him and my friend met two days ago.
This what was brought up. Got me thinking.
Frist the talk of sin was brought up.
*Talk about the deceifulness of sin, and how many can be deceitive by sin.
* How men think little of Sin, will show how we think about God
* So the question was brought how should one think about Sin?
*If " Sin is a daring rebellion aginst the majesty of heaven and would is it were possible, pluck the eternal God from His throne! Every particale of sin contains an infinity of evil, and deserves everlasting damnation! Sin transformed the angels of light into demons of darkness. Sin rendered the happy pair in Eden wretched outcasts in a owrld of woe.
* So it was said that sin was a rebellion to God
* then James brought up, talking of how sin gives brith to death.
C.H Spurgeon.
Sin is a defiance of God to his face a stabbing of God so far as ma can do it to the very heart! Sin is a monster, a hideous thing a thing which God will not look upon, and which pure eyes cannot behold but with the untmost destesation. A flood of tears is the proper medium through which a Christain should look at sin,
* So the questions was how does God see sin?
* then brought again how are we to see in the light of How He see it?
* then the talk of fleeing from sin, and being at war
"be killing sin or it will be killing you"
It was from John Owne whcih it was talked about, that we are to moritify sin. The indwelling lust and desires.
Then the talk of discipline and staying away from things that are not honoring and pure.
To renew our minds
* then it was said that you cant take any days off alway have to be active in putting to death sin. To go war against it.
Then Holiness brought up
what does it mean to be Holy as he is Holy?
are we to see if we are holy by what others are doing, or to be like Christ?
So the question was is the things in the moives or the people in the moive doing sin, to show sin, there one is part of it, by watching it?
Is taking joy in what God hates sin?
Then the question came where in the Bible does it say we can't watch moives? Show me!
Then one brought up, Stop! Lets stop trying to find a reson to but to see if watching moive grows our walks with Christ, If they are the best thing for us.
Then this was brought out, Does Moive do this? If not why are wasting our time?
Do the bring glory to God name and he is honored.-- Do you walk away think about how great God is?
Does his holiness reverenced--- To they go againt what is God law, liying...
is the Greatness of God admired--- or is it look down, by his name being used in a wrong way
The power of God praise__ or it look down on and mocked.
Is the truth of God sought---- do you get worldy wisdom?
Is the beauty of God treasured- do we walked loving God more?
Is the Goodness savored
Is his faithfullness trusted?
promises Shown true?
Desire to keep and know the commadments of God, showing what happens when sin?
Justice of God fought for, love and desire
a fear for God
Loving the Gift of God, grace the cross, Jesus Christ
Desiring to go read the bible go share your faith, pray or love others
most to love God more..
It was a good time hearing what was said.
Good things to think about, I think will might meet next week..
It seems moived is a huge thing to many people I can understand it so part of our lives in many ways.
In Christ
charlene
This what was brought up. Got me thinking.
Frist the talk of sin was brought up.
*Talk about the deceifulness of sin, and how many can be deceitive by sin.
* How men think little of Sin, will show how we think about God
* So the question was brought how should one think about Sin?
*If " Sin is a daring rebellion aginst the majesty of heaven and would is it were possible, pluck the eternal God from His throne! Every particale of sin contains an infinity of evil, and deserves everlasting damnation! Sin transformed the angels of light into demons of darkness. Sin rendered the happy pair in Eden wretched outcasts in a owrld of woe.
* So it was said that sin was a rebellion to God
* then James brought up, talking of how sin gives brith to death.
C.H Spurgeon.
Sin is a defiance of God to his face a stabbing of God so far as ma can do it to the very heart! Sin is a monster, a hideous thing a thing which God will not look upon, and which pure eyes cannot behold but with the untmost destesation. A flood of tears is the proper medium through which a Christain should look at sin,
* So the questions was how does God see sin?
* then brought again how are we to see in the light of How He see it?
* then the talk of fleeing from sin, and being at war
"be killing sin or it will be killing you"
It was from John Owne whcih it was talked about, that we are to moritify sin. The indwelling lust and desires.
Then the talk of discipline and staying away from things that are not honoring and pure.
To renew our minds
* then it was said that you cant take any days off alway have to be active in putting to death sin. To go war against it.
Then Holiness brought up
what does it mean to be Holy as he is Holy?
are we to see if we are holy by what others are doing, or to be like Christ?
So the question was is the things in the moives or the people in the moive doing sin, to show sin, there one is part of it, by watching it?
Is taking joy in what God hates sin?
Then the question came where in the Bible does it say we can't watch moives? Show me!
Then one brought up, Stop! Lets stop trying to find a reson to but to see if watching moive grows our walks with Christ, If they are the best thing for us.
Then this was brought out, Does Moive do this? If not why are wasting our time?
Do the bring glory to God name and he is honored.-- Do you walk away think about how great God is?
Does his holiness reverenced--- To they go againt what is God law, liying...
is the Greatness of God admired--- or is it look down, by his name being used in a wrong way
The power of God praise__ or it look down on and mocked.
Is the truth of God sought---- do you get worldy wisdom?
Is the beauty of God treasured- do we walked loving God more?
Is the Goodness savored
Is his faithfullness trusted?
promises Shown true?
Desire to keep and know the commadments of God, showing what happens when sin?
Justice of God fought for, love and desire
a fear for God
Loving the Gift of God, grace the cross, Jesus Christ
Desiring to go read the bible go share your faith, pray or love others
most to love God more..
It was a good time hearing what was said.
Good things to think about, I think will might meet next week..
It seems moived is a huge thing to many people I can understand it so part of our lives in many ways.
In Christ
charlene
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Movies and Sin...My Perspective
Brothers and Sisters,
I used to love movies...all types of movies. Though I claimed to be a Christian and had said "the magic prayer", I was entertained by the things God hates and I often ignored or was bored by the things God loves. Was I truly "saved"? By the test of God's Word, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation...," I certainly hungered for all the things of the old man of the flesh. I acted like a Christian, and had gone forward and prayed the sinners prayer, and I had the decision card that proved I was a card-carrying Christian, but the desires of my heart were inclined towards evil, immorality and lust. Oh, I still felt sorry when I sinned, but in my police career I saw that even the most evil reprobate still will usually feel sorry when caught in his sin.
What does all of this have to do with the question of movies? About 1 year ago I was finally ready to get honest with God. I went to Him in sorrow and frustration and admitted that I was a phony...I was simply playing the Christian game. I loved many things that God hates and hated many things that God loves. Don't get me wrong. I appeared to be everything that a "good Christian" man is supposed to be, and yet my heart was far from God and desperate for the truth. When I finally got honest with God, that was the start of a process that I can only describe as revolutionary. It was as though my conscience was magnified many times and I was suddenly very aware of God's presence in my life and how my words, actions and thought life affected my relationship with Him. Almost overnight, I found it grieved the Holy Spirit to watch most shows on T.V. and to attend movies. My wife and I have always enjoyed going out to movies but we became convinced that even relatively tame PG or PG-13 movies offended the Spirit and really hurt our relationship with Christ and quenched the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Within a couple of months, cable TV was disconnected and this was an extreme adjustment for our family. That one decision has had a dramatic effect on the spiritual life of everyone in our home. Obviously, getting rid of T.V. did not eliminate all of the challenges.My teenage boys often want to see some movie that all of their friends are raving about. The standard in our home has become consistent with Phil. 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
When you apply this standard, the decision on most movies and T.V. in general is pretty simple. Another tool we use when deciding what media is acceptable is to ask the question, "Would I be comfortable watching this with Christ in the same room?" That test will also clear up many gray areas. When we discuss these things my boys will often roll their eyes and complain, "With that standard we can't watch anything." I tell them that the day is soon coming when they will build their own homes and it will their responsibility before God to determine the standard in their own home. Until then, unfortunately for them, it is my standard that determines the entertainment in our home.
In closing I will share one recent example that illustrates the nature of this war we are fighting. A Baptist pastor friend of mine recently remarked that he wanted to share something and get my opinion. He said that whenever the Victoria's Secret Christmas commercial comes on the T.V., his 4-year-old son would run to the screen and touch the screen. The pastor and his wife think that the boy just loves the music...I beg to differ. We are raising children who are losing their innocence at extremely young ages. We recently saw in the news the story of two boys (I think they were 6 or 7) raping a girl on the school bus. I told the pastor that I thought that he should be very concerned, not only about why his young son was running to touch the screen, but also why he was comfortable watching Victoria's Secret commercials. In our grandparents' day, these commercials would have been considered X-rated.
I hope others in this union will weigh in on this issue regardless of how you feel. The standard of holiness is a foreign concept to 21st century Christians...but it remains God's standard for His people.
Your brother, Steve
I used to love movies...all types of movies. Though I claimed to be a Christian and had said "the magic prayer", I was entertained by the things God hates and I often ignored or was bored by the things God loves. Was I truly "saved"? By the test of God's Word, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation...," I certainly hungered for all the things of the old man of the flesh. I acted like a Christian, and had gone forward and prayed the sinners prayer, and I had the decision card that proved I was a card-carrying Christian, but the desires of my heart were inclined towards evil, immorality and lust. Oh, I still felt sorry when I sinned, but in my police career I saw that even the most evil reprobate still will usually feel sorry when caught in his sin.
What does all of this have to do with the question of movies? About 1 year ago I was finally ready to get honest with God. I went to Him in sorrow and frustration and admitted that I was a phony...I was simply playing the Christian game. I loved many things that God hates and hated many things that God loves. Don't get me wrong. I appeared to be everything that a "good Christian" man is supposed to be, and yet my heart was far from God and desperate for the truth. When I finally got honest with God, that was the start of a process that I can only describe as revolutionary. It was as though my conscience was magnified many times and I was suddenly very aware of God's presence in my life and how my words, actions and thought life affected my relationship with Him. Almost overnight, I found it grieved the Holy Spirit to watch most shows on T.V. and to attend movies. My wife and I have always enjoyed going out to movies but we became convinced that even relatively tame PG or PG-13 movies offended the Spirit and really hurt our relationship with Christ and quenched the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Within a couple of months, cable TV was disconnected and this was an extreme adjustment for our family. That one decision has had a dramatic effect on the spiritual life of everyone in our home. Obviously, getting rid of T.V. did not eliminate all of the challenges.My teenage boys often want to see some movie that all of their friends are raving about. The standard in our home has become consistent with Phil. 4:8:
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."
When you apply this standard, the decision on most movies and T.V. in general is pretty simple. Another tool we use when deciding what media is acceptable is to ask the question, "Would I be comfortable watching this with Christ in the same room?" That test will also clear up many gray areas. When we discuss these things my boys will often roll their eyes and complain, "With that standard we can't watch anything." I tell them that the day is soon coming when they will build their own homes and it will their responsibility before God to determine the standard in their own home. Until then, unfortunately for them, it is my standard that determines the entertainment in our home.
In closing I will share one recent example that illustrates the nature of this war we are fighting. A Baptist pastor friend of mine recently remarked that he wanted to share something and get my opinion. He said that whenever the Victoria's Secret Christmas commercial comes on the T.V., his 4-year-old son would run to the screen and touch the screen. The pastor and his wife think that the boy just loves the music...I beg to differ. We are raising children who are losing their innocence at extremely young ages. We recently saw in the news the story of two boys (I think they were 6 or 7) raping a girl on the school bus. I told the pastor that I thought that he should be very concerned, not only about why his young son was running to touch the screen, but also why he was comfortable watching Victoria's Secret commercials. In our grandparents' day, these commercials would have been considered X-rated.
I hope others in this union will weigh in on this issue regardless of how you feel. The standard of holiness is a foreign concept to 21st century Christians...but it remains God's standard for His people.
Your brother, Steve
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
how see sin?
Maybe some of you could help me.. I have been pondering these questions. I have been talking with others about it too..
I think answer in this matter will make a big difference in moives and
watching things in our lives.
Maybe someone has some verse to back this up
In we are to be Holy as he is holy...
But what does that look, in manner of life in America?
My question is with how someone see sin.I was talking with someone and they said that a movie that has sin in it is not sin, just reflecting sin. But the sin is in our hearts.Now as I was thinking I have some question on this and maybe someone help with Gods word on this.In a movie that has sex, is that not sin? But because it not real one might say. But is lust sin?
because I am sure those in movie may have lust?
don't those in the movie do sin, to show sin. So it would then be sin you are agreeing with?
Or is it that it is only sin, by the heart I have when I watch and reason I am going to watch it?
If we one say that movie is wrong because of sin it in, therefore say away.then they would say school books have sin in them, so how do you go to school and read?
Other thing that was said pron is for sure wrong and is sinful for all who watch.reason, would be that it cause lust in a man.. But there are other movies that may cause the same sin, on a lower leave. It is still sin?
so is sin, in it. Or is it in only in our hearts?
Thanks charlene
I think answer in this matter will make a big difference in moives and
watching things in our lives.
Maybe someone has some verse to back this up
In we are to be Holy as he is holy...
But what does that look, in manner of life in America?
My question is with how someone see sin.I was talking with someone and they said that a movie that has sin in it is not sin, just reflecting sin. But the sin is in our hearts.Now as I was thinking I have some question on this and maybe someone help with Gods word on this.In a movie that has sex, is that not sin? But because it not real one might say. But is lust sin?
because I am sure those in movie may have lust?
don't those in the movie do sin, to show sin. So it would then be sin you are agreeing with?
Or is it that it is only sin, by the heart I have when I watch and reason I am going to watch it?
If we one say that movie is wrong because of sin it in, therefore say away.then they would say school books have sin in them, so how do you go to school and read?
Other thing that was said pron is for sure wrong and is sinful for all who watch.reason, would be that it cause lust in a man.. But there are other movies that may cause the same sin, on a lower leave. It is still sin?
so is sin, in it. Or is it in only in our hearts?
Thanks charlene
Sunday, December 2, 2007
J.C Ryle on Holiness
I was reading this today thought I would share. In Christ Charlene
J.C Ryle
He is the beginning of all holiness. He is not wisdom and righteousness only to His people, but sanctification also. Men sometimes try to make themselves holy first of all, and sad work they make of it: they toil, and labour, and turn over many new leaves, and make many changes, and yet, like the woman with the issue of blood before she came to Christ, they feel nothing bettered, but rather worse. They run in vain, and labour in vain: and little wonder, for they are beginning at the wrong end. They are building up a wall of sand: their work runs down as fast as they throw it up. They are baling water out of a leaky vessel; the leak gains on them; not they on the leak. Other foundation of holiness can no man lay than that which Paul laid, even Christ Jesus. Without Christ we can do nothing. It is a strong but true saying of Traill's, "Wisdom out of Christ is damning folly; righteousness out of Christ is guilt and condemnation; sanctification out of Christ is filth and sin; redemption out of Christ is bondage and slavery." Would you be holy: Would you be partakers of the Divine nature? Then go to Christ. Wait for nothing: wait for nobody: linger not. Think not to make you yourself ready: go, and say to Him, in the words of that beautiful hymn,— "Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;Naked, flee to Thee for dress;Helpless, look to Thee for grace." There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people; holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is appointed a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance as well as remission of sins: to as many as receive Him He gives power to become sons of God. Holiness comes not of blood,—parents cannot give it to their children; nor yet of the will of the flesh,—man cannot produce it in himself; nor yet of the will of man, —ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him: it is the fruit of being a living branch of the true vine. Go then to Christ, and say, "Lord, not only save me from the guilt of sin, but send the Spirit, whom Thou didst promise, and save me from its power. Make me holy. Teach me to do Thy will." Would you continue holy, when you have once been made so? Then abide in Christ. He says Himself, "Abide in Me, and I in you. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John xv. 4, 5). He is the Physician to whom You must daily go, if you would keep well; He is the Manna which you must daily eat, and the Rock of which you must daily drink. His arm is the arm on which you must daily lean, as you come up out of the wilderness of this world. You must not only be rooted, you must also be built up in Him. Reader, may you and I know these things by experience, and not by hearsay only! May we all feel the importance of holiness, far more than we have ever done yet! May our years he holy years with our souls, and then I know they will be happy ones! But this I say once more, "We must be holy."He is the beginning of all holiness. He is not wisdom and righteousness only to His people, but sanctification also. Men sometimes try to make themselves holy first of all, and sad work they make of it: they toil, and labour, and turn over many new leaves, and make many changes, and yet, like the woman with the issue of blood before she came to Christ, they feel nothing bettered, but rather worse. They run in vain, and labour in vain: and little wonder, for they are beginning at the wrong end. They are building up a wall of sand: their work runs down as fast as they throw it up. They are baling water out of a leaky vessel; the leak gains on them; not they on the leak. Other foundation of holiness can no man lay than that which Paul laid, even Christ Jesus. Without Christ we can do nothing. It is a strong but true saying of Traill's, "Wisdom out of Christ is damning folly; righteousness out of Christ is guilt and condemnation; sanctification out of Christ is filth and sin; redemption out of Christ is bondage and slavery." Would you be holy: Would you be partakers of the Divine nature? Then go to Christ. Wait for nothing: wait for nobody: linger not. Think not to make you yourself ready: go, and say to Him, in the words of that beautiful hymn,— "Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;Naked, flee to Thee for dress;Helpless, look to Thee for grace." There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people; holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is appointed a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance as well as remission of sins: to as many as receive Him He gives power to become sons of God. Holiness comes not of blood,—parents cannot give it to their children; nor yet of the will of the flesh,—man cannot produce it in himself; nor yet of the will of man, —ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him: it is the fruit of being a living branch of the true vine. Go then to Christ, and say, "Lord, not only save me from the guilt of sin, but send the Spirit, whom Thou didst promise, and save me from its power. Make me holy. Teach me to do Thy will." Would you continue holy, when you have once been made so? Then abide in Christ. He says Himself, "Abide in Me, and I in you. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John xv. 4, 5). He is the Physician to whom You must daily go, if you would keep well; He is the Manna which you must daily eat, and the Rock of which you must daily drink. His arm is the arm on which you must daily lean, as you come up out of the wilderness of this world. You must not only be rooted, you must also be built up in Him. Reader, may you and I know these things by experience, and not by hearsay only! May we all feel the importance of holiness, far more than we have ever done yet! May our years he holy years with our souls, and then I know they will be happy ones! But this I say once more, "We must be holy."
J.C Ryle
He is the beginning of all holiness. He is not wisdom and righteousness only to His people, but sanctification also. Men sometimes try to make themselves holy first of all, and sad work they make of it: they toil, and labour, and turn over many new leaves, and make many changes, and yet, like the woman with the issue of blood before she came to Christ, they feel nothing bettered, but rather worse. They run in vain, and labour in vain: and little wonder, for they are beginning at the wrong end. They are building up a wall of sand: their work runs down as fast as they throw it up. They are baling water out of a leaky vessel; the leak gains on them; not they on the leak. Other foundation of holiness can no man lay than that which Paul laid, even Christ Jesus. Without Christ we can do nothing. It is a strong but true saying of Traill's, "Wisdom out of Christ is damning folly; righteousness out of Christ is guilt and condemnation; sanctification out of Christ is filth and sin; redemption out of Christ is bondage and slavery." Would you be holy: Would you be partakers of the Divine nature? Then go to Christ. Wait for nothing: wait for nobody: linger not. Think not to make you yourself ready: go, and say to Him, in the words of that beautiful hymn,— "Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;Naked, flee to Thee for dress;Helpless, look to Thee for grace." There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people; holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is appointed a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance as well as remission of sins: to as many as receive Him He gives power to become sons of God. Holiness comes not of blood,—parents cannot give it to their children; nor yet of the will of the flesh,—man cannot produce it in himself; nor yet of the will of man, —ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him: it is the fruit of being a living branch of the true vine. Go then to Christ, and say, "Lord, not only save me from the guilt of sin, but send the Spirit, whom Thou didst promise, and save me from its power. Make me holy. Teach me to do Thy will." Would you continue holy, when you have once been made so? Then abide in Christ. He says Himself, "Abide in Me, and I in you. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John xv. 4, 5). He is the Physician to whom You must daily go, if you would keep well; He is the Manna which you must daily eat, and the Rock of which you must daily drink. His arm is the arm on which you must daily lean, as you come up out of the wilderness of this world. You must not only be rooted, you must also be built up in Him. Reader, may you and I know these things by experience, and not by hearsay only! May we all feel the importance of holiness, far more than we have ever done yet! May our years he holy years with our souls, and then I know they will be happy ones! But this I say once more, "We must be holy."He is the beginning of all holiness. He is not wisdom and righteousness only to His people, but sanctification also. Men sometimes try to make themselves holy first of all, and sad work they make of it: they toil, and labour, and turn over many new leaves, and make many changes, and yet, like the woman with the issue of blood before she came to Christ, they feel nothing bettered, but rather worse. They run in vain, and labour in vain: and little wonder, for they are beginning at the wrong end. They are building up a wall of sand: their work runs down as fast as they throw it up. They are baling water out of a leaky vessel; the leak gains on them; not they on the leak. Other foundation of holiness can no man lay than that which Paul laid, even Christ Jesus. Without Christ we can do nothing. It is a strong but true saying of Traill's, "Wisdom out of Christ is damning folly; righteousness out of Christ is guilt and condemnation; sanctification out of Christ is filth and sin; redemption out of Christ is bondage and slavery." Would you be holy: Would you be partakers of the Divine nature? Then go to Christ. Wait for nothing: wait for nobody: linger not. Think not to make you yourself ready: go, and say to Him, in the words of that beautiful hymn,— "Nothing in my hand I bring,Simply to Thy cross I cling;Naked, flee to Thee for dress;Helpless, look to Thee for grace." There is not a brick nor a stone laid in the work of our sanctification till we go to Christ. Holiness is His special gift to His believing people; holiness is the work He carries on in their hearts, by the Spirit whom He puts within them. He is appointed a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance as well as remission of sins: to as many as receive Him He gives power to become sons of God. Holiness comes not of blood,—parents cannot give it to their children; nor yet of the will of the flesh,—man cannot produce it in himself; nor yet of the will of man, —ministers cannot give it you by baptism. Holiness comes from Christ. It is the result of vital union with Him: it is the fruit of being a living branch of the true vine. Go then to Christ, and say, "Lord, not only save me from the guilt of sin, but send the Spirit, whom Thou didst promise, and save me from its power. Make me holy. Teach me to do Thy will." Would you continue holy, when you have once been made so? Then abide in Christ. He says Himself, "Abide in Me, and I in you. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit" (John xv. 4, 5). He is the Physician to whom You must daily go, if you would keep well; He is the Manna which you must daily eat, and the Rock of which you must daily drink. His arm is the arm on which you must daily lean, as you come up out of the wilderness of this world. You must not only be rooted, you must also be built up in Him. Reader, may you and I know these things by experience, and not by hearsay only! May we all feel the importance of holiness, far more than we have ever done yet! May our years he holy years with our souls, and then I know they will be happy ones! But this I say once more, "We must be holy."
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Thanks
I thankful for words that have spoken in these last two post. There is much truth. I can't even start to tell of what God showed me throug this trip. Since I have been back it has been one big trail. I haven't prayed as I should, it some ways I feel how can I speak. But when I read this my heart jumped, it pounded. There is truth and my heart weeps.
I have written something last night at 2am. But I will not post until I go back and pray and seek God on words that are there. Do pray for me in this area. I desire not to post for man, but for God and his glory. If done by me, then all you hear is me. But if prayed for and Christ writting through me, then I am hidden and Christ then he can be seen.
Our brother has words that are true. I am very thankful you have spoken these things.
And to all the Brothers who prayed for me in Ohio. I send my thanks.
In His Love
charlene
I have written something last night at 2am. But I will not post until I go back and pray and seek God on words that are there. Do pray for me in this area. I desire not to post for man, but for God and his glory. If done by me, then all you hear is me. But if prayed for and Christ writting through me, then I am hidden and Christ then he can be seen.
Our brother has words that are true. I am very thankful you have spoken these things.
And to all the Brothers who prayed for me in Ohio. I send my thanks.
In His Love
charlene
Comments Regarding Alec's Post
Brothers and Sisters,
I appreciate Alec's honesty and transparency so much! As I read his post it seemed a striking confirmation of so many things that I have been convicted about recently. I just started a book that details the revival of the late 60's and early 70's in Indonesia (Like a Mighty Wind by Mel Tari), and here again I read that the Holy Spirit was poured out in power on these believers as 200 people cried out in corporate prayer to God. This happened in a VERY conservative Presbyterian church that formerly only allowed written prayers to be read. As the Holy Spirit suddenly prompted members of the congregation to cry out to God in corporate prayer in UNISON, the pastors tried to stop them from such disorder (they attributed this to the Enemy). But, this spontaneous move of corporate prayer and confession was confirmed by a miraculous move of the Holy Spirit that sounds exactly like Pentecost. There was repentance leading to salvation, repentance of Christians that led to restored relationships with God and man and spontaneous worship that was undirected by man. The pastors were helpless to intervene and that evening the sermon was delivered by an uneducated layman who shared that God was now directing the congregation to go out by teams immediately and spread the gospel.
This book that I have referenced is over 30 years old but I just discovered it and had found many people critical of this account since some equate it with the "signs and wonders" movement. As I read it I am becoming more and more convinced that the detractors are not so much concerned about a false doctrine, but are more concerned with explaining away our own weak and powerless faith.
I have not finished this book so I can't report today my conclusions. I will however challenge you to carefully consider Alec's words. I must prayerfully consider more of this in light of my experiences in Canton and I hope others who were there will weigh in as the Lord leads.
I, for one, agree completely with Alec and I have been searching to diagnose what went wrong in Canton and how things got off-track. Alec's post is a powerful and truthful assessment of several troubling practices that seem to keep us at arm's length from revival.
God Bless each one of you on this journey.
Steve
I appreciate Alec's honesty and transparency so much! As I read his post it seemed a striking confirmation of so many things that I have been convicted about recently. I just started a book that details the revival of the late 60's and early 70's in Indonesia (Like a Mighty Wind by Mel Tari), and here again I read that the Holy Spirit was poured out in power on these believers as 200 people cried out in corporate prayer to God. This happened in a VERY conservative Presbyterian church that formerly only allowed written prayers to be read. As the Holy Spirit suddenly prompted members of the congregation to cry out to God in corporate prayer in UNISON, the pastors tried to stop them from such disorder (they attributed this to the Enemy). But, this spontaneous move of corporate prayer and confession was confirmed by a miraculous move of the Holy Spirit that sounds exactly like Pentecost. There was repentance leading to salvation, repentance of Christians that led to restored relationships with God and man and spontaneous worship that was undirected by man. The pastors were helpless to intervene and that evening the sermon was delivered by an uneducated layman who shared that God was now directing the congregation to go out by teams immediately and spread the gospel.
This book that I have referenced is over 30 years old but I just discovered it and had found many people critical of this account since some equate it with the "signs and wonders" movement. As I read it I am becoming more and more convinced that the detractors are not so much concerned about a false doctrine, but are more concerned with explaining away our own weak and powerless faith.
I have not finished this book so I can't report today my conclusions. I will however challenge you to carefully consider Alec's words. I must prayerfully consider more of this in light of my experiences in Canton and I hope others who were there will weigh in as the Lord leads.
I, for one, agree completely with Alec and I have been searching to diagnose what went wrong in Canton and how things got off-track. Alec's post is a powerful and truthful assessment of several troubling practices that seem to keep us at arm's length from revival.
God Bless each one of you on this journey.
Steve
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