2007-08-30 12:53:00
Missions is the overflow of our delight in God because missions is the overflow of God's delight in being God. Go. Send. Or Disobey.John Piper
Romans 8:28
2007-08-27 22:30:00
All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.God's definition of good is that which works to transform us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is possible for a Christian to suffer - such as persecution- and still call it good because God promises that it IS good. If we only look at one point, there are thousands of God-honouring testimonies from Christians who were imprisoned, beaten, or martyred for their faith; of how their trust and love for Christ thrived under the pressure of suffering.
Read more: Romans
Speak, oh Lord
2007-08-25 00:39:00
Speak, oh Lord, as we come to You to receive the food of Your Holy Word. Take Your truth, plant it deep in us; shape and fashion us in Your likeness, that the light of Christ might be seen today in our acts of love and our deeds of faith. Speak, oh Lord, and fulfill in us all Your purposes for Your glory. ~ Keith Getty and Stuart Townend " That the light of Christ might be seen today" ... indeed this is what I desire this morning, that as I go about my duties at work, Christ might shine through. I fall so short of what I should be, but desire to be a reflection of His character to the eyes of my unbelieving co-workers. To share and live out the gospel to them is my commission, yet knowing my weakness and failings, I hesitate. God is gracious though, and provides all I need to live for Him; and it is the Holy Spirit who brings forth Christlikeness in me. I need only lean on Him, seeking wisdom and grace, to find the help and courage I need in any situation.
The mind of Christ
2007-08-21 01:35:00
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ
Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Hope
2007-08-04 22:10:00
"The setting of a great hope is like the setting of the sun. The brightness of our life is gone." - Henry Wadesworth LongfellowToday I stumbled across this quote in some papers I was sorting through from a long while ago. It struck me how true it is of my life recently but yet it seemed strangely depressing. Is it really true that when a hope is crushed the brightness of life vanishes?For the Christian I don't believe this needs to be permanent. Yes there will be times when we are overcome with sorrow and grief, when dashed hopes and unexpected disappointments seem to take all the happiness out of our lives. You can see this throughout the Bible and especially in the book of Psalms. David's poems are full of strong expressions of sorrow, anger, pain and tears. Yet after these storms you will see him praising God and rejoicing again; seeming to have rediscovered the joy of life.In Psalm 42 he says to himself : "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Ho
Persecution in China is real
2007-07-27 21:00:00
There is no religious freedom in China
. The free Christians that the world hears about, the churches that President Bush visited when he was there, are under the strict control of the government; just as the churches under communist's rule in old time Russia. The true Christians running underground house churches, witnessing, and printing Bibles are constantly being arrested, beaten, tortured, and locked in jail without fair hearings, let alone fair trials. Sadly the world turns a blind eye to the reports documented by religious freedom organizations and lawyers; this is wrong. China should not enjoy the priviledges of being on good terms with democracies when it is all the while hiding its abuse of basic human rights. As trading partners, Canada and America should protest the persecution of Chinese Christians; and those of us Christians who enjoy true freedom should pray for and help in any way our brethren who are suffering.Chinese Persecution
A Puzzling Thought
2007-07-27 20:39:00
It is one thing to learn how to spell and add from secular sources, and quite another to learn how to minister to people. If I want to learn how to be a godly Christian, I won't be learning theology from a Buddist; if I want to learn how to be a godly counsellor, I won't be learning counselling and psychology from a humanist. This being reasonable, why then would Christians go to secular universities to learn how to be counselors?
You Alone
2007-07-07 03:19:00
In You alone my strength is foundIn You alone my hope aboundsIn You alone my strength is foundMy life is bound up in YouAnd in my weakness give me still more graceGrace to cast myself on YouIn every trial let me find Your peace and joyAnd grace to humbly walk with YouO disarm me of everything I would lean onSo I will lean on YouJesus, strip me of everything I would depend onSo I'll depend on You ~ It was Your Grace, Mark Altrogge Valley of Vision
2007-07-04 00:32:00
the Statue of Liberty from the deck of the Staten Island Ferry Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends! I hope you take some time today to thank the Lord for all the good things He has given America through the years, and also to pray for His work in the lives of those who hold positions of authority. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." 1 Timothy 2:1,2
Calvary Calls
2007-06-30 01:13:00
watching the sunset from Coney IslandI could squandor my existence, live my life in search of ease, giving all my days to gaining men's applause. Thinking only of myself and all that pleases me, but Calvary
calls, Calvary calls.In the mumbling of a stranger, in the clamour of a crowd, I can hear the constant cry above it all. Sometimes it's just a whisper, at times it seems so loud - but Calvary calls, Calvary calls.Calvary calls me to surrender, Calvary calls me to obey; and to a dying world it calls me to be a light along the way. For the cross demands allegiance, I'll give nothing less than all; I'll answer "Here am I" when Calvary calls.If I see a brother broken by defeat and left to die, but no one comes to help him when he falls, let me be the arms of mercy reaching out in Jesus' name, when Calvary calls, Calvary calls.Calvary calls me to surrender, Calvary calls me to obey; and to a dying world it calls me to be a light along the way. For the cross demands allegiance, I'll
Psalm 139
2007-06-28 01:35:00
O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain unto it.Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there, if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.For thou hast possessed my re
Read more: Psalm
2007-06-25 02:49:00
the yellow taxis of times squareThe steady and never-ending stream of taxis rush by with their passengers, anxious to get to yet another destination on the hectic daily schedule. Rushing, always rushing, without a moment's thought to the only things that matter, to the only things worth living for. Oblivious to all but the day's trials, tomorrow's headaches and yesterday's sorrows. Never stopping to see that they are but running headlong for sure destruction, throwing their gift of life away to temporary thrills and griefs. A warning sounds out. Halt! Give you no thought to eternity? Care you not for your soul? Does not the condition of your heart before a holy God concern you? But alas they are too busy and harried to stop and consider, and with a mumbled word they push on to be lost again in the sea of people. There, yet another has thrown away their soul for a mere trifle here on earth.But here stands the Gospel, deep and penetrating in its conviction and earnest in its call. Pr
Before the Cross
2007-06-25 01:53:00
My Saviour's sacrifice paid for all my sinSo in my suffering I look to the cross againNo need, no want, no trial, no painCan compare to thisThe wrath of God, once meant for meWas all spent on HimBefore the Cross
, I humbly bowI place my trust in the SaviourYour finished work captures my gazeYou bore the wrath, I know the graceIn my darkest hour, Your presence is my peaceIn my days of joy, Your grace carries meJesus, my Great High PriestThe One who pleads for meMy heart is filled with faith in YouHere at Calvary on my kneesBefore the Cross I humbly bowI place my trust in the SaviourYour finished work captures my gazeYou bore the wrath, I know the grace~ Before the Cross ~ Jon Payne
How deep the Father's love for us
2007-06-22 03:49:00
How deep the Father
's love for us,How vast beyond all measureThat He should give His only SonTo make a wretch His treasureHow great the pain of searing loss,The Father turns His face awayAs wounds which mar the chosen OneBring many sons to gloryBehold the Man upon a cross,My sin upon His shouldersAshamed I hear my mocking voice,Call out among the scoffersIt was my sin that held Him thereUntil it was accomplishedHis dying breath has brought me lifeI know that it is finishedI will not boast in anythingNo gifts, no power, no wisdomBut I will boast in Jesus ChristHis death and resurrectionWhy should I gain from His reward?I cannot give an answerBut this I know with all my heartHis wounds have paid my ransom~Stuart Townend~
A day on the streets of NYC
2007-06-18 20:06:00
The day started at 7 am with a shower to wake up before going downstairs to help prepare breakfast for 25 people. Considering how many people we fed, preparation was relatively easy and clean-up was made simple by using paper dishes. After an enjoyable breakfast of good food with great conversation, the group headed upstairs to watch a sermon on prayer by Mr. Symbala, as Tom prefers not to take groups on the street until lunchtime. Then we spent some time in prayer, for prayer is the backbone of the work and we depend on the Holy Spirit to open the hearts of those we talk to.The group piled in the van and we headed to downtown Brooklyn and set up outside the Brooklyn Tabernacle.Take a deep breath, smile genuinely, prepare for rejection, and approach someone with a tract. Repeat. Witnessing is hard work! For every one person you share in depth with, 20 pass by and another 5 will reject you. Often the person hearing the gospel listens to you politely and agrees but with their next senten
Read more: streets
Praise You in this storm
2007-06-18 00:32:00
I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen and it's still raining. As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you" ; and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.And I'll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are no matter where I am; and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand. You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.I remember when I stumbled in the wind, You heard my cry to You and raised me up again.My strength is almost gone - how can I carry on if I can't find You? And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" ; and as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker
Read more: Praise
Shadow of the Almighty
2007-05-11 21:24:00
This evening I resumed reading Shadow
of the Almighty
, which I had left off reading last year and never got back to finishing. It is a biography of Jim Elliot, largely comprised of his journal entries and copies of correspondence. Jim's writings are honest, personal, passionate and compelling; he truly was seeking a soldout life and it is a convicting, yet inspiring read. I would encourage everyone especially young people to read it, and would like to quote a section dated from October 24th - 29th 1949.October 24: I see the value of Christian biography tonight, as I have been reading Brainerd's Diary much today. It stirs me up much to pray and wonder at my nonchalance while I have not power from God. I have considered Hebrews 13:7 just now, regarding the remembrance of certain ones who spake the word of God, 'consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith.' I recall now the challenge of Goforth's Life and By My Spirit, read in the summer of 1947, the encouragment of H
To Live is Christ
2007-05-07 23:13:00
"For me to live is Christ
and to die is gain."As Christians we're here for only one purpose - to glorify God. John Piper likes to say 'God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.' We need to find our only peace and satisfaction in God and live to serve Him, not out of a sense of duty,but out of love for Him and thankfulness for what He has done in our lives. I urge you not to waste your life. Don't be distracted by money, a new car, or the newest fashions. 1 John says that if anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. Our love for God as Christians should over-ride any attraction the world offers. We should learn to say with Paul that we count everything as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. Then, as He becomes our treasure and delight, we can through our joy, share Him with others by telling them the good news of the gospel.
Love in action
2007-05-01 22:16:00
What is love? Love is not an emotion. Love is not that walking on air feeling. Love does not grow cold or wear out. Love does not betray. Love is not consumed with self. Love seeks the good of the other person at all times. Love is forgiving in response to attack. Love is patient. Love returns good for evil. Love rejoices when others are blessed, even at the expense of self. Love is gentle in the face of harshness. Love knows not pride. Love gives and gives again, but asks no reward. Love is of God and only those who know Him can truly be loving.In all this I have only described love in action. It is a choice, a conscious choice that goes entirely against human nature. In and of ourselves we do not know how to love, nor can we live it out. Only through God's grace are we able to demonstrate true love. Why? Simply because love is foundationally self-sacrificing, but we are entirely self-seeking. We are consumed with self and desire only to satisfy our own wants. Often something that ap
Psalm 136
2007-04-30 22:18:00
O give thanks to the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever. O give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy endures for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endures for ever.To him who alone does great wonders: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endures for ever. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endures for ever. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endures for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endures for ever. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endures for ever. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endures for ever. To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endures for ever. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endure
Read more: Psalm
Remember those who are in bonds
2007-04-29 23:04:00
On April the 19th a grieving friend of mine in Turkey told me of the brutal murders of three Christians he knew. His pain, and the pain of the other Turkish Christians, was impossible to relate to; but all I could offer was reminders of God's promises and the assurance of our prayers. The following Sunday night I shared his story with my study group and we prayed for both him and the Turkish church; and all through the week fellow Christians thought of and prayed for them. At the beginning of the sermon this morning, I listened with mixed emotions as my pastor retold the story and accounts I had heard and read so many times in the past week. Truly God has been glorified by the response to this tragedy! The families, fellow Christiansm, and church leaders, have responded with genuine Christian love and forgiveness. Not only do they extend forgiveness to the murderers, they are also praying that God would have mercy on them and save them. This evening at study group we took a tem
Read more: Remember
To Learn Humility
2007-04-28 23:32:00
I am reading a most excellent classic book called Humility
by Andrew Murray. There is so much truth in it to quote, that I would not know where to start. However there is one section that seems so real and that is so relatable, it was necessary to blog about. So I quote: Every Christian virtually passes through these two stages in his pursuit of humility. In the first he fears and flees and seeks deliverance from all that can humble him. He has not yet learnt to seek humility at any cost. He has accepted the command to be humble, and seeks to obey it, though only to find how utterly he fails. He prays for humility, at times very earnestly; but in his secret heart he prays more, if not in word, then in wish, to be kept from the very things that will make him humble. He is not yet so in love with humility as the beauty of the Lamb of God, and the joy of heaven, that he would sell all to procure it. In his pursuit of it and his prayer for it, there is still somewhat of a sense of burden
Sorrow? God is your comfort
2007-04-22 22:49:00
The last week has been a hard one for many. Senseless bombings shredded public markets and buildings in Iraq, claiming dozens of lives. In Virginia, a college was left reeling in shock after a gunman ripped classrooms apart with a spray of bullets. And in Turkey, the tiny Christian population was devastated by the slaughter of three of it's own.What to say in the face of this? Indeed, what should we as Christians say?First, remember that God is sovereign. No matter what befall us, nothing takes Him by surprise and all is under His control. In the midst of sorrow and anguish we can rest in the knowledge of His care of and love for us. When things seem to go horribly wrong, open your Bible to Isaiah 40 and let the reminders of God's sovereignty comfort
and uplift you. Second, remember that God is perfect justice. The perpetrators of this evil will not go unpunished. Psalm 37 assures the righteous that the wicked will have their reward and that their apparent prosperity is fleeting. Tr
Read more: Sorrow
2007-04-11 00:26:00
"Holiness means that God is unique, there is none like the Lord.. He is totally and completely separate."There is a difference between being a broken and confessing Christian who has victory over besetting sins, and just some Chrisitan who is drowning in sin."Ezekiel 36 "I will cleanse you from all your filthyness and all your idols." If I had to use one passage to describe His work in me, His breaking me into a million pieces by His providence, and working to cleanse me...[this would be it]Paul Washer "Regeneration and Self-Denial" - sermon available on sermonaudio.com
2007-03-19 00:14:00
"What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" "Build contempt for contempt.""Sacrifice has taken on such negative connotations that people fear being a'" codependent" more than they fear being perceived as selfish.""Christian love must be chased after, aspired to, and practiced.""God planted marriage among humans as yet another signpost pointing to his own eternal, spiritual existence....what makes the marriages of believers different from the marriages of unbelievers..is in the preeminent marital analogy of Christ and his church.""Any situation that calls me to confront my selfishness has enormous spiritual value, and I slowly began to understand that the real purpose of marriage may not be happiness as much as it is holiness."-- Gary Thomas Sacred Marriage"If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become the bigger and better man." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
2007-09-28 02:25:00
In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!- Psalm 120:1; 56:8; 103:13; 139:17
Shades of Falling Leaves
2007-09-27 02:16:00
The national symbol of Canada is at it's best in brilliant fall colours. Although fall forewarns of the cold winter ahead, it more than makes up for it in the beauty of contrasting colour that is seen across the Ontario landscape. If you were ever to question if God loves beauty, it would find a clear answer in the radiance of autumn in Canada.
Read more: Shades
Defining Trust
2007-09-26 02:19:00
Trust is: That childlike faith and rest in the loving care of a Father who is ever working all things for His child's good.
Salvation - by Grace Alone
2007-09-22 22:12:00
This is My BodyThat salvation is all of grace and none of works is one of the basic and most fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and it is well taught in this sermon. The Christian's comfort and assurance of perseverance in salvation and a right standing before God is based in the finished work of Christ and His grace, not on their individual performance.
Read more: Salvation
, Grace
What would you do?
2007-09-14 21:58:00
This is a great DVD which follows eight Christian teens who travel to Vietnam and witness first-hand the persecution of their fellow brothers and sisters. It will confront you head-on with the reality of persecution today; and make you face the question of, " What would you do?"http://www.ur-video.com/main_page.htmlRemember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. ~ Hebrews 13:3
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