Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- Matthew 5:10-12
God is faithful. Yes all of you who are believers are nodding your head and saying, " Yah I know that already." But no I mean really, God is faithful.
He has a plan, a purpose, and a direction that He is faithfully and intentionally pursuing. In my life this plan is to make me more like Jesus Christ, and He is using every circumstance in my life to accomplish this.
I am learning to trust that His hand is on my life no matter what I may be going through. These past few months especially have been a time of seeing first hand that He does care and always provides.
I had been reading and studying a lot about living a simplier life, of not getting caught up in the materalism that surrounds us, and instead using the wealth of this land to further His kingdom. This was impressed on me more as I spent a few weeks living with a missionary family in NYC and observed how they lived by faith and trusted Him to always provide.
My plans for the summer had been made in early spring. I would go to NYC and come back to spend the summer working to save money and pay bills. But God had other plans, and I spent the summer looking under rocks and in dusty corners for jobs that never panned out. It was frustrating and stressful, and I wanted it to end. After all this is North America - its very easy for a young, healthy person to get a job - any job - right?
Yet God wanted to teach me that my security isn't in the income I can generate, or in a good economy. He was also putting to the test the ideas I had in my head about forsaking materialism and living simply. You see it is one thing to like an idea and another to actually live it.
I am still learning these lessons and I suspect it shall take an entire lifetime, but I am grateful for the learning curve the past few months have been. There have been many times God provided in direct answer to prayer, and even times He fulfilled a need that I had failed to take to Him. He is so good to His children! When we are busy running around trying to provide for ourselves, He is still gently but firmly in control; always there to restrain us in our foolishness.
Yes He is faithful, faithful to conform us to the image of His Son, and faithful always to show exceeding abundantly beyond what we think, how much He tenderly loves His children.
Rise up women of the truth
Stand and sing to broken hearts
Who can know the healing power
Of our glorious King of love
- Shout to the North
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God.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
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.
This is My Body
That 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.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.html
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. ~ Hebrews 13:3
Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."
~ Luke 9:23,24
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
~ Matthew 11:28-30
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.
~ John 10:27,28
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Weak, pitiful vessels we are, and through that there will be no doubt that it is God Himself who transforms us into His likeness and produces much fruit in us. God chooses to show through our lives the greatness, the depth, and the breadth of His mercy, His grace, and His overflowing love.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:14-21
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? - Mark 8:34-37
Eritrea Christians Tortured
" We need to keep up our prayer vigil for the Christians in Eritrea," says Open Doors USA President Dr.Carl Moeller. "..The government keeps denying that persecution is taking place. But that is not the truth. There are at least 2,000 reasons for praying for our imprisoned brothers and sisters in Christ."
Fear none of those things which you will suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried; and you shall have tribulation ten days; be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. - Revelation 2:10
If you could be granted one wish, what would you wish for? Would it be a full bank account? A house on the ocean? A new body? Or would you set your sights on something more worthy, more lasting, and much more valuable?
What we desire and seek after reveals the true nature of our heart; for Jesus Christ said in Matthew 6 that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." If you focus only on temporal things such as money, possessions or education you are revealing that you are trying to find satisfaction and happiness in things which are worthless in the light of eternity. You are making a treasure of that which will be destroyed.
So what is a lasting treasure? What is something you could put a value on, prize, and know that it would last for eternity? Ah, Jesus has the answer for that as well in Matthew 13, " Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Christ is comparing the gospel to a great treasure over which a man rejoices exceedingly, and nothing is too much to give to obtain it. The Gospel is a treasure because it is the message of how Christ has paid the price to redeem you from hell and give you access to the Father.
We as fallen humans are under the righteous judgment of God for our willful disobedience of His laws and stubborn refusal to submit to Him. But God who is rich in mercy sacrificed His own Son as an atonement for sin and now bids you repent and believe in Him for salvation. Turn from your sin and cling to Christ as your only hope to be saved from the wrath of the God you have rebelled against. Hebrews says, " For it is appointed unto man once to die and after this the judgment." The time of reckoning is drawing near, and you will be judged for your sin if you do not turn to Christ as the only way to God. In His great love He bids you to come, extends a full and free forgiveness and cleansing of sin through the shed blood of His Son. This is a treasure worth having!
Full pardon of sin, a deep and personal relationship with a God who delights in doing good to those He has redeemed, a home being prepared in heaven by Christ...
Is not this treasure infinitely better than things of earth? Yes, it is a priceless treasure and so much so that all those other things seem but vain and empty in comparision. Things of earth are gladly exchanged so that we might share the good news of the Gospel in all the corners of the earth.
God is our true treasure and ought to be our true delight, all other things which we attempt to put in His place will but fall by the wayside, useless.
No more night. No more pain.
No more tears. Never crying again.
And praises to the great " I Am."
We will live in the light of the risen
Lamb.
All praises to the great " I Am."
We're gonna live in the light of the
risen Lamb.
~ No More Night ~
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ~
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
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.
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.
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
"The setting of a great hope is like the setting of the sun. The brightness of our life is gone." - Henry Wadesworth Longfellow
Today 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? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God."
This is only possible through the gentle correction and comfort of the Holy Spirit. We are so faithless, so quick to question and become downhearted and doubtful. Yet He continues faithfully drawing our focus back to Himself, reminding us of Who our hope is, and giving us the faith to wait on His timing.
How good God truly is! How full of unending mercy and tender love toward His children! Therefore, when as through eyes full of tears we watch our hopes or dreams die, we can know and trust that the joy and brightness of life will return; for it does not rest in anything but Jesus Christ. He alone is our hope, our strength, and our comfort.
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?
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."
watching the sunset from Coney Island
I 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 give nothing less than all; I'll answer " Here am I" when Calvary calls.
~ Looks Like Love by Tim, a CD produced from The Brooklyn Tabernacle. He sang this song as a special one Sunday while I was there. ~
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 reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
My Saviour's sacrifice paid for all my sin
So in my suffering I look to the cross again
No need, no want, no trial, no pain
Can compare to this
The wrath of God, once meant for me
Was all spent on Him
Before the Cross, I humbly bow
I place my trust in the Saviour
Your finished work captures my gaze
You bore the wrath, I know the grace
In my darkest hour, Your presence is my peace
In my days of joy, Your grace carries me
Jesus, my Great High Priest
The One who pleads for me
My heart is filled with faith in You
Here at Calvary on my knees
Before the Cross I humbly bow
I place my trust in the Saviour
Your finished work captures my gaze
You bore the wrath, I know the grace
~ Before the Cross ~ Jon Payne
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
~Stuart Townend~
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 sentence reveals that they are trusting in their own goodness to attain heaven in spite of everything they just acknowledged.
One of the people who did that very well was Craig. Craig was one of the salesmen who parade on the street corner loudly advertising cellular phones; these salesmen are amazing - they even tried to sell to us as we are walking around evangelizing! We established that he was a sinner in need of a Saviour and that he needed to repent etc. Craig was frustrated and said that he tried to live a good life, and prayed in repentance every day yet still fell into the same sins; he hoped that God would accept him because of his efforts. We went in circles for quite a while discussing all of this, with me having to politely but firmly get the conversation back on the topic several times until Dennis came along and helped out. A man who was sitting nearby came up when we were finished and gave Craig some contact information, stating that he was a Christian and would be happy to talk to him anytime he wanted.
A few rejections later I started good conversations with sidewalk vendors but was interrupted due to customers. An older lady was sitting on the wall around one of the trees, I sat down beside her and engaged her in conversation. She was very friendly and openly said she didn't know where she was going when she died, yet had no desire to talk further with me about it. Instead she seemed more interested in someone willing to listen to her brag about her children's accomplishments and her life in the city.
A while later when I offered a tract to an older guy and struck up a conversation, he showed no interest at all in God but a lot in me. When he would not cease his brazen hitting on me, I simply told him I was there to talk to him about eternal life, not Bf's, and walked back to the group. Mildly annoying, but all types are encountered in this type of evangelism.
At the door to Wendy's a woman with two little girls asked everyone that walked by for a dollar, as one of her daughters tugged on her sleeve wanting ice cream. She was given a tract along with the dollar. Inside, the very friendly young man behind the counter accepted a tract with a smile and nod.
In summation, street evangelism is very draining since you are walking in the hot sun and it is hard work talking of spiritual things with the blind. But if you keep praying and have a genuine concern for the lost, and can be friendly, warm, and caring you will love it.
After several hours on the streets, we headed over to Central Park. The entrance we used was crowded and noisy and the air was thick with cigarette smoke and the smell of horses. The broad sidewalk was filled with young aspiring artists and their modern art, as well as hot dog vendors and the never ending purse displays with bored looking attendants. The Park itself is so very beautiful, with rolling hills, winding paths, stately trees, gentle waterfalls over rock cuts, ponds, and flower gardens. The paths are lined with benches and the occasional enterprising painter displaying their work and calling out as you walk by, or a musician with open hat close at hand. The well-kept lawns are covered with an amazing diversity of the human population; sadly, immorality is prevalent here both in the clothes women wear, and the actions of couples. But you also might see a couple playing with their baby, a group of teens playing Frisbee, a lady studying with pen in hand, a young man lying asleep on the grass, or a hippie reclining against a tree trunk as he observes the people around him.
The park also has a good deal of semi-tame wildlife including squirrels, turtles, fish, geese, sparrows, chipmunks, and pigeons. The squirrels and pigeons especially are so used to the steady stream of people that at times you almost step on them before they scramble out of the way.
After a pleasant stroll through a section of the park, we went back to the van and drove to Ground Zero. Here too, the fallenness of mankind is evident in the sidewalks lined with those attempting to make money off the throngs of tourists coming to remember at the site of a tragedy. The site itself is at present under construction and surrounded with a high fence that hinders views inside. They have rebuilt the WTC subway station, and on that side they have made it possible to view the area; which shows that it is still in the beginning processes of building. Also here is a wall covered with the artwork of children paying tribute to their fathers who as firefighters or policemen, gave their lives in trying to save others. It is so very strange to study the paintings and loving words, being moved almost to tears, while behind you is a constant flow of people in and out of the subway, going about their day to day lives in normality. To visit Ground Zero is not the same as visiting a memorial, but it is sobering enough in its own way and is a good reminder of the fragility and preciousness of life.
A quiet ride back home where we enjoyed putting together a delicious taco supper and after cleaning up, everyone meandered their way to the beach as the sun began its descent. After the clamour of the city it was so peaceful and quiet, with the sound of the tide coming in mixed with the quiet conversation of those fishing from the rocks. We pulled off our sandals and enjoyed the feel of the cool sand on our aching feet, though the bitterly cold water kept us back from the reach of the tide. Some of the crazier ones decided to brave the temperatures, and dared each other in how far into the waves they would wade, to the amusement of those of us who were more 'sane'. The children with their endless energy soon had several of us chasing them around and through the water, squealing and laughing. Denver somehow ended up holding every one's cameras, so he entertained himself by taking random pictures with them all. Eventually it grew too dark to see very well and people started to head toward home, pausing to take in the lovely view of the Manhattan skyline lite up, with a bright moon overhead revealing scattered clouds, and gentle waves just visible against the sand.
Truly New York City is beautiful, yet desperately in need of a Saviour.
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 of heaven and earth. I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
~ Casting Crowns ~
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 Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, and The Growth of a Soul. There are incidents which instruct me now from the reading of J. G. Paton's biography, read last winter. And now this fresh Spirit-quickened history of Brainerd. O Lord, let me be granted grace to 'imitate their faith.'
October 27: "Enjoyed much sweetness"(as he puts it) in the reading of the last months of Brainerd's life. How consonant are his thoughts to my own regarding the 'true and false religion of this late day.' Saw, in reading him, the value of these notations, and was much encouraged to think of a life of godliness in the light of an early death.
October 28: One of the great blessings of heaven is the appreciation of heaven on earth. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.
October 29: On reading a letter to Bert from Wilfred Tidmarsh I responded to a simple urge to offer myself for the work there in Ecuador. This morning it struck me as quite a presumptuous action and I covenanted with the Lord quietly that I would not post the letter unless I had some definite word from Himself. It seems the situation he is in demands that he abandon the Indian work among the Quichuas, because of his wife's health.
Later: after reading in Ephesians 4, 5, and 6, the words 'redeeming the time' struck me. The marginal reading encouraged me even more, 'buying up the opportunity.' And when I turned to the Greek I had certainty that I should mail the letter.
Those are truly striking passages - note the progression. David Brainerd was a missionary among the American Indians and died of illness before he was thirty. Reading a biography on him, Elliot was impressed, influenced, and encouraged to continue in the life of godliness. In light of this he penned what is likely his most well-known quote; the following day he wrote of a strong desire to go to Ecuador. Looking back and knowing what he could not have known then makes for a very intriguing and powerful text to ponder. Elliot's words came from a heart of love and devotion to his Father which was built upon the abundant grace given him through Christ. This enabled him to later on give what he couldn't keep to gain that which he could not lose. His was not a wasted life.
"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.
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 appears loving on the surface is in actuality done through pride or in order to gain something in return.
The world and culture around us knows nothing of genuine love. All too often infatuation or romantic feelings are interpreted to be the real thing. Couples get married because they believe themselves to be in love, yet in a few short months or years that feeling wears off and there is no foundation of true love to stand on. The result is misery and, more often than not, divorce. Most of the crumbling marriages we see today would be saved if husband and wife would only give of themselves to each other in sacrificial love. However as was previously noted, humans do not have the capacity in and of themselves to show true love. This can only find it's source in God Himself.
The clearest picture of true love in action is seen in God's plan of redemption for mankind. God is holy, full of justice and mercy, and the personification of pure love itself. Mankind in it's wretchedness and gross rebellion, it's hatred of God and all things good, falls far short of God's righteous measure. There was nothing in us of beauty or worth. Nothing in the least that would draw the smile of a pure and holy God. And so when God, for the sake of His glory, reached down to us through the death of His only Son, He showed true love in all it's beauty. Self-sacrificing, seeking no reward, showing mercy and compassion in the face of anger and rebellion - truly this is astounding! Our response to such mercy should be humble repentance and belief.
Further, God's grace continues to reveal itself in the life of the Christian. Through the power of the Holy Spirit living in and sanctifying them, the believer learns to act out true love. When a Christian responds with forgiveness and kindness to a persecutor, they are daily putting into practice the agape love their Father teaches them. We see this also in the care and compassion for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ; through giving of time, prayer and resources for their blessing. And at the core of evangelism is found a deep heart of love for the souls of the unrepentant. It is by compassion born of God, that believers willingly give up even their very lives so that they might spread the Gospel of repentance and forgiveness of sins. All this is done not through human ability or will, but only by God's grace changing hearts and empowering them to live with love and godliness.
Truly, love is of God and no other.
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God. He that loves not, knows not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Here is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." 1 John 4:7-11
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 endures for ever. But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endures for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endures for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endures for ever. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endures for ever. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endures for ever. And Og the king of Bashan : for his mercy endures for ever. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endures for ever. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endures for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endures for ever.And has redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endures for ever. Who gives food to all flesh: for his mercy endures for ever. O give thanks to the God of heaven: for his mercy endures for ever.
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 temporary departure from reading John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life and focused on the global persecuted church. These Christians that are beaten, cast into jail, or fear for their lives, are a witness to what it means to risk all for Christ. They are daily living out what Paul says in Philippians 1:21 "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
In obeying the Biblical command to remember those in bonds, we split into groups and prayed for specific countries and prisoners. Then we wrote personalized letters, often using Scripture, to encourage and uplift these brothers and sisters. Many of them have been imprisoned for a decade or more and gratefully welcome letters expressing care and concern.
I am planning to mail off several letters this week. It is not hard or even dangerous. Simply gather names and addresses, pray and ask wisdom for what you should say, fill your letter with encouragement, and let God ensure it reaches them. For assistance with this, do check out www.persecution.com
Living in the ease and freedom of North America, it is all too easy to ignore or forget the suffering of fellow Christians in other parts of the world. Let me urge you to keep them in prayer. Pray that God will comfort and strength them, and draw them close to Him. Spread the burden to other Christians and get them involved not only in prayer but in the aid to the global church. Organizations such as Voice of the Martyrs need our financial, prayerful, and volunteering support as they minister and build up.
Let's not get swept up in our culture, with its focus on the here and now. Instead, we need to embrace risk for Christ and live a life that is pleasing to Him, with a focus on eternity. In so doing, at the end of our lives we may look back and know that through His grace we have lived for His glory and it has not been a wasted life.
Heb 13:3 Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them, those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
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 and of bondage. To humble himself has not yet become the spontaneous expression of a life and a nature that is essentially humble. It has not yet become his joy and only pleasure. He cannot yet say, "Most gladly do I glory in weakness, I take pleasure in whatever humbles me."
But can we hope to reach the stage in which this will be the case? Undoubtedly. And what will it be that brings us there? That which brought Paul there - a new revelation of the Lord Jesus. Nothing but the presence of God can reveal and expel self. A clearer insight was to be given to Paul into the deep truth that the presence of Jesus will banish every desire to seek anything in ourselves, and will make us delight in every humiliation that prepares us for His fuller manifestation. Our humiliations lead us, in the experience of the presence and power of Jesus, to choose humility as our highest blessing. Let us try to learn the lessons the story of Paul teaches us.
Can you not oh so totally relate with that?? Humility is filled with food for deep thought, but this was something I could look at and say, "That is me."
Jesus himself said that, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." I think that at least in part, to follow this command means we must learn to submit to His will and deny the flesh and self.
This must be why it is so hard for us to be humble - for it goes against our very nature as humans. We cannot be humble of ourselves, for even that we would do self-righteously or for selfish reasons. No, the only way to humility is through the work of God in us as He sanctifies and cleanses us. I quote again another fitting passage:
Place yourself before God in your utter helplessness; consent heartily to the fact of your impotence to slay or make alive yourself. Sink down into your own nothingness, in the spirit of meek and patient and trustful surrender to God. Accept every humiliation. Look upon every fellow man who tries or vexes you as a means of grace to humble you. Use every opportunity of humbling yourself before your fellow men as a help to abide humbly before God...It is the path of humility that leads to perfect death, the full and perfect experience that we are dead in Christ.
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." - Philipians 2: 3-5
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. Truly, "shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Rest, oh Christian, in the knowledge that your Father will deal rightly with all sin.
Third, remember that compared to eternity, life is gone in an instant. Our time on earth is as a vapour, given as a gift by God to be spent for him. Jim Elliot died at the hands of the Auca Indians but his was a life not wasted. No, for he lived the truth of what he said: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." In the same manner we need to keep our eyes on Christ and off the temporal. If we give our lives for Christ it is not a waste. If we must watch our friends die for Him, let us not mourn but rather rejoice that they are glorifying God whether in life or in death.
Fourth, turn to God for your comfort and peace. Only He can give joy in the midst of sorrow. His compassion is new every morning and great is his tenderness toward you. In Psalm 42, David wonders why he is cast down in spirit. The Psalmist reminds himself that even in the deepest grief, God is his hope and he can praise Him in the storm. Take this Scripture and apply it to your life, let it calm the tears and sooth the hurt. Cast your burden upon the Lord for He will sustain and strength you.
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
"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
"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
"Philosophy and religion both discard at once the very thought of free-will; and I will go as far as Martin Luther, in that strong assertion of his, where he says, "If any man doth ascribe aught of salvation, even the very least, to the free-will of man, he knoweth nothing of grace, and he hath not learnt Jesus Christ aright." It may seem a harsh sentiment; but he who in his soul believes that man does of his own free-will turn to God, cannot have been taught of God, for that is one of the first principles taught us when God begins with us, that we have neither will nor power, but that he gives both; that he is "Alpha and Omega" in the salvation of men."
--- Charles H. Spurgeon
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0052.htm
It's obvious to all of us that we as humans do have the capacity to choose right from wrong. The child can choose whether to put their hand in the forbidden cookie jar, the teenager can choose whether to join the wrong crowd, the adult can choose whether to defraud the company.
This type of free-will is not what I am arguing against. However, the free-will taught by the modern North American church today will not be found in Scripture.
If you were to join a group of Christians after church and boldly state that you do not believe we have free-will, you would discover just how quickly and heatedly they would disagree with you. For some reason, most Christians are quick to jump to the defense of our "right to choose", as if it is some terribly important doctrine. Sadly, they are way less likely to defend the right of God to be glorified; let alone verify if Scripture supports their viewpoint.
The fact of that matter is, as Spuregon so eloquently lays out for us, Scripture doesn't teach the same concept of free-will as we know it today. In Christian circles most would define free-will as the ability to choose whether to accept Christ ( salvation) or not. They are adamant that all humans have the capacity and ability to open their heart to Christ or reject Him.
The problem with this viewpoint is it goes against both observation and the clear teaching of Scripture. Even in my limited experience and observation of humans I see how salvation is supernatural and only the result of God's work in a person's heart.
What makes someone bent on suicide suddenly do a 180 and pursue God while loving life? Why would a young man content in the world of drugs, alcohol, and pretty women all at once find that turn to discontent? What would send him searching, confused, restless, unhappy, until at last what he has read over and over again suddenly makes sense and causes him to turn to God in repentence and belief?What would cause a woman deep into Satanism to turn from it in revulsion and embrace Christianity, bringing her children up in it's truth? Why would a man convinced Christ was a fake almost overnight change his mind, and worship Jesus as the God He is? What could change a devout and passionate Muslim into a young man who risks his life and liberty for the cause of Christ?
All of these instances are true, I know them all personally. There is nothing in and of themselves, that could explain their radical transformation. Blindly going on in their own paths , they were happy to live life as they pleased , without regard for God. It was only due to the work of the Holy Spirit in their heart, that they were changed. To God goes the glory for the transformation in their lives.
I would encourage you to study the Scripture yourself. What does it really teach us about the will of man? Romans tells us that we are slaves to sin, and Ephesians teaches we are spiritually dead.
Maybe that will which you so proudly call free, isn't really as free from sin as you would like to think.
"I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficent for that day." - Abraham Lincoln
"Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today." - Abraham Lincoln
"Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom." - Charles Spurgeon
"Fiery trials make golden Christians." - Charles Spurgeon
"One of the most important discoveries I have ever made is this truth: God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him. This is the motor that drives my ministry as a pastor. It affects everything I do." - John Piper
" The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions. The nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we become." - Henry Martyn
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot
"Any chuch that is not seriously involved in helping fulfill the Great Commission has forfeited its biblical right to exist." - Oswald Smith
 | Cool Slideshows |
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12007214812
"Destroying the Pop-Christian views of marital bliss" - by Paul Washer
The best sermon I've ever heard on Biblical marriage and what it looks like. Marriage is to represent Christ and the church, the man is to love his wife sacrifically, she is to give him unconditional respect. All this I knew. This message took that theology and made it even deeper and broader.
Not without design does God write the music of our lives.Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the "rests." They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we look up, God Himself will beat the time for us. With the eye on Him, we shall strike the next note full and clear.
If we sadly say to ourselves, "There is no music in a 'rest'," let us not forget "there is the making of music in it." The making of music is often a slow and painful process in this life. How patiently God works to teach us!
How long He waits for us to learn the lesson!
-- Ruskin
This is an actual chatroom conversation.I omitted all non-topic related comments or comings and goings from chat of course.But what you see told to the seeker, was exactly what was told them, or was up unto I left the room.
This conversation bothered me greatly. How can Christians just tell someone to pray a prayer and they will be saved? Do they not understand what repentance and belief truly is, or that it is the foundation of salvation? And that a person does not get saved just by quoting some 'prayer'? Besides that, there is no sinner's prayer in the Bible. "Dear Jesus come into my heart and save me, forgive me of my sins and help me live for you. " does not save anyone. There must first be a work of the Holy Spirit in the heart to convict and show the person their need of Him.
Besides all that, where in this conversation was the gospel presented?? It would appear everyone assumed this person already knew the gospel message , for no effort was made to share of Christ's atonement, His death, or His resurrection. There was also no check made to see that the seeker understood how and why they were a sinner, and exactly why they needed to repent of it.
It's at times like these when I am glad it is neither you nor I that saves anyone. Thankfully, God can and will save people in spite of the dreadfully inaccurate presentations given to them by modern Christianity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Non-Christian - I dont even really understand what a Christian is so I dont know if I am one
Person A - Do you have a relationship with God ?
Person B - I got saved when I was 6 yrs old...if you understand the sinners prayer..and mean it from your heart...it doesnt matter what age..amen!
Person C - A Christian is someone that is saved that has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour
Person B - amen you said it right !
NonChristian 2 to NonChristian 1 - Im not christian but if you dont understand what being a christian is please check it out first .. im not saying dont become one ...but at least find out what it means first
Person D - A Chrisitan is someone who has repented and turned from their sins and trusted in Christ to pay for their sin
Person B - amen
Person B to NonChristian 2 - you dont know if you are a christian or not?
NonChristian 2 - no, Im not one
Person B - ..so you dont know if you want to be one or not?
NonChristian 2 - too long of a story
Person B - you feel like you dont want to be a christian anymore...mind me asking why?
NonChristian 1 - what would I say if I wanted to have this Jesus in my life?
Person A - you ask him
Person D - no, you see your sin and repent
Person A - you need to have a relationship with him
Person E - just ask him to come into your heart, to forgive your sins , He loves you so much
Person A - all he asks of you is that you see your sin ...than forget your a sinner...accept him..and love him
NonChristian 1 - ..will he like talk back to me or something?
Person B - ..just say it out loud..god..I want to believe in you..and I ask you to forgive me..of sins I have done..and I ask you dear Jesus, Gods son..to come into my life, and save me
Person A - yes
Person E - thats it
Person A - if you listen He talks back
Person D - * runs from room screaming
Why is it that we as humans conveniently forget about God unless something bad is happening? It seems that so long as life is rolling along with few bumps God is Someone we are happy to ignore. Yet if accident, abuse, disease, job loss or some other major roadhole is hit He is suddenly to blame. All at once the God we could have cared less about is at fault for everything that is wrong. I mean, we know He is all-powerful so He should stop this great wrong being done to us, right? But if life is good, then He should leave us alone and we aren't interested in knowing Him.
.... is it just me or is there something wrong with this thinking?
edited to add:
The following quote was taking from an article written by Warren Throckmorton. You can find the rest of the story @ http://beta.crosswalk.com/pastors/1466073/
Mr.Throckmorton said:
...However, he does not think he was born gay, either. He understands why people would think that since he has always been aware of liking guys.
“I don’t know why I have these feelings but it may have something to do with being awkward as a kid and never fitting in with other boys. That’s just one possibility.”
The real breakthrough came, however, when he put the why question aside, pursued a more open relationship with his wife and sought a different kind of help. Instead of focusing on why he had the feelings or what was wrong with him, his counselor helped him pursue living a valued life.
[Jim explained] I began working with a counselor had lots of experience in helping people change behavior. He correctly pointed out that it's not about "being cured" from homosexual attractions, but rather, it is about how I live. That major paradigm shift has been so helpful, I cannot begin to fully describe it. As we have explored issues, things have gotten better, but I still have very difficult moments. Does that mean God is unable to fix me? Hardly. What it means is that this life is difficult, and my difficulty is just different from, not worse than, the "average" next guy. That's just the way it is.
Am I the only one who sees a grave problem with this article? Mr.Throckmorton is addressing Pastors and Church Leadership, but he is hardly teaching Biblical truth here. Is this what we can expect to hear from the pulpit in the future? Let us hope the vast majority of preachers will see the major flaws in his viewpoint and reject it wholeheartedly.
What is my issue with Mr.Throckmorton's beliefs? Simply, the fact he is teaching something quite against that which is spelled out for us in Scripture. God is specific when He says that homosexuality is grave sin and the result of rebellion against Him. I would encourage you to study the topic for yourself, but for the sake of argument allow me to paste a few verses:
"Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. " Romans 1:24-28
In those verses you will find no pop psychological excuse for immorality. There is no way around the fact which the Bible is firm on. Homosexuality is sin. It is not just sexual orientation. It is not just something you are born with. It is not just the result of bad upbringing. It is a choice and not acceptable to God.
Sadly, today's church is listening more and more to what society says and less and less to what God instructs. The majority of wishy-washy Christianity today is more afraid of what man thinks of them, than of what God thinks of them. This is a grave mistake.
When we turn our ears away from the clear teaching of the Word, and listen instead to sinful man we set ourselves up to fall into many pits of deception. I submit to you that one of those pits is the new thinking on homosexuality. By allowing this new acceptance in it's doors, the church is in direct violation of God's Word. The church is also letting it's bright and shining light grow dimmer and dimmer.
Another danger with Mr.Throckmorton's viewpoint is it teaches the wrong approach to sin. Jim, to his credit, does see that his '"attractions" are wrong. He does seek help. His counselor however, simply talks about changing behaviour. There really is no mention of sin or the consequences that result from it. In contrast the Bible teaches us to take radical action with radical sin. If you or I have a sin that is plaguing us and is seeming unshakeable, it teaches us to turn to God to change our hearts, and then take drastic measures to rid ourselves of that sin.
In summary, Mr.Throckmorton's article is an attractive "solution" to the seeming problem of reconciling the Bible with modern teaching on homosexuality. Attractive though it may be, he still teaches that which is contrary to the Word. Therefore we must reject it and hold to that which is the truth.
