August Quotes

There can be no participation in Christ’s life without a participation in his death, and we cannot enjoy the benefits of his death unless we are partakers of the power of his life. We must be reconciled to God in order to be holy, and we cannot be reconciled without thereby becoming holy.

-Charles Hodge

No matter how hard Satan tries, he cannot dim the glory of Jesus. People may close their eyes or turn their backs, but neither of those actions reduces Jesus' divine stature. 

-Woodrow Kroll

A Sovereign Protector I have, unseen, yet forever at hand. 

-Augustus M. Toplady

To be a follower of the Crucified means, sooner or later, a personal encounter with the cross. And the cross always entails loss.

-Elisabeth Elliot

“Loving someone requires maintaining a measure of optimism on that person’s behalf. Hope is an attitude that good will eventually come to those who may now be failing. Failure invades every Christian’s life, and it often causes others to give up on the one who fails. Yet, Christians who love continue to hope for the best. This optimism encourages others to keep moving forward. This hope is based not on the Christian, but on Christ. The hope of each Christian is that Christ will preserve him to glory. When a brother falls, it is Christ who picks him up and makes him stand (Rom. 14:4). Christ is the one who promised to finish the work he began".

-(Pratt, R. L., Jr. (2000). I & II Corinthians (Vol. 7). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)

Yet, just as the soil patiently endures the frigid hand of frost and snow and bitter cold, the soul's
winter is only a curving bend to the fair meadows of spring. Only through mourning can one know the exhilaration of joy. Beauty is the by-product of burnt, ash-dust. God looks at a field of stinky, dead earth and says, "This is my garden." I have learned never to begrudge winter, for in her wake lie all the trees of Eden.

-Unknown 

But did the clouds rain free, and the earth open beneath me, I would not stir; for I know who planted me here, and as long as He wills me to stand, neither men or devils can move me hence.
~William Wallace

Mercy is never free. Mercy is very expensive. Mercy requires paying the cost of justice, and that is the cost of our Savior’s life. But that mercy is beautiful to behold for those whom God has given eyes to see it. Mercy changes lives. And the offer of mercy can also harden. 

~Tony Reinke

Hold your ground! Should a Christian flee? Should a Christian be afraid? You are not going anywhere—Hold fast your position! You are not changing the things that God has set. You heed God’s lead, not the Enemy’s! The Enemy will not define the terms of your life. The Enemy will not dictate where you go, what you say, what you don’t say, or what you do, or don’t do. God set you here. Stand firm. Don’t move from this position. Be still and watch what your God will do for those who trust in His Almighty Name! 

~Eric Ludy

What we offer unto God? Stubborn, sinful, rebellious rejection. But unto us? A Child is born. A Son is given.

 ~James MacDonald

In the Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,

He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? (Psalm 147:16-17)

earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.

From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven? The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. (Job 38:29-30)

Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long, long ago.

For to the snow he says, "Fall on the earth," likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour. (Job 37:6)
Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! (Psalm 148:7-8)

God, heaven cannot hold him, nor the earth sustain;

But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? (2 Chronicles 2:6)
But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! (2 Chronicles 6:18)

heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. (Revelation 20:11)

In the bleak midwinter, a stable place sufficed:
the Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. (Luke 2:11-12)
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:23)

Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the air.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased." (Luke 2:13-14)

But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. (Luke 2:19)

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would do my part.
Yet what can I give him: give my heart.

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John 6:37)

And the Word becamse flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Song from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

From the darkness came the Light of the Dayspring.

The One who created the wind, earth, water, and heavens came to live and die among us.

Immanuel: God with man. God with us. 

For nothing will be impossible with God.

A Bigger Picture, Part Seven

There are five steps or phases included in the lectio divina, which in Latin, means “holy reading” or “prayerful reading”.[1] This practice has roots in ancient history and it focuses on feeling and listening to God speaking to us and transforming our lives.[2] When used alongside the inductive approach to biblical interpretation, these steps are meant provide revelation from the Spirit in accordance with God’s written Word. However, it is important to remember that our feelings are not necessarily always in alignment with the Spirit, rather, we must conform our emotions to what the Word of God shows us through the Spirit.[3]

   

The first step, Silencio, refers to the reader setting a quiet time aside to prepare his heart to enter the Lord’s presence.[4] This step should be helpful in any sort of devotional time, because in this fast-paced 21^st century, people often forget how to sit alone in the quiet to study the Word and pray. Reading the Word is hearing God’s voice, and prayer is communication with Him, so it’s vital to set aside regular time to worship the Lord.

  

The second step, Lectio, focuses on choosing a Scripture passage and reading it slowly out loud.[5] The reader needs to concentrate on allowing God’s words to say what they say, rather than reading his own words into it. Also the reader needs to apply the words specifically to himself and not to others, as is so easy to do. This aspect would definitely be vital for a Christian, because it is important to make sure that one is right with God before calling others out.

   

Meditatio directs the reader to connect the Scripture with some part of his current life situation. Reading the passage slowly again and allowing the words to sink into his heart and mind, the reader can more closely focus on what principles God is teaching. This step could be concerning, as it may lead some readers to overspiritualize the text, but through careful study, the reader can glean the principles that God has revealed to us.[6]

   

After concentrated study on the passage, the fourth step, Oratio, tells readers to use this time to pray through the passage, asking God to show His truth and point out areas where actions and attitudes need to be aligned to His Word.[7] Praying to God allows the opportunity to speak honestly with the Lord and often times helps to pinpoint areas of struggle.

   

The last step, Comtemplatio, includes the aspect of prayer in surrendering the past, present, and future to God in light of the passage that was read. Through prayer the reader also should ask that the Lord would continue His transforming work in his life, and then thank God for all He has done and continues to do.[8]

In conclusion, these five steps pointed me back to the meaning of my personal devotions—that of time

alone with God through reading and prayer. In choosing the passage from Psalm 62, I was reminded of God’s eternal character. He is our rock and our salvation and our fortress. Our hope rests in Him alone. Our glory comes from Him being our one refuge. It is in the needed silence that we learn to trust in Him. He desires our prayers and He is pleased to answer them in His timing and His way for His glory and our good. Through these verses, God instructs us to entrust our life to Him and to render to Him the cries of our heart, because He will be a refuge for us. He has promised that, and because of that promise we can remain unshaken and steadfast in our hope.

---

[1] J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God's Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 231. /12.2.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid., 230./12.2.

[4] Ibid., 231./12.2.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

November Quotes

You must not only affirm the truth; you must also proclaim it. You must also defend it. 

-Albert Mohler

If you focus on men, you will always be disappointed. Focus on the principles for which they stood.

-Col. John Eidsmoe

It was in a garden that Adam sinned, and it was in a garden that the Second Adam (Jesus) was arrested. After being killed for the sins of His own, he was buried then rose from the grave in a garden on the third day, breaking Adam's curse. Mary thought at first that the risen Savior was a gardener. Christ is now in Heaven preparing a place for His own, a garden with the Tree of Life at the center, the garden that Eden was pointing to all along!

-Unknown

[A]ll great and honourable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and must be both met and overcome with answerable courage.

-William Bradford

Shall we not pray for strength to run well knowing that greater trials are likely ahead, but also knowing that the Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, is greater than all our trials and knowing that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. 

 -Nathan Francis

Let lovingkindness become the standard of true wisdom; justice, the measure of real power; and righteousness, our criterion of riches. 

-John Piper

Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid youstand, Men of the West!' 

-JRR Tolkien (Aragorn)

It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates.

-Amy Carmichael

The Christian life isn't difficult — it is impossible. If we don't know that, we will try to do things ourselves. Faith is not necessary when we think we can do it ourselves. Faith comes along when we realize that we cannot do it on our own." 

-Joseph Garlingen

Struggling with sin isn't a sign of God's absence, but of his presence. 

-Darrin Patrick

The universe shudders in horror that we have this infinitely valuable, infinitely deep, infinitely rich, infinitely wise, infinitely loving God, and instead of pursuing him with steadfast passion and enthralled fury—instead of loving him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; instead of attributing to him glory and honor and praise and power and wisdom and strength — we just try to take his toys and run. It is still idolatry to want God for his benefits but not for himself. 

-Matt Chandler

When all is said and done, the life of faith is nothing if not an unending struggle of the spirit with every available weapon against the flesh.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "The Cost of Discipleship"

These many years of waiting will only be a sentence in the story. This long day will come to an end, and I believe it will end in glory, when we will shine like suns and stride the green hills with those we love and the One who loves.

-Andrew Peterson

Love is an act of the will accompanied by emotion that leads to action on behalf of its object. 

-Voddie Baucham

It is not your love that sustains the marriage,

but from now on, the marriage that sustains your love.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

What ends up happening to so many of us is that we spend so much time trying to put sin to death that we don’t spend enough time striving to know God deeply, trying to gaze upon the wonder of Jesus Christ and have that transform our affections to the point where our love and hope are steadfastly on Christ. The goal is this: that Christ would become more beautiful and desirable than the allure of sin. 

-Matt Chandler

October Quotes

We do not choose suffering simply because we are told to, but because the One who tells us to describes it as the path to everlasting joy. 

-John Piper

It is not the strength of your faith that saves you, but the strength of Him upon whom you rely! Christ is able to save you if you come to Him—be your faith weak or be it strong. 

-Charles Spurgeon

Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years no, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grace, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honoring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my Resurrection body will rise as fair as yours in the likeness of our risen Redeemer. 

-John Paton

Let us not wait for large opportunities or different kinds of work, but do the things that we find to do day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived. We will never have any time but the present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavor now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do--"do it with thy might." Do it promptly. Do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do tomorrow, as if that could make up for the idleness of today. No man ever served God by doing things tomorrow. If we honor Christ and are blessed, it is by the things that we do today. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labor, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve Him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.

-C.H. Spurgeon

None but God can satisfy the longings of the immortal soul; as the heart was made for him, he only can fill it. 

-Richard Chenevix

If God has lost the authority to be sovereign over reality, if He has lost the authority to provide objective law, and if He has lost the authority to reveal absolute truth, then in the eyes of men, He has lost the right to be God.

-Kevin Swanson

There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.' All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened.

-C. S. Lewis

The promises of God and the fulfillment of them are linked together by an indissoluble bond.

-John Calvin

When I get to heaven, I shall see three wonders there. The first wonder will be to see many there whom I did not expect to see; the second wonder will be to miss many people who I did expect to see; and the third and greatest of all will be to find myself there. 

-John Newton

Enemy-occupied territory---that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.

-C.S. Lewis

When the tears have dried and the heart ache has given way We will find ourselves not far from a God who has held us in our storm, who has knelt in our grief and stayed with us. When all is said and done, we will find ourselves in a better land, holding the hand of a better man. 

-T.B. LaBerge

To every person there comes in their lifetime that special moment when you are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to you and your talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds you unprepared or unqualified for work which could have been your finest hour.

-Winston Churchill

The strength of man is the absoluteness of his God. 

-R. J. Rushdoony

Music... will help dissolve your perplexities and purify your character and sensibilities, and in time of care and sorrow, will keep a fountain of joy alive in you.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

But God is the God of the waves and the billows, and they are still His when they come over us; and again and again we have proved that the overwhelming thing does not overwhelm. Once more by His interposition deliverance came. We were cast down, but not destroyed.

-Amy Carmichael

God of Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 

For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. 

If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 

Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 

always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 

for we walk by faith, not

by sight. 

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 

So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

His Names!

About five weeks ago I began a study on the names of God using Kay Arthur's book entitled Lord, I Want to Know You. I thought I'd share the names I've gone through so far.

When reading a book, it's often important to know the author and some of the background behind the story. It's even more important to know Jesus and who God is when reading Scripture. It's been encouraging to be reminded of the names of God over the last several weeks.

Names in Jewish history and culture held much more significance than names today. A name summed up the person and his character and sometimes the time period he lived in. For instance, Nabal's name meant "foolish", and as his wife attested to, he certainly lived up to that name. A priest's wife named her child Ichabod, meaning "Where is glory?" or "no glory", when she heard the ark of the covanent had been taken by the Philistines. Ruth means "friendship" and we see how she lived up to this name in her loyalty to Naomi.

So it is with the names of God--each one tells something about His character and who He is.

Elohim
This is the first of the names in the Old Testament, for it is used in Genesis 1:1. The significance of this name especially is that the Hebrew is plural, showing proof of the Trinity. This is the word often translated as "God" in the OT. He's the God of gods, and as described in Genesis, He is the Creator of the world. He is supreme over all and He created each one of us in the image of Himself. Knowing this name reminds us that we should be living out God's purpose for our lives since we bear His image in our body and spirit.

Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and

were created.

Revelation 4:11

El Elyon

As the sovereign ruler of the universe, God is also the Most High God (as the name El Elyon means). He is in complete control of all and no one can thwart His plans or question His purposes. Nothing happens without His express permission and ultimate sanction. He controls life and death, poor and riche, honor and dishonor, light and dark, godly and wicked, weakness and strength, and is sovereign over absolutely everything else. Knowing this gives us assurance that the Most High's plans and purposes will prevail. 

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

Psalm 57:2

El Roi
This is the name revealed to Hagar after she was despised and mistreated of Sarai. Fleeing into the wilderness, God meets her there in the form of an angel, and promises that her son will be the first of many descendants. God would give her a son to be named Ishmael (meaning "God hears"), and Hagar would not ever forget how God heard her cry of affliction. After this encounter with God, Hagar is amazed that God would answer her and calls Him El Roi--the God who sees. Still today, there is nothing that God does not see, and sometimes in miraculous or ordinary ways He is pleased to answer our cries to Him. A reminder to us that nothing is hidden from God's sight.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

keeping watch on the evil and the good.

Proverbs 15:3

El Shaddai

God Almighty--the All-Sufficient One--appeared to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old. Renewing His covenant, that Abram would be the father of many nations, God uses the name El Shaddai to remind Abram that He can do anything, and that He will carry out His promise completely. He is sufficient for all. He's the sustainer of life, and His power is made perfect in weakeness. Through Paul, God reminds us that He is still El Shaddai to us today (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

When Abram was ninety-nine years old 

the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him,

"I am God Almighty;

walk before me and be blameless."

Genesis 17:1

Adonai

To be a believer in Christ, you must know God as Adonai--your Lord and Master. This is not merely a name someone can use of God, for Matthew records that there will be many who will call Jesus Lord, but not enter into heaven. As Lord and Master, this indicates our relationship and dependency on God. It shows that He has a right to demand obedience of us, and that we are to completely submit to Him .This name reminds us of God's Lordship over us, and is often translated as "Lord" in our English translations. The two words translated as Lord in Greet (NT) mean "supreme in authority, controller" and "an absolute ruler". This is the God we serve. 

I say to the Lord,

"You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you."

Psalm 16:2

Jehovah

This name holds much history and meaning behind it. It's the name most frequently used in the OT and it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to be, to become", which describes God's existence. It is typically translated as LORD in our Bibles, and it's the name which is related to the name God gave to Moses at the burning bush "I AM WHO I AM". God is self-existent, with no beginning or end. He gives life, but He is life in and of Himself. He cannot change, and His covenants remain steadfast. God revealed himself to Moses and the Israelites as Jehovah who is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy and truth, and forgiving of sin though still exacting justice. 

God said to Moses,

"I AM WHO I AM."

And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel,

'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Exodus 3:14

There are many other names, and since I'm only one-third the way through Arthur's book, perhaps I will share more here as time goes on. I posted here two years ago of a video done by Eric Ludy going through the names of God. If you have the time, I'd encourage you to listen to it again HERE.

May you rest in the name of your God, knowing that it is a fortress and a strong tower for those who run to it. It is only in His name that you will find safety and security. 

Psalm 42

I have nothing of my own today, but we always have Scripture. Here's Psalm 42--a psalm I'm working on memorizing, and one that's often blessed me. It's a reminder that our spiritual thirst should be a thirst for the living God, and that though challenges and oppression will not cease, the Lord commands His steadfast love never to leave us. We have no reason to be anxious or cast down. Our salvation and hope is in God, and if that were the only reason to praise Him, it would be enough.

Psalm 42

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. 

My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.

By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to the God, my rock: "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, "Where is your God?"

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

Daniel Craig's recent CD included a song of this psalm, and I know it has blessed many already.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xabZxjJnj7g

Gospel of John, Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

Read John 15:1 - 8. What does this passage teach about salvation? Discipleship? Eternal security?

~~~~~

Beginning with the seventh “I AM” statement, John 15 opens with Jesus’ words “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” In using this allegory, Jesus was identifying with a common Jewish symbol and sight in Israel.[1] Vineyards populated the land, because wine was the main beverage in the ancient Near East culture, so this comparison would have immediately brought to mind the plants, vines, and fruit that grew over the countryside.[2] Also in using the reference to the “vine”, Jesus was pulling from Old Testament passages which described Israel as a vine though which the Messiah would bless the nations.[3] Using this imagery, Jesus teaches about salvation, discipleship, and eternal security in John 15:1-8.

Salvation is evidenced by good works or a lack thereof, so in this passage, when the Vinedresser prunes the vines, this demonstrates the true faith of a believer. The Vinedresser, the Father, does not prune the branches that do not bear fruit (evidence of a lack of salvation); instead, He cuts them down, throws them away, and burns them with fire. In pruning the branches (those who are truly saved), He causes the vine to bear more fruit, just as chastisement and suffering conform us more to the image of Christ.[4] Those who do not bear fruit are not merely imperfect believers, but those who reject Christ’s salvation.[5] Bearing fruit does not produce salvation, but proves the genuineness of salvation in Jesus’ disciples.[6]

Discipleship is described in a similar manner. Though the vine may have numerous branches, the Vinedresser can tell them apart distinguishing the true and false disciples. The disciples who abide in Christ, bear fruit through obedience, and continue in Christ’s love are representative of the true disciples, and the Vinedresser continually prunes them so that they bring forth more fruit.[7] The unregenerate branches on the vine have a different ending: that of complete destruction by fire. This does not refer to believers losing their salvation, because Jesus promises never to cast away those who come to Him in true saving faith.[8] For the human eye, it may be difficult to tell the state of heart in a person, for unbelievers can—for a time—act as genuine Christians, but the Vinedresser knows those who abide in Him, and in the end the lifeless branches will be cast into eternal torment.[9]

R.C. Sproul said “If you have salvation—if you are truly reborn and have saving faith in your soul—you will have it forever, because if you have it, you never can lose it, and if you seemingly lose it, you never really had it.”[10] Here is a description of the doctrine of eternal security found in John 15. Those who abide in Christ demonstrating their salvation and walking in obedience to Christ’s commands as disciples will be eternally secure in the Father’s hand. If a believer’s security were to fail, then God’s covenant would be broken and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross would be nothing.[11] There would be no reason for Christ to die, to offer salvation, or to grant eternal life if eternal security were based on man’s ability to remain faithful to Christ. In Jesus, the saved are secure in their salvation forever; they need not fear “falling away” or “losing” their salvation. That is not to mean that believers never sin, for they will, but those who abide in Christ, evidencing works of salvation and repentance, will never be plucked out of the Father’s hand.

In conclusion, abiding in Christ, bearing the fruit of obedience, and living with eternal security in view is all to be done for the glory of God, proving our salvation by our works and demonstrating that we are true disciples of the True Vine.[12] When we glorify God through our willing obedience and demonstrate true discipleship by abiding in Christ, then our joy will be full.[13]

________________________________

[1] Elmer Towns, The Gospel of John, 150.
[2] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 79.
[3] Psalm 80:8, Isaiah 5:2, Jeremiah 2:21
[4] Hebrews 12:5-11
[5] Leon Morris, Jesus is the Christ, 137.
[6] John 15:8
[7] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 146.
[8] John 6:37, John 10:28-29
[9] John MacArthur, The New Testament Commentary, John 1-11, 152.
[10] R.C. Sproul, John (St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary), Chapter 46.
[11] Lewis Sperry Chafer, The Calvinistic doctrine of security, 14-15.
[12] John 15:8
[13] John 5:10-11

March Quotes

Better suffer anything than do wrong.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Do you want honest, upright, able men to guide our country's future? Those men are sitting in high chairs today in your dining room.

-Jenny Chancy

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.

–C.S. Lewis

God never witholds from His child that which His love and wisdom call good. God's refusals are always merciful -- "severe mercies" at times but mercies all the same. God never denies us our hearts desire except to give us something better.

-Elizabeth Elliott

If God is for us, then the opposition, which inevitably comes against us, is ultimately of no account. 

-Alistair Begg

Why would we want fame, when God promises us glory? Why would we be seeking the wealth of the world when the wealth of heaven is ours? Why would we run for a crown that will perish with time, when we're called to win a crown that is imperishable?

 -Paul Washer

He comes to the dry and thirsty land of the human heart in its wild and desperate struggles for survival. He comes to the wilderness of our lives, and a furrow at a time he reclaims the land, restoring something of the Paradise that has been lost. He comes to the weary heart to give it rest. To the lonely heart to give it friendship. To the wounded heart to give it healing. To the sad heart to give it joy. And if no joy, at least the companionship of someone who has known what it's like to be sad, wounded, lonely and weary. 

-Ken Gire

True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie.

-A.W.Tozer

Lord, I give up all my own purposes and plans, all my own desires and hopes and ambitions, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever. I hand over to Thy keeping all my friendships; all the people whom I love are to take a second place in my heart. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Work out Thy whole will in my life, at any cost, now and forever. 

-Betty Stam

Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” 

Notice: it does not say, “I never struggle with fear.” Fear strikes, and the battle begins. So the Bible does not assume that true believers will have no anxieties. Instead, the Bible tells us how to fight when they strike. 

-John Piper

Godly households are the greatest martial assets of the Kingdom of God. Establishing and maintaining them is a matter of spiritual warfare. 

-Andrew C. Romanowitz

The day is gone from us--and is with You. We leave it in Your hands. Whatever we have done that was not according to Your will--may You graciously forgive. The things that pleased You--may You bless. 

-J.R. Miller

Look for yourself and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in.

-C.S. Lewis

How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart, you begin to understand, there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend.

-J.R.R. Tolkien

May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Jonathan: "The Lord has given"

[Warning: This is a Very Long Post. ;)]

Jonathan is a character who has often captured my attention, and I have noticed him even moreso in the last two times I've read through the Bible.

One of the first times we're introduced to Jonathan, we find him in the third verse of 1 Samuel 13. After reigning for two years Saul, Jonathan's father--the king over Israel, gathered his men together to fight the Philistines. Saul commanded 2000 men and Jonanathan, 1000. Jonathan and his men raided and defeated one of the groups of Philistines encamping in the area of Geba. Here we see Jonathan old enough to command an army of men, and at the same time courageous enough to actually conquer the Lord's enemies. His father, on the other hand, handled a group of trembling Israelites who were unsure of whether or not to follow him all the way. Saul then offers a sacrifice unlawfully, out of fear of the Philistines, impatience in waiting for Samuel, and fear of losing more of his men; he finds out his "army" has dwindled to 600. Once again Jonathan's name is mentioned in that he and his father faithfully remain with the remaining men in Geba (the area Jonathan conquered). Jonathan is also one of the privileged few (the other being Saul) who owned any sort of weapon, for the Philistines monopolized the metal resources and metal-working craftsmen.

Chapter 14 tells us of Jonathan's initiative to again attack the Philistines and conquer some of the land entrusted to the Israelites through God's covenant of the Promised Land. He takes only his armor-bearer and tells no one of his plans or whereabouts, especially not his father. His companion encourages Jonathan to do all that was in his heart, saying "Behold, I am with you heart and soul" (his armor-bearer made a great companion, too, by the way; what Jonathan received in friendship, he gave back in return to others). Using his strategy and walking in the Lord's victory (the same victory God would have given Saul if he had been obedient), Jonathan and his armor-bearer kill about 20 of the "uncircumcised" [Philistines] while Saul and his men hide in the holes, caves, tombs, and rocks of the land. God intervenes on Jonathan's behalf and sends an earthquake, causing further panic among the Philistines. Saul, finding out the commotion in the Philistine camp and finally noticing that his son and his son's armor-bearer were gone, rallies his men and takes them to battle. The Israelite deserters who were among the Philistines turn and once again follow Saul and Jonathan, and men who had hidden themselves away in the caves and tombs also rejoin their king. The Lord turns the Philistines against each other and saves Israel.

The next scene is written after Jonathan and his armor-bearer's attack, but it fits chronologically after Jonathan leaves the Israelite camp, and perhaps it reveals more about his father than it does him. Saul, vowing revenge on his enemies, lays a curse on anyone who eats food until his enemies are avenged. Jonathan, of course, did not hear this vow, as he was absent, so in his travels through the forest, he finds and eats honeycomb, encouraging the people to do the same as it provided him with much needed strength and energy. The people inform him of his father's curse, and he rightly places the blame of a smaller victory on his father, saying that if the people had eaten of the spoil of the battles, they would not have lacked strength and the victory might have been greater. Later the people sin grievously, taking the spoil of the next Philistine attack and slaughtering the animals on the field and eating them with the blood (eating raw meat without draining the blood was forbidden by God). As a continued consequence of Saul's foolish oath, God does not answer Saul when he attempts to inquire of God as to whether they should attack another group of Philistines. Saul again immediately pronounces a rash oath because God would not answer him, claiming that someone had sinned and whoever it was that person would die, even if it were Jonathan. By casting lots, they find out that it was indeed Jonathan who was "guilty". Saul was committed to fulfilling his vow, too proud to go back on his word, and unable to realize the extent of his own sin, so he says Jonathan must die. However, Jonathan's leadership and faithfulness had won the hearts of the people, and the Israelites step in and ransom him from his father's decision. And they contribute the salvation of Israel to Jonathan, saying that as the Lord lived "not one hair of his head [would] fall to the ground for he has worked with God this day."

Moving ahead several chapters, through the anointing of David for the kingship and his defeat of Goliath, we once again are told of Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18. And here we find the ever familar story of David and Jonathan's friendship. After David kills Goliath, Saul calls him to the court and inquires who his father is. We only have two lines of conversation between Saul and David, and yet chapter 18 verse 1 tells us that "as soon as he [David] had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." Jonathan's friendship is remarkable, not only because of who he was (a king's son--and David was a shepherd boy from one of the least of the tribes), but because of what it required of him (a recognition that he would not be heir to the throne, and a covenantal loyalty to a man that his father hated). In his covenant with David, which included giving to David his outer robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt, Jonathan demonstrated, either consciously or unconsiously, that he was giving up all right to the throne and reliquishing the position of prince of Israel to the anointed one that God had chosen.

Jonathan, in taking on the friendship of one who would reign in the place of his father, now takes on an even more precarious position. King Saul, unable to destroy David through his own methods for the Lord gave David success wherever he went, tells Jonathan and all his servants to kill David. "But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David." (1 Samuel 19:1) So rather than obeying his father, he takes on the risk of warning his friend of his father's intentions. Not only does he provide protection for David, but he also creates a plan in order to figure out what his father was thinking about David. Working as an advocate on his friend's behalf, Jonathan reminds Saul of all the good David had done for him in fighting Saul's battles and defeating Saul's enemies. And Saul temporarily listens to the wise rational of his son. So then Jonathan reports back to David and brings David back into his father's court.

Because of the evil spirit that continually haunts Saul, he soon begins his pursuit of David again. David, in hiding, returns to Jonathan pleading to know what he might have done to cause Saul to want to kill him. Again the two friends form a plan together resulting in David remaining in hiding, and Jonathan finding out what Saul's plans are. David and Jonathan once again pledge their loyalty to each other. David, in his complete trust of Jonathan, asked Jonathan to kill David himself if Jonathan thought he was deserving of death. Jonathan vows to David that he will tell David if his father is well-disposed towards him or if Saul is still desiring his death. Jonathan also requests that if everything turns badly, that David would demonstrate steadfast love to Jonathan's descendants. And again, David and Jonathan swear their covenantal love for each other. 1 Samuel 20 recounts Jonathan's use of the feast days, a young boy, and a bow and arrow to demonstrate to David the message he had learned from his father: Saul was indeed still seeking David's death. Not only did Saul demonstrate his hatred of David, but he also cursed his son for having sided with David and tried to kill him. The chapter ends this way after Jonathan brings this message back to David:

David rose from beside the stone heap and fell on his face to the ground and bowed three times. And they kissed one another and wept with one another, David weeping the most. Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the Lord, saying, 'The Lord shall be between me and you, and between my offspring and your offspring, forever.'" And he rose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city. 

David is continually pursued by Saul and his men. He finds food from a priest, but is betrayed by Saul's chief herdsmen, Doeg the Edomite. He flees to Gath and pretends to be insane for fear that the Philistine king would kill him. He resides in a cave and all the distressed and bitter men come to him--he leads them and they follow him. He sought refuge for his father and mother in Moab, and then lives in the forest. Saul discovers where he is and continues the pursuit. He rescues a city from the Philistines but cannot stay there for the Lord reveals to him that the city would give him up to Saul. The Bible tells us that the men who followed him were staunchly faithful to their leader. They went wherever they could go and they went wherever David went.

Pursued continually by Jonathan's father, David finds rest in the wilderness. Not likely physical rest, but mental and emotional rest from one who had pledged his loyalty to him. Jonathan came to him in the wilderness. He met David where he was, and he brought encouragement and refreshment to him.

And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you....And the two of them made a covenant before the Lord. David remianed at Horesh, and Jonathan went home. (1 Samuel 23:16-18)

In the desert, David found relief. Jonathan tells David not to fear his father. He reminds him that David will be king, and in that reminder is the humble acknowledgement that the prince of Israel would not be on the throne. Jonathan willingly submitted to God's sovereignty as it had been revealed to him and gave his support to David in the next best way that he could. Jonathan reminded David of God's promises.

That's the last we hear of Jonathan before he dies in battle alongside his brothers and his father. And that's the last we hear of his support and encouragement to one who so desperately needed it. But his loyalty left behind a memory not to be forgotten, and his life left an example completely opposite to that of his father's.

Saul's rebellion and disobedience brought consequences that reached further than he would ever know. King Saul is finally defeated by the Philistines, killing himself in order to avoid death by his enemies. And Jonathan dies, too. A man who walked in integrity, lived in victory, loved through loyalty, and advocated for justice. He provided leadership to the Israelites, brought refreshment to a hunted king, jeopardized his royal position by going against his mentally unstable father, and gave his life (literally) in humble surrender to the Lord's will, paving the way for the next king of Israel to reign--an event he would not even live to see.

And in return for that?

David remembered his covenant with Jonathan and showed kindness and grace to his descendants.

For Jonathan's sake.

December Quotes

Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient and have closer communion with Christ. Pray that you may be an example and blessing to others, and that you may live more for the glory of your Master… Let January open with joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.

-Charles H. Spurgeon

Men of iron are forged in fire.

-Unknown

We became very close. Sitting together in silence sometimes, he would say the thought that was stirring in my mind. So it should be, but rarely is, between friends, and between man and wife. 

-Richard Wurmbrand

The attitude in your heart will determine the atmosphere of your home, 

which in turn will affect the actions of everyone in your home. 

-Nancy Campbell

If I take offence easily; if I am content to continue in cold unfriendliness, though friendship be possible, then I know nothing of Calvary love. 

-Amy Carmichael

When a painter starts a portrait, all you see is a blur of colour. It takes time for the sitter to emerge. Everyone admires the portrait of Mona Lisa, but it took Leonardo forty years to finish. The ascent of a mountain is hard going before you can enjoy the view from the summit. 

-Richard Wurmbrand

Satan's power and knowledge are limited; his doom is sure. He's not worthy of our time, obsession, and emotions. Instead we live with both of our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus, who has delivered us from the devil's wrath and given us a sure hope that we will one day be rid of him for ever.

-Mike McKinley

Demanding respect is the quickest and most efficient way to lose it. Rendering respect is the biblical way to give, and, in the giving, to receive back what was given in another form.

-Douglas Wilson

But if we have the peace of God, the world cannot take that from us. It cannot give it. It cannot destroy it. We have to get it from above the world. It is peace that Christ gives. 'Great peace have they which love Your law, and nothing shall offend them.' Christ says, 'Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me.' Now, if you will notice, wherever there is a Bible-taught Christian, one who has the Bible well-marked, and daily feeds on the Word by prayerful meditation, he will not be easily offended.

-D.L. Moody

The key to battling pride is not found in struggling against thinking too highly of ourselves or in striving to think of ourselves as lowly. The key is found in simply not thinking about ourselves at all, but setting our minds on Christ and the needs of others. 

-Paul Washer

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

-C. S. Lewis

But no good hope dies without leaving a child behind it—a younger and fresher hope. The year’s fruit must fall that the next year’s may come, and the winter is only way to the spring.

-George MacDonald

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 

(Romans 13:5-6,13 ESV)

Surrender=Freedom

One of my posts was featured on Amy's blog this week. I had originally written it for her newsletter, but that was discontinued some time ago, so she kindly shared it on her blog. You can check it out HERE. :) 

My post for this week was written specifically for my Bible study group. Of the three Communities that our group participates in (prayer, Scripture memorization, and Scripture reading), I am the moderator of the Scripture reading community. And for the purposes of encouraging one another to stay in the Word, I write out a (sometimes short ;) encouragement post on a monthly basis. Several of those posts I've shared here already. And today's post provides yet another reason to faithfully read Scripture: to teach us to surrender. 

*****

We read Scripture to bring our minds into line with God’s Word. So often we tend to take control of every single detail of our lives that we forget Who’s really ruling the events of this universe. I’m not saying that we release all responsibility for everything we do, that would also be wrong. Surrender is a mental practice more than anything. It’s a willingness to take responsibility for what we do, do the best in everything we do, but yet release the results and future of it to God’s care. It’s a purposeful, conscious decision to submit to God’s ordering of our lives knowing that He can use the sinful and the righteous to fulfill His design for each of us.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

Sometimes we surrender big things…careers, jobs, performance opportunities, relationships, finances, fears, etc. And sometimes surrender is needed for the smallest things, too: your daily schedule, that phone call, that social outing, the spoken word, the to-do list that didn’t get done. We surrender to find freedom, because holding tightly to things that aren’t ours to control will only hurt us and others. Surrender is a reminder to us that God gave us a will and charged us with responsibility in this life, but He’s still God. He’s the one on the throne. Surrender doesn’t change God; it changes us. It reminds us that we’re not in control of everything, that we don’t have to be either. The world doesn’t rest on our shoulders. It held in the hands of Jesus. Surrender reminds us that it’s God who works in us, and at the end of the day, it’s God who makes and will make all things good. Surrender reminds us of our position under Christ.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

Surrender is not giving up. Sometimes it means fighting for what’s right even when there isn’t any hope in sight. Surrender means yielding everything you have to Christ and letting Him create the end result. Sometimes that means burning yourself out in doing what God has commanded you to do, and then standing aside and praying that the Holy Spirit shows you the results.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12b-13)

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12) 

Perhaps one of the best visible ways (though certainly not the only way) we surrender is through forgiveness. Forgiveness is releasing a person from the debt they owed you. A debt they couldn’t repay. Forgiveness means that you don’t bring up the offense to yourself, to that person, or to others. It means releasing that person from their bondage to you (whether or not they acknowledge it) and not expecting “payment”.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)

But whether surrender is shown through forgiveness or whether it’s a prayer in the middle of the night, surrender is a giving up of ourselves to Christ. After all, we are called to be “little Christs”, and He not only demonstrated surrender to His Father’s will, but He also demonstrated surrender when He said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. In that surrender, He found victory. No, He created the victory that we would live in. We read Scripture to bring our hearts and minds into surrender. In the words of life we find that the Holy Spirit is the one who brings our wills into line with God’s will. In surrender you find freedom, you find victory, because you’re not in control. God is.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4)

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)