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Made Me Glad

A friend shared this with me today:

Charles Haddon Spurgeon :: Morning and Evening
August 14th — Morning Reading

“Thou, Lord, hast made me glad through Thy work.” — Psalm 92:4

Do you believe that your sins are forgiven, and that Christ has made a full atonement for them? Then what a joyful Christian you ought to be! How you should live above the common trials and troubles of the world! Since sin is forgiven, can it matter what happens to you now? Luther said, “Smite, Lord, smite, for my sin is forgiven; if Thou hast but forgiven me, smite as hard as Thou wilt”; and in a similar spirit you may say, “Send sickness, poverty, losses, crosses, persecution, what Thou wilt, Thou hast forgiven me,and my soul is glad.” Christian, if thou art thus saved, whilst thou art glad, be grateful and loving. Cling to that cross which took thy sin away; serve thou Him who served thee. “I beseech you therefore, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Let not your zeal evaporate in some little ebullition of song. Show your love in expressive tokens. Love the brethren of Him who loved you. If there be a Mephibosheth anywhere who is lame or halt, help him for Jonathan’s sake. If there be a poor tried believer, weep with him, and bear his cross for the sake of Him who wept for thee and carried thy sins. Since thou art thus forgiven freely for Christ’s sake, go and tell to others the joyful news of pardoning mercy. Be not contented with this unspeakable blessing for thyself alone, but publish abroad the story of the cross. Holy gladness and holy boldness will make you a good preacher, and all the world will be a pulpit for you to preach in. Cheerful holiness is the most forcible of sermons, but the Lord must give it you. Seek it this morning before you go into the world. When it is the Lord’s work in which we rejoice, we need not be afraid of being too glad.

Yes, this excerpt from the “Prince of Preachers” is in a style and beauty of language that seems so far away from my own current station in this world, but it has a voice and message that is timeless and that is in seemingly perfect unity with what my heart knows is true. 
He starts out at the heart of the matter, that all important question,  “Do you believe…” in sentence one. And as if that wasn’t bold enough, he hammers it home with “… what a joyful Christian you OUGHT TO BE!” In the continued opening of sentence two.
This approach might even be deemed as offensive or unwelcoming in many of today’s gathering places of those seeking enlightenment, self help, and betterment  (as long as it is only a tolerable sprinkling of God, of course). And some might even be offended at their main diet of religious and social gathering being seasoned with God, since He seems so unwavering and intent on His will being done. 
“Maybe just add Him as a garnish on the side so no one is offended”, they suggest,  “and then they don’t actually have to encounter Him in the midst of all this other pomp and circumstance and ceremony and entertainment.” Because the truth of God’s Word to them is still a harsh task master calling them to give up so many things they love more and greater — not a glorious and loving God who has the best for us in every promise, in every correction, in every discipline, in every trial, and in every victory over sin and death. 
Do you believe?
Or are you gauging your “own personal truth” by what you can see, hear, taste, touch, smell, feel and experience in your carnal flesh?
Is your belief hinged upon the flood of blessings to be expected in this life now for your investment in religious participation, swinging wildly back and forth between grumbling and praising based on the circumstance?
Or is it rooted firmly in that prize and portion  — that prize that is above and beyond all other worthless and perishing offerings that the enemy might offer?

The enemy is tempting you to take your eyes off of the Truth, the Way, the Life — the source of your joy. Have you turned away? Have you forgotten the sweet, sweet love the Lord has for you, Child of God?
Or do you remember?

Are you filled with joy abounding in every way? Peace that presses understanding? Love even for your enemies? Patience because you know He has a plan and a purpose that is beautiful and wonderful and you are a part of It?
Did you hear me right? You are A PART OF IT! I didn’t say you are apart from it, but that you are a part of It!

How much we have to be thankful for!

Oh, how glad we can bee when the Lord God Almighty is at work in us, and through us, and yes, even for us. Hallelujah! Because He is for us and not against us!

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Free from Guilt and Shame?

Even the wicked wish to be free from guilt and shame. Even the enemies of God wish wicked men to be free from guilt and shame with their consciences seared  — so they are free to be twice the child of hell that they were before encountering that false prophet who says,  “Eat your fill of sinfulness, pride, and wickedness. It will not kill you.”
But the true Savior and Lord doesn’t just save from shame and guilt, but transforms lives through His mastery and lordship over the life laid down to follow in His footsteps. Salvation coupled with Redemption and Sanctification. Not a man striving to be good enough, but Christ demonstrating through a man that He has won the victory and that sin and death are overcome and have no place in the temple were the spirit of the Lord dwells. 
I say this,  because if all you are seeking is escape from shame and guilt, there are two very different masters you can run to for comfort on that issue, so be very careful. 
But if you are seeing to escape your own wickedness, and to live with God and walk in His way — draw close to the one whose salvation turns you away from death and leads you to life.  
Pray for the Lord to forgive you for your sins, to pour out His spirit and divine nature upon you, to give you a new heart that desires the things He desires, to guide you in wisdom and understanding, to heal your unbelief, and to guard the Word that He has planted in your heart FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE. Because you are trusting in His promises, your hope is growing up into faith, and your faith is producing love — all by the power of the Holy Spirit of Christ who lives in the heart of the believer. Rise up and walk in life. Death is overcome. Amen.

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Stop Wrestling

​Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return. Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. So don’t bother correcting mockers; they will only hate you. But correct the wise, and they will love you. Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer. – Proverbs 9:7‭-‬12 NLT


I can now see that in some past situations, I have held on to and wrestled far too long and it has been to both my and to their disadvantage. Jesus didn’t pamper the proud and the mocking. He laid the truth for them that revealed their hardened hearts, and when it produced hatred instead of repentance, He didn’t keep at it, He moved on when the message was not received. He made it clear that not all would hear And receive Truth. 

“If you love me, obey my commandments.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.  He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. – John 14:15‭-‬17 NLT

 And He taught His disciples to move on.

“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town.  But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” – Mark 6:10‭-‬11 NLT

And they taught the same. 

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. – 2 Timothy 4:2‭-‬5 NLT


If someone refuses your help, if they are proud (whether lawless or self righteous) and can’t receive correction or guidance, don’t be surprised because it had been that way since the beginning with those in darkness sand in rebellion. You are best served by leaving them alone and focusing on your purpose and calling so they won’t be an unnecessary distraction.

I say this again:

Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. – 2 Timothy 4:2‭-‬5 NLT


Pray for them, even if they hate you, but don’t let them deter you from the destination you have set your eyes upon. And even of they were close to you, family or friend,  remember that David was betrayed by someone close to him in Psalm 55, that Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers in Genesis 37, Abel was killed by his brother Cain in Genesis 4, and Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the gospel. 

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.  But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues.  You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me.  When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed.  And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.  When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. “Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.  Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.  What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.  What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin ? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.  But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.  If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me.  If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs.  And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” – Matthew 10:16‭-‬42 NLT


We do not leave them to their fate — whether that be repentance or damnation — because we hope for damnation,  but because we see that they are not able to receive Truth from us and there is only opposition and wrestling. It is up to God to save, heal, and restore – we can only preach this gospel, this Word of God, and encourage those who do not oppose. 


So where there is opposition, we don’t have to continue wrestling it. Just set the Word of God loose and it will accomplish what it is sent for. Trust that God knows what He is doing better than you do. Let go of the distractions, move on, and be effective and purposeful in your calling. And remember yourself to not be the fool who resists correction.


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[Mia, Daddy & Friends] “Never Leave”

 

 

The Prophecy of Anna

36 Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. 37 Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four.[c]She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. 38 She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

39 When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee.40 There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.

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Father, Reveal…

Father,

Reveal who you are. 

You are setting the world right. 

Keep us alive with sustaining meals for both body and spirit. 

Keep us forgiven in you and forgiving others freely. 

Keep us safe from ourselves and from the enemy.

Amen.

Philippians 2:13 “God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him, and the power to do what pleases Him.”


Romans 8:1 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”


“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. “This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.” – John 3:16‭-‬21 MSG


But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord , have spoken! – Jeremiah 9:24 NLT