So many Christians, when they cry, do so unto the world. There is no true comfort here, not for one who has been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Once we have tasted of that sweet fellowship with the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Spirit, one could travel every inch of this world, and not find the peace and comfort of soul that is found in Christ. Oh, the vanity of life when we are downcast! We don't need to despair, for where ever we are found, from the ends of the earth, we are never too far from the Masters ear. We are never too far from the love of God. Whether under the depths of the sea, to the farthest reaches of the plains, God will hear our cry. We may be far from friends and family, we may be alone and afraid, but we are never truly alone if we have Christ. He who bore our sins will never leave nor forsake us. David said "when my heart is overwhelmed". Browns Driver Briggs defines the Hebrew word here ataph translated overwhelmed as 'to cover, to envelop ones self, or to be feeble, faint, growing weak.' The idea is that the heart is weak, feeble, overcome by sorrows. As if shipwrecked at sea, with the waves of grief shrouding the soul. How many times have the children of God been overwhelmed? Our hearts are feeble. Even the most hardened soul, at some point has been overwhelmed. How much more so for the children of the most high? We see our families away from God, our neighbors leaving this world with out Christ, we suffer persecutions and are attacked by our enemy, the Devil, looking about this world which waxes worse and worse each day. Sometimes the saints of God, we once had sweet fellowship with, now forsaking the assembly of our great God. The grief, the pain, the sorrow is overwhelming. That doesn't even take into consideration the sorrow of our hearts over our own souls for our own sin. How we fail our Lord! Oh how oft we sin against our Saviour! Are not our hearts grieved and overwhelmed at our failures, the sin in our lives? Are we not overwhelmed at times from the great work we have been commissioned to do, and yet it seems we spin our wheels, and toil and labor, with seemingly no results? I cry unto God when my heart is feeble. When I am filled with doubts and fears. When I don't understand, and strive to serve my God. I cry unto my God when I am alone, when my faith is weak and I'm sorely tried. The children of God have and truly know what it is like to where the cloak of despair, and to languish in the depths of grief, and to have the heart overwhelmed, beyond the ability to express the emotion of our fainting fits of despondency. We will have a heart that is overwhelmed.
But if that was the end of our walk with Christ, we would be of all men most miserable. All the son's of Adam experience such woe, but the joy of the Christian is we do not remain. The world will seek comfort in self, pleasures and other futile attempts of merriment, but we have such a blessed treasure, for when we are weak, He is made strong. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Jesus is the Rock that is higher than I.
When our hearts are overwhelmed, it is Christ in which we find safety and refuge. When we are overcome we are as is we were lost at sea, shipwrecked with no hope of recovery, no hope of making it to shore, with drowning in despair our only conceivable hope. Jesus Christ is the Rock that is higher than I. He is the safety when our hearts are overwhelmed, He is the mighty Rock of refuge, and of our salvation. He is higher than I, higher than our troubles, higher than we could ever get ourselves. Psalm 18:2 says The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. When we are overcome by grief and sorrow, Christ is where we must flee. Jesus is the solid, secure, and safe refuge. Through the blood of Christ, we have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us, which hope we have as an anchor of the soul. Lead me to the Rock, for I can't go on my own. I am too distraught to find my own way, to weak to see, lead me, Holy Spirit, in my distress, to the Rock. Let me never look for refuge in any other. Lead me, take me, help me! I cry out when I can=t help myself, but not to my own devices, not to my own works, but to the Rock, the solid rock, that is higher, loftier, mightier than I, that has hope and life for all who cling to Him.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Update
Aplogies for the rather incomplete post on my books last week. I mentioned that I was expecting some more books, but didn't mention the titles, only that I was expecting them. Well, I received the last of them today. "How to Read a book" and "Preachers and Preaching by Jones." came first, and I have started “How to read a book”, and I think that I am going to get a lot out of it, and I pray that it will help me to get more out of the books that I read.
Today, I received Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God by Voddie Baucham Jr. I look forward to reading this book, as I feel the burden of my responsibility to my children, day by day.
The next two books are “Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church” by Michael Horton and “Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate” by Jerry Bridges.
I welcome all comments about these books, if you have read them, and as I finish, I'll let you know what I think, both here and at Shelfari.
Today, I received Family Driven Faith: Doing What It Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God by Voddie Baucham Jr. I look forward to reading this book, as I feel the burden of my responsibility to my children, day by day.
The next two books are “Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church” by Michael Horton and “Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate” by Jerry Bridges.
I welcome all comments about these books, if you have read them, and as I finish, I'll let you know what I think, both here and at Shelfari.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Psalms 119:33-34
Psalms 119:33-34 Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
At first glance, it may appear that the psalmist has said the same thing in two verses. Teach me the way of thy statutes, give me understanding, I shall keep it unto the end, I shall keep thy law. Though subtle, there is a difference. In verse 33, the prayer is that God would teach the way of the statutes. God is our teacher in spiritual matters, and when we learn, or are taught the word, it is God that teaches us. Being taught also intimates the babe in Christ, one who didn't have previous knowledge. All spiritual knowledge and learning is of Christ. Though a man may preach, or one may read and study, it is God that reveals these truths to us. This is not the same as understanding. In my personal life, I was taught about the trinity. Prior to being taught, I didn't know anything about the Godhead, but after being taught, God gave me knowledge I previously did not have, but I didn't (and still don't) have full understanding of the Trinity. It is God who gave me the little understanding I have now. In secular terms, I have been taught some about auto mechanics. I can troubleshoot basic problems. I know that fuel is needed, a spark to ignite the fuel, a battery and starter etc. but I don't have a good understanding of why these components are needed. The spiritual babe in Christ is taught, but needs understanding to grow into maturity. We need to know the law to keep it, and need understanding to observe it with our whole heart.
At first glance, it may appear that the psalmist has said the same thing in two verses. Teach me the way of thy statutes, give me understanding, I shall keep it unto the end, I shall keep thy law. Though subtle, there is a difference. In verse 33, the prayer is that God would teach the way of the statutes. God is our teacher in spiritual matters, and when we learn, or are taught the word, it is God that teaches us. Being taught also intimates the babe in Christ, one who didn't have previous knowledge. All spiritual knowledge and learning is of Christ. Though a man may preach, or one may read and study, it is God that reveals these truths to us. This is not the same as understanding. In my personal life, I was taught about the trinity. Prior to being taught, I didn't know anything about the Godhead, but after being taught, God gave me knowledge I previously did not have, but I didn't (and still don't) have full understanding of the Trinity. It is God who gave me the little understanding I have now. In secular terms, I have been taught some about auto mechanics. I can troubleshoot basic problems. I know that fuel is needed, a spark to ignite the fuel, a battery and starter etc. but I don't have a good understanding of why these components are needed. The spiritual babe in Christ is taught, but needs understanding to grow into maturity. We need to know the law to keep it, and need understanding to observe it with our whole heart.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Reading
There is a common thread you seem to find in the men God uses, and it is they are readers. They were well read and read well. Considering the men of the bible, they were well read, and they knew the Word of God. Paul had a high regard for the written word as well, "when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." It was one of the things he charged Timothy to do, in the book of First Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
AW Pink said “In my early years, I assiduously followed this threefold course: First, I read through the entire Bible three times a year (eight chapters in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament daily). I steadily preserved in this for 10 years, in order to familiarize myself with its contents, which can only be done by consecutive reading. Second, I studied a portion of the Bible each week, concentrating for ten minutes (or More) each day of the same passage, pondering the order of it, the connection between each statement, seeking a definition of the important terms in it, look up all the marginal references being on the look out for its typical significance, Third, I meditated on one verse every day; memorizing it.” That is a schedule that would put most to shame indeed, but that was simply his Bible reading, Pink spent much time reading other works as well. “In born to write”, by R.P. Belcher, it is said that A.W. Pink had read more than one million pages of religious literature. “If one averages that one million pages over 27 years, it comes to over 37,000 pages a year. Therefore, Pink was not only a student of the Bible, but also a student of theological literature as well.”
I recall B.H. Carroll said that he read around 300 pages a day, besides the bible, and men like Gill, and Spurgeon are also famous for their reading prowess. Biography after biography of Christian men who preached with great power, you will find them to be voracious readers. These men didn’t sit back and wish they could be great preachers, nor did they say that God hadn’t given them the gifts to be great preachers, but they worked at it, and worked hard. Yes, men like Spurgeon could stand and give eloquent extemporaneous sermons, and had a mind that could recall great amounts of information, and present it in an impromptu, yet powerful way, but remember that the information had to be first obtained! Pink’s books and sermons overflow with scripture, and he had great power in pulling the themes of the bible together, but where did that familiarity come from? Reading. Without the power of computer aided study, these men worked, and worked hard for their knowledge, and God blessed their effort.
Certainly they were blessed of God, and were given great gifts of natural ability, skill, and mental prowess, but it is also not to say they didn't hone and sharpen the gifts God gave them. Spurgeon would not have been Spurgeon had he not read. Pink would not have been Pink, if he had not given all he had in the service of God.
AW Pink said “In my early years, I assiduously followed this threefold course: First, I read through the entire Bible three times a year (eight chapters in the Old Testament and two in the New Testament daily). I steadily preserved in this for 10 years, in order to familiarize myself with its contents, which can only be done by consecutive reading. Second, I studied a portion of the Bible each week, concentrating for ten minutes (or More) each day of the same passage, pondering the order of it, the connection between each statement, seeking a definition of the important terms in it, look up all the marginal references being on the look out for its typical significance, Third, I meditated on one verse every day; memorizing it.” That is a schedule that would put most to shame indeed, but that was simply his Bible reading, Pink spent much time reading other works as well. “In born to write”, by R.P. Belcher, it is said that A.W. Pink had read more than one million pages of religious literature. “If one averages that one million pages over 27 years, it comes to over 37,000 pages a year. Therefore, Pink was not only a student of the Bible, but also a student of theological literature as well.”
I recall B.H. Carroll said that he read around 300 pages a day, besides the bible, and men like Gill, and Spurgeon are also famous for their reading prowess. Biography after biography of Christian men who preached with great power, you will find them to be voracious readers. These men didn’t sit back and wish they could be great preachers, nor did they say that God hadn’t given them the gifts to be great preachers, but they worked at it, and worked hard. Yes, men like Spurgeon could stand and give eloquent extemporaneous sermons, and had a mind that could recall great amounts of information, and present it in an impromptu, yet powerful way, but remember that the information had to be first obtained! Pink’s books and sermons overflow with scripture, and he had great power in pulling the themes of the bible together, but where did that familiarity come from? Reading. Without the power of computer aided study, these men worked, and worked hard for their knowledge, and God blessed their effort.
Certainly they were blessed of God, and were given great gifts of natural ability, skill, and mental prowess, but it is also not to say they didn't hone and sharpen the gifts God gave them. Spurgeon would not have been Spurgeon had he not read. Pink would not have been Pink, if he had not given all he had in the service of God.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Happy Birthday
Today is my dear wife’s birthday. She is an amazing woman. Not only is she a model wife, but the magnificent mother of three (soon to be four) boys, whom she skillfully home-schools. Since I was called to preach even before we met, she knew what she was getting into by marrying a preacher, and not only has she been supportive to me in my preaching, she has be a great help, support and encouragement to me. Never complaining, never questioning preaching engagements, always open to the next door that God would open. She is a wonderful woman, and though no one reads my blog, I still offer to her this tribute. Happy birthday.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
New Books
I have started the new year off with several book purchases. I received the first today "The Mercies of a Covenant God" which came highly recommended. Though the book is in fairly good condition, the seller on Abebooks.com advised that it was in "new" condition and being a paperback, I suppose I expected it to be in better condition than it arrived in. But, to his credit, I received the book VERY quickly. I ordered a couple books from Amazon the day before, and still yet to receive them. The book is here now, and soon to be digested, if the Lord be willing.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Psalm 119:9
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
The world offers untold ways of counseling to help the young in their way. Sports, clubs, counseling, rehabilitation programs, boot camp, hard work, etc. etc. The problem the young face, as well as the old, if we are shaped in iniquity. We have inherited a natural disposition to sin and evil. It is not good kids gone bad, but bad kids manifesting their natural desires. How then shall the young man cleanse his way? Is there no hope? Won't our government implement some way for the young to feel good about himself, and make up for the fact of not having a father, or growing up in poverty? Isn't that the socialist way, through tax dollars at problems, create more programs, so government can "solve" all our problems?
There is a way, by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Friends, It is the word that needs to be taught. For our young lambs, it is not programs or holidays that will cleanse the way, but it is the word of God. For our lost young, even more important is the instilling of God's word in them, and pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Word, the blessed Holy Bible, the book of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel message that I preach, only faith and repentance in the Word, Jesus Christ, will cleanse the way of anyone. Only the word in the life of a child of God will bring one closer to God. Read the word, believe the word, live the word, love the word.
The world offers untold ways of counseling to help the young in their way. Sports, clubs, counseling, rehabilitation programs, boot camp, hard work, etc. etc. The problem the young face, as well as the old, if we are shaped in iniquity. We have inherited a natural disposition to sin and evil. It is not good kids gone bad, but bad kids manifesting their natural desires. How then shall the young man cleanse his way? Is there no hope? Won't our government implement some way for the young to feel good about himself, and make up for the fact of not having a father, or growing up in poverty? Isn't that the socialist way, through tax dollars at problems, create more programs, so government can "solve" all our problems?
There is a way, by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Friends, It is the word that needs to be taught. For our young lambs, it is not programs or holidays that will cleanse the way, but it is the word of God. For our lost young, even more important is the instilling of God's word in them, and pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. The Word, the blessed Holy Bible, the book of our Lord Jesus Christ, the gospel message that I preach, only faith and repentance in the Word, Jesus Christ, will cleanse the way of anyone. Only the word in the life of a child of God will bring one closer to God. Read the word, believe the word, live the word, love the word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)