Sanctuary Ministries

Abortion: When women love death

2011-11-10T14:58:00.002-05:00

Mothers waiting to kill their babies at Orlando Women's Center. Over 10,000 mothers and fathers line up, carrying their babies to slaughter at Central Florida abortuaries every year.

There is a way which seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.
Proverbs 14:12

A way ... - The way of the fool, the way of self-indulgence and self-will.
Albert Barnes

Cruelty and murder are the short road, the near way, to eternal perdition.
~ Adam Clarke

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, as the way of sin and wickedness does, promising much carnal pleasure and mirth..It is a broad road, and is pleasant, and seems right, but it leads to destruction..
The end thereof are the ways of death; which lead unto eternal death; for that is the wages of sin.
~ John Gill

This is literally repeated in Proverbs 16:25. The rightness is present only as a phantom, for it arises wholly from a terrible self-deception; the man judges falsely and goes astray. Without regard to God and His Word, he follows only his own opinions. It is the way of estrangement from God, of fleshly security; the way of vice, in which the blinded thinks to spend his life, to set himself to fulfil his purposes; but the end thereof are the ways of death. He who thus deceives himself regarding his course of life, sees himself at last arrived at a point from which every way which now further remains to him leads only down to death. The self-delusion of one ends in death by the sentence of the judge, that of another in self-murder; of one in loathsome disease, of another in a slow decay under the agony of conscience, or in sorrow over a henceforth dishonoured and distracted life.
~ Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

A woman who has no fear of God, who is wilful and wasteful, and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if she plucked her house down. Those that despise God's precepts and promises, despise God and all His power and mercy. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Sin ruins many great families..The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers.
~ Matthew Henry

But he who sins against me injures himself;
all those who hate Me love death.
Proverbs 8:36

It is not Satan, it is not sin, properly speaking, that hurts him; it is himself. If he received the teaching of God, sin would have no dominion over him; if he resisted the devil, the devil would flee from him.
Love death - They do it in effect, if not in fact, for as they love sin, that leads to death, so they may be justly said to love death, the wages of sin. He that works in this case, works for wages; and he must love the wages, seeing he labors so hard in the work.
Adam Clarke

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Wherefore everyone that sins, sins against Christ.
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Wrongeth his own soul; is injurious to it, and to the spiritual and eternal welfare of it; all sin is hurtful to the souls of men, especially sins against Christ; since there is no other Saviour but Him, no other sacrifice for sin but His; and therefore to such there can be no other than a fearful looking for of judgment, that trample Him under foot, and treat His blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, in a contemptuous manner, Hebrews 10:26;

All they that hate Me; as do the seed of the serpent, the whole world that lies in wickedness, all unregenerate persons, and even many professors of religion; they hate Him privately, being without love to him, or loving others more than Him; and positively and practically, by despising His Gospel, or not walking worthy of it; by disclaiming doctrines, casting off His yoke, and maltreating His people; all which arise from the corruption of their nature; for this hatred or enmity is original and natural; it is deeply rooted in their minds, and irreconcilable without the grace of God, and is always undeserved. Wherefore such are said to

love death; not formally and intentionally, for death in any shape cannot be desirable; not a corporeal death, and much less an eternal one; but interpretatively and consequentially, as they love that which brings death upon them both in body and soul, and so are reckoned to love death itself.
~ John Gill
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Whoever misses Wisdom by taking some other way than that which leads to her, acts suicidally: all they who wilfully hate wisdom love death, for wisdom is the tree of life, Proverbs 3:18; wisdom and life are one, as the Incarnate Wisdom saith, John 8:51, "If a man keep My sayings, he shall never see death."
In the Logos (Christ), Wisdom has her self-existence; in Him she has her personification, her justification, and her truth.

~ Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament
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Those who offend Christ deceive themselves; sin is a wrong to the soul.
Sinners die because they will die, which justifies God when he judges.
~ Matthew Henry

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Who, first, are those who hate Him? We are, by nature children of wrath. Those who hate Him are not merely the flamboyant sinners, but all those as yet untouched by His redeeming grace. All those who fit in this category not only are due death, not only face death, not only will live in eternal death unless reborn, but, as the text tells us, love death. They love it, embrace it, bath in it and dine on it.

In the end, all they can do is destroy. In the end they cannot replace life with false life, but must replace it with death.

This love of death drives the world around us to the fruitless madness ...It causes them to devour their young through abortion... It is why they embrace their soma (intoxicant) of choice.

This is how we fight our war, by digging our trenches, and there in faith planting the seed.
We fight death with life, knowing with joy that death will indeed be swallowed up in victory.

~ R.C. Sproul Jr.
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Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded;
But ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would none of My reproof:
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind;
when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Then shall they call upon Me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find Me:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of My counsel: they despised all My reproof.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Proverbs 1:24-33

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He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul:
but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
Proverbs 15:32

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There are many moments in everybody's life when you have a clear sense that the right way to go is to choose good, but you want to choose evil because the short term benefits will be greater and there would be a cost for choosing what's right. When people make choices like that they are moving toward Christ and heaven or or Christ-lessness and hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_4CvAVh1aw&feature=share

If you would be the wife of the Lamb

2011-11-10T14:57:00.001-05:00

Christ the Best Husband:
An Earnest Invitation to Young Women to come and See Christ
by George Whitefield

The Lord Jesus Christ, my dear sisters, doth choose you merely by His free grace; it is freely of His own mercy, that He brings you into the marriage covenant: You, who have so grievously offended Him, yet, the Lord Jesus Christ hath chosen you; you did not, you would not have chosen Him; but when once, my dear sisters, He hath chosen you, then, and not till then, you make choice of Him for your Lord and Husband.

The Lord Jesus Christ when He first comes to you, finds you full of sin and pollution; you are deformed, defiled, enslaved, poor, miserable and wretched, very despicable and loathsome, by reason of sin; and He maketh choice of you, not because of your holiness, nor of your beauty, nor of your being qualified for them; no, the Lord Jesus Christ puts these qualifications upon you, as may make you meet for His embrace; and you are drawn to make choice of the Lord Jesus Christ because He first chose you.

By this Espousal your hearts are drawn out after Christ; your souls pant and long for Him; you cannot be at rest until you are engaged to this Jesus: You are ready to cry out continually, none but Christ, none but Christ: this is the language of your hearts, if you are truly sensible of your need of Him. The more acquaintance you have of this Lord Jesus, the more pleased you are with your choice, and the more your affections are drawn towards Him. And where can you place your affections better than upon that Jesus who shed His blood for your sakes? Surely He deserves both your loves and affections: Go on, go on, my dear sisters, that your affections may grow stronger and stronger.

And here doth the marriage lie chiefly, in this union; Christ and souls are contracted, and the knot is tied so fast, that neither men on earth, how great soever they be, nor devils in hell, though they should combine all their wrath and rage together, still they cannot dissolve, they cannot untie it; no, my dear sisters, it is indissolvable, for the union is, by the spirit, on Christ's part, and by faith on yours: By the spirit, Christ doth lay hold on you; and by faith, you do lay hold on Him; and thus the match is made; Christ becomes yours, His person, portion, and all His benefits are yours. You become Christ's, your person, your hearts, and all that you have is resigned up unto Him, and O that they may be so more and more.

There is a MUTUAL OBLIGATION between Christ and His spouse. Christ obliges Himself to love you here, He will not, indeed He never will leave you. He will protect you from the malice of the Pharisees of this generation. He will provide for you in all difficulties. He will live with you here, and at last He will take you to Himself, to live with Him forever. And you are engaged to Him to be loving, loyal, faithful, obedient; and you are to stick close to Him as long as you live; and then you will find yourselves to be married to the best advantage, both for soul and body, for time and for eternity.

Christ doth invite all of you to be His spouse.

And it on this account that He sends forth His ministers to preach. It is this, that makes me thus come among you; that you would accept of this invitation, to which, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I do call and entreat you to take Him, on His own terms. He calls all of you, my sisters, whether elder or younger, whether married or unmarried, of higher degree, or of the meanest quality, the poorest servants, yea, the rabble of this world, as the world calls you, who are willing to be espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ. I say, the poor are as welcome to be Christ's spouse as those that are rich. He regardeth not the rich more than the poor; He chose a mean virgin, espoused to a carpenter, to be His mother; and He chooseth and calleth all such to be His spouse; then be not discouraged at your being despised in the world; for if you are but loved by Christ, and espoused to Him, it will be an over-sufficiency for all the trouble that you have met with here.

Those who would be espoused unto Christ, must hearken, consider, and incline to His invitation, and forget even their father's house.

Such as would be espoused unto Christ must hearken. "Hearken, O daughter." Many amongst you, my sisters, stop their ears against the calls of the gospel; they shut their ears like the deaf adder, which will not hearken unto the voice of the charmer, though he charm never so wisely. You will not hearken unto the invitations of Christ; you can hearken unto the vanities of the world, and be delighted with the espousals of the world, but never think or are delighted with the espousals of Christ.

It was by the ear, that the temptation of sin was received by the first man, when he departed from God; and by the ear, the invitation to be Christ's spouse must be received, before the heart will be opened to receive Jesus Christ in this conjugal relation.

If you would, my dear sisters, be espoused to Christ, you must consider Christ's invitation. It is not a slight or bare hearing of Christ's invitation, which will be of any service to you, or make up the match between Christ and your souls; no, you must receive Christ in the heart; you must consider the thing itself, the advantages of it, the difference between Christ's invitations and the devil's temptations, or any of the world's proffers.

Those who would be espoused to Christ, must be inclined to accept of Christ's invitation. "Hearken, O daughter, consider and incline thine ear." This is to incline your hearts: You must consent with your wills; there must be a compliance to the motion of Christ, and you must have desires after Christ, and then your hearts will say, "Lord, let us be Thy spouse, and be Thou our Beloved."

You must likewise forget your father's house. "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and forget thy father's house." You are not here to cast off all affections unto natural relations; but you must forget all relations, so as to be ready to forgo all their favor, when it standeth in competition with that of the Lord Jesus Christ: and do not let your carnal friends and relations hinder you from closing with, and espousing the Lord Jesus. I earnestly beseech you to suffer the loss of any thing, rather than to lose His favors; you must indeed forget your own people, that is, you must forget all your evil customs which you have learned in your father's house, and forsake all your vain conversation, your reading of plays, novels, or romances; and you must keep from learning to sing the songs of the drunkard; for Christ, if you are His spouse, hath redeem you.

Such of you, my dear sisters, as are espoused to the Lord Jesus Christ are very beautiful. I do not mean in respect of your bodies; you may have less of external comeliness than others, in respect of your bodies, but as to your souls you will exceed in beauty, not so much in the eyes of man, as in the eyes of God; such have the most beautiful image of God stamped upon them; none in the world beside them, have the least spark of spiritual beauty. Such as are not married to Christ, are unregenerated, they are not born again, nor brought from sin unto God, which must be done before you be espoused to Christ.

And the Lord Jesus Christ desireth to see this beauty in His spouse, for He cries out, "O my dove, thou are in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice, for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely." He calleth His spouse His love, being the dear object of His love; and He admireth her loveliness; He repeats it twice in one verse, "Behold thou art fair, my love, behold thou art fair." Thus you see He describes their beauty. And then, my sisters, we have wonderful expression of Christ to His spouse, "Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with one chain of thy neck." Thus you see how pleased the Lord Jesus Christ is with His spouse; and will not you, therefore, be espoused unto the Lord Jesus?

I offer Jesus Christ to all of you; if you have been never so notorious for sin, if you have been as great a harlot as Mary Magdalen was, when once you are espoused to Christ, you shall be forgiven. Therefore be not discouraged, at whatever slights and contempts the world may pass upon you, but come and join yourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and all your sins shall be washed away in his blood; and when once you are espoused to Jesus, you are disjoined from sin, you are born again. You are now, as it were, espoused unto sin; sin is your husband, and you are too fond of it, but when once you are married to Christ, when you are born again, then you may be said to die unto sin; but till then, sin liveth in your affections; therefore, my sisters, give sin its death-wound in your hearts; you have been called by the Word time after time, and it has had no effect upon you; but when you are espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ, then you will be brought to Him by His Spirit: You will then lay hold on Him by faith, His Spirit will draw you unto Himself; He will make you to be willing in the day of His power; He will give you faith in Him. Faith is the hand of the soul which layeth hold on Christ; therefore do not rest contented till you have this grace of faith wrought in you with power; do not be contented till you have received the Lord Jesus Christ.

Embrace Christ in the arms of your dearest love; then you love the Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity, when you love and esteem Him before father, mother, or all the delights and pleasures of this life, but if you do delight in any thing that this world can produce, more than in the Lord Jesus Christ, you have not true love to Him.

If you are espoused to Christ, you have acquaintance and converse with Him; you will endeavor to promote His interest, and advance His name in the world. When others are going to the polite and fashionable diversions of life, you will be laboring to bring honor to the Lord Jesus Christ; you will commend your Beloved above all other beloveds, and endeavor to bring others into love to Him. Can you, my dear sisters, who are now assembled to worship God, show such evidence of your espousals unto the Lord Jesus Christ? O! how joyful, how comfortable an estate is this! Surely this is a marriage worth seeking after; this is the only desirable marriage, and the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Lover that is worth seeking after.

Now, my dear sisters, I shall speak a few words to those of you who have not yet espoused yourselves to the Lord Jesus. It is a great sin, and surely you highly affront the Lord that bought you. It is likewise your folly to refuse and neglect the gracious proffers of being the spouse of Christ; hereby you forfeit all that love which He would bestow upon you; hereby you choose rags before robes, dross before gold, pebbles before jewels, guilt before a pardon, wounds before healing, defilement before cleansing, deformity before comeliness, trouble before peace, slavery before liberty, the service of the devil before the service of Christ. Hereby you choose dishonor before a crown, death before life, hell before heaven, eternal misery and torment before everlasting joy and glory. And need there a further evidence of your folly and madness, in refusing and neglecting Christ to be your spouse.

My dear sisters, I particularize all the advantages which you would obtain by being espoused to the Lord Jesus. This is your wisdom; they are foolish virgins who refuse; but you are the wise virgins who have accepted of the Lord Jesus Christ, and have disposed of yourselves to Him. You have made the wisest choice; and however the blind world may deem you fools, and despise you as being methodically mad, yet you are wise in the esteem of God, and will, one day, appear so in the esteem of them that now despise you. It is your glory that you are espoused unto the Lord Jesus; and therefore glory is your espousal; glory not in yourselves, but in the Lord who hath thus freely and graciously bestowed these favors upon you. It is your safety to be espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ, He will protect and defend you even from sin and Satan, and eternal ruin; and therefore thus far you are safe; He hath a regard for you in times of danger from men, and these times of danger seem to be hastening; it is now arising as a black cloud no bigger than a man's hand, and by and by it will overspread the heavens, and when it is full it will burst; but if you are espoused to Christ, you are safe.

Now, my dear sisters, I shall conclude with an earnest exhortation to high and low, rich and poor, one with another, to be espoused unto Christ.

Let me speak unto you, young women, who are not yet espoused unto Christ, in an especial manner. It may be to satisfy your curiosity, has brought many of you here; though, perhaps, this may be the time when you shall be brought home to embrace the Lord Jesus, and be espoused to him. And O, that I may persuade you, by His Spirit, to espouse yourselves unto the Lord of life. And if you are but brought to close with the Lord Jesus Christ, I shall attain my end, and then both you and I shall rejoice that I preached this sermon to you.

Come virgins, will you give me leave to be a suitor unto you, not in my own name, but in the name of the Lord? O! that I may prevail with you for your affections, and persuade you to give them unto Christ! May I be instrumental of bringing your souls unto Christ! May I be instrumental to join you and Christ together this day!

Be not coy (bashful, shy; showing reluctance to make a definite commitment), as some of you possibly are in other loves: modesty and the virgin blush may very well come you, when proposals of another kind are made unto you; but here coyness is silly, and backwardness to accept of this motion, is shame. You have ten thousand times more reason to blush at the refusal of Christ for your beloved, than at the acceptance; when otherwise the devil and sin would ravish your virgin affections. Never had you a better motion made to you; never was such a match proffered to you as this, of being matched and espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ.
Consider who the Lord Jesus is, whom you are invited to espouse yourselves unto; He is the best husband; there is none comparable to Jesus Christ.

Do you desire one that is great? He is of the highest dignity, He is the glory of heaven, the darling of eternity, admired by angels, dreaded by devils, and adored by saints. For you to be espoused to so great a king, what honor will you have by this espousal?

Do you desire one that is rich? None is comparable to Christ, the fullness of the earth belongs to Him. If you be espoused to Christ, you shall share in His unsearchable riches; you shall receive of His fullness, even grace for grace here, and you shall hereafter be admitted to glory, and shall live with this Jesus to all eternity.

Do you desire one that is wise? There is none comparable to Christ for wisdom. His knowledge is infinite, and His wisdom is correspondent thereto. And if you are espoused to Christ, He will guide and counsel you, and make you wise unto salvation.

Do you desire one that is potent, who may defend you against your enemies, and all the insults and reproaches of the Pharisees of this generation? There is none that can equal Christ in power; for the Lord Jesus Christ hath all power.

Do you desire one that is good? There is none like unto Christ in this regard; others may have some goodness, but it is imperfect; Christ's goodness is complete and perfect, He is full of goodness and in Him dwelleth no evil.

Do you desire one that is beautiful? His eyes are most sparkling, His looks and glances of love are ravishing, His smiles are most delightful and refreshing unto the soul: Christ is the most lovely person of all others in the world.

Do you desire one that can love you? None can love you like Christ: His love, my dear sisters, is incomprehensible; His love passeth all other loves: The love of the Lord Jesus is first, without beginning. His love is free without any motive. His love is great without any measure. His love is constant without any change, and His love is everlasting.

It was the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, my dear sisters, which brought Him down from heaven; and which veiled His divinity in a human soul and body; for he is God over all blessed for ever: It was love that made Him subject to hunger, thirst and sorrow; He was humbled, even unto death for you. For you who are espoused to Him, he underwent the painful, shameful and ignominious death of the cross. Can you, my sisters, hear this, and not be concerned to think that the blessed Jesus underwent all this for such sinful creatures as you and I are? And when out of love He had finished the redemption on earth, as to what was needful for satisfaction; it was his love that carried Him back to heaven, where He was before, that He might make application of what He had purchased, that there He might make intercession for those whom He had redeemed, and prepare a place for them, even glorious mansions with Himself, in the house not made with hands, which is eternal in the heavens. It is out of love that he sendeth such tokens to His people from heaven to earth, which He conveyeth through His ordinances, by His Spirit unto them. Surely then none is so deserving as the Lord Jesus Christ for you to espouse yourselves unto: if you be espoused unto Christ He is yours, all that He is, all that He hath; you shall have His heart, and share in the choicest expressions of His dearest love.

The Lord Jesus Christ, my dear sisters, doth beseech you to be His spouse. We ministers have a commission from the Lord Jesus Christ to invite you, in His name, unto this very thing; and Christ's invitations are real; general; frequent; earnest; free.

Christ's invitations of you, to be His spouse, are REAL: and as the thing is real, so you, my dear sisters, are really invited unto it. The Lord doth not mock and dissemble with you, as some pretending lovers, who dissemble love unto virgins, until they have gained their affections, and then falsely and basely relinquish them, never really intending either to espouse, or marry them. The Lord doth really intend the thing, in His invitations of you; He never cast off any whose consent and affections He had gained.

Again, Christ's invitations of you, my dear sisters, are GENERAL. All of you are invited, none of you are excluded; all sorts of sinners are invited; the most vile and abominable sinners, the most notorious transgressors are invited to be Christ's spouse, and shall be as welcome as any unto the embraces of His love.

Christ's invitations of you are FREQUENT: Jesus Christ calls on you frequently; He hath waited on you time after time, one year after another; and He doth now invite you, by me this day, to come unto Him. Do not slight this invitation, but receive it with joy and thankfulness. Come, I beseech you, to this Jesus, who thus, invites you to be His spouse.

Again, Christ's invitations to be His spouse are EARNEST: he doth call upon you, and not only call, but call earnestly too; yea, He useth many arguments with you; He will press you to come unto Him; He is loth (loathe) to take any denial from you. He knocks, and knocks hard at the door of your hearts for entertainment; and surely you will not deny the Lord of life and glory who died for you, and gave Himself for you: O my dear sisters, let this be the evening of your espousals to the Lord Jesus Christ.

He invites you FREELY to be His spouse, for all His invitations are free; He doth not expect a portion with you, as worldly lovers do; He wants nothing of you: nay, you must have nothing, if you be espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ. If you be poor, miserable, blind, naked, Jesus Christ will supply all these defects of His own free mercy; He will fill and supply you with all things out of His treasury; He will make you meet for Himself; He will prepare you to live with Him for ever.

Consider, if you be once espoused unto Christ, if once joined in this relation, you shall never be separated from Him; neither men nor devils shall be able to separate you. None, none, shall disjoin you; and when death doth break all other bonds, it shall not break the conjugal bond between you and Christ, but bring you unto the most full and everlasting possession of your Beloved.

And what do you now say, young women? Shall I have a grant for My Master, or be sent away with a repulse and refusal; no, I cannot carry such a message to My Master; I hope better things of you, my sisters, and things which accompany salvation: methinks by this time ye should begin to have a mind unto Jesus Christ; you look as if you did desire; you hearken as if you would consent. What do you say? Shall the match be made up this evening between Christ and your souls? O that I may be instrumental in joining your hands, or rather your hearts together: O that I may be instrumental to tie that knot, which never can be unloosed.
Some marry in haste, and repent at leisure; but if you were once espoused unto Jesus Christ, you would never repent; nothing would grieve you, but that you were not joined to Him sooner; and you would not be disjoined again for all the world.

Shall this be the day of your espousals? Some of you have stayed a long time; and will you defer any longer? If you will not now, perhaps you may never have another opportunity; this may be the last time of asking; and therefore it is dangerous to refuse; some of you are very young, too young for other espousals; but none of you, by dear sisters, are too young to be espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ: in other espousals, you must have the consent of your parents; but in this you are at your own disposal; you may give, and ought to match yourselves to Christ, whether parents do consent or not.

But if any of you should ask, what you must do that you may be espoused unto Christ? You must be sensible of your need of being espoused to Him, and until you are sensible of your need of the Lord Jesus Christ, you cannot be espoused to Him: You must have desires after this Jesus, and seek unto Him for an interest in Him, you must cry nightly unto him to espouse you to Himself; put off the filthiness of sin and all its defilements; and then, my sisters, put on the white raiment, and clean garments, which Christ hath provided for you, the robes of His righteousness; in these garments you shall be beautiful; and in these garments you shall be accepted: you must have the wedding garment on; you must put off all your own good works, for they will be but a means to keep you from Christ; no, you must come as not having your own righteousness, which is of the Law, but you must have the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, come unto the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will give it to you; He will not send you away without it. Receive Him upon His own terms, and He is yours forever: O devote yourselves to Him, soul and body, and all, to be His for ever; and Christ will be yours and then happy, happy you, that ever you were born! But if any of you die before this espousal unto the Lord Jesus Christ, then woe, woe, unto you, that ever you had a being in life; but if you go to Christ you shall be espoused unto the Lord Jesus: though your sins have been never so great, yea, the blood of Christ will cleanse you from them; the marriage covenant between Christ and your souls will dissolve all your sins; you will then be weary of your old ways, for all things will become new in your souls.

Now, my dear sisters, to those of you, who are already espoused unto the Lord Jesus Christ.

O admire, admire the rich and free grace, which hath brought you to this relation: Is not this an instance of the greatest of love, that you should be the spouse of the Lord Jesus Christ? You that had no beauty, you that had no comeliness, that was full of sin, that He should embrace such as you and I are; that we should be taken into the embrace of this Lord Jesus. O infinite condescending kindness! O amazing love! Reverence, reverence, I beseech you, this Lord Jesus Christ.

He is Your Lord, and you must reverence Him, love and be faithful unto Him, be subject to Him, and careful to please Him in every thing; endeavor to keep up a daily communion with Him; look, long and prepare for Christ's second appearance, when the nuptials between you shall be solemnized, and you live with Him in mansions of everlasting joys, where you shall love and live with this king of glory for ever and ever.

Indeed, my sisters, I am resolved, by the grace of God, to use all methods I can, to pluck you from Satan, that you may be as brands plucked from the burning fire: this shall be my method, which I hope will be the means of effectually having your precious and immortal souls.

And if I am the instrument of this, I shall rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice in spite of what men, or devils, can say or do to the contrary: and may the Lord Jesus Christ direct, and assist me at all times, to act what will be most for His glory, and the welfare of your souls: and may you all say a hearty Amen thereto.

"Now the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God over all, blessed for ever, assist and watch over you, keep you from all evil and sin here, and present you before His Father faultless at the great day of account! To this Lord Jesus Christ, the Father, and the blessed Spirit, three persons and but one eternal and invisible God, be ascribed all honor, power, glory, might, majesty and dominion, now, henceforth, and for ever more. Amen, Amen."

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with you all, to comfort under, and deliver you from tribulation; to preserve you to your respective place of abode; and when there, to keep you in His fear, that you may live to His glory; that to live may be Christ, and to die be your eternal gain; so that you may live with Him through eternal ages, and sing Hallelujahs to Him for ever. Amen."

http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/whitefie.htm

What is happening to mothers? Why are they devouring their young?

2011-11-10T14:52:00.001-05:00

Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb?
Isaiah 49:15

A 20 year old student named Wanda came over to us at Appalachian State as we held a sign with a photo of an 11 week gestation child who had been dismembered by her mother through abortion. She pointed to the image and asked: "Is that the intestines? Is that the tongue?" We answered her that yes, indeed, she was identifying the parts of the poor dead baby's body correctly. We asked Wanda: "Does this bother you?" She smiled and said: "Not at all. I plan on having an abortion myself someday." Denise is another college student we met at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. She looked at the dismembered infant on our sign and said: "It's OUR choice. My boyfriend and I are having sex and if I get pregnant I'm having an abortion." Others women chimed in saying: "Me too!" Women have made signs and T-shirts that say "I Outside the killing place we have heard abortion-bound mothers say: "I don't want it and I'm going to kill it", "I'm going to have it sucked out and there's nothing you can do about it", "I'm not having this baby and I don't care that they have to kill it". Even the mothers who have to go through labor-and-delivery to kill their late term babies dismiss the suffering of their infants. These are women who can feel their babies moving inside them. Many of these ladies have seen their little ones on ultrasound and they know the gender of their child. When we tell these women that their baby will be delivered into the toilet, possibly alive like Baby Rowan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfnNzIzvT-k), we have heard them say: "Yeah, well, that's too bad, but I'm not gonna have this kid", "So what? We all have to die sometime", & "I've done this before. I know all about it". It is always shocking to see them laughing and joking, kissing their lovers and even dancing on the stoop of the murder mill.

As we minister at abortuaries and on college campuses we are finding that more and more women appear to be sexually immoral and lack natural affection for their own children. We are meeting mothers who murder their babies through all nine months of pregnancy, caring nothing for the sons of their womb. Many of these women are accompanied by their OWN mothers, who have no affection for their very own grandbabies. While we are reminded that Jesus taught that evil thoughts, sexual immorality and murder come from within, proceeding out of the human heart (Matt 15:19;Mark 7:21) it is still chilling seeing and hearing how cruelly and dismissively women speak of innocent little babies. The women hurry into the killing places, having "a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil" (Pr 6:18) Truly the Spirit's words Jeremiah 17:9) are dead on: "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who can know it?"

We read of the progression of sin in the life of sinners in the first chapter of the book of Romans. The judgement of God reveals how low the human heart will take a woman. It will lead them to be what we see:

"Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful"
~Romans 1:31

Henry Morris explains:
This phrase "without natural affection" is the translation of one Greek word, astergeo. It was a characteristic of many pagans of the ancient world. Significantly, it is also prophesied to be a characteristic of the humanistic pagans of the end-times. "In the last days . . . men shall be . . . without natural affection" (II Timothy 3:1-3). These are the only two occurrences of this word in the New Testament.
The word stergeo ("natural affection") is one of four Greek words for "love," but it is never used at all in the New Testament. It refers to the natural love that members of the same family have for each other. It is such a common characteristic of all peoples that there was apparently no occasion to refer to it at all -- except when it is not present, when people lose their instinctive love for their own parents and children, and thus are "without natural affection." One thinks of the widespread abortionism of these last days, as well as the modern breakdown of the family in general.
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Perhaps one of the most shocking, tragic and shameful aspects of the modern holocaust is the fact that over 80% of the fornicating women who murder their babies are professing "Christians"! These sexually immoral church ladies sin presumptuously, casually counting on the grace of the Lord for their promiscuous, bloody, violent acts. They say: "I've already asked Jesus to forgive me", "My God is a forgiving God", "I've worked it out with God". They kill their poor baby on Saturday and sing songs and take the Lord's supper at church on Sunday! They have no shame! Beloved, "There is no fear of God in their eyes" (Romans 3:18)!

While we are obviously watching the fulfillment of this terrible prophecy of mothers having no natural affection for their children in our day, may the love that is shed abroad in our hearts through the new birth impel us to be like our Savior, who gave His life for us, His children. May the Spirit lead us to sacrifice our own interests for the benefit of the lost mothers and their poor, helpless infants. For "the fruit of the Spirit is love . . ." (Galatians 5:22), Amen? Pure and undefiled religion involves visiting the orphans in their affliction. How can say we truly love these abortion-imperiled orphans and have mercy on them, if we do nothing to save them from being slaughtered in the shadow of our homes and our church steeples? The Savior taught us what genuine love looked like and what religious apathy looked like, in the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. Heaven help us to be true to Jesus and to our perishing neighbors and go to the killing places in the Name of the Lord of life and eternity. For the glory of Christ and the good of all the infants who are being led to slaughter on our watch, let us be like the Good Samaritan to the babies, and "Go and do likewise."

Love is often not what we have been led by our heart to believe...

2011-11-10T14:51:00.000-05:00

Love is often not what we have been led by our heart to believe

by Patte Smith on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 11:20am

I do not trust my own heart,
but I can trust it to Him whose Name is True and Faithful.
~ Meshell Sirearl

We should be wary of trusting our 'heart' since God makes it clear that it can and will lead us away from the love of the Truth. Jeremiah 17:9 declares: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" John Gill explains the evil of men's hearts in his thought-provoking commentary of this passage:

The heart is deceitful above all things. This is the source of idolatry and creature confidence of the Jews and the sins which were the cause of their ruin. Though what is here said is particularly applicable to their hearts, yet is in general true of the heart of every man; which is "deceitful", and deceiving; and puts a cheat upon the man himself. It deceives him with respect to sin. It proposes it to him under the notion of pleasure. It promises him a great deal in it, but does not yield... It is all fancy and imagination; a mere illusion and a dream; and what it gives is very short lived. It is but for a season, and ends in bitterness and death. It proposes it under the notion of profit. It promises him riches, by such and such sinful ways it suggests; but, when he has got them, he is the loser by them. These deceitful riches choke the Word, cause him to err from the faith, pierce him through with many sorrows, and endanger the loss of his soul. It promises honour and preferment in the world, but promotes him to shame. It promises him liberty, but brings him into bondage.It promises him impunity, peace, and security, when sudden destruction comes. It persuades him that he is a very knowing person, when he is blind and ignorant, and knows nothing as he ought to know; and only deceives himself; for there is no true knowledge but of God in Christ, and of a crucified Christ, and salvation by Him. (See 1 Corinthians 3:18) It deceives in the business of religion. It makes a man believe that he is a very holy and righteous man, and in a fair way for heaven, when he is far from that. It suggests to him that concupiscence or lust, or the inward workings of the mind, are not sin. It represents other sins as mere peccadillos, as little sins, and not to be regarded; and even puts the name of virtue on vices; profuseness and prodigality it calls liberality, and doing public good. Covetousness has the name of frugality and good economy. It buoys up with the purity of human nature and it puts the profane sinner upon trusting to the absolute mercy of God, and hides from him Jis justice and holiness. It puts others upon depending upon the outward acts of religion, or upon speculative notions, to the neglect of real godliness. (See James 1:22). The man of a deceitful heart, the hypocrite, tries to deceive God, but he cannot. He oftentimes deceives men, and always himself. So do the profane sinner, the self-righteous man, and the false teacher; who attempts to deceive the very elect, but cannot. Yea, a good man may be deceived by his own heart, of which Peter is a sad instance, Matthew 26:33.

The heart is deceitful to a very great degree, it is superlatively so; "above all". Yea, it is more deceitful to a man than the devil, the great deceiver himself; because it is nearer to a man, and can come at him, and work upon him, when Satan cannot. It is an abyss, a bottomless one; there is no fathoming of it; the depths of sin are in it. (See Psalm 64:6) Seeing it is so deceitful, it should not be trusted. A man should neither trust in his own heart, nor in another's (Proverbs 28:26). It is "desperately wicked". Everything in it is wicked. The thoughts of it are evil. Every imagination, and that only, and always (Genesis 6:5). The affections are inordinate. The mind and conscience are defiled. The understanding darkened, so dark as to call evil good, and good evil. The will is obstinate and perverse: all manner of sin and wickedness is in it; it is the cage of every unclean bird, and the hold of every foul spirit. All sin is forged and framed in it; and all manner of evil comes out of it (Revelation 18:1). Yea, it is wickedness itself (Psalm 5:9) even to desperation. It is "incurably wicked". It is so without the grace of God, and blood of Christ.

---

And so, when the world (and the worldly 'church') clamors for 'love', it most often is clamoring for tolerance of their heart of wickedness and profligacy, which is not love at all.

But God, in His mercy and kindness, promised and provided a NEW heart for His people:
And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them.
I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh...
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.
And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 11:19;36:26

And, by His grace we are given the ability, through obedience to the truth and the new birth, to love, truly LOVE, from a pure heart!

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love,
love one another fervently, earnestly, from a pure heart.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever...
And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
I Peter 1:22-23,25

Albert Barnes gives us a biblical definition of this kind of love:

The phrase "with a pure heart fervently," means:

(1) that it should be genuine love proceeding from a heart in which there is no guile or hypocrisy; and,
(2) that it should be intense affection, (ἐκτενῶς ektenōs;) not cold and formal, but ardent and strong.

Religion is always of the nature of obedience. It consists in yielding to what is true and right; in laying aside the feelings of opposition, and in allowing the mind to follow where truth and duty lead.
This would always take place when the truth is presented to the mind, if there were no voluntary resistance. If all people were ready to yield to the truth, they would become Christians. The only reason why all people do not love and serve God is that they refuse to yield to what they know to be true and right.

(3) the agency by which this was accomplished was that of the Holy Spirit. Truth is adapted in itself to a certain end or result, as seed is adapted to produce a harvest. But it will no more of itself produce its appropriate effects on the soul, than seed will produce a harvest without rains, and dews, and suns. In all cases, therefore, the proper effect of truth on the soul is to be traced to the influence of the Holy Spirit, as the germination of the seed in the earth is to the foreign cause that acts on it. No man was ever converted by the mere effect of truth without the agency of the Holy Spirit, any more than seed germinates when laid upon a hard rock.
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May the Lord help us to recognize the counterfeit of love, which is a worldly sentimentality from a fallen heart, disguised as love, but which is actually the OPPOSITE. Let us seek Jesus' gracious renewing, sanctifying power to love from a pure heart. May we learn to discern and develop genuine, unfeigned love from a heart made clean by the Blood of the Lamb and made fervent by the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Auschwitz Within

2011-11-10T14:48:00.002-05:00

"Let us not stand by idly and let the enemy continue this holocaust...I am not a political man..I do not have a political ambition. I do not have a political agenda. I have a spiritual agenda. I want to see Jesus Christ gain His due. As a man of God I am responsible when I see someone weak and vulnerable...to risk my blood & my body to preserve them. That's the model of Jesus Christ...There are those that do not have a voice to even scream out & we as the Church do not have ears tuned to it. And the reason is because its been politicized in our generation. This is a spiritual issue, first and foremost, and not a political one.. I say we remove this ridiculous veil that stands in the way. Everyone knows it's life. When the cattle cars of Jews were being carted off to concentration camps and they were passing by that one church in Germany and they were reaching out through the slats, screaming "Help us!" the church turned up the pipe organ's volume to drown out the sounds. And I submit that is exactly what we are doing today... We have lost our heart...
The Auschwitz within...

~ Eric Ludy
http://www.ellerslie.com/Eric_Ludy_Sermons/Entries/2011/1/16_The_Auschwitz_Within.html

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
~ Jesus
John 10:10

Satan takes. God gives.

The mission of the devil: DEATH. The mission of the Savior: LIFE.

The mission of the Church is the mission of life and eternity.

Approximately 3,700 infants are being slaughtered by abortion in America. TODAY.

What's stopping us, Christians, the Body of Jesus Christ, from rescuing the children being led to slaughter?

1389.4 Holocaust A Auschwitz 30

We, too, are lepers...

2011-11-10T14:47:00.002-05:00

"Behold, if the leprosy have covered all his flesh,
He shall pronounce him clean that hath the plague."
~ Leviticus 13:13

Strange enough this regulation appears, yet there was wisdom in it, for
the throwing out of the disease proved that the constitution was sound.
This morning it may be well for us to see the typical teaching of so
singular a rule. We, too, are lepers, and may read the law of the leper
as applicable to ourselves. When a man sees himself to be altogether
lost and ruined, covered all over with the defilement of sin, and no
part free from pollution; when he disclaims all righteousness of his
own, and pleads guilty before the Lord, then is he clean through the
blood of Jesus, and the grace of God. Hidden, unfelt, unconfessed
iniquity is the true leprosy, but when sin is seen and felt it has
received its death blow, and the Lord looks with eyes of mercy upon the
soul afflicted with it. Nothing is more deadly than self-righteousness,
or more hopeful than contrition. We must confess that we are
"nothing else but sin," for no confession short of this will be the whole truth,
and if the Holy Spirit be at work with us, convincing us of sin, there
will be no difficulty about making such an acknowledgment-it will
spring spontaneously from our lips. What comfort does the text afford
to those under a deep sense of sin! Sin mourned and confessed, however
black and foul, shall never shut a man out from the Lord Jesus.
Whosoever cometh unto Him, He will in no wise cast out. Though
dishonest as the thief, though unchaste as the woman who was a sinner,
though fierce as Saul of Tarsus, though cruel as Manasseh, though
rebellious as the prodigal, the Great Heart of love will look upon the
man who feels himself to have no soundness in him, and will pronounce
him clean, when he trusts in Jesus crucified.
Come to Him, then, poor, heavy-laden sinner,

Come needy, come guilty, come loathsome and bare;
You can't come too filthy - come just as you are.

~ Charles Spurgeon

The Ugly Truth about Planned Parenthood

2011-11-10T14:46:00.003-05:00

FACT: Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of child-sacrifice (abortion) in the United States. FACT: Margaret Sanger is the FOUNDER of Planned Parenthood. Listen to the heart of this depraved woman:

"[Our objective is] unlimited sexual gratification without the burden of unwanted children..." Margaret Sanger, Founder of Planned Parenthood

“Our failure to segregate morons who are increasing and multiplying … demonstrates our foolhardy and extravagant sentimentalism … [Philanthropists] encourage the healthier and more normal sections of the world to shoulder the burden of unthinking and indiscriminate fecundity of others; which brings with it, as I think the reader must agree, a dead weight of human waste. Instead of decreasing and aiming to eliminate the stocks that are most detrimental to the future of the race and the world, it tends to render them to a menacing degree dominant … We are paying for, and even submitting to, the dictates of an ever-increasing, unceasingly spawning class of human beings who never should have been born at all.”
~ Margaret Sanger. The Pivot of Civilization, 1922. Chapter on “The Cruelty of Charity,”

“The most merciful thing that a family does to one of its infant members is to kill it.”
Margaret Sanger (editor). The Woman Rebel, Volume I, Number 1.

“Birth control must lead ultimately to a cleaner race.”
Margaret Sanger. Woman, Morality, and Birth Control. New York: New York Publishing Company, 1922. Page 12.

“Eugenics is … the most adequate and thorough avenue to the solution of racial, political and social problems.Margaret Sanger. “
The Eugenic Value of Birth Control Propaganda.

"The marriage bed is the most degenerative influence in the social order..."
~ Margaret Sanger

----------------------
FACT: GOD knows us even BEFORE He forms us in the womb (Jer 1:5)
FACT: Children are a GIFT OF THE LORD (Psalm 127:3)FACT: The Bible commands us to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR.
FACT: The Word of God commands us to PROTECT OUR NEIGHBOR FROM HARM. (Sixth Commandment)

The Lord Jesus Christ taught "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Mt. 22:37-40), and Scripture declares "Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter" (Prov. 24:11-12)

Scripture declares "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Eph. 5:8-14) , and "show her (the bloody city) all her abominations" (Ez. 22:1-5),

Preborn children are "oppressed," Isaiah 1:17&58:6.
Preborn children are "weak and needy," Psalm 82:4.
Preborn children are "the least of these," Matthew 25:40.
Preborn children are "your neighbor," Luke 10:25-37.

Keepin' it real. Passin' it on. Won't you do the same?

Thou wilt light my candle

2011-11-10T14:46:00.001-05:00

For Thou wilt light my candle.
Psalm 18:28

It may be that my soul sits in darkness; and if this be of a spiritual kind, no human power can bring me light. Blessed be God! He can enlighten my darkness, and at once light my candle. Even though I may be surrounded by a 'darkness which might be felt,' yet He can break the gloom, and immediately make it bright around me. The mercy is, that if He lights the candle none can blow it out, neither will it go out for lack of substance, nor burn out of itself through the lapse of hours. The lights which the Lord kindled in the beginning are shining still. The Lord's lamps may need trimming, but He does not put them out. Let me, then, like the nightingale, sing in the dark. Expectation shall furnish me with music, and hope shall pitch the tune. Soon I shall rejoice in a candle of God's lighting. I am dull and dreary just now. Perhaps it is the weather, or bodily weakness, or the surprise of a sudden trouble; but whatever has made the darkness, it is God alone who will bring the light. My eyes are unto Him alone. I shall soon have the candle of the Lord shining about me; and, further on in His own good time, I shall be where they need no candle, neither light of sun. Hallelujah!

C.H. Spurgeon

Let me, then, like the nightingale, sing in the dark.

Where are the David's?

2011-11-10T14:45:00.002-05:00

David didn't have to pray about dealing with Goliath, that's what everybody else was standing around doing. Goliath needed to be addressed!
~ Kevin Shell

We need more Davids who are willing to stand up against the Goliath of child-killing in America. Daring men who are unafraid of the taunts of genocidal maniacs.

The Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.” The King and all the people of Israel were dismayed and afraid. They were faithless cowards. Young David, the shepherd boy, comes along and wonders why everyone is standing around shaking in their boots. David asks: "For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”And this young man did not walk, he RAN to battle the Giant! He took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.

And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth... And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hand.”

When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David RAN QUICKLY TOWARD THE BATTLE LINE to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
I Samuel 17:40-51

Where are the Davids? Are they sipping coffee at men's breakfasts? Are they sitting quietly listening to speaker after speaker at conferences? Are they attending retreats? Playing golf? Going to sporting events? How many goofy vanities are being organized through churches? When will the men rise up and make war against the enemies of God? When will they advance in the Name of the Lord?

Christians are to 'have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose & reprove them.' (Ephesians 5:11)

The devising of folly is sin,
and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.

If you faint in the day of adversity,
your strength is small.
Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,”
does not He who weighs the heart perceive it?
Does not He who keeps watch over your soul know it,
and will He not repay man according to his work?
Proverbs 24:9-12

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute, of all such as are appointed to destruction.. Proverbs 31:8Oh for mighty men of valor who have a vision from God to protect the women and children in their cities.

Raise them up, O Lord, we pray. Raise up warriors to fight the battle against abortion and rescue the orphans being led to slaughter. We trust You to accomplish the gathering of Your army but we wonder why so few men care about the slaughter of babies in their communities. We know that the battle belongs to You, Lord. Move, we pray, amongst Your people. Revive Thy men and deliver them from cowardice. Make them strong and courageous. For Your glory and the saving of many children alive. Amen.

Willing

2011-11-10T14:44:00.001-05:00

Lord, I am willing
To receive what You give,
To lack what You withhold,
To relinquish what You take,
To suffer what You inflict,
To be what You require.

Questions to ask your local crisis pregnancy director

2011-09-18T20:13:00.002-04:00

Ask them if they have scriptures on their website & materials.

Ask if they tell the mothers God sends to them that He designed & created them & their baby individually.

Ask if they share scriptures regarding these truths every time they counsel.

Ask if they use scriptures & the moral Law (the commandments) in helping women to see that God forbids sexual immorality & the shedding of innocent blood.

Ask if they tell the women that transgression of God's moral law is sin. Ask if they tell all the women that it is given for her once to die & then comes the judgment.

Ask if they tell women God commands them to repent.

Ask if they speak to the women about the fact that there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood & how Jesus fulfilled all righteousness in keeping the commandments perfectly & became a propitiation for sin at the Cross for those who repent & believe upon Christ by faith.

Ask if they tell the abortion-minded mothers that the Bible says that all murderers shall be cast into the lake of fire.

Ask if they share the fact that all women who remain unrepentant will be cast into hell for eternity.

Ask whether they tell abortion-bound mothers they offer post-abortion "support" even BEFORE they have killed their baby.

Ask whether they have heard Hell's Best Kept Secret:
http://www.livingwaters.com/learn/hellsbestkeptsecret.htm

Ask whether they have heard True & False Conversion:
http://www.livingwaters.com/learn/trueandfalse.htm

Give the director a CD of these teachings (if you have them) or e mail the links to her.
Ask her to let you know their thoughts after they have listened.

Who are the afflicted orphans in your city?

2011-09-18T20:12:00.002-04:00

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
~ God
Jeremiah 1:5

Religion that is pure & undefiled before God, the Father, is this:

to visit orphans.. in their affliction...
~ James 1:27
Right this very moment many abortion-imperiled infants are being carried to slaughter by the very ones who should love them most, their mommies. I praise Jesus for the faithful Christians who are practicing pure & undefiled religion this morning; pleading for the lives of these afflicted orphans, offering practical, emotional & spiritual help to the perishing mothers. Thanks be to God for these glad-hearted servants of the most High!

Compassion for the weak & needy is a sign of a heart which has been savingly wrought upon by the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus said that to love God & love our neighbor as ourselves are the two greatest commandments. I am so grateful for the missionaries who go to the killing places to share the gospel & to live out a truly abundant life of practical benevolence, like the Savior described in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Who more weak, who more needy, who more helpless, naked, destitute & poor than the pre-born infant in the womb?

Beloved, to "visit" the afflicted orphan means more than to think nice thoughts about or to merely pray for them. To "visit'" means: to go to see, to look after, to be ready to aid them. This is a marked example of what true & pure religion will do. The Bible has always viewed intentional acts of mercy as an essential thing in the practice of love & justice; for the little ones cannot beg for help or seek refuge from cruelty & the tyranny of injustice. When Christians rush to the aid of the emotionally orphaned children who are being dragged to their destruction, they are imitating God Himself, Who is is "a father of the fatherless..in His holy habitation.." (Psalm 68:5) Has not the Father revealed Himself to us, by reaching down & making us His own adopted children through the bloody passion of His Son? He had compassion upon us as we lay in the mirey pit of sin. When we were captives of the devil & slaves of our sin, God showed us mercy. He has always revealed Himself as our Friend & Benefactor. (See Deuteronomy 10:18; Deuteronomy 14:29; Psalm 10:14; Psalm 82:3; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 7:7; Jeremiah 49:11; Hosea 14:3.) How then shall we, who call ourselves Christians, turn a blind eye to our neighbors who are about to suffer the ultimate domestic violence? Isn't this an intentional violation of the duty implied in the Sixth Commandment? "You shall not murder" prohibits the shedding of innocent blood, but it also gives us a mandate to do what we can to save our neighbor from harm when it is in our power to do so.

Our Redeemer is our example & the Word of God shows how He teaches, leads, yea DEMANDS that His followers to do what He does, saying:

This is what the LORD says: 'Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor...Do no wrong or violence to ..the fatherless..and do not shed innocent blood in this place."
~ Jeremiah 22:3

"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless..".
~ Isaiah 1:17

"Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed."
Psalm 82:3

"Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
~ Proverbs 31:9

“You shall not pervert the justice due..to the fatherless.. Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the..fatherless .." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!""
Deuteronomy 24:17;27:19
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If I have withheld the poor from their desire,
or have eaten my morsel myself alone,
and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; ...
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
...If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless,
when I saw my help in the gate:
Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade,
and mine arm be broken from the bone.
Job 31:16-17,18-19,22

Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." 'visit' these afflicted orphans? The loving care of the children of our community are our sacred responsibility. The perishing in our generation are those God has appointed us to reach for His glory. What shall the of Life say to us about our responsibility for the massacre of innocents which are taking place during our watch, in our city?Hear the Word of the Lord in Ezekiel 22:7: 'In you they have treated father and mother with contempt; in you they have oppressed the alien and mistreated the fatherless and the widow." Why not ask Jesus to give you love for these poor, weak, helpless, naked orphans? Why not make (& keep) a plan to go to where the babies are being afflicted? Let me know if you would like to begin to make reaching out to the perishing orphans & their lost mommies part of your reasonable service to God & your neighbor. I will do what I can to pray, encourage & help you in your missionary journey.

Here's an article I wrote to get you started: http://sanctuaryministries.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-begin-to-witness-at-killing.html

Are you pure and blameless before the Lord?

2011-09-18T20:11:00.003-04:00

Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8

But just as He who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do...
1 Peter 1:15

When you set your heart to walk blameless before God—living in a way that is
pleasing to the Lord—you will be feared and despised by those who have lost
the favor and blessing of God. Lukewarm or compromised Christians will be
absolutely disturbed and repelled by your life!

We see this illustrated vividly in 1 Samuel: “Now Saul was afraid of David,
because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul... And David behaved
wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw
that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him” (1 Samuel 18:12-15).

David’s blameless behavior struck fear in Saul’s heart! Whenever Saul was
around David, he remembered the time he had enjoyed the favor of God and the
high esteem of men. But disobedience, envy, pride and self-will had cost Saul
every bit of power with God. And it robbed him of all respect of the people.

Now, Saul had come face to face with a younger man—a less experienced,
probably less articulate, man—who exuded the power and integrity of holiness.
He was pure in heart, full of the Holy Spirit and Saul was afraid of him!

Keep in mind that this was no idolatrous pagan who was afraid of David. No,
Saul was a man who had known the power of the Holy Spirit! He had once been
God’s anointed, a mighty man chosen of God!

David was simply living a clean life and God was pouring out favor upon him!
“All Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before
them” (1 Samuel 18:16).

Saul did not want to be around David. Scripture says “Therefore Saul removed
him from his presence” (1 Samuel 18:13). Sadly, Saul represents the
compromised church of today, those Christians who have compromised and lost the
anointing of God. He is a type of the believer who once was full of the Holy
Spirit, baptized, on fire for God, but has been robbed of everything they once
knew of God by their disobedience, pride and lust.

There is nothing scarier to a compromised Christian than a holy blameless life.
And the more your life lines up with the Lord’s will and His holiness, the
more repelling you will become to backslidden believers.

~ THE POWER OF A CLEAN AND BLAMELESS LIFE
by David Wilkerson
----

Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
I John 3:3

And every man that hath this hope in him - this hope of seeing the Saviour, and of being made like him; that is, every true Christian...purifieth himself - makes himself holy. That is, under the influence of this hope of being like the Saviour, he puts forth those efforts in struggling against sin, and in overcoming his evil propensities, which are necessary to make him pure. The apostle would not deny that for the success of these efforts we are dependent on divine aid; but he brings into view, as is often done in the sacred writings, the agency of man himself as essentially connected with success. Compare Philippians 2:12. The particular thought here is, that the hope of being like Christ, and of being permitted to dwell with Him, will lead a man to earnest efforts to become holy, and will be actually followed by such a result.

The tendency of such a hope is to make him holy now, though he may be imperfect; the effect will be to make him "perfectly" holy in the world to come. It cannot be shown from this passage that the apostle meant to teach that anyone actually becomes as pure in the present life as the Saviour is, that is, becomes perfectly holy; for all that is fairly implied in it is, that those who have this hope in them aim at the same purity, and will ultimately obtain it. But the apostle does not say that it is attained in this world. If the passage did teach this, it would teach it respecting everyone who has this hope, and then the doctrine would be that no one can be a Christian who does not become absolutely perfect on earth; that is, not that some Christians may become perfect here, but that all actually do. But none, it is presumed, will hold this to be a true doctrine. A true Christian does not, indeed, habitually and willfully sin; but no one can pretend that all Christians attain to a state of sinless perfection on earth, or are, in fact, as pure as the Saviour was. But unless the passage proves that every Christian becomes absolutely perfect in the present life, it does not prove that in fact any do. It proves:

(1) that the tendency, or the fair influence of this hope, is to make the Christian pure;
(2) that all who cherish it will, in fact, aim to become as holy as the Saviour was; and,
(3) that this object will, at some future period, be accomplished. There is a world where all who are redeemed shall be perfectly holy.
~ Albert Barnes

All who have the hope of seeing Christ as He is; that is, of enjoying Him in His own glory; purifieth himself - abstains from all evil, and keeps himself from all that is in the world, viz., the lusts of the flesh, of the eye, and the pride of life. God having purified his heart, it is his business to keep himself in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. The apostle does not here speak of any man purifying his own heart, because this is impossible; but of his persevering in the state of purity into which the Lord hath brought him. The words, however, may be understood of a man's anxiously using all the means that lead to purity; and imploring God for the sanctifying Spirit, to "cleanse the thoughts of his heart by its inspiration, that he may perfectly love Him, and worthily magnify His Name."...

...He was manifested to take away our sins, 1 John 3:5, to destroy the works of the devil, 1 John 3:8; and as His blood cleanseth from all sin and unrighteousness, 1 John 1:7, 1 John 1:9; is it not evident that God means that believers in Christ shall be saved from all sin?
~ Adam Clarke

The sons of God know that their Lord is of purer eyes than to allow any thing unholy and impure to dwell with Him. It is the hope of hypocrites, not of the sons of God, that makes allowance for gratifying impure desires and lusts. May we be followers of Him as His dear children, thus show our sense of His unspeakable mercy, and express that obedient, grateful, humble mind which becomes us. Sin is the rejecting the Divine Law. In Him, that is, in Christ, was no sin. All the sinless weaknesses that were consequences of the fall, He took; that is, all those infirmities of mind or body which subject man to suffering, and expose him to temptation. But our moral infirmities, our proneness to sin, He had not. He that abides in Christ, continues not in the practice of sin. Renouncing sin is the great proof of spiritual union with, continuance in, and saving knowledge of the Lord Christ. Beware of self-deceit. He that doeth righteousness is righteous, and to be a follower of Christ, shows an interest by faith in his obedience and sufferings. But a man cannot act like the devil, and at the same time be a disciple of Christ Jesus. Let us not serve or indulge what the Son of God came to destroy. To be born of God is to be inwardly renewed by the power of the Spirit of God. Renewing grace is an abiding principle. Religion is not an art, a matter of dexterity and skill, but a new nature. And the regenerate person cannot sin as he did before he was born of God, and as others do who are not born again. There is that light in his mind, which shows him the evil and malignity of sin. There is that bias upon his heart, which disposes him to loathe and hate sin. There is the spiritual principle that opposes sinful acts. And there is repentance for sin, if committed. It goes against him to sin with forethought. The children of God and the children of the devil have their distinct characters. The seed of the serpent are known by neglect of religion, and by their hating real Christians. He only is righteous before God, as a justified believer, who is taught and disposed to righteousness by the Holy Spirit. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. May all professors of the gospel lay these truths to heart, and try themselves by them.
~ Matthew Henry

Questioning the Pro 'choice' messages in 'pro-life' pregnancy centers

2011-09-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

1. Abortion offered as an OPTION

Most women are instinctively reluctant to have an abortion because they know in their heart of hearts that killing the unborn child in their womb must be wrong. A prime task of pro-choice counseling, therefore, is to conceal the moral objections to abortion. And they do so by referring to abortion as an 'option' ...for once abortion is turned into an 'option' it is no longer seen as wrongdoing...So 'options' counseling is not about morality, but about choice. By presenting abortion as an 'option'...counseling gives a woman liberty to choose to abort the unborn child. By labeling abortion an 'option' the moral question is pushed out of sight. The issue has been de-moralized, & 'options' counseling makes it appear that the 'option' of abortion & the 'option' of continuing with the pregnancy are moral equivalents... 'Options' counseling legitimizes the choice of abortion.

Yet in the Christian view abortion can never be legitimized because it is against God's Law. A Christian cannot present what is wrong in God's eyes as an 'option', for to do so is encouraging a woman to sin against God. ...[To make abortion appear as a legitimate choice] is surely to suppress the truth, invent something evil, & to approve of those who ignore God's righteous law (Romans 1:18,32) Assessed biblically, options counseling is foolishness, for God cannot be mocked. We reap what we sow.

2. Non-Directive advice

Non-directive counseling is inconsistent with the Christian faith. The Bible is the most directive book in the world. The whole purpose of Christ's ministry is to direct people to God's truth. He is so directive that He declares Himself to be the only way to God. He directs us to seek first the kingdom of Heaven; He directs us to enter by the narrow gate that leads to life, & He warns that the broad gate leads to destruction. And the Bible is the most judgmental Book in the world. God commands all people everywhere to repent, for He has set a day when He will judge the world (Acts 17:30-31). The Bible declares that all men will stand before the judgment throne of God when His righteous judgment will be revealed. "To those who are self-seeking & do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness-indignation & wrath". (Romans 2:8). And Jesus is judgmental. He says that those who cause others to sin face a judgment worse than a millstone around the neck & being cast into the sea. He condemns those who on the outside appear to be righteous but on the inside are full of hypocrisy.

The Christian who is faithful to God's Word cannot ignore the directive, judgmental message of the Bible. The Christian who is serving Jesus cannot give non-directive, non-judgmental, non-biblical advice regarding abortion. Jesus said: "For whoever is ashamed of Me & My Words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory..." (Luke 9:26) We have a God-given responsibility to warn the individual & society that the Bible teaches that abortion is wrong. God hates hands that shed innocent blood, & Christians have a duty to declare this truth. We cannot give non-directive advice while the innocents are being led to slaughter. We must warn of the serious consequences of ignoring God's Law, & we will be held to account if we fail (Ezekiel 3:17-18). Those Christians who would be faithful to God's Word have a duty to warn against the evil of abortion.

3. Morality based on feelings

Pro-choice counseling believes that a woman's feelings are the best guide to her decision...The guiding principle is how she 'feels' about having an abortion. The most important thing is that she feels comfortable with her 'decision' - that she feels able to live with her decision...

The Christian position is to explain that moral decisions should be based on God's Word. The psalmist declared, 'Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet & a light to my path ... The entirety of Your Word is truth, & everyone one of Your righteous judgments endures forever' (Psalm 119:104-105,160)

4. Informed Choice

Pro-choice counseling promotes the idea that the best way for a woman to decide between the 'options' set before her is for her to make an 'informed choice'. There is no objective moral standard to guide her decision-making, she is invited to make an entirely personal decision on the basis of how she sees things... She is provided with lots of morally neutral information so that she can weigh pros & cons & calculate ...which option delivers the greatest benefits. ...She makes a pragmatic 'informed' choice which is the right one for her.

The Christian position is that man's life should be directed by God's Word. The Bible warns of the folly of thinking that we can go our own way. ...Moral decisions are to be made on the basis of God's Law as contained in His Word...The problem with 'informed' choice is that it is an amoral choice - that is, a choice that flies in the face of God's moral Law. It promotes the idea that we can direct our own steps, make our own choices without reference to God's Word. It misleads a vulnerable woman into believing that she is free to choose to abort her unborn child without facing the inevitable consequences of breaking God's moral Law. Excerpted from
What is Going on in Christian Crisis Pregnancy Counselling?
by E S Williams

If I believe ...

2011-09-18T20:10:00.000-04:00

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, BUT I WILL HOLD THE WATCHMAN ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS BLOOD.” ~ Ezekiel 33:6

My eyes froze upon these words as I was reading through Ezekiel. I read and reread the that 33rd chapter of this prophetic book. God was telling Ezekiel that he was called to be a voice to warn the people of the upcoming judgement of God. He could either recognized the oncoming disaster and do all in his power to warn the people of its imminence, and thereby be faithful to his God (and free himself of being guilty at their death) or he could keep silent and be accountable for their blood.

Silence.

It comes in the form of “not wanting to offend”. or “just letting them see my different lifestyle”. Or “being too busy”. Or “not knowing how”. Or just plain laziness. But, still, it is silence.

IF I believe that “all have fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) that means every person I meet, from the grocery store clerk, to my next door neighbor, to the person sitting next to me on an airplane (and including myself!) – no one meets the standard of a perfect, holy, God who requires holiness of anyone who is to enjoy His presence

IF I believe that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a) then that means every person I meet is bound for hell-complete separation from the LIVING and from the God who is the Giver and Sustainer of Life.

IF I believe that “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor.5:21) then there is a glorious hope and escape from the hell we’re headed towards.

IF I believe that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23b) then Jesus is the means by which we gain that escape from hell, the ONLY means and this gift needs to be shared with and received by many.

IF I believe that the “Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost” (Matt. 18:14) then I’ve just found out what God’s will is.

And if I believe all this, I must do everything BUT be silent.

And here in Ezekiel I read a passage that truly causes me to tremble. I can warn people of what God has revealed through the Holy Scriptures and be used to save some, AND free myself of bloodguilt
or

I can be silent and be held accountable for all the people God has placed in my life, or even just in my passing, and I did not bother to make God’s glorious redemption story known to them.
Being a stay-at-home mother of four, AND being removed from my consistent platform in Newark to be able to share this good news, had resulted in silence up to this point. But as my spirit was convicted by this passage, I knew I had to be actively warning, actively proclaiming, actively being “beautiful feet that bring good news” (Rom. 10:15) But I could not engineer these situations and opportunities. I had to ASK for them, and trust that I would RECEIVE. I had to SEEK them out, and trust that God would lead me to FIND them. I had to KNOCK, and believe HE would OPEN THE DOOR.

A trip was upcoming, and airplane rides are the perfect place to start. Someone is sitting next to you, and they’re stuck there until the plane lands. A captive audience for the duration of the flight. OR a Divine Appointment by the One who seeks and saves the lost, and uses fumbling, broken, ill-equipped people to be the mouthpiece. To be the watchman on the wall.

~ Kimberly Iverson

http://kimberlyiverson.wordpress.com/2011/09/05/watchman-on-the-walls/

Alarm to the Unconverted!

2011-09-18T20:09:00.002-04:00

An earnest invitation to sinners to turn to God

Dearly Beloved,
..The physician is most concerned for those patients whose case is most doubtful and hazardous; and the father's pity is especially turned towards his dying child. So unconverted souls call for earnest compassion and prompt diligence to pluck them as brands from the burning (Jude 23). Will you yet be entreated?

`But, O Lord, how insufficient I am for this work. Alas, with what shall I pierce the scales of Leviathan, or make the heart feel that is hard as the nether millstone? Shall I go and speak to the grave, and expect the dead will obey me and come forth? Shall I make an oration to the rocks, or declaim to the mountains, and think to move them with arguments? Shall I make the blind to see? From the beginning of the world was it not heard that a man opened the eyes of the blind (Jn ix 32). But, O Lord, Thou canst pierce the heart of the sinner. I can only draw the bow at a venture, but do Thou direct the arrow between the joints of the harness. Slay the sin, and save the soul of the sinner ...O Lord, choose my stones out of the brook (1 Sam xvii 40, 4S). I come in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel. I come forth, like the stripling David against Goliath, to wrestle, not with flesh and blood, but with principalities and powers, and rulers of the darkness of this world (Eph vi 12). This day let the Lord smite the Philistines, spoil the strong man of his armour, and give me the captives out of his hand. Lord, choose my words, choose my weapons for me; and when I put my hand into the bag, and take out a stone and sling it, do Thou carry it to the mark, and make it sink, not into the forehead, but into the heart of the unconverted sinner, and smite him to the ground like Saul of Tarsus (Acts ix 4).'

There is no entering into heaven but by the strait passage of the second birth; without holiness you shall never see God (Heb xii 14). Therefore give yourselves unto the Lord now. Set yourselves to seek Him now. ...Kiss the Son (Ps ii 12) and embrace the tenders of mercy; touch His sceptre and live; for why will ye die? I do not beg for myself, but would have you happy: this is the prize I run for. My soul's desire and prayer for you is, that you may be saved (Rom x 1).

I beseech you ... in your deepest concern. I am not playing the orator to make a learned speech to you, nor dressing the dish with eloquence in order to please you. I have come on weighty errand indeed - to convince, and convert, and save you. I am not baiting my hook with rhetoric, nor fishing for your applause, but for your souls. My work is not to please you, but to save you; nor is my business with your fancies, but with your hearts. If I have not your hearts, I have nothing. If I were to please your ears, I would sing another song. If I were to preach myself, I would steer another course. I could then tell you a smoother tale; I would make pillows for you and speak peace. But how much better are the wounds of a friend, than the fair speeches of the harlot, who flatters with her lips, till the dart strike through the liver? (Prov vii 21-23 and vi 26). If I were to quiet a crying infant, I might sing him into a happier mood, or rock him asleep; but when the child is fallen into the fire, the parent takes another course; he will not try to still him with a song or trifle. I know, if we succeed not with you, you are lost; if we cannot get your consent to arise and come away, you will perish for ever. No conversion - no salvation!

Some of you do not know what I mean by conversion, and in vain shall I attempt to persuade you to that which you do not understand. Therefore for your sakes I will show what conversion is.

Some cherish secret hopes of mercy, though they continue as they are. For them I must show the necessity of conversion.

Others are likely to harden themselves with a vain conceit that they are converted already. To them I must show the marks of the unconverted.

Others, because they feel no harm, fear none, and so sleep as upon the top of a mast. To them I shall show the misery of the unconverted.

Others sit still, because they do not see the way of escape. To them I shall show the means of conversion.

And finally, for the quickening of all, I shall close with the motives to conversion.

The devil has made many counterfeits of conversion, and cheats one with this, and another with that. He has such craft and artifice in his mystery of deceits that, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect.

Now, that I may cure the ruinous mistake of some who think they are converted when they are not, as well as remove the troubles and fears of others who think they are not converted when they are, I shall show you the nature of conversion, both what it is not, and what it is. We will begin with the negative.

Conversion is not the taking upon us the profession of Christianity. Christianity is more than a name. If we will hear Paul, it does not lie in word, but in power (1 Cor 1v 20). If to cease to be Jews and pagans, and to put on the Christian profession, had been true conversion - as this is all that some would have to be understood by it - who better Christians than they of Sardis and Laodicea? These were all Christians by profession, and had a name to live only; but because they had a name, they are condemned by Christ, and threatened to be rejected (Rev iii 14-16). Are there not many that name the name of the Lord Jesus, that do not depart from iniquity (2 Tim ii 19), and profess they know God, but in works deny Him? (Titus i 16). And will God receive these for true converts? What! converts from sin, when they still live in sin? It is a visible contradiction. Surely, if the lamp of profession would have served the turn, the foolish virgins had never been shut out (Mt xxv 12). We find not only professing Christians, but preachers of Christ, and wonder-workers, rejected, because they are evil-workers (Mt vii 22-23).

Conversion is not putting on the badge of Christ in baptism. Ananias and Sapphira, and Simon Magus were baptized as well as the rest. How many make a mistake here, deceiving and being deceived; dreaming that effectual grace is necessarily tied to the external administration of baptism, so that every baptized person is regenerated, not only sacramentally, but really and properly. Hence men fancy that because they were regenerated when baptized, they need no farther work. But if this were so, then all that have been baptized must necessarily be saved, because the promise of pardon and salvation is made to conversion and regeneration (Acts iii 19; Mt xix 28). And indeed, were conversion and baptism the same, then men would do well to carry but a certificate of their baptism when they died, and upon sight of this there were no doubt of their admission into heaven.

In short, if there is nothing more to conversion, or regeneration, than to be baptized, this will fly directly in the face of that Scripture, Mt vii 13-14, as well as multitudes of others. If this is true, we shall no more say, 'Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way' for if all that are baptized are saved, the door is exceeding wide, and we shall henceforth say, 'Wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth unto life.' If this is true, thousands may go in abreast; and we will no more teach that the righteous are scarcely saved, or that there is need of such a stir in taking the kingdom of heaven by violence, and striving to enter in (1 Pet iv 18; Mt xi 12; Lk xiii 24). Surely, if the way be so easy as many suppose, that little more is necessary than to be baptized and to cry out, 'Lord, have mercy', we need not put ourselves to such seeking, and knocking, and wrestling, as the Word requires in order to salvation. Again, if this is true, we shall no more say, 'Few there be that find it'; we will rather say, 'Few there be that miss it.' We shall no more say, that of the many that are called, only few are chosen' (Mt xxii 14), and that even of the professing Israel but a remnant shall be saved (Rom ix 27). If this doctrine is true, we shall no more say with the disciples, 'Who then shall be saved?' but rather, 'Who then shall not be saved?' Then, if a man be baptized, though he is a fornicator, or a railer or covetous, or a drunkard, yet he shall inherit the kingdom of God! (1 Cor v 11 and vi 9, 10).
But some will reply, 'Such as these, though they receive regenerating grace in baptism, are since fallen away, and must be renewed again, or else they cannot be saved.'

I answer,
1. There is an infallible connection between regeneration and salvation, as we have already shown.
2. Then man must be again born again, which carries a great deal of absurdity in its face. We might as well expect men to be twice born in nature as twice born in grace! But,
3, and above all, this grants the thing I contend for, that whatever men do or pretend to receive in baptism, if they are found afterwards to be grossly ignorant, or profane, or formal, without the power of godliness they 'must be born again' (Jn iii 7) or else be shut out of the kingdom of God. So then they must have more to plead for themselves than their baptismal regeneration.

If men are evidently unsanctified, the must be renewed by a thorough and powerful change, or else they cannot escape the damnation of hell. 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked.' Whether it be your baptism, or whatever else you pretend, I tell you from the living God, that if any of you be prayerless person, or a scoffer, or a lover of evil company (Prov xiii 20), in a word, if you are not a holy, strict, and self-denying Christian, you cannot be saved (Heb xii 14; Mt xv 14)

Conversion does not lie in moral righteousness. This does not exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, and therefore cannot bring us to the kingdom of God (Mt v 20). Paul, while unconverted, touching the righteousness which is the law was blameless (Phil iii 6). The Pharisee could say, 'I am no extortioner, adulterer, unjust', etc. (Lk xviii 11). You must have something more than all this to show, or else, however you may justify yourself, God will condemn you. I do not condemn morality, but I warn you not to rest in it. Piety includes morality, as Christianity does humanity, and as grace does reason; but we must not divide the tables.

Conversion does not consist in an external conformity to the rules of piety. It is manifest that men may have a form of godliness, without the power (2 Tim iii 5). Men may pray long (Mt xxiii 14), and fast often (Lk xviii 12), and hear gladly (Mk vi 20), and be very forward in the service of God, though costly and expensive (Is i 11), and yet be strangers to conversion. They must have more to plead for themselves than that they go to church, give alms, and make use of prayer, to prove themselves sound converts. There is no outward service but a hypocrite may do it, even to the giving of all his goods to feed the poor, and his body to be burned (1 Cor xiii 3).

Conversion is not the mere chaining up of corruption by education, human laws or the force of affliction. It is too common and easy to mistake education for grace; but if this were enough, who a better man than Jehoash? While Jehoiada, his uncle, lived, he was very forward in God's service, and calls upon him to repair the house of the Lord (2 Kgs xii 2, 7). But here was nothing more than good education all this while; for when his good tutor was taken away he appears to have been but a wolf chained up, and falls into idolatry.

In short, conversion does not consist in illumination or conviction or in a superficial change or partial reformation. An apostate may be an enlightened man (Heb vi 4), and a Felix tremble under conviction (Acts xxiv 25), and a Herod do many things (Mk of 20). It is one thing to have sin alarmed only by convictions, and another to have it crucified by converting grace. Many, because they have been troubled in conscience for their sins, think well of their case, miserably mistaking conviction for conversion. With these, Cain might have passed for a convert, who ran up and down the world like a man distracted, under the rage of a guilty conscience, till he stifled it with building and business. Others think that because they have given up their riotous ways, and are broken off from evil company or some particular lust, and are reduced to sobriety and civility, they are now real converts. They forget that there is a vast difference between being sanctified and civilized. They forget that many seek to enter into the kingdom of heaven, and are not far from it, and arrive to the almost of Christianity, and yet fall short at last. While conscience holds the whip over them, many will pray, hear, read, and forbear their delightful sins; but no sooner is the lion asleep than they are at their sins again. Who more religious than the Jews when God's hand was upon them? Yet no sooner was the affliction over, than they forgot God. You may have forsaken a troublesome sin, and have escaped the gross pollutions of the world, and yet in all this not have changed your carnal nature.

You may take a crude mass of lead and mould it into the more comely proportion of a plant, and then into the shape of an animal, and then into the form and features of a man; but all the time it is still lead. So a man may pass to a form of religion, and all this time he is still carnal and unregenerate, his nature remains unchanged.

Hear then, O sinners, hear as you would live. Why should you willfully deceive yourselves, or build your hopes upon the sand? I know that he will find hard work that goes to pluck away your hopes. It cannot but be unpleasant to you, and truly it is not pleasing to me. I set about it as a surgeon when about to cut off a mortified limb from his beloved friend, which of necessity he must do, though with an aching heart. But understand me, beloved, I am only taking down the ruinous house, which otherwise will speedily fall of itself and bury you in the ruins, that I may build it fair, strong, and firm for ever. The hope of the wicked shall perish (Prov xi 7). And had you not better, O sinner, let the Word convince you now in time, and let go your false and self-deluding hopes, than have death open your eyes too late, and find yourself in hell before you are aware? I should be a false and faithless shepherd if I should not tell you, that you who have built your hopes upon no better grounds than these before mentioned, are yet in your sins. Let conscience speak.

What have you to plead for yourselves? Is it that you wear Christ's livery; that you bear His name; that you are a member of the visible church; that you have knowledge in the points of religion, are civilized, perform religious duties, are just in your dealings, have been troubled in conscience for your sins? I tell you from the Lord, these pleas will never be accepted at God's bar. All this, though good in itself, will not prove you converted, and so will not suffice to your salvation. O look to it, and resolve to turn speedily and entirely. Study your own hearts; do not rest till God has made thorough work with you; for you must be other men, or else you are lost men.

What then will become of you, O wretched man, whose conscience tells you that you are false in your trade and false to your word? If men may be enlightened and brought to the external performance of holy duties, and yet go down to perdition for resting in them and sitting down on this side of conversion; what will become of you, O miserable families that live without God in the world? What will become of you, O wretched sinners, with whom God is scarcely in all your thoughts; that are so ignorant that you cannot pray, or so careless that you will not? O repent and be converted, break off your sins by righteousness. Away to Christ for pardoning and renewing grace. Give up yourselves to Him, to walk with Him in holiness, or you shall never see God. O that you would heed the warnings of God! In His Name I once more admonish you. Turn ye at my reproof. Forsake the foolish, and live. Be sober, righteous, and godly. Wash your hands, ye sinners; purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Cease to do evil, learn to do well (Prov i 23 and ix 6; Tit ii 12; Jas iv 8; is i 16-17).

But if you will go on, you must die.

Excerpted from 'Alarm to the Unconverted' or 'A Sure Guide to Heaven'
by Joseph Alleine

Abortion: What does the Bible say about cases of rape & incest?

2011-09-18T20:07:00.001-04:00

The soul who sins shall die.
The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father,
nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son.
The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself,
and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.~ Ezekiel 18:20

This prophetic command applies to all human beings, Christian & non-Christian. Everyone shall be judged by whether they obey the eternal requirements of God. And it is upon the non-negotiable Law of God they (& we) shall be judged of God.

35% of self-professed pro-lifers think abortion should be legal in the first trimester, 59% think it should be legal in cases of rape or incest, and about a quarter think it should be legal when the baby might be physically or mentally impaired. Abortion equals murder? Not for these "pro-lifers."
~ Chris Selley

Obviously pro-life does not = pro-life. And pro-life does not = regenerate.

The value of individual human beings is not determined by what we think or believe or even what is popular. The Bible reveals to us that the value of each person is not INtrinsic, but EXtrinsic.

"That is to say, man's dignity is not inherent. It does not exist in and of itself. Ours is a derived, dependent, and received dignity. In and of ourselves we are of the dust. But God has assigned a remarkable value and worth to us as His creatures made in His image. He is the source of our life and our very being. He has cloaked us with a robe of value and worth." ~ RC Sproul

Do we believe Jeremiah 1:5 or not? God said: "BEFORE I formed you in the womb, I knew you."

Our very lives begin in the mind of God.

This is a precious truth.

We are KNOWN of God before we are conceived. Even before our father's sperm penetrated our mother's egg, God KNEW us. This clearly reveals that no human being was conceived by accident. In the eyes of the One to whom we must give account, no person is a mistake.
Over 87% of the sexually immoral women who murder their babies by abortion identify themselves as Christians. What does THAT tell you?

Do we believe the Holy Spirit who inspired the prayer of Psalm 139?

"For You formed my inward parts;
You knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are Your works;
my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you,
when I was being made in secret,
intricately woven...
Your eyes saw my unformed substance..."

Do we believe Psalm 127:3 which boldly pronounces:

"Behold, children are a heritage (gift) from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward"?

Children are derived from the Lord Himself. Each little one is to be received as from Him, and to be acknowledged with thanksgiving as His gift ♥

Chris Selley, of the National Post, writes that implicit in every argument presented by those who allow for the premeditated murder of a living human child is "the belief that while a fetus is something less than human, it is also considerably more than nothing." He goes on to say:
"The good news for agonized pro-choicers is that they have company. This view of the fetus - less than human, more than nothing - cuts across the prochoice/pro-life boundary, making something of a mockery of each side's hardline positions."
In his concluding statement Selley writes:
"The law is far too blunt an instrument to impart any wisdom on this endlessly complex and emotional issue. When the vast majority of people believe abortion should be legal in some circumstances, the only legal demarcation between medical procedure and murder that makes any sense is the one we have now: Birth."

Christians, stand up & speak the Word of God, which is forever settled in heaven & on earth.

R.c. Sproul Jr. reminded me of an awful reality when he said: "Don't forget that the National Right to Life Committee fully supported, and endorsed that "pro-life" President, George Bush who straightforwardly affirmed his conviction that the federal government ought to protect the "rights" of moms to murder babies conceived by rape or incest."

I reckon this is a matter of not believing the Word of God on matters of life & eternity.

Truth is not determined by what we believe. God's Word is a settled truth, whether we believe it or not.

Christians, rise up. Fight for the lives of children. The Lord Your God commands it!

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. (Pr 29:7)

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. (Pr 31:9)

Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless... (Is 1:17)

Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. (Pr 24:11

In Jesus' Name. Amen.

To read Chris Selley's article in full go to: www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/Less+than+human+more+than+nothing/5330952/story.html

Oh to be a Lady beloved of that Great Being

2011-09-18T20:03:00.004-04:00

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. ~ Proverbs 31:30

They say there is a young lady
who is loved of that Great Being,
Who made and rules the world,
and that there are certain seasons
in which this Great Being,
in some way or other invisible,
comes to her and fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight;
and that she hardly cares for anything,
except to meditate on Him—
that she expects after a while to be received up where He is,
to be raised up out of the world and caught up into heaven;
being assured that He loves her too well
to let her remain at a distance from Him always.
There she is to dwell with Him,
and to be ravished with His love and delight forever.
Therefore, if you present all the world before her,
with the richest of its treasures,
she disregards it and cares not for it,
and is unmindful of any pain or affliction.
She has a strange sweetness in her mind,
and singular purity in her affections;
is most just and conscientious in all her conduct;
and you could not persuade her to do anything wrong or sinful,
if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being.
She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and universal benevolence of mind;
especially after this Great God has manifested Himself to her mind.
She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly;
and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure;
and no one knows for what.
She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves,
and seems to have some One invisible
always conversing with her.

~ Jonathan Edwards, describing his dear wife Sarah

I want to be like Sarah Edwards when I grow up.

How is God's wrath being revealed in this present time? How is God's mercy revealed in the midst of the wrath?

2011-09-18T20:02:00.002-04:00

For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes ...
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH".
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men
who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...
Romans 1:16-18

Three Ways the Wrath of God Is Being Revealed

We should ask, "How is the wrath of God being revealed?" The first thing to notice is that the word "is revealed" is the very same word and tense as in verse 17. There "the righteousness of God is being revealed." Here "the wrath of God is being revealed." In both cases it is a present tense, continuous action. In other words it is happening now, not just in the future. There is a day of wrath coming (Romans 2:5, 8-9; 5:9). But in advance of that final outpouring of wrath, God's wrath is also present.
How? In three ways at least that we learn about in Romans.

1. Universal human death is revealing the wrath of God.
From Romans 5 we see that universal human death is a revealing or a manifestation of the wrath of God. Death is the judgement of God on the ungodliness and unrighteousness of the human race rooted in Adam. In the middle of Romans 5:15 we read, "by the transgression of the one [namely Adam] the many died." Then in the middle of verse 16 death is called a judgment and a condemnation: "For on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation." So you can see that death is seen as a judgment and a condemnation, that is, as an expression of God's wrath against sin. Then in the middle of verse 18 you see it again: "Through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men." So the first answer is that the wrath of God is being revealed against human sin in universal human death.

2. Universal futility and misery are evidence of God's wrath.
From Romans 8 we see that universal futility and misery are evidence of God's wrath against human sin. Start at Romans 8:18: "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (19) For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. (20) For the creation was subjected to futility." Stop there and consider what that means before we read on.

I think it means that the sufferings he speaks of in verse 18 are inevitable in this fallen world. And specifically it means that you may plan well for retirement, and the year before you plan to enjoy it you have a stroke, and all the planning seems futile. You work with your own hands for years to build a simple home, and the week before you move in, lightning strikes, and it burns to the ground. You labor all during the spring to plant your crops and when the grain is just ready to sprout, a flood takes it all away. The creation was subjected to futility. In verse 21 it's called "slavery to corruption."

Now read on in Romans 8:20 to see where that subjection to futility came from: "The creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope." This means that God subjected the creation to futility. Satan and Adam could not be the one who did this, because Paul said it was done "in hope." Neither Satan nor Adam in the Garden of Eden was planning for the hope of the human race. They simply sinned. But God showed His wrath against sin and subjected creation to futility, not as the last word, but in hope. There would come a day when the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head (Genesis 3:15). But the misery and futility of the world we live in is owing to God's subjecting creation to futility, and is a testimony to His wrath against sin.

3. The sinking degradation of human behavior reveals the wrath of God.
So the first way God's wrath is revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness is in universal human death. The second way is in the futility and misery and suffering of creation. The third is the one most immediately in Paul's mind here in Romans 1, namely, the sinking degradation of human thinking and behavior. You see this three times in Romans 1:24-28.

After describing the ungodliness and unrighteousness of man in Romans 1:19-23 Paul says in verse 24, "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them." In other words, God reveals His wrath against sin by giving people up to be more sinful. Again in verse 26: "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions." And again in verse 28: "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."

So these are three of the ways that the wrath of God is being revealed now in this age against the universal (3:9) ungodliness and unrighteousness of man. He has consigned all to death, He has subjected all to futility, and He has given many over to the degradation of their own minds and hearts.

There remains time perhaps for one burning question: Is that God's only response to the ungodliness and unrighteousness of men? The answer to that question is No - neither in the case of unbelievers or believers.

Take the case of unbelievers. Wrath is always mingled with mercy in this age of hope. Look at Romans 2:4-5. Here he speaks to those who are missing this great truth: "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (5) But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."

Yes there is kindness in the midst of wrath. God is always doing more than one thing. Jesus said, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous" (Matthew 5:45). Paul said to the pagans of Lystra, "[God] did not leave Himself without a witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). He said this to people who were dying and suffering and sinning under the wrath of God.
God warns with His wrath and He woos with His kindness. He speaks both languages: severity and tenderness. Do you recall how Jesus interpreted the coming of John the Baptist as a severe, leather-girded, locus-eating, desert-living, adultery-condemning prophet, on the one hand, and His own coming as a party-going, wine-making, child-healing, sin-forgiving savior, on the other hand? He said, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn." Instead, you said, "John has a demon and Jesus is a glutton" (Matthew 11:17). The gospel came with both languages, but they would not hear.

O, unbeliever, God is speaking to you in your pain to warn you, and God is speaking to you in your pleasure to woo you. Don't misread the voice of God.

Therefore let us awaken to the truth of Romans 1:18 that the wrath of God is being revealed now in this age against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of man. We can't understand the world or the gospel without that truth. But let us also awaken to the truth that God is revealing something else at the same time. He is revealing the gift of righteousness for all who will believe on Christ.

So let us flee the wrath of God, and take refuge in the precious power of the gospel of God. Amen.

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/the-wrath-of-god-against-ungodliness-and-unrighteousness

We need Holy Spirit REVIVAL in our CHURCH & in our NATION!

2011-09-18T20:01:00.000-04:00

"Wilt Thou not Thyself revive us again..?"
~ Psalm 85:6

Nelson Bell (former Presbyterian missionary and the father of Ruth Bell Graham, Billy’s wife) warned against. See if these words, written over forty years ago, don’t still ring true! Bell said that dead orthodoxy reveals itself in:

lack of love between Christians
worldliness in the church
ignorance of God’s word
prayerlessness
over emphasis on church organization
spiritual power failure
lowered standards of morality

“. . . the answer to the church’s problem is revival—without it we will degenerate into an ecclesiastical machine grinding out materials, spewing forth pronouncements, fussing over theological distinctions, and languishing in barrenness and sterility.”~ William Hill

It grieves me terribly to say, that with a few wonderful exceptions, this is the PCA of our day, and this is the Reformed and evangelical church in America as well.

What is our problem?

“The plain, blunt truth is that we church people, year after year, slowly but surely, have been compromising more and more with worldliness until the Holy Spirit simply does not see fit to use us as human instruments through which to bring about revival in the church."
~ Chalmers W. Alexander

Worldliness and self-indulgence have so clogged our lives that the Holy Spirit simply does not pour through us with great power. He further says that the right place for a boat is in the water but the wrong place for water is in the boat. The church being in the world is her proper place but the world being in the church is deadly.

If Alexander in 1949 is castigating the church for worldliness, self-indulgence, and the toleration of evil; and if in 1976 Bill Hill is calling the compromised church to see the need for revival, then surely we can agree this is needed today! What must we do? Consider the words of R.A. Torrey who said that the prescription for revival at any time, in any church, in any community or city is this:

First, let a few Christians (they need not be many) get thoroughly right with God themselves. This is the prime essential! If this is not done, then the rest of what he would say would come to nothing.
Second, let them bind themselves together in a prayer group to pray for a revival until God opens the heavens and comes down.
Third, let them put themselves at the disposal of God to use them as He sees fit in winning others to Christ.

Bottom line—unless we see our worldliness, pre-occupation with self, and the toleration of evil in the church and world; unless we repent, and seek God, then we will never see revival. I fear that we are so worldly, so already and dreadfully compromised, so in bed with the harlot of Babylon, that we cannot and will not pull away from those things which are killing the church and bringing God’s certain and terrifying judgment on the world! What needs to happen? Judgment must begin with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). We must get the log out of our own eyes before we can see clearly to get the speck out of the world’s eye (Matthew 7:13-14). And this begins with soul searching, gospel preaching pastors who fearlessly and without compromise eschew the world and by word and deed, move their congregations to do likewise. Preacher, unless you and I get ourselves right with God through repentance, being terribly burdened by the state of Christ’s bride—the lack of love for one another, materialism, ignorance, prayerlessness, unnecessary church and denominational bureaucracy, absence of the Spirit’s anointing, and toleration of evil—then we cannot expect revival. We must have revival preaching, what Richard Owen Roberts called preaching to persuade and convince, preaching for a verdict. Bill Hill said that any preaching which does not call men to repent and believe now is not preaching. Mere instruction is not enough. God knows we have plenty of instruction going on!

Here’s what I suggest—get right with God. Ask God to show you the ugliness of your worldliness and compromise. Repent. Make changes, whatever they must be. Ask God to give you a few people in your church with the same experience. And then pray earnestly, humbly, and desperately. Finally, ask God to use you with the lost. Expect Him to do so.

excerpted from an article by Al Baker

http://seekingarevivalculture.homestead.com

What do I wish? by Penny Blake

2011-09-18T19:59:00.003-04:00

What do I wish?

I got pregnant at 17.

I went to a social worker NUN for counseling.

I wish that instead of humanistic platitudes the nun told me the TRUTH as it is in Jesus.

I wish that she had never called murdering my baby by abortion an 'option'. That was my little baby she was calling an 'option'. It was like she was asking whether I wanted the 'option' of jimmies on my ice cream cone. But, that was my son or daughter that nun was calling a 'choice'. How could she make it seem like killing my baby or letting her live was just a 'decision', like whether choosing between chunky or smooth peanut butter?

I wish that she had dignified my child with the TRUTH about him or her. My little boy or girl's heart was beating.

I wish that she had told me that the Creator designed me & my baby. Why didn't she tell me that the Lord Himself knew my baby before He allowed me to conceive him or her. Why didn't she tell me what God said in Jeremiah 1:5? She was a NUN for crying out loud!

I wish that nun had told me that my infant was a gift from God. Didn't she ever read Psalm 127:3? Why didn't she take out the Bible & read Psalm 139 to me?

I wish that she had reminded me of the commandments I'd learned in Sunday School. Especially: "You shall not commit adultery" & "You shall not murder". Had that nun forgotten that she was supposed to call me to sexual purity & to protect my baby from harm? Didn't the nun want me to save myself for my husband?

I wish she had told me about sin. Aren't religious ladies supposed to do that? Why didn't she tell me that sin is trangression of the Law of God? Didn't she KNOW? Didn't she CARE I was going to hell?

I wish that nun had not focused so much on ME & what I "wanted". I came to her FOR HELP. I thought she KNEW the right answers. I was 17, for crying out loud.

I wish she had pointed me away from myself & turned my eyes toward heaven, where my Maker would help me see myself, my baby & my life in the light of HIS TRUTH. How could that nun forget about God? Wasn't she supposed to be MARRIED to Him?

I wish that nun had told me that God had created me in His own image & that even though I had sinned by fornication, He had given my baby to me as a gift. Why didn't she tell me that? Why didn't she tell me how good God is?

I wish that she had told me it was wrong & sin to be sexually immoral & that God commanded that I put away all thoughts of doing any harm to my baby. What was WRONG with her? Didn't she CARE about my child? Didn't she care about my soul?

I wish that she had shown me photos of my baby at 6 weeks. I wish that she had shown me how amazing my baby was. Why didn't she do that?

I wish that nun had shown me abortion images. I do not understand why she would withhold the TRUTH from me.

I wish that she had offered to help me through pregnancy. Why wasn't she willing to be my friend & a friend to my baby?

I wish that she had told me about adoption. Why didn't she mention that there are loving couples who would have loved my child if I decided I couldn't raise him or her?

I wish that nun had told me that there were maternity homes. Why didn't she take the time to help me find one?

I wish that nun loved God. Why didn't she tell me that He sent His Son so that lost girls like me could be forgiven & made clean by the Blood of the Lamb? Why didn't she tell me that I needed to repent of my fornication & any thoughts of murdering my baby & trust in Jesus?

I wish that nun loved me. I mean REALLY loved me.

I wish she loved my baby. What's NOT to love? I wish she protected my baby. My child was poor & helpless. Didn't she read the story of the Good Samaritan? Didn't she think my little one deserved to be kept from harm?

Why didn't she love me & my baby?

Why did that religious woman leave me in my sin?

I guess I'll never know.

Ode to Open-Air Preaching

2011-09-18T19:59:00.000-04:00

If your Church says it is not Biblical they need to go back in Church History and stop doing man made (& man-centered) methods!!

Biblical Open Air Preaching

A Short History of Open-Air Preaching

There are those who say that preaching in the streets was good for Biblical times, but not for today. Here we will do a historical study of open air preaching and its effectiveness throughout Church history. The subject of preaching is to be differentiated from that of "witnessing." The preaching spoken of throughout this history is best defined by Christ himself in Matthew 10:27: things heard and proclaimed from the housetops.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon: "It would be very easy to prove that revivals of religion have usually been accompanied, if not caused, by a considerable amount of preaching out of doors, or in unusual places."

STREET PREACHING has spawned major movements and Protestant denominations in the last 2000 years. Time and space will not permit us to give more than a few highlights in this format, but hopefully this information will enlighten those with eyes to see, the power and effectiveness of this bold Biblical, and "consistent with the message" approach (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:18).

The Apostles spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire through street preaching, but soon the early church began to see persecution by the Roman Empire. Since public expression of faith in Jesus resulted in death, the Church went underground. When Constantine became emperor Christianity became the official state religion, and there was a decrease in zeal to spread the faith. Then the absolute power that corrupts absolutely corrupted the Church, and it became more of a political organization, losing sight of the self-sacrificing discipleship of the New Testament.

Some attempted to stay on the pure path and questioned the new directions of the "Church," challenging papal authority, infant baptism, and other unbiblical doctrines. These groups however were suppressed by those in authority, and were persecuted by the Bishop of Rome and his followers through the centuries. This faithful line, known by various names (Paulicans, Bogomiles, Cathari, Montanists, Donatists and Albigenses. See "Trail of Blood" by J. M. Carroll.) is traced back to Apostolic times, and are no doubt responsible for a continuation of the narrow path.

Because of intense persecution, public proclamation of the Word of God was virtually non-existent, but as time went on some became very vocal about their displeasure with the papacy. This came from groups within the Catholic Church upset at its growing worldliness, which became "heretics" whose exhortations got them excommunicated.

Below are just a few of the history-changing STREET PREACHERS of the last 20 centuries.

Pre-Cursors to the Protestants

CATHOLIC ORDERS: FRANCISCANS, DOMINICANS.

Though we as Protestants now carry the true form of Biblical faith and understanding concerning GOD and His kingdom, it is noteworthy to see that even within the Catholic church public proclamation of faith took place and is remembered.

The Franciscan Order in the Catholic Church was founded by Francis of Assisi (1182-1226). Francis was son of a wealthy cloth merchant, and spent his youth in pleasure and frolicking until an illness while he was a prisoner of war caused him to reflect on eternity. He later took seriously the commands of Christ to His disciples to sell all and give to the poor, which Francis and his followers did, and received permission from the Pope for their order and "to preach repentance everywhere." According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1909) Francis "usually preached out of doors, in the market-places, from church steps, from the walls of castle courtyards." FRANCIS OF ASSISI WAS A STREET PREACHER!

Many of the early Franciscan preachers were so popular that the churches were not big enough to hold the throngs that came to hear them, so they were forced to preach outside the church in the open air to accommodate the crowds. Some of such popular preachers were Berthold of Regensberg (1220-1272), Anthiony of Padua (1195-1231), and Bernardino of Siena (1380-1444). The fearlessness of these Franciscan friars can be seen in this account of some early Franciscan missionaries to Spain:

"Six brothers were sent to Arab Spain. At first they were politely received, but in Seville they entered a mosque and preached against the Koran.... They were hauled out, beaten, and dragged before the emir. They defied him and reviled Mohammed, that wicked slave of the devil. They were then taken to the top of a tower, whence they shouted down that Mohammed was an imposter. Jailed, they tried to convert the jailer and the other prisoners. Since the authorities could do nothing with them, the missioners were sent to Morocco, where, being still defiant, they were tortured and beheaded...."

Another shining light from the followers of Francis was Raymund Lully (or Ramon Lull, or Raymundus Lullus, 1232-1315). He had a burden to preach to Muslims on their own turf: he wanted to travel to North Africa and evangelize in the streets of a Mohammedan town. His dream came true when he was in his sixties, when he traveled to Bugia in North Africa and "found his way to a public place, stood up boldly, and proclaimed in the Arabic language that Christianity was the only true faith." He was promptly arrested and deported. He returned, however, when he was in his eighties, and "came forth into the open market and presented himself to the people as the same man whom they had once expelled from their town. ... Lull stood before them and threatened them with divine wrath if they still persisted in their errors." This time Raymund Lullus was stoned to death by the mob. He died a martyr, preaching in the streets of a Muslim town, in 1315. FRANCISCANS WERE STREET PREACHERS!

The Dominicans were founded by Dominic (1170-1221), who traveled with Diego and journeyed from town to town conducting open air debates. Some Dominican preachers were again so popular that they had to preach outside the church to accommodate the crowds that came to hear them. Such a Dominican preacher was Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419). DOMINICANS WERE STREET PREACHERS!

Early Protestants

Before Luther and the Protestant Reformation came along, the groundwork for their success was laid by several groups that rose within the Catholic Church and questioned papal authority to the point of getting excommunicated. Three such groups arose in France in the 12th century and were started by STREET PREACHERS.

The Henricians were started by Henry of Lausanne (died 1148), the Petrobrussians by Peter de Bruys (died 1126). They worked together denouncing romanist doctrines like infant baptism and transubstantiation (both were eventually condemned as heretics and martyred.). They also rejected Church buildings, and "preached on the streets and in the open places." THE HENRICIANS AND PETROBRUSIANS WERE STREET PREACHERS!"

WALDENSES

The Waldenses were started by Peter Waldo, a wealthy merchant in Lyons, France in the 12th century. One day he asked a theologian what he should do to gain eternal life. He was answered with the words of Jesus to the rich young ruler, to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Christ. Waldo took this literally, selling his business, giving away his wealth. Together with his followers, they traveled by twos, preaching in the streets, reading passages of Scripture which they translated themselves into the common language. According to Foxe's Book of Martyrs the Inquisition was originally launched against the Waldenses. THE WALDENSES WERE STREET PREACHERS!

The LOLLARDS

Now we come to John Wycliffe (1330-1384), "the morningstar of the Reformation". Wycliffe was the first to translate the Bible into the English language (from the Vulgate), and the Wycliffe Bible Translators take their name from him. His followers were called Lollards, and traveled throughout England preaching in the streets and marketplaces against the errors of Popery. THE LOLLARDS WERE STREET PREACHERS!

THE PROTESTANT REFORMERS

The early Protestant reformers necessarily had to be outdoor preachers, since, as Spurgeon points out, the churches were in the hands of the papacy. William Farel (1489-1565), who paved the way for John Calvin to come to Switzerland, and has been called "the pioneer of Protestantism in Western Switzerland," was a STREET PREACHER. "He turned every stump and stone into a pulpit, every house, every street, and market-place into a church."

The Presbyterian Church was founded in Scotland by John Knox (1513-1572), who started out as a bodyguard for a STREET PREACHER named George Wishart. After Wishart was martyred in 1546, Knox took over as leader of the reformation. Wishart was not allowed to preach in the churches and so preached in the market-places and fields. John Knox accompanied him on his preaching tours, sword in hand, to protect him from violence." Later, when the Church of England was established in Scotland, Protestant preachers were banned from their pulpits and became field preachers, proclaiming their message in the open air. Some of these Scottish Presbyterian field preachers included Richard Cameron (1648-1680) and Donald Cargill (1619-1681). THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH WAS STARTED BY STREET PREACHERS!

POST-REFORMATION PREACHERS

After the Reformation other great movements were started by STREET PREACHERS.

The Methodist Church, co-founded by George Whitefield (1714-1770) and John Wesley (1703-1791) is an example of this period. These two were Anglicans, but being banned from speaking in churches since they were not "licensed," they took to FIELD PREACHING, boldly proclaiming GOD'S WORD to large crowds in streets and markets. Whitefield spoke to estimated crowds of up to 20,000 people in the open air. They traveled throughout England and the American colonies, and were instrumental in the GREAT AWAKENING, a mighty revival that swept the colonies in the eighteenth century. THE METHODIST CHURCH WAS STARTED BY STREET PREACHERS!

George Whitefield stated: "I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields." ... "I now preach to ten times more people than I should, if had been confined to the Churches."

Also from John Wesley: "I am well assured that I did far more good to my Lincolnshire parishioners by preaching three days on my father's tomb than I did by preaching three years in his pulpit." ... "To this day field preaching is a cross to me, but I know my commission and see no other way of preaching the gospel to every creature".

A friend of Whitefield and Wesley's started a great revival in Wales called the Welsh Revival. His name was Howell Harris, and is another example of a man known to be a FIELD PREACHER.

Another great Methodist outdoor preacher at this time was Gideon Ouseley (1762-1839). He traveled on horseback and preached several times a day, without dismounting, in streets, fairs and markets throughout Ireland. Methodists were also instrumental in America's second Great Awakening, typified by outdoor Camp Meetings, started in 1800 by James Mcready, and also featuring the preaching of Peter Cartwright (1785-1872) and Lorenzo Dow (1777-1834).

A great Baptist revival in Scotland was the result of the FIELD PREACHING of Robert (1764-1842) and James (1768-1851) Haldane and Rowland Hill (one of the founders of the Religious Tract Society, and an early advocate of vaccination). They were Anglicans, but converted to Baptists when the established Church forbade their field preaching. Robert and James left their business and sold their estate to devote their time to preaching the Gospel.

MODERN MISSIONS MOVEMENT

The first modern Protestant missionary society was started by William Carey (1761-1834), the first missionary to India. Carey had little education, but taught himself science and languages. He translated the Bible into 11 languages. He went to India and started by preaching to large crowds that gathered in the streets of the brothel district. One of his converts was a young British sailor named Robert Flockhart (1778-1857), who went back to the British Isles and preached in the streets of Edinburgh for 43 years until his death. One of Carey's associates, Mr. Chamberlain would go to the Ganges river where Hindus gathered, and start an argument with one of the Brahmins. When the argument drew a crowd, he would preach to the assembled Hindus. THE MODERN MISSIONS MOVEMENT WAS STARTED BY STREET PREACHERS!

Other famous preachers started their ministries by preaching in the streets, such as C.H. Spurgeon, D.L. Moody, and Billy Graham. Spurgeon began preaching in the streets of London at the age of 16, which he continued until he became pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle at 19.

Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) was a well known preacher in the Chicago area. The Moody Bible Institute bears his name. "One of his regular practices in the late sixties was to exhort the passersby in the evenings from the steps of the court house. Often these impromptu gathering drew as many hecklers as supporters." MOODY WAS A STREET PREACHER!

It is well known that The Salvation Army started out doing a lot of STREET PREACHING!

Coming to Modern Times there is a remnant today of those who still carry on the mission of STREET PREACHING. A particular aspect of open air preaching is utilization of the Free Speech Platforms on College and University Campuses. Cal State Berkeley was ablaze with Bible preaching in the 1960s by Hubert Lindsey (also known as "Holy Hubert" to those turbulent times). Today others follow in his footsteps.

In addition to those we have mentioned, we are sure GOD's judgment will reveal many untold stories of men who have been faithful to this most obvious work. Though little recognition and support has been historically given to such men, the Father will accord them their true glory and reward.

We have only scratched the surface concerning the impact that STREET PREACHERS have had on the world. As this information is neglected in today's churches, it is our hope that by remembering and publicizing this history, hearts and minds will be inspired to see the timelessness and power of this simple approach. STREET PREACHING is the most powerful tool for reaching the world, not only throughout Biblical times, but also in every age of history. We believe that in today's critical times the Church of Jesus Christ needs more than ever to revive this proven ministry.

As Charles Spurgeon testified:

"No sort of defense is needed for preaching out of doors, but it would need very potent arguments to prove that a man had done his duty who has never preached beyond the walls of his meeting-house. A defense is required for services within buildings than for worship outside of them."
Definitions

What then is PREACHING? According to Noah Webster, "Preach" come from a Latin word meaning to "proclaim publicly… a sermon urging acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action , specifically in an earnestly tiresome and officious manner." "Officious" it seems is the key word in much of what is BIBLICAL preaching. The Prophets through Christ and the New Testament church told it like it was and paid the price for their boldness and "officious" manner; as it continues to be defined: "volunteering one’s services where they are not asked for or wanted; meddlesome" and "high-handed."

As we have outlined, PREACHING today is narrowly defined and misunderstood to the exclusion of the above definition. It typically refers to invited people, invited speakers, and scheduled services. BIBLICAL PREACHING, however, conforms to the above definition, and is often to hostile crowds outside "religious" services...to those who would seek to even kill the messenger.

The Old Testament

The Old Testament is rich with accounts of PUBLIC PREACHING.

"Wisdom CRIETH WITHOUT; she uttereth her voice IN THE STREETS: SHE CRIETH IN THE CHIEF PLACE OF CONCOURSE, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words…" (Proverbs 1:20-21).

"CRIETH" means shouting out loud. "WITHOUT" means outside. "CHIEF PLACE OF CONCOURSE" means where the biggest crowds are.

"Doth not wisdom CRY? And understanding PUT FORTH HER VOICE? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors." (Proverbs 8:1-3).

Old testament prophets often PREACHED at the GATES of the city. The gates were the busiest place in town. The cities in Bible times were surrounded by walls for protection, and all traffic in and out of the city went through the gate. It was the place to be to get a message to all visitors (Genesis 19:1) as well as the citizens (going in and out to work in the fields), and the king and all dignitaries. All kinds of activity took place at the gates:

Business transactions (Genesis 23:10ff; II Kings 7:1)
Community meetings/ "city hall" (Genesis 34:20ff; II Samuel 19:8; Proverbs 31:23; Lam. 5:14)
Legal decisions/court (Deut. 22:15ff; 25:7; Ruth 4:1; II Sam. 15:2; Amos 5:15; Zech 8:16)
Public executions ( Deuteronomy 22:24)
Public mourning (II Samuel 18:33)
Daily chores (II Samuel 23:15; I Kings 17:10)
Religious meetings/idolatry (I Kings 22:10; II Kings 23:8; II Chronicles 18:9; Acts 14:13)
The poor (Psa. 69:12; Proverbs 22:22; Amos 5:12)

These then are some of the things that took place at the gates. A man PREACHING at the gate would not only reach large crowds, but also have an IMPACT on and a direct outreach to such varied arenas as: the business community, court decisions, idolatrous meetings, soldiers, government, etc., etc.

AMOS WAS A STREET PREACHER!

"They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly. (Amos 5:10)

ISAIAH WAS A STREET PREACHER!

They "lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate…" (Isaiah 29:21)

JEREMIAH WAS A STREET PREACHER!

"Thus said the Lord unto me, Go and stand in the GATE of the children of the people, whereby the kings of Judah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the GATES of Jerusalem; and say unto them, Hear ye the word of the Lord, ye kings of Judah, and all Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem that enter in by these gates: Thus saith the Lord…" (Jeremiah 17:19-20)

"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Stand in the GATE of the Lord’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord. (Jeremiah 7:1-2)

An interesting point about these men is that most of them spent most of their time not reaching those in other countries, or the most reprobate sinners, but God’s "chosen people," who had the Bible, as they entered the house of God to worship the LORD!

"Thus saith the Lord; Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah…and thy people that enter in by these GATES." (Jeremiah 22:1-2)

"Then read Baruch in the book of the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord…at the entry of the new GATE of the Lord’s house, in the ears of all the people." (Jeremiah 36:10)

The PROPHETS of GOD in the Old Testament did not use "low-key," "subtle" (see Genesis 3:1) approaches, such as literature tables, passing out tracts, invitations to religious meetings, traveling Gospel singing teams, etc., etc.

These things have some limited value, but again, what is the MAIN method of outreach in the BIBLE? What is the most effective way to reach the most people at the least expense? What is the method that most ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE REAL CHARACTER OF GOD? What is the method that is most consistent with the message of Heaven or HELL? What is the one method that receives the least amount of teaching, encouragement and promotion?

STREET PREACHING!!

"Then the Lord said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the STREETS of Jerusalem, saying, Hear ye the words of this covenant, and do them." (Jeremiah 11:6)

"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the Lord…" (Jeremiah 2:1-2)

"CRY ALOUD; SPARE NOT; LIFT UP THY VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET, AND SHOW MY PEOPLE THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB THEIR SINS." (Isaiah 58:1)

In JUDGES 9:7 when Jotham had a message to get to a crowd of people in Shechem (who wanted to kill him), how did he do it? Not with literature, or invitations to religious services, or any other "subtle" methods.

"Jotham went and stood in the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and CRIED, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you." (Judges 9:7)

Jotham found a safe place from which they could all hear him, and LIFTED UP HIS VOICE. Jotham was an open air preacher (ca. 1300 B.C.)

The best example in the OLD TESTAMENT of a foreign missionary is JONAH. GOD sent him to warn Nineveh. Did he rent a hall and invite people to come to a scheduled meeting, enticing them with "special music" and Gospel entertainment? No. Jonah was charged to preach to Nineveh (as we are to the world!), not only to those who would attend his meeting, but to the whole city. The BIBLE says Nineveh was "an exceeding great city of three days journey" (Jonah 3:3); i.e., it took 3 days just to walk around it. Diodorus confirms that Nineveh was 60 miles in circumference (Herodotus records that a day’s journey was 20 miles). Jonah 3:4 says "Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he CRIED, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Jonah went "a day’s journey" into Nineveh, a city of 3 day’s journey, and CRIED. He was PREACHING as he was walking, i.e. OUTDOORS. Jonah was a STREET PREACHER, walking the streets as he preached his message of judgment and truth..

What About the New Testament?

With the subject firmly established within the largely Hebrew mission in the Old Testament, and it's mostly limited focus in the Middle East, we now turn our attention to the New Testament. Beginning with John and moving to our commission to the whole world we are instructed in Mark 16:15,

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel TO EVERY CREATURE."

Our job is to PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE IN THE WORLD. Simple logic will show the best way to accomplish this is to find where the most "creatures" are in one place at one time and proclaim the message loud enough for them all to hear.

"Whom we preach, WARNING EVERY MAN and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in CHRIST JESUS." (Colossians 1:28)

The first PREACHER in the NEW TESTAMENT was JOHN THE BAPTIST. Once again, his preaching was lacking comfortable buildings, music, entertainment, etc. John was an OPEN AIR PREACHER:

"In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, REPENT YE, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 3:1-2; see also Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3)

Matthew says Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan came out to hear John preaching (Matthew 3:5-6). John was baptizing in the river Jordan. Jews who traveled back and forth to Galilee refused to take the direct route through Samaria (John 4:9), but rather went to the Jordan River and followed it up to and from Galilee, so John picked out a place to preach repentance and baptize at a place of heavy traffic, with large crowds.

"Witnessing?"

With the Biblical emphasis of PREACHING TO CROWDS, there is not much "one-on-one witnessing" talked about in Scripture. In today's Church however, there is alot of training and promotion of witnessing. In Sunday School, Bible colleges, seminaries, workshops and books there is heavy emphasis on this approach.

The personal witnessing experiences of JESUS CHRIST get a lot of attention, as well they should, but in the 4 Gospels, covering 2-3 years of CHRIST’s ministry, we find only about THREE cases of personal witnessing: Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and Zaccheus. The Gospels spend much more time pointing out CHRIST’S dealings with "MULTITUDES:" Matthew 4:25; 5:1; 8:1; 18; 12:15; 13:2,34; 14:14; 15:10,30-35,39; 17:14; 19:2; 21:8,11. (Also notable is that Jesus’ one-on-one situations usually came out of these "multitude" situations).

Jesus was with a large crowd when He looked up and saw Zaccheus, and invited him to come down (Luke 19:1-5). And He was in Jerusalem, crowded with Jews from all over the world for the Passover, where He drove the moneychangers out of the temple and preached, "Make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise," and after causing that little stir, Nicodemus came to Him by night (John 2:13-3:1). En route back to His home in Galilee after that incident He stopped and exposed the secret sins of the woman at the well (John 4).

JESUS’ most famous sermons were delivered OUTDOORS. For example, the sermon ON THE MOUNT (Matthew 5,6,7). In Luke 6:17 he preached to a "great multitude" in "the plain" (outdoors). The "Olivet discourse" (Matthew 24) was delivered on the Mount of Olives (outdoors). In Matthew 13 His well known parables were preached to "great multitudes" by "the sea side" (JESUS was a "beach preacher"). He sat in a boat and taught the multitude on the shore.

Just to be clear, we are not saying to stop the work of witnessing : we do it and we encourage it! Again, our interest is given to the MAIN method of outreach found in the Scriptures: open air preaching.

The four Gospels are often described as John and the " three synoptic Gospels," meaning Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar to each other, yet not much information in John is found in the "synoptics." The reason for this is simple: Matthew, Mark, and Luke devote most of their attention to Jesus’ ministry in Galilee, where He lived most of the time. But several times a year, all the Jews in the world would go to Jerusalem for the Feasts (see Exodus 23:14,17). Christ would go to Jerusalem and PREACH to these large crowds gathered there. Everything in JOHN is concerned with these trips of Jesus to Jerusalem during these feasts. The PASSOVER is mentioned in John 2:13; 6:4; and 12:1. The feast of TABERNACLES is mentioned in John 7:2. Another feast is mentioned in John 5:1. HANUKKAH is mentioned in John 10:22. JESUS CHRIST came to Jerusalem to cleanse the Temple (at least twice, John 2; Matthew 21, Mark 11and Luke19), and PREACH TO THE MULTITUDES.

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and CRIED, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink." (John 7:37).

JESUS commanded His apostles:

"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops." (Matthew 10:27)

His apostles carried this out in the book of Acts. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), we find one of the greatest examples of STREET PREACHING of all time. The charismatic read Acts 2, see tongues, and say: We need to speak in tongues like they did in Acts 2. Some fundamentalists read Acts 2 and see 3000 added to the church in one day, and they say: We need to have large church growth like they did in Acts 2. What is missing is the recognition of the delivery and method of STREET PREACHING found in Acts 2,. TONGUES drew a crowd, Peter preached REPENTANCE (Acts 2:38), and the church grew.

It is notable that preaching repentance involves the whole counsel of GOD. In addition to the Gospel, CHRIST preached "THE Kingdom of GOD." This involves the whole of GOD’s character and all instruction on all subjects found in SCRIPTURE.

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore DISPUTED he in the …market daily…(Acts 17:17)

Yes, the apostles’ evangelism often involved "DISPUTING" and judgment, not just preaching GOD’s love (see Acts 6:9; 9:22,29; 11:2; 15:2,7; 17:2; 18:19,28; 19:8,9; 28:23; see also Neh. 13:11; 17,25; Proverbs 28:4; Ephesians 5:11; I Thessalonians 2:2; Jude 3,9; see also examples in Matthew 22; John 7,8).

Why the market? Crowds! The apostles wanted to get the Gospel to the most people at one time, so they went to the markets where crowds gathered, and disputed, preaching the kingdom and wisdom of GOD in the open air.

In Conclusion We See:

MODERN methods are:
Expensive!
Limited to reaching a few of the many who we are commanded to reach
Inefficient
Time and labor intensive
Bureaucratic
Deceiving, in that they have a great show of power, when in fact they are weak.
BIBLICAL methods are: Inexpensive
Unbureaucratic
Strong and in line with the power and content of the message (Heaven and Hell!)
Able to provide place for the defense and explanation of all BIBLICAL matters (see Paul at Mars’ hill; Acts 17)
Able to provide for rebuke, exhortation and warning to all people and situations as required, Ezek. 3:15-21 (Watchmen!)
Time and labor efficient
Wise with the wisdom of GOD
Public, open air preaching of the Gospel and the Kingdom of GOD is imperative for the fulfillment of the GREAT COMMISSION. With the help of GOD available, this is an attainable goal within each of your groups, fellowships, and Churches. It is not unreasonable to think that of every 50 or so believers, ONE could do this work. When you add them up, a city the size of Los Angeles would net at least 500 to 600 men to shoulder the plow in this untouched field. The impact of such a group would be immediate and powerful: from the simple Gospel to the public rebuke of evil, GOD’s mind and will would be shown to all.

"He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6

http://wwwsavedbygrace.blogspot.com/search?q=if+your+church+says+it+is+not+biblical

Depravity

2011-09-18T19:57:00.000-04:00

Original Sin - Depravity Infects Everyone
J.I. Packer (from Concise Theology)

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me" (Ps. 51:5)

Scripture diagnoses sin as a universal deformity of human nature, found at every point in every person (1 Kings 8:46; Rom. 3:9-23; 7:18; 1 John 1:8-10). Both Testaments have names for it that display its ethical character as rebellion against God's rule, missing the mark God set us to aim at, transgressing God's law, disobeying God's directives, offending God's purity by defiling oneself, and incurring guilt before God the Judge. This moral deformity is dynamic: sin stands revealed as an energy of irrational, negative, and rebellious reaction to God's call and command, a spirit of fighting God in order to play God. The root of sin is pride and enmity against God, the spirit seen in Adam's first transgression; and sinful acts always have behind them thoughts, motives, and desires that one way or another express the willful opposition of the fallen heart to God's claims on our lives.

Sin may be comprehensively defined as lack of conformity to the Law of God in act, habit, attitude, outlook, disposition, motivation, and mode of existence. Scriptures that illustrate different aspects of sin include Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 12:30-37; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:18-3:20; 7:7-25; 8:5-8; 14:23 (Luther said that Paul wrote Romans to "magnify sin"); Galatians 5:16-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-19; Hebrews 3:12; James 2:10-11; 1 John 3:4; 5:17. Flesh in Paul usually means a human being driven by sinful desire; the niv renders these instances of the word as "sinful nature."

The particular faults and vices (i.e., forms and expression of sin) that Scripture detects and denounces are too numerous to list here.

Original sin, meaning sin derived from our origin, is not a biblical phrase (Augustine coined it), but it is one that brings into fruitful focus the reality of sin in our spiritual system. The assertion of original sin means not that sin belongs to human nature as God made it (God made mankind upright, Eccles. 7:29), nor that sin is involved in the processes of reproduction and birth (the uncleanness connected with menstruation, semen, and childbirth in Leviticus 12 and 15 was typical and ceremonial only, not moral and real), but that;

(a) sinfulness marks everyone from birth, and is there in the form of a motivationally twisted heart, prior to any actual sins;
(b) this inner sinfulness is the root and source of all actual sins;
(c) it derives to us in a real though mysterious way from Adam, our first representative before God. The assertion of original sin makes the point that we are not sinners because we sin, but rather we sin because we are sinners, born with a nature enslaved to sin.

The phrase total depravity is commonly used to make explicit the implications of original sin. It signifies a corruption of our moral and spiritual nature that is total not in degree (for no one is as bad as he or she might be) but in extent. It declares that no part of us is untouched by sin, and therefore no action of ours is as good as it should be, and consequently nothing in us or about us ever appears meritorious in God's eyes. We cannot earn God's favor, no matter what we do; unless grace saves us, we are lost.

Total depravity entails total inability, that is, the state of not having it in oneself to respond to God and His Word in a sincere and wholehearted way (John 6:44; Rom. 8:7-8). Paul calls this unresponsiveness of the fallen heart a state of death (Eph. 2:1, 5; Col. 2:13), and the Westminster Confession says: "Man by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto" (IX. 3).

http://www.monergism.com/_original_sin_depravity_infect_1.php

What is TRUE REPENTANCE? ~ from a gospel tract by David Downs

2011-09-18T19:55:00.002-04:00

True Repentance
By: Dr. David R. Downs

Are you absolutely sure that you will escape the wrath of God on Judgment Day? Your eternal destiny is the most important thing in the world. Jesus said, “For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). Jesus warned, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). The only way to escape the wrath of God is by genuine repentance. What then is true repentance?

THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE REPENTANCE

1. Face your wickedness. Your sin has separated you from God. “But your iniquities [sins] have separated you from your God” (Isa. 59:2). “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before You” (Luke 15:18). You personally have broken the laws of God intentionally, repeatedly and without remorse. You have lied. You have stolen. You have been sexually immoral in your heart. You have used His holy name as a curse word. You have dishonored your parents. You have murdered people in your heart with your anger. Do you admit this?

2. Fear the fury of God. Do you understand that God is furious with you for your sin? “God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psa. 7:11).
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Rom. 1:18). If you die in your sin you will face the undiluted fury and fierceness of Almighty God. For “He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever” (Rev.14:10- 11). Flee from the wrath to come (cf. Luke 3:7)!

3. Fall before God’s only solution. God, in His love, provides the only solution to our sin problem. Jesus Christ died in our place to pay for our sin. Good works cannot save you. They are tainted with sin. The good works you may have done are an offense to God. “But we are like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6). Christ died in our place to pay our penalty, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him,... the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:4-6).

THE DEFINITION OF TRUE REPENTANCE

Repentance is essential before we can escape the wrath of God, so what exactly is repentance?

1. Turning from Sin to Serve. “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven” (1 Thess. 1:9-10). Turn from sin to faith in Christ. True repentance is a total turning of the total person from all sin, to submission to God. “Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).

2. Turning in One’s Mind. “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before You” (Luke 15:18). True repentance agrees with God that sin is sin and that God is the true God. The more one learns about God and sin the more that person can genuinely repent. A person has not repented who merely quits a sin because it is unhealthy, while not confessing that thing as sin (1 John 1:9). “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon "(Isa. 55:7).

3. A Turning of Emotion. “Blessed are you who mourn [weep and grieve over sin]” (Matt. 5:4). Unsaved people enjoy their “guilty pleasures” – sin. Repentant people are grieved by sin. We hate it and are repulsed by it; “put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done” (Ezk. 9:4). True, in our sinful nature we are still tempted by the deceitful pleasure of sin but the new man is grieved over any hint of attraction to sin.
We hate the fact that we still desire sin! The Spirit of God brings powerful conviction [great blame and shame] upon the Christian who falls into sin (John 16:8). We are ashamed of sin (Isa. 44:9) and we love God (1 John 4:19; 5:3).

4. A Turning of the Will. True repentance wants to stop sinning and start serving God. A criminal may be forced to stop certain crimes like theft but does not want to stop. The reality of a jail cell forces him to stop. A truly repentant person cries out to God for deliverance and victory over sin, and fully intends upon turning from sin to serve God (Rom. 7:18, 21).

5. A Turning of Actions. “They should repent, turn to God, and prove their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20). True repentance is proven by a radically changed life. “Therefore, bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Matt. 3:8). If there is no change there has been no repentance. “Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:10). Zacchaeus the tax collector said to Jesus, “‘Look Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house’” (Luke 19:8-9).

6. A Turning in Faith. Repentance is a turning away from sin to saving faith in Christ, “testifying...repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). Those who trust their good works for salvation have not yet truly repented.
Repentance turns away from reliance upon works to reliance upon Christ alone who died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3-4). Christ died as our substitute – in our place! He died for our sin and rose again. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. Christ died to pay the penalty of death for our sin. “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world” (Acts 17:30).

Cry Out to God “God, be merciful to me a sinner! Lord Jesus, I repent! I believe You died for me and rose again. I believe You are God the Son, the Savior. I now turn from my sin to trust You alone for salvation. Save me please, by Your grace. I commit to obey You, be baptized and join a Bible teaching church. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
“To You first, God, having raised up His servant Jesus sent Him to bless you by turning everyone of you away from your iniquities” (Acts 3:26).
“Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5)

To purchase or download the text of this wonderful tract on True Repentance go to: http://www.cornerstoneorlando.org/evangelism.html

Which of these three ... describes YOU?

2011-09-18T17:23:00.000-04:00

This is 'Little Mary'.
She was murdered at 1103 Lucerne Terrace in Orlando on November 6, 1999 along with many other infants.

Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."
Matthew 5:7

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying,
"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He (Jesus) said to him (the lawyer),“What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

And he (the lawyer) answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

And He (Jesus) said to him (the lawyer), “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

But he (the lawyer), desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied,

“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denariic and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”

He (the lawyer) said, “The one who showed him mercy.”

And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Luke 10:25-37

Which of these three, do you think, describes YOU?

For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy.
James 2:13

Aborted & Born Alive!

2011-09-18T17:22:00.000-04:00

Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.
~ God
Jeremiah 1:5

Children are a gift of the Lord.
Psalm 127:3

You shall not murder.
~ God

JH: Born alive from abortion & survived

Viable infants have been being murdered by labor and delivery at Orlando Women's Center, and their sister clinics, since 1996. Some of the babies are born alive. Here is the story of one of the babies who survived induction of labor abortion attempt at Orlando Women's Center.

The Story of Carol Howard
Her baby girl was born alive after she tried to abort her at Orlando Women's Center

On November 15, 2001 20 year old single mother Carol Howard drove her white Chevy Malibu to Orlando Women's Center to abortion her baby at 22.3 weeks gestation (a little more than halfway to her due date). She was pregnant for the third time. Along with a living child, Carol had already had murdered one baby previously. The counselor at the abortuary, Davella Clerveau, took Carol through the consent forms. Ms Clerveau made a note of Carol Howard's reason for termination: "personal choice". The 'informed consent to terminate pregnancy' form is three detailed pages, including many of the risks of abortion. Carol put her signature, or initial, on every page. One of the forms asked the question: "How do you feel about having an abortion?" Carol Howard circled: "scared", 'bad', 'sad' and 'guilty'. Another question was "What are your main concerns about the abortion today?" Carol circled; 'That I'll have complications' & 'That I'll be punished'. Carol also signed a document entitled 'Informed Consent for Induction of Labor', among other forms. Carol wrote that she was referred to Orlando Women's Center by Dr Wolford of Orlando. Davella explained what would be involved in aborting her living, viable baby. The method of abortion at this stage is induction of labor and delivery. If all went according to plan Carol Howard's infant would be stillborn. Carol paid $1300 cash to have her infant murdered. All did not go according to plan.

Carol Howard was induced into labor at Orlando Women's Center that day. According to her medication flow sheet 200mg of Cytotec were administered to Carol Howard every hour beginning at 1:30pm through midnight. At 1:30am clinic worker Tanya Severance noted in her chart: "1am Patient was very upset about us not being able to give her pain meds. She left without signing release. Would not talk with us before leaving in a fit of temper....She also thought this was taking way to long".

Carol Howard left the Orlando Women's Center in labor and ended up at Arnold Palmer Hospital. Her medical record from Orlando Women's Center notes that OWC clinic worker Janet Ranier called ORMC's ER to see if Carol Howard was there. Her medical record notes that Ms Ranier was advised "she was @ Arnold Palmer in Labor & Delivery... Janet spoke with Linda Poole in Labor & delivery. Linda Poole says that @ 4:35am she was delivering." That note was signed TS (clinic worker Tanya Severence, now deceased).

Carol Howard's baby girl was born alive at Arnold Palmer hospital on November 16, 2001. She weighed 555 grams, which is 1lb 6oz. Carol's baby girl, identified only as 'JH' in court documents, was given heroic medical treatment and she survived. Carol Howard had paid good cash money to have her baby murdered. She did not get what she paid for.

On May 25, 2004 a civil action was filed (Case 04CA-1202 Orange County, Florida) against abortionist Randall Whitney, James Scott Pendergraft & Orlando Women's Center. The Plaintiff Douglas B Stalley, guardian de son tort of the property of JH, an incapacitated Minor. That minor is Carol Howard's baby girl. She is 10 years old now. The suit is to provide funds for the lifetime care of JH, Carol's daughter.

Carol Howard's daughter 'JH' suffered enormous physical problems as a result of being born too early. These are listed in court documents (but not limited to):
cerebral palsy
loss of function of left side of body
strokes/brain damage
physical, emotional & cognitive delays
lung damage & chronic lung disease &
seizure disorder

The trial began on Monday, July 18, 2011 in Orlando's Orange County Court. Friends who were in the courtroom were near weeping when the played abortionist Randall Whitney's depostion by video. (Whitney was the abortionist 'on call' the night that Carol Howard was laboring at OWC.) In the videotaped deposition Whitney cavalierly described babies being delivered into toilets alive and still moving. Today, July 21, 2011, the jury decided for Carol Howard's little girl! James Scott Pendergraft has to pay 36 million dollars for the lifetime care of JH. Pendergraft also has to pay are $426,000 for court costs. Please pray that all of the details of this born-alive abortion case are picked up by the media. Pray that babies like little JH are protected in life and by law. Please pray that the deposition of Randall Whitney becomes public property. Everyone needs to see and hear how this old baby-killer describes babies being born alive after being aborted.

See also another child, Baby Rowan, who was born alive after his mother procured a labor and delivery abortion at EPOC, affliliated with OWC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfnNzIzvT-k

The Spirit of God hath made me, & the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
Job 33:4

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14

Antinomianism is Heresy: We Are NOT Set Free TO Sin

2011-09-18T17:21:00.000-04:00

Antinomianism: “We Are Not Set Free to Sin.”

1. Dualistic Antinomianism

Dualistic antinomianism appears in the Gnostic heretics against whom Jude and Peter wrote (Jude 4-19; 2 Peter 2). This view sees salvation as for the soul only, and bodily behavior as irrelevant both to God’s interest and to the soul’s health, so one may behave riotously and it will not matter.

2. Spirit-Centered Antinomianism

Spirit-centered antinomianism outs such trust in the Holy Spirit’s inward prompting as to deny any need to be taught by the law how to live. Freedom from the law as a way of salvation is assumed to bring with it freedom from the law as a guide to conduct. In the first 150 years of the Reformation era this kind of antinomianism often threatened, and Paul’s insistence that a truly spiritual person acknowledges the authority of God’s Word through Christ’s apostles (1 Cor. 14:37; cf. 7:40) suggests that the Spirit-obsessed Corinthian church was in the grip of the same mind set.

3. Christ-Centered Antinomianism

Christ-centered antinomianism argues that God sees no sin in believers, because they are in Christ, who kept the law for them, and therefore what they actually do makes no difference, providing that they keep believing. But 1 John 1:8-2:1 (expounding 1:7) and 3:4-10 point in a different direction, showing that it is not possible to be in Christ and at the same time to embrace a sinful way of life.

4. Dispensational Antinomianism

Dispensational antinomianism holds that keeping the moral law is at no stage necessary for Christians, since we live under a dispensation of grace, not of law. Romans 3:31 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 clearly show, however, that law keeping is a continuing obligation for Christians. “I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law,” says Paul (1 Cor. 9:21).

5. Dialectical Antinomianism

Dialectical antinomianism, as in Barth and Brunner, denies that biblical law is God’s direct command and affirms that the Bible’s imperative statements trigger the Word of the Spirit, which when it comes may or may not correspond exactly to what is written. The inadequacy of the neo-orthodox view of biblical authority, which explains the inspiration of Scripture in terms of the Bible’s instrumentality as a channel for God’s present day utterances to His people, is evident here.

6. Situationist Antinomianism

Situationist antinomianism says that a motive and intention of love is all that God now requires of Christians, and the commands of the Decalogue and other ethical parts of Scripture, for all that they are ascribed to God directly, are mere rules of thumb for loving, rules that love may at anytime disregard. But Romans 13:8-10, to which this view appeals, teaches that without love as a motive these specific commands cannot be fulfilled. Once more an unacceptably weak view of Scripture surfaces.

Excerpted from: Concise Theology by J.I. Packer

Does your church feed the sheep or amuse the goats?

2011-09-18T17:20:00.000-04:00

Feeding Sheep
or Amusing Goats?

by Charles Haddon Spurgeon
1834-1892

An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most shortsighted can hardly fail to notice it during the past few years. It has developed at an abnormal rate, even for evil. It has worked like leaven until the whole lump ferments.The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them.

From speaking out as the Puritans did, the church has gradually toned down her testimony, then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses.

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church. If it is a Christian work, why did not Christ speak of it? "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). That is clear enough. So it would have been if He had added, "and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel." No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him.

"He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers .., for the work of the ministry" (Eph. 4:11-12). Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people or because they refused?

Providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the church to the world? "Ye are the salt" (Matt. 5:13), not the sugar candy...

Had Christ introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His mission, He would have been more popular when they went back, because of the searching nature of His teaching. I do not hear Him say, "Run after these people Peter and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow, something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it. Be quick Peter, we must get the people somehow." Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them, but never sought to amuse them.

In vain will the Epistles be searched to find any trace of this gospel of amusement! ...They had boundless confidence in the gospel and employed no other weapon.

Lord, clear the church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her, and bring us back to apostolic methods.

excerpted from:
http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/Church/Spurgeon.htm

Friends,
Ask Jesus to help you be discerning in assessing the gospel proclamation at YOUR church. Is your pastor a shepherd or a goatherd?

Look unto Jesus, not the 'church'

2011-09-18T17:19:00.000-04:00

The Bible will tell you that redemption is in Christ Jesus and not in a Church. Eph 1:7 is clear on this point saying of Christ Jesus,
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

The command of the New Testament is to,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, (not the church,) and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).

Never ever do the Apostles direct people to put their confidence in the Church. The Church was not nailed to the cross, Christ was.

Jesus Christ is always the object of true faith. He, not any church, is the rock on which we rest with full confidence. We are to look “unto Jesus (not the church) the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2).

Jesus said, “Come unto ME (not the church) and I (not the church) will give you rest.” (Matt 11:28)

The ‘True Church’ is in Jesus Christ! All who have trusted in Him and His substitutionary work on their behalf are already in that ‘True Church’. And since we are already members of the True Church we don’t have to join somebody’s notion of the same.

Writing to the believers in Corinth Paul says,
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members in particular (1 Cor. 12:27).

Again he writes to the Ephesians,
“For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones (Eph 5:30).

Paul again speaks to the Colossians about the True Church saying,

“And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the church:” (Col 1:18).

All believers are joined in union with Christ. We are in fact “in Christ”. In Him we are members of the True Church, therefore, to trust in membership of some earthly organization, no matter how ancient, is to desert and abandon the Gospel.

It may be of interest to read, in this regard, what the Roman Catholic Church has to say about herself and her identity as the ‘True Church’. The following quotations are from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 1994. This is not, as some sensitive souls may suggest, to pick on Roman Catholics but merely to quote, from her own materials, what Rome clearly teaches about herself.

Paragraph 181 “Believing” is an ecclesial act. The Church’s faith precedes, engenders, supports and nourishes our faith. The Church is the mother of all believers. ‘No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church (Roman Catholic) as Mother’”

Paragraph 778. “The Church (Roman Catholic) is both the means and the goal of God’s plan: prefigured in creation, prepared for in the Old Covenant, founded by the words and actions of Jesus Christ, fulfilled by his redeeming cross and his Resurrection, the Church (Roman Catholic) has been manifested as the mystery of Salvation by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Paragraph 816. “‘The sole Church of Christ (is that) which our Savior, after his Resurrection, entrusted to Peter’s pastoral care, commissioning him and the other apostles to extend and rule it…. This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him.’[LG 8 # 2.]

Paragraph 830. “The word ‘catholic’ means ‘universal,’ in the sense of ‘according to the totality’ or ‘in keeping with the whole.’ The Church is catholic in a double sense: First, the Church is catholic because Christ is present in her. ‘Where there is Christ Jesus, there is the Catholic Church.’[St. Ignatius of Antioch, Ad Smyrn. 8, 2: Apostolic Fathers, II/2, 311.] In her subsists the fullness of Christ’s body united with its head; this implies that she receives from him ‘the fullness of the means of Salvation’

And from the Catholic Encyclopedia,

‘only by entering the Church (Roman Catholic) can we participate in the redemption wrought for us by Christ.’ (The Catholic Encyclopedia, Section 6 of The Church)

‘Incorporation with the Church (Roman Catholic) can alone unite us to the family of the second Adam, and alone can engraft us into the true Vine.’ (ibid)

‘Union with the Church (Roman Catholic) is not merely one out of various means by which salvation may be obtained: it is the only means.’ (Ibid).

But of course Rome does not stand alone in her denial of and opposition to the Gospel. There are many Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal groups who do exactly the same as they claim for themselves the honor of being the ‘True Church’. Again let us be clear on the matter, if they are the ‘True Church’ we should join them; if they are not then we must recognize they are going forth deceived and to deceive and no Gospel believing Christian can therefore afford to associate with their systems. We must learn to judge all things by the gospel!

The ‘True Church’ doctrine and the Gospel are diametrically opposed to each other. They both offer the same thing —acceptance with God; both can’t be true. Either acceptance with God is found in Christ or by belonging to the ‘True Church’—-either or….take your pick! If a church can make you accepted with God you don’t need Jesus.

http://thereformedtraveler.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/wednesday-word-the-gospel-and-the-true-church-2/

"My daughter was raped"

2011-09-18T17:17:00.003-04:00

I want to tell you all a story from this morning. The stepdad of a pregnant 15 year old lied to the Christian who was there at at the abortuary offering help in Jesus' Name. He told Heather (my co-laborer in the gospel) that his step-daughter was a victim of sexual assault, assuming that would cause Heather to see his pre-born grandchild as unworthy of protection. The man even went so far as to say: "My daughter was raped. We have her in therapy. DCF and police have been informed and are looking for the man." Heather was very sensitive to this revelation and spoke to the step-father about the innocence of the baby & provided him with the wonderful option of adoption & showed him couples who were on the adoption waiting list. (www.parentprofiles.com). Later, the girl admitted to Heather that she was not raped but was pregnant by her boyfriend, who accompanied her to the killing place. People like to use rape as an excuse to have a baby murdered.

No infant is medical waste.

Please, protect the children.

All children.

All the time.

Have a heart.

Love the babies

The Holy Spirit says:

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction...
Rescue those who are being taken away to death;
hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter."
~ Proverbs 31:8;24:11

Are you holy?

2011-09-18T17:17:00.000-04:00

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
~ II Corinthians 13:5

Strive...for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
~ Hebrews 12:14

Are you holy?
Take this test!

TRIAL and EXAMINATION1. First, It is possible for you to know whether you have this real holiness or not. It is possible for you by the light of the Spirit, by the light of the Word, and by the light of your own consciences, to see whether holiness, which is the image of God—is stamped upon your souls or not. Though it be impossible for you to climb up to heaven to search the records of glory, to see whether your name is written in the book of life—yet it is possible for you to go down into the chambers of your own soul, to enter into the withdrawing-rooms of your own heart—and there to read what impressions of holiness are upon you. Though this work be hard and difficult—yet it is noble and possible; though the heart be deceitful and full of shifts—yet it is possible for a man to make such a particular, such a narrow, such a diligent, such a faithful, and such an impartial search into his own soul—as that he may certainly know whether he has that real holiness which is the pledge of immortal happiness or not; it is possible for him who has this jewel, this holiness, to know it, to find it, and in the beautiful face of holiness to read his own everlasting happiness.

It is possible for you to know whether this babe of grace, holiness, be formed in your souls or not; and therefore search and inquire after it.

2. Secondly, Consider this, that it is a point of very great concern to you to know whether you have this real holiness or not. Your souls depend upon it, eternity depends upon it, your all depends upon it! An error here may make a man miserable forever. It is good for you to know the state of your body, the state of your family—but it is of infinite more consequence for you to know the state of your own soul. No man lives so miserable, nor no man dies so sadly—as he who lives and dies a stranger to his own soul. It is good for you to have all accounts good between yourself and others—but it is far better to have all accounts good between God and your own soul. Ah, how many are there who are better known to others—than they are to themselves! and who are able to give a better account of their treasures and trifles—than they are of the state of their souls! [Luke 12:16-21, and 16:19, 26.]

Ah, how many are there who are very inquisitive to know things to come, to know what will be hereafter, to know whether they shall be great and rich in the world, Eccles. 7:10, to know whether they shall be prosperous and successful ...and yet are not at all inquisitive after the state of their souls, nor whether they have this real holiness, without which there is no happiness! [Job 21:23-24; Isaiah 41:22-23, and 43:9-10.

Yet they never inquire what will become of them hereafter! They never inquire what state they shall enter upon after death, whether upon a state of eternal woe or a state of everlasting bliss! Of all acquaintances in this world, there is none compared to that of a man's being acquainted with the state of his own soul. A mistake about my outward condition may trouble me—but a mistake about my spiritual condition may damn me! There are many ways to make up my mistakes about temporals—but there is no way to make up my mistakes about eternals! If at last I shall be found to be mistaken in the great concernments of my soul—I am undone forever!

You are in a state of nature—or in a state of grace; you are in a state of darkness—or in a state of light; you are in a state of life—or in a state of death; you are in a state of God's love—or in a state of God's wrath; you are either sheep—or goats; you are either sons of God—or slaves of Satan; you are either in the broad way to destruction—or in the narrow way of salvation. Therefore what can be of greater concern in this world to you than to know in which of these two spiritual estates you are in? How can you order aright your prayers, or your praises, or any religious services, until you come to know in which of these two spiritual estates you stand? —whether you are in a state of nature or in a state of grace, in a state of sin or in a state of holiness. ...It very dearly concerns you to search and try whether you have this bird of paradise, holiness, in your bosoms or not. And for a close, let me say, that a mistake about your spiritual estate will at last be found not only unallowable and inexcusable—but very terrible and damnable.

3. Thirdly, Consider that a cordial willingness to enter heartily upon this work of trial, is a hopeful evidence of your real integrity and sanctity. Unsanctified souls hate the light; they had rather go to hell in the dark, than come to be weighed in the balance of the sanctuary, John 3:20. As pure gold fears neither fire nor furnace, neither test nor touchstone, neither one balance nor another—so a pure heart, a sanctified soul, dares venture itself upon trial, yes, upon the very trial of God. For he knows that God never brings a pair of scales to weigh his graces—but only a touchstone to try the truth of his graces; he knows if his gold be true, though it be ever so little, it will pass for current with God. [Job 31:5-6; Psalm 26:2; 139:23-24; Mat. 12:20.] Unsanctified souls care not to come to the trial, to the test, because they know that all is bad, yes, worse than bad with them. They have no mind to cast up their spiritual estates, because at the foot of the account they must be forced to read their neck-verse, "Undone, undone, forever undone!"

As old deformed women cannot endure to look into the looking-glass, lest their wrinkles and deformity should be discovered; so unsanctified souls cannot endure to look into the mirror of the gospel, lest their deformities, impieties, and wickednesses should be discovered and detected...so unholy people are very unwilling to look into their own hearts, or into the clear streams of Scripture, lest their souls' deformity and ugliness should appear, to their own terror and amazement.

It is a hopeful evidence that a Christian has real holiness—when he is ready and willing to bring his holiness to the test, to try whether it be true or not—when he is willing to cast up his books, that he may see what he is worth for the eternal world, Gal. 6:4-5.

4. Fourthly, Consider that there are very many who deceive themselves about their spiritual estates. It is the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself, Job 15:34, and Proverbs 30:12. There are those who do but think that they stand, (1 Cor. 10:12,) and these at last come to fall from their seeming standing into a real hell—yes, from their highest standing into the lowest hell. There are many who think themselves to be something—when they are nothing, Gal. 6:3. There are many who have a form of godliness—but none of the power, 2 Tim. 3:8. There are many who are very confident of their integrity—and yet are full of horrible hypocrisy. There are many who carry the lamps of profession—who have no oil of grace in their hearts. There are many who take—a good nature for grace, civility for sanctity, and a garb of godliness for real holiness—yes, there are those who dare say that they excel others in holiness, when, in truth, they exceed most men in wickedness [Isaiah 9:17, 29:13; Jer. 7:4, 8-11; Rev. 3:16-18; Isaiah 65:2-5; Mat. 25.]

Yes, there are many now in hell who have had a great confidence of going to heaven...and hell stands gaping to devour them. The heart of man is full of self-love, full of self-flattery, and full of hypocrisy, and therefore many a man who is only a Jew outwardly, thinks himself to be a Jew inwardly, Romans 2:28-29. Many a man thinks himself to be as good a Christian as the best, and to be as happy as the best, and to be as fair for heaven as the best, until he comes to hear that tormenting word, "Depart, I know you not!"

As many are kept off from Christ by a conceit that they have Him already. And therefore it does very much concern you to make a diligent inquiry whether you have that holiness without which there is no happiness, or not. As you would not put a cheat upon your own souls, it highly concerns you to try whether you have real holiness or not. Look!... Many a man, out of a strong conceit that he has holiness when he has none, catches many a fall in an eternal fall at last. The best way to prevent an everlasting miscarriage, is to make a privy search after holiness in your own heart.

5. Fifthly, Consider that there is a great deal of counterfeit grace and holiness in the world. ...Look! as many counterfeit gems, do so shine and sparkle like true jewels, that if a man is not very careful he may be easily cheated; so counterfeit grace, counterfeit holiness, does so shine and sparkle, they do so nearly resemble real holiness, and the sanctifying and saving graces of the Spirit—that a man may be easily mistaken, if he do not make a careful search. Does the gracious soul abstain from gross sins? so does the formalist also. Do saints fast and pray? so do Pharisees also. Does Peter shed tears? so does Esau also. Does Peter repent? so does Judas also. Does Cornelius give alms? so do the Pharisees also. Does Zaccheus believe? so does Simon Magus also. Does David confess his sin? so does Saul also. Does David delight in approaching to God? so do Isaiah's hypocrites also. Does Hezekiah humble himself? so do Ahab and the king of Nineveh also. Does a gracious soul hear the word with joy? so did Herod also. Does a gracious soul receive the word with joy? so did the stony ground hearer also. Does a gracious soul delight in his teacher? so did Ezekiel's worldlings also. Is a gracious soul in closet duties? so is the Pharisee also, etc. [Mat. 25:1-4; Ezra 8; Esther 4; Daniel 9; Mat. 6:16; Luke 18:11; Mat. 27; Heb. 12; Mat. 6; Acts 10:1-4; Luke 19:11; Acts 21:8; 1 Sam. 15:24; Isaiah; 2 Chron. 32:26; 1 Kings 22:15; Jonah 3; Mark 6; Ezek. 33:30-33; Luke 18:11.]

There is a great deal of counterfeit holiness abroad, and therefore you had need bring yours to the trial. As all is not gold that glitters—just so, all is not holiness that men take for holiness, that men count for holiness.

Counterfeit faith does so nearly resemble true faith, and counterfeit love true love, and counterfeit repentance true repentance, and counterfeit obedience true obedience, and counterfeit knowledge true knowledge, and counterfeit holiness true holiness—that it is not an easy matter to discover the one from the other. O sirs, true grace and counterfeit grace, true holiness and counterfeit holiness—look so like one another, that, without a divine light to guide you, you may be easily cheated and deceived forever.

In these days of profession there is abundance of false ware put off. Satan is a subtle merchant; ... he labors to furnish his customers with the shows and resemblances of grace and holiness—so that he may hold them the faster in golden fetters, and put them off from looking after that real holiness, without which no man can be blessed here, or happy hereafter. And therefore it nearly concerns every man to search and try whether he has real holiness or not.

6. Sixthly, Consider, if upon trial you shall find in yourself this real holiness which paves the way to happiness, it will turn exceedingly to your accounts. Your eternal happiness depends upon the real being of holiness in you—but your present comfort depends upon your seeing of holiness. Genuine holiness will yield you a heaven hereafter; but genuine assurance will yield you a heaven here. He who has holiness and knows it, shall have two heavens—a heaven of joy, comfort, peace, contentment, and assurance here—and a heaven of happiness and blessedness hereafter. But he who has holiness ...shall have a heaven at last—but he must pass to it by the flaming sword, 1 Cor. 3:11, 16.

When a person is heir to a great estate, and knows it; when a person is son to a king, and knows it; when a person is highly in favor, and knows it; when a person is out of all hazard and danger, and knows it; when a person's pardon is sealed, and he knows it—then the spring of joy and comfort rises in him. Just so—when a man is holy, and knows it, then the spring of divine joy and comfort rises in his soul, as the waters rise in Ezekiel's sanctuary, Ezek. 47:2-5.

Genuine assurance will be a spring of joy and comfort in you. It will make heavy afflictions light, long afflictions short, and bitter afflictions sweet, 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 1 Cor. 15:58. It will make you frequent, fervent, constant, and abundant in the work of the Lord. It will strengthen your faith, raise your hope, inflame your love, increase your patience, and brighten your zeal. It will make every mercy sweet, every duty sweet, every ordinance sweet, and every providence sweet. It will rid you of all your sinful fears and cares. It will give you ease under every burden, and it will make death more desirable than life, Phil. 1:22, 23; 2 Cor. 5:1, 10. It will make you more strong to resist temptation, more victorious over opposition, and more silent in every difficult condition.

Genuine assurance will turn every winter night into a summer's day, every cross into a crown, and every wilderness into a paradise. Genuine assurance will be a sword to defend you, a staff to support you, a cordial to strengthen you, a medicine to heal you, and a star to lead you.

And oh, who then will not take some pains with his own heart to know the goodness and holiness of his own estate? Well, remember this, next to a man's being holy, it is the greatest mercy in this world to know that he is holy. But... the way to be found, is to see yourselves lost: the way to infinite mercy is to see your own misery; the way to Canaan is through the wilderness; the way to heaven is by the gates of hell. Upon the knowledge of the badness and sadness of your estate, you will be awakened out of your security, and you will be alarmed to loathe yourself, to judge yourself, to condemn yourself, to be sick of sin, to break with Satan, and to close with Christ.

Now the daily language of your soul will be, "... What shall I do to be saved? "Acts 2:37, 42, and 16:22, 35. "Oh, what shall I do to get my sinful nature changed, my hard heart softened, my blind mind enlightened, my polluted conscience purged, and my poor naked soul adorned with grace and holiness?" Now the daily language of your soul will be that of the martyr, "Oh, none but Christ! None but Christ!" "Oh, none but Christ to pardon me! None but Christ to justify me! None but Christ to command me! None but Christ to save me! None but Christ to reign over me!"

Now the language of your soul will be this, "Oh, though I have formerly thought myself to be wise—yet now I see myself to be a fool! Oh that Christ would be wisdom to me! 1 Cor. 1:30-31. Oh, now I see myself to be red with guilt, and black with filth! Oh that Christ would be righteousness to me! Oh, now I see myself to be unclean, unclean! Oh that Christ would be sanctification to me! Oh, now I see myself to be in a damnable condition! Oh that Christ would be redemption to me! Rev. 3:16-18. Oh, now I see myself naked! Oh that Christ would clothe me! Now I see myself poor and miserable! Oh that Christ would enrich me! Now I feel myself to be hungry! Oh that Christ would be bread of life to feed me! Now I perceive myself to be lost! Oh that Christ would seek me! Now I fear that I am perishing! Oh that Christ would save me!"

Now the language of your souls will be that of the lepers, "If we stay here—we die!" 2 Kings 7:3-6. "If we stay in our unsanctified and unrenewed estate—we die! If we stay in our sins—we die! If we stay on our duties—we die! If we stay on a conceited or counterfeit holiness—we die! If we stay on a form of godliness—we die! If we stay on a name to live—we die! If we stay where the world stays—we die! If we stay in anything a-this side Christ and real holiness—we die, we eternally die! Therefore, let us arise and make a venture of our souls upon Christ, and pursue after that holiness, without which there is no eternal happiness!" But,

7. Seventhly and lastly, Consider that there are many who are truly holy, who have real holiness in them—and yet for lack of a narrow search, diligent inquiry into their spiritual estates, they come to be sorely and sadly afflicted with fears and doubts about their lack of holiness. As the treasures of this world often lie obscure and hidden in the midst of the earth—just so, the treasures of holiness often lie obscure and hid in many a gracious soul, for lack of a privy search. As it is one mercy for me to believe, and another mercy for me to know that I do believe, 1 John 5:13; as it is one mercy for me to be beloved, and another mercy for me to know that I am beloved, Psalm 4:6, and 51:1-3; as it is one mercy for me to be pardoned in the court of glory, and another mercy for me to know that I am pardoned in the court of conscience; as it is one mercy for me to have my name written in the book of life, and another mercy for me to be told that my name is written in that book, Luke 10:20—just so, it is one mercy for me to have real holiness in me, and another mercy for me to see it and to know it.

As we many times complain of the lack of those things which we have in our hands—just so, many dear Christians complain of the lack of that holiness which they have in their hearts. The spring of holiness is near to many a Christian, yes, it is in many a Christian—and yet he sees it not, he knows it not. As Jacob once said, "The Lord was in this place—and I knew it not," Gen. 28:16; so many a precious soul may say, I had real holiness in my heart—and I knew it not. As the face of Moses did shine—but he saw it not, he knew it not, though others did see it and take notice of it, Exod. 34:29-35—just so, holiness shines in many a Christian's heart and life—yet corruptions raise such a dust in his soul that he sees it not, he knows it not, though others can see it, take notice of it, and bless and admire the Lord for it.

As there are some who think they are rich, when they are not; and that say they are rich, when they are not, Rev. 3:16-17; Proverbs 13:7—just so, there are others who are rich—and yet they will not say it, nor believe it; so there are some who think they have holiness, when they have not, yes, who say they have holiness when they have not, Isaiah 65:3-6; Mark 8:18. Just so—there are others who have real holiness—and yet they dare not think so, they dare not say so; yes, they are apt, in times of temptation, desertion, sore afflictions, and when they are under the sensible stirrings of strong corruptions—to conclude that they have no holiness, no grace—when indeed they have. Witness Job, chapter 13:24, and 19:9; witness David, Psalm 22:1-2; witness Asaph, Psalm 73:2, 11; witness Heman, Psalm 88:1, 17; witness Jeremiah, Lam. 3:18; witness the whole church, Isaiah 49:15-16; Ezek. 37:11-12; and witness the disciples, John 14:4, 5, 7-9, 20, compared.

To know ourselves to be holy, is very desirable; but woe is it to many precious Christians—that they are holy and yet not know it—that they have holiness in their hearts, when it is hidden from their eyes. Look! as sparks and coals of fire are often hidden under the ashes, and we see them not; and as in winter the sap and life is hidden in the root of the tree, and we perceive it not; and as precious flowers are hidden in their seeds, and we discern them not; just so—when it is winter with a Christian, his holiness may be so hidden and covered under fears, doubts, sins, etc., that he may not be able to see it, to discern it, or conclude that he has it.

As the air is sometimes clear and sometimes cloudy, and the sea sometimes ebbing and sometimes flowing—so the holiness of the saints is sometimes so clouded, and at so low an ebb, that a Christian can hardly discern it, he can hardly say, "Lo, here is my holiness!" The being of holiness in the soul is one thing, the seeing of holiness in the soul is another thing; the being of holiness is one thing, the feeling of holiness is another thing. A Christian may as safely conclude that there are no stars in the sky in a dark night, because he cannot see them; and that there is no treasure in the mine, because he cannot discern it, nor come to the feeling of it—as he may conclude that he has no holiness in his heart, because he cannot see it, he cannot feel it. As the treasures of this world—so the treasures of holiness oftentimes lie low—a man must dig deep before he can come at them, Proverbs 2:3-6. As the babe lives in the womb—but does not know it; and as the sun often shines into the house, and a man does not see it—so the babe of grace may be formed in the soul—and yet a Christian not know it; and the sun of holiness may shine in his soul—and yet he not see it. Oh, therefore, how greatly does it concern Christians to make a diligent, a narrow, and a serious search into their own hearts, whether they have this jewel of glory—holiness—in their souls or not!

Excerpted from:

The Necessity, Excellency, Rarity, and Beauty of Holiness
Thomas Brooks, 1662
Use 2. TRIAL and EXAMINATION
http://www.gracegems.org/Brooks/crown_and_glory_of_christianity6.htm
--
Every truth leads towards holiness; every error of doctrine, directly or indirectly, leads to sin.

Are you willing to leave the 99 with Jesus, to save the wandering sheep?

2011-09-18T17:05:00.002-04:00

My sheep hear My voice,
and I know them,
and they follow Me.
~ Jesus, the Good Shepherd
Matthew 10:27

To acquire soul-winning power, you will have to go through fire and water, through doubt and despair, through mental torment and soul distress. You must go into the fire if you are to pull others out of it, and you will have to dive into the floods if you are to draw others out of the water.
~ Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Jesus taught His followers never to think of settling down in the pews as the obedient, abundant Christian life. The Master's Words still ring true today. The Savior is asking you: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?" (Matthew 18:12)

When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice...I am the good Shepherd; I know My sheep and My sheep know Me. ...I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to My voice, and there shall be one Flock and one Shepherd.
~ Jesus
John 10:4, 14, 16

I was a wandering sheep,
I did not love the fold.
I did not love my Shepherd's voice,
I would not be controlled.

I was a wayward child,
I did not love my home.
I did not love the Father's Word,
I loved afar to roam.

The Shepherd sought His sheep,
The Father sought His child.
They followed me over vale and hill,
Over deserts waste and wild.

They found me near to death,
famished and faint and lone.
They bound me with the bands of love,
They saved the wandering one.

Jesus is my Shepherd,
It was He that loved my soul.
It was He that washed me in His blood,
It was He that made me whole.

It was He that sought the lost,
That found the wandering sheep.
It was He that brought me to the fold,
It is He that still does keep.

I was a wandering sheep,
I would not be controlled.
But now I love my Shepherd's voice,
I love, I love the fold.

I was a wayward child,
I once preferred to roam.
But now I love my Father's voice,
I love, I love His home.

I Was A Wandering Sheep
by Horatius Bonar

The Lamb's Wife

2011-09-18T17:04:00.002-04:00

The Bride says 'Come!'
~ Revelation 22:17

Every believer should realize that he stands in the relation, and is under the obligation, of the Bride of Jesus. His are the privileges, his the honors, and his the duties — of the Lamb's wife.

'The Position and Practice of the Bride'
by James Smith

The Church of God, quickened and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, is the Bride of Christ. It is of His Church, and every individual member of that Church, He speaks, when He says, "I will betroth you unto Me forever; yes, I will betroth you unto Me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies. Yes, I will betroth you unto Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord."
In the name of the Bride, and as one of her servants, I cry unto you most heartily: Come to Jesus, and find pardon, peace, and everlasting life. Come you to the Cross, COME! Come without delay. Then come to the Church, and come with fear. Then join with us in looking up to Heaven, and unite with us in the cry, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"
then you must come to Jesus!

Lost sinner, there is for you — no rest, no satisfaction, no solid happiness — until you sincerely come to Jesus.

and more vitality in our meetings,
more holiness in our lives,
more love in our hearts,
Do you stand at the door of Christ's Church — and endeavor to induce seekers to come in? There are many in these days outside the Church, who ought to be within it; and they would be, if there was . . .
Do you stand by the cross of Jesus, and invite poor sinners to it? Do you speak to them from your own experience of the power of that Cross, telling them, that "it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one who believes?" Do you bear witness of the rest, peace, and joy to be obtained there? Pity, O pity poor sinners, and try to bring them to Calvary! Speak, O speak for Jesus, and endeavor to lead sinners to His precious Blood, that he may "see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied!" Try, try, to induce some to share with you in the blessings, and benefits of His death!
My Christian brother, is this your position? Is this your practice?

She stands on this poor world, and surrounded by all the marks of the curse, treading upon thorns and briars, listening to the sighs of the saints, and the groans of creation at large — and she looks up to where her Lord is and cries,

Clothed in the bridal robe, wrought for her by her beloved Lord, washed clean in in His atoning Blood, made happy in His precious love, with beaming countenance, with sparkling eye, and with sweetest voice — she cries to every young believer, "Come in, and find a home. Come in, and enjoy a feast! Come in, and be merry with your friends. Come in, and go no more out."

The bride is careful not to stand before the Cross — lest she should conceal it. Nor does she hold up a crucifix — lest the soul should rest short of it; but standing by its side, with uplifted hand she points to it, and cries, "Come, Come, COME!"

balm for the bleeding conscience
healing for the broken heart, or
repose for the soul,
She stands beside the Cross, and seeing lost sinners in the distance, wandering, wretched and undone — and she lovingly calls them to come. She has found peace at that Cross; she has found rest and pleasure there. She knows that there is no . . .
We will now look at the BRIDE as represented by John. She is associated with the holy and ever blessed Spirit; the Spirit invites sinners to Jesus, the Bride echoes His call, and the hearer is directed to echo hers, "The Bride says, Come!"

Every believer should realize that he stands in the relation, and is under the obligation, of the Bride of Jesus. His are the privileges, his the honors, and his the duties — of the Lamb's wife. Espoused to Him through the Gospel, we have pledged ourselves to be His; secretly at the mercy-seat, and publicly in our baptism. We have said, "I will be for you, and not for another." We made a full, entire, and eternal surrender of ourselves, and all we have — to Him. So that we are not our own; it is not lawful for us primarily to seek our own pleasure; our object should be, in all we do to please Jesus. As the virtuous woman is a crown to her husband — so should we aim, and strive, and seek, to be a crown to Jesus

By nature, we are far from Him, strangers to Him, and at enmity with Him. The very last thing we would think of, desire, or seek — would be union to Christ. But He sends His servants, as Abraham did Eliezer, to take a wife for His son Jesus. They come and proclaim His love, commend His person, exhibit His portrait, and invite us to Him. The Spirit of God attends them in their work, crowns their efforts — and union with Christ is the result. We feel our need of Him, our affections are raised and go out after Him; we heartily and earnestly seek Him, we are introduced to Him, we give utterance to our desires before Him, and at length He gives us his hand, and pronounces us His forever.

http://gracegems.org/Smith4/position_and_practice_bride.htm

The Survival of Hope: Baby survives birth at 23 weeks

2011-09-18T17:02:00.003-04:00

Little Hope was born prematurely at 23 weeks gestation. She is 24 hours old in this photo. Babies like Hope are murdered every week at Orlando Women's Center. Hope is 14 years old today. Why is it LEGAL to murder babies like Hope?

Children are a gift of the Lord.
Psalm 127:3

The Survival of Hope
by Loisann Fowler

As a pregnant mother of 23 weeks gestation I was completely asymptomatic when labor started. After giving me a drug to attempt to stop labor, it was determined by amniocentesis that there were at least 4 known bacteria in the amniotic fluid. The baby was very sick and could not survive in the womb. In fact, the doctor told me the baby had a better chance at surviving outside the womb than inside the womb.

I was told that the likelihood of her surviving was very slim. The drug had only slightly slowed labor anyway; the baby wanted out. So pitocin was started and within a few minutes our 510 gram baby girl was born. That is 1lb 2 oz, & she was 11 inches long. A team of neonatologists and NICU nurses were ready and waiting.

However, before they rolled her away, the neonatologist asked me if I wanted to touch her. He wheeled her isolette beside my bed and I touched her little hairless head. Her arms moved toward her head and I placed my pinky finger on her delicate hand. To my amazement, she tightly wrapped her hand around my finger and squeezed. This was the beginning of Hope’s incredible battle.

There were never any promises made by the ataff, only the truth wrapped in patient love and professional wisdom. It was a long and rocky road of life and death moments. For four long months she grew inside of an isolette instead of my womb. No life saving measure was ignored. She was given the best of care. All of her organs were developed and operating at 23 weeks, except her lungs. A ventilator breathed the breath of life for her while she grew in strength and size. And she survived! We took Hope home 4 months after the day she was born; a whopping 4lbs!

Today, December 17, 2004, Hope is a 7 year old preparing for Christmas; with all of the joy and enthusiasm that brings. A petite 49lbs, Hope is as strong as an ox. She has no fear. She jumps from any height, runs without inhibition, climbs to the highest point and loves to go ‘faster’ than anything that has momentum. She only has hearing in one ear, one leg grows slower than the other (for which she wears a lift on one shoe), and she wears glasses for extreme nearsightedness while having no peripheral vision due to surgery to save her sight. Hope has no inclination that any of these things are handicaps in any way. She loves to draw, sing, play piano, put together puzzles, play games, jump into her older brothers arms with reckless abandon and is rarely motionless. Often her last question before going to sleep is, “What’s for breakfast?”
Without a doubt life begins at conception. Hope’s life began at conception. Her entire family and everyone whom she has ever met rejoices that life was pursued upon her early arrival into this world. Hope is extremely generous and has a tender, sensitive heart toward others. The world would be missing a wonderful gift had her life not been prized.
---

Hope & her mom Loisann. This photo was taken 3 years ago, when Hope was 11 years old.
This is Hope at the beach with her mom, Loisann, 3 years ago. Hope is 11 years old in this photo.

Life is beautiful.

Hope Fowler was born in what is now called Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando in 1997. http://www.orlandohealth.com/winniepalmerhospital/NeonatalSpecialties/NeonatalSpecialties.aspx?pid=2707
Known as a hospital which fights valiantly to save the little preemie babies, Winnie Palmer sits only half a mile from Orlando Women's Center abortuary (http://womenscenter.com/). Every Wednesday through Thursday viable infants just like precious Hope are slaughtered. Their mothers are induced into labor and they deliver their sons & daughters into the toilet of the killing place.

Some, like Baby Rowan, are born alive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfnNzIzvT-k

Open your mouth for those who cannot speak for themselves,in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
~ Proverbs 31:8

Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
~ Proverbs 24:11

Is it sinful to support abortion when a woman has serious physical complications of pregnancy?

2011-09-18T16:45:00.000-04:00

Recently a friend asked whether it is ever 'okay' to murder a baby by abortion. (in other words, she wanted to know whether it was allowable and not sinful, to kill an infant when the mother is gravely ill. My friend asked about life threatening complications of continuing a pregnancy and wondered if there were circumstances that allowed for murder of a pre-born child. She humbly admitted that she was fearful that if this ever happened to her own daughter, she would be tempted to allow doctors to kill the baby. Without getting into a whole lot of specifics for many various circumstances and medical threats of pregnancy, this is my answer:

We can't play the 'what if' game. "You shall not murder" trumps the temptation for us to give in to taking innocent life. We have to trust the Lord.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee:
because he trusts in Thee.
Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting Rock.
Isaiah 26:3-4

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:6-7

Trust in Him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.
Selah.
Psalm 62:8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5 & 6

The sixth commandment gives us the holy mandate. We must always press for protecting a person from harm, both mother and baby. Loving (and preferring) our neighbor as much as we love (and prefer) ourselves must include loving (and preferring) the pre-born person as ourselves as well.

One of the ways that we are to love mothers facing serious diagnosis is to walk with them as their doctors care for them until the infant is viable and labor can be safely induced. We may very well need to provide practical, physical, emotional and spiritual help to her entire family. Physicians prefer to wait til 30 weeks gestation to induce labor, but children can survive at 24 weeks. Even as early as 22 weeks. That's the short answer.

$3 worth of God

2011-09-18T16:44:00.000-04:00

I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep, but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk or a snooze in the sunshine.
I don't want enough of Him to make me love a black man or pick beets with a migrant.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want the warmth of the womb not a new birth.
I want about a pound of the eternal in a paper sack.
I'd like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
~ Wilbur Reese

It doesn’t require all that much to be a church member. The time commitment isn’t too bad; at its worst, we’re talking about three hours on Sunday and one on Wednesday (and you can easily cut it down to just 45 minutes on Sunday if you play your cards right). The cost isn’t bad either; nobody really knows how much you drop in the plate. Outside of church, all you have to do is avoid doing anything to publicly embarrass the church. It’s not a bad hobby.

But what does it take to be a disciple? That’s where things get tough, talking about denying ourselves and taking up crosses and being different from the world. That’s not really the life that most of us signed up for. It’s kind of like signing up for the safety patrol at school and finding yourself a Navy SEAL. We want to be Christians, but do we have to be fanatics about it?

Men have turned Christianity into a religion focused on gathering in a building on Sunday and doing certain things the right way. Success is measured by how many people we can gather to do things the same way that we do them. Evangelism is convincing people to come and do things the way we do them. Good church leaders organize the Sunday meetings well and make sure that the place that we meet is well taken care of. For many, that is what Christianity is about.

If we consider this to be Christianity, then we have to feel that Jesus really didn’t do a very good job of setting things up. Couldn’t He have spent at least a little time talking to us about how to do this Sunday “worship service” since it’s the center of our religion? Couldn’t He have spelled out a little better the exact rules for songs, for prayers and for taking the Lord’s Supper? Better yet, couldn’t He have left us at least one sample order of worship? Why did He spend so much of His time talking about other things?

If we want to be the Lord’s church, we have to be about the Lord’s business. If we are going to be imitators of Christ, it only makes sense that we are going to try and do the things He did. We will want to talk about the things He talked about and concentrate on the things He concentrated on.
Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23) That’s every day. Not weekly. Not twice a week. Daily.

It’s all or nothing. Total commitment. We are His or we aren’t. God wants an intimate, daily relationship with us. He compares it again and again to a marriage. He doesn’t want to be a part of our lives; He wants to be our lives.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (Mark 12:30) Not some. Not part. All.
Not $3.00 worth. Not one day a week’s worth. Not “inside the church building” worth. God wants all of us, every day. That’s what it is to be a disciple. That’s what it is to be a Christian.

Someone said that instead of focusing on being the right church, we should focus on being the right kind of Christians. The gathering of the right kind of Christians will be the right church.

$3 worth of God? Why don’t you supersize that?

~ Tim Archer

What does it mean that we, the regenerate, are Christ's Bride?

2011-09-18T16:42:00.002-04:00

Christ is full of grace, life, and salvation. The soul is full of sins, death, and damnation. Now let faith come between them and sins, death, and damnation will be Christ’s, while grace, life, and salvation will be the soul’s; for if Christ is a bridegroom, He must take upon Himself the things which are His bride’s and bestow upon her the things that are His. If He gives her His body and very self, how shall He not give her all that is His? And if He takes the body of the bride, how shall He not take all that is hers?..

By the wedding ring of faith He shares in the sins, death, and pains of hell which are the bride’s. As a matter of fact, He makes them His own and acts as if they were His own and as if He Himself had sinned; He suffered, died, and descended into hell that He might overcome them all.
Now since it was such a One who did all this, and death and hell could not swallow Him up, these were necessarily swallowed up by Him in a mighty duel; for His righteousness is greater than the sins of all men, His life stronger than death, His salvation more invincible than hell.
Thus the believing soul by means of the pledge of its faith is free in Christ, its bridegroom, free from all sins, secure against death and hell, and is endowed with the eternal righteousness, life, and salvation of Christ its bridegroom. So He takes to Himself a glorious bride, ‘without spot or wrinkle, cleansing her by the washing of water with the Word’ [cf. Eph. 5:26-27] of life, that is, by faith in the Word of life, righteousness, and salvation. In this way He marries her in faith, steadfast love, and in mercies, righteousness, and justice, as Hosea 2:19-20] says:

'And I will betroth you to Me forever. I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.'

Her sins cannot now destroy her, since they are laid upon Christ and swallowed up by Him. And she has that righteousness in Christ, her husband, of which she may boast as of her own and which she can confidently display alongside her sins in the face of death and hell and say, ‘If I have sinned, yet my Christ, in whom I believe, has not sinned, and all His is Mine and all mine is His,’ as the bride in the Song of Solomon 2:16 says,

‘My beloved is mine and I am His.’

~ Martin Luther

How God's Commandments protect innocent children

2011-09-18T16:41:00.000-04:00

This precious little baby was murdered by abortion. Her mother brought her to a place so that she could have her killed. Since as many as 80% of the women who murder their babies profess to be a part of the visible church of Jesus Christ, must must wonder, did anyone tell this baby's mother "God says: 'You shall not murder"'? Would those in her church tell her that God forbids the shedding of innocent blood? Even if she went to a crisis pregnancy center, would she have heard the four words of the commandment: 'You shall not murder'?

God has given His Law out of His kindness and yet, so few professing Christians are willing to share them. RC Sproul explains the threefold use of the Law:

The first purpose of the Law is to be a mirror... [It] reflects and mirrors the perfect righteousness of God. ..The law illumines human sinfulness. Augustine wrote, “The Law orders, that we, after attempting to do what is ordered, and so feeling our weakness under the Law, may learn to implore the help of grace.”...The Law acts as a severe schoolmaster who drives us to Christ.

A second purpose for the Law is the restraint of evil. The law, in and of itself, cannot change human hearts. It can, however, serve to protect the righteous from the unjust. Calvin says this purpose is “by means of its fearful denunciations and the consequent dread of punishment, to curb those who, unless forced, have no regard for rectitude and justice.” The law allows for a limited measure of justice on this earth, until the last judgment is realized.

The third purpose of the Law is to reveal what is pleasing to God. As born-again children of God, the law enlightens us as to what is pleasing to our Father, whom we seek to serve. The Christian delights in the law as God Himself delights in it. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is the highest function of the Law, to serve as an instrument for the people of God to give Him honor and glory.

By studying or meditating on the law of God, we attend the school of righteousness. We learn what pleases God and what offends Him. The moral law that God reveals in Scripture is always binding upon us.
(Excerpted from: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/sproul/threefold_law.html)

I want to focus on the second use of the Law: the restraint of evil. This is often referred to as the 'civil use' of the commandments. Who doesn't want to RESTRAIN EVIL? Christians, most of all, should want to promote God's glory and because of the love for our neighbor, protect them from the wicked. The Holy Spirit declares: "O you who love the LORD, hate evil! ...The fear of the LORD is to hate evil" (Psalm 97:10;Proverbs 8:13) If the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, what is preventing us from sharing the Law of God, which RESTRAINS EVIL?

David VanDrunen writes about the second use of the Law of God:

Of the three uses of the law, the so-called “civil” use may strike us as the least interesting theologically. It involves no inward transformation of the heart or Spirit-wrought righteousness that is pleasing in God’s sight. By this use, the Law restrains the sinful excesses of sinners through the fear of shame and punishment, promoting an external obedience to moral standards and a measure of peace in society...
Matched against her two sisters, it is true, the civil use of the law has less curb appeal. Yet a few moments’ reflection quickly reveals the folly of underestimating its importance...The civil use may not directly involve the bestowal of saving blessings in Christ, but God wonderfully gives it an indirect role in promoting gospel proclamation and saving sinners.

In this article, I explore this civil use of the law and God’s generosity in restraining unrighteousness in the world. To do so, I first discuss how the civil use operates in bringing sinners to know and (externally) obey God’s law...

How the Civil Use Works: Common Grace and Natural Law

The pedagogical and didactic uses of the law involve the special saving operation of the Holy Spirit in the elect. In the former, the Spirit brings sinners to a true appreciation of their sin and illumines them to see the gospel as the answer to their miserable plight. In the latter, the Spirit utilizes the law to direct the life of redeemed saints whom He is sanctifying. Things work differently with the civil use. The civil use involves the Spirit’s work of common grace.

Common grace refers to general, non-saving blessings that God gives to all sorts of people. Believers and unbelievers alike share them in “common.” Perhaps the most familiar biblical verse describing common grace is Matthew 5:45, which says that God “makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” The civil use of the Law is a work of common grace because it does not involve God’s special saving work among His elect. In its civil use, the law checks and bridles sinners from giving full vent to their sinful desires. It should be apparent, then, that the civil use is primarily for unbelievers. Though they do not render pure obedience, stemming from true faith and a desire for God’s glory, they very often render external obedience in response to the restraining force of the law. But we also see the civil use of the law at work in believers. At times we Christians refrain from doing evil only because we are afraid of getting caught and suffering for it, instead of from faith-inspired love of the good. This too is a common grace of God, for it’s better to refrain from evil for the wrong reasons than to do it. But Romans 13:5, for example, shows us a better way: “one must be in subjection..., not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”

The idea of natural law is also important for understanding how the civil use works. Natural law refers to God’s revelation of His moral will in the created order as apprehended through the human conscience (Rom. 1:18–32; 2:14–15). It is true that God’s law as revealed in Scripture can also serve the civil use. Some people, without coming to true faith, hear the Scriptures and try to conform to its commands, driven by a general fear of God’s anger, social pressure, or the like. But most non-Christians do not read the Bible or listen to sermons. Their knowledge of God’s law comes primarily — or entirely — from the natural law. The natural law is God’s Law, and through its testimony to His will and His coming judgment it often serves to restrain wickedness and to work much external good in society.

The creation and enforcement of human laws supplement this work of natural law. Human laws that forbid bad behavior and threaten to punish it by the point of the sword can serve to restrain wickedness in particularly effective ways. This too is the work of God’s common grace...

The civil use of the law is a gift of God that should not be despised. Through it God permits His people, to varying degrees, to live “a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Tim. 2:2). Even more importantly, through keeping order and protecting basic liberties, it allows the church to gather peacefully and to carry out its mission...

Thank God for this common blessing of the law’s civil use. .. pray for its continuation.

(Excerpted from Restraining Sin: The Civil Use of the Law
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/restraining-sin-civil-use-law/)

Let us be faithful to use the moral Law of God in promoting obedience to the command to sexual purity and to protect infants from murder by their own mothers. The second use of the Law RESTRAINS evil. May we be faithful to preach, teach and counsel with the commandments which prohibit fornication and murder, that sinners might fear the Lord's holy wrath, both now and at the Judgment. It is my prayer that God would be pleased to use the preaching, teaching and counseling of His 6th and 7th commandments to stigmatize sexual immorality and the murder of children by abortion and bring great shame to anyone who has committed, or helped someone else commit, these great evils.

'So shall My Word be that goes out from My mouth;
it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.'
~ God (Isaiah 55:11)

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will never pass away.
~ Jesus in Matthew 24:35

Let My teaching fall like rain and My Words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
~ Deuteronomy 32:2

But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at My Word.
~ Isaiah 66:2

Cry aloud; do not hold back;
lift up your voice like a trumpet;
declare to My people their transgression,
to the house of Jacob their sins.
~ Isaiah 58:1

Listen to Ray Comfort preach about the consequences of failure to use the Law in evangelism:
http://www.livingwaters.com/learn/hellsbestkeptsecret.htm

http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=11:consequences-of-failure-to-use-the-law&Itemid=305&lang=en

http://www.livingwaters.com/learn/trueandfalse.htm

The Nothing People

2011-09-18T07:09:00.002-04:00

They do not lie - They just neglect to tell the truth.

They do not take - They simply do not give.

They will not pull you down - They will let you sink.

They do not hurt you - They merely will not help you.

They will not burn you - They will just fiddle while you burn.

These are the nothing people. The Sons of Omission.

Give me an honest sinner, anytime, but please, spare me from the nothing people.

~ Olga Fairfax

(slightly edited)

Is there life beyond Vanity Fair?

2011-09-18T07:09:00.000-04:00

We have utilized nearly every worldly method conceivable to attract the lost, and, in many cases, have lost both our distinctiveness and our effectiveness. We have built our ministries on pragmatism--“whatever works”--without stopping to evaluate if the means we are using are in accordance with the ways and Word of God...

In an effort to make Christianity palatable to our soft, self-centered generation, we have preached a diluted message that sidesteps the issue of sin, eliminates the demands of the Cross, and overlooks the need for conviction and repentance. In an effort to make our message “relevant,” we have ended up preaching “another gospel” that is no gospel at all. We have preached Christianity as a way to find fulfillment, rather than a calling to take up the cross and follow Jesus.
The truth is, we have not only flirted, but actually fornicated with the world. When it comes to how we live, how we think, how we look, how we sound, and how we “do ministry,” we have become virtually indistinguishable from the world outside the church.
~ Nancy DeMoss

Take a look at your life, your home & your family. Be honest. Ask Jesus to help you purge worldliness & complacency out of your life. Tell Him you want to love Him more.

Take a look at your church. Is your church inspiring you toward the beautify & perfection of Jesus Christ? Is your pastor a spiritual man who speaks of spiritual things, in & out of the pulpit? Are the 'programs' in your church geared toward getting people to attend rather than feeding them spiritual food from the Word of God & prayer? Are you getting milk or meat from your pastor?

This life is only a vapor that fades away. Time is short. It would be very sad to spend it being only a surfacey religionist, wouldn't it?

Read Psalm 39 with a prayerful heart before the Lord. He will help you, by His grace, make the changes to live a more holy, more Christ-centered life. Jesus will give you more of His Spirit & make you glad that you asked ♥

I said, “I will guard my ways,
that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
I was mute and silent;
I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
then I spoke with my tongue:

“O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!"
Selah

Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.

Deliver me from all my transgressions.
Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
for it is You who have done it.
Remove Your stroke from me;
I am spent by the hostility of Your hand.
When you discipline a man
with rebukes for sin,
You consume like a moth what is dear to him;
surely all mankind is a mere breath!"
Selah

“Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and give ear to my cry;
hold not Your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with You,
a guest, like all my fathers.
Look away from me, that I may smile again,
before I depart and am no more!"*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate.
Joel 2:13

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of Your faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1

How to tell the sheep from the goats

2011-09-18T07:07:00.002-04:00

Are you a sheep or a goat?

Christ said that only those who endure (persevere in faith) to the end will be SAVED. It's important for us to remember that fact and believe Him. Do not be fooled. Not everyone who emphatically calls Jesus "Lord!" is, or will be, saved. (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13)

As we live amongst professers of Christ we shall see whether they show fruits of genuine repentance & love for the Savior (as opposed to being lover of self & the world). The Lord Jesus has given us a good outline for understanding that not all who call upon His Name will be saved. We can make wise & discerning determinations in distinguishing true brothers & sisters from the false in Matthew 7:15-27 & many other passages. The person who professes faith in Christ should be progressively growing in holiness. They should hate sin. (Psa.119:104; Job 1:1; Psa.26:5; 84:10; Prov.8:13; Rom.7:22-24) They will have an unshakeable love of truth. (Jn.14:17; Jn.8:32) They will have a deep love for the Word of God - the Bible (Psa.119:97 & 103) They should be DO-ers of the Word rather than hearers only. (James 1:22) True brethren will be learning to love their neighbors as themselves, be about their Father's business with the Savior (fishing for men/soul-winning/setting captives free), visiting orphans & widows in their affliction (James 1:27), consider others more highly than themselves (Phil 2:3) & they should exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in greater & greater measure as they mature (Gal 5:22-23). Genuine Christians will be the ones who will be hated & are willing to suffer reproach for His Name. They will DO justice, love kindness, show mercy, and walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8) They will have an intense longing for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:23-25; 2 Tim.4:8) And there are a LOT more qualities of a true believer in the Bible. We've scratched the surface.

When we look at the characteristics of true believers, we find that only a fraction of those who say they love Jesus are born-again. This is one of the reasons why we must keep preaching Christ & Him crucified, to sinner, saint & professing saints.

It's also why those whom God has gifted as prophet/evangelists are needed in the Body of Christ. Because the tares, goats & bad fish will always be mixed in with the wheat, sheep & good fish. And because the evangelist helps to equip the saints for the works of the ministry of soul-winning.

Examine yourself ... Are you a sheep or a goat?

God's Remedy for Man's Malady

2011-09-18T07:06:00.003-04:00

"From the sole of your foot to the top of your head, no spot is uninjured
—but only wounds and bruises and putrefying sores!
They have not been cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil."
~ Isaiah 1:6

The whole race of mankind, in consequence of the fall, is infected with a most dreadful, fearful, soul-killing disease!

You are infected with it yourself!

It is in your nature, and its effects are manifested in your conduct! Its seat is in the heart—which has become deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked!

This malignant disease has spread over every faculty of the soul!
The understanding is darkened—so that you cannot see your dreadful state!
The conscience is defiled—and no longer warns of evil!
The will is powerfully biased to evil—and chooses what God abhors!
The affections are earth-bound—and set on forbidden things!
The imagination has become sensual—and only employed in evil!
The reason is debased—and calls darkness, light; and light, darkness!
The memory is depraved—and has become a storehouse of iniquity!
The whole soul is paralyzed, polluted, and diseased!
Satan has got possession—and endeavors to lead you to hell in a false peace!

You are naturally . . .
unfit for heaven,
at enmity with God,
exposed to His wrath,
cursed by His law,
condemned by His word,
traveling to perdition,
and ripening for damnation!

You cannot . . .
deliver yourself from sin's dominion,
cleanse yourself from inherent defilement,
or escape the righteous judgment of God,
by anything that you can do.

You are . . .
without strength,
blind to your everlasting welfare,
and a hater of God!

You . . .
were born a sinner,
have lived transgressing,
and dying in such a state,
will be banished into irremediable woe!

This is your state, reader—whoever you may be!
This is your situation—however you may have lived!
This is your condition—whatever you may think!
Have you ever seen yourself in this situation?
Have you ever felt this to be your case?
Have you ever trembled on account of it—and sought a remedy?
If not, this is the very worst symptom of your disease!
You are . . .
insensible of your wretched condition,
under a spiritual derangement,
and madness is in your heart!

But if you have discovered your malady,
if you have felt sin to be really a dreadful disease,
if you are seeking for a remedy;
then I rejoice in being able to direct you to one that is provided, which may be obtained freely, and will certainly heal you!

God, who is rich in mercy, for the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin—has devised a way in which He can manifest Himself as a just God and a Savior! He has provided a suitable and glorious remedy for lost, ruined, and undone sinners! This remedy will . . .
heal the wounded,
cleanse the filthy,
sanctify the unholy,
justify the condemned,
liberate the captive,
and save the lost!

It gives . . .
peace to the distressed,
direction to the perplexed,
riches to the poor,
sight to the blind,
hearing to the deaf,
strength to the weak,
wisdom to the foolish,
and life to the dead!

excerpted from 'God's Remedy for Man's Malady'
by James Smith

============Watch this on video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wJK5HlGOYg

This Puritan Devotional has been brought to you by Grace Gems, a treasury of ageless sovereign grace writings.

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Things to Remember about the Wicked

2011-09-18T07:05:00.000-04:00

Mothers waiting in a long line to kill their babies at Orlando Women's Center abortuary.

Jesus stood up in the synagogue in His hometown of Nazareth. He unrolled the scroll and read from Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

In Jesus' high priestly to His Father in John 17 He prays for His disciples; "As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." So, the mission our Savior has given us as He sends us out into His world is HIS MISSION: to proclaim the good news of the gospel to spiritually bankrupt sinners who are slaves of Satan. What a glorious mission! It is good to keep in mind a few things that scripture says about the 'captives' (sinners).

The Bible teaches that the unregenerate woman is not a 'nice' person. She is the slave of sin (John 8:34) & the servant of the devil, (Eph.2:2). The Master established very clearly: “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." (John 8:34) "Slaves of depravity"- (II Peter 2:19) "Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." (I John 3:8) So, we are talking about bringing the message of salvation to those who are slaves of sin, their flesh and the devil.

Here are a few other biblical descriptions of the ungodly:

Their eyes are blind (John 12:40; II Cor. 4:4; I John. 2:11).

Their ears are deaf (Psalm 115:6).

Their hearts:
* wicked
* calloused
* made of stone
* murderous
* deceitful
* are the source of: evil thoughts & deeds, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander (Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 13:15;15:19, Romans 1:30).

They are chronically sick and leprous with sin (Isaiah 1:5, 6).

“The thoughts and intents of his heart are only evil continually.” (Gen.6:5)

They are unclean, corrupt, filthy (Job 15:16, Ezekiel 36:29, 33)

They drink iniquity (sin) like water. (Job 15:16)

They are guilty (Numbers 14:18)

They have a depraved mind (Romans 1:28)

They know about God but suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-20,32)

They have exchanged the truth for a lie, worshiping and serving the creature (themselves and their lovers) rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25)

They are without excuse for their sin (Romans 1:21,32)

They are not grateful to God for giving them life and breath. (Romans 1:21)

They are dead in transgressions & sins (Ephesians 2:1)

They are heartless and ruthless. (Romans 1:31)

They walk in darkness (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 6:23; Colossians 1:13)

Their feet are swift to shed blood (Romans 3:15)

They are moving toward destruction, ruin and death (Psalm 36:1;14:3; Romans 3:16)

They think they are 'good' people. (Proverbs 20:6)

The like to think well of & flatter themselves. (Psalm 36:2)

They do not fear God. (Romans 3:18)
"Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil."
~ Psalm 36:1-4

They are hell-bound. Unless they genuinely repent, savingly trust in Jesus Christ and are born-again by the power of the Holy Spirit, they will be cast into the lake of fire at the Judgment. (Revelation 21:8)

While sinners (including false converts) will be deceived by the evils of their sin (lying, stealing, illicit sexual relationships, murdering their babies, etc) believing them to be the remedy for the pressures they face (internally & externally), their wicked deeds dishonor their Creator and sow more corruption and whirlwind of their lives. God's remedy for man's malady is THE LAW and the GOSPEL OF LIFE & ETERNITY! Let us be tender-hearted toward the wicked. The most merciful kindness we can do for a captive is bring them the truth as it is in Jesus and His commandments. This and ONLY THIS gospel power appointed by God to set the ungodly free from the power and penalty of sin, so that she can live a holy life now and reign with Christ forever in heaven!

Enjoy this tremendous video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wJK5HlGOYg

What God’s Word Says About Abortion by Lynn Copeland

2011-09-18T07:03:00.002-04:00

What God’s Word Says About Abortion by Lynn Copeland

God speaks very clearly in the Bible on the value of unborn children. God’s Word says that He personally made each one of us, and has a plan for each life:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).

“Even before I was born, God had chosen me to be His” (Galatians 1:15).

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb... Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:13,16).

“Your hands shaped me and made me...Did You not clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life” (Job 10:8–12).

“This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb” (Isaiah 44:2).

“Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One form us both within our mothers?” (Job 31:15).

Because man is made in God’s own image (Genesis 1:27), each life is of great value to God: “Children are a gift from God” (Psalm 127:3).

He even calls our children His own: “You took your sons and daughters whom you bore to Me and sacrificed them . . .you slaughtered My children” (Ezekiel 16:20,21).

The Bible says of our Creator, “In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10).

God, the giver of life, commands us not to take the life of an innocent person: “Do not shed innocent blood” (Jeremiah 7:6);

“Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person” (Deuteronomy 27:25).

“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).

Taking the life of the unborn is clearly murder—“He didn’t kill me in the womb, with my mother as my grave” (Jeremiah 20:17) — and God vowed to punish those who “ripped open the women with child” (Amos 1:13).

The unborn child was granted equal protection in the Law; if he lost his life, the one who caused his death must lose his own life: “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined . . . But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life” (Exodus 21:22,23).

Life is a gift created by God, and is not to be taken away by abortion. God is “pro-choice,” but He tells us clearly which choice to make:

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).=====================Friends, I wanted to share the tremendous text from an insert we place into our ministry materials, which we hand to abortion-bound moms & dads & their accomplices. If you would like to have this insert, please contact me & I will be glad to send it to you. Together for Life & Eternity, Patte Smith Sanctuary Ministries

You are Going to Die!

2011-09-18T07:01:00.001-04:00

"Thus says the Lord—I am about to remove you from the face of the earth! This very year you are going to die!" ~ Jeremiah 28:16

YOU may die this year!

And should you die this year—you will be forever cut off from all the pleasures of life! Then farewell, an everlasting farewell to all the mirth and gaiety, to all the tempting amusements and vain delights of earth!

If you should die in your sins this year—then you will not only be cut off from all the flattering prospects of this life—but from all hope entirely, and forever! You will be fixed in an unchangeable state of misery; a state that will admit of no expectation but that of uniform, or rather ever-growing misery; a state that excludes all hopes of making any accomplishment, except as the monuments of the vindictive justice of God, and the deadly effects of sin!

How affecting is the idea of a promising youth cut off from the land of the living—useless and hopeless in both worlds! fallen from the summit of hope—into the gulf of everlasting despair! Yet this may be your doom, my dear youth, your doom this very year—if you should die in your sins!

Therefore, if you should this year—then all your hopes of heaven will vanish forever!

No more happiness for you! You have received your portion in this life—a few years of fleeting, sordid, unsatisfactory happiness! And an entire eternity of misery; permanent, exquisite, consummate misery—follows!

No more honor for you—but shame and everlasting contempt!

No more amusements for you—but only the blackness of darkness forever! Only intense poring upon your hopeless wretchedness! Only tormenting recollections of your past folly and madness of voluntarily rushing into the infernal pit!

No agreeable companions!

No sympathizing friends!

No relaxation!

No pleasing hobbies!

No encouraging prospects!

No comforting hopes!

No token of love!

No gift of grace from the Father of mercy!

No hope in the future!

No relief from the past!

No refuge, no escape—into the gulf of annihilation!

ABOVE you—an angry omnipotent God—and a lost heaven!

BEHIND you—a misspent life, and opportunities of salvation irrecoverably lost!

WITHIN you—a guilty, remorseful conscience—an implacable self-tormentor!

AROUND you—malignant, enraged fiends, mutual tormentors!

BEFORE you—an eternity of hopeless misery, extending infinitely!

Oh tremendous doom!

Who can bear the thought?

And is it possible that this doom should be so near to any of US? Where is the unhappy creature, that we may all drop our tears over him! Where is that wretched creature who stands every moment upon the slippery brink of this horrible precipice! This year, nay, this hour, for anything we know—he may be thrown down, engulfed and lost forever!

And is this a safe situation for you, thoughtless, foolhardy mortals!

Does it befit you in such a situation—to be cheerful, merry, and mirthful?

Does it befit you in such a situation—to be busy, restless, and laborious in the pursuits of this transitory life?

Does it befit you in such a situation—to spin out your eternal schemes of grandeur, riches, or pleasures—in hopes to accomplish them within the narrow, uncertain limits of time allotted you?

Alas! before another year has run its hasty round, the world and all that it contains, all its pursuits and enjoyments, all its cares and sorrows—may be as insignificant to you, as the grandeur of Caesar, or the riches of the world before the flood.

If you die this year, then . . .
earthly riches or poverty,
liberty or slavery,
honor or disgrace,
joy or sorrow,
sickness or health—
will be as little your concern—as the dust that shall cover your coffin!

Does it not rather befit you to turn your thoughts to another inquiry, "Is it possible for me to escape this impending danger? Where, how, whence may I obtain deliverance?"

"Thus says the Lord—I am about to remove you from the face of the earth! This very year you are going to die!" Jeremiah 28:16Samuel Davies' sermon: "This Very Year You are Going to Die!" This message was preached at Princeton College on January 1, 1761. The author died shortly after, on February 4—at the age of 37! Thus in a way—he preached his own funeral sermon! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0sfn8VFPSg

An Oracle of Woe: American Church, Beware!

2011-09-18T06:58:00.002-04:00

The Vineyard of the Lord Destroyed

Let Me sing for My Beloved
my love song concerning His vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
on a very fertile hill.
He dug it and cleared it of stones,
and planted it with choice vines;
He built a watchtower in the midst of it,
and hewed out a wine vat in it;
and He looked for it to yield grapes,
but it yielded wild grapes.

And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem
and men of Judah,
judge between Me and My vineyard.
What more was there to do for My vineyard,
that I have not done in it?When I looked for it to yield grapes,
why did it yield wild grapes?

And now I will tell you
what I will do to My vineyard.
I will remove its hedge,
and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall,
and it shall be trampled down.
I will make it a waste;
it shall not be pruned or hoed,
and briers and thorns shall grow up;
I will also command the clouds
that they rain no rain upon it.

For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts
is the house of Israel,
and the men of Judah
are His pleasant planting;
and he looked for justice,
but behold, bloodshed;
for righteousness,
but behold, an outcry!
Woe to the Wicked

Woe to those who join house to house,
who add field to field,
until there is no more room,
and you are made to dwell alone
in the midst of the land.
The Lord of hosts has sworn in My hearing:
“Surely many houses shall be desolate,
large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant.
For ten acres of vineyard shall yield but one bath,
and a homer of seed shall yield but an ephah.”

Woe to those who rise early in the morning,
that they may run after strong drink,
who tarry late into the evening
as wine inflames them!
They have lyre and harp,
tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts,
but they do not regard the deeds of the Lord,
or see the work of His hands.

Therefore My people go into exile
for lack of knowledge;
their honored men go hungry,
and their multitude is parched with thirst.
Therefore Sheol has enlarged its appetite
and opened its mouth beyond measure,
and the nobility of Jerusalem and her multitude will go down,
her revelers and he who exults in her.
Man is humbled, and each one is brought low,
and the eyes of the haughty are brought low.
But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice,
and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness.
Then shall the lambs graze as in their pasture,
and nomads shall eat among the ruins of the rich.

Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood,
who draw sin as with cart ropes,
who say: “Let Him be quick,
let Him speed His work
that we may see it;
let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near,
and let it come, that we may know it!”
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who put darkness for light
and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet
and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and shrewd in their own sight!
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and valiant men in mixing strong drink,
who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of his right!

Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble,
and as dry grass sinks down in the flame,
so their root will be as rottenness,
and their blossom go up like dust;
for they have rejected the Law of the Lord of hosts,
and have despised the Word of the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against His people,
and He stretched out His hand against them and struck them,
and the mountains quaked;
and their corpses were as refuse
in the midst of the streets.
For all this His anger has not turned away,
and His hand is stretched out still.

He will raise a signal for nations far away,
and whistle for them from the ends of the earth;
and behold, quickly, speedily they come!
None is weary, none stumbles,
none slumbers or sleeps,
not a waistband is loose,
not a sandal strap broken;
their arrows are sharp,
all their bows bent,
their horses’ hoofs seem like flint,
and their wheels like the whirlwind.
Their roaring is like a lion,
like young lions they roar;
they growl and seize their prey;
they carry it off, and none can rescue.
They will growl over it on that day,
like the growling of the sea.
And if one looks to the land,
behold, darkness and distress;
and the light is darkened by its clouds

Virtuous vs Immoral Woman by Patte Smith

2011-09-18T06:57:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 31
She is a treasure, not very common to find

She is trustworthy
She is good always
She is faithful to her husband even before she knows who he is
She does not give herself to any man
She saves herself for the one man who will be her husband.
She is hardworking and industrious
She is not lazy
She knows her responsibilities as a woman and fulfils them
She knows how to manage her household
She is a good leader
She knows how to cook good food for her family and others
She is wise
She seeks knowledge and understanding in various matters
She knows how to transact business
She is not afraid to work in the field
She is very generous and helps the needy
She takes good care of her family
She knows how to select and make good clothes for her family
She has a good eye for creating and choosing beautiful things
She accepts the proposal of a man worthy of being a good husband
She unites her life with a respectable man
She is strong and honorable
She is always cheerful no matter the circumstances
She is wise in her speech
She thinks carefully before she speaks
Her family loves her and are proud of her
She brings joy to her family
She fears, honors and loves God
Her inner beauty makes her beautiful all her life
Her pride is not in her outward appearance
But in her inner being, her character
She respects herself and is respected by many
Her virtuosity is acknowledged by all who see herhttp://virtue31.blogspot.com/2010/11/characteristics-of-virtuous-woman.html

Characteristics of an Immoral Woman Proverbs 7

Beautiful ONLY outwardly, adorns herself extravagantly
Makes up for her lack of inner beauty by focusing on her external beauty
Intentionally makes herself very appealing and enticing
Seduces with her body and her words
She is a coquette, speaks flattering words to lure men
She is flirtatious and allures with her eyelids
Dresses provocatively like a harlot, she is immodest
She uses her feminine power to sin against God
Sweet talks lies and evil
Has no regard for truth and cannot be trusted
Does not love God, hates godly ways
She is LOUD and rebellious, does not submit to authority
Has a crafty heart
Does not stay at home, hanging around people and places seeking attention
She is unfaithful and has no shame
Pretends to be a true Christian
Entices with her speech and makes sin very appealing
Thinks impure thoughts on how to lure a man to lust after her
Seeks the attention of men, throws herself at men, makes herself cheap, easy
Lusts after men and causes men to lust after her and lead them into sin
Shows off her body parts which should be hidden
Is promiscuous, contentious and manipulative
Has no respect for herself or others, therefore she is not respected by many
Parades herself arrogantly, is very proud
Is a liar and dishonest
Brings disgrace to her family
She is full of vanity
Give’s herself to many men and allows them to misuse her
Gains the attention of men but is not respected by men
Prostitutes herself for not just money but attention, empty love, material things
Has sex with a man she is not married to (Fornication, adultery)
Destroys many hearts and lives
She lacks wisdom, knowledge and discretion because she rejects instruction
Deep inside of her she is unhappy, sad and empty but pretends to enjoy life
She seeks to fill her emptiness by parading herself for attention
Depends on her external appearance to get what she wants.
Without her external beauty, she is nothinghttp://virtue31.blogspot.com/2010/10/characteristics-of-immoral-woman.html

Do not forsake the law of your mother!

2011-05-17T10:23:00.003-04:00

by Patte Smith on Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 4:53pm

Following is an excerpt from an article by James Smith, to encourage my godly friends who are mothers & all those who have godly mothers <3<3"Do not forsake the law of your mother!"of the mother — should be the teachings of love. With these thoughts in the mind, we want to enforce the inspired admonition to the young, of the mother — is essentially the authority of love; and the — should be the child's law. The — should be the child's lesson; and the mother's is strong. Every mother therefore should endeavor to use her influence wisely, and for her child's eternal good. A very great responsibility rests upon godly mothers, which they should realize, and realizing — should act under a sense of it. O what a privilege to have a godly mother! One who knows . . . the power of vital piety in her own heart. bear in mind the object of a mother's prayers, treasure up a mother's lessons, carefully attend to a mother's teaching,

Every child should . . .
to enjoy the lawful and the profitable;
to do the necessary and the moral;
to avoid the sinful and the dangerous;
to secure a saving interest in eternal felicity;
to value what is really important and spiritual;

Such a mother will teach her child . . .

O how many young men, how many young women, have been ruined, by forsaking the law of their mother!Young man, young woman, by all the tenderness of a mother's love, by the intense concern of a mother's heart — if you would not shorten the days of her life, or embitter her dying hours, I beseech you, "Do not forsake the law of your mother!"

While you have a mother — love her, obey her, and make her heart glad.

Many forget and forsake the law of their mother, when away from her. This is unwise, it is unkind, it is ungrateful. A mother's advice . . .

is unselfish;
it is only for her child's good,
it is the offspring of the deepest love, and
often the result of the most earnest fervent prayers.

But fascinated by our companions,
deceived by an unbelieving heart,
allured by a false and vain world, and
ensnared by a
cruel and crafty devil

— too many of our young people forsake the law of their mother! Many will wish — but wish in vain, that they never had such a mother!

It will increase their condemnation,
it will add to their torments, and
will give intensity to the bitter pangs generated by hopeless despair!
The thoughts of what their mother was, what their mother did, and how their mother tried to prevent their ruin — will make Hell ten times hotter than it would otherwise be — to many a child of godly parents.

But on the other hand, many will bless God forever for . . .
a mother's love,
a mother's example,
and a mother's law.

That love — won the heart for Jesus;
that example — was a constant lesson of warning, reproof, and instruction;
and that law — constrained the soul to bow to the scepter of Jesus, and trust alone in His blessed Name.

Young friends, endeavor to realize the value of a godly mother, while you have one! Never, never, let anyone, or anything tempt you to forsake her law — lest in Hell you should bitterly and eternally regret it! But let a mother's love, a mother's example, and a mother's law lead you at once to Jesus — that you may meet your mother with joy at last, and dwell with her in Heaven forever!

The Law of Your Mother

Message to Women & Wives

2011-05-10T10:53:00.002-04:00

by Patte Smith on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:34am

Women, be sure to be a sweet comfort & encouragement to your husband, especially when God allows him to suffer affliction. You are given to your beloved as a helpmeet, to provide him succour in & through difficult times. Show him how much you love & respect him. Don't try to fix things that are your husband's responsibility.

Wait upon the Lord, knowing He is at work through your husband & the circumstances. Point your dear man to Jesus & pray. Guard your own heart against bitterness & fretting. Run to Christ with your fears & disappointments. Recognize that it is not up to you to make everything alright. The Lord will use your husband to accomplish His purposes through the challenges he is facing.

Don't be like Job's wife, who abandoned the Lord & her husband when pressure & difficulty mounted. William Plumer describes the failure of God's servant's wife to trust that the Lord was at work during their grievous trial:

"During his prosperity Job’s wife may have given some evidence of piety. If so, how must such an avowal have pierced his soul; and if not, how afflicting it must have been to behold her, whom he loved so tenderly, venting her wickedness against God? She not only manifested hatred to him whom Job adored; but she became cold and cruel to her husband....Her marriage vows and all the kindness she had received were forgotten. Her heart was unfeeling."
—William Plumer “Job’s Trials and Mercies”

It is hard for women to find their 'place' when things heat up. We often try to get our husbands to do what we *think* they should do. We may *mean* well (& our thoughts, ideas & suggestions may be wisdom) but we have to guard against trying to take over to solve the situation rather than allowing God to use our husband to work through the matter at hand. We must ask Jesus to help us know what our 'jurisdiction' is & where we are to leave the responsibility squarely where God has put it, on our husband's shoulders.

Women, let us also not only guard against vanity & worldliness, but put it to death. When a godly, spiritual man has a vain & worldly wife she will be the bane of her husband's existence. You don't want to be a bane to him, do you? No! Certainly not! You want to be a blessing to your husband!

Women, don't be jealous of the place Jesus has in your husband's heart. Rejoice! Give your husband room & bless him as he serves his King & promotes Christ's glory & advances His kingdom.

And, dear sisters, if your husband is not spiritual & thinks little or nothing of Jesus, weep bitterly. I shall weep with you. And remember, you were once unspiritual & foolish & God has been merciful to you. He raised you up to live for His glory & He has the power to do the same in the soul of your husband. But if your husband never comes to love Jesus, you have no excuse for your own lack of piety. Look to Thy Maker, Thy eternal Husband & in Him find the love & solace & living water your soul desires. Jesus is enough.

♥ Can two walk together, except they be agreed? ♥ Amos 3:3

"So neither will God be with thee, unless thou art agreed and of one mind with God. Think not to have God with thee, unless thou art with God"

Be on guard, sisters, against courting & covenanting with a man who is not strong in his faith, for truly, if you do, you are courting disaster. Wait for a man who is your spiritual older brother, who will wash you in the Word & lead you as a servant under Messiah, the King.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14

WARNING! This is God's COMMAND to you. By no means join yourself, in courtship or marriage, to a man in whom you find reason to question his salvation. Regenerate and unregenerate persons cannot walk together, there being no harmony, agreement or fellowship between them.

Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit!

2011-05-10T10:52:00.002-04:00

by Patte Smith on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10:59am

This is the Word of the LORD... 'Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit', saith the LORD of hosts. ~ Zechariah 4:6 Let us go forth today, & every day, remembering that the Holy Spirit is the One who gives us the power & authority to overcome the world, our flesh & the devil. Trust Jesus. The battle belongs to the Lord!

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. ~ Philippians 3:3

Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts: that is...not through the multitude and strength of men, but through the Spirit of God, animating, exciting, encouraging, and strengthening them to go through the work.

Christ is the chosen of God, and exceeding dear and precious to Him; is His righteous servant, and Governor of the church, or King of saints;and who has redeemed and delivered His people from the captivity of sin, and Satan, and the law. He is the builder of His church; who has laid the foundation of it, and will bring in the headstone; and which church is built up in all generations through the conversion of sinners. And that is done, not by external force, by carnal weapons, or moral persuasion; but by the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God; and not by the power of man's free will, but by the efficacious grace of the divine Spirit. It is indeed done by power and might, but not of the creature: man. Whatever power he has to do things natural, civil, outwardly religions, and materially moral, or however in appearance, has no power to do anything spiritually good; not to think a good thought, nor do a good action, in a spiritual manner; much less to work such a work as the work of regeneration, conversion, and sanctification. He is dead in sin, and can not quicken himself. His understanding is darkened, yea, darkness itself, and he can not command light into it; his will is stubborn and obstinate, and he can not bend it, and subdue it. His heart is hard as a nether millstone, and he cannot soften it, and repent of his sins, in a truly spiritual, gracious, anti-evangelic manner. His affections are inordinate; and he is a lover of sinful pleasures, and not of God, nor of anything divine, to which his carnal mind is enmity. He cannot believe in Christ of himself; faith is not of himself, it is the gift of God, and so is repentance, and every other grace. The work of grace on the soul is expressed by a regeneration, a resurrection from the dead, a creation, and the new man, or a transformation of a man into another man; all which require almighty power to effect: regeneration is not of the will of man, nor of the will of the flesh, but of God, of Jehovah the Spirit. Sanctification is called the sanctification of the Spirit, and every grace of it is a fruit of His; it is He who is the Spirit of life from Christ, that quickens men when dead in trespasses and sins, and enlightens their dark minds with spiritual light, in divine things. It is He that produces evangelical repentance in them, and faith in Christ is of His operation. It is He that begins the work of grace on the heart, and carries it on, and causes to abound in the exercise of every grace, and performs the work of faith with power. The Targum, instead of "by My Spirit", renders it "by My Word". ~ John Gill

God brings to pass His gracious purposes concerning His church, without any art or labour of man. Sometimes He makes use of His instruments, yet He needs them not. This represented the abundance of Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of the church, and which cannot be procured or prevented by any human power. The vision assures us that the good work of building the temple [a type of the Body of Christ, the church, believers, His dwelling place], should be brought to a happy end. The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Faith will remove mountains, and make them plains. Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of His undertaking, but nothing is too hard for Him. What comes from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace of God, for He will not forsake the work of His own hands. ~ Matthew Henry

'My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'
~ Haggai 2:5

‎"I will save them--not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but by the LORD their God."
~ Hosea 1:7

‎"Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by My Spirit, heaping sin upon sin...
With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles."
~ Isaiah 30:1, 2 Chronicles 32:8

"And I will save them--not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but by the LORD their God." Hosea 1:7

'But now be strong..' declares the LORD. 'Be strong... Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with You,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear... I will shake the heavens and the earth.'
~ Haggai 2:4-5, 21

"Take the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." ~ Ephesians 6:17 The Word is our offensive weapon. First, we must hide it in our heart & then, let us unsheathe the Word of the Lord & keep it handy to battle for life & eternity.

"Not then in great power nor in fleshly might were the things of Christ, but in power of the Spirit was Satan spoiled, and the ranks of the adverse powers fell with him; and Israel and those who aforetime served the creature rather than th...e Creator, were called to the knowledge of God through faith. But that He saved all under heaven, not by human arm, but by His own power as God Emmanuel, Hosea too protested, "I will have mercy upon the house of Judah and will save them by the Lord their God, and will not save them by bow nor by sword nor by battle nor by chariots nor by horses nor by horsemen" Hosea 1:7. But exeeeding fittingly was this said to Zerubbabel, who was of the tribe of Judah and at, that time administered the royal seat at Jerusalem. For that he might not think that, since such glorious successes were foreannounced to him, wars would in their season have to be organized, he lifts him up from these unsound and human thoughts, and bids him be thus minded, that the force was divine, the might of Christ, who should bring such things to pass, and not human." ~ Cyril

Not by might, (of thy own), nor by power, (authority from others), but by my Spirit - the providence, authority, power, and energy of the Most High. In this way shall my temple be built; in this way shall My Church be raised and preserved. ...No secular arm, no human prudence, no earthly policy, no suits at law, shall ever be used for the founding, extension, and preservation of My Church. But the spirit of the world says, "These are all means to which as we must have recourse; otherwise the cause of God may be ruined." Satan, thou liest! ~ Adam Clarke

Not by might . but by my Spirit- ...So Zerubbabel need not be disheartened because of his weakness; for as the work is one to be effected by the living Spirit (compare Hag 2:5) of God, man's weakness is no obstacle, for God's might will perfect strength out of weakness (Ho 1:7; 2Co 12:10; Heb 11:34).

"Might and power" express human strength of every description, physical, mental, moral. Or, "might" is the strength of many (an "army," literally); "power," that of .man. God can save, "whether with many, or with them that have no power" (2Ch 14:11; compare 1Sa 14:6). So in the conversion of sinners (1Co 3:6; 2Co 10:4).
~ Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

“O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your Name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”
~ II Chronicles 14:11

“Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the LORD will work for us, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving by many or by few...
All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's"
~ 1 Samuel 14:6;17:47There is no restraint to the Lord - This is a fine sentiment; and where there is a promise of defense and support, the weakest, in the face of the strongest enemy, may rely on it with the utmost confidence. ~ Adam ClarkeThere is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. He is not limited to numbers, and can easily work salvation by a few as by many. It is no difficult thing to Him to save by few, nor can anything hinder Him, let the difficulties be what they will, when He has determined to deliver His people. ~ John Gillit may be that the Lord will work for us-This expression did not imply a doubt; it signified simply that the object he aimed at was not in his own power-but it depended upon God-and that he expected success neither from his own strength nor his own merit. ~ Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible CommentaryThose can never think themselves safe who see themselves out of God's protection....Jonathan felt a Divine impulse and impression, putting him upon this bold adventure. God will direct the steps of those that acknowledge Him in all their ways, and seek to Him for direction, with full purpose of heart to follow His guidance. Sometimes we find most comfort in that which is least our own doing, and into which we have been led by the unexpected but well-observed turns of Divine providence. There was trembling in the host [the Lord's enemies]. It is called a trembling of God, signifying, not only a great trembling they could not resist, nor reason themselves out of, but that it came at once from the hand of God. He that made the heart, knows how to make it tremble. ~ Matthew HenryTherefore, weary pilgrims, let us rely upon the Spirit to make our gospel ventures fruitful, that we might not believe that it is our power, our might, or our methods which accomplish the glorious good purposes of Christ, but in true humility may we praise Him saying...'Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus, in my service to God. 'Romans 15:17

Let us not grow weary

2011-05-10T10:51:00.003-04:00

by Patte Smith on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 12:02pm

And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap,
if we do not give up.
~ Galatians 6:9

It is often tempting to grow weary and faint when the going gets tough and there seems to be little visible fruit coming from our gospel labors. In the very least, we are often dealing with a struggle to 'relax' our service to Christ & our neighbor when things seem hard. The Geneva Study Bible note on this scripture says that this passage is written; "Against those who are generous at the beginning, but do not continue, because the harvest seems to be deferred a long time, as though the seed time and the harvest were simultaneous." This note is a compilation of commentaries on Galatians 6:9. I have written it to encourage dear friends and co-laborers in the gospel of life and eternity, especially those who faithfully share the mercy and truth of Jesus Christ at the abortuaries. Each day they watch as infants are slain right before their eyes. They are mocked, threatened and even assaulted by the mothers and fathers who arrive to sacrifice their children. These men and women are those of whom the world is not worthy. I thank God for you! Remember, dear brethren;

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy!
~ Psalm 126:5

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:58

************************

Christians sometimes become weary. There is so much opposition to the best plans for doing good; there is so much to be done; there are so many calls on their time and their charities; and there is often so much ingratitude among those whom they endeavor to benefit, that they become disheartened. Such Paul addresses, and exhorts them not to give over, but to persevere.
For in due season - At the day of judgment. Then we shall receive the full reward of all our self-denials and charities.
We shall reap, if we faint not - If we do not give over, exhausted and disheartened. It is implied here, that unless a man perseveres in doing good to the end of life, he can hope for no reward. He who becomes disheartened, and who gives over his efforts; he that is appalled by obstacles, and that faints on account of the embarrassments thrown in his way; he that pines for ease, and withdraws from the field of benevolence, shows that he has no true attachment to the cause, and that his heart has never been truly in the work of religion. He who becomes a true Christian, becomes such for eternity. He has enlisted, never to withdraw. He becomes pledged to do good and to serve God always. No obstacles are to deter, no embarrassments are to drive him from the field. With the vigor of his youth, and the wisdom and influence of his riper years; with his remaining powers when enfeebled by age; with the last pulsation of life here, and with his immortal energies in a higher world, he is to do good. For that he is to live. In that he is to die; and when he awakes in the resurrection with renovated powers, he is to awake to an everlasting service of doing good, as far as he may have opportunity, in the kingdom of God. ~ Albert Barnes

The danger of growing weary in the former arises only from the opposition to good in our own nature, or the outward hinderances we may meet with from a gainsaying and persecuting world.
In due season we shall reap - As the husbandman, in ploughing, sowing, and variously laboring in his fields, is supported by the hope of a plentiful harvest, which he cannot expect before the right and appointed time; so every follower of God may be persuaded that he shall not be permitted to pray, weep, deny himself, and live in a conformity to his Maker's will, without reaping the fruit of it in eternal glory. And although no man obtains glory because he has prayed, etc., yet none can expect glory who do not seek it in this way. This is sowing to the Spirit; and the Spirit and the grace are furnished by Christ Jesus, and by him the kingdom of heaven is opened to all believers; but only those who believe, love, and obey, shall enter into it.
~ Adam Clarke

And let us not be weary in well doing,.... This may be understood of well doing, or doing good works, which are such as are done according to the will of God, from a principle of love to Him, in faith, and in the Name and strength of Christ, and with a view to the glory of God...and wellpleasing in His sight. In doing which men should not be weary; nor are they, when their spiritual strength is renewed, and grace is in exercise, though they may meet with many things which tend to discourage and make them weary; such as change in their own circumstances, losses in the world, the ungratefulness of some, and unworthiness of others. F
or in due time we shall reap; either in this world, sooner or later; in proper time, in God's own time, by enjoying an increase of the fruits of righteousness. For the seed sown shall spring up again; the bread that is cast on the waters will be found after many days. Such as honour the Lord with their substance shall be blessed with plenty of temporal good things, either they or theirs: or else in the other world, or at the end of this; which will be the harvest time, the reaping time, the time of enjoying eternal life.If we faint not; but continue to the end, persevere constantly in doing acts of beneficence, and patiently wait, as the husbandman does, for the precious fruits of the earth; for there must be a distance of time between sowing and reaping; men must not expect to reap as soon as they sow; and therefore should not be weary of sowing, nor impatient in waiting, though they do not see as yet the appearance of the fruits thereof; for in their season they will be seen and enjoyed.
~ John Gill

Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches.
~ Matthew Henry

Abortion and the Duty of the Local Church & Christians

2011-05-10T10:51:00.000-04:00

by Patte Smith on Monday, April 25, 2011 at 2:51pm

Of the Sixth Commandment.

What is the second inference hence?
A. That all that are guilty of this sin, have great cause to be humbled and afflicted: For it is a crying sin, Genesis 4:10. The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. Yet not to despair of mercy upon true repentance. Manasseh shed innocent blood, and yet was pardoned, upon repentance; 2 Kings 21:16.
What is the third inference hence?
A. Let all men watch against pride, passion, malice, and revenge, the sin of the heart, from which this horrid sin proceeds; Matthew 15:18-19. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, &c.What is the first inference hence?
A. That we have great cause to bless God for His protecting Law, and for human laws grounded upon His Law for the protection of our lives; Romans 13:4. For he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

In these commands God begins with the NEAREST concern of man, which is LIFE; Job 2:4. Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath, will he give for his life.
How far doth this commandment extend itself ?
A. It prohibits all cruelty, and commands all help, care, and pity, so far as men’s hearts and hands can go, for the relief and preservation of others; Psalm 119:96. But Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
Doth this command respect only the outward action, or also the inward passion of the soul? What is the natural order of these commandments in the second table?

In John Flavel's brilliant exposition of the Shorter Catechism he explores the explicit & implicit duties & responsibilities of men drawn from the commandment "You shall not murder". I have taken the liberty to provide excerpts:

The Moral Law of God is said to be written on the 'Two Tables' containing the Ten Commandments. The first four commandments are the first "table" of the law. These commandments addressed one's obligations to worship God. The last six commandments, are considered the second table & these address our duties to our fellow men. I would like to encourage readers to insert the sin of "ABORTION" into all that is written regarding the sin of murder. And, as you read, consider how you and your fellowship of believers measure up to obedience regarding this 'nearest concern of men', the protection and preservation of the life of your neighbors, the little babies who are being slain by abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Let us have mercy and remember: the pre-born infants are our neighbors too.

~ Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 69. What is forbidden in the sixth commandment? A. The sixth commandment forbiddeth the taking away of our own or the life of our neighbour unjustly, or whatsoever tendeth thereunto.
Q. 68. What is required in the sixth commandment? A. The sixth commandment requireth all lawful endeavours to preserve our own life, and the life of others.
Q. 67. Which is the sixth commandment? A. The sixth commandment is, [Thou shalt not kill.]

Thomas Watson commented on the 6th commandment:

IN this commandment is A SIN FORBIDDEN, which is murder, 'Thou shalt not kill,' and A DUTY IMPLIED, which is, to preserve our own life, and the life of others.

..We must not injure another in his body. Life is the most precious thing; and God has set this commandment as a fence about it, to preserve it. He made a statute which has never to this day been repealed.

'Whose sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' Gen 9:6. In the old law, if a man killed another unawares, he might take sanctuary; but if he killed him willingly, though he fled to the sanctuary, the holiness of the place would not defend him. 'If a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile, thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.' Exod 21:14.

In the commandment, 'Thou shalt do no murder,' all sins are forbidden which lead to it, and are the occasions of it..

Many kill little children by medicines that cause their death.

By consenting to another's death; as Saul to the death of Stephen. 'I also was standing by and consenting unto his death.' Acts 22:20. He that gives consent is accessory to the murder.

By not hindering the death of another when in our power. Pilate knew Christ was innocent. 'I find no fault in Him,' he said, but did not hinder his death; therefore he was guilty. Washing his hands in water could not wash away the guilt of Christ's blood.

By unmercifullness. By taking away that which is necessary for the support of life...by not helping him when he is ready to perish. You may be the death of another, as well by not relieving him, as by offering him violence...How many are thus guilty of the breach of this commandment!

By not executing the law upon capital offenders. A felon having committed six murders, the judge may be said to be guilty of five of them, because he did not execute the felon for his first offence.

What are the aggravations of this sin of murder?

To shed the blood of a near relation aggravates the murder, and dyes it of a deeper crimson.. He is not guilty of murder only, but of disobedience...and diabolical cruelty. '

To shed the blood of any righteous person aggravates the sin. Hereby justice is perverted. Such a person being innocent, is unworthy of death...He is precious to God. Psa 116:15. He is a member of Christ's body; therefore what injury is offered to him is done to God Himself. Acts 9:4.

To deter all from having their hands defiled with blood, consider what a sin murder is. It is;

(1) A God-affronting sin. It is a breach of His command, and trampling upon His royal edict. It is a wrong offered to God's image. 'In the image of God made He man.' Gen 9:6. It is tearing God's picture, and breaking in pieces the King of heaven's broad seal. Man is the temple of God. 'Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost?' I Cor 6:19. The man-slayer destroys God's temple; and will God endure to be thus confronted by proud dust?

(2) It is a crying sin...The voice of blood cries to Heaven. There are three sins in Scripture which are said to cry. Oppression. Psa 12:5. Sodomy. Gen 18:21. Bloodshed. This cries so loud, that it drowns all the other cries. 'The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground.' Gen 4:10. Abel's blood had as many tongues as drops, to cry aloud for vengeance. This sin of blood lay heavy on David's conscience; though he had sinned by adultery, yet, what he cried out for most was, this crimson sin of blood. 'Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God.' Psa 51:14. Though the Lord visits for every sin, yet He will in a special manner make 'inquisition for blood.' Psa 9:12. If a beast killed a man it was to be stoned, and its flesh was not to be eaten. Exod 21:28. If God would have a beast stoned that killed a man, which had not the use of reason to restrain it, much more will he be incensed against those who, against both reason and conscience, take away the life of a man.

(3) Murder is a diabolical sin. It makes a man the devil's first born, for he was a murderer from the beginning. John 8:44.

(4) It is a cursed sin. If there be a curse for him that smites his neighbour secretly, he is doubly cursed that kills him. Deut 27:24. The first man that was born was a murderer. 'And now art thou cursed from the earth.' Gen 4:11. He was an excommunicated person, banished from the place of God's public worship. God set a mark upon bloody Cain. Gen 4:15. Some think that mark was horror of mind, which, above all sins, accompanies the sin of blood. Others think it was a continual shaking and trembling in his flesh. He carried a curse along with him.

(5) It is a wrath-procuring sin. 2 Kings 24:4. It procures temporal judgements. ..Vengeance as a bloodhound pursues the murderer. 'Bloody men shall not live out half their days.' Psa 55:23. It brings eternal judgements. It binds men over to hell...Let all impenitent murderers read their doom in Rev 21:8: 'Murderers shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.' We read of 'fire mingled with blood.' Rev 8:7. Such as have their hands full of blood must undergo the wrath of God. Here is fire mingled with blood, and this fire is inextinguishable. Mark 9:44. Time will not finish it, tears will not quench it.

The positive duty implied in the command is, that we should do all the good we can to ...others.

To communicate to the necessities of others is not left to our choice, but is an incumbent duty. 'Charge them that are rich in this world that they do good; that they be rich in good works.' I Tim 6:17, 18. This is not only a counsel, but a charge. Shall we be harder than the stones, not to obey God when he charges us to 'be rich in good works?'

God supplies our wants, and shall not we supply the wants of others? 'We could not live without mercy.' God makes every creature helpful to us: the sun to enrich us with its golden beams; the earth to yield us its increase, veins of gold, crops of corn, and store of flowers. God opens the treasury of His mercy; he feeds us every day out of the alms-basket of His providence. 'Thou openest thy hand, and satisfies the desire of every living thing.' Psa 145:16. Does God supply our wants, and shall we not minister to the wants of others? Shall we be as a sponge to suck in mercy, and not as breasts to milk it out to others?

Herein we resemble God, to be doing good to others. It is our excellence to be like God. 'Godliness is Godlikeness.' When are we more like Him than in acts of bounty and munificence? 'Thou art good, and does good.' Psa 119:68. 'Thou art good,' there is His essential goodness; and 'doest good,' there is His communicative goodness. The more helpful we are to others, the more like we are to God. We cannot be like God in omniscience, or in working miracles; but we may be like Him in doing works of mercy.

Hardheartedness to others in misery reproaches the gospel. When men's hearts are like pieces of rock...they unchristianize themselves. Unmercifullness is the sin of the heathen. 'Unmerciful.' Rom 1:31. It eclipses the glory of the gospel. Does the gospel teach uncharitableness? Does it not bid us 'draw out thy soul to the hungry'? Isa 58:10. 'These things I will that thou affirm, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works.' Tit 3:8. While you relieve not such as are in want, you walk in opposition to the gospel; you cause it to be evil spoken of, and lay it open to the lash and censure of others.

There is nothing lost by relieving the necessitous... Such as are helpful to others, shall 'find grace to help in time of need.' Such as pour out the golden oil of compassion to others, shall have the golden oil of salvation by God poured out to them; for 'a cup of cold water' they shall have 'rivers of pleasure.' God will make it up some way or other in this life. 'The liberal soul shall be made fat.' Prov 11:25. It shall be as the loaves in breaking multiplied; or, as the widow's oil, increased in pouring out.

To do good to others in necessity keeps up the credit of religion. Works of mercy adorn the gospel, as the fruit adorns the tree. When 'one light so shines that others see our good works,' it glorifies God, crowns religion, and silences the lips of gainsayers. Basil says nothing rendered the true religion more famous in the primitive times, and made more proselytes to it, than the bounty and charity of Christians.

The evil that accrues by not preserving the lives of others, and helping them in their necessities. God often sends a secret moth into their estate. 'There is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.' Prov 11:24. 'Whose stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.' Prov 21:13. 'He shall have judgement without mercy, that has shewed no mercy.' James 2:13. The rich man who denied Lazarus a crumb of bread was denied a drop of water. 'Depart from Me, ye cursed; for I was an hungred, and ye gave Me no meat.' Matt 15:41. .. By all this, be ready to distribute to the necessities of others. This is included in the commandment, 'Thou shalt not kill.' Not only thou shalt not destroy another's life, but thou shalt preserve it by ministering to his necessities.

It is implied that we should endeavour to preserve the souls of others: counsel them about their souls; set life and death before them; help them to heaven... If we see our neighbour's soul going astray, we should use all means to bring him back to God by repentance

Caution! Beware of Pragmatism in your church, ministry & life!

2011-05-10T10:50:00.002-04:00

by Patte Smith on Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 5:46pm

Pragmatism: a philosophical movement or system having various forms, but generally stressing practical consequences as constituting the essential criterion in determining meaning, truth, or value.

Ten steps to becoming a "Pragmatic Church"

1. "Easy-believism" gospel.

2. Place emphasis on some "work" for salvation and not the need to recognize and approach a holy God.

3. Teach half-truths.

4. Teach that grace replaces (instead of produces) holiness.

5. Teach that love and truth are opposed and obedience is legalism or optional.

6. Use fleshly things to attract unbelievers for evangelism and teach them that carnal, worldly lifestyles are acceptable.

7. Avoid the Biblical teachings that create humility in man and exalt God.

8. Teach the means of grace are optional.

9. Be "seeker-friendly" and avoid being "offensive."

10. Place being "relatable" above "biblical accuracy."

‎"Wherever pragmatism exists in the church, there is always a corresponding de-emphasis on Christ’s sufficiency, God’s sovereignty, biblical integrity, the power of prayer, and Spirit-led ministries. The result is a man-centered ministry that attempts to accomplish divine purposes by superficial programs and human methodology rather than by the Word or the power of the Spirit..."[Pragmatism] seems predicated on the idea that artificial technique and human strategy are crucial to the church’s mission. Many appear to believe that we can capture people for Christ and the church only if our programs are imaginative enough and our sermons are persuasive enough. Therefore they bend their philosophy of ministry to suit whatever techniques seem to satisfy the most unbelievers....The error of pragmatism is that it regards methodologies that “work” as more important and more viable than those that are biblical. A pragmatist is concerned primarily with whether a given practice is expedient, not necessarily with whether it is in harmony with Scripture."
~ John MacArthur

‎"We have come to a place in time where we measure the correctness of our plans simply by their seeming to contribute to our favorite aim. We estimate the soundness of our doctrine, not from its tendency to exalt and glorify God…but entirely by the apparent facility with which it enables us to get sinners to turn from their ways."
~ Horatius Bonar

"If we do wrong and no harm comes of it, we are not thereby justified. If we did evil and good came of it, the evil would be just as evil. It is not the result of the action, but the action itself which God weighs."
~ C.H. Spurgeon

"If results are the only things that matter, then a false religion that has the desired results would be just as good as a true one. Not only that, but if results are the only things that matter, then if you could find a way to produce these results without religion, you wouldn’t need religion after all. Most important of all, if results are the only things that matter, you aren’t really worshiping God – you’re worshiping results."
~ J. Budziszewski

“God will not be honoured according to man’s fantasy, but detesteth all good intentions which are not grounded on His Word.”
~ 1560 Geneva Bible notes

"All worshipping, honoring, or service invented by the brain of man in the religion of God, without His own express commandment, is idolatry."
~ John Knox

Da lucem, Domine: Give light, O Lord.

Cleanse Thy church of its corruptions. Burn away the dross, that the pure gold may shine forth.

The One Who Does All Things Well

2011-05-10T10:49:00.002-04:00

by Patte Smith on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 11:11am

In providence and in grace,
in every truth of His Word,
in every lesson of His love,
in every stroke of His rod,
in every sunbeam that has shone,
in every cloud that has shaded,
in every element that has sweetened,
in every ingredient that has embittered,
in all that has been mysterious,
inscrutable,
painful,
and humiliating,
in all that He gave,
in all that He took away,
this testimony is His just due,
and this our grateful acknowledgment through time and through eternity:
"He has done all things well!"
~ Octavius Winslow

What is the Fear of the Lord? by Thomas Watson

2011-05-10T10:48:00.003-04:00

by Patte Smith on Friday, April 22, 2011 at 10:37am

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:11

The fear of God is the sum of all true true religion. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ). Fear is the leading grace, the first seed which God sows in the heart. When a Christian can say little of faith, and perhaps nothing of assurance, yet he dares not deny that he fears God (Neh. 1:11). God is so great—that the Christian is afraid of displeasing Him; and so good—that he is afraid of losing Him.It is an indispensable duty incumbent on Christians, to be fearers of God. “Fear God!” (Eccles. 5:7). “That you may fear the glorious and awesome name of the Lord your God!” (Deut. 28:58). This fear of God, is the very foundation of a saint. One can no more act as a Christian without the fear of God—than he can act as a man without reason. This holy fear is the fixed temper and complexion of the soul; this fear is not servile—but filial. There is a difference between fearing God, and being afraid of God. The godly fear God as a child does his father; the wicked are afraid of God as the prisoner is of the judge! This divine fear will appear admirable if you consider how it is mixed and interwoven with several of the graces.
1. The fear of God is mixed with LOVE (Psalm 145:19, 20)

The chaste spouse fears to displease her husband, because she loves him. There is a necessity that fear and love should be in conjunction. Love is as the sails to make swift the soul’s motion; and fear is as the ballast to keep it steady in true religion. Love will be apt to grow wanton, unless it is counter-balanced with fear.

2. The fear of God is mixed with FAITH. “By faith Noah, moved with holy fear, prepared an ark” (Hebrews 11:7).

When the soul looks either to God’s holiness, or its own sinfulness—it fears. But it is a fear mixed with faith in Christ’s merits; the soul trembles—yet trusts. Like a ship which lies at anchor, though it shakes with the wind, yet it is fixed at anchor. God in great wisdom couples these two graces of faith and fear. Fear preserves seriousness, faith preserves cheerfulness. Fear is as lead to the net—to keep a Christian from floating in presumption; and faith is as cork to the net—to keep him from sinking in despair.

3. The fear of God is mixed with PRUDENCE.

He who fears God has the serpent’s eye in the dove’s head. He foresees and avoids those rocks upon which others run. “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” (Proverbs 22:3). Though divine fear does not make a person cowardly—it makes him cautious.

4. The fear of God is mixed with HOPE. “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love” (Psalm 33:18).

One would think that fear would destroy hope—but it nourishes it. Fear is to hope, as the oil to the lamp—it keeps it burning. The more we fear God’s justice—the more we may hope in His mercy. Indeed, such as have no fear of God do sometimes hope—but it is not “good hope through grace” (2 Thess. 5:26). Sinners pretend to have the “helmet of hope” (1 Thess. 5:8)—but lack the “breastplate of righteousness” (Eph. 6:14).

5. The fear of God is mixed with INDUSTRY. “Noah, moved with holy fear, prepared an ark” (Hebrews 11:7).

There is a carnal fear, which represents God as a severe Judge. This takes the soul off from duty, “I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground” (Matthew 25:25). But there is also a fear of diligence. A Christian fears—and prays; fears—and repents. Fear quickens industry. The spouse, fearing lest the bridegroom should come before she is dressed, hastens and puts on her jewels, that she may be ready to meet him. Fear causes a watchful eye—and a working hand. Fear banishes sloth out of its diocese. “The greatest labor in true religion,” says holy fear, “is far less than the least pain the damned feel in hell.”"Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and thought upon His name. "They will be Mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up My jewels! I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."
Malachi 3:16-18

Let us bewail the lack of the fear of God in our world. Why is it that so few fear God?

1. Men do not fear God—because they have not the knowledge of God. "They hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord" (Proverbs 1:29). Every sin is founded in ignorance of God. If only men knew God in His immense glory, they would be swallowed up with divine amazement. When the prophet Isaiah had a glimpse of God's glory, he was struck with holy consternation: "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!" (Isaiah 6:6). Ignorance of God, banishes the fear of God.

2. Men do not fear God—because they presume on His mercy. God is merciful, and they do not doubt of the virtue of this sovereign balm. But who is God's mercy for? "His mercy extends to those who fear Him" (Luke 1:50). Such as do not fear God's justice—shall not taste His mercy.
Let this be "for a lamentation", that the fear of God is so vanished from our world. Why is it almost nowhere to be found? Some fear shame, others fear danger—but where is he who fears God?

Excerpted from Thomas Watson's The Great Gain of Godliness
http://trinitypastor.wordpress.com/2009/05/28/thomas-watson-what-is-the-fear-of-the-lord/
http://www.gracegems.org/Watson/religion_our_true_interest1.htm

Christ: The Love of God Displayed

2011-05-10T10:48:00.000-04:00

by Patte Smith on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 11:06am

"I lay down My life"
~ Jesus
John 10:17

Behold the love of God the Father in giving Christ to be broken for us. It is a love without parallel. It was a far greater expression of love in God to give His Son to die for us than if He had acquitted us of the debt without any satisfaction at all. If a subject is disloyal to his sovereign, it argues more love in the king to give his own son to die for that subject than to forgive him the wrong freely...

See... infinite Love displayed.

(1) Behold the love of God the Father in giving Christ to be broken for us. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son," John 3:16. It is a love without parallel. It was a far greater expression of love in God to give His Son to die for us than if He had voluntarily acquitted us of the debt without any satisfaction at all. If a subject is disloyal to his sovereign, it argues more love in the king to give his own son to die for that subject than to forgive him the wrong freely...

(2) That Christ should suffer death...Christ rent off His own flesh for us. Nay, that Christ should die as the greatest sinner, having the weight of all men's sins laid upon Him, here was most transporting love! It sets all the angels in heaven wondering.

(3) That Christ should die freely. "I lay down My life," John 10:17. There was no law to enjoin Him, no force to compel Him. It is called the offering of the body of Jesus, Hebrews 10:10. What could fasten Him to the Cross but the golden link of love!

(4) That Christ should die for such as we are. What are we? Not only vanity, but enmity! When we were fighting, He was dying. When He had the weapons in our hands, then He had the spear in His side, Romans 5:8.

(5) That Christ died for us when He could not expect to be at all bettered by us... We were in such a condition that we could neither merit Christ's love nor requite (repay) it. For Christ to die for us when we were at such a low ebb was the very quintessence of love. One man will extend kindness to another as long as he is able to requite (repay) him. But if he is fallen to decay, then love begins to slacken and cool. But when we were engulfed in misery and fallen to decay, when we had lost our beauty, stained our blood, and spent our portion, then Christ died for us. O amazing love, which may swallow up all our thoughts!

(6) That Christ should not repent of His sufferings. "He shall see the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied," Isaiah 53:11. It is a metaphor that alludes to a mother who, though she has suffered greatly, does not repent of it when she sees a child brought forth. So, though Christ had hard travail upon the Cross, yet He does not repent of it, but thinks all His sufferings well-bestowed. He shall be satisfied. The Hebrew word signifies such a satiating as a man has at some sweet repast or banquet.

(7) That Christ should rather die for us than the angels that fell. They were creatures of a more noble extraction and, in all probability, might have brought greater revenues of glory to God, Yet, that Christ should pass by those golden vessels and make us clods of earth into stars of glory, O the hyperbole of Christ's love!

(8) Yet another step of Christ's love, for like the waters of the sanctuary it rises higher: that Christ's love should not cease at the hour of death! We write in our letters, "Your friend till death." But Christ wrote in another style, "Your Friend after death!" Christ died once, but loves forever. He is not testifying His affection to us. He is making the mansions ready for us, John 14:2. He is interceding for us, Hebrews 7:25. He appears in the court as the Advocate for the client. When He has finished dying, yet He has not finished loving. What a stupendous love was here! Who can meditate upon this and not be in ecstasy? Well may the apostle call it "a love that passes knowledge," Ephesians 3:19. When you see Christ broken.. think of this love.

See, then, what dear and entire affections we should bear to Christ, who gives us His body and blood..If He had had anything to part with of more worth, He would have bestowed it upon us. O let Christ lie nearest our hearts! Let Him be our Tree of Life, and let us desire no other fruit. Let Him be our morning Star, and let us rejoice in no other light ...

Christ gives Himself to believers, and what can He give more?

Sin is to be abominated since... Sin is the birthplace of our sorrows and the grave of our comforts. But that which may most of all disfigure the face of sin and make it appear abominable is this: It crucified our Lord! It made Christ veil His glory and lose His blood.

If a woman saw the sword that killed her husband, how hateful would the sight of it be to her! Do we count that sin light which made Christ's soul heavy unto death? (Mark 14:34) Did He cry out, "My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" And shall not those sins be forsaken by us which made Christ Himself forsaken? O let us look upon sin with indignation! .. Sin has rent the white robe of Christ's flesh and died it a crimson color. Let us, then, seek to be avenged of our sins.

Did Christ suffer who "knew no sin," and do we think it strange to suffer who know nothing but sin? ... Was the Head crowned with thorns? Must we have our bracelets and diamonds when Christ had the spear and nails ...?

He was fastened to the Cross, so He may be fasted to our hearts.

SEVEN SUPERNATURAL VIRTUES IN CHRIST'S BLOOD

That we may set the higher value upon the blood of Christ. I shall show you seven rare supernatural virtues in it:
1. It is a reconciling blood. `You that were sometime alienated, and enemies, yet now hath He reconciled through death," Colossians 1:21. Christ's blood is the blood of atonement...Sin rent us off from God; Christ's blood cements us to God...If we had wept rivers of tears, this could never have appeased an angry Deity.

2. Christ's blood is a quickening blood. [quickening: to revive; restore life] "Whoso drinketh My blood, hath eternal life," John 6:54. It both begets life and prevents death. "The life of a thing is in the blood," Leviticus 17:11. Sure enough, the life of our soul is in the blood of Christ.

3. Christ's blood is a cleansing blood. "How much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience!" Hebrews 9:14. As the merit of Christ's blood pacifies God, so the virtue (power) of it purifies us...It washes a crimson sinner milk white. "The blood of Jesus cleanseth us from all our sin," I John 1:7. The Word of God is a looking glass to show us our spots, and the blood of Christ is a fountain to wash them away, Zechariah 13:1.

A SOLEMN WARNING:
But this blood will not wash if it is mingled with anything. If we go to mingle anything with Christ's blood, either the merits of saints or the prayers of angels, it will not wash. Let Christ's blood be pure and unmixed, and there is no spot but it will wash away. It purged out Noah's drunkenness and Lot's incest. Indeed, there is one spot so black that Christ's blood does not wash away, and that is the sin against the Holy Ghost. Not but that there is virtue enough in Christ's blood to wash it away, but he who has sinned that sin will not be washed. He condemns Christ's blood and tramples it under foot, Hebrews 10:29.

4. Christ's blood is a softening blood. There is nothing so hard but may be softened by this blood. It will soften a stone. Water will soften the earth, but it will not soften a stone; but Christ's blood...softens a heart of stone...The heart, which before was like a piece hewn out of a rock, being steeped in Christ's blood, becomes soft and the waters of repentance flow from it.

5. Christ's blood cools the heart... It burns in lust and passion. Christ's blood allays this heart and quenches the inflammation of sin. Second, it cools the heat of conscience...Christ's blood, being sprinkled upon the conscience, cools and pacifies it.

6. Christ's blood comforts the soul... Christ's blood will cheer the heart at such a time. It is best in affliction. It cures the trembling of the heart. A conscience sprinkled with Christ's blood can, like the nightingale, sing with a thorn at its breast. The blood of Christ can make a prison become a palace. It turned the martyr's flames into beds of roses. Christ's blood gives comfort ...

7. Christ's blood procures heaven. Israel passed through the Red Sea to Canaan. So, through the red sea of Christ's blood, we enter into the heavenly Canaan. "Having boldness therefore to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus," Hebrews 10:19. Our sins shut heaven; Christ's blood is the key which opens the gate of paradise for us...Well, then, may we prize the blood of Christ and, with Paul, determine to know nothing but Christ crucified, 1 Corinthians 2:2.

~ Thomas Watson

This, & much more, is why Watson concludes:

Rejecting gospel mercy is a sin of so deep a dye that God can do no less than punish it for a contempt.

source: http://www.biblebb.com/files/TW/tw-supper.htm

A child is born! The face of abortion is the face of a child

2011-05-10T10:47:00.002-04:00

by Patte Smith on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 4:22pm

Baby Talak

‎"I gave birth to a baby boy. He and I are doing great. I am very much happy and want to say "Very much thanks" to you for helping me out and for giving an opportunity to make me happy on this occasion. Myself and my family want to convey our hearty thanks and regards for your help on that day. I have no words except happiness filled at this moment..which is all by your and God's grace. Thank you very much."
~ Kaluna

This little one was scheduled to be executed at Orlando Women's Center abortuary. His mommy had a humble, tender heart & turned away from killing when Christians gently asked her to have compassion on the child of her womb & offered their loving help. I thank God for the caring believers who were there the day she arrived at the killing place & for Georgia Ana, who held Kaluna's hand & became her friend through the pregnancy

he killed the child. Georgia Ana loved on this dear mother gospel tract in English & Hindi. She also gave Kalpana & her husband a New Testament in Hindi. She also took Kaluna to a Hindi-speaking female ob/gyn from India for her pre-natal appointments. The day of the ultrasound to determine the sex of her baby came &, to our delight & relief, God had given Kaluna & her husband the desire of their hearts, a little boy ♥ Kaluna said: She said her husband would only accept a boy baby :/ We prayed & prayed for God to work in her heart. We simply could not imagine waiting & then seeing Kaluna's little baby at 20 weeks My friends Deanna & Paula met Kaluna at Orlando Women's Center abortuary on August 14, 2010. Kaluna & her husband & two girls are Hindu & came to America from India. Kaluna had come to have her little one killed. Even though there was a serious language barrier, Kaluna listened to the voice of mercy & truth spoken by the caring missionaries outside the murder mill & her baby got a reprieve that day. In the weeks that followed Kaluna still spoke of killing her baby, saying;
"...so by God grace and all of you I am safe here and so is he."

Every little child is a gift from God & we rejoice over the tender conscience & maternal instincts of the mothers who turn away from murdering their babies. Little Talak is a sweet baby boy. Whenever I see the newborn infant who was once imperiled, I cannot help but think, this the face of abortion. Real live babies. God help us to reach many more mamas like Kaluna.

Do you suffer from the sin of having a good opinion of yourself?

2011-05-10T10:46:00.002-04:00

by Patte Smith on Monday, March 28, 2011 at 12:28pm

...there is nothing which prevents a man coming to Christ like a good opinion of himself.
~ CH Spurgeon

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find.
~ Proverbs 20:6

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
~ Jeremiah 17:9

God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
~ 1 Peter 5:5b

When pride comes, then comes shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
~ Proverbs 11:2

Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
~ Proverbs 16:18

A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.
~ Proverbs 29:23

Pride is the greatest sacrilege; it robs God of his glory...Oh, let us search if there is none of this leaven of pride in us. Man is naturally a proud piece of flesh; this sin runs in the blood. Our first parents fell by their pride. They aspired to deity. There are the seeds of this in the best, but the godly do not allow themselves in it. They strive to kill this weed by mortification. But certainly where this sin reigns and prevails, it cannot stand with grace.
~ Thomas Watson

I used to think, in my youth, that I was pretty good, at least compared to those around me, ahhhh, such foolishness! I praise God that He has progressively revealed to me my true nature, so that finding nothing good in myself, I can discard self in order to be filled with Him and His goodness!
~ Angela Doty

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
~ Jeremiah 17:7

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you.
~ I Peter 5:6

Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God ...
~ Psalm 40:17

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
~ Jesus in Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11;18:14

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.
~ James 4:10

Sooner or later such who are humbled shall be exalted. It is the usual way and method which God takes to abase the proud, and exalt the humble; for humble souls honour Him, and therefore such as honour Him He will honour; and this He does in His own time, in a time that makes most for His glory, and their good; Oftentimes He does it in this life, and always in that which is to come.
~ John Gill

God appointed the Jews to make fringes upon their garments, Nu 15:38, to remind them of their being a peculiar people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common, as if they were thereby more religious than others. Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against... How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consistent disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But who that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristian spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of our hearts.
~ Matthew Henry