A very good friend of mine had this posted on his Church’s Site and it was so very good I wanted to share it with our readers as well.
Please listen to this video!
T4G 2010 — Session 8 — Matt Chandler from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.
A TOUCHING REMINDER
OF
OUR NATION’S CHRISTIAN HERITAGE!
Had to add this and it is NOT a joke.
Very good, listen to it!
May
18
BASICS CONFERENCE AT PARKSIDE
Each year we have a group of men made up of Elders, Deacons, Missionaries, and young men who are aspiring to serve the Lord in leadership at First Baptist Church of Sidney, in the pastorate, or on the mission field. This year we had ten men travel together to reflect on the challenges, responsibilities, and privileges that face the modern church. It was, as always, a great time of learning, bonding and being encouraged from the Word of God and from the lives of some of His gifted servants. If you are interested in learning more about this Men’s Leadership Conference go to parksidechurch.com or call FBC (607-563-8456) and we will be glad to answer any questions we can about this valuable conference for men in church leadership.
Here is just a taste of the Conference from the -
General Session #6: Panel Question Time – All Speakers:
Panel Question Time from Parkside Church on Vimeo.
POST SCRIPT:
One of my fellow Elders who had never preached before filled in for me while I was away on a week of vacation. What a great joy it is to see God challenge a man to preach a message and then see God bless when that man makes himself available to God for His purposes! I know attending this conference had a large part to play in the means God used to challenge Bob to step humbly behind a pulpit! It is God’s Word that we are to preach and not ourselves and we have such a great God to proclaim! You can listen to this message on this site under the “SERMONS” tab, May 30th.
FBC is going through the wonderful experience of a “Church Baby Boom”! Our nursery is already rather crowded and we have more on the way. For a small church in a little village this is a very exciting problem; “Deacons we are going to need to enlarge the nursery”. Babies are truly a blessing from God and oh how we absolutely love each and every one of them with every fiber of our being!
However the Scriptures teach us a radical truth about our babies; about all babies! Therefore it is a truth about each and every one of us for we all had our start in life as a baby! So prepare yourselves for some stark reality as you read concerning this hard truth. This, of course, has tremendous implications for Christian parenting and I would recommend to you some real help in the form of an excellent book; “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” by Tedd Tripp.
Every Baby Starts Life as a Little Savage! 
“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me!” Psalm 51:5
“Every baby starts life as a little savage. He is completely selfish and self-centered: he wants what he wants; his bottle, his mother’s attention, his playmate’s toys, his uncle’s watch, or whatever. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He is dirty; he has no morals, no knowledge and no developed skills. This means that all children, not just certain children, but all children are born delinquent. If permitted to continue in their self-centered world of infancy, given free reign to their impulsive actions to satisfy each want every child would grow up a criminal, a killer, a thief, and a rapist.” (Reb Bradley, “Biblical Insights into Child Training”)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Remember that children are born with a decided bias toward evil, and therefore if you let them choose for themselves, they are certain to choose wrong. The mother cannot tell what her tender infant may grow up to be tall or short, weak or strong, wise or foolish all is uncertain. But one thing the mother can say with certainty he will have a corrupt and sinful heart! It is natural for us to do wrong. Our hearts are like the earth on which we tread let it alone, and it is sure to bear weeds!” (J. C. Ryle)
“Every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.” Genesis 8:21
The Apostle Peter in his second epistle said, ESV 2 Peter 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” It is God’s desire for us that we would have assurance of our salvation. Yet many professing believers do not have that blessing of assurance. There are a number of reasons why people lack assurance and one certainly must not exclude the fearful reality that assurance is lacking because salvation is lacking! Here is an excellent read from A. W. Pink for any genuine child of God who may be doubting their salvation due to a lack of humility. For every truly regenerate person has a humble heart!
You are a Filthy Pauper! (Arthur Pink, “Identification of the Godly“)
“For this is what the high and lofty One says, He who lives forever, whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is of a contrite and humble spirit.” Isaiah 57:15
A humble spirit or heart, is an infallible sign of regeneration; for the unregenerate are proud, self-satisfied, self-righteous.
Yet the very mention of the word “humility” seems to cut off many Christians. As they examine themselves, they discover so much pride at work within, that they are quite unable to persuade themselves that they have a humble heart. It seems to them that humility is one thing they most evidently lack. Now it will no doubt be a startling statement, but we unhesitatingly affirm that the great majority of God’s people are far more humble than they suppose!
FIRST, that the Christian reader possesses a humble heart, is plain from the fact that he confesses himself to be a Hell-deserving sinner. We do not have in mind what you say of yourself when in the company of your fellows, but rather what you feel and say of yourself when alone with God. Whatever pretenses you are guilty of before men when in the presence of the Omniscient One you are real, sincere, and genuine.
Now, dear reader, be honest with yourself: When on your knees before the Throne of Grace, do you freely and frankly acknowledge that if you received your lawful due, you would even now be suffering the dreadful fires of Hell? If so, a miracle of grace must have been wrought within you. No unregenerate person will or can honestly make such a confession to God for he does not feel he has done anything deserving of eternal punishment.
SECOND, if you own that “all your righteous acts are like filthy rags,” that is proof you possess a humble heart. Of course, we mean much more than your merely uttering those words as a parrot might, or even singing then during some religious service. We mean that when you are in the presence of the Lord, which is always the surest test, you personally realize that you have not a single meritorious deed of your own to commend you to His favorable regard.
We mean that, when bowed in His presence, in the calmness and quietness of your prayer-closet, you own without any qualification, that your best performances are defiled by sin and that in yourself, you are a filthy pauper!
If that is indeed your language before God it most certainly issues from a humble heart. The heart of the natural man thinks and feels the very opposite, and can no more loathe himself than transform himself into a holy angel. {Idea of “self-esteem is done away with!}
THIRD, if you receive everything in the Scriptures as a little child that is another proof that a miracle of grace has been wrought within you and that you now possess a humble heart. By nature, all are “wise and prudent” in their own esteem.
The enmity of the proud carnal mind rises up against the sovereignty of God making one vessel to honor and another to dishonor; against the spirituality and strictness of the Divine Law which curses all who deviate the slightest from its holy demands; and against the endless punishment of all dying out of Christ. But the regenerate, though there is much they do not understand, accept without murmur or question all that is revealed in the Word. If you do, that is proof that your pride has been abased before God.
How thankful we should be that Scripture does not say that God dwells only in those who have complete victory over sin, or those who enjoy unbroken and unclouded communion with Him. Had those been the distinguishing features named then every one of us might well despair!
But every regenerate person has a humble heart. And if you, my reader, measuring yourself by what has been pointed out above, can discern such fruits and evidences of humility then so far from its being presumptuous for you to look upon yourself as one saved and indwelt by God it would be most wicked presumption for you to do otherwise.
Mar
31
God’s Children let this word of reminder go with you throughout the day!
He Could Not Love You More! (Charles Spurgeon)
“I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself!” Jeremiah 31:3 He loved you without beginning. Before years, and centuries, and millenniums began to be counted your name was on His heart! Eternal thoughts of love have been in God’s bosom towards you. He has loved you without a pause; there never was a minute in which He did not love you. Your name once engraved upon His hands has never been erased, nor will He ever blot it out of the Book of Life. Since you have been in this world He has loved you most patiently. You have often provoked Him; you have rebelled against Him times without number, yet He has never stayed the outflow of His heart towards you; and, blessed be His name He never will. You are His, and you always shall be His. God’s love to you is without boundary. He could not love you more for He loves you like a God; and He never will love you less. All His heart belongs to you! “As the Father has loved Me so have I loved you!” John 15:9
Mar
10
DEATH – THE 8OO LB. GORILLA
There is a series of commercials that you may have seen recently for Axa Equitable. For example one of the earlier ones shows a couple in bed and there’s someone talking to them about their finances. We cut to a Gorilla. He gets ready to leave and says something like, “but don’t listen to me. I’m just the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room”. Now, I believe for some reason they altered the idiom for when there’s an important issue that folks aren’t talking about it’s known as “the elephant in the room” rather than the gorilla. However, the point of the commercial cannot be missed. You are not getting any younger; stop trying to ignore the obvious issue that you need to start a retirement program!
Recently I used this as an illustration in a message regarding our current culture trying to ignore the reality of death. It is very evident in our culture today that we don’t like to face the fact of dying; even though death is the reality of life! It has been pointed out that humanity has a 100% mortality rate! Yet in our western culture death has become the ignored obvious certainty for each and every one of us. We try hard not to think about it, most fear and hate the prospect of dying. Death has indeed become the “800 lb. gorilla in the room.” It is most certainly there, it is truly enormous in it’s implications, and yet many people try to pretend it is distant from them and really nothing of real importance for them to personally consider. Often the only time we are willing to honestly face the obvious truth regarding death is when we are forced to do so because we have been confronted with the loss of a loved one.
When I conduct a funeral I am always struck with the fact that one of the primary responsibilities the Bible assigns to the pastor is to prepare people for death. To seek to make clear to them concerning the promises of the Gospel so that they might live confidently here in this life in light of an assurance of being with God in eternity. In other words, one can really only “live” after they are adequately prepared for death. So, as a pastor I am often engaged in discussions about death. Oh what a joy it is to be able to share and declare the hope of the gospel! For the reality is that for the committed follower of Jesus Christ death is GAIN! The Apostle Paul expressed this hope when he said, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain…My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Phil. 1:21 & 23b
Feb
15
In just a very few days, I will be having a birthday! Especially neat is the fact that my Mother and my oldest Son share the same birth-date with me; Happy Birthday Mom and Ry! What is truly incredible to me is that I will actually be “The Double Nickle”; 55 years old! When did that happen? How did that happen? I didn’t see that coming! Where did the years, all those years, go? Well it is true! I am really going to be 55; and in such a youth crazed culture in which we find ourselves I need some biblical perspective on it. A favorite writer of mine, James Russell Miller who lived 1840-1912, supplied it for me so I thought that I would share it with all of my blog reading friends!
By the way no presents please, just pray for me that, Lord willing, the “growth” described below will be true of my 55th year on earth.
Soli Deo Gloria
OUR BIRTHDAYS!
J. R. Miller, “The Beauty of Every Day” 1910
Some people come to birthdays regretfully. They do not like to think that they are growing older. But there is no reason for regret, if only we are living our years as we should live them, as we may live them. Empty years are a dishonor. Years filled with sin are blots in the calendar. We should be ashamed to come to a birthday at the close of a year of idleness, indolence, neglect, or unfaithfulness. Jesus said we must give account for every idle word we speak. It will be an unhappy reckoning that we must make, after an idle year, or for idle hours and days in a year.
But there need never be a shadow of regret in coming to a birthday, when we have lived our best through all the days. If we go through a year walking with God we shall come to its close with enlarged life, with nobler character, with richer virtues in every way a more godly man or woman.
Growth is a law of life. When growth ceases, death is beginning. God counts our age, not by our birthdays, but by the advances which His eye sees in our inner life. Growth, too, is not marked by height or weight or by accumulations of money or property or earthly honor, but by an increase in godly character.
Feb
1
Well, we have completed the first month of 2010. How have you been doing with your “resolutions” thus far? I had decided this year to be much more disciplined with my journal. I have only seven entries thus far, not so good. As I was considering the “whys” of my failure I came across this sober reminder regarding the use of the Lord’s time! I take it as a loving encouragement to persevere. I will need to make some practical changes in order to fulfill my personal discipline of journaling, but the lesson goes way beyond a simple resolution to be disciplined with a book and pen. I hope this will be a great reminder to all my fellow believers who read this entry of the fact that our time is really not ours, but the Lord’s. He considers every minute of it very valuable!
How are you doing in “Redeeming the Time”?
We Fritter Away Days, Weeks, Months!
(J. R. Miller, “The Sacredness of Opportunity“)
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16
“Gather up the fragments that are left over. Let nothing be wasted!” John 6:12
“Time is short!” 1 Corinthians 7:29
Time is made up of golden minutes not one of which we should allow to be wasted! The Master said that for every idle word that men speak they must give account. This can be no less true of idle minutes or hours.
Most of us live as if we had a thousand years to stay here in this world! We loiter away the golden hours of our little days as if the days were never to end! We do not see how swiftly the sun is whirling toward his setting, while our work is but half done, our task perhaps scarcely begun!
We fritter away days, weeks, months not noticing how our one little opportunity of living in this world is being worn off, as the sea eats away a crumbling bank until its last shred is gone! We set slight value on time, forgetting that we have only a hand-breadth of it and then comes eternity!
Many of us fail to appreciate the value of ‘single days’. “A day is too short a space,” we say, “that it cannot make much difference if one, just one, is wasted or idled away in pleasure!” Yet the days are links in a chain, and if one link is broken, the chain is broken. In God’s plan for our life each little day has its own load of duty.
How these lost days shame us as they turn their reproachful eyes upon us, out of the irrevocable past!
Many people are wasteful of time. They fail to realize its value. They appear to have it in such abundance that they dream it can never end. They do not know that a day lost may mean misfortune or failure for them sometime in the future. They do not know that squandered hours, minutes spent in idleness may cost them the true success of their life, bringing failure or disaster!
They should not make the mistake of imagining they have so much time that they can afford to let days or hours or even minutes be wasted. They cannot afford to lose one golden minute of any day. We do not know what momentous issues, affecting all our future are involved in any quietest hour of any common-place day. There is ‘a time for everything’, but the time is short, and when it is gone, and the thing is not done; it never can be done!
What you make of your life you must make in a few years at the most; for the human span is short and any day may be your last one! Every day that passes leaves life’s margin a little less for each of us. Our allotment of time is ever shortening!
There are a great many things it is not worth our while to do. Some of us spend our days in poor trivialities which bless no one, and which will add no lustre to our crown.
Therefore, waste no opportunity! Squander no moment! There is just time enough for you to live your life well if you spend every moment of it in earnest, faithful duty. One hour lost will leave a flaw. A life thus lived in unbroken diligence and faithfulness, will have no regrets when the end comes.
Jan
15
Shepherd Press
Newsletter 82
January 12, 2010
What’s Wrong with America?
How would you answer if someone were to ask you, “What’s wrong with America?” If you based your answer on reports from the news media, you might be tempted to say, “Everything!” Gas prices are heading up again, record cold is gripping the Northern Hemisphere, economic and financial woes abound, people continue to distrust their elected officials, and terrorism is front page news once again. The 24/7 cable news networks offer a running commentary on things that are wrong and how to fix them. The problem is that one analyst’s expert opinion is followed by another expert whose opinion is the opposite of the first one. Which brings us back to the question – what is wrong with America?
Christians would answer that the obvious reason is sin; which is true enough. The next step is to ask where we may find the solution for America. The answer to that question is not as obvious as it should be. Governmental, educational and various community organizations all attempt to fix what is wrong. But no matter how well meaning or how intensive the efforts of these folks may be, they cannot begin to address the real issue, the sin in men’s hearts. The reality is that God has designed one specific organization to address the issue of sin; his church.
As a new year and a new decade begin, it is important to focus on the one issue that really matters. People need to know Jesus Christ. Talk radio, cable news and the Internet can easily draw your attention toward solutions other than God’s. A strong military, fiscal responsibility, and trustworthy elected officials are important factors. But what really matters is that the gospel of Jesus Christ be uppermost in the hearts of Christians. We must remember that the gospel is the most basic need of our country and while the need for the gospel is great, hostility toward it is growing.
Perhaps you are aware of Brit Hume’s recent comments on the Fox News Channel regarding Tiger Woods. After stating that he believed that Tiger Woods’ current faith is Buddhism, Mr. Hume said:
I don’t think that faith (Buddhism) offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith,” Hume said. “So my message to Tiger would be, “Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.”
Hume’s comments have set off a firestorm of protest. One writer scolded Hume for confusing religion with faith. That is, he would hold that there are many religions but only one faith – as in, all religions lead to God. Such comments help us to see clearly that most Americans do not perceive the gospel of Christianity as the solution to the problems of our day. But if America does not turn fully to Jesus Christ, it will matter little who wins the mid-term elections held later this year.
Your family and your church have intimate knowledge of the One who can truly make a difference. God requires neither opinion polls nor congressional majorities in order for his purposes to succeed. All that he requires is for his people to love God and obey his commands above all else. God’s ways are not what the world expects. The proclamation of the gospel is foolishness to those in darkness, but for those will hear it, the gospel is God’s power for salvation.
Encourage those in your family and in your church community to pray for and live for the glory of God to be shown in your life. It is this, and only this, that will ultimately resolve the issue of what is wrong with the hearts of men.
Sep
21
JOY IN HEAVEN!
As I sit here at my laptop I am excitedly awaiting a call at any moment from my daughter to inform us that she is on her way to the hospital to give birth to my first grandson! Our family is overjoyed and we see ourselves as truly blessed. We have little Josie, a two year old grandaughter, and now my oldest daughter is about to give us a grandson. If that is not sufficient reason to be bursting with joy. At the same time we are also awaiting, in the next week or two, a call from our oldest son that our daughter in law will give birth to their first child, our second granddaughter. Let me tell you, it just doesn’t get any better than this as we are filled with anticipation! The Southworth family will be doing cartwheels when these little ones are safely born to us!
This joyful anticipation as a family awaiting the wonder of God’s gift of physical birth has caused me to meditate on these two little phrases from Luke’s Gospel. ESV Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents …; and also, ESV Luke 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Now I realize that the metaphors are different here from the one than I am using, but mine is certainly not foreign to the Scriptures. Mine is “spiritual birth” and is used by Scripture (John 3 most memorably) to refer to the work of God in “regeneration”. Luke’s Gospel is Jesus’ teaching regarding the joy of God in heaven before the angels when one “lost sheep” or a “lost coin” is found linking it to the awakened sinner’s faith expressed in repentance. I am putting these necessary events, birth and faith/repentance, in the overall view of when someone is drawn to Christ in salvation and becomes a child, a baby, of God! There is JOY in heaven at the birth of one of God’s babies! Our joy here on earth at the birth of a physical child, even though we are truly ecstatic, is limited due to the effects of sin in us and in this world that has reduced our ability to experience perfect joy. However, that is not true of God and the angels in heaven. There, being viewed by the angels is the boundless happiness of God at the birthing of one of His own! God’s bliss, full and infinite, is put on display before the heavenly observers! No mere human father on earth has ever felt or displayed such rejoicing!
In this divine spiritual birthing there is always great joy. There is never an “unwanted” or “unexpected” new life! Never an abortion or one that is still born! All are birthed safely with a 0% mortality rate! God “planned” them all and “wants” them all and will take full responsibility to raise them to maturity, to bring to completion that which He began! He, the Sovereign of the universe does it all with perfect Divine joy!
Someone might ask; “Doesn’t the fact that God knows absolutely everything about it to the very minute details lessen the anticipation and therefore joy to a degree?” I do not believe that if either of new grandchildren were coming into this world by a scheduled cesarean birth it would in any way lessen our excitement. In fact, perhaps to a certain degree, there would be the added excitement of the “count down” to the final “blastoff” of our joy as each day, then hour by hour to the exact moment of delivery. Anyway, nothing is able to diminish the perfect joy of God in receiving His babes!
Then, I am humbly overwhelmed with the realization that He felt, now and will always feel that way about even me! Even me! The labor pain of delivering me, of giving me life, was the infinite pain of the cross! He went through it willingly for me, for all His wanted, chosen, and eternally loved babies. Ephesians 1:3-14
Soli Deo Gloria
UPDATE:
Our little baby “Fletcher” arrived early evening the day I posted my blog! Mom and baby are doing great and our family praises our Lord for His Awesome Goodness to us!
Oct
5
A Tale of Two Dogs.
I am an adoring fan of Golden Retrievers! I have had the opportunity of being the master of two goldens; “Augustine the Defender of Grace” (this namesake may be a bit misleading!) and my current goldie, a one year old, “Phoebe the Radiant One” (taken from Romans 16:1). A couple of days ago as I was taking Phoebe for her morning walk and observing her off leash on a back trail I couldn’t help but connect some of her actions with my recent meditations in the Gospel of John.
NIV John 10:5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” and…
NIV John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. and…
NIV John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
Although shepherd/sheep and master/servants are the paired subjects in these verses, I am sure you can see how there are some obvious parallels to the owner or master/dog relationship. The very basic training for a dog involves things such as learning to heel; that is to follow closely to his master, walk calmly at his master’s side and trust his master to lead him safely in spite of noises or other stimuli that might be frightening. Also, to come when he is called and not to stray or run off chasing after someone or something that may potentially harm him. Finally, to respect and obey his owner by virtue of the relationship that is there. Where, because the dog is totally dependent upon his owner, he therefore returns love and companionship with an enthusiastic desire to please his master. Right? These are just some of the basics we think of when we get a dog.
Phoebe energetically applies herself in all these areas and so she pleases me greatly! For the most part she follows me, listens to me and obeys me. Even when she is off leash, much of the time, she stays right by my side as if the leash were still attached. When she does rush ahead or lag behind, it is only for a short distance and then she rushes back to me. If I call her she is there quickly with a look in her eyes as if she is desiring to immediately respond to my every wish. If a stranger or some other animal or any distraction comes her way she looks to me immediately for protection or permission to go ahead and investigate. She looks to me; I am her master, owner, protector, friend and she loves to walk with me. Her faithfulness to me, truly pleases me!
Now Augie on the other hand was, well did you see the movie “Marley and Me“? He was a large male with a dominant spirit. He would purposely put his big ol paw on top of my foot as if to show who is the real master. He would not heel, he would drag me unconcerned about my personal desires or the pain he was inflicting on my arm joints as he would lurch ahead! I rarely would consider letting him off leash, I know there was no way he would follow me, listen to me or obey me. He would rush ahead to see what was around the bend ignoring my calls to “heel”, “stop” or “Augie, get back here!” Oh, if I played “fetch” constantly with him he would stay with me; unless or until some better distraction came along. As far as looking to me for protection when something fearful came along, such as a “goblin of a garbage can” next to the curb; well not a chance. He would head for the hills paying no attention to my plea, “Augie, it’s only a garbage can you stupid dog!” He would constantly get into trouble and it seemed that I was not pleased with him very much of the time when we would go for a walk.
I am sure you are getting the picture, it is a simple lesson isn’t it? Of course there are many areas where the comparison falls far short. Sort of like the parables that Jesus taught. They were simple little stories, but with profoundly important lessons for us. Here is a parable, “The Tale of Two Dogs”. The lesson concerns walking with our Lord, our Master, in a way that pleases Him. His sheep (or dogs if you will) follow Him, listen to Him, long to be by His side enjoying the walk with Him. He is our Benevolent Master, who could ask for more? Yet we have a lot of “Augie” in us too don’t we. We rush ahead or lag behind. We sometimes allow other things to distract us from Him, from His side. To be fair, I am a much better master with Phoebe than I was with Augie. I am older, more patient and hopefully a little wiser now than I was with “Aug dog”. And to be perfectly truthful, Phoebe is not a perfect dog either by any stretch of the imagination. However our Jesus is the perfect Master so I cannot use that as an excuse for failure to follow. I will never in this life be the perfect follower, but oh, how I want to be more like Phoebe than like Augie. So I also as the Apostle Paul stated…
NIV 2 Corinthians 5:9a So we make it our goal to please him…
Oct
12
Here is a quick update to my post:
Joy In Heaven
from September 21
We finally can welcome our little Ivy-Jane Sommer Southworth; 8 pounds 11 ounces, 20 1/2 inches long. Born today just before noon, but arriving about 11 days after due date. Still waiting for a picture and we will most certainly post it just as soon as we get it!
PICTURES:
The wonder of technology – web cam:
Our home in Sidney, NY
and
Hospital in Cincinnati, OH
Oct
26
As I walked my dog on this brisk fall morning and looked around me at all the evidences of the changing season, realizing the promise of the winter to come, I could not help but contemplate the idea that I too am in the fall of my life. I will be 55 in February and that brings to my mind so many questions; questions such as “where did the time go”, “what have I accomplished with that 55 years”, “how much time do I have left on this earth” and “what will I do with the time I have left”? Yes indeed, it was a very sobering early morning walk! It caused me to meditate on a couple of passages of Scripture:
Psalm 90:12 (ESV) So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Ephesians 5:16 (ESV) making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
It also brought to my memory a prayer of confession that I had recently read by Henry Law. I looked up the prayer once again, but this time rather than just read it I prayed it and asked God for the grace to “make the best use of the time, because the days are evil”. I post it below for your consideration, for your own confession for today.
Henry Law
Henry Law (1797-1884) was a leading figure in the evangelical party of the Church of England in the early nineteenth century. He was also a prolific practical teacher of the Scripture who wrote The Gospel in the Pentateuch. Spurgeon was correct when he said with characteristic wit, but obvious truth, “Law abounds in the gospel.”
A CONFESSION FOR TODAY
We confess with shame past hours wasted in unprofitable reading and other worldly entertainments. If other days are ours guide us that no more time be squandered in vain pursuits.
Impress on our minds the shortness of time, the work to be done, the account to be rendered, the nearness of eternity and the misery of lamps expired when the voice of the Bridegroom is heard.
May we never forget that . . .
Your eye always sees us;
Your ear always hears us;
Your recording hand commits all to a book of remembrance;
all hidden works must be unveiled at the judgment day!
Above all things—may we seek Your favor!
Above all things—may we dread Your frown!
May Christ be the pulse of our hearts.
May He speak in every word of our lips.
May He shine in every step of our earthly walk.
Grant our requests for His dear sake.
Amen.
Nov
17
Our Time With “Women At Risk”
What a blessing to have this wonderful ministry shared with us. This is one of those times of extremely hard information to have to listen too, but so very necessary for us to be informed about. I know there were many tears shed and there will be continuous prayers being said on behalf of this ministry as it goes forth to minister to the Lord’s Glory.
We were able to help this ministry financially and a number of potential new ministry contacts for WAR were set in motion as well. I can’t praise the Lord enough and I must certainly thank Sarah Rogers, WAR representative, and all our church family that labored so very hard to make this special Missions Ministry Weekend a successful time for the work of God’s Kingdom.
If you are not familiar with WAR International, please checkout our archives page dealing with them and take the link to their web site. This is a ministry that I highly recommend to you.
Soli Deo Gloria
Just like many of you {certainly most Christian families I would think} at our family gathering we went around our table this Thanksgiving and had each one share; “What I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving”. I read many posts on Face Book in regards to this theme and saw the question asked and dramatized in many ways on television also. So what about you? How did you answer this question in front of your family members? Family gatherings that probably included both professing believers and non believers as well. If your family did not do this, then answer the question right now, even before you read any further in this blog. What is it that you are most thankful for this year?
Given below is an article from an e-newsletter meant to encourage some serious thought about our answers; about what it is that holds the place of being ”most thankful for” in our hearts. I have shared it in its entirety and included the web address of the site I received it from at the end of the article.
Shepherd Press
Newsletter 76
November 25, 2009
53% More Thankful This Year
A recent Rasmussen poll found that fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans say they are more thankful this Thanksgiving than they were last year at this time. Digging a little deeper into the contents of the poll, I found a question about religion and thankfulness. The poll found that the plurality (41%) of adults say their religious faith is what they are most thankful for, after family and health. In other words, the thing that most adults are thankful for after their family and health is their religious faith. These findings in the poll point to a sharp distinction between religious faith and biblical Christianity. The first commandment says that there shall be no other gods before the one true God. Clearly, from the results of this poll, family and health occupy the place of most importance to most Americans. While it is important to interpret polls carefully and to look closely at the way questions are stated, this result resonates with the trend of American culture. Our religion is something that serves us and satisfies what we want. The immediate, in this case health and family, are those things that truly dominate our lives. These things hold the place of first importance, a place that God reserves for himself alone. Health and family are good things, but they must not surpass fidelity to God as the very core of what is important in life.
Thanksgiving Day marks the beginning of the holiday season. This time of year is a mixture of emotional ups and downs. Folks are happy to give and receive gifts, but they are also worried about how they will pay for these same gifts. People look forward to seeing family and friends, but then are reminded of all the personal issues they have with these same family and friends. Parties and celebrations abound, but these occasions are colored by hangovers and other manifestations of sensual indulgence. Church attendance will spike upwards at Christmas, but will quickly fall back to normal levels in January.
At least one reason for this trend is reflected in the Rasmussen poll that analyzes our thankfulness. For the vast majority of Americans, something or someone other than God dominates their lives. It is important for Christians to consider if we have followed the culture in this. Is something other than God the core value that dominates your life? What you are thankful for reveals the attitude of your heart. You are like the world—actually you are loving the world—if God is just one of the things that your mind tallies up in a list of things to for which to be thankful. God is not interested in sharing space with anything or anyone other than himself. This doesn’t mean you can’t be thankful for the good things God brings to you, but God must be unique. He must be first in your gratitude and affections. Everything else, including health and family, should be on another list entirely. It is not a good sign when God is added to the things we are grateful for about life.
In the Psalm 100, we are instructed that God is to receive praise and thanks simply for being who he is. His great character alone is to be the basis of our worship, praise and gratitude. He will not share his glory with another. The more deeply your life is tied to the pursuit of the person of God and the more you delight in the relationship you have with him, the less like the world you will become. Stability and security will increase as the focus of your gratitude shifts away from people, things and circumstance and moves toward the awesome wonder of your God. This is a theme that your family needs to hear this holiday season. God cannot be evaluated by polls or moods. Pray for faithfulness to the person of God. This holiday season, witness to the uniqueness of Christ in the way you celebrate.
Dec
17
Shepherd Press
Newsletter 78
December 11, 2009
Peace On Earth
This Christmas season the truth about God and his Son is mixed with cultural myth and fantasy. This mixture dilutes the power of the gospel. This mixing of truth and cultural myth can also help to mislead your children about the real meaning of the incarnation of Christ. For example, look at Luke 2:14:
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” ESV
This proclamation from the heavens has commonly been recast to say that the goal of Christmas is peace on earth. This recasting of the truth conveniently leaves out the necessity of the gospel, and makes the temporal peace of man the highest good. This reinterpreted phrasing, peace on earth, dominates Christmas cards, product advertising, and Christmas-themed TV programs and movies. You will see Peace on Earth on billboards and bumper stickers. Peace on Earth is even politically correct. No one is offended by calling for world peace.
The problem is that man’s version of world peace was not what the heavenly host was proclaiming to the shepherds 2,000 years ago. That proclamation came straight from heaven. The first line of the proclamation ascribes glory to God who reigns in the highest of all places. That, of course, is not politically correct, because it implies that there is a God to whom all men must be accountable. It assumes that there must be someone above man, to whom praise and honor is rightfully due. The second half of the couplet proclaims that peace will come only to those with whom God is pleased. This statement is definitely not politically correct, it does not have the makings of a Hallmark moment. Do you see how recasting this line to say only Peace on Earth strikes at the heart of gospel? This heavenly proclamation is one of hope precisely because the world (apart from Christ) is at war with God and hopelessly lost. There is no possibility of peace without a Savior.
A message of wonder, of hope for peace, was given to the shepherds. God would act through the birth, life, death and resurrection of this baby to bring peace to a broken, sinful world. It is impossible to find peace without the sacrifice of the Son of God. The sacrifice that was required showed that there is something horribly wrong with the human race. There is no hope of self-redemption. Man is simply not able to make himself acceptable to God, no matter how hard he tries. The gospel proclaims that there is hope only in Jesus Christ. The exclusivity of this hope is what our modern cultural resists and rejects.
The idea that peace will come only to those with whom God is pleased flies the face of the cultural myth of the holidays, where silver bells bring hope to all, if we just embrace peace on earth. Be aware of the culture’s attempts to mix the truth of God with the myth of man’s goodness. Have compassion for those who believe the false hope of peace on earth. Be patient and gentle with your children as you teach them that true peace can come only from being made righteous by the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus. Jesus was born to die and then to live again. He was born to make beautiful that which was ugly and dark. Only by embracing his life and finding forgiveness through his mercy can there truly be peace. This gospel message is one of wonder and power. It is so powerful that it can reach even a culture that is blindly looking for Peace on Earth.
Dec
19
An Evening Of Eschatology.
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