The Necessity of Waiting on the Spirit

"Tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49 "He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father." Acts 1:4

These waiting days were necessary to enable the disciples to realize their need, their nothingness, their failure and their dependence upon the Master. They had to get emptied first, before they could get filled. Oh, how often they must have thought, as those days went by, of the positions they were now to occupy, the responsibility that was resting upon them, the charge that the Master had committed to them, and their utter inability for it all! How they must have recalled their folly, their unbelief, their strife, their selfishness, their fears, their defeats, and shrunk back into nothingness, and even stood aghast at the prospect before them, until in the very dust they cried to Him for help and strength needed. And so God wants us to go apart and quietly wait upon Him, until He searches into the depths of our being, and shows us our folly, our failures, our need. There is no wiser nor better thing to do on the eve of a season of blessing than to make an inventory, not of our riches, but of our poverty; to count up all the voids and vacuums and places of insufficiency; to make the valley full of ditches, and then to bring to God the depths of our need for Him to fill. And it takes time to make this work thorough. It takes time to burn it into our consciousness. It takes time to make us feel it. It is one thing to know in a general way our need and failure; it is quite another thing to realize it, to mourn over it, to be distressed about it, and to be filled with sorrow and shame and that holy zeal and revenge upon ourselves which the apostle tells us is part of true repentance.

In the golden stairway of the Beatitudes, the first promise is to those that are poor in spirit; but there is another step still deeper down on the way to God, and that is "Blessed are they that mourn." It is needful that we shall mourn over our poverty, that we shall realize our need, that we shall be deeply troubled over our spiritual wretchedness, and that we shall come with such hunger that nothing less than all the fullness of Christ can ever satisfy us again. There are some spiritual conditions that cannot be accomplished in a moment. The breaking up of the fallow ground takes time; the frosts of winter are as necessary as the rains of spring to prepare the soil for fertility. God has to break our hearts to pieces by the slow process of His discipline, and grind every particle to powder, and then to mellow us and saturate us with His blessed Spirit, until we are open for the blessing He has to give us. Oh, let us wait upon the Lord with brokenness of heart, with openness of soul, with willingness of spirit, to hear what God the Lord will say! These days of waiting are important also that we may listen to God's voice. We are so busy that we cannot hear. We talk so much that we give Him no chance to talk to us. He wants us to hearken to what He has to say to us. He wants us on our faces before Him, that He may give us His thought, His prayer, His longing, and then lead us into His better will.

Written by A.B. Simpson

The Holiness of God

Wasting Time

I came across the following article that clarified much for me. Many professing Christians spend way too much time debating one another over differing views on scripture; meanwhile, people are dying and stepping into a Christless eternity. We are not called to argue and debate amongst ourselves, we are called to proclaim the Gospel. Whether you're rich or poor, well known or unknown, Christ is the ONLY HOPE the lost sinner has. Take a moment to read the article below { from www.thewordstreetjournal.com}...

THE KING OF POP MEETS THE KING OF GLORY

Michael Jackson died yesterday. So did Farrah Fawcett. A few days before, Ed McMahon died.

This week, here in Canada, former Governor General Romeo Leblanc died. These are all people with bigger names than us.

Actually, around the world this past week one million and fifty thousand people died. Another 150,000 will die today. The same tomorrow and so on and so on and so on.

The statistic continues to be consistent: 10 out of 10 people die.

As far as the King of Pop goes, the world is in shock and mourning at his sudden death. Madonna can't stop crying. Miley "I do everything for Jesus" Cyrus lost her inspiration. Quincy Jones lost part of his soul. There is no doubt about it, the guy was very talented. For more reasons than that, Michael Jackson was a household name. And, from the news reports, millions around the world are praying for him and hoping he finds his Neverland in the afterlife.

Well, its too late to pray for Mr Jackson and he won't find himself in Neverland. And his worldly status will be not be of any significance compared to the status of his soul when he faces the Lord of Glory, his Creator and Judge, who will hold him (and all others who have died and will die) accountable for every thought, word and deed while on this earth.

I think it safe to say that Michael Jackson did not wake up yesterday morning, prepare for the day ahead of him, stop to look in the mirror and say "Well, today is the last day of my life." One second his heart was beating, the next it was not. snuffed out like a candle. And that is what it will be like for most everybody, including you and me. The question is: are we ready to face the King of Glory ourselves?

If you are a born again Christian (there is no other kind) you must, you must, you must be out and about doing everything you can, when possible, to be in the service of our Lord and sharing the saving gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as you come in contact with on this side of the grave. There will be no need to do so in Heaven.

The Good News of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, must be made known to all as it is absolutely clear from God's word, the Bible, - and therefore TRUE - that:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

It's heaven or hell, folks! No limbo. No purgatory. No Neverland or any other man made myth to soothe the conscience of the unbeliever or false convert. Jesus preached heaven and hell. Mercy and wrath. Love for righteousness and hatred for sin.

The "love of God" is a misconstrued concept in the eyes of the world. People must be made aware that because GOD IS HOLY, RIGHTEOUS AND JUST, He must punish sin.

"But, where does His love come in?" Well, that's just it: the Good News is that He has already unleashed His wrath for sin upon His own innocent Son as He hung on the cross over two thousand years ago. He paid the price for us and justice was served, setting those who humble themselves, repent and put their faith in Christ, free from their guilt and given eternal life!

THAT is God's love!

To reiterate: God came down to earth as one of us, fully God and fully man, yet without sin, in the person of Jesus. And it is Jesus who voluntarily went to the cross to take on the punishment from God the Father that we so rightly deserve for our sins. He lovingly did that in our stead. Amazing grace!!

And now, through the gifts of repentance and faith we may obtain the righteousness of Christ, receive forgiveness and be saved from eternal wrath and be freely given the gift of eternal life.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

We must be out there sharing and living our faith with our loved ones and friends. We must be out there giving the gospel by laying down gospel tracts in public places, handing out gospel tracts on public streets, sharing with individuals in public, open air preaching...whatever you sense you are called to do, but DO SOMETHING!

Yes, the King of Pop has met the King of Glory. The question is: will it go well for him at this meeting?

Will it go well for you? If you are a true Christian, then you have already been fully assured by faith that it will.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

With that, then, it is your duty to go and tell others of this Good News, this wonderful eternal free gift you have been so graciously given and offer the same hope that has been offered you that they, too, may be saved.

GO!

Is Faith a gift from God? (re-post)

Is true, saving faith God's gift, given by His grace, or is it man's work? Does a lost sinner have the ability to have faith in God apart from Him giving it?
This teaching from Jim McClarty sheds light on this matter...

'I am a Debtor'

by Robert Murray M'Cheyne


When this passing world is done,
When has sunk yon glaring sun,
When we stand with Christ in glory,
Looking o'er life's finished story,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.

When I hear the wicked call
On the rocks and hills to fall,
When I see them start and shrink
On the fiery deluge brink, -
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.

When I stand before the throne,
Dressed in beauty not my own,
When I see thee as thou art,
Love thee with unsinning heart,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.

When the praise of heav'n I hear,
Loud as thunder to the ear,
Loud as many water's noise,
Sweet as harp's melodious voice,
Then, Lord, shall I fully know -
Not till then - how much I owe.

Even on earth, as through a glass
Darkly, let Thy glory pass,
Make forgiveness feel so sweet,
Make Thy Spirit's help so meet,
Even on earth, Lord, make me know
Something of how much I owe.

Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Saviour's side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe.

Oft I walk beneath the cloud,
Dark, as midnight's gloomy shroud;
But, when fear is at the height,
Jesus comes, and all is light;
Blessed Jesus! bid me show
Doubting saints how much I owe.

When in flowery paths I tread,
Oft by sin I'm captive led;
Oft I fall - but still arise -
The Spirit comes - the tempter flies;
Blessed Spirit! bid me show
Weary sinners all I owe.

Oft the nights of sorrow reign -
Weeping, sickness, sighing, pain;
But a night Thine anger burns -
Morning comes and joy returns;
God of comforts! bid me show
To Thy poor, how much I owe.

Sanctification, slaves to righteousness

Here's a continuation from Mike Ratliff on sanctification...


17χαρις δε τω θεω οτι ητε δουλοι της αμαρτιας υπηκουσατε δε εκ καρδιας εις ον παρεδοθητε τυπον διδαχης 18ελευθερωθεντες δε απο της αμαρτιας εδουλωθητε τη δικαιοσυνη (Romans 6:17-18 WHNU)

17Thanks but to God that you were slaves of sin, you obeyed and from the heart to which you were delivered a form of teaching; 18 having been freed and from sin, you were enslaved to righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18 word for word translation from the Greek to English)

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17-18 ESV)

What does it mean that genuine Christians have been enslaved (εδουλωθητε) to righteousness (δικαιοσυνη)? So many professing Christians today have absolutely no concept of this. It would be safe to say that those professing Christians who are ignorant of this are the vast majority. Some of those ignorant of this have never been properly discipled so their concept of the correct way to walk before the face of God in this life, their Coram Deo, is based in some sentimental or “culturally relevant” standard instead of what God’s Word says. On the other hand, there are also some in this group who are not genuine Christians. They are not regenerate so they would be those who are still δουλοι της αμαρτιας.


Continue reading here...

Sanctification

This is a well written insightful look at sanctification, written by a brother in Christ whom God has blessed with the ability to teach. Read and be blessed!!

Sanctification – Dead to Sin Alive to God
June 18, 2009 — Mike Ratliff

by Mike Ratliff

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:21-25 ESV)

The Lord gave the Church a wonderful gift when He knocked Saul of Tarsus off his horse and effectually called Him to be His Apostle. His Epistle to the Romans is a huge piece of the doctrinal foundation of the Church. In Romans 3:20-5:21 he covered the doctrine of justification. This is God’s declaring the believing sinner righteous. In Romans 6:1-8:39 he covers the practical ramifications of this justification. This is the doctrine of sanctification, which is God’s producing actual righteousness in the believer. Many take missteps in their theology by confusing these two aspects of our salvation. Justification is a legal term referring to a judge declaring a person charged with a crime to be not guilty. When a sinner believes the Gospel by God’s grace through faith, He justifies them. This is His monergistic work, His alone. On the other hand, sanctification is the synergistic work of God and the believer in “working out the believer’s salvation with fear and trembling.” This is the work of transforming the believer into one who bears Christ’s very character.

Read on here...

Is Psalm 46:10 a call to contemplative prayer?

By Pastor Larry DeBruyn

"Be still, and know that I am God . . ." (Ps. 46:10). Those promoting contemplative or "listening" prayer point to this Scripture for endorsement. As a spiritual discipline, contemplatives advocate quiet meditation as a means to experience soul to soul communication with God. Influential Christian leaders now encourage listening prayer as a way to obtain "God's guidance in everyday life." At face value, Psalm 46 verse 10 appears to endorse this mystical way to pray.

A major Christian magazine devoted a full page advertisement which promoted the DVD titled "Be Still".[1] The DVD case bears the inscription of Psalm 46:10. A blurb on the cover also reads, "In Today's Fast-Paced, Hectic Life, Be Still Is an Important Tool that Keeps You in Touch with Yourself, Your Family and God."

In the magazine advertisement it was stated: "BE STILL . . . demonstrates how contemplative, or 'listening,' prayer can be be a vital way to find peace in the midst of a frenzied, fast-paced, modern world. BE STILL examines the importance of silence and reflective prayer as a way to receive God's guidance in everyday life. BE STILL . . . features a useful 'how to' section that shows how contemplative prayer can be used to return to a more simple life and reaffirm that which is truly important." As advocated by some of today's most notable Christian communicators, what should Bible believers think about this DVD advocating contemplative prayer?


continue reading here...

Are you one of the few? (a MUST view)

HT - Truth Matters

IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THIS YET, PLEASE, PLEASE, MAKE TIME TO WATCH THIS VIDEO!!!

Lordship and Regeneration

There was recently a controversy over 'lordship salvation' at a sister in Christ's blog which resulted in a well known preacher/teacher of our time being called a 'false teacher'{this was in a personal e-mail from this sister}. This accusation was made against Dr. John MacArthur. I understand Dr. MacArthur is flesh and blood, but I think this accusation is a wee bit strong. I've found an insightful article on this subject from a 'neutral party', Ernest Reisinger of the Reformed Reader. I think this article clearly speaks truth on the matter...


In the first study I pointed out that every major doctrine of the Christian faith is affected by and inseparably related to the Lordship controversy. In this study I wish to address the difference between the Lordship and Non-Lordship views in respect to the doctrine of regeneration. We will see that they are poles apart and the differences are not a few.

There is no question that the best adherents of both views would agree that regeneration is absolutely essential in order for a sinner to be saved-no regeneration, no spiritual life. However, they do not agree on what regeneration is, or what it always produces in one's life.

Regeneration is the key that opens the door of salvation and, therefore, translates the sinner out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.

Non-Lordship teachers teach a regeneration that does not necessarily transform. Consequently, discipleship and obedience are optional and the biblical fruit of regeneration may or may not be evident. This means that regeneration does not necessarily regenerate, that is, it does not necessarily transform and produce a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).

Lordship teaching, on the other hand calls for a regeneration that transforms the whole man-his mind, his affections and his will. This transformation is produced by regeneration (new birth). It involves a divine miracle. The new birth is a divine miracle and always produces a change in conduct, not merely a change of mind. It opens spiritually blinded eyes. It unstops spiritually deafened ears. It raises the spiritually dead.

This supernatural change includes revelation. Paul could say, "When it pleased God to reveal His Son in me . . . ." (Gal. 1:15,16). It produces repentance, faith, humility and submission. The great apostle described it in 2 Cor. 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature [creation] old things pass away; behold all things become new."

Regeneration in the Non-Lordship scheme does not necessarily result in the experience described in 2 Cor. 5:17 (a "new creation").

Since 2 Cor. 5:17 so vividly describes the results of regeneration it may be profitable to camp here for some exposition of this vivid and wonderful description of a true Christian.


"In Christ"

First, note the expression "in Christ." This expression is used 240 times in the New Testament, and is the shortest definition of a Christian in the Bible. Indeed, it is the essence of true religion. If I could only ask one question to help a person to determine his relationship to his Maker, this would be my question: ARE YOU IN CHRIST? Everything God has for you is IN CHRIST!

"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30).

* In Christ is our justification.
* In Christ is our sanctification.
* In Christ is our adoption.
* In Christ is our wisdom.
* In Christ is our righteousness.

"In Christ" signifies a personal relationship. It expresses the most exalted relationship that can exist-an inseparable relationship, an indestructible relationship, an unspeakable relationship that cannot be defined in word only.


Effects of Regeneration

The second important truth found in this little verse concerns the effects of regeneration: "new creation." Regeneration, (new creation) is the powerful, supernatural work of the Triune God. God the Father planned our redemption; God the Son prayed for it (John 17) and purchased it; God the Spirit effectually applies it in regeneration.

We can explain what the Spirit does, but how He does it let no man pretend to know. "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8). So it is with regeneration.


Evidence of Regeneration

The third important truth found in this precious little verse is the evidence of regeneration: "Old things have passed away; behold all things have become new."

How does one know if he is regenerate? Regeneration is known by its effects. I have never known a Non-Lordship teacher to teach this about regeneration. Nevertheless, true religion cannot be less than:

1. Right thinking in relationship to God-it touches the mind.
2. Right feeling in relationship to God-it touches the affections.
3. Right acting in relationship to God-it touches the will.

Regeneration always includes: (1) the enlightening of the mind, (2) the convicting of the conscience, and (3) the renewing of the will. It is by the work of the Spirit that (1) the natural blindness is removed, (2) the natural enmity is subdued, and (3) the natural man becomes a new creature in all his views, feelings, desires, affections, aims, habits, and hopes, (although not perfectly in any one of these areas).



continue reading here...

Can Salvation be Lost?

There are some who doubt or believe we can lose our salvation; is this true? No mortal man says it any better than C. H. Spurgeon...

"And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish."—John 10:28.

THE Christian should never think or speak lightly of unbelief. For a child of God to mistrust His love, His truth, His faithfulness, must be greatly displeasing to Him. How can we ever grieve Him by doubting His upholding grace? Christian! it is contrary to every promise of God's precious Word that thou shouldst ever be forgotten or left to perish. If it could be so, how could He be true who has said, "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I never forget thee." What were the value of that promise—"The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." Where were the truth of Christ's words—"I give unto My sheep eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." Where were the doctrines of grace? They would be all disproved if one child of God should perish. Where were the veracity of God, His honour, His power, His grace, His covenant, His oath, if any of those for whom Christ has died, and who have put their trust in Him, should nevertheless be cast away? Banish those unbelieving fears which so dishonour God. Arise, shake thyself from the dust, and put on thy beautiful garments. Remember it is sinful to doubt His Word wherein He has promised thee that thou shalt never perish. Let the eternal life within thee express itself in confident rejoicing.

"The gospel bears my spirit up:
A faithful and unchanging God
Lays the foundation for my hope,
In oaths, and promises, and blood."


from the Spurgeon Archives

Are women born this way? (for all who need a good laugh)

Are you professing Christ yet living like the world?

Thank you, hallelujah

Have you ever come across something that made you feel about 2 inches tall? As I watched the following video, that is how I felt. I am guilty of taking much for granted; at the present time I have been fortunate to live in a country that allows religious freedom. I do believe that is about to change, and soon.
These women are an amazing testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ. A big 'hats off' to Puritan for posting this at his blog.

'Though they have lost their husbands, these women still praise the Lord. They are a part of a widows group in Kaduna, Nigeria. The last Thursday of every month, they meet together for prayer and encouragement. People who wanted to harm them took their earthly spouses away from them, but the widows thank their heavenly father who meets all their needs'.

Uncommonly Powerful Preaching!

The Power of Sin

“One of the most fearful things about sin is its power to harden the one who practices it. The deeper a man goes in sin, the less sin bothers him. It should shock us to remember that Adolph Hitler was once a little boy playing with toys just like other little boys. Yet, we must face the fact that the world is NOT the way it is because it has a few ‘bad’ people like Hitler; the world is the way it is because it is made up of MULTITUDES of people just like us. There is deep wickedness in each of us. If a motion picture of even our past thoughts, let alone our past actions, were to be played on a large screen before our family and acquaintances, EVERY ONE of us would run from the room in shame. Man knows the beginning of sin, but NO MAN has ever known the end of sin”

From Charles Leiter's book, 'Justification and Regeneration'

God of Wonders

HT - Puritan Fellowship

Please check out the beautiful words written by Jessie at her blog, surrrender all, coinciding with this magnificent video of Almighty God's creative power!

Which path are you on?

Our barbaric world

This was posted by Ingrid Schlueter at Slice. This is extremely disturbing...I warn all who view this, the pictures of the parents posing with their dead daughter is beyond words.
Click here for Ingrid's post...

The Flood

By Voddie Baucham
The Flood! Some terms simply need no explanation. God's judgement on the earth and his deliverance of Noah and his family serve as a pivotal reminder of man's sin and God's grace. It is impossible to comprehend the magnitude of God's grace until we take a long look at the terrible reality of his wrath. Here is a sample,

‘Are you one of those families who feel slighted because people around you have a larger family or a larger house, or more of this or more of that; and as a result, you sometimes get on your face at night grieved before God asking Him why He likes them better than He likes you?

The reward for Noah’s righteousness was…he got to get on the ark. “God, there’s people out there who are wealthier than I am”. “Not gettin’ on the ark Noah”. “God, there’s people out there who have more kids than me”. “Not gettin’ on the ark Noah”. “God, there’s people out there who are taller than me, stronger than me, more powerful than me. They have more clout than I do”. “THEY’RE NOT GETTING ON THE ARK NOAH. BUT YOU ARE, AND YOUR CHILDREN ARE”.

Have you come to that place in your life where you understand the reward for your righteousness is GOD?’