HeartCry Site Update

HeartCry has completed a wonderful update for their site.

http://donors.heartcrymissionary.com/

You will find much more information than was previously available about the various works. The reports section is especially helpful. These reports can be used to stay up-to-date on prayer request and needs for the purpose of giving and intercessory prayer. Read over the site and consider whether or not you should adopt a work for the purpose of consistent prayer for their lives, family, and labors.

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater works; prayer is the greater work.” - Spurgeon

The Highest of All Missionary Motives - John Stott

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“If God desires every knee to bow to Jesus and every tongue to confess Him, so should we. We should be ‘jealous’ for the honor of His name—troubled when it remains unknown, hurt when it is ignored, indignant when it is blasphemed, and all the time anxious and determined that it shall be given the honor and glory which are due to it.

The highest of all missionary motives is neither obedience to the Great Commission (important as that is), nor love for sinners who are alienated and perishing (strong as that incentive is, especially when we contemplate the wrath of God), but rather zeal—burning and passionate zeal—for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Only one imperialism is Christian, and that is concern for His Imperial Majesty Jesus Christ, and for the glory of his empire or kingdom. Before this supreme goal of the Christian mission, all unworthy motives wither and die.”

—John Stott, The Message of Romans (Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1994), 53

HT: Of First Importance

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The Bottom Line: Ps. 119:37; 101:3 - Mark LaCour

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THE BOTTOM LINE

Mark LaCour

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"Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways." (Psa. 119:37). "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes . . ." (Psa. 101:3).

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The manufacturing plant for practically every seed-choking weed of destruction is the television/internet medium where we "live, move, and have our being." Before you use that mouse or remote, here are three categories of "viewer discretion advised" questions regarding how your eyes and the media should relate:

First, regarding your time: Am I skipping or delaying something important in order to watch this now? What are my other social/entertainment options besides watching television or going out to see a movie? How much time have I already spent on media today? How much time have I spent surfing the net, blogging, or maintaining an online presence through social network sites? In the last week, how much time have I spent on the spiritual disciplines, building relationships, or serving in my local church compared to time spent consuming media? After investing the time to view this, will I look back on it as time well spent?

Second, regarding your heart: Why do I want to watch this program or visit this internet site? What do I find entertaining about it? Am I seeking to escape from something I should be facing by watching this -- or seeking comfort or relief that is only found in God? What sinful temptations will this program/website present? Do I secretly want to view something in it that’s sinful -- watching because I'm bored, which says what about my heart? Am I watching simply because others are, seeking to fit in? How have my online relationships impacted my face-to-face relationships, especially my face-to-face relationship with God? What motivates me to create and maintain a blog, MySpace, or Facebook presence? Am I attempting to impress others? Could I fast from all television/internet activities for a single day?

Third, regarding the content: What worldview or philosophy of life does this program or film present? Does this program conflict with the Bible's view of man's nature, sin, or God? What does this program or film seek to glamorize or consider important? Who are the heroes of the story, and why? Is sin shown as having negative consequences, or is it glorified and rewarded -- or worse, appealing and seductive? Is the humor coarse? Is violence or sexual content integral to the story line, or is it used gratuitously to entertain or titillate? Does the program portray materialism as "the good life;" helps me to understand my surrounding culture better without tempting me to sinful compromise? When I’m chatting online do I communicate graciously, consistent with the gospel, or arrogantly or crudely?

(Worldliness, C.J. Mahaney, pgs. 57-59.)

The love of the Father is lost incrementally to the world one lustful "blink" at a time (1 Jn. 2:15ff.). Weeds that conveniently go unchecked have a way of buying one-way tickets to Thessalonica with Demas (2 Tim. 4:10).

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Two Words and a Flood of Tears

Ravi Zacharias on Adoniram Judson's testimony (Praise the Lord!):



HT: Symphony of Scripture

What a weight Judson was feeling. Let us not hope to dodge this burden. We need it. Not only a desire for God to be glorified (which is primary), but a breaking heart for the lost and our responsibility toward them. Scripture commands both burdens.

Prov 24:11-12

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Spurgeon on Running From Sin

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Running from Sin

"She grabbed him by his garment and said, 'Sleep with me!' But leaving his garment in her hand, he escaped and ran from the house." Genesis 39:12


In contending with certain sins, there remains no mode of victory except by running away quickly. He who would be safe from acts of evil must hasten away from occasions of it. A covenant must be made with our eyes not even to look upon the cause of temptation, for such sins only need a spark to begin with and a blaze follows in an instant!

Who would casually enter the leper's hut and sleep amid its horrible corruption? He alone who desires to be leprous himself would thus court contagion. If the sailor knew how to avoid a storm, he would do anything rather than run the risk of weathering it. Cautious pilots have no desire to try how near the quicksand they can sail, or how often they may touch a rock without springing a leak; their aim is to keep as nearly as possible in the midst of a safe channel.

This day I may be exposed to great peril; let me have wisdom to keep out of it and avoid it. The wings of a dove may be of more use to me than the jaws of a lion. I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my coat than lose my character! It is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, and no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to run from sin. I am to resist the devil and he will flee from me. But the lusts of the flesh I must flee or they will surely overcome me!

O God of holiness, preserve your Josephs. May the horrible trinity of the world, the flesh, and the devil never overcome us!

-- C. H. Spurgeon

HT: Mack T

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Acceptance and Obedience - Tim Keller

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“The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into your life against your will and saves you from the sin and brokenness otherwise you would never be able to overcome… religion is ‘if you obey, then you will be accepted’. But the Gospel is, ‘if you are absolutely accepted, and sure you’re accepted, only then will you ever begin to obey’. Those are two utterly different things. Every page of the Bible shows the difference.”

- Timothy Keller

HT: Of First Importance

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Forgetting Self - Lessons from a Samaritan Woman

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw." John 4:15

So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" John 4:28-29

When the conversation began she could think of nothing but her and her needs. But by the end of the conversation she had forgotten her needs all together, and could think of nothing but Him. But most never see Him (John 4:10). And they leave the time worse than when they came - still holding an empty waterpot.

Sanctification By The Spirit - John Stott

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“Our deliverance from the law is a rescue from its curse and its bondage, and so relates to the two particular functions of justification and sanctification. In both areas we are under grace, not law. For justification we look to the cross, no the law, and for sanctification to the Spirit, not the law. It is only by the Spirit that the law can be fulfilled in us.”

—John Stott, The Message of Romans (Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity Press, 1994)

HT: Of First Importance

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It Is God Who Justifies - Octavius Winslow

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“‘It is God who justifies.’
(Romans 8:33)

Behold the eternal security of the weakest believer in Jesus. The act of justification, once passed under the great seal of the resurrection of Christ, God can never revoke without denying Himself. Here is our safety. Here is the ground of our dauntless challenge, ‘Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God who justifies.’ What can I need more? What more can I ask?

If God, the God of spotless purity, the God of inflexible righteousness, justifies me, ‘who is he that condemns?’ Sin may condemn, but it is God that justifies! The law may alarm, but it is God that justifies! Satan may accuse, but it is God that justifies! Death may terrify, but it is God that justifies! ‘If GOD is for us, who can be against us?’ Who will dare condemn the soul whom He justifies?

How gloriously will this truth shine forth in the great day of judgment! Every accuser will then be dumb. Every tongue will then be silent. Nothing shall be laid to the charge of God’s elect. GOD Himself shall pronounce them fully, and forever justified: ‘And those He justifies, He also glorifies.’”

—Octavius Winslow, Morning Thoughts (February 1)

HT: Of First Importance

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Paul Washer Street Preaching in Lima

I found this here. I was very refreshed and encouraged. Two things I like 1) Paul Washer and 2) preachers that are willing to stand up and proclaim the truth to a hopelessly lost and perishing generation.

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A verse I read recently:
Prov. 10:5
He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely,
But he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully.

Who Are the "Sons of God" in Genesis 6?

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If you've ever wondered who the "sons of God" are in Genesis 6:1-4, then I would recommend this article (in PDF format):

Robert C. Newman, "The Ancient Exegesis of Genesis 6:2,4," Grace Theological Journal 5.1 (1984): 13-36.

Shorter, less technical articles taking the same basic position can be found HERE and HERE.

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Which Jesus is Lacking? - Mack T

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Which Jesus is Lacking?

Iain Murray encourages all evangelicals to read the 1994 Catholic Catechism. Mr. Murray quotes Pope John Paul, who when in Australia speaking to priests, said, ‘Jesus did not want a church without priests. If priests are lacking, then Jesus is lacking in the world, as is his Eucharist and his forgiveness... We share in the work of Christ, the eternal High Priest.’ Murray says, 'Men and women died rather than assent to such teaching.'

It is always interesting to read and hear such things from catholic leaders, especially the pope, since Jesus Himself said, regarding His work when He was upon the cross, "It is finished!"

Jesus said His work is finished, yet the pope, John Paul, 2000 years later says it is lacking without human priests. Every catholic ought to be honest, thinking long and clear on this one--Jesus and the pope don't agree-- I wonder who is right? There's no wondering.

One of the most grievous things about this in our day is that there are thousands of professing "evangelical" catholics that sincerely believe they are Bible believers and at the same time are devoted to the catholic church and catholic faith. But you cannot be both-- it is either one or the other but not both. Either Jesus Christ and the Bible are right, thus leaving Catholici sm wrong and in error, or Catholicism is right and the Bible is not true. You cannot have both, even though nice, sincere people say they believe both.

You can't have a long, short trip; or a clear sunny, cloudy day, or a hot and cold cup of tea, or a tall, short man; neither can you have a biblical catholicism. Simply impossible, because you cannot have a Saviour who said, "It is finished" and then have a Saviour, of whom the pope says, "If priests are lacking in the world, then Jesus is lacking in the world, as is his Eucharist and his forgiveness... We share in the work of Christ, the eternal High Priest." Utter falsehood, pure and simple. Which Jesus is lacking? The catholic Jesus obviously, but not the Jesus of the New Testament. The fact is, the catholic Jesus is lacking but the Jesus revealed in the pages of the Bible is not lacking because they are not the same.

-- Mack T.

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True and False Zeal

Charles preached yesterday on the subject of "True and False Zeal". I wish so much someone would have laid these truths before me at the beginning of my Christian life.

One thing my wife brought out after the message was insightful. We often look at a naturally zealous person and think, "If God would just save that person think of all the good they could do for Christ." Nothing could be further from the truth. God would have to crush all of their false zeal first (eg. Acts 9:8-9). Then and only then might they be of some use in His service.

Thoughts From Chalmers and Machen

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“Thus it is, that the freeer the gospel, the more sanctifying the gospel; and the more it is received as a doctrine of grace, the more will it be felt as a doctrine according to godliness.

It is only when, as in the gospel, acceptance is bestowed as a present, without money and without price, that the security which man feels in God is placed beyond the reach of disturbance…”

- Thomas Chalmers, “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection”

“The atoning death of Christ, and that alone, has presented sinners as righteous in God’s sight; the Lord Jesus has paid the full penalty of their sins, and clothed them with His perfect righteousness before the judgment seat of God.

But Christ has done for Christians even far more than that. He has given to them not only a new and right relation to God, but a new life in God’s presence for evermore. He has saved them from the power as well as from the guilt of sin.

The New Testament does not end with the death of Christ; it does not end with the triumphant words of Jesus on the Cross, ‘It is finished.’ The death was followed by the resurrection, and the resurrection like the death was for our sakes.

Jesus rose from the dead into a new life of glory and power, and into that life He brings those for whom He died. The Christian, on the basis of Christ’s redeeming work, not only has died unto sin, but also lives unto God.”

—J. Gresham Machen, Christianity & Liberalism

HT: Of First Importance

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The Mind's Residence

God has made a home for our mind and sentenced it to house arrest.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8

True - Is this thought in accordance with the actual state of affairs?
Honorable - Does this thought have dignity? Is this thought worthy of the King's court?
Right - Is this thought in accordance with what is proper? Is this the proper time and place for this thought?
Pure - Does this thought have any pollutants - even small ones? Is the thought unalloyed?
Lovely - Does this thought inspire warm-hearted affection for God and my neighbor?
Good Repute - If others knew this thought was in my mind would this contradict my profession of devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Excellence - Does this thought excel when compared with other thoughts? Will this thought cause me to excel to even loftier thoughts?
Worthy of Praise - Is this thought something I could bring directly in the courts of the Lord and thank Him for it?

A brother in our fellowship pointed out a more excellent way of looking at these verses. Simply insert "Christ" in the character descriptions.

Finally, brethren, [Christ] is true, [Christ] is honorable, [Christ] is right, [Christ] is pure, [Christ] is lovely, [Christ] is of good repute, [Christ is excellent] and [Christ is] worthy of praise, dwell on [Christ].

Pocket Notebooks

I keep a notebook in my pocket for writing down any thoughts and insights God may give. His thoughts are precious (Psalm 139:17), and these spiritual meteors will soon disappear if not put on paper.

In this regard Matt Haney has done us a wonderful service. Instead of paying a ridiculous amount of money for a pocket Moleskine you can now just make your own.

http://www.instructables.com/id/16-Page-Ruled-Pocket-Book-From-1-Piece-of-Paper-in/

The Bottom Line - Matt. 27:46; Gen. 3:15 - Mark LaCour

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THE BOTTOM LINE

Mark LaCour

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"About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46). ". . . He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." (Gen. 3:15).

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The most spectacular words uttered during the most spectacular event on record -- a scream that opens a mystery so deep, reveals a hell so appalling, displays a love so infinite, it could tempt even the seraphim to look (Isa. 6:2; 1 Pet. 1:12). Three truths these words disclose:

First, the awfulness of sin and the inflexible justice of God. The wages of sin is death --every person that sins will die. Separation from the body, separation from others, separation from every grace and mercy of God for eternity, period. No exceptions. All sinners will be totally forsaken, either in a substitute or in person. God so loves holiness that He didn’t waiver in condemning the apple of His eye.

Second, the obedience of the Son and the love of God. If Christ learned obedience through the things which He suffered (Heb. 5:8), then this was the crowning achievement -- an obedience that gave Him regal rights to everything of God (Rom. 5:19). While the crowd mocked Him for His ability to save others but not Himself, they were half right -- He was there to still save others and not Himself. No nail kept Jesus on the cross -- love for His Father and His people did.

Lastly, the culpability of the saints and the inability of Satan. Christians are the only sinners on the planet that are guilty of the most horrific sin ever committed -- Christocide. Others only break God's law, but Christians killed the owner of the vineyard. It's their shame alone -- and it's their redemption alone. And yet the only effect from Satan on Christ is a bruise -- a flesh wound on the heel.

Christ opened His mouth in pain so we could open ours in praise -- forsaken so we could be forgiven. If our boast is in the cross, then surely this part is the loudest. "Guilty, vile, and helpless we, spotless lamb of God was He; full atonement can it be? Hallelujah, what a Savior!"

-Mark LaCour

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Humility and Perseverance

John 4:38
...others have labored and you have entered into their labor.

This both keeps us humble and encourages perseverance. Often when an itinerant preacher sees a harvest during a meeting we fail to realize he is picking another man's fruit. A faithful pastor planted that seed year's ago; a broken-hearted mother kept it safe through her loud cries and tears. So this verse helps us keep perspective if we might be on the end of that process.

But we are also encouraged to persevere. Each word, sentence, and thought spoken is another log in place. Every prayer offered and tear shed tightens the bundle a little more. And we never know but that the next laborer may bring with him the coveted fire from Heaven.

Necessity of Knowing Greek?

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This has been brought up on here before, but I thought Frank Turk's comments on JT's post were helpful. Here are a couple:

"JT is right about something in his counter-comment: we don't have a huge problem with most pastors spending too much time in the Greek. But that symptom comes from pastors not really seeing the text as necessary, valuable and sufficient. My opinion -- and of course, I have many of them -- is that if we did more, better work extolling the sufficiency and necessity of the text people can actually read for themselves, the work of the men who can and should read the original languages would be far more useful to the church than it is today."

". . . the impression I get often from people who wield the Greek as if it was a spiritual necessity is that those who read the Bible in English aren't getting fed and aren't able to feed others. I think that impression is one we should do war against in order to teach people that reading the Bible in English is better for them than anything else they can do for themselves wherever they are today."

Read more HERE, and especially note that Frank DOES say that "There is no question that the original languages are precious, and that the church ought to have a phalanx of faithful men who can and do read these languages in order to maintain our modern-language texts." I think that's absolutely right and, taken together with his other comments, is a good summation of what I would say on the issue.

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Batter My Heart, Three-Person’d God - John Donne

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Batter my heart, three-person’d God; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o’erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp’d town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth’d unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

-John Donne

HT: James Grant

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Two Thoughts From John the Baptist

John 1:31
I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.

The believer's duty in a sentence, namely, that Christ might be manifested through us (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)


John 1:37
The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

A good prayer for anyone speaking on behalf of God. "Lord, let them hear me speak and follow Jesus."

Communion

John 3:22
...Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them.

He still spends time with disciples who aren't too busy with other things.