The Believers Armor (John MacArthur)

This sermon is excellent on the believer's constant need of prayer.

Sermon link here.

O Holy Spirit - A Puritan Prayer

In the Puritan prayer book, Valley of Vision, the authentic work of the Holy Spirit is beautifully implored. 

"O Holy Spirit,

As the sun if full of light,
the ocean full of water,
Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.

Vain are all divine purposes of love
and the redemption wrought by Jesus
except thou work within,
regenerating by thy power,
giving me eyes to see Jesus,
showing me the realities of the unseen world.

Give me thyself without measure,
as an unimpaired fountain,
as inexhaustible riches.

I bewail my coldness, poverty, emptiness,
imperfect vision, languid service,
prayerless prayers, praiseless praises.

Suffer me not to grieve or resit thee.

Come as power,
to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme
and keep me thine;

Come as teacher,
leading me into all truth, filling me with
all understanding;

Come as love,
that I may adore the Father and love him
as my all;

Come as joy;
to dwell in me, move in me, animate me;

Come as light,
illuminating the Scripture, moulding me
in its laws;

Come as sanctifier,
body, soul and spirit wholly thine;

Come as helper,
with strength to bless and keep, direct my
every step;

Come as beautifier,
bringing order out of confusion, loveliness
out of chaos.

Magnify to me thy glory by being magnified in me,
and make me redolent [strongly reminiscent or suggestive of] thy fragrance."

Abstinence is unrealistic and old fashioned

Another reblog! This excellent article will encourage young people, and make parents like me pump their arms.

"There’s plenty of ignorance on the subject. Plenty of confusion. But it’s the lies I hate. The lies that come from people who know better. The people who have made mistakes and now encourage others to make them, too."
Full article here

Forgiveness

I've never been popular. I guess you can call me the black sheep in my family, school and even church. My lack of conformity to unspoken rules has always made it hard for me to assimilate with the majority. 

I often ask "Why?" in certain situations, and sometimes it gets me in trouble. For example, if someone asks me why I don't wear a dress to church, I will as politely as I can, ask why and where that is in scripture? Would Jesus love me less if I wore pants? I tend to share what I'm thinking and feeling and sometimes it makes a lot of people uncomfortable. I'm trying to be more congenial in these situations, but it doesn't come naturally.

Being somewhat awkward and unyielding in nature has made me a target for mistreatment even among professing Christians. They often feel justified in their slights and disregard towards me. I've also been verbally trampled upon by a well known Christian leader in my community for sharing a concern of mine. In my confusion, sensitivity, and despair I withdrew, licked my wounds while bitterness would root in my heart defiling many. 

Frankly I expect more from Christians. I would forgive with the condition in my mind hoping that the Holy Spirit in their growth in sanctification would show them their error, and they will ask me for their forgiveness. I would day dream there would be tears, hugs, and reconciliation, but it never happens. Month after month, year after year they continue to go along as if nothing ever happened, justified in their poor treatment towards a sister in Christ.

With all that said, let me get one thing straight, I'm not saying I'm a victim. I know that there is at least some responsibility on my part in every situation. I'm sure there are also plenty of people that I have wounded unaware. I hope I would do anything to help restore our relationship. My heart is deceitfully wicked and who can know it? I'm far from perfect.

I've been thinking, researching, and praying about forgiveness, and the Lord revealed something big to me. In this verse Jesus teaches Peter in the following passage:

Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."

I've always thought the above verse meant the amount of sins to forgive and forgiveness is a one time deal. However, my heart would reveal there is still unforgiveness even after I thought I dealt with it. I noticed the word "sin" is singular. This is really important. I have to REPEATEDLY chose to forgive for even the same sin. Forgiveness is a process and seven times may not be enough. I may have to forgive that person hundreds of times out of obedience to the Lord until my heart is free from that burden.

I've experienced this with my parents. Before I was even saved I harbored a lot of anger and bitterness towards them. I'm not going in to details here because I still want to honor them, but forgiving them even as a Christian was a long process that took many years. I spent much time in confession to the Lord of my resentment. Eventually those painful memories that I held on to began to fade. The Lord set my heart free of the hurt that previously imprisoned me. It is true that if I forgive, I will eventually forget. I now have an amazing relationship with my mother and father.

Forgiveness is not easy for any of us. Forgiveness my require a lifetime of forgiving. It is so important to the Lord that I forgive and forgive again until the matter is completely settled in my heart. It is for my good because He loves me.

J. R. Miller ~ Touching Others

I wish emotionally I would do better at surprise trials. It's these times when I'm reminded of my shortcomings and God's amazing grace. I also appreciate the sisters He brings in to ground and comfort me when passions run high, and get me back to thinking clearly again.

O Magnify the Lord With Me ~ A Marriage Plea

Since I've been homeschooling these last three years, I haven't had much time to write what's been on my heart as much. For this season in my life, I'll have to let videos and other authors do it for me.

I was moved deeply by this sermon excerpt from a wedding on May 19, 2012. Bob Jennings, who gave the service, went home to be with Jesus shortly after in November 2012.

Death Is Not Dying ~ Rachel Barkey

A very moving final testimony from a young Christian woman, Rachel Barkey, who died of cancer a couple of years ago. This is a must watch video for women of all ages.

 

What the Gospel Isn’t: Moralism ~ Elyse Fitzpatrick

What the Gospel Isn’t: Moralism from Revive Our Hearts on Vimeo.

A Warning not to Stray from the Gospel ~ Paul Washer

May We Be Real Here?

Lately I've been on the up and up considering the last year being one of the hardest in my life. Today I relapsed into a that self pity mode most of us know too well. My life from the start has been a hard road. It's hard not to feel cheated at times. 

The Lord in His mighty yet gentle way always reminds me of the verse that I've clung to through the years:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (empasis mine)

There are times (they are few and far between) that I can barely get myself ready in the morning on Sunday to go to church. There is such a deep sadness that there is a lump in my throat, and tears welling up ready to spill over down my face. I'm squeezing my fists resisting the urge to cry right there in front of the entire congregation. 

It makes me wonder who else is feeling the same things, but is compelled to restrain them. Perhaps it is too personal and they just need a warm embrace. It's hard to tell since we're all trained early on to contain our problems.

I don't understand why we have to enter church like all is well with our smiling Disney mask all the time. What is the point? We need to be real! Life is not a show and the church is suppose to be our santuary; a place of not only worship, but of fellowship, refreshment, encouragment and confessing to one another...real stuff. 

...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

This 4 minute sermon clip describes these real emotions and our need to cling to truth.

What Holiness Is Not

Brokenness

This is my favorite sermon by Voddie Baucham.

Dealing with Rejection by Dr. Frank Gagliano

"We live in a world that chooses its favorites and rejects the leftovers."

This is excellent. Full sermon HERE

Part 2 HERE

Loneliness

Like Elijah, Jeremiah, Jesus, or Paul, you may be experiencing intense loneliness. A woman does not have to be single to be lonely. She can be married and living with her husband.  In fact, her loneliness may be exaggerated because of feeling trapped in a marriage with a man who is withdrawn and aloof. Elijah and Jeremiah were overwhelmed with their loneliness. Jesus and Paul were not. The difference is Elijah and Jeremiah felt sorry for themselves while Jesus and Paul sought refuge in God.  Martha Peace, The Excellent Wife

How Firm a Foundation

I've been going through quite a trial the past month or two. At church yesterday we sang this hymn published in 1787 by John Rippon. I found it to be an encouragement.

1.      "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, 
 is laid for your faith in his excellent word! 
 What more can he say than to you he hath said, 
 to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled? 

2. "Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, 
 for I am thy God and will still give thee aid; 
 I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand 
 upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

3. "When through deep waters I call thee to go, 
 the rivers of woe shall not thee overflow; 
 for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, 
 and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 

4. "When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie, 
 my grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; 
 the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design 
 thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

Safe In His Wings

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. Psalm 91:1-4

On letting our light shine in the political realm...

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ..."Romans 13:1-7

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." 1 Timothy 2:1-2

"And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one." 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

The blog, Pyromanics, doesn't need my help getting viewers. I wanted to share this post because it is near and dear to my heart. When it comes to politics, most Christians have distorted their calling. (Matthew 28:19)

"We must not be so engulfed in trying to force social behavior to conform to our standards that we become enemies of those our Lord has called us to win to Himself. We must reject sin and never compromise God's standards of righteousness.  But we also must never engage in defamation and denigration of the lost sinners who make up our corrupt culture.  When Christians become political, sinners become the enemy instead of the mission field." John MacArthur

"One of the greatest dangers of the political activism of the so-called "religious right" is this: It fosters a tendency to make enemies out of people who are supposed to be our mission-field, even while we're forming political alliances with Pharisees and false teachers." Phil Johnson 

Full article HERE

Related Post:

Video: Against the World ~ Conservatism: A Myth & Delusion

Dying to Self

My friend gave me permission to share this. original here.

“Suppose you have been neglected or unforgiven. You sting with the hurt of the insult from such an oversight, but your heart is happy because you have been counted worthy to suffer for Christ. That is what dying to self is all about. When your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, and your opinions ridiculed, and yet you refuse to let anger rise in your heart to try to defend yourself, you are practicing dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently stand face to face with folly and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus did, you have died to self. When you are content with any food, money, clothing, climate, society, solitude, or interruption by the will of God, you have died to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, record your own good works, or desire commendation from others, you are dying to self. When you can honestly rejoice with a brother who has prospered and had his needs met and never feel any envy though your needs are greater and still unmet, you have practicing dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and humbly admit he’s right with no resentment or rebellion in your heart, you have died to self. Are you dead yet?” 

Anonymous

Col 3:1  Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 
Col 3:2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 
Col 3:3  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 
Col 3:5  Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. 
Col 3:6  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 
Col 3:7  and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 
Col 3:8  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. 
Col 3:9  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 
Col 3:10  and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him-- 
Col 3:11  a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. 
Col 3:12  So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 
Col 3:13  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 
Col 3:14  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 
Col 3:15  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. 
Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 

Die to Self, Surrender to Christ ~ Paul Washer

"The love of Christ just knocks me to my knees."

 

Christ Altogether Lovely

This writing is from my favorite puritan John Flavel. Find out why this often overlooked puritan was quoted and loved by Charles Spurgeon.

"First, He is altogether lovely in his person: he is Deity dwelling in flesh, John 1:14. The wonderful, perfect union of the divine and human nature in Christ renders him an object of admiration and adoration to both angels and men, 1 Tim. 3:16. God never presented to the world such a vision of glory before."

Full sermon excerpt

Audio reading