It Breaks Your Heart To Love The Lost

As Christians we are told to turn the other cheek, when someone hurts you. (Matt. 5:19)

What if the hurt hasn't stopped hurting?

Peter once asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (Matt. 18:21-22)

What if the number exceeds 7 x 70?

Elsewhere, Jesus told his disciples, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matt. 6:14-15)

What if they are unrepentant and will no doubt do-it again and again?

What if the person who is hurting you; is your brother, sister, a parent or spouse?  People who aren't supposed to hurt us and yet they go on hurting us?

God gave me the answer: “It breaks your heart to love the lost.”

When we envision Christ on the cross, we see and feel the physical pain that he suffered.  But when God showed me the cross in light of these dilemmas, He showed me a Savior whose face expressed the pain of the cross, but it wasn't physical pain that I saw, but rather, the pain of a broken heart.

In his dying breath Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, 

for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:24)

To be a child of God, we are called to love the lost no matter how bad it hurts.  When you can’t find it in your heart to forgive, just remember: “It breaks your heart to love the lost.”

And so, we can forgive, when the lost breaks our hearts, because that is what the lost do, and at one time or another and another we broke Jesus’ heart, and He still forgave us.

Praise His Holy Name!

Eagles Wings!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isa 40:28:31

Let us remember that the eye of our loving Savior is upon us morning, noon, and night. He will never suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear. He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, for He suffered himself being tempted. He knows what battles and conflicts are, for He Himself was assaulted by the prince of this world. Having such a High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

-J.C. Ryle

http://jcrylequotes.com

The Son purifies us through and through

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:7

"Christ is a Savior  He did not come on earth to be a conqueror, or a philosopher, or a mere teacher of morality. He came to save sinners. He came to do that which man could never do for himself,—to do that which money and learning can never obtain,—to do that which is essential to man’s real happiness,—He came to 'take away sin.'

Christ is a complete Savior  He 'taketh away sin.' He did not merely make vague proclamations of pardon, mercy, and forgiveness. He 'took' our sins upon Himself, and carried them away. He allowed them to be laid upon Himself, and 'bore them in His own body on the tree.' (1 Pet. 2:24.) The sins of every one that believes on Jesus are made as though they had never been sinned at all. The Lamb of God has taken them clean away.

Christ is an almighty Savior  and a Savior for all mankind. He 'taketh away the sin of the world.' He did not die for the Jews only, but for the Gentile as well as the Jew. He did not suffer for a few persons only, but for all mankind.

The payment that He made on the cross was more than enough to make satisfaction for the debts of all. The blood that He shed was precious enough to wash away the sins of all. His atonement on the cross was sufficient for all mankind, though efficient only to them that believe. The sin that He took up and bore on the cross was the sin of the whole world."

-J.C. Ryle

http://tollelege.wordpress.com

Your Word Is Truth

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  Jn 17:17

Concerning the Scriptures in general, it may be observed, the word of the living God, which directed the first patriarchs also, was, in the time of Moses, committed to writing.  To this were added, in several succeeding generations, the inspired writings of the other prophets.  Afterwards, what the Son of God preached, and the Holy Ghost spake by the apostles, the apostles and evangelists wrote.

In the language of the sacred writings we may observe the utmost depth, together with the utmost ease... God speaks not as man, but as God.  His thoughts are very deep, and thence His words are of inexhaustible virtue.

-John Wesley   "John Wesley as an Interpretation of Scripture"

Spiritual Muscles

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Tim 4:8

...Christ is as needful to the soul as bread is to the body. Meat and drink are absolutely requisite: and so you must have Christ or you cannot live in the true sense of that word. Take away food from the body it must die: deny Christ to a man, and he is dead while he liveth. There is in us a natural desire after meat and drink, an appetite which springs out of our necessity, and reminds us of it: labor to feel just such an appetite after Christ.

Your wisdom lies in your knowing that you must have Jesus to be your own Savior, and in admitting that you will perish if you do not receive him, and it is well with you when this knowledge makes you crave, and pine, and pant for him. Hunger after him, thirst after him; blessed are they that do hunger and thirst after him, for he will fill them.

-Spurgeon

http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com

I Want To Know

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Phil 3:10-11

“Oh that I could have the cross painted on my eyeballs, that I could not see anything except through the medium of my Savior’s passion! Oh, Jesus . . . let me wear the pledge forever where it is conspicuous before my soul’s eyes.”

-Spurgeon

In Everything Give Thanks

“In Everything Give Thanks” 

For life, for health, for strength, for love, 

Forth-flowing from Thy spring above, 

For preservation from all ill, 

Of mind and body, heart and will; 

Father, my God, I thank Thee! 

For mercies new each passing day; 

For light and guidance on my way; 

For help and counsel in each need; 

For conscience and for spirit freed; 

Father, my God, I thank Thee! 

For home and loved ones, oh, so dear; 

For Thy dear presence always near; 

For ties of friendship, tried and true; 

For blessings past, and blessings new; 

Father, my God, I thank Thee! 

For fellowship with Thee, my God; 

For Jesus, Man, yet very God; 

Thy spirit’s ministry in power; 

Defense in every trying hour; 

Father, my God, I thank Thee! 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, 

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, 

giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3: 17) 

Hilda Rovik Lindal 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thank You God! (Monday Morning Smile)

Flaws of Biblical Proportions - Finding the Perfect Small Group Leader from rightnow.org on GodTube.

Be Inspired...

A Love Story of an Injured Vet That Will Take Your Breath Away from ourprecioussavior on GodTube.

And a child shall lead them

13 Year-Old Soldier for Christ Loses Battle With Cancer, Inspires Millions with Testimony from joylights on GodTube.

It's a dog's life (Monday Morning Smile)

The Top 10 Guiltiest Dogs on the Internet! Adorable! :) from iluvanimals on GodTube.

Here Is A Never Failing Treasure

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Josh 1:8

You are free to all that is in the Bible. Here is a never- failing treasure filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven: you may draw from it as much as you please without let or hindrance. Bring nothing with you, except faith. Bring as much faith as you can get, and you are welcome to all that is in the Bible. There is not a promise, not a word in it, that is not yours. In the depths of tribulation let it comfort you. Mid waves of distress let it cheer you. When sorrows surround thee, let it be thy helper. This is thy father's love- token: let it never be shut up and covered with dust. Thou art free to it-- use, then, thy freedom.

-Spurgeon

http://theoldguys.org

Practice love diligently...

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love. I Cor 13:13

Practice love diligently. It is one of those graces, above all, which grow by constant exercise. Strive more and more to carry it into every little detail of daily life. Watch over your own tongue and temper throughout every hour of the day...

Remember the words of Paul: "Do everything in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14).  Love should be seen in little things as well as in great ones. Remember, not least, the words of Peter: "Love each other deeply"; not a love which just barely is a flame, but a burning, shining fire, which everyone around us can see (1 Peter 4:8).

It may cost pains and trouble to keep these things in mind. There may be little encouragement from the example of others. But persevere. Love like this brings its own reward.



-J.C. Ryle

http://jcrylequotes.com

He's A Guardian Angel

Homeless Man Saves Newborn Baby During Emergency Delivery - He's a Guardian Angel! from keephopealive on GodTube.

Be still and know...

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted throughout the earth.” Ps 46:10 

God is indeed the genuine Counterpart which alone can finally and primarily satisfy man and all creation as such. Far too often, however, this has been said in so general and therefore unconvincing a manner that we cannot be content to make the word “God” our final, or perhaps even our basic, term.

Far too often this word (God) is used simply as a pseudonym for the limitation of all human understanding, whether of self or the world. Far too often what is meant by God is something quite different, namely the unsubstantial, unprofitable and fundamentally very tedious magnitude known as transcendence, not as a genuine counterpart, nor a true other, nor a real outside and beyond, but as an illusionary reflection of human freedom, as its projection into the vacuum of utter abstraction.

And it is characteristic of this transcendence that it neither has a specific will, nor accomplishes a specific act, nor speaks a specific word, nor exercises a specific power and authority. It can neither bind man effectively nor effectively liberate him. It cannot be for his life either a clear meaning or a distinct person.

Who God is and what it is to be divine is something we have to learn from God as He has revealed Himself and His nature, by His holy word.

-- Barth

In The Beginning

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. Jn 1:1-4

God Himself is the beginning in which everything begins, with which we must and can always begin with confidence and without need of excuse.  And at the same time He is the end in which everything legitimately and necessarily ends, with which we must end with confidence and without need of excuse.

-Barth

Amazing Leap of Faith!

Amazing Leap of Faith! What You Didn't Know About The Man Who Jumped From Space from ourgodisforus on GodTube.

He will satisfy your needs.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isa 58:11

You are free to all that is in the Bible. Here is a never- failing treasure filled with boundless stores of grace. It is the bank of heaven: you may draw from it as much as you please without let or hindrance. Bring nothing with you, except faith. Bring as much faith as you can get, and you are welcome to all that is in the Bible. There is not a promise, not a word in it, that is not yours. In the depths of tribulation let it comfort you. Mid waves of distress let it cheer you. When sorrows surround thee, let it be thy helper. This is thy father's love- token: let it never be shut up and covered with dust. Thou art free to it-- use, then, thy freedom.

-Spurgeon

The path to God

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jn 14:6

Jesus is the one Mediator between God and man, and if you would find God, you must find him in the person of Jesus the Nazarene, who is also the Son of the Highest. You will find Jesus by believing him, trusting him, resting upon him. When you have trusted Jesus, you have found God in Jesus, for he hath said, “He that hath seen me, hath seen the Father.” Then have you come to God when you have believed in Jesus Christ. How simple this is! How unencumbered with subtleties and difficulties! When God gives grace, how easy and how plain is believing. Salvation is not by doing, nor by being, nor by feeling, but simply by believing.

-Spurgeon

http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com

How will the Church respond?

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;…” Acts 1:8

The promise, the provision, the need of the hour, is the power of the Holy Spirit coming upon consecrated men and women.  The church needs power to take and maintain her stand for righteousness.

This is a day of compromise and lowered moral and spiritual standards, and the church must lift up her voice to rebuke sin, and present Christ as the only and all-sufficient Savior  and to call the nations back to God ere they die by their own hand upon the grave of collapsed civilization.  She must hold aloft the torch of God’s Word in the midst of the gathering darkness of atheism and increasing wickedness.

The nations of the earth are trembling under the tread of gathering armies, the dark clouds of uncertainty and apprehension are lowering, men’s hearts are clutched by a nameless, senseless, fear; our boasted modern civilization teeters upon its crumbling throne.

Oh, church of the living God, arise, shine in all thy glorious light, nor fail to warn the perishing sons of men that their only hope, their only safety is in the coming King, Jesus.  Shall the church fail God in this crucial hour, or shall she manifest a sweet, kind, Christlike spirit all the while, “the whole world is in the midst of a vast revolution in economics, in politics, in morals, in the home and family, in the status of woman, in the relation of the sexes, in the fundamental thoughts of men.”  Every fundamental institution of human society is feeling the onslaught of a changing, anti-Christian age.

How refreshing to find a Christian who is baptized with the Holy Ghost and is living in the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, earnestly seeking to represent Jesus!

-H.J. Felter, (Pilgrim Holiness Advocate, 1939)

A Harvard Doctor’s Experience With Death and Afterlife

A Harvard Doctor’s Experience With Death and Afterlife - Watch What He Says About Heaven! from ourprecioussavior on GodTube.

"Thy Word"

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in the heaven.” – Psa 119:89


The Greatest book in all the world has survived three great dangers – the negligence of its friends, the hatred of its enemies, and the false systems built upon it.

The Bible is the most outstanding book ever written.  Civilizations crumble, but the Word of God endures.  There is a majesty and beauty about its stately words which remind us that God is speaking.  But we must beware lest we extol the Bible, yet fail to practice its teaching.

“Man must ever be trying his spirit against the spirit of the world.  Calamity smites him; confusion overtakes him; fortune smiles, and then suddenly frowns upon him.  Out of it all this welter of conflicting emotions he cries for a sure word of direction, a solace to his wounded spirit, a light amid his surrounding darkness.  These he must have or perish.  With grateful heart he finds them, in the Bible.  It speaks his language; it finds him where he is, and points him to the place to which he wishes to go.”

The Bible makes its appeal to every thoughtful reader by lifting his eyes far above the present, transient scene, and helping him to again discover the “sense of eternity” in the midst of time.  Whe men live only for the present, they are always in despair about the future.  We must meet the challenge of today in the light of tomorrow.  Many times today we are tempted to discouragement by the threatening clouds of war, the unjust distribution of wealth, or the continuance of bitter proverty and want.  We see a world in confusion, overrun with materialism, bewilderment, and despair.  But one deep look into the eternal, onward-moving purposes of God as revealed in the Bible, and we plant our feet again upon the highway of hope, and push forth to a sure and eternal destiny.  In thus rediscovering the Bible we rediscover a worth motive for living, and find happiness within.


--H. J. Fleter “Pilgrim Holiness Advocate, 1939”

Who Should I Trust?

Where is the way to Heaven? Whom shall I trust? Who will guide me? What is truth? This was the unanswered question of Pilate, as he sought to evade the tremendous responsibility thrust upon him.

"What is truth?" asks the scientific investigator as he spends a lifetime and vast sums of money to wrestle the secret from reluctant nature. "What is truth?" asks the man on the street as he listens to the hoarse cry of "would be" religious leaders—"This is the way, this is the way." "What is truth?" asks the theologian as he earnestly searches the works on theology available to him, as he mops his brow, and searches again. "What is truth?" cries our youth as they stand at the crossroads of decision, facing the important issues of uncertain human life and the certain issues of eternal destiny. Well might they ask, "Where is truth?" "Where shall I find it?" "Who will show me the way?"

Man, in his search for truth, has often gone astray and sought it in the wrong place. Jesus, the Eternal Word, who was God and was with God, said, "Thy Word is truth." Yes, God's Word is present, eternal, abiding truth. Grace and truth came by Him, who is "the way, the truth, and the life." His life was deity in expression, translating itself into terms understandable by man. "No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."

The truth of God endureth to all generations, and Jesus declared that those who should know the truth would be made free; that those who were of the truth would hear His voice in obedience and love. The Spirit of God is a Spirit of truth, and "the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth." We are chosen to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, which becomes our shield and buckler and enables us to worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.

In discussing the question, "What is the truth as it is in Jesus?" we note that God is the source of truth. We note further that this divine truth is revealed in the Bible, in the life and teachings of Christ, and by the Spirit through the Church, which is the pillar and ground of the truth. "The truth as it is in Jesus," embraces faith in His eternal oneness with the Father; His Saviour-hood; His saving, sanctifying, keeping grace; and His eternal power and Godhead.

He appeared on earth to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. By a vicarious, substitutionary death, He redeems sinners and waits to trans-form their lives by His regenerating power and grace. Christ not only lived an exemplary life, but He died a vicarious death, ransoming by His blood all who will believe the truth and be saved.

The baptism of John was of water unto repentance, answering to the first work of grace saving from the guilt of sin; but the baptism of Christ was with the Holy Spirit, answering to a second work of grace, sanctifying wholly the Christian believer and purifying his heart. The truth as it is in Christ includes the gracious fact that He engages Himself to keep every soul that commits its all to Him, and raise him up from the grave at the last day to an eternal blessedness and glory in Heaven.

Christ is the Saviour of all men, and the truth as it is in Jesus includes all who will repent and believe upon Him as their Lord, as savable. Not only is He our present Saviour, but He is our coming King. He will yet establish His kingdom on earth and provide a righteous administration over the inhabitants thereof. God speed the day when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ! Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

In conclusion, let it be said that the truth as it is in Jesus includes the forgiveness of our sins, being sanctified wholly, and preserved unto His heavenly kingdom; and to know Him aright is to know the true God and to possess eternal life.

--H.J. Felter "Pilgrim Holiness Advocate, 1938"

The Monday Morning Smile :-)

The Incomparable Christ

He came from the bosom of the Father to the bosom of a woman.  he put on humanity that we might put on divinity. He became Son of Man that we might become sons of God.  He came from Heaven, where the rivers never freeze, winds never  blow, frosts never chill the air, flowers never fade.  They never phone for a doctor for there no one is ever sick. No undertakers and no graveyards for no one ever dies--no one is ever buried.

He was born contrary to the laws of nature, lived in poverty, reared in obscurity; only once crossed the boundary of the land, in childhood.  He had no wealth no influence and had neither training nor education.  His relatives were inconspicuous and un-influential.

In infancy He startled a king; in boyhood He puzzled the doctors; in manhood He ruled the course of nature.  He walked upon the billows and hushed the sea to sleep.  He healed the multitudes without medicine and made no charge for his services.  he never wrote a book, yet not all the libraries of the country could hold the books that could be written about Him.  He never wrote a song, yet he has furnished the theme of more songs than all song writers combined.  He never founded a college yet all the schools together cannot boast of the many students as he has.  He never practiced medicine, and yet he healed more broken hearts than the doctors have broken bodies.

He never marshaled an army, drafted a soldier, nor fired a gun, yet no leader ever made more volunteers who have, under His orders, made rebels stack arms or surrender without a shot being fired.

He is the Star of Astronomy, the Rock of Geology, the Lion and the Lamb of Zoology, the Harmonizer of all discords and the healer of all diseases.  Great men have come and gone, yet He lives on.  Herod could not kill him, Satan could not seduce Him, Death could not destroy Him, the grave could not hold Him.

He laid aside His purple robe for a peasant's gown.  He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor.  How poor?  Ask Mary!  Ask the Wise Men!  He slept in another's manger.  He cruised the lake in another's boat.  He rode on another man's donkey.  He was buried in another man's tomb.  All failed but He never.  The ever Perfect One--He is the Chief among ten thousand.  He is altogether lovely.

-Unknown.

Praying Always

Praying Always

Pray when the morning breaketh, 

Pray when the sun is high,

Pray when the shadows falling 

Tell that the eve is nigh.

Pray when the darkness deepens,

Pray in the silent night,

Pray when the shadows fleeing 

Break into morning light.

Pray for the sorrow-laden, 

Pray for the tempted soul,

Pray for the saint, the faithful, 

Pressing toward the goal.

Pray for the missionaries 

Toiling beyond the deep,

Pray for the heathen millions; 

Over them pray and weep.

Pray that the truth triumphant 

Over the wrong may win;

Pray for reign of power 

Crushing the monster Sin.

Pray for the Bridegroom's coming, 

Surely twill not be long.

Prayer, then, shall turn to shouting 

And to the victor's song.

—B. S.

I Love My Life "The Monday Morning Smile :-)"

The Hole in our Holiness

SELF-KNOWLEDGE

                                          Searcher of Hearts,

                                             It is a good day to me when you give me 
                                                a glimpse of myself;
                                            Sin is my greatest evil,
                                               but you are my greatest good;
                                            I have cause to loathe myself,
                                               and not to seek self-honour,
                                               for no one desires to commend his own dunghill.
                                           My country, family, church
                                               fare worse because of my sins,
                                               for sinners bring judgment in thinking sins are small,
                                               or that God is not angry with them.

                                           Let me not take other good men as my example,
                                              and think I am good because I am like them,
                                           For all good men are not so good as you desire,
                                              are not always consistent,
                                              do not always follow holiness,
                                              do not feel eternal good in sore affliction.
                                          Show me how to know when a thing is evil
                                              which I think is right and good,
                                              how to know when what is lawful
                                              comes from an evil principle,
                                              such a desire for reputation or wealth by usury.
                                         Give me grace to recall my needs,
                                              my lack of knowing your will in Scripture,
                                              of wisdom to guide others,
                                              of daily repentance, want of which keeps you at bay,
                                              of the spirit of prayer, having words without love,
                                              or zeal for your glory, seeking my own ends,
                                              of joy in you and your will,
                                              of love to others.
                                           And let me not lay my pipe too short of the fountain,
                                              never touching the eternal spring,
                                              never drawing down water from above.

"The Valley of Vision"

A Testimony of Holiness

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Eph 1:4







I fast and pray.  What do I need?  What do I want?

Ans: A clear consciousness of God's approval.  This includes:

1. The knowledge of the forgiveness of all past sins, of commission and omission.  Through the blood of Jesus I have this full and free forgiveness.

2. It includes a heart purified from all sin, my will fully in harmony with God, and loving God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

3. It includes cheerful and prompt obedience to all the commandments of God, a hearty compliance with all the will of God concerning me.

Through the tender mercy of God, through the precious blood of Christ, I have the 2nd and 3rd.  I am this moment "by the grace of God" walking in the light as God is in the light, and "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth me from all sin."

God fills me now with the Holy Spirit.

Brother George E. Butler,
Dec. 31, 1890

In Memory of Richman Syabbamb

Radical Lives: Richman Syabbamba from Ryan Humm on Vimeo.

Zambian Wesleyan known in U.S. dies in tragic accident.

Coping with trouble...

If we know anything of growth in grace and desire to know more, let us not be surprised if we have to go through much trial and affliction in this world. I firmly believe it is the experience of nearly all the most eminent saints. Like their blessed Master, they have been men of sorrows, acquainted with grief, and perfected through sufferings (Isa. 53:3; Heb. 2:10). It is a striking saying of our Lord, "Every branch in Me that bears fruit [my Father] purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit" (John 15:2).   -J.C. Ryle

Coping with trouble:

1. Do I believe God will purposely use trouble to shape my life?

2. How has God used trouble to shape my life?

3. How do I respond to trouble?

4. How should I respond to trouble?

5. Is all my trouble the direct result of sin?

6. When was the last time I experienced troubled as the result of helping others?

7. Does every trouble in my life, pass through the hands of God?

8. How much of my trouble is the results of my own doing?

9. How long should my trouble last?

10. Is there anytime in my life when I don't deserve trouble?

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.  Job 2:10

Smile-It's Monday

Adorable Baby Twins Dance to Daddy's Guitar from sharethemessage on GodTube.

Where there is a Will there is a Way

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Luke 10:2

In those days The Holiness Church had four or five tents in the field every year.  These tents were put in the hands of reliable persons to hold meetings during the summer wherever the call came, or the way opened.  It was the most successful way of reaching the people and winning souls.

The one in charge of the tent would get some workers to go along and live in small tents, doing their own cooking, and looking to the Lord for their support.  At times the faith of the workers was tried, but their faith was more precious than gold.  People would bring provisions without being asked.  No such victory could be had in any other way.

At the close of one such camp-meeting, at which some 75 to 100 were reclaimed, converted or sanctified, and some 50 were healed of most all manner of diseases, the anointed of the Lord broke camp and started out to pitch tabernacles and tents for four other camp-meetings and pushed the battle in churches and everywhere to press the battle for God and souls.

August, 1987   

 ("Truths of Interest - The Holiness Church," -1939)

Broken By The Spirit

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Heb 12:10-11

Better to be broken in pieces by the Spirit of God, than to be made whole by the flesh! What does the Lord say? “I kill.” But what next? “I make alive.” He never makes any alive but those He kills.

Blessed be the Holy Spirit when He kills me! When He drives the sword through the very heart of my own merits and my self-confidence, then He makes me alive. “I wound, and I heal.” He never heals those whom He has not wounded. Then blessed be the hand that wounds! Let it go on wounding! Let it cut and tear! Let it lay bare to me myself at my very worst, that I may be driven to self-despair and may fall back upon the free mercy of God—and receive it as a poor, guilty, lost, helpless, undone sinner!

May we, by His Grace, cast ourselves into the arms of Sovereign Grace, knowing that God must give all, and Christ must be all, and the Spirit must work all—and man must be as clay in the potter’s hands, that the Lord may do with him as seems to Him good. Rejoice, dear Brothers and Sisters, however low you are brought, for if the Spirit humbles you He means no evil, but He intends infinite good to your soul.

-Spurgeon

http://theoldguys.org

Are You Willing To Be Obedient

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9

Are you willing to be obedient to the command, “Cease to do evil, learn to do well”? “Oh,” saith one, “I am willing enough to be obedient, but where is the strength to come from?” Ah, my blessed Lord does not ask you to find the strength; for that you may look to him. If you are willing he will grant you the power; nay, in making you willing he has already begun the work. If this morning he has made you truly willing to give up sin, his blessed Spirit will never leave you till sin is overcome. Jesus is able to cleanse you from the power of sin as well as from the guilt of it. The point is this — has he made you willing to be made holy? Are you at this present moment willing to be washed and cleansed? Do not answer this question till you have looked at it and marked the self-denial it will cost you. After doing so I fear that honesty will compel some of you to say, “I am not prepared to undergo the change which is here proposed.” You know, my hearer, that sin in some attractive form is very sweet to you, and while it is so there can be no hope of pardon for you.

-Spurgeon

http://www.thedailyspurgeon.com

Choose Life

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (Matt 25:32-34;41)

"What a vast difference is there between the death of a child of the devil and a child of God! The one leaves all his troubles and afflictions behind him, never to feel them more; the other, he leaves all his pleasures behind him, all the pleasure that ever he will enjoy while God endures. The one leaves all his temptations forever, but the other instead of that falls into the hands of the tempter, not to be tempted but to be tormented by him. The one is perfectly delivered from all remainders of corruption; the other, he carries all that vast load of sin, made up of original sin, natural corruption, and actual sins, into hell with him, and there the guilt of them breaks forth in the conscience and burns and scorches him as flames of hell within. The filthiness of sin will then appear and be laid open before the world to his eternal shame. Death to the true Christian is an entrance into eternal pleasures and unspeakable joys, but the death of a sinner is his entrance into never-ending miseries. This world is all the hell that ever a true Christian is to endure, and it is all the heaven that unbelievers shall ever enjoy.

'Tis a heaven in comparison of the misery of the one, and a hell in comparison of the happiness of the other. The sinner, when he dies, he leaves all his riches and possessions: there is no more money for him to have the pleasure of fingering; there is no more gay apparel for him to be arrayed in, nor proud palace to live in. But the Christian, when he dies, he obtains all his riches, even infinite spiritual, heavenly riches.

At death, the sinner leaves all his honor and enters into eternal disgrace; but the Christian is then invested with his. The one leaves all his friends forever more: when he sees them again at the resurrection, it will be either glorifying God in his justice in damning him, or else like furies ready to tear him. But the other, he goes to his best friends and will again meet his best earthly friends at the resurrection in glory, full of mutual joy and love. The death of a believer is in order to a more glorious resurrection, but the death of a sinner is but only a faint shadow and preludium of the eternal death the body is to die at the great day and forever more.

So great is the difference between the death of the one and the other, 'tis even as the difference between life and death, between death and a resurrection. Wherefore, now you have both before you—the glorious gainfulness of the death of a Christian, and the dreadfulness of the death of a sinner—or rather you have life and death set before you, to make your choice: therefore, choose life."

--Jonathan Edwards,

http://tollelege.wordpress.com

You Reap What You Sow

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Gal 6:8-9

Let this also be written down on the tablet of your memory. No entrance into heaven, without the Spirit first entering your heart upon earth! No admission into glory in the next life without previous sanctification in this life! No Holy Spirit in you in this world—then no heaven in the world to come! You would not be fit for it! You would not be ready for it! You would not like it! You would not enjoy it! There is much use made in the present day of the word "holy." Our ears are wearied with "holy church," and "holy baptism," and "holy days," and "holy water," and" holy services," and "holy priests." But one thing is a thousand times more important—and that is, to be made a really holy person by the Spirit. We must be made partakers of the Divine nature, while we are alive. We must "sow to the Spirit," if we would ever reap life everlasting.

--J.C. Ryle

http://jcrylequotes.com

Especially for You

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that you faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen you brothers.” (Luke 22:31, 32)

Jesus knew well all the disciples, “all of you.” In fact, He knows well all people.

Jesus knew well the purpose of Satan. Satan had repeatedly endeavored to “sift” Jesus as wheat. What Satan tried to do with Jesus, he tries to do with Peter, sift all the wheat out of his life and leave only worthless chaff.

Christ foresaw Peter’s peril. Peter’s short and imperfect vision was not sharp enough to discern Satan’s developing strategies.

Christ helped Peter. Christ assured Peter that He would go ahead and, as it were, station Himself at the very spot in the path where Peter would stumble. Oh, the wondrous forethought and kindness of Jesus!

Christ’s help to Peter was the greatest He could offer-prayer. This is ever Christ’s greatest help to the believer. Now we begin to understand why Jesus entered into frequent all-night vigils of prayer-to intercede for His friends. And, bless His Name, the glorified Saviour still ceaselessly intercedes for His friends.

Satan expected Peter’s faith to “utterly fail.” All he saw in Peter was “Simon,” the old name, the old nature. Jesus knew that there was more. So Jesus’ look of forgiveness led Peter at once to weep his way back to the Saviour’s restoring love.

“Especially for you” Jesus prays today. Touched with the feeling of your infirmities, He mentions your name and need to the Father. His prayers are always heard and honored. Is this not enough to strengthen and assure your fainting heart?

--George E. Failing

Alone With God

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matt 6:6 


When we go into our room and shut the door, no one sees us, no one hears us but God. No one is present before whom to make a display or our devotion. No one is present to see our zeal, or compliment us on our well-rounded sentences. God is present, but not as a faultfinder always looking for a thing to condemn in us. God is present, as unlimited goodness, love, poise, peace, wisdom, strength. So all parade and self-applause, or self-vindication, should be left outside the closed door.

Prayer must never be a mere speech exercise. Prayer must be a living thing, born of conviction and enthusiasm. Every word must be white-hot with sincerity. Anyone who has really closed the door will feel that he is looking into the eyes of the infinite Christ, that He sees us and knows us thoroughly. Yes, it is a searching spot-alone in the presence of God.

When you pray, enter your room. When you have shut the door, shut out insincerity, shut out formality, shut out self and selfish interests. Then hear what God has to say.

The words of God are creative, powerful, energizing, illuminating, and he who comes from the room, having heard God’s words, will go out to confound the forces of wickedness and promote the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.



Oliver G. Wilson (excerpt from With Open Face. 1983)

Wait Upon the Lord

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Ps 130:5

Blessed is the person who, early in their Christian life, learns to wait upon the Lord.  The psalmist said, “I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.”  In another place he gives us a heartening word of encouragement.  “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord” (Ps 27:14)

Everywhere we go, we find discouraged people who have given up the struggle.  Some of them have openly returned to the world.  Others follow along “afar off” from the warmth and comfort of the true faith and salvation.  Ask them what the trouble is and there are almost as many excuses as there are backsliders.  But to get right down to the truth of the matter, in nearly every case their trouble can be traced back to this:  They failed to wait upon God.

Waiting on God means more than a few brief formal prayers.  It means to pray until the soul lays hold of God and comes away with a blessing.  This may be a matter of minutes or even hours, but it means to seek until we find, knock until it is opened unto us, ask until we receive.

There is a waiting upon God, a pleading of the promises, a heart searching, a holding on the determination of love and faith, that puts the resources of heaven at our command.  Here is the great difference between defeat and victory.

How different might have been the attitude and action of the disciples on the night of the Savior’s betrayal, had they watched with him in prayer during the hour of agony!

Isaiah said “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isa 4o:31).

Paul W. Thomas (excerpt from With Open Face. 1983)