Wednesday, January 25, 2012

LONELY WHISPERS--MARIANNE LORDI



 "How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?" (Psalm 13:2)

Remembering that God is sovereign while we are in the battles of life can be very difficult.  Probably the last thing you think about as you suffer in a trial is that God is working all things out for your good.  When you are overwhelmed with problems,  it takes all the strength you have to just barely whisper a prayer.

My friends, I write this message to again empathize with so many of you that are feeling literally torn apart by painful trials. I struggle also. We are definitely living in a time of darkness. The laws of God simply don’t matter as the evil spirit of self-righteousness fills the hearts of most.  Satan’s main weapon of attack is to destroy families. He works to divide and conquer.  If he can break up loved ones, he can use their pain to do his work. I cannot believe how extensively marriages are ending.  A marriage vow has just become another way of saying, “I’ll love you until I don’t”.  The promise made before God is simply swept under the rug and forgotten.  How sad that we have strayed so far.

We read in 2 Timothy 3 that there will be terrible times in the last days.  Paul describes a time when people will become lovers of themselves and lovers of money.  He goes on to say that they will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God and have form of godliness but deny its power.  While sin has always been in this world, the extent of evil to which Paul is speaking is much greater.  Paul was warning of  a  time when self-love and entitlement  would rule over this earth and God would be considered an intrusion. We are in that prophecy now!  Is there any wonder that this whole world is suffering financially, physically and under the devastation of earthquakes, floods and storms of every kind? Judgment is upon us!  Wars and weapons of mass destruction are being prepared for a battle that could conceivably destroy every living thing.  It is evident that  the rulers and powers of darkness have geared up efforts to unleash a prodigious force of wickedness on this earth to take down those who are unprepared.

Yet, despite all that is going on in this lost world, there is always hope for those who trust in the finished work of Christ.  No situation and trial you face will ever be stronger than the  blood of Christ that was shed ensuring that you will always have the future he planned for your life.  Sadly, many believers accept the enemy lies when a crisis hits instead of holding on in faith.  The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:12,Be joyful in hope , patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”.  In every battle  you must be joyful, patient and faithful knowing without a doubt that God is not going to fail you.  You are not alone and the power of Christ that resides in you is greater than the pain you are facing. You have a  Living Hope that reigns eternal.

Until the day I die, I will proclaim the truth that Christ is enough for everything you must endure on this earth.  Though we all grow weary at times, God knows how to rescue his people in times of need.  Christ has promised us his peace despite the trouble in our lives.  It is a peace that defies understanding knowing in your heart that God is orchestrating his divine will through every struggle.  Each heartache and trial you face is an opportunity for God to reveal more of himself to you. The purpose and plan are guiding you on the path of your destiny!

You will always gain freedom as you surrender up your power to his.  There is a short poem written by L.E. Maxwell in his book, Born Crucified, that makes this point:  “Make me a captive Lord, and then I shall be free.  Force me to render up my sword and I shall conqueror be.  My will is not my own, til Thou has made it Thine.  If it would reach the monarch’s throne,  it must its crown resign!”

We aren’t always going to be in control of our circumstances.  There will be times when all we can do is surrender them to Christ and trust that he will work them out for our good.  It may be scary to wait in the deep water for Jesus to bring you to safety but that is exactly what you must do!  Get your eyes off of the sharks in the waters of life and the storm clouds that are brewing.   They are under the authority of God, their Master, and cannot harm you.  You may feel weary and alone in the dark sea of trouble but you are not alone and you are never without his strength!

I pray that those who feel God does not hear their prayers will come to  know the truth of this message.  Don’t let your weariness cloud your judgment.  If you belong to Christ, legions of his angels surround you right at this moment.  There is not a tear he does not see nor a broken heart he cannot mend! Your lonely whispers are heard.  You have been set apart and made ready for him.  While you wait in expectation of Christ, understand that your calling is secure.  As a child of the King, you have already been declared royalty.  Stand firm in your faith for the army of the living God is with you.

And to the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”  ( 1 Peter 5:10)   

Be in peace, my friends.  I am praying for you.

(Marianne is a dear friend who has a spiritual outreach. She ministers to women who are imprisoned. She teaches in Vacation Bible School. She ministers on several blogs, and has one of her own. She is very gifted. God is using her to help hurting people. Isn't that what we are called to do? Please visit Marianne's blog:  http://mblordi.com/2012/01/22/jesus-remember-me/  )

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

CHRIST OUR REDEEMER--B.B. WARFIELD

“There is no one of the titles of Christ which is more precious to Christian hearts than “Redeemer.” There are others, it is true, which are more often on the lips of Christians. The acknowledgment of our submission to Christ as our Lord, the recognition of what we owe to Him as our Saviour,–these things, naturally, are most frequently expressed in the names we call Him by. “Redeemer,” however, is a title of more intimate revelation than either “Lord” or “Saviour.” It gives expression not merely to our sense that we have received salvation from Him, but also to our appreciation of what it cost Him to procure this salvation for us. It is the name specifically of the Christ of the cross. 

Whenever we pronounce it, the cross is placarded before our eyes and our hearts are filled with loving remembrance not only that Christ has given us salvation, but that He paid a mighty price for it.”
--Taken from: The Person and Work of Christ, P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ, 1950, page #325; by B.B. Warfield, (1851-1921).

Saturday, January 7, 2012

THE NOT NEW GOSPEL--- W.F. BELL

SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS
Romans 5:9; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:20

    What is it to truly preach the gospel?  This question is asked by each new generation, and rightly so.  So the question is now being asked again here, and we wish to give you the forthright answer from the infallible Word of God.  It really comes down to mainly five things, all delineated plainly in Scripture:  (1) The Cross, (2) God's Kingdom, (3) The Word, (4) Heartfelt Assurance, and (5) God's Grace.  Look at these wonderful truths with us, remembering "What is true is not new."   So here is the old, old story of Jesus and his love, "the not new gospel."  
  
   The Cross of Christ is central to all gospel preaching.  "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Corinthians 1:18).  "Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men" (v. 25).  The Cross is the good news of God's gospel.  It is the only hope for all bankrupt sinners.  The gospel is for sinners only, and if you do not feel guilty of sin, there is nothing but "bad news" for you.  "Being NOW justified by his blood" (Romans 5:9).  The blood of Christ effectually saves and justifies all of the elect of God.  What glorious news this is!  Nothing ever told or heard by mortal man equals or surpasses this news.  Christ's blood alone "redeems" us (Ephesians 1:7), and God has "made peace" between himself and sinners "through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20).  "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22).  There is forgiveness of sin no other way, but "the way of the cross."  None, never!
  
   The Kingdom of God (the domain of the King) is loudly proclaimed in gospel preaching.  "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30-31).  It is God's Kingdom that we emphasize, not the kingdoms of men, which are sure to perish.  Christ is truly Lord of his church, and King in Zion, with no rivals or vice-regents.  All saints bow to Christ's holy authority!  "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (I Corinthians 4:20).  We enter this spiritual kingdom by a new birth from above (John 3:3).
   
   If the word of God is ever sent to us "in power, and in the Holy Spirit," it will also bring us "much assurance" (I Thessalonians 1:5).  In true gospel preaching, "the word" (2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 4:12) is brought forth, and in clear language we learn that Christ Jesus is the only Saviour of sinners, the Holy Spirit is our Convincer and Comforter, and God's grace alone has sovereignly sought us, bought us, and taught us!  "Chosen in Christ."  "Bought with a price."  "And they shall be all taught of God."  "To the praise of the glory of his grace."  We only know these things from the revealed fountain of all truth, the inspired Scripture, which must never be added to, or nothing taken from.
   
   At the close of Revelation, it is no wonder that John "heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God" (19:1).  By grace alone, may we humbly join in singing the same to the worthy Lamb of God, "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).  This is "the gospel of God," and our only desire is to proclaim it in all its fulness, in all its sweetness, and in all its power.  All hail King Jesus!