"We know, our Father, that there is a time to speak and a time to keep silence. Help us to tell the one from the other. When we should speak, give us the courage of our convictions. When we should keep silence, restrain us from speaking, lest, in our desire to appear wise, we give ourselves away."
Peter Marshall was a Presbyterian minister from Scotland. He came to the United States and pastored churches in Covington, GA, Atlanta, GA, and Washington, DC. While in Washington, he became chaplain of the U.S. Senate. He became known for his sermons that lived, as if he was sharing what he saw with his own eyes. He also was known for his prayers, in churches and in the U.S. Senate. This is an excerpt from a prayer I found online, probably taken from The Prayers of Peter Marshall, edited by Catherine Marshall; McGraw Hill, 1949. Her famous book A Man Called Peter is his life story, and is a great read. He was taken away very young, but made a major impact on this nation during World War Two, and even after his death. Much that he said is very valuable, even today.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
THE KIND OF MAN THE DEVIL HATES
BY W.F. BELL
(Some timely thoughts from my friend; a little morsel, but quite practical).
Be the kind of man that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "Oh no, he's up!" Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason, according to God's purpose. When bad things happen to you, trust God to change you through them. Take a few minutes to think before you act when you're mad. Forgive quickly. The Lord never said life would be easy, but He has promised to be with us: "I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8).
The Lord Jesus Christ walks with His children day by day, in all situations: "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Know that you are loved by Christ, though hated by the devil. "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" (I John 3:10). Brothers in Christ do love each other! A real brother walks with you when the rest of the world walks on you.
(Some timely thoughts from my friend; a little morsel, but quite practical).
Be the kind of man that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "Oh no, he's up!" Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forgive the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason, according to God's purpose. When bad things happen to you, trust God to change you through them. Take a few minutes to think before you act when you're mad. Forgive quickly. The Lord never said life would be easy, but He has promised to be with us: "I will guide thee with mine eye" (Psalm 32:8).
The Lord Jesus Christ walks with His children day by day, in all situations: "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Know that you are loved by Christ, though hated by the devil. "In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil; whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" (I John 3:10). Brothers in Christ do love each other! A real brother walks with you when the rest of the world walks on you.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
HEAVEN--MY SAVIOR IS THERE
In his book The Best is Yet to Be, Henry Durbanville told the story of a man who lay dying and was fearful, even though he was a born-again Christian. He expressed his feelings to his Christian doctor. The physician was silent, not knowing what to say. Just then a whining and scratching was heard at the door. When the doctor opened it, in bounded his big, beautiful dog, who often went with him as he made house calls. The dog was glad to see his master. Sensing an opportunity to comfort his troubled patient, the doctor said, "My dog has never been in your room before, and he didn't know what it was like in here. But he knew I was here, and that was enough. In the same way, I'm looking forward to heaven. I don't know much about it, but I know my Savior is there. And that's all I need to know!"
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
SOME WISDOM FROM WILL ROGERS
Will Rogers (1879-1935) was an American humorist, lecturer, and social critic. Let's hear now a little of his homespun wisdom:
LIBERTY
Liberty don't work as good in practice as it does in Speech.
SHUT UP
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
STOP DIGGING
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
DOUBLE YOUR MONEY
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.
THE CAT IN THE BAG
Lettin' the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back.
FULL OF BULL
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
ABOUT GROWING OLDER
Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.
Finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
(A little humor is always good. So I thought I would share these little tidbits from Will Rogers compiled by my friend, W. F. Bell.)
LIBERTY
Liberty don't work as good in practice as it does in Speech.
SHUT UP
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
STOP DIGGING
If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
DOUBLE YOUR MONEY
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.
THE CAT IN THE BAG
Lettin' the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back.
FULL OF BULL
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
ABOUT GROWING OLDER
Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.
The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.
You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.
Finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.
(A little humor is always good. So I thought I would share these little tidbits from Will Rogers compiled by my friend, W. F. Bell.)
Monday, December 13, 2010
ON THE TWO WAYS-THOMAS READE
“I find from the Word of God that two roads lie through the wilderness of this world. The one, at its beginning, is pleasant to carnal nature, being strewed with forbidden pleasures, sensual delights and materialistic gratifications, but growing darker and more crooked and thorny as it advances, it ends abruptly in eternal misery.
The other, difficult at the entrance, requires many sacrifices and much self-denial; but gradually increasing in light and beauty, it terminates in the blissful regions of immortal glory.
In which of these roads am I now walking?”
In SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF THE HEART or CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT by Thomas Reade, 1837
Saturday, November 27, 2010
THE MINDSET OF A PILGRIM-J.C. RYLE
A holy man will follow after spiritual mindedness. He will endeavor to set his affections entirely on the things above, and to hold things on earth with a very loose hand. He will not neglect the business of this life now; but the first place in his mind and thoughts will be given to the life to come. He will aim to live like one whose treasure is in heaven, and to pass through this world like a stranger and pilgrim traveling to his home.
To commune with God in prayer, in the Bible, and in the assembly of His people – these things will be the holy man’s chiefest enjoyments. He will value every thing and place and company, just in proportion as it draws him nearer to God.
From Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J.C. Ryle by J.I Packer and J.C. Ryle; “Holiness”, [Wheaton: Crossway, 2002], 143.
To commune with God in prayer, in the Bible, and in the assembly of His people – these things will be the holy man’s chiefest enjoyments. He will value every thing and place and company, just in proportion as it draws him nearer to God.
From Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J.C. Ryle by J.I Packer and J.C. Ryle; “Holiness”, [Wheaton: Crossway, 2002], 143.
Monday, November 15, 2010
GOD CENTERED EVANGELISM-REVIEW
The ministry of Dr. R. C. Sproul (Ligonier Ministries), has given us many good things. No exception is this excellent review of R. B. Kuiper's book; God Centred Evangelism (British spelling). I am old-school, so I believe the little book has a message that ought to be heeded by today's churches, but alas, it largely is not. (c.w.)
If I have heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times: “A Calvinist evangelist? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Calvinism undermines evangelism.” This accusation has been repeated so many times that few make the effort to argue it. Instead, it is simply assumed. Never mind that some of the church’s greatest evangelists have been Calvinists. One need only be reminded of men such as George Whitefield, David Brainerd, or “the father of modern missions,” William Carey. “Yes,” we are told, “these men were great evangelists and Calvinists, but that is because they were inconsistent.” But is this true?
The fact of the matter is that Calvinism is not inconsistent with evangelism; it is only inconsistent with certain evangelistic methods. It is inconsistent, for example, with the emotionally manipulative methods created by revivalists such as Charles Finney. But these manipulative methods are themselves inconsistent with Scripture, so it is no fault to reject them. In order for evangelism to be pleasing to God, it must be consistent with the whole system of biblical teaching. But what does such evangelism look like?
A classic answer to that question is found in R.B. Kuiper’s little book God-Centred Evangelism (Banner of Truth). This book surveys the entire biblical scope of teaching on the subject of evangelism. Kuiper defines evangelism quite simply as “the promulgation of the evangel.” It is, in other words, the proclamation of the gospel. Kuiper explains that his book “is a plea for God–centered, in contradistinction to man-centered, evangelism.” The book, then, presents a theology of evangelism.
The first chapters set forth some of the essential theological presuppositions for God-centered evangelism. Kuiper explains that God Himself is the author of evangelism, in that before the foundation of the world, He planned the salvation of sinners. This leads directly into chapter-length discussions of God’s love, His election of sinners, and His covenant. After setting forth these basic theological foundations, Kuiper then deals with various biblical aspects of evangelism, beginning with the sovereignty of God and the Great Commission.
In the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of “all nations.” The scope of evangelism, then, is universal. The gospel is to be proclaimed to all. If we truly believe what Scripture tells us about the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation, then the urgency of evangelism will become evident. A number of heterodox theologies undermine the urgency of evangelism by teaching that unbelievers will get a “second chance” after death. There is, however, no biblical warrant for such teaching, and to assert it is pure presumption.
Our primary motivation for evangelism should be love of God and love of neighbor. Those who love God will joyfully obey His commission to evangelize and disciple. Those who love their neighbor will desire nothing greater for them than eternal life. Their aim will be to see God glorified through the salvation of sinners like themselves in order that the church would grow.
The God-ordained means of evangelism is His own Word. It is through the proclamation of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit effectually works faith in men’s hearts. The specific message of evangelism is the gospel. Paul summarizes this message in 1 Corinthians 15:3–5: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” When those who hear the gospel ask what they must do to be saved, Scripture tells us that the answer is: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).
In the final chapters of his book, Kuiper surveys issues such as zeal for evangelism, the biblical method of evangelism, cooperation in evangelism, resistance to evangelism, and the triumph of evangelism. He reminds us that we can proclaim the gospel with great hope, looking forward to seeing the fruits of our evangelism, a time when “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” will stand before the throne of the Lamb, clothed in white and crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:9–10).
For too long, the church has attempted to achieve a worthy goal through worldly means. Let us heed Kuiper’s plea and leave man-centered Madison Avenue methods behind. May we fulfill the Great Commission in a God-glorifying manner.
( From Ligonier Ministries October 29, 2010)
If I have heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times: “A Calvinist evangelist? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Calvinism undermines evangelism.” This accusation has been repeated so many times that few make the effort to argue it. Instead, it is simply assumed. Never mind that some of the church’s greatest evangelists have been Calvinists. One need only be reminded of men such as George Whitefield, David Brainerd, or “the father of modern missions,” William Carey. “Yes,” we are told, “these men were great evangelists and Calvinists, but that is because they were inconsistent.” But is this true?
The fact of the matter is that Calvinism is not inconsistent with evangelism; it is only inconsistent with certain evangelistic methods. It is inconsistent, for example, with the emotionally manipulative methods created by revivalists such as Charles Finney. But these manipulative methods are themselves inconsistent with Scripture, so it is no fault to reject them. In order for evangelism to be pleasing to God, it must be consistent with the whole system of biblical teaching. But what does such evangelism look like?
A classic answer to that question is found in R.B. Kuiper’s little book God-Centred Evangelism (Banner of Truth). This book surveys the entire biblical scope of teaching on the subject of evangelism. Kuiper defines evangelism quite simply as “the promulgation of the evangel.” It is, in other words, the proclamation of the gospel. Kuiper explains that his book “is a plea for God–centered, in contradistinction to man-centered, evangelism.” The book, then, presents a theology of evangelism.
The first chapters set forth some of the essential theological presuppositions for God-centered evangelism. Kuiper explains that God Himself is the author of evangelism, in that before the foundation of the world, He planned the salvation of sinners. This leads directly into chapter-length discussions of God’s love, His election of sinners, and His covenant. After setting forth these basic theological foundations, Kuiper then deals with various biblical aspects of evangelism, beginning with the sovereignty of God and the Great Commission.
In the Great Commission, Jesus commands His followers to make disciples of “all nations.” The scope of evangelism, then, is universal. The gospel is to be proclaimed to all. If we truly believe what Scripture tells us about the necessity of faith in Christ for salvation, then the urgency of evangelism will become evident. A number of heterodox theologies undermine the urgency of evangelism by teaching that unbelievers will get a “second chance” after death. There is, however, no biblical warrant for such teaching, and to assert it is pure presumption.
Our primary motivation for evangelism should be love of God and love of neighbor. Those who love God will joyfully obey His commission to evangelize and disciple. Those who love their neighbor will desire nothing greater for them than eternal life. Their aim will be to see God glorified through the salvation of sinners like themselves in order that the church would grow.
The God-ordained means of evangelism is His own Word. It is through the proclamation of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit effectually works faith in men’s hearts. The specific message of evangelism is the gospel. Paul summarizes this message in 1 Corinthians 15:3–5: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” When those who hear the gospel ask what they must do to be saved, Scripture tells us that the answer is: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).
In the final chapters of his book, Kuiper surveys issues such as zeal for evangelism, the biblical method of evangelism, cooperation in evangelism, resistance to evangelism, and the triumph of evangelism. He reminds us that we can proclaim the gospel with great hope, looking forward to seeing the fruits of our evangelism, a time when “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages” will stand before the throne of the Lamb, clothed in white and crying out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Rev. 7:9–10).
For too long, the church has attempted to achieve a worthy goal through worldly means. Let us heed Kuiper’s plea and leave man-centered Madison Avenue methods behind. May we fulfill the Great Commission in a God-glorifying manner.
( From Ligonier Ministries October 29, 2010)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
