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Showing posts with label Divorce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Divorce. Show all posts

Saturday, April 15, 2023

I am All Alone – Lies of the Enemy #6– Purity 1018

 

I am All Alone – Lies of the Enemy #6– Purity 1018

Purity 1018 04/15/2023 Purity 1018 Podcast

Purity 1018 on YouTube: 



Good morning,

Today’s photo of a sunrise pathway scene reflected in the waters at the Vischer Ferry Preserve in Rexford comes to us from Nancy Saunders Sever who leads the Starpoint Church Divorce Care Group at my local church and yesterday lead a group of friends from the group on an 6:00 am morning hike to enjoy a gorgeous morning and the fact that there is freedom and healing, even after divorce, when Christians come together in unity to support and encourage one another.      

Well, it is Saturday, and even though my shifting schedule has me working today, I pray that all of my friends with the day off, and those working, take some time today to enjoy yourselves and thank the Lord for all that He has done.  And if you can do so in the company of family or friends.  As the Swedish proverb says “shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. "  And I can tell you that is the truth!

The Starpoint Divorce Care group was instrumental in my healing from my divorce. I shared my sorrow, and I can tell you that there was healing merely in having the opportunity to honestly talk about what I went through with others who had, were, or were preparing to suffer the same loss of divorce.   The word indicates that confessing our “sins” to our brothers brings healing (James 5:16) and I know that I released many burdens through that group.   

I also experienced joy! The leadership was intentional in organizing social gatherings for the group members and it was through these simple gatherings with new friends that I was able to get over loneliness and past the fear of “going out” in the world again.  

The enemy would have us isolate ourselves because when we are alone he can more easily condemn us, make us see the world as hostile to us, and keep us in bondage to addiction, fear, anger, or depression.   But when we come together as Christians, we can combat the lies of the enemy with the truth of God’s word and the support of one another.  

And so in the spirit of standing on the truth, let’s continue with our current series which is an examination of some of the common lies the enemy tells us to cause us to doubt our faith or to choose not to follow the Lord with the way we live our lives. 

So today’s big lie is:

Lie # 6:  I am All Alone.    

I purposely put today’s big lie in the “first person” tense because that is often how the enemy delivers the “fiery darts” into our minds.  

1 Chronicles 21:1 (NKJV) tells us
1  Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

Here scripture indicates Satan, apparently underneath God’s authority (2 Samuel 24:1), moved David to take a census of the people of Israel but He didn’t follow the guidelines  for doing so that God established with Moses (Exodus 30:12) thus acting in pride and against God’s word.    Acting in pride and against God’s word, huh?  Sounds like Satan to me!  

But it probably didn’t sound like Satan to David, it probably sounded like a good idea of his own.  It is unlikely that Satan announced his maniacal plot that would result in the deaths of 70,000 Israelites (1 Chronicles 21:14) to David in the second person: 

“Hey David, You should do a census!”

Instead it is more likely that the enemy phrased it in the first person: 

“I should do a census before we fight. The enemy will be intimidated when they find out how large our army is! That’s a good idea! Boy, I’m smart!”

Little did David know that He was going against God’s word. He had a heart for God after all.  But scripture tells us that Satan knows the word and just how to twist it.  So when we consider combatting the lies of the enemy, we have to  be on the look out of “our own thoughts” because they could be “first person” fiery darts from demonic entities. That’s right. Sometimes our thoughts may not be our own!  

Satan did it to David and so he will certainly do it to us.  

That’s a big introduction for today’s lie but I wanted to explain those “first person” lies because if we aren’t “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” – even first person thoughts, we will be susceptible to deception.

And just like how the enemy likes to take the truth of God’s word and twist it, he will also take the facts of a situation and twist them to afflict us. The best lies are partially true and Satan knows this.  

So, the lie of “I am all alone.” can be based on the facts of the circumstances.  I am alone. My spouse left me. My family is far from me.  I don’t have any close friends. 

The enemy will be quick to point out these facts and provided you with commentary to explain them:

“I’m alone because nobody loves me. Nobody wants to be with me.”

But what the enemy doesn’t tell you is that there is Someone that does love you and is always with you: God.  No matter what your circumstances on this earth may be there is One who will never leave you or forsake you.  God reveals the fact of His omnipresence through out scripture.  

In Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) God says:
9  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Wherever you go, there you are with God.   

Remember David, the guy who really messed up more than once,  well he knew this truth about God too.  In

 Psalm 139:1-6 (NLT2)

1  O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
2  You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
4  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.
5  You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!

 This is the wonderful knowledge about God that Satan doesn’t want you to know, read the rest of Psalm 139 and the whole counsel of God and you will see that God is all knowing, all powerful, every where present and He loves us enough to send Jesus to save us.    

If you have put your faith in Christ, the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, Himself, lives in you. 

SO in reality, the Christian is NEVER ALONE.  We can’t be alone because God is with us wherever we go.   But if we forget this, the truth of our relationship with God, the enemy can get us to believe the lies that will fill us with despair, cause us to be fearful or angry, and tempt us to look for satisfaction and love in all the wrong places.   

 So if you are hearing that lie: “I’m all alone.”   There are two ways you can combat it. 

1.    You remember word and your relationship with God and go into His presence through prayer, Bible Study, worship, praise, thanksgiving, or doing good works in His name.   The word says that in the presence of the Lord there is full of joy.  

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
11  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

God shows us the path of life. In His presence there is fullness of joy! So stay in His presence by walking and talking to God as you follow His path through life.  

And the second way you can combat, the lie that “I’m all alone.” Is to

2.    Seek the company of family, friends, and brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Or go out to new places and make new friends, and take your faith with you.   

Psalm 133:1 (NKJV) says
1  Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!

So spend some time making friends in the body of Christ.  We need each other but no one will know your need if you don’t seek friendship. I know it is not easy but the Lord directs us to love one another and we can’t do that by ourselves.   

So don’t believe the lie that “I’m all alone.” It’s not true, God is with you.  But if you are lonely, be bold and courageous and seek out good company where you can confess your sorrows to cut them in half and where you can double your joy. 

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For those who want more evidence for Christianity than my simple apologetic will provide, I offer apologist, Frank Turek’s website, https://crossexamined.org/ .

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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)
12  So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Today’s verse points to the fact of our physical impermanence and encourages us to live from a heart of wisdom – to make our days count.  

All wisdom comes from God so to gain a heart of wisdom we need to know what God’s book of wisdom, the Bible, says and to wisely apply its teachings to our lives.  

The Bible will show us that our lives are but a vapor and we only have limited time to enjoy our lives and to contribute to the work of God’s kingdom.  

So don’t waste your time in earthly pursuits but seek God’s wisdom and to grow your capacity for being in His presence and doing His will. We have to grow into maturity and it may take some time to gain that heart of wisdom but if we number our days we will be able to focus on what’s really important – what will last for eternity – our character and the work we do for and with the Lord.

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As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.

Today we continue sharing from A.W. Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God.”

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase A.W. Pink’s books for your own private study and to support his work.  This resource is available on many websites for less than $20.00.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

By  ARTHUR W. PINK

CONCLUSION continues

Let us take up these questions in the order of mention.

2. God’s Sovereignty and Christian service

If God has determined before the foundation of the world the precise number of those who shall be saved then why should we concern ourselves about the eternal destiny of those with whom we come into contact? What place is left for zeal in Christian service? Will not the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, and its corollary of predestination, discourage the Lord’s servants from faithfulness in evangelism? No; instead of discouraging His servants a recognition of God’s sovereignty is most encouraging to them. Here is one, for example, who is called upon to do the work of an evangelist, and he goes forth believing in the freedom of the will and in the sinner’s own ability to come to Christ. He preaches the Gospel as faithfully and zealously as he knows how; but he finds the vast majority of his hearers are utterly indifferent and have no heart at all for Christ. He discovers that men are, for the most part, thoroughly wrapt up in the things of the world, and that few have any concern about the world to come. He beseeches men to be reconciled to God and pleads with them over their soul’s salvation. But it is of no avail. He becomes thoroughly disheartened and asks himself, What is the use of it all? Shall he quit, or had he better change his mission and message? If men will not respond to the Gospel, had he not better engage in that which is more popular and acceptable to the world? Why not occupy himself with humanitarian efforts, with social uplift work, with the purity campaign? Alas! that so many men who once preached the Gospel are now engaged in these activities instead.

What then is God’s corrective for His discouraged servant? First, he needs to learn from Scripture that God is not now seeking to convert the world, but that in this Age He is “taking out of the Gentiles” a people for His name (Acts 15:14). What then is God’s corrective for His discouraged servant? This: a proper apprehension of God’s plan for this Dispensation. Again: what is God’s remedy for dejection at apparent failure in our labors? This: the assurance that God’s purpose cannot fail, that God’s plans cannot miscarry, that God’s will must be done. Our labors are not intended to bring about that which God has not decreed. Once more: what is God’s word of cheer for the one who is thoroughly disheartened at the lack of response to his appeals and the absence of fruit for his labors? This: that we are not responsible for results: that is God’s side, and God’s business. Paul may “plant,” and Apollos may “water,” but it is God who “gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Our business is to obey Christ and preach the Gospel to every creature, to emphasize the “Whosoever believeth” and then to leave the sovereign operations of the Holy Spirit to apply the Word in quickening power to whom He wills, resting on the sure promise of Jehovah: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please (it may not that which we please), and it shall prosper in the thing whereunto I sent it” (Isa. 55:10, 11). Was it not this assurance that sustained the beloved apostle when he declared “Therefore (see context) I endure all things for the elect’s sake” (2 Tim. 2:10)! Yea, is not this same lesson to be learned from the blessed example of the Lord Jesus! When we read that He said to the people “Ye also have seen Me, and believe not,” He fell back upon the sovereign pleasure of the One who sent Him, saying “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me, and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:36, 37). He knew that His labor would not be in vain. He knew God’s Word would not return unto Him “void.” He knew that “God’s elect” would come to Him and believe on Him. And this same assurance fills the soul of every servant who intelligently rests upon the blessed truth of God’s sovereignty.

Ah, fellow-Christian-worker, God has not sent us forth to “draw a bow at a venture.” The success of the ministry which He has committed into our hands is not left contingent on the fickleness of the wills in those to whom we preach. How gloriously encouraging, how soul-sustaining the assurance are those words of our Lord’s if we rest on them in simple faith: “And other sheep I have (“have” mark you, not “will have;” “have” because given to Him by the Father before the foundation of the world), which are not of this fold (i.e. the Jewish fold then existing): them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice” (John 10:16). Not simply, “they ought to hear My voice,” not simply “they may hear My voice,” not “they will if they are willing.” There is no “if,” no uncertainty about it. “They shall hear My voice” is His own positive, unqualified, absolute promise. Here then is where faith is to rest! Continue your quest, dear friend, after the “other sheep” of Christ’s. Be not discouraged because the “goats” heed not His voice as you preach the Gospel. Be faithful, be scriptural, be persevering, and Christ may use even you to be His mouthpiece in calling some of His lost sheep unto Himself. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).[1]

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

Join our “Victory over the Darkness”, “The Bondage Breaker”, "Freedom in Christ" series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts

(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154). The mt4christ247 podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio, and Audible.com. 

These teachings are also available on the MT4Christ247 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MT4Christ247

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

My wife, TammyLyn, also offers Christian encouragement via her Ask Seek Knock blog (https://tammylynask.blogspot.com/ ),  her Facebook Group: Ask, Seek, Knock (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529047851449098 ) and her podcast Ask, Seek, and Knock on Podbean (https://feed.podbean.com/tammalyn78/feed.xml)

“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship



[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 247–249.


Saturday, February 11, 2023

Alternate Universe – What if I was not “In Christ”? - Purity 964


Alternate Universe – What if  I was not “In Christ”? - Purity 964

Purity 964 02/11/2023 

Purity 964 on YouTube: Coming Soon!

Good morning,

Today’s photo of sunbeams reflected in the water and reaching across the beach of Green Lake comes to us from yours truly as I was thrilled to capture several shots of the sunset lightshow God put on at Green Lake State Park on February 8th.

Well, It’s Saturday and I am now thrilled to be in the presence of my beloved wife, TammyLyn for the weekend and after I awoke this morning I was positively marveling over how God has blessed me with my wife as I was thinking about the joy we have in our marriage.  So intense was the joy I have over my marriage I had to remind myself that if it wasn’t for the Lord I would have never known it.  

As I was meditating on the Who I Am in Christ list a few days ago, I decided to ponder what my life would be like if I was not “in Christ”.  I remembered the previous way I used to live and tried to imagine what my life would be like now if the path I had been on continued without being interrupted by the radio message that saved my soul.  While we shouldn’t play the “what if game” as a rule, because it tends to sow seeds of discontentment and is a practice of futility because we can’t change the past, I imagined a life in which I was never “born again”.  

Like George Bailey in a “It’s a wonderful Life”, I tried to see what life would have been like if “M.T. Clark” had never been born.  

And just like how George Bailey’s experience took on a sinister turn resulting in his pleading to his guardian angel: “ I want to live again!”, I saw that I didn’t like the life that could have been if I wasn’t shown the truth of reality and never made Jesus the Lord of my life.   

I am not sure if my previous marriage .would have lasted.  Quite possibly it could have because of the codependency that we had but neither one of us were happy and we had more or less lived separate lives in the same house even before I came to Christ.   So whether or not I would have been divorced or not in this alternate reality where I didn’t have Jesus, I find it hard to believe that we would be happier now than we were in the days of my pre-Christ existence.     

Likewise, I can’t really imagine an alternate reality where I would have been clean and sober and free of my sexual addiction without Jesus. It just wouldn’t have happened. Period.  I would have been locked in the vicious cycles that come from seeking your happiness from substances, relationships, or creating pleasurable experiences.   I would have been locked in that rat race of temptation, indulgence, guilt, and shame to this day and I can’t imagine that my body or mind would be healthier than they are now.  

One of the things that sort of frightened me about pondering this “life without Christ” was how much of my life wouldn’t have changed. 

Even with Christ, I kept the same job.  Because of the need to provide for my family, I didn’t change my job even after coming to Christ, so I can’t imagine that my career would have changed, unless I lost as a consequence of my addictions but I was so well versed in living a double life and keeping my addictions in the darkness even that alternate worst case scenario seems unlikely.  

I have 26 years with my current employer and I think that would have stayed the same. If anything I could have had an easier go of it at work, because a life without Christ, would be free of the subtle and not so subtle persecution and isolation I have experienced because of my faith.    

In terms of hobbies, I would imagine I would have continued to watch and gamble on sports. That would have increased probably because of the legality of online sportsbooks.  My music would have been classic and alternative rock, maybe some rap, and some Emo - EDM. My evenings would have continued to be filled with television series and movies that featured the macabre, fantasy, sex, drugs, and violence.   I would have remained isolated in my “man cave basement” where I would blow off steam playing the guitar and possibly the latest video games.  I can’t imagine that any of this would look any better than it was 13 years ago but without Christ it is easy to imagine staying trapped in it.    

One the most sad contemplations of a life untouched by Christ, would have been the continuing isolation that I would have lived in and all the people I would have never met.  Before Christ, I didn’t have any close friends and besides my meditations sessions at the local Buddhist temple that I went to (which is now closed) I didn’t really go anywhere or do anything that took me away from my home or family.  So, I can’t imagine that would have changed either. I would have continued a very lonely existence.   

But, Thank the Lord, I did find Christ and gave my life to Him, and since then He called me out of the darkness of my additions, loneliness, and broken relationships.  He has called me to be a voice for the abundant life of freedom and victory that comes from live for Him in His presence. And I have made hundreds if not thousands of relationships and connections with other people because the Lord called me to seek Him and follow Him.  

His call has had me step out in faith to meet people all across the world – to learn, to grow, to serve, and as their lives has touched mine, I too have played a small part in theirs.  The sheer number of people I have met, served, and worshipped the Lord with since coming to Christ is simply staggering as I have entered into several communities of my brothers and sisters in Christ and have gone out into the mission field locally, nationally, and internationally to tell anyone who would listen about the goodness of God and the abundant life that is available in Christ alone.  

So, if you ever wonder what would change in your life, if you decide to get serious about “walking and talking” with God, let me assure you that you would lose nothing of value and would gain so much, abundantly more, by entering into and serving the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ.   

So, if in your in Christ, rejoice my friends! No matter where your faith finds you today let me remind you that you are better here and now in Christ, than you could have ever have hoped to be without Him.  

And if you are not in Christ, or not sure, let me encourage you to seek the Lord and make the decision to follow Him into a life of purpose and meaning, and the joy that goes beyond all understanding.      

       

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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.

This morning’s meditation verses are:

Psalm 57:3 (NLT2)
3  He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. … My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

Today’s Bible reminds us that God is our rescuer and that He will send forth His unfailing love and faithfulness and help to those who follow Him.   

When we come to faith in Christ, we are rescued and we shouldn’t forget that. We have literally been pulled out of hell because of God’s love for us.   The help from heaven is best exemplified by Christ coming to earth and dying for our sins and showing that He is God through His resurrection.  

If you are in times of trouble, we shouldn’t forget this help, this rescue, that we have already received because in times of tribulation and trials the remembrance of our salvation and drawing close to God may be the way we experience His unfailing love and faithfulness the most.   To know we are never alone in Christ, to be able to be in God’s presence and talk to Him in desperate times can be the thing that can give us the strength to carry on.  

And beyond our salvation and drawing close to God, we should also remember that God is working all things together for the good of those who love Him, and because of that we should expect good things to come. We can dare to hope for things to change for the better because the Sovereign God of al creation is with us and for us.   ___________________________________________

As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.

Today we continue sharing from A.W. Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God.”

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase A.W. Pink’s books for your own private study and to support his work.  This resource is available on many websites for less than $20.00.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

By  ARTHUR W. PINK

CHAPTER SIX

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN OPERATION continues

In regard to the operation of God’s government over the material world little needs now be said. In previous chapters we have shown that inanimate matter and all irrational creatures are absolutely subject to their Creator’s pleasure. While we freely admit that the material world appears to be governed by laws that are stable and more or less uniform in their operations, yet Scripture, history, and observation, compel us to recognize the fact that God suspends these laws and acts apart from them whenever it pleaseth Him to do so. In sending His blessings or judgments upon His creatures He may cause the sun itself to stand still, and the stars in their courses to fight for His people (Judges 5:20); He may send or withhold “the early and the latter rains” according to the dictates of His own infinite wisdom; He may smite with plague or bless with health; in short, being God, being absolute Sovereign, He is bound and tied by no laws of Nature, but governs the material world as seemeth Him best.

But what of God’s government of the human family? What does Scripture reveal in regard to the modus operandi of the operations of His governmental administration over mankind? To what extent and by what influence does God control the sons of men? We shall divide our answer to this question into two parts and consider first God’s method of dealing with the righteous, His elect; and then His method of dealing with the wicked.

God’s method of dealing with the righteous:

1. God exerts upon His own elect a quickening influence or power.

By nature they are spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins, and their first need is spiritual life, for “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). In the new birth God brings us from death unto life (John 5:24). He imparts to us His own nature (2 Pet. 1:4). He delivers us from the power of darkness and translates us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13). Now, manifestly, we could not do this ourselves for we were “without strength” (Rom. 5:6), hence it is written, “we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10).

In the new birth we are made partakers of the Divine nature: a principle, a “seed,” a life, is communicated to us which is “born of the Spirit,” and therefore “is spirit”; is born of the Holy Spirit and therefore is holy. Apart from this Divine and holy nature which is imparted to us at the new birth it is utterly impossible for any man to generate a spiritual impulse, form a spiritual concept, think a spiritual thought, understand spiritual things, still less engage in spiritual works. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord,” but the natural man has no desire for holiness, and the provision that God has made he does not want. Will then a man pray for, seek for, strive after, that which he dislikes? Surely not. If then a man does “follow after” that which by nature he cordially dislikes, if he does now love the One he once hated, it is because a miraculous change has taken place within him; a power outside of himself has operated upon him, a nature entirely different from his old one has been imparted to him, and hence it is written, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away, behold all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). Such an one as we have just described has passed from death unto life, has been turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God (Acts 26:18). In no other way can the great change be accounted for.

The new birth is very, very much more than simply shedding a few tears due to a temporary remorse over sin. It is far more than changing our course of life, the leaving off of bad habits and the substituting of good ones. It is something different from the mere cherishing and practising of noble ideals. It goes infinitely deeper than coming forward to take some popular evangelist by the hand, signing a pledge-card, or “joining the church.” The new birth is no mere turning over a new leaf but is the inception and reception of a new life. It is no mere reformation but a complete transformation. In short, the new birth is a miracle, the result of the supernatural operation of God. It is radical, revolutionary, lasting.

Here then is the first thing, in time, which God does in His own elect. He lays hold of those who are spiritually dead and quickens them into newness of life. He takes up one who was shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin, and conforms him to the image of His Son. He seizes a captive of the Devil and makes him a member of the household of faith. He picks up a beggar and makes him joint-heir with Christ. He comes to one who is full of enmity against Him and gives him a new heart that is full of love for Him. He stoops to one who by nature is a rebel and works in him both to will and to do of His own good pleasure. By His irresistible power He transforms a sinner into a saint, an enemy into a friend, a slave of the Devil into a child of God. Surely then we are moved to say,

“When all Thy mercies O my God

My wondering soul surveys,

Transported with the view I’m lost

In wonder, love and praise.”[1]

homes by restraining the covetous designs and desires of their heathen neighbors.[2]

---------------------------more tomorrow------------------------

Join our “Victory over the Darkness”, “The Bondage Breaker”, "Freedom in Christ" series of Discipleship Classes via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts

(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154). The mt4christ247 podcast is also available on Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartradio, and Audible.com. 

These teachings are also available on the MT4Christ247 You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MT4Christ247

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

My wife, TammyLyn, also offers Christian encouragement via her Ask Seek Knock blog (https://tammylynask.blogspot.com/ ),  her Facebook Group: Ask, Seek, Knock (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529047851449098 ) and her podcast Ask, Seek, and Knock on Podbean (https://feed.podbean.com/tammalyn78/feed.xml)

“The views, opinions, and commentary of this publication are those of the author, M.T. Clark, only, and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of any of the photographers, artists, ministries, or other authors of the other works that may be included in this publication, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of any entities the author may represent.”

Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship



[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 120–122.

 

Monday, January 23, 2023

Weep with Those Who Weep - Purity 948

 


Weep with Those Who Weep - Purity 948

Purity 948 01/23/2023  Purity 948 Podcast

Purity 948 on YouTube: 



Good morning,

Today’s photo of a somewhat dark and foreboding sunset over Port Noarlunga in South Australia comes to us from Dave Baun Photography (https://www.facebook.com/DaveBaunPhotography) who shared this solemn scene on Saturday stating: “An unplanned stop at Port Noarlunga was perhaps the last time I had to regret not having the camera with me. Since then it is almost always with me wherever I go, just in case! My next visit there I was happy to capture this moody sunset.”     

We can only imagine the scene Dave wasn’t able to capture at Port Noarlunga on the day he didn’t have his camera, but his and our loss, has become our gain as his regret caused him to be committed to having his camera on him virtually at all times so he could capture the beautiful moments of life as they happened, even when he didn’t expect it.  

Well, it’s Monday and I chose Dave’s rather dark sunset photo because I received a few reports of loss and brokenness over the weekend.  Although I guess I could be in a dark mood because another weekend has expired and the first day of the work week has come with snow in my area, I am in a quiet place this morning because I learned of a sudden death in the family on Saturday and of the possible disillusion of a marriage on Sunday.  

As much as I could “Monday morning quarterback” these situations by offering my speculations and reflections, I am choosing to remain silent and am deciding just to pray for the people who are at the heart of these tragedies knowing from experience that those who suffer a major trauma like a sudden death or sudden break in relationship don’t necessarily need our words as much as they may need our prayers or presence.  As I am not immediately involved in either of these situations, my presence isn’t expected or required and inserting my self into them would be unnatural and could be met with hostility.  No matter how well intentioned, people don’t appreciate a “buttinsky” especially in the wake of major loses like these.

So instead of unnaturally inserting myself into someone else’s pain, I am praying for both situations.  I’m praying for God to help those mourning the death of their loved one and praying for God to help those who seem to be separating.    

Not too long ago, I was chastised by a person I respect because they felt I didn’t take the feelings of others into consideration when I blogged about a mutual friend’s untimely passing. So I am choosing to follow Paul’s advice from

Romans 12:15 (NKJV) where he advised the saints in Rome to
15  … weep with those who weep.  

So as Christians, let’s remember to weep with those who weep and pray for them. Where appropriate, we can offer the hurting our help or presence but let’s realize that although we may have the answers to life and death in Christ, we should be wise in how and when we share that wisdom. 

Anyway, in light of these tragedies, the end of the weekend and inclement weather don’t seem to be a big deal and if we are mourning the loss of the weekend or our favorite sports teams, we should remember that others around us may be going through some life changing traumas that won’t just dissipate as the today clears up and draws to an end.  

As always, I would encourage us to look to the Lord and count our blessings and to be guided by Him in all the things we do. So keep walking and talking with God and try to love your neighbors as yourself.

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Today’s Bible verse comes to us from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”.

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Revelation 3:7 (NLT2)
7  “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.

Today’s verse reminds us that what Christ opens, no one can close and what He closes no one can open.  

Not sure if where our resource, “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men” was going when they chose a verse from Revelation to put under the general heading of “Success” without explanation, but I suppose beyond the “end times context” of Revelation and Christ’s general warnings to the seven churches of antiquity to repent, I suppose this verse does point to God’s sovereign will behind all things, that if He doesn’t open up an opportunity for you, it just won’t open, and if he “shuts a door” no amount of trying on our part will change it.  

With this “hard truth” that sometimes there are no second chances or that sometimes the answer is no, we could despair, but what it should do is cause us to draw close to God in prayer to help us to receive His guidance to follow His will where we can be ready to walk through the doors that He opens to us and to move along to the next thing when a door closes.  

Losses in life sometimes can’t be regained. We have to accept that “that door is closed”, grieve the loss and move on.  

However, even out of tragedy, God can move all things together for good to those who love Him. So let’s realize and respect God’s sovereign will and walk with Him and allow Him to guide us to the new opportunities that He opens for us.

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As always, I invite all to go to mt4christ.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian theologians and counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk.

Today we continue sharing from A.W. Pink’s “The Sovereignty of God.”

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage all to purchase Bonhoeffer’s books for your own private study and to support his work.  This resource is available on many websites for less than $20.00.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

By  ARTHUR W. PINK

CHAPTER FOUR

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN SALVATION, continues.

3. The Sovereignty of God the Holy Spirit in Salvation

Since the Holy Spirit is one of the three Persons in the blessed Trinity, it necessarily follows that He is in full sympathy with the will and design of the other Persons of the Godhead. The eternal purpose of the Father in election, the limited design in the death of the Son, and the restricted scope of the Holy Spirit’s operations are in perfect accord. If the Father chose certain ones before the foundation of the world and gave them to His Son, and if it was for them that Christ gave Himself a ransom, then the Holy Spirit is not now working to “bring the world to Christ.” The mission of the Holy Spirit in the world today is to apply the benefits of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. The question which is now to engage us is not the extent of the Holy Spirit’s power—on that point there can be no doubt, it is infinite—but what we shall seek to show is that His power and operations are directed by Divine wisdom and sovereignty.

We have just said that the power and operations of the Holy Spirit are directed by Divine wisdom and indisputable sovereignty. In proof of this assertion we appeal first to our Lord’s words to Nicodemus in John 3:8—“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” A comparison is here drawn between the wind and the Spirit. The comparison is a double one: first, both are sovereign in their actions, and second, both are mysterious in their operations. The comparison is pointed out in the word “so.” The first point of analogy is seen in the words, “where it listeth” or “pleaseth;” the second is found in the words “canst not tell.” With the second point of analogy we are not now concerned, but upon the first we would comment further.

“The wind bloweth where it pleasethso is every one that is born of the Spirit.” The wind is an element which man can neither harness nor hinder. The wind neither consults man’s pleasure nor can it be regulated by his devices. So it is with the Spirit. The wind blows when it pleases, where it pleases, as it pleases. So it is with the Spirit. The wind is regulated by Divine wisdom, yet, so far as man is concerned, it is absolutely sovereign in its operations. So it is with the Spirit. Sometimes the wind blows so softly it scarcely rustles a leaf; at other times it blows so loudly that its roar can be heard for miles. So it is in the matter of the new birth; with some the Holy Spirit deals so gently that His work is imperceptible to human onlookers; with others His action is so powerful, radical, revolutionary, that His operations are patent to many. Sometimes the wind is purely local in its reach, at other times widespread in its scope. So it is with the Spirit: today He acts on one or two souls, tomorrow He may, as at Pentecost, “prick in the heart” a whole multitude. But whether He works on few or many He consults not man. He acts as He pleases. The new birth is due to the sovereign will of the Spirit.[1]

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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship



[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 77–78.