I’m Better Off Alone. – Lies of the Enemy #32– Purity 1044

I’m Better Off Alone.  – Lies of the Enemy #32– Purity 1044

Purity 1044 05/15/2023 Purity 1044 Podcast

Purity 1044 on YouTube: Coming Soon!

Good morning,

Today’s photo of my wife approaching the Ridge Cabin at the Merck Forest and Farmland Center Grounds in Rupert Vermont comes to us from yours truly as the wife and I decided to “DO Something” this past Saturday and spent a few hours hiking along the Gallop Road until we lost our way.   For the life of me I don’t know which way we were supposed to go to stay on track because we were faithfully following the signs leading the way but at the intersection leading to the Ridge Cabin things didn’t appear as they seemed as the three forked path must have had a fourth path as we came down one, explored the other – to the Ridge Cabin – and left via what we thought was the “only other way” only to discover a short while later that the path we were on wasn’t the one we thought it was!

But the sign we followed that pointed us back to the Visitor’s Center didn’t necessarily lead us astray, it just didn’t take us back to the beginning we had planned on.  

Well, It’s Tuesday and I spontaneously did something a little unexpected. I booked a “camping” trip for Saturday and Sunday (– no I’m not doing three days – I know my limits!) of the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend to stay at the Nemorod Cabin at the Merck Forest and Farmland Center.  While it’s hardly going to be “roughing it” what with Nenorod Cabin’s wrap-around porch and rocking chairs, but  I will be without my beloved electricity and indoor plumbing, and there are grave doubts that I will be able to connect to the internet with my phone, but sometimes you have to step out of your comfort zone and get away from it all.    Although, I imagine I won’t have to worry about solitude as I am inviting the wife and her kiddos along for the ride if they dare… I’m sure they will.  They are no strangers to camping and may even choose to forsake the comfort of the cabin to sleep in tents or just to lie on the ground for all I know…  

Anyway, although my Memorial Day Weekend won’t be spent in solitude, I am hopeful that I will find some peace and rest, in spite of the rugged conditions and the boisterous company of people who “love camping”.  Although family vacations can be a mix of fun and frustrations at times, I know that whenever I venture too far into solitude or silence the specter of loneliness will rear its ugly head causing me to want to reconnect with loved ones, my heavenly Father, or just in the company of strangers in public places.  

And that brings us to our current series the “Lies of the Enemy”, which is an examination of some of the common lies, sometimes sneakily whispered into our minds as “first person” statements, that the enemy tells us to cause us to doubt our faith, lose our peace, cause division, or influence us to not follow the Lord with the way we live our lives. 

So today’s big lie is:

Lie #32:  I’m better off alone.          

Today’s lie is whispered into our ears by the demonic forces of darkness usually when we are at our lowest or most vulnerable state. It usually comes after loss and can be born from the deep hurt and disappointment that follows the rejection of broken relationships or even the departure of loved ones into eternity. 

Our pain and depression of the things we lost or at the offense of how we have been mistreated or abused can give us the desire to become a hermit and distance ourselves from everyone.  The enemy offers the solution of unending solitude with the rationale that because other people have caused your pain, it only makes sense to protect ourselves from further pain by removing ourselves from the company of others.

However, this is usually a set up as the enemy will then take the peace of solitude and change it to the anxiety of loneliness but with the hopelessness that “You can’t” – or won’t reach out to others to alleviate the problem.  It is then that the enemy tries to convince you that you really are alone – that there is no God – and no meaning or purpose to this life – and thus Satan and his demonic associates will offer up the final solution of suicide to “end all your pain, forever.”   

From hurt to solitude to isolation to suicide, the enemy knows if he gets us alone we are more susceptible to his lies and schemes to destroy us.        

But God’s word tells us that it is not good for man to be alone and He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves indicating that we are to have continuous relational contact with others.  The injunctions to not forsake the fellowship of the saints commands us to gather for worship and the guidelines for love, marriage, and raising children point to the flourishing that comes from God’s design for families.   Whether you decide to marry or not is up to you, but nowhere in scripture does good recommend a long term solitary existence as Christians are all called to go and make disciples.   God knows what we need and gives us His wisdom to lead us into a life that is filled with the fruit of the Spirit and all of those are best cultivated (especially patience) with others in mind.  

So yes I acknowledge the difficulties that our human relationships can cause but the trials are meant to mature us, to be wise and discerning with our hearts, and to choose the company and fellowship of those who respect and follow the Lord.  I

f someone isn’t following the Lord, are you surprised they are selfish or abusive? Those who don’t have a relationship with God through faith in Christ are worshipping false idols – usually themselves – and will invariably show the foul fruit that comes from following anything other  than the God who loved us enough to send His Son to die for us.    

SO don’t believe the lie that you are better off alone. It’s a trap from enemy! Instead choose to follow the Lord into the company of the saints and those who need the good news and the good works that you can give.  

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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 verses are:

Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT2)
¹²  Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
¹³  Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Today’s verses encourage us to be kind, gentle, patient, and merciful with one another, to make allowances for each other’s faults and to forgive those who offend us – as we have been forgiven all things through Christ.  

I don’t set these messages up but the Lord sure seems to be Sovereign at times when our “random” Bible verse of the day flows with the first part of the message.  

So Instead of thinking you are better off alone – forgive the offenses of others and be  kind, gentle, humble, patient, and merciful in your dealing with others.  

Now if someone is toxic and refuses to follow the Lord and these basic instructions for human interaction, you may have to put up boundaries to limit or even end your interactions with them – thus “releasing them to Satan and possible repentance.  

When following the Lord we have to be uncompromising in our love for others but to remain in our company, we need to be clear that the others must also reciprocate the kindness and respect we provide. 

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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  “Satan, Demons & Satanism: A Sinister Reality” By June Hunt.

As always, I share this information for educational purposes and encourage you all to purchase June Hunt’s books for your own private study and to support her work.  This resource is available online for $7.99 (https://june-hunt.myshopify.com/collections/keys-for-living/products/keys-for-living-on-satan-demons-satanism_ ).

Satan, Demons & Satanism

A Sinister Reality

by June Hunt

IV.    Steps To Solution

G.  Prevention and Protection

Living in victory over Satan is possible when we realize that our victory is in Jesus Christ alone! We are engaged in a lifelong war with Satan, and often that struggle involves our family and friends. Therefore, we need to be prepared at all times so that we and those we love will not fall into the enemy’s hands.

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

(Colossians 2:8)

•     Be aware—

Know that satanic influence can touch any family.

•     Be knowledgeable—

Know what the Bible says about Satan.

•     Be alert—

Be quick to recognize signs and symptoms of satanic involvement.

•     Be loving—

Listen for and hear feelings and emotions that are being communicated.

•     Be respectful—

Do not be accusing or condemning.

•     Be involved—

Attend a warm, Bible-believing, spiritually alert church.

•     Be tough—

Realistically present the consequences of satanic involvement.

•     Be edifying—

Plan activities and projects that build self-worth.

•     Be in contact—

Get support from ministers, youth leaders and police experts.

•     Be in prayer—

Ask God for a hedge of protection around your family.

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

(1 Peter 5:8)

Pray …

Thank You, Father, that I am Your child and that Christ, who is in me, is greater than Satan, who is in the world. I acknowledge that Satan is a defeated enemy. He was defeated when the blood of Christ was shed at Calvary. His blood paid for the guilt of my sins. I am a child of God, and Satan has no authority over me. I’ve been bought with a price. My body is not my own. It belongs to Christ. I refuse all thoughts that are not from God, and I resist Satan and his power. As I stand in the full armor of God, I ask You to bind Satan and his demonic realm from any influence over me. Just as You put a hedge of protection around Job, I ask that You put a hedge of protection completely around me for the glory of Christ. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Many a buddy has jumped into the lake with his friend. While they are joined at the wrists, the jump feels fun and free. But stop! This isn’t your buddy—he’s the enemy of your soul. In the end, Satan and all his followers will be thrown into the lake of fire—a lake of eternal torment day and night, for ever and ever. Don’t be deceived. Don’t dabble in the demonic. Turn around, turn away and never turn back! It’s a matter of life and death.

—June Hunt^[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)

For those who require the assistance of a Deeper Walk International Prayer Minister to experience healing or your freedom in Christ, I highly recommend Christy Edge’s Life on the Edge Freedom Prayer Ministry. You can schedule a session by going to : https://cedge216.wixsite.com/life-on-the-edge     

“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

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^[1] June Hunt, Biblical Counseling Keys on Satan, Demons & Satanism: A Sinister Reality (Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart, 2008), 20–21.

I Can’t be Forgiven – Lies of the Enemy #4– Purity 1016

I Can’t be Forgiven – Lies of the Enemy #4– Purity 1016

Purity 1016 04/13/2023 Purity 1016 Podcast

Purity 1016 on YouTube: 

Good morning,

Today’s photo a brick tunnel pathway comes to us from my sister in law, Megan Seguin, who shared this scene on social media yesterday from her road trip family vacation that made a stop at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia.  

Well, It’s Thursday and as is my habit, I am sharing today’s photo as a visual encouragement to get on or to stay on the path of Christian discipleship even if the going gets “tight” and you feel that the world is closing in on you. 

When we decide to follow Jesus Christ with the way we lead our lives, their will invariably some push back from the world as lifelong friends, or even family members, may reject your new life of faith and possibly end their relationships with you because of it! Also the spiritual forces of darkness are not happy to lose you to God’s kingdom and usually retaliate with “fiery darts” to  tempt, accuse or condemn you. 

Scripture reveals instances where the enemy influenced people in their through lives and so when we have thoughts that would cause us to go back to the sins we repented of or doubt the sincerity of our faith or our worthiness, we have to realize that those thoughts may not be our own and could be the Lies of the Enemy.   

And so today we continue our 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 # 4: I Can’t Be Forgiven.     

What better way is there to keep Christians from enjoying their lives and being a force for the kingdom of God than to make them doubt that they could ever be forgiven for their sins? 

This Lie, that “I can’t be forgiven for all the things I ‘ve done! (or that REALLY BAD THING I have done!), is in direct opposition to the gospel of Jesus Christ that tells us that Christ died to pay for the penalty of all the sins of the world.

Romans 6:23 (NLT2) tells us
²³  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christ’s death paid the “wages of sin” for anyone who receives the free gift of God, forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:7 (NLT2) tells us that God
⁷  … is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

We are forgiven of our sins by grace and through faith in Jesus.

Christ, Himself, spoke of His authority to forgive sins throughout his earthly ministry.  At a dinner party of a Pharisees and\ immoral woman came and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair and anointed him with expensive perfume. It was quite a scene and it caused the host to wonder why Jesus would let a sinner do this to Him. After telling a parable about the forgiveness of debts and how we love much when we are forgiven much, Christ declared that the sinful women was forgiven and it wasn’t because of what she did. Jesus said in: 

Luke 7:47-50 (NLT2)
⁴⁷  “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
⁴⁸  Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
⁴⁹  The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”
⁵⁰  And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

She was saved not because of her foot washing ability, she was saved because she put her faith in Jesus! And likewise any of us, who put their faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior are forgiven for our sins.  And that is all our sins! Past, present, and future. 

The Apostle John wrote to the early church to encourage us in our attempts to live a holy life and even gave us instructions if we should go astray.  In

1 John 1:9 (NLT2) John tells us that when we sin we only need to confess them to God and repent:
⁹  But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

And if you think this is limited in some way or is inviting into a sin-confess cycle of licentious living, John goes on to say:

1 John 2:1-2 (NLT2)
¹  My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
²  He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

So we are to endeavor to walk away from sinful living and to be assured that Christ’s work not only paid for our sins but the sins of the world.   As

John 3:16-17 (NLT2) tells us
¹⁶  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
¹⁷  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

So while Christ’s work paid for all the sins of the world, in order to be forgiven and saved from God’s wrath, we have to believe – put our faith in Jesus.  

So to combat today’s lie of the enemy, that “I can’t be forgiven”, we have to put our faith in Jesus, and know and agree with the fact that what the Bible says is true, and thus know and experience the freedom, victory, and new life that we comes from God and knowing that we have been forgiven for everything we have ever done or will do, no matter how big or how many our sins may be. 

So rejoice! You can be forgiven! If you have put your faith in Jesus, You ARE forgiven! 

Often we don’t feel forgiven, because we either dwell on our pasts or never stop living in the past by continuing to live in sin.    

Telling ourselves that we are forgiven, when we are walking in darkness can be cold comfort as the Holy Spirit convicts us that we aren’t supposed to be living that way any longer.   To alleviate the conviction and to experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we have to be “real” with God and ask Him to give us the strength and guidance to repent of our sins and to stop walking in darkness.  

If we “don’t feel” forgiven because we are being condemned by the thoughts of the way we used to live, but have actually not lived that for some time (even one day), we have to realize that those feelings of guilt or condemnation are not from God. Either we are beating ourselves up or the enemy is sending thoughts to condemn and accuse of “not really being a Christian” or not “really being forgiven”. 

If that’s happening we have to realize that there is no condemnation for those in Christ, and we need to choose to believe that God has forgiven us, we are really Christians and reject the lies that the enemy wants us to believe to keep us in chains.  

But we have been set free, and to experience the freedom we already have, we just have to know we are in Christ and live like it.   

So reject that lie – that you can’t be forgiven – and stand in the truth of your new life in Christ

 

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 18:30 (NLT2)
³⁰  God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

Today’s verse reminds us that God’s way is perfect and all His promises are true and that He is a shield of protection to all who put their faith in Him.   

God’s way is Jesus Christ – THE WAY – THE TRUTH - & THE LIFE.  And the promises of  the forgiveness of sins, a new eternal life, salvation, blessings, and protection are all true!   

Because we have the promise of eternal life in God’s kingdom, we have the ultimate protection. Because God’s promises are true we have the ultimate peace. And when we make the decision to put our faith in Jesus (God’s perfect way) and following Him in the way we live our lives, we can continuously discover just how perfect God’s way is!

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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

 

Once more. What a word was that of the Lord Jesus as He stood before Pilate! Who can depict the scene! There was the Roman official, and there also was the Servant of Jehovah standing before him. Said Pilate, “Whence art Thou?” And we read “Jesus gave him no answer.” Then said Pilate unto Him “Speakest Thou not unto me? Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee, and have power to release Thee?” (John 19:10). Ah! that is what Pilate thought. That is what many another has thought. He was merely voicing the common conviction of the human heart, the heart which leaves God out of its reckoning. But hear the Lord Jesus as He corrects Pilate, and at the same time repudiates the proud boasting of men in general: “thou couldest have no power against Me, except it were given thee from above” (John 19:11). How sweeping is this assertion! Man—even though he be a prominent official in the most influential empire of his day—has no power except that which is given him from above, no power, even, to do that which is evil, i.e., carry out his own evil designs unless God empowers him so that His purpose may be forwarded. It was God who gave Pilate the power to sentence to death His well-beloved Son! And how this rebukes the sophistries and reasonings of men who argue that God does nothing more than permit evil! Why, go right back to the very first words spoken by the Lord God to man after the Fall and hear Him saying “I will put ENMITY between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed” (Gen. 3:15)! Bare permission of sin does not cover all the facts which are revealed in Scripture touching this mystery. As Calvin succinctly remarked “But what reason shall we assign for His permitting it but because it is His will?”

At the close of chapter eleven we promised to give attention to one or two other Difficulties which were not examined at that time. To them we now turn. If God has not only predetermined the salvation of His own but has also foreordained the good works which they are to walk in (Eph. 2:10), then what incentive remains for us to strive after practical godliness? If God has fixed the number of those who are to be saved, and the others are vessels of wrath fitted to destruction, then what encouragement have we to preach the Gospel to the lost? Let us take up these questions in the order of mention.^[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

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^[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 244–245.

The Disciple’s Call – Lent with Bonhoeffer Day 9 – Purity 981

 

The Disciple’s Call – Lent with Bonhoeffer Day 9 – Purity 981         

Purity 981 03/03/2023 Purity 981 Podcast

Purity 981 on YouTube: 

Good morning,

Today’s photo of a solitary angelic cloud rising above the others as  the first light of day illuminates the horizon while the foreground is a darkened landscape of buildings and parked cars comes to us from yours truly as I decided to zoom in and capture this sunrise scene from the balcony of my room at the Embassy Suites last Saturday Morning as I rose with the anticipation of going home. 

I took a couple of other shots of this scene before I decided to zoom in and although they aren’t too bad, I don’t think that I would share them in the future so I am releasing them from my phone and sharing the preliminary pair of shots I took on the blog today.  So you can see more or less the same sunrise from 3 slightly different perspectives which I think will demonstrate the importance of focusing on the good parts of life that God provides us with, but also demonstrates that the good is always there even if it can sometimes seem to be a small part of our overall experience.

 

Weill it’s Friday and even though the forecast in my neck of the woods is calling for snow this evening, we will still thank God it’s Friday because most of us will be able to finish the work day out before the forecasted white stuff rains on our parade.  While it might not be wise to plan for a night on the town, the forecasted weather can make us focus on the good of our home lives and the simple fact that the most peaceful place we may have is the place we seek to escape while on vacation. Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home to find safety, peace, and joy when the storm winds blow.   

This Friday also finds us blowing into the 9^th day of Lent and the continuation of the 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. To the blog readers, I would invite you to listen to the podcast because I sometimes expand upon what I write when I sit down to read the message. So the podcast may contain more than the content of the blog, as I pray at the end of each message and sometimes am moved to say more about what I write.  Whether its worth listening to or not, I leave that for you to decide and merely invite you to “see” for yourself on YouTube or “hear” for yourself on most major podcast platforms.   

Anyway, let’s get to it.  Let’s keep going through this season of Lent together , as  we once again resume our current series of going on the 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

As we will say each day of this journey, we take this path to mark the season of Lent and to draw closer to God in anticipation for the celebration of Easter, knowing that if we take this journey of repentance seriously, the Lord will use it to change us too. 

You can sign up to get this devotional yourself by going to the Biblegateway link on the blog ((https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/40-Day-Journey-Dietrich-Bonhoeffer/today)) . 

Day 9

Bonhoeffer writes:

“Every additional Beatitude deepens the breach between the disciples and the people.

The disciples’ call becomes more and more visible. Those who mourn are those who are prepared to renounce and live without everything the world calls happiness and peace. 

They are those who cannot be brought into accord with the world, who cannot conform to the world. They mourn over the world, its guilt, its fate, and its happiness…. No one understands people better than Jesus’ community.

No one loves people more than Jesus’ disciples․

That is why they stand apart, why they mourn; it is meaningful and lovely that Luther translates the Greek word for what is blessed with “to bear suffering.” The important part is the bearing.

The community of disciples does not shake off suffering, as if they had nothing to do with it. Instead they bear it.

In doing so, they give witness to their connection with the people around them.

At the same time this indicates that they do not arbitrarily seek suffering, that they do not withdraw into willful contempt for the world.

Instead, they bear what is laid upon them and what happens to them in discipleship for the sake of Jesus Christ.

Finally, disciples will not be weakened by suffering, worn down, and embittered until they are broken.

Instead, they bear suffering, by the power of him who supports them. The disciples bear the suffering laid on them only by the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross.

As bearers of suffering, they stand in communion with the Crucified. They stand as strangers in the power of him who was so alien to the world that it crucified him.”

Biblical Wisdom

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Questions to Ponder

• Practically speaking, what does it mean to “mourn over the world”?

M.T. Clark: To mourn over the world, I believe is to lament over the fact that the majority of the world does not know the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and don’t have peace with God.  To mourn over the world would also include lamenting over the fact that all of its philosophies and ideas about the meaning and purpose of life and what is needed to find meaning, happiness, peace, purpose are wrong. We mourn over the world because of the ones who will remain lost, over the relationships we lose because of our faith, and over the fact that our entire Pre-Christ worldview is turned upside down as we learn that much of what we have learned through our education, our upbring in our families, and from our experiences in the world prove to be misguided, incorrect, worthless, or against the word of God.    

• How can a “community of disciples” bear suffering in a way that is healthy and redemptive?

M.T. Clark: A community of disciples can bear suffering in a way that is healthy and redemptive through the supports of our faith practices and by dwelling together corporately in the Lord’s presence.  We can seek to be “healthy” by ministering to one another to reduce suffering by sharing our resources or through simply encouraging one another to endure the sufferings we face with patience as we encourage one another to lean on the Lord through prayer and seeking the hope that is found in the Bible. We can be “redeemed” when we rejoice that we have been counted worthy of suffering for our faith like the apostles and community of saints who have gone before us. Our endurance together through suffering and our love for one another will show ourselves and others that we truly are a community of disciples.  

• How can individual Christians and communities of faith not be conformed to the world and yet not hold the world in contempt?

M.T. Clark: Christians and communities of faith can choose to live in the world and at the same time be not of the world.  While we will conform to the governing authorities that do not direct us to act against our faith by being good. Law abiding, and productive citizens, we can be countercultural by not partaking in the “freedoms of sin” that others in our societies do.  The way we don’t hold the world in contempt is by remembering our lost condition and being compassionate to the world that is spiritually blind and perishing by sharing the hope that we have in Christ and treating others with kindness and love while not affirming their sin, and by pointing out that much of the world’s suffering stems from its attempts to live contrary to God’s word.

• As Christians bear suffering for the sake of the world, how do they engage “the power of him who bears all suffering on the cross”?

M.T. Clark: The way we engage the power of Him who bears all suffering on the cross is to bonded to the Lord relationally. Not only do we study God’s word and pray out of a sense of duty, but we draw close to the Lord’s presence out of love for Him. When we abide in God’s presence and literally walk and talk with Him as we go through this life we receive His power, mercy, strength, guidance, and love.  Christ told us to abide in Him and when we obey that command, we are blessed no matter what circumstance we may face.

Psalm Fragment

You have turned my mourning into dancing;
   you have taken off my sackcloth
   and clothed me with joy,
   so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever. Psalm 30:11-12

Journal Reflections

• List the times when you have mourned “over the world.”

M.T. Clark:   That could be a long list! So I will just share the deep sense of sorrow that repeatedly hits me when my friends or family demonstrate their lack of relationship with the Lord by the things they say and do. There is nothing so painful as knowing the love of the Lord and being incapable of adequately expressing it to others and failing to inspire them to follow Him. The world is filled with problems and the Lord offers solutions but they ignorantly refuse them. Being “wise” they become fools and their folly is the cause of their suffering.

• Reflect on your experience of such mourning. What was it like? What did you do? How did you feel? What resources helped you live through your mourning?

M.T. Clark: This prompting causes me to recall the losesof relationships I have suffered and how I was rejected, betrayed, and hated by others primarily because of my faith. What was it like? It was terrible. I had that horrible sense of that I was being unfairly treated because all of my suffering was stemming from the fact that I was finally “doing things right”. I had gotten clean and sober and was following the Lord and because of THIS!, I was being rejected and being caused to lose much and suffer? I feel hated, disrespected, and that I had been treated unjustly.  However, if you notice I didn’t say I felt alone because the Lord was with me through the fire. He is the resource I drew from that helped me through the hardest days of my life. But He was faithful to walk with me through it all as I refused to give in to hopelessness and prayed to Him for strength and guidance as I did everything I could to turn things around.  My plan would have taken al ong time in itself but the Lord was with me and events changed and the blessings snowballed until I was delivered and if I ever forget what the Lord has done for me, show we the things I have written in this blog to remind me of all of the goodness of God.

• Have you ever had to bear suffering because of your Christian faith? Write about the experience. What did you learn from the experience?

M.T. Clark – We I will dial it back a bit for this one.  While going through that season, I also faced mild persecution from others for my faith. This was expressed with “jokes” and mild contempt for my presence whenever I would verbally express my faith.  I was called names that derided me for my faith and was eventually rejected and removed from the group I was in for seemingly other reasons, and maybe there was cause to do so, but I believe that a large part of the reason I was sent elsewhere was because of my faith although I don’t believe anyone would acknowledge that.  I had tried to perform and do my best for this group and thought I was making progress and then suddenly was sent else where as a matter of course. I felt rejected and felt I was being sent away unjustly but as it turned out, the new place I went was a blessing for the season I was in, teaching me that the Lord truly can take what the enemy meant for evil and use it for good. I have forgiven everyone from my past for the things that happened and can honestly say I hold no ill will or bitterness toward them to this day, although sometimes I have to “forgive again” when new offenses rise up or the enemy tries to bait me back into bitterness from things done long ago.   I forgive them, Lord…

Intercessions

Pray for the world, “its guilt, its fate, and its happiness.” Pray for those who suffer from the world’s injustice, that they may find justice. Pray for the unjust, that they might experience repentance, find forgiveness, be filled with compassion, and begin to do justice.

M.T. Clark:

Lord God Heavenly Father, 

I pray for the world and its guilt, fate and its happiness. Lord I pray that you would move in the world today to open the eyes of the blind and to bring some out of the dark and into your grace.  I pray that those suffering injustice would find it but I pray mostly that they find you.  I pray for those being unjust to others that they would hear your voice and turn from their wicked ways and experience Your repentance, enjoy your forgiveness, and be filled with a heart of compassion that draws that to do what is right according to your word and your will.  

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer for Today

Lord Jesus, give me such compassion and love for our hurting world that I might truly mourn for all who suffer in any way.

M.T. Clark: In Jesus Name, I pray, Amen.

 

(40-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Copyright © 2007 Augsburg Books, imprint of Augsburg Fortress.)

***As we are being provided with Bible verses from the 40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we will are taking a break from sharing a verse of the day from “The NLT Bible Promise Book for Men”. We plan on resuming that normal installment of the blog following Easter.*** 

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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

CHAPTER EIGHT

SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY

II. How can the sinner be held responsible FOR the doing of what he is UNABLE to do? And how can he be justly condemned for NOT DOING what he COULD NOT do?

Pinks response concludes:

Now, in like manner, the sinner while altogether lacking in moral and spiritual ability does, nevertheless, possess natural ability, and this it is which renders him accountable unto God. Men have the same natural faculties to love God with as they have to hate Him with, the same hearts to believe with as to disbelieve, and it is their failure to love and believe which constitutes their guilt. An idiot or an infant is not personally responsible to God, because lacking in natural ability. But the normal man who is endowed with rationality, who is gifted with a conscience that is capable of distinguishing between right and wrong, who is able to weigh eternal issues IS a responsible being, and it is because he does possess these very faculties that he will yet have to “give an account of himself to God” (Rom. 14:12).

We say again that the above distinction between the natural ability and the moral and spiritual inability of the sinner is of prime importance. By nature he possesses natural ability but lacks moral and spiritual ability. The fact that he does not possess the latter does not destroy his responsibility, because his responsibility rests upon the fact that he does possess the former. Let me illustrate again. Here are two men guilty of theft: the first is an idiot, the second perfectly sane but the offspring of criminal parents. No just judge would sentence the former; but every right-minded judge would the latter. Even though the second of these thieves possessed a vitiated moral nature inherited from criminal parents that would not excuse him, providing he was a normal rational being. Here then is the ground of human accountability—the possession of rationality plus the gift of conscience. It is because the sinner is endowed with these natural faculties that he is a responsible creature; because he does not use his natural powers for God’s glory, constitutes his guilt.

How can it remain consistent with His mercy that God should require the debt of obedience from him that is not able to pay? In addition to what has been said above it should be pointed out that God has not lost His right, even though man has lost his power. The creature’s impotence does not cancel his obligation. A drunken servant is a servant still, and it is contrary to all sound reasoning to argue that his master loses his rights through his servant’s default. Moreover, it is of first importance that we should ever bear in mind that God contracted with us in Adam, who was our federal head and representative, and in him God gave us a power which we lost through our first parent’s fall; but though our power is gone, nevertheless, God may justly demand His due of obedience and of service.^[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

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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

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^[1] Arthur W. Pink, The Sovereignty of God (Swengel, PA: Bible Truth Depot, 1949), 164–165.