THOU CONTENDEST WITH ME

February 19, 2011

“Shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.” —Job 10:2

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star–not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of his children’s graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, “Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith.” Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials? –for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why he is contending with you?

Charles Spurgeon

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BEGINNING TO SINK

February 11, 2011

I recently heard a wonderful message given by Mr. Alan Redpath.  The title of this post is the title of his sermon.  A friend of mine, Pearl, posted it on her blog, Be Thus Minded.  Unfortunately, Pearl’s wonderful blog no longer exists but I was able to find this video on YouTube recently.

The message was a great encouragement to me.  I hope you take a listen.  I think it will have the same effect on you.

Chris Reimers

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THE LOVE OF THE LORD

February 6, 2011

“The love of the Lord.” —Hosea 3:1

Believer, look back through all thine experience, and think of the way whereby the Lord thy God has led thee in the wilderness, and how he hath fed and clothed thee every day–how he hath borne with thine ill manners–how he hath put up with all thy murmurings, and all thy longings after the flesh pots of Egypt–how he has opened the rock to supply thee, and fed thee with manna that came down from heaven. Think of how his grace has been sufficient for thee in all thy troubles–how his blood has been a pardon to thee in all thy sins–how his rod and his staff have comforted thee. When thou hast thus looked back upon the love of the Lord, then let faith survey his love in the future, for remember that Christ’s covenant and blood have something more in them than the past. He who has loved thee and pardoned thee, shall never cease to love and pardon. He is Alpha, and he shall be Omega also: he is first, and he shall be last. Therefore, bethink thee, when thou shalt pass through the valley of the shadow of death, thou needest fear no evil, for he is with thee. When thou shalt stand in the cold floods of Jordan, thou needest not fear, for death cannot separate thee from his love; and when thou shalt come into the mysteries of eternity thou needest not tremble, “For I am persuaded, that neither death; nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Now, soul, is not thy love refreshed? Does not this make thee love Jesus? Doth not a flight through illimitable plains of the ether of love inflame thy heart and compel thee to delight thyself in the Lord thy God? Surely as we meditate on “the love of the Lord”, our hearts burn within us, and we long to love him more.

Charles Spurgeon

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GOING ON WITH CHRIST IN 2011

February 3, 2011

I went to Kari’s blog, “Let Him Hear,” yesterday and found that she had posted a sermon from one of my favorite sections of scripture.  As I do so often, I got sidetracked.

I wanted to know about the preacher.   His name is Rev. John Greer.  I don’t remember how it happened but I stumbled on a list of his sermons, found that he is alive, and that he had given a sermon after the recent New Year entitled:

Going On With Christ in 2011

Even if you don’t read the following statements about Rev. Greer’s denomination from his church’s webpage, you really should hear this sermon.   You can watch it by clicking here.

In an era when the majority of church websites say little about beliefs, I found this one refreshing.  Here are a few samples of what can be found on a webpage from Rev. Greer’s church:

Contending that God’s people are “separated unto the gospel” of Christ (Romans 1:1), we are free from all association with liberalism or ecumenism. Specifically, we are separated from the World Council of Churches, the National Council of Churches, and every other form of theological compromise that would undermine the truth of Scripture.

Fundamental in Doctrine, believing in the divine authority and verbal inspiration of the Bible and the great fundamental doctrines of grace it contains. The Scriptures alone are the supreme authority in matters of faith and practice.

Evangelical in Outreach, in obedience to the great commission of Christ to “go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel”. A virile program of Gospel preaching, missionary endeavour and radio ministry is actively pursued with the great objective of leading people of every class, colour and creed to an experimental knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Presbyterian in Government, being ruled by elders and deacons chosen from the people, by the people, to serve the people. The Free Presbyterian Church stands for a born-again membership and the ministers, elders and deacons are men genuinely born-again by the Spirit of God, and dedicated to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ.

Protestant in Conviction, gladly taking its stand alongside the great Christian leaders of the Protestant Reformation. The twin pillars of Protestantism, namely a positive witness for Christ, and a protest against error, are cherished and defended.

These folks seem serious about God’s Word.

It is a wonderful thing.

Chris Reimers

Here is the church webpage describing where it “stands.”

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ARE WE SO DENSE?

February 2, 2011

The answer to the question is: YES.  And I’ll prove it.

Are we better than the 12 that Jesus chose to be His disciples?  I don’t think so.

If you can tolerate it, read a bit further.

Jesus was having a final meal with the 12; the final meal before he would be arrested.

He told them:

“I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.”

He was telling them that he was about to suffer.

Not more than a few minutes later the men were disputing “among them as to which one of them was regarded to be the greatest.” (Luke 22:24)

What would you and I do in such a situation?  I don’t know what you would do but I would get heated.  How could they be so dense?

Jesus had heard them arguing on the same topic at least once before (Mark 9:34).

On that occasion, He had told them:

“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Now they are at it again and their timing couldn’t identify the human condition more.

How many times do we miss the thing that is directly before our eyes?

What is Jesus’ response?

See the mercy of God.

He says:

“The greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.”

“You are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted me a kingdom, I grant that you may eat and drink at My table in My Kingdom.”

I anticipate that the scholar will say, “We are not like the 12.  We have been sent the Comforter.”

I would reply, “Yes, but have you been given ‘authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness?’” (Matt. 10:1)

The disciples had been with Jesus three years.  They had seen his power and they were given power themselves.

And look at how they act. And look at his love for them; his mercy.  In spite of their thoughtless words, he again attempts to gently teach them and speaks of the gift He will give.

There is no question that the disciples loved Jesus.  However, they were so very dense at times.  We are no different.

Praise God for his wonderful mercy!

“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—” – 1 Corinthians 2:9

 Chris Reimers

“dense” – slow to learn or understand

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