CAST THY BURDEN UPON THE LORD

May 30, 2013

“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee.” —Psalm 55:22

Care, even though exercised upon legitimate objects, if carried to excess, has in it the nature of sin. The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into his place to do for him that which he has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy he will forget; we labour to take upon ourselves our weary burden, as if he were unable or unwilling to take it for us. Now this disobedience to his plain precept, this unbelief in his Word, this presumption in intruding upon his province, is all sinful. Yet more than this, anxious care often leads to acts of sin. He who cannot calmly leave his affairs in God’s hand, but will carry his own burden, is very likely to be tempted to use wrong means to help himself. This sin leads to a forsaking of God as our counsellor, and resorting instead to human wisdom. This is going to the “broken cistern” instead of to the “fountain;” a sin which was laid against Israel of old. Anxiety makes us doubt God’s lovingkindness, and thus our love to him grows cold; we feel mistrust, and thus grieve the Spirit of God, so that our prayers become hindered, our consistent example marred, and our life one of self-seeking. Thus want of confidence in God leads us to wander far from him; but if through simple faith in his promise, we cast each burden as it comes upon him, and are “careful for nothing” because he undertakes to care for us, it will keep us close to him, and strengthen us against much temptation. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92)

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YES, THERE IS STILL PRAYER IN SCHOOL

May 23, 2013

In 1962, over 50 years ago, the Supreme Court of the United States of America, decided it was a good thing to take prayer out of the nation’s schools.

Look at the results. They have been catastrophic.

Growing up in California, I entered school in 1963. I never heard a Christian prayer in school. It was a great place to grow up, but thankfully California is no longer my place of residence.

Not all schools have thrown Christian prayers to the wind.

This is a prayer that will be spoken tonight, at a public high school graduation, here in America:

“Dear Heavenly Father,

     “We are grateful that You have allowed us to come together tonight in this final celebration of our friendship and achievements.  We thank You for our families, teachers and friends who have encouraged, guided, and given of themselves so that we might be here this evening. We pray that You would send Your blessings upon them.

     “Throughout the school years, You have been with us, protecting us, providing for our needs, and directing our paths.  You have brought us through experiences, some good and some, not so much, that have helped us mature and grow.  Help us to continue to see Your hand in our lives.

     “During this transition from high school student to adult, we will experience many changes.  Let us rely more and more upon Your Word, which never changes.  Grant us courage to face new challenges and overcome obstacles in order to achieve our goals.  Forever (name of school mascot), let us remember the words of Isaiah: ‘Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they run and will not grow weary, they walk and not be faint.’

     “We pray for Your blessing upon this graduation ceremony and all of the people here tonight.  In the name of Your holy Son Jesus Christ, Amen.”

How do I know that this prayer will be spoken, tonight, at a high school graduation in America?  I know because I am blessed to have a son who wrote the prayer himself and who is happy to say it.

I can think of nothing else to write except, “God bless America.”

CR

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GOD OF WONDERS

April 23, 2013

“I’m so excited to find God of Wonders at YouTube! Just in case there are some of you who have not yet seen this great video (or have but would like a fresh reminder), make yourself a cool lemonade (or a hot cup of tea for those of you Down Under) and behold the precise, intricate, altogether lovely works of our powerful, awesome, magnificent Holy God, Creator and Redeemer, Jesus Christ our Lord!”

These are the words of Pearl of the former blog “Be Thus Minded.” Pearl went on to quote Psalm 19 in its entirety. Unfortunately, this documentary was removed when Pearl had her blog up. Fortunately, I found it back up on You Tube.

Pearl and I have very similar tastes. Three posts before she finished her blog she added “Who Am I,” an inspiring piece of music that was recently posted here.

I am thankful that I still have access to “Be Thus Minded” where I can find great stuff like God of Wonders.

CR

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THE GLORY OF GOD

April 22, 2013

Psalm 19

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

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How anyone can look at this picture and say that our world happened by chance is beyond me.  Those who believe that an ungodly “Big Bang” occurred think I’m brainwashed.  Well, I think there was a Godly “Big Bang;”  God spoke and “Bang,” our universe was here.  Those who believe otherwise are the ones who are brainwashed.

CR

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WHO AM I?

April 13, 2013

This inspiring video was sent to me by my friend, Tonzie.  What a comforting message!!! It’s nice to take a break from the bad things and ponder on the love and creation of our Great Creator God.

You must put this on full screen!

CR

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HE HAS RISEN

March 30, 2013

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing;  and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”  And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.  – Luke 24:1-9

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ARKANSAS PASSES NATION’S BROADEST ABORTION RESTRICTIONS

March 11, 2013

Arkansas legislators have overridden a veto by the governor in order to prohibit most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, the earliest ban of any state in the country.

“I feel grateful that people recognize that the abortion policy of this nation has not made abortions rare,” said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jason Rapert, in a statement. “In Arkansas, we have now recognized the need for a more balanced policy, and Roe v. Wade has allowed us this option.”

“I am so proud of my fellow legislators for standing up and protecting the lives of unborn children,” he continued. “When there is a heartbeat, there is life.”

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You can read the entire article from Before It’s News here.

Many have worked and prayed that this would become law in Arkansas.  May God bless all of those who have made this possible.

CR

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THE THEOLOGY OF POLLYANNA

March 4, 2013

The first of these two videos is probably the second worst sermon ever preached.   It is all law and no gospel. The greatest sermon ever preached is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7.

Instead of watching one of the new movies that include violence, twisted sexual situations, and crude language, make yourself some popcorn and sit down to a clean movie that includes an all-star cast.  “Pollyanna” came out in 1960. You will find it at the local library and the second video here is part of the entire movie found on YouTube.

Many of you who read this blog probably feel that I am anything but Pollyannaish.  Well, this movie is one of my favorites.  That should say something.  I have always leaned on the side of grace.

There is the law and then there is the gospel.  Any pastor worth his salt will discuss both.  It doesn’t have to be perfectly balanced in each sermon, but over time there should be a balance between the two.  Jesus is the only one who has ever done it perfectly.

There is no question the preacher depicted in the first clip speaks nothing but the law and ignores the gospel.

In the second clip he is practicing to do the same again.

Then there is the quote from President Lincoln:

“When you look for the bad in mankind expecting to find it, you surely will.”

Our 16th president evidently thought we shouldn’t just look for the bad in man all of the time.  I would agree with that but one must balance this idea with scripture.

The Bible says that “all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

In Mark 10:18, “Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 states:  “Indeed, there is not a righteous man on earth who continually does good and who never sins.”

After reading these verses, one might conclude that he Mr. Lincoln was mistaken.  Maybe we should look for the bad in mankind.

Yet, one must correctly divide the Word.

Matthew 12:35 says:  “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.”  These are also the words of Jesus.

So which is it?  Does the Bible contradict itself?  I don’t think it does because I believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God.

No man is continually good, but men may be good at times.  As Mr. Spurgeon has said in his commentary on Numbers 20:11 – “The best of men are men at best.”

I think we should look for the good in people, realizing that they are sinners just like we are.  Sins should never be excused and only God can forgive them.

There are mysteries in the Bible as there are two sides of a coin.  Anyone familiar with the ideas of free will and predestination knows there are things we’ll never understand this side of heaven.

A preacher should rightly divide the Word and let the Holy Spirit do its work.

Anyone in a pulpit who claims to know all the answers is a person I wouldn’t trust.

I think I lean of the side of the gospel is because I have read the last three chapters of the Bible.  If heaven isn’t Pollyannaish, I don’t know what is.

If you haven’t seen it, I hope you enjoy the movie.

Chris Reimers

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CHRISTIAN, YOU ARE SAFE IN CHRIST’S HANDS ALWAYS

February 28, 2013

Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)

The Lord Jesus had goings forth for his people as their representative before the throne, long before they appeared upon the stage of time.

It was “from everlasting” that he signed the compact with his Father, that he would pay blood for blood, suffering for suffering, agony for agony, and death for death,in the behalf of his people.

It was “from everlasting” that he gave himself up without a murmuring word. That from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot he might sweat great drops of blood, that he might be spit upon, pierced, mocked, rent asunder, and crushed beneath the pains of death.

His goings forth as our Surety were from everlasting. Pause, my soul, and wonder! Thou hast goings forth in the person of Jesus “from everlasting.” Not only when thou wast born into the world did Christ love thee, but his delights were with the sons of men before there were any sons of men.

Often did he think of them; from everlasting to everlasting he had set his affection upon them. What! my soul, has he been so long about thy salvation, and will not he accomplish it?

Has he from everlasting been going forth to save me, and will he lose me now? What! Has he carried me in his hand, as his precious jewel, and will he now let me slip from between his fingers?

Did he choose me before the mountains were brought forth, or the channels of the deep were digged, and will he reject me now? Impossible! I am sure he would not have loved me so long if he had not been a changeless Lover.

If he could grow weary of me, he would have been tired of me long before now. If he had not loved me with a love as deep as hell, and as strong as death, he would have turned from me long ago.

Oh, joy above all joys, to know that I am his everlasting and inalienable inheritance, given to him by his Father or ever the earth was! Everlasting love shall be the pillow for my head this night.

Charles Spurgeon

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It seems this is not the only blog that quotes from the great Prince of Preachers occasionally. Pastor Silva also cites from the great sum of material that came from the pen of Mr. Spurgeon. I found this selection here.

CR

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SHOW ME JESUS CHRIST

February 24, 2013

There is no picture worthy of these words. This was the last post on Pearl’s blog, which I miss very much. It was titled “Be Thus Minded” and she posted this a little over a year ago.  Although I wish Pearl hadn’t decided to stop blogging, what an awesome way to finish.

CR

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

I Corinthians 13:1-13

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