Sunday, November 30, 2008

"Faithful and True"


"And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war."
(Rev.19:11)


This morning as Bro.Stephen preached from Revelation 1 concerning "portraits of Jesus." He reminded us of the glorious person and work of Christ and that he is our very life!
This message stirred me to once again examine my own focus and to rejoice again in the greatness of him who is my all in all!

Thinking about this majestic vision that was given to John brought back to mind the vision from chap. 19 and verse 11 which I have copied above.

I am particularly taken with the names by which he is called in this verse...."Faithful and True"
Throughout scripture these attributes of God are declared and illustrated and have, in my own experience, been the cause for much thankfulness. I can attest to the truth of what the Hebrew writer says in Heb.13:5 concerning his faithfulness being sure and steadfast!

His faithfulness has stood and will stand for all eternity! I see this great faithfulness being extolled by the Son as he draws closer and closer to the cross.
He foretells his disciples that they will leave him alone but then goes on to say that "I am not alone, because the Father is with me." (John 16:32)
Though these close followers, whom he had shown such love and patience, would forsake him he confidently stood on the faithfulness of his Father.

This immovable faithfulness is also a rock for the Apostle Paul who says in 2Tim.4:16-17.... "At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;....."
Amen! If God stands with us what more can we ask?

We all by nature desire the acceptance of our families, friends and peers but what if all of these forsake us?

Are we defeated as the children of God? I must find my answer in the words of Paul who knew abandonment so well......While listing the trials and difficulties of the ministry he asserts that they are.. "Persecuted, but not forsaken;...." (2Cor.4:9)

Though all people should turn their backs to me and despise me I know that my advocate abides faithful! Because there was a time when he endured being forsaken by God that I may never have to endure it! Even if the closest of family were to utterly disown me and cast my name out forever I can find consolation in the words of the Psalmist...."When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up." (Psa.27:10)

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How firm a foundation! How wonderful to know that my redeemer liveth, that he is ever faithful, and that he is coming again to receive us to himself!

With John I say...."Even so come Lord Jesus."

Thursday, November 27, 2008

"IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER"


"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." (Isa.53:1-2)


The Jesus of scripture is not one that appeals to the natural eye. He is not attractive to the flesh. He was not one who, physically, would have stood out in a crowd. He is not esteemed as one worthy of notice or praise.

But, to the spiritual eye he is the lily of the valley and the fairest of ten thousand! He is more to be desired than rubies or the finest things that this world has to offer.

To the world his message is foolishness and a stumblingblock but to the quickened he has the words of eternal life.

The Jesus of scripture is still looked upon with disdain in the eyes of this world but in the eyes of his own he is all-together lovely!

Though I have not seen him with the physical eye, by the grace of God I have seen him with the eye of faith and as Peter writes....."Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:" (1Pet.1:8)

Monday, November 24, 2008

"THE LOOK"

"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." (Luke 22:31-34)


"And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.
But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, this man was also with him.
And he denied him, saying, Woman I know him not.
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.
And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
And Peter went out, and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:55-62)



What must it have been like for Peter to look into those eyes?

Not so long ago he had looked into these eyes and confidently confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Mat.16:16)

Now, as a cursing denier, he looks into these same eyes from a distance!

In that brief time when their eyes met did the past three and a half years flash before his mind?
Did he recall the miracles, the words, the zeal for the glory of the Father, or the patient teaching of the disciples as they walked in the way?

What of "the look" itself, was it a look of rage and rejection?.....No, it was not now the look of the righteous Judge.....but the look of a Savior!

Though it was a piercing, convicting look (Heb.4:13), it was a look that would bring healing and life not condemnation and death.
It was a look of restoration and conversion, a look that broke this confident boaster!

For Peter, like every child of God, must be emptied of self-confidence before he can be filled with Christ-confidence!

This former proud boaster who trusted in his own ability to keep himself would later write.... "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1Pet.1:3-5)


Thanks be unto God for "the Look" that wounds us that we might be eternally healed and be brought to see and believe that we too are "kept by the power of God."

Friday, November 21, 2008

REFLECTIONS ON PRAYER


"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb.4:16)

Why is prayer, that great privilege of the saints, such a neglected gift?

When I consider that the privilege of prayer was bought at Calvary I am even more deeply aware of my personal neglect of that which is holy and precious.

Though I know from past experience that prayer is sweet and that it draws one near the Father's throne, I must acknowledge that many times, even these recollections, seem to be overpowered by the encumberances of this world.

This realization brings to mind these words..."O wretched man that I am"

I recall the account given in scripture of Jesus praying all night to the Father and yet I cannot pray for one hour!

I remember him telling his disciples to "watch and pray" and that "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" and I must, from experience, acknowledge it to be so.



The flesh, the world, and the devil war against the one who would commune with God and seek to distract and discourage us from this exceedingly precious gift.

When we do not avail ourselves of this gift of God, it is our loss.

The Lord bids us to come boldly before the throne of grace in time of need. This entrance into the holiest of all is through the the veil of Christ's broken body and shed blood!
But sadly, more often than not, we exchange this blessed communion for temporal interests and things.

There is power in prayer, but there must be prayer!

So, once again, I must call upon the Lord and ask him to teach me to pray and one way that He does this is by the examples of his dear saints that have gone before us.

Thank God for those who are shining examples of true prayer, those who have been taught of God to pray, and have committed themselves to spending much time before the throne of grace.

One such man was George Muller. This man who was known for his life of prayer and his steadfast confidence in God's providence and provision had devoted himself to the care of orphans in Bristol England in the 1800's.
Through the years of caring for these orphans there were many times when funds were so low or non-existent that it looked as if the children would not be fed.
But Muller consistently looked to God in prayer at these "times of need" and God, though often at the eleventh hour, would meet those seemingly insurmountable needs.

If I were to seek an answer concerning what it was that characterized this man and made him such an example of persevering prayer and faith I would appeal to a quote from his biographer that seems to sum it up well and also gives me cause for reflection upon my own "room for improvement".

He says of Muller...."This praying saint, who watched man, most of all watched God.
Even in the lesser details of his work, his eye was ever looking for God's unfailing supplies, and taking notice of the divine leadings and dealings; and, afterward, there always followed the fruit of the lips, giving thanks to His name.
Here is another secret revealed: prayerfulness and thankfulness--those two handmaidens of God-- always go together, each helping the other.
"Pray without ceasing: in everything give thanks." (1Thes.5:17-18) These two precepts stand side by side where they belong, and he who neglects one will find himself disobeying the other.
This man who prayed so much and so well, offered the sacrifice of praise to God continually."

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

IN MY PLACE CONDEMNED HE STOOD

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsman according to the flesh: (Rom.9:3)

After having heard Bro.Stephen mention this verse this past Sunday I have once again been confronted with the self-denying character of the believer.
What an astounding,mind-boggling statement this is! If for no other reason than the natural bent that we all have for self preservation. But in addition there is the question concerning those who are the object of Pauls great affection.
If he had expressed such a desire with friends and allies in view it would have been a deeply moving and remarkable statement but this was not the case.
As I consider the ones for whom he was willing to be seperated from Christ I am truly left in awe.
These are none other than the ones who are his greatest antagonists! These are the ones who hound,harrass,and desire his death. These are his most active enemies.
But then, I remember Pauls own words concerning his identity as a believer..."I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Gal.2:20) This is the source of Pauls self sacrificing love.
It is the very character of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

In his letter to the Romans he declares God's unmerited love toward us through Christ.... "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."(Rom.5:6-8)

So, I ask myself, how could Paul say such a thing in sincerity? I find the answer in these verses.... Because it is no longer Paul that lives but Christ that liveth in him!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE


While reading I came across this early church writing that reminded me afresh of the richness of God's grace.

"And when our iniquity had been fully accomplished, and it
has been perfectly manifest that punishment and death were
expected as its recompence, and the season came which God
had ordained, when henceforth He should manifest His good-
ness and power (O the exceeding great kindness and love of
God), He hated us not, neither rejected us, nor bore us mal-
ice, but was long-suffering and patient, and in pity for us
took upon himself our sins, and Himself parted with His Son
as a ransom for us, the holy for the lawless, the guileless
for the evil, the just for the unjust, the immortal for the
mortal. For what else but His righteouness would have covered
our sins?
....O the sweet exchange, O the inscrutable creation, O the
unexpected benefits, that the iniquity of many should be con-
cealed in One Righteous Man, and the righteousness of One
should justify that are iniquitous!(Epistle to Diognetus 1.2,9

Saturday, November 15, 2008

THERE IS A FOUNTAIN





In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. (Zec.13:1)

A fountain to make the unclean clean. This brings to mind the dilema expressed in Job's question in Job 14:4

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

What a dilema! With man, yes, this is impossible but with God all things are possible!

Because, "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom.5:20)

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? CHRIST ALONE!

"There is a fountain
filled with blood
drawn from Immanuel's
veins; and sinners,
plunged beneath that
flood, Lose all their
guilty stains:"
(There is a Fountain/William Cowper/1771)


"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Rev.1:5-6)

Friday, November 14, 2008

"Excerpt From Spurgeon's Last Sermon"


If you wear the livery of Christ, you will find Him so meek and lowly of heart that you will find rest unto your souls. He is the most magnanimous of captains. There never was His like among the choicest of princes. He is always to be found in the thickest part of the battle. When the wind blows cold He always takes the bleak side of the hill. The heaviest end of the cross lies ever on His shoulders. These forty years and more have I served Him, blessed be His name! and I have had nothing but love from Him. I would be glad to continue yet another forty years in the same dear service here below, if so it pleased Him. His service is life, peace, joy. Oh, that you would enter on it at once. God help you to enlist under the banner of Jesus even this day. Amen.