Church Blog (Page 86)
Repent!
Repent! If you haven’t already, you will eventually have to occasion to witness a person who is forced to admit to you that they have acted sinfully against you. But surprisingly, they will only concede that it is something that is ‘sinful’ in your eyes, not in theirs. And that any apologies made are to console your hurt feelings, and not as an admission of any supposed guilt.It appears that a miracle has occurred in our lifetime. The world has…
Believe—Who do you say that Jesus is?
Believe—Who do you say that Jesus is? At high school I was lost and searching for Jesus in a spiritual wilderness. It didn’t help that I had a friend who was from a non-religious family. God and Jesus were just swear-words to them. But although they had no interest in faith matters, it in no way made them ignorant of what was going on around them in the religious lives of others. One thing was for certain, they knew exactly…
Faith comes by Hearing
Faith comes by Hearing In my youth I worked with a tradesman who used to dismiss my preaching about ‘the one true church’ as ‘the idealism of the naïve.’ He would counter, “God has different kinds of fellowships for different kinds of people. If you like your worship loud, or soft, or liberal, or tight-laced, rich or poor, God has a church for you.” Of course, he didn’t believe his own words, this was just his way of shutting down…
“The mind of man plans his way,But the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
Planning for a New Year is a very good idea.Some resolutions may not make it to the end of January, but that shouldn’t be the death of all good planning.Since all that we do is done in the name of the Lord (Col.3:17), we are forever adjusting to the results of good and bad ideas. Christians are blessed beyond measure with insight and wisdom (Eph.1:18f), but guidance through the vicissitudes of everyday life ultimately belongs to God—and it must!Having placed…
“Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Proverbs 17:28)
Thought to be WiseLeningrad was under siege by the Nazi forces in the winter of 1942. Death was everywhere. Bodies left in doorways having died of cold and starvation. The despair was palpable. Musicians were brought together to form an orchestra. Some, not wanting to be bothered with what they saw as a waste of their last days on earth, only stayed for the extra rations offered. But they knew not the future impact of the music they were preparing…
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;He rages against all wise judgment” (Proverbs 18:1)
‘Cult’ is a branding that no church desires.Gloriavale is a 500 member religious group that has organized itself into a community in an isolated part of the South Island of New Zealand. They have allowed TV to film their activities and at least once a year they have invited visitors to join them in an open house banquet. They wear standardized clothing (like Quakers), the women wear head coverings, the KJV is the only translation allowed and all possessions are…
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out” (Proverbs 18:15)
Spiritual SuccessYou will do well to organise your own spiritual life. Because if you don’t, someone else will! And guess what they have planned for you…?Setting oneself up for ‘Spiritual Success’ is the topic of an unending number of books, seminars, and sermons. Not to go on about it, but TV evangelists are clear examples of experts promoting their own brands—to understand how this specific enemy operates against sanctification is wise.True Spiritual Success is summed up in our salvation experience.…
Proverbs 18:17
Beware Joining ‘The Classic Enablers Club.’ With rare exception, the nicest people you know are brilliant conversationalists. They listen to your stories with intense interest and have an amazing ability to nod and smile knowingly in all the right places. Everyone loves them and praise is heaped upon them by all—and understandably so! I will not fault these good souls by adding lesser mortals to their numbers, but I must warn you before I proceed, that these same delightful creatures…
“A truthful witness saves lives, But he who utters lies is treacherous” (Proverbs 14:25)
Hans Christian Anderson’s classic story, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” is not likely to disappear from our shelves in the near future. The pivotal point in the story, where a child yells out the obvious, “The Emperor has got no clothes,” (the adults stayed silent in the face of fear, vanity and greed), speaks sense into us all. This is reminiscent of the children praising Jesus as Messiah at his Triumphal Entry. When the religious leaders complained, Jesus replied, “Yea; have…
Proverbs 19:22 .“What is desirable in a man is his kindness,And it is better to be a poor man than a liar”
I have on more than one occasion been almost embarrassed to have received gifts from those whom I know could not afford to be so generous. Naturally, I received the gifts with thankfulness and have prayed God’s richest blessings upon them.My prayers were heard, I know, but I could rest assured they were answered before I even uttered them. These givers are blessed of God. For they already have a heart to give—and long to give more. Others say they…