Friends of the World and with God?

In the past week I have been reading Holiness by J.C. Ryle.  It is an excellent read and I expect a book review will come around shortly, but today I would like to focus on a point that J.C. Ryle brought out about Growth.  Growth towards the image of God is naturally growth away from the things of this world.  We also cannot keep for ourselves a constant friendship with the world.  We must constantly be growing in the companionship of those who have been made well by Christ’s blood, if we are ever to be Christ’s messengers to the sick.  J.C. Ryle made a very good point about the company we keep as believers:

“Disease is infectious, but health is not.”

I have heard many illustrations on the influence of bad company on the believer, but none struck me so soundly as this.  J.C. Ryle hit the nail right on the head.  Our sinful nature will not be completely vanquished until we see the face of our Saviour.  Thus the company of evil men gives strength to our sinful nature and makes it harder to grow in sanctification. Our spirit of righteousness cannot draw out the “spirit’s of righteousness” in others, because unbelievers do not possess this second nature.  They have one nature alone: a sin nature.  The influence that the world has on believers detached from the church come through many means: friends, television, and the internet all contribute to fuel our inward corruption.  The Bible is most assuredly not silent on this issue.

” Evil communications corrupt good manners.”  1 Corinthians 15:33

” The friendship of the world is enmity with God.” James 4:4

Naturally, we cannot remove ourselves from the world.  It is impossible to both share the truth of the gospel while keeping a life that does not come in contact with sin.  Jesus ate with the sinners and tax collectors.  Naturally, He, unlike us CANNOT be influenced by the sin nature of his companions, for the same reason that sinful companions CANNOT be made healthy by our presence.  Jesus has only a righteous spirit and no sin nature that drives him (not to say that He was not tempted in the flesh, but it was His very nature to resist that temptation).  It is important for us to find a balance of spending time in the world, but not befriending it.  And most importantly we must rest in Christ and benefit from the fellowship of His church.  To be friends of the world and of God is impossible.  I pray to God that neither you, dear reader, if you be covered by His blood, nor I will find ourselves in a situation where our allegiance is questioned.

Prayer for Rain

Georgians Pray for Rain … Literally

This was the headline in an abcnews article today.  It’s a somewhat interesting story.  If you would like to read it click the link below.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3857886

I think that it is a sad commentary on human nature that we would so forsake God when we are blessed and entreat Him to aid us when we are in need.  In the case of Georgia, there’s a drought, so a state prayer vigil for rain will be going on soon on the steps of the capital.  The governor will be participating.  Of course this has elicited many complaints from those who believe that prayer is not powerful, because they believe that God does not exist or does not care.  Although, I don’t think that God works for those who only come to Him when they need rain, I hope that those who are protesting the riot will have a downpour dumped on their heads.  I’m sure they would find some scientific explanation for it though . . .

Dust of the Ground

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=3710641

Just thought I’d point out that I already knew I was made out of dust . . . it tells me so in Genesis.

Oh science . . .

When I fall you set me free

Oh my God, how easily,
My heart can turn from joy in thee.
When of this world I taste and see,
And think of it greater than thee.

At what cost did you pay my price?
And yet you oh Lord, did not think twice.
I fall! I fall!
Yet, when I fall you set me free.

I want to love you more and more.
But sometimes when walking out the door,
To this world I find You the bore.
And I want the world more and more.

But You, Oh Lord, will take me back,
And after every time, less I lack,
Each time I fall, I fall.
And when I fall you set me free.

Then in good times I see your face,
And never have I felt more grace.
And I feel right in my place,
I kneel down and I embrace.

But as I feel that I’ve conquered all,
I loose my sight and I plea:
“I fall! I fall!
Please set me free!”

Lessons from a Child

 This is from a long time ago, but I forgot to publish it::

I was in the restroom the other day and I saw a boy run past me, turn on the faucet and quickly rush his left hand through before turning off the faucet and skirting out the door. As I watched I saw a good picture of many of us Christian’s today.

First, just as the boy knew that washing his hands was an essential bathroom duty, we also acknowledge that daily repentance is a necessity. It is a washing our hands, if you will, in the precious grace of God and becoming ever more conformed to the image of Christ Jesus. Without the constant renewing of our minds we can never be transformed into the likeness of our Saviour (Romans 12:2).

Second, just as the boy quickly washed his hands, we quickly take our fill of Jesus.  The brief recognition of Christ’s blood as the covering for our sin as the child believed the water was washing his hands.  The thing is, neither realize that the only way it will make a difference is if the stay under the cleansing flow.  Without basking in Christ’s saving grace, we can never become as we ought to be.

Thirdly, just as the boy came away from the faucet believing he was clean, we come away from our time with Christ believing that we are clean.  And just as the boy may catch the flu due to his hand washing habits.  We may fall into ruts of sin due to our heart washing habits.

When washing your heart with God’s grace, keep it under it’s flow for a while!

God Bless

First Website

I am nearly finished with my first website project.  The address is http://www.msccleaning.com.  Check it out!

God’s goodness

Ephesians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

When I see this promise, there is no doubt in my mind that the Lord Jesus Christ is in control. But when I know that God is smiling down at me, every day, doing what’s best for me, there is no doubt in my mind that in Christ alone will I be satisfied. There is no achievement, possession, or person that can replace the smile of God. This is why God gives me trials. If I was perfect, I wouldn’t need trials. But the fact is that I’m not perfect. I am a depraved, sick sinners being cared for by the great physician who is healing me on His time, not mine.

James 1:2-3

Take joy my brotheren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith bring about endurance. And let endurance have it’s perfect result that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It is not that God gives me trials to take away from me, He gives us trials so that He can make me perfect and complete. When I take God’s omniscience for example and desire to know all things, He reveals this through a trial. Or when I take God’s omnipotence and desire to control all things, He reveals this through a trial. God is strong to take these faults and to conform them to His image. As He takes my heart and molds it to His image, I learn to love and to grow as I should. There is no greater joy than this. That as I grow and as I see others grow as well, God is glorified. It was never about my own glorification, but it’s always been about the glorification of God our father. Substituting His glorification for my glorification is a sin, and must be repented of. Which makes me wonder, is heaven on my calendars Is that what I dream about?

In light of eternity, the things of this world fade from view. And I realize that everything will be fulfilled according to God’s perfect will. Even as Christ asked. “Not My will, but yours.” If the Son of Man humbled Himself enough to utter this statement, how much more should I reflect His example? Oh that I would reflect the glory of the gospel! Where is my Maker? Is He not with me every moment of every single day? There is no doubt in my mind that this is true. When my heart loses sight of this my spirit suffers. And my joy is made downcast. Oh that the Joy of the Lord would fill up my mind. That the wood would be laid on my alter and the knife would be drawn. Understanding that the Lord always provides a Ewe. And for believers, it has already been provided. It is the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. There is no sacrifice that was ever as great as this. No work that was ever so good!

Does my life really reflect this? Or am I talk, but no walk? Do I decisively take steps to make the Lord God my Creator the ruler of all that I am? Not that I am perfect, I will never be perfect until God glorifies me in Christ when I see Him face to face. I want so much to grow in the knowledge of the Father, that my love would be for Him and towards Him alone. Completely magnifying in His grace. To realize my own depravity and fickle heart. My selfishness and my need to deny myself for the sake of others. What is there that I can give? I have nothing to give, but God graciously gives through me. God empowers me to grow. God empowers me to give. There is no God like our God, no God at all!!!

We cannot mold Him into our desires, He would never fit. His plans our too infinite. His love too sweet. His grace to bountiful. His knowledge is too deep. His ways are too profound. There is no God like our God, no God at all! ! !

For the Lord my God is a Great God, He is the king above ALL God’s!

May HIS name and HIS name alone be praised!

May my idols be stripped away with whatever force and whatever harm my flesh endures.  That I might be humbled, my heart softened.  Oh that I may seek the Lord God on High and know Him.

Oh to know the Lord our God! ! !

What a wonderful thing that would be, to know God as we ought

Only One Life

One of my good friends has the last line of each stanza of this poem as her gmail status .  . . like all the time.  So I found the poem and decided to post it. 

Only One Life

Two little lines I heard one day,Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Pretty Little Boxes

Even in my youth I’ve come to realize that as soon as we feel as if our plans are packed into nice pretty packages, bows on top and even if we acknowledge that even though we plan our ways, the Lord directs our steps, God is not slow to teach us how to trust Him once more.   It has never been and never will be about our wisdom, but will always be about the wisdom of God the Almighty Father. 

 Isaiah 64:4 says

 Since ancient times no one has heard, 
 no ear has perceived, 
 no eye has seen any God besides you, 
 who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

Our God acts on our behalf.  Sometimes this is hard to comprehend.  So often we come to the conclusion that God only finds pleasure by acting in a humanlike selfishness.  This simply is not true.  How great is our God?  He is great ! ! !

When the Gospel is #1

When the gospel is number 1, everything seems to fall in place perfectly.  God is good to us!