I read this morning that school students will begin making patrols with police in Hungary during a month long campaign to change driving habits. According to authorities, the schoolchildren will hand out pieces of lemon when police issue a fine for bad drivers. In like manner, they will give good drivers an apple. CountyPolice spokesman Gergely Fulop said, "A penalty coming from a kid for breaking rules generates a stronger feeling of guilt among adults than a simple fine."
Would you child give you and apple or a lemon based on what they saw of you life? Your kids see you good, bad, and really ugly. I pray never have to hear my son say “daddy, I thought you preached and told me that we never yell at mommy” or some other rebuke from my child. But, the responsibility to set a godly example for our children is paramount in all that we do. Jesus went so far to express his feeling in a chilling way when he said Matthew 18:6
“"But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me--it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea!”
Wow, Jesus tell us how you really feel. Jesus knows the influence parents have and it deeply angers Him when this influence and responsibility is not used to bring kids closer to Jesus. So, should you have a millstone around you neck or not?
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one. (Psalms 34:17-19)
Life is hard for all people. We all stump our toes, we all face adversity. I love the Bible because it is real. It touches human life and correlates to experience, but offers hope far greater than anything we could ever imagine. Notice in the passage above and the emphasis on “his people.” When we allow ourselves to be claimed by God and surrender our self-sufficiency and then turn to allow His God-sufficiency to replace it we open a new door to a new life blessing and protection.
Now, of course we wish we could escape troubles—the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the small daily frustrations that wear us down. But, we don’t get an escape we get God. God promises to be "close to the brokenhearted" and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. It seems the more problems we have the closer God is. So when trouble strikes, don't get frustrated with God. Instead, know that if have trusted in Christ as your Savior he is there and closer than you know or even imagine.
Steroids, with a new rash of baseball players busted I had to think about the * or the asterisk. The asterisk, of course, means that the record is a sort-of record, a footnoted record. The asterisk means the record is tainted. Take home run king Barry Bonds back on August 7, 2007, Bonds hit number 756, the home run that broke Hank Aaron's record. Most of the talk about the new record, though, is whether it really should count, because Bonds was juiced up. Sports buffs say if his name goes in the record book it should be accompanied by an asterisk.
But what if God placed marks beside our name when we messed up or cheated at life? I mean what if all of our infractions and sins were held over head, talked about, thrown in our face for the rest of life? How awful would that be? Thankfully Psalm 103 10-12 says
10 He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our offenses.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Then the great words of Romans 8:1
Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those who are in Christ Jesus
Thankful may name is free of the * because of the grace of God, Pastor Phillip
The Westminster Confession of Faith our Presbyterian brother’s use begins with a very good question. It asks “what is the chief end of man?” What do we as humans live and exist for? Now this powerful document answers “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” This means that goal should be to bring God glory by enjoying Him. This is great! This does not say that our chief end is to glorify God by trying harder, doing better, cussing less, or even sinning less but by enjoying God. Now enjoying God means that these other areas will fall into line.
The Christian life for many is a struggle to be good, but this misses the point. Only Jesus is good, and our responsibility is to be in Christ and accept His goodness and grace on our behalf. We get the great transaction 2Cor 5:21“He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
So we should live our lives and seek to love and enjoy all the blessings that God has for us. The problem with trying to be good by sinning less is that you continually focus on not sinning. The problem here is the focus is on sin. When we do this we miss all the good things of God to enjoy. This is a liberating concept that I have only began to live out in my life over the past year. So today strive to live out “Taste and see that the LORD is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psa 34:8) This means that “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God's glory.” (1Co 10:31)
Going to glorify God right now by pouring another cup of coffee! Pastor Phillip
BTW, I got some Italian Coffee Cream (powdered) here at the office and it too sweet for me, so if you want it come and get it!
Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your brothers in the world.(10)Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. 1Pe 5:9-10
I have spent a few weeks in China, great country, rough place to be a Christian. While we were there half of our group was detained for suspected missionary activity. They actually had to eat a Chinese census map in order to get rid of the evidence. But, after a half a day they were released. They worst that happens to westerners is a fine and deported out of the country. But, for the Chinese they go to work camps and lose property and jobs. So, as we are looking at raising Godly children here at Antioch, I came across this amazing story of the heart and determination of some very young Chinese Christians.
China's constitution allows citizens to believe in God, but does not guarantee the opportunity to put those beliefs into practice. The Open Doors organization reports that recently a group of children made a huge impact on government officials.
According to a Chinese teacher, the children were taken into custody when officials raided a Sunday School meeting. Security Bureau officers confiscated incriminating evidence and herded the children into a van. As the van headed to the police station the children started singing. When they arrived, they marched bravely into the interrogation room still singing, "In the name of Jesus, we have the victory."
The police interrogator threatened the children, telling them they would have to write "I do not believe in Jesus" one hundred times. Instead of cowering under the threats, the children wrote, "I believe in Jesus today. I will believe in Jesus tomorrow. I will believe in Jesus forever."
Officials were not prepared for a strong stand from children, and decided to call the parents into the police station. They told the parents they would release the children only if the parents said they were not Christians. Since many of the parents were not believers, they affirmed they did not believe and took their children home. When one widowed woman came to pick up her twin sons, she refused to deny Jesus.
Officials told her that if she did not deny Jesus, they would not release her sons. She responded by telling the police. "Well, I guess you will just have to keep them because without Jesus, there would be no way for me to take care of them!" Since the frustrated authorities had not expected such strong resistance, they told the woman to take her boys and leave, which she did.
Wow, that last mom blew me away. It seems she thought here children are just as well with the jailers because without Jesus she is incapable of raising them! What if we had that same dependency on Jesus in our lives, then maybe our kids would be able to stand firm like these little amazing believers did?
Resolve to depend absolutely on Christ today in all I do! Pastor Phillip
2/3/09
I read recently about an old massive bridge in the Scottish highlands that spans a gorge known as "The High Bridge." But something happened that made it necessary for officials to condemn it. A tiny birch seed, caught by a gust of wind, dropped into a small crevice above the keystone. It lodged unnoticed in the lime, and before long it germinated. Soon it was a young sapling, but still nobody saw it. As it grew into a tree, its roots went deep into the masonry so that the arch was severely damaged. The bridge that had defied violent storms and supported the weight of marching armies finally had to be closed to traffic. It had succumbed to a small seed.
You know in our lives the smallest sins can have devastating consequences. One of them that is very easy to overlook and let grow and fester in our hearts is unforgiveness. Hear the words of Hebrews 12:14-15 “Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness--without it no one will see the Lord.(15)See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many.” Just like that small seed and its roots affected that bridge so to bitterness that springs up in our hearts and can destroy even our deepest Christian relationships. A poisonous root of bitterness comes when we allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when we nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension, and immorality. The good news is that we don’t have to be condemned like the bridge, to a life of bitterness and unforgiveness, because if we truly allow the Holy Spirit fill us, he can heal the hurts that causes bitterness and save us from the damage it could have been caused.
"For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.(15)But if you don't forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. Matthew 6:14-15
Supersize Me was documentary that came out a few years back. During the30 days of filming, Spurlock dined at McDonald's restaurants three times per day, sampling every item on the chain's menu at least once. He also "super-sized" his meal every time he was asked. Spurlock consumed an average of 5,000 calories (the equivalent of 9.26 Big Macs) per day during the experiment. As a result, the then-32-year-old Spurlock in 30 days gained 24½ lbs. A 13% body mass increase, and experienced mood swings, lethargy, and liver damage. It also took Spurlock fourteen months to lose the weight he gained. But one of the most surprising statements in the whole movie was that he felt continually hungry. 5,000 calories a day, but felt hungry all the time. This was due to the fact that there was limited nutritional value found in the menu items, so the body crazed real nutrition. I was blown away by this.
But this is true in other areas of life as well. Randy Alcorn, says in his book The Purity Principle
“Those who turn from God to embrace a God-substitute suffer terrible loss. Why? Because they were made to find joy in God, not the substitute. They swap God’s present and future blessing for something they can immediately see, taste, or feel. But that something never satisfies.”
Try all we want to find real joy, happiness, and meaning apart from God but we never will.So we binge on all the world has to offer apart from God, but never be filled until we see the truth of Psalm 16:11
You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; in Your right hand are eternal pleasures.
Needing and Ice Coffee and Egg McMuffin, Pastor Phillip
I have not been writing as much here lately, Delane Miller at my church asked me about it. The reason is I changed my preaching style. I had always been a straight through the book preacher. Pray and select the book and then go and preach. I like it a lot, but I found myself in a little rut. So, Pastor Kyle and I decided we would change do thematic series this year. The response has been good so far, but I jump around from passage to passage, change my mind a lot and I am like kid learning to ride a bike all over again. I have to now approach the Bible, from a broader perspective, than just simple then next part of the book I was preaching in.
But, it was a change. Change is hard, especially once it gets ingrained in us. I was wondering what in your life could use a change? Are there any habits, any routines, maybe even sins that have worked there way into your life you need to work out? Paul address the issue this way:
“throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception.(23)Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.(24)You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness-righteous, holy, and true.” Ephesians 4:22-24
So, look for areas in your life in need of change and pray for God’s grace to enable you to make them!
Cordless drills are great. You can use them anywhere and do almost any little job, faster and with less effort: two things I like. But, I have a problem with mine that I never charge the battery. I use it, leave it out until I need it again and it never seems to have enough power to get the job done. The battery is dead, I have two batteries, but two uncharged batteries are equally worthless. In have found that spiritually I am not a cordless drill even through sometimes I try to be one. Let me explain.
Each day I begin with a time of prayer (usually guided by the Psalms or The Valley Of Vision), followed by daily Bible reading and then another time of prayer over the people in our churches directory. It is a great start to my day. But, often from that moment I get going with my business. I find that the "charge" from morning time with God wains quickly, the more I do "my" work. So, some days I try to pray and have another little time with God to "charge"me up again. But, again it drains quickly. So, I am not a cordless drill.
I am finding that I must be continually connected to the source of my strength Jesus Christ. This continually connection comes from trying to foster a minute by minute recognition of my need of Him. Now, I fall short of doing this all the time. But, striving for a continuing connection to God is the essence of what Paul meant when he told us in 1 The 5:17 to "pray constantly" and Jesus in John 15:5 "apart from me you can do nothing."
This also the essence of the great hymn "I need thee every hour"
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord; No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby; Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain; Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will; And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One; O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.
So, plug in, stay connected, and do great things for God in all your endeavors today. Pastor Phillip
Do you remember you life before you were saved and then the change, (there should have been a change) afterward? This is a powerful part of your life, probably the most important day in your life.
How often do you share it? When was the last time you told someone about the day you were saved? Do you share more about fish you caught, football games, how knees hurt, and who is on your nerves? Try telling someone joyfully about your salvation experience. If you find you don’t have one, then you may need to do some praying to see if you have truly received Jesus or just practicing religion. I recently of a great man of God’s conversion experience.
Charles Spurgeon who was one of the greatest Baptist preachers of all time and he also shared his conversion story over 280 times in his preaching. He never got over the fact that God saved him. He said that prior to conversion he had a Christian upbringing (he was christened as an infant, and raised in the Congregational church), and he read the Bible and prayed daily, he did not know Jesus.
He describes his feeling prior as “I was years and years upon the brink of hell—I mean in my own feeling. I was unhappy, I was desponding, I was despairing. I dreamed of hell. My life was full of sorrow and wretchedness, believing that I was lost.”
But one day on a Sunday in January in1850 Spurgeon woke one with a deep sense of his need for deliverance. Because of a snowstorm, the 15-year-old’s path to church was diverted down a side street. For shelter, he ducked into the Primitive Methodist Chapel on Artillery Street. An unknown substitute lay preacher stepped into the pulpit and read his text—Isaiah 45:22—“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.”
Spurgeon’s Autobiography records his reaction:
“He had not much to say, thank God, for that compelled him to keep on repeating his text, and there was nothing needed—by me, at any rate except his text. Then, stopping, he pointed to where I was sitting under the gallery, and he said, ‘That young man there looks very miserable’ … and he shouted, as I think only a Primitive Methodist can, ‘Look! Look, young man! Look now!’ … Then I had this vision—not a vision to my eyes, but to my heart. I saw what a Savior Christ was.… Now I can never tell you how it was, but I no sooner saw whom I was to believe than I also understood what it was to believe, and I did believe in one moment.
“And as the snow fell on my road home from the little house of prayer I thought every snowflake talked with me and told of the pardon I had found, for I was white as the driven snow through the grace of God.”
Upon his return home, his appearance caused his mother to exclaim,
“Something wonderful has happened to you.”
For the next months young Spurgeon searched the Scriptures
“to know more fully the value of the jewel which God had given me.… I found that believers ought to be baptized.” And so he was baptized, by immersion and joined a Baptist church.
What is your conversion story? Do you have one? Why don’t you share it?
How would explain to someone that there is more to life than this? This is the working assumption of many people so share some ideas on how to convince someone otherwise? Pastor Phillip
One the biggest topics on people's minds in the new year is money. Will we have enough? Where will it come from? Can I make the payment on my credit card? So, take a look at your fiances and see what kind of shape you are. Maybe you are in the shape you are in because you have not submitted your money to God? How would submitting your money to God change your spending, giving, coveting, wasting? These are the questions and now is the time to be asking them.
As base a thing as money often is, it yet can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor; it can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.— A.W. Tozer,
Also on a unrelated note, head over to Edgefield First Baptist Church's new website. It is very nice, clean, and great looking, unlike their preacher Stacy Williams!!! He also has a nice blog that is worth reading as well. I will be praying for the best for EFBC and all our churches in Edgefield County in 2009 (sorry Aiken!).
I am a fairly disciplined person in daily walk with God. In have a fairly set schedule of Bible reading, prayer, and silence where I just think about my life and God (I know had to believe,). But, I am nothing compared to resolve of Jonathan Edwards, probably America’s greatest theologian and pastors. So, with it being new years give these a read. Also, let me know which one of these 70 resolutions you like the most or just share your new years resolution. For me it is become disciplined in eating. I want to lose weight, but more importantly learn to rightly enjoy a moderate amount of food and not be a glutton. I also am going to incorporate more fasting into my devotional life as well in 2009.
Have a great 2009, Pastor Phillip
THE RESOLUTIONS
of
Jonathan Edwards
BEING SENSIBLE THAT I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT GOD' S HELP, I DO HUMBLY ENTREAT HIM BY HIS GRACE TO ENABLE ME TO KEEP THESE RESOLUTIONS, SO FAR AS THEY ARE AGREEABLE TO HIS WILL, FOR CHRIST' S SAKE.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God' s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new contrivance and invention to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God. July 30.
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances do not hinder.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
14. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
17. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do any thing, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance, in eating and drinking.
21. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. (Resolutions 1 through 21 written in one setting in New Haven in 1722)
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power, might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God' s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit any thing, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
31. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that, in Proverbs 20:6,‹A faithful man who can find?Š may not be partly fulfilled in me.
33. Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Dec. 26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narrations never to speak any thing but the pure and simple verity.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent,- what sin I have committed,-and wherein I have denied myself;-also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord' s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
39. Resolved, never to do any thing of which I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or not; unless I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never, henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God' s; agreeable to what is to be found in Saturday, January 12, 1723.
44. Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. January 12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan. 12 and 13, 1723.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eye: and to be especially careful of it with respect to any of our family.
47. Resolved, to endeavor, to my utmost, to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented and easy, compassionate and generous, humble and meek, submissive and obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable and even, patient, moderate, forgiving and sincere temper; and to do at all times, what such a temper would lead me to; and to examine strictly, at the end of every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5, 1723.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or not; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age, say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it. July 8, 1723.
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if, I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it, and let the event be just as providence orders it. I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty, and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. May 27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 11, and July 13.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4, and 13, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man:‹knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.Š June 25 and July 13, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. January 14 and July 13, 1723.
64. Resolved, when I find those ‹groanings which cannot be utteredŠ (Romans 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those‹breakings of soul for the longing it hath,Š of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness, of which I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton' s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what am I the better for them, and what I might have got by them.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. August 11, 1723.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak. August 17, 1723.
"Lord, shine your Light on the dark-shadowed corners of my heart. Show me what I am hiding from you."
Let us invite God to come in and occupy the rooms in our hearts that we have previously labeled, "Keep Out!"This is a good step for us o take as we can unload sinful baggage and go into 2009. Pastor Phillip
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.
Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.
I am up before most of you guys today (4:30am) and getting ready to head out of the door. But, in my prayer time this morning, I prayed a prayer from an awesome little book my friend Travis gave me called "The Valley of Vision". These are prayers from the Puritans and show a depth and relation intimacy with God.
But here is my morning dedication. Feel free to make it yours as well.
Almighty God, as I cross the threshold of this day I commit myself, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Thy care. Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless me. Incline my heart to thy ways. Mould me wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay. May my lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Thy praise. Let those around see me living by Thy Spirit, trampling the world underfoot, unconformed to lying vanities, transformed by a renewed mind, clad in the entire armour of God, shining as a never-dimmed light, showing holiness in all my doings. Let no evil this day soil my thoughts, words, hands. May I travel miry paths with a life pure from spot or stain. In needful transactions let my affection be in heaven, and my love soar upwards in flames of fire, my gaze fixed on unseen things, my eyes open to the emptiness, fragility, mockery of earth and its vanities. May I view all things in the mirror of eternity, waiting for the coming of my Lord, listening for the last trumpet call, hastening unto the new heaven and earth. Order this day all my communications according to Thy wisdom, and to the gain of mutual good. Forbid that I should not be profited or made profitable. May I speak each word as if my last word, and walk each step as my final one.If my life should end today, let this be my best day.
Having My Best Day Ever Today and Every Day, Pastor Phillip
In studying for Wednesday night Bible study, I was looking at the child of David and Bathsheba that died. The child died seemingly cruelly as a punishment to David for his sins of murder and adultery. This got me to thinking about the tragic fact that miscarriages, and babies dying happens and is unbelievably hard. Not to mention that babracic practice of abortion that claims millions of unborn children. I pray that I never have to go through it. So, I want to offer this encouraging paper by two of our Southern Baptist seminary presidents.
WHY WE BELIEVE CHILDREN WHO DIE GO TO HEAVEN
By R. Albert Mohler, Jr. and Daniel L. Akin
Few things in life are more tragic and heartbreaking than the death of a baby or small child. For parents, the grief can be overwhelming. For the minister, to stand over a small, white casket and provide comfort and support seems to ask for more than he can deliver.
It is our conviction that there are good reasons biblically and theologically for believing that God saves all who die who do not reach a stage of moral understanding and accountability. It is readily admitted that Scripture does not speak to this issue directly, yet there is evidence that can be gleaned that would lead us to affirm on biblical grounds that God receives into heaven all who have died in infancy. Some evidence is stronger than others, but cumulatively they marshall strong support for infant salvation. We will note six of them.
First, the grace, goodness and mercy of God would support the position that God saves all infants who die. This is the strongest argument and perhaps the decisive one. God is love (1 John 4:8) and desires that all be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). God is love and His concern for children is evident in Matthew 18:14 where Jesus says, “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” People go to hell because they choose in willful rebellion and unbelief to reject God and His grace. Children are incapable of this kind of conscious rejection of God. Where such rebellion and willful disobedience is absent, God is gracious to receive.
Second, when the baby boy who was born to David and Bathsheba died (2 Samuel 12:15-18), David did two significant things: 1) He confessed his confidence that he would see the child again and, 2) he comforted his wife Bathsheba (vs. 23-24). David could have done those two things only if he was confident that his little son was with God. Any other explanation does not do justice to the text.
Third, in James 4:17, the Bible says, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” The Bible is clear that we are all born with a sin nature as a result of being in Adam (Roman 5:12). This is what is called the doctrine of original sin. However, the Scriptures make a distinction between original sin and actual sins. While all are guilty of original sin, moral responsibility and understanding is necessary for our being accountable for actual sins (Deuteronomy 1:30; Isaiah 7:16). It is to the one who knows to do right and does not do it that sin is reckoned. Infants are incapable of such decisions.
Fourth, Jesus affirmed that the kingdom of God belonged to little children (Luke 18:15-17). In the passage he is stating that saving faith is a childlike faith, but He also seems to be affirming the reality of children populating heaven.
Fifth, Scripture affirms that the number of saved souls is very great (Revelation 7:9). Since most of the world has been and is still non-Christian, might it be the untold multitude who have died prematurely or in infancy comprise a majority of those in heaven? Such a possibility ought not to be dismissed too quickly. In this context Charles Spurgeon said, “I rejoice to know that the souls of all infants, as soon as they die, speed their way to paradise. Think what a multitude there is of them.”
Sixth, some in Scripture are said to be chosen or sanctified from the womb (1 Samuel 1:8-2:21; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:15). This certainly affirms the salvation of some infants and repudiates the view that only baptized babies are assured of heaven. Neither Samuel, Jeremiah or John the Baptist was baptized.
After surveying these arguments, it is important for us to remember that anyone who is saved is saved because of the grace of God, the saving work of Jesus Christ and the undeserved and unmerited regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Like all who have ever lived, except for Jesus, infants need to be saved. Only Jesus can take away their sin, and if they are saved it is because of His sovereign grace and abounding mercy. Abraham said, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:25). We can confidently say, “Yes, He will.” When it comes to those incapable of volitional, willful acts of sin, we can rest assured God will, indeed, do right. Precious little ones are the objects of His saving mercy and grace.
Little ones are precious in God’s sight. If they die, they go to heaven. Parents, who have trusted Jesus, who have lost a little one, if they have trusted Jesus, can be confident of a wonderful reunion someday. Are you hopeful of seeing again that little treasure God entrusted to you for such a short time? Jesus has made a way. Come to Him now and someday you will see them again.
