According to Webster’s New World Dictionary anxiety is "a state of being uneasy, apprehensive, or worried about what may happen; concern about a possible future event."
It should come as no surprise that anxiety is a matter of concern in America today. In fact, the Anxiety Disorder Association of America (ADAA) reports:
· Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. with 19.1 million (13.3%) of the adult U.S. population (ages 18-54) affected.
· According to "The Economic Burden of Anxiety Disorders," a study commissioned by the ADAA and based on data gathered by the association and published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, anxiety disorders cost the U.S. more than $42 billion a year, almost one third of the $148 billion total mental health bill for the U.S.
· More than $22.84 billion of those costs are associated with the repeated use of healthcare services, as those with anxiety disorders seek relief for symptoms that mimic physical illnesses.
· People with an anxiety disorder are three-to-five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than non-sufferers. (http://www.adaa.org/mediaroom/index.cfm)
What causes all this anxiety? The Bible gives us some clues. We read that anxiety can come from family conflict (cf. Gen. 32:6-12; 2 Sam. 18:24-33); the actions of authorities (Esther 4:1-17); concern about loved ones (cf. Luke 2:48); illness (John 4:46-49); anticipation of future events (cf. 2 Cor. 2:12-13). Then, of course, there is anxiety that comes as a result of traumatic events, such as 9-11.
But, Christians, we don’t have to be crippled by our anxiety. God has told us in His word what He wants us to do. It boils down to a simple formula—trust Me, because I care what happens to you! Of course, sometimes the simplest advice is the hardest to take! Listen to what our God tells us:
Psalm 37:1-5: Don’t worry about the wicked. Don’t envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like springtime flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.
Luke 12:22-30: Then turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of far more than food and clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! And if worry can’t do little things like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! And don’t worry about food—what to eat and drink. Don’t worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.
Luke 21:25-28: "And there will be strange events in the skies—signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And down here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. The courage of many people will falter because of the fearful fate they see coming upon the earth, because the stability of the very heavens will be broken up. Then everyone will see the Son of Man arrive on the clouds with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation is near!"
Acts 27:21-25: No one had eaten for a long time. Finally, Paul called the crew together and said, "Men, you should have listened to me in the first place and not left Fair Havens. You would have avoided all this injury and loss. But take courage! None of you will lose your lives, even though the ship will go down. For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.
Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Philippians 4:6: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
So remember, the next time you begin to worry about something, "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." (1 Peter 5:7)
source : www.johnankerberg.org
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Solid foundation
Foundation is one of the most essential factors of a building. Though the foundation is not entirely visible outside the ground, it is the one that holds the entire building. A buliding has to be subjected to different environments and climates. The building can never be shaken by any thing if the foundation is strong.
We are also like buildings. We have to encounter many storms of life. Problems, frustrations, broken relationships, debt, anxiety and the list goes on and on. We like it or not, everyone in the world have to go through all these storms.
Our life too has a foundation. A worldly person lays the foundation using his wealth, influence, status, and using all the temporal things of this world. All his hope is in the world and its possesions. He builds empires on earth. We saw all kinds of business empires around us growing really big, but the storm of recession blew down all these in a whisker and they are no more. This is really a weak foundation which could not survive the hard test.
I want to tell today with my whole heart that the only foundation that is strong enough to survive any hardship, is the foundation over the solid rock, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only one who would make sure that we are not shaken by the problems of our life. We may be going through numerous difficulties in life and some of them may be too serious that it threatens us to the maximum extent. Amidst all these God wants us to understand that if we have built our life on Him, then He will make sure that we overcome all the problems of life.
Some of you might not have built your life with the foundation of Christ so far, but I want you to take the challenge today. Lord loves challenges. He challenges us to surrender ourselves to Him and asks us to see the marvellous works of Him. He is so great a God. Nothing is impossible for Him. The problems that seem like mountains for us is like dust for Him. He will blow them over in no time. We need to do only one thing. We need to seek and trust Him. Why don't you try Christ today?. Just once...He will change you forever.
We are also like buildings. We have to encounter many storms of life. Problems, frustrations, broken relationships, debt, anxiety and the list goes on and on. We like it or not, everyone in the world have to go through all these storms.
Our life too has a foundation. A worldly person lays the foundation using his wealth, influence, status, and using all the temporal things of this world. All his hope is in the world and its possesions. He builds empires on earth. We saw all kinds of business empires around us growing really big, but the storm of recession blew down all these in a whisker and they are no more. This is really a weak foundation which could not survive the hard test.
I want to tell today with my whole heart that the only foundation that is strong enough to survive any hardship, is the foundation over the solid rock, our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only one who would make sure that we are not shaken by the problems of our life. We may be going through numerous difficulties in life and some of them may be too serious that it threatens us to the maximum extent. Amidst all these God wants us to understand that if we have built our life on Him, then He will make sure that we overcome all the problems of life.
Some of you might not have built your life with the foundation of Christ so far, but I want you to take the challenge today. Lord loves challenges. He challenges us to surrender ourselves to Him and asks us to see the marvellous works of Him. He is so great a God. Nothing is impossible for Him. The problems that seem like mountains for us is like dust for Him. He will blow them over in no time. We need to do only one thing. We need to seek and trust Him. Why don't you try Christ today?. Just once...He will change you forever.
Debt wiped out
Galatians 1:4
"Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father"
Years ago King Charles V was loaned a large sum of money by a merchant in Antwerp. The note came due, but the king was bankrupt and unable to pay. The merchant gave a great banquet for the King. When all the guests were seated and before the food was brought in, the merchant had a large platter placed on the table and a fire lighted on it. Then, taking the note out of his pocket, he held it in the flames until it was burned to ashes. The king threw his arms around his benefactor and wept. Just so, we have been mortgaged to God. The debt was due, but we were unable to pay. Two thousand years ago God invited the world to the Gospel feast, and in the agonies of the cross, God held your sins and mine until every last vestige of our guilt was consumed.
source :www.billygraham.org
"Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father"
Years ago King Charles V was loaned a large sum of money by a merchant in Antwerp. The note came due, but the king was bankrupt and unable to pay. The merchant gave a great banquet for the King. When all the guests were seated and before the food was brought in, the merchant had a large platter placed on the table and a fire lighted on it. Then, taking the note out of his pocket, he held it in the flames until it was burned to ashes. The king threw his arms around his benefactor and wept. Just so, we have been mortgaged to God. The debt was due, but we were unable to pay. Two thousand years ago God invited the world to the Gospel feast, and in the agonies of the cross, God held your sins and mine until every last vestige of our guilt was consumed.
source :www.billygraham.org
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Honest to God
Are you truly honest with God? Or do you approach God like you approach your friends? "Things are going great right now. Couldn’t be better." When actually things could be a lot better. Do you approach God with a superficial attitude of happiness, because "you’re a Christian and you’re supposed to be happy?" When is the last time you responded to a friend’s greeting with, "Actually, things sure have been rough this week?" When is the last time you really told God how you felt?
David was considered by God a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22). Why was David a man after God’s own heart? It wasn’t because he was perfect. David committed sins just like any of us. Why was David different?
The first major difference is that David immediately turned to God after God spoke to David through Nathan the prophet. After the Lord told David that he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then killed her husband, David immediately confessed his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). He did not try to blame someone else or justify his actions. He was honest and tranparent in his confession. When the Lord convicts me of sin, my first reaction is not tranparency. I usually try to rationalize the situation, then justify my actions and finally, I try to cover my own sins with doing something good. That is not honesty with God or with myself.
Another difference with David is that he was honest with God. He really told God how he felt. There was no facade in his prayer life. He did not carry a superficial attitude in prayer. He was open and honest with God. Have you ever felt abandoned by the Lord? David did, and he told the Lord how he felt:
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (Psalms 42:9-10)
Even when David was angry with others, he expressed it to the Lord:
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions! Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted. Like a slug melting away as it moves along, like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns– whether they be green or dry –the wicked will be swept away (Psalm 58:6-9).
When David was in difficult situations, he told God about his despair:
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me (Psalms 55:4-5).
Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground (Ps. 44:24-25).
David also communicated his love for the Lord:
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2).
David also trusted in the Lord:
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalms 27:1-3).
At times, David expressed praise for God:
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. (Psalsm 145:1-3).
David was a man after God’s own heart, because he was open and honest with God. David expressed all of his true emotions to God, not just the pleasant ones. To David, God was friend he could confide in.
Because with our "religious" attitude, it is difficult to express our true feelings towards God, because "as a Christian, I’m supposed to be happy, and God won’t like it if I’m not happy." God longs for fellowship with you. He yearns to speak with so much, that He sent His own Son as a living sacrafice to provide a way for you to return immediately to Him. I know that sin hurts God, but it also hurts Him when we don’t appropriate the atonement for our sin and return to Him.
One day when God revealed some sin in my life, I did not immediately turn to Him. I first condemned myself, then I try to rationalize and justify my sin. After that didn’t work, I tried to do good things to "earn my own righteousness and make myself worthy." As with Adam and Eve, I tried to cover myself. Then God spoke to me. He said, "When you try to earn your own righteousness, then you push aside the work of my Son, and His sacrafice means nothing to you."
Read this list of questions below, and answer them honestly in your heart.
» Do most of your prayers start by asking God for forgiveness?
» If someone has made you mad, are you afraid to tell God about it?
» Does your prayer journal have only pleasing prayers to God?
» Do you only approach God when you are in a good mood?
» When you are frustrated, do you always turn to friends to vent that frustration?
» Have you avoided praying to God because you don’t feel very pleasing to Him?
Answering yes to any of these questions may indicate that you approach God only by your standards, not by His. Search your heart and ask yourself, "Do I approach God only under certain conditions?" If you answered ‘yes’, then those conditions are probably being set by you, not God. God longs for fellowship with you, but by your own standards, you can limit your fellowship with Him. Use God’s standards for righteousness.
…to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5).
Are your sins forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ? If you can answer ‘yes’, then it is credited to you as righteousness. You are worthy to approach God. Now that you can approach God by His standards, be honest with Him. Express your true emotions to God. Let Him be your Counselor. Let Him be your sounding board. That’s what He wants. He wants to be your Father. You have great value apart from your performance, because Jesus died for you, and therefore imparted great value to you. You are deeply loved, totally forgiven, fully pleasing, complete and accepted in Christ.
source : www.season.org
David was considered by God a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22). Why was David a man after God’s own heart? It wasn’t because he was perfect. David committed sins just like any of us. Why was David different?
The first major difference is that David immediately turned to God after God spoke to David through Nathan the prophet. After the Lord told David that he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then killed her husband, David immediately confessed his sin (2 Samuel 12:13). He did not try to blame someone else or justify his actions. He was honest and tranparent in his confession. When the Lord convicts me of sin, my first reaction is not tranparency. I usually try to rationalize the situation, then justify my actions and finally, I try to cover my own sins with doing something good. That is not honesty with God or with myself.
Another difference with David is that he was honest with God. He really told God how he felt. There was no facade in his prayer life. He did not carry a superficial attitude in prayer. He was open and honest with God. Have you ever felt abandoned by the Lord? David did, and he told the Lord how he felt:
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?" My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (Psalms 42:9-10)
Even when David was angry with others, he expressed it to the Lord:
Break the teeth in their mouths, O God; tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions! Let them vanish like water that flows away; when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted. Like a slug melting away as it moves along, like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun. Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns– whether they be green or dry –the wicked will be swept away (Psalm 58:6-9).
When David was in difficult situations, he told God about his despair:
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death assail me. Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me (Psalms 55:4-5).
Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground (Ps. 44:24-25).
David also communicated his love for the Lord:
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2).
David also trusted in the Lord:
The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. (Psalms 27:1-3).
At times, David expressed praise for God:
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. (Psalsm 145:1-3).
David was a man after God’s own heart, because he was open and honest with God. David expressed all of his true emotions to God, not just the pleasant ones. To David, God was friend he could confide in.
Because with our "religious" attitude, it is difficult to express our true feelings towards God, because "as a Christian, I’m supposed to be happy, and God won’t like it if I’m not happy." God longs for fellowship with you. He yearns to speak with so much, that He sent His own Son as a living sacrafice to provide a way for you to return immediately to Him. I know that sin hurts God, but it also hurts Him when we don’t appropriate the atonement for our sin and return to Him.
One day when God revealed some sin in my life, I did not immediately turn to Him. I first condemned myself, then I try to rationalize and justify my sin. After that didn’t work, I tried to do good things to "earn my own righteousness and make myself worthy." As with Adam and Eve, I tried to cover myself. Then God spoke to me. He said, "When you try to earn your own righteousness, then you push aside the work of my Son, and His sacrafice means nothing to you."
Read this list of questions below, and answer them honestly in your heart.
» Do most of your prayers start by asking God for forgiveness?
» If someone has made you mad, are you afraid to tell God about it?
» Does your prayer journal have only pleasing prayers to God?
» Do you only approach God when you are in a good mood?
» When you are frustrated, do you always turn to friends to vent that frustration?
» Have you avoided praying to God because you don’t feel very pleasing to Him?
Answering yes to any of these questions may indicate that you approach God only by your standards, not by His. Search your heart and ask yourself, "Do I approach God only under certain conditions?" If you answered ‘yes’, then those conditions are probably being set by you, not God. God longs for fellowship with you, but by your own standards, you can limit your fellowship with Him. Use God’s standards for righteousness.
…to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:5).
Are your sins forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ? If you can answer ‘yes’, then it is credited to you as righteousness. You are worthy to approach God. Now that you can approach God by His standards, be honest with Him. Express your true emotions to God. Let Him be your Counselor. Let Him be your sounding board. That’s what He wants. He wants to be your Father. You have great value apart from your performance, because Jesus died for you, and therefore imparted great value to you. You are deeply loved, totally forgiven, fully pleasing, complete and accepted in Christ.
source : www.season.org
Weak and strong points
Everyone in this world have good qualities and bad qualities. Similarly we all have strong and weak points in our lives. When things are going fine, people in the world will look at our strong points and this would lift us to the top and give us lot of success.
When economy is down and when things are not going that great, people look at our weak points and push us down, and we find ourselves failures. This could be well understood by the way people are pushed out of the jobs without any considerations. This is how the world looks us. When we have lot of money, we have many friends but when we are bankrupt, we find ourselves lonely. Even our family would hate us. Do you find yourself in such a situation?.I have a word of encouragement for you.
God always looks at us with the same view all the time. He always looks at our strong points and encourages us. He understands our weakness and helps us to overcome that weakness. He carries us in his arms. The Bible says that God has engraved us in His palms. In contrast to the world, it is during failures that the grace of God steps in and lifts up. God gives the peace and joy that is unspeakable. How great a God we have...How marvellous is His love...How abundant are his mercies. The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10 "The Joy of the Lord is your strength". Have we given our hearts to this wonderful God?. He says that He will take care of us in any situation. Even if our parents forsake us, God will never leave us.
If we trust Him at all times, we will never be shaken by the events of this world. The pleasures of this world is nothing when compared to the glorious inheritance that God has for those love Him. Do you love Jesus from the bottom of your heart?.
When economy is down and when things are not going that great, people look at our weak points and push us down, and we find ourselves failures. This could be well understood by the way people are pushed out of the jobs without any considerations. This is how the world looks us. When we have lot of money, we have many friends but when we are bankrupt, we find ourselves lonely. Even our family would hate us. Do you find yourself in such a situation?.I have a word of encouragement for you.
God always looks at us with the same view all the time. He always looks at our strong points and encourages us. He understands our weakness and helps us to overcome that weakness. He carries us in his arms. The Bible says that God has engraved us in His palms. In contrast to the world, it is during failures that the grace of God steps in and lifts up. God gives the peace and joy that is unspeakable. How great a God we have...How marvellous is His love...How abundant are his mercies. The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10 "The Joy of the Lord is your strength". Have we given our hearts to this wonderful God?. He says that He will take care of us in any situation. Even if our parents forsake us, God will never leave us.
If we trust Him at all times, we will never be shaken by the events of this world. The pleasures of this world is nothing when compared to the glorious inheritance that God has for those love Him. Do you love Jesus from the bottom of your heart?.
Spiritual,Personal and Professional life
I want to share a thought that came across my mind when discussing with a friend today. We all need to work to earn our living. Sometimes we even forget our home when we are at work, and continue to put very long hours at work. This affects our personal life at home. We dont enjoy our life, never gave time to our hobbies, and as a result our growth as a person is very less though we feel that we achieved greater things at office.
There is another extreme, where we spend very less time at office, or even lack motivation to start to office every day. This too is dangerous.
The third thing is our spiritual life. Many of us lag behind in our spiritual lives. We spend very less time with God when compared with the time that we spend in office and family. In this case we may be successful at office, but our souls will start decaying and we wont have wisdom and strength to face the world. We can never please God and ultimately we will lose our salvation and life.
The order of priority should be
1. God
2. Family
3. Work
If we follow this correctly, God will give us the grace to be successful in whatever we do. Some of us may spend 15 hrs or more in office. We need to realize that we work to live, and not live to work. We should be balanced in everything we do. Our passion should always be towards Christ. only Jesus christ can give us the peace and happiness which neither job, fame, prestige or money could buy.
Try answering these questions. I take the example of a normal time period. People who work on different time lines and shifts could adjust accordingly.
1. Do you have the urge to go to office when it is around 8 am in the morning?
2. Do you have the urge to go home when it is 8 pm at the night?
3. Do you have the urge to speak with God before we go to bed and when we get up in the morning?
If the answer to the above questions is "No", then it is time that we analyze our pattern of life. We need to ask God to guide us. It is very simple. Open your hearts to God and ask for the guidance of the Holy spirit. I can assure that your life will never be the same after that.
There is another extreme, where we spend very less time at office, or even lack motivation to start to office every day. This too is dangerous.
The third thing is our spiritual life. Many of us lag behind in our spiritual lives. We spend very less time with God when compared with the time that we spend in office and family. In this case we may be successful at office, but our souls will start decaying and we wont have wisdom and strength to face the world. We can never please God and ultimately we will lose our salvation and life.
The order of priority should be
1. God
2. Family
3. Work
If we follow this correctly, God will give us the grace to be successful in whatever we do. Some of us may spend 15 hrs or more in office. We need to realize that we work to live, and not live to work. We should be balanced in everything we do. Our passion should always be towards Christ. only Jesus christ can give us the peace and happiness which neither job, fame, prestige or money could buy.
Try answering these questions. I take the example of a normal time period. People who work on different time lines and shifts could adjust accordingly.
1. Do you have the urge to go to office when it is around 8 am in the morning?
2. Do you have the urge to go home when it is 8 pm at the night?
3. Do you have the urge to speak with God before we go to bed and when we get up in the morning?
If the answer to the above questions is "No", then it is time that we analyze our pattern of life. We need to ask God to guide us. It is very simple. Open your hearts to God and ask for the guidance of the Holy spirit. I can assure that your life will never be the same after that.
Living in Godless surroundings
Joseph is a perfect example for us to follow in order to live an uncompromising christian life. We many a times think that we cannot live in the pattern of this modern world without making some compromises to our christian qualities. We can never be blessed and helped by God if we live a life with many compromises and when we lower our christian values for petty things of this world. Joseph was exalted by God because he led an uncompromising life to the world under all the circumstances. It is my prayer that the Lord may open our eyes to this danger of compromising to the world and turn us back into uncompromising christians. Let us go through the following article,and ask our Lord Jesus Christ to help us if we lack the zeal for God.
source :www.billygraham.org
“I am like a sheltered olive tree protected by the Lord himself. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.”
-Psalm 52:8 (TLB)
Turn to your Bible and read the wonderful stories of men who were alone in Godless surroundings but who, by the help and presence of the living God, made a marvelous contribution to their own times. Joseph was surrounded by sin and intrigue in Egypt. His master’s wife tried to seduce him. He was tested by imprisonment, but through it all he trusted in God and sought to know and do His will; and he stands today as a wonderful example of the keeping and strengthening power of God in the heart of a man who believed in Him.
source :www.billygraham.org
“I am like a sheltered olive tree protected by the Lord himself. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.”
-Psalm 52:8 (TLB)
Turn to your Bible and read the wonderful stories of men who were alone in Godless surroundings but who, by the help and presence of the living God, made a marvelous contribution to their own times. Joseph was surrounded by sin and intrigue in Egypt. His master’s wife tried to seduce him. He was tested by imprisonment, but through it all he trusted in God and sought to know and do His will; and he stands today as a wonderful example of the keeping and strengthening power of God in the heart of a man who believed in Him.
Characteristics of a Compromising Christian - Part 2
By Pastor Robert L. Cheek Jr.
Victory Baptist Church
we were considering the characteristics of a compromising Christian. We are using the story of a famous compromiser, Lot, to illustrate these characteristics. We have looked at four so far. We will look at the remaining characteristics of a compromising Christian. It ought to be our desire not to compromise in our Christian walk. Perhaps by looking at the life of Lot, the Holy Spirit will point out compromise in our lives.
We have already seen that the characteristics of a compromising Christian are:
They are embarrassed by godliness.
They have something to hide.
They have unscriptural relationships.
They exercise ungodly reasoning.
5. A Compromising Christian Has An Ineffective Testimony
Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
Lot’s compromising life led to an ineffective testimony. When he tried to talk his family into leaving the city, they did not believe that what he was saying was true. I can imagine what a terrible feeling it must have been to know his testimony could not save his family from the destruction. His testimony was not worth mentioning.
Many Christians have similar testimonies. When they walk into a room, nothing changes. The swearer keeps swearing, the drunk keeps drinking, the liar keeps lying, the sinner keeps sinning.
There ought to be a different atmosphere when a Christian walks into the office.
There ought to be a different spirit when a Christian family visits their relatives.
That is what Matthew 5:16 is talking about.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The light of a Christian is his testimony. If it shines bright, others will not only stop sinning, but they may even become apologetic at their sins. Have you ever had a person apologize to you for cursing in your presence? That is a sign of righteousness on your part. But a compromising Christian does not affect the environment he lives in. Nothing changes when he steps into the room and nothing changes when he leaves. Hey, it’s a good testimony when sinners wait to sin after you leave the room. But it’s a better testimony if they are no longer sinners when you leave the room. How is your testimony?
A compromising Christian has an ineffective testimony.
6. A Compromising Christian Wrestles With The Love Of The World
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
I want you to notice the complete ignorance of Lot. All that he is gazing upon will soon be destroyed. Knowing the certainty of this he still lingers. His problem is the love of the world.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
What exactly is the love of the world? When we step outside and see the trees and the mountains and the valleys, the animals and all of creation, we get a sense of love in our hearts for what God has created. But is this the love of the world? No it isn’t. When we look around and see the lost of this world going to hell, the love of Christ constrains us to love them enough to share the gospel with them. But is this the love of the world? No it isn’t.
The world that John speaks of and the world that Lot lingered for is summed up in an ideology of self satisfaction and self fulfillment outside of the need for God. The principles that reside in the life of the lost: things like pride, selfishness and lust are what prevails in the world. Those things we are not to love.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
A Christian that is motivated to live solely for material things in this life is a compromising Christian. When God takes a back seat to anything in this life, we are wrestling with the love of the world and are compromising. That is what Lot did. He did not even fear for his own life while he lingered, loving the world. I like what verse 16 says:
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
God is so merciful to Lot. He could have let Lot stand there and die lusting after the things of the world, but instead He rescued him. God does the same thing to us. But a compromising Christian has a problem loving the world more than God. For example, there are many things in this life we should not be involved in for testimonies sake. Paul said:
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
I know a Christian that claims to love God, but at the same time fills his movie library with ungodly movies. The problem is, he is wrestling with the love of the world. He is a compromising Christian. Another example is when Christians watch a movie on television with a fantastic story. When they watch it and hear the first curse word, instead of turning it off they act like they are mad and yet they keep right on watching it. I’ve done that and I am sure you have as well. Why? Because we were wrestling with the love of the world. That is compromise.
Lot loved Sodom. His love made him linger. He lingered because he was a compromising child of God.
A compromising Christian wrestles with the love of the world.
7. A Compromising Christian Thinks Nothing About Correcting God
Genesis 19:18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
Can you think of a greater contradiction than the phrase, “not so, my Lord?” The phrase flowed freely from his lips. He scarcely thought it strange to correct the angel. Many Christians today have a “not so, my Lord” attitude. The “not so” phrase describes the inward heart of a compromising Christian. The “my Lord” phrase describes the outward picture he wants others to see. I am amazed at how many Christians go to church just so they can look spiritual to others. They go to catch up on all the gossip. They go to look important in the eyes of others. They go to be seen of men. That is the “my Lord” part of their Christianity.
But when God speaks to their heart about sin their life, they say, “not so.”
When they hear preaching on living for God outside the church they say, “not so.”
When something does not go their way in the church they rise up and say, “not so.”
Their problem is compromise. They want to look respectable and spiritual on the outside but they privately seldom serve the Lord, pray, read their Bibles, witness, or do any of the things that Christians are supposed to do. They are a lot like the pharisees.
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
When a Christian thinks nothing about correcting God, mark it down he is a compromising Christian. There is just no respect for God in their life. I have seen this attitude in church with church members not taking a second thought to correcting the man of God when there is no Bible reason to. I have seen this in the lives of Christians who refuse to follow sound instruction from the Word of God and do it their own way.
Once, I visited a church where a good friend of mine pastors. He was late arriving because of an unexpected trip to the hospital. The song leader told me to be ready to preach in case he did not show up. Now I knew already that this song leader was a compromising (probably a wolf) Christian. How? Well, the fact that he showed up to church in a short sleeve pullover shirt in a church that expects servants to dress formally was the first sign. The second sign is when he gave the announcements. He called the pastor Mr. so-in-so. In other words, he did not call his pastor “pastor” or even “brother.” He called him “Mr.” as if he was only an acquaintance. He is a compromising Christian because he thinks nothing about the man of God. He shows him no respect at all, no love and no honor for the position he holds. His Christian life is undoubtedly shallow. In fact, when the service had ended, he was already out the door headed home before the “Amen”. What a pathetic compromiser!
Mark it down, any Christian that lacks respect for God, His Word, His Preachers, His Church, His Message, is a compromising Christian no matter how sweet and nice he appears to be. Have you ever heard “thus saith the Lord” and responded with “no so, my Lord?” A compromising Christian sees no authority over him but himself.
8. A Compromising Christian Does Not Trust God’s Plan For His Life
Genesis 19:19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
After being saved by the angels, Lot didn’t trust their plan for his future safety. When Christians stop trusting God’s leading for their life, they are compromising with God. All of us can say that we know what it is like to be led of the Lord. We can look back on our Christian experience and know that God has never once failed us, even though we have failed Him. I can say without hesitation that God has intervened in my life and directed me too many times to count. So then why do our hearts so easily doubt God? It does not make any sense.
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
I can agree with the Psalmist.
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
I can agree with Moses.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
I can agree with Paul, yet there are still times when I have trouble trusting God. It is ironic that we can trust God to take us to heaven but we cannot trust him to take care of us on the way. Here is Lot asking to flee to a city instead of taking shelter in the mountains. He just cannot trust God for his direction. Notice something with me. Notice the consequences of not trusting God for direction.
Genesis 19:21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
Genesis 19:22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
Genesis 19:23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Lot is permitted to enter into one of the cities that would have been destroyed. He enters Zoar. I want you to notice something about his entering into Zoar.
Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
Genesis 19:25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Because Lot did not leave the valley, but fled into a city in the valley, his wife was where she could look back and see the destruction. Lot’s decision to not trust God cost him his wife. Had he up into the mountains where God had provided him safety, Lot’s wife would have never been able to see the destruction. She would have lived. His daughters would have remained pure and the Bible’s last statement about the life of Lot would not have been:
Genesis 19:36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
What an awful price Lot paid for not trusting God. Christian, when God bids you to do the impossible, it’s your responsibility to say, “Yes Lord,” and God’s responsibility to make it happen. Don’t doubt God’s leading in your life. When you do, you are compromising.
These are the Characteristics of a Compromising Christian.
They are embarrassed by godliness.
They have something to hide.
They have unscriptural relationships.
They exercise ungodly reasoning.
They have an ineffective testimony.
They wrestle with the love of the world.
They think nothing about correcting God.
They do not trust God’s plan for their life.
The question is, are we showing any characteristics of compromise in our lives?
Victory Baptist Church
we were considering the characteristics of a compromising Christian. We are using the story of a famous compromiser, Lot, to illustrate these characteristics. We have looked at four so far. We will look at the remaining characteristics of a compromising Christian. It ought to be our desire not to compromise in our Christian walk. Perhaps by looking at the life of Lot, the Holy Spirit will point out compromise in our lives.
We have already seen that the characteristics of a compromising Christian are:
They are embarrassed by godliness.
They have something to hide.
They have unscriptural relationships.
They exercise ungodly reasoning.
5. A Compromising Christian Has An Ineffective Testimony
Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
Lot’s compromising life led to an ineffective testimony. When he tried to talk his family into leaving the city, they did not believe that what he was saying was true. I can imagine what a terrible feeling it must have been to know his testimony could not save his family from the destruction. His testimony was not worth mentioning.
Many Christians have similar testimonies. When they walk into a room, nothing changes. The swearer keeps swearing, the drunk keeps drinking, the liar keeps lying, the sinner keeps sinning.
There ought to be a different atmosphere when a Christian walks into the office.
There ought to be a different spirit when a Christian family visits their relatives.
That is what Matthew 5:16 is talking about.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The light of a Christian is his testimony. If it shines bright, others will not only stop sinning, but they may even become apologetic at their sins. Have you ever had a person apologize to you for cursing in your presence? That is a sign of righteousness on your part. But a compromising Christian does not affect the environment he lives in. Nothing changes when he steps into the room and nothing changes when he leaves. Hey, it’s a good testimony when sinners wait to sin after you leave the room. But it’s a better testimony if they are no longer sinners when you leave the room. How is your testimony?
A compromising Christian has an ineffective testimony.
6. A Compromising Christian Wrestles With The Love Of The World
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
I want you to notice the complete ignorance of Lot. All that he is gazing upon will soon be destroyed. Knowing the certainty of this he still lingers. His problem is the love of the world.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
What exactly is the love of the world? When we step outside and see the trees and the mountains and the valleys, the animals and all of creation, we get a sense of love in our hearts for what God has created. But is this the love of the world? No it isn’t. When we look around and see the lost of this world going to hell, the love of Christ constrains us to love them enough to share the gospel with them. But is this the love of the world? No it isn’t.
The world that John speaks of and the world that Lot lingered for is summed up in an ideology of self satisfaction and self fulfillment outside of the need for God. The principles that reside in the life of the lost: things like pride, selfishness and lust are what prevails in the world. Those things we are not to love.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
A Christian that is motivated to live solely for material things in this life is a compromising Christian. When God takes a back seat to anything in this life, we are wrestling with the love of the world and are compromising. That is what Lot did. He did not even fear for his own life while he lingered, loving the world. I like what verse 16 says:
Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
God is so merciful to Lot. He could have let Lot stand there and die lusting after the things of the world, but instead He rescued him. God does the same thing to us. But a compromising Christian has a problem loving the world more than God. For example, there are many things in this life we should not be involved in for testimonies sake. Paul said:
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
I know a Christian that claims to love God, but at the same time fills his movie library with ungodly movies. The problem is, he is wrestling with the love of the world. He is a compromising Christian. Another example is when Christians watch a movie on television with a fantastic story. When they watch it and hear the first curse word, instead of turning it off they act like they are mad and yet they keep right on watching it. I’ve done that and I am sure you have as well. Why? Because we were wrestling with the love of the world. That is compromise.
Lot loved Sodom. His love made him linger. He lingered because he was a compromising child of God.
A compromising Christian wrestles with the love of the world.
7. A Compromising Christian Thinks Nothing About Correcting God
Genesis 19:18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
Can you think of a greater contradiction than the phrase, “not so, my Lord?” The phrase flowed freely from his lips. He scarcely thought it strange to correct the angel. Many Christians today have a “not so, my Lord” attitude. The “not so” phrase describes the inward heart of a compromising Christian. The “my Lord” phrase describes the outward picture he wants others to see. I am amazed at how many Christians go to church just so they can look spiritual to others. They go to catch up on all the gossip. They go to look important in the eyes of others. They go to be seen of men. That is the “my Lord” part of their Christianity.
But when God speaks to their heart about sin their life, they say, “not so.”
When they hear preaching on living for God outside the church they say, “not so.”
When something does not go their way in the church they rise up and say, “not so.”
Their problem is compromise. They want to look respectable and spiritual on the outside but they privately seldom serve the Lord, pray, read their Bibles, witness, or do any of the things that Christians are supposed to do. They are a lot like the pharisees.
Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
When a Christian thinks nothing about correcting God, mark it down he is a compromising Christian. There is just no respect for God in their life. I have seen this attitude in church with church members not taking a second thought to correcting the man of God when there is no Bible reason to. I have seen this in the lives of Christians who refuse to follow sound instruction from the Word of God and do it their own way.
Once, I visited a church where a good friend of mine pastors. He was late arriving because of an unexpected trip to the hospital. The song leader told me to be ready to preach in case he did not show up. Now I knew already that this song leader was a compromising (probably a wolf) Christian. How? Well, the fact that he showed up to church in a short sleeve pullover shirt in a church that expects servants to dress formally was the first sign. The second sign is when he gave the announcements. He called the pastor Mr. so-in-so. In other words, he did not call his pastor “pastor” or even “brother.” He called him “Mr.” as if he was only an acquaintance. He is a compromising Christian because he thinks nothing about the man of God. He shows him no respect at all, no love and no honor for the position he holds. His Christian life is undoubtedly shallow. In fact, when the service had ended, he was already out the door headed home before the “Amen”. What a pathetic compromiser!
Mark it down, any Christian that lacks respect for God, His Word, His Preachers, His Church, His Message, is a compromising Christian no matter how sweet and nice he appears to be. Have you ever heard “thus saith the Lord” and responded with “no so, my Lord?” A compromising Christian sees no authority over him but himself.
8. A Compromising Christian Does Not Trust God’s Plan For His Life
Genesis 19:19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
After being saved by the angels, Lot didn’t trust their plan for his future safety. When Christians stop trusting God’s leading for their life, they are compromising with God. All of us can say that we know what it is like to be led of the Lord. We can look back on our Christian experience and know that God has never once failed us, even though we have failed Him. I can say without hesitation that God has intervened in my life and directed me too many times to count. So then why do our hearts so easily doubt God? It does not make any sense.
Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
I can agree with the Psalmist.
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
I can agree with Moses.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
I can agree with Paul, yet there are still times when I have trouble trusting God. It is ironic that we can trust God to take us to heaven but we cannot trust him to take care of us on the way. Here is Lot asking to flee to a city instead of taking shelter in the mountains. He just cannot trust God for his direction. Notice something with me. Notice the consequences of not trusting God for direction.
Genesis 19:21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.
Genesis 19:22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
Genesis 19:23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
Lot is permitted to enter into one of the cities that would have been destroyed. He enters Zoar. I want you to notice something about his entering into Zoar.
Genesis 19:24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
Genesis 19:25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
Because Lot did not leave the valley, but fled into a city in the valley, his wife was where she could look back and see the destruction. Lot’s decision to not trust God cost him his wife. Had he up into the mountains where God had provided him safety, Lot’s wife would have never been able to see the destruction. She would have lived. His daughters would have remained pure and the Bible’s last statement about the life of Lot would not have been:
Genesis 19:36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
What an awful price Lot paid for not trusting God. Christian, when God bids you to do the impossible, it’s your responsibility to say, “Yes Lord,” and God’s responsibility to make it happen. Don’t doubt God’s leading in your life. When you do, you are compromising.
These are the Characteristics of a Compromising Christian.
They are embarrassed by godliness.
They have something to hide.
They have unscriptural relationships.
They exercise ungodly reasoning.
They have an ineffective testimony.
They wrestle with the love of the world.
They think nothing about correcting God.
They do not trust God’s plan for their life.
The question is, are we showing any characteristics of compromise in our lives?
Characteristics of a Compromising Christian - Part 1
By Pastor Robert L. Cheek Jr.
Victory Baptist Church
Genesis 19:1-20
If there is one saved man in all the Old Testament with a bad testimony, I would have to say it is Lot. I think his testimony was so bad, that you rarely find Christians today willing to name their children after him. When was the last time you met a guy named Lot? I can’t think of a single person I’ve ever met with that name. The Old Testament end its narrative of the life of Lot with this verse.
Genesis 19:36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
What an awful testimony Lot had, but the Holy Spirit was not through using Lot as a negative illustration. We find him mentioned several times in the New Testament. The Lord used the illustration of Lot to describe the days of His second coming in Luke 17. Peter mentions Lot in 2 Peter chapter two.
Have you ever thought about Lot and wondered why? Why did he go to Sodom? Why did he stay? Why could he not get all his family out in time? Well, one word answers all these questions. That word is COMPROMISE. Lot was a compromising child of God. We can take a look at Lot and see a life of compromise. Now, Lot is not alone in this area of compromise. All Christians are vulnerable to compromise. Let’s use Lot as an illustration of the characteristics of a compromising Christian. As we consider these characteristics, let each of us examine ourselves to see if these compromising characteristics are found in us. If they are, we should immediately deal with them, so our testimony does not end up like Lot’s did.
1. A Compromising Christian Is Embarrassed By Godliness
Genesis 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Lot was not wanting these angels to get up early so he could have more time to fellowship with them. He wanted them to get up early so they could leave the city before many noticed that they were godly. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. He was a political or judicial figure; a man of high position in the city. When he saw these angels, he immediately summoned them to his house where he could get them out of the public’s eye. He did not mind them visiting for the evening, but he wanted them out of sight come the next morning.
Ephesians 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
The light of righteousness shown through these angels to the point that Lot was embarrassed at his own lack of righteousness. When the angels wanted to remain in the street all night, notice how Lot reacted.
Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
Lot could not allow himself to be associated with their godliness. That would make himself look like a hypocrite in the extreme. And that is the way the heart of a compromising Christian is. They find godliness embarrassing. For example, the compromising Christian gets embarrassed when:
A Christian lifts his hand or says amen in church.
A Christian stops to witness to a lost person in public or hands out a tract.
A Christian prays in the restaurant before eating.
Any time we are ashamed of Jesus, or righteousness, that is a sign of compromise in our life.
Sometimes children, because of their sincerity and honesty, can reveal a bit of compromise in the parents. One time we were walking in a parking lot and there were a couple of teenagers playing rock music. One of our children looked at them and then blurted out, “That’s wicked.” We were sure they said it loud enough for the teenagers and everyone else to hear. I’m not sure if it was embarrassment or fear that made us tell the children to keep quiet about it. If it was embarrassment, then our hearts had some compromise in them. The ones that ought to be embarrassed are the sinners doing wrong, not the saints doing right! We should never be ashamed of doing right. We should be ashamed of not doing right.
Psalms 31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
One time while street preaching, a car load of church members from my church passed by the spot where I was and waved at me and praised the Lord in front of the other cars. They were not ashamed of me and I was not ashamed of them.
Paul’s testimony was this:
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
One characteristic of a compromising Christian is that he or she finds godliness embarrassing.
2. A Compromising Christian Has Something To Hide
Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Lot tried to hide two things. First, He tried to hide ungodliness from the godly. Lot did not want the angels to see the wickedness of the people of Sodom. That is why he pressed them so hard to enter his house. That is why he hastened to make a meal for them. Nothing makes a man more ready to sleep than a big meal. Lot did not make them just a meal, he made them a feast!
Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
Lot figured if he got them full of food, they would lay down and sleep the night away. Then, he could whisk them away in the morning and they would not hear or see what went on in the streets of Sodom after the sun went down. Whenever we have things in our life that we want to hide from others, especially from godly Christians, chances are we are a compromising Christian.
One of the greatest sources of compromise can be seen in our family entertainment. It’s so easy to compromise in the area of recreation. Let me ask you a question. Is there a movie in your house you would not want the preacher to see? Well, if it would be wrong for another Christian to see it, why is right for you to see it? There have been several times in our life that we have had to throw out movies we have bought because we could not in good conscience loan them out to others with our approval. Yet we allowed ourselves to tolerate a little leaven in the movie. This is just one example of having something to hide. While I am here, let me ask a question to you parents. If it’s wrong for your child to watch an rated “R” movie, why is it o.k. for you to watch it? Does Righteousness have age limit?
Second, Lot tried to hide godliness from the ungodly.
Genesis 19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
Genesis 19:5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
Genesis 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
Lot would not allow the ungodly men to see the righteous. Now we know their motive for wanting the angels to come out, but let me pass a thought on to you through instruction in righteousness. Do we ever hide the fact that we are a Christian from lost people? When we are around lost people they ought to know that we are saved. We should not prevent them from seeing Christ even if they do not want to have anything to do with Christianity.
Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Sometimes Christians will have lost people working on their vehicle or their house and they will intentionally not mention that they are Christians so they won’t get the guy cross with them for fear he might not do a good job for them. So, for the sake of their possessions, they won’t tell the man they possess Christ. That is compromise. Now, that doesn’t mean Christians have to shove the Bible in the face of every lost man that they run into. But when the Holy Spirit moves on us to display our Christianity, we should not hesitate to do so.
A compromising Christian has something to hide.
3. A Compromising Christian Has Unscriptural Relationships
Genesis 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
This is a real reflection of Lot’s compromising. Here, Lot calls Sodomites brethren. When a Christian has no problem calling a Sodomite a brother, they are definitely compromising their Christian testimony. When we have unscriptural relationships we are compromising. I will not hesitate to tell you that lack of separation is one of chief causes of compromise in the Christian life.
You have heard me preach many times on the importance of separation. I simply want to stress that lack of separation is a sure sign of compromise in our life.
Let me briefly give you a list of unscriptural relationships. If we have any of these in our life, we are compromising our Christianity.
Fellowship with the lost is an unscriptural relationship according to 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Fellowship with a Christian who is backslidden is an unscriptural relationship according to 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
Fellowship with those who are heretics is an unscriptural relationship according to Titus 3:10.
A heretic would be defined as any person teaching false doctrines about Christ. Those who teach works for salvation are heretics.
Every one of these relationships are unscriptural and forbidden by God. We simply do not have a choice in the matter if we want to be right with God. If we have unscriptural relationships, we are a compromising Christian.
A compromising Christian has unscriptural relationships.
4. A Compromising Christian Exercises Ungodly Reasoning
Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
Notice what Lot is trying to do. This is one of the classic examples of the end justifies the means. The end here is that he wants to protect the angels. But he wants to protect them by defiling his own daughters. The means is sin. This is ungodly reasoning, but Lot doesn’t know that because is a compromising child of God.
There is another man in the Bible who exercised ungodly reasoning. His name was Jephthah. Jephthah vowed a vow to God that if God would give the children of Ammon into his hands, he would offer up to God by burnt offering the first thing that met him at the door of his house. God delivered the children of Ammon, but when Jephthah went home his daughter met him at the door. The ungodly reasoning was exercised when he held firm to his vow to slay his daughter. It is never right to do wrong. God would have excused his vow because in keeping the vow, he would have violated God’s command. His was ungodly reasoning even though he was a great man of God.
There are several examples we could give of ungodly reasoning among Christians today. For example,
In order to be able to tithe more, a Christian takes a job that requires him to work on Sunday. That is ungodly reasoning.
In order to better provide for his family, a Christian accepts a job promotion that moves him to an area where there is no Bible-believing church to attend. That is ungodly reasoning.
Any time a Christian makes a decision that is contrary to the Word of God and the principles of the Bible, they are exercising ungodly reasoning. In order to really know “What would Jesus do”, we must study the Word of God. Forget about trying to reason what God would do. If we study the Bible, we will know what is right and what is wrong reasoning. One thing is for sure. The world’s way of reasoning and God’s way are almost always opposite.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Corinthians 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
If we happen to know the way the world would reason something out and then do the opposite, we would probably not be far from God’s way.
A compromising Christian exercises ungodly reasoning.
These are four characteristics of a compromising Christian.
They are embarrassed by godliness.
They have something to hide.
They have unscriptural relationships.
They exercise ungodly reasoning.
As we think about these 4 characteristics, do we see any signs of compromise in our own hearts and lives?
Victory Baptist Church
Genesis 19:1-20
If there is one saved man in all the Old Testament with a bad testimony, I would have to say it is Lot. I think his testimony was so bad, that you rarely find Christians today willing to name their children after him. When was the last time you met a guy named Lot? I can’t think of a single person I’ve ever met with that name. The Old Testament end its narrative of the life of Lot with this verse.
Genesis 19:36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
What an awful testimony Lot had, but the Holy Spirit was not through using Lot as a negative illustration. We find him mentioned several times in the New Testament. The Lord used the illustration of Lot to describe the days of His second coming in Luke 17. Peter mentions Lot in 2 Peter chapter two.
Have you ever thought about Lot and wondered why? Why did he go to Sodom? Why did he stay? Why could he not get all his family out in time? Well, one word answers all these questions. That word is COMPROMISE. Lot was a compromising child of God. We can take a look at Lot and see a life of compromise. Now, Lot is not alone in this area of compromise. All Christians are vulnerable to compromise. Let’s use Lot as an illustration of the characteristics of a compromising Christian. As we consider these characteristics, let each of us examine ourselves to see if these compromising characteristics are found in us. If they are, we should immediately deal with them, so our testimony does not end up like Lot’s did.
1. A Compromising Christian Is Embarrassed By Godliness
Genesis 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Lot was not wanting these angels to get up early so he could have more time to fellowship with them. He wanted them to get up early so they could leave the city before many noticed that they were godly. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. He was a political or judicial figure; a man of high position in the city. When he saw these angels, he immediately summoned them to his house where he could get them out of the public’s eye. He did not mind them visiting for the evening, but he wanted them out of sight come the next morning.
Ephesians 5:13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
The light of righteousness shown through these angels to the point that Lot was embarrassed at his own lack of righteousness. When the angels wanted to remain in the street all night, notice how Lot reacted.
Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
Lot could not allow himself to be associated with their godliness. That would make himself look like a hypocrite in the extreme. And that is the way the heart of a compromising Christian is. They find godliness embarrassing. For example, the compromising Christian gets embarrassed when:
A Christian lifts his hand or says amen in church.
A Christian stops to witness to a lost person in public or hands out a tract.
A Christian prays in the restaurant before eating.
Any time we are ashamed of Jesus, or righteousness, that is a sign of compromise in our life.
Sometimes children, because of their sincerity and honesty, can reveal a bit of compromise in the parents. One time we were walking in a parking lot and there were a couple of teenagers playing rock music. One of our children looked at them and then blurted out, “That’s wicked.” We were sure they said it loud enough for the teenagers and everyone else to hear. I’m not sure if it was embarrassment or fear that made us tell the children to keep quiet about it. If it was embarrassment, then our hearts had some compromise in them. The ones that ought to be embarrassed are the sinners doing wrong, not the saints doing right! We should never be ashamed of doing right. We should be ashamed of not doing right.
Psalms 31:17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
One time while street preaching, a car load of church members from my church passed by the spot where I was and waved at me and praised the Lord in front of the other cars. They were not ashamed of me and I was not ashamed of them.
Paul’s testimony was this:
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
One characteristic of a compromising Christian is that he or she finds godliness embarrassing.
2. A Compromising Christian Has Something To Hide
Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
Lot tried to hide two things. First, He tried to hide ungodliness from the godly. Lot did not want the angels to see the wickedness of the people of Sodom. That is why he pressed them so hard to enter his house. That is why he hastened to make a meal for them. Nothing makes a man more ready to sleep than a big meal. Lot did not make them just a meal, he made them a feast!
Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
Lot figured if he got them full of food, they would lay down and sleep the night away. Then, he could whisk them away in the morning and they would not hear or see what went on in the streets of Sodom after the sun went down. Whenever we have things in our life that we want to hide from others, especially from godly Christians, chances are we are a compromising Christian.
One of the greatest sources of compromise can be seen in our family entertainment. It’s so easy to compromise in the area of recreation. Let me ask you a question. Is there a movie in your house you would not want the preacher to see? Well, if it would be wrong for another Christian to see it, why is right for you to see it? There have been several times in our life that we have had to throw out movies we have bought because we could not in good conscience loan them out to others with our approval. Yet we allowed ourselves to tolerate a little leaven in the movie. This is just one example of having something to hide. While I am here, let me ask a question to you parents. If it’s wrong for your child to watch an rated “R” movie, why is it o.k. for you to watch it? Does Righteousness have age limit?
Second, Lot tried to hide godliness from the ungodly.
Genesis 19:4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:
Genesis 19:5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.
Genesis 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
Lot would not allow the ungodly men to see the righteous. Now we know their motive for wanting the angels to come out, but let me pass a thought on to you through instruction in righteousness. Do we ever hide the fact that we are a Christian from lost people? When we are around lost people they ought to know that we are saved. We should not prevent them from seeing Christ even if they do not want to have anything to do with Christianity.
Psalms 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
Sometimes Christians will have lost people working on their vehicle or their house and they will intentionally not mention that they are Christians so they won’t get the guy cross with them for fear he might not do a good job for them. So, for the sake of their possessions, they won’t tell the man they possess Christ. That is compromise. Now, that doesn’t mean Christians have to shove the Bible in the face of every lost man that they run into. But when the Holy Spirit moves on us to display our Christianity, we should not hesitate to do so.
A compromising Christian has something to hide.
3. A Compromising Christian Has Unscriptural Relationships
Genesis 19:6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,
Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
This is a real reflection of Lot’s compromising. Here, Lot calls Sodomites brethren. When a Christian has no problem calling a Sodomite a brother, they are definitely compromising their Christian testimony. When we have unscriptural relationships we are compromising. I will not hesitate to tell you that lack of separation is one of chief causes of compromise in the Christian life.
You have heard me preach many times on the importance of separation. I simply want to stress that lack of separation is a sure sign of compromise in our life.
Let me briefly give you a list of unscriptural relationships. If we have any of these in our life, we are compromising our Christianity.
Fellowship with the lost is an unscriptural relationship according to 2 Corinthians 6:14.
Fellowship with a Christian who is backslidden is an unscriptural relationship according to 2 Thessalonians 3:6.
Fellowship with those who are heretics is an unscriptural relationship according to Titus 3:10.
A heretic would be defined as any person teaching false doctrines about Christ. Those who teach works for salvation are heretics.
Every one of these relationships are unscriptural and forbidden by God. We simply do not have a choice in the matter if we want to be right with God. If we have unscriptural relationships, we are a compromising Christian.
A compromising Christian has unscriptural relationships.
4. A Compromising Christian Exercises Ungodly Reasoning
Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
Notice what Lot is trying to do. This is one of the classic examples of the end justifies the means. The end here is that he wants to protect the angels. But he wants to protect them by defiling his own daughters. The means is sin. This is ungodly reasoning, but Lot doesn’t know that because is a compromising child of God.
There is another man in the Bible who exercised ungodly reasoning. His name was Jephthah. Jephthah vowed a vow to God that if God would give the children of Ammon into his hands, he would offer up to God by burnt offering the first thing that met him at the door of his house. God delivered the children of Ammon, but when Jephthah went home his daughter met him at the door. The ungodly reasoning was exercised when he held firm to his vow to slay his daughter. It is never right to do wrong. God would have excused his vow because in keeping the vow, he would have violated God’s command. His was ungodly reasoning even though he was a great man of God.
There are several examples we could give of ungodly reasoning among Christians today. For example,
In order to be able to tithe more, a Christian takes a job that requires him to work on Sunday. That is ungodly reasoning.
In order to better provide for his family, a Christian accepts a job promotion that moves him to an area where there is no Bible-believing church to attend. That is ungodly reasoning.
Any time a Christian makes a decision that is contrary to the Word of God and the principles of the Bible, they are exercising ungodly reasoning. In order to really know “What would Jesus do”, we must study the Word of God. Forget about trying to reason what God would do. If we study the Bible, we will know what is right and what is wrong reasoning. One thing is for sure. The world’s way of reasoning and God’s way are almost always opposite.
1 Corinthians 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
1 Corinthians 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
If we happen to know the way the world would reason something out and then do the opposite, we would probably not be far from God’s way.
A compromising Christian exercises ungodly reasoning.
These are four characteristics of a compromising Christian.
They are embarrassed by godliness.
They have something to hide.
They have unscriptural relationships.
They exercise ungodly reasoning.
As we think about these 4 characteristics, do we see any signs of compromise in our own hearts and lives?
Monday, April 27, 2009
A thought to ponder
Abraham Lincoln told the story of an Eastern monarch who commanded his wise men to create a sentence. This sentence would be cut in stone and always be in view. It must be true. It must apply in every situation and at all times. The wise men met and returned to the monarch with their sentence: "This, too, shall pass away."
This five-word statement does fit every situation. In moments of glory and triumph, it levels our sights. In our deepest grief, it lifts our vision.
We may face the most difficult situation of our lifetime now. May be a broken relationship, may be a job loss, or whatever may it be. If we trust God, all the problems will pass away. Let us keep this in mind all the time.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matt. 24:35)
This five-word statement does fit every situation. In moments of glory and triumph, it levels our sights. In our deepest grief, it lifts our vision.
We may face the most difficult situation of our lifetime now. May be a broken relationship, may be a job loss, or whatever may it be. If we trust God, all the problems will pass away. Let us keep this in mind all the time.
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Matt. 24:35)
The Miracle of Life
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”
-Psalm 19:1–3
There is a language in nature that speaks of the existence of God. It is the language of order, beauty, perfection, and intelligence. Some time ago a scientist told me that when he gave serious thought to the majestic order of the universe and its obedience to unchanging law, he could not help but believe in God. He had become aware that God was speaking through nature.
God speaks in the certainty and regularity of the seasons; in the precision of the movements of the sun, the moon, and the stars; in the regular coming of night and day; in the balance between man’s consumption of life-giving oxygen and its production by the plant life of the earth; and even in the cry of a newborn child with its ever-new dimension of the miracle of life.
source : www.billygraham.org
-Psalm 19:1–3
There is a language in nature that speaks of the existence of God. It is the language of order, beauty, perfection, and intelligence. Some time ago a scientist told me that when he gave serious thought to the majestic order of the universe and its obedience to unchanging law, he could not help but believe in God. He had become aware that God was speaking through nature.
God speaks in the certainty and regularity of the seasons; in the precision of the movements of the sun, the moon, and the stars; in the regular coming of night and day; in the balance between man’s consumption of life-giving oxygen and its production by the plant life of the earth; and even in the cry of a newborn child with its ever-new dimension of the miracle of life.
source : www.billygraham.org
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Christian’s Self-confidence
I found this to be very useful and practical. Please read and implement in your lives with the grace of God.
By Thomas A Williams
1. For a Christian self-confidence is who we are in Christ. The Holy Spirit is our Christ-esteem or Christ-confidence.
Acts 2:38, Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)
What is the Holy Spirit? God living inside of us. Our good conscious. A special power that we can use only to do good that comes directly from God. Some characteristics of the Holy Spirit are: discernment, wisdom, knowledge, common sense, dependance on God, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Some of the things it does are: Illuminates, convicts, teaches, guides, assures, intercedes, directs, and warns.
2. Learn to live with who you are.
Like everyone you have things you like and don’t like about yourself. None of us human beings are perfect. You have it much better than you realize. The grass is not greener in someone else’s life. Phil 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (NIV)
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, rest, study God’s word, pray, work, play, learn new things, think positively, and eat right. But don’t overdue any one thing.
1Cor 6:19-20, 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
Philip. 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.(NIV)
Phil 4:5, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.(KJV)
4. Live the same outside as inside. Get real and stay real. Don’t be a hypocrite. Inventory your mind often.
If it is wrong according to God’s word it is wrong and don’t do it. Just because the world
says that smoking weed is ok does not mean it is ok. It is against the law and it is more harmful to the body than cigarettes. I call it the Pot Smoking Club(PSC) mentality and it is harmful. When you do hypocritical things you make yourself feel low. Stop yourself now and get real.
Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good,
pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
5. Believe in yourself and what God can do through you. I’m constantly in prayer and allowing the Spirit to give me guidance during counseling sessions and other life situations. I can tell being in prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to work makes me very effective. Recognize negative feelings and deal with them daily, don’t ignore and stuff your feelings.
Phil 4:13, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
2Cor 10:5, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)
6. Communicate. Talk with others about how you feel and find out how others feel. You may
find out that you are not the only one who feels a certain way or who has done a certain sin. When you communicate you build better friendships, reduce conflict, and learn about others. Also be aware of your body language when you are communicating. Your body language is communicating something, is it what you really want to communicate about your confidence?
James 5:16, Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
7. Make good choices. React calmly and rationally to all situations. Try to be calm as a cucumber. Sometimes you need to sleep on an idea before you carry it out. When you face choices your selfesteem is at risk. Will you regret and be sorry about your decision the next day? Or will you look in the mirror and say well done or good job?
I Tim 5:22, Do not be hasty to share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. (NIV)
Prov 19:2, It is not good to be hasty and miss the way. (NIV)
Eccl 5:2, Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (NIV)
Steps to making good choices.
a. Understand the choice you are about to make. Ask others about the choice. Get advice. Pray about it
and ask for God’s peace to help you pick the right choice.
b. Brainstorm ideas for making your choice.
c. Test your brainstormed ideas with worst and best case scenarios.
d. Pick a solution.
e. Act on your choice.
8. Be trustworthy and responsible. When you are responsible people come to you and trust you to do what you say you are going to do.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)
Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
9. Stay busy doing things you enjoy. Have hobbies. Learn to entertain yourself. Don’t expect
others to entertain you. Develop your own style and be happy about it. Secular wisdom says that “An idle mind is the devils workshop.”
10. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought. This temporarily increases your selfesteem until others start pulling away from you because we all know that most people do not like a conceded person.
Romans 12:3 , For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (NIV)
1Tim 3:6, and pride comes before a fall. (Satan's downfall is an example.) (TLB)
Review these steps and scriptures often to increase your Christ-esteem.
By Thomas A Williams
1. For a Christian self-confidence is who we are in Christ. The Holy Spirit is our Christ-esteem or Christ-confidence.
Acts 2:38, Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (NIV)
What is the Holy Spirit? God living inside of us. Our good conscious. A special power that we can use only to do good that comes directly from God. Some characteristics of the Holy Spirit are: discernment, wisdom, knowledge, common sense, dependance on God, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Some of the things it does are: Illuminates, convicts, teaches, guides, assures, intercedes, directs, and warns.
2. Learn to live with who you are.
Like everyone you have things you like and don’t like about yourself. None of us human beings are perfect. You have it much better than you realize. The grass is not greener in someone else’s life. Phil 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (NIV)
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise, rest, study God’s word, pray, work, play, learn new things, think positively, and eat right. But don’t overdue any one thing.
1Cor 6:19-20, 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV)
Philip. 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)
Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable– if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.(NIV)
Phil 4:5, Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.(KJV)
4. Live the same outside as inside. Get real and stay real. Don’t be a hypocrite. Inventory your mind often.
If it is wrong according to God’s word it is wrong and don’t do it. Just because the world
says that smoking weed is ok does not mean it is ok. It is against the law and it is more harmful to the body than cigarettes. I call it the Pot Smoking Club(PSC) mentality and it is harmful. When you do hypocritical things you make yourself feel low. Stop yourself now and get real.
Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-- his good,
pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
5. Believe in yourself and what God can do through you. I’m constantly in prayer and allowing the Spirit to give me guidance during counseling sessions and other life situations. I can tell being in prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to work makes me very effective. Recognize negative feelings and deal with them daily, don’t ignore and stuff your feelings.
Phil 4:13, I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (NIV)
2Cor 10:5, We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (NIV)
6. Communicate. Talk with others about how you feel and find out how others feel. You may
find out that you are not the only one who feels a certain way or who has done a certain sin. When you communicate you build better friendships, reduce conflict, and learn about others. Also be aware of your body language when you are communicating. Your body language is communicating something, is it what you really want to communicate about your confidence?
James 5:16, Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
7. Make good choices. React calmly and rationally to all situations. Try to be calm as a cucumber. Sometimes you need to sleep on an idea before you carry it out. When you face choices your selfesteem is at risk. Will you regret and be sorry about your decision the next day? Or will you look in the mirror and say well done or good job?
I Tim 5:22, Do not be hasty to share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. (NIV)
Prov 19:2, It is not good to be hasty and miss the way. (NIV)
Eccl 5:2, Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (NIV)
Steps to making good choices.
a. Understand the choice you are about to make. Ask others about the choice. Get advice. Pray about it
and ask for God’s peace to help you pick the right choice.
b. Brainstorm ideas for making your choice.
c. Test your brainstormed ideas with worst and best case scenarios.
d. Pick a solution.
e. Act on your choice.
8. Be trustworthy and responsible. When you are responsible people come to you and trust you to do what you say you are going to do.
Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)
Romans 15:13, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (NIV)
9. Stay busy doing things you enjoy. Have hobbies. Learn to entertain yourself. Don’t expect
others to entertain you. Develop your own style and be happy about it. Secular wisdom says that “An idle mind is the devils workshop.”
10. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought. This temporarily increases your selfesteem until others start pulling away from you because we all know that most people do not like a conceded person.
Romans 12:3 , For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (NIV)
1Tim 3:6, and pride comes before a fall. (Satan's downfall is an example.) (TLB)
Review these steps and scriptures often to increase your Christ-esteem.
Look to the Ant
by Gary Klingsporn
"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." (Prov. 6:6, RSV)
As a kid, do you remember turning over a rock, brick, or piece of wood and seeing hundreds of ants scurry? Disrupt ants' lives and it's chaos. But within minutes, they are back at work busily restoring, relocating, rebuilding their lives. Destroy an anthill and see it rebuilt in no time.
The Wisdom teachers of ancient Israel noticed the hard work, foresight, and industry of ants. To warn against laziness and indolence, the teachers instructed:
"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. … She prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in harvest" (Prov. 6:6, 8).
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer. …" (Prov. 30:25).
Ants busy themselves with tiny tasks to accomplish big jobs. They plan ahead. They store food all summer. They prepare for winter long before winter arrives. To the would-be loafer or procrastinator, the ancient Wisdom teachers said, "Look to the daily diligence and persistence of the ant!"
These proverbs speak to my lifelong struggle with procrastination. I'm not lazy; I'm a perfectionist. I delay tasks, especially creative ones, to think through every detail, carefully consider every option. When I finally sit down to a project or decision, I want to feel that it's my best work.
Sometimes I think my schedule will open a wonderful block of time to write that report, design that new program, or make that important business decision. Too often, however, that time never arrives. I end up stressed out, overdue, pressured under a deadline—often with someone at my door waiting for the finished project.
To "procrastinate," says Webster, is "to put off doing (something unpleasant or burdensome) until a future time—especially to postpone habitually."
My guess is that most of us have struggled with this issue for all kinds of reasons. Who among us has not postponed in a way that increased stress, violated deadlines, or disrupted teamwork? Who among us has never finished because we kept waiting for "just the right time"?
"Look to the ant and be wise … all summer she stores up her food," say the ancient sages. I'm trying to live that lesson in my work, family, and personal life. I'm still learning the discipline of partial tasks each day rather than waiting for the moment to do it all at once.
I also try to live that out in my faith. Each day the life of faith fills with choices and opportunities. "Today" is an important biblical word: "O that today you would listen to [God's] voice" (Psalm 95:7). God calls us to the dailiness of the small things of faith that become large things in the kingdom of God.
As people of faith, we live our lives in the grace of God. The apostle Paul writes, "See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). In other words: Open your lives to the presence of God's grace at work in the world, and make the most of each day as God's people—people of love, hope, and reconciliation.
In our faith, our families, the workplace, God calls us to "seize the day" with small acts of love—and to live boldly, trusting in God's goodness.
Look to the ant and be wise!
"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise." (Prov. 6:6, RSV)
As a kid, do you remember turning over a rock, brick, or piece of wood and seeing hundreds of ants scurry? Disrupt ants' lives and it's chaos. But within minutes, they are back at work busily restoring, relocating, rebuilding their lives. Destroy an anthill and see it rebuilt in no time.
The Wisdom teachers of ancient Israel noticed the hard work, foresight, and industry of ants. To warn against laziness and indolence, the teachers instructed:
"Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. … She prepares her food in summer, and gathers her sustenance in harvest" (Prov. 6:6, 8).
"The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer. …" (Prov. 30:25).
Ants busy themselves with tiny tasks to accomplish big jobs. They plan ahead. They store food all summer. They prepare for winter long before winter arrives. To the would-be loafer or procrastinator, the ancient Wisdom teachers said, "Look to the daily diligence and persistence of the ant!"
These proverbs speak to my lifelong struggle with procrastination. I'm not lazy; I'm a perfectionist. I delay tasks, especially creative ones, to think through every detail, carefully consider every option. When I finally sit down to a project or decision, I want to feel that it's my best work.
Sometimes I think my schedule will open a wonderful block of time to write that report, design that new program, or make that important business decision. Too often, however, that time never arrives. I end up stressed out, overdue, pressured under a deadline—often with someone at my door waiting for the finished project.
To "procrastinate," says Webster, is "to put off doing (something unpleasant or burdensome) until a future time—especially to postpone habitually."
My guess is that most of us have struggled with this issue for all kinds of reasons. Who among us has not postponed in a way that increased stress, violated deadlines, or disrupted teamwork? Who among us has never finished because we kept waiting for "just the right time"?
"Look to the ant and be wise … all summer she stores up her food," say the ancient sages. I'm trying to live that lesson in my work, family, and personal life. I'm still learning the discipline of partial tasks each day rather than waiting for the moment to do it all at once.
I also try to live that out in my faith. Each day the life of faith fills with choices and opportunities. "Today" is an important biblical word: "O that today you would listen to [God's] voice" (Psalm 95:7). God calls us to the dailiness of the small things of faith that become large things in the kingdom of God.
As people of faith, we live our lives in the grace of God. The apostle Paul writes, "See, now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor. 6:2). In other words: Open your lives to the presence of God's grace at work in the world, and make the most of each day as God's people—people of love, hope, and reconciliation.
In our faith, our families, the workplace, God calls us to "seize the day" with small acts of love—and to live boldly, trusting in God's goodness.
Look to the ant and be wise!
Frustration
by Tom Rainwater
Have you ever felt frustrated -- I mean really frustrated? Have you ever let a difficult or undesirable circumstance ruin your mood and sour your attitude toward the day? I imagine everyone of us has felt some degree of frustration this past week over something. I wouldn't be telling you anything new if I said that frustration is a part of life. You already know that, and you probably already know the answer to life's anxieties is Jesus Christ. But before we get to that point at the conclusion of the article, I want to illustrate frustration for you from the life of the Apostle Paul.
When we generally think of Paul, we do not picture a frustrated man. We envision someone with super-human faith, totally undaunted and unaffected by the hardships of life. We see him as someone who walked ten feet off the ground, never getting discouraged nor feeling down. Well, if that is our view of him, then we do not know the real "Saul of Tarsus." We know he was indeed strong in the faith, and the reason he was strong was that he knew how to deal with frustration. His life was full of fear and trembling (1Cor.2:3). His preaching brought him frequent beatings, cursings and imprisonments (2Cor.11:23-28). He remained strong in spite of those things -- things probably more serious than what typically frustrates us today.
Paul's frustration as a new Christian
After Paul (Saul) first became a Christian, what happened? The unbelieving Jews of Damascus, angered that he was now preaching Christ, persuaded the Gentile authorities to search for him so they could kill him. Watch was posted throughout the city and especially at the gates. They were determined that he would not leave town alive. He escaped by being let down the city wall in a huge basket at night. (Acts 9:23-25; 2Cor.11:32-33).
After running for his life, Paul probably was excited about going to meet the brethren in Jerusalem and finding encouragement among them. What he found there were people who didn't want him around because they feared him, knowing his past reputation as a persecutor of the saints (Acts 9:26-28). Had it not been for Barnabas' insistence in bringing Paul before the apostles to prove to them his conversion was genuine, Paul might never have been accepted among the brethren. Do you think he felt any frustration then?
Rejection doesn't feel very good, does it? Have you ever been made to feel unwelcome, being put in a position of having to prove yourself? Someone, at the first, saw Paul and ran away or slammed the door on him. It's all because of his own past reputation -- his own doing. Paul felt frustrated not just because the brethren were slow in recognizing his conversion, but because his own former sin, though forgiven, brought less than comfortable consequences. Is your frustration due to the sin of your past life and the lingering consequences of it?
I personally know people who committed sin, were forgiven of it in Christ, but still had to deal with the physical consequences of their sin afterwards. Indeed, the important thing to do is find forgiveness in Christ to cleanse and save the soul. But afterwards, for them, came the task of dealing with either an unwanted pregnancy, a drug addiction, or a jail sentence. In the back of Paul's mind, he never forgot that he murdered many Christians out of misguided zeal before his conversion. He always felt unworthy of his forgiveness and his apostleship. But, again, what type of person do we think of when we think of Paul? We think of someone faithful and strong -- a spiritual leader! In Christ, you can be that, too, regardless of your past, and regardless of any frustration that your past might bring you!
Paul's frustration as an Apostle
God chose Paul to be an apostle. I wonder how many times people told Paul, "You know something....you're not one of the original twelve." When Paul had to be firm in dealing with sin among the brethren, I imagine some of the less-faithful brethren responded this way. "Who are you to exercise authority? You aren't one of the twelve. What right to you have to preach to us? You used to kill Christians. The original twelve never did that. Peter never did that. John never did that." We know people doubted Paul's apostleship because of his responses to his critics in 2nd Corinthians and Galatians. I wonder if Paul felt any frustration when he had obviously spoken to these people by inspiration, had performed the signs and wonders of an apostle, had passed on the gifts of the Spirit, and still some of them questioned whether or not he was "good enough" to be an apostle.
Have you ever felt frustrated when people won't listen to you teach from the Bible? Have you felt frustrated when they make you the issue as to why they won't listen? Some might look down on your age and say,"You're too young (or old) for me to respect what you say. Who are you to tell me what I should do?" Or they may turn up their nose and say, "You're not from around here, are you?" Or they may think you're inadequate to help them because, "You don't understand my troubles. You haven't gone through what I have." People have a million excuses why they won't listen to you teach them the Gospel. What I say is: keep teaching the word anyway, and when they say things like that and frustrate you because they won't listen, know you are in good company with Paul.
Paul's frustration about something he could not change
Paul had risked his life on many occasions preaching the gospel from Asia Minor to Macedonia and Achaia, establishing churches in nearly every province he traveled. Yet, in the meantime something was really bothering him: a "thorn in the flesh." (2Cor.12:7-10.) That he describes it as a "thorn" shows his frustration. We do not know what that "thorn" was, but we do know that it bothered Paul a great deal since he pleaded to God three times in prayer that it be removed. We can also deduce that it wasn't something that Paul himself could change.
Paul healed many people of their infirmities and cast out demons by the power of God. Yet he could not cast away whatever this "thorn" was that was bothering him. Do you have anything in your life that frustrates you, yet you have no power to do anything about it? I know a preacher in Kentucky that is going completely blind. Is that a hindrance to his work? Yes! Is it a source of frustration for him? Most definitely! Is there anything he can do to correct or change it? No. Does it seem fair that a preacher, who could do so much more for the Kingdom, is about to completely lose his sight? No. You may have a bodily infirmity, disability or disease that you are powerless to control. Or maybe you have some other kind of problem that will not go away. I want you to know that you are just like Paul. Paul was able to deal with his "thorn" when he finally accepted these two facts: (1) that the "thorn" was there, and it wasn't going to go away, and (2) that he, in his weakness, would be able to encourage you to do the best you can in the Lord. God wants you to see that if Paul could be faithful with a "thorn," then you can, too! If you have a "thorn in the flesh," you have something other people don't have: a bond with the Apostle Paul! Glory in that, my friend!
Paul's frustration about a lost friend
Later in his preaching, Paul was arrested and brought to Rome twice. The first time he was put under house arrest and then released. The second time, he was treated like a condemned criminal who would soon be executed. Paul awaited the end. Yet that is not what bothered him the most. Demas, once one of Paul's trusted co-workers (Phile.24; Col.4:14), had turned his back on both Paul and the Lord (2Tim.4:9-10). Demas had become worldly again, and Paul knew his soul was in great danger. Paul cared deeply about others, and the fact that Demas left at this crucial time would have added frustration upon frustration.
It is indeed discouraging when people we've known to be faithful to God for years, leave Him for the vain pleasures of sin. Have you felt frustrated when that happens? I have. I imagine Paul felt that frustration many, many times. When we feel it, our hearts are saddened alongside of Paul's. We can do like Paul and find encouragement in those who hold to their faith, so we can deal with the disappointment of those who don't. Paul found so much comfort in the faithful at Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, Colosse, Thessalonica, Rome, and other places. We must also look to those who hold fast the confession of their faith. But even if all men were to fail us, there is Jesus Christ who will never disappoint us.
Paul's frustration in his loneliness
At the time Paul was in prison awaiting his death, only Luke was with him (2Tim.4:11a). I can imagine a lonely Paul seeking comfort from Luke, requesting this of the Gospel writer: "Brother, tell me again about the time that Jesus walked on the water. Tell me about Jesus sending out the seventy." While in prison, Paul wrote Timothy to come and bring John Mark before he died (2Tim.4:11b). Paul was no longer skeptical about John Mark as he had been years earlier. John Mark had matured into a reliable worker. In fact, John Mark also had written a book by God's inspiration: the Gospel of Mark. I can imagine Paul, in preparing himself for death, saying: "John Mark and Luke, I'm about to die. Tell me about the time when Jesus died on the cross."
Friends, Paul was frustrated and bothered and hindered the entire time he was a Christian: from conversion to death. You know that the presence of problems and frustrations did not make him any less of a Christian. Please apply this to yourself if you are a Christian, and know that the presence of frustration in your life does not demean or lessen your blessings in Christ. In reality, life's difficulties give you greater opportunities for your light to shine! What if Paul had never suffered, or had never been persecuted? Would we be as impressed with his faith as we are now? No, we wouldn't. What if nothing had happened to Paul to test his perseverance? Would we be encouraged as much to persevere in life? No. Like Paul, your own frustrations can be a way to teach others. If they see your hardships and your faith as you stick it out, they will be encouraged to continue in Christ through your example.
Jesus Christ is the answer
Yes, Jesus Christ is the answer. He is the answer to the problems of sin, discouragement and death. All are solved through Him. How are they solved? When we obey Him, He forgives our sins, gives us sources of encouragement, and eventually raises us from death to walk in eternal life.
This article could have been a lesson on the frustrations in Jesus' life. Remember that He was not accepted by His own people, and was betrayed by one of His own disciples. Picture His sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest, His trials, His scourging, and then His crucifixion on the cross. As Paul looked to Jesus' sufferings for strength, Jesus looked to His Father for strength. We can get encouragment from all those places.
Will you please resolve to be strengthened in these ways: (1) by becoming a Christian and receiving all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph.1:3), (2) by recognizing the bond we all share together as Christians facing the same frustrations (1Pt.5:8-9), and (3) by finding strength, comfort and hope from the same source: the source above.
Have you ever felt frustrated -- I mean really frustrated? Have you ever let a difficult or undesirable circumstance ruin your mood and sour your attitude toward the day? I imagine everyone of us has felt some degree of frustration this past week over something. I wouldn't be telling you anything new if I said that frustration is a part of life. You already know that, and you probably already know the answer to life's anxieties is Jesus Christ. But before we get to that point at the conclusion of the article, I want to illustrate frustration for you from the life of the Apostle Paul.
When we generally think of Paul, we do not picture a frustrated man. We envision someone with super-human faith, totally undaunted and unaffected by the hardships of life. We see him as someone who walked ten feet off the ground, never getting discouraged nor feeling down. Well, if that is our view of him, then we do not know the real "Saul of Tarsus." We know he was indeed strong in the faith, and the reason he was strong was that he knew how to deal with frustration. His life was full of fear and trembling (1Cor.2:3). His preaching brought him frequent beatings, cursings and imprisonments (2Cor.11:23-28). He remained strong in spite of those things -- things probably more serious than what typically frustrates us today.
Paul's frustration as a new Christian
After Paul (Saul) first became a Christian, what happened? The unbelieving Jews of Damascus, angered that he was now preaching Christ, persuaded the Gentile authorities to search for him so they could kill him. Watch was posted throughout the city and especially at the gates. They were determined that he would not leave town alive. He escaped by being let down the city wall in a huge basket at night. (Acts 9:23-25; 2Cor.11:32-33).
After running for his life, Paul probably was excited about going to meet the brethren in Jerusalem and finding encouragement among them. What he found there were people who didn't want him around because they feared him, knowing his past reputation as a persecutor of the saints (Acts 9:26-28). Had it not been for Barnabas' insistence in bringing Paul before the apostles to prove to them his conversion was genuine, Paul might never have been accepted among the brethren. Do you think he felt any frustration then?
Rejection doesn't feel very good, does it? Have you ever been made to feel unwelcome, being put in a position of having to prove yourself? Someone, at the first, saw Paul and ran away or slammed the door on him. It's all because of his own past reputation -- his own doing. Paul felt frustrated not just because the brethren were slow in recognizing his conversion, but because his own former sin, though forgiven, brought less than comfortable consequences. Is your frustration due to the sin of your past life and the lingering consequences of it?
I personally know people who committed sin, were forgiven of it in Christ, but still had to deal with the physical consequences of their sin afterwards. Indeed, the important thing to do is find forgiveness in Christ to cleanse and save the soul. But afterwards, for them, came the task of dealing with either an unwanted pregnancy, a drug addiction, or a jail sentence. In the back of Paul's mind, he never forgot that he murdered many Christians out of misguided zeal before his conversion. He always felt unworthy of his forgiveness and his apostleship. But, again, what type of person do we think of when we think of Paul? We think of someone faithful and strong -- a spiritual leader! In Christ, you can be that, too, regardless of your past, and regardless of any frustration that your past might bring you!
Paul's frustration as an Apostle
God chose Paul to be an apostle. I wonder how many times people told Paul, "You know something....you're not one of the original twelve." When Paul had to be firm in dealing with sin among the brethren, I imagine some of the less-faithful brethren responded this way. "Who are you to exercise authority? You aren't one of the twelve. What right to you have to preach to us? You used to kill Christians. The original twelve never did that. Peter never did that. John never did that." We know people doubted Paul's apostleship because of his responses to his critics in 2nd Corinthians and Galatians. I wonder if Paul felt any frustration when he had obviously spoken to these people by inspiration, had performed the signs and wonders of an apostle, had passed on the gifts of the Spirit, and still some of them questioned whether or not he was "good enough" to be an apostle.
Have you ever felt frustrated when people won't listen to you teach from the Bible? Have you felt frustrated when they make you the issue as to why they won't listen? Some might look down on your age and say,"You're too young (or old) for me to respect what you say. Who are you to tell me what I should do?" Or they may turn up their nose and say, "You're not from around here, are you?" Or they may think you're inadequate to help them because, "You don't understand my troubles. You haven't gone through what I have." People have a million excuses why they won't listen to you teach them the Gospel. What I say is: keep teaching the word anyway, and when they say things like that and frustrate you because they won't listen, know you are in good company with Paul.
Paul's frustration about something he could not change
Paul had risked his life on many occasions preaching the gospel from Asia Minor to Macedonia and Achaia, establishing churches in nearly every province he traveled. Yet, in the meantime something was really bothering him: a "thorn in the flesh." (2Cor.12:7-10.) That he describes it as a "thorn" shows his frustration. We do not know what that "thorn" was, but we do know that it bothered Paul a great deal since he pleaded to God three times in prayer that it be removed. We can also deduce that it wasn't something that Paul himself could change.
Paul healed many people of their infirmities and cast out demons by the power of God. Yet he could not cast away whatever this "thorn" was that was bothering him. Do you have anything in your life that frustrates you, yet you have no power to do anything about it? I know a preacher in Kentucky that is going completely blind. Is that a hindrance to his work? Yes! Is it a source of frustration for him? Most definitely! Is there anything he can do to correct or change it? No. Does it seem fair that a preacher, who could do so much more for the Kingdom, is about to completely lose his sight? No. You may have a bodily infirmity, disability or disease that you are powerless to control. Or maybe you have some other kind of problem that will not go away. I want you to know that you are just like Paul. Paul was able to deal with his "thorn" when he finally accepted these two facts: (1) that the "thorn" was there, and it wasn't going to go away, and (2) that he, in his weakness, would be able to encourage you to do the best you can in the Lord. God wants you to see that if Paul could be faithful with a "thorn," then you can, too! If you have a "thorn in the flesh," you have something other people don't have: a bond with the Apostle Paul! Glory in that, my friend!
Paul's frustration about a lost friend
Later in his preaching, Paul was arrested and brought to Rome twice. The first time he was put under house arrest and then released. The second time, he was treated like a condemned criminal who would soon be executed. Paul awaited the end. Yet that is not what bothered him the most. Demas, once one of Paul's trusted co-workers (Phile.24; Col.4:14), had turned his back on both Paul and the Lord (2Tim.4:9-10). Demas had become worldly again, and Paul knew his soul was in great danger. Paul cared deeply about others, and the fact that Demas left at this crucial time would have added frustration upon frustration.
It is indeed discouraging when people we've known to be faithful to God for years, leave Him for the vain pleasures of sin. Have you felt frustrated when that happens? I have. I imagine Paul felt that frustration many, many times. When we feel it, our hearts are saddened alongside of Paul's. We can do like Paul and find encouragement in those who hold to their faith, so we can deal with the disappointment of those who don't. Paul found so much comfort in the faithful at Philippi, Ephesus, Corinth, Colosse, Thessalonica, Rome, and other places. We must also look to those who hold fast the confession of their faith. But even if all men were to fail us, there is Jesus Christ who will never disappoint us.
Paul's frustration in his loneliness
At the time Paul was in prison awaiting his death, only Luke was with him (2Tim.4:11a). I can imagine a lonely Paul seeking comfort from Luke, requesting this of the Gospel writer: "Brother, tell me again about the time that Jesus walked on the water. Tell me about Jesus sending out the seventy." While in prison, Paul wrote Timothy to come and bring John Mark before he died (2Tim.4:11b). Paul was no longer skeptical about John Mark as he had been years earlier. John Mark had matured into a reliable worker. In fact, John Mark also had written a book by God's inspiration: the Gospel of Mark. I can imagine Paul, in preparing himself for death, saying: "John Mark and Luke, I'm about to die. Tell me about the time when Jesus died on the cross."
Friends, Paul was frustrated and bothered and hindered the entire time he was a Christian: from conversion to death. You know that the presence of problems and frustrations did not make him any less of a Christian. Please apply this to yourself if you are a Christian, and know that the presence of frustration in your life does not demean or lessen your blessings in Christ. In reality, life's difficulties give you greater opportunities for your light to shine! What if Paul had never suffered, or had never been persecuted? Would we be as impressed with his faith as we are now? No, we wouldn't. What if nothing had happened to Paul to test his perseverance? Would we be encouraged as much to persevere in life? No. Like Paul, your own frustrations can be a way to teach others. If they see your hardships and your faith as you stick it out, they will be encouraged to continue in Christ through your example.
Jesus Christ is the answer
Yes, Jesus Christ is the answer. He is the answer to the problems of sin, discouragement and death. All are solved through Him. How are they solved? When we obey Him, He forgives our sins, gives us sources of encouragement, and eventually raises us from death to walk in eternal life.
This article could have been a lesson on the frustrations in Jesus' life. Remember that He was not accepted by His own people, and was betrayed by one of His own disciples. Picture His sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane, His arrest, His trials, His scourging, and then His crucifixion on the cross. As Paul looked to Jesus' sufferings for strength, Jesus looked to His Father for strength. We can get encouragment from all those places.
Will you please resolve to be strengthened in these ways: (1) by becoming a Christian and receiving all spiritual blessings in Christ (Eph.1:3), (2) by recognizing the bond we all share together as Christians facing the same frustrations (1Pt.5:8-9), and (3) by finding strength, comfort and hope from the same source: the source above.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Deeper Relationship
source : www.nalg.in
Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:where is the house that ye build to me? and where is the place of my rest?
Right from garden of Eden one thing God has longed from man was a deeper relationship. He was not just looking over them constantly to see whether they would eat the forbidden fruit or not, so that He could punish them; He was enjoying a beautiful relationship with them. Until man chose to break it. When the serpent came with the temptation, they quickly forgot the relationship they had with God and began to think independently. When the idea of eating the fruit hit them, had they taken it to God and consulted with Him they would not have sinned.
The Almighty God who owns heaven and earth and all that is in it, is desperately looking for a relationship with you. He is not looking for self righteousness from your side, nor is He expecting you to do all things right on your own. He knows how frail we are, He knows every temptation that we have in our lives, He knows our shortcomings and He wants to help us. He wants us to get into that deeper relationship with Him so that He will be a part of everything in our life. When Jesus becomes so much a part of our lives and when you get deeper in your relationship with Him, sin will begin to lose its place in your life.
If you are struggling in any area of your life, take it to Jesus right now; He loves you and He understands you and He has compassion on you and He will gently lead you in the path you need to go. Jesus loves you so much and He always has the best in mind for you; the best relationship you can ever have is the one with Jesus
Isa 66:1 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:where is the house that ye build to me? and where is the place of my rest?
Right from garden of Eden one thing God has longed from man was a deeper relationship. He was not just looking over them constantly to see whether they would eat the forbidden fruit or not, so that He could punish them; He was enjoying a beautiful relationship with them. Until man chose to break it. When the serpent came with the temptation, they quickly forgot the relationship they had with God and began to think independently. When the idea of eating the fruit hit them, had they taken it to God and consulted with Him they would not have sinned.
The Almighty God who owns heaven and earth and all that is in it, is desperately looking for a relationship with you. He is not looking for self righteousness from your side, nor is He expecting you to do all things right on your own. He knows how frail we are, He knows every temptation that we have in our lives, He knows our shortcomings and He wants to help us. He wants us to get into that deeper relationship with Him so that He will be a part of everything in our life. When Jesus becomes so much a part of our lives and when you get deeper in your relationship with Him, sin will begin to lose its place in your life.
If you are struggling in any area of your life, take it to Jesus right now; He loves you and He understands you and He has compassion on you and He will gently lead you in the path you need to go. Jesus loves you so much and He always has the best in mind for you; the best relationship you can ever have is the one with Jesus
Christ All in All
D.L Moody
Colossians 3:11
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
CHRIST is all in all to every one who has truly found Him. He is our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Shepherd, Teacher, and also sustains toward us many more offices, to which I desire to call your attention.
1. If we turn to Luke 2:10, 11, we find Christ is there announced as our SAVIOR: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
We learn to know Christ as our Savior, to meet Him on Mount Calvary, to look on Him as the bleeding Lamb of God, before we know Him as our Redeemer, Deliverer, and Shepherd. Now, looking round upon this vast assembly, I, who do not know the hearts of the people, cannot know whether you can say that Christ is your Savior. There are many, I trust, who can say this, and who rejoice in His salvation; while, without being uncharitable, I am afraid there are many who know nothing personally of Jesus as their Savior.
He is offered to every one of you today as a Savior; "God gave Him up freely for us all," that we all through Him might be saved. If you are belonging to this world, I can prove that you have a Savior. If you belonged to some other planet, such as the moon or any of the stars, then I could not say a Savior was offered to you; for it is not revealed whether the people of these distant worlds, even if they are inhabited, require salvation or not. But this I know, that every man on this globe has a Savior offered him.
SALVATION FREE TO ALL
I have no sympathy with those men who try to limit God's salvation to a certain few. I believe that Christ died for all who will come. I have received many letters finding fault with me, and saying I surely don't believe the doctrine of election. I do believe in election; but I have no business to preach that doctrine to the world at large. The world has nothing to do with election; it has only to do with the invitation, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." That is the message for the sinner. I am sent to preach the gospel to all.
After you have received salvation, we can talk about election. It's a doctrine for Christians, for the Church, not for the unconverted world. Our message is "good tidings, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." All people, this Savior is proffered to you. Accept Him, and God will accept you; reject Him, and God will reject you. Your eternal destiny depends on your refusal or otherwise to accept the proffered Savior. The case is simply one of giving and taking. God gives; I receive. We must, then, first of all know Christ as our Savior.
2. But He is still more: He is our REDEEMER.
Supposing I saw a man tumble into a river, and I were to jump in and rescue him, I should be a savior to him - I should have saved him. But when I brought the man ashore, I should probably leave him, and do nothing further.
But the Lord does more. He not only saves us, but He redeems us - that is, buys us back. He ransoms us from the power of sin, as if I should promise to watch over that rescued man for ever, and see that he did not again fall into the water. The Lord not only saves us from spiritual death, but He redeems us for ever that death can never touch us.
LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES
When I was at Richmond, U.S., the colored people were going to have a meeting. It was the first day of their freedom. I went to the African church, and never before or since heard such bursts of native eloquence.
"Mother," said one, "rejoice today. Your little child has been sold from you for the last time; your posterity are for ever free. Glory to God in the highest! Young men, you have heard the driver's whip for the last time; you are free today! Young maidens, you have been put up on the auction- block for the last time!" They spoke right out, they shouted for joy; their prayers had been answered, it was the gospel to them. In like manner Jesus Christ proclaims liberty to the captives. Some have accepted it; some, like the poor negroes, scarcely believe the good tidings; but it is none the less true. Christ has come to redeem us from the slavery of sin.
Now, who will accept of that redemption? There was one colored woman, a servant in an inn in the Southern States, who could not believe she was free. "Be's I free, or be I not?" she asked of a visitor. Her master told her she was not, her colored brethren told her she was. For two years she had been free without knowing it. She represents a great many in the Church of God today. They can have liberty, and yet they don't know it.
3. Again, Christ is our DELIVERER.
The children of Israel were not only saved and redeemed from the bondage of the Egyptians, but they were also delivered, that they should not be led back again into bondage. Many are afraid; they think they are not able to hold on, and therefore shrink from making a profession. But Christ is able to keep you from falling; He is able to deliver you in the dark hour of trial and temptation, from every evil device of Satan, and from the snare of the fowler.
In Isaiah 49:24, we read: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." I will save him; I will deliver him. The children of Israel were saved from the cruel bondage of Egypt, they were led out of the land of Goshen; but still they were not fully delivered. The great host of the Egyptians was thundering behind them. It was not till they had passed safely through the Red Sea, which closing behind, them, swallowed up the host of the enemy - it was not till then that they were free, that they were delivered. And similarly in our times of danger we shall find it to be true of Christ, "He delivered my soul"; and again in Job 33:24, "Then He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: he shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto him: and he shall see His face with joy: for He will render unto man His righteousness. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Here we have the saving, the redeeming, the deliverance from the pit. Man is fallen into the deep pit, he is kept there a lawful captive by one who is mighty. If he is to be brought back from the darkness of the pit to see the light, then we must have a ransom. Here God comes forward, and says, "I have found a ransom." Christ is the ransom, and He will deliver us. Sound out the cry, "Christ is our deliverer." He is mighty to save, He is able to deliver.
A LEADER
4. But now we need something more. Look back again to the children of Israel; when they had marched gloriously through the Red Sea, they had been saved, redeemed, and delivered; but was that all they required? No; they had been brought into the wilderness. What now do they need? They must have a way to go in the pathless desert. They required a leader. Then Christ is the way and the leader. Are we in difficulties, in doubt, or in perplexity? Christ is our way. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 10).
I have heard some say, "Well, if I am converted, and become religious, I don't know what church I would go to. There are so many different churches and denominations. I really don't know which is the right one." Hence some people are bewildered, and do not know which is the true way. Well, I would say to such, Look only to Him who says, "I AM THE WAY." He is the only true way, and if you want to reach the kingdom you have only to follow Him. We may be in darkness, but He is able to lead us in the right path. He is the Shepherd of His flock. He will go before us and lead us. He is calling upon us to arise and follow Him, and He will lead us by a way we know not; He will guide us to the green pastures if we only look to Him.
THE PILLAR OF CLOUD
All that the children of Israel had to do was to follow the cloud. If the cloud rested, they rested; if the cloud moved forward, then they moved. I can imagine that the first thing Moses did, when the gray dawn of morning broke, was to look up and see if the cloud was still over the camp. By night it was a pillar of fire, lighting up the camp, and filling them with a sense of God's protecting care; by day it was a cloud shielding them from the fierce heat of the sun's rays, and sheltering them from the sight of their enemies.
Israel's Shepherd could lead them through the pathless desert. Why? Because He made it. He knew every grain of sand in it. They could not have a better leader through the wilderness than its Creator.
And, sinner, can you, in all your difficulties or doubts and fears, have a better leader than Jehovah? Oh, I do like that good old hymn: "Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more." Yes, that is the true prayer of the bewildered sinner. God is able, and still more, He is willing, to lead us, and to feed us.
"Thou gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst" (Nehemiah 9:15).
He is still as able to lead any of us as He was four thousand years ago to lead the children of Israel, "For I am the Lord; I change not." To every one of us He says, "Fear not, I will lead thee; I will help thee." Wonderful thing, is it not, to have God to help us on our way? In our Western countries, when men go out hunting into the dense backwoods, where there are no roads or paths of any kind, they take their hatchet and cut a little chip out of the bark of the trees as they go along, and then they easily find their way by these "blazes." They call it "blazing the way." And so, if you will allow me the expression, Christ has "blazed the way." He has traveled the road Himself, and knowing the way, He tells us to follow Him, and He will lead us safe on high.
5. Now we have seen Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Leader, or Way. But He is more than all that; HE IS OUR LIGHT.
"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." He shall have the very "light of life." Yes, it is the privilege of every Christian to walk in an unclouded sky.
But do we walk thus in an unclouded sky? No, most Christians are often in darkness. If I were to ask this congregation if they were all walking in the light, I believe there is scarcely one, if he spoke the true feeling of his heart, but would reply, "No, I am often in darkness." Why is that? It is because we are not following Christ, and keeping close to Him. We are much in darkness when we might be in the light.
Suppose the windows of this building were all closed, and we were complaining of the darkness, what would any one say to us? Why, they would say, "Admit the light; open the windows all round, and you'll soon have plenty of light." Similarly we must let in Christ, who is the light, and open our minds to receive Him, and we shall soon walk in light. There is a great deal of darkness at the present time, even in the hearts of God's own people. But follow Him, and then you will have plenty of light. Then Christ will show to each of us that He is "The Light"; and He will do more, He will set us on fire with His light, that we also may shine as lights in this dark world.
May God help His own people to SHINE BRIGHTLY, to flash out of darkness, that men may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus. But remember, the world hates the light. Christ was the light of the world, and the world sought to extinguish it at Calvary. Now He has left His people to shine. "Ye are the light of the world." He has left us here to shine. He means us to be "living epistles, known and read of all men." The world is certain to watch, and to read you and me. If we are inconsistent, then you may be sure the world will take occasion to stumble at us.
The world finds plenty of difficulties on the way; let us see that we Christians do not add more stumbling-blocks by our un-Christlike walk.
God help us to keep our lights burning clear and brilliant! Out West a friend of mine was walking along one of the streets one dark night, and saw approaching him a man with a lantern. As he came up close to him he noticed by the bright light that the man had got no eyes. He went past, but the thought struck him, "Surely that man is blind." He turned round, and said, "My friend, are you not blind?" "Yes." "Then what have you got the lantern for?" "I carry the lantern that people may not stumble over me, of course," said the blind man. Let us take a lesson from that blind man, and hold up our light, burning with the clear radiance of heaven, that men may not stumble over us.
6. Objectors have said that it's all moonshine about Christ's people being lights on the way. Well, that's just what we believe; we reflect the light of Christ
REFLECTED LIGHT
Just like the moonshine, our light is borrowed light. When we are living in the light of our Savior we shine with His light: somewhat like the face of Moses, which shone after he had been in the mount with God. Let us live in an atmosphere of heaven, and we cannot help shining. But whenever we get downcast and weak in faith, then we are sure to lose our light.
I remember during the American war I was in a prayer meeting. We were all very dark and gloomy. Things had been going against us for some time.
At last an old man got up, and said, "What is the matter with us, that we are downhearted and sad? It is simply our lack of faith. Moses, Joshua, and David were men strong in faith. They believed, and therefore God honored them. Whence comes our want of faith? God is not dead. He is as powerful, as willing, to help today as ever He was. Why, then, are we not full of faith in Him? It is God-dishonoring to forget that He still has power, although our armies are defeated, and all seems dark and gloomy."
GET ABOVE THE CLOUDS
I will tell you what happened to me some time ago when I was out West. I wanted to reach the summit of one of the Western mountains. I had been told that sunrise was very beautiful when seen from the summit. We got up to the half-way house one afternoon, where we were to rest till midnight, and then set out for the top. Soon a little party of us started with a good guide. Before a great while it began to rain, and then it became a regular storm of thunder and lightning. I thought there was little use in going on, and said to the guide, "Guess we'd better turn back; we won't see anything this morning, with all these clouds." "Oh," said the guide, "I expect we'll soon get through these clouds, and get above them, and then we'll have a glorious view." So we went on, whilst the thunders were rumbling right about our ears. But soon we began to get above the thunder-cloud; the air was quite clear, and when the sun rose we had a splendid view of his rays as they tinged the hilltops; and then, as the glorious sunshine began to break on where we stood, we could see the dark cloud far beneath our mountain height. That's what God's people want - to get into the clear air above the stormy clouds, and to CLIMB HIGHER away up to the mountain peak. There you'll catch the first rays from the Sun of Righteousness far above the clouds and mists. Some of you may be in great darkness and gloom; but fear not, climb higher, get nearer to the Master, and soon you'll catch His bright rays on your own soul, and they will sprinkle back upon others.
KEEP THE LOWER LIGHTS BURNING
We must live as children of the light, not as children of the darkness. If we are dark and sorrowful, how is the world to know that we are children of peace, and joy, and gladness? Our determination must be to keep our lights burning. A few years ago, at the mouth of Cleveland harbor there were two lights, one at each side of the bay, called the upper and lower lights; and, to enter the harbor safely by night, vessels must sight both of these lights.
These Western lakes are more dangerous sometimes than the great ocean.
One wild, stormy night a steamer was trying to make her way into the harbor. The captain and the pilot were anxiously watching for the lights.
By and by the pilot was heard to say, "Do you see the lower lights?" "No," was the reply; "but I fear we have passed them." "Ah, there are the lights," said the pilot; "and they must be, from the bluff on which they stand, the upper lights. We have passed the lower lights, and have lost our chance of getting into the harbor." What was to be done? They looked back, and saw the dim outline of the lower lighthouse against the sky. The lights had gone out. "Can't you turn her head round?" "No; the night is too wild for that. She won't answer her helm." The storm was so fearful that they could do nothing. They tried again to make for the harbor, but they went crash against the rocks, and sank to the bottom. Very few escaped; the great majority found a watery grave. Why? Simply because the lower lights had gone out.
And with us the upper lights are all right. Christ Himself is the upper light, and we are the lower lights, and the cry to us is, keep the lower lights burning, that is what we have to do. In the place God has put us He expects us to shine, to be living witnesses, to be a bright and shining light.
While we are here our work is to shine for Him, and He will lead us safe to the sunlit shore of Canaan, where there is no more night.
7. But Christ is more than our Light on the way; for He is OUR TEACHER.
What a wonderful thing to have a teacher sent from heaven. "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).
"If any lack wisdom": I am afraid there are a great many of us who lack wisdom, and even the best of us at times will be in perplexity. There are moments in the life of us all when we seem in a fix; we just stand still, and say, "What shall I do? I don't know what is the best way." Oh, leave it with God, He will Himself be our teacher! "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." Here is a wonderful teacher. He has had a school for many thousand years; He has had the best men in His school; but still there's room for another scholar there. His college is not too full yet, and the teacher is the One sent from heaven.
Any one, every one in this assembly may join this school. Jesus will welcome you there. Are you in doubt about anything? ask Jesus; He will tell you.
Anxious sinner, seek the good teacher, as Nicodemus did: "Master, we know thou art a teacher sent from God." If you seek Him thus He will direct you. He will keep you, and lead you into green pastures and by the still waters. I met a woman the other day who was full of infidel doubts and fancies. She could not believe. Reading for some time infidel works had thrown a dark and gloomy pall over her mind. It made me sad to see her in such a case. Some of you may be like her. I wish you would take Christ as your teacher, and then all darkness would flee away.
Christ is able to teach us. See how He taught the disciples. He never wearied of their learning from Him. So He will teach us if we will only listen to Him.
THE OLD JUDGE CONVERTED
I remember, as I was coming out of the daily prayer meeting in one of our American cities a few years ago, a lady said she wished to speak to me; her voice trembled with emotion, and I saw at once that she was heavily burdened by something or other. She said she had long been praying for her husband, and she wanted to know if I would go to see him; she thought it might do him some good. What is his name? "Judge - ," and she mentioned one of the most eminent politicians in the State. "I have heard of him," I said; "I am afraid I need not go, he is a booked infidel; I cannot argue with him." "That is not what he wants," said the lady. "He has had too much argument already. Go and speak to him about his soul." I said I would, although I was not very hopeful. I went to his house, was admitted to his room, and introduced myself as having come to speak to him about salvation. "Then you have come on a very foolish errand," said he; "there's no use in attacking me, I tell you that. I am proof against all these things, I don't believe in them." Well, I saw it was no use arguing with him; so I said, "I'll pray for you, and I want you to promise me that when you are converted you'll let me know." "Oh, yes, I'll let you know," he said in a tone of sarcasm. "Oh, yes, I'll let you know when I'm converted!" I left him, but I continued to pray for him. Some time subsequently I heard that the old judge was converted. I was again preaching in that city a while after that, and when I had done talking the judge himself came to me, and said: "I promised I'd let you know when I was converted; I have come to tell you of it. Have you not heard of it?" "Yes; but I would like to hear from you how it happened." "Well," said the judge, "one night, some time after you called on me, my wife had gone to the meeting; there was no one in the house but the servants. I sat by the drawing-room fire, and I began to think: Suppose my wife is right, that there is a heaven and a hell; and suppose she is on the right way to heaven, where am I going? I just dismissed the thought. But a second thought came: Surely He who created me is able to teach me. Yes, I thought, that is so. Then why not ask Him? I struggled against it, but at last, though I was too proud to get down on my knees, I just said, 'Father, all is dark; Thou who created me canst teach me.' "Somehow, the more I prayed the worse I felt. I was very sad. I did not wish my wife to come home and find me thus, so I slipped away to bed, and when she came into the room I pretended to be asleep. She got down on her knees and prayed. I knew she was praying for me, and that for many long years she had been doing so. I felt as if I could have jumped up and knelt beside her; but no, my proud heart would not let me, so I lay still, pretending to be asleep. But I didn't sleep that night. I soon changed my prayer; it was now, 'O God, save me; take away this terrible burden.' "I didn't believe in Christ even yet. I thought I'd go right straight to the Father Himself. But the more I prayed I only became the more miserable; my burden grew heavier. The next morning I did not wish to see my wife, so I said 'I was not well, and wouldn't wait for breakfast.' I went to the office, and when the boy came I sent him home for a holiday. When the clerks came I told them they might go for the day. I closed the office doors: I wanted to be alone with God. I was almost frantic in my agony of heart. I cried to God to take away this load of sin. At last I fell on my knees, and cried, 'For Jesus Christ's sake take away this load of sin.' At length I went to my wife's pastor, who had been praying with her for my conversion for years, and the same minister who had prayed with my mother before she died. As I walked down the street the verse that my mother had taught me came into my mind, 'Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.' Well, I thought, I have asked God, and here I am going to ask a man. I won't go.
I believe I am a Christian. I turned and went home. I met my wife in the hall as I entered. I caught her hand, and said, 'I am a Christian now.' She turned quite pale; she had been praying for twenty-one years for me, and yet she could not believe the answer had come. We went into our room, and knelt down by the very bedside where she had so often knelt to pray for her husband. There we erected our family altar; and for the first time our voices mingled in prayer. And I can only say that the last three months have been the happiest months ever I spent in my life." Since then that judge has lived a consistent Christian life; and all because he came to God, asking for guidance.
If there is one here today whose mind is filled with such infidel thoughts, go honestly to God, and He will teach you the right way through the dark wilderness of infidelity. He won't leave you in darkness or doubt. It is the devil's own work to lead men into such doubts; well he knows if he once gets them there he has them pretty safe.
It is Satan's work to keep you in ignorance or doubt. It is God's work to teach you. The teacher is Christ; He is appointed by God for this work.
God help us all to accept Him as our teacher. 8. Now we have seen Christ as our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Leader, Light, and Teacher. But He is still more; He is also OUR SHEPHERD.
A very sweet thought it is to me, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." There is not one here, except the very babes, who does not understand the work of a shepherd. He watches over his flock, protects them from danger, feeds them, leads them into the best pastures. In fact, the 23rd Psalm is just a statement of the duties of a good shepherd: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want," etc.
You want to be fed; are you going to wander about seeking something to satisfy the cravings of your soul? Then, I tell you, you never will find anything to satisfy the longings of your heart. The world cannot, and never could, satisfy a hungry soul. The Lord Jesus can - He is the true Shepherd. He is seeking to restore your soul, to lead you back to the paths of righteousness. Even to death will He lead you, and safely through its shadow guide you to a better land. Mother, father, will you claim Him as your Shepherd? Young man, young woman, will you have Him as your Shepherd? My little child, will you have Jesus as your Shepherd? He will lead safely and softly.
You can, all of you, if you will. For "God gave Him up freely for us all," that He might have us for His flock. He will lead us through life, down to the banks of the Jordan; He will lead us across the dark river into His kingdom. He is a tender, loving Shepherd.
I sometimes meet people in the anxious inquiry-room who are nourishing hard, bitter feelings against God, generally because they have been afflicted. A mother said to me the other day, "Ah, Mr. Moody, God has been unjust to me; He has come and taken away my child." Dear afflicted mothers, has God not removed your children to a pure and happy life? You may not understand it now, but you will by and by. He wants to lead you up there. THE EASTERN SHEPHERD.
A friend of mine, who had been in eastern lands, told me he saw a shepherd who wanted his flock to cross a river. He went into the water himself and called them; but no, they would not follow him into the water.
What did he do? Why, he girded up his loins and lifted a little lamb under each arm, and plunged right into the stream, and crossed it without even looking back. Whenever he lifted the lambs, the old sheep looked up into his face and began to bleat for them; but when he plunged into the water the dams plunged after him, and then the whole flock followed. When they got to the other side he put down the lambs, and they were quickly joined by their mothers, and there was a happy meeting.
My friend says he noticed the pastures on the other side were much better and the fields greener; and on this account the shepherd was leading them across. Our great Palestine Shepherd does that. That child which He has taken from the earth is but removed to green pastures of Canaan, and the Shepherd means to draw your hearts after it, to teach you to "set your affections on things above." When He has taken your little Mary, Edith, or Julia, accept it as a call to look upward and beyond. You, mother, are you weeping bitter tears for your little one? Do not weep! Your child has gone to the place where there is neither weeping nor sorrow. Would you have it return? Surely never.
Christ is our Shepherd - faithful and loving. Though sickness, or trouble, or even death itself, should come to our house, and claim our dearest ones, still they are not lost, but only gone before. God help each one of us to have Him as our Shepherd.
If time permitted, I should like to take up the subject of Christ as our Justification, our Wisdom, our Righteousness, the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother; but it would take a whole eternity to tell what Christ is to His people, and what He does for them.
I remember when I was preaching on this subject in Scotland, after I had done, I said to a man that "I was sorry I could not finish the subject for want of time." "Finish the subject," said the Scotchman, "why, that would require all eternity, and even then it would not be complete; it will be the occupation of heaven." 9. Once more, let us look at Christ as OUR BURDEN-BEARER.
Oh, I love to think of Him as the bearer of our burdens as well as our sin-bearer.
He carries our sins, although they are more numerous than the hairs of our heads. Great and terrible as these burdens are, God has laid them all on Jesus.
"O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head! Our load was laid on Thee." That aspect of His burden-bearing we have already looked at in His work as Savior and Redeemer. I wish now to take up the sweet thought, which has been a great comfort to me.
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows." Glorious, is it not, to know we have such a Savior? Can you feel that He has lifted your burden off your shoulders on to His own shoulder? Then you will feel light in heart.
A LIGHT HEART
On one occasion, after I had been talking this way, a woman came forward, and said, "Oh, Mr. Moody, it's all very well for you to talk like that, about a light heart. But you are a young man, and if you had a heavy burden like me you would talk differently. I could not talk in that way, my burden is too great." I replied, "But it's not too great for Jesus." "Oh," she said, "I cannot cast it on Him." "Why not? surely it is not too great for Him. It is not that He is feeble. But it is because you will not leave it to Him. You're like many others. They will not leave it with Him. They go about hugging their burden, and yet crying out against it. What the Lord wants is, you to leave it with Him, to let Him carry it for you. Then you will have a light heart, sorrow will flee away, and there will be no more sighing. What is your burden, my friend, that you cannot leave with Christ?" She replied, "I have a son who is a wanderer on the face of the earth. None but God knows where he is." "Cannot Christ find him, and bring him back?" "I suppose He can." "Then go and tell Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you for doubting His power and willingness; you have no right to mistrust Him." She went away much comforted, and I believe she ultimately had her wandering boy restored to her!
A MOTHER'S PRAYER ANSWERED
This circumstance reminds me of a faithful father and mother in our country, whose eldest son had gone to Chicago to a situation. A neighbor of theirs was in the city on some business, and he met the young man reeling along the streets drunk. He thought, "How am I to tell his parents?" When he returned to his village, he went and called out the father, and told him. It was a terrible blow to that father, but he said nothing to the mother till the little ones had all gone to rest; the servants had retired, and all was quiet in that little farm on the Western prairies. They drew up their chairs to the little drawing-room table, and then he told her the sad news. "Our boy has been seen drunk on the streets of Chicago - drunk." Ah, that mother was sorely hurt; they did not sleep much that night, but spent the hours in fervent prayers for their boy. About daybreak the mother felt an inward conviction that all would be well. She told the father "she had cast it on the Lord, had left her son with Jesus, and she felt He would save him."
One week from that time the young man left Chicago, took a journey of three hundred miles into the country; and when he reached his home, he walked in, and said, "Mother, I've come home to ask you to pray for me." Ah, her prayer had reached heaven; she had cast her burden on Jesus, and He had borne it for her. He took the burden, presented her prayer sprinkled with the atoning blood, and got it answered. In two days that young man returned to Chicago rejoicing in the Savior. What a wonderful thing it is to have Christ as our burden-bearer! How easy, how light do our cares become when cast upon Him!
Do you say Christ is nothing to you? If so, it is only because you won't have Him. He is to all who will accept Him a Savior from death, a Redeemer from the power of sin, a Deliverer from our enemies, a Leader through the wilderness; He is the way Himself, He is Light in the darkness, He is a Teacher to His people, He is the Shepherd of His flock, our Justification, Wisdom, Righteousness, Elder Brother, Burden-bearer.
He is in fact "Our all in all." Then come to Christ; oh, come today, The Father, Son, and Spirit say, The Bride repeats the call, For He will cleanse your guilty stains, His love will soothe your weary pains, For Christ is All in All.
Colossians 3:11
"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
CHRIST is all in all to every one who has truly found Him. He is our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Shepherd, Teacher, and also sustains toward us many more offices, to which I desire to call your attention.
1. If we turn to Luke 2:10, 11, we find Christ is there announced as our SAVIOR: "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
We learn to know Christ as our Savior, to meet Him on Mount Calvary, to look on Him as the bleeding Lamb of God, before we know Him as our Redeemer, Deliverer, and Shepherd. Now, looking round upon this vast assembly, I, who do not know the hearts of the people, cannot know whether you can say that Christ is your Savior. There are many, I trust, who can say this, and who rejoice in His salvation; while, without being uncharitable, I am afraid there are many who know nothing personally of Jesus as their Savior.
He is offered to every one of you today as a Savior; "God gave Him up freely for us all," that we all through Him might be saved. If you are belonging to this world, I can prove that you have a Savior. If you belonged to some other planet, such as the moon or any of the stars, then I could not say a Savior was offered to you; for it is not revealed whether the people of these distant worlds, even if they are inhabited, require salvation or not. But this I know, that every man on this globe has a Savior offered him.
SALVATION FREE TO ALL
I have no sympathy with those men who try to limit God's salvation to a certain few. I believe that Christ died for all who will come. I have received many letters finding fault with me, and saying I surely don't believe the doctrine of election. I do believe in election; but I have no business to preach that doctrine to the world at large. The world has nothing to do with election; it has only to do with the invitation, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." That is the message for the sinner. I am sent to preach the gospel to all.
After you have received salvation, we can talk about election. It's a doctrine for Christians, for the Church, not for the unconverted world. Our message is "good tidings, which shall be to all people; for unto you is born this day a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." All people, this Savior is proffered to you. Accept Him, and God will accept you; reject Him, and God will reject you. Your eternal destiny depends on your refusal or otherwise to accept the proffered Savior. The case is simply one of giving and taking. God gives; I receive. We must, then, first of all know Christ as our Savior.
2. But He is still more: He is our REDEEMER.
Supposing I saw a man tumble into a river, and I were to jump in and rescue him, I should be a savior to him - I should have saved him. But when I brought the man ashore, I should probably leave him, and do nothing further.
But the Lord does more. He not only saves us, but He redeems us - that is, buys us back. He ransoms us from the power of sin, as if I should promise to watch over that rescued man for ever, and see that he did not again fall into the water. The Lord not only saves us from spiritual death, but He redeems us for ever that death can never touch us.
LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES
When I was at Richmond, U.S., the colored people were going to have a meeting. It was the first day of their freedom. I went to the African church, and never before or since heard such bursts of native eloquence.
"Mother," said one, "rejoice today. Your little child has been sold from you for the last time; your posterity are for ever free. Glory to God in the highest! Young men, you have heard the driver's whip for the last time; you are free today! Young maidens, you have been put up on the auction- block for the last time!" They spoke right out, they shouted for joy; their prayers had been answered, it was the gospel to them. In like manner Jesus Christ proclaims liberty to the captives. Some have accepted it; some, like the poor negroes, scarcely believe the good tidings; but it is none the less true. Christ has come to redeem us from the slavery of sin.
Now, who will accept of that redemption? There was one colored woman, a servant in an inn in the Southern States, who could not believe she was free. "Be's I free, or be I not?" she asked of a visitor. Her master told her she was not, her colored brethren told her she was. For two years she had been free without knowing it. She represents a great many in the Church of God today. They can have liberty, and yet they don't know it.
3. Again, Christ is our DELIVERER.
The children of Israel were not only saved and redeemed from the bondage of the Egyptians, but they were also delivered, that they should not be led back again into bondage. Many are afraid; they think they are not able to hold on, and therefore shrink from making a profession. But Christ is able to keep you from falling; He is able to deliver you in the dark hour of trial and temptation, from every evil device of Satan, and from the snare of the fowler.
In Isaiah 49:24, we read: "Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children." I will save him; I will deliver him. The children of Israel were saved from the cruel bondage of Egypt, they were led out of the land of Goshen; but still they were not fully delivered. The great host of the Egyptians was thundering behind them. It was not till they had passed safely through the Red Sea, which closing behind, them, swallowed up the host of the enemy - it was not till then that they were free, that they were delivered. And similarly in our times of danger we shall find it to be true of Christ, "He delivered my soul"; and again in Job 33:24, "Then He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: he shall pray unto God, and He will be favorable unto him: and he shall see His face with joy: for He will render unto man His righteousness. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Here we have the saving, the redeeming, the deliverance from the pit. Man is fallen into the deep pit, he is kept there a lawful captive by one who is mighty. If he is to be brought back from the darkness of the pit to see the light, then we must have a ransom. Here God comes forward, and says, "I have found a ransom." Christ is the ransom, and He will deliver us. Sound out the cry, "Christ is our deliverer." He is mighty to save, He is able to deliver.
A LEADER
4. But now we need something more. Look back again to the children of Israel; when they had marched gloriously through the Red Sea, they had been saved, redeemed, and delivered; but was that all they required? No; they had been brought into the wilderness. What now do they need? They must have a way to go in the pathless desert. They required a leader. Then Christ is the way and the leader. Are we in difficulties, in doubt, or in perplexity? Christ is our way. "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 10).
I have heard some say, "Well, if I am converted, and become religious, I don't know what church I would go to. There are so many different churches and denominations. I really don't know which is the right one." Hence some people are bewildered, and do not know which is the true way. Well, I would say to such, Look only to Him who says, "I AM THE WAY." He is the only true way, and if you want to reach the kingdom you have only to follow Him. We may be in darkness, but He is able to lead us in the right path. He is the Shepherd of His flock. He will go before us and lead us. He is calling upon us to arise and follow Him, and He will lead us by a way we know not; He will guide us to the green pastures if we only look to Him.
THE PILLAR OF CLOUD
All that the children of Israel had to do was to follow the cloud. If the cloud rested, they rested; if the cloud moved forward, then they moved. I can imagine that the first thing Moses did, when the gray dawn of morning broke, was to look up and see if the cloud was still over the camp. By night it was a pillar of fire, lighting up the camp, and filling them with a sense of God's protecting care; by day it was a cloud shielding them from the fierce heat of the sun's rays, and sheltering them from the sight of their enemies.
Israel's Shepherd could lead them through the pathless desert. Why? Because He made it. He knew every grain of sand in it. They could not have a better leader through the wilderness than its Creator.
And, sinner, can you, in all your difficulties or doubts and fears, have a better leader than Jehovah? Oh, I do like that good old hymn: "Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more." Yes, that is the true prayer of the bewildered sinner. God is able, and still more, He is willing, to lead us, and to feed us.
"Thou gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst" (Nehemiah 9:15).
He is still as able to lead any of us as He was four thousand years ago to lead the children of Israel, "For I am the Lord; I change not." To every one of us He says, "Fear not, I will lead thee; I will help thee." Wonderful thing, is it not, to have God to help us on our way? In our Western countries, when men go out hunting into the dense backwoods, where there are no roads or paths of any kind, they take their hatchet and cut a little chip out of the bark of the trees as they go along, and then they easily find their way by these "blazes." They call it "blazing the way." And so, if you will allow me the expression, Christ has "blazed the way." He has traveled the road Himself, and knowing the way, He tells us to follow Him, and He will lead us safe on high.
5. Now we have seen Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Leader, or Way. But He is more than all that; HE IS OUR LIGHT.
"I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." He shall have the very "light of life." Yes, it is the privilege of every Christian to walk in an unclouded sky.
But do we walk thus in an unclouded sky? No, most Christians are often in darkness. If I were to ask this congregation if they were all walking in the light, I believe there is scarcely one, if he spoke the true feeling of his heart, but would reply, "No, I am often in darkness." Why is that? It is because we are not following Christ, and keeping close to Him. We are much in darkness when we might be in the light.
Suppose the windows of this building were all closed, and we were complaining of the darkness, what would any one say to us? Why, they would say, "Admit the light; open the windows all round, and you'll soon have plenty of light." Similarly we must let in Christ, who is the light, and open our minds to receive Him, and we shall soon walk in light. There is a great deal of darkness at the present time, even in the hearts of God's own people. But follow Him, and then you will have plenty of light. Then Christ will show to each of us that He is "The Light"; and He will do more, He will set us on fire with His light, that we also may shine as lights in this dark world.
May God help His own people to SHINE BRIGHTLY, to flash out of darkness, that men may take knowledge of us that we have been with Jesus. But remember, the world hates the light. Christ was the light of the world, and the world sought to extinguish it at Calvary. Now He has left His people to shine. "Ye are the light of the world." He has left us here to shine. He means us to be "living epistles, known and read of all men." The world is certain to watch, and to read you and me. If we are inconsistent, then you may be sure the world will take occasion to stumble at us.
The world finds plenty of difficulties on the way; let us see that we Christians do not add more stumbling-blocks by our un-Christlike walk.
God help us to keep our lights burning clear and brilliant! Out West a friend of mine was walking along one of the streets one dark night, and saw approaching him a man with a lantern. As he came up close to him he noticed by the bright light that the man had got no eyes. He went past, but the thought struck him, "Surely that man is blind." He turned round, and said, "My friend, are you not blind?" "Yes." "Then what have you got the lantern for?" "I carry the lantern that people may not stumble over me, of course," said the blind man. Let us take a lesson from that blind man, and hold up our light, burning with the clear radiance of heaven, that men may not stumble over us.
6. Objectors have said that it's all moonshine about Christ's people being lights on the way. Well, that's just what we believe; we reflect the light of Christ
REFLECTED LIGHT
Just like the moonshine, our light is borrowed light. When we are living in the light of our Savior we shine with His light: somewhat like the face of Moses, which shone after he had been in the mount with God. Let us live in an atmosphere of heaven, and we cannot help shining. But whenever we get downcast and weak in faith, then we are sure to lose our light.
I remember during the American war I was in a prayer meeting. We were all very dark and gloomy. Things had been going against us for some time.
At last an old man got up, and said, "What is the matter with us, that we are downhearted and sad? It is simply our lack of faith. Moses, Joshua, and David were men strong in faith. They believed, and therefore God honored them. Whence comes our want of faith? God is not dead. He is as powerful, as willing, to help today as ever He was. Why, then, are we not full of faith in Him? It is God-dishonoring to forget that He still has power, although our armies are defeated, and all seems dark and gloomy."
GET ABOVE THE CLOUDS
I will tell you what happened to me some time ago when I was out West. I wanted to reach the summit of one of the Western mountains. I had been told that sunrise was very beautiful when seen from the summit. We got up to the half-way house one afternoon, where we were to rest till midnight, and then set out for the top. Soon a little party of us started with a good guide. Before a great while it began to rain, and then it became a regular storm of thunder and lightning. I thought there was little use in going on, and said to the guide, "Guess we'd better turn back; we won't see anything this morning, with all these clouds." "Oh," said the guide, "I expect we'll soon get through these clouds, and get above them, and then we'll have a glorious view." So we went on, whilst the thunders were rumbling right about our ears. But soon we began to get above the thunder-cloud; the air was quite clear, and when the sun rose we had a splendid view of his rays as they tinged the hilltops; and then, as the glorious sunshine began to break on where we stood, we could see the dark cloud far beneath our mountain height. That's what God's people want - to get into the clear air above the stormy clouds, and to CLIMB HIGHER away up to the mountain peak. There you'll catch the first rays from the Sun of Righteousness far above the clouds and mists. Some of you may be in great darkness and gloom; but fear not, climb higher, get nearer to the Master, and soon you'll catch His bright rays on your own soul, and they will sprinkle back upon others.
KEEP THE LOWER LIGHTS BURNING
We must live as children of the light, not as children of the darkness. If we are dark and sorrowful, how is the world to know that we are children of peace, and joy, and gladness? Our determination must be to keep our lights burning. A few years ago, at the mouth of Cleveland harbor there were two lights, one at each side of the bay, called the upper and lower lights; and, to enter the harbor safely by night, vessels must sight both of these lights.
These Western lakes are more dangerous sometimes than the great ocean.
One wild, stormy night a steamer was trying to make her way into the harbor. The captain and the pilot were anxiously watching for the lights.
By and by the pilot was heard to say, "Do you see the lower lights?" "No," was the reply; "but I fear we have passed them." "Ah, there are the lights," said the pilot; "and they must be, from the bluff on which they stand, the upper lights. We have passed the lower lights, and have lost our chance of getting into the harbor." What was to be done? They looked back, and saw the dim outline of the lower lighthouse against the sky. The lights had gone out. "Can't you turn her head round?" "No; the night is too wild for that. She won't answer her helm." The storm was so fearful that they could do nothing. They tried again to make for the harbor, but they went crash against the rocks, and sank to the bottom. Very few escaped; the great majority found a watery grave. Why? Simply because the lower lights had gone out.
And with us the upper lights are all right. Christ Himself is the upper light, and we are the lower lights, and the cry to us is, keep the lower lights burning, that is what we have to do. In the place God has put us He expects us to shine, to be living witnesses, to be a bright and shining light.
While we are here our work is to shine for Him, and He will lead us safe to the sunlit shore of Canaan, where there is no more night.
7. But Christ is more than our Light on the way; for He is OUR TEACHER.
What a wonderful thing to have a teacher sent from heaven. "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5).
"If any lack wisdom": I am afraid there are a great many of us who lack wisdom, and even the best of us at times will be in perplexity. There are moments in the life of us all when we seem in a fix; we just stand still, and say, "What shall I do? I don't know what is the best way." Oh, leave it with God, He will Himself be our teacher! "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." Here is a wonderful teacher. He has had a school for many thousand years; He has had the best men in His school; but still there's room for another scholar there. His college is not too full yet, and the teacher is the One sent from heaven.
Any one, every one in this assembly may join this school. Jesus will welcome you there. Are you in doubt about anything? ask Jesus; He will tell you.
Anxious sinner, seek the good teacher, as Nicodemus did: "Master, we know thou art a teacher sent from God." If you seek Him thus He will direct you. He will keep you, and lead you into green pastures and by the still waters. I met a woman the other day who was full of infidel doubts and fancies. She could not believe. Reading for some time infidel works had thrown a dark and gloomy pall over her mind. It made me sad to see her in such a case. Some of you may be like her. I wish you would take Christ as your teacher, and then all darkness would flee away.
Christ is able to teach us. See how He taught the disciples. He never wearied of their learning from Him. So He will teach us if we will only listen to Him.
THE OLD JUDGE CONVERTED
I remember, as I was coming out of the daily prayer meeting in one of our American cities a few years ago, a lady said she wished to speak to me; her voice trembled with emotion, and I saw at once that she was heavily burdened by something or other. She said she had long been praying for her husband, and she wanted to know if I would go to see him; she thought it might do him some good. What is his name? "Judge - ," and she mentioned one of the most eminent politicians in the State. "I have heard of him," I said; "I am afraid I need not go, he is a booked infidel; I cannot argue with him." "That is not what he wants," said the lady. "He has had too much argument already. Go and speak to him about his soul." I said I would, although I was not very hopeful. I went to his house, was admitted to his room, and introduced myself as having come to speak to him about salvation. "Then you have come on a very foolish errand," said he; "there's no use in attacking me, I tell you that. I am proof against all these things, I don't believe in them." Well, I saw it was no use arguing with him; so I said, "I'll pray for you, and I want you to promise me that when you are converted you'll let me know." "Oh, yes, I'll let you know," he said in a tone of sarcasm. "Oh, yes, I'll let you know when I'm converted!" I left him, but I continued to pray for him. Some time subsequently I heard that the old judge was converted. I was again preaching in that city a while after that, and when I had done talking the judge himself came to me, and said: "I promised I'd let you know when I was converted; I have come to tell you of it. Have you not heard of it?" "Yes; but I would like to hear from you how it happened." "Well," said the judge, "one night, some time after you called on me, my wife had gone to the meeting; there was no one in the house but the servants. I sat by the drawing-room fire, and I began to think: Suppose my wife is right, that there is a heaven and a hell; and suppose she is on the right way to heaven, where am I going? I just dismissed the thought. But a second thought came: Surely He who created me is able to teach me. Yes, I thought, that is so. Then why not ask Him? I struggled against it, but at last, though I was too proud to get down on my knees, I just said, 'Father, all is dark; Thou who created me canst teach me.' "Somehow, the more I prayed the worse I felt. I was very sad. I did not wish my wife to come home and find me thus, so I slipped away to bed, and when she came into the room I pretended to be asleep. She got down on her knees and prayed. I knew she was praying for me, and that for many long years she had been doing so. I felt as if I could have jumped up and knelt beside her; but no, my proud heart would not let me, so I lay still, pretending to be asleep. But I didn't sleep that night. I soon changed my prayer; it was now, 'O God, save me; take away this terrible burden.' "I didn't believe in Christ even yet. I thought I'd go right straight to the Father Himself. But the more I prayed I only became the more miserable; my burden grew heavier. The next morning I did not wish to see my wife, so I said 'I was not well, and wouldn't wait for breakfast.' I went to the office, and when the boy came I sent him home for a holiday. When the clerks came I told them they might go for the day. I closed the office doors: I wanted to be alone with God. I was almost frantic in my agony of heart. I cried to God to take away this load of sin. At last I fell on my knees, and cried, 'For Jesus Christ's sake take away this load of sin.' At length I went to my wife's pastor, who had been praying with her for my conversion for years, and the same minister who had prayed with my mother before she died. As I walked down the street the verse that my mother had taught me came into my mind, 'Whatsoever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.' Well, I thought, I have asked God, and here I am going to ask a man. I won't go.
I believe I am a Christian. I turned and went home. I met my wife in the hall as I entered. I caught her hand, and said, 'I am a Christian now.' She turned quite pale; she had been praying for twenty-one years for me, and yet she could not believe the answer had come. We went into our room, and knelt down by the very bedside where she had so often knelt to pray for her husband. There we erected our family altar; and for the first time our voices mingled in prayer. And I can only say that the last three months have been the happiest months ever I spent in my life." Since then that judge has lived a consistent Christian life; and all because he came to God, asking for guidance.
If there is one here today whose mind is filled with such infidel thoughts, go honestly to God, and He will teach you the right way through the dark wilderness of infidelity. He won't leave you in darkness or doubt. It is the devil's own work to lead men into such doubts; well he knows if he once gets them there he has them pretty safe.
It is Satan's work to keep you in ignorance or doubt. It is God's work to teach you. The teacher is Christ; He is appointed by God for this work.
God help us all to accept Him as our teacher. 8. Now we have seen Christ as our Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Leader, Light, and Teacher. But He is still more; He is also OUR SHEPHERD.
A very sweet thought it is to me, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want." There is not one here, except the very babes, who does not understand the work of a shepherd. He watches over his flock, protects them from danger, feeds them, leads them into the best pastures. In fact, the 23rd Psalm is just a statement of the duties of a good shepherd: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want," etc.
You want to be fed; are you going to wander about seeking something to satisfy the cravings of your soul? Then, I tell you, you never will find anything to satisfy the longings of your heart. The world cannot, and never could, satisfy a hungry soul. The Lord Jesus can - He is the true Shepherd. He is seeking to restore your soul, to lead you back to the paths of righteousness. Even to death will He lead you, and safely through its shadow guide you to a better land. Mother, father, will you claim Him as your Shepherd? Young man, young woman, will you have Him as your Shepherd? My little child, will you have Jesus as your Shepherd? He will lead safely and softly.
You can, all of you, if you will. For "God gave Him up freely for us all," that He might have us for His flock. He will lead us through life, down to the banks of the Jordan; He will lead us across the dark river into His kingdom. He is a tender, loving Shepherd.
I sometimes meet people in the anxious inquiry-room who are nourishing hard, bitter feelings against God, generally because they have been afflicted. A mother said to me the other day, "Ah, Mr. Moody, God has been unjust to me; He has come and taken away my child." Dear afflicted mothers, has God not removed your children to a pure and happy life? You may not understand it now, but you will by and by. He wants to lead you up there. THE EASTERN SHEPHERD.
A friend of mine, who had been in eastern lands, told me he saw a shepherd who wanted his flock to cross a river. He went into the water himself and called them; but no, they would not follow him into the water.
What did he do? Why, he girded up his loins and lifted a little lamb under each arm, and plunged right into the stream, and crossed it without even looking back. Whenever he lifted the lambs, the old sheep looked up into his face and began to bleat for them; but when he plunged into the water the dams plunged after him, and then the whole flock followed. When they got to the other side he put down the lambs, and they were quickly joined by their mothers, and there was a happy meeting.
My friend says he noticed the pastures on the other side were much better and the fields greener; and on this account the shepherd was leading them across. Our great Palestine Shepherd does that. That child which He has taken from the earth is but removed to green pastures of Canaan, and the Shepherd means to draw your hearts after it, to teach you to "set your affections on things above." When He has taken your little Mary, Edith, or Julia, accept it as a call to look upward and beyond. You, mother, are you weeping bitter tears for your little one? Do not weep! Your child has gone to the place where there is neither weeping nor sorrow. Would you have it return? Surely never.
Christ is our Shepherd - faithful and loving. Though sickness, or trouble, or even death itself, should come to our house, and claim our dearest ones, still they are not lost, but only gone before. God help each one of us to have Him as our Shepherd.
If time permitted, I should like to take up the subject of Christ as our Justification, our Wisdom, our Righteousness, the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother; but it would take a whole eternity to tell what Christ is to His people, and what He does for them.
I remember when I was preaching on this subject in Scotland, after I had done, I said to a man that "I was sorry I could not finish the subject for want of time." "Finish the subject," said the Scotchman, "why, that would require all eternity, and even then it would not be complete; it will be the occupation of heaven." 9. Once more, let us look at Christ as OUR BURDEN-BEARER.
Oh, I love to think of Him as the bearer of our burdens as well as our sin-bearer.
He carries our sins, although they are more numerous than the hairs of our heads. Great and terrible as these burdens are, God has laid them all on Jesus.
"O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head! Our load was laid on Thee." That aspect of His burden-bearing we have already looked at in His work as Savior and Redeemer. I wish now to take up the sweet thought, which has been a great comfort to me.
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows." Glorious, is it not, to know we have such a Savior? Can you feel that He has lifted your burden off your shoulders on to His own shoulder? Then you will feel light in heart.
A LIGHT HEART
On one occasion, after I had been talking this way, a woman came forward, and said, "Oh, Mr. Moody, it's all very well for you to talk like that, about a light heart. But you are a young man, and if you had a heavy burden like me you would talk differently. I could not talk in that way, my burden is too great." I replied, "But it's not too great for Jesus." "Oh," she said, "I cannot cast it on Him." "Why not? surely it is not too great for Him. It is not that He is feeble. But it is because you will not leave it to Him. You're like many others. They will not leave it with Him. They go about hugging their burden, and yet crying out against it. What the Lord wants is, you to leave it with Him, to let Him carry it for you. Then you will have a light heart, sorrow will flee away, and there will be no more sighing. What is your burden, my friend, that you cannot leave with Christ?" She replied, "I have a son who is a wanderer on the face of the earth. None but God knows where he is." "Cannot Christ find him, and bring him back?" "I suppose He can." "Then go and tell Jesus, and ask Him to forgive you for doubting His power and willingness; you have no right to mistrust Him." She went away much comforted, and I believe she ultimately had her wandering boy restored to her!
A MOTHER'S PRAYER ANSWERED
This circumstance reminds me of a faithful father and mother in our country, whose eldest son had gone to Chicago to a situation. A neighbor of theirs was in the city on some business, and he met the young man reeling along the streets drunk. He thought, "How am I to tell his parents?" When he returned to his village, he went and called out the father, and told him. It was a terrible blow to that father, but he said nothing to the mother till the little ones had all gone to rest; the servants had retired, and all was quiet in that little farm on the Western prairies. They drew up their chairs to the little drawing-room table, and then he told her the sad news. "Our boy has been seen drunk on the streets of Chicago - drunk." Ah, that mother was sorely hurt; they did not sleep much that night, but spent the hours in fervent prayers for their boy. About daybreak the mother felt an inward conviction that all would be well. She told the father "she had cast it on the Lord, had left her son with Jesus, and she felt He would save him."
One week from that time the young man left Chicago, took a journey of three hundred miles into the country; and when he reached his home, he walked in, and said, "Mother, I've come home to ask you to pray for me." Ah, her prayer had reached heaven; she had cast her burden on Jesus, and He had borne it for her. He took the burden, presented her prayer sprinkled with the atoning blood, and got it answered. In two days that young man returned to Chicago rejoicing in the Savior. What a wonderful thing it is to have Christ as our burden-bearer! How easy, how light do our cares become when cast upon Him!
Do you say Christ is nothing to you? If so, it is only because you won't have Him. He is to all who will accept Him a Savior from death, a Redeemer from the power of sin, a Deliverer from our enemies, a Leader through the wilderness; He is the way Himself, He is Light in the darkness, He is a Teacher to His people, He is the Shepherd of His flock, our Justification, Wisdom, Righteousness, Elder Brother, Burden-bearer.
He is in fact "Our all in all." Then come to Christ; oh, come today, The Father, Son, and Spirit say, The Bride repeats the call, For He will cleanse your guilty stains, His love will soothe your weary pains, For Christ is All in All.
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