Grateful

Heavenly Father,

It is amazing that you would come down from your throne in heaven, and live and experience life as we do. As I think about the price you paid for me, Lord, I am unworthy of the love that you have shown to me. It was me.... it was my sin that nailed you to that cross. I thank you for paying my debt. Lord, I can never do anything or even come close to repaying what you did for me. Lord, I pray that you continue to change my heart, that you would continue to work on me, so that I can live for you and serve you, and get to know you in a more intimate way.

I pray this in your precious name.

Amen.

Quote from J.C. Ryle

"Election is always to sanctification. Those whom Christ chooses out of mankind, He chooses to not only to be saved, but that they may bear fruit, and it can be seen. All other election besides this is a mere vain delusion and a miserable invention of man. Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification, we may be sure there is no election."

Quote by C.H. Spurgeon

If sinners be dammed, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for.  ---C.H. Spurgeon

Who's Standard

We are all going to be judged by God's standard someday. We cannot make the mistake of thinking we know what that standard is.  It would be wise to seek in His Word what His standard actually is.  This illustration is a great reminder.

Brian Burrell tells of an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis who was arrested in 1992 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Curtis apparently had scruples about his thievery. In his wallet the police found a sheet of paper on which was written the following code:

1.     I will not kill anyone unless I have to.

2.     I will take cash and food stamps—no checks.

3.     I will rob only at night.

4.     I will not wear a mask.

5.     I will not rob mini-marts or 7-Eleven stores.

6.     If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.

7.     I will rob only seven months out of the year.

8.     I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by the standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state.

Likewise when we stand before God, we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God's perfect law.

 Brian Burrell, Words We Live By (S&S Trade, 1997)

Die for Christ/Live for Christ

In the Bible and throughout the history, we see many people who were martyred for their faith in Christ. The stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 often comes to mind.    If it came down to it, would you die for your faith in Christ?  Believers overseas are often facing perilous conditions because of their faith. May we be mindful in our prayers of those who are persecuted for their faith in Christ.  At first thought, one might say "Yeah, of course I would die for Christ" And that would be an honorable thing.

However, an important question to ask is  not only will I die for Christ, but will I live for Him.   Are you looking for ways to glorify God in your daily living?  

Be Diligent

I saw this posted on a blog and it reminded me at how easily we can "drift away"

 spent many summers on Kentucky Lake. Peepaw had a boat and Jet Ski.  Numerous memories were made on the water.  We would take the boat out almost daily. My job was to tie the boat to a tree whenever we returned.

It was a small job, but important. If the boast was not tied down it would drift away.  It would hardly be noticeable really. Given enough time though and the boat would drift out of sight.

Drifting away is used by the writer of Hebrews. This imagery of a boat drifting into the sea was to remind Christians of what can happen when we are not diligent.

For this reason we must pay careful attention to what we have heard, unless we drift away (Hebrews 2:1).

Notice it is not willful sin. It is not stubborn rebellion. Instead it is a lack of urgency and diligence. The point is we must be intentional about our faith. Going through the motions is disastrous. You drift, drift, and drift until you cannot see the shore. Today decide to be diligent.  Decide to be urgent.  Decide to pay attention to what you have learned.  Decide to pay careful attention.

Who is guiding your life?

I often struggle in giving up control of different areas in my life to the Lord; it is so scary. But when I do, I am continually amazed at why I resisted for so long.

We often have a high regard for ourselves. Our dependence on ourselves or our possessions often leads to a prideful heart. 1 Corinthians 10:12       However, we see in John 15:5 ...apart from Christ, we can do nothing.    We are called to live our lives in TOTAL dependence upon Christ. Philippians 4:13 "I can do EVERYTHING through him who gives me strength."


It is important that we not trust ourselves; Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"    We need to surrender our lives and follow God's revealed plan for us. God gives us specific instructions (Bible) on how to live our lives.

Who is guiding your life? You or God?