Hope not Despair

 

In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:17-18

I will begin this Devotional on Hope with a story of the ultimate loss of hope…suicide. Fifty eight years ago in a small town in northeastern Massachusetts a man not yet fifty years old lost hope. He had a wife and eleven children, the oldest almost thirty and the youngest just 13. For only reasons that God can know this man took his own life. I knew when I was little that both of my grandfathers had died before I was born and it I never asked “how”. One night after I had already gone to bed I needed to ask my parents a question. I knew they were downstairs talking to a man about business and so I walked down the steps quietly and stopped. The man who I found out later was a life insurance agent, had just said, ‘How did your father die?’ I waited, and slowly with pain I could here even as a child my father said his father, my grandfather had committed suicide. I have no idea the question I needed to ask that night. In light of what I had just heard I walked quietly back to my room and eventually went to bed. I was not particularly sad, as in my child’s mind I had not known this man. My only sadness came from hearing my father’s voice.

Many years later I finally asked my father if my grandfather had left a suicide note, he said “yes” and my next question was, What did it say? His words shocked me! My father sat before me and very calmly quoted John 14:2: (the note consisted only of the portion in red)

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

How did this happen? How did this man know of the place the Lord has prepared for us and not know about the hope of Jesus Christ. I cannot hear this scripture preached without mourning for my grandfather and his lack of knowledge of this glorious hope, this strong encouragement we have in our savior.

Was this perhaps my grandfathers way of saying he needed to be in the presence of Christ then, at that very moment? Had he read this and said to himself I have to go to God NOW! Had he given up Hope? Yes, he had given up total hope in the things of the world. All the situations of life that were closing in on him. Did he lose hope in God? No, I do not believe he did. I believe a simple hard working man had come to the end of himself and had run home to his Father in heaven. The very important biblical truth that he could not at that moment grasp is this…

Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John 14:17

My grandfather either did not know or failed to consider that God through the Holy Spirit is with us always and if we abide in Him we only need ask and He will grant all according to His will.

As we enter this the first week of Advent and focus on The Hope we received with the First Coming and the Hope we have as we prepare for His Second Coming, may we not lose hope. Our creator made us for His glory. May we when times are hard, not despair: but grab firmly to the strong encouragement of our Lord and take hold of the Hope set before us!

To all of my family members, who when reading this may be hurt by painful memories, I ask your forgiveness. My desire through this story would be that another family may be comforted or, more importantly, that even one person reading this will not despair.

To God be the Glory, the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, Blessed be the name of the Lord.

What is Advent and Should We Celebrate?

 

Advent by definition means coming. From the Latin adventus being a translation from the earlier Greek parousia commonly used to refer to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. If the word advent by it’s very origin speaks to coming, and if the original word was used to describe a Second Coming, then there MUST have been a First Coming. As Christians we recognize the First Coming as the coming of the Messiah in fulfillment to Old Testament Prophecy. Were these Messianic passages not fulfilled, there would be no Christianity. As we know through Christ’s birth, death and resurrection these prophecies were fulfilled. We then must look to the prophetic writings of the New Testament for the telling of the Second Coming.

Whether speaking of the First Coming or the Second Coming we speak of Christ’s coming. As Christians we are called to study to present ourselves as an able workman for the kingdom. Towards these ends, I clearly see a proper study of the scriptures as they pertain to the First and Second Coming of Christ is profitable for our training in righteousness. So I say we should participate in the Advent season.

 

Let us briefly look at a few Messianic passages from The Old Testament:

 

Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming, says the LORD of hosts.Malachi 3:1

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.  Isaiah 7:14

The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.  Isaiah 9:2

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

  Passages of fulfillment in the New Testament:

 

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him “Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as child og light. Ephesians 5:8

The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned  Matt 4:16

I encourage you to spend time meditating on these companion scriptures and reflect on How God fulfills His Promises.

A Testimony of Thankfulness Among Adversity

 

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

Below is written a very heartfelt testimony of a friend. I post here with the desires that God will use this to His Glory and for the furtherance of His Gospel. I thanks Tommy for allowing me to share.

“Thankful…
It is with a thankful heart that I write.
Even in the middle of grief, doubt, fears, even some anxiety, I am thankful.
I am thankful that God saw fit to send His Son to Earth to live a perfect life and die a criminal’s death…for me.
I am thankful that God gave me parents who are believers, who commanded that we be in church, a Father who is the Christian leader of his family and is responsible to God, a Mother who is submissive as the Bible commands and truly is his helpmate.
I am thankful for my sister, who is an outstanding teacher and person of the first order.
I am thankful that God opened doors in order to bring me to my community, to marry a wonderful woman who is now with Him, to have three perfect children, to a church that teaches the scriptures, a pastor who has the Holy Spirit, a church family so filled with love and care, and to a school where teaching is the norm, not the exception and where colleagues work to help each other daily.
I am thankful that my Pastor is a man of God who left his home on a cold October night to come stand beside me and pray as I watched my wife die.
I am thankful that God gave me the ability to write, to cook, to sing, to teach, and to parent and pray.
I am thankful for friends who have stood beside me even when I was totally unworthy of their friendship.
I am thankful that God taught me that friends don’t leave, they don’t turn away, they stand strong for each other even when the strongest winds of trauma blow and the storms of this world rage around us.
I am thankful that God has given me the strength to be strong for my friends and family who are weathering those storms.
I am thankful for the experiences I have had…..
Growing up in a Christian home.
After having turned away from God for 10 years, to return to him one morning during a heart wrenching time of my life, only to realize that He had never left me, He never turned away. As such, I resolve to be that kind of Christian to my friends and brothers and sisters.
Desert Storm – Facing what I thought was my sure death. Coming to grips with the very real probability that I would not return home from that conflict. Only to not have to go overseas, but having dealt with the spiritual and emotional issues of own death in the meantime.
My first marriage and the divorce that followed. Knowing that it was not God’s will for me.
Teaching at Conway High for almost 20 years. It is only now that I am starting to realize the impact that I was fortunate to have on peoples lives….and it continues.
Meeting and marrying Chantalle and living a life with her, The love, deep commitment, honor, even intimacy with her. Knowing and growing with Billy, Sheila, and Mattie. The continued love that our family has for each other.
Knowing that that marriage was what God intended. The feeling of complete peace and calm while standing in front of a church full of people.
Seeing my children born and watching them grow. What a most amazing experience. I am honored and privileged that I got to experience that with Chantalle. I am even more honored that God allowed me to be a Father.
Living through the horror of my family being killed in a car wreck. Through that event I learned exactly how strong Jesus arms are and how powerful His love is. Learning what your church family means to you. The complete and total outpouring of love. I also learned about forgiveness. Not only the forgiveness that Jesus has for us, but the forgiveness that He expects for us to have for others. While the driver of that vehicle is dead and is standing before God, his passenger is still very much alive. To him I extend my forgiveness for their actions that night. Should I ever have the opportunity to meet him, I wish to forgive him in person.
Learning from that experience what God expects the Christian husband and father to be. Having goals and a vision of my family in the future.
Learning that even in the pit of grief, regret, doubt, loneliness, and anxiety that God is still there, He still cares, He still listens.. He answers, even if only to say, “Wait.” “My grace is sufficient for you.”
Being able to write about those experiences and allowing others to see the power of Jesus Christ in my life.
I am thankful that God made me a teacher…even though some days I really doubt whether or not I’m doing a good job.
I am thankful that God allowed me to be a father. And I still question my abilities in that category. Only when I stand before God will I know whether I did right by Him and by them.
I am thankful that God allowed me to discover that I have culinary skills that, when used, make people happy.
I am thankful for my students, yes, even the ones who disrupt class. For even in them is the germ of genius waiting to be grown into full bloom. Even the ones who talk all the time, maybe I should listen more and hear them.
I am thankful for my colleagues, their concern for each other, the way they took me in and made me a part, the way that we work together.
I am thankful that my school took me into their family and made it my family. I thank God every single day for my school, and am thankful that HE opened that door that brought me home.
I am thankful that I have the Holy Spirit in my heart to pray to God when I just don’t have the words to say, and that God’s spirit will fill the emptiness that sometimes threatens to completely overtake who I am and what I am.
I am more and more thankful to my God for His mercy, His forgiveness, His patience with me, His peace, His calm, His Spirit, His Son, my Savior.
I am thankful that Jesus is returning soon to take His Bride, the Church, home…home to Heaven.
I am thankful that my Pastor has a fire for getting the message to those who don’t have Jesus.
I am thankful that that fire is catching, that I have caught it and now I pass it to you.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON that none should perish, but have everlasting life.”
If you haven’t taken the minute to confess your sins, call on Jesus for salvation, and repented…please do so. He is coming soon and time grows short.
In the words of the great author Jerry Jenkins, don’t be Left Behind.
There is absolutely nothing that you have done in your past that Jesus cannot forgive. You have no secrets, God already knows everything that you have done and everything that you will do. All you have to do is ask. Salvation is free. You don’t have to go anywhere, wear anything, do anything other than just ask. No, you haven’t done anything that is so bad that God cannot forgive. He waits for you. His arms are wide open…begging you to come home. Please come home to Him. Don’t wait…don’t put it off….whatever you might have done, wherever you might have gone…it no longer matters.
Jesus forgiveness is total and complete. Just come to Him and take it. It’s free. Completely free.
God is preparing us for what He has prepared for us.
I am thankful that I serve the Living God, the absolute Creator of Heaven and Earth, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I am so so thankful that Jesus waited on me to come home to Him. For I am not worthy of His grace. To quote Isaiah, “WOE unto me for I am unclean.”

Happy Thanksgiving, “

Tommy

May we all read this and think long and hard on what we have to be thankful for and Who is worthy of our thanks and praise.

Prayer of Thanksgiving from Valley of Vision

May we endeavor in our spiritual life to learn to pray with such humility…

Holy Lord, I have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, of failure to find Thy mind in Thy Word, of neglect to seek Thee in my daily life. My transgressions and short-comings present me with a list of accusations, but I bless Thee that they will not stand against me, for all have been laid on Christ. Go on to subdue my corruptions, and grant me grace to live above them. Let not the passions of the flesh nor lustings of the mind bring my spirit into subjection, but do Thou rule over me in liberty and power.

I thank Thee that many of my prayers have been refused. I have asked amiss and do not have, I have prayed from lusts and been rejected, I have longed for Egypt and been given a wilderness. Go on with Thy patient work, answering ‘no’ to my wrongful prayers, and fitting me to accept it. Purge me from every false desire, every base aspiration, everything contrary to Thy rule. I thank Thee for Thy wisdom and Thy love, for all the acts of discipline to which I am subject, for sometimes putting me into the furnace to refine my gold and remove my dross.

No trial is so hard to bear as a sense of sin. If Thou shouldst give me choice to live in pleasure and keep my sins, or to have them burnt away with trial, give me sanctified affliction. Deliver me from every evil habit, every accretion of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of Thy grace in me, everything that prevents me taking delight in Thee. Then I shall bless Thee, God of jeshurun, for helping me to be upright.

 

Interesting Info on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Facts for Your Consideration

 

›President Abraham Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November as a national day of thanksgiving.

 

›Congress finally made Thanksgiving Day an official national holiday in 1941.

 

›The National Turkey Federation estimated that 46 million turkeys—one fifth of the annual total of 235 million consumed in the United States in 2007—were eaten at Thanksgiving.

 

›The cranberry is one of only three fruits—the others are the blueberry and the Concord grape—that are entirely native to North American soil.

 

 

›Snoopy has appeared as a giant balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade more times than any other character in history

 

›The first time the Detroit Lions played football on Thanksgiving Day was in 1934, when they hosted the Chicago Bears at the University of Detroit stadium, in front of 26,000 fans. The NBC radio network broadcast the game on 94 stations across the country–the first national Thanksgiving football broadcast

Are you a “Lois”? Then listen up!

 

“ For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your Grandmother Lois and then in your Mother Eunice , for I am sure it is in you as well” 2 Timothy 1:5.

As we read the verse above we look first at the characteristic which Paul is commending in Timothy; “of the sincere faith within you”. Paul has used this particular word pairing previously in 1 Timothy 1:5, “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith “

The Greek word used in this coupling is anupokritos which in essence means anti-hypocrite, thus inferring the deepest level of sincerity possible. It is this sincere faith which is being commended in Timothy as a much desired characteristic. Paul does not stop there but proceeds to indicate the source of this sincere faith.

The God chosen vehicle for this sincere faith is attributed to having dwelt first in Timothy’s Grandmother Lois and then in his Mother Eunice. In Second Timothy 3:15 Paul indicates that Timothy was taught as a young child “ the sacred writings which are able to give you wisdom unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ” Lois we know from scripture was a Hebrew and took seriously God’s command to Israel in Deuteronomy 6:7;

“teach them (the commandments) diligently to your sons ans shall take of them in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”

Interestingly Paul uses this declaration of Timothy’s upbringing in The Word as a precursor to 2 Timothy 3:16 establishing God’s Word as God breathed & profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness.

How interesting is the placement of the declaration of the source and timing of Timothy’s instruction just prior to one of the most quoted scriptures in the Bible as it pertains to the teaching of The Word of God. A coincidence, I think not. God’s Word is very volitional. I believe, considering God’s design for a woman it is a source of instruction for mothers and grandmothers outlining their responsibilities in the diligent teaching of the children in their care. Most specifically their own children and grandchildren.

This entire section of Word4Women is devoted to helping Lois’ everywhere to provide a Godly example and become a source of diligent teaching for their grandchildren.

You may be a Nana, a Grammy, an Oma or Granny but what ever you are called the Lord calls you in the spirit of Lois. You may be a grandmother who became a Christian late in life or you my be a grandmother who was blessed to have been raised in a Godly home. Whichever the case you CAN and MUST teach your grandchildren for the Glory of God.

Before you Pray

The next time you prepare to pray, or someone asks you to pray for a friend, loved one or co-worker, consider this:

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting  way Psalm 139:23-24. James later echoes similar thoughts in James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 

I used to wonder why pray? If the scripture tells us the righteous mans prayers are effective, than the unrighteous mans prays must not be effective and since we no that noneare found righteous then what’s the use…? Then through study and listening the Holy Spirit showed me that I was not reighteous however by confessing my sins I drew closer to God. Remember “sin” seperates us from God.  So I urge you to perservere to always confess known sin and seek the Lord help to cleanse your heart so that you can more effectively approach the Throne of Grace.

In her book, A Journey Into Prayer, Evelyn Christenson tells the story of her husbands church. She recounts,” Everything seemed to be going great in our church. In four years our membership had almost doubled, abuilding program was in progress, and we had a full schedule of activities to meet the needs of the congregation. Yet, three of us sensed from God that there was a missing dimension. We decided to meet once a week to pray for our church…a very noble idea, we thought.

We agreed to start to base our praying on a verse of Scrioture- a good rule to follow- and right away God gave us Psalm 66:18: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” NASB

Lord what do you mean? we asked. We’re going to pray for our church. But He continued to apply the pressure gently:  “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”  WOW, I the wife of the Senior Pastor? Uh huh! ”

She continues to tell of how God did nor release them to pray for other needs until they had “cleaned up” their own lives by confessing their sins. It took SIX weeks before God released them from their confession of sin to beginning effectual fervent prayer for their church.

What would happen in our personal lives or in the lives of our family or church if we covenanted together to confess our sins and ask God to cleanse our hearts. If you think God is anwering prayer now…WOW what blessings may He have waiting that we cannot even imagine.

I encourage all who read this post even if you begin small, BEGIN. Confess your sin and don;t be surprised what God shows you in your walk with Him

The Theology of Revelation 23

Theology as defined by Random House Unabridged online dictionary is: the field of study and the analysis that treats God and of God’s attributes and relations to the universe; the study of devine things or religious truth; divinity.  Therefore The Theology of Revelation 23 may be the most significant theology for our time. Before you open your Bibles and read Revelation 23 I ask that you bear with me a moment longer. I would like to establish some basic doctrinal beliefs.

• All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2Timothy 3:16
•  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  1 Peter 1:23
• For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4
• In the beginning was The Word and the Word was God and The Word was with God. John 1:1
• And The Word came and dwelt among us. John 1:14

through the scriptures above I have indicated my belief that The Bible represents the inerrant Word of God. With Him at the beginning, the source of  our new life is “the imperishable Word of God . Christ our Saviour is The Word and The Word sustains us and is our constant source of guidance.

Now I engourage you to read Revelation 23, but to get the full jest of Revelation 23 Theology you should start in Revelation 22: verse 18. These verses very clearly warn of “adding to”or taking away” from The Word of God. These verses harken back to Deuteronomy 4:2  ” You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. ” God is VERY specific about HIS WORD.

By now you have realized there is no 23rd Chapter in the book of Revelation and may wonder what is she speaking of ? I address the issue of legalism, a “new and improved” Christ, a rewritten WORD in which John 1:1 becomes “in the beginning was the word and the word was a god” . NONE of this is biblical and we must ALL guard against falling into adding to or taking away from God’s commands.

You may say, “I don’t do that!”  well have you ever repeated a “rule” to someone even your child and said God says this… If you are not quoting or VERY closely paraphrasing The Word of God then you have fallen prey to Revelation 23 Theology. Christ came that we do not live by LAWS only that we live by God’s Word.

In his book,”Brothers, We Are Not Professionals’, John Piper states: ” For the legalist, morality serves the same function that immorality does the antinomian or the progressive; namely, as the expression of self-reliance and self-assertion.”

We have clothed legalism in the cloth called righteousness. In many churches of many denominations there are bylaws, and covenants that strictly prohibit the use of alcohol and some tobacco. Do they believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is too weak to stand along side the individual as they deal with their personal usage or do they believe the Grace of God is not sufficient for individuals that smoke or drink? I have yet to read a covenant or constitution of any church including these prohibitions who goes on to outline a prohibition against spousal abuse or adultery. If you were to ask why they would say, “well that is written in the scripture”  So what they are saying is that The Word of God does not sufficiently address the use of alcohol so they must!

Let me sum this up with a few more doctrinal truths:

• For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; Ephesians 2:8. We have been saved by the GRACE of GOD not our power to keep rules…
• For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 God is in Control, you can set your rules and even live by your rules, but it is ONLY The Word and Will of God that is of consequence.
•  No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.  2 Corinthians 11:14 People may be impressed with your “outward appearance” but God is NOT fooled. He alone see’s the Heart.
• And lastly,  See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather  than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,  and in Him you have been made  complete. Colossians 2:8 This scripture is particularly meaningful to me as it was this verse that I did my final paper in Biblical Interpretation at seminary on and so is near to my heart. Know from this verse that God is ALL you need.

May we all be humble enough to ask the Lord to show us those times when we may become legalistic or when we “make The Word bend to our preconceived notions. 

Advent Devotionals Beginning November 30th

Please visit our Web site: www.word4women.com for weekly devotionals throughout advent.

Is There Such a Thing as Christian Worldliness?

How would you answer this question? Think long and hard as the condition of your soul will be revealed!

Personally the very definition of each word…Christian and … Worldliness present themselves as antonyms.  Who is our Prince? The Prince of Peace or the prince of the world? If your prince is the Prince of Peace, then how can anything worldly be a part of your life?

As you think on these questions, I ask you to read the words of Horatio Bonar. For those of you unfamiliar with Horatio Bonar, he was an early 19th Century Scottish Pastor, author and hymn writer.

Are we Christians? Or are we worldlings?

(Horatius Bonar, “Self-Denial Christianity“)

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!“
    Amos 6:1

What do we say to . . .
  our self-indulgence,
  our sloth,
  our love of ease,
  our avoidance of hardship,
  our luxury,
  our pampering of the body,
  our costly feasts,
  our silken couches,
  our brilliant furniture,
  our gay attire,
  our braided hair,
  our jeweled fingers,
  our idle mirth,
  our voluptuous music,
  our jovial tables, loaded with every variety of rich viands?

Are we Christians? Or are we worldlings?

Where is the self-denial of the New Testament days?

Where is the separation from a self-pleasing luxurious
world? Where is the cross, the true badge of discipleship,
to be seen–except in useless religious ornaments for the
body, or worse than useless decorations for the sanctuary?

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!” Is not this
the description of multitudes who name the name of
Christ? They may not always be “living in debauchery,
lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable
idolatry.” But even where these are absent, there is
‘high living’–luxury of the table or the wardrobe–
in conformity to ‘this present evil world.’

‘At ease in Zion!’ Yes! there is the shrinking . . .
  from hard service;
  from ’spending and being spent;’
  from toil and burden-bearing and conflict;
  from self-sacrifice and noble adventure,
for the Master’s sake.

There is conformity to the world, instead of conformity
to Christ! There is a laying down, instead of a taking up
of the cross. Or there is a lining of the cross with velvet,
lest it should gall our shoulders as we carry it! Or there
is an adorning of the cross, that it may suite the taste
and the manners of our refined and intellectual age.

Anything but the bare, rugged and simple cross!

We think that we can make the strait gate wider, and
the narrow way broader, so as to be able to walk more
comfortably to the heavenly kingdom. We try to prove
that ‘modern enlightenment’ has so elevated the race,
that there is no longer the battle or the burden or the
discipline; or has so refined ‘the world and its pleasures’,
that we may safely drink the poisoned cup, and give
ourselves up to the inebriation of the Siren song.

‘At ease in Zion!’ Even when the walls of our city are
besieged, and the citadel is being stormed! Instead of
grasping our weapons, we lie down upon our couches!

Instead of the armor, we put on the silken robe!

We are cowards, when we should be brave!

We are faint-hearted, when we should be bold!

We are lukewarm, when we should be fervent!

We are cold, when we should be full of zeal!

We compromise and shuffle and apologize, when
we should lift up our voice like a trumpet! We pare
down truth, or palliate error, or extenuate sin–in
order to placate the world, or suit the spirit of the
age, or ‘unify’ the Church.

Learn self-denying Christianity. Not the form or name,
but the living thing. Let us renounce the lazy, luxurious,
self-pleasing, fashionable religion of the present day!

A self-indulgent religion has nothing in common with
the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ; or with that cross of
ours which He has commanded us to take up and carry
after Him–renouncing ease and denying self.

Our time,
our gifts,
our money,
our strength,
are all to be laid upon the altar.

“Woe to those who are at ease in Zion!” Amos 6:1