I think this Lenten endeavor was a success.
Things I learned (in no particular order):
1-40 days is a long time! I think it is long enough to help me realize how weak I am and how I do need to rely on God for anything that would be considered success.
2--Reading the 4 Gospels in 40 days was very impactful. You hear the story and remember the nature of Christ and His loving gift over and over. This was VERY good and I think it could become an Easter/Lenten tradition
3--When you read a book called Sin and Temptation, be prepared to be convicted! And that is a good thing!
4--It's still easy for my Thankful journal to get under piles of stuff on my desk. This is a sad thing and also a good reminder to not let the things of this earth choke out my joy!
5--Being less attached to facebook and news channels brought more peace to my day and less moments were wasted. I never would have had any success with this if Beth hadn't help me trim down facebook. I still find I habitually just plop down at the computer for no reason at all. I think I need to keep working in this area.
6--I enjoyed learning about the Heidelberg catechism. There are still 22 more Q and A. Sorry to leave you hanging! The book I have been reading is The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung. It's been an informative read. Or, just google Heidelberg catechism to finish up the overview.
7--I added candle lighting about 1/2 way in to Lent. I wasn't very good at remembering to light the little tea light. But I think it was a good practice. It reminded me throughout the day, when I saw the candle lit, that it was still Lent and to contemplate on the things I had read in the morning.
8--Praying for the Persecuted church was also impacting to me. We have it so easy in America. It is good to stand with the Body and Bride and pray for those who are our family in the faith.
9--Using the blog format did help hold me accountable. It you happened to read bits and pieces along the way, thanks for joining me in this endeavor. A little "like" on facebook was enough to help hold me accountable and keep me more faithful. One of the good things about facebook!
Overall, I am very glad that I listened to that "still small Voice" that prompted me to attempt this Lenten endeavor. It was a good thing. Now to continue to listen and hear what that Voice would have me endeavor next!
Monday, April 6, 2015
Saturday, April 4, 2015
40-Jesus' final talk with his disciples before He was crucified
John 16:2,7,16, 22 (Jesus speaking)
"They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go ways; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one will take from you."
"They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go ways; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.
A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father.
Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice and your joy no one will take from you."
Friday, April 3, 2015
Then they did spit in His face
Of all the extra-biblical reading I have done during Lent, this has impacted me the most. It is from a sermon by Charles Spurgeon July 11, 1886, as edited by Nancy Guthrie in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
Then they spit in his face and struck hi. And some slapped Him. Matthew 26:67
Let us go in thought to the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, and there let us, in deepest sorrow, realize the meaning of these terrible words: "Then did they spit in his face." There is more of deep and awful thunder in them than in the bolt that bursts overhead, there is more of vivid terror in them than in the sharpest lightning flash: "Then did they spit in his face."
Observe that these men, the priests, and scribes, and orders, and their servitors, did this shameful deed after they had heard our Lord say, "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. "It was in contempt of this claim, in derision of this honor which he foretold for himself, that "then did they spit in his face," as if they could bear it no longer, that he, who stood to be judged of them, should claim to be their Judge; that he, whom they had brought at dead of night from the garden of Gethsemane as their captive, should talk of coming in the clouds of heaven: "Then did they spit in his face."
Nor may I fail to add that they thus assaulted our Lord after the high priest had rent his clothes. My brethren, do not forget that the high priest was supposed to be the representative of everything that was good and venerable among the Jews. The high priest was the earthly head of their religion; he it was who, alone of mortal men, might enter within the mysterious veil; yet he it was who condemned the Lord of glory, as he rent his clothes, and said, "He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy." It makes me tremble as I think of how eminent we may be in the service of God, and yet how awfully we may be enemies of the Christ of God. Let none of us think that, though we even clamber up to the highest places in the church, we are therefore saved. We may be high priests, and wear the Urim and the Thummim, and put on the breastplate with all its wondrous mystic stones, and bind around us the curious girdle of the ephod, and yet, for all that, we may be ringleaders in expressing contempt of God and of his Christ. It was when Caiaphas, the high priest, had pronounced the word of condemnation against Christ, that "then did they spit in his face." God grant that we may never take upon ourselves any office in the Church of God, and then, girt about with the authority and influence which such an office might lend to us, be the first to pour derision and contempt upon the Christ of God! Yet I do not hesitate to say that when men look to the earthly priesthood instead of looking to Christ, the great High Priest, when men are taught to trust in the mass instead of trusting in Christ's one sacrifice for sin upon the cross, it is then that the very priests do lead the way in spitting in his face. Antichrist never more surely dwells anywhere than in the place where Christ is thus dishonored, and none do him such dire disgrace as those who ought to bow at his feet, and lift him high among the sons of men, yet who reject him, and refuse his rightful claims.
There are two or three thoughts that come to my mind when I think that these wicked men did actually spit in Christ's face,—in that face which is the light of heaven, the joy of angels, the bliss of saints, and the very brightness of the Father's glory. This spitting shows us, first, how far sin will go. If we want proof of the depravity of the heart of man, I will not point you to the stews of Sodom and Gomorrah, nor will I take you to the places where blood is shed in streams by wretches like to Herod and men of that sort. No, the clearest proof that man is utterly fallen, and that the natural heart is enmity against God, is seen in the fact that they did spit in Christ's face, did falsely accuse him, and condemn him, and lead him out as a malefactor, and hang him up as a felon that he might die upon the cross. Why, what evil had he done? What was there in his whole life that should give them occasion to spit in his face? Even at that moment, did his face flash with indignation against them? Did he look with contempt upon them? Not he; for he was all gentleness and tenderness even towards these his enemies, and their hearts must have been hard and brutal indeed that "then did they spit in his face." He had healed their sick, he had fed their hungry, he had been among them a very fountain of blessing up and down Judaea and Samaria; and yet, "then did they spit in his face." I say again, relate not to me the crimes of ancient nations, nor the horrible evils committed by uncivilized men, nor the more elaborate iniquities of our great cities; tell me not of the abominations of Greece or Rome;—this—this, in the sight of the angels of God, and in the eyes of the God of the angels, is the masterpiece of all iniquity: "Then did they spit in his face." To enter into the King's own palace, and draw near to his only-begotten Son, and to spit in his face,—this is the crime of crimes which reveals the infamous wickedness of men. Humanity stands condemned of the blackest iniquity now that it has gone as far as to spit in Christ's face.
O my brothers, let us hate sin; O my sisters, let us loathe sin, not only because it pierced those blessed hands and feet of our dear Redeemer, but because it dared even to spit in his face! No one can ever know all the shame the Lord of glory suffered when they did spit in his face. These words glide over my tongue all too smoothly; perhaps even I do not feel them as they ought to be felt, though I would do so if I could. But could I feel as I ought to feel in sympathy with the terrible shame of Christ, and then could I interpret those feelings by any language known to mortal man, surely you would bow your heads and blush, and you would feel rising within your spirits a burning indignation against the sin that dared to put the Christ of God to such shame as this. I want to kiss his feet when I think that they did spit in his face.
Then, once more, my thoughts run to him again in this way, I think of the tender omnipotence of his love. How could he bear this spitting when, with one glance of his eye, had he been but angry, the flame might have slain them, and withered them all up? Yet he stood still even when they did spit in his face; and they were not the only ones who thus insulted him, for, afterwards, when he was taken by the soldiers into Pilate's hall, they also spat upon him in cruel contempt and scorn.
Observe that these men, the priests, and scribes, and orders, and their servitors, did this shameful deed after they had heard our Lord say, "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. "It was in contempt of this claim, in derision of this honor which he foretold for himself, that "then did they spit in his face," as if they could bear it no longer, that he, who stood to be judged of them, should claim to be their Judge; that he, whom they had brought at dead of night from the garden of Gethsemane as their captive, should talk of coming in the clouds of heaven: "Then did they spit in his face."Nor may I fail to add that they thus assaulted our Lord after the high priest had rent his clothes. My brethren, do not forget that the high priest was supposed to be the representative of everything that was good and venerable among the Jews. The high priest was the earthly head of their religion; he it was who, alone of mortal men, might enter within the mysterious veil; yet he it was who condemned the Lord of glory, as he rent his clothes, and said, "He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy." It makes me tremble as I think of how eminent we may be in the service of God, and yet how awfully we may be enemies of the Christ of God. Let none of us think that, though we even clamber up to the highest places in the church, we are therefore saved. We may be high priests, and wear the Urim and the Thummim, and put on the breastplate with all its wondrous mystic stones, and bind around us the curious girdle of the ephod, and yet, for all that, we may be ringleaders in expressing contempt of God and of his Christ. It was when Caiaphas, the high priest, had pronounced the word of condemnation against Christ, that "then did they spit in his face." God grant that we may never take upon ourselves any office in the Church of God, and then, girt about with the authority and influence which such an office might lend to us, be the first to pour derision and contempt upon the Christ of God! Yet I do not hesitate to say that when men look to the earthly priesthood instead of looking to Christ, the great High Priest, when men are taught to trust in the mass instead of trusting in Christ's one sacrifice for sin upon the cross, it is then that the very priests do lead the way in spitting in his face. Antichrist never more surely dwells anywhere than in the place where Christ is thus dishonored, and none do him such dire disgrace as those who ought to bow at his feet, and lift him high among the sons of men, yet who reject him, and refuse his rightful claims.There are two or three thoughts that come to my mind when I think that these wicked men did actually spit in Christ's face,—in that face which is the light of heaven, the joy of angels, the bliss of saints, and the very brightness of the Father's glory. This spitting shows us, first, how far sin will go. If we want proof of the depravity of the heart of man, I will not point you to the stews of Sodom and Gomorrah, nor will I take you to the places where blood is shed in streams by wretches like to Herod and men of that sort. No, the clearest proof that man is utterly fallen, and that the natural heart is enmity against God, is seen in the fact that they did spit in Christ's face, did falsely accuse him, and condemn him, and lead him out as a malefactor, and hang him up as a felon that he might die upon the cross. Why, what evil had he done? What was there in his whole life that should give them occasion to spit in his face? Even at that moment, did his face flash with indignation against them? Did he look with contempt upon them? Not he; for he was all gentleness and tenderness even towards these his enemies, and their hearts must have been hard and brutal indeed that "then did they spit in his face." He had healed their sick, he had fed their hungry, he had been among them a very fountain of blessing up and down Judaea and Samaria; and yet, "then did they spit in his face." I say again, relate not to me the crimes of ancient nations, nor the horrible evils committed by uncivilized men, nor the more elaborate iniquities of our great cities; tell me not of the abominations of Greece or Rome;—this—this, in the sight of the angels of God, and in the eyes of the God of the angels, is the masterpiece of all iniquity: "Then did they spit in his face." To enter into the King's own palace, and draw near to his only-begotten Son, and to spit in his face,—this is the crime of crimes which reveals the infamous wickedness of men. Humanity stands condemned of the blackest iniquity now that it has gone as far as to spit in Christ's face.O my brothers, let us hate sin; O my sisters, let us loathe sin, not only because it pierced those blessed hands and feet of our dear Redeemer, but because it dared even to spit in his face! No one can ever know all the shame the Lord of glory suffered when they did spit in his face. These words glide over my tongue all too smoothly; perhaps even I do not feel them as they ought to be felt, though I would do so if I could. But could I feel as I ought to feel in sympathy with the terrible shame of Christ, and then could I interpret those feelings by any language known to mortal man, surely you would bow your heads and blush, and you would feel rising within your spirits a burning indignation against the sin that dared to put the Christ of God to such shame as this. I want to kiss his feet when I think that they did spit in his face.
Then, once more, my thoughts run to him again in this way, I think of the tender omnipotence of his love. How could he bear this spitting when, with one glance of his eye, had he been but angry, the flame might have slain them, and withered them all up? Yet he stood still even when they did spit in his face; and they were not the only ones who thus insulted him, for, afterwards, when he was taken by the soldiers into Pilate's hall, they also spat upon him in cruel contempt and scorn.There are still some who spit in Christ's face by denying his Godhead.They say, "He is a mere man; a good man, it is true, but only a man;" though how they dare say that, I cannot make out, for he would be no good man who claimed to be God if he was not God. Jesus of Nazareth was the basest of impostors who ever lived if he permitted his disciples to worship him, and if he left behind him a life which compels us to worship him, if he was not really and truly God; therefore, of all those who declare that he is not God,—and there is a very great company of them even amongst the nominally religious people of the present day,—we must sorrowfully, but truthfully say, "Then did they spit in his face."They also do the same who rail at his gospel. There are many, in those days, who seem as if they cannot be happy unless they are tearing the gospel to pieces. Especially is that divine mystery of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ the mark for the arrows of the wise men, I mean those who are wise according to the wisdom of this world. We delight to know that our Lord Jesus Christ suffered in the room and place and stead of his people.Yet I have read some horrible things which have been written against that blessed doctrine, and as I read them I could only say to myself, "Then did they spit in his face." If there is anything that is beyond all else the glory of Christ, it is his atoning sacrifice; and if ever you thrust your finger into the very apple of his eye, and touch his honor in the tenderest possible point, it is when you have aught to say against his offering of himself a sacrifice unto God, without blemish and without spot, that he might put away the iniquities of his people. Wherefore judge yourselves in this matter, and if ye have ever denied Christ's Deity, or if ye have ever assailed his atoning sacrifice, it might truly have been said of you, "Then did they spit in his face."Further, this evil is also done when men prefer their own righteousness to the righteousness of Christ. There are some who say, "We do not need pardon, we do not want to be justified by faith in Christ, we are good enough already," or, "We are working out our own salvation; we mean to save ourselves." O sirs, if you can save yourselves, why did Jesus bleed upon the cross? It was a superfluity indeed that the Son of God should die in human form if there be a possibility of salvation by your own merits; and if you prefer your merits to his, it must be said of you also, "Then did they spit in his face." Your righteousnesses are only filthy rags; and if you prefer these to the fair white linen which is the righteousness of saints, if you think to wash yourselves in your tears, and so you despise that precious blood apart from which there is no purging of our sin, still to you does our text apply, "then did they spit in his face," when they preferred their own righteousness to Christ's.The same thing is, oh! so sadly true when anyone forsakes the profession of being a follower of Christ's. There are some, alas! who, for a time, have appeared to stand well in the Church of God,—I will not judge them,—but there have been some who, after making a profession of religion, have deliberately gone back to the world. After seeming for a while to be very zealous, they have become worldly, gay, and perhaps even lascivious and vile. They break the Sabbath, they neglect the Word of God, they forsake the mercy-seat; and their last end is worse than their first. When a man forsakes Christ for a harlot, when he gives up heaven for gold, when he resigns the joys he professed to have had in Christ in order that he may find mirth in the company of the ungodly, it is another instance of the truth of these words, "Then did they spit in his face." To prefer any of these things to Christ, is infamous; and the mere act of spitting from the mouth seems little compared with this sin of spitting with the very heart and soul, and pouring contempt upon Christ by choosing some sin in preference to him. Yet, alas! how many are thus still spitting in Christ's face.If ever anybody should despise us for Christ's sake, let us not count it hard, but let us be willing to bear scorn and contempt for him. Let us say to ourselves, "'Then did they spit in his face.' What, then, if they also spit in mine? If they do, I will 'hail reproach, and welcome shame,' since it comes upon me for his dear sake." See, that wretch is about to spit in Christ's face! Put your cheek forward, that you may catch that spittle upon your face, that it fall not upon him again, for as he was put to such terrible shame, every one who has been redeemed with his precious blood ought to count it an honor to be a partaker of the shame, if by any means we may screen him from being further despised and rejected of men.Thursday, April 2, 2015
38- Killing sin
John 10:17-18 (Jesus speaking)
"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. this command I have received form My Father."
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96.Q. What is God's will for us in the second commandment?
A. That we in no way make any image of God nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.
97.Q. May we then not make any image at all?
A.God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one's intention is to worship then or to serve God through them.
98.Q. But may not images be permitted in the churches as teaching aids for the unlearned?
A. No, we shouldn't try to be wiser than God. He wants His people instructed by the living preaching of His Word--not by idols that cannot even talk.
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There is no death of sin without the death of Christ.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the Gospel would be spread in every nation, tribe and tongue including hostile nations like Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Mindanao (Philippines).
"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down Myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again. this command I have received form My Father."
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96.Q. What is God's will for us in the second commandment?
A. That we in no way make any image of God nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.
97.Q. May we then not make any image at all?
A.God can not and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Although creatures may be portrayed, yet God forbids making or having such images if one's intention is to worship then or to serve God through them.
98.Q. But may not images be permitted in the churches as teaching aids for the unlearned?
A. No, we shouldn't try to be wiser than God. He wants His people instructed by the living preaching of His Word--not by idols that cannot even talk.
-------------------------------------------
There is no death of sin without the death of Christ.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
---------------------------------
Pray that the Gospel would be spread in every nation, tribe and tongue including hostile nations like Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Mindanao (Philippines).
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
37-True belief
John 8:45-46 (Jesus speaking)
"Because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words;therefore you do no hear because you are not of God."
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92.Q. What does the Lord say in His law?
A. Exodus 20:1-17 (the Ten Commandments)
93.Q. How are these commandments divided?
A. Into two tables. The first four commandments, teaching us what our relation to God should be. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor.
94.Q.What does the Lord require in the First Commandment?
A. That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, magic, superstitious rites, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God, trust Him alone, look to Him for every good thing humbly and patiently, love Him, fear Him, and honor Him with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against His will in any way.
95.Q. What is idolatry?
A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word.
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1.Mortification is a habitual weakening of sin.
2. Mortification is a constant fight and contention against sin.
3.Mortification is evidenced by frequent success against sin.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for God’s work to continue in restricted nations like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, North Korea, and other countries with anti-Christian laws.
"Because I tell you the truth, you do not believe Me. Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears God's words;therefore you do no hear because you are not of God."
-----------------------------------------------
92.Q. What does the Lord say in His law?
A. Exodus 20:1-17 (the Ten Commandments)
93.Q. How are these commandments divided?
A. Into two tables. The first four commandments, teaching us what our relation to God should be. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor.
94.Q.What does the Lord require in the First Commandment?
A. That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, magic, superstitious rites, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God, trust Him alone, look to Him for every good thing humbly and patiently, love Him, fear Him, and honor Him with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against His will in any way.
95.Q. What is idolatry?
A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word.
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1.Mortification is a habitual weakening of sin.
2. Mortification is a constant fight and contention against sin.
3.Mortification is evidenced by frequent success against sin.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for God’s work to continue in restricted nations like Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, North Korea, and other countries with anti-Christian laws.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
36-murder, faith, life
John 5:16-18
For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal to God.
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88.Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?
A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the coming to life of the new.
89.Q. What is the dying away of the old self?
A. It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it.
90.Q. What is the coming to life of the new self?
A. It is whole-hearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.
91.Q. What do we do that is good?
A. Only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God's law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.
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As we daily taste the gracious goodness of the Lord, all else becomes worthless in comparison.
This is the work of faith: To trust God, and to live in such trust of Him
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
------------------------------------------
Pray that God will provide for the needs of the families of martyrs who are left behind.
For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal to God.
-------------------------------------
88.Q. What is involved in genuine repentance or conversion?
A. Two things: the dying-away of the old self, and the coming to life of the new.
89.Q. What is the dying away of the old self?
A. It is to be genuinely sorry for sin, to hate it more and more, and to run away from it.
90.Q. What is the coming to life of the new self?
A. It is whole-hearted joy in God through Christ and a delight to do every kind of good as God wants us to.
91.Q. What do we do that is good?
A. Only that which arises out of true faith, conforms to God's law, and is done for His glory; and not that which is based on what we think is right or on established human tradition.
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As we daily taste the gracious goodness of the Lord, all else becomes worthless in comparison.
This is the work of faith: To trust God, and to live in such trust of Him
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that God will provide for the needs of the families of martyrs who are left behind.
Monday, March 30, 2015
35
John 3: 17-20 (Jesus speaking)
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness ratehr than light, because their deeds are evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."
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86.Q.We have been delivered from our misery by God's grace alone through Christ and not because we have earned it:why then must we still do good works?
A. To be sure, Christ has redeemed us by His blood. But we do good works because Christ by His Spirit is also renewing us to be like Himself, s that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all He as done for us, and so that He maybe praised through us. And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits and so that by our godly living our neighbors maybe won over to Christ.
87.Q.Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent ways?
A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idolater, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like is going to inherit the kingdom of God.
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The wicked face temptation as a troubled sea, full of restlessness ans storms. They have no peace. God delivers us from such troubles as we guard our heart in keep Christ's word.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the mothers, wives, children and family members of those whose family members have been killed, like the 21 Egyptian Christians who were killed by IS in Libya.
"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness ratehr than light, because their deeds are evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed."
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86.Q.We have been delivered from our misery by God's grace alone through Christ and not because we have earned it:why then must we still do good works?
A. To be sure, Christ has redeemed us by His blood. But we do good works because Christ by His Spirit is also renewing us to be like Himself, s that in all our living we may show that we are thankful to God for all He as done for us, and so that He maybe praised through us. And we do good so that we may be assured of our faith by its fruits and so that by our godly living our neighbors maybe won over to Christ.
87.Q.Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent ways?
A. By no means. Scripture tells us that no unchaste person, no idolater, thief, no covetous person, no drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like is going to inherit the kingdom of God.
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The wicked face temptation as a troubled sea, full of restlessness ans storms. They have no peace. God delivers us from such troubles as we guard our heart in keep Christ's word.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the mothers, wives, children and family members of those whose family members have been killed, like the 21 Egyptian Christians who were killed by IS in Libya.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
34
Luke 24:38-39
And He said to the, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My fee, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit bones not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
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Pray for the many women who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. Ask God to help them remain steadfast in their Christian faith despite pressure to become Muslim.
And He said to the, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My fee, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit bones not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
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Pray for the many women who have been kidnapped by Boko Haram in Nigeria. Ask God to help them remain steadfast in their Christian faith despite pressure to become Muslim.
Friday, March 27, 2015
33
Luke 22:63-65
Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.
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83.Q.What are the keys of the kingdom?
A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both preaching and discipline open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.
84.Q. How does preaching the gospel open and close the kingdom of heaven?
A. According to the command of Christ: the kingdom of heaven is opened by proclaiming and publicly declaring to all believers, each and every one, that, as often as they accept the gospel promise in true faith, God, because of what Christ has done, truly forgives all their sins. The kingdom of heaven is closed, however, by proclaiming and publicly declaring to unbelievers and hypocrites that, as long as they do not repent, the anger of God and eternal condemnation rest on them. God's judgment, both in this life and in the life to come, is based on this gospel testimony.
85.Q. How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by Christian discipline?
A. According to the command of Christ:Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond als to their admonition--such persons the officers exclude form the Christian fellowship by without holding the sacraments form them, and God himself excludes therm from the kingdom of Christ. Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of His church.
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He endures the cold and the inconveniences of the night so that when the morning comes, He may have entrance. Some time for a long season--while He is scorned in His person, persecuted in His saints, and reviled in His word-- He stands at the door in the word of His patience, with His heart full of love toward rebellious souls.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the families of prisoners would be encouraged and feel God's presence during time os sadness.
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"We must come before God in silence, as evildoers, in order to obtain grace for the offenses that we have committed. We come clothed in shame, confessing that we are lost, that God might save us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, we say that it is completely beyond our powers to acquit ourselves in the eyes of God. But he comes to our aid; he does not scrutinize us or enter into account with us. When we have offended him, there is no satisfaction for sin other than the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way we can be cleansed is to wash ourselves in his blood." — John Calvin, "Freedom from the Bondage of the Law"
Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him. And having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?" And many other things they blasphemously spoke against Him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
83.Q.What are the keys of the kingdom?
A. The preaching of the holy gospel and Christian discipline toward repentance. Both preaching and discipline open the kingdom of heaven to believers and close it to unbelievers.
84.Q. How does preaching the gospel open and close the kingdom of heaven?
A. According to the command of Christ: the kingdom of heaven is opened by proclaiming and publicly declaring to all believers, each and every one, that, as often as they accept the gospel promise in true faith, God, because of what Christ has done, truly forgives all their sins. The kingdom of heaven is closed, however, by proclaiming and publicly declaring to unbelievers and hypocrites that, as long as they do not repent, the anger of God and eternal condemnation rest on them. God's judgment, both in this life and in the life to come, is based on this gospel testimony.
85.Q. How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by Christian discipline?
A. According to the command of Christ:Those who, though called Christians, profess unchristian teachings or live unchristian lives, and after repeated and loving counsel refuse to abandon their errors and wickedness, and after being reported to the church, that is, to its officers, fail to respond als to their admonition--such persons the officers exclude form the Christian fellowship by without holding the sacraments form them, and God himself excludes therm from the kingdom of Christ. Such persons, when promising and demonstrating genuine reform, are received again as members of Christ and of His church.
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He endures the cold and the inconveniences of the night so that when the morning comes, He may have entrance. Some time for a long season--while He is scorned in His person, persecuted in His saints, and reviled in His word-- He stands at the door in the word of His patience, with His heart full of love toward rebellious souls.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the families of prisoners would be encouraged and feel God's presence during time os sadness.
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"We must come before God in silence, as evildoers, in order to obtain grace for the offenses that we have committed. We come clothed in shame, confessing that we are lost, that God might save us through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. In short, we say that it is completely beyond our powers to acquit ourselves in the eyes of God. But he comes to our aid; he does not scrutinize us or enter into account with us. When we have offended him, there is no satisfaction for sin other than the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. The only way we can be cleansed is to wash ourselves in his blood." — John Calvin, "Freedom from the Bondage of the Law"
Thursday, March 26, 2015
32-
Luke 19:38(Palm Sunday)
"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in have and glory in the highest!"
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80.Q. How does the Lord's Supper differ from the Roman Catholic Mass?
A. The Lord's Supper declares to us that our sins have been completely forgiven through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ which He Himself finished on the cross cone for all. It also declares to us that the Holy Spirit grafts us into Christ, who with His very body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father where He wants us to worship Him. But the Mass teaches that the living and the dead do not have their sins forgiven through the suffering of Christ unless Christ is bodily present in the form of bread and wine where Christ is therefore worshiped. Thus the Mass is basically nothing but a denial of the one sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ and a condemnable idolatry.
81.Q. Who are to come to the Lord's Table?
A. Those who are displeased with themselves because of their sins, but who nevertheless trust that their sins are pardoned and that their continuing weakness is covered by the suffering and death of Christ, and who asl desire mora and more to strengthen their faith and to lead a better life. Hypocrites and those who are unrepentant, however, eat and drink judgement on themselves.
82.Q. Are those to be admitted to the Lord's Supper who show by what they say and do that they are unbelieving and ungodly?
A. No, that would dishonor God's covenant and bring down God's anger upon the entire congregation. Therefore, according to the instruction of Christ, and His apostles, the Christian church is duty-bound to exclude such people, by the official use of the keys of the kingdom, until they reform their lives.
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When the love of Christ constrains us to live for Him, then we can withstand temptation.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray that letters written to prisoners through VOM's page would be a source of encouragement and hope.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
31- a response to sin
Luke 18:13--And a tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!"
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78.Q. Are the bread and wine changed into the read body and blood of Christ?
A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into Christ's blood and does not itself wash away sins but is simply God's sign and assurance, so too the bread of the Lord's Supper is not changed into the actual body of Christ even though it is called the body of Christ in keeping with the nature and language of sacraments.
79.Q.Why then does Christ call the bread His body and the cup His blood, or the new covenant in His blood? (Paul uses the words, a participation in Christ's body and blood.)
A. christ has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that as bread and wine nourish our temporal life, so too His crucified body and poured-out blood truly nourish our souls for eternal life. But more important, He want to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge that we, through the Holy Spirit's work, share in His true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in His remembrance, and that all of His suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and paid for our sins.
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Just as people had differing and distinctive personalities, so they are also affected by distinctive temptations...How few truly seek to know themselves or possess the courage to do so.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for prisoners being held in Iran where believers face re-arrest, torture and even death.
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O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer
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I slew him—this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh eyes, why do you refuse to weep when you see Jesus' body mangled and torn? Give vent to your sorrow, Christians, for you have good reason to do so." -adapted from "The Tomb of Jesus" by Charles Spurgeon
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78.Q. Are the bread and wine changed into the read body and blood of Christ?
A. No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into Christ's blood and does not itself wash away sins but is simply God's sign and assurance, so too the bread of the Lord's Supper is not changed into the actual body of Christ even though it is called the body of Christ in keeping with the nature and language of sacraments.
79.Q.Why then does Christ call the bread His body and the cup His blood, or the new covenant in His blood? (Paul uses the words, a participation in Christ's body and blood.)
A. christ has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that as bread and wine nourish our temporal life, so too His crucified body and poured-out blood truly nourish our souls for eternal life. But more important, He want to assure us, by this visible sign and pledge that we, through the Holy Spirit's work, share in His true body and blood as surely as our mouths receive these holy signs in His remembrance, and that all of His suffering and obedience are as definitely ours as if we personally had suffered and paid for our sins.
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Just as people had differing and distinctive personalities, so they are also affected by distinctive temptations...How few truly seek to know themselves or possess the courage to do so.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for prisoners being held in Iran where believers face re-arrest, torture and even death.
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O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer
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I slew him—this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh eyes, why do you refuse to weep when you see Jesus' body mangled and torn? Give vent to your sorrow, Christians, for you have good reason to do so." -adapted from "The Tomb of Jesus" by Charles Spurgeon
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
30-He provides for us sinners
75.Q. How does the Lord's supper remind you and assure you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all His gifts?
A. In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup. With this command He gave this promise:First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely His body was offered and broken for me and His blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the one who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord, given me as sure sings of Christ's body and blood, so surely He nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with Hies crucified body and poured out blood.
76.Q. What doe it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and drink His poured out blood?
A. It means to accept with a believing heart the entire suffering and death of Christ and by believing to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. But it means more. Through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us, we are united more and more to Christ's blessed body. And so, although He is in heaven and we are on earth, we are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. And we forever live on and are governed by one Spirit, as members of our body are by one soul.
77Q. Where does Christ promise to nourish and refresh believers with His body and blood as surely as they eat this broken bread and drink this cup?
A. 1 Cor. 11:23-26 and 1 Cor. 10:16-17
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Luke 15: 6 (Jesus speaking)--Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!
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Whoever wishes to avoid temptation must pray...If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
A. In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat this broken bread and to drink this cup. With this command He gave this promise:First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely His body was offered and broken for me and His blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the one who serves, and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord, given me as sure sings of Christ's body and blood, so surely He nourishes and refreshes my soul for eternal life with Hies crucified body and poured out blood.
76.Q. What doe it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and drink His poured out blood?
A. It means to accept with a believing heart the entire suffering and death of Christ and by believing to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. But it means more. Through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us, we are united more and more to Christ's blessed body. And so, although He is in heaven and we are on earth, we are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. And we forever live on and are governed by one Spirit, as members of our body are by one soul.
77Q. Where does Christ promise to nourish and refresh believers with His body and blood as surely as they eat this broken bread and drink this cup?
A. 1 Cor. 11:23-26 and 1 Cor. 10:16-17
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Luke 15: 6 (Jesus speaking)--Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!
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Whoever wishes to avoid temptation must pray...If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
Monday, March 23, 2015
29-what about all this sin!?
72.Q. Does this outward washing with water itself was away sins?
A. No, only Jesus Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin.
73.Q. Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
A. God has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that the blood and the Spirit of Christ wash away our sins just as water washes away dirt from our bodies. But more important, He wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that the washing away of our sins spiritually is as real as physical washing with water.
74.Q. Should infants, too, be baptised?
A. Yes. Infants as well as adults are in God's covenant and are His people. They, no less than adults, are promised the forgiveness of sin through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith. Therefore, baptism, the mark of the covenant, infants should be received into the Christian church and should be distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision, which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.
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Luke 13:24- (Jesus speaking) "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will enter wand will not be able.
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It is wrong for us to enter deliberately into temptation and to think only of the near escape of our souls. We need to regard the comfort, joy, and peace of our spirits and to realize that we sojourn here for the honor of the gospel and glory of God.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the health of those being held in prison. Many do not receive even basic medical care and need God's healing and comfort.
Pray for Chinese believers and others who are forced to do hare labor in prison
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A. No, only Jesus Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sin.
73.Q. Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of rebirth and the washing away of sins?
A. God has good reason for these words. He wants to teach us that the blood and the Spirit of Christ wash away our sins just as water washes away dirt from our bodies. But more important, He wants to assure us, by this divine pledge and sign, that the washing away of our sins spiritually is as real as physical washing with water.
74.Q. Should infants, too, be baptised?
A. Yes. Infants as well as adults are in God's covenant and are His people. They, no less than adults, are promised the forgiveness of sin through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit who produces faith. Therefore, baptism, the mark of the covenant, infants should be received into the Christian church and should be distinguished from the children of unbelievers. This was done in the Old Testament by circumcision, which was replaced in the New Testament by baptism.
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Luke 13:24- (Jesus speaking) "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will enter wand will not be able.
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It is wrong for us to enter deliberately into temptation and to think only of the near escape of our souls. We need to regard the comfort, joy, and peace of our spirits and to realize that we sojourn here for the honor of the gospel and glory of God.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the health of those being held in prison. Many do not receive even basic medical care and need God's healing and comfort.
Pray for Chinese believers and others who are forced to do hare labor in prison
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My life afrights me. For when carefully reviewed, its whole course shows in my sight like one great sin; or at least it is well-nigh nothing but barrenness. Or, if any fruit is seen in it, that fruit is so false, or so imperfect, or in some way or other so tainted with decay and corruption, that it must needs either fail to satisfy God, or else utterly offend Him." - Anselm
Something to Think About
All of us have sinned—if we were without sin, Jesus' sacrifice would not have been necessary to assure us a relationship with God. This week, take time to identify the temptations and sins that you struggle with. Are there unconfessed sins in your life that you need to bring before Jesus?
Saturday, March 21, 2015
28-- us and them
Luke 12:49-
(Jesus speaking) "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptised with and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two and two against three."
(Jesus speaking) "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptised with and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two and two against three."
Friday, March 20, 2015
27
69.Q. How does baptism remind you and assure you that Christ's one sacrifice on the cross is for you personally?
A. In this way: Christ instituted this outward washing and with it gave the promise that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly His blood and His Spirit was away my soul's impurity, in other words, all my sins.
70.Q. What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and Spirit?
A. To be washed with Christ's blood means that God, by grace, has forgiven my sins because of Christ's blood poured out for me in His sacrifice on the cross. To be washed with Christ's Spirit means that the Holy Spirit has renewed me and set me apart to be a member of Christ so that more and more I become dead to sin and increasingly holy and blameless life.
71.Q. Where does Christ promise that we are washed with His blood and Spirit as surely as we are washed with the water of baptism?
A. In the institution of baptism where He says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father ans of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." This promise is repeated when Scripture calls baptism the washing of rebirth and the washing away of sins.
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Luke 10:20 (Jesus speaking)
"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
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We have no strength, no power to withstand (temptation). Self-confidence produces a large part of our weakness, as it did with Peter. He who boasts that he can do anything, can in fact do nothing as he should.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for those distributing Action Packs and other aid items to persecuted Christians
For information on Action Packs, see this link:
http://www.persecution.com/actionpacks
A. In this way: Christ instituted this outward washing and with it gave the promise that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly His blood and His Spirit was away my soul's impurity, in other words, all my sins.
70.Q. What does it mean to be washed with Christ's blood and Spirit?
A. To be washed with Christ's blood means that God, by grace, has forgiven my sins because of Christ's blood poured out for me in His sacrifice on the cross. To be washed with Christ's Spirit means that the Holy Spirit has renewed me and set me apart to be a member of Christ so that more and more I become dead to sin and increasingly holy and blameless life.
71.Q. Where does Christ promise that we are washed with His blood and Spirit as surely as we are washed with the water of baptism?
A. In the institution of baptism where He says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father ans of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." This promise is repeated when Scripture calls baptism the washing of rebirth and the washing away of sins.
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Luke 10:20 (Jesus speaking)
"Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
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We have no strength, no power to withstand (temptation). Self-confidence produces a large part of our weakness, as it did with Peter. He who boasts that he can do anything, can in fact do nothing as he should.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for those distributing Action Packs and other aid items to persecuted Christians
For information on Action Packs, see this link:
http://www.persecution.com/actionpacks
Thursday, March 19, 2015
26- sin and sacrifice
65.Q. It is by faith alone that we share in Christ and all His blessings. Where then does that faith come from?
A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts by the preaching of the holy gospel and confirms it through our use of the holy sacraments
66.Q. What are the sacraments?
A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by the use of them He might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put His seal on that promise. And this is God's gospel promise--to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ's one sacrifice finished on the cross.
67.Q. Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
A. Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy sacraments He assures us that our entire salvation rests on Christ's one sacrifice for us on the cross.
68.Q. How many sacraments did Christ institute in the New Testament?
A. Two-- baptism and the Lord's supper.
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Luke 7:47 (Jesus speaking) "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
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Sin sometimes carries men away by their love for sin, and they continue in it because they fear what will ensue if they stop.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for those supporting evangelists and other front line workers.
A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts by the preaching of the holy gospel and confirms it through our use of the holy sacraments
66.Q. What are the sacraments?
A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by the use of them He might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put His seal on that promise. And this is God's gospel promise--to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone because of Christ's one sacrifice finished on the cross.
67.Q. Are both the word and the sacraments then intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
A. Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy sacraments He assures us that our entire salvation rests on Christ's one sacrifice for us on the cross.
68.Q. How many sacraments did Christ institute in the New Testament?
A. Two-- baptism and the Lord's supper.
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Luke 7:47 (Jesus speaking) "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
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Sin sometimes carries men away by their love for sin, and they continue in it because they fear what will ensue if they stop.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for those supporting evangelists and other front line workers.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
25-grace is the cure for our sin
62.Q. Why can't the good we do make us right with God, or at least help make us right with Him?
A. Because the righteousness which can pass God's scrutiny must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law. Even the very best we do in this life is imperfect and stained with sin.
63.Q. how can you that the good we do doesn't earn anything when God promises to reward it in this live and the next?
A. This reward is not earned;it is a gift of grace.
64.Q. But doesn't this teaching make people indifferent and wicked?
A No. It is impossible for those grafted into Christ by true not faith to produce fruits of gratitude.
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Luke 5: 31-32
Then Jesus answered the and said to them, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but the sinner to repentance.
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The sufficiency of His grace does not appear to us until we compare our weakness with the strength of a test. It is like the power of an antidote, which is only revealed after a poison has been taken. The precious value of medicine is like wise known only by disease. Similarly, we shall never know the strength of God's grace until we experience temptation.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for those sharing the gospel on the front-lines in the most dangerous places
A. Because the righteousness which can pass God's scrutiny must be entirely perfect and must in every way measure up to the divine law. Even the very best we do in this life is imperfect and stained with sin.
63.Q. how can you that the good we do doesn't earn anything when God promises to reward it in this live and the next?
A. This reward is not earned;it is a gift of grace.
64.Q. But doesn't this teaching make people indifferent and wicked?
A No. It is impossible for those grafted into Christ by true not faith to produce fruits of gratitude.
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Luke 5: 31-32
Then Jesus answered the and said to them, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but the sinner to repentance.
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The sufficiency of His grace does not appear to us until we compare our weakness with the strength of a test. It is like the power of an antidote, which is only revealed after a poison has been taken. The precious value of medicine is like wise known only by disease. Similarly, we shall never know the strength of God's grace until we experience temptation.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for those sharing the gospel on the front-lines in the most dangerous places
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
24
59.Q. What good does it do you, however, to believe all this?
A. In Christ I am right with God and heir to life everlasting.
60.Q. How are you right with God?
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God's commandment and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction,righteousness and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner , as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.
61.Q. Why do you say that by faith alone you are right with God?
A. It is not because of any value my faith has that God is pleased with me. Only Christ's satisfaction, righteousness and holiness make me right with God. And I can receive this righteousness and make it mine in no other way than by faith alone.
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Luke 4:17-19,28-29
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To preach deliverance to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed, To preach the acceptable year of the LORD."
Then all those in the synagogue when they hear these things, were filled with wrath and they rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, they they might throw Him down over the cliff.
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It is grace alone that changes the heart of man.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for Bible smuggling and printing efforts in closed countries.
A. In Christ I am right with God and heir to life everlasting.
60.Q. How are you right with God?
A. Only by true faith in Jesus Christ. Even though my conscience accuses me of having grievously sinned against all God's commandment and of never having kept any of them, and even though I am still inclined toward all evil, nevertheless, without my deserving it at all, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction,righteousness and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner , as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me. All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart.
61.Q. Why do you say that by faith alone you are right with God?
A. It is not because of any value my faith has that God is pleased with me. Only Christ's satisfaction, righteousness and holiness make me right with God. And I can receive this righteousness and make it mine in no other way than by faith alone.
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Luke 4:17-19,28-29
And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To preach deliverance to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind,To set at liberty those who are oppressed, To preach the acceptable year of the LORD."
Then all those in the synagogue when they hear these things, were filled with wrath and they rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, they they might throw Him down over the cliff.
-------------------------------------------
It is grace alone that changes the heart of man.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for Bible smuggling and printing efforts in closed countries.
Monday, March 16, 2015
23--Jesus came to forgive
54.Q. What do you believe concerning the "holy catholic church"?
A. I believe that the Son of God through His Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, for the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.
55Q. What do you understand by "the communion of saints"?
A. First, that believers on and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all His treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.
56.Q. What do you believe concerning "the forgiveness of sins"?
A. I believe that God, because of Christ's atonement, will never hold against me any of my sins nor my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, in His grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgement.
57,Q. How does "the resurrection of the body" comfort you?
A. Not only my soul will be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but even my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, will be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body.
58. Q. Ho does the article concerning "life everlasting" comfort you:
A. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heat has ever imagined; a blessedness in which to praise God eternally.
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Luke 2: 29-32
"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
-----------------------------------------------------
If they maintain a deep sense of this mercy, however, their life as a believer will be empowered. Jesus said of the poor woman who came to Him in Luke 7:47, "To whom much has been forgiven, the same loves much." A great sense of God's forgiveness generates much love for the Lord.
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Pray that believers in need of Bibles in hostile and restricted nations will receive them
A. I believe that the Son of God through His Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, for the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.
55Q. What do you understand by "the communion of saints"?
A. First, that believers on and all, as members of this community, share in Christ and in all His treasures and gifts. Second, that each member should consider it a duty to use these gifts readily and cheerfully for the service and enrichment of the other members.
56.Q. What do you believe concerning "the forgiveness of sins"?
A. I believe that God, because of Christ's atonement, will never hold against me any of my sins nor my sinful nature which I need to struggle against all my life. Rather, in His grace God grants me the righteousness of Christ to free me forever from judgement.
57,Q. How does "the resurrection of the body" comfort you?
A. Not only my soul will be taken immediately after this life to Christ its head, but even my flesh, raised by the power of Christ, will be reunited with my soul and made like Christ's glorious body.
58. Q. Ho does the article concerning "life everlasting" comfort you:
A. Even as I already now experience in my heart the beginning of eternal joy, so after this life I will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heat has ever imagined; a blessedness in which to praise God eternally.
------------------------------------------------------------
Luke 2: 29-32
"Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.
-----------------------------------------------------
If they maintain a deep sense of this mercy, however, their life as a believer will be empowered. Jesus said of the poor woman who came to Him in Luke 7:47, "To whom much has been forgiven, the same loves much." A great sense of God's forgiveness generates much love for the Lord.
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Pray that believers in need of Bibles in hostile and restricted nations will receive them
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Easter E.G.G.
We all know about the tradition of looking for Easter eggs, but do you know about looking for Easter E.G.G.s???? I don't know where we picked up this tradition of looking for EGGs. I am pretty sure it was from Christian radio back in the 80's or 90's. I wish I could give credit where credit is due. But, it is a tradition that our adult children still remember today.
E.G.G. stands for Evidence of God's Grace! An evidence of God's grace is any time you see God's grace working in someone's life. Did you overhear an older sibling encouraging a younger sibling?--that is an EGG. Did your room mate unload the dishwasher on your day?--that is an EGG. Did your husband pick up his socks without being reminded?--that's an EGG. Did your friend lead out in prayer when he is normally shy?--that is an EGG.
And since we are nearing Easter, we call them Easter EGGs!
Look for Easter EGGs and then share your findings!!! They are much more wonderful than plastic eggs, hard boiled eggs or even the incredible pysanky eggs. At times we had egg shaped pieces of paper available for family members to write about the EGGs they spotted. Then we would take time to read the EGGs seen in our family. What a wonderful way to rejoice together at the work of God in your family and friends.
Happy Easter EGG hunting!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
22-Crucify Him
Mark 15: 13-14
So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!"
Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done:" And they cried out more exceedingly, "Crucify Him!"
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Pray for those who are injured because they are Christians.
So they cried out again, "Crucify Him!"
Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil has He done:" And they cried out more exceedingly, "Crucify Him!"
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Pray for those who are injured because they are Christians.
Friday, March 13, 2015
21
50.Q. Why the next words,"and is seated at the right hand of God"?
A Christ ascended to heaven, there to show that He is head of His church, ant that the Father rules all thing through Him.
51.Q.How does this glory of Christ our head benefit us?
A. First, through His Holy Spirit He pours out His gifts from heaven upon us His members. Second, by His power He defends us and keeps us safe from all our enemies.
52.Q. How does Christ's return "to judge the living and the dead" comfort you?
A. In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. All His enemies and mine He will condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all His chosen ones He will take along with Him into the joy and glory of heaven.
53.Q. What do you believe concerning "the Holy Spirit"?
A. First, He, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me and remains with me forever.
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Mark 14:30
"Assuredly I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times"
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Is our zeal for God what it used to be--warm, living, vigorous and effective?
John Owen-Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the families to those killed for their faith
A Christ ascended to heaven, there to show that He is head of His church, ant that the Father rules all thing through Him.
51.Q.How does this glory of Christ our head benefit us?
A. First, through His Holy Spirit He pours out His gifts from heaven upon us His members. Second, by His power He defends us and keeps us safe from all our enemies.
52.Q. How does Christ's return "to judge the living and the dead" comfort you?
A. In all my distress and persecution I turn my eyes to the heavens and confidently await as judge the very One who has already stood trial in my place before God and so has removed the whole curse from me. All His enemies and mine He will condemn to everlasting punishment: but me and all His chosen ones He will take along with Him into the joy and glory of heaven.
53.Q. What do you believe concerning "the Holy Spirit"?
A. First, He, as well as the Father and the Son, is eternal God. Second, He has been given to me personally, so that, by true faith, He makes me share in Christ and all His blessings, comforts me and remains with me forever.
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Mark 14:30
"Assuredly I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times"
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Is our zeal for God what it used to be--warm, living, vigorous and effective?
John Owen-Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the families to those killed for their faith
Thursday, March 12, 2015
20--half way
46.Q. What do you mean by saying, "He ascended to heaven"?
A. That Christ, while His disciples watched, was lifted up from the earth to heave and will be there for our good until He comes again to judge the living and the dead.
47.Q. But isn't Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?
A.Christ is truly human and truly God. In His human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in His divinity, majesty, grace and Spirit He is not absent from us for a moment.
48.Q. If His humanity is not present where His divinity is, then aren't the two natures of Christ separated from each other?
A.Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, it is eveident that Christ's divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity He has take on, but at the same time His divinity is in and remains personally united to His humanity.
Q49.A. How does Christ's ascension to heaven benefit us?
A. First, He pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of His Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven--a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, His members, to Himself in heaven. Third, He sends His Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit's power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand.
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Mark 11:7-10
And many spread their garments on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.Then those who went before and those who followed cried out saying: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
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Likewise, there is nothing good or desirable, either during this life of the next, in pursuing sin for its own sake.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the front-line workers will have a real sense of the presence of God.
A. That Christ, while His disciples watched, was lifted up from the earth to heave and will be there for our good until He comes again to judge the living and the dead.
47.Q. But isn't Christ with us until the end of the world as he promised us?
A.Christ is truly human and truly God. In His human nature Christ is not now on earth; but in His divinity, majesty, grace and Spirit He is not absent from us for a moment.
48.Q. If His humanity is not present where His divinity is, then aren't the two natures of Christ separated from each other?
A.Certainly not. Since divinity is not limited and is present everywhere, it is eveident that Christ's divinity is surely beyond the bounds of the humanity He has take on, but at the same time His divinity is in and remains personally united to His humanity.
Q49.A. How does Christ's ascension to heaven benefit us?
A. First, He pleads our cause in heaven in the presence of His Father. Second, we have our own flesh in heaven--a guarantee that Christ our head will take us, His members, to Himself in heaven. Third, He sends His Spirit to us on earth as a further guarantee. By the Spirit's power we make the goal of our lives, not earthly things, but the things above where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand.
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Mark 11:7-10
And many spread their garments on the road and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.Then those who went before and those who followed cried out saying: "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"
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Likewise, there is nothing good or desirable, either during this life of the next, in pursuing sin for its own sake.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the front-line workers will have a real sense of the presence of God.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
19--the death and resurrection
45.Q. How does Christ's resurrection benefit us?
A. First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, so that He might make us share in the righteousness He won for us by His death. Second, by His power we too are already now resurrected to a new life. Third, Christ's resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection.
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Mark 10: 33-34
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and to the scribes and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles' and they will mock Him and scourge Him and spit on Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
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Easter is not about Jesus living on in His teachings or the experience of Jesus coming to life in His disciples. Easter is about a divine Galilean whose heart pumped blood again, whose lungs filled with oxygen again, and whose synapses started firing again.
The resurrection means that the death of Jesus was enough--enough to atone for sin, enough to reconcile us to God, enough to present us holy in God presence. Christ wo' sin,death and teh Devil lost--that's the good news of the empty tomb.
Kevin DeYoung--The Good News We Almost Forgot
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Pray that the font-line workers will be encouraged, -knowing that others are praying for them
A. First, by His resurrection He has overcome death, so that He might make us share in the righteousness He won for us by His death. Second, by His power we too are already now resurrected to a new life. Third, Christ's resurrection is a guarantee of our glorious resurrection.
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Mark 10: 33-34
"Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and to the scribes and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles' and they will mock Him and scourge Him and spit on Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Easter is not about Jesus living on in His teachings or the experience of Jesus coming to life in His disciples. Easter is about a divine Galilean whose heart pumped blood again, whose lungs filled with oxygen again, and whose synapses started firing again.
The resurrection means that the death of Jesus was enough--enough to atone for sin, enough to reconcile us to God, enough to present us holy in God presence. Christ wo' sin,death and teh Devil lost--that's the good news of the empty tomb.
Kevin DeYoung--The Good News We Almost Forgot
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Pray that the font-line workers will be encouraged, -knowing that others are praying for them
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Day 18--Sin comes from within ourselves
40.Q. Why did Christ have to go all the way to death?
A. Because God's justice and thru demand it: only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.
41.Q. Why was He "buried"?
A. His burial testifies that He really died.
42.Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?
A. Our death does not pay the debt for our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.
43.Q. What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross?
A. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead, we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to Him.
44.Q. Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"?
A. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain and terror of the soul, especially on the cross but also earlie, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.
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Mark 7:20-23
And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts, adulterise, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Mark 8:34-
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will love it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses is own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in glory of His Father with the holy angels."
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Every sin is so voluntary, that if it is not voluntary, it is not sin.
The principle of grace within a Christian inclines him toward good. Grace rules, not sin, in the believer. Thoug his will may consent to sin, it only does so partially, never absolutely.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the workers' family members, as they often face long periods of separation
A. Because God's justice and thru demand it: only the death of God's Son could pay for our sin.
41.Q. Why was He "buried"?
A. His burial testifies that He really died.
42.Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?
A. Our death does not pay the debt for our sins. Rather, it puts an end to our sinning and is our entrance into eternal life.
43.Q. What further advantage do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross?
A. Through Christ's death our old selves are crucified, put to death, and buried with Him, so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer rule us, but that instead, we may dedicate ourselves as an offering of gratitude to Him.
44.Q. Why does the creed add, "He descended to hell"?
A. To assure me in times of personal crisis and temptation that Christ my Lord, by suffering unspeakable anguish, pain and terror of the soul, especially on the cross but also earlie, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.
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Mark 7:20-23
And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of man proceed evil thoughts, adulterise, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, and evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.
Mark 8:34-
"Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will love it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and for the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses is own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in glory of His Father with the holy angels."
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Every sin is so voluntary, that if it is not voluntary, it is not sin.
The principle of grace within a Christian inclines him toward good. Grace rules, not sin, in the believer. Thoug his will may consent to sin, it only does so partially, never absolutely.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray for the workers' family members, as they often face long periods of separation
Monday, March 9, 2015
day 17
37.Q. What do you understand by the word "suffered"?
A. That during His whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. This He did in orre that, By His suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, He might set us free, body and soul, for eternal condemnation, and gain for us God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life.
38.Q. Why did He suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge?
A. So that He, though innocent, might be condemned by civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.
39.Q. Is it significant that He was "crucified" instead of dying some other way?
A. Yes. This death convinces me that He shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.
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Mark 6:5-6,56
Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about eht villages in a circuit, teaching.
Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the border of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
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...sin always seeks to extenuate and lessen the seriousness of sin to the mind.
When sin would entangle the soul, it prevails with the imagination to solicit the heart by painting sin as something beautiful and satisfying.
When sin tempts with such pressure, it uses a thousand wiles to hide the soul from the terror of the Lord.
Fill your affections with the cross of Christ and you will find no room for sin.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for peace in the workers' hearts when traveling in especially difficult areas.
Pray for boldness and courage as workers carry out kingdom work.
A. That during His whole life on earth, but especially at the end, Christ sustained in body and soul the anger of God against the sin of the whole human race. This He did in orre that, By His suffering as the only atoning sacrifice, He might set us free, body and soul, for eternal condemnation, and gain for us God's grace, righteousness, and eternal life.
38.Q. Why did He suffer "under Pontius Pilate" as judge?
A. So that He, though innocent, might be condemned by civil judge, and so free us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.
39.Q. Is it significant that He was "crucified" instead of dying some other way?
A. Yes. This death convinces me that He shouldered the curse which lay on me, since death by crucifixion was accursed by God.
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Mark 6:5-6,56
Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about eht villages in a circuit, teaching.
Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the border of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
...sin always seeks to extenuate and lessen the seriousness of sin to the mind.
When sin would entangle the soul, it prevails with the imagination to solicit the heart by painting sin as something beautiful and satisfying.
When sin tempts with such pressure, it uses a thousand wiles to hide the soul from the terror of the Lord.
Fill your affections with the cross of Christ and you will find no room for sin.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray for peace in the workers' hearts when traveling in especially difficult areas.
Pray for boldness and courage as workers carry out kingdom work.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Prayer in the 1200's becomes song in the 1900's!
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
— Richard of Chichester
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
— Richard of Chichester
Friday, March 6, 2015
15--sin and the Holy Spirit
33.Q. Why is He called God's "only Son" when we are also God's children?
A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God--adopted by grace through Christ.
34.Q. Why do you call Him "our Lord"?
A. Because--not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood--He has set us free from sin and the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be His very own.
35.Q. What does it mean that He was "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary"?
A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to Himself, thought he working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that He might become David's true descendant, like His brother in every way except for sin.
36.Q.How does the Holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you?
A. Hi is our mediator and with His innocence and perfect holiness He removes from God's sign my sin--mine since I was conceived.
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Mark 2: 16-17
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "how is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
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We must consider the indwelling Holy Spirit. This surely is the greatest privilege we have in this world. We need to consider how He is grieved by sin, and how we defile His dwelling place. We must guard against forfeiting or even despising His comforts. Careful meditation upon these considerations helps to keep us from sin and temptation.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the front line workers will be refreshed and strengthened in God's Word daily.
A. Because Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God. We, however, are adopted children of God--adopted by grace through Christ.
34.Q. Why do you call Him "our Lord"?
A. Because--not with gold or silver, but with His precious blood--He has set us free from sin and the tyranny of the devil, and has bought us, body and soul, to be His very own.
35.Q. What does it mean that He was "conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary"?
A. That the eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God, took to Himself, thought he working of the Holy Spirit, from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary, a truly human nature so that He might become David's true descendant, like His brother in every way except for sin.
36.Q.How does the Holy conception and birth of Christ benefit you?
A. Hi is our mediator and with His innocence and perfect holiness He removes from God's sign my sin--mine since I was conceived.
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Mark 2: 16-17
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, "how is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
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We must consider the indwelling Holy Spirit. This surely is the greatest privilege we have in this world. We need to consider how He is grieved by sin, and how we defile His dwelling place. We must guard against forfeiting or even despising His comforts. Careful meditation upon these considerations helps to keep us from sin and temptation.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the front line workers will be refreshed and strengthened in God's Word daily.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
day 14
31.Q. Why is He called "Christ" meaning "Anointed"?
A. Because He has been ordained by God the Father and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be our chief prophet and teach who perfectly reveals to us the secret counsel and will of God for our deliverance; our only high priest who has set us free by the one sacrifice of His body and who continually pleads our cause with the Father; and our eternal king who governs us by His Word and Spirit and who guards us and keeps us in the freedom He has won for us.
32.Q. But why are you called a Christian?
A. Because by faith I am a member of Christ and so I share in His anointing. I am anointed to confess His name, to present myself to Him as a living sacrifice of thanks, to strive with a good conscience against sin and the devil in this life and afterward to reign with Christ over all creation for all eternity.
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Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came and spoke to them saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
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"Sin seeks to divert the mind from God...."
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that ministry activities will remain unseen by potential persecutors.
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Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
— from the prayer of St. Patrick
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
— from the prayer of St. Patrick
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Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
For all the benefits thou hast won for me,
For all the pains and insults you have borne for me.
O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother,
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
— Richard of Chichester
May I know thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
And follow thee more nearly:
For ever and ever.
— Richard of Chichester
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
13--our Savior and our sin
29.Q. Why is the Son of God called, "Jesus," meaning "Savior"?
A.Because He saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
30.Q. Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only Saviour Jesus?
A. No. Although they boast of being His, by their deeds they deny the only Saviour and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect Saviour, or those who in true faith accept their Saviour have in Him all they need for their salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 26:21-22,56,67,75
Now as they were eating, He said,"Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
Then they spat in His face...
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." The he went and wept bitterly.
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Without this sense of NEED, our prayers are of no use to the glory of God or of any good to the souls of men.
Sin and Temptation by John Owens
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Pray for favor among those to whom the front-line workers are ministering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - from the Book of Common Prayer
A.Because He saves us from our sins. Salvation cannot be found in anyone else; it is futile to look for any salvation elsewhere.
30.Q. Do those who look for their salvation and security in saints, in themselves, or elsewhere really believe in the only Saviour Jesus?
A. No. Although they boast of being His, by their deeds they deny the only Saviour and deliverer, Jesus. Either Jesus is not a perfect Saviour, or those who in true faith accept their Saviour have in Him all they need for their salvation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 26:21-22,56,67,75
Now as they were eating, He said,"Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?"
Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
Then they spat in His face...
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." The he went and wept bitterly.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Without this sense of NEED, our prayers are of no use to the glory of God or of any good to the souls of men.
Sin and Temptation by John Owens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pray for favor among those to whom the front-line workers are ministering.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - from the Book of Common Prayer
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
day 12
27.Q. What do you understand by the providence of God?
A. Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which He upholds,as with His hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty--all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from His fatherly hand.
28.Q. How does the knowledge of God's creation and providence help us?
A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from His love. All creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they can neither move nor be moved.
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www.aholyexperience.com/2015/02/why-failing-at-lent-may-be-succeeding-at-lent/
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Matthew 24:35--(Jesus speaking) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."
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If the heart does not realize how wrong and how bitter are the results of forsaking God, then it will never remain secure against sin.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the Lord prepares the hearts of those who will hear the gospel.
AMEN!
A. Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which He upholds,as with His hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty--all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from His fatherly hand.
28.Q. How does the knowledge of God's creation and providence help us?
A. We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing will separate us from His love. All creatures are so completely in His hand that without His will they can neither move nor be moved.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
www.aholyexperience.com/2015/02/why-failing-at-lent-may-be-succeeding-at-lent/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 24:35--(Jesus speaking) "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the heart does not realize how wrong and how bitter are the results of forsaking God, then it will never remain secure against sin.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray that the Lord prepares the hearts of those who will hear the gospel.
AMEN!
Monday, March 2, 2015
day 11- this sad world
26.Q. What do you believe when you say, "I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth"?
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them
who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence,
is my God and Father because of Christ His Son.
I trust Him so much that
I do not doubt He will provide whatever I need for my body and soul,
and He will turn to my good
whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because
He is almighty God
He desires to do this because
He is a faithful Father.
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Matthew 22: 15-18
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth, nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said, "Why do you test Me you hypocrites?"
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This is the nature of deceit. By only presenting the desirable aspects of temptation, it deceives the mind into making a false judgement.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
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Pray the Lord provides opportunities for front-line workers to share the gospel.
A. That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who out of nothing created heaven and earth and everything in them
who still upholds and rules them by His eternal counsel and providence,
is my God and Father because of Christ His Son.
I trust Him so much that
I do not doubt He will provide whatever I need for my body and soul,
and He will turn to my good
whatever adversity He sends me in this sad world.
He is able to do this because
He is almighty God
He desires to do this because
He is a faithful Father.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 22: 15-18
Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth, nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said, "Why do you test Me you hypocrites?"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the nature of deceit. By only presenting the desirable aspects of temptation, it deceives the mind into making a false judgement.
John Owen, Sin and Temptation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pray the Lord provides opportunities for front-line workers to share the gospel.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Invitation to join me for a concert
There is a concert coming to the Denver Metro area that I plan to attend next Sunday. I just wanted to take this opportunity to invite anyone in the area to meet me there. Danny plans to attend with me and we would love to see you there! The details are below:
Lent is a season for preparation leading to the passion and death of Christ. This service with readings and music will prepare the heart and the mind. Includes music by Brahms, Casals, Duruflé, Ives, Tallis, Purcell and others.
There is no charge for this service and tickets NOT required
Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 3:00 PM
Bethany Lutheran Church
4500 E Hampden Blvd, Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113
I think this will be a lovely way to incorporate music into your Lenten endeavor or just to enjoy some sacred music during the Easter season.
For more information, click on the link on the upper left hand corner of this blog page.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
10--Divine Poetry
Matthew 20:26-28
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whatever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many"
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Enhancing this symbolism, John mentions in verse 1 that "Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley." A drain ran from the temple alter down to the Kidron ravine to drain away the blood of sacrifices. At this time of year more than two hundred thousand lambs were slain. So when Jesus and his band crossed the Kidron, it was red with the blood of sacrifice.... divine poetry....
R. Kent Hughes in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross, edited by Nancy Guthrie.
Yet it shall not be so among you; but whatever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enhancing this symbolism, John mentions in verse 1 that "Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley." A drain ran from the temple alter down to the Kidron ravine to drain away the blood of sacrifices. At this time of year more than two hundred thousand lambs were slain. So when Jesus and his band crossed the Kidron, it was red with the blood of sacrifice.... divine poetry....
R. Kent Hughes in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross, edited by Nancy Guthrie.
Friday, February 27, 2015
day 9
Matthew 17: 22-23
Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and thy will kill Him and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and thy will kill Him and the third day He will be raised up." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Day 8--God is our Hope!
24.Q. How are these articles divided?
A. Into three parts: God the Father and our creation; God the Son and our deliverance; God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.
25.Q. Since there is but on God, why do you speak of three: Father Son and Holy Spirit?
A. Because that is how God revealed Himself in His Word, these three distinct persons are one, true eternal God.
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Matthew 16: 24-26
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
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Yet in spite of this, the rage and madness of sin may continue unabated. Sin does this by the possession of the mind, suppressing any reflection of the consequences of its actions. Sin also does so by secret, stubborn resolve to venture forward on its mad course, whatever the consequences. In this way we see the force, strength and violence of sin in all its naked power.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
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Lord Jesus Christ, who commanded us to love our enemies and all those who insult and hurt us, and to pray for them and forgive them; you yourself prayed for your enemies, who crucified you. Give us, we pray, a spirit of Christian reconciliation and meekness, so that we may forgive every injury and be reconciled with our enemies. Grant us Christian meekness and true love of our neighbor. Give to our enemies true peace and forgiveness of sins; and do not allow them to leave this life without true faith and sincere conversion. Help us to repay evil with goodness. —adapted from the Orthodox "Prayer for Enemies"
____________________________________________________________________________________
For our Persecuted Family, pray that they will "count it all joy" in their suffering.
A. Into three parts: God the Father and our creation; God the Son and our deliverance; God the Holy Spirit and our sanctification.
25.Q. Since there is but on God, why do you speak of three: Father Son and Holy Spirit?
A. Because that is how God revealed Himself in His Word, these three distinct persons are one, true eternal God.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 16: 24-26
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yet in spite of this, the rage and madness of sin may continue unabated. Sin does this by the possession of the mind, suppressing any reflection of the consequences of its actions. Sin also does so by secret, stubborn resolve to venture forward on its mad course, whatever the consequences. In this way we see the force, strength and violence of sin in all its naked power.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lord Jesus Christ, who commanded us to love our enemies and all those who insult and hurt us, and to pray for them and forgive them; you yourself prayed for your enemies, who crucified you. Give us, we pray, a spirit of Christian reconciliation and meekness, so that we may forgive every injury and be reconciled with our enemies. Grant us Christian meekness and true love of our neighbor. Give to our enemies true peace and forgiveness of sins; and do not allow them to leave this life without true faith and sincere conversion. Help us to repay evil with goodness. —adapted from the Orthodox "Prayer for Enemies"
____________________________________________________________________________________
For our Persecuted Family, pray that they will "count it all joy" in their suffering.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Day 7--HOPE from sin!
20. Q. Are all saved through Christ just as all were lost through Adam?
A. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all His blessings.
21.Q. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a knowledge and a conviction that everything God reveals in His Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance create in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that , out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever with with God, and have been granted salvation.
22.Q. What then must a Christian believe?
A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That Gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith-- a creed beyond doubt and confessed through the world.
23. Q. What are are these articles:
A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to the creed put to music by Rich Mullins (I love this song!) Really! Listen!
Creed, by Rich Mullins
__________________________________________________________________________
Matthew 13: 41-43
(Jesus speaking) "The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The person who understand the evil in his own heart is the only person who is useful, fruitful an solid in his beliefs and obedience. Others only delude themselves and thus upset families, churches and all other relationships. In their self-pride and judgement of others, they are showing great inconsistency."
John Owen from Sin and Temptation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Persecuted Family Prayer:
Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silence them.
A. No. Only those are saved who by true faith are grafted into Christ and accept all His blessings.
21.Q. What is true faith?
A. True faith is not only a knowledge and a conviction that everything God reveals in His Word is true; it is also a deep-rooted assurance create in me by the Holy Spirit through the gospel, that , out of sheer grace earned for us by Christ, not only others, but I too, have had my sins forgiven, have been made forever with with God, and have been granted salvation.
22.Q. What then must a Christian believe?
A. Everything God promises us in the gospel. That Gospel is summarized for us in the articles of our Christian faith-- a creed beyond doubt and confessed through the world.
23. Q. What are are these articles:
A. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended to hell. The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to the creed put to music by Rich Mullins (I love this song!) Really! Listen!
Creed, by Rich Mullins
__________________________________________________________________________
Matthew 13: 41-43
(Jesus speaking) "The Son of Man will send out His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend and those who practice lawlessness and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The person who understand the evil in his own heart is the only person who is useful, fruitful an solid in his beliefs and obedience. Others only delude themselves and thus upset families, churches and all other relationships. In their self-pride and judgement of others, they are showing great inconsistency."
John Owen from Sin and Temptation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Persecuted Family Prayer:
Pray that their ministry activities will remain undetected by authorities or others who wish to silence them.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Day# 6--Sin is Costly
16.Q. Why must He be truly human and truly righteous?
A. God's justice demands that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for its sin; but a sinner could never pay for others.
17.Q. Why must He also be true God?
A. So that by the power of His divinity, He might bear the weight fo God's anger in His humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.
18.Q. And who is the mediator--true God and at the same time truly human and truly righteous?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given to us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.
19. Q. How do you come to know this?
A. the holy gospel tells me. God Himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, He proclaimed it by the hold patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law. and finally, He fulfilled it though His own dear Son.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 12:30 (Jesus speaking) "He who is not with Me is against Me and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's why there's shuddering terror and deep distress for him at this moment. In the crucible of human weakness he's brought face to face with the abhorarnt reality of bearing our iniquity and becoming the object of God's full and furious wrath.
C.J. Mahaney in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the persecuted family, pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors.
A. God's justice demands that human nature, which has sinned, must pay for its sin; but a sinner could never pay for others.
17.Q. Why must He also be true God?
A. So that by the power of His divinity, He might bear the weight fo God's anger in His humanity and earn for us and restore to us righteousness and life.
18.Q. And who is the mediator--true God and at the same time truly human and truly righteous?
A. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who was given to us to set us completely free and to make us right with God.
19. Q. How do you come to know this?
A. the holy gospel tells me. God Himself began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later, He proclaimed it by the hold patriarchs and prophets, and portrayed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law. and finally, He fulfilled it though His own dear Son.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 12:30 (Jesus speaking) "He who is not with Me is against Me and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's why there's shuddering terror and deep distress for him at this moment. In the crucible of human weakness he's brought face to face with the abhorarnt reality of bearing our iniquity and becoming the object of God's full and furious wrath.
C.J. Mahaney in Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the persecuted family, pray that they will forgive and love their persecutors.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Day 5--Sin is Serious
12, Q. According to God's righteous judgment we deserve punishment both in this world and for ever after: How then can we escape punishment and return to God's favor?
A. God requires that His justice be satisfied. Therefore the claims of His justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or another.
13.Q. Can we pay this debt ourselves?
A. Certainly not. Actually, we increase our guilt every day.
14.Q. Can no other creature--any at all--pay this debt for us?
A. No. To begin with, God will not punish another creature for what a human is guilty of. Besides, no mere creature can bear the weight of Gods' eternal anger against sin and release us frrm it.
15.Q. What kind of mediator and deliver should we look for then?
A. One who is truly human and truly righteous, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We find there is universal warfare in the soul of man...Every affection deals with its own willfulness, sensuality and aversion of God. Thus our knowledge is imperfect, our obedience is weak , our love is mixed in its virtues, our fear of the Lod is not pure, and our delight in God is not free and noble.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 9:13 (Jesus speaking) "For I did not come to all the righteous, but the sinners to repentance"
Matthew 10:28 (Jesus speaking) "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For our persecuted family: Pray for their boldness to make Christ known.
A. God requires that His justice be satisfied. Therefore the claims of His justice must be paid in full, either by ourselves or another.
13.Q. Can we pay this debt ourselves?
A. Certainly not. Actually, we increase our guilt every day.
14.Q. Can no other creature--any at all--pay this debt for us?
A. No. To begin with, God will not punish another creature for what a human is guilty of. Besides, no mere creature can bear the weight of Gods' eternal anger against sin and release us frrm it.
15.Q. What kind of mediator and deliver should we look for then?
A. One who is truly human and truly righteous, yet more powerful than all creatures, that is, one who is also true God.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We find there is universal warfare in the soul of man...Every affection deals with its own willfulness, sensuality and aversion of God. Thus our knowledge is imperfect, our obedience is weak , our love is mixed in its virtues, our fear of the Lod is not pure, and our delight in God is not free and noble.
John Owen--Sin and Temptation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Matthew 9:13 (Jesus speaking) "For I did not come to all the righteous, but the sinners to repentance"
Matthew 10:28 (Jesus speaking) "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For our persecuted family: Pray for their boldness to make Christ known.
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