Teach Me

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path." Psalm 27:11

"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong." Job 6:24

O Lord, teach me to know the vanity and emptiness of the world; its insufficiency to gratify the desires, or satisfy the longings of the new born soul; yes, its utter inability to make its most devoted votaries happy.

Teach me to value the bliss of heaven above all earthly joys; and to dread the torments of hell above all earthly sorrow.

Alas! How often do the pleasures of sense blunt my sensibilities to those things which are above; while the troubles of time obliterate from my mind, the miseries which await the impenitent and unbelieving.

Teach me, O blessed Savior, cheerfully to refuse the pleasures of sin, which end in everlasting torment; and cheerfully to endure those trials, for Your sake and the gospel's, which terminate in endless glory!

"Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

- Thomas Reade

Spurgeon - Be Silent

"Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment." - Isaiah 41:1

"This is a noisy age, and the Church of Christ herself is too noisy. We have little silent worship, I fear. I do not so much regret the absence of silence from the public assembly as from our private devotions, where it has a sacred hallowing influence, unspeakably valuable.

Be silent, that you may hear the voice of Jesus, for when He speaks you will renew your strength. The eternal Spirit is with His people; but we often miss His power because we give more ear to other voices than to His, and quite as often our own voice is an injury to us, for it is heard when we have received no message from the Lord, and therefore gives an uncertain sound.

If we wait upon the blessed Spirit, His mysterious influence will sway us most divinely, and we shall be filled with all the fullness of God. Even as we have seen the frost yield suddenly to the influence of the warm south wind, so shall out lethargy melt before His sovereign energy.

How often have I felt in a moment my ice-locked spirit yield to the breath of the Holy Spirit. You have seen a cloud on high flying, as you thought, against the wind, driven on by some upper current of air which you did not feel below; even thus have we been carried on by the upper currents which flesh and blood cannot understand. We sang as Dr. Watts does—

“Look how we grovel here below, Fond of these trifling toys; Our souls can neither fly nor go, To reach eternal joys.”

But when the Holy Spirit came the lightening itself could not overtake us; we rode upon a cherub and did fly, yea, we did ride upon the wings of the wind, for God the everlasting One had caught us up and filled us with His power.

Be silent, then, that the Spirit may thus work upon you. Let other spirits be gone—let the spirit of the world, and the spirit of the flesh, and the spirit of self be banished, and let the Spirit of the Ever Blessed be heard speaking in your soul. Thus shall you renew your strength."

Word of the day

Sanctification

[saynk’-tuh-fih-kay‘-shun]

(Latin sanctifare, “to consecrate” or “make holy,” from Greek hagiazo, “to purify”)

Refers to the state or process of being set apart for special use. In Christian theology, is in reference to the change brought about by God in the believer which began at the point of salvation (justification) and continues throughout the life of the believer until the final state of glorification. The word (hagiasmos=sanctifcation/holiness) occurs several times in the NT (e.g., Rom. 6:19,22; 1 Cor. 1:30; 1 Thess. 4:3,4,7; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2).

Anniversary

Today I have been married to my best friend Chad for 9 years~ how time flies but I couldn't have imagined life without him. Chad has been in inspiration and an encouragement to me and is a wonderful father to our children.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY HONEY I LOVE YOU

The Emptiness of the American Dream

Until sinners submit to the truth about God, they will never acquire what it is they truly seek. They become like the Samaritan woman at the well, confusing the true remedy for spiritual thirst with the temporary satisfaction of an earthly spring (John 4:14). Sadly, the unbeliever attempts the whole of his life to quench the unquenchable with something other than God. So he pursues fame, money, power, wealth, fitness, work, wisdom, education, love, or any other created thing that can perhaps quiet the desperate cry of his empty soul. But none of the things he finds—whether politics or popularity or creativity or anything else this world offers—can ever answer the call of his heart. He can pursue happiness, but he will never find it. As soon as he acquires one desire it turns into dust; as does the next, and the next after that, until life finally ends in disappointment.

This is the cotton candy fate of the American Dream that befalls all who embrace the cult of celebrity. From a distance it looks so appealing—a big and beautiful ball of glistening spun sugar. But those who finally get it, and taste it, find that it isn’t very filling. Sure, it is sweet for a moment. But it doesn’t bring lasting happiness. After a quick melt in the mouth it is gone forever . . . then what?

King Solomon understood this perhaps better than anyone else ever has. He was the richest, most famous, and most powerful man of his day. He was also the smartest, because God had given him supernatural wisdom. He used all of the resources at his disposal in the pursuit of his own happiness. He experimented with pleasure (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3), hard work (2:4–6); material possession (2:7–8); popularity and prestige (2:9–10); and even his own wisdom (2:12–14), all in an effort to find lasting joy. Yet he found it all to be empty, finally concluding that true joy and fulfillment cannot be found in the things of this world, but only in God (2:24–26; 12:13–14).

As Solomon learned after a lifetime of trial and error, if you want happiness in this life you must look to God. You must deny everything you once thought could give you happiness for the sake of following the risen Lord. His salvation is the satisfaction you seek. It cannot be found in fame and fortune, any more than it can be found at the end of a rainbow. It is only found in embracing the true source of all satisfaction, God Himself.

From Shepherd's Fellowship By Tom Patton

I Still Believe

When my walk began with the Lord, this song spoke volumes to me. It's funny how we don't deserve the things that God has for us but yet, He pours His Grace like rain over us.

In Life's Moments...

Happy Moments....
Praise God

Difficult Moments...
Seek God

Quiet Moments...
Worship God

Painful Moments...
Trust God

Every Moment...
Thank God

Children

This week our daughter is finishing up middle school it is hard to believe that she is going to be in High School...She is a beautiful young girl who is extremely smart, where she got the from I have no clue... We are so proud of her!!

How quick they grow up.

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Isaiah 12

Today I was having a talk with my husband and asking questions about my walk and is it me or is it God...my husband started to mention a few things like how without any coaxing or Godly things in my life at the time how one day I just stared to question things about God and wanted a bible and then one morning when I woke I keep thinking of Isaiah 12. Why Isaiah 12 where did the come from when I had just started to read the Bible and was only in the New Testament??? Well to my surprise it was a scripture that brought me to tears. Talking with my husband today he said something that made total sense but of course even though it was simple you never see it till someone says it to you and they may have said it a hundred times before. He said "Don't let the devil steal what God has shown you" Now that is what the devil is best at and he wont' quit till he is successful But on the flip side God the one who has control over everything is on my side.


And in that day you will say:
"O Lord, I will praise you; Though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.

2Behold, God Is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; "For Yah, The Lord, Is my strength and song;He also has become my salvation.'"

3Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.

4And in that day you will say:

"Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples. Make mention that His name is exalted.

5Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This Is known in all the earth,

6Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great Is the Holy One of Israel in you midst!"

Isaiah 12
NKJ

Christianity in our Society is Now Dying

Christianity in our Society is Now Dying

“Having absorbed the world’s values, Christianity in our society is now dying. Subtly but surely worldliness and self-indulgence are eating away the heart of the church. The gospel we proclaim is so convoluted that it offers believing in Christ as nothing more than a means to contentment and prosperity. The offense of the cross (cf. Gal. 5:11) has been systematically removed so that the message might be made more acceptable to unbelievers. The church somehow got the idea it could declare peace with the enemies of God.”
- John MacArthur

The Gospel

The Gospel
"The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy. God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. The essence of faith is being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus” - John Piper

Spurgeon on repentance

Spurgeon on repentance

"Remember that the man who truly repents is never satisfied with his own repentance. We can no more repent perfectly than we can live perfectly. However pure our tears, there will always be some dirt in them; there will be something to be repented of even in our best repentance. But listen! To repent is to change your mind about sin, and Christ, and all the great things of God. There is sorrow implied in this; but the main point is the turning of the heart from sin to Christ. If there be this turning, you have the essence of true repentance, even though no alarm and no despair should ever cast their shadow upon your mind."

C. H. Spurgeon, All Of Grace, page 70.

Word of the day

creatio ex nihilo

[kray-aw’-tsee-o eks nee’-uh-lo]

(Latin, “creation out of nothing”)

Describes the shared theistic worldview which believes all of creation was created by God out of non-existent matter. This belief is extremely important and foundational to the Christian belief in a transcendent God. God’s nature transcends time, space, and matter. Therefore, all that exists outside of God is dependent upon Him for its existence. This belief is contrasted with the worldviews of Mormons and other polytheists who believe that matter is eternal and God created the present universe from this pre-existing matter (creatio ex materia). It is also to be contrasted with the worldview of pantheists and panentheists who believe that creation came from God’s essence (creatio ex deo).

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11:3)

Our Lives Reveal What We Treasure Most

Our Lives Reveal What We Treasure Most

Growing up in a Christian home, we would always practice the formality of going to church on Sundays. As a family with many siblings, we all possess the ability to transform ourselves into the best and most cheerful Christians we could be on Sunday mornings and for those two hours a week that we spent in that red brick Baptist Church, we were Christians par excellence. We knew the hymns, we knew the prayers, we knew that the sacraments were definitely not sacraments, but simply ordinances. Salvation was so easy a "child could do it", and we all prayed "the prayer" for salvation as young children. We would shake hands and smile to the people we knew then we would go out from Sunday morning church service and live our lives during the rest of the week like Jesus really did not matter.

That was many years ago. Today we are all grown up and have families of our own. Yet we continue the tradition of claiming the name of Christ but living our lives as if we do not really need Him. We are certainly a self-diluted bunch, holding on to a form of godliness but denying its power (2 Tim 3:5).

Spurgeon said it like this,

"Ordinary religion is nature gilded over with a thin layer of what is thought to be grace. Sinners have polished themselves up, and brushed off the worst of the rust and the filth, and they think their old nature is as good as new. This touching-up and repairing of the old man is all very well; but it falls short of what is needed. You may wash the face and hands of Ishmael as much as you please, but you cannot make him into Isaac. You may improve nature, and the more you do so the better for certain temporary purposes; but you cannot raise it into grace. There is a distinction at the very fountain-head between the stream which rises in the bog of fallen humanity, and the river which precedes from the throne of God."

Yet our "inner experiences" and "feelings" still continue to be our final authority. Scripture and the Creeds & Confessions of church history (although not equal in authority) continue to play very little, (or even worse), no role at all in our daily lives. We have our own personal Jesus made in our image who stands ready whenever we decide that He is needed. Jesus typically is not brought into the conversation until we need some form of blessing.

John Piper Asks,

Have you ever asked why God’s forgiveness is of any value? Or what about eternal life? Have you ever asked why a person would want to have eternal life? Why should we want to live forever? These questions matter because it is possible to want forgiveness and eternal life for reasons that prove you don’t have them.....

Forgiveness is precious for one final reason: it enables you to enjoy fellowship with God. If you don’t want forgiveness for that reason, you won’t have it at all. God will not be used as currency for the purchase of idols.

We are in a spiritual battle that is played out before us each and every day. Yet we seem to be so unaware that we are held captive by the flesh and the amusements that this world has to offer. We are the walking dead, living, yet not alive. Deceived and in serious need of recovering a genuine, Biblical Christian faith. We need the Christ of Scripture to radically transform our lives and to wake us up from our self reliance. We need that crushing blow to our pride that are found in the Biblical truths known as the Doctrines of Grace. We need a full recovery of the Gospel in all it's power.

Jesus reveals in Matthew 6:19-21 that the patterns of our behavior, and the things we value and treasure most, lay bare our hearts. It is my prayer that God would cause us to genuinely value His worth, above all other things that this universe has to offer.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3 ESV)
Posted by Truth Matters at 6:16 PM 3 comments

Word of the day

Justification

[jus’-tuh-fih-kay‘-shun]

(From the Greek word dikaioo, “to declare/make righteous”)

The act by which God declares a sinner to be just on the basis of the righteousness of Christ alone. According to Romans 1:18-3:28, justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from works or merit.

Word of the day

Exegesis

[ek’-suh-jee‘-sis]

(Greek exegeisthai, “to explain” or “to interpret,” from Greek ex-, “out of” or “from” + Greek hegeisthai, “to guide”)

With respect to biblical interpretation, it involves the process of critical analysis of the given text to produce direct, logical conclusions (utilizing the who, what when, where, why method). It often involves the evaluation of the original texts of the Bible (OT-Hebrew, NT-Greek).

Word of the day

Monergism

[mon’-ur-jiz-um]

(Greek mono-, “one” + Greek ergon, “work”)

The doctrine that God the Holy Spirit solely and independently acts to regenerate the heart of man so as to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In other words, God performs a unilateral inward action upon man’s heart to respond to the call of salvation.

I WANT THE WHOLE GOSPEL

I Want the Whole Gospel
Every single ounce of truth; give it to me straight just like it is in the Bible.
I want the whole gospel:
Don’t dilute the living water—it might not quench my thirsty soul.
I want the whole gospel:
Turn on the light of Jesus Christ and don’t shield my view—I need every beam of His radiant glory to dispel the darkness in me.
I want the whole gospel:
Don’t block the door, or I might not get through.
I want the whole gospel:
I need an accurate map to the narrow road, because only a few are finding it.
I want the whole gospel:
Because I am wholly lost, God’s verdict is wholly just, and my damnation is wholly certain.
My heart is wholly depraved and my sin is wholly mine.
My efforts are wholly futile and my escapes are wholly hopeless.
I need a whole Savior, whose whole suffering, wholly satisfies a holy God.
Please, please don’t cut the corners. It’s appointed unto man once to die and I have to be sure I get it right.
I have to have the whole gospel—give it to me straight. Nothing else will do!
Yes…God help us, let’s give the whole gospel.

James MacDonald

Word of the day

propitiation

[pro-pish’-ee-ay‘-shun]

Translated from the Greek word hilasterion, meaning “that which expiates or propitiates” or “the gift which procures propitiation”. It means “satisfaction” or “appeasement,” specifically towards God. In the New Testament, propitiation is the work of Jesus Christ on the cross by which He appeases the wrath of God who would otherwise be offended by our sin and demand that we pay the penalty for it. The concept of propitiation is often associated with the idea of a substitutionary atonement.

The Differences Between Religion And The Gospel

RELIGION: I obey-therefore I’m accepted.

THE GOSPEL: I’m accepted-therefore I obey.

RELIGION: Motivation is based on fear and insecurity.

THE GOSPEL: Motivation is based on grateful joy.

RELIGION: I obey God in order to get things from God.

THE GOSPEL: I obey God to get to God-to delight and resemble Him.

RELIGION: When circumstances in my life go wrong, I am angry at God or my self, since I believe, like Job’s friends that anyone who is good deserves a comfortable life.

THE GOSPEL: When circumstances in my life go wrong, I struggle but I know all my punishment fell on Jesus and that while he may allow this for my training, he will exercise his Fatherly love within my trial.

RELIGION: When I am criticized I am furious or devastated because it is critical that I think of myself as a ‘good person’. Threats to that self-image must be destroyed at all costs.

THE GOSPEL: When I am criticized I struggle, but it is not critical for me to think of myself as a ‘good person.’ My identity is not built on my record or my performance but on God’s love for me in Christ. I can take criticism.

RELIGION: My prayer life consists largely of petition and it only heats up when I am in a time of need. My main purpose in prayer is control of the environment.

THE GOSPEL: My prayer life consists of generous stretches of praise and adoration. My main purpose is fellowship with Him.

RELIGION: My self-view swings between two poles. If and when I am living up to my standards, I feel confident, but then I am prone to be proud and unsympathetic to failing people. If and when I am not living up to standards, I feel insecure and inadequate. I’m not confident. I feel like a failure.

THE GOSPEL: My self-view is not based on a view of my self as a moral achiever. In Christ I am “simul iustus et peccator”—simultaneously sinful and yet accepted in Christ. I am so bad he had to die for me and I am so loved he was glad to die for me. This leads me to deeper and deeper humility and confidence at the same time. Neither swaggering nor sniveling.

RELIGION: My identity and self-worth are based mainly on how hard I work. Or how moral I am, and so I must look down on those I perceive as lazy or immoral. I disdain and feel superior to ‘the other.’

THE GOSPEL: My identity and self-worth are centered on the one who died for His enemies, who was excluded from the city for me. I am saved by sheer grace. So I can’t look down on those who believe or practice something different from me. Only by grace I am what I am. I’ve no inner need to win arguments.

RELIGION: Since I look to my own pedigree or performance for my spiritual acceptability, my heart manufactures idols. It may be my talents, my moral record, my personal discipline, my social status, etc. I absolutely have to have them so they serve as my main hope, meaning, happiness, security, and significance, whatever I may say I believe about God.

THE GOSPEL: I have many good things in my life—family, work, spiritual disciplines, etc. But none of these good things are ultimate things to me. None of them are things I absolutely have to have, so there is a limit to how much anxiety, bitterness, and despondency they can inflict on me when they are threatened and lost.

"The More I seek You"

Have you ever found that one song that seems to really speak to you?? I heard this song at a bible study I was attending it is a song by Kari Jobe and I just can't get enough of it. My 1 1/2 year old loves to sing along with it she even raises her hand in worship which just melts my heart. I just close my eyes and listen most times I end up in tears but it always seems to give me peace when I most need it.