Category: Doctrine

Hastening To Hell

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

“Many have warned others so that they will not come to that place of torment, while they hastened to it themselves: many a preacher is now in hell, who has a hundred times called upon his hearers to use the utmost care and diligence to escape it. Can any reasonable man imagine that God would save men for offering salvation to others, while they refuse it themselves; and for telling others those truths which they themselves neglect and abuse? Many a tailor goes in rags who makes costly clothes for others; and many a cook scarcely licks his fingers when he has dressed the most costly dishes for others. Believe it, brothers, God never saved any man for being a preacher, nor because he was an able preacher; but because he was a justified, sanctified man, and consequently faithful in his Master’s work.”

~ Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor

Fire & Music

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”

~ Psalm 19:1

“By reading the Scriptures I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God and I feel fire and music under my feet.”

~ Thomas Merton

Intercession For Men

~ A Prayer Life ~ 3 Comments

“…and pray for one another”

~ James 5:16b

“Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.”

~ John Calvin

The True Son of Man

~ A Prayer Life ~ 3 Comments

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

~ Matthew 4:17

The Christian message has ceased to be a pronouncement and has become instead a proposition. Scarcely anyone catches the imperious note in the words spoken by Jesus Christ. The invitational element of the Christian message has been pressed far out of proportion in the total scriptural scene. Christ with His lantern, His apologetic stance and His weak pleading face has taken the place of the true Son of Man whom John saw—His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like burnished brass, and His voice as the sound of many waters. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal our Lord as He really is, and He does not paint in oils.

~ A.W. Tozer

Whose Glory Is Dearer

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“Do all to the glory of God.”

~ 1 Cor. 10:31b

“What shall befall me in the pursuance of this work, I refer to the disposal of Almighty God, whose glory is dearer to me, not only than my liberty, but than my life.”

~ John Biddle

Deal Truthfully

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Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

~ Proverbs 12:22

Christians should be known for their honesty. We ought to be a trustworthy people. In a day and age where a person’s word doesn’t mean much, where lying lips are too often the norm, the believer’s truthful dealings with his fellow man can stand out as a refreshing testimony for Christ. Delight your Lord dear friend, by dealing sincerely and truthfully in all that you do.

~ apl

A Leveling Doctrine

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“Knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.”

~ 1 Thess. 1:4

“Election is a leveling doctrine; it levels us all to the same position. Because we all are in that common position of ruin as descendants of Adam, there is nothing which can commend us to God. But therefore it is also possible for the greatest sinner to be saved. God does not look at us to find a reason why He should save us rather than others. He knows there is nothing to be found with us. But He has found everything He was looking for in His beloved Son! Because He has brought about a perfect redemption and obedient satisfaction to God’s law, God does not need anything from us. We may go unto Him and say, ‘Lord, nothing in my hands I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling.’ That is salvation.”

~ Cornelis Pronk

Do Not Marvel

~ A Prayer Life ~ 5 Comments

“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

~ John 3:7

This proclamation from our Lord Jesus to Nicodemus in John chapter 3 still stand as the watershed declaration that separates true followers of Jesus Christ from the rest of the world. Jesus’ words sets Christianity apart from all else. To be Christ’s disciple, to be adopted into the family of the Lord, to be established in covenant with Jehovah God, you must be born again.

So what does it mean when the Bible says one must be born again to enter the kingdom of heaven? Well, this is where knowing the original language can be helpful. The word translated here “again” means “from above”. The phrase could be literally translated “You must be born from above, or from a higher place”. The idea Jesus was conveying is that of a spiritual birth.

To be born again, that is, from above, means we are transformed in our very being, in our principles, our feelings, and our manner of life. The beginning of this new life is called the new birth, or regeneration. It is so called because in many respects it has a striking analogy to our natural birth. It is the beginning of spiritual life. It reveals the light of the Gospel. It is the moment when we really begin to live with any purpose. Being born again is the moment when God reveals Himself to us as our reconciled Father, and we as adopted sons and daughters.

Though this new birth is a work of the Holy Spirit, we realize this glorious regenerating grace through our own personal repentance and faith. Through this new life we begin to experience the living God in our life. That is, through turning away from sin and turning towards Christ. There is no other way to be reconciled to God. My prayer is, dear reader, that you already know, or come to know Jesus’ words as your own, “You must be born again”.

~ apl

Keep Your Soul

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul”

~ Proverbs 19:16a

There is something spiritually healthy about keeping God’s commands near and dear to our heart and mind. The Word of the Lord, His Law, His principles and precepts, the wisdom of God, are all divine nourishment to the soul. They bring vitality and strength to the faithful. By keeping the commands, one keeps, nurtures and renews their very soul.

The application of this verse isn’t to be understood in a legalistic manner where we believe we obtain greater grace or spiritual position simply because we adhere to the Lord’s Word. Rather, believers should come to understand keeping God’s commands is a privilege and spiritual benefit. God’s Word is sustenance. Therefore, let us keep the command as we keep our soul.

~ apl

The Kingdom of God

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God… because for this purpose I have been sent.”

~ Luke 4:43

“The whole of the preaching of Jesus Christ and His apostles is concerned with the kingdom of God.”

~ Herman Ridderbos