Category: Doctrine

Christ, Our Door

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture”

~ John 10:9

Jesus Christ is the door, the only door by which we will ever see God. I am the door, Jesus declares, if anyone enter by Me, he will be saved. Jesus Christ is truly the exclusive way, the only way, into God’s presence. Christ is the Door. “I am the door.” Consider this with me, there was only one door into the ark in which Noah and his family found shelter from the flood. There was only one door into the Tabernacle, which was Yahweh’s dwelling-place.

So today there is only one “door” into the presence of the Father – “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). And again, “I am the way,” said Christ. “No man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). The Lord Jesus is the true door that allows sinners entrance into the presence and grace of God the Father and find His pasture (Ps. 23:2).

~ apl

Definition of Faith

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“In sharp contrast to the contemporary definition of faith, biblical faith is not an irrational “leap in the dark.” It is not a mystical encounter with the “wholly other” or the “ground of being.” Nor is it optimism, psychological self-hypnosis, or wishful thinking. True faith is a reasoned response to revealed truth in the Bible, and salvation results from an intelligent response, prompted by the Holy Spirit, to that truth.”

~ John MacArthur

Burn Them To Ashes!

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“Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”

~ Colossians 3:5

“While a darling sin lives and keeps the throne in the heart — grace and holiness will be kept exceeding weak and low. But when your darling sin is dethroned and slain by the power and the sword of the Spirit — grace and holiness will quickly grow stronger and stronger, and rise higher and higher.

When a man has eaten poison, nothing will make him thrive, until he has vomited up the poison. Beloved sins are the poison of the soul — and until these are vomited up, and cast out by sound repentance, and the exercise of faith in the blood of Christ — the soul will never thrive in grace and holiness!

If ever you would attain to higher degrees of holiness, then fall with all your might upon subduing and crucifying your most raging corruptions, and your most darling lusts!

Oh do not think that your golden and your silver idols will lay down their weapons, and yield the battle, and lie at your feet, and let you trample them to death — without striking a blow! Oh remember that besetting-sins will do all they can to keep their ground, and therefore you must arise with all your strength against them, and crush them to powder, and burn them to ashes!”

~ Thomas Brooks

Saved By Works

~ A Prayer Life ~ 4 Comments

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

~ Matthew 5:17

I wonder if my title grabbed your attention? Bible-believing Christians know that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. Yet, the catch is, I’m not talking about our works – I’m speaking to the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s right. It is by believing in His works we are saved. I hope you understand beloved how important, how imperative, how essential it is we affirm, as followers of Christ, salvation by works. Again, not by our own worthless works, but by the perfect work of Jesus Christ in fulfilling the Law of God. That Christ did what we cannot do. He kept the high standard of God’s holy law, something Adam nor any of his descendants did or can do in our own strength. Jesus did not run from the Law of God. He did not try to minimize the Law. He did not try to plead ignorance to the Law. No. Jesus boldly embraced, obeyed and perfectly fulfilled the Law of God on the behalf of His people. Praise His name!

~ apl

To Join Together

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

~ Romans 5:1

Conflict has become a part of mankind’s nature. Conflict is a result of man’s original fall from grace and that a state of peace and bliss into which he was created – only to fall into a condition of depravity, dejection and despair. Since the time when Cain slew Abel, mankind has suffered under the curse of this kind of conflict that is conceived and born from sin darkened hearts filled with lust, greed envy and all manner of sin and disobedience.

Yet, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through faith, faith in Christ, who He is and what He has done that any one will ever have peace with God. It’s interesting the word Paul uses here in Romans 5:1 that we translate “peace” is the Greek noun “eirḗnē” which is derived from the Greek verb “eiro” which literally means “to join together”. As sin has separated us from God and caused His great displeasure to befall us, and separate us from God’s blessing and favor, so through Christ we can be joined together, we can be “eirḗnē” that is, at peace with our Maker once more.

~ apl

All or None!

~ A Prayer Life ~ 6 Comments

“It is either all of Christ or none of Christ! I believe we need to preach again a whole Christ to the world – a Christ who does not need our apologies, a Christ who will not be divided, a Christ who will either be Lord of all or will not be Lord at all!”

~ A.W. Tozer

“For I am determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

~ 1 Corinthians 2:2

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, help make Your Son, my Savior, my all in all. May nothing hinder my love, gratitude and devotion to Christ! In Jesus. name, amen.

These Things

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“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

~ Philippians 4:8

We must be encouraged daily to take captive our thoughts in obedience to Christ. The natural mind is prone to wander and to entertain thoughts, ideas, and imaginations which would tend against the holiness and righteousness of God. Therefore, as Paul concludes his letter to the Church at Philippi, he entreats them towards a kind of thinking, a meditating on the things of God, things which are true, and noble, and just. Things which are pure and praiseworthy. Things which are lovely and of good report that even the smallest inkling a believer might have, has the potential to be pleasing and acceptable to the Lord. Take this verse to heart and meditate on these things.

~ apl

My Brethren, Rejoice!

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord”.

~ Philippians 3:1a

Prayer Life Pause: Dear Lord, may I always and at last rejoice in You. When all else may fail, when this world might seem to overwhelm, let my heart settle itself near to my Lord Jesus and rejoice in Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Highly Exalted

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“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

~ Philippians 2:9-11

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, thank You for exalting Your Beloved Son. He is worthy of all glory, honor and praise. May more people come to confess Jesus Christ as their Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Something Wrong Somewhere

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“The ultimate test of my understanding of the scriptural teaching is the amount of time I spend in prayer. As theology is ultimately the knowledge of God, the more theology I know, the more it should drive me to seek to know God. Not to know “about” Him but to know Him! The whole object of salvation is to bring me to knowledge of God… If all my knowledge does not lead me to prayer there is something wrong somewhere.”

~ Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, may my theology always lead to doxology that I might pray and praise You for Your wonderful love grace and mercy. In Jesus; name, amen.