Persecution Story
December 28, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
Thanks for the quote from Tozer last night. As I read it this morning, I thought of this article which I read yesterday about a teenage girl in Indonesia who survived a machete attack from radical Muslims. Her three friends did not survive, but now they are in paradise with Jesus.
I know it’s your conviction too that we need to hear these stories often, to protect us from the kind of cheap, comfortable Christianity that Tozer addresses in his quote. As the believers in Paul’s days were strengthened to preach the gospel with more boldness because of Paul’s imprisonment, may stories like these empower us to a more passionate life of heralding Christ’s glorious gospel, no matter what the consequences may be.
Along these lines, you may have noticed that I added to the side column the Voice of the Martyrs blog, which has many stories similar to this one from Indonesia. It, along with all the resources from VOM is a great resource to stir the hearts of God’s people to a greater devotion to Christ.
Larry
Thursday Morning Prayer
December 28, 2006 | Leave a Comment
“4My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. 5Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:4-5)
Father, give us the grace to be so filled with desire for the spread of Your glory that even when we are in the midst of lions, that our heart’s prayer would be for You to exalt Your glory over all the earth. Surely in this wicked and godless world, we will face times when we are slandered, mocked, insulted and attacked by people who hate You and Your Word. In those times, Lord, help us to be unconcerned with how we are perceived. Let us pray for Your glory to be above the heavens, regardless of the pain that we will endure in this life.
Larry
Tozer Quote
December 27, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
Way to keep things rolling today brother. It has been a rare one for me today, very little time on-line! Some might say that is a good thing, but whatever…..here’s a good one from Tozer that I received this morning. It reminded me of a few of our posts from the past week or so. How faithful are we being with the Christian message? Have we been guilty of watering it down? Considering Tozer penned these words about 50 years ago, I wonder what he would say now.
Any appeal to the public in the name of Christ that rises no higher than an invitation to tranquillity must be recognized as mere humanism with a few words of Jesus thrown in to make it appear Christian….
Christ calls men to carry a cross; we call them to have fun in His name. He calls them to forsake the world; we assure them that if they but accept Jesus the world is their oyster. He calls them to suffer; we call them to enjoy all the bourgeois comforts modern civilization affords. He calls them to self-abnegation and death; we call them to spread themselves like green bay trees or perchance even to become stars in a pitiful fifth-rate religious zodiac. He calls them to holiness; we call them to a cheap and tawdry happiness that would have been rejected with scorn by the least of the Stoic philosophers….
We can afford to suffer now; we’ll have a long eternity to enjoy ourselves. And our enjoyment will be valid and pure, for it will come in the right way at the right time.
Tozer might not have emphasized that joy that comes in the midst of suffering, but no matter what, he is on point.
I would also make mention in this post that I really appreciate your posting those questions by Don Whitney today. I would encourage everyone to give them more than a casual glance. Let’s answer them and put it in writing. Then let’s draw up a plan for actually implementing them. I could go on, but maybe I will blog more about that later. It’s time for bed.
Peace brother,
Joe
Reflecting on the New Year
December 27, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Last week I posted some questions from Don Whitney to start up conversations at Christmas gatherings. Now Whitney gives several questions to reflect on as we begin a new year.
Let us consider how to make the best use of our days,
Larry
Romans Series Complete
December 27, 2006 | Leave a Comment
After 8 1/2 years, John Piper completed his series on the book of Romans this past Sunday. Justin Taylor provides a nice summary with his thoughts, and provides the link to read, listen or watch the final sermon. Michelle and I watched it last night, and it was a real blessing. Piper prayed the whole sermon, like Augustine’s confessions, which is an autobiography written as prayer. It was certainly a unique sermon, and I think a great conclusion to a series which has been a great blessing to Joe and me.
Larry
The Preaching History Teacher
December 27, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Well, congratulations to those who, like my wife, have this week off of school for Christmas break. I don’t know how many teachers read the blog, but I thought with the extra time off this may be a good time to post this article from the New York Post and ask for some feedback. It is about a history teacher in North Jersey who is taking some heat for “proselytizing” during class. Apparently an atheist student of his caught him on tape and is threatening to sue him.
My question for the teachers is, how do you try to put Christ on display at your schools? Do you think this teacher’s actions were wise or did he go a bit too far in the classroom setting? I guess that’s two questions, but you get the idea. Let us know by leaving a comment. And if you’re not involved in the school system, feel free to leave a comment too!
Enjoy the holiday break,
Larry
Wednesday Morning Prayer
December 27, 2006 | Leave a Comment
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!” (Psalm 33:8)
Lord, make this prayer one that is on our lips each and every day. This is just what Christ taught us to pray when He instructed us to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name…” We give You thanks, Lord, that the fulfillment of this prayer is not in doubt: “From the rising of the sun to its setting, my name will be great among the nations” (Mal. 1:11). Nevertheless, You are pleased to use our humble prayers to accomplish Your almighty purposes. May the worldwide renown of the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ be the desire of our hearts, Lord. You are infinitely great, and infinitely worthy of praise. So move in the hearts of Your people to take Your glorious gospel to those who have never heard it, so that all the world’s inhabitants might stand in awe of Jesus Christ. Be pleased to use us, Father, as instruments for the hallowing of Your great name.
Larry
Wow…
December 26, 2006 | Leave a Comment
is really the only word I can think of upon checking out this church’s current “promotion”. I wonder what the guests will think when they find out that the reason they were invited to church was not because they are in danger of suffering eternal torment in hell; not because they have not seen and embraced Him who is the most beautiful treasure in the universe; but rather, so that the person who invited them could have the chance to win a car?
Larry
Spiritual Warfare and Logical Conlusions
December 26, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
I said I would reply to your last post regarding the woman who drowned her children and said that God told her to do so. I have a few thoughts.
1) I don’t doubt that she heard a voice, but one thing is for sure, it wasn’t the voice of God. So who was it? How should this case be explained? In America, she is described as mentally ill. No doubt this is true, but is this really it? How many psychologists today would say that she is oppressed by demons? Although I don’t know the answer for sure, this case seems to point to such a plain reality; and I want to begin to read the news like that. I need the Bible to inform the way I process a simple news story and the Bible says that demons are real.
“For we do not wage war against flesh and blood but against the rulers, agsinst the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). That seems pretty plain to me, but why don’t we think like this? Why don’t we see like this? Probably because we need more Bible time huh? All this is to say simply that we need to see the world with the eyes of Scripture. Demons are real and they are not sitting back. The devil prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Children, adults, he doesn’t care. He will kill whoever he can while he still has time and he will act like an angel if he must.
2) People are desperate to carry their worldviews to their logical conclusions. This was my second thought after reading your post today. If I can’t logically carry my worldview to its furthest point and really embrace where it takes me, I need to abandon that worldview. Relativism is a classic case in point. If there is no ultimate, one-and-only, unrivaled truth (and you could capitalize that, yes), then why can’t we do whatever we want to do? Some might say because we need to survive as a human society. Actually many might say that. Well, who then determines what is good for society? The majority? What if the majority of society decrees that which is bad (which happens all over the world)? What do we do then? Where do we find our law or standard?
Too often those who oppose Christianity fail to see the clear reality that the benefits they enjoy in America flow from the Christian worldview. They, in fact, oppose the very worldview that has served to give them the freedoms and comforts that they take for grant and use to destroy that worldview. It is staggering how intellectually bright people can be so blind. Of course, when you know the Scriptures, it’s not so staggering. Having eyes, they do not see.
I would also mention the fact that this is why presuppositional evangelism is so necessary today. Presuppositional evangelism simply means answering the questions that a person’s presuppositions bring on. It’s not my strength, so I am exhorting both myself and all of you to do what we must to gain a better understanding of the various ways people view the world and why those ways are deficient. And most importantly, how do we view the world because of Scripture? And why is that complete? Even if we can’t be great at the first, we definitely need to have the answers for the second!
Alright, enough for now brother. I need to read some more about this and a thousand other things!
Thankful for the Truth Himself,
Joe
Piper Quote
December 26, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Lar,
Thanks for the Christmas quotes yesterday. I just took the day off, sort of by default I suppose. It’s been our first Christmas at home–a definite joy, but also quite tiring! Anyhow, before responding to your last post, I wanted to share this quote regarding our relationship to those in authority over us, particularly when we should disobey. Piper writes,
We are people of the cross. Our Lord submitted to crucifixion willingly to save his enemies. We owe our eternal life to him. We are forgiven sinners. This takes the swagger out of our protest. It takes the arrogance out of our resistance. And if, after every other means has failed, we must disobey for the sake of love and justice, we will first remove the log from our own eye, which will cause enough pain and tears to soften our indignation into a humble, quiet, but unshakable no. The greatest battle we face is not overcoming unjust laws, but becoming this kind of people.
That last line is an important and insightful one I believe. O might the Lord grant us the broken hearts we need to bear faithful and fruitful witness to the evils of our day! Let’s seek Him until He grants such godly burdens.
Seeking to become a broken-hearted dude,
Joe
Insane Obedience?
December 26, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
I’m curious to know what you think of this story that I read last week at CNN’s website. The story is about a woman who is currently on trial for having drowned her three children. According to her testimony, she killed them because God told her to do it.
I, for one, was struck at how a story like this exposes the truth of what our culture really believes about truth. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t condone this woman’s actions and it is obviously not the will of God for her to do what she did. But it really is amazing that, given what our society says about religious tolerance and pluralism, that they are putting this woman on trial for her religious convictions.
Actually, it’s not that amazing; it just reveals that people who speak about truth being subjective and all religions being equal do not really live out what they claim to believe. If, as so many people say, there are many paths to God, and the worst thing that we can say is to say that my way is better than yours, how can you put a woman on trial for doing what her God told her to do? Is this not a suppression of her right to believe whatever she wants to believe about God and religion?
Of course it would be a ridiculous atrocity if this woman’s crime was ignored in the name of religious tolerance. And it won’t happen. Either she will be found guilty and locked up for life, or she will be found not guilty by reason of insanity. But I don’t imagine anyone is coming to her defense by saying that her God is just as good as any other God and so we shouldn’t judge her personal religious convictions as right or wrong.
And that’s proof that the American way of religious “tolerance” isn’t practiced the way it’s preached. Nor should it be. “I am the way and truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). That this woman is on trial is evidence that there is still hope for the religious pluralists in our country to see the folly of the “all paths lead to God” argument. But I wonder, as godlessness increases in this society, when will the day come when a case like this is dismissed in the name of tolerance?
Larry
Tuesday Morning Prayer
December 26, 2006 | Leave a Comment
“10And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”” (Luke 2:10-14)
Lord, while the day in which we celebrate Christ’s birth has passed, the good news of Christmas is still just as good today as it was yesterday. The joy is just as great, and the glory that You have revealed in Christ is just as awesome. May we who have come to know Christ as our King and Savior and eternally beautiful Portion forever, not confine our celebration to one day. For the servant of Christ, every day is Christmas. Help us to herald Your good news of great joy wherever we go. May we see the renown of Jesus spread as Your gospel goes forth among all the people groups of the world.
Larry
Christmas Quote #3
December 25, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Yet another one from Spurgeon:
“Infinite, and an infant. Eternal, and yet born of a woman. Almighty, and yet hanging on a woman’s breast. Supporting a universe, and yet needing to be carried in a mother’s arms. King of angels, and yet the reputed son of Joseph. Heir of all things, and yet the carpenter’s despised son.”
Christmas Quote #2
December 25, 2006 | Leave a Comment
I’ve been listening to this wonderful hymn the last few mornings, and though I’ve not heard at Christmastime, the words certainly seem fitting for our celebration today. There is something sweet about singing a hymn that has been sung by God’s people since the fourth century, when these words were originally written in Greek. It was translated to english in 1864 by Gerard Moultrie:
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!
May we marvel at he King of kings and Lord of lords clothed in human flesh and blood,
Larry
Christmas Quote #1
December 25, 2006 | Leave a Comment
Joe,
Michelle and I are headed up to Whitehall to celebrate Christmas with her family, but I have a few Christmas quotes that I’ve compiled over the last couple of weeks scheduled to go up through the day. I doubt many will be looking at the blog on Christmas day, but I thought the same on Thanksgiving and was surprised by how many views we had on that day. So here’s the first one, from Charles Spurgeon:
“Rejoice, you who feel that you are lost; your Savior comes to seek and saveyou. Be of good cheer, you who are in prison, for he comes to set you free. You who are famished and ready to die, rejoice that he has consecrated for you a Bethlehem, a house of bread, and he has come to be the Bread of Life to your souls. Rejoice, O sinners everywhere, for the restorer of the castaways, the Savior of the fallen, is born.”
Merry Christmas,
Larry
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