Choice Gleanings: “Today, I Will Worship Him!”
November 18, 2008
“That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed” (Luke 1:4).
Luke the physician gives us Christ’s progress report. He is laid in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. He is in the temple in Simeon’s arms, and at twelve, sitting with the doctors answering their questions.
At thirty He is in the wilderness rebuking the devil, then in the synagogue with the Book in His hand. At 33, He is in the upper room, then the garden, then before Pilate and Herod, and then nailed to the tree.
He was buried then Resurrection! Then He is on the seashore, then at Bethany, and then in heaven. Today, He is in my heart and I will worship Him!
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Choice Gleanings: “Where Is The Commitment?”
November 13, 2008
“Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here?” (Numbers 32:6)
One of the issues that is characteristic of our society is that people do not want to get involved in anything that requires real commitment.
This mindset is affecting the church. See, for example, the growth of the “mega church movement” where most of the ministry is performed by staff members, so little is required of those who attend.
The excuses for not being willing to make a commitment are many: too busy, too costly, not interested, etc. The believer is to awake out of complacency knowing that their salvation is nearer than when they believed.
Redeem the time, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:16). “Work for the night is coming!”
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Views on The News: “The Election Is Over - Now What?”
November 5, 2008
In light of the results of our presidential election I believe this is very appropriate for today.
In his book entitled, “Is God on America’s Side” Dr. Erwin Lutzer really put things in perspective. Here’s a quote from chapter 9.
“The triumphant Christ is able to help us navigate the dark days ahead. We are tempted to think that our times are unique. But the fact is that the disciples and their followers had all of our national woes times ten.
They had no political base, no voting block in the Roman senate, and not as much as one sympathetic Roman emperor. Yet those followers of Christ changed their world, turning it “upside down,” as Luke the historian put it in Acts 17:6.
Certainly the advance of the American church is influenced by what happens in Washington — but it is not dependent on it. I say it again: In other eras the church has often not only survived but even grown in the face of state opposition.
We have a message that is even more important than saving America: It is holding the Cross high so that God might be pleased to save Americans. We say to both Republicans and Democrats that without Jesus all of us are eternally lost.
Our first calling is to lovingly confront the greatest lie in America: that each person can come to God in his own way, with or without the sacrifice and priesthood of Jesus Christ. This is a lie that we must expose; this is the message we must embody. It is nothing less than defending the uniqueness of Christ in the face of a blizzard of religious options.”
May God help each of us to recommit our loyalty to “King Jesus” and keep the main thing of getting the Gospel to a lost and dying world the main thing!!!
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
A Steward of the Treasury
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Choice Gleanings: “Servants & Stewards”
October 24, 2008
“Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1Corinthians 4:1-2).
Amidst the inflated claims by false teachers at Corinth and the flurry of untrue accusations against him, the apostle Paul countered that he was simply a servant of the Lord and a steward of the truth.
His responsibility was to faithfully deliver what he had received from above. Our calling is the same.
Despite ridicule or threats, when we faithfully declare the Word of God we are following in the steps of the greatest of servants who said to the Father, “I have given them Thy Word” (John 17:14).
Only this hour is mine, Lord—may it be used for Thee, May every passing moment count for eternity. Avis Christiansen
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Choice Gleanings: “No Hope?”
October 18, 2008
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1Thessalonians 4:13).
On a visit to Derbyshire in England, a car journey on a wet and dismal day brought us to a village. It was called “Hope!” Interestingly, the sign with the village’s name was right beside a cemetery.
Perhaps you are discouraged and dismayed; perhaps recently bereaved of a believing family member of friend. Do not despair.
Christians can say “We sorrow not as others who have no hope.” If you do not share such a hope, why not trust Christ today and He will give you a full and eternal future.
Hope of our hearts, O Lord, appear, Thou glorious Star of day, Shine forth, and chase the dreary night, with all our tears away.
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