Felt Religion

While listening last evening to an audio biography by John Piper on the life for D. Martin Lloyd-Jones I was convicted about my listlessness regarding my faith and walk with the Lord. We really do need the joy of the Lord if we are to have strength--strength to overcome temptation, enjoy life to the fullest as the Lord desires, to tell others by our lives and lips about Jesus and they actually want what we speak of. I seldom have that joy or felt religion anymore. I did have it a bit last evening again, but need it at all times. We all do. We all must. The Lord intends it. The Holy Spirit, if allowed to do His work will accomplish it. The only question to ask is, Do we really want it?

To Be Called Or No

I have thought a lot about the notion that one must be called to do a particular ministry, or that God has a perfect plan/will for everyone over and above what the Scriptures specifically tell us. Though the idea that God has a perfect will for each one of us outside of what the Scriptures reveal is a popular one in the circles in which I run, I am not so sure it is biblically accurate. To be sure, there is nothing in the Bible that states that exactly. I suppose it could be true, but the Bible just doesn't say it. The best one can do to come up with that determination is to take passages teaching that certain people were called for a specific task and then apply the idea of a specific call to everyone, which I don't see can be justifiably done. The Scriptures teach that certain people are called to a specific task, not that all are called to a specific task.

That brings me to the thought that if I want to do something for the Lord, and I desire it to His glory and man's good, and my motives and methods are pure, and what I want to do is clearly Biblical, then I should pursue it. Should there be checks in my spirit or godly counselors who caution me against it then I should reconsider my desires and not attempt them until I have a perfect peace about the issue. I believe strongly one should take all things to the Lord for His approval and guidance. He will answer one's request for such (Jeremiah 33:3). And I believe God, in that sense, will declare His will regarding each request. I don't see how one could go wrong that way. Surely the Lord will lead one when asked. But that He has a perfect plan for my life not clearly stated in His word I have a hard time believing. I'm not sure it makes that much difference to the Lord what one does as long as he enquires of the Lord about it. I wouldn't advise anyone to do something even excellent for the Lord without taking it to Him. It may well be something He would not want you to do. (He knows your abilities and weaknesses. Some things you may not be able to do, and might be better at doing others, even if you don't think so.) The Bible teaches us such with doctrine and examples (Prov. 3:5-6; James 4:13-15; 2Samuel 7:1-17). Of course, if one has a strong leaning to do something and it won't go away, that may well be the Lord moving on his spirit. Nevertheless, I and others have had such leanings for them never to come to fruition, having been attempted. I think that often our leanings or intuitions are nothing more than ours. There is a lot in the mind and heart of a man that may cause him to think or desire something very naturally without it being a movement of the Lord. I would only caution one to be sure in his own heart that a desire is from the Lord. His permission should be sought at all times. If you have a desire to do something for the Lord, take it to Him, seek His counsel (. . . neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2Chrn. 20:12) and that of others who have the wisdom to give it, be sure it is strictly Biblical, and go for it. If the Lord doesn't want you to do it He will let you know (Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you Phil. 3:15). Just be willing to hear Him.

1Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

P.S. My thoughts are my thoughts. Be careful about taking another's mind for your own. Only God is always, in every way right.

The Way I Figur’ It: Faith, Hope, Love

1Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity (love), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (love).

The way I figur' it faith is humanity and reality existing in harmony. Maybe a better way of sayin’ it is, man just believin' an' livin' out what really is. When God says it that settles it, 'cause God really is and what He says really is. All we have to do is believe it and live it out, live what we believe. But in reality we are livin' out what we believe, even when we pretend to believe somethin’ else. I dare to say that if one wants to know what he believes, he oughtn't rehearse a way of thinkin’ but honestly assess how he is living, startin’ with his heart. How one thinks and lives, by and large, when he’s just bein' him, is what he believes. A fella's actions and attitudes are the mirror image of what he believes, what ever he says to the contrary.

The way I figur' it hope is just waitin' fer what ya know to be true to happen. It's waitin' fer faith to become sight, fer the intangible to become tangible, fer the non-felt to become felt. It's not like the hope of the world. That hope is grounded in doubt. Bible hope is grounded in full assurance. It's waitin' expectantly fer what we know is going to happen anyway.

Love, the way I figur' it, is just wantin' the best fer someone else even if it costs you. That's the way it was when the Father gave the Son to die in our behalf and in our place. If He wanted the best fer us He had to give the best to us, His best. And that's how He loved us, He gave us His Son. Could He do more?

I guess a feller could git all heady and tell all about these words in fancy language, but the way I figur' it talkin' down on the surface of the earth, right where we live, is the best way a doin' it. May not be pretty, but it gits the job done. An' it ain't no beauty contest nohow.

Christianity and Philosophy

The more I think of it, muse upon it, the more I see the vanity of trying to defend the truth of the Scriptures by philosophy. This is not to say good philosophy will not back up the Bible--it has no choice, for truth will always come forth--but it is not the better way to disperse it, or defend it. The Scriptures will defend themselves, as truth always does. It is self propagating and needs no help. And to disperse it abroad to create saving faith in man one needs only proclaim it itself. Attempts to cause men to believe it are in essence vain, though to argue it to unbelievers is right and the way it has been defended throughout the ages (consider Stephen, Acts 7; Paul, everywhere, esp. Acts 9:20-22; 20:31, etc.; Apollos, Acts 18:28; others throughout Scripture). Simply spoken, the best argument for the Bible and all it contains is the Bible itself. If one will not believe it, it is because he is not of the Father's sheep (John 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.), nor of the truth (John 18:37 Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.). Those who will come will come, for they are given to Him by the Father (John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.). For the determined unbeliever nothing will convince him, even the most verifiable and impossible miracle. Luke 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Jesus did and they in that time would not believe, or at least submit, in Him and they still will not, even though the resurrection of Jesus is one of the most verifiable and attested occurrences in ancient history.


I must presuppose the truth of the Scripture--meaning the Scriptures are true in all things it says and represents itself to be. One must presuppose some things no matter what one is dealing with. Why should it be any different with the Bible and what it proclaims? Do not the scoffers live by a double standard when they demand perfect and compete evidence for the Scriptures and God when they do not do so for the tenets they believe? They assume the falsity of miracles, God and determined morality. Of course, they do so because they do not want to be holden by them, for if they were it would interfere with their personal mores, which brings them to conclude such things are untenable. The true matter is not the Scriptures but personal desire. The reality of God and the truth of His word would not be questioned otherwise. There would be no reason to do so. For such reason, those of the 19th century vehemently ran to evolution for it is their only hope do dispose of God. Nevertheless, those who are true and walk with integrity will sincerely search the Bible to see if it is true, and will walk in its light the rest of their days. This is exactly what Jesus meant in John 18:37. Because of this reality I cannot be overmuch concerned by those who determine not to believe, or who seem to always find an excuse not to believe such and such at any given time. Were they of the Father's sheep they would believe. If they were of the truth they would believe. A fool is a fool whatever his IQ may be. Such is not a matter of intellect but of heart and integrity.

Redeeming The Time

I just read a sermon by John Wesley on Eph. 5:16, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. He dealt with the matter of staying in be too long, exhorting all to find out by experiment how much sleep is required for them and to sleep no more than that. There is too much to do to lay in bed, and it is harmful to the body and mind and spirit. And it is. But there are other considerations regarding this passage and all have to be dealt with equally.

One may not lay in bed but still not use his time wisely. He may waste his waking hours being idle or doing things that are not best. The things that are of eternal value must take priority. To know God and maintain a close fellowship with Him is of crucial importance. One cannot do anything outside of abiding in Christ, which means having a close, very personal relationship and fellowship with Him. John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. Not only knowing Him in salvation but also in ordinary, everyday conversation. For nothing of eternal value can be done except one have such fellowship with Him. To do that we must spend much time with Him and in every way possible submit to Him. Prayer, meditation--on His word and on Him personally--and worship are the commodities that make rich our storehouse of abiding in Him. But to do so out of duty is to take away the value of the exercise. God does not want our sacrifices, He wants our personal, willing and heartfelt companionship. He apparently walked with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden before the fall, and He wants to walk with us today in the same manner, or at least as much the same manner as is possible. He wants personal fellowship which stems from a close relationship. We are His children, His dear and close family. And being so we know we are desired by Him above all else, For the LORD’S portion is his people (Deut. 32:9). How much time, therefore, ought we to spend with Him, getting to know Him better by becoming more and more like Him? We are commanded to be so--1Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. How does this happen except one spend time with Him in prayer and in His word? 2Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. I take the phrase "with open face" to mean "in sincerity, with desire and determinedly ." It means we are not holding anything back and we want God to change us. We are willing to do and change anything that needs to be so we can be what He is. No Compromise! No Hypocrisy! Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, and, Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. "I am busy about this business of becoming like Christ. I have no time for the frivolous things of this world, whatever they may be. I MUST BE LIKE HIM!" If truly we do, we must redeem the time, take every opportunity to get to know Him and use such time as wisely and profitable as possible, always looking to do so better.

Not only must we become more and more like Him by getting to know Him better and better, but also by doing what He has told us to do. Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. We do not need to spend time wondering what God wants us to do. He has already told us. We need only find out by His word what it is and then learn how to accomplish the task. Ephesians 5:10 Proving (learning or trying to understand) what is acceptable unto the Lord. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (approve by testing--come to a true knowledge of and appreciation for) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. There are a multiplicity of commands to consider and we are responsible for them all. No picking and choosing allowed! Neither ought we feel we must go out of our way to do them for they are but the natural outworking of the redeemed heart in close fellowship with God. It is not that we do not have to work at it and continually assess and correct ourselves. We do. But one in love with God is in love with His desires, which are His commands. The will of God and the word of God are the same thing. And, 1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (burdensome). That is, they are not burdensome to the one who truly loves God, and the greater the love the less the difficulty of keeping His commandments.

Contextually, the primary thing we are to be about is to be holy, separate from the sinfulness of this world. That is what is being dealt with. Mostly one would think of this as a command to do a lot of things, and indeed we ought and need to to really fulfill the intent of the command, but that is not the case. Redeeming the time here means be godly. Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. This brings us back to the first thing mentioned--be like God by spending time with Him in prayer and in His word, letting His word manifest itself in and through us. Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 ¶ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. To sum these verses up, we are to be: submitted to the control of the Spirit (not doing our own thing our own way, or even His things our own way, but His things His way), meditating on His word, having a cheerful heart rejoicing in Him, not demanding our own way--preferring others to ourselves. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 1Corinthians 10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. (John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.)

It is essential to remember, or know, as the case may be, that in order to redeem the time we must expose the unfruitful/wicked works of this dark, evil world. Ephesians 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Colossians 4:5 ¶ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without (non-Christians), redeeming (making the most of) the time. This is done by living out and preaching the Gospel of Christ. So we must get out of bed, not only morally, but also physically. We are to get to work for the Kingdom of God. There is much to do in every realm and we must get at it today. John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Our Presence in His Kingdom Will Never End

It's funny, isn't it, how a man who is devoted to Christ can write something about the Kingdom without specifically mentioning it? C. S. Lewis did that in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Aspects of Biblical truth abound in his works. Christ was all to him. That is, the things of God. How could it be otherwise--he was a Christian, wasn't he? One will express that which consumes his life. I suppose that is one of the best ways to judge oneself--what really consumes you. Does not a man act and speak in accordance to what is in his heart, the abundance thereof?

Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Matthew 12:35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Matthew 12:34 . . . for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

What fills one's heart is what he will live for and speak of.

That is what got my attention this evening (9/2/2009). I watched again the second of the Chronicles of Narnia movies--the modern one. As the four children were to return to their world in the end, and as the ending song started, proclaiming that they--Lucy and Edmund--would be back when they--the Narnians, I suppose--call them, "no need to say goodbye", I thought how different it is, or at least should be, with us and the Kingdom of Heaven, or God, if you wish. In the story they always left the "other world" kingdom of Narnia, only for someone who had been there before to return. If you know the series you know that the people who return become progressively different, and in some cases the main character doesn't return at all but dwells near to the land he eventually enters, such as in The Horse and His Boy, if I remember right--and I think I do. Nevertheless, it is the idea of entering and leaving and returning that I wish to discuss.

When we enter the Kingdom of Heaven we need never leave and return in intervals. We do not actually ever leave, if we truly have entered God's domain, but we may do so in heart, or attention. I speak of one's conscientiousness or desire to be there. It seems there are times when we want to be closely related to His kingdom and at other times we don't. It is not a matter of reality but of view and desire. In reality we are always in His Kingdom after we once enter, just as we are always in the Spirit once in-dwelt by Him, though we may not act like we are.

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

The obvious thought here is that we are to live what we are. And if we are in His Kingdom we ought to act like it. But I think when we are down or spiritually weak we tend to not realize who we are and where we reside in Him. We are in His Kingdom and we will never be out of it. We are kings and priests before our God even when we don't feel like it, or even don't want to be so at any particular time. That's good. Were it not so we would ever be trying to find our way back. As it is we at times do think we have left and must find our way back, only to find in the end we never left. We only got lost in the woods of our own land. Sure, we may have to find our way back to the castle, or should I say throne room, but never back to the Kingdom. We may have to find our way back to the presence of the King, but we were all the time His co-regent. "Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen in Narnia." A truth well worth realizing.

It is, for the true believer in Christ, a calming reality that we will never be out of His sight or rule or care; we will never be out of His Kingdom. There truly is "no need to say goodbye."

The Deception of Pride

Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Have you ever thought you knew something that you really didn’t? You were so absolutely sure you were right that no one could persuade you differently! Sometimes we are this way because we just misheard or misunderstood something. I did that one time regarding a movie that was to be on TV. I was positive I was right about the title, but when the movie came on I found out I was wrong. Other times, though, we think we are right just because we think we are right. It is at these times our pride will not let us accept correction to our thinking.

This is what the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were doing. Not only them, but a lot of other people also. How many times did they see Jesus do miracles in healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, and even changing water into wine? They also saw His disciples do most of the same. In fact, at the time Jesus spoke the words of our verse, they had just come back from going to the various cities Jesus would soon go, and did miracles in them, preaching that the kingdom of heaven was near. Yet many, or most, of the rulers and people did not believe. Jesus did not represent what they thought the Messiah would be like. They also had no desire to repent of their sins. Therefore, they rejected Him. Their pride and pleasure got in the way of their seeing Jesus for who He really is--the Lamb of God, the Savior of the world, the One whom the prophesies proclaimed would come. These rejectors of Jesus were wise in their own eyes. They thought they knew all things. But they didn’t. Their hearts were not humble and teachable. Their pride deceived them and they did not know the Messiah even when they looked Him straight in His eyes.

In contrast, others were babes in their own eyes. They didn’t think they knew all things and had not formulated unchangeable visions of what the Coming One would be like. They were simple, honest and teachable. They were prone to see and believe the truth when they encountered it. Self ambition and guile did not blind them. They saw Christ for who He is and believed on Him to the saving of their souls. They were as the little children, and to such belongs the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3; 19:14).

To which group do you belong--the wise and prudent, or babes? Are you wise in your own eyes, or are you honest and willing to accept that which is not according to your preconceived notions, and submit to it? Have you seen yourself as a sinner in need of a Savior, as the Bible clearly teaches, or do you make excuses for yourself and continue going your own way? Have you believed on Christ for forgiveness of sin, or are you trying to get to God by your own merit? Those of us who have truly come to Christ, do we determine our own ways or do we turn to God and His word for our guidance, and do it? Do we humbly confess our weaknesses and sins and try to do better, or do we pretend all is OK? Are we wise and prudent, or are we babes?

Servant-Hood: The Way To Happiness

I was just listening to a sermon and was reminded of a saying coined by Ken Collier, director of the Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center in Brevard, NC: "He who dies with the dirtiest towel wins." This saying is in opposition to that on bumper stickers, "He who dies with the most toys wins." More importantly, it is a rephrasing of the Lord Jesus' example of servant-hood given in John 13:4-17. The Last Supper just being ended, Jesus rises from the table, girds Himself with a towel, takes a basin of water and washes the disciples' feet--the job of the lowliest kind of servant in that day. Having ended the task and having sat back down He instructs the disciples to wash one another's feet, as, "The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him" (John 13:16). He then ends his talk with the saying, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (v. 17).

In our self-seeking, self-indulging world servant-hood is nearly a lost art. And yet it is the very thing our Lord and Master says will bring us happiness--the one thing we all are seeking. Since self-seeking is the exact opposite of serving, and since we are doing so much self-seeking, it is no wonder we are by and large unhappy, unsatisfied and discontent. The answer to our problem is not more seeking after happiness, but more serving. It has been said that happiness is not something you find by seeking for it, but something that finds you when you are doing right. So, seek to serve, and happy will you be when you do it.

The Hope of Glory

Colossians 1:27 to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (NASB95)

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (KJV)

Is glory, the second glory, here to be considered Heaven with all its benefits? We shall there be made perfect even as He is perfect for we shall be changed to be like Him (Matthew 5:48; 1John 3:2). Consider the glory and benefits of Heaven in Revelation 21 &22. It is for this we hope. Not the hope of which we commonly speak--a desire accompanied with a measure of doubt--but an expectation accompanied with a full assurance of its future realization. Such hope is the wind that fills the sails to the full, the sails that direct the ship to its appointed harbor in good speed. Hope is the great motivator of our lives to press us on at all times and under all circumstances toward that heavenly prize in Christ Jesus, to be like Christ Himself--the prize of perfect purity and its accompanying bliss. Bliss is the natural result of purity. Where there is no sin there is no curse. And where there is no curse there is no sorrow or hardship or pain. Fear of death, Be gone! For in Christ death is swallowed up in victory. Death, to the Christian. is no longer the dreaded passage way to eternal judgment, but the wondrous portal to eternal glory in the very presence of God Himself.

This being true, what can keep the hopeful Christian from fulfilling his duties, yea, even his true desires to be as Jesus was on this earth, to glorify the Father in holy living and to seek and save the lost. What is to cause us to fear? The face of man? His taunts and threats? His abuses against us? Death? For the Christian, the threat of death is but the welcome mat in front of the door of God's eternal home. Death itself is the entry way to this glory for which we delightfully hope. Hope on!

Worldly Means To Promote God's Ends

It is sickening to see how people are promoting things Christian via secular means. I just visited a web site which is supposed to help one learn how to start an itinerant ministry. Every thing I saw was based on secular business principles, such as meeting as many pastors as you can, joining a fellowship to get an inroad to pastors, creating letterheads and business cards, attempting to reestablish another ministry schedule after just having one in a church. I suppose some, if not most, of these things will be involved in one's ministry in time and as naturally needed, but why approach ministry via business means? Instead of pushing one's self on everybody why not minister to those whom you can and let God advance you from there? What ever happened to faith and prayer? What ever happened to following God's lead one step at a time and take the opportunities He gives you? What ever happened to believing God will use you and support you as you go about His revealed will found in His word? What ever happened to God's calling one into ministry and His confirmation of it without one pushing and pulling to get doors to open? If God has called one into ministry He will pave and lead the way. We need not employ worldly means to accomplish His will. Preachers in the past would go without any means of support. They believed God would meet their needs as they did His will. All they needed was the Word of God and His experienced guidance. They prayed in absolute surrender the God's will be done in their lives, wherever that would lead them and to whatever circumstances they would find themselves. They believed God when He said, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21), and "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). If that isn't good enough, remember what God told Moses when He called him to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt, "And he (God) said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain" (Exodus 3:12). God promised both His presence and a token of confirmation. We are weak and He knows we need a token of confirmation to encourage us from time to time. But we must do things His way as expressed in the Scriptures, following the patterns of His faithful one's in times past. God nor man has changed. What was good and true then is so today. People respond the same way today as they always have and they shall continue to do so.

As I am now contemplating and moving toward the itinerant ministry these things are heavy on my mind. I need and want God's confirmation and blessing in all I do, and that can never come by doing things in a human manner. Success using worldly means does not demonstrate God's blessing and approval. Anyone can start a business if he uses proven business principles. But a work for God is not just for success in this world. It is for the promotion of God and His ways to a world that does not know Him and cannot know Him unless He personally reveals Himself to them by His word and Spirit. One must have God's presence for this to be accomplished and God's presence does not come because someone wants it to. One must have such a spirit and move in such ways as glorifies Him, and according to His revelation in His word. In the end, Solomon told us how to do this, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths," (Proverbs 3:5,6)