For He is like a refiner's fire...
Malachi 3:2
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2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner's fire... Malachi 3:2
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I have worked with many children during my life. I have known those who have come from abusive environments, broken families; there were cases of severe neglect, and even kids who walked in from the street. At this time of year, I often think of them. I think of the programs we utilized to help treat various disturbances, and the high rate of failure upon implementation. I think of the hopelessness and despair that came over these children at Christmas time, for they had been taught that they come from a world that has no shining star. They believed in their hearts that they were not worthy of A Living Savior. Please read the following article by DR Tony Evans. He addresses this issue, and clearly points out that there is no hope without God's help. This is my experience. There has never been any hope for these children, not until God takes command to prescribe His Higher Order. Hope arrives, and at long last, when God is finally put in charge. Like a loving father, He fosters forgiveness, healing and repair. He Sets His Love And Does His Good Work. 1 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To retire late, To eat the bread of painful labors; For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. 3 Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate. Psalm 127 "Many of the people who read these words grew up in broken families. ...they would admit to being abused and neglected... People who have been abused often end up doing the same to their family members. "...there is hope for you to break the cycle. ...Just remember, all love begins and ends with God. "...Just ask Him to show you how to love your family the way He loves you—and He will. "Baby steps are quite acceptable here. Begin slowly. When you ...want to strike out at ...your family members, think about how patient and loving God is with you. "There are broken lives all around us, but God can glue the pieces back together." Quoted selections are taken from: Gluing the Pieces Back Together, by DR Tony Evans Christians are not surprised when Jesus gets a bad rap in our modern news and media. Newsweek’s Christmas article is no exception. It is that time of year. We are seeing Christmas articles everywhere we look. Many have nothing to do with Christ, in fact, everything to do against Him. Evidently, Newsweek decided to follow the crowd, since its last printed edition will be published December 31. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary writes a rebuttal to the article, and tells it like it is. You can read the entire article, Newsweek Versus the New Testament at Religion Today, powered by crosswalk.com Following are brief excerpts of Newsweek Versus the New Testament, by Albert Mohler, President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Wednesday, December 12, 2012 Albert Mohler's Summary: “Timed for this Christmas, Newsweek just released a cover essay by Bart D. Ehrman, who is well-known for his belief that the New Testament is largely historical fiction. “Who is Jesus?” is the question on the cover. “The Myths of Jesus” is the headline on the essay itself. “Beyond these rather familiar issues, Ehrman also points to a host of claims about Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the larger Christmas story that amount to “legends and fabrications” that are rightly recognized as implausible and untrue. “In other words, Ehrman argues that Matthew and Luke simply can’t be trusted to convey historical truth. He points to what he insists are inconsistencies and erroneous historical claims, arguing that though some attempt to explain these questions in an attempt to affirm the veracity of the gospels, it is better just to abandon them altogether if you are “seriously engaged in trying to reconstruct the events of history.” “ Albert Mohler’s Rebuttal: “[The New Testament] makes unvarnished historical claims and direct statements of fact. Ehrman attempts to sideswipe this truth, stating that the New Testament contains writings identified as “gospels” rather than “histories.” But the word “history” in that sense is a fairly modern invention. The gospels do contain interpretation and theological elaboration, but all four gospels, including Matthew and Luke, contain explicit and pervasive historical material — the bedrock historical claims of Christianity itself. “So, in the waning days of Newsweek as a print magazine, the editors decided to take on the New Testament. Readers should note carefully that it is Newsweek, and not the New Testament, that is going out of print.” 1 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You. 2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You." 3 As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight. 4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips. The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me. 7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night. 8 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely. 10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. 11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, A fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 "Peace and rest do not belong to the unregenerate; they are the peculiar possession of the Lord's people, and of them only. The God of Peace gives perfect peace to those whose hearts are fixed upon Him. "Today we rest in the promises of our faithful God, knowing that His words are full of truth and power; we rest in the doctrines of His Word, which are consolation itself; we rest in the covenant of His grace, which is a haven of delight." Finish Reading Why Do My Prayers Go Unanswered, by Alistair Begg Though written for leaders of the Church, I found the following article to be powerfully helpful today. I wish to share it with you. It applies to so many situations; it applies to everything we say, everything we do, everything we think. It's so important to ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" Joe McKeever drives his point home in an eloquent and meaningful way. Church Conflict: Why Not Rather be Wronged? written by Joe McKeever "Some fights you need to walk away from. "It’s never too late to back away from a fight. "It’s just hard. And takes more strength than most people can muster. "One would think it’s the other way around, that courage demands we push our case to the limit, justice demands we insist on our rights, and righteousness demands we make sure the other side gets what’s coming to them. "But for believers–serious disciples of the Lord Jesus–there is only one question when facing the possibility of an all-out church battle: “What would you have us do, Lord?” "Why not let yourself be wronged? Why not just “take your lumps” and walk away? Do it… "...for God’s sake. His honor is at stake here. That should matter to you more than your rights. ...for sanity’s sake. Think of the sheer stupidity of what you are doing. ...for the sake of your witness. These court cases are an ugly blot on your community. ...for goodness sake. “All you are doing is providing fuel for more wrong, more injustice, and more hurt to the people of your own spiritual family.” " For further study the verses sited in Joe McKeever's insightful article may be of help: I Corinthians 6:1-7 1 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? I Corinthians 6:9-10 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. I Corinthians 6:14 14 Now God has not only raised the Lord, but will also raise us up through His power. I Corinthians 6:19 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? Luke 12:13-15 13 Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." 14 But He said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" 15 Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." Gustave Courbet 18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments. Habakkuk 3:18-19 KJV "There is an incredible sense of peace that comes from learning how to rest in the Lord and allow Him to take care of your troubles. This does not mean that you abandon the fight and just give up trying. It means that you shift the focus of your effort from yourself to God. This is where the true victory is gained." Worth the Wait, by DR Tony Evans 1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed , and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. Isaiah 40:1-5 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass. Revelation 21:18-21 Though beautiful, the precious gems above are cut and polished by the hand of man. Can you imagine the beauty of God's house? The dwelling place of God; it must be extraordinary! It isn't just the astounding loveliness of the place where He dwells, but the fact that we will, quite literally, be by His side.
It is hard to imagine, but much more is revealed for us in the book of Revelation: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." 6 Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. Revelation 21:1-6 |
Annie's Blog
God to enfold me,
God to surround me, God in my speaking, God in my thinking. God in my sleeping, God in my waking, God in my watching, God in my hoping. God in my life, God in my lips, God in my soul, God in my heart. God in my sufficing, God in my slumber, God in mine ever-living soul, God in mine eternity. All Scripture at Annie's Blog
Utilizes: New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Archives
November 2017
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