Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote, "There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Christ. And 'precious,' unspeakably precious, is this blood, because it has an overcoming power. 'They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.' How could they do otherwise? Those who fight with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, fight with a weapon that cannot know defeat. By trusting the power of Jesus' blood, we will always conquer!" (From Morning by Morning by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, a Pure Gold Classic from Bridge-Logos Foundation.)
The blood of Christ redeems us from sin. ("But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin"--1 John 1:7.)
The blood of Christ atones for our sins. ("And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement"--Romans 4:11.)
The blood of Christ heals us. ("But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed"--Isaiah 53:5).
The blood of Christ preserves us and protects us. ("For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you"--Exodus 12:23).
The blood of Christ sanctifies us. ("Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate"--Hebrews 13:12).
The blood of Christ give us overcoming power. ("And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death"--Revelation 12:11).
Praise God for the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Would you be free from your burden of sin? There's power in the blood. There's wonderful power in the blood.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Harold Hill--How to Live Like a King's Kid
I got to know Harold Hill fairly well in the early seventies, and I loved his sense of humor. He was an engineer and recovering alcoholic who found new life, hope, and blessing in the Lord Jesus Christ. God blessed Harold with many miracles.
He wrote several Christian books, including How to Live Like a King's Kid and From Goo to You by the Way of the Zoo. Like him, his books are unique and inspiring, and they often reflect the sense of humor that was Harold's hallmark.
I would like to encourage you to read How to Live Like a King's Kid. It is still published by Bridge-Logos Foundation. Take a look at some of the chapter titles in this how-to book: How to Succeed in Everything; How to Stop Drinking; How to Get Out of Quick-mud; How to Start Over; How to Stop Gambling; How to Get More for Your Money; How to Get Rid of an Aching Back; How to Fail at Witnessing; etc. Wow! It's actually 28 how-to books in one.
Here is a quote from the book that is worthy of our attention: "I've learned that one of the most important things to learn if we want to live like King's kids is to trust the King with every problem, every fault, every sin, every impossible thing in our lives. He--and He alone--can make us fit for His Kingdom. As long as we keep trying to do anything by our own willpower, keeping the glory for ourselves, we are doomed to stay in our own puny kingdom of wretchedness and defeat. But King's kids loose everything to the King, and He sets them free to enter the gates of His Kingdom of Heaven."
Remember, a King's kid is either a prince or a princess in God's royal family--a joint-heir with Jesus--a knight in the Lord's army.
I thank God that I knew Harold Hill. He showed us how to live the life of a King's kid.
He wrote several Christian books, including How to Live Like a King's Kid and From Goo to You by the Way of the Zoo. Like him, his books are unique and inspiring, and they often reflect the sense of humor that was Harold's hallmark.
I would like to encourage you to read How to Live Like a King's Kid. It is still published by Bridge-Logos Foundation. Take a look at some of the chapter titles in this how-to book: How to Succeed in Everything; How to Stop Drinking; How to Get Out of Quick-mud; How to Start Over; How to Stop Gambling; How to Get More for Your Money; How to Get Rid of an Aching Back; How to Fail at Witnessing; etc. Wow! It's actually 28 how-to books in one.
Here is a quote from the book that is worthy of our attention: "I've learned that one of the most important things to learn if we want to live like King's kids is to trust the King with every problem, every fault, every sin, every impossible thing in our lives. He--and He alone--can make us fit for His Kingdom. As long as we keep trying to do anything by our own willpower, keeping the glory for ourselves, we are doomed to stay in our own puny kingdom of wretchedness and defeat. But King's kids loose everything to the King, and He sets them free to enter the gates of His Kingdom of Heaven."
Remember, a King's kid is either a prince or a princess in God's royal family--a joint-heir with Jesus--a knight in the Lord's army.
I thank God that I knew Harold Hill. He showed us how to live the life of a King's kid.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Lord Is My Shepherd
The first line of Psalm 23 contains at least three metaphors. Two are stated and one is implied. The first is found in the word "lord." A lord, as you know, is a nobleman--one who has great power and authority, a ruler, and a master. This is an appropriate figure of speech in reference to the Lord Jesus Christ, to be sure.
The second metaphor is seen in the word "shepherd." A shepherd, as you know, takes care of his sheep by protecting them, providing for them, leading them, giving the food, water, and shelter. What an apt metaphor this is for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
The implied metaphor would be found in the truth that if God is our Shepherd, then we must be sheep. What are the behaviors and mannerisms of sheep? They need a leader. They need protection. They need to be taken care of. Some would even say they're not very bright! We are sheep, indeed, and thank God we have a Shepherd who takes care of us.
Because He does, we never suffer want. Paul writes, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). His grace is sufficient for us.
Take time today to meditate on these words that were written by David: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23).
Are you a helpless sheep? Is the Lord your Shepherd? What does this Psalm mean to you?
The second metaphor is seen in the word "shepherd." A shepherd, as you know, takes care of his sheep by protecting them, providing for them, leading them, giving the food, water, and shelter. What an apt metaphor this is for our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd of the sheep.
The implied metaphor would be found in the truth that if God is our Shepherd, then we must be sheep. What are the behaviors and mannerisms of sheep? They need a leader. They need protection. They need to be taken care of. Some would even say they're not very bright! We are sheep, indeed, and thank God we have a Shepherd who takes care of us.
Because He does, we never suffer want. Paul writes, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). His grace is sufficient for us.
Take time today to meditate on these words that were written by David: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Psalm 23).
Are you a helpless sheep? Is the Lord your Shepherd? What does this Psalm mean to you?
Friday, March 5, 2010
Ask, Seek, Knock--ASK
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray He provided them with a model prayer that is sometimes known as the Lord's Prayer. It's a model prayer in that it reveals the components of Christian prayer in a few words. Those components include the following:
There's another acronym that relates to prayer as well:
Have you been asking, seeking, and knocking? As you do so, you will learn that God will make a way for you even when it seems as if there is no way. He is the Way-maker in our lives.
Tennyson wrote, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." I wholeheartedly agree with him. This is especially true when we learn to pray according to the will of God, which is fully revealed in His Word. The Bible says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).
One of our Bridge-Logos authors, Pastor Jack Hayford, writes, "The only point of confusion lies in a misunderstanding of the verb 'ask.' Its tense in Greek conveys the idea of continual asking. But that is not a command to ask repeatedly for the same thing in order to force God into action. The continuality which Jesus wants is in ceaseless petitioning. In other words, you need never hesitate to ask for something just because you asked for something else earlier. Any hint that heaven "gets too busy" with earlier requests to have either time or supply for the next is pure folly.
"Here's the message of the parable: 1. You have a friend in the Heavenly Father. He's on your side, and available anytime, in every circumstance. 2. Boldness is your privilege. Your assignment is to ask; His commitment is to give--as much as you need.
"This is the beginning: 'Seeking' and 'knocking' are further steps as one walks the pathway of prayer. But we need to get started, and this is probably the greatest need facing us today: too many hesitate to pray. they hesitate through a sense of unworthiness, a feeling of distance from deity, a wondering about God's will in the matter, a concern over 'if it's okay,' and uncertainty of how much to ask for, a fear that God won't hear.
"Jesus strikes the death blow to such hesitancy: ask. Ask with unabashed forwardness; ask with shameless boldness! He commands. And when you do, He clearly teaches, "Your friend, My Father, will rise to the occasion and see that everything you need is provided." (Taken from Prayer Is Invading the Impossible by Jack Hayford. Published by Bridge-Logos Foundation in Alachua, Florida.)
- Adoration
- Confession.
- Thanksgiving
- Supplication
There's another acronym that relates to prayer as well:
- Ask
- Seek
- Knock
Have you been asking, seeking, and knocking? As you do so, you will learn that God will make a way for you even when it seems as if there is no way. He is the Way-maker in our lives.
Tennyson wrote, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." I wholeheartedly agree with him. This is especially true when we learn to pray according to the will of God, which is fully revealed in His Word. The Bible says, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him" (1 John 5:14-15).
One of our Bridge-Logos authors, Pastor Jack Hayford, writes, "The only point of confusion lies in a misunderstanding of the verb 'ask.' Its tense in Greek conveys the idea of continual asking. But that is not a command to ask repeatedly for the same thing in order to force God into action. The continuality which Jesus wants is in ceaseless petitioning. In other words, you need never hesitate to ask for something just because you asked for something else earlier. Any hint that heaven "gets too busy" with earlier requests to have either time or supply for the next is pure folly.
"Here's the message of the parable: 1. You have a friend in the Heavenly Father. He's on your side, and available anytime, in every circumstance. 2. Boldness is your privilege. Your assignment is to ask; His commitment is to give--as much as you need.
"This is the beginning: 'Seeking' and 'knocking' are further steps as one walks the pathway of prayer. But we need to get started, and this is probably the greatest need facing us today: too many hesitate to pray. they hesitate through a sense of unworthiness, a feeling of distance from deity, a wondering about God's will in the matter, a concern over 'if it's okay,' and uncertainty of how much to ask for, a fear that God won't hear.
"Jesus strikes the death blow to such hesitancy: ask. Ask with unabashed forwardness; ask with shameless boldness! He commands. And when you do, He clearly teaches, "Your friend, My Father, will rise to the occasion and see that everything you need is provided." (Taken from Prayer Is Invading the Impossible by Jack Hayford. Published by Bridge-Logos Foundation in Alachua, Florida.)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Madame Guyon and the Lord's Prayer
I've been preparing the study guide to accompany one of our Pure Gold Classics, all of which have study guides, a timeline, an audio-excerpts download, illustrations, biographies, detailed indexes, and many other helpful features. Each one has been updated so that modern-English readers will find their reading of these classics to be user-friendly.
As you know, language changes over the years in all its systems, including morphology, semantics, phonology, and syntax. Sometimes the meanings of words and idioms broaden and sometimes they narrow. Our editors endeavor to be sensitive to these changes and make revisions accordingly.
Currently I'm working on the study guide for Experiencing Union With God Through Inner Prayer and The Way and Results of Union With God by Madame Jeanne Guyon, which was revised in modern English by our Senior Editor, Harold J. Chadwick. In this case the book had to be translated into English from its orginal French, so it is a book that has undergone several changes through the years.
Nonetheless, its profound spiritual impact continues to minister deeply to people around the world. Madame Guyon was known as "the woman who loved Christ too much," and her deep love of Him caused her to be severely persecuted. She even had to spend time in the Bastille, where she developed a serious illness. Nevertheless, she persevered in her faith and continued to write and teach on prayer, the inner life, the Law of Central Tendency, and knowing God intimately.
Here is one of the things she said about the Lord's Prayer: "Now they should repeat the Lord's prayer [slowly] in their native language. [As they do], they should think a little while about the meaning of the words, ['Our Father, who art in heaven'], and the infinite willingenss of God, who dwells within them, to become truly "their Father." In this state, let them pour out their wants before Him. When they [softly] speak the name of Father, they should remain a few moments in a reverential silence, wating to have the will of their heavenly Father made known to them."
Her teaching on meditative and contemplative prayer has never been surpassed, in my opinion. Madame Guyon's teachings have influenced so many, including John Wesley, Count Zinzendorf, George Fox, Jesse Penn-Lewis, Hudson Taylor, Watchman Nee, Paul Billheimer, and me. I highly recommend that you read this book and begin the adventure of inner prayer and experiencing God.
As you know, language changes over the years in all its systems, including morphology, semantics, phonology, and syntax. Sometimes the meanings of words and idioms broaden and sometimes they narrow. Our editors endeavor to be sensitive to these changes and make revisions accordingly.
Currently I'm working on the study guide for Experiencing Union With God Through Inner Prayer and The Way and Results of Union With God by Madame Jeanne Guyon, which was revised in modern English by our Senior Editor, Harold J. Chadwick. In this case the book had to be translated into English from its orginal French, so it is a book that has undergone several changes through the years.
Nonetheless, its profound spiritual impact continues to minister deeply to people around the world. Madame Guyon was known as "the woman who loved Christ too much," and her deep love of Him caused her to be severely persecuted. She even had to spend time in the Bastille, where she developed a serious illness. Nevertheless, she persevered in her faith and continued to write and teach on prayer, the inner life, the Law of Central Tendency, and knowing God intimately.
Here is one of the things she said about the Lord's Prayer: "Now they should repeat the Lord's prayer [slowly] in their native language. [As they do], they should think a little while about the meaning of the words, ['Our Father, who art in heaven'], and the infinite willingenss of God, who dwells within them, to become truly "their Father." In this state, let them pour out their wants before Him. When they [softly] speak the name of Father, they should remain a few moments in a reverential silence, wating to have the will of their heavenly Father made known to them."
Her teaching on meditative and contemplative prayer has never been surpassed, in my opinion. Madame Guyon's teachings have influenced so many, including John Wesley, Count Zinzendorf, George Fox, Jesse Penn-Lewis, Hudson Taylor, Watchman Nee, Paul Billheimer, and me. I highly recommend that you read this book and begin the adventure of inner prayer and experiencing God.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Most Fundamental of All Human Motives
The Study of Values, a personality inventory I used to administer at the Career and Personal Counseling Center of Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, suggests that the love of power is the most fundamental of all human motives. The longer I live, the more I believe this may be true.
People who are high in political values love power, and the power they have can be used in beneficial or detrimental ways. It has been aptly stated that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and we see evidence of this all over the world, particularly in dictatorships and other political venues.
The power that we should be seeking is God's power--the Bible calls it dunamis, which is the Greek word for words like "dynamo," "dynamic," and "dynamite." There is dynamite power available to all who will avail themselves of it.
At least three of our Pure Gold Classics teach us about this kind of spiritual power. The paragraphs that follow give some insights about power from Moody, Finney, and Wesley.
"May the Spirit of Elijah, beloved reader, be upon us. If we seek for it we will have it. Oh, may the God of Elijah answer by fire, and consume the spirit of worldliness in the churches, burn up the dross, and make us whole-hearted Christians. May that Spirit come upon us' let that be our prayer in our family altars and in our closets. Let us cry mightily to God that we may have double portion of the Holy Spirit, and that we may not rest satisfied with this worldly state of living, but let us, like Sampson, shake ourselves and come out from the world, that we may have the POWER OF GOD" ( From Secret Power by Dwight L. Moody).
"If any one secret of Mr. Finney's power be emphatic, it is this: he gave his whole soul to God. . . . Give yourself, with such supblime simplicity of aim, to God and His service; empty yourself as completely of worldly and selfish ambition; seek as devoutly to be filled and moved by the Spirit; and God will be as willing to use you as a chosen vessel for His glory!" (From Power, Passion and Prayer by Charles G. Finney).
"The expression 'by the grace of God' is sometimes understood to be the love of God, the free unmerited mercy by which any sinner, throught the merits of Jesus, is reconciled to God. Here it means that the power of God, the Holy Spirit, who works in us, both to will and to do His pleasure. As soon as God's grace in the former sense of pardoning love is manifested to us, His grace in the latter sense is given. The power of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to perform, through grace, what was impossible to man. Now we can order our conversation correctly. We can do all things in the light and power of that love through Christ who strengthens us. We now have the testimony of our conscience which we could never have by fleshly wisdom. Now 'in simplicity and godly sincerity we have our conversation in the world'" (From The Holy Spirit and Power by John Wesley).
Remember this: All power [authority] in Heaven and Earth was given to Jesus Christ, and He lives within you!
People who are high in political values love power, and the power they have can be used in beneficial or detrimental ways. It has been aptly stated that absolute power corrupts absolutely, and we see evidence of this all over the world, particularly in dictatorships and other political venues.
The power that we should be seeking is God's power--the Bible calls it dunamis, which is the Greek word for words like "dynamo," "dynamic," and "dynamite." There is dynamite power available to all who will avail themselves of it.
At least three of our Pure Gold Classics teach us about this kind of spiritual power. The paragraphs that follow give some insights about power from Moody, Finney, and Wesley.
"May the Spirit of Elijah, beloved reader, be upon us. If we seek for it we will have it. Oh, may the God of Elijah answer by fire, and consume the spirit of worldliness in the churches, burn up the dross, and make us whole-hearted Christians. May that Spirit come upon us' let that be our prayer in our family altars and in our closets. Let us cry mightily to God that we may have double portion of the Holy Spirit, and that we may not rest satisfied with this worldly state of living, but let us, like Sampson, shake ourselves and come out from the world, that we may have the POWER OF GOD" ( From Secret Power by Dwight L. Moody).
"If any one secret of Mr. Finney's power be emphatic, it is this: he gave his whole soul to God. . . . Give yourself, with such supblime simplicity of aim, to God and His service; empty yourself as completely of worldly and selfish ambition; seek as devoutly to be filled and moved by the Spirit; and God will be as willing to use you as a chosen vessel for His glory!" (From Power, Passion and Prayer by Charles G. Finney).
"The expression 'by the grace of God' is sometimes understood to be the love of God, the free unmerited mercy by which any sinner, throught the merits of Jesus, is reconciled to God. Here it means that the power of God, the Holy Spirit, who works in us, both to will and to do His pleasure. As soon as God's grace in the former sense of pardoning love is manifested to us, His grace in the latter sense is given. The power of the Holy Spirit makes it possible for us to perform, through grace, what was impossible to man. Now we can order our conversation correctly. We can do all things in the light and power of that love through Christ who strengthens us. We now have the testimony of our conscience which we could never have by fleshly wisdom. Now 'in simplicity and godly sincerity we have our conversation in the world'" (From The Holy Spirit and Power by John Wesley).
Remember this: All power [authority] in Heaven and Earth was given to Jesus Christ, and He lives within you!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Practicing the Presence of God
God is present everywhere, and it's in Him that we live and move and have our being. (See Acts 17:28.) In God's presence there is fullness of joy and there are pleasures forevermore. (See Psalm 16:11.)
Have you ever been in a worship service where you experienced the power of the presence of God?
Have you ever experienced the power of His presence while taking a walk?
Have you ever experienced the power of His presence in the solitude of your prayer closet?
The challenge, of course, is to remain in His presence in light of all the distractions that come to us in our modern society. Is it possible to walk in God's presence all the time? To live in His presence?
Brother Lawrence, who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God (one of our Pure Gold Classics) believed that it was possible. He wrote, "The practice of the presence of God strengthens us in hope. Our hope grows in poroportion as our knowledge grows, and in the measure of our faith--by this holy practice--penetrates into the hidden mysteries of God."
Psalm 31:20 promises, "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
The secret of God's presence is wonderful, indeed, and it seems that so few no about it or how to experience it. The Bible tells us, "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" (Psalm 95:2). Thanksgiving and rejoicing enable us to enter God's presence.
Here's another wonderful promise about the presence of the Lord: "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence" (Acts 2:28). The Bible frequently associates joy with being in God's presence.
There is great power and joy in the Lord's presence, and we should make every effort to get into His presence and stay there. Brother Lawrence writes, "We must always think carefully how to consider God and His glory in all that we do, and say, and undertake. This is the goal that we should set before ourselves, to offer to God a sacrifice of perfect worship in this life, as we hope to do through all eternity. . . . The presence of God is thus the life and nourishment of the soul."
Have you ever been in a worship service where you experienced the power of the presence of God?
Have you ever experienced the power of His presence while taking a walk?
Have you ever experienced the power of His presence in the solitude of your prayer closet?
The challenge, of course, is to remain in His presence in light of all the distractions that come to us in our modern society. Is it possible to walk in God's presence all the time? To live in His presence?
Brother Lawrence, who wrote The Practice of the Presence of God (one of our Pure Gold Classics) believed that it was possible. He wrote, "The practice of the presence of God strengthens us in hope. Our hope grows in poroportion as our knowledge grows, and in the measure of our faith--by this holy practice--penetrates into the hidden mysteries of God."
Psalm 31:20 promises, "Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues."
The secret of God's presence is wonderful, indeed, and it seems that so few no about it or how to experience it. The Bible tells us, "Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" (Psalm 95:2). Thanksgiving and rejoicing enable us to enter God's presence.
Here's another wonderful promise about the presence of the Lord: "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence" (Acts 2:28). The Bible frequently associates joy with being in God's presence.
There is great power and joy in the Lord's presence, and we should make every effort to get into His presence and stay there. Brother Lawrence writes, "We must always think carefully how to consider God and His glory in all that we do, and say, and undertake. This is the goal that we should set before ourselves, to offer to God a sacrifice of perfect worship in this life, as we hope to do through all eternity. . . . The presence of God is thus the life and nourishment of the soul."
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