HeartCry!

Rented Suit

The suit for today’s angry Christian.

Sourced from: The Sacred Sandwich

Originally posted 2009-11-10 19:07:30. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

T-Shirt Theology

A matter of life and death.

Sourced from: The Sacred Sandwich

Originally posted 2009-12-07 09:57:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

God’s Measure of Success – David Wilkerson

[This is an excellent article I blogged from David Wilkerson's website.]

Success in God’s eyes is being totally fulfilled in ministering to him. Such servants aren’t striving to “make it” or seeking earthly security. They only want to know their Lord and to minister to Him.

Think about the 100 prophets hidden by Obadiah (1 Kings 18:4). They lived an isolated existence in caves for at least three to four years, during a severe famine. These men had no outside ministry. They were completely out of the public’s view, forgotten by most people. They couldn’t even share in Elijah’s victory on Mount Carmel. No doubt, the world would call them failures, insignificant men who hadn’t accomplished anything.

Yet God had given these devoted servants the precious gift of time. They had days, weeks, even years to pray, study, grow and minister to the Lord. You see, God was preparing them for the day when he would release them to minister to his people. Indeed, these same men would shepherd those who returned to God under Elijah’s ministry.

Years ago, the Lord blessed me with this gift of time. Before I ever pastored a church, I went into the woods and preached to the birds and trees. I had no plans, no agenda, no dreams. I only wanted to get to know God’s heart. So I prayed daily, seeking the Lord and ministering to him. And I marked my Bible from cover to cover. I was hidden, not seen by anyone. But God knew my address all along.

My advice is, “Quit looking for ministry. Spend your time seeking God instead. He knows where to find you. He’ll summon you when he sees you are ready. Forget what others are doing. Strive to be a success at God’s throne. If you’re ministering to the Lord and praying for others, you are already a success in his eyes!”

Originally posted 2009-08-22 13:14:11. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Serving God With Our Minds

Romans 7:23-8:6
23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24  O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
25  I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
1  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
3  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace

We must remember as Christians that we are creatures of both spirit and flesh, and whilst those born again from above are new creatures in Christ, fully redeemed by His blood and justified in the sight of God, the same is not true of our flesh. Our flesh is as corrupt after becoming born again as it was prior to this happening, and until the time comes when Christ calls us into His eternal glory, no good thing shall ever be found within our flesh.

The reality a Christian believer has been called into, is that of putting to death the members of his flesh on a daily basis, by the power of the Spirit of God Who dwells within them.

Romans 6:19
19  I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

Colossians 3:4-5
4  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5  Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

The crucial thing we often tend to miss however, is the role the mind of a believer plays in bringing the flesh into submission. In truth, the mind of a true believer becomes the battleground on which spiritual war rages, and is only won as the Spirit of God is allowed to wield the Sword of Truth against all the lies of the flesh that have been allowed to fester there.

Contrary to the popular teaching of spiritual warfare, where the believer is encouraged to bind the devil in every manifestation of evil around, as though some sort of spiritual Wyatt Earp. Instead the believer is exhorted to a constant process of self examination in the Light of Scripture, whilst maintaining an attitude of total surrender to the Holy Spirit, that He may cut away everything within the believer’s heart and mind that is offensive to the Lord Himself. This may well be a long hard process, but it is this very process of bringing the believer into the Kingdom through many tribulations, that prepares each one of us for an eternity spent with Him.

There will always be an urgent need for us to lift up those around us in our families and communities to the Lord, that He may impact their lives for His glory. And for those who sincerely want to live as beacons reflecting His glory and love in the community surrounding them, ongoing, fervent prayer must be as second nature as breathing. However if we are sincere in our desire to take the offensive, and put to death our members in the earth, bending the desires of our flesh to the will of our Lord instead; we must focus on serving the Lord with our minds in order to acheive this.

Contrary to the popular tendency within much of the charismatic church to bypass the mind and intellect, to focus solely on the spiritual, we must learn to harness the mind as a tool that drives down our flesh for the glory of Christ. But if we are not careful how we do this, we may find ourselves simply on a path of operating in the flesh still, like some sort of guru using the power of his mind to dominate matter. Or alternatively, we could find ourselves as many in the emergent church, who use their own intelligence and reason as the benchmark for what is right or wrong in the eyes of God, and end up attempting to create God in their own image.

It would be an absolute fool who would suggest their mind has no power in their lives, for it is the very part of us that, whilst completely invisible, has a control over every action of our body like nothing else. It would also be just as big a fool who would suggest that God has no desire for us to train and use it for His glory, for the Scriptures tell us quite clearly we are to serve Him completely with body, spirit and mind. The way we will find the victory in this then, just as with every other area of our lives in Christ, is through complete surrender.

With these things in mind, it is clear to see how the following portion of Scripture is primarily talking about the battle within the mind of the believer, where the goal is complete surrender to the will of God, revealed through His Word. And not necessarily talking about us binding and loosing external elements we can neither see nor touch, but simply “sense” as being some sort of spiritual activity.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6
3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
4  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
5  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
6  and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Let every sincere Christian serve the Lord with all their mind, surrendering totally every thought and preconceived idea willingly in faith, choosing to believe that the Word of God alone is true, and every man a liar if necessary. For if this attitude is predominant in the believer, the Holy Spirit is able to renew his mind, and through the truth of God’s Word, conform the mind of the believer to the mind of Christ.

Romans 12:2
2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Corinthians 2:9-16
9  But as it is written: “EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”
10  But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
11  For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
13  These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14  But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15  But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
16  For “WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD THAT HE MAY INSTRUCT HIM?” But we have the mind of Christ.

One last thing to consider on this subject which is also in relation to spiritual warfare, is that of the spiritual armour of God spoken of in Ephesians chapter 6. In Ephesians 6:17 we are instructed to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;” When we persevere and abide in the Word of God, earnestly seeking to find out what the Lord has to say concerning the salvation Jesus Christ has secured for us, we grow in confidence in Him. We find that the promises of His Word shore up our minds, as a helmet protects the head of a soldier in battle. As the lies of the devil creep into our thoughts, with the aim of turning us to fear and robbing us of our blessed assurance, the mind of Christ established within us by the knowledge of His Word, rises against all the lies of the enemy and makes their power of no effect.

Sourced from: Townhill Christian Fellowship Blog

Originally posted 2009-11-19 02:13:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Becoming Like Little Children

Matthew 18:1-9
(1)  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
(2)  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
(3)  and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
(4)  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(5)  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
(6)  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
(7)  Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
(8)  “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
(9)  And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.

Romans 1:16-18, 32

(16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
(17)  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
(18)  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
(32)  who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Since we began studying the Book of Romans earlier in the week, certain aspects of God’s truth have jumped out at me, and I believe have been highlighted and focussed upon in the passage above from Matthew 18.

One of the things that seemed to strike us all during the Bible study, was that the Lord is fully aware that there are those, professing to be Christians, that are leading people into sin, by teaching that which is contrary to the Word of God. These are the “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that Jesus refers to elsewhere in the Bible.

Also it can be truthfully stated that as we go through our lives, there will be times that we are wronged by others, sometimes even severely, where that persons sinfulness towards us, causes a sinful reaction to be provoked within us in return.

The passages above speak clearly about this situation, and in both Matthew 18:7 and Romans 1:18, we read how the wrath of God will be revealed from Heaven against those who cause others to turn away from Him and embrace sin.

This vicious circle of cause and effect is common throughout the whole earth, and the only thing that can release us from the midst of it is the power of God unto salvation, which is to believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ as our Redeemer and Saviour. Continue reading ‘Becoming Like Little Children’

Originally posted 2009-11-11 07:16:21. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

John 17:20-26 – Unity versus union.

An excellent insight into Christian unity, what it is, and more so, what it is not.

Message is preached by Simon Lawrenson, my pastor at Calvary Chapel, Southampton, U.K..

 

 Unity versus union.: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Where does emergent theology really lead?

Ever since I first became aware of the shape shifting movement sometimes known as the emerging church, I have detested almost everything about it, but have not really been able to put my finger squarely upon why that is so. Through many of the online discernment ministries around now, I have gradually come to know some of the more prominent figures and viewpoints of this movement, but for me at least, Chris Rosebrough has placed my finger squarely on the pulse of this beast. Because of what he has opened up, the whole movement and its seemingly destructive mentality makes perfect sense, especially when seeing echoes of this in fairly recent history.

In this post I simply want to point to a couple of links that may be of interest to anyone with a similar unease to my own. One is to a recent article Chris Rosebrough wrote for his “Extreme Theology” blog, and the other is to an mp3 of his recent radio show for Pirate Christian Radio, where he explains more fully the reason for writing the article. Before anyone thinks this is just one man’s mission against emergence however, I would simply like to point out even at these links, what you will find are links to historical fact about an almost identical movement in Germany shortly after the first world war. A leading figure of this movement had a frighteningly similar manifesto as one Brian MacLaren today, who also had an overwhelming desire to see a deconstruction of historic Christianity, and the authority of the Bible be brought into question, in order that a “new” Christianity be revealed, which in truth was no Christianity at all.

Anyway, I will leave an mp3 player below containing the recent episode from Pirate Christian Radio [only about the first half is about this subject] , and also the link to the article I mentioned too. If you have time, please try listening to the mp3 shortly after reading through the article, or even while reading it, in order to make perfect sense.

 

 New colour of socialism?: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

http://www.extremetheology.com/2010/03/socialism-comes-in-another-color.html

Excellent Gospel Presentation!

I have just finished reading an excellent Gospel presentation over at Defending Contending, and would like to recommend any regular visitors here to pay a quick visit.

Click here to view the article.

The Glorious One: John 16:16 – 16:33

I am so grateful that the Lord has led me to a place of Christian fellowship, where the Word of God is so central to all that is taught and proclaimed. The teaching is generally exegetical preaching, verse by verse through Scripture, and as a result, the Lord speaks by His own Word, in His own timing, to His own people.

At Calvary Chapel, Southampton, we are just coming to an end of the Gospel of John, preached by our senior pastor, Simon Lawrenson. The whole series of messages can be found by clicking the logo to the left of this post, however last weeks message can be heard directly below in its own player. The message was a particular blessing to me personally, and I hope that you are so blessed to.

 

 The Glorious One - John 16:16-16:33 [51:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

How Emergent Was The Ancient Church?

How Emergent Was the Ancient Church?
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009

(By Nathan Busenitz)

I am in the midst of teaching through the Ante-Nicene period of church history. Recently, as we studied the life of Justin Martyr, I came across an interesting quote in which Justin describes a mid-second-century church service.

To give a little context, Justin is explaining Christianity to the Roman emperor, making the case that Christianity should not be illegal (as it was in those days). In the course of his Apology, he describes a typical church service. I think you’ll be encouraged to see what was included in an ancient Christian worship service. (Note that Justin refers to the pastor by the term “president,” namely as the one “presiding” over the worship service.)

On the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a given city or rural district. The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits. Then when the reader ceases, the president [pastor] in a discourse admonishes and urges the imitation of these good things. Next we all rise together and send up prayers.

When we cease from our prayer, bread is presented and wine and water. The president in the same manner sends up prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people sing out their assent, saying the ‘Amen.’ A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been given is made to each person, and to those who are not present they are sent by the deacons.

Those who have means and are willing, each according to his own choice, gives what he wills, and what is collected is deposited with the president. He provides for the orphans and widows, those who are in need on account of sickness or some other cause, those who are in bonds, strangers who are sojourning, and in a word he becomes the protector of all who are in need.

But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.

For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration. (First Apology, 67)

Continue reading at Pulpit Magazine

1. Religious Relativism
2. RUN! Run for your life! RUN!
3. Confronting Error with Condemnation, not Conversation

Sourced from: Faith Defenders

Originally posted 2009-10-09 03:06:27. Republished by Blog Post Promoter