For The Pilgrim's Progress

New Blog Coming Soon

2009-12-17T10:31:00.001-08:00

My new blog's launch date is Monday, January 4. I'm calling it, Renovate Your Life.

Here is the link (You won't be able to access it until January 4th).

Have a very merry and blessed Christmas and may God richly bless you in 2010.

In Christ,
Dale

Starting Over

2007-05-29T13:05:00.001-07:00

at

DaleTedder

Why Should You Join A Church...Should You Attend Church?

2007-05-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

Why Join A Church?

by Donald Whitney

An Excerpt...

"Why should I join the church?"

Despite my seminary training and pastoral experience, I was unprepared for this new Christian's question. He agreed from our study of the Scripture that he needed to identify himself as a disciple of Christ through baptism, but then he asked, "Can you show me from the New Testament that I'm supposed to officially join anything?"

Now he really had me.

"If I come and worship as often as the members," he continued, "if I fellowship with these believers as much as anyone else, if I profit from the teaching and other ministries of the church, and if I actively demonstrate love for my brothers and sisters in Christ here, why should I formally join the church?"

His question struck me with an uncomfortable logic.

I began to realize that many of my conclusions about church membership were actually nothing more than previously unchallenged assumptions. These assumptions were now melting into questions of my own. Can I give reasons from Scripture why anyone should join a church? Did the Christians in New Testament times formally join churches or did they more of an informal relationship? Did the churches in the days of the Apostle Paul have a membership list? How do I respond to the rising tide of opinion that says church membership is merely an unchallenged, but unbiblical tradition and an unnecessary formality?

Here's what I found.

Click here to read the whole article.

ALSO...

Here's a corresponding article by the late Greg Bahnsen entitled, "Is It Our Moral Obligation to Attend Church?"

Prayer for Today

2007-05-13T05:03:00.000-07:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

O Lord, I am deeply grateful for Your wonderful acts, for Your abundant promises, and for the gift of my relationship with You through the merits of Christ.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make His deeds known among the nations. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Tell of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. (Psalm 105:1-3)

Take a moment to express your gratitude for the many blessings that you have received from the Lord.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

Your word is settled in heaven forever, O Lord. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They continue to this day according to Your ordinances, for all things serve You. (Psalm 119:89-91)

Blessed is the Lord, who has not left His people without a kinsman-redeemer. (Ruth 4:14)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

A natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:14, 16)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

He who is faithful with very little is also faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. If one is not faithful in handling worldly wealth, who will trust him with true riches? And if one is not faithful with someone else's property, who will give him property of his own? (Luke 16:10-12)

Lord, I thank You for the faithfulness of Your word and for providing Your Son as our kinsman-redeemer. I thank You for Your Holy Spirit who illuminates my mind, and I ask that I would labor in Your strength and be faithful in my use of the things You have entrusted to me.

from KenBoa.org

Tozer Devotion for This Lord's Day

2007-05-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

COMPROMISE IS COSTLY

Christianity today is so entangled with this present world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere-but actually no real union between the world and the Church is possible. When the Church joins up with the world it is the true Church no longer but only a pitiful hybrid thing, an object of smiling contempt to the world, and an abomination to the Lord! Nothing could be clearer than the pronouncements of the Scriptures on the Christian's relation to the world. The confusion which gathers around this matter results from the unwillingness of professing Christians to take the Word of the Lord seriously. This whole thing is spiritual in its essence. A Christian is what he is not by ecclesiastical manipulation but by the new birth. He is a Christian because of a Spirit which dwells in him. Only that which is born by the Spirit is spirit, no matter how many church dignitaries work on it!

Prayer: Lord, I pray that you will strengthen my resolve not to compromise my spiritual life with worldly values. Help our churches to be separate from the world as you command us.

Scripture: pray... that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.— John 17:15

Thought: When the Church joins up with the world it is the true Church no longer but only a pitiful hybrid thing, an object of smiling contempt to the world, and an abomination to the Lord!

from Tozer Devotional

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 35

2007-05-13T04:56:00.000-07:00

The Ten Commandments

96. Question: What does God require in the second commandment?

Answer: We are not to make an image of God in any way,[1] nor to worship Him in any other manner than He has commanded in His Word.[2]

[1] Deut. 4:15-19; Is. 40:18-25; Acts 17:29; Rom. 1:23. [2] Lev. 10:1-7; Deut. 12:30; I Sam. 15:22, 23; Matt. 15:9; John 4:23, 24.

97. Question: May we then not make any image at all?

Answer: God cannot and may not be visibly portrayed in any way. Creatures may be portrayed, but God forbids us to make or have any images of them in order to worship them or to serve God through them.[1]

[1] Ex. 34:13, 14, 17; Num. 33:52; II Kings 18:4, 5; Is. 40:25.

98. Question: But may images not be tolerated in the churches as "books for the laity"?

Answer: No, for we should not be wiser than God. He wants His people to be taught not by means of dumb images[1] but by the living preaching of His Word.[2]

[1] Jer. 10:8; Hab. 2:18-20. [2] Rom. 10:14, 15, 17; II Tim. 3:16, 17; II Pet. 1:19.

God's Treaure

2007-05-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

God’s Treasure

Deuteronomy 14:2

…for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

Israel was not the largest, richest, or most powerful group of people on the planet when God chose them. Nor were they the most righteous and obedient. And yet, God chose them. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 1 that this is God’s usual mode of operation. He manifests his wisdom and power by choosing and then raising up the unwise and weak to serve him. It’s been a fairly effective plan thus far. There was a fairly well known empire that was turned upside-down by the “dregs of society” a couple thousand years ago. It seems to still be working.

What is also striking about this verse is that Israel is referred to as God’s “treasured possession.” What a wonderful way to see oneself – as a treasured possession – something incredibly valuable to God.

When we think of ourselves as such, our first impulse is to attribute such worth to ourselves. “Of course I’m treasured by God,” we think. “I have so much raw talent, drive, character, etc. Why wouldn’t I be invaluable to God?” And yet, this sort of thinking is antithetical to biblical truth. There is nothing in ourselves, which compels God to choose us. Instead, it is his own good, perfect, and pleasing will that leads him to first love us.

But to think that those who are in Christ are God’s treasured possessions is amazing. For that’s what we are as heirs of the new covenant.

How ought we respond to such news? Humility comes first to mind. There is no room for pride in the biblical worldview. How about gratitude and joy? Yes, there should be plenty of both to be sure. There’s also obedience. We mustn’t forget that. Lives lived in humble, grateful, joyful, and obedient response to the God who first loved us is essential…and should be natural. It should register as an “of course” response from us.

But does it? Does your life reflect that sense of chosen-ness in which God regards you as his treasured possession? If not, why not make today the day that you begin living in humble, grateful, joyful, and obedient response to who God is and what he has done on your behalf.

Stand Firm,
Dale

The Ten Commandments

2007-05-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Since the post of the Heidelberg Catechism today is on the Ten Commandments, I thought it would be a good idea to also post a sermon/study on the Ten Commandments as well (specifically on the Heidelberg Catechism's questions and answers regarding the Law).

Here's a snippet...

I. The Three Uses of the Law

A (HOLD UP MAP) A map can prevent you from taking the wrong road, from going down the wrong path. When you are lost, a map can show you where you've gone astray. But most importantly, a map can also be a positive guide, showing you which road to follow.

B Reformed Christians have long recognized that the Law of God is like a road map (HOLD UP MAP). First of all, it can prevent you from taking the wrong road, the road of sin and evil. People, for instance, come across a tempting situation – they can take a hundred dollars without anyone noticing, or cheat on their income tax without getting caught, or commit adultery without their spouse being the wiser – but the Law of God tells them this is evil so they don't do it. I don't know who first said this, but when God tells us to do something it is not a suggestion which we can take or leave; rather, it is a commandment! I'm sure you've noted that the Ten Commandments are not called the Ten Suggestions.

The Apostle Paul tells us "that the requirements of the law are written on human hearts" so that even those Gentiles "who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law" (Rom 2:14-15). This explains why unbelieving individuals or pagan societies are very rarely as bad as they can possibly be – the requirements of God's Law, written on everyone's heart, restrains or prevents evil.

Among Christians it goes even a step further than this. The book of Hebrews tells us that God established in Christ Jesus a new covenant first spoken of by the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34; cf Heb 8:8,10). In this new covenant God says, "I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts." In this new covenant relationship born-again Christians intimately know and want to obey God's Law. In this new covenant relationship born-again Christians are sorry for sin, hate sin, run away from sin, and take great delight in obeying God's laws and commandments.

Among both believers and unbelievers, then, the Law of God restrains or prevents evil.

C Secondly, when you are lost the Law of God, like a map (HOLD UP MAP), can show you where you have gone wrong, where you have gone
astray. The Law shows you that you have gone wrong when you rebelled against God. The Law tells you that you took the wrong way or the wrong turn when you sinned against God. In other words, in light of God's Law we come to realize that we are lost in sin and desperately need Christ Jesus to save us. The Law is a teacher of sin.

D Thirdly, the Law of God, like a map (HOLD UP MAP), is a positive guide showing you which road to follow. From this viewpoint, God's Law is a guide for grateful Christian living, a model for doing and being good. This is a distinctly Reformed understanding of the Law. This is the usage emphasized by the Catechism.

When the Catechism, in Q & A 3 & 4, teaches us about our sin, it turns to the summary of God's Law as found in Matthew 22: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and ... your neighbor as yourself." And, when it teaches us how to lead and live before God the life of gratitude, the life of thankfulness – because of all God's mercies and benefits – it turns to the Ten Commandments.

Click here to read the whole sermon.

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 34

2007-05-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Ten Commandments

92. Question: What is the law of the LORD?

Answer: God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
3. You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it.
5. Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
6. You shall not kill.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. you shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, 10. or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.[1]

[1] Ex. 20:1-17; Deut. 5:6-21.

93. Question: How are these commandments divided?

Answer: Into two parts. The first teaches us how to live in relation to God; the second, what duties we owe our neighbor.[1]

[1] Matt. 22:37-40.

94. Question: What does the LORD require in the first commandment?

Answer: That for the sake of my very salvation I avoid and flee all idolatry,[1] witchcraft, superstition,[2] and prayer to saints or to other creatures.[3] Further, that I rightly come to know the only true God.[4] trust in Him alone,[5] submit to Him with all humility[6] and patience,[7] expect all good from Him only,[8] and love,[9] fear,[10] and honour Him[11] with all my heart. In short, that I forsake all creatures rather than do the least thing against His will.[12]

[1] I Cor. 6:9, 10; 10:5-14; I John 5:21. [2] Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:9-12. [3] Matt. 4:10; Rev. 19:10; 22:8, 9. [4] John 17:3. [5] Jer. 17:5, 7. [6] I Pet. 5:5, 6. [7] Rom. 5:3, 4; I Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; Col. 1:11; Heb. 10:36. [8] Ps. 104:27, 28; Is. 45:7; James 1:17. [9] Deut. 6:5; (Matt. 22:37). [10] Deut. 6:2; Ps. 111:10; Prov. 1:7; 9:10; Matt. 10:28; I Pet. 1:17. [11] Deut. 6:13; (Matt. 4:10); Deut. 10:20. [12] Matt. 5:29, 30; 10:37-39; Acts 5:29.

95. Question: What is idolatry?

Answer: Idolatry is having or inventing something in which to put our trust instead of, or in addition to, the only true God who has revealed Himself in His Word.[1]

[1] I Chron. 16:26; Gal. 4:8, 9; Eph. 5:5; Phil. 3:19.

Accountability and Accountability Questions

2007-05-02T03:57:00.000-07:00

2 Corinthians 13:5 - "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?"

In light of the accountability questions that I asked you this morning, I thought I would provide some additional resources for you to read on the subject of accountability.

Brothers, examining yourself a couple of times each year (as well as weekly or bi-weekly check-ups) is key in your Christian growth. It helps you assess whether or not you moving forward, just treading water...or actually drifting backwards.

To continue the metaphor, if we are not swimming with all our might toward our goal (which is our Christlikeness) then we are either swimming toward the wrong goal, remaining in the same place, or drifting backwards...all three of which are harmful to our spiritual health. But rejoice, if you are truly in Christ then there is good news. The apostle Paul says in Philippians 1:6 that he was confident that "he [God] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

So pray for a fresh filling of God's Spirit in your life so that you can persevere in running the race set before you. And rejoice that you don't have to run it alone. There is, first and foremost, the Spirit of God giving you the power, desire, and direction to run the race. But there are also brothers who are invested in seeing you finish well in your journey with Christ. And, as always, let me know what I can do to help you. It's why I'm here at Southside.

(PS - I really mixed my metaphors, didn't I)

Your Brother,
Dale

Accountability Resources

Accountability by Ken Boa - Great article on the subject. A must read.

Are You Leading A Hazardous Life? by Jeff Miller - These are the questions/statements that I read aloud this morning.

How to Conquer a Secret Thought Life by Pat Morley - Morley knows men. This is a great article on dealing with the garbage that's already in your head...and how to keep more garbage from finding its way into your head.

How to Have an Accountable Relationship by Pat Morley - Good practical tools on how to gather with other men for the purpose of holding one another accountable in your faith...which includes every sphere of your life.

Nothing "Safe" About Secret Sin by John MacArthur - This was an article sent to me yesterday by one of our brothers. MacArthur has gone from preaching to stepping on our feet in this article. A great read.

Accountability Questions by Ramesh Richard

More Accountability Questions from the ministry, "Men of Integrity"

ACCOUNTABILITY:Pursuing Vital Relationships, Part One: Getting Ready by Jim Clayton

ACCOUNTABILITY:Pursuing Vital Relationships, Part Two - Play Ball! by Jim Clayton

What is a mature and equipped follower of Christ? from Perimeter Church in Atlanta

I hope these resources will serve you well as you pursue the likeness of Christ in your life...for every sphere of your life.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Jesus washes the disciples' feet...

2007-04-29T05:25:00.000-07:00

Our lesson this week in Baxter Boys is John 13:1-17. To go along with that, here's a message by Robert Deffinbaugh on "menial service" which focuses on the text and draws out some important lessons for us on serving others, humility, etc.

Prayer for Today

2007-04-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

As I approach Your throne of grace today, I am grateful that You care about the things that concern me and that You want me to offer them up to You.

Whatever I do, may I do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

May everything I do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:14)

Take a moment to share your personal needs with God, including your physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual concerns.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

Your name, O Lord, endures forever, Your renown, O Lord, through all generations. (Psalm 135:13)

The Lord made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. (Jeremiah 51:15)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

I will guard my heart with all diligence, for out of it flow the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and has given us eternal consolation and good hope by grace, comfort our hearts and strengthen us in every good work and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Lord, I thank You for the glory of Your name and for creating the heavens and earth through Your power and wisdom. I thank You that godly sorrow leads to repentance, and I ask that I would guard my heart and be strengthened in every good work and deed.

from KenBoa.org

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 33

2007-04-29T05:09:00.000-07:00

Repentance

88. Question: What is the true repentance or conversion of man?

Answer: It is the dying of the old nature and the coming to life of the new.[1]

[1] Rom. 6:1-11; I Cor. 5:7; II Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:5-10.

89. Question: What is the dying of the old nature?

Answer: It is to grieve with heartfelt sorrow that we have offended God by our sin, and more and more to hate it and flee from it.[1]

[1] Ps. 51:3, 4, 17; Joel 2:12, 13; Rom. 8:12, 13; II Cor. 7:10.

90. Question: What is the coming to life of the new nature?

Answer: It is a heartfelt joy in God through Christ,[1] and a love and delight to live according to the will of God in all good works.[2]

[1] Ps. 51:8, 12; Is. 57:15; Rom. 5:1; 14:17. [2] Rom. 6:10, 11; Gal. 2:20.

91. Question: But what are good works?

Answer: Only those which are done out of true faith,[1] in accordance with the law of God,[2] and to His glory,[3] and not those based on our own opinion or on precepts of men.[4]

[1] Joh. 15:5; Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6. [2] Lev. 18:4; I Sam. 15:22; Eph. 2:10. [3] I Cor. 10:31. [4] Deut. 12:32; Is. 29:13; Ezek. 20:18, 19; Matt. 15:7-9.

Get Wisdom

2007-04-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from message preached yesterday...

You see, the purpose of James’ letter is not to make new converts for Christ, but to encourage the folks who already are Christ’s disciples. He wants them to run the whole race of faith and discipleship… and not to give up. Therefore, they’ll need to see all the things they go through in this world… with God’s eternal perspective. They’ll need to see that this test of their faith… is to actually strengthen them… so that they can make it the whole way.

I know this is an over-used illustration, ‘but diamonds are nothing more than lumps of coal, which have been subjected to intense pressure over a period of time. And without that pressure, coal simply stays coal.’ I think James is saying this: “the testing of your faith is the combined pressure that life brings to bear on you.” And he’s saying that the result of that pressure… is the diamond of your perseverance…so that you can endure whatever else is going to come down the road.

You all know this verse in Hebrews about our Lord…

Hebrews 12:2 - Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Cross wasn’t an enjoyable experience to our Lord. He didn’t whistle his way through it. But he had his Father’s eternal perspective and saw the joy that was set before him…the joy to come…and therefore, he was able to endure it. That’s what James is saying.

I always try to be careful not to ever convey any idea that we are the center of God’s universe. Because God is the center of God’s universe. And whatever he does, he does first and foremost for his own glory. But in an important sense, we are still God’s masterpieces and he’s taking great pains and great care to turn us into that great work… instead of being content to leave us as mediocre thumbnail sketches.

C.S. Lewis said that we’re like a painter’s canvas, which is made up of countless hyper-sensitive nerve-endings. And every scrape of the Painter’s tools on the canvas may cause pain at the time. But the Artist sees the big picture. He has in mind to make us into a magnificent piece of art…and not a collection of insignificant stick-figures. And yet, having said all that, the trials and tests are real…and they’re not pleasant and enjoyable to go through at the time.

Click here to read the whole message

Radical Effects of the Resurrection

2007-04-22T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a snippet from John Piper's devotion on the radical effects of the resurrection...

So Paul concludes from his hourly danger and his daily dying and his fighting with beasts that the life he has chosen in following Jesus is foolish and pitiable if he will not be raised from the dead. “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” In other words, only the resurrection with Christ and the joys of eternity can make sense out of this suffering.

If death were the end of the matter, he says, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” This doesn’t mean: Let’s all become gluttons and drunkards. They are pitiable too—with or without the resurrection. He means: If there is no resurrection, what makes sense is middle-class moderation to maximize earthly pleasures.

But that is not what Paul chooses. He chooses suffering, because he chooses obedience. When Ananias came to him at his conversion with
the words from the Lord Jesus, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” ( Acts 9:16), Paul accepted this as part of his calling. Suffer he must.

How could Paul do it? What was the source of this radical obedience? The answer is given in 1 Corinthians 15:20: “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” In other words, Christ was raised, and I will be raised with him. Therefore, nothing suffered for Jesus is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Click here to read the whole devotion.

Persevering Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce

2007-04-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

From Philip Ryken's Window on the World.

Here's an exerpt on his meditation on William Wilberforce...

Rarely has one man stood up against so many opponents—or against so great an evil—for so long and with so little encouragement, before finally meeting with such a complete triumph, as William Wilberforce in his long battle against the institution of slavery.

This week marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire—a landmark event that is commemorated with the release of a major motion picture. The film is called Amazing Grace, which is a tribute to John Newton, the famous slave trader and hymn writer. But the real hero is the man Newton encouraged in his indefatigable fight for freedom.

William Wilberforce launched his campaign for the abolition of slavery in 1787. The bills he presented to Parliament were voted down
no less than eleven times. The international pressure for him to abandon his campaign was intense, for Wilberforce was challenging the economic interests of an entire empire. He faced hatred, humiliation, public slander, personal rejection, threats against his life, and the opposition of hundreds of politicians who were financially controlled by slaveholding interests.

He did not see his cause finally succeed until twenty years later, when the Bill for Abolition carried in the House of Commons by the unexpected majority of almost 300 votes. As one of his colleagues praised him for saving the lives of “so many of his fellow creatures,” loud shouts of acclamation descended on Wilberforce from every corner of the gallery. The great man sat with his head bowed, and tears streaming down his face.

Click here to read the rest.

If you would like to learn more about William Wilberforce, click here.

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 32

2007-04-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

86. Question: Since we have been delivered from our misery by grace alone through Christ, without any merit of our own, why must we yet do good works?

Answer: Because Christ, having redeemed us by His blood, also renews us by His Holy Spirit to be His image, so that with our whole life we may show ourselves thankful to God for His benefits,[1] and He may be praised by us.[2] Further, that we ourselves may be assured of our faith by its fruits,[3] and that by our godly walk of life we may win our neighbors for Christ.[4]

[1] Rom. 6:13; 12:1, 2; I Pet. 2:5-10. [2] Matt. 5:16; I Cor. 6:19, 20. [3] Matt. 7:17, 18; Gal. 5:22-24; II Pet. 1:10, 11. [4] Matt. 5:14-16; Rom. 14:17-19; I Pet. 2:12; 3:1, 2.

87. Question: Can those be saved who do not turn to God from their ungrateful and impenitent walk of life?

Answer: By no means. Scripture says that no unchaste person, idolater, adulterer, thief, greedy person, drunkard, slanderer, robber, or the like shall inherit the kingdom of God.[1]

[1] I Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:5, 6; I John 3:14.

Redeeming the Time

2007-04-18T14:10:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 5:15-17

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Scripture says that we are like vapors – here today and then… POOF…gone in an instant. Some of us may live to the national average or even past it. Others will not live that long. Whatever the case may be, Scripture affirms that “man knows not his time.” Therefore, since no one knows when he will be called home, doesn’t it make sense to make the most of every day – as though it was our last day?

We are sometimes asked what we would do if we only had one week or one month to live. We generally give a sweet, sentimental, or profound answer that stresses the urgency of the hypothetical predicament about which we are being asked. And yet, so often, we never “live out” the answers that we give because we suppress the truth of reality and thus mistakenly believe that we have an infinite supply of time and opportunities waiting before us.

This is folly, unwise, and terribly unrealistic. It’s the very reason the apostle stressed what he did in today’s scripture.

Paul tells us immediately to be careful how we live. He says we need to be wise, not unwise, and that we need to make the most of every opportunity that comes our way. John Wesley and George Whitefield both called this “redeeming the time.”

It’s been calculated that the average person watches six years worth of television over the course of her lifetime – and four months tying her shoes. Do we really want to leave that kind of legacy to our children? Worse, do we really want to stand before our Lord one day and tell him that we buried our time and talents underneath the sofa cushion – right next to the Doritos crumbs and lost change? That will hardly be the “first-fruits” of a life well lived.

Our very lives are a gift from God. We are to be stewards of them. In a real sense they are not our own. If we would offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God, then we must daily put ourselves back on the altar before him – to consecrate ourselves to him.

There is cost involved here to be sure. To give ourselves to the Lord in this way will require sacrifice, commitment, and self-discipline. To redeem the time we have been given, to make the most of every opportunity, we will need to work hard and replace some poor attitudes, ways of thinking, and habits with good ones.

Instead of listening to music in the car, (which is not inherently bad, by the way), we might listen to a sermon or instructional tape. Instead of sleeping in, we might get up a bit earlier and spend time with the Lord – in his Word and in prayer. Instead of watching TV all night, why not pick up a book that will build you up in the faith or help you improve your life in some way? Instead of filling your life with busy work, why not build relationships with family and friends? The list could on and on, but you get the point.

It’s been often said that no one, at the end of his life, looks back and says he should have spent more time in the office, or in front of the TV, or at the mall, etc. These things are not necessarily worthless, but they are fleeting.

Why not redeem the time that you have been given by using it wisely? Why not make the most of every opportunity God will give you today? Our lives are short enough already. Let’s not fill them with trinkets when we have the opportunity to offer the Lord the sweet scent of a pleasing sacrifice.

Stand Firm,
Dale

For one of our readers...

2007-04-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

A Little Bach for this Lord's Day

2007-04-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

Bach concerto in D for 3 violins

Bach - Matthaus Passion - 39. Aria A - Erbarme dich

Prayer Requests

2007-04-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

If you have a prayer request for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post and write it out in the provided space. Doing that will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request(s).

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.

If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please do not hesitate to email me directly. My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Today's Prayer

2007-04-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

Lord, I give thanks for Your greatness, your goodness, and your love, and I now draw near to enjoy your presence.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? (Psalm 42:1-2)

My soul yearns for You in the night; My spirit within me diligently seeks You. When Your judgments come upon the earth, The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. (Isaiah 26:9)

Take a moment to consider God’s awesome majesty and thank Him that He loves you and wants an intimate relationship with you.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

No one can see the Lord and live. (Exodus 33:20)

We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and this mortal with immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:51-53)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit are with me. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

I will give generously to others without a grudging heart. (Deuteronomy 15:10)

He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one should give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to us, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, we may abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase our seed and will increase the fruits of our righteousness. (2 Corinthians 9:6-10)

Lord, I thank You for Your promise that You will raise me to immortality and that I will be imperishable in Your presence. I thank You for Your love, grace, and fellowship, and I ask that I would be generous with the resources You have entrusted to me.

from KenBoa.org

Tozer Devotion for This Lord's Day

2007-04-15T06:19:00.000-07:00

GOD KNOWS THE HYPOCRITES

I do not consider that it is my place as a Christian to stand around making judgments and calling other people "hypocrites." Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only man I know who was holy and perfect enough to call the religious leaders of the day hypocrites. I am just a man with faults and shortcomings of my own, and I must always consider myself lest I be tempted! I preach to my own congregation about our faults and our failings, with the warning that some of our professions of blessing and victory may get into the area of "umntentional hypocrisy." Through the grace of God and the kindness of our spiritual ancestors we may have spiritual light that some others do not have-but in all honesty, we are wretchedly far below what we should be in living up to it, day by day. It helps us to be honest and frank and humble to know that the great God Almighty knows the secrets of every person's heart!

Prayer: Lord, you are the judge. You have things under control. Remind me not to take on responsibilities which are not mine. Keep my eyes on you, and make my own way straight.

Scripture: Let us therefore not judge one another anymore.— Romans 14:13

Thought: Our Lord Jesus Christ is the only man I know who was holy and perfect enough to call the religious leaders of the day hypocrites.

from Tozer Devotional

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 31

2007-04-15T06:14:00.000-07:00

Keys of the Kingdom

83. Question: What are the keys of the kingdom of heaven?

Answer: The preaching of the holy gospel and church discipline. By these two the kingdom of heaven is opened to believers and closed to unbelievers.[1]

[1] Matt. 16:19; John 20:21-23.

84. Question: How is the kingdom of heaven opened and closed by the preaching of the gospel?

Answer: According to the command of Christ, the kingdom of heaven is opened when it is proclaimed and publicly testified to each and every believer that God has really forgiven all their sins for the sake of Christ's merits, as often as they by true faith accept the promise of the gospel. The kingdom of heaven is closed when it is proclaimed and testified to all unbelievers and hypocrites that the wrath of God and eternal condemnation rest on them as long as they do not repent. According to this testimony of the gospel, God will judge both in this life and in the life to come.[1]

[1] Matt. 16:19; John 3:31-36; 20:21-23.

85. Question: How is the kingdom of heaven closed and opened by church discipline?

Answer: According to the command of Christ, people who call themselves Christians but show themselves to be unchristian in doctrine or life are first repeatedly admonished in a brotherly manner. If they do not give up their errors or wickedness, they are reported to the church, that is, to the elders. If they do not heed also their admonitions, they are forbidden the use of the sacraments, and they are excluded by the elders from the Christian congregation, and by God Himself from the kingdom of Christ.[1] They are again received as members of Christ and of the church when they promise and show real amendment.[2]

[1] Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5:3-5; 11-13; II Thess. 3:14, 15. [2] Luke 15:20-24; II Cor. 2:6-11.

One of my favorite websites

2007-04-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

I think I must visit Bible.org on a daily basis. I just can't help it. The good folks at Bible.org have virtually everything a minister of discipleship (or any Christian) could possibly want. The website has great Bible studies that you can download...not to mention a growing number of audio studies that you can also download.

It seems each time I visit they have another website (under their umbrella) committed to an area of discipleship that I am interested in, such as Bible studies, men's ministry, and spiritual formation (to name a few).

If you haven't visited Bible.org you are in for a real treat...and a real help in your spiritual progress. This website provides true sustenance for every pilgrim who sets out for the Celestial City.

Enjoy!
Dale

Worldly Principles

2007-04-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

Galatians 4:9

But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

When we lived in darkness – when we were of the world – it made perfect sense that we lived as the world lived. We were a part of its system. It was dark and decaying and so were we.

But when we were delivered from such bondage, ignorance, and darkness we were made new creations. To paraphrase the apostle elsewhere, “When I was a worldling, I talked like a worldling, I thought like a worldling, I reasoned like a worldling. When I became a new creature in Christ, I put worldish ways behind me.”

How is it then that Paul could address these Galatian believers and ask them how it was that they were turning back to old, dead ways?

It’s amazing how ignorant and shortsighted we are – each and every day. When we are not pursuing the finish line with all our might we are drifting back to the world and its ways of thinking. And such thinking will soon lead to worldish living. What’s so sad about this is that we don’t even seem to be aware that, in reality, we become enslaved all over again.

Thankfully, those who were and are genuinely in Christ will not be able to remain so without feeling the disciplinary rod of the Holy Spirit. God is not content to watch his children become remolded to the world’s image.

It really is ludicrous to think about why we would ever want to go back to such thinking and living when once we have been freed from it. Why do we prefer bondage at times? Like the Israelites, we all-of-a-sudden begin to romanticize how great the leeks and onions were and forget all about the fact that we were slaves and that our children were often killed right before us. How can this be?

There are probably many good answers. No believer, I hope, truly thinks the world is preferable to the things of God. I don’t think being 50 pounds overweight is preferable to being at my ideal weight. But one unnoticed pound at a time – over a great deal of time of undisciplined living – and a person will wake up unable to fit into his clothes any longer. That was never the intention, but it was the consequence. Similarly, a little disobedience here and there, a little sloth here and there, and one day we wake up terribly out of shape for the Kingdom. In truth, we’re downright unfit for it.

But again, by God’s magnificent gift of grace, the smoke detector goes off long before the fire blazes out of control. God awakens and disciplines those who are his own and gets them/us back on track again. But even here he does not “do” all the work for us. We can still choose to sleep in instead of praying and studying; play instead of attend worship, watch hours of TV sports or HGTV instead of enjoying the fellowship of the saints…or the myriad of other means God has graciously provided for our spiritual health.

I’ve discovered in my own life, and in the lives of many to and with whom I have ministered over the years, that we do the things in life that we want to do. It’s no more complicated than that. We may dress it up in elaborate excuses and rationalizations, but at the end of the day that’s all they are. If we want God, the things of God, and to be like God, we will do what it takes to reach those goals. If we don’t…we won’t.

But the consequence for not wanting God and for not striving after him is not mere neutrality or even simply a bland faith. It’s once more being enslaved to the weak and miserable principles of the world.

Sovereign grace abounds. And yet, paradoxically, the choice is yours. Choose this day whom you will serve.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 30

2007-04-09T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Lord's Supper

80. Question: What difference is there between the Lord's supper and the papal mass?

Answer: The Lord's supper testifies to us, first, that we have complete forgiveness of all our sins through the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which He Himself accomplished on the cross once for all;[1] and, second, that through the Holy Spirit we are grafted into Christ,[2] who with His true body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father,[3] and this is where He wants to be worshipped.[4] But the mass teaches, first, that the living and the dead do not have forgiveness of sins through the suffering of Christ unless He is still offered for them daily by the priests; and, second, that Christ is bodily present in the form of bread and wine, and there is to be worshipped. Therefore the mass is basically nothing but a denial of the one sacrifice and suffering of Jesus Christ, and an accursed idolatry.

[1] Matt. 26:28; John 19:30; Heb. 7:27; 9:12, 25, 26; 10:10-18. [2] I Cor. 6:17; 10:16, 17. [3] Joh. 20:17; Acts 7:55, 56; Heb. 1:3; 8:1. [4] John 4:21-24; Phil. 3:20; Col. 3:1; I Thess. 1:10.

81. Question: Who are to come to the table of the Lord?

Answer: Those who are truly displeased with themselves because of their sins and yet trust that these are forgiven them and that their remaining weakness is covered by the suffering and death of Christ, and who also desire more and more to strengthen their faith and amend their life. But hypocrites and those who do not repent eat and drink judgment upon themselves.[1]

[1] I Cor. 10:19-22; 11:26-32.

82. Question: Are those also to be admitted to the Lord's supper who by their confession and life show that they are unbelieving and ungodly?

Answer: No, for then the covenant of God would be profaned and His wrath kindled against the whole congregation.[1] Therefore, according to the command of Christ and His apostles, the Christian church is duty-bound to exclude such persons by the keys of the kingdom of heaven, until they amend their lives.

[1] Ps. 50:16; Is. 1:11-17; I Cor. 11:17-34.

And when I run... I feel His pleasure.

2007-04-03T07:55:00.001-07:00

Scripture for Palm Sunday

2007-04-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

Luke 19:35-38 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. [36] As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. [37] When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: [38] "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

Psalm 31:9-16 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. [10] My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. [11] Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends-- those who see me on the street flee from me. [12] I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery. [13] For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. [14] But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." [15] My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me. [16] Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

Prayer of A Servant

2007-04-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

Lord, I have heard Thy voice and was afraid. Thou hast called me to an awesome task in a grave and perilous hour. Thou art about to shake all nations and the earth and also heaven, that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Lord my Lord, Thou hast stooped to honor me to be Thy servant. No man taketh this honor upon himself save he that is called of God as was Aaron. Thou hast ordained me Thy messenger to them that are stubborn of heart and hard of hearing. They have rejected Thee, the Master and it is not to be expected that they will receive me, the servant. My God, I shall not waste time deploring my weaknesses nor my unfittedness for the work. The responsibility is not mine but Thine. Thou hast said, "I know thee; I ordained thee; I sanctified thee." Who am I to argue with Thee or to call into question Thy sovereign choice? The decision is not mine but Thine. So be it, Lord; Thy will, not mine be done.

by A.W. Tozer

Prayer of Confession

2007-04-01T04:57:00.000-07:00

Lord, so often we have given you loud praise only to turn against you for our own reasons later. Like the crowds who cheered as you entered Jerusalem then called for your crucifixion, at times we too are fickle with our praise. Forgive us, Lord, and lead us to be faithful against all pressures, even death, that we might be true. In Christ we pray. Amen.

James R. Wilson

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 29

2007-04-01T04:52:00.000-07:00

The Lord's Supper

78. Question: Are then the bread and wine changed into the real body and blood of Christ?

Answer: No. Just as the water of baptism is not changed into the blood of Christ and is not the washing away of sins itself but is simply God's sign and pledge,[1] so also the bread in the Lord's supper does not become the body of Christ itself,[2] although it is called Christ's body[3] in keeping with the nature and usage of sacraments.[4]

[1] Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5. [2] Matt. 26:26-29. [3] I Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:26-28. [4] Gen. 17:10, 11; Ex. 12:11, 13; I Cor. 10:3, 4; I Pet. 3:21.

79. Question: Why then does Christ call the bread His body and the cup His blood, or the new covenant in His blood, and why does Paul speak of a participation in the body and blood of Christ?

Answer: Christ speaks in this way for a good reason: He wants to teach us by His supper that as bread and wine sustain us in this temporal life, so His crucified body and shed blood are true food and drink for our souls to eternal life.[1] But, even more important, He wants to assure us by this visible sign and pledge, first, that through the working of the Holy Spirit we share in His true body and blood as surely as we receive with our mouth these holy signs in remembrance of Him,[2] and, second, that all His suffering and obedience are as certainly ours as if we personally had suffered and paid for our sins.[3]

[1] John 6:51, 55. [2] I Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:26. [3] Rom. 6:5-11.

P.S.

2007-03-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

By the way, in reference to what I just wrote below about lifelong learning, this list (I posted it yesterday) of what Pat Morley has learned about men and men's ministry is a real gem. A must read.

Things I Have Learned...

2007-03-29T07:04:00.000-07:00

I have a notebook on my desk at work that is entitled, "What I Have Learned Today." In an effort to be a lifelong learner, I try to read (and listen to audio messages) as much as possible. But because my memory isn't what it used to be (in truth, it never was) I have to write things down to remember them. Thus, after I read a chapter, I try to write down the main idea and key principles of the chapter. This serves at least two functions. First, it helps me remember what I read. And second, it gives me user-friendly access to those ideas if I want to use them later in a lesson I'm teaching, a sermon I'm preaching, an item for this blog, or a devotion that I'm writing...just to name a few.

It was, therefore, a pleasure to read the following 15 life-principles of John Piper's father (with elaboration and commentary by John Piper). There's much gold to be mined in this list.

Enjoy,

Dale

Here's an excerpt...

Since my father died on March 6, I have been looking through his papers. I found a small sheet with the following fifteen counsels, titled “Things I Have Learned.” He didn't make most of these up. Some of them go back to his college days when he was absorbing the pithy wisdom of Bob Jones Senior. They have again confirmed the obvious: I owe my father more than I can ever remember. The comment after each one is mine.

Click here to read the 15 Principles.

Singleness of Heart

2007-03-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

Singleness of Heart

Jeremiah 32:38-39

They will be my people, and I will be their God. [39] I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them.

Our covenant-making, covenant-keeping God is ever pursuing and sustaining us. This passage from Jeremiah reminds us of this fact. God’s people had done every abominable thing imaginable in rebellion against God. They disobeyed him, ignored him, and chased after idols. And there were indeed consequences…there always are.

And yet God had made a promise to Israel’s forefathers. And God keeps his promises.

He once again renewed his covenant and declared that he would draw his people back to him. Furthermore, he said that he would “give them singleness of heart and action, so that hey [would] always fear [him]…” What a blessing it is to have a single-minded passion and mind for God and the things of God – to serve him only! Such single-mindedness must begin with the fear of God. For it is when we cease to fear God that we wander off in our own direction…after idols.

We are mere babes who do not know what is good for us. God has our good in mind, but not at the expense of his glory and honor. He will never sacrifice or compromise his character just so we can feel good about ourselves.

We must pray, even now, that God will revive our weary hearts, minds, and souls with singleness of heart (our whole being) and action so that it might go well with us. But not only for us, but also for our children. For God seldom, if ever, works only with an individual in mind. Instead, he makes and keeps covenant with families in mind – for a thousand generations.

Let us remember that our covenant-faithfulness affects more than just ourselves. It touches those in our lives who we may never even know in this life, but who may yet do great things for God. But then also, our unfaithfulness has consequences as well.

O Lord, give us a singleness of mind for you and your Kingdom all the days of our lives. In Christ I pray. Amen.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Morley on ministering to men

2007-03-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

40 of “The Most Important Things to Know” about Ministering to Men
by Patrick Morley

A few years ago I started a list of “the most important things to know” about men’s discipleship ministry. I realized the task was way bigger than I first thought, but here’s how far I got with my list. Though it’s far from comprehensive, I do think it reflects many of the felt and real needs of men today. And at the end there are a few ideas to help men do something about it.

How Men Are Doing and Why

1. Most men have it in their hearts to do the right thing. That part of a Christian man that would love, trust, obey, and worship a holy God is far bigger than the flesh in him that would do wrong.

2. No man fails on purpose. No man wakes up in the morning and thinks, "Well, I guess I'll see what I can do today to irritate my wife, neglect my kids, and work too much." But they do.

3. Despite this, most men are living by their own ideas. Their lives are not turning out like they planned.

4. Many men are getting exactly what they want, only to find out it doesn't make them happy.

5. A lot of men are in what we might call a "structural hurry." They have structured hurry into their routines. The price of this pace is peace.

6. Men are tired. We have created a culture which requires more energy than men have to give.

7. A lot of men are worried, confused, disillusioned, disoriented, and sad.

8. Many men are burdened down by debts. It never occurred to them that it takes more energy to service a debt and earn a living than just to earn a living.

9. Many men are angry because they didn't get what they wanted and wonder, "Now what?" Or, they did get what they wanted but now can't remember why they thought it was so important.

10. Most men play a role during the first part of their adult lives--a role that they believe will make other people happy and get them where they want to go. At a midpoint they come to a place when they realize they haven't lived with authenticity, and that is the thing they now want to get back to.

Click here to read the other 30 important things to know about ministering to men.

Sermon series on marriage by John Piper

2007-03-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

Marriage, Christ, and Covenant: One Flesh for the Glory of God

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love, Part 1
Genesis 2:18-25
January 28, 2007
Read Listen Watch

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love, Part 2
Genesis 2:18-25
February 4, 2007
Read Listen Watch

Marriage: God’s Showcase of Covenant-Keeping Grace
Colossians 2:13-15, 3:12-19
February 11, 2007
Read Listen Watch

Marriage: Forgiving and Forbearing
Colossians 3:12-19
February 18, 2007
Read Listen Watch

Marriage: Pursuing Conformity to Christ in the Covenant
Ephesians 5:21-33
February 25, 2007
Read Listen Watch

Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head, Part 1
Ephesians 5:21-33
March 18, 2007
Read Listen Watch

Lionhearted and Lamblike: The Christian Husband as Head, Part 2
What Does It Mean to Lead
Ephesians 5:21-33
March 25, 2007
Read Listen Watch

All Creatures of Our God and King

2007-03-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

Worship, sing, meditate upon, and pray over this great hymn.

Click here for words and mp3.

John Piper on the Gospel

2007-03-25T04:40:00.001-07:00

Thanks to GodTube.com

Prayer Requests

2007-03-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

Tozer Devotion for This Lord's Day

2007-03-25T04:34:00.000-07:00

REJOICING IN TRIALS

The Apostle Peter stated a great Christian truth in the form of an amazing paradox: the obedient Christian believer will continue to rejoice and praise God even in the midst of continuing trials and suffering in this earthly life! God's people know that things here on this earth are not all they ought to be, but they refuse to join the worry brigade. They are too busy rejoicing in the gracious prospect of all that will take place when God fulfills His promises to His redeemed children. This ability to rejoice is demonstrated throughout the Bible and in the New Testament it rings forth like a silver bell! The life of the normal believing child of God can never become a life of gloom and pessimism, for it is the Holy Spirit of God who keeps us above the kind of gloomy resignation that marks the secularism of the day. We are still able to love the unlovely and to weep with those who weep, for in Peter's words, "when Christ's glory shall be revealed you may be glad with exceeding joy!"

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the reminder that I have not only been forgiven of everything imaginable, but that I have everything to look forward to.

Scripture: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.— 1 Peter 4:13

Thought: The life of the normal believing child of God can never become a life of gloom and pessimism, for it is the Holy Spirit of God who keeps us above the kind of gloomy resignation that marks the secularism of the day.

from Tozer Devotional online

Prayer for Today

2007-03-25T04:29:00.000-07:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

O Lord, I am deeply grateful for Your wonderful acts, for Your abundant promises, and for the gift of my relationship with You through the merits of Christ.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the Lord God is my strength and my song, And He has become my salvation. (Isaiah 12:2)

I will trust in the Lord forever, For in Yahweh, the Lord, I have an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:4)

Take a moment to express your gratitude for the many blessings that you have received from the Lord.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:37)

When Jesus said to the paralytic, "My son, your sins are forgiven," the scribes were sitting there and reasoned in their hearts, "Why does this man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Mark 2:5-7)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

I will stand firm, having girded my waist with truth, having put on the
breastplate of righteousness, and having shod my feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace; above all, taking up the shield of faith with which I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. I will take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition, I will pray always in the Spirit, and to this end I will be watchful with all perseverance and petition for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:14-18)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)

Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight! (Isaiah 5:21)

Lord, I thank You that nothing is impossible with You and that Jesus has the divine authority to forgive sins. I thank You for the spiritual weapons of warfare that You have provided, and I ask that I would not be wise in my own eyes, but that I would live in humility and the fear of the Lord.

From KenBoa.org

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 28

2007-03-25T04:23:00.000-07:00

The Lord's Supper

75. Question: How does the Lord's Supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all His gifts?

Answer: In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup in remembrance of Him. With this command He gave these promises:[1] First, as surely as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me and the cup given to me, so surely was His body offered for me and His blood poured out for me on the cross. Second, as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord as sure signs of Christ's body and blood, so surely does He Himself nourish and refresh my soul to everlasting life with His crucified body and shed blood.

[1] Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19, 20; I Cor. 11:23-25.

76. Question: What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and to drink His shed blood?

Answer: First, to accept with a believing heart all the suffering and the death of Christ, and so receive forgiveness of sins and life eternal.[1] Second, to be united more and more to His sacred body through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us.[2] Therefore, although Christ is in heaven[3] and we are on earth, yet we are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones,[4] and we forever live and are governed by one Spirit, as the members of our body are by one soul.[5]

[1] John 6:35, 40, 50-54. [2] John 6:55, 56; I Cor. 12:13. [3] Acts 1:9-11; 3:21; I Cor. 11:26; Col. 3:1. [4] I Cor. 6:15, 17; Eph. 5:29, 30; I John 4:13. [5] John 6:56-58; 15:1-6; Eph. 4:15, 16; I John 3:24.

77. Question: Where has Christ promised that He will nourish and refresh believers with His body and blood as surely as they eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup?

Answer: In the institution of the Lord's supper: The Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes (I Corinthians 11:23-26). This promise is repeated by Paul where he says: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread (I Corinthians 10:16, 17).

Prayer of Confession

2007-03-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Lord, so often we fail to pray. Forgive us, Lord, for the times we did not seek your will; or for the times we had so little faith we would not pray; or for the times we were even afraid to come before you. Open our spiritual eyes, Lord, that we might again know your glory and that the world might see through our lives the wonders of your mercy. In Christ we pray. Amen.

from Lectionary Worship Aids, Series IV, Cycle A by James Wilson

Tozer Devotion for This Lord's Day

2007-03-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

INSTRUCT-THEN EXHORT

The godly men of old through whom the Scriptures came to us were faithful in their exhortations to personal faith and godliness, characteristic of the early church. The apostolic method of teaching, instructing and encouraging was based on solid and fundamental Christian doctrine. This was Paul's method in his New Testament letters. First he gives his readers the scriptural reasons for certain Christian actions and attributes. He provides the basis and reason-then he exhorts the readers to respond appropriately. We do not know if Paul was the human writer to the Hebrews, but the method of exhortation is like Paul's. We are assured that Christ is greater than Moses and greater than the angels and that He purchased mankind's salvation. Then the exhortation: if all of these things are true, then we should keep on loving one another, keep on praying for one another. It is a good and gracious argument: because we have reasons for doing something, we ought to do it without delay and without reservation!

Prayer: Lord, I ask you for the wisdom to pray, as I ought to for my brethren. I pray for the will to love them as I try to encourage and help them to grow. Make me personally effective to those I know.

Scripturez: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... teaching and admonishing one another.— Colossians 3:16

Thought: If all of these things are true, then we should keep on loving one another, keep on praying for one another.

from Tozer Devotions

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 27

2007-03-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

72. Question: Does this outward washing with water itself wash away sins?

Answer: No, only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit cleanse us from all sins.[1]

[1] Matt. 3:11; I Pet. 3:21; I John 1:7.

73. Question: Why then does the Holy Spirit call baptism the washing of regeneration and the washing away of sins?

Answer: God speaks in this way for a good reason. He wants to teach us that the blood and Spirit of Christ remove our sins just as water takes away dirt from the body.[1] But, even more important, He wants to assure us by this divine pledge and sign that we are as truly cleansed from our sins spiritually as we are bodily washed with water.[2]

[1] I Cor. 6:11; Rev. 1:5; 7:14. [2] Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3, 4; Gal. 3:27.

74. Question: Should infants, too, be baptized?

Answer: Yes. Infants as well as adults belong to God's covenant and congregation.[1] Through Christ's blood the redemption from sin and the Holy Spirit, who works faith, are promised to them no less than to adults.[2] Therefore, by baptism, as sign of the covenant, they must be grafted into the Christian church and distinguished from the children of unbelievers.[3] This was done in the old covenant by circumcision,[4] in place of which baptism was instituted in the new covenant.[5]

[1] Gen. 17:7; Matt. 19:14. [2] Ps. 22:11; Is. 44:1-3; Acts 2:38, 39; 16:31. [3] Acts 10:47; I Cor. 7:14. [4] Gen. 17:9-14. [5] Col. 2: 11-13.

CLICK HERE to read a case regarding why infants should be baptized written by yours truly.

Prayer Requests

2007-03-07T04:23:00.000-08:00

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.

If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please do not hesitate to email me directly. My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,

Dale

The Need for A Spiritual Mindset

2007-03-07T04:15:00.000-08:00

Anything Donald Whitney writes is a must-read. This is no exception. This is a chapter from his book which addresses how to know if you are a Christian. Here's a snippet...

On the other side, there are Christians who demonstrate in every area of life the priority of following Christ, and there are those usually known as "backslidden." But the backslidden also have their minds set on the things of the Spirit of God because He is in their minds. In the midst of their backslidden condition, they are constantly hounded about their sin by the Spirit of God. Even when choosing to do wrong, they have to do so over the voice of the Spirit who keeps reminding them about obedience to God, confronting them about the will of God, and urging them back to the ways of God. Though the backslider is long negligent or resistant to the things of the Spirit, his mind is never void of the voice of the Spirit. To some degree then, even those who are backslidden are "spiritually minded" because they "have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." That's why, unlike the apostates, backsliders eventually return to faithfulness.

Click here to read the whole chapter.

from The Center for Biblical Spirituality

Tozer Devotion

2007-03-07T04:11:00.000-08:00

THE EASTER TRIUMPH

I do not mind telling you that within me I find the Easter message and the reality of the Resurrection more beautiful and glorious than the Christmas scene. Christmas tells us that Jesus was born; that He was born for the humiliation of suffering and death and atonement. But Easter is the radiant and glory-filled celebration of Christ's mighty triumph over the grave and death and hell! When Easter comes, our voices are raised in the triumphant chorus: The three sad days had quickly sped; He rises glorious from the dead! There is the real beauty! This is more than the beauty of color; more than the beauty of outline or form; more than the beauty of physical proportion. In the living Christ is the perfection of all beauty; and because He lives, we too shall live in the presence of His beauty and the beauties of heaven, forever!

Prayer: Lord, I praise you for showing us your power over the grave. In one act the entire world was changed forever. I worship a living Savior. I worship you.

Scripture: Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.— Luke 24:5-6

Thought: Easter is the radiant and glory-filled celebration of Christ's mighty triumph over the grave and death and hell!

From Tozer Devotions

Updates

2007-03-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

The Pastor's Study is updated with...

What Do Pastor's Do All Week?
Loving Your Library, Part 1
John MacArthur video podcasting available
Preaching Now newsletter is available

The Covenant Home is updated with...

How To Raise Godly Sons
Great new articles on family devotions, catechisms, etc.

Blessings,
Dale

Prayer for Today

2007-03-07T04:02:00.000-08:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

I am grateful to You, O God, for the blessing of your forgiveness. I thank You that in Christ, You set me free from the guilt of the past and give me hope for the future.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger Or chasten me in Your wrath. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am weak; O Lord, heal me, for my bones are in distress. My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O Lord, how long? (Psalm 6:1-3)

Let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, "The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression." (Numbers 14:17-18)

Take a moment to ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

It pleased the Lord for the sake of His righteousness to make His law great and glorious. (Isaiah 42:21)

Is the law opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been by the law. But the Scripture has confined all under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:21-22)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

He who believes in God's Son is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1)

We love, because God first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have this commandment from Him: that the one who loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:19-21)

We must let brotherly love continue. (Hebrews 13:1)

Lord, I thank You for the greatness of Your law and for the way it points to the need for faith in Jesus Christ. I thank You that since I believe in Christ, I will not face condemnation, and I ask that I would manifest my love for You by loving others.

from KenBoa.org

Why Study the Scriptures?

2007-03-05T13:18:00.000-08:00

This is a great study about why and how we ought to study God's Word. It really is worth your time to read this.

Studying the Scriptures
By: Kenneth Boa Th.M.; Ph.D.; D.Phil.

The Bible is unique in its production, preservation, proclamations, and product. In its production, it is a harmonious and unified message of redemption that has emerged out of diversity of authors, circumstances, and literary forms. In its preservation, it has miraculously withstood the ravages of time, persecution, and criticism, and continues to be the best selling book in the world. In its proclamations, it stands alone in its revelation of God's plan from eternity to eternity and in its life-giving message. In its product, it has changed the course of history, reached more people, and transformed more lives than any other book.

In spite of all this, the Bible is often taken for granted, even by those who vehemently support its inspiration and authority. Many believers associate Bible study with drudgery; limiting themselves to mere samples, they never cultivate a true taste for its contents. There are two basic reasons for this problem: lack of a proper motivation and lack of a proper method. This booklet is designed to overcome these obstacles to fruitful Bible study.

To own a Bible is a tremendous responsibility—to whom much has been given, much is required (Luke 12:48). The Scriptures must not merely be owned, but known; not merely known, but believed; and not merely believed, but obeyed. To encourage this, we will look at the purpose, prerequisites, principles, process, and practice of Bible study.

Purpose of Bible Study

The Doorway to a New Domain

Scripture tells us that there are really two realms: that which is seen and that which is unseen. The first is the realm of apparent reality, the world we know through our minds and our five senses. If it were not for divine revelation, we would be locked into this level without any way of breaking through to the second realm, the world of ultimate reality. Bound to the level of the finite, the relative, and the temporal, we would be unable to find the meaning and purpose we long for that can only come from the level of the infinite, the absolute, and the eternal. There would be no hope of finding answers to the basic questions of life: Who am I? Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?

God gave us His Word to deliver us from this domain of darkness and to transfer us to the domain of light, the kingdom of His beloved Son (Col. 1:13). The Bible reveals the full scope of the Lord's creative and redemptive plan for His people. Only in its pages can we gain a perspective on our corporate past, present, and future and realize the overwhelming significance of our new identity as the recipients of "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).

By drinking deeply and regularly from the well of God's Word, our entire value system will be gradually transformed from the temporal to the eternal. The study of Scripture sets our minds on the things above (Col. 3:2), the source of all biological and spiritual life. It enables us to "look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:18).

This is the heart of wisdom--plugging into the realm of ultimate reality and walking in the light, life, and love of the Lord. By pursuing the precepts and principles of the Bible, we gain the most important skill of all: the ability to live each area of life under the dominion of the King. The Bible does not tell us to live and learn; it exhorts us to learn and live.

Click here to read the whole study.

from Bible.org

Also, if you would like to read another great presentation on how to really study Scripture so that you can learn God's Word and pass it on to others... this article called Text to Transformation is for you.

Who Does God Say I Am?

2007-02-22T07:23:00.000-08:00

by Ken Boa

Here is a list of biblical affirmations about our identity in Jesus Christ that is derived from a few selected passages in the New Testament. This is just a portion of the many truths about who we have become through faith in God’s Son, but it is a powerful inventory to review from time to time:

• I am a child of God.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. John 1:12

• I am a branch of the true vine, and a conduit of Christ’s life.
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:1, 5

• I am a friend of Jesus.
No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

• I have been justified and redeemed.
being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24

• My old self was crucified with Christ, and I am no longer a slave to sin.
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Romans 6:6

Click here to read and print all of these biblical affirmations.

"Restore Us, O God!"

2007-02-22T06:55:00.000-08:00

by T.M. Moore

Thus Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) brought to a clase the first section of his passionate plea for believers of all kinds, in all places, to unite in pleading with God for the reviving and awakening grace of the Holy Spirit.

Do we believe God is able to revive His Church? To establish His glorious presence more powerfully in our midst? To move among His people unto greater heights of righteousness, peace, and joy? To draw larger numbers of lost men and women, from every nation, tribe, and tongue into His fold? To turn churches, communities, nations, even the whole world upside-down for Jesus Christ? To flood this sin-darkened world in fresh and compelling ways with the glorious light of the Gospel of our Lord and King?

The promises of Scripture indicate that He can, and will, just as the record of history demonstrates that He has.

But if He is to do so again, He commands that His people must unite in extraordinary prayer!

Click here to read the whole article. (A must read)

Prayer and Healing Service

2007-02-20T13:01:00.000-08:00

Prayer & Healing Service

James 5:13-18 - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. [14] Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. [15] And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. [16] Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. [17] Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. [18] Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

God wants his people to pray. Fewer things in Scripture are clearer than that. To pray is to enter into communion with God and thereby deepen our relationship with him. God wants us to know him, love him, and follow him. These are the very aspects of our relationship with him that prayer helps develop in the life of God’s people.

Prayer is a multifaceted thing. In and through prayer we adore God, confess sins, offer thanksgiving, and intercede on behalf of loved ones, just to name a few components of prayer. God also wants us to pray for healing. Indeed, he is the Great Physician. In fact, a substantial part of Jesus’ ministry dealt with healing.

On Sunday, March 11 at 5pm (in Langley Chapel) we will be holding a Prayer and Healing Service. In this service we will spend time praying together and praying alone. We will pray for healing and anoint with oil. We will lift our hearts and voices to God in prayer through songs of praise.

Please plan on joining us as we explore together new and vital ways to enter God’s presence and deepen our relationship with our Lord and Friend through prayer. Pastor Bruce continually calls our Southside family to do things that will cause the world’s jaw to drop. One way we can do that – an essential way for us to do that – is by becoming known as “Southside United Methodist Church: The Praying Church.” But more importantly, God wants to hear from us. Our own John Wesley said, “"God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." Let’s join together for that purpose on Sunday March 11 at 5pm.

If you have any questions about this service, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me at DaleTedder@yahoo.com or 396-2676.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Dale

Benedict's 12-step Guide to Humility

2007-02-11T05:42:00.000-08:00

It's hard to be humble. St. Benedict (480-547), called the "Father of Western Monasticism", wrote a guide to humility that is still popular today. The guide is a chapter within Benedict's Rule, which set forth a blueprint for the life of the monks within his monasteries. The following excerpt summarizes this ladder to humility.
From "Steps to Humility":

Brethren, the Holy Scripture cries to us saying: "Every one that exalts himself shall be humbled; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted."

"The first degree of humility, then, is that a man always have the fear of God before his eyes shunning all forgetfulness and that he be ever mindful of all that God hath commanded… .

"The second degree of humility is, when a man loveth not his own will, nor is pleased to fulfill his own desires but by his deeds carrieth out that word of the Lord which saith: 'I came not to do My own will but the will of Him that sent Me.'

Click here to read the rest of this article.

Prayer for Today

2007-02-07T07:16:00.000-08:00

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen.

From The Pursuit ofGod by A.W. Tozer

This Week's Sermon

2007-02-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

Staying Married Is Not About Staying in Love, Part One

Genesis 2:18-25

by John Piper

Here's an exerpt...

Between our more substantial sermon series I am taking up a few subjects that seem to me to be urgent. Marriage is always urgent. There never has been a generation whose view of marriage is high enough. The chasm between the biblical vision of marriage and the human vision is, and has always been, gargantuan. Some cultures in history respect the importance and the permanence of marriage more than others. Some, like our own, have such low, casual, take-it-or-leave-it attitudes toward marriage as to make the biblical vision seem ludicrous to most people.

Click here to read, listen to, or watch the whole sermon.

Prayer Requests

2007-02-07T07:03:00.000-08:00

If you have a prayer request for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post and write it out in the provided space. Doing that will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request(s).

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.

If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please click below on the envelope symbol which will enable you to send a private email to me only.

My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Tozer Devotion and Prayer

2007-01-30T06:27:00.000-08:00

THE END OF THE AGE

Everywhere around us we are experiencing a great new wave of humanity's interest in spiritism and devil worship. I must take this as one of the signs that God's age of grace and mercy is approaching the end point. It tells us that the time may be near when God proclaims: "I have seen enough of mankind's sin and rebellion. It is time for the trumpets of judgment to sound!" If we are willing to add the appeals from the book of Revelation to the weight of the other Scriptures, we discover God saying to us that the earth on which we live is not self-explanatory and certainly not self-sufficient. Although the earth on which we spin is largely populated by a rebel race, it had a divine origin. Now God is about to enforce His claim upon it and judge those who are usurpers. He is saying that there is another and better world, another kingdom, that is always keeping an eye on the world we inhabit!

Prayer: Lord, You are aware of the state of the world in which we live, and I am glad you are in control.

Scripture: All of these things shall be dissolved... what manner of persons ought ye to be?— 2 Peter 3:11

Thought: Although the earth on which we spin is largely populated by a rebel race, it had a divine origin.

From Tozer Devotional

Also...

A PRAYER FOR ANOINTING

It is time, 0 God, for Thee to work, for the enemy has entered into Thy pasture, and the sheep are torn and scattered. False shepherds abound who deny the danger and laugh at the perils which surround Thy flock. Lord Jesus, I come to Thee for spiritual preparation. Lay Thy hand upon me, anoint me with the oil of the New Testament prophet. Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet - not a promoter, not a religious manager. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Lay Thy terror upon me, 0 God, and drive me to the place of prayer, where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Teach me self-discipline, that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Growing God's People

2007-01-23T11:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a great resource from T.M. Moore on the spiritual disciplines that looks like it would be a wonderful resource for local congregations. Each newsletter covers a particular spiritual discipline.

This one is on the subject of meditation.

Go to it and print it so that you can spend some time reading it and reflecting upon it. Good stuff here from a master on the subject.

Tozer Devotion

2007-01-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

WE HAVE IT ALL

How much time have you spent in your Christian life meditating on the plain instruction from our Savior?-"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." The God who has revealed Himself to needy men and women wants us to know that when we have Him, we have everything - we have all the rest! Any of us who have experienced a life and ministry of faith can tell how the Lord has met our need even for food and the essentials of life. Brethren, we ought to learn, and learn it soon, that it is much better to have God first and have God Himself, even if we have only a thin dime, than to have all the riches and all the influence in this world and not have God with it! Let us go on to know Him and to love Him more dearly; not for His gifts and benefits but for the pure joy of His presence. Thus we will fulfill the purpose for which He created us and redeemed us!

Prayer: Lord, without you I am nothing, and have nothing. I would rather be a slave to men with you than a ruler of men without you. You remind me daily just how rich I am.

Scripture: Seek ye first the kingdom... all these things shall be added unto you.— Matthew 6:33

Thought: The God who has revealed Himself to needy men and women wants us to know that when we have Him, we have everything - we have all the rest!

From Tozer Devotions

A Man's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines

2007-01-18T11:50:00.000-08:00

by Pat Morley

Spiritual disciplines (or habits) are the means by which we regularly deepen our relationship with Christ. One of the easiest mistakes with the spiritual disciplines is to confuse the means and the ends. The disciplines are the “means,” our relationship with Jesus is the “end.”

It’s important to remind ourselves that disciplines don’t earn us any kind of merit whatsoever. The disciplines are not behaviors we perform to make God happy or avoid his wrath. Instead, disciplines are the regular practices of men gripped by deep and humble gratitude for the remarkable privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord, Savior, Counselor, and Friend.

Almost any Christian virtue or duty can be turned into a discipline. For my new book, A Man’s Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines (2007, Chicago: Moody Publishers) I selected 12 disciplines that seemed right for our moment in time: creation, the Bible, prayer, worship, the Sabbath, fellowship, counsel, fasting, spiritual warfare, stewardship, service, and evangelism. Here is a brief overview of each one.

Click here to read the whole article.

Prayer for Today

2007-01-18T11:43:00.000-08:00

Evening Renewal

My Father, if Thy mercy had bounds, where would be my refuge from just wrath? But thy love in Christ is without measure. Thus, I present myself to Thee with sins of comission and omission, against Thee, my Father, against Thee, adorable redeemer, against Thee and Thy strivings, 0 Holy Spirit, against the dictates of my conscience, against the precepts of Thy Word, against my neighbours and myself. Enter not into judgment with me, for I plead no righteousness of my own, and have no cloak for iniquity. Pardon my day dark with evil.

This night I renew my penitence. Every moniing I vow to love Thee more fervently, to serve Thee more sincerely, to be more devoted in my life, to be wholly Thine; Yet I soon stumble, backslide, and have to confess my weakness, misery and sin. But I bless Thee that the finished work of Jesus needs no addition from my doings, that His oblation is sufficient satisfaction for my sins.

If future days be mine, help me to amend my life, to hate and abhor evil, to flee the sins I confess. Make me more resolute, more watchful, more prayerful. Let no evil fruit spring from evil seeds my hands have sown; Let no neighbour be hardened in vanity and folly by my want of circumspection. If this day I have been ashamed of Christ and His Word, or have shown unkindness, malice, envy, lack of love, unadvised speech, hasty temper, let it be no stumbling block to others, or dishonour to Thy name. 0 help me to set an upright example that will ever rebuke vice, allure to goodness, and evidence that lovely are the ways of Christ.

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

Scripture Reading for Today

2007-01-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

Matthew 7:15-29

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. [16] By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. [21] "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' [23] Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' [24] "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. [25] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. [26] But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. [27] The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." [28] When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, [29] because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Today's Tozer Devotional

2007-01-16T18:16:00.000-08:00

ACTIVITY IS NOT ENOUGH

Those who try to give warnings to the Christian church are never very popular. Still, I must voice the caution that our craze for "activity" brings very few enriching benefits into our Christian circles. Look into the churches, and you will find groups of half-saved, half-sanctified, carnal people who know more about social niceties than they do about the New Testament. It is a fact that many of our church folks are activists engaged in many religious journeys-but they do not seem to move up any closer to Jesus in heart and in spirit. This modern religious emphasis on activity reminds me of the Japanese mice I have seen in the pet store windows. They are called waltzing mice-but they do not waltz. They just run continually! Many in our churches hope to have a part in "something big and exciting." But God calls us back-back to the simplicity of the faith; back to the simplicity of Jesus Christ and His unchanging Person!

Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that what is important in life will not be lost in a flurry of activity. Help me to be able to slow it down when I need to.

Scripture: And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart... and rest awhile.— Mark 6:31

Thought: It is a fact that many of our church folks are activists engaged in many religious journeys-but they do not seem to move up any closer to Jesus in heart and in spirit.

From Tozer Devotions

Today's Sermon

2007-01-16T18:10:00.000-08:00

The Spring of Persistent Public Love
by John Piper

The title of this message is long and full of historical significance: “The Spring of Persistent Public Love, Marking the Two-Hundredth Anniversary of the Abolition of Legal Slave Trading in Britain: A Sermon on Martin Luther King Weekend.” I hope to weave together three things: 1) a biblical portrayal of the origin of persistent public love, 2) a tribute to the abolition of the salve trade in Britain on February 24, 1807, with a special focus on the biblical roots of this abolition in the life of William Wilberforce, and 3) a connection to the ethnic challenges of our own situation in honor of Martin Luther King Weekend.

Click here to read, listen or watch the whole sermon.

Prayer for Today

2007-01-16T18:02:00.000-08:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

Lord, I give thanks for Your greatness, your goodness, and your love, and I now draw near to enjoy your presence.

How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep. The senseless man does not know; Fools do not understand That when the wicked spring up like grass And all the evildoers flourish, They will be destroyed forever. But You, O Lord, are exalted forever. (Psalm 92:5-7)

You are the Lord, that is Your name. You will not give Your glory to another, Or Your praise to idols. (Isaiah 42:8)

Take a moment to consider God’s awesome majesty and thank Him that He loves you and wants an intimate relationship with you.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

I know that You can do all things and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

While Jesus was in the world, He was the light of the world. For judgment He came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind. (John 9:5, 39)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

I was not redeemed with perishable things such as silver or gold from the aimless way of life handed down to me from my forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

I will not defraud my neighbor or rob him. (Leviticus 19:13)

I will do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility I will esteem others as more important than myself. I will look not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4)

Lord, I thank You that Your purposes will be established and that Jesus came to be the light of the world. I thank You for redeeming me with the precious blood of Christ, and I ask that I would not be selfishly ambitious, but consider the interests of others.

From KenBoa.org

2006-12-21T13:23:00.000-08:00

We'll be taking some time off for a while.

Please visit our home blog, Every Sphere.

Prayer Requests

2006-12-10T05:07:00.000-08:00

If you have a prayer request for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post and write it out in the provided space. Doing that will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request(s).

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please click below on the envelope symbol which will enable you to send a private email to me only.

My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Prayer for Today

2006-12-10T05:04:00.000-08:00

Resting on God

O God, most high, most glorious, the thought of Thine infinite serenity cheers me, for I am toiling and moiling, troubled and distressed, but Thou art for ever at perfect peace. Thy designs cause thee no fear or care of unfulfilment, they stand fast as the eternal hills. Thy power knows no bond, Thy goodness no stint. Thou bringest order out of confusion, and my defeats are Thy victories: The Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

I come to Thee as a sinner with cares and sorrows, to leave every concern entirely to Thee, every sin calling for Christ's precious blood; revive deep spirituality in my heart; let me live near to the great Shepherd, hear His voice, know its tones, follow its calls. Keep me from deception by causing me to abide in the truth, from harm by helping me to walk in the power of the Spirit. Give me intenser faith in the eternal verities, burning into me by experience the things I know; Let me never be ashamed of the truth of the gospel, that I may bear its reproach, vindicate it, see Jesus as its essence, know in it the power of the Spirit.

Lord, help me, for I am often lukewarm and chill; unbelief mars my confidence, sin makes me forget Thee. Let the weeds that grow in my soul be cut at their roots; grant me to know that I truly live only when I live to Thee, that all else is trifling. Thy presence alone can make me holy, devout, strong and happy. Abide in me, gracious God.

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

Tozer Devotion for This Lord's Day

2006-12-10T05:02:00.000-08:00

Heart Health Food or Just Tasty Snacks

Dr. Samuel Johnson, the famous English sage, once said that one of the surest evidences of intellectual immaturity is the desire to startle people. Yet there are Christians who have been fed upon the odd, the strange and the curious so long and so exclusively that they have become wholly unfitted spiritually to receive or to appreciate sound doctrine. They live to be startled by something new or thrilled by something wonderful. They will believe anything so long as it is just a little away from the time-honored beliefs of sober Christian men. A serious discourse calling for repentance, humbleness of mind and holiness of life is impatiently dismissed as old-fashioned, dull and lacking in "audience appeal." Yet these things are just the ones that rank highest on the list of things we need to hear, and by them we shall all be judged in that great day of Christ. A church fed on excitement is no New Testament church at all. The desire for surface stimulation is a sure mark of the fallen nature, the very thing Christ died to deliver us from. A curious crowd of baptized worldlings waiting each Sunday for the quasi-religious needle to give them a lift bears no relation whatsoever to a true assembly of Christian believers. And that its members protest their undying faith in the Bible does not change things any. "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."

Prayer: Lord, give me a hunger for the solid food that feeds the heart and a holy dissatisfaction with anything less.

Scripture: They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.— Acts 2:42-43

Thought: Is the "apostles' teaching" still at the heart of our worship services or do we feature the more interesting story-telling and Christian entertainment? Perhaps it is the Spirit's power demonstrated in some wonders and miraculous signs we need.

From Tozer Devotions

Scripture Reading

2006-12-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

To read through the Bible in a year, read the following...

John 17:1-5
Revelation 7
Job 32
Amos 5-6

If a particular verse jumps out at you, take some time to meditate upon it. Perhaps you could even spend some time writing a devotion or prayer based on the verse or verses that God placed on your heart.

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 16

2006-12-10T04:58:00.000-08:00

40. Q. Why was it necessary for Christ to humble Himself even unto death?

A. Because of the justice and truth of God[1] satisfaction for our sins could be made in no other way than by the death of the Son of God.[2]

[1] Gen. 2:17. [2] Rom. 8:3; Phil. 2:8; Heb. 2:9, 14, 15.

41. Q. Why was he buried?

A. His burial testified that He had really died.[1]

[1] Is. 53:9; John 19:38-42; Acts 13:29; I Cor. 15:3,4.

42. Q. Since Christ has died for us, why do we still have to die?

A. Our death is not a payment for our sins, but it puts an end to sin and is an entrance into eternal life.[1]

[1] John 5:24; Phil. 1:21-23; I Thess. 5:9, 10.

43. Q. What further benefit do we receive from Christ's sacrifice and death on the cross?

A. Through Christ's death our old nature is crucified, put to death, and buried with Him,[1] so that the evil desires of the flesh may no longer reign in us,[2] but that we may offer ourselves to Him as a sacrifice of thankfulness.[3]

[1] Rom. 6:5-11; Col. 2:11, 12. [2] Rom. 6:12-14. [3] Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1, 2.

44. Q. Why is there added: He descended into hell?

A. In my greatest sorrows and temptations I may be assured and comforted that my Lord Jesus Christ, by His unspeakable anguish, pain, terror, and agony, which He endured throughout all His sufferings[1] but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell.[2]

[1] Ps. 18:5, 6; 116:3; Matt. 26:36-46; 27:45, 46; Heb. 5:7-10. [2] Is. 53.

Today's Tozer Devotion

2006-12-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

The Chapter after the Last

Matthew says, "And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb." Mark says, "And he [Joseph] bought fine linen, and took him [Jesus] down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock." Luke writes, "And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid." John says, ". . . There was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, . . . There laid they Jesus." They all agree: Jesus was dead. The life about which they had been writing was gone, The biography was ended. Then for the only time in this history of human thought, a biographer adds to his book a new section which is authentic biography and begins to write a chapter to follow the last chapter. This time the story did not end with a funeral. The Subject, whose story should have ended at death, was once again back among men to challenge new writers to try to find enough paper and enough ink to write the rest of the story of the life that can never end. Whatever is written of Him now is written of a living man. He was dead, but He is alive forevermore.

Prayer: Forgive me, Lord, for failure to live in the experience of Your resurrection power. You declare that I died with You and may know new life just as You were raised from the dead.

Scripture: We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.— Romans 6:4

Thought: What if Christ had not risen? That demonstration of His post-resurrection power would be absent. Those promises of His unfulfilled--the coming of the Holy Spirit, the presence of Christ with us, His intercession for us, His coming again.

From Christian Missionary Alliance

Prayer Requests

2006-12-03T05:16:00.000-08:00

If you have a prayer request for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post and write it out in the provided space. Doing that will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request(s).

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.

If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please click below on the envelope symbol which will enable you to send a private email to me only.

My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Scripture Reading

2006-12-03T05:11:00.000-08:00

To read through the Bible in a year, read the following...

John 14:22-31
Revelation 2:1-17
Job 25-26
Hosea 7-8

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 15

2006-12-03T05:08:00.000-08:00

37. Question: What do you confess when you say that He suffered?

Answer: During all the time He lived on earth, but especially at the end, Christ bore in body and soul the wrath of God against the sin of the whole human race.[1] Thus, by His suffering, as the only atoning sacrifice,[2] He has redeemed our body and soul from everlasting damnation,[3] and obtained for us the grace of God, righteousness, and eternal life.[4]

[1] Is. 53; I Tim. 2:6; I Pet. 2:24; 3:18. [2] Rom. 3:25; I Cor. 5:7; Eph. 5:2; Heb. 10:14; I John 2:2; 4:10. [3] Rom. 8:1-4; Gal. 3:13; Col. 1:13; Heb. 9:12; I Pet 1:18, 19. [4] John 3:16; Rom. 3:24-26; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:15.

38. Question: Why did He suffer under Pontius Pilate as judge?

Answer: Though innocent, Christ was condemned by an earthly judge,[1] and so He freed us from the severe judgment of God that was to fall on us.[2]

[1] Luke 23:13-24; John 19:4, 12-16. [2] Is. 53:4, 5; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 3:13.

39. Question: Does it have a special meaning that Christ was crucified and did not die in a different way?

Answer: Yes. Thereby I am assured that He took upon Himself the curse which lay on me, for a crucified one was cursed by God.[1]

[1] Deut. 21:23; Gal. 3:13.

Prayer for Today

2006-11-26T05:01:00.000-08:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

O Lord, I am deeply grateful for Your wonderful acts, for Your abundant promises, and for the gift of my relationship with You through the merits of Christ.

I will give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name, And make known to others what He has done. I will sing to Him, sing praises to Him, And tell of all His wonderful acts. (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)

I know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him. (Psalm 4:3)

Take a moment to express your gratitude for the many blessings that you have received from the Lord.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; lovingkindness and truth go before You. (Psalm 89:14)

The Lord is our praise, and He is our God, who performed for the children of Israel those great and awesome wonders which they saw with their own eyes. (Deuteronomy 10:21)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves Him who is begotten of Him. Whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1, 4-5)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

I will not boast about tomorrow, for I do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)

Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the strong man boast of his strength, and let not the rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for in these I delight," declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Lord, I thank You for Your loyal love and truth and for Your great and awesome wonders. I thank You that I have been born of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and I ask that I would boast only of You.

From KenBoa.org

Scripture Reading

2006-11-26T04:58:00.000-08:00

To read through the Bible in a year, read the following...

John 11:17-37
1 John 3:11-18
Job 14
Ezekiel 38-39

If a particular verse jumps out at you, take some time to meditate upon it. Perhaps you could even spend some time writing a devotion or prayer based on the verse or verses that God placed on your heart.

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 14

2006-11-26T04:56:00.000-08:00

35. Question: What do you confess when you say: He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary?

Answer: The eternal Son of God, who is and remains true and eternal God,[1] took upon Himself true human nature from the flesh and blood of the virgin Mary,[2] through the working of the Holy Spirit.[3] Thus He is also the true seed of David,[4] and like His brothers in every respect,[5] yet without sin.[6]

[1] John 1:1; 10:30-36; Rom. 1:3; 9:5; Col. 1:15-17; I John 5:20. [2] Matt. 1:18-23; John 1:14; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14. [3] Luke 1:35. [4] II Sam. 7:12-16; Ps. 132:11; Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:32; Rom. 1:3. [5] Phil. 2:7; Heb. 2:17. [6] Heb. 4:15; 7:26, 27.

36. Question: What benefit do you receive from the holy conception and birth of Christ?

Answer: He is our Mediator,[1] and with His innocence and perfect holiness covers, in the sight of God, my sin, in which I was conceived and born.[2]

[1] I Tim. 2:5, 6; Heb. 9:13-15. [2] Rom. 8:3, 4; II Cor. 5:21; Gal. 4:4, 5; I Pet. 1:18, 19.

This Week's Sermon

2006-11-22T16:47:00.000-08:00

Click here to listen to Thankful Celebration by Joel Beeke

Dr. Joel R. Beeke is Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan USA, and editor of the Banner of Sovereign Grace Truth.

This Week's Prayer

2006-11-22T16:42:00.000-08:00

Evening Praise

Giver of all, another day is ended and I take my place beneath my great redeemer's cross, where healing streams continually descend, where balm is poured into every wound, where I wash anew in the all-cleansing blood, assured that Thou seest in me no spots of sin. Yet a little while and I shall go to Thy home and be no more seen; help me to gird up the loins of my mind, to quicken my step, to speed as if each moment were my last, that my life be joy, my death glory.

I thank Thee for the temporal blessings of this world—the refreshing air, the light of the sun, the food that renews strength, the raiment that clothes, the dwelling that shelters, the sleep that gives rest, the starry canopy of night, the summer breeze, the flowers' sweetness, the music of flowing streams, the happy endearments of family, kindred, friends. Things animate, things inanimate, minister to my comfort. My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible to these daily mercies. Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil. I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces, the full warmth of faith, the cheering presence of Thy Spirit, the strength of Thy restraining will, Thy spiking of hell's artillery. Blessed be my sovereign Lord!

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

This Week's Tozer Devotion

2006-11-22T16:37:00.000-08:00

GUIDANCE IS BY THE SPIRIT

We can always trust the moving and the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives and experiences, but we cannot always trust our human leanings and our fleshly and carnal desires. That calls for another word of balance. We know that the emotional life is a proper and noble part of our total personality. But by its very nature, it is of secondary importance, for religion lies in the will, and so does righteousness. God never intended that such a being as mankind should become the mere plaything of his or her feelings. The only good that God recognizes is the willed good. The only valid holiness is a willed holiness. That is why I am always a little suspicious of the overly bubbly Christian who talks too much about himself or herself-and not enough about Jesus. That is also why I am more than a little concerned about the professing Christian whose experience does not seem to have resulted in a true inner longing to be more like Jesus every day in thought, word and deed!

Prayer: Lord, make in me the will to do good, and to be holy, and make me strong enough to carry out what I will do.

Scripture: Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.— 2 Corinthians 10:5

Thought: We know that the emotional life is a proper and noble part of our total personality. But by its very nature, it is of secondary importance, for religion lies in the will, and so does righteousness.

From Tozer Devotions

Today's Prayer

2006-11-14T06:45:00.000-08:00

I DRAW NEAR TO YOU, GOD

God, I want Your Word to be deeply implanted in me so that I not only know the truth, but also express it in the way I live.

Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength; We will sing and praise Your power. (Psalm 21:13)

Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd and carry them forever. (Psalm 28:9)

Take a moment to affirm the truth of these words from Scripture and ask God to make them a growing reality in your life.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

Your merciful love is higher than the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the skies. (Psalm 108:4)

If by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one Man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:17-19)

I LISTEN TO YOUR WORDS OF TRUTH

You have said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

MY RESPONSE TO YOU, LORD

I will not say when I am tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own lust. Then, after lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:13-15)

I will flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but the immoral person sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)

Lord, I thank You for Your merciful love and truth and for the perfect obedience of Your Son Jesus Christ. I thank You that You invite me to offer my requests to You, and I ask that I would flee from sexual immorality and turn to You in times of temptation.

From KenBoa.org

Today's Scripture Reading

2006-11-14T06:36:00.000-08:00

To read through the Bible in a year, read the following...

John 11:1-16
1 John 3:1-10
Job 13
Ezekiel 35-37

Today's Article

2006-11-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Do You Thirst for God?
by Donald Whitney

Here's an excerpt...

A Christian observes the man with the empty soul and knows that what he is looking for can be found only in the One who said, "whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst" (John 4:14). Occasionally an empty soul searches in more serious-minded or spiritual ways that lead some Christians to think that he is thirsting for God. But the world has no such thirst. "There is none who understand," God inspired both King David and the Apostle Paul to write, "there is none who seeks for God" (Psalm 14:2 and Romans 3:11). Until and unless the Holy Spirit of God touches the spiritual tongue of the empty soul, he will never want to "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8). Just because a man longs for something that can be found in God alone doesn't mean he's looking for God. A man may pine for peace and have no interest in the Prince of Peace. Many who claim they are questing for God are not thirsting for God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture, but only for God as they want Him to be, or a God who will give them what they want.

Click here to read the whole article.

Today's Tozer Devotion

2006-11-13T10:04:00.000-08:00

LOVE WITHOUT MEASURE

I once wrote something about how God loves us and how dear we are to Him. I was not sure I should put it down on paper-but God knows what I meant. I wrote: "The only eccentricity that I can discover in the heart of God is the fact that a God such as He is should love sinners such as we are!" On this earth a mother will love the son who has betrayed her and shamed her and is now on his way to a life in prison. That seems to be a natural thing for a mother. But there is nothing natural about this love of God. It is a divine thing. It is forced out by the inward pressure within the heart of the God of all grace. That is why He waits for us, puts up with us, desires to lead us on-He loves us! My brethren, this should be our greatest encouragement in view of all that we know about ourselves: God loves us without measure, and He is so keenly interested in our spiritual growth and progress that He stands by in faithfulness to teach and instruct and discipline us as His own dear children!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you so much for love so extreme that to me it seems so unatural, but I know that to you it is your very nature. I offer you the best praise I can, but what can a condemned man say to the judge who in the end pardons, and takes the condemnation.

Scripture: Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.— Jeremiah 31:3

Thought: The only eccentricity that I can discover in the heart of God is the fact that a God such as He is should love sinners such as we are!

From Tozer Devotions

Today's Scripture Reading

2006-11-13T09:59:00.000-08:00

To read through the Bible in a year, read the following...

John 10:22-42
1 John 2:24-29
Job 12
Ezekiel 33-34

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 12

2006-11-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

31. Question: Why is He called Christ, that is, Anointed?

Answer: Because He has been ordained by God the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit,[1] to be our chief Prophet and Teacher,[2] who has fully revealed to us the secret counsel and will of God concerning our redemption;[3] our only High Priest,[4] who by the one sacrifice of His body has redeemed us,[5] and who continually intercedes for us before the Father;[6] and our eternal King,[7] who governs us by His Word and Spirit, and who defends and preserves us in the redemption obtained for us.[8]

[1] Ps. 45:7 (Heb. 1:9); Is. 61:1 (Luke 4:18; Luke 3:21, 22. [2] Deut. 18:15 (Acts 3:22). [3] John 1:18; 15:15. [4] Ps. 110:4 (Heb. 7:17). [5] Heb. 9:12; 10:11-14. [6] Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; I John 2:1. [7] Zach. 9:9 (Matt. 21:5); Luke 1:33. [8] Matt. 28:18-20; John 10:28; Rev. 12:10, 11.

32. Question: Why are you called a Christian?

Answer: Because I am a member of Christ by faith[1] and thus share in His anointing,[2] so that I may as prophet confess His Name,[3] as priest present myself a living sacrifice of thankfulness to Him,[4] and as king fight with a free and good conscience against sin and the devil in this life,[5] and hereafter reign with Him eternally over all creatures.[6]

[1] I Cor. 12:12-27. [2] Joel 2:28 (Acts 2:17); I John 2:27. [3] Matt. 10:32; Rom 10:9, 10; Heb. 13:15. [4] Rom. 12:1; I Pet. 2:5, 9. [5] Gal. 5:16, 17; Eph. 6:11; I Tim. 1:18, 19. [6] Matt. 25:34; II Tim. 2:12.

Gone Fishin'...

2006-11-06T04:54:00.000-08:00

Actually, I'm at the Board of Ordained Ministry's "reading week" until some time on Wednesday. So you will have to enjoy the archives until I return and get up and running again around Thursday.

Have a great week,

Dale

Prayer Requests

2006-11-05T05:16:00.000-08:00

If you have a prayer request for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post and write it out in the provided space. Doing that will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request(s).

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.

If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please click below on the envelope symbol which will enable you to send a private email to me only.

My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Today's Sermon

2006-11-05T05:01:00.000-08:00

Jesus Is Precious Because His Biblical Portrait Is True, Part 1a

Text: I Corinthians 15:17

Series: The Truth and Beauty of Jesus Christ

Is Jesus Christ really who he says he is? And even if he is, is he worth following?

Click here for Part 2a

Today's Prayer

2006-11-05T04:58:00.000-08:00

The Deeps

Lord Jesus, give me a deeper repentance, a horror of sin, a dread of its approach. Help me chastely to flee it and jealously to resolve that my heart shall be Thine alone.

Give me a deeper trust, that I may lose myself to find myself in Thee, the ground of my rest, the spring of my being. Give me a deeper knowledge of Thyself as saviour, master, lord, and king. Give me deeper power in private prayer, more sweetness in Thy Word, more steadfast grip on its truth. Give me deeper holiness in speech, thought, action, and let me not seek moral virtue apart from Thee.

Plough deep in me, great Lord, heavenly husbandman, that my being may be a tilled field, the roots of grace spreading far and wide, until Thou alone art seen in me, Thy beauty golden like summer harvest, Thy fruitfulness as autumn plenty.

I have no master but Thee, no law but Thy will, no delight but Thyself, no wealth but that Thou givest, no good but that Thou blessest, no peace but that Thou bestowest. I am nothing but that Thou makest me. I have nothing but that I receive from Thee. I can be nothing but that grace adorns me. Quarry me deep, dear Lord, and then fill me to overflowing with living water.

Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett

Today's Tozer Devotion

2006-11-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

OUR CHARTER IS FROM GOD

While we are right to thank God in appreciation for all of the great and good men in the history of the Christian church, we actually "follow" none of them. Our charter goes farther back and is from a higher source. They were rightly looked upon as leaders, but they were all servants of God, even as you and I are. Luther sowed. Wesley watered. Finney reaped-but they were only servants of the living God. In our local assemblies, we are part of the church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and perpetuated by the mystery of the new birth. Therefore, our assembly is that of Christian believers gathered unto a Name to worship and adore the Presence. So, in that sense, the strain is gone. The strain and pressure to abide by traditional religious forms all begin to pale in importance as we function in faith as the people of God who glorify His Name and honor His Presence! If all of this is true-and everything within me witnesses that it is-we may insist that God is able to do for us all that He did in the days of the apostles. There has been no revocation of our charter!

Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank you for my place in your plan.

Scripture: Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.— Matthew 16:18

Thought: Luther sowed. Wesley watered. Finney reaped-but they were only servants of the living God.

From Tozer Devotions

Today's Scripture Reading

2006-11-05T04:49:00.000-08:00

To read through the Bible in a year, read the following...

John 8:21-30
2 Peter 2:17-22
Job 5
Ezekiel 16

Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 11

2006-11-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

29. Question: Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is, Saviour?

Answer: Because He saves us from all our sins,[1] and because salvation is not to be sought or found in anyone else.[2]

[1] Matt. 1:21; Heb. 7:25. [2] Is. 43:11; John 15:4, 5; Acts 4:11, 12; I Tim. 2:5.30.

Question: Do those believe in the only Saviour Jesus who seek their salvation and well-being from saints, in themselves, or anywhere else?

Answer: No. Though they boast of Him in words, they in fact deny the only Saviour Jesus.[1] For one of two things must be true: either Jesus is not a complete Saviour, or those who by true faith accept this Saviour must find in Him all that is necessary for their salvation.[2]

[1] I Cor. 1:12, 13; Gal. 5:4. [2] Col. 1:19, 20; 2:10; I John 1:7.

Prayer Request

2006-10-30T13:44:00.000-08:00

If you have any prayer requests for this week that you would like to share with others and me, please click on "comments" immediately below this post. That will enable anyone who clicks on "comments" to read and pray for your request.

You may also want to check back later to discover how you can pray for someone else...or offer your support and encouragement.

If you have a prayer request that is more private in nature, then please click below on the envelope symbol which will enable you to send a private email to me only.My email address is DaleTedder@yahoo.com.

Stand Firm,
Dale

Today's Sermon (Monday)

2006-10-30T13:38:00.000-08:00

Slaves to God, Sanctification, Eternal Life, Part 1
by John Piper

Excerpt

The big picture of Romans 6 is that the reality of justification by faith does not produce Christians who are cavalier about their own sin. In other words, Paul writes this chapter to show why believing in the righteousness of Christ as the ground of our acceptance with God does not make us indifferent to sin, but dead-set against sin in our own lives.

Today's Tozer Devotion (Monday)

2006-10-30T13:34:00.000-08:00

GOD'S SOVEREIGN PLAN

Many people continue to live in daily fear that the world "is coming to an end." Only in the Scriptures do we have the description and prediction of the age-ending heavenly and earthly events when our Lord and Savior will be universally acknowledged as King of kings and Lord of lords. God's revelation makes it plain that in "that day" all will acclaim Him "victor!" Human society, generally, refuses to recognize God's sovereignty or His plan for His redeemed people. But no human being or world government will have any control in that fiery day of judgement yet to come. John's vision of things to come tells us clearly and openly that at the appropriate time this world will be taken away from men and placed in the hands of the only Man who has the wisdom and authority to rightly govern. That Man is the eternal Son of God, the worthy Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Lord, as I look forward to the end of this world, I also look forward in reassureance that to serve you is the best possible destiny.

Scripture: Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God... for he must reign.— 1 Corinthians 15:24-25

Thought: No human being or world government will have any control in that fiery day of judgement yet to come.

From Tozer Devotions