Acquiring Great Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19

I’ve had people tell me, “I wish that I had great faith.” While most of us would like God to just drop that kind of confidence into our laps, it’s not the way He operates. Faith increases as a result of our obedience in little things. We all marvel at Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac at the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to consider all of his smaller steps of submission that prepared the way for this enormous test?

Throughout his lifetime, Abraham obeyed God. At the Lord’s command, he left his country (Gen 12:1-4), was circumcised (17:10, 26), conceived Isaac in his old age (21:1-3), and sent his son Ishmael away (21:9-14). By the time he was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he already knew that his God would always be faithful to His promises. His previous experiences had taught Him to trust the Lord.

In the same way, each small step of obedience solidifies our confidence in God. Then, when He challenges us with a more difficult assignment, a firm foundation of assurance enables us to trust and obey Him. Great acts of faith flow from our past interactions with the Lord. By neglecting His simple commands, we miss priceless opportunities to witness His faithfulness.

Having trouble trusting God for something big? Maybe it’s because you’ve ignored those “small” and “insignificant” promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord considers each of His commands important and promises to reward every act of obedience, regardless of size. Great faith begins with little steps. 

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

Christlike Living in a Sinful World # 10

It requires grace to love all Christians

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples — if you love one another." John 13:35

It is easy enough to love some people —
  people with tastes like ours,
  people who belong to our social group,
  people who are particularly kind to us.

But that is not the way that Christ wants us to live and to love. True Christian fellowship receives all the followers of our Lord — all who bear His name. We will be known as His disciples, by our love for one another.

It requires grace to love all Christians. We must have the love of God in our hearts — before we can love others. We must be close to Christ — before we can be close to one another. We must cultivate the thoughts and feelings appropriate for disciples of Christ. The humblest believer is our brother or our sister in Christ — whom we should sincerely love.

"My command is this: Love each other — as I have loved you." John 15:12

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart!" 1 Peter 1:22

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These rare pictures!

"Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things!" Isaiah 40:26

They miss many a tender joy — who do not have a heart in sympathy with nature.
They lose many a whisper of love which drops from God's lips — who do not have ears open to hear the voices of nature.
They fail to see many lovely visions of beauty — who have not learned to use their eyes in admiring the exquisite things that God has scattered everywhere in such glorious variety.

Yet most of us walk amid these inspirations, these rare pictures, these sweet voices — and neither feel nor see nor hear them! God meant us to get comfort and joy from the lovely things with which He has filled our earth.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world!" Psalm 19:1-4

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The divine art of sympathy

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are" Hebrews 4:15

No books nor universities can teach us the divine art of sympathy.

We must be strongly tempted ourselves — before we can understand what others suffer in their temptations.

We must have deep sorrow ourselves — before we can be true comforters of others in their times of sorrow.

We must walk through the deep valley ourselves — before we can be guides to others in the same shadowy valleys.

We must feel the strain, and carry the burden, and endure the struggle ourselves — and only then can we be touched with the feeling of sympathy, or can give help to others in life's stresses and overwhelming needs. So we see one compensation of suffering — it prepares us for being helpers to others.

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

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One of the best way of evangelizing

We can win others to Christ — only by being Christ to them, demonstrating Christ's love in ourselves, by living in such a way that they may be attracted to Christ, and may learn to admire and to love Him, by what they see of Him in us. One of the best way of evangelizing — is through consistent, beautiful, gentle, Christlike living.

Eloquence of persuasion in a preacher is powerful — only insofar as the preacher's life is consistent with that message. Preaching without love in one's life, produces only empty chatter. But where the deep, true love of Christ is — the plainest, humblest words become eloquent and mighty.

"Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3:1-4

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Carve the image of Christ on the wall of your heart! 

A persecuted Christian in prison was cheered an hour every day, by a little spot of sunshine on his dungeon wall. Through a grating, the sun's rays briefly streamed into his cell. With the crude tools of a nail and stone, he carved  a rough image of Christ upon His cross on the wall. He mastered his misfortune, getting a blessing out of it.

No matter how calamity or disaster builds its dark, gloomy dungeon walls about you — never let despair lay its chilly hand upon your soul. No dungeon is so deep, that God's love cannot stream through. Carve the image of Christ on the wall of your heart! Master your misfortune, and make it give you a blessing. If you let trouble master you — it will leave a permanent scar upon your life. But conquered calamity becomes your helper and leaves beauty on your soul.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." Psalm 119:67

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes." Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

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Sermons without words!

"Each one should remain in the situation which he was in, when God called him." 1 Corinthians 7:20

When you are tempted to complain and resist the difficulties of your circumstances, and the limitations of your place in life — remember that Jesus, even with all His divine life and all His great powers, for thirty years found room in a humble peasant home for worthy living, and for service not unfitting to His true exalted character.

If you can do nothing but live a true Christian life which is patient, gentle, kind, pure — in your home, in society, at your daily occupation — you will perform a service of great value, and leave many blessings in the world. This kind of life is a little gospel — displaying the wonderful story of the cross of Christ, in sermons without words!

"I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation — whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:12

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The ideal for all Christian life

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served — but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

True life, wherever it is found, is ministry. Some think they climb the ladder in life — as they get beyond serving; but the reverse is true. Our Lord gave the central aim and desire of His life as, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served — but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

These words proclaim the ideal for all Christian life. The whole of Christ's wonderful biography, is focused and summarized here. He Himself holds up the perfect pattern on which every disciple's life is to be fashioned. No one really begins to live at all in any worthy sense — until selfishness dies, and he begins to serve others.

We should ask, as far as others are concerned, not how we can use them to advance our interests and our welfare — but how we can minister to them, serve them, and become in some way a blessing to them.

"Serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14

~J. R. Miller~

Judgement

Question: Do the Scriptures teach that there will be one general judgment or several judgments?

The Scriptures plainly teach that there will be several judgments. There will be, first of all, the judgment of the believer when he is caught up to meet the Lord in the air. This will NOT be a judgment regarding his salvation - for that is settled the moment he accepts Christ (John 5:24) - but a judgment regarding his reward (1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 Timothy 4:8).  Then there will be the judgment of the nations living on this earth at the time the Lord comes to earth with His saints, described in Matthew 25:31-46). But those who do not have a part in the first resurrection will not be raised for their judgment for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-5). At the end of the thousand years, the Millennium, the rest of the dead will be raised and will appear before God at the judgment of the Great White Throne (vv. 11-15).

Question: Does God soften the final judgment of those who sin ignorantly? 

Certainly, God does not deal with those who sin ignorantly as He does with those who sin by deliberate and willful choice (1 Timothy 1:13; compare Hebrews 10:26). But every person on this earth has sinned knowingly (Romans 3:10-12, 23), and therefore there is no hope for anyone outside the atoning work of Jesus Christ (vv. 24-26). Everyone who believes in Jesus Christ receives eternal life, and all who reject Him will not see life but will perish forever (John 3:36; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10).

~R. A. Torrey~

Understanding the Bible

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

“I just don’t understand the Bible.” That’s a comment I hear quite often, even from believers. We can understand why those without Christ are unable to comprehend biblical concepts, but why do those who know Him struggle? Some people think that a seminary education is the answer, but I have met several trained pastors and teachers who didn’t really understand the Word of God. They knew facts, but they had no excitement for the Scriptures or for the Lord.

The key is not education but obedience. As we act on what we read, the Holy Book “comes alive,” and we begin to hear and understand the voice of God. 

However, if we have not obeyed what He’s previously revealed to us, why would He give us His deeper truths? “The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him” (Ps. 25:14), and those who fear Him are the ones who obey His commandments and are promised “a good understanding” (Ps. 111:10).

Living a fleshly lifestyle of disobedience to the Lord clouds our eyes, diminishes our ability to hear, and fogs our thinking. Although we have full access to the mind of Christ, our attachment to our own sinful ways keeps us from tapping into the rich treasures of wisdom that are found in His Word.

As you read the Scriptures each day, look for God’s instructions. Then with reliance upon the Holy Spirit, commit to do what He tells you. When you obey His voice, He’ll reveal deeper truths, and your understanding will grow. Soon your time in the Word will become a delight instead of a duty.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

Christlike Living in A Sinful World # 9

The glory of all loveliness

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Matthew 5:8

Bodily health is beautiful. Mental vigor is beautiful. But heart purity is the glory of all loveliness. The heart makes the life. The inner life fashions the outer life. So, above all things, be pure-hearted — that Christ may more and more fill your life, that He may fill all of your soul, and that His Spirit may permeate all of your being. Then the beauty of the Lord may be upon you, and the winning charm of God's loveliness may shine in your features, and you will have the beauty of Christ within you. The transfiguration must come from within. Only a holy, beautiful heart — can make a holy, beautiful character.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me". Psalm 51:10

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The secret of peace

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

Perfect loyalty to Christ — brings perfect peace into the heart. The secret of Christ's own peace, was His absolute devotion to His Father's will. We can find peace in no other way. Any resistance to God's will, any disobedience of His commands — must disturb the peace of our hearts. No hard lesson which He teaches, ever destroys our peace — if we receive it with a willing, teachable spirit, and strive to learn it just as He has written it out for us. If we receive the lessons in the way that our Master gives them to us — we shall make our life into beautiful music, and we shall find peace.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

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Whoever spreads slander is a fool!

It is easy for one to poison a person's mind, concerning another's reputation. There is measureless ruin created in this world, by the slanderer. 

Characters are blackened,
friendships are destroyed,
jealousies are aroused,
homes are torn up,
hearts are broken!

Let us never take up an evil report, and pass it onto others. Let us never whisper an evil word about another. We do not know . . .
  where it may end,
  how it may grow, or
  what ruin it may work.
Words once spoken, can never be taken back again. We'd better learn to keep the door of our lips locked and speak no evil of anyone.

"The Scripture calls slandering, smiting with the tongue. "Come, and let us smite him with the tongue!" Jer. 18:18. You may smite another — and never touch him. The tongue inflicts greater wounds than the sword. No physician can heal the wounds of the tongue! To pretend friendship to a man, and slander him, is most odious!" Thomas Watson

"As a rod scourges the back, so the slanderer's tongue scourges the name!" Thomas Watson

"The scorpion carries his poison in his tail; the slanderer carries his poison in his tongue!" Thomas Watson

"He who raises a slander — carries the devil in his tongue!
 He who receives a slander — carries the devil in his ear!" Thomas Watson

"Do not go about spreading slander among your people." Leviticus 19:16

"Whoever spreads slander is a fool!" Proverbs 10:18

"Brothers, do not slander one another!" James 4:11

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Faithfulness in small things

"And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.'" Luke 19:17

There will be eternal honors for those who have filled important places of trust and responsibility in this world, and have proved faithful in great things. There will be crowns of glory for the martyrs who, throughout the ages, have died rather than deny Christ.

But there will be rewards just as brilliant and crowns just as splendid, for those who, in lives of lowly service and self-denial and in patient endurance and humble devotion — have been faithful in the small things. God does not overlook the lowly, nor does He forget the little things. If only we are faithful in the place to which He assigns us and in the duties He gives us, we shall have our reward from God, even though our lives and our deeds are unknown and unpraised by others.

No one is endowed with all gifts. Every person has his or her own particular excellence or ability. No two have precisely the same gifts, and no two are called to fill precisely the same place in life. The role of the lowliest and the humblest with the fewest gifts, is just as important as the most brilliantly gifted.

The great one in God's sight is not the prominent one, but the life that fills the place it was made to fill, and does the work it was made to do. God does not ask great things; He asks only simple faithfulness — the quiet doing of what He commands.

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A true home

A true home is one of the most sacred of places. It is a sanctuary into which men flee from the world's perils and alarms. It is a resting-place to which at close of day, the weary retire to gather new strength for the battle and toils of tomorrow. It is the place . . . .
  where love learns its lessons,
  where life is schooled into discipline and strength,
  where character is molded.

Few things we can do in this world are so well worth doing, as the making of a beautiful and happy home. He who does this, builds a sanctuary for God and opens a fountain of blessing for men.

Far more than we know, do the strength and beauty of our lives, depend upon the home in which we dwell. He who goes forth in the morning from a happy, loving, prayerful home — into the world's strife, temptation, struggle, and duty — is strong, and inspired for noble and victorious living. The children who are brought up in a true home, go out trained and equipped for life's battles and tasks, carrying in their hearts a secret of strength which will make them brave and loyal to God, and will keep them pure in the world's severest temptations.

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Who can find a virtuous wife?

"Who can find a virtuous wife? Her worth is far above rubies!" Proverbs 31:10

The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity — is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies!

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:28-30

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We must keep the sea out of our heart

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

The problem of sailing, is not to keep the vessel out of the water — but to keep the water out of the vessel. In the same way, the problem of true Christian living, is not to keep ourselves out of life's cares, trials, and temptations — but to keep the cares, trials, and temptations out of us. As the sea is the normal medium for ship sailing — so cares are the normal element of life in this world. But we must keep the sea out of our heart. Some people make the mistake of letting their cares and worries creep into their souls. The result is that they grow discontented, fretful, and unhappy. The secret of peace, is to keep your heart free from care and anxiety, even in the midst of many internal trials.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

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Worry — or preparation

There is a large difference between worrying about possible future trials — and being prepared for them if they should come. The former we should never do — the latter we should always seek to do. If we do, we are always prepared . . .

  for emergencies,
  for the hard knocks,
  for the steep climbing,
  for the sore struggle —
and we get through life victoriously.

In moral and spiritual things, it is the same. It is our preparation which preserves us in all the final tests — the strength which lies behind what we need in ordinary encounters. Those who daily commune with God, breathing His life into their souls — become strong with that hidden strength that preserves them from falling in the day of trial. They have a "vessel" from which to refill the lamp when its little cup of oil is exhausted.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

"Prepared for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:21

"Be prepared in season and out of season" 2 Timothy 4:2

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action!" 1 Peter 1:13

~J. R. Miller~

The Jews

Question: Is there any difference today in God's sight between Jews and Gentiles?

Most assuredly, there is. In 1 Corinthians 10:32, the apostle Paul divided men into three categories: the Jews, the Gentiles, and the church of God. Today, God has His plans for the Jew, His plans for the Gentile, and His plans for the church.

In the church, there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Galatians 3:28). When one accepts Jesus Christ as his Saviour, surrenders to Him as his Lord and Master, and openly confesses Him as such before the world, he becomes part of the body of Christ, that is, part of the church. The relationship of the Jewish Christian to Christ is precisely the same as that of the Gentile Christian. The promises that belong to one belong to the other; the Scriptures that belong to one belong to the other. The method of dividing the Word that some employ, applying some of the promises to Jewish Christians and others to Gentile Christians, is not warranted by the Word. What belongs to any Christian belongs to all Christians, both Jewish and Gentile.

But outside of the church, there is Jew and Gentile, and God's plane are not precisely the same for both. The present dispensation is preeminently a Gentile dispensation. The Jew, for the time being, has been set aside, but his day is coming. (Romans 11:1-32).

~R. A. Torrey~

True Spiritual Growth

James 1:17-27

If you want to genuinely grow in spiritual maturity, it is not enough to simply be instructed by the Word of God. You may love going to church or listening to Christian radio programs. You might talk about everything you hear and assume you're growing because your knowledge is increasing. However, if you don't actually grow closer to God by allowing His Word to change you from the inside out, your head will merely continue to fill with information. You might even sound like a godly person who is admired for the ability to quote chapter and verse. But if you don't take the next step and allow God to touch others' lives through you, you're missing the point.

Spiritual growth is the result of practicing the truth you receive from God. He wants you to give away what He gives you--that is, by loving and serving others and sharing the truth of the gospel. Our example is Jesus, who said that He did not come to be served, but to serve even the lowest outcasts in His society (Matt. 20:28). He could have exalted Himself and spent all His time preaching and teaching. Instead, Jesus did only the Father's will, which was to reveal His heart of love to a broken world. The Lord sacrificially involved Himself in people's lives, and He calls us to follow in His footsteps.

God's plan is to reach the world through you. If that weren't the case, He would have taken you to heaven as soon as you were saved. But you are here for a purpose--to live out Christ's life alongside hurting people who desperately need to experience His love.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~