Archive for the Peace Category

Spurgeon Morning and Evening June 3rd a.m.

Posted in * Favorites, Discipleship, Discontentment, God's Plan, Peace with tags , , , , on June 3, 2009 by Harry

spurgeonTHESE WERE THE POTTERS [WHO] LIVED THERE IN THE KING’S SERVICE.  – 1 CHRONICLES 4:23

Potters were among the ranks of manual workers, but the king needed potters, and there fore they were elevated to royal service, although the material upon which they worker was nothing but clay. In the same way we also may be engaged in the most menial part ol the Lord’s work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for the King; and therefore we will play our part, hoping that, although we live among the pots, we will soar in the service of our Master. These people dwelt among plants and hedges and had rough, rustic hedging and ditching work to do. They may have wanted to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their assigned places because they were doing the king’s work. There is no ideal place for us to serve God except the place He sets us down. We are not to run from it on a whim or sudden notion, but we should serve the Lord in it by being a blessing to those among whom we live. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they lived with the king, and although among hedges and plants, they lived with the king there. No lawful place or gracious occupation, however menial, can keep us from communion with our Lord. In hovels, run-down neighborhoods, and jails, we may keep company with the King. In all works of faith we can count upon Jesus’ fellowship. It is when we are in His work that we may reckon on His smile. You unknown workers who are serving the Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have often been found among rubbish, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ugly weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell with the King and do His work, and when He writes His chronicles, your name shall be recorded.

Romans 8:28

Posted in * Favorites, God's Plan, Peace, Providence - God's, Romans, Sovereignty - God's on March 13, 2009 by Harry

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

  • God weaves everything together for good for his children
  • The “good” in this context does not refer to earthly comfort but conformity to Christ (v. 29), closer fellowship with God, bearing good fruit for the kingdom, and final glorification (v. 30)

LTW: "The Detours to Discontent" not archived

Posted in Discontentment, Giving, Peace, Pride, Weaknesses on December 12, 2007 by Harry
  • Before beginning the discussion it should be noted that absolute peace cannot be had in this life
  • 4 detours of contentment in our Christian life
    • 1. Unwillingness to confront our weaknesses
    • 2. Unawareness of the lie of a legalism
    • 3. Underestimation of the pitfall of pride
    • 4. Unfaithfulness in self-giving

  • We all have weaknesses
    • We have to apply the grace of God to our weaknesses
    • If the grace of God is not sufficient for our weaknesses, then we are focusing on our weaknesses too much, or we are ignoring them altogether
    • Either place is someplace we should not be
    • The grace of God is sufficient for our weaknesses and until we apply God’s grace to our weaknesses then we will not have joy
  • Legalism is the elevation to any man-made rule to the level of God or to the commandment of God
    • We are only saved by the grace of God
    • There is no saved by God + “something else” ; there is no “+” anything
  • Underestimation of the pitfall of pride
    • Pride is very, very,very deceitful
    • Pride hinders our prayers
  • Lack of generosity
    • Has nothing to do with what you have and what you give, it comes down to making a sacrifice
    • Ultimate contentment is not possible in this life, nonetheless we are given temporary peace and joy by God in this life

TFL: “Do You Think I Came To Bring Peace?” ***

Posted in Peace, Salvation, Will - God's, Will - Our with tags , on December 3, 2007 by Harry
  • Luke 12:49:
    • 49″I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
  • What Jesus says here runs contrary to everything else He said or did
  • Even complicating things more for us, Paul explains Jesus in terms of peace
  • Immediately before He asks this question, Jesus’ preface has to do with fire and baptism.
    • Jesus refers to the fact that fire does two things
    • Burns – Consumes what is combustible (food, paper)
    • Purifies what is not combustible (metal)
  • Baptism refers to His resolution to do the will of the Father
    • His passion and crucifixion are ultimate display of Him doing the will of the Father
  • Analogy: “The lifeboat is no good if the drowning man does not get into it. And no one else can do it for him. He must do it himself.”
  • Going back to the question Jesus asks
    • Jesus did not mean that His ultimate objective was division, but that the effect of His accomplishment would be division.
    • When a life is saved, it changes the dynamic of interpersonal relationships
    • Opening of Pilgrim’s progress is an example

LTW- not archived

Posted in Peace on November 6, 2007 by Harry
  • Outward peace is what we feel when loved ones do not accept Jesus
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