Engaged Affections

The true cure for a dull memory in religion, is to get deeper love toward Christ, and affections more thoroughly set on things above. We do not readily forget the things we love, and the objects which we keep continually under our eyes. The names of our parents and children are always remembered. The face of the husband or wife we love is engraved on the tablets of our hearts. The more our affections are engaged in Christ’s service, the more easy shall we find it to remember Christ’s words. The words of the apostle ought to be carefully pondered: “We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” (Heb. 2:1.) | J.C. Ryle

Mere Mortals?

"All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other [eternal] destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities. . .that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no 'ordinary' people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals  whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously -- no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. And our charity must be a real and costly love, with deep feeling for the sins in spite of which we love the sinner -- no mere tolerance or indulgence which parodies love as flippancy parodies merriment."

--C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

(emphasis mine)

At my church, we have a chance on Sunday nights to go different 10-week classes which focus on one subject.  The class I’ve been going to is called The Truth Project.  It is a series of videos that explain the foundation of the Bible.  It’s been amazing, and I’ve learned so much!

Last night, the lesson discussed the Biblical sphere of community.  I wasn’t expecting much, but wow, was I caught off guard!  One of our jobs as Christians is to help the needy and the poor.  If you’re anything like me, initially you say to yourself, “Yep, got this one done,” and then just turn off your brain.  Thankfully, this time the speaker, Del Tackett, caught me before I turned off my brain.  He began to explain that the poor and needy are not only  people who are low on cash or unhealthy… they are also the left-out, the unpopular, the ignored, the shunned, and the outcasts.

As the speaker went on explaining who is included in the "outcast" group, I was hit hard.  I immediately thought of three girls in my school that I know I could have befriended, but I chose not to because--in my mind-- they were not worth it.

Time to Pull Over

Today I got together with some friends of mine for coffee, and we just shared a couple hours together talking about what God has been doing in our lives, counting our blessings, encouraging each other over our failures, and challenging each other with our convictions. Afterwards, as I got in the car and turned on the radio, I heard this message by James MacDonald. 

Here's what God taught me today.

When we think things need to happen all at once, we get sleepy, worn out, exhausted, irritable, and over-done. Sometimes, we just need to pull over in order to regroup, refocus, and simply be refreshed by God's holiness. If we don't learn to do that, how will we have the strength to keep doing the things God has planned for us to do?

"Tired? Worn down? Do you know that even though God is limitless, He completely understands our limits? And He knows exactly what we need when we reach them. He clearly demonstrates this in Revelation chapter 10, giving John a break from his prophetic visions, providing what he needed, and encouraging and equipping him to carry on."

We must see the Majesty of God.

In Scripture, the people (Noah, Moses, Elijah, Mary, John, Paul, etc) used by God in the greatest ways had their focus on God's glory consistently. They established their purpose before their plan, and they made sure they didn't get distracted by the little stuff. How were they able to maintain focus? They maintained an open relationship with the God who made them, catching glimpses of His greatness. Everything else was then able to fall into place.

In light of eternity, nothing that weighs us down can seem significant. 

10 out of 10 - You Can Know

A man can slip into hell with his hand on the doorknob of heaven.

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)
American Evangelist

A few years ago Ray Comfort was one of the keynote speakers at a convention that I was required to attend in California. The keynote speakers in previous years were not good, so I immediately crossed my arms in resistance when he stepped up to speak. I’m not exactly sure when my arms uncrossed, but I do know that from the very beginning he had my attention. What he said made too much sense not to listen. Afterward, I bought his tapes to learn more.

About a month later, a young visitor named Cleo came forward in our small church. The pastor asked me to deal with him. Cleo just wanted to go to heaven. He had been to mass twice in his life and knew nothing about the scriptures. For the first time in my life I gave the Gospel with confidence and without hesitation: going from the natural to the spiritual. I’ll spare you many of the details, but I started by reading Psalm 19:7a. “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.” We chatted about the purpose of human law/rules and the punishments for breaking those rules. “What if God had law?” I asked. He had never thought about it or had even heard of the Ten Commandments.

Bits and Pieces of our conversation

Me    “Ever told a lie?

Cleo    “Of course.”

Me    “What does that make you?”

Cleo    “A liar.”

We Get One Shot

A life once spent is irrevocable. It will remain to be contemplated through eternity…The same may be said of each day. When it is once past, it is gone forever. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever.…Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny.…How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness…? It is too late to mend the days that are past. The future is in our power. Let us, then, each morning, resolve to send the day into eternity in such a garb as we shall wish to wear it forever. And at night let us reflect that one more day is irrevocably gone, indelibly marked.          Adoniram Judson

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.
For what is your life? 

 It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.