Suppose your child was dying
(James Smith, "Our Father and Comforter")
Surely, if parents realized the value of their children's souls; if they had a vivid sight of the danger to which they are exposed; if they felt that they must be saved by the Lord Jesus--or perish for ever--then they would act very differently toward them!
Could a parent, if he believed the Scriptural representation of hell, as a place of torment; and saw that his child hung over that ever-burning lake as by a thread--and might, at any moment, by some accident, be plunged into the bottomless abyss; I say, if he saw and believed this--could he let his child go on, day after day, and month after month, without the tender expostulation, the affectionate appeal, and the heart-felt prayer with him? I think not!
Alas! alas! We do not half believe . . .
in the horrors of hell,
in the danger of our children, and
in the absolute necessity of faith in Christ, in order to for them to be saved--or we could never live as we do!
What anxiety is manifested about their health and their education; and what indifference about their never-dying souls! One feels at times ready to conclude that many professing Christian parents must be half infidels, or wholly insane--to act as they do!
Reader, suppose your child was dying. His pulses are faint and few. He breathes short and hard. You approach his bedside. You take his hand in yours. He asks, "Father, did you believe I was a sinner? Did you know that it was possible I might die young? Were you aware that, without faith in Christ--I must perish forever? Did you, father?"
"I did, my child."
"Then how could you be so cruel, so hard-hearted, as to treat me in the way you have? You never took me aside to talk to me seriously. You never endeavored to impress upon my mind the importance of spiritual things. You never earnestly warned me to flee from the wrath to come. You never lovingly invited me to the Lord Jesus Christ. You never prayed with me as if you believed I was in danger of going to hell, and could only be saved by the grace of God. You were very earnest about temporal things--but indifferent about spiritual realities. You knew that I was going to hell--and you did not try to prevent it. Now I am lost! Lost for ever--and you are the cause of it! Or, at least, you are accessory to my everlasting damnation!"
Or, suppose you were before the Great White Throne, and the Judge seated thereon, and you meet your children there. One of them points to you, and says, "There is my mother! She showed great concern about my body--but she never showed anxiety about my soul. She never knelt by my side in prayer. I never heard her plead with God for my soul, nor did she ever, in downright earnest, plead with me. I charge her, before the Judge of all--with cruelty to my soul; and throughout eternity I shall curse the day that ever I had such a parent! No name will excite my enmity, or draw forth my bitter reproaches, like the name of my mother! I am lost, lost forever--and my mother never heartily tried to prevent it!"
Parents, how could you bear this? Parents, parents! By all the tender ties that unite you to your children, I beseech you to seek, first, principally, and most earnestly--the conversion of your children!
Friday 8 October 2010
Monday 22 March 2010
Feast on This
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The best way to cheer yourself up:
Cheer everybody else up."
- Mark Twain
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this... They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"The best way to cheer yourself up:
Cheer everybody else up."
- Mark Twain
Helps from the Bible
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has positive answers:
You say: "It's impossible."
God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired."
God says: I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me."
God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on."
God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Cor 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out."
God says: I will direct your steps. (Prov 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it."
God says: You can do all things. (Phil 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able."
God says: I am able. (II Cor 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it."
God says: It will be worth it. (Rom 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself."
God says: I FORGIVE YOU. (I John 1:9 & Rom 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage."
God says: I will supply all your needs. (Phil 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid."
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (2 Tim 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith."
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Rom 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough."
God says: I give you wisdom. (I Cor 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone."
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Heb 13:5)
You say: "It's impossible."
God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired."
God says: I will give you rest. (Matt 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me."
God says: I love you. (John 3:16 & 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on."
God says: My grace is sufficient. (II Cor 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out."
God says: I will direct your steps. (Prov 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it."
God says: You can do all things. (Phil 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able."
God says: I am able. (II Cor 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it."
God says: It will be worth it. (Rom 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself."
God says: I FORGIVE YOU. (I John 1:9 & Rom 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage."
God says: I will supply all your needs. (Phil 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid."
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (2 Tim 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith."
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith. (Rom 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough."
God says: I give you wisdom. (I Cor 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone."
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Heb 13:5)
Sunday 28 February 2010
My Personal Testimony
MY PERSONAL TESTIMONY
When someone says they are born again – what does it mean? When someone is saved from sin – what does that entail? I am going to share with you my personal testimony of the love of Christ and the grace and mercy of God in my life so far.
Whenever I have thought about my testimony, I have often pondered on the fact that it actually starts long before the world began, in the depths of heaven under the divine counsel of the Godhead. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. It amazes me, even before I was born, God set His love on me in Christ Jesus.
Well, my earthly testimony begins in Cardiff where I was born. My family didn’t go to church, but my sister and I were sent to Sunday School. I can’t remember much about what was taught there – I only remember a few songs which we learned. By the time I went to high school I’d lost interest in going and only went once a month, when the Guides had a parade service.
I have always been interested in religions and loved to learn about other people’s beliefs. I remember telling my sister that if I had to choose a religion I would become a Buddhist, but God had other plans for me.
When I was 17 I was chosen, as a Ranger Guide, to represent Wales in Thailand. What a brilliant opportunity it was to see how other people lived. I was to stay with five different families all over the country. One thing that struck me was the poverty. It was totally different to other countries I had visited, but despite the number of poor people, the temples and idols were covered with gold – copious quantities of it. Many of the idols were still worshipped even though their heads had fallen off – was this really the religion I was interested in? My illusions were shattered.
After coming home I finished off my college course and applied to be a nanny in the UK and also other countries. I went to work in London. By this time my sister had become a Christian and I remember when she told me, I was angry with God as I had been the one interested in religions, not her. Why her? Why not me? Hadn’t I been the one reading up on every religion I knew about? Little did I know that God doesn’t work like that!
My sister would talk to me about God and the love of Jesus, but I really wasn’t interested – I had my work, boyfriend, friends and a social life – why did I want (or need) God?
Across the road from where I lived in Dulwich, London, there was a friend (who I have lost contact with), called Debbie. She was a Christian and asked if I wanted to go to church one Sunday, so I went and got nothing out of it – I didn’t go to that church again!
Life drifted on (as it does) and after having a few jobs in the UK, I thought it would be a good idea to go abroad. So I applied for jobs in Germany, Sweden and Belgium – I got the job in Brussels, Belgium. While over there I was encouraged, by my employers, to see as much of the city as I could, but Sundays tended to be pretty quiet days so as I was looking through a magazine I saw an advert for a Baptist church in Wezembeek Oppem. As my sister went to a Baptist church I thought – why not, it will give me something to do! Little did I know that my ‘something to do’ would lead to a life-changing experience. The first Sunday I went I sat judging everyone, sad person I was! I was sitting next to a mother and daughter from Lebanon and one of them asked me how long I had been a Christian and for the first time in my life I admitted that I had no faith at all! I think admitting that was a break-through although not yet complete.
I went to that church every Sunday from then on and when I got home I started to read my Bible. My sister sent me tapes that her church had recorded – the series was on Hebrews. Amazing
My sister also recommended I read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress – I was hooked. It really got me thinking that there was more to Christianity than just going to church every Sunday and judging people. I devoured it – loving every part! I felt more and more in need of a Saviour – but a Saviour from what? What was I being saved from? Why did I need to be saved? This was new to me - the person who had read about most religions!
As time went on I could see how much I had offended the One who had created me in His image. The life I had led and was still leading was one of rebellion against the One who gave His all for me! In the past I thought all Christians were crazy people, but now I was being drawn to Christ.
On 10th December 1990 after 3 months of searching, by reading my Bible and praying, I gave my life over to the Lord. I saw that only Jesus could bring me back into fellowship with my Heavenly Father. I saw that Christianity is more than a religion – it is a personal, intimate relationship with someone – not something! I remember that evening so clearly; I was praying and crying with such agony over the sins I had committed against God, I was asking Him to forgive me and I wanted to turn my life over to Him and turn my life around. At about 9pm it was as if a burden had fallen away from me and a glorious light had entered into my soul – such a relief! For a few weeks before that day I had felt as if I was being pulled in all directions! Now the struggle for salvation was over – but a new struggle was beginning!
Although I have been saved and brought into new life with Christ, I am still not perfect, I am a sinner but one who is saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I still do wrong things, but there is One who has a heart full of love and forgiveness.
Even though I have been forgiven that doesn’t mean I can do what I like because God will forgive me, peace is only given to those who trust and obey. There is no blessing for those who disobey God’s commands and do as they please.
Since being saved I have often thought of those who say they don’t want to go to church because it is full of hypocrites etc, well, yes churches are full of hypocrites and sinners, but mainly saved hypocrites and sinners! Our focus must always be on Christ – when we take our eyes off Jesus our relationship goes dry and becomes dull and mundane!
Someone said to me a few weeks before I wrote this, that he wasn’t good enough to be a Christian because he had led a debauched life, well dear reader, if you are someone who thinks like that, I want to encourage you by saying – Jesus came to save corrupt, debauched sinners! People who think they are too good never come to Christ because they think they can do just as well by themselves! Those who come to recognize they can’t ‘go it alone’ and their lives are so bad they need help are the ones Jesus came to save.
Being a Christian means that you have come into a personal relationship with someone who loves you despite your faults and failings. He cares tenderly for those He saves and promises to protect them and one day will welcome them into His presence in heaven.
Just by going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, just by saying a particular prayer also doesn’t make you a Christian or doing good works doesn’t either. We cannot buy or work our way to God. The only way to come is to bring Him nothing but your sins and failures and to cast them onto Christ.
To sum up in one sentence what being a Christian is – Christianity is all about the Spirit within us.
I cannot boast oh Lord,
Of the work you’ve done in me
The work was finished, completed
By Christ at Calvary
AMEN & AMEN
Since writing this testimony, I have been through many dark times in my Christian life, many dry times, much walking in the wilderness with little regard for God and His ways, but despite the darkness and the dryness, I feel that God has never been far away! Isaiah 42:3a A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; - He mends the bruised reeds and He puts a flame of love in the heart of those who are His own. That verse has brought much comfort to me in times of trouble, barrenness, sorrow, trial etc!
People say - religion (or Christianity) is a crutch - well I'm pleased to say it isn't just a mere crutch - it's a life support system!
When someone says they are born again – what does it mean? When someone is saved from sin – what does that entail? I am going to share with you my personal testimony of the love of Christ and the grace and mercy of God in my life so far.
Whenever I have thought about my testimony, I have often pondered on the fact that it actually starts long before the world began, in the depths of heaven under the divine counsel of the Godhead. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. It amazes me, even before I was born, God set His love on me in Christ Jesus.
Well, my earthly testimony begins in Cardiff where I was born. My family didn’t go to church, but my sister and I were sent to Sunday School. I can’t remember much about what was taught there – I only remember a few songs which we learned. By the time I went to high school I’d lost interest in going and only went once a month, when the Guides had a parade service.
I have always been interested in religions and loved to learn about other people’s beliefs. I remember telling my sister that if I had to choose a religion I would become a Buddhist, but God had other plans for me.
When I was 17 I was chosen, as a Ranger Guide, to represent Wales in Thailand. What a brilliant opportunity it was to see how other people lived. I was to stay with five different families all over the country. One thing that struck me was the poverty. It was totally different to other countries I had visited, but despite the number of poor people, the temples and idols were covered with gold – copious quantities of it. Many of the idols were still worshipped even though their heads had fallen off – was this really the religion I was interested in? My illusions were shattered.
After coming home I finished off my college course and applied to be a nanny in the UK and also other countries. I went to work in London. By this time my sister had become a Christian and I remember when she told me, I was angry with God as I had been the one interested in religions, not her. Why her? Why not me? Hadn’t I been the one reading up on every religion I knew about? Little did I know that God doesn’t work like that!
My sister would talk to me about God and the love of Jesus, but I really wasn’t interested – I had my work, boyfriend, friends and a social life – why did I want (or need) God?
Across the road from where I lived in Dulwich, London, there was a friend (who I have lost contact with), called Debbie. She was a Christian and asked if I wanted to go to church one Sunday, so I went and got nothing out of it – I didn’t go to that church again!
Life drifted on (as it does) and after having a few jobs in the UK, I thought it would be a good idea to go abroad. So I applied for jobs in Germany, Sweden and Belgium – I got the job in Brussels, Belgium. While over there I was encouraged, by my employers, to see as much of the city as I could, but Sundays tended to be pretty quiet days so as I was looking through a magazine I saw an advert for a Baptist church in Wezembeek Oppem. As my sister went to a Baptist church I thought – why not, it will give me something to do! Little did I know that my ‘something to do’ would lead to a life-changing experience. The first Sunday I went I sat judging everyone, sad person I was! I was sitting next to a mother and daughter from Lebanon and one of them asked me how long I had been a Christian and for the first time in my life I admitted that I had no faith at all! I think admitting that was a break-through although not yet complete.
I went to that church every Sunday from then on and when I got home I started to read my Bible. My sister sent me tapes that her church had recorded – the series was on Hebrews. Amazing
My sister also recommended I read John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress – I was hooked. It really got me thinking that there was more to Christianity than just going to church every Sunday and judging people. I devoured it – loving every part! I felt more and more in need of a Saviour – but a Saviour from what? What was I being saved from? Why did I need to be saved? This was new to me - the person who had read about most religions!
As time went on I could see how much I had offended the One who had created me in His image. The life I had led and was still leading was one of rebellion against the One who gave His all for me! In the past I thought all Christians were crazy people, but now I was being drawn to Christ.
On 10th December 1990 after 3 months of searching, by reading my Bible and praying, I gave my life over to the Lord. I saw that only Jesus could bring me back into fellowship with my Heavenly Father. I saw that Christianity is more than a religion – it is a personal, intimate relationship with someone – not something! I remember that evening so clearly; I was praying and crying with such agony over the sins I had committed against God, I was asking Him to forgive me and I wanted to turn my life over to Him and turn my life around. At about 9pm it was as if a burden had fallen away from me and a glorious light had entered into my soul – such a relief! For a few weeks before that day I had felt as if I was being pulled in all directions! Now the struggle for salvation was over – but a new struggle was beginning!
Although I have been saved and brought into new life with Christ, I am still not perfect, I am a sinner but one who is saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. I still do wrong things, but there is One who has a heart full of love and forgiveness.
Even though I have been forgiven that doesn’t mean I can do what I like because God will forgive me, peace is only given to those who trust and obey. There is no blessing for those who disobey God’s commands and do as they please.
Since being saved I have often thought of those who say they don’t want to go to church because it is full of hypocrites etc, well, yes churches are full of hypocrites and sinners, but mainly saved hypocrites and sinners! Our focus must always be on Christ – when we take our eyes off Jesus our relationship goes dry and becomes dull and mundane!
Someone said to me a few weeks before I wrote this, that he wasn’t good enough to be a Christian because he had led a debauched life, well dear reader, if you are someone who thinks like that, I want to encourage you by saying – Jesus came to save corrupt, debauched sinners! People who think they are too good never come to Christ because they think they can do just as well by themselves! Those who come to recognize they can’t ‘go it alone’ and their lives are so bad they need help are the ones Jesus came to save.
Being a Christian means that you have come into a personal relationship with someone who loves you despite your faults and failings. He cares tenderly for those He saves and promises to protect them and one day will welcome them into His presence in heaven.
Just by going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, just by saying a particular prayer also doesn’t make you a Christian or doing good works doesn’t either. We cannot buy or work our way to God. The only way to come is to bring Him nothing but your sins and failures and to cast them onto Christ.
To sum up in one sentence what being a Christian is – Christianity is all about the Spirit within us.
I cannot boast oh Lord,
Of the work you’ve done in me
The work was finished, completed
By Christ at Calvary
AMEN & AMEN
Since writing this testimony, I have been through many dark times in my Christian life, many dry times, much walking in the wilderness with little regard for God and His ways, but despite the darkness and the dryness, I feel that God has never been far away! Isaiah 42:3a A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; - He mends the bruised reeds and He puts a flame of love in the heart of those who are His own. That verse has brought much comfort to me in times of trouble, barrenness, sorrow, trial etc!
People say - religion (or Christianity) is a crutch - well I'm pleased to say it isn't just a mere crutch - it's a life support system!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)