Pre 2013 almost new years thoughts ---

I just don't know --

Well, I've written my "new year's" blog and I'm actually reviewing it.  I don't know if I'll actually publish it or not.  As I read it I felt kind of foolish.  The old, "Who do you think you are?" kept popping up.

So - in case I decide that I've lost it and gone off on a tangent and don't publish it I ask you to just consider a few things as we moved into a new year.

1.   We are commonly more persecuted in this country that ever before.  It will grow
      more common.
2.   The constitution has been confused with a biblical document.
3.   Politics and "faithfuness" don't mix.
4.   Faith has no political affiliation.
5.   The "right to bear arms" is not a God-given right.
6.   A revolution against "Caesar" is as much a sin as Caesar's oppression,      
      persecution and abuse of power.
7.   The lesser of two evils is no less evil.
8.   Genesis 6:5 is still true.
9.   John 3:19 is still true.
10.  Luke 21:17 is still true.
11.  Rev. 21 is still true.

Get the idea????

Peter's Pen 1s Peter 4:12-13 Oops out of order

Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:12-13

I Peter 4: 12-13:  Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.   ESV

I'd like to paraphrase this verse - just to give some flavor -- "Beloved, when  the flames of persecution lap about your knees (and they will), don't say nobody told you, don't even wonder why, expect it all the time!!!!"

Get the drift?  Don't act dumb or do a "poor little me" when the world, the flesh and/or the devil turns on the burners!!!  From Jesus' own mouth we have been well warned that persecution isn't a "maybe," it is a, "oh- yeah!"

It is not about you and me, it's is about Him and the fallen one's hatred for Him and all that is His.  No whining!  No shock!  Rather, an, "I was expecting that," would be most appropriate.

But let me wander from the "Big One," to the issue of being prepared for the, "Big One."

We are never NOT under attack - never - not ever - no way - no how!

TV shows, politics, commercials, movies, magazines - all of these are attacks upon our hearts which incite our affections and lead to a fight for our consciences and holiness.  Whatever the "world" or Satan throws at us - no matter how minor, no matter how subtle, no matter how apparently innocuous is an attack, anything that conjures the idea that Christ is not utterly sufficient and/or that God is not utterly providential, is an attack.

Subaru is my favorite example.  Do you know that if you buy a Subaru, you will have "love" in your life?  That's what their ads say.  Watch for the little "love" graphic on their ads.

What about Victoria's Secret?  Why do I (or you ladies for that matter) need to see half naked women in their underwear?  Will this underwear make you a better person?  They want you to think so. [Maybe not so much being better - - but definitely more desirable]

What about sporting events hype?  Does it really matter who gets the funny ball to the end of the cow pasture?  Is this an important event or is it just a way for sellers to present you with the proposition that if you buy their stuff you will be a good person?  Why are cheerleaders half-naked?  Does that make the team better?


We have to accept that what the world (and the devil through it) offers us is nothing but temptation to be dissatisfied with our state.  Whether it's a car, underwear, the latest digital gizmoe - they all want us to feel we NEED their product to be - well - at least normal.

The problem is we blow off these little trials, ignoring their cumulative effect on our hearts and minds.  I believe that the more sensitive we are and appropriately responsive we are to these things, the less we will be shock by the "Big One."  I mean really, how "real" are the oh so popular "reality shows?"  Is that what He says is "real" life?  It may be for the unredeemed but for us it is a lie right out of the very pit of hell.

If we have been paying attention, it is clear that little by little the culture, indeed even our political and judicial systems, are slowly eroding our freedom to live as His.  Whether they do it via proclaiming some sin is a right or a norm, or through chipping away at our freedom to express - even raise our kids according to - our faith; they want to destroy us.

If the "powers that be" forgot their differences in Christ's day and conspired to kill Him, what makes you think they're not doing the same thing about us today?  Are you that naive?  Our battle is not a cultural battle nor is it a political battle - it's not even a religious battle.  It is a battle for His glory and honor as displayed by our active and faithful service in this world.

If you think I've gone off the deep end into the weirdness of "conspiracies and cabals," you haven't read much of your Bible lately.  Who are our enemies?  Who is "out to get us"?  That would be - the world - the flesh and the devil.  Hello-----anybody there?

So many believers are going to be shocked out of their socks when the "Big One" begins.  They're going to proclaim how nice they were and how they can't believe what's happening and how they've not bothered or hurt anybody.  They are going to feel "betrayed" by the "world" who has always been cooperating with the devil and working on the flesh for their destruction.

I am growing more and more convinced that because of the -- ok this is a tough one - the whoring of the church - the pimping out of the Gospel - we have lost our focus, which is for each individual believer - with the help, encouragement and support of every other believer - to grow more conformed to His likeness every moment.  How does that work when you can't wait to get out of church to see "the game"?  How does that work when we are as engaged by the world's "entertainment" offerings as the non-believer is?  How does that work when we make the accumulation of material things just as much a priority for ourselves as the world does for itself?

Dearest ones, how have we gotten so immured, so numb to the little, pernicious and persistent evils?  How have we come to tolerate - in our homes and even in our churches - the pandering of (and to) the world's standards, goals and priorities?  How have we come to be insensitive to evil - for that's what it is – evil?  We have refused to say "No," to the world - unless it's what we see as a ''big sin."  We have learned to wink and nod at evil because if we didn't, we would be weird - strange creatures - subject to vilification and finger pointing and marginalization ---- Oh, wait, isn't that happening anyway?

But, we will ever, I fear, be willing to feed the beast that seeks to consume us.  We will feed it until there is nothing left for it to eat but - well - us.  When we run out of treats for the beast, we will express shock and dismay when its teeth sink into our throats.

OK - one example.  The big thing right now is buying precious metals - hedging our wealth against the potential financial crisis.  What makes us think that when it finally hits the fan, we'll be allowed to keep any of it?  All that has to be done is for us to be found to be even a quasi-criminal enterprise and they can come and take it.

What part of the following are you refusing to accept?
John 15:19:
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.   ESV

What part of that is a lie?

What about:
James 4:4:
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  ESV

Hello!!!!!!!!  Anyone home?

In the second verse of our passage, Peter admonishes us to rejoice when we suffer for Christ or suffer as Christ's.  Yeah, like that's gonna happen.  I fear that we're trying so hard to be "friends" with the world that we will resent any suffering imposed upon us.  Why?  Because we refuse - absolutely refuse - to "take up our crosses," and follow Him in the little everyday compromises offered us by a world that wants to destroy us.

Just let me ask,
What's on your TeVo or your DVR?  What "shows" are your shows?   What is it in your world that you just can't do without, just can't miss, gotta see, hear, have ............?

If we can't take up our crosses, we will not rejoice when trials and persecution are imposed upon us.  Not only that but, if we can't or won't recognize and accept that a lot of what we hold should rightfully be laid down, I don't know how much we'll rejoice when He returns.

This and That Fancies 101512

Beg of God a mortified fancy.   Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart (Kindle Location 816).  . Kindle Edition.

If imaginations be not first cast down, it is impossible that every thought of the heart should be brought into obedience to Christ. The fancy is naturally the wildest and most untameable power of the soul.   Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart (Kindle Locations 819-820).  . Kindle Edition.

“fancy”:
to believe mistakenly or without evidence
to believe without being certain

“fanciful”:
marked by fancy or unrestrained imagination rather than by reason and experience
existing in fancy only <a fanciful notion
marked by or as if by fancy or whim <gave their children fanciful names.

The fancy is naturally the wildest and most untameable power of the soul.
We dream.  We imagine how it might be.  In desperation or ignorance we grasp at straws.  We build castles in the air – out of air.  We live in an “if only,” world.

If only this and if only that and our lives would be good.

We harbor fears, terrifying fears.

This is “fancy,” the imagination running amuck, the imagination not captive to the Word and the Spirit.

If imaginations be not first cast down, it is impossible that every thought of the heart should be brought into obedience to Christ.   Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart (Kindle Locations 819-820).  . Kindle Edition.

Godly hope is perverted by fancy.  Fancy looks to the flesh for solutions.  Fancy is an idolater.  Fancy robs us of our ability to comprehend the Word, yield to the Spirit and submit to God.  We run here and there looking for something or someone to provide for our needs and bring us contentment, and we find it not.

Jer 2:12-13  Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD,  (13)  for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

This is the power of fancy, of ungodly imaginations.

The object can be a person, a group, a gadget, luck, or even a misunderstanding of the Word or the leading of the Spirit.  When the imagination is not fenced in by the truth, by the sovereignty, providence and truth of God, it is deadly.

There is little in our world as deadly to our fancy/imaginations as is the entertainment we select for ourselves.  TV, movies, books, etc. are, for the most part, fiction.  Even the “reality” shows we watch are hardly “real.”  Oh, maybe they’re not scripted but “real”?  I don’t think so.

We watch, read or listen to the offerings of the world so we might relax and be entertained and, yet, how often do we really reflect on what we are watching in the light of God’s truth?  The old quip, “If Jesus came to your home would you watch, read, or listen to what you now engage in while He was there”? is not without merit.

Patti and I used to watch a show called The Gilmore Girls.  It was cute and relatively clean but over time we realized how dysfunctional almost every character on the show was.  As we looked at the show in light of the truth, I actually got to where I was nauseous whenever it came on.  We realized that we were being entertained by one of the clearest demonstrations of man’s hopelessness we had ever seen – and we had found it – “entertaining.”  It was poison – plain and simple.

Then there are the Real Housewives of . . . . . shows.  Really?  These are housewives?

There is no God in their world – only self and yet we watch these shows as though they were entertaining.  If we must watch. it should be to identify men and women who are willing to expose their godless and hopeless lives to the whole world – so we can pray for them – by name and need.    [WHY MUST WE WATCH???]

**Patti's comments:
"I still don't see a need to expose our minds and hearts to these shows as opposed to any other type of programs- promoting-glamorizing-endorsing ungodli-unrighteus behavior.  they are not exactly documentaries of some aberrant society or sect.  these shows bring fame to the people and draw many into unhealthy fantasies about that lifestyle.  Yes, the actual desperation and hopelessness can be seen-but reality is only seen by those who already know it is there - not to those who are still aspiring to obtain that status.  Certainly, a steady diet of these shows is not necessary to determine the need and lostness of the people in them, any more than it is needed to determine the depravity portrayed in "fictional" shows.  So much for my soap-box!"

Oh, let’s not forget the “rehab” shows where we get to see how well a godless person can overcome an addiction.  Yeah, Dr. Drew is a sweet and caring guy – but why do so many of his patients show up again and again and again?

All of this manure gets in our minds.  It contradicts the truth and seduces us into some vague middle ground where the truth is not.  Just like arsenic, it is cumulative and over time it will poison our godliy thinking to death.  It weaves itself into our thought patterns whether we realize it or not.  Ultimately, it will win – unless we cut it off, repent and turn to that fountain of living water.

Soli Deo Gloria: Means essentially that everything that is done is for God's glory to the exclusion of humankind's self-glorification and pride. Christians are to be motivated and inspired by God's glory and not their own.

We have to ask if our fancies and imaginings are for the glory of God.  But without the tools and effort, how can we tell?  Ignorance and apathy are boon companions.

How ignorant are you of how to glorify God?  How apathetic are you concerning your Christian disciplines and duties?  One will always feed the other.

We are far from where He would have us and though He has promised to see us through to the end, the quality of the journey has a good deal to do with our exercise of the graces, duties and disciplines He has laid out for our benefit.

Though the context is not parallel to this discussion, the statement is nonetheless applicable when Paul proclaims:
1Co 2:2  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

I think we are safe in taking this proclamation as our motto, our battle cry in the world – everyday – in our labor and in our leisure.  I see no danger in praying that in our labor and our leisure we be enabled and convicted to know nothing except Christ, and Him crucified.

Such a fence around our fancies and imaginings will serve us well in mortifying (killing) them so that they cease to poison our minds, hearts and actions.

Peter's Pen 1st Peter 4:8-11

1 Peter 4:8-11

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.     ESV

Above all !!!!!!!
Is there any part of "above all" I need to explain?
This isn't calling us to some mushy, touchy feely relationship with one another - although there's nothing wrong with that.  But it is calling us to a very real, truth (scripture) based intimate relationship with one another.

"Earnestly" = without ceasing, fervently - or as I prefer "stretched out."

There's a hint here we need to pay attention to.  Peter writes, "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."  
This is a "secret displeasure not openly avowed."  In short, we are to love one another without reserve or resentment.  Ouch!  But let's be honest, we all struggle with the fellow believer who is (actually or seemingly) always in need, always asking, always struggling.  It seems that no matter the length or depth of our "hospitality," they never grow; they never make the progress we think they ought to make.

But, have you ever thought about the idea that they may be in your circle of influence for your sake?  Have you ever stopped to consider that it is not really their need God desires to meet but a need of your own that you haven't seen or addressed?

Paul writes of all his suffering as being for our sake; for our blessing and benefit.  Did you ever consider that though Paul coming to town would be exciting, it also brought danger and opposition?  Did those early believers ever get tired or resentful of Paul's constant danger and need?  I don't think so.

One thing we forget when we are challenged in this way.  We are to do what we can, not what we can't.  We are to sacrifice - yes.  Commit physical or material suicide? No!  There are limits to what God provides to us for others.  Certainly we tend to think others may ask too much, but perhaps we want to keep too much.

Also, we must consider, clear minded and soberly (verse 6), if and how we are called to meet their needs.  Sometimes "No," is the right answer.  Sometimes we have to be wiser than they are as to what they need.  Sometimes we have to give or do more than we are comfortable with.  This is the "stretched out" part of the love we are to give.

God may not have provided me with enough to meet all their needs.  Through prayer and counsel, I must determine what, if anything, I can do through His provision.  Yes, we can do too much for those in need, keeping them from the repentance and growth God desires for them.

This is the point of verses 10-11.  We are to do everything we can with what He has given us that He might be glorified.

We are to serve with, "the strength (or means) that God provides."  Hello!!!!  This is never some "from the hip" kind of service.  This is a considered prayerful and honest service.  NOT some knee jerk, unthinking reaction to a need.

Especially in these cases, we desperately need our minds to inform our affections (feeling).  We may have deep and powerful feelings about their condition but it is prayerful thought and even wise counsel that will lead us to the best service.

Not to be too simple but that's why God made Deacons.  Duhhhhhh.....  It is a New Covenant order for the needs of the flock to be brought to the Deacons and through their prayer and consideration needs are met.  It should not be a matter of a brother or sister going house to house, person to person, but rather a matter of them taking their need to those called and commissioned to that work.  It really is a great system that relieves them of the embarrassment of feeling like they are begging.  It also enables us to have confidence in the needs being presented by the Deacons and how we respond to them.  Confidentiality and confidence in asking and receiving as well as giving and doing are built-in blessings of the Deaconate.


 

This and That Sin is Sin is Sin 092712

Jesus:

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins."   Joh 8:24 

Us:

He told us the we would die in our sins, for unless we believe that He is Him (the Christ) we will die in our sins.

I’ve gotten to where I really don’t care what specific sin or sins a person is engaged in.  And I am beginning to believe it really doesn’t matter.  I am beginning to believe that we have been diverted into talking about specific sins as a means to muddle the real point.

That, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Rom 3:23 is the main, if not only pertinent point. 

I am just tired of all the foofaraw about abortion, homosexuality, gay marriage…ad infinitum.  For me it’s just a diversion, a distraction.  It leads us into too rational a debate about specifics when the real problem is general and endemic to mankind.   

Rom 3:9-18  What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,  (10)  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;  (11)  no one understands; no one seeks for God.  (12)  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one."  (13)  "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips."  (14)  "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness."  (15)  "Their feet are swift to shed blood;  (16)  in their paths are ruin and misery,  (17)  and the way of peace they have not known."  (18)  "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

The key for me is whether this is true of one who is in Christ or out of Christ.

That may shock some – but:

1Jn 1:8-10  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  (9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I think we get terribly “fleshly” when it comes to sin.  We react to what we, individually or collectively, find to be the ickiest most revolting (or frightening) sins and we let the rest lie.  Homophobic is not just a term coined to vilify believers.  It is a term that describes a “fear” of homosexuality and hence homosexuals.  But, why would we ever fear that or them?

Tell me, what is the difference between a homosexual engaged in his or her lifestyle and a father/mother so consumed with the acquisition of wealth that they neglect their spouse or children?  What, pray tell, is the difference between “spinning” and lieing?  What is the difference between cheating on your taxes and stealing from the needy through hoarding your wealth?

Sin is sin is sin and we are all involved.  Believers and nonbelievers.

Yes, believers are no longer “slaves” to sin.  But are they “slaves” to Christ or just good buddies?  Unbelievers are indeed enemies of God but I have met some that have a higher level (sadly) of integrity than many believers I know. 

Remember the “log” vs. the “speck” thing?  Somehow logging has become a regular pastime for believers and specking not so much.

As many of you know I work as a consultant to support our ministry.  Most of my clients are either non-believers or ambivalent-believers.  I work every day in a morass of sinful attitudes and behaviors.  Trust me, greed, self-tenderness and deceit do a lot more damage in the un-saved world than many of the sins we love to rail and rant about. 

NOTE:  I recommend that you get and read Kuypers, Lectures on Calvinism.  Not to make you a Calvinist but to get a clear view of how things have been and are falling apart – just as God said.

In my work people always want to tell the “the problem.”  But rarely if ever is the problem THE problem.  Usually the problem they present is merely a symptom of a deeper problem – sin.

This is the case with believers and non-believers.  Sin.  Sin is the rejection of and/or rebellion against God.  That’s the cake – EVERYTHING ELSE is frosting and decoration. 

I would ask you to really pray about where your heart is on the knee-jerk sins we have singled out for special attention. There is only one unforgivable sin and I don’t really know that we can really know when someone has really committed it.  But, I believe that grace and mercy demand we not get obsessed with any particular sin in our dealing with the lost.  Sin is sin is sin.

Heb 12:1  Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely (sin which so easily entangles us), and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,…..

Sin is sin is sin! 

I am convinced that those who God calls to Himself – from whatever “sins” they may prefer – will be led to face and deal with sin through the ministry of the Word and the work of the Holy Spirit.  Aren’t you?

This and That: Contentment 092412

But contentment does not come in that way, it does not come, I say, by adding to what you want, but by subtracting from your desires. It is all one to a Christian, whether I get up to what I would have, or get my desires down to what I have, either to attain what I do desire, or to bring down my desires to what I have already attained. 

Burroughs, Jeremiah (2010-07-05). The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Kindle Locations 504-506).  . Kindle Edition.

Having entered the fray with covetousness it seemed good to add a dash of contentment to the mix.  In Burroughs’ work you will find much to guide you, challenge you and comfort you.

The above quote, I take as guidance, challenge and comfort.  Since it is my mis-guided or mis-motivated desires that so plague me in the area of covetousness it makes sense that addressing them is part of the way to contentment.

BUT – I would have you know that just knowing how to learn (and it must be learned) to be content is not enough.  We must attend the class, study the material and take the test.  Contentment comes through learning.

Paul writes:

Php 4:11-13  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  (12)  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  (13)  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Whatever part of the course in contentment I am in (as we do not all start at the same point or progress at the same rate) the absolute key to the learning is Christ.  It is only His strength that keeps me in the course.  It is only His Word that helps me learn the lessons.  It is only His wisdom that enables me to rightly apply His cure to the condition.  It is not only, “all of /Christ,” it is “only of Christ.”

Contentment is having what I want or wanting what I have in absolute submission to the will and providence of God.  A crumb from our King is as glorious a gift as a coronet.  This we must labor to understand and implant in our hearts.  But that only comes through Him, our strength.

In this early stage of moving out of covetousness and into contentment the most difficult thing is to accept the depth of the corruption of the heart.  The ways, means and measure of the covetousness that lives in the flesh is terrifyingly large.  You cut one root only to find another and another and yet another still.  You cease to covet X and you find half the victory is wrapped up in coveting Y and Z is lurking just out of sight.

I was once told that there were really only 9 individual commandments because the 10^th, “thou shalt not covet,” simply meant that we would not even want to do the preceding 9. 

We are caught up in the world’s expectation of more, bigger and better and the shame of it is that we serve the One to whom it all belongs.  If one gets what they covet from a thief (Satan) it is not the same as getting it from the true owner.  Satan will give you what you want especially if it draws you away from God.  God will not give you what you cannot benefit from.  To whom would you go for a cure?  Patient “0” or the best doctor you could find – or the One who controls every disease and comfort?

If you would be content you must get to heaven for only there will we find absolute contentment?  Here, in this veil of tears, we must constantly and consistently, in the strength of our Savior, strive after it; one time laying hold of it another missing.

Heb 13:5-6  Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  (6)  So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"

Here is the bottom line of contentment.  He has promised to never leave of FORSAKE us.

Forsake:  By implication, to leave in the lurch, desert, abandon.

1Ch 28:20  Then David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

In the end, it all goes back to the heart:

If the heart of a man is fashioned to his circumstances, he may have as much contentment as if his circumstances were fashioned to his heart.

Burroughs, Jeremiah (2010-07-05). The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Kindle Locations 510-511).  . Kindle Edition.

God can, and will, change my heart and/or my circumstances.  I can really do neither – at least not if I am submitted to Him.  That I am never without my Redeemer and that he will never “leave me in a lurch,” is the truth upon which I must place my feet and the truth I must work into my heart.

Learning contentment does not come easy. The flesh, finding covetousness a most useful tool, fights tooth and talon to keep it alive and active.  It will not go peacefully and so, in dealing with it, we will have to accept the tribulation, the fight, and the blows.  The object is not to tame it or to convert it but to kill it.  It is a fight to the death – its death - for all being said, it cannot kill us.  It can cripple and maim but it can never kill.

Isa 35:4  Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you."

The world is infinitely deceived in thinking that contentment lies in having more than we already have. Here lies the bottom and root of all contentment, when there is an evenness and proportion between our hearts and our circumstances.

Burroughs, Jeremiah (2010-07-05). The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (Kindle Locations 514-515).  . Kindle Edition.

This and That Heart Keeping 092112

Duties Included in Keeping the Heart

Flavel, John (2010-08-03). Keeping the Heart. Kindle Edition.

1.    Frequent observation of the frame of the heart.  The heart can never be kept until its case be examined and understood.

Proust wrote, “No man is a mystery, except to himself.”

How many times have you thought, “I can’t believe I did/said that!”  Well, there ya go.  We need to examine our hearts regularly.  But we need help to do it well.  We talk of being able to do all things through Christ who is our strength.  Well, here’s one of the “all things” we avoid. 

Means:  Make a list.

·         What makes you laugh?  What makes you cry?  What hurts you and provokes anger?  What brings you satisfaction?  What brings you security?  What do you ache for?  What do you fear?

·         Which of those things are in line with your profession – or not?

·         Why?

2.    It includes deep humiliation for heart evils and disorders.

OK, “humiliation” is a tough word – but it is also a good intervention word.  Flavel is talking about what you may have just discovered in the above exercise.  These “evils” and “disorders” have to be robbed of their power in your heart and the best way for that to happen is to lay them out before God.

Consider the sacrifice Christ made for those things.  Consider how He did so to enable you to humiliate them – to see and acknowledge their shameful presence in your heart.  BUT – do so ONLY if you are firmly aware of the fact of God’s grace in your life.

This isn’t about beating yourself up.  It is about beating the bugs out of the rug – the evil and disorder out of your heart.  Denial is so easy and so seeing becomes hard.  Denial is so easy and so dealing with evils and disorders is so messy.  The longer the evil and disorder remains denied the longer it works against your growth, stability and comfort.

I knew a man who after a year of literally living on OTC indigestion medicine finally went to the doctor.  To his horror, he had stomach cancer and it was too late to really do anything curative about it.  So it is with the evils and disorders that live in our hearts – though we are alive “in” Christ these things make our hearts dead to Him.  They are like the veil in the Temple were it to be repaired.  We cannot fully know the comfort and security of being His because of these things.

Means:  From the list take the evils and disorders you find to the throne of grace. 

·         Confess them and confess their hurtfulness to your spiritual health. 

·         Ask God to help you to begin to remove (humiliate) them. 

·         Ask Him where to start. 

·         Perhaps even keep a list in your wallet or purse so that when you pray you can always have a reminder of your deep heart need

3.    It includes earnest supplication and instant prayer for purifying and rectifying grace when sin has defiled and disordered the heart.  “Whatever thou deny me: give me a heart to fear thee, to love and delight in thee.”

This is praying “for.”  Above we took the load to Him.  Here we ask for what we need, “purifying and rectifying grace.”

Means:  Good ole regular and strong, “on your knees” prayer.

·         Make use of David’s prayers such as we find in Psalm 23 and following.

·         Make use of the recorded prayers of others as can be found in the book, Puritan Prayers.

Thou hast struck a heavy blow at my pride, at the false god of self, and I lie in pieces before Thee. But Thou hast given me another master and lord, Thy Son, Jesus, and now my heart is turned towards holiness, my life speeds as an arrow from a bow towards complete obedience to Thee. Help me in all my doings to put down sin day. Grant me grace to bear Thy will without repining, and delight to be not only chiselled, squared, or fashioned, but separated from the old rock where I have been embedded so long, and lifted from the quarry to the upper air, where I may be built in Christ for ever.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 105-110).  . Kindle Edition.

·         Write out your prayers.

4.    It includes the imposing of strong engagements upon ourselves to walk more carefully with God, and avoid the occasions whereby the heart may be induced to sin.

This is head work.  How do you avoid those things which encourage, sustain or implant evils and disorders in your mind?  It is not only a matter of what you decide to forego or abstain from, but a matter of what you will take up, engage in and practice.

What will you choose to replace that which you find to your detriment?  How will you fill the minutes, the hours?  What will serve you to your benefit and growth in godliness?

These are not “laws,” but choices.  These do not determine “if” you are His but rather “how” you are His and how you give His Spirit the means and opportunity to heal, restore and strengthen you.  It can be as simple as not watching a TV show to as complex of breaking off an relationship.

Where upon your path do you stumble?  What is it that you stumble over?  Who is it that is a stumbling block to you?  These are the things concerning which you need to make strong resolutions – choices.

Though God can use these things, He cannot bless them.  Their use is limited to His conviction of your heart.  The blessing comes from taking the medicine He prescribes.  Though the medicine taste bitter, even nasty, we know it is all and only for our good and His glory.

Means:  Make a list, pray about where to begin and then begin.  Do so being as gentle and gracious with yourself as is He.

·         Who

·         What

·         When

·         Where

Choices have two ends: the choice to “not,” and the choice to “do.”  As we choose to not we must choose to do.  In that list, make a column of what will replace that which you have marked for elimination.  Prayer, study, fellowship with other believers, worship – all these are good and godly replacements.

Our modern age supplies us with countless opportunities for choosing good things (as it does for evil).  I know that when all else fails I listen to sermons by Alistair Begg or read books written by one of the Puritans.  These choices may not be for you, they are but two options.

5.    It includes a constant and holy jealousy over our own hearts.  He that will keep his heart must eat and drink with fear, rejoice with fear, and pass the whole time of his sojourning here in fear. All this is little enough to keep the heart from sin.

This is a choice as well.  You must choose to save your heart for God and godly things and resent that which works against it. 

You who are fathers – would you have less concern for your heart as you would for the safety and purity of your children – your daughter?  You mothers, would you feed your newborn from a dirty bottle?  Young people, would you allow harm and evil to come to your dearest friends?  So, as you would wish yourself to be in regards to these who are so dear to you – be so to your own heart.

Pray to live knowing that it is not only your heart, but it is His as well.  Think of the price He has paid so you might walk after Him in security and confidence.  Would you cheat on one who was so dedicated to you, who had given so much for you?  Consider those times when someone you considered close shunned or betrayed you – what was that pain like?

Or think of something in which or of which you place great meaning.  Would you allow someone to damage or destroy it?  Are you cautious about who uses it – perhaps even who sees it?  What greater meaning can any “thing” have than the redemption of your heart and His promise of His provision?

It is not sin to be selfish with your heart which He has redeemed.  It is sin to allow it to be used and abused, tarnished or torn by sin and the agents of sin.  We may give our hearts to others through Him but for no other reason than His service.

Means:  Who or what would draw your heart from you – from Him?  They have no such right, no such authority.

·         Keep your heart from their influence and certainly from their grasp.

6.    It includes the realizing of God’s presence with us, and setting the Lord always before us.

This well could have been the first on the list for it is certainly the most important.  The old quip that “character is what a man is when no one is watching,” is not off the mark.

God is always watching – and He knows our suffering and difficulties.  He knows our grief.  He knows our needs.  He knows our weakness.

He wants His highest good for our lives here as well as in heaven. 

It is hard to really understand, but true that God is our truest friend.  He will never forsake or abandon us.  He is always at work for our betterment in His grace and glory.

He is the one who can not only search our hearts, but heal them and strengthen them as well.

Urged by my need, invited by Thy promises, called by Thy Spirit, I enter Thy presence, worshipping Thee with godly fear, awed by Thy majesty, greatness, glory, but encouraged by Thy love.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 121-122).  . Kindle Edition.

Bless me by revealing to me more of His saving merits, by causing Thy goodness to pass before me, by speaking peace to my contrite heart; strengthen me to give Thee no rest untiI Christ shall reign supreme within me in every thought, word, and deed, in a faith that purifies the heart, overcomes the world, works by love, fastens me to Thee, and ever clings to the cross.  Anonymous (2010-07-01). Puritan Prayers (Kindle Locations 125-128).  . Kindle Edition.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 3:9-12

1Pe 3:9-12  Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.  (10)  For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;  (11)  let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.  (12)  For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Do not - For to this you were called – For – For – But

Vs. 9 & 10

We are called to turn away from evil AND do good – by seeking peace – even pursuing it.

“Called,” – great word.  Indicates being called by name.  We were “named” to turn away from evil.  That evil referred to here is repaying evil with evil.  Curse for curse.  Reviling for reviling.

I wonder when we lost that?  There is just too much returning evil for evil going on from within the Body of Christ.  Yeah, there are the wing-nuts who claim Christ and use that for an excuse to hate – but are they really believers?  I doubt it.

But – in our private conversations how much anger – indeed evil - do we speak of those who oppose, revile and/or do evil to believers and the cause of Christ?

Early on, the very name “Christian” was a reproach, a type of reviling and yet we don’t see any return of that reviling coming from the believers. 

Now please don’t go thinking that if you are not cursing those who hate you, then you are doing ok.  Ambivalence towards our enemies is just as big an evil.  Dismissing, ignoring, much less making snide and hurtful comments (especially among ourselves), is just as bad.  It may be an indirect return of evil but it is evil.

We are to bless!  We are told that if we “love” (agapao) life (zoe/ a kind of life – our life in Christ) then we will labor to keep our, “tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;  let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

Ahhh the tongue.  See James 3. No, really, look it up and read it – three times at least.

Jas 3:9-10  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  (10)  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

Any questions?  What part of, “ought not to be,” is hard to grasp?

Mat 15:18  But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

Does that help you, “get it”?

This is not a matter of “doing,” as much as it is a matter of the heart. 

So, how’s your heart?  Check your mouth and you’ll get the scoop!  Actually, consider what you think and don’t say – that’s a good indicator.

So how do we get our hearts right?

Let me get at this left-handedly.

1Co 7:36-38  If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin.  (37)  But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.  (38)  So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

Three things about a healthy heart:

• It is firmly established – set upon and under the sovereignty of God.
• It is under control – both by the believer and the Spirit.
• It is determined – both by the believer and the Spirit and the Word.

We have new hearts.  We have old flesh.  They don’t get along.  But the flesh has only the power and influence we give it.  The Spirit is more powerful.  The flesh can provoke but the Spirit controls – or does He?  That you must ask God, yourself and your faith family.

If the worst thing you say about unbelievers – especially those who revile you – is that they need to be redeemed – then you have said all you can appropriately say.  When you allow the flesh to launch you into either thoughts of speech that demeans, insults or devalues an unbeliever – especially one who opposed you – you have gone too far. 

Look, unbelievers are exactly the way they are supposed to be, sinful.  I don’t really concern myself with WHAT there sinfulness looks like and I certainly can’t allow my personal prejudices allow me to vilify anyone – they are simply sinners – just like me without Christ.  The only critical difference is that I have the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word to work God’s ways into my life through Christ.  I am free of the bondage to sin, they aren’t.  They don’t and aren’t – so I do not ever expect Christian behavior or opinions, etc. from those who are not His.  Regardless of how we “feel” about their sin – their “lostness” is their biggest – BIGGEST problem and should be our main, if not only, concern.

How do we ‘bless” them?  By prayer, by kindness, by helping, by sharing the Gospel; and to do that we have to ask God to work in our hearts so that we are heart-broken for them, about them and with them.  

This and That 091012b Oh, be careful but proud

When men have had enlargements in their expressions, and especially when they apprehend that others are satisfied or affected therewith, they are apt to have a secret self-pleasing in what they have done; which, before they are aware, turns into pride and a noxious elation of mind. 

Owen, John (2011-09-27). Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded [Illustrated] (Kindle Locations 747-749).  . Kindle Edition.

From praise to pride is a very short journey.

From kudos to conceit is a just a step.

From glorifying Him to glorifying ourselves doesn’t take much of a nudge.

Doing works of ministry should certainly make us feel good.  But it is the good of the instrument not the good of the player.  I have heard the most beautiful music come from a simple Penny Whistle as well as a costly clarinet.  It was not the instrument but the musician.

Paul writes:  “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.” Rom 15:17

See, there is a humble and godly pride.  It is a pride of the instrument – the one through whom God makes His music.  It is, “in Christ!”

But it is also a danger.  The danger is when we allow ourselves to be carried away from the source – the means – the power of our performance. 

We all have skills and talents and they may or may not be our “spiritual gifts.”  But they are all gifts.  I work hard to differentiate between my skills and my “gifts.”  Though I thank God for them both they are not all given for the same use.  Yes, they are given for the purpose of glorifying God but they are not all useful in the works of ministry He has called us to.

Because of my upbringing and experience I have a lot of things I can do and do well.  The danger comes when I decide which are for His glory and which are just there.

I know this sounds strange but what talents etc., I use in my work and how I use them is not the same as when I am about His work.  Yes I know He is in it all but I discern a difference as I use them.  It is hard to explain but just because I can “X” does not mean He wants “X” to be of any importance in my work for Him. 

Pride comes in when I assume that I should use a talent or skill just because I can and in doing that I keep someone else from being able to use their gifts in His service.  Even when I think I might do it better, or especially when I think I might do it better, pride is there and I must sit still.

OK this is OOC (out of context) but the principle has helped me:

1Co 10:23-24  "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.  (24)  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Let me give you an extreme example.  I was given my first gun and taught to shoot when I was still in diapers.  I am a certified Revolver Master Marksman.  Now, pray tell, how do I use that for His glory?  I know I can think of lots of ways that skill might be used but there is no direct connection for me.

On the other hand, I was forced to take part in musicals and plays when I was very young.  Now understand I am a terminal introvert – so, at times I was whipped because I didn’t want to participate.  But, I learned to “do” extroverted things.  So, I use those skills in my work and my ministry.  Yeah, it’s hard to correlate being forced to do something with it being a “gift,” but it was – and is.

I have been told that I can be intimidating.  Now, when I was in law enforcement, that was a good thing – but “in Him,” not so much.

There are, what I call, seed gifts (no that’s not biblical) that have produced skills, talents and abilities that have are “gifts.”  The “acorn” isn’t the gift but the “oak” is.

I want you to know something I “think.”  I think that if you look back at both the blessings and trials that He has provided you will see the “acorns.”  Then, look for the “oaks.”  I have worked with a lot of brothers and sister who, at some point in their lives, experienced horrible things.  I have noticed that they are so focused on the trauma that they miss the “oak” in the yard. 

That of which many are ashamed can be used by Him to His glory in His work.

2Co 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  (4)  who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

That’s just one way he uses our “acorns” to grow “oaks.”  But remember, we are not to take pride in our having been comforted rather we are to take pride in the comforter.

2Ti 2:20-21  Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  (21)  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

With Paul, let us:  :  “In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.” Rom 15:17

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 2:16

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.   (1Pe 2:16)

Free!

Free?

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.   (Rom 6:22)

This is the whole of our freedom.

Whether Peter is referring to a freedom from the Law is not certain, but we know that Paul references it:

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.   (Gal 5:13)

We are free from the bondage of sin and free from any pretense that we can in and of ourselves resolve the conflict we had with God when we were still unredeemed. 

We are free but it is not a wide-open freedom rather it is a freedom in Christ, by Christ and for Christ.  What we undertake, that we cannot undertake in His name, is never an act of freedom.

Jesus said:

Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.  (Joh 8:34-36)

Sin and freedom are mutually exclusive.  We are free from the imposed rule of sin but when we sin, we are submitting to that which has no rights over us.  When we sin, we are re-shackling ourselves – binding ourselves to that from which we have been loosed.

We receive our freedom for we have been redeemed, forgiven, saved.  But though the grace of God has no limits for us, to abuse and misuse it, to rebel against His rightful authority over us, is to bring into question the surety of our redemption. 

Consider:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,   (Heb 12:1)

Forgiven we may be – free of sin’s bondage we may be – but free of Christ, never. 

It is sometimes the way of believers to see themselves so utterly apart from the “world” that they may do or say what they will for they are “saved.”  Yet this is a freedom, a salvation that is defined by the One who provided it, the One into whose hands God has delivered all things.

Many use their freedom to vilify unbelievers.  Many use their freedom as a red cape to a bull.  Many use their freedom as an excuse to disassociate from those to whom they are called to witness.  Many use their freedom to – just go along as they have – only avoiding the grosser types of sins.

But this verse has a catch.  We are free – free servants of God.

But – that word “servants” is troublesome.  The “authorities” I regularly consult in my studies hold that it is more accurately translated slave.

One reason for this is quite simply:

for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.   (1Co 6:20)

and 

For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.   (1Co 7:22-23)

We were bought out of our bondage to sin to be the slaves of Christ.  In this we have great freedom – freedom from sin and freedom to serve God as His.

Though it may irritate some, our freedom in Christ is far beyond any freedom a document written by man can give – anyone.  The tough side of our freedom is that we are free to be oppressed, harassed and even killed because of it. 

In chains, on the rack, in dungeons, on desert islands, and even in the flames we are free.  We have to keep in mind that this freedom is not of man and indeed is often opposed by man.   With this freedom we need to accept:

Luk 21:17  You will be hated by all for my name's sake.

Peter’s Pen 1st Peter 2:11

1Pe 2:11  Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

In this verse, Peter begins to guide us in the living out of the proclamation of His excellencies.  It all starts with Him but we are next.

But be warned !!!!!  You can only do this as you - - well as you draw close to and depend upon Him.  I have to struggle to keep in mind that my need for Him is the complete opposite of His need for me.  Perhaps memorizing the following verse will benefit us all:

Joh 15:3-5  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.  (4)  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.  (5)  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

God isn’t silly.  He does not expect us to go out and show Him what we can do.  He knows us much better than we do.  He knows what we don’t know – about us.  He has commissioned us to be His in this world, to proclaim His excellencies in a world that hates Him and His.

He does not send us on our own.  We may charge out without taking Him with us – but even as we crash and burn He is with us.  God does not need us to prove He made the right choice!

But, like a loving Father and a masterful tutor, He provides us with guidance in His Word and through His Spirit so we may be prepared for Him to work in and through us.  Here in verse 11 we have the start of our tutelage – our discipleship.

First, we must accept that here we are: sojourners and exiles.  We are aliens in a foreign land, separated (somewhat) from our King and country.  As such, we need to:

Abstain:  To hold back oneself from.

Friends, it is just NOT our party!  We’re here, but we are only passing through.  While we’re here we just can’t party with everyone else.  Even though everyone seems to be having a great time, we know better.  Read Daniel – wow – what an example of this truth!!!!!!!!

But, Peter gets specific when he refers to our lusts – fleshly (as opposed to spiritual) lusts.  Lust is a strong desire, a longing.  Lust can be directed by and towards something good (righteousness) or something bad (the flesh) – I can “lust” over God’s pleasure or my own selfish pleasure.  It isn’t the “lust” that’s the problem, it’s the what or who – the object of the lust!!!

We are to hold ourselves off from OUR fleshly lusts.  Come on guys, we all want to be liked, we all want to be popular, we all want to be considered a success – nothing wrong there until we step our of His sheep-pen and wander our own way.

God knows we have lusts (desires) but He wants us to trust Him for meeting those desires.  So, we need to look for His provision.  We are clearly told:

Psa 37:3-5  Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.  (4)  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  (5)  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

Like Daniel and the gleesome threesome, we are exiles in a foreign land under a corrupt, unbelieving “system.”  But we must abstain, hold off from all the answers to our desires that this corrupt system offers us. 

We cannot forget that the prince of this age is the Serpent – and he’s no slouch.  Like the Inland Taipan snake which: “has the most toxic venom of any land snake in the world. The maximum yield recorded for one bite is 110mg, enough to kill about 100 humans,”  Satan’s bite is deadly.  Even the smallest amount is death.  It is nothing to play with!

But let us not forget that it is the passions/desires/lust of OUR flesh that we must hold back from.  Again, OUR flesh! (SEE Romans 7&8 PLEASE!!)

We need to examine what we seek and who we seek meet our needs and provide our pleasures .  We live in a world with a frightening number of offerings to meet our needs and pleasures.  So let me ask, What makes you feel secure? What makes you happy?  What makes you afraid?  What makes you laugh?

For me it had a great deal to do with what makes me laugh.  I discovered that what was making me laugh was not spiritually beneficial – and it soon became unfunny.  I also discovered what I feared and that taught me a lot about why I sought out certain things and struggled so in prayer and other duties to my Master.

I’ve found that the following verse helps me discern what to hold back from.  I pray this often.

Php 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.