The word trust is the heart word of faith. It is the Old Testament word, the word given to the early and infant stage of faith. The word faith expresses more the act of the will, the word belief the act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The other has reference more to a truth believed or a thing expected.
Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us "trust also in him," through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, notwithstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still "trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of eternal noonday shall shine at last.
copied from:
December 15 "Streams In The Desert 1" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Unknown
Sunday, September 9, 2012
"Where were you wounded?" asked the surgeon of a soldier on Lookout Mountain. "Almost at the top," he answered. He forgot even his gaping wound -- he only remembered that he had won the heights. So let us go forth to higher endeavors for Christ and never rest till we can shout from the very top, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
"God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars."
Of an old hero the minstrel song--
copied from:
December 12 "Streams In The Desert 1" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Unknown
Finish thy work, then rest
Till then rest never;
The rest for thee by God
is rest forever.
Till then rest never;
The rest for thee by God
is rest forever.
"God will not look you over for medals, degrees or diplomas, but for scars."
Of an old hero the minstrel song--
With his Yemen sword for aid;
Ornament it carried none,
But the notches on the blade.
Ornament it carried none,
But the notches on the blade.
What nobler decoration of honor can any godly man seek after than his scars of service, his losses for the crown, his reproaches for Christ's sake, his being worn out in his Master's service!
copied from:
December 12 "Streams In The Desert 1" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Unknown
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5: 25 - 27 (NKJV)
Life would be meaningless if the only thing a Christian experienced was justification. I use the word experienced in the framework of understanding and accepting God's free gift of pardon. Although Christ's act of justification is performed separate and apart from man's works, yet it cannot be performed separate and apart from a man's feelings an attitudes. By faith to hear Jesus say, "Your sins be forgiven," brings to the soul a wonderful sense of peace and calm. So the doctrine of justification can never be understood and accepted without its touching the deepest levels of the soul!
This is why justification becomes the springboard for sanctification. Out text today begins with justification and ends with sanctification. "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." That's justification. But the purpose of Christ's giving Himself a sacrifice for His people is that He might sanctify them, and the ultimate result is to present a people to His Father without spot or wrinkle!
Justification clears our past record, and sanctification keeps the record clear. Justification accomplishes a work for us; sanctification accomplishes a work in us. Justification is our title to heaven; sanctification is our fitness for heaven.
Many Christians possess only what we might call half-salvation. Forgiveness for past sins is stressed, while victorious living right now, today, is passed over too lightly. Man presumes on the love of God when he persists in known sin. True sanctification builds barriers against sin. We may fail many times and need forgiveness many times, but there must be an advance in victorious living. To achieve a daily experience of sanctification, the most intimate association with Jesus Christ is necessary. We come back to the age-old point of prayer, meditation, study, and witnessing. Use these tools today in order to gain power over evil.
taken from: First Things First
June 30
by: Bob Spangler
Ephesians 5: 25 - 27 (NKJV)
Life would be meaningless if the only thing a Christian experienced was justification. I use the word experienced in the framework of understanding and accepting God's free gift of pardon. Although Christ's act of justification is performed separate and apart from man's works, yet it cannot be performed separate and apart from a man's feelings an attitudes. By faith to hear Jesus say, "Your sins be forgiven," brings to the soul a wonderful sense of peace and calm. So the doctrine of justification can never be understood and accepted without its touching the deepest levels of the soul!
This is why justification becomes the springboard for sanctification. Out text today begins with justification and ends with sanctification. "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." That's justification. But the purpose of Christ's giving Himself a sacrifice for His people is that He might sanctify them, and the ultimate result is to present a people to His Father without spot or wrinkle!
Justification clears our past record, and sanctification keeps the record clear. Justification accomplishes a work for us; sanctification accomplishes a work in us. Justification is our title to heaven; sanctification is our fitness for heaven.
Many Christians possess only what we might call half-salvation. Forgiveness for past sins is stressed, while victorious living right now, today, is passed over too lightly. Man presumes on the love of God when he persists in known sin. True sanctification builds barriers against sin. We may fail many times and need forgiveness many times, but there must be an advance in victorious living. To achieve a daily experience of sanctification, the most intimate association with Jesus Christ is necessary. We come back to the age-old point of prayer, meditation, study, and witnessing. Use these tools today in order to gain power over evil.
taken from: First Things First
June 30
by: Bob Spangler
Saturday, September 1, 2012
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance,
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13 (NKJV)
The effect of the mind upon the body is made obvious by what is consistently seen in facial expressions. Mrs. Brown may be smiling from face to feet when the pastor calls at her home, but if her smile is a dress worn only on special occasions, sooner or later folks will find out about her tattered, everyday frocks. The Christian who abides in Christ, and who has endured the pain and agony caused by the most traumatic experience can still have a tranquil expression without takings pills. Pain and sorrow never make a Christian ugly.
My tiny, aged Grandmother Spangler, with whom I lived after the death of mother when I was 12 years old, was one of life's battle-scarred veterans. For more than four-score years she lived what some would have considered a dull, boring life. She was continually involved in sacrifice, sympathy, and concern for others. If she wrote an autobiography, the exclamation marks used would not be for some thrilling episode or exciting adventure. Rather, they would emphasize only the tragedies and afflictions she endured. Yet her face was overlaid by an expression of deep serenity and abiding peace.
How true it is that "the faces of those who are benevolent and sympathetic will shine with the luster of true goodness, while those who do not cherish kindly thoughts and unselfish motives express in their faces the sentiments cherished in their hearts." -- Testimonies, vol 4 p 64
The second part of our text expresses an unalterable truth. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual law that a sorrowful, gloomy mind will crush the spirit. From a physical standpoint, "nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess, and sadness." -- Testimonies vol 1 p 702
What is the solution to depression? How can one have a happy outlook on life? There are many factors involved, but one of the most important is a constant trust in God. This requires mental discipline and a strict guard on the senses. Let the prayer of Mary, the mother of Jesus, ever be ours. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour" Luke 1:46,47, Jerusalem).
taken from: First Things First
June 27
by: Bob Spangler
But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Proverbs 15:13 (NKJV)
The effect of the mind upon the body is made obvious by what is consistently seen in facial expressions. Mrs. Brown may be smiling from face to feet when the pastor calls at her home, but if her smile is a dress worn only on special occasions, sooner or later folks will find out about her tattered, everyday frocks. The Christian who abides in Christ, and who has endured the pain and agony caused by the most traumatic experience can still have a tranquil expression without takings pills. Pain and sorrow never make a Christian ugly.
My tiny, aged Grandmother Spangler, with whom I lived after the death of mother when I was 12 years old, was one of life's battle-scarred veterans. For more than four-score years she lived what some would have considered a dull, boring life. She was continually involved in sacrifice, sympathy, and concern for others. If she wrote an autobiography, the exclamation marks used would not be for some thrilling episode or exciting adventure. Rather, they would emphasize only the tragedies and afflictions she endured. Yet her face was overlaid by an expression of deep serenity and abiding peace.
How true it is that "the faces of those who are benevolent and sympathetic will shine with the luster of true goodness, while those who do not cherish kindly thoughts and unselfish motives express in their faces the sentiments cherished in their hearts." -- Testimonies, vol 4 p 64
The second part of our text expresses an unalterable truth. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual law that a sorrowful, gloomy mind will crush the spirit. From a physical standpoint, "nothing is so fruitful a cause of disease as depression, gloominess, and sadness." -- Testimonies vol 1 p 702
What is the solution to depression? How can one have a happy outlook on life? There are many factors involved, but one of the most important is a constant trust in God. This requires mental discipline and a strict guard on the senses. Let the prayer of Mary, the mother of Jesus, ever be ours. "My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit exults in God my saviour" Luke 1:46,47, Jerusalem).
taken from: First Things First
June 27
by: Bob Spangler
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
An eminent Christian worker tells of his mother who was a very anxious and troubled Christian. He would talk with her by the hour trying to convince her of the sinfulness of fretting, but to no avail. She was like the old lady who once said she had suffered so much, especially from the troubles that never came.
But one morning the mother came down to breakfast wreathed in smiles. He asked her what had happened, and she told him that in the night she had a dream.
She was walking along a highway with a great crowd of people who seemed so tired and burdened. They were nearly all carrying little black bundles,and she noticed that there were numerous repulsive looking beings which she thought were demons dropping these black bundles for the people to pick up and carry.
Like the rest, she too had her needless load, and was weighed down with the Devil's bundles. Looking up, after a while, she saw a Man with a bright and loving face, passing hither and thither through the crowd, and comforting the people.
At last He came near her, and she saw that it was her Savior. She looked up and told Him how tired she was, and He smiled sadly and said:
"My dear child, I did not give you these loads; you have no need of them. They are the Devil's burdens and they are wearing out your life. Just drop them; refuse to touch them with one of your fingers and you will find the path easy and you will be as if borne on eagle's wings."
He touched her hand, and lo, peace and joy thrilled her frame and, flinging down her burden, she was about to throw herself at His feet in joyful thanksgiving, when suddenly she awoke and found that all her cares were gone. From that day to the close of her life she was the most cheerful and happy member of the household.
copied from:
December 1 "Streams In The Desert 1" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Unknown
But one morning the mother came down to breakfast wreathed in smiles. He asked her what had happened, and she told him that in the night she had a dream.
She was walking along a highway with a great crowd of people who seemed so tired and burdened. They were nearly all carrying little black bundles,and she noticed that there were numerous repulsive looking beings which she thought were demons dropping these black bundles for the people to pick up and carry.
Like the rest, she too had her needless load, and was weighed down with the Devil's bundles. Looking up, after a while, she saw a Man with a bright and loving face, passing hither and thither through the crowd, and comforting the people.
At last He came near her, and she saw that it was her Savior. She looked up and told Him how tired she was, and He smiled sadly and said:
"My dear child, I did not give you these loads; you have no need of them. They are the Devil's burdens and they are wearing out your life. Just drop them; refuse to touch them with one of your fingers and you will find the path easy and you will be as if borne on eagle's wings."
He touched her hand, and lo, peace and joy thrilled her frame and, flinging down her burden, she was about to throw herself at His feet in joyful thanksgiving, when suddenly she awoke and found that all her cares were gone. From that day to the close of her life she was the most cheerful and happy member of the household.
copied from:
December 1 "Streams In The Desert 1" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
Unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)