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Our Gospel

Mike Ratliff — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:17:01 +0000

by Mike Ratliff

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. (2 Timothy 1:8-12 ESV)

The churchianity that most of us grew up with is confused with genuine Christianity by many people. It is actually a set of beliefs or values laid out in our minds’ decision grid. It becomes a value system in the heart that reckons salvation to be based on religious acts such as saying a certain prayer in a certain order while holding to a certain frame of mind. When doubt comes, and it always does, we are told to look back on “that day” when we said that prayer. Some even go so far as to say that they doubt if a person is really a Christian if they cannot remember the exact moment when they prayed that prayer.

I remember in my days as a new believer reading passages such as Matthew 16:24-26 (see below) and having a huge problem reconciling the churchianity view that my salvation was based on my decision with what our Lord said here.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26 ESV)

Then I would read Acts and the rest of the New Testament and become even more confused. The Christianity that was presented there bore little resemblance to what we were teaching and living. My brethren, this did not really go away for me. Even though I did grow spiritually over time, my walk, my spirituality, my maturity was just a shadow of the Christianity of the Bible. It was a poor imitation. That is not to say that I did not have a few high points, but those were preceded and followed by mostly a fleshly struggle.

That all changed in 2004. I have shared this a few times before so I will be brief. Over the first eight months of 2004 I was drawn closer and closer to my Lord. By the middle of August 2004 I was in some form of prayer, worship, Bible study, or meditation all day every day. After one Friday night of some very deep prayer and worship I woke up early that Saturday morning rejoicing. As my feet hit the floor and I walked to the bathroom to shower, I remember suddenly becoming aware, as I worshipped my Lord, that my entire value system had been changed. I knew at that moment that my salvation was based on nothing I had done. It was all God’s work and that He was drawing me closer to Him for His purpose. I remember telling Him that whatever He desired for me to do I would do it. If I was to lay my life down then so be it. The Gospel was no longer a set of facts. It was alive to this heart because it was living in me.

Since that day I have been aware of Christ’s character becoming more and more manifest in me. I rebel at times then find myself being self-focused or selfish or impatient. However, repentance comes swiftly now. I no longer look at my circumstances with bitterness because I’m not getting my way. No, now I am getting much better at surrendering to my Lord within my circumstances. Since I have become a writer and blogger I have found that the truth is not always a welcome commodity with most professing Christians. Also, there are some non-believers out there who hate genuine Christianity. The buffeting from these things is not pleasant. Let us look at a Biblical example of how we are supposed to live this Christian life in the midst of the fire.

Paul was much buffeted and persecuted. However, he was sustained in the fire by faith and by a sense of personal security in Jesus Christ.

Paul tells us that the Gospel God had deposited with him was able to keep until the judgment because it is safe in the care of our Lord Jesus Christ. This gave Paul great comfort because his soul was committed to Jesus. Remember, in churchianity people are taught and are convinced that it is their own decision that has saved them and that is what holds them. That was not Paul’s understanding at all. What had Paul done? Because of our Lord drawing Paul to Himself the apostle had placed his trust, his soul, in the hands of the Lord. He understood that he could not save himself. He knew that he could not be trusted to keep his soul from destruction. No, He knew that it was safe only in the Lord’s hands. Our Lord held his soul for healing as his physician. His soul called out to the Lord in needs, which were supplied by Him as his soul’s shepherd. He soul’s course was being directed by Jesus as a pilot guided a ship. His soul’s cause was there to be pleaded by Jesus, his and our advocate. His soul’s care was there to be guarded by our Lord as his protector. Paul had committed his soul to Jesus by an act of faith, which act he persevered in continually.

Paul knew whom he had believed. Paul spoke not of believing “in” our Lord, but of believing Him. There is a huge difference between the two. Paul had a personal faith in a personal Saviour. He knew whom He trusted. This is no different for us my brethren. Genuine Christians know and believe the Lord. They know that it is not their religiosity that holds them. No, it is their faith in our Lord Jesus Christ in which they persevere. Paul first met our Lord on the road to Damascus. Paul was changed forever. He dug into Sacred Scripture, meditating thereon as guided by the Holy Spirit. Through this he learned the truth of our Saviour spoken of in what we call the Old Testament. He came to know Him even deeper through communion with Him. He prayed my brethren. This is open to us all. His trust in our Saviour became rooted even deeper through experiencing the trials in which his faith was proven. Through this our Lord’s love and faithfulness became even more evident to him. Paul’s Rabbinical education made him familiar with Scripture, but his practical education through tests and trials was the medium through which he was made to know his Lord by entering into the fellowship of His sufferings and death.

Do you see it now my brethren? This is what those mired in churchianity are missing. Those who truly know Jesus Christ as Lord gladly commit their all to Him. They do not do so to some religious acts, but to their personal Saviour. Paul knew our Lord and was sure that He was able to keep or guard what had been entrusted to him until the day of judgment, the Eschaton. His assurance was reasonable and deliberate. He was sure of the ability of Jesus to keep all souls committed to Him who belong to Him. Afterall, Jesus is God and, therefore, omnipotent to save. Our Lord confessed in His dying breath on the cross, “It is finished!” Yes, His work is done, the demands of the Law have been met in Him. Our Lord’s wisdom is perfect and is never surprised by anything. As our Advocate He is always working to preserve His own. Paul was convinced that our Lord Jesus had the ability to keep his own soul even under the heavy trials which constantly pressed upon him.

Paul was convinced and we must be as well. Those reading this who are still holding on to the concept that you are held in Christ by your own decision please make that a matter of deep and long prayer. Ask God to show you the truth. Ask Him to reveal to your heart the depth of His hold on your soul and the ways and means in which He holds you. When these truths become apparent to our hearts it changes everything. Since we are not depending on our own ability to hold ourselves in Christ, we can become thoroughly happy and content. In this we become confident because we are being held by our omnipotent Saviour. Even when we are sorely tempted to be ashamed of our faith, we can confidently proclaim the veracity of it. We become very thankful. I know that I find myself constantly thanking my Lord throughout the day as I am reminded that my tests and trials are only preparing me for the glory of the Eschaton.

Justyn Martyr was asked ironically by the Roman prefect if he believed that after his decapitation he would ascend to heaven. He replied: "I am so sure of the grace which Jesus Christ hath obtained for me that not a shadow of doubt can enter my mind."

My brethren, let us turn our hearts to our Lord and away from our own dismal pursuits. If we are seeking fulfillment from any other source but our Lord then we are wasting our time. When we are mired in self-focus we will not have the confidence of Paul. In fact, we will be the opposite. I have that found some of the harshest, most belligerent people are those whose religiosity is challenged by Biblical truth. They are in a comfort zone of churchianity and their confidence is in the religiosity they are holding tightly to in their hearts. It is a mirage my brethren. It is a house of cards. It is not a confidence that is based in a trust in our Lord Jesus Christ to keep and hold, but in a misplaced faith in one’s own decision. Therefore, I adjure you to turn your hearts to our Lord and obey what He shows you.

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Jesus File - Assurance

Dave Roberts — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:16:58 +0000

Wide Awake

christopherbwolf — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:56:50 +0000

Psalm 121

Wide Awake (Remix of Sunday’s sermon – audio download - http://www.firstgrandville.org/content.cfm?id=213&category_id=4 )

What is keeping you awake at night?

Many things. Finances. Guilt. Keeping a job. Finding a job. The marriage or relationship. The diagnosis. Caring for adult parents. An addiction. Trying to raise kids. The past. It could be many things…

Me? For many years now, what keeps me up at night are a bunch of people – no, not noisy neighbors J. In my lifetime, I have cared for a lot of people who have struggled with things – really hard things. And it has given me purpose. I wouldn’t change a thing. But I do often find myself awake, wide awake at night – sometimes on purpose, sometimes not. Part of it is “I wonder if the late night call is going to come” – for which I will be ready, if it ever does. There was a time when I kept a set of clothes out each night as well as a planned place of refuge because of the situation this friend was going through. God hears lots of prayers from me in the early morning hours.

Ministry or not, I have always been the kind of person that wanted to do whatever I could to help those struggling with difficult things. How many times have I prayed for it (whatever it was/is) to go away? And as things go, it usually doesn’t happen that way. So I guess I always thought that by being awake, being ready to help at any time of night – phone call, visit, whatever, that and prayer was the next best thing I could do.

My favorite song is “Bad” by U2 and it is my favorite because it so accurately captures and articulates this desire to care for others in extraordinary circumstances – but also the futility of it. It is my anthem in many ways. Bono wrote in response to a friend he was helping through a heroin addiction. “I’m wide awake, wide awake, I’m not sleeping,” the refrain goes. I have found one of the best live versions of this song, in which he explains the story behind the song and then sings it with tremendous passion. It’s often how I feel. Here is the link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7KjiDZMD5o. I like to think that I am wide awake for these people. I want them to know I am, or that I at least try.

But here’s the thing. At some point, I will fall asleep. As passionate as I may feel about staying wide awake for others, I can’t help it. Bono will fall asleep too. We are human. There is no conceivable way of me staying awake and “being ready” at all times. And it is this way for all of us, no matter what may be keeping us up at night.

Some good news?

There is someone who can literally, actually stay wide awake all the time – and does. He’s watching over us right now.

“The Lord is your protector, and he won’t sleep or let you stumble. The protector of Israel doesn’t doze or ever get drowsy (Psalm 121:3-4).”

Whatever is keeping us awake at night, there is somebody who is already on it. Already knows about it, already working on it. There is nothing that He is going to miss in our lives because He never sleeps, never has to.

Sometimes, often at night, I can feel Him watching me. It is hard to describe and I have to be in a very peaceful state. But I know He is watching, watching over me.

And He is watching over you too, whether you know it or not, whether you can feel it or not.

I may still be wide awake at night thinking about some people. But they are in much better hands than mine – the hands of the One who does not sleep or slumber – who watches over are coming in and our going out forevermore (Psalm 121:8).

We miss out on so much comfort and assurance and sleep when we try to take on and handle things that are really only for Him to handle. The old hymn says, “This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget that oft the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father’s world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad.”

We miss out on so much comfort and assurance and sleep and joy when we keep thinking that it is our world, our problems, our struggles, when it is and always has been and always be our Father’s world…

Discussion Questions

What are the things keeping you awake at night? Has staying awake at night solved any of them yet?
Why do we find it so hard to hand things over to God?
What keeps you from living as if the Lord never sleeps while watching over you? What does living in that reality look like?
What is one thing you can give over to the Lord to handle today?

Gospel-Driven Quote of the Week

John Fonville — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:18:15 +0000

"What gives effectual relief to the heavy laden soul of a sinner is, when, by the direction of divine sovereign grace, the word of the grace of God doth seasonably impress the mind with special light and power, so as to realise to it the unseen things of Christ, and of his gospel, with full and satisfying conviction of the truth thereof, and of the report of the gospel concerning the abounding grace of God, the sufficiency of Christ as a Saviour, mighty to save; as well as of the free offer and call of the gospel, as warranting him in particular to receive Christ, to apply the blood of sprinkling to his conscience, and to have peace thereby. By this light, and by the satisfying views of the love of God, as manifested in Jesus Christ, the heart is gained to God: and if a sense of guiltiness and condemnation in the conscience, and if the terrors of the law affecting it, do tend to put the soul to a distance, with alienation of heart from God; yet by the comfortable light, which the word and Spirit of God have diffused into the mind, it conceives such satisfying views of Christ and his redemption, as dispose and enable the sinner to have that faith in his blood by which he is justified, and comes under grace..."
(James Fraser of Alness, A Treatise on Sanctification: An Explication of Romans Chapters 6, 7 & 8:1-4, p. 442)

A Sympathetic and Merciful High Priest

John Fonville — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:46:56 +0000

Martin Downes, at Against Heresies, has posted another excellent meditation on the ministry of Christ to His people (A Sympathetic and Merciful High Priest). This post along with Approaching God are excerpts from a series of messages he preached recently at his church (Christ Church Deeside, North Wales, UK) on the threefold office of Christ.

These posts have been a blessing and great encouragement for my walk. As Martin wrote to me recently, "We need to know what Christ has done (sacrifice), what he is doing (interceding) and what he can do (providing help for tempted souls from his throne as our sympathetic high priest)." Amen!

I encourage you to make Martin's blog a part of your daily routine.

Assurance of salvation

Admin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:21:06 +0000

David Jeremiah, founder of Turning Point for God and senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, Calif., has an excellent column on the assurance of salvation here.

He does a great job of laying out the scriptural basis for the promise, protection, and proof of eternal life. His words should go straight to the heart of any genuine believer: "God has given us His Word to assure us of our relationship with Him so that we may walk as Christians with confidence, knowing that our salvation is in Him. ... Your heavenly home was bought for a price, and that payment results in a title deed that can never be lost through foreclosure. You can go joyfully into your day's activities and rest peacefully tonight knowing that your salvation is secure and your home in heaven is being prepared for you!"

He also acknowledges the fact of disobedience and affirms that obedience characterizes the genuine believer: "Christians are not perfect, and all of us do sin along the way. But genuine Christians hear His voice and follow Him. As a Christian, when you know God has told you to do something, you do it. If we love Him, we'll keep His commandments. A person who is genuinely saved is going to obediently hear what the Lord says."

It's such a shame that the Christians who should be least worried about security are often the ones who fret about it the most. Their tenderheartedness is the greatest evidence that they have nothing to fear. The Gospel truth is that security is for believers and believers are eternally secure.

How Can I Know My Kid Is Saved? by J. Naisang

rickthomas — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:03:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered if your child is truly saved? I often have, and like all Christian parents, I desire for my children to come to a genuine, saving faith in Jesus Christ, passionately grasp the Gospel, apply its life transforming truths and bear fruit that lasts. My heart resonates with the Apostle John when he states, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). I am eager to hear them declare their undivided love for the Savior, and yet I have often struggled with knowing how to truthfully evaluate my child’s profession of faith. How can I know if my child has come to a saving knowledge in the Lord and is not walking in deception?

Recently after reading Your Child's Profession of Faith, by Dennis Gundersen, I received valuable insight on this matter. In a nutshell, Gundersen establishes that although some children are saved at an early age, it is generally difficult to discern true salvation in young children. It is usually during their teen years that a child’s faith (or lack thereof) begins to be revealed. Distinguishing between a child’s profession of faith is much like trying to distinguish the sex of your child at conception. It’s nearly impossible to know if the fetus is a boy or a girl until it has grown to a certain level of maturity. And then there is no mistaking the child’s sex. In the same way, a child who professes to be saved may or may not be and therefore, it is beneficial to wait until it is clear that he or she has genuine, saving faith.

Evaluating our children’s spiritual state is much like the process we use to evaluate their individual gifts and talents. For example, when my oldest son Joshua was about six years of age he expressed a desire to play the guitar. Upon his profession, I was eager for him to begin playing, but was also apprehensive being aware of the fleeting desires of children. Instead of going to Musicians Friend and ordering him a $6,000 Martin guitar, I visited our local Super K Mart, and purchased a ¾ sized acoustic guitar that cost me about thirty five bucks. After teaching Joshua three basic chords, I watched to see what he would do. Over time, he mastered the chords so I taught him three more. Although he was showing growth, it was still too early to know if my son would really be able to play the guitar. Because of his age, there were many variables I was unsure of. Will he be able to keep time and play rhythms? Does he have an ear for music? Will he grow tired and bored and move onto something else? Only after a season of growth and evaluation could I know.

For me, understanding this concept has been a tremendous encouragement! Instead of feeling the pressure to have my children make a profession of faith, I can daily instruct them to seek a living relationship with Jesus. Rather than trying to lead them in a prayer, I will continue to encourage them to come to Jesus, love God’s Word and instruct them in the Gospel. True salvation will produce a true profession of faith and it will become evident to all as he or she begins bearing fruit that accompanies their salvation.

In closing, I want to emphasize that the point is not whether a child can be saved at an early age. Rather, we are encouraged to be wise parents in our assessment of our children’s salvation so as not to falsely give them eternal hope when in reality their lives do not display enough discernable fruit to do so. I believe this approach will only serve to strengthen the church of Jesus Christ for generations to come!

Oh, and by the way . . . recently Joshua turned 13 and it is evident that he has the desire, ability and skill to grow in playing the guitar. Therefore I invested in a better instrument for him to play. And just in case you’re wondering, it wasn’t the $6000 guitar from Musicians Friend. As a matter of fact, I’m certain that he’ll never mature enough for me to buy him a guitar like that as long as he’s living under my roof!

The Greek Cadastre.

christinevr — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:08:11 +0000

Through the Registration of land property which consists the first phase of procedure of Cadastre, the Greek State seeks for the utterly registration of the land estate which belongs to citizens, fellow – Greeks, foreigner owners, Greek government, regional self-administration organizations and legal persons of Public Law or Private Law, which lie within the Greek Dominion.

The Registration of land property is a time-consuming procedure, by which is attempted to centralize accurate elements about the estates that lie in our country. Such elements are the extent, area, to whom they belong to, who have rights on them, to which municipality or community they belong, etch.

The Cadastre comprises the last phase of the above attempt for registration of land property, so as to be possible, whoever is interested in an estate to get information for it by the familiar Cadastre Office. By knowing the address of the estate or its Code number, one may be able to get correct and valid info for any estate.

Obligation for submitting the assertion of the Law 2308/1995 has every natural or legal person which is entitled to a right of property or other written right on an estate.

Specifically, an assertion must submit all those who are owners of an estate, have right of possession (whole, limited), usufruct, or other real bondage, mortgage, attachement or other real assurance on the estate.
Obligation have those who administers foreign issues. Also those who obtained an estate from others, even if the others haven’t submitted the relevant assertion.

The land property may be urban, campestral, constructed or not.

It is worth noticing that what must be declared is the right that exists on the estate. If many have rights on the same estate, they all are obliged to submit the relevant assertion, mentioning the percentage of their right.

The time – limit for submitting the assertion for the Greek citizens begins on June 17, 2008 and expires on September 30, 2008. For the fellow – Greeks the time – limit begins on June 17, 2008 and expires on December 30, 2008.

Whoever obtains any of the above rights after the expiration of the time-limit for the submitting of the assertion of the Law 2308/1995, is obliged within one month after one has obtained the estate to declare it to the familiar Cadastre Office. If one has obtained it, within the time – limit of submitting the assertions, has the right to declare it within one of the above two time- limits.

Arcadia Law Office
Vriniou Con. Christine
Tel. (GREECE-0030)-6946 754560
http://www.arcadia-law-office.gr

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer, Aldermaston

nuclearvacancies — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:26:22 +0000

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer

Reference: 1215510632

8th July 2008 at 10:50 BST by Nikki Ambler. Permalink.

Our client is seeking a Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer to conduct EMC testing on a wide variety of system and equipment. The role will involve production of test plans and work instructions; analysis of test results; production of test reports; provision of advice and assurance services and the support for fabrication of electronic designs and electromagnetic research projects.

Location

Aldermaston

Salary

Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience

Job Responsibilities

To support & conduct Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) & Electromagnetic Field (EMF) testing.

To analyse and report on test results.

To provide advice and assurance services on Radio Frequency (RF) Safety issues.

To provide support for fabrication of electronic designs.

To provide basic IT programming support.
Act as a Nominated Person Electrical Specialist for Team activities.

Act as a Nominated Person Electrical Specialist for the company's RF Safety.

To ensure that responsibilities with regard to the Company’s Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Standards are met and understood.

To maintain EMC facilities.

Report and action equipment/procedure maintenance requirements.

Ensure welfare of personnel and equipment at all times.

Test to established procedures.

Electrical safety assurance.

Radio Frequency safety within a defined boundary.

For more details contact ERS Tel: 01454 203 460 or Submit an CV cv@energyrs.co.uk

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer, Aldermaston

nuclearrecruiter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:26:22 +0000

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer

Reference: 1215510632

8th July 2008 at 10:50 BST by Nikki Ambler. Permalink.

Location

Aldermaston

Salary

Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience

Job Responsibilities

To support & conduct Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) & Electromagnetic Field (EMF) testing.

To analyse and report on test results.

To provide advice and assurance services on Radio Frequency (RF) Safety issues.

To provide support for fabrication of electronic designs.

To provide basic IT programming support.
Act as a Nominated Person Electrical Specialist for Team activities.

Act as a Nominated Person Electrical Specialist for the company's RF Safety.

To ensure that responsibilities with regard to the Company’s Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality Standards are met and understood.

To maintain EMC facilities.

Report and action equipment/procedure maintenance requirements.

Ensure welfare of personnel and equipment at all times.

Test to established procedures.

Electrical safety assurance.

Radio Frequency safety within a defined boundary.

For more details contact ERS Tel: 01454 203 460 or Submit an CV cv@energyrs.co.uk

Gospel Consolation, Part 2

John Fonville — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:35:31 +0000

As stated in Part 1, in our more lucid moments, we are acutely aware of our sins and lack of holiness. We know that Christ is not our greatest delight and highest treasure. We bemoan our slow progress in sanctification and we know that there still remains something of a legalist/Pharisee in all of us.

When we find ourselves in such a state, we must recall that God has given to us many Gospel consolations in His Word. Two of the greatest consolations revealed to us in the Word of God are the death of Christ and the grace of God.

The Grace of God

When it comes to battling and dealing with our daily sin, what we need most is Good News. We need consolation in those dark moments when the lively fellowship we so enjoyed with our Heavenly Father is turned into bitterness and anxiety. For, as Robert Traill has written, "It is impossible that there can be true and strong love fixed on that person from whom we do dread the greatest evil..."

We can never love God until we can see somewhat more or less of his love to us, unless we hear his consoling words of promise, Good News.

For, we are naturally enemies of God by nature. We are born with a heart that is against God. And even after our conversion, there remains something of a legalist in all of us, that is in our flesh. So until we can get somewhat of the knowledge of God, as revealed to us in Christ, consolation will allude us.

This is where grace comes in, that undeserved favor Dei by which sinners alone are received and cleansed from their sin and guilt. God is a promising God because He is a gracious God. God, if He is to be known in a consoling manner, must be known as a promising God. As Robert Traill wrote, "The Lord hath framed us in that manner, that it is impossible that God can be loved, but by a person that takes up this God as a promising God."

God is a promising God because He is a gracious God.

There is no consoling knowledge of God apart from His promises and their are no consoling promises if God is not gracious.

In Acts 20:24, Paul speaks of the gospel as "the gospel of the grace of God," and in v. 32, he speaks of it as "the word of his grace." The grace of God runs through every vein of the Gospel. Every promise God makes is a word of grace. However, apart from the Gospel, God is only a consuming fire.

Consolation comes from the knowledge of God as He reveals Himself in and through Christ. Such knowledge of God is a gracious condescension on God's part. It is from the grace of the Incarnation, the Word-made-flesh (Jn. 1:14), that Christ has made God known to us (Jn. 1:18). The glory of God, manifest in Christ, is "full of grace and truth," (John 1:14). The grace of God shines gloriously in the justification of a sinner through the righteousness of Christ. God's glory, then, is most supremely manifested in His graciousness (cf., Ex. 33-34; Eph. 1:6, 12, 14). It is from Christ's "fullness," that "we have all received, grace upon grace," (John 1:16). Throughout our lives, we who have already received grace, have it bestowed upon us again and again, constantly freeing us from sin. What consolation!

Every promise God makes is a word of grace.

Our consolation, then, is a gift of God, a God who is unspeakably gracious. There is nothing that we have that we have not freely received, including consolation (cf., 1 Cor. 4:7). We must never think that we have merited consolation. For, if our consolation was dependent upon our obedience, there would be no comfort but only a terrifying expectation of judgment.

Rather, our consolation comes from knowing that:

"The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness (Lam. 3:22-23)!"

It is because of the grace of Christ that our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12). "...He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself," (Heb. 9:26). Christ has put our sins so far away they shall never rise up again in judgment against us (Rom. 8:1). The words of grace we hear spoken to us are the gracious words Christ spoke to the woman caught in adultery, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more," (Jn. 8:11).

God, in Christ, has done for us in grace what we could never achieve by our works. "8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works..." (Eph. 2:8-9).

God has graciously chosen to redeem us, "so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus," (Eph. 2:7).

When the stinging awareness of sin arises in your mind, drop to your knees and with great humility and gratitude, joyfully recall the surpassing riches of His grace. It is the kindness of our promising God that leads us to repentance (cf., Rom. 2:4). For, if the Lord should mark our iniquities, none of us could stand. But, with Christ, there is forgiveness that He may be feared (cf., Ps. 130:3-4).

Consolation, then, comes not by law but by grace. Consolation, like grace, is received not earned. Yet, because something of a legal disposition remains in us while we are is in this world, we are prone to think of God's consolation as conditioned upon our performance. When we really "blow it" we are tempted to think that we have forfeited God's favor. However, because consolation is based on grace and not merit, we need to realize that we do not earn God's consolation by our performance and we do not forfeit God's consolation by our failures.

Consolation, like grace, is received not earned.

Jerry Bridges, in Disciplines of Grace put it this way, "Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace," (p. 18).

Our consolation is based upon a promising God who is exceedingly gracious. Consider some of His gracious promises:

"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel,” (Gen. 3:15).

"I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you," (Gen. 17:7).

"I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips," (Ps. 89:33-34).

“I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins," (Isa. 43:25).

“31 Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the LORD. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more,” (Jer. 31:31-34; cf., Heb. 10:1-17).

"25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules," (Ezek. 36:25-27).

"For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more,” (Heb. 8:12).

The words, "I will," are our consolation! Amazing Grace! Grace abounding to sinners! "20 ...where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," (Rom. 5:20b-21). This is the sinner's consolation.

In those moments when you are painfully conscious of your sin and you begin to grow anxious about your salvation and your right standing with God, always remember the grace of God. God's promises are always joined with His grace and compassion. Therefore, you have no reason to fear that He will fail to keep His promises.

We are not condemned because God's grace is never ending. His love never ceases. His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning. Therefore, we can have great hope in Him.

In all your dealings with God, remember grace. Receive His consolation as grace. It is certain that nothing but grace can justify a sinner and nothing but grace can console a justified sinner.

In all your dealings with God, remember grace.

The consolation of the believer stands in the fullness of Christ. "...from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace," (John 1:16).

The grace of God is exceedingly abundant toward sinners (cf., 1 Tim. 1:14). Therefore, because God's grace abounds, His consolation is always in supply. The believer's consolation comes from knowing that there is always a greater abundance of grace than there is of sin to be covered.

The grace of God is everlasting. As Paul writes, "...grace reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord," (Rom. 5:21). Because grace reigns forever, God's consolation is ever present and never ending.

"To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen," (1 Tim. 1:17).

A Person not a Concept

Danny Slavich — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:25:38 +0000

In the midst of struggles and doubts about God's plan, whether he will answer prayer, or when he hasn't given what we've asked for, I find that it's easy to reduce all of this to a concept or an idea. That if I do part A, that is, I ask, then God will (by obligation) do part B. But that's a mechanistic view of it all, that we're dealing with something other than a real Person with whom we're in real relationship.

Jesus is the face where I find my comfort, the voice who speaks to my weary soul. He is not an idea, a concept (even an "orthodox" concept, like the God-man, or the sacrificial Lamb). He is a Person, who really lived and really died and who really is alive, right now. That is harder, in many ways, to get my mind around than an idea. That I am in relationship with this Man, who is also God, that I commune with him by his Spirit and his Spirit-wrought Word.

That is assurance in a stormy sea, a Person whose voice can calm the waves.

Apostasy!

Bob — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:53:12 +0000

What a fearsome word. Hearing the word, apostasy, reminds me of talking with my wife about life insurance. It makes me uncomfortable. The Greek root speaks of departing, rebelling, turning, etc. It ain't pretty.

Starting this Sunday, we will be looking at the first half of 2 Peter 1. In this chapter, Peter speaks of an experiential knowledge of God. Later, in Chapter 2, he says that apostates share in this knowledge. (Remember the parable of the seed sown on different soils?)

So, on Wednesday night we will discuss apostasy. We will look at why the Bible says that apostates are folks who never have a saving faith. Our focus will be in Hebrews 6, 2 Peter 2 and 1 Timothy 4. Bring your questions. It really is more important than the other life insurance!

Psalm 139

cjkdennis — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:49:47 +0000

Can you take a few minutes to pray this scripture? Speak this passage slowly....allow Father God to speak to you...examine where you are...the last sentence uses the word "everlasting."

The "way of everlasting" is where Father God is, it's where Jesus is, it's where the Holy Spirit is, it's where emotional and physical healing resides, it's where peace that passes all understanding is, it's where calmness, boldness, joy, abundance and assurance resides.....

Psalm 139

"1 O LORD, you have searched me
and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.

5 You hem me in—behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, ^[a] you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body.
       All the days ordained for me
       were written in your book
       before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to ^[b] me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them,
       they would outnumber the grains of sand.
       When I awake,
       I am still with you.

19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God!
Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.

21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD,
and abhor those who rise up against you?

22 I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."

Agonizing over Assurance

Bro. Lawrence D. — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:32:41 +0000

Maybe you'll see yourself in this post...maybe not. But my goal here on this blog is to be honest about things that I agonize over. So here goes:

If you would have interviewed me a few years ago, asking me theological questions, you would have deduced that I was an ignorant Arminian. Sincere yes, but ignorant. I was your typical "If once saved always saved is true, then I can go out and sin all I want to and still say I'm saved!" defender of Arminianism. For a mainline "hand-clapping, foot-stomping, tongue-talking (although I actually didn't do this), run around the church 3 times (I did do this, lol)" Pentecostal, the idea of infinite grace and complete atonement was simply odious to me. This of course shows how ignorant I was of the doctrines of grace. This also shows how I would have defined salvation as a cooperative work between me and God. I would have also made an unwarranted distinction (there is a theological one) between regeneration and santification. Regeneration, for me, was a forgiveness of all sins up until the point I said the "sinner's prayer". Sanctification was the result of all the work I put forth to be a good church member and "not be like the world", as both were defined by the COGIC. In other words, getting saved was easy but staying saved was hard work. Nothing was final.

In spite of all this, though, I was 100% confident that I was saved. Even during periods when I would fall into (really walk right into) grevious sin, my attitude or belief was that at any moment I could just cry out to God in sincerity and my sins would be forgiven. My slate would be wiped clean and I could begin the massive effort of trying to live a sinless life all over again in order to "stay saved". Now of course this became a seemingly unending cycle but still I was confident that if I died, I would be welcomed into Heaven.

Then about three years ago, I met a brother on my job who introduced me to Calvinism and the whole debate. My love of reading, the fact that I had just purchased a new computer and the fact that I was between churches, opened a wide door of opportunity for me to fully engulf myself in the whole issue. As I began to study more and more, I became fully convinced of the biblical accuracy of the five points of Calvinism (the Tulip). The last domino or letter to fall being, of course, "Limited Atonement". Ironically, though, at this present moment I don't have the same confidence of my standing with God that I had as an Arminian.

Now this same brother on my job had introduced me to Way of the Master and Paul Washer. And here's where the problems began. Despite having what I now consider to be a more sound and biblical theological foundation, these two particular ministries went a long way to shake up my confidence in my salvation. It became disturbed on two fronts. First of all (and you can read about this on the About Me page), I didn't enter the Christian life under the most pristine conditions. I did believe that the prayer I prayed was my entrance into the fold. And on top of that, the gospel that I had been given presented Christ' atoning work on the cross as only sufficient for conversion but the rest was on me and my ability to confess each sin I identified in my life before I died. Secondly, I saw sin in my everyday life. Some that would/could be considered habitual. Sure I prayed and read my bible. I witnessed (occasionally and with at best an incomplete gospel) and I went to church everytime the door swung open. I fasted twice a week and gave tithes of all my earned money. (just like the Pharisee) But I had an ongoing battle with sin and according to these guys that was a sign that I truly wasn't a Christian. I didn't share my faith with everyone I saw everyday. I didn't have a devotional hour where I sat and read the bible with deep meditation daily. My definition of holiness wasn't the same as what they said God required. (which I believe is just another version of the Pietism/Puritanism that I was already exhausted from trying to live up to.) And did I mention, I had an ongoing battle with sin? Oh yeah. I did. Moving along....

This all leads to the subject of assurance. What is it? Can we have it? How do we get? On what should it be based? And finally, is it subjective or objective?

Remember, I'm agonizing, so be honest!

Can We Know That We Are Saved?

Test All Things — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:58:32 +0000

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3077123743043219117&q=richard+warmack&ei=ASJ2SIKpI4PWigKzw8GDCw

How Can We Know That We Are Saved?

Test All Things — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:55:08 +0000

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3077123743043219117&q=richard+warmack&ei=ASJ2SIKpI4PWigKzw8GDCw]

Assistant Project Assurance Manager, Aldermaston

nuclearrecruiter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:33:08 +0000

Assistant Project Assurance Manager

Reference: 1215507941

8th July 2008 at 10:05 BST by Nikki Ambler. Permalink.

Our client is seeking an Assistant Project Assurance Manager to assist the Project Assurance Manager (PAM) and related team in the production of all Assurance (safety, quality, environment, health & security) documentation in support of project delivery.

Location

Aldermaston

Salary

Competitive salary depending on qualifications and experience

Job Responsibilities

To assist the PAM in successful Assurance delivery and implementation of the Company's Quality Management System (QMS) and Integrated Management System (IMS).

To deliver Assurance requirements, to meet project implementation, as specified by the PAM.

This is a development role and the holder will be expected to undertake PAM roles of increasing complexity after suitable training and experience.

Support the Project Assurance Manager (PAM) in determining / delivering the project's safety case and environmental documentation strategies.

Assist in ensuring that there is a sufficient assurance resource (suitably qualified & experienced persons).

Assist in the production of the Assurance Project Management Plan.

Assist the PAM in managing the production of staged safety case and environmental reports.

Assist the PAM in managing the integration of Assurance work with the development of the overall project.

Assist in the document checking, review and verification processes.

Manage the Assurance Issues Register / actions database.

Assist the PAM in reviewing test and commissioning documentation.

Assist the PAM in identifying, managing and resolving project security issues.

Assist the PAM in identifying and implementing company quality standards.

Assist in the provision of cost information to the PAM on Assurance resource.

Liaise with, and where necessary resolve generic Assurance issues with, other PAM's / Assistant PAM's and related project personnel.

Act as technical interface with internal review, approval bodies and other projects as directed by the PAM and external regulatory bodies (Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and Environment Agency) on generic and project specific Assurance issues.

Assist the PAM in identifying, managing and resolving project security issues.

For more details contact ERS Tel 01454 203 460 or submit an Cv cv@energyrs.co.uk

Assistant Project Assurance Manager, Aldermaston

nuclearvacancies — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:33:08 +0000