Tag: Jesus

An Astonishing Love

Oh, how He loves you!

By Charles Spurgeon and Bryan Lowe

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A short conversation about love, grace and sin.

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“Dost thou know, O saint, how much the Holy Spirit loves thee?”

 “Me? I can’t imagine why. I’m the chief of sinners. I’m rotten to the core. I can bring nothing at all to Him.”

“Canst thou measure the love of the Spirit? Dost thou know how great is the affection of his soul towards thee?”

“So you say. But I really can’t see why He would. I want to believe, I really do. I can only be a liability. My sin is heavy.”

“Go measure heaven with thy span; go weigh the mountains in the scales; go take the ocean’s water, and tell each drop; go count the sand upon the sea’s wide shore; and when thou hast accomplished this, thou canst tell how much he loveth thee.”

“If this is true, then perhaps maybe I am worth something, I suppose. But frankly, my imagination staggers just trying to grasp this.”

“He has loved thee long, he has loved thee well, he loved thee ever, and he still shall love thee; surely he is the person to comfort thee, because he loves.”

“This kind of love is fantastically amazing, isn’t it. I must try to tell others what has happened to me.”

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From the Daily Help Devotional, and my imagination.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-92) was England’s best-known preacher for most of the second half of the nineteenth century. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church (formerly pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill). The congregation quickly outgrew their building, moved to Exeter Hall, then to Surrey Music Hall. In these venues Spurgeon frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification. In 1861 the congregation moved permanently to the newly constructed Metropolitan Tabernacle.

Spurgeon’s printed works are voluminous, and those provided here are only a sampling of his best-known works, including his magnum opus, The Treasury of David. Nearly all of Spurgeon’s printed works are still in print and available from Pilgrim Publications, PO Box 66, Pasadena, TX USA 77501.

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ybic, Bryan

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Life Off the Grid

“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.”

Ephesians 2:2, NLT

“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”

1 John 5:19

An “off-the-grid” lifestyle is living disconnected from basic utilities (such as electric, water supply, etc.)  It has essentially become a significant movement as many seek a life separated from what is perceived as intrusion.  These new homes are autonomous; they provide an alternative to a “life plugged into society” and choosing to be detached from the popular culture.

From what I’ve read, it seems like it is very similar to what the Old Order Amish and Conservative Mennonites have done for centuries.  It seems to be more than “survivalism” and many off-grid people believe they are experiencing a deeper standard of living by being independent.

The Bible teaches that there is a world system that has us enmeshed.  The system is everywhere you see injustice, disease, bondage, wars and pain.  It seems to have a very comprehensive presence of organized wickedness, and it is quite pervasive–it is seen everywhere.

There is a way however, of disconnecting yourself from this spiritual grid.  But there seems to be a consistent pressure on us as Christians to stay connected to this world system.  Those who desire to live off-grid face a degree of scorn and “rolling-of-the-eyes.”  This should be anticipated.  Humans have a tremendous desire for conformity.

The evil found in this world can be intense.  In Bible narrative we see judgement brought on organized societies for their hatred of godliness and godly people.  Satan’s dark fantasy is to control and determine the destiny of all that he can.  The world as we know it, “is  under the control of the evil one.“  The future antichrist will centralize darkness so it does the will of his father, the devil.

The Apostle John had a crisp and clear vision of the spiritual landscape in an extraordinary way.  Many times he speaks clearly.  And at other times John uses symbols and coded information to reveal what is coming.  His writings, especially 1 John and Revelation are embedded with the truths that he saw.

“Don’t love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. “

1 John 2:15, CEV

“Off-the-grid” living may have many advantages and appeal, on a physical plane.  (Each of pay a ‘princely’ sum to the electric and water companies.)  But unplugging yourself from this world’s system takes the help of the Holy Spirit.  May the Father guide you in this.

People were eating, drinking, and getting married right up to the day that the flood came and Noah went into the big boat. They didn’t know anything was happening until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when the Son of Man appears.

Matt. 24:38-39, CEV

 ybic, Bryan

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CCM Spotlight- Keith Green

Brother Keith was a remarkable man.  He was a gifted song writer and a wonderful pianist.  This video is live Keith Green performing,  “When I Hear The Praises Start” (live) He left many of us with an indelible mark.

Some of his quotes:

“It’s time to quit playing church and start being the Church (Matt. 18:20)” — Keith Green

“I repent of ever having recorded one single song, and ever having performed one concert, if my music, and more importantly, my life has not provoked you into Godly jealousy or to sell out more completely to Jesus!” — Keith Green

“If your heart takes more pleasure in reading novels, or watching TV, or going to the movies, or talking to friends, rather than just sitting alone with God and embracing Him, sharing His cares and His burdens, weeping and rejoicing with Him, then how are you going to handle forever and ever in His presence? You’d be bored to tears in heaven, if you’re not ecstatic about God now!!” — Keith Green

Keith Green
October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Green

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Real Faith and 3D Glasses

Seeing what others cannot

“When He saw their faith.”

Luke 5:20

The healing of the paralyzed man is loaded with lessons for us.  He lies motionless on his pallet, unable to move.  His incredible and loyal friends have dedicated themselves to getting him into Jesus’ presence.  But the house is full; its beyond standing room only, they can’t get close.  They are desperate.  Jesus is so near, they can hear Him teach, and yet so far away.

One of them has a wild idea.  They will lower him down into the room from the roof!  Energized by this thought they put the plan into action.  I can just see them, working feverishly.  When the hole is big enough, they carefully lower the paralyzed man down slowly.  We read that, “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 5:20).

Example of 3D without glasses

God can see faith.  It is invisible to us, and takes a special work of grace for us to do so.  It is not an easy thing to see faith.  If you go downtown to watch a movie in 3-D the attendant will issue you special glasses.  With them everything is enhanced.

The Lord sees faith, and responds in kind.  His powers of perception and discernment are advanced far beyond our puny human efforts.  But God is pleased when we show our faith by our works. They fascinate Him and He delights when His children prove a living faith by actions.  Our faith can only be seen by what we do.

The faith of the paralyzed man, and the faith of his friends makes them  fluorescent in a black & white world.  It jumps out to Jesus, and it is hard to see anything else.  Faith stands out, and it cannot be hid.

There is so much here in Luke 5, so many lessons and so much wisdom.  Much of it lies at the surface, and can be picked up like gold nuggets.  I think that I could preach six months on this chapter alone.  It is that good.

ybic,  Bryan