| It has been over 200 years ago since John Wesley's Holy Club, in their private devotion, asked themselves the following (22) questions as they placed themselves under the microscope of God's word to keep them holy. Today, these same questions are even more relevant to us as we seek to consecrate ourselves daily to God. Let us endeavor to ask ourselves these questions, and die daily to the world and sin:
By John Wesley What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:1-4 |
Thursday, August 12, 2010
John Wesley's Holy Club 22 Questions
Sunday, July 11, 2010
God Sees Greatness In You!
“The angel of the LORD appeared unto him (Gideon),
and said unto him,
The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour” (Jud. 6:12).
Recently I read an article by Victoria Boyson “Hope in Love.” It ministered to me in a profound way and I would like to share a portion of it with you. Victoria is an inspired writer and her website Speaking Life Ministries articulates God’s love. Here is an excerpt from that article:
There is Greatness in You! As with Gideon, God sees greatness in you. For much of your life, that greatness may be kept a secret, but it is still in you. God is faithfully preparing you for your destiny.
He is molding you into the person He desires you to be: The kind of person who is bold enough to know that there is greatness inside of them, but humble enough to know where that greatness comes from.
It can be very troubling for you to believe in your destiny when you feel inadequate, but let me assure you – there is greatness in you. And you will, like Gideon, fulfill your destiny in God. He will have His way with you if you place your hope in His unfailing love.
Put your hope in the fact that you know He loves you and that He desperately want what is best for you. He wants to make your dreams come true. He wants to bless you more than you want to be blessed.
Hope in God – hope in love. Let go of fear, for your destiny is in good hands. He is able to do above and beyond all you could ask or hope or dream (see Ephesians 3:20). He is driven by love. His passion is you and seeing you walk in all that He has for you, and He will do whatever it takes to get you there. After all, it was His idea to call you in the first place and He will finish what He began in you.
You are on the adventure of your life, so remember to enjoy the process. Enjoy every aspect of your journey with your heavenly Father who loves you. And praise God with your smile. At a time like this, the best thing to do is smile, because you are in God's hands.
Now you can say “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands” (Psalm 138:8, NIV).
Pray this with me: Dear Father, help me to see Your love for me and help me to hold on to Your love. I want to see myself the way that You see me. Help me to trust, believe and hope.
My prayer for you: Dear Father, I ask You to bless this dear saint with everything they will need to see the birth of their destiny come to pass. Anoint them for Your purposes and help them to succeed. Help them to know of Your great love for them, and help them to trust in that love. Please send people to them who will represent Your heart toward them.
Victoria Boyson
Speaking Life Ministries
Email: victoria@boyson.org
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The Poor Wise Man
"There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man" (Eccl. 9:14-15).
In this passage Solomon gives an instance, which probably was a case in fact, in some neighbouring country, of a poor man who with his wisdom did great service in a time of public distress and danger (v. 14).
There was a little city (no great prize, whoever was master of it); with few men living within it, to defend it, and men, if men of fortitude, are the best fortifications of a city. These few men were feeble, fearful, and ready to give up their city as not tenable.
Against this little city a great king came with a large army, and besieged it, either in pride, or covetousness to possess it, or in revenge for some affront given him, to chastise and destroy it. Thinking it stronger than it was, he built great bulwarks against it, from which to batter it, and doubted not but in a little time to make himself master of it.
This great king needed not fear this little city; why then should he frighten it? It would be little profit to him; why then should he put himself to such a great expense to gain it?
Did victory and success attend the strong? No; there was found in this little city, among the few men that were in it, one poor wise man-a wise man, and yet poor, and not preferred to any place of profit or power in the city.
Places of trust were not given to men according to their merit, else such a wise man as this would not have been a poor man. Now,
1. Being wise, he served the city, though he was poor. In their distress they sought him (Jud. 11:7) and begged his advice and assistance. By his wisdom he delivered the city, either by prudent instructions given to the besieged, directing them to some unthought-of strategy for their own security, or by a prudent treaty with the besiegers, we are not told. However, he did not upbraid them with the contempt they had put upon him, in leaving him out of their council, nor tell them he was poor and had nothing to lose, and therefore cared not what became of the city; but he did his best for it, and was blessed with success.
2. Being poor, he was slighted by the city, though he was wise and had been an instrument to save them all from ruin: No man remembered that same poor man; his good services were not taken notice of, no recompence was made him, no marks of honour were put upon him, but he lived in as much poverty and obscurity as he had done before. Riches were not showered on this man of understanding, nor favour to this man of skill. Many who have well-merited of their prince and country have been ill-paid; such an ungrateful world we live in. It is well that useful men have a God to trust, who will be their bountiful rewarder; for, among men, great services are often envied and rewarded with evil for good.
Great usefulness and excellency of wisdom is a blessing, it makes men acknowledge that Wisdom is better than strength, (v. 16) and prudent mind, which is the honour of a man, is to be preferred. A man may by his wisdom effect that which he could never compass by his strength, and may overcome those by out-witting them who are able to overpower him.
Therefore, wisdom is better than weapons of war, offensive or defensive,( v. 18). Wisdom is better than all military endowments or accoutrement, for it will engage God for us, and then we are safe in the greatest perils and successful in the greatest enterprises.
If God be for us, who can be against us or stand before us?
In our modern world where the poor is being despised, Solomon recommends wisdom to us as necessary to the preserving of our peace and the perfecting of our business, notwithstanding the vanities and crosses which human affairs are subject to.
He advocates this principle, that wisdom excels folly as much as light excels darkness (ch. 2:13), and we ought to love and embrace it, and be governed by it, for the sake of its own intrinsic worth, and the capacity it gives us of being serviceable to others.
This wisdom that Solomon describes, enables us to serve our country out of pure affection to its interests, while we gain no advantage by it, no, not so much as thanks for our pains, or the reputation of it." This is the wisdom which, Solomon says, "seemed great unto him," (v. 13).
Wise and good men must often be contented with the satisfaction of having done good, or at least attempted it, and offered it, when they cannot do the good they would do nor have the praise they should have. Wisdom capacitates a man to serve his neighbours, and he offers his service; but, it is observed that often, if he is poor, his wisdom is despised and his words are not heard, (v. 16).
Therefore, we conclude that private interests and personal resentments must always be sacrificed for the public good and forgotten when the common welfare is served.
In this passage Solomon gives an instance, which probably was a case in fact, in some neighbouring country, of a poor man who with his wisdom did great service in a time of public distress and danger (v. 14).
There was a little city (no great prize, whoever was master of it); with few men living within it, to defend it, and men, if men of fortitude, are the best fortifications of a city. These few men were feeble, fearful, and ready to give up their city as not tenable.
Against this little city a great king came with a large army, and besieged it, either in pride, or covetousness to possess it, or in revenge for some affront given him, to chastise and destroy it. Thinking it stronger than it was, he built great bulwarks against it, from which to batter it, and doubted not but in a little time to make himself master of it.
This great king needed not fear this little city; why then should he frighten it? It would be little profit to him; why then should he put himself to such a great expense to gain it?
Did victory and success attend the strong? No; there was found in this little city, among the few men that were in it, one poor wise man-a wise man, and yet poor, and not preferred to any place of profit or power in the city.
Places of trust were not given to men according to their merit, else such a wise man as this would not have been a poor man. Now,
1. Being wise, he served the city, though he was poor. In their distress they sought him (Jud. 11:7) and begged his advice and assistance. By his wisdom he delivered the city, either by prudent instructions given to the besieged, directing them to some unthought-of strategy for their own security, or by a prudent treaty with the besiegers, we are not told. However, he did not upbraid them with the contempt they had put upon him, in leaving him out of their council, nor tell them he was poor and had nothing to lose, and therefore cared not what became of the city; but he did his best for it, and was blessed with success.
2. Being poor, he was slighted by the city, though he was wise and had been an instrument to save them all from ruin: No man remembered that same poor man; his good services were not taken notice of, no recompence was made him, no marks of honour were put upon him, but he lived in as much poverty and obscurity as he had done before. Riches were not showered on this man of understanding, nor favour to this man of skill. Many who have well-merited of their prince and country have been ill-paid; such an ungrateful world we live in. It is well that useful men have a God to trust, who will be their bountiful rewarder; for, among men, great services are often envied and rewarded with evil for good.
Great usefulness and excellency of wisdom is a blessing, it makes men acknowledge that Wisdom is better than strength, (v. 16) and prudent mind, which is the honour of a man, is to be preferred. A man may by his wisdom effect that which he could never compass by his strength, and may overcome those by out-witting them who are able to overpower him.
Therefore, wisdom is better than weapons of war, offensive or defensive,( v. 18). Wisdom is better than all military endowments or accoutrement, for it will engage God for us, and then we are safe in the greatest perils and successful in the greatest enterprises.
If God be for us, who can be against us or stand before us?
In our modern world where the poor is being despised, Solomon recommends wisdom to us as necessary to the preserving of our peace and the perfecting of our business, notwithstanding the vanities and crosses which human affairs are subject to.
He advocates this principle, that wisdom excels folly as much as light excels darkness (ch. 2:13), and we ought to love and embrace it, and be governed by it, for the sake of its own intrinsic worth, and the capacity it gives us of being serviceable to others.
This wisdom that Solomon describes, enables us to serve our country out of pure affection to its interests, while we gain no advantage by it, no, not so much as thanks for our pains, or the reputation of it." This is the wisdom which, Solomon says, "seemed great unto him," (v. 13).
Wise and good men must often be contented with the satisfaction of having done good, or at least attempted it, and offered it, when they cannot do the good they would do nor have the praise they should have. Wisdom capacitates a man to serve his neighbours, and he offers his service; but, it is observed that often, if he is poor, his wisdom is despised and his words are not heard, (v. 16).
Therefore, we conclude that private interests and personal resentments must always be sacrificed for the public good and forgotten when the common welfare is served.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Glory of the New Covenant
"The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God ..." 2Corinthians 3:7).
If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?
So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (Taken from 2Corihians 3:8-18)
If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life?
So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord.
The Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (Taken from 2Corihians 3:8-18)
Thursday, June 17, 2010
God's Plan for Your Life
Something is missing from your life, and yes, you know it. You know God's promises, but deep inside your heart you are wavering. You are wondering how you can be sure God will come true for you.
To find the answer to that question, you need more than a kowledge of God's power and promises. You need a personal relationship with Him, and more specifically, you need a personal revelation of His Love.
So what has God provided for your salvation? He has provided His only begotten Son to be the Savior of the world. In the book of Acts 16:30-31, we are told to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."
The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians wrote that we might "know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullnes of God" (Ephesians 3:19).
If you have never known God's unconditional love for you, ask Him for a personal revelation. If you have never ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life, then invite Him in your heart by praying these words:
"Dear God in Heaven, I confess that I am a sinner without hope of eternal life. I ask for your forgiveness and right now, this very moment invite Jesus into my life as my Lord and Savior. I give myself to you and according to your word, I am now your child and I'm saved. Thank you Lord."
To find the answer to that question, you need more than a kowledge of God's power and promises. You need a personal relationship with Him, and more specifically, you need a personal revelation of His Love.
So what has God provided for your salvation? He has provided His only begotten Son to be the Savior of the world. In the book of Acts 16:30-31, we are told to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
My only protector is my Lord King of kings and Lord of lords. The very Word of God became flesh to take the punishment for sin upon himself.
Those who believe in him will not fall into Judgment but will be with the Lord forever Clothed with the Holy Spirit of God. They will have the right to be called children of God.
Those who believe in him will not fall into Judgment but will be with the Lord forever Clothed with the Holy Spirit of God. They will have the right to be called children of God.
If you have never known God's unconditional love for you, ask Him for a personal revelation. If you have never ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life, then invite Him in your heart by praying these words:
"Dear God in Heaven, I confess that I am a sinner without hope of eternal life. I ask for your forgiveness and right now, this very moment invite Jesus into my life as my Lord and Savior. I give myself to you and according to your word, I am now your child and I'm saved. Thank you Lord."
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