My Eyes Are Dry
December 1, 2010 at 10:59 am | Posted in A. W. Tozer, Quotes | Leave a commentTags: A. W. Tozer, Charles Spurgeon, Keith Green, My Eyes Are Dry, Psalm 138:1-8, Romans 15:13, sanctification, the Church today
My Eyes Are Dry
Words and Music by Keith Green
My eyes are dry, my faith is old.
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold.
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to You and dead to me.
Oh, what can be done for an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love.
Please wash me anew in the wine of Your blood.
_____________________________________________
“The church has lost her testimony. She no longer has anything to say to the world. Her once robust shout of assurance has faded away to an apologetic whisper. She who one time went out to declare now goes out to inquire. Her dogmatic declaration has become a respectful suggestion, a word of religious advice, given with the understanding that it is after all only an option and not meant to sound bigoted…… Pure Christianity, instead of being shaped by culture, actually stands in sharp opposition to it.”
– A. W. Tozer
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“The glorious charity of the present day is such, that it believes lies to be as good as truth; and lies and truth have met together and kissed each other; and he that telleth truth is called a bigot, and truth has ceased to be honourable in the world.”
– Charles Spurgeon
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The song posted above is one of my favorite songs. I was a young Christian when Keith Green died in a plane crash. I really liked his music. It made you think and search your heart, mind and soul. It’s funny the things you remember and the things you don’t as you get older. I remember being moved to tears as I sat alone eating lunch before going to work while I listened to Green’s album “So You Wanna Go Back To Egypt.” There was a song about Romans 7 and I knew I was not the sold out, fully committed Christian that I should be. I asked God for His forgiveness and for the power and filling of the Holy Spirit in my life. Now I knew I was saved and growing and I was a young Christian, but I also knew I was holding back from God.
God graciously taught me about His sanctifying power. He has used me and forgiven me many more times since then. What about you? Are your eyes dry? Is your heart cold? Are you saved but holding back from God? Do you believe the Church is losing its testimony of purity and truth? Are you a part of that? Only you and God know the answer to those questions. Ask Him to forgive you and fill you and renew a right spirit within you and He will.
The quotes are by two of my favorite authors. Both dead and in the presence of the Lord they loved and served. Both of them were great preachers and authors. Both loved the Church and served the Church. Both believed in prayer and the power of God. Both believed in evangelism and making disciples. They are from different eras of time. One would be called an Arminian and the other a Calvinist. Yet they still have something to say that is relevant today.
Take the time to learn and grow and apply that knowledge to daily living. Make an effort to make a difference for the Kingdom of God and His glory. Your labor for the Lord will not go unrewarded.
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 138:1-8
The Chief Objective of a Minister
October 18, 2010 at 7:21 pm | Posted in Quotes | Leave a commentTags: J.C. Ryle, The Chief Objective of a Minister
The Chief Objective of a Minister
Let it never be forgotten that the chief object of a minister of the Gospel is to set forward the salvation of souls. I lay it down as a certain fact that he is no true minister who does not feel this. Talk not of a man’s ordination! All may have been done correctly, and according to rule. He may wear a black coat, and be called a “reverend”. But if the saving of souls is not the grand interest—the ruling passion—the absorbing thought of his heart—he is no true minister of the Gospel—he is a hireling, and not a shepherd. Congregations may have called him—but he is not called by the Holy Spirit. Bishops may have ordained him; but not Christ.
~ J.C. Ryle
Old Paths, “Few Saved”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1999], 68.
Here is another good quote from: www.jcrylequotes.com. It gives us something to think about, pray about and be about.
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
No Fruit, No Conversion
October 5, 2010 at 5:26 am | Posted in Devotional, Quotes | Leave a commentTags: Fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:19-26, J. C. Ryle quotes, sanctification
I want to thank Eric from www.jcrylequotes.com again for today’s quote. It should make you think, read the Word and pray. Do you agree with Ryle or not? Anything you question about your life? Do you hear much preaching or teaching like this now? Personally I think we are way past easy believe-ism to everyone does what’s right in their own eyes and calls it “church.” We can learn a lot from some of these brothers from days gone by.
(19)The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; (20)idolatory and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions (21)and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
(22)But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23)gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law. (24)Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (25)Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (26)Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. (Galatians 5:19-26)
Thank God for His forgiveness and grace! We can trust Him to help us live in such a way as to bring Him honor and glory with our thoughts, words and deeds. We don’t have to live changed lives alone, or try to bear fruit alone. He will help us! Praise His wonderful Name!
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
No Fruit, No Conversion
Let it be a settled principle in our religion that when a man brings forth no fruits of the Spirit, he has not the Holy Spirit within him. Let us resist as a deadly error the common idea, that all baptized people are born again, and that all members of the Church, as a matter of course, have the Holy Spirit. One simple question must be our rule: What fruit does a man bring forth? Does he repent? Does he believe with the heart on Jesus? Does he live a holy life? Does he overcome the world? Habits like these are what Scripture calls “fruit.” When these “fruits” are lacking, it is profane to talk of a man having the Spirit of God within him.
~ J.C. Ryle
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Luke volume 1, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1986], 192.
Never Be Ashamed of Christ!
September 29, 2010 at 8:13 am | Posted in Quotes | Leave a commentTags: J.C. Ryle, Never Be Ashamed of Christ, quotes, Romans 1:16
Here is another good quote from www.jcrylequotes.com. Think about it and if there are changes that you need to make in your life so that you give no hint of being ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve added a Scripture to think about too. I hope you have a great day living for the Lord.
Romans 1:16
(16)I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
Never Be Ashamed Of Christ!
“Whatever others around you think, don’t you ever be ashamed of being a Christian. Let them laugh, mock, jest, and scoff, if they will. They will not scoff in the hour of death and in the day of judgment. Hoist your flag; show your colors; nail them to the mast. You may certainly be ashamed of drinking, gambling, lying, swearing, idleness, pride, and failing to go to church on the Lord’s Day. But of reading the Bible, praying, and belonging to Christ, you have no cause to be ashamed at all. Let those laugh that will. A good soldier is never ashamed of the colors of his nation’s flag, and his uniform. Be careful that you are never ashamed of your Master.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Practical Religion, “Our Home”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 401.
Take Courage That Christ Knows All
September 27, 2010 at 5:17 am | Posted in Quotes | Leave a commentTags: J. C. Ryle quotes, Take Courage That Christ Knows All
When I read the title of this quote this morning I knew I had to post it. It comes from Eric at www.jcrylequotes.com. I would like to say thanks to Eric. If you are familiar with Ryle and like his writing you will like this site. I encourage you to check it out.
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13
Take Courage That Christ Knows All
Posted: 27 Sep 2010 12:00 AM PDT
“Oh, what a blessed and comfortable thing to be known by Christ, known and marked as His friends, His relations, His dear children, His beloved family, His purchased possession! Here we are often cast down, often discouraged, often persecuted, often spoken against, often misunderstood—but let us take courage, our Lord and Master knows all. A day shall come when we shall no longer see through a glass darkly—but face to face—a day when we shall know even as we are now known; for the union between us and our Redeemer, which we so often feel disposed to doubt, shall then be clearly seen, and we shall no more go out to battle.”
~ J.C. Ryle
The Christian Race & Other Sermons, “The Privileges of the True Christian”, [Moscow, ID: Charles Nolan Publishing, 2002], 107.
Pray for Pastors
June 25, 2010 at 6:17 pm | Posted in pray, Quotes | Leave a commentTags: Bounds quote, pray for pastors, Spurgeon quote
I wanted to remind my readers to pray for their pastors and their ministries for this Sunday. I believe that there is a specific call from God to the individual man to pastoral ministry. I also think that there is a devaluing of pastoral ministry today. There is great spiritual warfare in and around the lives of pastors and their families. Please take the time to pray for your pastor. Pray that:
1. He will be diligent in his studies.
2. He will preach God’s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. He will lead the local church to worship God in the beauty of holiness.
4. The people will experience the presence of God at the church.
5. The pastor will grow in the skills needed to be an effective pastor/shepherd, preacher and leader.
6. His family will be protected spiritually, physically and emotionally.
7. His wife will have the joy of the Lord in her heart and mind.
8. The local church will make a Kingdom impact on their community, region and world.
I want to thank you for praying for your pastor. Even if he never knows, God does and your prayers will make a difference. Keep on praying!
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen”
(1 Timothy 1:17)
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“Prayer, and more prayer adds to the fighting qualities and the more certain victories of God’s soldiers…”
— E. M. Bounds
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“He who lives without prayer, he who lives with little prayer, he who seldom reads the Word, and he who seldom looks up to heaven for a fresh influence from on high — he will be a man whose heart will become dry and barren.”
— Charles H. Spurgeon
Stay faithful and hopeful,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
(Romans 15:13; Ephesians 3:7-13, 4:11-13)
Let Nothing Get Between You and Christ
June 21, 2010 at 5:10 am | Posted in Quotes | Leave a commentTags: 2 Peter 3:18, J. C. Ryle quotes, spiritual separation
This quote is pretty good and will make you think about your relationship with the Lord. Is your walk with the Lord growing? Are you disciplining your time and doing what is necessary to grow in your knowledge of Him. You might want to read 2 Peter 3:18 also.
Be growing in GRACE and knowledge,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 21:6
This quote is from www.jcrylequotes.com and you can find more good quotes there.
“A true Christian will strive to do his duty in whatever station or position he finds himself, and to do it well. Whether statesman, or merchant, or banker, or lawyer, or doctor, or tradesman, or farmer, he will try to do his work so that no one can find occasion for fault in him. But he will not allow it to get between him and Christ. If he finds his business beginning to eat up his Sundays, his Bible-reading, his private prayer time, and to bring clouds between him and heaven, he will say, “Stand back! There is a limit. This is as far as you can go, and no further. I cannot sell my soul for position, fame, or gold.” Like Daniel, he will make time for communion with God, whatever the cost may be. He will deny himself anything rather than lose his Bible-reading and his prayers. In all this he will find he stands almost alone. Many will laugh at him, and tell him they get along just fine without being so strict and particular. He will not listen. He will resolutely hold the world at arms length, whatever present loss or sacrifice it may seem to entail. He will choose rather to be less rich and prosperous in this world, than not to prosper about his soul. To stand alone in this way, to run counter to the ways of others, requires immense self-denial. But this is genuine Scriptural separation.”
~ J.C. Ryle
Practical Religion, “The World”, [Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 1998], 297, 298.
Don’t Give the Devil a Foothold – William Gurnall
May 24, 2010 at 9:51 am | Posted in Devotional, Quotes, Spiritual Warfare | Leave a commentTags: Armor of God, devotional, Ephesians, spiritual warfare, William Gurnall
I came upon The Christian In Complete Armour by William Gurnall at the end of last year. The subtitle, Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare also caught my attention. Many years ago one of the first sermons I preached was from Ephesians 6:10-20 on the armor of God. Not counting individual sermons, I have also preached through the entire book of Ephesians as a series. I have a number of good commentaries on Ephesians and books on spiritual warfare. But I’m usually up to adding another one.
This book is meant to be read daily as part of a Christian’s devotional or quiet time. Or personal study time for those who prefer that time. That is how we are using it. I am one who believes that a growing Christian will make time daily to be get to know God better and to pray. To me it is not about being motivated by guilt but by love. It is not about how one feels but about one’s self-discipline. Enough preaching from me; let me step aside and let William Gurnall speak.
DON’T GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD
Satan is an encroaching enemy. Therefore, you must resist him constantly. “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath,” warns the apostle; “neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27). A soldier assigned to guard duty on the outskirts of a city must keep watch as faithfully as the king’s personal bodyguard, or the enemy will break through the outer limits and thereby gain access to the heart of the town.
If you yield to temptation along the perimeter of your heart, you give the devil a foothold from which to create havoc in your inner spirit. For example, you may become angry and thoughtlessly spew out some bitter words. At the very moment this unholy language spills from your mouth, the devil finds the floodgates open and enters. Then come gushing forth such things as you never dreamed of saying! He is a cunning opponent and will not easily relinquish any ground he gains. The safest strategy, the, is to give him no ground at all from which to work. If you so much as hesitate as you walk by the door where sin dwells, you give Satan more time to entice you to enter. Then you are on his territory.
Who will stop by a tavern to enjoy the company of drunkards, or frequent places of sin, and yet pretend he does not intend to partake? Who will prostitute his eyes to unchaste objects, and yet remain chaste? Who will lend his ears to any corrupt doctrine of the times, and yet be sound in the faith? Such a person is under a strong delusion. If a man is not strong enough to resist Satan in a lesser thing, how can he believe he will be able to repel a greater temptation? You say you cannot avoid being surrounded by deep waters of temptation, yet you think you have the strength to hold your head above water? The give careful thought to some practical advice: It is far easier, when in the ship, to keep from falling overboard than, when in the sea, to get safely into the ship again. (reading for May 22)
Those are still strong and good words for today. I don’t know when they were first written but I do know that Gurnall lived from 1616-1679. There was a strong Puritan influence in his life and he gave himself to pastoring. One has to wonder what he would think of the times and temptations we face today. Maybe he would have the same advice today as he did then. I recommend this book to purchase and use.
Much GRACE and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; JOHN 15:7
Lay Aside Every Distraction
March 10, 2010 at 4:44 pm | Posted in Book Giveaway, Quotes | Leave a commentTags: looking unto Jesus
I like the writing of J. C. Ryle and want to encourage you to look at the book giveaway post below. They will draw a winner for the book on Saturday March 13, 2010. Even if you don’t want to enter the contest for the book, “Meet the Puritans” consider learning about Ryle and his ministry. Most of the daily quotes encourage me and cause me to think about the Lord. I hope they do the same for you too.
“We must cast away everything which hinders us upon our road towards heaven – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life; the love of riches, pleasures and honors, the spirit of lukewarmness and carelessness and indifference about the things of God – all must be rooted out and forsaken if we are anxious for the prize. We must mortify the deeds of the body, we must crucify our affections for this world.”
~ J.C. Ryle
The Christian Race & Other Sermons, “The Christian Race”, [Moscow, ID: Charles Nolan Publishing, 2002], 129.
(1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (4) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. (Hebrews 12:1-4 NKJV)
GRACE and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 16:11
Pray To Be Disturbed
March 5, 2010 at 3:15 pm | Posted in pray, Quotes, revival | Leave a commentTags: disturb us, Leonard Ravenhill quotes, Lord, prayer, revival, Sir Francis Drake
Before I begin to read a book in-depth, I skim through it and read parts of it. Recently I received your church is too small by John Armstrong to both read and review. On a quick glance one of the things I like about it is the quotes. I’m a lifelong collector of quotes. In about a week and a half I’ll post a review of it. But for now, here’s a good quote.
“Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we sailed too close to shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes, and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.”
– Attributed to Sir Francis Drake, 1577 (p. 190)
Did that quote speak to you? It spoke to me. I have been trying to give Friday as a day to be reminded to pray for something in particular. Today’s prayer may be a little difficult for some. Let’s pray that the Lord Jesus Christ would disturb us in ways we need. For those of us who say we know Him through grace and faith, let’s ask ourselves the following questions and pray:
- Do we still love Him more than anyone or anything else? (Rev. 2:1-7)
- Do we live and pray with faith? (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6)
- Do we still love attending and serving through one of His churches? (Eph. 3:10-11; Heb. 10:19-25)
- Do we share our knowledge of this personal relationship in both word and deed? (2 Cor. 5:14-21)
- Do we still come boldly, humbly, confidently and consistently to the throne of grace? (Heb. 4:16; Phil. 4:4-7)
- Do we honestly redeem the time He has given us with Spirit filled lives? (Eph. 5:13-18)
- Do we walk in step with the Holy Spirit? (Gal. 5:16-26)
I’ll try to stop here even though I could go on. Specifically, I’m thinking of Romans 12:1-2.
(1)Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. (2)Do not comform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then yopu will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
Maybe we don’t understand “surrender.” Maybe the battle between the flesh and the spirit never stops. Maybe we have discounted the resources and power of Almighty God like we have to so many things and people around us. Maybe we need a personal revival. Maybe our family’s, our churches, and our community’s need us to have a personal revival. Maybe we are too comfortable or afraid to be disturbed. Only we and the LORD really know the answer to that! Please disturb us Lord.
Much grace and peace to you,
Bill (a fellow-laborer)
Romans 15:13; Psalm 138
“The only reason we don’t have revival is because we are willing to live without it.”
“There is a deeper life. It is as deep as a personal Gethsemane and as costly as a personal Calvary.”
“If Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.”
“Whatever else we say about revival we have to recognize this, that revival is an act of mercy in the sovereignty of God.”
– All quotes by Leonard Ravenhill
_______________________
“You have longed for sweet peace and for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently, prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest
Until all on the altar is laid.”
– Hoffman
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