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The Carpenter's Chapel (5)
- Thread starter Jim1999
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Saturday July 31, 2004
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philipians 4:19)
We have here a great passage in the Word of God that, no doubt, many would claim as their favorite verse. This fourth chapter of Philipians is full of comforting words for us:
Verse 6: "Be anxious for nothing..." Truly, perhaps, the thing that may well be the cause for the greatest anxiety is what we all, if the Lord tarries, will face someday: the end of our race here on earth-death. Back in my Southern Baptist years they would use the Southern Baptist quarterly's in Sunday school. The best I can recall, I will recount one of those lessons, one I will never forget. I cannot verify if this actually took place, or if these men really existed; but it speaks such obvious truth that it doesn't really matter.
An elderly doctor was visiting his life-long friend who was dying. The doctor, and medical science, had done everything possible for him that could be done, but in spite of that, the man had probably only a few hours left. Both of these men were Christians but the dying man was troubled;
What is heaven like? What goes on there? What does it look like? What is everyone doing? What will I be doing? (Has not some questions crossed OUR minds in this regard?) The doctor did not know how to answer. The Bible has passages like, "Now we see through a glass darkly," or, "Eye hath not seen..." Just then a scratching noise was coming from the front door and the doctor went to see what was going on. The doctor had totally forgotten that he had left his dog outside; when he opened the door, his dog bounded in, jumping up and down, wagging his tail and giving the doctor kisses. His dog gave the doctor the answer he needed. He turned to his friend and said, "You know, my dog has never been in your house, didn't know what it looked like, nor did he have any idea what we were doing in here; he only knew one thing: I was in here. We may not know a lot about were we will be, but we know one thing: Jesus is there." The man was comforted in his final hours.
And for us as well, this should dispell all anxiety; He who loved us and gave Himself for us awaits us over there.
Other comforting verses in chapter 4:
Verse 11. Whatever state (we!) are in "to be content." Now it could be said, rightly so, "Easier said than done." Even the apostle Paul had to learn it ("for I have learned...") You sure won't find this trait much among young people, you learn this over time.
Verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God will not assign to us a task that is impossible for us to do.
And our lead verse, 19: "And my God shall supply all your need..." Note: NOT all our wants. "I have ben young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)
In short, For our anxieties; For the state we are in; For the tasks that we face; For everything we need: Christ is sufficient.
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philipians 4:19)
We have here a great passage in the Word of God that, no doubt, many would claim as their favorite verse. This fourth chapter of Philipians is full of comforting words for us:
Verse 6: "Be anxious for nothing..." Truly, perhaps, the thing that may well be the cause for the greatest anxiety is what we all, if the Lord tarries, will face someday: the end of our race here on earth-death. Back in my Southern Baptist years they would use the Southern Baptist quarterly's in Sunday school. The best I can recall, I will recount one of those lessons, one I will never forget. I cannot verify if this actually took place, or if these men really existed; but it speaks such obvious truth that it doesn't really matter.
An elderly doctor was visiting his life-long friend who was dying. The doctor, and medical science, had done everything possible for him that could be done, but in spite of that, the man had probably only a few hours left. Both of these men were Christians but the dying man was troubled;
What is heaven like? What goes on there? What does it look like? What is everyone doing? What will I be doing? (Has not some questions crossed OUR minds in this regard?) The doctor did not know how to answer. The Bible has passages like, "Now we see through a glass darkly," or, "Eye hath not seen..." Just then a scratching noise was coming from the front door and the doctor went to see what was going on. The doctor had totally forgotten that he had left his dog outside; when he opened the door, his dog bounded in, jumping up and down, wagging his tail and giving the doctor kisses. His dog gave the doctor the answer he needed. He turned to his friend and said, "You know, my dog has never been in your house, didn't know what it looked like, nor did he have any idea what we were doing in here; he only knew one thing: I was in here. We may not know a lot about were we will be, but we know one thing: Jesus is there." The man was comforted in his final hours.
And for us as well, this should dispell all anxiety; He who loved us and gave Himself for us awaits us over there.
Other comforting verses in chapter 4:
Verse 11. Whatever state (we!) are in "to be content." Now it could be said, rightly so, "Easier said than done." Even the apostle Paul had to learn it ("for I have learned...") You sure won't find this trait much among young people, you learn this over time.
Verse 13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." God will not assign to us a task that is impossible for us to do.
And our lead verse, 19: "And my God shall supply all your need..." Note: NOT all our wants. "I have ben young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread." (Psalm 37:25)
In short, For our anxieties; For the state we are in; For the tasks that we face; For everything we need: Christ is sufficient.
Just had the time to catch up on the Friday and Saturday devotionals!
Two great lines - on from Jim the other from Charles:
"It was all humanism. My friends, this takes us nowhere and leaves us there."
"We may not know a lot about were we will be, but we know one thing: Jesus is there."
Thank you Gentlemen!
Two great lines - on from Jim the other from Charles:
"It was all humanism. My friends, this takes us nowhere and leaves us there."
"We may not know a lot about were we will be, but we know one thing: Jesus is there."
Thank you Gentlemen!
Charles, one of the most quoted verses amongst Christians, and the least understood. We hear it all the time....quote a verse about God's hand, and we proceed to follow our own paths of doubt and dismay.
We need to learn all over again, that God is sufficient for all....
Cheers,
Jim
We need to learn all over again, that God is sufficient for all....
Cheers,
Jim
Sunday August 1,2004
Then He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind;
and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;
and after the fire a still small voice.
God's awesome power and might come readily to mind as one contemplates being confronted in sin. But for a believer who has walked with God, the Lord's reproof is not one of thunderous confrontation. Much as a loving Father tenderly deals with an errant child, our Father longs to deal with our offense and restore fellowship.
Look at God's dealing with Adam in the Garden of Eden:
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you." (Genesis 3:9) God's still small voice asked the rhetorical question that brought conviction and opportunity for restoration.
God's prophet Nathan confronted a sinful King David with a simple story of injustice that a man had commited.
So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely Die!...And Nathan sid to David, "You are the man!"
(2Samuel 12: 5,7)
Christ Himself provided an illustration of loving confrontation. After being forsaken and denied by His disciple Simon Peter, the Lord met with him alone and asked a penetrating question: "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
(John 21:15)
After the mighty wind, earthquake and fire, God spoke to the prophet in a still small voice.
It seems to be that everytime this writer is tempted in some way, a passage from God's Word will come into remembrance every time.
The Bible: God's still small voice for us today.
Then He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind;
and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;
and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;
and after the fire a still small voice.
God's awesome power and might come readily to mind as one contemplates being confronted in sin. But for a believer who has walked with God, the Lord's reproof is not one of thunderous confrontation. Much as a loving Father tenderly deals with an errant child, our Father longs to deal with our offense and restore fellowship.
Look at God's dealing with Adam in the Garden of Eden:
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you." (Genesis 3:9) God's still small voice asked the rhetorical question that brought conviction and opportunity for restoration.
God's prophet Nathan confronted a sinful King David with a simple story of injustice that a man had commited.
So David's anger was greatly aroused against the man, and said to Nathan, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely Die!...And Nathan sid to David, "You are the man!"
(2Samuel 12: 5,7)
Christ Himself provided an illustration of loving confrontation. After being forsaken and denied by His disciple Simon Peter, the Lord met with him alone and asked a penetrating question: "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?"
(John 21:15)
After the mighty wind, earthquake and fire, God spoke to the prophet in a still small voice.
It seems to be that everytime this writer is tempted in some way, a passage from God's Word will come into remembrance every time.
The Bible: God's still small voice for us today.
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
How much more that "still small voice" of loving rebuke means than a raging anger.
Thanks Watchman!
Thanks Watchman!
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Monday, 2nd August, 2004
I want to take a one day break from our visit to Vanity Fair to share something that I found in my devotions. I am reading through Acts and read the account of Paul and his team approaching Rome. They have travelled as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns. They are still about 65km from Rome when we come to verse 15 of Acts 28.
How did Paul recognise these believers? Or did they recognise him first? We cannot know the specifics of their meeting, but we can know this – Paul gave thanks and took courage at meeting them!
What a picture of true Christian fellowship! What a testimony to these unknown Roman saints.
There is a challenge for each of us today as well. First, do we have the hospitable, sacrificial spirit of these saints who would walk at least 65km to meet Paul and his entourage? Secondly, do we have the kind of spirit that causes fellow Christians to give thanks and take courage at meeting us?
Ask the Lord to give you a “Three Taverns” encounter today, and be a source of thanksgiving and encouragement to another.
I want to take a one day break from our visit to Vanity Fair to share something that I found in my devotions. I am reading through Acts and read the account of Paul and his team approaching Rome. They have travelled as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns. They are still about 65km from Rome when we come to verse 15 of Acts 28.
I was immediately challenged by the action of these Roman Christians. Travel was not easy in those days, though the Roman roads were the best of their time. Paul and his team had been through all kinds of “adventures” on their way to Rome. As they travelled they came to the town of Appii Forum shortly thereafter, perhaps the same day they come to the “rest stop” of the Three Taverns. Along this journey Paul must have looked up and seen a group of people approaching. We don’t know how many of these people Paul knew if any, but he had written to the church there about five year before and he had been praying for them and longed to meet them (see Romans 1v9-11) and had desired to do so for a long time (Romans 15v23).
How did Paul recognise these believers? Or did they recognise him first? We cannot know the specifics of their meeting, but we can know this – Paul gave thanks and took courage at meeting them!
What a picture of true Christian fellowship! What a testimony to these unknown Roman saints.
There is a challenge for each of us today as well. First, do we have the hospitable, sacrificial spirit of these saints who would walk at least 65km to meet Paul and his entourage? Secondly, do we have the kind of spirit that causes fellow Christians to give thanks and take courage at meeting us?
Ask the Lord to give you a “Three Taverns” encounter today, and be a source of thanksgiving and encouragement to another.
Welcome Jamiu, to the Carpenter's Chapel.
Is Benin Republic a former part of Nigeria? There is a Benin City at the foot of Nigeria. Thank you.
Indeed, it seems that what the Christians accomplished in Paul's days, far exceeds the efforts of to-day despite modernity.
Cheers,
Jim
Is Benin Republic a former part of Nigeria? There is a Benin City at the foot of Nigeria. Thank you.
Indeed, it seems that what the Christians accomplished in Paul's days, far exceeds the efforts of to-day despite modernity.
Cheers,
Jim
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Great thoughts Jamiu and Jim. I thought about few of us would walk 65km just to greet a brother in Christ today.
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004
Galatians 3: 16
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.....and to thy seed which is
Christ..”
Just what role does the law play in God’s plan of salvation? To explain this to some
Jews who had become distorted in the gospel, Paul draws upon the Abrahamic
Covenant. And so, in this passage we have the law and the promise and the gospel
hopes for all mankind.
What purpose does the law serve? Paul addresses this question in verse 19. “Where
then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions...” That seems simple
enough. But it doesn’t end there. It goes on, “...till the seed should come to whom
the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator...”
The law did not replace the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant was
fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ and the fruit dispensed to the Israel of God;
the church.
The law was a teacher, but never a redeemer. It did not bring about redemption nor
righteousness. If anything it demonstrated the absolute futility of humankind the
depths of their sinfulness in the eyes of God. The law was not ordained of God, but
rather by the angels. The promise was ordained by God and given to spiritual
Abraham to benefit the adopted family of God, the church. The church was not a
parenthetical thought in the mind of God, but rather the adopted children of God in
Christ.
When a child is born naturally to a family, he has few choices. His name is given
and he benefits from that physical legacy. An adopted son is chosen, and he also
benefits from the imputed legacy. Paul tells the Galatians that the church body, the
body of believers, are not the Israelites, who once delivered the message of God, but
the adopted sons, chosen by God and sealed by Jesus Christ on the cross. We have
inherited the promise. The Abrahamic covenant is ours through Jesus Christ. There
is no hope, present or future, in the nation of Israel. Our hope is on the promise
made to Abraham. Unlike the law, which was given by angels, we have the promise
of God, ordained by God, and it is eternal. Some fear the church is losing ground,
but Jesus promised the church is built on a firm foundation and will not suffer loss
through all eternity. I do not look forward to the rebuilding of Israel, but the coming
of the King, in full glory, and the establishment of my new eternal home in His
presence. Jesus is King now, and we should model our lives as heirs to that
kingdom and not wait for some mythical reestablishment of a nation. This is the
thrust of Paul’s message to the Galatians who had turned to some extreme form of
Israelitism. There have been variations of this notion down through the ages and
each system has failed, but Jesus has never failed, His kingdom endures forever.
Our choice, as adopted sons and daughters, is to live in this light, claiming the
promise, which never changes and was fulfilled in that same Jesus.
Lord, help us always to remember the King. The one who cannot abdicate, but rules
in our lives day by day and secures our future, not by law, but by grace imputed to
us for righteousness.
Cheers,
Jim
Galatians 3: 16
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.....and to thy seed which is
Christ..”
Just what role does the law play in God’s plan of salvation? To explain this to some
Jews who had become distorted in the gospel, Paul draws upon the Abrahamic
Covenant. And so, in this passage we have the law and the promise and the gospel
hopes for all mankind.
What purpose does the law serve? Paul addresses this question in verse 19. “Where
then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions...” That seems simple
enough. But it doesn’t end there. It goes on, “...till the seed should come to whom
the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator...”
The law did not replace the Abrahamic Covenant. The Abrahamic Covenant was
fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ and the fruit dispensed to the Israel of God;
the church.
The law was a teacher, but never a redeemer. It did not bring about redemption nor
righteousness. If anything it demonstrated the absolute futility of humankind the
depths of their sinfulness in the eyes of God. The law was not ordained of God, but
rather by the angels. The promise was ordained by God and given to spiritual
Abraham to benefit the adopted family of God, the church. The church was not a
parenthetical thought in the mind of God, but rather the adopted children of God in
Christ.
When a child is born naturally to a family, he has few choices. His name is given
and he benefits from that physical legacy. An adopted son is chosen, and he also
benefits from the imputed legacy. Paul tells the Galatians that the church body, the
body of believers, are not the Israelites, who once delivered the message of God, but
the adopted sons, chosen by God and sealed by Jesus Christ on the cross. We have
inherited the promise. The Abrahamic covenant is ours through Jesus Christ. There
is no hope, present or future, in the nation of Israel. Our hope is on the promise
made to Abraham. Unlike the law, which was given by angels, we have the promise
of God, ordained by God, and it is eternal. Some fear the church is losing ground,
but Jesus promised the church is built on a firm foundation and will not suffer loss
through all eternity. I do not look forward to the rebuilding of Israel, but the coming
of the King, in full glory, and the establishment of my new eternal home in His
presence. Jesus is King now, and we should model our lives as heirs to that
kingdom and not wait for some mythical reestablishment of a nation. This is the
thrust of Paul’s message to the Galatians who had turned to some extreme form of
Israelitism. There have been variations of this notion down through the ages and
each system has failed, but Jesus has never failed, His kingdom endures forever.
Our choice, as adopted sons and daughters, is to live in this light, claiming the
promise, which never changes and was fulfilled in that same Jesus.
Lord, help us always to remember the King. The one who cannot abdicate, but rules
in our lives day by day and secures our future, not by law, but by grace imputed to
us for righteousness.
Cheers,
Jim
NaasPreacher (C4K)
Well-Known Member
Wednesday, 4 August, 2004
Faithful and Christian have their first personal encounter in Vanity Fair.
What a rare commodity truth is in our day. We think sometimes that we are unique in the 21st century, but Bunyan knew that they was a lack of truth in his day as well. These men stood out in the crowd when they said, “We buy the truth?” With all the wares of the city before them these men chose truth above all else.
The world claims to live today is a “post-modern world” where all truth is relative and many would question the existence of truth. How does the world around you respond when you boldly cling to the truth? Probably much like the residents of Vanity Fair who “despise the men the more: some mocking; some taunting; some speaking reproachfully; and some calling upon others to smite them.”
The world hates the truth. They will try to destroy the truth because the truth convicts of sin, If there is no truth that man can live as he wills and do whatever he desires. We expect that from the residents of Vanity Fair, but what about the children of the King.
The question for us today, based on Proverbs 23v23 is this, “Where does truth come on your shopping list?” With all of the shopkeepers of the world, do we say like our pilgrims, “We buy the truth?” Sadly, too often truth is not at the top of our shopping list. Choose the truth in very situation today. Despite what the post-modernists say, there is truth today. It is only found in the One Who said – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
Faithful and Christian have their first personal encounter in Vanity Fair.
Proverbs 23v23 – Buy the truth and sell it not, also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding
What a rare commodity truth is in our day. We think sometimes that we are unique in the 21st century, but Bunyan knew that they was a lack of truth in his day as well. These men stood out in the crowd when they said, “We buy the truth?” With all the wares of the city before them these men chose truth above all else.
The world claims to live today is a “post-modern world” where all truth is relative and many would question the existence of truth. How does the world around you respond when you boldly cling to the truth? Probably much like the residents of Vanity Fair who “despise the men the more: some mocking; some taunting; some speaking reproachfully; and some calling upon others to smite them.”
The world hates the truth. They will try to destroy the truth because the truth convicts of sin, If there is no truth that man can live as he wills and do whatever he desires. We expect that from the residents of Vanity Fair, but what about the children of the King.
The question for us today, based on Proverbs 23v23 is this, “Where does truth come on your shopping list?” With all of the shopkeepers of the world, do we say like our pilgrims, “We buy the truth?” Sadly, too often truth is not at the top of our shopping list. Choose the truth in very situation today. Despite what the post-modernists say, there is truth today. It is only found in the One Who said – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.”
Indeed, Roger, Jesus didn't say he spoke the truth, but that he is truth. Let God be true and all men liars....How true scripture rings in this dark, dark world.
Then we come to shades of truth. I think this is where most of us fall short from time to time. We speak an element of truth and then inject that foreign element; the half truth. Which, of course, is not the truth at all.
Cheers, and thanks,
Jim
Then we come to shades of truth. I think this is where most of us fall short from time to time. We speak an element of truth and then inject that foreign element; the half truth. Which, of course, is not the truth at all.
Cheers, and thanks,
Jim