Where Do You Stand? by AW Pink

The bare acceptance of an orthodox doctrine about the person of Christ without the heart being won by Him and the life devoted to Him, is another phase of that way “which seemeth right unto a man” but the end thereof are “the ways of death.” A mere intellectual assent to the reality of Christ’s person, and which goes no further, is another phase of the way which “seemeth right unto a man” but of which the end thereof “are the ways of death,” or, in other words, is another aspect of the gospel of Satan.

And now, where do you stand? Are you in the way which “seemeth right,” but which ends in death; or, are you in the Narrow Way which leadeth unto life? Have you truly forsaken the Broad Road which leadeth to death? Has the love of Christ created in your heart a hatred and horror of all that is displeasing to Him? Are you desirous that he should “reign over” you? (Luke 19:14). Are you relying wholly on His righteousness and blood for your acceptance with God?

Those who are trusting to an outward form of godliness, such as baptism or “confirmation!” those who are religious because it is considered a mark of respectability; those who attend some Church or Chapel because it is the fashion to do so; and, those who unite with some Denomination because they suppose that such a step will enable them to become Christians, are in the way which “ends in death”—death spiritual and eternal. However pure our motives, however noble our intentions, however well-meaning our purposes, however sincere our endeavors, God will not acknowledge us as His sons, until we accept His Son.

A yet more specious form of Satan’s gospel is to move preachers to present the atoning sacrifice of Christ and then tell their hearers that all God requires from them is to “believe” in His Son. Thereby thousands of impenitent souls are deluded into thinking they have been saved. But Christ said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). To “repent” is to hate sin, to sorrow over it, to turn from it. It is the result of the Spirits making the heart contrite before God. None except a broken heart can savingly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Again, thousands are deceived into supposing that they have “accepted Christ” as their “personal Saviour,” who have not first received Him as their LORD. The Son of God did not come here to save His people in their sin, but “from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). To be saved from sins, is to be saved from ignoring and despising the authority of God, it is to abandon the course of self-will and self-pleasing, it is to “forsake our way” (Isa. 55:7). It is to surrender to God’s authority, to yield to His dominion, to give ourselves over to be ruled by Him. The one who has never taken Christ’s “yoke” upon him, who is not truly and diligently seeking to please Him in all the details of life, and yet supposes that he is “resting on the Finished Work of Christ” is deluded by the Devil.

In the seventh chapter of Matthew there are two scriptures which give us approximate results of Christ’s Gospel and Satan’s counterfeit. First, in verses 13–14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Second; in verses 22–23, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied [preached] in Thy name? and in Thy name cast out demons, and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Yes, my reader, it is possible to work in the name of Christ, and even to preach in his name, and though the world knows us, the Church knows us, yet to be unknown to the Lord! How necessary is it then to find out where we really are; to examine ourselves and see whether we be in the faith; to measure ourselves by the Word of God and see if we are being deceived by our subtle Enemy; to find out whether we are building our house upon the sand, or whether it is erected on the Rock which is Jesus Christ. May the Holy Spirit search our hearts, break our wills, slay our enmity against God, work in us a deep and true repentance, and direct our gaze to the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

Arthur Walkington Pink, The Arthur Pink Anthology (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2005).

Stand By Me

While reading the Psalms this morning I thought of what our neighbors in Oklahoma have been experiencing. Seems Psalm 107:22-30 speaks a word of comfort in times like this. Also, I was reminded of the 1st stanza of the this spiritual and thought I would print it here. May God’s Word and Tindley’s grasp of God’s promise be a comfort to all who read.

Stand By Me

Words & Music: Charles A. Tind­ley, 1905

When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea
Thou Who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of tribulation,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of tribulation,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the hosts of hell assail,
And my strength begins to fail,
Thou Who never lost a battle,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of faults and failures,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of faults and failures,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When I do the best I can,
And my friends misunderstand,
Thou Who knowest all about me,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of persecution,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of persecution,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When my foes in battle array
Undertake to stop my way,
Thou Who saved Paul and Silas,
Stand by me (stand by me).

When I’m growing old and feeble,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When I’m growing old and feeble,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When my life becomes a burden,
And I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O Thou “Lily of the Valley,”
Stand by me (stand by me).

Blessed me–Hope it blesses you!!

THIS IS WHAT LOVE IS ALL ABOUT

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, When an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him. "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She doesn't know who I am, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

"The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way."

-- Author Unknown

“Why is it thus with me?”

In light of all the storms and struggles we all find ourselves in from time to time, and especially the recent events that have come upon our friends and neighbors, I’m sharing today’s (May 22) reading from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening. If you haven’t lately read Psalm 107, I highly recommend a fresh reading of the Psalm.

In this devotion Spurgeon reaches down into his own soul to express the mountain top and the valley experiences that are so difficult to understand. However, it is not necessary that we understand, but it is necessary that we believe that our God will lead us “by the right way.” I hope this post will bless you as it has me and that it will provide some meaning to the tragic events of recent days in our nation.

“He led them forth by the right way.” — Psalm 107:7

Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire “Why is it thus with me?” I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but behold trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, thou dost hide thy face, and I am troubled. It was but yesterday that I could read my title clear; to-day my evidences are bedimmed, and my hopes are clouded. Yesterday I could climb to Pisgah’s top, and view the landscape o’er, and rejoice with confidence in my future inheritance; to-day, my spirit has no hopes, but many fears; no joys, but much distress. Is this part of God’s plan with me? Can this be the way in which God would bring me to heaven? Yes, it is even so. The eclipse of your faith, the darkness of your mind, the fainting of your hope, all these things are but parts of God’s method of making you ripe for the great inheritance upon which you shall soon enter. These trials are for the testing and strengthening of your faith—they are waves that wash you further upon the rock—they are winds which waft your ship the more swiftly towards the desired haven. According to David’s words, so it might be said of you, “so he bringeth them to their desired haven.” By honour and dishonour, by evil report and by good report, by plenty and by poverty, by joy and by distress, by persecution and by peace, by all these things is the life of your souls maintained, and by each of these are you helped on your way. Oh, think not, believer, that your sorrows are out of God’s plan; they are necessary parts of it. “We must, through much tribulation, enter the kingdom.” Learn, then, even to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.”

“O let my trembling soul be still,
And wait thy wise, thy holy will!
I cannot, Lord, thy purpose see,
Yet all is well since ruled by thee.”^[1]

 

 

---

^[1] Charles H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Complete and unabridged; New modern edition. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006).

Self-Denial . . . .

An easy, self-indulgent life!

(J.R. Miller 1840-1912)       [Shared from gracegems.com]

And Jesus was saying to them all: If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23 

We cannot live a life that will please Christ--without great cost to ourselves. It is never an easy thing, to be a disciple of Christ. An easy, self-indulgent life--can never be a Christ-like life. 

It was not easy for Christ to redeem sinners. From beginning to end of His earthly ministry, He poured out His own precious life. The people thronged about Him with their sins, their sorrows, and their needs--and virtue went out of Him continually to heal them, to comfort them, to feed their heart-hunger. He utterly forgot Himself--and gave His life and love without stint to every one who asked. At last He literally gave Himself, emptying out His heart's blood--to give eternal life to sinful and dead souls. His sufferings were finished, when He bowed His head on the cross. 

It is now our privilege to suffer for Him--to perpetuate the self-sacrificial love of Christ on this earth. Only in so far as we do this, are we living a life that will please Him. 

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death!" Philippians 3:10 

"Anyone who does not take his cross and follow Me, is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:38

Sunday is Coming. . .

[In order to be absolutely upfront, I don’t remember if I wrote this or found it on some other site. I think I did write it for the introduction to an Easter sermon, but in case you recognize it as belonging to someone else, please accept my apologies.]

Can you imagine the dead silence that must have been felt in the room on Saturday after the Lord had been crucified? What do you suppose was going through the minds of the disciples? If, they even spoke, what do you think might have been the topic of their conversation?

I'm thinking they were probably in the lowest feeling of depression they had ever felt. These men had done no better than the Pharisees in understanding His words of "destroy this...and I will raise it up again." All they could think about was they had seen, from a distance no doubt, the agonizing death of the very One they had hang their hopes upon. That was yesterday, Friday, He was dead for sure and they knew it. Now what!! What will they do next?

Ah, but what a difference a day makes. Tomorrow, there will be a surge of new life through their hearts and minds that will change everything. Today, they don't realize it, but TOMORROW He will rise from the dead and appear to all of them, except Thomas, he'll have to wait a week.

Tomorrow, He will breathe on them and they will experience the Holy Spirit, Whose full power will come on Pentecost. He will also give them the joy of telling those who believe on the Lord Jesus that their sins have been forgiven, but also the sad charge to tell those who will not believe that their sins are NOT forgiven.

You and I are so blessed!! We too, have the Holy Spirit within us and we can tell people if they will confess themselves as sinners and believe on the Lord Jesus their sins are forgiven, but if not, NO forgiveness.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

Chorus:

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

Alfred H. Ackley, (1887-1960)

Running a test for Blogger

Just need to run a test to see when/how my blogs are posting. I’m using Windows Live Writer to edit them in.

Should You Go First…..

These lyrics were done on one of Gaither’s Homecoming videos by George Younce. They are so pretty and meaningful as we grow older, just thought I would share them with all of you who read my blogs.


Lyrics:
Should You Go First And I Remain
To Walk The Road Alone
I'll Live In Memory's Garden Dear
With The Happy Days We've Known.

And In Springtime I'll Watch For Rose's Red
When Fades The Lilac Blue
And In Early Fall
When Brown Leaves Call
I'll Catch A Glimpse Of You.

Should You Go First And I Remain
To Finish With The Scroll
No Lengthening Shadows Shall Creep In
To Make This Life so Droll.

We've Known So Much Happiness
And We've Had Our Cup Of Joy
But Memory Is One Gift Of God
That Death Cannot Destroy.

Should You Go First And I Remain
For Battles To Be Fought
Each Thing You've Touched Along The Way
Will Be A Hallowed Spot.

I'll Hear Your Voice
And I'll See Your Smile
And Though Blindly I May Grope
The Memory Of Your Helping Hand
Will Boil Me On With Hope.

Should You Go First And I Remain
One Thing I'd Have You Do
Walk Slowly Down That Long, Long Path
For Soon I'll Follow You.

And I'll Want To Know Each Step You Took
That I May Walk The Same
For Someday Down That Lonely Road
You'll Hear Me Call Your Name.
       --- Author Unknown

Songs I Sing to My Sweetheart

Thought I would write down some of the lyrics of songs that I sing, to my darlin,’ Billie, when I am taking care of her. Sometimes she just doesn’t want to talk, nor even answer questions, so I go about checking her vitals and doing what is needed and sing her a song or two. I realize I have changed some of the words just to fit us, so don’t worry if they are not exact.

Hey Good Lookin

Hey good lookin'

What ya got cookin?

How’s about cookin' something up with me

Oh, sweet baby

Don't you think maybe?

We could find us a brand new recipe

I’ve got a hot-rod Ford and a two-dollar bill

And I know a spot right over the hill

There’s Sodie-pop and the dancin’s free

Won’t you come along and go with me

I said hey good lookin'

What ya got cookin?

How about cookin' something up with me?

[My first car, bought during my senior year in GHS, was a hot-rod Ford and Billie was with me when I bought it. She snuggled up to me when we drove it away from the dealer ship, after we got out of sight of my Grandmother. J]

Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

Five foot two, eyes of blue

But oh what those five foot could do

Has anybody seen my gal?

Turned up nose and turned down hose

Flapper yes sir one of those

Has anybody seen my gal?

Now if you run into a five foot two covered with fur

Diamond ring and all those things

Bet your life it isn't her.

Could she love could she woo

Could she could she could she coo

Has anybody seen my gal?

                   [If you knew Billie, you would know this song fits her to a T.]

Let Me Call You Sweetheart

Let me call you sweetheart

I’m in love with you

Let me hear you whisper that you love me too

Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so true

Let me call you sweetheart

I’m in love with you

Let me call you sweetheart

I’m in love with you

Let me hear you whisper that you love me too

Keep the love light glowing in your eyes so true

Let me call you sweetheart

I’m in love with you

I’m in Love with You, Honey

I'm in love with you, hon-ey.

Say you love me, too, hon-ey.

No one else will do, hon-ey;

Seems fun-ny, but it's true.

Loved you from the start, hon-ey.

Bless your little heart, hon-ey.

Ev'ry day would be so sun-ny,

Hon-ey, when I'm with you.

You Are My Sunshine

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

You'll never know dear

How much I love you

So please don't take

My sunshine Away

The other night dear

As I lay sleeping

I dreamed I held you in my arms

When I awoke dear

I was mistaken

And I held

My head

And cried

You are my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy

When skies are grey

You'll never know dear

How much I love you

Please don't take

My sunshine Away

New Year's Resolutions

Bill called his parents to wish them a happy New Year, and his dad answered the phone. 
"Well, Dad, what's your New Year's resolution?" Bill asked him. "To make your mother as happy as I can all year," Dad answered. 
When mom got on the phone, Bill said, "What's your resolution, Mom?" 
She answered, "To see that your dad keeps his New Year's resolution."