A Rose by any Other Name

I've moved my blog to one that has a more fitting URL; all future updates will be made to this address:

http://theologyofeverything.blogspot.com/

Faith and Repentance

The interaction between the two is something that I need clarification on; one friend suggested that they cannot be separated: each proves the authenticity of the other:

"Faith without repentance is no faith, repentance without faith is no repentance, we need "penitent faith" and "believing repentance."

Sounds pretty Roman Catholic to me

To know Him is to love Him

Philippians 1:9 -

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight..."

How many times do we pray, "God, make me love You/my boss/myself more"? But this is not how the process works for Paul. Love is the byproduct of knowledge; truly, to know Jesus better is to love Him more. In this life, we make the effort to get to know those we love, and the same is true for God: if we want to love Him more, we need to know Him better!

Recently, I've found Spurgeon's Morning and Evening reflections helpful in knowing God better; you can read an entire year's worth of content free here. Just remember that nothing beats the word for getting to know the Word!

Zeitgeist

Facebook ad reveals the spirit of our age:

















Make Yourself Amazing :[

The Amen

From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, April 19th:

The word AMEN solemnly confirms that which went before; and Jesus is the great Confirmer; immutable, for ever is "the Amen" in all his promises. Sinner, I would comfort thee with this reflection. Jesus Christ said, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." If you come to him, he will say "Amen" in your soul; his promise shall be true to you. He said in the days of his flesh, "The bruised reed I will not break." O thou poor, broken, bruised heart, if thou comest to him, he will say "Amen" to thee, and that shall be true in thy soul as in hundreds of cases in bygone years. Christian, is not this very comforting to thee also, that there is not a word which has gone out of the Saviour's lips which he has ever retracted? The words of Jesus shall stand when heaven and earth shall pass away. If thou gettest a hold of but half a promise, thou shalt find it true. Beware of him who is called "Clip-promise," who will destroy much of the comfort of God's word.

Jesus is Yea and Amen in all his offices. He was a Priest to pardon and cleanse once, he is Amen as Priest still. He was a King to rule and reign for his people, and to defend them with his mighty arm, he is an Amen King, the same still. He was a Prophet of old, to foretell good things to come, his lips are most sweet, and drop with honey still-he is an Amen Prophet. He is Amen as to the merit of his blood; he is Amen as to his righteousness. That sacred robe shall remain most fair and glorious when nature shall decay. He is Amen in every single title which he bears; your Husband, never seeking a divorce; your Friend, sticking closer than a brother; your Shepherd, with you in death's dark vale; your Help and your Deliverer; your Castle and your High Tower; the Horn of your strength, your confidence, your joy, your all in all, and your Yea and Amen in all.

Easter

David Field quotes Luther in his Easter post:

• "The one who wants to bring his own merits and works to bear in this situation and employ them against sin, blasphemes Christ's vicarious death and intercession ..."

How much we need to be reminded of this! Praise God that our righteousness is in Christ; may we never believe that our morality earns His favour!

What a Friend we have in Jesus

Singing this hymn today got me all choked up:

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Amen!!!