Church Health-Check

Every now and then, you take your body down to the doctors office to make sure there is still a pulse! The Body of Christ is no different.

Whether you're a Pastor, Elder, or just one of the flock, Christ calls us to serve eachother in love and in truth, so be constantly discerning about where your church is at, and where you are at in it, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

Satans spends much of his time in church, trying to distract, deceive and distort. Know he is there.

"To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints..." (Eph 6:18)

Mark Dever, who was down-under last year, gives a clear description of the vital signs to check...




Why These Nine Marks? from 9Marks on Vimeo.

Responding to "Fun"

Ever had someone say to you: “don’t be so serious!”?

Too many have believed the worldly post-modern lie that what is convenient, easy, and “fun” is always good…

"The kind of religion that God requires, and will accept, does not consist in weak, dull  and lifeless “wouldings” – those weak inclinations that lack convictions – that raise us but a little above indifference. God, in His word, greatly insists that we be in good earnest, fervent in spirit, and that our hearts be engaged vigorously in our religion:

“Be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11)."

- Jonathan Edwards, A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections (1746)

According to http://thesaurus.com/browse/fervent

Main Entry:       fervent/fervid

Part of Speech: adjective

Definition:          enthusiastic, excited

Synonyms:       animated, ardent, blazing, burning, devout, dying to, eager, earnest, ecstatic, emotional, enthused, falling all over oneself, fiery, glowing, go great guns, heartfelt, hearty, hot*, hot-blooded, impassioned, intense, passionate, perfervid, pious, religious, responsive, serious, sincere, unfeigned, vehement, warm, warmhearted, wholehearted, zealous

So be serious about your God!

Intensity in Prayer

This dull flesh, in its worldly leanings, needs the Lord's constant grace. This is especially true in prayer, when we are before the throne of God. It is then that the knowledge of His holiness and majesty should light a blazing fire of passionate surrender within us and obliterate anything which is not focussed solely on our communion with Him. But, sadly this is often not the case to our great shame.

As little children, prone to wanderings and weakness, sometimes we need some help remembering Who we are talking to. Something from Desiring God:

Whatever it takes, Lord, give me...

Delight in you as the greatest treasure of my heart.

Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Desire to know you, be with you, and seek your kingdom above all else.
        

Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Discernment that comes from a renewed mind that I might know your will.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

Desperation because when I stop feeling my need for you I tend to wander.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. (Psalm 119:67)

Discipline to plan for what I discern as your will.
    

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)

Diligence to do your will with all my heart.
        

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

How to Hate Your Sin

#1:

Strive to know God, and to be affected with his attributes. You can’t know what sin is until you know who God is. Nothing in the world will tell you so plainly and powerfully how evil sin is, as the knowledge of the greatness, wisdom, goodness, holiness, authority, justice, and truth of God.

#2:

Love Christ, and you will hate your sin that caused his death. Love him, and you will love to be made like Him, and hate what is so contrary to Christ.

#3:

Think how awesome the work of God’s Spirit is, and how great a mercy it is to you. Then ask yourself if you should keep your darkness and defilement, in opposition to such wonderful mercy?

#4:

Consider the wonderful love and mercy of God, and think what He has done for you, and you will hate sin, and be ashamed of it. Satan tries to hide both the love of God and your sin from you to destroy your repentance.

#5:

Think what your soul is made for, and should be used for - to love, obey, and glorify your Maker. Then you will see that sin disables and perverts it. Should you serve the

devil in filthiness and foolishness, when you should receive, and serve, and magnify your Creator?

#6:

Think what pure and sweet delights your soul may enjoy from God and then you will see that sin robs you of these delights, and prefers fleshly lusts

#7:

Think what a life you will live for ever in heaven and then realise that sin keeps people from it - it is a vile and hateful thing.

#8:

Look at the state and torment of the damned. Remember that every temptation is from

the devil, to make you like himself. Remember when you sin, that you are learning from and imitating the devil.

#9:

Look at sin as if you are ready to die, and consider how all people see sin after they die.

#10:

Look at sin and judgment together. Remember that sinners must answer for it before God, and angels, and the whole world.

#11:

Think about sickness, poverty, shame, despair, death, and rottenness in the grave, and it may help you a little to know what sin is – these are the earthly consequences of sin.

#12:

Notice the difference between those who love God and the mad, destructive world; and the difference may tell you in part what sin is. There is peace and love in a holy, blameless person, that lives to love God and man, but the mad, confused, ignorant, ungodly state of the world is a pitiful sight.

(Adapted from “Directions for Hating Sin” by Richard Baxter)