All About Pocket Knives

Steve Warden wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 1:18 pm
Amen.
An ongoing prayer of mine, "Lord, keep me humble."
He's faithful to drop me a notch or two when I start thinking too highly of myself. Not the greatest thing to experience, but to Him be the glory!!

Same here, Steve.
Same here.

The Christian radio channel I listen to often has Charles Spuregon sermons, Willy. I like listening to them along with sermons and segments with Chuck Swindoll, Dr. James Dobson, J. Vernon McGee, Robert Jeffress and the Dave and Ann Wilson. A friend gave us a Bible wedding gift that the Wilsons contributed to with daily devotions and things to think about.

Steve Warden wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 1:18 pm

WillyCamaro wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 4:04 am Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Amen.
An ongoing prayer of mine, "Lord, keep me humble."
He's faithful to drop me a notch or two when I start thinking too highly of myself. Not the greatest thing to experience, but to Him be the glory!!

Amen brother, amen.

1967redrider wrote: ↑Fri Jul 02, 2021 5:04 pm The Christian radio channel I listen to often has Charles Spuregon sermons, Willy. I like listening to them along with sermons and segments with Chuck Swindoll, Dr. James Dobson, J. Vernon McGee, Robert Jeffress and the Dave and Ann Wilson. A friend gave us a Bible wedding gift that the Wilsons contributed to with daily devotions and things to think about.

Jeremiah 17:9-10
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately wicked: who can know it?
I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins,
even to give every man according to his ways,
and according to the fruit of his doings.


"Our heart shall rejoice in Him."
Psalm 33:21

Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like many birds, they sing best in their cages. The waves may roll over them, but their souls soon rise to the surface and see the light of God's countenance; they have a buoyancy about them which keeps their head always above the water, and helps them to sing amid the tempest, "God is with me still." To whom shall the glory be given? Oh! to Jesus--it is all by Jesus. Trouble does not necessarily bring consolation with it to the believer, but the presence of the Son of God in the fiery furnace with him fills his heart with joy. He is sick and suffering, but Jesus visits him and makes his bed for him. He is dying, and the cold chilly waters of Jordan are gathering about him up to the neck, but Jesus puts His arms around him, and cries, "Fear not, beloved; to die is to be blessed; the waters of death have their fountain-head in heaven; they are not bitter, they are sweet as nectar, for they flow from the throne of God." As the departing saint wades through the stream, and the billows gather around him, and heart and flesh fail him, the same voice sounds in his ears, "Fear not; I am with thee; be not dismayed; I am thy God." As he nears the borders of the infinite unknown, and is almost affrighted to enter the realm of shades, Jesus says, "Fear not, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Thus strengthened and consoled, the believer is not afraid to die; nay, he is even willing to depart, for since he has seen Jesus as the morning star, he longs to gaze upon Him as the sun in his strength. Truly, the presence of Jesus is all the heaven we desire. He is at once

"The glory of our brightest days;

The comfort of our nights."

Charles Spuregon

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."
2 Timothy 2:12

We must not imagine that we are suffering for Christ, and with Christ, if we are not in Christ. Beloved friend, are you trusting to Jesus only? If not, whatever you may have to mourn over on earth, you are not "suffering with Christ," and have no hope of reigning with him in heaven. Neither are we to conclude that all a Christian's sufferings are sufferings with Christ, for it is essential that he be called by God to suffer. If we are rash and imprudent, and run into positions for which neither providence nor grace has fitted us, we ought to question whether we are not rather sinning than communing with Jesus. If we let passion take the place of judgment, and self-will reign instead of Scriptural authority, we shall fight the Lord's battles with the devil's weapons, and if we cut our own fingers we must not be surprised. Again, in troubles which come upon us as the result of sin, we must not dream that we are suffering with Christ. When Miriam spoke evil of Moses, and the leprosy polluted her, she was not suffering for God. Moreover, suffering which God accepts must have God's glory as its end. If I suffer that I may earn a name, or win applause, I shall get no other reward than that of the Pharisee. It is requisite also that love to Jesus, and love to his elect, be ever the mainspring of all our patience. We must manifest the Spirit of Christ in meekness, gentleness, and forgiveness. Let us search and see if we truly suffer with Jesus. And if we do thus suffer, what is our "light affliction" compared with reigning with him? Oh it is so blessed to be in the furnace with Christ, and such an honour to stand in the pillory with him, that if there were no future reward, we might count ourselves happy in present honour; but when the recompense is so eternal, so infinitely more than we had any right to expect, shall we not take up the cross with alacrity, and go on our way rejoicing?

Charles Spuregon

Thanks for that Charles Spurgeon lesson!!

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Amen!!

Thanks for posting those scriptures Willy!

Amen brother, it tis my pleasure.

"Sanctified by God the Father."
Jude 1

"Sanctified in Christ Jesus."

1 Corinthians 1:2

"Through sanctification of the Spirit."

1 Peter 1:2

Mark the union of the Three Divine Persons in all their gracious acts. How unwisely do those believers talk who make preferences in the Persons of the Trinity; who think of Jesus as if he were the embodiment of everything lovely and gracious, while the Father they regard as severely just, but destitute of kindness. Equally wrong are those who magnify the decree of the Father, and the atonement of the Son, so as to depreciate the work of the Spirit. In deeds of grace none of the Persons of the Trinity act apart from the rest. They are as united in their deeds as in their essence. In their love towards the chosen they are one, and in the actions which flow from that great central source they are still undivided. Specially notice this in the matter of sanctification. While we may without mistake speak of sanctification as the work of the Spirit, yet we must take heed that we do not view it as if the Father and the Son had no part therein. It is correct to speak of sanctification as the work of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit. Still doth Jehovah say, "Let us make man in our own image after our likeness," and thus we are "his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." See the value which God sets upon real holiness, since the Three Persons in the Trinity are represented as co-working to produce a Church without "spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." And you, believer, as the follower of Christ, must also set a high value on holiness--upon purity of life and godliness of conversation. Value the blood of Christ as the foundation of your hope, but never speak disparagingly of the work of the Spirit which is your meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light. This day let us so live as to manifest the work of the Triune God in us.

AMEN!!

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

"God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry?"
Jonah 4:9

Anger is not always or necessarily sinful, but it has such a tendency to run wild that whenever it displays itself, we should be quick to question its character, with this enquiry, "Doest thou well to be angry?" It may be that we can answer, "YES." Very frequently anger is the madman's firebrand, but sometimes it is Elijah's fire from heaven. We do well when we are angry with sin, because of the wrong which it commits against our good and gracious God; or with ourselves because we remain so foolish after so much divine instruction; or with others when the sole cause of anger is the evil which they do. He who is not angry at transgression becomes a partaker in it. Sin is a loathsome and hateful thing, and no renewed heart can patiently endure it. God himself is angry with the wicked every day, and it is written in His Word, "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil." Far more frequently it is to be feared that our anger is not commendable or even justifiable, and then we must answer, "NO." Why should we be fretful with children, passionate with servants, and wrathful with companions? Is such anger honourable to our Christian profession, or glorifying to God? Is it not the old evil heart seeking to gain dominion, and should we not resist it with all the might of our newborn nature? Many professors give way to temper as though it were useless to attempt resistance; but let the believer remember that he must be a conqueror in every point, or else he cannot be crowned. If we cannot control our tempers, what has grace done for us? Some one told Mr. Jay that grace was often grafted on a crab-stump. "Yes," said he, "but the fruit will not be crabs." We must not make natural infirmity an excuse for sin, but we must fly to the cross and pray the Lord to crucify our tempers, and renew us in gentleness and meekness after His own image.

Charles Spuregon

Thanks Willy!

My pleasure Mike.

Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

WillyCamaro wrote: ↑Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:01 pm Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When I read this, I began to wonder a bit about the "things under the earth" part of this scripture.

Do you think this means those who have died and are buried in the earth?

I know there are creatures that live just below the earth's surface but I guess I never really thought about the dead whether saved or lost that have died.....(????)
Maybe this is saying, just because you have died without Jesus, you will STILL BOW before Him at the great White Throne Judgement.

Any thoughts?

Meridian_Mike wrote: ↑Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:40 am

WillyCamaro wrote: ↑Tue Jul 13, 2021 6:01 pm Philippians 2:9-11
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When I read this, I began to wonder a bit about the "things under the earth" part of this scripture.

Do you think this means those who have died and are buried in the earth?

I know there are creatures that live just below the earth's surface but I guess I never really thought about the dead whether saved or lost that have died.....(????)
Maybe this is saying, just because you have died without Jesus, you will STILL BOW before Him at the great White Throne Judgement.

Any thoughts?

Great points Mike, I believe you are spot on. If I can remember correctly, that is the definition of "things under the earth".

"If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."
Exodus 20:25

God's altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature; instead, however, of improving the gospel carnal wisdom pollutes it, until it becomes another gospel, and not the truth of God at all. All alterations and amendments of the Lord's own Word are defilements and pollutions. The proud heart of man is very anxious to have a hand in the justification of the soul before God; preparations for Christ are dreamed of, humblings and repentings are trusted in, good works are cried up, natural ability is much vaunted, and by all means the attempt is made to lift up human tools upon the divine altar. It were well if sinners would remember that so far from perfecting the Saviour's work, their carnal confidences only pollute and dishonour it. The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in him alone.

Many professors may take warning from this morning's text as to the doctrines which they believe. There is among Christians far too much inclination to square and reconcile the truths of revelation; this is a form of irreverence and unbelief, let us strive against it, and receive truth as we find it; rejoicing that the doctrines of the Word are unhewn stones, and so are all the more fit to build an altar for the Lord.

Charles Spurgeon

John 15:10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Bishop of Our Souls

1 Peter 2:25 “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (v. 25).

A flock of sheep in the field is notorious for its tendency to wander about. When the flock has no shepherd, individual sheep can end up far away from their flock and in great danger.

In his prophecy of the Suffering Servant, Isaiah tells us that we are like sheep that have gone astray (53:6). Like sheep, we are prone to wandering about aimlessly. We sin and lose our way, finding ourselves in all kinds of danger. As with sheep, we are in need of a shepherd to guard us and to keep us in the fold.

Of course, as today’s passage tells us, Jesus is this Shepherd (1 Peter 2:25). Our Savior is the one who protects us and guides us. He is the one who restores us when we succumb to sin and find ourselves far from His presence.

Peter also says Jesus is the “overseer,” or “bishop” (kjv) of our souls. This is not surprising because the Greek term we translate as “bishop,” episkopos, has a meaning close to that of “shepherd.” In ancient Greece, episkopos could refer to any official who had a supervisory function. To do his job well, an episkopos had to be intimately aware of what his people were doing. He had to watch out for them to ensure they were prepared for anything that came their way.

Given that God sees all that there is, we can think of Him as the greatest bishop of all. This has frightened some people; the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre embraced atheism because he could not stand the idea of a being who knew everything about him. For those who are not in Christ, the existence of an all-seeing God is a horrible prospect because it means that they will be subject to perfect judgment for their transgressions. Yet even though our Creator does gaze at us to evaluate the depths of our sin, we who are in Christ know that His watch over us is, in the final analysis, as a loving father.

Christ, the incarnate God Himself, is the holy, loving bishop of our souls. He is intensely concerned for His own and looks after us to preserve our souls and empower us to fulfill His purposes for us. Just as our Father in heaven knows every hair on our head (Matt. 10:30), so too does the Son have His eye on us every second. Indeed, He is concerned with even the smallest details of our lives.
Coram deo: Living before the face of God

Dr. R.C. Sproul says that you can summarize the Bible thusly: God, who by His mighty power and wisdom sustains the universe in all its complexities, nevertheless has His eye on each and every one of His people, so intent is He on their welfare. Even when human shepherds and elders fail us, Christ is leading us through the valley, keeping us safe that we might see Him one day in glory (Ps. 23). Let us be comforted by this fact no matter what is happening in our lives.

R.C. Sproul

James 1:21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.