Bridge Over Troubled Waters - Simon & Garfunkel
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Reserva de Deus para uma Hora de Necessidade
Uma compilação
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/reserva-de-deus-para-uma-hora-de-necessidade/
Na sua bênção para diferentes tribos pouco antes de morrer, Moisés deu, entre outros conselhos, um especÃfico para Aser: “Seja de ferro e de metal o teu calçado.”[1] Uma pequena pesquisa da área geográfica ajudará a entender o que ele quis dizer. Parte da área designada para Aser era de terreno acidentado e montanhoso. Sandálias comuns, fabricadas com madeira ou couro não suportariam o contato com aquelas rochas duras e escarpadas. Era preciso usar calçados especiais. Essa é a razão da promessa: “Seja de ferro e de metal o teu calçado”...
Esta garantia tão antiga oferece importantes conselhos. Primeiro, diz que podemos vir a enfrentar alguns percalços antes de concluirmos a nossa jornada. Se não fosse assim, por que seriam necessários calçados de ferro? Se o caminho fosse um tapete de flores, uma pantufa estaria de bom tamanho. Ninguém vai usar um calçado de metal para caminhar em um solo macio. ... A porção de Asher não foi acidental, foi escolhida a dedo por Deus. Da mesma forma, o lugar, as condições e circunstâncias na vida de um filho de Deus não ocorrem por acidente. A nossa vida está nas mãos de Deus. Portanto, jamais deverÃamos duvidar que as dificuldades e provações no caminho são encomendadas por Deus para trazer crescimento na vida de cada pessoa...
Calçados de ferro são prometidos apenas para os que enfrentarão caminhos acidentados, não para os que vão trilhar veredas floridas. Esse é um conceito reconfortante para todos que enfrentam dificuldades peculiares, pois um favor peculiar lhes foi prometido. Deus vai cuidar das dificuldades pelo caminho. Essas pessoas terão uma bênção que, se não fosse pelas asperezas e dificuldades, jamais receberiam. O resto do versÃculo no hebraico contém essa mesma promessa: “E como os teus dias, assim será a tua força.”[2] Pode ter certeza que se o seu caminho for mais difÃcil que o meu, você receberá mais ajuda do que eu. Existe uma ligação delicada entre as necessidades terrenas e a graça de Deus. Nos perÃodos de lutas recebemos mais graça do que nos dias tranquilos e sossegados. Quando vem a noite, as estrelas reluzem, as quais jamais seriam apreciadas se o sol não se pusesse no horizonte. Os pesares e tristezas proveem um consolo que jamais terÃamos nos momentos de alegria. Para os caminhos acidentados temos os calçados de ferro e metal.
Outro conceito nesta tão antiga promessa é que a bênção divina está envolta na própria experiência e não pode ser recebida com antecedência. Os calçados de ferro e metal só são dados quando se chega aos caminhos difÃceis. Antes disso eles não são necessários.
Muitas pessoas se preocupam com o futuro. Ficam ansiosas se perguntando como vão conseguir passar por certas situações. Devemos aprender de uma vez por todas que não existe na BÃblia nenhuma promessa de provisão antes de existir a necessidade. Deus não fortalece nossos braços hoje para as batalhas de amanhã. Mas quando estivermos diante do conflito receberemos a força. “Como teus dias, assim será a tua força”.
Algumas pessoas, insensatamente, ficam se testando com perguntas como: “Será que eu aguentaria tanto sofrimento? Se Deus tirasse de mim o meu maior tesouro, será que eu teria a graça para me prostrar diante dEle em submissão? Será que eu conseguiria encarar a morte sem medo?” Essas perguntas não fazem sentido, já que não existe promessa de graça para a provação antes da provação. Não existe garantia de forças para se carregar grandes fardos se os grandes fardos não existem. Ajuda para suportar a tentação não é prometida se não existem tentações a serem suportadas. A graça para a morte não está prometida em lugar algum enquanto a morte estiver distante e devemos continuar vivendo normalmente.
Existe uma história de um naufrágio que ilustra bem essa questão. Tripulação e passageiros tinham que abandonar a embarcação e partir nos botes salva-vidas. O mar encrespado exigia um grande esforço e cuidado na condução dos botes lotados. O problema não eram as ondas comuns, as quais eles enfrentavam sem problemas, mas sim as correntes oblÃquas. Estava escurecendo. Os ânimos estavam baixos. Todos se perguntavam o que haveriam de fazer sem a visão dessas terrÃveis ondas. Para sua grande alegria, porém, ao anoitecer descobriram que as águas reluziam com cada onda que arrebentava, iluminando o local como se fosse dia.
Assim também as experiências mais temidas na vida estão imbuÃdas de luz que afastam o perigo e o terror. A noite de angústias vem acompanhada de uma luz que reconforta. A hora da fraqueza traz consigo o segredo da força. À beira do manancial de águas amargas cresce uma árvore cujo ramo vai adoçar as águas. O ermo com sua aridez provê o maná cada dia. Nas trevas do Getsêmani, onde a carga é mais do que o coração humano pode suportar, um anjo surge, dando forças e vitória...
A lição é que não conseguimos fazer a peregrinação da vida sem Cristo. Mas com Cristo estaremos prontos para qualquer coisa que surja nos nossos dias e anos.—J. R. Miller[3]
*
Frequentemente, quando pensamos em um porto-seguro para as horas difÃceis e de necessidade vem à nossa mente um teto sobre nossas cabeças, um plano de aposentadoria privada, uma poupança no banco, ou, no mÃnimo, a aposentadoria da seguridade social. Mas as coisas materiais um dia acabam. Jó, personagem do Antigo Testamento mencionou que viemos nus ao mundo, e assim o deixaremos. Sem dúvida, a BÃblia diz que nada levaremos desta vida.
Diz um provérbio popular que o que o ser humano mais deseja na vida é felicidade, liberdade e paz de espÃrito. ... Quando temos a sorte de conquistar essas três coisas, elas são o nosso porto-seguro, nosso auxÃlio. A maneira como vivemos e as amizades que cultivamos também podem ser esse porto-seguro e abrigo.
Meu pai falou comigo sobre a necessidade de ter um porto-seguro, mas nunca me disse como isso seria. Deixou por minha conta descobrir, mas me indicou a direção.
Eu não acho que ele se referia a um abrigo material quando me disse para construir um porto-seguro, uma segurança para a hora de necessidade. Eu acho que ele estava falando especificamente de garantir um lugar no Céu.
Em Cristo, e por Cristo, eu construà esse porto-seguro.—John Wooden e Jay Carty[4]
*
A Palavra de Deus e Suas garantias não possuem restrições, limitações ou qualificações, exceto a nossa fé. Ele não está limitado por tempo, espaço, terra ou local! “Para sempre tua palavra está estabelecida nos céus”, e as promessas de Deus são para sempre![5] O nosso futuro é tão promissor quanto as promessas de Deus, contanto obedeçamos e confiemos nEle.
Quando obedecemos Deus cumpre Suas promessas e garantias, suprindo todas as nossas necessidades de acordo com Suas riquezas em glória. Devemos depender apenas de Deus e das Suas riquezas. Ele é um Deus grandioso que possui grandes riquezas, e jamais nos falhará!—David Brandt Berg
*
Aquele que supre a semente ao que semeia e o pão ao que come, também lhes suprirá e aumentará a semente e fará crescer os frutos da sua justiça [que se manifestam em atos de bondade, gentileza e caridade]”—2 CorÃntios 9:10[6]
*
Dirigindo-se aos seus discÃpulos, Jesus acrescentou: "Portanto eu lhes digo: não se preocupem com suas próprias vidas, quanto ao que comer; nem com seus próprios corpos, quanto ao que vestir. A vida é mais importante do que a comida, e o corpo, mais do que as roupas. Observem os corvos: não semeiam nem colhem, não têm armazéns nem celeiros; contudo, Deus os alimenta. E vocês têm muito mais valor do que as aves! Quem de vocês, por mais que se preocupe, pode acrescentar uma hora que seja à sua vida? Visto que vocês não podem sequer fazer uma coisa tão pequena, por que se preocupar com o restante?
"Observem como crescem os lÃrios. Eles não trabalham nem tecem. Contudo, eu lhes digo que nem Salomão, em todo o seu esplendor, vestiu-se como um deles. Se Deus veste assim a erva do campo, que hoje existe e amanhã é lançada ao fogo, quanto mais vestirá vocês, homens de pequena fé."—Lucas 12:22–28[7]
Publicado no Âncora em julho 2014. Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.
[1] Deuteronômio 33:25.
[2] Deuteronômio 33:25.
[3] Making the Most of Life (T. Y. Crowell & Co, 1891).
[4] Coach Wooden One-on-One (Regal Books, 2009).
[5] Salmo 119:89.
[6] NVI.
[7] NVI.
http://anchor.tfionline.com/pt/post/reserva-de-deus-para-uma-hora-de-necessidade/
Na sua bênção para diferentes tribos pouco antes de morrer, Moisés deu, entre outros conselhos, um especÃfico para Aser: “Seja de ferro e de metal o teu calçado.”[1] Uma pequena pesquisa da área geográfica ajudará a entender o que ele quis dizer. Parte da área designada para Aser era de terreno acidentado e montanhoso. Sandálias comuns, fabricadas com madeira ou couro não suportariam o contato com aquelas rochas duras e escarpadas. Era preciso usar calçados especiais. Essa é a razão da promessa: “Seja de ferro e de metal o teu calçado”...
Esta garantia tão antiga oferece importantes conselhos. Primeiro, diz que podemos vir a enfrentar alguns percalços antes de concluirmos a nossa jornada. Se não fosse assim, por que seriam necessários calçados de ferro? Se o caminho fosse um tapete de flores, uma pantufa estaria de bom tamanho. Ninguém vai usar um calçado de metal para caminhar em um solo macio. ... A porção de Asher não foi acidental, foi escolhida a dedo por Deus. Da mesma forma, o lugar, as condições e circunstâncias na vida de um filho de Deus não ocorrem por acidente. A nossa vida está nas mãos de Deus. Portanto, jamais deverÃamos duvidar que as dificuldades e provações no caminho são encomendadas por Deus para trazer crescimento na vida de cada pessoa...
Calçados de ferro são prometidos apenas para os que enfrentarão caminhos acidentados, não para os que vão trilhar veredas floridas. Esse é um conceito reconfortante para todos que enfrentam dificuldades peculiares, pois um favor peculiar lhes foi prometido. Deus vai cuidar das dificuldades pelo caminho. Essas pessoas terão uma bênção que, se não fosse pelas asperezas e dificuldades, jamais receberiam. O resto do versÃculo no hebraico contém essa mesma promessa: “E como os teus dias, assim será a tua força.”[2] Pode ter certeza que se o seu caminho for mais difÃcil que o meu, você receberá mais ajuda do que eu. Existe uma ligação delicada entre as necessidades terrenas e a graça de Deus. Nos perÃodos de lutas recebemos mais graça do que nos dias tranquilos e sossegados. Quando vem a noite, as estrelas reluzem, as quais jamais seriam apreciadas se o sol não se pusesse no horizonte. Os pesares e tristezas proveem um consolo que jamais terÃamos nos momentos de alegria. Para os caminhos acidentados temos os calçados de ferro e metal.
Outro conceito nesta tão antiga promessa é que a bênção divina está envolta na própria experiência e não pode ser recebida com antecedência. Os calçados de ferro e metal só são dados quando se chega aos caminhos difÃceis. Antes disso eles não são necessários.
Muitas pessoas se preocupam com o futuro. Ficam ansiosas se perguntando como vão conseguir passar por certas situações. Devemos aprender de uma vez por todas que não existe na BÃblia nenhuma promessa de provisão antes de existir a necessidade. Deus não fortalece nossos braços hoje para as batalhas de amanhã. Mas quando estivermos diante do conflito receberemos a força. “Como teus dias, assim será a tua força”.
Algumas pessoas, insensatamente, ficam se testando com perguntas como: “Será que eu aguentaria tanto sofrimento? Se Deus tirasse de mim o meu maior tesouro, será que eu teria a graça para me prostrar diante dEle em submissão? Será que eu conseguiria encarar a morte sem medo?” Essas perguntas não fazem sentido, já que não existe promessa de graça para a provação antes da provação. Não existe garantia de forças para se carregar grandes fardos se os grandes fardos não existem. Ajuda para suportar a tentação não é prometida se não existem tentações a serem suportadas. A graça para a morte não está prometida em lugar algum enquanto a morte estiver distante e devemos continuar vivendo normalmente.
Existe uma história de um naufrágio que ilustra bem essa questão. Tripulação e passageiros tinham que abandonar a embarcação e partir nos botes salva-vidas. O mar encrespado exigia um grande esforço e cuidado na condução dos botes lotados. O problema não eram as ondas comuns, as quais eles enfrentavam sem problemas, mas sim as correntes oblÃquas. Estava escurecendo. Os ânimos estavam baixos. Todos se perguntavam o que haveriam de fazer sem a visão dessas terrÃveis ondas. Para sua grande alegria, porém, ao anoitecer descobriram que as águas reluziam com cada onda que arrebentava, iluminando o local como se fosse dia.
Assim também as experiências mais temidas na vida estão imbuÃdas de luz que afastam o perigo e o terror. A noite de angústias vem acompanhada de uma luz que reconforta. A hora da fraqueza traz consigo o segredo da força. À beira do manancial de águas amargas cresce uma árvore cujo ramo vai adoçar as águas. O ermo com sua aridez provê o maná cada dia. Nas trevas do Getsêmani, onde a carga é mais do que o coração humano pode suportar, um anjo surge, dando forças e vitória...
A lição é que não conseguimos fazer a peregrinação da vida sem Cristo. Mas com Cristo estaremos prontos para qualquer coisa que surja nos nossos dias e anos.—J. R. Miller[3]
*
Frequentemente, quando pensamos em um porto-seguro para as horas difÃceis e de necessidade vem à nossa mente um teto sobre nossas cabeças, um plano de aposentadoria privada, uma poupança no banco, ou, no mÃnimo, a aposentadoria da seguridade social. Mas as coisas materiais um dia acabam. Jó, personagem do Antigo Testamento mencionou que viemos nus ao mundo, e assim o deixaremos. Sem dúvida, a BÃblia diz que nada levaremos desta vida.
Diz um provérbio popular que o que o ser humano mais deseja na vida é felicidade, liberdade e paz de espÃrito. ... Quando temos a sorte de conquistar essas três coisas, elas são o nosso porto-seguro, nosso auxÃlio. A maneira como vivemos e as amizades que cultivamos também podem ser esse porto-seguro e abrigo.
Meu pai falou comigo sobre a necessidade de ter um porto-seguro, mas nunca me disse como isso seria. Deixou por minha conta descobrir, mas me indicou a direção.
Eu não acho que ele se referia a um abrigo material quando me disse para construir um porto-seguro, uma segurança para a hora de necessidade. Eu acho que ele estava falando especificamente de garantir um lugar no Céu.
Em Cristo, e por Cristo, eu construà esse porto-seguro.—John Wooden e Jay Carty[4]
*
A Palavra de Deus e Suas garantias não possuem restrições, limitações ou qualificações, exceto a nossa fé. Ele não está limitado por tempo, espaço, terra ou local! “Para sempre tua palavra está estabelecida nos céus”, e as promessas de Deus são para sempre![5] O nosso futuro é tão promissor quanto as promessas de Deus, contanto obedeçamos e confiemos nEle.
Quando obedecemos Deus cumpre Suas promessas e garantias, suprindo todas as nossas necessidades de acordo com Suas riquezas em glória. Devemos depender apenas de Deus e das Suas riquezas. Ele é um Deus grandioso que possui grandes riquezas, e jamais nos falhará!—David Brandt Berg
*
Aquele que supre a semente ao que semeia e o pão ao que come, também lhes suprirá e aumentará a semente e fará crescer os frutos da sua justiça [que se manifestam em atos de bondade, gentileza e caridade]”—2 CorÃntios 9:10[6]
*
Dirigindo-se aos seus discÃpulos, Jesus acrescentou: "Portanto eu lhes digo: não se preocupem com suas próprias vidas, quanto ao que comer; nem com seus próprios corpos, quanto ao que vestir. A vida é mais importante do que a comida, e o corpo, mais do que as roupas. Observem os corvos: não semeiam nem colhem, não têm armazéns nem celeiros; contudo, Deus os alimenta. E vocês têm muito mais valor do que as aves! Quem de vocês, por mais que se preocupe, pode acrescentar uma hora que seja à sua vida? Visto que vocês não podem sequer fazer uma coisa tão pequena, por que se preocupar com o restante?
"Observem como crescem os lÃrios. Eles não trabalham nem tecem. Contudo, eu lhes digo que nem Salomão, em todo o seu esplendor, vestiu-se como um deles. Se Deus veste assim a erva do campo, que hoje existe e amanhã é lançada ao fogo, quanto mais vestirá vocês, homens de pequena fé."—Lucas 12:22–28[7]
Publicado no Âncora em julho 2014. Tradução Hebe Rondon Flandoli.
[1] Deuteronômio 33:25.
[2] Deuteronômio 33:25.
[3] Making the Most of Life (T. Y. Crowell & Co, 1891).
[4] Coach Wooden One-on-One (Regal Books, 2009).
[5] Salmo 119:89.
[6] NVI.
[7] NVI.
The Book of Books
A compilation
http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/book-books/
Download Audio (7.7MB)
I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.—D. L. Moody
*
It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.—Attributed toGeorge Washington
*
I enter a most earnest plea that in our hurried and rather bustling life of today we do not lose the hold that our forefathers had on the Bible. I wish to see the Bible study as much a matter of course in the secular colleges as in the seminary. No educated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible, and no uneducated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.—Theodore Roosevelt
*
Other books were given for our information. The Bible was given for our transformation. Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them. The New Testament is the greatest Book the world has ever known or ever will know.—Attributed to Charles Dickens
*
I have always said, I always say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.—Attributed to Thomas Jefferson
*
The Bible is a Book in comparison with which all others in my eyes are of minor importance; and in all my perplexities and distresses has never failed to give me light and strength.—Robert E. Lee
*
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but the gospel of Jesus Christ.—Author unknown
*
No sciences are better attested than the religion of the Bible.—Sir Isaac Newton
*
The deathless Book has survived three great dangers: (1) The negligence of its friends, (2) the warfare of its enemies, (3) and the false systems built upon it.—Isaac Taylor
*
The English Bible has been a greater influence in the course of English literature than all other forces put together. It is impossible to read standard authors intelligently without knowing something about the Bible, for they all assume familiarity with it on the point of their readers… To any young man or woman, eaten with ambition to become a writer, I shall advise first of all, KNOW THE BIBLE.—William Lyon Phelps, former Prof. of English Literature at Yale University
*
We are indebted to the Book of books for our national ideals and institution. Their preservation rests in adhering to its precepts.—Herbert Hoover
*
That Book, sir, is the Rock on which our republic stands.—Attributed to Andrew Jackson
*
Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the word of God before I go to bed.—Gen. Douglas MacArthur
*
I thoroughly believe in a University education for both men and women, but I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible.—William Lyon Phelps
*
I have made a covenant with my God that He send me neither visions, dreams, nor even angels. I am well satisfied with the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which give me abundant instruction and all that I need to know both for this life and for the life which is to come.—Martin Luther
*
Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books—especially the Bible—build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.—John Wooden
*
Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.—Helen Keller
*
The Bible—banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it, dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saints.—Charles Colson
*
The real influence of the Bible cannot be measured: It is reckoned only in terms of hearts that have been lifted up, decisions that have been changed, the men and women who, in response to its impervious demands, have done justice and loved kindness and walked humbly with God.—J. Carter Swain
*
A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.―Charles H. Spurgeon
*
The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible but to know God.―James Merritt
*
Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible, the other 99 will read the Christian.―D. L. Moody
*
Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.—Ronald Reagan
*
The Bible is no mere book, but it’s a living creature with a power that conquers all who oppose it.—Napoleon
*
The Bible is ... as necessary to spiritual life as breath is to natural life. There is nothing more essential to our lives than the Word of God.—Jack Hayford
*
The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures.—A. W. Tozer
*
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV
*
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.—Joshua 1:8 ESV
*
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.—Romans 15:4 ESV
Published on Anchor July 2014. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.
http://anchor.tfionline.com/post/book-books/
Download Audio (7.7MB)
I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.—D. L. Moody
*
It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.—Attributed toGeorge Washington
*
I enter a most earnest plea that in our hurried and rather bustling life of today we do not lose the hold that our forefathers had on the Bible. I wish to see the Bible study as much a matter of course in the secular colleges as in the seminary. No educated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible, and no uneducated man can afford to be ignorant of the Bible.—Theodore Roosevelt
*
Other books were given for our information. The Bible was given for our transformation. Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them. The New Testament is the greatest Book the world has ever known or ever will know.—Attributed to Charles Dickens
*
I have always said, I always say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.—Attributed to Thomas Jefferson
*
The Bible is a Book in comparison with which all others in my eyes are of minor importance; and in all my perplexities and distresses has never failed to give me light and strength.—Robert E. Lee
*
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but the gospel of Jesus Christ.—Author unknown
*
No sciences are better attested than the religion of the Bible.—Sir Isaac Newton
*
The deathless Book has survived three great dangers: (1) The negligence of its friends, (2) the warfare of its enemies, (3) and the false systems built upon it.—Isaac Taylor
*
The English Bible has been a greater influence in the course of English literature than all other forces put together. It is impossible to read standard authors intelligently without knowing something about the Bible, for they all assume familiarity with it on the point of their readers… To any young man or woman, eaten with ambition to become a writer, I shall advise first of all, KNOW THE BIBLE.—William Lyon Phelps, former Prof. of English Literature at Yale University
*
We are indebted to the Book of books for our national ideals and institution. Their preservation rests in adhering to its precepts.—Herbert Hoover
*
That Book, sir, is the Rock on which our republic stands.—Attributed to Andrew Jackson
*
Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired, but I read the word of God before I go to bed.—Gen. Douglas MacArthur
*
I thoroughly believe in a University education for both men and women, but I believe a knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible.—William Lyon Phelps
*
I have made a covenant with my God that He send me neither visions, dreams, nor even angels. I am well satisfied with the gift of the Holy Scriptures, which give me abundant instruction and all that I need to know both for this life and for the life which is to come.—Martin Luther
*
Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books—especially the Bible—build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.—John Wooden
*
Unless we form the habit of going to the Bible in bright moments as well as in trouble, we cannot fully respond to its consolations because we lack equilibrium between light and darkness.—Helen Keller
*
The Bible—banned, burned, beloved. More widely read, more frequently attacked than any other book in history. Generations of intellectuals have attempted to discredit it, dictators of every age have outlawed it and executed those who read it. Yet soldiers carry it into battle believing it more powerful than their weapons. Fragments of it smuggled into solitary prison cells have transformed ruthless killers into gentle saints.—Charles Colson
*
The real influence of the Bible cannot be measured: It is reckoned only in terms of hearts that have been lifted up, decisions that have been changed, the men and women who, in response to its impervious demands, have done justice and loved kindness and walked humbly with God.—J. Carter Swain
*
A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.―Charles H. Spurgeon
*
The primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to know the Bible but to know God.―James Merritt
*
Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible, the other 99 will read the Christian.―D. L. Moody
*
Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.—Ronald Reagan
*
The Bible is no mere book, but it’s a living creature with a power that conquers all who oppose it.—Napoleon
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The Bible is ... as necessary to spiritual life as breath is to natural life. There is nothing more essential to our lives than the Word of God.—Jack Hayford
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The Bible was written in tears, and to tears it yields its best treasures.—A. W. Tozer
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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV
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This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.—Joshua 1:8 ESV
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For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.—Romans 15:4 ESV
Published on Anchor July 2014. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
The Spiritual Disciplines: Confession
http://directors.tfionline.com/post/spiritual-disciplines-confession/
by P Amsterdam
A familiar Scottish proverb tells us that “Confession is good for the soul,” and so it is. When we are looking to deepen our connection with the Lord, to live a God-centered life, confessing our sins plays an important role.
The Spiritual Discipline of confession involves sin that is committed after salvation. When we accept Jesus as our Savior we are forgiven for our sins, and therefore are seen as judicially righteous before God, with assurance of salvation.[1] In His great love for humanity, God made a way for us to be reconciled with Him, and that way was through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, who gave His life so that we could be born again as members of God’s family. Salvation changed our relationship with Him—He is now our Father.[2] We are eternally part of His family.
Being born again, however, doesn’t mean that we no longer sin, or that when we do, our sins have no consequences. Sin has negative effects in our lives and the lives of others, and most prominently in the damage it does to our personal relationship with God. Sin causes a breach in our relationship with our Father, and confession repairs the breach. It takes effort on our part to make things right, similar to how it takes effort to restore a relationship with another person whom we have hurt or offended.
The discipline of confession is the means of counteracting the effect our sins have on our relationship with God. If we don’t regularly repair the damage through confessing our sins, we run the risk of becoming hardened in heart and spirit and relationally growing more distant from Him. As John MacArthur wrote:
I’ve seen Christians—judicially forgiven and eternally secure—who are hardened, impenitent, and insensitive to sin. Consequently, they are also without joy because they don’t have a loving, intimate fellowship with God. They have blocked out joy and fellowship with the barricade of their unconfessed sin.[3]
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus directed us to ask the Father to forgive us our sins.[4] He wasn’t instructing us to pray repeatedly for justification, as we received that upon salvation.[5]Instead, He was showing us the means of restoring our personal fellowship with God when that fellowship has been broken or damaged due to our sins. When King David had grievously sinned, his fellowship with God was broken and his sin had distanced him. His prayer was:
Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.[6] He asked God for restoration: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation.[7]
Confessing our sins and asking God to forgive us is the path to that restoration. When we come before Him and admit that we have sinned, when we ask forgiveness and have heartfelt repentance, the breach is repaired and the damaged relationship is restored. We are cleansed from our unrighteousness and can once again be in fellowship with righteousness, God Himself.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.[8]
Confession shouldn’t be looked upon as something negative or distasteful, because the positive result of confessing our transgressions is forgiveness. God desires to forgive us, and confession is the avenue through which we receive His mercy and compassion. His forgiveness brings freshness to our spirit as our relationship, love, and friendship with Him is renewed.
What Confession Means
The Greek word for sin is hamartia (pronounced ha mar TEE ah), which means to miss the mark, to wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong. As Christians, we don’t want to wander from the path of uprightness or miss the mark. Our goal is to journey through life walking close to Jesus, to avoid straying from His side. When we sin, we wander from Him, but confessing draws us back. Confession is an expression of our love and desire to have a close relationship with Jesus and stay connected to Him.
The word used in the New Testament in reference to confessing our sins is homologeo(pronouncedha ma la GAY oh),which comes from the combination of the words homos,meaning “the same,” and lego, meaning “to speak.” It means to speak the same thing, to agree. When we confess our sins, we are saying the same thing about sin as God does. We are agreeing with His condemnation of sin and acknowledging that in sinning we have acted against God personally, against His Word and His nature. We are admitting that sin is wrong and that we have acted in a way that is offensive to Him. It’s acknowledging that we call these actions the same thing God calls them: envy, jealousy, lust, hatred, deceit, greed, anger, gluttony, adultery, etc.[9]
It is recognizing that these actions are repugnant to God and that by doing them, we are hurting our relationship with Him. It is agreeing that because of the sins of humanity, including our specific sins, Jesus suffered torture and death on the cross. Confession is the acknowledgment that these things are wrong, that we have personally done them, we have offended God, we are sorry, and we need His forgiveness. It is also an expression of our understanding that when we confess our sins, God, in His love and mercy, forgives us.
Charles Spurgeon pointed out that as God’s children, we don’t come before Him to confess as a culprit or criminal comes before a judge. Instead, as His children, we come to our loving Father who desires to forgive.
There is a wide distinction between confessing sin as a culprit, and confessing sin as a child. The Father’s bosom is the place for penitent confessions. We have been cleansed once for all, but our feet still need to be washed from the defilement of our daily walk as children of God.[10]
When we confess our sins, we are recognizing and admitting our guilt. We are stating that no matter who we have wronged, we have sinned against God, whom we are accountable to, we deeply regret doing so, and we seek His forgiveness.
Confession consists of acknowledging our specific sins and claiming them as our own. The following story expresses this point well:
A counselor was trying to help a man who had come forward during an evangelistic meeting. “I’m a Christian,” the man said, “but there’s sin in my life, and I need help.” The counselor showed him 1 John 1:9 and suggested that the man confess his sins to God. “O Father,” the man began, “if we have done anything wrong—” “Just a minute!” the counselor interrupted. “Don’t drag me into your sin! My brother, it’s not ‘if’ or ‘we’—you’d better get down to business with God!”[11]
Because our goal is to regain our close relationship with God, it is helpful to confess specific wrongdoing along with our general sins and weaknesses.
Of course, part of confession is repentance, meaning the changing of the mind, a change of view and of purpose. It’s understanding that sin isn’t just a weakness or an area of your life that you need to work on; it is you acting contrary to God and His nature, resulting in His displeasure and causing a distance in your relationship with Him, as well as negatively affecting you as a person. Repentance means turning from sin and toward God, similar to the prodigal son who returned from a far country to his father’s house. It’s being sorry for sinning and committing to change.
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.[12]
Every one of us sins frequently. We don’t want to, we usually don't mean to, but we do. And while some sins are more serious than others, all sin is spiritually damaging. Confession as a discipline is part of the process of counteracting the damage.
How Often to Confess?
There is no set rule for how often to confess your sins to the Lord, though it seems wise to do so on a regular basis. Before coming before the Lord to confess your sins, it’s good to take some time in self-examination, thinking and praying about the ways you have sinned and any specific sins you can remember. The goal isn’t to root out every detail or every possible sin, rather it’s taking time in prayer to invite the Lord to move in your heart to show you areas in which you need His forgiveness.[13]
If you invite the Holy Spirit to help you search your heart, you will likely become aware of specific sins you would want to confess. Not just sins of commission, but also of omission—times when you should have done something but didn’t. You may become more aware of sins of the heart (such as greed, pride, anger, etc.), which are less obvious than the more outward sins of the flesh. The purpose of confession is greater closeness to God, and taking some time to pray, meditate, and open ourselves to God in self-examination is part of the discipline.
Whom to Confess to
Scripture tells us to confess our sins to God. I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.[14] Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.[15] We confess to the Lord because ultimately He is the one we have sinned against. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t apologize to those you’ve wronged—you should, and also make restitution if it’s called for.
Besides confessing our sins to God, Scripture also speaks of confessing our sins to others.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.[16] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.[17]
Some Christians—Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Anglicans—act upon the instructions to confess sins to another within the sacrament of confession (also called the sacrament of penance or the sacrament of reconciliation), as they confess their sins to a priest. Generally, Protestant belief is that confession is made only to God in the privacy of personal prayer. In some Protestant services, the pastor will call for a period of silence in order to allow time for members to privately confess their sins to the Lord.
While confessing one’s sins is generally a private matter between the individual and God, as we’ve seen by the verses above, there are occasions when we are instructed to confess our sins to one another. Martin Luther said that “secret confession” to another Christian, although not required by Scripture, was “useful and even necessary.” John Calvin also commended private confession for any believer who is “troubled and afflicted with a sense of sins, so that without outside help he is unable to free himself from them.”[18]
There are times when individuals confess their sins to the Lord, but don’t feel it is enough; they don’t have peace that their confession has restored their fellowship with God. In times like these, it can be beneficial to confess the sin to a trusted brother or sister in the Lord. In such instances God has given us our brothers and sisters to stand in Christ’s stead and make God’s presence and forgiveness real to us.[19]Making a verbal confession of sin to a trusted fellow Christian, along with the effective prayers prayed by that Christian, is sometimes needed to bring the realization of forgiveness, resulting in peace of heart, mind, and spirit.
Of course, such a confession wouldn’t be made to just any Christian, as not all of our brothers and sisters have the necessary empathy or understanding to receive a confession, neither can every Christian be counted on to keep the information in absolute confidence. Richard Foster gives some further qualifications for a person who will be receiving a confession:
Others are disqualified because they would be horrified at the revealing of certain sins. Still others, not understanding the nature and value of confession, would shrug it off with a “That’s not so bad.” Fortunately, many people do understand and would be delighted to minister in this way. These people are found by asking God to reveal them to us. They are also found by observing people to see who evidences a lively faith in God’s power to forgive and exhibits the joy of the Lord in his or her heart. The key qualifications are spiritual maturity, wisdom, compassion, good common sense, the ability to keep a confidence, and a wholesome sense of humor. Many pastors—though by no means all—can serve in this way. Often ordinary folk who hold no office or title whatever are among the best at receiving a confession.[20]
Receiving a Confession
Receiving a confession from another Christian is a sacred matter. Your brother or sister is coming to you in obedience to Scripture, trusting that you will listen with love and compassion. In order to properly receive a confession, you need to begin from a place of deep humility. All sin is abhorrent to God, and since we all sin, no one is in a position to be judgmental or to look down upon the one making confession.
The individual making their confession may be in pain and sorrowful about their sins, or they may be confessing in obedience to Scripture, or because they want to please the Lord. They deserve the utmost respect and love from you. If you can’t give them that, if you don’t feel you can keep the information confidential, if you are concerned that you may betray their trust, then you shouldn’t agree to receive it.
Foster gives the following wise counsel for those who are receiving a confession:[21]
When one is opening their griefs to you, discipline yourself to be quiet. Don’t try to relieve the tension by making an offhanded comment, as it’s distracting and even destructive to the sacredness of the moment.
Don’t try to pry out more details than necessary. If you feel they are holding something back due to fear or embarrassment, it’s best to wait silently and prayerfully.
Pray for them inwardly and imperceptibly, send prayers of love and forgiveness toward them. Pray that they will share the “key” that will reveal any area needing the healing touch of Christ.
Once they have confessed, pray for them out loud, and in the prayer, state that the forgiveness that is in Jesus is now real and effective for them. You can say this in a tone of genuine authority because If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.[22]
Ask God to heal their heart and mind from any wounds the sin has caused.
One of our goals as Christians is to have a deep and abiding relationship with God, through Jesus. Because sin separates us from God, we want to avoid sinning; yet as human beings, it is impossible for us to be completely free of sin. Because of this, confessing our sins and seeking the Lord’s forgiveness is key to our having the relationship with Him that we desire. Confession is God’s way for us to eliminate the effects of sin in our relationship with Him. God desires to forgive us, and He wants us to be willing to seek His forgiveness.
When we come to the Lord to confess our sins, we may come in sadness, sorrow, and contrition, but we leave with great joy.—Joy that we are forgiven, that our relationship is restored, and that we can be in His presence unhindered by the burden of our sins. Confession leads to celebration. Our sins are forgiven, our lives are changed. Simply put, “confession is good for the soul.”
Note
Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Footnotes:
[1] For more on the concept of Justification, see: The Heart of It All: Salvation, Results—Justification, Adoption, and Regeneration.
[2] When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God (Galatians 4:4–7).
[3] John MacArthur Jr., Alone with God (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1995), 104–106.
[4] Luke 11:4.
[5] Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
[6] Psalm 51:11.
[7] Psalm 51:12.
[8] 1 John 1:9.
[9] David Walls and Max Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 166.
[10] C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition), (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2006).
[11] W. W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 481–485.
[12] Isaiah 55:7.
[13] Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline (New York: HarperOne, 1998), 151.
[14] Psalm 32:5.
[15] Proverbs 28:13.
[16] James 5:16 NAS.
[17] John 20:23.
[18] W. A. Elwell and B. J. Beitzel in Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1988).
[19] Foster, Celebration of Discipline, 147.
[20] Ibid., 153.
[21] Ibid., 155–56.
[22] John 20:23.
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Suggested Movies to Watch by Alan Watt
Hollywood is the magician's wand which has been used to cast a spell on the unsuspecting public. Things or ideas which would otherwise be seen as bizarre, vulgar, undesirable or impossible are inserted into films in the realm of fantasy. When the viewer watches these films, his/her mind is left open to suggestion and the conditioning process begins. These same movies which are designed to program the average person, can give the discerning viewer a better understanding of the workings and the plan of the world agenda. "Be-aware".[part one]
Predictive Programming - The power of suggestion using the media of fiction to create a desired outcome.
The Experiment
(Germany) Good fictional account of actual psychological experiments in identity modification and adaptation. How people adapt to new roles under scientific guidance.
The Stand
Stephen King movie.
The Trial 1993 The Trial 1962
Surrealistic portrayal of a totalitarian system where an individual is charged with ? and goes through the logical processes without understanding that logic, albeit predictable, was never intended to win.
2001 and 2010
Written by a high free mason, Arthur C. Clarke, shows a Masonic belief system semi-obscured in allegory. Really tells a new world order beginning in 2001, ending with Part 2 - 2010. For follow up on final story, see Arthur C. Clarke's book 3001.
Revelation 2001
Knights Templar story in modern times. Descendant of Martel, going into genetic manipulation and recreation of famous holy people using DNA.
Brotherhood of the Bell
Glenn Ford
True to life story of how Masonic societies and fraternities run the business world with ruthless efficiency.
Shenandoah
James Stewart
About the corruption, reality of war and the human fall out.
The Name of the Rose
Sean Connery
Written by Umberto Echo
Medieval time piece using an actual meeting of the Catholic church held in the mountain monastery. Hints strongly at how ancient knowledge was hidden and stored within it's library and locked from the public's eyes.
The Man Who Would Be King
Sean Connery and Michael Caine
Written by Rudyard Kipling
Two ex-soldiers in nineteen century India, both free masons, join in search of Alexander the Great's treasure. (Ticked-off mason's by using Masonic greetings openly.)
Eric the Viking - Comedy
Eric and his crew go off on a quest and it shows how cultural perception can blind personal progress in specific situations.
The Lawn Mower Man
Predictive programming movie aimed at the young, encouraging excitement at the possibility of achieving amazing powers by mentally entering the actual Internet.
