Volume 3 1987 The Psalms are alive with a burning devotion to God, a refreshing appreciation of God’s Holiness, a zealous enthusiasm for God’s Word and an intense hatred of evil. The soldier/shepherd/king/psalmist David was “a man after God’s own heart” 1 Sam 13:14. We need to learn to fear and respect and love God as David did. And “to honour the Lord is to hate evil” Prov 8:13.
0 Comments
Volume 1 1988 Not only has the enemy enslaved millions to false religions, sinful habits and addictions, but he is also waging an all-out war against the forces of Jesus Christ. Satan aims to undermine the Church and frustrate the divinely appointed Rescue Mission entrusted to it.
Just as Jesus Christ is dedicated to the saving of lost men and women (Luke 19:10), so too Satan is dedicated to damning and destroying everyone in this wartorn world. Just as it is God’s will that all be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), it is Satan’s will that all be lost. “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Martin Luther observed that we exhibit a degree of thankfulness in life in reverse proportion to the amount of blessing we’ve received. In Tabletalk, Martin Luther wrote: “The greater God’s gifts and works, the less they are regarded.” The blessings of life, health, freedom and food are not really appreciated unless they are lost or threatened. Because sunrises and sunsets occur daily, they are taken for granted. September 1986 There is much talk of love in the churches today, and that is good, but the Holy Word of God — the Bible, also speaks much of hatred too.
“Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.” Romans 12:9 “To honour the Lord is to hate evil.” Proverbs 8:13 “There are seven things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that kill innocent people, a mind that thinks up wicked plans, feet that hurry off to do evil, a witness who tells one lie after another, and a man who stirs up trouble among friends.” “These are the words of the Covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the Covenant which He made in Horeb. Now Moses called all Israel and said to them:‘You have seen all that the Lord did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharoah and to all his servants and to all his land – the great trials which your eyes have seen, the signs and those great wonders….that you may know that I am the Lord your God…therefore keep the Words of this Covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do...
"Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has blood shot eyes? Those who linger over wine, who go to the sample bowls of mixed wine. Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high sees, lying on top of the rigging. 'They hit me', you will say, 'but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?' " Proverbs 23:29-35
It is estimated that up to 30% of general hospital admissions in South Africa are directly or indirectly related to alcohol use. November 1986 Should we be seeking to please the world, or should we not rather seek to please God?
“The whole world is under the rule of the Evil one.” 1 John 5:19 “Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father.” 1 John 2:15 “To be the world’s friend means to be God’s enemy.” James 4:4 Jesus said. "The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!" John 16:33 Satan is “the evil god of this world.” 2 Corinthians 4:4 “Keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.” James 1:27 "Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests . . . Be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18
"God gives us the Spirit as our teacher in prayer, to tell us what is right and to temper our emotions. We should seek such aid of the Spirit." John Calvin "Prayer is an art which only the Holy Spirit can teach us. He is the giver of all prayer." C.H. Spurgeon "There is no man, nor church in the world, that can come to God in prayer, but by the assistance of the Holy Spirit." John Bunyan Volume 1 1989 As Christians we are faced with a spiritual warfare on three levels:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
God has created us for eternity. Heaven is mentioned 550 times in the Bible, by that name alone. Heaven in also referred to by many other names. It is described as “the better country” that the prophets sought after. It is described as “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:10 |
More Articles
All
Archives |