He is Worth It!

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.
- Matthew 5:11-12

Boston Commons is the oldest public park in the United States, a 50-acre refuge famous for its swan boats, its suspension bridge (the shortest in the world), and for being the setting of the children's story, Make Way for Ducklings. So it's surprising to learn that in 1651, the Reverend Obadiah Holmes was tied to a post in this park and whipped for preaching Baptist doctrine in Puritan New England. The blood overflowed his shoes.

In our age of religious freedom and pluralistic beliefs, we're apt to forget about the long line of martyrs who have spilled their blood for the sake of the cross, even in America.

When we're faithful to Christ, we too will suffer some level of rejection, ridicule, or disdain. All who are godly will be persecuted. But the sufferings of this life cannot be compared with the glory to be revealed. So when you encounter someone who disdains you for your faith, rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.


"In truth, as the strokes fell upon me, I had such a manifestation of God's presence as the like thereof I never had nor felt, nor can with fleshy tongue express."
- Obadiah Holmes

--from Turning Point--

Is It Worth it?

"…and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:18b

Recommended Reading Matthew 6:1-5

One day the great Italian Renaissance artist Michelangelo happened to overhear a group of people admiring his Pietà, a statue of Christ on His mother's knees after His death on the cross. One man attributed the work to another sculptor, much to the chagrin of Michelangelo, who took particular pride in the Pietà. Returning to the sculpture after dark that evening, Michelangelo carved his name on it so that no similar mistake would occur in the future.

Sometimes it's hard not to want the recognition and admiration of those around us. Whether our gift is preaching or teaching, writing or singing, evangelism or leading, we must keep a Godly perspective and motivation in everything we do. During His earthly ministry, Jesus certainly knew how to keep himself from becoming entangled in the praises of men; He gave all the credit to His Father, for He knew His reward was waiting on the other side of the cross.

If we fall into the trap of working or performing for the rewards of men, we are bound to miss out on our rewards in heaven. Is it worth losing eternal praise from God himself to have but a moment of earthly glory?

He who merits praise he never receives is better off than he who receives praise he never merits.
Unknown
(from Turning Point)

Giant Despair

Giant Despair

Jim Elliff

"Great thoughts of your sin alone will lead you to despair," said the beloved 19th Century London pastor, Charles Spurgeon. He ought to know. He had excruciating bouts with depression. "I know the borders of despair and the horrible brink of that gulf of darkness into which my feet have almost gone."

But read the quote again:

"Great thoughts of your sin alone will lead you to despair, but great thoughts of Christ will pilot you into a haven of peace. The weight of my sin presses down on me like a giant's foot would crush a worm, but oh, it is but a grain of dust to Him because He has borne that sin on the cross."

Despair, melancholy, depression, sadness, sorrow, regret—we all know something about this giant who goes by many names. And some face him to a degree almost beyond toleration. Often (but not always) the heaviness of sin is at the root of such despair.

We are no match for such a giant as the relentless memory of foolish disobedience.

As believers who still sin, we know this:

• Our sin is an awful crime against the One who loves us the most.
• Our sin makes us feel worthless and defeated.
• Our sin may create tension, distrust, and alienation to some degree with others, even if it does so merely because of our mental preoccupation with it.
• Continual meditation on our sin may debilitate us way beyond the actual sin itself. We can give sin a second life by letting it destroy all our joy and godly ambition. Even after repentance, we allow the back side of the hurricane of sin to blow prevailing winds of despair over us.
• Sometimes we wallow in the memory of our sin as a way to try to pay for it ourselves.

It is that last issue that is the most unappreciated by God because it implies there is something inadequate in Christ's work on the cross, as if He did not pay for sins en toto.

As a true believer, what should you do if Giant Despair is bludgeoning you with former sins?

Be sure you have repented of that sin. Repentance is hating what you once loved, and rejecting what you once craved. It is a change of mind that effects behavior. The believer lives in the world of repentance. "The sorrow which comes from God," said the apostle Paul, "produces repentance, without regret, leading to salvation [deliverance]; but the sorrow of the world leads to death." (2 Cor. 7:10)

Act on the necessary correctives—especially asking forgiveness or making restitution to the person(s) you have sinned against. Generally our admission of our sin should be as wide as the sphere of the sin itself. If it is between you and one other, go to that person, admit your sin, and ask for forgiveness. If it is between you and a group, go to the group. If it is between you and God, go to God alone.

Have "great thoughts of Christ." This is what Spurgeon learned-and practiced! Christ has already taken the punishment of that sin for you. Have enough sorrow to be sick of the sin, but not so much sorrow as to make nothing of what Christ has done on the cross. When you are convinced enough to despise it, then sorrow has done its work. Throw off nagging thoughts and go on.

Christian, God does not appreciate us acting as though Christ did not die. Your sin demands a fresh application of faith, a resting on this solid truth. Believe what He told you about the effect of Christ's death for your sins. Have "great thoughts of Christ." In Christ, you are as forgiven as you can be!

Your sin "is but a grain of dust to Him because He has borne that sin on the cross."

"Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows . . ." (Isa. 53:4)

I Have Learned...

This really hits home. Please take the time to read slowly and reflect upon each statement. These are "principles for Christian living" taken mostly from the 'wisdom' literature of the Bible - Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.

God bless!

--- unknown source ---

I'VE LEARNED that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is be someone who can be loved...
The rest is up to them.

I'VE LEARNED that no matter how much I care,
some people just don't care back.

I'VE LEARNED that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I'VE LEARNED that just because someone doesn't love you
the way you want to, doesn't mean they don't love you
with all they have.

I'VE LEARNED that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don't know how to show it.

I'VE LEARNED that true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.

I'VE LEARNED that maturity has more to do with what types
of experiences you've had, and what you've learned from them,
and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I'VE LEARNED that no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I'VE LEARNED that our background and circumstances may
have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for
who we become.

I'VE LEARNED That just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I'VE LEARNED That two people can look at the exact
same thing and see something totally different.

I'VE LEARNED That no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.

I'VE LEARNED That even when you think you have no more
to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength
to help.

I'VE LEARNED That credentials on the wall do not make you
a decent human being.

I'VE LEARNED That it's hard to determine where to draw the
line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings,
and standing up for what you believe.

I'VE LEARNED That it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.

I'VE LEARNED That sometimes when I'm angry I have the
right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I'VE LEARNED That either you control your attitude,
or it controls you.

I'VE LEARNED That it's not WHAT you have in your life
but WHO you have in your life that counts.

I'VE LEARNED That you can get by on charm for about
fifteen minutes. After that, you had better know something.

I'VE LEARNED That it's taking me a long time to become
the person I want to be.

I'VE LEARNED That you can keep going long after
you think you can't.

I'VE LEARNED That learning to forgive takes practice