Absolute Refusal

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  (2 Thessalonians 2:10)

I happened to read the above scripture this morning, and was struck by the strength of the words, "refused to love the truth."  The word 'refuse' sounds so deliberate and definite.  I often see people who aren't walking in God's way as those who are missing the truth.  But this verse talks about actual refusal....


TV~
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
 [Galatians 6:7]

The Five-Minute Prayer Method

Take an honest tally of your actual time spent in concentrated prayer each day. Is it fewer than 15 minutes?  Is it fewer than five?

Now,
1. Take a timer or your smart phone.
2. Set the timer for five minutes.
3. Decide four things you are going to pray for.
4. Start the timer.
5. For the first minute, thank God for anything and everything.
6. For the second minute, pray for the first thing on your list.
7. The third minute, pray for the second thing, and so on until the five minutes is up.

Daniel prayed three times per day.  Try this five-minute method three times per day and you will have spent 15 minutes in concentrated prayer!  Try it once a day, and you still can look for God's answers.

TV~
...In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
[Philippians 4:6]

Praying in the Moment

Last week, I found myself with a rare 90 minutes of free time - no immediate responsibilites required by home or family.  I was not at home and took a moment to ponder the various options regarding how to use this precious time. 

Then, I remembered to pray, asking the Lord  what would be His best use of my time.  Into my mind popped the idea of visiting a woman I know who lives in a nearby nursing home.  She is in her fifties, has multiple sclerosis and has been institutionalized for many, many years.

So, I stopped by and visited Sally.  What if I hadn't prayed and hadn't had the idea to visit Sally?  I would have been able to cross something else off of the endless list, something that had no eternal value.

TV~
Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. [Psalm 86:11]

Dead or Alive?

The book of James tells us, "Faith without works is dead."  When a human body is dead, it is cold, unresponsive, immovable and eventually turns to dust. 

If we say we have faith, but do not practice good deeds, our faith is not a living faith.  It is unresponsive, stiff and in a short time will be virtually invisible.

TV~
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [Matthew 7:17]

Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel

Here are Verses 3, 4 from yesterday's post.  My favorite part is "O God, be with us in the flame."    Those "fierce fires" that we find the most trying are exactly what purify our inmost spirits.

For sins of heedless word and deed,
for pride ambitions to succeed,
for crafty trade and subtle snare
to catch the simple unaware,
for lives bereft of purpose high,
forgive, forgive, O Lord, we cry.

Let the fierce fires which burn and try,
our inmost spirits purify:
consume the ill; purge out the shame;
O God, be with us in the flame;
a newborn people may we rise,
more pure, more true, more nobly wise.

TV~
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
[Isaiah 48:10]

From Sins Which Make the Heart Grow Cold

On Sunday, we sang a hymn unfamiliar to me.  Sung to the Russian tune of St. Petersburg, the phrase which caught my attention was "from sins which make the heart grow cold."

Which sins make the heart grow cold?  Perhaps it is those in which we continue, despite conviction that they are wrong.  Lord, keep us in Your way.

TV~
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. [Matthew 24:12]

Before Thy Throne, O God, We Kneel

1 Before thy throne, O God, we kneel:
give us a conscience quick to feel,
a ready mind to understand
the meaning of thy chastening hand;
whate'er the pain and shame may be,
bring us, O Father, nearer thee.


2 Search out our hearts and make us true;
help us to give to all their due.
From love of pleasure, lust of gold,
from sins which make the heart grow cold,
wean us and train us with thy rod;
teach us to know our faults, O God.

Fact-Faith-Feeling

Let's apply the Fact-Faith-Feeling train to evaluating a potential spouse.  What are the facts about this person? 

- Does he profess sincere faith in Christand is he pursuing God?
- Has he been trained in the "way he should go" by diligent, Christian parents?
- How does he use his time, money, energy and space?
- Does he demonstrate the fruits of the spirit?
- What do my parents think about this person as a life partner for me?

Pray in faith to the Lord for wisdom about whether or not to consider this person.

Evaluate my feelings: why do I see this person as a perceived treasure?  (Don't define feelings here as a racing heart, sweaty palms, and trembling lips.)

Just as important, what facts do my parents see about this person?  When they are praying in faith, what are their impressions?  And, do they perceive this person as a treasure or a threat to my well-being in life?

TV~
Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you.  [Galatians 5: 19-21]