HAVEN'T READ D.A. CARSON'S NEW BOOK - SCANDALOUS!

SCANDALOUS: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus   by D.A.  Carson

Doesn’t the title of this book grab your attention? It grabbed mine.

If someone had asked about the scandal of the cross, before listening to this, I believe that I could give a sufficient answer as to its scandal. How the resurrection was a scandal I was not so sure about. Author D.A. Carson opened my mind to far more than I could even think about for both the cross and the resurrection.

Each of the main five chapters had been taken from five different messages given at a conference. Each could stand alone, but there were two ties, the theme of the scandalous and scriptural eyewitness accounts.

The scriptural exposition of eye witness accounts bring out each of the scandals. The accounts stretch from before the cross to the resurrection. In each of the five accounts, Carson, in a unique way presents what appears, at times, to be an unrelated idea (sometimes from Scripture, sometimes from modern accounts). These unrelated ideas are actually introductions for the specifics of the scandal within each passage in question.

The reader, John Haag, did a fine job capturing the essence with his excellent and well executed phrasing.  Your mind will be engaged and fascinated.

As a part of the christianaudio Reviewers Program, I have no problem recommending this book. I listened to it twice. The second brought out so much more.

 You can find this book as well as other great books at: http://christianaudio.com/.

FAITH'S CHECKBOOK - CHARLES SPURGEON

If you want a daily dose of Spurgeon follow this link http://www.spurgeon.org/fcb/fcb.cgi

It is well worth it. The one below will encourage any Christian who doubts the Lord's love.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Faith's Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

---

September 25

The Sacrifice Has Been Accepted

If the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have showed us all these thing. (Judges 13:23)

This is a sort of promise deduced by logic. It is an inference fairly drawn from ascertained facts. It was not likely that the Lord had revealed to Manoah and his wife that a son would be born to them and yet had it in His heart to destroy them. The wife reasoned well, and we shall do well if we follow her line of argument.
The Father has accepted the great sacrifice of Calvary and has declared Himself well pleased therewith; how can He now be pleased to kill us! Why a substitute if the sinner must still perish? The accepted sacrifice of Jesus puts an end to fear.
The Lord has shown us our election, our adoption, our union to Christ, our marriage to the Well-beloved: how can He now destroy us? The promises are loaded with blessings, which necessitate our being preserved unto eternal life. It is not possible for the Lord to cast us away and yet fulfill His covenant. The past assures us, and the future reassures us. We shall not die but live, for we have seen Jesus, and in Him we have seen the Father by the illumination of the Holy Ghost. Because of this life-giving sight we must live forever.

FROM SPURGEON'S "FAITH'S CHECKBOOK"

September 13



The Dew of Heaven

"His heavens shall drop down dew" (Deuteronomy 33:28).

What the dew in the East is to the world of nature, that is the influence of the Spirit in the realm of grace. How greatly do I need it! Without the Spirit of God I am a dry and withered thing. I droop, I fade, I die. How sweetly does this dew refresh me! When once favored with it I feel happy, lively, vigorous, elevated. I want nothing more. The Holy Spirit brings me life and all that life requires. All else without the dew of the Spirit is less than nothing to me: I hear, I read, I pray, I sing, I go to the table of Communion, and I find no blessing there until the Holy Ghost visits me. But when He bedews me, every means of grace is sweet and profitable. What a promise is this for me! "His heavens shall drop down dew." I shall be visited with grace. I shall not be left to my natural drought, or to the world's burning heat, or to the sirocco of satanic temptation. Oh, that l may at this very hour feel the gentle, silent, saturating dew of the LORD! Why should I not! He who has made me to live as the grass lives in the meadow will treat me as He treats the grass; He will refresh me from above. Grass cannot call for dew as I do. Surely, the LORD who visits the unpraying plant will answer to His pleading child.

SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY WITH A SHEPHERD'S TOUCH - IS IT POSSIBLE?

If you have a hard time reading, even excellent, books presenting  the fundamental essential doctrines of the faith (and I could recommend some very good ones), then this book is for you.

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe is an unabridged recording by Authors Mark Driscoll & Gerry Breshears. I found it to be very pastoral in its delivery. I do not know whose decision it was to use Sean Runnette to read, but it strongly added to the pastoral delivery of this book.

The pastoral expression of this came out in the tone in which it was read. In addition to this, the content is accessible (understandable) to all, helpful clarifications were given, and warnings (as needed) were given. I had the impression as I was listening to this that I was being shepherded.

This having been said, I am not taking everything at face value. There are some individual statements within the doctrines presented that I will be researching in more detail. These statements did not affect the fundamental truths being taught but, I would be a poor example of a Berean if I did not search for myself to see if even those things are to be found in Scripture. Overall, these various doctrines are "What Every Christian Should Believe".

I have no problem with recommending this book. If you are interested in it you can purchase it at http://christianaudio.com/.



I am a volunteer member of the christianaudio Reviewers Program. I am not required to give a positive review.

PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT AND EVERYONE ELSE?

It has been a while since I last posted something, but this I thought was worth posting. May this be a used as a proding to:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,  who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
(1 Timothy 2:1-6)

Check out this,

MichaelYoussef.com

Blog Update

Islam's So-called Friends

I often find it amusing, enlightening and equally frustrating to read some of the Arabic/Islamic press. They have a knack for turning truth on its head. And when that happens, one gets a unique perspective. The brouhaha over some Islamists' take on Obama being Muslim or not Muslim is absolutely fascinating.

One writer who lives in the United States writes in an Islamic website explained to Arabs, in Arabic, her perspective on the questions over whether Obama is a Muslim or not.

She emphatically declared that he is not a Muslim in the truer sense of the word. Then she proceeded to explain to her Arabic readers about the Unitarian Church and many "other Christian denominations," referring mainly to mainline denominations, and why Muslims should be supportive of them.

She said they are not like those "traditional Christians" who believe in the divinity of Christ. They, like us "Muslims," believe that Jesus was just a good prophet: 'To be sure, they do not believe in Mohammad as the true prophet of Allah, but we can get along with them."

This concept reminds me of an Arabic saying, "Me and my brother against our cousins; but my brother and I and my cousins against our enemies."

Isn't it a true shame that Islamists feel affinity with the Unitarians and the liberal mainline denominations simply because they share one thing in common with Islam? Namely, they all reject Biblical truth.

When Jesus claimed that He is the only way, the only truth, and the only giver of eternal life (John 14:6), He drew a line in the sand. You either believe Me and my claims or reject Me. And wanting it or not, by rejecting Me, you would be joining forces with all My enemies.

One good thing about this entire buzz about religion, it is giving the true disciples of Jesus Christ an opportunity to take a stand. Lovingly, thoughtfully and wisely ... but the church is taking a stand none the less. The days of placing one foot in the boat and one foot on the pier are gone. The boat has left the pier! You are either for the full claims of Christ, or you are not. There is no smorgasbord in true Christianity.

Obama may not be a Muslim. But until he comes out and says, "Jesus is the only way to the Father and heaven," he is not a true Christian either.

So what is the response of all those who belong to Jesus Christ and live in obedience to His claim? Pray. Pray for our president daily. He is our president and the Bible commands us to pray for those in authority and leave the rest up to God.

Remember the prayers of a righteous man avails much. God is listening and He wants to hear our prayers. Remember Paul is just the means of the message. It is God who is urging us to offer  supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, including kings, or for us, presidents and others in authority.

This is an awesome responsibility. Are you carrying it. I confess I have failed miserably.
Lord, grant me and all of us grace to obediently step up to our responsibility.

"FOR THE LORD AND FOR GIDEON" - WAS GIDEON TAKING A SHARE OF GOD'S GLORY?

When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’” Judges 7:18

So who was Gideon? He was a key figure among the judges of Israel. He was not specifically called a judge but his biblical history is sandwiched between those who were called judges. More importantly than having a title of judge, he was specifically called by God to do the same things He had called the judges for -

Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them. ....Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. Judges 2:16-18

Upon first reading this it didn't seem right that the command to shout "For the Lord and for Gideon" had been given. Alone it sounds like Gideon is trying to share some of the glory that God alone should be receiving. That was my thoughts upon my first reading.

Upon my second reading, the command for the shout made sense. It did not at all seem as if Gideon was trying to receive some of the glory from God. In fact, it seems to be God inspired.

In the context God recognized that Gideon was afraid to do what He was asking. So He said to Gideon,

“Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Judges 7:9-11

God knows our hearts and He knows how to calm our fears.

So Gideon went down, with his servant, near the outposts to the camp of the Midianites and the Amalekites. He was out of their sight but he could see,

The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance. Judges 7:12

In other words they far outnumbered his army. This sight alone would be enough to put fear into Gideon's heart. The Scripture does not say. But it does say that after observing this Gideon overheard two guards speaking. This conversation that he overhears is the exact reason why God had sent him down to the camp.

When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” Judges 7:13-14

Upon hearing this, what was Gideon's response,

As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. Judges 7:15a

He also took immediate command and action,

And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.”...When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, 'For the LORD and for Gideon.'" Judges 7:7:15b;17b-18

So why did he tell the men to shout, "For the Lord and for Gideon." Was he trying to share the glory with God? I believe that Gideon was capitalizing on what God had allowed him to overhear. If one man knew of Gideon and His God, then surely others had heard of him and His God too. So this shout in itself would put fear into the hearts of the Midianites. The context bears this out,

And they cried out, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" Every man (all of Gideon's men) stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. Judges 7:20b-21

So what application can we draw from this.

Notice the wording of the interpretation of the dream,

“This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” Judges 7:14

The clear meaning is, God would be the one to defeat the Midianites and their allies. But He would do so through an instrument, "the sword of Gideon" We too, are instruments in God's hands. He is continually at work in this world against His enemies. But for some reason he is pleased to use us to do so. So remember the next time you are confronted with the enemy/enemies of God the shout of Gideon and his army,

"A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!"

You may want to personalize it as I myself will do, "A sword for the LORD and for Ernie!"

Brothers and Sisters, God is at work in you. You are His instruments for righteousness in this world. We are the means by which His enemies will be defeated. And we are the means, through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by which He will save the world.

All Glory to God who is pleased to work through such lowly creatures as ourselves!

Book Review - SEASONS OF GRACE #3: THE TELLING by Beverly Lewis

Despite the fact that this was the final part of a trilogy, I did not feel I was jumping into the middle of a story. It very easily stands on its own.

Aimee Lilly, wonderfully reads the story. Using various voices for the different characters added to the realness of the story. Her voice was easy to listen to and her diction was flawless.

I could not testify to the accuracy of the Amish community portrayed, but the depiction of the story seemed real. That is because, it is not just an Amish story, it is a human story, a story of sin, consequences, confession, redemption, and forgiveness (both God’s and man’s). This human story has been authentically portrayed. The everyday conversations had a ring of reality to them. Even the spiritual conversations were natural, not strained at all. Their conversations, questions and answers, were ones that I myself might have been involved in.

The title of the story, The Telling, refers to a time of public confession, a revealing of hidden sins. It was easy to enter into the anguish over the sin to be confessed. It was just as easy to enter into the humble private confessions and prayers that were uttered to God before family and friends ever knew.

How family, friends, and church community responded demonstrated the reality of the consequences of sin. But it was the ultimate response, from the Amish community, of redemption and forgiveness that shines as the main theme of the book. When life is lived like this,forgiving as God in Christ has forgiven us, we are shown Christianity as it should be. As a result God is glorified.

I wholeheartedly recommend this audio book. It is offered by http://www.christianaudio.com/. It was a pleasure to be able to review this book for the christianaudio Reviewers Program.

Book Review - INTERIOR CASTLE by Teresa of Avila

Interior Castle, which can be purchased from Christian Audio, http://christianaudio.com/, centers on prayer and the reflections of the soul. The author pictures the soul of a person as a castle with many rooms, which she calls mansions. The book conveys the journey of a person into the various mansions, seven in all. It could be seen as a journey of sanctification. There is a progressiveness of maturity pictured in each of the mansions, of which the last, the seventh, is seen as the central dwelling place of Jesus in the soul.

This book is read most excellently by Susan Deneker. I believe she captured the intent of the author through her skilled reading.

As a Protestant evangelical Christian, I had some theological differences (some of which were serious) with this book, which was written from a Roman Catholic perspective. However, having said that, I would not reject it and would even encourage people to read it. A Scripture came to mind as I was meditating on the things:

Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.

                                                                        1Thessalonians 5:20-21

While I had my differences, I found that the good was worth holding on to and very uplifting to my faith.                      

What was good that I could hold on to? This author had a very biblical view of man as concerns his state of sin and separation from God. It was this view that caused the author to offer a very biblical view of true humility. Both of these themes are heard throughout the book.

It was these two themes that naturally brought the reader to another theme, we are nothing and God is everything. This resulted in much praise and glory to be given to God. I was much moved by a name that she used often for God – “His Majesty”.

Much more could be said but my favorite moment in listening to this was her encouragement to contemplate, meditate on Jesus and his work on the cross.

I have reviewed this audio book for the christianaudio Reviewers Program, of which I am privileged to be a member.

LOOKING FOR A BIBLICALLY MINDED LIFESTYLE - READ CRAZY LOVE by FRANCIS CHAN

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God by Francis Chan is an Oasis Audio book distributed by Christianaudio (http://christianaudio.com).

I have listened to this twice. It has been well worth the listening. The Church needs to hear this message, especially the American Church.

The author, himself, reads with a calm even voice. It is not the dynamic voice which I usually like to listen to (it took some getting used to). But, I will say it again; I have listened to this twice. It has been well worth the listening.

In the first part of the book the awesome glories of God are extolled. Chan then contrasts man with God. Yes we are the pinnacle of God’s creations but we are marred by sin. This is where the title of the book especially comes in. In light of our sin, how crazy is it that God would even be mindful of us. Then, on top of that, He sends His Son to die for our sins?

In light of this wonderful knowledge we are encouraged to follow God’s lead. By living what seems to be a radical life of crazy love. But what seems to be radical and crazy is actually biblical. Chan basically says that such a life is not only reasonable but the only rational choice in light of God’s overwhelming relentless love of us.

By the way, he is not just another writer telling others what to do; he and his church are living this Crazy Love life.

As a part of the christianaudio Reviewers Program it is my pleasure to highly recommend this book.

  

DO YOU WANT TO BE BLESSED? FIND OUT HOW!

This morning I was watching and listening to Marquis Laughlin (http://www.actsoftheword.com/index.html) recite from memory the beginning chapters of Revelation. It starts out like this:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants [1] the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant [2] John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Several things stood out to me. This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, not John. It is Jesus Christ who is being revealed. Unlike the title in the King James version which says, The Revelation of St. John the Divine, the English Standard gets it right by writing, in one edition, The Revelation to John. The Reformation Study Bible simply repeats the first phrase of verse one, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
                   

It was God who gave Jesus Christ the revelation. At first that may seem strange. You may be asking yourself, I thought Jesus was God? To which I would say you are quite right in your thinking, He most definitely is God, God the Son! That would mean that the God who gave him the revelation is God the Father.

God the Father wants this revelation of his Son, concerning things soon to take place, to be given to his servants. His method of relaying this message to them is quite amazing. He uses his servant John to get the word out, after getting the word from an angel! John a human being is the means by which this important revelation is given out to His servants. If your faith and trust are in Jesus alone for salvation then you are his servant and this message is for you. How awesome is that!

John, of course, was faithful to get this revelation out. He "bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw". We are the beneficiaries of John's faithfulness.


At this point I have to ask, how many of you like to be blessed? Do I really need to hear the answer? So, since we all like to be blessed, try this: "...read aloud the words of this prophecy, and ... hear, and ... keep what is written in it..."

Do not just read the revelation, but READ IT ALOUD. Do not just hear (with your ears) the revelation, but KEEP WHAT IS WRITTEN IN IT (hear with your heart and obey). Remember there is a reason for this, "the time is near".

If you ask what time is near? I will answer by saying now is the time to start obeying and READ IT ALOUD (the answer is found in the revelation). Then KEEP WHAT IS WRITTEN IN IT (the true understanding of the revelation is in the obeying of it). 

THE BATTLE IS THE LORD'S - but he is pleased to use us as His hands and feet!

Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the Lord, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
2 he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.

As it says in another place "the battle is the Lord's". It is indeed! This verse shares the means he uses to "subdue peoples under me."

While this passage is rooted in physical battles, I cannot help but think in terms of the spiritual battle we are in every time we engage with those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul puts the battle in spiritual terms (read Ephesians 6),

With this knowledge let us arm ourselves with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God! Let us take up the shield of faith, faith in our Lord, the rock who trains us for war!

Our victory is in the Lord! Our protection is in the Lord! Our strength is in the Lord! Blessed be the Name of the Lord! And what is that name - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

March on brothers and sisters it is the Lord our Rock who will subdue peoples under us. Remember this battle is for the souls of men, women, and children. Keep up the good fight!

WHAT DOES PRAYER, THE WORD OF THE LORD, SPEED, AND HONOR ALL HAVE IN COMMON?

2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you,...

We would do well to have this kind of prayer for ourselves as well as for others. It would be especially beneficial for those who, like Paul, go to places that we will never go. Pray for the evangelists, apostles, teachers, prophets. Lets also pray for one another that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored. After all I may never go where you go and you may never go where I go. You have your job, neighbors, family,

and friends that I may never see and I have mine. 

The idea that the word of the Lord may speed ahead calls to mind that the time is short. In another place Paul said, Today is the day of salvation. In chapter one Paul had just warned about the judgment to come. In the second chapter he speaks of the man of lawlessness and the deception to come, which will have eternal consequences. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION! TOMORROW MAY BE TOO LATE!

He also asks them to pray that the word of the Lord may be honored. Other ways this might be said would be: pray that the word of the Lord may be held in high esteem, pray that the word of the Lord may be reverenced, pray that the word of the Lord may be trusted and obeyed.

Paul says, to the Thessalonians, this is what happened among you. As if he is saying, don't you want to see this same thing happen everywhere? Then start praying!

Won't you start praying?

Book Review: "In the Presence of My Enemies" by Gracia Burnham with Dean Merrill

This is the story of Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries in the Philippines, who were taken captive by extreme Islamic Jihadists. It takes you on a year long journey through the jungles without proper shelter, clothing, and sanitation. Food was not always in abundance. They were separated from their loved ones (children and parents).


Gracia says this, “My goal in writing this was to tell Martin’s story. I hope we’ve done it well.”

It was done very well. Martin lives and breathes in this story. Martin was a man whose deep godly wisdom and love for God is seen throughout their captivity. Part of that love was, amazingly, for his captors.

Gracia’s story comes out too. She shares her husband’s love and forgiveness for her captives. In light of the fact that Martin did not survive the rescue attempt this is extraordinary! One example will suffice, shown graphic pictures of her dead captors on the day of her rescue. She began crying. The agent showing the pictures was surprised that she was not glad they were killed. She responded if I believe what I do then these men are in hell with no other chances for God’s forgiveness. Those who are still alive she has forgiven and prays for their salvation.

Pam Ward, the reader of this Christian Audio (http://christianaudio.com/) book, did such a fine job; I found it very easy to think that I was listening to Gracia herself.

This book will cause you to examine your heart before God who sees and knows all. As one who is a part of the volunteer christianaudio reviewers program I highly recommend this book.

LOVE MY ENEMIES?

Psalm 35:13 But I, when they were sick -- I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. 14 I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

The heart felt emotions above are actually quite unusual, and even unnatural to our inclinations, considering their context. Consider that the psalmist uttered these words on behalf of "those who fight against me", "my pursuers", those "who seek after my life", those who "hid their net for me", those who "dug a pit for my life", those "malicious witnesses" who "rise up", those who "repay me evil for good", those who "rejoiced and gathered" "at my stumbling", those who "gathered together against me", those "wretches" who "tore at me without ceasing, those who "gnash at me with their teeth", those who "hate me without a cause" those who "devise words of deceit".

In light of such affliction and hatred, from obvious enemies, would you respond the way the psalmist did? Would you be praying for them, afflicting your own self with fasting, grieving as if for a friend or brother, lamenting and mourning as if for your mother.

Seems quite unnatural indeed!

His cries and prayers were not all for their well being. He did ask God for judgment upon them. He asked God to contend for him. He even had plans on glorifying God once his enemies were judged. "Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation". But even despite these prayers he still cared for his enemies when they were sick.

We are living in times much like the psalmist. It is becoming increasingly obvious the hatred and affliction that Christians are receiving in our own country. Legislation promoted in this country continues to cut at biblical principles. Would you pray for the designers of such legislation, if they fell sick, as if they were your friend, brother, or even your mother?

Praying for God's Justice concerning our enemies is easy, but it seems to go against the grain of our human nature to pray for their well being.

Let us pray for God's Justice, but let us also heed the words of our Lord Jesus who said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Why? "So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven."

HOW WELL IS YOUR PERCEPTION?

Acts 23:6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial." 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

Paul perceived! What do you perceive about your antagonists? How did Paul perceive? How can we perceive? Answering this question is the theme of this post.

So how can we "perceive"?

1. Perception can come through reading Scripture. This should be our main source. Your antagonists/enemies, are shown very clearly there. David talks a lot about his enemies in the Psalms. That's a good place to start.

2. Read books that expose the heresies of the enemies of God. There are many good books exposing the many heresies we face today. Kingdom of the Cults is one of the classics. It is one that has in recent years been updated to reflect the current heresies being faced by the church. Ask your pastor or godly men you respect in the faith to suggest other books or even Web sites that offer the same information.

3. Talk with Christian brothers and sisters who have, first hand, experience dealing with such heresies. Much can be learned from those who have been and still are on the front lines. One suggestion for where such first hand info could be found is James White's Web site, http://aomin.org.

4. This last idea is very important. Do not assume you know the enemy you are dealing with without first listening to them (face to face or through media sources), before talking with them. Remember the enemies of God are everywhere - they are your neighbors, your co-workers, your family. A good listening ear will win more people than jumping to conclusions and bible thumping a stereotype of your own imagination.

The bottom line: we must be prepared. We are soldiers. Paul told Timothy,

"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."

THINKING ABOUT READING "THE HIDING PLACE"?

As a part of the christianaudio Reviewer’s Program I would like to recommend this Hovel Audio recording of The Hiding Place. You can purchase this unabridged reading from christianaudio.com.

Bernadette Dunne does an outstanding job reading. She will hold your attention from start to finish.

Set in pre/during/post-World War II, it is an exciting true story of a simple family who used their own home as a hiding place for the Jews during the German occupation of Holland. The Jews, considered enemies of the new German run government, were recognized by the ten Boom family as the “apple of God’s eye”.

In my opinion God Himself, the true hiding place, is the main character. His providential presence is seen in every aspect of this story. God’s love and forgiveness of man and man’s love and forgiveness for man is the theme of this story. That message is illustrated in the lives of Corrie ten Boom (the author) and her sister Betsy, as well as others.

While still in Ravensbrück (a concentration camp), a pit of despair and evil, dying Betsy said to Corrie, “Must tell people what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.” This became Corrie ten Boom’s message in the years after her release from the concentration camp.

How would you live if faced with possible imprisonment or even execution? Would you forgive the informants who caused you to be arrested? How about the guards? This story will challenge you to question the depth of your faith, love, and forgiveness.

ARE YOU LOVED "TO THE END"?

John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

How interesting the phrase "he loved them to the end". Who did he love them? The verse says he "loved his own who were in the world". Who were his own? Those whom he had chosen. 

What end was he referring to?
The end he was referring to was obviously prophetic, since he had not yet "departed out of this world to the Father". "Loved them to the end" has at least four related views. 

First, a short term time frame. The end of his life in this world with his disciples. He would be going to his death very shortly. He had told them so on a number of occasions. His end in this world was imminent. So his love to the end was for his disciples with him at that moment.

Second, it extended to all who at that time had embraced him as their Savior during his lifetime. So again the end was very imminent.

Thirdly his love extended to all who would believe on him in all ages. For them the end would be when their lives were over or when he returns for them.

Fourthly and lastly "the end" refers to eternity. Eternity of course does not end. End, in this case, means that his love goes on and on. This may not at first make sense. But, if he meant end to mean end in the sense of ceasing, of being no more, then his love for those to whom he was speaking would have ceased as soon as he went to the Father.

Look at it this way, If I have eternal life and he loves me to the end, does this mean that at some point in "time" eternal life ends? How absurd!

I rejoice in this, "He loved"(loves) me "to the end. On what do I base this - on the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ
(see John 3:16; Romans 1:16; Romans 5:6-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5).

Is it true for you? Do you know that he loves you to the end?

ARE YOU STANDING ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION?

I have been listening to "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom. In one part, the family had to tell Corrie's aunt, Tante Jans, her tuberculosis was at the final stage. This was a sure death sentence. Her aunt's response surprised the family. Upon hearing this news, she covered her face with her hands. They tried to encourage her, by reminding her, of the many good works that she could bring before the Lord. But, she burst out with,

"Empty! Empty! How can we bring anything to God? Does He care for our little tricks and trinkets?" And then as we listened in disbelief, She lowered her hands and with tears still coursing down her face whispered, "Dear Jesus I thank you that we must come with empty hands. I thank you that you have done all, all on the Cross, and that all we need in life or death is to be sure of this."

This is not meant to be a discouragement to good works. If your hope and faith are in God and His Son, then you were "created in Christ Jesus for good works". Tante Jans probably would not have lived her life any differently. What she realized at the moment of hearing her physical death sentence, I can add nothing to what Jesus has done in respect to my salvation.

JESUS did "All on the Cross". "All we need in life or death is to be sure of this."

Are you sure of this?