I knocked at your door this morning
"Could We meet together in prayer?"
I knew that the pressures you're facing
Needed the touch of My care.
I stood there waiting beside you
Longing to meet all your needs
Knowing the storm clouds you're facing
Would trouble you on the rough seas.
The cares of the day pressed harder
The urgent demanded you're time
While quietly I tried to whisper
"The peace that you're needing is Mine."
So now that your day is soon over
Exhausted by strain and despair
I would like once again to ask you.
"Can We meet together in prayer?"
--B. Pent
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
GRACE AND DISCIPLESHIP
"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it as a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'ye were bought at a price,' and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God." (The Cost Of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer,p.47-48).
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it as a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'ye were bought at a price,' and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God." (The Cost Of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer,p.47-48).
Monday, September 14, 2009
MY IDOL- SELF!
The heathen gods that men have made
Are not the things that charm me most.
The idols that surround my world
Are often subtle, blameless hosts.
I think of family, money, too
Of cars and clothes to name a few.
But deeper till the Serpent's charm
That sex and drugs pose little harm.
Yet while I judge another's fate
I have a greater problem still.
My own propensity to shade
The unrepentance of my will.
I make excuses for mistakes
By pointing out another's faults.
Yet on the throne of my own heart
There sits the idol I won't part.
But when the spotlight of God's Word
Reveals the source of all my sin
I see the anger, gossip game
Has left me weak with oozing pain.
The problem faced along life's way
Is having self dethroned each day.
"So NOW, dear Lord, take full control
Of all my body, heart and soul".
--B. Pent
Are not the things that charm me most.
The idols that surround my world
Are often subtle, blameless hosts.
I think of family, money, too
Of cars and clothes to name a few.
But deeper till the Serpent's charm
That sex and drugs pose little harm.
Yet while I judge another's fate
I have a greater problem still.
My own propensity to shade
The unrepentance of my will.
I make excuses for mistakes
By pointing out another's faults.
Yet on the throne of my own heart
There sits the idol I won't part.
But when the spotlight of God's Word
Reveals the source of all my sin
I see the anger, gossip game
Has left me weak with oozing pain.
The problem faced along life's way
Is having self dethroned each day.
"So NOW, dear Lord, take full control
Of all my body, heart and soul".
--B. Pent
Friday, September 11, 2009
LIFE'S ROAD
I've walked life's road for many years
At times I've faced life's bitter tears
I've seen the good which made me glad
I've known the wrong which made me sad.
But when I weighed each gain or loss
I sensed the conflict of the Cross.
But why should love and grace abound
When man enslaved by sin is found
Condemned! The verdict speaks my name
I stand to hear the Judge's blame.
But when He shows His nail pierced hand
I soon begin to understand.
When Satan stole man's right to win
A Lamb appeared to pay for sin.
He for- ordained the price be made
Redemption's blood for sin was paid.
And then the mystery was revealed
In Christ my full salvation sealed.
--B. Pent
At times I've faced life's bitter tears
I've seen the good which made me glad
I've known the wrong which made me sad.
But when I weighed each gain or loss
I sensed the conflict of the Cross.
But why should love and grace abound
When man enslaved by sin is found
Condemned! The verdict speaks my name
I stand to hear the Judge's blame.
But when He shows His nail pierced hand
I soon begin to understand.
When Satan stole man's right to win
A Lamb appeared to pay for sin.
He for- ordained the price be made
Redemption's blood for sin was paid.
And then the mystery was revealed
In Christ my full salvation sealed.
--B. Pent
Friday, September 4, 2009
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT -- Matt.5:7-9
If Christianity is to have relevance in our pagan society, the evidence must be seen in our character and conduct. Walking the talk is precisely the message Jesus was trying to get across to His followers. The first four Beatitudes deal with man's inner relationship with God. He must be aware of his spiritual bankruptcy, admit his need of a Savior and reach for His forgiveness. Only then can he be filled with God's righteousness. The last four Beatitudes reveal a changed character progressively demonstrated throughout life.
Jesus states in verses 7-9: "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." His explanation is simple! A man who has God's righteousness will show mercy because mercy has been shown to him. He will seek to be pure in heart because heaven is only inhabited by pure people. That kind of a person will become a peacemaker.
What does it mean to be merciful? The basic meaning is to give help to those in need: the bereaving, the lonely, the helpless. It is not simply feeling compassion but showing compassion. The story of the Good Samaritan is Luke 10 clearly illustrates this truth. Everyone who passed by the wounded Jew turned away even though some may have felt compassion. But, it was the Good Samaritan who helped bring healing by getting involved. At the end of the story Jesus asks: "which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? (v.36). The religious leaders responded: "the man who had mercy on him.: Jesus then challenged them: "go and do likewise" (v.37).
When Jesus talked about the pure in heart, He was clearly exposing man's impure nature. The heart is the center of our personality. It is the control center of the intellect, emotions and will. Proverbs 4:23 warns: "above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." If we are not pure in heart we will only serve Christ out of selfish motives. That is why we need the daily cleansing that is clearly outline in I John 1:7 & 9. For only the pure in heart can serve out of pure motives and they will see God, here and in heaven.
It is obvious then, only those who have first tasted peace with God at the Cross and are filled with His righteousness who can become peacemakers. Man's best effort at peace might involve cessation from hostility or war but it is only temporary. God's peace brings harmony in the heart, in the home and in the world.
Jesus states in verses 7-9: "Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." His explanation is simple! A man who has God's righteousness will show mercy because mercy has been shown to him. He will seek to be pure in heart because heaven is only inhabited by pure people. That kind of a person will become a peacemaker.
What does it mean to be merciful? The basic meaning is to give help to those in need: the bereaving, the lonely, the helpless. It is not simply feeling compassion but showing compassion. The story of the Good Samaritan is Luke 10 clearly illustrates this truth. Everyone who passed by the wounded Jew turned away even though some may have felt compassion. But, it was the Good Samaritan who helped bring healing by getting involved. At the end of the story Jesus asks: "which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? (v.36). The religious leaders responded: "the man who had mercy on him.: Jesus then challenged them: "go and do likewise" (v.37).
When Jesus talked about the pure in heart, He was clearly exposing man's impure nature. The heart is the center of our personality. It is the control center of the intellect, emotions and will. Proverbs 4:23 warns: "above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." If we are not pure in heart we will only serve Christ out of selfish motives. That is why we need the daily cleansing that is clearly outline in I John 1:7 & 9. For only the pure in heart can serve out of pure motives and they will see God, here and in heaven.
It is obvious then, only those who have first tasted peace with God at the Cross and are filled with His righteousness who can become peacemakers. Man's best effort at peace might involve cessation from hostility or war but it is only temporary. God's peace brings harmony in the heart, in the home and in the world.
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