Let's remember. Let's not forget

Today while reading in the Psalms I was delighted by the summary history of Israel in Psalm 78 (I think it will be a memorized Psalm in a few years, after I finish 119 and the Gospel of John). The clarity and poignancy of the message struck my heart and compelled me to remember God's goodness. O that I would be a man who would desire the fruit and bounty of the Promised Land and the inheritance more than the captivity of Egypt. It's not just that the old land didn't have as good of bounty...but that the old land couldn't even stand against the King of the Promised land. The King of the Promised land plundered the old land and destroyed the strength of the old land and long-suffered some to survive because he's so gracious, but that's only for a time. While some might not find a problem with desiring trash over treasure, no one should ever desire to be slaughtered rather than saved. But that is what we do; we crave death and drink the wine of violence to ourselves when we dismiss God's faithfulness which endures to all generations. Unlike Abraham who believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (that he acknowledged that God had been true to His word and would be true to His word in the future showed that Abraham accepted God as Who He is and so would rely upon God for what he needed, including atonement for his iniquity), Israel did not believe God. They wanted to go back rather than trust God at His word. He had never been unfaithful, and so what evidence did Israel have to be uncertain in His promises? None. Such is the rebellious heart of man that denies the truth because he doesn't like it and he doesn't want it.

As my earlier post from John Owen's writings declares to such as us who need to "remember" God's faithfulness that we might not "forget" God's mercy and grace and long-suffering and steadfast love and faithfulness and forgiveness and justness: call out to God, flee to Christ, and look for Him and His deliverance, for He will surely supply the need.

Wisdom help

The following is a short, helpful article on wisdom and Christian living.

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2010/03/16/proverbs-a-mini-guide-to-life/

"What" the NT Christians prayed for

Notice, this is what the NT Christians prayed for.

It is not the same as Jesus saying, "this is how you should pray." Let us be careful and read this and meditate well lest we overextend. May God's Word bless us, and may we bless God as blessings to others.


http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Articles/ByDate/1995/1572_What_Should_We_Pray_For/

Another link re-linked

Hey all,

Here's a FREE & USEFUL tool for strengthening your memorization of key texts, whether that be Bible Verses, Lines for Plays, Formal Commands and Responses, Speeches, etc...

http://memorizenow.com/

Read the brief FAQ's to get acquainted. It's a quick read, it's easy to understand, and it's extremely helpful. Don't forget to share the wealth with others.

On Sin and Temptation

John Owen on "WHEN TEMPTATION SURPRISES YOUR SOUL AND ENTANGLES IT":

But suppose temptation surprises the soul and entangles it? It is too late to resist the first entrance of it. What should the soul do, now that it is carried away by temptation's power?

(1) beseech God again and again that it may depart from you (2 Cor 12:8).
First, beseech God again and again that it may depart from you (2 Corinthians 12:8). If you abide in this attitude, God will either speedily deliver you out of it, or give you sufficient grace not to be utterly foiled by it. But as I have said before, do not allow your thoughts to dwell upon the things that tempt you (that only causes further entanglement), but set yourself against the temptation itself. Pray that the temptation will depart. When it is taken away, you may more calmly consider the things that tempted you (for the purpose of knowing how temptation comes to fortify your heart in the love of God in Christ against it).


(2) fly to Christ, knowing He will help you "in time of need" (Heb 4:16).
Second, fly to Christ, knowing He will help you "in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16. The apostle instructs us: "In that he has been tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18). In other words, when you are tempted and ready to faint, and when you want help - desperately so, or you will die - trust Christ, knowing that He also was tempted. To consider that He suffered temptation and conquered it for our sake, gives us new strength. Always expect relief from Him (Hebrews 4:15-16). Lie down at His feet and make your complaint known to Him, begging for His help. You will not ask in vain. [Owen says beg not so much as to position us as beggars and not children, but to demonstrate the the seriousness with which we ought to hate sin and honor Christ Who was crucified for our sins].


(3) look to Him for promised deliverance (1 Cor 10:13).
Third, look to Him for promised deliverance. Consider that He is faithful; He will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able (1 Corinthians 10:13). Understand that He promises to comfort us in all our trials and temptations (2 Corinthians 1:4). Call to mind all His promises of assistance and deliverance. Ponder them in your heart. Rest upon them, knowing that God has innumerable ways to deliver you.


From "'Sin and Temptation by John Owen' with an Introduction by J.I. Packer" (1983 abridged edition, original essays were from 1667, 1658, and 1656; p. 134-135)

Passion Week (Google Maps)

If you hadn't had a chance to enjoy this wonderful tool recounting that last week of our Lord before He was crushed for our iniquities, then check it out.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.esv.org/assets/blog/2008.03.passion.week.kml&t=k

Here is a memorization suggestion

Are you thinking about a memorization program? Do you love the Gospel of Jesus Christ and want to become more biblically-versed in sharing His Gospel with your friends, family, and new acquaintances? Then you might consider scheduling yourself to memorize the following verses. As you memorize them, consider the Gospel message and the way in which they are organized here. May God bless you as you bless others with His message of salvation to all who are lost.

God's Character
Holiness - Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 59:2
Justice - Psalm 11:7; Isaiah 5:16; Psalm 7:11-12

Depravity and Condemnation of Man
Romans 3:23; Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 3:10

The Great Dilemma
Proverbs 15:17; Genesis 18:25

God's Action
Motivated by love - 1 John 4: 8-10
The Cross of Christ - Romans 3:23-26
The Resurrection - Romans 4:25

Man's Response
Repentance - Psalm 51:3-4; Romans 7:15; Romans 7:24; Isaiah 1:16; Matthew 3:10
Faith Defined - Hebrews 11:1; Romans 4:21;
Faith Based on Promise of God - John 3:16; Acts 16:31
Example of a believer - Philippians 3:3
The basis of genuine assurance - 2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 7:16; 2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 5:13

Test of Biblical Assurance
Walking in the light - 1 John 1:5-7
Confession of sin - 1 John 1:8-10
Obedience - 1 John 2:3-4
Love for the brethren - 1 John 2:9-11
Hatred for the world - 1 John 2:15-17
Perseverance in Doctrine - 1 John 2:24-25
Righteousness - 1 John 3:10
Spirit's Testimony - 1 John 4:13
Discipline - Hebrews 12:5-8

I found this combination of verses for use in presentations of the Gospel on the HeartCry Mission Society's Gospel Tract. It can be found at
http://grantedministries.org/images/GM_GOSPEL_TRACT.pdf