2 Timothy 3:5 (first part) "Having a form of godliness, but denying it's power."
SC 35 " Many accept an intellectual religion, a form of godliness, when the heart is not cleansed. Let it be your prayer, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in me.' Psalm 51:10. Deal truly with your own soul. Be as earnest, as persistent, as you would be if your mortal life were at stake. This is a matter to be settled between God and your own soul, settled for eternity. A supposed hope, and nothing more, will prove your ruin.'
Study God's word prayerfully. That word presents before you, in the law of God and the life of Christ, the great principle of holiness, without which, 'no man shall see the Lord'. Hebrews 12:14. It convinces of sin; it plainly reveals the way of salvation. Give heed to it as the voice of God to your soul."
Let's study God's word and prayerfully pray, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God.' Grandma Joan
PS. This is the last blog for a few days, probably close to two weeks, however much time it takes to get to MO. Then I have to get internet, please remember to check back in once in a while to see if I am back on. I will miss all of you and miss sharing for a short time but I will be back.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Be Free
Psalm 139:23,24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
SC 34 "Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, if we will not accept His grace, what more can He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our determined rejection of His love.
'Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' 'Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.' 2 Corinthians 6:2 & Hebrews 3:7,8.
Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart'--the human heart, with it's conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit. 1 Samuel 16:7. He knows it motives, it's very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw it's chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, 'Search me O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' Psalm 139: 23,24."
Come with me and open your hearts wide open for the Spirit of God to come in and bless you with purity and joy. Grandma Joan
SC 34 "Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, if we will not accept His grace, what more can He do? We have destroyed ourselves by our determined rejection of His love.
'Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' 'Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.' 2 Corinthians 6:2 & Hebrews 3:7,8.
Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart'--the human heart, with it's conflicting emotions of joy and sorrow; the wandering wayward heart, which is the abode of so much impurity and deceit. 1 Samuel 16:7. He knows it motives, it's very intents and purposes. Go to Him with your soul all stained as it is. Like the psalmist, throw it's chambers open to the all-seeing eye, exclaiming, 'Search me O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.' Psalm 139: 23,24."
Come with me and open your hearts wide open for the Spirit of God to come in and bless you with purity and joy. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Pride Feels No Need
Luke 18:13 "God be merciful to me a sinner."
SC 30 "God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man's judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these sins are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the unfallen universe. He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give.
The poor publican who prayed, 'God be merciful to me a sinner' Luke 18:13, regarded himself as a very wicked man, and others looked upon him in the same light; but he felt his need, and with his burden of guilt and shame, he came before God, asking for His mercy. His heart was open for the Spirit of God to do His gracious work and set him free from the power of sin. The Pharisee's boastful, self-righteous prayer showed that his heart was closed against the influence of the Holy Spirit. Because of his distance from God, he had no sense of his own defilement, in contrast with the perfection of divine holiness. He felt no need and he received nothing."
I don't want to be like the Pharisee, do you? He felt no need so he received nothing. Do you feel your need? I do, sometimes I feel my need is so great but I know He loves me and fills my need. I hope you do too. I pray for each of you each day and I hope you are praying for me. Grandma Joan
PS. I am going to be on the road to Missouri in a few days, but I will be back on when I get there and get internet, so please don't give up on me, I WILL be back. I'll be here a few days yet, then off to MO. and then back on here again. Probably be a couple weeks but I WILL be back so pray for us to have a safe trip. Will be on the next few days then off for a while. Thank you for you faithfulness.
SC 30 "God does not regard all sins as of equal magnitude; there are degrees of guilt in His estimation, as well as in that of man; but however trifling this or that wrong act may seem in the eyes of men, no sin is small in the sight of God. Man's judgment is partial, imperfect; but God estimates all things as they really are. The drunkard is despised and is told that his sin will exclude him from heaven; while pride, selfishness, and covetousness too often go unrebuked. But these sins are especially offensive to God; for they are contrary to the benevolence of His character, to that unselfish love which is the very atmosphere of the unfallen universe. He who falls into some of the grosser sins may feel a sense of his shame and poverty and his need of the grace of Christ; but pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give.
The poor publican who prayed, 'God be merciful to me a sinner' Luke 18:13, regarded himself as a very wicked man, and others looked upon him in the same light; but he felt his need, and with his burden of guilt and shame, he came before God, asking for His mercy. His heart was open for the Spirit of God to do His gracious work and set him free from the power of sin. The Pharisee's boastful, self-righteous prayer showed that his heart was closed against the influence of the Holy Spirit. Because of his distance from God, he had no sense of his own defilement, in contrast with the perfection of divine holiness. He felt no need and he received nothing."
I don't want to be like the Pharisee, do you? He felt no need so he received nothing. Do you feel your need? I do, sometimes I feel my need is so great but I know He loves me and fills my need. I hope you do too. I pray for each of you each day and I hope you are praying for me. Grandma Joan
PS. I am going to be on the road to Missouri in a few days, but I will be back on when I get there and get internet, so please don't give up on me, I WILL be back. I'll be here a few days yet, then off to MO. and then back on here again. Probably be a couple weeks but I WILL be back so pray for us to have a safe trip. Will be on the next few days then off for a while. Thank you for you faithfulness.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Something Better
Revelation 22:13 "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely."
SC 28 "You in heart long for something better than this world can give, recognize this longing as the voice of God in your soul. Ask Him to give you repentance, to reveal Christ to you in His infinite love, in His perfect purity. In the Savior's life the principles of God's law--love to God and man--were perfectly exemplified.
Benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul. It is as we behold Him, as the light from our Savior falls upon us, that we see the sinfulness of our own hearts.
We may flatter ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our life has been upright, that our moral character is correct, and think that we need not humble the heart before God, like the common sinner; but when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of our motive, the enmity against God, that has defiles every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin and renew our hearts in His own likeness.
One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the glory of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's act of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ."
When we are touched like this, the power of God will change our lives and day by day we will grow into His likeness. This is my prayer for all of us, is it yours? Grandma Joan
SC 28 "You in heart long for something better than this world can give, recognize this longing as the voice of God in your soul. Ask Him to give you repentance, to reveal Christ to you in His infinite love, in His perfect purity. In the Savior's life the principles of God's law--love to God and man--were perfectly exemplified.
Benevolence, unselfish love, was the life of His soul. It is as we behold Him, as the light from our Savior falls upon us, that we see the sinfulness of our own hearts.
We may flatter ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our life has been upright, that our moral character is correct, and think that we need not humble the heart before God, like the common sinner; but when the light from Christ shines into our souls, we shall see how impure we are; we shall discern the selfishness of our motive, the enmity against God, that has defiles every act of life. Then we shall know that our own righteousness is indeed filthy rags, and that the blood of Christ alone can cleanse us from the defilement of sin and renew our hearts in His own likeness.
One ray of the glory of God, one gleam of the glory of Christ, penetrating the soul, makes every spot of defilement painfully distinct, and lays bare the deformity and defects of the human character. It makes apparent the unhallowed desires, the infidelity of the heart, the impurity of the lips. The sinner's act of disloyalty in making void the law of God, are exposed to his sight, and his spirit is stricken and afflicted under the searching influence of the Spirit of God. He loathes himself as he views the pure, spotless character of Christ."
When we are touched like this, the power of God will change our lives and day by day we will grow into His likeness. This is my prayer for all of us, is it yours? Grandma Joan
Friday, June 13, 2014
Resisting The Influence
John 12:32 "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
SC 26,27 "Jesus has said, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.' Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Savior dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition of soul.
It is true that sometimes men become ashamed of their sinful ways, and give up some of their evil habits, before they are conscious that they are being drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, 'What is sin that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of it's victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?
The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist, he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God's dear Son."
I don't think I can say it any better, I just want to respond to that drawing, don't you? Grandma Joan
SC 26,27 "Jesus has said, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.' Christ must be revealed to the sinner as the Savior dying for the sins of the world; and as we behold the Lamb of God upon the cross of Calvary, the mystery of redemption begins to unfold to our minds and the goodness of God leads us to repentance. In dying for sinners, Christ manifested a love that is incomprehensible; and as the sinner beholds this love, it softens the heart, impresses the mind, and inspires contrition of soul.
It is true that sometimes men become ashamed of their sinful ways, and give up some of their evil habits, before they are conscious that they are being drawn to Christ. But whenever they make an effort to reform, from a sincere desire to do right, it is the power of Christ that is drawing them. An influence of which they are unconscious works upon the soul, and the conscience is quickened, and the outward life is amended. And as Christ draws them to look upon His cross, to behold Him whom their sins have pierced, the commandment comes home to the conscience. The wickedness of their life, the deep-seated sin of the soul, is revealed to them. They begin to comprehend something of the righteousness of Christ, and exclaim, 'What is sin that it should require such a sacrifice for the redemption of it's victim? Was all this love, all this suffering, all this humiliation, demanded, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life?
The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist, he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the sufferings of God's dear Son."
I don't think I can say it any better, I just want to respond to that drawing, don't you? Grandma Joan
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Repentance - part 3 - A Point On Which We Might Err.
Matthew 11:28 "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
SC 26 "Just here is a point in which many may err, and hence they fail to receive the help that Christ desires to give them. They think they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Savior. But must the sinner wait until he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Savior?
The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance. Peter made the matter clear in his statement to the Israelites when he said, 'Him hath God exalteth on His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.' Acts 5:31. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.
Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only One who can implant in the heart, the enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon the hearts."
Is Christ moving upon your hearts today? He said, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.' Is He drawing your heart to Him. I pray that He is. He is drawing my heart day by day through these little worship sessions that I am having with you. Grandma Joan
SC 26 "Just here is a point in which many may err, and hence they fail to receive the help that Christ desires to give them. They think they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Savior. But must the sinner wait until he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Savior?
The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, 'Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28. It is the virtue that goes forth from Christ, that leads to genuine repentance. Peter made the matter clear in his statement to the Israelites when he said, 'Him hath God exalteth on His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.' Acts 5:31. We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ.
Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only One who can implant in the heart, the enmity against sin. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an evidence that His Spirit is moving upon the hearts."
Is Christ moving upon your hearts today? He said, 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.' Is He drawing your heart to Him. I pray that He is. He is drawing my heart day by day through these little worship sessions that I am having with you. Grandma Joan
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Repentance - part 2 - Longing To Be Restored
SC 24 "When the heart yields to the influence of the Spirit of God, the conscience will be quickened, and the sinner will see something of the depth and sacredness of God's holy law, the foundation of His government in heaven and on earth. The 'light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world,' illumines the secret chambers of the soul, and the hidden things of darkness are made manifest.' John 1:9. Conviction takes hold upon the mind and heart. The sinner has a sense of the righteousness of Jehovah and feels the terror of appearing, in his own guilt and uncleanness, before the Searcher of hearts. He sees the love of God, the beauty of holiness, the joy of purity; he longs to be cleansed and to be restored to communion with Heaven.
The prayer of David after his fall, illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt, no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. He longed for the joy of holiness--to be restored to harmony and communion with God."
Read David's prayer in Psalms 32:1,2 and Psalm 51:1-14. And make this prayer your own, you will be surprised the meaning it takes on when you pray it for yourself. Grandma Joan
The prayer of David after his fall, illustrates the nature of true sorrow for sin. His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt, no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw the enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart. He longed for the joy of holiness--to be restored to harmony and communion with God."
Read David's prayer in Psalms 32:1,2 and Psalm 51:1-14. And make this prayer your own, you will be surprised the meaning it takes on when you pray it for yourself. Grandma Joan
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