Not of Ourselves

"God has surely promised His grace to the humbled: that is, to those who mourn over and despair of themselves. But a man cannot be thoroughly humbled till he realizes that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, counsels, efforts, will and works, and depends absolutely on the will, counsel, pleasure and work of Another -- God alone." - Martin Luther

Always Use Words

"If you have spent any amount of time in a typical American Evangelical church, especially a seeker-sensitive mega church, you have undoubtedly heard the phrase (wrongly) attributed to St. Francis of Assissi which says, "Preach the Gospel and, if necessary, use words."  Despite the fact St. Francis never actually said this, I'm bewildered by how quickly Protestants have adopted and fashioned a (false) quote from a Catholic friar and preacher into a bludgeon to beat their evangelistic brothers and sisters in Christ over their collective heads."
   - Landon Chapman, www.pulpitandpen.com

Knowledge of Right and Wrong

"Though it has been greatly defaced by sin, man's knowledge of right and wrong is one of the most indelible aspects of his having been made in "the image of God." Long after his conscience has been "seared as with a branding iron" (1 Tim 4:2) and he has come to the place of "calling evil good and good evil," (Isaiah 5:20) man still retains this innate knowledge in the depths of his being.  It is an inescapable part of his basic makeup. Paul makes this clear in the first chapter of his letter to the Romans, where he sets forth the condemnation of "the man without the Bible." After describing in verses 21-31 the corruption of those whom God has "given over" (Romans 1:24,26,28) to the lowest reaches of depravity, he concludes by saying that even those who have sunk to this state still "know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death." This is a remarkable statement! Apart from any special revelation from God (e.g.., the Bible), all men nevertheless "know the ordinance of God" that those who practice "such things" as sexual immorality, homosexuality, unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, hatred of God, insolence, arrogance, boasting, invention of evil, disobedience to parents, untrustworthiness, and lack of love and mercy, are "worthy of death"! (Rom 1:32).

Long before the Law of Moses was ever given, God held men accountable for sinning against the work of the Law written on their consciences. For example, God destroyed the entire earth in the days of Noah because "the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and ... every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5). The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were likewise destroyed for sinning against nature (Genesis 18:20-19:25) by practicing things they knew (Genesis 19:7) were wrong. "

By Charles Leiter, from The Law of Christ, pp 130-133

Limited Atonement from Spurgeon

"I would rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all men for whom it was intended , than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of men be added to it."
- C.H Spurgeon

Giving our Hearts to Jesus?

"Is this Scriptural?

Often an appeal is made to us "to take Christ" or we are urged to "decide for Christ" or "follow Christ" or "give ourselves to Christ" or "give our hearts to Christ." But, again, I think we must examine this. Is this scriptural? Does the Scripture put it in that way? Surely the Scripture does not ask, "Will you take Christ?" but "Will Christ take you?" Is it possible for him to take me in view of my sinfulness, my vileness, my guilt, my hopelessness? This idea that I can take Christ or not or that I should be pleaded with or cajoled, that pressure should be brought to bear upon me to "take Christ" or "follow him" is wrong – it is "I" all along. But I am a miserable worm, a wretch!"

~ D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Ordinary People

"God is pleased to use ordinary people and ordinary conversations to do most of the heavy lifting in his kingdom."                      
                                    -  Ed Welch

Salvation is outside of ourselves

"Is it not wonderful news to believe that salvation lies outside ourselves?"
                                -  Martin Luther

Yes, it is wonderful news to know that I don't have to lean on my own understanding. My understanding is so weak, frail, and flawed.
It is limited, God is unlimited.
It is finite God is infinite.
It is fallible, God is infallible.
It is imperfect, God is perfect.
Such great news I don't have to rely on myself.      -    T. Meiers

Giving our Hearts to Jesus?

"Is this Scriptural?

Often an appeal is made to us "to take Christ" or we are urged to "decide for Christ" or "follow Christ" or "give ourselves to Christ" or "give our hearts to Christ." But, again, I think we must examine this. Is this scriptural? Does the Scripture put it in that way? Surely the Scripture does not ask, "Will you take Christ?" but "Will Christ take you?" Is it possible for him to take me in view of my sinfulness, my vileness, my guilt, my hopelessness? This idea that I can take Christ or not or that I should be pleaded with or cajoled, that pressure should be brought to bear upon me to "take Christ" or "follow him" is wrong – it is "I" all along. But I am a miserable worm, a wretch!"

~ D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

What do you Believe?

"If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself."

~ Augustine

God's Purposes

"God exercises purposeful management and control over everything everywhere all the time, and nothing happens without His being involved." ~ J.I. Packer

Limited Atonement

So if Jesus death and resurrection made forgiveness for  all men possible, but not accomplished,  now it's up to man to decide? Its true that if you don't accept forgiveness you will die in your sins, but who gives you the desire for Him? Who gives you the conviction of your sinfulness?
The Holy Spirit must first come to you and change your heart. Its the Holy Spirit that must change a heart to stone to a heart of flesh. Dead men can't raise themselves.     In this way, the sheep hear only their shepherd's voice and listen only to Him.  -  T. Meiers

The Spirit is Moving

Ever heard someone say "I could really feel the Spirit move last night?" While that sounds very spiritual, the truth is the Spirit is always moving whether we feel it or not. My personal, fleeting, and fickle feelings are no indication of the Holy Spirit's power in any situation. It's like saying "I really felt my wife's love today." My wife loves me everyday, and how much more is God's perfect , encompassing, unconditional, agape love for us? Regardless of our emotional state or feeling, the Holy Spirit is always at work in the believer's heart.
                          -  T. Meiers

You might be in a Reformed household if you hear. . .

These are a few things you may only here if you are in Reformed household.

"Have you seen my copy of the Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Lorraine Boettner?" And it's the hard cover copy with notes made by you.

You bet on how soon someone will mention total depravity in a conversation. "OK,  who had 11:10 am?" Although I'm sure betting itself proves total depravity.

Fear and Trembling?

"God's Word to His people is: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

But O how little of this "fear and trembling" is to be found anywhere today! Instead, there is self-esteem, self-confidence, boasting and carnal security."

~ Arthur Pink, "Practical Godliness"

Church as Entertainment

Blogger Amy Peterson put it this way: "I want a service that is not sensational, flashy, or particularly 'relevant.' I can be entertained anywhere. At church, I do not want to be entertained. I do not want to be the target of anyone's marketing. I want to be asked to participate in the life of an ancient-future community."

Righteous Anger

"Preachers must not shrink away from proclaiming the righteous anger of God toward hell-deserving sinners. God has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). That day is looming on the horizon. Like the prophets and Apostles, and even Christ Himself, we too must warn unbelievers of this coming dreadful day and compel them to flee to Christ, who alone is mighty to save." —Steve Lawson