This post contains a 30 minute video by Good Fight Ministries about a correct focus for Christians at this time; as he provides that, he discusses wrongheaded perspectives held by many; increasing depression numbers and the sources of that, and more; highlight points are given for the initial half of the Good Fight Ministry video; a song follows the news video, the song helps provide a healthy perspective for this time in history; then a bonus video appeared as I posted Good Fight Ministry’s links, it is one of their series on Bethel church
Category: Self-examination / Self-observation
Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3
The apostle Paul’s comments to the Galatians in 3:3-5, Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? And Proverbs 2:1-5, particularly verse 5, are used, along with a comment from the diary of Jonathan Edwards that provides an experiential comprehension of Gal. 3:3, to discuss that very common problem that Paul confronted so long ago. This post is an isolated moment, or a meditation from my ongoing struggle with sin and learning to walk with the Lord
Idolatry, Why God Hates It; Re: Ezekiel 36:31, by J.D. Davies: Part 4
The following description of idolatry is the best I have ever read. The author discusses the passage of scripture surrounding verse 31; his description of idolatry explains fully why God called them to loathe themselves. Furthermore, if you have been wanting a clear definition of ‘repentance,’ then, knowing the contents of this post will enable you to be much closer to that; or if you have been wondering what is wrong with your repentance, then the answer may lie herein. However, if you have read the other 3 parts to this mini series, then you realize that only God can bless you with such repentance. Stay in His means of grace, and do as is stated in Proverb 2:1-10, seek His truth like one seeks gold and silver, and cry out to him for understanding…
Self-Knowledge And Self-Loathing, by J.R. Thompson: Ezekiel 36:31, Part 2
This is an 800 word commentary on Ezekiel 36:31, I found it to be of great value in showing how repentance takes one to a place of self-loathing. The following 4 points are the subheads of J. R. Thomson’s comments: I. SIN BLINDS MEN TO THEIR REAL CONDITION, AND FOSTERS UNDUE SELF-SATISFACTION. II. GOD’S CHASTISEMENTS AND GOD’S MERCIES AWAKEN MEN TO REFLECTION AND TO SELF-KNOWLEDGE. III. SELF-KNOWLEDGE, BY REVEALING INIQUITY IN ITS TRUE LIGHT, LEADS TO SELF-LOATHING. IV. THUS SELF-KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO REPENTANCE AND TO A BETTER LIFE. [The last point is profound and worthy of meditating on; all these points indicate that it is absolutely essential to examine your sin for your motives in committing and more that God will reveal to you – see, Categories, Jonathan Edwards, Glimpses into his spiritual life for help in such things]
Wilderness Preparation (Psalm 90) by Pastor Kenneth Stewart
Pastor Kenneth Stewart sermon on Psalm 90 talks about the sin of unbelief, how Israel was chastised; God’s purpose in chastening; how we ought to receive it; meditation being the source of prayer. Sermon highlights are provided to give one a sense of what Stewart’s 48 minute sermon contains. I listened to it 4 times over the past several days because I thought it to be very beneficial.
They did not Cry Out to Me – Reverend Romesh Prakashpalan
The sermon in this post is about a common fundamental problem that people of faith experience – turning from God to idols. Reverend Romesh Prakashpalan’s sermon is on Hosea 7:14 And they have not cried unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds: they assemble themselves for corn and wine, and they rebel against me. [KJV] The sermon will enable you to see what ‘rebellion’ against God looks like; some common idols; and you will be given the cure
Spiritual Warfare: 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5
This post reviews the ideas of tearing down strongholds, via spiritual weapons from 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5. Highlights from commentator Albert Barnes were copied and pasted to clarify the important parts of this passage. I was reviewing the text for my own benefit and thought I’d do a post on it because, although it is an extremely important text, the Bible is big and there are many things that deserve contemplation; and it is easy to forget to apply such concepts in one’s daily warfare unless they become very familiar out of application – so this is an opportunity to refresh your memory of this passage
Christian Self-Examination Aided By Jonathan Edwards Journal Entries
Three entries from Jonathan Edwards diary, quotes from Dr. Steven J. Lawson’s book, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards, are used to promote self-examination, journaling and other necessary Christian skills
What Does The Holy Spirit’s Intercession Look Like In Our Daily Life?
There are several posts from this blog linked to this post because they are directly related to the last post about how the Holy Spirit helps the weak. These linked posts are about the following: the five stage struggle of faith developed by Jonathan Edwards; instruction about self-observation, examination, journaling…from Jonathan Edwards; instruction in basic doctrines such as justification and faith; and lastly, some basic instruction on God’s purpose in affliction; and spiritual disciplines that help Christians deal with the aforementioned
The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment; Puritan Jeremiah Burroughs: Review of parts 1 – 8
The purpose of this post is to remind readers of the attitudes and graces spoken of in each of the eight parts of this series. A sampling of points was copied and pasted from each post; by knowing where these specific attitudes and graces are explained, one might more easily return to review those he wishes to know more intimately.