Tuesday, February 23, 2010

John 11:23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

There are many who have gone before us. I hope these few words from our dear departed brother Horatius Bonar brings someone as much joy and happiness and it has brought me.

- Aaron

Walking thus by faith and not by sight, what should mar our joy? Does it not come from that which is within the veils? And what storm of the desert can find entrance there? Our rejoicing is in the Lord, and He is without variableness or shadow of turning. We know that this is not our rest; neither do we wish it were so, for it is polluted; but our joy is this, that Jehovah is our God, and His promised glory is our inheritance forever. Our morning and our evening song is this “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines have fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Psa 16:5).
Why should we, then, into whose hands the cup of gladness shall ere long be put, shrink from the vinegar and the gall? Why should we, who have dearer friends above better bonds that cannot be dissolved, be disconsolate at the severance of an earthly tie? Our homes may be empty, our firesides may be thinned, and our hearts may bleed: but these are not enduring things; and why should we feel desolate as if all gladness had departed? Why should we, who shall wear a crown and inherit all things, sigh or fret because of a few years’ poverty and shame? Earth’s dream will soon be done; and then comes the day of “songs and everlasting joy”—the long reality of bliss! Jesus will soon be here; and “when he who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory.”


Shall trial shake us? Nay, in all this we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Shall sorrow move us? Faith tells us of a land where sorrow is unknown. Shall the death of saints move us? Faith tells us not to sorrow as those who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, them also that sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. Shall the pains and weariness of this frail body move us? Faith tells us of a time at hand when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and death shall be swallowed up in victory. Shall privation move us? Faith tells us of a day when the poverty of our exile shall be forgotten in the abundance of our peaceful, plenteous home, where we shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more.


Shall the disquieting bustle of this restless life annoy us? Faith tells us of the rest that remaineth for the people of God—the sea of glass like unto crystal on which the ransomed saints shall stand—no tempest, no tumult, no shipwreck there. Shall the lack of this world’s honors move us? Faith tells us of the exceeding and eternal weight of glory in reserve. Have we no place to lay our head? Faith tells us that we have a home, though not in Caesar’s house, a dwelling, though not in any city of earth. Are we fearful as we look around upon the disorder and wretchedness of this misgoverned earth? Faith tells us that the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Do thoughts of death alarm us? Faith tells us that “to die is gain,” and whispers to us, “What, are you afraid of becoming immortal, afraid of passing from this state of death, which men call life, to that which alone truly deserves the name!”

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

Hallelujah yeah LORD!

Trying to be Resolved


I have been reading the Resolutions of Johnathan Edwards for encouragement in my endeavors with fighting sin and trying to attain Christ likeness. So far I think Resolution number twenty four is a noble goal to attain to at this time. I think some of the "Ol Time Religion" is good for the soul.

24. Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

Being sensible that I am unable to do any thing without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him, by his grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Praise God!

- Aaron

Thursday, February 18, 2010

All those who desire to Live Godly will suffer Persecution.



I agree Mr. Spurgeon.



Do not believe that the common Christianity of the present age will carry anybody to heaven. It is a counterfeit and a sham. It does not make men to differ from their fellows, it pretends to faith and has none, talks about love and does not show it, brags of truth and evaporates it into thin air in its latitudinarian charity.

God give us back the real thing—stimuli, strong belief in the gospel, real faith in Jesus, real prayer to him, real spiritual power.

Then again there will be persecution, but it will only blow away the chaff and leave the pure wheat!

The world likes us better because we like the world better; it calls us friends because we doff our colors and sheathe our swords and play the craven; but if we preach and live the gospel in the old apostolic way, we shall soon have the devil roaring round the camp and the seed of the serpent hissing on all sides, but we fear not, for "the Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Wow all things are in His power.

Psalms 115:3 Says But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. How true is this! Let me say this up front, I am going to be vague to protect the innocent. :) I was hurt very badly by a person almost 4 years ago. I actually hated this person in my heart, at the time of what happened I was not a Christian. Yesterday I found out that the same way that this person hurt me, they were hurt in return in the same way by another.
When I was told of this situation that this person was in, I was brought almost to tears instead of feeling "well they deserve this". At first I was so shocked at the power of God in my life. Where I was once filled with anger and hatred I loved my enemy.
I prayed in my heart after listening to all that is happening to this person; Lord save their soul. Today I was moved to write this person a letter that contained my concern, forgiveness, and condolences. I also put the Gospel of Jesus Christ in plain language and I Hope that God will pluck another brand from the fire. We all who claim the name of Christ have been forgiven much and we must forgive much too.

Blessings,
- Aaron

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Grief is a process -- not a race

C.S. Lewis said; losing a love one is like having your leg amputated. You don't get over an amputated leg. The wound may heal, but the leg will never grow back. You'll always have that absence in your life, and you'll always walk with a limp.
Mr. Lewis I totally agree. I have lost many a loved one over my brief stay here on earth, and I feel like I need a wheel chair. The loss of my sister was my first amputation and it hurt. Then my grandparents which were closer to me than my parents at one time. Next my Father passed away; there goes more of my past. Not too long after him my Mother passed away; now any proof of former memories are gone. Finally no more than 11 weeks ago I lost my best friend, my love, my wife. All the loss before losing Shawna could not compare to the loss of losing her.
My feelings most days are like one who has been cut in half. All around me my soul gives way, but Jesus is all my hope and stay. When my sorrows like sea billows roll, I can say it is well, yes it is well with my soul. The bottom fall out on me quite often, but Christ has promised that He will never leave me or forsake me. What more do I need to carry out my days for His glory.
In many ways I envy Shawna. She has left this life; this life that we as Christians call death, but those who that are without hope in the world call life; to enter life eternal the REAL life. In His presence is the fullness of Joy, in His right hand there are pleasures forever. Praise God for making a way for ruined sinners.
In my grief and sorrow, I call upon the name of the LORD who is worthy to be praised. Because His loving kindness is better than life, my lips will praise Him. I seek Him earnestly to take refuge in Him, and to taste and see that the LORD is good. When my pain is at it's worst and the feeling of loss seem to know no end, I hope in Him. I hope and seek His loving kindness, and His joy fills my heart with praise. I can really say with David, I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
So what am I an amputee? No Jesus has made me whole again. The reality of loss is very near to me each and every day but He is nearer. I cry, but He is there and He wipes away all my tears and comforts all my fears. So when it hurts real bad I turn to His most excellent Word; O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders. Plans from long ago with perfect faithfulness.

- Aaron