J. Oswald Sanders Said

“God generally guides [us] by the exercise of [our] sanctified judgment.”
—J. Oswald Sanders

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 310.

John Wesley Said

“God generally guides me by presenting reasons to my mind for acting in a certain way.”
—John Wesley

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 310.

Kids At The Library

Took the kids to the library today and the librarian took this photo.

A. T. Pierson Said

“To go as I am led, to go when I am led, to go where I am led... it is that which has been for twenty years the one prayer of my life.”
—A. T. Pierson

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 310.

Who Is John Wesley?

WESLEY, JOHN (1703–1791)
English evangelist; theologian; cofounder of Methodism
Born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England, John Wesley was the fifteenth child and second surviving son of Susanna and Samuel Wesley. Samuel was a former Nonconformist and rector at Epworth who, with Susanna, raised his children in an atmosphere of piety and Puritan discipline. John’s dramatic rescue at age five from a fire that destroyed his father’s rectory gave occasion for him in later life to refer to himself as “a brand plucked from the burning [fire].”

Becca’s A Good Shot

We went out hunting last Friday and Becca not only got her antelope, but she shot her white tail deer too. Both animals were shot once and both shots went right through the heart. The kids were there in the truck for the whole hunt.

Quotes On Worry

“Worry is a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind until it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.”

—Anonymous

 

“Worry is a destructive process of occupying the mind with thoughts contrary to God’s love and care.”

—Norman Vincent Peale

 

“Worry is putting question marks where God has put periods.”

—John R. Rice

 

“Worry is the interest we pay on tomorrow’s troubles.”

—E. Stanley Jones

 

“Worry pulls tomorrow’s cloud over today’s sunshine.”

—Chuck Swindoll

Robert J. Morgan, Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2002 Edition (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 18.

The New Jerusalem

 

We are being made new. God is working in us now, and He will one day complete His work. Scripture speaks of the ultimate hope of this renewal: our reunion with God. For the first-century Jews, the new Jerusalem signified God once again dwelling with His people.
In his revelation, John describes the relationship between God and His people when He completes His work in us: “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them. And he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any longer, and mourning or wailing or pain will not exist any longer. The former things have passed away” (Rev 21:3–4).
The Lamb of God has achieved this picture of new creation and dwelling in God’s presence. His light is present throughout the imagery: “And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon, that they shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Rev 21:23). Because of the Lamb’s sacrifice, the former things have passed away.
God will make you completely new—free from sin, suffering, and pain. You are in transformation right now; He is shining His light in your life, exposing the darkness and separating it from the light. And someday you will stand before Him without fear of sin or pain or death or sorrow—a work of new creation. How are you, like the recipients of John’s revelation, living in expectation of being made new?

How is God making you new today?

What area of your life needs to reflect His work in you?

REBECCA KRUYSWIJK

John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).

The Symbolism Of The Right Hand

 

“Sit at My right hand” (1:13). The right hand is the traditional place of power and authority in the biblical world. Christ not only laid the foundations of the earth, and possesses endless life and existence, He also exercises all the power and authority of Deity.

Lawrence O. Richards, The Bible Reader’s Companion, electronic ed. (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991), 855.

In Spirit And Truth

John 4:23–24

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

When he speaks of “worship in Spirit and truth,” Jesus may have in view the common identification of the Spirit with prophecy in ancient Judaism, as well as Old Testament passages about charismatic, prophetic worship (especially 1 Sam 10:5; 1 Chron 25:1–6). Given the general belief that the prophetic Spirit was no longer active, Jesus’ words would strike ancient ears forcefully. The future hour (4:21) is present as well as future; Jesus makes the character of the future world available to his disciples in their present lives (see comment on 3:16). For oppressed Jews and Samaritans longing for the future promise, this was also a striking statement.

Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Jn 4:23–24.

Who Is William Wilberforce?

WILBERFORCE, WILLIAM (1759–1833)
English philanthropist; antislavery crusader
Born in Hull, Wilberforce studied in desultory fashion at Cambridge, then in 1780 entered Parliament and became a strong supporter of William Pitt, who persuaded Wilberforce to devote himself to the abolition of the slave trade. In this cause he opposed many in the empire who had powerful vested interests, and he opposed those who regarded slavery as “a natural and scriptural institution.” The reformers finally triumphed in 1807 when the slave trade was done away with, though abolition of slavery itself had to wait until 1833.
Wilberforce, who had been converted at twenty-five, was the most famous figure associated with the Clapham Sect, which sought to do for the upper classes what Wesley had done for the lower. They used their wealth and influence in Christian outreach. He supported missions, fought to improve the condition of the poor and prisoners, and in 1804 helped to form the British and Foreign Bible Society. He also supported Catholic emancipation. Wilberforce, who was once described as “the authorized interpreter of the national conscience,” published in 1797 his Practical View of the Prevailing Religious System, which ran through many editions.

J.D.DOUGLAS

J.D. Douglas, “Wilberforce, William,” ed. J.D. Douglas and Philip W. Comfort, Who’s Who in Christian History (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1992), 719.

Who is R. A. Torrey

TORREY, REUBEN ARCHER (1856–1928)

Independent Congregationalist educator; evangelist

Son of a Hoboken, New Jersey, family, Torrey graduated from Yale University and Yale Divinity School. He was ordained in 1883 as a Congregationalist minister. Moving to Minneapolis, he served as a pastor and missions supervisor (1883–1889). In 1889 D. L. Moody asked Torrey to become the first superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute (then Institute of the Chicago Evangelistic Society). He remained in this post until 1908, laying the strong foundations the Institute displayed in its later development. From 1894 to 1906 Torrey served also as pastor of Chicago’s Moody Memorial Church (then Chicago Avenue Church). Further, in the years 1902 to 1906, Torreypursued his great interest in mass evangelism withCharles M. Alexander. This involved a remarkable series of overseas tours, including meetings in Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, Canada, and elsewhere.

Torrey consented in 1912 to head the newly formed Bible Institute of Los Angeles (Biola). Again his leadership was foundational for an institution destined for enlargement and wide-ranging service. Torrey stayed at Biola until 1924. In addition, for most of these years he was pastor of the Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles. Until 1911, he also continued his evangelistic campaigns in the United States and Canada. Despite his various demanding duties, Torrey produced a large number of written works. These were notable for their acute opposition to Protestant liberalism and advocacy of highly conservative doctrine and practice. Torrey was one of the compilers of The Fundamentals, for which he wrote many famous articles expounding conservative Protestantism (published from 1910 to 1915). In his later years, Torrey was active in summer Bible conference activities. He also returned to Moody Bible Institute as a lecturer from 1924 to 1928. Torrey carried out several crucial roles and wide-reaching ministries that had few parallels among American leaders of conservative Protestantism in the early twentieth century.

K.J.Bryer

K.J.Bryer, “TORREY, REUBEN ARCHER” ed. J.D. Douglas and Philip W. Comfort, Who’s Who in Christian History (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House, 1992), 681

Ministry Update

Home Missions Conference

This last week we were with Pastor David Chavez  at Calvary Baptist Church in Thornton, CO. Pastor David Chavez invited us to come down and speak at their Home Missions Conference. We had a wonderful time at the conference and left very encouraged.

 

Missionaries Are Strange Folk

Many of you will find this humorous so I thought I would share. As we were preparing to go to Thornton, CO (near Denver, CO) for the Missions Conference we thought we should take our trailer so that on the way home we could stop in Cheyenne and pick up some supplies. Killing two birds with one stone seemed like a good idea to us; however, after getting gas in Cheyenne we were getting back on the interstate and there was a toddler bed on the side of the entrance ramp. Since we had the trailer we stopped to pick it up, but because we were in a hurry we didn't have time to take it apart so we simply strapped it on the trailer.

 

With our car, trailer, and toddler bed we pulled into the parking lot of Calvary Baptist Church just about fifteen minutes before the service started. Afterward before we followed Pastor Chavez to his house he asked me if we had brought our own bed for the kids. I had to smile because the Pastor and his wife couldn't imagine why these strange missionaries would bring a toddler bed to a Home Missions Conference. I explained that we had picked it up on the side of the road on the way to the conference. I have a feeling that we will be remembered as "those missionaries who brought their own toddler bed."

 

Discouraging Moments

While we were at the Home Missions Conference I received some text messages from one of our families that informed me that they were switching churches. The switch is because the family has some extended family at another church in the area. We will deeply miss them.

 

Encouraging Moments

I was still feeling pretty sad about the news of a family leaving when we arrived back in Guernsey, but God is so good. Yesterday as I went to take care of some things in town God led me to two clearly divine appointments and I came home very encouraged about God's working. Please pray that God would open up the doors farther that He opened yesterday.

Here is another collection that Logos Bible Software is beginning to publish that I am excited about.

Selected Works of R. A. Torrey (4 vols.)

by R. A. Torrey

Moody,Fleming H. Revell,Good News 1901–1917

Runs on Windows, Mac and mobile.

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Overview

The Selected Works of R. A. Torrey (4 vols.) is a valuable collection for anyone hungering to see revival, looking for resources on divine healing, seeking to hear the voice of God, or desiring to pray more effectively. As a preacher, Reuben Archer Torreycaptivated massive crowds with his passionate yet sensible appeals to Scripture. As an author, he wrote works regarded as classics in fields including theology, apologetics, Bible exposition, and practical Christian living. Torrey, possessing an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the Bible, used this knowledge to help readers apply Scripture in practical ways. The four volumes included here are lesser-known titles—additional pieces of wisdom and insight for studying not only the Bible, but also the practicalities of Christian life and ministry.

The Logos Bible Software edition of the Selected Works of R. A. Torrey is designed to enhance and accelerate your study. The Logos editions are fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your preferred English translation and to the original-language texts, and important concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. In addition, you can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, scholars, and theologians have to say about divine healing, revival, prayer, and much more.

Interested in more from R. A. Torrey? Check out the R. A. Torrey Collection, with more than a dozen additional titles.

Key Features

• Contains four lesser-known volumes by evangelist and scholar R. A. Torrey
• Includes a condensed version of How to Pray
• Provides a wealth of scriptural insights

Individual Titles

• Divine Healing
• How to Promote & Conduct a Successful Revival
• Power and Peace in Prayer
• The Voice of God in the Present Hour

Shepherding Is a Tough Business

Leadership requires accountability, yet many leaders of the past considered themselves above rebuke. Even when their deeds failed to catch up to them in their own lifetimes, history judged them clearly. History often remembers and records people as they really are. And if history doesn’t recall the truth, God does.

Ezekiel was firm in his rebuke of the leaders of his time—Yahweh commanded him to be: “And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and you must say to them, to the shepherds, “And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.”’” (Ezek 34:1–3).

During Ezekiel’s lifetime, the leaders of God’s people were not being leaders at all. They were looking out for themselves rather than the good of the people. The same is true of leaders in our own time. If absolute power corrupts absolutely, as John Dalberg-Acton remarked, than surely we are all at risk of losing our way. Rather than responding with dismay, we should determine to take right action and speak the truth.

We must be people who seek God above ourselves. We must be people who put the needs of others before our own. We must want the glory of God among all people, above all things. We are all leading in one way or another, and others are watching us. That gives each of us an opportunity to lead by example. And any leader who is led by something other than God’s will ends up corrupt. Ezekiel’s criticism presents us an opportunity to change—to accept our rebuke and choose to live above reproach. Will we take it?

How should you change your approach to leading others in light of Ezekiel’s rebuke? What needs to change for you to live above reproach?

JOHN D. BARRY

John D. Barry and Rebecca Kruyswijk, Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).

Who is Hudson Taylor?

TAYLOR, JAMES HUDSON (1832–1905)
Founder of the China Inland Mission

Born into a Methodist Christian family in Barnsley, Yorkshire, Taylor was much influenced as to spiritual things by both his parents and his grandparents who had received John Wesley as a guest in their home. His father, a pharmacist, had a deep concern for the spiritual condition of China. At a very young age, around five years old, Taylor indicated that he would like to be a missionary to China one day. He was basically home schooled out of necessity, as he was a frail and often infirm child. He had a strong spiritual relationship with his mother and sister, who both prayed much for him when he was in spiritual turmoil. In June 1849, at the age of seventeen, while reading a tract on the finished work of Christ in his father’s study, he felt that he had finally understood what Christ had done for him. At this point he offered his life to Christ and his service. In 1849 Taylor felt the Lord’s call to China. He responded to this call and began to prepare every facet of his life toward the goal of leaving for China. At this point he felt his life was on a higher plane.
Two books helped shape the future for Taylor. One was a copy of the Gospel of Luke in Mandarin; the other, a book that told of the value of medical missions to China. By comparing the Mandarin version to the English version of Luke, Taylor was able to begin learning Mandarin Chinese. His career preparation turned from pharmacy to medicine. He also contacted different societies that involved themselves in missionary work in China to express his interest in the missions. Taylor gave of his income to such endeavors. His medical training began in Hull and continued in London. It was during this time that Taylor, convinced in himself that he could by no means be prepared for work in China without depending on God for everything, put himself under a strict daily life training. He studied theology, Latin, and Greek, as well as medicine before attending to his duties. He often put himself into situations that demanded that God would meet his financial needs. While at Hull, Taylor lived mainly on oatmeal and rice, giving a good part of his income to Christian work.

Great Quotes From Benjamin Rush

1. Dr. Benjamin Rush was a great American hero and role model. At the time of his death in 1813, he was heralded as one of America’s three most notable men, along with George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. And no wonder! He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, served under three Presidents, helped found five universities and colleges, is titled “The Father of American Medicine,” led both the abolition and prison reform movements, and founded American Sunday Schools and the nation’s first Bible Society. Amazingly, two hundred years ago, Dr. Benjamin Rush offered insights still applicable today. For example:
2. On music: “We can discover the virtues and the vices of a nation by its music as much as by its laws.”
3. On welfare: “Idleness is the parent of every vice. Make men work and you will make them honest.”
4. On party affiliation: “I am neither an Aristocrat nor a Democrat. I am a Christ-ocrat.”
5. On the press: “The licentiousness of the press is a fruitful source of the corruption of moral.”
6. On patriotism: “Patriotism is both a moral and religious duty. It includes not only the love of our neighbors but of the present and of future generations.”
7. On the Bible in schools: “The Bible, when not read in schools, is seldom read in any subsequent period of life.”

Bring Your Requests Before God?

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 

Andrew just reminded me of the importance of this Philippians 4:6. Andrew wanted milk so he found his cup and then brought me the whole gallon of milk out of the refrigerator. He then simply asked for milk. He knew that he couldn’t pour the milk so he requested for me to do it for him. We must constantly bring our needs to God. To often we think we can do it without Him and find ourselves making a mess of things. Let the Lord be your first answer and turn to Him for everything. 

The Ruler Of This World

John 14:28–31

28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

What did Jesus mean when he said, “For the prince of this world is coming”? The prince of this world is the devil (John 12:31; 16:11). Since it says he is coming, Jesus is undoubtedly referring to the activity of the devil in moving Judas to betray him to his enemies, which he was probably doing at that very moment (13:27, 30). In the person of Judas, Satan was literally coming to initiate Christ’s arrest and crucifixion. But this did not trouble Jesus, for he had peace even when confronted by Satan’s activity.
Satan could do nothing to Christ because “he has no hold on me.” This is a hard phrase to render idiomatically in English, but we probably catch the sense of it best if we say that there was no sin in Christ for Satan to latch onto like a handle. He would do his best to destroy Christ. But Jesus would slip through Satan’s grasp just as he had earlier slipped through the most hostile crowds. So shall we if we are in Christ. We cannot say, as he did, “The prince of this world … has no hold on me.” He has plenty in us all. But if we are in Christ, then we may stand with him and achieve the victory over the enemy.

James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 1157–1158.