Category: Blog

2 Timothy 1: ⁶ For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹ He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Paul speaks a lot about suffering for Christ and because of his ministry for Christ; yet, Paul in the midst of all of the afflictions demonstrated Joy.  That joy was based on His knowledge of God and Paul’s faith in God’s covenant promises of God providing Paul with everything that he needed.  Paul’s joy was based on a relationship with God which circumstances (no matter how difficult) could not destroy.  Paul had learned Christ was the Greatest Treasure, the only True Joy that could fill man’s empty heart.  It was a Joy worth suffering for, fighting for, and even dying for.  That Joy so unshakeable by life’s fleeting tribulations and Sorrows was kept by focusing on Jesus—the author and finisher of our faith, our love, and our Joy.

^{2 Corinthians 6: 4} But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

⁵ In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;

⁶ By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

⁷ By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

⁸ By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

⁹ As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

¹⁰ As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Below is the music by Sebastian Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring; but I will include for you three versions of the words, you choose which is best for you to sing along.  Jesus is our only hope for true Joy in every circumstance of life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwWL8Y-qsJg

The following is the most commonly heard English version of the piece. It was written by the poet laureate Robert Bridges. It is not a translation of the stanzas used within Bach’s original version, but is inspired by the stanzas of the same hymn composed in 1642 by Johann Schop that Bach had drawn upon: Jesu, meiner Seelen Wonne, the lyrics of which were written in 1661 by Martin Jahn (c. 1620–c. 1682).

Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,

Holy wisdom, love most bright;

Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring

Soar to uncreated light.

Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,

With the fire of life impassioned,

Striving still to truth unknown,

Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,

Hark, what peaceful music rings;

Where the flock, in Thee confiding,

Drink of joy from deathless springs.

Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;

Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.

Thou dost ever lead Thine own

In the love of joys unknown.

Below are the words written by Martin Jahn, translated into English.

Well for me that I have Jesus,

O how strong I hold to him

that he might refresh my heart,

when sick and sad am I.

Jesus have I, who loves me

and gives to me his own,

ah, therefore I will not leave Jesus,

when I feel my heart is breaking.

Jesus remains my joy,

my heart’s comfort and essence,

Jesus resists all suffering,

He is my life’s strength,

my eye’s desire and sun,

my soul’s love and joy;

so will I not leave Jesus

out of heart and face.

And third; but not least  are the opening stanzas of Jahn’s Jesu, meiner Seelen Wonne.

Jesus, my refuge and deliverer,
Jesus, the ground of my confidence,
Jesus, mighty trampler on the serpent,
Jesus, light of my life!
How my heart longs for you,
dear Jesus, painfully!
Come, ah come, I wait for you,
come,O dearest Jesus!
Jesus, delight of my soul,
Jesus, my best pleasure,
Jesus,my sun of joy,
Jesus, it is well known to you
how I love you from my heart
and am distressed without you.
Therefore O Jesus come to me
and stay with me forever and ever.

Colossians  3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

² Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

³ For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God…¹⁷ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him….²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

^{Romans 6:4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism (spiritual baptism) into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

⁸ Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

⁹ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Isaiah 61:  ¹⁰ I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

¹¹ For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Where can we find the power over sin’s lies and devastating power to destroy, when it is whispering sweetly in our ears to chase after the self centered desires?  Or when in fear we want to lie to protect ourselves?  After all, grace has covered it all; what does it matter just this once?  She/he wronged me; don’t I have the right for righteous anger and revenge?  It is an addiction, I cannot help myself–God will understand because he loves me.  Why didn’t God just stop me from saying those hateful words?  He knew what I was going to do before I did it?  Maybe if no one else knows, it is ok?  Well, the Government wastes the money on evil things; why not cheat on my taxes?  You are a worthless failure anyway, why does it matter?  On and on the lies go.  When Christ died on the cross; he paid the penalty for my sin.  When He arose from the grave, He defeated death and sin.  I, do not have the power on my own to conquer sin; but as I focus upon Him, memorizes His words of truth, cling to His promises of future grace for the next minute of my life—He provides the power.  I am helpless to overcome sin; except through His power.  I need to like David, write God’s words on my heart, that I might not sin against Him.  The only offensive weapon against Satan is the "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"  So, my dear friends, never forsake the Bible that is sitting there on the shelf.  Within these love letters left to you by your creator, you will find strength, hope, abounding joy and the power to overcome sin’s devastating power in your life–one sin at a time, one step at a time by faith in His word; until one day you will stand beside Christ and as a mirror reflecting and magnifying the light, you will reflect and magnify His Glory throughout the heavens. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwxAI9O7WQ

Zephaniah 3: ¹⁷ The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Stop for a moment and think of this wondrous thought.  The book of Zephaniah to this point has spoken of God’s judgement, His anger against sin.  Yet, there it is; there he proclaims that there is a remnant whom will trust in Him and that He will save.  Beyond that He rejoices over me with joy.  This heart so filled with selfish desires, so prone to wander or to be drawn toward self exaltation as though I deserved anything but to fall before worthy of only thy wrath and judgement.  Yet You dear Lord rejoice over me with love and joy, singing over me.  You, Father, are my only hope, my joy, my love.  You have provided the only means for my salvation, by thy great mercy and thy grace to this such an unworthy servant. 

Ephesians 1:  ³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

⁴ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

⁶ To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

⁷ In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

⁸ Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

⁹ Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

¹⁰ That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Draw me ever closer to thy Word of Truth.  Fill my heart with thy precepts that I might ever seek to follow thy will in each and every moment of the day.  I cannot do this without your empowering each and every step.  Write your words on my heart and seal it with your courts of love. Keep my eyes fixed upon thee while I step out into the world today; only then can I reflect your glory back to you as it glows forth to those who so need to see thy light of Hope.  Let the words of this great hymn written by Robert Robinson in 1757 become my prayer today.

1. Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

2. Sorrowing I shall be in spirit,

Till released from flesh and sin,

Yet from what I do inherit,

Here Thy praises I’ll begin;

Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Here by Thy great help I’ve come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

3. Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed His precious blood;

How His kindness yet pursues me

Mortal tongue can never tell,

Clothed in flesh, till death shall loose me

I cannot proclaim it well.

4. O to grace how great a debtor

Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

Seal it for Thy courts above.

5. O that day when freed from sinning,

I shall see Thy lovely face;

Clothèd then in blood washed linen

How I’ll sing Thy sovereign grace;

Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,

Take my ransomed soul away;

Send thine angels now to carry

Me to realms of endless day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUhU0HgTq94

Attached is a copy of a recent radio interview. 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCQmYn7Hiiw&list=UU42mNOLo78vBCpPh34HSUTw&index=1

Isaiah 28 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

² Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

³ The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

⁴ And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

⁵ In that day shall the Lord of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

⁶ And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate….

¹² To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

^{13 But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.14 Wherefore hear the word of the Lord, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem 15} Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

¹⁶ Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

¹⁷ Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

¹⁸ And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

The priests had become drunkards, being filled with wine rather than the truth of God’s words.  They were teaching the people with a form of legalism; yes, the law was important and a guide to man’s behavior.  Still, even in the old testament faith was the key to salvation.  As from Abraham for whom faith was counted for righteousness, so has it been throughout.  God knew that man could not keep the commandments and they were proof of man’s need for a Savior.  The sacrificial system in the old testament was a picture of Christ who was the chief and precious corner stone.  God in perfect Righteousness and to remain a perfectly Just Judge of all the world could not overlook sin; because sin was that which separated man from his true purpose of a relationship with his Creator–God.  Sin lurked deep within covetous, pride filled hearts who were so darkened they could not see the light of God’s Glory.   Sin seeks and follows after counterfeit joys to fill the void that only God can fill.  There is a great warning here to all those who teach anything but faith in Christ Alone as the only means of Salvation.  Christ took upon Himself the full wrath that was demanded to pay the penalty for man’s sin.  If we ignore the depth of wrath that God has against sin, then we look lightly upon the price that was paid at the cross and we look lightly upon the sins within our own life.  Yes, the only hope I have is Jesus who has paid my sins upon the Cross.  True, through Jesus, my sins are paid–past, present, and future by faith in Him; yet, that truth when understood transforms my life.  No longer can I be content with the sins in my life that cause Him such sorrow; because, He realizes that all the darkness in my heart will still cause me not to see the light of His Glory nor feel the depth of His Joy penetrating deeply into my life.  Because of the depth of love and gratitude I have for the magnitude of Grace He has shown me; I must battle against sin in my own heart and battle to hold tight to the Joy I have in Him.  As Jonathan Edwards said "“God’s purpose for my life was that I have a passion for God’s glory and that I have a passion for my joy in that glory, and that these two are one passion.”

The Mystery of the Cross I cannot Comprehend

The Agonies of Calvary

You the perfect Holy One, Crushed Your Son

Who drank the Bitter Cup Reserved for Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUZQ1R_uyiQ