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Issue No. 028 October06, 2006 ; Think divine; Sound Doctrine

Posted by: gracepeaceu <gracepeaceu@...>

 



Grace & Peace

 An e-periodical for spiritual enlightenment,
edification and encouragement

 

 

Issue No. 028  October06, 2006

 

 


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In this issue

  • Perspective:  Think divine

  • Study Note:  THE BRAZEN LAVER

  • Brief Article:   Sound Doctrine

  • Outline:  Four Aspects of Christian Life

  • Anecdote:  The Blind Swimmer

  • Worth Quote:  Wisdom


 

Perspective                                                     
Think divine

 

It's a proven fact that all our works and activities are based on our thoughts. We think first, and then act. Actions are only a reflection of the internal attitude we are keeping. Our effort to improve outward life, neglecting our inward life is foolishness. As long as there is evil inside, evil alone will come out through words & deeds. No feel-good technique can help us without a change in heart. (
Pro.4:23; Rom.1:21; 2Cor.10:5; Phil.4:8).

That is why God judges according to our internal state rather than external. 1Sam. 16:7. In His dealing with man too the Lord begins with his heart first. A repenting is sinner is given a new heart and life. "Therefore if any one is Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2Cor.5:17. It's not repairing but renewing from with in.

The success and blessing of a Christian's life is based on the condition of his heart on a continuous basis. One of the important responsibilities the Lord demanded from Joshua to be prosperous and victorious was to meditate upon the law of the Lord day and night.

"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…." Josh.1:8. Psalmist too testifies that the blessed man is he who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates it day and night.
Psa.1:2.

What is mediation? It means going over the word of God again and again in our minds to deepen its impression. Taking a scripture portion and reading it repeatedly. Pondering over it. Thus the truth is fixed firmly well in our memory. It is digesting the word, making it our life in every practical sense. Through regular meditation we begin to understand God's mind and think divine. Our thoughts become God's thoughts.

Then, as the Psalmist says, our heart becomes hot within us and a divine fire burned. Ps.39:3. There is strength and zeal; life and growth. Faith will be increased (Rom.10:17), and the believer becomes more bold, and powerful in His spiritual life. Cp. Jer. 23:29;
Jn.6:63; 2Tim.3:16, 17.

Without a regular meditation there can be no true growth and practical godliness. Notice, it was a commandment to Joshua. Josh.1:9. Not an option but obligatory. It should be a habitual practice, for there is no other alternative.

Yes, mediation is not easy, we have to pay the price of time, and effort, but it pays eternal dividends; Divine thoughts, actions and life in God's will to success and fruitfulness.


N.T.K

 


 

Study Note                                              THE BRAZEN LAVER Exo. 30:17—21 

 

This was a kind of wash basin, placed between the brazen altar and the entrance to the holy place. The priests were to wash their hands and feet in its water, before they entered the holy place, "that they died not". It would show us the necessity of our daily cleansing by the power of the word of God, so that we may enjoy sweet communion with God, and the life of Christ that He has imparted to us.

We need to point out here the difference between the judicial cleansing through the blood of Christ, and the moral cleansing through the water of the word of God.
We are cleansed from our sins, through being washed by our Lord Jesus Christ in His precious blood on the day of our conversion, Rev. 1; 5-6. The precious blood that He shed on the cross, satisfied the righteous claims of the holy judgment of God, and when we are washed in that blood we are forever cleansed from the guilt of our sins. That washing is never repeated, and never needs to be repeated, because the "Blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, goes on cleansing us from all sin", (the Greek word for cleanses, has the continuous, active sense.) That precious blood ever avails for me, and silences the voice of the "Accuser of the brethren", Rev. 12; 11.

When the soldier pierced the side of the Lord Jesus, both blood and water flowed out. The blood was to satisfy the righteous claims of a Holy God in judgment; the water was to cleanse the sinner from the defilement or pollution of sin. This water is applied through the reading of, and obedience to the word of God, and is to be repeated often, even daily. Through the precious blood of Christ, I am forever delivered from the judgment of God, and can never again bring myself under that judgment. But because I walk in a world that is full of pollution, and because I possess a sinful fallen nature, I am in constant need of cleansing from the corruption of sin. This takes place, when convicted by the word of God, I confess them to the Lord Jesus, in genuine repentance, He then cleanses me from all unrighteousness, 1 John. 1:9.

When the Lord Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, before the last supper, Peter first refused the kindly ministration, but when the Lord told him that without washing, he could have no part with Him, Peter went to the other extreme, saying "not my feet only, but my hands and my head". But Jesus replied "He that is washed,(all over,) needeth not to wash, except his feet, but entirely clean:"
John.13:10. The "All over", washing takes place at conversion, but the washing of the feet, is a continuing daily experience.

              Charles E.Wigg                                      


 

Brief Article                                                    Sound Doctrine

 

   "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3)

This verse is as interesting for what it doesn't say as it is for what it does say. It doesn't say that men will not put up with sound doctrine so they will stop attending church. Instead it says men will not put up with sound doctrine so they will go to a church where they can hear what they want to hear. In today's world it is hard to find a church that believes, understands, teaches and defends sound doctrine. Many churches have given in to fads. There is tremendous pressure on preachers to keep it light and upbeat. But if a church doesn't preach what it believes, eventually it will lose its belief.

                                                                                                                 Shawn Abigail


 

Out Line:-                                         Four Aspects of Christian Life

                  

                          1.   Sons. 1Jn.5:2; col.1;4--- to love.
                           2.   Servants. 2Timo.2:24; Rom.6:22—To obey
                           3.   Soldiers.
2Tim.2:3; 1Tim.6:12—to fight.
                             4.  Stewards. Tit.1:7; Luk.19:1. 1Cor.4:1—to occupy.
 


 

Anecdote:-                                     The Blind Swimmer

 

A young man was struggling in the sea just 30 feet away from the shore and shouting "which way to the shore". The swimmers paid no attention as they felt that he would reach the shore which was very close. After a little while, however, one swimmer rushed up to him. But it was too late. The young man was sinking.

Meanwhile, other swimmers also rushed. They tried their best to rescue him. But by the time he was brought to the shore, he was already dead.
But to their dismay they discovered that the young man was blind: He shouted 'way to the shore" because he did not know the way to reach the shore.

 


 

Worthy Quote: -                           Wisdom

 

"If you lack knowledge, go to school; if you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge."

--Vance Havner.
 

 

 


 

To ponder over                                          Isaiah.43:19

 

"Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the desert."

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Edited and posted by Nelson Thomas Kumaramparampil for the Glory of God & the Joy of the saints.


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