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by Ingrid Schlueter

As a part of the job that I do in Christian radio, I have to fight my way through a blizzard of catalogs from Christian publishers across the nation. I also get a number of secular catalogs as well. There is one predominant theme now from both non-Christian and Christian publishers alike and it cannot be denied. That theme is spirituality and how to experience an authentic spiritual life.

The New Agers, or “transformational teachers”, as they now prefer to be called have books filled with the theme of finding personal peace through various methods. Five steps to this, ten steps to that. Each individual guru has his or her own path for you to follow that they claim will help you achieve “authentic” spirituality. Millions around the world are buying into each new offering from publishers who promise the ultimate spiritual answer.

It is no secret that like its secular counterpart, Christian publishing is largely a money-making business. Without a constant flow of new books that capture the imagination of the evangelical public, publishing houses would quickly grind to a halt. This reality, however, is often at odds with what is best for Christians in their spiritual lives. The publishing world and Christian media have created an array of celebrities who are looked to as spiritual experts upon whom we must depend to hear from God for our own lives. How many Sunday school classes today rely not on the Bible itself, but on the latest books about the Bible from the current raft of authors and teachers put forth from Zondervan, Nelson, Word, Intervarsity, and so forth? Many “Bible” classes today are taught by authors and celebrities on DVD, rather than a humble member of the church who has immersed himself in the Word of God.

Compounding this problem is often the content of the books themselves. One mainstream Christian book catalog I received offered all kinds of ways to find the right kind of spirituality. Here are some of the book titles they are promoting: The Path of Celtic Prayer: An Ancient Way to Everyday JoySpirituality Old & New: Recovering Authentic Spiritual LifeFlirting with Monasticism: Finding God on Ancient Paths (this is an evangelical publisher!), Fasting: Spiritual Freedom Beyond our AppetitesSpiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform UsSacred Rhythms: Arranging our Lives for Spiritual Transformation, and The Deeper Journey. Like the medieval Roman church prior to the Reformation, finding God and experiencing Him is accomplished through a variety of methods and practices, not opening His Word, the Bible.

The conservative Christian publishers are at times no better. Here are a few titles offered by a more conservative publishing house. 30 Days to Taming Your TongueThe Sassy Girl’s Checklist for LivingLoving and OvercomingTake Back Your LifePrayers for Emotional Wholeness30 Days to Taming Your Stress15 Minutes Alone with God. There are thousands upon thousands of books like this that hit the market every year, and enough people are buying them to keep Christian publishing a lucrative business. While some of these books may have good things to say about given problems in the lives of believers, the real question is this: If the Bible truly contains what we need for life and godliness, why are so many evangelical Christians seeing the Bible through the eyes of someone else? If the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth through His Word, than why are so many Christians looking for ten steps to freedom from this or that spiritual problem, or 30 days to being a better person? In short, why are billions of dollars a year going into supporting Christian publishing when we have the whole counsel of God in our hands?

Christians down through the centuries had nothing but the Scripture and their unquenchable faith in the Lord. They didn’t have the kind of celebrity media culture of today where we are told over and over that we need to buy this latest book or DVD to really understand how to encounter God. Yet those Christians of old were the ones who faced lions, fire, the sword, imprisonment, torture and the loss of every earthly comfort for the sake of the Gospel. How did they manage to do all of that without stacks of self-help books, guidance manuals and elaborate seminars on how to achieve real spirituality? The answer? They had something far more powerful than Christian publishing. They had the power of the Holy Ghost in their lives and utter confidence in what God had told them in His Word. That was enough.

This kind of deep Christian faith is not achieved by reading the Word through another’s eyes or adopting the practices or methods of the evangelical celebrity of the hour. It is discovered by delving into the vast riches of God’s Word for ourselves and by seeking God in earnest and prevailing prayer. It is astounding how we can spend our entire lives reading about the Bible, reading about a deeper spiritual life and a deeper relationship with Christ and yet never achieve it. Even those in ministry who are out fighting false doctrine and spiritual error can sadly fall prey to this. This kind of virtual Christianity is why our ministries and churches are so often full of carnality and flesh and lacking in spiritual power. Only a spiritual walk with God through daily immersion in His Word and faithful prayer will keep us from this state.

There is a place for solid Christian literature, without doubt. I have been greatly helped by the writings of faithful and godly men and women, past and present. But when the writings of others become the primarysource of our spiritual food, we are missing out on what God has to say to us through the Word, directly. There is also no substitute for time away from the noise and clamor of our commercial culture (that includes much of evangelicalism as well, sadly) and time with the Lord Himself.

Our souls are restless, as Augustine once wrote, until they rest in God. Our souls are hungry, and they are only satisfied when they are in fellowship with our Creator. That will not come by learning how to chant mantra prayers, or clutching prayer beads or burning candles or listening to some expert on “spiritual formation.” It will also not come by listening to every new emerging teacher to produce a DVD on the ultimate whiz bang way to encounter God or by reading yet another author’s take on what God has to say to us. The Scriptures tell us that He who has begun a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. (Phil. 1:6) That’s why our eyes need to be on the author and finisher of our faith, and not on the hot new release from profit-driven Christian publishing. The old gospel song says it best:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

in the light of His glory and grace.

Sign up for free email devotional HERE… The Moments with My Master email devotional is sent out for the edification of the body of Christ.

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Abiding

Speaking His Truth in Love [podcast]


“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:15

Growing up in Christ involves and leads to His children “speaking the truth in love.”

Not one or the other but rather BOTH – truth and love, “speaking the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

A person of truth never speaks with respect to how mere men will respond nor merely for their enrichment. No, he speaks the words, the truth of God, unashamed, boldly. His desire is to please the LORD, not men (Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 1:10).

Ephesians 4:15-32

Never speak “your truth.” Speak God’s truth! Your life is over and swallowed up in Christ! (Colossians 3:3)

Saints, let us please remember that as believers, sometimes it’s best to simply pray, to demonstrate our trust before God Himself privately, and not wrestle with other saints who are struggling as all do in this life (2 Timothy 2:24-26). “Let thy words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2) At times our ministry involves caring enough to simply listen.

Walking in God’s love can never be separated from walking in God’s truth! They are divinely, eternally married! Don’t you dare claim to be walking in God’s love if you are not speaking God’s truth (Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 27:5-6). God requires that you speak His truth in His love or you are nothing (1 Corinthians 13).

OH THIS IS GOOD!!!!!

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security [podcast]The Essential of Fearing God | The KING is Coming [podcast] | Lie of the Ages (Blockbuster book exposing OSAS and calvinism)

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Articles

Daily Prayer Guide [podcast]

Daily Prayer Guide


PRAYING EVERY DAY FOR:

THE BODY OF CHRIST

Here’s some of the biblical truth I personally pray daily for those disciples of Jesus on my prayer list:

  • That God would take away the stony places in our hearts and grant us hearts of flesh – pliable, humble, teachable, worshipful, obedient (Ezekiel 36:24-26).
  • That the LORD would unite our hearts to fear His holy name (Psalms 86:11).
  • That He would bless us to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).
  • That the LORD would fill us with His love and cause that love to be demonstrated through our lives daily in our interactions with others (1 Corinthians 13).
  • That He would baptize and fill us with His Holy Spirit and use us powerfully for His eternal glory (Acts 1:8; 2:4, etc.).
  • That God would quicken and give us His wisdom concerning fruitful stewardship of His resources He’s entrusted us with (Matthew 25:14-30, etc.).
  • That we would be blessed to know Him in that oneness and abiding relationship He spoke of and prayed in John 15 and 17 – bearing fruit to His glory.
  • That the LORD would teach us and bring us to be consummate soul winners as His ambassadors (Proverbs 11:30; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
  • The our LORD will multiply His grace, love, and wisdom in our hearts (2 Peter 3:18; Romans 5:5; James 1:5).
  • That God would increase our faith (Luke 17:5).

OUR LEADERS:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3

OUR CITY:

“And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” Jeremiah 29:7

GOD’S KINGDOM TO COME ON EARTH:

(Both today and the Millennial Kingdom when Jesus Christ reigns on earth for 1,000 years)

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

GOD TO SEND LABOURERS INTO HIS HARVEST:

“Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38

THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM:

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Psalm 122:6

—— • ——

Also, Jesus gave His disciples a model for daily prayer which is an excellent starting place for each day.

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9-13

Prayer

Support | STORE | PodcastsBecause You Care Page | The Greatest of these is CharityBe Ready in the Morning [podcast]The Sure Mercies of David [podcast]That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast]At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God Walking with Jesus on His Stated Terms – the Cross | Fasting and PrayerThe Old Man Must be Put Down [podcast]The 5 Sins That Keep God’s People Out of Their Promised Land [podcast]What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]“Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith” [podcast]A Living Sacrifice unto God [podcast] |

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Abiding

Jesus will Judge Us by Our Works

By Glenn and Dezi Langohr

JESUS — JUDGED BY WORKS

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father… Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied…? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21–23

Our works clearly reveal what is in our hearts! Fruit.

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:27

“…all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” John 5:28–29

“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: *the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48

PAUL — CONTINUE IN GOOD WORKS

“Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Romans 2:6–7

 “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” Romans 2:13

 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

“…they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” Titus 3:8

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10  

“…for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing…” Galatians 6:7–9

JAMES — FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” James 2:17

“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” James 2:24 

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 

PETER — BE HOLY, DO GOOD WORKS

“And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” 1 Peter 1:17

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12 

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” 2 Peter 1:10 

 SUMMARY

Jesus said He will judge every man by their works (Matthew 16:27, John 5:29).

Paul taught that eternal life is for those who continue in well doing (Romans 2:7, Titus 3:8).

James declared faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 24).

Peter warned God will judge every man’s work (1 Peter 1:17) and exhorted us to abound in good works.

God’s people are called to endure to the end with living faith proven by works of obedience, love, and holiness.

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