A Willing Heart

A Willing Heart
Can you say, as Jesus did, “I delight to do thy will, O God.” In order to do that you must look beyond the immediate to what lies ahead. How did Jesus endure the agony of the cross and all the horrible treatment that was a part of it? “For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross. . . .” Heb. 12:2

Jesus laid down His life willingly! “. . . I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10:17-18
And Jesus told Peter, “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?” Mt. 26:53 “He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy the world and set Him free!” but how then would we have been saved? It was His love and His grace that contrained Him and motivated Him.

And it is that same love that He gives to us who know Him as Savior “ because God's love (agape love) has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 We know that love is from God and not from us because our fallen natures are self- centered and preoccupied with ourselves. But God gives a measure of His love to His children. Love is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18 NIV

I share with you the greatest experience of my life when my wife and I experienced God’s love poured into our hearts with a depth we had not known so deeply. We both loved each other a great deal for 54 years. Eros married love, phileo friendship love, and God’s unselfish agape love–God had given all that to us. My wife was by far my best friend in my entire life. But when she was stricken with pancreatic cancer, we both faced by far the greatest test or trial of our lives. And God sustained us with His love, with His peace, and with His joy in the midst of that three-year trial. We prayed together and asked the Lord not only for His sustaining grace and His peace and joy, but also for a depth of love that would carry us through it all. He immediately answered with His approval and we both gained an insight into the depth of God’s love greater even than we already knew.

Those three years were by far the worst experience of our entire lives (and I’m 77) and also the greatest because we experienced a love for each other and for and from the Lord that made it all worthwhile, painful though it was and still is. The apostle Paul experienced tremendous pain and hardship in his life and yet he could pray, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “I pray that you may . . . grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Eph. 3:17-19

God gave me such a strong desire to care for and serve my wife in her terminal illness and how thankful we both are that He enabled her to stay at home (except for surgeries and a 12-day hospital stay and later a 22-day stay). What a wonderful gift from God is a willing heart to serve Him and to serve others. If you don’t have it, ask him for it “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13 It is God who gives you the motivation; you don’t generate it of yourself, but if you realize you are lacking it, then you look to Him and ask Him to change your attitude. “Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief.”

There’s an additional by-product of all of this. If God’s love is at work in your life as you serve Him and because of your love for Him, you serve one another as He commanded, then you have no room left for discouragement. “We faint not” because “we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58 “A cheerful heart does good like a medicine” and a willing heart makes a cheerful heart. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“My cup runneth over” with joy; let’s pray that it will also “run over” with God’s love. “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Bear those burdens with a willing heart, going the second mile knowing you are pleasing the Lord. “We make it our ambition to please the Lord.” 2 Cor. 5:9 “See that you love one another with a pure heart fervently.” 1 Peter 1:22

[Note: thank you for the parts of this devotional I borrowed from last night’s message at Covenant Church in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.]
–Pastor Burnside

A Thanksgiving Prayer

A Thanksgiving Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for being who you are, for the marvelous works you have done, and for what you are presently creating for the future glory that awaits us who know you as Savior. May we rejoice in your works and may we be satisfied with what comes to us from the good hand of our God.

And yet, Lord, we know that our full satisfaction will come only when we can say, “ As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be fully satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.”

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a beautiful inheritance. I thank you, Lord, that you lead me and guide me and give me counsel even in the night watches as I meditate on your goodness and your providence and your grace and you bring marvelous truths to my remembrance from your Word.

You are always with me. Because you are at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Satisfy us each morning, O Lord, with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen sorrow and suffering. Let your work and your purposes be shown to your servants and your glory unto our children and grandchildren. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and your glorious power demonstrated in our lives.
We pray in Jesus’ Name, Amen *Psalm 17:15; 16:5-11; 90:14-17

"I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times." Psalm 77:5 We don't have to go quite that far back to remember the good Thanksgiving holidays God has given us in the past. God has made us in His image so we can transcend time and space in our minds and go back and remember so many of God's blessings from the past and the sweetness of fellowship with those we love and laugh together and enjoy each other's company. And do what you can to make the present pleasant and memorable in kindness and cheerfulness towards others. "We spend our years as a tale that is told" so, under God, let's make it a good story!

We are in a special season of thankfulness so thank God for who He is! 1) "For the Lord is good; 2) his mercy is everlasting; 3) and his truth endureth to all generations."--including this one! Psalm 100:5 Share with every generation whatever age God's goodness, His mercy, and His truth. "The counsel of the Lord stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." Psalm 33:11

God was faithful in the past; He is faithful now in the present; and He will always be faithful for He changes not. "The contrast between being and becoming marks the difference between the Creator and the creature. Every creature is continually becoming. It is changeable, constantly striving, seeks rest and satisfaction, and finds this rest in God, in Him alone, for only He is pure being and no becoming. "You remain the same, and your years will never end." Heb. 1:12 Hence, in Scripture God is often called the Rock. . . ." (Herman Bavinck)

Acknowledging our dependence on God is one of the ways we glorify Him. "Be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For you are my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me." Psalm 31:2-3 We pray for God to be our Rock because He is our Rock and we look to Him for stability and strength--and then thank Him for His leading and guiding. Leading and guiding are almost the same. "We require double direction, for we are fools, and the way is rough. Lead me as a soldier, guide me as a traveller! lead me as a babe, guide me as a man. . . . lead me by thy hand, guide me by thy Word." and by thy Holy Spirit. (Spurgeon) " He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness." Psalm 23:2-3 --Pastor Burnside

Minnie's Pie Crust

Minnie’s Pie Crust
6 cups flour
2 ½ cups Crisco
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon sugar
About 1 cup cold water mixed with 1 beaten egg and 1 Tablespoon white vinegar
Makes enough for 9 single crusts.
Blend together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder. Cut shortening in with pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture is the size of small beans. Slowly add the cold water mixture. Lightly stir it in with a fork. Shape into 9 balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and then put in freezer bag to freeze.
When ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Roll it while it is still cold.

Mimi’s Chicken Piccata + Dill Pasta

Mimi’s Chicken Piccata + Dill Pasta

I usually buy boneless chicken breasts, freeze them until they are easy to slice and slice them into thin slices. I then lightly pound them before dusting with flour which has been seasoned with salt and pepper.
Spray a saute pan with nonstick spray, add 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, and heat over medium-high. Saute tenders 2-3 minutes on one side. Be careful of splattering. Flip the tenders over and saute the other side 1-2 minutes with the pan covered. Transfer tenders to another skillet which has been sprayed with pam; when all chicken has been removed, pour off excess fat from the pan.
Deglaze pan with 1/2 cup dry white wine [or apple cider] and add 1 teaspoon minced garlic. Cook until garlic is slightly brown and liquid is nearly gone, about 2 minutes.
Add 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 2 Tablespoon capers, and drained sauteed tenders or pour sauce over the chicken you have in the other pan.. Cook on low for about 10 minutes. Add more chicken stock or broth if it seems dry.
Finish with 2 Tablespoons butter and fresh lemon slices. Remove chicken to a platter and pour the sauce over the chicken.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve with grated parmesan cheese on the table.

I serve this with simple pasta. Crush two or three cloves garlic or use the garlic press or chop very, very fine. Add to three tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Saute for a couple of minutes or just put garlic in the olive oil and leave it for several hours before adding the cooked pasta. Add to the drained pasta (spaghetti or linguini) then put about 3 tablespoons dry dill weed on the top and mix well. Yummy!!

Mimi's Texas Salsa

Mimi’s Texas Salsa
1 large onion–finely chopped
4 cloves garlic–minced
4 jalapenos–finely chopped + 2 Serano peppers
1 large bunch cilantro–chopped
4 cans (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
or use regular tomatoes and put them in the blender–pulse on & off a couple of times
½ cup olive oil or canola oil
½ cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
½ teaspoon cumin
+ a little black pepper

Heat the oil. Add onions & garlic. Cook until they are translucent. Add jalapenos. Stir well for 1 minute. Add vinegar & salt, then tomatoes & cilantro. Bring to boiling point.
Taste. If it is too picante, add another can of tomatoes. If too mild, add another jalapeno or some crushed red pepper.

Put in clean pint jars. Seal. Put in water bath. Bring to a boil and then turn down and simmer for 20 minutes. Let cool a bit and then remove jars from the water. Let cool. Then store on shelves. Once you open a jar, refrigerate it.

Variation: if you only make a pint or so–any amount that will be used within a week or 10 days–you don’t have to put it in the water bath. But keep it refrigerated and don’t keep it too long.
Mimi also suggested you could make the amount called for in the recipe, keep it refrigerated and share it with friends and family. Or you could do a half recipe.
The water bath, though is really not difficult. Be sure to wipe the mouth of each jar with a damp rag because it must be perfectly clean to get a good seal. When the jars are sealed right, the lids will kinda pop downwards a little when they cool. In fact you’ll hear the little popping sound and you can feel it by touch. (Compare to unsealed jar and you’ll see the difference.)

Minnie's Cinnamon Rolls

Minnie's Cinnamon Rolls
Cinnamon rolls seem to be everyone’s favorite. Our duplex was next to the chapel at Christ’s College and when students passed by and caught the fragrance of baking cinnamon rolls, it was common for them to find an excuse to ask us a question because they knew Minnie would share the cinnamon rolls with them. She often made them for evening “dorm devotions” when the students would come for Bible study and prayer in our home (8 to 10 at a time). When Minnie goes to her hometown in Texas, everyone expects her to make cinnamon rolls–and she does.

½ cup warm water
2 Tablespoons yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
[Let work for 5 to 10 minutes.]

Add 2 ½ cups milk
Add 3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
Mix well.

Add 1 stick melted butter or margarine
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Add more flour, 1 cup at a time until you have a firm dough.
Work in the flour to make a nice soft dough
Let rest 10 minutes.

Lightly knead until shiny.
Oil pan–turn to bring oiled side up.
Let rise until double.
Punch down.
Divide into two parts.
On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle.
Melt 1 stick butter – spread on dough.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll up (add raisins if you want to).

Cut into rolls and put on a pan oiled with Crisco or covered with parchment paper.
Let rise until double.

Heat oven to 350o and bake 20 to 30 minutes.
Make icing–
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 stick melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Add milk 1 Tablespoon at a time.
Ice the rolls.
Remove rolls from pan & dribble on icing.

Minnie's Biscuits

Minnie’s Biscuits
Heat oven to 400o
Sift together:
2 cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
Whisk these together in a bowl.

Mix 1 cup buttermilk with 1/4 cup melted butter or margarine. I always use butter.

Make a well in the dry ingredients–with a fork, lightly mix in buttermilk mixture. You may need to sift in a little more flour or add a little more milk.

Sift a little flour onto your counter or bread board. Turn the dough over in it and make a smooth ball. You may want to knead it a few times.
Pat to about 3/4 inch thick. Cut biscuits. This made 15. My cutter isn’t large.

Put 2 Tablespoons butter + 3 Tablespoons Crisco in your pan.
Put it in the oven to melt & heat the pan.
Turn biscuits over in your pan.
Bake until nice and brown–10 to 15 minutes.

I find that just smoothing the dough with my hands makes a lighter biscuit than rolling the dough. Also do not twist the cutter as that seals the edges and they don’t rise as well.

Mimi's Cornbread Dressing

Mimi’s Cornbread Dressing
1. Bake fresh cornbread & biscuits 2 or 3 days before. Let it dry.
2. Crumble cornbread & biscuits together–about 8 cups.
3. Mix 1 Tablespoon fresh sage (or less than a teaspoon of dried sage) and 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning & ½ cup minced parsley + salt and black pepper
4. Saute in 1 stick of butter:
2 cups onions–finely chopped
1 cup celery–chopped
5. Use chicken or turkey stock for dressing.
6. Mix stock with cornbread/biscuit mixture.
(Optional: you can mix 2 well-beaten eggs w/stock before adding to dry mixture)
7. Mixture should be fairly moist.
8. Bake at 350o for 25-40 minutes until top has formed a crust. Cover for last 10 min. or so.

[Use drippings from turkey for gravy.]
[Dressing can be put inside either a turkey or chicken for baking.]

She wrote it a little differently at another time so take your choice:

Mimi’s corn bread: Bake the corn bread 1 or 2 days before you make the stuffing.
Whisk together the following:
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup white flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
Whisk in another bowl:
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup buttermilk (OR: 1 1/3 cup milk with 1 teaspoon vinegar added)
Add the wet ingredients to the dry.
Stir just until moistened.
Add 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
Bake in a 9x9 or 9x11 inch pan that you spray with Pam or oil.
Bake at 400o for 20 to 25 minutes. A toothpick stuck in the center should come out clean

Mimi’s cornbread stuffing
Crumble the cornbread.
Tear about 6 slices white bread into small pieces. Add to corn bread.
Melt 1 stick butter
Add 2 cups chopped onions
1 ½ cups chopped celery
2 cloves minced garlic
Cook about 5 minutes on low heat.
Remove from heat.
Add: ½ cup parsley (can be dried or fresh)
1 ½ teaspoons dried sage
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Stir into the bread.
Beat 2 eggs. Add 1 cup chicken stock.
Pour this over the cornbread mixture. If it is too dry, add more stock.
You can stuff this into a chicken or just put it in a baking pan that is oiled and bake at
350o Cover for the first 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 more minutes.

Double Duchess Potatoes

Several people have suggested that I post some of Mimi's recipes on our blog, so here's the first one--just in time for Thanksgiving. When Mimi and I both heard of mashed potatoes (specially seasoned) and sweet potatoes (specially seasoned) on the same plate, neither of us thought it a very good idea! But we both changed our minds as soon as we ate them. They are delicious! "Try it! try it and you may, I say!" This goes so-o-o well with turkey and dressing. I have my own herb garden so the sage is readily available and the chives were in our Washington home and I'll plant some here next spring. The notes in the recipe are Mimi's words.
May you have a blessed Thanksgiving. Papaw

Double Duchess Potatoes
[Note: I use fresh herbs so increase the amount. Adjust by taste.
2nd note: you can prepare this dish the day before and then heat at 350o covered with aluminum foil for 30 minutes.]

2 lbs. Baking potatoes, peeled, cut into 1" pieces
2 1/4 lbs. Sweet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1" pieces
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2/3 cup buttermilk, warmed
½ cup butter or margarine, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon dried sage
optional: 2 Tablespoons chopped chives for mashed potatoes

Preheat oven to 375o
In separate pots combine potatoes with enough water to cover.
Add garlic to baking potatoes.
Over high heat bring both pots of potatoes to boil; reduce heat to medium.
Cook until tender; drain separately.
Return to pots. Mash baking potatoes and garlic with buttermilk, 1/4 cup butter, thyme, ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper and optional chives until smooth.
Mash sweet potatoes with sage and remaining butter, salt and pepper.
Intersperse mounds of sweet and baking potatoes in ungreased casserole.
Bake until hot, 15 minutes.

Sorrow

Sorrow
Sorrow is such a painful emotion with such a sense of loss to go with it. You feel like you’ve been hit in the pit of your stomach and life has suddenly changed forever. Sorrow will come to you again and again and you will need to know how to deal with it. Scripture gives us many great and magnificient truths to help with it and to comfort us and I’ve called attention to many of those promises in my book: Glory in Tribulations: Suffering in the Life of the Believer. Many other books have been written on this vast and vital subject. I’ll mention two in my blog.

Not long after my wife died, our oldest daughter Jeannine gave me The Path of Loneliness by Elisabeth Elliot. I told Jeannine what a blessing the book was to me. One of her first points is very significant--the difference between solitude and loneliness! “Solitude I've always loved and Mom always respected that; loneliness none of us want. . Through the years so often when people talked about me being alone, I would tell them, ‘I'm never alone’ and that awareness has been such a blessing through all the years but particularly now. And I find myself more and more talking aloud to the Lord and He does indeed comfort my heart--though it's amazing how the tears keep coming every so often after so many months. Elisabeth Elliot said the same thing. It sorta creeps in on you unawares and at unexpected times. She knows whereof she speaks. But of course there is a HUGE difference in never being alone because God is with you and Mom NOT being there!”

Somewhere in the book she said something about simply doing the next thing that needed to be done. I did that for weeks by reflex action and it kept me moving along. I still do it a lot. But I have a little more deliberate planning now. Also I knew from long experience in the Word that it was going to be very important not to get into a "pity party." Get your eyes off yourself and on the needs of others. The Lord has taught all of us to do this and we do it with varying degrees of success. Sometimes, yes, sometimes, no. But the point of love and service towards others is fundamental and often made and needs to be made. It's in her conclusion: "the answer to our loneliness is love--"--not finding someone else, but loving the Lord and therefore serving and loving others.” p. 192

“For many years the truths that keep me going and keep me from getting discouraged center on the promises of glory and that all will be well in the glorious eternal future. And we'll see Mom again! I get so excited when I realize how true that is. “We sorrow not as others who have no hope.” 1 Th.4:1

“One more thing that Mom more than anyone or anything taught me so well: how to live one day at a time and the desire to glorify God this one day--and be willing to follow His agenda and not ours for that particular day. Interruptions, unexpected things--all of that is in the providence of God and should be welcomed rather than fretted about. Sometimes we have the right attitude, sometimes, not quite.” Love, Dad

Keeping Perspective in Hard Times

Keeping Perspective in Hard Times

"Therefore we do not lose heart. . . ." 2 Cor.3:18-4:6

How do you deal with massive disappointments and disasters in life?

(Therefore>>because) Because our gaze is fixed on the Glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ–we are looking intently at Jesus! That’s what sustains us because as we do that, the Holy Spirit is transforming us into the likeness of Christ. 2 Cor. 3:18 "But we all, with open face (unveiled face) beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being changed (or transformed) into the same image from glory to glory,(from one degree of glory to another) even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.)"

This leads into 2 Cor. 4:6 "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

So we are looking intently at Jesus. And what are the characteristics of that intent gaze upon Jesus? What is our vision of Christ?

1. It is a clarifying look.: 3:18 veil is removed in Christ. Moses had a veiled revelation of God–but that is removed in Christ. We have full access to God’s glory revealed in Jesus."The mirror of Scripture reveals the face or reality of Jesus Christ."

James 1.22-25 pictures the word of God as a mirror:"like a man observing his natural face in a mirror" –he sees what he is really like in the mirror of God’s Word

Heb. 11 says that God provided something better for us–i.e., the clarity of the vision of God that comes to us from Christ, the mystery unfolded and revealed.

Everytime you listen to a sermon, ask, "where is Jesus in all this?" I want to know my God and He is revealed in Christ.

Suffering weakens our dependence on self so that the power of God can be demonstrated in our lives–as we learn to depend on Him and not on ourselves.

2. It is a transforming look. 3:18 We are NOW being transformed: God is acting on us as we are preoccupied with Christ and gaze upon Him.

3. It is a grateful look. 2 Cor. 4:1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not" –overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s mercy–both your salvation and your ministry. God has given you both. You’re there by mercy when you realize the wretched soul you were before God brought you to Himself in Christ. "By the grace of God I am what I am." "I was shown mercy.

4. It is a purifying look. 2 Cor. 4:2 "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness. . . . "

i. When you see Christ, you will be pure.

ii. There "won’t be two of you"--double-minded –things hidden because of sin and dishonesty

iii. We renounce any hidden secret–my conscience is clear because we so conduct ourselves that we don’t have an accusing conscience.

The more you see who God is, the more you will desire His beauty and holiness to be reflected in your own life–as the moon reflects the glory and light of the sun.

5. It is a truthful look. 2 Cor. 4:2 " nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God." We do not distort the Word of God by ignoring the context or the whole counsel of scripture–instead we compare scripture with scripture; we do not "read into it" something that is not there.

Committed to the pure truth–the Gospel of Grace and nothing else–no deception and no cunning.Ephes. 1:6 "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."

6. It is a privileged look. 2 Cor. 4:3-4 Delivered out of blindness, darkness, and unbelief into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Not everyone has the privilege of looking into the face of Jesus as Savior. Many are lost. Jesus Himself said "the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it." Mt. 7:14 God Himself awakened us as from the dead and regenerated us and made us alive in Christ and accepted in the Beloved.

"My cleverness, technique, or evangelistic strategy cannot break the bonds of sin." It is simply NOT true that "they" will respond to the gospel "if it is presented in a clever enough way." They are in wilful rebellion against God and most will remain that way no matter how much we pray and give them the Word. God is working, drawing them to Himself–by affliction and trouble, knocking out all visible means of support.

But most still harden their hearts. For our part we keep faithfully bringing them the gospel, praying the glorious light will shine through, break their hearts into a broken and contrite spirit, and that the goodness of God will lead them to repentance.

1 Cor. 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Cor. 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."

It is a privileged look when we can see and discern and know Jesus personally.

7. It is a humbling look. 2 Cor. 4:5 "For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." (That’s church leadership, by the way; that’s the way we all minister if we are going to be useful in the hands of the Lord, "Jesus is Lord" and He alone is Lord.

i. Cannot preach ourselves or our own authority or our message–ONLY CHRIST and Him crucified.

ii. Any true look will humble us the more we realize who He is and who we are in contrast.

iii. We cannot promote ourselves or our own glory–but only the glory of Jesus who alone is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.

iv. We are "slaves called to a duty"–to preach Jesus and ourselves as His servants for Jesus’ sake. What an honor and privilege to be a servant of the Living God!

8. A sovereignly-granted look. 2 Cor. 4:6

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

i. The Sovereign Lord–the Triune God–alone in eternity past with the perfection and blessedness of the relationship among the three persons of the Godhead–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was He and He alone who spoke the worlds into existence, who created the universe by the Word of His Power, it was He who said, "Let there be light." "And there was Light!."

ii. This verse points out that the same God who created physical light of course ALSO creates spiritual light the light of the knowledge of the glory of God and where do we see that? in the face of Jesus Christ." Spiritual darkness envelopes the lost. So we pray for them that God will do for them what He did for us when He "delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:" Col. 1:13

iii. Don’t you hear the invitation of Jesus, Rev. 22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Jesus has given you His own personal invitation–but you must respond in repentance and faith and bow your knee before Him as your own Lord and Savior.

The Christian life centers around Jesus, of course, so we fix our eyes on Him, the Author and Perfecter of our faith." Heb. 12:2

Looking to Him begins the Christian life: justification: look and live, my brother live, look to Jesus now and live.

Looking to Him is the basis and the way for living His life in reality in your own life: sanctification–being gradually transformed more and more like Him

Looking to Him will be our joy and delight throughout all eternity future: glorification.
--Pastor Burnside


　

　


　


　

　


　

　


　

　

　

　

　


　

　

　

　

　

　


　

　

"Strength in my soul"--Psalm 138

“In the day when I cried you answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.”

Today’s Psalm is just what we need on a Monday morning–strength in our soul! And we begin as always “with my whole heart”–not half-heartedly following the Lord:
Psalm 138:1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
[2] I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. [What God has exalted, we should also.]

[3] On the day I called, you answered me; [He answers us more quickly than we realize sometimes, but He often gives an answer we had not expected–or strength that we didn’t realize He had already given us: “as thy days so shall thy strength be.”]
“and strengthened me with strength in my soul.” (kjv) “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Cor. 4:7

[4] All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
for they have heard the words of your mouth,
[5] and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
[Learn His ways so that you will know how to live.]
for great is the glory of the Lord.
[Aye, indeed! Catch a glimpse of the glory and beauty of God and you will never be the same! “Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. . . .” Psalm 90:16-17]

[6] For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, [Take your proper place before the Infinite God who made heaven and earth and now holds it in place and sustains the universe just as He gives you life and sustains you. Humility always before our Glorious God.]
but the haughty he knows from afar.

[7] Though I walk in the midst of trouble, [Isn’t that where we all walk?! Thank God when things are going well and pleasantly because it won’t always be so! “But He giveth more grace!”
you preserve my life; [That’s the only way you got this far in life!]
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
and your right hand delivers me.

[8] The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; [Aye! and He will! But His purposes may not be your purposes. He tells us many of His purposes (and keeps hidden other purposes from us so that we will walk by faith and not by sight.) A major purpose is to make us more like Christ. Romans 8:29 Another is to share with us the glories of eternal life “at home with the Lord”: “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose. . . .” 2 Cor. 5:5 NIV And yet a third purpose is to “work all things together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 There’s “purpose” again! God has made so many of His purposes in life clear in scripture if we but have eyes to see and hearts to believe!]

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. [Do you really believe God loves you! Not because of who you are but because of who He is! “God is love.” “Herein is love not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation [“sacrifice” or payment–atonement] for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 Then live like it! Walk in His love and thank Him for it. And remember, “God disciplines those He loves!” Heb. 12:6]

“Do not forsake the work of your hands.” [How could He do that! He has promised–by His Word, by His past actions, by who He is in His character and attributes–that He will “never leave thee nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5]
Be well assured that “He who has begun a good work in you will perform it [or bring it to completion]. . . .” Phil. 1:6 Aren’t you glad that it is God Himself “who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13 NIV
–Pastor Burnside

Sorrow turned into joy

[Written in February.] "Your sorrow shall be turned into joy." John 16:20
I'm working on an article with scriptures that enable us to deal with the intense sorrow we are experiencing because of Mimi's homegoing. (She lived beyond the "threescore years and ten" of Psalm 90, but it certainly didn't seem long enough to me! I miss her tremendously--as all my children and grandchildren knew I would.) And yet I'm happy that she's happy and we know she is because "Blessed" is the word scripture uses: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Rev. 14:13 "Blessed" means "favored of the Lord" and that she is! but it also means "happy." So Minnie is happy--and joyful and praising God. Of that we can be confident. And with that we can be comforted.

In both memorial services (in Washington and in Arkansas) I mentioned a couple of ways God gives us to deal with that terrible pain of sorrow. I'll remind you in just a moment. But the other day, Jeannine sent an additional way to help us with our sorrow. She was reading J.I.Packer's wonderful book, Knowing God and came across this quotation from Spurgeon:
> "And whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Spirit, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the Godhead's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the Godhead." (Written by Spurgeon when he was 20 yrs old.)

> In other words meditate on the attributes of God and rejoice in them in order to help comfort you in your sorrow. I find that so interesting because during Mimi's last months of her illness I deliberately often read to her about the attributes of God--from many different books including Knowing God and several by Spurgeon and from Charnock's The Existence and Attributes of God. When we speak of the attributes of God we are talking about who God is, in Himself. That's the glory of God: who He is and what He does--and has done and continues to do. What a great encouragement to us to see the glory of God--even dimly as through a glass.

> At the memorial services I told you that Jesus shows us the way we must deal with sorrow is to look beyond the sorrow to the joy that is yet to come, brought to us by Him who "has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." Isa. 53:4 "You shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy," Jesus told the disciples. John 16:20 It is one of the most remarkable experiences with God for your heart to be breaking and for you to cry out in agony to God and at the same time experience that supernatural joy that God alone can give in the midst of your sorrow. "As sorrowful and yet always rejoicing." 2 Cor. 6:10 And to calm your spirit, He floods your soul with "His peace that passeth understanding." "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3

That is precisely what sustained Minnie all during those long, hard months and she often said so. "God has given me His peace, " she would tell those who came to see her or called her on the telephone. "Peace I leave with you," Jesus said, "my peace I give unto you. . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
>
But your sorrow is still painful. And what helps us there is to know that we are not alone. He's with us every step of the way, comforting and strengthening us. Jesus experienced the depths of sorrow, too. He knows it omnisciently, of course, because He is God, but He also knows it experientially. "In all their affliction he was afflicted and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old." Isaiah 63:9

> I mentioned another way to deal with sorrow and bear the pain was to have a thankful spirit. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thess. 5:18 Thankfulness characterized Minnie's attitude all during those months of uncertainty and living "one day at a time." She was always thankful to God and to me and to everyone who helped her, even for the simplest things like a cup of ice to help her with nausea or a pillow to make her more comfortable.

> Be thankful for God's promises. And for His purposes in what He does. And be thankful for God's presence and for His peace that He gives you. But especially hold onto the joy that is yet to come. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5

> Sorrow is temporary--as a lodging in the night and God will renew your spirit and things will seem so different when you're patient in the darkness and wait on the Lord. What joy and glory awaits us in the morning when we are taken home by the Lord Himself.
"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." John 16:22
--Pastor Burnside
> We are not alone, God is with us.
> We are never alone, for God is with us.
> Now, through all our days, always.
> Forever and ever, we are never alone.
> And God will make us strong, for God is with us.
> We will press on, for God is with us.
> Now, through all our days, always.
> Forever and ever, we are never alone.
> Our God is with us now.
> --Pepper Choplin
>
>

God, that comforteth those that are cast down.

From Spurgeon this morning: 2 Corinthians 7:6
God, that comforteth those that are cast down.

And who comforteth like Him? Go to some poor, melancholy, distressed child of God; tell him sweet promises, and whisper in his ear choice words of comfort; he is like the deaf adder, he listens not to the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely. He is drinking gall and wormwood, and comfort him as you may, it will be only a note or two of mournful resignation that you will get from him; you will bring forth no psalms of praise, no hallelujahs, no joyful sonnets. But let God come to His child, let Him lift up his countenance, and the mourner's eyes glisten with hope. Do you not hear him sing-
"'Tis paradise, if thou art here;
If thou depart, 'tis hell?"

You could not have cheered him: but the Lord has done it; "He is the God of all comfort." There is no balm in Gilead, but there is balm in God.
There is no physician among the creatures, but the Creator is
Jehovah-rophi. It is marvellous how one sweet word of God will make whole
songs for Christians. One word of God is like a piece of gold, and the
Christian is the goldbeater, and can hammer that promise out for whole
weeks. So, then, poor Christian, thou needest not sit down in despair. Go
to the Comforter, and ask Him to give thee consolation. Thou art a poor
dry well. You have heard it said, that when a pump is dry, you must pour
water down it first of all, and then you will get water, and so,
Christian, when thou art dry, go to God, ask Him to shed abroad His joy in
thy heart, and then thy joy shall be full. Do not go to earthly
acquaintances, for you will find them Job's comforters after all; but go
first and foremost to thy "God, that comforteth those that are cast down,"
and you will soon say, "In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy
comforts delight my soul."
--Charles Spurgeon, 1834-1892

"Safely into His Heavenly Kingdom"

"Safely into His Heavenly Kingdom"

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:18 ESV

Isn’t that a wonderful verse! What greater assurance do we need? Either from death or through death He will rescue us or deliver us and take us home to "the Father’s House," to His heavenly kingdom where we will dwell in perfect safety and joy and fellowship and pleasure throughout eternity. Minnie is there right now enjoying that fellowship with Jesus and with others, especially with her family.

John Calvin wrote, "True salvation [is] when the Lord–either by life or by death–conducts us into His kingdom. And Paul, by ascribing to God this work of ‘preserving us to his kingdom,’ openly affirms that we are guided by His hand during the whole course of our life, till, having discharged the whole of our warfare, we obtain the victory." XXI, p. 271 Calvin, 2nd Epistle to Timothy

We will live in God’s heavenly kingdom in the future in our glorified bodies. ". . . Whom He justified, them He also glorified." Romans 8:30 "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matthew 25:34 "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:11

The Apostle Paul "sat alone in a dark, filthy prison, facing Nero's certain sentence of death. He was not bitter but, like his Lord, prayed for his persecutors." He wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "The time of my departure has come. . . . The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom." 2 Timothy 4:6,18

Death was not something fearful to him. It was merely his "departure" and held no peril for him. Death was simply "the laying aside of his earthly dwelling." It was a move from his demanding and painful life on earth to the infinitely glorious life of peace and rest to come when he would forever be with the Lord.

One of the old Bible scholars from years gone by, William Barclay, explained what the word "departure" meant in the Greek language: it is from analusis which has several meanings and gives at least four vivid pictures of how the apostle Paul viewed his last days on earth before going home to be with his Lord:

1. It is the word for unyoking an animal from the shafts of the cart or the plough. Death to Paul was rest from toil. He would be glad to lay the burden down. . . .

2. It is the word for loosening bonds or fetters. Death for Paul was a liberation and a release. He was to exchange the confines of a Roman prison for the glorious liberty of the courts of heaven.

3. It is the word for loosening the ropes of a tent. For Paul it was time to strike camp again. Many a journey he had made across the roads of Asia Minor and of Europe. Now he was setting out on his last and his greatest journey: he was taking the road that led to God.

4. It is the word for loosening the mooring ropes of a ship. Many a time Paul had sailed the Mediterranean, and had felt the ship leave the harbour for the deep waters. Now he is to launch out into the greatest deep of all; he is setting sail to cross the waters of death to arrive in the haven of eternity."

I should add just one word to that beautiful description, that which Jesus promised in John 14:3 "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." That word "take" (paralambano) is very strong. It means that the omnipotent, omnipresent Son of God will Himself come for each one of us when His time has come and personally take us home to be with Him. What great comfort Minnie and I found in these great truths. She knew Jesus was coming for her personally. Only a few months before she died, Minnie wrote these words: "Some of us know we are dying sooner rather than later. Others die with no warning. I have had a lot of time to think about death and dying. I know that Jesus will come for me and take me to heaven where I will be reunited with family members who have gone before. . . ." (Minnie’s Journal, p. 170) And He did come for her–one month ago yesterday. And she is with Him now: "that you also may be where I am."
–Pastor Burnside

7.1 "A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens"

“A house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens”
We have many great and wonderful possessions right now in Jesus. But some yet await us when “our hour is come” and it’s time for us to depart and be with Christ which is far better. Then we will pass from life through death into eternal life. “We have” [there’s a present possession] “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” It’s ours. It belongs to us–given to us by God Himself. But we have not yet entered into that inheritance because we are still in the tent of this body and await our actual entrance into heaven.

But this wonderful passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 5 that we are studying on Wednesday nights tells us when we will enter that inheritance and what we will “have” as soon as we do. It happens when “the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed,” i.e., we die and go to be with Christ! Keep reading: “For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have [now, present possession at that moment] a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 5:1 ESV While we are still in “the tent” of our body, “we long to put on our heavenly dwelling.” We want to be “further clothed so that what is mortal [i.e.,subject to death] may be swallowed up by life.” –real life–“life more abundantly,” as Jesus put it, eternal life which is perfect and complete. And God made us for that very purpose, He tells us in verse 5–and gave us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee that this was going to happen, as “a foretaste of glory divine.”

Then he said, “We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.” But when we are “away from the body,” then we are “at home with the Lord.” So when we die we immediately go into the Presence of the Lord. “Away from the body” and “present with the Lord.” Indeed it is the Lord Himself who comes to get us! That’s what Jesus said to the disciples the day before He died. He told them He was going to “the Father’s house” to prepare a place for them “and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

And when He takes you to heaven, it is so that you will be with Him in the place He has prepared for you. And where will you be? With the Lord. You will have “a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Will it be a physical body or a spiritual place or what? We know that after the resurrection we will indeed have a glorified body, a “spiritual body” as it is called in 1 Cor. 15:44 “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.”

When the Lord takes you home to be with Him will you simply be a “spirit” or will you have some sort of physical or visible form? Well, what do you mean by “visible”? Visible to physical eyes or visible to other spirits, like angels? God is Spirit, angels are spirit (except when God gives them a physical form which He frequently does). God sees. Angels see, but they don’t have eyes. So “not to worry”! We’ll get along just fine in heaven–much better than here. Just leave it with the Lord. Heaven is so glorious that when God took the Apostle Paul to heaven, he wasn’t sure whether he was still “in the body” or whether he was there in spirit: “And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.”
2 Cor. 12:3 ESV

But there are some things we do know for sure: When the time comes for the Lord to take us home it is Jesus Himself (omnipresent as God) who will take us home, just as He told the thief on the cross who believed in Him, “this day thou shalt be with Me in paradise.” And when the Lord does take us home to be with Him, we will really be “at home” forever, always with the Lord. We will be in the “place prepared” for each one of us. We will be “gathered to our people,” Gen. 25:8, our brethren who know the Lord. And we will have “a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Praise ye the Lord! “Wherefore comfort ye one another with these words.” We will be with the Lord forever, and forever with all of our loved ones who know the Lord as Savior. They may have gone ahead of you, but you will catch up with them in the journey that God has for you.
–Pastor Burnside

7. 2 Corinthians ch.5 Living in a Tent

7. 2 Corinthians ch. 5 Living in a tent
2 Cor. 5:1-8 ESV “For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened--not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.”

We live in a tent! Wouldn’t you rather live in “a building from God . . . eternal in the heavens”? You’re on a journey, but when it’s time to “break camp,” you want to go home, don’t you? “At home in the body” or “at home with the Lord”–which is better? Are you ready for “a building from God . . . eternal in the heavens”? Sounds permanent, doesn’t it? Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Wow! I wonder what kind of place He has prepared for each one of us? Think of what a marvelous job He did in creating the world! Whatever He has “prepared” for us is going to be awfully nice and “just right” for each of us.

“A place for you”–that has a nice sound to it, doesn’t it? We all need “our place” and there’s none like the one Jesus is specifically making for you. You’ll really be “at home” then for the first time in your life! I hope you’ve had a wonderful home here on earth as I have had for 54 years so that you will have just “a little taste of heaven” while you sojourn here on the earth. At home you are loved and you are with your own people and that’s the most wonderful part of it. Minnie and I traveled together so often and when we were away from home, I often told her, “Honey, home is where you are!” And with her there with me I was content. That’s the way it will be in heaven. We will be with the Lord and with the people we love–and what more could you ask? But He does give us more because it’s such a glorious place. We will be “swallowed up by life”–real life. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

“He has prepared us for this very thing,”[NIV: He has “made us for this very purpose”] that we might spend eternity in fellowship with Him “that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:7

What effect does all this have on our attitude, our strength, and our courage? “ So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.” 5:6-9
–Pastor Burnside

How do you know and how do you know that you know?

We live in an age of tremendous uncertainty. People are not sure of anything and they are not sure that you can know anything with any degree of certitude. In fact, many are quite sure that they know you cannot really “know” anything, but they don’t “know” how they “know” that.

How do you know and how do you know that you know? And what is meaningful in life and what is the meaning of meaning? Who are you? Why are you here, how did you get here, and what are you going to do while you’re here–and why? And then where are you going–and why? How are you going to get there? Why are there so many different things and places in the world? Where is unity within the diversity of life? How did the world and the universe get here? Who put it here and for what purposes? Where did you get the ability to think and reason? But is your reasoning reasonable or valid or logical or true? What is truth? Who or what is the standard for truth? Can people communicate with one another so that they understand? Were you programmed to do all the things you do or do you make meaningful decisions that affect the external form of the universe or that affect human history?

You’ll recognize these questions as some of the basic philosophical/theological questions of life, particularly of epistemology (which means “how we know and how we know that we know.”) How can you find answers to those questions? It may not be as difficult as you think because the Bible claims to have the answers to ALL those questions! Does it? Well, yes it does, but are they the correct or true answers? How do you know? One way to get at this problem is simply to take the Bible at its word and accept the “self-authenticating claims” of the Bible and accept the Bible’s answers to all the above questions.

When you stop to think about it, you really only have two choices: you either accept what the Bible for what it claims to be, the very Word of the Living God, or you reject it and say it is NOT the Word of God; it is only man-made, contradictory fragments–like every other book that has ever been written.

[Read the entire article by clicking on "Certitude in an Uncertain World"]

Certitude in an Uncertain World

Certitude in an Uncertain World
We live in an age of tremendous uncertainty. People are not sure of anything and they are not sure that you can know anything with any degree of certitude. In fact, many are quite sure that they know you cannot really “know” anything, but they don’t “know” how they “know” that.
How do you know and how do you know that you know? And what is meaningful in life and what is the meaning of meaning? Who are you? Why are you here, how did you get here, and what are you going to do while you’re here–and why? And then where are you going–and why? How are you going to get there? Why are there so many different things and places in the world? Where is unity within the diversity of life? How did the world and the universe get here? Who put it here and for what purposes? Where did you get the ability to think and reason? But is your reasoning reasonable or valid or logical or true? What is truth? Who or what is the standard for truth? Can people communicate with one another so that they understand? Were you programmed to do all the things you do or do you make meaningful decisions that affect the external form of the universe or that affect human history?

You’ll recognize these questions as some of the basic philosophical/theological questions of life, particularly of epistemology (which means “how we know and how we know that we know.”) How can you find answers to those questions? It may not be as difficult as you think because the Bible claims to have the answers to ALL those questions! Does it? Well, yes it does, but are they the correct or true answers? How do you know? One way to get at this problem is simply to take the Bible at its word and accept the “self-authenticating claims” of the Bible and accept the Bible’s answers to all the above questions.
When you stop to think about it, you really only have two choices: you either accept what the Bible for what it claims to be, the very Word of the Living God, or you reject it and say it is NOT the Word of God; it is only man-made, contradictory fragments–like every other book that has ever been written.

Now there’s a problem in reasoning like this. You’re setting yourself up as Judge over the Bible and you are trying to decide whether it is in fact what it claims to be, the God-breathed Word of the only living and true God who has existed eternally, and has all power and all knowledge and all authority in heaven and in earth. Jesus Himself said that “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 And if Jesus, who claimed to be God, says that God spoke in the words of the Bible and you say, “No, He didn’t,” then you are calling God a liar.

Well, now, that’s O.K. IF God does not in fact exist or IF He didn’t actually inspire the writers of the Bible supernaturally or IF God is not in fact a God of righteousness and justice and IF you want to risk NOT standing before God as Judge as the Bible claims, “For the word of God is living and active . . . discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Heb. 4:12-13 ESV
Well, you know you can’t really be the “judge” because no one gave you that authority and you are not self-created. You didn’t give yourself, existence, or life or breath and you can’t keep yourself alive or teach yourself something you don’t know out of your own limited or finite knowledge. But you do have to make a decision. You do have to decide. You do have to live. So here’s how you can put truth to the test. You’ve only got two choices: either the Bible is what it claims to be, the Word of the Living God and Jesus is who He claims to be, the eternal Son of God to whom “all authority in heaven and earth is given unto me” Mt. 28:18 or else it’s not.

So let’s assume first that it is not. Then you’re on your own and you have to make your own universe and your own value system and your own code of ethics and your own purposes in life. That’s what most people do and you can see the results with your own eyes: chaos, relativism, wars, and strife. After all if all “truth” is relative and “my truth” is as good or as valid as “your truth,” it should be obvious that no one has to pay any attention to anyone else–except as they might cooperate simply for survival. History is strewn with the shipwrecked ideas of man who thought he was going somewhere but finally discovered he had arrived at nowhere.

So try the second alternative since you really only have two choices: let’s seriously consider the claims of scripture and the claims of Jesus (after all most people seem to think He was a pretty good man and they killed Him even though He was always trying to help people and never harmed anyone.)

Actually Jesus gave us an awesome challenge and a lot of people have never heard of it. It’s just a tiny little comment tucked away in the middle of the 7th chapter of the Gospel of John. You see, although Jesus was the eternal Son of God, existing forever from all eternity past, while He was here on earth, He deliberately totally subordinated Himself to God the Father and taught what the Father wanted Him to teach. So when some people who didn’t like what He was claiming, “they were amazed and asked’ How did this man get such learning without having studied?”

But listen to Jesus’ answer to that question (and I’ll paraphrase it slightly) “Jesus answered, ‘My teaching is not my own. It comes from Him who sent Me. If anyone is willing to do God’s will, he shall know whether my teaching comes from God Himself or whether I speak as a man.” (John 7:16-17)

So why not accept the challenge? If you’re willing to go God’s way instead of your own way, you can begin reading the Bible and God will help you discern whether it is really the truth of God as it claims to be or not. And I would suggest you begin reading the Gospel of John and as you read, keep in mind your ONLY two options: it is either true as it says or it is not. So you must at least consider the possibility that it is in fact the true word of God. And when you begin thinking in those terms, a whole new world opens up before your very eyes. I’ll tell you what will happen if you do that honestly: God Himself will convince your heart that what you are reading really happened and it’s true. Try it. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” Psalm 34:8 “Test all things; hold fast to that which is good.” And what’s your criteria? How do you recognize what is “good.”

Now look at all the things the omniscient, all-wise God tells us we “know”–if we know God through Jesus Christ who came to reveal God to man. “For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Cor. 5:1 In other words, when we die, God has a place or a body for us to live in, in heaven.

“Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been instructed.” Luke 1:1-4 No “epistemological uncertainty” here! They saw what Jesus did and said and they know they saw it.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Cor. 15:58 Now how did they “know” that? Because the omniscient God who knows all things, told them so.

1 John 2:3 “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.”
1 John 5:13 “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

In the Greek language in which the New Testament was written, there are different words translated “know” in English. One is ginosko which means “to know in the sense of realizing.” Another is eidon “to see” in the sense of perceiving knowledge. “Ginosko frequently suggests progress in ‘knowledge,’ while eidon or oida suggests fullness of knowledge.” A third Greek word epiginosko means “knowing full well.”
You can detect the difference in the way the English is expressed. For example, I Cor. 13:12 “now I know in part (ginosko) but then shall I know (piginosko) even as also I have been known (epiginosko).” Epignosis is “knowledge directed towards a particular object, perceiving, discerning,” whereas gnosis is knowledge in the abstract. To have the fuller knowledge (and not just a casual knowledge), a greater participation by the “knower” in the object “known,” thus more powerfully influencing him. Proginosko means “to know beforehand” and is used of divine “foreknowledge” of what is going to happen.

The concept of “knowledge” of God and His truth is obtained, not by mere intellectual effort, but by the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing that knowledge to believers. The longer we walk with the Lord and the more we experience the strength He gives us and live in the light of His Word, the greater is our confidence in Him, but the single most important reason why we have such a steadfast confidence and conviction of truth is because of the witness of the Holy Spirit directly to our hearts. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16 And not only that we are the children of God but that God is the faithful God, the God of truth. The very name “Holy” Spirit testifies to His character. And He is the One who brings that inner conviction to us.

John Calvin explained it this way: “the testimony of the Spirit is more excellent than all reason. For as God alone is a fit witness of Himself in His Word, so also the Word will not find acceptance in men’s hearts before it is sealed by the inward testimony of the Spirit. The same Spirit, therefore, who has spoken through the mouths of the prophets must penetrate into our hearts to persuade us that they faithfully
proclaimed what had been divinely commanded. Isaiah very aptly expresses this connection in these words: ‘My Spirit which is in you, and the words that I have put in your mouth, and the mouths of your offspring, shall never fail.’” Isaiah 59:21 (The Institutes, 1.7.4, vol. I, p. 79) So the Holy Spirit authenticates to our hearts what He earlier inspired as the “God-breathed” scripture. 2 Timothy 3.16

A hundred years later the Westminster Confession of Faith expressed that great Biblical truth this way: “We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church to an high and reverent esteem of the holy Scripture. And the heavenliness of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, the majesty of the style, the consent of all the parts,
the scope of the whole (which is, to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way of man’s salvation, the many other incomparable excellencies, and the entire perfection thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence itself to be the Word of God: yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion and assurance of the infallible truth and divine authority thereof, is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.” (Westminster Confession of Faith, 1643-46, I.5)

That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance. . . .” Ephesians 1:18 NIV

That’s why we teach our children to place their confidence in God as a Biblical act of faith and pray that act of the will, that obedience to God, will be rewarded by the inner testimony of certitude in the heart put there by the Holy Spirit. One of the Psalms brings all that together: “That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” Psalm 78:6-7 God is our Refuge, our objective security outside of ourselves and He is also our confidence, our subjective assurance of truth and of the future. God is the source objectively of truth and He also brings the subjective assurance that we know Him. “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath
quickened me.” [brought life and renewed my spirit] Psalm 119:49-50

“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain. . . .” Hebrews 6:17-19

And the very common word hope in scripture in both Hebrew and Greek implies absolute certainty because you are expecting and anticipating that which you hope for. You are looking forward to what is most surely going to happen in the future. It’s not necessary to be adrift, lost on the uncharted sea of relativism.
–Pastor Burnside

Attitude of a weaned child

"Hey, I'm not only 'OK' with the new arrangement, I'm actually better off because now I have solid food and not just wonderful milk."
"Just as a weaned child is content simply having his mother's presence, so the faithful worshiper is content with God's presence, even when there are many things he would like God to explain (such as how one's own little story relates to the big story." (ESV Study Bible, p. 1109)

Psalm 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up [with pride];
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me. [Meaning "matters beyond human powers to comprehend"]
[2] But I have calmed and quieted my soul, [You can calm and quiet yourself just as the Psalmist did. "Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid" Jesus told His disciples. Jn. 14:27]
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
[3] O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

[See also yesterday's blog, "Like a weaned child."]
"To the weaned child his mother is his comfort though she has denied him comfort. It is a blessed mark of growth out of spiritual infancy when we can forego the joys which once appeared to be essential, and can find our solace in Him who denies them to us . . . and every childish complaint is hushed. If the Lord removes our dearest delight we bow to His will without a murmuring thought. . . . This grows out of humility and lowliness, and it is the stem upon which peace blooms as a fair flower. . . . Blessed are those afflictions which subdue our affections, which wean us from self-sufficiency . . . which teach us to love God not merely when He comforts us, but even when He tries us." (Spurgeon, Treasury of David, III, 131)

"Like a weaned child"

"We do not lose heart"

The other day we were talking about how debilitating discouragement is and how the devil (the Old Lion walking about seeking whom he may devour) wants to de-rail all of us and our ministry for the Lord by whispering in our ear "you should be discouraged! It's doing no good. Just quit and be a "defeated person. Then you can wallow in your own self-pity and be useless to yourself, to God, and to everyone else."

I get a lot of e-mails from around the world from all those dear friends in those several places Minnie and I lived and ministered and God gave us so many permanent friends. And the note of discouragement often comes through in spite of trying to "put the best face on things."

So 2 Corinthians chapters 3-4 are so helpful as I've already pointed out in earlier blogs. But I have a habit as most of you know of reading the Psalms every morning after breakfast. (Continuing what Minnie and I did together for 54 years). And presently I am reading the "Songs of Ascents," those 15 Psalms (120-134) that were sung going to and during the three annual feasts of ancient Israel in Jerusalem at the Temple. (Passover (and unleavened bread ) and Pentecost (or Feast of Weeks) in the Spring and Feast of Tabernacles (or Ingathering or Harvest Festival or Feast of Booths) in the fall of the year. Such a joyful time of celebrating the Lord's bounty, goodness, and salvation.

Browse through those Psalms with me and gain some insights in how to deal with the ongoing struggle of discouragement as we journey through this fallen world with our own impediments of being fallen creatures ourselves, realizing that often we are our own biggest problem--when we don't have the right attitude or Biblical perspective. "Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!" 130:1-2 ESV The Psalmist is in desperate shape and he tells us why "Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth" and reminds himself, "yet they have not prevailed against me." 129:2

So how does he find encouragement in the midst of his discouragement?

1) He reminds himself of the greatness of God and what He has done for us: "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." Psalm 126:1-3
2) He reminds himself of our dependence on the Lord: "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." Psalm 127:1-3

3) He reminds himself of the blessings of the Lord: Psalm 128:1-4 ESV

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
who walks in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
around your table.
Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
who fears the Lord.

4) He reminds himself that his troubles are temporary and the Lord will bring him through them:
Those who sow in tears
shall reap with shouts of joy!
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him. 126:5-6 ESV

5) He reminds himself that we are in an endurance race and "have need of patience that we might receive the promise" Heb. 10:36 and 130:5-6
"I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning."

6) He quiets and calms himself like a weaned child:

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 131 ESV

And what means the picture of our behaving "as a weaned child"?? Think of a nursing child and how warm and content he/she is on their mother's breasts. It's a beautiful picture of contentment and sharing between mother and baby, another of God's wise provisions in His providence. But there comes a day when the baby needs to become "a weaned child" and no longer a baby and often there is a struggle and protest on the part of the little child who doesn't understand what is happening. He doesn't really want to "grow up" and go to the next stage of life. But he needs to. The hour has come and it's time for him to grow up and mature.

"To the weaned child his mother is his comfort though she has denied him comfort. It is a blessed mark of growth out of spiritual infancy when we can forego the joys which once appeared to be essential, and can find our solace in Him who denies them to us . . . and every childish complaint is hushed. If the Lord removes our dearest delight we bow to His will without a murmuring thought. . . . This grows out of humility and lowliness, and it is the stem upon which peace blooms as a fair flower. . . . Blessed are those afflictions which subdue our affections, which wean us from self-sufficiency . . . which teach us to love God not merely when He comforts us, but even when He tries us." (Spurgeon, Treasury of David, III, 131)

We behave "like a weaned child" when we learn that "In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:" Isaiah 30:15 "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14 Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, "In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 --Pastor Burnside

6. 2 Corinthians ch. 4 Affliction, discouragement, and eternal weight of glory

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:16-18 ESV
I forgot to send a summary of the 2nd Corinthians home Bible study last week so let this serve for both. These verses are some of the most wonderful and important for us as Christians in the whole Bible. Among other things they tell us that God is using affliction and suffering in our lives to accomplish His important purposes. "They are working for us," producing something wonderful. And what are they producing? I've listed in the .pdf attachment 10 categories of things God is producing in our lives through human suffering, one of the most important of which is to make us more like Christ and to produce endurance and to burn out the dross that keeps us from being the kind of person that God wants us to be. God accomplished so much through the sacrifice and death of Christ on the cross (and His subsequent resurrection from the dead). In a much lesser way He is also accomplishing important things through your suffering and affliction. I'll also post these on my new blog and you can find them there http://billandminnieburnside.blogspot.com/2010/10/traveling-together.html
Another of the wonderful verses in chapter 4 is verse 7: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us." The "treasure" comes from the Gospel and is the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives making us more like Christ and using us as His ambassadors in this world "as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20 The most important part is for us to recognize our own weakness and inadequacy and "that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us."
Twice in chapter 4 we read these words: "So we do not lose heart." (1,16) KJV says "we faint not." We could say, "We do not get discouraged" (or, more accurately, "we are not discouraged, we do not stay discouraged"--though tempted to do so when the pressures build.) "We are not ignorant of Satan's devices" 2 Cor. 2:11--and one of his most potent, pervasive, and deadly weapons is to get us discouraged and take us out of the struggle or endurance race we are in (or you could say, "the battle" because we "wrestle" with "this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Eph. 6:12 ESV "The Old Lion’s on the prowl again. . . ." And the same scripture tells us what to do about it: I Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brethren in the world." "Resist the devil and he will flee from you"--and that's a promise. James 4:7
The reason we should NOT be discouraged is quite simple: there is no reason to be discouraged! God is still on His throne and He is still the sovereign Lord and He is still working "all things after the counsel of his own will" Eph. 1:11 so that in the end "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom. 8:28 God is still our immutable, unchangeable, faithful God. You could preach many sermons to yourself on this one subject, as King David did when he asked himself, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Psalm 42:11
Another reason for not being discouraged is because Jesus wasn't! And if anyone had "reason" for discouragement, surely it was He! He came into the world to save sinners and they turned against Him, the only perfectly righteous Man who ever lived. And his followers left him. In the Garden of Gethsemane "they all forsook him, and fled." Mark 14:50 And the brutality and suffering and agony of the cross?! And yet Jesus did not get discouraged. Isaiah 42:4 "He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law."
Jesus is not failing nor being discouraged today either–so neither should we be! "We are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:37 Not even when, "For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." (That’s the preceding verse 8:36.) Brethren, "you have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, you might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36
But a person may be discouraged for what is really a very good reason: he has unconfessed sin in his life, sin that he will not let go of. That leads to the 2nd point: Satan has another common device, the one he’s best known for: he tempts you to evil. And sadly enough there are Christians who fall into his trap. "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desires, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:13-15 NIV
If you have fallen into sin, of whatever description, one way that you can tell whether you really know Jesus as Savior and have "passed from death unto life" is your attitude towards sin. If you don’t really care or if it doesn’t bother you and you continue in sin, then it might mean that you don't really know the Lord "because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." 1 Peter 1:16 Holiness of life is a vital mark of a Christian. And when you do sin–and we all do–then there is genuine repentance and remorse. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 Not a casual attitude towards it. But genuine sorrow and repentance and the sincere intention never to be guilty again of that sin. "Create in me a pure heart, O God. . . . Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow." Psalm 51
We can’t expect "sinless perfection" in this life but we can "walk in the light as He is in the Light." "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:5-7
There’s another "Lion" that is much more important and surely He’s "on the move," too! He’s the "Lion of the tribe of Judah." We bow to Him and honor and serve Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. And our powerful, glorified Lord told us during the days of His flesh here on earth, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35 We need a visible love, one that can be seen in the way we treat each other and think about each other. And that love is God’s love "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit." "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient. . . ." 2 Tim. 2:24 "Encourage one another daily . . . so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." Heb. 3:13 NIV

5. 2 Corinthians 3.18 'being transformed into his image'

Last week we talked about what the "glory of God" is. It is who He is in His being--His attributes and all His works that He has done and is doing. So there is the Glory of God's greatness; the Glory of God's goodness; the Glory of God's grace; the glory of God's mercy and God's righteousness and God's holiness and God's wisdom--and everything else about Him. There is also the Glory of His Creation--"the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork." And especially the Glory of Redemption accomplished by Christ on the Cross and through His resurrection and ascension and coming again. God also gave us a visible representation of His glory in the glory cloud in the Tabernacle and in the Temple. Peter, James, and John saw that brilliant physical sight of the glory of God on the Mount of Transfiguration: "And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white." Luke 9:29 ESV
Our study for tonight was 2 Corinthians chapter 3 which divides into 3 paragraphs. The first paragraph is 3:1-6 which discusses our inadequacy and God's sufficiency. "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. . . ." 3:5 ESV It is possible to believe in the truth of scripture and yet not realize that it is sufficient for our life and guidance through life. Some people will take what they can from scripture and still look to modern psychology or our culture for guidance, not realizing that "God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." [and given us] "exceeding great and precious promises" [that enable us] "to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV
The second paragraph 3:7-11 tells of the greater glory of the New Covenant. The Old Covenant was glorious because it revealed God to man and revealed His will for man. It brought God into relationship with man (through the redemptive sacrifices offered in faith in the coming Messiah) and it revealed the "exceeding sinfulness of sin." But it was inadequate because it lacked the dynamic, the power, for obedience which comes in our relationship with Christ. So the New Covenant "far exceeds the old in glory" especially since it includes the greater glory of Christ. "For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory." 3:9 ESV
The third paragraph 3:12-18 culminates in one of the greatest verses in the entire Bible: "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 3:18 ESV
Notice that it is "we all"--all of us who know the Lord as Savior are being transformed gradually into Christ's image from one degree of glory to another.
And when is God doing this? As we "behold the glory of the Lord" and how do we do that? 4:6 gives the answer: "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." Where can we see "the glory of God"? "in the face of Jesus Christ" as we study the scriptures which are all about Him. "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." Luke 24:27 We cannot see the glory of Christ in its fullness until we see Him and are made like Him (1 John 3:1-3) but we can still see Him as we fellowship with Him in His Word. God meets with us in the pages of the scriptures which He wrote for us--that "through patience and comfort of the scriptures we might have hope" as we "wait for the Blessed Hope" which is the return of our Lord. Romans 15:4

4. 2 Corinthians ch. 3 Glory of God

We're beginning the study of that great chapter 3 of 2 Corinthians which ends with this very significant verse 3:18 ESV "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." As we "behold the glory of the Lord," the Holy Spirit is gradually making us more like Christ "from one degree of glory to another." This is an amazing promise and encourages us to spend much time with the Lord in His Word--beholding His glory.
And what is the "glory of God"? It is who He is in His being--His attributes and all His works that He has done and is doing. So there is the Glory of God's greatness; the Glory of God's goodness; the Glory of God's grace; the glory of God's mercy and God's righteousness and God's holiness and God's wisdom--and everything else about Him. There is also the Glory of His Creation--"the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork." And especially the Glory of Redemption accomplished by Christ on the Cross and through His resurrection and ascension and coming again. God also gave us a visible representation of His glory in the glory cloud in the Tabernacle and in the Temple. Peter, James, and John saw that brilliant physical sight of the glory of God on the Mount of Transfiguration: "And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white." Luke 9:29 ESV
Man is created in the image of God and as such has a certain God-given intrinsic glory. King David observed the glory of God's creation in the sky and heavens above and saw the smallness of man in comparison to God's greatness and asked, "What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." The New Testament also speaks of the glory of man--but characterizes it as transitory: "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away." 1 Peter 1:24
We had a good group tonight and we thank the Lord for all of you. 9 people including 4 JBU guys and we talked about the glory of God as an introduction to studying 2 Cor. ch. 3. We read aloud and discussed all of Exodus 33 and 34. That's the remarkable passage where Moses asked the Lord, "Show me Thy Glory!" And God told him, Exodus 33:19-23 ESV "And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The Lord.' . . . [20] But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." [21] And the Lord said, "Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, [22] and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. [23] Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen."
The glory of God in its visible form of the glory cloud or the fire at the burning bush and the pillar of fire in the night sky all represented the Presence of God. Moses told the Lord, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here." So God told Moses, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14-15
We, too, must have the Presence of God in our lives for fellowship, for guidance, and for strength. And He has given us His promise, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Heb. 13:5 So He is there--always--whether we "feel" His presence or not. "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1:27 "Christ lives in me." Gal. 2:20 We are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
"Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. [10] But if Christ is in you . . . , the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you." Romans 8:9-11 ESV
Because of His Presence within us and with us we should be able to have fellowship with God perhaps patterned after the way Moses did: "Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Ex. 33:11
We say, "Give glory to God" meaning to acknowledge God's providential hand in what has happened, but that does not enrich God any more than He already is. We can not "add" anything to God's perfections but He does want us to acknowledge our dependence on Him. It pleases Him for us to take our place as a creature before the Creator and to acknowledge His Lordship over our lives.
--Pastor Burnside
Word Study: Glory
1. Hebrew kabod "When applied to God, the word represents a quality corresponding to Him and by which He is recognized, a confession of God as God.
It means "majestic beauty, glorious light, preeminence, and lordship." "Glory and honor are in His presence; strength and gladness are in His place." 1 Chr. 16:27
2. Greek doxa (from dokeo meaning "to seem") = "the honor resulting from a good opinion." The "self-manifestation" of God in whatever way He reveals Himself, particularly in the person of Christ, in whom the fulness of His glory shone forth. The glory of God was exhibited in the resurrection of Christ and in His ascension and exaltation.

Click on this link and then on "Show me thy Glory!" to listen to an excellent message by Steven Lawson, pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama.

http://www.sermonaudio.com/source_detail.asp?sourceid=christfellowship