On Thursday 1st February we will meet to discuss and look at our studies of "Faith" and share with each other what we each understand and have learnt about faith!
I know this post is late at coming up, but we'd encourage anyone who is coming on Thursday to place their thoughts, quotes and findings as comments here, for us all to share!
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thursday has been and gone and what a night it was! God allowed us to view the wonderful glow reflected from the moon, many stars each of which are just stared at in amazement as our Lord's glory shines brightly and to be a part of His story! awesome! i was not at men's fellowship on thursday evening, however, i would like to take this opportunity (before leaving for a 12-day trip to Minneapolis - sorry gary - i'll bring you back some 'gems'!) to share with you a little of what did take place on thursday evening. The Lord has brought one of His precious daughters in to my life and has entrusted her into my care. rosemary and myself have now known each other some time and i have admired her from afar - her zeal and constant presence before the throne of grace, her uncompromising grasp of the sword, her enthusiasm in service for our King...a subtitle to rosemary's life over the past few months and perhaps years could indeed be isaiah 26:8. the evil one truly does not want this relationship to reach its full potential for King Jesus and over several preceding weeks we have both been tested in the realm of purity - this came to a head on thursday (yesterday) when instead of going to men's fellowship i desired to visit rosemary, listen to two piper sermons on purity (purified to serve the living God and the recent passion 07 message entitled how to deal with the guilt of sexual failure for the glory of Christ and His global cause), much prayer and constructive discussion. at first rosemary wanted me to attend men's fellowship, however, later in the afternoon rose decided meeting up for such a time as this was needed. this is a vital time in both of our lives as we both seek God's will, His purpose for our being a part of His story - for which like the moon and the starry host should be to reflect His glory, and for guidance and leading on the trip to TBI seminary. the issue of purity has been at the forefront of my mind of late, reading such books as 'sex and the single guy' by joseph knable and 'sex is not the problem - lust is' by joshua harris, in fellowship and times of sharing with gary and simon and the daily-increasing desire to see God honoured in the lives of His people and their potential fulfilled for His name and renown and the spreading of His glory, rather than spending years upon years in a bondage to lustful desires, digging an ever-deepening chasm of guilt in which the evil one is encouraging the shovel to be wielded freely in order that guilt might increase while the individual's/couple's view of creator God, His astronomical grace, true redemption and substitutionary atonement decreases. this 'taboo' topic of sexual sin that is rampant or at least present throughout most probably every local body of believers must be dealt with and be continually put to death...not so that men and women would feel all warm and fuzzy and worthy through their own perceived putting to death of this sin but that through lives and the pursuing of holiness and the total dependence on the great I AM that His desire in each life would be fulfilled to its greatest potential for His glory. rather than digging an ever-deepening chasm of guilt for which there appears to be no escape and which is perceived to spiral beyond redemption snap the shovel over your thigh, pick up the mighty sword and lie at the foot of the cross broken. rosemary and myself listened to both piper messages, discussed various struggles regarding purity and spent an amazing time of prayer at the outpost to kilkeel harbour. yes, there will be struggles; yes, there will be guilt (which is a good thing for our conscience and our soul for Him, like physical pain to the body that provides an indication as to imminent pain and a taking away from all that we can be physically). Let us begin by increasing our view of Christ to beyond a forgiving, all loving, pleasant hippie dude from Galilee and to embrace Who He truly was, is and will be (see revelation - wow!). i don't know, maybe i've rambled, maybe i've made no sense but God i love You! let us be mighty men (and women) of faith for Your name and renown are the desires of our souls.
faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God; sanctify us by Your truth, Your word is truth.
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