And Soften Hearts Of Stone

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26

…

Behold I am vile!

O LORD, how vile am I,
Unholy, and unclean!
How can I dare to venture nigh
With such a load of sin?

Is this polluted heart
A dwelling fit for thee?
Swarming, alas! I in every part,
What evils do I see!

If I attempt to pray,
And lisp thy holy name;
My thoughts are hurried soon away,
I know not where I am.

If in thy word I look,
Such darkness fills my mind,
I only read a sealed book,
But no relief can find.

Thy gospel oft I hear,
But hear it still in vain;
Without desire, or love, or fear,
I like a stone remain.

Myself can hardly bear
This wretched heart of mine;
How hateful then must it appear
To those pure eyes of thine?

And must I then indeed
Sink in despair and die?
Fain would I hope that thou didst bleed
For such a wretch as I.

That blood which thou hast spilt;
That grace which is thine own;
Can cleanse the vilest sinner’s guilt,
And soften hearts of stone.

Low at thy feet I bow,
O pity and forgive;
Here will I lie and wait, till thou
Shalt bid me rise and live.

—John Newton
Olney Hymns

___

Wishing you a blessed Lord’s Day!

 

Photo By Melina. Flickr

12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 11

The First Christmas Carol: A Sermon
by the REV. C.H. SPURGEON (December 20, 1857)

DAY 11

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
—Luke 2:14.

Once more the angels said, “Peace to men:” let us labor if we can to make peace next Christmas day. Now, old gentleman, you won’t take your son in: he has offended you. Fetch him at Christmas. “Peace on earth;” you know: that is a Christmas Carol. Make peace in your family.

Now, brother, you have made a vow that you will never speak to your brother again. Go after him and say, “Oh, my dear fellow, let not this day’s sun go down upon our wrath.” Fetch him in, and give him your hand. Now, Mr. Tradesman, you have an opponent in trade, and you have said some very hard words about him lately. If you do not make the matter up today, or tomorrow, or as soon as you can, yet do it on that day. That is the way to keep Christmas, peace on earth and glory to God.

And oh, if thou hast anything on thy conscience, anything that prevents thy having peace of mind, keep thy Christmas in thy chamber, praying to God to give thee peace; for it is peace on earth, mind, peace in thyself, peace with thyself, peace with thy fellow men, peace with thy God. And do not think thou hast well celebrated that day till thou canst say, “O God,

’With the world, myself, and thee
I ere I sleep at peace will be. ”

___

We have been given the greatest gift–the Incarnation–God’s grace through Christ! And from it flow the priceless gifts of forgiveness and reconciliation, peace and joy, hope, assurance… and more! Can we stop in the midst of the Christmas bustle–can we lay down the tinsel, the bow, and the rolling pin long enough to consider what immense gifts we’ve been given? Should we not also share these with others?

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”  Ephesians 5:1-2

I hope that you will come back for the final installment of Spurgeon’s sermon. You may be challenged to have the merriest Christmas ever!

Thank you for reading!

…

12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 1
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 2
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 3
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 4
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 5
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 6
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 7
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 8
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 9
12 Days of Christmas with Spurgeon: Day 10
…

(Nativity Scene Photos by Chris Jagers, Flickr)

The Burden Fell From Off His Back

Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation.

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah: we have a strong city; salvation will he appoint for walls and bulwarks. Isaiah 26:1

Up this way, therefore, did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.

He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, “He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.” Then he stood still a while, to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked, therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks.

And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born. Zech 12:10

Now as he stood looking and weeping, behold, three Shining Ones came to him, and saluted him with, “Peace be to thee.” So the first said to him, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,”

And Jesus seeing their faith saith unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins are forgiven. Mark 2:5

the second stripped him of his rags, and clothed him with change of raiment,

And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take the filthy garments from off him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with rich apparel. Zech 3:4

the third also set a mark on his forehead,

in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation,– in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Eph 1:13

and gave him a roll with a seal upon it, which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the celestial gate: so they went their way. Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing,

“Thus far did I come laden with my sin,
Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss?
Must here the burden fall from off my back?
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?
Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to shame for me!”

~~~

Source: John Bunyan ~ The Pilgrim’s Progress (excerpts of stage 3)

Click here to see: The Burden That Brought Christian to the Cross!

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God’s Truth Keeps us Humble

“It pleased God through the foolishness of the message
preached to save those who believe.”

This is not another Dug Down Deep book review (I haven’t even read it) but chapter eleven of Josh Harris’ new book has already got my attention. From the reviews I’ve read, it seems that Harris is trying to oil the stiff joints of theology with humility while trying to add a heart to his calvinized galvanized friends. In one such review, pastor Scott Frady points to what he thinks to be Harris’ most powerful passage.

I won’t pretend that I’ve arrived at humble orthodoxy. When I gain a bit of theological knowledge, I all to frequently can get puffed up with pride. But I’ll tell you what deflates my arrogance and self-righteousness faster than anything else: trying to live whatever truth I have.

Pastor Frady steps right out of Harris’ passage with a clear call for us to live what we claim to know. His question does not wait for our answer; it provides it!

Do you want to keep your orthodoxy humble? Try to live it. Don’t spend all your time theorizing about it, debating about it, or blogging about it. Spend more energy living the truth you know than worrying about what the next guy does or doesn’t know. Don’t measure yourself by what you know. Measure yourself by the practice of what you know.

But pastor Frady doesn’t just leave us with theoretical instructions. He goes inward and contemplates the practical depth of his call, while his reflection reveals a personal and humble road map–one we can easily follow. Like a good shepherd he walks ahead. Read his blog here.

Josh Harris’ Dug Down Deep is definitely on my list of ‘must read’ books. Then again, I’m already too much of a bookworm. Do I really need more books? I need to start applying what I know.

Reader, if it is not strong upon your heart to practice what you read, to what end do you read? To increase your own condemnation? If your light and knowledge be not turned into practice, the more knowing a man you are, the more miserable a man you will be in the day of recompense; your light and knowledge will more torment you than all the devils in hell. Your knowledge will be that rod that will eternally lash you, and that scorpion that will forever bite you, and that worm that will everlastingly gnaw you; therefore read, and labor to know, that you may do –or else you are undone forever.  ~Thomas Brooks (Precious Remedies)

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Posted by Petra Hefner

Only Then

“This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt.” ¹

When trouble has wiped the last
of your cherished treasures
from the quivering lips
of your gracious smile…

When your frown has drained
all discontent and bitter envy
from your elegantly fit
and satiated bile…

When pride has burnt the seat
of your most humbling flatter
with its shrieking howl
and piercing lie…

When restlessness has wrecked
the lushness of your cushion
and has left you without
any comfort to cry…

When your frustration has spilled
your carefully guarded dreams
and shielded aspirations,
into wasted days…

When your fiery temper has rent
all assumptions of your own
fine choosing, snagged by
an unsound faith…

When your rising doubt has kicked
your rosy heart into a cauldron
of vengeful, unforgiving hate
and mounting fears…

When your swelling boil has birthed
its ignorant and towering dread
and has ceased to prize
your wasted tears…

When utmost panic has clubbed
your last smoldering will
to live another bleak
pathetic moment…

When your own rage has thrust
all illusions of your goodness
beneath your own vile guile
and murderous bent…

When confusion has strangled
all your worthless excuses
and flesh falls trembling
from your empty face…

When God has rightly judged you
His passion ablaze and just
seethed in purest mercy
steeped in grace…

“Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” ²

Only then will you be quick to hear
His summon to repent and to recover in Him.

Only then will you be able to devour
God’s everlasting words of truth and grace.

Only then will you be ready to comprehend
the wounds that bled with a healing forgiveness.

Only then will you be willing to accept
Christ’s disposition and request to follow Him.

~~~
Indeed, many should hear God’s echoing summon, but the life they love tells them a different story. Surely, some want to hear God’s everlasting words of truth and grace, but only the hungry will crave and devour much of Him. Yes, many will want to welcome the wounds of a healing forgiveness, but only those who hate their sin will know the cost and its significance. Granted, countless clamber after Christ’s disposition, but only those who die to ‘self’ will come alive in Him that they may follow in the steps of His eternal truth and beauty.
~~~
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” ³

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ⁴

~~~
Scripture References:

1. Job 38:11
2. Joel 2:13
3. Matthew 8:34
4. John 8:12

~~~
© Petra Olsen Hefner

Indispensably Real

In one of her recent articles, Beauty Uncovered, Melissa Griffin sheds some light on our inner struggles as we try to appease our world’s standards of beauty.

The pain of feeling unattractive remains an all too familiar experience for us as women, yet our deceitful hearts tell us we’re entirely isolated in what we face.

While our deceitful hearts may leave us feeling isolated, cosmetic companies are cashing in on our not so unfamiliar preoccupation. But her article reassures us that we are not alone and need not be enslaved by what our mirrors reflect or by what the cosmetic isles offer.

Melissa uses a prophecy in Isaiah 53:2-3 to remind us that our Lord had no majesty or external beauty that any should desire Him. Instead, He radiated a different kind of beauty–an inner beauty most of us know very little of. Yet, we seem to ache for this beauty, in that we spend hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars each year chasing it. However, imperfections continue to surface and discontent continues to grow alongside many an imperfect face or thigh, right into its grave.

Melissa’s article inspired me to revive an old poem that tries to touch upon the danger and inherent ugliness of our earthly requirements of beauty, but also points to the hope we have in answering true Beauty’s call.

In this life,
passing and imperfect,
beauty lies marred
by broken promises,
and wallows in disguises.

She’s scarring souls
with mirrored shards
reflecting wounded smiles
and empty laughter,
while grief has drowned
in her shallowness and idle banter.

She prowls to allure
all who seek to befriend her
yet feels lost and most alone
staring at mirages–invisible;
screaming in silence–inaudible;
prating in vain–meaningless.

She’s lost her passion–
has left her peace without a shelter;
her hope is dull, her colors faded
and her accuser smiles behind his lies
of love for life and fear of death.

Yet in this life,
passing and imperfect,
God longs to redeem her
with tears and scars that heal
and blood that purifies.

True beauty is born
of God’s grace and sees not
what was or is, but will yet be.

True beauty grows
at each evaporating tear,
where smiles in God of mercy sing.

True beauty shines
where doubt and darkness melt
and morning wakes His perfect sacrifice
so that in this life, passing and imperfect,
God’s beauty may reflect in you.

God’s heartbeat moves
to a melody of calling you;
tilt your weary doubtful head
toward this chance of countless chances
and begin your trust in Him.

Do not tarry!
Touch the bursting colors
of His endlessly waking sky
and come away from death
into the scent of a brand new morning
as it pours from God’s own whisp’ring wind.

Pour golden silence
over your endless prattle
and bid your limbs be still!
that you may hear His love,
sung long before all life began;
lyrics of your beauty
as it was intended, all splendid
and indispensably real!

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:4)

Although these verses refer to the proper conduct of wives towards their husbands, might we not safely assume that the apostle’s suggestions are based on the fact that God values the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit more than any external adornment, regardless of who displays it?

Do we not read in Isaiah 53:2-3 that Jesus himself lacked the beauty of a worldly standard? Yet we find throughout scripture and via personal accounts that He was filled with a different kind of beauty–an inner beauty of Grace and Truth, irresistible and indispensably real!

~~~

© Petra Hefner

Thoughts on Prayer

“There is enough sin in my best prayer to send the whole world to hell.”
- John Bunyan

Now here’s a sobering thought! We are imperfect until the life hereafter! Until then, our best prayers are tainted and our motives less than pure. That’s why we don’t pray in our righteousness but in the name of Christ!

Sometimes the circumstances we pray for benefit us more than our prayers, but I’ve not always acknowledged that. My prayer life was actually most active while I was most deceived, and most persuasive when I was using God as a means to my own ends.

My eagerness to pray had little to do with glorifying God or admitting my own weaknesses. Instead, I tried hard to abase my imperfections by my excessive prayer and servitude… until God found me out. His truth exposed all the real motives and stripped me of all self-confidence.

Everything changed and is changing still. Shame and anger are slowly giving way to discernment and forgiveness. Doubt and mistrust are finally giving way to peace and assurance, and each new question continually finds new solace in God’s Word.

My prayer life changed as well. It has become private, personal, silent; pleading yet eager to listen, focusing only on God while all else vanishes. At times I set out to pray, only to find the deepest longings bereft of words, leaving me as helpless as an infant crying for that familiar voice and touch.

Prayer is becoming all about God and trusting Him. It has switched from what I might get out of it to what God can make out of it. My understanding still lacks much compared to God’s ultimate wisdom. I may weep my bitterest tears yet, but this I do know, God can be trusted.

As a child I trusted my parents with my life, which kept my earliest days so sweetly carefree. Today I can trust God with my life because He is not a man that He should lie. God will keep His Word, avow His honor and do what is right, all the time! I might not always understand it, but my faith is taking root, not in my own efforts, sufficiency or power to believe, but in God’s sovereignty and mercy.

So when I pray, I want to trust God and His righteous judgments more and my desires (whether selfish or sympathetic) less. God’s glory should be my focus rather than comfort or ease. I cannot turn that around and claim to love God first. I must go to the cross to pray. What do I really want to ask of Jesus while He suffers there for you and me?

I used to ask for things; now I ask for the living Christ, that those in need may find Him and be reconciled with God. I used to pray as though I deserved better; now I plead that I do not get all that I deserve. My appreciation used to be a mere religious courtesy; but now, tears of joy and utmost gratitude wash His feet.

God hears my prayers, not because I have something special to say or give, but because He wants to refine me and work His purpose through me. In Psalms I read that the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills has no need of me at all; and suddenly my prayer lies exposed for what it really is! How can I pray for help when it was my own neglect that caused the trouble. I’ve misused what belongs to God. It was never mine! Why should God heed me now?

“Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to Me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for He is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and He relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing—

Joel 2:12-14

God may leave behind a blessing, not because my offense is no longer an offense, but because Christ has already paid for it! God may help, not because I’ve tried extra hard to undo my sins (I can’t), but because my heart is truly rent. Christ promises to forgive and not to break a bruised reed or snuff a smoldering wick. A contrite and broken heart God will not despise. Grace upon grace! Grace beyond my comprehension!

Pray in snug self-confidence and receive perhaps a greater sense of self-satisfaction, maybe even an improved attitude. Pray that all goes well with you and risk loving life more than God. But rend your heart and receive God’s forgiveness. Return to God and receive His grace instead of the calamity that you once deserved!

Thank God that there’s a limit to prayers asked amiss though they be steeped in faith. Thank God for His patience and compassion; there seems no limit to His grace. Looking back I’m more than grateful that God did not always take me at my word or let me have my way. Where would I be?

~~~

Numbers 23: 19
Isaiah 42:3 and Matthew 12:20
Joel 2:11-14
Psalm 50:9-12
John 12:25

~~~

© Petra O. Hefner

Waves in the Comment Queue

I went blog surfing the other day and almost drowned. As I was paddling down a blogger’s comment queue I noticed that some contributors’ opinions caused quite a ripple. I contemplated leaving my own two cents’ worth but the ripple caused waves – big, choppy waves, and I got out!

How sad that we believers would use a slew of carefully selected verses and Christian clichés as deadly missiles. Why do we have such an adamant need to be right? Some may contend that God’s honor is at stake, but does God really need us to defend His truth and honor; at what expense?

Then how are we to uphold the truth? Truth does matter, does it not? It would be impious not to speak the truth in all things! Yes, but speak the truth in love we must! Let us look upon the One who is full of truth and grace. Did He argue?

At appropriate and God-appointed times Jesus knew when to speak, when to expound and when to walk away! He often spoke in parables because He knew the condition of His listeners’ ears and hearts, and He understood their motives.

And Jesus knew when to punch a heart fair and square, and in love. He’d punch deep enough to cause conviction yet gracefully enough to pave the way to forgiveness and reconciliation; but He didn’t argue. He didn’t have to. Instead He prayed, and He prayed a lot!

We’ve all had hearts of stone once; some very beautiful and gifted stones of merit, others not so smooth. We’ve all been saved by grace! Try as we may, we could never get it right! Christ made it right!!!

I could see Jesus drop His opinion right into the midst of all that pious rant: “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone!” We could learn much from the Master. Let Him punch the heart to make it soft again. Then let Him bid the waves be still!

Believer, you can bear your testimony… You can say, “He is divine to me… He has done that for me which none but a God could do. He has subdued my stubborn will, melted a heart of adamant, opened gates of brass, and snapped bars of iron… And he is full of grace. Ah! had he not been, I should never have been saved. He drew me when I struggled to escape… And he is full of truth. True have his promises been, not one has failed. I bear witness… Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace he is full, infinitely full. – Charles H. Spurgeon

How do you think we should bear testimony to the truth?

~~~

© Petra O. Hefner

Grace Still Waits

“For the grace of God hath appeared…”

The friend we’ve hungered for
The soul mate we’ve yearned for
The liberator we’ve hoped for
The rescuer we’ve ached for…

The truth we’ve meditated
and pondered was rejected!

Was ridiculed, mocked, bruised, belittled
humiliated, injured and disgraced!
Was teased, tortured, agonized and trampled
drained of life and maimed!

Fairness wore the scars of sin
that we’re too vain to face!

Innocence bore the wrath of death
that lies in wait for us!

Grace appeared as an immaculate life,

while an age-old lie tried to kill and mute the truth
but failed and fled, in light of His great mercy.

Grace still waits for us; still longs for us
to know the One who cannot be denied.

~~~

© Petra O. Hefner