I just finished reading Charles Bridges' comments on Psalm 119:80; "Let my heart be sound in Thy statutes. that I be not ashamed". The Spirit of my God has really spoken to my heart in this verse, and would like to share a few of the morsels that are contained in it.
The perverseness of the proud will be sure to put them to shame.(v78). As the preservative from this shame, David prays therefore for a sound heart- filled with solid principle- delivered into the mould of the word (Rom 6:17)- like the sacrifices of the law-entire for God. Often had he prayed for divine teaching,(v 12,33,64,68), now he begs for soundness in the Lord's statutes. How many "have made shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience" (1Tim. 1:19), from an unsound heart!
Ignorant of the spirituality of God's requirements, and resting in an outward obedience, they falsely conceive themselves to be "alive without the law"(Rom. 7:9) and "touching the rightousness that is of the law, blameless" (Phil. 3:6)
Alas! how common is it to profess to take Christ for a Savior, while the heart is evidently worshipping Mammon as its God! constrained, not inclined to the Lord's statutes. How possible is it to be carnally minded in the daily routine of spiritual exercises! How important is recollection, that no change of place, of company, or of circumstances, can of itself effect a change of heart!"Saul among the prophets" was still Saul; with "another heart"(1Sam 10:9-12) indeed, but not a new heart. Sin was restrained but not crucified. He went out therefore, as one of his progenitors, "from the presence of the Lord",Gen. 6:16), and perished, a miserable apostate from the statutes of his God. Will profession, knowledge, gifts, feelings, privileges, avail for a sound heart? Need we speak of Judas, a follower, nay, even an apostle of Jesus Christ, living in familiar intercourse with his Lord, yet with all his privelges, all his profession, "gone to his own place".(Acts 1:25), the melancholy victim of his own self-deceitfulness. Need we bring to the minds eye, Ananias and Sapphira? Alexander or Demas? and others of like stamp, all of whom once shone as stars in the fermament of the church.(Rev. 12:4) Need we speak of the end of these men to give energy to the prayer, "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes."
How fearful a thought of being "a branch in the true vine", only by profession, to be taken away at length, "cast forth as a branch withered, gathered, cast into the fire, burned. (John 15:2-6). It is in the inner man that hypocrisy sets up its throne; whence it commands the outward acts into whatever shape or form may be best suited to effect its purpose. The upright Christian will therefore begin with calling in the light and help of God to ascertain the soundness of his heart. "Search me oh God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me."(Ps. 139:23-24)Can there be a true and solid work, where there is a 'professed' change of heart, and no manefested change of temper and conduct? Can that heart, which is found upon inquiry to be earthy, unprofitable under the power of the word(Heb. 6:8) regarding "secret iniquity" (Ps. 66:18) seeking bye ends of praise, reputation,(John 12:43), or gain, (John 6:26; 1Tim 6:5) and for the attainment of these ends shrinking from the appointed cross, can that heart be sound in the Lord's statutes? Impossible.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Recreated in His Image
Have you ever thought of the difference between a prideful person and a humble one? Which one is more happy, calm, patient and fulfilled? Which one handles trials and difficulties in their lives better? When something completly unexpected comes into their life, how do they respond?
I have been studing through a book entitled "The Crook in the Lot", written by a Scottish Puritan, Thomas Boston in the late 1600's. I want to share a small part from a chapter called "The better condition of the Humble"
(Prov. 16:19; 29:23; Matt. 18:4; 23:12; James 4:10; 1Peter 5:6)
First, humility is a part of the image of God. Pride is the character trait of the devil. Let us view Christ who was the exact image of the Father, and we shall behold Him meek and lowly in heart (Matt 11:29). None was more afflicted than He, yet His attitude was perfectly brought down to conform to His trial. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (Isa 53:7). Even though Jesus was God, "He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross"(Phil 2:8). Verse 9 of Philippians 2 indicates God's response to those who humble themselves under His hand: "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name...."
None have suffered as much as the Lamb of God, None have endured so much that was contrary to His express desire, and none have endured with as much patience as He who entrusted Himself to a "faithful Creator"(1Peter 4:19). The Lord Christ is held up to us as an example of humility in suffering and trials: "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Heb 12:3). Without a doubt humility is the most rudimentary characteristic of the Christian, who has been recreated in His image(Col 3:9-10)
As professing Christians, how often do we repent of being prideful and thinking to highly of ourselves than we ought? I believe this is one of the greatest downfalls in the Christian churches of our day. We all, that call ourselves Christian, need to seek to be more like our dear Savior, and walk in the spirit of humility.
I have been studing through a book entitled "The Crook in the Lot", written by a Scottish Puritan, Thomas Boston in the late 1600's. I want to share a small part from a chapter called "The better condition of the Humble"
(Prov. 16:19; 29:23; Matt. 18:4; 23:12; James 4:10; 1Peter 5:6)
First, humility is a part of the image of God. Pride is the character trait of the devil. Let us view Christ who was the exact image of the Father, and we shall behold Him meek and lowly in heart (Matt 11:29). None was more afflicted than He, yet His attitude was perfectly brought down to conform to His trial. "He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth" (Isa 53:7). Even though Jesus was God, "He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross"(Phil 2:8). Verse 9 of Philippians 2 indicates God's response to those who humble themselves under His hand: "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name...."
None have suffered as much as the Lamb of God, None have endured so much that was contrary to His express desire, and none have endured with as much patience as He who entrusted Himself to a "faithful Creator"(1Peter 4:19). The Lord Christ is held up to us as an example of humility in suffering and trials: "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Heb 12:3). Without a doubt humility is the most rudimentary characteristic of the Christian, who has been recreated in His image(Col 3:9-10)
As professing Christians, how often do we repent of being prideful and thinking to highly of ourselves than we ought? I believe this is one of the greatest downfalls in the Christian churches of our day. We all, that call ourselves Christian, need to seek to be more like our dear Savior, and walk in the spirit of humility.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Getting Started
I use the computer everyday for Bible study and preparation of my Sunday school class, but I have not learned how to share my thoughts and comments with others in a blog. My son, Jonathan is taking a class on web design and was explaining to me what I can do, so he is going to help me get started 'posting a blog'. I hope I can learn quickly and begin posting some of the things that are going on in the Soviero household, here in Southwest Georgia.
The greatest interest in my life of course is the Lord Jesus. So most of what will be on this site will be things that my Lord is showing me in His holy Word the Bible. When I gave my life to Him back in 1979, we began a journey that will last my entire lifetime. Every experience that goes on in my life is centered on and the result of God's will for me. Sometimes those experiences are plesant and sometimes they are not, but I know from my Lord's own Words that they are purposed for my good and for His glory.
I am presently leading two study groups in my church, one is the 'mens' Sunday school class every Sunday morning and the other is on Tuesday nights at the home of some very dear friends. We are study the awesome letter of the Apostle Paul to the Romans. I have combined the materials that I am studying to be taught in both groups because there is not enough time in my week to prepare two different areas of Scripture for each study.
God has been so gracious to be meeting with us in those times and we are seeing some real blessings in many peoples lives. There is no joy in this side of heaven then seeing others benifit from God's Holy Word and to see their lives changed for the better through the working of His Holy Spirit.
The greatest interest in my life of course is the Lord Jesus. So most of what will be on this site will be things that my Lord is showing me in His holy Word the Bible. When I gave my life to Him back in 1979, we began a journey that will last my entire lifetime. Every experience that goes on in my life is centered on and the result of God's will for me. Sometimes those experiences are plesant and sometimes they are not, but I know from my Lord's own Words that they are purposed for my good and for His glory.
I am presently leading two study groups in my church, one is the 'mens' Sunday school class every Sunday morning and the other is on Tuesday nights at the home of some very dear friends. We are study the awesome letter of the Apostle Paul to the Romans. I have combined the materials that I am studying to be taught in both groups because there is not enough time in my week to prepare two different areas of Scripture for each study.
God has been so gracious to be meeting with us in those times and we are seeing some real blessings in many peoples lives. There is no joy in this side of heaven then seeing others benifit from God's Holy Word and to see their lives changed for the better through the working of His Holy Spirit.
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