Problems are for Solving

Preparing for Sudden Suffering :: Desiring God
Reliance

Suffering is a call to trust God not the life-sustaining props of the world.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 - For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Found this in a friend’s shared items recently and it comes a tad late for me. But it’s still a good reminder even for unprepared, sudden suffering. Too often I rely on my own, fainting, inadequate, useless strength. Piper’s reminder to rely on God is helpful today.

And of course my suffering pales in comparison to what He did for me.

Saving the Baby Can Save the Mother :: Desiring God
When we help a young, unmarried mother in the midst of a pregnancy crisis save her baby, by God’s grace, the baby can save the mother.

I recommend this post from Piper’s blog. It’s short and to the point. A good reminder that we’re in the rescue business as the Church.

HT: Isaac.

Deep Forgiveness at Femina
The Lord Jesus did not come, live a perfect life, die on the cross and come back from the dead in order to dab around the edges of our wound. Our complicity in the sin of Adam, and our continuing screwed-up-ness required a great remedy, which could not be had apart from the work of a great Savior. But remember that Jesus is saving us from our sins, and not merely from the consequences of our sins. And one of the central sins he is saving us from is the sin of the double standard — wanting to receive forgiveness on easy terms, and wanting to extend it with the heart of a stickler for justice

A good reminder for me today. Every day.

HT: Kyriosity.

Today I passed by the WalMart near my office. Off the lot, right near the road, there used to be a gas station. For whatever reason they closed the station down. If I hadn’t seen the gas station with my own eyes, though, I would never believe there had been one there. The part of the lot that used to contain a gas station is cleared and there is no evidence whatsoever that there used to be one.

Growing up I remember in my home town a gas station that had been closed for some time, possibly since before I was born. It was still there and vacant–and there was no doubt whatsoever that it had indeed been a gas station. While it was not a gas station anymore, it still looked like a gas station.

My heart is like that old gas station. I had an elder once explain the difference between sinners and saints. Saints are redeemed sinners–no longer slaves to sin–and so are no longer labeled “sinners.” Like old gas stations, though, saints still often bear quite a bit of resemblance to what we once were. Today, like many days, I longed for my heart to look like that pristine lot that showed no evidence of ever being a gas station–I long for a heart that shows no evidence of ever being enslaved to sin.

Our hearts, though, are more like the old gas stations. The longer they’re closed down, the less someone can see what they used to be. And the longer we have been set free from sin, the less we and others will see the evidence of that former bondage.

Until we get to heaven. “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51)

That changing will be like the gas station up the road. Other than the scars on Jesus, there will be no evidence left that sin once had dominion in our bodies. We will remember it, but there will be nothing left to see. There will no longer be evidence that we were once an old gas station.

And as before, I remain homesick longing for that day.

Paul Tripp Ministries: Psalm 51: Forgiveness

It’s only when you’re ready to admit the worst that you then open yourself up to what’s best…. There’s no sin too great, there’s no act too heinous, and there’s no person beyond hope.

As we approach worship today, let us remember that we worship a God who forgives. I hope you’ll read this post by Paul Tripp and be encouraged in your worship today!