THE SPIRIT'S WORK IN THE SOUL

“When the Holy Spirit Himself comes, all disputes will end. Satan cannot pull rank or his false logic on Him.

This blessed Holy Spirit has all the characteristics of a comforter. He is so pure and holy that He cannot deceive; He is called "the Spirit of truth" John 14:17. If He says your sins are forgiven, you can believe Him; He will not flatter. If it were not so He would have told you, for He can chide as well as comfort-- He can convince of sin as well as of righteousness. And the Spirit of God is so wise that He cannot be deceived; He never knocks at the wrong door nor delivers messages to the wrong person, but knows the exact purpose, which the heart of God holds for each person on earth. "The Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God1 Corinthians 2:10.

These "deep things of God" which the apostle mentions are God's counsels of love which lie deep in His heart until the Spirit draws them out and shows them to men and women. And He also knows perfectly the frame of man's heart. It would be strange if the cabinet-maker did not know every secret compartment in the cabinet. Despite their long study, neither man nor the devil have anything even approaching a full knowledge of that little world, the microcosm of man's soul. But as in everything else, God knows this field perfectly and cannot be deceived.

In a word, God's Spirit is so irresistible that no one can stand against the power of His peace. For example, the pardon Nathan took to David was not all that he had hoped for; so David begged the Comforter to ease his pain. He went on his knees and prayed hard to have his lost joy restored and his softened heart established by the free Spirit of God. You might baffle man, and through your own melancholy manipulation, even evade the truths, which Christians bring for comfort; but when the Holy Spirit Himself comes, all disputes will end. Satan cannot pull rank or his false logic on Him. Confusion vanishes and our fears with it as darkness disappears before the sun. 


Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

Anger: Aim It in the Right Direction

How to Aim Your Anger in the Right Direction

"God, why did you let this happen to me?"

The death of a spouse, the betrayal of a friend, and the disability of a child are often so painful that we want to blame God.

We all have times of anger, disappointment, and frustration. But when we aim that anger at God, we end up feeling empty, frustrated, and lost.

Our anger can either destroy us with self-pity, or God can use it to make us joyful.

The key is to aim the anger in the right direction. To do this, we need to—

• Learn to be transparent before the Lord.
• Complain to the Lord in the way that Bible characters did.
• Turn despair Godward.

The topics of anger and bitterness are issues that author, Joni Eareckson Tada, can speak to personally: A diving accident in 1967, when she was 17, left her a quadriplegic. She has lived 45 years in a wheelchair and she has experienced her share of ups and downs. "But," she says, "oh, the difference the grace of God has made in my life."

Let Joni tell you her secrets to peace and joy, despite her wheelchair. She has spent decades studying the Word of God. She knows that God does not enjoy seeing your pain and frustration. He has compassion for you and gives you many ways to deal with life so that you can have peace.

She has taken her most important insights on turning anger into joy (not bitterness) and encapsulated them into this 14-page pamphlet. Whether you or a loved one is suffering. This pamphlet will bring you some help to break free from the strangle hold of anger.

In this pamphlet, you will find hope. Joni tells her story of facing the news of being paralyzed the rest of her life. Joni shows you the right way and the wrong way of dealing with anger. She tells how she dealt with the anger and passes her tips onto others.

You can find freedom from the bondage of anger. Joni has been there and she shows you the way using biblical principles.

14 pages, full color, glossy plastic coating for durability, 8.5 x 5.5 inches, fits inside a Bible cover.

GET YOUR COPY BY CLICKING HERE

Study Questions:

1. Read panels 1-2. What are some ways that people aim their anger in the wrong direction? What happens to people when they do this?
2. Read panels 3-6. Joni tells her own story and admits the mistakes she made with turning her anger in the wrong direction. Why is self-pity so destructive? What ideas did you get to break free from self-pity? What does Joni mean when she says: “Gut-wrenching questions honor God”?
3. Read panel 7. In this story about a common everyday frustration, Joni points out that she learned several truths about herself. Think of a frustration you once handled poorly. What did it show you about yourself? What would you do differently next time?
4. Read panels 8-9. How do you think God feels when he sees you in pain? If God is more loving and compassionate than the most devoted human parent, how do you think he sees your current situation? Jesus cried out: “Why have you forsaken me?” What is the promise Jesus gives us?
5. Read panels 10-11. Nighttime is often a breeding ground for worry, doubts, and anger. When do you find your hopelessness is at its worst? Which of Joni’s recommendations works for you? Have you got other tips that work for you?
6. Read panels 12-13. King David wrote many psalms that tells us (and demonstrate to us) what to do with anger. What was the most important insight you found in this section and why?

OUR ALLEGIANCE TO CHRIST

“I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ Romans 8:35. The apostle continues to challenge death and devils, with all their attendants, to step forward and do the worst they can against believers armed in God's breastwork. Finally he leaves the battle, filled with the holy confidence that none of them-- no matter what they do-- can ever hurt Christians: "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39. In a word, the Christian fastens all his flags of allegiance to Christ and places all his confidence in Him. If I have spent much time on this subject, my brothers, it is because it is the richest vein in the whole mine of Gospel treasure.

What applies satisfaction to the conscience? Conscience is a lock, which is not easily opened. Even if the key fits, a weak hand cannot make it turn in the lock. Thus when a mere man holds the key of comfort, conscience refuses to open; its doubts and fears will not be resolved until there is a work of God's Spirit.

Conscience is God's officer; and although the debt is paid in full from heaven, this official will not let the soul go free until the Spirit of God authorizes and brings a divine warrant. "When he gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when he hides his face, who then can behold him?" Job 34:29. Now follow me as I demonstrate why an abundant peace of conscience cannot be found apart from the Gospel and the working of the Holy Spirit.

Only the Gospel presents God's Spirit as the Comforter. The comfort of the Holy Spirit rests in the satisfaction of Jesus Christ. After He had shed His blood and paid the full price of the sinner's peace with God, He returned to heaven and asked His Father to send the Comforter.” 


Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

A COMFORTABLE CONSCIENCE

“Sin causes the convulsions of horror which distort and torment a person's conscience. Peace of conscience is the blessing of the Gospel and only the Gospel.

Conscience knows Jesus, and the Gospel of Jesus; it refuses to obey anyone or anything else. Two particular themes will demonstrate this truth-- first, what satisfies the conscience; and second, what applies this satisfaction to the conscience.

What satisfies the conscience? Sin causes the convulsions of horror, which distort and torment a person's conscience. If this little word-- but such a deadly plague-- could ever be blotted out of men's minds, the storm would soon be stilled and the soul would immediately become a calm sea, quiet and smooth, without the least wave of fear to disturb its face. But sin is the Jonah, which stirs up the tempest; wherever it comes, war is sure to follow.

When Adam sinned he drank away this sweet peace of conscience in one unhappy swallow. No wonder it almost choked him as soon as it was down his throat-- "and they knew that they were naked" Genesis 3:7. Now, whatever is to bring true peace to the conscience must first prostrate this Goliath of sin before the war can end and peace can heal.

It is true-- the poisoned head of sin's arrow, which burns and throbs in the sinner's conscience is guilt. It robs the person of his rest by giving the alarm that judgment is coming and punishment is inevitable. Because that man dreads what will happen when this infinite wrath of the eternal living God comes for him, he lives in fear and agony of that expectation.

Now if you want to comfort a conscience which roasts on the burning embers of God's anger, kindled by his own guilt, you must first quench those coals and present the news that God forgives sin and that He will make reconciliation with sinners who repent and believe. Nothing but this Gospel can offer the man true peace with his own thoughts.

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

WITNESS TO OTHERS

“Peace of conscience is to the soul what health is to the body. Even a suit of gold cloth does not feel comfortable on a diseased man's shoulders.

What an acceptable work it is to win men to Christ! A doctor is never angry with a man who brings a patient to him, because through the cure his dedication and skill will be publicized. And this is the great design Christ has had for a long time, and prayed for-- "that the world may believe" that God sent Him John 17:21. His aim in gathering souls by the grace of the Gospel is "to take out... a people" from the heap of sinners "for his name Acts 15:14-- to choose a peculiar people, show mercy on them, and allow His glorious name to be exalted.

Peace of reconciliation reconciles a man to God; but peace of conscience reconciles him to himself. Since man broke peace with God he has not been able to be a friend to his own conscience. This second kind of peace is so necessary that the person cannot taste the sweetness of reconciliation with God, or of any other mercy, without it.

Peace of conscience is to the soul what health is to the body. Even a suit of gold cloth does not feel comfortable on a diseased man's shoulders. And neither does anything seem joyous to a distressed conscience. When Moses brought good news to the troubled Israelites in Egypt "they hearkened (to give heed or attention to what is said ) not" to him "for anguish of spirit", Exodus 6:9. Hannah went up to the festival at Jerusalem with her husband but "she wept, and did not eat" 1 Samuel 1:7 Thus the wounded soul goes to the sermon but does not partake of it; she hears many precious promises but cannot receive the life they offer.

A royal banquet spread before a deeply troubled man does not make him happy; he would rather go off in a corner by himself and cry. "A wounded spirit who can bear?" Proverbs 18:14. Diseases which are incurable are called the physician's reproach. And the spiritual perplexity of an accusing conscience puts all the world to shame for their vain attempts to apply a cure.” 


Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617

TRUST GOD FOR YOUR NEEDS

“If God has made peace with you and has forgiven your sins, you can always afford to trust Him completely for everything you need. 

Two things will help your faith as you exercise it. God gives His children more than they will ever need. When God pardoned you He gave you His Son. And "how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32.” When a father gives his son the whole orchard, it is absurd for the child to ask for one apple. "All things are yours," and "you are Christ's" I Corinthians 3:21-23.  God assures the Christian.

On the other hand, a wise father may bequeath a huge estate to his child-- but not let him control any more of this inheritance than he can manage properly. In the same way, God gives believers a right to all the comforts of life, but His infinite wisdom proportions out smaller amounts for their actual use according to the needs of each soul. Thus if you shoud have much less than someone else, this does not mean God loves that person more, but that He cares enough to supply according to your ability to profitably use. We pour a drink according to the size of the cup; the wine, which fills the whole cup would be spilled if poured into a smaller vessel.

Though unbelievers will soon stumble into hell, His providence reaches them while they are still on earth. Does He really feed these unclean ravens? And cause His rain to fall on their fields too? Then how can He neglect a believer? If the king regularly feeds the traitor in his prison cell, surely the child in his castle shall not starve either.

In a word, if God in His providence takes such good care of the ungodly, if He "so clothes the grass of the field"-- a symbol of the wicked man-- "which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:30.”

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617