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Fruitlessness and the Fear of God
23 hours ago
The fight for joy is a struggle to trust God with the burdens of life. It is a fight for freedom from worry. It is a fight for hope and peace and joy, which are all threatened by unbelief and doubt about God's promises.
It is a fight to join Jesus on the Calvary road and stay there with Him, no matter what.
How was He sustained on that road?
Hebrews 12:2 answers, "For the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross."
In other words, He trusted God and knew that God would not disappoint in death.
How do we obtain that kind of joy in God?
By hearing the Word of the cross and preaching it to ourselves...
I believe in the power of the indwelling Word of God to
solve a thousand problems before they happen,
and to heal a thousand wounds after they happen,
and to kill a thousand sins in the moment of temptation,
and to sweeten a thousand days with the "drippings of honeycomb."
~John Piper
The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself…You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: “Hope thou in God” ---instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way, and then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who God is, and what God has done, and what God has pledged Himself to do.
~Martin Lloyd-Jones
"Blessed [or happy] is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also shall not wither;
and whatever he does shall prosper."
Psalm 1:1-3
Some excerpts taken from When I Don't Desire God, How to Fight For Joy by John Piper
It is a fight to join Jesus on the Calvary road and stay there with Him, no matter what.
How was He sustained on that road?
Hebrews 12:2 answers, "For the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross."
In other words, He trusted God and knew that God would not disappoint in death.
How do we obtain that kind of joy in God?
By hearing the Word of the cross and preaching it to ourselves...
I believe in the power of the indwelling Word of God to
solve a thousand problems before they happen,
and to heal a thousand wounds after they happen,
and to kill a thousand sins in the moment of temptation,
and to sweeten a thousand days with the "drippings of honeycomb."
~John Piper
The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself. You have to take yourself in hand, you have to address yourself, preach to yourself, question yourself…You must turn on yourself, upbraid yourself, condemn yourself, exhort yourself, and say to yourself: “Hope thou in God” ---instead of muttering in this depressed, unhappy way, and then you must go on to remind yourself of God, Who God is, and what God has done, and what God has pledged Himself to do.
~Martin Lloyd-Jones
"Blessed [or happy] is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season,
whose leaf also shall not wither;
and whatever he does shall prosper."
Psalm 1:1-3
Some excerpts taken from When I Don't Desire God, How to Fight For Joy by John Piper
Several years ago I heard a sermon on 1 Peter 1:6-9, and here are some notes I took along with it...
1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Notes:
1 Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
Notes:
It is merciful of God to bring trials upon us.
Our responses to our trials will be the result of our knowledge and understanding of God.
We can only endure as much suffering as God is precious to us.
There is an aspect of our Christian walk that can only be grown by suffering.
What is worse than this circumstance? Dishonoring God in it.
People often ask, What possible good could come of this? Answers: Your salvation, the salvation of others, your sanctification, and\or the sanctification of others.
Most people know that God can provide something good out of these trials but they doubt whether He will...in other words they doubt His goodness.
God's sovereignty is rooted in His goodness.
For the last two weeks, the Lord has been with me in the fiery furnace, mercifully burning off the dross. I have no idea how long we will be enjoying our stay together, and though it is excruciating, I am thankful that He is sanctifying and sustaining me...To Him Be All Glory, Honor, and Praise!!!
Psalm 119
71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
75. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,
and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
92. Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
Psalm 34
17. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
1. I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
3. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt His name together!
Psalm 119
71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
75. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right,
and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
92. Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
Psalm 34
17. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
1. I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
3. Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt His name together!
In the issue of faith, the chief weapon is the Word.
Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and
in His Word do I hope.
From this passage you can see that the strength that sustains waiting is hope
and the power behind hope is the Word.
Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Psalm 130:5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and
in His Word do I hope.
From this passage you can see that the strength that sustains waiting is hope
and the power behind hope is the Word.
Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
"How Firm a Foundation, Ye Saints of the Lord"
by "Keen," 1787
1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
2. In every condition, -- in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth,
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, --
The Lord, the Almighty, they strength e'er shall be.
3. "Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
4. "When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
5. "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
6. "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never, forsake!"
by "Keen," 1787
1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?
2. In every condition, -- in sickness, in health,
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth,
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea, --
The Lord, the Almighty, they strength e'er shall be.
3. "Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
4. "When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
5. "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
6. "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never, forsake!"
Ah my deare angrie Lord,
Since thou dost love, yet strike;
Cast down, yet help afford;
Sure I will do the like.
I will complain, yet praise;
I will bewail, approve:
And all my sowre-sweet dayes
I will lament, and love.
George Herbert 1633
Or as the apostle Paul put it for all the saints who are fighting for joy in this fallen world of pain and suffering, we live and minister "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" 2 Cor.6:10
excerpt taken from When The Darkness Does Not Lift by John Piper
Since thou dost love, yet strike;
Cast down, yet help afford;
Sure I will do the like.
I will complain, yet praise;
I will bewail, approve:
And all my sowre-sweet dayes
I will lament, and love.
George Herbert 1633
Or as the apostle Paul put it for all the saints who are fighting for joy in this fallen world of pain and suffering, we live and minister "as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing" 2 Cor.6:10
excerpt taken from When The Darkness Does Not Lift by John Piper
John Wesley (1703-1791) on education:
" Let it be remembered, that I do not speak to the wild, giddy, thoughtless world, but to those that fear God. I ask, then, for what end do you send you children to school? “Why, that they may be fit to live in the world.” In which world do you mean, — this or the next? Perhaps you thought of this world only; and had forgot that there is a world to come; yea, and one that will last for ever! Pray take this into your account, and send them to such masters as will keep it always before their eyes. Otherwise, to send them to school (permit me to speak plainly) is little better than sending them to the devil. At all events, then, send your boys, if you have any concern for their souls, not to any of the large public schools, (for they are nurseries of all manner of wickedness,) but private school, kept by some pious man, who endeavours to instruct a small number of children in religion and learning together."
" Let it be remembered, that I do not speak to the wild, giddy, thoughtless world, but to those that fear God. I ask, then, for what end do you send you children to school? “Why, that they may be fit to live in the world.” In which world do you mean, — this or the next? Perhaps you thought of this world only; and had forgot that there is a world to come; yea, and one that will last for ever! Pray take this into your account, and send them to such masters as will keep it always before their eyes. Otherwise, to send them to school (permit me to speak plainly) is little better than sending them to the devil. At all events, then, send your boys, if you have any concern for their souls, not to any of the large public schools, (for they are nurseries of all manner of wickedness,) but private school, kept by some pious man, who endeavours to instruct a small number of children in religion and learning together."
A Biblical Apologetic Celebrating the Homemaking Tasks of a Virtuous Woman
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense, to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1Peter 3:15)…….
1Timothy 5:14 and Titus 2:4-5 lay some of the foundational instructions for the design of the home. The younger women should marry, bear children, manage the home, and give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. They are to love their husbands, love their children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Well, how does she go about this array of tasks? The virtuous woman will first and foremost approach every task with the goal of glorifying God (1Corinthians 10:31). She will strive to be holy just as He is holy (1Peter 1:15), knowing that her fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Therefore, she is devoted to fervent prayer, study, meditation, and memorization of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16).
She begins with being submissive to her husband in everything (Ephesians 5:22) and does not deprive him of the affections due him (1Corinthians 7:5). She also conducts herself in a chaste and trustworthy manner; therefore the heart of her husband safely trusts her (Proverbs 31:11). All the days of her life are spent doing him good and not evil (Proverbs 31:12). She carefully strives to become the beautiful picture of the helpmeet God intended her to be (Genesis 2:18).
Her children are her next focus. She faithfully tries to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), knowing that she will give an account one day for the way she educated these precious gifts (Matthew 12:36-37). Therefore, she diligently teaches them the word of God while they sit in their house, when they walk by the way, when they rise up, and when they lie down (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). She sets the example in thirsting for God as the deer pants for the water (Psalm 42:1). Because she does not eat the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27) her children are treated like the precious gifts that they are (Psalm 127:3). All her days are spent trying to redeem the time with her children and husband because she knows the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).
The people of the community praise her because she willingly extends her hand to the poor, needy, and fatherless (Proverbs 31:20). On her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26) and nothing is done through selfish ambition but in lowliness of mind she esteems others better than herself (Philippians 2:3).
Her house now becomes a home because of her love for Christ, her love for His people and her dedication to her family. In her home there is an atmosphere of love and unity. You are greeted with welcoming arms and a friendly smile. All who enter are blessed and encouraged. The children are obedient and play nicely together. There is a sweet sense of peace and safety from the world. It is full of laughter, smiles, edifying speech and praises to God for His Son Jesus Christ.
Because this woman strongly believes in the sovereignty of God (Psalm 115:3), she has learned to be content in every situation (Philippians 4:11). Her motivation and her hope come from knowing that she is a recipient of redemption by grace (Romans 3:23-24) and that God will complete the good work He has begun in her (Philippians 1:6). In conclusion, she celebrates all the tasks of her womanhood because it is in her pursuit of these God-given tasks that she feels most fulfilled and thus her God is most glorified.
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense, to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1Peter 3:15)…….
1Timothy 5:14 and Titus 2:4-5 lay some of the foundational instructions for the design of the home. The younger women should marry, bear children, manage the home, and give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. They are to love their husbands, love their children, be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Well, how does she go about this array of tasks? The virtuous woman will first and foremost approach every task with the goal of glorifying God (1Corinthians 10:31). She will strive to be holy just as He is holy (1Peter 1:15), knowing that her fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Therefore, she is devoted to fervent prayer, study, meditation, and memorization of God’s Word (Colossians 3:16).
She begins with being submissive to her husband in everything (Ephesians 5:22) and does not deprive him of the affections due him (1Corinthians 7:5). She also conducts herself in a chaste and trustworthy manner; therefore the heart of her husband safely trusts her (Proverbs 31:11). All the days of her life are spent doing him good and not evil (Proverbs 31:12). She carefully strives to become the beautiful picture of the helpmeet God intended her to be (Genesis 2:18).
Her children are her next focus. She faithfully tries to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4), knowing that she will give an account one day for the way she educated these precious gifts (Matthew 12:36-37). Therefore, she diligently teaches them the word of God while they sit in their house, when they walk by the way, when they rise up, and when they lie down (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). She sets the example in thirsting for God as the deer pants for the water (Psalm 42:1). Because she does not eat the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27) her children are treated like the precious gifts that they are (Psalm 127:3). All her days are spent trying to redeem the time with her children and husband because she knows the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16).
The people of the community praise her because she willingly extends her hand to the poor, needy, and fatherless (Proverbs 31:20). On her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26) and nothing is done through selfish ambition but in lowliness of mind she esteems others better than herself (Philippians 2:3).
Her house now becomes a home because of her love for Christ, her love for His people and her dedication to her family. In her home there is an atmosphere of love and unity. You are greeted with welcoming arms and a friendly smile. All who enter are blessed and encouraged. The children are obedient and play nicely together. There is a sweet sense of peace and safety from the world. It is full of laughter, smiles, edifying speech and praises to God for His Son Jesus Christ.
Because this woman strongly believes in the sovereignty of God (Psalm 115:3), she has learned to be content in every situation (Philippians 4:11). Her motivation and her hope come from knowing that she is a recipient of redemption by grace (Romans 3:23-24) and that God will complete the good work He has begun in her (Philippians 1:6). In conclusion, she celebrates all the tasks of her womanhood because it is in her pursuit of these God-given tasks that she feels most fulfilled and thus her God is most glorified.
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