Category: Bible thoughts

A heavenly standard

Last modified: 12th January 2018

A heavenly standard for the regulation of all our conduct by A.W.Pink.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth. You shall MEDITATE on it day and night — so that you may be careful to DO everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

“You shall MEDITATE on it day and night.” Only thus will its injunctions be fixed in the memory; only thus shall we be able to ascertain our duty; only thus shall we discern the rightful application of the Divine precepts to all the varied details of our daily lives.

The more I am regulated by the Divine Rule — the more I shall be preserved from the mistakes and follies which characterize those who follow a course of self-pleasing. But in order to do God’s commandments, I must be conversant with them; and in order to perceive their breadth and specific application unto any problem or decision confronting me, I must “meditate on it day and night.” Meditation stands to reading — as mastication does to eating. Spiritual prosperity eludes the slothful and careless.

“That you may be careful to DO everything written in it.” This must be the dominating motive and object. God’s Word is to be appropriated and masticated — fed and meditated upon — not for the purpose of understanding its prophecies, or obtaining an insight into its mysteries — but in order to learn God’s will for myself, and having learned it — to conform thereunto. God’s Word is given to us chiefly — not to gratify curiosity or to entertain our imagination — but as “a lamp to our feet — and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105) in this dark world. It is a Rule for us to walk by — it is a heavenly standard for the regulation of all our conduct. It points out the things to be avoided — the things which would harm us. It tells of the things to be followed and practiced — the things which are for our good and our peace. It contains not only good advice — but is clothed with Divine authority, commanding implicit and unqualified obedience.

[Forwarded from Shamim]

God’s Good Design

Last modified: 11th October 2017

At Monyhull we ascribe to the FIEC statement on the role of women in ministry. This is summarised by the term complementarian as distinct from the egalitarian view. We respect but disagree with those Christians and churches who believe there are no scriptural differences in gender roles.  A small mid-week Focus Group has been meeting in recent weeks studying this subject using a great resource by Sharon James called God’s Design for Women.

One of our church members, Caroline Bell, who is preparing to serve in full-time Christian ministry overseas wrote the following review of a book we would recommend as a church if you want to read more deeply on the subject.

God’s Good Design

In this book Claire Smith explores 7 Bible passages which outline God’s design for women, particularly focusing on their roles within marriage and in the church. I found her style clear and methodical, as she outlined what each passage says and addressed common objections to a literal interpretation of them. She draws the conclusion that God’s design is for men and women to have complementarian roles (that men and women have equal value but different roles which complement each other). I appreciated how she recognises that this is counter-cultural and her honesty in sharing her journey of how she changed from an egalitarian (men and women don’t have different roles) understanding to a complentarian one. I thought this was a very accessible read, with a logical flow and helpful suggestions for application.

Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!

Last modified: 5th September 2017

“Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward!” Job 5:7

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” John 16:33

“Through many hardships and tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

No one has ever lived, who has not had his times of discouragement, heaviness, sorrow and disappointment. Cares and afflictions come to all. Life has its adversities — it must needs have them.

Adversity, pain, sorrow, and disappointment — are the lathe upon which God shapes us. They are the grinding-wheel which grinds and smoothes us. They are the polishing-wheel which makes us shine. If we can never be happy until we are so situated that nothing exists which may tend to render us unhappy — then we shall have little happiness in life.

Happiness does not come from a life of ease and indolence. It is not the result of the absence of obstacles and difficulties. Happiness comes from triumphing over them. Therefore the song of true happiness, often arises from the soul which undergoes many adversities.

Dear soul, Jesus knows all about your troubles. He knows every heartache, every difficulty, everything you must overcome, everything you must bear. Trusting in His grace, relying upon His help — you shall soon find your heart filling again with melody, for the clouds will pass away! (Charles Naylor)

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away!” Revelation 21:4