The Gospel

Encouraging our Children’s Faith

A wonderful article from Ed Welch to consider and apply as we pray and trust God for our children:

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Continue in what you have learned and become convinced of” (2 Timothy 3:14) because he knew some who had not continued.

We share his concerns. We share them especially for our children as they become increasingly independent. Statistics vary widely but one thing is clear, many children who were raised in Christian homes leave the faith they once professed.

We can’t make our children continue in the faith, but we aren’t left anxious and passive. We can give our children the privilege of being in a family where they are taught about, participate in, and witness life with Jesus.

The Best Evangelist

If you have a wayward child you are worried about, who won't even listen to the gospel from church or from you, remember this truth:

There is no better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit." ~D.L. Moody

In Grateful Memory of John Stott (1921-2011)

"I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the One Nietzsche ridiculed as 'God on the cross.' In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statue of the Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world. But each time after a while I have had to turn away. And in imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in Godforsaken darkness. That is the God for me! He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in the light of his. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross that symbolizes divine suffering. 'The cross of Christ ... is God’s only self-justification in such a world” as ours....' 'The other gods were strong; but thou wast weak; they rode, but thou didst stumble to a throne; But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak, And not a god has wounds, but thou alone.'” ~John Stott, The Cross of Christ, p. 326-327

“So Was Jesus”

"Your soul's business is in the hand of a High Priest who can be touched with the feeling of your infirmities...He well knows that world through which you are struggling, for He dwelt in the midst of it thirty-three years. He well knows 'the contradiction of sinners', which so often discourages you, for He endured it Himself (Heb. 12:3). He well knows the art and cunning of your spiritual enemy, the devil, for He wrestled with him in the wilderness. Surely with such an advocate you may well feel bold.

Are you alone in the world, and neglected by those who ought to love you?

So also was Jesus.

Are you misunderstood, misrepresented, slandered and persecuted?

So also was Jesus.

Do you ever feel great agony and conflict of mind? Do you feel in darkness as if God has left you?

So did Jesus.

It is impossible to conceive a Savior more suited to the wants of man's heart than our Lord Jesus Christ--suited not only by His power, but by His sympathy--suited not only by His divinity, but His humanity...[He] is the most loving and sympathizing of friends, as well as the mightiest and most powerful of Saviors....you want no comfort...so long as you can repose your weary soul on the Man Christ Jesus."  ~J.C. Ryle, Holiness, pp.240-242

Covenant Mercies

Each Christmas season, my sisters and I try and think of a new way to draw our children’s attention away from “getting” and towards “giving.” This year Mike and I decided to have Caly begin sponsoring a child with Covenant Mercies.

For those of you who aren’t aware, Covenant Mercies is a “gospel-centered non-profit organization” dedicated to “serving the poor, the orphan, and the widow.” This ministry is an auxiliary of Covenant Fellowship Church--the Sovereign Grace Church located in Philadelphia, PA. We girltalkers are privileged to know the Covenant Mercies director, Doug Hayes, and I am so excited for our family to be able to participate with this ministry in the great work they are doing around the world.

This morning Caly and I sat down together and had a talk about Christmas and this new opportunity. I was able to remind her again about how blessed she is and how there are many children who don’t even have enough food to eat or warm clothes to wear--forget about Christmas presents. And through an organization like Covenant Mercies we can play our small part in caring for one of these children. So we turned on the computer and I helped her sign up to become an official sponsor.

Such a small thing, but I’m praying that the Lord would use it to help Caly grow in love this Christmas, and give a child she may never meet a glimpse of the Savior’s love.

(photo by David Saks from Covenant Mercies website)

One of Those Days

Today was “one of those days.” I woke up late and could barely keep my eyes open as I began my morning routine. I was behind schedule. All of my well thought out plans for my morning seemed lost. On days like this, the temptation to live by my emotions looms large. Complaining and grumbling were on my tongue. And then I read this, “We are TODAY accepted in the Beloved, TODAY absolved from sin, TODAY acquitted at the bar of God. Oh! Soul-transporting thought.” Mr. Spurgeon strikes again. My grumbling heart stood rebuked. Today is one of those days--one of those amazing days, which find me standing before the bar of God acquitted from all of my sin because of the death of Jesus Christ on my behalf. Yes, Mr. Spurgeon, this is a “soul transporting” thought.

Regardless of what this day holds for you, may the truth of your acceptance in the Beloved reign first in your heart. 

(reprinted from the archives)

Every Event of Every Day

"Every single thing that happens to us expresses God's love to us, and comes to us for the furthering of God's purpose for us. Thus, so far as we are concerned, God is love to us--holy, omnipotent love--at every moment and in every event of every day's life. Even when we cannot see the why and the wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can rejoice always, even when, humanly speaking, things are going wrong. We know that the true story of our life, when known, will prove to be, as the hymn says, "mercy from first to last" -- and we are content."

J.I. Packer, Knowing God p. 123

“What Is the Gospel?”

Thought you’d like to see this clever introduction to the gospel by the folks at Southern Seminary. Show it to your children or forward it to a friend—a great way to start up or continue a gospel conversation:

What is the Gospel? from Southern Seminary on Vimeo.

HT: Justin Taylor

The Prodigal Daughter

This song and video is a powerful reminder of the grace of our heavenly Father:

HT: Tony Reinke

Evangelism Jitters

What if I say the wrong thing?

What if I can’t answer her questions?

What if I totally botch the conversation?

These were just a few of the fearful questions swirling around in my brain last week as I anticipated 1:00 PM on Thursday. This was the time I had arranged to meet with an unbeliever who wanted to ask me questions about God.

Come Thursday morning I “happened” to check a blog I occasionally read and here was the post for that day:

Election Fuels Evangelism

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,  “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (AC 18.9-11)

Election and evangelism work together.  God had chosen many in Corinth – he called them “my people” – though they were not yet saved.  Because they were elect, God told Paul not to fear but keep proclaiming the gospel.  Far from producing apathy, God’s sovereignty fueled Paul’s evangelism.

God has people all around us that he sees as saved.  Let’s go on speaking and not be silent.

My apprehension immediately lifted.

This woman’s salvation was not dependent on me. God is the one who saves.

I simply needed to speak.

So speak I did. I certainly wasn’t eloquent. In fact, I don’t think I did a very good job.

Yet my deficiencies didn’t seem to diminish this woman’s interest. Even though she didn’t put her trust in Jesus Christ, she’s responding. She’s seeking.

Sitting in Starbucks that Thursday afternoon, my heart thrilled to think that perhaps she is one of God’s elect. And however feeble my effort, I know God was with me—he gave me grace to speak and not be silent.

Friday Thoughts

It’s been such an exciting week here at girltalk! We now have almost 800 members of The 5 O’Clock Club and over 300 members in The FAM Club. How encouraging to join with so many of you to rise early to seek God and pray and fast for our families!
 
We’ve published a few 5 O’Clock Club testimonies that will spur you on in your efforts to rise early. And by the way, today is the last day we’ll choose every 28th member to win a Starbucks card, so if you haven’t already, sign up by midnight tonight.
 
More encouragement for you club members coming next week, but today we want to take a detour from our “club talk.” There’s an article we don’t want you to miss. This past week, Albert Mohler shared a story, “Adopted for Life….and in Death” that deeply affected us all. It’s a reminder to continue to pray for the people of Haiti, even as the tragedy fades from the public consciousness. And it is a powerful picture of the grace of adoption we have received through Jesus Christ.
 
For the girls,
Carolyn
 

Gospel Food

My oldest son Andrew turned nine last month. It seems like only yesterday when I took that pregnancy test which told me, with those 2 pink lines, that I was going to be a mother for the very first time. 

Even though it was almost ten years ago now, I still clearly remember the first three months of my pregnancy with him.  I remember what food I craved (cheese) and what food I detested (chicken).  I remember talking about food, dreaming about food, planning my food.  I even had a list of specific restaurants I needed to visit. Ruby Tuesdays and (coincidentally) Andrew’s, a diner near my work, topped the list. My body was telling me something: I needed food in order to care for and nourish the little one growing inside me.

The gospel is to our soul what food is to our body. Our souls need the gospel and we don’t just need it once a month or once a week, or even once a day. We need it constantly--breakfast, lunch and dinner and in between.

We need to be constantly reminding ourselves of these amazing truths: that God sent His only Son to earth, to live a perfect life and die in our place, paying the price of all of our sins so that we might receive salvation. We our justified, not because of anything we have done or will ever do, but through our Savior’s blood, shed at Calvary.

That’s wonderful truth, you may be thinking, but I thought you were going to give me time-saving tips. Instead you are telling me that even though I can’t remember where I put the keys or what day of the week it is, I’ve got to remember the gospel too!

Trust me, I understand. I’ve been there. But preaching the gospel to yourself is not another item on your to-do list, any more than eating is. The gospel is the fuel, the source of power, strength, peace and hope that will get us moms with young kids through today, tomorrow, and this crazy overwhelming season of our lives.

Without a steady diet of gospel truth our souls will shrivel and our strength will wane; but a steady diet of gospel truth will give us power to persevere, even in the most tiring of times.

But how do we find the time to preach the gospel to ourselves? Tomorrow we’ll suggest a few ideas.

A Mother’s Hope

As mothers who have trusted in Jesus Christ, we have the hope of the gospel.

The gospel begins with some bad news. It confirms the fact that we are all sinful, rebellious creatures. Rebellion is not unique to children today. In Psalm 51, King David laments, "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (v. 5).

But the gospel doesn’t leave us with bad news. The message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ has come to save rebellious sinners: mothers and children. He lived a perfect, rebellion-free life, fully submitted to His Father, and died a cruel death as our substitute. Then He rose from the dead and is seated now at the right hand of God, the Father.

The truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection is our hope as mothers. In his book, Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Tripp concurs:

“You have reason for hope as parents who desire to see your children have faith. The hope is in the power of the gospel. The gospel is suited to the human condition. The gospel is attractive. God has already shown great mercy to your children. He has given them a place of rich privilege. He has placed them in a home where they have heard His truth. They have seen the transforming power of grace in the lives of His people. Your prayer and expectation is that the gospel will overcome their resistance as it has yours.”

The gospel message should provide us with tremendous heart-strengthening, soul-encouraging hope: Jesus Christ is "mighty to save" (Isa. 63:1).

More Than a Bailout

Like many Americans I was astounded by the 700 billion dollars recently required to save our banking system. That amount of money is hard to comprehend.

But the cost to rescue me from sin, as my pastor reminded me on Sunday, was infinitely greater than any economic bailout:

“You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

Consider the cost and grieve. Consider the cost and worship.

One of Those Days

Today was “one of those days.” I woke up late and could barely keep my eyes open as I began my morning routine. I was behind schedule. All of my well thought out plans for my morning seemed lost. On days like this, the temptation to live by my emotions looms large. Complaining and grumbling were on my tongue. And then I read this, “We are TODAY accepted in the Beloved, TODAY absolved from sin, TODAY acquitted at the bar of God. Oh! Soul-transporting thought.” Mr. Spurgeon strikes again. My grumbling heart stood rebuked. Today is one of those days--one of those amazing days, which find me standing before the bar of God acquitted from all of my sin because of the death of Jesus Christ on my behalf. Yes, Mr. Spurgeon, this is a “soul transporting” thought.

Regardless of what this day holds for you, may the truth of your acceptance in the Beloved reign first in your heart.