What remnant are we,
Encased in materialism
And supernova dreams of
Success and glory,
And all those things moths and rust do corrupt.

Like a pearl
Entombed in the oyster
Who, created for glory,
Is hidden,
Our light wanes
In the dark sepulcher of prosperity.

Mouths opened wide,
We are filled
But unsatisfied.
Consuming all that’s vanity,
Now too full for “bread of life” or “living water.”

Let us starve
And thirst,
Embracing poverty of soul
Above opulence of life,
Till, emaciated enough,
We finally savor Words of Life.

By Marcella Franseen

It’s no secret that other people influence our lives. This is a widely understood fact of life. Sciences have been created to study how people affect one another. Sociology and psychology are studies of human interaction. Advertising, marketing, and economics have a firm foundation in understanding influences that we exert on one another and this isn’t a recent phenomenon. Ancient proverbs speak of men sharpening each other as iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17).

I have never been in a relationship that has not been strained at sometime. All relationships will be strained, but it is how we come out on the other side that determines our development. We can’t control the way others are going to react, but we can learn to react in the character of godliness. I can tell you from experience that God will allow you to be in difficult relationships to stretch you, challenge you and rub you the wrong way because He is working something out of your life that could not be worked out any other way. Look at David’s life and the relationships he had. His brothers despised him, his first mentor turned on him and his first wife scorned him.

Change would be the operative word to describe what relationships do for us. We are going to be changed as a result of relationships whether good or bad. Think back to the first job that you had. I worked for a hospital part-time while I was in high school. I had to learn to work with women, doctors and office workers. The duties I had to fulfill were to pick up the dirty linens and then clean offices at the end of the day. I learned at an early age how to maneuver through these different personalities and stay on task to complete my duties. It was my interaction with all of these different types of peoples that prepared me to do well at my next job.

Reflect on the relationship you have with your wife or if you are not married then a close friend and think about how you have been changed as a result of the relationship. The change we go through in relationships is a result of fellowship. The Greek word Koinōnia is translated as fellowship and means: “Participation in anything, the using of a thing in common.” When I think of the word Koinōnia, I think of the word partnership. A partner shares, loves and works together. When you do this you are going to change because you will rub off on one another.

The Bible is full of relationships and development. Jesus and the twelve, Paul and Timothy are clear examples of mentoring relationships. I like the term coined by Steven Covey when he describes Win-Win relationships. Ideally when seeking out a mentoring relationship we want to seek out relationships that are going to be beneficial to both parties. You have to bring a skill to the table that is beneficial to be honed. What I mean is if someone is a chef then he has no interest in mentoring an accountant interested in banking. It would not be a Win-Win situation since the skills and passions don’t match. If you are simply giving spiritual mentoring then having similar skill sets is not necessary since the relationship will be one of merely spiritual empowerment and support.

Skills and character are honed by the acceptance of constructive criticism. I don’t know anyone who likes to be corrected; however iron-sharpening-iron is a direct reference to this activity. I will use myself as an example. When writing a book I will do my best to send it out to other writers so that they can give me constructive feedback. I don’t always like the feedback that I get, but looking through a different set of eyes helps me to challenge what I think and helps me to get it right. It is usually my wife who is the greatest help at this because she knows me so well. She knows when I am being arrogant or critical and when she gives me feedback I have learned to take it to heart. I did not say that I immediately like what she says, but I give it a lot of thought.

In ending this post I want to encourage you to seek out those you can have a Win-Win relationship with in regards to developing your gifts. One word of warning that I will give is don’t become too exclusive in this approach. I have found that many times God will have you learn from someone and once you have what you need He will move you on to your next learning session. It does not mean that you have to break relationship, but that your next relationship will build upon what has already been imparted. Don’t let people play the exclusive game with you especially in the church. We have two permanent covenants in the New Testament, which are marriage and Christ. Everything else is subject to change.

We don’t always have to have a close working relationship with someone for him or her to be our role model. In todays electronic age we can glean from others in so many different ways. It is helpful to watch creativity at work in other people and get ideas to help us. Find people who are doing things right and model them. You don’t have to copy them, but let them inspire you and gain from their experience.

This post is by Darren T. Carter

darren@foundationmin.org

http://foundationmin.org

http://facebook.com/FoundationMin

@FoundationMin

If you want to accomplish something of value, you have to be willing to go beyond where you have gone before. The world is full of people who have settled for the comfortable status quo of existence instead of pursuing their purpose. If you are willing to press on to something new, it will take breaking outside the familiar with fresh new ideas. You can settle for mediocrity or you can press beyond what is familiar to you and be willing to face the unfamiliar. It will be a challenge and will more than likely cost you, but to remain fresh in your faith, family, and career, you have to be willing to have your life turned upside down from time to time.

Jesus talked about new and old wineskins. Author Richard Florida polled 20,000 creative professionals and gave them a choice of thirty-eight factors that motivated them to do their best. The top two factors were challenge and flexibility. Let’s look at this in reference to new and old wineskins. If we want to succeed by accomplishing the will of God, we have to be willing to be challenged and remain flexible.

The wineskins Jesus talked about were made out of freshly killed goats or lambs, and the whole animal was actually used. You had to use skins from freshly killed animals so it could stretch during the wine fermentation process. If you have ever gone through a time of change, you know that you were both challenged and stretched beyond what you had known before. It is actually a process of death and new life. One thing we can learn from this analogy that Jesus used is that new life will require sacrifice. No one likes sacrifice, but if you want to experience the new, many times there are things you have to leave behind, which will most likely require you to sacrifice something you valued in the former season.

What do you think the horseshoe maker thought when the train was invented? He did not immediately see a loss in business, but if he had foresight, he would have challenged himself to learn a new trade or at least make sure his son was prepared. The horse was not done away with, but as a mode of transportation, it was killed and replaced with a new, more reliable technology. We are constantly going through this process. Take a look in recent times. If you work for a newspaper, you can choose to hold on to that old wineskin or stir up your creativity to move into something new. Those who are willing to take the challenge to learn something new and remain flexible will have the new creative wine poured into their hearts. The reality of the times we live in is that if you don’t rise to the challenge and remain flexible, it can actually threaten your survival. Flexibility enables you to:

1. Challenge previous accomplishments.
2. Press beyond the familiar into the new.
3. Look at things with a new perspective.
4. Problem solve so that you get workable solutions.
5. Keep you fresh and in front of the pack.

This post is by Darren T. Carter

darren@foundationmin.org

http://foundationmin.org

http://facebook.com/FoundationMin

@FoundationMin

“Although faith is the act of man, yet it is the work of God. “With the heart man believeth unto righteousness;” but that heart must, first of all, have been renewed by divine grace before it ever can be capable of the act of saving faith. Faith, we say, is man’s act, for we are commanded to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” and we shall be saved. At the same time, faith is God’s gift, and wherever we find it, we may know that it did not come there from the force of nature, but from a work of divine grace.”

C.H. Spurgeon

Romans 10:14-17

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?
And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?
And how are they to hear vwithout someone preaching?
And how are they to preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

(Note: It does not say that they did not hear of their own stubborn will.  This is true, but the reason is expounded further in Romans 11)

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)

“Surely there is on end; and your expectation shall not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18

Christian! There is an end to all your troubles, trials, and temptations–you will survive them all, and rise superior to them.

There is an end to all your enemies, and their designs to injure you. They will either be converted to friends, or be everlastingly destroyed from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of His power.

There is an end to all your disappointments and vexations–you will soon be disappointed for the last time, and shall know vexation no more.

There is an end to your sickness–it is not eternal. Your pains are of short duration–but your pleasures shall forever flow!

Oh, think of this and be grateful! Your expectation of being forever . . .
freed from sin,
delivered from Satan,
raised above the world,
placed beyond the reach of sorrow,
and of being forever with the Lord
–shall not be cut off!

Your troubles are confined to this howling wilderness–but can never enter the paradise into which you will shortly dwell. There will be an end of all you complain of, mourn over, or seek deliverance from. There will be a beginning–but no end, to all that you ardently desire, long, and pray for! Jesus will soon complete His redemption, by eradicating sin, sickness, and sorrow–and by raising His saints incorruptible, and perfectly conformed to Himself!

Look beyond your present sufferings–and anticipate the glory that is to be revealed.

Time will soon fade away before the unfading glories of eternity!

Time bounds your trials–but only eternity bounds your possessions, pleasures, and glories!

Grace be swallowed up in glory forever!

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)

“By grace you are saved!” Ephesians 2:8

Salvation is by free grace alone! In eternity past, the Lord fixed upon the objects whom He intended to deliver from sin, Satan, and the curse–and whom He designed to raise to holiness, happiness, and honor. He assigns no reason but His sovereign good pleasure: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion!”

He chose His people out of the vast mass–and recorded their names in the book of life. He gave them to our dear and adorable Immanuel–to be His care, charge, and bride. He appointed them to life, sonship, and conformity to Jesus–and all of free grace!

Grace scatters blessings upon millions–but never utters a curse against any. She provides salvation for her objects–but is in no sense the cause of the damnation of the rest. Her language is SAVE; but never DESTROY.

Sovereign grace, rightly viewed–embodies everything that is sweet, pleasant, charming, and delightful. It is . . .
as free as the summer breeze,
as pure as the sun’s bright ray,
and as pleasant as the morning light!

All who know it–love it,
all who have seen it–admire it,
and all who enjoy it–adore it!

Grace finds . . .
a depth for our sins,
a fountain for our needs,
a covering for our persons, and
a Heaven for our eternal habitation.

Oh that Heaven would coin language sufficiently grand, and furnish ideas sufficiently noble–to speak of the glories of sovereign grace, or to show forth half its praise!

Salvation, then, . . .
originates in the free grace of God,
flows in the channel of the Redeemer’s blood, and
aims at the glorification of Jehovah in all His perfections.

Salvation was . . .
planned in eternity,
executed in time, and
shall be realized and enjoyed until eternity can end!

Salvation is . . .
  divine in its contrivance, execution, and application;
  holy in its character, tendency, and design;
and free in its bestowment and operations.

Salvation is of God, by grace, to holiness–forever!

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)

HELL! Who shall attempt to describe what is wrapped up in that fearful word? Yet all that it contains was your righteous desert; and but for sovereign mercy–must have been your eternal portion!

What a mercy–to be out of Hell! Yes, even though you are now in the sorest trials, in the greatest pains!

(J.R. Miller, “Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ” 1890)

“Today shall you be with Me in paradise!” Luke 23:43

This was the second saying of the Savior on the cross. Something touched the heart of one of the robbers–may it not have been the Savior’s prayer for His murderers? He became penitent in his dying hour, and cried to Jesus for mercy: “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Quickly from the lips of the dying Redeemer came the gracious response, “Today shall you be with Me in paradise!” The words are full of meaning, of which only broken hints can here be given.

Though in the agony of death–Jesus could yet give life to a dead soul. Though draining the dregs of the cup of woe–He could give a cup of blessedness to a penitent sinner. Though His hand was nailed to the cross–it yet carried the key of paradise, and opened the gate to allow a repentant soul to enter. Surely there was no more royal moment in all of Christ’s life, than this!

The promise itself tells us what death is for the believer. “Today shall you be with Me!” There is no long, dark passage, therefore, through which the freed soul must go to reach blessedness. There is no “purgatory” in which it must punished for its sins for long years–before it can enter Heaven. At once, the redeemed spirit goes into the presence of Christ!

Paul teaches us the same truth when he describes death as departing to be with Christ; and says that to be absent from the body–is to be at home with the Lord. That same day, said Jesus–this penitent would be in paradise! We ought not then, to be afraid to die–if we are Christ’s redeemed and holy ones.

The words tell us also, what Heaven’s blessedness really consists of. “You shall be with Me.” Being with Christ–is glory! No sweeter, more blessed Heaven can be conceived of!

We know but little about Heaven as a place–where it is, what it is like; but this much we know–that there we shall be with Christ! Is not that enough to know?

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory!” Romans 8:17

The spiritual mind is like a bird locked up in a cage, while burdened with a body of sin and death. We cannot do the things that we desire–so we long, pant, and pray for liberty.

Liberty, glorious liberty is before us!

Perfect and entire freedom from all sin–and temptation to sin!

Every corruption will be slain, and completely rooted out of body and soul!

No dark clouds of ignorance will any more hover over the understanding.

No sinful or selfish principles will any more influence the will.

No corroding guilt will again obtain a place in the conscience.

No unworthy objects will be presented, or have power to captivate any of the affections.

No profane or forbidden subjects will any more be found in the memory.

Reason will be correctly informed. “Now we know in part, and prophesy in part–but then shall we know even as also we are known.”

Holiness will enter into the very nature of body and soul!

We shall be separated completely and forever, from everything that is painful, defiling, or injurious–and united closely and forever to all that is holy, happy, and beneficial.

Tried believer! What an ocean of glory is here! Adam’s paradise was nothing compared to this!

All things are yours!

God is yours!

Heaven is yours!

The glory of Jesus is yours!

Your end will be glorious–though your present situation is painful and distressing. You will soon be delivered . . .
from every fear,
from every foe,
from every impediment, and
from evil in every shape and form!

“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard, and
no mind has imagined–
what God has prepared for those who love Him!”
1 Corinthians 2:9 

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble” 1842)

“All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they confessed that they werestrangers and pilgrims on the earth!” Hebrews 11:13

Every believer is a pilgrim. He is traveling to his Father’s house! He is presently a stranger in a strange land, surrounded by temptations, trials, and foes. His journey lies through a great and terrible wilderness. Therefore he must not expect a very smooth path, or many comfortable accommodations. He will have much to grieve and distress him. His heart will be often burdened with grief, and filled with sorrow–tears are common to the Christian. He feels the unsuitableness of the things of time to his spirit, profession, and aim. And therefore he confesses, “I am a stranger and a pilgrim–as all my fathers were!” Psalm 39:12

Weariness and painfulness are his portion now–but a rest remains for him! It is a glorious rest. It embraces and includes all that the believer has prayed for–or can desire!
It waits for him at the end of his journey,
it was prepared for him from the foundation of the world,
it is now promised to him in the faithful word, and
it will be bestowed upon him when he has fought the good fight, and finished his course.

Everything at present may appear gloomy and distressing; but ahead of you, believer, everything is glorious, magnificent, and blessed! Press on then–fight the good fight of faith. Travel on in the strength of Jesus! You are going home–and you have a glorious home to go to!

The minute after you have entered your rest–you will forget all the fatigue, all the dangers, and all the difficulties of the way! You will perhaps be filled with wonder, that you should ever have allowed such trifles to vex you, or such little trials to discourage you–with such a glorious end before you.

Fellow-pilgrim, expect trouble–but also expect mercy to help you in time of need! Expect to feel your circumstances to be trying–but also expect your Savior’s strength to be perfected in your weakness! You will soon end your tedious, tiresome journey–and enter into the joy of your Lord!

Never forget you are now a pilgrim–a stranger–only a sojourner here in this poor world. Here you have no continuing city–but you seek for one to come.

Nothing can make this poor world your rest–it will always be a wilderness to you. Be content then, to wait until you get home! There you shall enjoy–and always enjoy, all your desires! There will not be one unfulfilled want, wish, or desire there! All will be satisfied–all will be full. In a little while–you will see the portal of your Father’s house, and hear Him say, “Come in, you who are blessed of the Lord, tarry no longer outside! Come, dwell forever with Me!”