The Triune God and the Lost World

By A.W. Tozer

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:20 NIV)

Then Jesus told them of the man who had two sons. The one we would call, in our day, a delinquent. I have never understood why the father gave him his share of the estate when he asked for it. But the father did, and the son set out and soon had squandered all the money. Forsaken by his false friends, he had to feed pigs in their stinking pen to earn something to eat. Finally he said to himself, “What a fool I am! I will return home and be a servant to my father. At least I will have food.”
We all know the rest of the story. “I am unworthy!” the boy confessed to his father. But his father forgave him and dressed him in new garments. He threw a great feast and, amid much rejoicing, restored the boy to his place in the family.

I read and studied those three stores for a long while without being sure I knew what Jesus meant to convey by them. I checked out the commentaries and the reference books; still I was not sure of the meaning. So I sought God alone in earnest prayer to find out what He was trying to say to us as a lost and alienated race. I share with you what the Spirit of God taught me.

Jesus was trying to make plain the searching, seeking, loving ministries of the Trinity—the Godhead. That lost boy was the lost world. That lost sheep was the lost world. That lost piece of silver was the lost world.

Prayer
O God, how You welcome the lost who come home to You!

Thought
God seeks the lost. Do we? Our tendency is to write them off as those who have chosen their destiny direction. But isn’t it the person who is lost and admits it the one who is sought, rather than the one who is lost but considers him or herself never to have wandered?

Used with Permission.

Hi people can you see how many days left???? haha.. 15 man!! Oh well.

Today Rev Tang Spoke on prayer quoting hannah in 1 sam 1:9-18

1 Samuel 1:9-18 (New King James Version)

⁹So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle^[a] of the LORD. ¹⁰And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. ¹¹Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”

¹²And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. ¹³Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. ¹⁴So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!”

¹⁵But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. ¹⁶Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman,^[b] for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.”

¹⁷Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”

¹⁸And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

And basically said to:

Pray with humbleness
Pray with persistence
Pray with faith

Also.. he mentioned that she kept her vow that the male child would be a nazerite and would be dedicated to God.

Then i was thinking in order to do all this, maybe we shld start praying for a start. haha… For the guy’s in daniel’s class, we all know whats this “spiritual taxes” we must give. Ha.. okay la, sounds bad but.. its like we all sponge off pastor and sunday sch and ppl to teach us… but have we prayed for them? Prayer is the “price” of this service we recieve, prayer is the service tax above out tithes and offerings.. you could even say it is much more important than what goes into the offering bags.

On another note, this place being a “mind dump” is something i hope it not to be. Just an expression of my mood… feelings and all… nono. No way. If i am going to express my mood and feelings, i shall do it in a manner beneficial to my testimony and my life, and the way people perceive me.

Anyway, out of interest and entertainment… i decided to put together an anthology of verses to do with fools.

Are you a FOOL??

Proverbs 10:18
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 10:23
To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

Proverbs 11:29
He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.

Proverbs 13:16
Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.

Proverbs 14:3
In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Proverbs 14:16
A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident.

Proverbs 15:5
A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.

Proverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.

Proverbs 17:7
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

Proverbs 17:10
Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.

Proverbs 17:12
Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.

Proverbs 17:16
Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom, Since he has no heart for it?

Proverbs 17:21
He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:24
Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Proverbs 18:2
A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

Proverbs 19:1
[ The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life ] Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

Proverbs 19:10
Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

Proverbs 20:3
It is honorable for a man to stop striving, Since any fool can start a quarrel.

Proverbs 23:9
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Proverbs 24:7
Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate.

Proverbs 26:1
[ Honor Is Not Fitting for a Fool ] As snow in summer and rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.

Proverbs 26:4
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.

Proverbs 26:5
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

Proverbs 26:6
He who sends a message by the hand of a fool Cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

Proverbs 26:8
Like one who binds a stone in a sling Is he who gives honor to a fool.

Proverbs 26:10
The great God who formed everything Gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.

Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to his own vomit, So a fool repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 27:22
Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, Yet his foolishness will not depart from him.

Proverbs 28:26
He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Proverbs 29:9
If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.

Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.

Proverbs 29:20
Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 30:22
For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food,

Ecclesiastes 2:14
The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all.

Ecclesiastes 4:5
The fool folds his hands And consumes his own flesh.

Ecclesiastes 7:6
For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 10:3
Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;

Ecclesiastes 10:14
A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?

Jeremiah 17:11
“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, So is he who gets riches, but not by right; It will leave him in the midst of his days, And at his end he will be a fool.”

Haha… i guess alot of people are feeling foolish already. At least I am.

Hmm… its getting a tad late. I’m going to turn in now. Had a wonderful time canoeing…

oh man… it’s TWENTY days to ORD only!!! oh man oh man OH MAN!!! i can even countdown using my fingers and toes!! ahhhHhhHHhHhHHH!!!!!!

Hmm… was just only looking for articles and stuff to read. I’m so tired of all this and i haven’t even begun saying what i wanna say. Its been a really smooth time in my life, alot of pondering and thinking each day. Its scary how the days are just whooshing by and then i’m going to be done with army, or shld i say started with sch? Theres no fear no jitters prob cos i haven’t reach the time yet but when i do i think i’ll be in a mess again.

Its silly how circumstances don’t really affect your character at all? cos out of that character a behaviour springs forth. And though circumstances change a behaviour. It is very very long before it starts moulding your character. Don’t tell yourself you’ll have time to read bible when you’re done with exams, don’t tell yourself you’re too tired today cos tommorrow will be no different, being free will be no different, having holidays will be no different. It may be different for a while, but it won’t matter once it settles into a routine. Sometimes when i sit in sunday sch its just weird. I feel like i can follow a thought process but i cannot really generate it. Predicting what is going to be said or what direction the whole conversation is taking is really obvious and easy but generating it is a whole different ball game. I stay in the younger class because i really don’t want to move to a different age group and also i feeel something for them there. Like i have something to give but i haven’t found out how to give. Its just a very confusing time for me in service and all. Music is just being steady and stagnant. Its tough enough to innovate by itself, but theres always this added dimension of other people’s opinions. And it is constantly pressed on you. I wish to offend nobody, and also to remain at peace with all. So forgive me if my speech seems to gnaw at your personal space or character, i’ll do my best to change how i say it.

Also, I wish people would just be less critical and more solution based. Assigning blame is unproductive, destructive comments are unproductive and grudges are unproductive. I feel there is always never enough a person could have done to change something that is bothering them or has gone wrong already. Submitting to circumstances with much murmuring and complaining without actively seeking to solve the situation at hand is terrible to say the least. The facts are all there already.. its what you choose to do that really matters. To respond in love or to obey your flesh and pride. To refuse to lower your pride continually to be a humble vessel of God’s message to people who are hard to reach.

Matthew 7

Do Not Judge

Things That Count with God

^{(A) 1} “Judge not, that you be not judged. ²For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

⁶“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking

^{(B) 7}“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ⁹Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? ¹¹If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! ¹²Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Christ reproves rash judgment.

We must judge ourselves, and judge of our own acts, but not make our word a law to everybody. We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment upon our brother without any ground. We must not make the worst of people. Here is a just reproof to those who quarrel with their brethren for small faults, while they allow themselves in greater ones. Some sins are as motes, while others are as beams; some as a gnat, others as a camel. Not that there is any sin little; if it be a mote, or

splinter, it is in the eye; if a gnat, it is in the throat; both are painful and dangerous, and we cannot be easy or well till they are got out. That which charity teaches us to call but a splinter in our brother’s eye, true repentance and godly sorrow will teach us to call a beam in our own. It is as strange that a man can be in a sinful, miserable condition, and not be aware of it, as that a man should have a beam in his eye, and not consider it; but the god of this world blinds their minds.

Here is a good rule for reprovers; first reform thyself. (Mt 7:7-11)

And i will not stop at there. To say simply to settle your own problems before you bother others is silly because the end of it is to edify and admonish one another so that..

Hebrews 10

Hold Fast Your Confession

¹⁹Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹and having a High Priest over the house of God, ²²let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

EXHORT

EXHORT’, v.t. egzhort’. L. exhortor; ex and hortor, to encourage, to embolden, to cheer, to advise. The primary sense seems to be to excite or to give strength, spirit or courage.

1. To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to any laudable conduct or course of action.

I exhort you to be of good cheer. Acts. 27.

Young men also exhort to be sober minded.

Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters. Tit.2.

2. To advise; to warn; to caution.

3. To incite or stimulate to exertion.

EXHORT’, v.i. To deliver exhortation; to use words or arguments to incite to good deeds.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort. Acts.2.

Its easy to be right with the LORD and then come to a brother to tell him he has a plank in his eye. But are YOU going to help him remove it? or simply point it out? By pointing it out you have started the first step to stiring up good works, but there is more to do… you can assist in removing it.. and if that is not enough, you can get him a pair of goggles so he does not get another splinter in his eye. By that, i mean following up with him, encouraging him to be accountable to you or a senior person who is steady in his walk. There are endless possibilities but most are happy to just stop at pointing it out. Worse than that, when things are said that are not a solution to people who are not part of the problem or solution.

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 (New King James Version)

³I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. ⁴And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human^[a] wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Speach should not be of human wisdom… but of Godly wisdom, bcause human words only seerve as a temporary fix at best and permanent damage at worst.

Colossians 4:5-7 (New King James Version)

⁵Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. ⁶Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Speach must always be tactful and graceful. Not sladerous or damaging, the worst being speaking the truth unkindly and unlovingly

Titus 2 (New King James Version)

Qualities of a Sound Church

¹ But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: ²that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; ³the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things– ⁴that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

⁶Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, ⁷in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,^{[a] 8}sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.^[b]

⁹Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, ¹⁰not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Our speach MUST be founded in God’s word. For no other word does hold weight.

Telling someone off shloud not mean that he do exactly as you say, but exactly as God says. It might differ from what you had in mind but as long as it is not expressly spoken against in the bible, not stumbling to other believers, christian liberty should be allowed to be exercised. Not to frustrate others, but to exercise your liberty with love and consideration for others.

phew… said a whole lot. Sigh. Spent quite a while here over 4 hours on and of… going to sleep now. zzzzzz

Finishing Strong
Max Lucado

Remain. Hang in there. Finish. Stick to it until it is done. Unfortunately, very few of us do that. Our human tendency is to quit too soon. Our human tendency is to stop before we cross the finish line.

Our inability to finish what we start is seen in the smallest of things:
A partly mowed lawn. A half-read book. Letters begun but never completed. An abandoned diet. A car up on blocks.

Or, it shows up in life’s most painful areas:
An abandoned child. A cold faith. A job hopper. A wrecked marriage. An unevangelized world.

Am I touching some painful sores? Any chance I’m addressing someone who is considering giving up? If I am, I want to encourage you to remain. I want to encourage you to remember Jesus’ determination on the cross.

Jesus didn’t quit. But don’t think for one minute that he wasn’t tempted to. Watch him wince as he hears his apostles backbite and quarrel. Look at him weep as he sits at Lazarus’s tomb or hear him wail as he claws the ground of Gethsemane.

Did he ever want to quit? You bet.

That’s why his words are so splendid.

“It is finished.”

Are you close to quitting? Please don’t do it. Are you discouraged as a parent? Hang in there. Are you pessimistic about your job? Roll up your sleeves and go at it again. No communication in your marriage? Give it one more shot. Can’t resist temptation? Accept God’s forgiveness and go one more round. Is your day framed with sorrow and disappointment? Are your tomorrows turning into nevers? Is hope a forgotten word?

Remember, a finisher is not one with no wounds or weariness. Mother Teresa is credited with saying, “God didn’t call us to be successful, just faithful.”

The Land of Promise, says Jesus, awaits those who endure (Matthew 10:22). It is not just for those who make the victory laps or drink champagne. No sir. The Land of Promise is for those who remain to the end. Let’s endure.

From No Wonder They Call Him The Savior
Copyright 1986 Max Lucado