r L n -- really LOVE now! : June 2018

Friday, June 29, 2018

The LOVE Of CHRIST Compels Me - rLn's Testimony

CHRIST's LOVE COMPELS me to GLORY (to boast) ONLY in The CROSS of my Beloved LORD JESUS -- in His BLOOD, in His DEATH. CHRIST's LOVE MAKES me to LIVE this fleeting Life-101 for HIS Glory -- the GLORY of GOD's Name. CHRIST's LOVE CONSTRAINS me to PROclaim with holy BOLDness the GOOD News of SALVATION -- the FORGIVEness of SINs; the SUPERabounding POWER of The Holy SPIRIT of GOD for a LIFE of progressive SANCTIFICATION (the GOD-given SUPERnatural Unction to DENY my SELF, to HATE my PRIDE, to MORTIFY the lusts of my FLESH, to RESIST that DEVIL satan, to TURN from my SINs and the EMPTY pleasures of this world); and the SURE Hope of COMPLETE and TOTAL Redemption, including my own personal bodily RESURRECTION as promised by GOD my Heavenly FATHER to those who BELIEVE INto His ONLY Begotten SON; guaranteed by The LORD CHRIST JESUS Himself through His PERFECT Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension; and made REALITY by the ALL-Mighty LORD SPIRIT Himself Who NOW resides IN my QUICKENED spirit. (see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/glorying-only-in-the-cross/ -- "GLORYing ONLY In The CROSS" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Because of The CROSS of CHRIST -- GOD by His GRACE (UNdeserved Favor, UNdeserved Mercy, UNdeserved Pardon) -- granted me REPENTANCE (a CHANGE of mind and heart, a 180-degree TURNing FROM my SINs and TURNing TO GOD for the FORGIVENESS of my SINs) and the FAITH to TRUST (fully rely alone) in CHRIST's fully completed, fully satisfactory work of REDEMPTION. i was purchased from the SLAVERY of SIN, SELF, satan, and the world with the PRICELESS BLOOD of the GOD-Man CHRIST JESUS. His own DEATH gave me LIFE Eternal. (see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/a-changed-disposition/ -- "A CHANGED DISPOSITION" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Because of The CROSS of CHRIST -- GOD made me a NEW creation. i who was DEAD in my trespasses and SINs -- a spiritually DEAD soul, expressing "life" in my body -- was QUICKENED, made SPIRITually ALIVE in my spirit by The SPIRIT of the Risen LORD JESUS. Today i can say in FULL confidence that i am NO LONGER that Old Adamic ME-rlin, whose VAIN-glorious life revolved around SELF -- the "ME, mySELF, and I" SELF-centered trinity. Today i can say that i am a masterpiece of GOD -- HIS handiwork IN PROGRESS. Today i can say that ALL-Mighty GOD IN CHRIST by The ALL-Mighty Holy SPIRIT has caused (and continues) to make Romans 8:28 my REALITY so that Romans 8:29 might be fulfilled in this NEW creation nicknamed "rLn" -- really LOVE now... for TOMORROW IS NOT GUARANTEED.

'My Old SELF HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. It is NO LONGER i who live, but CHRIST LIVES IN me. SO i LIVE in this EARTHLY body BY TRUSTing IN The SON of GOD, Who LOVED me and GAVE Himself FOR me.' (Galatians 2:20). 'ANYone who BELONGS to CHRIST HAS become a NEW person. The OLD life IS GONE; a NEW life HAS begun!' (2 Corinthians 5:17) 'For you have been BORN aNEW, not of perishable seed but of IMperishable Seed -- BORN AGAIN, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your NEW LIFE will last forEVER because it comes from the ETERNAL, LIVING Word of GOD.' (1 Peter 1:23)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/a-new-life-2/ -- "A NEW LIFE" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

i KNOW that GOD causes ALL things (the GOOD, the BAD, the LOVELY, the UGLY -- the ALL of WHATever that GOD allows in my Life-101) to work together for my GOOD because i LOVE GOD my FATHER, GOD The SON my LORD and Savior, GOD The SPIRIT my Helper and Comforter -- because i have been called according to GOD's Purpose. Because GOD put me IN CHRIST -- united me WITH CHRIST -- i 'KNOW that in ALL things GOD works for the GOOD of those who LOVE Him, who have been CALLED according to HIS Purpose. For those GOD FOREKNEW He also PREDESTINED to be CONFORMED to the Image of HIS SON, that CHRIST might be the Firstborn among MANY brothers and sisters.' (Romans 8:28-29)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/god-works-in-you-to-will-and-to-do/, "GOD Works IN You To WILL and to DO" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

'From CHRIST's FULLNESS (ABUNDANCE) i have received, GRACE upon GRACE (one gracious BLESSING after another).' (John 1:16) GOD's LOVE is INfinitely, IMmeasurably Wide, Long, High, Deep! Though not yet completely, i do EXPERIENCE 'the LOVE Of CHRIST that surpasses knowledge (for it is TOO great to understand fully), that IN CHRIST i am filled with ALL the FULLNESS Of GOD (His LIFE and POWER).' (Ephesians 3:18-19) 'For IN CHRIST lives ALL the FULLNESS Of GOD in a human body.' (Colossians 2:9) 'And BECAUSE of GOD i am IN CHRIST JESUS, Who became for me WISDOM from GOD, RIGHTEOUSNESS and SANCTIFICATION and REDEMPTION.' (1 Corinthians 1:30)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/christ-our-sanctification/, "CHRIST, Our SANCTIFICATION" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

Today -- 'CHRIST’s LOVE CONTROLS (compels, constrains, MAKES) me. SINCE i believe that CHRIST DIED for me, i also believe that i HAVE ALREADY DIED to my OLD life. CHRIST DIED for EVERYone (those who WERE once IN Adam and spiritually DEAD IN SIN, but who are NOW IN CHRIST and SPIRITually ALIVE to GOD) SO THAT those who receive His NEW LIFE will NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. Instead, THEY WILL LIVE FOR CHRIST, Who DIED and was RAISED FOR them.' (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)
(see https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/john-1-16/for-christs-love-compels-us/, "For CHRIST's LOVE Compels Us" by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

As for me -- rLn -- 'TO LIVE IS CHRIST... TO DIE IS GAIN' (Philippians 1:21) -- for to be with CHRIST is a GAZILLION-ZILLION times BETTER! (Personal Testimony for my MEMORIAL -- "rLn's Last EXPRESSION, Her Last GAZILLION Words" -- see http://rl-n.blogspot.com/2010/04/rlns-last-expression-her-last-gazillion.html)

Friday, June 15, 2018

The CROSS of CHRIST Speaks

The CROSS of CHRIST SPEAKS. It is a TRUTHful EXPOSITION. It is a public DECLARATION. It is a gracious INVITATION. The BLOOD of The CROSS SPEAKS... STILL.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it preaches. It's an EXPOSITION of The TRUTH of GOD. The BLOOD of The CROSS speaks -- NOT like the blood of Abel (who was murdered by his brother Cain) that cried out for Vengeance, but the BLOOD of CHRIST speaks of better things -- of FORGIVENESS, of RECONCILIATION with GOD.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that to be a man is a VERY important and a VERY serious thing. That the IMperishable, IMmortal SOUL of man is so VERY precious indeed to GOD -- SO utterly PRECIOUS that GOD IN CHRIST came down from His Majestic GLORY on High to RECONCILE man to Himself. GOD The SON left His Kingdom in Heaven to SEEK and to SAVE that which was LOST -- man's SOUL.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that man's relationship with his fellow man will NEVER be right unless his relationship to GOD is put right FIRST. Over and above EVERYthing else -- of ULTIMATE importance is a RIGHT relationship with GOD. This RIGHT relationship with GOD is ONLY through CHRIST JESUS Whom GOD has SET FORTH as PROPITIATION (appeasement) through FAITH in JESUS' atoning BLOOD.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that SIN, in essence is REBELLION against GOD, the breaking of relationship with GOD. SIN is man defying GOD -- breaking GOD's HOLY Law. It is man setting himSELF up, standing up to GOD, and defying GOD -- setting himSELF up as a god.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that there IS a JUDGMENT upon SIN, and that SIN MUST be PUNISHED. Because GOD is WHO and WHAT He IS -- HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and JUST -- He HATES, abominates SIN. His WRATH is upon SIN.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it is a truthful PROCLAMATION of the HOLINESS of GOD, the heinousness of SIN, the terrible problem of SIN, the terrible seriousness of man's REBELLION against GOD. It PROCLAIMS that the ONLY way for a HOLY and JUST GOD to FORGIVE SIN was to PUNISH SIN -- in and through His Only Begotten SON. CHRIST JESUS was 'stricken, smitten of GOD' upon The CROSS for man's SIN, yours and mine. The GOD-Man was the ONLY One good enough to be that PERFECT Sacrifice to pay IN FULL our SIN debt. CHRIST JESUS -- perfect in EVERY way, sinless and blameless, was a fit ATONEMENT for ALL of man's SINs.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it is a Mighty DECLARATION that GOD has solved the VERY great problem of man's SIN. The CROSS, the BLOOD of The LAMB JESUS CHRIST is GOD's ANSWER to the SIN Problem. GOD Who is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS and JUST poured out His WRATH upon the SINs of man IN the body of His OWN SON. He struck HIM. He smote HIM. He CONDEMNED His OWN SON to DEATH on The CROSS.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- that the GOD-Man CHRIST JESUS was SET FORTH as PROPITIATION for SIN. The PRINCE of Peace was nailed on The CROSS, His Priceless BLOOD was shed. The Wonderful COUNSELOR suffered the shame and torture of the CRUCIFIXION. The LORD JESUS' Heart broke when GOD The FATHER of GLORY turned His HOLY Face away from Him -- GOD The SON, Who was MADE to BE SIN -- and GOD's HOLY WRATH was poured out on JESUS CHRIST for the JUST Punishment and Righteous JUDGMENT and CONDEMNATION on ALL the SINS of EVERY repentant man and repentant woman -- past, present and future.

The BLOOD of The CROSS speaks -- that 'the Wages of SIN is DEATH.' The SON's Death on The CROSS, His shed BLOOD, was GOD's way of dealing with the Problem of SIN. The CROSS, the BLOOD was GOD's public DECLARATION, His Mighty PROCLAMATION that He was PROPITIATED. His PURE Righteousness and HOLY Justice were appeased -- GOD IN CHRIST through The BLOOD's efficacy RECONCILED man to Himself.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks -- it is also a Gracious INVITATION. GOD inspired the prophet Isaiah to declare GOD's INVITATION of SALVATION: 'Let ALL the world LOOK to Me for SALVATION! For I AM GOD; there is NO OTHER.' (Isaiah 45:22) The LORD JESUS Himself declared this INVITATION: 'COME TO ME, ALL of you who are WEARY and CARRY HEAVY BURDENS, and I WILL GIVE you REST. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I AM Humble and Gentle at HEART, and you WILL find REST for your SOULS. For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.' (Matthew 11:28-30) The BLOOD of The CROSS is preaching PEACE With GOD so that one may realize the PEACE Of GOD that surpasses all human understanding.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks this Amazing INVITATION to those who are FAR from GOD -- the failures, those who know they've gone wrong, those who are filled with shame, those who are weary and tired and forlorn in the moral struggle -- laboring to live a good and a clean and a straight life, but like Martin Luther, to NO avail. This Precious INVITATION is for those who've reckoned their SELF-righteousness as but FILTHY rags and their SELF-sufficiency to be SELF-deceit. This FREE INVITATION is for those who've recognized their UNworthiness and UNcleanness of Heart. This Life-Changing INVITATION is for those who are AFRAID of Life, AFRAID of DEATH, AFRAID of Tomorrow, AFRAID of the coming JUDGMENT. This Glorious and Gracious INVITATION is for those who feel utterly HOPELESS and completely HELPLESS -- for those who REPENT (TURN from) of their REBELLION and TURN to GOD for the FORGIVENESS of ALL their SINS through FAITH alone in CHRIST JESUS alone, fully SON of GOD and fully SON of Man -- The LAMB of GOD, slain on The CROSS, as the Perfect ATONING Sacrifice for the SINS of man.

The CROSS of CHRIST speaks to ALL... STILL. The BLOOD of The CROSS proclaims The GOOD News... STILL. Does The CROSS of CHRIST speak to you? Does the BLOOD of The CROSS cry out to you, saying -- COME! Let ALL the world LOOK to The LORD JESUS for SALVATION! For HE is The GREAT I AM THAT I AM -- HE IS GOD -- The GOD-Man... and there is NO OTHER.

(The notes above are from the sermon "A Public Declaration" -- preached by Dr Lloyd-Jones in 1964, which was included in his book "The CROSS" -- a 10-sermon exposition on Galatians 6:14 -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/a-public-declaration/. The follow-up sermon on Galatians 6:14 by Dr Lloyd-Jones is riveting, for it is perfectly applicable today, 2018 -- to the utterly debased moral state of the world. In Dr Lloyd-Jones assessment, it is the indirect JUDGMENT of GOD to this corrupt humanity for its RADICAL Rebellion -- https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons-online/galatians-6-14/glorying-only-in-the-cross/.)

my Prayer For You

When i think of the wisdom and scope of GOD's plan, i fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. i pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through His Holy SPIRIT. i pray that CHRIST will be more and more at home in your heart as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of GOD's marvelous love.

And may you have the power to understand, as all GOD's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of CHRIST, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from GOD.

Now to Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by CHRIST JESUS to all generations, forever and ever. AMEN!

(Ephesians 3:14-21)

The Great I AM

I AM the Bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
(John 6:35)

I AM the Light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the Light of life.
(John 8:12)

I AM the Door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I AM the Door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
(John 10:7, 9)

I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. I AM the Good Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
(John 10:11, 14)

I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. I AM the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
(John 15:1, 5)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
(John 11:25)

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)

Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" JESUS answered, You say rightly that I AM a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the Truth hears My voice.
(John 18:37)

LOVE is...

Though i speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, i have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though i have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though i have all faith, so that i could remove mountains, but have not love, i am nothing.

And though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though i give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When i was a child, i spoke as a child, i understood as a child, i thought as a child; but when i became a man, i put away childish things.

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now i know in part, but then i shall know just as i also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(I Corinthians 13)

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the LORD always. i will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The LORD is near.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to GOD. And the peace of GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in CHRIST JESUS.

Finally, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

(Philippians 4:4-8)

How Great Thou Art!

O LORD, my GOD! When i in awesome wonder consider all the works thy hands have made.
i see the stars, i hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

And when i think that GOD, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, i scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When CHRIST shall come with shout of acclamation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then i shall bow in humble adoration and there proclaim, my GOD, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior GOD to Thee: how great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! i once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now i see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour i first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, i have already come; 'tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

The LORD has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, i shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

The world shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun refuse to shine; but GOD, who called me here below, shall be forever mine.

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun; we've no less days to sing GOD's praise than when we'd first begun.

The Holy BIBLE -- The Word of GOD

The BIBLE contains the mind of GOD, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler's map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the CHRISTian's charter. Here is Paradise restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

CHRIST is its grand subject, our good the design, and the glory of GOD its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened at the judgment, and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

(Foreword from The Gideons International)