Saturday, March 26, 2011

Our Ark - David Wilkerson

David Wilkerson Today
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011


GET INTO THE ARK


John Owen, the great Puritan preacher, spoke the following message to his congregation on April 9, 1680:


“You know that for many years, without failing, I have been warning you continually of an approaching calamitous time, and considering the sins that have been the causes of it…I have told you that judgment will begin in the house of God; that God seems to have hardened our hearts from his fear…and that none knows what the power of His wrath will be.



In all these things I have foretold you of perilous, distressing, calamitous times…These all now lie at the door, and are entering in upon us.”God did send His awful judgments on that society. John Owen lived to weep over a flaming holocaust that engulfed London. (the great London fire) Yet, before he ever saw a single one of these calamities take place, Owen faithfully cried out from his pulpit, “I am going to show you how we ought to deport ourselves in and under the distressing calamities that are coming upon us, and may reach, it may be, up to the very neck.


”Beloved, we’re living in just such a time as Owen’s. And in times like these, there is only one response to the coming storm. “The just shall live by faith! ”Owen admonished his people with tears, “Get you an ark—prepare an ark for the safety of you and your families.” Then he added, “The ark is Jesus Christ. There is no other way, no other ark—for Isaiah, the prophet, said of our Lord, ‘And a man [Christ] shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest, as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadows ofa great rock in a weary land.’



That is our ark! Blessed are they that trust only in him…I know of no safety, no deliverance, in the trials and afflictions coming upon the earth, but in believing Christ as our only refuge.”We may see dangers on all sides, including a devil and his principalities who want to drown our faith in doubts. But we have a fiery guard of angels surrounding us and a God who is under oath to carry us through any disaster we may face.



So let me ask you, do you want to face the coming storm with quiet confidence and peace of mind? Then die today to all your own ways and means of saving yourself and commit the keeping of your life wholly to God’s care. He’s your good, loving Shepherd—and he is faithful to see you through all! Fix your eyes on Jesus. He alone is our hope.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Sabbath Thoughts 03.25.2011

Most Beleivers know quite well the strengths and weakenesses of King David. His failings and rapid admission of sin and guilt are what made David a special man after God's heart; as the Bible says. There was the grevious sin with Bathsheba and the death of her husband, all arrainged by King David. There was the census of Israel which was forbidden of God. 70,000 men in Israel died as a result of the judgment that ensued.

Quick admission of guilt and sin was the strength of David. In the middle of all of this turmoil he still wrote beautiful worship and praise psalms that are the foundatiion of the hymns of the faith we sing on Sunday mornings and throughout the week at work or home and the Spirit inspires or spirit. Quite a legacy for a man who had the shortcomings of King David.

I cannot fathom the depths and compassion's of our God. It is beyond my comprehension. 1 Chronicles 18:13 says, " Thus the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went...." This is repeated again in several places of Scripture. The Messiah was called the Son of David. He will sit on the Throne of David when He returns to rule the earth. How amazing!

The secret is immediate repentance and sorrow for sin. The secret is the desire to please God in all aspect of our life; at work, school or at home. In today's wicked society where we are bombarded every minute by the spirit of the world, we have a shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit to strengthen and protect us.

The man David is a good example for us to emulate in these troublesome times.