1. One mark of growth in grace, is increased HUMILITY. 
The man whose soul is growing, feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every year.

He is ready to say with Peter, “I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
The nearer he draws to God, and the more he sees of God’s holiness and perfections — the more thoroughly is he sensible of his own countless sins and imperfections. The further he journeys in the way to Heaven — the more he understands what Paul meant when he says,

“I am not already perfect!”
“I am not fit to be called an apostle!”
“I am less than the least of all saints!”
“I am the chief of sinners!”

Scripture

Luke 5

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” -nkjv

Philippians 3

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. -nkjv

1 Corinthians 15

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  -nkjv

Ephesians 3

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, -njkv

1 Timothy 1

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.  -nkjv

source: http://www.jcryle.info

Posted by: thaishin | November 27, 2023

6 marks of the believer’s growth in grace part 1 by JC Ryle

Let me take it for granted that we do not question the reality of growth in grace, and its vast importance. So far so good. But you now want to know how anyone may find out whether he is growing in grace or not?

I answer that question, in the first place, by observing that we are very poor judges of our own condition — and that bystanders often know us better than we know ourselves. But I answer further that there are undoubtedly certain great marks and signs of growth in grace — and that wherever you see these marks — you see a growing soul. I will now proceed to place some of these marks before you in order.

1. One mark of growth in grace, is increased HUMILITY. The man whose soul is growing, feels his own sinfulness and unworthiness more every year.

He is ready to say with Job, “I am vile!”
And with Abraham, “I am dust and ashes!”
And with Jacob, “I am not worthy of the least of all Your mercies!”
And with David, “I am a worm!”
And with Isaiah, “I am a man of unclean lips!”

Scripture:

Job 40:4Genesis 18:2732:10Psalm 22:6Isaiah 6:5;

Job 40

Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer You?
I lay my hand over my mouth. -njkv

Genesis 18

26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” -nkjv

Genesis 32

Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.  -nkjv

Psalm 22
But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people. -nkjv

Isaiah 6

So I said:

“Woe is me, for I am undone!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King,
The Lord of hosts.” -nkjv

source: http://www.jcryle.info

Open line Nov 11, 2023 Hour 2 @13:50 with Pastor Mike Fabarez

Listener Bob: Can you talk a little bit about Solomon’s life and maybe his time line and when he wrote the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon and did he fall away there at the end of his life?

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=557874&hour=2

Summary of the segment:

The writings of Solomon contribute to part of the book of Proverbs and is a collection of writings that was written by Solomon that spans across his life, at least in the earlier seasons and decades of his life.

Song of Solomon is clearly about his marriage to the Shulamite bride. That book was an early book written by Solomon and has a celebratory mood with a sense of innocence as he describes his courtship and honeymoon.

The book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon in his later years as he looks back at his life. The book describes Solomon’s dull and bleak outlook as he testifies to his unfulfilling life that lacks satisfaction, the various sinful pursuits that he did.

In the books of Kings and Chronicles, the bible describes the falling away of Solomon. He was disciplined by God with the falling away of his kingdom. Solomon’s primary sin is that he was lured away by the wives that he had and his foreign wives tempted him to offer worship to foreign gods.

Posted by: thaishin | November 13, 2023

Wealth and Poverty from God’s view by JC Ryle

Let us never give way to the common idea that people are to be valued according to their income, and that the person who has most money is the one who ought to be the most highly esteemed.

There is no authority for this notion in the Bible. The general teaching of Scripture is flatly opposed to it. “Not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble are called” (1 Cor. 1:26). “Let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glories glory in this, that he knows and understands me” (Jeremiah 9:24). Wealth is no mark of God’s favor. Poverty is no mark of God’s displeasure. Those whom God justifies and glorifies are seldom the rich of this world. If we would measure people as God measures them, we must value them according to their grace.

Scripture:

1 Cor 1

26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  -nkjv

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: -kjv

26 For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  -nasb

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. -niv

Jeremiah 9

23 Thus says the Lord:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight,” says the Lord. -nkjv

23 Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. -kjv

23 This is what the Lord says: “Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord. -nasb

23 This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
24 but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,”
declares the Lord. -niv

source: http://www.jcryle.info

Posted by: thaishin | November 6, 2023

Archelaus

Heard from Openline on 28 October 2023 Hour 1 @39:36 segment embedded in the question on the apparent contradiciton of where Joseph brought his family in the account in Luke 2 and Matthew 2.

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=557228&hour=1

Summary of the segment on Archelaus:

Archelaus was a very cruel ruler of Judea and he was the son of Herod the Great and he succeeded his father after he died. That was why Joseph turned away from Judea and went to the region of Galilee where Herod Antipas was ruling. Herod Antipas was less wicked compared to Archelaus. Archelaus was so cruel that there was a delegation of Jewish leaders that went to Rome at around 7 or 8 AD and they begged the Roman government to remove Archelaus. That’s how we got a Roman governor in Judea by the time we get to the time of the trial of Jesus.

Scripture:

Matthew 2

19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” -nkjv

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.

21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. -kjv

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord *appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee, 23 and came and settled in a city called Nazareth. This happened so that what was spoken through the prophets would be fulfilled: “He will be called a Nazarene.” -nasb

19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. -niv

Posted by: thaishin | October 30, 2023

Equal before Christ by JC Ryle

There is no royal road to rest of soul. Let that never be forgotten. There is only one way to the Father – Jesus Christ. One door into heaven – Jesus Christ. One path to heart-peace and rest – Jesus Christ. By that way all laboring and heavy-laden ones must go, whatever their rank or condition.

Kings in their palaces and paupers in the workhouse, all are on the same level in this matter. All alike must walk in the ‘old paths’ and come to Christ, if they feel soul-weary and thirsty. All must drink of the same fountain, if they would have their thirst relieved.

source: http://www.jcryle.info

Posted by: thaishin | October 23, 2023

What is the role of women in the church?

Open line program October 21, 2023

Carla: Thank you very much for taking my call. I just wonder if you can help me clear up the discussions we had with our kids about women as pastors in the church. We have a son who is getting married and he and his fiancee had been discussing this and it’s just been kind of muddy and so I wonder if you could help clear that up for us?

Answer from Dr Michael Rydelnick hour 2 @40:35

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=556193&hour=2

Summary:

Dr Michael Rydelnick believes in the “complementarian approach” where the woman complements the man in her role and function in the church. He quotes 1 Timothy 2:11-14. This passage is talking about the authoritative proclamation of the word that you get on a Sunday service and the function of the elder as the roles to be done by a man. 1 Timothy 2 does not mean women can’t teach sunday school class or that women can’t lead a home group. The reason Dr Rydelnik says was Priscilla and Aquilla lead a private study with Apollos. 1 Timothy 2 does not mean women has to be absolutely silent because 1 Corinthians 14 talks about women praying and prophesying in the worship service. Some people want to say 1 Timothy 2 is cultural because Timothy was in Ephesus where the temple of Diana was and there was a real dominance of women and it was just like a local prohibition but Paul gave two reasons in 1 Timothy 2: 13-14. The two reasons are the order of creation and the second is the deception of the woman. The second reason does not imply that women are more gullible but look at what happened when Eve did not follow the ordained authority structure and there are terrible consequences.

Dr Michael Rydelnik stresses that the role of women in the church is not a core issue of the bible like the deity of Jesus or the truth of the resurrection.

Scriptures

1 Timothy 2

11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.  -nkjv

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. -kjv

11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. 13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a wrongdoer.  -nasb

11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  -niv

1 Corinthians 14

 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. -nkjv

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: -kjv

23 Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are insane? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; -nasb

 23So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, -niv

Posted by: thaishin | October 16, 2023

7 marks of a right heart before God summary by JC Ryle

1) A right heart is a NEW heart

https://thaishin.blog/2023/05/10/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-1-by-j-c-ryle/

2) A right heart is a BROKEN and CONTRITE heart 

https://thaishin.blog/2023/06/14/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-2-by-jc-ryle/

3) A right heart is a heart which BELIEVES ON CHRIST ALONE for salvation, and in which Christ dwells by faith 

https://thaishin.blog/2023/07/28/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-3-by-jc-ryle/

4) A right heart is a PURIFIED heart

https://thaishin.blog/2023/08/20/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-4-by-jc-ryle/

5) A right heart is a PRAYING heart.

https://thaishin.blog/2023/09/04/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-5-by-jc-ryle/

6) A right heart is a heart that FEELS CONFLICT within it

https://thaishin.blog/2023/09/17/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-6-by-jc-ryle/

7) A right heart is HONEST, UNDIVIDED and TRUE

https://thaishin.blog/2023/10/05/7-marks-of-a-right-heart-before-god-part-7-by-jc-ryle/

source: http://www.jcryle.info

Posted by: thaishin | October 9, 2023

About Sukkot

Open line September 30, 2023 Hour 1

Information about Sukkot from Dr Michael Rydelnik: @beginning of program

https://www.moodyradio.org/radioplayer.aspx?episode=550206&hour=1

Summary:

Festival of Sukkot=Festival of Booths=Festival of Tabernacles=Feast of In-gathering

Biblical roots of Sukkot found in Leviticus 23:33 onwards

Two aspect of Sukkot;

  1. It is designed to be an agricultural festival, a harvest festival (Leviticus 23:39)
  2. It is a historical festival, it remembers God’s provision in the wilderness (Leviticus 23:42-43)

The Biblical period, if you look at other passages, it enumerates all the sacrifices that are offered during the week. It comes to 70 sacrifices in the old testament when there was a tabernacle. The Rabbi taught that it represents the 70 nations of the earth that Genesis talks about. It implies that is the period when all the nations will know the Lord.

Deuteronomy 16:16-17 teaches that the individual Israelite should have a gift ready to give to the Lord during Sukkot because it is a festival of thanksgiving.

By the new testament times, 2 customs developed:

  1. The water libation
  2. The torch ceremony

John 7:2,37, John 8:12 are passages in the new testament with the above ceremonies as its context,

Prophetic aspect of sukkot:

Zechariah 14:9-16

Scripture:

Leviticus 23:
33 
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days to the Lord. 35 On the first day there shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it36 For seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. On the eighth day you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. It is a sacred assembly, and you shall do no customary work on it.

37 ‘These are the feasts of the Lord which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to the Lord, a burnt offering and a grain offering, a sacrifice and drink offerings, everything on its day— 38 besides the Sabbaths of the Lord, besides your gifts, besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings which you give to the Lord.

39 ‘Also on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the Lord for seven days; on the first day there shall be a sabbath-rest, and on the eighth day a sabbath-rest.

40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days.

41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.

42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:

43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God. -nkjv

Deuteronomy 16

16 “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you. -nkjv

John 7

Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. -nkjv

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  -nkjv

John 8

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” -nkjv

Zechariah 14

9And the Lord shall be King over all the earth.
In that day it shall be—
“The Lord is one,”
And His name one.

16 And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.  -nkjv

Posted by: thaishin | October 5, 2023

7 marks of a right heart before God part 7 by JC Ryle

A right heart is HONEST, UNDIVIDED and TRUE (Luke 8:151 Chron. 12:33Heb. 10:22). There is nothing about it of falsehood, hypocrisy, or image-acting. It is not double or divided. It really is what it professes to be, feels what it professes to feel, and believes what it professes to believe. Its faith may be feeble. Its obedience may be very imperfect. But one thing will always distinguish the right heart. Its religion will be real, genuine, thorough, and sincere.

source: http://www.jcryle.info

Scripture

Luke 8

15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. -nkjv

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. -kjv

15 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and virtuous heart, and hold it firmly, and produce fruit with perseverance. -nasb

15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. -niv

1 Chronicles 12

33 of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks; -nkjv

33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart. -kjv

33 From Zebulun, there were fifty thousand who went out in the army, who could draw up in battle formation with all kinds of weapons of war and helped David with an undivided heart. -nasb

33 from Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty—50,000; -niv

Hebrews 10

22 let 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. -nkjv

22 Let 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. -kjv

22 let’s approach God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. -nasb

22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. -niv

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