(1) If you did not read the post this week about Pastor PJ Smyth’s long battle with cancer and the lessons he has learned, the furnace doesn’t consume it refines. The furnace of suffering doesn’t shout out “forsaken by God,” it shouts out “loved by God!””
You will find the article here.
(2) Inward impressions are subjective and are not a sure or even a safe guide. C. H. Spurgeon stated, “I have been the subject of such impressions, myself, and have seen very singular results. But to live by impressions is oftentimes to live the life of a fool and even to fall into downright rebellion against the revealed Word of God. Not your impressions, but that which is in this Bible must always guide you.”
He acknowledged having experienced impressions, yet affirms we should never consider them to be setting for us any kind of foundation, precedent, principle, or pattern upon which to build. That role belongs to the Word alone. I agree completely. I believe the biblical canon is closed. God is not giving inspired revelation in our day. I also believe that God does indeed lead and guide His people, sometimes even in unusual and very supernatural ways, but always, always, always in accordance with the word of God. It is the objective standard of the word of God by which we are to test every apparent and subjective leading of the Lord.
1 Thess 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
(3) Ligonier has some SUPER deals today on some excellent material in this week’s $5 Friday sale. Especially recommended is the 2003 National Conference series on CD, normally $65, but for today only is $5. I have heard this series and it is terrific. This is an amazing deal. Maybe worth getting a few of these CD sets as gifts for others – just a thought. Check it out here.
(4) “The prayer which moves the arm of God is still a sinful prayer, and only moves that arm because the Sinless One, the great Mediator, has stepped in to take away the sin of our supplication.” – C. H. Spurgeon
I absolutely LOVE $5 Fridays at Ligonier.
What do you love about that conference set?
I love the subject matter and the emphasis of the teaching. Although I appreciated the whole conference, I especially enjoyed R C Sproul’s teaching sessions.