Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

20
Jan

Do You Live That Others Might Joyfully Treasure Christ?

   Posted by: John W. Long

In chapter four of Don’t Waste Your Life, John Piper writes in reference to Philippians 1:20-25:

Ordinarily faith would mean trust or confidence you put in someone who has given good evidence of his reliability and willingness and ability to provide what you need. But when Jesus Christ is the object of faith there is a twist. He himself is what we need. If we only trust Christ to give us gifts and not himself as the all-satisfying gift, then we do not trust him in a way that honors him as our treasure. We simply honor the gifts. They are what we really want, not him. So biblical faith in Jesus must mean that we trust him to give us what we need most—namely, himself. That means that faith itself must include at its essence a treasuring of Christ above all things.

Now we are in a position to see why Paul’s two aims for his life are in fact one. According to verse 20, his aim is to magnify Christ in life; and according to verse 25, his aim is to promote the progress and joy in the Philippians’ faith. That is why he believes God might let him live. This would be his life: to labor for their “progress and joy in the faith.”

But now we have seen that faith is essentially treasuring Christ. The word “joy” in verse 25 (“for your … joy in the faith”) signals that this treasuring is a joyful treasuring. And if Christ is joyfully treasured, he is magnified. That is the single, all-embracing passion of Paul’s life. In other words, Paul is saying, “My life is devoted to producing in you that one great experience of the heart by which Christ is magnified—namely, being satisfied in him, joyfully treasuring him above all else. That’s what I mean when I say, ‘For me to live is Christ.’ That is, for me to live is your Christ-magnifying faith.”

(Emphasis added.)

Wow. What a powerful insight. In just a couple of paragraphs, Piper has effectively shown how our responsibility toward God is intertwined with our responsibility toward others. Do you live that Christ might be magnified in your relationships with others? Do you seek to draw others up into your joy in God? Is your aim in life to live in such a way that God would be magnified by your joy in him and that others would be drawn up and into that same kind of joy?

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18
Nov

Free Audiobook Download

   Posted by: John W. Long

Desiring God Speaking of great John Piper books, Christianaudio.com is offering Desiring God as a free audiobook download during the month of November on their website. Desiring God is probably Piper’s most famous work and it is the source material for many of the ideas expressed in Don’t Waste Your Life.

In addition, all of their John Piper audiobook downloads are only $4.98 each until November 21st. Yes you heard that right! You can get Don’t Waste Your Life on audio for less than the price of a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino at Starbucks. Well almost!

If you find it hard to read spiritual books, you may find that listening to them will open them up for you in a whole new way. I have personally found that I can listen to books on audio that I would never be able to persevere through if I was reading the paper format. Audio books are great for long trips, or even for listening to on your way to work.

You can learn more about this special offer here.

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23
Oct

Only One Life

   Posted by: John W. Long

By Charles Thomas Studd, Missionary to China, India, and Africa

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

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