A right heart before God

Note: This post originally appeared on JC Ryle Quotes
It is an excerpt from JC Ryle’s book, Old Paths

1) A right heart is a NEW heart (Ezek. 36:26)

It is not the heart with which a person is born—but another heart put in them by the Holy Spirit. It is a heart which has new tastes, new joys, new sorrows, new desires, new hopes, new fears, new likes, new dislikes. It has new views about the soul, sin, God, Christ, salvation, the Bible, prayer, heaven, hell, the world, and holiness. It is like a farm with a new and good tenant. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17).

2) A right heart is a BROKEN and CONTRITE heart (Psalm 51:17)

It is broken off from pride, self-conceit, and self-righteousness. Its former high thoughts of self are cracked, shattered, and shivered to atoms. It thinks itself guilty, unworthy, and corrupt. Its former stubbornness, heaviness, and insensibility have thawed, disappeared, and passed away. It no longer thinks lightly of offending God. It is tender, sensitive, and jealously fearful of running into sin (2 Kings 22:19). It is humble, lowly, and self-abased, and sees in itself no good thing.

3) A right heart is a heart which BELIEVES on Christ alone for salvation, and in which Christ dwells by faith (Rom. 10:10; Eph. 3:17)

It rests all its hopes of pardon and eternal life on Christ’s atonement, Christ’s mediation, and Christ’s intercession. It is sprinkled in Christ’s blood from an evil conscience (Heb. 10:22). It turns to Christ as the compass-needle turns to the north. It looks to Christ for daily peace, mercy, and grace—as the sun-flower looks to the sun. It feeds on Christ for its daily sustenance, as Israel fed on the manna in the wilderness. It sees in Christ a special fitness to supply all its needs and requirements. It leans on Him, hangs on Him, builds on Him, cleaves to Him, as its physician, guardian, husband, and friend.

4) A right heart is a PURIFIED heart (Acts 15:9; Matt. 5:8)

It loves holiness, and hates sin. It strives daily to cleanse itself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit (2 Cor. 7:1). It abhors that which is evil, and cleaves to that which is good. It delights in the law of God, and has that law engraved on it, that it may not forget it (Psalm 119:11). It longs to keep the law more perfectly, and takes pleasure in those who love the law. It loves God and people. Its affections are set on things above. It never feels so light and happy as when it is most holy; and it looks forward to heaven with joy, as the place where perfect holiness will at length be attained.

5) A right heart is a PRAYING heart

 It has within it “the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba Father” (Rom. 8:15). Its daily feeling is, “Your face, Lord, will I seek” (Psalm 27:8). It is drawn by an habitual inclination to speak to God about spiritual things—weakly, feebly, and imperfectly perhaps—but speak it must. It finds it necessary to pour out itself before God, as before a friend, and to spread before Him all its needs and desires. It tells Him all its secrets. It keeps back nothing from Him. You might as well try to persuade a person to live without breathing, as to persuade the possessor of a right heart to live without praying.

6) A right heart is a heart that feels CONFLICT within it (Gal. 5:17)

It finds within itself two opposing principles contending for the mastery—the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. It knows by experience what Paul means when he says, “I see a law in my members warring against the law of my mind” (Rom. 7:23). The wrong heart knows nothing of this strife. The strong man armed keeps the wrong heart as their palace, and their goods are at peace  (Luke 11:21). But when the rightful King takes possession of the heart, a struggle begins which never ends until death. The right heart may be known by its warfare, quite as much as by its peace.

7) A right heart is HONEST, UNDIVIDED, and TRUE (Luke 8:15;1 Chron. 12:33; Heb. 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.

Summary

A heart such as that which I have now described, has always been the possession of all true Christians of every name, nation, people and tongue. They have differed from one another on many subjects—but they have all been of a right heart. Some of them have fallen, for a season, like David and Peter—but their hearts have never entirely departed from the Lord. They have often proved themselves to be men and women laden with infirmities—but their hearts have been right in the sight of God. They have understood one another on earth. They have found that their experience was everywhere one and the same. They will understand each other even better in the world to come. All that have had right hearts upon earth, will find that they have one heart when they enter heaven.

Strong leaders of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

By Pastor Skender Hoti

I have now recently spoke on the importance of the gathering together and (called fellowship/church).

Why I spoke to our church because I believe that church, as institution (building, structure, called whatever) is in danger and I do believe that is because of the influence of the media and also the so called leaders that speak on postmodernism by shaping the church in the form’s that are not new testament forms but they are ” earthly and humanly built thought’s” They speak what they don’t even believe for themselves (blind leading the blind). Don’t get me wrong one way is good to explain postmodernism but to shape the church in that way will not work and doesn’t work. For me to say there is no absolute truth revealed to man from the Bible is just completely wrong “quotation wrong” I was reading today in the scripture and I have seen something very similar within the old testament happening in book of Numbers chapter 11:25,26

I can see Joshua asking question in modern language, How this can happen this is not right these are not prophet’s that are not licensed by the Moses, a church, or a denomination they can not prophecy, they can not speak in God’s name they have to be approved first, recommended by Moses, licensed by denomination, and then they can do it. Does this sound familiar to you, can you see this? I tell that season is finished, God is bringing his people in new season, completely new season, season of the Moses mindset and thinking, not season of the Joshua mindset, season of the son’s of God, strong leaders, who live Christ like life, or cross centered life, leaders that are filled with Holy Spirit and are not afraid to confront and speak against this world system, religious system’s  and the end times and soon coming of Jesus Christ.

Let me share some of the qualities that future generation of the leaders will have.

1. A lot of prayer in secret place.

These leaders will have a life of prayer and relationship with God, they will have a secret life with God like no other leaders in history of the postern and  modern church.

2. Handling money.

These leaders will not be money centered, although they will need the money for their ministries they will never concentrate on that area, there will be no ministry, pastor or leader of the church, mission or organization can manipulate them with finances. Finances don’t lead them and they will not do compromise just to get your money, their primary message will be absolute truth of the Bible and Jesus Christ and His plan of Salvation.

3. Power of love.

Will follow them even in their conflictual situation and disagreements on the Fellowship, Work, World or wherever they are, they will not allow themselves on hate and revenge and negativity that can be around them the power that God will give them in their mouth when they speak about the Word will manifest the love of God and that love will change people around them and convince them about the sin.

4. Zero compromise and politics.

You can’t do so called “Church politics with them” because that is something that they don’t believe they will not believe in so called church politics. They will speak straight in love and with nothing that has two meanings or they will not give you two pictures in their words, they will not manipulate situation for their gain and vision and interest.

5. Submission to the authority.

They will not submit in any chance because of the appointment, or your ordination, they will work with you follow you and submit to your vision when they feel peace and feel that God has given you really a vision, submission will be out of respect not obligation.(exactly what apostles did with Jesus).

6. Morality in the highest standards.

You can’t talk to them about the so called morality anymore because they will not allow you, their life will be up to the highest standard of the moral, although they are going to be accused some of them, like Jesus was and is now (Dan Brown book good example or many other’s during history).

7. Zero Ignorance.

You will not find ignorance on them as you find and see in many leaders today, and you can see them by just writing an email, by response, these leaders are not going to do to you, and the body. Aanything that has to do with Kingdom will be important for them.

8. Pride vs Authority

There are many leaders today trying to exercise authority by acting in prideful ways, I have noticed and seen sometimes even discrediting others  so they lift up themselves in throne of church position, denomination position, mission position, organization position.

These leaders are going to lead by humbleness, example, and service, by serving others not just with word, and spiritually but other areas also. Their authority is established in serving, they will be recognized by serving people.

9. Gifts of God and ministries

These future leaders are going to recognize gifts of God and their ministries clearly and also they will recognize the other gifts that God has put in the fellowship and they will encourage them to be used more then ever, they will not use the word balance and then shut down the door to the Holy Spirit completely. Or leave Holy Spirit to speak and work just in separate places and rooms like is evident and clearly seen happening now in the Church, because they will believe God for the order and leadership of the Holy Spirit, they will not identify themselves with neither of the gift believing church of today because they way how God will use them will be unique.

10. Legalism / Spirit of Religion

You will ask many times when you hear their words are these believers truly how they can speak such words that are not even allowed to be spoken in the group of people, they are not politically correct at all, and also seems like they are not wise enough how to reach people, but these leaders they are those who don’t depend on their oratory of the words to reach out to the hearts of the people by they will depend on the Holy Spirit .They will not say nothing unclean, and nothing that is not Biblical grounded. Their life will show no rules and regulations and judgment towards others and it’s so difficult to notice them also living by the rules and regulations, because they will not live life lead by the law their life will be depended on the Word and the Spirit together and there will be many people that they will not like that but they will notice that these are son’s and daughters that Jesus lives in them and they live in Jesus.

They are going to be other qualities and in fact after I published this in here in blog and went to bed God woke me up, telling me to go and add one more, this is what I believe God has showed to me and this is what I wanted to share with you. Please don’t try to interpret the words that are already interpreted just read them as they are and be ready on your church maybe it’s already happening maybe will happen just watch your leaders and also think about a little bit about yourself and your ministry are you one of these leaders, would you like to be one of these leaders if not and you are a leader, repent, turn, and start to ask God to make you a leader with real vision, real desire, real plan that’s planted by God in your heart and mind, not your vision, your plan, or your supporting organization vision and plan but God’s

Lord bless you for taking time and reading it.

ISN’T IT STRANGE ?

• Isn’t it strange how big a $20 bill looks in the offering basket and how small it looks at the gas pump?
• Isn’t it strange how hard it is to witness to someone but we can tell a dirty joke?
• Isn’t it strange how big 2 hours seem at church and at the movie you don’t care about the time?
• Isn’t it strange how hard it is to find words to pray, but when you are talking about others there are plenty of words?
• Isn’t it strange how hard it is to read your Bible, but that magazine and Romance book is easy?
• Isn’t it strange how quickly your priorities about the church can be bumped by a ball game?
• Isn’t it strange how we doubt what the Bible says, but believe everything in the newspaper?
• Isn’t it strange how we forward jokes by email, but we can’t send a Gospel tract or message?
• Isn’t it strange how everyone wants to live like a sinner and die like a saint?

IT SEEMS SO STRANGE DOESN’T IT?

What is a Leader

By: Dr.Russell Primrose

There are many definitions of the term  “leader”,  and a few are worthy of comment. In the following paragraphs we will look at a leader as one who has followers, one who has influence, and one who has appointment.

With Followers.

A leader has been defined as one who has followers. If you are in a position of leadership, under this definition you need to look back once in a while to see if there is any one there. If you have no one following, you may not be the leader that you think you are. If you are in leadership, there must always be followers.

With Influence.

A leader has been defined as one who influences the lives, thoughts, direction or plans of others. Teachers, parents, or even politicians would qualify as potential leaders under this definition. Most of us have influence over someone. You could abdicate, insist on making no impact whatsoever, and thus relinquish this leadership role. But God, through His Holy scriptures has dictated certain duties which would result in influencing the direction of the family, or at least the children of the family. We are admonished to teach our children, we are instructed to talk with our children and to answer their questions when they are asked. Husbands are ordained to be the spiritual leader of a household and are instructed to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. These are examples of “leadership” by virtue of position, and we will be judged if we do not use the position well and successfully. Deacons and Elders were selected by their demonstrated position of Godly influence over their own family. People were selected to leadership by the favorable reputation they enjoyed within the community.

With Appointment.

From time to time God will place His direction upon a person. From that moment on the options that a person has are changed. He no longer may reflect on where he is going, because his direction has been set even if it is unclear. At this point to refuse leadership would be a sin against the one who appointed—against God. Moses reluctantly had this type of leadership thrust upon him. Saul became appointed king though he hid to avoid it. Gideon was selected to go into battle even though he did not consider himself a warrior or a tactician. David was anointed king but it was a long time coming to fruition.

Always with Responsibility.

So you are a leader. Most of us are. That is just the start. There is always an accounting or a reckoning. Since leadership can be used for good or for evil we are held accountable for what we do with it. Even if leadership is abdicated, and with determination and stubbornness, not used, we are still accountable—especially in those cases where God had done the appointing. Yet we are most blessed and flourish the most when we are obedient to God’s appointment and labor with love where He has placed us.

For more articles and resources visit Dr.Russell’s Website

Why I can’t hear from God?

There has been recently a question that God has laid on my mind, a question that not many believers ask today although they should ask.

Because there is a need for the believer to get feed with a word that comes from the Lord, Bible says: Matt 4:4 But he answered, “It is written,
‘One must not live on bread alone,
but on every word coming
out of the mouth of God.

There is a need in the spirit of the believers to get feed with a Word of the Lord that comes from his mouth. (That comes directly from the bread of Life JESUS CHRIST)

There is a need for the believer to hear from the throne of the Father God and do just what the Father God says to do to them.

There is a need for the believer to know their future, and will of God and plans of God for their life’s and their families and their neighborhood and their cities and their states and more, believers are hungry to know the future, they are hungry to have a vision, they are hungry to know God’s will, they are hungry to hear from the Father God.

But they can’t and there comes then my question why believers can’t hear from God.

There are some obstacles and hindrances that God has teaching me during my lifetime as a believer in Jesus Christ that can stop the voice of the Lord, Lord, Lord  from not hearing from him.

Let me go by line on what I have learned till now and it has helped me a lot in my ministry.

1. Hearts not perfect before God

2Chr 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; for from henceforth thou shalt have wars.

People in the Bible times understood the heart to be seat of: a: Emotions or affections b: The motives c: Intentions of the person, God is vitally concerned with these things.

a:  Worldly affections

If our affections are set on the things on the earth rather the things in Heaven, this offends God 1John 2:15. Bible tells us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength Mat 23:27.

b: Impure motives.

If our motives (or motivations) are impure like the prophet Balaam (Num 23) then God will severaly judge us. Balaam bartered God’s given miraculous gifts for money, fame and prestige.

c: Wrong intentions.

Ananias and Saphhira  Acts 5 were pretending to give all their money to the work of the Lord, but really keeping back much of it for themselves. Because their intent was wrong, God killed them.

Oh! how we need to guard our affections, motives and intentions to make sure they are pure. God knows our heart, doesn’t He?

1 Sam 16:7 for man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart.

We can’t hide these things from the Lord.  And if we do not keep our hearts right in his sight, we will not hear God’s voice.

2. Hardness of heart

To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts._{[ 1) Ps 95:7 f ]}

When sometimes I will go to speak and teach in some place or when I teach in the church where I am, many of the times I even fast and pray so the Lord will open the hearts of the people to hear his voice and get the vision and plan that God has for their life, they are two good pictures to take example in the the Bible, first one is the Pharaoh, He heard the word of the Lord from Moses and also He has seen miracles done by God’s hand and also seen Moses his childhood friend changed his faithfulness toward Pharaoh for being faithful to God. But his heart was hard and He could not hear the voice of the Lord He could not hear from God and could see his will and his plans.

Second picture is in : Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word.

While Peter was speaking these people hungry for God, hungry to know his will, and his plans for their lifes, hungry to hear his voice they started to hear from God because their heart was ready to be circumcised and also changed their heart was ready to receive, is your heart read when you go to fellowship where God has put you?, is your heart ready when you read Bible? Is your heart ready when you pray and worship?

Another thing that can harden the heart is Unforgiveness, it will not just harden the heart it will stop also the voice of the Lord,

If you are ready to hear from God and you are hungry for the Lord, then you have to have forgivining heart, Satan is going to find ways so you will get angry in people and people and believers will hurt you, intentionally or unintentionally you are going to be offended and hurt, what do you do with that how do you deal with that, there is just and only cure for that and that is to turn to Jesus Christ and repent and forgive and replace your hate, with Love that comes from the throne of God, and my brother and sister forgiveness will bring back the voice of the Lord.

3. An unregenerate condition

Bible says: Don’t be conformed with this world but be transformed by his Word and that is the will of the Father God for us to be transformed.

And if we don’t do that daily, every single day, you have to find time for God, you have to read his Word, you have to pray and during prayer have a talk with God in his presence if you want to be regenerated by his Spirit and get changed.

And they are in today’s church many leaders and believers that serve God for years but nothing is changed in them.

They live unclean life’s, they have unclean mouth, they express more hate then love towards the people of God although they are there, they live influenced under the negative spirit, by just being negative, they are full of pride, they are full of greed for money and material things, their secret life is disaster, porn, lies, cheating, speaking with manipulation, and you can see coming from their heart almost everything that is in Gospel of Marc 7:21, 22,23

These things stop the voice of the Lord and they are things that I have learned during the years of my ministry and also during the time of my studies and spending time with God, it doesn’t mean they are more hindrances that can stop the voice of the Lord but these are those that Spirit of the Lord has taught me, be open to the Spirit of the Lord and ask from him to teach you, what are the hindrances that God is showing you, that are stoping his voice, and as believer you are in need to hear his voice so you can know his will for your life, so you can know his plans for your life so you can see your future that God has for you and that future is bright and wonderful future because God’s plans are higher then our plans, and God thoughts are different and bigger then our thoughts.

I would like to hear from you and share with me some thoughts on this or if you have any questions I would like to hear that also.

Lord bless you

Pastor Skender Hoti