Hudson Taylor on work and prayer

"You can work without praying, but it is a bad plan. But you cannot pray in earnest without working."

Biography of James Hudson Taylor, 1973 edition, p416

Satan's Creed

"Satan, too, has his creed: Doubt God's faithfulness. 'Hath God really said? Are you not mistaken as to His commands? He could not really mean just that. You take an extreme view, give too literal a meaning to the words.' How constantly, and alas, how successfully are such arguments used to prevent whole-hearted trust in God, whole-hearted consecration to God! How many estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt! All God's giants have been weak men, who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them."

Biography of James Hudson Taylor, 1973 edition, p349

Hudson Taylor: Jesus is Lord of all

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Mark 16:15 (King James Version)

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"
Luke 6:46

Hudson Taylor on Jesus as Lord of all:

"How are we going to treat the Lord Jesus Christ with reference to this command? Shall we definitely drop the title Lord as applied to Him, and take the ground that we are quite willing to recognise Him as our Saviour, so far as the penalty of sin is concerned, but are not prepared to own ourselves 'bought with a price', or Him as having any claim to our unquestioning obedience? Shall we say that we are our own masters, willing to yield something as His due, who bought us with His blood, provided He does not ask too much? Our lives, our loved ones, our possessions are our own, not His: we will give Him what we think fit, and obey any of His requirements that do not demand too great a sacrifice? To be taken to Heaven by Jesus Christ we are more than willing, but we will not have this Man to reign over us?

The heart of every Christian will undoubtedly reject the proposition, so formulated; but have not countless lives in each generation been lived as though it were proper ground to take? How few of the Lord's people have practically recognised the truth that Christ is either Lord of all, or is not Lord at all! If we can judge God's Word as much or as little as we like, then we are lords and He is the indebted one, to be grateful for our dole and obliged by our compliance with His wishes. If, on the other hand, He is Lord, let us treat Him as such. 'Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not do the things which I say?'"

Biography of James Hudson Taylor, 1973 edition, p439-40

Faith is better than sight

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version)

Hudson Taylor on faith:

"Faith, I now see, is the substance of things hoped for', and not mere shadow. It is not less than sight, but more. Sight only shows the outward forms of things; faith gives the substance. You can rest on substance, feed on substance."

Biography of James Hudson Taylor, 1973 edition, p309

The root of sin

Hudson Taylor on the nature of sin:

"Sins committed appeared but as trifles compared with the sin of unbelief which was their cause, which could not or would not take God at His word, but rather made Him a liar! Unbelief was, I felt, the damning sin of the world – yet I indulged in it."

Biography of James Hudson Taylor, 1973 edition, p306-7

Nothing small, nothing great

Hudson Taylor on prayer:

"Speaking of the privilege of bringing everything to God in prayer, Dr. Barrie said that he was sometimes hindered by the feeling that many things were too small, really, to pray about. Taylor's answer was that he did not know anything about it –  about such a distinction, probably. Then he added:

There is nothing small, and there is nothing great: only God is great, and we should trust Him fully."

Biography of James Hudson Taylor, p508-9

Designs are temporary

Graphic design goes through so many fads, it's a total fashion victim. What was hot a year ago isn't quite so hot today. When you're designing, you're designing for a moment in time. It's a product, or tool, for a very definite period. When it's life has expired it fades into the background.

It's so important to stay fresh and inspired, especially in web design as it's so technology driven. It's constantly evolving. What worked really well yesterday may hinder today. One example – the use of Flash.

The ultimate goal for design is that it is used for God's purposes. You're both providing an act of service for your clients, which should be done to the best of your abilities, and you're crafting a tool for communication. A website, if done well, can preach to the world.

Designs are temporary but God's kingdom is eternal. If the temporary can build the eternal, then our work is very, very good.

Trials build strength

Hudson Taylor on young converts and the importance of trials:

"In their spiritual infancy they should be left to grow naturally in the circumstances in which God had placed them, strengthened by the very trials with which they found themselves surrounded."
Biography of James Hudson Taylor, p211

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4

If life was easy, free from struggles and frustrations, we would remain weak and our faith never tested. We would never have the opportunity to trust God and wholly rely on Him. We would never grow or mature. As it is, we can count it as joy. That's hard. But that wording 'count it all joy' seems to suggest that it's not necessarily our immediate experience. It's a conscious decision. We step back and realise 'even though it's hard, this is a good thing'.

God Repays

From 'Faith's Checkbook' by Charles Spurgeon:

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will He pay him again"
Proverbs 19:17

We are to give to the poor out of pity. Not to be seen and applauded, much less to get influence over them; but out of pure sympathy and compassion we must give them help.
We must not expect to get anything back from the poor, not even gratitude; but we should regard what we have done as a loan to the LORD. He undertakes the obligation, and, if we look to Him in the matter, we must not look to the second party. What an honor the LORD bestows upon us when He condescends to borrow of us! That merchant is greatly favored who has the LORD on his books. It would seem a pity to have such a name down for a paltry pittance; let us make it a heavy amount. The next needy man that comes this way, let us help him.

As for repayment, we can hardly think of it, and yet here is the LORD's note of hand. Blessed be His name, His promise to pay is better than gold and silver. Are we running a little short through the depression of the times? We may venture humbly to present this bill at the bank of faith. Has any one of our readers [oppressed] the poor? Poor soul. May the LORD forgive him.

Too shy, too awkward

Joel Virgo, CCK Preaching Course:

"Awkwardness may have more to do with a fear of man than a fear of God."

Ouch! Standing up in front of people and speaking is always a struggle for me. Maybe I'm just too self-aware, too conscious of the thoughts of others when really my fear of God should be much greater. It should drown everything else out.

Fear of God should result in confidence before man. God is awesome. If He's called us to a task, He will equip. And His resources are infinite.

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Matthew 10:28-31

Personality hang-ups

We all have hang-ups about our personality traits – "I'm too shy, too quiet, not particularly articulate". I love this paragraph from Joel Virgo's CCK Preaching Course about finding your voice as a preacher, recognising that God has made you a certain way for a reason:

"We probably don't like our voice much. Now this is not because we have a poor self-image or a hurting inner-child – it is because our pride is so scandalously blatant that we dare say to God why did you make me like this? I would have done a better job. I would have made me to be just like _________ [your favourite preacher's name here]. I cannot trust you God. I will not be me...' So don't get all self-help paperback on me... It's plain old-fashioned sin to want to be someone else all the time. Put it to death."

Awesome! I love it.

Motto of the C.I.M.

Motto of the China Inland Mission (p206, Biography of James Hudson Taylor):

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.
The Lord will provide."

Awesome words!

Calvinism vs Arminianism... meh! (Part 2)

"Only recently the Mission had accepted a number of highly educated and well-gifted young men who were members of the State Church. How, then, were they able to work together with Methodists and Baptists, etc? Mr. Taylor replied that, in our chief aims, we are all one in Christ ... The great work of the mission field, which is a call to us all, overrides theological differences, and our motto remains, "All one in Christ.""
Biography of James Hudson Taylor, p487

Recently attending our early morning prayer meetings at Kings, seeking God for revival, one of the highlights for me was that people from churches all over Eastbourne came and prayed with us. They are our brothers and sisters, and the unity was awesome.

In one sense there's so many theological differences. But in another, it's actually quite remarkable how we almost entirely agree on all the major issues.

Hudson Taylor on debt

It's so unbelievably easy to buy some immediate want or apparent need with a credit card or an overdraft. But in doing this we fail to realise the opportunity of prayer laid before us, an opportunity to listen to our Father and wait for His answer. We forget that all our money is His. And we deny Him headship over our finances, even in the small purchases. Slowly but surely you creep into the oppression of debt and find yourself in a place your Father never intended.

Perhaps many of our 'needs' are really 'wants'. A little bit of discipline and self-denial is good for the soul.

From the Biography of James Hudson Taylor:

"To me it seemed that the teaching of God's Word was unmistakably clear, 'Owe no man anything'. To borrow money implied, to my mind, a contradiction of Scripture –  a confession that God had withheld some good thing, and a determination to get for ourselves what He had not given. I could not think that God was poor, that He was short of resources, or unwilling to supply any want of whatever work was really His. It seemed to me that if there were lack of funds to carry on work, then to that degree, in that special development, or at that time, it could not be the work of God."
p198

    "They who trust Him wholly
     Find Him wholly true,
but also that when we fail to trust fully He still remains unchangingly faithful. He is wholly true whether we trust or not.'If we believe not, he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself'. But oh, how we dishonour our Lord whenever we fail to trust Him, and what peace, blessing and triumph we lose in thus sinning against the Faithful One. May we never again presume in anything to doubt Him."
p199

"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:8

"If we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself."
2 Timothy 2:13

What Is Sustaining Grace?

Here's a really excellent poem by John Piper titled "What Is Sustaining Grace?":

"Not grace to bar what is not bliss,
Nor flight from all distress, but this:
The grace that orders our trouble and pain,
And then, in the darkness, is there to sustain."

I think the hardest line in the poem is "The grace that orders our trouble and pain". It would be easy to think that God is the source of that pain and trouble. But if you read the manuscript for Piper's message (found here) he states that God is actually permitting and measuring out the pain in an exact amount, which is not beyond what we can cope with. He then sustains us through this dark period. His reason for doing so? He works all things for good (Romans 8:28) and we can trust He is working out a greater end and purpose than we can see.

The disadvantage of wealth

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Matthew 19:23-24

"Wealth is heavily concentrated in North America, Europe, and high income Asia-Pacific countries. People in these countries collectively hold almost 90% of total world wealth."
The World Distribution of Household Wealth

It seems that simply living in one of these rich countries automatically puts you at a massive disadvantage as far as the gospel is concerned. We are the rich people Jesus is talking about. We have insurance for everything and spend most of our lives accumulating various possessions, all of which comfort us in one way or another. It totally suffocates our need for God.

The New Testament is really big on considering the poor. I wonder if this is because on one hand, these people are in need, more open to the gospel, and a real opportunity is afforded to demonstrate the love of Jesus in action. And on the other, generosity strips us of all the things we trust in place of God, who wants to train us in His faithfulness.

I read a very interesting article from The New York Times website titled 'The Sandra Bullock Trade' (click here to read). One of the observations made from research is that once our basic material needs are met, very little additional happiness is gained by an increase in income. Food, water, shelter and a hospital when you get sick. That's what you need. Everything else pursued above this level is noise, and will never satisfy.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that."
1 Timothy 6:6-8

Here's a selection of verses from the New Testament relating to the poor:

"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:33-34

"The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."
Luke 3:11

"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
Matthew 5:42

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort."
Luke 6:24

"But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?"
1 John 3:17

––––––

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

Matthew 25:31-46

Under the control of evil

Reading the latter part of the gospels, it's interesting to note the way in which Judas Iscariot immediately felt a massive sense of remorse after his betrayal, and hanged himself. And this was even before Jesus was sentenced to death by Pilate. He didn't even witness the full consequence of his actions. His guilt and shame was very strong, real and immediate.

It makes you think – why did he suddenly feel this now and not earlier? If his remorse was so immediate and strong, you would think there was enough sense in him not to do it in the first place.

But in Luke 22 Satan himself enters Judas. Satan used him, and it seems he simply discarded Judas when finished, who then returns to a more natural state of mind.

Through the sin that Judas accommodated in his life he came under the control of evil. Sin itself is partnering with Satan, participating in his work, giving a foothold of control to our number one enemy. We should loath and despise this on every level.

Judas of course kills himself, refusing to face and live through the guilt. This seems like yet another act of defiance. I wonder – if he was repentant, faced his sin, faced his guilt, would he have lived to see Jesus rise from death?

Charles Spurgeon on the poor

A short devotional by Spurgeon, taken from my 'Faith's Checkbook' iPhone app:

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble"
Psalm 41:1

To think about the poor and let them lie on our hearts is a Christian man's duty; for Jesus put them with us and near us when He said, "The poor ye have always with you."

Many give their money to the poor in a hurry, without thought; and many more give nothing at all. This precious promise belongs to those who "consider" the poor, look into their case, devise plans for their benefit, and considerately carry them out. We can do more by care than by cash, and most with two together. To those who consider the poor, the LORD promises His own consideration in times of distress. He will bring us out of trouble if we help others when they are in trouble. We shall receive very singular providential help if the LORD sees that we try to provide for others. We shall have a time of trouble, however generous we may be; but if we are charitable, we may put in a claim for peculiar deliverance, and the LORD will not deny His own word and bond. Miserly curmudgeons may help themselves, but considerate and generous believers the LORD will help. As you have done unto others, so will the LORD do unto you. Empty your pockets.

Intricately connected to Christ

"I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison ... About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?'"
Acts 22: 4-7 (edited)

I've always had thoughts float around in the back of my mind when I've read this passage, that Jesus's words are a little strange. And then I've always immediately dismissed them as unholy and irreverent thoughts! Saul is persecuting Christians, and yet Jesus says "why do you persecute me". Which can make you think "hang on Jesus, your taking this too literally. It's your followers who are being persecuted."

But if you linger on this thought instead of immediately dismissing it, it reveals something quite fascinating: everything you feel Jesus feels. It's like we're actually part of the same physical body. When we're persecuted he is persecuted. When we suffer, he suffers. When we sin, he felt it on the cross. When he was raised from the dead, we were given new life. And he was tempted in every way, just as we are.

When we become a disciple of Jesus Christ, we become very intricately connected to him.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
1 Corinthians 12:27

Stumbling in the dark

It occurred to me recently that on the days you choose not read, or forget to read God's word, it's like turning off all the lights at night and stumbling around in the dark. You can't see where you're going. At best, you can get a feel of those things immediately around you. But even these things look very different in the dark. The light reveals things as they truly are.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
Psalm 119:105

If the devil is the father of lies (John 8:44), and the whole world is under his power, then life in this world, without God's light in our daily life, is one of delusion, distortion and blindness.

"We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one."
1 John 5:19