December 2015

Following Jesus 161

In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian and Faithful were bad-mouthed and heckled as they entered the city known as Vanity Fair. As pilgrims who marched to the beat of a different drummer, Christian and Faithful looked (dressed) and spoke differently — something to which the townsfolk took great exception. It is interesting that it was, in particular, their speech that caused such offense.

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

In Pilgrim’s Progress, Christian and Faithful were bad-mouthed and heckled as they entered the city known as Vanity Fair. As pilgrims who marched to the beat of a different drummer, Christian and Faithful looked (dressed) and spoke differently — something to which the townsfolk took great exception. It is interesting that it was, in particular, their speech that caused such offense.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 160

What is meant by the phrase or title Vanity Fair? Vanity Fair is described in various dictionaries as the “vain and frivolous way of life especially in large cities,” and the “place or scene of vulgarity or empty, idle amusement and frivolity,” (trivial; unimportant; silly’ foolish). For John Bunyan, Vanity Fair is the world in all its gaudiness: alluring and seductive, offering merchandise of all kinds — some innocent enough in themselves but designed to misdirect the affections away from our love for God and our love for His kingdom.

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 159

When I was growing up in Lincoln Park, MI, part of a larger community known as the Downriver area of Metropolitan Detroit, there was a shopping center 2.5 miles from my parent’s home. It was called the Lincoln Park Plaza. All of the some ten Downriver communities had these kind of shopping plazas. Some still exist.

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

When I was growing up in Lincoln Park, MI, part of a larger community known as the Downriver area of Metropolitan Detroit, there was a shopping center 2.5 miles from my parent’s home. It was called the Lincoln Park Plaza. All of the some ten Downriver communities had these kind of shopping plazas. Some still exist.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 158

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the first command given to the believer before God is simply to Be Strong. 6:10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

The second command is to Be Prepared. 6:11a. “Put on the whole armor of God,”

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the first command given to the believer before God is simply to Be Strong. 6:10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

The second command is to Be Prepared. 6:11a. “Put on the whole armor of God,”

The third command is to Stand Firm. 6:13. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 157

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the first command given to the believer before God is simply to Be Strong. 6:10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

In Ephesians 6:10-20, the first command given to the believer before God is simply to Be Strong. 6:10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

In essence, the follower of Jesus is to only rest and depend upon the strength God provides them when engaging in spiritual conflict or war. We cannot fight the evil one in our strength. As Martin Luther wrote, “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.”

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 156

The first command is simply to Be Strong. 6:10. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” In essence, the follower of Jesus is to only rest and depend upon the strength God provides them when engaging in spiritual conflict or war. We cannot fight the evil one in our strength. As Martin Luther wrote, “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing.”

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 155

In our struggle with the devil, there are two extremes we must avoid: The first is to look for the devil or one of his demonic, fallen angels under every rock, for the world and our flesh can entice us to enough law-breaking without demonic assistance. The second extreme would be to ignore the devil all together and pretend he does not exist.

Still, we must know how evil spirits present themselves if we are to resist them. As the following passages indicate, we should not necessarily expect our spiritual enemies to look overtly evil. Satan is the master trickster who often disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

In our struggle with the devil, there are two extremes we must avoid: The first is to look for the devil or one of his demonic, fallen angels under every rock, for the world and our flesh can entice us to enough law-breaking without demonic assistance. The second extreme would be to ignore the devil all together and pretend he does not exist.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 154

“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” - 2 Corinthians 11:14

Martin Luther said that Christians face three enemies: —the world, the flesh, and the devil. Obviously, these foes are interrelated.

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

“Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” - 2 Corinthians 11:14

Martin Luther said that Christians face three enemies: —the world, the flesh, and the devil. Obviously, these foes are interrelated.

First, our flesh—the remaining tendency in our lives to sin; Romans 7:13-25.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 153

What should be our prayers as we face difficulties? This leads the believer to the discipline of joy. Vs. 5-8.

We begin by seeking God and making our requests to Him. What should we be asking God for as we face various trials? We must ask for wisdom: “Let him ask of God, (see above) who gives…

What is God’s response to the believer in Christ when that person requests God’s wisdom? He will generously give wisdom to that person. Unreservedly. Without bargaining. Indiscriminately (To all).

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8 ESV)

What should be our prayers as we face difficulties? This leads the believer to the discipline of joy. Vs. 5-8.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

Following Jesus 152

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8 ESV)

What should be our prayers as we face difficulties? This leads the believer to the discipline of joy. Vs. 5-8.

We begin by seeking God and making our requests to Him. What should we be asking God for as we face various trials? We must ask for wisdom: “Let him ask of God, (see above) who gives…

Following Jesus: The Progress of the Pilgrim.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:5-8 ESV)

What should be our prayers as we face difficulties? This leads the believer to the discipline of joy. Vs. 5-8.

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals is member supported and operates only by your faithful support. Thank you.

Reformation Societies is a fraternal of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. It is supported only by its readers and gracious Christians like you. Please prayerfully consider supporting Reformation Societies and the mission of the Alliance.

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