Thursday, May 21, 2009

DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE
...make much of God - even in your suffering

Desiring God Ministries with John Piper




"Whatever makes us more and more able to enjoy making much of God is a mercy. For there is no greater joy than joy in the greatness of God. And if we must suffer to see this and savor it most deeply, then suffering is a mercy. And Christ's call to take up our cross and join Him on the Calvary road is love."

-John Piper, "Don't Waste Your Life"

6 comments:

donsands said...

Great quote Steve. I love Pastor Piper. I was able to meet him at a Jonathan Edwards Institute conference in Annapolis. He's a humble incredible teacher of God's Word.
On another note, I was wondreing if you're a friend of Dana Key. I'd love to write to him if I could. I met him once a while back when I was cutting my spiritual teeth by going to concerts. D & K, Wes King, Rich Mullins, Mark Farner, Newsboys, Whiteheart, Phil Keaggy, Bryan Duncan, Geoff Moore, David Meece, and so many others, but I never was able to see you, though I had all your LP's. You were a favorite, and still are.
Thanks again for the Piper quote.

Correy said...

Does anyone want to exapand on this quote? Let me give it a go.

He is saying mercy shows us the greatness of God and that the greatest Joy is found in the greatness of who Jesus is.

Often in a Christians life hardships come and it is the Lord who by his grace and mercy often walks with us through our times of trials and through this suffering we know the Lord more.

Jesus uses this to show us His love which he has just for me.

Shawn said...

AMEN!!

Bhedr said...

It is why Asaph said he was chastened all day while others indulged in the pursuit of pleasure. He took stock and realized that he was daily being rebuked so that this great Glory was made known to him and that others were on a slippery place.For a short while he envied them but then he came to the realization of what a wonderful gift he had.

This is why Joni Earikson can taste far more of Him than we and that is the gift of his mercy.

For far too long I viewed his gift as some kind of enablement to seek his blessings instead of Him.When God confronted me and rebuked me with this truth and that I was misleading people. IT HURT. I was selling a microwave Gospel that appealed to mens ears.

Thank God that He woke me up to this and that this rebuke was from His mercy and His love.

The gift is Knowing Him. This is eternal life. John 17:3, John 5:44

Shawn said...

Brian,

Such Grace and mercy given to us indeed. I thank him when I have heard your story. Yes Truly Christ died to bring us to God. Yes we have such a great and glorious Lord and Savior

Bhedr said...

Shawn,

You are a brother I treasure. You indeed believe all things.

Glory to God for His grace that heals the wounds of the afflicted.

Oh Praise to the Lord.