One In the Spirit (1973) by David C.K. Watson, Book Review

 One In the Spirit (1973) by David C.K. Watson

Before, I had two favorite Anglicans of the past: John C. Ryle (1816-1900) and James I. Packer (1926-2020). But now I want to add another person: David C. Watson (1933-1984). While Ryle and Packer are beloved friends of the Reformation and the Puritans, Watson however was known as a champion of charismatic evangelicalism. In this book, Watson addresses the need to be united in love - "one in the Spirit, one in the Lord." It is sad to see Christians in the past and present divided over the work of the Holy Spirit when undoubtedly He intends to make us united. We need to take heed of the urgent call to unite in Spirit and truth, but not take it to the extreme of syncretism. As the Scripture says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2-3).

The first step, as the author begins the book, is to know the person and the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. He is the key to everything in the New Testament Church. "The fifth book of the New Testament should really be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit," writes Watson. "If God had taken the Holy Spirit out of their midst in those days, about 95% of what they doing in their churches would ceased immediately. Everyone would know the difference." But today, sadly, if God would take the Spirit out of our midst, maybe we would not know the difference. Business as usual. And that's the danger! I recalled my observations when I read this book of how we have treated the Holy Spirit unintentionally - in our theology and conduct - as subordinated either to the Bible (by most Protestants) or the Church (by most Roman Catholics). Thus, Watson urges us to have "a fresh recognition of the Third Person of the Trinity, and deep longing for the same wind of the Spirit that energized believers both in the first century and in the revivals of the Church down the years." Amen.

This book is divided into five chapters that mostly derive from 1 Corinthians 12-14 and other passages: 1) The Person of the Holy Spirit; 2) The Holy Spirit in the Individual; 3) The Holy Spirit in the Church; 4) Walking by the Spirit; and 5) The Greatest Is Love. Obviously, David Watson was generally positive about the explosion of the charismatic movement during his time. He was aware of the danger of counterfeits and always pointed out to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God" (1 John 4:1). In the same way, when I read this book, I tested his ideas and interpretations whether they were based on the Scripture or not. And asking, "What is God saying by His Spirit?" This is a good question - and prayer! - to ask when we read other books too, especially the one that He inspired or God-breathed Book (see 2 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 1:21).

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #TheHolySpirit #DavidWatson #Unity #TheChurch #TheScripture #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Gift of Reading and The Gift of Time #1Book1Week April 2021

 I'm concern with how many of us use the gift of reading and the gift of time nowadays. With no exception, most people would agree with me that reading a good book is better than reading hundreds of random posts on Face-book. Although a heavy use of social media can cause lower levels of literacy and decrease comprehension ability, I bet most of us actually can read fairly well. People who can read very well, but, for whatever reason, are choosing NOT to read a good book is like what Mark Twain observed, "The people who can read but doesn't isn't any better off than the person who can't read."

On second thought, I think Mark Twain is being too modest. I think the person who can read but doesn't is WORST OFF than the person who can't read because they are taking this gift for granted. I've been to rural areas in Sarawak where some of the youths are trying their best to learn to read but because of their culture and limited resources, they can only learn so much. If they have the same kind of opportunities and facilities as most of us in the cities have, they could be as literate as us - and probably even better if they continue to have the thirst for knowledge that we lack. Don't despise the gift of reading and don't waste the gift of time. Or, BOTH WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU. God is not fair but He is just ⚡

"Reading," said Burke Hedges, "can transform your life in a flash, and you never know which book... at which time in your life... might be the one that rocks your world and inspires you to grow in ways you never thought possible." Take a good book - and read! ��� By the way, here are my #1Book1Week for April 2021 ���

To read my reviews of these books and more, CLICK HERE.

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #TheGiftsOfReadingAndTime #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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You Are HERE to Know God

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24, ESV) #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #KnowingGod

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Reading While In the Prison #1Book1Week December 2020

 

The apostle Paul reminds Timothy: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also, bring my books, and especially my papers" (2 Timothy 4:13). Do you know that Paul was in the dark, lonely, cold prison? Do you know that Paul was about to die? Do you know that 2 Timothy is most probably his last letter? We can consider his needs for a coat since it's cold and maybe winter was near. But asking for books (scrolls) and papers (parchments) is a bit puzzling to me. Of course, the books were probably parts of the Old Testament Scriptures but does he really desire to read and study until the end of his life?

I also read another crazy man of God, William Tyndale, who also asked a similar request during his imprisonment: "But above all, I entreat and beseech your clemency to be urgent with the Procurer that he would kindly permit me to have my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Dictionary, that I may spend my time with that study." Truth be told, men like Paul and Tyndale are men of action, not just bookworms. But you can see their desire and thirst for knowledge ("of the holy," as A.W. Tozer would put it) and to learn more of Him (through the written Word) even amidst their difficulties. Nowadays, most Christians despise learning and instead are imprisoned by smartphones... which is not a smart move. Learn from the wise, and you will be wise - read solid, real, physical books! 😊⚡📖

Here is my #1Book1Week list for December 2020. If you have read any of these 👇 (or from other lists of the past) and you would like to discuss them with me, just contact me through inbox ya:

1) Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World (3rd Edition, 2010) by John MacArthur. CLICK HERE

2) An Ironside Expository Commentary: 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Originally, 1947) by Henry Allen Ironside. CLICK HERE

3) God's Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes (1981) by J.I. Packer. CLICK HERE

4) Daniel, Man of God: Being a Man of Character in a Babylon World (Revised, 2018) by Dwight L. Moody. CLICK HERE

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeader #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #JohnMacArthur #HAIronside #JIPacker #DLMoody

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God's Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes (1981) by J.I. Packer, Book Review

God's Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes (1981) by J.I. Packer

I read and savor this book from cover to cover except for the index at the end. My first introduction to the late Dr. Packer (1926 - July 2020) is his classic book Knowing God and later his shorter work Freedom, Authority, Scripture. His books are meaty but packed (Packer by name, packed by nature he said), Bible-saturated and not so hard to comprehend although some of the languages can be a bit difficult to understand (one time I'm struggling with the words justification and sanctification, Packer have helped me very much with these subjects).

There are 17 key themes that he covers:

1) Revelation
2) Scripture
3) The Lord
4) The World
5) Sin
6) The Devil
7) Grace
8) The Mediator
9) Reconciliation
10) Faith
11) Justification
12) Regeneration
13) Election
14) Holiness and Sanctification
15) Mortify
16) Fellowship
17) Death

"Keys open doors; keywords open mind, and through minds hearts," writes Dr. Packer. "This book takes keywords from the Bible - terms, we may truly say, from God's own vocabulary - and spells out practically some of the main thoughts linked with them. The goal is understanding, faith, and wisdom." Yes, the goal is more or less accomplished in me, thanks Packer! I think due to his high view of the Scripture, he writes with authority and clarity. He explains: "Scripture is quite simply God communicating, God talking, God teaching, God preaching: God telling you - yes, you, with me and all other Bible-readers and Bible-hearers everywhere - things about himself which call here and now for faith, worship and obedience; prayer, praise, and practice; devoting, denying and disciplining ourselves to serve God; in short, our complete conversion and our total commitment." Amen! So, this is my last book of the list of this year 2020 #1Book1Week 😊⚡🔥 #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #JIPacker #GodsWord #BiblicalDoctrines #SystematicTheology

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Freedom, Authority & Scripture (1982) by James I. Packer, Book Review

 

Freedom, Authority & Scripture (1982) by James I. Packer

Before I was born, this book already existed 🤣 My first introduction to the late Dr. J.I. Packer is through his phenomenal life-changing book, Knowing God (fully recommend). It's a bit heavy in theology, but once you get the essences of it, your eyes will be open to see how the Scripture reveals the majesty and greatness of God. In Freedom, Authority & Scripture, Dr. Packer expands on the inerrancy and authority of the Scripture that can bring true freedom in our lives.

All of us want to be free, but many do not know what true freedom is, much less how to achieve it. Freedom is not freely doing whatever we want or desire without boundaries. Nor the liberty to harm others and the absence of responsibility. "There is no freedom apart from external authority," explains Dr. Packer, "To say 'I am my own authority, a law to myself' is to enslave myself to myself, which, as Seneca (the Roman moralist) said, is the worst bondage of all. Only as I bow to an authority which is not myself am I ever free." And what is that authority? God through the Scripture! "Real freedom is only ever found under authority - God's authority in Christ, the authority which reaches us via God's written Word." 📖🔥😊 #ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #FreedomAuthorityScripture #DrJIPacker

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J.I. Packer on Trials and Troubles of Life

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

(Psalms 46:1, ESV)

“A faith that can’t be tested can’t be trusted.” (Warren Wiersbe)

In his classic and I highly recommended book Knowing God, J.I. Packer writes: “We should not, therefore, be too taken back when unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things happen to us now. What do they mean? Why, simply that God in his wisdom means to make something of us which we have not attained yet, and is dealing with us accordingly…

It is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy the greatest, when the cross is heaviest.”

Packer then suggests two ways of handling the trails of life when we cannot, for the moment, see God’s purpose in them. “First, by taking them as from God, and asking ourselves what reactions to them, and in them, the gospel of God requires of us; second, by seeking God’s face specifically about them. If we do these two things, we shall never find ourselves wholly in the dark as to God’s purpose in troubles.”

[Quote from: J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1973), Page 86-87]

I hear your soul whispers, ‘Easy for you to say...’

I reply, ‘No, it’s definitely not an easy task.

God asked us not for an easy life but a faithful life, trust Him’

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.