Oh what a mercy is an upright heart!- That renounces the world and everything in it that stands in competition with his God. And who takes God to be his God indeed; and to be his Lord, his Judge, his Portion, and his All: who in temptation remembers that God is watching, and in all his duty is motivated and ruled by the will and pleasure of his Judge; and considers the observation and thoughts of man as he would the presence of a bird or beast (unless piety, justice or love requires him to have respect for man as God may require); who when men applaud him as person of exceptional godliness or holiness is apprehensive and fearful lest the all-knowing God should think otherwise of him than his applauders; and who when under all the criticisms, reproaches and slanders of men (even though good men might be tempted to thus abuse him) can live in peace, resting upon the approbation of his God alone. and can rejoice in his justification by his righteous Judge and gracious Redeemer, though the insignificant criticisms of man condemn him.
Truly I cannot understand how any other man than this can live a life of true and solid peace and joy. If God's approbation and favor don't give you peace, nothing can rationally give it to you. If the pleasing of God doesn't satisfy you, though men, though good men, though all men should be displeased with you, I don't know how or when you will ever be satisfied.
-Richard Baxter
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Thursday, September 23, 2010
completely conformed.
Romans 8:29-30
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
You are stronger.
So i was just thinking about how it is so easy to believe lies about God. Why do we read the truth in His word, then hear some false truth and think, "ya that must be true." so foolish. As i was thinking about it this passage came to mind.
Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
I do not want these things to characterize my life; nor do i want to continue believing the lies as truth. Ps. 12:6 says the words of the Lord are pure words. Do i trust this?
My prayer is that I would.
Romans 1:18-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
I do not want these things to characterize my life; nor do i want to continue believing the lies as truth. Ps. 12:6 says the words of the Lord are pure words. Do i trust this?
My prayer is that I would.
Monday, May 17, 2010
on God I rest.
The Word of God is so powerful.
Is. 55:11
"So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void. But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Amen.
Through Him we have everything, yes, everything we need.
2 Peter 1:3
"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge o fHim who called us by glory and virtue"
and lastly:
2 Peter 1:5-11 SOOO GOOD!
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I pray i can be more diligent.
Is. 55:11
"So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void. But it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
Amen.
Through Him we have everything, yes, everything we need.
2 Peter 1:3
"as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge o fHim who called us by glory and virtue"
and lastly:
2 Peter 1:5-11 SOOO GOOD!
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I pray i can be more diligent.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
greater things.
This morning we had our Saturday morning women's fellowship. We had a dear friend Laura come and share with us on contentment. She shared from James 4:13-17, and spoke of four responses to God's sovereign will. Funny she chose this topic because it is exactly what I have been thinking about lately. Why am I so intent on my own will, and why do I want my plans to be better than the Lord's.
Proverbs 16:9- In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
No matter what God's will prevails; why do I continue to fight it?
Here are the 4 responses:
1) Those who disregard His sovereign will.
-> It is so easy to do this. I often ignore it because I think my plans are better. Even though I know the Lord to be soverein over ALL things, I am persistant to make my will His, instead of His mine.
2) Those who do His sovereign will.
-> I should be doing everything with the mindset that "if the Lord wills" i will do this. I can plan my way, but if the Lord wills, it will be done. Do I trust this will?
3) Those who deny His sovereign will.
->How often do we boast in our own plans? I do this alot!! for example, I say: when i graduate, i am going to have this great job (not only am i assuming i will have a great job, i am boasting in the work i have accomplished to get there. What if the Lord has another plan? would i be disappointed?)
4)Those who disobey His sovereign will.
-> Often I know what His plan for me to do is, and I disobey by still trying for my will to override His. His will is for me to be sanctified and glorify Him. I am being disobedient when i don't trust it.
How I wish I could be content knowing His will for my life is better than mine. I wish my desires were His. I only want to glorify the Lord.
I hope this can be of some encouragement, as it has been to me as I reflect of His word.
Proverbs 16:9- In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
No matter what God's will prevails; why do I continue to fight it?
Here are the 4 responses:
1) Those who disregard His sovereign will.
-> It is so easy to do this. I often ignore it because I think my plans are better. Even though I know the Lord to be soverein over ALL things, I am persistant to make my will His, instead of His mine.
2) Those who do His sovereign will.
-> I should be doing everything with the mindset that "if the Lord wills" i will do this. I can plan my way, but if the Lord wills, it will be done. Do I trust this will?
3) Those who deny His sovereign will.
->How often do we boast in our own plans? I do this alot!! for example, I say: when i graduate, i am going to have this great job (not only am i assuming i will have a great job, i am boasting in the work i have accomplished to get there. What if the Lord has another plan? would i be disappointed?)
4)Those who disobey His sovereign will.
-> Often I know what His plan for me to do is, and I disobey by still trying for my will to override His. His will is for me to be sanctified and glorify Him. I am being disobedient when i don't trust it.
How I wish I could be content knowing His will for my life is better than mine. I wish my desires were His. I only want to glorify the Lord.
I hope this can be of some encouragement, as it has been to me as I reflect of His word.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
He rescued me.
"When we are insensitive to sin, it is obvious we have idols."
I can become so accepting of my sin. why do i when i know it is so offensive and hostile toward God. The only way He can even look at me is because of my belief in His Son, and when He sees me He sees Christ.
I want to live a spiritually transformed life; a life that was only possible through Divine intervention.
I can become so accepting of my sin. why do i when i know it is so offensive and hostile toward God. The only way He can even look at me is because of my belief in His Son, and when He sees me He sees Christ.
I want to live a spiritually transformed life; a life that was only possible through Divine intervention.
Friday, April 9, 2010
all the faint lights.
First of all, I want to shoutout to the West Coast. There are times when i miss it so much. I miss friends. I miss CBU times. I miss familiarity.
However, I love living in Florida. I wouldn't change living here for the things I miss. The Lord truly does direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I have been challenged so much and I am so thankful the Lord's will is more perfect than I could ever want. I often think I know what's best. I am learning how sweet it is to be inside the Lord's will.
As of late i have been seeing the necessity of knowing Scripture and constantly being emersed in the Word of the Lord. I am drawn to Psalm 119. The whole chapter focus' on meditating on the Word and how excellent it is. If it wasn't 176 verses i would type it all. Just a few to point out are some sweet prayers and promises. It so constantly reminds me of the importance of Scripture. Ps 119:37 "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness." v. 59: I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. ; v.160: the entirety of Your word is truth. ; v. 165: Great peace have those who love Your law., and nothing causes them to stumble.
At college group on Thursday we read from Acts 8. We were reminded how to be an effective evangelist we need to be FLUENT with the Word. Fluent would mean that I know it, just like I am fluent in English. I'm not just conversational. But I constantly settle to be conversational with the Word. I just know enough to somewhat communicate. But I can't be that effective if I only can partially communicate my message.
I just want to be more in the Word. I want to memorize it and soak it in. From it comes wisdom.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.
However, I love living in Florida. I wouldn't change living here for the things I miss. The Lord truly does direct our steps (Proverbs 16:9). I have been challenged so much and I am so thankful the Lord's will is more perfect than I could ever want. I often think I know what's best. I am learning how sweet it is to be inside the Lord's will.
As of late i have been seeing the necessity of knowing Scripture and constantly being emersed in the Word of the Lord. I am drawn to Psalm 119. The whole chapter focus' on meditating on the Word and how excellent it is. If it wasn't 176 verses i would type it all. Just a few to point out are some sweet prayers and promises. It so constantly reminds me of the importance of Scripture. Ps 119:37 "Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness." v. 59: I thought about my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. ; v.160: the entirety of Your word is truth. ; v. 165: Great peace have those who love Your law., and nothing causes them to stumble.
At college group on Thursday we read from Acts 8. We were reminded how to be an effective evangelist we need to be FLUENT with the Word. Fluent would mean that I know it, just like I am fluent in English. I'm not just conversational. But I constantly settle to be conversational with the Word. I just know enough to somewhat communicate. But I can't be that effective if I only can partially communicate my message.
I just want to be more in the Word. I want to memorize it and soak it in. From it comes wisdom.
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10.
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