Friendship (continued)
Man, being a sociable creature, is mightily encouraged to do as others do, especially in an evil example; for we are more susceptible of evil than we are of good. Sickness is sooner communicated than health; we easily catch a disease off one another, but those that are sound do not communicate health to the diseased. Or rather, to take God's own expression that sets it forth thus - by touching the unclean the man became unclean under the law, but by touching the clean the man was not purified. (Thomas Manton)
If thou choosest the ungodly for thy friends, thou art in danger of suffering, as well as of sinning with them. The wheat has many a blow for being among the chaff. The gold would not be put into the fire if it were not for the dross with which it is mingled. (George Swinnock)
Do not incorporate into the society of the wicked, or be too much familiar with them. The wicked are God haters; and "shouldest thou join with them that hate the Lord?" (2 Chronicles 19:2). A Christian is bound, by virtue of his oath of allegiance to God in baptism, not to have intimate converse with such as are God's sworn enemies. The bad will sooner corrupt the good, than the good will convert the bad. Pharaoh taught Joseph to swear, but Joseph did not teach Pharaoh to pray. (Thomas Watson)
Gifts
Joseph's coat made him finer than his brethren, but it caused all his trouble; so great gifts lift a saint up a little higher in the eyes of men, but they occasion many trials, from which thou who art low exempt. (William Gurnall)
Sin, in the reign and power of it, may cohabit with the most excellent natural gifts under the same roof. I mean in the same heart. A man may have the tongue of an angel and the heart of a devil. The learned Pharisees were but painted sepulchres. Gifts are but as a fair glove drawn over a foul hand. (John Flavel)
The least grace is a better security for heaven than the greatest gifts or privileges whatsoever. (John Owen)
God
Now concerning God, two things are to be known: 1. That He is, and 2. What He is. (John Preston)
God's name, as it is set out in the Word, is both a glorious name, full of majesty; and also a gracious name, full of mercy. (William Gouge)
The word "Father" is personal, the word "God" essential. (Stephen Charnock)
The name "Jehovah" carries majesty in it: the name "Father" carries mercy in it. (Thomas Watson)
The little word "Father", pronounced in faith, has overcome God. (Thomas Watson)
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
God's Promise
“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." - Genesis 28:15
Today's verse is a promise that God made to Jacob. As Jacob lay asleep, the Lord stood over him and reaffirmed the promise that He had given his father, Isaac, and his grandfather, Abraham. The Lord told Jacob of how his descendants would be as the dust of the earth, scattered in all directions and blessed to be in God's family. God kept His promise and the rest of the Old Testament tells the story of His people, a people known as the children of Israel. (Israel was the new name given to Jacob by God.)
The literal context of this verse is stated above but the spiritual context is applicable to us today. Did you know that the Lord has a promise for your life, even in this verse? How does something written so long ago become relevant to our lives now? Many people miss out on the Old Testament message because they see no relevance to our modern lives. But the Holy Spirit makes the message critically relevant to our lives right here and right now. The promise that God gave Jacob is also a promise that He gives us. Hebrews 13:5 says that the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. For Jacob, God had given him a specific promise about the nation of Israel, a nation yet to be born at the time of the encounter. What promise has God given you, or do you know? For starters, He promises to never leave you and that He will be with you and keep you wherever you go. God promises to always be with you. What an awesome promise!
Sometimes we just need to open the Bible and start reading. Maybe someone reading this right now needs to hear that God promises to always be with them. The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and speaks to our hearts personally, a message just for us. The Bible is filled with stories and literal accounts of historical events, but in every story and every account, there is a personal message just for you. Please do not miss out on the spiritual message. You will find what you need if you seek for it: a promise, a confirmation, an answer. You will love the Bible stories, but when they become real to you in your life, and apply to you in some way today, your life will change and you will have an insatiable appetite for God's Word.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 33
Forgiveness (continued)
He that demands mercy, and shows none, ruins the bridge over which he himself is to pass. (Thomas Adams)
A man may as well go to hell for not forgiving as for not believing. (Thomas Watson)
By revenge thou canst but satisfy a lust, but by forgiveness thou shalt conquer a lust. (John Flavel)
While wrongs are remembered they are not remitted. He forgives not that forgets not. (John Trapp)
He shed tears for those that shed His blood. (Thomas Watson)
Friendship
Too much friendship makes way for hatred. Yes, in truth there is no enmity so dangerous as that which has its foundations upon the ruins of love. And as the nature, the purest substance is turned into the most loathsome corruption; so the hottest love, which has no other ground but carnal respect. For being privy to all their friends' secrets, counsels, and conditions, they are the more enabled thereby to do them the greater mischief when their love is turned to malice. Even as a traitor is much more dangerous than a professed enemy. (George Downame)
In the choice of a bosom friend, some respect ought to be had to his prudence. Some men, though holy, are indiscreet, and in point of secrets are like sieves - they can keep nothing committed to them, but let all run through. A blab of secrets is a traitor to society, as one that causeth much dissension. It is good to try him whom we intend for a bosom friend before we trust him. Many complain of the treachery of their friends, and say, that in trust they have found treason. (George Swinnock)
Our afflictions are profitable, as they pluck from us false-hearted parasites, who, like the ivy, cling about us, to suck our sap, and to make themselves fat with our spoil; and to discover to us our true friends, who are hardly discerned from the other till this time of trial; for as the son of Sirach says, "A friend cannot be known in prosperity, and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity." (George Downame)
All company with unbelievers or misbelievers is not condemned. We find a Lot in Sodom, Israel with the Egyptians, Abraham and Isaac with their Abimelechs' roses among thorns, and pearls in mud; and Jesus Christ among publicans and sinners. So neither we be infected, nor the name of the Lord wronged, to converse with them, that we may convert them, is a holy course. But still we must be among as strangers: to pas through an infected place is one thing, to dwell in it another. (Thomas Adams)
Clothes and company do oftentimes tell tale in a mute but significant language. (Thomas Brooks)
It is thy interest to choose only the godly for thy friends. Others will one time or other prove false. Ungodly men may be about us, as mice in a barn, whilst something is up to be had; but when all the corn is gone, they are gone too; it thou ceasest to give, they will cease to love. (George Swinnock)
He that demands mercy, and shows none, ruins the bridge over which he himself is to pass. (Thomas Adams)
A man may as well go to hell for not forgiving as for not believing. (Thomas Watson)
By revenge thou canst but satisfy a lust, but by forgiveness thou shalt conquer a lust. (John Flavel)
While wrongs are remembered they are not remitted. He forgives not that forgets not. (John Trapp)
He shed tears for those that shed His blood. (Thomas Watson)
Friendship
Too much friendship makes way for hatred. Yes, in truth there is no enmity so dangerous as that which has its foundations upon the ruins of love. And as the nature, the purest substance is turned into the most loathsome corruption; so the hottest love, which has no other ground but carnal respect. For being privy to all their friends' secrets, counsels, and conditions, they are the more enabled thereby to do them the greater mischief when their love is turned to malice. Even as a traitor is much more dangerous than a professed enemy. (George Downame)
In the choice of a bosom friend, some respect ought to be had to his prudence. Some men, though holy, are indiscreet, and in point of secrets are like sieves - they can keep nothing committed to them, but let all run through. A blab of secrets is a traitor to society, as one that causeth much dissension. It is good to try him whom we intend for a bosom friend before we trust him. Many complain of the treachery of their friends, and say, that in trust they have found treason. (George Swinnock)
Our afflictions are profitable, as they pluck from us false-hearted parasites, who, like the ivy, cling about us, to suck our sap, and to make themselves fat with our spoil; and to discover to us our true friends, who are hardly discerned from the other till this time of trial; for as the son of Sirach says, "A friend cannot be known in prosperity, and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity." (George Downame)
All company with unbelievers or misbelievers is not condemned. We find a Lot in Sodom, Israel with the Egyptians, Abraham and Isaac with their Abimelechs' roses among thorns, and pearls in mud; and Jesus Christ among publicans and sinners. So neither we be infected, nor the name of the Lord wronged, to converse with them, that we may convert them, is a holy course. But still we must be among as strangers: to pas through an infected place is one thing, to dwell in it another. (Thomas Adams)
Clothes and company do oftentimes tell tale in a mute but significant language. (Thomas Brooks)
It is thy interest to choose only the godly for thy friends. Others will one time or other prove false. Ungodly men may be about us, as mice in a barn, whilst something is up to be had; but when all the corn is gone, they are gone too; it thou ceasest to give, they will cease to love. (George Swinnock)
He Keeps the Key
They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia (Acts 16:6).
It is interesting to study the methods of His guidance as it was extended towards these early heralds of the Cross. It consisted largely in prohibitions, when they attempted to take another course than the right. When they would turn to the left, to Asia, He stayed them. When they sought to turn to the right, to Bithynia, again He stayed them. In after years Paul would do some of the greatest work of his life in that very region; but just now the door was closed against him by the Holy Spirit. The time was not yet ripe for the attack on these apparently impregnable bastions of the kingdom of Satan. Apollos must come there for pioneer work. Paul and Barnabas are needed yet more urgently elsewhere, and must receive further training before undertaking this responsible task.
Beloved, whenever you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God, and ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one. Say, "Blessed Spirit, I cast on Thee the entire responsibility of closing against my steps any and every course which is not of God. Let me hear Thy voice behind me whenever I turn to the right hand or the left."
In the meanwhile, continue along the path which you have been already treading. Abide in the calling in which you are called, unless you are clearly told to do something else. The Spirit of Jesus waits to be to you, O pilgrim, what He was to Paul. Only be careful to obey His least prohibition; and where, after believing prayer, there are no apparent hindrances, go forward with enlarged heart. Do not be surprised if the answer comes in closed doors. But when doors are shut right and left, an open road is sure to lead to Troas. There Luke awaits, and visions will point the way, where vast opportunities stand open, and faithful friends are waiting.
--Paul, by Meyer
--Paul, by Meyer
Is there some problem in your life to solve,
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Some passage seeming full of mystery?
God knows, who brings the hidden things to light.
He keeps the key.
Is there some door closed by the Father's hand
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait--for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Which widely opened you had hoped to see?
Trust God and wait--for when He shuts the door
He keeps the key.
Is there some earnest prayer unanswered yet,
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Or answered NOT as you had thought 'twould be?
God will make clear His purpose by-and-by.
He keeps the key.
Have patience with your God, your patient God,
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
All wise, all knowing, no long tarrier He,
And of the door of all thy future life
He keeps the key.
Unfailing comfort, sweet and blessed rest,
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees 'tis best,
Will give it THEE.
To know of EVERY door He keeps the key.
That He at last when just HE sees 'tis best,
Will give it THEE.
~L. B. Cowman~
Monday, February 16, 2015
Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 32
Forgiveness
Poor souls are apt to think that all those whom they read or hear of to be gone to heaven, went thither because they were so good and so holy. Yet not one of them, not any one that is now in heaven (Jesus Christ excepted), did ever come thither any other way but by forgiveness of sins. (John Owen)
Sins are so remitted, as if they had never been committed. (Thomas Adams)
God blots out not only the cloud but the thick cloud, enormities as well as infirmities. (Thomas Watson)
The sin which is not too great to be forsaken, is not too great to be forgiven. (Thomas Horton)
A man pardoned, and justified by faith in Christ, though he may, and sometimes doth, fall into foul sins, yet they never prevail so far as to reverse pardon, and reduce to a state of non-justification. (William Greenhill)
We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven: let us look into our hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God has forgiven us. (Thomas Watson)
Wherever God pardons sin, He subdues it. "He will have compassion on us, He will subdue our iniquity." (Micah 7:19). Where men's persons are justified, their lusts are mortified. There is in sin a commanding and a condemning power. The condemning power of sin is taken away when the commanding power of sin is taken away. We know our sins are forgiven when they are subdued. (Thomas Watson)
Poor souls are apt to think that all those whom they read or hear of to be gone to heaven, went thither because they were so good and so holy. Yet not one of them, not any one that is now in heaven (Jesus Christ excepted), did ever come thither any other way but by forgiveness of sins. (John Owen)
Sins are so remitted, as if they had never been committed. (Thomas Adams)
God blots out not only the cloud but the thick cloud, enormities as well as infirmities. (Thomas Watson)
The sin which is not too great to be forsaken, is not too great to be forgiven. (Thomas Horton)
A man pardoned, and justified by faith in Christ, though he may, and sometimes doth, fall into foul sins, yet they never prevail so far as to reverse pardon, and reduce to a state of non-justification. (William Greenhill)
We need not climb up into heaven to see whether our sins are forgiven: let us look into our hearts, and see if we can forgive others. If we can, we need not doubt but God has forgiven us. (Thomas Watson)
Wherever God pardons sin, He subdues it. "He will have compassion on us, He will subdue our iniquity." (Micah 7:19). Where men's persons are justified, their lusts are mortified. There is in sin a commanding and a condemning power. The condemning power of sin is taken away when the commanding power of sin is taken away. We know our sins are forgiven when they are subdued. (Thomas Watson)
When God Has Our Hearts
In Matthew 6:25-26, Jesus applies all we have covered over the last few days,
"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
Given the context of the preceding verses, Jesus is telling us that if God is first in our giving, then He indeed has our heart. If He has our hearts, He can guide us and meet our needs, and we have no need to worry about provision for our life.
He feeds the birds. He will take care of you. Do not worry. Obey Him, trust Him, and look to Him for your daily bread.
Matthew 6:33 says,
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
~Bayless Conley~
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Puritan Nuggets of Gold # 31
Faith (continued)
Weak faith is true faith - as precious, though not so great as strong faith: the same Holy Spirit the author, the same Gospel the instrument. For it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the truth of our faith - not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the want - of faith. (John Rogers)
False Doctrine
Heresy is the leprosy of the head. (John Trapp)
We should as carefully avoid errors as vices; a blind eye is even worse than a lame foot; yea a blind eye may cause a lame foot. (Thomas Manton)
Error damns as well as vice; the one pistols, the other poisons. (Thomas Watson)
By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares; but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware. (John Flavel)
There is a difference between error, schism, and heresy. Error is when one holds a strong opinion alone; schism, when many consent in their opinion; heresy runs further, and contends to root out the truth. Error offends, but separates not; schism offends and separates; heresy offends, separates, and rageth. Error is weak, schism strong, heresy obstinate. Error goes out, and often comes in again; schism comes not in, but makes a new church; heresy makes not a new church, but no church. Error is reproved and pitied, schism is reproved and punished, heresy is reproved and excommunicated. Schism is in the same faith, heresy makes another faith. Though they be thus distinguished, yet without God's preventing grace, one will run into another. (Thomas Adams)
I believe that upon search it will appear that error hath not been advanced by anything in the world so much as by usurping a power for its suppression. (John Owen)
Falsehood
It is easy to tell one lie, hard to tell but one lie. (Thomas Fuller)
Those who lie in jest will (without repentance) go to hell in earnest. (John Trapp)
There are three kinds of lies: a lie told, a lie taught, a lie acted out. (Joseph Caryl)
Fear
We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn you thoughts to the wrath of God. (William Gurnall)
By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil; by fear of man, they run themselves into evil. (John Flavel)
Our help is in the name of the Lord, but our fears are in the name of man. (William Greenhill)
The wicked is a very coward, and is afraid of everything; of God, because He is his enemy; of satan, because he is his tormentor; of God's creatures, because them, joining with their Maker, fight against him; of himself, because he bears about with him his own accuser and executioner. The godly man contrarily is afraid of nothing; but of God, because he knows Him his best friend, and will not hurt him; not of satan, because he cannot hurt him; not of afflictions, because he knows they come from a loving God, and end in his good; not of the creatures, since "the very stones in the field are in league with Him;" not of himself, since his conscience is at peace. (Joseph Hall)
Weak faith is true faith - as precious, though not so great as strong faith: the same Holy Spirit the author, the same Gospel the instrument. For it is not the strength of our faith that saves, but the truth of our faith - not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the want - of faith. (John Rogers)
False Doctrine
Heresy is the leprosy of the head. (John Trapp)
We should as carefully avoid errors as vices; a blind eye is even worse than a lame foot; yea a blind eye may cause a lame foot. (Thomas Manton)
Error damns as well as vice; the one pistols, the other poisons. (Thomas Watson)
By entertaining of strange persons, men sometimes entertain angels unawares; but by entertaining of strange doctrines, many have entertained devils unaware. (John Flavel)
There is a difference between error, schism, and heresy. Error is when one holds a strong opinion alone; schism, when many consent in their opinion; heresy runs further, and contends to root out the truth. Error offends, but separates not; schism offends and separates; heresy offends, separates, and rageth. Error is weak, schism strong, heresy obstinate. Error goes out, and often comes in again; schism comes not in, but makes a new church; heresy makes not a new church, but no church. Error is reproved and pitied, schism is reproved and punished, heresy is reproved and excommunicated. Schism is in the same faith, heresy makes another faith. Though they be thus distinguished, yet without God's preventing grace, one will run into another. (Thomas Adams)
I believe that upon search it will appear that error hath not been advanced by anything in the world so much as by usurping a power for its suppression. (John Owen)
Falsehood
It is easy to tell one lie, hard to tell but one lie. (Thomas Fuller)
Those who lie in jest will (without repentance) go to hell in earnest. (John Trapp)
There are three kinds of lies: a lie told, a lie taught, a lie acted out. (Joseph Caryl)
Fear
We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear cures another. When man's terror scares you, turn you thoughts to the wrath of God. (William Gurnall)
By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil; by fear of man, they run themselves into evil. (John Flavel)
Our help is in the name of the Lord, but our fears are in the name of man. (William Greenhill)
The wicked is a very coward, and is afraid of everything; of God, because He is his enemy; of satan, because he is his tormentor; of God's creatures, because them, joining with their Maker, fight against him; of himself, because he bears about with him his own accuser and executioner. The godly man contrarily is afraid of nothing; but of God, because he knows Him his best friend, and will not hurt him; not of satan, because he cannot hurt him; not of afflictions, because he knows they come from a loving God, and end in his good; not of the creatures, since "the very stones in the field are in league with Him;" not of himself, since his conscience is at peace. (Joseph Hall)
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