Scraps of Glory

2012-01-18T12:05:00.001-05:00

After he had patientlyendured he obtained the promise. - Hebrews 6:15
Abrahamwas long tried, but he was richly rewarded. The Lord tried him by delaying tofulfil His promise; Satan tried him by temptations; men tried him by jealousy,distrust, and opposition; Hagar tried him by contemning her mistress; and Sarahtried him by her peevishness.

But he patiently endured. He did not question God's veracity, nor limit Hispower, nor doubt His faithfulness, nor grieve His love: but he bowed to divinesovereignty, submitted to infinite wisdom, and was silent under delays, waitingthe Lord's time.
And so, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

God's promises cannot fail of their accomplishment. Patient waiters cannot bedisappointed. Believing expectations shall be realized. Beloved, Abraham'sconduct condemns a hasty spirit, reproves a murmuring one, commends a patientone, and encourages quiet submission to God's will and way."

Remember, Abraham was tried; he patiently waited; he received the promise andwas satisfied; imitate his example, and you will share the same blessing.

All anxious cares I fain would leave,
And learn with sweet content to live
On what the Lord shall send;
Whate'er He sends, He sends in love,
And good or bad things blessings prove,
If blessed by this Friend.

The Believer's DailyRemembrancer by James Smith

A New Year Prayer

2012-01-07T11:15:00.002-05:00

A NEW YEAR PRAYER

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
except the days are passed in thy presence,
in thy service, to thy Glory.

Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aidsevery hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit
to supply in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire
to show forth thy praise;
testify thy love,
advance thy kingdom.

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbor,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy spirit, filly my sails.

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of Love,
my soul free.

Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guild,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.

My thy fear be my awe,
thy triumph my joy.

Grace to the Humble

2011-12-01T10:55:00.001-05:00

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 - MatthewHenry

The proud resist God: in their understanding they resist the truths of God; intheir will they resist the laws of God; in their passions they resist the providenceof God; therefore, no wonder that God resists the proud. How wretched the stateof those who make God their enemy! God will give more grace to the humble,because they see their need of it, pray for it are thankful for it, and suchshall have it. Submit your understanding to the truth of God; submit your willsto the will of his precept, the will of his providence. Submit yourselves toGod, for he is ready to do you good. If we yield to temptations, the devil willcontinually follow us; but if we put on the whole armor of God, and stand outagainst him, he will leave us. Let sinners then submit to God, and seek hisgrace and favor; resisting the devil. All sin must be wept over; here, in godlysorrow, or, hereafter, in eternal misery. And the Lord will not refuse tocomfort one who really mourns for sin, or to exalt one who humbles himselfbefore him.

Choice

2011-11-18T11:20:00.001-05:00

“Every time you make a choice you are turning into thecentral part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a littledifferent than it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all yourinnumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this centralthing into a heavenly creature or a hellish creature: either into a creaturethat is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or elseinto one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellowcreatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is heaven: that is,it is joy and peace and knowledge and power. To be the other means madness,horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at eachmoment is progressing to the one state of the other.”

― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Pray for Persecuted Christians

2011-11-13T20:14:00.001-05:00

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10

I Will Do You No Hurt

2011-11-03T23:55:00.001-04:00

TheBeliever's Daily Remembrancer by James Smith

I will do you no hurt. - Jeremiah 25:6

How is it possible that a God of love, who is full of compassion, plenteous inmercy, ready to forgive, waiting to be gracious, should do His children hurt?It cannot be. His dealings may cause us pain, but nothing shall by any meansharm us.

We ought rather to argue with Paul, "He that spared not His own Son, butdelivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us allthings?" He sent His ancient people as captives to Babylon, but it was fortheir good; He allowed His children to be cast into the fiery furnace, into thelion's den, to be driven out to wander in sheep-skins and goat-skins, but Hedid not allow them to be hurt; all was sanctified to them, and the curse wasturned into a blessing.

If He scourge us with one hand, He will support us with the other, and at lastwe shall come up before His throne, out of great tribulation, having washed ourrobes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Not one who has arrivedsafe in heaven will say that his God allowed him to be hurt, notwithstandingthe trials endured by the way. Nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Lord, I would my all resign,
Gladly lose my will in Thine,
Careless be of things below,
Thee alone content to know;
Simple, innocent, and free,
Seeking all my bliss in Thee.

A Stone of Stumbling

2011-10-21T12:46:00.002-04:00

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore?: Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone, As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:30-33

Careful! I've put a huge stone on the road too Mount Zion, a stone you can't get around.
But the stone is me! If you're looking for me, you'll find me on the way, not in the way.
~ The Message.

More Than Conquerors

2011-10-17T11:41:00.001-04:00

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-38

Well Diggers and Rope Holders

2011-10-09T22:00:00.001-04:00

That was the title of our sermon this evening. It was an exhortation to us regarding missions. The people in the ministry, pastors and missionaries, are the well diggers. We can pray for more of them, but in the meantime we can certainly serve them and the Lord as rope holders. This is the quote by William Carey that inspired the sermon:

After hearing an account of the spiritual needs of India, the secretary of the meeting remarked: "There is a gold mine in India, but it seems almost as deep as the center of the earth. Who will venture to explore it?" "I will venture to go down," said Carey, "but remember that you must hold the ropes."

And there are many ways we can participate in rope holding. Pray the Lord to show us each how we can do this.

Nothing Between

2011-10-02T22:17:00.001-04:00

This wonderful hymn was spoken of in our sermon today. I just had to post this lovely rendition. Please turn off the music on the sidebar first.

My Grace Is Sufficient

2011-09-23T15:05:00.001-04:00

The Believer's Daily Remembrancerby James Smith
"My grace is sufficient for thee." 2 Cor 12:9

YOU need look to no other quarter for help, relief, or comfort. Jesus assuresyou that His grace is sufficient. You are welcome to it. You are exhorted tohave it. To be strong in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. It is sufficientto support you under every privation, to help you over every difficulty, tostrengthen you for every duty, to mortify every lust, and to fill you with alljoy and peace in believing. His grace is almighty, it is free, it is durable,it brings salvation. Look not at difficulties, dangers, or thy own weakness;but look to the free, powerful, and promised grace of Jesus. Go to His throneof grace this morning, on purpose to receive grace for this day; go every day,and whenever you feel weak, timid, or cast down. His grace was found sufficientfor Paul, for the martyrs and saints, in the deepest trials, and it will befound sufficient for thee. He says, "I am the Lord thy God; open thy mouthwide, and I will fill it. Come boldly to the throne of grace, that ye mayobtain mercy and find grace to help you in time of need. Every one that askethreceiveth." O Jesus, make good Thy word in me!

Thy strength in weakness is display'd;
My soul this truth can relish now:
A worm upon Thy power is stay'd;
The weaker he, the stronger Thou:
My hope, my joy, is this alone -
My strength is Christ, THE MIGHTY ONE

Count the Cost

2011-09-12T00:25:00.002-04:00

So the title of this post is the subject of this morning's sermon. Indeed, we must count the cost of being a disciple of Jesus. There are many Scriptures which teach us that we must confess Him, follow Him, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and definitely not be ashamed to own Him. The following words from a hymn come to mind:

Jesus, and shall it ever be, a mortal man ashamed of thee?

Ashamed of thee whom angels praise, Whose glories shine through endless days!

Ashamed of Jesus! that dear Friend On whom my hopes of heav'n depend!

No; when I blush, be this my shame, That I no more revere His Name.

Ashamed of Jesus! yes, I may When I've no guilt to wash away,

No tear to wipe, no good to crave, No fears to quell, no soul to save.

~ Joseph Grigg, 1765

Beautiful Savior

2011-09-03T23:53:00.001-04:00

Remember to turn off the music on the sidebar. Be blessed and give praise to our beautiful Savior.

Almost Gone

2011-09-02T10:12:00.001-04:00

"But asfor me--my feet were almost gone! My steps had well nearslipped!" Psalm 73:2

Ah, how frequently have I been almost gone! I can call to mind placesand times, when I have been in the very mouth of danger, on the brink of afearful fall--and yet the Lord has held me up! But for 'special keeping'--where wouldI have been this morning? Andwhat would I have been? Blessed beGod, though it was almost--it was not quite. Thisword, almost, has been sweet to my soul. Almost gone!--butaltogether saved, through God's most free, and all-glorious grace!

- James Smith

The Shallowness of Worldly Possessions

2011-08-16T10:49:00.002-04:00

The possession of the whole world, and all that it contains, will never make a person happy. Its pleasures are false and deceptive. Its riches, rank, and honors, have no power to satisfy the heart. So long as we have not got them they glitter, sparkle, and seem desirable. The moment we have them we find that they are empty bubbles, and cannot make us feel content. And, worst of all, when we possess this world’s good things, to the utmost bound of our desire, we cannot keep them. Death comes in and separates us from all our property forever. Naked we came upon earth, and naked we go forth, and of all our possessions we can carry nothing with us. Such is the world, which occupies the whole attention of thousands! Such is the world, for the sake of which millions are every year destroying their souls!

A Lesson on Contentment

2011-08-01T12:26:00.006-04:00

A bishop of the early church who was a remarkable example of contentment was asked his secret. The old man replied, " It consists in nothing more than making a right use of my eyes. In whatever circumstance I am, I first of all look up to heaven and remember that my principal business here is to get there. I then look down upon the earth, and remember how small a place I shall occupy in it when I die and am buried. I then look abroad in the world and observe what multitudes there are who are in all respects more unhappy than myself. Thus I learn where true happiness is placed, where all our cares must end, and what little reason I have to complain."

~Author Unknown, Borrowed from 15 Minutes with God for Grandma, by Emilie Barnes

Walking With God

2011-07-29T14:08:00.001-04:00

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

They that would maintain a holy walk with God, must walk with him in ordinances as well as providences, etc. It is therefore recorded of Zachary and Elizabeth, that `they walked in all God's ordinances, as well as commandments, blameless'. And all rightly informed Christians, will look upon ordinances, not as beggarly elements, but as so many conduit-pipes, whereby the infinitely condescending Jehovah conveys his grace to their souls. They will look upon them as children's bread, and as their highest privileges. Consequently they will be glad when they hear others say, `Come, let us go up to the house of the Lord'. They will delight to visit the place where God's honor dwelleth, and be very eager to embrace all opportunities to show forth the Lord Christ's death till he come.

If you would walk with God, you will associate and keep company with those that do walk with him. `My delight', says holy David, `is in them that do excel' in virtue. They were, in his sight, the excellent ones of the earth. And the primitive Christians, no doubt, kept up their vigor and first love, by continuing in fellowship one with another. The apostle Paul knew this full well, and therefore exhorts the Christians to see to it, that they did not forsake the assembling of themselves together. For how can one be warm alone? And has not the wisest of men told us, that `As iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend?' If we look, therefore, into church history, or make a just observation of our own times, I believe we shall find, that as the power of God prevails, Christian societies, and fellowship meetings prevail proportionably. And as one decays, the other has insensibly decayed and dwindled away at the same time. So necessary is it for those that would walk with God, and keep up the life of religion, to meet together as they have opportunity, in order to provoke one another to love and good works.

George Whitefield

Charity Never Fails

2011-07-21T17:50:00.001-04:00

1 Corinthians 13:8, "Charity never faileth."

Nothing is more valuable and commendable, and yet, not one duty is less practiced, than that of charity. We often pretend concern and pity for the misery and distress of our fellow-creatures, but yet we seldom commiserate their condition so much as to relieve them according to our abilities; but unless we assist them with what they may stand in need of, for the body, as well as for the soul, all our wishes are no more than words of no value or regard, and are not to be esteemed or regarded: for when we hear of any deplorable circumstance, in which our fellow-creatures are involved, be they friends or enemies; it is our duty, as Christians, to assist them to the utmost of our power.

Geroge Whitefield
from the sermon "The great duty of charity recommeded"

True Worship

2011-07-07T10:46:00.001-04:00

It is not your worshipping God by words in hymns and prayers, or sitting in a certain place, or covering your faces at certain times that is acceptable to him; true worship lies in your heart paying reverence to him, your soul obeying him, and your inner nature coming into conformity to his own nature, by the work of his Spirit in your soul; and because men can scarcely get the idea of this till the Holy Spirit gives it to them, this is a reason why it is so rare, so exceedingly rare.

Charles Spurgeon

God is God

2011-06-27T21:05:00.004-04:00

Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying ' My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass, I have purposed it; I will also do it. ~ Isaiah 46:9-11

Oh how I've loved this passage for a long time, because it explains to us our God. How pleasantly surprised I was to find out it would be the sermon text for yesterday. How wonderful it was to reflect on:

The Person of God. God is God. What else can you say? There is no other God.

It is very necessary and important that we believe the truth that He is holy and high above all else in the universe.

If we are to live our lives as we should, we have to remember the amazing fact that God is sovereign and we are subject to His will.

What is better than that? God is God.

Complete in Christ

2011-06-21T14:13:00.002-04:00

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power. Colossians 2:9-10

Complete in Him! Oh, Lord, I flee,
Laden with this great thought, to Thee
With tears and smiles contending, cry,
Are words like these for such as I?

Complete in Him! No word of mine
is needed, Lord, to perfect Thine;
Wise Master-Builder, Let Thy hand
Fashion the fabric Thou hast planned.

Complete in Him! I nothing bring,
Am an imperfect, useless thing;
But human eyes shall joy to see
What God's dear hand shall add to me.

Complete in Him! Oh, longed-for-day,
When my poor, sinful heart can say,
Naught in myself, for ruin meet,
In Jesus Christ I stand complete!

~ From Golden Hours: Hymns and Songs of the Christian Life by Elizabeth Prentiss

Gratitude

2011-06-10T20:05:00.005-04:00

The man believes that he is forgiven. What then? He feels gratitude to him who has pardoned him. Feeling gratitude, it is but natural that he should hate that which displeases his Saviour, and should love intensely that which is pleasing to him who saved him, so that faith operates upon the entire nature, and becomes the instrument in the hand of the regenerating Spirit by which all the faculties of the soul are put into the right condition. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he, but his thinkings come out of his believings; if he be put right in his believings, then his understanding will operate upon his affections, and all the other powers of his manhood, and old things will pass away, all things will become new through the wonderful effect of the faith, which is of the operation of God. Faith works by love, and through love it purifies the soul, and the man becomes a new creature. See ye then the wisdom of God? He may choose what way he will, but he chooses a way which at once guards his grace from our felonious boastings, and on the other hand produces in us a holiness which other wise never would have been there.

- Charles Spurgeon

VOM News

2011-06-04T23:24:00.003-04:00

We need reminders from time to time as we go about our lives that some of our brethren follow Christ at great cost. The Voice of the Martyrs Newsletter is a good reminder for us as it comes into our home on a weekly basis. If you don't subscribe as yet, here is where you can. It's free, by the way.

Sound Advice for the Soul

2011-05-31T14:44:00.004-04:00

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:4-8

Path of Humility

2011-05-19T12:10:00.001-04:00

Accept every humiliation,look upon every fellow-man who tries or vexes you, as a means of grace to humble you. Use every opportunity of humbling' yourself before your fellow-men as a help to abide humble before God. God will accept such humbling of yourself as the proof that your whole heart desires it, as the very best prayer for it, as your preparation for His mighty work of grace, when, by the mighty strengthening of His Holy Spirit, He reveals Christ fully in you, so that He, in His form of a servant, is truly formed in you, and dwells in your heart. It is the path of humility which leads to perfect death, the full and perfect experience that we are dead in Christ.

Andrew Murray

Polycarp

2011-05-12T11:41:00.000-04:00

Polycarp is said to have been martyred in 155 A.D. When the Roman governor called on him to deny Christ rather than to be burned alive, Polycarp answered him this way:

"Eighty and six years have I served Christ, and He has doneme no wrong; how then can I blaspheme my King who has saved me? You threaten the fire that burns for an hour and then is quenched; but you know not of the fire of judgment to come, and the fire of the eternal punishment. Bring what you will."

I wonder how much are we willing to suffer for our Lord.

But Dust

2011-05-05T09:30:00.004-04:00

He remembereth that we are dust. ~ Psalm 103:14

Oh how in this thy quire of souls I stand,
--Propt by thy hand--
A heap of Sand!
Which busie thoughts--like winds--would scatter quite,
And Put to flight,
But for thy might;
Thy hand alone doth tame
Those blasts, and knit my frame.

~ Henry Vaughan

Our Portion

2011-04-28T15:17:00.001-04:00

The Believer's Daily Remembrancer by James Smith
"The Lord is my portion." Lam 3:24

HOW poor is the worldling's possession, if compared with the Christian's portion; it is but for a few days; it cannot satisfy, it cannot bless. But, beloved, Jehovah hath given up Himself; He say, "I AM YOUR INHERITANCE." We are ever with Him, and all He has is ours. His power is ours to support us, His wisdom to guide us, His love to comfort us, His mercy to relieve us, His goodness to supply us, His justice to defend us, His covenant to secure us, and His heaven to receive us. He is a suitable, sufficient, and immutable portion. We are to live upon Him, draw from Him, rejoice in Him, and look to Him for all we need. For Him we renounce all other; to His glory all our efforts must be directed, and with Him we must daily walk. Men cannot deprive us of our portion, fire cannot consume it, nor rust corrupt it; let us not therefore be much affected by any thing that occurs below: if the streams are dried, the fountain remains; if creatures fail or deceive us, our God is the portion of our inheritance and of our cup; He maintains our lot, He is our strength, and OUR PORTION FOR EVER.

Begone, ye gilded vanities,
I seek the only GOOD;
To real bliss my wishes rise,
The FAVOUR OF MY GOD:
Thy love, my God, my portion be,
And let me find my all in Thee

O Sacred Head

2011-04-22T12:11:00.005-04:00

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

(Please turn off music on sidebar, even though this precious hymn is there too. God bless each and every one of you as we remember His Passion and resurrection.)

He Set His Face

2011-04-17T21:45:00.003-04:00

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51

Oh how I love these words in the precious Word of God. They were read tonight as a part of the text for the sermon, which was primarily about God's plowmen. It was a good sermon on that topic, but for some reason my eyes kept fixing on the above verse. Since it's the beginning of Passion Week, as it's called, I wanted to reflect on the thought of my Savior doggedly determined to go to Jerusalem, knowing full well what awaited Him there. He unwaveringly "set his face" to go, not for Himself, but for others. I hope if you're reading this that you are included as one of the many who have benefited from what happened over two thousand years ago, in Jerusalem.

Bishop Ryle can say it so much better than I can:

". . . The betrayal, the unjust trial, the mockery, the scourging, the crown of thorns, the spitting, the nails, the spear, the agony of the cross--all were doubtless spread before His mind's eye, like a picture. But He never flinched for a moment from the work that He had undertaken. His heart was set on paying the price of our redemption, and going even to the prison of the grave, as our surety. He was full of tender love towards sinners. It was the desire of His whole soul to procure for them salvation. And so, 'for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame.' (Heb. xii.2)"

Who Chose Whom?

2011-04-13T11:59:00.004-04:00

". . . I mention these cases in particular, because I think they are remarkable proofs of the doctrine of God's eternal election and everlasting love. Whatever men's reasoning may suggest, if the children of God fairly examine their own experiences--if they do God justice, they must acknowledge that they did not choose God, but that God chose them." ~ George Whitefield

Be Still

2011-04-09T21:03:00.001-04:00

(Don't forget to turn off the music on the sidebar. I promise you'll be blessed by this, especially the beautiful nature images.)

It's Not About Me

2011-04-06T11:20:00.005-04:00

Charity . . . seeketh not her own. I Cor. 13:5

". . . a spirit of charity, or Christian love, as exercised toward our fellow-creatures, is opposite to a selfish spirit, as it is a sympathizing and merciful spirit. It disposes persons to consider not only their own difficulties, but also the burdens and afflictions of others, and the difficulties of their circumstances, and to esteem the case of those who are in straits and necessities as their own. . . a man of charitable spirit is apt to see the afflictions of others, and to take notice of their aggravation, and to be filled with concern for them, as he would be for himself if under difficulties. And he is ready, also, to help them, and take delight in supplying their necessities, and relieving their difficulties. He rejoices to obey that injunction of the apostle (Col. 3:12), "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness;" and to cherish the spirit of "wisdom (James 3:17) that is from above," which is "full of mercy;" and, like the good man spoken of by the Psalmist (Ps. 37:26) to be "merciful," that is, full of mercy." ~ Jonathan Edwards (From Charity and Its Fruits)

His Riches

2011-03-31T09:48:00.003-04:00

"The exceeding riches of His grace." Eph 2:7

JEHOVAH glories in His grace. It is His riches, His wealth. All its riches is intended for us, to be expended upon us. They are all treasured up in Jesus to be received by us. They are promised and presented to us. They exceed our thoughts, our expectations, our faith, we do not believe that God has provided and promised so much for our good as He has; and therefore we do not ask for, and expect so much. Let us this day think of " THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF GRACE." Jesus was the gift of grace, so was the Holy Spirit, and so are all spiritual blessings. Grace includes, and is the source from which flows all the church has received, is receiving, and will receive throughout eternity. Grace freely gives, but never sells. It has a bountiful eye, a tender heart, and a liberal hand. We are not straitened in God, but in our hearts. Oh, that we did but believe what God has revealed in reference to the riches of grace, and expect to receive according to His most liberal promises! There is an abundance of grace, and it is for us; for us this morning, for us whenever we apply. Let us therefore have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear.

Amazing grace! how sweet the sound!
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

The Believer's Daily Remembrancer by James Smith

Insignificance of the External

2011-03-25T11:22:00.003-04:00

"Let it never be forgotten that the material part of a Christian Church is by far the least important part of it. The fairest combinations of marble, stone, wood and painted glass, are worthless in God's sight, unless there is truth in the pulpit and grace in the congregation. The dens and caves in which the early Christians used to meet, were probably far more beautiful in the eyes of Christ than the noblest cathedral that was ever reared by man. The temple in which the Lord Jesus delights most, is a broken and contrite heart, renewed by the Holy Spirit". ~ J.C. Ryle

O Sinner, Come Home!!

2011-03-21T09:32:00.005-04:00

I love, love, LOVE this hymn. Loooooooooooooooove it! We sang it last night as a prelude to a sermon on the importance of sharing the gospel message with unbelievers. I decided to post it here as a feeble effort to do just that--share the blessed message of the gospel to someone who is needy. Who knows that the Lord might use this little blog post and the title I've given to it to alert one of His own that He is indeed calling that person to Himself.

Read the words carefully if you've come here in an unconverted state. Perhaps Jesus is calling YOU.

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me;
See, on the portals He’s waiting and watching,
Watching for you and for me.

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me?
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me?

Time is now fleeting, the moments are passing,
Passing from you and from me;
Shadows are gathering, deathbeds are coming,
Coming for you and for me.

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me!
Though we have sinned, He has mercy and pardon,
Pardon for you and for me.

Refrain:
Come home, come home,
You who are weary, come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling,
Calling, O sinner, come home!

(Please turn off the music on the sidebar and reverently listen as you read the words. Of course, you will read the refrain after each stanza and play this as many times as you need to.)

Archibald's Prayer

2011-03-16T17:44:00.003-04:00

"O most merciful God! . . . Thou has a perfect right to dispose of me, in that manner which will most effectively promote thy glory: And I know that whatever Thou dost is right, and wise, and just, and good. . . .And when my spirit leaves this clay tenement, Lord Jesus receive it! Send some of the blessed angels to convey my inexperienced soul to the mansion which Thy love has prepared. And O! let me be so situated, though in the lowest rank, that I may behold thy glory. May I have an abundant entrance administered unto me into the kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; for whose sake and in whose name, I ask all these things. Amen."

Prayer uttered by Archibald Alexander, founder of Princeton Theological Seminary, shortly before his death in 1851.

Keep the Unity

2011-03-14T11:23:00.005-04:00

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:1-6

The ministry of the Word which we heard yesterday was wonderful. That's the only way to describe it and the impact it had on my heart. I've heard many sermons over the years on the importance of unity in the church, but the two sermons preached yesterday on the above passage were outstanding. I can only thank the Lord for them. We were visited by a young man who has preached at our church many times before and how thankful I am to have had him come once again to preach to us. God has recently given him a church to pastor and he shared with us some delightful food that I'm sure his congregation has enjoyed.

What stood out for me from this two part sermon on this passage, was what Pastor X. emphasized about the diversity that is found in the body of Christ, believers from different ethnic groups, ages, genders, etc. all coming together as one. We're not being told in this passage to do something outside of what is true from chapters 1 through 3 of Ephesians, but to KEEP what we already have. I love that. We already have unity because of what we are in Christ. As he said, "you're a bird, so fly." Get it? We are in Christ and are one in Him. The apostle Paul is telling us to continue in what we already have. I like it that he said he didn't want to bring down the law heavy on us, telling is "DO, DO, DO," but was reminding us that we HAVE peace, so live it. That really blessed me so much.

I cannot do these sermons justice, but I hope you get the picture.

Your Rock

2011-03-11T14:13:00.002-05:00

"Believe God's word and power more than you believe your own feelings and experiences. Your Rock is Christ, and it is not the Rock which ebbs and flows, but your sea." ~ Samuel Rutherford

Susannah

2011-03-02T09:55:00.003-05:00

There is a sweet article at the Persecution Blog. It's entitled "She Refused to be a 'Sunday Only" Christian." Please read it, especially if you're a mom.

Savoury Mercies

2011-02-22T12:16:00.004-05:00

The Lord is my portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16: 5-6

Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury as when they savour of a Saviour. ~ Ralph Venning, 1620-1673

Could You Help?

2011-02-16T11:56:00.003-05:00

When I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison and ye came unto me. Matthew 25: 35-36

Good Soldier

2011-02-11T14:21:00.005-05:00

"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of a patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian. " ~ George Washington

My daughter used this quote by our first President in a Patriotic Project she just completed for her American Government class. Grading this paper as her home teacher, I thought it was one of the finest she's ever written. In the paper, she referred to the above painting and said that the artist "brilliantly captured on canvas this founding father practicing what he preached." I agree. One primary aspect of the project was to discuss how the particular patriot responded to the diminishing influence of Biblical values in his society. He surely saw it in his day, but how do you think Mr. Washington would have responded to what is happening today? Personally, I think he would be horrified.

We need more leaders doing just what you see in the above portrait. And they need to mean it, not just do it for show. Maybe if that would happen, things wouldn't continue to decline so rapidly. I would like to think it's not over yet. There's still a battle going on. And parents and grandparents, it's for the moral soul of our country. That means our children and grandchildren are involved. So let's follow the example of the first official leader our nation ever knew and get down on bended knees. But afterward, let's get up and fight.

Our weapons of war? The Bible and the gospel.

Confessing Christ Boldly to Others

2011-02-05T22:54:00.006-05:00

The wickedness of being ashamed of Christ is very great. It is a proof of unbelief. It shows that we care more for the praise of men whom we can see, than that of God whom we cannot see. It is a proof of ingratitude. It shows that we fear confessing Him before man who was not ashamed to die for us upon the cross. Wretched indeed are they who give way to this sin. Here, in this world, they are always miserable. A bad conscience robs them of peace. In the world to come they can look for no comfort. In the day of judgment they must expect to be disowned by Christ to all eternity, if they will not confess Christ for a few years upon earth. Let us resolve never to be ashamed of Christ. Of sin and worldliness we may well be ashamed. Of Christ and His cause we have no right to be ashamed at all. Boldness in Christ's service always brings its own reward. The boldest Christian is always the happiest person.

~ J.C. Ryle

I Will Be With Thee

2011-02-01T10:54:00.008-05:00

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2

What better promise is there than that? "I will be with Thee." Not only will He strengthen, help, and uphold us, but when we pass through the waters of affliction and fires of adversity, we will come through these trials unscathed. At least spiritually. But these promises were made to Israel, you say. Yes, indeed they were. But aren't you thankful that if you and I are His children by faith, as was Abraham, we have been grafted in? Romans 11 says so and I believe what it says, don't you? So these promises are ours too, and I am eternally grateful.

Abundant Satisfaction

2011-01-26T21:45:00.003-05:00

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips. Psalm 63:5

There is that in a gracious God and in communion with him, which gives abundant satisfaction to a soul . . . And there is that in a gracious soul, which takes abundant satisfaction in God, and in communion with him.

~ Matthew Henry.

A Secret Work

2011-01-22T14:20:00.014-05:00

My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Psalm 139:15

" 'My substance was not hid from thee.' The substantial part of my being was before thine all-seeing eye; the bones which make my frame were put together by thine hand. The essential materials of my being before they were arranged were all within the range of thine eye. I was hidden from all human knowledge, but not from thee: thou hast ever been intimately acquainted with me. 'When I was made in secret.' Most chastely and beautifully is here described the formation of our being before the time of our birth. A great artist will often labour alone in his studio, and not suffer his work to be seen until it is finished; even so did the Lord fashion us where no eye beheld us, and the veil was not lifted till every member was complete . . . 'And curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.' 'Embroidered with great skill,' is an accurate poetical description of the creation of veins, sinews, muscles, nerves, etc. What tapestry can equal the human fabric? . . ."
~ Charles H. Spurgeon, from The Treasury of David

How dare we dispense with this marvelous work of God as if it were nothing but a "choice" belonging to us, the creatures? How dare we take it upon ourselves to even think we can make a determination whether this secret work of the Creator should or should not live? I wonder what Mr. Spurgeon would have thought if what would be happening in this day had been foretold? If God withholds judgment on our nation, it is purely a display of His long suffering and mercy!

Fellow saints, let's continue to pray that in the face of mercy, the time will soon come that this darkness prevailing over us will begin to be lifted. Let's do all we can to see that it happens, even if what we do seems small compared to the big picture. Who knows how even our littlest efforts can be used by the great Artist, who certainly recoils at seeing His work destroyed.

(Posting on both my personal and devotional blogs to recognize Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, 2011.)

The Power of Gentleness

2011-01-20T15:57:00.009-05:00

Gentleness is love in society. . . It is that cordiality of aspect and that soul of speech, which assure that kind and earnest hearts may still be met with here below. It is that quiet influence, which, like the scented flame of an alabaster lamp, fills many a home with light and warmth and fragrance altogether. It is the carpet, soft and deep, which, whilst it diffuses a look of ample comfort, deadens many a creaking sound. It is the curtain, which from many a beloved form wards off at once the summer's glow and the winter's wind. It is the pillow on which sickness lays its head and forgets half its misery, and to which death comes in a balmier dream. It is considerateness. It is tenderness of feeling. It is warmth of affection. It is promptitude of sympathy. It is love in all its depths and all its delicacy. It is every thing included in that matchless grace, the gentleness of Christ.

~ Dr. J. Hamilton

Oh, this brought tears to my eyes. Dear sweet gentle Jesus, please would you give this grace to me?

(Quote borrowed from 15 Minutes with God for Grandma, by Emilie Barnes.)

He Goes Before

2011-01-14T16:03:00.002-05:00

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow;
Dark is life's way, for night is not yet o'er;
The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow;
But, this I know, HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Dangers are nigh! and fears my mind are shaking;
Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store;
But I am His--He knows the way I'm taking,
More blessed still--HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me,
Doubts that life's best--life's choicest things are o'er;
What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me,
And this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.

HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation!
He goes before! On this my heart would dwell!
He goes before! This guarantees salvation!
HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well.
--J. D. Smith

His Beauty Upon Us

2011-01-09T19:06:00.005-05:00

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. . .Psalm 90:17

"Ah! dear Lord, when you give us a sight of our own evil heart, we are overwhelmed with horror, and should soon be driven to despair, if you did not at once turn our eyes to that wondrous hill of Calvary, where One 'altogether lovely' made the great atonement which brought us back to you! That precious blood, which cleanses us from all sin, restores to us the beauty which that sin has forfeited; its royal purple not only covers our disfigurement, but removes it, and bestows upon us the beauty which the Lord looks on with pleasure.

"O my soul, do you not desire above all things that this 'beauty of holiness' may be your glorious dress? Then you must keep very close to the Master, shutting the door of your heart to every evil thing, and opening it wide to the incoming of his Holy Spirit, who, in revealing Christ to you, will make you like him. An old fable tells how a piece of common clay became sweetly scented by close contact with a rose; the fable will be a happy fact in your experience if the Rose of Sharon blooms in your heart, and sheds its fragrance around your life. 'Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty,' yes, may God grant it; but the condition is thus expressed--'Holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord'."

~ Susannah Spurgeon

There is None Like It

2011-01-03T18:49:00.004-05:00

And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the Ephod, if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me. I Samuel 21:9

Our sermon yesterday was quite interesting. I had never paid enough attention to this particular verse before to get out of it what was brought forth yesterday. David was running from Saul, at a low point in his life, and had come to Ahimelech the priest. He asked the priest if he had either a sword or spear because he (David) had no weapon on him. The above verse was Ahimelech's answer.

We thought about three important lessons from all this: First, we thought about the providence of God in David's life which had brought him to that point in time; then we thought about how the priest had reminded David of what he had already accomplished when he had slain the Philistine, and then we were reminded of what that one sword represented: The sword that almost destroyed Israel was the same sword that freed Israel. No wonder David said there was none like it.

All of these truths were applied to our own lives here and now: Of course concerning God's providence in His dealing with each of us; then how we should remind each other of God's work in our lives, the remembrance of which will give us confidence and strength. And we were finally reminded that the accomplishment of one seemingly insignificant person against a mighty foe can encourage the rest of us to fight the Lord's battles.

Very good lessons indeed.

A Treasure Within

2010-12-29T18:02:00.006-05:00

Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

"There is a great difference between Christians and worldlings. The worldling hath his treasure in jewels without him; the Christian hath them within. Neither indeed is there any receptacle wherein to receive and keep the word of consolation but the heart only. If thou leave it in thy mouth only, it shall be taken from thee; if thou have it in thy book only, thou shalt miss it when thou hast most to do with it; but if thou lay it up in thy heart, as Mary did the words of the angel, no enemy shall ever be able to take it from thee, and thou shalt find it a comfortable treasure in the time of thy need."
~ William Cowper

Mothering Her Savior

2010-12-24T00:25:00.004-05:00

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1: 46-47

She had every reason to rejoice. Yes, to fear also, but this servant of the Lord was being given the highest honor that would ever be bestowed on any woman. The above drawing is a favorite of mine. Why? It's because of her hands. What other response could there be for this woman to this Child?

May we too bow to Him, now exalted, and rejoice.

Christmas blessings to any and all who may stop by. Praying that Mary's Savior is yours also.

Handel's Reflection

2010-12-15T11:54:00.007-05:00

Think on this as we enjoy the Hallelujah chorus this Christmas season.

"What a wonderful thing it is to be sure of one's faith! How wonderful to be a member of the evangelical church, which preaches the free grace of God through Christ as the hope of sinners! If we were to rely on our works--my God, what would become of us?"

~ George Frideric Handel

Our Priority

2010-12-13T23:18:00.005-05:00

A dear man, the pastor from our "mother" church who mentored our little beginning work at its inception as well as over the years, was with us last evening to preach once again. It was so special because he and another pastor who both brought the messages the Sunday we began as a church were the same two speakers at yesterday's anniversary services. These were the two men who ordained our pastor that same day.

Pastor B. spoke to us as a congregation. He spoke in that same familiar fatherly tone which he always used in the past. He wanted to remind us of something so very important: we as a body of believers need to continue to have the same priority as we go forward that the Apostle Paul had.

A. He reminded us first of Paul's Apostolic Authority and how Jesus had appeared to him personally.

B. He reminded us most importantly that Paul's priority was the preaching of the gospel, and ours must be also.

C. He reminded us lastly exactly what the gospel message is, as outlined in I Corin. 15:3-4.

He exhorted us over and again to keep that gospel message about Jesus' death, burial and resurrection as our primary focus. I for one believe that we cannot be reminded of these things too often.

"Silver" Church Anniversary

2010-12-11T14:40:00.003-05:00

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20

Above is a drawing of the building where I worship with the fellow believers who make up our congregation. We're having a celebration tomorrow for our 25th anniversary as a body and for that I'm very thankful. I made a post about it at my other blog if anyone is interested in reading it.

To God be the glory.

Charity Vaunteth Not Itself . .

2010-12-08T07:18:00.001-05:00

"Humility is a most essential and distinguishing trait in all true piety. It is the attendant of every grace, and in a peculiar manner tends to the purity of Christian feeling. It is the ornament of the spirit; the source of some of the sweetest exercises of Christian experience; the most acceptable sacrifice we can offer to God; the subject of the richest of his promises; the spirit with which he will dwell on earth, and which he will crown with glory in heaven hereafter."

~ Jonathan Edwards, from Charity and Its Fruits

Note: I have recently become a member of a new venture on the Internet, a fellowship group called The Reformed Quotes Fellowship, which is exciting for me because of my love for the quotes of some of the great Reformers of the past. Now I'll be connecting with others of like mind and who have that same love. They have asked that we post at least four quotes per month and that I would love to do! I've set aside Wednesday as quote day, at least to start out. I'll see how that works out. If you know me and are familiar at all with this blog, you know that's one of the primary reasons we've been here anyway, so I doubt if you'll only see quotes on Wednesdays.

Many blessings to any of my fellow "quoters" who stop by! I'll try to visit you as often as possible.

Glory to His Name!

2010-12-06T19:22:00.011-05:00

An old gospel song from the days of my youth. The people who used to sing it had little education and probably never read a book on theology. Many of them had Bibles that were torn, worn, and falling apart. But THEY were not falling apart inasmuch as the Lord had placed the theology in their hearts.
Glory to His Name.

Down at the cross where my Savior died,
Down where for cleansing from sin I cried,
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

I am so wondrously saved from sin,
Jesus so sweetly abides within;
There at the cross where He took me in;
Glory to His Name!

Oh, precious fountain that saves from sin,
I am so glad I have entered in;
There Jesus saves me and keeps me clean;
Glory to His Name!

Come to this fountain so rich and sweet,
Cast thy poor soul at the Savior’s feet;
Plunge in today, and be made complete;
Glory to His Name!

Refrain
Glory to His Name,
glory to His Name:
There to my heart was the blood applied;
Glory to His Name!

~ Elisha A. Hoffman

The Tangled Web

2010-12-03T20:54:00.012-05:00

My thoughts, before they are my own
Are to my God distinctly known;
He knows the words I mean to speak
Ere from my opening lips they break.
~~Isaac Watts

I have gone through many seasons of disappointment and even discouragement about my various writing projects. This work is one of them. Our Lord has made it clear to me that any thoughts of publishing the companion to Aunt Jane's Hero need to be abandoned. I realized it some time ago, but it was a difficult realization. There were several other disappointments and somehow it all got wrapped up in my neglect of this beloved blog. It has always been the favorite of all my blogs, but I suppose the state of my heart with respect to writing in general, Speakable Gifts publications in particular, somehow implicated "Scraps of Glory" in the mix. I don't believe that our Lord would have it be so. In fact, I do not believe He has been pleased with me in this.

So, I am not only picking up my dear "Scraps" again, but also my little thoughts, or notes if you would, from my companion work for this priceless Prentiss gem. None of the other issues I've been dealing with have been resolved, but the many months of delight I took in pouring my heart into Horace and Maggie and the others need not go totally to waste. I can still share bits and pieces of the fruit of those precious "labors" here.

Not too many people come here anymore. There was a time when many did. It's obviously a further proof of the often unfortunate results of neglect. That includes all types of neglect. But we won't get into that. Let's just say a few words about chapter 8 of this dear book, and pick up and go on. Let's see what God determines to do with what we do here in the days to come, if anything. Thankfully, that's His call, as is all of everything His call. As always, I don't know how often we'll make posts in this series, but we'll see.

Now to Chapter 8, very briefly. The most noticeable thing about this chapter is all of the entanglements of misconception and uncertainty. It's a chapter of high emotions, particularly on the part of Horace and Maggie, and unfortunately, these two young folks are ensnared by their own intensity of feelings. Annie is caught up in the web of confusion as well and a new primary character, Tom White, is promptly woven into the network. You enter the chapter with an array of inaccurate conclusions among the principals and when the occurrences of this segment are over, you see that everything is still quite muddled. You leave with a sense of wondering how and when it will all be unwoven. You can't wait to see how the author, as she always does, will uncover God's purposes in the lives of people, though fictional, who are so much like all of us in so many ways.

How many of us have gotten ourselves into all kinds of entanglements because of our emotions? If we're honest, we'd be willing to admit that it has been far too often. Misreading actions and words of others, drawing conclusions with little facts to support them, speculating and making presumptions about this person and that situation, and on and on. When will we learn to prayerfully leave matters to a sovereign and omniscient God? When will we learn to wait patiently for Him, trusting that in His own good time, He'll guide our steps and make His way plain?

Please, Lord, may I begin learning now.

The Lord's Prayer

2010-12-01T23:31:00.004-05:00

What a blessing. All glory to our Lord in Heaven. Thanks to Johnny Farese for sending this out to many of us the other day. Oh! And don't forget to turn off the music on the sidebar when you listen. Someone suggested viewing it in full screen.

Born Again

2010-11-30T17:53:00.002-05:00

John 3:5 Jesus said “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

If you have been truly born again you have a new and holy nature, and you are no longer moved towards sinful objects as you were before. The things that you once loved you now hate, and therefore you will not run after them. You can hardly understand it but so it is, that your thoughts and tastes are radically changed. You long for that very holiness which once it was irksome to hear of; and you loathe those vain pursuits which were once your delights. The man who puts his trust in the Lord sees the pleasures of sin in a new light. For he sees the evil which follows them by noting the agonies which they brought upon our Lord when He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. Without faith a man says to himself, “This sin is a very pleasant thing, why should I not enjoy it? Surely I may eat this fruit, which looks so charming and is so much to be desired.” The flesh sees honey in the drink, but faith at once perceives that there is poison in the cup. Faith spies the snake in the grass and gives warning of it. Faith remembers death, judgment, the great reward, the just punishment and that dread word, eternity.

C.H. Spurgeon

The Real Heroes

2010-11-10T21:58:00.003-05:00

As Mr. Chan says in this video, we're always ready to lift up those who have special talents in the church, but here we see the real heroes. (Turn off music on sidebar.)

A Voluntary Sufferer

2010-09-27T19:16:00.002-04:00

The Lord Jesus was a voluntary sufferer. When He died on the cross, it was not because He had not power to prevent it. He suffered intentionally, deliberately, and of His own free-will. (John 10:18.) He knew that without shedding of His blood there could be no remission of man’s sin. He knew that He was the Lamb of God, who must die to take away the sin of the world. He knew that His death was the appointed sacrifice, which must be offered up to make reconciliation for iniquity.

Knowing all this, He went willingly to the cross. His heart was set on finishing the mighty work He came into the world to do. He was well aware that all hinged on His own death, and that, without that death, His miracles and preaching would have done comparatively nothing for the world. No wonder that three times He pressed on the attention of His disciples that He “must” die. Blessed and happy are they who know the real meaning and importance of the sufferings of Christ!

~ J.C. Ryle

To be Found in Him

2010-08-17T12:31:00.003-04:00

“And be found in Him.” Phi 3 : 9

TO be in Christ, is to be united to Him by faith and love; and it is of the utmost importance. Apart from Christ we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked; united to Christ, we are immensely rich; immutably safe; exalted to the highest honour; and shall appear without a fault before the throne of God. If we are in Christ, or one with Christ, we are justified by His obedience, as the debtor is cleared by the payment made by his surety; we are sanctified through Him, as the vessel is cleansed in the fountain; we are protected by Him, as Noah was in the ark; we are preserved from judicial proceeding, as the manslayer in the city of refuge; and are exalted to honour as the BRIDE of the KING ETERNAL, Immortal, the only wise God. Well may the Apostle desire “ TO BE FOUND IN HIM.” No mind can conceive, no tongue can declare the blessedness that flows from being ONE WITH CHRIST. Let us therefore, beloved, ask, this morning, “Am I in Christ at present? Am I living with Him as His faithful bride; for Him as His devoted servant; upon Him as His dependant child? Do I renounce all for Christ? Can I say, I am crucified with Christ? The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world?”

Yes, yes, I must and will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus' sake;
Oh, may my soul be found in Him,
And of His righteousness partake.

From The Believer's Daily Remembrancer by James Smith

Knowing Christ

2010-07-09T19:33:00.002-04:00

Knowing Christ…Personally

You may know a good deal about Christ, by a kind of head knowledge. You may know who He was, and where He was born, and what He did. You may know His miracles, His sayings, His prophecies, and His ordinances. You may know how He lived, and how He suffered, and how He died. But unless you know the power of Christ’s cross by experience—unless you know and feel within that the blood shed on that cross has washed away your own particular sins—unless you are willing to confess that your salvation depends entirely on the work that Christ did upon the cross—unless this be the case, Christ will profit you nothing. The mere knowing Christ’s name will never save you. You must know His cross, and His blood, or else you will die in your sins.

- J.C. Ryle

The Bread of Life

2010-06-11T14:29:00.004-04:00

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. John 6: 35

With what divine and perfect wisdom this name is chosen! Bread is necessary food. We can manage tolerably well without many things on our table, but not without bread. So is it with Christ. We must have Christ, or die in our own sins.--Bread is food that suits all. Some cannot eat meat, and some cannot eat vegetables. But all like bread. It is food both for the Queen and the pauper. So it is with Christ. He is just the Saviour that meets the wants of every class.--Bread is food we need daily. Other kinds of food we take, perhaps, only occasionally. But we want bread every morning and evening in our lives. So it is with Christ. There is no day in our lives but we need His blood, His righteousness, His intercession, and His grace.--Well may He be called, "The Bread of Life."

~ J. C. Ryle

Sunday Snippet: The Gospel

2010-05-16T22:26:00.008-04:00

Passage: Romans 10:1-11

I thought it would be a good close of this Lord's Day to give you the three points of this morning's sermon on the above passage of Scripture. In this passage, the Apostle Paul was referring to his people, the Israelites, but as our pastor said, it would apply to the people of today as well, even people who go to church Sunday after Sunday and who consider themselves religious:

1. Problem of their misguided faith.
They didn't know about God's righteousness, but instead were trying to establish their own. As Pastor R elaborated, we can do many things and still be lost. The truth is that only God is righteous and we are sinners, unable to do any good of our own strength. It's not about ME.

2. Solution to their flawed faith.
Christ is the goal; He gives sense to the law. Christ is the answer to it all; He is the only way to salvation. It's all about Him and His righteousness; He must be our all in all. (See also Colossians 2:1-3)

3. Evidence of true saving faith.
Confession: acknowledge my sin and His Lordship. Repudiate our sin for Jesus.

A simple exposition of the gospel. We have no righteousness of our own, so there is no good we can do to be saved. We must repent and believe in Christ alone. He has suffered for us at the cross of Calvary.

The true gospel is simple, but so beautiful.

It Is Well - The Story

2010-04-25T22:49:00.002-04:00

Please turn off the music on the sidebar before listening.

Letter from a Russian Prisoner

2010-04-20T15:25:00.005-04:00

I meditate here on the words of Jesus: “that whoever believes in him shall . . . have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

I am among criminals. It is an understatement that men can become like animals. Animals are without sin. But the men surrounding me in jail reach depths of devilish darkness unreachable for animals.

It would be easier to live in a stable than among these criminals. Every word of theirs is filthy, every gesture repugnant. “Their throats are open graves. . . .
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
(Romans 3:13–14)

But against this background shines the extraordinary love of God. For it is true that whosoever believes—even men like these—can have eternal life. God sent me to prison to bring them this Good News.

A LETTER FROM A RUSSIAN CHRISTIAN PRISONER

(From a post dated today at the VOM persecution blog.

Affliction

2010-03-24T10:56:00.009-04:00

"I know, O Lord, that Your laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness You have afflicted me."
Psalm 119:75

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now
I obey Your word." Psalm 119:67

God's corrections are our instructions,
His lashes are our lessons,
His scourges are our schoolmasters,
His chastisements are our admonishments.

By afflictions, troubles, distresses and dangers—the
Lord teaches His people to look upon sin as the most
loathsome thing in the world; and to look upon holiness
as the most lovely thing in the world. Sin is never so
bitter, and holiness is never so sweet—as when our
troubles are greatest and our dangers highest.

By affliction, the Lord teaches His people to sit loose
from this world, and to be prepared for eternity.

By affliction, God shows His people the vanity, vexation,
emptiness, weakness, and nothingness of all created
things; and the choiceness, preciousness and sweetness
of communion with Himself.

It has been the lot and portion of God's dearest
children, to be exercised with very great and
grievous afflictions; in order . . .
to the discovery of sin,
to the embittering of sin,
to the preventing of sin,
to the purging away of sin; and
to the discovery of grace,
to the trial of grace,
to the exercise of grace,
to the increase of grace; and
to the weaning of them from this world; and
to the ripening of them for heaven; and
to the completing of their conformity to Christ,
the captain of their salvation, "who was made
perfect through sufferings," Hebrews 2:10; and
to work in them more pity and compassion to
those who are in misery, and who sigh and
groan under their Egyptian taskmasters.

By Thomas Brooks, London, 1675

From A Word in Season to Suffering Saints

I received this in an email today from a man who knows the truth of these words. For years, Johnny Farese has been afflicted with a condition that has left him bedridden, unable to even feed himself. What a blessing this man has been to so many people, managing to minister through the computer even in affliction. What we could learn from him!

The Finale and Crescendo

2010-03-02T08:30:00.004-05:00

Our pastor has been preaching through 1 Thessalonians which, of course, brings us to the second coming of Christ. We've been looking at many Scriptures on the topic, including passages in Matthew and Revelation. I always get a little lost when the subject of eschatology comes up and our church as a whole does not focus on it, but we do know He IS coming again! And Pastor R. read this passage to conclude his sermon the last time, saying it was like the finale of a fireworks exhibition or the crescendo of a huge musical piece. When both those events happen, you know that "this is it;" this is the end and everything culminates in the majesty of it all. Can't you just here the boom, boom, boom of the sound? Don't the following words make you feel like standing and applauding, raising your arms in victory? Or do they bring fear to your heart, making you want to run away and hide? I hope the former. If not, please get that matter settled today.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; and his name is called The Word of God. . . And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Rev. 19:11-13, 16.

Be Ready

2010-02-14T22:14:00.004-05:00

Excerpt from today's sermon:

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

He's coming again, folks. He said that no one knows the day nor the hour. So be watchful and be ready.

Yet Another Child

2010-02-02T00:03:00.001-05:00

Katy's sister-in-law is less than delighted when Katy gives birth to yet another child. . .

"She says I shall now have one more mouth to fill and two feet the more to shoe, more disturbed nights, more laborious days, and less leisure or visiting, reading, music, and drawing.

"Well! This is one side of the story, to be sure, but I look at the other. Here is a sweet, fragrant mouth to kiss; here are two more feet to make music pattering about my nursery. Here is a soul to train for God; and the body in which it dwells is worthy all it will cost, since it is the abode of a kingly tenant. I may see less of friends, but I have gained one more dearer than them all, to whom, while I minister in Christ's name, I make a willing sacrifice of what little leisure for my own recreation my other darlings had left me. Yes, my precious baby, you are welcome to your mother's heart, welcome to her time, her strength, her health, her tenderest cares, to her lifelong prayers! Oh, how rich I am, how truly, how wondrously blest!"

~ Katy, from Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

Compassion in Grief

2010-01-22T14:09:00.006-05:00

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. . .

For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

Lamentations 3:22-23; 31-32

More Suffering in Haiti

2010-01-13T09:03:00.007-05:00

This is a photo of the presidential palace in Haiti. It is now in ruins because of a huge earthquake that occurred yesterday. There were many other photos, but they were too heart wrenching and horrible that I didn't want to post them. I felt the need, however, to say something with regard to this poor country which already suffers tremendously from poverty. We'll be getting pleas to help through various organizations and the United States government, as always, will be reaching out to this people in need. Well, we sit helplessly by while people far from us are going through such a time as this. But we can do something: We can pray for them, of course, and we can give what we can. Words from my devotions day before yesterday:

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day. Isaiah 58:10

"Dear Lord, have mercy on these poor people in their affliction and suffering. We don't understand these things, but trust in your ways even when it's difficult to do so. Help us to reach out our souls to them, and even our resources where we can. Please save sinners in Haiti, Lord, even at such a time as this. In Jesus' Name, amen."

A Manger Was a Throne

2009-12-20T19:39:00.009-05:00

’Tis He that Life and Spirit doth infuse:
Let ev’ry thing
The Praises sing
Of Christ the King of Jews;
Who makes things green, and with a Spring infuse
A Season which to see it doth not use:
Old Winter’s Frost and hoary hair,
With Garland’s crowned, Bays doth wear;
The nipping Frost of Wrath b’ing gon,
To Him the Manger made a Throne,
Du Praises let us sing,
Winter and Spring.

From On Christmas Day, by Thomas Traherne

Looks like a white Christmas around here, as we're coming out from one of the biggest snowstorms in a very long time. Spring seems so far off when you have a huge storm this early, but we can be assured it's coming. I happened upon this poem today and thought this particular stanza fitting. I love what it says about the the "Nipping Frost of Wrath" being gone and the call for both Winter and Spring to sing the praises of the Christ Child.

But the phrase I love the most is the one about the Manger being made a throne. Isn't that just a fantastic thought? Wow. Yes, that is pretty deep, but how true. You see, wherever the King of Kings rests Himself, it is indeed a throne.

From here at Scraps of Glory, may I wish whoever it is that comes by, a most blessed Christmas, bowing before His throne, even when a manger.

Love For Christ

2009-11-07T22:24:00.002-05:00

Let John MacArthur speak to your heart today. (Don't forget to turn off the music on the sidebar.)

Death at Nain

2009-10-12T00:45:00.004-04:00

And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Luke 7:11-15

Our morning sermon yesterday was accompanied by tears being shed by the preacher and many of the hearers alike. You see, there were many words about dying and funerals. There were necessary words about sin, the cause of all the heartache. Pastor D. talked about the young man who died and about his mother. Much of the sermon tore at our hearts quite a bit. But like all good preaching, we were brought at last to Jesus, the One who conquered sin and death. As Pastor said, He is the central figure in the passage. He is the One who told the dead man to arise and the dead DID arise and was alive again. We were told once again, and may we never tire of hearing it, that this Jesus is the one and only deliverer from death and the grave.

And, we sang my favorite song that is so often sung at funerals in celebration of the homegoing of a believer: "The Sands of Time of Sinking." A blessed day indeed. My favorite stanza from that hymn:

O Christ, he is the fountain,
The deep sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I've tasted
More deep I'll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory, glory dwelleth
In Emmanuel's land.

So, death at Nain ended with victory at Nain. I would like to remind you dear ones once again that this same Jesus is ready and willing to save YOU from the consequences of YOUR sin if you but come to Him. If you already know Him, don't you agree that we have a mighty and compassionate Savior?

A Good Word for Today's Happenings

2009-09-26T14:38:00.002-04:00

¹Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.

²He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.

³How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.

⁴They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.

⁵My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

⁶He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

⁷In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

⁸Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

⁹Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.

¹⁰Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

¹¹God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.

¹²Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. (Psalm 62, King James Version)

Refusing to Go In

2009-09-10T15:01:00.004-04:00

And he was angry, and would not go in--Luke 15:28 [The elder brother from the Prodigal Son parable.]

. . .Now the labors of the day were over. "The plowman homewards wends his weary way." And he was hungry and he needed food. He was weary and he needed rest. He was soiled and stained with his day's work, and he wanted a change of raiment in the evening--and all that he needed in that evening hour was stored and treasured in his father's house. "And he was angry, and would not go in." He missed the very things that he was needing. All that would freshen him and make him strong again, he lost because he stayed outside the door. He was a soiled, weary, and hungry man, and everything was ready for the taking, yet no one forced him to the taking of it when he deliberately stood without. Is not that always the pity of it, when a man refuses the love of Jesus Christ? Is he not missing just what he most needs, and needs the more, the more has has been faithful? For all of us are soiled and we need cleansing; and all of us are weak and we need strength, and all of us are hungering and thirsting, and Christ alone can satisfy that hunger. My brother and sister, I want you to come in not to please me, but for your own sake first. I want you to come in, because just what you need now is waiting you in Christ. I want you to come in because that heart of yours is restless and unsatisfied and hungry; because when you were tempted last you fell, and you are missing the very thing you need.

~ George Morrison, Meditations on the Gospels

I Am My Neighbor's Bible

2009-08-20T10:09:00.005-04:00

Another poem that was included in a birthday card from my mom contains sweetly worded truths that are always worth remembering. I think all too often we get hung up on what's important to ourselves personally, while failing to consider our effect on the world around us.

I am my neighbor's Bible

He reads me when we meet;

Today he reads me in my home--

Tomorrow on the street.

He may be relative or friend

Or slight acquaintance be;

He may not even know my name,

Yet he is reading me.

And pray, who is this neighbor

Who reads me day by day,

To learn if I am living right

And walking as I pray?

Oh, he is with me always

To criticize or blame;

So worldly-wise in his own eyes,

And "sinner" is his name.

Dear Christian friends and brothers,

If we could only know

How faithfully the world records

Just what we say and do,

Oh, we would write our record plain

And come in time to see

Our worldly neighbor won to Christ

While reading you and me.

~ Anon

What a message Mom has left for me even though there are times it gets forgotten. I ask the Lord to embed these words in my heart.

No Man . . .

2009-07-27T10:47:00.002-04:00

"No man ever said, at the end of his days, 'I have read my Bible too much, I have thought of God too much, I have prayed too much, I have been too careful with my soul.'" ~ J.C. Ryle

Paper Momentos - Poems from Mom

2009-07-17T11:20:00.000-04:00

I've been cleaning out drawers and closets this week and included in all that is a container and box holding greeting cards, notes, letters, and misc. wedding invitations and programs. I've been going through these items, trying to decide what to throw out as the pile has been growing over the years. Needless to say, I've been having trouble allowing myself to trash any of the precious memories contained in these various stationery items. How can I discard that heartfelt note of thanks written to me by my dear friend? Or the words of comfort written by another while my mom was here in our home during her dying weeks? Can I let the garbage man shred up any of the funny little notes or pictures my children wrote or drew when wee ones? I just can't. I'm afraid someone else will have to do it.

And then there are the greeting cards. Since I've been married, I have every card given to me by my husband and children. No way are they being trashed. It was when I started looking through the birthday cards my mom gave me over the years that I gave up on my initial project. Instead, I transferred everything into plastic ziploc bags for safekeeping. They may be just pieces of paper in plastic bags, but to me they are worth more than gold. There is no amount of money that anyone could give me that would surpass their value. They'll be worth very little to anyone else in the world, but to me they are priceless. So they stay for as long as I stay.

I found an extra blessing while going through my mom's cards. I forgot that in her later years she began taping poems to my birthday cards, poems which she had carefully cut out with pinking shears from some unknown source. I didn't appreciate those poems then nearly as much as now. Partly because she's gone, of course, but also because I appreciate poetry more as I grow older. So bear with me as I share with you a few of these poems from my mom in this and a few of the following posts coming up.

Some of the cards have the year recorded, but this one didn't. The card was a beautiful shade of pale blue/green and was entitled "A Daughter's Loving Ways," containing a lovely poem of its own, but these were the words lovingly taped to the left inside:

I can no longer grasp your tiny hand and lead you across a street,
Nor tuck you in at night against the chill,
Nor kiss your precious flawless baby face,
But, I can pray.

I can no longer take you to the House of God,
Nor read to you from His precious Holy Word,
Nor tell you what is right, and what is wrong,
But, I can pray.

For you are grown and from my constant care are gone,
To choose YOUR way and live YOUR life,
And be what you WILL in YOUR own way,
But, I STILL pray.

~ Mabel B. Rambo

And she did.

There is a Fountain

2009-07-05T22:57:00.004-04:00

Please turn off the music on the sidebar if you'd like to listen to this. A lovely rendition of one of our dearest hymns. I hope you have lost all of your guilty stains through the blood of the Lord Jesus. Listen and be blessed:

In that day there will be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. Zechariah 13:1

Dear Soul, Be Still

2009-06-17T12:14:00.002-04:00

Be still! Just now be still!
Something thy soul hath never heard,
Something unknown to any song of bird,
Something unknown to any wind, or wave, or star,
A message from the Fatherland afar,
That with sweet joy the homesick soul shall thrill,
Cometh to thee if thou canst but be still.

"Be still! Just now be still!
There comes a presence very mild and sweet;
White are the sandals of His noiseless feet.
It is the Comforter whom Jesus sent
To teach thee what the words He uttered meant.
The willing, waiting spirit, He doth fill.
If thou would'st hear His message,
Dear soul, be still!

--Unknown

One Cow

2009-06-05T17:18:00.014-04:00

On a very cold, snowy Sunday in February, only the pastor and one farmer arrived at the village church. The pastor said, 'Well, I guess we won't have a service today.' The farmer replied: 'Pastor, even if only one cow shows up at feeding time, I feed it.'

I found the above short story on a site of amusing Christian stories. Once, not too long ago, I thought I had only one of my Sunday school students show up. I was thinking about what to do--perhaps send him to another class or what? The "problem" was solved when two more students arrived that day. But after reading the above, it really touched me that even if I have just the one on any given Lord's Day, I should do all the Lord allows to give to that one young soul all God has for him or her at that particular time. What a lesson for not only pastors, but Sunday school teachers as well.

My Life

2009-05-28T09:11:00.004-04:00

My life shall touch a dozen lives

before this day is done,

Leave countless marks for good or ill

ere sets the evening sun,

This is the wish I always wish,

the prayer I always pray;

Lord, may my life help other lives

it touches by the way.

~Anon

Beauty Care for the Tongue

2009-05-22T20:03:00.006-04:00

Someone was talking about this book on another blog and I ordered it several months ago, but just started reading it this week. I really am enjoying it. Very nicely written, easy to follow, with quite a bit of sensible advice. It's also very biblical, with many Scriptures sprinkled throughout. And let me say, there is probably a piece of counsel in this book for each of us. For me, Beauty Hint 2, " A Beautiful Tongue is a Silent Tongue," is a particularly needful one. Here's a little nugget from that chapter to give you an example:

"Often when we converse with another person, we don't really listen to what that person is saying. In fact, while the other person is speaking, we are thinking about what we are going to say in return. If both individuals are going through the same little ritual, we have the ludicrous situation of two people talking to themselves together! There is a sobering proverb: 'Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.' (Prov. 18:2 NLT)"

Is that ever true of you? I hate to admit, but there are times when it is of me. By the way, this book is one in a series of others on beauty care for different parts of the body, such as the hands. Order this one and see what you think. I probably will be getting a few more after this one.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-09T13:22:00.004-04:00

If you've arrived here at this page during the week of May 10th, 2009, this wish is for you. If you are a mother, cherish the children and grandchildren that God has given you. If you have a mother, honor and cherish her today. If like me, your mother has gone on before you, I pray your memories will be sweet today.

If Mother's Day is difficult for you for any reason, embrace the Lord Jesus. May He fill whatever void you may have.

Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:25-26

2009-04-30T19:46:00.007-04:00

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 2 Corinthians 4:11

Lately I've been reading quite a bit about the lives of saints who suffered for their faith. Some of these sufferings were severe. Currently, I'm three quarters of the way through a book about the life of a brother in China. It's unbelievable the extent of the persecution that this man went through. And today during devotions, I read one of the short daily bio sketches in this book, The One Year Christian History. The glimpse I read today was about a believer in Bulgaria, another one who was tortured for his faith. I encourage you to get this book and read about the many lives, some by their shed blood, who are testimonies of the gospel worldwide. I promise you that you won't be sorry.

Of course, reading about people like Charles Spurgeon and Billy Graham are great encouragements, but I also think its important to reflect on the lives and trials of many who are little known to us. For they certainly are not little known to the God for whom they gave their lives, some literally. Needless to say, they will and should spur us on. Many of us who have it easy don't want things to get too difficult for us. Please don't let living the Christian life cause us too much discomfort or get in the way of us having and doing the things we want. I have a great remedy which I hope will help all of us: Ponder the stripes and chains of those who've gone before. This book will help you to do that.

Following After Abraham

2009-04-16T13:21:00.007-04:00

"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed" (Heb. 11:8).

If we were to follow in the steps of Abraham, we would follow the Lord's leading even when we don't know the where. This can be especially challenging during the dark times. These thoughts from today's Streams in the Desert should be a reminder that He'll take our hand when the need is greatest:

The day had gone; alone and weak
I groped my way within a bleak
And sunless land.
The path that led into the light
I could not find! In that dark
night God took my hand.

He led me that I might not stray,
And brought me by a new, safe way
I had not known.
By waters still, through pastures green
I followed Him--the path was clean
Of briar and stone.

The heavy darkness lost its strength,
My waiting eyes beheld at length
The streaking dawn.
On, safely on, through sunrise glow
I walked, my hand in His, and lo,
The night had gone.
--Annie Porter Johnson

In the Garden

2009-04-09T18:22:00.007-04:00

Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. John 19:41-42.

I hadn't thought much about the fact that there was a garden there, until this morning's devotions. I was reading in Meditations on the Gospels by George H. Morrison [which book I highly recommend] and he wrote absolutely wonderful thoughts about it. It made me decide to mention this garden on each of my blogs. Then a commenter on Nanna's Reflections made me think of this:

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.

I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

~C. Austin Miles

Just think. In the place where He was crucified there was a garden. Think about that, friends. His sepulchre was in a garden. So when He rose from the dead, He was in a garden. For me, that's a beautiful thought.

Praying these thoughts will make your holiday just a bit more precious.

The Fool

2009-04-01T09:08:00.003-04:00

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. . .Psalm 14:1a

"'There is no God,' the fool in secret said:
There is no God that rules or earth or sky.'
Tear off the band that binds the wretch's head,
That God may burst upon his faithless eye!
Is there no God?—The stars in myriads spread,
If he look up, the blasphemy deny;
While his own features, in the mirror read,
Reflect the image of Divinity.
Is there no God?—The streams that silver flows,
The air he breathes, the ground he treads, the trees,
The flowers, the grass, the sands, each wind that blows,
All speak of God; throughout, one voice agrees,
And, eloquent, his dread existence shows:
Blind to thyself, ah, see him, fool, in these!"

Giovanni Cotta.

The Way of Sorrows

2009-03-26T15:30:00.005-04:00

"And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him. And they compel one Simon of Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place of Golgatha, which is, being interpreted, The place of the skull." Mark 15:20-22.

Sunday our sermon was entitled "The Via Dolorosa," as we finish up an extended series from the book of Mark. In these recent weeks, we've been looking closely at the passion of our Lord, timing it all to finish up on Easter Sunday with the resurrection account from Mark's gospel. Pastor R. said the meaning of this Latin phrase is "the way of sorrows," as we reflected on that mile long journey our Lord took from the governor's palace to the place of crucifixion. He needed help carrying his cross burden; Luke's gospel tells us of women weeping by the way; Luke also tells of two criminals who went on the same journey to be put to death along with Him.

It was a sad and painful journey. But at the end was triumph. This rendition of the song seems triumphant to me. Maybe rightfully so.

(Remember to turn off the sidebar music!)

On Time

2009-03-12T19:25:00.006-04:00

I don't know what to say, but something has happened to time. It has accelerated. It's eating up the hours, days, weeks, months, and years at a much more rapid pace. Is it just me or are you noticing it too? Have you noticed that something that you thought happened just a week ago was actually a month before? How about when you think something happened last year and it was really two, maybe even three years back? Well, I looked and saw how long it's been since I made the last post here and was flabbergasted. And just when I wanted to try to make more posts, more little brief stops. Oh well, such it is when time flies. John Milton had it right, though:

Fly envious Time, till thou run out thy race,
Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours,
Whose speed is but the heavy Plummet's pace;
And glut thyself with what thy womb devours,
Which is no more than what is false and vain,
And merely mortal dross;
So little is our loss,
So little is thy gain.
For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd,
Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss
With an individual kiss;
And Joy shall overtake us as a flood,
When everything that is sincerely good
And perfectly divine,
With Truth, and Peace, and Love, shall ever shine
About the supreme Throne
Of him, t'whose happy-making sight alone,
When once our heav'nly-guided soul shall climb,
Then all this Earthy grossness quit,
Attir'd with Stars, we shall for ever sit,
Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee
O Time.

~ John Milton - 1633

Vanity Fair

2009-02-27T08:21:00.005-05:00

Now these Pilgrims, as I said, must needs go through this fair. Well, so they did; but behold, even as they entered into the fair, all the people in the fair were moved, and the town itself as it were in a hubbub about them; and that for several reasons; for--

First, The pilgrims were clothed with such kind of raiment as was diverse from the raiment of any that traded in that fair. The people therefore of the fair made a great gazing upon them: Some said they were fools, some they were bedlams, and some they are outlandish men.

Secondly, And as they wondered at their apparel so they did likewise at their speech, for few could understand what they said; they naturally spoke the language of Canaan, but they that kept the fair were the men of this world; so that, from one end of the fair to the other, they seemed barbarians each to the other.

Thirdly, but that which did not a little amuse the merchandisers, was, that these pilgrims set very light by all their wares, they cared not so much as to look upon them; and if they called upon them to buy, they would put their fingers in their ears and cry, 'Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,' and look upwards, signifying that their trade and traffic was in heaven.

From The Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan

So Christian and his companion Faithful had to pass through this town where a fair was set up by Beelzebub, Apollyon and Legion. Need I elaborate? Certainly Bunyan wants to emphasize the world we have to travel through as pilgrims on our journey to the heavenly city. We HAVE to go through this world, which is heavily under the influence and power of Satan. There is no getting around it. But for true Christians, he fully captures it doesn't he? What was it about these pilgrims that upset the people in the town so much? About their clothing? About their speech? And notice the attitude which the pilgrims had towards the "wares" that were being sold at this fair.

Is all this true of you and me as we travel through Vanity Fair? Remember, if it is, the world is not going to love us. One point in particular: Please dear Lord, help me to speak the "language of Canaan."

Effectual Atonement

2009-02-16T15:41:00.010-05:00

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 5:6-11

Atonement: 1. reconciliation; becoming friends again with someone who had been an enemy; 2. being forgiven for our sins through a sacrifice acceptable to God. This was done through the shedding of blood--in the OT, animals were sacrificed, and in the NT, Jesus was the complete and final sacrifice to take away the sins of mankind.

Basic Bible Dictionary, the Standard Publishing Company, 1983.

Yesterday, I took the day off from teaching Sunday School (thank the Lord for my sub Sara), and was treated to a video presentation in the adult class on the doctrines of grace. The speaker was great, and while the primary focus was on the various doctrines distinctive to Baptists in particular and evangelicals in general, the doctrine of "effectual atonement" caught my thoughts and heart the most. Too much to write down here, but let me sum it all up by asking if you have any idea of the scope of the benefits which are ours by virtue of the atonement which we have received through the work of Christ Jesus. This atonement may be limited to only its beneficiaries, but unlimited in its blessings to these beneficiaries. Sound like double talk? Well it's not!

O Sacred Head

2009-02-08T23:28:00.003-05:00

The following hymn contains some closing words from our sermon today on the agonizing of our Savior in Gethsemane. He told His Father "Not what I will, but what thou wilt." So, it was the Father's will that the cup of wrath would not be removed. So He bore it:

O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down;
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, thine only crown;
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss till now was thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call thee mine.

What thou, my Lord, hast suffered
Was all for sinners' gain:
Mine, mine was the transgression,
But thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Saviour!
'Tis I deserve thy place;
Look on me with thy favor,
Vouchsafe to me thy grace.

What language shall I borrow
To thank thee, dearest Friend,
For this thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me thine for ever;
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never
Outlive my love to thee.

2009-02-06T16:19:00.002-05:00

I blindly ask for what I crave,

With haughty heart and will so stout;

He oft denies me what I seek,

But gives me grace to do without.

~ Anon.