Under, under! Get you under, O Soul!

"Contentment by Jeremiah buroughs
You find many men and women who, if they are in a good mood, will be very quiet. But this will not hold. It is not the constant tenor of their spirits to be holy and gracious under affliction.
(...)

It is free, that is, not by constraint, not, as we say, patience by force. Thus, many will say that you must be content:
“This is the hand of God and you cannot help it.” Oh, but this is too low an expression for Christians. Yet when Christians come to visit one another, they say, “Friend, you must be content.” Must be content is too low for a Christian; no, it should be, “Readily and freely I will be content.” It is suitable to my heart to yield to God and to be content.
Now a free act comes in a rational manner. That is freedom. It does not come through ignorance because I know of no better condition or because I do not know why my affliction is; but it comes through a sanctified judgment. Freedom is when I, by my judgment, see what is to be done, understand the thing; and my judgment agrees with what I understand.
(........)
Is the hand of God bringing an affliction, yet my heart is troubled and discontented? “What,” it says, “will you be above God? Is this not God’s hand, and must your will be regarded more than God’s?” O
under, under! Get you under, O soul! Keep under the authority of God, the power that God has over you! To keep under—that is to submit. The soul can submit to God at the time when it can send itself under the power, authority, sovereignty, and dominion that God has over it.

Looking back to a blessed 2018

One of the reasons why I decided to start blogging (back in early 2010s) was this ability to remember.

 I was never a great journal writer (and continue to be as terrible as back then ), never quite open with myself and able to commit secrets thoughts to paper...never able to honestly express what was on my mind. With blogging it was different...I wouldn't be under that pressure to be honest ( in the sense of telling all that it is on my mind), but I could keep an accurate sense of the reality and happenings over the years and around me...

I liked the idea of posting latest learnings, reads and despite having no desire to become " a blogger" I could always refer back and remember...mostly the Lord's 'revelations' of new Christian life concepts learnt or new things I am trying to grasps. On an occasion or two I have shared some personal happenings , again with the aim of giving context to the latest ' happenings' .

It was only today I opened this page (after reading the headlines of a Challies post on why you should stop or start blogging)  only to realise it is a whole year since I posted a single entry on this webpage! Perhaps it is a full 5 years since any meaningful interaction was held with this page...You might ask ...why bother? aren't blogs sort a thing of the past anyways? (except you are Tim Challies ofc); aren't you just over that fad that you enjoyed in your early 20s...? Aren't people on to new technologies anyways and into photos and these short snippets and power quotes these days? Who would stop to read anything more than 140 characters anyways? Yeah I get you! Totally hear you...

I will keep on blogging because it enables me to keep a memory of my pilgrimage on this earth...not in the sense that I will tell you what I am up to, or where in the world I am (yeah that has become a thing for me in these past 5 years... "travel for work" buh!  - everyone thinks it is great but no one understand how hard it is to spend a week in a hotel room by yourself...well I tend to enjoy the Lord's day when I find a good church which has been the case quite often!), but that it will give me a record of which friends I am walking with ( these past 10 years a lot of Elizabeth Prentiss, Octavious Winslow, John Newton, beloved Matthew Henry and so on...), what I am learning in the Christian life. Well, you might say... these are dead " friends" - to which I reply that in being dead they still speak - whereas the majority of people's interactions on the internet tend to give them only a thumbs up anyways. Okay, enough of my random brain...this post was meant to be about the blessings of this past year...but since my lunchtime is over...I will have to leave that to a part 2.

Adieu!
JR

Looking forward to a blessed 2018

It has indeed been ages, who can blog these days with so much to do! Anyways like in old days, an Octavious Winslow excerpt from " morning and evening".


"You have not passed this way heretofore." Joshua 3:4.

How solemn is the reflection that with a new cycle of time commences, with each traveler to Zion, a new and untrodden path! New events in his history will transpire- new scenes in the panorama of life will unfold- new phases of character will develop- new temptations will assail- new duties will devolve- new trials will be experienced- new sorrows will be felt- new friendships will be formed- and new mercies will be bestowed. How truly may it be said of the pilgrim journeying through the wilderness to his eternal home, as he stands upon the threshold of this untried period of his existence, pondering the unknown and uncertain future, "You have not passed this way heretofore!"

Reader! if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, you will enter upon a new stage of your journey by a renewed surrender of yourself to the Lord. You will make the cross the starting-point of a fresh setting-out in the heavenly race. Oh, commence this year with a renewed application to the "blood of sprinkling." There is vitality in that blood; and its fresh sprinkling on your conscience will be as a new impartation of spiritual life to your soul. Oh, to begin the year with a broken heart for sin, beneath the cross of Immanuel! looking through that cross to the heart of a loving, forgiving Father. Do not be anxious about the future; all that future God has provided for. "All my times are in Your hands." "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Let it be a year of more spiritual advance. "Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward." Forward in the path of duty- forward in the path of suffering- forward in the path of conflict- forward in the path of labor- and forward in the path to eternal rest and glory. Soon will that rest be reached, and that glory appear. This new year may be the jubilant year of your soul- the year of your release. Oh spirit-stirring, ecstatic thought- this year I may be in heaven!

God never places us...

God never places is in any position in which we cannot grow. We may fancy that He does. We may fear we are so impeded by fretting, petty cares that we are gaining nothing; but when we are not sending any branches upward,  we may be sending roots downward. Perhaps in the time of our humiliation, when everything seems a failure, we are making the best kinds of progress. God delights to try out faith by the conditions in which He places us. A plant set in the shade shows where its heart is by turning towards the sun, even when unable to reach it. We have so much to distract us in this world that we do not realise how truly and deeply, if not always warmly and consciously we love Christ. But I believe that this love is the strongest principle in every regenerate soul. It may slumber for a time, it may falter, it may freeze nearly to death; but sooner or later it will declare itself as the ruling passion.
 If some other trial would serve God's purpose, He would substitute it.

Elizabeth Prentiss

MY life?

...so what part of one's life might be reserved for the self alone?

Head? Hand? Heart? Accounts? Barns? Three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon?

Every place is holy because God is there;

Every part of life a matter of holiness because it is to be offered unto God. 

William Law

Habits

Habits discover the state of our souls, 

[they] plainly show the whole turn of the mind. 

William Law

Heart Work - A.W. Pink

“God is not the author of confusion” (1Co 14:33). 

No, the devil causes that, and he has succeeded in creating much in the thinking of many by confounding the “heart” with the “nature.” People say, “I was born with an evil heart, and I cannot help it.” It would be more correct to say, “I was born with an evil nature, which I am responsible to subdue.” The Christian needs clearly to recognize that in addition to his two “natures”—the flesh and the spirit—he has a heart which God requires him to “keep.” 

(...)  I cannot change or better my “nature,” but I may and must my “heart.” For example, “nature” is slothful and loves ease, but the Christian is to redeem the time and be zealous of good works. Nature hates the thought of death, but the Christian should bring his heart to desire to depart and be with Christ. 

The popular religion of the day is either a head or a hand one. That is to say, the labouring to acquire a larger and fuller intellectual group of the things of God or a constant round of activities called, “Service for the Lord.” But the heart is neglected! Thousands are reading, studying, taking “Bible courses,” but for all the spiritual benefits their souls derive, they might as well be engaged in breaking stones.

The Word of God

Is the Bible the Word of God? Then mind that you do not neglect it. Read it! Read it!

Begin to read it this very day. What greater insult to God can a man be guilty of than to refuse to read the letter God sends him from heaven?

Oh , be sure , if you will not read your Bible you are in a fearful danger of losing your soul!
You are in danger, because God will reckon with your for your neglect of the Bible in the day of judgement.

You will have to give account of your use of time, strength and money; and you will also have to give account of your use of the Word. You will not stand at that bar in the same level, in point of responsibility with the dweller in central Africa, who never heard of the Bible. Oh! No! To whom much is given, of them much will be required.

Of all men's buried talents none will weigh them so heavily as a neglected Bible. As you deal with your Bible so God will deal with your soul.

Will you not repent, and turn over a new leaf in life, and read your Bible?

Excerpt from Inspiration in  ' Old Paths'

by J. C. Ryle 

The time is short

"The time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29

We are living in a world where all things are temporary. Everything here is perishing. We are going to a world where all things are eternal. If we are wise, we will live in this world with our hearts fixed on eternity. And when we look at all things in this world with an eye to eternity, there is one striking fact that we cannot avoid--The time is short!

The time of your life is short. "What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away." "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle." My friend, your days are numbered. Soon, you will have taken your last breath. Be warned!

Blessed be God, the time for suffering is short. Let us not faint, nor grow weary, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Since the time is short, we must be detached from the things of this world. We must hold the dearest objects of this life with a loose hand, and cling only to Christ. Take your dearest earthly possessions--your money, your lands, your friends, your family--and place this brand upon them--PERISHING! Christ alone and the riches of His grace are eternal.

What then must we do with the time that we have? We must redeem the time. Buy up every opportunity to worship and serve Christ. Buy up every opportunity to point men and women to Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Much time is gone already, the days are evil, and the time that remains is short. Therefore, I say, redeem the time!

Don Fortner
From Grace Gems 
  ~  ~  ~  ~
Photo credit: J.L

For me a vile sinner...

"In evil long I took delight, 

Unawed by shame or fear, 

Till a new Object struck my sight, 

And stopped my wild career! 

I saw One hanging on a tree, 

In agony and blood, 

Who fixed His languid eyes on me, 

As near His cross I stood. 

 Surely, never to my dying breath, 

Can I forget that look;

It seemed to charge me with His death, 

Though not a word He spoke.

 My conscience felt and owned the guilt,

 And plunged me in despair, I saw my sins,

 His blood had spilt,

And helped to nail Him there! 

 Alas! I knew not what I did, 

But now my tears are vain; 

Where shall my trembling soul be hid

 For I, the Lord have slain! 

 A second look He gave, which said,

 'I freely all forgive; 

This blood is for your ransom paid;

 I die, that you may live!' 

 Thus while His death, my sin displays 

In all its blackest hue, 

Such is the mystery of grace, 

It seals my pardon too! 

 With pleasing grief and mournful joy, 

My spirit now is filled; 

That I should such a life destroy, 

Yet live by Him I killed!"

 (John Newton)

Elizabeth Elliot is with the Lord

 “We are women, and my plea is Let me be a woman, holy through and through, asking for nothing but what God wants to give me, receiving with both hands and with all my heart whatever that is”-

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/peaches-in-paradise

Loathe sin and leave sin.

The Strait Way to Heaven

Twenty precious directions for your souls—Part I

1. First, Loathe sin—and leave sin.

"He who covers his sins shall not prosper—but whoever confesses and forsakes them, shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13.

There must be a falling out with our sins—before there be a falling off from our sins. There must be a loathing of sin in our affections. Oh, is it not a thousand times better to part with sin—though ever so sweet—than to part with God, and Christ, and heaven? One of them, you must part with! One sin will damn a soul out of Christ—but no sin can damn a soul in Christ! Sin is the evil of evils! Sin is worse than the devil—for it was sin which made the devil to be a devil. Oh! the love of sin, and the lack of grace—will ruin and destroy our souls forever. It is better not to be—than to be an unrepentant sinner! Oh, therefore kill sin—that sin may not kill you. Mourn for sin—and flee from sin. Do not commit new sins—but repent for old sins!

"Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices!" Ezekiel 36:31. Oh, poor soul—have you not served the flesh and the devil long enough? Yes! Have you not had enough of sin? Is sin so good to you—or is it so profitable for you? Oh, what a place will you be shortly in—of joy or torment! Oh, what a sight will you shortly see—in heaven or hell! Oh, what thoughts will shortly fill your hearts—with unspeakable delight or horror! What work will you be employed in: to praise the Lord with saints and angels, or to cry out in unquenchable fire with devils! Oh, therefore, die unto sin, confess it, mourn for it, and be ashamed of it; hate and loathe it, and flee from it as from a deadly serpent; and though your sins are more than you can number—yet they are not more than God can pardon! "If we confess our sins—he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

Love and Obedience

The spiritual state of the soul, and the vigour and promptness of its obedience, will correspond with the state and tone of the believer's affections toward God. If decay, coldness, declension, exist there, it is felt and traced through the entire obedience of the new man.

(...)

Love, too, is the great influential principle of the Gospel. The religion of Jesus is pre-eminently a religion of motive: it excludes every compulsory principle; it arrays before the mind certain great and powerful motives with which it enlists the understanding, the will, and the affections, in the active service of Christ. Now the law of Christianity is not the law of coercion, but of love. This is the grand lever, the great influential motive, - "the love of Christ constrains us." This was the apostle's declaration, and his governing motive; and the constraining love of Christ is to be the governing motive, the influential principle of every believer. Apart from the constraining influence of Christ's love in the heart, there cannot possibly be a willing, prompt, and holy obedience to his commandments. A conviction of duty and the influence of fear may sometimes urge forward the soul, but love alone can prompt to a loving and holy obedience; and all obedience that springs from an inferior motive is not the obedience that the gospel of Jesus inculcates. The relation in which the believer stands to God, under the new covenant dispensation, is not that of a slave to his master, but of a child to its father. "And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father (Gal 4:6)." "The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are children of God (Rom 8:16)." "Wherefore you are no more a servant (a slave), but a son (Gal 4:7)." With this new and spiritual relation, we look for a new and spiritual motive, and we find it in that single but comprehensive word - LOVE. And thus our Lord declared it: "If you love me, keep my commandments (Jn 14:15)." "If a man love me, he will keep my words; and he who loves me not, keeps not my sayings (Jn 14:23,24)." It is then only where this love is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit, that we may expect to find the fruit of obedience. Swayed by this Divine principle, the believer labors not for life, but from life: not for acceptance, but from acceptance. A holy, self-denying, cross-bearing life, is not the drudgery of a slave, but the filial, loving obedience of a child: it springs from love to the person, and gratitude for the work of Jesus; and is the blessed effect of the spirit of adoption in the heart.

An easier way to heaven...

(...)
Men like also to feast on their fleshly liberty, another of their natural appetites, and Satan knows just how to nurture this desire. Man is a son of Belial, without yoke; and if he must wear one, the one which has the softest lining and pinches the flesh least will please him best. Therefore, when sincere teachers of the Word press sincere obedience to it, Satan's overseers come and say, 'What a hard taskmaster you have! They harness you to continual duty, Come
we will show you an easier way to heaven. ' He who sells cheapest will have the most customers. But in the end, truth with self-denial is a better bargain than error with all its flesh- pleasing.

'The Christian in Complete Armour' 

p.92

William Gurnall

Sovereignty

Photo credit: JWB

But let it be said very emphatically that the heart can only rest upon and enjoy the blessed truth of the absolute sovereignty of God as faith is exercised. 

Faith is ever occupied with God. That is the character of it, that is what differentiates it from intellectual theology. Faith endures as 'seeing Him who is invisible' (Heb 11:27); endures the disappointments, the hardships, and the heart-aches of life, by recognising that all comes from the hand of Him who is too wise to err and too loving to be unkind. But so long as we are occupied with any other object than God himself, there will be neither rest for the heart nor peace for the mind. 

The sovereignty of God

A.W. Pink