Wisdom for Daily Living
How sweet and amiable does acquaintance with God make a man! How ready to heal divisions! How full of goodness and charity! How ready to do good unto all, but especially to those that be of the household of faith! How compassionate and tender-hearted! How ready to provoke others to love and good works: so that the whole parish lives the quieter… This is the man who adorns the gospel. This is the Christian who makes credible his profession. This is what it means to be intimately acquainted with God. ~ James Janeway – “Heaven upon Earth.”
God has given you more than others, which should turn covetousness into thankfulness. Yet as the ivy grows with the oak, so covetousness has grown with riches…who within these walls thinks he has enough, though there be so many that have too much?
This is the devil who bewitches you, to think that you have not enough when you have more than you need…Paul craves your covetousness, that he might bury it… You have found little joy in money, you shall find great joy in the Holy Ghost. You have found little peace in the world, you shall find great peace in conscience. He that will have contentment must leave his covetousness in pawn for it. (1 Tim. 6:6) ~ Henry Smith “The Benefit of Contentation.”
I doubt not but the warmth of Paul’s zeal, in this respect, has disgusted many in the present day, wherein a seeming candor and tolerance is pleaded for and extended to almost every foolish sentiment—except the truths in which Paul gloried! There is little doubt but many, if they had the courage and honesty to speak out, would add Paul himself to the list of those whom they despise as uncharitable, and hot-brained, narrow-minded bigots; for who has offended more than he—against the rules of that indifference to error, which is at present miscalled love? ~ John Newton
Even as he who is troubled with a burning fever is hotter than he who is parched with the sun,
so is that man more troubled who hath a guilty conscience than a good man by all outward afflictions. ~ DANIEL CAWDRAY
The most specious appearances of holiness, which are not accompanied with faith in Christ, may be safely rejected as counterfeits! On the other hand, a profession of faith which is not evidenced by the fruits of holiness, by gracious tempers, and a tenor of life befitting the Gospel—is dead, deluding, and destructive! ~ John Newton
“Discernment is not a matter of simply telling the difference between right and wrong; rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right.” ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon
Peace and Stupidity – Many love to walk in a very careless, unwise profession. So long as they can hold out in the performance of outward duties, they are very regardless of the greatest evangelical privileges,-of those things which are the marrow of divine promises,-all real endeavours of a vital communion with Christ. Such are spiritual peace, refreshing consolations, ineffable joys, and the blessed composure of assurance. Without some taste and experience of these things, profession is heartless, lifeless, useless; and religion itself a dead carcass without an animating soul. The peace which some enjoy is a mere stupidity. They judge not these things to be real which are the substance of Christ’s present reward; and a renunciation whereof would deprive the church of its principal supportments and encouragements in all its sufferings.
It is a great evidence of the power of unbelief, when we can satisfy ourselves without an experience in our own hearts of the great things, in this kind of joy, peace, consolation, assurance, that are promised in the Gospel. For how can it be supposed that we do indeed believe the promises of things future,-namely, of heaven, immortality, and glory, the faith whereof is the foundation of all religion,-when we do not believe the promises of the present reward in these spiritual privileges? And how shall we be thought to believe them, when we do not endeavour after an experience of the things themselves in our own souls, but are even contented without them? But herein men deceive themselves. They would very desirously have evangelical joy, peace, and assurance, to countenance them in their evil frames and careless walking And some have attempted to reconcile these things, unto the ruin of their souls. But it will not be. Without the diligent exercise of the grace of obedience, we shall never enjoy the grace of consolation.~ John Owen
“You must give an account for every sermon you hear. The Judge to whom we must give an account is God. How, then, should we observe every word preached, remembering the account! Let all this make us shake off distraction and drowsiness in hearing, and have our ears chained to the Word.” ~Thomas Watson
In practical piety, there is no greater mistake than the persuasion that if we are pleased with ourselves–that God is also pleased with us.
Vain-glory, self-delight and pride– blind, bewilder, and intoxicate!
On the other hand–shame for our own vileness, sorrow for our shortcomings, self-loathing for undeniable turpitude of our soul–are profitable.
Men must either part with their pride and good opinion of themselves–or they must part with the hope of a blessed eternity ~ William Plumer, “Vital Godliness: A Treatise on Experimental and Practical Piety” 1864
To a Christian there is no sin that feels as good , as he is hurt and deterred by the painful punishments that would be put on Christ.
For one to say I love Christ, but I would rather He suffer so I can indulge my fleshly desire, is not any love the scripture tells us of.
It is so harmful when weak ministers tell people it is up to them to determine their salvation and they can just accept Jesus whenever they want. He will always be there waiting for them, knocking at the door. This heresy is not taught in scripture. And many are doomed to hell by the thought they can live their lives in sin then repent later. Do not tempt God; if you have heard the truth, turn to him and obey it now. Do not be deceived; the Holy King will not allow you to steal the time and life that is due Him. “Now is the accepted time”. You may not have tomorrow. The word of God warns us against this false hope in Heb 6:4-6 and 12:17 …for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. NKJV Likewise agrees our friend and faithful shepherd Thomas Brooks below. ~ Don P
God usually begins with such early in life– whom He has had thoughts of love and mercy towards, from everlasting.
If, in the spring and morning of your days, you do not bring forth fruit to God–it is a hundred to one that you never shall bring forth fruit to God when the days of old age shall overtake you. It is rare, very rare–that God sows and reaps in old age.
Usually God sows the seed of grace in youth–which yields the harvest of joy in old age.
Though true repentance is never too late–yet late repentance is seldom true. Millions are now in hell, who have flattered themselves with the thought of repenting in old age! Yes, what can be more just and equal, that such should seek and not find–who might have found when young, but would not seek; and that God should shut His ears against their late prayers–who have stopped their ears against His early calls?
The ancient warriors would not accept an old man into their army, as being unfit for service; and do you think that God will accept of your dry bones–when Satan has sucked out all the marrow? What king will take into his service –those who have served his enemies all their days? And will God? will God?
“But since you rejected Me when I called, and no one gave heed when I stretched out My hand, since you ignored all My advice and would not accept My rebuke–I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you–when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to Me but I will not answer; they will look for Me but will not find Me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept My advice and spurned My rebuke–they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.” Proverbs 1:24-31 ~ Thomas Brooks, “Apples of Gold” 1660
Likewise do not be deceived by the false shepherds who fail to warn the flock to turn from their all their sins. These weak men who feed themselves instead, claim to comfort others while in their sins, rather than comfort them by showing them the way out of their sin; true repentance and mortification through the Spirit that is there for all truly saved. They make excuse that they are giving hope so these will stay to drop more in the offering next week, and hoping maybe on day they will be converted; whereas if driven away by the harshness and strictness of the word of God they may never be saved. Oh foolish shepherds deceived to think this way, you have forgotten it is God who saves and not your sweet words. And wrath, justice fear and strictness are all parts of the means that greater Wisdom than yours has determined to be the path to salvation. And are you more comforting than Christ, more gentle and sensitive a father than He, and more loving of these? Or is it the weakness of your spine, still made of flesh, not strengthened by the Spirit from hours of true agony crying out to God for them. Flesh that loves to be liked by men more than approved by the God who is so silent to you, while He pours burden and passion on His true prophets to call people out of bondage freeing them from having to commit sins as much as the penalty of them. The scriptures no where give comfort to one in sin, and always points out that those truly converted are done with sin, do not continue to sin. So whose gospel then to do you offer? Whose comfort to you give? — Give up your fleshly wisdom and gentleness and be willing to use the rod on those who stray toward the world and flesh. Love them so much more than yourself that you will follow Christ to be hated and rejected of all men, before you will let one of them drift off in sin. Scream and stop them before they enter the fire! This rebuke and call to peace will not break a reed truly bruised by the work of the Spirit, or quench the Spirit’s fire in one beginning to smoke. Or who is it you really seek to comfort? ~ Don P Read Ez 3:20-21
All that are regenerate are alike strict in these five things at least.
First they have but one path or Way wherein they all walk Is. 35:8.
Secondly they have but one rule to guide them in that way which they all follow Gal. 6:15-16.
Thirdly all their lives are upon this rule, so as they are not willingly ignorant of any truth 2 Pet 3:5, nor do they suppress or detain any known truth in unrighteousness Ro. 1:18, but they stand in the ways, and ask for the old path, which is a good way Jer. 6:16
Fourthly they all desire and endeavor to Obey the truth Lu 1:9, not only to walk in all the commandments of God without reproof before men Heb 13:19, but also in all things, to live honestly and uprightly before God Gen 17:1
Fifthly, if they fall by temptation Gal.6:1 (as a member may, by accident, be disjointed) yet they are in pain till they be set right again. If they stumble, through infirmity (as sheep may slip into a puddle) yet they will not lie down and wallow in the mire which is the property of swine. If they are sometimes drawn aside by violent temptations or step aside by mistake, yet they will not walk on in the council of the wicked Ps 1:1 nor will any way of wickedness (that is, a constant or daily course in any one sin) be found in them; they are so far from perverting the right way of God, Acts 13:10 ( that is, speaking evil of what is good) that they will justify God in condemning themselves, and subscribe to the righteousness of his word, praying that their ways might be directed to keep his statutes Ps114:5 – John Davenport, Preface – The Christians Daily Walk by Henry Scudder
I wish to Redeem all time I can from idle words and frivolous discourses; to avoid what I can the hearing of such prattling’s, and to shun all light and frothy and amstorious books.
My tongue is my glory, and my best instrument to advance the glory of God and Religion towards others; it were pity to profane it with such words as to be upon my contrary score at the day of accounts: and so much have I to learn of God and of religion, as without slighting them, I can find no leisure to give heed to trifles, beside the danger of poison to be conveyed in these.
If I were confined to the society of Pagans, I might from thence expect some profitable discourse, though altogether of the world, and even towards them I were bound to offer, at least sometimes mention of God: How much more among such as call themselves Christians! Especially who profess Christianity to be their business as well as mine.
—Herbert Palmer “Of making Religion ones business.”
Peace and Comfort in Trials Quotes
