I have used the following to guide an evening of prayer. Much help was derived from members of that remarkable band of Christians who came to be known as ‘the Puritans’. In particular, some of the prayers and devotions from The Valley of Vision (edited by Arthur Bennett) were adapted and used.
…Let us lift up our hearts unto God in the heavens.
Let us stir up ourselves to take hold on God, to seek his face, and to give him the glory due unto his name.
We ought not to think that [the Devil’s] activity is primarily, or even mainly, to be seen in dramatic, extraordinary “power” encounters, where people are exorcised or delivered of demons. His warfare against us – and make no mistake it is real – takes place primarily at a far more frightening level: at the level of ordinary, everyday life.
We see this illustrated repeatedly in the Epistles when our battle with the Devil is mentioned. We keep him at bay when we deal promptly with anger and do not allow it to fracture relationships.…
What I meant to do, when writing my previous post on William Gurnall, was to present this more extended quotation on boldness. It is vintage Gurnall, and a magnificant encouragement to Christians. So here it is:-
We spend much of our time, energy and other resources on play, leisure and recreation, and yet rarely reflect Christianly on such things.
Arthur Holmes has some insightful thoughts on the subject of play:-
…‘Play is customarily seen as nonproductive activity. This is not strictly correct, for play can be economically productive for professionals, quiz-show participants, and many others. The intent of the definition is that the purpose of play is not to be found in elements extrinsic to the activity, as supposedly with work, but is to be found in the activity itself and its enjoyment.
Assurance is glory in the bud, it is the suburbs of paradise. (Thomas Brooks)
Assurance is, as it were, the cream of faith. (William Gurnall)
Sin can never quite bereave a saint of his jewel, his grace; but it may steal away the key of the cabinet, his assurance. (William Jenkin)
A letter may be written, when it is not sealed; so grace may be written in the heart, and the Spirit may not set the seal of assurance to it.…
Matthew Henry, the famous Bible commentator, once preached a series of sermons on sanctification. In each sermon he would deal with a sin to be ‘mortified’, and then the corresponding grace to be cultivated.…
Peter and John are under fire for two reasons: they have been speaking boldly for Jesus and they have been performing miracles in his name.
They’re thrown into jail, and the next day they are hauled in front of the Jerusalem authorities. Peter and John explain that the crippled man has been healed in the name of Jesus, and, since the man himself is standing there, the accusers are left speechless. Peter and John are released, but given a stern warning not to teach any more in the name of Jesus.…
What can the brutal death of a single Jew, two thousand years ago, have to do with us finding peace with God? And why, if God wishes to forgive us, why does he not just do so, without all the paraphernalia of sacrifice?
As one sceptic put it: “Of course God will forgive me; that’s his job”.
It might further be objected that we are required by God himself to freely forgive one another. Why can’t God simply do the same with us?…
This piece by John Piper answers this question by directing us to the prayers of the New Testament. Do our prayers have anything like the same breadth and depth?
They called on God to exalt his name in the world. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9).
They called on God to extend his kingdom in the world. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 ).…
Tactfulness is a notable virture. Although worldly people can show it to a remarkable degree, Lk 16:8, in its highest form it is a Christian grace. It is the offspring of love and wisdom. It is the ability to be honest without being rude.
God himself is the model for tactfulness, as shown in his dealings with our first parents, Gen 2:18-24; 3:9-19; with Cain, Gen 4:7, 15; with Abraham, Gen 12:1-3; and Jonah, Jon 4:10,11.…
