’The Stoic bears, the Epicurean seeks to enjoy, the Buddhist and Hindu stand apart disillusioned, the Muslim submits, but only the Christian exults.’ (E. Stanley Jones)
’The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance.…
John Ortberg comments that the badge of doubt is often worn with pride (‘honest doubt’), but we seem embarrassed or even ashamed of faith (‘blind faith’).
But of course, he says, there are also such things as ‘blind doubt’ and ‘honest faith’!
John Ortberg’s Book, Faith and Doubt, was published in 2008 by Zondervan.…
The current interest in ‘spirituality’ is both salutary and alarming. It is salutary because in its best forms it challenges not only the prevalent philosophical materialism of the modern world but also the perfunctory corporate exercises of many Christians. It is alarming because, although spirituality is generally regarded as an ‘applause-word’, it is often so ill-defined that it can mask gross error.
A definition of ‘spirituality’ cannot readily be induced from the NT, despite the use by Paul of words translated as ‘spirit’ and ‘spiritual’.…
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.…
