Here are thirty lessons on spirituality, drawn from Peter Adam’s study of Colossians:
Some choice extracts from this precious work by Richard Sibbes (1577-1635)
In time of temptation, misgiving consciences look so much to the present trouble they are in, that they need be roused up to behold him in whom they may find rest for their distressed souls.
What a support to our faith is this, that God the Father, the part offended by our sins, is so well pleased with the work of redemption! And what a comfort is this, that seeing God’s love resteth on Christ, as we pleased in him, we may gather that he is as well pleased with us, if we be in Christ!…
The term ‘union with Christ’ sums up the relationship between Christ and his people.
The church has understood this in various ways.
1. Incarnational union. This view, which was held my many of the early Fathers and continues to be held in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, is that in incarnation God in Christ became one with us in order to make us one with him. He took on our human nature in so that we might partake in his divine nature. …
The next section of Tim Chester’s book, Do Miracles Happen Today? that I would like to summarise is that part of chapter 5 which deals with ‘miracles and the purposes of faith.’
Chester believes (with John Stott) that miracles are certainly possible, but not as common as they were in, say that time of Jesus and the apostles, because one of the main purposes for miracles – attesting to God’s unfolding revelation – no longer applies.…
It is often said that God always answers prayer, and when he does so it will be with one of three answers: ‘Yes’, ‘No’, or ‘Wait’.
That’s too simplistic. In particular, it leaves out the possibility that God may not answer prayer.
Psalm 66 teaches us to take a more realistic approach:
66:18 If I had harbored sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened.
66:19 However, God heard;
he listened to my prayer.…
These three words (writes Jan Johnson) take us to the heart of what contemplative prayer is all about.
Resting in God
‘The shadow of the Almighty is a safe place to rest for a soul that is scattered, parched, guilt-ridden, or uncertain.’
Psa 4:4 – ‘When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.’
Psa 37:7 – ‘Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;.’
Psa 62:5 – ‘ Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.’…
Robert Banks and R. Paul Stevens write:
In the last book of the Bible we are given an empowering vision of worship in the new Jerusalem. All earthly worship should be inspired by the worship that is already going on in heaven and that we will experience more fully when Christ comes again. In this sense our present worship is like “playing heaven,” as when little children invite each other to “play house,” looking forward to the day when they are grown up and have their own home.…
A summary of ch. 20 of John Flavel’s The Fountain of Life.
“And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to you. Holy Father, keep through your own name those whom you have given me, that they may be one, as we are.” John 17:11
This scripture contains the first preparative of Christ for death, whereby he sets his house in order, prays for his people, and blesses them before he dies.…
A term used frequently in Scripture to denote a right attitude towards God.
1. IMPORTANCE
Deut 4: 10 “…that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children so.”
Prov 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”
Eccle 12:13 “…the whole duty of man.”
Luke 12:4, 5 “…fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell.”…
