He Gives What He Knows Is Best

“The Lord bestows grace and glory;

no good thing does He withhold from

those whose walk is blameless.”psalm 84:11

~

The Lord delights in the prosperity of His people;

therefore withholds no good thing from them.

Yet, it is not our erring judgment

— but His unfailing wisdom —

which must determine what is best for us.

~

We would pray to be in the height of earthly comfort

—and on the pinnacle of worldly joy.

But in love, God answers

by keeping us in the safe valley of humility and self-abasement.

Granting our requests, is not always the effect of love.

~

So kind and gracious is our dear Savior

—that He crosses our wills, and denies our requests —

when they are contrary to our spiritual interest.

Thus in love, He answers our prayers —

by withholding what we ask for!

He gives what He knows is best for us.

william mason

~

“Those who seek the Lord will not

lack any good thing.”psalm 34:10

Hidden Away In An Abbey...

I use to be slightly offended when people would call me naive to the ways of the world. "I'm not naive!", I would indignantly think. "I know plenty of things concerning worldly ways and wisdom." Now that I look back, I realize how humbled and happy I should have been to have been told that. Sadly, I am not as naive as I would like to be. The ways of the world are pervasive and my flesh all too eager to participate.

I use to think that if I were hidden away in some secret Abbey in the country as a nun, I would be much better at this Christian thing. I've realized that moving away to the wilderness and living in isolation would not be the answer to avoiding sin. Sin lives within me and therefore, has to be dealt with head on. It's true that God wishes us to be pure and I suppose naive in a sense, but He also calls us to be wise as serpents. In Matthew 10: 16 it's explained a little better. "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

In spite of all that we've done, seen or heard, we can still be pure before the Lord. Because of Christ' sacrifice on our behalf we have been washed as white as snow! King David was by no means a stranger to the world, but even after failure, he chose to trust in God and pursue the path of righteousness. I have been meditating on his words on this matter for several weeks now and God is continually strengthening my desire to "ponder the way that is blameless and walk with integrity of heart within my house".

"I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil." -Psalm 101:1-4

The four verses above are not passive poetry. It's desire for holiness put into action.

David is actively:

"singing" to the Lord.

"pondering" the way that is blameless.

"walking" with integrity of heart.

Not "setting" his eyes on worthless things.

"hating" the work of those who fall away.

"knowing" nothing of evil.

He's not saying he won't be aware of sin and temptation, but he will choose to walk the path of integrity and choose righteousness instead of evil. I've realized that it's not enough to abstain from sin. That can only last for so long. To really grow in purity and holiness, we have to "put on" righteousness. Whatever sin we are putting off, has to be replaced by something we are putting on. This isn't always easy, but God is faithful to strengthen us and give us grace to pursue the things he has called us to. By God's grace we can all walk with integrity of heart in this dark world.

The True Woman

“The unquestionable authority of God’s Word must be our standard. When we deviate from God’s truth,we lose touch with what is real…

The true woman must push everything through the grid of God’s Word. She must develop a biblical apologetic, or explanation, for every aspect of her life. She must think theologically in order to live faithfully. There is no room for carelessness.

The true woman will theologize rather than psychologize her life. There are three basic theological themes that need to be applied…forming the bedrock for being a true woman: the sovereignty of God, the covenant of grace, and redemption.” - Susan Hunt

The Golden Key! The Golden Thread!

by Octavius Winslow

Jesus is the one great theme both of the Old Testament and the New. The whole Bible is designed to testify of Christ, "You search the Scriptures because you believe they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me!" In Christ the Messiah, in Jesus the Savior, in the Son of God the Redeemer, all the truths of the Bible center. To Him all the types and shadows point! Of Him all the prophecies give witness! While all the glory of the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, culminates at the cross of Christ. The Bible would be an inexplicable mystery apart from Christ, who unfolds and explains it all. He is the one, the golden Key which unlocks the divine treasury of revelation! Until He is seen, the Bible is, in a sense, a great conundrum. But when He is found, it is a glorious revelation; every mystery opened, every enigma explained, every discrepancy harmonized, and every truth and page, sentence and word, quickened with a life and glowing with a light flowing down from the throne of the Eternal God. Christ is the substance of the Gospel. All.... its divine doctrines, its holy precepts, its gracious instructions, its precious promises, its glorious hopes, meet, center, and fill up their entire compass in Jesus. He is the Alpha and the Omega of the Bible, from the first verse in Genesis to the last verse in Revelation. Oh, study the Scriptures of truth with a view of learning Christ.

Do not study the Bible as a mere history.

Do not read it as a mere poem.

Do not search it as a book of science.

It is all that, but infinitely more.

The Bible is the Book of Jesus!

It is a Revelation of Christ!

Christ is the golden thread which runs through the whole! The Old Testament predicts the New; and the New fulfills the Old; and so both unite in testifying, "Truly, this is the Son of God!" Blessed Lord Jesus! I will read and study and dig into the Scriptures to find and learn more of You! You, Immanuel, are the fragrance of this divine box of precious ointment. You are the beauteous gem sparkling in this divine cabinet. You are the Tree of life planted in the center of this divine garden. You are the Ocean whose stream quickens and nourishes all who draw water out of this divine well of salvation. The Bible is all about You!

~

To see scripture as Octavius Winslow did is a dream of mine. To connect every word to the cross and every sentence to eternity is how it should be. To see Christ in every page. To fall more in love with Him upon every reading. "O, Lord, help me to love Your word more each day! Open the eyes of my heart and help me to see You."

Fireflies In The Darkness

Trials make the promise sweet;

Trials give new life to prayer;

Trials bring me to his feet,

Lay me low, and keep me there.

The words above were so sweet and encouraging to me that I just had to share them. I sometimes shudder to think how self-absorbed, shallow and ungodly I would be without divine trials and hardships in my life to help keep me near the Savior. I'm not saying I want trials all the time, but I see the present and eternal value of them. They are life shapers and faith strengtheners. They make God's promises sweeter and my prayers deeper. Like Paul, I hope to one day have the attitude of,

"So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.-2 Corinthians 12:7-9"

Perhaps, O tried soul, the Lord is doing this to develop thy graces. There are some of thy graces which would never be discovered if it were not for thy trials. Dost thou not know that thy faith never looks so grand in summer weather as it does in winter? Love is too often like a glow-worm, showing but little light except it be in the midst of surrounding darkness. Hope itself is like a star--not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity. Afflictions are often the black foils in which God doth set the jewels of his children's graces, to make them shine the better. It was but a little while ago that on thy knees thou wast saying, Lord, I fear I have no faith: let me know that I have faith. Was not this really, though perhaps unconsciously, praying for trials?--for how canst thou know that thou hast faith until thy faith is exercised? Depend upon it, God often sends us trials that our graces may be discovered, and that we may be certified of their existence. Besides, it is not merely discovery, real growth in grace is the result of sanctified trials. God often takes away our comforts and our privileges in order to make us better Christians. He trains his soldiers, not in tents of ease and luxury, but by turning them out and using them to forced marches and hard service. He makes them ford through streams, and swim through rivers, and climb mountains, and walk many a long mile with heavy knapsacks of sorrow on their backs. Well, Christian, may not this account for the troubles through which thou art passing? Is not the Lord bringing out your graces, and making them grow? Is not this the reason why he is contending with you? - Charles Hadden Spurgeon

Where Have All The Theologians Gone...

I don't know why I'm ever surprised that at the same time a theme of thoughts is running through my mind on a certain subject matter, I somehow encounter words in written or spoken form concerning the same thing. God is good like that. That is why the following quote I read this morning freshly provoked and challenged me.

“[As] a matter of plain fact every Christian is a theologian!… By virtue of being born again we have all begun to know God and therefore have a certain understanding of his nature and actions. That is, we all have a theology of sorts, whether or not we have ever sat down and pieced it together. So properly understood, theology is not for a few religious eggheads with a flair for abstract debate—it is everybody’s business. Once we have grasped this, our duty is to become the best theologians we can to the glory of God, as our understanding of God and his ways is clarified and deepened through studying the book he has given for that very purpose, the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16)…[G]etting doctrine right is the key to getting everything else right…[A]t every point right living begins with right thinking.” - Bruce Milne

You see, the reason this was so timely for me, is because I've been thinking A LOT about my generation. Why does it seem that this generation of believers so struggles with getting deep into God's word and staying in love with the Savior? I'm speaking about myself included. And I'm not saying that this is absolutely across the board, but it does seem like our generation is having to fight for faith harder and more often then ever before. I really have been fighting fear recently when thinking about where the churches of our nation will be in twenty years. I've had to lean hard on God and trust His promise to complete the good work in those He has redeemed. Following our flesh comes easy to us. It's following God that is hard. But His grace is sufficient and His burden is light. The earthly pleasures of this world will all be gone one day...it will all be dust. Why then is it so hard to get our lives to reflect our knowledge? Well, for me I do believe the above quote, that "getting doctrine right is the key to getting everything else right...at every point right living begins with right thinking". Even though I've grown up reading God's word and other books on Christian living, I see how I've also squandered precious time that I could have used to immerse myself in "right doctrine". I have failed to fully apply Psalm 1.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." - Psalm 1:1-2

So, all this is to say that I have been: pierced with conviction over not being the theologian God has called me to be; filled with hope that I can grow in that area with God's help; encouraged to be a generation that delights in God's word and inspired to grow into a woman who lives rightly, because I think rightly. Amazing grace, how sweet it is!

Where Dreams Come True!

I'm sorry for the lack of posting over the last few days. My sister and brother-in-law are in town and well, we have been busy. It's wonderful to have them here and spend time with them. Unfortunately, the blog will have a few more days of emptiness. My family is going down to Orlando today and we'll be going to The Magic Kingdom tomorrow! It's so funny how I have been there over and over and over again and yet it never gets old. To be incredibly cheesy...I still feel the magic when I'm standing at the gates and beholding "The Kingdom". The sights and smells all create a nostalgic experience that is unexplainable. I honestly think most of my feelings about the whole thing relate to the times spent there while growing up. My parent's would take my sister, brother and I there quite often and the time spent together and memories made have left a lasting impression. Anyway, sorry to ramble on about my childish excitement, but it's just so fun! So, off I go. I hope everyone is experiencing God's great faithfulness and grace so far this week. Back soon!

Magical . . . . . . . . FUN

Princesses . . . . . . . . . Kingdom

........................... MEMORIES

MiCkEy MoUsE

......................Cotton Candy

....................CASTLE..............................

Music ...............................FOOD

PIRATES .........................................PRINCES

fAMilY

Unload Your Burdens

Whether sin, trials, difficulties, needs, anxieties, fears or whatever the situation, I can say with absolute conviction that all will be well when I place them at the feet of my Heavenly Father. "Lord, thank you for Your unfailing faithfulness. In a world that is either mistrusting of everything or places it's trust in the wrong things, may I place my trust in the only true source of security. Thank you for Your constant kindness to us and for sustaining Your people by Your grace. May I seek to glorify You always. Amen"

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain you" - Psalm 55.22

Is SIN your burden?

What a mighty sin-bearer is Jesus.

“Jehovah has laid on Him the iniquities of us all.”

Cast this burden on Jesus.

Though He bore it all once,

He bears it all afresh in every sin we confess at His feet,

and in every trace of guilt we bring to the renewed cleansing of His blood.

Attempt not to carry your sin a single moment, or a single step–

take it at once in penitence and faith to Jesus;

confess it unreservedly,

and wash afresh in the fountain still open and still accessible to you.

-

Is TRIAL your burden, O my soul?

Jesus is a ‘tried stone,’

and is, therefore, in all respects equal to yours.

He has sent, or has permitted, this trial to befall you,

that you might learn more of this precious tried stone.

The Lord tests the faith of the righteous,

that they might test His faithfulness.

Test His wisdom to guide,

test His strength to sustain,

test His love to bring you through this trial,

even as gold, to the glory of His great name.

-

Perhaps your burden is a DIFFICULTY

which, like a huge stone, stands in your path…

“Is anything too hard for me? says the Lord.”

He can unravel your perplexity,

disentangle you from all your difficulties,

and roll the stone from your path.

Cast this burden upon Him.

-

Is NEED your burden?

What need cannot the Lord supply?

All the resources of Infinity are at His command…

Does He provide for the fowls of the air?

then do you think that He will starve the children of His love?

-

…whatever your burden, cast it in the prayer of faith on the Lord.

Peculiar and heavy though it may be,

His strength and grace and love will sustain you.

Encircled by His almighty arm,

aided by prayer,

upheld by the promises,

strengthened by His grace,

soothed by His sympathy,

and comforted by His Spirit,

you shall not sink, for it is written,

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.”

octavius winslow daily needs, divinely supplied

Glorious Shade

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. - Psalm 121:5-8

Though I have not spent as much time with the Lord lately as I would have liked, I have been overwhelmed with the feeling that I cannot get enough of Him. When the heat of daily life or trials exhausts me, I have been longing for the refreshing shade that can only come from God. God's faithfulness has been bombarding my thoughts and I have often been moved to tears when I consider all He has done for me. I have been convicted that I am not going to God as I ought to be and accepting the provision He has provided. He has been showing me that He longs for His children to take refuge in His shadow. He promises to keep us and be our shade. When we allow Him to be our refuge, the sun will not strike us by day, nor the moon by night. I am hoping to be able to take more advantage of God's kind provision in the days to come. I'm thankful for days when I'd rather be in His presence then anywhere else. It is evidence that there is a God working in this wretched heart of mine! How kind of God!

Not What I Once Was

I am a person who struggles with sin. I am a person who struggles with feelings of condemnation after I sin. I am a person who is not all that I should be. I am a person who is not all I want and hope to be. But...by God's grace, I am not all that I used to be. Though my imperfect walk as a Christian often brings me grief and frustration, I still see God's hand of mercy and grace at work in my life. I am so thankful for God's promise to continue the good work he begins in his children. That promise always gives me courage at the beginning of another day and hope for the future.

I am not what I once used to be! by J. C. Ryle

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

The regenerate man is a holy man. He endeavors . . . to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God, to avoid the things that God hates. His aim and desire is to love God with heart and soul, and mind and strength--and to love his neighbor as himself. His wish is to be continually looking to Christ as his Example as well as his Savior; and to show himself Christ's friend, by obeying whatever He commands. No doubt he is not perfect. None will tell you that sooner than himself. He groans under the burden of indwelling corruption cleaving to him. He finds an evil principle within him constantly warring against grace, and trying to draw him away from God. Yet, in spite of all short-comings, the average bent and bias of . . . his ways is holy; his doings holy; his tastes holy and his habits holy. In spite of all his swerving and turning aside, like a ship going against a contrary wind, the general course of his life is in one direction--toward God and for God. He will generally be able to say, with old John Newton, "I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be in another world.

But still, I am not what I once used to be! By the grace of God, I am what I am!"

"Let none conclude that they have no grace, because they have many imperfections in their obedience. Your grace maybe very weak and imperfect, and yet you may be truly bornagain, and be a genuine son of God and heir of heaven."