“Be still, and know that I am God.”
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“Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
a must read for all who need to rest in the Lord…
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by
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Please bless the author with your comment at the originating blog site.
Blessings, Petra
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I’ve been reading John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress to grandma at the nursing home. The rewards are many!
(Amazing how much I still cherish that great little book! And grandma of course!)
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Equipped with her bible for references, grandma Dot listened intently.
I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked and saw him open the book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, “What shall I do?”
Christian became aware of his great burden and the real danger he was in and thus placed his hope in something other than himself. Christian did not understand it all at first, but not doubting what the book said, he could not help but warn others!
That is how it should be with all true believers, whether they understand it all or not. God’s truth should press all Christians with such urgency that they can’t help but share it.
However, as we shall see, this is not always easy. Christian’s own family and neighbors find his words to be a foolishness–the ramblings of a madman.
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In this plight, therefore, he went home, and restrained himself as long as he could… but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased. Wherefore at length he brake his mind to his wife and children…
At this his relations were sore amazed; not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head.
God had already prepared Christian’s heart through the reading of His Word, but Christian still needed someone to encourage him and to point him in the right direction! Sometimes that is all God asks of us–to show the way and to encourage others! (Even grandma can do this, even from the confines of her room or bed.)
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Now I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as he was wont) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, “What shall I do to be saved?”
I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, and he asked, “Wherefore dost thou cry?”
He answered, “Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment, and I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second.”
Evangelist gave Christian a parchment roll which read, “Fly from the wrath to come,” and pointed him to the light that would direct him to the narrow gate.
“Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.”
As ready and prepared as a heart may be, will it ever be prepared for the opposition and resistance of those it loves most? Grandma Dot would tell you, “No, not ever!” and most readily share her box of tissues!
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So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had not run far from his own door when his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on crying, “Life! life! eternal life!’”
A prepared heart will heed the call of God and run, but not without opposition! We must pray that those who run would not grow weary, that they would stay the course like Christian, who was not swayed, but shared his hope with everyone. (1 Peter 3:15)!
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[Christian]: “Neighbors, wherefore are you come?” They said, “To persuade you to go back with us.” But he said, “That can by no means be: you dwell… in the city of Destruction… and dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone: be content, good neighbors, and go along with me.”
Obstinate: “What,” said Obstinate, “and leave our friends and our comforts behind us!”
Christian: “Yes,” said Christian… “because that all which you forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy.”
Obstinate: “What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?”
Christian: “I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away… Read it so, if you will, in my book.”
Obstinate: “Tush,” said Obstinate, “away with your book; will you go back with us or no?”
Christian: “No, not I,” said the other, “because I have laid my hand to the plough.”
Obstinate: “Come then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him: there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs… wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.”
Obstinate stubbornly adhered to his own attitude and found Christian’s words to be quite foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18). Have we not felt the stone-hard stares and words of many an obstinate person? Grandma Dot sure has. However, Pliable ‘liked’ what he heard!
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Pliable: Then said Pliable, “Don’t revile; if what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart inclines to go with my neighbor.”
Obstinate: “What, more fools still! Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.”
Christian: “Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbor Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it.” Heb. 9: 17-21.
Pliable: “Well, neighbor Obstinate,” said Pliable, “I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him.”
Christian was thrilled to have Pliable come along at last. Pliable wanted to know more of the promises and was more than ready to listen to Christian’s words. (And so was Dot!)
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Pliable: “Come, neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now farther, what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going.”
Christian:” I can better conceive of them with my mind, than speak of them with my tongue: but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my book.”
Pliable: “And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true?”
Isn’t it amazing how so many pliable seekers are ever so ready to believe someone’s words at face value, but need proof that God’s Word is infallible?
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Christian: “Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie.” Tit. 1:2.
How ready Pliable was to hear more and more of the wonderful things! There are indeed may who long for the wonderful things of God! As nice as it is to have some pliable follow us at last, we must be ever so careful that we stay faithful to the Truth!
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Pliable: “Well said; what things are they?”
Christian: “There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever.”
So Pliable continues to ask Christian, what else and what else he might receive, what company he would keep, and how he might enjoy it all. And Christian, glad to have Pliable follow, tells him of all the glories of heaven quite to the ravishing of Pliable’s heart.
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Pliable: “Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things: come on, let us mend our pace.”
Something seemed very lacking with Pliable! Something very important seems to be lacking with many pliable seekers who run after God’s treasures. They seem merely swayed by His promises, while Christians carefully weigh all the costs!
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Christian: “I cannot go as fast as I would, by reason of this burden that is on my back.”
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew nigh to a very miry slough that was in the midst of the plain: and they being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.
Many pliable seekers will accept The Good News but not its great cost. The first real difficulty will bid them to abandon the Truth for more comfortable lies.
What are we to do when this happens? We are to press on! Our pliable seekers will soon find others who will fill their itchy ears with more pleasant ways to obtain the treasures they covet. 2 Timothy 4:3
Evangelizing is dangerous business if we leave out the costs! We cannot and dare not convince pliable seekers of their salvation based only on what makes them feel good. We can’t expect a little prayer to be the fix-all. We can’t let family, friendship, pity, comfort or pride get in the way of God’s truth! We must include the cross, the burden of sin, the death of the flesh and all that is most dear, whatever the cost!
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Pliable: Then said Pliable, “Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?”
Christian: “Truly,” said Christian, “I do not know.”
At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow, “Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey’s end? May I get out again with my life, you shall possess the brave country alone for me.”
The man who loves his life will lose it! John 12:25
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And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the slough which was next to his own house: so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.
Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone…
Thank God that Christian was not left alone for long, and neither are we ever left alone, even if at first it seems as though we are!!
And grandma Dot knows this as she half dozes off and half smiles back at me!
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Thanks for reading,
Petra and grandma Dot
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Source: John Bunyan ~ The Pilgrim’s Progress (selected excerpts of stage 1)
Other posts you might like:
The Burden That Brought Christian to the Cross!
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In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:1
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For this is what the LORD says—
He who created the heavens,
He is God;
He who fashioned and made the earth,
He founded it…
He says:
“I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:18
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And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. Gen 1:31
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The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:15-17
Death? Why so intense a punishment? Let’s back up a bit.
“The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.” Gen 1:2-4
God did not create celestial lights until the fourth day of creation (Gen. 1:14-19). Hence, God’s light was much more than daylight, and this darkness much deeper than the absence of light. God knew this darkness! Adam was commanded not to eat of that one tree lest he should know more than the pinnacle of good–life; lest he should also know the epitome of evil–death!
O, agony of sin!
God looked at everything that He has created, and it was good! God had given Adam one command. Was Adam not good? Yes, Adam was good! However, Adam was good only as long as he remained faithful to His Creator!
It seems clear, right from the very outset, that the quality of the creature was the result of its Creator (not the other way around). Adam was not responsible for his own goodness. God had created him good! Adam was not even responsible for maintaining goodness. I believe God had made perfect provisions to help keep Adam good and safe.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1
However, Adam was responsible to believe and to obey God. “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Yet, Adam chose to believe and obey another! Why?
Jump ahead with me, if you would, to what my pastor calls the bookends of God’s Ten Commandments:
1st Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.”
10th Commandment: “You shall not covet.”
Adam believed someone else more than God, and Adam coveted what he did not have. Were these acts only the prelude to sin, or sin itself? Of course, Adam could not have known the Ten Commandments. Thus, Adam’s sin was his disobedience to God. But what was the root of the problem?
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not covet.”
Adam could not have known any commandments other than the one he was given. But Adam did know his Creator! Adam did know whom he should have believed and obeyed!
Life begins and ends in God! As long as Adam remained in fellowship with his Creator; as long as he valued and believed Him, and was satisfied with Him, he remained sinless. The only possibly remedy for our sin dilemma, then, is that we are totally faithful to and satisfied with our God and His providence!
However, if Adam who was good failed to remain faithful–failed to remain satisfied–failed to obey God–then how on earth could we ever succeed? Adam was good and failed. We’re sinful. We can’t even be faithful to our own best intentions!
If Adam’s descendants could not undo sin or clear their ever-tainted hearts, albeit their rigorous keeping of endless regulations and continuous efforts to make amends, then how on earth shall we? Christ Jesus is our only hope!
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me.” John 6:38
“The next day [John] saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” John 1:29
He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26b
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:18a
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
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Comments and corrections appreciated and needed! Thank you for visiting!
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. Ephesians 4:18
a must read for all who have experienced the stone-hard hearts of false doctrine…
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Blindness
by
Mike Ratliff
Possessing the Treasure
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Please bless the author with your comment at the originating blog site.
Blessings, Petra
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I hope that you’ll enjoy Rick’s newest rendition of this classic hymn.
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14
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Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
William H. Doane, 1832-1915
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Refrain
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Thanks for watching! Wish I could have caught some of the glitches while putting this together. I’ll try to do better next time!
(:
“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee” Genesis 17:7
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O Lord, thou hast made a covenant with me, thy servant, in Christ Jesus my Lord; and now, I beseech thee, let my children be included in its gracious provisions. Permit me to believe this promise as made to me as well as to Abraham. I know, that my children are born in sin, and shapen in iniquity, even as those of other men; therefore, I ask nothing on the ground of their birth, for well I know that “that which is born of the flesh is flesh,” and nothing more. Lord, make them to be born under thy covenant of grace by thy Holy Spirit!
I pray for my descendants throughout all generations. Be thou their God as thou art mine. My highest honor is that thou hast permitted me to serve thee; may my offspring serve thee in all years to come. O God of Abraham, be the God of his Isaac! O God of Hannah, accept her Samuel!
If, Lord, thou hast favored me in my family, I pray thee remember other households of thy people which remain unblest. Be the God of all the families of Israel. Let not one of those who fear thy name be tried with a godless and wicked household, for thy Son Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
~ C. H. Spurgeon, Faith’s Checkbook
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“I think it is true that no Christian is where he ought to be spiritually until that beauty of the Lord Jesus Christ is being reproduced in his daily Christian life… Even though a person has become like Christ, he will not know it, because humility and meekness are also a part of the transformation of true godliness!”
- A.W. Tozer, Day By Day
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Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
Isaiah 26:4
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I hope that you’ll be blessed by my husband’s new rendition of
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by John Stockton 1869
Arranged and performed by Rick Hefner
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Come, every soul by sin oppressed,
there’s mercy with the Lord;
and he will surely give you rest,
by trusting in his Word.
Refrain:
Only trust him, only trust him,
only trust him now.
He will save you, he will save you,
he will save you now.
For Jesus shed his precious blood
rich blessings to bestow;
plunge now into the crimson flood
that washes bright as snow.
(Refrain)
Yes, Jesus is the truth the way
that leads you into rest;
believe in him without delay,
and you are fully blest.
(Refrain)
Come then and join this holy band,
and on to glory go,
to dwell in that celestial land
where joys immortal flow.
(Refrain)
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Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, for of what account is he?
Isaiah 2:22
It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Acts 4:10
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Our transformed lives: what are we to make of good works?
by
Daniel Neades
BetterThanSacrifice.org
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Please bless the author with your comment at the originating blog site.
Blessings, Petra
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“Let missionaries work on patiently, and sow the good seed without fainting. Duties are theirs. Results are God’s.” ~ J.C. Ryle
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When I first learned about unconditional election or predestination, I was a bit stumped. Why should we evangelize if we believe in God’s predetermined election or predestination? No matter how I’ve turned my question, it kept bringing me back to Jesus’ Great Commission. God is faithful despite my confusions and has shown me, in light of His Word, that His election does not negate but compliment missions!
I’ve found to my greatest joy and relief that a much deeper faith in God has replaced my feeble attempts to manipulate people! Knowing that God saves His own has freed me to share the Gospel more patiently, more truthfully, more scriptural, and more lovingly. Since God saves His elect (and not those of my own choosing), there’s hope for ALL because I can’t know whom God has chosen! It leaves no room for presumptions, prejudices, or error!
And it most definitely leaves no room for pride, because my very best work is never sufficient to save a person from his sin and unto life! My most elaborate stories of how I’ve been healed, liberated, or changed can only entertain at best but could never save a sinner. Neither could my best examples be the source of anyone’s salvation! They are the result and not the cause of God’s great Grace! No matter how wonderful my transformed life is becoming, it must needs point away from self and toward Christ, lest it should lead to a faith in works instead of Grace! Christ is the effective source–the only and sufficient source!
To commend none but Christ in His glorious gospel liberates me from the snare of boasting! I no longer have to testify about how good I’ve become. I no longer have to color my testimony with colorful rhetoric, flashy trinkets, or graphic details to make it more appealing or captivating! No, I can now be truthful of my own insufficiency and need for a Savior. I am free to point to all that Christ is, and away from all that I am not! I can now share the Good News of Christ unencumbered and tirelessly!
The truth of God’s sovereignty and election has also freed me to pray for others. I no longer try to manipulate God into capturing the lost! He will leave the ninety-nine and go after His lost sheep! How difficult it was for me to pray for people whose own stubborn wills could refuse God’s will to save them, or render ineffective Christ’s atoning sacrifice! There are no such people! I can now pray for others with greater faith because if God wills them to be saved, they will be saved! It is both safe and kind to pray for anyone and everyone in light of God’s grace, as long as we don’t pretend to know who His elect are!
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