Devotional Classics Unit 1 Chapter 5

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Devotional Classics

Introduction to Spirituality

John of the Cross

Purifying the Soul

John was born in Fantiveros, Castile Spain in the year 1542.  He was enrolled at the Carmelite College in Salamanca where he studied philosophy and theology.  Ordained in 1567 he impressed Teresa of Avila with his rigorous lifestyle and leadership ability.  He started several new orders with her guidance.

      His leadership and writing lent themselves to the Catholic Reform, for which he was arrested and confined.  Because of his suffering and commitment, he was called John of the Cross.  During his confinement he wrote The Dark Night of the Soul which describes God's work in the soul as one not contained in joy and light but rather by sorrow and darkness.  The dark night of the soul has become an integral part of the understanding of the spiritual journey even today.

Smith and Foster selected The Dark Night of the Soull to excerpt for this book on spiritual development which uses the following topical headings:

1. To Purify the Soul
2. Secret Pride
3. Attached to the Feelings
4. Three Causes
5. Saints in a Day
6. Beyond the Limits of Moderation
7. Weary With Spiritual Exercises
8. God Works Passively

     The Bible selection is approtriately Psalm 42(here HCSB)

As a deer longs for streams

of water,

so long I for You, God.

I thirst for God, the living God.

When can I come and appear before God?

My tears have been my food

day and night,

While all day lohng people say

to me,

"Where is your God?"

I remember this as I pour out

my heart:

how I walked with many,

 to the house of God,

with joyful and thankful shouts.

Why am I so depressed?

Why this turmoil within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will still

praise Him,

my Savior and my God.

I am deeply depressed;

therefore I remember You from the

land of Jordan

and the peaks of Hermon, from

Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep in the roar of

Your waterfalls;

all Your breakers and Your billows

have sweprt over me.

The LORD will send His faithful

love by day;

His song will be with me in the

night--

a prayer to the God of my life.

I will say to God, my rock,

"Why have You forgotten me?

Why must I go about in sorrow

because of the enemy's oppression?"

My adversaries taunt me,

as if crushing my bones,

while all day long they say to me,

"Where is your God?"

Why am I so depressed?

Why is this turmoil within me?

Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him,

my Savior and my God.

     As the Psalmist asks, "Why am I so depressed", even we are encouraged to know that God is working within our souls at times like this to purify our soul that we may grow deeper and more mature spiritually.

     Of the seven capital sins:  pride, greed, luxury, wrath, gluttony, envy and sloth, I find myself dealing most often with pride and wrath.  The pride comes, just as John says, when I am feeling the center of God's attention. I begin to think that I deserve His blessing and that the people around me should naturally realize my great spiritual bearing.  When this pride then begins to interfere, and it always does, with my submission to God's will for me and my obedience to His plan for me and those with whom I seem destined to relate His love, then God removes me from the realization of His manifested grace and Spirit so that I become angry.  Angry with God and those about me who should know better than to rob me of my just desserts.

     Of course, one of my most obvious sins is sloth, I do just love to sit and think about almost anything and nearly always nothing.

     But then I think that perhaps this sloth as I have called it is more of a dark night of the soul as John of the Cross calls it.  But not quite.  I know God is working in my life and accomplishing His will all about.  I often think that I have been left out of the loop on many of the things I see going on around me.  Many times the reason for this is that I have just sequestered myself from the action and the center of planning.  I have chosen to be uninvolved and I have decided to take the time off and wait for the more fitting time and effort to involve myself.  On the other hand, once a while back in my youth, I was on a Vacation bible School trip.  It was the end of the week of two-a-day VBSchools, along with some door knocking for the church where we were staying, and on the Friday evening we were gathered together in the sanctuary, listening to our lead sponsor speak to us concerning some deep Biblical truths.  Many around me were becoming enthusiastically involved and getting louder and louder as youth often do when things are exciting.  I kept thinking to myself that here I was, one of the leaders of the group and yet I could hardly keep my eyes open much less feel the building Spirit in the air.  I was, God forbid, bored--no more than bored I was alone in a crowd of singing laughing, hugging, praying friends.  Some began to move out of the sanctuary and apparently a few moved toward the sidewalk and street of a busy residential neighborhood.  Here they clowned and clapped and hollered at passing cars, "Jesus loves You!" until the neighborhoods apparently complained or the local gendarme drove by and noticed the commotion.  In the meantime many of us were moving about on the inside of the building and when those who were outside were brought crying and wailing into our midst by-AVAST!-the cops, well to say the least, bedlam began to break loose.   The fact that one of our own sponsors was a Canine officer with the Lubbock PD made little difference and even brought the accusation that he of all people should know better--What did we think we were doing in this church anyway?!  
      This is when it dawned on me, what with all the fooferaw, that God had used the advent of a dark night for me to prepare me to be ready to appear calm and collected that the young friends who were beginning to see chinks in our armor and fret aloud and nervously, so they might be inspired to follow me into the basement and away from the center of the excitement so that we could pray and the adults could confer without having to stop and deal with wild eyed and panting youth.  Soon we were summoned back to the fellowship hall of the place where we learned that all was well and we need not worry, just stay away from the street and do not be yelling at passing cars or yelling period.

     I think we can see that John of the Cross believes that God often, perhaps more often, uses that feeling that we are alone and devoid of goodness and blessing to call to our attention the thing that He needs for us to focus on that we might be ready, willing, prepared and able to do the unexpected thing He has for us to do.   Or it may be that God is working on our soul to prepare it to accept the yoke of submission and obedience, correction and guidance that only the the humble heart is able to perceive and receive.  The dark night of the soul is necessary for us to be focused on the refreshing nature of God.

     John of the Cross mentions several virtues, humility, simplicity, contentment, peace, moderation, joy and strength.  Although I would like to think that I have a full cup of all of these I notice that many times, contentment seems to escape me more than the rest.  I am sure that this relates to the more prevalent sins in my life where rather than  reaching for God's Grace, though I could not touch it for trying, I reach for God's bullhorn and expect others to notice that 'I am the chosen one today'.  Naturally people don't really want to hear braggadocio, and when they turn that deaf ear, then I lose contentment with myself as I realize that I am placing myself above others rather than in loving service to others.

     An alarming suggestion here by the editors is that we abandon for one week the devotion(s) in which we have become so habitual(?!) thereby perhaps revealing to ourselves that hidden Demon, such as the performance trap, pride in spiritual works, religious addiction,  judging of the less missional than you.  Rather, relax and realize God loves you and is really wanting to communicate with YOU.

     I am going to try to learn the discipline of Gratitude--to be thankful for the simple things and to receive those things that God has ready for me.

     Reading what Richard Foster reflects for us, I am reminded of a time when a motivational speaker was stating that we must have some sort of release in our lives and relating that his was 'the blues'.  The blues of course, to be composed, need someone who has experienced the blues.  The best blues songs are those wherein the singer is conveying some heartfelt condition of his life that somehow seems to sweep us up into the moment and allows us to see ourselves in that role so described and at the same time allow us to see that even though we might experience some such bluesy bump, we have the hope of surviving and even overcoming whatever comes our way.  In the same way God uses the Dark Night of the Soul to purify our souls from pride, greed, luxury, wrath, gluttony, envy and sloth and imbue us with humility,  simplicity, contentment,  peace,  moderation,  joy, and strength.

Have a blessed week!

Devotional Classics Unit One Chapter Four

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Devotional Classics

Frances de Sales

One True Devotion

     Frances de Sales was born in 1567 to a noble family in the Castle of Sales.  He attended Jesuit school and learned the classics, Hebrew, Greek, and a life of discipline.  After training in the law and the humanities he was ordained a priest in 1591.  He soon became the Bishop of Geneva.  He was a prolific writer combining spiritual depth and ethical concern which makes him distinctive as a leader of the church.  His use of metaphorical descriptions of common nature to unveil spiritual truth led many to consider him one of the "doctors of the western church".

Smith and Foster selected his Introduction to the Devout Life to inspire us in our search for true devotion.

The topics of this excerpt are:

1. Only One True Devotion
2. Phantoms of Devotion
3. Spiritual Agility
4. The Fire of Charity
5. The World Distorts Holy Devotion
6. They Change It Into Honey
7. Spiritual Sugar
8. Various Degrees of Charity
9. Angelic Hearts
10. The Scent of Sweetness
11. Every Vocation Dipped in Honey
12. Someone to Lead You

     Today's scripture reading is found in Romans 13:8-10, which is titled in my HCSB: 

     Love Our Primary Duty 

and reads 

Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.   The commandments

You shall not commit adultery,

you shall not murder,

you shall not steal,

you shall not covet,  

and if there is any other commandment--all are summed up by this:  You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Love does no wrong to a neighbor.  Love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the law.   

     Investigating my devotional life I find that I love reading scripture, and some writers of commentary, theology and sermons.  I do this early in my day while sitting alone and quiet.  I try to always give thanks before a meal, and enjoy involving myself in prayer groups.  One of my favorite avocations is preparing and teaching Bible Studies.  I also attend worship service and Bible Study.  One thing I think I more than most enjoy is discussing the nuances of God's word, how that affects my life and the lives of others and whether we are realizing as much of what the word has for us or are we limiting God's power by selective hearing.

    

     One of my more egregious lack of devotions is the one where I head out and think, 'I wonder who God would have me relate His love to today...", and find myself focusing largely on the task at hand so that I might return home and continue some chore I have planned.

     One of the metaphors de Sales uses to describe the phases of our devotion is the flight or lack thereof of three birds.  the ostrich of course does not fly and so is used to analogize the new christian, or one who is still struggling with unanswered questions of duty and responsibility, one who is focused primarily with everyday life.  The hen describes one who has begun to find answers and to occasionally discover that God is attainable by correct focus.  The eagle, dove and swallow then represent those who have been able to time and again respond to God's word in a positive manner with a positive attitude and realize the positive aspects of a life devoted  to God.  

     I find myself living mostly as a clumsy hen, and sometimes, though less frequently as I go along, hide my head in the sand, neglecting the very thing which I would find is necessary for me to experience the Spirit filled life.  I have, and yearn to do so more often, been swept away in a fervor for God that can best be described as soaring the heights.

     Oftentimes a non-believer sees a devout person talking the talk and walking the walk, and figures there goes a fool or someone with a guilt to work off or hypocrite with a hidden agenda.  What the non-believer does not see is the common factors both he and the devout person have in their daily life along with the gentle encouragement and sustenance of the Holy Spirit.  The rationale of the world is 'me first' and whatever is left over might be available to go to some other poor sap.  What is definitely missed by the non-believer is the strengthening and divine blessing which a devout person experiences in the sacrifice of devotion to God, His purpose and will and glorification.

     Religious devotion can be harmful if the divinity to which one is devoted is a false sum, self absorbed, man defined entity rather than the true premise which is a loving, exacting, yet forgiving God.  When religious devotion is focused on love, joy, peace,  patience, goodness, kindness, perseverance, gentleness and self control, then God becomes manifest and fulfilling and thereby edified and glorified in the devout persons life.

     Prayer, Bible reading, solitude, evangelism, fellowship, service, worship:  all work together to strengthen my faith and witness to others that God is faithful and worshipful. 

     I will work to be better at responding to God in a positive way.

     I will look for and make opportunities to be kind to a neighbor.

     I will utilize my accountability partner to the best of our abilities.

     I will share the joy of devotion with those who do not know God with the intent of dispelling the idea that 'churchies' are sour pusses, and mean.

     Richard Foster explains that if we will learn that love means doing good to all people.  If we have true devotion  then we will burn in our hearts for that relationship with God that is most satisfying and strengthens us to serve even unkind and mean spirited people.

    

Devotional Classics Unit 1: Chapter 3

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Devotional Classics
Preparing for the Spiritual Life Jonathan Edwards
Engagement of the Heart

     Edwards was born in Connecticut in1703 and died in 1758.  A Congregationalist, he was key to the Great Awakening in America.  He was educated at Yale and pastor at a church for twenty three years.  He was missionary to the Indians at Stockbridge until he was named president of Princeton Universtiy in 1758.  Edwards, the Father of Liberalism, embraced egalitarianism, fair play and Divine intent.  He believed the Christian experience was a gift of God and spent his time and effort working out how we define that experience and discern the Holy Spirit.  A central them throughout his writings revealed his thought that religious "affections"  were the passions by which we are motivated to act.

 

     This devotion is an excerpt from his Religious Affections.  The topics herein referred are:

1. Engagement of the Heart
2. Holy Affection
3. The Exercising of the Will
4. The Spring of Action
5. A Heart Deeply Affected
6. True Religion
7. Participation in the Blessings
8. A Pleasing and Acceptable Sacrifice
9. Missing from the Lukewarm

The Bible selection this week is Deuteronomy 10:12-22 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you except to fear the Lord your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, and to worship the lord your God with all your heart and all your soul?  Keep the Lord's commands and statutes I am giving you today, for your own good.  The heavens, indeed the highest heavens, belong o the Lord your God, as does the earth and everything in it.  Yet the Lord was devoted to your fathers and loved them.  He chose their descendants after them--He chose you out of all the peoples, as it is today.  Therefore, circumcise your hearts and don't be stiff-necked any longer.  For the Lord your God is the  God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and taking no bribe.  He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreign resident, giving him food and clothing.  You also must love the foreigner, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt  You are to fear the Lord your God and worship Him.  Remain faithful to Him and take oaths in His name.  He is your praise and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome works your eyes have seen.  Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy people in all. and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of the sky.

     The 'spring of our actions', the source of our motivations are our affections, the basic emotions that cause us to act.  They affect us in a way that we are bodily, mentally, emotionally, or soulfully triggered to some sort of action.  These affections put us into such a state that our normal or usual and natural behaviours are affected, changed. 

     When I was just out of high school, I thought to myself, I should go and see if I do not think and feel a bit more like my other grandparents and family, those from a different denomination side of my family.  Well being things as they were I made it halfway and just quit attending church very often(and never attended the other church).  I soon learned that most people you run into out there in the secular world do  not want anything to do with a born again, Bible believing, this is who I am type of person.  Many would rather be left alone, some will even take your conversation and lifestyle as a challenge and try  to steer a person off their stated course, while most of the others have already established a personal relationship with God, and they do not figure they are in need of being spiritually coiffed, manicured and pedicured by someone whom they know very little of their spiritual background.  Those who are congenial to the Christian perspective are few and far between.  All this to say the one who trusts in God and Jesus must have as a part of his daily walk the opportunity to think and call on those he knows are of like mind, belief,  and spirit, else his walk becomes difficult and discouraging to say the least.  So the lesson, here, is that when God affects you to move, you need to go wholeheartedly with what He is leading you to do.  Today, I have set out on somewhat a similar journey, but hopefully am affected enough to go and with my wife find that church home to which we both can belong and enjoy the fellowship of each other's company in a common church where we develop relationships and friendships with people who love and respect us both for what we have to offer and the fact that God has brought us into their company.  I have some confidence in this because my wife remarked that she would like us to find a church to attend, the church I was attending was in one of its better humors, and even the preacher began a sermon about Abram and God's call to him to go to a place He would show him.  So even now we are enjoying each other's company and the followup conversations that go with the exploration of God's word in a Godly place together.

     A few years ago I had started attending once again regularly my original church and joined in some of the ministry and Bible study along with the worship and fellowship.  Suddenly circumstances were such that I felt compelled, affected to act, and I moved to the church where I now am a member.  This was not the easiest thing in the world for me, but the fear, worry, and discomfort I may have felt at the new circumstances were quickly overcome by a renewed sense of purpose, a growing number of new like minded friends and the feeling that I had reacted honestly, truthfully and correctly to God's affect on me through earlier mentioned half followed (by me) leads, emotionally difficult travels to the current church of the time, and those circumstances from completely outside the context of church which became in a sense the last straw.

     It would seem then that the affections of God are those things He requires of us.  Those things He expects of us.  Those things He would have us to do in order to be assured of His will acknowledged and accomplished in our life and usually in such a way as to affect others to the same.  This is the glorification of and submission to God our Father.  According to the scripture reference the requirements, the affections God gives us, that when we resist, ignore, or flat deny we become frustrated even embittered, are to 'fear God', 'walk in His way', 'love Him', and 'be sincere in our efforts of, for and toward Him'; which, if we will do these things then we will be in a better perspective, and mental frame, and condition of heart to receive the good things of God.

     Edwards lists nine affections which Scripture encourages us to experience to ownership.  The Godly  affections are:  holy fear, hope, love, holy desire, joy, religious sorrow, gratitude, compassion, and zeal.   I note in passing Edwards has enumerated the same number as there are Fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-26.   I myself have felt and recognized each of these affections.  Today the most noticeable ones to me in my life are hope, love and gratitude.  I have felt otherwise at other times and would love for a new bout with joy, holy desire, compassion, and zeal. 

     As I look through my days I notice that many times I seem to be motivated by meanness and selfishness such as greed or lust.  On the other hand I am sometimes affected, and joyfully so, by compassion and gratitude.

     One of the  affections of God I would have grow larger and larger in me is Holy Desire.  I say this because I have known on occasion what it means to immediately personally and personally obviously realise God's presence, love and, pleasure with me.  I am sometimes swept up in the modern, or is it post modern, thought that, "I can do absolutely nothing to effect the realization of God's presence".  Which I believe is more intended as a statement of God's hard resistance to a prideful conjurer.  On the other hand, God has always,  and does and will forever respond to the humble, compassionate and sincere request.  This is why I believe it is okay to seek to do God's will.  God's will being love, and to seek to do love cannot be any other than the thing which will reveal God in all His glory.  We will explore this further in the next lesson by Frances de Sales.

     God has done so many things for me it is hard to start a list, but looking to the fruit of the spirit I see a starting place:

When I was alone, He became my friend.

When I was sad, He filled me with joy.

When I was anguished, He gave me peace.

When I was insufferable, He showed me patience.

When I was gruff, He returned to me gentleness.

When I was bad, He was good to me.

When I was doubtful, He showed faith in me.

When I was selfish, He taught me meekness.

When I was wild, proud and rude, He stabilized my foundation.

God has been very good to me.

     I will worship God this week.  I will be in solitude with Him.  I will begin earlier and stay later at my worship of and with Him.  God's power and humility is best summed up in this:  John 18 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)  John 18:1-12

After  Jesus had said these things, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and He and His disciples went into it.  Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with His disciples.  So Judas took a company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and the Pharisees and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to Him,  went out and said to them, "Who is it you're looking for?" "Jesus the Nazarene," they answered.  "I am He,"  Jesus told them.  Judas, who betrayed Him, was also standing with them.  When He told them, "I am He," they stepped back and fell to the ground.  Then He asked them again, "Who is it you're looking for?""Jesus the Nazarene," they said. "I told you I am [He]," Jesus replied. "So if you're looking for Me, let these men go."  This was to fulfill the words He had said: "I have not lost one of those You have given Me." Then Simon  Peter,  who had a sword,  drew it, struck the high priest's  slave, and cut off his right ear. (The slave's name was Malchus.) At that, Jesus said to Peter, "Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup  the Father has given Me?" Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up.

God is powerful and humble at the same time.  O worship the King, lift up His name with Hossannahs and Hallelujahs!

     Richard Foster's Reflection reminds us that Edwards encourages us to understand that the intellect and passion are friends not enemies.  Tough enough to be tender, delving with the mind the depth of the heart.  Brainy and visceral worship of God.  True objectivity will unveil our passion.  Our spiritual life begs our commitment, and our commitment flows from our affection.

Where are your affections? 

    

    

Devotional Classics Review Unit One Chapter 2

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Devotional Classics

Preparing for the Spiritual Life

Dallas Willard

The Cost of Nondiscipleship

       Willard, a fatherly contemporary of many of today's readers, was born in Buffalo Missouri in 1935.  A career in academics lead him to embrace Husserlian Phenomenology, or systematic reflectiona and analysis of conciousness and the phenomena that derive thereby.  He taught at University of Wisconsin and is presently at the University of Sourthern California.
       He is distinguished as a philosopher and has over thirty publications.  He is a man of great faith and Christian conviction, who by editor R. foster's personal observation is able to share great Gospel truths with ordinary folk in a conversational manner.
       The selection for this weeks devotional comes from an appendix to his book The Spirit of the Disciplines.

Six sections include topics as follows:

1. Discipleship For Super Christians Only
2. Undiscipled Disciples
3. Great Omissions from the Great Commission
4. Discipleship Then
5. Discipleship Now
6. The Cost of Nondiscipleship

       The Bible reading is from Mathew 28:16-20 The Great Commission The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountaiin where Jesus had directed them.  When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted.  Then Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

       When I was young, and as life would have it, alone for the first time in my life, God saw to it that I had compassionate people in my life to lead me into Bible study in a very loving and patient way so that I remained open to the blessings He had in store for me.  I say I was alone for the first time for I had up to that time had a constant companion in the form of my older brother, Tommy.  He guarded me and taught me and helped nourish me and entertained me, but alas he was taken from me very violently and abruptly via a boating accident.  I was distraught.  I was beside myself.  I was afraid.  I was angry.  I was ready to go where he was, wherever that might be.  I was lost.  My parents were sad and hurt.  My grandparents and my Great Uncle and Aunt  who most conveniently lived right next door, as well as many others, were attentative, ready and willing to respond to my plight with Bible stories and reading on a regular basis.  My aloneness was a little of my own thinking, and eventually I heard and understood that I must at some point allow Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour, at least that is what we called it, and I still do today, if I wanted to leave my angst and fear and dismay behind.        So one day, during a pause while by myself, I asked Jesus to be just that for me, Lord and Saviour.  I then, led by the Spirit, went into the next room and told my grandparents what had just transpired and they told me I should go and tell others about this development in my life.  I protested that we lived out in the country miles from anyone, reminding them how small I was, and that there were no others to tell.  So they pointed out that there might be someone next door at my home whom would like to hear such news.  Immediately it dawned on me that momma would want to know and be glad to hear it!  So scampering as a child of my size would I ran out the front door onto the porch, as I flew down the steps to the yard, not stopping for breath nor sight I was enraptured in the hand of my Saviour on my shoulder, hearing Him say to me those very words, "Lo I am with you alway."

      Today I know many churches are introducing the youngsters of their membership and even older folks, to some of these very principles, Bible Study, Evangelism, Fellowship, Prayer, et al, in classes designed to help the hopeful understand what it is they are asking God to do.  My only contrary thought here is that perhaps the vernacular should be to help them understtand what it is that God has done that they only need to accept and admit in humility, publicly.
   
    It does seem that today we focus a lot, and maybe that is changing, on making people the seed while leaving them on the hard ground or rocky soil or amongst the weeds, without encouraging them directly and obviously, that becoming saved is a matter of following Jesus.  Part of following Jesus is, especially as infants in Christ, finding the best environment for germinating seed, then sprouting into sunlight quickly, growing roots for the encouragement to grow in Christian stature, and responding to the climate and weather of life so that our trunks and stems are strengthened to hold the flower,  and the  pith  and pit of our Lord and Saviour's fruit.  For it can be mighty to signal and save others.  But God has chosen us to be vessels of communication and training for others.  Step on up!  Be Saved!  (Be disciplined!) 

     As I have grown into adulthood, and beginning with those early stories and parables, I have found some whom I admired and would be like if I could.  Of course there were the mighty men of God who stood faithful, oftentimes unflingchingly facing the most incredulous of situations.  Stephen comes to mind, Samson in the end, and David of course.  I have always tried to hear my Lord and respond to his usually gentle message while striving to understand Ephesians 6:10-20 and Galations 5:22-26.  From the pages of more recent history are George Washington, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, or Winston Churchill and Mahatma Ghandi.  To emulate these I practrice honesty, courage, studiousness, egalitarianism and gentleness. Out of my contemporary life I would have been the next Bob Lilly or Tom Landry and while young and excitable I strove to be physically adept to the most stringent and active and alert bodily edifications.   

     Of course, in all things we must remember who has made us and to whom we return, and what it is He would have us to be and do.  As I alluded to earlier one of the first fruits I realized was abiding peace.  When I have forgotten that most important thing, to remember Jesus, it has cost me:

1. Abiding peace during great tumult
2. Life penetrated by love in a self centered society
3. Faith that sees everything in the light of God's goodness in a duplicitous world
4. Hopefulness in the face of frustration
5. The power to do right and stand firm in the face of evil

     Not having clairvoyance I can only guess that one of the things that might happen in my life today if I were able to completely focus on God and his intents and will and blessings in my life would be a lessening of worry and an increase of enthusiasm as well as the realization that God has the power and energy,  knowledge and wisdom, compassion and patience to accomplish all that He desires.  
 To remedy my frustration, I need to rely on God to heal me into wholesomeness by focusing on and training a yearning for peace, love, faith, hopefulness, power, and abundance of life.

I will love my enemies by praying for them, blessing those who curse me, and walking the second mile with an oppressor.
(this will not be easy!)

I will study the Bible(esp Matthew) to see what all it is that God would have me to be and do in order to be more like the loving forgiving One He is and wants for me to be.

     Richard Foster reflects that without discipline the convert to Christianity is just a member of a social club and is in effect helping rob the church of the nutrients it needs to foster lovingkindness and outreach.  He further states that we must intend to come under the tutelage of Christ and follow through with that intention.  We must live his life, not just mimic it.
Prayer, solitude, simplicity, and service will help us to follow in The Way.

I want to sing, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His marvelous grace."  Sing with me...
   

Devotional Classics Review: Unit One, Chapter One:

Renovare
Devotional Classics
Preparing for the Spiritual Life
Introduction


Foster and Smith begin the book, Devotional Classics, with an introductory and preparatory group of eight selections on spiritual development. The authors they have chosen are not given to cliche or the easy road. They know that God is not a god of half measures.

Phrases such as 'true devotion', 'complete surrender', 'a will which is no longer diveded', and 'giving all to Christ' tell us that we are going to be taught the true menaing of devotion to God. We will be taught to love god not only with the mind but with the affections as well. To 'love God for God's sake' with the aim of loving self for God's sake reminds us that love is of God. We will also be enlightened to the necessity of the 'dark night'.

Grace, while free is not cheap. Discipleship costs us everything, but the cost of nondiscipleship is far greater: Nondiscipleship costs abiding peace, a life penetrated throughout by love, faith that sees everything in the light of God's overriding governance for good, hopefulness that stands firm in the most discouraging of circumstances, poe=wer to do what is right and withsatand the forces of evil....'

With one voice these writers, de Sales, Fenelon, Lewis, Edwards, Clairvaux, John of the Cross, and Bonhoeffer unveil the cost of discipleship is far better bargain than the cost of nondiscipleship.

C. S. Lewis

Giving All to Christ

Lewis was born in 1898 in Ireland. He taught meieval literature at Oxford as a Fellow of Magdalen College. At the age of 33 he was in his own words 'surprised by joy' when he became a disciple of Christ. He hung out with J. R. R. Tolkien, author of Lord of the Rings. C. S. Lewis himself wrote The Screwtape Letters, in the 1940's he deliverd many talks on radio concerning topics of Christianity which yielded his book Mere Christianity which is the source of the selection for this devotional.

Topic titles included in this selection are
1. How Much of Myself Must I Give?
2. Two Results
3. Harder and Easier
4. The Most Dangerous Thing
5. The Almost Impossible Thing
6. Listening to that Other Voice
7. The Reason the Church Exists
8. Becoming a Part of the Plan

The Scripture used is from Luke 14:25-33(quoted here from the HCSB)

Now great crowds were traveling with Him. So He turned ansd said to them: "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father nad mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, and even his own life--he cannot be My disciple. Whoever coes not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn;t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, after he has laid the foundaation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers wilol begin to make fun of him, saying, "This man started to build and wasn't able to finish."

Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with 10,000 to oppose the one who comes against him with 20,000? If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

In the same way, therefore, every one of you who doe3s not say good-bye to all his possessions cannot be My disciple.

The most difficult area of my life to give to God, I have found, is letting go of my independence. Especially in a capitalist society we are encouraged to think as independent, responsible members of the human race. Workers who have earned their stripes. This thought plays at the back of my mind as well as in every intention. I find it most difficult to say, "God, it is all yours, and whatever you place in front of me I will thank you for and receive.

If Jesus were to come to me and say, "I want all, not so much your time or money or behaviour--I want you..."I would feel that perhaps He really did not know me that well, or that He must mean when I have time pr am ready to go forward with Him.

Many times I have thought, "Tomorrow is another day and the conditions will be so much better then", only to realize tomorrow is pretty much like today, just a little further down the time line, and gathering a list of undone intentions. The only time I have taken the 'Easy road' and it worked out for the actual ease and betterment of myself and those about me is when I believed that what Jesus wanted, and not that it made 'sense' or seemed like the easy way, was the very thing that needed to be done. Taking that road has very seldom been a road of ease or not frought with some mystery or care, but has always had the effect of growing my faith and trust in God by the knowledge and understanding that God was there and in actuality doing the thing that scared me most, so that His purposes were accomplished.

When I have tried to be morally good for the purpose of personal happiness I have often missed the real happiness(joy) that God has in store for me for being faithful and trusting. The problem with an aim of personal happiness is that some things I have learned make me happy are really very fleeting and can build frustration rather than comfort and joy. Personal happiness often runs at odds with moral behaviour and moral behaviour is very nearly always an on again off again activity muddled by the circumstances and environment in which I might find myself.

Some of the reasons I fear giving myself completely to God are that I want to fit in with the mass of humanity about me. I really want to be understood but not a sore thumb, or a stick in the mud. The area I find most difficult to surrender is that point when after striving to accomplish some 'good' I find that I am rejected, and as a reject then I think rebellion might be the best followup. So submitting to the clear apparency of God's Will when I have, by my own effort, been thwarting that Will, is the most difficult time for me to surrender--I must be victorious or else! I have sometimes been so keen on accomplishment that I do not realize that God is accomplishing His Will all about me. When I finally realize that God is in control I take the burden of that realization and hold onto it so that I might placate my ego with a 'reason' for its bruising. It is when I see that God loves me and wants me in this or that line, in the mentre of His blessings, realizing it is His fruit, fruit that He freely gives to the one who trusts Him, that the burden is relieved.

One of the ways I avoid this frustration is to check myself at the break of day and allow God's Will to override me and follow in the Way.

Richard Foster reflects that we become aware of God's Way as the Super HighWay that it is when we begin to change and transform into that being that He would have us to be, As humans in a world frought with peril and competition and at odds endeavours we naturally become defensive. Walls and shields and isolation become the norm along with hurry and worry and grasping in greed. But when we pause and reflect, studying the One who gave His all that we might become more than we could possibly imagine, then we mysteriously begin to become at first calm , then encouraged, and eventually at peace.

Devotional Classics

Preparing Spiritually

Intro to Devotional Classics from the Renovare Institute

Renovare

Devotional Classics

Richard Foster and Bryan Smith

Introduction

Beginning a couple of weeks behind seems to fit my modus operandi, but on we go. Bryan Smith has edited many of the classical devotional writers from antiquity to modern late Twentieth Century. The reasoning for this undertaking is to help the post modern person grasp the continuity and unchanging nature of God. One, by reclaiming the original meaning of the words devotional-'writings that aim at the transformation of the human personality'-and classic-'that many people over a sustained period of time have drawn strength from its insight...'. And then to make available, in one tome the resources of these accepted great theologians and writers for the modern reader to use as a convenient weekly devotional with exercises for individuals and groups and a meditation by Richard Foster in each chapter.

We are to read with the heart, slowly meditatively, without expectation of the cliched, but rather intending the lectio divina. I will not publish the selections in toto(only each chapter's scripture passage in HCSB) but rather attempt to summarize the weeks devotion with my answers to the questions found at the end of each chapter. I hope to give service to the unique character of the book, to the reader of this blogspace, and to myself as I try to utilize, develop and grow the talents God has given me, the resources He has provided me, and the blessing of His love.

The book is divided into seven major sections:

Preparing for the Spiritual Life
The Prayer Filled Life
The Virtuous Life
The Spirit Empowered Life
The Compassionate Life
The Word Centered Life
The Sacramental Life.

The first is a preparatory section with six topical sections following.

The author mentions that he has on occasion modernized the text of the original archaic words and syntax so that modern readers may have an ease and comfort in perusing the writings. He has of course endeavoured to maintain the meaning and message of the origianl author's apparent intent.

He also thanks Lynda Graybeal for her countless hours of prayerful editing of this work to ensure these words from the past might speak to today's reader.

Test celfonmes

To every thing its time

Ecclesiastes 3

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

So we begin a new study of God's word where I will be reading and meditating on some writings from the classics of such esteemed authorities as Augustine, John Wesley, C.S. Lewis and even Dallas Willard, to name just a few. These writers are gathered together in digest form in the book titled Devotional Classics from the Renovare' Group(Renovare.org). I will undertake to use the Exercises and Reflections sections of each chapter as well as the scripural references to write here. So you will be tortured, entertained or bored by my commentary rather than just enl;ightened purely from the straight cannon of God's word as has been the case with the last group of posts I have made on this blog.

lnk to correct site

Ichabod Crane today @ this link

For those who came here from

aintsobad please click the title above link and read or click nothing else...you are forewarned! Humor intended.

God's Promise Concerning Work, Worry and Worship

The Bible Promise Book
Work, Worry, Worship
Barbour Publishing 1990

Work

Genesis 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Genesis 2:15 And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.

Deuteronomy 28:12 The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand....

2 Chronicles 15:7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 31:21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 6: 28-29 Then they said unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

John 17:4-5 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

1 Corinthians 15:55-58 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Colossians 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2Thessalonians 3:6-13 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Hebrews 6:10-11 ...God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.

Psalm 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Worry

Phillipians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength , a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.

Phillipians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Jeremiah 17:8 For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things; But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Psalm 9:9-11 The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the Lord, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.

Psalm 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honour him.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Worship

Psalm 66:4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.

Psalm 95:6-7 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 99:9 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy.

Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea..., behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Revelation 4:10-11 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Psalm 86:9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

Revelation 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Luke 4:6-8 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get the behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Matthew 8:2-3 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him , saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Daniel 3 : 16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Psalm 7:17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.

Revelation 11:16-17 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Success, Trust from the Bible Promise Book

The Bible Promise Book
Success, Trust
Barbour Publishing 1990

Success

Proverbs 15:6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.

Proverbs 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

Deuteronomy 30:9 And the Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the Lord will again rejoice over thee for good: as He rejoiced over thy fathers:...

Isaiah 30:23 Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him to power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.

Psalm 112 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Deuteronomy 28:11-13 And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day to observe and to do them:...

2 Peter 1:2-8 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 8:18-19 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Deuteronomy 11:15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.

2 Peter 3:8-18 ...beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Psalm 128:2 For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

Isaiah 65:21-23 And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of the water, that bringeth forth his fruit on his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Deuteronomy 28:2-6 And all blessing shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Trust

Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Psalm 84 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalm 37:3-5, 39-40 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.... the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Psalms 3:3-8 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.

Luke 12:24-40 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Matthew 6:31-32 Therefore take ye no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

1 Peter 5:5b-11 ...God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Psalm 40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

Psalm 125 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.

God Promises Freedom and Redemption from Sin and Freedom from Slander and Reproach

The Bible Promise Book
Freedom from Sin, Redemption from Sin, Slander and Reproach
Barbour Publishing 1990
Freedom from Sin

Ezekiel 36:25-28 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away your stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.

Acts 10:34-43 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Romans 5:19-6:23 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Like-wise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Redemption from Sin

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins...

1 John 2:1-2 ...And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Gather, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 Peter 2:21, 24 ...but Christ...Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Isaiah 53:5-6 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep are gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Ephesians 1:5-10 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father...

Hebrews 9:24-10:15 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Matthew 26:26-28 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Slander and Reproach

Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

1 Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Psalm 57:3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

Isaiah 51:7 Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law, fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

Psalm 31 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the Lord. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake. Let me not be ashamed, O Lord; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Psalm 37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake; but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.