O what a sweet and pleasant life you would have!

O what a sweet and pleasant life you would have!

(Thomas Boston)



"Affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble spring from the ground!" Job 5:6

"I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things!" Isaiah 45:7

"The LORD brings death, and makes alive; He brings down to the grave, and raises up. 
 The LORD sends poverty, and wealth; He humbles, and He exalts." 1 Samuel 2:6-7 

Affliction does not rise out of the dust or come to us by chance. 

It is the Lord who sends affliction, and we should own and reverence His hand in it.

Let the people of God comfort themselves at all times by the doctrine of divine sovereignty. Amidst whatever befalls them, they should rest quietly and submissively in the bosom of God, considering that whatever comes to pass proceeds from the decree of their gracious Friend and reconciled Father, who knows what is best for them, and will make all things work together for their good.O what a sweet and pleasant life you would have under the heaviest pressures of affliction, and what heavenly serenity and tranquility of mind you would enjoy--if you would cheerfully acquiesce in the good will and pleasure of God, and embrace every dispensation, however sharp it may be, because it is determined and appointed for you by the eternal counsel of His will!See here the evil of murmuring and complaining at our lot in the world. How apt are you to quarrel with God, as if He were in the wrong in His dealings with you, and not according to your own desires and wishes! 

You demand a reason, and call God to an account: "Why am I thus? Why so much afflicted and distressed? Why so long afflicted? Why such a severe affliction rather than a lighter one? Why am I so poor, needy and afflicted?" 

Thus your hearts rise up against God. But you should remember that this is to defame the counsels of infinite wisdom, as if God had not ordered your affairs wisely enough in His eternal counsel. 

Our attitude should be that of Job's, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21

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The Christian Religion and Government

No truth is more evident to my mind than that the Christian religion must be the basis of any government intended to secure the rights and privileges of a free people. - Noah Webster (Webster's 1928 American Dictionary of the English Language)

The Hell of Hell

Have you ever heard someone say, "If I end up in Hell at least I'll be there with all my friends having a party"? I was one of those many years ago!

The things that seem to dominate the thoughts of many are freedom, friends, and fun. Freedom to do whatever you want, with whoever you want, however you want, whenever you want. No worries about tomorrow just live for the day. Some call it the ME SYNDROME. If you want to know if someone has this condition just oppose their ideas, tell them that they could be wrong or simply question their motives. This will often cause a rage within them that manifests itself in a variety of ways such as profane language, slander, hate speech and even threats of physical violence.
The Bible shows us that selfish pride leads to destruction (Hell).

So, what is Hell REALLY like anyway?
Will Hell really be a non-stop party only without the benefit of air conditioning?

Let's look at the benefits of Hell for a moment.

Yes, many of your friends may be in Hell but if you end up there with them you will not be experiencing pleasant company with them, you will perceive you are alone.

Yes, Hell will be forever but in utter darkness, terrible anguish, and constant torment.

Yes, Hell will be fun if you like grinding your teeth in horrible non-stop pain.

It also seems that this party will be complete with it's own pool (a lake of fire).

What is absent in Hell?

Ecclesiastes 9:10 NASB
[10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

I remember when I was younger bragging about going to Hell until I really understood what it was like and what it's purpose was. I was foolish to believe the lie for so long.

A correct understanding of Hell is what makes God's grace so amazing.

All the Hell that ever you shall have!

Christian! Consider this: The trials and troubles, the calamities and miseries, the crosses and losses that you meet with in this world--are all the Hell that ever you shall have! - Thomas Brooks

Christ came to save those who are lost at last in Hell

Christ came to save those who are lost at last in Hell

(Don Fortner)

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He shall save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

The promise here given is that the Lord Jesus Christ "shall save His people from their sins." Who are His people? Who are these people specifically designated "His people," whom He came into this world specifically to save?

Paul's three-word description of what sin does to all people

             "People will be lovers of themselves" 2 Timothy 3:2

   It's the inescapable, destructive commitment of every person that was ever born. It marches down a pathway of separation from God and our ultimate doom. None of us successfully avoid it. We see it in others and it bothers us, but somehow we are blind to it in ourselves. It shapes what we think, desire, say, and do. It shapes our unwritten law for the people we live with and a host of unrealistic expectations for the situations we live in. It explains why we are so often irritated and impatient. It describes why some of us are perennially unhappy and some of us trudge through life depressed. It causes us to want what we will never, ever have and to demand what we do not deserve. It puts us at odds with one another and in endless fights with God. It is one of the deep diseases of our sin nature and a core reason for the birth of Jesus.

When the bird of thought was let go!

When the bird of thought was let go!

(A.W. Tozer)

Anyone who wishes to check on his true spiritual condition may do so, by noting what his voluntary thoughts have been over the last hours or days. 

What has he thought about, when free to think of whatever he pleased? 

Toward what has his inner heart turned, when it was free to turn wherever it desired?

When the bird of thought was let go, did it fly out like the raven to settle upon floating carcasses--or did it like the dove circle and return again to the ark of God? 

Such a test is easy to run, and if we are honest with ourselves--we can discover not only what we are, but what we are going tobecome. We will soon be the sum of our voluntary thoughts!

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Morality without Christ

(Charles Spurgeon)
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

You moral and upright people without Christ--you are as surely lost as the despicable reprobate!

You chaste and respectable people without Christ--you will be as surely damned as the vile prostitute who walks the streets at midnight!

"Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish!" Luke 13:3

"This is all the comfort that can be given to a moral man--that he shall have a cooler Hell than others." Thomas Brooks

Trials are medicinal!

(John Newton)

Trials are medicinal. They are designed by God to correct or to restrain or to cure--the maladies of our souls.

Though He puts forth His hand, and seems to threaten our dearest comforts--yet when we remember that it is His hand, when we consider that it is His design, His love, His wisdom, and His power--we cannot refuse to trust Him!

Every affliction in the life of the believer--is designed by God and sovereignly implemented by Him.

"Before I was afflicted I went astray--but now I obey Your Word!" Psalm 119:67

"It was good for me to be afflicted--so that I might learn Your decrees." Psalm 119:71

"I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Psalm 119:75

Christ's suffering was punitive--the Christian's suffering is restorative. 

The cup which Christ drank, was filled with Divine wrath--the cup of suffering which God calls His children to drink, is only medicinal to promote their chief good.

Like heavy weights on a grandfather clock--trials are necessary for the Christian life to operate properly. 

God will allow nothing to grieve us--but what He intends to employ as means for our greater advantage.

(grace gems.org)

The sufferings of this present time!

Indeed, when we experience suffering it seems overwhelming, it feels unbearable; it burdens, it crushes, it scars, and it strengthens our feelings of hopelessness. But God.

The sufferings of this present time!

(gracegems.org)

(James Smith, "No Comparison!" 1862)

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time--are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us!" Romans 8:18

Paul compares present sufferings--with future glory. 

Believers are exposed to all kinds of suffering, and instead of obtaining an exemption from afflictions--they are assured that it is through much tribulation that they must enter into the kingdom of God.

Some endure inward suffering, with which no one is fully acquainted but God Himself. They have such darkness, gloom, distress, agitation, trouble, and sorrow--as would not be easy to describe. 

Some suffer much in body, from the stressed and disordered state of the nervous system, from chronic diseases, or deformities in the physical frame. They seldom move without suffering, and for years together have but little freedom from weakness and pain. They live a life of suffering, a kind of dying life--and think much of Heaven as of a place where there is no more pain.

Some suffer much financially. Scarcely anything seems to prosper with them--losses, crosses, and opposition meet them at every turn. And though they live honestly, and conduct their business honorably--they are thwarted, hindered, and filled with perplexity. No one can tell what they suffer from financial trials and difficulties.

Others suffer from reproach, misrepresentation, strife, and persecution in the world, or in the Church--or both! No one seems to understand them, or is prepared to sympathize with them; they are like "a sparrow alone upon the house-top." False friends and open enemies unite to trouble and distress them, so that they often sigh, and say, "O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest!"

Others in the domestic circle, or from some of therelationships of life--are called to suffer long and seriously.

But whether from trouble of mind, sickness of body, trials in business, family difficulties, or persecution for Christ's sake--all suffer, and most believers suffer much!

But compare their present sufferings--with their future glory:

Glory which will exclude all pain and suffering, all sin and sorrow! 

Glory beyond the reach of all foes and the cause of all trouble! 

Glory which includes happiness--perfect, perpetual, never-ending happiness! 

Glory which includes honor--the highest, holiest, and most satisfying honor! 

Glory, or splendor--which will fill the soul, clothe the body, and dignify the entire person forever!

Filled with light, peace, and joy; clothed with beauty, brightness, and magnificence--they will appear with Christ in glory--filling them with wonder and unutterable delight!

This glory will be possessed by us--as part of our marriage portion and inalienable inheritance. But we can form no adequate idea of that glory, for "No eye has seen, no earhas heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9

   ~  ~  ~  ~

You may want to read the whole of James Smith's insightful article, "No Comparison!"

The Review of "90 Minutes In Heaven" You Don't Need

Don't be fooled by Heavenly Tourism books, instead, read the Scriptures, trust in God's word alone, and you won't be tempted to believe in such nonsense.

Pastor Gabe's Blog
The Review of "90 Minutes In Heaven" You Don't Need
http://t.co/rJAwPSlNpY

Spurgeon's first preaching "assignment"

http://bibchr.blogspot.com/2015/01/spurgeons-first-preaching-assignment.html?m=1

Christian, Stop Sharing John Pavlovitz's Articles

http://pastorgabehughes.blogspot.com/2014/12/christian-stop-sharing-john-pavlovitzs.html?m=0

'Nevers' of the Gospel

May I never confine my religion to extraordinary occasions, but acknowledge thee in all my ways. - The Valley of Vision

Nuggets of Wisdom

'It is foolish to build our theology around circumstances.' 

"If we only look at experience, we can get a very twisted view of God's character and God's justice and God's dealings because we live in a fallen cursed world." - DTP

'Chance' or 'blind fate'

(Samuel Davies, "Divine Government--the Joy of Our World")

"The LORD reigns! Let the earth be glad!" Psalm 97:1

We are exposed to numberless accidental and unforeseen dangers, which we can neither prevent nor counter. Sickness and death may proceed from a thousand unsuspected causes. Our friends, our estates, and, in short, all our earthly enjoyments--may be torn from us by a variety of accidents. We walk, as it were, in the dark, and may tread on remediless dangers before we are aware. 

"But the LORD reigns! Let the earth be glad!" All contingent events are at His disposal and under His sovereign control. The smallest things are not beneath the notice of His providence, and the greatestare not above it! Those diseases and misfortunes which seem to happen 'by chance'--are commissioned by the Lord of all! And those which result evidently from 'natural causes'--are sent by His almighty will. He says to one, "Go!" and it goes; and to another, "Come!" and it comes! 

Live as in the sight of God

This nugget of wisdom, written 150 years ago, is as valuable today as the day it was composed.
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Live as in the sight of God. This is what Abraham did; he walked before Him. This is what Enoch did; he walked with Him. This is what heaven itself will be, the eternal presence of God. Do nothing that you would not like God to see. Say nothing that you would not like God to hear. Write nothing that you would not like God to read. Go to no place where you would not like God to find you. Read no book of which you would not like God to say, "Show it to Me." Never spend your time in such a way that you would not like to have God say, "What art thou doing?" - JC Ryle

Make the Bible Your Guide and Adviser

Give the Bible the honor due to it every day you live. Whatever you read, read that first. And beware of bad books: there are plenty in this day. Take heed what you read. I suspect there is more harm done to souls in this way than most people have an idea is possible. Value all books in proportion as they are agreeable to Scripture. Those that are nearest to it are the best, and those that are farthest from it and most contrary to it, the worst. - JC Ryle

How shall I govern my children

(John Abbott, "The Mother's Authority")

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1

How shall I govern my children, so as to secure their virtue and happiness?

OBEDIENCE is absolutely essential to proper family government. Without this, all other efforts will be in vain. You may pray with, and for your children; you may strive to instruct them in Christian truth; you may be unwearied in your efforts to make them happy, and to gain their affection. But if they are in habits of disobedience, your instructions will be lost, and your toil in vain! And by obedience, I do not mean languid and dilatory yielding to repeated threats--but prompt and cheerful acquiescence to parental commands. Neither is it enough that a child should yield to your arguments and persuasions. It is essential that he should submit to your authority.

The first thing therefore to be aimed at, is to bring your child under total subjection. Teach him that he must obey you.

Never give a command that you do not intend to be obeyed! There is no more effectual way of teaching a child disobedience, than by giving commands that you have no intention of enforcing. A child is thus habituated to disregard its mother; and, in a short time, the habit becomes so strong and the child's contempt for the mother so confirmed, that entreaties and threats are alike unheeded. Accustom him to immediate and cheerful acquiescence to your will. This is obedience. And this is absolutely essential to good family government. Let it be an immutable principle in family government, that your word is law!

"The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." Proverbs 29:15

gracegems.org

Deceitful and desperately wicked!

(William S. Plumer, "Sinners Saved by Unmerited Kindness")

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

Man is the only creature on earth that practices self-deception. That we should sometimes deceive others is proof of our depravity; but that we should spend our lives in self-deception is truly astonishing! Men of the fewest virtues commonly have the highest thoughts of themselves. How strange and yet how common that he, whose heart has deceived him a thousand times, should yet confide in it as if it had always been honest!

The human heart deceives every being but one--and it would deceive Him, if He were not omniscient. None but God knows all the depths of iniquity and duplicity within us.

Though the language of the Bible is strong, it is just. God declares, and every Christian knows by sad experience--that his heart is deceitful above all things. A perfect knowledge of the treachery of our hearts is possessed by none but God.

The heart is also VILE. It is "desperately wicked."

It loves vanity, and folly, and sin.
It hates holiness, and truth, and divine restraints.

The heart is . . .
a sink of iniquity,
a pool of pestilential waters,
a cage of unclean birds,
a sepulcher full of dead men's bones.
It is torn by wild, fierce, unhallowed passions.
It rejects good and chooses evil.
It is wholly corrupt.
It is full of evil.
There is no soundness in it.

"For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander! These are the things which defile the man." Matthew 15:19, 20

"He who trusts in his own heart is a fool!" Proverbs 28:26
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