Blog https://www.laramievalleychapel.org Thu, 28 Mar 2024 12:16:54 -0600 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Why should I attend a membership class? https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/why- https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/why-#comments Thu, 05 Apr 2018 16:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/why- Why is it a good idea for a church to have membership classes?

1. It gives a church the opportunity to introduce itself. 

In a large, complex society with a long Christian-tradition, there are many false churches and false gospels. A membership class provides a church the opportunity to say who it is and what it believes.

2. It tells a prospective member what he or she can expect from the church. 

Prospective members learn how a church works, how it makes decisions, and where to get involved. It can help people know what they can expect from the pastor or other church leaders.

3. It tells a prospective member what the church will expect of him or her.  

It’s an opportunity for a church to teach about the importance of attendance, or how the process of church discipline works. It’s an opportunity to encourage prospective members to get to know members of the church as well as leaders.

4. It promotes unity in the church.

Membership classes help everyone in the church enter “on the same page.”

 

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Why is it a good idea for a church to have membership classes?

1. It gives a church the opportunity to introduce itself. 

In a large, complex society with a long Christian-tradition, there are many false churches and false gospels. A membership class provides a church the opportunity to say who it is and what it believes.

2. It tells a prospective member what he or she can expect from the church. 

Prospective members learn how a church works, how it makes decisions, and where to get involved. It can help people know what they can expect from the pastor or other church leaders.

3. It tells a prospective member what the church will expect of him or her.  

It’s an opportunity for a church to teach about the importance of attendance, or how the process of church discipline works. It’s an opportunity to encourage prospective members to get to know members of the church as well as leaders.

4. It promotes unity in the church.

Membership classes help everyone in the church enter “on the same page.”

 

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Obedience Like Fire https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/obedience-like-fire https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/obedience-like-fire#comments Mon, 11 Dec 2017 19:00:00 -0700 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/obedience-like-fire “Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart.”
Jeremiah 15:16
 
We obey God’s will, as the angels in heaven, when we do it willingly and without complaint. The angels love to be employed in God’s service. It is their heaven to serve God. Heaven is such a happy place that angels would not leave it for a minute even to bring messages from God, were it not that they take such infinite delight in doing God’s will. A hypocrite is able to do good, but he has no delight in the duty. He does God’s will against his own.
Cain brought his sacrifice, but grudgingly. His worship was a task more than an offering. We must be carried upon the wings of delight in every duty. The regenerate may not always have the same cheerful temper of obedience, but this weariness is his burden. He is weary of his weariness, and he prays, weeps, and uses all means to regain his cheerfulness and freedom in God’s service. Delight in duty is better than the duty itself.
We also obey God’s will like the angels when we do it fervently. Angels burn in love and zeal in obedience. They give him their best, and do it readily and swiftly. They do not dispute the case, but as soon as they have their charge, they immediately obey. We should also be ambitious to obey.
Alas! How long it is sometimes before we can get leave of our hearts to obey! Christ went more readily to the cross than do to the throne of grace. How many excuses we have! O let us shake off this backwardness to duty as Paul shook off the viper! The grace of the Holy Spirit knows nothing of sluggish efforts (Psa. 18:44). The angels also obey God constantly. Consistency crowns obedience. Our obedience must be like the fire of the altar which was continually kept burning. Hypocrites soon give over doing God’s will. Therefore, let us do God’s will continually.

Thomas Watson, The Lord’s Prayer, pp. 159- 163

Voices From The Past p: 345, [Puritan Devotional Readings]
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“Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart.”
Jeremiah 15:16
 
We obey God’s will, as the angels in heaven, when we do it willingly and without complaint. The angels love to be employed in God’s service. It is their heaven to serve God. Heaven is such a happy place that angels would not leave it for a minute even to bring messages from God, were it not that they take such infinite delight in doing God’s will. A hypocrite is able to do good, but he has no delight in the duty. He does God’s will against his own.
Cain brought his sacrifice, but grudgingly. His worship was a task more than an offering. We must be carried upon the wings of delight in every duty. The regenerate may not always have the same cheerful temper of obedience, but this weariness is his burden. He is weary of his weariness, and he prays, weeps, and uses all means to regain his cheerfulness and freedom in God’s service. Delight in duty is better than the duty itself.
We also obey God’s will like the angels when we do it fervently. Angels burn in love and zeal in obedience. They give him their best, and do it readily and swiftly. They do not dispute the case, but as soon as they have their charge, they immediately obey. We should also be ambitious to obey.
Alas! How long it is sometimes before we can get leave of our hearts to obey! Christ went more readily to the cross than do to the throne of grace. How many excuses we have! O let us shake off this backwardness to duty as Paul shook off the viper! The grace of the Holy Spirit knows nothing of sluggish efforts (Psa. 18:44). The angels also obey God constantly. Consistency crowns obedience. Our obedience must be like the fire of the altar which was continually kept burning. Hypocrites soon give over doing God’s will. Therefore, let us do God’s will continually.

Thomas Watson, The Lord’s Prayer, pp. 159- 163

Voices From The Past p: 345, [Puritan Devotional Readings]
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The Majesty of God https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/the-majesty-of-god https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/the-majesty-of-god#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2016 19:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/the-majesty-of-god Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11

This verse is one of the loftiest descriptions of the majesty of God in the whole of Scripture. The holiness of God is his glory and crown. It is the blessedness of his nature. It renders him glorious in himself, and glorious to his creatures. ‘Holy’ is more fixed as an epithet to his name than any other. This is his greatest title of honour. He is pure and unmixed light, free from all blemish in his essence, nature, and operations. He cannot be deformed by any evil. The notion of God cannot be entertained without separating from him whatever is impure and staining. Though he is majestic, eternal, almighty, wise, immutable, merciful, and whatsoever other perfections may dignify so sovereign a being, yet if we conceive him destitute of this excellent perfection, and imagine him possessed with the least contagion of evil, we make him but an infinite monster, and sully all those perfections we ascribed to him before. It is a contradiction for him to be God and to have any darkness mixed with his light. To deny his purity, makes him no God. He that says God is not holy, speaks much worse than if he said there is no God at all. Where do we read of the angels crying out Eternal or faithful Lord God of hosts? But we do hear them singing Holy, Holy, Holy. God swears by his holiness (Psa. 89:35). His holiness is a pledge for the assurance of his promises. Power is his hand, omniscience his eye, mercy his heart, eternity his duration, but holiness his beauty. It renders him lovely and gives beauty to all his attributes. Every action of his is free from all hints of evil. Holiness is the crown of all his attributes, the life of all his decrees, and the brightness of all his actions. Nothing is decreed by him and nothing is acted by him that is not consistent with the beauty of his holiness.

Stephen Charnock, The Existence & Attributes of God, pp. 446-452

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Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11

This verse is one of the loftiest descriptions of the majesty of God in the whole of Scripture. The holiness of God is his glory and crown. It is the blessedness of his nature. It renders him glorious in himself, and glorious to his creatures. ‘Holy’ is more fixed as an epithet to his name than any other. This is his greatest title of honour. He is pure and unmixed light, free from all blemish in his essence, nature, and operations. He cannot be deformed by any evil. The notion of God cannot be entertained without separating from him whatever is impure and staining. Though he is majestic, eternal, almighty, wise, immutable, merciful, and whatsoever other perfections may dignify so sovereign a being, yet if we conceive him destitute of this excellent perfection, and imagine him possessed with the least contagion of evil, we make him but an infinite monster, and sully all those perfections we ascribed to him before. It is a contradiction for him to be God and to have any darkness mixed with his light. To deny his purity, makes him no God. He that says God is not holy, speaks much worse than if he said there is no God at all. Where do we read of the angels crying out Eternal or faithful Lord God of hosts? But we do hear them singing Holy, Holy, Holy. God swears by his holiness (Psa. 89:35). His holiness is a pledge for the assurance of his promises. Power is his hand, omniscience his eye, mercy his heart, eternity his duration, but holiness his beauty. It renders him lovely and gives beauty to all his attributes. Every action of his is free from all hints of evil. Holiness is the crown of all his attributes, the life of all his decrees, and the brightness of all his actions. Nothing is decreed by him and nothing is acted by him that is not consistent with the beauty of his holiness.

Stephen Charnock, The Existence & Attributes of God, pp. 446-452

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God is Love https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/god-is-love https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/god-is-love#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2016 06:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/god-is-love God is love.

1 John 4:16

Laying a deep apprehension of God’s nature increases the peace of conscience and gives a measure of the joy of the Holy Spirit. Under the law, God revealed himself in grace (Exod. 34:6-7). Also, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live’ (Ezek. 33:11). Do not think of God’s mercy with diminishing thoughts, for his mercy is as great as his power. There is great advantage to the soul that has a proper estimate of his goodness. It makes God appear more wonderful, and you will love him more readily and abundantly. Affections will follow the understanding. If you think God is against you and delights in your misery, it is impossible for you to love him. The great reason many do not love God more is because they look at him in an odious shape, and tremble at the thought of him. Doing this strips God of his divine nature in our thoughts. We must write his love deep in our understanding. When we consider his mercy and lovingkindness, our thoughts of God will be sweet and delightful. We are bidden to love and delight in him above all. He is infinitely and inconceivably good. This will dray you to God as a magnet toward iron. If you conceive of God as ten thousand times more gracious and loving than any friend you have in the world, it will make you love him above all. This takes away weariness in duty, and gives more delight in prayer and meditation. When God becomes more lovely in our eyes, it produces growth in all of our graces, and encourages further familiarity and confidence. A clear sight of God’s merciful nature gives assurance of our happiness. If you fix deep in your understanding the natural goodness of God, even this will fall short of God’s actual graciousness.

Richard Baxter, A Christian Dictionary, II:887-890

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God is love.

1 John 4:16

Laying a deep apprehension of God’s nature increases the peace of conscience and gives a measure of the joy of the Holy Spirit. Under the law, God revealed himself in grace (Exod. 34:6-7). Also, ‘As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live’ (Ezek. 33:11). Do not think of God’s mercy with diminishing thoughts, for his mercy is as great as his power. There is great advantage to the soul that has a proper estimate of his goodness. It makes God appear more wonderful, and you will love him more readily and abundantly. Affections will follow the understanding. If you think God is against you and delights in your misery, it is impossible for you to love him. The great reason many do not love God more is because they look at him in an odious shape, and tremble at the thought of him. Doing this strips God of his divine nature in our thoughts. We must write his love deep in our understanding. When we consider his mercy and lovingkindness, our thoughts of God will be sweet and delightful. We are bidden to love and delight in him above all. He is infinitely and inconceivably good. This will dray you to God as a magnet toward iron. If you conceive of God as ten thousand times more gracious and loving than any friend you have in the world, it will make you love him above all. This takes away weariness in duty, and gives more delight in prayer and meditation. When God becomes more lovely in our eyes, it produces growth in all of our graces, and encourages further familiarity and confidence. A clear sight of God’s merciful nature gives assurance of our happiness. If you fix deep in your understanding the natural goodness of God, even this will fall short of God’s actual graciousness.

Richard Baxter, A Christian Dictionary, II:887-890

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Bulletins, Announcements, & More! https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/bulletins-announcements---more https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/bulletins-announcements---more#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2016 15:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/bulletins-announcements---more Lots of changes are happening around here! We're working to give you as many ways as possible to keep up to date. Here's a list of the current ways we have to keep up with everything going on in and around Laramie Valley Chapel:

 Finally, if you have any questions about the stuff above, or have an event, announcement, bible study, or small group you'd like to publicize through these channels, just email the info to media@laramievalleychapel.org.

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Lots of changes are happening around here! We're working to give you as many ways as possible to keep up to date. Here's a list of the current ways we have to keep up with everything going on in and around Laramie Valley Chapel:

 Finally, if you have any questions about the stuff above, or have an event, announcement, bible study, or small group you'd like to publicize through these channels, just email the info to media@laramievalleychapel.org.

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Unfolding the Bible: Fall Class with Lynn Howe https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/unfolding-t https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/unfolding-t#comments Sat, 03 Sep 2016 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/unfolding-t Join Lynn Howe in a special class “Unfolding the Bible” this fall at 1:30-3:00 PM at Laramie Valley Chapel. We will meet once a week beginning, Wednesday, September 7, 2016 and go through the entire Bible in narrative form.

  • Do you know how to tell the story of the Bible in a simple way?
  • We will cover the story of each book of the Bible and its characters and when and why it was written.
  • The major themes of Scripture will also be a focus in the class.

Please contact Lynn if you have any questions or plan to attend. This will be an enjoyable journey through the Bible and great time of fellowship.

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Join Lynn Howe in a special class “Unfolding the Bible” this fall at 1:30-3:00 PM at Laramie Valley Chapel. We will meet once a week beginning, Wednesday, September 7, 2016 and go through the entire Bible in narrative form.

  • Do you know how to tell the story of the Bible in a simple way?
  • We will cover the story of each book of the Bible and its characters and when and why it was written.
  • The major themes of Scripture will also be a focus in the class.

Please contact Lynn if you have any questions or plan to attend. This will be an enjoyable journey through the Bible and great time of fellowship.

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Your Kingdom Come https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/your-kingdom-come https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/your-kingdom-come#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2016 16:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/your-kingdom-come Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

When we pray ‘Your kingdom come’, we are praying that the devil’s kingdom will be demolished in the world. His kingdom stands in opposition to Christ’s kingdom. Satan has his kingdom by conquest; he conquered mankind in paradise, and now he sets up his throne in the hearts of men (Eph. 1:1-2). Most kingdoms in the world pay tribute to him, and they are kingdoms of impiety and slavery. Nothing but sin goes on in his kingdom: murder, heresy, lust, treachery, opposition and division are the constant trade in his dominions. He is an unclean spirit and his subjects are held captive under his grim tyranny. Other tyrants rule over the body, but Satan’s kingdom rules over the soul. He rides men as we do horses. Other tyrants have some pity on their slaves. Though they make them work in the galleys, they give them meat and their hours of rest. Satan is a merciless tyrant; he gives his slaves poison instead of meat, and dirty lusts to feed on. He gives no rest but hires them out to do his drudgery. When he entered Judas, he sent him to the high priests, from there to the garden, and never let him rest until he had betrayed Christ and hung himself. When men have served him to their utmost strength, he welcomes them to hell with fire and brimstone. Let us pray that Satan’s kingdom may be overthrown. It is sad to think that men are willing slaves to Satan. They will fight and die for him, therefore he is not only called ‘the ruler of this world’, but ‘the god of this world’ (John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4). This shows his power over the souls of men. O let us pray that God would break the scepter of his kingdom, that Michael may destroy the dragon, and that the hellish kingdom of darkness may be beaten down! His kingdom must be thrown down before Christ’s kingdom can flourish in its power and majesty.

Thomas Watson, The Lord's Prayer, pp. 61-62

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Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:10

When we pray ‘Your kingdom come’, we are praying that the devil’s kingdom will be demolished in the world. His kingdom stands in opposition to Christ’s kingdom. Satan has his kingdom by conquest; he conquered mankind in paradise, and now he sets up his throne in the hearts of men (Eph. 1:1-2). Most kingdoms in the world pay tribute to him, and they are kingdoms of impiety and slavery. Nothing but sin goes on in his kingdom: murder, heresy, lust, treachery, opposition and division are the constant trade in his dominions. He is an unclean spirit and his subjects are held captive under his grim tyranny. Other tyrants rule over the body, but Satan’s kingdom rules over the soul. He rides men as we do horses. Other tyrants have some pity on their slaves. Though they make them work in the galleys, they give them meat and their hours of rest. Satan is a merciless tyrant; he gives his slaves poison instead of meat, and dirty lusts to feed on. He gives no rest but hires them out to do his drudgery. When he entered Judas, he sent him to the high priests, from there to the garden, and never let him rest until he had betrayed Christ and hung himself. When men have served him to their utmost strength, he welcomes them to hell with fire and brimstone. Let us pray that Satan’s kingdom may be overthrown. It is sad to think that men are willing slaves to Satan. They will fight and die for him, therefore he is not only called ‘the ruler of this world’, but ‘the god of this world’ (John 12:31; 2 Cor. 4:4). This shows his power over the souls of men. O let us pray that God would break the scepter of his kingdom, that Michael may destroy the dragon, and that the hellish kingdom of darkness may be beaten down! His kingdom must be thrown down before Christ’s kingdom can flourish in its power and majesty.

Thomas Watson, The Lord's Prayer, pp. 61-62

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Promises https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/promises https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/promises#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2016 12:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/promises He has granted to us his precious and very great promises.

2 Peter 1:4

Faith may act with great advantage upon the promises of God and gain encouragement from them. There are promises suitable for every condition. Not only are there express promises, there are also promises that can be applied by faith. The titles of God are virtual promises. He is a shield, a strong tower, a hiding place, and our portion. Faith may apply these as promises. Scriptural assertions may also be applied as promises: ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…’ (Gal. 5:22). Faith may conclude that the Spirit will bring forth this fruit in me. What God has done for his people formerly are, inn effect, promises too. Faith may conclude that the Lord will work in like manner in the future. If he delivered others who trusted in him, he will deliver me if I trust in him now. He is the same yesterday and forever. David conquered Goliath in the name of the Lord, and prevailed. If I go in like manner against my lusts, I shall prevail. The prayers of God’s people and the commandments of God are also virtual promises. We are commanded to forgive seventy times seven, so, faith may conclude, the Lord will forgive much more. Even in threatenings we might find a promise. If the wicked shall be turned into hell, faith may conclude that the godly shall be carried into heaven.

Gather the promises and meditate on them. They are meat in this wilderness. Often be mining their treasures. Do not allow these pearls to lie neglected in the field. Treasure them up. Fill your memories with them. A promise treasured will afford comfort in our callings, dungeons, and banishments. Meditate frequently and seriously on them. Meditation squeezes the sweetness out of them and helps us to unite our faith to them for encouragement.

David Clarkson, Works, 1:187-189

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He has granted to us his precious and very great promises.

2 Peter 1:4

Faith may act with great advantage upon the promises of God and gain encouragement from them. There are promises suitable for every condition. Not only are there express promises, there are also promises that can be applied by faith. The titles of God are virtual promises. He is a shield, a strong tower, a hiding place, and our portion. Faith may apply these as promises. Scriptural assertions may also be applied as promises: ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…’ (Gal. 5:22). Faith may conclude that the Spirit will bring forth this fruit in me. What God has done for his people formerly are, inn effect, promises too. Faith may conclude that the Lord will work in like manner in the future. If he delivered others who trusted in him, he will deliver me if I trust in him now. He is the same yesterday and forever. David conquered Goliath in the name of the Lord, and prevailed. If I go in like manner against my lusts, I shall prevail. The prayers of God’s people and the commandments of God are also virtual promises. We are commanded to forgive seventy times seven, so, faith may conclude, the Lord will forgive much more. Even in threatenings we might find a promise. If the wicked shall be turned into hell, faith may conclude that the godly shall be carried into heaven.

Gather the promises and meditate on them. They are meat in this wilderness. Often be mining their treasures. Do not allow these pearls to lie neglected in the field. Treasure them up. Fill your memories with them. A promise treasured will afford comfort in our callings, dungeons, and banishments. Meditate frequently and seriously on them. Meditation squeezes the sweetness out of them and helps us to unite our faith to them for encouragement.

David Clarkson, Works, 1:187-189

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I was envious of the wicked... https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/i-was-envious-of-the- https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/i-was-envious-of-the-#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/i-was-envious-of-the- For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Psalm 73:3,17

Providence is an act of God, whereby, according to his eternal and most wise counsel, he preserves and governs all things, and directs them all to their ends, but chiefly to his own glory. It is necessary for our hearts to be well established in this truth, that we may acknowledge God with praise for the good that comes to pass, and embrace the bad with patience. Some doubt God’s providence when it can be seen that the wicked flourish, and the godly are often exposed to poverty, contempt and reproach. Wicked Dives feasted every day, while godly Lazarus starved at this glutton’s gate entertaining the dogs with licking his sores. Did God’s particular care furnish the glutton’s table, and only give scraps to his child? This question has been a problem for all ages. Actually this is an affirmation, not a contradiction, of God’s providence. The world has always hated God’s children, but God sustains them amidst the rage and hatred of their enemies. Though continually oppressed, they are never rooted out of the world. We see the power and care of Almighty God to keep a bush unconsumed in the midst of fire. When he brings calamity on his own children it is for their trial. What wicked men possess of this world is all that they can every hope for. The inequality of his providence in this life will be cleared up at the Day of Judgment. Blessings of this life may not be mercies, but snares. O never call Dives’ delicious fare ‘good things’, if it ends in torment! Was it good for him to be wrapped in purple who is now wrapped in flames? Lazarus’ sores are not evil if he now lies in Abraham’s bosom. In that day, all will be made plain. God may bless one by affliction and curse another by prosperity. Nothing is truly good but promotes eternal happiness.

Ezekiel Hopkins, Works, 111:371-382

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For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked…until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Psalm 73:3,17

Providence is an act of God, whereby, according to his eternal and most wise counsel, he preserves and governs all things, and directs them all to their ends, but chiefly to his own glory. It is necessary for our hearts to be well established in this truth, that we may acknowledge God with praise for the good that comes to pass, and embrace the bad with patience. Some doubt God’s providence when it can be seen that the wicked flourish, and the godly are often exposed to poverty, contempt and reproach. Wicked Dives feasted every day, while godly Lazarus starved at this glutton’s gate entertaining the dogs with licking his sores. Did God’s particular care furnish the glutton’s table, and only give scraps to his child? This question has been a problem for all ages. Actually this is an affirmation, not a contradiction, of God’s providence. The world has always hated God’s children, but God sustains them amidst the rage and hatred of their enemies. Though continually oppressed, they are never rooted out of the world. We see the power and care of Almighty God to keep a bush unconsumed in the midst of fire. When he brings calamity on his own children it is for their trial. What wicked men possess of this world is all that they can every hope for. The inequality of his providence in this life will be cleared up at the Day of Judgment. Blessings of this life may not be mercies, but snares. O never call Dives’ delicious fare ‘good things’, if it ends in torment! Was it good for him to be wrapped in purple who is now wrapped in flames? Lazarus’ sores are not evil if he now lies in Abraham’s bosom. In that day, all will be made plain. God may bless one by affliction and curse another by prosperity. Nothing is truly good but promotes eternal happiness.

Ezekiel Hopkins, Works, 111:371-382

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God Speaks https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/god-speaks https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/god-speaks#comments Fri, 15 Jul 2016 00:00:00 -0600 https://www.laramievalleychapel.org/blog/post/god-speaks Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

God speaks with sinners through his messengers. They come for God’s purpose, and their words, counsels, exhortations, and reproofs are his. When sinners reject the words which God’s ministers bring in his name, they are actually striving with the Spirit. They are wrestling with Christ as if he were present. When God comes to reckon with sinners, it will prove just so. God will remind them of his striving and their unkind resistance. The Spirit strives with the consciences of men, debating in their own hearts the case against them, and shows man his sin in all its ugly colours. He does this so well that the creature can sometimes smell the very fire and brimstone about him, and makes him feel at present in a temporary hell. At other times, he parleys and works with them, and makes gracious overtures and offers of the gospel to them. He opens a door of hope and woos and beseeches them to throw down their rebellious arms and come to Christ for life. He reveals how Christ is in a present disposition to embrace their first motion towards mercy. The Spirit follows the sinner from place to place, and from time to time suggesting such encouragements. Many, however, cast off the Spirit’s hands in resistance. This carries such malignity in it, that some have felt the horror of the unpardonable sin, even though their condition is not final. Take heed, however, sinners how you respond to the Spirit when he comes knocking at the door of your hearts. Open at his knock, and he will be your guest; you will have his sweet company. Repulse him, and you have not a promise he will knock again. If once he stops striving with you, unhappy man, you are lost forever. Without the Spirit you lie like ship on dry ground. It is the Spirit that is both the tide and the wind that sets the soul afloat to carry it on.

Willam Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour, 1:116-117

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Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 3:20

God speaks with sinners through his messengers. They come for God’s purpose, and their words, counsels, exhortations, and reproofs are his. When sinners reject the words which God’s ministers bring in his name, they are actually striving with the Spirit. They are wrestling with Christ as if he were present. When God comes to reckon with sinners, it will prove just so. God will remind them of his striving and their unkind resistance. The Spirit strives with the consciences of men, debating in their own hearts the case against them, and shows man his sin in all its ugly colours. He does this so well that the creature can sometimes smell the very fire and brimstone about him, and makes him feel at present in a temporary hell. At other times, he parleys and works with them, and makes gracious overtures and offers of the gospel to them. He opens a door of hope and woos and beseeches them to throw down their rebellious arms and come to Christ for life. He reveals how Christ is in a present disposition to embrace their first motion towards mercy. The Spirit follows the sinner from place to place, and from time to time suggesting such encouragements. Many, however, cast off the Spirit’s hands in resistance. This carries such malignity in it, that some have felt the horror of the unpardonable sin, even though their condition is not final. Take heed, however, sinners how you respond to the Spirit when he comes knocking at the door of your hearts. Open at his knock, and he will be your guest; you will have his sweet company. Repulse him, and you have not a promise he will knock again. If once he stops striving with you, unhappy man, you are lost forever. Without the Spirit you lie like ship on dry ground. It is the Spirit that is both the tide and the wind that sets the soul afloat to carry it on.

Willam Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour, 1:116-117

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