Tried With Fire

The spiritual person judges all things. 1 Cor. 2:15 Since Christ Jesus is the great prophet and teacher of his church, we may, therefore, discern and judge our doctrines by his standard. Christ may serve as a measurement to test them. As Christ is in his person, so are his doctrines. Every error pretends to come from Christ, but Christ was holy, humble, heavenly, meek, and peaceful, yea, he is contrary to the wisdom of this world and all the gratifications of the flesh. Thus, so are the truths he teaches - they have his character and image carved upon them. Would you like to test whether this or that doctrine is from the Spirit of Christ or not? Examine it by this rule: whatever doctrine you find to encourage and countenance sin, to exalt self, to be accommodating to the world's designs, and that bends to the humours and lusts of men, you may safely reject. Whatever doctrine makes those who profess it to be carnal, proud, and sensual, you may safely conclude never came from Jes...

I've been considering my mortality. Maybe it's because I'm older. Maybe it's because I know of saints who are suffering from serious illness. But our lives are a vapor. However long God has given us is just an instant compared to eternity.  Here are some thoughts worth considering by John Flavel: 1. The believer's living time is his laboring time, but his dying time is his harvest time. 2. The believer's living time is his fighting time, but his dying time is his conquering and triumphing time. 3. The believer's living time is his tiresome and weary time, but his dying time is his resting and sleeping time. 4. The believer's living time is his waiting and longing time, but his dying time is his time of enjoying that for which he has wished and waited. Triumphing Over Sinful Fear by John Flavel, Reformation Heritage, pgs. 95-96. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also The body they may kill, God's truth abideth still His kingdom is for...

Congratulations to Leslie, the providential winner of Triumphing Over Sinful Fear by John Flavel. Thanks to everyone who entered! God willing, there will be more giveaways this year, so stay tuned.

This month I'll be giving away a copy of Triumphing Over Sinful Fear by the Puritan John Flavel, first published in 1682. This book is part of a series from Reformation Heritage Books to make the writings of the Puritans more accessible to the modern reader while not compromising the author's intent. More info from the publisher  here . In this little book, Flavel tackles types of fear, uses of fear, causes of sinful fear, and the effects of sinful fear. The longest chapter is devoted to remedies for sinful fear for those who are in Christ such as studying the covenant of grace, preparing for suffering, committing one's self to God, recording God's faithfulness, and exalting the fear of God in our hearts.  He encourages the reader to turn the focus away from ourselves and circumstances and fix our gaze and plant our hope in God. When will we do away with our unbelieving "ifs" and "buts", our questioning and doubting of God's power, wisdom, a...

For most of my life, I was plagued with sinful fear. On paper I would say that God was all powerful. But in my mind, that power could only extend to the point where it came in contact with the free will of man or the plans of the devil. This mind-set is used to bail out God when it comes to the problem of evil, but it's cold comfort at best, particularly when you think you are at the mercy of man - not God. Now that I'm on this side of the doctrines of grace, sinful fear still rears its ugly head. The underlying sin of unbelief is hard to stamp out because all it takes is one little thought, "Has God said?".  However, I intend to fight it by God's grace one thought at a time. Here is encouragement on this subject from the pen of one of my favorite Puritans. I hope to post more from this book in the days ahead. [W]e are ignorant of God. We do not know (or, at least, we do not fully consider) His almighty power, vigilant care; unspotted faithfulness, and how th...

The kind folks at Eternal Life Ministries are offering a free copy of The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel to those on their email list.  To subscribe, send an email to subscribe@eternallifeministries.org with "subscribe" in the subject line.

The winners of The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel are Petra of Penned Pebbles and WhiteStone !  Congratulations, ladies!  Please drop me an email (pilgrim dot mommy at gmail dot com) with your contact info. Many thanks to everyone who entered.  I have more books to give away this year, so stay tuned.

I'll be giving away 2 copies of The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel (1628-1691) this month. First published in 1678,  Flavel writes in the introduction: It is a great support and solace of the saints in all distresses that befall them here, that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to blessed and happy issues. And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence. And from the publisher's intro to this edition: Even those who profess to accept without question the truth of divine sovereignty are not infrequently guilty of practical unbelief. Glibly to assert that 'all things work together for good to them that love God' is relatively easy, but to believe this when our circumstances are distasteful and likely to deteriorate is evidence of a spiritual apprehension of the sovereignty of God.  Yet we cannot truly recognize and improv...

It is a great support and solace to the saints in all their distresses, that there is a wise Spirit setting all the wheels of providence in motion.  He governs the most irregular creatures and their most destructive designs to a blessed and happy outcome.  It would not be worth living in a world devoid of God and providence. Our present views of providence are imperfect in comparison to heaven.  Yet our earthly view, under all its present disadvantages, has so much sweetness in it that I may call it a little heaven.  It is certainly a highway of walking with God in this world. A soul may enjoy sweet communion with him in his providences.  How often have observers melted into tears of joy at seeing his wise and unexpected productions?  How often, if the Lord had left them to their own counsels, they would have been their own tormentors.  We can give hearty thanks that providence considers our interest more than our importunity, protecting us from peri...

Our new house isn't very architecturally interesting.  It's just one of the thousands of brick ranchers that were built in the early '60s, but we think it deserves its own name. Casa Calvin? Chez Calvinist? Maison Manton? Puritan Pad?    I proposed  Dordt House which was immediately vetoed by my daughter as being too strange.  I then suggested Reformation Ranch , but she said it sounded like a Calvinist salad dressing (made with only 5 ingredients!)   Dead Guys' Bungalow?   The name sounds like the title of a Nancy Drew mystery.   Tulip Ranch ?  But we have no tulips until we plant some in the fall.  Also when I think of ranch , cattle come to mind, so I have a mental image of herds of black and white spotted tulips mooing and grazing on the prairie. But after some deliberation, we have chosen  Providence House . In the last three years, my eyes were opened to God's providence and sovereignty.  I'm still learning t...

In nothing does Providence shine forth more gloriously in this world than in ordering the occasions, instruments and means of conversion of the people of God. However skilfully its hand had moulded your bodies, however tenderly it had preserved them and however bountifully it had provided for them; if it had not also ordered some means or other for your conversion, all the former favours and benefits it had done for you had meant little. This, O this, is the most excellent benefit you ever received from its hand. You are more indebted to it for this, than for all your other mercies. The Mystery of Providence ~ John Flavel, Banner of Truth, page 60.

Due observation of Providence will both beget and secure inward tranquillity in your minds, amidst the vicissitudes and revolutions of things in this unstable vain world. "I will lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou Lord only makest me dwell in safety" (Psalm 4:8). He resolves the sinful fear of events shall not rob him of his inward quiet, nor torture his thoughts with anxious forebodings. He will commit all his concerns into that faithful fatherly hand that had hitherto wrought all things for him, and he does not mean to lose the comfort of one night's rest, nor bring the evil of tomorrow upon today, but knowing in whose hand he was, wisely enjoys the sweet felicity of a resigned will. The Mystery of Providence ~ John Flavel, Banner of Truth, page 167.

What shall I say of Christ? The excelling glory of that object dazzles all apprehension, swallows up all expression. When we have borrowed metaphors from every creature that has any excellency or lovely property in it, till we have stript the whole creation bare of all its ornaments, and clothed Christ with all that glory; when we have even worn out our tongues, in ascribing praises to Him, alas! we have done nothing, when all is done. Dear Sir, Christ is the peerless pearl hid in the field (Matthew 13: 46). Will you be that wise merchant, that resolves to win and compass that treasure, whatever it shall cost you? Ah, Sir, Christ is a commodity that can never be bought too dear. ~ John Flavel, March 14, 1671.

The last 3 years of my life were not what I would have chosen for myself. 2007 was a year of intense grief, being unable to accept God's will, and wondering if I would ever be whole again. 2008 was turning the corner when the doctrines of grace found me and radically changed my life. This year was a year of legal battles and learning a new way to live. After 16 years of marriage, the divorce was finalized, but I discovered the unspeakable joy of the Lord after what seemed like an endless night of sorrow. God has given me my life back. There are so many people for whom I am thankful. I am thankful for my precious daughter, my parents, my sister and her family, my brothers and sisters at Grace Baptist Chapel who have blessed me beyond words, my friends Sue and Rosemary and their families for standing with us when the bottom fell out. I am also thankful to my brothers and sisters in the blogsphere who I may never meet in person but whose writings have been an encouragement on this ea...

The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning, coastal flood warning, and flood watch for our city and the surrounding areas. As I listen to the rain and wind beating against the roof, I am reminded of this quote from The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel: However contrary the winds and tides of Providence at anytime seem to us, yet nothing is more certain than that they all conspire to hasten sanctified souls to God and fit them for glory.

In today's mail, we received a flier from a nearby church which had the following statement, " Heaven on earth...promised to us all! " They put the exclamation point. I changed it to a question mark. Because I thought we were promised... I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12 If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15: 18-20 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking...

A group from church went skiing on Saturday. Although we had to get up at 3:45 AM, the trip was a lot of fun. It was so warm that the snow was more like mashed potatoes. I didn't even make an attempt at skiing. I tried once many moons ago and knew that I am probably past the age to try learning again. My daughter gave it her best shot but the snow conditions and learning without a lesson didn't work to well. She did have a great time snow tubing in the afternoon. I think tubing is more my style because it requires no skill other than sitting. If we go again, I think I will give it a try. It was also fun to go with the folks from church. We are still relatively new so it was good to get to know one another a little bit more outside of a meeting. I spent the day reading, listening to some sermons, and knitting while most of the folks were playing in the snow. It was also interesting to observe the surroundings and the people. For the day trippers, there was a locker room where yo...

These are two quotes from "The Mystery of Providence" by John Flavel. I have them taped on my monitor as a daily reminder. Eye the all-sufficiency of God in the day of affliction. See enough in Him still, whatever is gone. Here is the fountain still as full as ever, though this or that pipe is cut off, which was wont to convey somewhat of it to me. O Christians, cannot you make up any loss this way? Cannot you see more in God than in any or all the creature-comforts you have lost ? With what eyes then do you look upon God? However contrary the winds and tides of Providence at anytime seem to us, yet nothing is more certain that they all conspire to hasten sanctified souls to God and fit them for glory.