Tried With Fire

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:22-25. "There is all the difference between the groan of death and the groan of life. Now, the apostle sets the whole matter before us when he said, "The whole creation groaneth," and you know what comes after that, "travaileth." There is a result to come of it of the best kind. We are panting, longing after something greater, better, nobler, and it is coming. It is not the pain of death we feel, but the pain of life. We are thankful to have such a groaning." C.H. Spurgeon, Creation's Groans and the Saints...

It's the last day of 2012. God has been good every day this year and good in ways that go far beyond material blessings. Worry still creeps in tempting me to doubt His steadfast love, but by His grace, I am determined to remember past Ebenezers, trust Providence for the present, and look forward to eternity. Life is very different from what I imagined it would be. In some ways it is harder and in other ways so much better. But if Christ died to only give us our "best life now", we would be the most pitiful people on earth so I ain't buying what you're selling,  Mr. Osteen. (1. Cor. 15:19) Because of the gospel, we have something awaiting us that will more than make up for every earthly loss. So Ms. Worry, here's a good dose of eternity to send you packing: They don't sing, "You are worthy to open the scroll, because you always gave your children everything they ever asked for. You gave them nice houses and good jobs; you gave them good children, a...

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...