Tried With Fire

Though troubles assail and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail and foes all unite; Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, The scripture assures us, the Lord will provide The birds without barn or storehouse are fed, From them let us learn to trust for our bread: His saints, what is fitting, shall ne'er be denied, So long as it's written, the Lord will provide We may, like the ships, by tempest be tossed On perilous deeps, but cannot be lost. Though Satan enrages the wind and the tide, The promise engages, the Lord will provide. His call we obey, like Abram of old, Not knowing our way, but faith makes us bold; For though we are strangers we have a good Guide, And trust in all dangers, the Lord will provide When Satan appears to stop up our path, And fill us with fears, we triumph by faith; He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, This heart-cheering promise, the Lord will provide He tells us we're weak, our hope is in vain, The good that we seek we ...

From All I Owe by Matthew Smith, words by John Newton.

An accomplished and well-behaved young woman is an amiable object in the sight of her fellow-creatures. She may be sensible and obliging; she may dress and dance genteelly; she may play well upon the harpsichord; she may have much finer work to show than the coats and garments which Dorcas made; and, by her vivacity and good humor, she may become the idol of all her acquaintances; but, if she does not know her state as a sinner; if she admires herself, and is pleased with the admiration of others, while her heart is cold to the love and glory of God our Savior—if she has no taste for prayer or praise; if her mind is engrossed by the pleasures and prospects of this poor world—she is dead while she lives! In the sight of God her Maker, she is insensible and ungrateful, she is poor, blind, and miserable! When you were a child, I could observe in you, not only the sprightliness common to children—but indications of sense and mental powers above the common standard. Your character, I supp...

I know not a better  rule of reading the Scripture , than to read it through from beginning to end; and, when we have finished it once, to begin it again. We shall meet with many passages which we can make little improvement of, but not so many in the second reading as in the first, and fewer in the third than in the second—provided we pray to Him who has the keys to open our understandings, and to anoint our eyes with his spiritual eye-salve! The course of  reading  today, will give some light for what we shall read  tomorrow , and throw a farther light upon what we read  yesterday . Experience alone, can prove the advantage of this method, if steadily persevered in. To make a few efforts, and then give up—is like taking a few steps and then standing still, which would do little towards completing a long journey. But, though a person walked  slowly , and but a  little  way in a day—if he walked every day, and with his face always in the same dir...

"The superiority of a grown-up in Christ to his younger counterparts lies chiefly in the fact that the Lord has blessed his going to church, praying, listening to biblical preaching and receiving the Lord's Supper and has given him a clearer view of the greatness and majesty of Christ… He grasps the great mysteries of redeeming love and cherishes the One who took on human weakness in order to atone for his sin. He marvels at the stability, unity, beauty, and certainty of the Scriptures and frequently meditates on the height, breadth, depth, and length of the love of God in Christ for him. In fact, his greatest joy is to behold the glory of God in Christ, and as he gazes at the Savior, he is gradually changed into the likeness of the one he adores." Sounds a bit contrary to the Christianoid culture that seeks one emotional experience after another to compensate for the current one that has fizzled out. Who would have thought that grasping the gospel and "ordinary...

Remember your exalted privilege—you have the Bible in your hands, and are not bound to follow books or preachers any farther than what they teach agrees with the Oracles of Truth. We have great reason to be thankful for the instructions and writings of spiritual men—but they are all fallible—even as ourselves. One is our master, even Christ—what He says, we are to receive implicitly—but we do not owe implicit subjection to the best of our fellow-creatures. The Bereans were commended because they would not implicitly believe even the Apostle Paul—but searched the Scriptures to see whether the things which he taught were true. May the Lord give us a spirit of humility and discernment in all things. A choice excerpt from John Newton

I'm sharing a quote by John Newton at Out of the Ordinary which I've also posted here. As I consider the years I've been a believer and how much further I have to go, his words perfectly describe what I want to be when I grow up: Much has been forgiven him, therefore he loves much, and therefore he knows how to forgive and pity others. He does not call evil good, or good evil; but his own experiences teach him tenderness and forbearance. He exercises a spirit of meekness towards those who are overtaken in a fault; and his attempts to restore such, are according to the pattern of the Lord's dealings with himself. Read more .

August 17, 1776 My dear friend, It befits every Christian to say—It is not necessary for me to be rich—or what the world accounts wise. It is not necessary for me to be healthy—or admired by my fellow-worms. It is not necessary for me to pass through life in a state of prosperity and outward comfort. These things may be, or they may not be—as the Lord in His wisdom shall appoint them for me. But it is necessary for me to be humble and spiritual, to seek communion with God, to adorn my profession of the Gospel, and to yield submissively to His disposal, in whatever way, whether of service or suffering—that He shall be pleased to call me to glorify Him in this world. It is not necessary for me to live long—but highly expedient that while I do live—I should live unto Him! Here then, I would bound my desires; and here, having His Word for my rule, I am secured from asking amiss. Let me have His presence, wisdom to know my calling, and opportunities and faithfulness to improve them; and ...

"Jesus, to whom I have been led to commit myself, has engaged to save me, absolutely, and from first to last. He has promised not only that He will not depart from me—but that He will put, keep, and maintain His fear in my heart—so that I shall never finally depart from Him! And if He does not do this for me—I have no security against my turning apostate! For I am so weak, inconsistent, and sinful; I am so encompassed with deadly snares from the world; and I am so liable to such assaults from the subtlety, vigilance, and power of Satan—that, unless I am "kept by the power of God," I am sure I cannot endure to the end! I do believe that the Lord will keep me while I walk humbly and obediently before Him; but, were this all—it would be cold comfort! For I am prone to wander—and need a Shepherd whose watchful eye, compassionate heart, and boundless mercy—will pity, pardon, and restore my backslidings! For, though by His goodness and not my own—I have hitherto been prese...

This high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity, before whom the angels veil their faces—condescends to hold communion with those whom men despise. He passes by the kings and the princes, to manifest Himself to an humble soul in a mud-walled cottage! He comforts them when in trouble, strengthens them when weak, makes their beds in sickness, revives them when fainting, upholds them when falling, and so seasonably and effectually manages for them, that, though they are persecuted and tempted, though their enemies are many and mighty—nothing is able to separate them from His love! And all this he does alone. All the abilities, powers, and instincts, which are found among creatures, are emanations from his fullness. All changes, successes, disappointments—all that is memorable in the annals of history, all the rising and falls of empires, all the turns in human life—take place according to his plan. In vain men contrive and combine to accomplish their own counsels, unless they are parts o...

First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark 4:28 In Extravagant Grace , Barbara Duguid distills several of John Newton's letters on the progression of Christian growth. For new believers, there is great enthusiasm and zeal. They have new revelation and gain victory over certain sins, but often there is less compassion and understanding. They view other Christians through the lens of their own experience which may result in a legalistic and judgmental attitude. I would also add cage-stage believers in this category too. As one blogger wrote , "No Calvinist is so brutal in his assessment of Arminianism as the recent Calvinist." Sound familiar?   I love how Newton describes the process in which God humbles us through our own struggles with sin.  We realize where we've been too big for our britches. We appreciate His forbearance which results in greater compassion for those who are struggling. This is what I want to be by His grace. ...

My daughter was away for her June and July visitation back to back, so it was the longest time she's been away from home. Thankfully we were able to talk or Skype almost every day. When I hung up after speaking with her on Saturday, I realized that in all likelihood I will probably be alone for a good part of the rest of my life. At first it was a matter-of-fact acknowledgment, not a morbid pity party. But then the doubts started to creep in. "What will I do about [fill in the blank]? What will happen to me? Will I be okay?", etc. In my right mind, I do believe God's will is good and there will be grace for whatever He's ordained.  But if I'm honest, the unmortified part of my brain began to churn and fret. I could make excuses for myself and justify my right to be anxious, but the underlying unbelief that's coming to the surface is sin. It's a denial of God's character and questions whether or not He will keep  His word. It's the same old, ...

Dearest Saviour! we adore thee, For thy precious life and death; Melt each stubborn heart before thee; Give us all the eye of faith. From the law's condemning sentence, To thy mercy we appeal; Thou alone canst give repentance; Thou alone our souls can heal. John Newton (1725-1807)

Not to Sinai's dreadful blaze, But to Zion's throne of grace, By a way marked out with blood, Sinners now approach to God. Not to hear the fiery law, But with humble joy to draw Water, by that well supplied Jesus opened when He died. Lord, there are no streams but thine Can assuage a thirst like mine! 'Tis a thirst thyself didst give; Let me, therefore, drink and live! John Newton, 1779

Be still, my heart! these anxious cares To thee are burdens, thorns, and snares; They cast dishonour on thy Lord, And contradict his gracious word. Brought safely by his hand thus far, Why dost thou now give place to fear? How canst thou want if he provide, Or lose thy way with such a guide? Did ever trouble yet befall, And he refuse to hear thy call? And has he not his promise passed, That thou shalt overcome at last? He who has helped me hitherto, Will help me all my journey through; And give me daily cause to raise New Ebenezers to his praise. John Newton (1725-1807)

Dear Brother,   Blessed be God for the news of a better world, where there will be no sin, trouble, nor defect forever! What shall it be--when the Lord shall call us up to join with those who are now singing before the eternal throne!  What shall it be--when all the children of God, who in different ages and countries have been scattered abroad--shall be all gathered together, and enter into that glorious and eternal rest provided for them! What shall it be--when there shall not be one trace of sin or sorrow remaining--not one discordant note to be heard, nothing to disturb or defile, or alleviate the never-ceasing joy! Many a weary step we have taken, since the Lord first drew us to Himself; but we shall not have to tread the past way over again. Some difficulties may remain--but we know not how few. Perhaps before we are aware, the Lord may cut short our conflict and say, "Come up hither!" At the most, it cannot be very ...

One there is, above all others, Well deserves the name of Friend; He is love beyond a brother's, Costly, free, and knows no end; They who once His kindness prove, Find it everlasting love. Which of all our friends, to save us, Could or would have shed his blood; But our Jesus died to save us Reconciled in Him to God. This was boundless love indeed! Jesus is a Friend in need! O for grace our hearts to soften! Teach us Lord, at length to love; We, alas! forget too often What a Friend we have above. But when home our souls are brought, We will praise Thee as we ought. Hymn 133 by John Newton, 1779

This is another hymn by John Newton written in 1774 with new music and additional lyrics by Daniel Renstrom . Let us love and sing and wonder, let us praise our Savior's name! He has hushed the law's loud thunder, He has quenched Mt. Sinai's flame. He has washed us with His blood, He has brought us nigh to God. Let us love and sing and wonder, let us praise our Savior's name! Let us sing, though fierce temptation threaten hard to bear us down! For the Lord, our strong Salvation, holds in view the conqueror's crown: He Who washed us with His blood soon will bring us home to God. Let us love and sing and wonder, let us praise our Savior's name! Chorus: We, we delight in the Son who gives us light               And His light has now dawned on us. Let us wonder, grace and justice join and point to mercy's store; When through grace in Christ our trust is, justice smiles and asks no more: He Who washed us with His blood has secured our ...

Dear Shepherd of thy people here Thy presence now display; As thou hast given a place for prayer, So give us hearts to pray. Show us some token of they love, Our fainting hope to raise; And pour thy blessing from above, That we may render praise. Within these walls let holy peace, And love and concord dwell; Here give the troubled conscience ease; The wounded spirit heal. May we in faith receive thy word, In faith present our prayers, And, in the presence of our Lord, Unbosom all our cares. And may the gospel's joyful sound, Enforced by mighty grace, Awaken many sinners round, To come and fill this place. John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779

The other day I was at the harbor, and saw a ship launched—she slipped easily into the water; the people on board shouted; the ship looked clean and mirthful, she was freshly painted, and her colors flying. But I looked at her with a sort of pity, "Poor ship!" I thought, "you are now in port and in safety; but before long you must go to sea. Who can tell what storms you may meet with hereafter, and to what hazards you may be exposed; how weather-beaten you may be before you return to port again, or perhaps you may return at all!" Then my thoughts turned from the ship to my dear child. It seemed to be an emblem of your present state—you are now, as it were, in a safe harbor; but by and by you must launch out into the world, which may well be compared to a tempestuous sea. I could even now almost weep at the resemblance. But I take courage, as my hopes are greater than my fears. I know there is an infallible Pilot, who has the winds and the waves at his command. There...