Bonnie's Prayer Affair

IN AFFLICTION, EMBRACE IT

“’[W]e glory in tribulations knowing that tribulation worketh patience. –Romans 5:3’” By patiently enduring suffering for His sake, saints greatly glorify their Redeemer” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, July 14^th).

“The apostles are delivered so they might employ themselves in bravely preaching the gospel and courageously provoking their enemies until they valiantly die. The apostles are eventually put to death when the hand of God creases and they have finished their course. But for now the Lord opens the prison for them so they may be at liberty to fulfill their function. This is worth noting because we see many people who, having escaped out of persecution, afterward keep silence, as if they have done their duty toward God and are no more to be troubled. Others escape further duty by denying Christ. The Lord does deliver his children to the end, not that they may cease from the course that they have begun, but rather that they might afterward be more zealous” John Calvin (ref#164, July 22^nd).

[B]ecause the [apostles] knew that they were to live and to die to the Lord, [they] did not refuse to do what the Lord commands. So we must always mark what function the Lord prescribes to us. We may be asked to do many things that may discouraged us, unless we are content with the commandment of God alone and do our duty, committing the success to him” John Calvin (ref#164, July 22^nd).

“[W]e must always come back to this consolation: The Lord planned our sorrow, so let us submit to his will” John Calvin (ref#313, p63).

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD” (Ps 31:24 ESV)!

“We trust Him, and sin dies; we love Him, and grace lives; we wait for Him, and grace is strengthened; we see Him as He is, and grace is perfected forever” Charles Spurgeon (ref#34, May 31^st PM).

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:5-7 ESV).