J. Kent

Posted by

0

BAD YIELDS GOOD

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28 The range of this privilege is boundless. ‘All things’ under the righteous government of God must necessarily work out for good. ‘Thou art good, and doest good’ (Ps 119:68)” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, Dec 28th).

“We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instaed of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and Your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don’t want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God’s deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part” (2 Cor 1:8-11 MSG).

“During my self-defense not even one person appeared in court, taking his stand at my side [b]ut the Lord took His stand at my side to render all the assistance I needed and clothed me with strength, in order that through me the public proclamation might be heralded abroad in full measure. And I was drawn to His side out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will draw me to himself away from every pernicious work actively opposed to that which is good, and will keep me safe and sound for His kingdom, the heavenly one, to whom be the glory forever and forever” (2 Tim 4:16-18 Wuest).

“[W]ho can compute the good, the real, the permanent good that results from the trying dispensations of God and from the corrections of a Father’s love? The things that appear to war against the believer, unfolding their divine mission, turn out rather for the promotion of his best welfare and his highest interest” Octavius Winslow (ref#135, Dec 29th).

Chosen in the furnace of affliction

To his church, his joy, and treasure,

Every trial works for good;

They are dealt in weight and measure,

Yet how little understood!

J. Kent (ref#224, song#758).

“[R]eceive the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thes 1:6 ESV).

Posted by

0

GRACE MUST BE TRIED

“If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword he must be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” (Rev:13:10 ESV).

The Trial of Faith

Jehovah has said, ‘tis left on record,

‘The righteous are one with Jesus the Lord;’

At all times he loves them; ‘twas for them he died;

Yet ofttimes he proves them, for grace must be tried.

When faint in the way, or lifeless and cold,

Or sunk in dismay, and none to uphold;

Yet firm to his promise thy God shall abide;

But grace, though the smallest, shall surely be tried.

[Temptations and sins in legions shall rise,

As spears in thy side or thorns in thy eyes;

And oft, to thy sorrow, his face he shall hide,

For God has determined his grace shall be tried.]

With him on the mount today thou shalt be,

Indulged by thy Lord his glory to see;

There he may caress thee, and call thee his bride,

Yet grace, though he bless thee, shall surely be tired.

[The tempest shall blow, the billows shall swell,

Thy soul, full of woe, shall pass as through hell;

And all this to prove thee, to stain thy cursed pride;

Yet still he will love thee; but grace must be tried.]

He’ll ne’er thee forsake, but surely perform

His word though he take his way in the storm;

Yea, oft in the clouds of dejection he’ll ride,

For he has determined his grace shall be tried.

As gold from the flame, he’ll bring thee at last,

To praise him for all through which thou hast past;

Then love everlasting thy griefs shall repay,

And God from thy eyes wipe all sorrows away” J. Kent (ref#224, song#297).

“Count if all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4 ESV).

ASSURANCES

Posted by

0

TWO STAGES TO BECOMING A CHRISTIAN

Once becoming a child, FATHER, then I must grow up. The first stage embraces a moment in time—You made me Your child

I can recognize the first stage of my new birth by a change in my attitudes. I am instantly more interested in You than in me.

The first part of the year 2018 will be dedicated to questioning myself as to whether I have changed internally and possess a new set of attitudes.

The second part of the year will be questioning myself whether I am working the new attitudes out into my actions.

“There is a period known to God

When all his sheep, redeemed by blood,

Shall leave the hateful ways of sin,

Turn to the fold, and enter in.

 

“Glory to God, they ne’er shall rove

Beyond the limits of his love;

Fenced with Jehovah’s shalls and wills,

Firm as the everlasting hills” J. Kent (ref#224,#76)