"I Trust In A Great And Faithful God."

Have you ever read the story of Hudson Taylor, Missionary to Inland China, in 1857?

I have read the book, "Hudson Taylor" to some of my children when they were young and at home, but recently watched a video on his life from YouTube. I already knew much of what I watched but something stuck out that I had forgotten, Hudson's answer to people when they commented to him of being a great man of faith, he answered, "No, but I am a man that trusts in a great and faithful God."

Who is our helper but the Lord Jesus Christ through His Spirit?

Dearest Young Women,

Who is our helper but the Lord Jesus Christ through His Spirit? Who can enable us to love our husband and children the way they aught to be loved but Him?

It is our sweet Lord Jesus Christ who enables us to love. "We love Him because He first loved us" He exhibits true love to us through His life and death and resurrection. But it is not the example of His life that enables us to follow His path of love, but His Spirit indwelling in the saved believer, the born again one.  A person can strive to follow the example of love and forgiveness that Jesus exhibited in His life on Earth, but without the infilling of His Spirit such love can never be reached, that is, the true love of God. Such love cannot be forced, faked nor fabricated.

I like the true love of God, there is peace in His love. There is comfort, quietness, deep  joy, sweetness, glory and         salvation~



The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
(Titus 2:3-5)

Fool's Gold & Fair- weather Faith

Fool's Gold & Fair Weather Faith

"He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
(Mark 7:6)


Part 10: Preparations for Sufferings

In John Flavel's writings,* especially his time-honored work "Preparation for Sufferings,"[1] we find a sharp demarcation between traditional beliefs about salvation and God's grace, and the easy-believism, cheap grace gospel of today's postmodern churches. Have we become so watered down, so drenched in post-modernism's syrupy pap, that we cannot remember what Scripture actually says about the way of salvation? Perhaps we have never been taught.

Today's excerpts come from a chapter inserted in between Flavel's instructions for general preparations for suffering (see Part 9 of this series) and his writings about enduring actual suffering. Flavel apparently felt it necessary, before proceeding to describe how to prepare for actual persecution, to make sure that the reader knew fully well beforehand what it means to be a true believer of Christ. Note: this lesson may come as a hard one to those who haven't heard it before, and we even considered omitting it. Yet it is apparent that without this chapter the rest of Flavel's writings might seem formulaic or prescriptive. And unless the reader grasps the spiritual implications of this chapter in his heart it would be fruitless to proceed.


A Palpably Evident Change

Flavel outlines "God's work of grace" which "consists in the real change of the whole man by the Spirit of God, whereby he is prepared for every good work." This work of grace is accompanied by a "palpably evident change" in the life of a true believer, which Flavel describes as "old things are passed away, behold all things are become new,"[2] and "a turning from darkness to light."[3] Flavel emphasizes this point -- that a believer is a "new creature,"[4] a concept that is foreign to the man-centered, psychology-infused false gospels of today. He isn't just a re-made old man. He isn't simply patched up, equipped with various fadish appendages, reshifted, reshaped and remolded. He is a new creature!

Flavel takes pains to distinguish God's "work of grace" that consists "in a real change of the whole man" from other changes that men may manifest -- superficial, partial, insincere or incomplete changes which can easily be mistaken for true salvation. Indeed, in our day, when discernment is greatly denigrated, it is easy for men to act like believers, go through the outward motions, say the right words, perform the correct activities, and fool everyone. This is especially true in the ecumenical realm of church or mission organizations, where one can get by a good long time by playing the game, without ever experiencing genuine salvation. This is also true in the Christian Right, where common political causes have helped to create a climate of false religiosity. One doesn't even need to profess the Christian faith to make huge inroads into the faith. In fact, people are routinely permitted to get by with the outer trappings of being morally "right," and possessing good character and values, but in reality evidencing no true conversion in the inner man. There are many who call themselves believers, but are really fairweather friends professing a fool's gold faith. At the moment their external profession of faith is no longer popular, expedient, politically or monetarily advantageous, or a suitable means to obtaining more power, they will abandon it.

Flavel helps us discriminate between true and the false faith, as evidenced by substantial changes in the life of the professing believer. Note what true faith is NOT:
"It is not a mere change of the judgment from error to truth, from Paganism to Christianity. Such a change Simon Magus had, yet still remained in the gall of bitterness, and fast bound in the bonds of iniquity, Acts. 8:23."[5]It is not merely a change of a "man's practice, from profaneness to civility: This is common among such as live under the light of the Gospel, which breaking into men's consciences, thwarts their lusts, and over-awes them with the fears of hell: Which is no more than what the Gentiles had, Rom. 2:15."[6]"Nor is it a change from mere morality to mere formality in religion. Thus hypocrites are changed by the common gifts of the Spirit, illuminating their minds, and slightly touching their affections, Heb 4:4,5."[7]"Nor is it such a change as justification makes, which is relative, and only alters the state and condition, Rom. 5:1,2."[8]
Not Fool's Gold

What then is this profound change that Flavel speaks of so earnestly? He says,

But this change consists in the infusion of new habits of grace into the old faculties; which immediately depose sin from its dominion over the soul, and deliver up the soul into the hands and government of Christ, so that it lives no more to itself, but to Christ. This is that change whereof we speak.

It is very interesting that at this very point of distinction Flavel asserts such a believer is so radically transformed by God's grace that he will be "presently branded for a fanatic." This new creature, i.e., regenerate man, has been so substantially altered that this change cannot be dismissed as merely conceits, whimsies or fancies of faith. Putting it in our modern lingo, Flavel is basically stating that faith cannot be a "fad." Flavel describes how true faith is devoid of such superficiality:

This new man "is called a creature, Gal. 6:15; a man, 1 Pet 3:4; a new birth, John 3:3. Christ formed in us, Gal. 4:12."[9]This faith "appears to be real by the marvellous effects it hath upon a man, turning him both in judgment, will, affections, and practice, quite counter to what he was before. This is evident in the famous instance of Paul, Gal. 1:23."[10]"A divine and Almighty power goes forth to produce and work it; and hence faith is said to be of the operation of God, Col. 2:12.[11] Yea, that the same power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead, goes to the production of it, Eph. 1:19,20."[12]"Conceits and whimsies abound most in men of weak reason: Children, and such as are cracked in their understandings, have [conceits and whimsies]: Strength of reason banishes them, as the sun doth mists and vapours: But now the more rational any gracious person is, by so much the more he is fixed, settled, and satisfied in the grounds of religion: Yea, there is the highest and purest reason in religion; and when this change is wrought upon men, it is carried on in a rational way, Isaiah 1:13,[13] John 16:9.[14] The Spirit overpowers the understanding with clear demonstrations, and silences all objections, pleas, and pretences to the contrary."True faith is much more than a matter of fancy or conceit. Flavel notes, "It is a real thing, and gracious souls know it to be so; else so many thousands of the saints would never have suffered so many cruel torments and miseries, rather than forsake a fancy, and so save all.... [T]hey have chosen rather to embrace the stake [i.e. burning at the stake] than deny [Christ]. Surely no wise man would sacrifice his liberty, estate, life, and all that is dear, for a conceit."The reality of faith "appears in its uniformity in all those in whom it is wrought: They have all obtained like precious faith, 2 Pet. 1:1.[15] They are all changed into the same image, 2 Cor. 3:18.[16] Three thousand persons affected in one and the same manner at one sermon, Acts 2:37.[17] Could one and the same conceit possess them altogether?" "It is manifest, it is a reality, and puts a real difference betwixt one and another, because God carries Himself so differently towards them after their conversion; now He smiles, before He frowned; now they are under the promises, before they were under the threats and curses; and what a vast difference will He put betwixt the one and the other in that Great Day? See Matt 25." Evidence of the change in a man can be seen in his changed "soul, body, and practice: all things are become new." These evidences include substantial changes of heart, inclination, affection and meditation. These changes are both observable and mystical. But not in the postmodern sense of being pragmatically measurable (purpose-driven) nor esoteric. In fact, compare this biblical list below to both the postmodern mystical (contemplative) mindset and its ultra-pragmatic business-oriented counterpart. It will quickly become evident that the mass-marketed, pop culture evangelicalism is barren when it comes to genuine attributes of the faith! A true believer evidences the following profound changes, which in today's worldly church might even be ridiculed or mocked:
His understanding is "strangely altered." Formerly he "admired riches and honour, whilst Christ and glory were overlooked and despised. But now all these temporals are esteemed dung, dross, vanity, Phil 3:8,11; Rom 8:18."[18]"Jesus Christ is now esteemed the wisdom and the power of God, 1 Cor. 1:23,24."[19]Saints are no longer looked on "as despicable persons, but now as the excellent of the earth, Psalm 16:3."[20]"Strictness and duty was once esteemed as a needless thing, but now the only thing desirable, Psal 119:14."[21] The "stronghold" of the will "is taken and delivered up to Christ. It did rebel against God, and could not be subject, but now it submits, Acts 9:6."[22] Love "changeth its object: It seizeth not so greedily on earthly objects as before, but is strangely cooled and deadened to them, by the appearance of a far greater glory in Jesus Christ; which hath so captivated the soul, and strongly attracted the affection, that it now becomes very remiss in all its actings towards [earthly things].... Now Jesus Christ (Cant. 1:3), His ordinances (Psalm 119:97), and His saints (1 John 3:14) are the only delights and sweetest companions; he could sit from morning till night, to hear discourses of Christ his beloved, and could live and die in the company of His people, whose company is now most delightful and sweet, Psalm 119:63."[23]"The desires are altered, they pant no more after the dust of the earth, Psal 4:6, but pant for God,... Psalm 42:1... Psalm 119:20."[24] "The thoughts are changed (Psalm 119:113) and the thoughts of God are now most precious (Psalm 139:17), musing when alone of Him; and in its solitudes the soul entertains itself with a delightful feast, which its thoughts of God bring in to refresh it, Psalm 63:5,6."[25] "The designs and projects of the soul are changed; all are now swallowed up in one grand design, even to approve himself to God, and be accepted of Him, 2 Cor. 5:9[26].... and it will not much trouble him if all his other designs should be dashed.""When the sabbath comes (that golden spot of the week,) oh how he longs to see the beauty of the Lord in his ordinances. Psalm 73."
Flavel concludes his observations with a heartrending section describing the precious relationship between a believer whose will is in conformance with God's, who rejoices and delights to do God's will, who seeks the Lord's face, and who loves to meditate on God's law in his heart. Flavel observes, "The command to such a soul is not grievous, 1 John 5:3."[27] All this distinguishes a true believer from the false:

"O there is a vast difference betwixt a man that works for wages, and one whose work is wages to him. And here you may at once see wherein the principal difference betwixt the hypocrite and real Christian lies in the performance of duty; and also have a true account of the reason why one perseveres in his work to the end, when the other flags. Why, here is the true account of both; the one is moved to duty from a natural inclination to it, and the other is forced upon it by some external motives: For the hypocrite takes not delight in the spiritual and inward part of duty, but is secretly weary of it, Mal 1:13,[28] only his ambition and self-ends put him upon it is as a task. But now the upright heart goes to God as his joy, Psalm 63:4."[29]


The Truth:

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness." (Matthew 23:27)


Endnotes:
1. Works of John Flavel (6 vol set), Banner of Truth Trust (1820, 1968), ISBN 0-85151-060-4. Flavel's dissertation titled "Preparations for Suffering, or The Best Work in the Worst Times" appears in Volume 6, pages 3-83.
2. 1 Corinthians 5:17 states: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
3. Acts 26:18 describes salvation most fully: "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."
4. I Cor. 5:17, Ibid.
5. The full account of this story can be found in Acts 8:9-24. Scripture tells us that Simon Magus "believed" and "was baptized," but offered Peter and Philip money in order to obtain more spiritual "power." But Peter told him that "thy heart is not right in the sight of God" and advised him to repent of "this thy wickedness... For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity" (vs. 22-23).
6. Romans 2:15 explains of these types of men that: "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another."
7. This is an interesting view of Hebrews 6:4,5 (and we have included verse 6), which says: "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame."
8. Romans 5:1,2 states: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." We do not believe that Flavel is denigrating justification here, but rather, in the context of all of his remarks, he is pointing out that this is not an ending point, but rather a place from which to grow in the faith.
9. Galatians 6:15 states: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." 1 Peter 3:4 describes it as "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." In Galatians 4:12, Paul exhorts believers to model him as he has modeled Christ for them, "Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all."
10. Galatians 1:24 tells of Paul's miraculous testimony that "But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed."
11. Colossians 2:12 state this profound change: "Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead."
12. Ephesians 1:19-20 explains, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places," and this sentence continues on with several more amazing verses, 21-24, which should also be read in this context.
13. Isaiah 1:18 is the well-known verse where the Lord states to us, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
14. There are many unfortunate copy errors in the Bible references in Flavel's writings. We believe Flavel is referring to John 16:13, which makes more sense in his subsequent statement, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."
15. 2 Peter 1:1 states: "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"
16. 2 Corinthians 3:18 explains the miraculous nature of this substantial change: "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
17. Acts 2:37 testifies to this miracle that: "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
18. Philippians 3:8 is where Paul proclaims, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," and in verse 11 he reveals his focus, "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." Romans 8:18 also reveals the eternal focus: "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
19. I Corinthians 1:23-24 explains, "But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
20. Psalm 16:3 encourages us with, "But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight."
21. Psalm 119:14 says, "I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches." Is this focus true for you today?
22. In Acts 9:6 we read of Saul's immediate obedience to the Lord on the Road to Damascus. "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
23. Are these sayings true for you today, dear reader? Are these your priorities? Song of Solomon 1:3a proclaims love of the Lord: "Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth...." Psalm 119:97 proclaims love of His ordinances, which are meditated on continually: "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Verse 63 in the same Psalm announces, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts." And 1 John 3:14 also proclaims love of the brethren, "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
24. Psalm 4:6 expresses the need and desire for the Lord, "There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us." Psalm 42:1 is a familiar verse of longing for the Lord, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." And Psalm 119:20 expresses a longing for God's judgments: "My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times."
25. Psalm 119:113 confesses, "I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love." Psalm 139:17 (the error in the original text has been corrected here) reads: "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" And Psalm 63:5-6 explains what biblical meditation really is all about: "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches."
26. 2 Corinthians 5:9 professes the desire, "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
27. 1 John 5:3 promises us that, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous."
28. Malachi 1:13 warns of a false-hearted faith, "Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD."
29. Psalm 63:4 expresses this joy with "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name."

*ED. NOTE: Italics in original, bold added. We have taken minor liberties to reformat some of the published text by altering some of the punctuation, Roman numerals, and other obsolete forms.

An Exhortation On Praise and Thanks Giving to Jesus Christ our Creator

Dearest Mothers, 

Do you know this scripture? "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
This scripture is for those who belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, who belong to the body of Christ, who are the bride of Christ through the faith and salvation He gives, those who are born again of His Holy Spirit. Those who fit this description are the ones who, "Press for the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
What is the mark? Well, what is our hope?  Is it not to be with Jesus Christ in Heaven someday? We are looking for a "City" whose maker and builder is God. Faithful Abraham set out and fixed his eyes on the mark of the high calling of God, the scripture says- "For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10) Abraham went forward and obeyed God's voice.

If we are fixed on this high calling of God then everything else in life pales in importance. Other people's opinions, judgements and criticisms are not going to move us if we know what our God has called us to and we are set and our hearts fixed on Him to obey Him.
Obedience to God is crucial during our walk here on this Earth.

We know the things God has told us to do through His Word and He gives much blessings to us as we obey His voice.
But so often we forget to be obedient to this command:  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Hebrews 13:15) and "And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by him." (Colossians 3:17) and one more of many more: "Giving thanks always for all things unto God, even the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" (Ephesians 5:20)

Dearest ones, obedience to this command brings much, much glory to God! Obedience to this command reveals faith in Him- it testifies of your faith in Him and it blesses Him...
 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." (Psalms 34:1-3)

Today I was going through a certain trial and complaining to God about it in my heart. During a moment of silence while I was crying and filled with self pity I heard the still small voice of God ask, "Have you thanked me for this, or praised me? Have you obeyed me?"
I was shaken in my spirit and confessed to Him, "No, and I'm so sorry.".. So I very quickly began thanking and praising Him for everything and also anything I could think of.
It lifted! The burden and hard feelings left as I surrendered my will and left things up to Him.
 
God is so wonderful!

Let's obey God dear mothers! He is the answer to every problem. Obedience to God is the best resolve and the wisest resolve for the people of God.


"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your body, and strength to your bones."  (Proverbs 3:5-8)

With love in our sweet Saviour.
Sarah
 

Coming To Christ

Coming to Christ

John 6:37, 44, 65

 

Holy Scriptures contain many calls from Jesus Christ to men regarding coming to Him for salvation.

Consider a few.  “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22).  “Ho!  Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat.  Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1).  “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28).  “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37f).  “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’  And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

In these texts, coming to Christ is equated with looking to Him in faith, acknowledging that no help is to be found in self, and that all that is desired is found in Him.

And we would add that at the very moment one begins to come to Christ, he has fully arrived at Christ.

Here is Christ’s doctrine on this subject in John chapter 6.

I. “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me” (v.37a).  Here is an unmistakable affirmation of the glorious doctrine of election to salvation.  Those whom Christ calls “all the Father gives Me” are those whom the Father in grace chose in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-5).

Here also is an unmistakable affirmation of the glorious doctrine of the effectual call to salvation.  Christ declares “All the Father gives Me will come to Me”.  Elsewhere we read the manner in which they will be effectually called (2 Thessalonians 2:13): those whom “God from the beginning chose ... for salvation” will come to Christ “through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Every one of God’s elect will come to Christ for salvation!  None will be cast away!

II. “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (v.44).  Here is an unmistakable denial of the false doctrine of salvation by an act of man’s freewill.  Man is completely incapable of coming to Christ of his own will.

Christ elsewhere declares, “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:40).  In comparing these two texts, we observe that man of his own will is unable to come to Christ because he is unwilling to come to Christ.

Man is unable to come to Christ because he is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).  He is prevented from coming to Christ by virtue of being in “the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 2:2f).  He is unwilling to come to Christ because, as Christ said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do” (John 8:44).  We are all therefore by nature “slaves of sin” (John 8:34; Romans 6:17, 20).  Consequently, “There is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:10).  And none is either willing or able to come to Him whom he will not seek.

However, the Father in time “draws” to Christ all that He in eternity “gives” to Christ.  He draws men to Christ through His gracious influence, not by forceful coercion.  “Your people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power” (Psalm 110:3).

III. “No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father” (v.65).  Every aspect of coming to Christ is freely performed by the one coming, but graciously granted by God.  God opens the heart so that it may voluntarily heed the gospel (Acts 16:14).  God grants the repentance with which the heart is turned from Satan and dead works to Himself (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25f), and the faith with which the gospel is believed (Ephesians 2:8f; Acts 18:27; Philippians 1:29).

This doctrine of Jesus Christ so offended His nominal disciples that they would no longer follow Him (vv.60‑66).  But it so blessed His true disciples that they would not depart from Him (vv.67-69).  Will you receive it?  Have you truly come to Christ?
– Daniel E. Parks (December 28, 2003; #508)

"Tell Me The Old Old Story"

Tell the old old story to your children!

Think about the words to this old hymn dearest mothers, we can never talk to our children too much about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us.



 Tell Me The Old Old Story
by:  A. Catherine Hankey, 1834-1911


Tell me the old, old story Of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love.
Tell me the story simply, As to a little child,
For I am weak and weary, And helpless and defiled.

Refrain:
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story,
Tell me the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.

Tell me the story slowly, That I may take it in—
That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.
Tell me the story often, For I forget so soon;
The early dew of morning Has passed away at noon.

Tell me the story softly, With earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I'm the sinner Whom Jesus came to save.
Tell me the story always, If you would really be,
In any time of trouble, A comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story When you have cause to fear
That this world's empty glory Is costing me too dear.
Yes, and when that world's glory Is dawning on my soul,
Tell me the old, old story— "Christ Jesus makes thee whole." 

For History of writer/author:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/hymn_details.asp?PID=tellmetheoldoldstory#history

Is Your Life Centered Around Our Savior? Your Children Can Tell You!

Dearest Mothers,

Is your life centered around our Savior?

How often are we praising our Lord Jesus Christ throughout the day? How often do our children hear His praises during the day?

If children see parents getting excited and thrilled about movies, things on the computer such as,YouTube and other vast amount of entertainment and information offered, videos, sports, activities etc. . . and yet when it comes to the things of God they observe a ritual and duty performed with no joy nor excitement, then what are parents communicating to their children? What then will the children want to do if they see no life nor joy in the things of God? Will they not choose the things that please the flesh and mind, things that are forever empty and useless for all eternity?

So I ask you dear mothers, are you excited about the things of God? Does the name of Jesus Christ the Lord thrill your soul?

If not- I will ask you a question- Why not?

Are you saved? Are you a child of the living God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you born again? If you are truly His own and yet are not thrilled about Him I must tell you- there is something wrong- But there is an answer for you- Go to Him and ask Him, "What is wrong, why am I not excited about You?"

Ask God to reveal to you anything in your life that might be offending Him. Ask Him for cleansing through the blood of His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ. Ask Him for joy and excitement about Him, ask Him  to make you real inside and genuine before Him in your heart. Ask Him to make the deepest intent of your heart be that He will be glorified!  God does the work in us through His Spirit- He gives the true and genuine fruit of His Spirit. Ask, Seek, Knock! *Pursue the knowledge of the Lord our God.

Children notice what pleases their Parents. This too is part of training your child for God. Your genuine love for the Son, Jesus Christ will impress your child's mind and heart to desire to have what you have as they see the living epistle of God in your life.
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3)
 

The Song, "Be Thou My Vision" speaks of a heart that is centered around the Savior-

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul's Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

To listen go here:
https://songsandhymns.org/hymns/lyrics/be-thou-my-vision

Be Thou My Vision  

History Of Writer

Dearest Mother, This life will soon pass- How are you investing your time for Jesus in raising your children for Him? Eternally? or Temporally?

"One life will soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last."

In His love,
Sarah

*Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (Hosea 6:1-3)