The Patience of The Heavenly Farmer

To E. M., Nottingham, May 10, 1850.

My Dear,

All health and peace to you in our glorious Covenant-Head. My soul desires that yours may prosper, and greets you affectionately in that dear name which, when breathed into the soul by the Holy Spirit, is truly precious. (1 Peter 2:7) Precious indeed He is, but not to the carnal mind; to such He has no loveliness, no beauty, that they should desire Him. There must be spiritual life, spiritual sight, and spiritual appetite, before a glorious Christ can be appreciated in His preciousness and suitability! 

These gifts, my beloved friend, I believe you have received through rich sovereign grace; and it can be truly said, "You has He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." This one mercy of quickening, this first communication of grace, is a sure pledge of glory, according to Philemon 1:6. Eternal life is the same in kind, though not in development, in "the blade," "the ear," and "the full corn in the ear." The great Farmer is watching over all, giving sun and rain as well as storms and frosts in due season. We like the showers and sunshine, but would rather go on without the cold and stormy weather, which is likewise needful, and often very conducive to our spiritual growth. I have often said before the Lord, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23, 24) But when a cutting north wind has come, I have complained, little thinking that it was just an answer to my prayer. Perhaps you may pass through some such experience, and in these wintry seasons you may think that growth is stopped, and life will soon be gone; but no, it is "incorruptible seed" of which you are born, which lives and abides forever. (1 Peter 1:23) Amidst our many changes, how encouraging is this thought; and also the knowledge that the great Farmer has more interest in the seed, than it has in itself. "You are not your own," but His who bought you with His blood. You are His portion, His inheritance, in whom He will be glorified.

Truly the gospel of the blessed God, while it is most strengthening as showing all the work to be His; is most humbling, as showing all weakness and sin to be ours. Had it not been so, such mighty cost and pains would not have been needful for our redemption. I pray that the oil and wine of gospel grace may flow into your soul, for this makes us nothing, and Jesus all. I hope you are well, and that the Lord is making your holiday a holy day unto Himself by His own presence and power. The Lord be with your spirit, and strengthen your faith, and make all needed grace abound towards you.

So desires, with much love, your very affectionate, but very unworthy,

Ruth.

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Lucas

Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.  Philemon 1:24-25 

Lucas  [Hebrew] ~  Bringer of Light. ♛

Hashtags

Some hashtags that Paul might use if he were here today:

#buriedwithhim

Romans 6:4 ... Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

#nocompromise

1 Corinthians 16:13 ... Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

#sufficient

2 Corinthians 9-10 ... And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

#faith

Galatians 3:9-11 ... So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

#grace

Ephesians 2:8-9 ... For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

#noworries

Philippians 4:6-7 ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

#above

Colossians 3:1-3 ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

#rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ... For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

#antichrist
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ...  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.


#goodfight
1 Timothy 6:12 ... Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.



#lastdays
2 Timothy 3:1-5 ... This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


#blessedhope
Titus 2:13 ... Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;



#prayers
Philemon 4-6 ... I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;  That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

❤ ❤ ❤

The Spirit of Grace

Grace is one of the most beautiful words in God's Book. The very sound of it is musical to the believer who understands it. It just meets our case, for it tells us that God is inclined to be favorable unto us; more, that he is prepared to shower down the richest blessings upon us; and that what he gives, he gives freely, from the love of his own heart.

Grace is favor shown to the unworthy, without any cause or reason but what is found in God's own bosom. Grace never looks outside of itself for a motive but is its own motive. It dwells in all its fullness in Jesus, and is the glory of the gospel scheme. But we are not going to dwell upon grace itself but to fix the eye upon the Holy Spirit, as called, "the Spirit of grace."

The Spirit is the gift of God's grace one of it's greatest gifts. Indeed, it has no greater.  Grace gave Jesus, and it gives the Holy Spirit; these gifts are equal in value and importance, as they are equal in nature, power, and glory.  Without Jesus, we could have no deliverance from wrath, or title to Heaven; and without the Holy Spirit, we would never realize deliverance, or be made fit for glory.

The Father promised the Spirit to his Son, and the Son bestows the Spirit upon his church, and makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus. The Father laid up our fortune in Jesus; Jesus has preserved for us all that the Father entrusted to him; but it is the Holy Spirit who makes known to us the wealth which our heavenly Father has laid up for us, and conveys the foretastes and pledges of it into our souls. Holy and blessed Spirit, daily bring down into our souls fresh and fuller supplies of grace from the Father and the Son!

The Holy Spirit produces all our graces within us. He is the root and our graces are his fruits; hence we read, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Galatians 5:22) 

If we believe, it is through grace. If we love, it is because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. If we rejoice, it is in consequence of his revealing and applying the truth to our souls. When his influence is put forth within us  then we believe God's word,  hope in his mercy,  rejoice in his goodness,  cleave to his cause,  walk in his ways,  love his truth, his people, and himself, holiness is then happiness, duties are then pleasant, and even the cross lays light upon our shoulders.

[James Smith]

Zechariah 12:10 ... And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Luke 11:13 ... If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Titus 3:5-6 ... Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Philemon 1:25 ... The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.🕊

The Treasures in You

There are treasures in life, but owners are few. Of money and power to buy things brand new. Yet you can be wealthy and feel regal too, if you will just look for the treasures in you.

These treasures in life are not hard to find, when you look in your heart, your soul, and your mind. For when you are willing to share what's within, your fervent search for riches will end.

The joy and the laughter, the smile that you bring; The heart unafraid to love and to sing; The hand always willing to help those in need; ones quick to reach out, to labor and feed.

So thank you for sharing these great gifts inside; the caring, the cheering, the hug when one cried. Thanks for the energy, encouragement too, and thank you for sharing the treasures in you.

[Author Unknown]

Luke 3:11 ... He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Hebrews 6:10 ... For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Philemon 1:6 ... That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ♥

Heartprints

Whatever our hands touch -

We leave fingerprints!

On walls, on furniture

On doorknobs, dishes, books.

There's no escape.

As we touch we leave our identity.

Wherever I go today

Help me leave heartprints!

Heartprints of compassion

Of understanding and love.

Heartprints of kindness

And genuine concern.

May my heart touch a lonely neighbor

Or a runaway daughter

Or an anxious mother

Or perhaps an aged grandfather.

Send me out today

To leave heartprints.

And if someone should say,

'I felt your touch,'

May they also feel the love

That is deep inside my heart.

[Author Unknown]

Philemon 1:5-6 … Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. ♥

100 Truths about Jesus Christ

1. Jesus claimed to be God - John 8:24; 8:56-59 (see Exodus 3:14); John 10:30-33

2. Jesus is called God - John 1:1,14; 20:28; Colossians 2:9; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8

3. Jesus is the image of the invisible God - Hebrews 1:3

4. Jesus abides forever - Hebrews 7:24

5. Jesus created all things - John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17

6. Jesus is before all things - John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:17;

7. Jesus is eternal - John 1:1,14; 8:58; Micah 5:1-2

8. Jesus is honored the same as the Father - John 5:23

9. Jesus is prayed to - Acts 7:55-60; 1 Corinthians 1:2 with Psalm 116:4; (John 14:14)

10. Jesus is worshipped - Matthew 2:2,11; 14:33; John 9:35-38; Hebrews 1:6

11. Jesus is omnipresent - Matthew 18:20; 28:20

12. Jesus is with us always - Matthew 28:20

13. Jesus is our only mediator between God and ourselves - 1 Timothy 2:5

14. Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant - Hebrews 7:22; 8:6

15. Jesus said, "I AM the Bread of Life" - John 6:35,41,48,51

16. Jesus said, "I AM the Door" - John 10:7,9

17. Jesus said, "I AM the Good Shepherd" - John 10:11,14

18. Jesus said, "I AM the Way the Truth and The Life" - John 14:6

19. Jesus said, "I AM the Light of the world" - John 8:12; 9:5; 12:46; Luke 2:32

20. Jesus said, "I AM the True Vine" - John 15:1,5

21. Jesus said, "I AM the Resurrection and the Life" - John 11:25

22. Jesus said, "I AM the First and the Last" - Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13

23. Jesus always lives to make intercession for us - Hebrews 7:25

24. Jesus cleanses from sin - 1 John 1:9

25. Jesus cleanses us from our sins by His blood - Revelation 1:5; Romans 5:9

26. Jesus forgives sins - Matthew 9:1-7; Luke 5:20; 7:48

27. Jesus saves forever - Matthew 18:11; John 10:28; Hebrews 7:25

28. Jesus discloses Himself to us - John 14:21

29. Jesus draws all men to Himself - John 12:32

30. Jesus gives eternal life - John 10:28; 5:40

31. Jesus resurrects - John 5:39; 6:40,44,54; 11:25-26

32. Jesus gives joy - John 15:11

33. Jesus gives peace - John 14:27

34. Jesus has all authority - Matthew 28:18; John 5:26-27; 17:2; 3:35

35. Jesus judges - John 5:22,27

36. Jesus knows all men - John 16:30; John 21:17

37. Jesus opens the mind to understand scripture - Luke 24:45

38. Jesus received honor and glory from the Father - 2 Peter 1:17

39. Jesus reveals grace and truth - John 1:17 see John 6:45

40. Jesus reveals the Father - Matthew 11:27; Luke 10:22

41. Jesus bears witness of Himself - John 8:18; 14:6

42. Jesus' works bear witness of Himself - John 5:36; 10:25

43. The Father bears witness of Jesus - John 5:37; 8:18; 1 John 5:9

44. The Holy Spirit bears witness of Jesus - John 15:26

45. The multitudes bear witness of Jesus - John 12:17

46. The Prophets bear witness of Jesus - Acts 10:43

47. The Scriptures bear witness of Jesus - John 5:39

48. The Father will honor us if we serve Jesus - John 12:26 see Colossians 3:24

49. The Father wants us to fellowship with Jesus - 1 Corinthians 1:9

50. The Father tells us to listen to Jesus - Luke 9:35; Matt. 17:5

51. Everyone who's heard & learned from the Father comes to Jesus - John 6:45

52. We come to Jesus - John 5:50; 6:35,37,45,65; 7:37;

53. The Father draws us to Jesus - John 6:44

54. The Law leads us to Christ - Galatians 3:24

55. Jesus is the Rock - 1 Corinthians 10:4

56. Jesus is the Savior - John 4:42; 1 John 4:14

57. Jesus is the King - Matt. 2:1-6; Luke 23:3

58. In Jesus are the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:2-3

59. In Jesus we have been made complete - Colossians 2:10

60. Jesus indwells us - Colossians 1:27

61. Jesus sanctifies - Hebrews 2:11

62. Jesus loves - Ephesians 5:25

63. We sin against Jesus - 1 Corinthians 8:12

64. We receive Jesus - John 1:12; Colossians 2:6

65. Jesus makes many righteous - Romans 5:19

66. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit - John 15:26

67. Jesus offered up Himself - Hebrews 7:27; 9:14

68. Jesus offered one sacrifice for sins for all time - Hebrews 10:12

69. The Son of God has given us understanding - 1 John 5:20

70. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith - Hebrews 12:2

71. Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession - Hebrews 3:1

72. Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven - John 14:1-4

73. Jesus is the Light of the world - John 8:12

74. Jesus has explained the Father - John 1:18

75. Jesus was crucified because of weakness - 2 Corinthians 13:4

76. Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33

77. Truth is in Jesus - Ephesians 4:21

78. The fruit of righteousness comes through Jesus Christ - Philemon 1:11

79. Jesus delivers us from the wrath to come - 1 Thessalonians 1:10

80. Disciples bear witness of Jesus Christ - John 15:27

81. Jesus died for us - 1 Thessalonians 5:10

82. Jesus died and rose again - 1 Thessalonians 4:14

83. Jesus was a ransom for many - Matthew 20:28

84. The Christian dead have fallen asleep in Jesus - 1 Thessalonians 4:15

85. Jesus rendered the devil powerless - Hebrews 2:14

86. Jesus is able to save completely - Hebrews 7:25

87. Jesus came to serve - Matthew 20:28

88. Jesus came to be a high priest - Hebrews 2:17

89. Jesus came to save - John 3:17; Luke 19:10

90. Jesus came to preach the kingdom of God - Luke 4:43

91. Jesus came to bring division - Luke 12:51

92. Jesus came to do the will of the Father - John 6:38

93. Jesus came to give the Father's words - John 17:8

94. Jesus came to testify to the truth - John 18:37

95. Jesus came to set us free from the Law - Romans 8:2

96. Jesus came to die and destroy Satan's power - Hebrews 2:14

97. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets - Matthew 5:17

98. Jesus came to give life - John 10:10,28

99. Jesus came to taste death for everyone - Hebrews 2:9

100. Jesus came to proclaim freedom for believers - Luke 4:18

[Message from the Internet]

Power of His Love

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Philemon 25 ❤