The Unerring Hand of Infinite Wisdom!

Nothing is so calming and comforting to the Christian pilgrim, as the assurance of Divine Guidance in every, even the most minute circumstances which befall him. Without this perception of his heavenly Father's care, a thousand intricacies must beset his path. He must be staggered at almost every step. But when he beholds, by faith, the unerring hand of infinite wisdom, wielding the stupendous machine of human events, causing everything to promote the spiritual good of His people then he quiets himself as a little child, and can say with cheerful resignation, "Father, not my will, but Yours be done!" (Luke 22:42)

In such a world of change and trial, how inestimable is a calm reliance on the wisdom, power, and love of God. It fully compensates for the lack of temporal ease and wealth. If, without our heavenly Father, not even a sparrow can fall to the ground; if the very hairs of our head are all numbered how composed should we be. The reins of universal nature are in the hands of Infinite Love! This vast complex machine is guided by Infinite Wisdom and Power! 

The Almighty Ruler of the sky cannot be taken by surprise. Nothing unforeseen can happen to cross His purposes or thwart His designs. All worlds are open to His view. If this Great and Glorious Being is our father and our Friend then our privilege is to rejoice at all times, and in everything to give thanks. How consoling and encouraging is the assurance that the blessed Redeemer of my soul, is the Great Sovereign of the Universe! 

Without His permission, nothing can happen in the vast dominion over which He sways His scepter! To His will every creature must bow either in willing obedience, or in just and endless punishment! "Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life ordering the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies and make me patient under all my trials." 

[Thomas Reade] 

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Psalm 31:15 ... My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.

Isaiah 46:10 ... Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: ❤

All Short of This is Mercy!

In order to awaken self-abasement and gratitude I should consider both what I deserve, and what blessings I have in Christ. If the righteous Lord were to deal with me according to my deserving, I would at this moment be under the rack of excruciating pain; or under the pressure of most abject poverty thus experiencing the foretaste of eternal woe. If thus dealt with in strictest justice, Death would receive his commission to hurl my affrighted soul into the gulf of endless misery, there to remain an everlasting monument of the vengeance of a holy God! All short of this is mercy! 

Do I enjoy a portion of health? It is all mercy! Am I undergoing a sanctified affliction? It is all mercy! Do I partake of the bounties of Providence? It is all mercy! Do I possess affectionate friends? It is all mercy! Do I experience the love of God in Christ, pardoning my sins, and purifying my heart? Oh! this is mercy beyond the power of language to praise or to express! 

Rejoice in such a Savior, who mercifully snatched you as a brand out of the burning! 

[Thomas Reade] 

Ephesians 2:4-5 ... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Titus 3:5 ... 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;

1 Peter 1:3 ... Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ❤

Do Any Startle at This Plain Assertion?

In the early Christian Church religion did not consist in talking finely, but in living well. We, alas! are not now what these primitive Christians were burning and shining lights. The lamentation of the prophet is sadly too descriptive of our state: "Our silver has become dross, and our wine is mixed with water." (Isaiah 1:22)  

The world has tainted the Church by its unhallowed admixture. Where is the simplicity, the self-denial, the zeal, the entire devotedness, of these first Christians to be found? Certainly not among the great mass of religious professors! Long continued prosperity has induced a spirit of slumber. Without any breach of that charity which hopes all things, we are compelled to declare this painful truth: that thousands who are moral, and regular in all the outward duties and decencies of religion are still as far distant from the spirit and practice, the principles and feelings, of the true believer, as the East is from the West! 

Do any startle at this plain assertion? Where, we would ask, is their deep contrition, their sincere repentance, their hatred of sin, their application to the Savior, their love to His name, their delight in His service, their attachment to Him, their self-denying obedience, their renunciation of the world, their patience under suffering for the Gospel's sake? Where, in short, is the new creature in Christ Jesus to be seen in them? It has no existence! They have a name to live, being called Christians, and professing to believe in Jesus but they are dead! 

The general truths of the Gospel may dwell in their understandings, but they have no abiding place in their hearts. The Apostle has well described the character of these nominal Christians: "They profess that they know God, but in works deny Him." (Titus 1:16) "They have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof." (2 Timothy 3:4-5) 

These are the people who, frequenting the house of God, sneer at 'conscientious piety'. Yet, they have full confidence in the mercy of God, and deem it most uncharitable, even to breathe a hint that they are in danger of eternal perdition. 

[Thomas Reade]

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

The Pruning Knife...

To the true believer, afflictions are blessings in disguise. Every trial is intended for my good. My foolish heart would be too much attached to the earth, if the spade were not inserted to loosen the fibers, and disengage the root that when transplanted, I may bear a richer fruit in the Paradise above. 

My heavenly Father, whose love and wisdom are infinite knows exactly what I need, and how much suffering is needed to promote the spirituality of my heart and mind. Shall I then repine at His dispensations of love? 

A murmuring spirit increases every evil, doubles the affliction, and adds a sting to sorrow. If our hearts are in Heaven, then the trials of earth will be light and momentary for the Savior's love will sweeten every care, lighten every cross, and disarm affliction of its sting! 

Oh! that we may learn wisdom by every afflictive Providence and yield more fruit by every application of the pruning knife! 

[Thomas Reade] 

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

John 15:2 ... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Hebrews 12:10-11 ... For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

1 Peter 4:12-13 ...  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ❤

The Carnal Mind!!

The enmity of the carnal mind is ever directed against the work of Christ. The moralist, the formalist, the worldling, and the sensualist, are alike opposed to the humbling, purifying doctrines of the Cross! Holiness is offensive to the unrenewed mind. The more spiritual any religious exercise or book is the more it is disliked. 

Give some truly scriptural volume to a lover of the world and how will he receive it?  After glancing his eyes over a few of its pages, he will lay it down with a contemptuous smile. He will pity the enthusiast who wrote it, and the enthusiast who admires it. Give him some newly launched novel, some work replete with wit and humor, and he will devour its contents, even though it requires the midnight oil to finish it. Here, all his heart is engaged, all his passions are excited; imagination ads wings to his flight, and, soaring into the realms of fancy, into the fairy land of unreal life he sinks into his slumbers, regardless of whether he awakes in time or in eternity!

Luke 18:11-14 ~ "the Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men robbers, evildoers, adulterers or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner!'  "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 [Thomas Reade] 

 Romans 8:7 ... Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

What a Treasure.

What a treasure is the Word of God! Here we have: Light, to dissipate our darkness. Truth, to guide us amid the mazes of error. Consolations, to gladden us in a world of misery. The Bible is the Revelation of our Father's love; the Expression of Jehovah's grace to sinners; the Depository of heavenly blessings; the Charter of our highest privileges; the Religion of true Christians; the Glory of our churches; the poor man's Friend. 

Everything sublime in conception, and tender in expression is to be found in the sacred Scriptures. The Eternal Jehovah has there revealed Himself as clothed with majesty and honor; glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders; of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; in whose sight the heavens are not clean. In the sacred Scriptures, 

He has manifested His glory as mighty to save, forgiving iniquity transgression and sin. In that blessed volume, Mercy is seen to arrest the arm of Justice and all the tenderness of the Father is displayed in the person of the adorable Son. Love breathes throughout its sacred pages! 

 [Thomas Reade]

 Psalm 1:2 ... But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:97 ... O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Jeremiah 15:16 ... Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. ❤

Keep Me Entirely!!

Oh! divine Redeemer, out of whose inexhaustible fullness I would daily draw a rich supply of grace into my needy soul, be pleased to impart unto me an undivided heart, that to please You may be my greatest happiness, and to promote Your glory my highest honor. 

Preserve me from false motives, from a double mind, and a divided heart. Keep me entirely to Yourself and enable me to crucify every lust which would tempt my heart from You. Enable me by Your grace to walk in one uniform path of holy, childlike obedience. 

When tempted to turn aside to the right hand or to the left, may I keep steadily Your way until when brought before Your throne, I see Your face, behold Your smile, and fall in ecstasy at Your feet, lost in wonder, love, and praise! 

[Thomas Reade]

1 Peter 1:3-5 ... Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,  Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

Vagrant Butterflies

Earthly vanities can never satisfy the enlarged desires of an immortal soul. This is the reason why worldly people are so restless and changeable. Temporal objects soon cloy and satiate, therefore worldlings fly from flower to flower like vagrant butterflies until death closes their idle chase after an unreal happiness! 

Did they possess true wisdom, they would discover the source of true felicity. Christ and happiness are inseparable. If we find true happiness, it is because we have found Christ; for the pardon of sin, peace with God, purity of heart, and the hope of glory, cannot fail to render the believer blessed. 

[Thomas Reade]

 ✞  ✞  ✞ 

Isaiah 40:8 ... The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Matthew 6:20 ... But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Colossians 3:2 ...  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.❤

Painted Bubbles

What are all the vanities of this world but painted bubbles, when compared with this eternal treasure?

Is there not then cause for apprehension, lest, while we profess much love for Christ, our hearts should cleave unto the dust of this poor world?

Are we not in danger of making a home of this fleeting world, and of setting up our rest here, as if this wilderness were our glorious eternal inheritance?

[Thomas Reade]

✞ ✞ ✞

Ephesians 3:19 … And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Micah 2:10 … Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.

Philippians 3:20 … For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

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.❤

What a Treasure!

What a treasure is the Word of God!  Here we have: light, to dissipate our darkness. Truth, to guide us amid the mazes of error. Consolations, to gladden us in a world of misery.

The Bible is the Revelation of our Father's love; the Expression of Jehovah's grace to sinners; the Depository of heavenly blessings; the Charter of our highest privileges; the Religion of true Christians; the Glory of our churches;

the poor man's Friend.  Everything sublime in conception, and tender in expression--is to be found in the sacred Scriptures.

The Eternal Jehovah has there revealed Himself as clothed with majesty and honor; glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders; of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; in whose sight the heavens are not clean.

In the sacred Scriptures, He has manifested His glory as mighty to save, forgiving iniquity transgression and sin.  In that blessed volume, Mercy is seen to arrest the arm of Justice and all the tenderness of the Father is displayed in the person of the adorable Son.

Love breathes throughout its sacred pages!

[Thomas Reade]

Psalm 1:2 … But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:97 … O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Jeremiah 15:16 …. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.❤

How Divinely Glorious!

The true believer hates and resists those sins which once he loved and renounces that world which once so much enamored him.

How divinely glorious is the religion of Jesus! Old things pass away and behold, all things become new!

It turns the lion, into the lamb. It turns the desert heart, into the garden of the Lord. It converts the impure and savage heart, into a habitation fit for the mild and holy Dove. It restores the Hell-bent sinner to the divine favor. It transforms him into the divine image. It redeems him from the depths of damnation. It raises him to the highest seats in glory!

What tongue can speak, or what heart conceive, the richness and extent of divine redemption!

[Thomas Reade]

Colossians 1:13-14 ... Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Ephesians 1:7-8  ... In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;

2 Corinthians 9:15 ... Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.❤

Heart Affecting Views

Ah, who can grasp the thought of never-ending joy, or everlasting woe! The mind labors to conceive, and yet can never reach beyond the first impression of eternity. Numbers, years, ages, all, all are lost in the immeasurable, unfathomable abyss!

The riches of grace are the only durable riches, without which the mightiest monarchs of the earth are poor. When earth with all its glories shall have passed away, the lowly followers of Jesus will abide forever, and shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father.

 

How difficult it is to get heart affecting views  of sin, of Christ,  of hell, and of heaven. We talk about them, but alas! how little are we practically affected by them.  Nothing but the Spirit of Christ can open our eyes to see the deformity of sin, the preciousness of the Savior, the misery of hell, the bliss of heaven.

 

"Quick as the apple of an eye;
O God my conscience make;
Awake my soul, when sin is nigh,
And keep it still awake.
O may the least omission pain,
My well-instructed soul;
And drive me to the blood again
Which makes the wounded whole."

 

[Thomas Reade]

 

 

✞✞✞

 

 

Matthew 13:43 ... Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 

 

Psalm 146:8 ... The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:

 

 

Psalm 25:14 ... The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.


1 John 1:7 ... But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

 

 

John 16:13 ... 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.❤

The Converted Sinner

The converted sinner daily feeds upon Christ by faith and daily derives strength from this gracious source of blessedness.  He feels his own weakness and experiences the power of Jesus. He loathes himself and truly loves his Savior, in whose righteousness he appears all lovely in the eyes of his heavenly Father. As a pilgrim, he journeys onwards under the guidance of that Holy Spirit who dwells in him as in a temple, and who has promised to keep him by His mighty power through faith unto salvation.

The world fascinates no longer the mask falls from its face, and he beholds the idol in its natural deformity! He sees the emptiness of human applause;    the madness of ambition;    the deceitfulness of riches;    the folly of extravagance. Everything beneath the sun assumes its true character, while he views it through the medium of God's holy Word.

The converted sinner lives by faith; he longs for Heaven; he desires to be daily conformed to Jesus, and to glorify Him more, whether it be by life or death.  To him, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Such is the character of the converted sinner. Oh, how precious, how divine, how rare a character!

[Thomas Reade]

1 Chronicles 29:15 ... For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 

Colossians 3:1 ... If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Philippians 1:21  ... For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ❤

Vagrant Butterflies

Earthly vanities can never satisfy the enlarged desires of an immortal soul. This is the reason why worldly people are so restless and changeable.

Temporal objects soon cloy and satiate, therefore worldlings fly from flower to flower like vagrant butterflies, until death closes their idle chase after an unreal happiness!

Did they possess true wisdom, they would discover the source of true felicity.

Christ and happiness are inseparable. If we find true happiness, it is because we have found Christ; for the pardon of sin,   peace with God,   purity of heart, and   the hope of glory, cannot fail to render the believer blessed.

 

[Thomas Reade]

 ✞✞✞

Psalm 144:15 ... Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.


Psalm 146:5 ... Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:


Proverbs 3:13 ... Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.


1 Peter 4:14 ... If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.❤

The Christian Pilgrim

The Christian pilgrim has to journey to the heavenly Canaan, through the wilderness of this world; therefore, like the Israelites of old, his soul is sometimes discouraged because of the difficulty of the way.

The world frowns!

Satan assaults!

Providences darken!

Corruptions harass!

All these things produce, for a season, much discouragement. Like Peter, he looks at the raging waves, instead of the omnipotent Savior; and then he begins to sink into despondency, and would be overwhelmed in the depths of mental affliction, did not the compassionate Jesus stretch out His hand of mercy, and uphold him by His mighty power.

Thus, to every humble pilgrim, strength is imparted; realizing views of the faithfulness of Emmanuel are granted; and he is made to rise superior to every discouragement, and to walk, with increasing alacrity and joy, along the narrow way which leads unto life eternal.

 

[Thomas Reade]

 

  ✞✞✞

 

 

Matthew 14:27-32 ... But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.


1 Peter 1:7 ... That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:


1 Peter 5:6-7 ... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.❤