Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God.
~ John Bunyan (1628-1688)
Author: A Prayer Life
One From Old
One from old, Whose love so bold, Death can't hold, His life extolled, Sin's blindfold, Feels so cold, Salvation told, Faith's remold, In Christ's fold, Streets of gold.
~ apl
What Delights Him
This is true religion, to approve what God approves, to hate what He hates, and to delight in what delights Him.
~ Charles Hodge (1797-1878)
The First Step
To the Saints in Colossae
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
~ Colossians 1:1-2 (NKJV)
Paul begins his letter to the Church at Colossae in his customary manner. He addresses his position and authority as an apostle of Jesus Christ who is so by nothing less than the divine will of God. In this case, Paul adds to his greeting Timothy, his faithful protégé, who had been accompanying him on his missionary journeys. The Apostle has written an epistle to the saints, the Spirit wrought believers in Christ, who worship, live, serve and fellowship together in Colossae, the celebrated city of Phrygia, in Asia Minor.
To these beloved people, both men and women alike, Paul offers his introductory benediction: Grace and peace… These words are meant to summarize what it means to belong to Christ. To know the grace and peace that comes from God our Father is to know the Lord Jesus Christ. For in Christ alone, is there grace and peace with a holy, just and righteous God. Meditate on that phrase for a moment, “in Christ”, for it is in Him all the blessings and goodness of God dwell.
Christians today should do all they can to exhibit the grace and peace of God to others. How desperately this sin-darkened world needs to embrace saving grace and experience godly peace. If you yourself are “in Christ”, then you can be a divine instrument for spreading the grace and peace of God among your neighbors, friends and family. Let us, like the Apostle Paul, be eager to be in this holy service of sharing the grace and peace of the Lord that others may to come to taste of Jesus Christ, and know that He is good.
Holy, Holy, Holy
Take & Give
O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins,
and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a heart of flesh,
a heart to love and adore thee,
a heart to delight in thee,
to follow and to enjoy thee,
for Christ’s sake.
~ Ambrose of Milan (339-397)
The Perfect Kiss
Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
~ Psalm 85:10 (NKJV)
Like two long lost friends who have finally been reunited, in Christ, mercy and truth are perfectly united together. The Psalmist eagerly anticipates the blessed coming together of two such divine attributes. In Christ mercy and truth are upheld. In Christ righteousness and peace are both equally attainable. In Christ mercy and truth find a home.
Mercy without truth is compromise and truth without mercy is condemnation. Neither do real justice to the other when kept apart. In Christ alone do these two beautiful perfections find their way into blessed harmony with one another, and therefore like a loving couple who have long been apart, at last they kiss the perfect kiss.
~ apl
A Lively Resemblance
A man fast asleep in a house on fire, and while the consuming flames are round about him, having his fancy sporting itself in some pleasant dream, is a very lively resemblance of the unregenerate soul.
~ John Flavel (1627-1691)
Love Covered Sin
He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
~ Proverbs 17:9 (NKJV)
Practically speaking, the Christian should always endeavor to lean towards love with regard to their fellow man. But this can be especially hard when we feel we’ve been slighted or wronged. Yet, it is at this particular point Scripture teaches us the wisdom of covering transgressions in love. And if we fail to do this, and insist on repeating a matter, and are unwilling to show mercy and forgiveness that true friends are separated. Therefore, let us as disciples of the Lord Jesus follow His example. Practice love, love that leans towards and covers even a multitude of sins.
~ apl
A Prayer Life 