Tag: Grace

Burn Them To Ashes!

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

“Therefore, put to death whatever in you is worldly: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.”

~ Colossians 3:5

“While a darling sin lives and keeps the throne in the heart — grace and holiness will be kept exceeding weak and low. But when your darling sin is dethroned and slain by the power and the sword of the Spirit — grace and holiness will quickly grow stronger and stronger, and rise higher and higher.

When a man has eaten poison, nothing will make him thrive, until he has vomited up the poison. Beloved sins are the poison of the soul — and until these are vomited up, and cast out by sound repentance, and the exercise of faith in the blood of Christ — the soul will never thrive in grace and holiness!

If ever you would attain to higher degrees of holiness, then fall with all your might upon subduing and crucifying your most raging corruptions, and your most darling lusts!

Oh do not think that your golden and your silver idols will lay down their weapons, and yield the battle, and lie at your feet, and let you trample them to death — without striking a blow! Oh remember that besetting-sins will do all they can to keep their ground, and therefore you must arise with all your strength against them, and crush them to powder, and burn them to ashes!”

~ Thomas Brooks

Saved By Works

~ A Prayer Life ~ 4 Comments

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

~ Matthew 5:17

I wonder if my title grabbed your attention? Bible-believing Christians know that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. Yet, the catch is, I’m not talking about our works – I’m speaking to the perfect work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s right. It is by believing in His works we are saved. I hope you understand beloved how important, how imperative, how essential it is we affirm, as followers of Christ, salvation by works. Again, not by our own worthless works, but by the perfect work of Jesus Christ in fulfilling the Law of God. That Christ did what we cannot do. He kept the high standard of God’s holy law, something Adam nor any of his descendants did or can do in our own strength. Jesus did not run from the Law of God. He did not try to minimize the Law. He did not try to plead ignorance to the Law. No. Jesus boldly embraced, obeyed and perfectly fulfilled the Law of God on the behalf of His people. Praise His name!

~ apl

To Join Together

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”.

~ Romans 5:1

Conflict has become a part of mankind’s nature. Conflict is a result of man’s original fall from grace and that a state of peace and bliss into which he was created – only to fall into a condition of depravity, dejection and despair. Since the time when Cain slew Abel, mankind has suffered under the curse of this kind of conflict that is conceived and born from sin darkened hearts filled with lust, greed envy and all manner of sin and disobedience.

Yet, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is through faith, faith in Christ, who He is and what He has done that any one will ever have peace with God. It’s interesting the word Paul uses here in Romans 5:1 that we translate “peace” is the Greek noun “eirḗnē” which is derived from the Greek verb “eiro” which literally means “to join together”. As sin has separated us from God and caused His great displeasure to befall us, and separate us from God’s blessing and favor, so through Christ we can be joined together, we can be “eirḗnē” that is, at peace with our Maker once more.

~ apl

Are You A Wrestler?

~ A Prayer Life ~ Leave a comment

“But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

~ Genesis 32:26

This verse is found in that unique passage of Scripture where it is said Jacob wrestles with God (Gen. 32:22-28). In this text we learn Jacob gains an advantage in the struggle and as he holds on tightly, he insists on the “man” giving him a blessing before Jacob will let him go. And we learn towards the end that Jacob does in fact receive his blessing because he has “struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed” (vs.28). Sometimes it seems God wants us to wrestle Him for His blessing and favor. It is as if we are telling God “Your goodness toward me is worth fighting for”. Therefore, if you aren’t experiencing God’s favor in your life right now, hold Him tight, and don’t let go till you discover His grace.

~ apl

I Am Unworthy

~ A Prayer Life ~ 6 Comments

“I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant.”

~ Genesis 32:10

This was the sum of Jacob’s prayer when he considered all that the Lord God had done for him. Jacob had been the recipient of his father’s blessing and all the riches and favor of God fell upon him. His prayerful response to this outpouring of God’s benevolence upon his life left him with a keen sense of his own unworthiness of God’s kindness and faithfulness to him. It is when we comprehend with our whole being the true nature of our own unworthiness before God of His kindness and faithfulness to His servants that we come to really understand and truly experience His grace in our humbled life.

~ apl

Two Ears, One Mouth

~ A Prayer Life ~ 3 Comments

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

~ Proverbs 10:19

There used to be a popular old adage that said God created us with two ears and one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we speak. In a day and age where through social media and the like everyone feels the need to have a “voice”, let us remember the Scriptural wisdom of guarding our speech and restraining our lips. Because of our sinful hearts, the more the mouth speaks, the more prone it is to speak sinfully. There is godly wisdom in silence. Let us speak only when it will be edifying for others and pleasing to the Lord (Col. 4:6).

~ apl

The Brink of The Pit

~ A Prayer Life ~ 1 Comment

“The best course to prevent falling into the pit is to keep at the greatest distance; he that will be so bold as to attempt to dance upon the brink of the pit, may find by woeful experience that it is a righteous thing with God that he should fall into the pit.”

~ Thomas Brooks

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, guide me away from the edge of sin to safer and greener pastures close to you. Keep me from stumbling and falling by Thy sweet mercy and strong grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

A Heart of Humility

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“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

~ Philippians 2:3

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, grant me a heart of humility which will always cause me to esteem others better than myself. Help me to be like Jesus, who came not to be served, but to love and serve others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

An Unfinished Work

~ A Prayer Life ~ 2 Comments

“[B]eing confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”

~ Philippians 1:6

Prayer Life Pause: Heavenly Father, my eternal hope and everlasting confidence lies solely in You and Your Beloved Son that You will finish the gracious work of salvation You have begun in me. Thank you for Your tender mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.