We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Discovery


Glorious God, 
I bless thee that I know thee.

I once lived in the world, but was ignorant of its Creator,
was partaker of thy providences, but knew not the Provider,
was blind while enjoying the sunlight,
was deaf to all things spiritual, with voices all around me,
understood many things, but had no knowledge of they ways,
saw the world, but did not see Jesus only.

O happy day, when in they love’s sovereignty
thou didst look on me, and call me by grace.
Then did the dead heart begin to beat,
the darkened eye glimmer with light,
the dull ear catch thy echo,
and I turned to thee and found thee,
a God ready to hear, willing to save.

Then did I find my heart at enmity to thee, vexing thy Spirit;
Then did I fall at thy feet and hear thee thunder,
“The soul that sinneth, it must die,”
But when grace made me to know thee,
and admire a God who hated sin,
thy terrible justice held my will submissive.

My thoughts were then as knives cutting my head.
Then didst thou come to me in silken robes of love,
and I saw thy Son dying that I might live,
and in that death I found my all.

My soul doth sing at the remembrance of that peace;
The gospel cornet brought a sound unknown
to me before that reached my heart—and I lived
never to lose my hold on Christ or his hold on me.

Grant that I may always weep to the praise of mercy found,
and tell to others as long as I live,
that thou art a sin-pardoning God,
taking up the blasphemer and the ungodly,
and washing them from their deepest stain.

From The Valley of Vision, Puritan Prayers and Devotions, p.112-113

3 comments:

Alec said...

Amen. Beautiful.

hymns that preach said...

Today's edition of Random A, A, and H is not available.

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Actually, there is no "today's" edition. I was drafting up a new one, planned for tomorrow morning, and when I went to hit "save" in the middle of the draft, I hit "publish" instead. Well, it took me no more than about 15 seconds to edit it to "revert to draft" so I could do some more work on it. I guess it showed up for a short time! I'll have it finished tomorrow after I review my news sources to see if I need to add to it!