John Bunyan ... Part Three ...

One Thing Is Needful;
also called,
Serious Meditations Upon the Four Lasting Things:
Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.

---

By J O H N.B U N Y A N

---

L O N D O N,
Printed for Nath. Ponder, at the
Peacock in the Poultry, 1688.

Published in conjunction with Ebal and Gerizzim.
These poems were published
about the year 1664, while the author was imprisoned,
and printed on single sheets,
to be sold by his wife or children,
to aid them financially.

OF HEAVEN

eaven is a place, also a state,
It doth all things excel,
No man can fully it relate,
Nor of its glory tell.

God made it for his residence,
To sit on as a throne,
Which shows to us the excellence
Whereby it may be known.

Doubtless the fabric that was built
For this so great a king,
Must needs surprise thee, if thou wilt
But duly mind the thing.

If all that build do build to suit
The glory of their state,
What orator, though most acute,
Can fully heaven relate?

If palaces that princes build,
Which yet are made of clay,
Do so amaze when much beheld,
Of heaven what shall we say?

It is the high and holy place;
No moth can there annoy,
Nor make to fade that goodly grace
That saints shall there enjoy.

Mansions for glory and for rest
Do there prepared stand;
Buildings eternal for the blest
Are there provided, and

The glory and the comeliness
By deepest thought none may
With heart or mouth fully express,
Nor can before that day.

These heav'ns we see, be as a scroll,
Or garment folded up,
Before they do together roll,
And we call'd in to sup.

There with the king, the bridegroom, and
By him are led into
His palace chambers, there to stand
With his prospect to our view.

And taste and smell, and be inflam'd,
And ravished to see
The buildings he hath for us fram'd,
How full of heaven they be.

Its state also is marvellous,
For beauty to behold;
All goodness there is plenteous,
And better far than gold.

Adorn'd with grace and righteousness,
While fragrant scents of love
O'erflow with everlasting bliss,
All that do dwell above.

The heavenly majesty, whose face
Doth far exceed the sun,
Will there cast forth its rays of grace
After this world is done.

Which rays and beams will so possess
All things that there shall dwell,
With so much glory, light, and bliss,
That none can think or tell.

That wisdom which doth order all
Shall there be fully shown;
That strength that bears the world there shall
By every one be known.

That holiness and sanctity
Which doth all thought surpass,
Shall there in present purity
Outshine the crystal glass.

The beauty and the comeliness
Of this Almighty shall
Make amiable with lasting bliss
Those he thereto shall call.

The presence of this God will be
Eternal life in all,
And health and gladness, while we see
Thy face, O immortal!

Here will the Lord make clear and plain
How sweetly did agree
His attributes, when Christ was slain
Our Saviour to be.

How wisdom did find out the way,
How strength did make him stand,
How holiness did bear the sway,
And answer just demand.

How all these attributes did bend
Themselves to work our life,
Through the Christ whom God did send
To save us by his might.

All this will sparkle in our eye
Within the holy place,
And greatly raise our melody,
And flow our hearts with grace.

The largest thought that can arise
Within the widest heart
Shall then be filled with surprize,
And pleas'd in every part.

All mysteries shall here be seen,
And every knot, unty'd;
Electing love, that hid hath been,
Shall shine on every side.

The God of glory here will be
The life of every one;
Whose goodly attributes shall we
Possess them as our own.

By wisdom we all things shall know,
By light all things shall see,
By strength, too, all things we shall do,
When we in glory be.

The Holy Lamb of God, also,
Who for our sakes did die,
The holy ones of God shall know,
And that most perfectly.

Those small and short discoveries
That we have of him here,
Will there be seen with open eyes,
In visions full and clear.

Those many thousand acts of grace
That here we feel and find,
Shall there be real with open face
Upon his heart most kind.

There he will show us how he was
Our prophet, priest, and king;
And how he did maintain our cause,
And us to glory bring.

There we shall see how he was touch'd
With all our grief and pain
(As in his word he hath avouch'd),
When we with him shall reign;

He'll show us, also, how he did
Maintain our faith and love,
And why his face sometimes he hid
From us, who are his dove;

These tempting times that here we have,
We there shall see were good;
Also that hidden strength he gave,
The purchase of his blood.

That he should stand for us before
His Father, thus we read.
But then shall see, and shall adore
Him for his gracious deed.

Though we are vile, he without shame
Before the angels all
Lays out his strength, his worth, and name,
For us, who are in thrall.

This is he who was mock'd and beat,
Spit on, and crown'd with thorns;
Who for us had a bloody sweat,
Whose heart was broke with scorns.

'Tis he who stands so much our friend,
As shortly we shall see,
With open face, world without end,
And in his presence be.

That head that once was crown'd with thorns,
Shall now with glory shine;
That heart that broken was with scorns,
Shall flow with life divine;

That man that here met with disgrace,
We there shall see so bright;
That angels can't behold his face
For its exceeding light.

What gladness will possess our heart
When we shall see these things!
What light and life, in every part,
Will rise like lasting springs!

O blessed face and holy grace,
When shall we see this day?
Lord, fetch us to this goodly place
We humbly do thee pray.

Next to this Lamb we shall behold
All saints, both more and less,
With whit'ned robes in glory roll'd,
'Cause him they did confess.

Each walking in his righteousness
With shining crowns of gold,
Triumphing still in heav'nly bliss,
Amazing to behold.

Each person for his majesty
Doth represent a king;
Yea, angel-like for dignity,
And seraphims that sing.

Each motion of their mind, and so
Each twinkling of their eye;
Each word they speak, and step they go,
It is in purity.

Immortal are they every one,
Wrapt up in health and light,
Mortality from them is gone,
Weakness is turn'd to might.

The stars are not so clear as they,
They equalize the sun;
Their glory shines to perfect day,
Which day will ne'er be done.

No sorrow can them now annoy,
Nor weakness, grief or pain;
No faintness can abate their joy,
They now in life do reign.

They shall not there, as here, be vex'd
With Satan, men, or sin;
Nor with their wicked hearts perplex'd,
The heavens have cop'd them in.

Thus, as they shine in their estate,
So, too, in their degree;
Which is most goodly to relate,
And ravishing to see.

The majesty whom they adore,
Doth them in wisdom place
Upon the thrones, and that before
The angels, to their grace.

The saints of the Old Testament,
Full right to their degree;
Likewise the New, in excellent
Magnificency be.

Each one his badge of glory wears,
According to his place;
According as was his affairs
Here, in the time of grace.

Some on the right hand of the Lamb,
Likewise some on the left,
With robes and golden chains do stand
Most grave, most sage, and deft.

The martyr here is known from him
Who peaceably did die,
Both by the place he sitteth in,
And by his dignity.

Each father, saint, and prophet shall,
According to his worth,
Enjoy the honour of his call,
And plainly hold it forth.

Those bodies which sometimes were torn,
And bones that broken were
For God's word; he doth now adorn
With health and glory fair.

Thus, when in heav'nly harmony
These blessed saints appear,
Adorn'd with grace and majesty,
What gladness will be there!

The light, and grace, and countenance,
The least of these shall have,
Will so with terror them advance,
And make their face so grave,

That at them all the world will shake,
When they lift up their head;
Princes and kings will at them quake,
And fall before them dead.

This shall we see, thus shall we be,
O would the day were come,
Lord Jesus take us up to thee,
To this desired home.

Angels also we shall behold,
When we on high ascend,
Each shining like to men of gold,
And on the Lord attend.

These goodly creatures, full of grace,
Shall stand about the throne,
Each one with lightning in his face,
And shall to us be known.

These cherubims with one accord
Shall cry continually,
Ah, holy, holy, holy, Lord,
And heavenly majesty.

These will us in their arms embrace,
And welcome us to rest,
And joy to see us clad with grace,
And of the heavens possess'd.

This we shall hear, this we shall see,
While raptures take us up,
When we with blessed Jesus be,
And at his table sup.

Oh shining angels! what, must we
With you lift up our voice?
We must; and with you ever be,
And with you must rejoice.

Our friends that lived godly here,
Shall there be found again;
The wife, the child, and father dear,
With others of our train.

Each one down to the foot in white,
Fill'd to the brim with grace,
Walking among the saints in light,
With glad and joyful face.

Those God did use us to convert,
We there with joy shall meet,
And jointly shall, with all our heart,
In life each other greet.

A crown to them we then shall be,
A glory and a joy;
And that before the Lord, when he
The world comes to destroy.

This is the place, this is the state,
Of all that fear the Lord;
Which men nor angels may relate
With tongue, or pen, or word.

No night is here, for to eclipse
Its spangling rays so bright;
Nor doubt, nor fear to shut the lips,
Of those within this light.

The strings of music here are tun'd
For heavenly harmony,
And every spirit here perfum'd
With perfect sanctity.

Here runs the crystal streams of life,
Quite through all our veins.
And here by love we do unite
With glory's golden chains.

Now that which sweet'neth all will be
The lasting of this state;
This heightens all we hear or see
To a transcendant rate.

For should the saints enjoy all this
But for a certain time,
O, how would they their mark then miss,
And at this thing repine?

Yea, 'tis not possible that they
Who then shall dwell on high,
Should be content, unless they may
Dwell there eternally.

A thought of parting with this place
Would bitter all their sweet,
And darkness put upon the face
Of all they there do meet.

But far from this the saints shall be,
Their portion is the Lord,
Whose face for ever they shall see,
As saith the holy word.

And that with everlasting peace,
Joy, and felicity,
From this time forth they shall increase
Unto eternity.

John Bunyan ... part two ...

One Thing Is Needful;
also called,
Serious Meditations Upon the Four Lasting Things:
Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.

---

By J O H N.B U N Y A N

---

L O N D O N,
Printed for Nath. Ponder, at the
Peacock in the Poultry, 1688.

Published in conjunction with Ebal and Gerizzim. These poems
were published about the year 1664, while the author
was imprisoned, and printed on single sheets,
to be sold by his wife or children, to aid them financially.

OF JUDGMENT

s 'tis appointed men should die,
So judgment is the next
That meets them most assuredly;
For so saith holy text.

Wherefore of judgment I shall now
Inform you what I may,
That you may see what 'tis, and how
'Twill be with men that day.

This world it hath a time to stand,
Which time when ended, then
Will issue judgment out of hand
Upon all sorts of men.

The Judge we find, in God's record,
The Son of man, for he
By God's appointment is made Lord
And Judge of all that be.

Wherefore this Son of man shall come
At last to count with all,
And unto them shall give just doom,
Whether they stand or fall.

Behold ye now the majesty
And state that shall attend
This Lord, this Judge, and Justice high
When he doth now descend.

He comes with head as white as snow,
With eyes like flames of fire;
In justice clad from top to toe,
Most glorious in attire.

His face is filled with gravity;
His tongue is like a sword;
His presence awes both stout and high,
The world shakes at his word.

He comes in flaming fire, and
With angels clear and bright,
Each with a trumpet in his hand,
Clothed in shining white.

The trump of God sounds in the air,
The dead do hear his voice;
The living too run here and there,
Who made not him their choice.

Thus to his place he doth repair,
Appointed for his throne,
Where he will sit to judge, and where
He'll count with every one.

Angels attending on his hand
By thousands on a row;
Yea, thousand thousands by him stand,
And at his beck do go.

Thus being set, the books do ope
In which all crimes are writ.
All virtues, too, of faith and hope,
Of love; and every whit

Of all that man hath done or said,
Or did intend to do;
Whether they sinn'd, or were afraid
Evil to come into.

Before this bar each sinner now
In person must appear;
Under his judgment there to bow
With trembling and with fear:

Within whose breast a witness then
Will certainly arise,
That to each charge will say Amen,
While they seek and devise

To shun the sentence which the Lord
Against them then will read,
Out of the books of God's record,
With majesty and dread.

But every heart shall opened be
Before this judge most high;
Yea, every thought to judgment he
Will bring assuredly.

And every word and action, too,
He there will manifest;
Yea, all that ever thou didst do,
Or keep within thy breast,

Shall then be seen and laid before
The world, that then will stand
To see thy judge open ev'ry sore,
And all thy evils scann'd.

Weighing each sin and wickedness
With so much equity,
Proportioning of thy distress
And woful misery.

With so much justice, doing right,
That thou thyself shalt say,
My sins have brought me to this plight,
I threw myself away.

Into that gulph my sins have brought
Me justly to possess,
For which I blame not Christ, I wrought
It out by wickedness.

But O! how willingly would these
That thus in judgment be,
If that they might have help or ease,
Unto the mountains flee.

They would rejoice if that they might
But underneath them creep,
To hide them from revenging right,
For fear of which they weep.

But all in vain, the mountains then
Will all be fled and gone;
No shelter will be found for men
That now are left alone.

For succour they did not regard
When Christ by grace did call
To them, therefore they are not heard,
No mountains on them fall.

Before this Judge no one shall shroud
Himself, under pretence
Of knowledge, which hath made him proud,
Nor seeming penitence.

No high profession here can stand,
Unless sincerity
Hath been therewith commixed, and
Brought forth simplicity.

No mask nor vizor here can hide
The heart that rotten is;
All cloaks now must be laid aside,
No sinner must have bliss.

Though most approve of thee, and count
Thee upright in thy heart;
Yea, though preferred and made surmount
Most men to act thy part,

In treading where the godly trod,
As to an outward show;
Yet this hold still, the grace of God
Takes hold on but a few,

So as to make them truly such
As then shall stand before
This Judge with gladness; this is much
Yet true for evermore.

The tree of life this paradise
Doth always beautify,
'Cause of our health it is the rise
And perpetuity.

Here stands the golden throne of grace
From out of which do run
Those crystal streams that make this place
Far brighter than the sun.

Here stands mount Zion with her king.
Jerusalem above,
That holy and delightful thing,
So beautified with love.

That, as a mother succours those
Which of her body be,
So she far more, all such as close
In with her Lord; and she

Her grace, her everlasting doors
Will open wide unto
Them all, with welcome, welcome, poor,
Rich, bond, free, high and low,

Unto the kingdom which our Lord
Appointed hath for all
That hath his name and word ador'd;
Because he did them call

Unto that work, which also they
Sincerely did fulfil,
Not shunning always to obey
His gracious holy will.

Besides, this much doth beautify
This goodly paradise,
That from all quarters, constantly,
Whole thousands as the price

Of precious blood, do here arrive;
As safe escaping all,
Sin, hell, and satan did contrive
To bring them into thrall.

Each telling his deliverance
I' th' open face of heaven;
Still calling to remembrance
How fiercely they were driven

By deadly foe, who did pursue
As swift as eagles fly;
Which if thou have not, down thou must
With those that then shall die
The second death, and be accurs'd
Of God. For certainly,

The truth of grace shall only here
Without a blush be bold
To stand, whilst others quake and fear,
And dare not once behold.

That heart that here was right for God
Shall there be comforted;
But those that evil ways have trod,
Shall then hang down the head.

As sore confounded with the guilt
That now upon them lies,
Because they did delight in filth
And beastly vanities.

Or else because they did deceive
With hypocritical
Disguises, their own souls, and leave
Or shun that best of all

Approved word of righteousness,
They were invited to
Embrace, therefore they no access
Now to him have, but woe.

For every one must now receive
According to their ways;
They that unto the Lord did cleave,
The everlasting joys.

Those that did die in wickedness,
To execution sent,
There still to grapple with distress,
Which nothing can prevent.

Of which two states I next shall write,
Wherefore I pray give ear,
And to them bend with all our might
Your heart with filial fear.

John Bunyan ...

One Thing Is Needful;
also called --
Serious Meditations Upon the Four Lasting Things:
Death, Judgment, Heaven, and Hell.

---

By J O H N.B U N Y A N.

---

L O N D O N,
Printed for Nath. Ponder, at the
Peacock in the Poultry, 1688.

Published in conjunction with Ebal and Gerizzim. These poems were published
about the year 1664, while the author was imprisoned, and printed on single sheets,
to be sold by his wife or children, to aid them financially.

OF DEATH.

eath, as a king rampant and stout
The world he dare engage;
He conquers all, yea, and doth rout
The great, strong, wise, and sage.

No king so great, nor prince so strong,
But death can make to yield,
Yea, bind and lay them all along,
And make them quit the field.

Where are the victors of the world,
With all their men of might?
Those that together kingdoms hurl'd,
By death are put to flight.

How feeble is the strongest hand,
When death begins to gripe!
The giant now leaves off to stand,
Much less withstand and fight.

The man that hath a lion's face
Must here give place and bend,
Yea, though his bones were bars of brass,
'Tis vain here to contend.

Submit he must to feeble ones,
To worms who will enclose
His skin and flesh, sinews and bones,
And will thereof dispose

Among themselves, as merchants do
The prizes they have got;
Or as the soldiers give unto
Each man the share and lot,

Which they by dint of sword have won,
From their most daring foe;
While he lies by as still as stone,
Not knowing what they do.

Beauty death turns to rottenness,
And youth to wrinkled face;
The witty he brings to distress,
And wantons to disgrace.

The wild he tames, and spoils the mirth
Of all that wanton are,
He takes the worldling from his worth,
And poor man from his care.

Death favours none, he lays at all,
Of all sorts and degree;
Both old and young, both great and small,
Rich, poor, and bound, and free.

No fawning words will flatter him,
Nor threat'nings make him start;
He favours none for worth or kin,
All must taste of his dart.

What shall I say? the graves declare
That death shall conquer all;
There lie the skulls, dust, bones, and there
The mighty daily fall.

The very looks of death are grim
And ghastly to behold;
Yea, though but in a dead man's skin,
When he is gone and cold.

How 'fraid are some of dead men's beds,
And others of their bones;
They neither care to see their heads,
Nor yet to hear their groans.

Now all these things are but the shade
And badges of his coat;
The glass that runs, the scythe and spade,
Though weapons more remote:

Yet such as make poor mortals shrink
And fear, when they are told,
These things are signs that they must drink
With death; O then how cold.

It strikes them to the heart! how do
They study it to shun!
Indeed who can bear up, and who
Can from these shakings run?

But how much more then when he comes
To grapple with thy heart;
To bind with thread thy toes and thumbs,
And fetch thee in his cart?

Then will he cut thy silver cord,
And break thy golden bowl;
Yea, break that pitcher which the Lord
Made cabin for thy soul.

Thine eyes, that now are quick of sight,
Shall then no way espy
How to escape this doleful plight,
For death will make thee die.

Those legs that now can nimbly run,
Shall then with faintness fail
To take one step, death's dart to shun,
When he doth thee assail.

That tongue that now can boast and brag
Shall then by death be tied
So fast, as not to speak or wag,
Though death lies by thy side.

Thou that didst once incline thine ear
Unto the song and tale,
Shall only now death's message hear,
While he, with face most pale,

Doth reason with thee how thy days
Hath hitherto been spent;
And what have been thy deeds and ways,
Since God thee time hath lent.

Then will he so begin to tear
Thy body from thy soul,
And both from life, if now thy care
Be not on grace to roll.

Death puts on things another face
Than we in health do see:
Sin, Satan, hell, death, life and grace
Now great and weighty be.

Yea, now the sick man's eye is set
Upon a world to come:
He also knows too without let
That there must be his home.

Either in joy, in bliss and light,
Or sorrow, woe, and grief;
Either with Christ and saints in white,
Or fiends, without relief.

But, O! the sad estate that then
They will be in that die
Both void of grace and life! poor men!
How will they fear and cry.

Ha! live I may not, though I would
For life give more than all;
And die I dare not, though I should
The world gain by my fall.

No, here he must no longer stay,
He feels his life run out,
His night is come, also the day
That makes him fear and doubt.

He feels his very vitals die,
All waxeth pale and wan;
Nay, worse, he fears to misery
He shortly must be gone.

Death doth already strike his heart
With his most fearful sting
Of guilt, which makes his conscience start,
And quake at every thing.

Yea, as his body doth decay
By a contagious grief,
So his poor soul doth faint away
Without hope or relief.

Thus while the man is in this scare,
Death doth still at him lay;
Live, die, sink, swim, fall foul or fair,
Death still holds on his way.

Still pulling of him from his place,
Full sore against his mind;
Death like a sprite stares in his face,
And doth with links him bind.

And carries him into his den,
In darkness there to lie,
Among the swarms of wicked men
In grief eternally.

For only he that God doth fear
Will now be counted wise:
Yea, he that feareth him while here,
He only wins the prize.

'Tis he that shall by angels be
Attended to that bliss
That angels have; for he, O he,
Of glory shall not miss.

Those weapons and those instruments
Of death, that others fright:
Those dreadful fears and discontents
That brings on some that night.

That never more shall have a day,
Brings this man to that rest
Which none can win but only they
Whom God hath called and blest

With the first fruits of saving grace,
With faith, hope, love, and fear
Him to offend; this man his face
In visions high and clear,

Shall in that light which no eye can
Approach unto, behold
The rays and beams of glory, and
Find there his name enroll'd,

Among those glittering starts of light
That Christ still holdeth fast
In his right hand with all his might,
Until that danger's past,

That shakes the world, and most hath dropt
Into grief and distress,
O blessed then is he that's wrapt
In Christ his righteousness.

This is the man death cannot kill,
For he hath put on arms;
Him sin nor Satan hath not skill
To hurt with all their charms.

A helmet on his head doth stand,
A breastplate on his heart:
A shield also is in his hand,
That blunteth every dart.

Truth girds him round the reins, also
His sword is on his thigh;
His feet in shoes of peace do go
The ways of purity.

His heart it groaneth to the Lord,
Who hears him at his call,
And doth him help and strength afford,
Wherewith he conquers all.

Thus fortified, he keeps the field
While death is gone and fled;
And then lies down upon his shield
Till Christ doth raise the dead.

aroma of christ or the smell of death ...

A question we need to be continually asking ourselves ...

We as Christians are the “aroma of Christ” and His righteousness to God. But, to those who are perishing we are the smell of death. Paul makes this all clear to us in 2 Corinthians Chapter 2 verses 14 thru 17 --

"14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ."

I have recently read Thomas Chalmers‘ exposition on the imputation of Christ’s righteousness where in Chalmers' talks of, “the merit of His well-beloved Son is to Him a sweet-smelling savor.”

“Had we fulfilled the law of God, heaven would have been ours, and it would have been given to us because of our righteousness. We have broken that law, and yet heaven may be ours, not because of our righteousness, but still because of a righteousness; and the honor of God is deeply involved in the question, What and whose righteousness this is? It is not the righteousness of man, but the righteousness of Christ reckoned unto man. The whole distinction between a covenant that is now exploded, and the covenant that is now in force, hinges upon this alternative. If we make a confidence of the former plea, we shall perish; and if of the latter, we shall have everlasting life.

”The merit of His well-beloved Son is to Him the incense of a sweet-smelling savor, so that the guiltiest creature who takes shelter there, has posted himself on the very avenue, along which there ever rolls the tide of divine complacency. We should invest ourselves then with this merit, and wrap ourselves firmly in it, as in a covering. We should put on Christ, who is offered to us without money and without price. We should present ourselves before God, with His invitation as our alone warrant, and the truth of His promises, which are yea and amen in Christ Jesus, as our alone confidence. His place in the new covenant is to declare our forgiveness, through the blood of a satisfying atonement. Our place in the covenant, is to give credit to that declaration.“ This is from Thomas Chalmers, in his introduction to Abraham Booth’s The Reign of Grace from its Rise to its Consummation (1768)

Something to Ponder Update ...

"seeing is believing"

In light of Faith is it Biblical?

share your thoughts with Scripture

Thanks ladies for sharing your thoughts!!
. . .

Pam's thoughts ~~

The Bible is a paradox. Thankfully we will understand it all in eternity, but as for today we rely on the Holy Spirit to open up the Word of God to us. Gal. 3:2 "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" or Rom.10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." A picture is worth a thousand words is of the world. But in the Church we need to say that a thousand words are better than a picture! If all you did was come to church and look at a human beings ideas of what Jesus looked like on a tree, that mute picture may move you to sympathy, sadness and sorrow but it would not move you to sanctification. John W. Dewitt said, "God will not save his people by dumb (mute) images but by the lively preaching of His word." Again Rom 10:17 ... the Word is simple, plain and pure. It is the Word of God. John 17:17 "Santicfy them by Your truth. Your word is truth." So are we saved by the works of the law? Are we saved by rituals and images? The Great Commission -- Go and Tell ... not go and show a picture. So -- Is seeing believing? ....

Spiritual Formation or Spiritual Adultery?

I know I am going to be tramping on some toes today but I have to do it. This has hit home so to speak in that the teachings are in my area churches, schools ... dear friends from here are falling into this ... Alpha Courses are taught ... we have to be Bereans and discern these teachings. Spiritual Formation is coming to a place near YOU ... and it is hitting the public schools --

If you have a child in either a public or private school, please contact the school immediately and find out if your child is being introduced to any type of meditation exercise (this includes lectio divina and breath prayers). Tell the school you do not want your child participating in any of these activities. This would include Rob Bell's popular Nooma films and his book Velvet Elvis, which are both being used in Christian junior high and high schools. The following June 16th news story from The New York Times illustrates how serious this matter is. The New Age is overtaking our society. Children are the newest target! This is not only affecting children in public schools. Through the contemplative prayer movement (i.e., spiritual formation) and the emerging church, children and teens in Christian schools are also being introduced to meditation. A whole generation is being taught how to enter dangerous demonic realms through practicing mantra meditation! See our links below for more information on children and meditation.

The New York Times "Focus on Quieting the Mind" by Patricia Leigh Brown OAKLAND, Calif., June 12 - The lesson began with the striking of a Tibetan singing bowl to induce mindful awareness. With the sound of their new school bell, the fifth graders at Piedmont Avenue Elementary School here closed their eyes and focused on their breathing, as they tried to imagine "loving kindness" on the playground. "I was losing at baseball and I was about to throw a bat," Alex Menton, 11, reported to his classmates the next day. "The mindfulness really helped." As summer looms, students at dozens of schools across the country are trying hard to be in the present moment. This is what is known as mindfulness training, in which stress-reducing techniques drawn from Buddhist meditation are wedged between reading and spelling tests. Click here to read the rest of this news article.

Related Research: Focus on the Family's Adventures in Odyssey - Promoting Contemplative? Yoga for children (in public school, that is) Christianity Today: Contemplative for Children Jesus Camp, Film Reveals the Mystical and the Militant, Not Biblical Christianity NOTICE TO PARENTS: Christian Schools Introducing Teens to Mysticism Proponent Ancient Wisdom for Babies For more information on how the New Age is coming into schools, read For Many Shall Come in My Name. If you know a school administrator or teacher that would be willing to read this book, contact us, and we will send him or her a free copy.

From the Editors at Lighthouse Trails Research Project

Spiritual Formation or Spiritual Adultery?

Today, in this postmodern church era, we are being offered a potpourri of sensual experiences in new forms of worship and reviving old forms of contemplative spirituality with the promise of a deeper and more intimate relationship with Jesus, but is this really the same Christ or the same Spirit or even the same Gospel? Why is this so strange to our sensibilities and how could this possibly happen in the churches today? And yet this is becoming an ever widening practice that has seduced many to open up their lives to a type of spirituality that is not only unbiblical, but has its beginnings in the occult. We don't even recognize the subtleties of the error which we are being fed to be able to discern the truth and we do not even know we have been seduced into a relationship with another spirit or another Christ, deadened to the voice of the Holy Spirit, leading us into spiritual adultery.

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (Emphasis mine)

Jeremiah 3:1-3

¹They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

²Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

³Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. (Emphasis mine)

I have been researching the trends in the postmodern church era and I keep coming across the term, spiritual formation. So I spent a few days reading through many web sites, papers, articles and monograms about the subject. I found that for many years, within Christian circles, the term Spiritual Formation has been defined as a shaping process that begins when one becomes a new believer in Christ, as He takes our life, like a piece of clay, and begins to mold it into the image of Himself, through the process of discipleship. This molding and shaping is based upon our willingness to surrender ourselves completely to His hand and will for us. As we deny ourselves and daily take up the cross, He is free to form us into His image.

All sounded well and good until I started reading through some articles discussing the disciplines listed for spiritual formation which included references to contemplative, Psychological and Eastern religious techniques, all in the attempt at a deeper relationship to God in Jesus Christ but through occult means. This can and does open doors to experiences that are more than just imagination but are real and very dangerous if we practice these techniques; we then come into contact with other spirits thinking that we are meeting God.

One of the directors of spiritual formation that deals directly with this issue is Evan Howard. In his article, "Three Temptations of Spiritual Formation," he gives us a picture of the many practices that mainline Christianity have been introduced:

Exploring spiritual formation in mainline churches often means experimenting with a wide range of spiritual and psychological practices. Mainline retreats often draw on themes from medieval mystics, and have workshops on the Labyrinth (a maze people walk through for enlightenment) or the Enneagram (a temperament schema with spiritual dimensions and Sufi roots). Some directors encourage various Buddhist practices to help us get in touch with our spiritual dimension. These practices are intended to expand our understanding of what it means to relate to God. (Emphasis mine)

Though he does not promote these techniques, he also does not warn of their dangers but includes them as ways that open up doors of personal discovery:

I have nothing against self-discovery, or even using broad-ranging interpretive frameworks like mandalas to assist self-discovery. But sooner or later, we must realize that Christian spiritual formation is the process by which believers become more fully conformed and united to Christ. The source of transformation is the Spirit of Christ. Spiritual formation develops primarily in the context of a relationship with Christ. The aim of formation is conformity to and union with Christ. While other traditions may provide helpful and legitimate insights into human "integration," they do not (indeed they cannot) express what conformity to or union with Christ involves. (Emphasis mine)

I have to at least credit Evan that he does eventually turn our eyes to the only one who can work true spiritual formation, Jesus Christ, but he still leaves the door wide open to experimenting with Eastern meditative traditions and occult techniques that will empower us by another spirit, another Christ and render us impotent regarding the power of God working in our lives.

Richard J. Foster, another director of spiritual formation, speaks of the disciplines necessary to spiritual formation in his article, 'Spiritual Formation: A Pastoral Letter':

Frankly, no Spiritual Disciplines, no Spiritual Formation. The Disciplines are the God-ordained means by which each of us is enabled to bring the little, individualized power pack we all possess—we call it the human body—and place it before God as “a living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1). It is the way we go about training in the spiritual life. By means of this process we become, through time and experience, the kind of person who lives naturally and freely in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23).

What are these Spiritual Disciplines I am speaking of? Oh, they are many and varied: fasting and prayer, study and service, submission and solitude, confession and worship, meditation and silence, simplicity, frugality, secrecy, sacrifice, celebration, and the like. The commonly identified public religious activities are important to be sure, but the less commonly practiced activities like solitude and silence and meditation and fasting and submission to the will of others as appropriate are in fact more foundational for Spiritual Formation. All Disciplines should be thoughtfully and resolutely approached for the purpose of forming the life into Christlikeness, or they will have little or no effect in promoting this life. (Emphasis mine)

It is commendable that Richard gives us the basis for spiritual formation through the practice of the disciplines he encourages, but Richard J. Foster has and does promote contemplative spirituality which includes centering and mantra prayer, the silence and breathe prayer (All of these are Eastern religious techniques). These are not neutral religious practices that help one to grow spiritually but are an attempt to blend occultism with Christianity which is clearly not biblical and is not true spiritual formation but spiritual adultery.

This is a trend that has no restraints other than using our ability to discern right from wrong, good from evil, and truth from error. We are responsible for our own deception; we open the flood gates through a desire to touch the supernatural in our journey for a greater spiritual experience without understanding the warnings given to us throughout the Scriptures. When we seek spiritual formation or transformation using techniques and practices other than those specifically found in the bible, God's word, by incorporating worldly wisdom, pagan rituals, occult practices in the guise of Christian spirituality, we are committing spiritual adultery in God's sight. In our quest for the perfect (His perfect will for our lives through the Holy Spirit and the Word), we settle for the profane (An unacceptable offering of prayer and worship to God by seeking after another Christ, another Spirit, another Gospel). One of Paul's warnings to the Corinthians speaks concerning the deceptions of his day as others tried to bring things into the relationship with Christ that were of course spiritual but in the end could only lead to death:

2 Corinthians 11

¹Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

²For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

³But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

⁴For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

⁵For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

⁶But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

⁷Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?

⁸I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

⁹And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

¹⁰As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

¹¹Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth.

¹²But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

¹³For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

¹⁴And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

¹⁵Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (Emphasis mine)

We are surely living in a time where many of the brethren are departing from the truth of God's word for the lies of a false spirituality. How can we knowingly enter into a relationship with another that is not Christ? And if you do desire to know the real why do you settle for the counterfeit? Over the centuries there have been many attempts to draw the brethren away from a walk by faith into a walk by sensory experiences and emotions (sensuality) and we still fall for the trap laid for us by the ultimate deceiver himself, Satan, who will give us the very thing we desire. True spiritual formation happens as a result of walking by faith in God, and not by sight (or our senses).

I quote from Ray Yungen's book, 'A Time of Departing,' from page 136:

"Jesus Christ has called His church to be sanctified (set apart for holy purposes), Spirit-filled (consumed with His presence), surrendered (to Him alone), and willing to suffer (for the sake of righteousness). The world is going to offer many spiritual experiences while we quickly move toward a time where the masses will conform to a universal spirituality that proclaims the oneness of all things. This global spirituality could be the platform that ushers in the False Messiah. Knowing this, let us take the warnings about false teaching seriously and call upon God's grace and mercy for discerning hearts and minds."

In the end, are you going to settle for that which is not of God, even for the chance of gaining spiritual enlightenment or receiving power in your lives. Adultery is not to be taken lightly in our eyes and it is not taken lightly in God's eyes. If you read again through Jeremiah 3, you will see and understand God's heart toward His people and read again 2 Corinthian 11:2, we see His jealousy for us to walk in a pure and simple devotion to Him, in Jesus Christ.

For more information on the subject of Spiritual Adultery, please go to this website: Spiritual Adultery Bible Studies Series

To better understand that contemplative prayer is not biblical practice, please read this article by Marcia Montenegro: Meditation and Psalm 46:10

Also read this article by Ray Yungen concerning Richard J. Foster and Eastern mysticism: Richard Foster: Promoting Eastern Mysticism By Proxy

Ray Yungen's book, 'A Time of Departing' can be purchased at the following website: Lighthouse Trails Publishing Company

Steve Muse, Eastern Regional Watch

http://www.erwm.com

New Blog Start ....

I want to share with you my new blog addition! I have decided to keep my postings on home and hearth at "Cottage at Cabbage Creek" separate from my "a rustling of leaves ..." thoughts and musings on the Christian Life. Please peruse them both. I think you will find them both thought provoking and enjoyable! I chose the name "Cottage at Cabbage Creek" because of the many years while growing up that I spent playing in Cabbage Creek which flowed thru the property of my Grandma Anna and Pap Fred's home. Pleasant, enjoyable years with many warm memories. The home is now owned by a young couple newly married with a babe on the way! Children will again be running the stairs of this home and that brings a joy to my heart! I drive past this home when I go to my Mom's. The young woman has brought life back into the home. There are lights around the door with a grape vine twine. Candle lights in the windows, a garden has taken up residence in a corner that invites you in for a closer look. She decorates with the seasons ... something my Gram always did and we continued to do for her till she had to sell her home and move in with Mom. And, she has put up a porch swing!!! Joy of joys! I remember the swing my grandparents used to have hanging there, along with a metal glider. Only thing missing is the green striped canvas awning Pap used to always put up in the spring and take down in the fall. Mom had planted a three color Butterfly bush in the corner near the drive way and it is still blooming away. So stayed tuned for my memories of life at a dear home along Cabbage Creek.

Election - Think About It ....

The motive for the salvation of the human race is to be found
in the breast of God, and not in the character or condition of man.

Two races have revolted against God-the one angelic, the other human.

When a part of this angelic race revolted against the Most High,
justice speedily overtook them; they were swept from their
starry seats in heaven, and henceforth they have been reserved
in darkness unto the great day of the wrath of God.

No mercy was ever presented to them, no sacrifice ever offered
for them; but they were without hope and mercy, forever consigned
to the pit of eternal torment.

The human race, far inferior in order of intelligence, sinned
as atrociously.

However, the God who in His infinite justice passed over angels,
and forced them forever to expiate their offences in the fires of hell,
was pleased to look down on man.

Here was election on a grand scale-- the election of manhood,
and the reprobation of fallen angelhood!

Had you and I been put upon the choice of which should have
been spared, I do think it probable we should have chosen that
fallen angels should have been saved. Are they not the brightest?
Have they not the greatest mental strength? If they had been
redeemed, would it not have glorified God more, as we judge,
than the salvation of worms like ourselves?

Those bright beings- Lucifer, son of the morning, and those
stars that walked in his train- if they had been washed in His
redeeming blood, if they had been saved by sovereign mercy,
what a song would they have lifted up to the Most High and everlasting God!

But God, who does as He wills with His own, and gives no account
of His matters, but who deals with His creatures as the potter deals
with his clay, took not upon Him the nature of angels, but took upon
Him the seed of Abraham, and chose 'sinful men' to be the vessels of His mercy.

God sees us-- abandoned, evil, wicked, and deserving His wrath;
if He saves us, it is His boundless, fathomless love that leads Him
to do it- nothing whatever in us.

- C.H. Spurgeon

Psalm 65:4 NKJV --

4 Blessed is the man You choose,
And cause to approach You,
That he may dwell in Your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
Of Your holy temple.

Pastor Brown preached on this verse Sunday and the Spurgeon quotes
I remembered came back to me. When you read this Psalm how can
you think otherwise? How in your audacity can you stand before a
Holy, Wholly God and tell Him ... "I chose You!" ?? ((When you will
be on your face praising and thanking Him for choosing you.)) Read
it again ... Blessed is the man You (LORD God Almighty!) CHOOSE,
and CAUSE (remember my previous post on the word 'drag' in
Matt. 6:44) to approach You. Oh, thank you Lord for loving me
so much that You elected me unto salvation, You chose me, the
wretch that I am, You chose me! A gift of glory and grace.
Thank you for allowing me to dwell in Your courts for eternity,
that I shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house,
of Your holy temple. We should all be on our face's more ....

Who exactly are we to pray for? ...

Our Enemies ... Luke 6:28
Our Friends ... James 5:16
Our Families ... 2 Sam. 7:17
Ourselves ... Ps. 50:1
Our Fellow-men ... 1 Tim. 2:1
Our Fellow-workers in Christ ... 2 Thess. 3:1
Our Fellow-members in the Church ... Eph. 6:18

Matthew Henry said ...
"Prayers of faith are filed in Heaven;
and, although not presently answered
are not forgotten.
Prayer made when we are young,
and coming into the world,
may be answered when we are old,
and going out of the world."

A prayer I often prayed for my sons ...

"Lord, make my children like Peter.
They are human and they are weak,
but Father, make them useable.
Give them a ready knowledge of the Bible,
let them offer the hope of the Gospel to a hurting world,
and let them always seek to point the way to you
rather than try to gain glory for themselves.
Fill them with the Holy Spirit, give them courage
to stand firm in the face of peer pressure
and negative influences, and cause them
to love You, to fear You, and to obey You
more than they love, fear or obey any human being.
In Jesus name, Amen!"

(Peter -- knew scripture, used scripture, was usable,
teachable, accepted correction and learned from it.)

I picked out character's from the Bible and listed their
strengths and then used these lists for my prayers for them:
Paul - boldness, never ashamed, powerful
Esther - courage, an interceder on behalf of others
King David - passion, wholehearted devotion to God
Stephen - spiritual sensitivity, full of wisdom, grace & power
Noah - willing to go-out-on-a-limb for God, faithful
Abraham - obedience, no matter the cost
Daniel - moral purity, no-compromise
Ruth - loyalty, integrity

These are pages from my Prayer Notebooks. I have been going back thru them from when the boys were small and in school.

Pretty Little Butterfly ...

Pretty little butterfly,
traveling the azure sky,
see it's dainty wings unfold
touched with diamond dust and gold.

Coat of yellow, crimson, green,
black and white with silver sheen,
like as if in wonderland
painted by a fairies hand.

Round the flowers and the trees,
like a blossom in the breeze.
Zig, zag coursing up and down,
robed in nature's richest gown.

Chorus:
Clad in color of a rainbow fair,
showing beauty ever rich and rare,
brightly flittering through the sungilt air,
the pretty butterfly.

Taken from Gram's composition book

Books, Books, and more books, oh my! ....

There's a treasure to be had!

(If you are the lucky one)

All you book addict's out there
lay aside your book and set your attention here!

Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!

I've stumbled upon the possibility of a chance to win
a Library of Theology Books worth $$$$$ !!!!!!

Oh, settle and contain thyself ...
of course I am going to share the info!!!!

http://www.kevinstilley.com/2007/03/thousands-of-dollars-in-free-books.html

Pop on over and check it out ...

Be warned ...
you might dream about it tonight ...
I am already planning my Library addition
to my home ... mahogany woodwork, leather chairs,
fireplace, a picture of Thirsty Theologian,
(that is him, isn't it?)
a stuffed kitty cat, I have the dogs,
a huge desk, one of those alien-looking computer's,
a small hidden bathroom behind
a revolving bookcase with an Ipod player toliet
paper holder (I just seen this on a bathroom
make-over on TV), one of those green lamps
with the pull chain - yes Mom, I want yours!,
a world-globe so I seem well traveled,
I already have a bear rug coming, (honest!)
((my son shot a bear in Colorado
last fall - 7 1/2 foot, 600 +lbs. we
are anxiously awaiting the rug from the taxidermist)),
I have the deer mount, 30 lb. turkey mount,
my Dad's gun cabinet,
my guns, a leather wing-back desk chair that
vibrates and massages and
of course I will have to hire someone
to come and smoke a pipe occasionally
...... hmmmmmmm what did I forget ...
oh yeah ... the Do Not Disturb sign!


"What shall I do with my books?" was the question;
and the answer "Read them" sobered the questioner.
But if you cannot read them, at any rate
handle them and, as it were, fondle them.
Peer into them. Let them fall open where they will.
Read on from the very first sentence that arrests the eye.
Then turn to another. Make a voyage of
discovery, taking soundings of uncharted seas. . . .
Arrange them on your own plan, so that if you
do not know what is in them, you at least know
where they are. If they cannot be your friends,
let them at any rate be your acquanintances.
If they cannot enter the circle of your life,

do not deny them at least a nod of recognition.

~ Winston Churchill

Anyone who has a book collection
and a garden wants for nothing.
~ Cicero

A room without books is like a body without a soul.
~ Cicero

The only way to do all the things you'd like to do is to read.
~ Tom Clancy

A book in the hand is worth two on the shelf.
~ Henry T. Coutts

I seldom read on beaches or in gardens.
You can’t read by two lights at once, the light of day
and the light of the book. You should read by electric light,
the room in shadow, and only the page lit up.
~ Marguerite Duras

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends.
They are the most accessible and
wisest of counselors, the most patient teachers.
~ Charles Eliot

When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left,
I buy food and clothes. My luggage is my library.
My home is where my books are.
~ Desiderius Erasmus

But he who truly loves books loves all books alike,
and not only this, but it grieves
him that all other men do not share
with him this noble passion.
Verily, this is the most unselfish of loves!
~ Eugene Field in Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac

And indeed, what is better than to sit
by one’s fireside in the evening with a book,
while the wind beats against the window and the lamp is buring?
~ Gustave Flaubert in Madame Bovary

Read in order to Live.
~ Gustave Flaubert

Never lend books, for no one ever returns them;
the only books I have in my library are
books that other folk have lent me.
~ Anatole France

There are no bad books any more
than there are ugly women.
~ Anatole France

The book must of necessity be put into a bookcase.
And the bookcase must be housed.
And the house must be kept. And the library must be
dusted, must be arranged, must
be catalogued. What a vista of toil, yet not unhappy toil!
~ William Gladstone

The dear good people don’t know how
long it takes to learn to read.
I’ve been at it eighty years, and
can’t say yet that I’ve reached the goal.

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

On this website I found some of these
quote's on books and reading.
Some I had, others I read there.
I have a file on my 'puter
and a written book I write
down quote's in.

These are some good ones!

Psalm 121 Musings ...

Psalm 121

A Song of Ascents.

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore. (NKJV)

This is one of the more familiar Psalms is it not? But it is one with deep assurance for you and me as Believer's in Christ Jesus. It is also full of Presuppositionalism -- (yeah - I'm reading VanTil.)

According to MacArthur, this Psalm is part of the "Great Hallel", psalms that were sung by the Jewish pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem on 3 different occasions. 1) The Feast of Unleavened Bread; 2) The Weeks/Pentecost/Harvest; and 3) The Ingathering/Tabernacles/Booths.

This particular Psalm has an unknown author to us. We see God in four ways: as Helper in verses 1 and 2; as Keeper in verses 3 and 4; as Protector in verses 5 and 6; and as Preserver in verses 7 and 8. As I read thru this verse 1 strikes me as coming from someone far away from his destination. As the writer, we today are looking to the Heavens for Christ's return, we look towards the hills for our Savior. The Psalm is noted as a Song of Ascents. A moving towards a destination, a progress towards a goal. In the previous Psalm 120:5 the writer talks of living far away in Meshech, he dwells in the tents of Kedar, upon further study this reveals he is living amongst unbeliever's and is drawn towards his longing, his heart's desire for the temple worship.

Side Note: The church I attend has people who drive an hour or more to attend this church. They have no Orthodox Prebyterian Church near them and are strongly bound to the reformed faith and teaching here that they travel this road to be at their church and worship their Lord on the Lord's Day. I am talking atleast 10 families do this. Our drive is about 1/2 an hour and we enjoy the ride to church but it is so refreshing to be amongst people who strive (drive) for the longing of their heart and the truth of the Word of God. They have to leave their home at 7:30am during the winter months to be there for 9:30am Sunday School. And they have kids!!!! And they arrive smiling and have the joy of the Lord!!!

In this Psalm we have one part, it's our only mention -- verse 1 -- "I will lift up my eyes to the hills." This is my responsibility. Look Heavenward. "From whence comes my help?" The writer is not looking to creation but to the Creator for his help. The rest of this Psalm is all about Him. The writer asks one question and receives his covering. 24/7 covering. Let us take a deeper look into the covering, our covenant blessings we have ...

vs. 2 -- LORD here as our Helper. YWH LORD (Strong's #03068) Meaning: The Proper name of the one true God. The existing One. The second part of verse 2 explains Him: "Who made heaven and earth."

vs.3 & 4 -- LORD here as Keeper. (Strong's #08104) Meaning: keeper, watchman, guard, restrain, to be kept, etc. "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber." Here is the 24/7 watch. Moved: Strong's #04132 -- shaking, tottering, bar of yoke. The bar of yoke keeps us from shaking and tottering and moving in the same direction does it not? Towards Him not away from Him. Slumber: Strong's #05123 -- drowsy, sleepy. Our Lord is on guard of us with never a moment of drowsiness. Remember when the disciples were in the garden with Jesus and they couldn't even stay awake? He does not slumber on us. Ever watchful, ever faithful, ever loving. Sleep: Strong's #03462 -- to be asleep, sleep. He never sleeps, at all. He loves us all - Jew and Gentile - Israel. Pagan gods slept and needed to be awakened - what assurance is found here? none.

vs. 5 -- LORD as Protector. We already looked at keeper so let's move on to Shade. Shade: Strong's #06738 -- shadow, shade. Here again we see our covering at our right hand. When we are in need we put out our right hand, asking for help. Our place of human need. Jesus is our Mediator at the right hand of the Father, meeting the needs of our right hand in our humanness.
He is our protection.

vs. 6 -- around the clock protection - remember 24/7! Strike: Strong's 05221 -- smite, slay, stricken, beat, slaughter, wounded, given. WOW! We would faint if we knew what protection we have had, will have and are being given at this very moment. Satan wants us, to sift us as wheat, to beat us down, wound us. There is a battle raging beyond anything we can comprehend.

vs. 7 -- Lord as Preserver. Same word as Keeper in verse 5. Same Strong's #. What comfort in those first 3 words. The LORD shall -- no blinking here, no having to think twice -- just do it. He just does it for his beloved. Herein is found the peace that passes all understanding. He preserves us from evil, He preserves my soul. Now folks, I have to say what I believe. How can you teach that you can lose your salvation? When you read this verse folks, how do you see that I can lose my salvation? Only if I never had it in the first place is all. My soul He holds in the hollow of His hand. Do you think He is going to let it slip through His fingers?????!!!!! Our names as believer's is written in the Lamb's book of Life - do you think He would erase it? How sweet and precious is this to you I ask? Do you know him folks? Does He hold your soul to never let you slip away? I pray it is so, if not, Hell is going to be your lot. Let's look at the word soul. Soul: Strong's #05315 -- soul, life, person, creature, mind, heart, desire, appetite, emotion, passion. Look at those -- does He hold your heart? Your mind? Is every thought captive to Him? Your desire? Is it for Him? Is your appetite for Him and His word? Your emotion for Him? Your passion a passion for Him, to serve Him with all your being? This is deep -- you could talk on and on just about this one sentence! But you stray away and what does He do? He preserves you and brings you back around to His course for your life. His will.

vs. 8 -- He preserves our going out and our coming in. From this time forth (the day of your conversion) and even forevermore. Evermore: Strong's #05769 -- long duration, always, perpetual time, everlasting, ancient, unending future, ETERNITY!!!

Take some time and read Psalms 120 thru 123 and find comfort this Lord's Day. Find joy in your salvation and in your Lord. Herein we have our confidence thru the covenant promises which have been secured for us through the obedience of Christ.

Side Bar: http://www.cmfnow.com/articles/PA195.htm is a link to read about VanTil's Presuppositionalism by Greg Bahnsen.

My Mother's Day Gift ....

My two sons decided to get me
a special gift for Mother's Day.
I wanted some books but
they decided on something I needed!

A NEW KITCHEN FLOOR!!
My hubby and the boys installed it themselves
Friday night and I feel like
I am in someone elses home ...

I had painted my cupboards and the
flooring is a perfect match to everything.

How blessed I am ...
wants verses needs ...
God always knows best!