When we pray to grow in every grace, the Lord hears and answers, but not in the way we might imagine, much less want. John Newton’s poem is full of personal experience and pastoral wisdom. God grants what we need most, and, in the end, we are satisfied. I asked the Lord that I might grow In faith, and love, and every grace; Might more of his salvation know, And seek, more earnestly, his face. ’Twas he who taught me thus to pray, And he, I trust, has answered prayer! But it has been in such a way, As almost drove me to despair. I hoped that in some favored hour, At once he’d answer my request; And by his love’s…
Read More“MOST LOVING FATHER, without whose blessing we are altogether poor and miserable creatures imprint thy holy Word on all our hearts, in such sort that our whole pleasure and delight may be to serve thee in all fear and reverence. Grant that we may be so merciful towards our poor neighbours that we may also have a sure feeling of thy mercy and goodness, when thou shalt come to judge the world by him whom thou hast ordained to be our Lord and Sovereign, Jesus Christ. AMEN.” – Prayers on the Psalms from the Scottish Psalter of 1595 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2010), 120.
Read MoreETERNAL GOD, who has appointed thine only Son to be our King and Priest, that we might be sanctified by the sacrifice of his body upon the Cross, grant that we may be so participant of his benefits that we may renounce our own selves, and serve him in all holiness and purity of life, and may offer up spiritual sacrifices that may be pleasant and acceptable unto thee, through the self-same Jesus Christ. AMEN. – Prayers on the Psalms from the Scottish Psalter of 1595 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2010), 118-119.
Read More“If we would have a peaceful conscience in our religion, let us see that our views of saving faith are distinct and clear. Let us beware of supposing that justifying faith is anything more than a sinner’s simple trust in a Saviour, the grasp of a drowning man on the hand held out for his relief. – Let us beware of mingling anything else with faith in the matter of justification. Here we must always remember that faith stands entirely alone. A justified man no doubt will always be a holy man. True believing will always be accompanied by godly living. But what gives a man an interest in Christ, is not his living, but his faith. If we would…
Read MoreETERNAL GOD, under whose power are all those whom thou hast placed as rulers and superiors over us, let it please thee so to enlighten the hearts of all judges and magistrates, whom thou hast given us, that without respect of persons they may maintain the righteous and punish the wicked; to the intent that under their protection, we may lead a quiet and peaceable life according to the instruction given us by Jesus Christ thy Son, our only Savior and Redeemer. AMEN. – Prayers on the Psalms from the Scottish Psalter of 1595 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2010), 111.
Read MoreFifty years ago today VMI graduate and Episcopal theological student Jon Daniels was murdered in Hayneville, Alabama. A New Hampshire native, Daniels spent much of the spring and summer of 1965 working in Selma, Alabama’s voter registration campaign. While picketing racially discriminatory businesses in Ft. Deposit on August 14, he was one of a group of protestors arrested and transported to the county jail in nearby Hayneville. In wretched living conditions, Daniels labored for the better part of a week to keep up the group’s spirits, leading his fellow prisoners in prayer and hymn singing. An Episcopal group offered to post bail for Daniels. He declined; there wasn’t enough money to free all the prisoners. He would remain with his colleagues. Unexpectedly and ominously, the prisoners were…
Read MoreThirty years ago today I was ordained to the gospel ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church in Morganton, North Carolina. You only get one first church, and this one couldn’t have been better. Loving and caring and encouraging, its members will forever hold a special place in my heart. Apart from my sons’ and grandchildren’s birthdays and the anniversary of my marriage to Lynne, my ordination day is the most memorable and important date in my life. Lynne makes the day special – a card, gift, and dinner – just one example of the many ways she stands beside me in my work. My interest in the ministry began long before I ever preached. Since I was a teenager, I wanted to to be a…
Read MoreBefore you speak ill of others, consider Charles Simeon’s wise counsel: “The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters. “1st To hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others. “2nd To believe nothing of the kind till I am absolutely forced to it. “3rd Never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report. “4th Always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed towards others. “5th Always to believe, that if the other side were heard a very different account would be given of the matter. “I consider love…
Read MoreO GOOD LORD, who willest all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of thy verity, show thy power and excellent Majesty unto the whole world, that everyone may sing thy praises, yea, and show forth thy salvation, which thou has promised to all them that dedicate themselves to thy service; that thou mayest be praised in all thy creatures, by means of Jesus Christ thy Son. AMEN. – Prayers on the Psalms from the Scottish Psalter of 1595 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2010), 108.
Read MoreO LORD, the only protector and stay of all thine, who guidest thy children as the sheep of thy fold, extend thy goodness to us, and so sustain our hearts, which by nature are harder than any flint, that we be not hardened or obstinate through any incredulity against thy holy Word, but we may serve thee in true and living faith, so that in the end we may enter into thy heavenly rest, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN. – Prayers on the Psalms from the Scottish Psalter of 1595 (Carlisle, PA: Banner of Truth, 2010), 107-108.
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