Augustine: joy for the godly

Thursday, October 17, 2024
    Feast of Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, Martyr, c.107
Meditation:
    Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
    —Jude 24-25 (KJV)
Quotation:
    There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other.
    ... St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430), Confessions [397], Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1886, X.xxii, p. 260 (see the book)
    See also Jude 1:24-25; Isa. 48:22; John 11:25-26; 14:6; Acts 3;15; Rom. 15:13; Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:4; 1 Pet. 4:13; 1 John 5:12
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, You are my true joy. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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Pinnock: neutrality?

Wednesday, October 16, 2024
    Commemoration of the Oxford Martyrs, Hugh Latimer, Nicolas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer, bishops and martyrs, 1555
Meditation:
    Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.
    —John 12:42-43 (NIV)
Quotation:
    It is impossible to be neutral about Jesus Christ. We must either accept or reject his claims. Not to decide is to decide. He does not call us to a merely verbal confession or a merely intellectual commitment, but to an unreserved decision to build our lives on Christ as a foundation.
    ... Clark H. Pinnock (1937-2010), A Case for Faith, Bethany House, 1987, p. 90 (see the book)
    See also John 12:42-43; Matt. 7:21-27; 10:32; 28:17; Mark 3:35; Luke 12:8; John 1:11-13; 7:3-5; Rom. 10:10; 1 John 4:2
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, You are the cornerstone of my life. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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Watson: a cause for joy

Tuesday, October 15, 2024
    Feast of Teresa of Avila, Mystic, Teacher, 1582
Meditation:
    And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
    —Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Quotation:
    To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that ALL things which fall out shall cooperate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.
    ... Thomas Watson (c.1620-1686), preface, A Divine Cordial [1657], Religious Tract Society, 1848, p. 3 (see the book)
    See also Rom. 8:28; Deut. 8:5; Ps. 23:4-6; 91:9-10; 126:5-6; Pr. 3:11-12; Matt. 5:4; Rom. 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17; Heb. 12:7; Jas. 1:2-3; 5:11; 1 Pet. 1:6; 4:13-14; 5:10; Rev. 3:19
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, in faith I embrace Your discipline. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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Kurosaki: the great Conductor

Monday, October 14, 2024
Meditation:
    Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.
    —1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (NIV)
Quotation:
    God is the great Conductor, and the individual members of the orchestra [namely, the whole body of Christ] each play their varying parts on different instruments; but if all follow the Conductor the whole composition will be a complete and beautiful symphony in perfect harmony.
    ... Kokichi Kurosaki (1886-1970), One Body in Christ, Kobe, Japan: Eternal Life Press, 1954, ch. 5 (see the book)
    See also 1 Cor. 12:12-31; John 17:20-21; Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 1:10; 10:16-17; Eph. 3:6; 4:3-13; 5:19-20; Col. 3:15; 1 Pet. 3:8
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, help me to honor the many roles to which You have appointed Your people. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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