Precious Remedies - Conclusion

Don't let my lack of posting about this book serve as an indication that I was neither engaged nor interested. To the contrary, I have found myself immersed in it, to the point that I have labored to suck out every bit of sweetness from its pages. I finished the book this morning, but want to step back to my reading from last week and post an important section for the edification of both of my readers.

Satan has his devices to destroy the saints; and one great device that he has to destroy the saints is, By working them first to be cold, and then to divide, and then to be bitter and jealous, and then 'to bite and devour one another' (Gal. 5:15). Our own woeful experience is too great a proof of this. The Israelites in Egypt did not more vex one another, than Christians in these days have done, which occasioned a deadly consumption to fall upon some. (If we knock, we break. Dissolution is the daughter of dissension.)

The first remedy against this device of Satan is, To dwell more upon one another's graces than upon one another's weaknesses and infirmities. It is sad to consider that saints should have many eyes to behold one another's infirmities, and not one eye to see each other's graces, that they should use spectacles to behold one another's weaknesses, rather than looking-glasses to behold one another's graces.

The second remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That love and union makes most for your own safety and security. We shall be invincible if we are inseparable. The world may frown upon you, and plot against you—but they cannot hurt you. Unity is the best bond of safety in every church and commonwealth.

The third remedy against this device of Satan is, To dwell upon those commands of God which require you to love one another.

The fourth remedy against this device of Satan is, To dwell more upon these choice and sweet things wherein you agree, than upon those things wherein you differ.

The fifth remedy against this device of Satan is, solemnly to consider, That God delights to be styled—'the God of peace'; and Christ to be styled—'the Prince of peace, and King of peace'; and the Spirit is a Spirit of peace. 'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace' (Gal 5:22). Oh! why then should not the saints be children of peace?

The sixth remedy against this device of Satan is, To make more care and conscience, of keeping up your peace with God. Ah! Christians, I am afraid that your remissness herein is that which has occasioned much of that sourness, bitterness, and divisions that be among you. (There is no fear of knowing too much—but there is much fear in practicing too little.) Ah! you have not, as you should, kept up your peace with God, and therefore it is that you do so dreadfully break the peace among yourselves. The Lord has promised, 'That when a man's ways please him, he will make his enemies to be at peace with him' (Prov. 16:7). Ah! how much more then would God make the children of peace to keep the peace among themselves, if their ways do but please him!

The seventh remedy against this device of Satan is, To dwell much upon that near relation and union that is between you. This consideration had a sweet influence upon Abraham's heart: 'And Abraham said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray you, between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen—for we are brethren' (Gen.13:8). The Hebrew signifies, 'Oh! let there be no bitterness between us—for we are brethren.'

The eighth remedy against this device of Satan is, To dwell upon the miseries of discord. Dissolution is the daughter of dissension. Ah! how does the name of Christ, and the way of Christ, suffer by the discord of saints! How are many who are entering upon the ways of God hindered and saddened, and the mouths of the wicked opened, and their hearts hardened against God and his ways—by the discord of his people! Remember this—the disagreement of Christians is the devil's triumph; and what a sad thing is this, that Christians should give Satan cause to triumph!

The ninth remedy against this device of Satan is, seriously to consider, That it is no disparagement to you to be first in seeking peace and reconcilement—but rather an honor to you, that you have begun to seek peace.

The tenth remedy against this device of Satan is, For saints to join together and walk together in the ways of grace and holiness so far as they do agree, making the word of God their only touchstone and judge of their actions.

The eleventh remedy against this device of Satan is, To be much in selfjudging. 'Judge yourselves, and you shall not be judged by the Lord' (1 Cor. 11:31).

The twelfth remedy against this device of Satan is this, above all, Labor to be clothed with humility. Humility makes a man peaceable among brethren, fruitful in well-doing, cheerful in suffering, and constant in holy walking (1 Pet. 5:5).

(Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices (pdf download) by Thomas Brooks, selections from pages 198-209)

Governor Sarah Palin

Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska first came to my notice when I read this article by R. Albert Mohler this past May.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that John McCain would pick her as his Vice Presidential running mate, but there were some who exhibited a prophetic bent:

Josh Harris

Draft Sarah Palin

As it says at the top of my blog, these are Republican Ramblings. I will use my position as owner of this spot in the blogosphere to engage in some of that right now:

What can be said about Governor Sarah Palin:

1) Not only does she talk pro-2nd Amendment, she shoots, is the Governor of a state that allows CCW without requiring a permit, is an NRA Life member, and has been hunting since a youngster (what a contrast to John Kerry's hunting 'experience" in the last election and to Obama and Biden's anti-gun stance.)

2) Not only is she pro-military, she has a son who is in the US Army Infantry and will soon deploy to Iraq.

3) Not only does she talk pro-life, she actually practices pro-life, and refused to abort her Down syndrome son, seeing him as a gift from God.

4) Not only does she talk against corruption, she has been actively cleaning it up.

5) Not only does she talk about government waste, she has been eliminating it.

6) Not only does she talk low taxes, she cuts taxes and returns taxpayers money to them.

7) It appears that she doesn't just talk about faith, she lives it out while not making it a big issue on the campaign trail.

Additionally, she has built and run a business with her native-American (Eskimo) husband of 20 years, and has more executive experience than either Obama or Biden. I think that she will hold her own against Biden in any debates, and will maintain her integrity and exhibit grace while doing so.

Looks like a winner to me.

(It doesn't hurt that she is not hard on the eyes either!)

Win an ESV Study Bible

Check out Best-Bible.org for your chance to win a free copy of the upcoming ESV Study Bible.

Precious Remedies - Content in Christ

True grace will enable a soul to sit down satisfied and contented with the naked enjoyments of Christ. The enjoyment of Christ without honor will satisfy the soul; the enjoyment of Christ without riches, the enjoyment of Christ without pleasures, and without the smiles of creatures, will content and satisfy the soul. 'It is enough; Joseph is alive' (Gen. 45:28). So says a gracious soul, though honor is not, and riches are not, and health is not, and friends are not—it is enough that Christ is, that he reigns, conquers, and triumphs. Christ is the pot of manna, the cruse of oil, a bottomless ocean of all comfort, contentment, and satisfaction. He who has him lacks nothing: he who lacks him enjoys nothing. 'Having nothing,' says Paul, 'and yet possessing all things' (2 Cor. 6:10). A contented man cannot be a poor man. (pg. 160-161)

Can I say that I am content with Christ alone?

Rest in Peace, Warrior Hero

Joe Galloway, a hero in his own right, pens a moving tribute on the passing of Ed ("Too Tall") Freeman.

Mansions of the Lord

Ed Freeman on Wikipedia.