Tim – who wrote this?

“When any church will inscribe over its altar, as its sole qualification for membership, the Savior’s condensed statement of the substance of both law and Gospel, ‘Thou shalt love the lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and thy neighbor as thyself’ that church will I join with all my heart and all my soul.”

“It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, and to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in Holy Scripture, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord. And, insomuch (sic) as we know that by His divine law nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisement in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war which now desolates the land may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our national reformation as a whole people? We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our national sins and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.” [March 30, 1863]

“In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to men. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it.” [Sept. 9, 1864]

Praying for the President

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” Proverbs 21:1¬†

The president’s heart is in the hand of the Lord and He turns it wherever He wishes in order to accomplish His purposes. Do you like the President? Did you vote for him (or her… you never know:)? Do you pray for the President?

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” I Timothy 2:1-2

Being Compelled To Do What Is Right

Many people looking at Christianity, who do not understand it, just see rules that one must live by. The subject of the difference between legalism and grace can fill pages and pages, however, the quickest way to the heart of the truth is through the greatest commandment. Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27).

Having faith in, and loving God, compels you. That’s the difference. When you believe that God ‘is’, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, then the love of God grows in your heart. You realize His great love for you, and His great grace towards you, and His great mercy upon you. As you come to this realization it compels you to love Him. Loving Him compels you to listen to Him and obey Him.

Legalism is powerless, not only to save, but also to give power. After placing your faith, trust, and hope in Jesus’ death for your sins, He begins a work in your heart to live His life through you. It is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead that gives power to our mortal bodies and empowers us to live as He would.

Therefore, we are compelled to do right. We are compelled to see what the scripture says about praying, about spending money, about marrying, about government, about church, and all of the issues that pertain to life, because the Word of God speaks to all of them.

Through the ages many people have done things in the name of Jesus or God that have no start in God, and no claim on Him. Why? Because what He has revealed to us in His word is the standard. The infinite and personal God has spoken all the truth (not exhaustively, but truly) so that we can rationally understand what He requires of us. That is a gracious God. That is the beauty of grace.

Nashville in October

Nashville in October is pretty much perfect… or at least it has been. Highs between 75 and 85, sunny with the occasional cloudy day, cool enough at night to wear a jacket and open the windows, and not too much humidity.¬†

The whole town just seems better during fall… not spring, not summer, and not winter…. I think Nashville falls are its best season.