This blog is on hold until I have more time to devote to it.  This will probably be

when I graduate from Seminary and get settled.  Until then I will only post occasionaly, if ever.

I love the fact that Paul saw his suffering not primarily as a result of him preaching the gospel, but as a vehicle that advanced the gospel.

In the same prayer I will pray for God to advance the gospel in the lives of family, friends and the people in my church and community and then also pray that God would keep my family from sickness and suffering.  I dont think this is a bad prayer to pray, but Im coming to understand why Paul could rejoice in suffering. The way Paul responded to suffering made much of God.  His suffering revealed what he loved the most.  His suffering glorified God.

Is my suffering advanving the good news of Jesus Christ?  Does my suffering point others to Jesus?

Jonathan Edwards in his preface to Religious Affections says,

“And so it is ever likely to be in the church, whenever religion revives remarkably, till we have learned well to distinguish between true and false religion, between saving affections and experiences, and those manifold fair shows and glistering appearances by which they are counterfeited; the consequences of which, when they are not distinguished, are often inexpressibly dreadful.

By this means he (Satan) deceives great multitudes about the state of their souls, making them think they are something when they are nothing; and so eternally undoes them; and not only so, but establishes many in a strong confidence of their eminent holiness, who are in God’s sight some of the vilest of hypocrites.”

And Edwards finishes his preface by talking about the consequences of not being able to distinguish between true religious experience and counterfeit religion.

“And by what is seen of the terrible consequences of this counterfeit religion, when not distinguished from true religion, God’s people in general have their minds unhinged and unsettled in things of religion, and know not where to set their foot, or what to think or do; and many are brought into doubts, whether there be anything in religion; and heresy and infidelity and atheism prevail.”

This coming week we are reading Part One entitled “Concerning the Nature of the Affections, and Their Importance in Religion.”

Edwards shares his thoughts in the purpose of the book and the importance of taking the time to distinguish between the “qualifications of those who are in favor with God, and entitled to His eternal rewards.”

I spent too much time with the design of the blog tonight than actual reading so I will write more tomorrow.

Along with challies dot com, I am reading through Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections.  My goal is to post at least one or two sentences or phrases that stick out to me during the reading.  I will start with the introduction later today.

This is a new post.