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| It is my determination that my children seek a house not made by hands, eternal in the heavens... The Solemn League and Covenant for Reformation and Defence of Religion, the Honour and Happiness of the King, and the Peace and Safety of the Three Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland; agreed upon by Commissioners from the Parliament and Assembly of Divines in England, with Commissioners of the Convention of Estates, and General Assembly in Scotland; approved by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and by both Houses of Parliament and Assembly of Divines in England, and taken and subscribed by them, Anno 1643; and thereafter, by the said authority, taken and subscribed by all Ranks in Scotland and England the same Year; and ratified by Act of the Parliament of Scotland, Anno 1644: And again renewed in Scotland, with an Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties, by all Ranks, Anno 1648, and by Parliament 1649; and taken and subscribed by King Charles II at Spey, June 23, 1650; and at Scoon, January 1, 1651. We Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts, in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland, by the providence of GOD, living under one King, and being of one reformed religion, having before our eyes the glory of GOD, and the advancement of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, the honour and happiness of the King's Majesty and his posterity, and the true public liberty, safety and peace of the kingdoms, wherein every one's private condition is included: And calling to mind the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts, and practices of the enemies of GOD, against the true religion and professors thereof in all places, especially in these three kingdoms, ever since the reformation of true religion ; and how much their rage, power, and presumption are of late, and at this time, increased and exercised, whereof the deplorable state of the church and kingdom of Ireland, the distressed estate of the church and kingdom of England, and the dangerous estate of the church and kingdom of Scotland, are present and public testimonies; we have now at last, (after other means of supplication, remonstrance, protestation, and sufferings,) for the preservation of ourselves and our religion from utter ruin and destruction, according to the commendable practice of these kingdoms in former times, and the example of GOD's people in other nations, after mature deliberation, resolved and determined to enter into a mutual and solemn League and Covenant, wherein we all subscribe, and each one of us for himself, with our hands lifted up to the most High GOD, do swear, I. That we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the grace of GOD, endeavour, in our several places and callings, the preservation of the reformed religion in the Church of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, against our common enemies; the reformation of religion in the kingdoms of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, according to the word of GOD, and the example of the best reformed Churches; and shall endeavour to bring the churches of God in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion, confession of faith, form of church-government, directory for worship and catechising; that we, and our posterity after us, may, as brethren, live in faith and love, and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us. II. That we shall in like manner, without respect of persons endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, church-government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors, and Comissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacons, and all other ecclesiastical Officers depending on that hierarchy,) superstition, heresy, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine and the power of godliness, lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues; and that the Lord may be one, and his name one, in the three kingdoms. III. We shall, with the same sincerity, reality, and constancy, in our several vocations, endeavour, with our estates and lives, mutually to preserve the rights and privileges of the Parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms; and to preserve and defend the King's Majesty's person and authority, in the preservation and defence of the true religion, and liberties of the kingdoms; that the world may bear witness with our consciences of our loyalty, and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatness. IV. We shall also, with all faithfulness, endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be incendiaries, malignants, or evil instruments, by hindering the reformation of religion, dividing the king from his people, or one of the kingdoms from another, or making any faction or parties among the people, contrary to this League and Covenant; that they may be brought to publick trial, and receive condign punishment, as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve, or the supreme judicatories of both kingdoms respectively, or others having power from them for that effect, shall judge convenient. V. And whereas the happiness of a blessed peace between these kingdoms, denied in former times to our progenitors, is, by the good providence of GOD, granted unto us, and hath been lately concluded and settled by both Parliaments; we shall each one of us, according to our place and interest, endeavour that they may remain conjoined in a firm peace and union to all posterity; and that justice may be done upon the wilful opposers thereof, in manner expressed in the precedent article. VI. We shall also, according to our places and callings, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdoms, assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant, in the maintaining and pursuing thereof; and shall not suffer ourselves, directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion, or terror, to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency and neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the glory of GOD, the good of the kingdom, and honour of the King; but shall, all the days of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition, and promote the same, according to our power, against all lets and impediments whatsoever; and, what we are not able ourselves to suppress or overcome, we shall reveal and make known, that it may be timely prevented or removed: All which we shall do as in the sight of God. And, because these kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against GOD, and his Son JESUS CHRIST, as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers, the fruits thereof; we profess and declare, before GOD and the world, our unfeigned desire to be humbled for our own sins, and for the sins of these kingdoms: especially, that we have not as we ought valued the inestimable benefit of the gospel; that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof; and that we have not endeavoured to receive CHRIST in our hearts, nor to walk worthy of him in our lives; which are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us: and our true and unfeigned purpose, desire, and endeavour for ourselves, and all others under our power and charge, both in publick and in private, in all duties we owe to GOD and man, to amend our lives, and each one to go before another in the example of a real reformation; that the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation, and establish these churches and kingdoms in truth and peace. And this Covenant we make in the presence of ALMIGHTY GOD, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at that great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed; most humbly beseeching the LORD to strengthen us by his HOLY SPIRIT to this end, and to bless our desires and proceeding with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian churches, groaning under, or in danger of, the yoke of antichristian tyranny, to join in the same or like association and covenant, to the glory of GOD, the enlargement of the kingdom of JESUS CHRIST, and the peace and tranquility of Christian kingdoms and commonwealths The Husband's Duty James Smith "Husbands, love your wives — even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it." Ephesians 5:25 This language is especially addressed to Christians; the Holy Spirit speaks on the wife's behalf. The husband and his wife are one. The union is most intimate and important, and it is for life. It should therefore be formed with much prayer, prudence, and reflection. And being formed, each party should strive to make it a means of blessing to the other, by closely attending to the precepts of Holy Scripture. No godly man should, under any pretense, marry an unsaved woman; for it is impossible to obey the precepts of the gospel, under such circumstances. The husband is to love his wife, not merely for her beauty, her amiable temper, or her attention to him; but he is to love her for Christ's sake, as a part of His mystical body, as dear to His heart, and appointed to reign with Him in glory. The husband will never love his wife as he should, unless he views her in Christ, considers her as one with Christ, and remembers that Jesus takes unkindness shown to her — as shown to himself. The wife must be loved not only for her own sake, not merely as a woman; but for the sake of Christ, who redeemed her by His blood, who loves her with an infinite love, and who is jealous of any slight shown or unkindness manifested to her. Every husband who professes to be a Christian, should view his wife as in Christ; and remember that Jesus says — speaking of His saints, "He who touches you, touches the apple of His eye." Acting thus, he would be better able to bear with her infirmities and imperfections; and would be led to plead for her more earnestly with her God. Viewing her as Christ's, and also as his own flesh, he would always have a garment at hand to cast over her faults, and his love would cover the multitude of sins. A perfect wife is not to be expected. The husband should be the representative of Christ to his wife, loving her as Christ loves His church. Oh, what tenderness, what gentleness, what kindness, what sympathy, what condescension should be shown! If Jesus is to be the husband's pattern, if the husband endeavors to imitate Him — then how happy will the wife be made — how comfortable will the house become — how honorable will the marriage state appear! Jesus so loved the church as to give Himself for her, even when she was most unlovely; and He so loves her as to give her all He has, even His glory. He never takes His eye off of her. He bears with her, pleads with His Father for her, sympathizes with her in every affliction, and will not allow anything to alienate His affections from her. There is not a sigh which escapes her — but it touches His neart; nor is a pain which is felt by her — but it enters His bosom. Husbands, see your pattern. Look at the meekness, gentleness, forbearance, and tender love of Jesus, and see how you ought to act toward your dear wife. Look at your wife, and look at His Church, and ask: Is it possible for your wife to be as fickle, as false, as provoking, as ungrateful — as His church? See what He bears with, forgives, and forgets in His people — and then ask: What have you to bear with and forgive? Look at what Jesus is to His bride, and what you are to yours, and then answer. Do you imitate His example? Oh, what happy homes would the houses of Christians be, if every husband loved his wife — as Jesus loves His church; if every husband cared for his wife — as Jesus cares for His church; if every husband consulted the honor and happiness of his wife — as Jesus consults the honor and happiness of His Church. My brother, the Holy Spirit says, you ought to love your wife as your own body, as your own self; yes, as Christ loved the church, who gave Himself for it. Your love should be tender, constant,uniform, and as manifest as the love of Jesus is. Let there be no bitterness, or contempt, or treating the wife as an inferior; but give honor unto her as the weaker vessel. Love her in Jesus; love her as Jesus bids you; love her and be happy! _______________________________________________________________ The Lord is full of mercy, grace, and is longsuffering toward us, and is a Loving Father, drowning our sins in the deepest sea because of the sacrifice of His dear son, and our dear Savior Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to be delivered from the snare of the devil, but remember Peters admonishment, that he roars about like a lion seeking to devour, remain under Gods sheltering wing. The word of God says "draw close to God and He will draw close to you and the devil will flee." Be encouraged in the faith of Jesus, Be a good husband and father, pray without ceasing, deny the flesh, and remember The beloved Johns words,"I have no greater joy than to know that my children walk in truth". ______________________________________________________________________ A Godly wife, who can find? I am thankful that I found one and it is my duty to cleanse her with the Word, I often fail and am grateful for the Lords forgiveness, however it is always before me, to perform my duties as a husband, to so love my wife as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. I must overcome the selfishness that tries to control my every waking thought, and actively do(love is a verb here) serve her, even as she is serving me as my loving and tender helpmeet, God bless, Brett |
Gentlemen, Is your life all that you desire it to be? Do you struggle in your relationships? Do you find yourself making some of the same mistakes in dealing with your wife and children? Do your passions get the best of you? can you sometimes say with Paul "O wretched man that I am, who live deliver me from the body of this death"? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then I invite you to join in here and see if you can be part of the solution to help each other "walk in a way pleasing to the Lord", not just a cliche but actually discovering, and with the Lords help determining to be the husband and father that God wants you to be. Remember what one old scottish preacher was fond of saying, "The best of men, are men at best", which means we need Gods help to live the supernatural life of the believer, in order to overcome the fallen nature, that we inherited from Adam. "But thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord", "We are more than overcomers through Him who loved us, and gave Himself for us".
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Part 2 What Humility isn't....
The ugly sin of Pride. Spurgeon says;
I wonder if we really detect ‘pride’ in ourselves. It is so easy to see it in others. If you sit down and think about it, can you see any pride in your life? Sometimes it is hard to detect. Simply put, it is anything that exalts self rather than Christ who is our supreme example of humility. The Lord commands us to do and not do certain things…in so obeying Christ does it puff us up? Are our children ‘better behaved’ than others? Do you bless God for giving you wisdom in training them up in the way they should go..or do you pat yourself on the back and look down on your neighbor? Does our home school run more efficiently than others? Do you thank God for giving you the grace and gift to be organized or in your heart, do you really think you do it better than your sisters in Christ? Is your house in perfect order? Is that by the grace of God and your income or is it the result of autonomous ‘you’? What about this, those who are ‘relaxed and easy going’…are you better than your sisters who are gifted with organization and do you really think you are better because you are not so ‘stiff’ as they are? You see pride comes in all forms, shapes sizes and attacks all who walk on this earth. The difference being that as born again people called of God we are to be known ‘by our love’ and not our Pride. It is such a turn off to those who are around us and unfortunately it is only us who don’t see it in us!> |
John Mac Arthur on his treatise of 'pride' says;
"Proverbs chapter 6 and verse 16, the verse says there are six things which the Lord hates, yes seven which are an abomination to Him. And the going from the six to the seven was just a Hebrew way of speaking to put emphasis. There are six things which the Lord hates, even seven which are an abomination to Him.
What are they? God hates, the old Authorized Version said, "A proud look," the NAS says, "Haughty eyes." The actual Hebrew is "lofty eyes." That is to say looking from above down with disdain on those who are beneath you in value and significance. It indicates a swelling kind of pride that fills the heart and shows disdain for others, as if they were of less significance. Pride is the first thing God hates and it's listed first because it really is at the fountain of all kinds of sin. All kinds of sin no matter what the sin is reflect pride, attitude of disobedience and rebellion against God's Law. Everything else is sort of built on the basic iniquity of pride, self-will. Psalm 18:27says that God will abase those who have haughty eyes. Psalm 73:6 describes the wicked as having pride as their necklace and they are those whom God will cast down to destruction.
God says no one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. Isaiah 2:11 says, "The proud look of man will be abased and the loftiness of man will be humbled and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." God is going to bring about a judgment day to all who are proud ."
Clearly the Lord is not going to 'cut us down' whenever we exhibit pride. If he did there would be noone here on THC nor would we have neighbors or even be here ourselves. It should be a lesson to us though, even though He deals with us with amazing grace, that He HATES pride. I dont want my children to do things
that I hate...therefore I do not want to do things the Lord hates.
Humility…
Teaching our children
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."
Proverbs 15:33, KJV
The antithesis of pride is …humility. Humility can be defined as; strength through accepting and perceiving the reality of our utter dependence on God.
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
The question then is how do we teach our children humility? First and foremost, we have to learn it ourselves, and then model it in reality, No small order! No easy task.
We are highly motivated to teach this to our children though, because according to God’s Word, if our children learn humility they will be given grace and their humility will be followed by honour. As parents we want those things for our children.
"Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"
1 Peter 5:5-6, KJV
What a perfect verse to begin with to teach our children humility. What a perfect verse to begin with in our own pursuit of humility. I do not care to be in a place where God is resisting me. I think of Paul and how he ‘kicked against the pricks’.
If we are not walking in humility then we do set ourselves against the Lord. The Lord who Himself was the epitome of humility. Phillipians 2:5-9 states"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God., but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.
His entire life and all of His actions pointed to one thing…the Father. Never self. Though He was worthy. Even when He made a whip in the temple, it was out of zeal for His Fathers house. Not His own.
Now some may be ‘humiliated’ at the thought of being humble. However:
!. The Lord commands us to be so.
2. It is evidence of strength
3. It is evidence of an accurate perception of who we are
4. It is rewarded by the Lord with honour, grace, and wisdom
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
Proverbs 11:2, KJV
"Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom."
Proverbs 13:10, KJV
More of Thee and less of me
I determined...yesterday to have a family meeting. It went so well we are going to do it again today.
I found this many years ago and have used it in sermons over the years to inspire men to be better Dads, hopefully it will help someone slow down and realize we are raising young men and ladies, but they are still children and need love and understanding more than our busy schedules sometimes allow for, may God grasp your heart and hold it for the Love of His dear son, and your dear sons, God bless, brett
"Listen, son: I am saying this to you as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside.
There are things i was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor.
At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!"
Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. there were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfrriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive-and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father!
Do you remeber, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped.
You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with affection that God had sent blooming in your heart and which neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs.
Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What was habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding- this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years.
And there was so much that was so good and fine and true in your character. The little heart in you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed!
It is a feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bit my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy-a little boy!"
I am afraid I have visualized you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary on your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much.
If you got this far, resist the urge to rationalize any behaviors the Holy Spirit has convicted you of, but simply repent, and ask The Lord to turn your hearts to your children, and determine like this dear Father, to be a better daddy tomorrow than you were today. God bless, Brett
I determine, by the grace of God to walk more fully in the Spirit, to love more deeply and to show more compassion, to be more diligent in discipling my children, and more kind to my DW, Brett
As a Dad, discipling my babies and older children, I find it hard to spend much time blogging, so I determine to spend more time doing the things I need to do to train my children and less time talking about it, and I encourage you to do the same God bless, Brett
1 comment:
Brett, I loved your posting on the father by his son's bedside. I know it was meant for Dads but it brought a tear to my eye thinking how close to home that hit me.
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