John Newton via Jerry Bridges

At the end of his life, Newton said to a friend, ‘My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.'”

– taken from Respectable Sins

John Newton on God’s Providence

John Newton

...if all things are in His hand, if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of His providence and purpose; and if He has a wise, holy and gracious end in view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient; – then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as He leads, and cheerfully to expect a happy issue…. How happy are they who can resign all to Him, see His hand in every dispensation, and believe that He chooses better for them than they possibly could for themselves.”

– John Newton (taken from Jerry Bridges book Respectable Sins)

Revival!!!

Today I finished the last sermon in Dr. Lloyd Jones book “Revival” and I wanted to share a little bit of what encouraged me. His last sermon was taken form the text Isaiah 64:1 “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence.” Isaiah cries out to God with all that is within him for God to act mercifully. Despite their sin, their idolatry, their abandonment of the covenant, Isaiah cries out to God to do something, that God’s name would not be shamed in the world, and that His presence would be enjoyed by His people.

Isaiah’s cry is based on nothing other than the glory of God’s name. He knew well that they deserved what they were receiving (captivity, destruction, fiery trials). But Isaiah recalls of how God previously worked at similar times of disobedience. O the height, depth, width, length of His love. His mercies are unending. Yes His anger is aroused, but joy and goodness are new in the morning.

The state of the church here in Romania is a very desperate one. The church is falling and the name of the Lord is being mocked. They shout “Peace!!! Peace!!!” when there is no peace. But God!!! God is exceedingly able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think! For His names sake He can awaken the sleeping. He can breathe life into the dead! Our hope is great that He will work. O, God! Tear open the heavens and rain down your Spirit! Convict us of our sin and drive us to Christ our Rock!

I have been encouraged to press on… to pray… to hope!!! Our God is great, worthy of praise!!! I leave you with a quote from John Newton.

“Thou art coming to a king;

Large petitions with thee bring;

For His grace and power are such

None can ever ask so much.”

J. C. Hahne