Random Notes

Reading good theological books is a way to strengthening our souls in the ways of righteousness. Those books that express biblical principles in a mode of application. They give little gems of truths that are helps for the soul.

Here are small portions of some of the gems from books I have read and that have and still do serve as a means of refreshing, humbling and strengthening my resolve to be grounded and grow in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I share them in the hope that they will do the same for you.

For inasmuch as all who exalt themselves wage war with God, He must needs encounter them with the awful power of His Hand, in order to restrain their madness.    John Calvin

Despite the mutability of our wills, the corruption of our nature, the animosity of Satan, and the weakness of the new creation in us, the Spirit preserves grace in the believer. He strengthens and increases grace with us (Eph. 3:16). The Spirit gives us a holy reverence for God which is necessary in prayer (Heb. 12:28). Striking us with a holy dread and awe of the Majesty of God. 

Thomas Boston

It is hard starving this sin (pride), when it can live almost upon anything.  Richard Mayo

Let no man think to kill sin with a few, easy or gentle strokes. He who hath once smitten a serpent, if he follow not on his blow until it be slain may repent that ever he began the quarrel, and so he who undertakes to deal with sin, and pursues it not constantly to the death.   John Owen

Sins are more heinous when they are committed by someone who has greater experience of grace, eminent for profession, gifts, office, if they are a guide to others and whose example is likely to be followed by others.    Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 151

God desires to be known and worshipped so He reveals Himself in all His glory. He reveals Himself in Scripture, in nature, in His attributes. God wants man to know and enjoy His greatness.

Jonathan Edwards

Prayer delights God's ear; it melts His heart, and opens His hand. God cannot deny a praying soul.

Thomas Watson

Wretched man, wanting to be somebody in himself, forgets and misunderstands the source of his good; and by an act of outrageous ingratitude, he sets out to exalt himself in pride against his Maker and the Author of all that is excellent in him.  Walter Marshall

All our reading, studying, and preaching is but trifling hypocrisy, till the things read, studied, and preached be felt in some degree upon our own hearts.   John Flavel

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.  Proverbs 3:7-8

God appointed so many ordinances and duties of religion on purpose, to maintain daily communion between Christ and His people.    John Flavel

Keeping watch over the soul is foundational to other spiritual duties, because their effectiveness depends on large part upon the removal of those encumbrances that dampen the affections. Unconfessed sin, unchecked pride, and undisciplined thoughts tend to render the soul insensible to any "influences" that God sets forth in duties. Our first responsibility, therefore is to remove all hindrances to communion.   Stephen Yuille

Any desire within us for true holiness has come from God, not ourselves.  J. I. Packer

The soul must give Christ time each day to impart His love and His grace. Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power.  Andrew Murray

It is the goal of good theology to humble us before the triune God of majesty and grace. The main message of Scripture is the unfolding mystery of Christ, who reveals His Father and reconciles us to Him.  Michael Horton

Don't believe everything you think. You cannot be trusted to tell yourself the truth. Stay in the Word. J. Bridges

And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.  2 Corinthians 5:15

The Spirit of God subdues us to His will.   Westminster Larger Catechism Q. 155

In discipline God takes our hearts away from this present world by degrees, and makes us look heavenward.  St. Augustine sweetly said upon the answer of God to Moses: "You cannot see my face . . . and live," (Exodus 33:20) "Then Lord, let me die that I may see your face."

Thomas Case

Be careful to make a good improvement of your precious time. When we cease from our labor, fill up our time in reading, meditation, and prayer, and while your hands are laboring, let your heart be employed, as much as possible, in divine thoughts.  David Brainerd

Sin is not simply making bad choices or mistakes. Sin is having the desire in our hearts to do the will of the enemy of God.  R. C. Sproul

When we delight in God's moral law, God twists His glory and our good together. Thomas Watson

God is deemed omnipotent . . . because governing heaven and earth by His providence, He so overrules all things that nothing happens without His counsel. "He hath done whatsoever He hath pleased." (Psalm 115:3).  John Calvin