Theme: Spiritual Growth
Our mirroring of Christ, then, is one with the presence of his spirit in us.
May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
The sanctified cross is a fruitful tree, it bringeth forth many apples.
In short, let us be accustomed to recollect ourselves during the day and in the midst of our occupations, by a simple view of God.
God does not, by the instant gift of his Spirit, make us always feel right, desire good, love purity, aspire after him and his will.
Things that have not life will not grow.
Great principles are always best and freshest when studied from the life, and it so happens that a circumstance in Paul’s life makes it peculiarly easy to act on this rule here.
Why should not every year be richer than the past, in love, and usefulness, and joy?
God’s grace is never restrained, and though we should not arrive at those heights of heavenly-mindedness, as some of the primitive christians were eminent for, yet, methinks we should imitate them as far as we can.
Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as an habitual thing, to give myself to prayer, after having dressed myself in the morning.
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Devotion is simply a spiritual activity and liveliness by means of which Divine Love works in us, and causes us to work briskly and lovingly.
Many do not advance in the Christian progress, because they stick in penances, and particular exercises, while they neglect the love of GOD, which is the end. That this appeared plainly by their works, and was the reason why we see so little solid virtue.
Why should it always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is true, but O for a spring time—yea, a summer season, which shall give promise of an early harvest.
Nevertheless, devout conversation on spiritual things helpeth not a little to spiritual progress.
Christ is exceedingly delighted in tasting of the sweet fruits of the Spirit in the saints.
A little reading and recollection every day, will be the means of insensibly giving you light and strength for all the sacrifices God will require of you.
Every advancing soul must come sooner or later to the place where it can trust God, the bare God, if I may be allowed the expression, simply and only because of what He is in Himself.
being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Prayer opens the understanding to the brightness of Divine Light, and the will to the warmth of Heavenly Love—nothing can so effectually purify the mind from its many ignorances, or the will from its perverse affections. It is as a healing water which causes the roots of our good desires to send forth fresh shoots, which washes away the soul’s imperfections, and allays the thirst of passion.
MannaScroll