Growing in Grace

Today I wanted to encourage you all with a Biblical resource that has helped me grow in the Lord over the past few months. My morning devotional is my time with the Lord, to be renewed and washed through the reading of His Word so that I am better equipped to resist temptations, love others, and become the person that God is calling me to be (less like my sinful self and more like Him each day). 

I want to share with you all my ABSOLUTE favorite book, next to reading God's Word, is a book entitled The Valley of Vision. The book is an amazing collection of puritan prayers and devotionals, which is a treasure trove full of godly and inspiring puritan prayers and writings (most in poem or prayer form). 

I first heard about the book through a sermon by Pastor Emilio Ramos, I immediately went home and bought the book (a great deal for $3.00 on Amazon.com). If you're a believer as I am, you will be gripped, convicted, and long for a deeper relationship with Christ by the godly writings and examples set forth by our forefathers in the faith. 

Here's an excerpt for you from the book titled Consecration and Worship:

My God, 

I feel it is heaven to please thee, 

and to be what Thou wouldst have me be.

O that I were holy as Thou art holy,

pure as Christ is pure, 

perfect as Thy Spirit is perfect!

These, I feel, are the best commands in Thy Book, 

and shall I break them? must I break them?

am I under such a necessity as long as I live here?

Woe, woe is me that I am a sinner, 

that I grieve this blessed God,

Who is infinite in goodness and grace!

O, if He would punish me for my sins, 

it would not wound my heart so deep to offend Him; 

Bit though I sin continually, 

He continually repeats his kindness to me.

At times I feel I could bear any suffering, 

but how can I dishonor this glorious God?

What shall I do to glorify and worship this Best of Beings?

O that I could consecrate my soul and body to His service, 

without restraint, for ever!

O that I could give myself up to Him, 

so as never more to attempt to be my own!

or have any will or affections

that are not perfectly conformed to His will and His love!

But, alas, I cannot live and not sin.

O may angels glorify Him incessantly, 

an, if possible, prostrate themselves lower

before the blessed King of Heaven!

I long to bear a part with them in ceaseless praise; 

But when I have done all I can to eternity

I shall not be able to offer more than a small fraction

of the homage that the glorious God deserves.

Give me a heart full of divine, heavenly love.

If you want to grow deeper in your walk with the Lord, my advice is to spend as much time as you can reading and studying His Word (yes that does mean a lot less time on social medis, but who needs that garbage and distractions from God anyway?) and then add godly, Biblical resources in your life to help grow you in your faith. Most of all ask God to give you a desire to know Him, He will certainly answer your prayers. 😉

"Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve mourn and wail. Change your laughter into mourning and your joy into gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:7-10

After all, this is what being a Christian is all about, drawing near to Him, being changed by Him, and knowing Him more. 

Are you truly saved? Visit www.areugoodenough.org to find out more. 

Here are some other excellent resources to grow in your faith and share the gospel: 

www.wretchedradio.com - endless tv program episodes if you sign up to become a Wretched member (can't say enough good things about this program). 

www.livingwaters.com - tons of great gospel tracts and resources that teach you how to effectively share your faith without fear. 

Have a prayer request? Please feel free to email me at joyofoursalvation@gmail.com, we'd love to pray for you!