Let us learn like Christians to kiss the rod, and love it. -- John Bunyan.
My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. (Hebrews 12:5-6).
A hymn to read, sing, play, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: Through all the Changing Scenes of Life (From Psalm 34).
No child of God sins to that degree as to make himself incapable of forgiveness. ---- John Bunyan
But God commends His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having been justified by His blood, ye shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:8-10).
He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).
A hymn to read, sing, hum, or whistle, to the glory of God: From Depths of Woe I Raise to Thee
-- "Though great our sins and sore our woes, His grace much more aboundeth, His helping love no limit knows, our utmost need it soundeth, Our Shepherd good and true is He, who will at last His Israel free from all their sin and sorrow."
Prayer. You can do more than pray, after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed. ---- John Bunyan.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will you Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him (Matthew 7:7-11) !
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will act (Psalm 37:4-5).
Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' (Psalm 58:9a).
A Hymn to read, sing, whistle or hum to the glory of God: WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS.
GENEROSITY. A man there was, and they called him mad; the more he gave the more he had. ---- John Bunyan.
Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse(Proverbs 28:27).
...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you(Luke 6:38).
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully (II Corinthians 9:6).
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A hymn to read or sing aloud to the glory of God: LORD, THOU LOV'ST THE CHEERFUL GIVER
