Be provoked to read, part 2

In general, while it is true that the question about our motivation to read Scripture is not so much “how will I provoke myself?” but, “will I provoke myself to delight in God and His declaration to me this day?” yet, there is still instruction about how to stimulate our hearts to read, as Thomas […]

Be provoked to read

Thomas Watson relates our effectiveness in mortifying the flesh to the intake of the Word of God: We must provoke ourselves to reading the Word.…Our Savior bids us “search the Scriptures” (John 5:39). We must not read these holy lines carelessly as if they did not concern us, or run over them hastily, as Israel […]

What truth is and does

Almost two centuries ago Daniel Webster wrote, “There is nothing as powerful as truth and often nothing as strange.” In the intervening years, very little has changed — truth is still powerful and in our culture truth is still strange, and undoubtedly increasingly so. What matters to most individuals now is not truth, but “my […]

The danger of pride

Paul says that humility is an inner attitude that will yield the peaceful fruit of unity in the church body. Echoing the same truth by denoting the danger of a lack of humility, Thomas Watson wrote, How many by the wind of popular breath have been blown to hell! Whom the devil cannot destroy by […]

Some good Puritan reading

It was after I finished seminary that I was introduced to the Puritans. A friend gave me a book by Thomas Watson, I thanked him, and put it on my shelf where it sat for several years. One day I was browsing through my shelves looking for something; I saw the book, picked it up, […]

Made to glorify God

Thomas Watson applies the truth of the glory of God and meditates on what it means that we are made for His glory: There is no one here present but God has put in some capacity of glorifying him; the health he has given you, the parts, estate, seasons of grace, all are opportunities put […]

Why should we glorify God?

Why should we glorify God? Glorifying Him does not add to His character or worth — our glorying in Him does nothing to increase His preeminence. So why glorify Him? Why should we glory in His name? Because God has made all things for his own glory.…especially has he made the godly for his glory; […]

What God will not give you

God can and will do for His own, “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). But there are some things that He will not do for us or give us. He will not lead us into temptation. And He will not share with us His glory. Thomas Watson says it […]

Today’s Quote – Love of Scripture (Watson)

Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture: A godly man shows his love for the written Word of God — by diligently reading it (Acts 17:11; 18:12) by frequently meditating on it (Ps. 119:97) by delighting in it — it is his recreation (Jer. 15:16) by hiding it (Ps. 119:11) by defending it (Ps. 119:111; Rev. […]

Today’s Quote (11/1/08)

Thomas Watson: Let us then ascribe the whole work of grace to the pleasure of God’s Will. God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us, He makes us worthy.

Today’s Quote (9/5/08)

Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture: What shall we do to be thankful? Answer 1: If you wish to be thankful, get a heart deeply humbled with the sense of your own vileness. A broken heart is the best pipe to sound forth God’s praise.…Answer 2: Strive for sound evidences of God’s love to you. […]

Today’s Quote (9/4/08)

Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture: A gracious soul is thankful and rejoices that he is drawn nearer to God, though it may be by the cords of affliction.…When God has a rod in his hand, a godly man will have a psalm in his mouth.

Today’s Quote (9/3/08)

Thomas Watson, The Godly Man’s Picture: Let me tell you, it is a sin not to rejoice. You disparage your Husband, Christ. When a wife is always sighing and weeping, what will others say? ‘This woman has a bad husband.’ Is this the fruit of Christ’s love to you, to reflect dishonour upon Him? A […]