"Golden apples in pictures of silver"

So, I decided to read Sanctified Life since Thomson has, as of late, been studying it as well. It sounded like a good book, after all, isn't a Sanctified Life my goal? The answer is yes so I decided to proceed. I tried to listen to it via a link that Tbird gave me but found myself distracted by the reader's slightly twangy accent and slow reading style. So I asked my Dad if I could borrow his. I just finished reading the first chapter and thought I'd put down for you the parts that stood out to me. By the way, I am absolutely loving it. It's so applicable to my life right now and the section on meekness was a-m-a-z-i-n-g. (I've been thinking a lot about meekness lately)

"The pure motive sanctifies the act." Ouch, that means that, well, basically all my acts are un-sanctified. But how does one purify their actions without having ulterior motives in the purifying process? partial answer (or is it complete?): By daily choosing Christ and little by little, decision after decision, learning to live for Him.

"True sanctification is the entire conformity to the will of God." Entire. Conformity. Will. This speaks to me regarding areas of sin in my life. It always seems to be a battle between my will and God's. It's never a question on which one is right, that's obvious enough. It's the "entire conformity" part that always gets me.

"...while if they were truly living without sin, their very presence would bring holy angels into the assembly, and their words would indeed be "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11) Isn't that such a cool verse! I love that! What an amazing mental image that is. That would be a good basis for an art project.

"In summer, as we look upon the trees of the distant forest, all clothed with a beautiful mantle of green, we may not be able to distinguish between the evergreens and the other trees. But as winter approaches, and the frost king encloses them in his icy embrace, stripping the other trees of their beautiful foliage, the evergreens are readily discerned." I loved the description of the frost king. I always loved evergreens! Because, well, they are ever green!

"Thus it will be with all who are walking in humility, distrustful of self, but clinging tremblingly to the hand of Christ." Satan always has a counterfeit, doesn't he. I remember when my Dad had a family worship on that topic. Satan tries to tell us we need to be more confident in ourselves and in our own abilities. But God's plan is so different. He wants us to learn to rely on HIS power, and not our own.

"Self-denial, self-sacrifice, benevolence, kindness, love, patience, fortitude, and Christian trust are the daily fruits borne by those who are truly connected with God. Their acts may not be published to the world, but they themselves are daily wrestling with evil, and gaining precious victories over temptation and wrong. Solemn vows are renewed, and kept through the strength gained by earnest prayer and constant watching thereunto." I like lists. Somehow it's just neat to have a list of what fruits are borne. Here it outlines just HOW solemn vows are kept: through the strength gained by earnest prayer and constant watching thereunto.

"But the humble in heart, who have daily felt the importance of riveting their souls to the eternal Rock, will stand unmoved amid the tempests of trial, because they trusted not to themselves. "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his" (2 Tim. 2:19). Look where that verse is from! (Thomson and I are trying to memorize 2 Timothy but we really need to get with it!) I want to rivet my soul to the eternal Rock.

"Religious principle has become the spring of his life and conduct, and it is just as natural for him to bear the fruits of the Spirit as for the fig tree to bear figs or for the rosebush to yield roses. His nature is so thoroughly imbued with love for God and his fellow men that he works the works of Christ with a willing heart." Religious principle, huh? That's what I need. My life is so UNprincipled. As I become more principled, I will bear more fruits of the spirit. Where to start? Now. Today. Here. I want that love to flow out of me naturally, for me to truly have a willing heart.

"All who come within the sphere of his influence perceive the beauty and fragrance of his Christian life..." I like that: beauty, fragrance.

"Angels are attracted to them, and love to linger about their path." Awesome thought!

"The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. When this grace presides in the soul, the disposition is molded by its influence. There is a continual waiting upon God and a submission of the will to His. The understanding grasps every divine truth, and the will bows to every divine precept, without doubting or murmuring." She says meekness is the MOST precious fruit of the spirit! How neat, especially since I've been thinking about it all summer. With meekness comes a waiting on the Lord and submission to His will, two things I need so much in my life. Again, the will will be brought under control and trained to be in submission to Christ.

"True meekness softens and subdues the heart and gives the mind a fitness for the engrafted word. It brings the thoughts into obedience to Jesus Christ.It opens the heart to the word of God, as Lydia's was opened. It places us with Mary, as learners at the feet of Jesus. "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way" (Ps. 25:9). Now that's pretty nifty! It actually opens the heart to the Bible and fits the mind for memorization! I suppose it goes hand in hand. As you study and memorize the Bible, you become more meek and as you become more meek, you'll be better equipped to study and memorize the Bible.

Well, that's all for now. I know that was a bit long but I just wanted to write it all down. I hope you enjoyed a walk through my worship this morning! God bless as you seek a sanctified life!