To love God is to rest in His sovereign will, trusting that even the most perplexing circumstances are shaped for our ultimate good. In every situation, whether in joy or sorrow, we are called to trust that God is orchestrating the events of our lives for His glory.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
Christ gave himself to us for our infinite profit. If we give ourselves to him, it won't be for his profit but for our own.
Jonathan Edwards
"Spread all your wickedness before him, and do not plead your goodness; but plead your badness, and your necessity on that account: and say, as the psalmist in the text, not “Pardon mine iniquity, for it is not so great as it was,” but, “Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.”
Jonathan Edwards
You may go to him as often as you will and may pour out your love into his bosom and may embrace him and lean with John on Jesus' bosom, and never shall be unwelcome, always will be well entertained.
--Jonathan Edwards
Christ will treat you not only with welcome but with dearness. When you are coming to him, he will run to meet you, to embrace you and will evermore treat you with as great love as you do him and far greater.
--Jonathan Edwards
You may solace yourself as much in his love as you will. 'Tis no presumption you may do it.
--Jonathan Edwards,
THE DAILY ROUTINE OF JONATHAN EDWARDS
1.Early Rising and Prayer (4:00–5:00 AM) Edwards normally rose between four and five in the morning. The first moments of the day were spent in private prayer, meditation on Scripture, and quiet reflection. He believed the mind was clearest before the world became busy. 2.Morning Study and Sermon Preparation (5:00–11:00 AM) These hours were devoted to deep intellectual work. Edwards studied Scripture in the original languages, read theology and philosophy, and prepared sermons. This period formed the backbone of his ministry. 3.Midday Meal and Brief Refreshment (11:00–12:00) He ate lightly because he believed heavy meals dulled the mind. After eating he often walked briefly or rested so that his mind would remain sharp. 4.Pastoral Ministry and Counseling (12:00–5:00 PM) Afternoons were used for pastoral duties. This included counseling people concerned about their souls, meeting with church members, visiting the sick, preparing lectures, and answering theological questions. During revival seasons many visitors filled his study seeking guidance. 5.Solitary Horseback Meditation (Late Afternoon) Edwards frequently rode horseback alone. During these rides he meditated on theological ideas. When a thought occurred, he wrote it on a small paper and pinned it to his coat so he could expand it later. 6.Evening Meal and Family Time (Around 6:00 PM) Evenings began with time at home. His household was orderly and hospitable, largely due to the careful management of his wife Sarah. The family often shared spiritual conversation and devotion. 7.Evening Study and Writing (7:30–10:00 PM) Edwards returned to his study during the evening to organize sermons, write theological reflections, and develop his arguments. Many of his major writings began during these quiet hours. 8.Sleep and Preparation for the Next Day (Around 10:00 PM) He retired at a moderate hour so he could rise early again the next morning and maintain his disciplined routine. 9.Weekly Instruction of Children (Sabbath Morning) Each Sunday morning Edwards catechized the children of the church, teaching them Scripture and doctrine and often giving them questions that required Bible study. 10.Regular Physical Exercise To maintain health he often walked, rode horseback, or cut wood during winter. He believed physical activity helped keep the mind strong for study.The reasons which induce the soul to love, must first be understood, before they can have a reasonable influence on the heart.
--Jonathan Edwards
He that has doctrinal knowledge and speculation only, without affection, never is engaged in the business of religion.
—Jonathan Edwards"To love God is to rest in His sovereign will, trusting that even the most perplexing circumstances are shaped for our ultimate good. In every situation, whether in joy or sorrow, we are called to trust that God is orchestrating the events of our lives for His glory."
“Lord, grant that from hence I may learn to withdraw thoughts, affections, desires, and expectations entirely from the world, and may fix them upon the heavenly state, where there is fullness of joy; where reigns heavenly, sweet, calm, and delightful love without alloy; where there are continually the dearest expressions of this love; where there is the enjoyment of this love without ever parting; and where those persons, who appear so lovely in this world, will be inexpressibly more lovely, and full of love to us. How sweetly will those, who thus mutually love, join together in singing the praises of God and the Lamb. How full will it fill us with joy, to think that this enjoyment, these sweet exercises, will never cease or come to an end, but will last to all eternity.”
Found on Twitter post, but I would like to find published sources to verify details.
Jonathan Edwards is world famous for preaching and theology, but his biggest impact is often overlooked.
Jonathan Edwards is often remembered for the Great Awakening that sermons like, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," came from. But this ability to preach did not come from nowhere. He attended Yale at 13 and after he graduated, his grandfather gave him ten hours a day of reading to do until he was ready to join the church. Can you imagine graduating Yale and your grandpa thinking you were still that far behind in your studies? Yet his grandfather wanted to make sure he was well read and well studied for his upper class church in New England. Early on Edwards' preaching was considered great. There were the beginning of flames of a revival. But tragedy struck when Edwards' uncle, who attended his church, committed suicide. Edwards' was devastated. People had accused him of being too fiery and fierce in his sermons. He saw his uncle's hopelessness as a result of this. This might have been the end of Edwards' story, but the most famous pastor in the world at that time had heard about the revival in New England and wanted to help. This man, George Whitefield came to Edwards' church and preached strong, Godly truth. Edwards was said to have bawled in the pew. He was renewed for his purpose. He returned to preaching with confidence and soon revival swept New England. The sermon "Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God," was preached at a congregation that was known to be resistant to the revival. Try as they might, no one had been able to break through this nearly impossible fortress against God. Many people preached that day before Edwards did. When Edwards preached that sermon he was not able to finish it over the sound of men and women whose stone-cold hearts had melted at the power of the Gospel. They wailed and shouted, "Stop! We can't handle any more!" Soon he was a well known and famous man. His books and theology became top notch. But this was not the end of his story. After chastising some of the kids in his congregation for looking at and making lewd comments towards an anatomy book, he got into trouble with his church. The kids were children of the elders. He saw them fit for discipline. The elders saw him as being too strict. This led to a massive fight in his church that eventually got him ousted. He went out to the outskirts of New England and preached there. He also held services for the local native Americans. The story of a world-famous preacher seemed to be coming to a quiet end. But he had already done something that would change history. For a few years before a man, ragged and sick, came to his home. David Brainerd had been a missionary to the Native Americans in the area. He had been at it for years, and it was a tough, terrible job. While staying at Edwards' house, it became clear that he had tuberculosis. This didn't stop him from becoming close, even romantic (despite his terribly poor condition) with Jerusha Edwards', Jonathan's daughter. Rumors even existed that they had become engaged. David Brainerd died in the care of the Edwards' family. But not before he had passed the Tuberculosis onto Jonathan's daughter, which would eventually kill her, too. Brainerd had shared his journal with Jonathan. Jonathan thought it was a powerful testimony, and asked for permission to publish it. He thought the world might be inspired to follow his lead. Brainerd gave it. Even though this man's disease had led to the death of his daughter, and even though Jonathan was in the midst of a massive struggle with his church that would eventually lead to his ousting, he published the book. It became Edwards' best selling book. By a mile. In the 1700s you would have been far more likely to have that book than any other book by Edwards'. This book changed the world. John Wesley in England specifically said, "'Let every preacher read carefully over the Life of David Brainerd." And went out of his way to give copies of it to the world. Missionaries who changed and inspired the world such as William Carey, Adoniram Judson, and Jim Elliot cited it as books that sent them to the field. One surprising influence was Asahel Nettleton who pointed to Brainerd and Edwards as the reason he became converted. Not well known today, he was the man whose sermon sparked the Second Great Awakening. He broke with the radical elements of the Second Great Awakening, but this means that Edwards' not only helped spark the First Great Awakening but a person converted by his writings started the second one. The Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening, and in many ways the great century of missions can trace much of their founding back to one man who remained faithful despite terrible circumstances: Jonathan Edwards. His book on David Brainerd begins with the following sentence which is the reason ALL should study Church History: "There are two ways of representing and recommending true religion and virtue to the world; the one, by doctrine and precept; the other, by instance and example." Although today Edwards' is famous for teaching doctrine, in his day and to this day, the book that showed a man's example is what left the biggest impact. And his own example of faithfulness and boldness can teach us today, too.''God knoweth we have nothing of ourselves, therefore in the covenant of grace he requireth no more than he giveth, and giveth what he requireth, and accepteth what he giveth." - Richard Sibbes
There is no form of sinfulness to which you are addicted which Christ cannot remove. - Charles Spurgeon
''Content not yourselves with...divine truth...you accidentally gain in conversation; but let it be very much your business to search for it, and that with the same diligence and labor with which men are wont to dig in mines of silver and gold." - Jonathan Edwards
"For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish." ~Jeremiah 31:25
GREAT AWAKENING.
Jonathan Edwards, who was one of America's greatest theologians, was a New England pastor of the 1700s. Edwards was brilliant. At age 6 he studied Latin. He entered Yale when not quite 13 and graduated when barely 15. He was ordained at 19, taught at Yale by 20 and later became president of Princeton. Harvard granted him both a bachelor's and a master's degree on the same day.
