Tag: Richard Baxter
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6 Signs of Living to Please God
The great English Puritan, Richard Baxter, exhorted: “See therefore that you live for God’s approval as that which you chiefly seek, and as that will suffice you.” Baxter suggested that we may discover for ourselves whether or not we are living chiefly for God’s pleasure, or for something else, by considering these six signs: 1. You…
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Directions for Reading Christian Books
[Adapted from Richard Baxter’s Christian Directory of 1673] Because God has made available the excellent, holy writings of his servants; and many may have a good book, on any day or at any hour of the week, even those who have no access to a good preacher – I advise all God’s servants to be…
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7 Signs of Living to Please God
“Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God?” ~ Galatians 1:10 At this time of the year many of us see an opportunity for a new start. Whether you are one who makes New Years Resolutions or not, there seems to be a sense of “Do Over” that comes almost…
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How to Spend a Day With God
Richard Baxter wrote: A holy life is inclined to be made easier when we know the usual sequence and method of our duties – with everything falling into its proper place. In other words, our souls flourish most vibrantly when there is a natural rythm to our lives. These rythms include our daily and weekly routines and…
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Advantages of Pleasing God More Than People
The following dozen points are about the advantages to us in seeking to please God, instead of living for the approval of other people. They were originally written by the great English Puritan, Richard Baxter. I have attempted to clean up the language a little, hopefully without dulling the wisdom: 1. If you seek first to please…
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Unity, Liberty, & Charity
I was disappointed recently when I read an old post on the Aquila Report, You Will Hear Crickets. The author, Anthony Bradley, is a professor of Ethics at Kings College in New York City, and apparently has some aversion to the missional church movement. Bradley opens his article: So I’m beginning to wonder if it’s…
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Of Paramount Importance
Take a moment to ponder these observations about the paramount importance of God’s Word: Since there is a more excellent appearance of the Spirit of God in the holy scripture than in any other book, it has more power and ability to convey the Spirit and make us spiritual, by imprinting itself upon our hearts.…
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Choosing a Book
Richard Baxter wrote: “Make careful choice of the books which you read.” Baxter went on to state: You need a judicious teacher at hand to direct you about what books to use or to refuse, for among good books there are some very good that are sound and lively, and some good but mediocre, and…
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Measuring the Value of a Book
Puritan Richard Baxter offers a few simple questions to guide us in evaluating the value of any book: While reading ask oneself: Could I spend this time any better? Are there better books that would edify me more? Are the lovers of this book the greatest lovers of the Book of God – the Bible…
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Some Thoughts About Reading
The writings of the Divines are nothing else but a preaching of the gospel to the eye, as the voice preaches it to the ear. Vocal preaching has the pre-eminence in moving the affections, whenever it is applied to the condition of the hearts in the congregation which hears it. This way the milk comes…
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The Advantages of Pleasing God Rather than Men
The following dozen points are about the advantages to us in seeking to please God, instead of living for the approval of other people. They were originally written by the great English Puritan, Richard Baxter. I have attempted to clean up the language a little, hopefully without dulling the wisdom: 1. If you seek first to…
