Restart

WELCOME TO RESTART

 Thankful

Welcome to ReStart!  This Weblog is offered to help you restart your life in Jesus Christ, or to start your day.  You will find resources such as daily Bible readings, writings of various Christian theologians; sermons by John Wesley and others; and other occasional posts for renewing life, families, churches, denominations, and Methodism through faith in Christ.

Bible selections are posted regularly.  Each post features a printed Bible passage, audio, images, music, and often video.

You may explore recent posts in the main column by scrolling down.  I encourage you to also explore the many resources that may be found in the side column.  The resources are for both edification and enjoyment.  Some of the links simply help organize information and posts on this blog.  Other links take you to other sites.

ReStart also contains periodic posts on moral issues in the news. These posts are a part of the unified and wholistic Biblical message of ReStart.

If you are looking for an online home worship and devotional experience I encourage you to go to Virtual Church.  This site contains weekly posts of video worship with a scripture, sermon, and music.  It is designed to provide a supplement or temporary alternative for worship.  Other resources may be found on this site.

Virtual Church also contains information about books, eBooks, CDs, and other resources that are available for individual Christians, pastors, small church groups, historians, athletes, coaches, and sports officials. I encourage you to go to Virtual Church.

If you so desire you may access my "channel" on  YouTube.  You will find many videos that I have published.  You may subscribe to John's YouTube channel if you wish.

There are other ways for us to connect.  You may follow me on Twitter by going to John on Twitter.  You will be notified through twitter of any new posts to this blog and other sites that I manage.  We may also connect on Facebook.  You may find me on Facebook by going to John on Facebook.

Thanks for visiting ReStart.  If you have any comments you may make comments on individual posts.  Enjoy exploring the site by scrolling down and browsing the categories.  May God bless you always.

If you wish to contact me you may do so by email: Email John

Yours in Christ, John

Related articles

Bengali Added to the Daily Bible Posts on ReStart

Virtual Church Trimester Report

New Book Added to Virtual Church Resources - "Sermons for Thanksgiving"

Portuguese Added to Daily Bible Posts

Human Trafficking - Denmark

Religious Freedom - Denmark

The Perils of Standardized Testing: 6 Ways It Harms Learning

Basil of Caesarea: Letter to the Prefect Modestus, III (372)

"The Power of the Personality of Jesus" - Dr. William W. Slider

Basil of Caesarea: Letter to the Clergy of Nicopolis (375)

Richard Henry Lee on Fears That Federal Power Would Supersede States Rights

All these enumerated powers we must examine and contemplate in all their extent and various branches, and then reflect, that the federal head will have full power to make all laws whatever respecting them; and for carrying into full effect all powers vested in the union, in any department, or officers of it, by the constitution, in order to see the full extent of the federal powers, which will be supreme, and exercised by that head at pleasure, conforming to the few limitations mentioned in the constitution.

Indeed, I conceive, it is impossible to see them in their full extent at present: we see vast undefined powers lodged in a weak organization, but cannot, by the enquiries of months and years, clearly discern them in all their numerous branches. These powers in feeble hands, must be tempting objects for ambition and a love of power and fame.

– Richard Henry Lee, “Letters From the Federal Farmer to the Republican,” Letter XVIII, January 25, 1788

Ambrose on the Duties of the Clergy, Book II, Chapter XIII

CHAPTER XIII.

Is there any one who would like to be beautiful in face and at the same time to have its charm spoilt by a beast-like body and fearful talons? Now the form of virtues is so wonderful and glorious, and especially the beauty of wisdom, as the whole of the Scriptures tell us. For it is more brilliant than the sun, and when compared with the stars far outshines any constellation. Night takes their light away in its train, but wickedness cannot overcome wisdom.

We have spoken of its beauty, and proved it by the witness of Scripture. It remains to show on the authority of Scripture that there can be no fellowship between it and vice, but that it has an inseparable union with the rest of the virtues. “It has a spirit sagacious, undefiled, sure, holy, loving what is good, quick, that never forbids a kindness, kind, steadfast, free from care, having all power, overseeing all things.” And again: “She teacheth temperance and justice and virtue.”

Isaiah 41:10

Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10 WEB

Today's passage is from the World English Bible.

 

NIV Audio Isaiah 41 Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.

I Will Not Be Afraid

Ambrose on the Duties of the Clergy, Book II, Chapter XII

CHAPTER XII.

We note therefore that in seeking for counsel, uprightness of life, excellence in virtues, habits of benevolence, and the charm of good-nature have very great weight. Who seeks for a spring in the mud? Who wants to drink from muddy water? So where there is luxurious living, excess, and a union of vices, who will think that he ought to draw from that source? Who does not despise a foul life? Who will think a man to be useful to another’s cause whom he sees to be useless in his own life? Who, again, does not avoid a wicked, ill-disposed, abusive person, who is always ready to do harm? Who would not be only too eager to avoid him?

And who will come to a man however well fitted to give the best of advice who is nevertheless hard to approach? It goes with him as with a fountain whose waters are shut off. What is the advantage of having wisdom, if one refuses to give advice? If one cuts off the opportunities of giving advice, the source is closed, so as no longer to flow for others or to be of any good to oneself.

Well can we refer this to him who, possessing prudence, has defiled it with the foulness of a vicious life and so pollutes the water at the source. His life is a proof of a degenerate spirit. How can one judge him to be good in counsel whom one sees to be evil in character? He ought to be superior to me, if I am ready to trust myself to him. Am I to suppose that he is fit to give me advice who never takes it for himself, or am I to believe that he has time to give to me when he has none for himself, when his mind is filled with pleasures, and he is overcome by lust, is the slave of avarice, is excited by greed, and is terrified with fright? How is there room for counsel here where there is none for quiet?

That man of counsel whom I must admire and look up to, whom the gracious Lord gave to our fathers, put aside all that was offensive. His follower he ought to be, who can give counsel and protect another’s prudence from vice; for nothing foul can mingle with that.

Psalm 119:7

I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

Psalm 119:7 WEB

Today's passage is from the World English Bible.

 

NIV Audio Psalm 119 Read by Max McLean. Provided by The Listener's Audio Bible.

Speak to My Heart

Ambrose on the Duties of the Clergy, Book II, Chapter XI

CHAPTER XI.

But a third point seems also to have been noted in the case of those who were thought worthy of admiration after the example of Joseph, Solomon, and Daniel. For what shall I say of Moses whose advice all Israel always waited for, whose life caused them to trust in his prudence and increased their esteem for him? Who would not trust to the counsel of Moses, to whom the elders reserved for decision whatever they thought beyond their understanding and powers?

Who would refuse the counsel of Daniel, of whom God Himself said: “Who is wiser than Daniel?" How can men doubt about the minds of those to whom God has given such grace? By the counsel of Moses wars were brought to an end, and for his merit’s sake food came from heaven and drink from the rock.

How pure must have been the soul of Daniel to soften the character of barbarians and to tame the lions! What temperance was his, what self-restraint in soul and body! Not unworthily did he become an object of admiration to all, when—and all men do admire this,—though enjoying royal friendships, he sought not for gold, nor counted the honour given him as more precious than his faith. For he was willing to endure danger for the law of God rather than to be turned from his purpose in order to gain the favour of men.

And what, again, shall I say of the chastity and justice of Joseph, whom I had almost passed by, whereby on the one hand he rejected the allurements of his mistress and refused rewards, on the other he mocked at death, repressed his fear, and chose a prison? Who would not consider him a fit person to give advice in a private case, whose fruitful spirit and fertile mind enriched the barrenness of the time with the wealth of his counsels and heart?

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.

Romans 1:16 WEB

Today's passage is from the World English Bible.

Romans 1 (WEB)

Power Belongs to God

Ambrose on the Duties of the Clergy, Book II, Chapter X

CHAPTER X.

We entrust our case to the most prudent man we can find, and ask advice from him more readily than we do from others. However, the faithful counsel of a just man stands first and often has more weight than the great abilities of the wisest of men: “For better are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of others." And just because it is the judgment of a just man, it is also the conclusion of a wise one: in the one lies the result of the matter in dispute, in the other readiness of invention.

And if one connects the two, there will be great soundness in the advice given, which is regarded by all with admiration for the wisdom shown, and with love for its justice. And so all will desire to hear the wisdom of that man in whom those two virtues are found together, as all the kings of the earth desired to see the face of Solomon and to hear his wisdom. Nay, even the queen of Sheba came to him and tried him with questions. She came and spoke of all the things that were in her heart, and heard all the wisdom of Solomon, nor did any word escape her.

Who she was whom nothing escaped, and that there was nothing which the truth-loving Solomon did not tell her, learn, O man, from this which thou hearest her saying: “It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy words and of thy prudence, yet I did not believe those that told it me until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and behold the half was not told me. Thou hast added good things over and above all that I heard in mine own land. Blessed are thy women and blessed thy servants, which stand before thee, and that hear all thy prudence." Recognize the feast of the true Solomon, and who are set down at that feast; recognize it wisely and think in what land all the nations shall hear the fame of true wisdom and justice, and with what eyes they shall see Him, beholding those things which are not seen. “For the things that are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

53. What women are blessed but those of whom it is said “that many hear the word of God and bring forth fruit”?⁴⁶¹ And again: “Whosoever doeth the word of God is My father and sister and mother.”⁴⁶² And who are those blessed servants, who stand before Him, but Paul, who said: “Even to this day I stand witnessing both to great and small;”⁴⁶³ or Simeon, who was waiting in the temple to see the consolation of Israel?⁴⁶⁴ How could he have asked to be let depart, except that in standing before the Lord he had not the power of departing, but only according to the will of God? Solomon is put before us simply for the sake of example, of whom it was eagerly expected that his wisdom should be heard.

54. Joseph also when in prison was not free from being consulted about matters of uncertainty. His counsel⁴⁶⁵ was of advantage to the whole of Egypt, so that it felt not the seven years’ famine, and he was able even to relieve other peoples from their dreadful hunger.

55. Daniel, though one of the captives, was made the head of the royal counsellors. By his counsels he improved the present and foretold the future.⁴⁶⁶ Confidence was put in him in all things, because he had frequently interpreted things, and had shown that he had declared the truth.

Colossians 2:9-10

For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;

Colossians 2:9-10 WEB

Today's passage is from the World English Bible.

Colossians 2 (KJV)

Unbroken - God Made The Stars

Ambrose on the Duties of the Clergy, Book II, Chapter IX

CHAPTER IX.

It is clear also, according to the sacred Scriptures, which are the older, that wisdom cannot exist without justice, for where one of these two is, there the other must be also. With what wisdom did Daniel expose the lie in the false accusation brought against him by his thorough examination, so that those false informers had no answer ready to hand! It was a mark of prudence to convict the criminals by the witness of their own words, and a sign of justice to give over the guilty to punishment, and to save the innocent from it.

There is therefore an inseparable union between wisdom and justice; but, generally speaking, the one special form of virtue is divided up. Thus temperance lies in despising pleasures, fortitude may be seen in undergoing labours and dangers, prudence in the choice of what is good, by knowing how to distinguish between things useful and the reverse; justice, in being a good guardian of another’s rights and protector of its own, thus maintaining for each his own. We can make this fourfold division in deference to commonly received ideas; and so, whilst deviating from those subtle discussions of philosophic learning which are brought forth as though from some inner recess for the sake of investigating the truth, can follow the commonly received use and their ordinary meaning. Keeping, then, to this division, let us return to our subject.