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Last time we looked at the first three helps for the season of adversity: (1) God is orchestrating all for the end of making us holy; (2) while God lovingly disciplines us with affliction, He never takes away His loving kindness; and (3) just as a loving father wants what is best for his children, so the heavenly Father, far perfectly beyond any earthly father, is the one who designs all for our good.
We are continuing our devotionals through John Flavel’s book, Keeping the Heart. We have just finished season 1 on how to keep the heart in times of prosperity. By way of review, keeping the heart refers to the following: Our whole will and understanding is to be loyally conformed and directed to God according to His commandments and Word, which manifests itself in every decision we make.
A: Eighth, that we do not take without permission that which belongs to someone else, nor withhold any good from someone we might benefit. Ninth, that we do not lie or deceive, but speak the truth in love. Tenth, that we are content, not envying anyone or resenting what God has given them or us.
A: Fifth, that we love and honor our father and our mother, submitting to their godly discipline and direction. Sixth, that we do not hurt, or hate, or be hostile to our neighbor, but be patient and peaceful, pursuing even our enemies with love. Seventh, that we abstain from sexual immorality and live purely and faithfully, whether in marriage or in single life, avoiding all impure actions, looks, words, thoughts, or desires, and whatever might lead to them.
