Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.14.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, March 14, 2015

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“I will take heed to my ways.”—Psalm 39:1.

FELLOW-PILGRIM, say not in your heart, “I will go hither and thither, and I shall not sin;” for you are never so out of danger of sinning as to boast of security. The road is very miry, it will be hard to pick your path so as not to soil your garments. This is a world of pitch; you will need to watch often, if in handling it you are to keep your hands clean. There is a robber at every turn of the road to rob you of your jewels; there is a temptation in every mercy; there is a snare in every joy; and if you ever reach heaven, it will be a miracle of divine grace to be ascribed entirely to your Father’s power. Be on your guard.

When a man carries a bomb-shell in his hand, he should mind that he does not go near a candle; and you too must take care that you enter not into temptation. Even your common actions are edged tools; you must mind how you handle them. There is nothing in this world to foster a Christian’s piety, but everything to destroy it. How anxious should you be to look up to God, that He may keep you! Your prayer should be, “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.” Having prayed, you must also watch; guarding every thought, word, and action, with holy jealousy.

Do not expose yourselves unnecessarily; but if called to exposure, if you are bidden to go where the darts are flying, never venture forth without your shield; for if once the devil finds you without your buckler, he will rejoice that his hour of triumph is come, and will soon make you fall down wounded by his arrows. Though slain you cannot be; wounded you may be. “Be sober; be vigilant, danger may be in an hour when all seemeth securest to thee.” Therefore, take heed to thy ways, and watch unto prayer. No man ever fell into error through being too watchful. May the Holy Spirit guide us in all our ways, so shall they always please the Lord.

Quote of the Day ~

Quote of the Day by Deborah Ann ~ God is My Refuge ~

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H Spurgeon 03.14.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Tender Comfort

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you. (Isaiah 66:13)

A mother’s comfort! Ah, this is tenderness itself. How she enters into her child’s grief! How she presses him to her bosom and tries to take all his sorrow into her own heart! He can tell her all, and she will sympathize as nobody else can. Of all comforters the child loves best his mother, and even full-grown men have found it so.

Does Jehovah condescend to act the mother’s part? This is goodness indeed. We readily perceive how He is a father; but will He be as a mother also? Does not this invite us to holy familiarity, to unreserved confidence, to sacred rest? When God Himself becomes “the Comforter,” no anguish can long abide. Let us tell out our trouble, even though sobs and sighs should become our readiest utterance. He will not despise us for our tears; our mother did not. He will consider our weakness as she did, and He will put away our faults, only in a surer, safer way than our mother could do. We will not try to bear our grief alone; that would be unkind to one so gentle and so kind. Let us begin the day with our loving God, and wherefore should we not finish it in the same company, since mothers weary not of their children?

Today’s Bible Verse 03.14.15

”

Your Word New

 2 Peter 1.5-8

“And beside this, giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound,
they make you that ye shall neither be
barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.14.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, March 14, 2015

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”—1 Corinthians 10:12.

IT is a curious fact, that there is such a thing as being proud of grace. A man says, “I have great faith, I shall not fall; poor little faith may, but I never shall.” “I have fervent love,” says another, “I can stand, there is no danger of my going astray.” He who boasts of grace has little grace to boast of. Some who do this imagine that their graces can keep them, knowing not that the stream must flow constantly from the fountain head, or else the brook will soon be dry. If a continuous stream of oil comes not to the lamp, though it burn brightly to-day, it will smoke to-morrow, and noxious will be its scent.

Take heed that thou gloriest not in thy graces, but let all thy glorying and confidence be in Christ and His strength, for only so canst thou be kept from falling. Be much more in prayer. Spend longer time in holy adoration. Read the Scriptures more earnestly and constantly. Watch your lives more carefully. Live nearer to God. Take the best examples for your pattern. Let your conversation be redolent of heaven. Let your hearts be perfumed with affection for men’s souls. So live that men may take knowledge of you that you have been with Jesus, and have learned of Him; and when that happy day shall come, when He whom you love shall say, “Come up higher,” may it be your happiness to hear Him say, “Thou hast fought a good fight, thou hast finished thy course, and henceforth there is laid up for thee a crown of righteousness which fadeth not away.”

On, Christian, with care and caution! On, with holy fear and trembling! On, with faith and confidence in Jesus alone, and let your constant petition be, “Uphold me according to Thy word.” He is able, and He alone, “To keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

Quote of the Day ~

Quote of the Day ~ Grace and Faith~

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.13.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, March 13, 2015

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.”—Genesis 8:9.

WEARIED out with her wanderings, the dove returns at length to the ark as her only resting place. How heavily she flies—she will drop—she will never reach the ark! But she struggles on. Noah has been looking out for his dove all day long, and is ready to receive her. She has just strength to reach the edge of the ark, she can hardly alight upon it, and is ready to drop, when Noah puts forth his hand and pulls her in unto him. Mark that: “pulled her in unto him.” She did not fly right in herself, but was too fearful, or too weary to do so. She flew as far as she could, and then he put forth his hand and pulled her in unto him.

This act of mercy was shown to the wandering dove, and she was not chidden for her wanderings. Just as she was she was pulled into the ark. So you, seeking sinner, with all your sin, will be received. “Only return”—those are God’s two gracious words—”only return.” What! nothing else? No, “only return.” She had no olive branch in her mouth this time, nothing at all but just herself and her wanderings; but it is “only return,” and she does return, and Noah pulls her in. Fly, thou wanderer; fly thou fainting one, dove as thou art, though thou thinkest thyself to be black as the raven with the mire of sin, back, back to the Saviour.

Every moment thou waitest does but increase thy misery; thine attempts to plume thyself and make thyself fit for Jesus are all vanity. Come thou to Him just as thou art. “Return, thou backsliding Israel.” He does not say, “Return, thou repenting Israel” (there is such an invitation doubtless), but “thou backsliding one,” as a backslider with all thy backslidings about thee, Return, return, return! Jesus is waiting for thee! He will stretch forth His hand and “pull thee in”—in to Himself, thy heart’s true home.

No Greater Love ~


No greater love than this,
that He would die for me
no greater Friend . . .
will this world ever see.
No greater love will come,
than the one He freely gives
no greater joy . . .
knowing my Saviour lives.
No greater love is there,
from a Father to a Son
no greater promise . . .
His will shall been done.
No greater love than this,
to the world from their King
no greater comfort . .
than the peace He will bring!
~~~~~~~
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him
should not perish but have
everlasting life."
King James Version
by Public Domain

Copyright 2012
Deborah Ann Belka

The Path of Grief Unknown ~

~CHRISTian poetry by deborahann ~ the-lord-is-with-us-in-the-valley
I walk the path of grief,
in the valley of pain unknown
but Jesus is here with me . . .
so I don’t have to walk it alone.
The path has its ups and down,
the valley, its highs and lows
but Jesus is here with me . . .
in the midst of sorrow’s throes.
The pathway of heartache,
is paved with dread and fear
but Jesus is here with me . . .
His grace is always near.
The days seem to creep along,
the nights are without end
but Jesus is here with me . . .
my Comforter, my Friend.
I walk the pathway of pain,
but I’m not walking it alone
for Jesus is here with me . . .
on the path, of grief unknown.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Psalm 23:4
” Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
King James Version
by Public Domain
Copyright 2014
Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H Spurgeon 03.13.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, March 13, 2015

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Despise Not Thy Youth

Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold I cannot speak; for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. (Jeremiah 1:6-7)

Jeremiah was young and felt a natural shrinking when sent upon a great errand by the Lord; but He who sent him would not have him say, “I am a child.” What he was in himself must not be mentioned but lost in the consideration that he was chosen to speak for God. He had not to think out and invent a message nor to choose an audience: he was to speak what God commanded and speak where God sent him, and this he would be enabled to do in strength not his own. Is it not so with some young preacher or teacher who may read these lines?

God knows how young you are and how slender are your knowledge and experience; but if He chooses to send you, it is not for you to shrink from the heavenly call. God will magnify Himself in our feebleness. If you were as old as Methuselah, how much would your years help you? If you were as wise as Solomon, you might be equally as willful as he. Keep you to your message, and it will be your wisdom; follow your marching orders, and they will be your discretion.

Today’s Bible Verse 03.12.15

Your Word New

Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things
God works for the good
of those who love him,
who have been called
according to his purpose.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.13.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, March 13, 2015

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Why sit we here until we die?”—2 Kings 7:3.

DEAR reader, this little book was mainly intended for the edification of believers, but if you are yet unsaved, our heart yearns over you: and we would fain say a word which may be blessed to you. Open your Bible, and read the story of the lepers, and mark their position, which was much the same as yours. If you remain where you are you must perish; if you go to Jesus you can but die. “Nothing venture, nothing win,” is the old proverb, and in your case the venture is no great one.

If you sit still in sullen despair, no one can pity you when your ruin comes; but if you die with mercy sought, if such a thing were possible, you would be the object of universal sympathy. None escape who refuse to look to Jesus; but you know that, at any rate, some are saved who believe in Him, for certain of your own acquaintances have received mercy: then why not you? The Ninevites said, “Who can tell?” Act upon the same hope, and try the Lord’s mercy. To perish is so awful, that if there were but a straw to catch at, the instinct of self-preservation should lead you to stretch out your hand.

We have thus been talking to you on your own unbelieving ground, we would now assure you, as from the Lord, that if you seek Him He will be found of you. Jesus casts out none who come unto Him. You shall not perish if you trust Him; on the contrary, you shall find treasure far richer than the poor lepers gathered in Syria’s deserted camp. May the Holy Spirit embolden you to go at once, and you shall not believe in vain. When you are saved yourself, publish the good news to others. Hold not your peace; tell the King’s household first, and unite with them in fellowship; let the porter of the city, the minister, be informed of your discovery, and then proclaim the good news in every place. The Lord save thee ere the sun goes down this day.

Quote of the Day ~

Quote of the Day ~ God's Grace ~

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.12.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, March 12, 2015

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“To whom belongest thou?”—1 Samuel 30:13.

NO neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight His battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. “To whom belongest thou?”
Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been “born again”? If you have, you belong to Christ, but without the new birth you cannot be His. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. “Birds of a feather flock together.” What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master?—for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
We press the question, “To whom belongest thou?” Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ’s you are in a hard service—Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are Christ’s let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus—obey him; let his word be your law; let His wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love Him; let your heart embrace Him; let your whole soul be filled with Him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for Him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow, all will know to whom you belong.

Blessed Redeemer ~

Blessed Redeemer ~ CHRISTian poetry by Deborah Ann ~ Photo Michael McFatridge free photo #5530
He is the Alpha and the Omega,
 the Beginning and the End
 He is our Jehovah, our Lord of Glory
 our Eternal Life and forever Friend.
He is the Light of the world,
 the Morning Star, the Righteous Sun
 He is our Lord, our King, and our Prince
 He is God's only - Beloved Son.
He is the Word and the Living Bread
 the Ransom, the Truth, and the Way
 He is the living Son of God
 our Wonderful Savior of the day.
He is the Faithful Protector,
 the Rock, the Shield, and the Rod
 He is our Refuge, our Strength, our Fortress
 He is the begotten - Holy One of God.
He is the Good Shepherd,
 The Redeemer, the Everlasting Peace
 He is our Lamp and our Lamb
 He is the Servant who came to teach.
He is the Fountain of Living Waters
 the Helper, the Physician, and the Healer
 He is our Portion, our Bread of Life
 our Restorer and the Holy Spirit's sealer.
He is the Branch and the True Vine
 the Root of David is where He is from.
 He is the Tree of Everlasting Life,
 He is the Bridegroom yet to come.
He has many names as you can see,
 and on all of them we can surely call
 but . . . Jesus . . . my Blessed Redeemer
 is my favorite one of them all!
~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright 2012
 Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H Spurgeon 03.12.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Going Out with Joy

And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out. (Deuteronomy 33:18)

The blessings of the tribes are ours; for we are the true Israel who worship God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh. Zebulun is to rejoice because Jehovah will bless his “going out”; we also see a promise for ourselves lying latent in this benediction. When we go out we will look out for occasions of joy.

We go out to travel, and the providence of God is our convoy. We go out to emigrate, and the Lord is with us both on land and sea. We go out as missionaries, and Jesus saith, “Lo, I am with you unto the end of the world.” We go out day by day to labor, and we may do so with pleasure, for God will be with us from morn till eve.

A fear sometimes creeps over us when starting, for we know not what we may meet with; but this blessing may serve us right well as a word of good cheer. As we pack up for moving, let us put this verse into our traveling trunk; let us drop it into our hearts and keep it there; yea, let us lay it on our tongue to make us sing. Let us weigh anchor with a song, or jump into the carriage with a psalm. Let us belong to the rejoicing tribe and in our every movement praise the Lord with joyful hearts.

Today’s Bible Verse 03.12.15

Your Word New

2 Peter 1:4

“Through these he has given us his
very great and precious promises,
so that through them you may participate
in the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.12.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, March 12, 2015

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Thou shalt love thy neighbour.”—Matthew 5:43.

LOVE thy neighbour.” Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest every day his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets; God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him.
Mayhap, on the other hand, thou art rich, and near thee reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbour. Own that thou art bound to love them. The world calls them thy inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more thine equals than thine inferiors, for “God hath made of one blood all people that dwell upon the face of the earth.” It is thy coat which is better than theirs, but thou art by no means better than they. They are men, and what art thou more than that? Take heed that thou love thy neighbour even though he be in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty.
But, perhaps, you say, “I cannot love my neighbours, because for all I do they return ingratitude and contempt.” So much the more room for the heroism of love. Wouldst thou be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if rough be thy path of love, tread it boldly, still loving thy neighbours through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they be hard to please, seek not to please them, but to please thy Master; and remember if they spurn thy love, thy Master hath not spurned it, and thy deed is as acceptable to Him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love thy neighbour, for in so doing thou art following the footsteps of Christ.

Quote of the Day ~

CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann ~ Quote Grow in Grace ~

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.11.15

C_H__Spurgeon

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Thou shalt be called, Sought out.”—Isaiah 62:12.

THE surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly in that we were not only sought, but sought out. Men seek for a thing which is lost upon the floor of the house, but in such a case there is only seeking, not seeking out. The loss is more perplexing and the search more persevering when a thing is sought out. We were mingled with the mire: we were as when some precious piece of gold falls into the sewer, and men gather out and carefully inspect a mass of abominable filth, and continue to stir and rake, and search among the heap until the treasure is found.

Or, to use another figure, we were lost in a labyrinth; we wandered hither and thither, and when mercy came after us with the gospel, it did not find us at the first coming, it had to search for us and seek us out; for we as lost sheep were so desperately lost, and had wandered into such a strange country, that it did not seem possible that even the Good Shepherd should track our devious roamings. Glory be to unconquerable grace, we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us, we were found and brought home. Glory be to infinite love, God the Holy Spirit restored us!

The lives of some of God’s people, if they could be written would fill us with holy astonishment. Strange and marvellous are the ways which God used in their case to find His own. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search until the chosen are sought out effectually. They are not a people sought to-day and cast away to-morrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined will make no failures, they shall be called, “Sought out!” That any should be sought out is matchless grace, but that we should be sought out is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it but God’s own sovereign love, and can only lift up our heart in wonder, and praise the Lord that this night we wear the name of “Sought out.”

1 2 … 308 309 310 311 312 313 314 315 316 … 325 326
  • Trust ~ Delight ~ Commit ~ Rest
%d bloggers like this: