He Gives Me His Ears ~

Tears by John Emery free photo #14718

He gives me His ear,
 when I cry out in pain
 He listens to my voice
 hears the cracking strain.
He understands my needs,
 before I make my request
 He already has for me . . .
 what He knows is best.
His ears are always open,
 no matter when I pray
 I can call out to Him
 every minute of the day.
He lifts my soul up,
 when I lift mine in prayer
 He takes all my worries
 whenever to Him, I share
He gives me His ear,
 He hears all of my fears
 with His tender mercy
 He bottles up, my tears.
~~~~~
Psalm 18:6
“In my distress I called upon the Lord,
  and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out
  of his temple, and my cry came before him,
  even into his ears.”
King James Version
 by Public Domain
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka
Thank You For Visiting 1,520

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 04.06.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Wednesday, April 05, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Not Forgotten

Thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
~ Isaiah 44:21 ~

Our Jehovah cannot so forget His servants as to cease to love them. He chose them not for a time but forever. He knew what they would be when He called them into the divine family. He blots out their sins like a cloud; and we may be sure that He will not turn them out of doors for iniquities which He has blotted out. It would be blasphemy to imagine such a thing.

He will not forget them so as to cease to think of them. One forgetful moment on the part of our God would be our ruin. Therefore He says, “Thou shalt not be forgotten of me,” Men forget us; those whom we have benefited turn against us. We have no abiding place in the fickle hearts of men; but God will never forget one of His true servants. He binds Himself to us not by what we do for Him but by what He has done for us. We have been loved too long and bought at too great a price to be now forgotten. Jesus sees in us His soul’s travail, and that He never can forget. The Father sees in us the spouse of His Son, and the Spirit sees in us His own effectual work. The Lord thinketh upon us. This day we shall be succored and sustained. Oh, that the Lord may never be forgotten of us!

Thank You For Visiting 990

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 04.06.16

Your Word My Light

1 John 3:16

“Hereby perceive we the love of God,
because he laid down his life for us:
and we ought to lay down our lives
for the brethren.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Thank You For Visiting 1,082

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.06.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Wednesday, April 06, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp.”
~ Hebrews 13:13 ~

JESUS, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian’s reason for leaving the camp of the world’s sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was “not of the world:” His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ’s people must “go forth unto Him.”

They must take their position “without the camp,” as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have His people “go forth without the camp” for their own sanctification.

You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ “without the camp.” The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment’s shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are “for ever with the Lord.”

Thank You For Visiting 903

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.05.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Before honour is humility.”~ Proverbs 15:33 ~

HUMILIATION of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. If we empty our hearts of self God will fill them with His love. He who desires close communion with Christ should remember the word of the Lord, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” Stoop if you would climb to heaven. Do we not say of Jesus, “He descended that He might ascend”? so must you. You must grow downwards, that you may grow upwards; for the sweetest fellowship with heaven is to be had by humble souls, and by them alone.

God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” with all its riches and treasures. The whole exchequer of God shall be made over by deed of gift to the soul which is humble enough to be able to receive it without growing proud because of it. God blesses us all up to the full measure and extremity of what it is safe for Him to do.

If you do not get a blessing, it is because it is not safe for you to have one. If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in His holy war, you would pilfer the crown for yourself, and meeting with a fresh enemy you would fall a victim; so that you are kept low for your own safety. When a man is sincerely humble, and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise, there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men. True humility is a flower which will adorn any garden. This is a sauce with which you may season every dish of life, and you will find an improvement in every case. Whether it be prayer or praise, whether it be work or suffering, the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess.

Thank You For Visiting 821

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 04.05.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Not Forgotten

Thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me.
~ Isaiah 44:21 ~

Our Jehovah cannot so forget His servants as to cease to love them. He chose them not for a time but forever. He knew what they would be when He called them into the divine family. He blots out their sins like a cloud; and we may be sure that He will not turn them out of doors for iniquities which He has blotted out. It would be blasphemy to imagine such a thing.

He will not forget them so as to cease to think of them. One forgetful moment on the part of our God would be our ruin. Therefore He says, “Thou shalt not be forgotten of me,” Men forget us; those whom we have benefited turn against us. We have no abiding place in the fickle hearts of men; but God will never forget one of His true servants. He binds Himself to us not by what we do for Him but by what He has done for us.

We have been loved too long and bought at too great a price to be now forgotten. Jesus sees in us His soul’s travail, and that He never can forget. The Father sees in us the spouse of His Son, and the Spirit sees in us His own effectual work. The Lord thinketh upon us. This day we shall be succored and sustained. Oh, that the Lord may never be forgotten of us!

Thank You For Visiting 934

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 04.06.16

Your Word My Light

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

“For the love of Christ constraineth us;
because we thus judge, that if one died
for all, then were all dead:

And that he died for all, that they
which live should not henceforth live
unto themselves, but unto him which
died for them, and rose again.”

King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Thank You For Visiting 856

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.05.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, April 05, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“On Him they laid the cross, that He might bear it after Jesus.”~ Luke 23:26 ~

WE see in Simon’s carrying the cross a picture of the work of the Church throughout all generations; she is the cross-bearer after Jesus. Mark then, Christian, Jesus does not suffer so as to exclude your suffering. He bears a cross, not that you may escape it, but that you may endure it. Christ exempts you from sin, but not from sorrow. Remember that, and expect to suffer.

But let us comfort ourselves with this thought, that in our case, as in Simon’s, it is not our cross, but Christ’s cross which we carry. When you are molested for your piety; when your religion brings the trial of cruel mockings upon you, then remember it is not your cross, it is Christ’s cross; and how delightful is it to carry the cross of our Lord Jesus!

You carry the cross after Him. You have blessed company; your path is marked with the footprints of your Lord. The mark of His blood-red shoulder is upon that heavy burden. ‘Tis His cross, and He goes before you as a shepherd goes before his sheep. Take up your cross daily, and follow Him.
Do not forget, also, that you bear this cross in partnership. It is the opinion of some that Simon only carried one end of the cross, and not the whole of it. That is very possible; Christ may have carried the heavier part, against the transverse beam, and Simon may have borne the lighter end. Certainly it is so with you; you do but carry the light end of the cross, Christ bore the heavier end.
And remember, though Simon had to bear the cross for a very little while, it gave him lasting honour.

Even so the cross we carry is only for a little while at most, and then we shall receive the crown, the glory. Surely we should love the cross, and, instead of shrinking from it, count it very dear, when it works out for us “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”

Thank You For Visiting 936

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.04.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, April 03, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
~ Isaiah 53:6 ~

HERE a confession of sin common to all the elect people of God. They have all fallen, and therefore, in common chorus, they all say, from the first who entered heaven to the last who shall enter there, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” The confession, while thus unanimous, is also special and particular: “We have turned every one to his own way.” There is a peculiar sinfulness about every one of the individuals; all are sinful, but each one with some special aggravation not found in his fellow.

It is the mark of genuine repentance that while it naturally associates itself with other penitents, it also takes up a position of loneliness. “We have turned every one to his own way,” is a confession that each man had sinned against light peculiar to himself, or sinned with an aggravation which he could not perceive in others. This confession is unreserved; there is not a word to detract from its force, nor a syllable by way of excuse. The confession is a giving up of all pleas of self-righteousness.

It is the declaration of men who are consciously guilty—guilty with aggravations, guilty without excuse: they stand with their weapons of rebellion broken in pieces, and cry, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Yet we hear no dolorous wailings attending this confession of sin; for the next sentence makes it almost a song. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” It is the most grievous sentence of the three, but it overflows with comfort. Strange is it that where misery was concentrated mercy reigned; where sorrow reached her climax weary souls find rest. The Saviour bruised is the healing of bruised hearts. See how the lowliest penitence gives place to assured confidence through simply gazing at Christ on the cross!

Thank You For Visiting 877

I Trust ~

I Trust ~ CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann
I trust in God,
 His mercy for me
 my hope is in . . .
 what I can’t see.
My faith is set,
 on things above
 my heart rests
 on eternal love.
I rely on God,
 for what is good
 my soul rejoices
 just as it should.
My future’s solid,
 on the Rock I stand
 by faith I hold 
 onto His mighty hand.
I trust in God,
 hope in things to come
 my soul’s destined . . .
 to enter, His kingdom!
~~~~~~~~
Psalm 7:1
“O Lord my God,
  in thee do I put my trust;”
King James Version
 by Public Domain
Copyright 2015
 Deborah Ann Belka
Thank You For Visiting 1,598

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 04.04.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, April 03, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Sensitive to Warning

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. ~ 2 Kings 22:19 ~

Many despise warning and perish. Happy is he who trembles at the Word of God. Josiah did so, and he was spared the sight of the evil which the Lord determined to send upon Judah because of her great sins. Have you this tenderness? Do you practice this self-humiliation? Then you also shall be spared in the evil day. God sets a mark upon the men that sigh and cry because of the sin of the times.

The destroying angel is commanded to keep his sword in its sheath till the elect of God are sheltered: these are best known by their godly fear and their trembling at the Word of the Lord. Are the times threatening? Does infidelity advance with great strides, and do you dread national chastisement upon this polluted nation? Well you may. Yet rest in this promise: “Thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace: and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.” Better still, the Lord Himself may come, and then the days of our mourning shall be ended.

 

 

Thank You For Visiting 1,188

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 04.04.16

Your Word My Light

Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches
of his grace;”

King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Thank You For Visiting 895

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.04.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, April 04, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
~ 2 Corinthians 5:21 ~

MOURNING Christian! why weepest thou? Art thou mourning over thine own corruptions? Look to thy perfect Lord, and remember, thou art complete in Him; thou art in God’s sight as perfect as if thou hadst never sinned; nay, more than that, the Lord our Righteousness hath put a divine garment upon thee, so that thou hast more than the righteousness of man—thou hast the righteousness of God.

O Thou who art mourning by reason of inbred sin and depravity, remember, none of thy sins can condemn thee. Thou hast learned to hate sin; but thou hast learned also to know that sin is not thine—it was laid upon Christ’s head. Thy standing is not in thyself—it is in Christ; thine acceptance is not in thyself, but in thy Lord; thou art as much accepted of God to-day, with all thy sinfulness, as thou wilt be when thou standest before His throne, free from all corruption. O, I beseech thee, lay hold on this precious thought, perfection in Christ! For thou art “complete in Him.” With thy Saviour’s garment on, thou art holy as the Holy one. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

Christian, let thy heart rejoice, for thou art “accepted in the beloved”—what hast thou to fear? Let thy face ever wear a smile; live near thy Master; live in the suburbs of the Celestial City; for soon, when thy time has come, thou shalt rise up where thy Jesus sits, and reign at His right hand; and all this because the divine Lord “was made to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Thank You For Visiting 835

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.03.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Sunday, April 03, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”~ Isaiah 53:6 ~

HERE a confession of sin common to all the elect people of God. They have all fallen, and therefore, in common chorus, they all say, from the first who entered heaven to the last who shall enter there, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” The confession, while thus unanimous, is also special and particular: “We have turned every one to his own way.” There is a peculiar sinfulness about every one of the individuals; all are sinful, but each one with some special aggravation not found in his fellow.

It is the mark of genuine repentance that while it naturally associates itself with other penitents, it also takes up a position of loneliness. “We have turned every one to his own way,” is a confession that each man had sinned against light peculiar to himself, or sinned with an aggravation which he could not perceive in others. This confession is unreserved; there is not a word to detract from its force, nor a syllable by way of excuse. The confession is a giving up of all pleas of self-righteousness.

It is the declaration of men who are consciously guilty—guilty with aggravations, guilty without excuse: they stand with their weapons of rebellion broken in pieces, and cry, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Yet we hear no dolorous wailings attending this confession of sin; for the next sentence makes it almost a song. “The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” It is the most grievous sentence of the three, but it overflows with comfort. Strange is it that where misery was concentrated mercy reigned; where sorrow reached her climax weary souls find rest. The Saviour bruised is the healing of bruised hearts. See how the lowliest penitence gives place to assured confidence through simply gazing at Christ on the cross!

Thank You For Visiting 918

Shower Me With Mercy ~

rain ~ CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann ~ photo from commons.wikimedia.org
Shower me with mercy,
 rain on me Your grace
 let Your love pour out
 till Your heart I embrace.
Lead me to still waters,
 where hope runs deep
 let Your compassion
 into my soul slowly seep.
Guide me in the valley,
 when shadows are there
 direct my heart to know
 my burdens You’ll bear.
Let me lean on Your rod,
 the staff of  harmony
 make me to lie down
 in fields of true intimacy.
Shower me with mercy,
 let Your grace rain on me
 send  goodness’ downpour
 till in heaven ~ we’ll be!
~~~~~~~~~~
Based on Psalm 23
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka
Thank You For Visiting 2,400

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 04.03.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Sunday, April 03, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Sensitive to Warning

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. ~ 2 Kings 22:19 ~

Many despise warning and perish. Happy is he who trembles at the Word of God. Josiah did so, and he was spared the sight of the evil which the Lord determined to send upon Judah because of her great sins. Have you this tenderness? Do you practice this self-humiliation? Then you also shall be spared in the evil day. God sets a mark upon the men that sigh and cry because of the sin of the times.

The destroying angel is commanded to keep his sword in its sheath till the elect of God are sheltered: these are best known by their godly fear and their trembling at the Word of the Lord. Are the times threatening? Does infidelity advance with great strides, and do you dread national chastisement upon this polluted nation? Well you may. Yet rest in this promise: “Thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace: and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.” Better still, the Lord Himself may come, and then the days of our mourning shall be ended.

Thank You For Visiting 1,073

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 04.03.16

Your Word My Light

Hebrews 12:2

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher
of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Thank You For Visiting 917

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.03.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Sunday, April 03, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“They took Jesus, and led Him away.” ~ John 19:16 ~

HE had been all night in agony, He had spent the early morning at the hall of Caiaphas, He had been hurried from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to Herod, and from Herod back again to Pilate; He had, therefore, but little strength left, and yet neither refreshment nor rest were permitted Him. They were eager for His blood, and therefore led Him out to die, loaded with the cross. O dolorous procession! Well may Salem’s daughters weep. My soul, do thou weep also.

What learn we here as we see our blessed Lord led forth? Do we not perceive that truth which was set forth in shadow by the scapegoat? Did not the high-priest bring the scapegoat, and put both his hands upon its head, confessing the sins of the people, that thus those sins might be laid upon the goat, and cease from the people? Then the goat was led away by a fit man into the wilderness, and it carried away the sins of the people, so that if they were sought for they could not be found. Now we see Jesus brought before the priests and rulers, who pronounce Him guilty; God Himself imputes our sins to Him, “the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all;” “He was made sin for us;” and, as the substitute for our guilt, bearing our sin upon His shoulders, represented by the cross; we see the great Scapegoat led away by the appointed officers of justice.

Beloved, can you feel assured that He carried your sin? As you look at the cross upon His shoulders, does it represent your sin? There is one way by which you can tell whether He carried your sin or not. Have you laid your hand upon His head, confessed your sin, and trusted in Him? Then your sin lies not on you; it has all been transferred by blessed imputation to Christ, and He bears it on His shoulder as a load heavier than the cross.

Let not the picture vanish till you have rejoiced in your own deliverance, and adored the loving Redeemer upon whom your iniquities were laid.

Thank You For Visiting 916

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.02.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, April 02, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“He shall see His seed; He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”~ Isaiah 53:10 ~

PLEAD for the speedy fulfillment of this promise, all ye who love the Lord. It is easy work to pray when we are grounded and bottomed, as to our desires, upon God’s own promise. How can He that gave the word refuse to keep it? Immutable veracity cannot demean itself by a lie, and eternal faithfulness cannot degrade itself by neglect. God must bless His Son, His covenant binds Him to it. That which the Spirit prompts us to ask for Jesus, is that which God decrees to give Him.

Whenever you are praying for the kingdom of Christ, let your eyes behold the dawning of the blessed day which draweth near, when the Crucified shall receive His coronation in the place where men rejected Him. Courage, you that prayerfully work and toil for Christ with success of the very smallest kind, it shall not be so always; better times are before you. Your eyes cannot see the blissful future: borrow the telescope of faith; wipe the misty breath of your doubts from the glass; look through it and behold the coming glory. Reader, let us ask, do you make this your constant prayer?

Remember that the same Christ who tells us to say, “Give us this day our daily bread,” had first given us this petition, “Hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Let not your prayers be all concerning your own sins, your own wants, your own imperfections, your own trials, but let them climb the starry ladder, and get up to Christ Himself, and then, as you draw nigh to the blood-sprinkled mercy-seat, offer this prayer continually, “Lord, extend the kingdom of Thy dear Son.” Such a petition, fervently presented, will elevate the spirit of all your devotions. Mind that you prove the sincerity of your prayer by labouring to promote the Lord’s glory.

Thank You For Visiting 942

In This Changing World ~

From Everlasting to Everlasting used with permission IBible Verses
Lord, in this changing world,
 where nothing stays the same
 I found You to be faithful
 when I call upon Your name.
Every day there’s so much,
 that is being compromised
 but, Your unfailing love
 You have never modified.
No matter where I go,
 I find things a bit strange
 but, Your steadfast love
 never seems to change.
So many people now,
 are  making concessions
 but, Your trustworthiness
 I never have to question.
Lord, in this changing world,
 that’s spinning out of control
 I find Your faithfulness . . .
 to be the anchor for my soul!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Malachi 3:6
 King James Version
“For I am the Lord, I change not”
Copyright 2013
 Deborah Ann Belka
Thank You For Visiting 2,324

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 04.03.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, April 02, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

True Heart-Energy

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all.
~ 1 Timothy 4:15 ~

This is, practically, a promise that, by diligent meditation and the giving up of our whole mind to our work for the Lord we shall make a progress which all can see. Not by hasty reading but by deep meditation we profit by the Word of God. Not by doing a great deal of work in a slovenly manner, but by giving our best thought to what we attempt, we shall get real profit. “In all labor there is profit” but not in fuss and hurry without true heart-energy.

If we divide ourselves between God and mammon, or Christ and self, we shall make no progress. We must give ourselves wholly to holy things, or else we shall be poor traders in heavenly business, and at our stocktaking no profit will be shown.

Am I a minister? Let me be a minister wholly and not spend my energies upon secondary concerns. What have I to do with party politics or vain amusements? Am I a Christian? Let me make my service of Jesus my occupation, my lifework, my one pursuit. We must be in-and-in with Jesus, and then out-and-out for Jesus, or else we shall make neither progress nor profit, and neither the church nor the world will feel the forceful influence which the Lord would have us exercise.

Thank You For Visiting 1,180

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 04.02.16

Your Word My Light

Matthew 20: 17-19

” And Jesus going up to Jerusalem
took the twelve disciples apart
in the way, and said unto them,

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem;
and the Son of man shall be betrayed
unto the chief priests and unto the scribes,
and they shall condemn him to death,

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles
to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him:
and the third day he shall rise again.”

 King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Thank You For Visiting 1,276

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.02.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, April 02, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“He answered him to never a word.”
~ Matthew 27:14 ~

HE had never been slow of speech when He could bless the sons of men, but He would not say a single word for Himself. “Never man spake like this Man,” and never man was silent like Him. Was this singular silence the index of His perfect self-sacrifice? Did it show that He would not utter a word to stay the slaughter of His sacred person, which He had dedicated as an offering for us? Had He so entirely surrendered Himself that He would not interfere in His own behalf, even in the minutest degree, but be bound and slain an unstruggling, uncomplaining victim? Was this silence a type of the defenselessness of sin? Nothing can be said in palliation or excuse of human guilt; and, therefore, He who bore its whole weight stood speechless before His judge.

Is not patient silence the best reply to a gainsaying world? Calm endurance answers some questions infinitely more conclusively than the loftiest eloquence. The best apologists for Christianity in the early days were its martyrs. The anvil breaks a host of hammers by quietly bearing their blows. Did not the silent Lamb of God furnish us with a grand example of wisdom? Where every word was occasion for new blasphemy, it was the line of duty to afford no fuel for the flame of sin. The ambiguous and the false, the unworthy and mean, will ere long overthrow and confute themselves, and therefore the true can afford to be quiet, and finds silence to be its wisdom.

Evidently our Lord, by His silence, furnished a remarkable fulfillment of prophecy. A long defence of Himself would have been contrary to Isaiah’s prediction. “He is led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.” By His quiet He conclusively proved Himself to be the true Lamb of God. As such we salute Him this morning. Be with us, Jesus, and in the silence of our heart, let us hear the voice of Thy love.

Thank You For Visiting 868

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.01.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, April 01, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“It is time to seek the Lord.” ~ Hosea 10:12 ~

THIS month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which signifies to open, because all the buds and blossoms are now opening, and we have arrived at the gates of the flowery year. Reader, if you are yet unsaved, may your heart, in accord with the universal awakening of nature, be opened to receive the Lord. Every blossoming flower warns you that it is time to seek the Lord; be not out of tune with nature, but let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires.

Do you tell me that the warm blood of youth leaps in your veins? then, I entreat you, give your vigour to the Lord. It was my unspeakable happiness to be called in early youth, and I could fain praise the Lord every day for it. Salvation is priceless, let it come when it may, but oh! an early salvation has a double value in it. Young men and maidens, since you may perish ere you reach your prime, “It is time to seek the Lord.” Ye who feel the first signs of decay, quicken your pace: that hollow cough, that hectic flush, are warnings which you must not trifle with; with you it is indeed time to seek the Lord. Did I observe a little grey mingled with your once luxurious tresses? Years are stealing on apace, and death is drawing nearer by hasty marches, let each return of spring arouse you to set your house in order.

Dear reader, if you are now advanced in life, let me entreat and implore you to delay no longer. There is a day of grace for you now—be thankful for that, but it is a limited season and grows shorter every time that clock ticks. Here in this silent chamber, on this first night of another month, I speak to you as best I can by paper and ink, and from my inmost soul, as God’s servant, I lay before you this warning, “It is time to seek the Lord.” Slight not that work, it may be your last call from destruction, the final syllable from the lip of grace.

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Look Up at The Heavens ~

~ CHRISTian poetry by deborahann ~ Look Up - IBible Verses
When you’re feeling gloomy,
 when you’re sad and blue
 look up into the heavens
 your hope will shine through.
For, when we focus in on,
 our destiny that’s above
 our sadness will turn to joy
 in the light, of eternal love.
Where you’re feeling lonely,
 when you are all alone
 look up into the heavens
 envision God’s holy throne.
For, when we gaze upon,
 the future God has in store
 our feelings of separation
 will be with us no more.
When you’re feeling dejected,
 desperate for a friend
 look up into the heavens
 where peace will never end.
For, when we fix our eyes,
 on the Kingdom yet to come
 everything else will appear
 a lot less  . . . grim and glum!
~~~~~~~~~
Titus 2:13
“Looking for that blessed hope,
  and the glorious appearing
  of the great God and
  our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
King James Version
 by Public Domain
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka
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Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 04.01.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, April 01, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

The King’s Highway

The wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. ~ Isaiah 35:8 ~

The way of holiness is so straight and plain that the simplest minds cannot go astray if they constantly follow it. The worldly wise have many twists and turns, and yet they make terrible blunders and generally miss their end. Worldly policy is a poor, shortsighted thing, and when men choose it as their road, it leads them over dark mountains. Gracious minds know no better than to do as the Lord bids them; but this keeps them in the King’s highway and under royal protection.

Let the reader never for a moment attempt to help himself out of a difficulty by a falsehood or by a questionable act; but let him keep in the middle of the high road of truth and integrity, and he will be following the best possible course. In our lives we must never practice circular sailing nor dream of shuffling. Be just and fear not, Follow Jesus and heed no evil consequences. If the worst of ills could be avoided by wrongdoing, we should, in the very attempt, have fallen into an evil worse than any other ill could be. God’s way must be the very best way. Follow it though men think you a fool, and you will be truly wise.

Lord, lead Thy servants in a plain path because of their enemies.

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Today’s Bible Verse ~ 04.01.16

Your Word My Light

Psalm 14:1

“The fool hath said in his heart,
There is no God. They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works,
there is none that doeth good.”

 King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

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Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 04.01.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, April 01, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Let Him kiss me with the kisses of His mouth.”
~ Song of Solomon 1:2 ~

FOR several days we have been dwelling upon the Saviour’s passion, and for some little time to come we shall linger there. In beginning a new month, let us seek the same desires after our Lord as those which glowed in the heart of the elect spouse. See how she leaps at once to Him; there are no prefatory words; she does not even mention His name; she is in the heart of her theme at once, for she speaks of Him who was the only Him in the world to her. How bold is her love! it was much condescension which permitted the weeping penitent to anoint His feet with spikenard—it was rich love which allowed the gentle Mary to sit at His feet and learn of Him—but here, love, strong, fervent love, aspires to higher tokens of regard, and closer signs of fellowship.

Esther trembled in the presence of Ahasuerus, but the spouse in joyful liberty of perfect love knows no fear. If we have received the same free spirit, we also may ask the like. By kisses we suppose to be intended those varied manifestations of affection by which the believer is made to enjoy the love of Jesus. The kiss of reconciliation we enjoyed at our conversion, and it was sweet as honey dropping from the comb. The kiss of acceptance is still warm on our brow, as we know that He hath accepted our persons and our works through rich grace. The kiss of daily, present communion, is that which we pant after to be repeated day after day, till it is changed into the kiss of reception, which removes the soul from earth, and the kiss of consummation which fills it with the joy of heaven.

Faith is our walk, but fellowship sensibly felt is our rest. Faith is the road, but communion with Jesus is the well from which the pilgrim drinks. O lover of our souls, be not strange to us; let the lips of Thy blessing meet the lips of our asking; let the lips of Thy fulness touch the lips of our need, and straightway the kiss will be effected.

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Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.31.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, March 31, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

 

“And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.”
~ 2 Samuel 21:10 ~

IF the love of a woman to her slain sons could make her prolong her mournful vigil for so long a period, shall we weary of considering the sufferings of our blessed Lord? She drove away the birds of prey, and shall not we chase from our meditations those worldly and sinful thoughts which defile both our minds and the sacred themes upon which we are occupied? Away, ye birds of evil wing! Leave ye the sacrifice alone! She bore the heats of summer, the night dews and the rains, unsheltered and alone. Sleep was chased from her weeping eyes: her heart was too full for slumber. Behold how she loved her children! Shall Rizpah thus endure, and shall we start at the first little inconvenience or trial?

Are we such cowards that we cannot bear to suffer with our Lord? She chased away even the wild beasts, with courage unusual in her sex, and will not we be ready to encounter every foe for Jesus’ sake? These her children were slain by other hands than hers, and yet she wept and watched: what ought we to do who have by our sins crucified our Lord? Our obligations are boundless, our love should be fervent and our repentance thorough. To watch with Jesus should be our business, to protect His honour our occupation, to abide by His cross our solace. Those ghastly corpses might well have affrighted Rizpah, especially by night, but in our Lord, at whose cross-foot we are sitting, there is nothing revolting, but everything attractive. Never was living beauty so enchanting as a dying Saviour. Jesus, we will watch with Thee yet awhile, and do Thou graciously unveil Thyself to us; then shall we not sit beneath sackcloth, but in a royal pavilion.

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Do Not Go Astray ~

Do Not Go Astray ~ CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann Wikipedia
Do not lose heart,
 do not go astray
 from the Good Shepherd
 be not lead away.
Do not give up,
 do not give in
 do not let temptation
 ever, ever win.
Do not wander,
 do not roam around
 do not lose the faith
 that you have found.
Do not turn,
 do not separate
 do not get distracted
 from the narrow gate.
Do not leave,
 do not go your own way
 do not let sin tempt you
 from God to ever sway!
~~~~~~~~~~
Isaiah 53:6
“All we like sheep have gone astray;
  we have turned every one to his own way;
  and the Lord hath laid on him
  the iniquity of us all.”
King James Version
 by Public Domain
Copyright 2015
 Deborah Ann Belka
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Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 03.31.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Presence of Mind

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. ~ Proverbs 3:25-26 ~

When God is abroad in judgments, He would not have His people alarmed. He has not come forth to harm but to defend the righteous.

He would have them manifest courage. We who enjoy the presence of God ought to display presence of mind. Since the Lord Himself may suddenly come, we ought not to be surprised at anything sudden. Serenity under the rush and roar of unexpected evils is a precious gift of divine love.

The Lord would have His chosen display discrimination so that they may see that the desolation of the wicked is not a real calamity to the universe. Sin alone is evil; the punishment which follows thereupon is as a preserving salt to keep society from putrefying. We should be far more shocked at the sin which deserves hell than at the hell which comes out of sin.

So, too, should the Lord’s people exhibit great quietness of spirit. Satan and his serpent seed are full of all subtlety; but those who walk with God shall not be taken in their deceitful snares. Go on, believer in Jesus, and let the Lord be thy confidence.

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Today’s Bible Verse ~ 03.31.16

Your Word My Light

Isaiah 53:3-4

“But he was wounded for our transgressions,
  he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way;
and the Lord hath laid on him
the iniquity of us all.”

 King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

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Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.31.16

C_H__Spurgeon

 Thursday, March 31, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“With His stripes we are healed.” ~ Isaiah 53:5 ~

PILATE delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were inter-twisted every here and there among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration, and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Saviour was, no doubt, bound to the column, and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of His flagellations. My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body.

Believer in Jesus, can you gaze upon Him without tears, as He stands before you the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once fair as the lily for innocence, and red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing which His stripes have wrought in us, does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms.

“See how the patient Jesus stands,
Insulted in His lowest case!
Sinners have bound the Almighty’s hands,
And spit in their Creator’s face.
With thorns His temples gor’d and gash’d
Send streams of blood from every part;
His back’s with knotted scourges lash’d.
But sharper scourges tear His heart.”

We would fain go to our chambers and weep; but since our business calls us away, we will first pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day, and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him, and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dear.

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Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 03.30.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, March 30, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon

“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.”
~ Lamentations 3:40 ~

The spouse who fondly loves her absent husband longs for his return; a long protracted separation from her Lord is a semi-death to her spirit: and so with souls who love the Saviour much, they must see His face, they cannot bear that He should be away upon the mountains of Bether, and no more hold communion with them. A reproaching glance, an uplifted finger will be grievous to loving children, who fear to offend their tender father, and are only happy in his smile. Beloved, it was so once with you. A text of Scripture, a threatening, a touch of the rod of affliction, and you went to your Father’s feet, crying, “Show me wherefore Thou contendest with me?”

Is it so now? Are you content to follow Jesus afar off? Can you contemplate suspended communion with Christ without alarm? Can you bear to have your Beloved walking contrary to you, because you walk contrary to Him? Have your sins separated between you and your God, and is your heart at rest? O let me affectionately warn you, for it is a grievous thing when we can live contentedly without the present enjoyment of the Saviour’s face. Let us labour to feel what an evil thing this is — little love to our own dying Saviour, little joy in our precious Jesus, little fellowship with the Beloved!

Hold a true Lent in your souls, while you sorrow over your hardness of heart. Do not stop at sorrow! Remember where you first received salvation. Go at once to the cross. There, and there only, can you get your spirit quickened. No matter how hard, how insensible, how dead we may have become, let us go again in all the rags and poverty, and defilement of our natural condition. Let us clasp that cross, let us look into those languid eyes, let us bathe in that fountain filled with blood — this will bring back to us our first love; this will restore the simplicity of our faith, and the tenderness of our heart.

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Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 03.30.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, March 30, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon

Thanksgiving ~ Praise

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  ~ Philippians 4:6-7 ~

 

No care but all prayer. No anxiety but much joyful communion with God. Carry your desires to the LORD of your life, the guardian of your soul. Go to Him with two portions of prayer and one of fragrant praise. Do not pray doubtfully but thankfully. Consider that you have your petitions, and therefore thank God for His grace. He is giving you grace; give Him thanks, Hide nothing. Allow no want to lie rankling in your bosom; “make known your requests.” Run not to man. Go only to your God, the Father of Jesus, who loves you in Him.

This shall bring you God’s own peace. You shall not be able to understand the peace which you shall enjoy. It will enfold you in its infinite embrace. Heart and mind through Christ Jesus shall be steeped in a sea of rest. Come life or death, poverty, pain, slander, you shall dwell in Jesus above every rolling wind or darkening cloud. Will you not obey this dear command?

Yes, LORD, I do believe thee; but, I beseech thee, help mine unbelief.

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  • Trust ~ Delight ~ Commit ~ Rest