Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.15.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, February 15, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


Ever Mindful

The Lord hath been mindful of us: he will bless us.  ~ Psalm 115:12 ~

I can set my seal to that first sentence. Cannot you? Yes, Jehovah has thought of us, provided for us, comforted us, delivered us, and guided us. In all the movements of His providence He has been mindful of us, never overlooking our mean affairs. His mind has been full of us—that is the other form of the word mindful. This has been the case all along and without a single break. At special times, however, we have more distinctly seen this mindfulness, and we would recall them at this hour with overflowing gratitude. Yes, yes, “the Lord hath been mindful of us.”

The next sentence is a logical inference from the former one. Since God is unchangeable, He will continue to be mindful of us in the future as He has been in the past; and His mindfulness is tantamount to blessing us. But we have here not only the conclusion of reason but the declaration of inspiration; we have it on the Holy Ghost’s authority—”He will bless us.” This means great things and unsearchable. The very indistinctness of the promise indicates its infinite reach. He will bless us after His own divine manner, and that forever and ever, Therefore, let us each say, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.15.16

Your Word My Light

“Herein is love,
not that we loved God,
but that he loved us,
and sent his Son to be
the propitiation for our sins.”

   King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.15.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, February 15, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“To Him be glory both now and forever.” ~ 2 Peter 3:18 ~

HEAVEN will be full of the ceaseless praises of Jesus. Eternity! thine unnumbered years shall speed their everlasting course, but forever and for ever, “to Him be glory.” Is He not a “Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek”? “To Him be glory.” Is He not king for ever?—King of kings and Lord of lords, the everlasting Father? “To Him be glory for ever.” Never shall His praises cease. That which was bought with blood deserves to last while immortality endures. The glory of the cross must never be eclipsed; the lustre of the grave and of the resurrection must never be dimmed. O Jesus! thou shalt be praised for ever.

Long as immortal spirits live—long as the Father’s throne endures—for ever, for ever, unto Thee shall be glory. Believer, you are anticipating the time when you shall join the saints above in ascribing all glory to Jesus; but are you glorifying Him now?

The apostle’s words are, “To Him be glory both now and for ever.” Will you not this day make it your prayer? “Lord, help me to glorify Thee; I am poor, help me to glorify Thee by contentment; I am sick, help me to give Thee honour by patience; I have talents, help me to extol Thee by spending them for Thee; I have time, Lord, help me to redeem it, that I may serve thee; I have a heart to feel, Lord, let that heart feel no love but Thine, and glow with no flame but affection for Thee; I have a head to think, Lord, help me to think of Thee and for Thee; Thou hast put me in this world for something, Lord, show me what that is, and help me to work out my life-purpose: I cannot do much, but as the widow put in her two mites, which were all her living, so, Lord, I cast my time and eternity too into Thy treasury; I am all Thine; take me, and enable me to glorify Thee now, in all that I say, in all that I do, and with all that I have.”

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.14.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Sunday, February 14, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“She was healed immediately.”~ Luke 8:47 ~

ONE of the most touching and teaching of the Saviour’s miracles is before us to-night. The woman was very ignorant. She imagined that virtue came out of Christ by a law of necessity, without His knowledge or direct will. Moreover, she was a stranger to the generosity of Jesus’ character, or she would not have gone behind to steal the cure which He was so ready to bestow. Misery should always place itself right in the face of mercy. Had she known the love of Jesus’ heart, she would have said, “I have but to put myself where He can see me—His omniscience will teach Him my case, and His love at once will work my cure.” We admire her faith, but we marvel at her ignorance.

After she had obtained the cure, she rejoiced with trembling: glad was she that the divine virtue had wrought a marvel in her; but she feared lest Christ should retract the blessing, and put a negative upon the grant of His grace: little did she comprehend the fulness of His love! We have not so clear a view of Him as we could wish; we know not the heights and depths of His love; but we know of a surety that He is too good to withdraw from a trembling soul the gift which it has been able to obtain. But here is the marvel of it: little as was her knowledge, her faith, because it was real faith, saved her, and saved her at once.

There was no tedious delay—faith’s miracle was instantaneous. If we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, salvation is our present and eternal possession. If in the list of the Lord’s children we are written as the feeblest of the family, yet, being heirs through faith, no power, human or devilish, can eject us from salvation. If we dare not lean our heads upon His bosom with John, yet if we can venture in the press behind Him, and touch the hem of his garment, we are made whole. Courage, timid one! thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.”

Where There is Love ~


Where There is Love ~ CHRISTian oetry by deborah ann ~ photo/Doorpost Verses 
Where there is light,
 there is love
 where there is hope
 there is love
 where there is truth
 there is love
 where there is faith
 there is love
 where there is trust
 there is love . . .
Where there is joy
 there is love
 where there is happiness
 there is love
 where there is goodness
 there is love
 where there is gentleness
 there is love
 where there is kindness
 there is love . . .
Where there is forgiveness
 there is love
 where there is grace
 there is love
 where there is mercy
 there is love
 where there is peace
 there is love
 where there’s a cross
 you’ll find God’s love . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~
John 3:16
  King James Version
“For God so loved the world,
  that he gave his only begotten Son,
  that whosoever believeth in him
  should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.14.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


Mercy to the Undeserving

He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.
~ Psalm 32:10 ~

O fair reward of trust! My Lord, grant it me to the full! The truster above all men feels himself to be a sinner; and lo, mercy is prepared for him: he knows himself to have no deservings, but mercy comes in and keeps house for him on a liberal scale. O Lord, give me this mercy, even as I trust in Thee!

Observe, my soul, what a bodyguard thou hast! As a prince is compassed about with soldiery, so art thou compassed about with mercy. Before and behind, and on all sides, ride these mounted guards of grace. We dwell in the center of the system of mercy, for we dwell in Christ Jesus.

O my soul, what an atmosphere dost thou breathe! As the air surrounds thee, even so does the mercy of thy Lord. To the wicked there are many sorrows, but to thee there are so many mercies that thy sorrows are not worth mentioning. David says, “Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” In obedience to this precept my heart shall triumph in God, and I will tell out my gladness. As Thou hast compassed me with mercy, I will also compass Thine altars, O my God, with songs of thanksgiving!

 

 

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.14.16

Your Word My Light

“A new commandment I give unto you,
That ye love one another;
as I have loved you,
that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that
ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another.”

   King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.14.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Sunday, February 14, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life.
~ 2 Kings 25:30 ~

JEHOIACHIN was not sent away from the king’s palace with a store to last him for months, but his provision was given him as a daily pension. Herein he well pictures the happy position of all the Lord’s people. A daily portion is all that a man really wants. We do not need tomorrow’s supplies; that day has not yet dawned, and its wants are as yet unborn. The thirst which we may suffer in the month of June does not need to be quenched in February, for we do not feel it yet; if we have enough for each day as the days arrive we shall never know want. Sufficient for the day is all that we can enjoy.

We cannot eat or drink or wear more than the day’s supply of food and raiment; the surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveller, but a bundle of staves is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast, but is all that the veriest glutton can truly enjoy. This is all that we should expect; a craving for more than this is ungrateful. When our Father does not give us more, we should be content with his daily allowance. Jehoiachin’s case is ours, we have a sure portion, a portion given us of the king, a gracious portion, and a perpetual portion. Here is surely ground for thankfulness.

Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace you need a daily supply. You have no store of strength. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance that a daily portion is provided for you. In the word, through the ministry, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God you shall receive renewed strength. In Jesus all needful things are laid up for you. Then enjoy your continual allowance. Never go hungry while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy.

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.13.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, February 13, 2015

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“There is therefore now no condemnation.” ~ Romans 8:1 ~

COME, my soul, think thou of this. Believing in Jesus, thou art actually and effectually cleared from guilt; thou art led out of thy prison. Thou art no more in fetters as a bond-slave; thou art delivered now from the bondage of the law; thou art freed from sin, and canst walk at large as a freeman, thy Saviour’s blood has procured thy full discharge. Thou hast a right now to approach thy Father’s throne. No flames of vengeance are there to scare thee now; no fiery sword; justice cannot smite the innocent. Thy disabilities are taken away: thou wast once unable to see thy Father’s face: thou canst see it now.

Thou couldst not speak with Him: but now thou hast access with boldness. Once there was a fear of hell upon thee; but thou hast no fear of it now, for how can there be punishment for the guiltless? He who believeth is not condemned, and cannot be punished. And more than all, the privileges thou mightst have enjoyed, if thou hadst never sinned, are thine now thou art justified. All the blessings which thou wouldst have had if thou hadst kept the law, and more, are thine, because Christ has kept it for thee. All the love and the acceptance which perfect obedience could have obtained of God, belong to thee, because Christ was perfectly obedient on thy behalf, and hath imputed all His merits to thy account, that thou mightst be exceeding rich through Him, who for thy sake became exceeding poor. Oh! how great the debt of love and gratitude thou owest to thy Saviour!

“A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear with Thy righteousness on,
My person and offerings to bring:
The terrors of law and of God,
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour’s obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.”

Only on The Cross ~

Only on the Cross ~ CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann
Only on the cross,
 will you find forgiveness
 only on the cross will love
 strengthen your weakness.
Only on the cross,
 will you find happiness
 only on the cross will love
 ease your loneliness.
Only on the cross,
 will you find inner peace
 only on the cross will love
 cause faith to be released.
Only on the cross,
 will you find eternal grace
 only on the cross will love
 cause your sins to be erased
Only on the cross,
 will you find love that is real
 only on the cross . . .
 can love restore and heal!
~~~~~~~~
John 3:16
  King James Version
"For God so loved the world,
  that he gave his only begotten Son,
  that whosoever believeth in him
  should not perish, but have everlasting life."
~ Amen and Amen ~
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.13.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


Blessed in the Field

Blessed shalt thou be in the field. ~ Deuteronomy 28:3 ~

So was Isaac blessed when he walked therein at eventide to meditate. How often has the Lord met us when we have been alone! The hedges and the trees can bear witness to our joy. We look for such blessedness again.

So was Boaz blessed when he reaped his harvest, and his workmen met him with benedictions. May the Lord prosper all who drive the plow! Every farmer may urge this promise with God, if indeed he obeys the voice of the Lord God.

We go to the field to labor as father Adam did; and since the curse fell on the soil through the sin of Adam the first, it is a great comfort to find a blessing through Adam the second,

We go to the field for exercise, and we are happy in the belief that the Lord will bless that exercise and give us health, which we will use to His glory.

We go to the field to study nature, and there is nothing in a knowledge of the visible creation which may not be sanctified to the highest uses by the divine benediction.

We have at last to go to the field to bury our dead; yea, others will in their turn take us to God’s acre in the field. But we are blessed, whether weeping at the tomb or sleeping in it.

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.13.16

Your Word My Light

“For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.”

   King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.13.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Saturday, February 13, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” ~ 1 John 3:1,2 ~

BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us. Consider who we were, and what we feel ourselves to be even now when corruption is powerful in us, and you will wonder at our adoption. Yet we are called “the sons of God.” What a high relationship is that of a son, and what privileges it brings! What care and tenderness the son expects from his father, and what love the father feels towards the son! But all that, and more than that, we now have through Christ.

As for the temporary drawback of suffering with the elder brother, this we accept as an honour: “Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.” We are content to be unknown with Him in His humiliation, for we are to be exalted with Him.“Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” That is easy to read, but it is not so easy to feel. How is it with your heart this morning? Are you in the lowest depths of sorrow? Does corruption rise within your spirit, and grace seem like a poor spark trampled under foot?

Does your faith almost fail you? Fear not, it is neither your graces nor feelings on which you are to live: you must live simply by faith on Christ. With all these things against us, now—in the very depths of our sorrow, wherever we may be—now, as much in the valley as on the mountain, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God.” “Ah, but,” you say, “see how I am arrayed! my graces are not bright; my righteousness does not shine with apparent glory.” But read the next: “It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him.” The Holy Spirit shall purify our minds, and divine power shall refine our bodies, then shall we see Him as He is.

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.12.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, February 12, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” ~ John 14:16 ~

GREAT Father revealed Himself to believers of old before the coming of His Son, and was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as the God Almighty. Then Jesus came, and the ever-blessed Son in His own proper person, was the delight of His people’s eyes. At the time of the Redeemer’s ascension, the Holy Spirit became the head of the present dispensation, and His power was gloriously manifested in and after Pentecost. He remains at this hour the present Immanuel—God with us, dwelling in and with His people, quickening, guiding, and ruling in their midst. Is His presence recognized as it ought to be? We cannot control His working; He is most sovereign in all His operations, but are we sufficiently anxious to obtain His help, or sufficiently watchful lest we provoke Him to withdraw His aid?

Without Him we can do nothing, but by His almighty energy the most extraordinary results can be produced: everything depends upon his manifesting or concealing His power. Do we always look up to Him both for our inner life and our outward service with the respectful dependence which is fitting? Do we not too often run before His call and act independently of His aid? Let us humble ourselves this evening for past neglects, and now entreat the heavenly dew to rest upon us, the sacred oil to anoint us, the celestial flame to burn within us. The Holy Ghost is no temporary gift, He abides with the saints. We have but to seek Him aright, and He will be found of us. He is jealous, but He is pitiful; if He leaves in anger, He returns in mercy. Condescending and tender, He does not weary of us, but awaits to be gracious still.
Sin has been hammering my heart Unto a hardness, void of love, Let supplying grace to cross his art Drop from above.

Jesus Love’s You ~

you-are-loved CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann
 Jesus loves you,
 like no other can
 He has for you
 an eternal plan.
No one else,
 can come close to
 the loving-kindness
 He has for you.
His love is faithful,
 it remains true
 forever more
 He loves you.
Love unfailing,
 love everlasting
 beyond your dreams
 His love is surpassing.
There is no greater,
 love known to man
 Jesus loves you . . .
 like no other can!
~~~~~~~~
Jeremiah 31:3
  King James Version
“The Lord hath appeared
 of old unto me, saying, Yea,
  I have loved thee
 with an everlasting love:
  therefore with lovingkindness
 have I drawn thee.”
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.12.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, February 12, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


God Delights to Give

And the Lord said unto Abraham, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
~ Genesis 13:14-15 ~

A special blessing for a memorable occasion. Abram had settled a family dispute. He had said, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between thee and me, for we be brethren”; and hence he received the blessing which belongs to peacemakers. The Lord and giver of peace delights to manifest His grace to those who seek peace and pursue it. If we desire closer communion with God, we must keep closer to the ways of peace.

Abram had behaved very generously to his kinsman, giving him his choice of the land. If we deny ourselves for peace’s sake, the Lord will more than make it up to us. As far as the patriarch can see, he can claim, and we may do the like by faith. Abram had to wait for the actual possession, but the Lord entailed the land upon him and his posterity. Boundless blessings belong to us by covenant gift. All things are ours. When we please the Lord, He makes us to look everywhere and see all things our own, whether things present or things to come, all are ours, and we are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.12.16

Your Word My Light

“Rejoiceth not in iniquity,
but rejoiceth in the truth;

Beareth all things,
believeth all things,
hopeth all things,
endureth all things.”

   King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.12.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Friday, February 12, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
~ 2 Corinthians 1:5 ~

THERE is a blessed proportion. The Ruler of Providence bears a pair of scales—in this side He puts His people’s trials, and in that He puts their consolations. When the scale of trial is nearly empty, you will always find the scale of consolation in nearly the same condition; and when the scale of trials is full, you will find the scale of consolation just as heavy. When the black clouds gather most, the light is the more brightly revealed to us.

When the night lowers and the tempest is coming on, the Heavenly Captain is always closest to His crew. It is a blessed thing, that when we are most cast down, then it is that we are most lifted up by the consolations of the Spirit. One reason is, because trials make more room for consolation. Great hearts can only be made by great troubles. The spade of trouble digs the reservoir of comfort deeper, and makes more room for consolation. God comes into our heart—He finds it full—He begins to break our comforts and to make it empty; then there is more room for grace. The humbler a man lies, the more comfort he will always have, because he will be more fitted to receive it. Another reason why we are often most happy in our troubles, is this—then we have the closest dealings with God.When the barn is full, man can live without God: when the purse is bursting with gold, we try to do without so much prayer.

But once take our gourds away, and we want our God; once cleanse the idols out of the house, then we are compelled to honour Jehovah. “Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord.” There is no cry so good as that which comes from the bottom of the mountains; no prayer half so hearty as that which comes up from the depths of the soul, through deep trials and afflictions. Hence they bring us to God, and we are happier; for nearness to God is happiness. Come, troubled believer, fret not over your heavy troubles, for they are the heralds of weighty mercies.

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.11.16

C_H__Spurgeon

 Thursday, February 11, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“Thou hast left thy first love.” ~ Revelation 2:4 ~

EVER to be remembered is that best and brightest of hours, when first we saw the Lord, lost our burden, received the roll of promise, rejoiced in full salvation, and went on our way in peace. It was spring time in the soul; the winter was past; the mutterings of Sinai’s thunders were hushed; the flashings of its lightnings were no more perceived; God was beheld as reconciled; the law threatened no vengeance, justice demanded no punishment. Then the flowers appeared in our heart; hope, love, peace, and patience sprung from the sod; the hyacinth of repentance, the snowdrop of pure holiness, the crocus of golden faith, the daffodil of early love, all decked the garden of the soul.

The time of the singing of birds was come, and we rejoiced with thanksgiving; we magnified the holy name of our forgiving God, and our resolve was, “Lord, I am Thine, wholly Thine; all I am, and all I have, I would devote to Thee. Thou hast brought me with Thy blood—let me spend myself and be spent in Thy service. In life and in death let me be consecrated to Thee.” How have we kept this resolve? Our espousal love burned with a holy flame of devoutedness to Jesus—is it the same now? Might not Jesus well say to us, “I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left they first love”?

Alas! it is but little we have done for our Master’s glory. Our winter has lasted all too long. We are as cold as ice when we should feel a summer’s glow and bloom with sacred flowers. We give to God pence when He deserveth pounds, nay, deserveth our heart’s blood to be coined in the service of His church and of His truth. But shall we continue thus? O Lord, after Thou hast so richly blessed us, shall we be ungrateful and become indifferent to Thy good cause and work? O quicken us that we may return to our first love, and do our first works! Send us a genial spring, O Sun of Righteousness.

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.11.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


Are the Children In?

I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. ~ Isaiah 44:3 ~

Our dear children have not the Spirit of God by nature, as we plainly see. We see much in them which makes us fear as to their future, and this drives us to agonizing prayer. When a son becomes specially perverse, we cry with Abraham, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before thee!” We would sooner see our daughters Hannahs than empresses. This verse should greatly encourage us. It follows upon the words, “Fear not, O Jacob, my servant,” and it may well banish our fears.

The Lord will give His Spirit; will give it plentifully, pouring it out; will give it effectually, so that it shall be a real and eternal blessing. Under this divine outpouring our children shall come forward, and “one shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob.”

This is one of those promises concerning which the Lord will be inquired of. Should we not, at set times, in a distinct manner, pray for our offspring? We cannot give them new hearts, but the Holy Spirit can; and He is easily to be entreated of. The great Father takes pleasure in the prayers of fathers and mothers. Have we any dear ones outside of the ark? Let us not rest till they are shut in with us by the Lord’s own hand.

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.11.16

Your Word My Light

Charity suffereth long,
and is kind; charity envieth not;
charity vaunteth not itself,
is not puffed up, Doth not behave
itself unseemly, seeketh not her own,
is not easily provoked,
thinketh no evil;.”

   King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.11.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Thursday, February 12, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


 

“And they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
~ Acts 4:13 ~

A christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives of Christ, beautifully and eloquently written, but the best life of Christ is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. If we were what we profess to be, and what we should be, we should be pictures of Christ; yea, such striking likenesses of Him, that the world would not have to hold us up by the hour together, and say, “Well, it seems somewhat of a likeness;” but they would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him; he has caught the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth, and he works it out in his life and every-day actions.”

A Christian should be like Christ in his boldness.Never blush to own your religion; your profession will never disgrace you: take care you never disgrace that. Be like Jesus, very valiant for your God. Imitate Him in your loving spirit; think kindly, speak kindly, and do kindly, that men may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.” Imitate Jesus in His holiness. Was He zealous for His Master? So be you; ever go about doing good. Let not time be wasted: it is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own interest? Be the same. Was He devout? Be you fervent in your prayers. Had He deference to His Father’s will? S

o submit yourselves to Him. Was He patient? So learn to endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your enemies, as He did; and let those sublime words of your Master, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” always ring in your ears. Forgive, as you hope to be forgiven. Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for evil, recollect, is godlike. Be godlike, then; and in all ways and by all means, so live that all may say of you, “He has been with Jesus.”

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.10.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee.”
~ Isaiah 44:22 ~

ATTENTIVELY observe THE INSTRUCTIVE SIMILITUDE: our sins are like a cloud. As clouds are of many shapes and shades, so are our transgressions. As clouds obscure the light of the sun, and darken the landscape beneath, so do our sins hide from us the light of Jehovah’s face, and cause us to sit in the shadow of death. They are earth-born things, and rise from the miry places of our nature; and when so collected that their measure is full, they threaten us with storm and tempest. Alas! that, unlike clouds, our sins yield us no genial showers, but rather threaten to deluge us with a fiery flood of destruction. O ye black clouds of sin, how can it be fair weather with our souls while ye remain?

Let our joyful eye dwell upon THE NOTABLE ACT of divine mercy—”blotting out.” God Himself appears upon the scene, and in divine benignity, instead of manifesting His anger, reveals His grace: He at once and for ever effectually removes the mischief, not by blowing away the cloud, but by blotting it out from existence once for all. Against the justified man no sin remains, the great transaction of the cross has eternally removed His transgressions from him. On Calvary’s summit the great deed, by which the sin of all the chosen was for ever put away, was completely and effectually performed.

Practically let us obey THE GRACIOUS COMMAND, “return unto me.”Why should pardoned sinners live at a distance from their God? If we have been forgiven all our sins, let no legal fear withhold us from the boldest access to our Lord. Let backslidings be bemoaned, but let us not persevere in them. To the greatest possible nearness of communion with the Lord, let us, in the power of the Holy Spirit, strive mightily to return. O Lord, this night restore us!

Heart Matter

Heart Matters ~ CHRISTian poetry by deborah ann ~ photo/Creation/Swap
There isn’t a heart too cold,
 that God can’t melt
 there isn’t one too stony
 where He can’t be felt.
There isn’t a heart too cynical,
 that God can’t shake
 there isn’t one too hardened
 that He can’t break.
There isn’t a heart too rigid,
 that God can’t move
 there isn’t a heart too rough
 that He can’t smooth.
There isn’t a heart too lost,
 that God can’t find
 there isn’t a heart too far off
 that He’d leave behind.
There isn’t a heart too broken,
 that God can’t love
 there isn’t a heart in the world
 that He would ~ let go of.
~~~~~~~~~~~
John 3:16
  King James Version
“For God so loved the world,
  that he gave his only begotten Son,
  that whosoever believeth in him
  should not perish,
  but have everlasting life.”
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.10.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


A Constant Witness

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. ~ Acts 22:15 ~

Paul was chosen to see and hear the Lord speaking to him out of heaven. This divine election was a high privilege for himself; but it was not intended to end with him; it was meant to have an influence upon others, yea, upon all men. It is to Paul that Europe owes the gospel at this hour.

It is ours in our measure to be witnesses of that which the Lord has revealed to us, and it is at our peril that we hide the precious revelation. First, we must see and hear, or we shall have nothing to tell; but when we have done so, we must be eager to bear our testimony. It must be personal: “Thou shalt be.” It must be for Christ: “Thou shalt be his witness.”

It must be constant and all absorbing; we are to be this above all other things and to the exclusion of many other matters. Our witness must not be to a select few who will cheerfully receive us but to “all men”—to all whom we can reach, young or old, rich or poor, good or bad. We must never be silent like those who are possessed by a dumb spirit; for the text before us is a command, and a promise, and we must not miss it—”Thou shalt be his witness.” “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.”

 

 

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.10.16

Your Word My Light

“Though I speak with the tongues of men
and of angels, and have not charity,
I am become as sounding brass,
or a tinkling cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy,
and understand all mysteries,
and all knowledge;
and though I have all faith,
so that I could remove mountains,
and have not charity, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods
to feed the poor, and though I
give my body to be burned,
and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing.”

     King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.10.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“I know how to abound.”~ Philippians 4:12 ~

THERE are many who know “how to be abased” who have not learned “how to abound.” When they are set upon the top of a pinnacle their heads grow dizzy, and they are ready to fall. The Christian far oftener disgraces his profession in prosperity than in adversity. It is a dangerous thing to be prosperous. The crucible of adversity is a less severe trial to the Christian than the fining-pot of prosperity. Oh, what leanness of soul and neglect of spiritual things have been brought on through the very mercies and bounties of God! Yet this is not a matter of necessity, for the apostle tells us that he knew how to abound. When he had much he knew how to use it.

Abundant grace enabled him to bear abundant prosperity. When he had a full sail he was loaded with much ballast, and so floated safely. It needs more than human skill to carry the brimming cup of mortal joy with a steady hand, yet Paul had learned that skill, for he declares, “In all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry.” It is a divine lesson to know how to be full, for the Israelites were full once, but while the flesh was yet in their mouth, the wrath of God came upon them.

Many have asked for mercies that they might satisfy their own hearts’ lust. Fulness of bread has often made fulness of blood, and that has brought on wantonness of spirit. When we have much of God’s providential mercies, it often happens that we have but little of God’s grace, and little gratitude for the bounties we have received. We are full and we forget God: satisfied with earth, we are content to do without heaven. Rest assured it is harder to know how to be full than it is to know how to be hungry—so desperate is the tendency of human nature to pride and forgetfulness of God. Take care that you ask in your prayers that God would teach you “how to be full.”

” Let not the gifts Thy love bestows
Estrange our hearts from Thee.”

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.09.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, February 09, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil [or, the evil one.” ~ Luke 11:4 ~

WHAT we are taught to seek or shun in prayer, we should equally pursue or avoid in action. Very earnestly, therefore, should we avoid temptation, seeking to walk so guardedly in the path of obedience, that we may never tempt the devil to tempt us. We are not to enter the thicket in search of the lion. Dearly might we pay for such presumption. This lion may cross our path or leap upon us from the thicket, but we have nothing to do with hunting him. He that meeteth with him, even though he winneth the day, will find it a stern struggle. Let the Christian pray that he may be spared the encounter. Our Saviour, who had experience of what temptation meant, thus earnestly admonished His disciples—”Pray that ye enter not into temptation.”

But let us do as we will, we shall be tempted; hence the prayer “deliver us from evil.” God had one Son without sin; but He has no son without temptation. The natural man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards, and the Christian man is born to temptation just as certainly. We must be always on our watch against Satan, because, like a thief, he gives no intimation of his approach. Believers who have had experience of the ways of Satan, know that there are certain seasons when he will most probably make an attack, just as at certain seasons bleak winds may be expected; thus the Christian is put on a double guard by fear of danger, and the danger is averted by preparing to meet it.

Prevention is better than cure: it is better to be so well armed that the devil will not attack you, than to endure the perils of the fight, even though you come off a conqueror. Pray this evening first that you may not be tempted, and next that if temptation be permitted, you may be delivered from the evil one.

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.09.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, February 09, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


The Dross Purged

And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
~ Zechariah 13:9 ~

Grace transmutes us into precious metal, and then the fire and the furnace follows as a necessary consequence. Do we start at this? Would we sooner be accounted worthless, that we might enjoy repose, like the stones of the field! This would be to choose the viler part—like Esau, to take the pottage and give up the covenant portion. No, Lord; we will gladly be cast into the furnace rather than be cast out from Thy presence!

The fire only refines; it does not destroy. We are to be brought through the fire, not left in it. The Lord values His people as silver, and therefore He is at pains to purge away their dross. If we are wise, we shall rather welcome the refining process than decline it. Our prayer will be that our alloy may be taken from us rather than that we should be withdrawn from the crucible.

O Lord, Thou triest us indeed! We are ready to melt under the fierceness of the flame. Still, this is Thy way, and Thy way is the best. Sustain us under the trial and complete the process of our purifying, and we will be Thine forever and ever.

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.09.16

Your Word My Light

“We are bound to thank God always
for you, brethren, as it is meet,
because that your faith groweth
exceedingly, and the charity of
every one of you all toward
each other aboundeth;”

     King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~

Morning’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.09.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Tuesday, February 09, 2016

This Morning’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“And David enquired of the Lord.”~ 2 Samuel 5:23 ~

WHEN David made this enquiry he had just fought the Philistines, and gained a signal victory. The Philistines came up in great hosts, but, by the help of God, David had easily put them to flight. Note, however, that when they came a second time, David did not go up to fight them without enquiring of the Lord. Once he had been victorious, and he might have said, as many have in other cases, “I shall be victorious again; I may rest quite sure that if I have conquered once I shall triumph yet again. Wherefore should I tarry to seek at the Lord’s hands?” Not so, David.

He had gained one battle by the strength of the Lord; he would not venture upon another until he had ensured the same. He enquired, “Shall I go up against them?” He waited until God’s sign was given. Learn from David to take no step without God. Christian, if thou wouldst know the path of duty, take God for thy compass; if thou wouldst steer thy ship through the dark billows, put the tiller into the hand of the Almighty. Many a rock might be escaped, if we would let our Father take the helm; many a shoal or quicksand we might well avoid, if we would leave to His sovereign will to choose and to command.

The Puritan said, “As sure as ever a Christian carves for himself, he’ll cut his own fingers;” this is a great truth. Said another old divine, “He that goes before the cloud of God’s providence goes on a fool’s errand;” and so he does. We must mark God’s providence leading us; and if providence tarries, tarry till providence comes. He who goes before providence, will be very glad to run back again. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go,” is God’s promise to His people. Let us, then, take all our perplexities to Him, and say, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Leave not thy chamber this morning without enquiring of the Lord.

Evening’s With Charles Spurgeon ~ 02.08.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, February 08, 2016

This Evening’s Meditation

C. H. Spurgeon


“He shall save His people from their sins.”~ Matthew 1:21 ~

MANY persons, if they are asked what they understand by salvation, will reply, “Being saved from hell and taken to heaven.” This is one result of salvation, but it is not one tithe of what is contained in that boon. It is true our Lord Jesus Christ does redeem all His people from the wrath to come; He saves them from the fearful condemnation which their sins had brought upon them; but His triumph is far more complete than this. He saves His people “from their sins.” Oh! sweet deliverance from our worst foes. Where Christ works a saving work, He casts Satan from his throne, and will not let him be master any longer.

No man is a true Christian if sin reigns in his mortal body. Sin will be in us—it will never be utterly expelled till the spirit enters glory; but it will never have dominion. There will be a striving for dominion—a lusting against the new law and the new spirit which God has implanted—but sin will never get the upper hand so as to be absolute monarch of our nature. Christ will be Master of the heart, and sin must be mortified. The Lion of the tribe of Judah shall prevail, and the dragon shall be cast out. Professor! is sin subdued in you?

If your life is unholy your heart is unchanged, and if your heart is unchanged you are an unsaved person. If the Saviour has not sanctified you, renewed you, given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, He has done nothing in you of a saving character. The grace which does not make a man better than others is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not in their sins, but from them. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” If not saved from sin, how shall we hope to be counted among His people. Lord, save me now from all evil, and enable me to honour my Saviour.

Love Came To Conquer ~


Conquerors ~ CHRISTian poetry be deborah ann
Love came to conquer,
 Love came to deploy
 mercy and grace
 so sin it could destroy.
Love came to stop,
 the adulterer and murderer
 the thug and the thief
 the blasphemous perjurer.
Love came to overcome,
 the anxious and worried
 the fearful and the afraid
 the troubled and wearied.
Love came to defeat,
 the back bitter and gossiper
 the arrogant and the conceited
 the prideful, ego worshiper.
Love came to overpower,
 the rebellious and greedy
 the contentiously belligerent
 the sordid and seedy.
Love came to conquer,
 each and every sin
 Love came to save
 Love came to win!
~~~~~~~
Romans 8:37
  King James Version
“Nay, in all these things
  we are more than conquerors
  through him that loved us.”
Copyright 2014
 Deborah Ann Belka

Faith’s Check Book ~ C.H. Spurgeon 02.08.16

C_H__Spurgeon

Monday, February 08, 2016

Faith’s Check Book, Daily Entry

C. H. Spurgeon


Joyful Security

I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
~ Isaiah 41:10 ~

Fear of falling is wholesome. To be venturesome is no sign of wisdom. Times come to us when we feel that we must go down unless we have a very special support. Here we have it. God’s right hand is a grand thing to lean upon. Mind, it is not only His hand, though it keepeth heaven and earth in their places, but His right hand: His power united with skill, His power where it is most dexterous.

Nay, this is not all; it is written, “I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” That hand which He uses to maintain His holiness and to execute His royal sentences—this shall be stretched out to hold up His trusting ones. Fearful is our danger, but joyful is our security. The man whom God upholds, devils cannot throw down.

Weak may be our feet, but almighty is God’s right hand. Rough may be the road, but Omnipotence is our upholding. We may boldly go forward. We shall not fall. Let us lean continually where all things lean. God will not withdraw His strength, for His righteousness is there as well. He will be faithful to His promise, and faithful to His Son, and therefore faithful to us. How happy we ought to be! Are we not so?

Today’s Bible Verse ~ 02.08.16

Your Word My Light

 “Ye have heard that it hath been said,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour,
and hate thine enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;

That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun
to rise on the evil and on the good, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

     King James Version
by Public Domain

~ To God Be the Glory ~