Reverence and Awe

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

In this morning's devotional as we read of the affliction of David by his son, a few things struck me. David is often characterized as reaping what he sowed in relation to his discipline of his son, Absalom. But what struck me most was that there were many who also were afflicted because of King David. Ittai the Gittite chose to go with the rightful king (David). And because of his loyalty to the king, Ittai shared in David's affliction.

We too are called to share in Christ's affliction. Because we are His people, because we follow Him, because we are His Body, we are afflicted with Christ.

...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...—Philippians 3:10 NKJV

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. [6] Now if we are afflicted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, [it is] for your consolation and salvation. [7] And our hope for you [is] steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also [you will partake] of the consolation. [8] For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.—2 Cor 1:5-8 NKJV

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God...—2 Timothy 1:8 NKJV

A disciple is not above [his] teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [will they call] those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.—Matthew 10:24-28 NKJV

So let us rejoice that our lives are in the hands of the MASTER. Nothing will happen to us that is outside of His control.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible
Sin! Sins of omission and commission; sin nature; self righteous sin! Paul writing to the Romans about the principles of Christian liberty says in Romans 14:23 "whatever is not from faith is sin". What a dilemma! We want intimate fellowship with our Lord and yet we sin and create a wall of separation through lack of faith and unbelief! In our flesh dwells no good thing for to will is ever present.

John writing in 1 John 1:6-10 says "if we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

"Oh wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death!" Jerry Bridges writing in Respectable Sins, Confronting the Sins we Tolerate puts it this way: "Your heart is a battleground between the flesh and the Spirit. In this guerrilla warfare, the flesh will sometimes get the upper hand. As you zero in on a particular sin to put to death, your situation may get worse before it gets better. Take heart. This is not unusual. The Holy Spirit will use these times of disobedience and defeat to help you see how deeply rooted your sins are and how totally dependent you are on His power to help you."

We are totally dependent on His power to help for no matter how hard we try, our best righteous act is like filthy rags! Where is the peace? George Whitefield in his "Method of Grace" sermon challenges us: "Before you can speak peace to your heart, you must not only be convinced of your actual and original sin, the sins of your own righteousness, the sin of unbelief, but you must be enabled to lay hold upon the perfect righteousness, the all-sufficient righteousness, of the Lord Jesus Christ; you must lay hold by faith on the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and then you shall have peace".

I am so thankful that John went on to say in 1 John 2: 1,2 "And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." By faith I rest in His all sufficiency to deal with not only my sin but the sin of the whole world. Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!!!

I was skimming a book by F.E. Marsh. It was originally published in 1897 (as most of you know, I like old, good, theology books) and was entitled 500 Bible Study Readings. I ran across this one reading that describes people who act "Contrary to Jesus." I was thinking how this outline can as easily describe people within the broad "visible" church, not just those who deny Him altogether. And even to those of us who can be very close to Him. For example, the stated reference for number 4 below describes the Lord giving a warning to Peter. Therefore, these are warnings to us as well.

(Note that the reference pop-ups are expanded on some to show the context.)

"Contrary to Jesus"
by F.E. Marsh

PAUL acknowledged he was wrong when he acted as Saul, although he thought he was right—1 Tim 1:13. He was acting "contrary to the Name of Jesus" (Acts 26:9). We are always wrong when we act "contrary" to Him.

To go contrary to Him is when we are—

1. Blinded by prejudice—2 Kings 5:11
   
2. Surfeited by worldliness—Luke 21:34
   
3. Obsessed by error—1 Tim 1:11
   
4. Swayed by Satan—Luke 22:31-34
   
5. Inflated with pride—1 Tim 3:6
   
6. Dominated by Self—3 John 9
   
7. Moved by envy—Acts 13:45
   

Going back to item number 4, I can draw comfort from the cited reference of Luke 22:31-34. Jesus speaking to Peter details the string of events that will occur:

• Peter's temptation
  
• Peter's sin
  
• Peter's return
  
• Peter's forgiveness and acceptance by Jesus

Let us through the power of the Holy Spirit walk in a way that is NOT contrary to Jesus. But when we do fail, we know that our LORD and Savior has forgiven us and has accepted us in the Beloved (Eph 1:6).

Labels: Christian Living

Thou hatest wickedness. Psalm 45:7

Goodmorning my friends. Spurgeon starts off this morning's devotion with a strong note, "Be ye angry, and sin not." There can hardly be goodness in a man if he be not angry at sin. Though we are Christians, we are also all sinners, we must look at our behavior and sinful nature and cringe at what we see. Do we rejoice in our sinful ways? I think not. My prayer is that we are convicted and repulsed by what we have done; that we get on our knees in prayer to our Father to forgive us of our iniquities.

The GOOD NEWS!!! Jesus hated our sin so much that as Spurgeon writes, He bled to wound it to the heart, He died that it might die; He was buried that He might bury it in His tomb; and He rose that He might for ever trample it beneath His feet. Jesus took it all away and finished it on the Cross. And though we are cleansed with His robes of righteousness, we must not be hypocrites and continue to live a life of a sinner. Jesus loves us as a sinner, but He hates the destruction of every form of wickedness.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." Psalm 55:22
-Amen

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

"Whom He justified, them He also glorified." — Romans 8:30

Its is finished Christians! The whole progression is Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,* for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. This is the heart of the Gospel right here. If we are those that believe in Christ and trust in Him alone for our salvation then we can say that we have been called, we have been foreknown or for-loved by God, we have predestined to be his children and be found in Christ, we have been given the promise to be conformed to the images of Christ, and last but not least we will be glorified with Christ for all eternity. This is comfort for the soul.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy [to be compared] with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected [it] in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." — Romans 8:18-21

Earlier Paul speaks of this groaning and suffering that we all deal with as Christians and even that God has subjected us to this, but the comfort is the guarantee of our future to be glorified with Christ. Take hope and think on these things now! Find your glory and Joy in Christ.

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope." — Lamentations 3:21

I believe these all have to do with finding comfort and joy in Christ! David often speaks of remembering the great works of God so that in times of trouble or times of uncertainty he could recall all of God's amazing works and find comfort and joy and stamina for his soul to go on. God even says to the children of Israel to remind and recall all of his great works to their children so that they would have such a big view of God that when trials came they could recall his works and find joy in who He is. Think of all the times that God has worked wondrous things in each of our lives and let that be the place from where we find joy in Him today!

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Morning:"Forsake me not, O Lord." - Psalm 38:21

I pray for my kids, a lot. They are amazing teenagers, each as different as could be, each loving, thoughtful, full of life. They need our prayers at all times, for health, school work, safety, God's calling on their lives, God's comfort and blessing, and perseverence in the Lord.

My prayers for my self are quite a bit different. I thank the Lord for His blessings, and I pray often that He would make me hungrier for His word, so that my life would be full of it, and Him. But there is also a lot of complacency in my prayers to Him, and I think that is Spurgeon's point: we need God's constant upholding, in good times, and in times of struggle.

My prayers are most fervent when I am in a struggle - most all of my own doing, I might add. I'm thankful for the morning devotion today, to exhort me to be fervent in prayer before the struggles start!

I am more thankful to Jesus, who makes intercession for us. I am covered in His prayers - He is always faithful!

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; - [John 17:20 NKJV]

Evening:"And they rose up the same hour, and returned Jerusalem . . . and they told what things were done in the way, and how He was known of them." — Luke 24:33,35

This is such a sweet devotional, and so encouraging. Each of us has a small part to play in sharing the testimony of Christ, and the picture is not complete unless we are all bold to share. Spurgeon is a kind pastor! - a man who preached over 3,500 sermons, to perhaps 10,000,000 souls, and yet he claims not for himself a larger part than any of his listeners, in telling "what great things God has shown to your soul".

And yet, should we be surprised? For Spurgeon certainly knew:

For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. - [2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NKJV]

Are you an earthen vessel? Share what the Lord is doing in your life, and build up the body of Christ, to His glory!

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

MORNING:

"Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer."—Psalm 66:20

Here again we see that we are corrupt even unto our prayers. I love Spurgeon for the fact that he cuts quickly to the chase and reminds us of who we really are. Answered prayer is as anything else we receive from God; it is a tremendous act of grace in spite of the fallen state we find ourselves in.

“There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance—as the Pharisee did; but the true Christian, in a more enlightened retrospect, weeps over his prayers, and if he could retrace his steps he would desire to pray more earnestly.”

Let this serve as a reminder for us so that we approach God in our prayers with the proper attitude of humility so that we do not take on the role of the Pharisee.

Spurgeon does not mince words here when he refers to our sessions of prayer as “Intermittent spasms of importunity which come and go with our necessities.”

I don’t know why but I find a certain amount of solace when I see a man of Spurgeon’s caliber being honest and baring his soul to the point where it’s apparent that he struggles with the same issues as I.

Once again Spurgeon seems to have a window into my soul but in fact, the truth of the matter is, that he is a man with a deep understanding of the heart of man and how we stand only by God’s Grace.

“What a God is He thus to hear the prayers of those who come to Him when they have pressing wants, but neglect Him when they have received a mercy; who approach Him when they are forced to come, but who almost forget to address Him when mercies are plentiful and sorrows are few.”

As I consider the above paragraph I once again find myself in a place of awe. As a result I will resign myself to being more fervent in my prayer life knowing all the while that it is only by God’s grace that they are heard and answered. Thanks be to God!

_______________________________________________________________________

Evening:

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ."—Philippians 1:27

“The word "conversation" does not merely mean our talk and converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and behavior in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship: and thus we are commanded to let our actions, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, be such as becometh the Gospel of Christ.”

Spurgeon is pointing out the reality that we need to do more than “talk the talk” but we must “walk the walk” as well. And did he point out that the Greek word indicates that our actions become the Gospel of Christ? Yes, I believe that he did! That thought of our actions becoming the Gospel is a sobering one to say the least.

Spurgeon sums it up quickly by pointing out the Gospel is simple, loving and gentle, yet fearless. He exhorts us to share the Gospel, not only through word, but through our entire life. Will we fall short? Of course, but God will fill in those gaps with His grace.

“Some professors are sharper than a thorn-hedge; such men are not like Jesus.” Ouch; Spurgeon really got my attention with that one. Not much room for debate there. “Not like Jesus?”

Once again I find myself in a position of having to rely on God’s grace and pray that He will assist me with walking in a way that is representative of the Gospel. We are changed through His Word…as we understand more of who we are and who He is, our lives will become a more accurate representation of the Gospel.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

A guest posting from Trevor Wright.

MORNING: Divine Confidence

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.–Psalm 138:8

For this morning’s devotional I found it profitable to meditate on the examples that Spurgeon gave as to what the psalmist did NOT say, and then think about WHY he did not say such things. Here are my thoughts and I pray that they would be edifying to you as you start your day.

Spurgeon: He did not say, “I have grace enough to perfect that which concerneth me”

He did not say this, because he knew that the work of sanctification, God constantly bringing us to become more and more like Christ, is entirely the work of the Lord. He knew that all of our life is grace. We haven’t been given a push start by the grace of God, the grace of God is pulling us along every sanctifying step of the way—sometimes kicking and screaming. So this morning I thank God for His constant love and concern for me.

Spurgeon: He did not say, "My faith is so steady that it will not stagger."

He did not say this, because he knew well how prone we are, as frail human beings, to be carried away by our flesh into utter ruin. Without the Lord our faith is not steady it is non-existent, and we would not only stagger without the constant grace of our Lord, we would be rendered immobilized by our sin. So this morning I thank God for the gift of faith, and ask Him to increase the faith that He has given.

Spurgeon: He did not say, "My love is so warm that it will never grow cold."

He did not say this, because he knew that the Lord is the only true source of love, and that if we are ever to have a warm love then we shall need to depend on the only true source of heat—the Lord. This morning I thank my God for His example of true love, so that I may know how, and be enabled, to love properly.

Spurgeon: He did not say, "My resolution is so firm that nothing can move it."

He did not say this, because he knew that if he didn’t have the immovable rock of ages, that is our Lord who is our salvation, then we would be left with no sure footing at all, and our resolution wouldn’t even find ground to stand on. I thank God this morning that he has caused me, a shakable sinner, to find rest on an immovable rock of salvation.

Something that Spurgeon said in this morning’s devotional made me think about a math problem. If you don’t take all the right steps to solve it you’ll end up with the wrong answer, it has to be perfect—close isn’t good enough. So too, if we ever think that we are the one’s progressing ourselves, or that we are something special, then we’ve missed something big time. We need something perfect and we aren’t it. Have full assurance of faith in the God of your salvation, he began a good work and He will finish it!

EVENING: "Of thine own have we given thee."

Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money.—Isaiah 43:24

In one of my favorite songs Keith Green says this in regards to giving to God: "there is nothing new I could give to you." That’s so true! Everything belongs to God, there is nothing I could possibly give to Him that would add to who He is or what belongs to him. Often times we are deceived into thinking that since we worked hard for something it is rightfully ours and when we give it’s often a bitter sweet experience. A part of us wants to hang on to what is being given, but I think that Spurgeon has given us the answer to that thought in this evenings devotion. First we have to overcome the barrier to giving: entitlement. "I’m entitled to keep this or that for myself, I’ve worked for it!" We are entitled to nothing before our God, and all we have is a gift. We may have worked, but we were enabled to work—it is by God’s grace that we could work at all. But even though the very gain is given God allows us to keep a portion of what is given—something that He is in no way obligated to do. Out of this grace God breeds love into the heart of the believer and that believer is made happy to give back what is already rightfully Gods. And God looks down on that believer with a heart full of joy. May our love for God increase! And with it may our hearts be brought to count the entire world as nothing compared to the glorious grace we have in our heavenly Father.

We are His, and all that we have, for He has purchased us unto Himself—can we act as if we were our own? O for more consecration! And to this end, O for more love! Blessed Jesus, how good it is of Thee to accept our sweet cane bought with money! Nothing is too costly as a tribute to Thine unrivalled love, and yet Thou dost receive with favour the smallest sincere token of affection!

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

The Lord can use this morning's devotion to encourage anybody who is in the midst of trials and tribulations. Yesterday, you may have been ready to climb a mountain, but today, you are fighting for joy and for explanations for your difficulties. We are encouraged this morning to trust in our God who is sovereign over every detail of our lives. Spurgeon says that even our sorrows are a part of His plan. When we mediate on God's power over all things and God's unending love for His people, we are encouraged and the weight of our fear is lightened. May God help us to trust Him and depend upon Him as we find ourselves in the midst of the fire.

In this evening's devotion, we are encouraged to look upon Christ, meditate upon His perfections, and find ourselves in a state of worship and awe.
Spurgeon says,

"Is it not unspeakably delightful to view the Saviour in all His offices, and to perceive Him matchless in each?—to shift the kaleidoscope, as it were, and to find fresh combinations of peerless graces?"

May God help us today to look upon all of the offices, attributes, or perfections of Christ and find unspeakable delight. As I think on the character of God at this moment...there is unspeakable joy in that I know Him and have been made His beloved. I pray that we all might have several moments throughout this day to find ourselves in a place of unspeakable delight!

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

MORNING:

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.—1 Peter 2:3

Spurgeon's exhortation in this morning's devotion calls believers to know their assurance for salvation, in Christ. Not in their works, but by tasting that the Lord is gracious. In knowing that it is by grace that we are saved.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.—Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

But the Apostle Peter takes this even a step further in his second epistle, where he writes,

...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.—2 Peter 3:18 NKJV

Peter wrote this to believers. He is exhorting us to grow in God's grace. God's grace is more than the initial pardon of sin, otherwise this statement would make no sense, since the readers are already believers. God's grace is immeasureable. Contextually, this statement is linked with growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus. It is also right after telling the readers to consider Paul's letter to them, as Peter categorizes Paul's letters as Scripture. So from this I think we can safely deduce that one method of growing in the grace of God is through the reading and application of the Holy Scriptures to our daily lives.

So let us both be assured of our relationship with Christ through His grace, and continue to grow in that grace each day to live as He would have us do.

EVENING:

There is corn in Egypt.—Genesis 42:2

The story of Joseph has been on of my favorite stories since I first started reading the Bible. I first read it before I was saved, and I was 17 or 18 years old. What struck me then was the love of God for Joseph. Over the years as I re-read the story many times, I have come far more to appreciate the sovereignty of God in this entire story. From start to finish, God is in control of the situation.

Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.—Gen 50:18-21 NKJV

Joseph here is speaking directly about the context of Spurgeon's evening devotional. God sovereignly arranged all the events in Joseph's life from his brothers' betrayal to their bowing before him, in part to provide food for their family in the great famine. His brothers' motives were evil, but God's motives were of course pure and good. I wish I could look into Joseph's heart in those intervening years. Did he doubt God, as I do when I am going through hard times. Was he angry with God, as many people are when things don't go right. Did the words "Why me!" ever come from his mouth (in Hebrew of course)!

We don't know for sure, but we do know that the Holy Spirit has recounted to us these events in Joseph's life as an exhortation to trust in God, even in the most dire circumstances. Knowing that whatever we face, it is ultimately in His hands.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.—Romans 8:28 NKJV

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible
MORNING
"Steadfast Love", how can it be that God would go to such great lengths to demonstrate His Love for us? Our Lord and Master lavishes us with gifts! Listen to the prose of the Prince of Preachers: "The golden coins of His grace"; "with smiles He speaks"; "what embraces of affection"; "He gives generally without holding back"; "no hint that we are bothersome to Him"; "He rejoices in His mercy"; "He is pouring out His life for us". "Taste and know the blessedness of it all".

In a fallen world it is easy to fall prey to the whiles of the devil, the corruptness of this fallen world, or the selfishness of the flesh and feel guilty and condemned. It doesn't matter how we feel, He still loves us! Is it possible to understand the height, depth, width, breadth and magnitude of this love? It melts a stony heart and sets the captive free. I need more and more of this blessed assurance! I'm hungry for it and incredibly thankful for it!

EVENING
This evening's devotion continues the themes expressed in the morning devotion. God's Love "leads us to exercise a more simple faith but we have not learned to trust like Abraham". Abraham simply believed God! Why is it so hard for us?

The beauty of this relationship is that God isn't fickle like us, He persists in His purpose to conform us to His Son. His purposes will never be disappointed! We choose moment by moment how we will respond to His Love and as a consequence enjoy the sweet communion of fellowship with the Almighty or His loving correction if we choose to resist His amazing grace. Reflecting on this reality I see the futility of resisting grace. God is Sovereign and His Will be done on earth as it is in heaven! Surrender is the only logical choice. I wonder if the songwriter who wrote the lyrics "I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Jesus I surrender, I surrender all" came to the same conclusion? May we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and trust Him to complete in us the work He began the hour we first believed! Thank you Jesus!

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

"I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth." — Ecclesiastes 10:7

Depending on Christ and being humble are the greatest tasks of the believer. I don't much more to say other than look to Christ and need Him every second of every day so that are priorities are set right.

"And he requested for himself that he might die." — 1 Kings 19:4

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Ephesians 3:20. I am so excited to know that God is all knowing and all powerful. It is the most comforting thing to know that our God is not only able to do all things but has the knowledge to do what is best for His glory and for our Joy. So many times in my life I see that my prayer was not the best thing for me or for God's glory and praise Him that He saw fit to do His own will and not my own.

I hope and pray that everyone had a great weekend. Cindy and I missed all of you yesterday at the All Church Meeting. We pray that it went well and can't wait to hear about the fruit that God has blessed all of us with.

I am encouraged by our devotion today, especially this evening's devotion. A very short and simple word, "Afterward"- Hebrews 12:11. Simple, but to Christians we can rejoice in it, for God has given us so much to look forward to after our life here on Earth.

I think it is important to look at this passage during all trying times, whether it is a great challenge, or we are struggling with our sins, or we are suffering alongside one of our Christian family members. No matter what it may be, there is something that God has prepared for us Afterward. After the pain, the tears, the sweat, the battle, God has given us victory in the end.

Think of the last time you went through something so difficult that you thought nothing good would come out of it, or you couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel, or wondered why God was putting you through this. And after it was over, what did you think? Did you rejoice in what God did through it all? Was the end result Afterward victorious?

Spurgeon puts it well in the last part of this devotion. Who would not bear the present cross for the crown which cometh afterward? Who would not be a Christian if they only knew the joys that it would bring? We can rest in these promises of our King, and the best has yet to come.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible


I love one of Spurgeon's statements in this morning's devotion, "As the King can never die, so His grace can never fail." My heart rejoices this morning in the God of my salvation... the God of sovereign, eternal grace. His mercies are new this morning and I am in awe of His ways.

How can I better praise Him? He is worthy of ceaseless praise and gratitude for the incredible things He has done!

How shall my soul extol Him who daily loadeth us with benefits, and who crowneth us with loving-kindness? O that my praise could be as ceaseless as His bounty!

We are reminded this evening of our Lord's sovereign control over our lives.

The Lord has His own sovereign modes of action: He is not tied to manner and time as we are, but doeth as He pleases among the sons of men. It is ours thankfully to receive from Him, and not to dictate to Him.

Christ not only provides for us... he does it abundantly. We plead to Him and He answers as He sees fit... according to the counsel of His own will. But one thing is sure... our God does not hold back from blessing His children!

We must also notice the remarkable abundance of the supply —there was enough for the need of all. And so it is in the gospel blessing; all the wants of the congregation and of the entire church shall be met by the divine power in answer to prayer; and above all this, victory shall be speedily given to the armies of the Lord.

So as Spurgeon exhorts us... let us be ready to receive the blessing that God is so willing to bestow.

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Morning:"All that believe are justified." - Acts 13:39

Charles Spurgeon encourages us with a joyful message today: that not only have we been justified before the throne of God - made right - as it were, through faith in the Christ, but we have been justified today - this very day!

We are now—even now pardoned; even now are our sins put away; even now we stand in the sight of God accepted, as though we had never been guilty. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." [Romans 8:1]

It is a sweet thought, that though I have experienced much sin and many failings, and can observe their impact on my friends and family, I am not condemned by the living God.

He loves and accepts me!

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. - [Ephesians 1:5-6 NKJV]

What do we 'do' with this wonderful knowledge, this joy of joys? Spurgeon exhorts us:

Let present privilege awaken us to present duty, and now, while life lasts, let us spend and be spent for our sweet Lord Jesus.

In the full text of this morning's verse, we read:

and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. - [Acts 13:39 NKJV]

A Jewish man or woman walking under the law of Moses, seeking with a humble heart to follow all of the Law, would testify to an observer that they took the Law seriously, that they revered it, that they knew it came from Father God, and that they knew they were the representative to the Gentile nations of God's love and provision to His people through His perfect Law. They would know that though they might, and would fail, that there was no fault in the Law.

How much more should we represent our loving God, who have been made free of the law of sin and death through faith in Jesus?

Let us declare Him in our lives, let us revere Him, and represent Him well! Not under any burden of the law, but let the love of Christ compel us!


Evening:"Made perfect." - Hebrews 12:23

Spurgeon's writings always seem to me sweeter in the evenings. My experience with the Morning and Evening devotional is that it is harder for me to add anything, or even comment on Spurgeon's Evening devotional. I just want to quote it, because it is so good and sweet! I just want to exhort us to read it once more!

He exhorts us to consider the ongoing sanctification process, either with the Evening text, or perhaps we could quote another good one too (always good to add more Bible text!)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. - [2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV]

Spurgeon exhorts us to not be content with our current imperfection, not to rest on the thought that we are going to be made perfect when God finishes the work He has begun in us.

This is consistant with what we are told in Scripture:

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. - [1 John 3:2-3 NKJV]

The Lord gives us plenty of 'action verbs' in talking about our daily walk with Him:

"Be Holy!" "Walk worthy!" "purifies himself". Try searching for these phrases, one at a time, in the Blue Letter Bible.

The Christian walk is not a complacent walk. Nor is it a walk 'on our own'. It is a daily walk spending time in prayer, asking for the Lord's help, and praising Him that He supplies all our needs, and that He is able to subdue all things to Himself, even ourselves!

who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. - [Philippians 3:21 NKJV]

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

"Joint heirs with Christ." — Romans 8:17

What an incredible reminder of what exactly it means to be, "Joint heirs with Christ." For us, this should not be so much the thought of being lavished with the extravagance noted by Spurgeon in this morning's devotion, but the thought of being in the presence of the almighty God as the pain and suffering of this world is no more.

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev 21: 4

It is apparent that we will be so much more than just passive tenants just occupying the Kingdom of Heaven.

"And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one." John 17: 22 "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full." John 15: 1

Spurgeon is reminding us that our hope can't be dependent on the possessions or experiences of this world. If we are seeking joy apart from the promises of what lies ahead then our joy will be shallow and short lived. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and [that] your joy might be full." John 15: 11.

These things are revealed to us in order that we may ponder them and thus have the joy that only our Savior can provide.
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Evening

"He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom." — Isaiah 40:11

The theme of the morning devotion continues in the evening devotion that we find both comforting and humbling at the same time. Comforting because Spurgeon reminds us that we are truly in the hands of God. Humbling because he reminds us of our weakness outside of Christ.

"Why doth He carry the lambs in His bosom? Because He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts His heart."

The "Footsteps" poem, while commonly quoted by Christians in times of trial, maybe a bit misleading in that I don't read in scripture where God ever sets us down.

Spurgeon wants us to understand depth of our position in Christ when he reminds us, "Here is perfect safety: in His bosom who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort".

There may be times where we feel God's presence more than others; let us dwell on, then take rest in the fact that we are always in the arms of Jesus.

Good Day!

(click to hear this mornings devo)

(click to hear this evenings devo)

What a sweet blessing it is to know the promise of scripture that Christ will return. Though many of us continue in this life as though it is not really going to happen. Yet when we hold dear to that sweet promise that God has revealed to us through his word we are strengthened with it's anticipation and the hope of his return purifies us.

2)Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
(1John 3:2-3)

They are very different; the life that is lived as though Christ will never return, and the life that is lived in the hope of His coming.

Think of a loved one who is away for years becoming a war hero. How silly would it be if there were no preparation for his return?
Therefore christian, ever be preparing your hearts and may we eagerly await his coming, knowing that this life and all it's trials now are but temporary. But when our savior returns all things will be forever.

May we ever live in preparation of his return and may God ever be our portion.

-jeff paisano

In this morning's devotion, we see that the Lord at times manifests Himself to us, believers, in such a way that we find ourselves in a place of humility and in a state of joy. I do not believe that we as believers should be looking for visible manifestations of Christ to us, but rather, earnestly desiring to find ourselves basking in sweet communion with Him. We are never to look for new revelation, but recognize that God joyfully meets us and speaks to us through the confirming perfect revelation of His Word. God's Word is complete. And God can use circumstances, the Body of Christ, and the perfect and complete revelation of His word to bring us into a place of sweet and intimate communion with Him.

As we look to this evenings devotion, I am so thankful to know that God is always with me, leading and guiding me in every area of my life. There are times when the Lord calls us to a place, a particular ministry, or to a work that seems so great that we feel totally insufficient for such a calling. For me, whether it be serving as a husband, a father, a minister, or a friend, I know that I am unable to do any of it except by the grace of God. Be encouraged, as I am in the midst of difficult and stressful times, God's calling is His enabling.

Pastor Kevin Otsuji

The Scripture text for the morning's devotional is one that should be very encouraging to us. A promise from our LORD and Savior,

I am with you alway.—Matthew 28:20

The LORD spoke similar words to Joshua before the conquest of the Promised Land.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.—Joshua 1:5

The LORD was the One who was with the Israelites during their conquest. The battles were won not because of their superior numbers nor their superior skill. Rather, because the LORD God had chosen them as His nation. The morning and evening devotions and their respective portions of Scripture, show us about the LORD's love for His people and that our lives should be immersed in Him, loving Him, trusting Him and casting all our cares upon Him.

Let us come to the place where our joy is fulfilled in Him, knowing that we were the joy set before Him. When our joy is in Him, then if our circumstances are hard, they will seem less so. For this is truly a fleeting moment. We will be with Him in fulness.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

MORNING
So much is tied to the bodily resurrection of Christ, in fact as Paul points out "if Christ did not rise from the grave then our preaching and faith is in vain and we are miserable souls". The resurrection validates His Divinity, His Sovereignty, our justification, our regeneration, and our ultimate resurrection. Christ alone! I wasn't there but the Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit that what is revealed in His Word is true. I can't prove it but I believe it! He is risen!

EVENING
Tonight we get a glimpse of the relationship Spurgeon had with God and a challenge to us of what is possible when we embrace the only Son of the Father full of grace and truth. I can only agree with Spurgeon, "He had done for me what only God could do." Subdued my stubborn will, melted my rebellious heart, turned my mourning to laughter, set me free, and made my heart rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."

His grace and truth challenge me constantly. I am wretched, I know it! My heart is deceitful and desperately wicked and I can't know it. I have sinned and fallen short of His glory. Even my self righteousness is as "filthy rags". Yet He won't leave me or forsake me! He continues to pour out His love, grace and mercy and assures me that I am justified by faith! Without Him, I can do nothing. My soul tonight sings, wonderful grace that gives what I don't deserve, gives me what Christ deserves, let's me go free. And all that I am I lay at the feet of the wonderful Savior who loves me!" I love you Lord!!!!

"Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings." — Ephesians 1:3

I have to say that we do not even fathom the greatness of this statement and will forever be in awe of its consequences for all eternity. A statement like this should bring us to the highest place of thanksgiving and praise. The first word "all" means that we have everything that christ has, is and was for us as we look to Him and trust in Him for salvation. It is hard for me to separate this statement from the fact that we have been made sons of God. 1 John 3:1. It is because of this sonship that we have all the blessings that we could ever imagine in Christ. Perfect obedience and the consequences of that obedience, forgiveness, righteousness, Communion, Fellowship, everlasting love, the right to be heirs of God, love, joy, peace, hope and I could go on for a whole page but we have the blessing to live with the eternal God in joy for all of eternity. I believe that greatest blessing of all is that we have communion with God. I say greatest in that all the other blessing have brought about the fact that we commune with the living eternal God and have access with boldness to Him through Christ. Commune with Him! Enjoy this and and take time each day to be happy in God and enjoy his presence and working in our lives.

"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field . . . let us see if the vine flourish." — Song 7:11,12

I have to say that as I read this devotion from Spurgeon, I had a hard time linking the two together. The point he was making is that as we labor for Christ we are to be very guarded about not doing it apart from close communion with Christ. I agree with that whole heartedly but still had a tough time to make this connection. If you have any thoughts please help me out. With that said, I do see such a tendency to work hard for Christ without actually working with Christ. If we are doing anything apart from close communion with Him in all that we do we will be fruitless. I think that the most important task for us everyday is to commune and fellowship with God personally and let that communion give us direction for what we are doing for Him. First, spend time with God, relish in the Gospel, depend on Him and when that is taking place you will find yourself joyfully bearing fruit with God. Go into the field with Jesus!

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Morning: "He that was healed wist not who it was." - John 5:13

There is life in this chapter of the Book of John. Eternal life, at that, for we learn from scripture what is eternal life:

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. - [John 17:3 NKJV]

And I marvel at this eternal life, from the living God Who died for my sins, was buried, and rose on the third day.

The living God Who is much loved by the Father, Who gives newness of life to all who believe, Who could judge me, but instead gives me everlasting life, Who promises to those who believe in Him that they will not come into judgment, and have passed from death into life.

There is great rest in these promises, and much contentedness, and much joy, and we respond in love to the One who loved, and loves us, first.

I have read this story many times, but tonight as I prepared my blog entry it was as if I read it for the first time, seeing a God Who loves me and forgives me and gives me eternal life. I want to praise Him and worship Him.

This chapter also tells a story, of the lame man, who was first healed, and yet knew not that the only Son of God had healed him. He met Him not through this great miracle, and could not even testify of Him, when asked who it was. Instead, he met the Lord through conviction of sin. In the next verse, this man who knew not the Lord, under conviction of sin, knew Jesus, or Jehoshuah in the Hebrew, "God is Salvation".

And this is Spurgeon's point: that as we seek to know Him, He gifts us with this knowledge, that we may testify of Him Who saved us.

Let us join Spurgeon in prayer, as he asks

Lord, if Thou hast saved me, show me Thyself, that I may declare Thee to the sons of men.

Evening: "Acquaint now thyself with Him." - Job 22:21

And please add the next verse in Job 22:

Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, And lay up His words in your heart.

Could I ask you not to read my ruminations on the "Trinity in Unity", but just to reread Spurgeon's evening devotional? I could better exhort you by copying out Spurgeon's thoughts, as they minister to me so much.

Let us know Him, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and testify of Him in our lives and thoughts and words.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Today's devotions will lift our souls! It was such a blessing to meditate on the truths found in them. My life sometimes feels like it's going 100mph... so it is incredibly restful to stop and reflect on my life in Christ and the sure hope of heaven.

This morning the focus is on dwelling in Christ.

Believer: thrice happy art thou to have such a dwelling-place! Greatly privileged thou art, for thou hast a "strong habitation" in which thou art ever safe. And "dwelling in Him," thou hast not only a perfect and secure house, but an everlasting one. When this world shall have melted like a dream, our house shall live, and stand more imperishable than marble, more solid than granite, self-existent as God, for it is God Himself—"We dwell in Him."

Christ is not only the One we seek to please and glorify with our lives... the truth is, He is our life!! He is our sure foundation and sabbath rest. We are secure in Him and in Him alone.

This evening the focus is on waiting patiently for Christ to take us home. I am not the most patient person, so this exhortation hits home for me.

A little stay on earth will make heaven more heavenly. Nothing makes rest so sweet as toil; nothing renders security so pleasant as exposure to alarms. The bitter quassia cups of earth will give a relish to the new wine which sparkles in the golden bowls of glory. Our battered armour and scarred countenances will render more illustrious our victory above, when we are welcomed to the seats of those who have overcome the world.

Oh, that my mind would think like this more often. Though trials come and hardship might be just around the corner... heaven awaits, my Savior is there!

We are God's workmanship, in whom He will be glorified by our afflictions. It is for the honour of Jesus that we endure the trial of our faith with sacred joy....... Our time is fixed and settled by eternal decree. Let us not be anxious about it, but wait with patience till the gates of pearl shall open.

Our Sovereign God Reigns!!

I will be their God, and they shall be my people." - 2 Corinthians 6:16

We shall rejoice in this promise that God has given us. For it is only reserved for those who believe in Him and those He has chosen. It is all His as Spurgeon points out, everything. All the children of men He reigns over, but it is only those who He has purchased to Himself, He does not say this of the others. My People, this is so special to us because of all He has done for us. We belong to Him. Spurgeon writes, the He has done more for us than the others.

He has bought us with His blood.

He has set His great heart upon us.

He has loved us with an everlasting love.

Spurgeon's prayer for us is that we see ourselves in that number. Do you? Can you call on Him and love Him with all of your heart, mind and soul? Of course we fall short of that daily. Our relationship with our Lord should be greater than any other. Just as His is greater with us, as he has called us to be His children. Oh what a blessing to be called a child of God, not because I wanted it, but because he sought me out, He found me at the depths of this world and pulled me out of the mess, and He clenched me in His arms. Oh I praise Him for that and call Him my Father. Thank you dear Lord for saving me. Amen.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Morning:

Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods." — Jeremiah 16:20

How does Spurgeon know me so well that he is able to write about what plagues me in such detail? The man has never met me! This morning he forces me to confront my own hypocrisy as he points out that, "I pity the poor heathen who adore a god of stone, and yet (I) worship a god of gold. Where is the vast superiority between a god of flesh and one of wood? The principle, the sin, the folly is the same in either case, only that in mine the crime is more aggravated because I have more light."

Thankfully Spurgeon also gives us the answer as to how this issue of covetousness and pride can be overcome.

"May the Lord purge us all from this grievous iniquity!"

Our lives are not pure gold by any means. God's desire is that we be holy as He is holy. That means there are things that need to be removed from our lives. God's intent is not to destroy us but to purify us. Sometimes His method is akin to the intense heat of the refiner's fire.

The good news is that the Lord will do the work within us.

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.—Romans 7:24-25

Let us be honest enough with ourselves to recognize these things in our hearts. Any attempt to conquer these issues in our own strength will surely fail. We need only look to the Lord and trust that He will purge us from all this grievous iniquity.

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Evening:


"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible."—1 Peter 1:2

This evening Spurgeon is calling us to live a life of holiness. He exhorts us to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and glorifies Him. Spurgeon does so by reminding us what we have as Christians.

"What is a Christian? If you compare him with a king, he adds priestly sanctity to royal dignity. The king's royalty often lieth only in his crown, but with a Christian it is infused into his inmost nature. He is as much above his fellows through his new birth, as a man is above the beast that perisheth. Surely he ought to carry himself, in all his dealings, as one who is not of the multitude, but chosen out of the world, distinguished by sovereign grace, written among "the peculiar people" and who therefore cannot grovel in the dust as others, nor live after the manner of the world's citizens."

What does it mean to be holy? This may seem to be a daunting goal to aspire to but read J.C. Ryles definition of holiness and you will find that you may very well be in the zone.

http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/h03.htm)

A). Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture.

B). A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin and to keep every known commandment.

C). A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. He will not only live the life of faith in Him and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength, but he will also labor to have the mind that was in Him and to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29).

Are these the desires of your heart? Notice that in his definition holiness is not perfection as it relates to these goals. Each indicates a desire on the part of the individual, "strive to be like," and "endeavor to shun." It is painful when we miss the mark but rest easy in that Christ fills the gap until that day that we escape these burdensome bodies.

Labels: Devotional, Morning and Evening, Spurgeon

Spurgeon begins by saying, "It is a sweet and blessed event which will occur to all believers in God's own time--the going home to be with Jesus." "The sweet and blessed event!" Only the Christian, who has the blessed hope of Jesus Christ can say such a thing about death. In God's perfect timing (not a minute too late, or a moment too soon), we will see the face of Christ. Over 100 years ago, the Lord took Charles Spurgeon, and eventually all in his audience who had faith in Christ, home to spend eternity in the joy of the Lord.

Christ does not pray for us to immediately be with Him in heaven, but in God's perfect timing, when God's calling on our lives here on earth is complete, at that moment, the Lord will take us home. When we long to be at rest in heaven, it is a joy to know that we can rest in His perfect timing for our departure. When we fear the day of our departure getting nearer, we can rest that God will not take us a moment too soon. The Lord knows the number of our days!

This morning at the Reverence Bible Church Men's Fellowship, we studied the life of our father of faith, Abraham. It was the faith of Abraham that made him righteous. Pastor Bill Acton made a wonderful comment this morning saying, "It is not the measure of our faith that determines our salvation, it is the object of our faith that matters." The object of our faith is Christ...and He is sufficient for all our needs. He is all powerful...and perfectly good. The object of our faith can be trusted. Therefore, with reference to our evening devotion, we can praise God that we die with the object of our faith being Christ Jesus our Lord.