Daily Devotions April 29th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

FORGET AND FORGIVE

 

 

"Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee" Proverbs 20:22

 

Be not in haste. Let anger cool down. Say nothing and do nothing to avenge yourself. You will be sure to act unwisely if you take up the cudgels and fight your own battles; and, certainly, you will not show the spirit of the Lord Jesus. It is nobler to forgive, and let the offense pass. To let an injury rankle in your bosom, and to meditate revenge, is to keep old wounds open, and to make new ones. Better forget and forgive.

 

Peradventure, you say that you must do something or be a great loser; then do what this morning’s promise advises: "Wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee." This advice will not cost you money, but is worth far more. Be calm and quiet. Wait upon the Lord: tell Him your grievance: spread Rabshakeh’s letter before the Lord, and this of itself will be an ease to your burdened mind. Besides, there is the promise, "He shall save thee." God will find a way of deliverance for you. How He will do it neither you nor I can guess, but do it He will. If the Lord save you, this will be a deal better than getting into petty quarrels, and covering yourself with filth by wrestling with the unclean. Be no more angry. Leave your suit with the Judge of all.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me

Isaiah 49:23

Quiet waiting before God would save from many a mistake and from many a sorrow.

J. Hudson Taylor

A dead dog sinner!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    (David Eddmenson)

Upon arriving to services one Wednesday evening to my surprise there was an old, mangy, rejected, and forsaken dog sitting on the front porch of the church building. I was appalled and repulsed at the dog's sad appearance and horrible condition. This poor creature was in bad shape, yet all I can remember thinking was, "I wish this dog would go away."

I am so grateful that when my merciful, gracious, and compassionate Savior looked upon me, that His attitude was not like mine. "What is Your servant, that You should look upon such a dead dog as I am?" In my sight that poor dog was in bad shape--but how much worse do I, a dead dog sinner appear in God's sight?

"Christ died for the ungodly!" Romans 5:6

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 29, 2016

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. (Psalm 145:15-16)

The Lord promises to provide for all of our needs (cf. Matthew 6:26). He gives us everything that we ask of Him as long as it is according to His will (cf. Philippians 4:19 and James 4:3). He is our good Father and will ever seek our welfare!

Daily Devotions April 28th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

IT BECOMES MUTUAL

 

"I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" 2Corinthians 6:16

 

Here is a mutual interest. Each belongs to each. God is the portion of His people, and the chosen people are the portion of their God. The saints find in God their chief possession, and He reckons them to be His peculiar treasure. What a mine of comfort lies in this fact for each believer!

 

This happy condition of mutual interest leads to mutual consideration. God will always think of His own people, and they will always think of Him. This day my God will perform all things for me; what can I do for Him? My thoughts ought to run toward Him, for He thinketh upon me. Let me make sure that it is so, and not be content with merely admitting that so it ought to be.

 

This, again, leads to mutual fellowship. God dwells in us, and we dwell in Him; He walks with us and we walk with God. Happy communion this!

 

Oh, for grace to treat the Lord as my God: to trust Him and to serve Him, as His Godhead deserves! Oh, that I could love, worship, adore, and obey Jehovah in spirit and in truth! this is my heart’s desire. When I shall attain to it, I shall have found my Heaven. Lord, help me! Be my God in helping me to know thee as my God, for Jesus’ sake.

 

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

To him be glory both now and forever

2 Peter 3:18

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 forever.”

C. H. Spurgeon

 

If God withheld His mercy

  ~  ~  ~  ~

    (George Lawson, "A Practical Exposition of the Book of Proverbs" 1821)

The holiest of men need preservation from the worst sins, for they are conscious that they might fall into the deepest mire of iniquity--if God withheld His mercy.

"Hold  me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 28, 2016

But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28)

Praises everlasting for that most wondrous of gifts: a man who could hear the word of God and keep it! Sing thanks unto the Lord that by His Son's obedience to God's holy law, even unto death, the eternal blessings of the Lord might now fall upon His people. How fortunate are we become, those who serve the Lord in the faith of righteousness! Rejoice, O people, and sing evermore His mighty praise.

 

Daily Devotions April 27th

Faith’s Check Book

 

GOD FINISHES HIS WORK

 

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" Psalms 138:8

 

He who has begun will carry on the work which is being wrought within my soul. The Lord is concerned about everything that concerns me. All that is now good, but not perfect, the Lord will watch over, and preserve, and carry out to completion. This is a great comfort. I could not perfect the work of grace myself. Of that I am quite sure, for I fail every day, and have only held on so long as I have because the Lord has helped me. If the Lord were to leave me, all my past experience would go for nothing, and I should perish from the way. But the Lord will continue to bless me. He will perfect my faith, my love, my character, my life-work. He will do this because He has begun a work in me. He gave me the concern I feel, and, in a measure, He has fulfilled my gracious aspirations. He never leaves a work unfinished; this would not be for His glory, nor would it be like Him. He knows how to accomplish His gracious design, and though my own evil nature and the world, and the devil, all conspire to hinder Him, I do not doubt His promise. He will perfect that which concerneth me, and I will praise Him for ever. Lord, let thy gracious work make some advance this day!

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

He … said … I … hid thy talent in the earth.… His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant

Matt. 25:24–26

Between the great things we cannot do and the small things we will not do, the danger is that we shall do nothing.

Monod

The devil's chapel!

~  ~  ~  ~

      (William S. Plumer, "The Ten Commandments")

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"The theater is an evil place. In this vortex of vice--
  the first step is to the theater,
  the next is to the bar,
  the next is to lewd company,
  the next is to the brothel,
  the next is to disease,
  the next is to death, and
  the last step is to HELL!"

Augustine: "Stage-plays are the subverters of goodness and honesty--the destroyers of all modesty and chastity."

 

Bernard: "All true soldiers of Jesus Christ abominate and reject all stage-plays, as vanities and false frenzies."

Seneca: "Nothing is so destructive of good manners or morals--as attendance on the theater."

Gregory Nazianzen: "Play-houses are the lascivious shops of all filthiness and impurity."

Tillotson: "The play-house is the devil's chapel, a nursery of licentiousness and vice; a recreation which ought not to be allowed among a civilized nation, much less a Christian people."

The American Congress, October 12th, 1778: "Whereas, true religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness: Resolved, that it be, and is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States--to take the most effectual means for the suppressing of theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions, as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners."

[Editor's note: One can only imagine what the above authors would say about much of the debased media which professing Christians now amuse themselves with!]

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Devotions April 26, 2016

 

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

GRACIOUS DEALING

 

"And the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest" Deuteronomy 15:18

 

An Israelitish master was to give his bondservant liberty in due time, and when he left his service he was to start him in life with a liberal portion. This was to be done heartily and cheerfully, and then the Lord promised to bless the generous act. The spirit of this precept, and, indeed, the whole law of Christ, binds us to treat work-people well. We ought to remember how the Lord has dealt with us, and that this renders it absolutely needful that we should deal graciously with others. It becomes those to be generous who are the children of a gracious God. How can we expect our great Master to bless us in our business if we oppress those who serve us?

 

What a benediction is here set before the liberal mind! To be blessed in all that we do is to be blessed indeed. The Lord will send us this partly in prosperity, partly in content of mind, and partly in a sense of His favor, which is the best of all blessings. He can make us feel that we are under His special care, and are surrounded by His peculiar love. This makes this earthly life a joyous prelude to the life to come. God’s blessing is more than a fortune. It maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow therewith.

 

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Consider how great things he hath done for you

1 Sam. 12:24

Look back on all the way the Lord your God has led you. Do you not see it dotted with ten thousand blessings in disguise? Call to mind the needed succor sent at the critical moment: the right way chosen for you, instead of the wrong way you had chosen for yourself; the hurtful thing to which your heart so fondly clung, removed out of your path; the breathing-time granted, which your tried and struggling spirit just at the moment needed. Oh, has not Jesus stood at your side when you knew it not? Has not Infinite Love encircled every event with its everlasting arms, and gilded every cloud with its merciful lining? Oh, retrace your steps, and mark His footprint in each one! Thank Him for them all, and learn the needed lesson of leaning more simply on Jesus.

F. Whitfield

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 26, 2016

For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

You may weep and you may mourn over the troubles of this life, but know this you believers: your weeping will last only a night—for the smallest portion of your life. Once your joy is restored, those times of sadness and despair will seem only the briefest of moments. This life can be seen as a time of weeping; but when compared with the joy of eternity, our suffering seems slight and insignificant indeed. Praise the Lord that He is soon coming!

Daily Devotions April 25th

 

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

WHAT TO LEAVE CHILDREN

 

 

"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him" Proverbs 20:7

 

Anxiety about our family is natural, but we shall be wise if we turn it into care about our own character. If we walk before the Lord in integrity, we shall do more to bless our descendants than if we bequeathed them large estates. A father’s holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.

 

The upright man leaves his heirs his example, and this in itself will be a mine of true wealth. How many men may trace their success in life to the example of their parents!

 

He leaves them also his repute. Men think all the better of us as the sons of a man who could be trusted, the successors of a tradesman of excellent repute. Oh, that all young men were anxious to keep up the family name!

 

Above all, he leaves his children his prayers and the blessing of a prayer-hearing God, and these make our offspring to be favored among the sons of men. God will save them even after we are dead. Oh, that they might be saved at once!

 

Our integrity may be God’s means of saving our sons and daughters. If they see the truth of our religion proved by our lives, it may be that they will believe in Jesus for themselves. Lord, fulfill this word to my household!

 

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee

Isaiah 41:13

Don’t try to hold God’s hand; let Him hold yours. Let Him do the holding, and you do the trusting.

H. W. Webb-Peploe

Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church "Where The Truths Of God’s Word Have Been Taught For More Than Fifty-Four Years” 1217 Dillon Texarkana, Texas 75501 April 24, 2016            Newsletter Number 563 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                          Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                                 web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Believing And Standing On The Truth, As The Holy Spirit Has Taught It.”

Our Prayer Request: All of Our Military, Their Family’s & All the Civilian Workers in The Middle East, Zee Mink Fuller and Family, Her son’s Bryan Armstrong and Hunter Hackie, Daughter Shannon, and Brother Philip & Sondra Thornsberry,  Johnnie Stephens, Alecia Stephens, and children, Frankie Baldridge and daughter, Buckie Thompson, Frank & Sonya Trusty, Frank & Dawana Reigel, Andrew Preston, Larry & Martha Mollette and Her Family, Ted O'Bonion, Larry Mollette II & Family, Kerry Pennington, Kim Poole, Danny & Nita Mollette, The Muncy Family,  Wendell Henderson, Joshua Kidd, Matthew Kidd, Ronnie and Sarah Henderson, Cindy Lane, Ronnie Henderson Jr. & Children, Ricky Henderson and Family, Jacie Henderson, Velma Hammond, Charles, Don Hammond and Families, Vickie Adkins, Archie & Barbara Griffin, Donna Johnson, James and Luann Reynolds, Timothy Fails, Nathan Fails, Jacob Ramsey, Jerry Hughes, Pastor G. L. Burr, Melody Carr, Janie Capps, Imajo Tracy, Linda Hughes, Roy Lemmon, Rosie Tomlin, James and Lynn Tomlin, Pat Abercrombie, Donna Jones, Brandy Sullivan, Gina, Tammy Hairston and family, Brother Kelley and Sister Hinson, Manual Seymour, Sr, Dewayne Sewell, The Harris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Brother Harold & Ann McSwain, Brother Curtis Pugh, Brother Dan Sullivan and the work in Thailand, Brother Raul and the work in Romania, and Bro. Sergey Mochalov and the Churches in Russia.

A Thought From our Pastor:   “Standing Up To Satan.” "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11   I would like to draw your attention to the subject of Satan and this world if I can. We have reached a very critical point in the world today, but more so in America. As Christians we believe the world is quickly approaching the Tribulation Period. While it is true we have no idea when the Lord will return and the Tribulation of God on this world will began, the signs all point to that coming day. It seems that America is truly worsening with the passing of each twenty-four-hour day. The political correctness of our time and the demonization of everything scripture and true must lead us to believe that this world is falling deeper into Satan’s control with the passing of every minute that ticks on the clock. God promised that the world would get worse and worse and would never correct itself, or repent and turn to God. God has total forgiveness for those who repent and turn to Him in admission and for forgiveness, but we are not going to see America do this. We see the times truly turning to things some of us never thought we would see. We have approved the murder of our unborn children, we have approved homosexual acts and marriage as though they are equal to men and women, we have reached the point where a man can act or dress as a woman and use the same restroom as our children of opposite sex. America have demonized everything Godly and everything biblical to the point that people are shamed to disgrace if they dare speak-up against these things. American is on the verge of turning Socialist which is one step from Communism. It matters not who is elected President next November, this transformation will not ever be stopped. God could stop it, but why would He, it is His predestined plan. God warned us in 1 John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” the word means not to be surprised, and we have reached that point of hate. However, it hated our Lord before it hated us, therefore we are in good company. I believe the world and America are going to worsen as time moves on. It might reach the point where there is true persecution in America as we have seen in history. Where people are killed in very horrible ways if they fail to recant Jesus Christ. As time moves on hour by hour we see the false religionist of Christianity moving farther away from the scriptures and more alignment with the hatred for God and love for Satan. Pastors selling out to the world for their love and money. So-called Christians and even some real Christians standing against God and what is biblically right. Where people are fired from their jobs for their disagreement, and others are demonized for standing for the scriptural truth. Folks, let’s face it, we live in a very hateful America. God tells us to put on the whole armor of God that we can stand the battle. Beloved, we must fight with the sword of the word and stand in the faith. God told us to continue “…doing the will of God from the heart;” Ephesians 6:6. Doing the will of God from the heart is doing it to please God because we cannot serve God and the flesh. Doing it from the heart means to put everything into it, as though we cannot fail. Beloved, do not falter because the fight, the war is too precious to the Lord our God. If we fall, if we fail, who is left to fight the good fight?  Do you have your armor on? Are you ready for the wiles of the Devil? We cannot win the battle if we are not.

GOD'S LOVE IN ACTIONBy Curtis Pugh Most every reader will be familiar with John 3:16 which tells of God's love for the world and how it caused Him to give His only son up to death. The disagreement comes as to the meaning of the word world since John uses it in seven different ways in his gospel. But that is not our subject in this little article.   The Word of God to Jeremiah was this: “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,”  (Jeremiah 31:3). Notice that God loves with an everlasting or never-ending love. God never ceases loving those whom He loves for if He did so He would change.  And change is unknown to Him. Notice also that because God loved those of whom He spoke, He had drawn them. God's love is not static! God's love is seen in His actions. The Lord Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day,” (John 6:44). So we may rightly conclude that those whom God loves He draws to Christ in a saving way, promising them a blessed resurrection.    Not only does God draw all those whom He loves, He also chastens or child-trains them. Christ, in His message to the church of the Laodiceans, said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent,” (Revelation 3:19). We may say that God does not spank the neighborhood children, but He spanks His own because He loves them. When one whom God loves receives a rebuke or a 'spanking' from the Lord, he or she knows it. To avoid severe child-training (unpleasant as it is) the child of God needs to repent: to change his direction: his way of living.   Another passage that tells us much the same thing is Hebrews 12:6-9: “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” Again we are assured that those whom God loves He chastens – 'spanks' – and deals with as His sons. We learn that God child-trains all His children and that those people who are not chastened by the Father are not true sons. Thus believers are encouraged to subject themselves unto God as a son to a Father. In this way they shall avoid severe 'spankings' from their Father.   In these verses we learn that God in love continues to deal with those whom He loves.

2 Timothy 4:17 - 18: "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion...And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 25, 2016

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)

The promise of salvation is a gift to the ones that believe on Christ. The Philippian jailor wanted to know how he could possibly be saved and the response from Paul and Silas was simple: believe on the Lord Jesus Christ unto salvation. And so it is! Our very eternal lives rest on the simplest of things—our belief in Christ's power to save us! Rejoice in such things as they are cause for much joy!

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 24, 2016

For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. (Psalm 149:4)

Who can measure the vast, unbounded love of the Lord? Ever is He swift to well up bountiful treasure unto His people! Though they be of the poor, the weak, the foolish, and the ugly, ever does He shower them with gifts unmerited. And even salvation! He makes such a humble people into His rich, powerful, wise, and beautiful bride! Hallelujah!

 

God's love-tokens!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

            (Thomas Brooks, "Mute Christian under the Smarting Rod" 1659)

"It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees!" Psalm 119:71

A gracious soul secretly concludes: As stars shine brightest in the night--so God will make my soul shine and glisten like gold, while I am in this furnace--and when I come out of the furnace of affliction. "He knows the way that I take; and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold!" Job 23:10
Surely, as the tasting of honey opened Jonathan's eyes--so this cross, this affliction, shall open my eyes. By this stroke, I shall come to have a clearer sight of my sins, and of myself, and a fuller sight of my God!

Surely this affliction shall proceed in the purging away of my dross!

As surely as plowing the ground kills the weeds, and harrowing breaks hard clods--so these afflictions shall kill my sins, and soften my heart!

As surely as the plaster draws out the infectious core--so the afflictions which are upon me shall draw out . . .
  the infectious core of pride,
  the infectious core of self-love,
  the infectious core of envy,
  the infectious core of earthliness,
  the infectious core of formality,
  the infectious core of hypocrisy!

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will crucify my heart more and more to the world--and the world to my heart!

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will keep pride from my soul!

Surely these afflictions are but the Lord's pruning-knives, by which he will bleed my sins, and prune my heart, and make it more fertile and fruitful. They are the means by which He will rid me of those spiritual diseases and maladies, which are most deadly and dangerous to my soul!

Affliction is such a potion, as will carry away all soul-diseases, better than all other remedies!

Surely by these afflictions, I shall be made more a partaker of God's holiness!

As black soap makes white clothes--so does sharp afflictions make holy hearts.

Surely by these, God will communicate more of Himself unto me!

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will draw out my heart more and more to seek Him! "In their afflictions they will seek me early!" Hosea 5:15. In times of affliction, Christians will industriously, speedily, early seek unto the Lord.

Surely by these trials and troubles, the Lord will fix my soul more than ever upon the great concernments of the eternal world!

Surely by these afflictions, the Lord will work in me more tenderness and compassion towards those who are afflicted!

Surely these afflictions are but God's love-tokens! "As many as I love--I rebuke and chasten!" Revelation 3:19. So says the holy Christian, "O my soul! be quiet, be still--all is sent in love, all is a fruit of divine favor."

Afflictions abase the carnal attractions of the world, which might entice us.

Affliction abates the lustiness of the flesh within, which might else ensnare us!

By all of the above, affliction proves to be a mighty advantage unto us.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 23, 2016

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (Isaiah 41:13)

My Prayer: Lord help me to trust in You when I'm scared-when I'm afraid of what people might think of me when I tell them about You and Your good news. Thank You Lord, for being right by my side, holding my hand, and strengthening me for every good work.

Daily Devotions April 22nd

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

POWER TO RAISE

 

"The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down" Psalms 146:8

 

Am I bowed down? Then let me urge this word of grace before the Lord. It is His way, His custom, His promise, His delight, to raise up them that are bowed down. Is it a sense of sin, and a consequent depression of spirit, which now distresses me? Then the work of Jesus is, in this case, made and provided to raise me up into rest. O Lord, raise me, for thy mercy’s sake!

 

Is it a sad bereavement, or a great fall in circumstances? Here again the Comforter has undertaken to console. What a mercy for us that one person of the Sacred Trinity should become the Comforter! This work will be well done, since such a glorious One has made it His peculiar care.

 

Some are so bowed down that only Jesus can loose them from their infirmity, but He can, and He will, do it. He can raise us up to health, to hope, to happiness. He has often done so under former trials, and He is the same Saviour, and will repeat His deeds of lovingkindness. We who are today bowed down and sorrowful, shall yet be set on high, and those who now mock at us shall be greatly ashamed. What an honor to be raised up by the Lord! It is worth while to be bowed down that we may experience His upraising power.

 

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

They that wait upon the Lord shall … mount up with wings as eagles

Isaiah 40:31

All creatures that have wings can escape from every snare that is set for them, if only they will fly high enough; and the soul that uses its wings can always find a sure “way to escape” from all that can hurt or trouble it.

Smith

A remedy against all our troubles!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

 

(Thomas Watson, "The Art of Divine Contentment")

"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content--whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need." Philippians 4:11-12

Contentment sweetens every condition.

Christ turned the water into wine. Just so, contentment turns the bitter waters of Marah, into spiritual wine.

Contentment is a flower which does not grow in every garden.

You would think it were excellent, if I could prescribe a remedy or antidote against poverty. Behold, here is that which is more excellent--for a man to be poor, and yet have enough! Contentment teaches a man how to abound--in the midst of poverty!

Have I but little? Yet it is more than I deserve.

Do I meet with some crosses? My comfort is, if they are heavy--I have not far to go!

My cross is light--in comparison with the weight of glory.

Has God taken away my comforts from me? It is well--the Comforter still abides with me.

Thus contentment, as a honeycomb, drops sweetness into every condition.

Discontent is a leaven which sours every comfort; it puts vinegar into every mercy; it doubles every cross. But the contented spirit sucks sweetness from every flower of providence. Contentment is full of consolation.

Contentment is . . .
  a remedy against all our troubles,
  an alleviation to all our burdens,
  the cure of to every worry.
As medicine works disease out of the body--so contentment works trouble out of the heart. Holy contentment keeps the heart from fainting. Contentment is the golden shield, which beats back all discouragements.

Contentment, though it is  not properly a grace (it is rather, a disposition of mind,) yet in it there is a happy mixture of all the graces. Contentment is a most precious compound! The ingredients put into it are faith, patience, meekness, humility, etc.

Wicked men are often disquieted in the enjoyment of all things.
But the contented Christian is joyful in the lack of all things! He may have little in the world--yet be perfectly content.

O the rare art, or rather--miracle of contentment!

A Christian finds contentment distilled out of the breasts of the promises. He is poor in purse--but rich in promise. There is one promise which brings much sweet contentment into the soul: "Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." (Psalm 34:10) If the thing we desire is good for us--we shall have it. If it is not good--then the not having is good for us. The resting satisfied with the promise, gives contentment.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 22, 2016

Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

Trust not in the power of your own strength nor in the might of your own will to accomplish good, O believer! Your sanctification is not a matter of dominating yourself through discipline! You have no ability of your own to effect righteous works in your life! Trust, rather, in God! Place your faith in the Spirit to work in you for righteousness!

 

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 21, 2016

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32)

God promises truth and freedom to all those who love Him and abide in His good pleasure. In a life full of uncertainty, the truth of God is wonderful to contemplate indeed! Never need we doubt the veracity of the Lord for He Himself is the measure of truth. He is the standard by which all claims stand or fall. And if He, in unmitigated Truth, says that we are made free, then what iron fetter or steel prison can stifle our liberty? Why none at all! Rejoice in your freedom, O Christian, and use it to pursue the righteousness of God!

 

Daily Devotions April 19th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

AN EXPERT SEARCHER

 

"For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out" Ezekiel 34:11

 

This He does at the first when His elect are like wandering sheep that know not the Shepherd or the fold. How wonderfully doth the Lord find out His chosen! Jesus is great as a seeking Shepherd as well as a saving Shepherd. Though many of those His Father gave Him have gone as near to hell-gate as they well can, yet the Lord by searching and seeking discovers them, and draws nigh to them in grace. He has sought out us: let us have good hope for those who are laid upon our hearts in prayer, for He will find them out also.

 

The Lord repeats this process when any of His flock stray from the pastures of truth and holiness. They may fall into gross error, sad sin, and grievous hardness; but yet the Lord, who has become a surety for them to His Father, will not suffer one of them to go so far as to perish. He will by providence and grace pursue them into foreign lands, into abodes of poverty, into dens of obscurity, into deeps of despair; He will not lose one of all that the Father has given Him. It is a point of honor with Jesus to seek and to save all the flock, without a single exception. What a promise to plead, if at this hour I am compelled to cry, "I have gone astray like a lost sheep"!

 

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Having … boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus … let us draw near with a true heart

Heb. 10:19, 22

Oh, the glory of the message! For fifteen centuries Israel had a sanctuary with a Holiest of All, into which, under pain of death, no one might enter. Its one witness was: Man cannot dwell in God’s presence; cannot abide in His fellowship. And now how changed is all! As then the warning sounded: “No admittance! enter not!” so now the call goes forth: “Enter in! the veil is rent; the Holiest is open; God waits to welcome you to His bosom; henceforth you are to live with Him.” This is the message. Child! thy Father longs for thee to enter, to dwell, and to go out no more forever.

Andrew Murray

 

Our only rule of faith and practice!

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(Don Fortner)

Our only rule of faith and practice is the Word of God. We have . . .
  no creed to defend,
  no denomination to maintain, and
  no confession to bind our minds.

"What do the Scriptures teach?" That is and must be our only concern. If the plain teachings of Holy Scripture appear to destroy or contradict our understanding of any doctrine--then let us relinquish the doctrine, or acknowledge the fact that our minds are both depraved and minuscule--and bow to the revelation of God.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
April 19, 2016

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; (Philippians 1:29)

As Christians we have been given various things. Paul tells the Philippians about two of them. First, he tells them that it has been granted to them to believe in Christ; and second, he says that it has been granted to them to suffer for Him. Suffering does not always seem appetizing, however, there is much gained by it. Remember in the midst of your troubles that as Christ was troubled, so too will His people be troubled-and our sufferings are to be counted joy for they serve to demonstrate our unity with our Bridegroom.

 

Daily Devotions Apritl 18th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

HE NEVER FAILS

 

 

"I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" Joshua 1:5

 

This word to Joshua is often quoted; it is the basis of that New Testament word, "He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

 

Beloved, a life of warfare is before us, but the Lord of Hosts is with us. Are we called to lead a great but fickle people? This promise guarantees us all the wisdom and prudence that we shall need. Have we to contend with cunning and powerful enemies? Here is strength and valor, prowess and victory. Have we a vast heritage to win? By this sign we shall achieve our purpose; the Lord Himself is with us.

 

It would be woe to us indeed if Jehovah could fail us; but, as this can never be, the winds of disquietude are laid to sleep in the caverns of divine faithfulness. On no one Occasion will the Lord desert us. Happen what may, He will be at our side. Friends drop from us, their help is but an April shower; but God is faithful, Jesus is the same for ever, and the Holy Spirit abideth in us.

 

Come, my heart, be calm and hopeful today. Clouds may gather, but the Lord can blow them away. Since God will not fail me, my faith shall not fail; and, as He will not forsake me, neither will I forsake Him. Oh for a restful faith!

 

April 18

Lo, I am with you all the days

Matt. 28:20 (R.V., margin)

“All The Days”—in winter days, when joys are fled; in sunless days, when the clouds return again and again after rain; in days of sickness and pain; in days of temptation and perplexity, as much as in days when the heart is as full of joy as the woodlands in spring are full of song. That day never comes when the Lord Jesus is not at the side of His saints. Lover and friend may stand afar, but He walks with them through the fires; He fords with them the rivers; He stands by them when face to face with the lion. We can never be alone. We must always add His resources to our own when making our calculations.

F. B. Meyer

These are not suggestions about what God's people ought to be

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    (Don Fortner)

"We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10

Since God has ordained that His people walk in good works, we are assured that God will graciously cause them to do so by the sweet constraint of His grace.

Grace experienced, makes Christians gracious.

Mercy tasted, makes Christians merciful.

Faith bestowed, makes Christians faithful.

Kindness known, makes Christians kind.

Forgiveness enjoyed, makes Christians forgiving.

Love felt, makes Christians loving.
These are not suggestions about what God's people ought to be, but statements of fact about what all true believers are.
Believers are a people who, being saved by grace, ruled by love, and motivated by gratitude--seek the will and glory of God in all things.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" Titus 2:11-12

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