Which would you really choose?

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    
      (Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)

What the object of the love of the heart is--is object of the choice of the will. And such as is the choice of your wills--such are you.

If you choose the world before Christ--I dare boldly to call you a worldly man!
If you choose pleasures before Christ--I dare confidently to declare you a voluptuous man!
But if Christ is chosen before all other things--I may term you to be a truly holy man.

Suppose then the world, and all the riches thereof, and all the honors and the pleasures of it, were set on the one hand--and Christ on the other hand. Which would you really choose?

It is an easy thing to say that you would choose Christ, and not the world. But my question is: Which you would really choose?

Can you say, and appeal to God who knows your heart: "Lord, You who know all things--You know that I choose Christ before riches, Christ before pleasures, liberty, life, or anything that is dear unto me in this world. You know that I would rather have Christ without the world--than the world without Christ. You know that I would rather have the Lord Jesus with disgrace, with poverty, and with the cross--than all the treasures of the world!"

This must be a man's choice--or he cannot be said to have sincere love to Jesus Christ.

If Jesus is not loved above all--He is not sincerely loved at all!

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other--or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 30, 2016

And our hope of you [is] stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so [shall ye be] also of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:7)

Christ reigns even now on His heavenly throne, yet the earth is filled with evil men. The adopted brothers and sisters of Christ reign even now by His side, yet their lives are of suffering. How can this be? It is the mystery of the cross of Christ Jesus! Through our weakness, we are strong. Through death, we have life. Through suffering, we are become the victors. And through persecution, we are blessed. Therefore, Christ tells us, rejoice in such troubles till the heavenly consummation, for great will be our apparent reward in that day. So do not fret, O believer, but trust that your suffering will produce hope. Hope in Christ. Hope in Heaven.

When once I had got a view of Christ's transcendent loveliness!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

      (Thomas Doolittle, "Love to Christ Necessary to Escape the Curse at His Coming!" 1693)

The prophet Isaiah, speaking of graceless men as disliking, not desiring, nor loving Christ--brings them in as saying, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him!" Isaiah 53:2

What! No loveliness in Him who is "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of His person!" Yes! there was, there is--but they had no eyes to see it! It is as if a blind man should say that the sun is dark, because he has no eyes to behold it's light. It was, because in seeing--they did not see. How could they look upon Him with an eye of love--when they did not discern Him with an eye of faith?

But a holy soul, whose eyes are divinely opened, so sees that superlative goodness, beauty, and excellency in Christ--that all other things, which are good with an inferior goodness, seem to him as dross and dung! "But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things! I consider them rubbish," things cast to dogs, or dog's-food, "that I may gain Christ!" Philippians 3:7-8

The holy man, whose mind is savingly enlightened, can say: I see that goodness in the Savior, which far surpasses all the goodness of the creature! Though the stars in the coldest night might be seen--yet when the sun arises, they all disappear. Just so, in the night of ignorance, when my mind was blind, my heart hard, and my affections frozen--I was bewitched with the goodness of riches, of honors, and of worldly pleasures. Yet when the Sun of righteousness with His radiant rays shined into my soul, and with His warming influences thawed my benumbed frozen heart--when Christ the day-star arose in my soul--then, O then, the glory of these things which once dazzled my eyes, presently vanished and withered away! When once I had got a view of Christ's transcendent loveliness--then in comparison to Christ, I saw . . .
  an emptiness and vanity--in all the creature's fullness;
  beggary--in all the world's nobility;
  shame--in all the world's glory;
  poverty--in all the world's riches;
  the world's greatest resplendent luster--to be darkness;
  the world's wisdom--to be folly;
  the world's beauty--appeared to me no better than deformity!

Yes, the soul whose love is fixed upon Christ, sees the superlative goodness, beauty, and excellency in Christ.

"Yes, He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, and this is my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:16

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 29, 2016

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

Here lies the believer's assurance that the light of God will permeate even this dark world. Even more, God is that very light! The believer ought hold this truth tightly: despite the most tumultuous circumstance, not all is dark, lost, or evil!

If we had God's power we would change everything!

   ~  ~  ~  ~


    (Scott Richardson)

"You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." John 13:7

If we had God's power we would change everything--but if we had God's wisdom we would change nothing.

"He has done all things well!" Mark 7:37

   ~  ~  ~  ~    

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 28, 2016

O love the LORD, all ye his saints: [for] the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. (Psalm 31:23)

His strength is beyond imagining and with it He promises to preserve His children ever in their faith! None may snatch you from His hand, O child of the Lamb, for He is adamant: you are His and His alone! Love Him, therefore, and follow Him all your days!

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 27, 2016

When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the Lamb of God and our Bridegroom shall return! Our true life is hidden in Him and when He appears in clouds of glory, then shall our own true lives be made apparent in Him. His life of obedience is ours (cf. Romans 5:19 and Hebrews 5:8). His death and suffering is ours. So too is His resurrection to new life. And even so, His revelation in robes of splendour at the final day shall be shared with every one of His saints. So put to death the earthly things until His coming and you shall be crowned in His glory.

Isaiah 53

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isa 53:12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 26, 2016

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

My Prayer: Thank You, O God that You delight in us, Your people. Thank You for Your reign of love. Thank You for taking pleasure in Your people, for giving us hearts to serve, for prospering us by Your Spirit, for communing with us by Your means of grace, and for communicating to us Your favour and good pleasure. Thank You for preparing us for Your future glory!

In His Humblest Works!

   ~  ~  ~  ~      


      (Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

"The earth is full of His unfailing love!" Psalm 33:5

The British Museum possessed in the Portland Vase--one of the finest remains of ancient art. It may be remembered how, some years ago--the world of culture was shocked to hear that this precious relic had been shattered by a maniac's hand.

Without disparaging cultured taste, or this exquisite example of it--I venture to say that there is not a poor worm which we tread upon, nor a sere leaf which dances merrily in its fallen state to the autumn winds--but has superior claims upon our study and admiration. The child who plucks a lily or rose to pieces, or crushes the fragile form of a fluttering insect--destroys an intricate work which the highest human art could not invent, nor man's best skilled hand construct!

There is not a leaf which quivers on the trees of the forest--which does not eclipse the brightest glories of the painter's brush or the sculptor's chisel! A simple flower has no rival among the triumphs of invention, which the silly world flocks to see.

Yes, in His humblest works, God infinitely surpasses the highest efforts of all created skill.

"How many are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures!" Psalm 104:24

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge!" Psalm 19:1-2

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 25, 2016

[When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (Isaiah 41:17)

Ever is the Lord gracious and ever does He shower mercy unfettered upon the objects of His affection. Because we know that God loves us, we may take pleasure in the great knowledge that He will surely stand by us in our hour of need. Ever is the Lord the provider of our necessities and ever will He quench our thirst with the welcome vials of living water-even the life of Christ.

Daily Devotions July 22nd

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

AN ETERNAL PLEDGE

 

"And I will betroth thee unto me forever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord." Hosea 2:19,20

 

Betrothment unto the Lord! What an honor and a joy! My soul, is Jesus indeed thine by His own condescending betrothal? Then, mark, it is for ever. He will never break His engagement, much less sue out a divorce against a soul joined to Himself in marriage bonds.

 

Three times the Lord says, "I will betroth thee." What words He heaps together to set forth the betrothal! Righteousness comes in to make the covenant legal; none can forbid these lawful banns. Judgment sanctions the alliance with its decree: none can see folly or error in the match. Lovingkindness warrants that this is a love union, for without love betrothal is bondage, and not blessedness. Meanwhile, mercy smiles, and even sings; yea, she multiplies herself into "mercies," because of the abounding grace of this holy union.

 

Faithfulness is the registrar, and records the marriage, and the Holy Spirit says "Amen" to it, as He promises to teach the betrothed heart all the sacred knowledge needful for its high destiny. What a promise!

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

… Sinners of whom I am chief.… Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

1 Timothy 1:15, 17

Only those who have struck the deepest note of penitence can reach the highest note of praise.

A. J. Gordon

You are only fattening it for worms!

   ~  ~  ~  ~      
       
    
(Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs!" 1 Timothy 6:7-10

If you are wealthy, you may reside in a splendid mansion--but it is only to leave it one day for a dark and narrow house! You may pamper the body with the costliest luxuries--but you are only fattening it for worms! Nor can the flashing blaze of a thousand diamonds blind our eyes to the melancholy fact that this mirthful, beautiful, charming body shall, stripped of all its luxury, be wrapped in a shroud, nailed up in a coffin--and thrust down into a black hole to rot!

But give me the treasures of redemption . . .
  my food is heavenly manna,
  my wine is divine love,
  my sweet pillow is the bosom of the Son,
  my strong defense is the arm of Almighty God,
  my home is that palace, eternal in the heavens!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 22, 2016

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. (Proverbs 10:3)

Take confidence in this, dear believer: in the very suffering of the righteous lies the mystery of gospel victory. Sure enough, Christ's church is sore oppressed upon this earth. Just as even He was-for a servant is not greater than his master. By His righteous suffering, our eternal victory was bought and by our suffering for righteousness's sake, we glory in that same victory! Though in our days upon this earth, we may indeed perish from starvation, that is not an end which we should fear. We ought look forward to the heavenly consummation of our lives-when at long last we will be truly free from famishment. When at long last we will no longer hold to the promises of unshakable victory by faith alone, but will apprehend such by unfettered sight! O come Lord Jesus, come!

Daily Devotions July 21st

Faith’s Check Book

 

SHINE AS MANY STARS

 

"And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3

 

Here is something to wake me up. This is worth living for. To he wise is a noble thing in itself: in this place it refers to a divine wisdom which only the Lord Himself can bestow. Oh to know myself, my God, my Saviour! May I be so divinely taught that I may carry into practice heavenly truth, and live in the light of it! Is my life a wise one? Am I seeking that which I ought to seek? Am I living as I shall wish I had lived when I come to die? Only such wisdom can secure for me eternal brightness as of yonder sunlit skies.

 

To be a winner of souls is a glorious attainment. I had need be wise if I am to turn even one to righteousness; much more if I am to turn many. Oh for the knowledge of God, of men, of the Word, and of Christ, which will enable me to convert my fellowmen, and to convert large numbers of them! I would give myself to this, and never rest till I accomplish it. This will be better than winning stars at court. This will make me a star, a shining star, a star shining for ever and ever; yea more, it will make me shine as many stars. My soul, arouse thyself! Lord, quicken me!

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling: for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good pleasure

Phil. 2:12, 13

What a staggering weight of thought is excited by these words! Stay, my soul, and wonder that the Eternal God should stoop to work within thy narrow limits. Is it not a marvel indeed, that He, whom the heavens cannot contain, and in whose sight they are not clean, should trouble Himself to work on such material, so unpromising, and amid circumstances so uncongenial?

How careful should we be to make Him welcome, and to throw no hindrance in His way! How eager to garner up all the least movements of His gracious operation, as the machinist conserves the force of his engine; and as the goldsmith, with miserly care, collects every flake of goldleaf! Surely we shall be sensible of the fear of holy reverence and the trembling of eager anxiety; as we “work out,” into daily act and life, all that God our Father is “working in.”

F. B. Meyer

Sin is their mother--and these are her hateful progeny!

   ~  ~  ~  ~        

        
    (Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

Men often talk of poverty, misfortune, disease, and bereavement, as evils. Yet there is no radical evil in this world, but sin. If you still persist in calling other things evils, remember that sin is their mother--and these are her hateful progeny!

No sin--no suffering!

No sin--no sorrow!

No sin--no death, no grave, no Hell!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 21, 2016

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Though we yearn greatly for the return of our King, there are still souls to be won. We can take heart in the love of our Father that all of Christ's sheep will be gathered before that final trump. None of our yet-saved brothers will perish. And this is the purpose for which Christ delays his coming.

Daily Devotions July 20th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

LOOKING FOR HIM

 

"Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Hebrews 9:28

 

This is our hope. He to whom we have already looked as coming once to bear the sins of many will have another manifestation to the sons of men; this is a happy prospect in itself. But that second appearing has certain peculiar marks which glorify it exceedingly.

 

Our Lord will have ended the business of sin. He has so taken it away from His people, and so effectually borne its penalty, that He will have nothing to do with it at His second coming. He will present no sin-offering, for He will have utterly put sin away.

 

Our Lord will then complete the salvation of His people. They will be finally and perfectly saved, and will in every respect enjoy the fullness of that salvation. He comes not to bear the result of our transgressions, but to bring the result of His obedience; not to remove our condemnation, but to perfect our salvation.

 

Our Lord thus appears only to those who look for Him. He will not be seen in this character by men whose eyes are blinded with self and sin. To them He will be a terrible Judge, and nothing more. We must first look to Him, and then look for Him; and in both cases our look shall be life.

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy

Matthew 8:6

We, in this age of the church, are in the position of that sick servant at Capernaum. To the eye of sense we are separated from the Saviour. We see Him not—we can touch Him not—the hand cannot steal amid the crowd to catch His garment hem—we cannot hear His loved footsteps as of old on our threshold; but faith penetrates the invisible; the messenger—prayer—meets Him in the streets of the New Jerusalem; and faith and prayer together, the twin delegates from His church below, He has never yet sent empty away.

Macduff

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 20, 2016

So foolish [was] I, and ignorant: I was [as] a beast before thee. Nevertheless I [am] continually with thee: thou hast holden [me] by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory. (Psalm 73:22-24)

As Christians, we still sin and act foolishly, but God continues to be with us and guide us onto the right path. After our life is through, He takes us to heaven to live eternally with Him! O, what great grace we have been given!

Daily Devotions July 19th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

HEAVY DUTY SHOES

 

"Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be." Deuteronomy 33:25

 

Here are two things provided for the pilgrim: shoes and strength.

 

As for the shoes: they are very needful for traveling along rough ways, and for trampling upon deadly foes. We shall not go barefoot — this would not be suitable for princes of the blood royal. Our shoes shall not be at all of the common sort, for they shall have soles of durable metal, which will not wear out even if the journey be long and difficult. We shall have protection proportionate to the necessities of the road and the battle. Wherefore let us march boldly on, fearing no harm even though we tread on serpents, or set our foot upon the dragon himself.

 

As for the strength: it shall be continued as long as our days shall continue, and it shall be proportioned to the stress and burden of those days. The words are few, "as thy days thy strength," but the meaning is full. This day we may look for trial, and for work which will require energy, but we may just as confidently look for equal strength. This word given to Asher is given to us also who have faith wherewith to appropriate it. Let us rise to the holy boldness which it is calculated to create within the believing heart.

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe

Psalms 119:117

Do not spoil the chime of this morning’s bells by ringing one half a peal! Do not say, “Hold thou me up,” and stop there, or add, “But all the same I shall stumble and fall!” Finish the peal with God’s own music, the bright words of faith that He puts into your mouth: “Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe!”

Frances Ridley Havergal

As you tear yourself from the encircling arms of the enchantress!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    (Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

"She caught him by his cloak and said, 'Come to bed with me!' But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house!" Genesis 39:12

Let me warn you that such a holy life as the text enjoins, is impossible to all but those who are on their guard against the beginnings of evil. Take alarm at an evil thought, wish, or desire! These are the germs of sin--the floating seeds which drop into the heart, and finding in our natural corruption a fat and favorable soil, spring up into actual transgressions. These, like the rattle of the snake, or the hiss of the serpent--reveal the presence and nearness of danger!

The experience of all holy men proves that sin is most easily crushed in the bud--and that it is safer to flee from temptation than to fight it. Fight like a man when you cannot avoid the battle--but rather flee than fight.

Be afraid of temptation--avoid it--abhor it!

Let your answer, as you tear yourself from the encircling arms of the enchantress, and seek safety in flight--be that of Joseph's: "How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God!" Genesis 39:9

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 19, 2016

And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29)

Whether we are Jew or Gentile, enslaved or free, male or female, so long as we are Christians then we are of Abraham's seed which God so long ago promised. So long as we find our identity in Christ, the True Seed of promise, we are the spiritual descendents of Abraham.

Weekday Devotions July 18th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

WILDERNESS COMMUNION

 

"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." Hosea 2:14

 

The goodness of God sees us allured by sin, and it resolves to try upon us the more powerful allurements of love. Do we not remember when the Lover of our souls first cast a spell upon us and charmed us away from the fascinations of the world? He will do this again and again whenever He sees us likely to be ensnared by evil.

 

He promises to draw us apart, for there He can best deal with us, and this separated place is not to be a Paradise, but a wilderness, since in such a place there will be nothing to take off our attention from our God. In the deserts of affliction the presence of the Lord becomes everything to us, and we prize His company beyond any value which we set upon it when we sat under our own vine and fig-tree in the society of our fellows. Solitude and affliction bring more to themselves and to their heavenly Father than any other means.

 

When thus allured and secluded the Lord has choice things to say to us for our comfort. He "speaks to our heart," as the original has it. Oh that at this we may have this promise explained in our experience! Allured by love, separated by trial, and comforted by the Spirit of truth, may we know the Lord and sing for joy!

 

Thought’s for the Quiet hour

Sow beside all waters

Isaiah 32:20

Never mind whereabouts your work is. Never mind whether it be visible or not. Never mind whether your name is associated with it. You may never see the issues of your toils. You are working for eternity. If you cannot see results here in the hot working day, the cool evening hours are drawing near, when you may rest from your labors and then they will follow you. So do your duty, and trust God to give the seed you sow “a body as it hath pleased Him.”

Alexander Maclaren

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 18, 2016

For the LORD [is] good; his mercy [is] everlasting; and his truth [endureth] to all generations. (Psalm 100:5)

Never need the child of God fear the failure of the heavenly promise for the Lord is unto everlasting. He is. And was. And ever will be. And He is faithful! Faithful to the fulfilment of every good thing! Faithful to His eternal promise of the redemption, justification, sanctification, and glorification of His chosen people! Take heart and enjoy well the Sabbath rest bought us by Christ!

Every groan of your wounded heart; your every sigh, and cry, and prayer!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    
    (Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

Were Jesus Christ a mere man--how could He guard the interests, and manage the affairs of His innumerable people, scattered far and wide over the face of the habitable globe?
What heart would be large enough to embrace them all?
What eyes could see them all?
What ears could hear them all?

Think of the ten thousand prayers pronounced in a hundred different languages that go up at once, and altogether, to His ear! Yet there is no confusion; none are lost; none are missed in the crowd.

Nor are they heard by Him as, standing on yonder lofty crag, we hear the din of the city that lies stretched out far beneath us, with all its sounds of cries, and rumbling wheels, and human voices--mixed up into one deep, confused, hollow roar--like the boom of the sea's distant breakers.

No! every believer may feel as if he were alone with God--enjoying a private audience with the King in His presence-chamber! Be of good cheer. Every groan of your wounded heart; your every sigh, and cry, and prayer--falls as distinctly on Jesus' ear as if you stood beside His throne, or, nearer still, lay with John on His bosom, and felt the beating of His heart against your own!

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

   ~  ~  ~  ~

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 July 17, 2016            Newsletter Number 578 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, 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, Linda Hughes, 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:   You Are Blessed Of The Lord. “Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.” Psalms 115:1513   There is an old gospel hymn titled “Count Your Blessings” and it goes like this “Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." Go ahead, count your blessings, count them all and don’t miss any. One thing you will never do is to count all your blessings. Life is a blessing and to have eternal life is even more of a blessing. In order to understand the Sovereignty of God make salvation just ton’s more of a blessing. Every day is a blessing, sometimes we might not think so but it is, every morning you wake up the blessings of God starts and never ends but restarts the next morning. "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God...For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day”. 2 Corinthians 4:15 – 16 What believers in Jesus Christ must understand is the outward man is nothing, it is not going to survive, it will fail and die. The blessings of God are the inward person, the soul and spirit which was cleansed by the death and blood of Jesus and the spirit was made alive by the Spirit of God. Mankind counts blessings that we can see, but God counts them spiritually. God does indeed bless us in the flesh and with fleshly things, but the true blessings of God is in your heart, in the inner person, in your spirit. It is there that God will meet with you, and fellowship with you, and it is there that God will renew His blessings day by day. People who know no better look for external blessings, wealth, health, and wisdom, and many false preachers speak of these blessings as proof that God loves you, but they are wrong. God said in James 5:3 “Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.” As I said, God indeed blesses us with these things but the true blessings of God are in your heart. The only thing you have that you will carry with you to heaven is your soul and spirit, and a new body made like unto the Angels in heaven when Jesus Christ returns. I know many Christians look around and see what they have, what others have, but if that is the way your count the blessings from God, then you are grossly miscounting. The true blessings from God is your spiritual relationship with God. Your learning of Him, exploring life both physical and spiritually with God. Walking in fellowship with Him, and Him supplying you with spiritual blessings every day. Beloved, stop looking for outward blessings, spiritual blessing is what you need. God can bless us with millions upon millions of fleshly blessings, but they will all die or rust. God can heal our bodies but He has still appointed them to die. God can give you houses, money, and etc., etc., etc., but it will only be temporal, but spiritual blessings will last an eternity. I will pray for you and you will pray for me, God will answer our prayers as He chooses, and will provide all that He has predesignated to give, you will live as long as He has sovereignly ordained, but when the final second has been reached, you will expire from this life into the next and only carry your soul, spirit, and works of righteousness. Sit with the Lord, learn from His servant’s called Pastors, and God will truly bless you so much, your cup will run over. Beloved, stop looking for worldly things, God gives us exactly as He will have us to have. Look inside, there’s where the true blessings are. "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal...But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19 – 21

The Sword Of God's Truth!Arthur Pink   "Their speech is filled with flattery." Psalm 5:9   This is the identifying mark of the "hireling," the false pastor. He aims at pleasing his hearers, making them feel satisfied with themselves, ever patting them on the back.   "But he who has My Word—let him speak My Word faithfully" (Jeremiah 23:28), no matter how unpalatable it may be to the flesh, how much of a weariness to those who wish to have their ears tickled with novelties, or how loud the outcry against it is!   Ministerial faithfulness includes loyalty to his Master, devotion to His interests, steadfast adherence to the preaching of His Word, dispensing the Truth unto those whose souls are committed to Him—not mixing it with his speculations, much less substituting false doctrine. A far higher motive than the pleasing of his hearers must actuate and regulate ministerial service. Faithful preaching will render the minister unpopular, and will 'empty' churches—not 'fill' them!   "Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." (John 8:32) Souls are caught fast in the meshes of Satan's lies—and nothing but the sword of God's Truth can cut them free!   "A faithful man—who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6). Why is this? Because it is the part of fallen human nature to take the line of least resistance, and choose the path easiest to the flesh. But remember, my reader, whoever you are, that, "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord; but those who deal 'faithfully' are His delight." (Proverbs 12:22)   "Be faithful unto death—and I will give you a crown of life!" (Revelation 2:10)

Noteworthy: Happy Birthday Dewayne Sewell Tuesday July 19   Happy Birthday Jacob Ramsey Saturday July 23   Do not forget our Bible Conference is getting closer, please continue to pray for it. September 16 - 17

Daily Devotions July 15th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

THE MOURNER COMFORTED

 

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4

 

By the valley of weeping we come to Zion. One would have thought mourning and being blessed were in opposition, but the infinitely wise Saviour puts them together, in this beatitude. What He has joined together let no man put asunder. Mourning for sin — our own sins, and the sins of others — is the Lord’s seal set upon His faithful ones. When the Spirit of grace is poured upon the house of David, or any other house, they shall mourn. By holy mourning we receive the best of our blessings, even as the rarest commodities come to us by water. Not only shall the mourner be blessed at some future day, but Christ pronounces him blessed even now.

 

The Holy Spirit will surely comfort those hearts which mourn for sin. They shall be comforted by the application of the blood of Jesus, and by the cleansing power of the Holy Ghost. They shall be comforted as to the abounding sin of their city and of their age by the assurance that God will glorify Himself, however much men may rebel against Him. They shall be comforted with the expectation that they shall be wholly freed from sin before long, and shall soon be taken up to dwell for ever in the glorious presence of their Lord.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

He [John] saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus

John 1:36, 37

To be a Christian means to know the presence of a true personal Christ among us, and to follow.

Phillips Brooks

The less you think of yourselves--the more will you esteem Christ!

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    (Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

I wish you to think little, very little of yourselves. Why?
Because the less you think of yourselves--the more will you esteem Christ.
Because the humbler you are in your own eyes--the higher you will stand in God's eyes.

The guest, who, coming modestly in, takes the lowest place at the table--is called up to the seat of honor.
None are so sure to lie in Jesus' bosom--as those who have been lying lowest at Jesus' feet.

Hence, brought by grace to see sin's vileness, and to feel its exceeding evil . . .
  the holiest men--have always been the humblest,
  the strongest men--have always felt the weakest in themselves,
  the best men--have always thought the worst of themselves.

David, the man after God's own heart, said, "I was as a beast before You!"

Job, the most remarkable character of his own or any age for piety and uprightness, said, as he shrank from his own image, "I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes!"

And Paul, though the greatest of all the apostles, much too great as well as honest, to fish for compliments and depreciate himself that others might praise him--spoke of himself not as the least, but as less than the least, of all saints.

The tree grows best skyward, which grows most downward. Just so, the lower the saint grows in humility--the higher he grows in holiness. The soaring corresponds to the sinking.

The humble man's heartfelt prayer shall be, "O my God, I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to You! I am glad to enter Heaven at the back of the wicked Manasseh, or the immoral woman, or the thief of the cross. God be merciful to me a sinner!"

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
July 15, 2016

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:18-20)

The believer in Christ should not shrink from suffering or persecution, but should take heart in the fact that his suffering is counted as due to Christ. For of course, the redeemed children will be the object of scorn and derision! The world despised and hated the most loving, caring, hospitable, and merciful man to ever walk the earth; if they should hate Him so, how can we not expect them to hate those who follow that man—Christ Jesus!

 

Daily Devotions July 14th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

BURDENS CAST ON HIM

 

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalms 55:22

 

It is a heavy burden, roll it on Omnipotence. It is thy burden now, and it crushes thee; but when the Lord takes it, He will make nothing of it. If thou art called still to bear it, "he will sustain thee." It will be on Him, and not on thee. Thou wilt be so upheld under it that the burden will be a blessing. Bring the Lord into the matter and thou wilt stand upright under that which in itself would bow thee down.

 

Our worst fear is lest our trial should drive us from the path of duty; but this the Lord will never suffer. If we are righteous before Him, He will not endure that our affliction should move us from our standing. In Jesus He accepts us as righteous, and in Jesus He will keep us so.

 

What about the present moment? Art thou going forth to this day’s trial alone? Are thy poor shoulders again to be galled with the oppressive load? Be not so foolish. Tell the Lord all about thy grief, and leave it with Him. Don’t cast your burden down, and then take it up again; but roll it on the Lord, and leave it there. Then shalt thou walk at large, a joyful and unburdened believer, singing the praises of thy great Burden-bearer.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Behold the man

John 19:5

“Behold the man!” was Pilate’s jeer. That is what all the ages have been doing since, and the vision has grown more and more glorious. As they have looked, the crown of thorns has become a crown of golden radiance, and the cast-off robe has glistened like the garments He wore on the night of the transfiguration. Martyrs have smiled in the flames at that vision. Sinners have turned at it to a new life. Little children have seen it, and have had awakened by it dim recollections of their Heaven-home. Toward it the souls of men yearn ever.

Robert E. Speer