Weekday Devotions August 31st

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

DIVINE, EVER-LIVING, UNCHANGING

 

"But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" 1Peter 1:25

 

All human teaching and, indeed, all human beings, shall pass away as the grass of the meadow; but we are here assured that the Word of the Lord is of a very different character, for it shall endure for ever.

 

We have here a divine gospel; for what word can endure for ever but that which is spoken by the eternal God?

 

We have here an ever-living gospel, as full of vitality as when it first came from the lip of God; as strong to convince and convert, to regenerate and console, to sustain and sanctify, as ever it was in its first days of wonder-working.

 

We have an unchanging gospel, which is not today green grass, and tomorrow dry hay; but always the abiding truth of the immutable Jehovah. Opinions alter, but truth certified by God can no more change than the God who uttered it.

 

Here, then, we have a gospel to rejoice in, a word of the Lord upon which we may lean all our weight. "For ever" includes life, death, judgment, and eternity. Glory be to God in Christ Jesus for everlasting consolation. Feed on the word today, and all the days of thy life.

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

I would have you without carefulness

1 Corinthians 7:32

Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look to them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto—do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

Francis de Sales

How has the fine gold become dim!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    (Hetty Bowman, "Separation From the World" 1861)

If some of the holy men of a former generation could once more return to the scene of their labors and sorrows--what would they find among those who profess to follow in their steps? Would they witness . . .
  the same decision,
  the same faithfulness,
  the same unyielding adherence to principles which involve contempt and scorn,
  the same resolute separation from everything that is even questionable in its tendency
--which characterized their own walk in the world?

Would they not rather be grieved by the levity, the trifling, the inconsistency which are too often displayed--even by those whose names are enrolled in the list of professing Christians?

Would they not be amazed at the slender barrier which divides those who are in the world--from those who say that they have renounced it?

Would they not be bewildered by the strange mixture of good and evil which is presented by many who bear the name of Christ; one day to be found in the committee-room of some religious society--and the next day at a dance; one day at a prayer-meeting--and the next day at a concert?

Deeply would their hearts be saddened by these things, and mournfully would they exclaim, "How has the fine gold become dim!"

It is to be feared that the religion of the day is, in many respects, of too easy a nature. We know . . .
  little of sacrifice,
  little of deliberate counting the cost,
  little of forsaking all for Christ's sake!

Truly the Church of God in these latter days, has need to watch that she be not found lingering in the plains of Sodom--instead of pressing forward, with girded loins and hastening step, to the Zoar which she has set out to seek.

Let her take heed, lest He who "walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks," visits her suddenly with the rod of His wrath--and lest her slumber be broken by the unlooked-for coming of the Bridegroom!

Believer! Seek to know your place in your Father's heart of love--and then no earthly thing will tempt you thence. Oh, leave the broken cisterns of this poor world, which can never quench your spirit's fevered thirst. Cast yourself upon the fullness of God's grace and mercy, and pray that His own hand may satisfy you with the riches that are treasured up in Christ!
   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
August 31, 2016

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

Here lies the unfathomable hope that all Christians share alike: By the blood of Jesus Christ, we pass out of death and despair and into eternal life full of joy.

Weekday Devotions August 30th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

SOLACE, SECURITY, SATISFACTION

 

"Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow" 2Samuel 23:5

 

This is not so much one promise as an aggregate of promises — a box of pearls. The covenant is the ark which contains all things.

 

These are the last words of David, but they may be mine today. Here is a sigh: things are not with me and mine as I could wish; there are trials, cares, and sins. These make the pillow hard.

 

Here is a solace — "He hath made with me an everlasting covenant." Jehovah has pledged Himself to me, and sealed the compact with the blood of Jesus. I am bound to my God, and my God to me.

 

This brings into prominence a security, since this covenant is everlasting, well ordered and sure. There is nothing to fear from the lapse of time, the failure of some forgotten point, or the natural uncertainty of things. The covenant is a rocky foundation to build on for life or for death.

 

David feels satisfaction: he wants no more for salvation or delectation. He is delivered, and he is delighted. The covenant is all a man can desire.

 

O my soul, turn thou this day to thy Lord Jesus, whom the great Lord has given to be a covenant to the people. Take Him to be thine all in all.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world

1 John 2:15

If you will go to the banks of a little stream, and watch the flies that come to bathe in it, you will notice that, while they plunge their bodies into the water, they keep their wings high out of the water; and, after swimming about a little while, they fly away with their wings unwet through the sunny air. Now, that is the lesson for us. Here we are immersed in the cares and business of the world; but let us keep the wings of our soul, our faith and our love, out of the world, that, with these unclogged, we may be ready to take our flight to Heaven.

J. Inglis

The minimum Christian!

   ~  ~  ~  ~
 

 

(C.H. Spurgeon, "Sword and the Trowel" 1876)

The minimum Christian! And who is he? The Christian who is going to heaven at the cheapest rate possible. The Christian who intends to get all of the world he can--and not meet the worldling's doom. The Christian who aims to have as little religion as he may--without lacking it altogether.

The minimum Christian goes to worship in the morning; and in the evening also--unless it rains, or is too warm, or too cold, or he is sleepy, or has the headache from eating too much at dinner. He listens most respectfully to the preacher, and joins in prayer and praise. He applies the truth very judiciously--sometimes to himself, oftener to his neighbors.

The minimum Christian is very friendly to all good works. He wishes them well, but it is not in his power to do much for them. The Sunday-school he looks upon as an admirable institution--especially for the neglected and ignorant. It is not convenient, however, for him to take a class--his business engagements are so pressing during the week that he needs the Sabbath as a day of rest; nor does he think himself qualified to act as a teacher. There are so many persons better prepared for this important duty--that he must beg to be excused. He is very friendly to home and foreign missions, and colportage, and gives his mite--but he is quite unable to aid in the management, for his own concerns are so excessively important. He thinks there are "too many appeals;" but he gives, if not enough to save his reputation, pretty near it--at all events he aims at it, and never overshoots the mark.

The minimum Christian is not clear on a number of points. The opera and dancing, the theater and card-playing, and large fashionable parties give him much trouble. He cannot see the harm in this, or that, or the other popular amusement. There is nothing in the Bible against it. He does not see why a Christian may not dance or go to the opera. He knows several excellent persons who do so--at least, so he says. Why should not he? He stands so close to the dividing-line between the people of God and the people of the world--that it is hard to say on which side of it he is actually to be found.

Ah, my brother, are you making this attempt? Beware, lest you find at last that in trying to get to Heaven with a little religion--you miss it altogether; lest without gaining the whole world--you lose your own soul. True godliness demands self-denial and cross-bearing--and if you have none of these, you are making a false profession!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
August 30, 2016

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Your hunger shall be filled. Your thirst shall be quenched. Ever shall the child of righteousness be sated for the Lamb is his food and his drink. Christ is the living manna and the living water. The Christian feasts upon His body, broken for us, and His blood, shed for our sake. So go, O believer, in the power of the cross! Go forth and proclaim His life to all the nations until He comes again, that they too might taste the fullness of righteousness!

 

Weekday Devotions August 29th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

PLENTIFUL REFRESHMENT

 

"Their soul shall be as a watered garden" Jeremiah 31:12

 

Oh, to have one’s soul under heavenly cultivation; no longer a wilderness, but a garden of the Lord! Enclosed from the waste, walled around by grace, planted by instruction, visited by love, weeded by heavenly discipline, and guarded by divine power, one’s favored soul is prepared to yield fruit unto the Lord.

 

But a garden may become parched for want of water, and then all its herbs decline, and are ready to die. O my soul, how soon would this be the case were the Lord to leave thee! In the East, a garden without water soon ceases to be a garden at all: nothing can come to perfection, grow, or even live. When irrigation is kept up, the result is charming. Oh, to have one’s soul watered by the Holy Spirit uniformly — every part of the garden having its own stream; plentifully — a sufficient refreshment coming to every tree and herb, however thirsty by nature it may be; continually — each hour bringing not only its heat, but its refreshment; wisely — each plant receiving just what it needs. In a garden you can see by the verdure where the water flows, and you can soon perceive when the Spirit of God comes.

 

O Lord, water me this day, and cause me to yield thee a full reward, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Ye serve the Lord Christ

Colossians 3:24

Our business as Christians is to serve the Lord in every business of life.

Mark Guy Pearse

The cup of wrath!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

 

(Andrew Bonar, "The Cup of Wrath!")

"In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of red wine mixed with spices! He pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs!" Psalm 75:8

There has been only One who has ever drunk this cup down to its very dregs!

Cain has been drinking it for 5,000 years and finds that his punishment greater than he can bear--but has not come to the dregs.

Judas had been drinking it for some 2000 years, often crying out with a groan that shakes Hell, "Oh that I had never been born! Oh that I had never seen or heard of the Lord Jesus Christ!" But he has not reached the dregs.

The fallen angels have not come near the dregs!

The only One who has taken, tasted, drunk, and wrung out the bitterest of the bitter dregs--has been the Judge Himself, the Lord Jesus!

You know how often, when on earth, He spoke of it. "Are you able to drink the cup that I shall drink of?" (Matthew 20:22). "The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (John 18:11).

The universe saw Him with it at His lips. It was our cup of trembling--the cup in which the wrath due to His people was mixed. What wrath, what woe! A few drops made Him cry, "Now is my soul deeply troubled!" In the garden, the sight of it wrung out the strange, mysterious words, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death!" Though God-man, He staggered at what He saw, and went on trembling.

The next day, on Calvary, He drank it all! I suppose the three hours of darkness may have been the time when He was drinking it down the very dregs; for then arose from His broken heart, the wail which so appealed to the heart of the Father, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me!" As He drank the last drop, and cried out, "It is finished!" we may believe that the holy angels felt an inconceivable relief--and even the Father Himself! So tremendous was the wrath and curse!--the wrath and curse due to our sin!

Jesus drank that cup as the substitute for His innumerable people, who were given to Him by the Father; and thereby freed them from ever tasting even one drop of that fierce wrath, that "cup of red wine, mixed with spices," with its dregs--its unknown terrors!

"Death and the curse were in our cup,
 O Christ, 'twas full for Thee!
 But Thou hast drained the last dark drop,
 'Tis empty now for me!"

"Once it was mine, that cup of wrath,
 And Jesus drank it dry!"
 

Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible

August 29, 2016

God [is] not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do [it]? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)

God is ever worthy of our trust. He is unchanging and uncompromising. His promises will always be kept and He shall always stand true to His word. Every promise shall find fulfilment in you who are Christ's workmanship. Rejoice therefore in Him and be filled!

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 August 27, 2016            Newsletter Number 584 Brother Randy Johnson, Pastor                   Brother Ronnie Henderson Sr., Song Leader Pastor E-Mail: pastor@sgmbaptist.com                       Web Site: www.sgmbaptist.com “A Church Seeking To Please God In Song, Preaching, And Worship.”

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, Tyrell Loyd, Bonnie, 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, The Morris Family, Teresa Bookout, Little Titan Thomas (Trent and Tiffane Thomas child), James – Diane and Brooke Thomas, Jace Fails, Steve Sparks, Sister 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:   Love! “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you…Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Luke 6:27 - 28   We have been working our way through some of the book of Luke on Wednesdays nights. This week we opened these glorious verses. I personally believe the greatest thing a saved sinner has is God’s love in their heart. I believe that everything with God began with love. It was because of love that He chose to save a sinner like me, and to adopt me as His own son. God said in 1 John 4:7 - 8 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God…He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” How can one say they are saved if they do not love God’s children? As believers and recipients of God’s love through Jesus Christ and the gifting of the Holy Spirit, how can we not love? What were we before God saved us and gave us His love? But now, that we have received God’s love then we need to live our life in that love. God tells us how to do that right there in Luke 6, it starts with “Love your enemies”, and continues with “do good to them which hate you”, and “Bless them that curse you”, and “pray for them which despitefully use you”, and “turning the cheek that is slapped” and etc. Folks that is a lot, I do not know about you, but for me that takes a lot of work on my part. But, to truly do it will show you how God loves you. Remember you were at enmity with God before you were saved. You know, as I studied this and remembered my everyday life I realized I was not living to God’s standard’s for me, I have failed in this love area. If we look closely at these scriptures we will see just how much God expects from us, and how short we fall. I have this week tried to have more love for my fellow human being and have discovered it feels good to be nice to them that are lost. It felt good living more like God told us too. People do not need to be Christians for me to love them because God told me they do not. But, I must admit them being a Christian make the love I have for them even more special. I have to admit it has been a hard week trying to live these scriptures closer and closer, especially driving on the roads. But, we must remember that all things are possible through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.  Luke 18:27 “And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” That’s right God can do anything, even with you. I ask you this week to lean on these scriptures, study them and work to do them, and if you slip don’t give-up ask the Lord to increase His grace to help you. Help someone in need, bless them that are angry with you, smile and greet those that despise you, and the feeling will be great. Paul said to the church at Rome of love, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” Romans 13:10 how could it work ill if it is fulfilling God’s law? John wrote in 1 John 4:12 “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” God’s love is complete in us when we as believers learn to properly love one another. It takes work, it takes prayer, it takes God’s power, but with all that complete, it perfects God’s glorious love that the Holy Spirit delivered to us as a “fruit”. Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” Beloved, be kind to one another, but don’t stop there continue the kindness to those who are lost, and God will reward you for it, but it in itself will be rewarding.

Christ's presence—and sin's presence By A. W. Pink   There are two sides to a Christian's life: a light side—and a dark one; an elevating side—and a depressing one. His experience is neither all joy—nor all grief; but a mingling of both. It was so with the apostle Paul: "As sorrowful—yet always rejoicing" (2 Corinthians 6:10). When a person is regenerated, he is not immediately taken to heaven. Nor is sin then eradicated from his being, though its dominion over him is broken. It is indwelling corruption which casts its dark shadow over his joy!   The varied experiences of the believer, are occasioned by  Christ's presence—and sin's presence. If, on the one hand, it is blessedly true that Christ is with him all his days, even unto the end; on the other hand, it is solemnly true that  sin indwells him all his days, even unto the end of his earthly history! Said Paul, "evil is present with me"; and that, not only occasionally—but sin "dwells in me" (Romans 7:20-21). Thus, as God's people feed upon the Lamb, it is "with bitter herbs that they eat it" (Exodus 12:8).   The Christian's consciousness of indwelling sin,  his mourning over its defiling influence,  his sincere efforts to strive against its solicitations,  his penitent confessions to God of his failure to master this inveterate foe —are among the unmistakable evidences that he is a regenerate person. For it is certain—that no one who is dead in trespasses and sins, realizes that there is a sea of iniquity within his heart, defiling his very thoughts and imagination; still less does he make conscience of the same and lament it!   It is cause for fervent praise—if your eyes have been opened to see "the sinfulness of sin," and your heart to feel its obnoxiousness. Since it was not always thus, a great change has taken place—you have been made the subject of a miracle of grace!   But the continuance of indwelling sin presents a sore and perplexing problem to the Christian. He is fully assured that nothing is too hard for the Lord.  Why then, is evil allowed to remain present with him? Why is he not rid of this hideous thing—which he so much loathes and hates?  Why should this horrible depravity be allowed to disturb his peace and mar his joy?  Why does the God of all grace not rid him of this harassing tyrant?

Church Notices;   Please pray much this week for the folks in southern Louisiana, there is much flooding. Please continue to pray for our Bible Conference September 16 – 17

Christ took your cup of grief, your cup of the curse — pressed it to His lips, and drank it to its dregs! Then He filled it with His sweet, pardoning, sympathizing love — and gave it back for you to drink, and to drink forever! -Octavius Winslow

 

Lord, smite this sin!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    (Thomas Watson, "The Godly Man's Picture Drawn with a Scripture Pencil)

"Your Word is completely pure, and Your servant loves it." Psalm 119:140

Do we love the holiness of the Word? The Word is preached--to beat down sin, and advance holiness. Do we love it for its spirituality and purity? Many love the Preached Word only for its eloquence and notion. They come to a sermon as to a performance (Ezekiel 33:31,32) or as to a garden to pick flowers--but not to have their lusts subdued or their hearts purified. These are like a foolish woman who paints her face--but neglects her health!

Do we love the convictions of the Word? Do we love the Word when it comes home to our conscience and shoots its arrows of reproof at our sins? It is the minister's duty sometimes to reprove. He who can speak smooth words in the pulpit--but does not know how to reprove, is like a sword with a fine handle, but without an edge! "Rebuke them sharply!" (Titus 2:15). Dip the nail in oil--reprove in love--but strike the nail home!

Now Christian, when the Word touches on your sin and says, "You are the man!"--do you love the reproof? Can you bless God that "the sword of the Spirit" has divided between you and your lusts? This is indeed a sign of grace, and shows that you are a lover of the Word.

A corrupt heart loves the comforts of the Word--but not the reproofs: "You hate the one who reproves--and despise him who tells the truth!" (Amos 5:10). "Their eyes flash with fire!" Like venomous creatures that at the least touch, spit poison! "When they heard these things, they were enraged in their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him!" (Acts 7:54). When Stephen touched their sins--they were furious and could not endure it.

How shall we know that we love the reproofs of the Word?

When we desire to sit under a heart-searching ministry. Who cares for medicines that will not work? A godly man does not choose to sit under a ministry that will not work upon his conscience.

When we pray that the Word may meet with our sins. If there is any traitorous lust in our heart--we would have it found out, and executed! We do not want sin covered--but cured!

When we can open our heart to the sword of the Word and say, "Lord, smite this sin!"

When we are thankful for a reproof. "Let a righteous man strike me--it is a kindness; let him rebuke me--it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it." (Psalm 141:5). David was glad for a reproof.

Suppose a man were in the mouth of a lion, and another should shoot the lion and save the man--would he not be thankful? Just so, when we are in the mouth of sin, as of a lion, and the minister by a reproof shoots this sin to death--shall we not be thankful?

A gracious soul rejoices, when the sharp lance of the Word has pierced his abscess of sin! He wears a reproof like a jewel on his ear: "Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear." (Proverbs 25:12).

To conclude, it is convicting preaching which must do the soul good. As a nipping frost prepares for the sweet flowers of spring--so a nipping reproof prepares the soul for comfort!

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
August 28, 2016

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18)

Behold! For Christ comes a new! His promised return is the final hope for His church. In spite of the suffering we are bound to experience through these tumultuous last days, we share in a hope promised since long ago-as Christ ascended to heaven, He will certainly return. He will return in glory to lead the church victorious over the forces of darkness. We shall all be changed! No more shall the church suffer in Christ's name! Rather she shall glory in victory in Christ's name!

Desires after Christ!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

    (John Flavel, "The Fountain of Life" 1691)

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

"Whom have I in Heaven but you? Earth has nothing I desire besides You!" Psalm 73:25

Christ is the very essence of all delights and pleasures--the very soul and substance of them! As all the rivers are gathered into the ocean, which is the meeting-place of all the waters in the world--so Christ is that ocean in which all true delights and pleasures meet!

Are our desires for Christ ARDENT? Has Christ the supreme place in our hearts? Do we esteem all things but dung that we may win Christ and be found in Him?

Are our desires for Christ UNIVERSAL? Is everything about Christ desirable in our eyes? The hypocrite is for a divided Christ. The true believer loves . . .
  both His government and His grace,
  both His sovereignty and His mercy,
  both His Lordship and His priesthood.

Do our desires after Christ lead us to EFFORT--to use all the means of grace to accomplish His will?
He is revealed in His Word--do we read it?
He is preached in the gospel--do we hear it?
He will be found by those who seek Him--do we earnestly seek Him?

Are our desires after Christ PERMANENT--or only a sudden fit of emotion, fear or impulse? If our hearts and our longing for communion with Him--we will only be satisfied when we awake with His likeness. Nothing that this world affords can possibly take us from this goal!

Do our desires after Christ spring from a DEEP SENSE OF OUR NEED of Christ? Has conviction of sin opened our eyes . . .
  to see our misery,
  to feel our burden of sin,
  to understand our inability, and
  to make us sensible that the only remedy lies in the Lord Jesus Christ?
Bread and wine are made necessary by hunger and thirst. Christ is only precious to those who need Him!

"My soul yearns for You in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for You!" Isaiah 26:9

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Daily Promises

He only [is] my rock and my salvation; [he is] my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall [shall ye be, and as] a tottering fence. They only consult to cast [him] down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation [is] from him. He only [is] my rock and my salvation: [he is] my defence; I shall not be moved. In God [is] my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, [and] my refuge, [is] in God. (Psalm 62:2-7)

Because of our incredible salvation in Christ, we can depend upon Him in times of turmoil and suffering. He alone is our refuge and strength as our soul silently waits in great expectation for His second coming.

Weekday Devotions August 26th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

HE OF TENDER CONSCIENCE

 

"I will judge between cattle and cattle" Ezekiel 34:22

 

Some are fat and flourishing, and therefore they are unkind to the feeble. This is a grievous sin, and causes much sorrow. Those thrustings with side and with shoulder, those pushings of the diseased with the horn, are a sad means of offense in the assemblies of professing believers. The Lord takes note of these proud and unkind deeds, and He is greatly angered by them, for He loves the weak.

 

Is the reader one of the despised? Is he a mourner in Zion, and a marked man because of his tender conscience? Do his brethren judge him harshly? Let him not resent their conduct; above all let him not push and thrust in return. Let him leave the matter in the Lord’s hands. He is the Judge. Why should we wish to intrude upon His office? He will decide much more righteously than we can. His time for judgment is the best, and we need not be in a hurry to hasten it on.

 

Let the hardhearted oppressor tremble. Even though he may ride roughshod over others with impunity for the present, all his proud speeches are noted, and for every one of them account must be given before the bar of the Great Judge.

 

Patience, my soul! Patience! The Lord knoweth thy grief. Thy Jesus hath pity upon thee!

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him

2 Timothy 2:12

The photographer must have a negative, as he calls it, in order to furnish you with a picture. Now, the earthly cross is the negative from which the heavenly crown is to be made; the suffering and sorrow of the present time determining the glory, honor and immortality of the life to come.

A. J. Gordon

His testing room of suffering!

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      (John MacDuff)

"I have tested you in the furnace of affliction!" Isaiah 48:10
I stood once in the test room of a great steel mill. All around me were little partitions and compartments. Steel had been tested to the limit, and marked with figures that showed its breaking point. Some pieces had been twisted until they broke, and the strength of torsion was marked on them. Some had been stretched to the breaking point, and their tensile strength indicated. Some had been compressed to the crushing point, and also marked. The master of the steel mill knew just what these pieces of steel would stand under strain. He knew just what they would bear if placed in a great ship, or building, or bridge. He knew this, because his testing room revealed it.

It is often so with God's children. God does not want us to be like fragile vases of glass or porcelain. He would have us like these toughened pieces of steel--able to bear twisting and stretching and crushing to the uttermost, without collapse.

He wants us to be, not hot-house plants--but storm-beaten oaks. He wants us to be, not sand dunes driven with every gust of wind--but granite rocks withstanding the fiercest storms! To make us such, He needs to bring us into His testing room of suffering.

Many of us need no other argument than our own experiences to prove that suffering is indeed God's testing room of faith. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds--because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

"When He has tested me--I will come forth as gold!" Job 23:10

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
August 26, 2016

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)

God promises mercy to those who keep His holy commands, yet what man could ever see this promised mercy? Only one. Only One. Only Christ. And by His love for us, we too see God's mercy. Christ's infinitely valuable obedience bought mercy for all those who would seek it. Praise our Lord and Saviour for our bountiful access to His saving mercy!

Weekday Devotions August 25th

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

FOOD AND REST

 

"I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God" #Eze 34:15

 

Under the divine shepherdry saints are fed to the full. Theirs is not a windy, unsatisfying mess of mere human "thought"; but the Lord feeds them upon the solid, substantial truth of divine revelation. There is real nutriment for the soul in Scripture brought home to the heart by the Holy Spirit. Jesus, Himself, is the true life-sustaining Food of believers. Here our Great Shepherd promises that such sacred nourishment shall be given us by His own self. If, on the Lord’s Day, our earthly shepherd is empty-handed, the Lord is not.

 

When filled with holy truth the mind rests. Those whom Jehovah feeds are at peace. No dog shall worry them, no wolf shall devour them, no restless propensities shall disturb them. They shall lie down and digest the food which they have enjoyed. The doctrines of grace are not only sustaining, but consoling: in them we have the means for building up and lying down. If preachers do not give us rest, let us look to the Lord for it.

 

This day may the Lord cause us to feed in the pastures of the Word, and make us to lie down in them. May no folly, and no worry, but Meditation and Peace mark this day.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

Nevertheless, at thy word

Luke 5:5

Oh, what a blessed formula for us! This path of mine is dark, mysterious, perplexing; nevertheless, at Thy word I will go forward. This trial of mine is cutting, sore for flesh and blood to bear. It is hard to breathe through a broken heart, Thy will be done. But, nevertheless, at Thy word I will say, Even so, Father! This besetting habit, or infirmity, or sin of mine, is difficult to crucify. It has become part of myself—a second nature; to be severed from it would be like the cutting off of a right hand, or the plucking out of a right eye; nevertheless, at Thy word I will lay aside every weight; this idol I will utterly abolish. This righteousness of mine it is hard to ignore; all these virtues, and amiabilities, and natural graces, it is hard to believe that they dare not in any way be mixed up in the matter of my salvation; and that I am to receive all from first to last as the gift of God, through Jesus Christ my Lord. Nevertheless, at Thy word I will count all but loss for the excellency of His knowledge.

Macduff^[1]

 

He shall bring forth from us the sweet music!

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(Frederick Marsh)

Mendelssohn, on one occasion, hearing an organ being played--asked permission to play it for a few minutes. The organist reminded Mendelssohn that he was a total stranger to him--and that strangers were not allowed to touch the valuable instrument.

At last permission granted, and then Mendelssohn brought forth such music from the organ as to make the organist weep! Ah! But before the music came forth, there were two things necessary:
  the first was, the instrument had to be abandoned to Mendelssohn;
  and the second, Mendelssohn had to take control of it.

The same is true with us in the spiritual realm. There must be the entire surrender to Christ first--and then He shall bring forth from us the sweet music of . . .
   a holy heart,
   a lovely character,
   a gentle disposition,
   a surpassing peace,
   a sweet humility,
   a lowly service,
   a beautiful sympathy,
   and a Christlike life!

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship!" Romans 12:1

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
August 25, 2016

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Revelation 22:12)

The end is near! The time of our final victory in Christ is upon us! He is coming soon and with His coming, the doom of sin, the doom of evil, and the doom of death itself! Praise be! Praise be! Praise be!

Weekday Devotions August 24th

 

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

GOD ABOVE HUMAN PHILOSOPHY

 

"For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" 1Corinthians 1:19

 

This verse is a threatening so far as the worldly-wise are concerned, but to the simple believer it is a promise. The professedly learned are for ever trying to bring to nothing the faith of the humble believer, but they fail in their attempts. Their arguments break down, their theories fall under their own weight, their deep-laid plots discover themselves before their purpose is accomplished. The old gospel is not extinct yet, nor will it be while the Lord liveth. If it could have been exterminated it would have perished from off the earth long ago.

 

We cannot destroy the wisdom of the wise, nor need we attempt it, for the work is in far better hands. The Lord Himself says, "I will," and He never resolves in vain. Twice does He in this verse declare His purpose, and we may rest assured that He will not turn aside from it.

 

What clean work the Lord makes of philosophy and "modern thought" when He puts His hand to it! He brings the fine appearance down to nothing; He utterly destroys the wood, hay, and stubble. It is written that so it shall be, and so shall it be. Lord, make short work of it. Amen, and Amen.

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing

Ezek. 36:26

What is thy season this morning? Is it the season of drought? Then that is the season for showers. Is it a season of great heaviness and black clouds? Then that is the season for showers. “As thy days so shall thy strength be.” “I will give thee showers of blessings.” The word is in the plural. All kinds of blessings God will send. All God’s blessings go together, like links in a golden chain. If He gives converting grace, He will also give comforting grace. He will send “showers of blessings.” Look up today, O parched plant, and open thy leaves and flowers for a heavenly watering.

Spurgeon

He prayed earnestly!

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      (Frederick Marsh)

"Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly . . . " James 5:17

The thing which made Elijah pray as he did, was the man that he was. When our Great High Priest comes with the lighted torch of His grace, and ignites the wood of our being into a holy flame--then the sweet-smelling fragrance of our requests ascend acceptably to God, and bring down the benediction of His love.

The art of prayer, is a sense of desperate need! There must be a sense of need, and an earnest desire to have that need met.
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
 Uttered or unexpressed,
 The motion of a hidden fire,
 That trembles in the breast."

Prayer is a sin-killer. No one can sin and pray; for prayer will either make us cease from sin--or sin will make us cease from prayer.

Prayer is a power-bringer. It is the hand which touches the hem of the garment of Divine grace, and causes the life which is in the Divine One to flow into us.

Prayer is a victory-giver. Bunyan's Christian found that the weapon of "all-prayer" was sufficient to wound and defeat the adversary who would stop him in his progress as a pilgrim.

Prayer is a holiness-promoter. It is like the gentle dew which falls upon the thirsty plants and causes them to be refreshed and to fructify.

Prayer is a dispute-adjuster. Let any two brethren who are at loggerheads get on their knees, and ask the Lord about any disputed matter--and they will find the Lord saying to their troubled spirits, "Peace, be still."

Prayer is an obstacle-remover, as Peter found when an angel came in answer to the prayers of the saints, and delivered him from the prison of Herod's hate.

Prayer is a Christ-revealer, for it clarifies our vision, and enables us to see unseen spiritual realities.

Prayer is the secret of a holy life! We cannot do without prayer. The spiritual life is born in prayer--and it flourishes, and is strong, as it lives in that same atmosphere!

It is not the arithmetic of our prayers--how many they are;
 nor the rhetoric of our prayers--how eloquent they are;
 nor the geometry of our prayers--how long they are;
 nor the music of our prayers--how sweet our voice may be;
 nor the logic of our prayers--how proper they may be;
 nor the method of our prayers--how orderly they may be;
 nor even the theology of our prayers--how good the doctrine may be,
which God cares for. It is only fervency in prayer, which will make a man prevalent with God. Fervent prayer hits the mark, and pierces the walls of Heaven! "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much!" James 5:16

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Daily Promises

Blue Letter Bible
August 24, 2016

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)

No circumstance is too demanding or trivial for God. As believers, we have the ability to gain wisdom from the Creator of the universe as we continue through this life. If at any time we need direction or guidance we can ask God and He will lead us in the ways of righteousness.

 

Weekday Devotions August 23rd

Faith’s Check Book

By Charles H. Spurgeon

 

LOVE AND SEEK TRUE WISDOM

 

"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shalt find me" Proverbs 8:17

 

Wisdom loves her lovers, and seeks her seekers. He is already wise who seeks to be wise, and he has almost found wisdom who diligently seeks her. What is true of wisdom in general is specially true of wisdom embodied in our Lord Jesus. Him we are to love and to seek, and in return we shall enjoy His love, and find Himself.

 

Our business is to seek Jesus early in life. Happy are the young whose morning is spent with Jesus! It is never too soon to seek the Lord Jesus. Early seekers make certain finders. We should seek Him early by diligence. Thriving tradesmen are early risers, and thriving saints seek Jesus eagerly. Those who find Jesus to their enrichment give their hearts to seeking Him. We must seek Him first, and thus earliest. Above all things Jesus. Jesus first, and nothing else even as a bad second.

 

The blessing is that He will be found. He reveals Himself more and more clearly to our search. He gives Himself up more fully to our fellowship. Happy men who seek One who, when He is found, remains with them for ever, a treasure growingly precious to their hearts and understandings.

 

Lord Jesus, I have found thee; be found of me to an unutterable degree of joyous satisfaction.

 

Thought’s for the Quiet Hour

I am the Lord, I change not

Malachi 3:6

Our hope is not hung upon such untwisted thread as “I imagine so,” or “it is likely”; but the cable, the strong rope of our fastened anchor, is the oath and promise of Him who is eternal verity. Our salvation is fastened with God’s own hand and Christ’s own strength to the strong stake of God’s unchanging nature.

William Rutherford